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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...

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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...

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The end of Picturesque doesn't mean the end of winter fun!

Submitted 02-01-2011 under OPINION

That was a hard title to type, especially in light of a blizzard on the horizon, descending upon us at dusk today. "Snowpocalypse" and "snowmageddon" have been bandied around, so this reminder of what we love about West Michigan winters couldn't be...

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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...

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Ghost Heart releases debut LP at Founders this Saturday

Submitted 01-26-2011 under OPINION

I have a preferred context for listening to most albums. It's not a set-in-stone thing but, for example, Metallica's Kill 'Em All is best listened to while driving on the highway. It just is. Jens Lekman's Night Falls Over Kortedala is a walking...

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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...

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Let me introduce myself: Holly Bechiri joins The Rapidian team

Submitted 01-25-2011 under OPINION

This week in 1984, Apple Computers Inc unveiled its first MacIntosh personal computer. And, as I remember, immediately started pouring those Mac PCs into schools for free (smart company, that Apple).  In fact, I remember using those PCs to...

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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...

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[REVIEW] Opening night of "Beacons" at UICA

Submitted 01-15-2011 under OPINION

After days and nights of monotonous snow and slush, West Michiganders are ushered to the light that is “Beacons: An Exhibition of Luminous Art,” now showing at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. The show is full of beauty and stillness with...

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The Fainting Generals; Employee of the Month for Life

Submitted 01-08-2011 under OPINION

 Employee of the Month for Life is the new cd release from The Fainting Generals. Featuring 8 tracks recorded by Matt Ten Clay in Grand Rapids, the disc is the followup to the Fainting Generals debut Everybody...

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