Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — and if you like our newsletter, you’ll like our Instagram.

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Now let’s dive into today’s newsletter. 🫡

~LeQwane L.

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Interested in advertising your business here next? Learn more about our audience.

Another Air Quality Alert

Pollution has been out to get us folks.

Another air quality advisory has been issued across Kent County today. Why?

Hot weather and wildfire smoke from Canada are expected to raise ozone levels to a point that's unhealthy for “sensitive individuals”.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy also recommended that we limit doing things like filling up gas tanks or using gas-powered tools, which can make conditions worse.

For updates throughout the day, view the EGLE’s website.

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Development

Grant Program Supports New Developers

Wondering what’s up with all the development? A city grant program supporting first-time and small developers has awarded nearly $2 million since launching last fall. So far the grant has funded 13 projects, which could lead to 261 new houses, townhomes, and apartments across Grand Rapids. To keep the momentum going, the city plans to allocate another $2 million to the program in its upcoming budget year. | Learn more about the program

Riverfront Park Opens in July

The newly renovated riverfront park called Lyon Square is almost ready to open. What’s left? Final touches are being put on a snow melt system beneath the pavement to keep the space accessible year-round. The park will be open to the public and available for rentals, with a grand opening expected in early July. | Learn more about the park

Civic

Ada Kicks Out Door-to-Door Sales

Ada Township is updating its solicitation ordinance to reduce door-to-door sales. The changes will require broader background checks and tighter regulations for companies going door to door. Earlier this week, the Ada township board voted to move forward with the changes. Maybe we’ll see something similar in the city? | Read about the ordinance updates

Parks Director Gets Role In KZOO

Parks and Recreation Director David Marquardt is heading to Kalamazoo to become the city’s new deputy city manager. Marquardt has led GR’s parks department since 2015. His last day in Grand Rapids is July 4th. While no successor is in place, the city is working on a plan for interim leadership. | Read more

Have news to report? Click here.

Community Feature

Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

🔭 Planetarium Gets Major Upgrade

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium at The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed until next week Monday for “significant upgrades”. According to GRPM’s post, the Planetarium will be much crisper and vibrant once it’s complete. Another reason to go to the museum if you haven’t in a while!

🎤 Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park Return

Wyoming is bringing back its Concert in the Park series next week. The series will feature local artists every Tuesday through July 29th, taking a small break on July 4th. Click here to view the lineup.

🖌️ ArtPrize Calls Muralist

Partnering with the Westside Corridor Improvement Authority, ArtPrize is offering a $10K grant to a local artist to create a mural at 859 West Fulton. If you’re interested here’s the registration.

Want to have your business featured here? Contact me.

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Wednesday, June 11th

• Farmers Market | Fulton Street | 8 AM - 2 PM | Free to attend

• Food Trucks | Air Port Viewing Park | 10 AM - 4 PM | Free to attend

• The Taste | Goei Center | 5 PM - 8 PM | Starting at $28

• Music Bingo | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

• Evening Bike Rides | Veterans Memorial Park | 7:45 PM | Free to attend

• Comedy Night | River City Saloon | 9 PM | Free to attend

Thursday, June 12th

• William Shakespeare Unabridged | Circle Theatre | (6/10 - 6/28) | Various times | Starting at $10

• 2nd Best Sale | Oakdale Park Church | 9 AM - 5:30 PM

• Move! with Ivy Rehab | Allendale Community Park | 10 AM - 11 AM | Free to attend

• Community Night + Summer on Terrace (Open Mic Night) | GRAM | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free general admission

• Summer Jam | 960 Alpine Ave NW | 5:30 PM | Free to attend

• Summer Women's Night Out | Ada Village | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

• OUT Loud Comedy! | The Comedy Project | 7 PM | $20

• Trivia

  • Vander Mill | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

  • Perrin Brewing Co. | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

Friday, June 13th

• Chalk Art Festival | Tanger Outlets | (Fri - Sun) 10 AM - 7 PM | Free to attend

• Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival | Calder Plaza | (Fri - Sun) 11 AM - 11 PM | Free to attend

• RendeZoo | John Ball Zoo | 6 PM - 11 PM | Starting at $150 | 21+

• Killers of Kill Tony | DeVos Performance | 7 PM | Starting at $51

• Comedy: Best of the Best | The Comedy Project | 7 PM - 8:15 PM | $17

• EGR Movies in the Park: Fall Guy | John Collins Park | 8:30 PM | Free to attend

Live Music

Wednesday, June 11th

• Texas Hippie Coalition | The Stache | 6 PM | $32

• Mark Sala | Vander Mill | 7 PM | Free to attend

• Kelly Quinn Experience | Legacy Park (Ada) | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

• Horse The Band, Mechanical Hand, Melted Boides, Palefade | Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $35

Thursday, June 12th

• Da’ Veonce & DaFunk Gang | Rosa Park Circle | 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Free to attend

• Jeff Socia | Third Nature Brewing (Rockford) | 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Free to attend

• Bloodlines & Brushstrokes | Muse GR | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free to attend

• Timothy Sawicki | Big E’s Sport Grill | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free to attend

• Yacht Rocket | Horrocks Market | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

• Badklaat, DirtySnatcha, Subfiltronik | Elevation | 7 PM | $32.50

• Toast | DeVos Performance Hall | 7 PM | Starting at $59

• That Beatles Thing | Kentwood City Hall | 7 PM - 8:30 PM | Free to attend

• Chris Stapleton | Van Andel Arena | (Thu - Fri) 7:30 PM

Friday, June 13th

• Cosmic Jazz Band | Horrocks Market | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

• Ally Venable | The Stache | 6:30 PM | $28

• Ryan Adams | GLC Live | 7 PM | Starting at $45

• The Spine Stealers and Winefred RT wsg Violet Clare | Tip Top Bar | 8 PM | $12

• Flores Negras | The Mint | 9 PM | $18

• Small Parks & The Ultraviolets | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free to attend

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

Outside The Plaza

3 quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids

Calhoun County:  Calhoun County launches new radio system for first responders

Michigan:  MDOT proposes ban on camping, living in vehicles at Michigan rest areas and carpool lots

More for Michigan:  Surveys show troopers lack confidence in MSP chief

That’s All For Today…

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