May 25: Summary of pitches and goings-on
Contact:
Pitch:
ATTN: The Picturesque project will soon draw to a close. Have you noticed things for years and wondered if others have, too? Let us know now! The Rapidian is asking everyone to share a snapshot of something they spy in their Grand Rapids routine that others might miss. Browse contributions, get inspired and add your own two cents to Picturesque: In plain sight!
If you're up for covering an event, let us know by commenting. If you want to attend a paid event, organizers might be open to providing access. Although editorial standards are not negotiable, other parameters such as deadline should be negotiated directly with the organizer.
Each iteration of the weekly story pitches spans the Wednesday it's sent out to Friday of the following week.
IN THE STORYBANK:
- Wednesday, June 1: Fair Food Network's Double Up Food Bucks coming to Fulton Street Farmer's Market
- Thursday, June 2: Pastor of new Grand Rapids church to lead Jesus Wins forum series as a response to Love Wins conversation
- Thursday, May 26: 17th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony
- Monday, June 6: Town Hall Meeting to Discuss the City's Financial Position
- Preview: Theatre company presents gender-bending summer season
- Post write-up: City Commission Approves Fee Reductions for Most Business License Categories
- Post write-up: City of Grand Rapids, Creston Neighborhood Association, Amway and KaBoom building new playground in one day
- General: New Business Guide to Empower Entrepreneurs
TODAY
- [FILM] 4WALL at Weatlhy
7 p.m. at Wealthy Theatre (1130 Wealthy SE)
Every fourth Wednesday of the month, West Michigan Film and Video Alliance members/independent filmmakers can screen their completed and works-in-progress for free. Constructive feedback from peers and public in attendance are offered to the filmmaker on request.
[More]
Potential questions- How long is the typical 4WALL?
- How many filmmakers contribute?
- How long has WMFVA been doing 4WALL?
Saturday, May 28
- [SCIENCE + EDUCATION] GR Amateur Astronomical Association hosts public night to view Saturn and the crescent moon
9:30 p.m. twice a month at James C. Veen Observatory (3308 Kissing Rock Ave, Lowell)
The Observation Nights feature a closer look at the stars, our neighboring planets, the phases of the moon and many additional wonders our galaxy has to offer, provided the sky is clear.
[More]
Potential questions- This isn't in GR, but it has a direct connection to the city. Tell us about the history of the GR Amateur Astronomical Association and what their goal is.
- How often is Saturn visible? And what exactly does a crescent moon mean?
- What are other astronomical highlights that happen on a regular or annual basis?
Tuesday, May 31
- [BUSINESS] Fourth round of 5x5 Night
5:30 p.m. at Grand Rapids Art Museum (101 Monroe Center)
Five judges will be hearing five ideas from five presenters with five minutes each. The presenters are vying for a $5,000 prize to fund their idea.
[More]
Potential questions- Now in the fourth round of 5x5 Night, are there any patterns emerging from the types of projects presented? The voting patterns of the judges?
- How many proposals were submitted? What is it like from the perspective of those who have to filter through the applications?
Wednesday, June 1
- [ECONOMY-BUSINESS] Minority summer internship reception
5:30 p.m. at MSU College of Medicine (15 Michigan NE)
The Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP) will host its annual reception for interns of color as an opportunity to introduce minority interns to one another and to a diverse community of professionals.
[More]
Potential questions- Who does the Chamber partner with to make sure minority interns are in the know about these events?
- Where do the interns primarily come from? Are they homegrown, attracted from other parts of the state or even out of state?
Thursday, June 2
- [CAUSES] Free workshop for those of traditional retirement age
12:30-4 p.m. at the Heart of West Michigan United Way (118 Commerce SW)
Are you at that "traditional retirement" age and wanting to make it anything but? With your skills, experience, and know-how, United Way wants to help plug you in to community needs to make a meaningful impact.
[More]
Potential questions- What are some of the opportunities that United Way can connect people with?
- What is an "encore" group?
- [DINING + ECONOMY] YMCA Farmers Market's opening day
3 p.m. at David D. Hunting YMCA (475 Lake Michigan NW)
2011 is the first season for the YMCA Farmers Market, funded through a USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant.
[More]
Potential questions- What spurred the market to form at the YMCA?
- What is the USDA Farmers Market grant and how much of this farmers market's funding come from it?
- Do the farmers at the YMCA Farmers Market also vend elsewhere?
Friday, June 3
- [HISTORY + DINING + CAUSES] National Donut Day has its roots in Salvation army history
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in various locations
On National Donut Day, the Salvation Army is teaming up with Krispy Kreme to show its appreciation to local orgs by delivering 2,000 donuts. The public is invited to get involved by nominating local orgs online and stopping into Krispy Kreme locations on National Donut Day for a free donut.
[More]
Potential questions- What is the history behind National Donut Day?
- How has the donut changed over time?
- What organizations were recognized in the past?
Saturday, June 4
- [SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT] 38th Annual 100 Grand to offer 17 to 141 mile bicycle ride options
8 a.m. beginning at West Side Christian School (955 Westend NW)
400-600 cyclists of all experiences will be embarking on 17, 35, 65, 105 and 141-mile supported rides. This is the Rapid Wheelman's biggest fundraiser each year.
[More]
Potential questions- How many people are embarking on their first century (100 mile ride)?
- Where does the course go?
- [ENTERTAINMENT + HEALTH + CAUSES] Clean Works' 10th anniversary dance party
6:30 p.m. at The Pyramid Scheme (68 Commerce SW)
In the last 10 years, Clean Works has taken in hundreds of thousands of needles off the street, reduced the rate of HIV among people who inject drugs in Kent County and has saved over 45 lives with its overdose prevention program.
[More]
Potential questions- What are some of the other ways that Clean Works has impacted the community?
- The Facebook event offers reduced cover for anybody who dresses up as a contraceptive or needle exchange. How many people took Clean Works up on the offer?
REGULARLY
- [SCIENCE + EDUCATION] GR Amateur Astronomical Association hosts public night to view Saturn and the crescent moon
9:30 p.m. twice a month at James C. Veen Observatory (3308 Kissing Rock Ave, Lowell)
The Observation Nights feature a closer look at the stars, our neighboring planets, the phases of the moon and many additional wonders our galaxy has to offer, provided the sky is clear.
[More]
Potential questions- This isn't in GR, but it has a direct connection to the city. Tell us about the history of the GR Amateur Astronomical Association and what their goal is.
- How often is Saturn visible? And what exactly does a crescent moon mean?
- What are other astronomical highlights that happen on a regular or annual basis?
- [LITERATURE] Pre-reading classes for babies and toddlers
11-11:30 a.m. on various weekdays at Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library NE)
Parents and caregivers are invited to introduce their babies, birth through 18 months, to music, movement, and language in 30-minute classes designed just for their specific developmental stages. Classes geared toward toddlers 18 months to 3 years of age feature hands-on, literacy-rich activities such as stories, songs with fingerplays and other action, and sign language.
[More]
Potential questions- Is this a new program at the library?
- Did the library use any sort of recommended learning models to organize their 30-minute classes?
- Are the classes part of a series or one-time sessions?
- [MEETUP] Toastmasters roundtable
7:30 a.m. on every Thursday at the downtown GVSU campus
Toastmasters hosts weekly roundtables with the goal of bolstering members' public speaking skills.
[More]
Potential questions- When did the local Toastmasters group first begin?
- Are there other local groups like Toastmasters?
- What are some of the basic tips they impart for pulic speaking?
- [TECHNOLOGY] Computer literacy classes at Grand Rapids Public Library
Regularly
Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library NE)
The library offers free adult education classes that range in level from basic computing to effective use of social media. Click on one of the links above for more information about the specific class.
Potential questions- What does computer literacy encompass?
- How did the library determine what to fit into each computer literacy course?
- What are some common things that the "computer literate" take for granted?
- [ARTS + EDUCATION] Friday nights at GRAM
5 p.m. every Friday at GRAM (101 Monroe Center)
$5 admission
On Friday nights, Grand Rapids Art Museum invites the public to tour their galleries (open late), enjoy live piano music and a cash bar. alleries open late, live piano music, and a cash bar. The evening includes participation in their Friday Night Conversations series.
[More]
Potential questions- What are the range of activities for Friday Nights?
- Why are certain exhibitions (like Princess Diana) excluded from Friday Nights access?
- What are the range of topics for Conversations?
- [MUSIC] Weekly Irish music sessions at McFadden's
7 p.m. on Sundays at McFadden's (58 Ionia SW)
Free
Whether you are a musician or an Irish music fan, this session is as close to visiting an Irish Pub Session in Ireland, as you can get without flying to the Emerald Isle! Food, beer and drink specials, and toe-tapping traditional Irish Music. Traditional Irish musicians (any instruments - including voice,) are invited to join in!
[More]
Potential questions- How popular are the weekly Irish music sessions?
- This weekly event is is not advertised on McFadden's site, so who are the organizers and sponsors of the music sessions?
- What are some traditional Irish instruments? What are the defining characteristics of Irish music?
- [DANCE] English ritual dance group holds practice every Sunday
6:30 p.m. every Sunday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church (134 N. Division)
Bells of River City members have fun while educating the general public about the tradition of English ritual dance as performed in Grand Rapids, modeled upon but not limited to Cotswold Morris, Border Morris, Mumming, and English Sword Dance.
[More]
Potential questions- Opportunity for a photo essay: What do the dances mentioned above look like?
- How old are these ritual dances?
Return to the Storybank Ideas
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