All posts by Joanne

School News Network: Women in skilled trades hone skills, explore careers, network with industry experts

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(Courtesy photo) Driving big equipment is a highlight of Project Accelerate

 

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

(Courtesy photo) Women in Project Accelerate, pictured with an engineer, visit a worksite

Camille Reed is a business owner who wants to learn more about the construction industry. Brenna Mosley is a 2018 East Kentwood High School graduate with a dream to run an architecture and construction firm. Serena Small is a stay-at-home mother pursuing a degree in construction management. Elma Balic is an architectural drafter who wants to get away from from her desk and into the field.

 

The women, all with different backgrounds and goals, are exploring careers in construction, engineering, design and skilled trades by visiting businesses, seeing fieldwork up close and getting into the driver’s seats of big machines. They are completing Project Accelerate, a seven-week, once-weekly course offered through The Build Initiative, a Pontiac-based program that works to build knowledge for women interested in construction and related fields.

“My goal is to get as much information about the industry as possible,” Mosley said. Grand Rapids Community College is hosting the 10-woman cohort, the first for Grand Rapids, in space at the GRCC Leslie E.Tassell M-TEC. GRCC instructors lead sessions on carpentry and safety. Another cohort is planned for next fall.

 

 

 

 

“Our participants are entry level to CEO,” said Program Director Rita Brown, as participants attended a Friday session on construction law in a GRCC classroom. “What they have in common is they’re women and they want more knowledge. You can lead better with more knowledge, (and) you can learn better when you know where to get that knowledge.”

 

Women are networking, aligning talents and learning the scope of jobs available in the traditionally male-dominated fields, she said. They drove Caterpillar construction machines with help from Michigan CATand Operating Engineers 324 representatives, read blueprints with an engineer from Soils and Structures and listened to speakers in the industry.

 

“This program is about gearing up; it’s about exposing strengths we didn’t even know we had, reinforcing areas that need to be reinforced,” said Brown, who relies on volunteers to run the program. “Not a single bit of this is about lack at all. This as about the fact that we can do it for ourselves. It’s about accelerating our careers.”

 

Julie Parks, GRCC executive director of workplace training, said GRCC is excited about the partnership and to bring women into the building who are involved in construction and related fields. “We have women in our skilled trade programs and this is a way to connect them with people in the industry,” she said.

 

GRCC is exploring ways to provide articulated credits for Project Accelerate experiences in the future. “What we are really trying to do is help find pathways,” Parks said.

 

Brenna Mosley, a 2018 East Kentwood High School graduate, is exploring careers in construction

Showing the Way for Women

 

Brown knows how to navigate the industry. She owns a steel detailing company and is the north central regional director for National Association of Women in Construction. She started Project Accelerate about six years ago after realizing the need. It also has cohorts in Detroit and Flint.

 

During the economic downturn, Brown had to downsize her staff. Her female employees were unsure of their next move.“The men seemed to be at least a little bit more sure of what they could possibly do, but the women were not as sure,” she said.

 

According to information from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 9 percent of U.S. construction workers are women. Jobs are in high demand. According to West Michigan Works 2018 Hot Jobs list, jobs in construction are all projected to grow by at least 11 percent and as much as 22 percent by 2024.

 

Project Accelerate can help launch women into those jobs. “We are not trying to populate one single area of the industry. We are trying to make sure that women have the knowledge and opportunity to decide what their next best steps are,” Brown said. “From this program they will move to actual training programs, certification programs, degrees, jobs or will become better at the work they are already doing,” she said.

 

Participant Camille Reed, who co-owns a multi-service company that specializes in painting, carpentry and facilities management, said she wants to meet other professional women through Project Accelerate.

 

“For me, it’s the empowerment they are giving ladies to enter the construction field,” she said. She also was part of a Detroit cohort of Project Accelerate in June and July, and has learned everything from bricklaying, engineering, work-site development and road construction. “This is just giving me another insight of the construction field, and it gives me the change to network,” she said.

 

Serena Small, of Lansing, never considered a career in construction until she met Brown at a program called Women In Skilled Trades. She is currently enrolled at Lansing Community College majoring in construction management, which she knows will connect her to many different opportunities. She said Project Accelerate is another way to build her construction savvy.

 

“It’s opening my eyes to the construction industry as far as it’s not just manual labor. There are a lot of different careers in the construction industry,” Small said.

 

“This is definitely what I needed. I needed more information on the possibilities and the different careers that there are.”

 

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

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Kent District Library goes mobile to reach underserved areas, improve reading proficiency

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

In Kent County, about 50 percent of the third grade students are at a grade level reading proficiency, and 50 percent are not. It is odds that the Kent District Library hopes to improve upon with the launch of its new bookmobile.

 

“There are several studies that have shown that if [students] hadn’t hit reading level proficiency by third grade they have a deficit that actually kind of hobbles their ability to be successful in further schooling efforts especially after they get done with high school,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner. “They face a struggle pretty much for the rest of their lives.”

 

However, by getting reading materials to students before or as they enter third grade, KDL hopes to help make a dent in the area’s third grade reading issues. To help with that, KDL decided to turn to an old program it offered about 30 years ago  — a bookmobile.

 

KDL Executive Director Lance Werner in the new KDL Bookmobile.

“A lot of people say, why not just use technology, and the honest God truth is not everybody has access to technology and sometimes taking a low tech solution makes sense,” said Werner during a recent unveiling of the bookmobile at Steelcase. “We want to make sure people have access to physical materials and actual books as well as technology.

 

“That’s the whole purpose of the bookmobile. It is literally a library on wheels.”

 

The bookmobile was made possible through a $208,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation with a Frey Foundation grant covering the bookmobile’s materials and J&H Family Stores covering a full year of fuel.

 

The bookmobile is 36 feet long, 11 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide. It weighs about 22,000 pounds with the collection inside. That collection includes books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, and video games. The bookmobile itself is a hotspot and will also have hotspots available for checkout as well as iPads and computers. Additional, from April to October, the bookmobile will have two bicycles available for checkout.

 

The white, green and blue vehicle has a TV screen on the outside to allow for movie presentations. There is also a lift on the back of the bookmobile, so it is handicap accessible.

 

The new KDL Bookmobile was unveiled at a special event at Steelcase. The Steelcase Foundation helped to launch the project with a $208,000 grant.

The bookmobile will be visiting a number of locations from area schools to retirement centers. KDL Community Engagement Manager Sara Proano said materials can be tailored to a specific location. So if the stop is at a school, age appropriate items will be available, and if the stop is a retirement center, materials, such as large print books, will be geared more towards that age range.

 

Werner said the biggest focus is the areas that are underserved because they are rural and/or there are not libraries available.

 

“There are a lot of areas of Kent County that are underserved and we want to make sure we are able to reach people where they are at,” Werner said, adding that the bookmobile will be visiting schools in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas.

 

“We aim to be a part of the campus and have stops on their campuses to make sure that kids not only have excellent services from their media centers in the school, but excellent services from the Kent District Library and a lot of times school kids have the biggest transportation issues out of all of us and really for some of those kids the only chance they will get to visit the library will be to visit the bookmobile when it comes to their school.”

 

The bookmobile will run Mondays through Thursdays plus Saturdays. Fridays are reserved for special events and maintenance. The bookmobile will return to locations so that people have time to return materials, Werner said, adding that materials can be returned to any KDL branch.

 

For the bookmobile schedule visit kdl.org and go to events, clicking bookmobile under branches or go to kdl.org/bookmobile where people can request a visit from the bookmobile.

 

Cat of the week: Ruger

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Pets/Animals, , , , , , ,

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

In August of 2018, Dr. Jen received an email from a woman who came across this gorgeous gray and buff boy (all boy, if ya know what I mean) hanging around her workplace. She took him in to her vet to have him looked over and discovered, besides the obvious frayed ear tips, greasy stud tail and enlarged jowls, that he suffered from some significant dental issues and was FIV+. So she reached out to us to see if we could help him, offering to drive him up to the vet clinic in Wyoming and pay for his additional medical costs; we didn’t even need to see the picture of his long and lanky body sprawled out on a blanket, or gaze upon his goofy grin to know that he belonged with us at Big Sid’s.

 

Dr. Jen set to work on addressing his multitude of medical needs AFTER smooching his adorable face: neutering him, treating him for fleas, tending to a nasty nail fracture/toe infection, and extracting the broken roots of his upper canines (his upper incisors were already missing, more than likely due to the same trauma that snapped his fangs) along with several other rotten teeth. Once all was said and done, Ruger (born in early 2015) looked—and smelled—absolutely remarkable, and a few days later he bopped on down to our sanctuary with a smirk plastered on his face that elicited the same from every volunteer who crossed his path.

 

Our terrific tabby proved to be one of the happiest little campers around after settling and making himself at home; the benefits of indoor life seem to suit him immensely. Of course he appears to be smiling given his lack of choppers, but the more time Ruger spends in our care the more you can truly see how giddy he is, the glee just bubbling up inside of him, so the smile he boldly wears on his face does actually reflect how he feels with every fiber of his fabulous being.

 

Ruger still is a bit skittish when there is a lot of commotion going on, so a home with noisy dogs or boisterous kids may be too much for him, but he absolutely loves the company of the other cats, Craig in particular, so placing him in a home with another feline friend is a must. And he is a lover, not a biter (that would be quite difficult in his case), so the risk of viral transmission is minimal. He isn’t one to constantly seek out attention but will hand it over readily when you want some one-on-one kitty-time; he will also ask for your hand to bestow upon his the best belly rubs you can offer. Simply put, he is content to just BE a cat—an indoor, spoiled cat but a chill, laid-back cat.

 

It is a shame that his ears look like someone took pinking shears to them, and it upsets us that his adorable facial features came about due to the fact his health was neglected, but we choose to see the silver lining in instances like this, to look at the positive versus focusing on the negative. Our beautiful boy is emotionally none the worse for wear and he sports his unique physical traits with the pride of a survivor. Ruger is pawsitively one of the coolest cats around, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to make him your very own!

More about Ruger:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair (Buff/Tan/Fawn/Gray/Blue/Silver Tabby (Tiger Striped))
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats
  • FIV+

Want to adopt Ruger? 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.

 

 

School News Network: Space to breathe, move and reflect

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education,
Margie Muñoz practices yoga with eighth-graders Gio Mendoza, Dave Hill, and Shawn McClerkin

By Bridie Bereza

School News Network

 

Margie Muñoz led three eighth-graders through the halls of the middle school, down a winding staircase and into a windowless basement classroom. Once inside, she flipped open her laptop and started some relaxing music as students Dave Hill, Shawn McClerkin and Gio Mendoza kicked off flip-flops and tennis shoes and took a seat on a yoga mat.

 

After a quick “check-in,” during which two of the boys shared that they were feeling “cloudy” due to upcoming tests and other worries, Muñoz began.

 

“Breathe in… and out. In… and out. Child’s pose… down dog.”

 

Over the next 40 minutes, Dave, Shawn and Gio followed along as Muñoz led them through a series of yoga poses, breathing exercises and a meditation. Shawn requested a pose called “Warrior 1,” and at some point Dave rattled off the sequence along with her.

 

“Up dog, down dog, left foot forward. Warrior 1, warrior 2, plank and hold… ”

 

This is Room 301, “the dungeon,” Muñoz jokes. Last year it housed the Restorative Thinking Center, a place for students with behavioral challenges to regroup. When the center moved to a bright upstairs room, Muñoz, community school coordinator for Kent School Services Network, saw potential in the dimly-lit space. Now it’s a yoga studio.

 

Eighth-graders Gio Mendoza and Dave Hill relax during a meditation

A Tranquil Space

 

Muñoz says she has long been interested in the effects of yoga and meditation on children. She introduced the concept at her previous job as a direct care counselor at D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s home. There, she said, she saw how it relaxed some of the children in her care.

 

“Negative behaviors were learned somewhere and positive, calming behaviors can be learned as well.” — Godwin Heights Middle School Principal Bradley Tarrance

 

Muñoz has practiced yoga on and off for about 10 years, and every day for the past two years. When the Grand Rapids studio where she practices offered a lesson on how to use yoga and meditation with children, she jumped at the opportunity. Then, with the support of Principal Bradley Tarrance, she got to work transforming the room, decorating the space and reaching out to friends from the yoga studio, who donated nine mats.

 

“Kids want that space and want to be able to do that in the middle of their day,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to be able to offer that.”

 

The principal agrees.

 

“I was ecstatic when Margie brought up yoga to help our children with reflection techniques and calming techniques,” said Tarrance, who had seen success after implementing something similar at a school in Texas. “I love that Margie can share her love and the benefits of yoga with our children.”

 

Dave Hill moves into a yoga pose

Training the Brain

Currently, she targets students with challenges in the classroom or who are experiencing conflict with their peers. Sometimes asking students to do yoga together for a week, she said, can help them rebuild relationships.

 

Muñoz said yoga helps students reconnect with the frontal lobe, the part of the brain responsible for, among other things, judgment and self-control.

 

These days, Muñoz keeps a spare set of clothing in her office to quickly change from professional attire into yoga gear. She said she uses the space with students daily, sometimes multiple times a day.

 

“Kids don’t like to get in trouble,” she said. “It’s hard for them to sit in the classroom for seven hours. They want to do well in school; they just don’t have that control because they’re developing, and that’s where they are in that development.”

 

Giving them a little time and space to breathe, move and reflect, she said, can be just what they need to return to class and focus on learning.

 

“When we realize as educators that everything is learned, we have to be able to rethink how we address behavior,” Tarrance said, “Negative behaviors were learned somewhere and positive, calming behaviors can be learned as well.”

 

Muñoz is still tweaking what use of the room will look like, long-term. Many students have shown an interest in participating, she said. One thing is certain: the students who currently practice in the space approve.

 

“I like that it can keep you relaxed when you’re having a rough day,” Dave said. It was only his second session, but he said he was already looking forward to the next one.

 

Shawn agreed.

 

“Whenever you have a bad day, you can just come down here, let it out, and then you can go back to class and you don’t have to think about it.”

 

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

Salvation Army Kroc Center hosts popular Monster Mash

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By Jon Shaner

Salvation Army

 

The Salvation Army Kroc Center is holding its sixth-annual “Monster Mash” Halloween event on Friday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. 

 

This free event will feature “trunk-or-treating” in the Kroc’s east parking lot, giving families a fun and safe alternative to trick-or-treating in their own neighborhoods. Multiple Kroc Center and other Salvation Army groups will be distributing candy and other information, along with other local businesses. 

 

Last year’s Monster Mash attracted more than 2,000 people. In addition to the trunk-or-treating, concessions will be for sale (cash only, please), along with a Kroc members-only play area and other family activities. There is still time for businesses or community organizations to sign up; interested groups should contact Jon Shaner at jon_shaner@usc.salvationarmy.org before Monday, Oct. 22. 

 

“Monster Mash is one of our biggest events of the year,” said Captain Bill Brutto, senior officer for The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “We love giving families the opportunity to enjoy time together in a fun and safe environment. I’m not sure who gets more excited, the kids or our staff!” 

 

The event will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or lightning. Visit GrKrocCenter.org or call 616-588-7200 for more information. 

Grand Rapids symposium focused on Michigan opioid response

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The Michigan Public Health Practice-Based Research Network (MI-PBRN) presents its 2018 symposium at Western Michigan University’s Downtown Grand Rapids campus, 200 Ionia Avenue, Grand Rapids, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19.

 

The group’s fourth annual symposium is focused on the Michigan opioid prevention response, bringing together researchers, nonprofit administrators and policy makers to identify key aspects of Michigan’s opioid epidemic to develop collaborations to address Michigan’s opioid crisis.

 

“The opioid crisis is growing in Michigan. In our efforts to address the determinants of health, health inequity and health disparities, we are working to enhance our efforts to prevent opioid abuse,” said Dr. David Wingard, TrueNorth Community Services Director of Research and Strategic Development. “This year we are focusing this annual research symposium on opioid prevention by bringing in state and national experts to inform and guide our strategic efforts.”

 

More information including registration details can be found here:  http://www.truenorthservices.org/PBRNSymposium.

 

PARTICIPANTS

  • Keynote speaker: Dr. Kimberly Johnson, former director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • U.S. Congressman Fred Upton will host final session focused on the federal legislative impact on Michigan opioid response
  • Michigan Speaker of the House Tom Leonard (R-Dewitt)
  • Dr. Rob Lyerla, professor at Western Michigan University; former associate director of science at SAMHSA
  • Dr. Eden V. Wells, chief medical executive, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  • Lisa Brennan – executive director, Western Regional Area Health Education Center, Western Michigan University
  • Dr. Ron Cisler – dean, College of Health and Human Services, Western Michigan University Complete list of participants is available on the agenda, attached.

 

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you want to know

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WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world."
          -Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate

 

‘Book’ on over

 

The new KDL Bookmobile was unveiled at a special event at Steelcase. The Steelcase Foundation helped to launch the project with a $208,000 grant.

This week the Kent District Library unveiled its new Bookmobile, or as KDL Executive Director Lance Werner called it, “a library on wheels.” The Bookmobile, loaded with books and materials, will be heading out to service underserved areas and places where there is not a library readily available.

 

The goal is to help improve reading proficiency with students, Werner said, adding that the target age is third grade as students who are not at a reading proficiency by third grade could face more problems as they get older. The bookmobile has a rotating collection that can be curated for the places it visits whether it be a school or a senior center.

 

The KDL Bookmobile is scheduled to come to the KDL Kelloggsville Branch, located at the Kelloggsville High School, 4787 Division Ave. on Nov. 17 and to the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, Nov. 24. For a list of locations, visit kdl.org/bookmobile.

 

For more on the Bookmobile, click here.

 

 

Go Blue!

 

Godwin Heights will face off against Wyoming Lee this Friday in hopes of getting its sixth win and securing a place in the playoffs. And of course, WKTV will be there to cover all the action.

 

The playoff schedules will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 21 with Pre-District games kicking off the following weekend. All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 

 

By the Meter

 

Ada Limon

Two award-winning poets will be heading to Grand Valley State University Thursday, Oct. 18, to discuss their work.

 

Part of GVSU’s Fall Arts Celebration, poets Ada Limón and Carl Phillips will begin the discussion at 7:30 p.m. at GVSU’s Eberdhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids. Limón is the author of five books of poetry, including her new book The Carrying (2018). Phillips is the author of 14 books of poetry, including his most recent works, Wild Is the Wind (2018) and Reconnaissance (2015).

 

For more on the event, click here.

 

 

Fun Fact:

maestra

The Spanish work for a person who teaches music, usually referring to a woman. (Maestro is the male word.) This month, St. Cecilia Music Center announced its new Grand Band conductor Robin Connell. For more, click here.

Get your groove back

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , , , ,
Don’t allow sexual issues sideline you from the pleasures of life. (For Spectrum Health Beat)

By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum Health Beat

 

Sexual health is a part of our overall health, and it impacts a woman’s (and a man’s) sense of self and feeling of being healthy.

 

Women who suffer from depression or anxiety are more likely to have sexual health concerns, and women with sexual health concerns are more likely to have depression and anxiety. It’s a vicious cycle—one that can be frustrating and difficult to break.

 

Chronic health issues or chronic health diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity or arthritis can interfere with a woman’s ability, or a couple’s ability, to have a healthy sexual relationship. And common conditions like pain with sex, low desire and relationship issues all play a part.

 

I recently saw a patient who came in for her second visit to our Spectrum Health Cancer, Menopause, and Sexual Health Clinic at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

 

She shared her excitement about once again being able to have sex after we treated her pain. She told me that cancer had taken so much away from her, but she felt whole again now that she could be intimate with her husband.

 

I love sharing stories like this because it shows how committed we are to helping everyone live better lives—including being as sexually aware and healthy as they wish to be.

 

I recently found the following quote from the World Health Organization:

 

“The purpose of sexual health should be the enhancement of life and personal relationships and not merely counseling and care related to STDs and preventing unwanted pregnancies. Sexual health should involve (1) the capacity to enjoy and control sexual and reproductive behavior in accordance with a social and personal ethic; (2) a freedom from fear, shame, guilt, false benefits and other psychological factors inhibiting sexual response and impairing sexual relationships; and (3) freedom from organic disorders, diseases and deficiencies that interfere with sexual and reproductive functions.”

 

I share this quote with you because, as a physician, I believe in what it says, and I try to keep it in mind when discussing sexual health with my patients.

 

There are many causes of sexual health concerns, and they can be grouped in the following categories: interpersonal issues, physical issues and psychological issues.

 

When discussing interpersonal issues, we think about lack of intimacy, lack of respect and emotional abuse.

 

Physical issues include pain with sex from menopause and dryness, pain from history of pain and/or tight pelvic muscles, and medical conditions such as diabetes or arthritis.

 

Psychological problems include depression or anxiety, history of sexual abuse and poor self image.

 

No matter what your sexual issues include, there are solutions. Reach out to your medical provider for help.

If you have concerns about how to get your groove back, make an appointment to specifically discuss this topic and options with your doctor or a Spectrum Health Midlife and Menopause Clinic expert. Call 616.267.8225 to make an appointment.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

On the shelf: ‘Creepers’ by David Morrell

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , ,

By Megan Andres, Grand Rapids Public Library, Ottawa Hills Branch

 

Once, a long time ago, the Paragon Hotel was THE place to be seen. Outfitted with all of the new technology of the day and situated in Asbury Park, New Jersey, the Paragon hosted celebrities and common folk alike. Famous chefs would spend hours preparing amazing room service and dining options. Morgan Carlisle, the owner of the Paragon, made sure that his place was the only place to be. And for a small group of Creepers, the abandoned hotel is still very much a site to see.

 

Professor Robert Conklin leads a group of students into the Paragon Hotel to explore its wastes. No one knows what really happened within its dank halls. Morgan Carlisle himself vanished within its walls. The Creepers, as they call themselves, allow one reporter to follow them into the building in an attempt to teach the world about “creeping” and why it shouldn’t be illegal. Being able to investigate abandoned buildings and the people who once lived inside them is not only a thrill but also an educational experience. Frank Balenger insists he will be fair and true in detailing the story. It’s a pity he’s not all he seems.

 

Morrell takes an underworld of adventure and twists it. The Paragon Hotel does not live up to its name at all. And the events that quickly unfold would scare even the staid horror fan. Voices and visions within the hotel’s walls soon entrap his heroes and the life and death struggle of the group soon takes over the educational experience.

 

Creepers is a truly original horror story. It takes a topic that could be something any of us would love to do and reminding us that sometimes staying home might just be the best choice. My copy of Creepers was a gift from my brother, and I loved the story and characters. Morrell even drew up another horror plot for his hero Frank Balenger, Scavengers. If you enjoy a good scare in the comfort of your own home, pick up a copy of Creepers today. Just make sure you read it with the lights on . . .

 

 

Your Child’s Future is in Sight

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

By Dr. Shawn Andrus, Optometrist

 

Did you know that 1 in 4 children have problems with their eyes? These problems can impact many parts of their lives from school performance to sports. Unfortunately, vision problems in children can often go undetected. A full eye exam performed by an eye doctor is the best way to find out if your child has any vision problems. They can even provide recommended treatment if needed. This full eye exam checks how well a child can see at a distance and near, how well both eyes work together and the general health of the eyes.

 

The American Optometric Association recommends eye exams starting between the age of 6 and 12 months and every 2 years after. Eye doctors trained in working with children will be able to find vision problems even before a child has learned to talk! It is never too early to have a complete eye exam. Making sure your child has healthy eyes is just one step in giving them a successful future.

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Final regular season WKTV featured football game on high school sports schedule

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Sports,
WKTV’s football coverage crew was at Wyoming Godwin Heights earlier in the season. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

The regular season of football completes its schedule the weekend of Oct. 19-20 and opens its playoffs the following weekend. WKTV will be at Godwin Heights as the Wolverines seek their sixth win of the season and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.

 

The playoff schedules will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 21 with Pre-District games kicking off the following weekend. We plan to cover a local team in the first round of the playoffs if possible.

 

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

 

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

 

Following is the end of this week’s schedule:

Monday, Oct. 15

Boys Soccer

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Districts

Grand River Prep @ Covenant Christian – MHSAA Districts

Kelloggsville @ South Christian – MHSAA Districts

East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Central – MHSAA Districts

Grand Ledge @ Wyoming – MHSAA Districts

Girls Volleyball

West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian

 

Tuesday, Oct. 16

Boys Soccer

Potter’s House @ Calvin Christian – MHSAA Districts

Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian – MHSAA Districts

TBD at South Christian – MHSAA Districts

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Wyoming @ Christian

South Christian @ Christian

Girls Swimming

South Christian @ Ottawa Hills

Girls Volleyball

South Christian @ Middleville T-K

Potter’s House @ West Michigan Aviation

Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep

Zion Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Christian

 

Wednesday, Oct. 17

Boys Soccer

TBD at Caledonia – MHSAA Districts Division 1

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian

 

Thursday, Oct. 18

Boys Soccer

TBD at South Christian – MHSAA Districts Division 3

TBD at Calvin Christian – MHSAA Districts Division 4

Girls Volleyball

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Christian @ Wyoming – Dig Pink Game

Boys/Girls Cross Country

East Kentwood at Riverside Park

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary

Girls Swimming

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

South Christian @ Wayland

 

Friday, Oct. 19

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Godwin Heights vs TBA at Downtown GR YMCA

 

Boys Football

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights — WKTV Featured Game

Kelloggsville @ Hopkins

Rockford @ East Kentwood

East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming

Tri-Unity Christian @ Colon

South Christian vs FH Eastern at East Grand Rapids

Calvin Christian/Potter’s House at Belding

Boys Soccer

TBD at Midland – MHSAA Finals Division 1

TBD @ Hope College – MHSAA Finals Division 2

TBD @ Kalamazoo College – MHSAA Finals Division 4

Girls Golf

TBD @ Battle Creek Bedford Valley – MHSAA Finals Division 1

TBD @ MSU Forest Akers East – MHSAA Finals Division 3

 

Saturday, Oct. 20

Boys Soccer

TBD at Caledonia – MHSAA Districts Division 1

TBD at Calvin Christian – MHSAA Districts Division 4

Girls Volleyball

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven

Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian – MSA Fieldhouse

Potter’s House @ MSA Fieldhouse

West Michigan Aviation @ MSA Fieldhouse

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Kelloggsville @ Gobles

South Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian

Girls Golf

TBD @ Battle Creek Bedford Valley – MHSAA Finals Division 1

TBD @ MSU Forest Akers East – MHSAA Finals Division 3

Boys Water Polo

East Kentwood @ Zeeland – State Districts

 

Monday, Oct. 22

No Eventrs Scheduled

 

Behind Door K: Tanglefoot artists open studios for community to explore

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , , , ,
Tanglefoot artists celebrate 27 years

By Tanglefoot Artists

 

Join the artists of the Tanglefoot studios on the near West side as they celebrate the cultural legacy they’ve built throughout the years: a testament to the power of beauty, the necessity of art, and the importance of gathering community around you. This year marks the 27th annual open studio sale in the historic warehouse, making it the longest-running open studio event in the greater Grand Rapids area.

 

In a yellow brick warehouse on the near West Side, a former flytape factory has been taken over by some of the city’s most well-known working artists. Nearly 30 years ago, as spaces in the building began to be rented as studio space for artists, early artists like Elaine Dalcher, Michael Pfleghaar, and Nikki Wall decided to welcome the public into their working creative “homes” for an intimate, celebratory chance for friends and family to purchase artwork, right before the holiday gift-giving seasons began. That was just the start of what was to become one of the Grand Rapids art scene’s most important events of the year.

 

This fall, on Friday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 18, artists will open their studios once again for the 27th Annual Tanglefoot Artists Open Studio event. Full of chances to meet accomplished local artists, sip a glass of cheer, and find just the right piece of art for yourself or a loved one, the yearly event is known for its hospitality and its variety of price points, allowing for all to support their local artists in meaningful ways.

 

The longest-running open studio event in the greater Grand Rapids area began in 1990, with artists Elaine Dalcher and Michael Pfleghaar opening their studios and inviting fellow artist Nikki Wall, who would soon be a resident artist at the Tanglefoot building herself, to join them. The event was so popular it became a yearly tradition.

 

Tanglefoot building (Credit: Tiffany Szakal)

“We Xeroxed the hand-drawn announcement, folded it in half and sent it out to our friends, families, colleagues and clients,” said Dalcher.

 

Nearly 300 people showed up that first year, and as word spread the event grew to welcome thousands upon thousands of art lovers over the years.

 

This year, the event promises to include some new surprises for regular attendees, as resident artists are welcoming in select guest artists to participate in the annual open studio event.

 

“It’s the truth: every year is special. Why? Because we consciously try to add new things to the show,” said Jason Villareal, long-time resident and participant in the fall event. This year, resident artists are inviting guest artists to join them in their space.

 

“We’ve had guest artists in the past but not this many. It’s a lot of new additional work to enjoy!” said Villareal

 

Visiting artists like Deborah Rockman, Holly Bechiri, and Sung Yi will help eight of the year-round residents fill room after spacious room within the rambling old warehouse with beauty.

 

Over the years, the annual celebration of artists and community has built a legacy for itself as a leading example of how to support local artists, creating an intimate and welcoming opportunity to build community. With artwork for sale, starting as little as $3, from some of the most well-established artists in the area, attendees may want to bring their pocketbook for a chance to support their local creatives while taking home quality work for themselves or for upcoming holiday gift needs.

 

Available for purchase will be paintings, prints, large-scale sculptures, greeting cards, and photo-based art. Just as important as the chance to purchase art, though, these artists recognize the importance of finding chances to reconnect with their community as the holidays approach.

 

“Winter’s settling in, and people are ready to be festive,” said Dalcher. “If people are interested in the community of artmaking and the process of artmaking in our community, then this is a place to come and see working studios, and get a chance to talk to the artists.”

 

”We also have a reputation for good snacks,” she said.

 

The event is open and free to the public Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Tanglefoot Artists Open Studio Event 2018
  • Show Dates and Times: Friday, Nov. 16, 5-9pm
    Sunday, Nov. 18, Noon-5pm
  • Location: 314 Straight Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Follow Tanglefoot
2018 Participating Resident Artists include:
2018 Guest Artists include:

**Watch for additional guest artists to be announced**

 

 

 

Next Kentwood’s Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday, Oct. 27

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Health, Senior Living, Upcoming Events,
Kentwood will hold its drug take back day later this month. (WKTV)

 

By Kentwood Police Department

 

On Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Kentwood Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 16th opportunity in 8 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

 

Bring your pills for disposal to the Kentwood Police Department at 4742 Walma Ave SE Kentwood, MI 49512. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

 

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

 

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.

 

According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

 

The last Drug Take Back Day brought in nearly 1 million pounds of unused or expired prescription medication. According to the DEA, this is the largest amount collected since the national program began in 2010.

 

The total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the program’s inception is 4,982 tons.

 

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 27 Take Back Day event, please contact Vicki Highland at highlandv@kentwood.us or 616-656-6571.

 

More information about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is available at takebackday.dea.gov.

 

‘Many Hands’ makes light work

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Local Business, Non-Profits, Senior Living, , ,

By Regina Salmi, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

Caregiving for a loved one with dementia is a difficult job. Depending on the progression of the disease, the simplest tasks can often seem impossible — taking a shower, picking up a few items from the grocery story, keeping a hair appointment. Asking for help from family and friends seems like too much and accepting offers of help can feel overwhelming, ‘Where would I start?,’ we think.

 

The Many Hands program helps caregivers access the support networks they may not realize they already have.

 

A majority of family caregivers, 60% according to the AARP, still work outside of the home.

 

Stephanie Hecksel, Outreach Specialist at Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan observes, “It is common to see caregivers helping out with household chores, errands, and transportation for a loved one while trying to balance time with their own personal responsibilities.”

 

As their loved one’s needs increase, the caregiver puts their personal responsibilities aside to dedicate themselves to the needs their loved one. This leads to increased stress and/or burnout, can take a toll on other relationships and even affect one’s employment. This is where Many Hands comes in. With the help of a Licensed Social Worker, participants in the Many Hands program receive help with organizing their friends, other family members, neighbors, church members, co-workers into a network of willing helpers and to restore some balance to their own lives.

 

Asking people for help is difficult, too difficult for many of us to pick up a phone and reach out to a friend, or accept the help extended by people in our community.

 

Hecksel acknowledges, “It can be difficult to ask for help for many reasons, including feelings of inadequacy as a caregiver or simply feeling overwhelmed by having to reach out for support and how to accept help it without feeling like a bother. Likewise, the people in our lives who would like to help are not sure how to go about it, what they can do or what needs to be done.

 

One of the most unique aspects of Many Hands is that you don’t have to be the one to ask for help.

 

Julie Alicki, LMSW and Certified Advance Dementia Practitioner, said, “Many Hands takes the pressure off of you by having a trained Social Worker handle the entire meeting. As a caregiver you attend, but we do the explaining.” Hecksel agrees, “Rather than the caregiver being expected to take on yet another responsibility of coordinating care, Many Hands will provide that assistance.”

 

All the caregiver needs to do is come up with a list of people in their current social circle who may be willing to help provide support with tasks such as laundry, yard work, meal preparation or spending time with a loved one to give the caregiver a rest and time for themselves.

 

How does it work? The caregiver makes a list of potential helpers. When the Social Worker receives this list, they will send invites and organize a Caregiver Support meeting.

 

At the meeting, the social worker will educate participants on dementia along with behaviors that may be present with the disease. They will also go over the effects of stress on the health of the caregiver, present the tasks identified by the primary caregiver and ask for support in these areas. Once a list of helpers is established, the Social Worker will prepare the Caregiver Calendar used to organize and communicate with helpers. “Many hands make light work” and this is the goal of the Many Hands program.

 

Many Hands is free and available to caregivers in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo and Osceola counties. To learn more about this program, contact Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (888) 456-5664 or email aaainfo@aaawm.org. More information about all the services available through AAAWM can be found at www.aaawm.org.

Increase youth employability through teamwork skills

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, How-To's, , , , , , ,
Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Sara Keinath, Michigan State University Extension

 

As young people prepare for their future careers, it is advantageous for them to gain experience and confidence in a few key skills. Teamwork is often cited as one of the crucial skills that employers look for during an interview. The ability to work in teams is often rated as an essential skill for both employers and higher education. Michigan State University Extension recommends understanding what teamwork is, as well as looking at how to build your skills in this area while still in high school.

 

The ability to work well on a team involves interacting and communicating with others, understanding goals and priorities, and being able to contribute to the greater good. These skills can be demonstrated through respect for others, as well as being reliable and competent. There are many places teamwork is used in a workplace. Often, a project requires multiple skills to successfully complete it, a job requires working with different people on a daily basis, or management can see the benefits of a team approach. No matter what kind of job or career a young person hopes to pursue, employers are interested in candidates who can exhibit the ability to work well with others.

 

There are many ways teenagers can build teamwork skills while in high school:

  • Join a club. Many extracurricular activities such as 4-H, sports or band provide youth with many opportunities to work as part of a team.
  • Organize or join a community service project. This is a great place to practice leadership as well as teamwork in a setting similar to a work environment while doing something good for the community at the same time!
  • Collaborate with peers or community members on school projects, fundraising targets or civic issues. Pay attention to the skills needed to accomplish the task, as well as the outcomes when a team works together for a common goal.

Teens should document teamwork skills on a résumé. Whether or not the experience was in a work environment, these skills can be very appealing to potential employers, and including them may offer an opportunity to provide more detail about teamwork experiences in an interview. Sample résumés and related activities can be found on the Michigan 4-H website.

 

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).

 

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood weekend news you want to know

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Food, Going Local, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."
  
                                                 ~ Stanley Horowitz

Pumpkin Path in Wyoming

The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is excited to once again host the 15th annual Pumpkin Path, a free event for kids and families on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. Local businesses, clubs and organizations will host spaces along the path and will hand out candy, coupons and other goodies. Not only should children expect to receive treats, they should also look forward to a DJ and dancing, jumping in the bounce house and games. Participants are welcome to come in costume or in regular clothes. Read more here.

 

Woodland Mall’s Fall Fest

Woodland Mall will feature 12 local artisans and other vendors at its first-ever Fall Festival, slated for Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shoppers will have the opportunity to explore handcrafted goods, face painting and kids’ craft activities inside the mall, and enjoy live music by Lana Chalfoun, a 13-year-old singer-songwriter from Grand Rapids. Also featured at the festival will be a free petting zoo on the outdoor plaza, which is located between Celebration! Cinema and Barnes & Noble. Read more here.

 

And on a more serious theme

What is bravery? How can one person make a difference? These are a few of the questions this Newbery Medal award-winning novel, “Number the Stars,” asks its readers and now its audience.  For the first time on Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s stage, this powerful story of a young Christian girl’s willingness to risk her life to save her Jewish friend is told. Set in Copenhagen, Denmark, during World War II, the story reflects our world’s dark history in an effort to remind us all, good and light continues to be found. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents “Number the Stars” Oct. 12 – 21 at its theater, 30 N. Division Ave.  Read about it here.

 

Fun Fact:

In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”
And some still think they are 'gross' to eat. Source.

St. Cecilia begins new season of Grand Band with new, familiar conductor

3-bottom, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Senior Living, ,
St. Cecilia Music Center’s School of Music youth jazz program performance with Robin Connell conducting, from 2017. (Supplied/St. Cecilia Music Center)

By. K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Robin Connell, who wears many hats on the Grand Rapids music scene including director of the St. Cecilia Music Center’s youth jazz ensemble, has picked up another gig at St. Cecilia.

 

Connell was announced last month as the new conductor of the center’s adult Grand Band, and there is general agreement that means more “fun” for all.

 

“I couldn’t be more thrilled that Robin is conducting the St. Cecilia Music Center Grand Band,” Martha Cudipp Bundra, St. Cecilia education director, said to WKTV. “She has been teaching our Jazz Combo program for 4 years now and the students love her.  Robin has extensive teaching experience and knowledge that will enhance the musical experience for our adult band members. She brings a unique style to her teaching and a great sense of fun.”

 

Rehearsals of the Grand Band have begun for the new season but new members are always welcome to inquire and no auditions are required. The band rehearses 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday mornings.

 

“The adult band is so much fun,” Connell said to WKTV. “It has a lot of members who have been it for many years. But newbies come, too.”

 

For more information on the Grand Band for adults, visit here. St. Cecilia’s youth jazz ensembles, one of which Connell leads, will hold auditions on Tuesday, Oct. 16. For more information visit here.

 

St. Cecilia, Connell have history

 

“I’m thrilled and honored to be working at SCMC,” Connell said. “The various concerts and education programs offered are phenomenal and integral to downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Robin Connell

“We really appreciate SCMC hosting the youth jazz program (which started in 2014) and the amazing support we get financially and administratively. … Martha is great to work with as the director of education, but I also need to sing the praises of our administrative assistant, Rebecca Steinke. She assists Martha in various ways with all the ensembles and is there at night when we rehearse, too. And she plays flute in the Grand Band!”

 

Connell, according to a supplied biography, is a jazz pianist-vocalist with a doctorate of arts in music theory and composition from the University of Northern Colorado. Her career as a performing musician, composer, and educator, is an alternating kaleidoscope of jazz and classical endeavors.

 

Her educator credits include teaching at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids Community College, Long Island University, Garden City Community College, the Interlochen Center for the Arts (20 summers), the Aquinas Jazz Camp, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

In addition to teaching, Robin continues to lead her own jazz groups and perform as a “side woman” locally and afar, traveling extensively as performer, guest composer-conductor, and clinician/adjudicator. Since 2014, Robin also co-produces and hosts the “Jazz in the Sanctuary” concert series at Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street Church.

 

Two bands, two different experiences

 

As far as her expanding teaching load at St. Cecilia, Connell says there are similarities  but also unique aspects to working with adults as opposed to youth.

 

“There is very little similarity between the youth jazz combo and the Grand Band adults, other than everyone’s shared love of playing music,” she said. “Most jazz band scores that are playable by younger students have simpler instrumentation than concert band music … My husband (Paul Brewer) directs the youth jazz big band. There is a bit more similarity between that band and a concert band in that all the music is written out, with very little improvised.

 

The St. Cecilia Grand Band in rehearsal at the music center’s Royce Auditorium, from 2016. (WKTV)

“The concert band music is completely written out and players must adhere to the written notes. The conductor’s job is to become immersed in the score, to internalize it, and ‘coach’ the ensemble as per the conductor’s interpretation.”

 

But Connell said she is getting into working with the adults.

 

“I am enjoying digging into completely different repertoire and having the chance to work on my conducting skills more,” she said. “There are also a lot of women in the band whereas the youth bands are almost all boys. I’m totally used to being the only woman, or in the minority, but I’m really also enjoying rehearsing a group with a lot of women — and men — who are totally geeked about instrumental music.”

 

Shameless plug for a great music series

 

The “Jazz in the Sanctuary” series begins its fifth season Nov. 4 with “Paul Brewer & Altin Sencalar in Tribute to J & K”, a concert featuring a jazz quintet, led by trombonists Brewer and Sencalar, performing the compositions and arrangements of J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding. More dates are scheduled in 2019. For more information visit fountainstreet.org/jazz.

 

School News Network: New superintendent looks to ‘significantly impact’ district

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,
Gladiola Elementary School students Javon Donald and Sulamita Sierra meet new Superintendent Craig Hoekstra

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

Craig Hoekstra has the opportunity to lead major investment in the district where he grew up, serving generations of Wolves to come.

 

It’s a job the new superintendent embraces.

 

Hoekstra, who began the position July 1, will be involved in planning the $40 million Wyoming High School renovation and addition from concept to fruition. Funding for the project comes from the bond proposal, which passed last November, a huge victory for the more than 4,000-student district after bond requests failed twice in previous years. He replaces longtime Superintendent Thomas Reeder.

 

While construction on the renovation, which includes a two-story, 30-classroom addition, won’t begin until next summer, Hoekstra is eyeing the future with optimism.

 

“It’s phenomenal,” he said. “There’s a lot of excitement and thankfulness because the community supported the bond. Now it’s our responsibility to be thoughtful, forward-thinking and do our research and homework.

 

“It’s our opportunity to significantly impact Wyoming Public Schools well into the future.”

 

Wyoming native and former assistant superintendent Craig Hoekstra started as Wyoming Public Schools superintendent July 1

‘Maximize Each and Every Opportunity’

 

Hoekstra is a familiar face in Wyoming, beginning with his student days.

 

He graduated in 1990 from the former Wyoming Park High School and worked as a district custodian for six years. He was Oriole Park Elementary School principal for two years and Gladiola Elementary principal for three, when he also worked as state and federal grants director. He also taught second grade at Hamilton Elementary School and served as a principal there for three years.

 

He reflected on his path to becoming an educator who now heads an entire district.

 

It began when Hoekstra decided to pursue an education degree after working as a linen and uniform delivery driver.

 

“As a student, I enjoyed school, but wished that I would have applied myself more,” he admitted. “In becoming an educator as a non-traditional student, a driving force for me was to assist and encourage students to maximize each and every opportunity in front of them. One of my goals is to instill in them hope and provide support that they can do anything in life they set their mind to.”

 

Hoekstra is a prime example of how goal-setting and working hard can pay off.

 

“My whole motto is: dream big, work hard and make it happen. Things are always going to be challenges in front of us, but with perseverance, support and that ‘never give up’ attitude, anything is possible.”

 

Along with planning bond projects to take shape in the district over the next seven years, Hoekstra is working with teachers and teams of instructional coaches in math, science, reading and English as a Second Language to best serve students with effective teaching strategies.

Gladiola Elementary School second-graders Brooklynn Weenum, left, and Sophia Dykstra show Superintendent Craig Hoekstra a dance game after school

The Power of Being Present

 

A superintendent’s most important role, he said, “would be ensuring the safety of students and empowering kids to achieve goals that they don’t realize are attainable at every development level, with us and beyond us.”

 

Another goal of Hoekstra’s is to make people feel heard and appreciated. He said he has learned a lot from young people over the years, and one of the biggest lessons has been to be present.

 

“As busy as people are, we need to be in the moment, celebrate the moment, make the most of every moment,” he said. “What I have learned from working with students and people in general is that when you are with them they are the most important person at that time. If we are distracted, that opportunity we have with them might be lost. If people feel like they are truly cared about and supported, that’s where strong relationships not only start but are maintained over time.”

 

Whether planning for updated buildings or putting a laser-like focus on curriculum, Hoekstra doesn’t take the job of heading the Wolf Pack lightly.

 

“To be an educator is an absolute privilege, to not only touch the minds of youths, but also their hearts,” he said.

 

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

Too sick for school?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Kids Activities, ,
It’s that time of year again, when a cold or other bug could leave you wondering whether your kiddo should go to school or not. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Alyssa Allen, Spectrum Health Beat

 

They are scenes every parent knows well during the school year:

  • You’re awakened in the middle of the night by the distinct sound of vomiting.
  • Your child walks into the kitchen one morning complaining of a sore throat and fever.
  • Your child doesn’t want to eat his breakfast because his tummy hurts.

It’s not always easy to choose between sending your child to school and keeping him home. As it turns out, even those with a medical degree will tell you it’s not an exact science.

 

“There is not a nationally accepted agreement of what the absolutes are for when your child should be kept home from school,” said Bill Bush, MD, pediatrician-in-chief at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

 

Dr. Bush said the American Academy of Pediatrics and most pediatric offices provide guidelines to help parents determine if their child should be seen by a doctor, but there’s not necessarily anything to help them choose between a school day and a sick day.

 

“It’s complicated,” Dr. Bush said. “If this was really easy, then someone would have written a book that says, ‘If you have X, then you should do Y.’

 

“Every family is in a different situation,” he said. “We all know families who send their kids to school with lots of illnesses. And then there are families on the other side that will, with the mildest symptoms, keep their child home from school and say they have to be completely well before they return.”

 

Parents should also check with their school district to see what guidelines are in place for such cases. Some schools have more specific parameters than others.

Dr. Bush has some tips for parents choosing between a sick day and a school day:

  • Fever: What’s considered a fever? For school-aged children, generally 101 degrees or higher is a fever. Keep your child home until he is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine. “While it does depend on what the fever is associated with, it’s a good rule of thumb to stay home for another 24 hours to give your child time to be better prepared to go back to school, but also to spread fewer germs to the other kids,” Dr. Bush said.
  • Strep throat: If your child has tested positive for strep throat, keep him home until he has been taking antibiotics for 24 hours.
  • Vomiting: Your child needs to stay home until at least 24 hours has passed since he last vomited.
  • Runny nose and cough: If a child’s coughing is disrupting class or keeping him and the other kids from concentrating, he should stay home and see a doctor to determine the cause. Dr. Bush offers a great tip: Ask if your child can actually learn anything based on how he’s feeling. A child with mild symptoms—a stuffy nose with clear discharge, or a mild cough—is likely able to go to school.
  • Head lice: Any child with active lice needs to stay home and be treated. But, Dr. Bush said, many schools have revised their rules to modify the nit-free policy. Check with your school.
  • Pink eye: A child with a diagnosed bacterial eye infection needs to stay home until he has been treated with anti-bacterial eye drops for 24 hours. Dr. Bush said the vast majority of eye infections are viral, not bacterial, and therefore do not require eye drops. Children with viral eye infections producing some discoloration and a small amount of clear drainage should be fine to attend school. A doctor can help determine what kind of infection your child has.

Dr. Bush urged parents to use their pediatrician’s office as a resource when their child is sick.

 

“Most doctors’ offices are well equipped to have parents call and talk to the nursing staff to make triage decisions,” he said. “If you have kept your child home from school and are not sure what the next day is going to bring, call your doctor’s office. We expect those calls and we expect to talk to a lot more families than we see in a day.”

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

 

Upcoming CMU symposium focuses on the Great Lakes, training the next generation of scientists

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Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee

By Gary H. Piatek

Central Michigan University

 

Public policy and its impact on the Great Lakes is on the agenda for Central Michigan University’s fifth annual Great Lakes Science in Action Symposium on Friday, Oct. 19. There also will be a discussion on training the next generation of Great Lakes scientists.

 

The symposium will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the auditorium of CMU’s Biosciences Building, beginning with an introduction from CMU President Robert Davies. The event is free and open to the public. A copy of the agenda is available here.

 

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, is the keynote speaker for the symposium, which is hosted by CMU’s Institute for Great Lakes Research. Kildee is an alum of Central Michigan University and a lifelong Michigander, born and raised in the Flint area, where he resides.

Rep. Kildee will be available to meet with media immediately after his 9 a.m. keynote address. If you are with the media and will attend, please contact University Communications at news@cmich.edu or 989-774-3197.

 

He has built a reputation for protecting the Great Lakes and currently is leading a bipartisan initiative to prevent a Canadian company from permanently burying nuclear waste less than a mile from the Great Lakes.

 

Kildee is the ranking member of the Financial Services Committee and serves on the subcommittees for Housing and Insurance, Monetary Policy and Trade, and Trade and Illicit Financing. He is vice co-chair of the Automotive Caucus, where he works to promote the American auto industry, and he previously served as a member of the President’s Export Council, advising former President Barack Obama on trade deals concerning Michigan.

 

Panelists slated for the discussions on public policy include legislative aides for Kildee, U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan. Panelists for training Great Lakes scientists will be subject experts from the IGLR and CMU departments of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Geography and Environmental Studies, Biology and the Earth and Ecosystem Science doctoral program.

 

CMU is a recognized leader in studying the Great Lakes. The Institute for Great Lakes Research — with 30 faculty members — is supported by state-of-the-art facilities in Mount Pleasant and at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island. Central is overseeing its second $10 million EPA grant since 2010 to conduct Great Lakes wetlands research and allocates funds through this grant to nine other universities and three governmental agencies.

‘Lasered in’ East Kentwood Falcons look to secure OK Red Championship

City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, , ,

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

After clinching a playoff spot against Holland last week, the East Kentwood Falcons are going for their next goal: OK Red champs.

 

Hosting Hudsonville (5-2 overall, 3-1 in conference) this week, East Kentwood (6-1, 4-0) can secure at least a share of the title this week with a win. Combined with a win next week, in the final game of the regular season, also at home against Rockford (4-3, 3-1), the Falcons would claim the title outright.

 

Falcons Head Coach Anthony Kimbrough. (WKTV)

Both Falcons head coach Tony Kimbrough and his players know there is still a lot to play for in the final two games — as T’Shone Cutts, a senior middle linebacker for the Falcons, said “they are lasered in” for the rest of this season.

 

Unlike recent years, when the team struggled at times, Kimbrough, in his fourth year as head coach of the Falcons told the WKTV journal what changed in a early-season interview.

 

“We just got back to basics,” coach Kimbrough said. “The kids are playing good some really good fundamental and assignment football.”

 

Stephan Bracey, senior wide receiver for East Kentwood. (WKTV)

Stephan Bracey, a Western Michigan University football commit and senior wide receiver, also expressed high hopes for his team.

 

“We want to go all the way to Ford Field and get the dub there,” Bracey said, referring to a “W,” a win. “So, state champs is our goal.”

 

Cutts, one of Kimbrough’s defensive weapons, is confident in the defense he is one of the leaders on, despite the rocky start they had in the beginning of the season.

 

T’Shone Cutts, senior middle linebacker for East Kentwood. (WKTV)

“Our defense is looking good,” Cutts said. “We’re staying focused. We can’t allow teams to score the way they were in the beginning of the season.”

 

After giving up 30 points to Grandville in Week 5, East Kentwood has only given up 12 points in their last two games.

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

 

On the shelf: ‘Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s’ by John Elder Robison

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

Robison is just a great storyteller — turning some of the weirdest, craziest stuff into a life you almost envy him having. The author is the older brother that Augusten Burroughs wrote about in his memoir, Running With Scissors, in the chapter, ‘He was Raised Without a Diagnosis’.

 

That diagnosis would not come until he was 40. Up to then he was on his own to cope with his genius, his unsociable behavior, his bewilderment, and his loneliness. Robison sums up his early relations with the world: “Everyone thought they understood my behavior. They thought it was simple: I was just no good.”

 

It wasn’t simple though. All his life he had longed to connect with other people, and gradually he figured out how to do that, despite his Asperger’s. But it took awhile, and his alcoholic father and mentally ill mother weren’t much help. Teachers hadn’t heard of Asperger’s yet, and eventually he left school at 16.

 

Following his interests in explosives and electronics led him into the music industry, where eccentric people were the norm (guess who made the exploding guitars for Kiss?), then into electronic toys, and finally — into his own, true life.

 

Award-winning poets to discuss their work, inspirations during GVSU event

Entertainment, , , ,
Ada Limon

By Matthew Makowski

 

Two unique poetic voices will share their work and discuss their inspirations with the West Michigan community during Fall Arts Celebration at Grand Valley State University.

 

“An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Ada Limón and Carl Phillips” will take place Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m., on the 2nd floor of the Eberhard Center, located on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. A reception and book signing will take place after both authors read samples from their work.

 

“Carl Phillips and Ada Limón both write out of their passions,” said Patricia Clark, professor of writing and Grand Valley’s Poet-in-Residence. “If Phillips is the more somber voice of the two poets, his words are still lit by brief moments of intensity and beauty. Limón’s relaxed, seemingly casual voice dazzles with precision and directness.”

 

Carl Phillips

Clark said attendees of the event will experience the power of poetry when it is heard instead of read.

 

“It is a completely different experience to hear poets live, not just on the page,” she said. “They reveal quite a bit about themselves and their work, and they say things that help illuminate the poems.

 

Limón is the author of five books of poetry, including her new book The Carrying (2018). Her volume Bright Dead Things was named one of the top 10 poetry books of 2015 by The New York Times. Limón currently serves on the faculty of Queens University of Charlotte’s low-residency Master of Fine Arts program.

 

Phillips is the author of 14 books of poetry, including his most recent works, Wild Is the Wind (2018) and Reconnaissance (2015). The latter won the PEN USA Award and the Lambda Literary Award. A four-time finalist for the National Book Award, Phillips’ honors include the Los Angeles Times’ Book Prize for Poetry, the Kingsley Tufts Award and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Library of Congress and Academy of American Poets. He is currently a professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis.

 

For more information about Fall Arts Celebration, visit gvsu.edu/fallarts. All Fall Arts Celebration events are free and open to the public.

Kids’ Food Basket unveils farm name and holds ground break ceremony for headquarters

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , ,
Officials at the ground break ing for the new Kids’ Food Basket headquarters.

By WKTV Staff

 

Kids’ Food Basket hosted an official naming ceremony and groundbreaking on Wednesday, Oct. 11, officially kick off the construction of the new organization’s home at the former Pickerd Farm, 1919 Leonard St. NE. Founding CEO, Bridget Clark Whitney welcomed more than 100 guests, including community leaders Hank Meijer, Executive Chairman Meijer and Honorary Co-Chair; Joe Jones, 2nd Ward Commissioner City of Grand Rapids and Campaign Cabinet Member; and Dave Hildenbrand, Senator – State of Michigan.

 

To mark the occasion, the organization unveiled the farm name, Kids’ Food Basket Farm Strengthened by Nutrilite Exclusively by Amway. The name was selected in honor of Nutrilite’s monetary support, volunteer support, and shared methodologies on the farm. A portion of the acreage on the future Kids’ Food Basket site is used to educate youth and adults alike on the immense value of nutrition through innovative programs and experiential learning.

 

“We are so thankful for the dedication of our community! The Kids’ Food Basket future home will meet both an immediate need and make long term impact. This beautiful, centennial farm has provided a space, in the middle of Grand Rapids, to launch an urban farming and experiential learning program. Here we can put down our roots and directly connect kids experiencing hunger to a greater understanding of healthy food, helping them create healthy habits life-long.,” said Clark Whitney.

 

A rendering of the proposed Kids’ Food Basket headquarters to be located at 1919 Leonard St. NE.

In the second year working on the chemical-free, sustainable farm, the harvest has yielded more than 10,000 pounds of fresh sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, string beans, tomatillos, and mini bell peppers. In addition, the farm has allowed the opportunity to welcome more than 40 groups, totaling approximately 1,000 youth and adult volunteers. The community has engaged in and learned about food production, tending to crops and preparing produce to go in Sack Suppers.

 

“We couldn’t be more excited about our partnership with Kids’ Food Basket and this new urban farm,” said Michelle Meulendyk of Amway Community Relations.  “It has been and will continue to be a way for us to extend the expertise of our Nutrilite farming practices and staff right here in Grand Rapids.”

 

In addition to the farm, the site will be the home to a new Kids’ Food Basket production facility.  Orion Construction will build a 27,000 square foot, two-story building that will house corporate office space and warehouse space on 15-acre site. The building will be constructed using the LEED (Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design) framework and upon completion, will be LEED certified. Within the design are elements such as natural light maximization, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, caulks, adhesives, and floor coverings, alternative vehicle considerations, and several other features that provide elements of sustainability. Additional greenhouses and farm-support structures are included in the projects that create on-site learning opportunities.

 

“Kids’ Food Basket’s future location will allow for expanded nutritional programming and increased access to healthy nourishing food for our community’s children. We’re thankful for the communities continued dedication.  We must do more. We are asking our community to rally together and join Kids’ Food Basket’s mission of nourishing kids so they can be their best in school and in life,” Whitney said.

 

Kids’ Food Basket services in a number of schools in the Greater Grand Rapids area including schools in the Kentwood, Godfrey-Lee, Godwin Heights and Wyoming Public School Districts.

Review: Ballet 5:8’s latest Grand Rapids dance premiere does not disappoint

Entertainment, Reviews,
“The Space in Between” by Ballet 5:8. (Supplied)

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org 

 

60-second Review

 

Ballet 5:8 premiere of “The Space in Between”, with “Four Seasons of the Soul”, Oct. 6, at Richard and Helen Devos Center for Arts & Worship, Grand Rapids, Mi. 

 

The return of the Chicago-based Ballet 5:8 to Grand Rapids Christian High School’s DeVos Center for the Arts and Worship not only reinforced the modern ballet troupe’s technical prowess but also artistic director/choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager and dancer/costumer designer Lorianne Barclay’s bold ability to create emotional stage production’s that also carry moral and religious meaning.

 

With the world premiere of “The Space in Between” on Oct. 6, Slager successfully uses the full strength of her dancers — especially soloists Stephanie Joe, Brette Benedict, Lorianne Barclay and Antonio Rosario — as well as the thematic power of C.S. Lewis’ story “The Great Divorce” and the mesmerizing music of Phillip Glass.

 

The simplified storyline has lead dancers/story characters Frank and Sarah (Barclay and Sam Opsal), along with the narrator (Joe), traveling by bus and more otherworldly means to a place between heaven and hell. The section titles explain the journey as well as is possible: “Grey Town”, “Valley of the Shadow of Life” and “Heaven”.

 

While the program text went into great detail of the original and adapted storyline, and some in the audience may have needed it, the inner and worldly battles between good and evil were clear from the stage, via the solo and ensemble dances, even without additional explanation.

 

The journey on which the lead and supporting dancers take the audience on via “The Space in Between” also make clear that Slager and Barclay are not afraid to give lead dancers extensive starring rolls and not afraid to bring classic ballet dance into the modern world with very modish costume and music.

 

As far as Slager’s use of stage effects with her dancers, the moodiness of lighting and produced fog significantly adds to the overall affect, while a couple appearance of props representing the bus in question are less so.

 

But I quibble.

 

“The Space in Between” not only was a thing of thoughtful beauty but a powerful addition to Slager and Ballet 5:8’s catalogue. And we look forward to their continued annual visit to West Michigan.

 

May I have more, please? 

 

The opening work of Ballet 5:8’s program was an older work by Slager, “Four Seasons of the Soul”, a work which should not be under-appreciated or under-performed.

 

The work, originally from 2014, takes inspiration from Biblical passage Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 — “… He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the who scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”

 

The Four Seasons of the Soul, by Ballet 5:8. (Supplied)

Slager’s choreography though the seasons is admirable, as was the unique costume design of Barclay — especially almost hypnotic sun-yellow attire in Summer — and the reworked music of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” by Max Richter, with the high-point being the on-stage dance union of Benedict and Rosario in Summer and Joe’s solo in Fall.

 

For more information visit ballet58.org .

 

Kentwood cross-county bicyclist, riding for grandson, visits WKTV Journal In Focus

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Local Faces, WKTV Projects, ,

 

By. K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, guest host Keith St. Clair talks with Kentwood resident and bicyclist Ken Smith, who recently completed a 3,500-plus coast-to-coast trip to raise funds for his grandson, Jakob,  and awareness of all persons with neurological damage.

 

Smith, 70, biked from the Pacific Ocean at Seaside, Oregon, to the Atlantic Ocean near Boston, Massachusetts, in hopes of raising funds to provide for possible care of and therapy for Jakob. WKTV has been proud to cover his journey.

 

Ken Smith set up a Facebook page (facebook.com/rideforjake/) and a GoFundMe page (gofundme.com/ride-pacific-to-atlantic-for-jakob) to detail his journey and raise the funds.

 

To catch up on WKTV’s coverage of his journey, check out our latest story.

 

Kentwood bicyclist, riding for grandson, dips tires in Atlantic at journey’s end

 

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. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

 

Tips for researching car insurance

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, How-To's, ,
Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Extension

By Laurie Rivetto, Michigan State University Extension

 

For many youth, getting a car can be an exciting major milestone. Car insurance needs to be a part of that education and milestone as well. It is important to have car insurance to protect your assets, satisfy lenders and comply with state laws that require auto insurance.

 

Here are a few key points from Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan 4-H Youth Development program and the National Endowment for Financial Education High School Financial Planning Program to help youth as they begin their insurance search.

  • Take time to get three quotes. While this takes time, each insurer rates risk differently, so it is important to find out what they will charge you based on your circumstances.
  • Check out the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) education website, Insure U- Get Smart About Insurance, to look at some unbiased, consumer-oriented help and connect you to your local state’s department for assistance. The Shopping Tool for Automobile Insurance provides a step-by-step process to do comparison shopping for insurance.
  • Find out if your employer or any organizations you belong to offer discounts for insurance. Sometimes large organizations offer insurance plan discounts for their members. Insurance companies may also provide discounts or deals for students, good driving records or bundling of services. It might also make more sense for youth to be added to a parent’s insurance, if possible, because of the higher rates for insurance for teen drivers. The insurance company will often view the youth driver as less risky with the oversight from parents or guardians as opposed to the youth getting insurance on their own. (If added to a parent or guardian’s insurance, know that it will raise the premiums for those adults as well.)
  • Know what type of coverage you need, how much you can afford monthly, how often you need to pay your premium (and if you can meet that requirement), what deductible you can afford and the reputation or credibility of the insurance company.

For more information on insurance, the National Endowment for Financial Education has a self-paced course on transportation that reviews transportation options, insurance, buying or leasing, safety, negotiation tips, car care and financing on their Smart About Money website. You can view the sections you want in the course or take part in the full course.

 

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, see 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).

 

Harry Connick Jr. to play DeVos Performance Hall Nov. 26

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

By Hilarie Szarowicz

 

Join Harry and his amazing band as they celebrate New Orleans’ three hundredth birthday and the influences that shaped his career. Enjoy the evening as Harry toasts this beloved city and also performs a selection of holiday favorites, when the “A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration… Holiday Edition” tour comes to SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, at 7:30pm.

 

Harry Connick Jr. has exemplified excellence in every aspect of the entertainment world. He has received recognition with multiple Grammy and Emmy Awards as well as Tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, his achievements on screens large and small and his appearances on Broadway as both an actor and a composer. The foundation of Connick’s art is the music of his native New Orleans, where he began performing as a pianist and vocalist at the age of five.

 

Tickets are 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.com for all prices and availability. A purchase limit of 8 tickets will apply to every order.

 

For more information, please visit HarryConnickJr.com.

Cat of the week: Dave

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , , ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

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).

 

Darling, dynamic Dave is all the rave, a stunning (yet ravenous) fella who showed up at the house of one of our cat magnets in late July 2018, making himself quite at home on the front porch, following her indoor cats from window to window, trying to convince the home owner to let him in. Because she was unsure of his health status, she first took him in to her vet (very smart on her part) to have him tested, dewormed and given flea control, but much to her dismay, this friendly fella came up positive for Feline Leukemia.

 

Sadly, the family had been prepared to take him in and make him part of their own furry fold, but Dave’s viral status forced them to look for alternative placement; that is where we came in. On Aug. 13, we opened our doors and hearts to this fabulous four-year-old feline (born in late 2014).

 

Dave needed a bit of a medical work-up–he had a nasty ear mite infection, an abraded foot pad, greasy stud-tail (he was intact), enlarged lymph nodes and a formerly fractured toe on his right rear foot. To top it off, he also had roundworms, giardia and lungworms. And shortly after he arrived at our sanctuary he broke out with calici virus which caused him to spike terribly high temps and develop painful tongue ulcers.

 

But in spite of it all, Dave never once complained, always cuddled, and took his meds like a the champ that he is; his true personality and spirit could not be dampened, as he showed us what a sweet, silly and playful boy he is, the purrfect mix of laid-back and inquisitive.

 

This beautiful boy proved to be one of those cats that will follow you around, not to bother you or beg for attention, but rather simply to see what you are up to. He is quite fond of nap time but will wake up in a hurry if a human enters the room and wants some snuggle time, though he waits patiently on his perch or in his cat cubby for his person to walk on over and rub his belly, an activity he will happily engage in until your hand falls asleep. He loves, loves, LOVES his canned food but it is pleasing people that satisfies him and fills him with contentment.

 

This awesome cat will thrive in pretty much any stimulating home environment, and we feel that he would also like to have another of the feline kind around; ideally finding him a home with another cat with FELV would be the best, but there are vaccines that offer protection against viral transmission that can be given to non-infected cats.

 

Dave is just too spectacular of a cat to pass on by—so don’t even try! Come meet him, pick him up in your arms and discover why we are all completely enamored by this cool cat.

More about Dave:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair — Tabby (Brown/chocolate)
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • FELV-positive
  • Good in a home with other cats; children

Want to adopt Dave? 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.

Byron Center site will be Kent County Sustainable Business Park

3-bottom, Hard News, Recycling
Kent County Land for planned Sustainable Business Park, aerial shot that includes the property adjacent to the landfill, with the landfill in the background. (Supplied/Kent County)

 

By Kent County

 

In an effort to provide opportunity for partnerships and innovative approaches to managing waste, the Kent County Board of Public Works last week approved the Sustainable Business Park Master Plan for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Land ll in Byron Center.

 

The Sustainable Business Park Master Plan was created by local and national experts over the course of 12 months and includes details on the necessary improvements, costs, funding sources and implementation schedule for the project.

 

“We set a bold goal of diverting 90 percent of trash from the South Kent Land ll by 2030, and building a Sustainable Business Park is essential to reaching that goal,” said Dar Baas, Director of the Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW). “With the approval of the Master Plan we have a roadmap for how organizations, businesses, technology developers, startups and non-profits can help us make progress toward our economic and environmental goals and advance our vision for a Circular Economy.”

 

The Master Plan includes recommendations for how Kent County can transition from a reliance upon disposal of trash in landfills towards a sustainable materials management system where waste materials are either reused in new processes or products or used in the production of energy.

 

Building a Sustainable Business Park is part of the Kent County DPW’s solution to decreasing the growing amount of solid waste buried in Kent County’s South Kent Land ll. Kent County DPW processes over 1 billion pounds of waste each year at its facilities and estimates 75 percent of that waste could be reused, recycled or converted. Currently, only 6 to 8 percent of waste is recycled.

 

“The Sustainable Business Park is a step in the right direction to finding alternatives to landfilling waste,” said Ted Vonk, chair of the Board of Public Works. “By approving this Master Plan we are proving Kent County to be a national leader in implementing a practical, innovative approach to managing our waste while creating jobs in our region.”

 

For more information about the Sustainable Business Park and to download the completed plan, visit www.reimaginetrash.org.

 

Electric cars making an impact on area residents, the environment

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , ,

 

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

For Karl Bloss, switching from a gas to an electric car was a fairly straightforward decision.

 

“My employer at the time had workplace changing and that got me interested, so I looked into how much it cost and developed a worksheet that said I could live with this,” said Bloss who is an engineer and owns two electric cars, a Tesla and a Nissan LEAF. “I started out with a used Nissan LEAF that had about forty miles of range. I had a 10-mile commute so it worked out pretty well. I figured even with a little bit less efficiency in the wintertime and having to run some extra errands after work, it would be just fine and that is exactly what happened.”

 

Tyler Burke, who owns a Nissan LEAF and helped organize a recent National Drive Electric Week event, said for most people, when choosing a car, efficiency is not the first thing they think of. 

 

Charge stations showing on the Plugshare.com.

“Is it environmentally friendly is an after thought,” Burke said. “It is the total cost of ownership is what most people find attractive when it comes to electric vehicles or EVs.”

 

Total cost is relatively low considering maintenance on the vehicles is minimum with windshield wipers and batteries for the key fabs needing to be replaced as there is no tune ups, oil changes, or belts to replace. Bloss noted during ownership, a person may have to replace tires or have the air conditioner worked on but items like the brakes have regenerative breaking, which reduces the need for a driver to hit the brake petal and thus save on repairs.

 

However the biggest saving, said several who own electric cars, is the gas costs.  

 

“Well you can figure you can spend about three cents per mile and I know our minivan was about 14 cents per mile,” Bloss said. “If you drive about a 1,000 miles in a month, you are looking at your power bill going up about $30.”

 

“For a majority of my career was commuting from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids and I spent nearly $500 a month on gas alone for those trips,” said Gray Vreeland. “Transitioning to an electric its about 60 cents for me to charge it at night for my new commute so that is quite a bit of savings.”

 

As for finding charging stations, it is not as difficult as you might think with Bloss saying most people are muggles from the Harry Potter world when seeing them. 

 

“if you don’t know that they are there, you would never realize it. But there are charging stations just about everywhere,” Bloss said. 

 

Tesla has supercharging stations and a number of other companies have also started to put stations in. Websites, like plugshare.com, shows where many of the stations are located and any mapping service on a smartphone will also help to locate charging stations.

 

As for range, a 2018 Nissan LEAF has about 150 miles and a Tesla, depending on model, can have a range of 300 miles. Gas cars range do not exceed 400 miles. 

 

Bloss noted that about every major car company either offers an electric car or are working on an electrification program.

 

To learn more about electric cars, visit driveelelectricweek.org.

 

Final WKTV featured football games part of October high school sports schedule

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
East Kentwood takes the field. (File photo)

 

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

sportswktv.org  

 

October brings trick or treats on Halloween but also the close out of some of the fall sports seasons.

 

WKTV’s Mike Moll.

The regular season of football completes its schedule the weekend of Oct. 19-20 and opens its playoffs the following weekend. Girls golf will hold its regional tournaments Oct. 10-11, with qualifiers for state finals that will be held the weekend of Oct. 19-20 to headline the sports tournaments but there are plenty of others.

 

Be sure to check the complete sports schedule each week to see when and where your favorite teams and sports are playing.

 

The featured WKTV games will continue during the regular season of football and if there are any of our local teams that qualify for the playoffs, depending on when and where those games are played we might be covering them as well. The playoff schedules will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 21 with Pre-District games kicking off the following weekend.

 

The remaining featured football broadcast schedule is:

Friday, Oct. 12 — Hudsonville at East Kentwood

Friday, Oct. 19 — Wyoming Lee at Godwin Heights

 

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

 

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

 

Following is the end of this week’s schedule:

 

Tuesday, Oct. 9

Boys Soccer

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Potter’s House

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary

FH Eastern @ South Christian

Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Wyoming @ Saranac

Girls Volleyball

Wyoming @ Forest Hills Eastern

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary

South Christian @ Christian

Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Heritage

Grand River Prep @ West Michigan Aviation

Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep

 

Wednesday, Oct. 10

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Godwin Heights @ Belding

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Wyoming Lee @ Belding

Girls Volleyball

Godwin Heights @ West Michigan Aviation

Boys Water Polo

Rockford @ East Kentwood

Boys Soccer

West Ottawa @ East Kentwood

Girls Golf

South Christian at Unity Christian – MHSAA Regionals Division 3

 

Thursday, Oct. 11

Boys Soccer

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

South Christian @ Wyoming

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River

Wellsprings Prep @ Potter’s House

Fruitport Calvary @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian

Girls Volleyball

Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian

Union @ Kelloggsville

Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

Wyoming @ Wayland

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River

South Christian @ East Grand Rapids

Wellsprings Prep @ Potter’s House

Fruitport Calvary @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian

NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Tennis

Wyoming at Mattawan – MHSAA Regionals Division 2

Kelloggsville @ South Christian – MHSAA Regionals Division 4

Girls Golf

East Kentwood at GVSU – MHSAA Regionals Division 1

Girls Swimming

Rockford @ East Kentwood

South Christian @ West Catholic

 

Friday, Oct. 12

Boys Football

Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Hudsonville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event

Wyoming @ FH Eastern

Tri-Unity Christian @ Bellaire

South Christian @ Middleville T-K

Potters House/Calvin Christian @ Manistee

Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Tennis

East Kentwood at Hudsonville – MHSAA Regionals Division 1

 

Saturday, Oct. 13

Girls Volleyball

Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights – Pink Out Tournament

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – Pink Out Tournament

FH Central @ East Kentwood – EK Invitational

Tri-Unity Christian @ Kalamazoo – The Point

South Christian @ Troy

Boys Water Polo

TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Invitational

Boys/Girls Cross Country

East Kentwood @ Christian

Tri-Unity Christian @ Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Christian

 

Monday, Oct. 15

Boys Soccer

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Districts

Grand River Prep @ Covenant Christian – MHSAA Districts

Kelloggsville @ South Christian – MHSAA Districts

East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Central – MHSAA Districts

Grand Ledge @ Wyoming – MHSAA Districts

Girls Volleyball

West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian

 

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

3-bottom, Area Education, Local Business, , ,

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And, if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you."
  
                                                  ~ Warren Buffet

From California to Kentwood — new company, new jobs move in

 

 

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that Arcanum Alloys will be relocating from Silicon Valley to the City of Kentwood.  This will result in the creation of 25 new high-tech jobs and a capital investment of $693,000.

 

The company produces 20-ton coils for some of the world’s most well-known manufacturing companies. Arcanum Alloys chose West Michigan over other competing locations to be closer to its production partner, suppliers and manufacturing customers. This location will function as both a new headquarters and R&D center. The company will be locating at 4460 44th St. SE, Kentwood. Read more here.

 

Kent ISD names new director of Special Ed program

 

Paul Dymowski was enthusiastic when asked about being chosen as director of the center-based Special Education program that is transferring to Kent ISD from Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS). “It’s a really exciting opportunity to build off the work Grand Rapids has already done,” he said after he was named to the new job on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

 

Dymowski, who currently serves as transition coordinator, part of the Special Education Department at Kent ISD, was chosen from a field of 28 applicants, according to Superintendent Ron Caniff, who announced the appointment. Read more here.

.

Local fast food restaurant goes all high-tech

 

The McDonald’s restaurant at 6095 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Gaines Township is inviting guests to experience McDonald’s in a new way with a greater level of choice, engagement and service.

 

The restaurant, which is located near East Kentwood High School and the Kalamazoo Avenue exit off of M-6, recently underwent extensive renovations and upgrades both inside and outside.  These renovations include new self-order kiosks, table service, updated ways to pay and a redesigned seating area. Read about it here.

 

 

Fun Fact:

After Subway (about 43,000) and McDonalds (37,000), Starbucks has the third most locations in America (29,000).

That is a lot of caffeine. Source.