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Opinion

 

Black Market event to mark shift to next phase of GRABB strategic plan

Submitted 11-17-2015 under OPINION

Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB) is hosting their Black Market event featuring the GRABB Awards and pop-up shops on Friday, November 20. GRABB looks to expand opportunities for Black businesses in the metro Grand Rapids area by...

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Urban agriculture and placemaking: Toward building resiliency

Submitted 11-17-2015 under OPINION

 I have been in counseling for the majority of my adult life. I nearly always balked at the seemingly outrageous cost of this endeavor, questioning whether or not it was worth the large amount of money for what sometimes felt like limited...

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Time to challenge unconstitutional statute on City powers over open carry laws

Submitted 11-10-2015 under OPINION

Open Carry campaigns are taking over Grand Rapids streets and campuses. Those who object are told there is nothing that can be done because Section 2 of Act 319 of the Michigan Firearms Code deprives Michigan cities of any power to control guns in...

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Community discussion targeting police practices misses mark

Submitted 10-29-2015 under OPINION

As I settled into my narrow seat, popcorn in hand, pencil poised and at the ready, I couldn’t help but notice the disconcerting feeling nestled in the pit of my stomach. All around me, community members both prestigious and not conversed and...

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S.O.U.L = Something Outstanding Urges Listening

Submitted 10-14-2015 under OPINION

What is soul music? Its an undeniable raw sound which evokes a special feeling. Soul can also be describes as "Something Outstanding Urges Listening." The closing act of the 2015 Eddy music festival, Charles Bradley blessed Grand Rapids...

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Principal of Shawmut Hills encourages neighbors to participate in Westside growth

Submitted 10-13-2015 under OPINION

The economic, environmental, and cultural health of a community rests heavily on vibrant public spaces and successful public schools. They are essential components of public infrastructure that take on pressing social concerns such as childhood...

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SiTE:LAB community creates one more surprise at final performance of grand prize winner

Submitted 10-12-2015 under OPINION

Late into a night of celebrating at SiTE:LAB on Friday after the ArtPrize Awards Ceremony, members of the team of volunteers animatedly discussed how to retrofit a swing to accommodate long-time volunteer Toni Bal. Bal is in a wheelchair as a long-...

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ATU, Grand Valley students protest Rapid bus changes

Submitted 10-12-2015 under OPINION

On Saturday, Rapid bus drivers and Grand Valley State University students joined together to march and flash mob downtown. What were all those people protesting about? No, this event wasn’t part of ArtPrize 7, although it was one of the few...

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Why we need to admit Hometown Hero is sentimental pandering, not art

Submitted 10-09-2015 under OPINION

ArtPrize goers, creators and critics: we need to talk about the elephant in the room. Earlier this week, I watched three well established, well respected art curators trip over themselves to avoid saying what they really thought about one...

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Urban agriculture + placemaking = new economy

Submitted 10-06-2015 under OPINION

Drive through the city to see abandoned lots with a “For Sale” sign, and you are faced with a fascinating conundrum. Inquire from a real estate agency the value of that property and they will de facto respond with its financial value....

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