Featured Stories

A shared meal on Grandville Avenue

By Michelle Jokisch Polo, On the Ground Editor Thursday, November 02, 2017

We had the privilege to be invited to share a meal among residents of Grandville Avenue hosted at the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association.

Food, On The Ground, On The Ground Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

Una comida compartida en la avenida Grandville

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Editora de On The Ground GR Thursday, November 02, 2017

Tuvimos el privilegio de ser invitados a compartir una comida entre los residentes de la avenida Grandville en la Asociación de Vecindarios de Roosevelt Park. Estas son sus historias.

On the Ground Español

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

OTG Muskegon Hamburger Mikey employees funny

Muskegon's phoenix: The life and flight of Midtown's Third Street

By Anna Gustafson, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore Editor Thursday, November 02, 2017

In Midtown Muskegon, life is good. Where once there were abandoned buildings, shops and restaurants are opening. People who left the city are coming back to start businesses. Third Street is rising.

Building Communities, Business Development, Dining & Nightlife, Entertainment, Food, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore, Restaurants, Shopping, Small Business

Muskegon Lakeshore

G-Sync: Growing pains are natural (and so is healing them)

Tommy Allen, Publisher Thursday, November 02, 2017

The act of listening in a city still has incredible power. Publisher Tommy Allen looks around and finds plenty of opportunities for us to engage more fully with each other in our neighborhoods.

Community Engagement, Development, Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor

Jeanane Charara, Michigan Science Center distance learning coordinator

This new program allows Michigan students to learn from science professionals—anywhere

By Andy Reid Thursday, November 02, 2017

ECHO, a new distance learning program created by the Michigan Science Center, uses video conferencing to connect classrooms with a museum educator who conducts interactive lessons in real time.

Inspiring Innovation, IT, Life Sciences, Technology

Social Justice Choir puts GR's culture of giving to work

By Dan Treul Thursday, October 26, 2017

Yearning to put Grand Rapids’ “culture of giving” to work advancing social justice, Claire Minnis established Social Justice Choir, a community group focused on social justice issues.

Building Communities, LGBT, Multi-Cultural, Music

Eastown

Rapid Blog: Do You Know Where Your Clothes Come From?

By Becky VandenBout Thursday, October 26, 2017

When you’re out shopping for that little black dress or the perfect Fall handbag, are you thinking about where those items came from, who made them, the materials used? Probably not. The ethical fashion industry is trying to change that.

Designer, fashion, Sustainability

RapidChat: Kati Palmurkar

Jenna Morton Thursday, October 26, 2017

It's been over a year since we last chatted with aspiring cat cafe owner, Kati Palmukar. After struggling to obtain sufficient funds from her Kickstarter campaign, she managed to press on with help from her family and friends. As of August 17, 2017, Happy Cat Cafe became the first and only cat cafe within West Michigan.

RapidChat, Small Business

South Division

A changing downtown: How Kitchen 242 is transforming Muskegon's culinary landscape

By Anna Gustafson, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore Editor Thursday, October 26, 2017

Drawing chefs and business owners from throughout the region, Kitchen 242 in downtown Muskegon is quickly becoming an innovative cornerstone of the city’s growing food scene.

Building Communities, Business Development, Community Engagement, Food, Healthy Living, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore, Restaurants, Small Business

Muskegon Lakeshore

Sue Garza, directora de la Biblioteca Cook y Erica Tomas Juarez

Eliminating zero tolerance: advocacy, changing law and efforts towards restorative practices

By Erica Tomas Juarez, with additional reporting by Michelle Jokisch Polo Thursday, October 26, 2017

For 25 years, Michigan has had one of the harshest school disciplines in the country. For students like Erica Tomas Juarez who were expelled under this "zero tolerance" policy, navigating next steps were often a difficult path. In the summer of 2017, the law was changed, allowing for open dialogue and restorative practices to be implemented statewide, aiming to prevent stories like Juarez', and keep more kids in school.

Education, On The Ground

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

Eliminando la política de cero tolerancia: cambios de ley y esfuerzos hacia prácticas restauradoras

Erica Tomas Juarez con reportaje adicional por Michelle Jokisch Polo Thursday, October 26, 2017

Durante 25 años, Michigan ha tenido una de las disciplinas escolares más duras del país. Para estudiantes como Erica Tomas Juarez, quien fue expulsado bajo la política de cero tolerancia. En el verano del 2017, la ley fue modificada permitiendo que las practicas restauradores puedan ser libremente implementadas en todo el estado, con el objetivo de evitar que historias como la de Juarez se vuelvan a repetir, y pueda mantener a más niños en la escuela.

On the Ground Español

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

Problem solving with real-time data: The projects behind GR's Smart City status

By Allison Spooner Thursday, October 26, 2017

Last month, we discussed GRand Rapids' progress toward becoming a Smart City. This month, we take a look at the projects powering that progress as the city looks to data to solve real world problems.

Food, Making it in Grand Rapids, Technology

Angie Wasserman-Nelund and Troy Wasserman.

Living history: Wasserman's Flowers & Gifts is a story about Muskegon's past and future

By Anna Gustafson, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore Editor Thursday, October 19, 2017

The Wasserman family and their flower shop have been an integral part of Muskegon for 137 years, and the city's oldest family-owned business weaves a narrative about the history, present and future of Muskegon—about the determination, joy, hardships, and perseverance of its people.

Building Communities, Business Development, Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Immigration, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore, Retail, Shopping, Small Business, tourism

Muskegon Lakeshore

Museum School fulfills purpose of original Grand Rapids Public Museum building

By Estelle Slootmaker Thursday, October 19, 2017

Dear to the hearts of area residents old enough to have spent time there, the former Grand Rapids Public Museum building at 54 Jefferson Ave. SE is awakening from a long sleep. Next fall, ninth-grade students from the Grand Rapids Public Museum School will claim it as their high school.

Development, Education, Michigan Nightlight, Museums

The Trust Building offers mixed use retail and executive suites

A combination of things: Mixed-use buildings grow Grand Rapids

By Estelle Slootmaker Thursday, October 19, 2017

Will mixed-use buildings create economic success in Grand Rapids? The answer is complicated, and requires sound public policy, mindful of economic impact.

Construction, Development

Heartside