Good day Grand Rapids! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: From stress to stillness and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you get when you cross an angry cow with an angry sheep? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Grand Rapids launches pilot program to certify musicians as small business vendors (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids is launching a new pilot that certifies 15–18 local musicians as official city vendors and pays them for free public performances in the 3rd Ward on Sept. 26. Partnering with the Michigan Music Alliance, the city hopes this $50,000 Phase Zero initiative will strengthen neighborhood activity, grow the creative economy, and lay groundwork for a broader Cultural Business Enterprise program.
2. Pulaski Days celebrates Polish heritage for 54th year in Grand Rapids this September (wzzm13.com) — Grand Rapids will celebrate the 54th Pulaski Days this late September with Polish food, music, and traditions spread across 13 clubs and halls citywide. Residents can join events like the Sept. 27 flag-raising, the Oct. 3 West Side parade on Fulton Street, Polka Mass, raffles, and multiple open club nights featuring bands and food specials.
3. Grand Rapids Tech Week returns for fifth year with Shark Tank investors, AI focus (fox17online.com) — Grand Rapids Tech Week kicks off Monday with Shark Tank investors Daymond John and Robert Herjavec headlining a packed schedule of 85 AI-focused events around the city. Local firm Atomic Object credits the initiative with helping grow Grand Rapids' tech scene and even launch new offices, underscoring how the weeklong programming is boosting visibility, investment, and opportunities for local talent.
4. Flock transparency portals launched by Grand Rapids, Kent County (woodtv.com) — Grand Rapids Police and the Kent County Sheriff's Office have launched online Flock transparency portals so residents can see how often license plate reader cameras scan plates and how frequently officers search them. Local leaders say the system helps solve crimes while stressing that deputies still need probable cause and that automated safeguards monitor for misuse of the data.
5. AC Grand Rapids kicks off nickname search as excitement builds for inaugural season (fox17online.com) — Grand Rapids soccer fans are being invited to help choose AC Grand Rapids' official nickname as construction continues at the new Amway Stadium on the city's west side. At the club's first Fan Council meeting, supporters heard stadium updates, learned about forming an official supporters group, and were told how to join the public "Nickname the Team" campaign launching Thursday.
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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: An animal that's in a baaaaad mooood! (Thank you Lisa A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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