Good Afternoon, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — and after last night's wild weather and tornado scare, I’m hoping everyone's safe and sound.

Quick check in on my peeps:

Outside of a little wind, I held up fine on the southeast side of town.

Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to read today’s newsletter. So without further ado, let’s dive into the news.

~LeQwane L.

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Housing

Church Land Helps Add 200 Homes To GR

A new $12M campaign from ICCF Community Homes is turning unused church land into affordable housing for GR locals. The program is called Building With Faith, and it has already secured $10M in commitments and aims to build 200 homes across Kent County over the next few years. Half will be rentals on underused church properties, and the rest will be for first-time buyers using a land trust model to keep costs lower. | Learn more about the project

Development

New Emergency Facility at GR Airport

Flying just got safer — Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s $14.5M emergency response building is finished. The 25,000-square-foot facility will house firefighting crews, equipment, and training space, helping the airport respond faster during emergencies. It sits next to the Airport Operations Center for quicker coordination between Airport officials. This upgrade comes as the airport continues to expand, with a new car rental center, parking garage, and terminal upgrades. | Read more

Enviornment

Watch Out For Foam on The Water

Before heading out to enjoy Michigan’s lakes and rivers this summer, the state health department is warning about surface foam. Why? Apparently, some foam can contain harmful chemicals like PFAS or bacteria that may cause health issues if accidentally swallowed. The risk is low through skin contact, but rinsing off after swimming and keeping pets from licking foam off their fur can help reduce exposure. If you’re heading to the water, try to avoid foam altogether. | Read more here

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GR History: World’s First Hydroelectric Plant

Did you know Grand Rapids practically invented clean energy?

Although that’s a bit of an exaggeration, back in 1881, Grand Rapids became home to the world’s first hydroelectric power plant.

And the first commercial electric lighting service in Michigan. It started with local manufacturer William T. Powers, who built the West Side Water Power Canal in the 1860s.

By 1880, his team launched the Grand Rapids Electric Light & Power Company and began lighting up downtown stores and hotels with electricity powered by water in the Grand River.

What started as 16 electric lights eventually grew into full street lighting and set the stage for Michigan’s energy future.

You can read more about the history of GR’s hydroelectric plant here.

Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

🪄 Rolling With The Wizard

There’s going to be a community celebration for the roller skating wizard. Yes, you read that right… Next Saturday, the local celebrity is hosting a parade of skates, bikes, and scooters. Participants are encouraged to dress up as wizards.

Want to have your business featured here? Contact me.

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Friday, May 16th

• Armed Forces Thanksgiving | GRF Presidential Museum | 9:30 AM - 12 PM | Free to attend | a vehicle for our community to understand, honor, and express thanks for the service of those who have served

• Garden Inspiration Days | Everett’s Gardens (Byron Center) | 9 AM - 6 PM | Free to attend | Multiple designers will be on-site both days to answer your landscaping questions

• WestFest GR | John Ball Park | 12 PM - 10 PM | $30 - $35 | The Midwest’s finest carnival presented by Skerbeck Entertainment

• Big Fitting Event | Maple Hill Golf | 3 PM - 7 PM | (Free) Appointment Only | Make an appointment to browse and try out the Callaway, Cleveland/Srixon, Cobra, Mizuno, Tour Edge, and Wilson Staff

• Jeep Fest | Downtown Grand Haven | (Fri, Sat) 5 PM | Free to attend

• Food Truck Fridays | North Riverside Park | 5 PM - 9 PM | Each week as we have around 20 food trucks, merchant vendors and live music

• Fortune Feimster (comedian) | DeVos Performance Hall | 7 PM | $62

• Nate Jackson (comedian) | GLC Live | 7:30 PM | $53

• Secret Comedy Show | Creston Area | 8 PM | $27 | 21+ Show | Secret lineup. Secret location. Big laughs. Don’t Tell Comedy brings pop-up comedy shows to unexpected spots

Saturday, May 17th

• Girls on the Run 5K | Calder Plaza | 8 AM | $40 | On-site registeration available

• Stomp Out Stigma | GVSU Downtown | 8 AM - 11 AM | Free to attend | The walk benefit the be nice. Through the be nice. action plan (notice, invite, challenge, empower) educates students about mental illnesse

• Bird Bonanz | Blandford Nature Center | 9 AM - 11:30 AM | $13

• Creston Pancake Brunch | Rezervoir Lounge | 9 AM - 12 PM | Free to attend

• Cars & Coffee | Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. | 10 AM - 1 PM | Free to attend | A morning surrounded by 150+ stunning vehicles

• Fill-A-Bag Sale | Second Vibess | 11 AM | $20 | Dig through a massive pile of clothing and fill a bag for just $20

• Tour of Homes | Heritage Hill | (Sat, Sun) 11 AM - 5 PM | Starting at $25 | Tour of Homes welcomes visitors to the neighborhood’s most beautiful and well-cared-for homes

• Farm Open House | Parkside Farm | 11 AM - 5 PM | Free to attend | Activities include outdoor games, farm tours, hayrides and much more

• Hero's Expo | Riverside Park | 11 AM - 6 PM | Free to attend | A networking event between Veterans and First responders, features live music, activities for children, and contests

• Gallery Chat: Sketching | GRAM | 1 PM - 2:30 PM | Included in admission | Stop into one of the galleries and chat with a docent as you sketch

• Native Plant Sale & Education | Speciation Cellars | 3 PM - 6 PM | Free to attend | Thinking about adding more native plants to your yard this year? Start here

• Roller Derby Double Header | 3125 28th St SW | 4 PM - 8:30 PM | Starting at $12 | This is the 3rd home game of the season and the last time to catch Grand Raggidy Roller Derby at home

• Armed Forces Day Celebration | 4700 Canal St. SW | 7 PM | Free to attend | A Spring Concert by West Michigan New Horizons Music Ensembles

• Lass Laugh Comedy Festival | The Comedy Project | (Fri, Sat) 7 PM - 8:30 PM | $20 | A two-day festival in Grand Rapids, MI, honoring women's work in comedy from all over Michigan and beyond

• River City Improv | Midtown GR | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | $20

• Let It Happen: Tame Impala Dance Party | The Stache | 8 PM | $22 | 21+only

Sunday, May 18th

• Merchants and Maker | Fulton St. Market | 10 AM - 3 PM | Free to attend | 100+ local makers, live music, food trucks, and a joyful community shopping

• Roll ‘N Out Food Trucks | 143 Front Street | 11 AM - 8 PM | Free to attend | Choose cuisine from over 30+ food trucks, listen to live music, and shop from area merchants

• Hannah Montana-Themed Drag Show | General Wood Shop | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM | $10

• Sunday Night Funnies | Spectrum Entertainment Complex | 7:30 PM | Free to attend

• Trivia

  • Buddy's Pizza | 6 PM | Free | Weekly trivia where teams compete for nightly prizes including gift cards, free food and drink, and cold hard cash!

Live Music

Friday, May 16th

• Pecos & the Rooftops | Elevation | 6:30 PM | $35 or $18 BOGO

• Versa + 7L | The Stache | 8 PM | $28.25

• Knorberg, THV (Electro-jazz, instrumental rock) | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free to attend

Saturday, May 17th

• Restless Road | Elevation | 6:30 PM | $22

• Tommy B Band | Broad Leaf Brewery | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

• The All American Funk Parade + The Butterscotch Boys | Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $22

• Borrowed Time | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM - 11 PM | $5 cover

Sunday, May 18th

• Rainbow Kitten Surprise | GLC Live | 7 PM - 11 PM | Starting at $80

• Baroness – RED & BLUE TOUR + Dawn of Ouroboros | The Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $45

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

Outside The Plaza

Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids

Detroit: The city’s population increased for the 2nd straight year, data shows

Michigan: Film industry pushes for incentives to bring productions back to state

That’s All For Today…

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