🌱 Asian-Pacific Festival Returns + Trinity Health Breaks Ground

Hello, Grand Rapids. Nicole Fallon-Peek here with your fresh copy of the Grand Rapids Patch newsletter, filled with all the community information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Sunny; breezy in the p.m.. High: 78 Low: 49.
• Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 80 Low: 53.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. The Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival officially returns to Calder Plaza this upcoming weekend. From Friday, Jun. 9 to Sunday, Jun. 11, attendees will have the opportunity to experience a variety of the area's most diverse culture, music, dance, food, vendors, and more, as well as participate in interactive games, sing karaoke, and connect with local businesses in Grand Rapids. This annual event is Michigan's largest Asian-Pacific celebration and will include vendors like Monsoon Vietnamese Cuisine, Indian Masala, Mai's Spicy Kitchen, Hmong Palace, and so many more. (WZZM)
2. On Monday, Jun. 5, Trinity Health Michigan officially broke ground on its new behavioral hospital that's going up just outside of Grand Rapids. This inaugural mental health facility will focus on providing inpatient services for adults who are in need of hospitalization or intense personal care to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. The Southridge Behavioral Hospital is expected to open sometime in 2025. (WWMT)
3. Earlier this week, a man was critically injured after his Jeep went airborne and flipped several times before landing in a ditch upside down. According to police, the 31-year-old victim was driving north on 72nd Avenue when he struck a mailbox and overcorrected causing his vehicle to go off onto the left side of the road. The driver was trapped in his vehicle and unresponsive, but Blendon Township firefighters helped to free the man who was then airlifted by an Aero Med helicopter to Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital. (MLive.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Wednesday, June 7

• Talent Show At Hope Academy of West Michigan (12:15 PM)

Thursday, June 8

• Social Security Seminar At Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (11:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• In honor of PRIDE month, Pharmhouse Wellness is partnering with the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation. For the entire month of June, 100 percent of the company's proceeds on products like Treetown's edibles, Redemption pre-rolls, and more products will go towards supporting the foundation. If you're interested in learning more about Grand Rapids Trans Foundation, visit here for additional information. (WOOD 8)
• Throughout the month of June, Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) Members will have the opportunity to enjoy free admission to both institutions. If you are already a GRAM member, you can reserve tickets to the Grand Rapids Public Museum in advance here. (Grand Rapids Art Museum via Instagram)
• This summer, the city of Grand Rapids will offer various water activities on the Grand River, including guided kayaking tours on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until August for $30-$40 per session. Additionally, there are free kayaking demos on select nights at Riverside Park and self-guided kayak rentals available every Saturday in June, July, and August at Canal Park, along with the availability of nine-passenger canoes for rental. Learn more here. (WOOD 8)

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Featured events:

• Social Security Seminar at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (June 8)
• Surya Kriya Workshop June 10-11, 2023 (June 10)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you all soon for another 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.