🌱 Man Injured In Apparent Targeted Shooting + Kultura Celebration

Hello, friends! It's Friday in Grand Rapids and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cooler with a few showers. High: 65 Low: 46.
• Saturday: Sunshine and some clouds. High: 66 Low: 48.

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. A 23-year-old man was shot after several vehicles showed up at his home and started honking. On Wednesday, the victim left his house on Campus Park Drive SE south of 60th Street after vehicles pulled up in front honking; guns were then fired from those individuals in the cars and the victim was struck. The victim was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. Police believe that this was a targeted attack, but the incident is still being investigated as other individuals in the home and in the neighborhood were at risk during the shooting. Anyone with information about the shooting has been asked to contact the police department. (MLive.com)
2. The Kultura Celebration is happening in Grand Rapids this Sunday! Honor different cultures through dance, food, music, and art at the Center for Community Transformation. The event is free and will offer dance workshops, educational materials, poetry readings, and more! Kultura Education Center is the organizer of the event and proceeds will go toward their efforts to build community and educational experiences. (WZZM13.com)
3. Grand Rapids has been listed by WalletHub as one of the best summer destinations. The ranking identifies locations that have the biggest bang for the buck seeing as inflation has put a strain on American budgets. The results are based on the 100 largest metro areas across 41 different measures such as flight prices, attractions, and the average price of meals. Grand Rapids has ranked number 17 out of the 100 areas surveyed. Two other Michigan cities, Detroit and Lansing, made it to the list of 100 destinations. (The Pioneer)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Grand Rapids Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Grand Rapids Patch newsletter possible.

Today and tomorrow in Grand Rapids:

Friday, May 19

• Nora Faber Overvoorde Artist Exhibit At Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (9:00 AM)
• Mahler’s Titan: Grand Rapids Symphony At DeVos Performance Hall (8:00 PM)

Saturday, May 20

• WMS Musical At Walker City Recreation Department (3:30 PM)
• AllArtWorks Sat Night Show Vol.23 At All Art Works Viewing Studio (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Us News and World Report has ranked Grand Rapids as the No. 20 best place to live in the US. Grand Rapids has placed as the second best place to live in Michigan and is number 14 when it comes to quality of life. The crime rate here is also lower than the average crime rate of the US as a whole. (FOX 17 West Michigan News)
• The "Stomp Out Stigma" Walk for Mental Health is this Saturday. The walk works to bring awareness and change to the stigma that faces mental health which is a leading factor in reasons why people don't ask for help with mental challenges. The organizers expect more than 1,000 people to participate in the event. Money raised at the walk will support mental health education in West Michigan. (WOODTV.com)
• The Asian-Pacific Festival will return Jun. 9 - 11 with a celebration that shares the stories of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The celebration will have cultural demonstrations, food booths and vendors, music, and so much more! The event is free and takes place at Calder Plaza. (Experience Grand Rapids via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (May 23)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with 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.