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Faith perspectives on Occupy Grand Rapids

Submitted 05-08-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

Occupy Grand Rapids found an ally in the faith community when it was allowed to set up camp on the grounds of Fountain Street Church. This act renewed a public discussion of the intrinsic link between faith and social justice,  though according...

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Rain barrel season is here

Submitted 05-06-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

April showers bring more than flowers:  They also bring stormwater runoff, the largest source of water pollution in West Michigan and the Great Lakes. Contaminated sediments that are deposited in lakes and rivers are difficult if not impossible...

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Food access crisis affects Grand Rapids

Submitted 05-04-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

By: Marie Roper, Naomi Jackins, Taylor Libolt, Katie Burkley, and Amanda Granger Over the past 50 years, access to healthy food has become more dispersed due to urban sprawl and the development of mega-grocery stores. These mega-grocery stores tend...

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Catalyst Radio: Buttermilk Jamboree to feature local musicians, honor legends

Submitted 05-04-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

Don't have time to listen now? Download the mp3 and listen at your leisure.   INTERVIEW In this episode of Catalyst Radio we feature the upcoming music festival Buttermilk Jamboree, set for June 8-10 and put on by the non-profit...

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Less than 1,200 days remain in city transformation

Submitted 05-02-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

When City Manager Greg Sundstrom took hold of the position in 2009 the city was facing serious trouble. A tough economy meant increasing costs and dwindling revenues. In his speech to the Commission the night he swore in he promised real change:...

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Six months of Awesome

Submitted 05-02-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

Get an awesome idea. Apply for a grant. Win $1000 with no strings attached. Sound too good to be true? When the Awesome Foundation started awarding grants in Grand Rapids six months ago, they expected to have a constant flow of submissions, but...

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Poet/writer Ann Voskamp plants a purposeful life

Submitted 04-25-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

Wife of a farmer, mother of six children and teacher of homeschoolers: this litany of responsibilities seems uncontainable to the limitations of a 24-hour day. Add to this the role of a writer, one whose book held steady on the New York Times...

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Poet Li-Young Lee speaks at Calvin College

Submitted 04-25-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

For a man whose voice holds such a confident calmness, it’s surprising when Li-Young Lee reveals his own dissatisfaction with his poems. “I come to the page everyday to write, and my attitude is, is there a word from the Lord? If God doesn...

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Community spreads the word for The Rapidian's first fund drive

Submitted 04-23-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

[<a href="http://storify.com/hollybechiri/join-us-in-supporting-the-rapidian" target="_blank">View the story "Join us in supporting The Rapidian" on Storify&lt...

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Grand Rapids restaurants give back during Dining Out for Life fundraiser

Submitted 04-23-2012 under LOCAL LIFE

This Thursday, April 26, The Grand Rapids Red Project, an organization dedicated to creating awareness and educating individuals about HIV/AIDS and other life-altering diseases, will join more than 55 cities throughout the United States and Canada...

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