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Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — where the news is local, the takes are quick, and the coffee is probably still brewing, unless it’s lunch time for ya.
Let’s get into it.
~LeQwane L.
Best Of West Michigan
Every year, the Revue WM magazine hosts a "Best West of the West" poll for everything from coffee to group activities across West Michigan.
The voting ran for a couple of months. And the results are in:
Best burger joint: Black Napkin
Best coffee: Madcap
Best soup: Uncle Cheetah’s
Best gin: Long Road Distillers’
These are just a handful of the winners from Grand Rapids (there are a couple dozen more).
Community Feature
📍 Photo of the s-curve pre-1999 | Courtesy of GR Archives
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Business
Steelcase Sold in $2.2 Billion Deal
Steelcase, a Grand Rapids staple for over a century, is being sold to Iowa-based furniture maker HNI Inc. in a deal worth $2.2 billion. The company’s headquarters and brand name will stay right here in town (for the time being), but ownership will shift to HNI by year’s end. | Read more
Sports
GR’s Sports Team Joins New League
Big news for local volleyball fans. The Grand Rapids Rise and the Pro Volleyball Federation are joining forces with rival Major League Volleyball to create a new national league. Starting in January, Grand Rapids will compete under the Major League Volleyball name, with home games at Van Andel Arena. The new league kicks off with teams in eight cities, aiming to boost the sport's popularity nationwide. | More information
Community
YMCA Expands Access to Local Produce
The YMCA just received a $44,000 boost to bring fresh, locally grown food to more families around town. Thanks to the grant, the Y can expand its mobile Veggie Van routes, upgrade cooler space, and grow even more produce at the Mary Free Bed YMCA’s garden. The funding comes from a statewide initiative to help Michigan farmers connect with communities, making fresh food more accessible and affordable to purchase. | Read more
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Grand Rapids Trivia
What is the most photographed location in town?
I will include the results to this poll in Friday’s newsletter 👀
Talk Of The Town
🌼 Uptown Gets Greener
The Uptown neighborhood has received a eco-friendly makeover along Lake Dr. and East Fulton. Thanks to a partnership with Native Edge, the redesigned public spaces feature native plants.
🆘 Stay Prepared to Help
The Kent County Veteran Services has partnered with the Health Department to offer locals access to free Narcan to anyone in need of it. Simply stop by their office to grab a box.
Opening
Texas de Brazil Steakhouse - Woodland Mall is getting a Brazilian-American steakhouse in the location of the now-closed Blackrock Bar and Grill. The location is set to open in September.
What’s Happening?
A Glimpse Of Africa
📅 August 9th - 10th
⏰ 10:30 AM - 10 PM Sat. | 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Sun.
📍 Calder Plaza
You are invited to the A Glimpse of Africa Festival. The largest annual African Cultural Festival in West Michigan. It is a Free-Family Friendly event that will showcase the rich, diverse, and beautiful cultures from different African countries. Expect great fashion, art, food, live dance, live music, poetry, and arts and crafts, as well as family and kids’ interactive educational activities.
What Else Is Happening?
Wednesday, August 6th
Advanced Manufacturing Expo | DeVos Place | (Wed - Thu) Various times | Free to attend
RHMC WM Golf Outing | Thornapple Golf Club | 8:30 AM
Heritage Hill Happy Hour | The Commons | 5 PM | Free to attend
Tree ID Walk | Oakhill Cemetery | 5:30 PM | Free
Community Clothing Swap | Helping Hands | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free
Thursday, August 7th
Global Leadership Summit | Calvin University | (Thu - Fri) Various times | Starting at $99
Girls Weekend | Circle Theatre | (Thu - Sat) Various times | Starting at $10
National Boxing Championship | DeVos Place | (Thu - Sun) | ?
WGVU KidsDay | John Ball Zoo | 9 AM - 5 PM | $5
Summer Celebration | Beacon Hill at Eastgate | 5:30 PM | Free
Bounce & Bubbles | Westview CRC | 6:30 PM - 8 PM | Free
Friday, August 8th
USSP Senior Pickleball Tournament | Belknap Park | (Fri - Sun) 9 AM - 7 PM | Free to spectate
Motorcycle Rally | Riverside Park | (Fri - Sun) 10 AM - 10 PM | Free to attend
Summer Street Fair | Downtown Grandville | 4 PM | Free
Don McMillan | Wealthy Theatre | 6:30 PM | $37
Movies in the Park: Inside Out 2 | Bicentennial Park | 7 PM | Free
Rooftop Comedy Night | Mertens Prime | 8:30 PM | Starting at $30
Live Music
Wednesday, August 6th
Idle Valley, Hot Girls, RTNR, Wilson Ave | Tip Top | 4 PM | $12.25
Space Bar | Legacy Park | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free
Paolo Dara | Plymouth Chamber Players | 7:30 PM | Free
Thursday, August 7th
Al Bettis | Rosa Park Circle | 12 PM - 1:30 PM | Free
GRAM on the Green: Chris Canas Band | GRAM | 6 PM | Free
Angie Delight | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Chloe Kimes | Friendship Park | 6:30 PM | Free
Rock N Soul | Kentwood City Hall | 7 PM | Free
Daniel Staggs & The Critters, The Skeems, Itz Namo | Mulligan’s Pub | 9 PM | Free
Friday, August 8th
Anna Massey | The Bob | 6 PM | Free
The Krank Daddies with Red Hot Voodoo | Tip Top | 6 PM | $12.25
The Soul Syndicate | Legacy Park | 6 PM | Free
Simply In Time | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Annie Bacon and Coldville | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
Prior Noon | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM | Free
KIESZA + Bonnie McKee | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $95
Tiberius & Riot Punch | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Blisshead, Head, Density’s Child, Michael Riley | Mulligan’s Pub | 109 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
That’s All For Today…
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