Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — and if you haven’t already, follow us on the gram!

I’m stepping up our social media game. And I’ve got a goal to reach 1,000 followers by the end of the summer. Drop a follow and help me out @calder.news

I hope you’re having a great Wednesday so far. 🙂

~LeQwane L.

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Environment

New Styrofoam Recycling Plant

Kent County just made it easier to recycle Styrofoam. A new drop-off station is now open at the North Kent Recycling & Waste Center in Rockford, giving locals a convenient way to keep bulky foam out of landfills. The site has already collected over 1,600 pounds. The center accepts white packaging foam and is open during regular business hours—no more long drives to Big Rapids. | Learn more about the plant here

Housing

New Homes For The Middle-Class

A new neighborhood development on Union Street is making homeownership more accessible for Grand Rapids families. Dwelling Place Community Land Trust has built 42 homes priced 25% below market value using a shared equity model—meaning buyers own the home, but lease the land underneath it. It’s designed for households earning $60K–$120K a year and has already helped local first-time buyers secure homes for ~$500 down. An open house is set for May 21 from 4 to 6:30 PM for anyone interested. | Learn more

City

Power Outages on SW Side

A car crash at Hall Street and Cesar E. Chavez took down a utility pole, cutting power to around 2,000 homes and businesses on the southwest side. Streetlights along US-131 from MLK Jr. Street to Burton Street also went out. Crews are working to restore service, but if you're driving in the area, remember to treat dark traffic signals like four-way stops!

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We Asked Grand Rapids

The results are in.

In Monday’s newsletter, we asked when you would prefer to get Calder News. And 74.60% of you said you’d prefer to receive our newsletter in the morning.

While I’m not the biggest morning guy, I will make some adjustments to make sure we can get out the issues as early as possible. ✅ 

Advertise with Calder News to grow your business or raise awareness for your event. Contact us to reach 3,000+ engaged locals.

Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

☀️ Free Summer Day Camp

The city of Grand Rapids is offering free summer day camp for local kids aged 6 - 12 years old. The camps will take place at Garfield Park, Roosevelt Park, and GR Christian Elementary. Registration is now open, secure your spot while you can!

🍞 Cinnabon Is Coming to GR

The city’s first Cinnabon location is set to open soon inside the Cascade Meijer on 28th Street, alongside a new Auntie Anne’s. While there’s no official opening date yet, both spots are listed as “coming soon”.

Want to have your business featured here? Contact me.

Featured Event

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Wednesday, May 14th

• Gallery for Kids | AllArtWorks | 4 PM - 6 PM | Free to attend | Free art activities for kids

• Touch A Truck | Chick Fil A Standale | 5 PM - 7 PM | Kids eat free with adult meal | Police, fire, construction, and tow trucks are taking over the Chick-Fil-A parking lot in Standale

• Zoo At the Studio | 1539 Taylor Ave N, Suite 6 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $80 | Make a set of 4 snack plates using animal-inspired designs

• Open Mic Comedy | River City Saloon | 9 PM | Free to attend

• Trivia

  • Stella's Lounge | 6:30 PM | Free to attend

  • Ed Dunneback & Girl's Farm Market | 7 PM - 8 PM | Free to attend

  • Harmony Brewing Company | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

  • Brickyard Tavern | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

  • Speciation Cellars | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

  • Harmony Brewing | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend | Win Harmony gift cards

Thursday, May 15th

• Steven Rogers (comedian) | The BOB | (Thu - Sat) Various times | Starting at $10

• Used Book Sale | KDL (Planfield Branch) | (Thu, Fri) 9:30 AM - 7 PM | Free to attend

• O'Brien Vineyards | Art Of The Table | 4 PM - 8 PM | Free to attend | A free tasting event and to meet the winemaker, Barry O'Brien

• 3rd Annual Spring Dust Off | GR Auto Gallery | 4:30 PM - 7 PM | Free to attend | An evening filled with awesome cars, good company, and free food

• Community Night | GRAM | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free admission to the museum

• Bark for the Park | Kellogg Woods Park | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Free to attend | Bring your pup to this free event to explore local pet vendors and community booths

• Community Bike Rides | Eastown Community Association Office | 6 PM - 7 PM | Free to attend | These inclusive bike rides cater to individuals of all ages and skill levels.

• Board Game Night | The Stray | 6:30 PM - 10 PM | Hosts Eva & Drake Anderson share their extensive collection of both modern and classic games

• Euchre Thursday | House Rules Lounge | 7 PM - 9 PM | $5 to play

• Mike Hanford (comedian) | Midtown | 6:30 PM | $20 - $25

• Night with the Opera | GLC Live | 8 PM - 10 PM | $5 Students, $20 GA

• Trivia

  • Perrin Brewing | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend | All ages welcome, 21+ recommended

Friday, May 16th

• Armed Forces Thanksgiving | GRF Presidential Museum | 9:30 AM - 12 PM | Free to attend | a vehicle for our community to understand, honor, and express thanks for the service of those who have served

• Garden Inspiration Days | Everett’s Gardens (Byron Center) | 9 AM - 6 PM | Free to attend | Multiple designers will be on-site both days to answer your landscaping questions

• WestFest GR | John Ball Park | 12 PM - 10 PM | $30 - $35 | The Midwest’s finest carnival presented by Skerbeck Entertainment

• Big Fitting Event | Maple Hill Golf | 3 PM - 7 PM | (Free) Appointment Only | ake an appointment to browse and try out the Callaway, Cleveland/Srixon, Cobra, Mizuno, Tour Edge, and Wilson Staff

• Jeep Fest | Downtown Grand Haven | (Fri, Sat) 5 PM | Free to attend

• Food Truck Fridays | North Riverside Park | 5 PM - 9 PM | Each week as we have around 20 food trucks, merchant vendors and live music

• Fortune Feimster (comedian) | DeVos Performance Hall | 7 PM | $62

• Nate Jackson (comedian) | GLC Live | 7:30 PM | $53

• Secret Comedy Show | Creston Area | 8 PM | $27 | 21+ Show | Secret lineup. Secret location. Big laughs. Don’t Tell Comedy brings pop-up comedy shows to unexpected spots

Live Music

Wednesday, May 14th

• Heartsick + Rip VanRipper + Death Pose + Glassfield | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | Starting at $22

• Hippie Sabotage | GLC Live | 7 PM - 11 PM | Starting at $48

Thursday, May 15th

• Elizabeth Pixlev-Fink | Rosa Park Circle | 12 PM - 1:30 PM | Free to attend

• Candlelight: Rings and Dragons | Wealthy Theatre | 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM | Starting at $54.50

• That Arena Rock Show | The Intersection | 7 PM | $32.25

• Silent Spirit + Castleman.2 + Disco Behemoth | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $22

• Blues Jam Night | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM - 10 PM | Free to attend

• Kat and the Hurricane with Biitchseat, Ethereal | Mulligan's Pub | 9 PM | Free to attend

Friday, May 16th

• Pecos & the Rooftops | Elevation | 6:30 PM | $35 or $18 BOGO

• Versa + 7L | The Stache | 8 PM | $28.25

• Knorberg, THV (Electro-jazz, instrumental rock) | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free to attend

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

Outside The Plaza

Quick hit of news from around Grand Rapids

Michigan:: EGLE announces grants for 5 West Michigan dam projects

That’s All For Today…

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