Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — the newsletter that makes sure your local news and event updates are packaged, shipped, and delivered 3x a week.

⚠️ HEADS UP: Monday will be our last newsletter of 2024 — I plan to get back in the office on the first of the year (Wednesday, January 1st).

To send you into the new year, I’ll add the best NYE parties and events around town in Monday’s email.

This leaves me to ask…

~LeQwane L.

In today’s news:

• 🏙️ Mark Washington is here to stay

• 👋 Goodbye DeltaPlex

• 🏘️ Most decorative houses

What’s Happening

A briefing of local news that matters

City:  Mark is here to stay

Last month, news surfaced that Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington was in the running for a similar role in Dallas Texas. However, Washington withdrew his candidacy after the city commission voted to extend his contract in Grand Rapids. Btw… This guy is more important than the Mayor — click here to learn what he does as city manager.

Development:  Say goodbye to the DeltaPlex

Goodbye, DeltaPlex. The Walker Planning Commission has approved a plan for builders to construct a new industrial building in place of the DeltaPlex. The building will be 165,000 sqft and have space for three tenants. It’ll feature truck docks, parking, and everything needed for commercial operations.

Community:  Santa Parade by the numbers

Two weekends ago, the 103rd Grand Rapids Santa Parade took over downtown. Yesterday, the city shared the numbers behind the parade. An estimated 10,550 people attended the parade, and around 5,800 people watched the tree lighting. This is a massive turnout, considering that the entire Van Andel Arena seats 12,000 at full capacity.

Have news to report? Click here.

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Houses Of The Week

It’ssss timeeeeee (holiday music plays)

I asked Grand Rapidians where some of the most festive houses and neighborhoods were.

And here are some of the neighborhoods and houses you mentioned:

• 1623 Woodward Ave SE | Great lighting and an archway over the sidewalk

• 1854 Woodward Ave SE

• 1247 Bates ST SE | Light show

• 1555 Knapp ST NE | Tons of great inflatables and lighting

• 4776 Paramount DR NE

• Interested in checking out more festive homes for the holidays? Check out this full guide

Also… if you want to make this tour a little more fun for the family. Snag a free “Christmas Lights Scavenger” like the one shown below here.

Know of any other houses with light shows or amazing decorations that weren’t listed? Reply to this email with the address!

Events

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Friday

• Grand Rapids Griffins VS Milwaukee Admirals | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | Starting at $18

• Dirty Holiday Comedy | Sidebar | 9:30 PM - 11 PM | $20 GA

Saturday

• Ready for Reindeer | Alpine Public Library | 10 AM | Free | Enjoy and take pictures of your kids with real-life reindeer

• Christmas Magic Show | Wealthy Theatre | 6:30 PM, 8:30 PM | Starting at $30

Sunday

• Tuba Christmas concert | Grand Rapids Public Museum | 3 PM - 4 PM | Cost of admission | Watch an assortment of brass players of skill levels come together and play a Christmas concert

• Grand Rapids Griffins vs Texas Stars | Van Andel Arena | 4 PM | Starting at $17

• Last Chance Holiday Market | The Pyramid Scheme | 4 PM - 8 PM | Free

Live Music

Friday

• Ho Ho Hot Mulligan (Variety) | The Intersection | 5 PM | $50

• How The Djs Stole Christmas | Billy’s Lounge | 8 PM

• BUNKERMAN (Electro-Jazz) | Speciation Cellar | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free

Saturday

• Quadraphonic (Variety) | Billy’s Lounge | 7 PM | $20

• Shake Down, Dog Skull, Coyote | The DAAC | 7 PM | $7

• The Bootstrap Boys (Country) | Midtown | 7:30 PM | $20

• Silver Creek Revival (Indie) | Tip Top | 8 PM | $10 | Show is 21+ only

• Studiotone (Rock pop) | Turnstiles | 8 PM

• K.L.O, Carter Jones, Shamer, Nostratic | Pyramid Scheme | 8:30 PM | $25 | Show is 18+

• EVILGROOVE SHOWCASE (Hard techno) | 133 Cesar E. Chavez | 9 PM - 2 AM

• Astro Jackson (Variety) | Back Forty Saloon | 9 PM | Free

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

That’s All For Today…

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