Certain lifestyle changes can be most beneficial to women whose genetic profile puts them at increased risk of developing breast cancer. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
While genetics, such as carrying BRCA gene mutations, play a role in who is more likely to get breast cancer, everyday lifestyle factors are involved, too.
Research published in JAMA Oncology used data from thousands of women to identify which lifestyle factors in particular could affect a woman’s risk for breast cancer.
The study found that three specific steps could potentially prevent up to 29 percent of all breast cancers: Avoid alcohol and, after menopause, avoid both obesity and estrogen-progestin replacement hormone therapy.
The researchers noted that these recommendations could be most helpful for women at a high risk of breast cancer because of factors they can’t change, like genetics and their age at menstruation and menopause.
In fact, for them, having a low body mass index, not drinking alcohol, not smoking and not taking hormone therapy could lower breast cancer risk to that of the average woman.
The research has some limitations, however.
For instance, the study only looked at data from white women in the United States, not other ethnic groups. But these are lifestyle changes that can boost overall health for all women.
For more global advice, the American Institute for Cancer Research states that excess body fat is one of the strongest factors linked to a greater risk of breast cancer after menopause. So is abdominal fat, regardless of your body mass index (a measure of body fat based on height and weight).
The organization also warns that drinking alcohol can increase breast cancer risk before menopause and touts the positive effects of daily exercise and, for new moms, of breastfeeding.
The Kent District Library (KDL) Kentwood Branch Library. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Kent County may be governed by the elected Board of Commissioners, but a ton of advisory and oversight work is done by various boards, commissions and committees, where members are often ordinary citizens with knowledge and/or interest in various fields and an interest in community service.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners, last week, announced it is seeking residents who are interested in serving the community through appointment to various boards, commissions and committees starting Jan. 1, 2020.
Among the Wyoming and Kentwood residency required positions are a position on the Kent District Library Board for Region 6, including Caledonia of Gaines townships, or City of Kentwood.
Any Kent County resident may apply by completing an online application form on the County’s website at accessKent.com/boardappointments. The application deadline is Sept. 30. Resumes and cover letters are encouraged for positions with specific skill sets required.
Among the boards, commissions and committees that have openings for terms effective Jan. 1, 2020 (unless opening otherwise noted) are:
Agricultural Preservation Board (openings for agricultural interest representative and real estate/development representative)
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (Advisory Council and Board of Directors)
City/County Building Authority
Community Corrections Advisory Board (openings for media representative and police chief)
Community Health Advisory Committee (openings for at-large member, community-based organization, and health care provider)
Community Mental Health Authority (Network180) Board — term begins April 1, 2020
County Building Authority
Department of Health and Human Services Board
Foreign Trade Zone Board
Friend of the Court Citizen’s Advisory Committee (openings for mental health professional and non-custodial parent)
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRFIA) Authority Board
Housing Commission
Jury Commission
Kent County Community Action Advisory Governing Board (openings for consumer, private, and public sector)
Kent County Family & Children’s Coordinating Council (openings for business representative, private agency representative, and private funding representatives)
Kent District Library Board (Region 2 — resident of Algoma, Cannon, Courtland, Grattan townships, or City of Rockford; and Region 6 — resident of Caledonia, Gaines townships, or City of Kentwood. Applicants must live in Region 2 or 6.)
Remonumentation Peer Review Group (must be a professional surveyor to apply)
Road Commission Board
Veterans Services Committee (must have served honorably on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces to apply)
For detailed information on meeting schedules and current board, commission and committee members visit here.
Questions about boards and applications should be directed to Pam VanKeuren in the Board of Commissioners’ Office, at 616-632-7580 or Pam.VanKeuren@kentcountymi.gov.
The portion of U.S. 131 between exits 80 and 81 has been named the PCF Nicholas H. Blodgett Memorial Highway. (Tom DeVette)
Remembering the heroes
Have you noticed some new signs along U.S. 131? The signs honor three fallen soldiers who were all from Wyoming: Army Private First Class Nicholas Blodgett, Marine Cpl. Ross Smith, and Army Specialist 4th Class Eric T. Burri. All three died during the Iraq conflict. State Rep. Tommy Brann introduced a bill earlier this year for the memorial highways with the signs being installed this spring. To learn more about the three men honored, click here.
Interim CEO Brian Picardat swears in new Police Chief Bill Nowicki (Ford Airport)
Wage theft can occur everywhere, in offices, on construction sites and in farm fields. (WKTV)
Fair Wage
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), last week announced he is conducting an investigation into illegal wage theft practices that “harm American workers.” And he is asking for worker input on possible wage theft in their lives. In a statement issued by his office, “wage theft violates basic fair pay laws and denies workers a fair wage for their work. It takes many forms, including failure to pay the applicable minimum wage, failure to compensate employees for overtime, and misclassifying employees as ‘independent contractors’ to avoid paying certain benefits or taxes.” If you are interested in sharing your story, click here.
I’ve Got a Gal…
So we are talking about our neighbors to the south, Kalamazoo. Michigan is the only state to have a city named Kalamazoo, which is believed to be a Native American name meaning “mirage of reflecting water” or “bubbling” or “boiling” water. It is the midway point between Detroit (142 miles to the east) and Chicago (138 miles to the west) and the home to some pretty famous businesses: Gibson Guitars and Upjohn, to name a couple. And of course, it is memorialized in that famous Glenn Miller song “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo,” which with the help of Bell’s Brewery, for some has become “I’ve got a beer in Kalamazoo.”
Most Americans probably have not heard of pop singer Sigrid. Well, she is from Norway for starters, not a place known as a music capital.
With that said, Sigrid received more than 58 million views on her “Stranger,” and while that is only half of what Taylor Swift pulled in for her recent “You Need to Calm Down, it still a good sum of viewers considering Sigrid pulls in around 10 million per video. (Her most recent video, “Mine Right Now,” is at only around 900,000 partly due to the fact that Sigrid is not in the video due to flight delays. Director Max Siedentopf had to take the singers place making the video just worth watching…and the song is pretty catchy.)
In 2017, Sigrid rose to fame with the release of her debut song “Don’t Kill My Vibe.” She won the BBC Music Sound of 2018 and her single “Strangers” on the UK Singles chart. In March, she released her debut album “Sucker Punch,” with plans for a worldwide tour which will bring her to Grand Rapids.
Sigrid performs Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. at Calvin University’s Covenant Fine Arts Center, 3201 Burton St. SE. Tickets for the concert went on sale today.
The show is part of the Calvin University’s concert series which includes Frankie Cosmos, Sept. 24; Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn, Sept. 25, Thompson Square, Nov. 1, and Lucy Dacus, Nov. 6. In fact, Cockburn releases his new instrumental CD, “Crowing Ignites,” a few days before coming to Calvin.
Everybody loves a gift on their special day. So for its 90th anniversary the Grand Rapids Symphony is giving its patrons a special gift, 30 percent off all single price tickets.
According to a press release announcing the special, the Grand Rapids Symphony is thanking its community of nearly 90 years of amazing support by offing the single ticket discount which is available on fall Symphony concert’s for the 2019 – 2020 season.
This fall, the Symphony has an impressive line-up that such Broadway sensation Shayna Steele performing covers of songs made famous by Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner in Queens of Soul, Sept. 27 – 29. In October, both “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” Oct. 18 -19, and “Ghostbusters,” Oct. 31, will be shown as the Symphony performs the movie scores and on Nov. 7, violinist Itzhak Perlman makes his first DeVos Hall appearance in more than 35 years.
But like all things, the special pricing will come to an end on Aug. 23 at 5 p.m. But that still gives you a week and half to make some decisions. To view the full season, visit grsymphony.org or call 616-454-9451.
Top: Mark Smith, State Rep. Tommy Brann, and John Burri. Bottom: Susan Smith, Rita Blodgett, Joanne Burri. (Tom De Vette)
Story By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma joanne@wktv.org Photos by Tom De Vette Photographer and WKTV Volunteer
When John Burri drives down US 131 and sees the the brown-and-white sign with his son’s Eric’s name on it, he smiles a little.
“It is just what every parent wants who has lost a son, that he’s remembered. That a stranger would remember him and the sacrifice he made,” Burri said. Stationed in Iraq, Army Specialist 4th Class Eric Burri died on June 7, 2005 when an explosive device detonated near his Humvee in Baghdad.
Burri was one of three Wyoming residents who were killed while serving in Iraq. Army Private First Class Nicholas H. Blodgett died July 21, 2004 while serving during operation Iraqi Freedom when his patrol vehicle hit an improvise explosive device in Abdalluyah, Iraq. On Feb. 9, 2006, Marine Corporal Ross A. Smith died by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Fallujah, Iraq.
The U.S. 131 portion between exits 78 and 79 has been named the SPC Eric T. Burri Memorial Highway. (Tom De Vette)
Army Specialist 4th Class Eric T. Burri
The three men were honored earlier this year through House Bill 6025, sponsored by Rep. Tommy Brann, that would allow for portions of U.S. 131 to be designated as memorial highways. The three sections are all in Wyomig with the portion between exits 78 and 79 named the SPC Eric T. Burri Memorial Highway; between exits 79 and 80 is the Cpl. Ross A. Smith Memorial Highway; and the portion between exits 80 and 81 is now the PCF Nicholas H. Blodgett Memorial Highway.
“Eric knew the risk he was taking when he went over,” John Burri said when his son decided to enlist right after graduating from Kelloggsville High School. Burri said his son wanted to see the world, learn languages and meet different people.
Burri said Eric was touched by the poverty he witnessed, commenting to family members that if he could he would “give them the shoes off my feet.” After Eric’s death, as a tribute, the family organized a shoe drive for the children in Iraq.
The portion of U.S. 131 between exits 79 and 80 has been named the Cpl. Ross A. Smith Memorial Highway. (Tom De Vette)
Marine Cpl. Ross Smith
Ross Smith was the youngest of three and wanted to follow in his older brother’s footsteps and become a Marine. He enlisted before his senior year at Wyoming’s Park High School and was on his third tour of Iraq when he was killed. After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Sue Smith commented that she has asked her son to reconsider his enlistment.
“He said they needed him even now more than before,” she said.
The portion of U.S. 131 between exits 80 and 81 has been named the PCF Nicholas H. Blodgett Memorial Highway. (Tom DeVette)
A Grand Rapids Central Catholic High School graduate, Nicholas Blodgett joined the army a couple of years after graduating from high school. Family members recalled that Blodgett wanted to be in security or a police officer so he enlisted in the Army in 2003. His former high school principal said he remembered Blodgett as wanting to stay involved, so he returned to the school the year after his graduation to help with the color guard.
Army Private First Class Nicholas Blodgett
Blodgett’s troop commander Capt. Cory Mack, remembered him as a “highly motivated and disciplined soldier, answering every question with ‘Yes, sir’ or ‘Roger sergeant.’”
Brann introduced the bill for the memorial highway designations earlier this year. The bill was approved with the signs installed in the spring. Brann hosted a special program in May for the families and friends at his restaurant, Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille, located on Division Avenue.
“It is not so much for me,” Burri said of the memorial highways. “It is to let my grandkids know that there uncle was here. That he was part of this community.”
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GFIA) announced today that William “Bill” Nowicki has been hired as its new Chief Airport Law Enforcement Officer.
Nowicki, who comes to Gerald R. Ford International Airport after 27 years with the Grand Rapids Police Department, was officially sworn in today.
“Bill is a tremendous addition to our airport staff and brings an array of law enforcement knowledge,” said GFIA Public Safety & Operations Director Lisa Carr. “Bill has an incredible resume and is well known and well respected among his peers. He brings a diverse set of experience and leadership to the department, and I am confident Bill will be a great fit with the team.”
Nowicki has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Ferris State University. He is also a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command from Northwestern University, and a graduate of the Leadership Institute at Calvin College.
William Nowicki is the new police chief at Gerald R. Ford International Airport. (Ford Airport)
The St. Clair, Michigan native has an extensive background in law enforcement and has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, and Patrol Sergeant. In 2004 he was promoted to Lieutenant and in that role, he has served as a Watch Commander, Administrative Lieutenant, and since 2013 he has served as the Unit Commander of the Vice Unit.
During his career at the Grand Rapids Police Department, Nowicki has received numerous awards including a Commendation Award, Team Performance Award, Achievement Award, Honorable Mention Award, four Unit Performance Awards, and many Letters of Commendation and Recognition. Locally, Chief Nowicki serves on the Kent County Opioid Task Force, Illicit Massage Industry work group, City of Grand Rapids Human Trafficking Task Force, and Ferris State University’s School of Criminal Justice Alumni Advisory Committee.
“I am thrilled to join the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority team,” said Nowicki. “The airport continues to grow, and I am looking forward to bringing my skills and knowledge of public safety and law enforcement into a new environment where security is held to the highest standard.”
“We pride ourselves on safety and security, and Bill’s experience will be a great fit in working with the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and building our internal law enforcement department,” said Brian Picardat, Interim CEO at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
Nowicki replaces Chief Rick Aro, who retired in March.
That’s the answer we’re looking for. But not many people—doctors or patients—give the bone-weakening disease the attention it deserves, according to Jodi Hamblin, MD, a bone health specialist.
“Osteoporosis is a lethal disease that is frequently ignored,” Dr. Hamblin said, explaining that the disease signals a problem with both the quantity and the quality of bone.
In the United States alone, half of adults age 50 and older either already have osteoporosis or are well on their way to developing it.
Silent and overlooked
The trouble is, osteoporosis doesn’t have symptoms, so most people don’t know they have it until they break a bone.
And even then, many patients don’t realize that osteoporosis was the cause of their fracture—when in fact, a low-trauma fracture almost always indicates osteoporosis in older adults.
“After 50, if you fall from a standing position and you break a bone, excluding your hands and feet, then you have osteoporosis,” Dr. Hamblin said. This type of break is called a fragility fracture.
Osteoporosis can also be diagnosed when a bone density test reports low bone density.
Research suggests doctors and patients tend to overlook the threat of osteoporosis.
According to a 2016 study by Northwell Health in New York, more than two-thirds of patients who suffered a hip fracture said their doctors didn’t tell them they have osteoporosis, and more than half said they weren’t given medication to treat osteoporosis after their fracture was treated.
This lack of information and follow-up is a huge problem, the study’s senior author said, because of the seriousness of hip fractures.
“You can die after a hip fracture, and you’re at great risk of prolonged complications,” said author Gisele Wolf-Klein, MD, in a statement. “You can also be left as an invalid—a fear of many older adults.”
Six months after suffering a hip fracture, only 15 percent of patients can walk across a room without help, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Getting on top of the problem
Bringing more attention to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is the goal, said Dr. Hamblin.
By following up after a break and treating the cause of the bone loss or poor bone quality, doctors can help prevent future fractures.
Patients are more likely to sustain a secondary fracture if they are not treated for their osteoporosis, Dr. Hamblin said.
High-risk patients include:
Heart and lung transplant patients, who are at risk because the anti-rejection medications they take are bone weakening
Breast cancer patients, who are on estrogen-preventing medications that can cause bone loss
Gastric bypass surgery patients, who typically have bad absorption of nutrients so don’t get sufficient calcium and vitamin D—two essential nutrients for bone health
The care plan includes balance testing, nutritional counseling, bone density testing, blood and urine testing to identify risk factors, and medication review and management.
“Sometimes medications taken for other conditions can get in the way of calcium absorption or directly weaken the bone or even contribute to dizziness,” which can increase a patient’s risk of falling, Dr. Hamblin said.
Physical therapy can help people learn how to build bone through exercise and how to prevent falls, which are responsible for 90 percent of hip fractures.
“Fall prevention is half the battle,” Dr. Hamblin said. “If you have weak bones and you don’t fall, you may never break.”
Osteoporosis risk factors
In addition to the medical issues listed above, several other factors can put you at risk for bone loss and poor bone strength. Risk factors include:
Advanced age—this applies to both women and men, though the incidence of osteoporosis is higher in aging women because of a drop in hormone levels
Diabetes
Steroid use (5 or more milligrams a day for three months or longer)—this lowers bone quality in men and women equally
Overactive thyroid or parathyroid activity
Cigarette smoking
Regularly drinking more than two alcoholic beverages a day
Lack of appropriate exercise
Low calcium intake
Vitamin D, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency
“There’s an extensive list of causes for bone loss and for poor bone quality,” said Dr. Hamblin. “If we can get those conditions in order, sometimes that’s all we have to do.”
When medications are called for, doctors have a variety of options based on the patient’s situation. For example, some patients need medications that help build new bone, while others need medications to prevent bone loss.
The aim is to decrease the risk of fracture by keeping bone loss in check and by limiting the risk factors for poor bone quality.
A preventable disease
Of course, prevention is the best course of action, and osteoporosis is very preventable, Dr. Hamblin said.
“If we could get kids and young adults to improve their dietary calcium intake and have a good exercise program, that would be huge,” she said. “And if we could eliminate smoking and excessive use of alcohol, that would make all the difference for most people.”
Stroke survivors often face limited mobility, which quadruples their odds of osteoporosis, broken bones and falls. But most are never screened for these problems, new research reveals.
“Our study adds to previous research that found despite an increased risk, only a small number of people who have recently had a stroke are tested and treated for osteoporosis,” said lead author Dr. Moira Kapral. She is director of general internal medicine at the University of Toronto.
Impaired mobility can result in bone mineral density decline, which is associated with osteoporosis. The condition weakens bones and increases risk of fractures.
In this study, researchers looked at more than 16,500 Canadian stroke survivors, aged 65 and older, from Ontario.
Of these patients, only 5% had undergone bone mineral density testing, 15.5% had been prescribed medications for osteoporosis within the year after their stroke and only a small percentage were prescribed medications for osteoporosis for the first time.
Patients most likely to have bone mineral density testing tended to be younger, female and to have had low-trauma fractures in the year after their stroke.
Patients were more likely to be prescribed medications for osteoporosis after their stroke if they were female, already had the bone-thinning disease, had previously broken bones, had previous bone mineral density testing, or had fallen or broke bones after their stroke.
The study was published recently in the journal Stroke.
“This study offers more evidence that there is a missed opportunity to identify people with stroke at increased risk of fractures and to initiate treatment to prevent bone loss and fractures,” Kapral said in a journal news release.
Less than one-third of older U.S. women are screened for osteoporosis.
The maximum treatment rate for some high-risk patients is about 30%, the researchers pointed out.
Wage theft can occur everywhere, in offices, on construction sites and in farm fields. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, last week announced he is conducting an investigation into illegal wage theft practices that “harm American workers.” And he is asking for worker input on possible wage theft in their lives.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.)
In a statement issued by his office, “wage theft violates basic fair pay laws and denies workers a fair wage for their work. It takes many forms, including failure to pay the applicable minimum wage, failure to compensate employees for overtime, and misclassifying employees as ‘independent contractors’ to avoid paying certain benefits or taxes.”
“If you put in a hard day’s work, you deserve to get paid for it,” Sen. Peters said in the statement. “Yet every day, workers in Michigan and across the country are denied wages or benefits they have earned on the job. This investigation will help expose wage theft and develop ways to hold employers who break the rules accountable for actions that hurt hardworking families.”
As part of the investigation, Sen. Peters’ office would like to hear from workers who have been victims of wage theft, including instances where rightfully earned wages have been withheld or wages or benefits have been denied for work as an employee or independent contractor. Workers who have experienced wage theft can share their information with the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
To share personal experiences which workers think might be wage theft, please visit here.
According to the statement from Sen. Peters’ office, wage theft has serious financial consequences for workers and businesses who are trying to play by the rules. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that American workers are shorted as much as $15 billion in wages each year due to minimum wage law violations. And Michigan reportedly has the fifth highest total of unpaid wages in the country due to minimum wage violations.
According to EPI, from 2013 to 2015, roughly $430 million in wages were improperly withheld from Michigan workers. Misclassifying workers as “independent contractors” also negatively impacts law-abiding taxpayers.
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, millions of employers nationwide have failed to pay more than $45 billion in employment taxes. These practices deprive the federal government of billions of dollars in unpaid employment taxes that are used to fund Social Security, Medicare and other benefits.
In Michigan alone, a study released in 2008 found that Michigan loses tens of millions of dollars annually from misclassification practices – depriving the state of dollars for projects like highway and infrastructure upgrades, educational programs, or public hospitals.
When possible, prune oaks in winter. Especially avoid pruning mid-April to mid-July.
Immediately seal wounds on oaks damaged during the growing season.
Don’t move firewood.
History and range of oak wilt
Oak wilt, caused by the fungal pathogen Bretziella fagacearum, was first reported in Michigan in the 1970s. It is now found in 56 counties with potential to impact at least 149 million red oak trees across over 20 million acres of Michigan land.
Trees at risk
Red oaks, those with bristle-tipped lobes, die rapidly from oak wilt within four to six weeks. Red oaks in Michigan include northern red oak, black oak, northern pin oak, pin oak, scarlet oak and shingle oak.
White oaks, those with rounded lobes and no bristles, or with large regular teeth, will slowly decline and likely die. White oaks in Michigan include white oak, swamp white oak, bur oak, chinquapin oak, chestnut oak and dwarf chestnut oak.
Symptoms and signs
Note the pointy, bristle-tipped lobes on this northern red oak. Bristles indicate the species is a red oak. Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org.
When an oak tree is infected, the fungus grows throughout the water-conducting xylem vessels and the tree responds by producing structures called tyloses to attempt to wall in the fungus. This blocks water flow through the tree, causing the wilt symptoms seen with this disease.
An infected tree is often first noticed when leaves suddenly drop or turn brown in the summer months. Leaves may be brown, somewhat bronzed or partially green. Red oak trees may be dead and defoliated within four weeks of infection.
This white oak can be identified by its rounded lobe leaves. Photo by Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org.
Since there are other pest, pathogen and environmental problems that may cause symptoms similar to oak wilt, a branch sample must be sent to a diagnostics laboratory for an accurate diagnosis. On trees that have been dead for six to 12 months, a mycelial mat may be visible underneath a bark crack. Presence of a mycelial mat or laboratory verification from a living tree that is showing symptoms are the only ways oak wilt can be confirmed.
How oak wilt is spread
Oak wilt spreads rapidly in multiple ways.
An oak with symptoms of oak wilt. Photo by Monique Sakalidis, MSU.
Overland transmission occurs when Nitidulid beetles (commonly called sap beetles) pick up spores while feeding on mycelial mats on infected trees then transfer them to fresh wounds on healthy trees. This creates new sites of infection (infection centers).
Underground transmission occurs when fungal spores move between connected roots (root grafts) of infected and healthy oaks. This type of spread outwardly expands pockets of dead trees (infection epicenters).
Moving wood from infected oaks can start infection sites because mycelial mats can form on wood cut from infected oaks, providing a source of infection.
Prevention
Prevent overland transmission of oak wilt by strictly following guidelines for safest pruning times and care of trees damaged during spring and summer. The safest time to prune is in the winter months when sap beetles are not active. The worst time is mid-April to mid-July when beetles are most likely present. Some beetles will be active throughout the summer and early fall. If a tree is damaged and pruning is required during the warm growing season, seal all wounds immediately—sap beetles can arrive within five minutes!
A sap beetle feeds on a mycelial mat. Photo by Wisconsin DNR.
Avoid underground transmission of oak wilt by severing root connections between infected and healthy oaks. Trenching equipment is used to cut a 5-foot deep line into the earth separating roots of dead and infected oaks from the unaffected oaks in the area. Trench lines are plotted using a formula that takes many factors into account and are best determined by a certified arborist or forester trained in oak wilt management. Injections of a fungicide with propiconazole as the active ingredient may offer protection of nearby valuable, healthy oak trees. This fungicide treatment will not protect against overland spread of oak wilt.
Root grafts are connected roots between trees where fungal spores can move from infected to healthy oaks. Photo by Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service, Bugwood.org.
To prevent the spread of oak wilt via firewood, dispose of wood from trees killed by oak wilt by burning it. If this is not possible, bury, chip or carefully seal wood from infected oaks under thick plastic. The plastic must cover the entire wood pile with the edges buried in soil to prevent beetle access. Once the wood is dry and the bark is loose or fallen off (about one year), it is no longer a source of infection.
Steps to take when oak wilt is suspected
A plastic tarp tightly covers wood from a tree killed by oak wilt. Photo by Julie Stachecki.
If oak wilt is suspected, take immediate action to get a positive diagnosis. Send a sample of a symptomatic branch to MSU Plant &Pest Diagnostics to confirm oak wilt unless a mycelial mat is discovered on a dead oak. If you find a mycelial mat on a dead oak—normally visible beneath a bark crack—that is sufficient for positive diagnosis. Once a positive diagnosis is obtained, consult a professional trained in oak wilt management as soon as possible. This disease will continue to spread unless management techniques are begun promptly.
Additional resources
More information and a free downloadable field guide to Michigan oaks: www.MichiganOakWilt.org
For more information on a wide variety of Smart Gardening topics, visit www.migarden.msu.edu or call MSU’s Lawn and Garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464.
Published August 2019. This publication is supported in part by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program 2017-70006-27175 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll with the 2018 Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy, or the funniest person in Wyoming, Megan Writes. (Sunday Night Funnies)
What was once was 120 comedians is now down to 40, the Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its quarter-final round.
The contest started May 19 with its first of 12 qualifying rounds, which wrapped up last Sunday. The four quarter-final rounds run Aug. 11- Sept. 1 with two semi-final rounds on Sept. 8 and 15 with the finals being held on Sept. 22. Each week ten comedians are given eight minutes to perform. The line-up order is drawn as the show progresses, so they have no idea of when they’ll be going on stage – it could be first, it could be last. Before the show begins the audience members are given a ballot. At the night of that night’s show the audience picks three of the ten they feel should advance to the next round. The ballots are counted while a comic not in the competition performs at the end and the winners are announced afterward.
“The Kingpin of Comedy competition is a blatant rip-off of the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids contest,” said Brian B. (Brian Borbot), creator & MC of the Sunday Night Funnies. Borbot is referring to the successful annual event at Dr. Grins comedy club inside The B.O.B. downtown Grand Rapids.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the fourteenth largest city in Michigan, I thought it deserved its own stand-up comedy competition with the overall winner getting a prize package worthy of the title funniest person in Wyoming,” he said.
The prizes are from Wyoming businesses Spectrum Entertainment Complex and the neighboring Craig’s Cruisers as well as LaughFest, 20 Monroe Live, and Party in the Park (a concert at 5/3 Ballpark.), a dayglo bowling pin trophy, and a presentation from the City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll declaring the winner the funniest person in town.
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. (Brian Borbot.) It’s a weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country. The Sunday Night Funnies is a free admission show that starts at 8:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex, 5656 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming.
As part of the next phase of work to rebuild the intersection of Forest Hill Avenue SE and Burton Street SE, the north half of the Forest Hill and Burton intersection will be closed beginning Friday, Aug. 9.
The closure, which will remain until the completion of the project in August, means commuters will not have access to Forest Hill Avenue from the south end of the street. Instead, commuters will need to take a detour from East Paris Avenue to Cascade Road. Traffic delays should be anticipated.
“We recognize this closure is an inconvenience, but it is necessary in order for the contractor to be able to complete the work prior to when area schools are back in session,” said City Engineer Dan VanderHeide. “In addition, the upgrades at the intersection of Burton and Forest Hill, including new right turn lanes for Forest Hill and a new traffic signal, will reduce congestion and new pavement will mean major work to the intersection will not be necessary for many years.”
Detours will be posted and electronic sign boards are in place to give commuters of the major change in traffic. Commuters can also receive updates via the City’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter) and website. For more information, including a map of 2019 street resurfacing and repairs, visit www.kentwood.us.
“A wise man once said, ‘In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.’ “
Benjamin Franklin
New tastes in the area
The local chamber of commerce and the City of Kentwood welcomed Wise Men Distillery and Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant to town this summer. Been there yet? Visit here for the story.
New art exhibit in St. Joe
Up for a little road trip? St. Joseph’s Krasl Art Center (KAC) opened a show by artists Jon Hook and Andrea Peterson with their immersive installation: Inhaling the Universe, on view starting Aug. 9. It runs through Sept. 29. Visit here for the story.
Polka and beer. What is not to like?
… And the Polish fest is coming
Admission is free to the Dozynki Polish Festival that will be held at Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center, from Aug. 23-25, and festival organizers stressed that there will be plenty of inexpensive parking. Visit here for the story.
Fun fact:
Polish peeps in Warren, Mich.
According to Wikipedia — whatever — Warren has the largest population in Michigan of people of Polish ancestry, at about 28,000. Detroit has about 19,000.
A girl waves to her brother, who is being shown the inside of a police car at a National Night Out event at Woodland Mall. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
National Night Out, which was held at various locations around the region Aug. 6, is always a chance for City of Kentwood leaders and public service staff to get out and mix with the pubic.
In Kentwood alone there were more than 20 block parties, neighborhood events and other activities with Kentwood police officers, firefighters, city leaders and McGruff the Crime Dog joining residents for the annual community-building night.
The events — held this year at Woodland Mall, The Pentecostals Church and Faith Church on 44th Street SE, and South United Methodist Church on South Division Avenue; to name only a few — may seem routine to some city representatives. But for City of Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen and his police force the routine is always a welcome “opportunity” to mix with the residents they serve and, sometimes, create special moments.
City of Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen. (WKTV)
“This is one more opportunity for us to interact with our community,” Chief Hillen, who toured several locations with Mayor Stephen Kepley, said to WKTV. “At their house or at their church, where there is really no barriers and they can ask us any questions they want.
“If they want to know what is going on in their neighborhood, we can tell them. We get an opportunity to find out what their concerns are. It is just an opportunity for us to, again, engage with the public in one-on-one setting.”
While the Chief Hillen and his police officers were more than welcomed by Pastor Jay Jones at The Pentecostals Church, where WKTV caught up with the Chief, that is not always the case.
In fact, when asked about a special memory of National Night Out, Chief Hillen told a story which exemplifies the dedication of his police force.
“We have 22 events like this throughout the city and it is always amazing to me,” he said. “But there was this one, this large apartment complex that we were trying to outreach to because we had some issues in that (complex). But we could not get a commitment, we could not get assistance, from the apartment facility.
“So, our officers took it upon themselves to throw their own party, because we knew there were a lot of kids in there. We knew there were a lot of people who wanted to talk to us but they were afraid to. So, the officers reached out the business community, who provided bikes and helmets and hotdogs. And we went in the threw our on party for the community, and it was well received. Its the kind of thing that just kind of touches your heart. Its why its different being in Kentwood.”
Although 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions, there are eight common foods that cause allergies: milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
When you have serious food allergies, eating at a restaurant can literally mean risking your life. But new research suggests you can take steps to protect yourself when dining out.
In fact, the more steps you take to protect yourself from exposure to the allergic substance, the less likely you are to have an allergic reaction, the study found.
The researchers asked 39 people with allergies (or their parents) about 25 behaviors people might do before eating out. Nineteen of those surveyed had experienced a food allergy reaction while dining at a restaurant.
“Overall, when you look at the results and the strategies that people used, people who had an allergic reaction [after eating out] used significantly less strategies compared to non-reactors. Non-reactors used an average of 15 strategies, reactors used an average of six,” said study author Dr. Justine Ade, a pediatric resident at University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.
Up to 15 million people may have food allergies, according to the nonprofit organization FARE (Food Allergy and Research Education). Although 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions, there are eight common foods that cause allergies in the United States: milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. FARE reports that sesame allergy is also a growing threat.
Eating food outside the home has been linked to numerous deaths in people with food allergies, according to the researchers.
Although the study didn’t evaluate how well any particular strategy worked, it did note how often people used individual strategies.
The top 5 strategies people use
Speaking to the waiter on arrival (80 percent)
Ordering food with simple ingredients (77 percent)
Double-checking food before eating (77 percent)
Avoiding restaurants with higher likelihood of contamination (74 percent)
Reviewing ingredients on a restaurant website (72 percent)
The strategies used least often
Placing food allergy order separately (23 percent)
Using a personal allergy card (26 percent)
No longer eating at restaurants (39 percent)
Choosing a chain restaurant (41 percent)
Going to a restaurant during off-peak hours (44 percent)
Ade said it may sound like a lot of work just to eat out, but “these
are things that become second nature for some people, and it probably
takes less than five minutes to do most of these things.”
People with food allergies aren’t the only ones who worry about what’s on their restaurant plate. Alice Bast, CEO of Beyond Celiac, a nonprofit health and awareness group, said that every time someone with celiac disease eats out, they play “gluten roulette.”
Celiac disease is a digestive disorder, and symptoms are triggered when someone with the disease eats gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
“Dining out is one of the biggest challenges of living with celiac disease,” Bast said. “When you’re out of control of your food, it’s easy to feel anxious about the possibility of becoming sick. There are always risks when someone else is preparing your meal, especially if they don’t take it seriously, or if they are just unaware of how to take the appropriate precautions.”
Both experts said it’s important to be vigilant and take the steps that you can to make sure your food is as safe as it can be. In the case of food allergies, Ade said it’s important to carry an epinephrine injection pen every time you eat out.
Ade presented the findings at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting, in Seattle. Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Explore the wild side of West Michigan! Get up close to local wildlife, learn about exotic animals, and more with these animal encounters and zoos.
West Michigan zoos
Lewis Farms and Petting Zoo, a 700-acre farm in New Era, is home to a hands-on petting zoo and indoor aviary. Meet Jeffrey the Camel, donkeys, goats, and deer, just to name a few of the fun-loving animals to see. Children can also ride pedal carts, jump on a giant pillow, mine for rocks or take a train ride. The on-site farm market provides home-grown produce, scrumptious bakery items and famous kettle corn. Celebrate Jeffrey the Camel’s 12th Birthday at Lewis Farms & Petting Zoo Aug. 10th.
With over 2,000 animals and 213 individual species, John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is full of opportunities to encounter and interact with wildlife. You can see animals from around the world, from African lions and Amur tigers to river otters and red pandas. If you’re looking to get a little closer, they have an interactive petting corral, camel rides, and budgie feeding. They also offer daily animal training demonstrations and Tools of the Trade animal encounters, which is a free program that gives you the opportunity to take a look at how John Ball Zoo staff trains the animals.
Have a great day trip to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek where you can get up close with the giraffes. You can even feed them face to face on the deck in Wild Africa.
No matter what the weather, Raven Hill Discovery Center in East Jordan is full of fun for all ages. The Hands-on Room encourages everyone to explore light, sound, music, magnets, motion, earth, and life sciences. The Animal Room includes reptiles and amphibians to look at, pet, or hold. There are also salt and freshwater fish to watch. If you want to endear yourself to the animals, bring broccoli or apples for the tortoises or worms for the turtle, gar, and Miss Puff.
Grass River Natural Areain Bellaire is a 1,492-acre nature preserve surrounding the Grass River, located in the heart of Antrim County. Along with the beautiful views of Grass River, they also offer seven miles of well-maintained trails including 1.5 miles of boardwalk floating above sedge meadows and cedar wetlands. With all of these natural features, Grass River Natural Area offers visitors an outdoor, living laboratory to explore and learn. The Grass River Center is open year-round, offering a comfortable learning environment for public programming, school field trips, camps, and more. Trails are open 365 days a year, 7 days a week, from dawn until dusk.
You may not be able to pet the animals you find in Mecosta County, but you will still get a great learning experience. The Card Wildlife Education Center, a 5,000-square-foot facility located on the ground floor of the Arts and Sciences Commons building on the Ferris State University Campus in Big Rapids serves as an educational resource for Ferris State University college students, K-12 school children, and members of the Michigan Community. The wildlife specimens found within the wildlife center have been donated by Ferris alumnus Roger Card and his late wife, Debra.
Animal encounters
Since opening to the public in 1997, Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry of Michigan’s UP has grown tremendously both in size and in bears. With lots of room to roam, these rescued bears are given a chance to continue their lives in natural habitats and comfort.
While visiting Black Star Farms near Suttons Bay on the Leelanau Peninsula, you will enjoy viewing the dressage horses and get up close to feed the goats. Up to 18 horses are privately boarded every year on the 160 acre estate. Farm animals change annually and are a delight to children and adults alike. Feeders bring them up close.
With 5,000 acres to explore, Shanty Creek Resort offers a variety of options to just get outside and be one with nature. Grab a pair of hiking boots, walking shoes, or even a bicycle to enjoy the on-site trails at the resort. Or, head just 3 ½ miles down the road from the resort to Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area. Enjoy the 750 acres that make up this combined trail system suited for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing.
Head to the Holland Area to meet farm animals and more.
Visit the DeGraaf Nature Center and explore the 18-acre nature preserve, and interact with live animal exhibits.
Enjoy pony rides, hayrides, fishing, barn animals, and feed sheep and goats at Teusink’s Pony Farm.
Where can you go to have lots of hands-on FUN this summer? Zeeland’s Critter Barn is filled with growing baby animals, visitors, and lots of classes. Each year, thousands of children and youth join in Farm Classes and Field Trips that teach about feeding, handling, and caring for farm animals. These programs provide entertaining lessons and interactive learning experiences that focus on farm life and how our food is raised: “from the ground to the table.” Help collect eggs, try milking a goat, or hand-feed corn to the hens. Class openings still available.
Plan to feed treats to animals, feed a hungry calf a bottle, learn to hold or lead animals, collect eggs, milk a goat, plus give a goat a bubble bath in the Animal Adventures Class.
Your child will delight to meet the new “baby faces” at Critter Barn’s Baby Animal Class. Ducklings, Chicks, Lambs, Kids, Bunnies, and Calves. This one-time class is to be shared with an adult (yes, please bring your camera).
Critter Camp is a three-day experience that gives animal lovers an inside look at the entire farm operation. Critter Campers learn how to feed and care for animals, clean a pen, tend the garden, eat lunch in the hayloft, and enjoy the option to come back and volunteer throughout the year as a member of the Critter Crew.
Ludington has some unique animal encounters for you this summer! Spend the day at Amber Elk Ranch and take a wagon tour of the 130-acre beautiful pastureland, where you will see cows, spikers, calves, and bull elk up close. Visit the gift shop, or stop by the petting zoo for a closer look at nature.
Tour a 4th-generation dairy farm, meet the cows and learn about milk bottling at Country Dairy in New Era. Visitors can also sample cheese and farmstead ice cream, fresh and smoked meats.
Explore the “Amazing Dinosaurs!” exhibit at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum — an exciting animal encounter for families visiting West Michigan. Dinosaur fossils and skeletons have captured our imaginations for centuries, but once upon a time, they were living, breathing animals. In this interactive exhibit, you can touch real fossils, make raptor tracks, dig for dinosaur eggs, hear a T. rex roar, and more.
Get up close to birds in their natural habitat at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Augusta. Did you know that a Ruby-throated Hummingbird weighs as much as just two paper clips? Learn more about these diminutive birds Tuesday, Aug. 20, at a hummingbird banding demonstration hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. Visit with experts Rich and Brenda Keith of the Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory, part of the Kalamazoo Nature Center, to learn about their research, observe a banding and see a hummingbird up close.
Home to hundreds of reptiles, Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary & Zoological Gardens located in Athens in Coldwater Country, is a must-see destination. Visitors will enjoy daily guided tours and animal interactions. Walk through the swamp, feed your favorite gator, or just watch them bask in the sun and swim in this reptile paradise.
Dave Warners (second from left) and Gail Heffner (far right) were among those nationally recognized during the Urban Waters Learning Forum in Cleveland, Ohio. (Courtesy Calvin University)
Plaster Creek Stewards (PCS) have yet again received national recognition for their work. This summer, the Urban Waters Learning Network, Groundwork USA, River Network, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, awarded PCS the Learning Network Signature Award. The award, which was presented at a conference in Cleveland, Ohio, honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the network of urban waters practitioners and to the field of urban waters protection and restoration.
A team effort
Plaster Creek Stewards is an initiative of Calvin University that is dedicated to returning health and beauty to one of the most contaminated urban waterways in West Michigan. Now in its tenth year, PCS has involved students, staff, faculty, community members, and partners in education, research, and many different on-the-ground restoration efforts.
A major goal of this work is to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff that enters Plaster Creek. Over the years, the runoff has created all kinds of problems for Plaster Creek: high levels of bacteria, heavy sediment loads, reduced aquatic life, and flooding. It has taken more than 100 years for the Plaster Creek watershed to become so degraded and PCS leaders know it will take at least 15-20 years of concerted effort to reverse the damage.
Getting to the root of the problem
“When we began this work we thought our job was to help clean up a contaminated creek,” said Dave Warners, biology professor at Calvin University. “But before long we realized the creek wasn’t the problem, it was a symptom. The problem is the way people are living in the watershed and the disregard that watershed residents show for the creek. So now PCS focuses on restoring the damaged relationship between people and their creek. We are trying to get people to care for this neglected and abused part of God’s creation.”
Gail Heffner, Calvin’s director of community engagement, started PCS with Warners back in 2009. The two accepted the Signature Award this summer during the Urban Waters Learning Forum in Cleveland. In reflecting on PCS’ work over the past decade, Heffner says simply: “it’s an embodiment of Calvin’s mission.”
Because of the mission
“Calvin’s mission asks us to think deeply. We’ve taken an interdisciplinary approach in looking into what’s causing the problems in this local watershed. What we’ve discovered is that there are populations of people and particular neighborhoods that are disproportionately affected by the contaminated runoff,” said Heffner. “Our mission also demands us to act justly. So when we discover that this environmental injustice is happening, we are compelled to do something about it.”
And that’s what Plaster Creek Stewards have done over the past ten years.
Research. Education. Restoration.
During that time, Plaster Creek Stewards have secured 18 grants totaling more than $2.7 million.These grants have supported research: 63 student summer researchers and faculty from six academic backgrounds have received funding to study the problems and possible solutions to the challenges faced by urban waterways like Plaster Creek.
These grants have also supported the education of hundreds of people, not just in the college classroom but from pre-school through post-retirement, helping people learn how to care for their local place. Since 2009, Plaster Creek Stewards have worked with more than 26 local schools and more than 18 local houses of worship to educate and help them take restorative action in the Plaster Creek watershed.
These grants have also supported numerous on-the-ground restoration projects to capture stormwater where it lands, preventing stormwater runoff which helps improve water quality. This restoration work has included a variety of projects from a large floodplain restoration project in an upstream county park to bioswales in suburban areas and curb-cut rain gardens in urban neighborhoods. Since 2009 Plaster Creek Stewards have expanded their native plant nursery by building two additional greenhouses and now grow more than 100,000 native Michigan plants per year that are used in these various projects throughout the watershed.
A bright future
PCS has also hosted a Green Team comprised of urban high school students who learn about watershed ecology and green infrastructure installation, while simultaneously being encouraged to consider college as part of their future. Grant funding and numerous individual donors have supported the Green Team program, which has provided 96 high school positions to students in the Plaster Creek and the Rogue River watersheds over the past seven years. This has been a rich learning environment for high school students and the college student mentors who have worked alongside them.
The year 2019 celebrates the first ten years of Plaster Creek Stewards. This fall, PCS will host their final 10th anniversary celebration in collaboration with the Art Department and the English Department under the theme of Dwelling: Our Watershed in Image and Word, followed by opportunities for attenders to roll up their sleeves and take part in some tangible restorative action on behalf of the creek. Heffner and Warners say that restoration is hard but hopeful work, and that it points to a future when even urban streams will once again be places of delight and beauty for the communities through which they travel.
Operation Homefront’s mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply struggle to get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.
By Lauren DeVol SpartanNash
Together with its store guests and company associates, the SpartanNash Foundation raised $300,000 for its patriotic nonprofit partners Team Red, White & Blue, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember.
Between June 26 and July 7, store guests who visited any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center had the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 at any checkout lane, or round their total up to the nearest dollar to support the trio of patriotic partners. More than 135 stores participated in the Foundation scan, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Dan’s Supermarket and Family Fresh Market.
The $300,000 raised during the SpartanNash Foundation companywide fundraising scan campaign will be evenly split between Team RWB, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember. SpartanNash Foundation grants will be used to connect servicemembers, veterans and their families to their local communities through physical and social activity, provide critical financial assistance and family support services and honor those who lost their lives as a result of defending our freedoms.
“At SpartanNash, we are very excited about the overwhelming support shown for our military heroes during the latest SpartanNash Foundation retail scan,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications and the executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “As a leading distributor of grocery products to U.S. military commissaries throughout the world, SpartanNash sees firsthand the sacrifices our servicemen and women make to protect our freedoms every day. One of our company’s core values is patriotism, and SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation are deeply committed to supporting our military heroes in the communities we serve.
“Each year, SpartanNash contributes thousands of dollars, products and volunteer hours to military and veterans organizations and events – as well as hiring veterans and their family members as a Military Friendly® and veteran-friendly employer. We are proud to team up with Team RWB, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember in this unique and powerful way, raising awareness and funds for those who served and sacrificed.”
Since 2016, the SpartanNash Foundation has raised and granted more than $1,000,000 for its patriotic partners through its fundraising scan campaigns, benefitting veterans service organizations including Give an Hour, Fisher House Foundation, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., Disabled Veterans National Foundation and in 2019, Team RWB, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember. SpartanNash underwrites the cost of the awareness-building and fundraising campaign as well as contributes funding and encourages associates to volunteer with the Foundation’s grant recipients.
Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.
Team RWB
Founded in 2010, Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Utilizing a nationwide network of chapters, Team RWB hosts and participates in events designed to bring veterans together and engage in the communities where they live and work.
Team RWB is the bridge connecting communities – where veterans and civilians work together and gain common understanding. Team RWB takes the best of military service – the camaraderie and the physical challenges – and creates a new family of Eagles connected through physical activity.
“We’re honored and grateful that the SpartanNash Foundation, along with their store guests, recognizes the sacrifices veterans have made on behalf of our nation,” said John Pinter, Team RWB’s Executive Director. “We’re thrilled that this campaign will afford us the opportunity to support more veterans in their post-service journeys.”
Team RWB offers resources to ensure veterans have an effective transition back into their communities and ways to engage locally.
Operation Homefront’s mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply struggle to get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.
For 17 years, Operation Homefront has provided critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year.
“We are extremely grateful to SpartanNash, the SpartanNash Foundation and their incredible store guests for this generous grant as it allows us to help our military families who may be struggling to make ends meet,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray, Jr., President and CEO, Operation Homefront. “For a second consecutive year, they are helping us give this very special and deserving group of our fellow citizens the opportunity to thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.”
In 2018, SpartanNash Foundation funds supported Operation Homefront’s Critical Financial Assistance (CFA) program. CFA support includes, but is not limited to, direct assistance with rent and mortgage payments, utility bills, car repairs, home repairs and groceries. Thanks to the generous support of partners such as the SpartanNash Foundation, Operation Homefront has fulfilled more than 41,000 requests for assistance, providing over $25 million in grants since the CFA program began in 2011.
The mission of Honor and Remember is to publicly and perpetually recognize the ultimate sacrifice of America’s military fallen heroes and their families.
Honor and Remember, Inc.
The mission of Honor and Remember is to publicly and perpetually recognize the ultimate sacrifice of America’s military fallen heroes and their families. The organization pays tribute to all military lives lost, not only while serving on active duty but also as a result of serving.
The primary vehicle for perpetual recognition the Honor and Remember Flag, which is intended to fly continuously as a tangible and visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms.
SpartanNash is a national partner and strong supporter of Honor and Remember, underwriting personal flag presentations to families of the fallen and flying the Honor and Remember flag at all company facilities. The flag artwork is also displayed on SpartanNash’s fleet of tractor trailers, which travel more than 65 million miles per year.
“SpartanNash and its store guests have been faithful partners in our mission to pay tribute to the families of men and women who have given their lives in military service to America,” said George Lutz, who founded Honor and Remember after losing his son in Iraq in 2005. “Thanks to the generosity of the SpartanNash Foundation, we have been able to present hundreds of Gold Star families with personalized Honor and Remember flags that express our nation’s profound appreciation for their supreme sacrifice. Whenever SpartanNash store guests or associates see an Honor and Remember flag flying beneath the American flag, they can take pride in knowing that they are partners in our mission to ensure that the public never forgets our fallen heroes.”
Through its partnership with the SpartanNash Foundation, Honor and Remember honored more than 250 families who have lost a loved one through military service with personalized Honor and Remember flags in 2018. SpartanNash was also a presenting sponsor of Honor and Remember’s Run for the Fallen – a five-month, 6,000-mile journey to pay tribute to fallen servicemembers.
The retail scan campaign supporting Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember is the third of four fundraising campaigns the SpartanNash Foundation will conduct in 2019. To date, the SpartanNash Foundation has raised $734,700 on behalf of local Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics partners in eight states.
Dr. Jochen Wierich, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park new Curator of Sculpture and Sculpture Exhibitions. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Dr. Jochen Wierich, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park new Curator of Sculpture and Sculpture Exhibitions, comes to Grand Rapids with extensive art curatorial experience, having most recently led curated exhibitions at Nashville’s renown Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art including a much admired exhibition “Jaume Plensa: Human Landscape” in 2015-16.
He also has an equally impressive resume as an art historian and teacher, which includes being a lecturer on art history at prestigious institutions of higher education including Vanderbilt University — and he now holds the Lena E. S. Meijer Professorship in Art History at Aquinas College.
But the “American” portion of the German-born Wierich’s art history resume only hints at his depth of knowledge and appreciation of art, and his desire to share his knowledge and appreciation with local students and the general public visiting Meijer Gardens.
During one of his first in-depth interviews after coming to Meijer Gardens in late July, Wierich wore his curatorial jacket as he discussed his admiration for the Meijer Gardens sculptural art collection as well as some works which surprised him on his initial tours of the gardens. (See the following video.)
During the WKTV interview, however, he also discussed his views on the differences between art education in Europe and America, as well as his conviction that understanding history and culture is essential to understanding art.
“I see a number of differences in the role of art and art education in Europe and in the United States,” Wierich said to WKTV. “From my own perspective, in Europe young people grow up understanding that art is a part of a kind of cultural heritage, a part of a kind of patrimony, that we inherit. So even outside the classroom education, that is something that young people in Germany, in Europe, they just bring to their college education.
“I, you, she or he” by Jaume_Plensa. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens by William J Hebert)
“In the United States, I would say that museums have done a great job of helping, educating young people, in the arts. Encouraging them to be creative. And then to appreciate art. But, still, art is not as much imbedded in the broader education sphere in the United States. And so, when the students come to college, they just don’t quite bring that background, that kind of familiarity with the arts, that I see in Germany and in Europe.”
But passing on his passion for art is where Wierich’s passion for education comes into play.
“That is something that, especially as a college teacher, I also want to help with,” he said. “Being part of the Aquinas faculty, and interacting with the students in the classroom, and possibly encouraging them to come out here and explore the sculpture collection, that is going to be part of my job. … And maybe bridge that gap a little bit.”
Another stop in Wierich’s American journey was at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Wa. — a place which cemented his belief in the importance of culture and historic context in understanding and appreciating modern art.
“The issue of understanding art within the historic and cultural context, to me, it is something that I think about all the time,” Wierich said. “My background, as you know, is in art history and American studies. So I thrive in museum environments that are multi-disciplinary, if you want (to call it such). And, for example, here at Meijer Gardens, you have art and horticulture, and you have programs that bring music and literature to this institution, and create this conversation across different disciplines.
“At the MAC, the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, you might see in one visit a Native American contemporary artist painting landscapes, you might see additional plateau Indian baskets, and then you might see an exhibition of German and Italian immigrants who came to the inland Northwest as farmers. And so, each of these exhibitions contributes to, in a sense, framing the art.”
When it comes to modern and contemporary art appreciation and art history “I think that learning about the context (is important), that none of these works was created in a vacuum. That each of these works can help us understand what the historical circumstances were that, maybe, inspired the artist,” he said. “Think about the great Picasso painting “Guernica”, without understanding the (Spanish Civil) War, that painting is not quite the same.”
And he brings that idea home to Meijer Gardens.
Iron Tree by Ai Weiwei. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens by PeterMcDaniel)
“Even with the artists here in the sculpture park — Ai Weiwei, Jaume Plensa — you can really understand what an artist like Ai Weiwei is processing in terms of his growing up in contemporary China, and struggling with the changes in China,” Wierich said. “Or Jaume Plensa, somebody who grew up right after the dictatorship of Franco, and when Spain became a democracy. This are all stories that allow us to have a greater appreciation of the modern and contemporary art works.”
Prior to his work at Vanderbilt, Wierich held teaching positions at Whitman College, Free University in Berlin and Belmont University.
He earned a Master of Arts degree from the Universitat Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Universitat Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany. He has a master’s degree in American Studies from Goethe University of Frankfurt and a Ph.D. in American Studies from the College of William and Mary in Virginia — where his dissertation is titled “The Domestication of History in American Art, 1848-1876”.
Joseph Becherer, who previously held both the Meijer Gardens and Aquinas College positions, was named director of the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame last fall.
It has been a busy summer for the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce with members not only preparing for the annual Metro Cruise, which takes place Aug. 23 and 24, but also welcoming four new businesses.
The Chamber along with the City of Kentwood welcomed Wise Men Distillery, which had a ribbon cutting and grand opening on May 31. Located at 4717 Broadmoor Ave. SE, right next to Cascade Winery and Jaden James Brewery, the new tasting room offers small batch vodka, rum, gin, white whiskey and its famous Apple Pie Moonshine in a “laid-back, down to earth environment,” according to the company’s website.
Wise Men Distillery was started with three friends who through painstaking experiments produced a moonshine that was not only drinkable, but enjoyable too. This became the company’s signature Apple Pie Moonshine. Just recently, the 2019 New York International Spirits Competition named Wise Men Distillery “Michigan Run Distillery of the Year” and awarded the distillery a silver medal for its Red Tape series rum and a bronze for its Wise Men vodka.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant opened in Kentwood on July 27.
About two months later, on July 27 the Chamber and the City of Kentwood welcomed the national chain Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant at 4515 28th St. SE. This location was the former Paulina’s Mexican Restaurant and at one time a Quaker State and Lube restaurant.
The Kentwood restaurant is the Chicago-based company’s second location in Michigan, having opened its first in 2018 on the east side of the state in Clinton Township.
The Kentwood Cooper’s Hawk will feature a Napa-style tasting area, full restaurant and bar and a patio of outdoor dining. According to Cooper’s Hawk’s website, all menu items are made in the scratch kitchen and incorporate peak-of-season ingredients. All items are paired with wine recommendations.
AT&T Prime Wireless opened a new location in Wyoming’s 28 West Place plaza in July. (Chamber)
Also opened in July is Peoplemark Staffing, 3949 Sparks Dr., Grand Rapids, and AT&T Prime Wireless, 1266 28th St. SW, Wyoming,
Peoplemark is a full service staffing company that provides recruiting, sourcing, screening, finding and placing exceptional associates in all positions at all levels, manufacturing, administrative/clerical, IT, customer service, accounting/finance, etc.
AT&T Prime Wireless is an AT&T authorized retailer with a showroom featuring AT&T’s newest products including cellular phones and tablets.
Peoplemark opened its new location on Sparks Drive in July. (Chamber)
For those who walk clueless among us, you may consider this crisis averted. (You’re welcome.)
Aside from giving you the side-eye, Puff may not divulge her true feelings about that imminent slight, but rest assured, she would have exacted her revenge when least expected. Cats are notoriously sneaky, but the level of revenge here would have elevated stealthiness to epic proportions. Why risk it?
Created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, International Cat Day honors the awesomeness of felines the world over. Cat caretakers (no one owns a cat) are keenly aware how special their little puffballs are. But sometimes we all need a little help coming up with ideas. Some of the following are no-brainers, as seasoned cat worshippers will attest, but for recent initiates, we humbly offer these suggestions:
Um, you do know that we can see you, right?
Employ the slow eye blink (there’s a science behind this)
Buy a new feather toy (a perennial favorite). Don’t relegate it to the closet, however — be sure to engage your feline in robust play.
Reupholster the cat tree (better yet, just buy a new one, but don’t throw the old one out just yet — it takes time to acclimate to new furnishings)
Designate a hiding spot just for her (go ahead, be creative!)
Build a catio (you’ll score beaucoup points for this)
Clean the litter box three times today (this is admittedly risky; her majesty may subsequently expect this level of service daily). Alternatively, purchase an automatic, self-cleaning litter box. (Usage results may vary.)
Treat her to a microchip (you’ll have some explaining to do; use your imagination)
Leave the grocery bag out on the floor for at least an hour (paper only, please, folks)
Turn your house into a cat playground (this might take more than one day but so, too, did building Rome). Another idea here. And here.
Give the gift of cat grass. It’s a great snack and helps the hair ball problem.
Propionate is a preservative commonly found in breads and other manufactured foods. Researchers are trying to pin down the effects on humans, but in animal trials the ingredient led to weight gain. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
If you’re watching your weight, you probably know to avoid sugary and fatty foods.
But what about preservatives?
Eating a preservative widely used in breads, baked goods and cheese may trigger metabolic responses that are linked to obesity and diabetes, an early study suggests.
The additive, called propionate, is actually a naturally occurring fatty acid produced in the gut. When it’s used as an additive in processed foods, it helps prevent mold.
But in the new study, researchers found that feeding mice low doses of propionate gradually caused weight gain and resistance to the hormone insulin—which, in humans, is a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
And when the researchers gave healthy adults a single propionate dose, it spurred a release of blood sugar-raising hormones—and a subsequent surge in insulin.
None of that proves propionate-containing foods raise the odds of weight gain and diabetes, said senior researcher Dr. Gokhan Hotamisligil, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.
“The point is not to say this additive is ‘bad,’” he stressed.
Instead, Hotamisligil said, his team is interested in understanding the effects—good or bad—of the various “molecules” humans consume in their diets.
“There’s a scarcity of scientific evidence on a lot of the things we put in our bodies through food,” he said. “Propionate is just one example.”
Still, Hotamisligil said, the findings do raise an important question: “Could long-time consumption of propionate in humans be a contributing factor to obesity and diabetes?”
When it comes to processed foods, the concern is usually directed toward ingredients like added sugar, sodium and trans fats. But there’s also a host of additives that, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are “generally recognized as safe.”
Despite that “GRAS” status, though, there is typically little known about how those food additives might affect metabolism, according to Hotamisligil.
Dr. Emily Gallagher is an assistant professor of endocrinology at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in New York City.
She agreed it’s important to dig into the potential metabolic effects of food additives.
“People may look at food labels and think they are making healthy choices,” said Gallagher, who had no part in the study. “But without our knowledge, very small amounts of certain additives in food may be causing detrimental metabolic effects.”
That said, it’s too soon to point the finger at propionate, according to Gallagher.
She called these early findings “thought-provoking,” but said longer-term studies are needed to better understand any health effects from the additive.
For the animal portion of the study, the researchers gave mice propionate in their water. The immediate effects included an increase in three hormones that spur the liver to produce glucose (sugar). Over time, chronic exposure to the additive caused the mice to gain weight and become resistant to the hormone insulin, which helps lower blood sugar levels.
The human portion of the study included 14 healthy people given a dose of either propionate or a placebo with a meal. Compared with the placebo meal, the additive caused the same hormonal response seen in mice, plus a surge in insulin in the blood.
Whether those effects over time could harm people’s health is unknown.
Many factors, including overall diet and exercise, affect the risks of obesity and diabetes, Gallagher pointed out.
For now, she said, the findings support the general advice that we should be limiting processed foods in favor of healthier, whole foods.
Hotamisligil agreed. “I’m not saying, if you don’t eat propionate, you’ll live forever,” he said. “But these are the types of foods we should limit anyway.”
The findings were published online recently in Science Translational Medicine.
Doug Deweerdt’s history with his 1951 Chevrolet pickup is not unlike a lot of stories about guys rebuilding classic cars — it started out with rusty years in a pole barn somewhere, it’s always more work than they initially thought, and it often has a strong family connection.
But the story of Doug’s dad wanting to leave classic cars to both sons, and his deceased dad’s involvement Deweerdt’s rebuilding process, is unique.
“My father picked this vehicle up, probably, about 30 years ago, for him and I to restore,” Deweerdt said to WKTV. “He already had a 1947 Dodge business coupe. He picked up the truck for he and I to do, so my brother would get the car and he’d leave the truck to me.
“Well, life and kids got in the way and it sat in his pole barn for like 20 years, then he pushed it off into my garage for like five or six (years). He passed away in January 2013 and in December I decided, you know, its time to do the truck.”
While he was working on the renovation of the truck, done in about 2-1/2 years, he was constantly reminded of his father, though.
Deweerdt spent “a lot of time in the shop, after work,” working on the pickup, he said. And “I’ve got a picture of him standing next to his ’47 that hung on my shop wall the entire time,” — his voice trailing off in memories — “there is definitely a connection.”
The process of rebuild
Deweerdt, who is plant manager of Grand Rapids’ tortilla maker El Milagro of Michigan, Inc., told us the story of the actual work required that involved both family and a new friend.
“At the time (he started the rebuild) I had an acquaintance that had built a couple (cars), Jeff Myles, and I asked if he would stop by and take a look at it. You know, give me some ideas,” he said. “So he did, and, you know, in talking to him, I asked him if he would mentor me. I told him I’m not asking him to help me, just kind of walk me through certain sections of it. Which he did, and he’s become a very, very good friend of mine now.”
While Deweerdt did “about 90 percent of the work,” including a frame swap, to give him more modern brakes and other mechanicals, he finished it with a special paint job from a shop in Muskegon. He has been showing the ’51 for three years.
“I tried to keep it as original as I could,” he said. “A lot of guys really modify the bodies, shave the doorhandles and all of that. I really didn’t want to do that. I really wanted to keep it as original as possible and yet I wanted that look (pointing to the vehicle) and I wanted a more modern-day ride, with the suspension.”
And then there is the wood bed
One other thing that is not “original” is the truck’s bed — but that, too, is more a personal story.
“The bed wood, we get a ton of complements on that,” Deweerdt said. “A lot of them just do the normal wood shade. … (but) I had seen a sample of the dark wood on the internet. My wife piddles with woodworking, we both do. So I gave her a sample of the wood and said ‘This is what I want.” And she played around with a couple different combinations and this is what we came up with. … we get a lot of people commenting on that.”
And there will broadly be more comments on the ’51 at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 28th Street Metro Cruise on Aug. 23-24.
WKTV Community Media will produce a 1-hour special live broadcast scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, on WKTVLive.org as well as on WKTV Comcast Cable Channel 25 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, and, later on demand at WKTV.org.
For more information Metro Cruise 2019, visit the chamber’s website at southkent.org and keep up on the latest news of Metro Cruise and DreamWheels at WKTVjournal.org .
Actor Todd Lewis (center) is Arthur the owner of a decrepit donut shop in “Superior Donuts.” Deb Canfield, who plays Officer Randy Oosten listens as Lewis talks to his employee Franko Wicks, played by Nio Walton. (Ashlee McGreevy)
Circle Theatre continues its 67th Main Stage season with a production of Superior Donuts opening on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Aquinas College.
Under the direction of Mike Hull, Superior Donuts tells the story of Arthur, a Polish – American, who owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Franco Wicks, a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. This comedy- drama by Tony® Award and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Tracy Letts explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship.
Circle Theatre audience members can take advantage of the Lobby Bar on select nights throughout the summer, including the Aug. 9 performance of Superior Donuts. On Aug. 9, Michigan craft beer and wine as well as donuts from Marge’s Donut Den will be available starting at 7 p.m.; beverages can be enjoyed inside the theatre on that evening.
“This is a show about being stuck in life,” said Andrew Manion who portrays Kevin Magee in the Circle Theatre production. “Stuck because of past mistakes, stuck because of one’s upbringing or background, or maybe stuck because of a crippling anxiety, guilt or fear. This is a show about overcoming these paralyses in order to find freedom, even when opposed by literal violence.”
Hull said “Our show is the story of the American Dream as told by ordinary people. If you are someone who believes that America can be the best it can be for all of its people than this is a show that will hopefully inspire some questions and no small degree of hope.”
Superior Donuts will run Aug. 8 – 10, 14-17, 21 – 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. The show is rated “R” due to strong language. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 616-456-6656 or visit Circle’s website at circletheatre.org.
High school students Gerardo Garay and Willow Grey-Lughod haven’t exactly spent the summer kicking back and relaxing.
The pair, who attend Kent Transition Center, has been working diligently in a 10-week program through a partnership with Kent ISD and Michigan Rehab Services. They are a part of a 10-person team helping with cleaning and landscaping on the large Kent ISD campus in Northeast Grand Rapids, preparing for the new school year.
Kent Transition Center helps prepare students with learning or other special needs make the transition from school to work and to develop independence.
Forest Hills Northern student Willow Grey-Lughold cleans a chair as part of the Kent ISD Summer Employment Program, which is giving students their first experience in the job world. (School News Network)
“We do mostly cleaning and weeding so everything looks respectable,” said Gerardo, entering 12th grade at East Kentwood High School. “This is my first job indeed. Everything is going great so far.
“If anyone is scared of a first job, this is a perfect experience. They help you a lot; there are a lot of nice people.” Gerardo hopes the experience will help further his dream. “After high school, I want to achieve my dream of running my own restaurant in the bakery, with meal prep and cooking.”
Willow said she’s making the most of her summer job too. “We’re learning how to clean stuff that I’ve never done at home,” said Willow, who is entering her senior year at Forest Hills Northern. “We’re learning a whole lot.”
Beyond working on campus, other students are working at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel helping with food preparation, in the laundry room, and most are in their district doing the same types of activities, according to Duane Kiley, principal at the Transition Center.
“It truly gives them something to put on their resume, gives them experience that you can’t get anyplace else,” said Kiley, of the 37 students in the program. “We have kids come back and say they learned a lot about what it’s like to work for somebody, follow directions, show up on time and work with other people. For a lot of them, it’s their first experience getting a paycheck and having direct deposit at a bank.
“And a number of our graduates got hired by the places they worked at in the summer.”
Forest Hills Northern student Willow Grey-Lughold participated in the Kent ISD Summer Employment Program, prepping the campus inside and out for the new school year. (School News Network)
Kent Transition Center
All of the students in the Summer Employment Program attend the Kent Transition Center, whose goal is to prepare high school juniors and seniors for employment and a successful, independent future. It offers small classes, hands-on learning and support to give their students what they need for successful learning.
Students can apply what they learn in the classroom through internships at actual job sites where they are mentored by business partners and supported by the Transition Center team. High school credits are earned for these career experiences, which can lead to paid positions for those students who excel.
Real-World Experience with Support
Linda Nawrocki, administrative assistant at the Transition Center, says this summer experience is unique.
“What I think is so great about this program for the kids is that they get this real work experience, but they have this support that you wouldn’t typically get when you’re first hired,” she explained.
Wyoming student Gerardo Garay cleans a chair as part of the Kent ISD Summer Employment Program, which is giving students a first-look at a job
Kiley said the real story is the partnership with Michigan Rehab Services.
“The money that pays these students’ salaries comes from the Michigan Rehab and federal funds,” Kiley said. “We pay 25 percent and MRS pays 75 percent. Each student gets over $1,000 for the 10 weeks.”
Zach Mosher, a supervisor for the summer work program, said it’s a good first experience working with a boss, taking orders, working as a team and following through with a job.
“It’s their first experience in a job atmosphere,” said Mosher, a third-grade teacher at Sandy Hill Elementary in Jenison, where 10 students are employed. “Right now we are prepping a room for the school year; dusting the ceilings, walls, vents and working our way down to the windows, doors and door frames to the floor.
“We have done many rooms throughout campus, including hundreds of lockers. We spend the majority of our time outside doing the grounds; pulling weeds on the sidewalks, curbs and courtyards and trimming branches.”
Mosher has much to say about his workers.
“They sweat and don’t complain; they just do it. And they get so many compliments about their good work. They’re just awesome workers; I’m proud of them. This definitely helps prepare them for the work world.”
To read more stories on on local schools, visit the School News Network website at schoolnewsnetwork.org.
If your child is headed to college for the first time, you can allay some of your worries by ensuring they’re up to date on vaccinations. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
If you’re looking to help your burgeoning thinker prepare for the first year of college, you could do worse than start with a simple science lesson.
Think of the higher learning universe as a giant petri dish.
Your youngster will dive headlong into that glorious environment, seizing opportunities to broaden the intellect and test new ideas that challenge the status quo.
College is, however, a life-sized cauldron of cellular chaos, swimming with a frightening array of potentially deadly germs.
What important steps can parents take to ensure their college student is prepared for life on campus?
Above all else, make sure your child is properly vaccinated, said Mary Zimmerman, immunization program manager at Spectrum Health.
Does this mean you can’t spend this last month of summer scouting out the best deals on futons, bed sheets and mini refrigerators? No. It just means immunizations need to maintain their proper place at the top of the to-do list.
Teens headed to college should be current on six vaccinations in particular—meningococcal serogroup B, meningococcal conjugate vaccine (serogroups ACWY), hepatitis A, Tdap, HPV and influenza.
Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine
Given their bustling social lives and close-quarter living, college students are uniquely prone to exposure of meningococcal disease, Zimmerman said.
And if there’s just one thing to remember about meningitis, it’s this: It is deadly serious.
“People who have had meningitis had flu-like symptoms and then they were dead within 24 hours,” Zimmerman said. “If you survive, it’s a long-term stay in the hospital.”
The disease kills 10 percent of its victims, she said. Of those who survive, 20 percent will suffer long-term consequences from infection, including brain damage, amputation or loss of hearing.
When the bacteria infect the brain and spinal cord, it’s known as meningitis. When it infects the bloodstream, it becomes septicemia. There are two different vaccinations for meningococcus—serogroup B vaccine and serogroup ACWY vaccine, also known as the conjugate vaccine—and they immunize against different groups of the disease.
The CDC requires children to receive the conjugate vaccination by age 12, with a recommended follow-up conjugate booster at age 16. It’s also recommended that children receive the serogroup B vaccine at age 16, when they get the conjugate booster, but it’s not required, Zimmerman said.
Only recently has there been growth in awareness about the serogroup B vaccine.
In Michigan, the family of Emily Stillman, a Kalamazoo College sophomore who died of meningitis in 2013 at age 19, has emerged as the vanguard in pushing for awareness about meningococcal serogroup B.
Stillman died within 36 hours of contracting bacterial meningitis. She had received the meningococcal conjugate vaccine in her youth and also the recommended conjugate booster at age 16.
She did not receive the serogroup B vaccine.
Why? In 2013, the serogroup B vaccine hadn’t been available in the U.S. Not until 2015 did it become available.
Zimmerman cautioned that parents may encounter circumstances, even today, in which a primary care provider doesn’t have immediate access to the serogroup B vaccination.
This should not discourage them from pursuing it further.
“Check first with your primary care provider,” Zimmerman said. “If they don’t carry the B shot, you can check with the local health department — they do have it.”
Don’t assume the serogroup B vaccination isn’t important simply because the CDC made it a recommended vaccination, as opposed to a requirement, said Mary Wisinski, immunization program supervisor at Kent County Health Department.
“Absolutely get the vaccine,” Wisinski said. “It’s a deadly disease.”
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
All strains of meningitis are spread through secretions from the throat and respiratory system—coughing, kissing, sneezing, sharing cups and so forth. Simply living in the same environment as someone with the disease could put you at risk.
About 10 percent of people who carry the bacteria in their nose or throat won’t show symptoms of the disease. But they can spread it.
“That’s why it’s so scary,” Zimmerman said. “There’s no rhyme or reason as to who might get the disease and who might just be a carrier.”
This is why vaccinations are so critical, she said, especially for the age 16-to-24 group headed into socially rich environments such as universities.
While the CDC requires the conjugate vaccination by age 12, there are of course children whose parents may have opted them out of vaccines.
College is a great time to reconsider such views.
“A college student will think they’re just run-down, and then they have to be rushed off to the hospital,” Wisinski said. “There’s nothing they can do.
“People do survive it, but the infection can cause them to lose their arms or legs, or cause them to be deaf,” Wisinski added. “It’s not a pleasant thought. Especially when there’s a shot to protect against it.”
The Kent County Health Department follows the mantra, “Vaccinate before you graduate.”
“(Parents) are sending these kids off to college very unprepared and unprotected,” she said.
In recent years, there has been a grassroots push among certain parents to opt out of vaccinations, but that has only led to spikes in diseases that had virtually fallen off the threat radar.
In 2016 and 2017, for example, the CDC logged outsized jumps in the number of mumps cases—directly traced to university campuses. The two largest cases were in Iowa and Illinois.
A Michigan college hit with a recent mumps outbreak didn’t have the data they needed to tackle it, Wisinski said.
“They didn’t know the vaccination status of any of their students,” she said.
In respect to the meningitis conjugate vaccination, nearly half of all teens fail to get the follow-up booster shot recommended at age 16, Wisinski said.
“(In Michigan), 80 percent of our kids get the first meningococcal vaccine at age 12,” she said. “But they don’t come back. In Kent County, only 50 percent of the teens that are immunized with the first vaccine will get that second one. Nationally, it’s 30 percent.”
For about the past decade, the CDC has recommended children receive two HPV vaccinations starting at about age 11.
HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, with some strains causing various types of cancer. Much like other series of vaccinations, it’s important to have the complete series before any exposure, Zimmerman said.
HPV is a two-dose series if the first dose is administered before a child’s 15th birthday. If administered after the 15th birthday, three shots are required, Zimmerman said.
It’s important to remember the follow-up.
“Obviously, you get your best protection by completing the series,” she said.
“So many college students are traveling abroad,” Zimmerman said. “It’s good just to be protected.”
Hepatitis A is a liver disease spread through contaminated food and water. The vaccination is a routine recommendation for children starting at age 1, but there are adults and older children who have never had it.
The hepatitis A disease rate has declined 95 percent since the vaccine became available in 1995, but don’t imagine for a second that it has magically disappeared in this country.
The disease incubates in the body anywhere from 15 to 50 days before manifesting itself, Zimmerman said. Adults who get the disease can be ill for up to six months, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting and jaundice.
“It’s a virus,” Zimmerman said. “You clear it from your system. If you have the disease, you then have immunity. But that’s the hard way to get it.”
The easiest route is vaccination.
Tdap vaccine
Babies and small children receive a series of shots called DTaP, which protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
As a child ages, the effectiveness of this vaccination wears off. Consequently, at about age 11 the CDC recommends children receive a Tdap vaccination, Zimmerman said.
It’s effectively a booster for the original shot.
“They get the maximum benefit from (receiving) doses at the proper time,” Zimmerman said.
Tetanus is caused by toxins from bacteria in the soil. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread through coughing and sneezing. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 people who get tetanus will die and 1 in 10 who get diphtheria will die.
Pertussis is most dangerous for babies. They contract the disease from children or adults who haven’t been vaccinated.
“Pertussis won’t kill adults, but it does kill infants,” Zimmerman said.
Here again, the anti-vaccination crowd has given rise to pertussis outbreaks at levels not seen since the 1950s, according to CDC data. In 2012, more than 48,000 pertussis cases were reported—the most since 1955.
Researchers have blamed these developments on a reduction in herd immunity.
Influenza vaccine
A list of recommended vaccinations for any age group, infant to elderly, would be incomplete without the addition of the influenza vaccination.
“The annual flu vaccine is always recommended,” Zimmerman said.
Children from eligible families can receive free vaccinations through the Vaccines for Children program, Wisinski said. This applies to all vaccines, from birth to age 19. Children with medical insurance that does not cover certain vaccines can also receive vaccines, but they must get them at the health department or a qualified facility.
“If they have Medicaid or no insurance, or even insurance that doesn’t cover shots, they can get free shots,” Wisinski said. “It’s part of the VFC program.
“If someone from birth through age 18 has no insurance, or insurance that does not cover vaccines, the vaccine is free—but we do charge an administration fee on a sliding scale fee, from $0 to $23,” Wisinski said.
Beat chronic inflammation—and all of its side effects—with a vegan diet. And if that won’t work, there are other options. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
As it relates to biological processes within the human body, inflammation is often considered a necessary process.
When the body recognizes a threat from something foreign—an invading bacteria or virus—it activates the immune system to protect itself. Much benefit is derived from the inflammatory process, but only when it truly alerts the body to fight the foreign invaders.
Chronic inflammation is another story altogether. It often presents itself in well-known inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders and ulcerative colitis, among various other illnesses.
But chronic inflammation has even a darker side, according to Thomas Boyden, MD, medical director of preventive cardiology with Spectrum Health.
Chronic inflammation can cause coronary artery disease and contribute to the process that causes heart attack and stroke, Dr. Boyden said.
Fortunately, there is a simple solution to help reduce the harmful effects of chronic inflammation: Eat a healthier diet.
In a society where the penchant for meats and over-processed foods runs high, it is admittedly no easy feat for most people to follow a proper diet.
But the most ideal way to reduce chronic inflammation is, in fact, to follow a plant-based diet, Dr. Boyden said. Basically, you would eat nothing that was once alive and moving, such as red meat, poultry, pork or fish. Stay away from animal products such as dairy.
Those who can accomplish this vegan regimen could reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, Dr. Boyden said.
Realistically, this type of diet doesn’t work for most people, so he highly recommends the Mediterranean diet as the best alternative.
“You can eat fish, poultry and dairy, but it is basically a plant-based diet that allows you to eat small portions of animal-based foods,” he said.
A workable diet
The Mediterranean diet is an entirely accessible, achievable solution for eating.
“I always find it interesting to hear the different reasons that people want to join the program,” Franowicz said. “We’ve had a lot of success with weight loss, lowering blood sugars and cholesterol. Besides these factors, I also have people join because they may have Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis or cancer in their families, and they want to reduce their risks.
“I think people have great success with long-term weight loss because the diet is sustainable, delicious and satisfying,” she said.
Another reason people often find success with the Mediterranean diet: It emphasizes good fats such as olive oil, nuts, seeds and omega-3 fatty acids. These types of fats are not only delicious and satisfying, they also keep people from feeling deprived of food.
Better still, these fats help fight inflammation.
To reduce inflammation, it’s generally smart to avoid animal products as often as possible, Dr. Boyden said. Avoid saturated fats, too, which are often found in those products.
And more specifically: Stay away from foods that are fried, sugary or processed.
You should avoid artificial sweeteners, too. They’re made from chemicals—and why would you want to put a synthetic chemical in your body?
“They are not healthy,” Dr. Boyden said, explaining how artificial sweeteners can actually stimulate the brain to tell you you’re hungry. They can also make you gain weight.
“Truthfully, if you change your diet, you really do change your life,” Dr. Boyden said.
Dr. Boyden and Franowicz listed some of the obvious foods that exacerbate inflammation, as well as those that help fight it.
Foods that cause inflammation:
Butter and margarine
Fast food and fried foods
Red meat (burgers, steak) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)
Refined carbohydrates such as white breads, sweets and pastries
Sodas and sweetened beverages
Foods that fight inflammation:
Olive oil, nuts and avocados
Fatty fish like salmon twice a week
Tomatoes and greens like kale, spinach, swiss chard
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Slink, born in the spring of 2011, was aptly named by his persistent, pint-sized rescuer, none other than Sandi D. Seems this elusive and evasive guy preferred to avoid all human contact and sneak around the feral feeding station Sandi supplied rather than risk getting snagged and snipped; having been intact well into his senior citizenhood, we guess we really can’t blame him.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Sandi laid down the law and told him how things were gonna go, and finally, after weeks of setting her trap, Slink allowed himself to be caught. A week after his trip to CSNIP to remove his manhood in late April, Sandi brought him in to see Dr. Jen as he wasn’t feeling well; as it turns out his neuter site had abscessed, he was running a fever and his white blood cell count was astronomically high.
To top things off, he had a fractured tooth with root retention that was causing him oral pain, major stud tail and was matted and scabby, all from living a rough life out on the mean city streets. And of course, he tested a very strong positive for FIV, a virus transmitted primarily from cat to cat by fighting, which it appeared he had done his fair share of.
Poor old guy. We didn’t have any room at our sanctuary at that time so, Sandi took Slink on home after Dr. Jen tended to his variety of medical needs and let him recover in the cozy confines of her makeshift living room shelter. A week later, he had healed beautifully, so Dr. Jen was able to vaccinate him, and in early June he came back out to see the good doc for his follow-up test, booster vaccines and a long overdue bath and brush out; the hair Dr. Jen removed from him could have made an entirely new cat!
Slink may have been a bit bald when he finally made it down to Big Sid’s, but he was definitely beautiful. His large jowls (fat-headed status comes form being intact and hormonal) had shrunk down nicely, his tail was no longer greasy and he had put on good weight. Our solid, sturdy boy was ready to join the ranks and become a resident.
However, over the next few weeks it was obvious that his mouth was giving him more trouble, as can be very common with FIV+ kitties, so Dr. Jen wasn’t surprised when she had to remove all of his teeth, with the exception of his canines, in late June. Although this sounds shocking, in all honesty we have a sizable population of cats that have very few, or in some case NO teeth, and once that source of chronic pain and inflammation is gone, these cats pork right on out as it is no longer problematic to eat.
Sure Slink may meow with a bit of a lisp, but he is happy and much healthier now!
We asked our shelter director and manager to weigh in on his personality thus far to give everyone an idea of what type of cat he is:
“Slink is slowly but surely coming out of his shell. He was so terrified that he hid under a bed for the first week or so, only coming out when Sandi would come and visit him. He now hangs out in a cubby or on top of the cat walk but will explore the shelter when it’s quiet. If you approach him slowly, he will let you pet him and really enjoys it. He is very passionate about canned food and treats! I would like to see him have a buddy or two in his home to give him confidence and show him how great it is to be an indoor cat.”
“In the past couple of weeks, Slink has gone from cowering behind a bed in a cage to hanging out with us in the meds room. Sandi visited him several times in the first few days, and she must have had a talk with him because suddenly he’s out and about looking for attention. He is not one bit aggressive but a little shy, so we’ve gone a little slower on handling him. We did discover he actually enjoys being brushed — he will be silky soft and shiny in no time. He’ll need a buddy or two to live with to help boost his confidence. I’m going to say dogs and small kids may be a bit too much for him.”
As Slink comes out of his shell more and more each day, we have to smile with pride. He is going to make a fabulous friend for someone who can provide a mellow, quiet life for him, one where he can lounge lazily in a sunbeam after filling his tummy, soaking up the warmth of the type of home he had only been able to dream of for far too long.
More about Slink:
Domestic Short Hair
Gray/Blue/Silver
Senior
Male
Large
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
FIV+
Good in a home with other cats, no children or dogs
Want to adopt Slink? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Kent County Emergency Manager Lt. Lou Hunt today released a statement to inform the general public about a planned test of the country’s Emergency Alert System.
As part of the statement, Lt. Hunt states: “This is only a test and is not a real event. No action is needed by the public. It is also important to know this test does not include wireless emergency alerts, so alerts broadcast through wireless devices such as cellphones are not expected nor being tested. Rather, this test is aimed at traditional alerting methods such as radio and television.”
Following is the complete statement:
FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission and radio and television Emergency Alert System (EAS) participants, will conduct a nationwide test of the EAS beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. A backup date is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21, 2019, if needed. The test will assess the operational readiness of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructures for distribution of a national message that could be urgent and lifesaving and determine whether technological improvements are warranted.
The test of the EAS will broadcast a test message that is approximately one minute long. Broadcast radio and television, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers will each broadcast the test message once within a few minutes of the test. The national EAS test message will look and sound similar to the regular Required Monthly Test messages broadcast by all EAS participants. The EAS test message is expected to have limited impact on the public with only a minor interruption to regular radio and television programs. The EAS test message will be:
“This is a test of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communication Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert, you heard at the start of this message. No action is required.”
“If you don’t read the newspaper, you‘re uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you‘re mis-informed.”
Mark Twain
Lee Middle and High School. (WKTV)
New principal at Lee high
Lee Middle and High School will have a new principal when it greets students later this month as Godfrey-Lee Public Schools announced this week that Candida VanBuskirk would fill the position following Kathryn Curry’s retirement after 7 years as principal. Visit here for the story.
More than 1,200 backpacks were collected for the 2018 School Supply Santa. (Supplied)
Back to school help
A school ad shows a student larger than life because of all the new school supplies and clothes she got. But for some local residents, just purchasing the basic school supplies can be a momental task. Visit here for the story.
The annual Metro Cruise is a feast of automobiles and automotive details (Courtesy Bruce Carlson)
Easy parking for Metro Cruise
The annual Metro Cruise is always popular, with visitor parking often at a premium, and the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 28th Street Metro Cruise on Aug. 23-24 will be no different. But thanks to a partnership with The Rapid, there will be two shuttle buses running from nearby but off 28th Street parking locations — Wyoming High School and the Wyoming’s Kent District Library. Visit here for the story.
(Not so) Fun fact:
With 66 percent of Americans using Facebook, Pew Research Center says 45 percent of US adults get at least some of their news from the site. The survey found that of the 45 percent turning to Facebook for news content, half claim it is the only social platform they are using for news.
Scientists believe they can reduce mosquito populations by using a bacteria that interferes with the insects’ reproductive cycle. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Some mosquitoes spread diseases to humans through their bite, passing along harmful pathogens like Zika, dengue fever, West Nile virus and chikungunya.
Now humans are turning the tables, infecting these dangerous mosquitoes with bacteria that sabotage their ability to spawn.
Chinese researchers were able to reduce these mosquito populations by as much as 94% using a bacteria-based strategy that interferes with the insects’ reproductive cycle.
“In principle, all the mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, malaria, West Nile, chikungunya and filariasis, can be controlled using this technology,” said senior study author Zhiyong Xi. He is director of the Sun Yat-sen University/Michigan State University Joint Center of Vector Control for Tropical Diseases. “There will be none of those diseases without transmission by mosquitoes.”
The mosquito control strategy hinges on bacteria called Wolbachia, which can affect the reproductive biology of mosquitoes, said Peter Armbruster, a professor of biology at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C.
Essentially, a male mosquito carrying a specific strain of Wolbachia cannot successfully reproduce if the female is infected with a different strain of Wolbachia, explained Armbruster, who wrote an editorial accompanying the report in a recent issue of the journal Nature.
The Chinese research team created a lab-based colony of mosquitoes that all carry a newly developed combination of three Wolbachia strains. This hybrid strain doesn’t occur in the wild. The colony produced around 10 million male mosquitoes a week, Xi said.
The male mosquitoes were then released into the wild, in areas designated for pest control.
“They mate with wild females and then the wild females produce inviable eggs,” Armbruster said. “It’s a way of letting the males do the work by finding the females and preventing them from reproducing.”
The researchers also treated the mosquitoes with a low dose of radiation, enough to sterilize any accidentally released females carrying the triple bacteria strain but not enough to impair the male mosquitoes’ reproductive drive. This helped speed up laboratory production of the mosquitoes, Armbruster explained.
Field trials focused on Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were able to drive populations down by around 83% to 94%, with no wild mosquitoes detected for up to six weeks after release, the researchers reported.
Dr. Amesh Adalja is senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore. “Mosquitoes have long been a scourge of mankind and their effective control is one of the most daunting tasks in infectious diseases,” he said.
“Exploiting the phenomenon of mating incompatibility through male mosquito Wolbachiainfections, combined with irradiation, is an elegant solution that this study demonstrates is feasible,” Adalja said.
At least one American company, MosquitoMate, is already using a similar bacteria-based approach to control mosquitoes, Armbruster noted. The innovation in the study was the combination of three different Wolbachia strains and the use of radiation to make sorting and releasing mosquitoes an easier process.
You don’t want to release both male and female mosquitoes with the triple strain, because they’ll be able to successfully mate. Until now, lab technicians have had to run the mosquito swarms through a machine that separated males from females, and then do a second hand-sort to make sure all the females had been removed, Armbruster said.
Because the approach targets specific disease-carrying species of mosquitoes, it will not wipe out other benign mosquito populations that co-exist in the same area, Xi added.
“As mating happens only within the same species, this is a species-specific control tool, without any impact on non-target species,” Xi said. “The majority of mosquito species in nature are not disease vectors, and thus will not be targeted by our technique.”
These field tests released the lab-infected male mosquitoes on two small islands located on rivers that run through Guangzhou, the city with the highest dengue transmission rate in China, the study authors said.
The goal was to reach a 5-to-1 ratio of infected males versus wild males, to effectively suppress the mosquito populations, Xi said.
Further research will be needed to see if the same laboratory production techniques could be used to battle mosquitoes in large U.S. cities, Armbruster said.
“It’s still an open question whether this is scalable to a major metropolitan area,” Armbruster said.
Today is National Night Out, a time set aside for residents to turn their porch lights on and get out and meet their neighbors.
Both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will have a number of National Night Out events and activities taking place throughout the day. Below is a list of just some of those activities.
Consumer’s Energy Kick-Off Event
Consumer’s Energy will host its early morning event from 5:30 – 8 a.m. at its Wyoming headquarters, 4000 Clay Ave. SW. Mayors from several cities including Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will participate in a joint reading of the proclamation in recognition of National Night Out.
Employees will be handing out light bulbs along Clay Avenue along with area police cruisers on display with lights on.
City of Kentwood
The Kentwood Police Department has partnered with Woodland Mall to offer community members an up-close look at emergency vehicles both outside and throughout the mall from 3 to 5 p.m. Large emergency vehicles will be on display outside by Celebration! Cinema, while other vehicles will be placed throughout the mall for shoppers to learn about and explore. A table featuring Kentwood Police Department giveaways will be located in the Barnes and Nobles wing.
Pentecostals Church, 2627 44th St. SE, will host a party featuring a bounce house, free meal, face painting, music, carnival games and other kids’ activities.
South United Methodist Church, 4500 S. Division Ave., will have free ice cream and hot dogs, a live band, door prizes and a small water slide for young children.
Faith Church, 1412 44th St. SE, will have food trucks and a live band.
More information about National Night Out events in Kentwood is available at kentwood.us/NNO.
Various activities will be offered at several neighborhood National Night Out events. (WKTV)
The Wyoming Concerts in the Park series hosts its last concert tonight with Shadows of the Night, music of the women of rock from 7 – 9 p.m. The evening is centered around National Night Out with a variety of activities taking place along with a visit from a couple of representatives from the city’s most popular police unit, the K-9 Unit.
Other National Night Out events, which will take place between 5 – 9 p.m., taking place are:
The South Godwin Neighborhood Association at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE. This is one of the biggest National Night Out events with lots of activities.
Grace University, 1011 Aldon St. SW, will have activities and food.
Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Byron Center Ave. SW, will have activities and food.
Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW, will have activities including a children’s parade.
South Kent National Night Out
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department and the Kentwood Community Church have teamed up to host the South Kent National Night Out set for 4 – 8 p.m. at Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St. SW.
The free event will feature food, games, splash pads, AeroMed Helicopter, KCSO Mounted Unit, and much more! For more information on the South Kent National Night Out, click here.
Kent County 17th Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Feeney, with one of the West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. dogs and handler, at City of Wyoming’s 62-A District Court. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Kai and Bentley, a German Shepard and a Goldendoodle, respectively, were friendly but not very talkative as they were introducing themselves around City of Wyoming’s 62-A District Court earlier this summer as part of Kent County’s Courthouse Therapy Dog Program pending expansion.
That’s okay, though, it’s sort of what they are trained to do as therapy dogs: to present a smiling dog face, a scratch-able ear, and a transferable sense of calmness to humans in stressful situations.
And, anyway, as WKTV hung out with Kai and Bentley and several of their 4-legged friends while the dogs prepared to start duty in Wyoming, their West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. handlers and Kent County 17th Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Feeney — a driving force behind the program — had plenty to say on the dog’s behalf.
“They have been going to the different courthouses, getting used to the victim witness units, and in the courtrooms,” Judge Feeney said to WKTV in late June. “So they could be available for children who are victims of crime … and for vulnerable adults, who are also preyed upon, unfortunately, in criminal circumstances.
“We work them (the dogs) in two-hour shifts because that is about all they can handle because, believe it or not, they absorb a lot of the stress the kids are under.”
As of last week, Judge Feeney said several dogs have been “trained for Wyoming, Walker and Grandville (courts), as well as the 63rd and 61st District courts,” but have not yet started working in Wyoming.
Several of the West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. dogs and handlers at City of Wyoming’s 62-A District Court. (WKTV)
In late 2018, Kent County’s Courthouse Therapy Dog Program began a trial effort in Judge Feeney’s court, along with the 61st and 63rd District Courts in Kent County. The program is a joint effort of Judge Feeney, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker and his office, as well as with West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc.
“Prosecutor Chris Becker and I had talked about having dogs brought into the courthouse for a couple years now, and when we started hearing about more and more courts in Michigan having dogs coming into the courthouse, courthouse dogs … We thought, OK, we need to start looking into this more, and he was very open to it,” she said.
Maybe not so incidentally, Judge Feeney has a personal connection to therapy dogs and to the local therapy dog group.
Kent County Circuit Court Family Division Judge Kathleen A. Feeney. (Supplied)
“My now four-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, Rosie, is a West Michigan Therapy dog,” she said. “So we do dog therapy, in addition to the 400 other people who belong to this organization throughout West Michigan. And so I thought, okay, this is perfect. Let’s see if we can’t bring West Michigan Therapy Dogs into the prosecutor’s office and the courts.”
And the trial program, less than a year old, is already proving its success.
“The evolution is how people are valuing it, Judge Feeney said. “At first we only got a couple calls from victims or victim advocates … for dogs, but all of a sudden, they started seeing how positive it was for the victims, for the families, who are also very stressed and concerned about what is going on. Now there are a lot more requests.”
So what sort of dogs work well as therapy dogs? Just how do they do their jobs? Kai and Bentley let their handlers tell us.
Kai. (WKTV)
Kai’s “been doing therapy work for two years. He’s an 8-year-old dog and he’s been a court dog since October (2018),” Mary Hovingh said to WKTV. His “personality is calm, sweet, and in his case, he likes kids. Everything he does as a therapy dog is with children, no adults.
“I read the child. If the child does not want to touch the dog, they can sit near the dog, play games. If they want to pet the dog, they can. I’ve had kids show him pictures, they’ll read a book and show him a picture. And he will, oddly, look at the pictures.”
Mary Hovingh. (WKTV)
Hovingh explained that in addition to working in courts, “my dog goes to schools, he’s up to eight or nine different schools now, during the school year. And he does libraries. About a third of his people, the children who read to him, are special needs kids. He has ridiculous amounts of patience for children.”
Three-year-old Bentley, according to handler Val Bares, has a similar demeanor and work ethic.
Bentley. (WKTV)
“What traits make a good therapy dog?” she repeated a question from WKTV. “Mostly you look at the personality, you want the dog to be friendly with people. There are people dogs and there are dog dogs, and you want a people dog, one that loves to be petted. Their temperament is key. You want them to be calm.”
Bentley and Bares have been together since he was a puppy, and they work together in hospitals, a burn unit camp and at an assisted living center, she said. And she would not trade her work with Bentley for anything.
“I don’t know where it is more rewarding, for him or for me,” she said. “ Their intuition to people that are hurting or that are sad, is just unbelievable. It is such a blessing to be able to do this with him, in this program.”
The City of Kentwood has held two previous Plan Kentwood community information gathering events. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
City of Kentwood staff will be doing double duty Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Woodland Mall as the city will take advantage of the crowd attending National Night Out events to offer information and take comments on the city’s in-work “Plan Kentwood” master plan update.
During the same hours, 3-5 p.m., Kentwood Police Department staff and emergency vehicles will be present both inside and outside at the mall for public viewing and exploration — see a previous WKTV story on the National Night Out events — and city planning staff will be present to discuss planned and possible future planning of the 28th Street and 29th Street commercial corridor.
Kentwood planning staff and leaders such as Mayor Stephen Kepley, shown in middle, at a previous Plan Kentwood event. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
The August planning community event is the third of four events offered because the city “is updating its long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation, known as the Master Plan, and is seeking public input on proposed changes through Plan Kentwood, a community engagement series,” the city has previously stated in a press release.
The Master Plan is an official public document adopted by the Kentwood Planning and City Commissions. The current forward-looking development plan considers residents’ and property owners’ long-range goals and desires, as well as local, regional and market trends. It consists of goals, policies and recommended actions to guide land use decision-making for Planning Commissioners and City Commissioners during the next 20 years.
The Plan is reviewed at least every five years but is modified and updated as deemed necessary by the City Commission. The most recent update was completed in 2012.
“The Master Plan is not a law or ordinance, but rather a guide for decisions to support how growth and conservation will take place in the City. We welcome all community members to be a part of the conversation,” Kentwood Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer said previously. “We look forward to engaging with residents, businesses and property owners for community feedback as we plan for Kentwood’s future development.”
At the Aug. 6 event, staff will be inside Woodland Mall at a table to gather input on the future planning of the 28th Street and 29th Street commercial corridor. The corridor consists of a wide range of development – from high-end boutiques, major regional malls and local retailers, to many national dining, service and product franchises. Public input gathered will focus on how to improve its effectiveness as a transportation corridor, and as a business and employment center, according to the city.
The final event, “Designing Division,” will be hosted at Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12. Community members are encouraged to join for an evening of ice cream and discussions on the future of the Division Avenue corridor with the City of Kentwood, the City of Wyoming and the Division Avenue Business Association. Division Avenue is a key gateway corridor to both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, requiring cooperation between the two communities.
More information about the Master Plan update is available at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood. Questions or comments may be directed to Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer at schweitzert@kentwood.us; 616-554-0710, or Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder at golderl@kentwood.us; 616-554-0709.
