All posts by Joanne

School News Network: How best to get the jump on college? Students give the lowdown

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By Erin Albanese
School News Network

These days, students have multiple ways to get credit for college courses – and save college tuition – while still in high school. We asked a few from East Kentwood and Rockford high schools which options they chose, and why.

Advancing with Advanced Placement 

Kyle Dent, East Kentwood senior 

Kyle is tallying up Advanced Placement courses, hoping to start college next year with a semester’s worth of credits completed through AP calculus, AP biology and AP economics.

He loved AP statistics as a junior. “The way they teach the curriculum is amazing,” Kyle said. “I can communicate and relate with (the teachers).”

While he’s not sure where he wants to go to college, Kyle said he’s prepared because of the challenging courses he’s taken. “It allows you to get college credits if you are willing and able. … It pushes kids to another level.”

Kyle said he would have enrolled in EK Middle College had it started his sophomore year. The program started last semester.

“If I had had the opportunity to do it, I would have, without a doubt,” he said. “I don’t see a con to taking middle college and AP.”

Rockford junior Elsa Dondit said she enjoys the challenge of AP classes

Elsa Dondit, Rockford junior

Elsa is taking an AP language and composition class this year, which also earns her credit at Ferris State University. She took AP U.S. history as a sophomore, and plans to take AP psychology, calculus and literature as a senior. Besides the lure of earning college credits without racking up tuition costs, she says the courses help her learn college skills such as time management and preparing for a major exam.

Plus, she enjoys the classes. Although a lot rides on getting a good score on the AP test, she figures that helps her gear up for the demands of higher education. She’s considering Hope College or the University of North Carolina.

“I like the challenge of it,” said Elsa, who aims to study psychology or a medical field in college. “I like the push for this big test at the end. It’s a good environment to be in to get yourself ready: learning how to learn and learning how to take tests.”

Taking the Middle College Path

East Kentwood sophomore Olivia Lewis said learning to navigate college courses is a benefit to EK Middle College

Olivia Lewis, East Kentwood sophomore 

In August, Olivia started taking the Grand Rapids Community College courses, “Introduction to College” and “Environmental Geology” as one of 25 students in the first cohort of EK Middle College. She and her peers will take two college courses each semester through their senior years taught by GRCC instructors at East Kentwood.

They will then complete a fifth year, technically still as East Kentwood students — but with classes on GRCC’s campus full-time — to earn a tuition-free, 60-credit associate of arts degree.

“At first I just wanted to try something different,” said Oliva, who is considering transferring to Michigan State University after GRCC to become a special education teacher. “I could have taken AP, but now I’m actually getting college credits and I don’t have to take an exam,” she added, referring to AP’s requirement to earn college credit.

“The program will show me how college works, what the teachers are like, and it will expose me to different expectations.”

Potential savings are huge. The cost of full in-state tuition plus room and board at MSU is $24,844 per year. Starting with two years completed could save Olivia nearly $50,000.

Olivia said her parents were pleased she signed on to the opportunity. “They were excited for me and glad I was going to get my associate degree early. They both didn’t finish college.”

East Kentwood sophomore Jad Ramadan said saving money is a major plus of EK Middle College

Jad Ramadan, East Kentwood sophomore

Jad joined EK Middle College because he saw it as a can’t-lose option. He explained: “In the beginning I wanted to challenge myself. I needed a challenge.

“I felt like it would save a lot of time and money that my parents didn’t have, so I could grow up and do what I wanted to do.”

He wants to be a defense lawyer and plans to transfer from GRCC to MSU or Ferris State University.

Olivia and Jad said they will try to squeeze AP classes into their busy schedules to build their stack of college credits even higher.

Covering All the Bases 

Rockford senior Jacob Simkins takes both AP and early college courses to get a hard start on a university program

Jacob Simkins, Rockford senior 

Jacob is taking classes in AP calculus, physics and biology. But he’s also taking college courses, in health care and medical terminology, from Grand Valley State University as part of Rockford’s dual-enrollment agreement with GVSU’s health science program.

Along with two AP courses he took last year, and a Ferris State senior composition class earlier this year, Jacob figures on piling up about 15 college credits by the time he graduates. That should give him a great jump on work toward a degree in the biomedical field, either at MSU or Central Michigan University.

Jacob said he’s happy to take advantage of both AP and early college courses, to save money and get college basics out of the way.

“I figure if they have the classes offered and I can take them, why not? I don’t have to waste credits on fulfilling prerequisites.”

He hopes to be doing graduate-level math by the time he’s a college freshman or sophomore, putting him further ahead toward a career in medical research. He said he relishes the challenge of college-level work.

“It’s the best. It teaches you how to learn, and how to buckle down.”

Rockford senior Jake Engelkes said AP courses are run like college classes

Jake Engelkes, Rockford senior 

Jake is taking AP statistics, and took a senior composition class first semester through Rockford’s concurrent enrollment agreement with Ferris State University, in which Rockford instructors teach FSU-level courses.

He is counting on both classes to help him get started at Indiana Wesleyan, where he has a baseball and academic scholarship. He says the courses help with his GPA and get him an early start on his business major. Because of the scholarship, he has to play ball for four years, but the college credits will still help, he says.

“It’ll just get me moving quicker to my major, and knocks out these classes that I would have to take,” Jake said, noting the FSU credits will transfer to Indiana Wesleyan.

“I think the AP classes prepare you so well for college,” he added. “The teachers do such a great job. They run it like a college class.

Rockford senior Riley Belcher says the AP tests make her a little nervous, but knows it will help her in college

Riley Belcher, Rockford senior

Riley also took FSU senior comp, which doubles as an AP class, and is taking AP psychology. The latter class causes her some anxiety, knowing she must pass the test to get credit for it.

“I’m not a great tester,” she admitted. “That scares me a little bit, but I know it’s going to help me in college in the major I want to go into.”

Riley plans to major in special education and get a master’s in school counseling. She’s looking at Taylor University — which carries at $35,000 tuition tag – and needs to score at least a 3 on the 5-point AP test in order to get college credit. Either way, she would still earn high school credit and gain background in her field.

She preferred the FSU course and excelled in it. The teacher was tough, she said, but in a good way.

“I like the freedom that we had. It was cool to see what I could work on, because he definitely pushed you harder to do better.”

Paws for peacefulness

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There’s an infinite amount of calm and comfort to be had in the company of dogs, cats and birds. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay

 

Cats, dogs, birds and other pets can help people manage their mental disorders, a study says.

 

Researchers from the United Kingdom asked more than 50 adults with long-term mental conditions about the role pets play in their social networks.

 

Sixty percent placed pets in the central and most important circle—above family, friends and hobbies. Another 20 percent placed pets in the second circle.

 

Many said the constant presence and close proximity of their pets provide an immediate source of calm. For some, a pet helps distract them from symptoms and upsetting experiences such as hearing voices or suicidal thoughts.

 

“You just want to sink into a pit … the cats force me to sort of still be involved with the world,” one patient said.

 

Another patient said: “I’m not thinking of the voices, I’m just thinking of the birds singing.”

 

The findings were published in the journal BMC Psychiatry.

 

“The people we spoke to through the course of this study felt their pet played a range of positive roles, such as helping them to manage stigma associated with their mental health by providing acceptance without judgment,” said study lead author Helen Brooks, from the University of Manchester.

 

“Pets were also considered particularly useful during times of crisis,” Brooks said in a journal news release.

 

“Pets provided a unique form of validation through unconditional support, which [the patients] were often not receiving from other family or social relationships,” she said.

 

Despite this, pets weren’t considered in the individual care plans for any of the people in the study, Brooks said.

 

The results suggest pets should be considered a main source of support in the management of long-term mental health problems, Brooks and her colleagues concluded.

 

Through open discussion of what works best for individual patients, the mental health community might better involve people in their own mental health care, she said.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Opera singer Speedo Green found a dream to help him beat the odds

Entertainment
Opera singer Ryan Speedo Green shares his amazing story from violence and despair to performing at The Met on March 26.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org


Becoming an opera singer is a difficult dream to achieve with success being even harder than making it on an NFL team. Couple it with the challenges of coming from a low-income housing project in Virginia and having a temper that lands you in juvenile detention, and well it would appear that Ryan Speedo Green would never make it the stage of The Metropolitan Opera.

But nine years after seeing his first opera at the age of 15, bass-bartonie Speedo was performing at The Met. His journey is chronicled in the book “Speedo Green: Sing For Your Life,” which he will discuss Thursday, March 26, at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. SW. Joining Speedo will be his author Daniel Bergner.

“When I was in fourth grade, nine to eleven years old, I was in a class with six of seven of the worst kids in the school district in southeastern Virginia. I was taught by this five-foot one, tiny blonde curly-hair lady..,” said Speedo during a 2016 interview with Trevor Noah of “The Daily Show.”

“The first thing I did on the first day of school was throw my desk at her and telling her that I would not be taught by a white woman. And instead of sending me to the office for my mother to take me home, she took my chair away and said you can learn from the floor and when you are ready to learn from your desk you can have both your chair and your desk back.”

This was the first tough love lesson that Speedo had ever received.

“She made it a point to teach everyone in the class, of all ethnicities, the Martin Luther King speech, ‘I Have a Dream speech,’” Speedo said during “The Daily Mail” interview. “And she made all of us learn it and memorize it and say it almost every day because she wanted all of us to know that in her class you would not be judged by the color of your skin but by the content of your character, and that stayed with me.

However, after leaving the “safety” of that classroom, Speedo continued to lash out, threatening to stab his mother and brother. He was sent to juvenile detention, landing in solitary confinement for lashing out at the other inmates.

“When I got out, I made the decision to surround myself with not only the right people but the right environment,” Speedo said, adding he sought out extra curricular activities, joining football and even Latin Club because it was so different from his home life.

“I took choir as an easy elective so I thought I would have this amazing football career, obviously that didn’t work out,” he said with a laugh.

Instead, at the age of 15, Speedo would see his first opera at The Metropolitan Opera.

“I thought opera was something only a white person could do,” Speedo said to Trevor. “I thought it was this big fat Viking woman breaking windows based off of cartoons.

“For me, I saw the opera, the opera was ‘Carman’ at The Metropolitan Opera, and what made it so monumental to me which changed my life, was the person singing the lead role, the title role, was an African American mezzo soprano by the name of Denyce Graves.”

At that moment, Speedo said he knew what he wanted to do with his life, sing opera, and nine years later he accomplished that performing as Mandarin in Puccini’s “Turnandot” in the 2012-2013 Met season.

The March 26 presentation, which is part of “The Series: Creative Expressions of African-American Culture” will feature Speedo and Bergner discussing Speedo’s journey from violence and despair to performing with one of the world’s most elite arts institutions. The presentation will include a live performance by Speedo of a short selection of arias followed by a question-and-answer session with Speedo and Daniel. 

Tickets start at $40 and are available through DeVos Performance Hall at ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. 

Cat of the week: Levon

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Levon, Levon likes his cat food

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing


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).


Fabulous four-year-old Levon (born in the summer of 2014) came to us in late July, 2018 as a FIV+ transfer from the Humane Society of Mid-Michigan in Montcalm County. Seems that this dapper tabby arrived at their facility in March, but given his viral status, they weren’t making any progress on promoting his adoption; when their shelter space became limited they asked us for help in housing him and giving him better opportunities for adoption exposure.


One of our dual volunteers transported him to the vet clinic where Dr. Jen did her typical intake work-up and happily discovered he was FIV-negative. However as (bad) luck would have it, he was free-roaming in an area with other FIV+ kitties and had suffered a bite wound that no one there was aware of until she examined him (he purred the entire time), so she had to schedule another retest a month later; at that time he retested positive once again.


Cats with strong immune systems can actually clear the infection from their bodies, but since there is no effective vaccine against it, he picked it up once again after three punctures wounds on his tail drove the virus into his bloodstream. So after spending a month at Crash’s, at the writing of his bio he has become a Sid’s Kid; in a month another test will be performed to see where he will take up permanent residence until he can find a home of his very own and stop shuffling around.


The interesting thing is that initially Levon was a tough nut to crack, as he wasn’t a happy camper given the fact that his bite wounds had to be tended to twice daily and were taking their time healing, but once he was moved over to Sid’s he was like a different cat! He hooked up with a few cats with whom he formed fast friendships and began to socialize, versus hanging out on the toddler beds or sitting on the windowsills by himself; though he was quite content to engage in those solo activities, we are thrilled that he has found his niche.

And he shall be a good cat…


There is more space at Sid’s but there is also a larger population, so we can’t help but chalk up his change in attitude—his finally showing everyone the softer side Dr. Jen was privy to while he was at the clinic—to the fact that his injuries didn’t require further medical attention. Levon also doesn’t have Hamish the Handful to contend with, a tabby that can be quite the terror when he is feeling sassy and saucy (which is most of the time, so he has settled in quite nicely and is no longer trying to become a big fish in a small pond.


Now that he has found his purr again, you get to hear it not just when we approach him, but when he hunkers down next to you. He isn’t fond of being picked up, nor is he one to actively seek out human attention that often, but if given to him he is now happily accepting and affectionate in return, versus trying to high-tail it on outta there. We have no doubt that the more time he spends with us simply getting to enjoy himself as a resident versus a patient, he will fall as in love with his human caretakers as we all have with him.


Levon is a good cat who deserves a home of his own, with good feline company, an older kid or two and perhaps even a mellow dog—and a little Elton John music thrown in there for good measure.

More about Levon:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair & Tabby Mix (Tiger-striped)
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • FIV-positive
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

Want to adopt Levon? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.


Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.


Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Caregiver’s Guide to Adaptive Clothing

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

 

 As a caregiver, you have many responsibilities that can leave you physically and mentally drained. While getting your loved one dressed sounds like it should be the least of your worries, nothing is more frustrating than struggling to get arms up and into a shirt or needing to remove clothes in time for toilet needs. Adaptive clothing could be the solution that makes your day run a whole lot smoother.

What is Adaptive Clothing?

Adaptive clothing is designed to make getting dressed a painless and straightforward process. A lot of thought is put into how the clothing falls and is secured on the body. What makes them an attractive option is their ability to prevent injury by being more maneuverable and easier to work with. And, they aren’t just for the convenience of the caregiver.

 

Seniors with physical limitations or mobility issues often find them to be more comfortable than their regular clothes. Some are even able to live more independently because it allows them to get dressed freely without conflict.

 

You might be thinking that adaptive clothing is a style cramper, and your loved one wouldn’t be caught wearing them in public. While it’s true that options were limited in the past, today, adaptive clothing has evolved to be more than hospital gowns and stretchy pants. Many of the designs are modeled after popular styles and can address a variety of needs. In other words, seniors can feel good while looking great.

What to Look For

If you’re new to adaptive clothing, knowing what to look for can be mystifying. After all, adaptive clothing takes many shapes and has a variety of functions. They come in pants, tops, skirts, robes, capes, undergarments, and footwear. Not to mention, you may need to keep an eye out for specialized functionalities, such as for dementia patients who may have a tendency to disrobe or for people with diabetes who need compression wear. Here are some adaptive clothing features to keep in mind:

 

Shirts

  • Opens up completely (arms can slide in rather than be lifted overhead)
  • Magnetic, snap, overlapping, or hook and loop closures
  • Fabrics that won’t irritate sensitive skin, such as 100 percent cotton
  • Shoulder snap closures on pajamas
  • Full zipper backs to keep clothes on without worry of disrobing

Pants

  • Back of pants are able to be completely open
  • Legs can be inserted into pants while in a seated position
  • Able to open at the sides
  • Option for additional nylon handles that allow a caregiver to complete safe transfers
  • Elastic waistbands

Footwear

  • Use of hook and loop closure
  • Closure is adjustable in order to accommodate wide feet and other concerns
  • Suitable support
  • Slip-resistant soles
  • Non-constrictive diabetic socks to relieve issues with swollen feet and ankles
  • Anti-skid socks

Most people don’t give a second thought as to how they put on their clothing, but when you’re a caregiver, the challenges of dressing someone become obvious. Adaptive clothing is a gentle solution that gives the person in your care more comfort and independence. If you’re considering adaptive clothing for a loved one, explore the options and find the styles that fit their needs

 

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

Double Feature of Pink Sky to wrap up Concerts Under the Stars

Entertainment
Local band Pink Sky will perform March 21 and 22, wrapping up the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Concerts Under the Stars

By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced a fifth concert in the popular Concerts Under the Stars series. Local band Pink Sky will be performing a second night, concluding the 2019 series on Thursday, March 21,and Friday, March 22. Concert goers can sit back and enjoy the wonder of the cosmos with the wonder of music. 

Concerts Under the Stars take place in the GRPM’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium featuring live, local bands performing, accompanied by a live light show on the planetarium dome.

Due to popular demand of this sold out Concerts Under the Stars series, Pink Sky will be performing two concerts. The band will play back to back on Thursday, March 21 and now also on Friday, March 22.

Pink Sky is an indie electronica artband that performs immersive live sets with analog synths, drum machines, samplers, electric pianos, and live visual projections. Accompanying Pink Sky with live visuals will be Nate Eizenga.  

Concerts Under the Stars begins at 7:30 p.m., with Museum doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments, beer, and other beverages will be available for purchase. Performers will play two sets, with a short intermission in between.

Tickets are $12 for GRPM members and $15 for non-members if purchased in advance, and $15 for members and $18 for non-members on the day of the concert. Tickets are currently on sale at grpm.org, by calling 616.929.1700 or at the Museum’s front desk.

Pink Sky was formed in late 2016 by husband and wife, Ryan and Angelica Hay, as a response to a loss of identity after each suffered separate life-threatening traumas. Since then, Pink Sky has served as an attempt to create immersive beauty while reclaiming meaning and identity. Pink Sky hosts an art and music series (HAY YAH House Shows) in their home studio in Grand Rapids, featuring two synth-based artists and two visual artists each show.

Nate Eizenga is a Grand Rapids native who moonlights as a video artist focusing on accompaniment for live musical performances. By using controllers intended for digital music production to create, mix, and manipulate video in real time, he crafts a visual experience that toes the line between artistic spontaneity and musical synchronicity. Since his first public show in 2015, Nate has performed for numerous events, including Concerts Under the Stars 2017 and 2018.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

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By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org


Quote of the Day

“March is the month God created to show people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.”


~ Garrison Keillor


A force with which to be reckoned

The construction industry is a virtually untapped source of high-demand, well-paying jobs for women. Women in Construction Week focuses on raising awareness of the opportunities available in construction and emphasizing the growing role of women in the industry. Read more here.

Listen to those pipes

The gift of song has always been Thomas Carpenter’s saving grace. His deep baritone-bass voice has opened doors many times, and he delights in singing at church, for Dégagé, nursing homes, Heartside Art Studio and Ministry, and other organizations that help the homeless. Read more here.

Boo!


It’s rare, but you can actually be scared to death. When a person is frightened or perceived to be in danger, the brain triggers a surge of adrenaline, which makes the heart beat faster and pushes the body instantly into “fight-or-flight” mode. It also affects the liver and pancreas, triggers perspiration and pushes blood toward major muscle groups. But don’t let that scare you. Read all about it here.



Fun fact:

It’s a thing

Spring fever isn’t just a saying — experts say the body’s makeup changes due to different diets, hormone production and temperature.

Former Wyoming restaurant had its own ‘secret’ sauce

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

McDonald’s may have had its “secret sauce” for its Big Macs, but many locals can recall the special homemade relish recipe you could only get from Wyoming’s Kum-Bak Burgers.

“You have to go back to the late 1950s when 28th Street was becoming a booming community and in fact, 28th Street was being called the Miracle Mile,” said Wyoming Historical Commission Chairman Bill Branz.

The Kum-Bak restaurant was located at 1105 28th Street, where the Huntington Bank is now. (Supplied)

With the then proposed Rogers Plaza set to be built along 28th Street and the 131 freeway also coming in, businesses were moving in along the 28th Street corridor. 

McDonald’s was the first fast-food restaurant to open along 28th Street at 28th Street and DeHoop Avenue, where it still operates. About a year later, a local couple, the Ybemas, opened Kum-Bak Burgers, where the burgers were only 15 cents. The restaurant was kiddy corner to the Wyoming City Hall at 1105 28th St. SW, which is now where the Huntington Bank is located.

The Kum-Bak owners were Seret and Marianne Ybema. (Supplied)

“It became very popular and in fact, it was a favorite for all the teenage kids to hangout,” Branz said. 

The burgers, and fries, were delicious, according to Branz. The restaurant was open for about 18 years, closing in 1977. But before doing so, Kum-Bak had created quite a following for its homemade relish, which some years later was republished by Marian Stevens, the former recipe writer for “The Advance” newspapers. The recipe is still sought after today with people posting requests for it on recipe queries. 

For those interested, here is the famous Kum-Bak relish recipe. Enjoy.

Kum-Bak Relish

1 small bunch celery, finely diced

1 large onion finely diced

1 jar (10 ounces) sweet pickle relish

1 small bottle ketchup

1/4 cup mustard

1/3 cup vinegar Tablespoons sugar

In large saucepan, combine celery, onion, relish, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Spoon into clean pint jars. Process into water bath for 5 minutes. 

For more City of Wyoming historical facts, visit the Wyoming Historical Room in the KDL Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The room is open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month or by appointment. Call 261-3508 or visit its Facebook page.

A paper hat from Kum-Bak

It’s March! Bite into a healthier lifestyle this National Nutrition Month

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Courtesy Cherry Health

By Dawn Ware, Cherry Health


The month of March means it is time for another celebration of National Nutrition Month! This annual campaign was created by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to help inspire people to learn how to make healthier lifestyle choices and reduce chronic disease. The idea focuses on the importance of improving lifestyle eating and exercise habits to bring wellness.


Here are a few ideas to get started on building a healthy lifestyle:

  • If you haven’t done it and have a chance to, see a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): This can take the guesswork out of knowing where to start or what to do. Registered Dietitians (RDs) or RDNs are specialized in medical nutrition therapy to reduce risk of disease or chronic conditions. Dietitians work in schools, doctor offices, hospitals, diabetes clinics and many other places. Ideas of topics that they can educate on include weight management, diabetes, blood pressure, exercise etc. You can ask to be referred to an RD or RDN at Cherry Health if you are interested.
  • Learn how to plan meals: Eating healthy may feel overwhelming sometimes, but it is easier than you think. The meal can be quick to make and doesn’t need to be large and complicated or expensive to be healthy. One idea is to use my plate for a balanced healthy meal since it includes: the grain, dairy, fruit, veggie, and protein group. Pick at least 3 foods from these groups for balance. A plan for breakfast can look like a fruit, a cup of milk and an egg. Use this idea for lunch, dinner or snacks. To make it healthier, you can include foods from the food groups. You can get recipes and portion sizes from choosemyplate.gov
  • Learn how to read ingredients and food labels: A Dietitian can be valuable to help teach you this since food labels can often be confusing and misunderstanding. If there isn’t a lot of time to sort this out, start with looking at the added sugars. If sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup is in the first 3 ingredients, it is usually added. A good example is yogurt. Added sugar is now appearing on the food label. Here is a trick: look at added sugar grams on the food label and divide by 4. This equals your teaspoons of sugar. This goes by servings size. The bigger the portion, the more sugar.
  • Make it simple: Ordering pizza can be simple but not always healthy. A healthier option might be bagged salad with light dressing, rinsed cubed lean ham on salad, 100% whole wheat bread with light butter, and an apple.
  • Go back to the basics: The basics to me as an RD aren’t in a box or a takeout bag for health. The food is close to the original form such as fruit, veggies, lean meats (not chicken nuggets), sweet or white potatoes, rice, a cup of milk, plain yogurt with added fruit and nuts. This seems to work very well over the long run for health and weight loss.

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

South Christian boys basketball in regionals after impressive performance in districts

City of Kentwood, Sports
South Christian defeated Grand River Prep with its offense and its defense, as shown here. (WKTV/Drew Dargavell)

By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern
ken@wktv.org

Grand Rapids South Christian High School’s impressive season pushes on to a MHSAA Boys Basketball Playoff regional tournament this week after the Sailors won the Division 2 District 44 championship on Friday, March 1, with an impressive win over Grand River Preparatory Academy, 68-38.

South Christian (now 20-3 on the season) will play in the Regional 11 tournament at Fremont, with a quarterfinal game set for Tuesday, March 5, at 8 p.m., vs. Coopersville (12-10).

“I think you can’t be satisfied with just winning this (District tounament)” Sailors head coach Jeffrey Meengs said after the Friday win. “These guys want to keep playing and they want to keep winning and they have the opportunity to do that.”

For video interview with Coach Meengs and one of his players, follow this link.

South Christian’s run through District play

The Sailors are now in the midst of a 17-game winning streak after starting off the season 3-3, and they won the OK Conference Gold, going 11-1 in conference play and 17-3 in the regular season.

In the district tournament, which they hosted, the Sailors had to push through all three rounds of play, first taking out Wyoming Kelloggsville by a score of 77-37.

The next matchup did not come so easy however, as they took on the Wyoming Godwin Heights Wolverines, winners of the OK Conference Silver. The game was a back-and-forth defensive nail-biter which ultimately ended up a Sailors victory by a score of 47-45, thanks in part to a last seconds 3-pointer by junior Tyler Buwalda, who ended up with 15 points.

For another story on this semifinal game, follow this link.

After the semifinal game, when asked if this game felt more like a title game, Meengs said: “Godwin is obviously very good … but Grand River Prep looked really good in their game, so we’ve definitely got to be ready to play on Friday.”

And ready to play the Sailors were in their district final matchup against the Kentwood Grand River Prep Titans (11-5 going in), as it seemed like it belonged to South Christian from the get-go.

The Sailors started to take control of the game about halfway into the first quarter as they closed out the quarter on an 11-0 run, giving them a lead of 19-8. From there, the Sailors outscored the Titans 23-5 in the second quarter, making it a 34-5 run to take a 42-13 lead heading into halftime. The Sailors didn’t look back in the second half as they ended up taking the district title game by a final score of 68-38.

It was a complete effort by the South Christian Sailors as they dominated the boards and smothered Grand River Prep on defense. The effort was led by Peyton Vis who scored 18 points, including 2 breakaway dunks, while Connor Kok added 10 points, Luke Schrotenboer scored 9, and Connor Dykema had 8.

On to the Regionals, and Coopersville

South Christian, after winning their second consecutive district title, moves on to face the Coopersville Broncos.

The Broncos finished in a tie for third place in the OK Conference Blue, going 7-5 in conference play and finishing the regular season 10-10.

Coopersville had a bye in the first round of districts and then beat Comstock Park, whom they had beaten in overtime both times they played in the regular season, in a close one, winning 52-51. In the District 42 title game, the Broncos beat Newaygo pretty handily by a score of 59-37 and are now 12-10 on the season overall.

For a story on the other Wyoming and Kentwood teams in Regional play, follow this link.

Three local schools win boys basketball district tournament titles, head to regionals

Sports

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

After a series district title games Friday night, local squads from East Kentwood, South Christian and Tri-unity Christian will be playing for boys basketball state playoff Regional titles this week, with games starting Tuesday, March 5, with title games set for Thursday, March 7.

East Kentwood at Holland West Ottawa Regional

East Kentwood (now 14-9 on the season), which won the Division 1 District 11 tournament at Wyoming with a 67-66 win over the Wolves on Friday, March 1, will play in the Regional 3 tournament at Holland West Ottawa.

The Falcons will open action with a 6 p.m. game on Tuesday against Muskegon (20-3). The winner will then play the winner of a 7:30 p.m. game between Hudsonville (21-2) and Grand Rapids Northview (18-4) on Thursday, with the winner moving on to the state quarterfinals starting on March 12.

South Christian at Fremont Regional

South Christian (now 20-3), which won the Division 2 District 44 tournament title on its home court with a 68-38 win over Grand River Preparatory Academy on Friday, will play in the Regional 11 tournament at Fremont.

The Sailors will open action with an 8 p.m. game on Tuesday against Copperville (12-10). The winner of that game will play the winner of a game between Muskegon Orchard View (15-7) and Grand Rapids Catholic (22-2) on Thursday, with the winner moving on to the state quarterfinals starting on March 12.

Tri-unity Christian at Mendon Regional

Tri-unity Christian (now 19-3), which won the Division 4 District 114 tournament with a 58-40 win over host Martin on Friday, will play the Region 29 tournament at Mendon. The Defenders will play Marcellus Howardsville Christian (22-1) at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, with the winner playing the winner of a 7 p.m. game between Muskegon Heights Academy (12-7) and New Buffalo (13-9) on Thursday for a spot in the state quarterfinals on March 12.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

Take 10 for mindfulness

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Recreation, Senior Living, , , , , , ,

Feeling stressed? Try a little mindfulness for the health of it. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay

 

Feel yourself being pulled in a million directions and losing track of what’s really important? The meditative practice called mindfulness can help you get centered and re-focus on what’s meaningful to you.

 

And it doesn’t take time that’s already in short supply on your busy schedule. You can reap the benefits in less time than it takes for a coffee break.

 

Mindfulness shows you how to block out distractions and replace stress and other negative emotions with a sense of well-being. You accomplish this by focusing on the here-and-now — your present thoughts and feelings, not past concerns or future worries. You also learn to accept these thoughts and feelings without passing judgment on them, such as labeling them as good or bad, right or wrong.

 

Practicing mindfulness is easier than you might think. At the start of each day, you might take 10 minutes to do a few yoga stretches — yoga incorporates mindfulness because it teaches you to focus on your breathing as you move through poses.

 

Or spend 10 minutes at lunch or anytime during your workday to do a head-to-toe de-stress. Breathe in and out as you zero in on each part of your body, going from toes to the top of your head.

 

To unwind at night, consider more formal “guided” mindfulness, maybe with a podcast you can listen to through your smartphone. The UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center offers free ones, starting at just 3 minutes long.

 

Who doesn’t have time for that?

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Girls basketball Districts begin Monday with local teams on the road

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV’s coverage of girls high school basketball continues this month with District tournament play. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming and Kentwood area girls basketball teams will be in district play this week, but you will need to travel a little to catch any of the action live as the nearest district tournament site is at Grand Rapids Christian, where Kentwood Grand River Prep, West Michigan Aviation, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville and South Christian will all be in action.

And at GR Christian is where WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage team will be this week, starting Wednesday, March 6, and continuing coverage of the tournament on Friday, March 8. Additionally, WKTV will file WKTV Journal online-print reports on the results of all the games involving local teams as the week goes on.

At Christian, action begins Monday, March 4, in the Division 2 District 44 tournament, where West Michigan Aviation (9-11) and Godwin Heights (7-10) play at 5:30 p.m., and Grand River Prep (9-8) vs. GR Christian (10-10) @ 7 p.m.

The tournament will continue on Wednesday, March 6, with the W. Mich. Aviation/Godwin Heights winner vs. Kelloggsville (12-8) at 5:30 p.m., and the Grand River Prep/Christian winner vs. South Christian (11-9) at 7 p.m. The winners will then play Friday, March 8, at 8 p.m. for a spot in the Regional 11 tournament at Coopersville.

Division 1 District 11 at East Grand Rapids

At the Division 1 District 11 tournament at East Grand Rapids, the Monday games will have East Kentwood (15-4) vs. Grandville (4×16) at 6 p.m., and East Grand Rapids (18-2) vs. GR Ottawa Hills (15-5) at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 6, games at East Grand Rapids will have the East Kentwood/Grandville winner vs. Wyoming (8-12) at 6 p.m., and the East Grand Rapids/Ottawa Hills winner vs. Byron Center (15-5) at 7:30 p.m. The winners will play Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m., for a spot in the Regional 3 tournament at Grand Haven.

Division 3 District 74 at Saugatuck

At the Division 3 District 74 tournament at Saugatuck, the Monday games will be Fennville (8-12) vs. Wyoming Potter’s House (13) at 6 p.m., and Grandville Calvin Christian (6-11) vs. Holland Black River (8-11) at 7 p.m.

Wednesday games at Saugatuck will have the Fennville/Potter’s House winner vs. Covenant Christian (4-15) at 5:30 p.m., and the Calvin Christian/Holland Black River winner vs. Saugatuck (9-11) at 7 p.m. The winners will play Friday, March 8, at 6 p.m., for a spot in the Regional 19 tournament at Kent City.

Division 4 at Martin and Muskegon Catholic Central

At the Division 4 District 114 tournament at Martin, the Monday game will be Covert (5-12) vs. West Michigan Lutheran (14-6) at 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, March 6, the games will be Lawrence (4-15) vs. Byron Center Zion Christian (8-11) at 5:30 p.m., and the Covert/West Michigan Lutheran winner vs. Martin (15-3) at 7 p.m.

Also in Division 4, at the District 113 at Muskegon Catholic Central, starting on Wednesday, March 6, the games will have Muskegon Heights Academy (0-16) vs. Fruitport Calvary Christian (15-5) at 5:30 p.m., and Tri-unity Christian (2-17) vs. Muskegon Catholic Central (6-13) at 7:15 p.m.

The winners from the Wednesday District 113 games will play Friday at 7 p.m., at Muskegon Catholic Central, while the winners from the Wednesday District 114 games will play Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Martin. Both district winners will move on to play at the Regional 29 tournament at Mendon.

Featured game coverage

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

Music is the saving grace: A VOICES conversation with Thomas Carpenter

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Faces, Non-Profits, , ,

By Victoria Mullen, WKTV


The gift of song has always been Thomas Carpenter’s saving grace. His deep baritone-bass voice has opened doors many times, and he delights in singing at church, for Dégagé, nursing homes, Heartside Art Studio and Ministry, and other organizations that help the homeless.


He sang when he was in the military. And he even sings on the street.


Music has always been a big part of his life.


“My mother sang when I was little,” said the Detroit native. “I had a sister who was a musician. She and I sang in church. She was an alto who could sing tenor, so we could sing all the parts.”


Carpenter, 62, said he grew up in a God-fearing family. 


“We couldn’t hang out in the summer. We had to go to summer school or Bible school. Dad was a disciplinarian.”


When his parents and older sister were eventually diagnosed with cancer, he became depressed and started using drugs. Through a series of misfortunes, he eventually became homeless.


“One day, someone stopped me on the street and fed me,” said Carpenter. “We went to a revival and I sang, ‘Just a Closer Walk with Me’.”


His singing led to a scholarship at Marygrove College in Detroit where he was a voice major with a concentration in classical music. One of his classmates was Madonna, who was studying to be an opera singer.


“God was trying to help me out,” Carpenter said. “But I got careless and squandered the scholarship.”


Carpenter has lived in the Heartside district for seven years and is thankful to many organizations. Mel Trotter gave him shelter when he was homeless. Dégagé helped arrange his mother’s funeral and transport for her body to go back to Detroit.


He helps out wherever he is needed.

“I had worked at a shelter before, so I had experience,” he said. “I needed to turn the lemons into lemonade, so I volunteered without actually taking a job there. Whatever needed to be done, I just stepped up. And then I went to have surgery on myself at the Veterans Hospital.”


When he came back, Dwelling Place provided him with a low-rent apartment. 


“They saw how I interacted with people and developed a position, ‘resident engagement mentor’, so that’s what I’m doing for Dwelling Place.” 


He also serves on the board there.


“I work primarily in fund development and resident engagement, and I have a mentor who’s a lawyer as I need to know more about the laws of the land.”


And the First Methodist Church of Grand Rapids, which  partners with Dégagé, has opened the doors for him to come in and do special music for their services.


He finds the work rewarding on many levels.


“When someone who has been broken or lost or defocused receives the help from Dégagé, my joy is when that person brings another person,” he said. “Or when I see them putting the same  tools and resources to someone who is in the same situation they were in. When I see that, I get charged up.”


Listen to Carpenter’s VOICES conversation here.


Share your story with VOICES. It’s easy — just go here to reserve a time!

School News Network: Social worker reaches out to students, parents to meet mental health needs

3-bottom, City of Wyoming

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

Social worker Maggie Hummel handed out resources to parents at Wyoming High School’s recent student conferences, providing information about youth mental health, symptoms of distress and where to get help.

She wants parents to know there’s somewhere to turn — that they can tap into school and community services — if their child is showing signs of anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. Ultimately, the goal is help students have happy, healthy futures and even save lives.

“Our teens are facing a number of social stressors. These often include family or peer conflicts, self-esteem, social media challenges, as well as critical challenges with having adequate housing and food,” said Hummel, who started working at the high school last year. “Our county, state and country are seeing suicide rates and attempts rise, and we are witnessing this and responding.”

The CDC estimates that up to one in five children experience a mental disorder in any given year. About 5 percent of 3- to 17-year-olds have reported having anxiety, and 11.4 percent of youths ages 12 to 17 had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. Also, research shows teen suicide has increased significantly. Locally, suicides in Kent County have reached an all-time high.

“We do see more and more kids presenting with major issues,” said high school Principal Nate Robrahn. “(Hummel) has been able to help identify that … and make more informed decisions about what students need.”

Hummel is the source for “triage” at the school,” Robrahn said.

March is Social Worker Appreciation Month. This year’s theme, “Elevate Social Work” embodies the need to recognize the extraordinary contributions of the profession to our society.


“She can make decisions about what students need, which then has freed up my counselors to do more of their role. She’s very connected with resources out in the community and can help parents and students access them.”

Hummel, who has worked as a medical social worker and clinical therapist for Spectrum Health and Cherry Health, said she’s worked with more than 130 Wyoming High School students, many of whom come to her by choice because they are struggling. Others are referred by staff members who notice signs of distress.

“We definitely want families to know we exist, and come to us with concerns,” she said. The high school team includes another social worker, two academic counselors and a college adviser to help meet students’ needs — academic and emotional.

Hummel said she’s thankful her role has allowed her to help students get the treatment they need, and she’s also seen valuable connections made within school. “I also see our staff responding through investing and connecting with our teens. When staff connect with and support students, this serves as a protective factor that can reduce the risk for suicide and promote positive mental health.”

Mom Julie LaMar checks out resources during parent teacher conferences

Screenings Serve as Indicators

Hummel offers student screenings in the form of questionnaires to help identify symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results — a tally of numbers, low to high, indicating possible disorders — can provide her an opportunity to talk to parents. “The screening gives a number, and it’s an objective number. It gives parents and kids something to latch on to and say, ‘We should probably take action.’”

Still, there are a number of students with high scores for depression and anxiety who lack resources due to finances, time and other stressors that are having a hard time getting into therapy.

Hummel does everything she can do get them the help they need, including referring them to outside agencies or resources. Network 180 is a go-to, as well as Integrated Health Consultants in Wyoming. Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services and Forest View Hospital are other options. Whether a facility accepts Medicaid is a major factor, Hummel said.

Expanding Staff to Meet Needs

The district allocated Title 1 funds, earmarked for schools that have high percentages of children from low-income families, to fund Hummel’s position.

“Our district is one of several that have invested funds to support a position like mine,” Hummel said. “They’ve done a  really great job in recognizing that schools do need additional mental health resources and supports, beyond what school are expected to support. They’ve done a good job of going the extra mile.”

Other districts have expanded their counseling teams as well. Cedar Springs Public Schools recently hired a child life specialist and two child life interventionists as part of the mental health team, whose goal is making sure that every student is at their best mental state to perform academically.

‘DATA SUGGESTS TEENAGERS TODAY ARE FACING MORE SOCIAL CHALLENGES THAN BEFORE.’ — SOCIAL WORKER MAGGIE HUMMEL


Byron Center High School added a part-time counselor to help with social and emotional needs, and has another part-time social worker in the alternative North Star Academy program.

Students Struggling in High Numbers

The “why” behind the increases in youth mental health issues is hard to nail down Hummel said, but she believes social media is a big factor. “Data suggests teenagers today are facing more social challenges than before.”

While anxiety and depression is increasing in general, Hummel said low-income students face particular challenges connected to basic needs that can both create distress and cause barriers to treatment.

“Students have their best outcomes when they are connected to therapy and have consulted with a primary care doctor or psychiatrist about medication management,”  Hummel said. “This can be a big feat for families, especially if they are working long hours, have transportation challenges or other family stressors.”

Parents, together with staff, can make a big difference in helping students.

“We’ve got some phenomenal parents in our district that are responding appropriately when these crises arise. That’s something we really need to celebrate, Hummel said.


Wyoming high honors past, present during Hall of Fame basketball night

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Local History, Sports
Angel Chan talks to WKTV about her being honored. (WKTV video)

By WKTV Staff
ken@WKTV.org


Wyoming High School honored great players past and present as the Wolves hosted their Hall of Fame Basketball Community Night, and hosted Hudsonville high’s teams, for a pair of games and several ceremonies Friday, Feb. 15.

The highlight of the evening was Wyoming Hall of Fame (which includes players from Wyoming Park and Rodgers high schools) inducting Rick Heuvelman, Robin Bolitho, Angel Chan, Roxie Claxton, Dave Greco and Anthony Thomas — as well as the 1994 state semi-final Wyoming Park boys basketball team.

But there was plenty of other events on what was also 2018-19 basketball senior night. On the boys side, four seniors played their final regular season game on their home court. They were Payton Stark, Andrae Wells, Menilek McGee and Zach Fry.

1994 Wyoming Park team

At the halftime of the boy’s game, the 1994 Wyoming Park boys basketball team, led by coach Kelly McEwen, was recognized and honored.


Their 22-5 record won an OK White conference championship, along with a district, regional and quarterfinal championship. According to supplied information, the team was comprised of five seniors and nine juniors, and “they combined defensive toughness and offensive togetherness” to defeat two of the top three ranked Class B teams in the state during its 1994 tournament run, including a dramatic 64-60 victory over a 24-1 Sturgis team. In that game the team made 13 three pointers, which tied a tournament record for 3’s made in a game at that time.


The team included Mike Brown, Marc Drougal, Mark Herrema, Jerry Jordan, Terry Krosschell, Daryl Lamar, Joe McKenzie, Kirk Scharphorn, Shawn Veenstra, Mark Baker, Ryan Baumbach, Joe Burke, Bob Henning and Matt Perez, along with assistant coach TJ Restau and head coach McEwen.



Individual Hall of Fame inductees

After the conclusion of the boys game that night, the individual Hall of Fame inductees were honored.


Heuvelman is a graduate of Rogers High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball, and was Athlete of the year at Rogers High School in 1974. He earned All Conference honors in football on offense and defense. In baseball, he was All Conference for two years. Heuvelman went on to play baseball at Aquinas College, where in 1979 he was named to the All American Baseball Team and is also in the Aquinas College Hall of Fame.

Bolitho graduated from Rogers High School in 2001. She was a four year varsity basketball letter winner while averaging 17 points a game. She was a three-year All Conference, All Area player in basketball. In 2001 She was received basketball All State honors and her teams won the conference championship for two of her four years. In softball, she was on three state championship teams. During this time she was All Conference, All Area, and All State three times at three different positions.


Chan was one of Wyoming Public Schools best basketball players. She earned her varsity letter at Wyoming Park all four years and was twice selected to the Associated Press and Detroit Free Press All State team. In 2004 and 2005 She was O.K. Gold All Conference and scored over 1400 points for Wyoming Park. She led her basketball team to Conference Championships and to the State Regional Finals. After high school, Chan received a full ride scholarship to play basketball at Central Michigan University. At Central Michigan she became one of the schools all-time leading scorers.


Greco played for three years of varsity football at Wyoming Park. He was named to the 1979/80 All Conference all Areas football team. His senior year, he was All Area and All State in football at Wyoming Park. In 1981 he was selected from thousands of players throughout the State of Michigan to play in the 1st Annual MHSAA High School All Star at Michigan State University. In baseball, he was a three-year letter winner, two-year All Conference, and his senior year was selected to the All Region Team. As a one-year wrestler his senior year he was 15-8 and a member of the Conference Championship team. He went on to play football in college and he earned baseball scholarship to attend Grand Valley State University.


Thomas was a three sport athlete for Wyoming Rogers High School during the 1990-91 season. He played football, basketball and track, and it was in track and field were he set records and went to MHSAA State Meet. He ran the 100 yard dash, 200 yard dash and the 4X100, 4×200 yard relays. In football, he was a two-way starter and selected to the All O.K. White All Conference, All Area and All State Class B teams at Rogers, and was the leader of the Rogers High School 1994 Class B State quarterfinalist. He went on to play football at Ferris State University.


Claxton was honored as a life-time achievement awards winner. In 1988 she started working in the concession stand at Wyoming Park High School. Since then, she has worked on the Frank Grimm Relays, became a athletic booster, band booster, Hall of Fame Committee member, chaperone, academic booster, Bond Construction Committee member, Title IX Committee member, and volunteered at all athletic events — including keeping scorebook for more than 25 years for the boys basketball team. She received her Master’s Degree from Michigan State University at age 55.


At halftime of the girls game, there was a ceremony for the Wyoming Dance Team Senior/Parent Night. Seniors on the team included Taina Rodriguez, Nicole Rodriguez, Guadalupe Rivera-Parada, Sanae Magoon, Heaven Coleman and Ramatu Kanneh.

Free day at the Public Museum set for March 10

Entertainment, , ,

By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced that in partnership with Kent County Farm Bureau, they will be offering a Museum Free Day for the second year in a row! On March 10, the GRPM will open their doors free of charge for visitors to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits.

“We’re thrilled to offer a free day at the Museum to the community again this year,” said Kate Kocienski, VP of Marketing and PR for the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “Thanks to Kent County Farm Bureau, everyone has the chance to explore the Museum free of charge and explore hands-on science, history and cultural artifacts.”

“Kent County Farm Bureau looks forward to once again partnering with the GRPM to welcome friends into the Museum free of charge,” said Jim May, Kent County Farm Bureau President. “On behalf of the more than 1,200 Kent County farmers, we invite you to the Museum to see agriculture in action!”

The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats, that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.

The current GRPM original exhibit TOYS! will be included free of charge for visitors on the Museum’s Free Day! TOYS! is an interactive, multi-generational exhibition of toys and games to rekindle childhood memories and spark the creation of new ones.

On March 10 only, Kent County Farm Bureau will also have additional agriculture themed hands-on activities available a part of the Free Day. For additional information, please visit grpm.org. 

Additional experiences for visitors include the special traveling exhibit Expedition: Dinosaur, planetarium shows, and the Museum’s 1928 Spillman Carousel – that are available for an additional charge.

The free day will be held during the Museum’s normal hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. For more information on the event, visit grpm.org.

Two happy children are having fun pretending to be in the dinosaur jaw. (Grand Rapids Public Museum)

Expedition: Dinosaur

A special traveling exhibition now open at the GRPM, Expedition: Dinosaur explores the fascinating world of dinosaurs and the hunt for their fossils! From life-sized and lifelike animatronic dinosaurs – some controlled by visitors – to mechanical and electronic learning stations, visitors become paleontologists. The exhibit taps into our fascination with these incredible creatures and includes a number of hands- on interactives that explain dinosaur movement, digestion, and evolution, and show the life and methods of dinosaur hunters from the 1800s to today. For more information and tickets, visit grpm.org/Dinos.

Expedition: Dinosaur was developed by Stage Nine Exhibitions. 

Take a trip down memory lane in the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s “TOYS!” exhibit. (Grand Rapids Public Museum)

TOYS! 

Baby Boomers loved Paper Dolls, Erector Sets, and Mr. Potato Head, Gen Xers preferred Holly Hobbie and Hot Wheels, and Millennials have never known a world without Super Mario or My Little Pony. Some toys, like Barbie and G.I. Joe, have adapted to appeal to different generations and remain popular today. Toys and games have changed over time, but the desire to imagine, compete, and create has not.

TOYS! is an interactive, multi-generation exhibition of toys and games to rekindle childhood memories and spark the creation of new ones. This GRPM original exhibit features toys and games from the Museum’s Collections and on loan from the community, allowing visitors to imagine, compete and create, while taking going on a journey of toys through generations.

Through the design process of the exhibition, the Museum worked with several experts from the community making sure the design was as inclusive as possible so everyone visiting can enjoy it. The exhibition will be presented in both English and Spanish, and will also include Braille.

Can you literally be scared to death?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, , , , , , ,

Can the occasional rush from an adrenaline surge be good for you? (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By American Heart Association, HealthDay

 

Can a person literally be scared to death?

 

The answer is a very conditional “Yes.” But, experts say, it’s extraordinarily unlikely to happen.

 

“Those circumstances are extremely rare when that happens,” and pre-existing conditions are typically a factor, said Dr. Mark Estes, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

 

When a person is frightened or perceived to be in danger, the brain triggers a surge of adrenaline, which makes the heart beat faster and pushes the body instantly into “fight-or-flight” mode. It also affects the liver and pancreas, triggers perspiration and pushes blood toward major muscle groups.

 

“It’s measured on how big the scare is,” said Dr. Vincent Bufalino, a cardiologist and president of Advocate Medical Group in Downers Grove, Ill. He said the more dangerous adrenaline surges come from the body’s response to a life-threatening situation or the stress of discovering the deceased body of a loved one.

 

“You can have a sudden cardiac-related event related to an adrenaline surge, but I think it would be a stretch to say you could get that from someone coming in a werewolf costume to your front door,” he said. “This is the kind of thing that you can’t prepare for. If it happens, it happens, and you hope your body doesn’t overreact to that event.”

 

People can typically get an adrenaline rush from skydiving or bungee jumping—even while watching a horror flick from the couch. More dangerous adrenaline surges come from life-or-death moments such as getting out of the way of an oncoming car or fleeing a tornado.

 

“Swings of emotion and roller coasters are OK for people who are young, who have a healthy heart,” Estes said. “But certainly, in people with pre-existing risk factors or pre-existing cardiovascular disease, you want to reduce the environments in which you might be suddenly stressed like this.”

 

People are able to prepare themselves when they get on an amusement park ride, so their risk isn’t the same as when they find themselves in life-threatening danger.

 

“The human mind and the human body do have the ability to prepare themselves for situations that can be anticipated that might be stressful and generally handle them much, much better,” Estes said. “It is the sudden, unexpected things which tend to cause a dramatic increase in heart rate and blood pressure and put people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease at risk.”

 

A possibly dangerous result of sudden stress may come from takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart’s main pumping chamber that is typically caused by emotional or physical stress. The temporary condition affects women significantly more than men.

 

Also known as broken-heart syndrome, takotsubo cardiomyopathy is different from a heart attack in that arteries are not blocked but blood flow is negatively affected nonetheless.

 

“Adrenaline is a funny thing,” Bufalino said. “We can’t measure it. The precipitating events are diverse. Your response to an event might be different than mine.”

 

Occasional rushes from adrenaline can be good for you, sometimes leading to increased cognitive function. But prolonged stress and an abundance of stress hormones over time can have negative effects, such as high blood pressure or anxiety.

 

“It’s hard for us to be precise in saying, ‘This event led to a certain amount of adrenaline that led to a cardiac event.’ They’re sporadic at best,” Bufalino said.

 

And there’s little that can be done to prevent being frightened to death, he said, but being in good shape may help.

 

“Those folks who are used to dealing with adrenaline with exercise probably have a blunted response” because their higher cardiovascular fitness level may allow their body to better handle an adrenaline surge, Bufalino said. “I would speculate that aerobic exercise might be preventative or at least modify the body’s response (to adrenaline).”

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Employment Expertise: March 3-9 is Women in Construction Week

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, Local Business, , ,


By West Michigan Works!


FACT: In 2016 women made up only 9.1% of the construction workforce in the U.S. 


FACT: Construction jobs are expected to grow between 11% and 32% over the next five years in West Michigan. 


FACT: The gender pay gap is much narrower in construction. In the U.S. women in all industries earn on average 81.1% of what men do. In construction the average is 95.7.


The construction industry is a virtually untapped source of high-demand, well-paying jobs for women. Women in Construction Week focuses on raising awareness of the opportunities available in construction and emphasizing the growing role of women in the industry.


Is a career in construction right for you?

  • Do you enjoy making repairs (painting, fixing appliances, etc.)?
  • Does it give you satisfaction to see the result of your work?
  • Do you enjoy math and solving technical problems/puzzles?
  • Do you like to work or play outside, even in cold and hot weather?
  • Can you work at heights or in confined spaces? Can you work in places that may be extremely noisy, dirty, hot, cold, wet or smelly?
  • Are you safety conscious?
  • Can you cope with being the only, or one of just a few, women on a job site?
  • Do you have the ability to meet rigid attendance requirements (reliable childcare, transportation, etc.)?

If you can answer yes to some of these questions, a career in construction could be a good fit for you. Consider learning more about construction jobs and training programs in your area. 


Where do I begin?

Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) offers a variety of construction trades training opportunities. They have job training programs in Introduction to Construction, Residential Construction and Construction Electrical. GRCC also offers a variety of continuing education programs in construction and a U.S. Department of Labor registered Construction Electrical Apprenticeship Program.


Michigan Works! has connections to local training opportunities and you may even qualify for financial assistance. Visit a West Michigan Works! service center near you to find out more and if you qualify. 


To see a list of high-demand construction jobs in West Michigan, check out the 2019 Hot Jobs List at westmiworks.org/hot-jobs.


Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Snapshots: Fun happenings for Wyoming and Kentwood

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Going Local, Kids Activities, Upcoming Events

By WKTV Staff
Ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be.”
 
                                                  ― Erma Bombeck
Michael Jr. (Supplied)

Clean and funny, comedy

Grand Rapids very own comedian Michael, Jr. will be coming home to perform on March 3 at Grand Rapids First Church for his “In the Moment Tour.” His comedy is fresh, funny and has no foul language. For the complete story, visit here.

Wyoming High School will host a District final game Friday. (Supplied)

High school teams in big games

Wyoming, South Christian and Tri-unity Christian high schools will each host boys basketball state playoff District championship games on Friday, March 1 — with each host team playing for a title. WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage team will be at South Christian on Friday, but you can catch any of the games live. For the complete story, visit here.

One local resident enjoys his food at a pst year’s Taste of Kentwood event.

And, oh the Taste of Kentwood

The 18th annual Taste of Kentwood event is coming on Thursday, March 14, coming to the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, with two sessions: one from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and another from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event will also include live music from Just Cuz, an acoustic duo that performs an eclectic mix of cover tunes from a variety of genres. For the complete story, visit here



Fun fact:

Five tastes, maybe

Five basic tastes are recognized today: salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and umami. (Umami is a category of taste in food corresponding to the flavor of glutamates, especially monosodium glutamate.) (Source)

Ford Airport adds second fixed base operator

3-bottom, City of Kentwood

Alicia Roberts
Gerald R. Ford International Airport

The proposed new AvFlight, a fixed base operator. AvFlight will be constructing a building at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. (Supplied)

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Board unanimously approved the addition of AvFlight, a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). This new aviation support services company will offer a wide range of services including fuel sales, hangar storage, aircraft ground handling services, de-icing, concierge services, and all matters related to general and business aviation. 

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Board gave approval on Wednesday to negotiate a contract with Avflight, a Michigan based company operating at 21 other airports across North America and Europe, six of which are in Michigan. 

Avflight will create 30 new jobs and make a $6 million to $7 million capital investment at GRR as part of the agreement, establishing a world-class FBO serving both general aviation and the airlines. It is a sister company of Avfuel which has more than 650 branded FBO locations worldwide. 

Avflight will be located at Site 4 on the Airport’s east side with convenient access to the terminal and taxiways/runways. It will lease a 5-acre shovel-ready site and build a hangar at least 30,000 sq. ft. in size. Construction will begin later this year.  |

“We look forward to serving as a premier gateway to the Grand Rapids community for general and business aviation, welcoming traffic to the metro area and helping the economy thrive,” said Avflight’s vice president of finance Garrett Hain. “The planned facility will include all the comfortable amenities to which the modern traveler is accustomed in a high-end FBO, including: a pilot lounge; spacious, modern lobby; conference room; kitchenette; maintenance area; catering kitchen; and office space.” 

“We consider the new FBO at Site 4 a highest and best use development” said GRR Interim President & CEO Brian Picardat. “The new FBO will anchor and stimulate additional aeronautical and non-aeronautical real estate development at the site.” 

The Ford Airport has approximately 900 acres of available land divided into 16 sites of varying sizes for hospitality, business park, industrial, office, distribution, research and development, etc. 

“We are pleased to welcome Avflight to our airport, the largest FBO in Michigan” said Chair of the Airport Authority Board Dan Koorndyk. “The continued growth and demand for aviation and airport services is a reflection of the vibrant economic activity occurring in the region.” 

School News Network: Hey joy: watching them ‘discover what they can do’

3-bottom, Area Education, ,
Susie Poliski tests her kindergarteners’ knowledge of Martin Luther King

By Bridie Bereza
School News Network

A group of 20-some kindergartners at North Godwin Elementary sat on the floor in front of Susie Poliski last week, eyes fixed on the book she was reading about Dr. Martin Luther King. Afterward, they took turns eagerly volunteering to point out which words identified which parts of a worksheet featuring the civil rights leader.

A lot has changed in education since Poliski started her career in 1992.

“Kindergarten has evolved from ‘letter of the week’ activities — a play/interactive curriculum — to full-on reading and writing,” she said.

While incorporating the best parts of the old way and the new way can be challenging, it’s a joy for this teacher, who has found her niche with kindergartners.

“I like that they are beginning to take letters that some of them didn’t even know on the first day of school, and now they’re putting them together to make words,” she said. “It’s a fun adventure to watch them discover what they can do.”

Kindergarten teacher Susie Poliski doles out high fives as her kindergartners head to the music room

Relationships Matter

Poliski began her career as a kindergarten teacher in Cedar Springs in 1992. Since then, she has taught in Wyoming, Hudsonville and Godwin Heights schools, holding her current position since 2011.

Poliski has an elementary education degree from Michigan State University and a master’s in early childhood education from Grand Valley State University. But the basis of her teaching philosophy wasn’t necessarily learned in a textbook.

“The foundation of my teaching really has been based on relationships. I’m watching students that I had my first year grow up, and I stay connected with students — many of whom now have families of their own,” said Poliski, who is friends with many former students and families on Facebook.

Those lasting connections pop up everywhere: While attending the Red Flannel Festival in Cedar Springs last October, Poliski ran into her own kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Clark, with whom she stayed in touch through the years. That same night, she went to see a band. One of the musicians had been her student as a kindergartner.

“Relationship-building for me really began during my years in school from the teachers I had at Cedar Springs, so that really helped form what I do today,” she said. “The connection my teachers had with students really made a difference by showing they cared and wanted to push us to do our best. They took time to get to know us, and our families.”

Those teachers along with her mother, who has an education background, and the book “One Child” by Torey L. Hayden, inspired her to teach. She recalled the words of her high school government teacher, Dave VandePanne: “Whatever you do, go out and make a difference.”

“That’s why I like being a teacher – you are making a difference.”

Rockstar teacher Susie Poliski helps one of her kindergarten pupils choose the best word from a word bank during a writing lesson

The Difference

Poliski is modest about her work. She shared how she invited a couple of special students, who struggled in school, and their families to a Thanksgiving feast with her family last year, bringing the spread to school. North Godwin Elementary Principal Mary Lang said that while many teachers go above and beyond for their students, Poliski goes further.

“As a kindergarten teacher, she makes our families feel extremely welcome in our school,” Lang said. “Susie often will take students on special outings, take students out to dinner, or go visit them at their home. She co-coaches our Girls on the Run program, is a teacher leader in our Leading Educators program and can be found at almost every family night or event our school holds.

“Susie Poliski is the definition of a rockstar teacher.”

When Poliski isn’t teaching, you can find her making the rounds on the Irish music scene, attending festivals, spending time with family or visiting with friends in South Haven.

For more local school news, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

A new weapon against ovarian cancer?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , , ,

NSAIDs may have a role to play in preventing ovarian tumors. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay

 

One low-dose aspirin a day could help women avoid ovarian cancer or boost their survival should it develop, two new studies suggest.

 

In fact, daily low-dose aspirin—the type many older women already take to help their hearts—was tied to a 10 percent reduction in developing ovarian cancer. It was also tied to as much as a 30 percent improvement in survival for ovarian cancer patients, the researchers said.

 

“Clearly, both these studies offer evidence of the benefit of the use of these anti-inflammatory drugs, and an insight into how to better prevent and treat this deadly disease,” said Dr. Mitchell Kramer. He directs obstetrics and gynecology at Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital in Huntington, N.Y.

 

Kramer wasn’t involved in the new studies, and said that “more study is certainly warranted.” Still, “recommending a daily low-dose 81 mg (milligram) aspirin might be more than an ounce of prevention, as well as help for those women who have already developed the disease,” he said.

 

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cancer killer of women, largely because it is too often detected too late.

 

According to the researchers, there’s increasing evidence that inflammation plays a role in the development of cancer and can worsen outcomes. Medications, such as aspirin and non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—including ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)—have already been shown to lower the risk of certain types of cancers, most notably colon cancer.

 

But do these drugs have a role to play against ovarian tumors?

 

To find out, researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., pooled data from 13 studies from around the world. The studies included more than 750,000 women and asked them about their use of aspirin and NSAIDs. The researchers then tracked these women to see who developed ovarian cancer—more than 3,500 women did.

 

According to the report published July 18 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, taking daily aspirin reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 10 percent.

 

“This study gives us a new perspective on whether aspirin and non-aspirin NSAIDs can impact cancer risk. Not only does it look at ovarian cancer, which hasn’t been studied before, our sample size is three-quarter of a million women who were followed for several decades,” Shelley Tworoger, senior study author and associate center director for population science at the Moffitt Cancer Center, said in a center news release.

 

“The results of the study support that aspirin can reduce ovarian cancer risk, but further studies will need to be performed before a recommendation of daily aspirin can be made,” Tworoger added.

 

In a second study, researchers from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu and the Moffitt Cancer Center used the Nurses’ Health Studies to collect data on nearly 1,000 women already diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

 

The investigators found that women who used aspirin and non-aspirin NSAIDs after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer experienced as much as a 30 percent improvement in survival.

 

The results of the study were published in the journal The Lancet Oncology.

 

“To our knowledge, this study contributes the first comprehensive assessment of use of several types of common analgesic medications, such as aspirin and non-aspirin NSAIDs, after diagnosis in relation to ovarian cancer survival,” said Melissa Merritt, an assistant research professor at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.

 

“Our work demonstrates the importance of common medication in increasing survival rates of ovarian cancer, and this will encourage more studies to be conducted to confirm the results and broaden the discovery,” she explained in the news release.

 

Both studies relied on retrospective, observational data, so they were unable to confirm a cause-and-effect relationship, only an association.

 

Still, the evidence for an effect does seem to be there, said Dr. Adi Davidov, who directs gynecology at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City.

 

He called the results “intriguing,” and believes that “we can now add an NSAID to further reduce the risk of cancer.”

 

Kramer added that “since aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties and is a relatively well-tolerated medication with few side effects, seeking its benefits for this deadly disease makes a great deal of sense.

GR Civic takes it all, adds two shows to meet demand

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment,
Author Joanna Bailey-Boorsma with Maura Lamoreaux, who plays Tanya in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Mamma Mia!” (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

If there is a winner that takes it all this year, it has to be the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!”

Full of the flair that comes from ABBA’s music, the cast does an outstanding job, making the audience dance and sing in their seats.

“That’s what we wanted,” said Eric Beuker, who plays Harry Bright, after the Feb. 28 performance. “We wanted people to have a party, to have fun.”

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents “Mamma Mia!” through March 17. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday with two new shows added for 7 p.m. March 10 and 17. Call 222-6020.


After being ‘super troupers’ over this crazy winner, Fun is what a lot of people seeking causing them to literally flock to the show. The ‘gimme, gimme, gimme’ response has caused Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to announce two additional shows, Sunday, March 10 and 17 at 7 p.m. I would grab the tickets quick because Maura Lamoreaux, who plays Tanya, told us that even the Wednesday shows are filling up.

Let’s be honest, it’s hard not to have fun when it comes to an ABBA song. The Swedish pop group’s lyrics and beat make you want to grab the nearest hairbrush and start singing. For us, we were in the balcony, where the party was certainly happening from people clapping to the beat to those dressed in ABBA garb.

But the cast is what makes the show such a success. You can see they are having fun from the moment that Breighanna Minnema (Sophie) opens with “I Have a Dream” to the cast jiven to the last number, “Waterloo.” (Oh yes, Bob Wells, who plays Bill, we along with the people next to us, noticed you grooving away in your red body suit as the curtain was coming down.)

The two having the most fun on stage appeared to be Lamoreaux as Tanya and Sarah LaCroix as Roise. Each had their own shining moment, Lamoreaux with “Does Your Mother Know” and LaCroix with Wells on “Take a Chance on Me,” which about brought down the house in laughs. (There was a lot of high fiving among the ladies in the balcony.) Heather Cregg (Donna) gave a powerful rendition of “Winner Takes It All” and Minnema with Cullen Dyk (Sky) along with the ensemble presented a playful version of “Lay All Your Love On Me.”

Thanks to the sewing genius of Bob Fowle the costumes were sparkly authentic right now to the ABBA-style body suits. The set was simple but yet pulled you right into the Greek island where the story unfolds.

In the end, we just wanted to ‘thank you for the music’ to Director Bruce Tinker and the cast for providing a great night of entertainment.


So if the name of your game now is to snag some tickets, the best way is through Grand Rapids Civic Theatre at www.grct.org or by calling 616-222-6020.

Godwin Heights boys ends season with ‘warrior’ effort in district game

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports
The senior Godwin Heights High School boys basketball line up for the national anthem prior to the game at South Christian. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Godwin Heights High School head boys basketball coach Tyler Whittemore wanted more for his group of eight seniors who have been essential in building the Fighting Wolverines into the dominate team in the OK Silver Conference, again.

The team, as a fan t-shirt pointed out, have been the conference champs for 10 straight seasons and hoped to add another district title to its resume.

But in a Division 2 District 44 tournament semifinal game Wednesday that felt a whole lot like a finals game, Godwin Heights season came to an end with a tough-as-nails battle with tournament host South Christian, 47-45.

Both teams came into the district tournament with impressive records and OK conference titles: Godwin Heights finished the season at 15-6 (12-0 in the OK Silver), while South Christian is now 17-4 (10-2 and a conference title in the OK Gold).

As Whittemore said to WKTV after the game, he could not have been more proud of his team, especially his seniors, for their effort in this game and during a sometimes trying season.

Godwin Heights senior guard Jamaal Bailey (32), who drives to the basket here, and his fellow guards were part of a great defensive and rebounding effort. (WKTV/Drew Dargavell)

“Senior-led team. I love them. I appreciate all their hard work, their leadership and their toughness,” Whittemore said. “We started out 1 and 5, and being that tough mentally, they came in to the gym during the Christmas break, and all those other snow days and the stuff that we had. The guys were in the gym and improving every single day.

“These guys can be proud,” he said. “These guys are Godwin Heights basketball players and you can’t be more of a warrior than that.”

In the South Christian game, it was about as back-and-forth defensive struggle as possible: Godwin led 8-7 at the end of the first quarter, trailed 16-18 at the half and 30-31 at the end of three. And its seemed that the lead changed with every possession in the fourth quarter including a 3-pointer by Wolverine senior James Horrell with 35 seconds left gave his team a 45-43 lead.

But then the Sailors responded with a 3-pointer by junior Tyler Buwalda with 14.5 seconds remaining to give South Christian the lead for good.

Up to that late scoring outburst, defense and rebounding were the keys to the Wolverines matching points and toughness with the Sailors.

“That is a very good team there,” Whittemore said of the Sailors. “You have to give a lot of credit to South Christian, to that coaching staff — their players came to play and we did too, and that was a fun game to watch. … We were able to be very intense, but level-minded, against this very good team that really helped us.”

While it seemed as though senior Godwin big man Marshawn Kneeland was in the middle of the Wolverine down-low defense and rebounding effort all night, coach Whittemore also loved the work of his guards.

The rebounding success was “our guards coming down, our 5(-foot)-8, 5-10 guards coming down and grabbing those balls,” he said. “A lot of credit goes to our big guys, they were really being physical, but a lot of credit to our guards coming down and helping out as well.”

For the game, South Christian was led by senior Peyton Vis’s 17 points, while Buwalda had 15 total and senior Derek Meyering added 10 points.

Godwin Heights was led by Horrell’s 13 points, while senior Jaylen Coates added 12 and Kneeland and fellow senior Jamaal Bailey added eight points each. Other seniors on the team included Bryson Chandler, Karen Brown, De’Amontae Clark and Jadon Ivy.

For the season, Bailey, Coates and Horrell gained First Team All-Conference honors, while Clark earned All-Conference Honorable Mention.

This game, and all Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

GVSU students ‘walk hard’ during spring break for one cause

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

ATO members get ready for last year’s walk. (Supplied)

Spring break is supposed to be a time to left off a little steam and head to warmer weather. But members of one local fraternity will be heading the opposite direction, to Traverse City, with the sole purpose of walking 160 miles back to GVSU’s Allendale campus.

For the past seven years, Grand Valley State University’s Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity Kappa Lambda Chapter has hosted the Walk Hard event, where 20 of its fraternity members walk 160 miles from Traverse City to Allendale during their spring break — this year March 1 – 8 — to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.  The kick off event happens to night at 9 p.m. at the GVSU Allendale campus.

To follow the group’s progress visit ATOWalksHard.com or visit the Facebook page “ATO Walks Hard: Many Steps for MS.”


“When I was rushing [an opportunity for interested persons to talk to potential fraternities or sororities], the walk was something that they told me about. I was like ‘what, you do this?’ It made me want to be part of Alpha Tau Omega even more. In fact, there were guys rushing for this fraternity just because they wanted to be part of the walk.”

The walk itself is not easy, with the students facing challenging weather conditions. Arrangements are made for the students to stay at local churches along the trail. The route they take is open road from Traverse City to about Cadillac where the group connects to the White Pine Trail, which brings them to about 16 miles away from GVSU. From that point, the students will follow open road again. There is a team of about five to six students who serve as support to those walking.

Happy trails: About 20 members participate in the Walk Hard which has been taking place for the past seven years. (Supplied)

Through a challenge campaign with other GVSU clubs and organizations and the walk itself, Alpha Tau Omega has raised more than $230,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The group is on track to raise about $24,000 this year.

“When I first did this, I was not really ready for the mental aspect of just keep going,” said Bertoia who marks his third walk this year. After walking for an extended period of time, many of the walkers begin to feel mild signs of Multiple Sclerosis such as fatigue, poor balance, and muscle cramps. 

“After eight days, our bodies are broken down, tired and in pain,” Bertoia said. “I can’t imagine the strength it takes to live with this disease.”

Bertoia said the support of the churches and communities they visit helps encourage the group to continue along with knowing they are creating awareness about Multiple Sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system such as the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, more than 2.3 million people have Multiple Sclerosis.

“The walk was started seven years ago by a couple of (fraternity) brothers because they had been impacted by MS,” Bertoia said, adding that many of the past and current fraternity members have a personal connection to MS, making Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity Kappa Lambda Chapter united toward one this single cause.

The walk will physically take its toll with many of the participants feeling mild signs of Multiple Sclerosis such as fatigue, poor balance, and muscle cramps.  (Supplied)

“Yeah, so there is going to Panama City or doing something like that but in the end, I too have a spring break as well,” Bertoia said. “For me, it’s like having a big sleepover with some of my closet friends because we watch movies and hangout and talk.

“And in the end, we’ve come together over a unique experience that allows to understand what someone is going through.”

The group is scheduled to return to Allendale around 4 p.m. Friday, March 8. There will be a short program at the GVSU clock tower. People can follow the walk at ATOWalksHard.com or visit the Facebook page “ATO Walks Hard: Many Steps for MS.”

Five Wyoming, Kentwood boys basketball teams in district tournament title games

Sports
Wyoming High School will host a District final game Friday. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

After a round of semifinal games Wednesday night, local squads from Wyoming, East Kentwood, South Christian Tri-unity Christian and Wyoming Potter’s House will be playing for boys basketball state playoff District titles, in tournament championship games on Friday, March 1.

South Christian (now 18-4 on the season), which is hosting the Division 2 District 44 tournament, earned the title game with a 47-45 win over Wyoming Godwin Heights (15-6) in a district semifinal Feb. 27. In the, finals, set for 7 p.m., the Sailors will face against Grand River Prep (11-4) after the Titans defeated West Michigan Aviation Academy, 63-41. The winner will then move on to the Regional 11 at Fremont next week.

For more information on the South Christian vs. Godwin Heights game, see related story here.

WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage teams was at South Christian for the Wednesday game and will continue coverage of the tournament on Friday.

At Wyoming, in the Division 1 District 11 tournament hosted by the Wolves, Wyoming (10-11) and East Kentwood (13-9) will be in the title game, set to start at 7 p.m. The Wolves earned a spot in the finals by defeating Caledonia, 69-61, Wednesday, while East Kentwood defeated East Grand Rapids 74-59. The winner will move on to the Regional 3 at Holland West Ottawa.

In Wyoming’s win, Monte Parks led the scoring with 19 points including three 3-pointers, Menalito McGee also had three 3s and scored 13 points including eight in the fourth quarter, while Marion Parks added 11.

In East Kentwood’s win, Ja’moni Jones scored 20 points, including 10 in the first quarter and eight in the fourth, and Jordan Jackson also scored 20 points.

At Tri-unity, in the Division 4 District 114 tournament, Tri-unity (18-3) will host Martin (14-3) in the title game after semifinal action Wednesday night, when the Defenders defeated Zion Christian, 41-27, and Martin defeated Holland Calvary, 59-52. The title game is set for 6:30 p.m., with the winner moving on to the Region 29 at Mendon.

Finally, in the title game of the Division 3 District 75 tournament at Grandville Calvin Christian, Wyoming Potter’s House (19-1) will take on host Calvin Christian (9-10). On Wednesday, Potter’s House defeated Covenant Christian, 75-72, in overtime, while Calvin Chrisitan defeated Saugatuck, 80-43. The winner of the finale, scheduled for 7 p.m., will move on to the Regional 19 at NorthPointe Christian.

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in that weekend or week.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

LUNAFEST 2019 celebrates women filmmakers March 7th & 14th

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Upcoming Events, , ,
‘The Final Show’ production still (photo supplied)

By Elizabeth McEwen, Girls on the Run of Kent and Muskegon Counties


Did you know as recently as 2014, only about 20% of leads or co-leads in major movie entertainment were female?


There are 2.13 male directors for every 1 female. This is hugely problematic for our girls, as the stories they are seeing aren’t theirs. The narratives they are hearing aren’t theirs. We do a huge disservice to our girls by filling the airwaves with depictions that are not only absent of the female voice, but sometimes (and even more detrimentally) misrepresenting the female voice.


That’s where LUNAFEST comes in — this traveling film festival was started in 2000 by the makers of LUNA bars to help elevate women’s voices and our stories.


Join us in celebrating women behind the camera at LUNAFEST 2019. This traveling short film festival by, for, and about women is brought to you by LUNA to benefit Muskegon Girls on the Run on March 7th, and Kent County Girls on the Run on March 14th.


We’ll be holding a screening at 5:30pm on Thursday evening, March 7th, at The Block, 360 W. Western Ave, Muskegon, MI. On Thursday, March 14th at 5pm, we’re holding a screening at Wealthy Theater, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI. Join us for food and drinks, friends and fun! 


Earlybird tickets are only $18, and include heavy appetizers! Go here to purchase tickets. Contact Elizabeth.mcewen@girlsontherun.org for more information. Download a pdf of the film lineup here.


LUNAFEST was the first all-women travelling film festival to hit the screens and amplify the voices of strong women everywhere. The first event was small, but hopeful, screening in California. Today, there are screenings in more than 175 cities across the nation where the work of talented women filmmakers are showcased.




HPV vaccine approved for people through age 45

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, , , , , ,

By Scott Roberts, HealthDay

 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the Gardasil 9 human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been expanded to include people ages 27 through 45, the agency said in a news release.

 

Gardasil 9, approved in 2014 for people ages 9 through 26, is the follow-up vaccine to the original Gardasil, which was approved in 2006 and is no longer sold in the United States. The updated vaccine is designed to prevent cancers and disease caused by nine HPV types.

 

Some 14 million Americans become infected with HPV each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 12,000 women are diagnosed annually with cervical cancer caused by the virus and 4,000 women die each year from the disease, the CDC reports.

 

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that HPV vaccination prior to becoming infected with the HPV types covered by the vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90 percent of these cancers, or 31,200 cases every year,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

 

Gardasil 9 also is designed to prevent HPV-triggered cases of genital warts in men and women, and vulvar, vaginal and cervical precancerous lesions in women, the FDA says.

 

The most commonly reported side effects of the vaccine include injection-site pain, swelling, redness and headache.

 

Gardasil 9 is produced by a subsidiary of Merck & Co., based in Kenilworth, N.J.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

 

Kentwood’s brush drop-off site reopened to help with storm damage

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Recycling
Kentwood Public Works Department oversees the city’s brush and tree recycling center. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

By City of Kentwood

 
The City of Kentwood has reopened its brush drop-off site for residents to dispose of debris resulting from recent storms.

Residents may drop off brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs from storm damage at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, during daylight hours now through Sunday, March 10.

 
“Our crews are working hard to help clean up any storm damage,” said Jim Wolford, Department of Public Works supervisor. “We’ve reopened our brush drop-off site as residents have expressed a need for drop-off services as they address the trees, branches and brush that have fallen on their properties.”

The service is available to Kentwood residents only. Materials that cannot be accepted include: leaves, grass clippings, trash, dirt, concrete, asphalt, tires, rocks, stones, construction materials, glass or metal.

For more information about the City of Kentwood Department of Public Works visit the department’s page at kentwood.us .

GRCC recognizes the ‘giants’ of our community

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

By Meochia Thompson
WKTV Community Contributor

Author Meochia Thompson with Giant of the Giants Award Winner Mike Johnson. (Supplied)

Grand Rapids Community College hosted it’s 37th Annual Giants Awards and Banquet at DeVos Place, over the weekend. Dr. Bill Pink, President of GRCC, opened the ceremony with a message of hope and encouragement. He began by quoting lyrics from the famous civil rights song, Ball of Confusion by the Temptations.

“The band will no longer play on, it will stop and take action,” said Dr. Pink. 

He stressed deficiencies within the community can no longer be ignored and encouraged the audience of over a thousand to become more involved in politics, education and other activities to help enrich and strengthen the lives of others.

Many prominent figures within Grand Rapids filled the banquet hall in support of the prestigious event like Mayor, Rosalyn Bliss; Cle Jackson, President of the NAACP, Greater Grand Rapids Branch; Joe Jones, 2nd Ward City Commissioner and his wife,Jessie Jones of Legacy Homes GR ; Nathaniel Moody, 3rd Ward Commissioner; and R. Emma Johnson, President and CEO of Asher Wealth Strategies Group.
 

Giant Awards were given for leaders in several categories, including Religious, Trailblazer, Justice, Activist, Humanity, Business, Education, Labor, and Medical, Community and Public Service. Recipients were chosen according to several attributes, considered the “Essence of a Giant.” 

The Giant of Giants Award Winner, which was not revealed until the end of the evening, was Mike Johnson, owner of Brown’s Funeral Home. Two recipients received Junior Giant Leadership Scholarship Awards; Jmyrea White from Grand Rapid City High School and Maya Smith from Hope College.

The late Victoria Upton, President and Founder of Women’s Life, received the William Glenn Trailblazer Award. (Supplied)

The late Victoria Upton, President and Founder of Women’s Life Magazine, received the William Glenn Trailblazer Award for opening many doors for women and becoming a fierce voice for marginalized communities. Through her work as a publisher and business owner within the community, she was able to give a voice and platform to the up and coming and inspire others to be their best self. Despite much success, Victoria never moved from the neighborhood she grew up in. She hosted and participated in local events like Art Prize, Gilda’s Club, LaughFest, Gazelle Girls and more. Victoria passed away last September of Glioastoma, a year after her diagnosis.

One of the honorees was Carrie Jackson (middle) pictured with her daughter and grandson. (Supplied)

Other honorees included Carrie Jackson, Regional Benefits Representative for UAW-GM. She received the Martha Reynolds Labor Award for being a tireless advocate for retired General Motor employees to ensure they received the full benefits offered to them through contract negotiation and investigating insurance companies for discrepancies and fairness of contracts.

The Giant Awards was created by Dr. Patricia Pulliam and Cedric Ward to recognize African-Americans within the Grand Rapids area for their notable contributions. The first was held in 1983 . Proceeds from the event benefit scholarships within the GRCC Foundation. 

Craft brewer coming to Kentwood, immigration law discussion on WKTV Journal In Focus

3-bottom, Beer, City of Kentwood, Local Faces, WKTV Journal In Focus

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

The latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus offers the owner and brewer at Grand Rapids’ Brewery Vivant discussing plans to expand the brand into Kentwood and also about the state of craft brewing locally and regionally. Then we continue our explorations of the many aspects of legal and illegal immigration, this time with an attorney focused on immigration and foreign worker programs. Both our guests, and their topics of discussion, were brought to WKTV by community advocate Emily Bridson.

First up, In Focus is Jason Spaulding, owner and brewer at Brewery Vivant. The original craft brewery and pub is located in the Easthills neighborhood. Brewery Vivant distributes their products throughout Michigan and the greater Chicago area. We have Spaulding on, in part, because of plans to open a pub and brewery in Kentwood, but we will also talk with him about the state of the “business” of craft brewing locally and regionally.

Then In Focus is Lee Marvin, an attorney at Marvin Law Office. He has served in this role for the past 7 years and specializes in immigration, family law and small business advising. We will talk with him about the legal issues surrounding immigration and foreign worker programs. For a link to his interview video, click here .

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). In Focus is also available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com. All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

St. Cecilia wraps up jazz series hosting Benny Green Trio, singer Veronica Swift

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events
The Benny Green Trio, with singer Veronica Swift, will be at St. Cecilia Music Center. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

  
The St. Cecilia Music Center will feature the Benny Green Trio with “rising star” jazz singer Veronica Swift on March 7 as the final Jazz Series concert of the center’s 135th Anniversary season.

Benny Green, a veteran of the jazz world combines a mastery of keyboard technique with decades of playing with the most celebrated artists of the last half century including Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Brown, Diana Krall and Christian McBride. Swift is being recognized as one of the top new young jazz singers on the scene.

Veronica Swift, singing with the Benny Green Trio, will be at St. Cecilia Music Center. (Supplied)

The 24-year-old Swift will be releasing her next album on Mac Avenue Records in early 2019, which will feature the great pianist Benny Green and his trio as well the Emmet Cohen Trio.
 
 
“It will be exciting to see Veronica Swift in this point in her career performing from the new album with esteemed Jazz pianist Benny Green and his trio,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “Those who love great jazz will be blown away by this concert. It’s really a double bill because either of these artists would be big enough to feature in their own concert, so it’s a two-for-one night!”

Green began classical piano studies at the age of seven, according to supplied material. Influenced by his father, a tenor saxophonist, his attention soon turned to Jazz: “I began trying to improvise on the piano, imitating the records I’d been hearing from my father’s collection, which included a lot of Monk and Bird … it was a gradual process of teaching myself.”

Swift grew up on tour with her parents, renowned jazz pianist Hod O’Brien and celebrated jazz singer and educator/author Stephanie Nakasian, according to supplied material. It was with them where she first appeared at The Jazz Standard, and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. She recorded two CDs as a child – one at age 9 with Richie Cole and her father’s rhythm section and her mother, and one at age 13 with saxophonist Harry Allen. Her 2015 Album “Lonely Woman” features some of the hottest young jazz players on the scene including Emmet Cohen, Benny Bennack III, Daryl Johns (with whom she shared a Grammy Choir/Band experience), Matt Wigler, and Scott Lowrie. In addition to performing the Great American Songbook and Bebop and vocalese classics, she is also a passionate devotee of 1920s and ’30s music and has sung with Vince Giordano, Terry Waldo, and Drew Nugent.

 
Concert tickets for Veronica Swift with the Benny Green Trio are $40 and $45 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.

A pre-concert reception for $15 at 6:30 pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres, is available by reservation in advance. A post-concert party with dessert, coffee and wine is open to all ticket-holders to meet the artists, obtain autographs and CD purchases.