1. The rich culture in West Michigan will continue to be showcased at Grand Rapids Public Library thanks to a new grant for "The Diversity and Outreach Program."
The Public Library Foundation received $15,000 from the Wege Foundation of Grand Rapids. The money will be used to support two of the library's big events: Taste of Soul in February, and Dia De Los Muertos around Halloween.
The funds will also benefit the library's One Book, One City For Kids reading program.
2. Popular spots in Grand Rapids will be filled with the sounds of the Christmas classics on Friday. Opera Grand Rapids is going caroling!
They'll start at Calder Plaza at 1:15 p.m. and finish with two performances at the Downtown Market. Other stops includes DeVos Place and Rosa Parks Circle.
There's a full list of their stops on their Facebook page.
3. Ice bumper cars are taking over the Garden Ice Arena in St. Joseph, giving children of all ages a chance to experience the skating rink in a whole new way.
Each cart is fit to hold an adult and child, using unique bumper cars capable of traversing the ice, available for birthday parties, corporate team building, or private events.
A 15 minute ride is $15, including public skating.
One-third of the rink is used for the ice for bumper cars and the remaining two-thirds for public skate. Rink hours are posted on the rink's calendar and Facebook page.
4. Coca-Cola is giving a limited number of fans exclusive access to all-new beverages.
The first 1,000 people to join the Coca-Cola insiders Club will get a first taste of about 20 new beverages they plan to release early next year.
Starting in January, "Insiders" will receive monthly shipments of beverages for six months.
Shoppers have the option to pay for the limited-edition boxes for $10 per month, or pre-pay for all six months for $50 upfront.
Coca-Cola says its team will consider expanding the program beyond the six-month trial after it monitors sales, feedback, and social media buzz.
5. Complete your Christmas decorations with a Christmas-tree sculpted butter for the dinner table's centerpiece from the Keller's Creamer Company.
The tree has four evergreen branch layers, and is made from cream and salt. It's a total of four ounces, about the equivalent of a stick of butter.
It's the same company that brought the Thanksgiving turkey sculpted butter.
The products can be ordered in limited areas online via Instacart, and also on some store shelves that carry Keller's products.
