All posts by Joanne

A ‘Fantastical Holiday Adventure’ at the Muskegon Museum of Art, Nov. 21-Dec. 2

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Holidays, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,
Muskegon Museum of Art (Courtesy photo)

By Marguerite Curran, Muskegon Museum of Art

 

The Muskegon Museum of Art’s 14th Festival of Trees runs Nov. 21 through Dec. 2, 2018. Each year, MMA volunteers and staff transform gallery spaces with festively designed Christmas trees and decorations, many of which can be purchased through the silent auction during the Festival. The Festival has become a local community holiday tradition that offers special events, holiday music, visits with Santa, Money Tree and special gift raffles, and holiday shopping. Festival of Trees looks different every year; this year’s theme is “A Fantastical Holiday Adventure.”

 

Funds raised through tree and decoration sales, raffles, sponsorships, and ticket sales benefit the museum. For information on sponsoring an event or tree in 2019, call 231.720.2573.

 

Hours

The Festival will be open Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 2 and will be closed on Thanksgiving. Open daily 10am to 5pm and Sundays noon to 5pm.

 

Admission
Purchase tickets at the door: $10 Adult, $5 MMA Member, $3 child 3-17 years (under 3 free); $15 Every-Day Festival Pass. To purchase gift passes, call 231.720.2580 or purchase at the Museum Store.

Special Festival of Trees Events

First Day Food Drive — Wednesday, Nov. 21

 

Special half-off adult admission: $5 with a food donation for Loaves and Fishes food pantry, just in time for the holidays. Regular adult admission: $10.

 

Family Day — Friday, Nov. 23, 10am-5pm

 

Santa will stop in for a visit from 2-4pm and the fun will include a kids’ craft activity, scavenger hunt, and performances from The Nutcracker by the Michigan Youth Ballet Theatre from 1-3pm. Call 231.720.2571 for group bookings. Special Family Day half-off adult ticket price: $5.

 

Teddy Bear Breakfast — Saturday, Nov. 24, 8:30–10:30am

 

Teddy Bear Breakfast is especially fun for kids ages 3 to 8 years old, with a full family breakfast; visit with Santa, teddy bear checkup (by a certified teddy bear nurse), Teddy Bear Parade, and more.

 

Tickets: Adults $15, Kids 12 and younger $8. Tickets include breakfast, all activities, and Festival of Trees admission. Tickets are limited and sell out early. Call 231.720.2580 to purchase tickets in advance.

 

Deck Your Halls: DIY Holiday Project Demo — Sunday, Nov. 25, 1–3pm

 

Floral designers Deb Moon from Lefleur Shoppe and Skeeter Parkhouse from Wasserman’s Flowers and Gifts will demo how to create unique holiday décor during this event. Ticket includes a take-home DIY kit, refreshments, and Festival of Trees admission. Items created during the demo will be raffled to the audience. Holiday Cheer, from 1:00 to 1:30 pm, will include a light snack, coffee, and cash bar.

 

Space is limited.

 

Advance Tickets: $35 per person/$30 MMA member. Call 231.720.2580 to purchase. Purchase tickets by Nov. 18.

 

Senior Day — Tuesday, Nov. 27, 10am-5pm

 

Special Senior Day half-off ticket price: $5 for ages 65+. Free coffee and cookies, vendor samples, door prizes, and more. For large groups, call 231.720.2571.

 

THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris, Presented by Andrew Zahrt
Friday, Nov. 30 & Saturday, Dec. 1, 6:30pm Cocktail Hour | 7:30pm Performance

 

(ADULT CONTENT: For mature elves only). THE SANTALAND DIARIES is the story of a Macy’s elf during the holiday crunch. At first, the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa’s workshop, he becomes battle-weary and bitter. When a new Santa is ushered into the workshop, one who seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, our hero experiences an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill, just before his employment runs out. Arranged by Joe Mantello

 

Ticket includes cocktail hour with a complimentary drink and refreshments in the Festival of Trees galleries. $12 adult, $10 MMA Member, $15 at the door.

 

Call 231.720.2580 to order advance tickets.

 

Santa at Festival of Trees
Santa will be at the museum on Family Day and on Saturdays during Festival of Trees:

  • Family Day Friday, Nov. 23, 2–4pm
  • Saturday, Nov. 24, 12–2pm
  • Saturday, Dec. 1, 2–4pm

The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. in downtown Muskegon. Visitor information at www.muskegonartmuseum.org or 231.720.2570. Membership information: 231.720.2571. Museum Store and Event Ticket Sales: 231.720.2580.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kentwood police help retailers prevent holiday thefts with Operation P.R.I.C.E. 

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Crime Prevention, Holidays, Local Business, Woodland Mall, ,
Operation P.R.I.C.E. was launched in 2014 by the Kentwood Police Department in an effort to curb retail theft along the 28th Street corridor.

By City of Kentwood 

 

In preparation of the holiday shopping season, when incidents of shoplifting and retail fraud often spikes, the Kentwood Police Department is again partnering with local store owners to prevent retail theft with Operation P.R.I.C.E., an educational program that has helped area retailers reduce crime during the holidays since 2014.

 

As part of the program, Kentwood police educate store employees on how they can discourage shoplifting and how to identify potential crime, as well as what to do when a shoplifter is caught. The partnership between police and store owners also provides increased police presence in stores and on the streets.

 

According to the National Retail Federation’s 2018 National Retail Security Survey, shoplifting was the top source of inventory shrinkage for the fourth year in a row, outpacing employee theft.

 

Operation P.R.I.C.E., which stands for Preventing Retail Theft Through Initiative, Collaboration and Enforcement, has had a proven track record in helping local businesses decrease incidents of retail fraud.

 

Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen says the key to the program’s success is the focus on collaborating with business owners and employees.

 

Kentwood Chief Thomas Hillen. (Supplied)

“At the end of the day, we are working toward the same goal: reducing crime in our community,” Hillen said. “By proactively engaging with business owners and employees, and having open communication early on, we are able to equip them with knowledge and skills needed to help prevent crime. Being able to increase police presence at their shops also helps discourage theft.”

 

This year, Operation P.R.I.C.E. will run from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4. During this time, participating retailers will have posters and signs displayed declaring their partnership with the Kentwood Police Department. Shoppers will also see police officers in and around the community’s prime retail destinations, such as Woodland Mall.

 

Woodland Mall in Kentwood.

“Operation P.R.I.C.E. has been well-received by retailers and shoppers at Woodland Mall,” said Tony DeLuccia, Woodland Mall general manager. “Beyond the increased police presence in and around the mall, store owners have appreciated the education police provide on how to spot potential shoplifters to keep theft down during the busy holiday season.

 

“We’ve found the proactive approach of the program combined with the mutual respect between officers and retailers to be empowering for employees. The personal connections made with officers help employees feel more comfortable calling for assistance when they notice suspicious activity.”

 

Operation P.R.I.C.E. was launched in 2014 by the Kentwood Police Department in an effort to curb retail theft along the 28th Street corridor.

 

The program has since grown beyond 28th Street in recent years, extending to 29th Street and doubling in participating businesses to more than 70 the past two years. Initially, calls for police services increased, resulting in more retail fraud arrests as store owners and employees used police as a resource. More recently, police have seen retail theft during the holidays on a downward trend.

 

“The apparent decline in retail theft during the holiday season is a result of proactive policing activities from the P.R.I.C.E. task force,” Hillen said. “Retailers are becoming familiar with how to file a police report, how to spot theft and what legal actions they can take. These education efforts along with the visibility of retailers’ partnerships with us are helping deter potential offenders.”

 

WKTV’s 18th Annual Turkey Bowl cable channel fest returns Thanksgiving Day

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Holidays, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV’s sports coverage team was at the NorthPointe Christian at Wyoming Lee football game. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

WKTV’s sports coverage crew was busy this fall, as our high school football Featured Game crew covered every local team in the first six weeks of the season and then was at the biggest local games as the season ended.

 

As every year, high school football fans can get their Turkey Day football fix this year as we broadcast several of those big games on our cable Channel 25.

 

The 15-hour special starts at 9 a.m., highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule and approof games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel) is as follows:

 

9 a.m. — Hamilton @ Godwin Heights. On-Demand

 

11:25 a.m. — Ashley @ Tri-unity Christian. On-Demand

 

1:22 p.m. — NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee. On-Demand

 

3:25 p.m. — Wyoming @ South Christian. On-Demand

 

5:35 p.m. — Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville. On-Demand

 

8 p.m. — Rockford @ East Kentwood. On-Demand

 

10:25 p.m. — MHSAA Playoff: Godwin @ South Christian. On-Demand

 

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 cChannel, 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 give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26).

 

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

 

WKTV takes a look at Kentwood’s Police Volunteer, and why you should join

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Crime Prevention, Going Local, Local Faces, Newscast, Volunteers,

 

By Zac Sgro

ken@wktv.org 

 

In a recent interview with Kentwood City Police Department Deputy Chief Richard Roberts, and local resident Pam Schichtel, WKTV Journal found out more about the department’s volunteer program as part of our November WKTV Journal newscast.

 

As a way to give back to the community they love so much, Kentwood residents volunteer thousands of hours annually to the program in order to keep the city safe. Schichtel tells us why she volunteers.

 

Deputy Chief Roberts and the rest of his department are grateful for the assistance given to them by these citizens and hope to see more involvement in the program in order to better serve the community with excellence. He tells us what the volunteers do and how people can join the team.

 

WKTV Journal airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos. For more information regarding the police volunteer program please click here.

 

Tulip Time Run registration now open

Entertainment, Sports, , ,

Tulip TimeFestival (www.tuliptime.com) announces online registration is now open for the Tulip Time Run, which will be held on Saturday, May 4, at Kollen Park.

 

Experience the beauty of Holland as you run through the tulip-lined streets! The Tulip Time Run, now in its 9thyear, is presented by MVP Athletic Club, and offers an event for everyone — a 5K, 10K and Kids’ Fun Run. If you are running both the 5K and 10K, you are automatically entered in the 15K results category eligible for medals and cash prizes. And, back again, is the Tulip Time Virtual Run.  If you cannot make it to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Time Festival, run a 5K or 10K in the comfort of your own hometown and receive a race shirt, bib and 2019 Run pin in the mail.

 

All run participants will receive a race bib. Included with the race bib will be a complimentary gear check tag and a free beverage ticket, redeemable at the After-Party at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant. Registering before April 15 ensures runners a participant shirt and a personalized race bib featuring their name. Race results are available within seconds of crossing the finish line via email, onsite kiosks or by downloading the IgniteYourEvent app.

 

Packet Pickup and late registration will be available at the Race & Fitness Expo on Friday, May 3, from 4p – 7p at MVP Athletic Club, and on Saturday, May 4 at 7a at Kollen Park. The Race & Fitness Expo offers information, displays and giveaways from health and fitness companies.

 

The 5K will start at 8a and the 10K will start at 8:45a. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division (male and female). The Kids’ Fun Run will start at 9:15a in Kollen Park.

 

Registration and pricing information, along with all race details, is available online at www.tuliptime.com/run. Questions regarding registration and race details can be directed to Kara Rooks, Race Director, at (616) 396-4221 ext. 114 or kara@tuliptime.com.

 

Join the dance as we “paint the town orange”at Tulip Time’s 90thAnniversary celebration May 4-12, 2019. Detailed program and event information for Tulip Time 2019 is available on www.tuliptime.com. Tickets for all shows can be purchased online at www.tuliptime.com, in person at the Tulip Time Festival Box Office located at 42 West 8thStreet, Holland, Michigan, or by phone at 800-822-2770.

School News Network: Students invited to demo their social skills app at Samsung conference

3-bottom, , , ,
Former Tech Center student Keith Takens, left, and Marc Petz, a 3D Animation instructor, are headed to San Francisco for a development conference hosted by electronic giant Samsung

 

By James Harger

School News Network

 

A smartphone app developed by Kent Career Tech Center students to help autistic teens navigate social situations will be showcased on a national stage in November.

 

Two students and their 3D Animation & Game Design  Instructor Marc Petz, are headed to the Samsung Developer Conference in San Francisco to show off a smartphone app they created to help autistic teens develop their social skills.

 

They were invited to attend the conference after an earlier edition of the app finished in the Top 10 at the national “Solve For Tomorrow” competition sponsored by Samsung earlier this year.  His students have now upgraded their Virtual Reality (VR) application into an Augmented Reality (AR) application that can be loaded into a smartphone.

 

Avatars simulate hallway encounters, coaching autistic teenagers through social encounters they might otherwise find awkward or uncomfortable

“This is 100 percent student developed and expert guided,” said Petz, who was invited to the conference with two of his 3D graduates. The group plans to demonstrate their app from Samsung’s booth at the conference, which attracts thousands of software developers.

 

Their AR app uses avatars to coach autistic teenagers as they role-play their interaction with other teenagers. The social scenarios, such as a having conversation in a school hallway, were scripted with help from Mary Musto, a teacher consultant at Kent Transition Center with a background in Autism and Behavioral Therapy.

 

Petz and his students also worked with YETi CGI, a Wyoming-based company that develops electronic games and artificial intelligence products for Fortune 500 companies. Petz also teaches digital animation and game design as an adjunct professor at Ferris State University.

 

The animated avatars – or characters –  coach their users to make eye contact and respond to questions or comments  from the avatars, who appear in the settings in which the users find themselves.

 

“We’re bringing the technology to your reality,” said Petz. The app uses recorded voices instead of machine-generated speech to make the interactions seem more natural.

 

The smartphone app developed by students at Kent Career Tech Center offers several scenarios that can be used as coaching tools by autistic teenagers

“We know this has the potential of reaching a lot of people,” said Keith Takens, a Ferris State University sophomore who helped develop the program while he attended the Tech Center.

 

Takens, one of the students going to the Samsung conference, noted that up to 2 percent of the world’s population has autism to some degree.

 

Meanwhile, Petz’ students are continuing to develop new role-playing scenarios to the app. For example, methods of starting, maintaining and ending conversations are being added to the app.

 

The app is based on a web site that connects to the app, forgoing the need to download the app to a smartphone.  “It’s as accessible as Wikipedia,” said Takens, noting the app does not require the bandwidth needed for other streaming services such as Netflix.

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

Unwrap the holidays with the Grand Rapids Pops

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events,
Home Alone

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids Symphony

 

With thrilling acrobatics, classic films and timeless music, the sublime sounds of the holidays from the Grand Rapids Pops are sure to make spirits bright.

 

Carrying on tradition, the Grand Rapids Symphony once again presents its Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops on Dec. 6-9 and Old National Bank Cirque de Noël on Dec. 19-20 in DeVos Performance Hall.

 

Also coming to the DeVos Performance Hall are two full-length feature holiday film concerts, The Snowman on Nov. 17 and Home Alone Nov. 29.

 

Principal Pops conductor Bob Bernhardt will lead the Symphony in the old, familiar carols and other timeless holiday melodies in this year’s Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops.

 

Joining the Symphony in favorites such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah and music from the 1990 film Home Alone are the joyful voices of the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, led by director Pearl Shangkuan, and the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, directed by Sean Ivory.

 

Bass-baritone Justin Hopkins, who was a special guest for the Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016 Holiday Pops, will return to DeVos Performance Hall to perform You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch among other holiday hits. Hopkins’ appearance is sponsored by Jim & Ginger Jurries.

 

West Michigan’s own Embellish handbell ensemble, directed by Stephanie Wiltse, will return to the Holiday Pops to ring holiday favorites including Sing We Now of Christmas and the Coventry Carol.

 

Five performances of the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, and at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8. Matinees will be at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-9, in DeVos Performance Hall. Tickets for this Fox Motors Pops concert start at $18 adults, $5 students.

 

Cirque de la Symphonie

Since 2009, Cirque de la Symphonie has spent part of each Christmas season in Grand Rapids. This year, for the 10th annual Old National Bank Cirque de Noël with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Cirque de la Symphonie will once again bring the magic and thrill of the holiday season to DeVos Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19-20.

 

The company of acrobats, jugglers, contortionists and aerial artists will make merry with amazing feats of agility and strength, accompanied by beloved Christmas songs and classical favorites. Acts include aerial artists Vitalii Buza and Ekaterina Borzikova performing above the DeVos Hall stage while the Grand Rapids Symphony plays the “Waltz of the Flowers” from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

 

Associate Conductor John Varineau leads the orchestra in familiar melodies such as Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival, Franz Schubert’s Ava Maria, and Duke Ellington’s “Peanut Brittle Brigade” from The Nutcracker Suite.

 

Tickets for concerts in the Gerber Symphonic Boom series concert start at $32.

 

Kicking off the Grand Rapids Symphony’s holiday season in November are two full-length feature film concerts.

 

The Snowman returns once more to inspire children of all ages with the story of a boy who builds a snowman who comes to life and leads him on a wide-eyed and wondrous adventure to meet Father Christmas.

 

The hour-long DTE Energy Foundation Family series concert, which has sold-out past performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony, features the popular animated short, projected onto a 40-foot screen, accompanied by a live performance of Howard Blake’s musical score at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children.

 

Full of clever antics and comical wit, the 1990 film Home Alone is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29, part of the Gerber SymphonicBoom series.

 

A modern holiday classic starring Macaulay Culkin, Home Alone is the story of an 8-year-old troublemaker, accidentally left behind by his family on Christmas vacation, who must protect his home from a pair of inept burglars.

 

See the full-length film with the Grand Rapids Pops performing John Williams’ delightfully sentimental and sweet score, full of hummable melodies that evoke a child’s view of family and Christmas. Tickets start at $32.

Tickets

Tickets for Grand Rapids Symphony concerts and are available at the Symphony box office, weekdays 9 am – 5 pm 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 10am-6pm or on the day of the concert beginning two hours before the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

Special Offers

For the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops concert on Thursday, Dec. 6 or the matinee on Saturday, Dec. 8, full-time students of any age can purchase tickets for $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Calvin College.

 

Discounts also are available for the Holiday Pops to members of MySymphony360, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s organization for young professionals ages 21-35.

 

Students age 7-18 are able to attend for some concerts for free when accompanied by an adult. Free for Kids tickets must be purchased in advance at the GRS Ticket office. Up to two free tickets are available with the purchase of a regular-price adult ticket for the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops on Thursday, Dec. 6 or for The Snowman on Saturday, Nov. 17.  Go online for more details.

 

Symphony Scorecard provides members up to four free tickets for many Grand Rapids Symphony concerts. Members of the community receiving financial assistance from the State of Michigan and members of the U.S. Armed Forces, whether on active or reserve duty or serving in the National Guard, are eligible. All concerts in the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops and DTE Energy Foundation Family Series are available to Scorecard members. Go online for information on signing up with a Symphony Scorecard Partner Agency.

Snapshots: Kentwood, Wyoming weekend happenings you need to know about

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Food, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Food, Upcoming Events

By WKTV Staff
victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the day

"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing."
                                                 ~ Dale Carnegie

Don’t forget your roots

 

Searching for the perfect Christmas tree? You might want to check out Downtown Market’s Christmas Tree & Decor Lot, beginning Saturday, Nov. 17th. The market also has lots of other treasures and events coming up. Go here for more info.

 

Must open before Christmas

 

Bring the kids! The Grand Rapids Symphony Pops has quite the lineup this holiday season, from  thrilling acrobatics, classic films and timeless music, to the the sublime sounds of the holidays, sure to make spirits bright. Go here for info.

 

It’s OK to wax nostalgic

 

This holiday season, you’re in for an extra-special treat! From Saturday, Nov. 17 through Jan. 18, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will have a community favorite on display — the Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train. While you’re there, enjoy the Museum’s holiday decorations. Go here for more info.

 

Fun fact:

It was a simpler time.

Between 1887-1933 a fishing schooner called the "Christmas Ship" would tie up at the Clark Street bridge and sell spruce trees from Michigan to Chicagoans. 

County commission election, voting changes discussed at Chamber’s WKTV Government Matters meeting

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Election, Politics, WKTV Projects, ,
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

The election aftermath — from the passage of recreational marijuana, to more voting day volunteers needed, to the partisan politics on the Kent County Board Of Commissioners — were some of the discussion items of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting Monday, Nov. 11, at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Kentwood City Hall.

 

Newly re-elected county commissioner Harold Voorhees, who represents the City of Wyoming as District 8 commissioner, pointed out with the election results the partisan split on the commission went from 13 Republicans and six Democrats to now a 11-8 split.

 

“It does have its influence, that’s why we go through the election process,” Voorhees said to WKTV. “But on the board it has been very congenial, working together. We are hopeful it will stay that way.”

 

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley also made a call for citizens to work with the city as election-day volunteers. The mayor pointed out that the high number of absentee battles — expected to be even higher in two years due to a voter approved ballot measure which allows same-day registration and no-reason absentee ballot requests — as well as other reasons, will create the need for more volunteers in the city. For more information contact the City of Kentwood city clerk’s office.

 

The meeting is rebroadcast on WKTV’s channels and on-demand website (wktvondemand.com). This month’s meeting is available here.

 

The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.

 

The next meeting will be Dec. 10 will be at the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Road SE, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

 

The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents and businesses in the two cities.

 

For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org .

https://www.southkent.org/government-matters/

 

The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26.

 

Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train on display at GRPM beginning Nov. 17

Entertainment, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Faces, , , ,

By Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

The Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train is instantly recognizable to any baby-boomer resident of Grand Rapids. They remember riding in the train high above the toy department at the Herpolsheimer’s Department Store, which sat at the corner of Fulton and Division streets in downtown Grand Rapids. The monorail train debuted as “Santa’s Rocket Express” when the new Herpolsheimer’s Department Store opened in in 1949.

 

After passing through the hands of several department stores that succeeded Herpolsheimer’s, the train entered the Museum’s Collection in 2000 with a jungle-themed paint job. The Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train was gifted to the Museum’s Collection by The Peter F. Secchia Family.

 

In 2010, the GRPM contracted with David Winick to begin restoration of the train to its original theme. Using a December 1955 Life magazine photo as his guide, Winick removed the rocket nose added in the 1960s and replaced it with a replica of the original 1949 nose. As multiple layers of paint were removed, the original colors were exposed. The GRPM and Winick were able to complete the restoration of all three cars thanks to funds raised by community members at the Museum’s Collections & Cocktails event in the spring of 2018.

 

“We’re pleased to have this old favorite on display this holiday season,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “As the keeper of the community’s treasures and history, it is our job to preserve them and make them available to the public. We hope families will visit the Museum this holiday season to take a walk down memory lane.”

 

The Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train will be on display on the first floor of the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Van Andel Museum Center, and will be included with general admission to the Museum. 

 

Holiday Displays and Snowflake Break

 

In addition to the Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train, the GRPM has its Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibition fully decorated for the holidays, including a display of Santa Clauses from around the world.

 

Visitors are also invited to go on a Santa and Elf Hunt, to find 15 historic Santas from around the World in Streets of Old Grand Rapids, and 12 elves hidden throughout the three floors of the Museum. The Santa & Elf Hunt is included with general admission.

 

This holiday season, see historic Grand Rapids all built from LEGOs. The 1925-era display, complete with operating trams showcases what Grand Rapids looked like during the early 20th century, including a section of the Grand River, the Morton Hotel, and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation building – the former ice house for Anheuser Busch. Visitors to the Museum will be able to view this special holiday LEGO recreation from Nov. 18 through Jan. 18. It is on display in the Streets of Old Grand Rapids and included with general admission. Built by the West Michigan Lego Train Club.

 

Let it Snow Planetarium Show – Nov. 23, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019

 

Let it Snow features a new variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, and includes a stunnifng multi-media finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation, laser imagery and special effects. Now playing at the Chaffee Planetarium at the GRPM through January 6, and tickets are $4 each with general admission to the Museum, free to Museum members and $5 each for planetarium only tickets. For more information and show times, visit grpm.org/planetarium.

 

During “Snowflake Break” from Dec. 22 through Jan. 6, the GRPM will host free with admission activities. Visit grpm.org for details.

When binge-watching goes bad

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Food, Health, How-To's, Recreation, Senior Living, , ,
Having a TV or movie day once in a while won’t kill you, but frequent binge-watching ups your chances of developing serious health conditions. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Health Beat Staff

 

You’ve just settled in to your well-worn spot on the couch, big bowl of popcorn, chips or other savory snacks and soda by your side, ready for an all-day, TV-watching extravaganza.

 

But you might want to push pause—according to a new study, your health might be Breaking Bad, too.

 

In a recent study of people at higher risk of developing diabetes, researchers found every hour spent sitting can increase that risk by 3.4 percent. So sitting through the last season of Mad Men can lead to a 30 percent increased risk, according to studies published in the journal Diabetologia and elsewhere.

 

The Diabetologia study confirms other firmly-held beliefs among experts, said Robert Selfe, DO, of Spectrum Health Diabetes & Endocrinology.

 

“I would echo the beliefs, simply because the information is known,” Dr. Selfe said. “We know that individuals at risk, whether it’s a family genetic component, a history of gestational diabetes, metabolic syndrome, are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

 

“In my mind, this echoes the things we already know, but it puts a focus on our American lifestyle. Sitting on the couch multiple hours a day, I would suspect, whether it’s reading a book, watching television or what have you, all of those things are going to contribute to further risk of diabetes.”

 

The risk is very real for a growing number of Americans.

 

According to 2018 statistics from the American Diabetes Association, one in 11 Americans have diabetes. About a quarter don’t know they have the condition, and the majority of them have Type 2 diabetes.

 

But a day-long The Big Bang Theory marathon probably isn’t a one-way trip to Type 2 by itself, Dr. Selfe said.

 

“If you’re talking about one day, I’d take (the study) with a grain of salt,” he said. “So this weekend, you binge-watch Breaking Bad for 12 hours, that means, theoretically, in the next five years, you’re going to get diabetes. I think that’s an overstatement of what they’re trying to get at, but it’s kind of for shock value.”

 

What the study does underscore, Dr. Selfe said, is that our increasingly sedentary lifestyles are taking their toll on our long-term health.

 

“From my perspective, (the study) confirms what we already know,” he said. “Engaging in regular exercise, being active on a daily basis—which has become more difficult in American society because we have computers, smart phones, the internet and machines to do a lot of the regular work we used to do even 50 or 100 years ago—really has increased that risk.”

 

But unlike, say, Dexter, this story doesn’t have to have an unhappy ending. The key is all about balance, Dr. Selfe explained.

 

“You definitely shouldn’t binge-watch and drink soda and eat Cheetos and all these other things that are prolific in American society,” he said. “I think this study, and studies done in the past, all beg toward moderation, and we are not a society of moderation. We super-size all of our foods, and we binge-watch TV at times. The reality is we continue to do less and less on a daily basis. Some of that is out of choice, and some of that is out of our situation. A lot of us sit behind a desk eight to 12 hours a day.

 

“The bottom line is, people need to engage in moderation, and they need to realize that incorporating activity on a daily basis is markedly impactful across the board, whether we’re talking about heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, cholesterol … across the gamut, activity has been shown to be beneficial for everybody.”

 

So don’t forget to mix in some actual walking, before you settle in to watch the last season of The Walking Dead.

 

Know your numbers. Get your annual physical, including all of the blood and urine labs your doctor deems necessary. Need help finding a doctor? Call 877.362.8362 to get connected with a provider who will suit your needs.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease warning signs

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Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Holly Tiret, Michigan State University Extension

 

Michigan State University Extension is committed to helping people improve their lives by extending research-based knowledge about a variety of topics. One issue of great concern is the increase of those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is not a specific disease, but is referred to as a group of symptoms which show up as a general decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia and is considered a degenerative brain disease.

 

Data from the 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report states that in the United States, as of 2018, over 5 million people of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. Due to people living longer because of better health interventions and the aging baby boomer generation, the number of people age 65 and older is expected to increase to 22 percent in 2050. The number of people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will increase. In Michigan alone, the number of those aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase from 180,000 in 2018, to 220,000 in 2025, with additional projections of 13.8 million in 2050.

 

Dementia can also be a symptom of other underlying health issues and your doctor has the tools to help sort that out. The following is a list of the ten early warning signs. Each one of these can be explored more by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.alz.org.

 

Ten Early Signs of Alzheimer’s:

  1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
  2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.
  3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure.
  4. Confusion with time or place.
  5. Trouble with visual images and spatial relationships.
  6. New problems with words or writing.
  7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
  8. Decreased or poor judgement.
  9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.
  10. Change in mood or personality.

Early warning signs listed above are different from the normal age-related memory changes. Typically as we age, we all misplace things, search for the right word to use and even forget what day it is. One way to explain it is if I just can’t find my keys, I may be experiencing a typical age-related memory issue, but if I don’t know what keys are for or what they are called, I may be experiencing an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

 

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. One thing you can do is to know the ten early warning signs. If you think they apply to you or a loved one, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss further testing.

 

If you are a caregiver of someone who is living with dementia or Alzheimer’s consider signing up for a Powerful Tools for Caregivers series through Michigan State University Extension.

 

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).

Get your tickets now for Comedian Mike Epps at the Van Andel Arena on April 20

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz, SMG

 

Mike Epps is generating an extraordinary amount of buzz among his peers for being not only one of the funniest comic actors in town, but also for his burgeoning dramatic talent. Now Epps will bring his talents to Grand Rapids for one show at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 8pm. The show will also feature Rickey Smiley, DC Young Fly, Earthquake, and Lavell Crawford.

 

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 16 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.

 

Epps steadily climbed his way up the stand-up comedy ranks when he was recognized by a national audience in 1995 for appearing on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam (which, years later, he would go on to host). During a performance at LA’s Comedy Store, Epps caught the attention of Ice Cube. This led to the first of three feature films they would do together: the cult hits “Next Friday,” “Friday after Next,” and “All About the Benjamins.”
In 2011, he was awarded an NAACP Image Award for “Best Supporting Actor” for his role in the Sony Pictures film, “Jumping the Broom.” He continued to receive critical praise for his dramatic turn in 2012 with “Sparkle,” opposite Whitney Houston and Jordan Sparks. In 2016, he further pursued his dramatic side with two important roles: starring opposite Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie in the Lionsgate thriller, “Repentance,” being released through Lionsgate/Codeblack Entertainment, followed by the independent Nina Simone biopic, “Nina,” starring Zoe Saldana.
 
Mike was seen in three seasons of the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” produced by LeBron James and Mike O’Malley, and he won a 2016 NAACP Image award for “Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” for his portrayal as Uncle Julius. On TV he can be seen opposite Queen Latifah in Fox’s “Star,” and he produced the first BET Social Media Awards which aired February 11. On March 28, Harper Collins released his autobiography called Unsuccessful Thug, written by Mike about his life and childhood.

Holiday planning for diabetes

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Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Kris Swartzendruber, Michigan State University Extension

 

It can be very difficult to be health conscious this time of year as food and festivity will always be a major part of the holiday season. It’s an especially challenging time for those who have diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends planning ahead and provides the following tips and guidelines to help those with diabetes enjoy the foods associated with the holidays, while still staying healthy:

  • Think about the timing of your meal. Holiday meals, such as Thanksgiving, are often served at times that don’t align with our regular meal schedule. Take this into consideration if you are taking medication such as insulin injections or pills that lower blood glucose. Talk to your health care professional about having snacks available if low blood glucose is a concern.
  • Be physically active. Consider incorporating more exercise, such as walking, riding a bike or visiting the gym when you know you’ll be eating more than usual. Encourage family members to join you in starting new traditions that involve physical activity such as playing a game of Frisbee, soccer or touch football.
  • Try healthier versions of your favorite holiday foods. Try using fat-free or light ingredients when preparing your favorite holiday dishes. Add less sugar to dishes that already provide natural sweetness such as winter squash casseroles and fruit pies. Check out the American Diabetes Association website as well as other diabetes friendly recipes available online.
  • Have low calorie foods such as raw vegetables with low-fat dip or cheese on hand while you’re cooking or waiting to eat. Avoid high-calorie and/or fried foods that are often served as appetizers during the holidays.
  • Be selective. High carbohydrate foods are a staple when it comes to many traditional holiday foods. Choose reasonable portions of your favorite high carb foods and allow yourself to pass on the rest.
  • Eat smaller portions. Don’t forget to use portion control when selecting foods that are higher in carbohydrates. Be mindful of keeping your total carbohydrate intake within a recommended range.
  • Eat your vegetables. Incorporate more color and nutrition to the holiday table by providing non-starchy vegetables dishes such as green salads and steamed vegetables to the menu. Vegetables not only fill you up, they can also help prevent you from overeating other foods that are loaded with calories and fat.

Michigan State University Extension recommends that people with diabetes always work with your health care team and offers diabetes programs that educate on proper eating and self-management, such as Dining with Diabetes.

 

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).

Gerald R. Ford International Airport Preps for Thanksgiving with ‘Operation Handshake’

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A welcome home for West Michigan troops and other festivities are on tap for the Thanksgiving holiday, and one of the busiest days of the year at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA).

 

On Wednesday, Nov. 21, airport volunteers including therapy dog teams, and the Patriot Guard Riders will participate in “Operation Handshake,” an event to welcome home returning military members and veterans, and to thank them for their service.

 

Volunteers will staff both airport concourses from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

 

“We are so appreciative of our military members’ service to our country and we know that not everyone can make it home during the holidays because they are making other sacrifices. For those returning to West Michigan we want to make it extra special and let them know we are thankful for their service,” said GFIA Marketing & Communications Director Tara Hernandez. “The Patriot Guard Riders of West Michigan do a tremendous job taking time out of their holiday week to welcome home our military, and we appreciate their loyalty to serving our community through events like Operation Handshake.”

 

The event is free and open to the public. The media is also encouraged to put a call out to the community, asking family members to notify the Patriot Guard Riders of returning military members’ arrival times and flight information. Information can be sent to Tony VanGessel at 616-862-1984 or tvange58@yahoo.com.

 

For more information on the Patriot Guard Riders, visit http://www.patriotguardmi.org

 

“This is what Thanksgiving is really all about,” said VanGessel, Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders of West Michigan. “What we see each year is an inspiration. We get a thank you from the military members, but it’s also heartwarming for the general traveling public around us to see what transpires.”

 

page2image11160

 

The Airport is currently under construction on its Gateway Transformation Project, and along with the busy holiday traffic, lines could be longer than normal. The Airport encourages passengers to arrive at least 90-120 minutes before their flight.

 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expecting a record breaking number of flyers this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel period with more than 25 million passengers traveling through security screening checkpoints around the U.S. from Nov. 16 through Nov. 26 – an increase of five-percent from 2017.

 

“As Thanksgiving and the holiday travel seasons arrive, ensuring the safety and security of the millions of passengers traveling daily remains TSA’s top priority,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We marked several records over the spring and summer travel periods this year, screening more than 525 million passengers and crew. This upcoming season will be very busy as more passengers choose to fly, and TSA officers will be on duty over the holidays so travelers can enjoy theirs.”

 

TSA also encourages passengers to stay up-to-date on the latest travel notices and information about what you can or cannot bring on your flight by visiting: www.tsa.gov. Additionally, travelers should keep these top three tips in mind:

  1. Pack smart. Prepare for security when packing and ensure that there are no prohibited items in baggage. As always, passengers can bring pies, cakes and other baked goods through the checkpoints; however, liquids such as eggnog and maple syrup, and gels such as preserves and jellies, should go into checked bags. Liquids in carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule. Download the MyTSA app or use the “What can I bring?” tool on tsa.gov. This allows you to type in an item to find out if you can bring it in your carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither.
  1. Renew your TSA PreCheck membership. Individuals who obtained TSA PreCheck five years ago are now able to renew their TSA PreCheck membership online. Individuals who do not have TSA PreCheck should enroll now to get TSA PreCheck benefits, available at more than 200 U.S. airports, in time for their holiday travel. Travelers enrolled in a trusted traveler program, like TSA PreCheck, do not need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. To find the trusted traveler program that best suits your travel needs, use the DHS trusted traveler comparison tool.
  2. Ask for passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to flying with any questions about screening policies, procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint.

 

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools continues its community Executive Council meetings

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Education, WKTV Projects

 

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

The Godfrey-Lee Public Schools this month continued its series of meetings with business, community, faith and government leaders, along with parents and school leaders — what the district is calling its community Executive Council.

 

At the first of the meetings, district Superintendent Kevin Polston, who is leading the series of meetings, explained who was attending the meetings and what the goals are. The second meeting occurred early this month. Others are scheduled for January and March 2019.

 

Also at the first meeting, WKTV caught up with Michigan State Board of Education member Lupe Ramos-Montigny, who was in attendance.

 

One of the key aspects of both the district’s and the state’s educational focus is what is called the six “Cs” … with “confidence” being, maybe, the most critical in the Godfrey Lee School District.

 

For more information on the meetings, please contact the Superintendent’s office at 616-241-4722.

 

This and all interviews filmed as part of WKTV Journal’s news coverage are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

 

GVSU announces digital library, traveling exhibit of art by Mathias Alten

Entertainment, ,
Sunset, Lake Michigan was one of several Alten paintings recently gifted to Grand Valley by Anita Gilleo (Courtesy GVSU)

By Matthew Makowski

GVSU

 

Grand Valley State University’s Art Gallery has launched a new online digital library that provides a comprehensive database of the life and works of late artist Mathias J. Alten. The university currently owns the largest single public collection of Alten’s work, which includes more than 150 pieces of art.

 

The Mathias J. Alten Online Digital Library allows users to seamlessly browse through Alten’s life and work on computers and mobile devices. Nathan Kemler, assistant director of Galleries and Collections, said this system answers the question of how to best engage Grand Valley students and the global community in Alten’s legacy in a modern technological age.

 

“The Mathias J. Alten Online Digital Library provides our students and faculty with an ever-growing and changing wealth of both primary and secondary visual research materials to support academic learning,” said Kemler. “This collection of paintings, archival materials, scholarship, timeline entries and oral histories is presented fully integrated together thus encouraging learning connections across both time and space.”

 

The GVSU’s Mathias Alten collection is now available through a digital library.

The digital library, which can be accessed on the Art Gallery’s website, includes eight new paintings recently added to Grand Valley’s Alten collection. Seven paintings, including rare depictions of the Lake Michigan shoreline, were gifted by Anita Gilleo, one of Alten’s granddaughters.

 

One of Alten’s paintings created during trip to Spain in 1912 was gifted by George and Barbara Gordon, local collectors who have added to Grand Valley’s Alten collection annually since 1998.

 

Gilleo also presented to the university the Alten Catalog Raisonné — a comprehensive, annotated listing of all the known works by Alten written by local art historian James Straub— and created the Anita M. Gilleo Endowment Fund to support the maintenance of the catalog in perpetuity.

 

“This is a very significant gift to Grand Valley because it holds all known paintings of Alten worldwide, which is over 2,200, and it is the undisputed authority of the artist’s body of work,” said Kemler. “This gift gives our community the ability to browse the artist’s work at a scale and depth that is incredibly unique compared to most artists.”

 

Alten’s legacy will spread beyond Grand Valley when the “Mathias J. Alten: An American Artist at the Turn of the Century” exhibit travels to museums and galleries around the State of Michigan in 2021 during the 150th anniversary of Alten’s birth.

 

The Art Gallery staff is currently developing the traveling exhibit, which will include more than 40 works of art and other objects that provide context for Alten’s artistic legacy, such as pictures, personal items, oral histories and letters.

 

A native of Germany, Alten immigrated to Grand Rapids as a teenager. Often referred to as the “Dean of Michigan Painters,” Alten spent his 40-year career painting in Europe and across the U.S., but always returned to Grand Rapids, his professional base of operations and home, until his death in 1938.

What is Skilled Nursing Care for Seniors?

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

 

It’s easy to gravitate towards the idea that more is better. But when it comes to your loved one’s care, having more people around doesn’t always translate into better quality of care. The impact of one skilled nurse over several personal aides can be the difference.

 

One of the many misconceptions about assisted living is that it only offers long-term custodial care. However, some assisted living communities are beginning to offer skilled nursing care services to their residents. Here’s what that means.

What is Skilled Nursing Care?

When starting the search for a viable care option you’ll come across different terminology used in the care industry, and it’s important to understand the differences. There is a spectrum of care options ranging from basic needs assistance to medically licensed help. Making the wrong choice could lead to unintended consequences for a loved one. The two main players in the care industry are custodial and skilled nursing care.

 

Custodial care consists of any non-medical care that can be reasonably and safely provided by non-licensed caregivers. It involves help with daily activities like bathing and dressing. However, custodial care can also include assistance with household duties such as cooking and laundry.

 

Skilled nursing care is a whole different level of care. Professionals providing skilled care are always licensed health professionals like nurses and physical therapists. In addition to routine medical care, like tracking and administering medication, they have the ability to provide advanced medical services like physical therapy, wound care, intravenous injections, catheter care, and more. Usually, when skilled nursing care is employed, it’s medically necessary or ordered by a doctor.

When is it Needed

Many families ask the question if skilled nursing care is right for their loved one. After all, it’s not only more expensive, but also it may not be covered by Medicaid. Unfortunately, the decision is not always black or white. It’s still best to talk to their primary health provider for a professional opinion. But, here are a few life situations where a loved one could benefit from skilled nursing:

  • Rehabilitation care due to fractures or joint replacements
  • Dementia care
  • General wound care
  • Acute medical conditions
  • Interim medical care following a hospital stay
  • Parkinson’s care
  • Terminal illness care
  • Stroke recovery
  • General rehabilitation due to weakness or physical decline
  • Diabetic rehabilitation

What Are the Benefits?

While assisted living communities are often perceived as senior housing designed for those who don’t need around the clock care, communities with on-site skilled nursing care can be a great option whether your loved one is looking for an independent lifestyle or requires near-constant assistance. Some of the benefits include:

  • Immediate medical attention. We become more prone to sickness with age. It’s not uncommon to experience a sudden change in health. A skilled care provider can be available for 24-hour care. You can rest easy knowing loved ones have rapid access to health care services.
  • Guidance on diet and nutrition. As we age, nutrition becomes even more important. Our bodies require different levels of vitamins and minerals to stay strong. Making sure our loved ones are getting the right kinds and quantities of food is essential for staying happy and healthy. Skilled providers can also give guidance on diet and nutrition for specifically for seniors.

There isn’t a one size fits all solution to long-term care. At times the best option can seem obvious, but often it can be confusing. Finding the most effective care solutions for a loved one starts with understanding their needs. There is a wide range of benefits seniors can experience from skilled care nursing, which can make this type of care the perfect fit for your loved one.

 

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

Kellogg Manor House Holiday Walk & Market features local artists and events

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Holidays, Travel, Upcoming Events,
Photo supplied

By West Michigan Tourist Association

 

Take a walk through each festively decorated room of the W.K. Kellogg Manor House, and complete your holiday shopping with treasures from local vendors. 

 

On Friday, November 23 (Black Friday) and the five following Saturdays (Nov. 24, and Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22), visit the Holiday Walk & Market for tours and shopping from 12–5pm. Docents will share the history of W.K.’s philanthropy and life at his former summer estate. End your tour with hot spiced tea and cookies, and time to browse items from local artists. Admission is $5 (free for members, students, and children under 5 years old).

 

General shopping hours and self-guided tours are also available Monday–Friday, from 9am to 3pm at no charge; donations to the Manor House are appreciated.

 

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 6:30–8:30pm, attend the Meet the Artist event to meet the local artists and vendors selling gifts throughout the home. Complimentary samples of MSU Wine and Cheese will be offered with options to purchase both, and a cash bar will be available. There is no charge for the Meet the Artist event.

 

Dec. 1 is Family Fun Day at the Manor House! From 12–5pm (during the Holiday Walk and Market), we welcome families to the Manor House for free crafts and winter fun! Bring out your snow shoes and other winter gear to enjoy the trails and lakeside views.

 

The W.K. Kellogg Manor House is located at 3700 E. Gull Lake Dr., in Hickory Corners. To learn more, visit conference.kbs.msu.edu, call 269-671-2400 or email conference@kbs.msu.edu.

 

The W.K. Kellogg Manor House is part of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. As MSU’s largest off-campus educational complex, land-grant values have been put into practice for nearly a hundred years with groundbreaking scientific research and education, community engagement, and historic preservation. Looking forward, students, staff and faculty are working to understand and solve real-world environmental problems for a better tomorrow.

 

KBS is more than any individual lab or location. There’s a story behind all that you see; look closer and you’ll find more amazing discoveries than ever before. To learn more about KBS, visit kbs.msu.edu.

Youth and adults can learn to navigate stress through mindfulness

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, How-To's, Recreation, Senior Living, , ,
Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Karen L. Pace, Michigan State University Extension

 

A growing body of reliable, scientific research shows the benefits of social and emotional learning for both youth and adults. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), efforts that promote social and emotional learning improve young people’s academic success and overall health and well-being, while reducing negative behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, violence and bullying.

 

Learning to navigate distressing emotions and stress are important aspects of emotional growth and development. Kids, like adults, experience daily stressors in their lives that can take an emotional and physical toll. In a national KidsHealth® KidsPoll, young people said the things that caused them stress included grades, school and homework (36 percent); family (32 percent); and friends, peers, gossip and teasing (21 percent). Too often, kids’ reactions to stress are seen as inappropriate negative behaviors that need to be stopped rather than opportunities to teach new skills that help young people learn to calm their minds and bodies.

 

One way for children and adults to develop self-awareness and the ability to navigate stress is through the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is a process of active, open, nonjudgmental awareness. It is paying attention in the present moment with openness, curiosity and flexibility. Neuroscience and psychological research suggests that the intentional practice of mindfulness improves the immune system as well as increases gray matter in the brain involved with learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, empathy and perspective taking.

 

Parents, educators, youth workers and others can provide opportunities to practice everyday mindfulness with the young people in their lives. Everyday mindfulness involves paying attention to our experiences in the moment rather than being caught up in our fearful, angry, anxious or worried thoughts. When we are caught up in these distressing thoughts, we often lose perspective about the best way to respond in a painful, difficult or stressful moment.

 

According to sources like the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, here are a few examples on how to practice mindfulness:

  • Simply notice the sights, smells and things that surround you. Focus on what’s there for you in the moment, right here, right now. If you find your mind starts to wander, that’s okay. Find something in your surroundings to focus on that will bring you back to the here and now.
  • Count your breaths either aloud or in your head. This is helpful if you’re feeling stressed, nervous or overwhelmed. Breathe in for five seconds, counting 1-2-3-4-5. Breathe out for five seconds, counting 1-2-3-4-5. Simply be aware of your stressed or nervous feelings. Don’t judge those feelings or try to push them away. They will pass as you count and breathe.
  • Release tension in your body. Sit, stand or lie down in a comfortable position. Simply notice where you feel tense or stress in your body. When you breathe in, picture yourself gathering the stress or worry into a cloud. When you breathe out, picture yourself releasing that stress or blowing the cloud away.

Research shows that practicing everyday mindfulness is good for our physical, social and emotional health and well-being. Even if our experience in a moment is painful or challenging, we can remain open, aware and curious about it instead of running from it or fighting with it. When we remain mindful and in the present moment, we are better able to tap our deepest, wisest self and respond to hard situations in ways that reflect our core values and who we want to be in the world.

 

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).

On the shelf: ‘The Turn of the Screw’ by Henry James

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Stephanie M. White, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

A good ghost story never hurt anyone, and this ghost story is up there with the best of them. Henry James’s famous tale of a governess, her charges, and a big, scary house is wrought with mystery and suspense. Even after you’ve finished the last sentence, you’ll still be wondering on whose side you should be.

 

James weaves the story from the point of view of a young governess whose first position is in a large, country house with only two children and a few servants. She is given strict instructions never to bother the master of the house, who lives in town. When the governess begins seeing strangers around the house, she quickly learns that they are the ghosts of the children’s last governess and the master’s valet, who may have been involved in a scandalous pregnancy. As the governess determines a plan of action for keeping the children safe, the plot thickens.

 

James’s readers, on a first reading, are likely to trust the governess when she tells us of the apparitions. As the story continues, though, it becomes more and more difficult to understand whether she is really seeing ghosts, whether the children are trying to trick her, or whether she is trying to trick them. The less their governess trusts the sweet children, the less readers trust the governess.

 

While this short novel will leave you wondering about who’s seeing ghosts, it will also leave you amazed at James’s talent for weaving a tale with such ambiguity and suspense.

Employment Expertise: Meet the Manager — Juan Rosario

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

 

By West Michigan Works!

 

Our Westside Service Center is one of three places job seekers can visit in Kent County. We’d like to introduce you to the service center manager, Juan Rosario.

 

What is your favorite part of your job?

 

My favorite part of my job is our intentionality with being part of the community. We are more than just workshops; we are a helping hand and a friendly face. We try to be the neighborhood know-it-all so we can always connect job seekers to resources.

 

Insider tip: when’s the best time for job seekers to come to the service center?

 

The best time for job seekers to come to the service center may sometimes be their worst time. We will help guide and alleviate frustrations that come with struggling to navigate through systems on their own.

 

But if you think the “best time” means when we are the least busy, I would say early morning and late in the day.

 

What is something we offer that you wish more job seekers knew about?

 

I wish more job seekers attended our Career Exploration and Employability Skills workshops. These two workshops set the framework for identifying interests and skills and how to align them with a high demand career. These workshops are helpful for everyone, regardless of industry or position.

 

What energizes you?

 

My family, and hope for humanity. Among the chaos and conflict all over the world there are acts of kindness being performed but not by people of different races, not by people of different religions, and not by people of different countries, but by one being the Human Being.

 

What skill would you like to master?

 

I would like to master carpentry; the ability to build your own home or “tiny” home would be extremely gratifying. That, or speaking every language in the world.

 

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on without any preparation?

 

How my 9 year old son’s obsession with FORTNITE (video game) affects his ability to do chores, or I could present on TACOS but who can’t talk about tacos for 40 minutes.

 

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

 

 

School News Network: ‘Holy hot course, Batman!’

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,

By Erin Albanese 

School News Network

 

Senior Amber Ching has two folders filled with drawings of colorful, expressive, Anime-style people and animals. They could make perfect characters in a graphic novel.

 

But Amber likes the idea of creating graphics specifically for a story, complementing the plot and theme, as she’s noticed graphic novelists do that as they combine artwork and the written word.

 

Senior Josh Ypma reads ‘Maus’

“People tend to change their art style because of how they want to have the story written,” she said.

 

Students in Wyoming High School English teacher Kevin Mulvihill’s Graphic Novels class – many who read “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books and superhero comics as youngsters –  are eagerly turning the pages of books that cover many different topics and genres through narratives and drawings. Like Amber, they are learning the different techniques and thoughts behind words and images.

 

The semester course was introduced last year, along with Mythology and Science Fiction classes, as a way to bring more English elective options to students and expand their reading horizons. Worth half a credit, Graphic Novels appeals to artsy students and superhero fans as well as English-language learners, who study language through pictures and words, and those who need to catch up on credits.

 

 

Senior Amber Ching draws characters that could be used in graphic novels

Sketchy Selections

 

Students are required to read 10 books, seven of their choice and three as a class: “American Born Chinese,” by Gene Luen Yang; “Maus,” by Art Spiegelman, the first graphic novel awarded a Pulitzer Prize; and “My Friend Dahmer,” by John “Derf” Backderf. Choice books must come from the categories of superheroes, nonfiction, coming of age, retelling a classic, and science fiction/fantasy/horror.  Students create their own mini-graphic novel for their final exam.

 

Graphic books are not necessarily easy reads, said Mulvihill, who also teaches English 101 at Grand Rapids Community College. Many of them, like the required reads, present heavy themes. Many include lots of text. Plus, superheroes and their adversaries are advanced in all ways. “These villains have a big vocabulary,” Mulvihill said.

 

Mulvihill was interested in teaching the course because he knew of the popularity of graphic novels among students — and he loves them too.

 

“I learned how to read by reading comic books when I was a little kid,” he said. “In the summer, my brother and I would ride our bikes to Argos Book Shop in Eastown and get the 5-cent comics out of the 5-cent comic bin and just read. I kind of just never stopped.”

 

Some students in the course hope to pursue careers in art, graphics or 3-D and animation.

 

“I’ve always liked to draw comics,” said senior Stephanie Bricero, who is planning to attend Kendall College of Art and Design next year for graphic design. She said she especially likes reading superhero and horror graphic novels. “English and art are my two favorite subjects. By putting my two favorite things together, I can learn about both.”

 

Kaitlyn Bernatowicz, who graduated last spring, created a graphic novel last school year

Electives Add Choice

 

Principal Nate Robrahn said adding new English electives provides students with more choice, gives staff more freedom in instruction, and exposes students to the type of specialized courses they may take in college. Plus teachers love sharing their passion for books.

 

“I have some staff that are ravenous readers and it’s fun to see that carrying over to the kids,” Robrahn said.

 

Students are eager to have courses that lead them to books and topics they might seek out on their own.

 

“The kids have responded well,” said Robrahn, who has made it a priority to stock classrooms with books. “I see them engaging more with books and then having more discussion around them. That’s been pretty exciting.”

 

The high school has also added Reader’s Workshop, a course for which students read books from various genres, have discussions and post on Goodreads.

 

“You see more kids carrying books and more and more kids reading,” Robrahn said.

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

 

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Wyoming leader recently named president of Rotary Club of Grand Rapids

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,
Chelsea Dubey was recently named the new president of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

“I’m a Michigan State graduate, so when I took this job I knew there would be a lot of wearing of blue and gold,” said Strategic Relations Manager Chelsea Dubey as she walked through the halls of the Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Professional Building.

 

Blue and gold are not only the colors of Dubey’s place of employment but of the civic organization that she is very passionate about and recently was named president of — the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. 

 

“I guess you can say I am a Rotary junkie,” said Dubey, who is the youngest female to take the helm of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, which has been a part of the city for 105 years.

 

Yes, we said Rotary Club

 

“I think people have an image of what Rotary is,” Dubey said. “They think of a group of older, white men and it is very diverse, with members ranging from ages 21 to 92.”

 

And the professions represented are quite varied as well from small business owners to executives of large corporations with many being like Dubey, mid-level leaders representing their particular company or organization, she said. 

 

“There are people early in their careers, those who have advanced, and those who are retiring or entering a different phase of their career,” Dubey said, adding that one of the reasons she has enjoyed being a part of Rotary is because of the diversity of professions, ages and career levels. 

 

Chelsea Dubey is the Strategic Relations Manager for Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Original from Michigan’s thumb area, Dubey and her husband were living and working in Memphis, Tenn., but always knew they wanted to return to Michigan, she said.

 

“We had heard a lot of great things about West Michigan and basically looked exclusive here to make it our home,” she said.

 

Six years ago, the couple moved back, settling into the Ada area. While she knew of Rotary due to her father-in-law’s involvement, it was not until Dubey started working for WGVU that she became a member.

 

“Basically my predecessor Phil Catlett (who is the current president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan) had been a Rotarian,” Dubey said. “My boss said, ‘You have to be a Rotarian.’”

 

It made sense to Dubey since her job at WGVU was about philanthropy and making connections within the community. So Dubey joined the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and quickly discovered how much she loved being a part of it.

 

“Rotary gives me so much joy,” Dubey said. “No matter what my mood is, those Thursday meetings just really make my day.”

 

Like many civic organizations, the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids has seen a decrease in membership over the years. At its peek in the 1990s, according to Dubey, the club had around 400 members. Today that number is around 220. Dubey said there are a number of reasons for the decline, one being that there are just so many more opportunities for professionals.

 

“There are organizations more tailored to your profession,” She said. “For example, if you are in fundraising, there is a fundraising professionals group along with the other possible civic organizations like Rotary,” Dubey said. The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids has partnered with many young professional groups to make those members aware that once they age out that Rotary is an option, she said.

 

People of action, not accolades

 

Another reason for the decline, is that Rotary Clubs and Rotarians do not “toot their own horn” so to speak.

 

“People are not really aware of what Rotary has done because we tend to want to do something but are not interested in being acknowledged for what we have done,” Dubey said, adding that Rotarians have been involved in much of the development of Grand Rapids, from its parks to its buildings and many area businesses, with the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids having included such members as Fred Meijer and Gerald R. Ford.

 

Following the lead of Rotary International, the Grand Rapids club has focused on the eradication of polio and clean water supplies with Rotarians traveling to countries to help install club-purchased water filtration systems.

 

Dubey said the group is also at the beginning of doing an iconic project for the city of Grand Rapids. What it will be, Dubey said she is not certain yet, but it will be a pretty significant investment into the city.

 

For now, Dubey is looking at her one-year term, focused on strengthening a couple of the clubs’ committees and inspiring members to volunteer locally and contribute to both the local and Rotary International foundations. 

 

“I believe the reason why the Rotary has been around so long and that people have been able to be in it for 40 years or so is because it ebbs and follows according to your career,” Dubey said. “You can be as involved as you want or you can step back and just come to the luncheons. It’s what you want to do.

 

“Rotary has done a lot for me. I have grown as a leader from running a board meeting to presenting to about 100 people a week. It is the best professional development I could every have had.”

 

To learn more about Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, visit grrotary.org.

 

GVSU Veterans History project: Preserving the stories of the soldier

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Elizabeth Voltz

WKTV Intern

 

It is estimated that the United States loses about 600 World War II veterans and 300 Vietnam veterans per day. And as these veterans pass, lost are their stories of some of the most historic challenges the United States has faced. In 2006, the GVSU Veterans History Project began recording veterans’ personal stories. The program not only preserves those histories but serves as a reminder of what many veterans did for our country. Director James Smither visited WKTV to talk about some of the unforgettable stories in honor of Veteran’s Day.

 

Smither estimated he has completed more than 1,000 interviews since 2007. One that still stands out in his mind today is Francisco Vega, a WWII veteran from San Antonio, Texas. His military career almost didn’t happen because the government didn’t want to recruit him as he was Mexican. On D-Day, Vega was on Omaha Beach in the advanced headquarters for Eisenhower. Vega had many stories to share including dangling off the Eiffel Tower to get a picture.

 

Michael Woods, a New Orleans native, had an argument with his principal and left school to join the Marines. However, Woods lied about his age and got caught, but his mother later signed for him to join. Without a high school diploma or a college degree, he had a long-standing career in the military that allowed him to travel the world.

 

Smither believes capturing stores like the two above is just one small way of acknowledging the service that many men and women provided to their country. Additionally, many of these stories provide insights that the world may not have ever known about. It’s just one way to get in touch with our country’s history.

How much physical activity does your child need?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Kids Activities, , ,
Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Tyler Becker, Michigan State University Extension

 

Due to the importance of exercise, there are physical activity guidelines for both youth and adults. Overall, physically active youth have stronger muscles and bones, lower body fat and lower risk for depression and anxiety than physically inactive youth. Physically active youth are usually healthier adults with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and numerous other chronic diseases. The current guidelines for children 6 to 17 years of age include being physically active for at least 60 minutes or more each day with aerobic, muscle and bone strengthening activities.

Aerobic Activity

Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise is defined as activity in which an individual is rhythmically moving large muscle groups thereby increasing one’s heart rate and use of oxygen. In turn, this increases an individual’s cardiorespiratory fitness. Examples of aerobic activity include biking, running, jogging, swimming, jumping rope, etc. Majority of a child’s daily physical activity should be either moderately or vigorously intense aerobic activity, with the latter included in at least three days of the week. Examples of moderately intense aerobic activity includes hiking, biking and brisk walking and examples of vigorous-intense aerobic activity include running, active games with a running component like tag, some sports like basketball or tennis and martial arts.

Muscle Strengthening Activity

Muscle strengthening activity is movement in which the body’s muscles perform more work than is usually done in daily life. When we think of muscle-strengthening activity, we commonly think of lifting weights, however, this is not necessarily the case. Examples of other muscle-strengthening activities for children include bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats or curl-ups, resistance exercises with bands, games such as tug-of-war and playing on playground equipment. Muscle-strengthening activities should be included as part of the 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity at least three days per week. For further information related to muscle-strengthening activity in younger male and female children, refer to the Updated Youth Resistance Training Position Statement from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Bone Strengthening Activity

Bone strengthening activity is primarily designed to increase bone strength and growth by providing an impact or tension force on the bones. Bone strengthening activities can also be muscle strengthening or aerobic activities as well. Examples of these include jumping rope, running, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, etc. Bone strengthening activities should also be performed as part of the 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity at least three days per week.

What about children under 6 years of age?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that physical activity in children less than 6 years of age, including infants, is important, however, there currently are not any recommended guidelines. The recommendations emphasize that physical activity be performed to promote health-related fitness and movement skills that are age appropriate. For further information, refer to Physical Activity from Birth – 5 years.

 

Overall, youth aged 6 to 17 years of age should be performing at least 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day, consisting of primarily aerobic activity, but also muscle and bone strengthening activities at least three days per week. Michigan State University Extension recommends gradually increasing the number of days and time spent being active to help reduce chances of injury.

 

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).

SMART goals make good resolutions all year

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, How-To's, Recreation, Senior Living,

By Laurie Rivetto, Michigan State University Extension

 

Many people use New Year’s resolutions to better themselves and their lives. Goals can also be set at any time in the year to work towards a life improvement. How many times have you set a New Year’s resolution or a life goal only to feel like you were not able to achieve it? To help you be more successful this year, start with a solid, goal-setting plan.

 

A study at Dominican University of California found that more than 70 percent of the participants who sent weekly updates to a friend reported successful goal achievement (completely accomplished their goal or were more than half way there), compared to 35 percent of those who kept their goals to themselves without writing them down. Writing down your goals and sharing them with someone else matters.

 

In addition, your written New Year’s resolution or life goal should be SMART to be successful. Michigan State University Extension can help you make those goals SMART, an acronym that stands for:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Attainable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

When creating a goal, there are a variety of questions you should ask yourself as they relate to specific parts of the acronym:

  • Specific. What exactly needs to be accomplished? Who else might be involved? Where will this take place? Why do I want to accomplish this?
  • Measurable. How will I know if I have succeeded? How many steps will it take to achieve this?
  • Attainable. Do I have the resources I need to make this happen? Is this goal neither too easy, nor too hard for me to accomplish? Will the steps I have planned help me reach my goal?
  • Relevant. Can I commit to this goal? Will I not be able to reach another goal or do something else I want to do because I am working towards this goal?
  • Time-bound. When is the deadline? When do I need to take action?

Take time to answer each of these questions as you create your goal. Using the SMART goal process can help you decide if the goal is a good fit for you as it is, or if you need to revise it to ensure success. It is often best to start with the time-bound, specific and measurable and then review them for being attainable and relevant.

 

An example of a goal that isn’t quite SMART would be, “I want to take a trip to Europe next October for my birthday.” The same goal, after being put through the SMART process by an individual, might look like this:

  • Specific. “I want to take a two-week trip to Ireland with my sister for my birthday in October of next year.”
  • Measurable. “I need to save $4,000 to cover flight costs, lodging, transportation and miscellaneous costs based on my research.”
  • Time-bound. “October is nine months away. That means I need to save $444 a month until October to have my $4,000 set aside to cover costs.”
  • Attainable. “$444 is a lot of money a month for me to set aside when I also am saving for a car.”
  • Relevant. “I am not sure I can commit to this goal. It might set me back from getting my car; perhaps I should plan for a different trip.”

In this example, having decided this goal is too much at this time, the process can be repeated; this time, the new goal is to take a trip to a Seattle, Washington, for five days and save $1,000. This allows the goal to be more likely to be achieved, aligned with the individual’s other goals and plans, and able to be measured and adjusted as needed along the way.

 

The National Endowment for Financial Education High School Financial Planning Program uses SMART to help young people make financial goals such as buying a smart phone, saving for spring break or getting a new pair of sneakers.

 

The SMART goal process works great with financial goals and it can also be used for any goal such as weight loss, reading a certain number of books a year, organizing a room or managing time effectively. By being SMART, you will be on your way to reaching your goal!

 

Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. As a result of career exploration and workforce preparation activities, thousands of Michigan youth are better equipped to make important decisions about their professional future, ready to contribute to the workforce and able to take fiscal responsibility in their personal lives.

 

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).

Cat of the week: Aoili

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, 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).

 

What are the chances that this saucy, spicy kitty that is unable to hear would be discovered and ultimately rescued by an interpreter for the deaf? We couldn’t believe it either, but when former volunteer Kathy relayed the story of how this two-year-old (born around October of 2016) came to be, we were convinced more than ever that fate plays a huge part in our everyday lives.

 

This wispy little waif was literally starving out in Sandy Pines, taking up residence outside of a pizza joint and running after golf carts in hopes of scoring dinner; after spending far too many days chasing after humans for handouts that never came, and countless cold nights huddled in the rain in hopes of someone taking her in, she was literally begging for a second chance. So kindhearted Kathy took it upon herself to insure kitty had a safe place to go (Crash’s) and armed with cat food and a carrier, headed out to find, feed and cart this hungry kitty off to warmth and safety—and all before an early morning work meeting on Oct. 1, 2018.

 

Thankfully, adorable, outgoing Aoili had already been spayed before she was carelessly tossed out like the trash, but she was still quite defenseless given the fact she wouldn’t be able to hear danger presenting itself until it could have been far too late. She was filthy, flea-ridden and later developed an ear infection and nasty respiratory virus that caused oral ulceration and a high fever—as if the poor girl hadn’t been through enough already.

 

However, true to her spunky nature, she rebounded with ease and put much-needed weight back on her undernourished frame. Those first few days at Crash’s were spent filling her belly, sleeping and getting acclimated to her new surroundings, all the while letting her roomies and caretakers get to know what an independent and incredibly intriguing girl she is; suffice it to say she certainly made her presence known!

 

While she’s not one to physically pick a fight, she sure is one to let out a heck of a growl to let the other kitties know her personal space is important to her. It is safe to assume that because she’s deaf, she easily gets overwhelmed with all the other cats, and tends to be a bit hissy. She’s getting better about being picked up, gets excited when she smells treats or sees the food tray coming, and could spend all day on the window ledge watching the birds and squirrels. She really is an adorable, gorgeous girl with her baby blues and snow-white fur, but she would definitely need a home that understands she is special needs and will need some time adjusting to everything in her new environment that she can only see and smell.

 

Aioli can run very hot and cold: she can be incredibly sweet when it pleases her, but when she’s done with snuggles and loving she isn’t afraid to slap you. She also gets irritated if she is woken up suddenly as she can’t hear you coming, so it simply scares her. She prefers the other cats to keep their distance but is fine with them if they respect the spatial boundaries she has set up for herself. She would do best in a home without young kids since she does spook easily.

 

We would love to see her in a place where she could spend the afternoons dozing in the sun, then have her humans come home to spoil her with tasty little tidbits, a few pets here and there and some comfy couch time.

 

Aioli is going to be a bit more challenging to adopt out given her attitude, but it is her tenacity and take-charge demeanor that got her noticed in the first place, so we don’t fault her for being a bit demanding. Considering everything she has been through and how hard she fought to get to where she is today, everyone who meets her is instantly in awe of her survival instincts and enamored by her charm and beauty. We sure do love our saucy, sassy spitfire—and you will, too!

More about Aoili :

  • Medium
  • Domestic short hair
  • Adult
  • Female
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Special needs: deaf, spooks easily
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
  • Prefers a home without children

Want to adopt Aoili? 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, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
  
                                                  ― Oscar Wilde

One hot, little number

 

We don’t know from whence these lists come, but apparently 4 9 5 0 8 is being hailed by Realtor.com as the hottest zip code in the entire US of A. And, it just so happens to be Kentwood’s zip code. Read all about it here.

 

Gobble, gobble

 

Mel Trotter Ministries is asking the community to donate frozen turkeys for its 15th annual ‘Turkey Drop’ project — their goal is to collect 1,500 gobblers to distribute to neighbors in need throughout West Michigan during the holiday season. They’re accepting donations Nov. 14th. Go here for more info.

 

Here’s to your health

 

Open enrollment for Healthcare.gov marketplace insurance plans ends Dec. 15th, so be sure to act now. There are some changes for 2019, and you know how time does fly when there’s a ridiculously short deadline. Go here for more info.

 

Fun Fact:

There is a technical name
for the “fear of long words”

It’s called “hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.”

Allegiant announces new nonstop service to Sarasota from Grand Rapids

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Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announces service from Grand Rapids to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) beginning April 5, 2019. To celebrate, the company is offering one-way fares on the new route as low as $55.*

 

“We’re thrilled to grow again in Grand Rapids,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant vice president of planning and revenue. “We’re sure that area travelers will enjoy getting away to beautifulSarasota on these convenient, nonstop, ultra-low-cost flights.”

 

The new year-round flights will operate twice weekly. With the addition of this new route, Allegiant will now serve seven cities from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com.

 

“We are thrilled to add a seventh Allegiant destination to our route map. There is no greater way to please West Michigan travelers than to announce service to Florida’s Gulf Coast right as our winter season is gearing up,” said Tara Hernandez, marketing and communications director at Gerald R. Ford International Airport. “We are thankful that our partners at Allegiant recognize thegrowth opportunities in Grand Rapids and continue to invest their services in our market.”

 

“We have had a record-breaking year, and with Allegiant adding another nonstop flight to our 2019 schedule, we’re going to continue record numbers into next year,” said Dan Koorndyk, GFIABoard Chair. “We’re proud to have had Allegiant here since 2009, and we love to see the airline’s continue growth.”

 

Allegiant offers a unique option to Grand Rapids-area travelers with low base fares and savings on rental cars and hotels. Travelers can book their entire vacation with Allegiant for less.

 

*About the introductory one-way fares:

 

Seats and dates are limited and fares are not available on all flights. Flights must be purchased by Nov. 14, 2018 for travel by Aug. 13, 2019. Price displayed reflects purchase of a round-trip itinerary and includes taxes, carrier charges & government fees. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Optional baggage charges and additional restrictions may apply. For more details, optional services and baggage fees, please visit Allegiant.com.

 

School News Network: Sleep from A to ZZZ

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,
Third-grader Syreeion Tyler snuggles his new blanket

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

It’s hard to focus on school if you haven’t had your z’s, sleep educators from the Farmington Hills-based nonprofit organization Sweet Dreamzzz recently told Townline Elementary students.

 

First-grader Issabelle Saldivar chose a panda pattern

Sleep helps you learn, grow and be healthy, they told pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students. So, it’s important to follow a relaxing bedtime routine.

 

Townline staff members raised money to host the program, which aims to improve the health, well-being, and academic performance of economically disadvantaged children by providing sleep education and bedtime essentials. Townline Elementary has a high percentage of students from low-income families.

 

“Sleep is important for kids physically and socially emotionally,” said Principal Michelle Downs. “We really felt like it was something that isn’t talked about a lot and isn’t explicitly taught.”

 

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“Sleep is one thing we know, regardless of income, everyone can attain — and it’s free,” added Ann Raftery, director of sleep programs for Sweet Dreamzzz. “We teach ‘that’s when your body and brain grow.’”

 

Each student received a large fleece blanket, made by students at Divine Child High School in Dearborn, and a toothbrush and toothpaste kit.

 

Third-grader Syreeion Tyler snuggled his new bright yellow blanket. He said he planned to get to bed on time, read a book and relax. “If you get enough sleep when you go to bed you won’t be tired,” he said. “I’m putting it on my bed.”

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

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Kentwood Mayor Kepley, city’s ‘hot’ zip code, on WKTV Journal In Focus

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, WKTV Journal In Focus,

 

K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley — a staunch, vocal advocate for the livability of his city and the interests of its residents — was recently, given another point of pride about the city.

 

Kentwood’s 4 9 5 0 8 zip code was recently named the Hottest Zip Code in the nation by Realtor.com, beating out hot-spot cities such as Colorado Springs and Kansas City suburb Overland Park, Kansas.

 

In Focus, Mayor Kepley talks why he is not surprised by the national notice and other special items of note that are happening in the city.

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

 

A leg up for caregivers

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, Local Business, Local Faces, Our Cities, Senior Living, , , , ,

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By Eve Clayton, Spectrum Health Beat; photos by Chris Clark

 

Kathy Earle had her right hip replaced the first Monday in June. Two days later, she found herself recovering at home and ready to climb the 14 stairs to her second-floor bedroom.

 

With her daughter, Emily Adamczyk, behind her for support, Earle, 62, recited the rule she learned from the staff at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital, where she had her surgery: “Up with your good leg first, down with your bad leg first.”

 

The mother and daughter had picked up that tip and many others when, a few weeks before her surgery, they attended a joint replacement class for patients and their caregivers.

 

Adamczyk heard this tip again just before discharge, at a new class offered for caregivers of hip and knee replacement patients.

Ready to go
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

The pre-discharge class packs a lot of information into a half hour, including cautions and reminders. The class made Adamczyk more comfortable with the idea of being her mom’s at-home caregiver.

 

“Seeing what she was capable of in the hospital was great, but then it was like, ‘Oh boy, now I have to support her by myself,’” she said. “To have a chance to sit down and hear it all again in class was really helpful.”

 

In addition to providing information about helping patients move around safely, the class—co-taught by a registered nurse and a physical or occupational therapist—covers several other topics, including:

  • Wound care
  • Pain medications and pain management
  • Preventing blood clots, infections, constipation and falls
  • When to seek medical help
  • Alternatives to the emergency department, such as orthopedic urgent care centers

The orthopedics team rolled the class out in March to give caregivers more confidence as they take their loved ones home, according to Liz Schulte, MSN, RN, nurse manager.

 

“Our patients are seeing shorter and shorter times in the hospital, and when they go home they still have a long road of recovery ahead,” Schulte said. “So to prepare that caregiver, who will be the one helping them with their medications, helping them ambulate—all of these hands-on things—it better sets them up for success.”

 

Consulting her class notes at home helped, too, Adamczyk said. When her mom’s leg began to swell, she checked a class handout to confirm that swelling is a normal part of the healing process.

 

“I think that if I didn’t know that, I would have been nervous,” she said.

 

Spectrum Health’s joint replacement program is one of the largest in the country and one of the first that The Joint Commission certified for total hip and total knee replacements.

 

“Part of the certification process is looking at your whole program and looking at what you can improve,” Schulte said, noting the program’s recent re-certification. The joint replacement discharge class is a step toward improved patient outcomes.

Freedom from pain

From Earle’s perspective, her outcome has been “amazing.” Just nine days after surgery—about a week ahead of schedule—she abandoned her walker and began using a cane to get around the house.

 

“Each day there’s something that gets a little easier. Each day it gets stronger,” said Earle, a retired elementary school teacher who lives outside Rockford, Michigan. “It’s amazing what the human body can do.”

 

Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat

Her right hip replacement has gone so well that she even plans to ask her surgeon, Thomas Malvitz, MD, about moving up the date of her eventual left hip replacement, she said. After dealing with arthritis pain for more than two years, she’s excited about the prospect of being free of pain.

 

“She loves to travel and has gone a lot of places with this sore hip, but it has slowed her down a lot,” Adamczyk said. “It was affecting her quality of life.”

 

Once Earle’s post-surgery driving restriction is lifted, one of her first trips this summer may well be to Lake Michigan.

 

“I definitely am looking forward to walking on a beach,” she said. “I think that would be an awesome thing.”

 

Experiencing knee or hip pain? Schedule an appointment with Spectrum Health Medical Group Orthopedics at 616.267.8860. Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital is a recipient of the Healthgrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award and is among the top 5 percent in the nation for joint replacement.

On the shelf: ‘Yoga Over 50’ by Mary Stewart

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Kelly Helder, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

So you’ve been watching your diet and eating all the right foods in the hopes of keeping the weight off and your cholesterol down. You’re walking every day, getting out in the fresh air, working those leg muscles. “But,” you say, “that’s not enough; I need more” (and more not being cardio boot camp!). What could you do that is low impact, practiced by millions, and could improve your blood pressure while relieving symptoms of arthritis? Yoga, of course! It doesn’t matter if you are over 50, can’t cross your legs or don’t know a word of Sanskrit. Yoga doesn’t discriminate.

 

Mary Stewart, author of Yoga Over 50: The Way to Vitality, Health and Energy in the Prime of Life, has been teaching yoga for over 20 years (and is herself over 50). After a brief introduction about yoga and its history, there is a section on the healthy body and how it works. Then we dive into the meat of the book — yoga poses. All of the classics are here, such as Triangle, Warrior and Downward Facing Dog. Accompanying each pose is a brief description, which includes instructions on how to get into the pose and why it is beneficial to you. Step by step color photographs of each pose give an idea of what you are eventually aiming for (remember, the models in the book have been practicing yoga for years).

 

Through bringing together body, mind and spirit, we are shown how to relax and let our tensions dissolve. Photos and text illustrate the techniques of proper breathing, meditation and Savasana, or the relaxing Corpse pose. Beginner to advanced routines round out the book. There are also short programs for people who want to target specific problem areas of the body, such as stiff hips and backaches. According to statistics, over 19% of US yoga practitioners are over 50, so come on, join the fun!