Gossip

Clash of the Titans

At two, yes two, different fundraising events in one week there was much drama to observe. The matriarchs of two families attended the same popular summertime fundraisers. The first was sponsored by one, but the venue owned by the other. The second was held at a GR tourist attraction, and both women mingled with guests like their lives depended on it...at separate ends of the socializing field. A pity they were too occupied at the moment to go over and greet one another with air kisses. In this corner...

Are you in?

--Social Spy

A "Friend" of Grand Rapids Parks

There can be benefits to anonymity. One socialite recently closed down a bar with a makeout session involving someone she had just met. Not wanting this beau to learn the whereabouts of her posh digs, and not wanting to go back to his place "with 5 roomates," they came up with a seemingly logical solution for a meeting place. Funny thing is, she can recall the clingy guy later asking "Do you even know my name?" There were many recalled details except for a name. And being no dummy, she certainly didn't volunteer hers.

Are you in?

--Social Spy

Keeping up with the Joneses

Was recently having lunch with a friend at an intimate neighborhood eatery and she noticed her firm's co-worker sitting a few tables over. This co-worker's dining companion was someone who was, well, shall we say, being compensated for spending time with him. The show began to get really good when the man's wife entered the establishment. We were prepared for a fantastic blowup as the wife approached the table. She promptly sat down to join them, exchanged pleasantries, and then paid the tab. All three left together smiling. Apparently, the good show would be when they all got home!

Are you in?

--Social Spy

Female Dragster Driver turns into Dragster Diver

A daughter of an affluent east side family believed she was Danica Patrick after a couple too many white wine spritzers.

What better race course to try out her new wheels than the road that circles a popular local lake.

After getting a little too confident behind the wheel, the car didn't end up crossing the finish line but rather took a turn for the worst.  

It's a good thing that those tidbits of gossip tend to sink and not swim.

Are you in?

-- Social Spy

"...Or are you just happy to see me?"

It appears that a GR scion has decided to take matters into their own hands, permit-wise. While this individual is very grounded, friendly, and down-to-earth by not being surrounded by support staff, Your's Truly will be sure to not make any sudden movements around them...

Are you in?

--Social Spy

Crasher Karma

Work parties are just that: for employees and guests. One socialite recently bounced around to various parties, breezing past any registration table. The problem with that is, it involves a lot of 'socializing.' And no workplace would be proud of someone's ride home having to pick them up from the bathroom floor. Don't expect to be on the guest list anytime in the near future, dear.

Are you in?

--Social Spy

Better file for that extension

Walking around downtown, we always wonder "Who owns that building? Who lives up on that floor? Is that an office or a condo?" The city has been greatly revitalized and yet, sometimes the big players go unknown among the general public. Although, the word is one real estate maven seen among circles owes some "people" a great deal of money...no wonder they'd prefer to remain anonymous.

Are you in?

--Social Spy

On the prowl

The term Cougar is nothing new at this point. Yours Truly was instead in shock over hearing the newest term from a friend after we both overhead an older gentleman talking about prospects at an upcoming Birthday Bash. Apparently this Manther noted how the birthday boy is always surrounded by beautiful young single women, and hotel rooms would be conveniently located within the same building. Obviously, Mr. Well-to-do from the tony Grand Rapids suburb plans on partying without the fianceé.

Are you in?

--Social Spy

He knows if you've been bad or good...

After a long Saturday of self-proclaimed "Bar crawling", one young twenty-something social climber was finishing the evening hungry, and in line at one of those well-known downtown places open until 3 a.m. (specifically to feed the drunken masses).  While fiercely holding her cute pumps in one hand, she swiped credit card after credit card to pay for her greasy nourishment. Denied. Each and Every One. Seems someone went overboard with Holiday Shopping. Now serving #23!

Are you in?

--Social Spy

Something extra in the ruffage

At a major hopping party downtown one guest emerged from a side door, grabbed a drink at the bar, and continued to mingle with her girlfriends. With decorative leaves and branches stuck to the bottom of her dress, unknowingly. There was more of those decorations on the catering tables...and those servers sure were cute.

Are you in?

--Social Spy 

Success can be fleeting....and scary

With Halloween approaching, people use the Autumn holiday as an excuse to explore, shall we say, other sides of their personalities. Even G.R. high profilers trying out different costumes and naughty behaviors feel the need to show the world they're having fun. Yours Truly is going out on the town as an angel (the halo never really comes off). As for those others, it's a good thing archive.org preserves copies of photos from cancelled websites...

Are you in?

--Social Spy

Read This, Not That

Well it seems the economic times are now affecting everybody. While out at a high end store with her personal shopper, one well known socialite made sure to ask the sales assistant for plain white handled bags in lieu of the seven logoed ones they would have put her merchandise into. Lo and behold, the store had just such packaging. She also had her personal shopper carry a few of them so her husband wouldn't think she bought all of the items. Have luxury goods become the new guilty indulgence we try to be discreet about? Phooey! That makes my job all that much harder...

Are you in?

--Social Spy

You may already be a winner!

Although no one in Michigan won the latest Mega Millions Grand Prize, one certain Young Professional has a ticket with 1st prize's matching numbers. Perhaps he will buy a round at the next Unwind? Yours Truly will certainly be there to goad him on. After all, he doesn't work in the finance sector so he definitely won't waste our time with investing it, that's for sure.

Are you in?

--Social Spy

A feel-good reunion

Six degrees of Kevin Bacon has nothing on Grand Rapids. While S.S. was getting her hair done, the woman in the next chair over was showing a ring her husband found almost 20 years ago downtown. It was a class ring that has a date from 30 years ago and has initials in it. This woman, J, was giving it to her hair stylist, K. Why? Because K is attending his 30 year reunion this fall at the school where the ring is from and he thinks he knows who the initials belong to! Can you imagine getting your class ring back at your 30 year high school reunion? It's things like this that make me love this city.

Are you in?

--Social Spy

What did you do last Saturday?

Because after closing the downtown Electronic Music Fest, yours truly was sure to catch Tre Cugini's Adriano breaking it down with the ladies (some purported to be his establishment's own waitresses) at Bar Divani's afterparty. Thanks, Rob Bliss, for another amazing (and maybe at times not so family-friendly) urban experiment night.

Are you in?

--Social Spy

R/R crew needs some R&R

Spotted at the B.O.B.'s Wake Wars VIP bar section: Another (non-Gilmore owned) popular bar's own off-duty crew living it up...to the point of security handing them bottles of water and 'offering' to help them leave. Guess some co-workers can't handle their alcohol as well as the GRSD crew...

Are you in?

--Social Spy

Gossip (gos ep) n. Rumor or talk of a personal nature

With a "Who's-who of Grand Rapids", it's only natural that everyone has a story. Aren't you more interested in the people who don't want to be in the picture? That's where I come in. Because let's face it, you're nobody until you're talked about. GRSD Social Spy is here to keep you updated on all the latest behind-the-scenes, secret parties, get-togethers, society gossip and GR observations. Got good gossip? Be sure to email me at GRGossip@gmail.com.

Are you in?
--Social Spy

p.s. You can follow me around town on my twitter page: twitter.com/GRSDsocialspy