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Back to basics: Progressive Women's Alliance focused on fundraising

Submitted 03-11-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

Ten years ago, a group of West Michigan women, interested in politics and distressed by the lack of progressive policies both nationally and state-wide, met to talk about what actions they could take to challenge the status-quo. From this initial,...

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WMI finds gold with Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers

Submitted 03-08-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

WMI editor James Quatrine hung out in the green room at The Pyramid Scheme with the multi-faceted Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers before their show on February 9, 2013. Joe Hertler, Ryan Hoger, Kevin Pritchard, Pinetop Deadfish and Mickey Soho...

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Panel discussion focuses on community gardening in Grand Rapids

Submitted 03-07-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

In February, the WMEAC Film Series presented "Urban Roots," a documentary on the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit. The film covers the plight of post-industrial Detroit, specifically a decreasing population and scarcity of fresh food...

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Grand Rapidians rally around cause of immigration reform

Submitted 03-05-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

There are many misconceptions about undocumented immigrants, says Cyndi Hicks, a Grand Rapidian who participates in the West Michigan Coalition for Immigration Reform.  "First of all, people aren't illegal. They can't be," she...

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Opening reception for "Ancestral Art" Indigenous Voices, artists' benefit for Haitian peasant groups

Submitted 03-03-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

On Friday, March 8, 2013, West Michigan Center for Peacebuilding will host the opening reception for "Ancestral Art" Indigenous Voices, An Artist Benefit for Haitian Peasant Groups. The month-long showing held at the Ice Cream Gallery and...

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Peachy keen performance planned for Saturday at Billy's

Submitted 03-01-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

On Saturday night, Chicago Blues diva Peaches Staten will be performing live at Billy’s Lounge at 9 p.m. as the final performance of the Cabin Fever Blues Series. Every February for nearly a decade, WYCE- a branch of the Community Media...

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Manasseh Project founder urges community to turn discomfort with injustice into action

Submitted 02-28-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

"Cultural change, in my opinion, starts when you change to conversation about the exploited population - language means so much," says Andy Soper, founder of The Manasseh Project.  While concrete statistics of how many people are...

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WMI goes back to 'Camp Optimist' with The Campanellis

Submitted 02-27-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

In this episdoe, contributor Dylan Lancaster and I knocked back some pints at Quinn and Tuite’s with The Campanellis. Joel Gilbert, Dan Fisher, Paul R Jaissle, and Keith Jaissle.   We talked about their upcoming CD, ‘Camp Optimist,...

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Harbor Life Church works to provide food for low income families in new way

Submitted 02-22-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

When Harbor Life Church, the newest campus of Fair Haven Ministries, first opened its doors in February 2012, Pastor Robb Kornoelje wasted no time searching for ways the Church could give back to the Grandville community. He had heard of a 2008...

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GR Beer Week begins Monday

Submitted 02-18-2013 under LOCAL LIFE

Down cobblestoned streets and along crowded city blocks, breweries across Grand Rapids are opening their doors for Beer Week 2013. This week includes a multitude of special events including tap takeovers and beer dinners. Awarded the title of...

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