Good Morning Grand Rapids!

I’m super excited to share this week’s scoop with you, and make sure to read the whole thing - a brand new section with grrrreeatttt discounts has been added! 🙂 

Let’s get into it!

 📰 GR News -

🧠 Whitmer Signs New Mental Health & Substance Abuse Bill: The bill was put into effect yesterday and will require insurance companies to treat mental health and substance abuse akin to other physical illnesses.

🏟️ The $184 Million Dollar Amphitheater: This would be such a great ddition to downtown, and is set to go before the city planning commission on June 22nd! You can read the full story here.

🏈 Detroit Lions Lead With 20% of the 25 Under 25: This week, Pro Football Focus awarded the Detroit Lions the only A+ of the off-season and then went on to feature 5 players in their 25 Under 25 list. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell took the top slot.

🏆 Best of Grand Rapids Winners Announced: Who has the best bowling? Best art? Best concerts? Best movies? See all the finalists here!

🤕 Grand Rapids Woman Falls 1800 ft and Survives: Her family is desperately trying to get her back home after falling while on a mountain in Alaska.

🦄 Interesting Find

(Update) The Woman Living in the Grocery Store Sign! She’s been removed after living there for over a year. See the moment she was asked to leave. 

🏀 Sports -

🏒 Griffins Playoff Games: The next Griffins playoff home games are happening this week, May 22 and May 24, at Van Andel Arena.

💃 Swing Dancing at Rosa Parks Circle: All summer, the Grand Rapids Original Swing Society will be hosting swing dance lessons at Rosa Parks Circle. Happening every Tuesday through October 29, 2024.

🌕️Full Moon Hike at Reed’s Lake: Take in the last full moon of the Spring with some fellow nature lovers as you relax with yoga this Thursday, May 23.

Free Sports Camp for Kids: Got lil ones that need to get off of electronics this summer? The City of GR has free summer day camps - register here. 

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🧹 Wicked: Here’s your chance to brush up on Wicked before the Ariana Grande spectacle hits the screen later this year. Wicked is coming to DeVos Performance Hall beginning on May 15 and continuing through June 2.

🎸 Tuesday Bluegrass Jam: Come join bluegrass musicians of all kinds for a night of free jams this Tuesday, May 21, at Switchback. All experience levels welcome!

🎸 Ghalia Volt: The blues will be alive and well this Tuesday, May 21, when the West Musician Blues Society brings Ghalia Volt to Billy’s Lounge

🥁 Hozier: Hozier with Allizon Russell is coming to Van Andel on May 29th

👖 Denim & White Party: Prepare yourself for an evening of cool music and hot looks this Friday when DJ Larry Maddox takes over Morenas Event Venue this Friday, May 24, for the denim & white party. Remember to wear your favorite denim & white outfit!

🎵 Guest List Concert Series: StudioCOR3 continue to bring the hottest music to downtown Grand Rapids this Friday, May 24

💀 Alyxx: Heavy Power Pop outfit Alyxx are coming to Skelletones this Saturday, May 25.

🌴 Caribbean Night: Start the summer off right with a night of Caribbean drinking and dancing this Saturday,, May 25, at The Caribbean Bite in downtown Grand Rapids.

Relax to some free jazz music on Sunday at SpeakEZ Lounge - 6-9pm

Tickets are still available for Tim McGraw at Van Andel on June 1st

Pyramid Scheme, as usual, has a show every night this upcoming week. Tickets are typically $10 and many of the shows are for all ages.

🍎 Fun Fact

Did you know… Grand Rapids used to be one of the world’s largest sources of Gypsum, which is used to make drywall? Gypsum mines collapsing is one of the reasons the Mines golf course is so hilly!

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Stuff -

📚️ Author Talk with Rebecca Balcárcel: Come meet and greet acclaimed author Rebecca Balcárcel at the St. Cecilia Music Center this Thursday May 23 as she discusses her book Shine On, Luz Véliz!, a 2024 One Book, One City for Kids selection

🐵 Michigan Wildlife Day at John Ball Zoo: On May 25th, Anna, Elsa and friends will be helping John Ball Zoo give Michigan’s native turtles and songbirds the recognition they deserve!

📷️ Snapshot Quest
Have a lil scavenger in your life? Snapshot Quest is one part scavenger hunt, one part photography challenge, and 10 parts fun! Running through September 2024.

📚️ Book Club: When My Name Was Keoko: This week, children’s book lovers of all ages will gather at Chapbook Cafe at Schuler Books at 10;30 AM to discuss When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park.

🏮Learn from a KungFu Master: Shifu Mei, a 6th-degree black belt and seven time National Wushu Champion, will teach kids some real Kung Fu techniques. May 25th from 11-12 at 111 Library St NE.

🤖 Wimee’s Dreams at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Got a little science lover in your midst? You will after visiting Wimee’s Dreams at the Grand Rapids Children Museum, where children of all ages can explore the magic of green screen technology, investigate a distant star, dress up in costumes and play with zebras and cupcakes! Running through September.

5K & Family Fun Run in Grand Haven
Enjoy the beautiful weather, the beach, and do a 5K or one mile family fun run. It’s one of my family’s favorite things to do in the summer! It’s through the YMCA, and you can get tix here.

🥇 Golden Years

👻 Grand Rapid Ghost Tours: History lovers and ghost hunters alike will love the Grand Rapid Ghost Tours, where you take a walking tour through some of Grand Rapids’ most iconic buildings. Happening daily through January 2025.

🏊️Aqua Stretch and Tone: This Spring and Summer, the KROC Center in Grand Rapids is hosting a series of low-impact, low-intensity workouts for toning, strengthening, and relaxing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

🏊‍♀️Arthritis Relief: The KROC Center is also hosting a class on Fridays focusing on arthritis relief using a mixture of Tai Chi, yoga, and strengthening exercises.

🏠️Meyer May House Tours: Here’s a chance to tour one of Frank Lloyd’s Wright’s greatest triumphs right here in Grand Rapids. Tours are available every Tuesday and Thursday, but tickets often sell out ahead of time, so make sure to reserve your spot early!

🥘 Senior Meals at 121 Franklin SE: Every Monday through Friday at noon, join the 60+ community for fun, friendship, and delicious Latin American food!

😎 Other Cool Stuff

This “Michigan Bundle” for Cedar Point is a GREAT DEAL.

Join fellow movie lovers this coming Saturday, May 25, as The Grand Rapids Movie Meetup With Jim come together for a special screening of the new The Blue Angels documentary in iMAX.

Get your kids to these two theater camps where they’ll learn backbackstage tech, scenic build, costumes and acting, singing and dancing. First session starts June 3rd with the next starting July 29th. Ages 6-12

🏷️ GRrrrrrrreat Discounts for Subscribers!

Hydrowash Solutions - 50% OFF
Your home looking a little dirty or green this spring? Get 50% off your home's first pressure wash (up to 1500 sq ft). Only $300 for GR Newsletter subscribers.
Text "Wash" to 616-730-3949 get on the calendar. (First 10 homes only)

Travy C's Recycling - Free Estimate & $100 OFF
Got old auto or hvac materials? Need scrap or junk removed? For GR Newsletter subscribers, you get $100 off your first removal and recycling job!
Text "Junk" to 231-758-4899 to get your free quote.

Let The Good Times Roll - $150 OFF
Need a bartender for your special day? Whether it's a wedding, backyard bbq, or any other special occassion - I am your certified and insured bartender and food handler. $150 off any event for GR News subscribers!
Text "Bartender" to 847-924-2447 to claim your discount!

JDPotter Lawn Care - First Grass Mowing is FREE!
I’m a bit biased, as Jackson has been cutting my lawn for several years. He’s a great young man with a thriving business. He’ll cut up to two acres for free, for first-time customers. And, you’ll love it so much, he’ll be your lawn guy for life.
Text “Free Mow” to 616-818-8805 to get scheduled. (First 15 lawns only)

Miss Clean It All - 40% OFF
Get your first cleaning job on the books at 40% off! Two hours of deep cleaning for only $40! Servicing residential & commercial customers.
Text "First Cleaning" to 616-433-5497 to get scheduled.

Cookie Cutters - 50% OFF Your Child’s First Haircut
Voted #1 multiple years in a row for the best place for kids' haircuts in Grand Rapids by GRkids.com families! All three of our GR locations feature amazing stylists, an indoor play set, fun fantasy cars, and personal TVs, in our kid-centric salons!
Click here and mention “New 50 GR” to book your appointment at 50% off.

👨‍💼 Highlighting New Businesses

The nostalgic Rocket Fizz candy store just opened a new location over at the Tanger Outlets. Go give them some love and make your kiddos happy.

An Italian restaurant, Rossana’s Table, expects to open in early June at 107 E. Main St. SE in Caledonia, the former location of Fricano’s Pizza.

Cottage Inn Pizza is now in GR! This was one of my favorites as a child on the east side of the state, and they are now open at 533 Wealthy St SE

The Taqueria Chilango food truck opened a few weeks and here’s what Brad H has to say on Yelp.
“The owners are very friendly and the food was delicious.”

If you like brunch, juice and smoothies, check out the new Brunch House location off Forest Hill ave. Gabe B is digging it.
“Best breakfast in GR hands down. Been waiting for this place to open up their second location and it didn't disappoint. Atmosphere is beautiful reminds me a a Chicago brunch spot. Service is great too!”

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