Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News - the 3x weekly newsletter helping you cut through the noise. And stay updated on what’s happening around town.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but Friday came around fast.

I’m not going to complain though because a relaxing weekend is well-needed. Hope you have a great Halloween weekend filled with fun and relaxation. 🫡 

In today’s news:

• 🏠️ Michigan helps home buyers

• 🥵 Kent County’s drought

• 🎃 Halloween fun for families + grown folks

• Plus, our first feel-good story of the week

Let’s jump on in…

What’s Happening

A briefing of local news that matters

Housing: Michigan helps first-time home buyers

MSHDA launched a new program to give eligible first-time first-home buyers a reduced interest rate on their mortgage. The program has $50M in funding that’ll be used to lower interest rates by 1% for anyone who uses it. Click here to learn more about how to qualify.

Climate:  Kent County is in a drought

Kent County is experiencing its driest 50-day period since 1979. Since September 1st, there have only been 2.20 inches of rain. Last night’s rain and tomorrow’s rain weren’t included…

Health:  New program provides free contraceptives all November

Grand Rapidians will be able to get free birth control and contraceptives in November. The freebies are part of a new program dubbed “Take Control of Your Birth Control” — using $5.6M funded through Michigan’s bipartisan budget.

Development:  Gerald R. Ford secures more funding

Gerald R. Ford Airport is getting $7M to assist with its ongoing face lift — shout out to the fed. The money comes from the Infrastructure Law Airport Terminals Program that’s in charge of funding 125 international airports. The funding adds to an $8.7M grant that was released to GRF 2 years ago.

Community Feature

Get featured in Calder News - tag us on Instagram @Calder.News (we’ll have a Facebook soon)

Events

Preview: Events | Halloween Family-Friendly | Grown-up Halloween Fun | Live Music

This is by far the largest events list that I’ve put together (it took 3 hours of research.

Hope you find something fun to get into!

Today

• Grand Rapids Tatto Festival | DeVos Place | (Fri - Sun) 12 PM - 10 PM | $30/day, $65 for weekend pass, kids 12 and under free

• The Ringling Bros and Barnum Bailey | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM - 11 PM

• Candlelight: Haunted Halloween Classics | Wealthy Theatre | 8:45 PM - 10 PM | Free

Saturday

• Halloween 5K Run | Brass Ring Brewing | 10 AM - 12 PM |

• Mini Market: Fall Festival | Byron Center Meats | 10 AM - 2 PM | Free | Shop clothes, weavings, treats, and art from local crafters

• Dia De Los Muertos Festival | Roosevelt Park | (Fri-Sun) 5 PM - 9 PM | Free | A free cultural and educational event

• The After(Life) Party | The Pyramid Scheme | 9 PM - 1 AM | $15 ADV/ $20 Door | A night of games, contests, live music, and special guests

Sunday

• MI Drag Brunch | The BOB | 11 AM - 4 PM | $45 (includes a drink, meal, and performance) | Drag show with one show across two venues

Family Friendly Halloween Fun

🍬 Trick/Trunk or Treating 🍬 

Today

• Image Studios | 3:30 PM - 6 PM

• Rockford Chamber of Commerce | 4:30 PM - 7 PM

• Kroc Center | 5 PM - 7 PM

• Puppy friendly at Camp Bow Wow | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

• César E. Chávez Elementary | 6 PM - 7:30 PM

• South Harbor Church | 6 PM - 7:30 PM

• The Point Church | 6 PM - 7:30 PM

• Clock Mobility (Mobility Accessible) | 6 PM - 8 PM

• St. Mark Church | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free

• music/performances

Saturday

• Fellowship Reformed Church | 10 AM - 11:30 AM

• Coopersville Indoor Trick or Treating | 10 AM - 1 PM

• Downtown Grand Haven Trick or Treating | 10 AM - 4 PM

• Redemption City Church | 10 AM - 11:30 AM

• Kentwood's Trunk or Treat | 10 AM - 1 PM

• EcoBuns Baby Trick or Treat | 10 AM - 6 PM

• Trick or Treating Downtown Holland | 10 AM - 12 PM

• Avalon Roofing & Exteriors Trunk or Treat | 11 AM - 2 PM

• Trunk or Treat at Visser YMCA | 11 AM - 1 PM

• Trunk or Treat at Potter’s High School | 1 PM - 3 PM aaa

• Trunk or Treat Origins Church | 1 PM - 3 PM

• Thrive Learning Center | 1 PM - 3 PM

• Grand Haven Aviation Association (Airplanes included) | 2 PM - 4 PM

• Evertt’s Gardens | 2 PM - 5 PM

• St. Paul’s UMC | 2 PM - 4 PM

• Holland Aquatic Center | 2 PM - 3:30 PM

• Alaska Baptist Church | 3 PM - 5 PM

• Clyde Park Church of Nazarene | 3 PM - 5 PM

• American Legion Neal E Fonger Post | 3 PM - 6 PM

• Jenison Christian Church | 3 PM - 5 PM

• RiverTown Crossing | 4 PM - 6 PM

• Forest Hills Presbyterian Church | 6 PM - 7:30 PM

• The Point Grand Rapids | 6 PM - 7:30 PM

Sunday

• City Chapel Church | 12 PM - 1 PM

• Cannonsburg Village | 4 PM - 6:30 PM

• Spring Valley Church | 5 PM

• St. Pius X Church | 5 PM - 6 PM

• Crossroads Church | 5 PM - 7 PM

🎃Other Halloween-themed things to do🎃

Saturday

• Oddities on Ottawa | Garage Bar and Grill | 11 AM - 10 PM | $20 - $45 | The biggest Halloween street party in GR

• Haunted Disney Experience | The BOB | 12 PM - 3 PM | $5 - $10 | A family-friendly Halloween costume party and contest

• Howl-Oween Pawty | Wilcox Park | 12 PM - 4 PM | Free | A spooktacular afternoon event with pet costume contests, craft beer, live music, and festive activities

• Pumpkin Prowl | Ada Village | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free | A Halloween event that’s fun for the whole family with trick or treating, food, costumes, live

• Tommy’s Tunnel of Terror | Multiple locations | 7 PM - 10 PM | $25 | Haunted car wash experience that provides a spooky clean time for you and the family

Sunday

• Kids Day at The Haunt | The Haunt | 12 PM - 5 PM | Adults free, 5 under $5, 6 and up $10 | A day of trick or treating with friendly monsters, costume contests, and at a not-so-scary haunt

• Main Event: Halloween Spooktacular | Main Event | 4 PM - 7 PM

Grown Folks Halloween Fun

Today

• Scream Queens Party | General Wood Shop | 6 PM - 2 AM | Free | Enjoy 8 hours of beats, a costume contest, prizes, and more

• Twerk or Treat 2 | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $15 presale/ $20 at door | An adult costume party and concert

• ReVamp | Billy’s Lounge | 9 PM | $15 at door | 21+ adults only Halloween dance party

• Just Wicked Halloween Masquerade | JW Marriott Downtown | 9 PM - 1 AM | $20/person

Saturday

• Halloween Dance Party | Armentality Arts Center | 11 AM - 1 PM | $27 | Adult only Halloween dance party and costume contest

• Halloween Bar Crawl | Küsterer Brauhaus | 4 PM - 10 PM | Prepare for a fun-filled night at the best bars in GR

• Spook-O-Ween | Creston Brewery | 7 PM | $12 | A night of dancing, music, and spooky stories, and more

• Black Cat Bazaar | Speciation Cellars | 7 PM - 11 PM | Free | Adult-only Halloween event with a crafts market, live music, entertainment, and costume contests

• The Intersection Halloween Party | 8 PM | $40 ADV/ $50 Door

Live Music

Today

• Funkle Jesse (Variety) | Fifth Third Ballpark | 5 PM

• Dropkick Murphys (Celtic Punk) | GLC Live | 6 PM | starting @ $79

• Devil Wears Prada, GreyHaven, Moths to Flame | Intersection |

• Mickey Guyton (Country) | The Sache | 7 PM | $25

• Phabies (60s Folk/Pop/Indie) | The Golden Age | 7 PM - 10 PM | $12

• Saved by the 90s | Elevation | 7 PM | $15

• Trixy Tang (Hard Rock) | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM - 1:30 AM

• Variety of bands | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free

Saturday

• Empress Eyes, Jessica Wolfbird, and Ten Peso Version | The Stray | 7 PM | Free

• Maddy O'Neal (Jazzy Hiphop) | The Intersection | 7 PM

• Big Sandy and Fly Rite Boys | Tip Top | 8 PM | $20

• Whiskey Bound (Country) | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM - 1:30 AM

Feel Good Story Of The Week

Imagine if you got the chance to play ball with MJ in his prime, sing with Adele on stage, or share the silver screen with Jim Carrey.

Would be a pretty cool moment right?

Well, a handful of college students at Kendall are living that moment (in their way).

Thanks to a collaboration between Kendall and the Grand Rapids Art Museum, five students get to have their clothing displayed alongside world-renowned fashion designer Alexander McQueen (a guy who sells $1,000 white t-shirts).

Full story here…