All posts by Joanne

School News Network: Free to ReadGR

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Left to right: Kindergartners Xavier Miguel-Garcia, Aiden Rodriguez-Gonzalez, and Liam Landero-Ceja compare the books they chose at a ReadGR event. (School News Network)

By Bridie Bereza
School News Network

A line of kindergartners streamed into the media center at Godfrey-Lee’s Early Childhood Center. There, spread across tables, was an array of new books: classic books; graphic novels; books with characters of all shapes, sizes, hues, and abilities; Spanish books; English books. Students eagerly thumbed through the pages.

“Spiderman!” shouted one boy, as classmates swarmed to see what he’d found.

Thanks to the year-old nonprofit ReadGR, every child in the school took home a book. As co-program director of ReadGR, Becca Walsh-Wolfe oversees these pop-up book distributions, where she tells students, “If you ever feel lonely, you always have a friend in a book.”

Lemons to Lemonade

Walsh-Wolfe is passionate about getting quality books into the hands of children. She spent 10 years coordinating the Reading Is Fundamental(RIF) program for Grand Rapids Public Schools before the district eliminated the program due to lack of funding.

RIF has allowed students to choose age-appropriate books, free of charge, since its inception in 1966. From the mid-70s to 2012, 80 percent of national RIF funding came from a federal grant. Most book recipients were in schools and community centers where 50 percent or more of children receive free and reduced-price lunch.

In 2012, Congress and the Obama administration eliminated RIF funding.

“It obliterated RIF programs all over the country,” said Walsh-Wolfe. The RIF Literacy Network, of which ReadGR is a member, continues to provide support through data, research, digital tools and grants, but it’s no longer able to provide funding at the levels it once did.

Walsh-Wolfe, who has an education degree with a literacy emphasis and a master’s degree in urban education, said she was troubled by what she saw. When GRPS eliminated RIF, she took to social media to share her concerns. Within a day, funders stepped forward, and ReadGR was born.

Kindergartner Bianca Salas-Villagomez writes her name on the nameplate of the free book she chose at a recent ReadGR book distribution

Partnerships and Pop-Ups

Walsh-Wolfe teamed up with Sara Binkley-Tow, co-founder of the mom-to-mom support nonprofit MomsBloom, to build ReadGR. Binkley-Tow had the experience of building a nonprofit organization from the ground up. Walsh-Wolfe had the literacy background and RIF experience. The pair found an ally in Grand Rapids Metro Ministry, the program’s major funding source.

Partnerships have been key to ReadGR’s success: Churches have offered volunteer power; Fountain Street Church houses ReadGR’s office; businesses like Thrivent Financial, which sponsored the recent book distribution at the Early Childhood Center, have stepped forward with financial and volunteer support.

After one year of operation, ReadGR has provided more than 10,000 free books to more than 3,500 students in 10 elementary schools including charter schools and buildings in Kentwood, Godfrey-Lee, Wyoming, Godwin Heights, and Northview schools.

Becca Walsh-Wolfe, co-program director of ReadGR, chats with students at Godfrey-Lee’s Early Childhood Center before they choose their free book

Books Matter

While a stocked bookshelf is a mainstay of many homes, one in three children in the United States has no books, according to Walsh-Wolfe. This is problematic, she said, because the number one indicator of future educational success is having books in the home: “It actually even supersedes the parents’ educational level.”

Besides educational success, there’s a social-emotional component to reading: empathy is a major focus embedded in curricula provided to teachers by ReadGR, and in their dialogue with students at each distribution.

“Literacy and reading help connect us to one another,” said Binkley-Tow.

But to reap the benefits of reading, kids have to enjoy reading. Understanding which books will pique children’s interest while being well-written, beautiful, and reflective of the children receiving the books is not easy.

Skye Davis, a kindergartner at the Godfrey Lee Early Childhood Center, is excited about the two books she received at a Read GR distribution, sponsored by Thrivent Financial

“I really consider this my art,” said Walsh-Wolfe. “What sets us apart is our collection of books. That’s what I hear from teachers and principals…they’re the books that the kids want to read. They’re books where kids recognize themselves in the pages.”

Most important, they’re the books that get read: “I do whatever it takes — they may take “Captain Underpants,” they may take “Walter the Farting Dog” — if that’s what gets them to read, awesome.”

“The care she takes in making these selections is incredible,” said Binkley-Tow. “When it doesn’t take a long time for a child to pick a book, you know you’ve done a good job.”

As ReadGR continues to grow, Binkley-Tow and Walsh-Wolfe are looking forward to what the future holds for the organization. They’re seeking partnerships to sponsor book distributions for specific schools, planning a graphic novel distribution at schools this spring, and raising funds and awareness through events such as an upcoming “paint your canvas” fundraiser.

And they’re hoping to expand their literacy services by offering reading-focused professional development in schools.

“There are a lot of places we want to go,” said Walsh-Wolfe. “We’re excited about the future and about what we have to offer.”

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

Ahoy Mateys! Grand Rapids Symphony sets sail with Captain Jack Sparrow

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , ,
Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” (Grand Rapids Symphony)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk
Grand Rapids Symphony

Is Captain Jack Sparrow the worst pirate ever or the best pirate ever? Decide for yourself.

Grand Rapids Pops presents Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the full-length film plus live music in three performances, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 8-9, and at 3 p.m., Sunday March 10, in DeVos Performance Hall.

In its 2019-2020 season the Grand Rapids Symphony will stage five full-length films “Ghostbusters,” “Home Alone,” “Up,” Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” For more, visit grsymphony.org.


Associate Conductor John Varineau will lead the Grand Rapids Symphony in the concert that’s part of the Fox Motors Pops series. Concert Sponsor is Crowe.

The comical adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swan and Captain Barbossa come to the silver screen in the 2003 film starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly and Geoffrey Rush, which launched the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Klaus Badelt, who won the 2004 ASCAP Award for his epic swashbuckling score, composed the music for the film that will be performed live by the Grand Rapids Symphony. The German film composer also wrote the music for such movies as The Time Machine in 2002 and Constantine in 2005.

John Varineau, who is in his 34th season with the Grand Rapids Symphony, regularly conducts concerts on each of the orchestra’s series, including the Fox Motors Pops, Gerber SymphonicBoom and the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops as well as for all of the Grand Rapids Symphony’s educational series.

Barbossa in search of the elusive Captain Jack Sparrow. (Grand Rapids Symphony.)

But Varineau also is the GR Pops’ go-to conductor for programs involving film and live music. This past season, Varineau has led the Grand Rapids Symphony in performances of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Next season, Varineau will be on the podium for the GR Pops’ Popcorn Package of films including Ghostbusters in October, an encore performance of Home Alone in November, and Up in March 2020.

Also coming to DeVos Performance Hall in 2019-20 will be the fifth and sixth movies in the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, beginning with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in October, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in February 2020.

In The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the crystalline waters of the Caribbean present a vast playground where adventures and mystery abound for the roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow. But Jack’s idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa, steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and then attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the Governor’s beautiful daughter, Elizabeth Swann.

Elizabeth’s childhood friend, Will Turner, joins forces with Jack to commandeer the fastest ship in the British fleet, the H.M.S. Interceptor, in a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl. The duo and their ragtag crew are pursued by Elizabeth’s betrothed, the ambitious Commodore Norrington. aboard the H.M.S. Dauntless.

Unbeknownst to Will, a cursed treasure has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as the undead, the moonlight eerily transforming them into living skeletons. The curse they carry can be broken only if the plundered treasure is restored in total and a blood debt repaid.

Against all odds, the Interceptor and Dauntless race toward a thrilling confrontation with Barbossa’s pirates on the mysterious Isla de Muerta. At stake is Jack Sparrow’s revenge, the Black Pearl, a fortune in forbidden treasure, the lifting of the pirates’ curse that has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as skeletons, the fate of the British navy, and the lives of our valiant heroes as they clash swords in fierce combat against the dreaded Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Tickets


Single tickets for the Fox Motors Pops series start at $18 and are available at the Grand Rapids Symphony box office, weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum).

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

What’s your calorie-burning clock?

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

Did you know that irregularity in our schedules of eating and sleeping may make us more likely to gain weight? (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Alan Mozes, HealthDay

 

When it comes to weight gain, what you eat clearly matters.

 

But a small, preliminary study now suggests that when you eat also matters, with people burning off more calories at the end of the day than they do at the beginning.

 

The finding is based on a three-week study that monitored metabolism changes throughout the day among seven men and women. All food intake was carefully controlled, and all participants refrained from calorie-burning activities.

 

“We found that when people are at rest, the amount of energy that they burn varies with the time of day,” explained study author Jeanne Duffy.

 

In fact, “we burn 10 percent more calories in the late afternoon (and) early evening compared with the early morning hours, even when we are doing the exact same thing,” she added.

 

Duffy, a neuroscientist in the division of sleep and circadian disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said it remains unclear why this is so.

 

“We don’t have an answer to that from our study,” she noted. “It could be that it is a way for our body to conserve energy, by requiring less at some times of day.”

 

In the study, Duffy and her team enlisted seven healthy men and women between the ages of 38 and 69. None struggled with insomnia or suffered from any chronic medical condition. No one smoked, drank excessive amounts of coffee, or regularly took any prescribed or over-the-counter medication.

 

All were asked to live in a room that was stripped of all indications of time of day. That meant no clocks, no internet, no phone and no windows.

 

For three weeks, participants were assigned bedtimes and wake times, and every day those times were shifted to start four hours later. The result was as if each had circled the entire planet once a week.

 

Diets were controlled and calorie-burning exercise was not permitted, allowing researchers to analyze metabolism patterns free from the influence of eating, sleeping and activity habits.

 

In the end, the researchers determined that calorie burning at rest was at its lowest in the morning and at its highest in the afternoon and evening.

 

Whether the same calorie-burning patterns would hold true if exercise was thrown into the mix remains an open question, Duffy added.

 

“But the practical implications of our findings are that any irregularity in our schedules of eating and sleeping may make us more likely to gain weight,” she said. “This may help explain why shift workers are likely to gain weight.”

 

As to how this finding might figure into any strategy to prevent weight gain, “keeping a very regular schedule of sleep and wake, as well as eating, is a ‘best practice,’” Duffy advised.

 

“Regularity means going to bed and waking, as well as eating meals, at nearly the same time every day,” she stressed. “That ensures our internal rhythms are primed to respond optimally to the food we eat.”

 

But Lona Sandon, program director of the department of clinical nutrition in the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, suggested that the findings are unlikely to help those looking to get their weight under control. She was not involved with the study.

 

“At this time, I do not think there is much of anything particularly practical or useful that we do not already tell people,” Sandon said. “For example, we already tell people to get more of their calories earlier in the day rather than later and aim for more and better sleep.

 

“(And) exercise is good any time of day,” Sandon added, “and you will burn more calories with intentional exercise than what you get with a slight boost in metabolic rate due to natural circadian rhythms.

 

“(So) I am not going to hold my breath for [this] as an effective weight management strategy,” she said.

 

The study was published in the journal Current Biology.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Cat of the week: Rochester

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , ,
This handsome guy is ready for his forever home!

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).


In October of 2018, rescue phenom Sandi D. set her sights on a super shy guy who had been running around Ionia St. in downtown Grand Rapids since the spring. Ever elusive, it took a large carrier loaded with canned food and the quick reflexes of our fiery little redhead to trap him so that she could get him neutered; at that time it was clear he was far too weary of humans, so she released him in his neighborhood and kept feeding and looking after him.


By December he had grown much friendlier and was allowing her to pet him, so when he fell ill with an upper respiratory infection right around Christmas she told him he had no choice—he was going home with her. Antibiotics, a warm environment and as much TLC as he would allow helped Rochester recover fully. We have a strong feeling that this timid tabby and white guy had been living on the streets for most of his life (he was born in late 2015 we guesstimate), so it was quite a culture shock to now have a pint-sized servant who doted on him.


We welcomed him into our program at Crash’s on Jan. 7th, and since then, Rochester has been slowly acclimating to his new and improved indoor life. At the writing of his bio a month later, our impressions of him show a cat possessing a lot of promise, with patience and perseverance being paramount to his reaching his full potential.


He’s still extremely shy and doesn’t interact much with the other cats, but he loves people’s attention. He’s always up high looking down with those timid eyes until he sees someone climb the stepladder and then he’s all about some belly rubs. He’s curious about what is going on, but he’s still not quite ready to join the others.


He’d make a great buddy for older kids because he’s still a bit unsure and is working on having more courage. We don’t think he’d have any problem living with one other cat, but no dogs as he’s fearful of loud noises and commotion.


Although there are a lot of blanks about Rochester’s life that will never get filled in, one thing we do know for sure is that from here on out he is guaranteed to want for nothing in his life, will be surrounded by the most dedicated and caring individuals we know, and ultimately will find the home he was always meant to have.

More about Rochester:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair — Tabby (Tiger Striped), White
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Prefers a home without dogs or children

Want to adopt Rochester? 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.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming

By WKTV Staff
Ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Recycle the present, save the future.”
 
                                                   ― Anonymous
Trash being dumped at the Kent County landfill. (Supplied/Kent County)

County’s waste reduction plans

A major component of the Kent County Department of Public Works’s plan to reduce county landfall waste by 20 percent by 2020 — and 90 percent by 2030 — is to gain community buy-in for the plan. As part of that effort, the county Department of Public Works (DPW) recently announced a major addition to department’s educational programs with the hire of a new resource recovery specialist. For the complete story, visit here.

A previous game televised by WKTV with East Kentwood High School’s boys basketball team at Wyoming. (WKTV)

Local sites for playoff basketball

Wyoming, South Christian and Tri-unity Christian high schools will each host boys basketball state playoff District opening-round tournaments concluding with championship games on Friday, March 1. WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage teams will be at South Christian starting Wednesday, Feb. 27, and will continue coverage of the tournament on Friday. For the complete story, visit here.

Kentwood councilor In Focus

WKTV Journal In Focus recently talked with Kentwood City Commissioner Maurice Groce, who has a long history serving the city his family has called home for nearly three decades, and Metro Health — UM Health’s Dr. Peter Hahn, who is one of the few leaders of a healthcare system with hands-on experience with patients. Their discussions are must-see YouTube video. For the complete story, visit here.



Fun fact:

300

Hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. (Source)

Deadline is Feb. 28 for Wyoming’s spring soccer program

3-bottom, City of Wyoming

Deadline for the City of Wyoming Spring Youth Soccer League is fast approaching. The registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 28.

Those interested should register by the Thursday deadline to avoid a $5 late fee. The fee is $40 for a resident and $60 for a non-resident with $10 for additional children.

The Spring Youth Soccer League is April 9 – June 1. Practices, which are at Marquette Park, will begin April 9 or 11.

Preschool-kindergarten teems meet on Saturdays only. Every Saturday, teams practice for 30 minutes and then complete a 20-minute game. First – sixth grade players complete several weeks of practice prior to the start of games. Teams will practice once per week on Tuesday or Thursday nights and play games on Saturdays.

‘I want it gone’

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Health, Local Faces, , ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Marie Havenga, Spectrum Health Beat

 

Photos by Chris Clark

 

Bob Bustance enjoys life in his hometown of Hastings, Michigan.

 

Depending on the season, he tends to his vegetable garden, hunts deer or goes snowmobiling.

 

But in September of 2017, as he harvested the last of his crops, he seemingly lost control of his bladder.

 

“I had to urinate frequently,” said Bustance, 58. “I had no control. It came out of nowhere.”

 

Bustance made an appointment with his family doctor. Her concern led to a referral to Christopher Brede, MD, a Spectrum Health Medical Group urologist.

 

“He went ahead and did his testing,” Bustance said. “Three days later, he called and told me I had prostate cancer. I was astonished.”

 

Dr. Brede said the routine screening showed Bustance had a rising PSA level, leading to a biopsy.

 

“The cancer was found to be localized at diagnosis,” Dr. Brede said.

 

After considering options presented by Dr. Brede, Bustance chose to have the cancer surgically removed. Dr. Brede performed a robotic prostatectomy.

 

But that wasn’t the end of Bustance’s cancer story.

 

Doctors discovered cancer lurking in his thyroid during a total body scan.

 

“It all hit at one time,” he said. “They took my prostate. Six weeks later they went in and took my thyroid.”

 

Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

Bustance sensed the cancer double whammy could only mean one thing. His time was up. He visited a local funeral home and planned for what he thought to be his future.

 

“I thought I was going to die,” Bustance said. “I went ahead and made my funeral arrangements and bought a cemetery plot. It was like a tidal wave hitting you.”

 

Dr. Brede said he doesn’t think the two cancers were related.

 

“Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer solid tumor in men, so it would not be that rare for an individual to have prostate cancer with another cancer,” he said. “His happened to be discovered concurrently. They ended up not being related.”

 

Bustance said a Spectrum Health nurse navigator helped answer questions and schedule appointments throughout the ordeal.

 

“He called me every week,” Bustance said. “He was a positive person. Everyone was so positive… Without those people at Spectrum, I would have never made it.”

 

In June, Bustance was able to return to his position as a supervisor for a metal stamping company.

 

“The company I work for has been awesome,” he said. “There’s no company in the world that will hold a man’s job for 10 months to make sure I had health insurance. A lot of people stepped up. It’s just amazing.”

 

Bustance continued to see Dr. Brede weekly after his surgery, then every three months and now, every six months. His PSA tests have been normal.

 

“I am so ecstatically happy,” he said at the time.

 

He and his partner of 35 years, Betty Negus, are resuming life.

 

Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

“Robotic surgery is one of the most awesome experiences you could ever have,” he said. “They didn’t do an incision at all—just little holes with a couple of stitches. The recovery time to me was just remarkable. I got it done, went home and laid around for three or four days. The soreness just went away. By the time I went to see him a couple of weeks later, everything was healed up. No red marks. No nothing.”

 

Bustance said he’s still not 100 percent energy wise, but he can only imagine how he would feel if he had large incisions to contend with.

 

“Of all the surgeries a man could have, that’s the way to go because of the recovery time and not being split wide open,” he said. “Dr. Brede gave me options (treatment or removal). Cancer has been in my family for years. Being as young as I was, I looked at him and said, ‘I want it gone.’ Betty and I talked about it. I pretty much made up my mind I wanted it out.”

 

“It was very trying,” he said. “I had to stay positive. I had to surround myself with positive people. I live each day trying to be better than I was yesterday and it works. My eating habits have changed. Everything has changed.”

 

Bustance said he’s happy with his decision to have the prostate and thyroid cancer removed.

 

“I think I made a wise choice,” he said. “It’s a good feeling. I wake up every day very thankful. I wasn’t a religious person, but it really makes you think. It really does. It all came out for the best for me.”

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Book Talk: Two different books on the heart’s desires

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , , , ,

By Anna Devarenne
WKTV Intern

The featured KDL books for this month focus on two teenagers both bent on getting what they want — one seeks revenge while the other seeks a boyfriend.

Award winning young adult author, Jason Reynolds, writes “Long Way Down”–a compelling novel of free verse poetry.

The story follows the life of 15-year-old Will and his inner turmoil when dealing with the recent death of his brother, who was recently shot in their neighborhood streets.

As the story begins to unfold, Will heads down the seven floors of his apartment building, on his way to seek revenge for his brother’s murder.

He is then joined by ghosts of his past at each floor the elevator stops at. As the elevator travels downward, the ghosts help Will to realize that his plan for revenge may not be as clear a picture as he assumed it would be.

Reynold’s novel addresses gun violence in a chilling yet powerful way. In a 2017 interview with NPR, he remarked that “it’s about us, a community, thinking about those of our family members and our friends who we’ve already lost to this thing, and allow their haunting to be the thing that creates our psyche and our conscience.”

Another absorbing Young Adult novel that KDL Youth Librarian Courtnei Moyses suggests is “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by Maurene Goo.

The story follows the lovable protagonist, Desi Lee, and her journey as a high school senior.

After many attempts at flirting that turn into failures, adorably awkward Desi turns to the Korean Dramas on TV that she watches with her dad. She realizes that all K-Dramas have a special equation that they follow that consistently results in the boy falling in love with the girl.

Desi decides to implement these steps when she meets the artistic, mysterious, new boy at school named Luca. This plan to get a boyfriend works for a while, but soon things begin to go wrong.

Both of Goo’s most popular novels, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” and “The Way You Make Me Feel,” feature strong father daughter relationships, which is appealing yet hard to find in most Young Adult fiction. As a Korean woman herself, Goo also features strong Asian girls as the protagonists in her novels.

For more great reads and other suggestions, visits your local KDL branch or visit kdl.org.

Door-stop meteorite focus of CMU event with Smithsonian

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Video from Central Michigan University

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Many may recall the news flurry last fall around a 22.5-pound rock used to hold doors open was actually a meteorite worth about $100,000.

Central Michigan University’s Dr. Mona Sirbescu, at the rock owner’s request, helped identify the meteorite, which was has since been officially classified and approved by the Nomenclature Committee of Meteoritical Society. It is the sixth-largest of only 12 meteorites every found in Michigan.

Professor Monaliza Sirbescu shows off a meteorite. (Central Michigan University)

Thursday, CMU will host a presentation and discussion about the Edmore Meteorite (it was found on a farm in Edmore) at 4 p.m. at CMU’s Opperman Auditorium in Park Library on the CMU Mount Pleasant campus. 

The discussion will feature Sirbescu; David Mazurek, the meteorite’s owner; and Dr. Catherine Corrigan, a geologist and meteorite curator with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. 

A close up look of the Edmore Meteorite. (CMU)

The event is free and open to the public. After the hour-long presentation, there will be discussion and refreshments from 5 to 6 p.m. 

According to a 2018 article from CMU News, Mazurek obtained the meteorite in 1988 when he bought a farm in Edmore, Michigan, about 30 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant. 

As the farmer was shown Mazurek around the property, they went out to a shed where Mazurek noticed the odd shaped rock. According to Mazurek, the farmer said it was a meteorite and that the farmer and his father saw it come down on their property in the 1930s.

A January 2018 meteor event in Michigan had Mazurek think of the rock and wonder if it was a meteorite and if it was worth anything. At the recommendation of a friend, he took it to Sirbescu at CMU’s College of Science and Engineering.

Be ‘in the moment’ as GR comedian brings tour to Wyoming

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ,
Grand Rapids own Michael Jr. performs March 3 at Grand Rapids First Church. (Supplied.)

By Meochia Nochi Thompson

It was a dare that launched comedian Michael Jr.’s career.

The homegrown comedian got his start after a projector went out and the lights came on in a crowded Grand Rapids theater, the former Studio 28 to be exact. A friend dared him to take the stage. That was where the actor/comedian “discovered” his calling. Later, fellow comic, George Wallace, took him to the famous Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach where he would slip onto yet another stage and the rest is history.
 

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. Michael said that after being backstage with some notable comics and hearing their concerns about their children never being able to see their shows, he made a conscious decision to do clean comedy an entire family can watch, together. 

Listen to Meochia’s interview with Michael Jr. on “Life Chats” on Magic 104.9 at www.mylifechats.com/listen.

Michael Jr. may be a familiar face to some since he appeared in the 2015 film “War Room” He recently released his latest comedy special “More Than Funny” and his the voice behind the popular podcast “Off the Cuff with Michael Jr.”

Michael Jr. is known for his clean comedy that an entire family can enjoy. (Supplied)

“With my comedy, I don’t want people to just laugh, I want them to be inspired,” Michael Jr. said during the Life Chats interview.

Michael specializes in comedy that inspires and loves to help others discover the funny sides of life. He has appeared at various colleges, comedy clubs and talk shows around the world including Notre Dame, The Laugh Factory, The Punchline, Oprah, The Late Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, CNN and more. He has several DVD’s, podcasts and a children’s book called “The Parts We Play.”

He is most proud of his Christian beliefs, his family, which includes his wife and five children, and serving his audience. Michael gives back laughter and charity to those in need of a good laugh. At many of his comedy shows he gives away merchandise to those who cannot afford it and ask those who can to pay it forward. Once, he helped a large family purchase their dream vehicle by hosting a No Show Comedy Event. People purchased tickets for a show that was never happening. The family’s vehicle was paid in full. His contagious generosity sets the stage for infectious laughter throughout diverse audiences all over the world. To learn more about Michael Jr. or purchase tickets for his upcoming show, visit michaeljr.com

Local boys basketball teams prepare for district tournaments

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
A previous game televised by WKTV at Wyoming High School. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming, South Christian and Tri-unity Christian high schools will each host boys basketball state playoff District opening-round tournaments, starting Monday for some, and each concluding with championship games on Friday, March 1.

South Christian (16-4, 10-2 in OK Gold) will enter district play as a conference champion. In the same district tournament will be Wyoming Godwin Heights (15-5, 12-0 in OK Silver), also a conference champion. They could meet in a district semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at South Christian.

So, WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage teams will be at South Christian starting Wednesday, Feb. 27, and will continue coverage of the tournament on Friday. Additionally, WKTV will file WKTV Journal online-print reports on the results of all the games involving local teams as the week goes on.

Wyoming Potter’s House (18-1, 8-0 in Alliance League) was also its conference champion, edging out Tri-unity Christian (17-3, 7-1 in Alliance League) by virtue of a 54-53 win on the road at Tri-unity in January.

Division 1 tournament at Wyoming

The Division 1 District 11 tournament at Wyoming will open with games Monday, Feb. 25, with Byron Center (5-15 record on the season) squaring off against East Kentwood (11-9) at 6 p.m. and Ottawa Hills (2-16, before a Feb. 22 game vs. Lowell) vs. Wyoming (8-11) following at 7:30 p.m.

The winners of the Monday games will play Wednesday, Feb. 27, with the winner of the Byron Center/East Kentwood game playing East Grand Rapids (7-13) at 6 p.m., and the Ottawa Hills/Wyoming winner playing Caledonia (4-15) at 7:30 p.m.

The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 3 at Holland West Ottawa.

Division 2 tournament at South Christian

In the Division 1 District 44 tournament, South Christian will play in the opening-round, Monday game, on their home floor, playing Wyoming Kelloggsville (4×16, 3-9 in OK Silver) at 7 p.m.

The tournament continues on Wednesday, Feb. 27, with Grand River Prep (10-4) playing West Michigan Aviation Academy (9-11, 5-4 in Alliance League) at 5:30 p.m., and the Kelloggsville/South Christian winner playing Godwin Heights at 7:30 p.m.

The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 11 at Fremont.

Division 4 tournament at Tri-unity Christian

In the Division 4 District 114 tournament, starting on Wednesday, Feb. 27, Zion Christian (6-13) will play host Tri-unity Christian (17-3, 7-1 in Alliance League) at 7 p.m. In the other game, Holland Calvary (11-6) will play Martin (13-3) at 5:30 p.m.

The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 6:30 p.m., and then move on to the Region 29 at Mendon.

Other local teams in District play

In the Division 2 District 43 tournament, this one at Ada Forest Hills Eastern, Wyoming Lee (2-17, 1-11 in OK Silver) will play the winner of a Monday game between Wellspring Prep (5-13) and Forest Hills Eastern (11-9), in a second round game Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. In the other Wednesday game in this tournament, Grand Rapids Catholic (17-2) against the winner of a Monday game between Grand Rapids West Catholic (10-8) and Grand Rapids Christian (14-5).

The winners of the Wednesday games at Forest Hills Eastern will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 11 at Fremont.

Finally, in a Division 3 District 75 tournament at Grandville Calvin Christian, Wyoming Potter’s House will play the winner of a Monday contest between Covenant Christian (7-13) and Fennville (10-10), with the second round game on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. In the other Wednesday game, Calvin Christian (8-10) will play the winner of a Monday game between Holland Black River (3-17) and Saugatuck (3-15).

The winners of the Wednesday games at Calvin Christian will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m. and then move on to the Regional 19 at NorthPointe Christian.

Other local sports schedule:

Monday, Feb. 25
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood vs Byron Center @ Wyoming – Division 1 MHSAA Districts
Kelloggsville @ South Christian – Division 2 MHSAA Districts

Tuesday, Feb. 26
Girls Basketball
East Kentwood @ Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Union
West Michigan Lutheran @ Potter’s House
Grand River Prep @ Muskegon Catholic Central
FH Northern @ South Christian
Boys Hockey
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Holland

Wednesday, Feb. 27
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood – Second Shave Meet

Thursday, Feb. 28
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Diving Regionals
Girls Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Tri-Unity Christian
Holton @ Wyoming Lee – Senior Night
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian
Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep
South Christian @ Byron Center

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

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

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/.

Of faith and freedom: A VOICES conversation with Fr. Peter Vu

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Faces, , ,
Fr. Peter Vu

By Victoria Mullen, WKTV


When he was a kid growing up in Saigon City, Vietnam, Fr. Peter Vu’s parents strove to provide him and his two sisters the semblance of a normal, middle-class life — a stay-at-home mom, a dad with gainful employment at a government job working in national security. Consequently, Vu didn’t feel the pain of war, at least not until the very end.


“I remember a lot of family time, touring places in Saigon like the cathedral and Independence Palace, driving the roundabout — those are the memories I have before the war ended,” said Vu.


Then, reality reared its ugly head.


“The last day of the war was like the apocalypse — the end is here,” he said. “My home was not too far from the airport, and I saw a lot of airplanes being bombed.”


Vu was only five years old.


The communists got right to work, gathering up people they perceived to be threats, particularly government workers.


“The communists tricked them, told them that they were going to re-education camp,” said Vu. “‘Oh, you’ll come back in about a week.'”


So, when his father was taken away, the family thought it would be for only a short time. Vu would not see him again for 12 years.


“The communists evaluated the prisoners based on rank and seriousness of your job with the South Vietnamese government and they either shipped you to ‘Hanoi Hilton’ where Senator John McCain was held, or they sent you to the Gulag in Russia, never to be seen again,” he said.


From 750,000 to over 1 million people were removed from their homes and forcibly relocated to uninhabited mountainous forested areas.


“When the communists took over, we didn’t have any of the rights or freedom that we used to have,” Vu said. “We had to ask for permission to go from one town to the next. They could enter our homes and search any time they wanted, in the middle of the night. There wasn’t enough food. We had to live very resourcefully.”


As Vu grew up, he thought that maybe he could stay in Saigon and be the head of the household, but as the son of a former regime official, he was already on the blacklist. He knew that they would not allow him to go to college, even though he was at the top of his class in high school.

“When dad was released from the camp, he had to leave Vietnam because he was still being oppressed and persecuted by the communists,” said Vu. “He said that if he left, maybe they would leave our family alone. Wrong. Because after my dad left successfully — he had to try several times by boat — they knew my dad was in the U.S., so they watched our family even closer because there ‘had’ to be some connection with the western government.”

He began to think about leaving Vietnam and emigrating to the U.S. to join his father and pursue his calling of the priesthood.


“My dad had told me that if I wanted to become a priest, I might be able to come to the U.S. So, I had to make that tough decision about leaving. I knew that I might die. I knew that I might not see some of my family and friends again. Those are the reasons I took the risk to come over here by boat.”


First, he had to raise the money to get on a boat, and even then there would be no assurances. He didn’t make it on the first try.


“But with God’s help and my family’s savings, I was able to make it in the end. I was stranded at sea for quite a few days and ran into the perfect storm — like that movie Perfect Storm — and thought that I might never make it.”


His boat encountered pirates, and the refugees suffered gravely. In the end, he and his fellow refugees were rescued by a South Korean tanker that took them to Singapore, where Vu spent the summer before he was able to get in touch with his dad.


“I was a minor, and I didn’t know if I would ever see my family again,” he said. “I see what is going on now with minors being separated from their parents at the southern border — I shared the same fate and had to deal with that. I know what those minors had to go through.”


He didn’t have his father’s address or phone number, so he risked writing back to his family when he was in the Singapore refugee camp. All the mail that goes through a communist country gets opened and censored at any time. For some reason, his mail got through — he says it was God’s will — and his mother was able to give him the address to contact his dad, who sponsored his passage to the U.S.


It was always Vu’s goal and focus to serve God and help others, especially the poor and unfortunate. After acclimating to his new life in the U.S., he entered the seminary. He credits the hardships he experienced in Vietnam with instilling the deeply ingrained values he preaches, including kindness and generosity.


“Like many of the figures in the Bible, I bargained with God: If you save me, I will make sure I serve you,” said Vu. “And I kept my end of it. Some people might say, you know what, I have a good life here, so God, thank you but I’m going the other way. But I try to keep my end of the  bargain.”


Vu has been a Catholic priest for over 21 years and currently is pastor at Saint Mary Magdalen Parish in Kentwood. He is also the author of the book, Living for a Higher Purpose: Story of a City Boy Who Survived the Vietnam War by Living for Jesus and Others, which is being adapted into a movie.


Listen to Vu’s VOICES conversation here.


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

‘One person can really make a difference’

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Local Business, Local Faces, ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Story and photos by Alan Neushwander, Spectrum HealthBeat 

 

Rhonda Reilly trained for months to run her first half-marathon.

 

The 59-year-old from Athens, Ohio, was at her summer cottage in Ludington, Michigan, on Aug. 7, 2018 when she decided to continue training with a 4-mile run along Hamlin Lake. The picturesque setting on a warm summer afternoon seemed to present a perfect opportunity to take a break from preparing for a visitor.

 

Paula Milligan, a nurse at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, drove home from work that day along the same route. While driving on a road atop a bluff overlooking the lake, she noticed two bicyclists standing over a woman lying in the roadway.

 

The woman happened to be Rhonda. Face down, blood oozed from her head. At first, it appeared she may have been hit by a car. Milligan used her nursing skills to assess what may have happened.

 

“She was blue, which gave me an idea she had either a heart or lung issue,” Milligan recalled. “Once I rolled her over, I noticed there were no injuries to her hands or wrists. She also had sores on her knees which gave me an indication she had flopped down on the pavement.”

 

Rhonda suffered cardiac arrest. Milligan immediately began CPR.

 

“When I started compressions, her color started to come back and I’d get an occasional agonal breath,” Milligan recalled. “I just kept pumping hard to keep her color good and to protect brain function. I had no idea how long she’d been there.”

 

Milligan performed CPR for about 18 minutes before first responders arrived with an automated external defibrillator. They shocked Rhonda twice with the AED before rushing her to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital.

Jane Doe

When Rhonda arrived in the emergency room, she had no form of identification on her. She went running that afternoon without her phone or any belongings.

 

Not knowing her identity, she was classified as a Jane Doe and flown by Aero Med to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

 

Back at their cottage, Rhonda’s husband, Steve, began to worry. His wife’s run was taking longer than expected.

 

“I drove around for two hours looking for her,” Steve said. “I thought she may have taken a wrong turn and got lost. Finally, I called the hospital to see if anyone matching her description had come in. That’s when they told me what had happened and that she had been airlifted to Grand Rapids. I found out later that I had driven by where they had already rescued her.”

A superhero nurse

Rhonda credits Milligan with saving her life.

 

“I was very close to being dead,” Rhonda said. “I was blue when she found me. Less than 10 percent of people who have cardiac arrest outside of the home survive. Had she not found me and started CPR right away, I wouldn’t be here.”

 

Milligan, however, is modest about her lifesaving efforts.

 

“I don’t feel I did anything different than any other nurse would’ve done,” she said. “It just happened to be that I was the one who came across this person and responded to her.”

 

After being released from the hospital, the two reunited with a surprise visit Milligan made to Rhonda and Steve’s cottage.

 

“Paula is amazing,” Rhonda said with a smile. “She’s such a fun and happy person. We now have a special bond that will last a lifetime. This just goes to show that one person can really make a difference.”

Don’t take good health for granted

Rhonda appeared to be the model of good health. She didn’t take medication, had great blood pressure and maintained her physical fitness.

 

Doctors and nurses at the Spectrum Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center stabilized Rhonda and determined a small blockage in an artery at the bottom of her heart caused her cardiac arrest.

 

She spent nine days in the hospital, including four days in the intensive care unit. A defibrillator was placed in her chest to help protect against future cardiac arrests.

 

“You can be the perfect picture of good health and still have something like this happen,” Steve said. “Don’t think you’re immune just because you’re fit and a runner.”

Everyone should be prepared to do CPR

There are two lessons the couple wants people to learn from Rhonda’s incident.

 

First, always carry identification if you are exercising alone.

 

“Steve didn’t know what was happening or where I was,” Rhonda said. “I didn’t have any ID on me. It would’ve been so much easier for my husband if someone could’ve called him to let him know what was happening.”

 

There are several different types of wearable identification items runners can wear such as a wristband ID, shoe tag, pocket card and necklaces.

 

More importantly, Rhonda knows CPR saved her life and urges everyone to learn basic CPR skills.

 

“It’s really not that hard to learn CPR and the difference you can make is incredible,” she said.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum HealthBeat.

Events at GVSU focus on ethical issues in health care

Citizen Journalism

By Michele Coffill
GVSU

Grand Valley State University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Health will host two public events on March 25 that focus on the ethical issues surrounding conscientious objection in health care.

• An afternoon conference, “‘You Want Me to Do What?’ When Values Collide in Health Care,” will run from 1-5 p.m. in the Eberhard Center, 301 W. Fulton St., on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. 

Presenters are Bryan Pilkington, associate professor, Seton Hall School of Health and Medical Sciences; Caroline Ring, chief nursing officer for Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City hospitals; Michael Robinson, assistant professor of philosophy, Chapman University; and Megan VerMerris, senior counsel for Spectrum Health.

Cost to attend the afternoon conference is $45; register online at gvsu.edu/colloquy. 

Poster presentations from area students and faculty will be displayed during the conference. Students are encouraged to submit abstracts on any health related topic, faculty posters should be about a health care ethics topic. Deadline to submit an abstract is March 1, visit gvsu.edu/colloquy for details.

The conference is presented in collaboration with Spectrum Health.

• The DeVos Medical Ethics Colloquy, with the focus “The Ethics of Conscientious Objection in Health Care,” follows a 5 p.m. hors d’oeuvres reception and will run from 6-8 p.m. in the Eberhard Center.

Presenters are Nancy Berlinger, research scholar at the Hastings Center, and Lauris Kaldjian, director of bioethics and humanities at the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine.

A special meet-and-greet with colloquy speakers is scheduled for students from 5-5:30 p.m. Students should register for this meeting on the colloquy website; faculty members who wish to bring a class can contact Diane Dykstra at dykstrdi@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-5876.

The colloquy, underwritten by the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, is free and open to the public. It will be live-streamed, participants who register online at gvsu.edu/colloquy and indicate “live stream” will receive a link prior to the event.

Continuing education credits are available for both events for social work, nursing and medical professionals. Questions about the events can be directed to Dykstra at dykstrdi@gvsu.edu or 616-331-5876.

Snapshots: Kentwood, Wyoming news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message. 

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter

Take a Pass

The Kentwood Justice Center which houses the 62-B District Court (WKTV)

Have a court fine you forgot to pay? Or an outstanding ticket that you just found in the drawer? Well head straight to Kentwood’s 62-B District Court or the 63rd District Court located on the East Beltline, both of which have announced they will offer individuals a waiver on further penalties or incarceration for taking care of their debts before March 31. The courts are even willing to work with those unable to pay in full. For more information, call the 62-B Court at 616-698-9310 or the 63rd Court at 616-632-7770.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Andronaco moves its subsidiary Conley Composite to Kentwood.

The Right Place and the City of Kentwood made big news this week when Andronaco announced it would be moving one of its subsidiaries, Conley Composite to Kentwood. Andronaco has three of its subsidiaries and its headquarters in the area. This is the second big announcement for The Right Place, which in January announced that Stone Fox Ventures would be moving its new acquired Even Cut Abrasive Company to Wyoming.

Star Gazing with Music

The next Concerts Under the Stars at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium is Thursday, Feb. 28. The concert, which is at 7:30 p.m., features the dark-electronic pop of Bronze Wolf. Tickets are $12 for members and $15 for non-members. For more info, visit grpm.org or click here. Or snag some tickets for tonight’s Grand Rapids Symphony concert featuring 19-year-old bass virtuoso William McGregor. The concert is at 8 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall.

Fun fact:

750

That’s how many different species of butterflies in the world. Come March 1, you can check out about 60 of them as the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park opens its über popular “Butterflies are Blooming” exhibit. The butterflies roam free in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Best times to see the butterflies: late afternoon or early morning when the Gardens opens early every Tuesday. So keep thinking spring!

Wyoming Lee makes history by wrestling as a team, for the team

City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports

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

The Wyoming Lee Rebels this season were wrestling district champions for the first time in their program’s history.

While some may see this as a true underdog story — and it was for a very small program which had to resort to practicing in the basement of a church, to which the kids had to walk three quarters of a mile, because the school did not have any extra facilities for them to practice at. But, for the wrestlers, it was all hard work and determination.

To win the district title, the Rebels took out Hudsonville Unity Christian in the first round, 50-29. Then in the district final, it seemed like all hope was lost when they were trailing 36-12 against Wyoming Kelloggsville with five matches to go.

The Rebels were then able to win their next four matches to tie it up at 36, with senior Enrique Moreno-Martinez up in the final match. And he was in the right frame of mind for the task.

“What I was thinking in my head was ‘This is it, this could finally be the district title we need and that we want’,” Moreno-Martinez said to WKTV. And he won the match.

Mike Beasley. (WKTV)

Another big factor in the Rebel’s title was junior Mike Beasley, who scored for his team in both matches and eventually finished in third place in individual districts.

“I put the work in and I know my team has,” Beasley said. “But I am just going to have to work harder and harder.”

Lee head coach James Maxim was, understandably, very proud of his team’s dedication this season.

“They wrestle for the team more than anything else,” he said. “Win, lose, or draw, they’re always on the corner, supporting each other, that’s what’s so cool about these kids.”

Assistant coach Flavio Gomez. (WKTV)

Maxim said they couldn’t have done this without assistant coach Flavio Gomez, who realized the history of the Rebels winning the district title.

“Knowing that we had managed to make history happen, I was so happy,” Gomez said. “I had never felt any happier in my whole wrestling career.”

Wyoming Lee ended up losing in the first round of regional play to Comstock Park, but they still walked away from the season with their heads held high and history made.

This video story and all sports news segments are available on the WKTV YouTube channel. All featured games covered by WKTV’s sports coverage crew, as well as other community events covered, are available on-demand 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.

GR tattoo shop adds Lyme Disease awareness to its community action efforts

3-bottom, Community Health, Going Local, Local Business, Newscast, Non-Profits
Adam Justus, tattoo artist at Meteor Ink House de Tatuadora, works his art. (WKTV/Kaleb Vinton)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org


The owner and manager of Meteor Ink House de Tatuadora, a long-time tattoo and body piercing shop on Division Avenue in Grand Rapids, have not seen any cases of Lyme Disease in their establishment — despite a known connection between even mild body stresses such as tattooing and flair-ups of the disease.

But that did not deter Andrea DeLeon, owner and head tattoo artist of the Meteor Ink, or store manager and piercing artist Bradford Logan from supporting a cause by joining with the national non-profit Lyme Warrior and the group’s “Ink to End Lyme 2019” awareness and fund-raising campaign this month.

The result was that on Feb. 9, Meteor Ink held a community awareness day when donations from the shop and tattoo and piercing clients went to the Lyme Warrior project and Lyne Disease information was available.

Emily Loewer, a tattoo artist at Meteor Ink House de Tatuador, shows tattoo images she created which Lyme Warriors wear. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“We have not seen any (in our community), and it is a good thing that we haven’t, because it means that lyme disease is not affecting that part of the community (urban tattoo and piercing fans) the same way it could be affect a more rural community,” Logan said to WKTV. “… But we know it is out there.”

Doing community awareness events is nothing new to Meteor Ink; in March they will have an ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) fundraiser in fact, and that is just another of many community involvement aspects of DeLeon and Logan’s shop.

“We offer cost-free coverups on any sort of gang-related or racist (tattoos), breast cancer scars, self-harm victims — we’ll cover any of those things for free,” DeLeon said.

During February, more than 32 shops will or have hosted a day of awareness to raise funds for Lyme Disease, according to information supplied by Lyme Warrior. Contributions will go toward research for a cure.

“This campaign has been a huge success in the past, not only in funds raised but awareness being brought to a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of Americans but is rarely talked about,” Sarah Zahran, Lyme Warrior volunteer, said in the supplied material. “Some of the (tattoo and piercing) artists who supported the campaign are Lyme fighters themselves, have had family affected or pass from this disease, or are just sympathetic to the suffering.”

Lyme Disease is a condition “surrounded by misinformation and now has reached epidemic levels in our country because of inaccurate testing, poor treatment options, and controversy,” Zahran says. “Because of these issues, millions face misdiagnosis, lack of coverage or adequate treatment, and severe health issues, even death. With more awareness and funding, we can put a stop to this.”

For more information about the Lyme Warrior effort, visit lymewarrior.us .

For more information about Meteor Ink House de Tatuadora, located at 441 Division Ave, SW, visit their Facebook Page.

Kick dreaded belly fat to the curb

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

Avoid the accumulation of dangerous belly fat. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum HealthBeat

I’ve told all of you about my mantra—lean and ease of movement—in some of my earlier blogs.

My plan to help me achieve this mantra is to eat small, frequent meals of complex carbohydrates and protein, plus one simple carb treat each day.

How many of you came up with your own mantra to help you make good decisions every day? I ask that question because I really believe everyone needs a little help to make smart choices, especially during middle age and menopause.

One of the most important reasons to choose what you eat wisely is because of the relationship between middle age, menopause and belly fat.

Even if you have always had a flat stomach, or mostly gained weight below your waist, you may have noticed that has changed as you’ve reached middle age (and beyond). A common complaint I hear from women who visit my practice is that they gain belly fat easily and have a difficult time losing it.

Why is belly fat so bad? There are several reasons, including both medical and personal issues, with belly fat:

  • Belly fat makes you feel unhealthy.
  • Belly fat can change your mood from cheerful to irritable.
  • Belly fat greatly increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes and overall weight gain.
  • Belly fat adds more insulation, which can cause or worsen hot flashes and night sweats.

In addition, belly fat is extremely powerful because it is inside your abdominal cavity, not just under the skin like fat elsewhere on your body.

When fat is so close to your liver, it can cause a condition called “insulin resistance.” This means that your insulin receptors on your cells require more insulin to make the sugar go into your liver, muscle or brain cells. Thus, as insulin increases to meet this demand, it increasingly makes you crave sugar and promotes fat storage.

When you answer the craving and eat sugar, the sugar goes directly to the belly fat and makes it bigger, which then makes your insulin increase even greater. You get the picture: The belly fat has a voice that says, “Feed me.” That “voice” is insulin, and the only way to shut it up is to starve it of simple sugar.

So, what’s the answer?

It’s simple: Get off the sugar.

There are simple carbs all around you every day, but you need to figure out how to stay away from them without feeling cheated. I was at a baseball game recently, and you can imagine how many simple carbs were right next to me—blueberry muffins, licorice, hot dog buns, slushes.

Here’s what I did before I went to the game: I had a late breakfast of brown rice, poached egg and mixed greens. Plus, I took a baggy of frozen grapes to munch on during the game. I was completely satisfied and had no craving for that blueberry muffin next to me.

You can’t always avoid simple sugars, but you can make smart choices.

Ice cream with the family? Choose a baby cone and throw away the cone (or get the ice cream in a dish).

Heading to a party or a baseball game? Eat a healthy meal or snack before you go and take a sweet snack (like frozen grapes) with you to help you avoid the cravings before they start.

And, keep repeating your mantra—whatever it may be. If you do not feed the fat, you will take back your power to be healthy.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum HealthBeat.

From Rembrandt to Calder, GRAM exhibit features museum’s collection

Entertainment, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

“Can you tell me what it is?” asked GRAM Director and CEO Dana Friis-Hansen to a group of media representatives as he pointed to a large black metal box sitting on a wire frame in the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s exhibition area.

“A safe?” someone responded.

“It’s a refrigerator,” Friis-Hansen said. “So it’s kind of a safe — a safe for food.”

The piece, a recent gift from the George R. Kravis II collection, is one example of the 125 different items featured in the current GRAM exhibit “A Decade at the Center: Recent Gifts and Acquisitions,” which is up through April 28.

The exhibit, which closes out a yearlong celebration of GRAM’s tenth anniversary at its 101 Monroe Center location, is designed to get to the heart of the museum — it’s collection, featuring works of art and design acquired through gifts and purchases from the last five years.

“The Grand Rapids Art Museum’s collection of more than 6,000 works is the heart of the Museum, and just like the city it serves, has grown and transformed over the course of its more than 100-year history,” Friis-Hansen said.

Rembrandt etching on paper: “Nude Man Seated on the Ground with One Leg Extended.” 1646. (Photo supplied by GRAM)

Featuring works from Rembrandt to Grand Rapids’ own Mathias J. Alten and the man behind the hLa Grande Vitesses, Alexander Calder, “Decades at the Center” showcases artists from six continents representing a variety of mediums fromm prints to sculpture. The oldest pieces are two etchings from Martin Schongauer from the 15th century with some of the newest being a selection of items from the gift of 100 design objects from Kravis, one of the premier American collectors.

From the George Kravis collection: “KM Flatwork Ironer Iron,” model no. 444. 1939, (Photo supplied by GRAM)

Kravis, a broadcasting executive, collected thousands of pieces focused on industrial design. While the items were often everyday pieces — such as a bicycle or a phone — they showcased machine aesthetic and clean lines that married form with function, Friis-Hansen said.

“GRAM’s commitment to exhibiting and collecting design and craft is illustrated by the inclusion of important works of furniture, ceramics, glass and industrial design,” said GRAM Chief Curator Ron Platt. “The modern and contemporary design objects in the exhibition — ranging from furniture and lamps to tableware and electronics — marry function and beauty and show the power design has to enhance our daily lives.”

“I’m most excited about works that have never been viewed at GRAM before,” said GRAM Chief Curator Ron Platt.

Dawoud Bay gelatin silver photograph: “Two Women at a Parade.” 1978, printed 2011. (Photo supplied by GRAM)

Along with the items from the Kravis collection, other new pieces are two powerful black-and-white portraits by photographer Dawoud Bey, known for his photographs of adolescents and other often marginalized subjects. There is also the 1950s “Peonies on a Table” by American representational painter Jane Freilicher.

The exhibit has been paired with “A Legacy of Love: Selections from The Mable Perkins Collection.”

“Mabel Perkins was probably the first serious art collector in Grand Rapids,” Platt said. “We received a large portion of her collection of master prints. 

“It’s really at the heart of GRAM’s story as a collecting institution and sort of at the heart of the idea of gifts to a collection being very, very important not only to an institution but to a community.”

For GRAM’s hours and admission fees, visit artmuseumgr.org or call 616-831-1000.

Kentwood District Court announces warrant, traffic and parking tickets waiver program

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Hard News
The Kentwood Justice Center which houses the 62-B District Court (WKTV)

By Kent County

The 62-B District Court in Kentwood and the 63rd District Court announced today a waiver program for individuals to comply with court orders by settling their debts without further penalty or incarceration.

Specifically, the program addresses outstanding warrants for non-compliance with a court order of fines, fees, court costs and any outstanding traffic or parking tickets that have gone into default or suspension. The waiver program will be effective March 1-31.

“The waiver program gives people who have outstanding fines, fees, and court costs an opportunity to more reasonably resolve their business with the court,” said Chief Judge Sara J. Smolenski. “During the month of March, individuals have a great chance to meet their responsibilities and the program allows for payment plans to resolve their debts to the court without the worry of incarceration. This is a great program and people who qualify should jump at it.”

The 62-B and 63rd District Courts guarantee that those who pay in full will not be jailed because of the late payment. If the account is paid in full, the courts will waive all court-imposed late fees or warrant fees except for the $45 License Suspension Reinstatement Fees.

If an individual is unable to pay in full, but makes a significant payment, the courts will work with the individual to set-up a new payment plan regarding any outstanding balance and they will not be jailed. Any existing driver’s license suspension will not be lifted until the account is paid in full.

Payments can be made by, and for more information contact, calling 62-B at 616-698-9310 or 63rd District Court at 616-632-7770.

GR symphony concert features 19-year-old bass virtuoso

Entertainment,
Unlike most six-year-olds, William McGregor started his studies of the string instruments with the bass. (Supplied)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk
Grand Rapids Symphony

A double bass, which plays the lowest notes of a string orchestra, stands more than 6 feet tall. William McGregor began playing double bass when he was only 2 years old.

Of course, the youngster originally from Ann Arbor didn’t start with a double bass that you see played by the professional musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony. But while nearly every other toddler who plays a stringed instrument begins with a violin, McGregor did not. 

A family friend who played double bass professionally was interested in starting a youngster on the instrument, so he took a cello, which is half the height of a double bass, and set it up to match the strings of a double bass, albeit tuned one-octave higher.

That’s how McGregor began studying music. Eventually, he grew into a full-size instrument, and the winner of the 2017 Stulberg International String Competition in Kalamazoo will appear with the Grand Rapids Symphony on Feb. 22 as soloist.

William Mc Gregor joins the Grand Rapids Symphony this Friday.

The 18-year-old musician, who began studies last fall as a freshman at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, will be soloist in Giovanni Bottesini’s Concerto for Double Bass No. 2 in B minor.

Music Director Marcelo Lehninger will lead the orchestra in 19th century Italian music for The Romantic Concert: Bella Italia! at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NW.

The PwC Great Eras series concert also will feature Gioachino Rossini’s overture to L’Italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers) and Felix Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony No. 4.

Highlights of the evening concert will be given at 10 a.m. that morning as The Romantic Coffee Concert, part of the Porter Hills Coffee Classic series, a one-hour program held without intermission in St. Cecilia’s Royce Auditorium. Doors open at 9 a.m. for complementary coffee and pastry.

McGregor begin his double bass studies at age 2 in Ann Arbor with Derek Weller. In 2009, he was accepted into The Juilliard School Pre-College program where he studied for nine years with Albert Laszlo. He has since emerged as one of the rising young stars of the double bass.

McGregor has performed in Master Classes with such eminent double bass players as Edgar Meyer. In 2011, he became a Fellowship scholarship student at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Not only was he the youngest full-time student there, he was selected to perform a Spotlight Recital at Aspen and also performed with the Aspen Concert Orchestra. The following summer, McGregor returned to Aspen where he performed with Philharmonic Orchestra and was selected to perform at String Showcase Recital.

McGregor won the grand prize at the Ensemble 212 Young Artist Competition in 2012 and performed a solo concerto with Ensemble 212 at The Kaufman Center’s Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. In November, he made his Carnegie Hall debut, with Paganini’s Mose in Egitto. 

In October, 2013, McGregor was the First Prize Winner in the Salome Chamber Orchestra Young Artist Competition in New York City where he also received the Most Promising Young Artist Award. He returned in February 2014 to perform as soloist with the Salome Chamber Orchestra in Carnegie Hall.

In 2015, McGregor was invited to solo with the Allentown Symphony under conductor Diane Wittry.

In May 2017, McGregor won the Gold Medal at the Stulberg International String Competition, an international competition promoting excellence in stringed instrument performance by young artists under age 20. He became only the second bass player in 42 years to win the competition, and he performed as soloist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in October 2017.

In January, 2018, he was named a National YoungArts Finalist and attended National YoungArts Week in Miami. In May, he was named one of just 20 U. S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

William’s hobbies are all sports, especially Detroit and University of Michigan teams, and collecting and selling baseball cards. 

The complete The Romantic Concert: Bella Italia! program will be rebroadcast on Sunday, April 28, 2019, at 1 p.m. on Blue Lake Public Radio 88.9 FM or 90.3 FM. 

Tickets

Tickets start at $26 for the Great Eras series and $16 for Coffee Classics and are available at the Grand Rapids Symphony box office, weekdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across the street from Calder Plaza). Call (616) 454-9451 x 4 to order by phone. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum).

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place ticket office, weekdays 10 am – 6 pm or on the day of the concert at the venue beginning two hours before the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.


World Affairs Council lecture schedule continues with discussion on nuclear threats

Education, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events
U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer at a Republic of Korea airbase in 2016. The U.S. long-range bomber is one of the major deterrents to North Korean military actions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 
So far this year the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan’s 2019 Great Decisions global discussion series has informed the public on the “State of the State Department”, dangers to democracy around the world, and America’s immigration policies — or lack there of.

The next discussion, Feb. 25 and 26, will be “A New Nuclear Arms Race?”, with Kelsey Davenport, of the Arms Control Association, discussing Russia, North Korea, Iran and “What’s our nuclear future?”

For the past 50 years, the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has played a critical role in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and reducing nuclear arsenals, according to the Arms Control Association website. Yet prospects for additional progress on U.S.-Russian arms control remain bleak as President Donald Trump’s administration has split from key allies over the nuclear deal with Iran, and the denuclearization of North Korea remains uncertain, according to supplied information on the lecture.

Davenport is the Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, where she provides research and analysis on the nuclear and missile programs in Iran, North Korea, India, and Pakistan and on nuclear security issues, accord to the ACA website. Her areas of expertise include nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear and missile programs in Iran and North Korea, and nuclear security. Kelsey also reports on developments in these areas for Arms Control Today and is the author of the P5+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal Alerts.

Davenport’s discussion fits in with the overall goal of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan.

“To change the world — or to even begin to understand global issues — one first must know about the world, and that’s what we attempt to do with Great Decisions,” Michael Van Denend, executive director of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, previously said to WKTV.

The annual series, which bring leaders in international theory and action to Grand Rapids for lectures, will offer two options to attend: Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., at Aquinas College Performing Arts Center; and Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m. at the Recital Hall in the Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin College.

There is a $10 general-public admission fee per discussion, with no reservations needed and free parking.

The series will continue through March 25-26.

The Great Decisions format features a world-class expert leading each conversation, followed by an extensive question-answer session.

 
The reminder of the 2019 series will feature:

Mar. 4 and 5: “China-U.S. Trade War”, with Amy Celico, Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG), discussing “How will we handle the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century?”

Mar. 11 and 12: “Life After the Arab Uprisings and the Islamic State”, a ground-level report from a brave Lebanese journalist, Rania Abouzeid, author of “No Turning Back: Life, Loss, and Hope in Wartime Syria”, a New York Times 2018 Notable Book.

Mar. 18 and 19: “Global Cyber Threats” with FBI Special Agent Peter Jolliffe
discussing “Cyber risks are on the rise — can we thwart them?”

And finally, on Mar. 25 and 26: “Mexico and the U.S.: The Economic Ties that Bind”, Carlos Capistran, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, New York City, discussing “What must we do to make certain both countries thrive?”

The Aquinas College Performing Arts Center is located at 1703 Robinson Road S.E., Grand Rapids. The Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin College is located at 1795 Knollcrest Cir SE, Grand Rapids.

 
The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan is located at 1700 Fulton Street E., Grand Rapids, For more information on sessions, dates and times, as well as detailed information on speakers, visit worldmichigan.org .

Diabetes and foot care

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

By Gretchen Stelter, Michigan State University Extension

 

There are many complications that accompany diabetes. Most of us just worry about what we eat and our blood sugar level, but a person with diabetes, you may run the risk of getting foot ulcers. To avoid this complication, you must check your feet daily. Foot ulcers are sores generally on the bottom of your feet in a weight bearing area. They are sores that do not heal if unattended to. A further complication of this is that open sores affect deeper tissue which can lead to bone and nerve damage, called peripheral neuropathy. Some of the other issues that come with peripheral neuropathy could be poor circulation and hammer toes. Those that suffer from poor circulation and foot ulcers are most at risk, says Steven Kavros, who specializes in vascular wound care at the Mayo Clinic.

 

With poor circulation, you may not feel an ulcer on your foot, therefore it is extremely important to self-examine your feet daily. If unattended, these sores will become worse and major health risks may become a factor. See a doctor and don’t let the wound go for days without care.

 

To control the wounds and the development of wounds, a person with diabetes must be proactive and monitor:

  • blood sugar levels,
  • kidney disease,
  • eye disease,
  • weight,
  • smoking,
  • and alcohol consumption.

If any of the above are out of control, your chances are increased of developing foot ulcers that, left untreated, may lead to amputation.

 

Try these easy steps to prevent wounds:

  • Check your feet daily. Look for blisters or open wounds and, if you have them, see a doctor immediately.
  • Wear the correct shoes. Make sure shoes fit properly to prevent damage if you stub your foot. Cotton socks or those made from natural fibers that breathe are better than socks made of man-made fibers.
  • Take care of your feet. Keep your feet clean and dry them well after cleaning them. Don’t soak your feet for the risk that skin may become easier to tear.
  • Exercise gently. You must exercise to help control your weight and diabetes. It is always important to talk to your health practitioner with regard to the best exercise for your condition.

Take these practices to heart. If the above tips can help prevent you from losing a limb, then it will give you a better quality life!

 

You can find more information about foot care for diabetes through the National Kidney Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Michigan State University Extension provides education in chronic disease prevention and management.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

The Right Place assists global manufacturer with Kentwood expansion

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Local Business, ,
Andronaco Industries will be relocating its subsidiary Conley Composite to Kentwood. (Supplied)

By The Right Place

Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that global manufacturer, Andronaco Industries, will be relocating one of its subsidiaries, Conley Composite, and expanding to a fourth Kent County location at 4544 Broadmoor Ave. in Kentwood. This expansion will result in the creation of 64 jobs and a capital investment of $3.3 million.

Andronaco Inc., founded in 1994, is a world-leading manufacturer of high performance fluoropolymer and composite products and technologies. The company, which also has locations in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and France, currently operates three subsidiary facilities in the City of Kentwood (dba PureFlex, Inc., PolyValve, LLC, Nil-Cor, LLC and Ethylene, LLC) that employ 195 people.

Conley Composites, LLC specializes in fiberglass pipe, fittings and valve manufacturing. (Supplied)

Conley Composites, LLC which specializes in fiberglass pipe, fittings and valve manufacturing, previously operated out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Andronaco officials made the decision, with the assistance of The Right Place and the MEDC, to relocate this facility closer to its three existing Kentwood operations.

For the expansion, Andronaco plans to purchase and rehabilitate an existing, 30,000 square foot building. The new location on Broadmoor Avenue will be located within minutes of the other Andronaco manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters. 

“The decision to relocate Conley Composites to the same area as our other manufacturing subsidiaries made logistical sense for our company,” said Ron Andronaco, president and CEO of Andronaco Industries, “We are thankful for the guidance and support of The Right Place and the MEDC as we worked through the details of this relocation and expansion process.”

The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $320,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The City of Kentwood is also considering approval of a P.A. 198 tax abatement in support of the project.

“Andronaco’s decision to establish a fourth facility in West Michigan is a testament to the strong business environment our region has developed,” said Jen Wangler, Senior business development manager and project lead, “Companies have confidence in our talent and our continued economic growth.”

“The City of Kentwood is pleased to partner with Andronaco Industries and the State of Michigan to bring this project to fruition,” said Kentwood mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are proud to see a world-leading manufacturer like Andronaco Industries continue to thrive and bring new jobs to Kentwood.”

St. Cecilia ends folky month of concerts with Milk Carton Kids, War and Treaty

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events
The War and Treaty, featuring Michael and Tanya Trotter, will be at the St. Cecilia Acoustic Café Folk Series Feb. 24. (Supplied/The Artists)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

 
St. Cecilia Music Center’s Acoustic Café Folk Series started off the month of February with a sell-out return of Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn on Feb. 9, and things will end strong on the folk front with the duo of Michael and Tanya Trotter (aka The War and Treaty) as well as Milk Carton Kids coming to town.

The War and Treaty will hit the intimate 630-seat Royce Auditorium stage for an unusual Sunday concert on Feb. 24, and Milk Carton Kids — Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, this time with a full band backing — for a more usual Thursday night show at St. Cecilia on Feb. 28.

Tickets remain available for both shows.

The War and Treaty “are quickly rising on the National scene … (their) upbeat emotional sound, with soul and folk roots, is sure to ignite a bright fire within our audience’s hearts,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material.

“We are (also) so happy to bring The Milk Carton Kids with their band to St. Cecilia Music Center this month to perform from their newest album,” Holbrook said. “It will be a great experience for all to see and hear as these two talented performers and their full band perform together.”

The War and Treaty

The War and Treaty may be familiar to some in the Grand Rapids area as they opened for Bob Seger’s Van Andel Arena concert in November 2018.

According to supplied information, they draw inspiration from different artists and genres including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and Nina Simone — ya, that Johnny Cash and that Nina Simone.

And their music has been described as a blend of roots, folk, gospel, and soul, “reaching back through their deep-rooted history to conjure up the strength of their ancestors.”

The buzz here is all good.
 

The Milk Carton Kids

The Milk Carton Kids, you may remember as I do, had a brief appearance on the concert film “Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis”, which was led by producer T-Bone Burnett. And their latest release —  All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do, which came out in June of last year — was produced by Joe Henry. Both producers are great, and the music they produce is usually also great.

“The Kids”, an American indie folk duo consisting of Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, will be at St. Cecilia Feb. 28. (Supplied/The Artists)

“The Kids” music, which for lack of a better tune is often called American indie folk, has earned the usually solo-duo of Ryan and Pattengale a Grammy nomination in 2015 for Best American Roots Performance, another for Best Folk Album of the year in 2013, and they were the Americana Music Association’s Best Duo/Group of the year in 2014.

The Kids have proven in-demand collaborators, including musical partnerships with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Dar Williams, and Chris Hillman, as well as teaming with T-Bone Burnett for “Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis” — the concert documentary derived from the Coen Brothers film “Insider Llewyn Davis”. (A great movie with great early 1960s music, BTW.)

Two concerts in April will finish up the 2018-19 Acoustic Café Folk Series, both returning favorites: Asleep at the Wheel will return to SCMC on April 11, and Guitarist Leo Kottke will return to SCMC on April 18.
 
 
Tickets for The War and Treaty are $30 and $35; tickets for The Milk Carton Kids are $40 and $45. All tickets 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.

Don’t overlook OTC nasal sprays

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

Over-the-counter nasal steroid sprays are generally the most effective type of allergy medicine, experts say. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Serena Gordon, HealthDay

 

Seasonal allergies make life miserable for millions of Americans.

 

So, in a bid to ease some of that discomfort, experts from two leading groups of allergists created a task force that has just issued new practice guidelines on the best ways to quell those bothersome symptoms.

 

The consensus? For most people, nasal steroid sprays are the way to go, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

 

The sprays are easy to get—many are available over-the-counter. And, they’re relatively inexpensive.

 

For the OTC versions, a month of treatment is about $15 to $20. OTC brand names include Nasacort, Nasonex, Flonase and Rhinocort, while prescription brands include Beconase, Qnasl and Veramyst, according to the AAAAI.

 

But the biggest reason the experts are recommending nasal sprays is that they’re generally more effective than other types of allergy medicine for the initial treatment of seasonal allergies, according to the new guidelines.

 

Plus, they have relatively few side effects, according to Dr. Punita Ponda, associate chief of allergy and immunology at Northwell Health in Great Neck, N.Y.

 

Nasal sprays aren’t perfect, however.

 

“They can cause itching of the nose, dryness of the nose and nosebleeds,” Ponda said. But, she added, using the proper spray technique can help lessen these side effects. She suggested asking your doctor to show you how to use these devices.

 

Seasonal allergies are often called hay fever and they span the seasons. The Nemours Foundation reports that people can be allergic to one or more types of pollen or mold, and the type dictates when symptoms strike.

 

For example, in the Middle Atlantic states, tree pollen is the culprit from February through May, followed by grass pollens from May through June, and weed pollens from August through October. Mold spores, meanwhile, typically peak from midsummer through the fall, depending on where you live, according to the foundation.

 

The new guidelines recommend nasal steroid sprays as the initial treatment for people aged 12 and older instead of an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra.

 

The task force didn’t find evidence of an improvement in results if oral antihistamines were added to treatment, and these drugs may cause sleepiness.

 

In people 15 and over, the task force recommends starting treatment with a nasal steroid spray instead of a leukotriene receptor antagonist (such as Singulair or Accolate). Again, the nasal spray appears to be more effective. Singulair and Accolate are prescription drugs, so cost depends on your insurance plan.

 

For people with moderate to severe seasonal allergies who are older than 12, the task force suggests adding an intranasal antihistamine to treatment with a nasal steroid inhaler. The additional medication provided additional benefit for those with more severe allergies, the task force said.

 

Ponda noted that the task force didn’t recommend intranasal steroids for kids under 12.

 

“It may be easier to give oral antihistamines than intranasal steroids to children, and there’s concern about possible growth suppression. Oral antihistamines were thought to be useful for this group,” she said.

 

Dr. Luz Fonacier, who directs the allergy training program at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., also pointed out that the medications in “this guideline for initial treatment of mild seasonal (allergies) may be obtained OTC, and therefore may have been tried by the patient.”

 

She said that for people who aren’t helped by nasal steroids, oral antihistamines, nasal antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists may lessen symptoms.

 

Ponda said if nasal steroids and additional drugs don’t control allergy symptoms well, or if someone just gets tired of having to use medications regularly, allergy shots are also an option.

 

“Allergy shots have been shown to be cost-effective compared to medications. Usually, you get one shot a week for six months, and then once a month for three to five years. It’s definitely a commitment, but it’s the only treatment that’s actually disease-modifying. Allergy shots actually make a person less allergic or non-allergic,” Ponda explained.

 

The new guidelines were published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you need to know

3-bottom, , ,

By WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

If life gives you limes, make margaritas.

Singer/Songwriter Jimmy Buffet

High Flying

Federal legislation, if passed, would increase safety and security for airport passengers and visitors outside of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened areas. (WKTV.K.D. Norris)

While the Polar Vortex locked down most of Michigan, it certainly did not stop the flights from entering and leaving the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Airport officials announced that the airport once again had record numbers for the month of January, proving what we all ready knew: that the staff is amazing when it comes to keeping the pathways clear and planes on time. For more, click here.

Life on the Farm

Sometimes the best stories are the stories about life. We are honored that Donna Troost was willing to share her story during a recent WKTV VOICES. Born in Wyoming, Troost had wanted to be a nurse. Discover how an engagement ring and two calves changed her life by clicking here.

Super Trouper

By day, she is the communications manager for the Kent County Road Commission. By night, she is a “dancing queen”… at least until March 17. That is because Maura Lamoreaux is in the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre production of “Mamma Mia!” which opens on Friday and runs through March 17. For more about this “super trouper,” click here.

Fun fact:

Bottoms Up!

That’s because it is National Margarita Day on Friday, Feb. 22 (hence our quote for today). Known to be the most common tequila-based cocktail to be served in the United States, there are several myths as to how the margarita came to be. It is known that a 1953 “Esquire” article included it as the drink of the month and in 1977, Jimmy Buffet’s song “Margaritaville” further popularized the drink. Speaking of Jimmy Buffet, his “Escape to Margaritaville” is part of the 2019-2020 line up for the Broadway Grand Rapids, with the season also including the outrageously popular “Hamilton.”

Ford Airport Passenger numbers continue to climb

3-bottom

By Alicia Roberts
Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Looking to build on last year’s record 3.26 million passengers, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) started 2019 off right where 2018 left off. Despite the Polar Vortex at the end of January, the Airport still finished the month with a record number of passengers.

It was the busiest January ever at GFIA with 257,194 passengers. January 2019 saw 7-percent growth year-over-year. It was the first time GRIA has served over a quarter-million passengers in the month of January.

“We continue to be thankful for the support we receive from the West Michigan community,” said GFIA Interim President & CEO Brian Picardat. “The continued growth of the Ford Airport is a testament to the growth of West Michigan. The decision to fly through Grand Rapids also has a hugeimpact in attracting additional air service to meet increased passenger demand.”

Air service is already set to increase this year at GFIA. Airline partner Allegiant has announced three new nonstop destinations that will begin service in 2019 as well as the addition of a maintenance base. Nonstop service to Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) will begin in April. Nonstop service to Nashville (BNA) and Savannah-Hilton Head (SAV) will begin in June.

As passenger numbers continue to grow at GFIA and around the country, those travelling are advised to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight. Updated security screening information, tips on what to pack/not pack, and more information to make security screening smoother are available at www.tsa.gov.

GFIA monthly passenger statistics are available on our website: http://www.flyford.org/history.php.


Cat of the week: Moe

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals,

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).


We are not kidding you when we say that mighty Moe is undeniably one of THE most beautiful cats we have, both inside and out, the total package of purr-fection! Born in the fall of 2015, this magnificent creature came to us via a Sheridan couple that befriended and took him in last October.


Although they were absolutely in love with him (who isn’t?!) when he tested positive for FIV they were concerned with the risk of infection to their four current cats and contacted a friend who volunteers with us; we agreed to admit this handsome fella into our furry fold at Big Sid’s without hesitation. At their home he was proving to be a bit of a handful, so we don’t blame them for seeking alternative placement, but once he padded his pretty little paws into our place, Moe was all about minding his manners, mingling and meshing with his new roomies (all 49 of them)!


The general opinion regarding our new addition is as follows: “Moe is a fantastic guy! He immediately made himself right at home in our shelter and has loved every single second with us. He’s a busy guy who always seems to be right in the middle of the action. He gets along great with the other cats, but he could definitely live as an only cat too. He would be excellent with children.”


“Moe is so sweet, and is just an all around happy cat. He loves to follow us around, and enjoys being scooped up and held. He gets along great with all his new friends. He would be perfect in a home with kids-he’s very playful, and has shown no signs of aggression whatsoever. He’s quickly become a volunteer favorite.”


This majestic creature has rendered us completely smitten, and we seriously doubt he is going to grace us with his phenomenal presence very long.

More about Moe:

  • Large
  • Domestic Medium Hair
  • Tabby (Brown/Chocolate, 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 Moe? 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.

WKTV Journal previews annual Taste of Kentwood food fest

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Food, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Newscast, Upcoming Events

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

As part of the February WKTV Journal Newscast, we previewed the 18th annual Taste of Kentwood event 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.

Participating restaurants include: Boardwalk Subs, City Barbeque, PJ’s Pizza, Coffee & Ice Cream, Underground Cookie Club, The Candied Yam, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Loco Taco Taqueria, Desi Spice, Peppino’s South Kentwood, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Thai Express, Jet’s Pizza, YoChef’s Catering Company and Le Kebob.

The event is open to everyone in the community. Tickets cost $6 and can be purchased online in advance, $8 on the day of event. Kids 5 and younger are free.

Road commission’s Lamoreaux is a ‘dancing queen’ in Civic’s ‘Mamma Mia!’

Entertainment
Maura Lamoreaux as Tanya in “Mamma Mia!”

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

As the communications manager for the Kent County Road Commission, “Here We Go Again” could be an anthem for Maura Lamoreaux.

“You know it’s kind of funny but you are right about the connection,” Lamoreaux said with a laugh during a recent interview.

But the weather or the roads are not the reasons why Lamoreaux is singing the famous ABBA song, but rather it is because she plays Tanya in the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!,” which opens Friday at the theater located at 30 N. Division Ave.

“I moved to Grand Rapids with my husband about eight years ago,” said Lamoreaux who has performed in theaters in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. “Mamma Mia!” will be her first stage appearance with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. “With family and work, I just had not found the right time or opportunity to get involved in theater here.

It all changed when Lamoreaux saw the audition notice for “Mamma Mia!” with a storyline based on the music of mega super group ABBA.

“I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I would love to be a part of that show,’” Lamoreaux said, “and so auditioned partly for my daughter to show her that you just have to go for it and if you don’t get it, that’s OK.”

She landed the part of Tanya, one of two friends, who come to help a third, Donna, plan her daughter’s wedding, which takes place at Donna’s hotel on a Greek island. What Donna does not know is that her daughter, Sophie, has invited three men to the event in hopes of determine which one is her father. What transpires is a trip through memory lane, sprinkled with some antics all guided by the songs of ABBA.

According to Maura Lamoreaux fun is the name of the game in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!”

“So not only is it a fun story, which it is; and the the cast is talented, which there is an immense amount of talent, but there is an immediate connection that much of the audience will already have to the music,” Lamoreaux said.

The musical, which opened in New York in 2001, was followed by the 2008 film of the same name starring Meryl Streep as Donna and Christine Baranski as Tanya, with “Mamma Mia! 2” released last year. The show features a number of iconic ABBA songs such as “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Knowing You, Knowing Me,” and according to Billboard magazine, the group’s most famous song “Dancing Queen.”

“‘Dancing Queen’” is a celebration of three friends and the wonderful memories that they had together,” Lamoreaux said adding that it is one of her favorites in the show. (Her other is “Does Your Mother Know,” a song that her character Tanya performs.) “It connects me to dancing with my friends and my own memories and I bring all of that to what we are doing on stage.”

And ABBA’s music continues to be the soundtrack for many.

“There are people in the show who are in high school and I’m in my forties, yet we can all enjoy this music together,” Lamoreuax said.

It’s positive story of friendship and the relationship of a mother and daughter along with the music has made “Mamma Mia!” a much sought after production with tickets for the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre show being snatched up. The show runs through Mar. 17. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays – Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. For tickets, which are $17-$39, visit the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre website, grct.org or call the box office at 616-222-6650.

Bronze Wolf featured at Concerts Under the Stars

Entertainment
Bronze Wolf performs Feb. 28 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium.

By Chrisite Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) welcomes the ambient R&B music of Bronze Wolf on Thursday, Feb. 28 for the third concert in the 2019 Concerts Under the Stars series in the GRPM’s Chaffee Planetarium.

Bronze Wolf totes the sounds of exploratory dark-electronic pop. Blurring the lines, vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Eric Tempelaere, garners inspiration from every facet of life, molding stimuli into something personal – striving to make art and act of catharsis to please his own whims and embracing genre bending with no fear or regard for easy categorization. Accompanying Bronze Wolf with live visuals on the planetarium dome 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.

Bronze Wolf is expansive in his scope, yet internal in his expression – a proudly gay artist who has shed his small-town, conservative background in favor of an amorphous, ever expanding view of this world. From a young age, Eric was drooling over synthesizers and various electronic gear; scouring eBay for keytars, moogs, theremins, and Rhodes. To this day, Eric primarily uses the singular Nord synthesizer he saved up for in grade school with his paper route money, ultimately using limitations as a source of inspiration, allowing his songwriting to speak for itself. 

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.

The 2019 Concerts Under the Stars series will conclude on March 21 with the electronic sounds of Pink Sky.

‘Know your farmer’

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

By Jason Singer, Spectrum Health Beat

The egg section at the grocery store can be intimidating.

Should you buy brown or white? Organic? Free-range? And what do those words really mean?

From a health perspective, free-range and organic are “definitely better,” said Krista Gast, a Culinary Medicine dietitian with Spectrum Health Medical Group.

Organic is a certification from the USDA that means chickens eat feed grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, fungicides or herbicides. They also can’t be given antibiotics or growth hormones.

Free range typically means uncaged, but the government does not regulate or have a definition for that label.

But even those descriptions have caveats. With organic, “there’s a question as to how well those guidelines are enforced,” Gast said.

And when buyers hear free-range, some may envision chickens running outdoors and eating healthy foods like grass, seeds and bugs.

But that’s not always the case, Gast said.

The only fool-proof method, she said, “is to know the farmer you’re buying from.”

Free-range vs. pasture-raised

Gast often buys her eggs at farm markets, she said.

Many small farmers can’t afford to get organic certification—which can cost thousands of dollars—but still raise their chickens in an organic, compassionate way that larger farms can’t always replicate.

“If it just says ‘free-range,’ maybe the chicken went outside for five minutes,” Gast said of large farms. “That’s not really what a lot of people are envisioning.

“It’s definitely better than caged, but there’s no standard: It’s a loose term,” Gast said. “Free-range means uncaged, but it can also be inside of large warehouses, where the chickens are packed in like sardines. They can’t walk around, can’t nest, can’t spread their wings, and generally don’t have access to the outdoors.

“If they’re raised in that way, with that stressful environment and have all these stress hormones coursing through their bodies, it affects their health. And if we eat it, it can get passed on to us.”

If you can’t get to a farm or farm market to see and hear how the chickens are being raised, look for an “American Humane Certified” label or a “pasture-raised” description on the egg cartons or farm’s website, she said.

“‘American Humane Certified’ means the chickens can access spacious areas, are given access to the outdoors, can run,” she said. “There’s a little more of standard and qualification to it.

“Pasture-raised chickens should have access to pasture space to perform natural behaviors. They should be able to peck for seeds and bugs, and that is kind of a hallmark of pasture-raised.”

As for brown versus white eggs, they just come from a different breed of chicken.

“The quality, nutrition and flavor are no different,” Gast said.

‘A great way to utilize eggs’

Eggs aren’t particularly healthy or unhealthy. They have a lot of cholesterol—185 grams per large egg—but the U.S. removed a cholesterol limit from its dietary recommendations in 2016, saying the limit was based on old, iffy science.

But for egg eaters, the difference between chickens raised in a healthy environment or a stressful environment is significant.

Chickens raised in a warehouse are “fed grains, or sometimes even other parts of chickens that had passed away,” Gast said. “This is kind of the ugly side of the business … and it isn’t heathy for us.”

But if a chicken is raised in a pasture, it eats grass, seeds, marine algae and other natural foods, and it becomes loaded with omega-3s.

Omega-3s are an essential fat that can lower blood pressure, lower the risk of heart disease and strokes, and help prevent arthritis and certain cancers, according to Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, so choosing your eggs carefully can have positive effects.

“The benefits from anti-inflammatory foods in your diet, not only eggs, but plant sources like walnuts and other healthy sources of omega 3s, they quell that chronic inflammation in the body that puts us at risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancers and Alzheimer’s,” Gast said.

“Having that low level of chronic inflammation—(partly attributed to) processed foods, a lot of added sugars, saturated and trans fats—can lead to obesity and all kinds of other bad outcomes.”

A good way to tell if the chickens were allowed access to the outdoors is the color of the yolk, said Jim Cross, a certified executive chef and chef supervisor for Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital.

Chicken eggs that were allowed to feed on seeds, grass, bugs and have an overall healthy diet have a much more richly colored yolk.

“Ducks eat a lot aquatic plants and bugs, so the yolks are a deeper, richer orange color,” Cross said. Healthy chickens produce similarly vibrant eggs.

In addition to choosing eggs from well-raised chickens, what you eat with the eggs determines the overall health value of the meal. Consumers should eat their eggs with vegetables like peppers, kale and spinach to increase their healthiness, as opposed to processed foods and those with saturated fats like bacon, ham or lots of cheese, Gast said.

Cross, whose kitchen prepares 4,000 meals per day, goes through about 1,600 eggs per week. He buys all his personal eggs from local farms whose chickens live healthy lives, and both Cross and the hospital buy eggs from farms that don’t clip their chickens’ beaks—a very painful and unnatural process, he said.

In Cross’s eyes, an underutilized way to eat an egg is using it to make egg-based sauces like hollandaise or creme anglaise.

And if you use those egg sauces on top of well-cooked vegetables or in desserts, you add an additional level of flavor and texture to the meal.

“I don’t think eggs are usually considered for sauces because people think of gravies or cream sauces,” Cross said. “It’s a shame, because it’s a great way to utilize eggs in a different way.”

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

6 Apps Seniors Should Be Using

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, Tech Trends, ,

Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

 

The stereotype that all seniors are technophobes, or just less able to understand technology, is simply not true–at least, not for most people. In fact, many companies are designing technology with specifically for the needs and wants of aging adults in mind. One of the biggest industries catering to seniors is the app industry for smart devices. The market is chock-full of limitless applications and possibilities: there are apps for entertainment, health and well-being, and even apps that are just handy to have in your pocket. Though the rapid adoption of technology can be confusing, many seniors have found that with the right repertoire of apps, life can be easier and more interesting.

 

Right now, there are tens of thousands of apps on the market and more coming out daily. Trying to find the right app can feel like trying to find a needle in the haystack: overwhelming, near impossible, and tedious way to spend the day.

 

To make it a little easier, here are six apps that we think seniors should have on their phones and tablets.

1. Park ‘n’ Forget

We’ve all experienced the confusion of not being able to find our cars when we come out of a building at some point or other. Using this app allows you to avoid the hassle of walking around a vast parking lot or garage looking for your car. You’ll never forget where you parked. Plus, Park ‘n’ Forget does more than remembering the location of your vehicle; it also monitors the amount of time spent. Gone are the days of having parking tickets due to expired meters. Here’s how it works: when leaving your car in a parking deck, pick the color or number associated with the deck level to pinpoint your location.

2. Lumosity

As we age, we become more susceptible to diseases that affect memory, such as Alzheimer’s and other dementias. One way to keep your brain sharp is by exercising it regularly. Learning and brain training apps like Lumosity is a great tool available to stay mentally active. Designed by neuroscientists, Lumosity is proven to benefit memory recall and information retention. The app cleverly disguises its memory improvement objectives by using hundreds of well-designed games and puzzles.

 

Another app designed to function similarly is CogniFit Brain Fitness. This app works to improve cognitive abilities, such as memory and concentration. What makes CogniFit Brain Fitness different from Lumosity is that it is adaptive to your knowledge. The app adapts each game’s difficulty to your profile and gives you recommendations based on your results.

3. Lyft

Apps such as Lyft and Uber are valuable for seniors to have in their app arsenal. With ride share apps, both service and payment transactions are consolidated into one digital location. In addition, most transportation apps even offer customization options. For example, Uber allows you choose from different sized vehicles to accommodate the number of people in your party. For seniors looking for ways to stay independent, transportation that’s convenient and easy is a must.

4. Shipt

Grocery delivery services are growing in popularity. For seniors, they’re another way to reclaim independence. One of the most popular grocery delivery services right now is the Shipt app. Using Shipt is easy: after you’ve signed up for a membership, open the Shipt app on your phone or desktop. Then, select your items, choose a payment option, pick a delivery time, and place your order. What makes them unique is they’ll unpack your groceries and put them away, and the groceries are from the stores you love.

5. Netflix

If you’re a movie lover, you’ll love the Netflix app. For a reasonable price, you have access to hundreds of your television shows, movies, and documentaries from basically anywhere. Netflix is also producing a number of noteworthy original series. You might find using this app is more valuable than having cable. A bonus feature of the app is it can be used on multiple devices. Many seniors find the mobility of this app useful during workouts or travel.

6.  Blood Pressure Monitor

There are a variety of apps available for monitoring health. An app to consider adding to your phone is The Blood Pressure Monitor. You’ll have the ability to track your blood pressure and weight over time without having to call your doctor or rummage through old records. The Blood Pressure Monitor app also provides statistical information, periodic health reminders, and allows you to export data. This is an ideal function if you want to share it with your health care provider.

 

Harnessing technology for all of its capabilities isn’t just for the younger generations. Seniors are also capable of embracing all the possibilities that the digital age has to offer. With that in mind, apps are a great starting point for enhancing senior living. By equipping your phone with these helpful apps, people of all ages can benefit from a little extra independence and enjoyment in their lives.

 

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

Who Is Therapy For?

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

By Ronald Christian Rivera, LMSW, Outpatient Therapist, Leonard Street Counseling Center

Who is therapy for, anyway? Is it for me? How could I possibly benefit from talking to someone for an hour a week? These are questions I frequently hear as an outpatient therapist. I hope that sharing my thoughts on the topic of talk therapy will help to answer these questions.

 

Let me start by providing a short version of an answer: Most people stand to benefit from therapy for a variety of reasons. In general, it can be highly beneficial to have a trained professional to assist you through moments of crisis or simply to provide guidance and direction in times of doubt and confusion.

 

When I ask clients what brings them to therapy, I encounter a variety of universally held beliefs: “I’m weak and can’t fix my problems on my own.” “I must not be as strong as others think I am.” These responses reveal how mainstream society has stigmatized mental illness. This attitude stems from the belief that if you need help, then you must be weak. Due to this stigma, those who are affected by stress, anxiety, depression, and other problems begin to buy into the narrative that they are to blame. This serves as a roadblock to services for those who might otherwise be open to seeking help. Rather than stigmatizing and judging, we should acknowledge the strength and resilience necessary to endure tremendous pain and suffering. We should encourage suffering individuals with the message that there is hope, there is help in the form of professional counseling.

 

While society’s views about seeking help are a barrier for many, personal attitudes also play a role. Some refuse to ask for help due to pride; while others don’t feel they have a problem, they are not “sick” enough for therapy. Maybe these individuals have mild symptoms, or their problems pertain to relationships, life goals, or self-improvement. Avoiding professional help in moments of need may lead to bigger problems: worsening illness; impulsive decisions; increased likelihood of seeking drugs and alcohol to cope with stress. And, contrary to common belief, individuals with “minor” problems stand to gain tremendously from therapy: It serves as a tool to unlocking untapped potential, increased self-acceptance, and personal growth. In this sense, treatment offers a lens to the self. It deepens your understanding of what drives your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and desires. In exploring these concepts, you experience higher levels of self-awareness and increased insight.

 

I’ve also had clients share that they’ve avoided treatment because they’d be wasting my time, which could be better spent on someone who really needs it. This is a common misconception. In reality, your perception of your situation is all that matters. If it’s important to you, if you believe it has affected you, then it has. Your stuff, however big or small, has an impact on you. You deserve validation.

 

Another barrier to treatment is the intimidation factor: the counselor’s office can be a scary place for many. We’re talking about opening up to a complete stranger, sharing things you don’t discuss with your loved ones, things you’d rather forget altogether. Talk about a leap of faith!

 

Truly participating in therapy means letting your guard down and allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Sure, this is a risk, but it’s risky to not seek help, and bear your burdens alone. I encourage your to consider the benefits of a trusting, collaborative relationship.  Imagine the liberating experience of placing your burdens at another’s feet, and learning skills to navigate life’s troubled waters. Through therapy, you learn to become an expert at managing your thoughts, feelings, behaviors. You learn to address your needs in a healthy way, implementing permanent, lasting skills that equip you to deal with whatever comes your way.

 

If you’re still asking yourself, “Is therapy for me?” I encourage you to ask yourself, “Why not me?” When we reach the core of what the therapeutic relationship represents, we are talking about personal growth, a deeper understanding, a heightened awareness, an increased insight that illuminates the path in your personal journey. For some, personal growth simply means learning basic coping skills to reduce emotional pain and suffering. For others, it takes on a different meaning altogether. Whether you’re experiencing mild symptoms of anxiety, or you’re trying to discover your true calling in life, therapy is for you.

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.