New Reporters: What have we gotten ourselves into?
Submitted 02-07-2011 under OPINION
"What have I gotten myself into?" How many times have you said that to yourself after making a leap that you thought was a good idea? I know I sometimes jump in, feet first and thrilled as can be, only to realize later that I didn't really know all...
Uncivil disobedience: Thoughts on recent vandalism from a former Wealthy Street business owner
Submitted 02-07-2011 under OPINION
In the wake of continuing vandalism in the Wealthy Street business district, I feel compelled to offer another take on the so-called gentrification of the area. As a lifelong resident of Delaware, I moved here in 1988 to open my first art gallery on...
The Local Beet: Grand Rapids' Food Trends for 2011
Submitted 02-01-2011 under OPINION
Frugal. Quality. Hyper-Local. Traditional. Artisanal. Bartering. Food empowerment. Now that we are one month into 2011, it's already shaping up to be a fun year on Grand Rapids' food front. What will we see more of in 2011? Here’s the run-down...
In Anticipation of Tina Brown's GR Vacay...
Submitted 01-31-2011 under OPINION
All the heated responses to Newsweek last week got me thinking: what would Tina Brown see if she picked up the gauntlet we as a city threw down last week and actually visited Grand Rapids? I tend more toward cynicism than blind optimism, so I...
Live coverage of Sunday Soup #10
Submitted 01-28-2011 under NEWS
On the last Sunday of January, interested community participants gathered at the Division Avenue Arts Collective (115 S. Division) at 6 p.m. for the first Sunday Soup mini-grant potluck of the year. Attendees forked over $5 for a ballot and...
On 5x5 Night
Submitted 01-28-2011 under NONPROFITS
A lot of people have asked us recently about our thoughts on the newly announced 5x5 Night, and some of the similarities it shares with Sunday Soup. We are not sure how much of 5x5 Night is directly inspired by Sunday Soup, but - really - it doesn'...
Dear Newsweek - An open letter from Mayor George K. Heartwell
Submitted 01-25-2011 under OPINION
Dear Ms. Brown: The citizens of Grand Rapids were astounded when you declared our city, Grand Rapids, to be a "dying city" in the January 21, 2011 issue of Newsweek. Dying city? Surely Newsweek must be joking! Would a major medical school...
The Local Beet: Prestigious national award and a second anniversary give MadCap Coffee reasons to celebrate
Submitted 01-21-2011 under LOCAL LIFE
Last week at San Francisco’s iconic Ferry Building farmers market, the MadCap Coffee team stood alongside such coffee greats as Blue Bottle and George Howell, a pioneer in specialty coffee. MadCap was receiving honors as part of the Good Food Awards...
Looking Ahead: Rapidian staff discuss priorities for 2011
Submitted 01-20-2011 under OPINION
On New Year’s eve Roberta King, superstar citizen journalist and our champion at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, published an inspirational call to action encouraging us all to "be The Rapidian” in 2011. As part of the team that puts The...
Steelcase Designers Offer their Skills to Well House
Submitted 01-19-2011 under NONPROFITS
By: Teresa Zbiciak, Volunteer Center Program Assistant Across the nation, corporations are increasingly integrating skills-based volunteerism and pro bono work into their philanthropic goals. At Volunteer Center GR, we are thinking about new...