Wyman Britt, Kent County Administrator/Controller. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Kent County Administrator/Controller Wayman P. Britt will deliver the first State of the County Address today, Thursday, May 2, starting at 6:30 p.m., before an invitation-only audience of community partners and media but with the entire program available to the public via a livestream webcast.
According to supplied information, Britt’s remarks will focus on Kent County’s role in regional, state and national initiatives and highlight the strides the County has made in recent years.
Additionally, Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Mandy Bolter will underscore the impact the County has had on improving the quality of life in the region.
The 2019 State of Kent County Address will physically take place at DeVos Place, Ballroom C, 303 Monroe Ave NW, in Grand Rapids.
It began with a brilliant fanfare that jolted you out of your seat, followed by an epic trumpet solo backed by a full symphony orchestra. Before either Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader spoke a line or appeared on screen, John Williams’ Grammy Award-winning score set the stage for the 1977 film Star Wars.
It was the birth of the blockbuster film and the return of soaring symphonic scores to accompany epic space adventures, heroic journeys across middle earth, and forays into the world of magic on the silver screen.
The Grand Rapids Symphony goes where no orchestra has gone before with highlights from such favorites as the 1978 film Superman starring Christopher Reeve, and the main themes from the Star Trek franchise including TV shows as well as movies.
Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt leads performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 10-11, and at 3 p.m. Sunday May 12, in DeVos Performance Hall. Guest Artist sponsor is Pinnacle Construction.
Special guest vocalist Mela Sarajane Dailey joins the Grand Rapids Symphony to sing Can You Read My Mind? from Superman. The Grammy Award-winning singer, who first appeared with the Grand Rapids Symphony for its Holiday Pops in 2015, also sings two show-stopping operatic arias, the “Mad Scene” from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, and Vissi d’arte from Verdi’s Tosca.
“Live long and prosper” by attending the last Grand Rapids Symphony Pops concert which will feature music from “Star Trek. (Grand Rapids Symphony/Terry Johnston)
Bernhardt, who became Grand Rapids Symphony’s Principal Pops Conductor in 2015, is a personal friend of John Williams. When Williams served as conductor of the Boston Pops from 1980 to 1993, he hired Bernhardt in 1992 for the first time as a guest conductor to lead the Boston Pops. Last summer, Bernhardt marked his 25th anniversary with the Boston Pops.
Today, John Williams, a five-time Academy Award winner and a 51-time nominee for the Oscar for film composition, is famous for such films as the Indiana Jones series, the first two Jurassic Park films. In the mid-1970s, Williams was a rising star who won the Oscar for the 1974 film Jaws.
To compose music for the first Star Wars film and another eight films in the franchise that would follow, Williams revived the practice of composing leitmotifs or “leading motifs” to represent each character. Star Wars fans are familiar with The Imperial March and know that it’s Darth Vader’s theme. The main theme for Star Wars actually is Luke Skywalker’s theme, and the theme is heard in the score when Skywalker first appears on screen.
Williams used the same technique, which dates back to the 19th century operas of Richard Wagner, in such franchises as Harry Potter, in which key themes appear over and over across all eight films.
Grand Rapids Pops’ Star Wars, Star Trek, Middle Earth and More! includes music from the latest Star Warsinstallments including the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, the 2016 film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and the 2017 film Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
The concert also includes music from the 2013 film Star Trek Into Darkenss and a medley of music spanning the entire Star Trek franchise.
Bernhardt will lead the Grand Rapids Pops in a suite of melodies from The Lord of the Rings films, all composed by Howard Shore, who won Oscars for the first film in the series, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and for the third film, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Tickets
Single tickets for the Fox Motors Pops series start at $18 and are available at the Grand Rapids Symphony box office, weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum).
Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.
This winter season was unusually brutal with record low temperatures along with heavy snow and ice, and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is being recognized for outstanding efforts in battling the elements.
GFIA has been recognized as the 2018-2019 Balchen/Post Award Honorable Mention recipient for “Outstanding Achievement in Airport Snow & Ice Control.” The International Aviation Snow Symposium presents the annual award, which is given to three categories of commercial airports: Large, Medium and Small, for their dedicated efforts in maintaining airports in safe and operational status during the 2018-19 winter season.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport was awarded in the “Small” category which is classified by less than 100,000 scheduled operations (take-offs and landings) annually.
GFIA saw 81.3 inches of snow this season, dating from Fall 2018 to the present. In an average winter, GFIA removes 83,700.00 cubic feet of snow from the airfield – enough to fill 20,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
“This winter was challenging and demanding for our staff, but our communications, operations, and field maintenance teams worked collectively with our airline and FAA partners to ensure safe operations of our airfield,” said GFIA Interim President & CEO Brian Picardat. “The Balchen/Post Award is a tremendous achievement for our staff, and I cannot say enough about our hard working crews who put in countless hours maintaining the snow and ice. We are very proud to be recognized as one of the best among our peers.”
Throughout the winter season, airport operations staff is responsible for monitoring and reporting airfield conditions as well as coordinating snow and ice control activities with airfield maintenance, air traffic control, communications, and aeronautical users of the airport. Airport field maintenance staff is responsible for physically clearing snow and ice from the airport’s 1.5 million square yards of pavement.
This is the 43rd consecutive year that the International Snow Symposium Awards have been presented. All categories of airports – commercial, general aviation, and military – compete for these awards.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, B and C. Sweet potatoes are also a source of antioxidants, which are important to reduce cancer and heart disease risk. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Midlife and menopause are stages of life when weight gain happens fast and weight loss can be very slow.
Let me share a secret that can help: sweet potatoes.
Many people are surprised to learn the sweet potato is a healthy food that can to be added to any meal and help us all keep a healthy weight and get daily vitamins and fiber at the same time.
The sweet potato qualifies as a superfood—a weapon against weight gain, belly fat and diabetes. It can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even as a snack.
The sweet potato has so many health benefits. For weight control, it is a low glycemic index food, meaning that while it contains carbohydrates, the carbs are slowly broken down in the blood and can be used by the brain, muscles and liver and not sent straight to the belly to become fat.
Low estrogen levels, which define the life stage of menopause, cause cravings for sugar or any simple carbohydrate, such as what is found in white potatoes, white rice or white bread. Our body’s response to stress or sleep deprivation can include a rise in insulin surges and insulin response, which can result in an increased waistline.
Including foods such as sweet potatoes in your diet can help slow weight gain and add many good vitamins and fiber.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, B and C. Sweet potatoes are also a source of antioxidants, which are important to reduce cancer and heart disease risk. Manganese is also in sweet potatoes and can help with your metabolism.
Being healthy is about using small tips and tricks in daily life. The sweet potato can be used in fast and easy ways. They can be roasted, boiled, steamed, or even eaten raw.
The vitamins are best preserved when steamed, but I tend to roast my potatoes because it is easier. I wash the sweet potatoes, poke holes in the skin to avoid explosions in the oven, and put them on a cookie sheet for an hour at 350 degrees. Once they are cooled, I use the cooked sweet potatoes in a variety of ways to make satisfying and tasty recipes.
For breakfast, especially on the weekend when I have more time, I love to make one of my favorites—sweet potato hash.
Sweet potato hash: 1/2 cup chopped onion, 3 cloves chopped garlic, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 cup of greens such as spinach or Swiss chard, 1-2 cups cubed roasted sweet potato, and optional meat of 1/4 cup cooked sausage or cooked bacon. These ingredients are sautéed together and then topped with a fried egg. Maple syrup added around the edge of the plate makes a tasty treat.
Here are some other ideas:
Sweet potato snack: Cooked sweet potato mashed with a fork, covered with a tablespoon of real maple syrup, chopped nuts such as walnuts, almonds or pecans, and warmed in the microwave.
Fast lunch with sweet potato: Cubed sweet potato with 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil, warmed in the microwave and tossed with salad greens and leftover cold chicken or sautéed tofu. This is tasty, filling, and helps avoid sugar spikes.
Sweet potato french fries: For dinner, my kids prefer sweet potato fries, simply made by cutting the raw sweet potatoes into whatever shape works—sliced to be round (fastest) or cut into traditional fry shape. Simply place the pieces on a cookie sheet with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt, and bake at 400 degrees until brown or about 30 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through for evenness.
Sweet potato custard: Mash 2 cups of roasted sweet potato and add 1 beaten egg, 1/2 cup almond or cow milk, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and spices such as cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Place in a small baking dish or ramekins, placed on a cookie sheet and baked at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Yum!
Voters of Kelloggsville and Kentwood Public Schools will be heading to the polls on Tuesday, May 7, to renew operating millage for the districts.
Kentwood Public School voters are being asked to renew the current 10-year operating millage, an assessment of 18 mills on non-homestead properties. The millage would be renewed through 2029.
The millage provides approximately 16.9 percent, or more than $18.2 million, of the school district’s annual operating budget. If not approved, the district would lose more than $18 million of funding for the 2020-21 school year, and a similar amount each following year.
“The non-homestead funding is critical to our everyday operations in Kentwood Public Schools,” said Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff. “Losing over $18 million of the district’s operating budget would have a major impact on the educational programs offered to our students and the community.”
Kelloggsville voters are being asked to renew its current operating millage, an assessment of 17 mills on non-homestead properties and to increase that millage by .5 or 50 cents per $1,000 taxable valuation. The increase, according to the ballot language is to help restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the “Headlee” amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963. If the millage with the increase is approved, it would raise about $2.6 million for the district in 2020. The millage proposal is for two years.
If approved, Kentwood and Kelloggsville Public Schools homeowners will not see an increase in their primary residence property tax since it would be for only non-homestead properties, such as businesses, rental properties and vacation homes.
The millage has been in place since 1994. Under Proposal A, a measure that changed the funding formula for the state’s public schools, a renewal of the 18 mills is required periodically by voters in order for the district to continue collecting the millage.
Due to the change in the election law last year, voters may also seek an absentee ballot for no reason. To request an absentee ballot, contact your city clerk’s office: Kentwood City Clerk office, 616-554-0730; Wyoming City Clerk office, 616-530-7296; Grand Rapids City Clerk (for those living in the Kentwood Public Schools District, which is primarily the Third Ward), 616-456-3010 or email cityclerk@grcity.us; Gaines Township Clerk, 616-698-7980.
School News Network contributed to this story. For more local school news, visit the School News Network website.
Griffin House will be making a stop at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up on Saturday, May 4. (Supplied/Griffin House)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
The song stories on Griffin House’s soon-to-be-released album Rising Star — some of which will undoubtedly be sweetly sung and appreciatively heard at his stop at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up on Saturday, May 4 — offer a peek in the real and/or imagined world of a singer who has spent much of the last 16 years on the road.
There are stories of the frustration with life if not the brutal business of making independent music. But there are also stories of understanding that, like a good country folk song lyric, “life is kinda what happens while you are making your way as best ya can.”
On “Hindsight”, House sings of a frustrating future: “Am I am fool for waiting / On a ship already gone / I only see the damage done in hindsight”. Yet there is also balance, an acceptance of whatever the future holds, as in “Cup of Fulfillment”: “There’s a light in the dark it’s the fire in our hearts / Even when our work is done / Long may your love live on”.
If that is not the true conflict of a singer wandering over the road of a music life, nothing is.
But I suspect listing to those tunes are just scratching the surface of House’s life and his music.
With something like 11 albums and 16 years of work in Nashville and around the country, House’s Rising Star (set for a June 28 release), described as “a self-reflective record that shows just how honed House is as a writer and musician”, is proof of the progression of his music and his life.
Rising Star cover art (Supplied)
Rising Star was created with old friends, Paul Moak and Ian Fitchuk, and also features co-writes with fellow Nashville musician Brian Elmquist of The Lone Bellow, longtime collaborator Jeff Trott (who also works with Sheryl Crow) and Joy Williams of The Civil Wars — with percussion from Grammy-winning “Album of the Year” producer Ian Fitchuk (he of Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour).
“This album seemed to come together with a little more grace and ease than records I’ve made in the past,” House said in supplied material. “And I think so much of that is attributed to how good the people I got worth with on this record are, they all just happen to be really good friends too.”
And that diversity of working relationships, of partners in musical crime, is clear on Rising Star.
The title tune is a sparse, almost spoken word poem of a song that leaves no doubt the writer not only knows what lonely feels like, but knows how to put that feeling into lyrics. And while “15 Minutes of Fame” give evidence of the dangers of getting what you pray for, “Crash and Burn” makes clear the dangers of not getting what you prayed for.
House song/stories often remind me of Gordon Lightfoot’s clear, cutting storytelling — and I liked Gord’s gold a lot — but with a very modern American outlook.
My favorite tune on the album, however, on first listen, is “Change”, which features some beautiful harmonies with Joy Williams, lyrical truths such as “We were never meant to stay the same”, and, maybe, a little glimpse of where House is in his home-life (with wife and two daughters).
Alas, the tune may not be on the program as he tours solo acoustic, often opening for the likes of John Mellencamp, Mat Kearny and Josh Ritter.
In addition to the release of the album Rising Star, House also stars in the full-length documentary film by the same title, set for release this year. According to supplied information, the film is co-produced with music video director and filmmaker Shane Drake, and chronicles House’s life as a musician and features music from his new album as well other tunes from his catalog.
Seven Steps Up is located 116 S. Jackson Street. For tickets and information call 616-930-4755 or visit sevenstepsup.com.
Kentwood Fire Department vehicles will be on display at the Family Open House on Wednesday, May 15. (WKTV)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood invites the public to interact with public works employees and equipment that keep the community safe, clean and functioning smoothly during the fourth annual Family Open House on Wednesday, May 15, an event which includes complimentary food, family-friendly activities and giveaways.
The Kentwood Department of Public Works will host the event in partnership with the Kent County Road Commission and the American Public Works Association in anticipation of National Public Works Week, which is slated for May 19-25.
Families will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Kentwood Public Works Facility, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, from 4-7 p.m.
“We look forward to this open house every year as it’s a great opportunity to connect with residents of all ages about the work we do in a family-friendly environment,” said John Gorney, Kentwood director of public works. “It’s a fun way to learn how public works agencies touch the many aspects of our day-to-day lives.
“In West Michigan, we maintain thousands of miles of pipes and streets, in addition to keeping parks maintained and servicing municipal vehicles, such as police cruisers and fire trucks.”
The open house will feature giveaways, hands-on activities for kids and an up-close look at a fleet of vehicles and other equipment. Live maintenance and repair demonstrations will allow residents to learn about road improvements as well as the safe disposal of household waste. Complimentary food and refreshments will be provided. Attendees will also receive a native Michigan red maple sapling.
Additionally, the 20 semifinalists and finalists of the Work Zone Safety Poster competition will be honored at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by Kent County Road Commission and the City of Kentwood, the poster contest invited third-grade students from across the county to design a “caution sign” focusing on safety tips for driving through a work zone. A gallery of more than 300 entries will be displayed during the event, and are available here.
“Community support is critical to maintaining safe work zones for our workers and the motorists driving through them,” said Steve Warren, Kent County Road Commission managing director. “We hope that, by instilling these safety messages early, good habits become second nature by the time these students are ready to drive.”
Prior to the open house, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will provide a proclamation for National Public Works Week during the City Commission meeting on Monday, May 13.
For more information on the event, visit Kentwood.us .
After building overwhelming anticipation, GRAMMY®-nominated multi-platinum powerhouse trio—Jonas Brothers—announce the details for their 40-city Happiness Begins Tour this summer and fall with special guests Bebe Rexha and Jordan McGraw. The announcement coincides with the launch of the pre-order for the band’s highly anticipated comeback album Happiness Begins, as well as the launch of their official merch store online.
Pre-order Happiness Begins (Republic Records) HERE. For exclusive items from the newly launched official merchandise store visit HERE.
Produced by Live Nation, the Happiness Begins Tour presented byAmerican Airlines and Mastercard kicks off Aug. 7th in Miami, FL before making a stop in Grand Rapids at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, at 7:30pm. This marks the first headline tour for the Jonas Brothers in almost a decade.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 10 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order.
The Jonas Brothers have also partnered with Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan platform to ensure tickets get in to the hands of their fans, not scalpers or bots. Fans can register now through Monday, May 6th at 10pm ET HERE for the Verified Fan presale. Registered fans who receive a code will have access to purchase tickets before the general public from Wednesday, May 8th at 10am local time through Thursday, May 9th at 10pm local time.
Additionally, TIDAL subscribers will also have access to an exclusive presale beginning Thursday, May 9th at 10am local time through 10pm local time. TIDAL members can find details for purchasing tickets on TIDAL.com/JonasBrothers or via the TIDAL mobile, web and desktop apps.
Jonas Brothers VIP packages will be available and sold exclusively through HOST VIP. VIP package details will be announced on Friday, May 3rd prior to all ticketing pre-sales. VIP packages will be available for purchase on May 10th. A limited number of LaneOne Premium Packages will also be available, including amazing seats in first 5 rows, GA First On Floor, B-Stage VIP Bar area, transportation, preferred entrance and more. CheckLaneOnefor details.
The Happiness Begins pre-order will include instant gratification downloads of the band’s hit singles Sucker and Cool, produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter, producer, and lead singer of the multi-platinum band One Republic, Ryan Tedder. The third instant gratification titled Only Human, produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Shellback, will follow. Not only will this be the group’s first album since 2009, but it stands out as one of 2019’s most anticipated records.
These announcements set the stage for the boys to light up the Billboard Music Awards tonight with what promises to be a blockbuster performance. The band is expected to perform their first #1 hit at Top 40 radio Sucker, which has just clenched its second consecutive week at #1. Be sure to tune in to NBC at 8pm ET. Next up, you can catch them on Saturday Night Liveon May 11.
Great exercise, endless games and the freedom to “travel” as a kid.
But before the kids flip up the kickstands for the season, hit the brakes for a minute.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration urges everyone to remember that bicycles aren’t toys—they are vehicles, officially—and even experienced riders should do what they can to minimize risk.
Applying that perspective to your family’s youthful riders should motivate every family to do what we can to prepare and prevent accidents before they happen.
And while it might seem about as fun as a flat tire, knowing, understanding, and taking steps to prevent bicycle mishaps now can make a smooth, happy ride for the rest of the summer.
“Bike riding is a great family activity,” said Jennifer Hoekstra, program coordinator of Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Program and Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids.
“Lead by example and keep your kids safe by requiring them to always wear a helmet when riding.”
Helmet use is lowest (for all ages) among children ages 11 to 14.
Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury and the risk of brain injury.
The Center for Head Injury Services reports that 85 percent of all head injuries in bicycle accidents can be prevented by wearing a helmet.
Bicycle helmets have also been shown to offer substantial protection to the forehead and midface.
Universal use of bicycle helmets by children ages 4 to 15 could prevent between 135 and 155 deaths, between 39,000 and 45,000 head injuries, and between 18,000 and 55,000 scalp and face injuries annually.
Child helmet ownership and use increases with the parent’s income and education level, yet decreases with the child’s age.
Children are more likely to wear a bicycle helmet if riding with others who are also wearing one.
In a national survey of children ages 8 to 12, 53 percent reported that a parental rule for helmet use would persuade them to wear a helmet, and 49 percent would wear a helmet if a state or community law required it.
Bicycle helmet use by every rider, of every age, for every ride should be every family’s rule.
Kids may think they look “babyish” or “uncool” with a helmet. Teach them it’s just the opposite.
When possible, let them pick out their own helmet or add flair if it helps them get into it. And if they still hate it? Tell them it’s the rule to ride and stick with it.
When parents ride without helmets, kids are quick to copy. They may wonder why, if it is a big deal, mom and dad aren’t wearing them, too. The moral of the story is everybody should wear a helmet, every ride.
It’s a no brainer
Correct fit and proper positioning are essential to the effectiveness of bike helmets at reducing injury.
One study found that children whose helmets fit poorly are at twice the risk of head injury in a crash compared to children whose helmet fit is excellent. In addition, children who wear their helmets tipped back on their heads have a 52 percent greater risk of head injury than those who wear their helmets centered on their heads.
“Remember, it can only protect their head if they wear it correctly each and every time they ride,” Hoekstra added.
From his very roots, Justo Gonzalez II was destined to be an advocate
for moral justice. From his devoutly Roman Catholic mother to his
community leader father, Justo grew into the mantle of his Spanish name,
which means “Justice.” Learn how a Puerto Rican boy from Buffalo, NY,
came to be an ordained voice of conscience for the marginalized of the
United States.
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).
This little lady’s family was being evicted right around Halloween 2018, so one of our volunteers stepped in and asked if she could rehome their two kitties; thankfully they accepted the generous offer. So, the rescuer took the duo home with her and set them up in temporary kitty condos until she could get them out to the clinic to see Dr. Jen for veterinary care. One of the two thought her new surroundings were the bee’s knees but the other, a sourpuss, wasn’t having any of it.
Magnificent Marguerite (born in March of 2012) checked out just fine, but at the time we didn’t have any room at Crash’s for this front-declawed calico cutie. (The sourpuss, unfortunately, didn’t meet our program requirements, attitude-wise.)
On Nov. 26, our lighthearted, lovely lady came in for a recheck (she had tested negative for both FELV and FIV) and received her second round of vaccines and deworming — we had a spot for her at Crash’s that she could claim entirely as her own. From the minute she sauntered into the shelter, Marguerite acted as though she owned the place and settled in immediately, finding her niche and fitting in very nicely.
Marguerite is a confident, yet laid-back cat who loves people sooooo much that she is never scarce when a human is around. She adores snuggling, thrives on attention and gets along famously well with her furry roomies, so finding her a home should be easy, since she will adapt to any surroundings (as long as she’s indoors). It is an understatement to say that this kitty has stolen all of our hearts. She is truly a gem of a cat, a rare find in a world of disposable pets treated like possessions and not the precious creatures they are.
Marguerite is the epitome of purrrrrrfection, and the lucky family who makes her their own will have a real treasure on their hands—and in their laps.
More about Marguerite:
Calico & Domestic Short Hair Mix
Adult
Female
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Marguerite? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
“The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.”
― Kalpana Chawla, an astronaut, engineer, and the first woman of Indian descent to go into space
Front row, scholarship recipients (from the left) : Astrid Melissa Lopez Oroxom from Kelloggsvile High School; Luz Parada-Martinez from Godwin Heights High School; Kathryn Abbott from East Kentwood High School; and Crystal Gonzalez-Pineda from Lee High School. Back row, from left: Chamber Education Committee Chair Kathey Batey; Chamber CEO and President Bob O’Callaghan, and Chamber Foundation Director Danna Mathiesen. (WKTV)
Following Their Dreams
Four students from Lee High School, East Kentwood High School, Godwin Heights High School, and Kelloggsville High School were the scholarship recipients for the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. The students received lots advice from those attending a special luncheon such as connect, network, and have an open mind. The students also offered advice to the class of 2020, such as make sure to fill out those scholarship forms. For more, click here.
The City of Wyoming will be bring a new master plan process on Thursday with a public workshop on Thursday at the KDL Wyoming Branch. (WKTV)
Getting [re]Imagined
The City of Wyoming announced last week its plans to develop a new master plan for the city. The process, called Wyoming [re]Imagined will start with a public workshop set for Thursday, May 2 at the KDL Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The workshop will be from 6-8 p.m. For more information, click here.
City of Kentwood Veterans Park, at 331 48th St. SE, will be the location of improvements this year. (WKTV)
Pardon Our Dust
The City of Kentwood has started several park improvements at Veterans Memorial Park, 355 48th St. SE; and Old Farm Park, 2350 Embro Park Dr. SE. The improvements will bring a new splash pad and playground to Veterans Memorial Park, a covered entry to the Kentwood Activities Center and a new multi-use facility at Old Farm Park. “We are looking forward to opening the new and improved facilities in the fall and appreciate your patience as we make our facilities more accessible, functional and fun,” said Val Romeo, Parks and Recreation director. For more information, click here.
Fun fact:
Hot and Cold
If you think Hell, Michigan is the warmest city in our state, think again. It is actually Benton Harbor, which has an average high of 60 degrees. The coldest will probably come as no surprise as it is Ironwood, located in the Upper Peninsula, on the border of Wisconsin. It has an average low of 30 below. (Source.)
Kentwood’s recycling center. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) announced this week that the City of Kentwood recycling drop-off station located at the Kentwood Public Works Facility will close June 30, but the county also urged residents to explore curbside recycling options available in the city.
One of those options — specifically for apartments, condominiums or other multifamily dwellings — includes a county grant program for property owners/managers to add recycling to their trash service.
“With improved access to curbside recycling in southern Kent County over the past decade and increasing operational cost of public drop off sites, we are closing the Kentwood recycling drop-off station so that we can focus on recycling education and material processing provided at the Kent County Recycling & Education Center,” Dar Baas, Kent County DPW director, said in a Monday, April 29, statement. “We understand this change may create an inconvenience for some residents. Reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills continues to be our top priority and we encourage residents to add curbside recycling to their trash service.”
For residents in apartments, condominiums or other multifamily dwellings impacted by the closure, Kent County also announced a grant program for property managers to include recycling for tenants. Contact Kent County DPW (recycle@kentcountymi.gov or 616-632-7920) to inquire about this program.
According to supplied material, this closure is not related to global recycling markets or China’s decision to stop importing recyclables. Kent County maintains strong outlets for sorted recyclables in the Midwest and Canada.
Kent County DPW continues to provide drop-off recycling stations at the following:
Recycling and Education Center, 977 Wealthy St. SW, Grand Rapids, which is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., but closed holidays.
North Kent Recycling & Waste Center, 2908 Ten Mile Road, Rockford, which is open Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., but closed holidays.
The Kent County DPW operated a recycling drop-off station at Kentwood Public Works Facility at 5068 Breton Road in Kentwood under a 5-year agreement beginning in 2007, providing recycling for residents when access to curbside collection service was limited or they lived where a property manager contracts for collection services.
Kent County continued to operate the site beyond the initial agreement until it was determined that access to on-site or curbside recycling was widely available. Residents affected by the closure should contact their local waste hauler or inquire with their property manager for services and pricing.
For additional information on how and where to properly dispose of materials in Kent County, visit reimaginetrash.org .
Students from the Grand Rapids Public Museum School will serve as docents on May 15. (Supplied)
By Christie Bender Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced an additional Student Docent Day will be hosted by Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle School students on Wednesday, May 15.
Student Docent Days take place throughout the school year at the GRPM as part of GRPM Middle School students’ Place Based Design class. During this program, eighth grade students choose an artifact from the Museum’s Collections and through their classwork and research, design a story to guide Museum visitors to a deeper understanding of their chosen artifact and how it relates to existing exhibits.
“Student Docent Days are valuable because they allow students to share their work with a real audience,” said Erin Koren, Learning Specialist for the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “This additional day gives both the students another opportunity to share their learnings, but also GRPM visitors and field trip groups an engaging, new perspective on our exhibits.”
The additional Student Docent Day will take place on May 15 from 1:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The general public is encouraged to visit the Museum for the Student Docent Day, which is included with general admission to the Museum.
The most memorable part of many family’s history is when a new child is brought into the family. Often, the date is recorded with photos, but have you captured the stories associated with your birth or adoption? Many times, people don’t think to ask those questions until it is too late. Sometimes these conversations are avoided because they are uncomfortable, so be sensitive if these questions bring up strong emotions.
Here are some things to potentially talk about with your family. You could also ask the same questions about your parents by talking with your grandparents.
Does your family have stories about how they knew you were arriving?
Were there any “baby shower” events before you arrived? Who was there? Are there any gifts from that event that are still in your home?
Are there any memories of the day of the adoption or birth? My grandfather, who worked on an old-school dairy farm, talks about the day his first child was born and how he “ran over the milk cans three times that day.” Bringing a new child into the home can cause moments in time to stand out in our memories. Going through photos can help stimulate even more stories.
Were there any complications to bringing you into the family? Was the adoption or birth easy or difficult? Did you arrive when you were planned, or early or late?
Do you know where your name came from? Was it based on a family name? Was there argument between your parents on the name? Do you know what your name would have been if you were a different gender? If you were adopted, the stories of your names may be multi-layered and come from different places.
If you have siblings or pets, what were their reactions when you were brought home?
Are there interesting stories of how other family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) reacted when they found out about you?
Is there a story of when you first said “Mom” or “Dad?”
Capturing these and other stories about you and your family could be the foundations for a set of your own stories in the future.
This article was inspired by and adapted from the 4-H Folkpatterns curriculum:
Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Youth Development program help to prepare youth as positive and engaged leaders and global citizens by providing educational experiences and resources for youth interested in developing knowledge and skills in these areas.
Did you know eating a Mediterranean diet could prevent or even reverse metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes? (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
We always hear about the latest fad diet, but don’t we often wonder what really works?
Where should we start? How should we start?
In an effort to develop positive eating habits, many of us have tried several diets over the years. More often than not, these diets provide only short-term solutions that leave us without a strong foundation to make significant, long-term behavioral changes.
The Mediterranean diet, however, isn’t a diet so much as it’s a way of living.
It’s a lifestyle.
Who?
Who should be interested in the Mediterranean diet? You, me and anyone who wants to cook and eat real, healthy, whole, unprocessed foods that bring your weight, health and life back to their prime.
We all know that eating the right fats, reading labels and watching carbs is beneficial, but what does that really mean? We go to the grocery store and we fill up our carts with products we either know, or think we know, are good for us. But are they really?
The Mediterranean diet offers many healthy options, no matter what your taste palate. It balances carbohydrates with grains, good fats and proteins, promoting optimal health and natural weight loss.
What?
The Mediterranean diet is not a “fad,” but a long-term solution: Eat low-glycemic-index foods to help you keep your metabolism steady, feel full longer and eat less.
Low-glycemic foods break down slowly, allowing you to feel satisfied and lose weight at the same time. Examples include: berries, citrus, apples, pears, vegetables, legumes, minimally processed grains, oatmeal, nuts, hummus, kidney beans and chickpeas.
With this type of meal plan, you can still fit in your favorite foods. It’s a way of cooking and eating that’s non-restrictive, so you don’t have to suffer through deprivation.
Based on the cuisine of Greece, Middle East, Southern Italy and Spain, the diet entails less consumption of red meat, sweets and saturated fats that are found in butter or high-fat dairy products.
It’s also a sustainable diet that you can live with. If you like to eat “real” foods, if you shop at farmers markets, or if you eat farm-to-table, the Mediterranean way could be the right plan for you.
It’s worth noting that U.S. News & World Report ranked the Mediterranean diet first place in the “plant-based diets,” according to Best Diets 2013 rankings.
Why?
How about, why not? How about cooking like a Greek islander, or learning a gourmet dish from Spain or Italy? Eating like a Greek is not only healthy, it’s delicious.
Mediterranean foods are rich in antioxidants and they have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. So you can live longer, with less disease.
When?
Realistically, we can follow it every day. And since it’s proven to help us live longer, healthier lives, we should.
By incorporating techniques that improve our eating behaviors—meal planning, food choice, and cooking prep—we can reap a lifetime of benefits.
Where?
In the kitchen, the heart of the home, and just about everywhere else. The Mediterranean diet fits a busy, healthy lifestyle, whether you’re learning the art of cooking at home or you’re working to educate yourself on healthy food choices when dining out.
Let’s not forget: How?
Great taste and zero calories aren’t the only benefits of infused water—it can also help flush toxins, improve skin and enhance mood. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Here’s how to follow a low-glycemic diet such as the Mediterranean diet:
You do not need to memorize the glycemic index or count grams of carbohydrates in foods.
Choose fiber-rich, natural carbohydrates, including vegetables, fruits and legumes. Eat them along with a source of protein and a healthy fat.
Eat grain products in the least-processed state possible. Examples include stone ground whole wheat bread as opposed to white bread.
When you have a sugary treat, do it in moderation—and after a balanced meal.
Limit fruit juice and avoid sugary soda. Drink more water. If you don’t enjoy drinking water, try an infused water recipe to add a little excitement to H2O.
An estimated 45,000 children in Kent County are below age 5. Too many of them and their parents need help so they can be healthy and prepared for kindergarten, according to early childhood advocates. (Supplied/First Steps Kent)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Kent County Board of Commissioners last week approved First Steps Kent’s proposal to administer the countywide Ready by Five millage and to push forward a plan distribute the funds intended “to help young children be ready for school success” by “support young children and their families across the community.”
The action took place at the April 25 Board of Commissioners meeting. In November 2018, county voters approved the millage, which will provide more than $5.5 million annually for enhanced early childhood services.
“We are excited to work with First Steps and the broader community to increase community based, early childhood services,” Wayman Britt, County Administrator/Controller, said in supplied information. “The Ready by Five funds will allow us to reach children and their families early in life when brain development and social/emotional bonding are critical. We have confidence that First Steps and the system that is being created will ensure that the resources are directed where it can have a significant impact.”
The millage will support programs that improve the healthy development and school readiness of children ages zero to five. The funding will be distributed to community-based organizations across the county that provide services such as in-home parenting support, developmental screenings, play and learn groups, and outreach to “ensure families know what is available and have access to the services that best meet their needs,” according to supplied material.
A review board comprised of parents, Kent County commissioners, a First Steps Kent board member, and a community member with early childhood expertise will review proposals from service providers and make recommendations about which programs and services should be funded. The first round of funding will be awarded this fall.
“We are fortunate in Kent County to have innovative and effective early childhood programs that are getting great results,” Annemarie Valdez, president and CEO of First Steps Kent, said in supplied material. “The Ready by Five Millage will allow many more children and families in our community to benefit from those services. We again want to thank the voters of Kent County, who recognize this is an investment that will pay off for our community.”
The statement from Kent County stated that research shows money invested in high quality early childhood programs saves money down the road with reduced costs for child welfare, education, health care, and criminal justice. All programs funded by the Ready by Five Millage will be evaluated to measure their impact. Those results will be shared with the public. Kent County is the first county in Michigan to have local tax dollars dedicated to early childhood.
First Steps Kent is an independent nonprofit leading a community-wide effort to build a comprehensive early childhood system in Kent County. A comprehensive system requires that programs, policies, and supports are in place to help all young children and their families thrive.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced the 6th annual Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire on Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25. The Call for Makers is now open for makers to register their projects.
Maker Faire celebrates community members who are making or creating things by inviting them to share with the public what they have made! Everyone is a maker, and unfinished products are also encouraged.
Individuals and groups can now sign up at GrandRapids.MakerFaire.com. This year’s Maker Faire will be held at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Maker Faire is looking for participants who enjoy tinkering, hacking, building and designing new technology-based inventions. Any groups or individuals interested in participating in the Maker Faire should complete the application at GrandRapids.MakerFaire.com. The Call for Makers will close on July 31, 2019.
Spots are first-come, first-serve basis with openings inside the GRPM as well as outside on the GRPM’s lawn. Makers’ participation is free for those showcasing! Makers interested in selling products at their booth require a small commercial fee.
Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering that celebrates community members who are making things. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned.
Featuring both established and emerging local “makers,” the Grand Rapids Maker Faire is a family-friendly celebration featuring tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, hobbyists, engineers, artists, students and commercial exhibitors.
The Faire will be open 10am to 5pm on Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25. Tickets will go on sale early summer.
The Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is being organized by a collaborative committee that includes members from: DTE Energy, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Lakeshore Fab Lab at Muskegon Community College, Kent District Library, Kent Intermediate School District, WMCAT, Great Lakes Makers and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
The 6th annual Grand Rapids Maker Faire is sponsored by: Maker Media Inc., Gentex Corporation, Kent Intermediate School District and Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown.
With THE WHO tour launching on May 7th at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, an acclaimed lineup of artists has been announced for the slate of coveted special guest spots on the eagerly-anticipated trek! The rollout of diverse support acts includes some of the most impassioned artists in music, bringing a rousing repertoire of rock, country and bluegrass to audiences on the first leg of the tour. Confirmed for the Grand Rapids date are heavy rockers Dirty Honey.
For WHO fans everywhere, the upcoming tour means only one thing: the world’s most untamable rock band is about to deliver the goods once again. Never ones for nostalgia, singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend will be unleashing the combustible force that is The Who with symphonic accompaniment each night. The opportunity to see the iconic band accompanied by some of America’s most renowned orchestras includes both summer and fall dates in 2019. Produced by Live Nation, The Who’s North American MOVING ON! TOUR will bring their indelible brand of powerhouse rock to 29 cities beginning in May.
Tickets are on sale now. Tickets are available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability.
The Who will also be releasing their first album of new songs in thirteen years later this year. On stage, the line-up will be rounded out by familiar Who players featuring guitarist/backup singer Simon Townshend, keyboardist Loren Gold, bassist Jon Button and drummer Zak Starkey, and complemented by some of the best orchestras in the U.S. and Canada.
Every pair of tickets purchased online includes a redeemable code for a CD copy of The Who’s forthcoming album when it’s released. This offer is available to US and Canada customers only and not valid for tickets purchased via resale. In addition, $1 from each ticket sold for the MOVING ON!TOUR will benefit Teen Cancer America (www.teencanceramerica.org.)
City of Kentwood Veterans Park, at 331 48th St. SE, will be the location of improvements this year. (WKTV)
By City of Kentwood
Exciting changes are coming to Kentwood parks this fall with several construction projects now underway.
Major improvements will bring a new splash pad and playground to Veterans Memorial Park, a covered entry to the Kentwood Activities Center and a new multi-use facility at Old Farm Park.
“As construction gets underway, we ask the community to please pardon our dust and anticipate that some park amenities will be unavailable this summer,” said Val Romeo, Parks and Recreation director. “We are looking forward to opening the new and improved facilities in the fall and appreciate your patience as we make our facilities more accessible, functional and fun.”
The City received a grant to grow community engagement at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 335 48th St. Pending Kent County approval, construction is tentatively set to begin in June and is slated for completion in November. Proposed improvements include a new splash pad with a hexagonal shelter and a new restroom/changing area that will include room for programming, storage and concessions. An additional large shelter, decorative lighting, picnic tables, trash receptacles and bike racks will also be provided.
During construction, the north end of the park, which includes the north playground and swings, north soccer field, tennis, futsal and basketball courts will all remain available for use, as well as the walking path along the creek, the Kentwood Activities Center and the majority of the parking lot. The shelter, splash pad, south playground, sand volleyball courts and south soccer field will be unavailable during construction.
Improvements to the Kentwood Activities Center, also located at 355 48th St., will include a new entrance portico, digital entrance sign and new windows on the front of the existing building.
“Many seniors visit the Kentwood Activities Center to participate in our programs,” Romeo said. “The addition of an entrance portico is an accessibility improvement with that population in mind. By protecting the entrance from rain and snow, patrons will be able to come and go without the worry of navigating slippery pavement.”
The new digital entrance sign will improve public awareness of events and allow the staff to change messages quickly. Replacing the original windows on the building will improve energy efficiency leading to positive environmental impacts.
Construction began the week of April 8 and is slated for completion in late June. The Kentwood Activities Center will remain open throughout the project. On May 3, the Parks and Recreation Department’s power will be turned off for electrical work, which will interrupt phone service. During the week of May 6, the front entry will be closed, but alternate entrances will be made available to the public.
Construction of the new multi-use building at Old Farm Park, located at 2350 Embro Drive SE, is set to begin May 2 and be completed in September. The building will have four family-style restrooms, along with room for programming and storage space. Other improvements include an enhanced central gathering space, new water main to serve the building, infrastructure for a potential future splash pad, trail replacement, landscaping and installation of irrigation.
During construction at Old Farm Park, the disc golf course, all four pickleball courts, basketball courts and small play structure will be available, as well as the walking path through the field around the park. However, the walking path along the parking lot, and the swings will be unavailable during the project.
“While some park amenities will be unavailable throughout this summer during construction, this is a great opportunity for the community to explore some of Kentwood’s other parks and trails,” Romeo said. “We have lots to offer at our community-wide system of parks and trails.”
Other Kentwood parks and trails include:
Bowen Station Park – 4499 Bowen Blvd. SE Burgis Park – 4554 Burgis Ave. East Paris Nature Park – East Paris Ave. East West Trail – 4998 Kalamazoo Ave. SE Home Acres Park – 145 Farnham St. Jaycee Park – 1088 Gentian Drive SE Kellogg Woods Park – 275 Kellogg Woods Park Drive SE Northeast Park – 1900 Middleground Drive SE Paris Park – 3213 60th St. SE Paul Henry Trail – Runs through 44th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue south to 60th Street and Wing Avenue Pinewood Park – 1999 Wolfboro Drive SE Rondo Street Station Park – 1950 Gerda Ave. SE Stanaback Park – 3717 Whitebud Drive Stauffer Station Park – 2360 52nd St. SE Summerwood Park – 4689 Summer Creek Lane SE Wing Station – 5931 Wing Ave. SE
More information about Kentwood’s 14 parks and 6.5 miles of trails is available online at kentwood.us/parks.
An artist’s rendering Woodland Mall’s new Von Maur wing, expected to open later this year. (Supplied/Woodland Mall)
By Woodland Mall
Nearly 20 West Michigan employers will be at Woodland Mall on Saturday, May 4, seeking to fill 100-plus positions in the mall and around the community during an Employment Expo.
Job seekers will have the opportunity to learn about positions with local employers such as Manpower Grand Rapids, Dean Transportation, Forge Industrial Staffing, SMS Service Management Systems, EG Workforce Solutions and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Woodland Mall retailers will also be participating with employment opportunities, such as permanent positions, including full-time management roles.
Recently announced first-to-market retailer A’Beautiful Soul will be hiring, along with Chico’s, which will be revealing its remodeled space in the Von Maur Wing on May 15. LensCrafters, Buckle, JCPenney, Soma Intimates and Victoria’s Secret will also be participating.
Hourly wages for entry-level sales associate positions at the mall range from $12 to $14. The average salary for management positions is $55,000.
“We are delighted to host this expo again this year and help connect job seekers with West Michigan employers,” said Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director. “Woodland Mall is excited to participate as our own retailers offer many different career options with competitive wages for anyone interested in retail.
“It’s a great time to get involved because of the ongoing redevelopment at the mall, which is adding to our retail selections and creating a special shopping experience for consumers.”
Nearly 6,000 visitors are expected to pass through Woodland Mall on the day of the Employment Expo. Booths are still available for additional employers to participate. Registration includes free tables, chairs, wi-fi and parking. Businesses interested in registering may complete an application online.
For more information, contact McCabe at 616-430-8111 or email her at Cecily.McCabe@PREIT.com.
Got your eye on Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Ring of Fire: The Music of Jonny Cash”? Hoping to score tickets to one of the five movies that the Grand Rapids Symphony will be offering in its 2019-2020 series?
Many art organizations have made (or will be making) announcements of shows for the 2019-2020 season, and if you want to assure that you have tickets to the shows you want to see, buying tickets early not only assures that but also can save you money and give you peaks towards other things such as free ticket exchanges when life disrupts your plans.
Here’s the lowdown on a few art organizations that offer early bird specials. Make sure to keep you eyes out as others, such as Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids, will be making announcements soon.
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Packing a punch for the 2019-2020 season is Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, which will be offering “Ring of Fire: The Music of Jonny Cash,” “Frozen, Jr.,” “Elf the Musical,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Mtatilda the Musical,” “June B. Jones Is Not a Crook,” “The Wiz,” “Disney’s High School Musical,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
“What I love about this season is the opportunity to present all the plays that will be new to our audiences anchored by ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,’ one of the greatest plays ever written. Our season is full of well-loved stories, charming musicals, and a dose of holiday magic,” said Executive Director Bruce Tinker.
Season subscriptions are available through Aug. 21, however the early bird specials end April 30, (that is TUESDAY, APRIL 30). So now is the time to snap up tickets if you are interested. Civic offers a number of early bird packages, the Perm Package which includes preferred seating on performance day for five productions picked by the directors. Those productions are “Ring of Fire,” “Elf the Musical,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Matilda the Musical,” and “The Wiz.”
There are also several flex packages available that allow patrons to building their own season by using the tickets in any combination, all for one show or split them up over several shows. Those packages are $150 for six tickets, $200 for 8 tickets, and $250 for 10 tickets.
To purchase early bird subscriptions or to learn more about other options, visit grct.org or call the box office at 616-222-6650.
Opera Grand Rapids
As part of its regular season, Opera Grand Rapids will be featuring the Gilbert & Sullivan’s satire “The Mikado,” Nov. 1 and 2 at St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NW ; and Puccini’s “Turandot May 1 and 2 at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe NW.
“We are thrilled to bring to life two iconic works for our Grand Rapids audiences for the up-coming season,” said James Meena, Artistic Director at Opera Grand Rapids. “By pairing Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved satire, ‘The Mikado,’ with Puccini’s final opera, ‘Turandot,’ Opera Grand Rapids offers two truly contrasting stories, continuing the company’s long-standing reputation for providing unique musical experiences to the community.”
Through May 31, early-bird subscribers receive 25 percent off ticket prices. After May 31, the discount is 15 percent for subscribers. Individuals tickets, which range from $95 – $67, go on sale June 3. Student tickets are $5 with a valid student ID.
For ticket information, visit operagr.org or call 451-2741 next. 103.
Disney’s “Up” is one of the five films that Grand Rapids Symphony will have in its 2019-2020 season. (Pixar)
Grand Rapids Symphony
The Grand Rapids Symphony offers a host of concerts throughout the year and with that a number of subscription packages to fit about any budget. If you love moves, check out the Popcorn Package that has such films as “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Ghostbusters,” Home Alone, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” and “Up.” The movie concerts often sellout.
Other packages include two for the 2019 Picnic Pops, several for the classical series, the Pops Package, SymphonicBoom, Great Eras, and Coffee Classics. For those who like a little of everything, there is a create your own package where you can pick up to four performances. Prices for the packages vary so either check them out at grsymphony.org or call the Symphony Box Office at 616-454-9451, ext. 4.
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health receives a prestigious award in the use of electronic medical record technology to improve patient care. (Supplied)
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health has become the first health system in Grand Rapids to attain HIMSS Level 7 status, the most prestigious distinction in the use of electronic medical record technology to improve patient care.
The designation puts Metro Health in elite company. But the greatest accomplishments are the measurable improvements to the safety and quality of care – faster stroke treatment, more accurate medication administration and additional life-saving advancements.
These advances are supported by the hospital’s sophisticated use of information technology, which hasbeen a hallmark of Metro Health even before it became the region’s first health system to adopt Epicelectronic medical records in October 2006.
Examples from Metro Health’s case studies submitted to HIMSS (Healthcare Information andManagement Systems Society) include:
Speeding stroke treatment from 53 minutes to 29, enabled in part through Vocera technology.
Reducing readmission for heart attacks to rates below national averages through communication about EKG and blood chemical indicators of heart attacks.
Increasing opportunities to treat undiagnosed depression through automatic alerts to physicians based on patient questionnaires.
Improving diabetes management by tracking progress toward outcome targets.
Utilizing data analytics to support business decisions in choosing the best diagnostic tools.
“HIMSS Stage 7 health care system, as tracked by the HIMSS Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model,” said Phillip Bradley, Regional Director, North American, HIMSS Analytics. “The organization isalso validated as a HIMSS Analytics Outpatient Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model Stage 7 system.”
The designation covers electronic medical record adoption in ambulatory as well as hospital applications. Metro Health is one of only two hospitals in the state of Michigan to have obtained both ambulatory and hospital applications.
Metro Health already was in rare company, part of the roughly one-third of health care systems that had achieved Level 6 status. The leap from Level 6 to Level 7 is significant – only 6.4 percent of health systems nationwide have reached Level 7, according to a summary report in 2018.
“Achieving this level is like finishing the last mile of a marathon, or the final 100 feet of a mountainascent – it requires tremendous effort and very few accomplish it,” said Dr. Peter Hahn, President and CEO, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.
“I could not be prouder of our IT team, clinical staff and operational professionals,” he said. “Thisaccomplishment was a true collaborative effort, spanning every aspect of our health care system.”
Here is how HIMSS defines the qualifications for Level 7:
The hospital no longer uses paper charts to deliver and manage patient care and has a mixture of discrete data, document images, and medical images within its EMR environment.
Data warehousing is being used to analyze patterns of clinical data to improve quality of care, patient safety and care delivery efficiency.
Clinical information can be readily shared via standardized electronic transactions with all entities that are authorized to treat the patient, or a health information exchange.
The hospital demonstrates summary data continuity for all hospital services.
Physician documentation and computerize physician order entry has reached 90%, and the closed-loop (barcoding) processes have reached 95%.
While Level 7 represents the pinnacle of information technology achievement, it does not mark the endof Metro Health’s journey in IT innovation, said Chief Information Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer Josh Wilda.
“If anything, it’s just the beginning,” Wilda said. “Metro Health has long recognized and leveraged the power of information technology to deliver better health care. And we’re going to continue to lead the way.”
“We're all in the same boat ready to float off the edge of the world. The flat old world.”
― The Band (from the song "Life is a Carnival")
Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival will open this weekend at Lamar Park. (Supplied)
Life is a carnival
West Michigan families are invited to come out to Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St SW, and enjoy carnival rides, food, and games April 26 – May 5. The carnival will be open Monday through Thursday from 4–8:30 p.m., Friday from 2– 8:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon–8:30 p.m. For the complete story, visit here.
VeggieCon is coming to Kentwood this weekend. (Supplied)
Eat your veggies!
VeggieCon, an event to educate the community more about healthy options, is coming at Encounter Church, 4620 Kalamazoo Ave. SE., Kentwood, on Saturday, April 27. 10 am. to 2 p.m. Along with many family friendly activities, there will be April 27, there will be a fresh produce display on site so people can see what produce is available at local farm stands. For the complete story, visit here.
This strange creature is part of Grand Rapids Public Museum’s “Expedition: Dinosaur exhibition” (Supplied/GRPM)
(Strange) creature comforts
The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s “Expedition: Dinosaur exhibition” has been extended, so visitors can now explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs and the hunt for their fossils through May 12. This exhibit has something for all ages, from life-sized and life-like animatronic dinosaurs – some controlled by visitors – to mechanical and electronic learning stations. For the complete story, visit here.
Fun fact:
240 million years
You may know that the world was full of dinosaurs 99 million years ago, but crocodilian creatures, including current crocodiles themselves – have been on Earth for an estimated 240 million years. Talk about adaptable! (Source)
Brenner Excavating, Inc. (BEI) works on projects with the Michigan Department of Transportation to create roads and paths in West Michigan. At BEI, everyone is treated like family. Kyle Brenner is the contract and safety manager; his father, Kevin, started the company forty-five years ago
“We’re a great size where you don’t get lost in the shuffle. We treat all employees like family but have perks like larger companies, including great benefits,” Brenner said
All in the family
Kirk Alward, project foreman, has spent his 26-year career with BEI. His dad started at the company in 1979 and still works there. Kirk started as a laborer, learned everything he knows on the job and now leads teams as a foreman
“I like what I do because I like the people I work for. There are days when I don’t like my job (like anyone) but I keep coming back because of the Brenners,” Alward said
Alward’s team is currently working on a bike path along Cottonwood in Jenison
“We get a lot of people from other companies who, shortly after starting here, tell us they wish they’d worked here their whole career,” Alward said
Successful career ahead
Heather Wilkins joined Brenner Excavating in 2017 with some construction experience. Her team is working on a retaining wall in Caledonia. As a laborer, she lays pipe, checks grade of dirt, does traffic control. Each day brings different tasks and challenges
“It’s hard work, but I love it. Everyone is so willing to teach,” Wilkins said.
She plans to take a heavy machine operating class over the winter to learn more skills
“I would love to retire from Brenner. I hope to climb the ladder and become a foreman or operator in the future,” Wilkins said
With construction season gearing up, Brenner Excavating has a full season of work ahead of them. They’re taking applications for positions at all skill levels:
The City of Wyoming is starting the process for a new master place, called Wyoming [re]Imagined.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma joanne@wktv.org
There is an undercurrent of excitement building in the City of Wyoming as new developments get underway within the city.
With that in mind, the city has announced that it has formerly launched a new master plan process, called Wyoming [re]Imagined.
“The City of Wyoming is growing and changing at an accelerated rate, and it’s important that we take the time to develop an updated plan,” said City Planner Nicole Hofert. “Wyoming [re]Imagined will provide the city with a new land use plan, updated housing studies, goals for economic development, and a framework to guide strategic investments over the next 20 years.”
And the city is going to start this process next week with a community workshop set for Thursday, May 2, at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The workshop will be from 6 – 8 p.m.
The first public workshop on the new master plan will be at the KDL Wyoming Branch on May 2 starting at 6 p.m.
Residents, visitors, business owners, and anyone with an interest in the City of Wyoming may attend the workshop. At the event, participants will learn about the process as well as provide insight on local concerns that the master plan should address. According to Assistant City Manager Megan Sall, community leaders believe that resident feedback is critical as they identify important issues, opportunities and projects for the future.
The city’s current master plan is about 13 years old and was revised about seven years ago in 2012. Since the revision, the city has implemented the first phase of its 28 West project, which included the redevelopment of the Wyoming Village Mall, now called 28 West Place. This project also has brought in a new apartment development.
City leaders and the council approved a new form-based code for the Division Avenue and 28th Street corridors. There also has been several housing developments underway, including the Granger Group’s The Reserve, which broke ground last fall and development continues at The Metro Health Village.
Sall said the city does have some green space. A vision for the city’s future growth and development will help in planning how that green space is used, she said.
“My fellow council members and I are proud to serve this community, and we are excited for what the future holds,” Mayor Jack Poll said. “The master plan will provide a platform to integrate plans from across the City and region, and it will unite us under a common vision and set of goals. It is my sincere hope that all Wyoming residents will lend their voices to this important work.”
The Wyoming City Council contracted with planning firm House Lavigne Associates who will carry out the work on the master plan with city staff.
In addition to the community workshop on May 2, the public engagement process includes the following:
· Two additional community workshops
· Pop-up meetings at locations across Wyoming
· Student/youth workshops
· Focus groups
· Interactive website
· Surveys, including innovative digital mapping tools
Playing with blocks is one of the most satisfying and fun ways to interact with your child while teaching important skills to enhance their language, social, emotional, cognitive and motor development. Block play can help to increase vocabulary, math, science and overall physical development. In this series of articles, you will learn some specific questions to use to interact with your child using blocks to increase their developmental skills.
There are many ways to increase mathematical skills and knowledge by playing with blocks. Playing with blocks can increase the ability to understand sizes, shapes and patterns. Block play can also lead to increased skills in counting, adding, subtracting and sorting. As you use blocks to play with your children, be aware of some important and fun questions you can ask to support their learning and increasing of mathematical skills.
Questions for learning about counting with blocks:
How many blocks do you have?
Can we count how many blocks you have?
How many square blocks? How many circle blocks?
What color blocks do you have?
Do you have a red block? Do you have a blue block?
How many red (blue, green, orange, etc.) blocks are there?
Questions for learning about patterns with blocks:
Can you make a pattern with…? (choose two color or two shape blocks)
What comes next in the pattern? (example: red, blue, red, blue)
How can you continue the pattern?
Questions for learning about shapes with blocks:
Can you pick up a round block? Can you pick up a square block?
Can you find a block shaped like a triangle? Can you find a block shaped like a circle?
What shapes are you using to build your castle (tower, house, etc.)?
Questions for learning about sizes with blocks:
How tall can you build your block tower?
Which block is the smallest? Which block is the biggest?
Which block is smaller? Which block is bigger?
Can you build a castle/tower larger than the one you just built?
Can you find the smallest block and place it on top?
Questions for learning about sorting with blocks:
Can you put all the yellow (red, blue, green, etc.) blocks right here?
Can you put all the red blocks in the bucket? All the green blocks? All the blue blocks?
Can you line up all the small blocks? Can you line up all the big blocks?
Can you line up all the blocks from smallest to biggest? Biggest to smallest?
Questions for learning about adding using blocks:
How tall will your tower be if you add two more blocks?
How many orange (red, blue, yellow, etc.) blocks will you have if you add one more?
How many red (blue, green, yellow, etc.) blocks will you have if you take one away?
Using any of these questions while playing with blocks can help a child increase their knowledge and excitement of math. Beginning to learn math at an early age can help create pathways in the brain for children to have a greater chance of being successful at learning higher math skills later in life. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) provides many activities, ideas and articles for playful math learning and is a great place to find extra resources for helping children increase their learning in mathematics.
The Kentwood-based food assistance program The Pantry has been busy this past month, first opening its new location at Town and Country Mall and putting together this Saturday’s VeggieCon at Kentwood’s Encounter Church.
In March, Wyoming and Kentwood business leaders and community members came together to marked the official opening of The Pantry’s new home at 4307 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
Started in 1985, The Pantry began as a ministry by John Knox Presbyterian with volunteers operating out of the trunk of their cars, said The Pantry Executive Director Karrie Brown. In its 34 years, The Pantry has grown to now serving more than 12,000 people each month.
Brown said with the new location, there is a dedicated space for the NOW Pantry which services people with chronic health conditions. There is also dedicated classroom space so that the organization, through partnering with other groups, will be offering more healthy living classes, stress management, etc.
“This is to help move the needs forward for people,” she said. “We see those same families month in and month out. It is not an emergency that bring most people to us. It’s chronic poverty.”
To showcase what The Pantry provides and to educate the community-at-large about the various healthy food options out there, The Pantry is hosting VeggieCon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Encounter Church, 4620 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
Brittany Gray, the NOW Pantry coordinator, said switching to a healthier diet is not that difficult with people able to make small changes.
“We kind of keep hearing a bit more about going more whole food based and what that kind of means is more a focus on fresh fruits and vegetables,,” Gray said, adding that it is eating more whole grains and “starting to remove yourself from a lot of meat products, diary and a lot of processed sugars and other preservatives.”
During VeggieCon, residents will have the opportunity to learn more about how to take their favorite meals and make them healthier by switching white bread out for whole grain breads or adding veggies such as lettuce and tomato to your sandwich.
“It is an outside, fun community day,” Brown said of VeggieCon. There will be couch races and a corn hole tournament. Except for those activities, everything at VeggieCon will be free.
“We are going to have a fresh market on site so people that are in the income bracket can come and make purchases, but also so other people can see what produce is available at our farm stand,” Brown said.
For more information about VeggieCon or The Pantry, visit thepanty.gr.
In the dark days of winter, we all start feeling caged in and sick of the cold.
It is normal to feel moody, irritable, anxious, sad, depressed, less motivated and even overwhelmed. Some days we would just rather stay in bed and hide from the world under the covers.
If you have the misfortune to suffer premenstrual syndrome, or premenstrual dysthymic disorder, the winter will seem even longer.
Many women suffer mild mood changes such as irritability during their monthly period, after the birth of a baby or around the time of menopause.
In a normal menstrual cycle, estrogen drops slowly before the period starts. Mood changes are tied to estrogen level changes and, as another cycle begins, estrogen rises and mood changes go away.
What are not as common are mood changes that affect relationships, work behavior or lifestyle habits such as use of alcohol. This happens to women who suffer from these premenstrual syndromes.
The way this works is our brain chemical balance is influenced by estrogen. We each are unique in our chemistry. Our brain chemical balance is a big part of our personality—how we cope, our sex drive, our behavior in general.
Banking with brain chemicals
A couple of brain chemicals to pay attention to are gamma-aminobutyric acid and serotonin.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid is the brain chemical that helps with concentration. Some brains do not make enough of it and this contributes to symptoms of attention deficit disorder.
Serotonin is the brain chemical many women depend on to feel normal. One way to think about serotonin is like money in the bank. Picture a bank balance sheet. We make serotonin during sleep.
Due to genetics, some women make more serotonin than others. Serotonin goes in the “deposit” column of your balance sheet. Serotonin is “spent” on each life event. Unresolved issues or emotional challenges like elder parent care or a difficult job situation “costs” more serotonin than, for example, being late for work or not having any clothes that fit.
When estrogen is low—right before a menstrual period—serotonin is spent more quickly. Something needs to happen to rebuild your balance.
A real life example
A patient of mine I’ll call Mary came to me at the urging of friends.
Mary’s behavior had changed significantly. At Mary’s appointment, we assessed the situation. Her periods were slightly irregular, but still came every month. She had been noticing more headaches, bloating and fatigue around the time of her period. Overall, she thought she was doing well but agreed her moods had been worse.
I asked her what had changed in her life. Mary confided that normally when she was in a bit of a bad mood, she could still “act happy.” Lately, however, she seemed unable to control what came out of her mouth. She worried about everything, particularly—and needlessly—about money or future plans.
Too many nights she could not sleep because her mind simply would not stop. Her weight and sex drive had changed for the worse. Mary simply did not feel connected and often felt sad and she did not know what to do about it.
We talked about how brain chemicals and estrogen are closely related. Because of her lower estrogen level right before periods, she spent her brain chemicals too fast. Also because of low estrogen, she couldn’t sleep well before a period, and therefore didn’t make enough brain chemicals.
Mary had fallen into a vicious cycle.
She hesitated to consider taking medication to help. I reminded her that women 75 years ago would have given anything for the medical options we have today. Women now do not have to suffer like in years past. Times have changed for the better.
Mary did choose to take advantage of medicine that raised her brain chemical serotonin. After three months, she felt like her normal self. She was more active, had started walking again every day and wanted to go out with her friends.
So pay attention, ladies: Bad moods can be a symptom of changing hormone levels, but they do not have to be suffered in silence. Please talk to your doctor and get help.
Each year, a handful of special parades are held in which the participants travel across the 5-mile Mackinac Bridge. These events are fun not only for the participants, but for visitors in downtown Mackinaw City, too. Be sure to add these dates to your summer travel calendar:
Friday, April 26 4th Annual the Mack
Last year, more than 800 Jeeps participated in this annual trek. This year’s crossing will begin at 3pm in St. Ignace with all Jeeps heading south into Mackinaw City before looping around to return to the Upper Peninsula.
Saturday, July 20 6th Annual Mustang Stampede
Celebrating the classic Ford muscle car which was first introduced in 1964. Dozens of cars will be on display from 10am-4pm in Conkling Heritage Park, followed by the bridge parade at 4:30pm. Dinner follows, with live music and the awards ceremony.
Help break the English-held “World Record for Largest-ever MINI Cooper Parade” during this spectacular bi-annual (the current record of 1450 is held by the Surrey MINI Club Owners in the UK). In 2017, 1328 cars participated in the Straits area event (up from 1319 in 2015) and this year hopes to be the biggest group to date.
Saturday, Aug. 24 30th Annual Corvette Crossroads
File photo
Hundreds of Corvettes are on display at the Mackinaw Crossings Mall parking lot from 10-2, with awards in a variety of categories presented at 3pm. The procession lines up at 6pm, with the crossing of the Mackinac Bridge at 7pm. All Corvettes in town are welcome to cross the Mackinac Bridge (there is a nominal fee for non-show registered ‘Vettes to participate in the parade).
First held in 2008 (with 614 participants), this parade feature all makes, models, shapes and sizes of vintage tractors and farm equipment from around the country (and beyond). The line-up begins in downtown Mackinaw City at 9am, with the procession traveling across the bridge to downtown St. Ignace, ending at the Little Bear Arena. Last year, over 1,300 tractors joined in the parade.
Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863, and the March on Washington, 1963, a special exhibition opening at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) on Saturday, May 25, examines the relationship between two great people’s movements, which both grew out of decades of bold actions, resistance, organization, and vision. One hundred years separate them, yet they are linked in a larger story of liberty and the American experience — one that has had a profound impact on the generations that followed.
Created by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History, the exhibit was toured nationwide by the American Library Association’s Public Program Office. The Changing America exhibit is now a possession of the GRPM. In presenting and hosting it, the GRPM will be enhancing it for West Michigan by including artifacts and stories from a local perspective. In addition to artifacts from the GRPM Collections, many artifacts on display will be on loan from the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives. Local stories will be told through the eyes of our community and oral histories will be presented. The exhibition will also include a place for visitors to share their own stories. Shared stories will be added to the GRPM’s digital archive found at grpmcollections.org.
“The Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA) is proud to combine with the Grand Rapids Public Museum to present Changing America,” said George Bayard III, Executive Director of GRAAMA. “We are happy to lend support and artifacts to this important exhibit chronicling a slice of African American history between the Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington. We are eager to get our collection out where more people can view these authentic artifacts. Our loan of anti-slavery newspapers from the 1800s and buttons from the 1963 March on Washington will add detail to an already prestigious Smithsonian display.”
GRAAMA will launch a corresponding exhibit 1863-1963 American Freedom at its 87 Monroe Center, Grand Rapids, location featuring local civil rights activists, quilts and interviews. For more information, visit graama.org.
Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Museum
Changing America at the Grand Rapids Public Museum will run from May 25 through October 2019, will be located in the LACKS changing gallery on the Museum’s third floor, and will be free with general admission. Kent County adult residents receive reduced general admission and Kent County resident children aged 17 and under receive free general admission to the GRPM thanks to the county-wide millage passed in 2016.
In addition to the exhibition, the GRPM is partnering with several community groups to offer community programming as part of the exhibition. Mosaic Film Experience will host a summer camp “Mosaic Mobile Filmmaking” as part of the GRPM’s Camp Curious offerings in conjunction with the exhibit for students in grades 7 to 9. This Mosaic Mobile program is working with the GRPM to expand this story locally by capturing the stories of area civil rights leaders and will give students the opportunity to learn valuable media skills while broadening their knowledge of Grand Rapids history. The camp will take place from June 17 through June 21 and is only $25 per student to participate.
“It is important to connect youth to the past so they can understand their present,” said Skot Welch, Founder of The Mosaic Film Experience. “The Mosaic Mobile Filmmaking program with the Public Museum is a multi-generational project, making history relevant to our young people in a place where they become the story makers. This is an opportunity for them to tell the stories of Civil Rights in our community while allowing us to see this critical time in history through their eyes.”
Westside Collaborative is also partnering as part of the exhibition, and is working on a series of “I am Westside” videos that will be on display as part of the exhibition once completed. To learn more, visit westsidecollaborative.org.
For a full list of related programming, please visit grpm.org.
Changing America at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is sponsored by the David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and Steelcase Inc.
Front row, scholarship recipients (from the left) : Astrid Melissa Lopez Oroxom from Kelloggsvile High School; Luz Parada-Martinez from Godwin Heights High School; Kathryn Abbott from East Kentwood High School; and Crystal Gonzalez-Pineda from Lee High School. Back row, from left: Chamber Education Committee Chair Kathey Batey; Chamber CEO and President Bob O’Callaghan, and Chamber Foundation Director Danna Mathiesen. (WKTV)
Two plan to study medicine. One hopes to be a high school teacher and another plans to go into business.
These are the goals of the four students who received scholarships from the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce during a special luncheon on Wednesday, April 24, at Brann’s Steakhouse and Grill.
Funded by the Mercantile Bank of Michigan, the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance, and the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, the scholarship recognized students from schools in the Wyoming and Kentwood communities. This year, four students were selected representing East Kentwood High School, Godwin High School, Lee High School, and Kelloggsville High School.
Community members, school officials, friends and family members attended the luncheon that recognized the students.
“As I look around this room and see these students, I would say we are in pretty good shape (for the future),” said Godwin Heights Superintendent William Fetterhoff, who attended the event with several school officials that included Kentwood Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff.
We were able to talk to each of the scholarship recipients about their plans for the future and what words of wisdom they would offer to next year’s seniors.
Scholarship recipient Kathryn Abbott (center) with Mercantile Bank CEO Bob Kaminski and Mercantile Bank Vice President and Chamber Foundation Director Danna Mathiesen. (WKTV)
Kathryn Abbott East Kentwood High School College: Ferris State University Major: Nursing, looking at becoming a nurse practitioner
“I have always found it interesting,” Abbott said of her career choice. “I have watched a lot of medical shows and just felt like I would really like it.”
Advice for next year’s seniors: “Don’t procrastinate on those applications and the FSDA (Financial Student Development Authority). We discovered that a lot of the seniors in my class had not even done FSDA yet. Oh, and apply for all the scholarships you can.”
Scholarship recepient Luz Parada-Martinez with Mercantile Bank Vice President and Chamber Foundation Director Danna Mathiesen. (WKTV)
Luz Parada-Martinez Godwin Heights High School College: Davenport University Major: Business
“I just feel that through business you are able to connect with your community and the people and through that I will be able to make a contribution back to the community,” Parada said.
Advice for next year’s seniors: “Do not procrastinate and work hard. Get scholarships and good grades because it will be all worth it in the end when you graduate.”
Scholarships recipient Astrid Melissa Lopez Oroxom (center) with Mercantile Bank Vice President and Chamber Foundation Director Danna Mathiesen (left) and Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance Jenn Franson (right). (WKTV)
Astrid Melissa Lopez Oroxom Kelloggsville High School College: Grand Rapids Community College Major: Medicine
“I want to help people,” Lopez said.
Advice for next year’s seniors: “Study hard so you can achieve whatever you want.”
Scholarships recipient Crystal Gonzalez-Pineda (center) with Mercantile Bank Vice President and Chamber Foundation Director Danna Mathiesen (left) and Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance Jenn Franson (right). (WKTV)
Crystal Gonzalez-Pineda Lee High School College: Michigan State University Major: Education and Arts and Humanity
“I wanted to give back to my community and one way I could is with education,” Gonzalez said. “The teachers gave so much to me that I wanted to do the same thing.”
Advice for next year’s seniors: “Apply for scholarships early because college is a lot more expensive then you thought.”
After a rousing start to his Double Down Tour,Eric Church spoke directly to his faithful Church Choir in a video message, announcing additional shows to extend his 2019 trek into the fall. In addition to the previously announced shows hitting more than 25 cities, Church has now added three more dates, including a stop in Grand Rapids at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5, 2019 at 8pm.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 3 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of six (6) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability. *This show will utilize mobile tickets only. All box office purchases will be kept in will call until 2pm on the day of the show.
A pit ticket pre-sale begins on Tuesday, April 30 at 9:30am through the Eric Church Official App with a pre-sale for paid fan club members also running on April 30 from 10am through 10pm.
On March 14, the ACM Album of the Year nominee told his fans “I don’t want to be two months from the end of this thing — so we’re going to play a little more . . . I can’t thank you enough for what this is and what I’m seeing every night. I appreciate everyone giving me everything they’ve got, and I look forward to seeing you on the road!”
Church has set a new standard for touring with his back-to-back stands in each city of the Double Down Tour, with Rolling Stone pointing out each night’s unique “set list that dwarfs those of his country peers . . . where loose, funky explorations [are] given just as much space as the singer’s radio hits” and the Kansas City Star noting that the concept works “to showcase Church’s expansive range.” The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also praised the structure of the tour, proclaiming “it was perfection. And then, after two hours and 45 minutes of music, it was over. Until the next night
Church has also made a point to surprise unsuspecting fans with tickets to the pit encapsulated by the stage itself at various shows, handing out passes on the streets of Boston and in the top rows of the arena in Minneapolis. For a tour that has thrilled fans at every unpredictable turn thus far, the added shows are sure to bring even more excitement
About Eric Church
The three-time Country Music Association and six-time Academy of Country Music Award winner released his highly-anticipated album Desperate Man atop the Billboard Country Albums chart on Oct. 5. The album also debuted at No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Rolling Stone describes the album as “classic Church: expertly crafted and country-radio-friendly, while also pushing boundaries in a way that sounds natural and unforced” and American Songwriter notes that it “sublimates the pain of a tumultuous year into his most adventuresome album yet.”
Bob O’Callaghan, Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce CEO and president, joins the Fresenius Kidney Care staff in opening the Fresenius Kidney Care Clyde Park South. (WKACC)
As the weather warms up, there has been a lot of activity with in the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming as businesses open new locations, joining the Wyoming and Kentwood communities.
In March, the Fresenius Kidney Care, the dialysis division of Fresenius Medical Care North America, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new clinic at 5311 Clyde Park Ave. SW in Wyoming.
The clinic, which can treat a maximum of 96 patients a week, enables Fresenius Kidney Care’s local team of expert medical professionals to better serve the Kent County area’s growing dialysis community. In Michigan, more than 14,600 people living with end stage renal disease are on dialysis.
The Fresenius Kidney Care Clyde Park South strives to empower people to thrive on and live the healthiest, fullest way possible with kidney disease treatments that fit in with life. The facility offers patient services and the latest dialysis treatment options including in-center dialysis and has Fresenius Rx renal-trained pharmacists who can help dialysis patients manage their medications.
To learn more about Fresenius Kidney Care visit its website, freseniuskidneycare.com or call 1-888-373-1470.
On April 11, the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the rebranding of Azpira Place of Breton at 4352 Breton Rd. SE. (WKACC)
On April 11, the chamber marked the rebranding of the Azpira Place of Breton (formerly Elmcroft of Kentwood), located at 4352 Breton Rd. SE., Kentwood. The 54,387-square-foot facility offers both an assisted living portion as well as the “A Knew Day” memory support neighborhood. The facility is part of the Pathway to Living community which owns or managers 29 communities comprising about 2,800 units in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
For more about Azpira Place of Breton, visit the website or call 616-499-2357.
On April 18, the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the new U.S. Army Recruiting Office now on 28th Street. (WKACC)
On April 18, the chamber helped celebrate the new location of the Wyoming Army Recruiting Center, which moved from Clyde Park Avenue to 1274 28th St. in the 28 West Place (formerly Wyoming Village Mall). Focusing on land operations, the U.S. Army organizes, trains, and equips active duty and Reserve forces to preserve the peace, security, and defense of the United States.
For more on the U.S. Army, visit its website, goarmy.com,or call 616-531-3700.
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, who represents Wyoming and Kentwood, talks to a group at a “Coffee with Constituents” visit to Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming April 23. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (Republican-Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District), who represents Wyoming and Kentwood, has spoken loud and often of the positive impact of Republican-led 2017 tax cuts for businesses large and small, and he did so again Tuesday at a “Coffee with Constituents” visit to Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming.
At the April 23 event, donut shop owner Marge Wilson, herself, echoed the congressman as she spoke to WKTV about what the tax cuts have meant for her business and her now-enlarged employee payroll.
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga and Marge Wilson at Marge’s Donut Den. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“I was hoping (that the business tax cut) would help, but I got more value than I definitely expected,” Wilson said to WKTV. “The qualified business tax deduction … for my business, that was significant. I bought a new (commercial) mixer with the amount of taxes that I saved, and our mixer was needed.
“And then the tax bracket was reduced 3 percent, which was another help. … I was able to hire more people and give them a substantial raise in pay.”
Wilson said she hired four full-time employees.
The positive result of the tax cut “is significant,” Rep. Huizenga said to WKTV at the event. “I hear it all the time … it is real and it allows people, like Marge, and others, to hire additional people, to invest in their business.”
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga talks to a group at a “Coffee with Constituents” visit to Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming April 23. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
According to information distributed by Rep. Huizenga’s office recently, since passage of the 2017 Republican tax cuts, economic growth hit nearly 3 percent, with just under 3.4 million new jobs and a 3.2 percent increase in hourly wages.
Rep. Huizenga’s visit to Wyoming was part of a series of “coffee hour” visits where not only the representative but members of his staff were present to assist 2nd District residents who have questions regarding federal policy or are having trouble with a federal agency. So far this year, according to his office, the congressman has held coffee hours in Hart, Baldwin, and Zeeland, and has participated in a town hall forum in Ludington.
The public meetings are “a touch point, having people who have very different perspectives and views, coming in and (my) spending a few minutes with them,” Rep. Huizenga said. “This is a good way for people to have that opportunity.”
Wilson said she appreciates the effort of elected officials such as Rep. Huizenga and local State Rep. Tommy Brann (R-House District 77).
“Both of those men excel at reaching out to people,” Wilson said. “They go where a lot of people go, so they are accessible. … Here they can have a coffee and a donut together, it’s a lot more relaxed. For those guys (Huizenga and Brann) to get out of their comfort zone and come to the people, I think that is huge.”
Tax cuts and donuts were only one (large) part of the discussion at Marge’s, and while many private constituent conversations remain so, Rep. Huizenga did talk to WKTV about how his work in Washington, D.C., has changed in the aftermath of the 2018 elections and the change of House of Representatives control to the Democrats.
“My priorities are the same it is just how do you work towards them,” he said. “It is different. I no longer have the ability as to what bill we are going to be taking up in a subcommittee. It is harder to directly influence (actions) but I still have the same goals and objectives,”
For more information about Rep. Huizenga’s office and how to contact his staff, visit huizenga.house.gov .
