Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Grand Rapids musicians can get paid as official city vendors

Also check out Men's Futsal Pickup on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

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Thursday September 10th Patch AM
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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:

  • How Grand Rapids musicians can get paid as official city vendors
  • Where to eat, dance, and parade for Pulaski Days in GR
  • Which AI events and Shark Tank stars are coming to Tech Week?

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!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Sunny; pleasant, less humid, with a high of 79 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 80, low: 60.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, a shower; warm, with a high of 81 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

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.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The older I get,the more I appreciate simplicity and the concept of minimalism and decluttering.
    Seriously, how much stuff do we need.When we pass,there is a mountain of things left behind that now people have to deal with Do I really need an ice… (Nextdoor West Grand)
  • I drove by his yesterday and was shocked.
    My old union hall gone. Someone finally bought it and another apartment complex is being built. This will create a problem for the Mason St. Garage… (Nextdoor Highland Park)
  • Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing posted a job opening for Custodian (2nd shift) in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Neovia Logistics Services posted a job opening for Warehouse Inventory Clerk_Shift_1 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: 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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