🌱 Feast For Kids Fundraiser + Kent County Car Rally Shooting

Hey, neighbors. It's Wednesday in Grand Rapids and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Some sun; breezy, cooler. High: 68 Low: 41.
• Thursday: Abundant sunshine. High: 68 Low: 41.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. A Grand Rapids area man has been charged after a 2-year-old boy found a gun in the couch, then accidentally shot himself. Police say 22-year-old Markus Nevills Jr. zoned out while high on marijuana, scrolling through his phone, when the tragic incident happened. A law signed by the governor will require guns to be kept in a locked storage box when children are present; it will go into effect in 2024. (Detroit Free Press)
2. Kids' Food Basket will be hosting its 21st annual Feast for Kids fundraiser. The event helps with the organization's goal to make sure all children have access to nutritious and healthy foods. The American Culinary Federation of Greater Grand Rapids 2022 Chefs of the Year work with culinary students to create a four-course meal for donators, where every dollar spent will go to West Michigan kids. The event will also have an auction to help raise money. (FOX 17 West Michigan News)
3. Kent County Deputies are looking for suspects in an impromptu car rally shooting. Hundreds of cars were spotted on Innovation Court near 33rd Street in the Cascade township for an impromptu meeting where they were reportedly burning out on the pavement, racing and showing off their cars. A fight had been brewing between the victim and other suspects and turned violent when they got to the meet-up in Kent County. No arrests have been made as of Tuesday, are asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. (WOODTV.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Wednesday, May 24

• Nora Faber Overvoorde Artist Exhibit at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (9:00 AM)
• 2020 Census: What Do We Know, and Can We Trust It? at Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy (12:00 PM)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Broad Leaf Westside (8:00 PM)

Thursday, May 25

• Real Property Section Meeting: Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Real Estate Market at 99 Monroe Conference Room (12:00 PM)
• Brie Stoner + Phabies at The Pyramid Scheme (8 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

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From my notebook:

• Michigan State Parks, Trails, and Waterways have posted the dark sky parks in Michigan that are great for star gazing or catching the northern lights. These areas of state parks are designated by the state legislature as places with little to no light pollution creating dark skies. (Michigan State Parks, Trails and Waterways via Instagram)
• There are only two more Let’s Talk Thursdays at the Grand Rapids Police Department. These appointments allow prospective police officers to learn how they can serve their community and what it is like being on the job in Grand Rapids. (Grand Rapids Police Department via Facebook)
• The Grand Rapids Public Museum won the 2023 best museum in the city. The award wouldn't have been possible without the public's support, and the museum would like to thank the community for the honored title of best of Grand Rapids. (Grand Rapids Public Museum via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Surya Kriya Workshop June 10-11, 2023 (June 10)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday! I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.