🌱 GR City Leaders In South Korea + New Creative Learning Center

Hello all. I'm here with your Friday edition of the Grand Rapids Patch newsletter, filled with all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Low clouds. High: 78 Low: 61.
• Saturday: Warmer with some sun. High: 88 Low: 69.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Grand Rapids today:

1. Grand Rapids city leaders, including Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and City Manager Mark Washington, are visiting Gangnam District in Seoul, South Korea, the city's newest sister city. The delegation aims to exchange culture, art, and education, as well as explore opportunities for community and economic development. After their visit to Gangnam, a portion of the delegation will travel to another sister city, Omihachiman in Japan, before returning home. (M-Live)
2. The Grand Rapids Art Museum has opened its new Creative Learning Center, a 4,500-square-foot interactive education space aimed at providing hands-on exploration of art. The center features a discovery gallery for building sculptures, practicing curating, and exploring color mixing, as well as a Make and Take Station for visitors to create their own art. The addition of the Creative Learning Center aims to enhance the museum experience by offering a space where visitors can engage with art more actively and creatively. (M-Live)
3. Mosaic Counseling in Grand Rapids is hosting a golf outing fundraiser to support accessible therapy efforts in West Michigan, and participants have a chance to win a trip to Costa Rica worth around $7,000. The raffle tickets can be purchased for $25 each or five tickets for $100, with the proceeds going towards mental health services, suicide prevention, and free counseling for students. Even if you can't attend the golf outing, you can still participate in the raffle by purchasing tickets over the phone until Jun. 26. (WZZM 13)

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Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Friday, June 23

• The Insiders: A Tribute To Tom Petty At Midtown (7:30 PM)

Saturday, June 24

• River City Summer Jam At Rosa Parks Circle (2:00 PM)
• Kanin's Taylor Swift Experience At Frugthaven Farm (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Join the Grand Rapids Annual 4th of July Fireworks Show on Jul. 1 at Ah-Nab-Awen Park to celebrate Independence Day. The event will include live performances by DJ Rob Sparks and the Stone Soul Rhythm Band. (Grand Rapids Kids)
• Experience a vibrant day of Fashion, Art, and Music as you stroll along South Division Avenue for FAM ON SoDIV on Saturday, Jun. 24 from 11:00a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy live music, treats, trolley bus tours, and a variety of engaging activities throughout the day. (Heartside Business Association)
• Construction is underway at Highland Park, but visitors can still enjoy amenities such as the splash pad, restrooms, bouldering wall, and playground. The ongoing improvements, expected to be completed in late summer/early fall, will bring exciting additions like a new accessible trail loop, reconfigured parking area, and more. You can learn more here. (City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreations via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Building Wealth in Your 40s Webinar (June 26)
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That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox 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.