GRC
Fourth Anniversary 4th Tuesday in July
 Join
the Grand River Connection to celebrate our 4th
Anniversary as the Young Professionals
Group of Greater Lansing by attending our 4th Tuesday Networking
Night on July 28, from 6-8 pm.
The GRC will be hosted by the Technology
Innovation Center (TIC) in Downtown East Lansing. The
TIC features 7,000 square feet of newly renovated, loft-style
office space overlooking the beautiful Michigan State University
Campus. The TIC was created to facilitate the development
of the technology-based economy in the Mid-Michigan region
and to bolster the region’s professional workforce.
So while you’re networking and enjoying
complimentary beverages and food provided by Woody's Oasis,
be sure to also tour the TIC, meet some super IT savvy people,
and learn about this growing IT sector in Greater Lansing.
The TIC is located at 325
E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing.
This event is graciously sponsored by Fraser,
Trebilcock, Davis and Dunlap. The Fraser Trebilcock
Business Law Department, which is comprised of several attorneys
featured in The Best Lawyers in America 2009, has served
Lansing businesses for over 100 years and has counseled
local enterprises in a host of business law matters, including:
Startup and reorganization; General business planning and
counseling Negotiation and contracts Technology licensing;
and Business financing and initial public offerings.
Business
Breakfast Series Returns
 Head
to Downtown Lansing for GRC's next Professional Breakfast
on Friday, June 26 from 7:30-9:00
a.m. Our speaker, Kelly Rossman, is CEO of The
Rossman Group and one of Lansing's most dynamic and respected
public relations professionals. Join us on the first floor
of The Christman Building, 208 N. Capitol Avenue. Breakfast
and coffee will be available at 7:30.
Parking is available at nearby meters,
the City of Lansing North Capitol Parking Structure (located
one block north of the building), or in the City of Lansing
parking lot at the corner of Seymour Street and Shiawassee
Street (approximately one block northwest of the building.)
These popular events have been filling
fast, so please RSVP to Gabrielle
Johnson ASAP.
Lansing
Country Club Welcomes GRC for Networking Event
 Get
ready to head to the club, the Country
Club of Lansing that is, with the Grand River Connection
on Tuesday, June 23rd from 6-8
p.m.
The Country Club of Lansing is Mid-Michigan's
premier private Country Club. Founded in 1908, the Country
Club of Lansing is a first-class, family-oriented private
club that offers a full range of amenities including their
elite 18-hole golf course, driving range, tennis courts,
swimming pool and the area's finest dining and social facilities.
Interested in becoming a member? Contact Victoria
Welsh or Cathy
Lazar for more details.
Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar
will be available. The Country Club of Lansing is located
at 2200
Moores River Drive.
This 4th Tuesday Networking is graciously
sponsored by NuUnion Credit
Union. A not-for-profit financial cooperative, NuUnion
is built upon more than 50 years of commitment to members,
community, and service. NuUnion is progressive and growing
$776 million financial institution serving over 88,000 members
at 14 locations.
Unlike commercial banks or savings institutions,
NuUnion has no stockholders. If you live, work, attend school,
or worship within any of the 28 counties in mid-Michigan,
NuUnion invites you to join them. You'll find the very best
financial products, services, resources, and people are
all at your service.
Third
Annual GRC Bar Tour
 Join
GRC once again for a Saturday afternoon non-stop happy hour!
Our 3rd Annual bar tour will be held on
Saturday, June 20 beginning at 3
p.m. at Dublin Square in East Lansing. Stops will
follow at Harper's and The Riv, then we will hop on CATA's
Entertainment Express
for a quick ride to Stober's and Moriarty's before ending
our tour at Nutty Fest at the Nuthouse. $10 gets you a t-shirt,
transportation from The Riv to Stober's, and several hours
of good times with good friends.
Be there or regret it for the rest of the
year! Please RSVP with t-shirt size by June 10 to Gabrielle
Johnson.
Fourth
Annual Tigers Road-Trip -- SOLD OUT!
 Due
to very popular demand, this year's 4th Annual GRC Tigers
Road-Trip is SOLD OUT!!
However, you can put your name on the waiting
list in the hopes a coveted seat opens up. Please e-mail
Gabrielle Johnson
to add your name to the list.
Just a reminder the date is August
8 and the cost is $55 for a ticket and transportation
to the game.
Summer
Kick-off
 Grab
those sunglasses and get ready to enjoy the start of summer
with the Grand River Connection on Tuesday, May
26th from 6 – 8 p.m. at
Dublin Square Irish
Pub for our 4th Tuesday Networking Night! Dublin Square
is located at 327
Abbot Rd and is a small piece of Ireland right here
in East Lansing! Complimentary appetizers will be graciously
provided as well as a cash bar.
Dublin Square is one of East Lansing’s
newest and most exciting destinations! It offers happy hour
from 3 – 6 p.m. and even has late night food and drink
specials. They have live music, a new menu, and large outdoor
patio perfect for enjoying the sunny summer days and hot
summer nights.
We are pleased to have the Centennial
Group as the sponsor for the event. Centennial Group
was established in 1967 and offers a comprehensive line
of products and services, as well as diverse financial expertise
and responsive service. From insurance needs, retirement
or estate planning- they have the knowledge and background
to accomplish any financial scenario.
Parking is available on site as well as
at various other lots all around downtown East Lansing.
A
New Perspective on Old Town
 Gain
a positive perspective of Greater Lansing on April
28th as the GRC 4th Tuesday Networking Night visits
Perspective2
from 6 – 8 p.m. Perspective2 is a
one-of-a-kind studio providing Mid-Michigan with an inviting
environment where professional photographers and serious
image-makers have access to top-of-the-line tools and studio
space for professional use, creative growth, and networking.
Perspective2 also provides studio spaces for private special
events and community happenings.
GRC members can enjoy P2’s spacious
rooms while networking, enjoying delicious local organic
food from Mama Bears Café, and getting a sneak preview
of local theater group Icarus
Falling’s upcoming productions.
This event is graciously sponsored by the
Old Town Commercial
Association Shmooze on Tues.
Shmooze on Tues is a weekly event where visitors can enjoy
local food and drink specials at nine different restaurants
and bars in Old Town, all within walking distance from one
another. You can pick up a Shmooze on Tues punch card at
participating bars and restaurants. Enter full cards to
win Old Town festival tickets and prizes. For more information,
call the OTCA office at (517) 485-4283.
Perspective2 is located at 319
E. Grand River Avenue in Lansing.
2nd
Annual GRC Golf Classic
 May
will be here sooner than you know it, and we know schedules
fill up fast, so we are beginning to spread the word about
GRC's 2nd Annual Golf Classic. It will take place Saturday,
May 16, at the Glenbrier
Golf Course in Perry. Prices are $40/person or $160/team
(If you sign up as a single, you'll be placed into a foursome.)
Check out the flyer
for more details on the event and for instruction on how
to register.
We also are looking for sponsors for the
GRC Golf Outing. If you're interested in a tee sponsorship
or other opportunities to showcase your company or products,
please contact Michelle
Fink via email or at 517-515-1505.
All
Aboard!
 Join
us Tuesday, March 24th, from 6:00
to 8:00 p.m. aboard Lansing’s most unique
entertainment venue, the Michigan
Princess Riverboat. Come and experience the fun of an
old time riverboat on the Grand River. The Michigan Princess
hosts a wide range of events throughout the year from wedding
receptions and corporate events to live entertainment, proms,
and dinner cruises. The boat will stay dockside for our
event to allow for flexible arrival times and will feature
two cash bars, hors d’ oeuvres, music, and excellent
opportunities to network with your fellow GRC friends. Weather
permitting we can enjoy the open deck or mingle in the comfort
of the banquet room. Come out and see Michigan’s only
three-deck riverboat.
Our 4th Tuesday Networking Night in March
is generously sponsored by CareerBuilder.com,
the nation's largest online recruitment and career advancement
source for employers, recruiters, and job seekers. Locally,
CareerBuilder.com can be accessed by logging onto LSJ.com,
the Lansing area’s most up-to-date news source.
Directions
to the event from Downtown Lansing: take I-496 west to Exit
4 (Lansing Road). Continue under the railroad trestle. Go
500 feet and turn left in Grand River Park.
Winter-time
Special Events
Join GRC for a night at the symphony!
The Lansing Symphony
Orchestra has kindly reached out to us once again for
a special event that is sure to be memorable. We will be
attending the performance of MasterWorks 5: A Celtic Muse
feature Mendelssohn's "Scottish" Symphony and
Stephen Paulus's Concerto for Two Trumpets and Orchestra.
The show is on Friday, March 6 and begins
at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 per person
and are available on a first come, first served basis. Please
contact Gabrielle
Johnson to reserve your ticket.
 Or,
if doing something "athletic" is more your speed,
then join the GRC for freaky Friday night bowling, Friday,
March 13th starting at 8:45 p.m.
(note the time change!) at Royal
Scot! This is your chance to get together with friends
both old and new for some friendly competition! Individuals
of all skill levels are encouraged to join us for this "cosmic
bowling" night where you'll play in a fun, high-energy
atmosphere filled with great tunes! Just pick out a neon-colored
ball and get ready to roll!
You get two hours of playing time, shoe rental, pizza, snacks,
pop and beer for just $15! So don't miss GRC's freaky Friday
the 13th bowling event from 8:45 p.m. onward at Royal Scot,
located 1 mile west of the Lansing Airport at 4722 W. Grand
River Ave.
Please contact Matt
Edmonds or call (517) 974-9635 to reserve your space.
All players must RSVP no later than Wednesday, March 11th.
Go
Green, Go White!
Come show your Spartan Pride and join
the Grand River Connection for our 4th Tuesday Networking
Night on Tuesday, February 24th, from 6-8pm.
The Spartan
Hall of Fame Café is graciously hosting the event
at 1601 W. Lake Lansing Rd, East Lansing, MI.
 Spartan
Hall of Fame Café offers a great full service menu
and bar along with banquet & catering facilities. It
boasts one of the largest collections of historic MSU memorabilia
and has Spartan merchandise available for purchase in case
you need to enhance your own collections of Spartan gear.
Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar will be provided
and free parking is available on site.
We are pleased to have the MSU
Young Alumni (part of the MSU
Alumni Club of Mid-Michigan) as our event sponsor. The
MSU Young Alumni is a group that hosts various events for
young Michigan State alumni in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham
counties. Events include game-watching parties, business-to-business
seminars, and other community events. No need to be a graduate
of MSU to be a part of the Young Alumni. Join the MSU Young
Alumni club on Facebook for additional information and upcoming
events.
Not a Spartan? Not a problem! All are welcome,
so grab a friend and come enjoy the food and atmosphere
at this great Michigan State destination!
2009
Kick-Off Event
 Ring
in the New Year with new connections by joining the GRC
at Walnut Hills Country
Club on Tuesday, January 27th from
6-8 pm for a night of 4th Tuesday Networking.
We’ll be hosting a membership drive so bring a couple
friends and extra business cards. Whether you’re new
to the area or have been here for years, you’re sure
to meet at least three new people! And don’t forget
to sign in when you arrive to be entered for a chance to
win great door prizes. This event is generously sponsored
by Godfrey
Wise Berg, CPAs & Advisors, providing accounting
and financial counseling in the Greater Lansing area. With
tax season around the corner, Godfrey Wise Berg will have
you covered.
Walnut Hills Country Club – the oldest
brand new Country Club in Lansing – is located at
2874 Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing.
Fourth
Annual Holiday Gala
 Get
ready to get glitzy for the annual Grand River Connection
Holiday Gala on Tuesday, December 16th,
at the Harem Urban
Lounge. This special 4th Tuesday Networking Night will
take place from 7-9 PM (note this is the
THIRD Tuesday in December so as not to conflict with the
Christmas Holiday).
 Harem
Urban Lounge is one of Lansing’s newest and hottest
night clubs! Enjoy a fine selection of complimentary hors
d’ouerves alongside a cash bar. A $5 cover and a non-perishable
food item for the Lansing City Rescue Mission will get you
in the door so you can enjoy some amazing food and Holiday
spirits while networking and meeting new people. Semi-formal
attire is requested -- dress to impress!
The GRC Holiday Gala is generously sponsored
by Capitol National
Bank and by Plante
Moran. The hallmark of Capitol National Bank since it
opened in 1982 has been its relationship banking and its
ability to provide tailored banking solutions. Whether it's
assisting customers with a checking account or planning
a long term investment strategy, Capitol National Bank's
staff works with customers to achieve their financial goals
while meeting their day-to-day banking needs. Plante Moran
is one of the nation's largest certified public accounting
and business advisory firms, providing clients with financial,
human capital, operations, strategy, technology, and family
wealth management services. Plante & Moran has 100 staff
members in the East Lansing office, and more than 1,600
professionals in 16 offices throughout Michigan, Ohio, Illinois,
and China.
Harem Lounge is located at 414 E. Michigan
Avenue in the heart of downtown Lansing’s Entertainment
District. Parking can be found along Michigan Ave. as well
as on surrounding streets and in the lot off of Museum Drive.
Cool
Nights and Hot Jazz
 Are
the cooler fall evenings starting to get to you already?
Then join the Grand River Connection in downtown Lansing
at 621 “where
the nights are cool but the Jazz is hot” for our November
Networking Night on Tuesday, November 18
from 6-8 pm. (Please note: this is the
THIRD Tuesday of the month, as not to conflict
with the Thanksgiving holiday week.)
621
-- located at 621 E. Michigan Ave -- is known for their
great atmosphere and live music including Jazz every Thursday
night. There are drink specials daily and different promotions
including open mic night, karaoke, and Jammin DJ’s.
Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar will be available.
On-street parking is readily available along Michigan Ave
as well as on surrounding streets.
We are pleased to have Independent Bank
Corporation as the sponsor for our November event. Independent
Bank Corporation is Michigan based bank holding company.
Independent Bank operates more than 100 offices across Michigan’s
Lower Peninsula. They provide a full range of financial
services including retail and commercial banking, mortgage
lending, investments and title services.
Make it a point to meet new people while
enjoying delicious food and great drinks from 621 on November
18th. So spread the word and bring some friends!
A
Taste of Autumn
 Enjoy
an autumn themed wine tasting with GRC members at the picturesque
Riverhouse Inn, located at 310 W. Grand River Ave. in Williamston.
The Riverhouse Inn is a newly opened restaurant and bar
housed in a restored 1929 home overlooking the Red Cedar
River in Williamston.
Wines from Michigan and around the world
will be paired with appetizers at this event. Due to popular
demand from previous GRC wine tasting events, two dates
for this event are offered: Friday, November 14
from 7-9 PM and Saturday, November
15 from 6-8 PM. The cost for this
tasting is $20 per person. Reserve your ticket now by contacting
Sarah Reckhow.
GRC
Survey Live Now!
Interested in giving us your input on
GRC? Then please take our 2008 Membership Survey.
We're interested in finding out who our members are and
what they're looking for in GRC in 2009. Click
here to take the survey!
Countdown
to November 4th at Our 4th Tuesday in October
 You’ve
probably been bantering with friends and family for the
last few weeks about politics and trying to convince them
to vote for your candidate. Well, put away your political
leanings for one night and come join GRC for a night of
bi-partisanship on Tuesday, October 28
from 6–8pm on the 22nd floor of the
Boji Tower.
In honor of the elections, there will be a special event
during the evening, “Political Jeopardy,”
featuring local government officials as contestants. This
will take place from 6:30-7 p.m. We are excited to be welcoming
Mayor Virg Bernero, as well as some current and former Lansing-area
legislators, to the event. Come cheer on the contestants
as they battle to answer trivia questions relating to Michigan’s
and Lansing’s political history.
Our event is being sponsored by Fraser
Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, Lansing’s oldest
law firm. The Boji Tower is located at 124 West Allegan
in Downtown Lansing.
Third
Business Breakfast to Feature Christman Company CEO
 Head
to Downtown Lansing for GRC's next Professional Breakfast
on Friday, October 10 from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Our speaker, Steve Roznowski, CEO of The Christman Company,
will be sharing highlights of the recent renovation of their
national headquarters, which is the first building in
the world to receive dual
platinum LEED certification. Mr. Roznowski will also
will share insights on the latest innovations and strategies
this century-old company is using to grow, improve and thrive
in a challenging economy.
Join us on the 6th Floor of The Christman
Building, 208 N. Capitol Avenue. Breakfast and coffee will
be available at 7:30. There will be time for questions,
a chance to mingle with our speaker and other guests, and
an optional tour of the building after the program.
Parking is available at nearby meters,
the City of Lansing North Capitol Parking Structure (located
one block north of the building), or in the City of Lansing
parking lot at the corner of Seymour Street and Shiawassee
Street (approximately one block northwest of the building.).
These popular events have been filling
fast, so please RSVP to Jessi
Wortley ASAP.
Celebrate
Football Season Again
 GRC
will be showing some Spartan Spirit on Saturday,
October 4 at the MSU Homecoming game vs. Iowa.
Starting at 9:00am we'll have a spot set
up on campus just south of the International Center for
the festivities to take place (we'll be in Parking
Lot P/40; look for a white tent and a vehicle parked
next to it with the "RetroDuck" logo on it).
Catering for this event will be provided
by Back Yard Bar-B-Q. If you plan on hanging out and watching
the TV with us, please bring extra drinks. We'll have coolers
and a tent, so just bring yourself, a friend or two, and
throw that 6 pack in the cooler. As with all GRC Special
Events, this one is sure to be a blast!
Please contact Adam
Van Lente or Kat
Czarnecki to RSVP or for more information.
Second
Annual 10 Over the Next 10
 Join
the Grand River Connection in partnership with the Greater
Lansing Business Monthly and the Lansing Regional Chamber
of Commerce in recognizing 10 young professionals and community
leaders who will make an impact on the Lansing Area over
the next 10 years.
A cocktail reception with complementary
hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will be held at the Downtown
Lansing Radisson beginning at 5:30pm on
Wednesday, September 24. Please note: this
event will be taking the place of our regularly-scheduled
"Fourth Tuesday" in September. GRC members are
invited to purchase reduced price tickets to the awards
ceremony that will follow the mixer at 6:30pm. Tickets for
the awards ceremony dinner can be purchased on-line.
Congratulations to this year's finalists
(winners marked in bold):
- Bryan
Anderson, Lansing Economic Development Corporation
- Sarah
Anthony, Representative Joan Bauer’s Office
- Brock
Cooper, The Sovereign Group at Smith Barney
-
Kira Carter, Sparrow Specialty Hospital
-
Ryan Doom, Webascender
- Tiffany
Ford, MSU Federal Credit Union
- Cecilia
Garcia, Mama Bear’s LLC
- Camron
Gnass, Vision Creative
- Ryan
Henry, Kincaid Building Group
- Matthew
Hill, Liquid Web, Inc.
- Paul
Jaques, Michigan State University
- Ryan
Kincaid, Kincaid Building Group
- Jennifer
Middlin, TechSmith Corporation
- Summer
Schriner, Grace Boutique
- Jamie
Schriner-Hooper, Old Town Commercial Association
- Brigham
Smith, City of Lasing Attorney’s Office
- Karen
Stefl, Such Video
- Jordan
Sutton, Sutton Advisors
- Kristen
Taylor, Junior Achievement Mid-Michigan
- Jessica
Yorko, Westside Alliance Program
Little
Shop of Horrors
 You
are invited to attend a performance of Little
Shop of Horrors at the Riverwalk
Theatre in Downtown Lansing on Thursday, September
18th at 7:00pm with your friends
from the Grand River Connection. Tickets are being offered
to GRC members at a special reduced price of $15. Please
contact Bethany
West to reserve your tickets by September 16th.
Fall
Football & Fourth Tuesday Join Forces
 Anyone
who's a sports fan knows college football season is just
around the corner! Before the college fall semester kicks
off, join the GRC for a special 4th Tuesday on August
26, from 6-8pm, at the exclusive MSU
Spartan Club at Spartan Stadium!
The Spartan Club features the premier game
experience for MSU football fans, with a center-side line
view of the field from the spacious 18,500 square foot suite.
During the regular football season, a Spartan Club membership
offers avid MSU fans the option of sheltered outdoor stadium
seating, or cozy comfortable seating in the air-conditioned/heated
suite. Membership also includes a complimentary buffet,
cash bar, Zone 1 parking, extra game tickets (if available),
and a game day program.
Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar
will be available. While you are networking and making new
business contacts, take a few minutes for a private tour
of Spartan Stadium pre-season.
The Spartan Club is located at the MSU
Spartan Stadium, 1 Im Sports Way in East Lansing. Parking
is available in the stadium parking lot (just south of the
Stadium, accessible from Shaw Lane); please enter through
the Stadium Towers side, take the elevators to the fourth
floor, and follow the signs to the GRC event!
We are pleased to have the Lansing
Jaycees as a sponsor of our Fourth Tuesday event in
August.
Stadium
District - Part 2
 Make
new friends and business contacts while you revisit Lansing's
newest mixed-use development – this time without the
hard hat! Join the Grand River Connection on July
22nd, from 6pm to 8pm at the Stadium
District for our next 4th Tuesday networking night!
Please join us on the ground level for appetizers and beverages;
guests will have an opportunity to tour several portions
of the building as part of our event.
The Stadium District offers a variety of
1 or 2 bedroom floor plans, all carefully designed to capture
an urban chic appeal with the amenities you expect from
an upscale downtown living environment. Whether you are
looking for a private setting or want to be right where
all the action is the Stadium District has all that to offer
and much more.
The Stadium District is located downtown
across from Oldsmobile Park at 500 East Michigan Avenue.
Parking is available in and around Stadium District as well
as along Michigan Avenue.
We are pleased to have the Gillespie
Group, one of Lansing's most successful real estate
developers, as our sponsor for the July event.
Back
to Where it All Began
 For
our 4th Tuesday networking night in June, GRC will be returning
back to where it all began. On June 23, 2005, a small group
of 28 people gathered at Harper's for what would become
the first-ever Grand River Connection event! On June
24, 2008, from 6pm to 8pm, GRC
will be returning to Harper's for our 3rd
Anniversary Event. In these last three years, we've grown
from a small core group to a membership of over 1400 people—and
growing! Bring a friend and come on out and spend time with
people you've met at previous events, and meet new people!
For those of you who home-brew, fancy yourself
as beer connoisseurs, or are just plain curious, we've arranged
a special tour of the brewing facilities as part of our
evening at Harper's. The tour of the brewing facilities
will commence at 6:30pm. And of course, we've also arranged
for light appetizers for you to enjoy while you sample some
of Harper's fresh craft-brewed beers.
Harper's is located at 131 Albert Avenue
in downtown East Lansing. Parking in the nearby Grove Street
ramp is graciously being provided by the City of East Lansing.
Vouchers for parking will be available at the event –
but only for ramp parking.
Our 3rd Anniversary event is being sponsored
by Capitol Club
Tower, which will be breaking ground in late 2008. The
Capitol Club Tower will be a new urban residential high-rise
located on the Grand River in the heart of Downtown Lansing.
The Capitol Club Tower will offer a range of housing options
from snappy studios to high-end luxury penthouses. Preliminary
reservations are currently being accepted; buyers of the
Capitol Club Tower condominiums will experience a high-end
lifestyle at a truly affordable price.
Business
Breakfast Event to Feature Liz Haar, CEO of the Accident
Fund
 Don't
miss the next GRC "Professional Breakfast" scheduled
to take place on Wednesday, June 18th,
from 7:30 to 8:30 am. Our Speaker will
be Elizabeth (Liz) Haar, CEO of the Accident
Fund Insurance Company of America. The event will take
place at the Fifth Third Bank
Building, 3rd Floor, 2501 Coolidge Road, in East Lansing.
Liz will be addressing the Accident Fund's expansion and
issues concerning the Lansing area.
Breakfast/coffee will be available at 7:30am,
with the presentation to begin promptly at 7:45. There will
be time for questions at the end, and also a chance to mix
and mingle with our speaker and other guests.
Space is limited to 50 so please RSVP to
Max Hotchkin ASAP!
Thank you to Fifth Third Bank and the Canada Dry Bottling
Company of Lansing for providing food and refreshments.
Third
Annual Tigers Road-Trip -- SOLD OUT!
 Get
ready for an outrageous trip to Detroit with GRC for our
third annual Tigers Road-Trip! We'll be
departing from the Lake Lansing Meijer parking lot at 1:30pm
on Saturday, August 9, and riding to Motown
for a 7:05pm game. Snacks and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
on the bus will be provided. Prior to the game, you'll have
several hours to explore neighboring Greektown, Detroit's
casinos, and other Motor City attractions.
Tickets to the game, transportation on
the bus, and food and drink are all provided for only $55!
But you have to reserve your spot right away--only a limited
number are available! You can buy your tickets either by
check (made out to Grand River Connection) or on-line using
the donations feature on our website (please consider including
an extra $2 to help offset our handling fee). Email Brian
McGrain if you have questions.
Second
Annual GRC Bar Crawl
 Its
that time of year again folks: time to get your Bar Crawling
shoes on, and join the GRC gang for a day of festivities.
We will be having our 2nd Annual Bar Crawl on Saturday,
June 14th, starting at 3:00pm.
We will kick things off at Dublin Square, stopping at the
Post and the Riv before leaving East Lansing. After hopping
on the bus to downtown (tickets will be provided), we will
make stops at Mort's & Stober's, before ending at the
Nuthouse for "Nuttyfest". The Bar Crawl fee is
$10 per person, which includes a GRC Bar Crawl T-Shirt.
If you missed out last year, you have probably
been regretting it ever since. Don't put yourself through
the agony again; email Katharine
Czarnecki to sign-up in advance (please include t-shirt
size)!
Tee
Up and Take a Swing at Golf
 Please
join GRC on Saturday, May 31, at Glenbrier
Golf Course in Perry for the 1st Annual GRC Golf Classic!
Teams of four will compete in a "scramble" format
for prizes and the adulation of your peers! Don't know how
to swing a club? No problem, as head golf professional Brian
Abbey will be on the course giving lessons. Not part of
a team yet? No worry, just sign up and we'll find a team
for you!
The price of the Golf Classic is $40 per
person, or $160 per team. The price includes all 18 holes,
cart rental, lunch, free golf lessons, games, networking,
prizes, and tons of fun! Lessons begin at 9am, with official
registration starting at 9:30am. The first teams will begin
playing at 10am.
Please view the flyer
for more information. Got questions? Contact Michelle
Fink via email or at 517-625-3800. The registration
deadline is May 24; complete the registration form (part
of the flyer) and mail checks made out to Glenbrief Golf
Course to Michelle (address listed in flyer). Sign up right
away to guarantee a spot!
Start
off Summer in the Tropics with GRC
 Join
the Grand River Connection on Tuesday, May 27th, from 6pm
to 8pm at Rum Runners
for our next 4th Tuesday networking night! Spend your first
days of summer "in the tropics" enjoying signature
drinks while making new friends and business contacts!
Rum Runners offers two floors of fun! Upstairs
you can normally find the area's only all-request dueling
piano show. Downstairs features dazzling DJ dance mixes
of the hottest tracks from yesterday and today! A DJ will
be on-hand to provide background music for our enjoyment
during the event.
Rum Runners is located downtown in the
Stadium District across from Olds Park at 601 E. Michigan
Ave. Parking
is available in and around the stadium as well as along
Michigan Ave. This event is completely private and only
GRC members will be present, so get ready to sample signature
drinks served by the staff that rocks while enjoying Island-themed
appetizers generously provided by Rum Runners!
We are pleased to have the Rossman
Group, one of Lansing's most successful public relations
firms, as our sponsor for our May event.
See
U at the U Club
 Join
the Grand River Connection on Tuesday, April 22nd,
from 6pm to 8pm at the University
Club of Michigan State University for our next 4th Tuesday
networking night!
Dazzling guests for over 75 years, the
University Club sits nestled in the lush countryside near
Michigan State University,
with stunning views of Forest
Akers Golf Course. The conference facilities of the
James B. Henry Center
for Executive Development are conveniently located adjacent
to the University Club.
While you’re doing your usual 4th
Tuesday networking making new business contacts and new
friends, explore what a membership at U Club has to offer.
More affordable than a country club membership, with all
the benefits, a membership at U Club offers excellent dining
and entertainment, special meetings and events, tennis,
swimming, a fitness center and spa, and golf!
Speaking of golf, the inaugural
GRC Golf Classic is right around the corner. You can get
your golf game in shape thanks to putting, chipping, and
"rowing the course" contests that we've arranged
with prizes provided by U Club. Steve Ruthenburg, Director
of Golf Instruction at Forest Akers Golf Course, will give
a brief presentation at 7:30 and will be available afterward
to give golf tips!
GRC is pleased to have the Associates of
Foster, Swift, Collins,
& Smith, P.C., as our sponsors for our April event.
Founded in 1902, Foster Swift is today one of largest law
firms in Michigan.
A wonderful assortment of food will be
provided by the U Club; a cash bar will be available as
well. The U Club is located at 3436 Forest Road in Lansing,
and is easily accessible from either Aurelius Road or Harrison/Coolidge
Road.
Special
Events Planned for April
 Following
on the success of our last round of wine tastings, GRC has
scheduled a second second Wine Tasting
event! Please join us at 7:30pm on Saturday, April 5, at
Beggar's Banquet in East Lansing. This wine tasting will
feature Spanish wine, and cuisine in the form of tapas (small
plates). The cost will be $20 per person and will include
4-6 wines to taste, a glass of sparkling wine upon entrance,
light appetizers, and a chance to purchase the wines at
a discount. Please contact Kimberly
Joseph with questions; RSVP's should be sent to Kimberly
by March 31, 2008.
 Get
crazy with GRC at Holiday Lanes in Frandor. This event will
be taking place at 6pm on Wednesday, April 16. We'll be
"Crazy Bowling" -- bowling with
a twist! Whether you love or loathe traditional bowling,
you'll get a kick out of trying this wacky spin on the game.
Sign up with a team, or create a team when you arrive. $10
for bowling and shoe rental. Please RSVP to Lisa
Paszkiewicz right away; space is limited!
Enjoy
a Smoke-free Evening at the New Jimmy's Pub
 Join
the Grand River Connection Tuesday, March 25th
from 6pm to 8pm at the NEW Jimmy’s
Pub (16804 Chandler Road) in East Lansing for 4th Tuesday
networking! Enjoy the smoke-free atmosphere while you mingle
with business contacts, find friends, and drink one of Jimmy’s
16 draught beers. While there, we will enjoy excellent complimentary
appetizers provided by Jimmy’s friendly wait staff.
The new Jimmy’s Pub is located on
Chandler Road, 1 mile north of the Lake Lansing. (Please
note that, due to construction, you will access Jimmy’s
by taking Coolidge Road North to Coleman Road East.)
The newly-renovated pub has expanded the food menu, featuring
a new pasta section. They still offer their signature items
such as the Michigan Chicken Salad, Jimmy's Original burger,
and the French Dip. There is plenty of entertainment at
Jimmy’s -- you can watch the big game on one of their
9 high definition televisions, play a game of pool, listen
to some songs on the jukebox, or enjoy their free wireless
internet access.
As Jimmy’s is a smoke-free pub, we
are pleased to have the Campaign
for Smokefree Air (CSA) as our sponsor for this event.
The CSA is a grassroots coalition committed to creating
smokefree restaurants and bars in Michigan. CSA is currently
working to pass legislation to Make
MI Air Smokefree. CSA has over 250 supporting organizations
across the state including the American Cancer Society,
American Heart Association and American Lung Association.
Enjoy a smoke-free night at the pub! Make
it a point to meet new people while enjoying delicious food
and great drinks from Jimmy’s Pub on March 25. So
spread the word and bring some friends!
A
Multi-Part, Multi-Media Experience in Old Town
 February’s
GRC 4th Tuesday Networking Night – scheduled to take
place from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday,
February 26 – will be a special two-part
event, highlighting several creative spaces in Lansing’s
Old Town neighborhood.
First, members will be treated to a special
tour and open house at Message
Makers, 1217 Turner Street. Message Makers, producers
of experiences that transform, specializes in creative media,
training, and event media services. While their client list
spans the globe and includes work for major clients such
as Harley Davidson, they also bring their creative touch
to Lansing, producing such local favorites as Lansing’s
JazzFest and the Old
Town BluesFest. Message Makers has inhabited a converted
commercial space in the heart of Old Town since 1982. GRC
members will have an opportunity to tour this distinctive
space, enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and also see a number
of live media demonstrations taking place.
Networking will follow across the street
at the combined location of the Banyan
Gallery and Studio 1210, 1208-1210 Turner Street. The
Banyan Gallery is a creative, design-conscious art gallery
that is warm and inviting, elegant and upscale, intimate
and friendly. Its companion gallery, Studio 1210, focuses
on more progressive art and experimentation with a bolder
industrial statement and energy. GRC members are invited
to come see the art and then stay for wonderful food, complimentary
beverages, music, and lots of great conversation.
This event has been sponsored by Ukai
Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar. Ukai has locations
on both the east and west side of Lansing, and has also
recently opened Ai Fusion in East Lansing. Food for the
event is being provided courtesy of Decker's
Coffee Company, 220 S. Washington, opened by Jessica
Decker in May 2007. However it's not just a coffee shop;
Decker's offers a variety of coffees, teas, smoothies, and
such. She's got breakfast and lunch covered too - soups,
salads, pastries, and an assortment of gelato and sorbets
for dessert. The business is open 7 days a week - and in
the summer you can enjoy a cup of coffee on the comfortable
patio.
Last
Chance to Sign Up for Ice Climbing
Grab your hat and gloves and head up North!
This ice climbing trip is for beginners that want to experience
a winter adventure. No prior experience is necessary. If
you can do 10 push-ups, you’ve got what it takes to
try this sport out. With two days of guiding, all your ice
climbing gear provided, an evening of great food and socializing,
this will be a trip you wont forget!
The trip will be taking place from February
29 through March 2. Accommodations will be at the Mad
Moose Lodge, about an hour north of Sault Ste. Marie.
Cost per person is $225, which includes lodging, dinner
on Saturday, equipment rental, and instruction. View the
entire event
description or contact Lisa
Paskiewicz ASAP to register!
Inaugural
GRC Professional Breakfast
 Don't
miss the inaugural GRC "Professional Breakfast"
scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 6th, from
7:30 to 8:30 am. Our Speaker will be Robert (Bob) Fish,
CEO and Co-Founder of Biggby
Coffee (formerly Beaners). The event will take place
at the Fifth Third Bank
Building, 3rd Floor, 2501 Coolidge Road, in East Lansing.
Bob will be addressing entrepreneurialism and issues concerning
the Lansing area.
Breakfast/coffee will be available at 7:30am,
with the presentation to begin promptly at 7:45. There will
be time for questions at the end, and also a chance to mix
and mingle with our speaker and other guests.
Space is limited to 50 so please
RSVP to Max Hotchkin
ASAP!
Your
New Years Resolution: Meet New People!
 Join
the Grand River Connection Tuesday, January 22nd
from 6-8pm at Brannigan Brothers
restaurant and pub (210 South Washington) in downtown Lansing
for 4th Tuesday networking! We know your New Year’s
resolutions might have something to do with work, friends,
or love, so at Brannigan’s you can mingle with business
contacts, find friends, and who knows, maybe even meet that
special someone!
Starting at 7pm, the GRC will be raffling
off prizes and everyone who attends will be entered to win!
Never been to an event before? Then you don’t want
to miss this one, because all first-time attendees
will get twice as many chances to win! So
spread the word and bring some friends!
And if you’ve had trouble meeting
new people in the past, we guarantee you’ll make at
least two new acquaintances, as members of our networking
programs committee will be introducing people to each other
all night long. And if that’s not your thing, just
check out our brand new “Networking Board” for
a list of who’s in attendance.
Start the New Year off right! Make
it a point to meet new people while enjoying delicious cuisine
and great drinks from Brannigan Brothers on January 22.
A
Night Out with the Lansing Symphony
 Join
the GRC for a night of music at the Lansing
Symphony Orchestra on Friday, January 18. The classical
performance will take place at 8pm in the Great Hall of
the Wharton Center on the campus of Michigan State University.
The LSO has given our members a generous discount on tickets
to this show, and the cost for this special event is $15
per person. After the performance, we will head to a local
restaurant for refreshments and fun. Space is limited, so
please reserve your space soon by emailing Ali.
Its
a GRC Holiday Party!
 Last-minute
addition! You are invited to visit
the West Village Condos model, located at 352 West Grand
River Avenue, before the GRC Holiday Gala. Stop by
between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm to tour the model units and
enjoy a glass of champagne before heading over to the Marriott!
Don't miss the 3rd
annual Grand River
Connection Holiday Gala scheduled to take place
on Tuesday, December 18, from 7pm to 10pm! This year's premier
GRC event will be held in the lovely Beaumont Room at the
Marriott
University Place in downtown East Lansing (300 MAC Ave.).
We will enjoy excellent complimentary hors d'ouevres, a
cash bar, and live music provided by Too
Smooth for Notes, while we network and celebrate the
holiday season.
Semi-formal attire
is requested. Admission is $5 at the door. Free vouchers
for parking in downtown parking structures will be handed
out at the event.
In the spirit of
the holidays, we are asking all members to please bring
a non-perishable food item for the Lansing
Food Bank.
We are please to have as this year's event sponsors:
...three exciting
new housing options in and around downtown East Lansing!
Be
a Part of the New Face of Downtown!
GRC is pleased to
announce that our 4th Tuesday Networking Night in November
will be a two-part event. Join us at 6pm on Tuesday, November
27, as we get an exclusive tour of one of Lansing's hottest
new developments, the
Stadium District! This exciting urban mixed-use development
combines retail, commercial, apartment, and condominium
space with a premiere location just steps from Oldsmobile
Park. GRC has arranged a "members-only" tour (courtesy
of the Gillespie
Group) so that we will have a chance to see this new
development up close.
 Tours
of the Stadium District will take place starting at 6pm
and will run continuously until 7pm. After you are done
touring, cross the street to the Nuthouse
Sports Bar for food, beverages, networking, and fun.
(If you can’t make the tours, you may join us directly
at the Nuthouse anytime after 6pm). The Nuthouse opened
in 1996 as downtown Lansing was experiencing its first wave
of re-birth, and continues to provide an exciting location
in the heart of Lansing's newest wave of development.
GRC is excited to connect these two locations
into one fantastic event! We are also thrilled to have attorney
Pamela
Collette Dausman of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith,
PC, as our sponsor for this event. Foster Swift is a
Lansing-based law firm with offices across Michigan.
Parking for the evening will be available
in the Stadium District lot, located just south of the building.
So after you’ve had enough of turkey and family over
the holidays, join the Grand River Connection downtown in
the Stadium District for an evening of new friends and great
fun.
First-ever
GRC Wine Tasting Night
 The
GRC is pleased to announce our first local wine tasting.
7pm, Friday, November 9: SOLD
OUT!
7:30pm, Saturday, November 10: SOLD
OUT!
The wine tastings will be at Burgdorf's
Winery. For over 25 years, Deb and Dave Burgdorf have
been producing fine wines, and the GRC is pleased to offer
this exclusive tasting event to our members. Burgdorf's
Winery and Tasting Room is nestled in the Burgdorf's 5 acre
estate, located at 5635 Shoeman Road in Haslett. Relax with
your friends and enjoy a sampling of wines and cheeses in
the tasting room, where the cozy atmosphere invites you
unwind after the workweek and enjoy a "Moment in Wine".
Cost for this event is $10 per person. Space is very limited.
Please RSVP to Ali
Gaylord ASAP!
Networking
Night at the MAC
 On
October 23rd, from 6pm to 8pm, come and enjoy an atmosphere
of healthy living. The Michigan
Athletic Club (The MAC) is hosting our October Fourth
Tuesday Event in their beautifully furnished restaurant
and bar. Located off Hagadorn,at 2900 Hannah Boulevard in
East Lansing, the MAC holds a small world of sports and
leisure opportunities. While sharing conversation, refreshments,
and hors d'oeuvres you can take in the scenic view of the
activities below.
The October Event is sponsored by Cooley
Law School. Founded in 1972, Cooley Law School, is the
largest law school in the country. Cooley has three campuses
across Michigan, in Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Oakland County.
In addition to the J.D. program, students at Cooley can
also pursue an LL.M. in Tax or in Intellectual Property.
The MAC is providing complimentary hors
d'oeuvres and drinks will be available for purchase. GRC
guests are welcome to tour the facilities. This is a great
opportunity to see what a complete fitness facility has
to offer. We look forward to seeing you there!
MSU
Homecoming Tailgate with GRC
Spend
an MSU home game Saturday (October 13) -- Homecoming weekend,
in fact -- tailgating with the GRC. From 2pm onwards, join
us in Lot N-38, on the east side of the International Center!
Food will be provided as will a limited amount of beverages.
If you plan on hanging out and watching the TV with us,
please bring extra drinks. We'll have coolers, a tent, and
grilling necessities so just bring yourself, a friend or
2, and throw that 12 pack in the cooler. As all GRC Special
Events, this one is sure to be a blast! Contact Adam
Van Lente or Kat
Czarnecki if you need more information.
Ten
Over the Next Ten
The
Grand River Connection is pleased to announce a very special
4th Tuesday Networking Night in September – the inaugural
10 Over the Next 10 awards! 10 Over the
Next 10 is a joint effort of the GRC, the Lansing
Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater
Lansing Business Monthly, and will showcase the next
generation of business leaders – our area’s
top young professionals who will make significant contributions
to the Greater Lansing region over the next 10 years.
Congratulations to the 22 finalists
for the award (winners in BOLD):
- Aaron Matthews - Clark
Hill
- Adam VanLente - Retro Duck.com Inc.
- Bree Popp Woodruff
- Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone
- Brigham Smith - City of Lansing
- Chad Paalman - NuWave Technology Partners
- Elizabeth Lyon - State
Bar of Michigan
- Emily Matthews - Foster
Swift Collins & Smith, P.C.
- Eric Stevenson - US
Capital Mortgage & The Firm
- Erik Larson - Impression
5 Science Center
- James Anderton V - Loomis, Ewert, Parsley,
Davis & Gotting, P.C.
- Jason Kildea - CB Richard Ellis Martin
- Jen Estill - Redhead
Design
- Jeremy DeRuiter - Beaners
- Jeremy Steele - Lansing State Journal
- Jordan Sutton - Sutton Advisors
- Kate Tykocki - Capital Area Michigan
Works!
- Marsha Zimmerman -
Dart Development
- Ryan Vartoogian - Spartan
Internet Consulting
- Scott Gillespie - The
Gillespie Company
- Scott Purtill - Plante & Moran
- Steve Meyer - Clark Construction Company
- Vince Villegas - Briarwood Realty
The winners will be announced at
a dinner presentation on Tuesday, September 25, 2007, from
7:00 to 8:30 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel in Downtown Lansing.
Tickets for the dinner are $40 for the general public, but
GRC members get an exclusive $15 discount and each GRC member
can purchase one ticket for only $25! For tickets, contact
Michelle Fink
of the Lansing Regional Chamber at (517) 487-6340.
The awards dinner follows the GRC’s
FREE 4th Tuesday Networking Night, which
will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Radisson.
We look forward to seeing you there!
**Finalists were chosen by an independent panel of judges
selected from the Lansing business community. GRC Board
members and volunteers were not directly involved in the
selection process.** |
