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🌱 Patch AM: Which pantry staples does a Grand Rapids food pro swear by?

And on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar - 2026 Winter Wheat Festival - Saturday

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Hey there, Grand Rapids! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which pantry staples does a Grand Rapids food pro swear by?
  • How a local crash survivor is relearning to talk in Grand Rapids
  • How much did Grand Rapids’ 2013 flood really cost homeowners?

Also on today's calendar: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Grand Rapids and 4 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the baby light bulb say to its mom? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Monday: Low clouds, with a high of 38 and low of 31 degrees.
  • Tuesday: On-and-off rain and drizzle, temps: high: 38, low: 34.
  • Wednesday: Low clouds, with a high of 38 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. I Asked 10 Chefs What Ingredients They Always Keep Stocked at Home—and They All Said the Same Thing (allrecipes.com) — A Grand Rapids-based cookbook author and food entrepreneur joins nine other chefs in sharing the pantry staples they always keep on hand, from canned tomatoes and beans to tahini and good olive oil. Their tips focus on affordable, widely available ingredients that help home cooks quickly pull together flavorful meals, even when the fridge looks bare.
   

2. 'She's reborn': West Michigan woman relearning how to talk, walk after two months in a coma (fox17online.com) — At Mary Free Bed in Grand Rapids, 23-year-old Sparta resident Nour Yahya is relearning to talk and swallow after a devastating 2024 crash and two-month coma. With intensive therapy, strong faith, and close family support, she’s steadily regaining everyday skills and hopes to resume her public health master’s studies later this year.
   

3. Climate Change Is Driving Up Insurance Costs — and Michigan Is Already Paying the Price (mitechnews.com) — Grand Rapids’ costly 2013 flood is one example of how climate‑driven storms are already pushing up insurance risks and costs in Michigan. The piece explains how heavier rain, flooding, and severe weather are straining homeowners, businesses, and public budgets, and argues that investing in better infrastructure and flood mapping now could prevent much larger bills later.
   

4. Grand Rapids protesters, local professor react to U.S. strikes on Venezuela and capture of president (wzzm13.com) — Downtown Grand Rapids saw a weekend protest against U.S. military action in Venezuela, where a local organizer was later arrested by city police on camera. A Grand Valley State professor and Michigan politicians offered sharply different views on the strikes and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, highlighting how global decisions are reverberating through West Michigan’s streets and political circles.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

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📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday January 5
  • Level Up Basketball Training
    Greenridge Elementary - GR Gym
    5:00 pm
  • Youth Basketball
    Pine Island Elementary - PI Gym
    5:00 pm
  • Toastmasters Group
    Grandville Jenison Chamber of Commerce , 2939 Wilson Ave SW Ste. 106 , Grandville
    5:30 pm
  • Hayley Strickland
    Comstock Park High School - HS Mat Room
    5:30 pm
  • More Than A Game
    Brookwood Gymnasium Brookwood ES -
    5:45 pm

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

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • *UPDATE* HE HAS BEEN FOUND THANK YOU!!
    My dog lucky was right behind me while getting something out of my car around 10pm last night, jan 2nd. I didn’t notice him behind me and… (Nextdoor Midtown)
  • He got the memo & came home lol
    Our cat didn’t come home last night. Near Withey & Francis. (Nextdoor GPNA South East)
  • Workbox Staffing posted a job opening for Powder Coater/Packer in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • USA Jobs posted a job opening for Cleaning- Medical Setting: $17.00- $18.00/hr (Janitorial) 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 love you watts and watts!
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