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Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Since 1907
Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

All content by Sophie VanSickle

Michigan bill changes criteria for 17-year-old offenders

Sophie VanSickle
May 7, 2016

Last week, Michigan legislature passed a package of 20 bills that would stop 17-year-olds from being treated as adult offenders, a package where every bill won support from at least 90 members of the 110...

Gov. Snyder proposes mental health service privatization

Sophie VanSickle
April 18, 2016

In February of this year, Michigan governor Rick Snyder proposed the fiscal 2017 state budget, one that would call for the privatization of funding towards mental health and substance abuse services. What...

Grand Rapids Public Museum and Hope Network provide support for autism

Sophie VanSickle
April 18, 2016

On April 27, the Bridge Walk for autism awareness through Hope Network is having its second annual event, and this year, they are partnering with the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) for an event catered...

Art Outdoor Project promotes local artists

Sophie VanSickle
April 6, 2016

With a claim to fame such as ArtPrize, it’s no surprise that the art scene in Grand Rapids is one that continues to thrive even outside the annual event. The contributions of Grand Rapids’ dedication...

Ladyfest GR highlight local female talent

Sophie VanSickle
March 30, 2016

Though Women’s History Month has just passed with the ending of March, the time for celebrating the accomplishments of women is not over. Ladyfest GR, an organization supporting women and girls, will...

Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump win Michigan primary

Sophie VanSickle
March 10, 2016

Tuesday marked Michigan’s turn to vote in presidential election primaries, and while some of the outcomes were expected according to pre-election polls, other outcomes surprised those invested in this...

Madcap adds second location

Sophie VanSickle
March 4, 2016

Madcap Coffee, established in 2008 by Ryan Knapp and Trevor Corlett, will be opening a new Grand Rapids location in spring 2016. In 2015, Madcap acquired 3,500 square feet in a 1930s building previously...

Local First supports West Michigan

Sophie VanSickle
March 4, 2016

Grand Rapids is a city booming with local businesses, big and small, and this economic success wouldn’t be nearly as strong without non-profit organizations such as Local First. Though Local First isn’t...

Heritage Hill to potentially lose historic property protection

Sophie VanSickle
February 27, 2016

In 1971, Heritage Hill, which today stands as a Grand Rapids neighborhood, was designated as a historic district due to its many 19th and early 20th century houses. This district also includes nearly every...

Flint water crisis urges national response

Sophie VanSickle
February 19, 2016

Flint, Mich., was declared to be in a state of emergency due to the contamination of lead in their water on Jan. 6, 2016. As a result, Governor Snyder has been a recipient of severe complaints for not...

Fido & Stitch Dog Boutique opens in Grand Rapids

Sophie VanSickle
February 14, 2016

Grand Rapids, always looking for new developments and businesses to make the city grander, has recently acquired Fido & Stitch, a dog boutique located in Suite 140 on Monroe Avenue. Fido & Stitch,...

It’s almost thyme: organic farmer’s market to be opening late February

Sophie VanSickle
February 6, 2016

For many years, Grand Rapids has implemented many ways in which to keep the economy moving forward. To continue to achieve this goal, the city has had an accessible farmer’s market in the works, and...

Grand Rapids brings in Bliss for mayor

Sophie VanSickle
February 6, 2016

After over a decade, it was time for George Heartwell to say goodbye to his position as the mayor of Grand Rapids as he had reached the end of the 12-year term limit. Heartwell was the longest-serving...

Photo by Sophie Van Sickle

Grand Rapids Public Museum hosts King Tut exhibit

Sophie VanSickle
December 4, 2015

Through January 2016, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will be home to an exclusive exhibition showcasing the life, death and tomb discovery of King Tutankhamun, more commonly known as King Tut. Knowledge...

GR’s Big Talent competition showcases local talent

Sophie VanSickle
November 19, 2015

GR’s Big Talent, formerly known as Grand Rapids’ Got Talent, is an annual competition celebrating the talent of West Michigan in the style of the popular televised talent competition “America’s...

Tip free restaurant to open

Sophie VanSickle
November 9, 2015

In recent years, tip-free restaurants have begun to be introduced in the United States, and as of October, Grand Rapids became the newest city to jump on this trend with restaurateur Paul Lee’s upcoming...

Grand Rapids Marathoners feel accomplished

Sophie VanSickle
October 25, 2015

This past Sunday, Grand Rapids held its annual Grand Rapids Marathon, a race in which participants either ran a full 26.2-mile marathon or a 13.1-mile half marathon. The course begins with a loop around...

ArtPrize Seven featured in total 1550 entries, including this one titled "The Curiosity of Privacy" by Anna Donahue. Photo Credit Katelyn Bosch

“Northwood Awakening” and “Higher Ground” win the grand prizes for ArtPrize Seven

Sophie VanSickle
October 17, 2015

Each year, ArtPrize awards two grand prize winners, one by a public vote and the other by a jury of art experts. The top two winners were announced on Oct. 9 at Civic Theatre along with the eight other...

photo courtesy of Calvin College Active Minds

Out of Darkness walk raises suicide awareness

Sophie VanSickle
October 9, 2015

With National Day Without Stigma having just passed on Oct. 5 and World Mental Health Day ahead on Oct. 10, this seems the perfect time to reflect on the Out of the Darkness Walk that occurred this past...

Grand Rapids supports solar reuse project

Sophie VanSickle
October 1, 2015

According to the Grand Rapids Information Network, Grand Rapids is putting further planning into taking advantage of alternative power sources. In 2013, the Grand Rapids City Commission determined which...

Children’s Healing Center allows safe play

Sophie VanSickle
September 24, 2015

In 2013, the first plans began for the nation’s first recreational play center for sick children. This year, on September 16, that dream became a reality for Lymphoma survivor Amanda Winn, the designer...

Trader Joe’s opens Grand Rapids location

Sophie VanSickle
September 24, 2015

In the late 1950s, the retail grocery chain Trader Joe’s made its first appearance in Pasadena, Calif. In the ‘80s, they expanded to Northern California and in the ‘90s, they began to add stores...

Eight local parks re-open after renovations

Sophie VanSickle
September 24, 2015

This summer, Grand Rapids re-opened many of its parks with the intention of enhancing the recreational opportunities that the city provides. In 2013, Grand Rapids voters approved a seven-year parks measure...

Photo Credit Sophie Van Sickle

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre begins 90th season

Sophie VanSickle
September 19, 2015

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre kicks off its 90th season with a stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s American classic, “The Great Gatsby.” Civic began running its community theater shows in the...

Photo Credit Sophie Van Sickle

Cheers to Michigan Brew Fest: supports local Cystic Fibrosis sufferers

Sophie VanSickle
September 19, 2015

If you look at any list of the attractions that make Grand Rapids a great place to be, no doubt that list will include Grand Rapids’s top-notch breweries, consistently rated among the city’s best consumer...

Creating A Community: A Look at Heartside Ministry

Sophie VanSickle
September 11, 2015

Though not a homeless shelter, Heartside Ministry is full of resources to help those in need. They provide free services in support of giving everyone a chance at improving themselves in whichever area...

Photo Credit Sophie VanSickle

Tanger Outlet Mall opens in Byron Center

Sophie VanSickle
September 11, 2015

On July 31, 2015, less than a year after its groundbreaking ceremony, Tanger Outlets, located in Byron Center, had its grand opening. Though Grand Rapids and its surrounding areas contain plenty of traditional...

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