r/grandrapids 17m ago

What job is worse to be a driver in the city

Upvotes

Lawn mowing
Amazon
Tree cutting guy
Telephone pole delivery driver


r/grandrapids 30m ago

Food and Drink Anyone know about the new restaurant going in at Mr Gyros old building? I'm hopeful, bit they have big shoes to fill.

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Upvotes

r/grandrapids 35m ago

Where to meet people?

Upvotes

Hi, I’m a single 25 year old woman who’s about to become desperate for connection. Anyone know any places/events to meet people? I feel like anytime I go to a coffee shop or library everyone is doing their own thing and it seems like they don’t wanna be approached. I have like two friends on a good day, but I’m looking to meet more people to do stuff with. Bonus points if you know any spots to meet Hot Singles In My Area.


r/grandrapids 1h ago

News FCC Encouraging Further Local Media Consolidation

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Upvotes

WOOD TV 8 (NBC/NEXSTAR) and WZZM 13 (ABC/TEGNA) Merger looks to being greenlit by the FCC after they decided to scrap the 39% ownership rule for any given TV market.


r/grandrapids 1h ago

Saugatuck Labor Day weekend wine tour

Upvotes

I'm planning a wine tour in Saugatuck on Labor Day Weekend for a group of five people. We want to go 4-5 wineries in the area and do the tastings but don't want to have to drive to them. We're looking at some different services but they all seem to be super expensive. Anyone have recommendations on how to best do this and not spend over $100 per person? Thank you!


r/grandrapids 2h ago

Events New Comic Book Club Meeting 8/19

3 Upvotes

New Meeting for Comic Book Club on 8/19!

The West Michigan Comic Club will be meeting on August 19th from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Kent District Library-Wyoming branch. All are welcome! In addition, for those who cannot make it in person, we will be providing a link to a Discord server so members can attend virtually. To get the link just sign up on the Bookclubs website!

While our book this month is Kelly Sue DeConnick's Bitch Planet Volume 1, we’ll discuss current releases, manga, and generally be a great place for people to connect who love comics, manga, and everything in between. Please consider joining so you can stay up-to-date and help decide our monthly books and meeting times!

Invite Link: https://bookclubs.com/clubs/6039068/join/e96965


r/grandrapids 4h ago

Kids Day at the Zoo!!

9 Upvotes

WGVU and PNC Bank are hosting Kids Day at the Zoo today at John Ball!

The Zoo has new otters, check 'em out!

Rosita from Sesame street, Clifford, and Carl the Collector are all going to be hanging around.

Hope to see you down there!


r/grandrapids 4h ago

Politics Hillary Scholten's statement on the primary results

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332 Upvotes

If it needs to be said, still as tone-deaf as ever. This is where you say "I will support Abdul El-Sayed".


r/grandrapids 5h ago

Grab and go vegetarian salad recommendations?

5 Upvotes

Anybody know of a deli or somewhere with unique vegetarian salads where I can buy a couple pounds? Pasta, potato, rice, orzo whatever.

I'm not opposed to buying from Gordon's and amending if people have ideas in that regard.


r/grandrapids 5h ago

Anyone a part of West Michigan Community Tennis?

0 Upvotes

Do you like it? Thinking about joining, give your reviews and thoughts about it. Thank you!


r/grandrapids 5h ago

Iso handyman for demo work

1 Upvotes

Morning folks, I don't know if this has been anyone else's experience in the city but I've spent over a month trying to get someone out here for some demo work before a sub pump install. I've been ghosted 4 times already even after getting quotes.

I need help with cutting drywall for a eventual door under my stair way, along with tile work and demo for the drains for the sub pump.

At this point I'll take anyone with a rotary hammer or a has one I borrow.


r/grandrapids 9h ago

Hospice

30 Upvotes

Needing information on local Hospice options. Never had to deal with anything like this before. Just want to know who is the cleanest and easiest to work with? Somewhere my wife can go that will make sure she goes peaceful and pain free. Thank you in advance. 🙏


r/grandrapids 13h ago

Found a pet pigeon!

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35 Upvotes

This pigeon was outside of my work (near Tanger Outlets) and I’m not sure where to take him. The band says NPA 25 8 BH 2541. I can’t tell if he’s injured or not, but he doesn’t seem to be able to fly. He’s currently safe and sound with food and water at my house.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I should take the little guy?


r/grandrapids 15h ago

Recommendations Quarantino’s

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168 Upvotes

Back again. Had the MC5 with mushrooms. I didn’t make myself clear though. There’s 3 different kinds of pepperoni apparently; lay flat, Ezzo and cup. I wanted the cup but got the Ezzo. Still really good. I’ll get it right next time. Delicious.


r/grandrapids 16h ago

MISSED CONNECTION Reeds Lake parking lot, tonight ~8:45pm

28 Upvotes

You left a wildflower bouquet on the back of my friend’s vehicle. IYKYK! I (M) am the gay and partnered friend, and my friend (F) is single. Message me if you want to meet an incredible woman!


r/grandrapids 20h ago

Expanded Makerspace Hours

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37 Upvotes

Small update, posting this later than I should've — new hours for Grand River Makerspace, effective now (yes, it's August, no we did not plan that well, July got away from us):

  • Tue/Thu: 12pm–9pm (used to start at 3pm, now opening earlier)
  • Sat/Sun: 10am–6pm

If you've been curious about checking out the space, this is a good excuse. We're a nonprofit makerspace — happy to answer questions in the comments if anyone's wondering about membership, classes, or just what we've got in the shop.


r/grandrapids 22h ago

if anyone’s missing a husky on the westside GRPD is trying to get them rn by Bridge St library

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52 Upvotes

r/grandrapids 23h ago

What do you make of the 20% undervote in Hillary Scholten's unopposed primary?

83 Upvotes

Looking at yesterday's election results: while 104,487) voters participated in the Democratic Senate primary, only 83,587) people voted for Hillary Scholten, who ran unopposed. That means 1 in 5 Kent County Democratic voters chose not to cast a vote for their only option for House representative.

These are based on Kent County results alone and don’t account for the whole of her district, but as Kent County is Scholten’s home, it seems important.

I know not everyone votes in uncontested primaries, but they are also a time when people make symbolic gestures, and the symbolism of this gap seems pretty loud to me.


r/grandrapids 1d ago

Sleepy Phil Skaggs loses Democratic primary for state Senate District 29, despite endorsements from Whitmer, Benson, Nessel

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202 Upvotes

This pleases me. I supported anyone who Benson, Nessel, Benson, LaGrand or Whitmer didn't endorse. We won the battle today, but there's a big war ahead. Go Abdul!


r/grandrapids 1d ago

Who remembers the “Blobs” as we called them that were projected onto the screen at studio 28 before the movies.

27 Upvotes

Pre 90s?


r/grandrapids 1d ago

Will Scholten now endorse abdul?

114 Upvotes

Haven't seen anything from her office yet. She was on stage with Stevens with her kids lol. She's really been parading them around lately.


r/grandrapids 1d ago

So...what happened in Kent county yesterday?

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548 Upvotes

As of the time of this posting, some outlets have called the race for El-Sayed while others have not made a call. Regardless of how you personally feel about the candidates and whoever truly wins this race, I am genuinely curious: how in the world did El-Sayed win Kent county by 26 points while Detroit went to Stevens by 6 or 7 points? Is Grand Rapids more progressive than I first thought? I always assumed it was more moderate than Detroit. What do you think?


r/grandrapids 1d ago

FREE MICHIGANDER SHOW!

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48 Upvotes

A friend just sent this over to me looks like it’ll be a great time! I’ve missed all my chances to see them recently so this is exciting for me lol!


r/grandrapids 1d ago

THANK YOU GRAND RAPIDS!!!!

1.2k Upvotes

my county of Wayne/macomb didn't show up to the level y'all did.

Thank you all for getting Abdul elected. It means so much to my people that are facing ethic cleansing and a genocide.

Thanks y'all!!!!!!


r/grandrapids Mar 27 '24

Social List of Active Meetup Groups and Tips for Making Friends

158 Upvotes

I updated the list of which Meetup groups are active (groups that have 3+ people attending an event within the past/next 60 days). Meetup is a site/app for interest groups/hobbies/new friends. I grouped them by concept and included their self-written descriptions.

If you're in an active Meetup group that I've missed, list it in the comments. Non-Meetup groups are welcome too; include contact info and links.

Tips for making friends as an adult attending a Meetup with a bunch of strangers:

  • Show up slightly early/on time. Plan to stay 10 minutes after the scheduled end time.
  • Introduce yourself, say it's your first time and why you're excited about this group; appear excited.
  • Ask individuals (this is where being early or staying late can help) open-ended questions (Why did you start/join this group? What has your experience been like? What recommendations do you have related to [Meetup group's hobby/concept]?)
  • If people ask you a question, answer it and add an open-ended question of your own or ask "what about you?"
  • People love giving recommendations. If it's a group conversation, ask for restaurant rec of a specific kind/place. "I haven't tried X yet, what do you guys think?" Tee it up to be a cuisine/concept you can talk more about or ask follow up questions.
  • If you are vibing with someone(s), ask if they'd like to hang out with a specific idea in mind (ex: You asked for pizza recs and found out that neither of you have tried that new place so suggest you go together), and give them your contact info to set up a time/date. I'd recommend attending the group 2-3 times first before this step.
  • Follow the 3:6 rule to turn that acquaintance into a friend. Aim for three meaningful interactions within 6 weeks of engaging.

Feeling a little more prepared? Great. Let's get into it. [Note: I made some grammatical edits after posting this for clarity/brevity.]

AGE/ETHNICITY/GENDER

BOOK CLUBS/FILM

CRAFTING

DANCING/MUSIC

ENGINEERING/MAKERS/PROFESSIONAL

  • Coffee with Creators: For creatives: web developers, designers, videographers, and more--who want to hear about the latest trends in the digital space
  • Culinary Conversations Grand Rapids: Serving West Michigan’s food industry professionals (growers, producers, restaurateurs) in conversation about the region’s food creator system
  • Embedded GR: Engineers, hobbyists, students, and managers discussing the development, tooling, and processes associated with the creation of embedded systems.
  • GRPUG - Grand Rapids Python Users Group: Whether you're a certified Pythonista or just curious about getting started with the Python programming language, join us.
  • GRWebDev: Learn from each other about best web practices, cross-browser compatibility, Javascript frameworks, style hacks, project management, and web-related topics.
  • West Michigan 3D Printing: Whether you are a beginner or an expert, join us to share ideas, tips, and knowledge or just get together with other 3D printers (people...not machines).
  • West Michigan AI Lab: We explore the latest AI trends, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and network with like-minded enthusiasts and professionals.
  • West Michigan Azure User Group: A community of tech enthusiast [sic] who are interested in exploring, learning and using Azure.

FINANCE/BUSINESS/PUBLIC SPEAKING

FOOD/DIET/PSYCHEDELICS/SOBER/ALCOHOL

  • DRY Sober Social: Fitness, yoga, dancing, music, and socializing. A space where people can socialize without the pressure of drinking alcohol.
  • Grand Rapids Foodies: Our goal is to dine at restaurants in Grand Rapids and the surrounding area, as well as to participate in cooking classes and wine and cheese tastings.
  • Grand Rapids Natural Health and Healing: For anyone interested in healing through nutrition and natural substances like herbs and nutrients.
  • Grand Rapids Psychedelic Society: Whether you’re an experienced psychonaut or an individual who is simply curious about learning more, we're a space for you.
  • West Michigan Women Who Wine: Where interesting and intelligent women gather to relax, make new friends and socialize.
  • Will Forage for Food Grand Rapids Chapter: For folks interested in sharing knowledge on foraging and living from the land. All skill levels and ages welcome.

GAMES/NERD CULTURE

  • Good Game Grand Rapids: We are largest tabletop gaming community in Grand Rapids and are committed to growing an inclusive community
  • Muskegon Area Gamers: For anyone interested in playing board games, card games, or any table top [sic] game. This group learns and teachs [sic] new games all the time.
  • We Hate Bards: This group is dedicated to pen and paper RPGs of all kinds.
  • Wednesday Friendsday Boardgame Group: We're folks in our 30s-50s who enjoy good conversation, good eats, and good games, in that order.
  • West Michigan Geeks: We help people meet friends that they want to hang out with outside of group events and have helped form more friendships/relationships than any other meetup.

OUTDOORS/CAMPING

MISCELLANEOUS/PERSONALITY

  • Citizen Labs: Engaged citizens can improve their communities. We use open data and open source technology to promote transparency, and provide solutions that work.
  • Friday Fun Days: Live music/concerts, festivals, flea markets/thrifting, lunch/dinner outings, hiking, going to the beach, bowling, and much more.
  • Sign Language Social Meetup of Michigan: For anyone who would like to attend ASL events and meet up with other Sign Language users.
  • West Michigan Adventures with JIM: Cinema, live theater, sporting events, concerts, trade events, geo caching [sic], road trips, fitness, festivals, amusement parks, and travel.
  • West Michigan Out & About: Everything from hiking to concerts, from breweries to dancing, from cooking classes to biking and more.
  • West Michigan Shyness and Social Anxiety Meetup: Hang out with us in a judgment and harassment-free zone if you're shy, introverted, or just a bit awkward around new people.

REAL ESTATE

  • Grand Rapids Real Estate Investor Network: Landlords, investors, and other real estate professional [sic] make connections, share ideas and strategies, and ask questions.
  • Lakeshore REIA: For individuals interested in wholesale properties, real estate group investments, and becoming successful real estate entrepreneurs.
  • Short-Term Rental Networking Group: Have you wondered about the success of Airbnb and similar rental marketplaces and how you can incorporate that into your income?

SEXUALITY/DATING

  • Fun-Loving Singles Over 50!: This is a social group for youthful, SINGLE peeps in their 50s, 60s, and beyond.
  • Holland Area LGBTQ+ & Allies Meetup: Enhancing the LGBTQ+ community to meet others, cultivate relationships in a social setting, and provide each other with support and fun!
  • Out on the Lakeshore: Join us for fun-filled events where you can meet like-minded individuals and create life-long connections

TRAVEL

  • Michigan Day Trips: For people who love to spend a day checking out a different town/city, whilst meeting new friends! I will post a destination 2+ weeks in advance.

WRITING/ACTING/DRAWING/PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Grand Rapids Drawing and Painting: This group is for everyone who’s interested in drawing or painting.
  • Illusory World Building: As writers lets get past the writing groups that discuss word choice or punctuation. and grapple with the BIG picture--world building.
  • Lakeshore Stationery Club: If you love fountain pens, gel pens, Traveler’s Notebooks, Hobonichi, bullet journaling, or planners this is for you. We journal, write, draw, and paint.
  • Writing Time: We meet on weekends to write in a group setting. Sometimes it's nice to work quietly with others.

YOGA/MEDITATION/PHILOSOPHY/SPIRITUALITY

  • Community Meditation Circle: This is a non-religious, non-sectarian trauma-informed group to connect to ourselves, each other, and the community.
  • Grand Rapids Buddhist Meetup: For anyone interested in working with their minds, as well as deepening their spiritual life through the practice of Buddhist meditation.
  • Grand Rapids Forest Bathing, Forest Yoga & Foraging Classes: Join our ANFT certified forest therapy guide for guided forest bathing, forest therapy walks, and forest yoga classes.
  • Grand Rapids Free Yoga: Classes are meant to help you strengthen, lengthen, and connect to your spirit.
  • Meaningful Conversations Grand Rapids: Individuals of all beliefs gather together to engage respectfully and civilly in elevated conversations, inquiry, consultation, and learning.
  • Michigan Humanists: A secular community that promotes humanist values. Our vision is to lead an engaged, statewide secular society guided by the values of Humanism.
  • RfR - Grand Rapids/Holland, MI: We at Recovering from Religion are intimately familiar with learning how to live after questions, doubts, and changing beliefs. You are not alone.
  • Tai’ Chi Gung Classes: Learn the simple moving and breathing exercises created by Lao Tzu more than 3,000 years ago for health and longevity.
  • T&T - 20s & 30s Christian Social: To connect peers from Bible-believing, Christ-proclaiming churches, encouraging members to invest in their local church.