The Local Beet: Celebrating the bounty of the season as a member of a community supported agriculture farm
Submitted 08-02-2010 under OPINION
Besides growing your own food, being a member of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm is an excellent way to be connected to local farmers and the land they cultivate. As a member of a CSA, a family (or individual) pays the farmer a fee...
Southtown PhotoVoice screening sets direction for community action
Submitted 08-02-2010 under NEWS
Viewers were jumping out of their seats at Dirk Koning Microcinema last Friday evening as they debated the best way to improve Southtown neighborhoods. Nearly 30 attendees gathered at Wealthy Theatre on July 30 to view Southtown PhotoVoice, a...
[MIDTOWN] Midtown resident harvests crops grown in his truck bed
Submitted 07-29-2010 under LOCAL LIFE
On any sunny evening in Midtown, Eric Kehoe's truck is probably basking on the corner of Grand NE and Hawthorne NE. Arranged neatly in the bed are tomato plants, bell pepper plants, herbs, garlic and salad greens. Crops have been sprouting out of...[AUDIO] City Commission considers plans from Uptown and Madison Square Corridor Improvement Authorities
Submitted 07-28-2010 under NEWS
The Grand Rapids City Commission reviewed proposals from the city's two corridor improvement authorities, Uptown and Madison Square, Tuesday at City Hall (300 Monroe Ave. NW). Representatives from the two districts spoke in support of extensive...[AUDIO] Interview with Kym Spring on Housing Policy in Grand Rapids
Submitted 07-27-2010 under NEWS
This audio file is an interview with Kym Spring about Strategies to Address Housing Quality and Sustainable Neighborhoods, a position paper which was presented to the Grand Rapids City Commission this morning. The paper is the product of an...
[AUDIO] Cockadoodle do? Or don't?
Submitted 07-13-2010 under NEWS
The Grand Rapids City Commission met with an unprecedented turn-out this evening to hear, among other agenda items, the proposed amendments to the city housing code that would allow hens to be raised and kept in the city limits. Dozens of families...
The Children's Assessment Center needs area support to win $250,000 from Chase Community Giving
Submitted 07-07-2010 under NONPROFITS
Want to donate $250,000 without spending a penny? Through Chase Community Giving, you could help the Children's Assessment Center earn $20,000; $100,000; or even $250,000--all by simply voting online. Log in to your Facebook account, "Like"...
From Garbage to Art; The Power of Recycling
Submitted 07-06-2010 under NONPROFITS
A new style of crafting is emerging and local artisan Ryan Wyrick is one step ahead of the curve. For years, Ryan has been using recycled materials and found objects to create beautiful pieces of art. I was able to get the inside scoop as to why he...
Using neighborhood news bureaus to strengthen links
Submitted 06-29-2010 under OPINION
From The Rapidian staff*: Currently, The Rapidian is primarily an online news platform, facilitating and distributing text, video and audio reports generated by people in our community. But as designed, it is also intended to have a real,...
WMEAC sheds light on energy efficiency with Project Light Change
Submitted 06-24-2010 under NEWS
Many Grand Rapidians are in the dark when it comes to the use of energy efficient compact flourecent light bulbs (CFLs), but the West Michigan Environmental Action Council looks to “change” that with this summer's Project Light Change initiative....