Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News.
What a week!
I attended the GR Chamber’s Year-End Event, the ribbon-cutting at the new Kent County Health Department facility, Uptown’s Shop Hop (shout-out Quarantino’s), and Bamboo’s amazing opening party.
But it is a good feeling when your calendar is (almost) empty and the weekend is ahead.
Thanks for checking in to Calder News. Have a great weekend. 🫡
~LeQwane L.
Scholarships That Stay Close to Home
Together with: Treadstone Mortgage
Click the image to learn more
The next generation of West Michigan leaders deserves real support.
Treadstone’s Hustle & Heart Scholarship is built for local students aged 17–19 who are stepping into what’s next - college, trade school, the military, or even launching a business.
And they’re looking for young people with character, resilience, and community impact, and are awarding up to five $5,000 scholarships to students whose stories show it.
Applications are now open.
This newsletter was made possible thanks to our partners. If your company or organization can benefit from sharing a message with 20,000+ GR locals, let’s chat.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Development
Sligh Building’s Future
The future of the Sligh building (home to multiple antique shops) is still up in the air after a postponed court hearing. The receiver for the property is leaning toward closing the building and selling it. The building needs major repairs and has financial issues. The new hearing is set for Dec. 12th. | Read more
Health
Health Dept. Reopens After Renovation
The Kent County Health Department has finished a major renovation of its main office on Fuller. campus, adding new exam rooms, improved waiting areas, and upgraded workspaces for staff. The $4.8M renovation was the building’s first major upgrade since the mid-2000s. | View images
Community
Boston Square’s New Community Center
On Saturday (Dec. 6th), Boston Square is hosting a combined celebration with its annual tree lighting and the grand opening of HUB 07, a new community center. Starting at 3:30 PM, community members can tour the new space, visit local vendors, meet Santa, and enjoy food truck meals for the first 300 guests who show. | Learn more
Have news to report? Click here.
60 Years in the Making
Courtesy of GRPS
This one flew under my radar, but I thought it was a nice story to cover.
About two weeks ago, Grand Rapids celebrated a long-overdue moment.
As a star athlete at South High (today’s Innovation Central), Cleo Cross took a brave stand against a discriminatory facial hair policy that targeted black students.
And that cost him his diploma.
After 60 years, GRPS honored his courage and presented him with the diploma he earned.
Talk Of The Town
🍿 Free Movies For Kids
Celebration Cinema has brought back Flick’s Family Film. Starting next week, the holiday classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be free for kids and just $6 for adults.
♿ Local Group Puts Smiles on Faces
Once Upon A Room, a large nonprofit with an office in GR, is working with Helen DeVos Hospital to personalize rooms for young patients with extended hospital stays.
Talking Shop
Urban Air Adventure → The new indoor adventure park located on Alpine is hosting its grand opening on Saturday. The event will have giveaways, food, music, and more.
Featured Event
Night of Worship with Aaron Boyd
📍 North Park Baptist Church
📅 Sunday, Dec. 7th
⌛ 6 PM
Come out and listen to Aaron for a free night of his songs, Christmas favorites, and testimony.
Click the image to learn more
Friday, December 5th
West Michigan Hockey Showcase | Patterson Ice Center | (Fri - Sat) All day | $10/ day
GR Symphony: Holiday Pops | DeVos Performance Hall | (Fri - Sat) Various times | $28+
Hark Up Christmas | DeVos Center for Arts | (Fri, Sun) Various times | $22+
Coworking Day For Women | The Space | 9 AM - 3 PM | Free
Ice Skating | Rosa Park Circle | 10 AM - 9:30 PM | $3
Christmas Arts Market | 200 Division | 3 PM
Open House | Grand River Markerspace | 4 PM | Free
Pinkmas PJ Party | 28th St. | 5 PM | Free
Tinsel, Treats, and Trolleys | Ada Village | 5:15 PM | ?
Photos w/ Santa Paws | The Pack Indoor Dog Park | 5:30 PM | Donation suggested
Wyoming Winter Wonderland | Godwin Mercado | 6 PM - 8 PM | Frree
Kraft w/ Krampus | SILVA | 7 PM | $32
A Christmas Carol - A Dramatic Reading | The Stray | 7 PM | $11
Saturday, December 6th
Holiday Artists Market | Vinecroft Studios | (Sat - Sun) Various times
Record & CD Show | Wilson Ave | 9 AM | Free
DIY Workshop: Tile Setting | Home Repair Services | 10 AM - 12 PM | Free
Annual Holiday Market | Oh, Hello Paper & Gifts | 11 AM | Free
Rockford's Santa Parade | 11 AM | Free
Ada Chili and Beer Festival | Community Church (Ada) | 11 AM | ?
Blacksmith 101: Pioneer Holiday | Blandford Nature Center | 12 PM | $100
BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley | Kusterer Brauhaus | 3 PM | $89
Holiday Harmony Show | Fountain St. Church | 3 PM | $15+
Christmas in the Commons | Grandville CC | 5:30 PM | Free
Tom Papa | GLC Live | 6 PM | $52
Sunday, December 7th
Candy Cane Course | Caledonia | 9 AM | $25
Winter Artisan Market | Vivant Brewery | 12 PM
Silent Book Club Holiday Party | Speciation Cellars | 4 PM | Free
Intro to Laser Engraved Tumblers | Grand River Makerspace 4 - 6 PM | $25
Top Upcoming Events
The Nutcracker (GR Ballet) | DeVos Performance Hall | Dec. 12th - 21st
The Nutcracker (MBallet Academy) | EGR Performing Arts Center | Dec. 19th - 21st
Live Music
Friday, December 5th
Tony Thompson | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Brandon Ward | Downtown Market | 7 PM | Free
Jazz Night | CitySen | 7 PM | Free
Maddy O'Neal | Elevation | 8 PM | $25
The Claudettes and Carolyn Striho | Tip Top | 8 PM | $10
Morale & The Fuzzrites | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Saturday, December 6th
Domestic Problems | The Intersection | 6 PM | $22
GR Just Us Band | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Kashus Culpepper | The Stache | 6:30 PM | $24
Michigander Holiday Special | Elevation | 7 PM | $35
The Insiders | Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $33
Sean Anthony Sullivan, Might Big Rig, Ten Peso Version | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Fermented Plague, Beyond the Fathoms, Knee Deep in the Dead | 10 PM | Free
Sunday, December 7th
RAWK FOR TOTS | Woody’s Press Box | 2 PM | Free
Trans-Siberian Orchestra | Van Andel Arena | 2:30, 7:30 PM | $55
The Schrock Bros' Holiday Show 4 w/ Peter Madcat Ruth | ArtRat Gallery | 3 PM | $28
Sophia McIntosh | Downtown Market | 6 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…
⭐ 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