Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Heartside’s new weekday center is changing support for unhoused neighbors

Happening soon: A Christmas Celebration for All on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 11th Patch AM
Thursday December 11th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Grand Rapids! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Heartside’s new weekday center is changing support for unhoused neighbors
  • How to visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum free on Thursdays
  • What 168 new apartments will bring to Breton Road SE neighborhood

Also on today's calendar: A Christmas Celebration for All and 8 more events.

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Morning snow showers; cold, with a high of 28 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: A little snow in the p.m., temps: high: 28, low: 13.
  • Saturday: A little snow in the p.m., with a high of 16 and low of 9 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Partners in Ministry celebrate ribbon-cutting for new Heartside center (grmag.com) — A new Community Center and Service Center in Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood is now open weekdays, offering meals, showers, case management, and health resources for unhoused neighbors. Backed by local churches, nonprofits, and $40,000 from the City of Grand Rapids, the Partners in Ministry collaboration aims to fill gaps left by other closures and rising homelessness.
   

2. Did you know? General admission at the Grand Rapids Art Museum is free on Thursday nights (fox17online.com) — Free Thursday evening admission at the Grand Rapids Art Museum lets you explore major exhibits without paying a dime, thanks to support from the Meijer Foundation. From LEGO art to photography from the Black Atlantic, multiple shows run into 2026, giving Grand Rapids residents plenty of time to plan a visit.
   

3. $34.6M housing project starts with demolition of old Family Fare store in Grand Rapids (mlive.com) — A long-vacant Family Fare on Breton Road SE is being demolished to make way for a $34.6 million, 168-unit mixed-income apartment complex in Grand Rapids, slated to open in 2027. Backed by city-approved tax increment financing, the project will add both income-restricted and market-rate units with modern amenities, aiming to ease local housing demand and strengthen nearby businesses.
   

4. ENLIGHTEN named one of the best botanical garden holiday light shows in the country (woodtv.com) — Frederik Meijer Gardens’ ENLIGHTEN show in Grand Rapids Township has been ranked the nation’s third-best botanical garden holiday light display, highlighting a 90-minute art-meets-lights walking tour through Jan. 3. Locals can enjoy immersive installations, seasonal soundscapes, firepits, and festive food and drinks just minutes from Grand Rapids.
   

5. Pheasant Preserve development wins final approval from City of Walker (fox17online.com) — A new 18-home subdivision called Pheasant Preserve has received final plat approval in Walker, just north of Grand Rapids’ Blandford area off Richmond Street, clearing the way for construction once weather allows. City planners say Walker’s proximity to Grand Rapids and available land are driving steady residential growth, and residents can track similar projects through open planning commission meetings and online materials.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Loook!!!!
    I did it!!! I successfully got tabby kitty in a carrier and now kitty is safe and warm. 🫶 she's got 2 huge cages put together to stay in while she… (Nextdoor Cutler Estates)
  • Hi all, if anyone should happen to see or find a 3 ball bowling bag with 3 balls inside.
    It has an American flag graphic on both sides. please message me or call. It flew out of the back of my truck at the intersection of Cascade rd, and… (Nextdoor Cascade)
  • Suburban Inns, Inc. posted a job opening for Facilities Manager - Hilton Garden Inn GR in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for Residential House Cleaning Professional in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Grand Rapids