Jenny Kinne, the new owner of Cherry Street’s beloved independent bookstore Books & Mortar, started her career selling books out of her parents’ basement and exchanging her favorite paperbacks for Monopoly money. A series of professional adventures, mostly focused on nonprofit development and public policy, led her to Fountain Street Church, Planned Parenthood, Michigan League for Public Policy and eventually life as a business owner. Her love for public policy and community activism is what eventually sparked her passion for owning a progressive, independent bookstore. 

As a secular humanist, Jack Woller never saw himself working for a church, much less serving as the executive director. But after life in the world of sports retail left him feeling unfulfilled, Woller went on a journey that ultimately led to Fountain Street Church, volunteering in the community and working at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum along the way.

Erica Lang’s motives are clear: Everyone knows what it feels like to be left out. She wants to cultivate the exact opposite.

Sex education in school has long been an awkward affair. 

Boys and girls sit in separate classrooms watching videos about the reproductive system, maybe getting handouts of free deodorant or tampons. Throw in a lesson that abstinence is the safest form of sex, and that’s often the extent of it.

 A monthly roundup of marijuana news and notes.

From world-class pianists to world-revered movie favorites, the Grand Rapids Symphony has thrived in bringing music to the community from all spectrums of the music genres. This year, the Grand Rapids Symphony will be celebrating 90 years of performing and have many special events planned to commemorate the anniversary.

Opera Grand Rapids has been forced to cancel a show two days from now, due to illness.