G-Sync: Throwback Thursday (100 years ago)
Lifestyle Editor Tommy Allen offers up his first Throwback Thursday, tipping his hat to the future of Grand Rapids Community College on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary.
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Settled by Dutch, German, Irish and Polish immigrants over 150 years ago, the northeast side retains many of the values its founders prized, including a strong work ethic and a committment to being neighborly. With the Grand River running through it, it hosts some of the city's largest parks and longest bike trails. The northeast side also contains the booming Medical Mile life sciences corridor, historic schools and residential districts, modern offices, and thriving urban loft spaces with unique entertainment options. It includes several strong neighborhood associations, including Belknap, Monroe North, and Creston-Cheshire.
Groundswell takes learning outside for Kent County students
Taking a cue from Shakespeare's assertion that "all the world's a stage," the Groundswell hub approaches teaching and learning as though all the world's a classroom. Using place-based education, the initiative aims to inspire lifelong learning and environmental stewardship in Kent County students. Marla R. Miller finds out how students get their hands dirty and their brains engaged.
G-Sync: Land bank’s big deal
As West Michigan continues to grow, it's important that we begin to dive in and talk with the officials who are impacting the policies and projects in our community. Land banks are part of our fabric now, but in the years ahead their role will most certainly be debated. Lifestyle Editor Tommy Allen uncovers the big deal behind land banks.
One man on an ArtPrize mission
When the ArtPrize winners are announced this weekend, a few talented artists will go home thousands of dollars richer, and many of those involved with the Grand Rapids arts community will, we assume, go home and take a nap. But if he plays his cards right – and if venues don't close early, foiling his carefully laid plans -- one local man will go home with the satisfaction of having quietly visited every single venue for the fourth year in a row.
Do Good: Catherine’s Health Center’s Indoor Walking Program ramps up for its 12th year
Catherine's Health Center, a nonprofit health clinic in northeast Grand Rapids, is teaming up with Grand Rapids Community College's Nursing program and Kent Hills Elementary to roll out its indoor walking program for the 12th year. Do Good editor Victoria Mullen delves into the issue of access to fitness facilities and healthcare -- and finds out where and when you can walk for free.
G-Sync: Summer’s bookend is a Silver Line
Lifestyle Editor Tommy Allen reflects on a couple's comments at the start of summer and finds something beautiful that ends with the launch of a Silver Line. Along the way, he wonders if the word "progressive" has come to mean something new as the city moves forward.
G-Sync: Wanna be startin’ something, Grand Rapids
UICA's Exit Space Project is about to debut something truly amazing at the street level, but G-Sync Lifestyle Editor Tommy Allen asks if we're ready as a community for what these new murals, a form of street art, will signal within our region. Hold the spray paint and read on.
G-Sync: PurrMichigan is political
Lifestyle Editor Tommy Allen goes on a summer-long holiday and imagines a post-Pure Michigan state that is purrfect. Read on for his take on the Mitten's waterways -- and its politics.
G-Sync: Equality Now, Not Later (The Challenge)
What happens when we only give lip service to a civil rights matter? G-Sync's Lifestyle Editor Tommy Allen finds out it means absolutely nothing and, on the heels of the Mackinac Policy Conference, calls for our state lawmakers to pass important legislation.
