While the unusually wet spring has caused the water to be higher than normal at Ideal Park, the park’s redevelopment plans continue to move forward with Wyoming City officials expecting to reopen the park on schedule in June 2020.
Earlier this year, the Wyoming City Council approved a contact to Katerberg Verhage, Inc. for about $1.6 million for the project. The plan will include an accessible playground, improved parking with enhanced safety features, Buck Creek viewing stations, basketball court, shelter, and restroom. The park also will feature an improved walking and bike trail with connection to the City’s interurban trail system.
“All the development will be on the east side of the park,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. This was per residents who encouraged the city to relocate primary facilities to the eastside of the creek because of flooding, Rynbrandt said.
Ideal Park’s playground area after the 2014 tornado. (City of Wyoming)
In 2014, the City of Wyoming had a tornado which caused significant damage at Ideal Park, including the lost of many trees — some more than 100 years old — and the park’s playground equipment. It took two years for the city to clean up the park and it was reopened in 2016 only for a second tornado to hit the park area followed by a flood.
“We have been working toward the redevelopment: the return of playgrounds, the return of trees to that area of our community, particularly to that park since 2014,” Rynbrandt said.
The art deco bridge and the original lodge at Ideal Park were left untouched by the 2014 and 2016 tornados. (City of Wyoming)
Amazingly, what was not touched was the original lodge and art deco bridge which was constructed through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a program designed to put people to work during the Great Drepression years in the 1930s. In fact, Ideal Park is one of the oldest parks in Kent County, dating back to the 1930s. It was South Kent’s preeminent park hosting a number huge events include the local Republican Party. In the 1960s, former Governor George Romney and former President Gerald R. Ford were pictured shaking hands at one of these Republican Party events.
In 2015, after meeting with residents to discuss plans, the city council approved the Ideal Park master plan and was then able to write a grant for Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund. The city received $300,000. The rest of the project will be funded through the dedicated City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation operational millage.
The entire Ideal Park project will be about $3.3 million, with the first phase of about $1.6 million being approved in April of this year, Rynbrandt said, adding “with the goal of having the park opened by June 6, 2020.”
With the dead of summer comes hot, humid days — and the need to get plenty of water in you. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
In anticipation of several days of possible temperatures in the 90 degree plus range and high humidity, of Kent County on Tuesday released a statement from the county’s emergency manager including some advise.
Some predictions have daytime temperatures near and surpassing 90 degrees on Wednesday, July 17, with predicted highs of 95 degrees Thursday through Saturday.
“We collectively waited much of the year in anticipation of warm weather, but this week may be a little too warm for comfort,” Lt. Lou Hunt, Kent County Emergency Manager, said in supplied material. “It will also be very humid, which will increase the discomfort. It is important to be aware of the dangers heat can present to residents, and pets, so we can stay safe and remain as comfortable as possible.”
In the county’s statement, residents are encouraged to follow several simple tips:
Spend as much time as possible in a temperature-controlled cool environment.
Stay in the shade with a good breeze/air flow to decrease felt temperatures.
Remain well hydrated by drinking water (more than usual) which can help the body’s natural process for adapting to higher temperatures, as opposed to alcohol drinks that can be counter-productive and dehydrate the body.
Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion (which can include weakness, cold and clammy skin, darker than normal urine, significant sweating, cramps, dizziness, headache and nausea, among others) is a strong indicator it is time to get to a cooler environment, drink some cold water, and rest, according to county health officials.
Heat stroke, on the other hand, is a medical emergency with signs such as confusion, disorientation, the absence of sweating, high body temperature, rapid pulse/heart rate, and others.
Cooling centers will be open throughout this event for residents to go and rest from the heat. Most cooling centers will be open during the day while the temperatures are hottest (nighttime temperatures this week will be much more tolerable, in the mid 70’s). For locations and hours of cooling centers, please call 211 and a United Way representative will assist you in locating the closest cooling center.
“Remember, this week is a good time to slow things down a little, stay out of the sun, and make sure the people around you (and yourself) are coping during this heat event,” Lt. Hunt said. “Also, please remember your family pets! Pets that live outside will require shade and lots of cool water, but residents are encouraged to bring their pets inside for cooler temperatures.”
Romeo Kattookaran could not help but notice the extra food generated by his own restaurant, Chicken & Fishes, that was being thrown in the garbage. So he asked one of his employees if they could give the extra food to someone.
“She told me no, not according to the law,” the Kentwood business owner said, adding that he learned restaurants were not allowed to give leftovers or extra food to anyone, but only to put it in the trash.
“It seemed like such a waste,” Kattookaran said during a recent interview on the WKTV Journal newscast. Especially when when Kattookaran started considering the number of restaurants in the area and the amount of food that was probably just being tossed.
So he decided to write about it. That story became the independent film “A Wonderful Day,” set to premiere this Saturday, July 21, at Celebration! Cinema at Woodland Mall. The show time is 3 p.m. For tickets to the premiere, click here.
“There certainly is a need,” said Wyoming-based filmmaker Nuri Bauswell, owner of BlackHoleMediaGroup.com, and who was a cinematographer for the film. Bauswell said it was not only the story that caught his attention, but the purpose behind the film.
That purpose is to encourage patrons of area restaurants to give their leftovers to those in need.
“While restaurants can not give the food to others, you or I can do that,” Kattookaran said.
Participating restaurants will have either containers or something that can be placed on a container that says “A Wonderful Day.” The patron can then take the leftover and give it to a person in need.
“A Wonderful Day” was shot entirely in Grand Rapids using local actors. (Kentwood Films)
The release of the film this week is the first push in promoting the concept to help those in need by encouraging people to donate their leftovers, Kattookaran said, adding the group plans to work toward promoting the concept to area restaurants. He has started it at Kentwood Chicken and Fishes restaurant located in the Marathon gas station on the corner of 44th Street and Shaffer Avenue.
The film also has received a couple of awards including best producer award and best first-time filmmaker award from Los Angeles’ Olympus Film Festival and recognition from the Film Freeway’s Best Shorts Competition.
For more about “A Wonderful Day,” visit the Kentwood Films International website, kentwoodfilms.com, or follow the Facebook page, Kentwood Films. The trailer for the film has been running on WKTV with the movie scheduled to air at a later date.
Knowledge is Power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.
Kofi Annan
(From right) Kentwood City Commissioner Emily Bridson, State Sen. Winnie Brinks, Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club.
Pink Tax. Don’t get it? Get it!
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we discuss the various aspects of what is sometimes called the Pink Tax, public policies including taxation that are often viewed as discriminatory toward females. For the complete story and link to Podcast, visit here.
Watch out for Kentwood roadwork
The City of Kentwood has released its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer. The City Commission approved the resurfacing and maintenance program, which includes improvements to 30 miles of major and local roads, at a cost of $1.4 million. For the complete story and a map, visit here.
(Our) Government Matters
Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District) offered his views on the status of Michigan’s current budget problems and West Michigan’s pending mental health services changes as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters meeting. For the story and a link to the video, visit here.
Fun fact:
81 cents on the dollar
In 2018, the ratio of women’s to men’s median weekly full-time earnings was 81.1 percent, a decrease of 0.7 percent since 2017. Source
United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) is pleased to announce that Karrie Brown has joined the organization as Development Director. She brings with her more than 10 years of experience working with non-profits advocating for social and economic justice for all community members.
“United Church Outreach Ministry has spent the past several years moving towards a new model of service for our community in southwestern Kent County. Our Culture of Health has spread across all of our programs and has launched new initiatives. In 2017 we expanded to include a low-cost Farm Stand which brings locally grown produce into our community. With these new services for neighbors, UCOM needs to ensure that funding is available and that it grows to match the needs we meet. Karrie will be working on raising funds as well as community awareness of the good work our staff and volunteers are doing to end poverty and to improve the health of our neighbors,” says Dr. Bruce Roller, Executive Director of UCOM.
Karrie most recently served as Executive Director at another Access of West Michigan Key Pantry, so she is aware of the mission and programs at UCOM as well as the need. “People are not just looking for resources; they are also searching for hope for a brighter future. UCOM walks alongside their neighbors to improve their quality of life. I am excited to be a part of this wonderful team. I look forward to gaining additional funding for UCOM’s ongoing financial stability so that we can continue to serve the ever changing needs of the community,” says Karrie Brown.
For more information on the Culture of Health and other programs at UCOM, visit www.ucomgr.org
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health and Versiti Blood Center of Michigan are hosting a community blood drive Thursday, July 18, to help combat the current blood shortage.
This will take place in the mobile blood bus at the Metro Health Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. An emergency blood shortage is prompting an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now.
Willingness to give the gift of life is perhaps more critical now than in recent months, and authorities with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan are hopeful community members will step up to donate blood. An emergency blood shortage is prompting an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now.
The American Red Cross recently escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and community groups than during a typical week. This equates to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.
Metro Health and Versiti Blood Center of Michigan are urging community members to donate on July 18. All attempting donors will receive a limited edition pair of Versiti flip flops while supplies last.
Pasta made from zucchini noodles—zoodles, as they’re called—has about a quarter of the calories you’d find in regular noodles. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Want to get more veggies into your diet but feeling bored with the same old side dishes?
Making noodles from vegetables is the answer. They’re a great substitute for high-calorie, low-fiber traditional pasta and work just as well as a base for your favorite sauces.
While it’s possible to use a sturdy vegetable peeler to turn carrots or zucchini into noodle-length strips, a tool called a mandoline will cut your prep time in half. Just be aware that the mandoline blade has very sharp edges. You’ll want to hold the pusher accessory as you run the length of your vegetables across the blade. In addition, wear a thick kitchen glove to protect your fingers.
Zucchini is perfect for the mandoline because it slices easily. You can make the following sauce ahead of time. It yields enough for another meal.
Zucchini Noodles With Marinara Sauce
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Red chili flakes to taste 2 28-ounce cans San Marzano tomatoes 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/4 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup white wine or broth, any variety 1 basil sprig 2 large zucchini 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive, safflower or grapeseed oil 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Place a large stockpot over medium heat. Brown the garlic in two tablespoons of oil for two to three minutes. Add chili flakes, the tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, salt and black pepper and stir. Next, add the wine or broth and the basil. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, 30 to 40 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
Wash the zucchini. Cut off the stems and discard. Insert the fine tooth blade into a mandoline and tighten the screw to hold it in place. Press the pusher into the center of the first zucchini and hold the pusher as you run the vegetable over the surface of the mandoline to form the noodles. Repeat with the other zucchini.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the tablespoon of the oil of your choice. Add the zucchini noodles and cook two to three minutes, stirring often until they soften. Top with marinara sauce and toss well. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve immediately.
It only lasted a few years; from 1961 to 1974, and then it was over. It shouldn’t have been, however. From Christopher Columbus’ tales of a world that was new to Europeans to the unrivaled imagery of American’s driving a car on the moon, very few things, if anything, captures the imagination of the common person and inspires whole nations to dream big, better and sometimes achieve those great big goals.
Such was the Apollo Space Program, given a title here because it has the unique rank of being the biggest non-military effort by a nation in the history of human civilization.
Listen to “The Whole Picture Podcast on WKTV Journal on July 16, in honor of launch day 50 years ago. WKTV Journal Editor Tom Norton speaks with NASA Historian Glen Swanson, and local cultural anthropologist Deana Wiebel about the science, history, and effects of the Apollo mission 50 years later.
Without stepping into bumper sticker hyper-bole, facts lend themselves to the position that The Apollo Space Program was only possible because of the free, democratic society that while being messy, somehow succeed in getting the job done. Scientists argued and yelled with one another, rivalries existed, political factions developed and yet still, the unprecedented-in-human-history-technological-effort rolled slowly on to eventual success. None of it was guaranteed, in fact, much was still unknown and like Columbus, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the Vikings, and the Chinese, the idea of exploration captured imaginations of everyday people and in the case of Apollo, it became a very serious (and deadly) competition to be the first in what would be known as the race to the moon.
It all took place within nine short years and as much as being propelled by rocket fuel, the Apollo program was propelled by the quest to beat the Soviets to the moon. It was a race for bragging rights of epic proportions. Looking back, one can only marvel at the ability of humankind to collectively focus on such a singular goal in such a short period of time that didn’t involve a national crisis such as World War II.
In the case of Apollo, what drove Americans higher, faster and further was the determination that our arch enemy at the time, Soviet Russia, was reaching for the same goal and we would be damned if they were going to get to the moon before we did. It was more than a contest, however. It was seen at the time, as a deadly serious effort to do everything, everywhere to stop the spread of communism by Russia. The Soviets were using the propaganda of their own successes in space as a tool to promote communism to developing countries both in their hemisphere and the west and the feat of walking on the moon was considered propaganda of the first order.
Mission control monitoring the lunar landing. (Photo courtesy of NASA)
During Apollo, this race and the mandate of an assassinated president contributed to what became known as “go fever.” It drove the American side of the moon race like a type of rocket fuel. Thousands of engineers and scientists took risks, signed off on methods and the push for results that eventually got ahead of safety. “Go fever” culminated in disaster when three astronauts chosen to be the first Apollo mission, Apollo 1; Grand Rapids native Roger Chaffee, Gus Grisholm and Ed White were killed in a fire inside the command module during a launch rehearsal test in January 1967. It set the program back 20 months. Apollo was down, but not out. The resolve of NASA intensified, the resolve of NASA to get it right, beat the Russians and do it within President John F. Kennedy’s deadline of “before the decade is out.”
Today we assume Kennedy’s mandate was an easy decision to make; a no brainer as in “of course we want to walk on the moon!” But it was far from that. The idea of walking on the moon in 1961 was arguably more foreign to the American mind in 1961 than the idea of walking on Mars is today. Nothing outside of science fiction had ever been seriously dreamt of and it was immediately apparent the extent of the technological challenge that lay before any nation that publicly announced such a goal.
Photo of the Earth from the moon taken by Apollo 11 astronauts on 20 June 1969. One of many photos timestamped and organized temporally on apolloinrealtime.org (Photo courtesy of NASA/apolloinrealtime.org)
Science Saves the Day
In 1961, NASA administrator James Webb was certain about one thing.: Going to the moon was going to take years. Years that would outlast political administrations. The drive to outperform the Russians couldn’t and wouldn’t be enough to sustain such a long haul technological effort. At that time, the pace the Russians were setting was impressive. They had already put men in space and now walked in space.
Webb knew that if this was merely about a race, the idea of doing something after the Russians had already done it probably would not sustain the effort. The administrator conveyed the concern of the agency’s technical and scientific community to Jerome Wiesner in May 1961, saying that “the most careful consideration must be given to the scientific and technological components of the total program and how to present the picture to the world and to our own nation of a program that has real value and validity and from which solid additions to knowledge can be made, even if every one of the specific so-called ‘spectacular’ flights or events are done after they have been accomplished by the Russians.” He asked that Wiesner help him “make sure that this component of solid, and yet imaginative, total scientific and technological value is built in.” 1
Here in essence, Webb is warning that the politics of going to moon may not last long enough for NASA to overcome the immense technological hurdles to make it happen. It appears he knew this immense goal required an unending stream of new inventions, systems and skills that heretofore simply didn’t exist. In a way, it’s like Columbus aiming to discover a new world without the first real ship even being developed. In Webb’s view it was vital that NASA capture the public’s imagination of the scientific advancements that will result from going to the moon and of course, beat the Russians while we’re at it.
The Apollo 11 lunar landing mission crew, pictured from left to right, Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot. (Photo courtesy of NASA)
The sheer volume of problems that needed to be solved by new inventions and all within a spanse of nine years is staggering. Neil Armstrong in an oral history stated “I was certainly aware that this was a culmination of the work of 300,000 or 400,000 people over a decade and that the nation’s hopes and outward appearance largely rested on how the results came out.” And as the years rolled on, the new inventions and developments that came out of the Gemini to Mercury to Apollo missions in those nine short years began to add up:
1. CAT scanner: this cancer-detecting technology was first used to find imperfections in space components.
2. Computer microchip: modern microchips descend from integrated circuits used in the Apollo Guidance Computer.
3. Cordless tools: power drills and vacuum cleaners use technology designed to drill for moon samples.
4. Ear thermometer: a camera-like lens that detects infrared energy we feel as heat was originally used to monitor the birth of stars.
5. Freeze-dried food: this reduces food weight and increases shelf life without sacrificing nutritional value.
6. Insulation: home insulation uses reflective material that protects spacecraft from radiation.
7. Invisible braces: teeth-straightening is less embarrassing thanks to transparent ceramic brace brackets made from spacecraft materials.
8. Joystick: this computer gaming device was first used on the Apollo Lunar Rover.
9. Memory foam: created for aircraft seats to soften landing, this foam, which returns to its original shape, is found in mattresses and shock absorbing helmets.
10. Satellite television: technology used to fix errors in spacecraft signals helps reduce scrambled pictures and sound in satellite television signals.
11. Scratch resistant lenses: astronaut helmet visor coating makes our spectacles ten times more scratch resistant.
12. Shoe insoles: athletic shoe companies adapted space boot designs to lessen impact by adding spring and ventilation.
13. Smoke detector: Nasa invented the first adjustable smoke detector with sensitivity levels to prevent false alarms.
14. Swimsuit: Nasa used the same principles that reduce drag in space to help create the world’s fastest swimsuit for Speedo, rejected by some professionals for giving an unfair advantage.
15. Water filter: domestic versions borrow a technique NASA pioneered to kill bacteria in water taken into space.
So the next time you hear that America can’t do this, or can’t do that; can’t create cars that don’t pollute, or build roads that last more than a few years; or solve this or that challenge because it will take another 50 years…
Just think of Apollo. America’s shining moment.
Credits: 1. James E. Webb to Jerome B. Wiesner, 2 May 1961, NASA Historical Reference Collection.
Local Apollo 11 events:
Scavenger Hunt: The Grand Rapids Public Museum is hosting a scavenger hunt for four moon rocks. To join the fun, click here.
Remembering Apollo 11 – 50 Years Later: the GRPM and the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association is hosting this event at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at the Veen Observatory, 3308 Kissing Rock Ave., Lowell. NASA Historian Glen Swanson will be speaking at 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Michigan’s involvement in the great space race. The program is free.
The motto of the Kent County Sheriffs Office’s just-started Pink Patch breast cancer awareness effort has a simple, stated goal: “Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the taken and never giving up hope.”
The program offers pink Sheriffs Office patches for a $10 donation with the proceeds going to Gilda’s Club and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Fund.
“We have sold 150 patches in the last 2 weeks which has raised $1,500,” Sgt. Joel Roon, Kent County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, said last week to WKTV. “The reception from the community has been amazing. Our clerks have heard many inspiring stories of people who were motivated to buy a patch because of a personal story.”
And thanks to the program being registered with the national Pink Patch Project, the local effort is event getting out-of-the-county requests.
“We have even received a few out-of-state requests which we’ve obviously accommodated,” Sgt. Roon said. “Local interest with officers from other agencies has also been evident and very exciting.”
The goal of the Sheriff’s Office program is to “raise awareness about the importance of screening and early detection.”
According to a flyer distributed by the Sheriffs Office about the program, here are a few sobering yet hopeful facts: One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime … Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, but there are 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the country.”
Patches are available for purchase at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office at 701 Ball Ave. NE, and two substations: the North Sector office at 790 17 Mile Road NW and the South Sector office at 8557 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
For questions about the patches, contact deputies Mandy Bernal-Hill at 616-632-6228, Joy Matthews at 616-632-6224 or Jordan Peters at 810-223-1732.
The family pet doesn’t have to miss out on the family vacation. Here are a few ideas of places to stay and fun things to do with your furry friend in West Michigan. Find more pet-friendly travel information in the Carefree Travel Guide.
Pet-friendly travel in the south region
No need to leave Fido at home during your nextColdwater Country getaway. Several local hotels, including the Coldwater Inn, are pet-friendly.
South Haven has become an extremely popular destination for pets, so many businesses cater to pet owners and their furry friends. For lodging, check into theSun ‘n Sand Resort or theKal-Haven Outpostfor unique lodging experiences.Comfort Suites is also accommodating to pets.
Looking for a vacation rental home? Check out Lakeshore Lodging for their select pet-friendly properties. Once you arrive, treat your dog to a beach day on one of South Haven’s pet-friendly beaches. Outdoor seating is also available at select restaurants downtown.
Your four-legged friend is welcome on Journeyman Distillery’s outdoor deck, overlooking the 18-hole Welter’s Folly putting green in Three Oaks.
Lakeshore Lodging has pet-friendly vacation rental townhomes, condos, cottages, and cabins near the gorgeous Lake Michigan lakeshore in the Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville area.
Pet-friendly travels in central region
Historic White Pine Village is open to dogs and people alike. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am until 5pm (last tour tickets at 3:30pm), the Village is situated on 12 acres with 30 buildings and/or exhibits to see. It generally takes about two hours to walk through. Dogs must be on a leash and owners are expected to clean up any messes. For more information please visit the Mason County Historical Society website.
Holland is a very pet-friendly town. The walkable downtown area is perfect for taking a stroll and grabbing a brew while enjoying the atmosphere of a bustling downtown on an outdoor patio with your pup. There are also many local pet-friendly parks for walking, running, hiking, and playing, such as Windmill Island Gardens. Pet-friendly Holland Hotels include Best Western Plus, Microtel Inn & Suites,Residence Inn, and more. Contact the Holland Visitors Bureau for your Guide to Dog-friendly Holland.
Traveling in Mecosta County?The Country Inn and Suites in Big Rapids allows pets to stay overnight for a fee of $10 per night, per pet. More lodging accommodations in Mecosta County can be found under the “Lodging” tab on Mecosta County’s website. If you’re looking to pamper your pet, there are multiple venues throughout Mecosta County offering things from homemade treats to pet grooming. For a more detailed list of places in Mecosta County that allow pets, visit the “Pet Friendly Amenities” page.
Muskegon County also loves pets. With one of Michigan’s best dog beaches and a new downtown Muskegon dog park — plus an assortment of pet-friendly accommodations — your pet is welcome to Visit Muskegon too! Information on pet-friendly dining in Muskegon can be found at the Visit Muskegon site.
Find pet-travel tips or your new travel companion at Pet.A.Pawlooza, July 27th in Grand Rapids. Hosted by Michele’s Rescue, Pet.A.Pawlooza is a collaborative community event promoting education, resources and adoptions with vendors that are made up of shelters, rescues, wildlife rehabs, veterinarians, boarders, groomers and pet-related products.
Pet-friendly travel north/UP region
From canine-approved lodging that includes the newest all-suite hotel to water bowls at sidewalk seating and a park that begs for a game of fetch, leaving your best friend behind doesn’t have to be a part of the vacation plan inMarquette.
Your pooch is welcome to bring you along to the Petoskey Area where you’ll both be welcome to stay in specified rooms throughout the area, including full-service resorts Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls and Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs. The Terrace Inn & 1911 Restaurant in Bay View offers a pet-friendly apartment unit. Chain facilities such as Holiday Inn Express & Suites Petoskey as well as locally owned hotels with indoor pools like Apple Tree Inn in Petoskey, Odawa Hotel of Petoskey, and Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge & Suites in Alanson. Stop by Ruff Life Pet Outfitters in downtown Petoskey for everything to keep your pup happy. Zoll Street Beach in Harbor Springs is a great place to cool off and play. And most parks and trails in the Petoskey Area offer a terrific place to sniff and stroll (while leashed, please).
At the Terrace Inn in Bay View, Petoskey, the former downstairs ice cream parlor has been converted to a pet-friendly apartment. It has a queen bedroom, living room with wicker chairs, comfy red leatherette sofa, furnished kitchen, full bath, and private entrance that opens to the garden. There is an outdoor pet-friendly patio too, with a gate so you can tie up your pet at the table (or not if the gate is closed). The apartment can be rented year round by the weekend, for a week, or a month.
Shanty Creek Resort recommends bringing your precious pup with and stopping into nearby Meadowpond Pet Resort. Just a few minutes down the road from Shanty Creek in Bellaire, Meadowpond is a full-service resort for dogs offering indoor/outdoor suites. In addition to being open 24/7, Meadowpond guests can enjoy the in-and-out privileges allowing Fido to join the family on day trips to nearby Torch Lake and other fun area destinations.
Bring the entire family to Mackinac Island this season with the Mission Point Pooch at the Point package, which offers accommodations in their newly renovated guest rooms, a welcome amenity for your pet, round-trip ferry tickets, and much more. Resting on the sunrise side of Mackinac Island, Mission Point is a great pet-friendly summertime retreat located just a short stroll from historic downtown. Boasting 18 acres of lakefront property on the sprawling shores of Lake Huron, Mission Point offers genuine hospitality and relaxed elegance with on-site dining and recreation experiences.
Drummond Island Resortis pet-friendly and has large, open green spaces for dogs to roam free.
The Traverse City Econo Lodge loves canine guests. Call in advance to ensure the availability of a dog-friendly room. Pet-friendly accommodations keep you in ground-floor rooms near the exits, so it is easier to go out for a walk. And don’t forget to get your dog a treat when you check in.
First-time parents are barraged with safety tips from every side.
Lock the cupboards! Cover the outlets! Block the stairs! Lock the windows! Kiss knick-knacks goodbye!
As it turns out, all of that well-intended advice is valuable. Every one of those warnings makes sense.
But home safety isn’t just for new parents, or parents of tiny tots. Until all your kids are grown, Hanna Jaworski, MD, a pediatrician at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, is a strong proponent of regular reviews of your home based on the ages of your children.
“What gets infants and toddlers in trouble is obviously different than for older kids,” Dr. Jaworski said. “We need to use common sense when talking about safety at home. Gates, locks, covers—they’re all smart. But kids are smart, too—and curious, at every age.”
Taking a few minutes to think about what your kids are into now should give you clues about potential pitfalls in and around your house. Be mindful that:
Infants who can’t move themselves well are vulnerable to suffocation.
Mobile babies can fall down stairs or hit sharp corners.
Toddlers might drink or eat anything they can reach, and they can climb into a tub of water.
Preschoolers are often intrigued by electrical outlets and might try to stick something in the plug openings.
Elementary-age kids want that “thing” off a shelf that’s too high and don’t always think about consequences to actions.
Kids of all ages might forget about traffic if a ball flies into the street.
Tweens may think sports stunts or online friends are safe.
Safety for “littles”
Being a parent who is actively engaged with your child is the most important safety measure you can take.
“You could have everything in the house maxed out for safety, but if you aren’t watching the kids, or engaged with them where they are at risk, something is going to happen,” Dr. Jaworski said, citing baby gates as an example. “Yes, you put the gate up, but did you see your toddler pulling on it or bumping against it? If not, it could dislodge the next time he comes through.”
In her pediatric practice, after-hours calls often require emergency room visits because kids have ingested something.
“For example, a child swallowing a single magnet might not be a big deal, but it must be checked, because if it turns out to be two or more, those magnets will want to go together. That can be deadly,” Dr. Jaworski said. “Or, if the casing on that button battery was compromised in any way, the acid it contains is awful. Not that it happens every day, but it happens.”
Jaworski also encourages parents to look for the hidden dangers in the house.
According to Consumer Products Safety Commission statistics, between 2011 and 2013, 21,700 children required emergency room visits due to tip-overs from furniture and/or TVs. Between 2000 and 2013, the Commission reports 360 child deaths from falling furniture and TVs. The agency notes that the reported number of fatalities “should be considered incomplete, due to a time lapse in reporting to the (Commission).”
Knowing the actual number is even higher, to lose even a single child to a preventable accident such as furniture or TV tip-overs is one too many.
Kids can open drawers of a dresser to climb, for example, or reach and pull. Jaworski advises parents to buy inexpensive straps or bracket systems designed to secure furniture to walls.
Talk to your pediatrician about toys, positioning devices and activity seats. Most doctors try to be in tune to what’s out there.
Jaworski noted that after several years off the market, baby walkers are back on the scene.
Before going out and buying the latest thing or putting your child into a thing, find out if your pediatrician is familiar with any risks. You can also monitor the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s constantly updated childrens product safety warnings and recalls to check the products you see.
Safety for “bigs”
Once again, Dr. Jaworski stresses common sense and your presence as the key factors in keeping kids safe.
“Street safety becomes a concern when your child learns to ride a bike, for example,” she said. “Can that same child safely play in the living room without you? Probably yes. Should you have a watchful eye and ear for your elementary kids playing outside? Absolutely.”
It’s important to know your child, because they are so different.
“I have a son who would leap before he looks,” Dr. Jaworski said. “And he’s curious about nature. I know he would wonder what that leaf tastes like. Would he be at risk for eating a toxic plant? Probably not, but because I know he’s curious about it, I’m going to be watchful over what he wants to eat in the yard.”
Your goal as a parent is to help your kids learn to be good decision makers.
“You can’t protect them forever,” Dr. Jaworski said. “You can’t be everywhere. But when you’re engaged, you’re creating a powerful combination: your presence and the teaching moments that come from being there. I hope my son would think, ‘Mom said this leaf might make me sick, I better not try it.’ It’s those opportunities that lead them to stay safe when you are not there.”
Safety for tweens and teens
Jaworski’s advice to parents of older kids is to zero in on independence-related dangers. If you have a 14-year-old daughter who is on the Internet a lot, who is she talking to, what is she doing? If they are going to drive soon, is your family culture one that always buckles up? What about texting?
It’s also critical to know your kids’ friends and be clear about personal safety. Keep an open relationship. It is not OK to drink alcohol, for example, but if they’ve been at a party drinking, it’s more than OK to call for a ride.
Yes, it’s mostly about you being engaged. It’s easy to get busy with work, chores and demands. But taking a “T” for time out and assessing whether you are prioritizing safety at home just might be the best thing you can do for your family today.
President Gerald R. Ford’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales, joined the aiport staff at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport last week for a private ceremony unveiling Betty Ford Drive.
According to an airport representative, the Ford Airport had an unnamed road on airport property, and there was a contest with our airport authority employees to “Name That Road.” The name Betty Ford Drive was chosen after an employee vote. Two of our employees, Jody Naimo and Ryan Schaner, came up with the name to honor the former First Lady as there is no other Betty Ford Drive location in West Michigan.
Bales also showed off the new road sign at the Whitecaps game this past Saturday, and sailors from the USS Gerald R. Ford threw out the first pitch for the game. On Sunday, Bales joined the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation at a wreath laying on her father’s grave for what would have been his 106th Birthday.
Visitors look over last year’s Festival Artwork Competition pieces.
Tulip Time and the Holland Area Arts Council has announced the 2020 Festival Artwork Competition will run Oct. 2 – 5.
Through the competition a work of art is selected for the official Tulip Time poster. Each year, the Holland Area Arts Council invites a juror to select the Top 20 pieces. John Berry, former vice president of corporate communications at Herman Miller, will be the 2020 juror. Berry comes with years of experience, as the founder and first executive director of Design West Michigan and founder and first director of the Design Thinking Academy at Grand Valley State University. Barry has a master’s degree in design from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BS in Design and Spanish from Indiana University.
Until 2011, posters were commissioned work from selected artists. Since transitioning into a Festival Artwork Competition, nine local artists have been awarded this honor:
2011 Beth Charles – “Drama Queens”
2012 Brittany Strabbing – “Beautiful Dream”
2013 Maggie Schultz – “Clothed in Splendor”
2014 Karin Nelson – “Resilience”
2015 Carolyn Stich – “Joy of Spring”
2016 Alla Dickson – “Spectacle”
2017 Michele Gort – “Playful Time”
2018 Cindy Awrey – “Together”
2019 Carolyn Stich – “Enduring Delft”
Submissions for the 2020 Festival Artwork Competition will be accepted Oct. 2-5, 2019. The artwork theme should represent Tulip Time’s mission to celebrate Holland’s community today, tulips and Dutch heritage. The winner of the 2020 competition will be announced at a reception celebrating Tulip Time’s artists, which will be held in February.
To view the submission forms and full entry requirements, please pick up a prospectus from the Tulip Time Festival Office or the Holland Area Arts Council. The prospectus can also be found online at https://tuliptime.com/festivalartwork and www.hollandarts.org.
For additional details, artists are encouraged to contact Mary Sundstrom at 616-396-3278 or mary@hollandarts.org.
The 91st Tulip Time Festival is set for May 2 – 10.
WKTV Journal In Focus podcast on the Pink Tax and other gender discriminatory policies, with (from right) Emily Bridson and guests State Sen. Winnie Brinks and Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we discuss the various aspects of what is sometimes called the Pink Tax, public policies including taxation that are often viewed as discriminatory toward females.
Visiting our studios, each with unique perspectives on the subject, are Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson; State Sen. Winnie Brinks, who, among her many duties in Lansing, serves on the Health Policy and Human Services committee; as well as Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club, a club which has the stated goal of, quote, “Enhancing the cultural, civic, education and social opportunities of Kentwood women.”
Regular episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times).
An Asian tick newly introduced into the United States has the potential to infest a wide swath of the country, researchers say.
It could carry with it numerous diseases that threaten humans.
The Asian longhorned tick “could spread all the way from the Gulf Coast to southern Canada,” said study author Ilia Rochlin, an entomologist with the Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology in New Brunswick, N.J.
This highly adaptable pest originated in regions of China that share a similar climate to much of the United States, Rochlin said.
Huge swaths of land along the Eastern seaboard, the Midwest and the South would provide highly suitable habitat for the bloodsucking parasite, Rochlin’s computer models predict.
The tick has already been found in nine states—eight on the East Coast, and Arkansas.
“The first real detection occurred in New Jersey in 2017,” Rochlin said.
This tick is not yet known to have infected any humans in North America, but it is linked to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, an emerging tick-borne virus in China, South Korea and Japan.
Thrombocytopenia syndrome is fatal for 10 percent to 30 percent of people infected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thrombocytopenia syndrome is very similar to the tick-borne Heartland virus, which already is transmitted in the United States, Rochlin added. It’s possible the Asian longhorned tick could serve as a vector for Heartland virus as well.
The populations of this tick can grow rapidly once it finds a suitable habitat, said Thomas Mather, director of the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease.
Mather recounted a recent trip to a park in Staten Island, one of the five boroughs in New York City, during which he dragged a length of tick-grabbing cloth called a “flag” along the parking lot to see how badly infested that area had become.
“Within seconds our flag was covered in larvae,” Mather said. “We were surprised at how abundant they were.”
For this new report, Rochlin studied climate data from places where the Asian longhorned tick is already established, including East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
He then used climate data from North America to estimate likely suitable habitats for the tick. They include:
Coastal areas from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada to Virginia and North Carolina on the East Coast.
A large inland stretch of land from northern Louisiana up to Wisconsin and into southern Ontario and Quebec.
A westward extension that includes Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri.
Coastal areas from southern British Columbia to northern California on the West Coast.
Warmer temperatures to the south, cold winters to the north and dry terrain in the west make the rest of the United States less suitable, Rochlin said.
The Asian longhorned tick reproduces asexually, allowing its populations to grow rapidly and rendering moot any insect control efforts that would target its mating cycle, Rochlin said.
Mather said the ticks employ an “ambush” strategy to help find fresh sources of blood. Its larval ticks, thirsty for blood, hang out in tight clumps on the tips of tall grasses.
“They’re all clumped there, ready to get onto something,” Mather said.
“Not just one or two get onto something—they all get onto something,” he continued. “If there were 75 or 80 larvae on the tip of a blade of grass and our flag went over the blade of grass, there would be 65 of them on my flag.”
Severe infestations can threaten livestock, weakening them by depleting their blood supply.
Mather is concerned that pets will make the Asian longhorned tick’s spread more likely.
One of the ticks was found recently on a dog in Colorado that had traveled there from a New Jersey “hot zone,” Mather said.
“What if it had gone to Seattle instead, which has a more permissive climate according to this model?” Mather said. “The number of emotional support animals flying on domestic airline carriers in the United States has more than doubled in the last year or two. Not just people are moving around, but pets are, and most of the reports of longhorned ticks so far have come from pets.
“The group sitting on the front line are pet owners and veterinarians,” Mather continued. “They need to be aware of the potential of them picking up and moving these ticks throughout the country.”
Rochlin’s study was published in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
“People leave traces of themselves where they feel most comfortable, most worthwhile.”
Haruki Murakami
This is not Kentwood
Road trip!
The City of Kentwood has released its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer. Go here for the details.
Audacious Hoops performs July 24 at the KDL Kentwood Branch
How audacious!
“Hooping” has become its own art form and perhaps no one has done more for it than Grand Rapids’s own Audria Larsen, the founder of Audacious Hoops. Here’s the story.
Courtesy Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show
Get your tickets now!
Tickets now on sale at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability. Here’s the story.
Fun fact:
Only once
Seems hard to believe — especially with millions of albums sold — but the original Fleetwood Mac band had only one song top the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #1 — Dreams, from their 1977 album, Rumours. Thanks, Stevie.
Azucena Alcantara and her dad, Kevin Alcantara, are learning what they need to know for the high school junior to get into college and pursue a fulfilling career.
“I want to go to college and I want to study something about medicine, but I’m not sure what yet,” Azucena said.
When it comes to going to college, there’s a lot to know even for the most education-savvy families. There are academic requirements, piles of forms and loads of financial resource and scholarship information. But for Hispanic families without much experience in American education, even knowing where to start can be daunting.
With her father’s help, Azucena is confident she can figure out what steps to take to get where she wants to go. “He can help me choose some colleges and know about the opportunities for a scholarship or something,” she said.
Kevin Alcantara, who came to the U.S. from Mexico 19 years ago, is happy to help his American-born daughter so she can have a successful future and “better life,” he said. “We want to know the options she has for college.”
About 50 parents and children attend a weekly evening session of Exito Educativo in the school’s media center. The course, in its fifth cohort in Wyoming, was developed through the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University. It teaches Latino families how to navigate the American educational systems, with topics ranging from high school graduation requirements to family communication, career exploration and financial resources.
At Wyoming Public Schools, about 44 percent of students are Hispanic. Many will be the first in their families to attend college. While nationally, the rate of Hispanic students who go on to college has increased and high-school dropout rates have declined, barriers and myths still exist that keep them from pursuing college. They also have lower college completion rates than their white peers.
Parents are eager for information, said Veronica Quintino-Aranda, facilitator and developer of Exito-Educativo. “I think every parent wants their child to go to college. It’s very uncommon to find a parent that says “no, I don’t want my child to go,’” she said.
But not having had the college experience themselves in the United States makes it difficult. “They really don’t have anyone to walk them through the process because they are navigating it as they go,” Quintino-Aranda said.
Latin American education systems are very different and, in some countries, poverty keeps many students from attending school, added program co-facilitator Susan Fenton. They have no information about college to reference from their home countries.
“We wanted to bring a tool for families to come be in the school, hearing from school staff and having people walking them through these processes,” Fenton said.
Junior Jessica Rojas wants to go to college to become a nurse. Mom Maidelin Urquiza is learning how to help
Emphasizing Degrees, Careers
While the program provides information on other post-secondary pathways, facilitators stress four-year degrees and beyond. They emphasize potential earnings, the difference between a career and a job, and opportunities degrees can provide.
Quintino-Aranda, who is Hispanic, knows what it’s like for the students and their families. She is the first in her family to go to college and the first to get a master’s degree. “Where (these students are) at, I used to be there too. There were people who supported me … This is my way of giving back and sharing a little bit of my experience so others can also go to school and graduate.”
She and Fenton also work to dispel the common belief within the Latino community that college isn’t an option due to affordability and status in the U.S. “We clarify all the myths out there about why people can’t go to college and we provide them with the resources… There are resources out there available that if you want to go to college, you can,” said Quintino-Aranda.
Dad Juan Carlos Caracheo tells a funny story to his children, from left, seventh-grader Christopher, fifth-grader Catherine and junior Carlos. (School News Network)
Many students who have gone through Exito-Educativo are now in college, including at Michigan State University.
Jesus Hernandez, Wyoming High School’s dean of students, said part of the goal of the program is to introduce families to high school staff members and their roles, so they can feel comfortable making future connections. He and his wife, Jane Hernandez, completed the program with their son, Jonah, who now attends MSU. Even as an educator, Hernandez said, he learned a lot from the program.
“I’m college-educated. I really didn’t even know where to start with the FAFSA,” he said, about the federal student financial aid forms. But with help, the Hernandezes were able to fill out the needed information in 30 minutes. “For me, it was eye opening when it came to all the stuff I thought I knew that I didn’t know.”
Junior Anette Ramos chats with her dad, Ruben Ramos, during a session of Exito Educativo on family communication. (School News Network)
Program completion also is a source of pride for parents.
“Parents here are so, so supportive of their kids,” Fenton said. “They are all super willing to learn alongside their kids, willing to ask questions and willing to take on any barriers.”
Maidelin Urquiza is one of those parents. She is learning what needs to be done for daughter, junior Jessica Rojas, to go to college to become a registered nurse and work in an emergency room.
About 50 parents and children attend Exito Educativo. (School News Network)
“My family immigrated from a different country. They don’t have much experience about how this works,” Jessica said. “This is their first time finding out about things like this. It’s helping me and my family for a better future.”
“It is beneficial for her,” added Urquiza via a translation by Jessica. The family is Cuban, but settled in Israel before moving to the U.S. six years ago.
“It’s a way to help me for my future, for my education, for college. It’s going to teach me about ways I can get get involved in my education in general,” said Jessica. “This is helping me decide where I want to go.”
For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Nu Blu, husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Carolyn Routh with their bandmates, will be making a stop at Lamar Park for Wyoming Concerts In The Park. (Supplied/The Band)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
As part of a busy summer touring schedule of the United States and Canada that includes several major bluegrass festival, but also a church or two and a pizza parlor, Nu Blu clearly believes in bringing new bluegrass to the people.
They also, it seems, believe in looking to the future, musically, while they pay respect to the past with their Americana/country sound.
Daniel and Carolyn Routh (Supplied/The Band)
Part of a long road trip, starting and ending at the band’s home in Siler City (that’s North Carolina, in case you’d like to know), husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Carolyn Routh, with their bandmates, will be making a stop at Lamar Park for Wyoming Concerts In The Park Tuesday, July 16.
“I love that we get to wake up someplace different every day,” Daniel Routh said in supplied material, about Nu Blu’s heavy road schedule. “We meet people from all over the country.”
In Wyoming, among the songs probably on the setlist at their local stop will be originals like “A Lot More Love” and “A Fool and Her Heart” — both off the band’s 2017 release “Vagabond” — as well as respectfully reworked covers of Country/Americana classics such as Waylon Jennings’ “Good Hearted Woman” and Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”.
They’ll likely play more off of “Vagabond”, but, to be honest, they had me at Dylan.
“We were playing this show and we just kinda decided we’d do ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.’,” Carolyn Routh said in supplied material. “We hadn’t rehearsed it; we hadn’t even played it together before. But we pulled it off that night, and the audience loved it.”
Above and beyond the musical skills of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Daniel, the banjo playing of Zach McCracke, and the fiddle/mandolin work of Justin Harrison, there is something special about Carolyn’s vocals (not to say she can’t handle a bass!).
Hearing “Knockin’ …” and “Good Hearted Woman” sung by a woman is both unique and memorable, and Carolyn’s sound on “A Lot More Love” and “A Fool and Her Heart” brings comparisons to a young Dolly Parton — a comparison I’d not argue with.
All and all, “Vagabond” the band’s sixth full-length release “delivers a set of songs that range from the melancholy to the exuberant, and at every step they prove they’ve got a knack for finding their way into the deeper parts of you,” someone writes on the band’s website about the songs.
The band formed in 2003, centered around Carolyn and Daniel previous projects. Their constant traveling has also changed the way they make music.
“If anything, I feel like the road has made us a sunnier bunch. In past albums, we’ve tended to gravitate towards the songs that make you cry,” Carolyn said, “but on this one, there are a number of just happy, happy songs.”
Bottom line is two fold: Bluegrass is perfect for a hot summer night in Wyoming, and Nu Blu brings out the big guns with their bluegrass repertoire. And, while there are many great pickers in the genera these days, some say its the vocals that make great bluegrass, and led by Carolyn and Daniel, Nu Bu has the vocal chops as well.
As the Wyoming concert season winds down — with Boardman Brown on July 23, Daddyz Breakdown on July 30, and Shadows of the Night on Aug. 6 — WKTV will continue to cover the concerts and offer replays on our cable channels (see the cable channel schedule here) and WKTV On-demand.
So Nu Blu will be waiting, patiently, as they bring new bluegrass to the people.
It’s a vicious cycle: Start a diet. Crave all the foods you cannot have. Fail. Feel guilty. Gain more weight. Start another diet…
According to Kristi Veltkamp, a dietitian at Spectrum Health, there’s good reason why diets don’t work.
“I cannot tell you how many people have said to me, ‘If I would just have been happy where I was before I started dieting,’” Veltkamp said. “Many people gain more weight with diets. There’s a constant desire there to lose the weight, but diets keep setting you up for failure.”
Thankfully, Veltkamp is here to help.
Here are her top 5 tips for how to lose weight … no dieting necessary:
1. Become more aware of when you are truly hungry and when you are full
“Most people don’t really listen to their bodies when they’re eating,” Veltkamp said.
There might be food in front of you, so you eat it all. Or you’re stressed or hurting, so you emotionally eat to distract yourself and cover the pain. Or you’re at a party where everyone’s eating, so you do, too.
She urges people to create a scale for their hunger, where 0 is starving and 10 is stuffed. You should eat at a 3—not too hungry and not too full. Also, remember that hunger is a physical feeling. Try to focus on when you are truly hungry and when you want to eat for other reasons.
To be more aware of when you’re full, she urges slowing down and focusing on eating. It takes most people 20 minutes to recognize when their stomach is full. Put your fork down between bites, sit down, reduce distractions (like television, driving or working) while eating. At home, put a small portion on your plate, and if you’re still hungry, go back for more. At a restaurant, put half of your serving in a box right away, split a meal with someone, or simply divide your food on your plate to give yourself a stopping point to check in and see how full you are.
2. Create a distraction box or list of things to do besides eating
It’s tough to combat the urge to emotionally eat.
“When you’re not hungry, and you want to eat, food is a distraction from what you’re really feeling,” she said.
So Veltkamp suggests creating other distractions besides food. Figure out your most vulnerable place for eating when you’re not hungry (for most people, it’s the room with your television). In that room, keep a box with things you can do, or that will create a distraction, when you want to emotionally eat: nail polish, bubble wrap, knitting, crocheting, adult coloring books, Sudoku, crossword puzzles or journal.
3. Be realistic
Have a realistic view of eating and willpower. If you want a cookie,
don’t deny yourself. Eat one, not 12. Or eat something special once a
week, not every day. Enjoy it, and don’t feel guilty about it. If you
fail and binge, forgive yourself and move on.
4. Plan ahead
Planning meals and surrounding yourself with healthy food sets you up
for success. Veltkamp said if you have planned and shopped for meals
and snacks, you’re less likely to run out and grab fast food or
unhealthy comfort foods.
Do weekly food prep on the weekends so healthy meals are easy to throw together during your busy times. She recommends Pinterest or Yummly to find recipes.
Surround yourself with healthy snacks that combine protein and carbs, such as crackers and cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, trail mix, granola bars, string cheese, hard boiled eggs, or her personal favorite—dark chocolate covered almonds.
Also, she urges people to plan for troublesome scenarios like restaurants and social situations. Look up restaurant menus before you go to plan what you will order. Think about what you will eat at a party before you go. Pick one dessert you want the most and eat that—not everything.
5. Respect yourself
Respect, not accept, where you are. Veltkamp sees many people who
keep bashing themselves and punishing themselves for failed diets. A
healthy mindset can help lead the way to a healthy body.
“If you can start to respect yourself, you can give yourself more freedom to get on with the non-dieting approach,” she said. “Guilt and shame just leads to more over-eating.”
Detail of City of Kentwood map showing planned work on Breton Avenue between 44th and 52nd streets. See the complete map at the bottom.
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood has released its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer.
The City Commission approved the resurfacing and maintenance program, which includes improvements to 30 miles of major and local roads, at a cost of $1.4 million. The projects are funded through the Michigan Transportation Fund, which is supported by taxes on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel as well as the fees collected by the Secretary of State for vehicle registrations.
Pavement management decisions are made in accordance with industry principles based on hard data, such as the PASER ratings obtained each year. Kentwood maintains the highest-rated major street network in Kent County according to data compiled by the Grand Valley Metro Council.
“Quality roads are critical to a safe and functioning community. We appreciate the patience of residents and businesses as we work to maintain and improve this important infrastructure,” said Kentwood City Engineer Dan VanderHeide. “Crews will work as quickly as possible to minimize impacts on commuters.”
Major streets scheduled for maintenance include:
Breton Avenue, looking north from 52nd Street, will be one of the areas set for road improvements this summer. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Kalamazoo Avenue – 52nd Street to 60th Street
East Paris Avenue – 52nd Street to 60th Street
Breton Avenue – 44th Street to 52nd Street, excluding the roundabout
Walma Avenue – 44th Street to Breton Avenue, excluding the roundabout
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, slag and fog treatments, which help to protect the roads from water and sun damage, on Kalamazoo, East Paris, Breton and Walma are slated to begin Aug. 1 and be completed before schools are back in session. Slag and fog seal treatments are also scheduled for 50th Street, Falcon View Avenue, Air Lane Drive and Barden Court at that time.
Mill and pave work on Kalamazoo is slated to begin Aug. 9 and be completed before schools are back in session. There will be lane closures from 52nd Street to 60th Street for up to four days while the work is underway. Traffic delays should be anticipated; commuters may need to find alternate routes.
A number of neighborhood roads will receive cape seal treatments in September. A cape seal is a multiple component treatment designed to create a smooth surface with increased durability. Cape seal projects will take two non-consecutive days on each segment of road, and no street parking will be available while the work occurs.
Other preventative street maintenance work, including routine street marking, crack sealing and patching is scheduled to take place during the summer months as crews have capacity. The City aims to have its resurfacing and routine maintenance completed by the end of September.
The City plans to display message boards on major streets to give commuters advance notice of when closures will begin. Commuters can also receive updates via the City’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter) and website (kentwood.us).
Other road construction projects outside of the 2019 Street Resurfacing and Routine Maintenance Program include:
The reconstruction of Rondo and Gerda streets east of Kalamazoo Avenue, underway and expected to be complete in August.
The rehabilitation of Sparks Drive and Forest Hill Avenue from East Paris to Burton, currently underway with substantial completion in August.
The reconstruction of the intersection at 44th Street and Patterson Avenue, managed by the Kent County Road Commission, which is also slated for completion in August.
For more information, including a map of street resurfacing and repairs, visit kentwood.us.
Can’t sleep at night? Perhaps genetics is to blame.
In a new study, dozens of gene regions linked to insomnia have been pinpointed—and researchers also report a link between insomnia and heart disease.
American and British investigators analyzed data from more than 450,000 people in the United Kingdom—29 percent of whom reported frequent sleeplessness—and identified 57 gene regions associated with insomnia.
Those links were independent of known insomnia risk factors such as lifestyle, caffeine consumption, depression or stress.
“Our findings confirm a role for genetics in insomnia symptoms and expand upon the four previously found (genetic regions) for this condition,” said study lead author Jacqueline Lane. She’s a researcher at the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
“All of these identified regions help us understand why some people get insomnia, which pathways and systems are affected and point to possible new therapeutic targets,” Lane added in a hospital news release.
Researchers also found evidence that increased insomnia symptoms nearly doubled the risk of coronary artery disease. They were also linked to depression and a reduced sense of well-being.
“Insomnia has a really significant impact on millions of people worldwide. We’ve long known there’s a link between insomnia and chronic disease. Now our findings suggest that depression and heart disease are actually a result of persistent insomnia,” said co-lead author Samuel Jones. He’s a research fellow at the University of Exeter in England.
Lane said these results open possibilities for future medications.
“All of these identified regions are possible new therapeutic targets for insomnia,” she said. “And 16 of these regions contain known drug targets.”
This in turn could have an effect on heart disease, as “the new causal relationships indicate the potential usefulness of insomnia therapeutics as possible treatments for coronary artery disease and depression,” Lane said.
The study was published online recently in Nature Genetics.
Insomnia affects 10 percent to 20 percent of people worldwide, and studies have suggested that about a third of the risk of insomnia is inherited.
Previous research has suggested that insomnia increases the risk of anxiety disorders, alcoholism, major depression and heart disease, but little has been known about the mechanisms involved in that increased risk.
ByKatie Vinkovich, COA, Grand Rapids Lions Club Vision Clinic
Did you know that digital devices can negatively affect your vision? On average, Americans spend seven or more hours a day looking at their screens. Digital devices give off a high-energy blue light that can contribute to many eye-related problems. This overexposure to blue light can lead to sleep problems, blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches, among other things.
The average millennial spends nine hours per day on devices such as smartphones, tablets, computer monitors and flat-screen TVs which also emit blue light. Healthy eyes allow you to use technology comfortably for longer periods of time. Lack of comprehensive exams means that you may have unknown eye problems that can hold you back from using technology to its fullest.
Below are ways to limit blue light exposure and prevent future problems:
Turn off devices at least one hour prior to going to bed.
Maintain a comfortable distance away from devices, use the zoom feature to see small print instead of bringing devices closer to your face.
Turn down your screen brightness to reduce glare.
Schedule an eye exam.
Ask your eye care provider or optician about blue light filtering lens options for glasses.
Eighth-graders Sakai Baker, Jaiden Woodson and Jazzmin Groendyke all found something they wanted on shelves stocked with brand new books during Pinewood Middle School’s Summer Book Bag Shopping event.
“I like these books,” said Sakai as he chose a “Goosebumps” mystery.
“I like this one because I can probably relate to it the most,” said Jaiden, about the novel “The Stars Beneath Our Feet.”
“This gives me a chance to refill my shelves,” said Jazzmin, as she chose a graphic book called “Green Hornet.”
Seventh-grader Kyla Mallard chooses three books from the same series
District-wide, more than 400 Pinewood, Valleywood and Crestwood middle school students went summer-book shopping to end the school year, each choosing three free books to read while school’s out. They brought their new reads home in bags, with the option to bring them back to swap them in the fall.
The giveaway, led by Melisa Mulder, secondary English-language arts intervention coach, aims to get books into students’ hands so they can stay on track with their reading. “Many of them don’t have books at home, so it’s also helping them build a library,” Mulder said.
Keeping Pace by Turning Pages
Students who received books are in Read 180, an intervention program for struggling readers, in special education or are English-language learners.
Mulder joined district media specialists in shopping for 2,000 books representing different genres, diverse authors and characters for the event. Kentwood Public Schools is the most diverse district in the state. Books are funded through state at-risk funding.
Seventh-grader Brooklyn Botello said she enjoys historical fiction
Her message: “Read. It’s really that simple.”
“The most important thing is that we want them to have a choice because we want them to be motivated to read, engaged and excited about it. A lot of them are cracking their books open and reading already,” Mulder said at the end of the school year.
She’s held the event at Pinewood for 10 years, this year expanding it to the other schools. Mulder wants to guarantee students have access to books, especially during the summer.
According to the Johns Hopkins University study Lasting Consequences of the Summer Learning Gap, more than 80 percent of children from economically disadvantaged communities can lose one to three months of reading skills over the summer, and the loss is cumulative. But providing books of students’ choice for summer reading produced as much or more reading growth as attending summer school, according to the book “No More Summer-Reading Loss.”
“They work so hard over the year and then in the summer if they don’t keep reading they lose traction,” Mulder said. “Keeping the ball rolling over the summer makes such a tremendous difference.”
Mulder is also involved in an initiative to build classroom libraries, stocking their shelves with books that represent students’ various tastes and backgrounds.
Seventh-grader Shy’Ana Thomas was ready to enjoy some new reads. “It’s really good getting a chance to pick out books and stay busy over the summer in an educational way,” she said.
S’mores, campfires, sky-lit nights, and the sounds of nature… what’s not to love about camping in West Michigan! Whether you are looking for a spot to pitch the tent or planning where to hook up the RV, we’ve got some great ideas to help with your next camping adventure.
Glamping (i.e., glamorous camping)
On June 15th, The Fields was unveiled as the Midwest’s first luxury glamping experience. Nestled within a lush working blueberry farm in South Haven, The Fields is a 30-acre site that offer guests a deluxe outdoor experience complete with luxurious tents, chef-prepared meals, and access to a variety of exciting on-site and local activities. Located only 3.5 miles from the glistening beaches of Lake Michigan, the property features 10 rooms that each come complete with wood-burning stove, king-size bed, luxury linens, en-suite bathrooms, and luxury bathroom amenities and towels, along with stylized fixtures and seating, providing guests with five-star resort conveniences combined with effortless comfort. Reservations are available through the last weekend in October. Click here to book your luxury camping experience at The Fields.
In addition to tent sites, RV sites, and cabins, the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday unveiled four new Luxury Glamping Tents this season, and they’ll make you want to stay all summer. Perfect for a romantic weekend away, the tents offer both heating and cooling, plus rocking chairs on the porch to enjoy summer evenings. They also come with refrigerators to keep your food fresh until it’s time to grill up dinner.
Love to experience the outdoors but don’t want to completely be in the elements? When you visit Bellaire, try glamping in tents and Yurts outfitted with high-end mattresses, chairs and linens to make your stay a little more comfortable.
Plan time on the water during your camp-out
Muskegon Countyoffers 16 campgrounds, with many located in state and local parks along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Others are conveniently located near the many attractions Muskegon has to offer. You’ll find relaxation on the banks of beautiful Big Blue Lake at the YMCA Camp Pendalouan Family Camp in Muskegon. Paddle clear waters in a kayak or canoe, enjoy wooded paths on horseback, or nap with the sounds of nature in the hammocks and swings. Ziplines, hikes and more round out the possibilities.
Looking for a quiet, peaceful night under the starry skies? At the Pine River Paddlesports Center in Wellston, you have the opportunity for a quiet camping experience in a clean and quiet campground, where the ‘quiet hours’ are 24/7. All sites are private, hedged around on three sides with woods, and all come with a picnic table, lantern hook, locking garbage can, and a fire pit with an adjustable grate. The sites are rustic, with a clean, central bathroom facility complete with flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and hot running water.
You’re invited to camp, relax, play, and enjoy this summer at En Gedi Campground River Resort in Leonidas. This family friendly campground offers activities for all ages. Kids will love the bounce house on Saturdays and water-lovers will appreciate the on-site livery with canoes, kayaks, and tubes.
Little Switzerland Resort and Campground is a peaceful and friendly place located just two miles north of Newaygo. The campground is nestled off of Pickerel Lake where you can enjoy 300 ft. of lake frontage with a private beach and swimming area. There is a playground, basketball court, and volleyball area to use during your stay. Fishing, sunbathing, and water sports are excellent. Public golf courses are a short drive away.
There are many beautiful spots for camping in Holland. The Holland State Park campground welcomes visitors to either wooded or beach-adjacent lots, while the Oak Grove Resort offers spots for travel trailers or brand-new camping cabins. Farther from the beach, Drew’s Country Campground or the Dutch Treat Campground offer affordable campsites with great amenities.
Mecosta County has quite a selection of public campgrounds for visitors to choose from when they visit. The Mecosta County Parks all have camping amenities to fit your lifestyle, whether you’re interested in swimming, fishing, or hunting. There are seven wonderful county parks, such as School Section Lake, Haymarsh Lake, or Merrill-Gorrell Park.
Fisherman’s Island State Park boasts over six miles of unspoiled Lake Michigan shoreline near Charlevoix with 80 rustic campsites, 15 of which are nestled in the dune area shore.
Covert Park Beach & Campground, with one quarter mile of beach on the shore of Lake Michigan, offers day passes as well as campsites available between mid-May and mid-October.
Campgrounds with family entertainment
No matter how you like to camp, Cran-Hill Ranch in Rodney has a spot for you. Their campgrounds can accommodate anything from a tent to the largest of RVs. All of their sites have 30-amp electric and water, with an on-site dump station. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. They have four different camping areas to choose from.
Pitch a tent, pull up in an RV, or stay in a cabin at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday Campground. Kids enjoy the Jumping Pillow, trampoline basketball, rock climbing wall, gem mining sluice, carpetball, gaga ball, craft time, movie nights, and two fishing ponds. Order pizza, nachos, or a panini from the cafe, and have it delivered to your site. Try some hand-dipped ice cream too.
The Kal-Haven Outpost is a new campground and general store located on the Kal-Haven Trail, just 4 miles from downtown South Haven. The Outpost offers three vacation homes; six spacious family cabins; four roomy couple’s cabins; twenty 70-ft., pull-through RV sites; wooded primitive sites; and a bathhouse. All lodging options are pet-friendly.
Yogi Bear’s Camp-Resort is South Haven’s family resort, located just five miles from Lake Michigan. Take advantage of outdoor fun for the whole family with resort amenities, complete with cable and Wi-Fi. The campground is located only 1/2 mile from the scenic Kal-Haven Trail. Cabins and cottages are pet friendly and offer ADA accessibility.
Located just minutes from downtown Marquetteand at the heart of the area’s vast trail network is the Rippling River Resort and Campground. Nestled along the shores of the Carp River and set on nearly 40 acres, the resort offers rustic tent sites, RV hook-ups, and even luxury cabins.
Enjoy a cabin rental on the shores of beautiful Lake Huron at Mackinac Lakefront Cabin Rentals, a family friendly resort just outside of Mackinaw City. Featuring 16 modern cabins and shaded RV sites, this quiet country setting will provide you with many hours of enjoyment. It’s located just three minutes from downtown Mackinaw City, the Mackinac Bridge, and the ferries to Mackinac Island.
RV parks
Offering over 200 full hook-ups, three pools, a recreation hall, game room, playground, firepits, and fishing pond, Poncho’s Pond RV Park in Ludington has grown to be one of the top-rated privately owned parks in Michigan. Open April-October, Poncho’s Pond RV Park has plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.
Sunny Brook RV Resort is a 65-acre luxury RV resort located in South Haven, three miles from Lake Michigan, offering nightly, monthly, and seasonal rental.
Enjoy free weekend events, homemade ice cream at the ice cream parlor, dinner theater, and homemade turkey dinners at Turkeyville Restaurant when you stay at Camp Turkeyville RV Resort in Marshall.
More campground and RV parks to visit in the Upper Peninsula:
The cover art of Andrew Bird’s latest release, “My Finest Work Yet”. (Supplied/The artist)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Maybe it is just clever marketing that the cover of Andrew Bird’s latest release, “My Finest Work Yet”, shows the enigmatic if not totally eccentric artiste doing his deadpan recreation of La Mort de Marat (The Death of Marat), Jacques-Louis David’s iconic 1793 painting of the failed French revolutionary leader Jean-Paul Marat lying stabbed to death in his bath.
But, you know, it would be just like the musical multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and whistler, and songwriter — not to mention Guggenheim Museum exhibit creator, TED Talks presenter and New York Times op-ed contributor — to be sending the not-so-subtle message that he cares little if his work lives or dies on the commercial stage.
There is no doubt, however, that Bird likes the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park outdoor amphitheater stage (and the audience reception he gets) as he will be making another visit July 18, with, surprisingly, tickets still available for a show with Madison Cunningham opening.
Andrew Bird (Supplied/Brandi Ediss)
Bird clearly plays a tune to his own beat, from his earliest collaborative work with the band Squirrel Nut Zippers in the late 1990s through his popular (for him) 2016 solo release “Are You Serious” — which he was touring in support of when he visited Meijer Gardens in 2017, and still relied upon last summer when he visited with the equally experimental Esperanza Spalding.
If you don’t already know him and his music, you probably heard but never knew Bird from the single “Capsized” from “Are Your Serious”. The recording has certainly stayed easily accessible on the top shelf of the CD racks around my house, and not just for the catchy, slightly popish “Capsized”.
Bird’s simple philosophy on music and commercial acceptance may be best conveyed by his statement about “Are You Serious”: “Here I am with my most unguarded, direct, relatable album to date. Go easy on me.”
On his new release, which undoubtedly will be heavily drawn upon at Meijer Gardens next week, he is still unguarded and direct, and maybe still trying to be a little more relatable.
Bird opens “My Finest Work Yet” with the sophisticated sly wit and easy sounds of “Sisyphus”, then takes a serious turn with the jazzy “Bloodless”, which sounds like an ode to Marat and/or a modern political statement — “I know it’s hard to be an optimist, when you trust least the ones who claim to have the answers … It’s an uncivil war, bloodless for now.”
My favorites off of “My Finest Work Yet”, however, at least on first listen, focus on Bird’s violin prowess, including the softly sweet “Archipelago”, the power pop of “Proxy War” and the forlorn, almost alt-country “Bellevue Bridge Club”.
Andrew Bird, artiste. (Supplied)
Bottom line is expect the unexpected from Bird and his high-flying imagination — which, when not making music, recently has been occupied with a series of site-specific improvisational short films and recordings called Echolocations, recorded in remote and acoustically interesting spaces: a Utah canyon, an abandoned seaside bunker, the middle of the Los Angeles River, and a reverberant stone-covered aqueduct in Lisbon.
I wonder if one of the recording was made in a bath tub?
The Andrew Bird with special guest Madison Cunningham concert will start at 6:30 p.m. (5:15 pm gates open), with a $45 general admission ticket price. For more information and tickets visit meijergardens.org .
City of Kentwood are Terry Schweitzer, Community Development Director, and Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner, on set at WKTV Journal In Focus.
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus is “Plan Kentwood”, the City of Kentwood’s ongoing update of its Master Plan — including possible development areas all across the city — as well as Kent County’s Veterans Services office, which is often the first and best place for county veterans and their families to turn for information and assistance.
First In Focus is the City of Kentwood’s update of its Master Plan. Through a series of community engagement efforts called “Plan Kentwood”, the city is gaining public input to help shape a long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation in the city. On the list of discussion topics are development near and along the extension of Breton Avenue south of 52nd Street, as well as the Division Avenue and 28th and 29th streets business districts. With us from the City of Kentwood are Terry Schweitzer, Community Development Director, and Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner.
Then In Focus is Kent County Veterans Services, which operates under Kent County administration. Veterans Services either directly or indirectly assists veterans with a wide range of issues including disability claims, service records, and easing connection with needed social services and other government agencies. With us is Martha Burkett, the recently hired director of Veterans Services, who also brings a unique history, set of skills, and vision for her office. For the In Focus video, visit here.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Ginger is an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, but its most salient property is gingerol, an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Zesty ginger is more than just a great way to dress up your favorite recipes. It contains a potent immunity booster—its active compound gingerol is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compound.
Ginger is also a source of vitamin C and the minerals potassium and magnesium.
Ginger root is inexpensive and easy to find in the produce aisle of your local grocery store. Look for a piece that’s firm and smooth. It may have many nubs, but they shouldn’t be shriveled.
The skin should be a light brown and fairly smooth. Ginger keeps well for up to a few weeks in the produce bin of your fridge. Keep it wrapped in a paper towel and change the towel whenever it gets damp.
Many people peel ginger with a spoon, scraping off the skin with an edge. But a veggie peeler works too and may be faster.
When a recipe calls for minced ginger, after peeling, make horizontal slices and then cut each slice into matchsticks and cut the match sticks into tiny pieces.
For grated ginger, you could use a mini food processor or, even better, a microplane—just run one trimmed end of a piece of ginger across the metal mesh and let the ginger and its juice fall into a bowl.
Ginger is perfect for jazzing up salad dressings and marinades and for making an herbal tea.
For a simple main course, try it in this tasty vegetarian stir fry:
Ginger Stir Fry
2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 cups sliced mushrooms 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced 2 tablespoons minced ginger 2 cups cooked brown rice 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
Warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sesame oil, then the vegetables and the ginger. Cook three to four minutes, stirring often, until the veggies soften. Add the rice and the soy sauce and toss well. Serve immediately.
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).
It is a bit of a convoluted journey as to how this totally adorable classic tabby made it to Dr. Jen (finally) on May 6, 2019. Evidently he was found wandering around the parking lot of the Meijer on 54th and Clyde Park, just down the road from the vet clinic, and he was picked up by a woman who then took him home on the city bus.
Somehow she contacted none other than one of our regular rescuers, who then transported him to the Humane Society of West Michigan as we were full up at Crash’s, and she has a withstanding ‘in’ with them as far as placing strays is concerned. However, he tested positive for Feline Leukemia, so she took him right back on home, contacted Dr. Jen and asked if the good doc could do his medical work-up. Dr. Jen actually ended up doing one better, offering to take him, sight unseen, into our program at Big Sid’s.
The two-year-old (born in the spring of 2017) IMMEDIATELY took Dr. Jen’s heart for his own, along with every single person he made contact with at the clinic and sanctuary alike. It really bummed us all out that such a sweetheart had the bad luck to carry the virus, but since he was an intact male when found, it wasn’t surprising—sad, but not totally unexpected.
Once at our free-roaming, fun-loving facility Tyrion found his place easily and quickly started entertaining not only himself but any audience he could command:
“Tyrion is a non-stop, action-loving cat. He will chase a ping pong ball up and down the hall for hours on end, but playtime is even better when another cat will wrestle with him. He has a few ‘besties’ who are usually down for some hardcore, rough-and-tumble; in fact, they can get so into it that we actually have to make them stop out of fear they will unintentionally hurt each other. He would do amazing with kids!”
“Tyrion is one of our most popular guys. He’s always up for adventures and activities— and soaks up any attention he can get from us. He does play a little too rough with the other cats at times, but we are hoping time and his calming collar help him lighten up a bit. He’s got a lot of energy and will need kids that will tire him out at the end of the day. He would do well in a home with another cat buddy, one who matches his energy level and will stand up to him, and maybe even a playful dog. His exuberance and ebullience knows NO bounds!”
As you can imagine, we are all as pleased as punch that his personality is so over-the-top and outgoing, as this type of kitty holds a lot of appeal to high-energy families. And at his four-week follow-up appointment, he tested NEGATIVE for Feleuk—not once, but twice, on our in-house test AND through our outside lab.
However, we have learned the hard way that this first round of diagnostics is an excellent screening test, but there can be false negatives, so in cases where a prior positive cat then turns up virus-free, Dr. Jen now sends out a specialized (and, of course, more expensive test) to confirm. This type of test is far more specific and has less margin of error, so when it came back negative, it was a major cause for celebration.
This terrific tabby is not going to be with us at Crash’s long, mark our words, as he is simply too awesome to pass by!
More about Tyrion:
Medium
Tabby (Tiger-Striped)
Adult
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Good in a home with other cats, dogs, kids
Want to adopt Tyrion? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Local State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District) offered his views on the status of Michigan’s current budget problems and West Michigan’s pending mental health services changes as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting Monday, July 8, at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Wyoming City Hall.
Other topics of conversation were Kent County’s budgeting process and the status of recycling in Kentwood and throughout the county.
The state budgeting process “is slower than in previous years and slower than I’d like to see,” Sen. MacGregor said, explaining that currently there are three budgets that are yet to be reconciled: budgets offered the State Senate, the House of Representatives, and by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — whose budget he described as “spending money we don’t have.”
Sen. MacGregor also gave a state-level view of the continuing funding uncertainties — some say “funding crisis” — surrounding the state’s mental health services. Citing continued deficits, the state is moving to dissolve West Michigan’s current mental health funding system.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, on June 28, announced that it will not renew Lakeshore Regional Entity’s state contract to manage Medicaid benefits for mental health services after it expires Oct. 1. Sen. MacGregor said MDHHS will establish another regional publicly managed care plan, another so-called PIHP (pre-paid inpatient health plan). The LRE manages Medicaid funding distribution to mental health authorities in Kent County as well as Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason and Lake counties.
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The next meeting will be Aug. 12 at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents and businesses in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org .
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org .
Kick up your heels. Better yet, leave the heels at home.
The Grand Rapids Symphony celebrates the 25th anniversary of the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops by recreating its inaugural Picnic Pops concert July 11 and 12. Go here for the scoop on dates, music, and ticket options.
Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer at Downtown Market
Yippee! It’s Yappy Hour!
Join fellow dog lovers at the Downtown Market for Yappy Hour, on July 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 11am-1pm, to enjoy lunch outside with pups! Go here for more info.
A woman of her words
After teaching English and Journalism, Elizabeth Meyette retired and began a full-time writing career. An Amazon best-selling author, she has published six novels, her latest being 2018’s The Last Crossing. She has also published poetry and writes a blog called Meyette’s Musings. Read about Meyette here.
Fun fact:
189,819
The number of letters in the longest English word, the name of a protein. Go here to read it for yourself because honestly, we just don’t have the time and space. Its nickname is ‘titin’. Isn’t that cute?
How disappointing. Somehow we were expecting something a bit more grandiose.
When Maggie headed out to visit EAD in Kentwood last spring it had been a rough week for the 18-year-old. The emotional roller coaster of school coupled with her college plans not falling into place had all been challenges.
So the opportunity to escape from it for a few hours by helping to film a documentary about Kentwood’s EAD, the Equine Assisted Development located at 3224 32nd St. SE, seemed like a nice reprieve.
EAD Founder and Executive Director Deb VanderBand handed Maggie a brush and introduced her to several of the horses, including Noel, EAD’s only miniature horse, and a friendship was formed.
One of the EAD horses in the outside ring. (EAD)
“You could really see a change in her,” said Gary VandeVelde, the producer and director of the EAD program which airs Wednesday, July 10 at 4 p.m. and Friday, July 12, at noon on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99.
A change that showed her confidence and leadership as she became the natural leader in a group exercise, giving everyone the support they needed to complete the task.
VanderBand that is what EAD is all about. Helping anyone get through the hurt they are facing.
“Hurting is basically circumstances that you were not aware that you were going to come into,” VanderBand said. “Situations that often times have us go sideways.”
This could be a divorce, loss of a loved one, being bullied or being the bully and sometimes life just not going the direction you expected.
According to EAD Founder Deb VanderBand, when you are leading a 1,200 pound horse, you totally focused on the task and are more likely to answer open-ended questions freely. (EAD)
In the upcoming program, VanderBand demonstrates how the non-riding experience works.
“So when you come into the arena, I ask you to walk a 1,200 pound animal around,” VanderBand said, “You are moving constantly. You are concerned that your foot is going to get stepped on. So when I ask you an open ended question, you are not filtering through how to answer my question, you are concentrating on the process you are in.
“Horses mirror our emotions. They have a six-second memory and are absolutely incapable of being manipulated because they live moment-by-moment. So they are giving you the most authentic piece of information that you could ask for because they do not and are not capable of judging you the way you think you are. They bring out the best in people.”
The upcoming EAD documentary will air Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Friday at noon and throughout the summer, so check the WKTV schedule. The EAD website is eadgl.org.
The LowellArts Players presents GOING GOING GONE. Set in the press box of a major Los Angeles baseball stadium, this is a hilarious yet poignant new comedy from Emmy Award-winning writer (M*A*S*H*, Cheers, The Simpsons) (and 8-year host of popular radio show Dodger Talk), Ken Levine.
The performances are at LowellArts Gallery, 223 W Main St, Lowell, MI 49331 on July 26, 27, 28 (matinee), Aug. 2 and 3. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7pm, and the Sunday show is at 2pm. Tickets are $12 in advance, and $14 at the door. Advance tickets available at lowellartsmi.org or by calling 616-897-8545.
The play, presented in association with Public Domain, is a West Michigan premiere, and depicts four sports journalists who have life-changing experiences during the course of one game. The cast includes Brent Alles as Jim, Allison Kavanaugh as Shana, Chris Marsh as Dennis, and Ricardo Tavárez as Mason. In the world of baseball, the past is often more cherished than the present is the perfect subtext for this hilarious journey. The production is directed by Rob Freund.
A lab analysis of plastic balls from play areas found bugs responsible for pink eye, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, heart inflammation and more. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
If the cacophony of children screaming and throwing tiny plastic balls everywhere hasn’t prompted you to forgo ball pits, a new study may just send you scurrying for the door.
The research found that ball pits were awash in microbes, some potentially quite dangerous.
The study team found 31 bacterial species and one species of yeast. Some of those bugs are responsible for pink eye, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, heart inflammation and more.
“Be aware of this if you take your child to a physical therapy clinic, especially if the child has a compromised immune system,” said senior study author Dobrusia Bialonska, assistant professor of environmental microbiology at the University of North Georgia.
“You might consider asking for no treatment in the ball pit. We definitely showed that there are things on the balls that can potentially hurt a child who is immune-compromised,” she said.
Does that mean all kids need to steer clear of ball pits in fast food restaurants or other play spaces?
No, Bialonska said.
“We’re talking about pediatric physical therapy patients that may have some immune problems and may be more fragile. If kids are healthy, let them go and play. It may help build their immune system,” she said.
But kids should wash their hands when they jump out of the pit, especially if they’re going to eat after playing, Bialonska quickly added.
Ball pits became popular in the 1980s when they began popping up in commercial restaurant chains across the United States. But these play areas are often contaminated with visible dirt, vomit, urine and feces, researchers said. Numerous bacteria had already been identified in ball pits, but researchers wanted to learn how those used for physical therapy for children might compare.
The study team collected samples from six ball pits in Georgia physical therapy clinics. They randomly selected nine to 15 balls from each location, then swabbed the whole surface of each ball to find any microbes.
There were microorganisms on all of the balls, though some had very few. The researchers said it’s not unusual or concerning to see microbes anywhere humans are present. There should be concern when there are a lot of microbes, however.
Researchers noted a significant variation in the extent of microbial contamination from clinic to clinic. That suggests a need to develop guidelines for cleaning the balls and the pit area when they are used for physical therapy in potentially vulnerable kids, researchers said.
Bialonska said there are no standards or directions for cleaning these areas. She said someone had used a commercial washing machine to clean the balls. Others have tried using ultraviolet light to disinfect the balls.
Dr. Maryann Buetti-Sgouros, chair of pediatrics at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y., was not involved with the research, but reviewed the study.
“Common sense has to dictate how you address risks as a parent,” she said. “If there’s somewhere germy, what will you do to decrease the risk? A little bit of germs isn’t awful. Carry antibiotic wipes.”
Another expert agreed.
“Many of the microbes isolated are part of our normal flora,” said Dr. Salman Khan, an infectious disease physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “However, some of these have the potential to cause disease in patients with immunocompromising conditions and open wounds.”
Buetti-Sgouros said she doesn’t think ball pits are inherently worse than other places where kids play, but the balls cannot be sterilized between uses and are going to get covered in bacteria.
If you’re taking a child for physical therapy where there is a ball pit, she suggested asking how the balls are sterilized. “In this study, one of the clinics didn’t have as much bacteria. What were they doing differently?” she said.
Buetti-Sgouros also pointed out that injuries are a concern at ball pits and other kid play areas, such as those with multiple indoor trampolines.
“Again, let common sense dictate. But, I’d rather see kids outside where there’s ventilation and air,” she said.
The study was recently published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
Tribute band Rumours of Fleetwood Mac returns to North America in October and November 2019 to perform its ‘50th Anniversary Tour’ and will make a stop in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, at 8pm in SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall.
Channeling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at their very best, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have guaranteed Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most loved groups of all time. Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member, Mick Fleetwood, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, July 12 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.
Not many can say they have attended every single D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops concerts, but Grand Rapids Symphony Associate Conductor John Varineau can.
In the past 24 years, Varineau has not always conducted, sometimes he was helping behind the scenes, making sure the canons go off at just the right moment between at the end of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
“Wait, who is going to fire the canons this year?” Varineau stated in a recent “Locally Entertaining” podcast. “I’m going to be conducting this year. We’re going to have to find someone.”
Rest assure that there will be someone to fire the canons — and the fireworks — as the Grand Rapids Symphony celebrates the 25th anniversary of the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops by recreating its inaugural Picnic Pops concert July 11 and 12.
Grand Rapids Symphony Associate Conductor John Varineau will lead the opening D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops July 11 and 12. (Supplied)
According to Grand Rapids Symphony Senior Manager of Communications and Media Relations Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, the Classical Fireworks concerts are a tradition to Picnic Pops, performed every year.
This year Varineau will lead the orchestra in such patriotic melodies as John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare, John Phillip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever, and an Armed Forces Salute along with music by Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein. Local pianist Rich Ridenour performs Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Gates at Cannonsburg Ski Area, 6800 Cannonsburg Rd. NE, open at 5:45 p.m. each night for picnicking and pre-concert entertainment, including free, kid-friendly activities such as face painting, crafts, and a musical instrument petting zoo.
VIP Parking Passes for the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops are available for $12. Go online to GRSymphony.org/vip for details.
Pre-concert activités include the Musical Instrument Petting Zoo where children can get up close to the instruments. (Supplied)
Ticket Options and Prices
3-Concert Series and Flexpass Packages
Save up to 30 percent off single-ticket prices with a 3-Concert Series subscription for any seat or save up to 15% off single-ticket lawn seats with a 6-ticket Flexpass.
The 3-Concert Series subscription is good for any seats to Classical Fireworks: Salute to America; Here Comes the Sun: A Tribute to the Beatles; and Dancing in the Streets: The Music of Motown. Subscriptions for lawn seats are $42 for adults or $15 for children ages 2-18. Children younger than age 2 are admitted for free. Subscriptions for general admission chair seating are $75. Tickets for an individual reserved table seat are $144 or $1,152 to reserve an entire table for eight.
The Flexpass 6-Pack offers six lawn tickets that can be used in any combination, on any concert night, for Classical Fireworks: Salute to America; Here Comes the Sun: A Tribute to the Beatles; and Dancing in the Streets: The Music of Motown. Flexpasses are $102 for adults. Flexpasses cannot be used for the special event in August.
There is an array of seating options available from table seating to lawn seating. (Supplied)
Individual Concert Tickets
All single tickets for all concerts are $5 more on the day of the show.
Lawn tickets for all concerts are $20 for adults ($25 day of show) or $5 for ages 2-18 ($10 day of show).
Other individual tickets are $30 for reserved chairs ($35 the day of the show), $51 for individual table seats ($56 the day of the show), and $408 for a full table of eight ($448 day of show).
MySymphony360 members can attend for $15 ($20 day of show). Active duty, reserve and National Guard members of the U.S. Military may purchase up to two tickets for $15 each ($20 day of show). Children younger than age 2 are admitted for free.
Members of the community receiving financial assistance from the State of Michigan or U.S. Military households can receive up to four free tickets through the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Symphony Scorecard.
How to Get Tickets
The 3-Concert Series, Flexpass, and individual table and chair tickets can be purchased through the GRS box office by calling 616-454-9451 ext. 4 weekdays; or in person at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100; or online at GRSymphony.org.
Tickets also are available at the gate at the night of the concert for an additional $5. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more people by calling 616-454-9451.
