Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — the newsletter.
We’re now landing in your inbox every Tuesday and Friday. However, it’s worth mentioning, Calder News is on other platforms too.
Thanks for taking the time to read today’s issue.
~LeQwane L.
Guide to Getting Through Winter in GR
Together with: Ivy Leaf Counseling
Winter in West Michigan can be a tough season to get through. We’ve all said this to ourselves at least once.
Over our break, I teamed up with Ivy Leaf Counseling to help.
Tapping into her insights, Ashleigh (Ivy Leaf’s owner) created a free one-page guide for you that shares simple ideas for staying grounded at home, getting out of the house, and finding winter activities around GR that are not just fun, but mentally engaging.
So if you’d like a practical nudge for getting through the short days, get your guide below.
23,000+ GR residents who are professionals, business owners, parents, etc, look forward to Calder News. Learn how we can help your business reach them.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Culture
GRPM Display Shows Historic Westside Baseball Field
The Grand Rapids Public Museum has opened a new display on Sullivan (Valley) Field. The Westside field has hosted teams like the Grand Rapids Black Sox and Union High School, and 76+ MLB players. You can find the exhibit on the second floor near the Tigers’ autograph baseball collection. | Read more
Public Safety
Wyoming’s New Public Safety Chief
Wyoming has sworn in Kip Snyder as its new public safety chief following the retirement of Kimberly Koster. Snyder is a longtime department leader who served as deputy chief. In the role, he’ll manage 170 staff, budgets, and public safety efforts. | Read more
Business
Microsoft Behind $1B Data Center Near Lowell
On Wednesday, Microsoft revealed its plans behind the proposed $1B data center in Covenant Business Park (Alden Nash Ave SE) in Lowell. Given the heat they’ve received, the company paused rezoning efforts to meet with the community over the next few weeks. This would mark the third data center Microsoft is pushing for in the area. | Read more
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Ask Grand Rapids 🤔
Have you said/ written 2025 instead of 2026 yet?
Animal Shelter Shares Its 2025 Wrap
Spotify wrapped this. Apple Music wrapped that.
What about local services wrapped? The Kent County Animal Shelter released its 2025 “wrapped” (a review of the services efforts by the numbers).
The report says…
1,500+ pets found homes
Luna was the most popular pet name this year
Volunteers logged 6,800+ hours
6,337 pets were licensed across the county
The shelter also shared stats on the most common species and top dog names in Kent County.
Learn more about the good work from the folks at the animal shelter.
Talk Of The Town
🍟 Impact of Poutine Week
Ever wondered what kind of impact those 1-2 week-long food festivals have on the community? GR’s Economic Development Department released the numbers behind Poutine Week 2025 - they’re pretty solid.
🦦 GRCC Launches New Mascot
GRCC has announced its new mascot, The River Raider. Inspired by location, energy, and otters’ curiosity, wit, and speed (similar to CC students). Check out the mascot here - it’s better than the Raccoon.
🥁 Winter Live Music Festival Downtown
Here’s one for the live music lovers. The Wheatland Music Organization is hosting its winter music festival at the Intersection tomorrow. The event will bring 10+ bands and artists together for around 8 hours of tunes.
Speaking of music, St. Cecilia released its 2026 music series lineup.
Hiring:
🍦 Frosty Boy → Local ice cream shop Frost Boy has started its hiring process for the upcoming season. Good opportunity for the kiddos
Talking Shop
🎨 Crows Hold → The owner of 200 S. Division (the former Goodwill building) is turning the space into a year-round artist and vendor market
Local Eats
🍔 Shake Shack → The fast casual burger and shake spot has signed a 15-year lease at Woodland Mall with plans to open its first location around town
What’s Happening?
Friday, January 9th
Remodeling & New Homes Show | DeVos Place | (Fri - Sun) Various times | $12+
World of Winter Kick Off | Various locations | 5 PM - 9 PM | Free
"Junk Drawer" A G.V.S.U Art Show | 106 Gallery | 6 PM - 10 PM | Free
Saturday, January 10th
DIY Workshop: Flooring | Home Repair Services | 10 AM - 12 PM | Free
Ice Breaker | Rosa Park Circle | 12 PM - 3 PM | Free
Artist Talk | Calder Plaza | 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Free
Fire & Ice at World of Winter | Rosa Park Circle | 6 PM | Free
Pop Scholars Improv Comedy | Wealthy Theatre | 8 PM | $12
Sunday, January 11th
Time Travel Half-Marathon | Riverside Park | 9 AM | $17+
Jalsa Indian Festival | Calder Plaza | 1 PM - 4 PM | Free
Full Moon Sound Bath | SILVA | 6 PM | $49
Live Music
Friday, January 9th
The Big Daddy Fox Duo | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
MORLOCK NIGHT (Rock Showcase) | The Stache | 6:30 PM | $16
Union Guns | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM | $5
Mark Lavengood | Fulton St. Pub | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free
The Bandino Extravanga's w/ Hot Girls | Founders | 7 PM | Free
Boléro! | DeVos Performance Hall | (Fri, Sat) 7:30 PM | $28+
Finding Amelia + First Aid Spray + Smothers | Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $21
Erin Monroe | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Geech | The BOB | 9 PM | Free
Josh Johnston Band | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM | ?
The Bloody Pickups / Cherry Drop / Slumlord Radio | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Saturday, January 10th
Winter Wheat Music Festival | The Intersection | 2 PM - 10 PM | $32+
Hannah Laine + Fake Baseball + Jess Ivey | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $17
Twilight Tunes Dueling Pianos | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM | $5
Bleed The Water, Wolfbite, Skinjacket | Pux Cider Taphouse | 7 PM | $7
GR Milonga | The Harris Building | 8 PM | $25
Left Lane Cruiser wsg Slumlord Radio | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
The Soul Syndicate | Billy’s Lounge | 8 PM | $10
DJ RIINK | The BOB | 9 PM | Free
Saturn Skies, KVPE, Justol | K-ROK | 9 PM | $7.5+
Colt Snuffer and The Dead Horsemen, Hazm, Indiana, Driving in the Bike Lane | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Sunday, January 11th
Americana Sundays | ArtRat Gallery | 3 PM | $25
Toby Bresnahan | Kusterer Brauhaus | 4 PM | Free
Sports
Saturday, January 10th
Women’s 4X4 Volley Ball Tourney | Cornerstone University | 9 AM
GR Gold VS College Park Skyhawks | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $15+
Sunday, January 11th
GR Gold VS Wisconsin Herd | Van Andel Arena | 3 PM | $15+
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
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That’s All For Today…
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