Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Meet the new César Chávez principal reshaping school life in Grand Rapids

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Tuesday October 6th Patch AM
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Coffee in hand, Grand Rapids? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Meet the new César Chávez principal reshaping school life in Grand Rapids
  • How to snag free flu shots at Saturday's Teddy Bear Health Fair
  • What the new $10M Hispanic Chamber hub means for Grand Rapids

Also on today's calendar: Spooky Sprint - Grand Rapids and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Gleaming sunshine and nice, with a high of 70 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 73, low: 52.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 67 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 'Leadership is about service' for this new principal (schoolnewsnetwork.org) — César E. Chávez Elementary in Grand Rapids has a new principal, Michelle Foreman, who embraces a hands-on, service-focused leadership style, from greeting students to serving lunch. She brings experience from Texas and Lansing and plans to boost reading and math scores, expand staff development, and partner closely with parents to tackle absenteeism and support young learners.
   

2. MSU's Teddy Bear Health Fair offers free flu shots, stuffed animal check-ups (fox17online.com) — Families in Grand Rapids can get free flu shots and enjoy a kid-friendly Teddy Bear Health Fair at MLK Jr. Park Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 10. Along with stuffed animal "check-ups," you'll find the Grand Rapids Gold, crafts, health education, and lead-reducing water kits. Flu vaccines are first-come, first-served with online consent required.
   

3. Event space, café: Hispanic Chamber unveils $10M headquarters in Grand Rapids (woodtv.com) — Grand Rapids' southwest side is getting a major boost with the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce opening its $10 million Hub for Latino Economic and Talent Advancement on Godfrey Avenue. The new headquarters offers event space, a public café, meeting rooms, and Spanish-language business support, aiming to spur Latino entrepreneurship while keeping longtime residents included in neighborhood revitalization.
   

4. School Closings in Grand Rapids: Understanding the Process, Reasons, and Solutions (fsu.edu) — Grand Rapids families get a broad look at why some local schools have closed, from declining enrollment to financial strain and changing neighborhood demographics. The piece outlines how closure decisions are made, including community input and school board votes, and highlights ideas like gradual consolidation and better transition planning to reduce disruption for students and parents.
   

5. Did You Spot Him? All The Places Bryan Cranston Visited in Grand Rapids (sportsradio987.com) — Grand Rapids just hosted actor Bryan Cranston for ArtPrize weekend, where he sponsored Dos Hombres pop-ups, visited local bars and restaurants, and praised the city's vibrant public art. He also mentored students at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and helped present an award at Acrisure Amphitheater, which then set a Guinness World Record with a massive fashion show crowd.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I have to ask y'all if anyone remembers the Hong Kong Inn?
    It was located downtown Grand Rapids. Had the most beautiful interior I'd ever seen as a kid…just had great experiences there as a kid. Amazing… (Nextdoor Heritage Hill)
  • Roughed up and friendly kitty with healthy boundaries… has appeared outside our duplex!
    He showed up about half an hour ago around Lexington Ave NW, close to the intersection of California Ave. He has a scar on his face, missing the… (Nextdoor SWAN)
  • Workbox Staffing posted a job opening for Powder Coater/Packer in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • AtWork Group posted a job opening for Hi-lo Driver 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: "Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes?" — So when they come back to port they can just scan-da-navi-an! (Thank you Jessica C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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