🌱 Patch AM: How one Grand Rapids event is easing back-to-school costs today

Good morning Grand Rapids! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How one Grand Rapids event is easing back-to-school costs today
• How Acrisure Amphitheater crowds are reshaping downtown Grand Rapids nights
• How a national wheelchair pageant transformed a week in Grand Rapids

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: How fast is milk when you pour it? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 76 and low of 52 degrees.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 60.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, a stray t-storm, with a high of 78 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Students get ready for school at Baxter Community Center (woodtv.com) — A Grand Rapids group called Endless Opportunities packed the Baxter Community Center Sunday, giving local kids free haircuts, backpacks, supplies and more to ease back-to-school costs. With prices rising, organizers say they're helping both families and teachers by removing some financial strain while boosting students' confidence for the new year.
   

2. Downtown businesses feel Acrisure Amphitheater's impact (woodtv.com) — Downtown Grand Rapids businesses say the new Acrisure Amphitheater's first summer of big-name concerts is driving noticeable foot traffic, later hours and more hiring. From vintage shops to record stores and nearby restaurants and bars, owners report strong sales on show nights despite earlier concerns about noise, parking and curfews.
   

3. Ms. Wheelchair Michigan reflects on advocacy, importance of pageants (woodtv.com) — Grand Rapids just hosted the national Ms. Wheelchair America pageant, bringing 19 advocates with disabilities to the city for a week of leadership training and competition. Michigan's own Madison Reid, a Detroit native, shared her "Hope After Harm" platform about surviving gun violence, earning special recognition for her advocacy and resilience while highlighting how pageants can empower people with disabilities.
   

4. Amtrak on the Fast Track: New Trains Coming to Michigan (michigannewssource.com) — Grand Rapids riders on Amtrak's Pere Marquette line to Chicago can expect new, federally funded trainsets that should boost seating and may help lower fares. The $2 billion national grant will refresh equipment on all three Michigan routes, including Grand Rapids–Chicago, while a separate $659 million investment upgrades Chicago maintenance and rail infrastructure that supports these services.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday August 25
• EGRHS Parent Forum
  East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  6:30 pm
Wednesday August 26
• Senior Treats
  Northern High School Forest Hills , 3801 Leonard St NE, Grand Rap
  7:30 am
Thursday August 27
• PTO New Parent Coffee; playground
  Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  8:15 am
• PTO General Mtg; playground
  Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  8:30 am
• PTO Back-to-School Bash
  Breton Downs Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  4:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Back to School Picnic
  Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  5:30 pm
• High School Study Skills Workshop (presented by FHN PTO) in Media C
  Northern High School Forest Hills , 3801 Leonard St NE, Grand Rap
  6:00 pm
Saturday September 5
• Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer →
  Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
  6:30 pm
• Candlelight: Tribute to British Rock Legends →
  Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
  8:45 pm

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday August 24
• Transportation & Food Service Training
  Mill Creek Middle School - MC Media Center
  8:00 am
• Ya-hoo! Boo-hoo! Breakfast
  Grand View Elementary School Grandville, MI 49418
  8:20 am
• Mondays: Core Balance →
  Georgetown, MI Calendar, 7100 8th Ave, Jenison
  9:00 am
• Breakfast Bingo →
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  9:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Lots of people this afternoon at the "Return to the River" weekend of food and music, start time both Saturday and Sunday is 1 p.
  m. until dusk and later: between 555 Monroe Ave and the Sixth Street Bridge. (Nextdoor Diamond)
• Looking to rehome my 3-year-old tuxedo cat named Willow!
  She is such a sweetheart, and I've never had any issues with aggression. She does well with kids and other animals. She has recently gotten a taste… (Nextdoor Garfield Park North East)

• Corewell Health posted a job opening for Unit Secretary 4G Digestive Disease in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
• Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: It's "Pasturized" before you know it! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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