- Calder News
- Posts
- đ Whatâs up with the air quality? | June 6th, 2025
đ Whatâs up with the air quality? | June 6th, 2025
Plus, free planet fitness gyms, fishing, and more

If this email was shared with you click here.
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Iâm LeQwane and this is Calder News â and we drop the best events, happenings, and news around town in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I woke up a tad happier than normal today. Why?
Two reasons. Itâs Friday and itâs National Doughnut Day. And I love a sweet treat.
I havenât quite picked the place I should grab a doughnut from, so Iâd like to ask youâŠ
Who has the best doughnuts around Grand Rapids? đ© |
P.S. Iâm usually unaware of upcoming holidays (or gag national days), but this week iâm on a roll, folks.
~LeQwane L.

Connect: Linkedin
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Housing
26 New Apartments Are Coming To Division
A new 26-unit apartment building is planned for the corner of Division and Logan. The city awarded first-time builder Hansen a $200K grant to help cover costs. The project will be located at 443 Sheldon Ave. SE and itâll feature mixed-income housing, ground-floor parking, and all-electric utilities. The project is expected to break ground by spring 2026. | Read more here
Weather
Watch The Air Quality
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has pushed air quality to unhealthy levels across Michigan (including GR). While some reports I read indicated that conditions have improved, there is still âmoderately bad air qualityâ for most of the town. Hazy skies and a smoky smell may linger until early Saturday, when shifting winds are expected to fix the issue over the weekend. | See a live update on the air quality
Due to this, all Planet Fitness locations are opening their doors for free to anyone who wants to work out over the weekend. All youâll need to go is your ID.
Community
GR Honors Victims of Gun Violence
This weekend marks the 11th year of the national Wear Orange movement, held near National Gun Violence Awareness Day. People are encouraged to wear orange, plant marigolds, tie orange ribbons, or change porch lights to honor lives lost or affected by gun violence. While the Blue Bridge was set to light up orange again this year, a technical issue is preventing the color change. So if you peep lots of orange this weekend, thatâs why! | Learn more about the movement
Have news to report? Click here.
CREW HIGHLIGHT
This is our new section for reader-submitted shoutouts, stories, and opinions that lift up our community.

Biking from GR to LA for a Cause | Submitted by an anonymous reader from Kentwood
Two longtime friends from Grand Rapids, Tommy Gehl and Michael Vansuilichem, are doing a cross-country bike ride from Grand Rapids to Los Angeles to raise $50,000 for the L.A. Fire Department Foundation.
The ride starts on Monday and itâs a part of a campaign they set up called Pedal to the Rescue.
The trip will span 3,400 miles over three months. And this isnât random. The idea was drummed up years ago when the two were in high school. Between training, planning, and college finals, the duo has been preparing for 6+ months.

Advertise with Calder News to grow your business or raise awareness for your event. Contact us to reach 4,000+ engaged locals.
Talk Of The Town
Interesting happenings around town
đ„œ Swim Season Is Here
Grand Rapids community pools and splash pads are now open for the season. Briggs and Martin Luther King Pools are open from June 6th to August 16th, while Richmond Pool is closed until a few pump issues are resolved. The cityâs 15+ Splash Pads are open from today through September 14th.
đŁ Free Fishing Weekend
This weekend, anyone can fish in inland or Great Lakes waters for free. And although there are rules, there are no restrictions on which species of fish you can catch.
Whatâs Happening?
Preview: Events â> Live Music
Friday, June 6th
Meijer State Games: Pickleball | Belknap Park | (Fri - Sat) | $60 to participate, free to attend
Godwin Days of Summer | 3703 Division Ave. S | (Fri - Sat) | Free to attend
Spring Market | Everett's Gardens (Byron Center) | (Fri - Sat) 10 AM - 2 PM | Free to attend
National Doughnut Day | Furniture City Creamery | 2 PM - 9 PM | Free doughnut with âDonutâ ice cream flavor purchase
Game Night | Vander Mill | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend
Salooniverse: A Western(ish) Inspired Cirque Adventure | Wealthy Theatre | (Fri - Sat) 6:30 PM | Starting at $44
Garage Sales
Fulton Heights | 9 AM - 5 PM | Free to attend
Alger Heights Neighborhood Garage Sale (Fri -Sat) 9 AM - 5 PM | Free to attend
Saturday, June 7th
Grand Rapids Triathlon | Ada Township Park | (Sat - Sun) | Price varies based on event, free to spectate
Start of Summer Celebration | Downtown Rockford | (Sat - Sun) | Free to attend
GRR Runway 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run | GR Ford International | 9 AM | $29 - $44
Water Pool-ooza | Riverside Park | 10 AM - 2 PM | Free
FAM on SoDIV | Pekick Park | 12 PM - 7 PM | Free
RIVERPRIDE | Bridge St - 1st St | 12 PM - 11 PM | Free
Brunch and Learn | GR Downtown Market | 1 PM - 4 PM | Free to attend
GRAND RAPIDS' 175TH BIRTHDAY PARTY | Rosa Park Circle, Monroe Center, Louis St. | 2 PM - 5 PM | Free
EGR After Dark | Wealthy Street | 3 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend
Bridge Blast on Mason | City Built Brewing | 3 PM - 10 PM | Free to attend
Day Shift | The Intersection | 5 PM - 9 PM | $27.50
Greg Gutfeld Live | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $46.35
Movies in the park: The Hunger Games | Studio Park | 8 PM | Free to attend
Garage Sales
Heritage Hill Garage Sales | 9 AM | Free to attend
Creston Yard Sale | 9 AM - 4 PM | Free to attend
Sunday, June 8th
ART! | Fulton St. Market | 11 AM - 4 PM | Free to attend
Grand Valley Artists Gallery Show | 2661 29Th St. Suite B | 2 PM - 4 PM | Free to attend
Sunday Night Funnies | Spectrum Entertainment Complex | 8:30 PM | Free to attend
Live Music
Friday, June 6th
Emo Night Brooklyn | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $28.25
Lost Magic, The Benjamin Tate Band- | The Stray | 7 PM | Free to attend
Coheed and Cambria * Mastodon | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | Starting at $51
SiR | GLC Live | 7 PM | Starting at $48
Jazz Night | CityFlats Hotel | 7 PM - 10 PM | Free to attend
Money Soup, Saint Thursday | Turnstiles | 8 PM | $10
GG Magree | The Stache | 8 PM | $15 early, $24.50
Matt Welch | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM - 11 PM | Free to attend
Keith Scott | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free to attend
Saturday, June 7th
Reggae and Soul | Harmony Brewing | 2 PM - 4 PM | Free to attend
Trillium | Third Nature Brewing (Rockford) | 4:30 PM - 8 PM | Free to attend
Bearly Dead | The Stache| 7 PM | Starting at $28
Common Molly + Rot Knot + Lost Magic + Riot Punch | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM - 10 PM | $15
Camp Teo | Elevation | 9:30 PM | Starting $22
Sunday, June 8th
Jes Kramer | ArtRat | 3 PM - 5 PM | $23
I'm With Her | Meijer Gardens | 7 PM | $55
*Shows are subject to change, but thatâs show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
Muskegon:
Thatâs All For TodayâŠ
âïž If you enjoyed todayâs newsletter, copy the link to the post and share it with a friend. Every new reader that joins our email helps.
đ§ Get your business in an upcoming issue of Calder News. Letâs talk about how we can put your business in front of thousands of GR locals.

Connect: Linkedin
Made with â€ïž in Grand Rapids