All posts by Joanne

Dancing into area, Grand Rapids Ballet finds new artistic director in San Francisco

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, ,
Skyla Schreter and James Sofranko in Forsythe’s “Pas/Parts”, part of the San Francisco Ballet’s 2016 season. (© Erik Tomasson)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org 

 

The Grand Rapids Ballet has named James Sofranko, currently a featured solo dancer with the San Francisco Ballet and an advocate for contemporary dance and social causes, as its new artistic director.

 

Sofranko will officially join GRBallet on July 1, after his final production with the Bay Area dance company, and will replace Patricia Barker, who is leaving Grand Rapids to lead the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

 

James Sofranko. (by photo Andrew Weeks)

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead Grand Rapids Ballet into their next chapter,” Sogranko said in supplied material. “Upon my visits, I was impressed with the dancers, the board, the staff, and the city of Grand Rapids. The company works easily in both contemporary and classical styles, which makes them a natural fit for me. I’m excited to begin working to continue to bring great dance to the city of Grand Rapids, as well as to continue my growth as a choreographer.”

 

The naming of Sofranko comes after a nationwide search by the Grand Rapids Ballet Artistic Director Search Committee, led by co-chairs Dana Baldwin and Leah Voigt.

 

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and dancers of Grand Rapids Ballet, we are excited to welcome James Sofranko to Grand Rapids,” Baldwin and Voight stated in supplied information. “He is a true star and brings a passion for dance along with the sophistication, grace, and knowledge required for this leadership position. We expect great things as we move forward in an incredible new era of the Company’s history.”

 

Sofranko is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, received his dance training at The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, and The Juilliard School in New York City, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, according to supplied information. Upon graduation in 2000, he joined San Francisco Ballet and was promoted to soloist in 2007.

 

He comes to West Michigan with a glowing recommendation from the leadership of the San Francisco Ballet.

 

James Sofranko. (© Erik Tomasson)

“James is an intelligent, thoughtful, and versatile dancer who has dedicated so much to the company over the last 18 seasons,” San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson. “He has also made a lasting impact on the Bay Area dance community through performances he has produced himself. With his vision, I have no doubt that he will bring Grand Rapids Ballet to new heights, and I wish him all the best on this exciting new chapter. We will miss him.”.

 

Sofranko’s last performance as a dancer with San Francisco Ballet will take place during the Company’s Unbound Festival in May. He will officially join Grand Rapids Ballet July 1.

 

Along with his duties to Grand Rapids Ballet, Sofranko will continue to develop SFDanceworks, currently presented in San Francisco each summer, and may continue his Dance For A Reason (DanceFAR) a dance event supporting cancer prevention, a cause Sofranko strongly believes in.

 

At GRBallet, Sofranko will be responsible for all artistic direction and artistic planning including programming and hiring of dancers and choreographers, production staff, touring, and outreach efforts.

 

He also plans to choreograph new works for Grand Rapids Ballet, as well as hire outside-the-company choreographers, so he will have an important role in development of 2018-2019 season programming, to be announced in early Spring 2018.

 

For more information visit GRBallet.com .

On the shelf: ‘Vanishing Acts’ by Jodi Picoult

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , ,

By Megan Adres, Grand Rapids Public Library, Seymour Branch

 

“I learned a lot that night,” Delia Hopkins remembers of a magic show her father held when she was young. “That people don’t vanish into thin air.”

 

Delia, a 32-year-old making her way in the world, uses her skills to find missing people with the help of her search-and-rescue bloodhound, Greta. One day, however, Delia has a flash of memory that she hardly understands. When the arrest of her father on kidnapping charges follows, Delia quickly finds herself overwhelmed.

 

With the help of a childhood friend turned reporter, Delia puts her life on hold, including her wedding, in order to prove her father’s innocence. Slowly Delia finds her father, Andrew, may not be as innocent as she believes. For 28 years Delia has lived one life. Yet her first four years add to the doubts surrounding her father.

 

Delia’s fiance, Eric, is a lawyer who agrees to take Andrew’s case. As the search for the truth begins, Delia and Eric battle through years of lies and deceit to find the truth that just may destroy the close relationship between father and daughter.

 

Jodi Picoult’s thirteenth book is sometimes heavy with drama but quickly engages readers. She focuses on the emotional impact of the case and lets readers wonder until the last moment who is guilty when both parents believe they were in the right. Vanishing Acts delivers all the drama, emotion, and plot twists of this year’s One Book, One County novel, My Sister’s Keeper and should hold readers in its grip long after the books ends.

GVSU presents Guest Artist Recital: Mika Sasaki, piano on Jan. 19

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University

 

Pianist Mika Sasaki has established herself as a sought-after soloist, chamber musician and emerging educator. Since her concerto debut with the Sinfonia of Cambridge in the United Kingdom at the age of 7, she has appeared twice with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and more recently with the 92Y Orchestra in New York City. She has performed at venues including the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Peter J. Sharp Theater, Palazzo Chigi Saracini (Italy), Minato Mirai Hall (Japan) and Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Japan). Her solo debut album “Obsidian: Mika Sasaki plays Clara Schumann” was released on Yarlung Records in 2016.

  • What: Mika Sasaki, piano
  • When: Jan. 19, at 7:30 pm
  • Where: Sherman Van Solkema Hall (room 1325), Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts, Allendale Campus

Kent District Library director named top librarian in the nation

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Lance Werner, executive director of Kent District Library

Lance Werner, executive director of Kent District Library, has been named the top librarian in the nation by Library Journal.

 

The 2018 Librarian of the Year award honors a professional librarian among nominees from across the country for outstanding achievement and accomplishments reflecting the loftiest service goals of the library profession. Werner was recognized for his strong leadership, effective legislative advocacy and championing access for his more than 200,000 patrons in Kent County.

 

Werner is the first – and only – Michigan librarian to win the Librarian of the Year award.

 

“My version of leadership is to get the best people I can, give them what they need and then get out of their way,” Werner said. “I’m one gear in a big machine where everyone is important.” Werner credits this philosophy as a cornerstone to building strong advocacy among his team, municipalities, strategic partners and patrons.

 

Under Werner’s leadership, Kent District Library:

  • Championed access for all by becoming the first public library in the state to offer e-magazines, e-movies, e-comics and streaming video games free of charge.
  • Extended the reach of technology by circulating iPads and wireless hotspots community-wide.
  • Installed a collection of Little Free Libraries around Kent County. There are currently 14, which are housed in community centers, senior centers, parks and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
  • Opened a branch in Kelloggsville High School, which will be a community library outside of school hours.
  • Began offering healthcare for part-time employees.
  • Partnered with other West Michigan libraries to collect 50,000 library materials for the Port Arthur Public Library, a Texas library devastated by Hurricane Harvey.
  • Launched a statewide short story contest called Write Michigan, now in its 6th year, which most recently drew more than 900 submissions from children, teens, adults and Spanish-language writers.
  • Provided books for military troops stationed in the Middle East.
  • Trained all staff members in first aid and CPR.
  • Launched adult program series highlighting beer (KDaLe), wine (KDL Uncorked) and coffee (KDL Caffeinated).
  • Partnered with The Geek Group and other local organizations to offer innovative programming, including STEM initiatives.

 

“Working with Lance is exciting,” said Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, KDL’s director of innovation and user experience. “I admire that he has respect for all of our staff and genuinely wants to do the best for our patrons and communities.  This shows in the relationships he has grown over the years and our efforts to grow our KDL family to include more and more community groups.”

 

Werner builds his life around three pillars: kindness, empathy and love.

 

“I don’t feel like I have a job, it’s more of a calling,” Werner explained. “I’m so blessed to do work that I love, with those that I love, for those that I love. I consider myself a public servant and want to add to the greater good and touch the lives of future generations.”

 

Werner has been director of Kent District Library since May 2011. He previously served as director of the Capital Area District Library in Lansing and as a library law specialist at the Library of Michigan. He earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, a law degree from Michigan State University and a master’s of library information systems from Wayne State University.

 

“As the 30th recipient of the LJ Librarian of the Year award, Lance exemplifies the dynamism and keen intelligence we expect in a winner,” said Rebecca T. Miller, editorial director of Library Journal and School Library Journal. “His deep understanding of the importance of building and nurturing strong relationships at all levels has resulted in improved service for his community, enhanced benefits for the Kent District Library staff, and improved the outlook for libraries across Michigan. We are very excited to name him LJ’s 2018 Librarian of the Year.”

 

Werner will receive a $1,500 cash prize and is featured in Library Journal’s January 2018 issue, available in print and online. Werner was previously a 2016 LJ Mover & Shaker and 2017 Michigan Library Association Librarian of the Year.

 

***This news release is available in electronic format for easy social media sharing here: https://www.kdl.org/blog/kent-district-library-director-named-top-librarian-nation.

Local leaders start new year at Chamber’s January WKTV Government Matters meeting

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Politics, , ,
WKTV’s Viebit service allows on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

Discussion ranging from national security to local mental health care were presented Monday, Jan. 8, as part of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meeting.

 

At the meeting, a representative of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters’ office talked about Sen.s Peters and Debbie Stabenow (both D-Mich.) attending the activation ceremony of the 272nd Cyber Operations Squadron at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base on Jan. 6. The 110th Attack Wing at Battle Creek “will bolster efforts to protect Department of Defense networks against cyber threats,” according to supplied information.

 

Also at the Government Matters meeting, Kent County Commissioner Harold Mast discussed the current funding shortfall for Network180, the county’s provider of support to persons with developmental disabilities, mental and behavioral health problems including addiction and substance use, and the family members who access services for those needing mental health assistance. Network180 is currently dealing with a nearly $10 million shortfall due to changes in State of Michigan reimbursement of Medicaid policies.

 

The monthly meeting brings together government leaders of all levels to discuss issues of importance and presents those discussions through WKTV’s live, delayed and on-demand broadcasts.

 

The Chamber’s Government Matters meetings include representatives of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Kent County, local Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, and, often, representatives of other regional, State of Michigan and Federal elected officials. The next meeting will be Feb. 12 at Wyoming City Hall.

 

The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktv.viebit.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.

 

Responding to funding shortfall, Kent County’s mental health provider begins cuts, service reviews

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Non-Profits, , ,
The Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council heard a presentation by Scott Gilman, executive director of Network180, on Jan. 2. (Supplied by Kent County)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Kent County’s community mental health provider, Network180, has already made internal staffing reductions and will likely cut funding from several community-service groups and projects after a now-started period of review and decision-making.

 

Combined, Network180 and a spectrum of independent groups provide support to persons with developmental disabilities, mental and behavioral health problems including addiction and substance use, and the family members who access services for those needing mental health assistance.

 

The bad news for Network180 employees, with more than 30 full-time equivalent positions cut — and the potential of more bad news of other providers — was detailed during a presentation Jan. 2 at the Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council by Scott Gilman, executive director of Network180.

 

The basic cause of the funding shortfalls, according to Gilman, is the difference in state funding between two Medicaid programs: the older, established Disabled, Aged and Blind (DAB) program and Michigan’s newer Healthy Michigan. Healthy Michigan provides $24 per person versus the $270 received from DAB. That leads to a $9.7 million shortfall for Network180.

 

The scheduled and potential cuts will also be part of the agenda at a meeting of Network180’s Board of Directors, which is chaired by County Commissioner Harold Mast, whose district includes portions of both Wyoming and Kentwood.

 

Kent County Commissioner Harold Mast, right, at a recent Wyoming-Kentwood area Chamber of Commerce Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)

“We are going to be facing with roughly $11 million deficit for this fiscal year, which started in October, or we are going to start running out of cash in May and June,” Mast said Monday to the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters meeting. “It is a complicated issue, (state) Sen. (Peter) MacGregor and, I know, (state) Sen. (Dave) Hildenbrand and a lot of other government officials, are trying to figure out what we can do to help it. But we are at a stage where we can’t continue to operate the way we are.

 

“It is not just our county, it is the seven counties in West Michigan, the Lakeshore Regional Entity. It is throughout the state,” Mast said Monday. “It is an issue of funding, the way the funding is given from the department of (Michigan Department of) Health and Human Services (MDHSS) for Medicaid eligible individuals. That has changed dramatically in the past year, and it just needs to get fixed. But in the meantime, we are running out of cash, so we are going to start cutting back some services.”

 

The Lakeshore Regional Entity manages a contact with MDHHS to provide services to Kent, Allegan, Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties.

 

“It is difficult for us because at the same time we are in a cost-cutting mode, we are also in a reinvention mode,” Mast said. “We really need to move forward … with an integration of physical and mental health, because that is what we need to perform better mental health services.”

 

And while funding for Network180, and groups and programs it funds, flow through the Kent County Commission, Mast admitted that, while there will be discussions on the situation, there is likely little the county can do to blunt the likely service cutbacks.

 

Mast said that likely only the state can solve the problem.

 

“Over the course of the last couple of months, as we saw it coming … we were confident until probably October, that the state was going to rectify what we thought was an easily solved issue,” Mast said to WKTV at the Jan. 2 meeting.

 

But “they have not recognized the discrepancy in the reimbursement rate. First of all they have resisted any acceptance of our study … they said even with that, you still have enough money. You should have enough money in your reserves. Well, we don’t … So we are at the cusp of a worse problem. All of a sudden its has come to a head, we have got to take some action, because we (Network 180) are going to run out of money … we are not going to be able to pay our bills.”

 

An independent study — funded by Lakeshore Regional Entity and eight of the state’s other nine Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) — by the Grand Rapids based Rehmann Group estimated a $97 million state-wide revenue shortfall, and a $7.8 million loss for the Lakeshore Regional Entity.

 

And, Mast says, there is likely nothing the county commission can do to rescue Network180, and the Lakeshore Regional Entity it is a member of.

 

“We (the county commission) have not had that discussion, that would be a difficult discussion, I think, whether the county would be willing to ante up,” Mast said. “I our case, it would be $10 or $11 million. We would have to have some pretty good guarantees because that is local tax money. We have not had that discussion.”

 

The County Commission has not had any discussions on this issue, according to a Jan. 9 statement from the county. “There are still a number of regulatory issues that would need to be addressed (i.e. we may not be able to use County funds to supplant Medicaid funding). We continue to work with the State to find a resolution.”

 

There is some discussion, Mast added, that the Lakeshore Regional Entity might be able to get a commercial loan of some sort in the short term with the promise of state funding flowing in and paying the loans back. “But there is not guarantee of that,” he added.

 

For a more detailed discussion on the topic, see additional story here.

 

‘Ebb and Flow: Explorations in Painting by Herbert Murrie’ Exhibition at GVSU Jan. 15-March 30

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University

 

For more than 40 years, Herbert Murrie had a successful advertising and design career based in Chicago. However, because of his artistic upbringing and drive, he always returned to the studio in pursuit of a more spontaneous and freeing output.

 

In 1988, Murrie began painting more seriously and by the late 1990s, he was exhibiting regularly. Over the next 15 years, evidence of his freed state leapt off the canvas. Controlled manipulation of paint and color bore witness to his understanding of design, while his process of working intuitively noted elements of the artistic movements he grew up with in the mid-20th Century.

 

Like many artists, Murrie often steps away from his art and then returns to work on pieces in his studio that he feels are unfinished. This exhibition examines the ebb and flow of his creative process, while looking back at his painting career and forward to a new body of work. It includes 26 pieces that span his career as a painter — from 1995 to the present. They are drawn out of private collections and the Grand Valley State University permanent art collection, which includes 16 works that were donated by Herbert and Lisa Murrie in 2015.

  • What: ‘Ebb and Flow: Explorations in Painting by Herbert Murrie’ Exhibition
  • When: Jan. 15-March 30; opening reception: Jan. 18, from 5-7 pm
  • Where: GVSU Art Gallery (room 1121), Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts

Wyoming vs. S. Christian hoops doubleheader on WKTV featured schedule

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, , , , ,
Last year, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools inducted six new members into their Hall of Fame prior to a boys basketball game at Lee High School. (WKTV)

 

WKTV Staff

sports@wktv.org

 

Key conference games, as well as Wyoming Lee’s annual Hall of Fame games, are on the schedule this week as WKTV’s sports crew will be on the road Jan. 12 with a doubleheader of boys and girls basketball at Wyoming High School when the South Christian Sailors challenge the Wolves in a pair of key early year OK Conference Gold games.

 

On the girls side, Wyoming enters with an 0-1 conference record, 4-3 overall, after opening up OK Gold play with a tough 49-46 road loss at Thornapple Kellogg Friday, Jan. 5, and before another road game Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Forest Hills Eastern. South Christian will enter 1-0 in conference after a 59-29 home win over Forest Hills Eastern Friday, 5-2 overall, before hosting Grand Rapids Christian Tuesday.

 

On the boys side, Wyoming enters with an 1-0 conference record, 4-2 overall, after opening up OK Gold play with a 67-37 win at Thornapple Kellogg and before a home game Tuesday, Jan. 9, against Forest Hills Eastern. South Christian will enter 1-0 in conference, 4-1 overall, after a 56-50 win Forest Hills Eastern Friday and before a road game at Christian Tuesday.

 

Wyoming Lee will host Kelloggsville on Friday in the school’s annual Hall of Fame game.

 

The remainder of the tentative January Featured Game broadcast schedule is:

Tuesday. Jan. 16 — Boys Basketball: West Ottawa at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Jan. 23 — Boys Basketball: NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights

Thursday, Jan. 25 — Boys Swimming: Grandville at East Kentwood

 

Currently, each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

 

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 wktv.viebit.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/

 

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Jan. 8

Boys/Girls Bowling

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights

Unity Christian @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian

Catholic Central @ Tri-Unity Christian

 

Tuesday Jan. 9

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ FH Eastern

Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Game

Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Martin

Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary

West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES

Hopkins @ Tri-Unity Christian

Christian @ South Christian

Boys Basketball

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights

FH Eastern @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian

Caledonia @ East Kentwood

Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House

Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Martin

West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES

Hopkins @ Tri-Unity Christian

South Christian @ Christian

Girls Cheer

@ East Kentwood – Falcon Invite

 

Wednesday, Jan. 10

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Belding

Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian

Wyoming @ Zeeland East

Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Coopersville

NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville

FH Eastern @ Wyoming

TBA @ Wyoming Lee

Hudsonville @ East Kentwood

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian

Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Boys Hockey

Catholic Central @ East Kentwood

 

Thursday, Jan. 11

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming Lee @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys Swimming

West Ottawa @ East Kentwood

 

Friday, Jan. 12

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

South Christian @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Game

West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House

Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep

Calvary Christian @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Lutheran @ Creative Technologies

Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian

Boys Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

South Christian @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Game

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – Hall of Fame Game

West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House

Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep

Calvary Christian @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Lutheran @ Creative Technologies Academy

Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian

Boys Wrestling

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ FH Central

Rockford @ South Christian/BC/Wayland

Boys/Girls Bowling

Potter’s House @ Muskegon Orchard View

 

Saturday, Jan. 13

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming

Kelloggsville @ Allendale

Wyoming Lee @ Allendale

Boys Wrestling

Kelloggsville @ Fruitport

Wyoming @ West Catholic

East Kentwood @ West Catholic – Dunneback Invite

Boys/Girls Bowling

Kelloggsville @ Lowell

East Kentwood @ Rockford

Boys Swimming

East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Loy Norrix

Boys Hockey

West Ottawa @ South Christian/BC/Wayland

 

Monday, Jan. 15

Boys/Girls Bowling

NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights

Belding @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins

Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids

Girls Cheer

Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park

 

Van Andel Institute Graduate School seeks third party comments

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Van Andel Institute Graduate School (VAIGS), under the auspices of Van Andel Research Institute, offers a program of study leading to a Ph.D. in cell and molecular genetics. VAIGS is seeking reaffirmation of its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as part of the standard pathway. VAIGS was granted initial accreditation in November 2013. As part of the reaffirmation process, VAIGS invites comments from the public prior to an on-site evaluation visit by a team from HLC.

 

In the United States, colleges and universities voluntarily seek accreditation from nongovernmental bodies. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional organizations that conducts institutional accreditation. To ensure the accreditation process is responsive to a broad range of constituents, HLC has integrated into its regular accrediting processes the third-party comment process mandated by the federal Higher Education Act Amendments. HLC forwards these comments to the evaluation team members and the institution.

 

Comments should address substantive matters related to the quality of VAIGS and its academic programs. Comments should include the name and address of the person(s) providing the comments, and will not be treated as confidential. Interested parties can submit comments by Monday, Jan. 29, either online at http://www.hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/third-party-comment.html or by regular mail:

 

Third-Party Comment on Van Andel Institute Graduate School
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

 

More information about the Higher Learning Commission can be obtained through its website at www.hlcommission.org. The VAIGS website is found at vaigs.vai.org.

36-Hour film challenge returns, deadline for sign ups is Jan. 20

Citizen Journalism, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Grand Rapids Film Festival once again challenges local fiimmakers to produce a film in in one weekend or 36 hours.

 

The 36-Hour Challenge returns with the deadline for registration set for Jan. 20. This year’s screening will be Feb. 2 at Celebration! Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Dr. NE. After the screening in Theater 1, teams will move upstairs to the Wave Room for networking and awards.

 

The competition takes place Jan. 26-28 and is designed to challenge contestants to script, shoot, edit, and submit a film in 36 hours. Participants take inspiration from thematic elements revealed at the Jan. 26 launch reception at the Woodridge N. Ferris Building, 17 Pearl St. NW. High school students, college students and aspiring professionals are encouraged to participate.

 

Teams of three or more members may register for a fee of $100. There are prizes totaling  $1,200 that will be awarded. Awards are best of show, best professional, best university and best high school. There also are craft awards, which are best acting, best cinematography, best editing, best directing, best sound, best script, and audience choice.

 

The winner of best of show also will receive a screening at GRFF on April 14 at Wealthy Theatre, a screening at a CinemaLab event, a free entry into the Eclipse Awards, and played at Celebration! Cinema before an independent film.

 

For more information about the 36-Hour Challenge, visit grfilmfestival.com. For filmmaker tips on the event, click here.

On the shelf: ‘Ellen Foster’ by Kaye Gibbons

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Stephanie M. White, Grand Rapids Main Library

 

In her first novel, Kaye Gibbons tells the story of Ellen Foster, a strong, funny, and honest girl. Or rather, she lets Ellen tell us herself. Gibbons brilliantly plays her characters’ voices, allowing each to ring true. But Ellen’s voice is strongest of all as she tells us about her family, her friends, and her search for a place and a life she can call her own.

 

Ellen begins her story with her mother’s death and continues with the journey of her own life. It is indeed a journey; while Ellen moves  from house to house and family to family,she begins to form her own traditions and ideas of how to survive in this world. She learns to take care of herself, to take care of her friends, and to decide for herself what is right and what is wrong.

 

Ellen’s story is gripping because she tells it so well. As she talks about living with different families, dealing with death, living with emotional abuse, and finding friends along the way, she convinces the reader to trust her and to be a part of her life. We come to feel sadness for a girl who must develop her own sense of who she is and where she stands in the world, as she gets little help from those around her.

 

Yet, we also trust Ellen because we can relate to her. We may not have had such tragic childhoods, nor had to address racism, alcoholism, abuse, and death at an early age, but we have all had to come to grips with these and other issues at some point. We may be five or ninety-five but, like Ellen, we will always be making choices about who we will be, what we will stand for, and with whom we will share our lives. Gibbons’ readers will learn something from Ellen, no matter who they are now and who they hope to become.

Wyoming approved tower for updated countywide dispatch system

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, , , , ,
Wyoming’s Gezon Water tower will host one of the three towers for the county’s new dispatch system.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It may have been a short Wyoming City Council meeting this past Monday, but it was a busy one with the council hiring a new finance director for the city and approving a tower for Kent County’s new dispatch system.

 

In 2016, Kent County voters approved a 70-cent surcharge on their telephone and internet connections. The estimated $4.5 million a year would be split between converting the county’s current public safety dispatch system and countywide fire dispatch services.

 

The City of Wyoming was approached about placing one of three of the towers needed for the new 800 MHz radio system on the Gezon Water tower, City Manager Curtis Holt told the council at the meeting. The new system would allow all police, emergency responders and state police personal as well as neighboring county police and fire to be interconnectable as they would all be utilizing the same radio system, Curtis said.

 

The agreement is slightly different then other tower agreements the city has.

 

“This is a no cost agreement,” he said. “We are not charging for this location. We are not charging for this location because it benefits our public safety.”

 

He said the other municipalities hosting towers, which are the City of Grand Rapids and Kent County, are not charging as well to help keep costs down, Curtis said.

 

Curtis also pointed out that the agreement has a maintenance section where as during maintenance of the water tower, the county, at its own cost, would have to move the dispatch tower to a temporary location.

 

The council unanimously approved the agreement. Curtis said the Gezon Water tower will be undergoing a painting project this spring with the new dispatch antennas being installed after that project is completed.

 

The Wyoming City Council also approved an amended agreement with Kent County for dispatch services since effective Jan. 1, the city will not be charged for fire safety dispatch since that is covered under the new surcharge.

 

Rosa Ooms has been named the city’s new finance director.

New City Finance Director

 

After several years without a finance director, the Wyoming City Council approved a motion to promote Rosa Ooms to the position.

 

 

According to the city’s website, the finance department at the City of Wyoming works in the following areas: payroll, payments to vendors, insurance plans such as medical, dental, vision, liability, property, life, and workers compensation, cash management, retirement plans, budget, and bonding. Robert Luders left the finance director position in 2015. The city has been working with a contracted CPA firm since 2014.

 

According to Mayor Jack Poll, Ooms, who has been the city’s deputy finance director, has been in the department, working with staff. “…[from] what she has shown and where we anticipate the finance department to go that she will be an excellent leader in there,” he said.

 

During the council meeting, City Manager Curtis Holt also spoke highly of Ooms and her work in the city’s finance department.

 

“We have been through kind of some ups and downs with our finance department since our finance director retired…,” Holt said. “Rosa has really stepped up and done a great job with our finance department. Our entire finance department is really operating very, very well. We are really pleased with what we are doing and I think that is kind of a tribute to Rosa and her leadership over this kind of tumultuous period. Congratulations to her and I think it is well deserved and I thank her for doing this.”

 

The City Council unanimously approved the recommendation with Ooms officially starting her new position on Jan. 8.

 

The next regular Wyoming City Council meeting, set for Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, will include the State of the City address from Mayor Jack Poll.

Grand Rapids Public Museum hosts live mermaid in current exhibit

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Mermaid Phantom visits the Grand Rapids Public Museum this month.

By Katie Moore

Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

A live mermaid will be visiting the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) Jan. 13 and 14 as part of the Museum’s Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids exhibit.

 

For this special weekend, visit Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids to explore the various mythical creatures of the world and meet Mermaid Phantom! Mermaid Phantom will be in the exhibit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both January 13 and 14. Visitors can talk to Phantom, ask her questions about mermaids and mythical creatures, touch her tail and take photos with her!

 

“I am so excited to come warm up my fins at the Grand Rapids Public Museum when I visit the Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids the weekend of Jan. 13 and 14,” said Mermaid Phantom. “I haven’t seen humans in Lake Michigan since last summer! I hope I’ll meet plenty of people so we can take tons of pictures together… and talk about mermaid things too!”

 

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids featuring models and replicas of preserved specimens as well as cast fossils of prehistoric animals to investigate how they could have, through misidentification, speculation, fear, or imagination, inspired the development of some legendary creatures.

 

Admission to Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is $12 for adults, $7 for children, $9 for Kent County resident adults, $4 for Kent County resident children, and $2 for all Museum members! Tickets include general admission to the Museum, and can be purchased online at grpm.org or by calling 616.929.1700.

 

Mermaid Phantom will be talking about mermaid life along with discussing other mythical creatures.

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids offers many interactive stations throughout the exhibition. Visitors can build their own dragon on an engaging touch-screen and watch it come alive before their eyes in a virtual environment.

 

Visitors will touch casts of a narwhal tusk to discover how they lent credence to the centuries-old belief in the unicorn. Hands-on stations also include the lower jaw of Gigantopithecus (extinct group of apes) and a life-size reproduction of the talon of a Haast’s eagle.  

 

This exhibit is located on the Museum’s third floor and runs through May 20.

 

Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (amnh.org), in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney; Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau-Quebec; Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta; and The Field Museum, Chicago.

Employment Expertise: Four Job Trends for 2018

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Last year the U.S. saw a 17-year low in its unemployment rate and the addition of nearly 2 million new jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts unemployment will continue to decrease as job growth increases to 20.5 million new jobs through 2020.

 

As more Baby Boomers retire and the pool of unemployed individuals looking for work shrinks, the gap between job openings and qualified workers will grow. This skills gap will drive many of this year’s job trends.

 

Job seekers will likely notice these four trends in 2018:

 

IT Jobs in Diverse Industries: The increasing use of technology is creating the need for IT positions within manufacturing, health care and many more industries. Tech is not going away; now is the time for job seekers to gain new skills to meet the need for qualified IT workers.

 

Healthcare Boom: The aging U.S. population is increasing the need for health care. Providers will likely struggle to fill the roles needed to meet growing demand. Investing in health care training now will likely result in long-term payoffs for job seekers.

 

Upskilling Current Workers: Research has found that a major reason employees leave their jobs is because their interests change. Employers are increasingly investing in training so their staff will have the skills they need to grow into new roles and stay with the company.

 

Non-Traditional Education: Increasing college tuition combined with the need for skilled trades workers is shifting education paths after high school. Online courses and apprenticeships provide the skills needed for a successful career without hefty student loan debt. Employers are expected to accept more diverse credentials to expand their pool of qualified candidates.

 

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

 

 

South Christian students lead effort to honor veterans at recent basketball game

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Sports, Veterans, ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

It is common practice to honor the flag prior to the a high school basketball game, to stand for the playing of the national anthem. But South Christian High School pushed honoring America, and American service members and veterans, to an whole other level at a game last month when it hosted a special veterans recognition ceremony.

 

At the Sailors’ Dec. 15 game when it hosted Caledonia, a special ceremony between the girls and boys games honored U.S. Navy SEAL David Warsen, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012, and well as other servicemen and women that have sacrificed their lives. It was also a benefit for the David Warsen Foundation and Warriors Set Free, a Grand Rapids based organization for veterans run by veterans to help deal with PTSD, suicide, anxiety, depression, and other life issues.

 

The event was the creation of two South Christian students, seniors Andrew Haan and Will Warsen.

 

David Warsen “was a cousin of my friend Will, my partner in organizing the event,” Haan said to WKTV. “I know Dean VanderMey who is on the board at Set Free Ministries, I told him about this project and he referred me to Steve Prince, the main person at Warriors Set Free, which is an offshoot of Set Free Ministries.”

 

For Prince, it was not his first time working with the David Warsen Foundation and it all fit perfectly with his ministry’s mission.

 

“I was invited to the South Christian event by Andrew Haan, his brother is connected to Set Free Ministries,” Prince said to WKTV. “I have also attended several events with the David Warsen Foundation.  A large part of my ministry is spreading the word about what we are doing, so being at that event helped to inform more people about our mission. I also spent some time (at the game) talking with people who are already connected to Set Free Ministries and military vets.”

 

Warriors Set Free —  “Where the hurting and the Healer connect”, according to its website — “is a (Christian-based) ministry run by Veterans for Veterans. Typically a Veteran will only be comfortable talking to another Veteran about the experiences they have had in a war or military service.  Trying to explain your military experience to a civilian has its challenges.  We remove that problem by training Vets to help Vets. Our director, founder and volunteers are all Veterans.”

 

For more information about the David Warsen Foundation visit davidwarsenlegacy.com and about Warriors Set Free visit setfreeministries.com .

 

Grand Rapids Symphony performs an evening of Tchaikovsky to welcome the New Year

Entertainment, , , ,

Note: Video is from South China Morning Post

 

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk

Grand Rapids Symphony

 

At the height of the Cold War in October 1957, the former Soviet Union sent Sputnik into orbit, the first shot in the race for space. Six months later, a lanky, 23-year-old Texan fired back on behalf of the United States.

 

In Moscow before a Russian audience, Van Cliburn gave dazzling performances of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 to win the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition.

 

Pianist Gabriela Montero (Photo by Shelley Mosman)

Cliburn returned home to a ticker-tape parade in New York City, a cover story in Time magazine and a recording contract from RCA Victor. Soon, his Grammy Award-winning recording of Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto became the first classical recording in the world to sell 1 million copies, helping the concerto become an all-time favorite among audiences.

 

In January, Grand Rapids Symphony returns to DeVos Performance Hall with an All-Tchaikovsky concert including the perennially popular piano concerto.

 

Music Director Marcelo Lehninger leads the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and in the Polonaise from Tchaikovsky’s opera, Eugene Onegin, at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12-13, in DeVos Performance Hall.

 

Guest pianist Gabriela Montero will be soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 for the fourth concerts of the 2017-18 Richard and Helen DeVos Classical series. Guest artist sponsor is the Edith I. Blodgett Guest Artist Fund.

 

The Latin Grammy Award-winning pianist and twice Grammy nominated artist, who performed at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2008, won the Bronze Medal at the 13th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1995.

 

A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Montero gave her first public performance at age 5. Three years later, she made her concert debut with the Simon Bolívar Youth Orchestra, earning a scholarship from the Venezuelan government to study in the United States. At age 12, she won the Baldwin National Competition and AMSA Young Artist International Piano Competition, leading to a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

 

In addition to her interpretations of classical masterworks, Montero is celebrated as a brilliant improviser, a skill that’s almost disappeared among contemporary classical pianists. A fearless barnstormer who often extemporizes on musical themes suggested by the audience, her improvisations astonish listeners for their craftsmanship and clarity as well as their complexity.

 

Montero began improvising at the piano at age 4. For many years, she kept her improvisational forays a secret. The world-famous Argentinian pianist Martha Argerich encouraged her to do it in public.

 

“At that point I made the decision,” Montero told the British newspaper The Independent in 2010. “I’m a classical artist and if the classical world shuns me because I improvise, then that’s a risk I have to take, because I have to show myself exactly as I am.”

 

Montero has been heard on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today” show, improvising on melodies called in by listeners. Montero also has been profiled on CBS TV’s “60 Minutes” in December 2006.

 

Her 2006 recording “Bach and Beyond” for EMI, a recording entirely of her improvisation on themes of J.S. Bach, held the top spot on the Billboard Classical Charts for several months. Two years later, her follow-up CD, “Baroque,” garnered a Grammy Award nomination.

 

Montero won the 2015 Latin Grammy Award for Best Classical Album for her debut recording as pianist performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, as composer of an original work, “Ex Patria,” and as an improviser.

 

  • Inside the Music, a free, pre-concert, multi-media presentation sponsored by BDO USA, will be held before each performance at 7 p.m. in the DeVos Place Recital Hall.
  • The complete All Tchaikovsky program will be rebroadcast on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at 1 p.m. on Blue Lake Public Radio 88.9 FM or 90.3 FM.       

Tickets

 

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the GRS box office, weekdays 9 am-5 pm, at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

 

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

 

Full-time students of any age are able to purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Ticketsprogram, sponsored by Comerica and Calvin College. This is a MySymphony360 eligible concert.

The Literacy Center of West Michigan calls for volunteers

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The Literacy Center of West Michigan is searching for volunteers to teach reading and writing skills to adults in the Kent County area.  Volunteers offer one-on-one reading help to adults asking for assistance in reading or English as a Second language (ESL.)

 

Information sessions for volunteers are going to be held on Thursday Jan. 4 at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m., and Friday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. All of these sessions will last one hour and be held at 1120 Monroe Ave., N.W. Suite 240 – Grand Rapids, MI. To register, please call 459-5151, ext. 10, or email info.literacycenterwm.org.

 

The Literacy Center is a non-profit, United Way agency devoted to reducing illiteracy in the community. According to the 2003 National Assessment for Adult Literacy, up to 14.6% of adults in Kent County lack reading and writing skills used in every day life.

 

Executive director of Network180 details scope of Medicaid programs’ differences, funding shortfalls

Citizen Journalism

WKTV Staff

 

As part of his Jan. 5 presentation to the Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council, Scott Gilman, executive director of Network180, went into detail as to the reason for the funding shortfall being experienced by county’s mental health provider, as well as the immediate and possible near-future impacts.

 

According to information provided by Gilman and other sources, Network180 is expected to make approximately $10.7 million in reductions due to declining revenue at the Lakeshore Regional Entity, of which it is a member.

 

The Lakeshore Regional Entity manages a contact with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide services to Kent, Allegan, Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties. The contract is to provide mental health services people with mental illness, developmental disability, and substance use disorders who have Medicaid or are under insured. It is one of 10 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHP) in the state.

 

Gilman’s presentation stated that Medicaid revenue for the mental health system declined state-wide due to thousands of Michigan resident’s insurance status changing from Disabled, Aged and Blind (DAB) to Healthy Michigan. Even though benefits are similar, Healthy Michigan is paid at a much lower rate. An independent study — funded by nine of the 10 PIHPs — by the Grand Rapids based Rehmann Group estimated a $97 million state-wide revenue shortfall, and a $7.8 million loss for the Lakeshore Regional Entity.

 

But, Gilman repeatedly pointed out, despite cuts and delays basic individual services legally must still be provided. Network180, to that end, sent a letter out on Dec. 22, 2017 to individuals served in the county as well as families and other care providers.

 

“I want to emphasize that all individuals served by Network180 have important rights as beneficiaries of the public behavioral health system,” Gilman wrote in the letter. “It is essential that everyone understand that individuals in treatment must be informed of their rights and we all work to make sure each individual is supported to exercise their rights. Service and supports that are medically necessary can’t be reduced based on financing.”

 

“Clients will still get what they are entitled to get,” Gilman said Jan. 2. “We have to fight for that, and we have to protect that. What they are not going to get are things that are better than the basic package they are entitled to.

 

What is going to be cut, he added is “more discretionary programs. … anywhere where we had creative community benefit programs.”

 

Among the cuts being considered by Network180 are clinical Staff at permanent supportive housing projects, the Clubhouse program for adults with mental illness, nursing home monitoring, Native American Community Services staffing grant, Nuevo Camino Hispanic outreach, staffing the Center for Integrated Medicine, respite services for families, facility based skill building CLS and Life Skills, substance use disorder services such as methadone treatment, as well as a delay expansion of Children’s Mobile Crisis Team, Delay expanding of DD Enhanced Healthcare.

 

Another point stepped by Gilman is that while some clients and care providers knowingly switched from DAB Medicaid to Healthy Michigan Medicaid, for reasons including dental coverage and easier qualification, some may not know they have been switched. He urged clients and care providers to check with the MDHSS for details on which Medicaid plan they are on.

 

“There are all different reasons, the one that really scares me is individuals that say ‘I have no idea’,” Gilman said. “Because then I wonder if they are making informed decisions as to what is best for them. … It is ease of access. It is just so easy to get Healthy Michigan than it is DAB. People just take the path of least resistance.”

 

Adoptable pets of the week: Sheba, Mijia, and Chessy

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Gorgeous Sheba

By Brooke Hotchkiss, Humane Society of West Michigan

 

Each week, WKTV features an adoptable furry friend (or few) from various shelters in the Grand Rapids area. This week, we focus on Humane Society of West Michigan, located at 3077 Wilson Dr. NW in Grand Rapids.

 

Humane Society of West Michigan’s mission is to rescue hurt, abused and abandoned animals and find them new, forever homes. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization helps over 8,000 animals annually and is 100% donor-funded by caring individuals and businesses in the community. Additional programs help reduce pet overpopulation, provide assistance to low-income pet owners, behaviorally assess animals and reunite lost pets with their owners.

 

Sheba — Female Domestic Short Hair

I am a 13-year-old cat looking for my forever home. I’m a sweet and social girl who loves pets and playing! I also like to relax and would do best in a quiet home that would give me some love and attention. I’m an easygoing cat and would bring someone a lot of joy. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan! Animals ages 7 years and older have their adoption fees waived due to generous grant funding.

More about Sheba:
  • Animal ID: 31378891
  • Domestic Shorthair/Mix

    Fun-loving Mijia
  • Female
  • Size: Medium
  • Color: Black/Orange
  • Spayed
  • Declawed

Mijia — Female American Staffordshire Terrier Mix

I am a fun-loving, 3-year-old looking for my forever home! I seem to be house trained, love to play, and know several commands. I am currently too stressed to go home with another dog, but may do well with a male dog once I’m comfortable in a home. I love to snuggle and go for walks! If I sound like a good fit for you, please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

More about Mijia:
  • Animal ID: 37155706
  • Terrier, American Staffordshire/Mix
  • Female
  • Size: Large
  • Color: Brindle
  • Spayed

Chessy — Female Domestic Short Hair

Dainty Chessy

I am a 5-year-old cat looking for my forever home! I need to be placed in a home with no dogs and no small children. I am social and playful, however, I am not very tolerant of being picked up or pet. I need an environment where I can approach people on my own terms and in my own time and have a space to hide when I need to be alone. I do enjoy playing with people, especially with wand toys once I have warmed up. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

More about Chessy:
  • Animal ID: 31798714
  • Domestic Shorthair/Mix
  • Female
  • Size: Small
  • Color: Grey
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed

Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tuesday-Friday 12pm-7pm and Saturday-Sunday 11am-4pm.

 

The Humane Society of West Michigan automatically microchips all adoptable animals using 24PetWatch microchips, which include FREE registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet is also provided with 30 days of FREE ShelterCare Pet Health Insurance with a valid email address. For more information visit www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-7387 (PETS).

Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tues-Fri 12-7, Sat & Sun 11-4.

Important lecturers, well & lesser known, visit Calvin’s 2018 January Series

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Kevin Olusola has re-imagined the cello by mashing it together and the urban art of beatboxing into a new musical genre. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org 

 

Calvin College’s January Series of lectures, always an intellectual bright light in the often dark days of mid-winter in West Michigan, has never shied away important if not always pleasant topics and often bright national speakers to local audiences.

 

The 2018 edition is no different, with weighty topics discussed including poverty and racism, and speakers including a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, a New York Times best-selling author and a former technology adviser to the White House.

 

But Kristi Potter, director of the January Series, says there was a conscience effort this year to bring “positive and encouraging stories” to the college’s Covenant Fine Arts Center.

 

“This year as I reflected on what was happening in the news and what conversations would be good to have on the series in 2018, I felt a strong need to bring positive and encouraging stories,” Potter said in supplied material. “So as always, we will hear from speakers on a number of difficult topics like poverty, racism, pollution, restorative justice and dementia, but we will also hear stories of how we can make a difference in the world with our influence, our power, our money or even our mindset.”

 

From Wednesday, Jan. 3, through Tuesday, Jan. 23, attendees will hear 15 speakers who are leading voices in some of the nation’s — and world’s — most pivotal and timely discussions.

 

Among the featured presenters are Katherine Boo, a staff writer for The New Yorker whose work has been honored by a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant and Pulitzer Prize, and Jeremy McCarter, co-author of “Hamilton: The Revolution” and a person who witnessed the Broadway show’s journey from concept to cultural phenomenon.

 

Among the other notable, if possibly lesser known lecturers, are Kevin Olusola, who is best known as the beatboxing member of the Grammy-winning vocal quintet Pentatonix but has re-imagined the cello by mashing it together and the urban art of beatboxing into a new musical genre called cello-boxing. He will talk Wednesday, Jan. 17.

 

Shane Clairborne
John Swinton

Also notable, if under-the-radar, lecturers are Shane Clairborne, who on Monday, Jan. 8, will present a talk titled “Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why it is Killing Us; and John Swinton, who on Tuesday, Jan, 23, will present a talk titled “Still Waters Run Deep: Reimagining Dementia and Humanness”.

 

And, also as is the January Series overriding theme, spirituality plays a central role in many lectures.

 

“I think this year’s lineup reminds us to have hope that God is in control and there are good things happening in the world and good people leading this work,” Potter said. “And we can be a part of it.”

 

The series runs from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Covenant Fine Arts Center on Calvin’s campus. A repeat performance and conversation with Olusola will take place on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. No tickets required for the day or one evening events (but they do fill up quickly, so do not be late).

For more information about the January Series visit www.calvin.edu/january.

 

Kent County DPW complete expansion of methane collection system in Kentwood

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Field work is now complete on the expansion of the methane gas collection system at the closed Kentwood Landfill. Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) installed eighteen new gas wells to extract the methane gas from the western edge of the landfill. Eight additional wells were installed to provide access for continued routine monitoring of the site.

During routine monitoring in fall of 2016, the DPW discovered methane gas migrating outside the solid waste boundaries of the Kentwood Landfill causing potential for methane gas intrusion into nearby City of Kentwood buildings and neighboring residences. Kent County DPW organized a project team and worked alongside the City of Kentwood, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and engineering consultants to design a second methane extraction system.

In fall 2017, after extensive investigation and continued monitoring, DPW moved forward with the installation of eighteen new gas wells between 15 and 106 feet deep and added eight monitoring wells. On Dec. 27, a new flare system was activated and is now extracting methane gas along the western boundary of the landfill where methane was found to be migrating. DPW will monitor the newly installed system and will continue to routinely test onsite and off site monitoring wells indefinitely.

“Work at the site progressed as expected and the new flare is now activated,” said Molly Sherwood, Environmental Compliance Manager at Kent County DPW. “Our project team is confident that this expansion will serve the site well to control the methane that is migrating outside the boundaries of the landfill.”

Kent County DPW continues to offer no-cost, third-party methane testing for the 150 residences within 1500 feet of the landfill’s western boundary. To date, voluntary testing in nine residences and weekly monitoring of City of Kentwood facilities has shown no methane vapor intrusion into building structures.

The cost of this new extraction system was roughly $1 million with funding provided through the Kent County Solid Waste Surcharge.

New year, new WKTV featured games part of upcoming sports schedule

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports,
Ice hockey is on WKTV’s coverage schedule this week. (WKTV)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

sports@wktv.org

 

The New Year has started and with it most local high school basketball teams began the conference portion of their schedules.  WKTV will continue to be there bringing its viewers at least one Featured Game matchup each week, so, as always, if you can support your local school and its student-athletes in person do so, but then join in on the broadcasts.

 

WKTV’s sports crew will be on the road Jan. 5 with a doubleheader of boys and girls basketball, with Grand River Preparatory High School at Wyoming Potter’s House on the girls side, and Kelloggsville High School at The Potter’s House High School on the boys side. Then on Jan. 6, the crew will be at South Christian High School for a boys hockey game against Catholic Central High School.

 

The remainder of the tentative January Featured Game broadcast schedule is:

Friday, Jan. 12 — Girls and Boys Basketball: South Christian at Wyoming

Tuesday. Jan. 16 — Boys Basketball: West Ottawa at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Jan. 23 — Boys Basketball: NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights

Thursday, Jan. 25 — Boys Swimming: Grandville at East Kentwood

 

Currently, each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

 

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/

 

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

 

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Boys Basketball

Grandville @ Wyoming

 

Wednesday, Jan. 3

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Spring Lake

Kelloggsville @ Spring Lake

Wyoming @ Hamilton

East Kentwood @ Grandville

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Girls Basketball

Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights

Boys/Girls Bowling

Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ South Christian

Belding @ Wyoming Lee

 

Thursday, Jan. 4

Boys Wrestling

Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Swimming

@ East Kentwood

Boys Basketball

TBA vs Grand River Prep – GR Drive Winter Classic @ The DeltaPlex

Girls Basketball

WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran

 

Friday, Jan. 5

Girls Basketball

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Holland Black River @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven

Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House

West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian

TBA vs West Michigan Lutheran — GR Drive Winter Classic @ The DeltaPlex

FH Eastern @ South Christian

Boys Basketball

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Game

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven

TBA vs Grand River Prep — GR Drive Winter Classic @ The DeltaPlex

West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian

Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary

FH Eastern @ South Christian

Girls Cheer

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores — Stan Konrad Tournament

South Christian/BC/Wayland @ Lansing Catholic

 

Saturday, Jan. 6

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Allendale

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian

Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Fruitport

Kelloggsville @ Fruitport

Wyoming Lee @ Jenison

Boys Swimming

East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores — Stan Konrad Tournament

Catholic Central @ South Christian/BC/Wayland — WKTV Featured Game 

 

Monday, Jan. 8

Boys/Girls Bowling

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights

Unity Christian @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian

Catholic Central @ Tri-Unity Christian

On the shelf: ‘Copper Country Postcards’ by Nancy Sanderson

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By M. Christine Byron, Grand Rapids Main Library

 

Local author Nancy Sanderson has created a wonderful treasure with her book, Copper Country Postcards: A View of the Past from the Keweenaw Peninsula. The book features almost 300 postcards from Sanderson’s extensive personal collection. The book gives a glimpse of Copper Country in the first half of the twentieth century. A foreword by Peter Van Pelt gives a brief introduction to the region.

 

By the turn of the 20th century mines and mining towns were well established in Copper Country and many immigrants had settled in the area. The popularity of postcards boomed and captured many views of places, people and events. Many postcards were mailed to family and friends and others were kept in albums as mementos. Real photo postcards documented significant events of the era. Sanderson has included a brief history of the postcard and a helpful list of postcard publishers that printed views of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

 

The first three chapters document the mining industry of Copper Country. Views include mines, shafts, smelters and mills, and machinery and operating equipment. The group portraits of miners show what a hardy breed they must have been to perform such hard labor. Scenes of the underground mine shafts are especially haunting in light of this year’s West Virginia mining disasters.

 

The chapter on the strike of 1913 features some of the rarest postcards in the book. Sanderson has collected views of the Michigan National Guard troops and their camps. The messages on the back of some of these cards give a social history of the time. There are views of protests and parades and a wonderful portrait of Annie Clemenc, the heroine of the strike. On a sadder note there are also scenes of funeral processions for the victims of the 1913 Italian Hall tragedy.

 

In the chapter on shipping Sanderson gives us wonderful postcard views of ships, freighters, and other boats. Dock scenes show workers loading copper ingots. Lighthouse views of the Canal Light House and the Portage River Light are included as well as a rare view of the U.S. Life Saving Station on the Portage Canal.

 

The second two-thirds of the book is devoted to towns and villages in the area. Chapters include Calumet and Laurium, Hancock and Houghton, Lake Linden and Hubbell and other towns. The breadth of Sanderson’s collection is shown in views of churches, schools, libraries, fire halls, banks, railroad stations hotels and more.

 

There are wonderful street scenes that capture the flavor of the town and parades that capture the spirit of the people. The postcard showing the Gay Baseball team of 1907 is a real gem. Scenic views of the Brockway Mountain Drive and Fort Wilkins State Park show the appeal the peninsula had to tourists.

 

The final chapter of the book features miscellaneous cards with such diverse views as snow scenes, the Freda Park Copper Range Railroad and the famous Cornish pasty. Advertising postcards feature some of the local organizations and businesses. A worthwhile bibliography and recommended reading list close out the book.

 

Sanderson grew up in Copper Country and has been a life member of the Keewenaw County Historical Society since the early 1980s. She has been active in the preservation of the area and in 2002 was awarded the Lauri W. Leskinen Memorial Award by the historical society for her role in developing a Commercial Fishing Museum located at the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Museum.

 

Copper Country Postcards is a wonderful collection to be appreciated by postcard collectors or anyone interested in Upper Peninsula history. The full-size, full-color views are accurate reproductions of Sanderson’s original postcards. The captions that the author has written for the cards give relevant background information to the views. Sanderson’s generosity and commitment to the area is evident in the fact that the proceeds from the sale of the book will help fund preservation projects of the Keweenaw County Historical Society

Public Museum extends its weekend hours starting Jan. 6

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The Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced changes to open hours for 2018 starting this Saturday, Jan. 6, including earlier hours on Sundays.

 

Starting this weekend, visitors can visit the Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This provides more opportunities for visitors to take advantage of the GRPM as the community hub for science, history and culture.

 

“We are excited to open earlier on Sundays for our visitors,” said Kate Moore, the Museum’s Vice President of Marketing & PR. “Based on visitor patterns we are shifting our hours to better accommodate our guests to be open when they want to visit us.”

 

The GRPM will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information on upcoming exhibits, events and more, visit grpm.org.

 

The Museum will no longer offer their extended evening hours on Tuesday nights with plans to do more regular evening programming at the Museum, including the Concerts Under the Stars series and Beer Explorers.

Meijer Gardens’ ‘Drawn Into Form’ exhibit to focus Pepper’s visionary creative process

3-bottom, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

There is probably not a vantage point on the grounds of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park where you cannot see Beverly Pepper’s monumental sculpture “Galileo’s Wedge”. Depending on one’s world view, it is either an authoritative metal finger pointing toward the heavens or an elongated monolith-like spike sinking deep into the Earth.

 

Either way, the 2009 acquisition by Meijer Gardens is a soaring steel object of visual beauty and, simultaneously, engineering mastery which rises nearly 40 feet into the sky and an undefined depth into the ground.

 

It is that imagination-bending blend of engineering mastery and visual beauty which will be the focus of the next featured exhibit at Meijer Gardens as “Drawn Into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper” opens Feb. 2, 2018.

 

The exhibition is the first public showing of the gift of Pepper’s expansive print and drawing archives that was given to Meijer Gardens in 2016 and 2017.  Spanning seven decades of work by the contemporary sculptor, the archives includes hundreds of drawings, prints, works on paper and notebooks, with many containing sketches of her major sculptural endeavors on display around the world.

 

Beverly Pepper at Meijer Gardens. (Undated photo taken by George Tatge)

“The 2018 retrospective surveying sixty-five years of work is a rare luxury, and an unbelievable opportunity,” Pepper said in supplied material. “Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to my sculpture and I am enthusiastic to now have this major body of my work there.” Pepper said in supplied material. “To have in one location a space to study, compare and sequence my drawings and prints is an exceptional opportunity.”

 

Pepper (born 1922 in Brooklyn, N.Y.) lives and works in Italy. Her works have been exhibited and collected by major arts institutions and galleries around the world, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., Les Jardins du Palais Royal in Paris, and The Museum of Modern Art in Sapporo, Japan.

 

Joseph Antenucci Becherer, chief curator and vice president of Meijer Gardens, sees the exhibit as a logical public extension of the artist’s gift.

 

“The importance of the gift and this exhibition simply cannot be overstated,” Becherer said in supplied material. “The opportunity to experience the sheer brilliance of Pepper’s work and trace the trajectory of her career from a realist aesthetic in the late 1940s and 50s, through her embrace of abstraction to become one of America’s leading abstract sculptors, is beyond compare.”

 

The exhibition will run through April 19, 2018.

 

Pepper is world-renowned for her work, which often incorporates industrial metals like iron, bronze, stainless steel and stone into sculpture of a monumental scale, but her vast drawing and print repertoire is lesser known.

 

Associated with the exhibit will be several special events including a March 18 discussion on “Five Great Women Sculptors” by Suzanne Eberle, Professor of Art History at Kendall College of Art & Design. The talk will focus on important female artists — including Pepper, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Louise Bourgeois, Barbara Hepworth, and Louise Nevelson — who have worked in large scale.

 

For more information visit meijergardens.org .

 

WKTV Journal: A celebration of 2017

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In our last newscast for 2017, we take a look back at the Year of the Rooster, according to the Vietnamese calendar. In 2017, the City of Kentwood marked its 50th anniversary with a variety of special events that included a weekend-long celebration in August. Mayor Stephen Kepley was re-elected to a second term as the city’s mayor and newcomers Emily Bridson and Tom McKelvey joined the Kentwood City Commission.

 

 

There also was a host of activities in the city of Wyoming as well from its second annual Clean Up Day to the Metro Cruise. Both cities also approved The Rapid millage continuing busing within the cities.

 

On the shelf: Eating words

Books, Entertainment, ,

By Melissa Fox, Grand Rapids Public Library

 

With soup season in full swing and family and friends snug in their beds, it seems the perfect time to cozy up with some delicious reading. Here are the books and authors that I return to when I want to be satiated with words.

 

Gastronomical Me by M. F. K. Fisher follows newly married Fisher and husband Al as they make a life for themselves in prewar France. We learn how Fisher came to taste and savor food and the immediate impact France and French cooking had on her life. This book is filled with Fisher’s signature prose that is as luscious and poignant as it is deftly humorous.

 

My life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme is the story of how Julia Child became Julia Child. It tells how she fell in love with France, learned how to cook, and wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Not only is this book filled with lovely images of France and food, it is also an intimate, romantic portrait of Julia and Paul Child’s early years of marriage.

 

Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples, and Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl are a series of memoirs from the last editor of Gourmet magazine. This series covers much of Reichl’s life, from her childhood with her mother’s fantastic parties complete with spoiled food, to her job as New York Times food critic. Reichl’s descriptions of food and life are as unique and hilarious as are they are tender and revealing.

 

 

Travel the world from the seat of your own couch with a special series from Wyoming’s own Sid Lenger

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In the film “America Now,” Sid Lenger talks about why George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are featured on Mt. Rushmore.

 

“We were about ready to retire,” said Sid Lenger. “I was 69 at the time and we were showing films at Godwin Heights High School when this person came up and said ‘Would you like to go to India?’

 

“So we retired right into visiting India for the next 24 years.”

 

Lenger has never missed an opportunity to film. While serving on a landing ship, tank (LST) during World War II, he received permission to have a camera “and I brought a video camera as well,” he said.

 

The former owner of Lenger Travel has created hundreds of films. At age 99, he is not the globe-trotter he once was, but his travel films remain popular keeping Lenger busy with scheduling various series at Marge’s Donut Den. Starting on Jan. 2, WKTV will be featuring a selection of Lenger’s travel films, which will air at 2:30 p.m. on WKTV 25 and repeat at noon on Fridays.

 

“What makes his films so unique is that its not just the usual overview of well-known places such as Munich or Berlin, but Sid captures what life is really like,” said WKTV volunteer Tom Sibley, who has worked with Lenger on his series at Marge’s Donut Den. “When he took tour groups, he often would take smaller groups so that they could get up close to the whales or access to places larger groups could not visit.”

 

Lenger also built a lot of relationships with people because he kept coming back to those smaller communities, Sibley said. Such was the case when Lenger headed to the mountains of Northern Italy and film the history and art of the Anri wood carvers, recording a century-old tradition.

 

“The narration is clear,” Sibley said. “He doesn’t waste a lot of words and yet you can tell, he has done a lot of research.”

 

Sid Lenger with WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

“In ‘America Then’ (the first in the WKTV series), I take each of the presidents on Mt. Rushmore and explain why that president is there and what is going on during their lifetime,” Lenger said, adding the film also discusses the history of the U.S. flag. “A teacher came up to me and said that it is the best history lesson she had ever seen.”

 

In his partnership with Pastor John Devries, the founder of Mission India and the person who asked Lenger and his wife Beulah if they would be interested in visiting the country, Lenger filmed scenery and life in a country that was not always welcoming to Christians.

 

Filmmaking always has been a hobby for the World War II veteran. He created many of his travel films and showed them at Godwin Heights High School to help increase interest in some of the tours offered through his agency. Today, it still remains a hobby with Lenger maintaining a studio space in his home where he edits on a regular basis, according to his daughter Lavonne Ritzema. He also has an area for painting as well, she noted.

 

“I’ve got this Michigan film I’ve put together,” Lenger said. “I need to redo it. This summer, I am going to head over to Frankenmuth and get some footage of the Silent Night Chapel.”

 

As we all await for the Michigan film, take some time to check out some of Lenger’s earlier travel films on WKTV. Also, Lenger film series is every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW. The Marge’s Donut Den series will restart on Jan. 10.

 

 

GR Symphony welcomes new year with Romantic Serenades

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Grand Rapids Symphony Music Director Marcelo Lehninger leads the symphony in the Jan. 5 performance of music of Tchaikovsky and Dvorak. (Photo by Terry Johnston)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk

Grand Rapids Symphony

 

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Antonin Dvořák flourished in another time and place, in a world before cars and planes, telephones and television.

 

In the very same era, nine prominent women of Grand Rapids banded together in 1883 to found St. Cecilia Music Center, to promote the study and appreciation of music.

 

Grand Rapids Symphony returns to historic 19th century St. Cecilia Music Center and the elegant splendor of Royce Auditorium for The Romantic Concert: Dvořák & Tchaikovsky on Friday, Jan. 5.

 

Music Director Marcelo Lehninger leads the Crowe Horwath Great Eras concert at 8 p.m. in St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NW

 

Highlights of the evening concert will be given at 10 a.m. that morning for The Romantic Coffee Concert, part of the Porter Hills Coffee Classics series, a one-hour program held without intermission. Doors open at 9 a.m. for complementary coffee and pastry.

 

The Grand Rapids Symphony itself is the star of the show with music including Dvořák’s Serenade for Wind Instruments, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, and a Brass Sextet in E-flat minor by Oskar Böhme.

 

“It shows off each section of the orchestra, strings, winds and brass,” Lehninger said.

 

Dvořák, who drew from folk music of his native Bohemia, was inspired by the Old-World atmosphere of the late 18th century when he composed his Serenade for Wind Instruments in 1878.

 

An excerpt from its third movement is heard in the 2004 film Iron Jawed Angels, starring Hilary Swank as suffragist leader Alice Paul along with Frances O’Connor, Julia Ormond and Anjelica Huston

 

Tchaikovsky, who loved the music of Mozart above all other composers, paid homage to the German composer in the first movement of his Serenade for Strings, composed in 1881, two years before St. Cecilia Music Society was founded.

 

The waltz in its second movement was adapted for singer and orchestra and used in the 1945 MGM film Anchors Aweigh. Kathryn Grayson sang the song titled “From the Heart of a Lonely Poet.”

The complete The Romantic Concert: Dvořák & Tchaikovsky program will be rebroadcast on Sunday, April 1, 2018, at 1 p.m. on Blue Lake Public Radio 88.9 FM or 90.3 FM.

 

Tickets

 

Tickets start at $26 for the Great Eras series and $16 for Coffee Classics and are available at the GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 am-5 pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

 

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

 

Full-time students of any age are able to purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Ticketsprogram, sponsored by Comerica and Calvin College. This is a MySymphony360 eligible concert.

Wyoming seeks input on Gezon Park Master Plan

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The City of Wyoming is seeking input from residents on a new master plan for Gezon Park..

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Ever wanted an ultimate Frisbee court? Hoping to have a splash pad at your park? How about more walking trails? Now is the time for Wyoming residents to speak up as the City of Wyoming asks for their input on what Gezon Park should offer.

 

Through Jan. 11, the City of Wyoming is seeking Wyoming residents’ input on a new master plan for Gezon Park.

 

The Gezon Park project is part of the library millage proposal that Wyoming voters approved in May. Voters approved a proposal that allowed the city to open up its current library millage to help with park improvements. About .16 of the .39 library millage, about $800,000 a year, is being used to help pay a 15-year bond of $4.4 million.

 

The master plan will be the basis of the future park development plans. Residents are encouraged to take a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GezonParkMasterPlan. The survey only takes about a couple of minutes to complete. The survey will be available until Jan. 11. After the survey information has been processed, there will be two public meetings on the park as well. The first is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The second will be on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Metro Health University of Michigan Health Conference Center, 2225 Main St., located in the hospital.

 

Gezon Park, which includes 94 acres with two entrances, 5651 Gezon Ct. SW and 1940 52nd St SW, actually had a site plan developed in 1996. However much has changed since then, noted Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt, who oversees the parks.

 

“With the growth in the City’s southern region, from developments at Metro Health Village to expanded residential housing along Wilson Avenue, we need the facilities of Gezon Park to align, not only the community needs of today, but well into the future,” Rynbrandt said. “We really look to our community and area residents to guide this process so Gezon can be exactly what is needed for the area.”

 

The walking path at Gezon Park during the summer.

While Gezon Park runs from Gezon Parkway and 52nd Street, only the entrance areas have been developed. The north end of the park (the 52nd Street entrance) serves as a neighborhood park with basketball courts, a picnic shelter, playground area and walking trail.The south end of the park (the Gezon Parkway entrance) is an active sports park with baseball, softball, and football fields along with restroom facilities. The vast majority of the park remains undeveloped. The City of Wyoming Water Treatment Plant is located adjacent to the park on the City property as well.

 

Gezon Park is one of four parks included in the proposed park improvements. The other parks are Ferrand Park, a pocket park on Byron Center Avenue; Jackson Park, located at 1331 33rd St. SW; and Ideal Park, located at 5843 Crippen Ave. SW.

 

 

For more information about Gezon Park or the greater Wyoming Parks system or program, contact the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164 or parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

Some of the biggest stories of 2017 for Wyoming and Kentwood

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2017 top story: Grace Bible College’s Kate Shellenbarger makes a difference by working with Wyoming police Det./Lt. James Maguffee. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

As 2017 comes to a close, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the most popular stories for the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming.

 

In compiling this list, I took a look at both page views on a story, which indicates the number of people who clicked on the article, and also social media statistics. The result is a mix of both most read and shared articles from the WKTV Journal website.

 

One of the most read stories, and shared extensively on social media, was Grace Bible College student ‘part of solution’ to local human trafficking problem and almost tied was Grab a seat – the eagles are back and viewing is easy through online sites, written by WKTV contributor Catherin Kooyers.

 

 

In fact, the City of Wyoming had several of our most read and shared stories which included Wyoming’s Spring Carnival is back at new location, Lamar Park and Wyoming set to have a brew, or two with Two Guys Brewery.

 

A room with a view: The partnership to make the Kelloggsville Library a community library wrapped up the year and our list for most read and shared stories of 2017.

Other top Wyoming stories were:

 

Wyoming Public Schools seek millage extension to modernize buildings, expand high school

 

New Godfrey Lee district board member brings Latinx perspective to educational leadership

 

Ribbon cutting celebrates redevelopment of former Wyoming Village Mall to 28 West Place/ With commercial and city cooperation, grand opening of 28 West Place more than a ribbon cutting

 

Intersecting of 56th and Ivanrest scheduled to get traffic signal

 

‘Boots and Badges’ brings first responders, community together for day of appreciation and fun

 

Wyoming seeks to open up library maintenance millage for park improvements

 

Get to know your neighbor at the first-ever Wyoming Winterfest/It may have been warm but WinterFest was a success

 

 

The first Kentwood City Commission met on Feb. 27, 1967. The city kicked off its 50th anniversary by hosting a commission meeting on Feb. 27, 2017.

The biggest event that took place in the City of Kentwood was the city’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration, so it only makes sense that many of the most read and shared Kentwood stories centered around the celebration. Some of those stories were:

 

Kentwood 50: Kentwood’s fifth graduating class celebrates its 50th anniversary

 

Kentwood kicks off year-long 50th anniversary celebration with a special city commission meeting

 

Kentwood 50: Opening celebration brings dignitaries to town

 

Kentwood 50: City recognizes establishments that have been apart of the community for 50 years or more

 

Celebrating Kentwood is what this upcoming weekend event is all about

 

Kentwood hosts Trunk or Treat event Oct. 21

 

Kentwood gives summer a final hurrah with food truck festival

 

 

The Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the year with some of the hottest news: the 2016 Chamber Award winners which included Chamber names Valorous Circle ‘2016 Service Business of the Year,’ Lacks Enterprises named manufacturer of the year by chamber, and Craig’s Cruisers named retail business of the year by chamber. Another popular Chamber story was on the  2017 SouthKent Expo: More than 80 vendors scheduled for this year’s SouthKent Expo.

Wyoming high head coach Irvin Sigler, at a preseason press conference. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

 

 

There was a lot going in local sports including the newly appointed Wyoming High School Football Coach Irvin Sigler III and in fact one of the top shared sports stories was Wyoming football team learning, growing under new coach’s guidance. Another top sports story was the September piece Godwin Heights honors one of its own, Chris Pulliams, prior to home football game, recognizing the longtime athletic director and teacher.

 

 

In entertainment, theater stories did quite well with everyone loving the story of Kira Alsum in Local resident takes the Civic Theatre stage in upcoming production of ‘Annie.’ taking a top spot. In fact, readers seemed to really enjoy hearing of the accomplishments of many of our local thespians with other Civic Theatre stories such as Civic Theatre’s ‘Fancy Nancy’ features Kentwood resident in lead and Four local residents celebrate the wisdom of Dr. Seuss in Civic Theatre production were popular as well. Another well shared and popular entertainment story was Retirement’ on the menu for owners of Pal’s Diner.

 

Jason Morrison as Oliver Warbucks with Kentwood’s Kira Alsum as Grace Farrell in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre holiday production of “Annie”

Other top WKTV Journal 2017 entertainment stories were:

 

For semi-serious beer-fueled runners, a new pub run/crawl series

 

Public Museum’s Beer Explorers pairs beer, doughnuts this month

 

Reciprocal membership benefits for GRPM members with Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum 

 

On Tap: Cedar Springs Pub Crawl or passport stops, your call after Black Friday

 

Still available, Jamie, from Crash’s Landing.

 

Who does not love a good animal story? Through partnerships with such groups as Crash’s Landing and the Humane Society of West Michigan, we have featured a number of adoptable animals and of the top five, Nessarose, Jamie, Heihei, Cuervo, and Salsa (All from Crash’s Landing), three have been adopted, Nessarose’s adoption is pending and Jamie is being fostered.

 

 

Wrapping up our list of the 2017 biggest stories is Kelloggsville, KDL join together to open high school library to entire community, which I could not think of a better way to cap off the year. The story, which was published in December and did remarkably well for the short time it has been up, serves as an excellent example of how various community groups working together can find a way to fill a need. Those partnerships are what has enabled the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood to accomplish some pretty amazing things, as you can tell from this list of 2017 most read and shared stories.

 

And with that said, we look forward to covering the amazing things that both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood accomplish in 2018.

 

Victoria Mullen contributed to this story.

GVSU announces 2018 speakers for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week

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April Regin

Two women who started national movements against acts of oppression will visit Grand Valley State University as keynote speakers during the campus’ 2018 commemoration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

April Reign, creator of the viral hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, is slated as the speaker on Monday, Jan. 15; and Bree Newsome, who climbed a flagpole in South Carolina in 2015 to remove a Confederate flag, is the Wednesday, Jan. 17, speaker.

 

Reign is an attorney and writer who lives in Washington, D.C. In 2015, she sent a tweet critical of the 88th Academy Awards ceremony and lack of people of color nominated in major acting and directing categories. Her #OscarsSoWhite tweet went viral and was a catalyst for a social media movement and caused the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to change its membership policies and voting rules.

 

Reign now has a social media following of more than 100,000, and is listed among the top 15 accounts on #BlackTwitter by the National Journal. She regularly appears at academic institutions, entertainment networks and studios to speak about diversity and inclusion.

 

As part of a collaborative effort among Grand Valley, Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University, Reign also will give presentations at GRCC, Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids and Davenport’s campus during her two-day stay in West Michigan.

 

Bree Newsome

Newsome is a filmmaker and artist who was in the national spotlight in 2015 when the climbed a flagpole in Columbia, South Carolina — the state’s capital — to lower its Confederate flag. Her action came shortly after the mass shooting of nine African American parishioners at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. She was arrested along with another activist and soon #FreeBree was a Twitter trend and $100,000 raised for her $3,000 jail fine.

 

Her actions stirred the political pot in many communities. The Confederate flag was permanently removed from the statehouse by then-Gov. Nikki Haley and discussion moved across the country considering flags and monuments.

 

Newsome lives in North Carolina and works as an artist and community organizer. She earned the 2016 NAACP Image Award and was named to the Ebony 100, recognizing her commitment to civil rights.

 

Grand Valley’s 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week will run Jan. 15-20; visit gvsu.edu/mlkfor updates.

School News Network: ‘You’ve Gotta Be There Everyday’

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The first Parkview attendance celebration was a red-carpet affair for students like these kindergartners (from left) Major Weese, Benjamin Ramey, Taeja Gibson, Angel Gonzalez and Marianna Brault being recognized on stage. (All photos courtesy of School News Network.)

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

Parkview Elementary students shined, smiles spreading from ear to ear, as they walked down the red carpet laid out for them during a celebration of their success in getting to school nearly every day, all day.

 

Along with the grand Hollywood-style entrance, names of 260 kindergartners through fourth-graders were announced as students walked on stage in the Dan Heintzelman Fine Arts Center, honored for being in class 95 percent or more of the time during the first marking period. They then watched a movie with their families and went home with goodie bags. Beverly Reformed and Wyoming Park United Methodist churches sponsored the event.

 

The celebration, the first of three planned this school year, promotes family involvement in attendance, said Teresa Dood, Kent School Services Network community coordinator She works on the school’s attendance team with Principal Katie Jobson, social worker Micah Bell, KSSN clinician Staci Wolters, and Sarah Wildman, success coach for the Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Attendance is a critical piece to success in school, Dood said. “Kids miss critical building blocks when they miss school and days add up so quickly.”

 

About 8 percent of Parkview students were chronically absent for a range of reasons during the first marking period. The team takes multiple steps to remove barriers that are keeping children from school.

 

Those include transportation; unstable housing and homelessness; a parent who works third shift; and illness, anxiety and mental health issues. The staff goes as far as to help with car repairs, walk students to school, and connect families with health-care professionals. They make sure classrooms are stocked with hand sanitizer, tissues and cleaning wipes.

 

Superintendent Tom Reeder applauds as first-grader Kiara Thomas enters the building

Aligned with County-wide Goals

The countywide goal is for students to miss no more than five days per school year, said Mark Larson, Kent ISD’s truancy and attendance coordinator. Last year, Kent County education leaders — including a group of district superintendents, representatives from Kent County Juvenile Court, the Kent County School Justice Partnership and others — created a new policy with common definitions.

 

According to a study in Berrien County, replicated in other areas, top reasons students are kept home include parent-diagnosed illness, which includes the sniffles or other mild symptoms; routine dentist and doctors’ appointments for which parents pull students out midday and then don’t return; and parents placing a lack of value in attendance, including having older children stay home with younger siblings.

 

“When you look at it through that lens, it’s important the whole family values regular and consistent attendance,” Larson said.

 

Kristin Jacob and son, kindergartner Josiah, walk the red carpet to applause

Keeping Track of Days Missed

At Parkview, Dood and the staff review attendance records weekly, noticing patterns of absence early.

 

“Attendance is often an iceberg issue and really there are a lot of underlying things the family is struggling with,” Dood said. “When we talk to families, we try to look at it in a solution-focused manner: ‘What can we do to help you?’

 

“There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to attendance, it really needs to be individual.”

 

Sometimes the solution is just to stress the importance of attendance, beginning in kindergarten, to parents who have an “it’s just kindergarten” mentality. Stressing appropriate bedtimes is also important.

 

At the Parkview celebration, parents posed for photos with their children. Tim Agema, father to third-grader Ellie and first-grader Landon, said attendance is a priority for them. The reason? “Of course, education,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing. You gotta be there every day.”

 

“Once you fall behind it’s hard to keep up. Every day matters,” added Kristin Jacob, mom to kindergartner Josiah.

 

Second-grader Sa’riyah Brown also knows why it’s important to be in class: “If you’re not there you don’t get to be smarter.”

 

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

 

Parents also deserve recognition for making sure their students are in school as much as possible.

Making a difference: Local state legislators’ key public policy efforts in 2017’s

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Wyoming and Kentwood’s local state government representatives were busy in Lansing in 2017, often on legislative action they felt passionate about. (Michigan Municipal League)

By. K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

When it comes to working on public policy in Lansing, Michigan state legislators try to vote knowledgeably on wide range of issues. But they often have focal points for their efforts; legislative bills which they champion because they consider them uniquely important or, often, have a personal connection.

 

As 2017 comes to a close, WKTV asked the two state senators and two representatives who represent the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood to tell us about one of their legislative efforts that rose above the routine job of public policy and governance.

 

The answers ranged from combating the state’s opioid epidemic to supporting foster care parents, from protecting people by protecting their pets to a deeply held belief in the sanctity of the unborn.

 

Sen. Schuitmaker seeking an decline in opioid abuse

 

For Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker — Senate President Pro Tempore, R-26th District, which represents the city of Kentwood and Gaines Township in Kent County — a chance meeting with a constituent who lost her child to opioid abuse led her to focus on the issue and to work on several fronts to combat what some call an epidemic.

 

State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-26th District)

First, Schuitmaker sponsored legislation to allow law enforcement and first responders to carry the life-saving Naloxone, a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. Then, in 2015, she was appointed to Gov. Rick Snyder’s Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force, which issued several recommendations including the use of the Michigan Automated Prescription System to deter over-prescription problems such as so-called “doctor shopping” and “pill mills.”

 

Senate Bills 166 and 167 are expected to be signed by the governor soon.

 

“Every community across our state has experienced the devastating effects of prescription drug and opioid abuse,” Schuitmaker said to WKTV. “My colleagues and I have heard from parents of victims, individuals who have suffered from addiction, medical specialists, law enforcement and many others.

 

“Though many tragedies have happened in recent years, Senate Bills 166 and 167 are a culmination of hard work from every end of the spectrum to help put an end to this crisis. … This legislation will put an end to pill mills and other illegal operations by creating a paper trail for every Schedule 2 through Schedule 5 controlled substance. A quick, three-second search gives health care professionals a complete outline of a patient’s controlled substance prescription history; allowing them to see if something doesn’t look right.”

 

Rep. Brann takes love of animals to legally protected level

 

Anybody who knows Rep. Tommy Brann — R-77th District, including the City of Wyoming and Byron Township — knows he often explains his stands on issues with stories about people in his community if not in his restaurant. In this, his first year working in Lansing, he says one of his “pet” efforts was the introduction of House Bill 4332 and House Bill 4333, which increases the penalties of animal cruelty.

 

“I call HB 4332 the ‘Howie Bill’ because it changes the definition of animals to reflect them as companions in law, which is how I saw my dog Howie,” Brann said to WKTV. But the bill really has more of a backstory than just the legislator’s dog.

 

State Rep. Tommy Brann (R-77th District)

“While clearing tables at my restaurant and I overheard at booth #99 customers talking about the best way to get revenge on someone was to kill their dog,” Brann said. “This had a major impact on me, because of how much pets mean to me.  Animal abuse should not be tolerated, and the proper, humane treatment of animals is good for society. According to multiple studies, there is a correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence.”

 

According to Brann, HB 4332 and 4333 make it a crime to knowingly kill, torture, or mutilate a companion animal, knowingly administer poison to a companion animal, or threaten to do any of those things, with the intent to cause mental suffering or distress to a person or exert control over a person. The bill also increases penalties for some existing animal abuse crimes, and expands some existing crimes. The legislation keeps some penalties against animal abusers the same but adds three tiers to the sentencing guidelines, and there is no minimum sentencing guidelines.

 

The House passed HB 4332 (92-15) and 4333 (90-17) and are currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee for review, he said.

 

Rep. Johnson follows his beliefs with anti-abortion effort

 

Rep. Steve Johnson — R-72nd District, which includes the City of Kentwood — is also in his first year in Lansing. And while he has had a busy year and been active on many issues, he was Christian conservative before he was elected and will be whenever he finally leaves state government. So his support of right-to-life issues are strong.

 

State Rep. Steven Johnson, left, talks with WKTV Journal: In Focus host Ken Norris during a 2017 interview. (WKTV)

“The first piece of legislation I introduced that I’m very passionate about is HB 4221, which would prohibit the state from sending money to clinics in Michigan that provide elective abortion services,” Johnson said to WKTV. “Protecting the sanctity of life is a responsibility I take very seriously. Our budget in Michigan should not be used to fund abortion clinics, whether directly through state-generated revenue or indirectly with money we receive from the federal government.”

 

HB 4221 is currently awaiting a vote in the House Appropriations Committee, he said.

 

Sen. MacGregor works to support child care efforts

 

As chairman of the Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Peter MacGregor — R-28th District, which includes the City of Wyoming — has been working to reform the Child Care Fund for several years, most recently and specifically through Senate Bills 529 and 530.

 

State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District)

MacGregor has “worked closely with the Child Care Fund and the groups involved with taking care of this vulnerable population of children for over five years,” according to a statement from his office to WKTV. “What started out as a meeting to examine slow payments to counties and non-profit service providers from the state, eventually morphed into a two-year workgroup with the goal of changing the Child Care Fund payment system.”

 

Michigan’s Child Care Fund (CCF) provides financial reimbursement to counties for community-based programming and placement costs for youth with an annual budget of approximately $400 million. The workgroup included the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, county courts and other county representatives, and non-profit child placing agencies.

 

SB 529 and 530 amend the Social Welfare Act to improve the reimbursement process. The Child Care Fund pays for costs associated with foster care/child welfare and the juvenile justice services.

 

“Currently, it’s a convoluted system both in function and process where there is a 50-50 cost sharing between the state and counties,” according to the statement. “The goal of this legislation, which will transition to a state pays first system, is to make the system more efficient and to clarify the process relative to what is reimbursed.

 

“It’s been a delicate balance because separately each member of this group plays a different role in caring for the children and in how they use or oversee the fund.  However, the communication, commitment to work on solutions and the time put into the proposed solution has really been amazing.”

 

SB 529 and 530 had overwhelming support in the Senate and are expected to gain a positive the state House of Representatives vote January 2018.

 

Relive the excitement of ‘Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions’ with Grand Rapids Pop

Entertainment, , , ,
Grand Rapids Symphony’s Pokemon 2016 (Photo by Terry Johnston)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk

Grand Rapids Symphony

 

Grand Rapids, I choose you!

 

More than 20 years after its initial release, Pokémon fans, ranging from young children to seasoned adult players and entire families, have followed and celebrated one mantra: Gotta catch ‘em all!

 

Back by popular demand, you can catch Pokémon at the Grand Rapids Symphony this January, where Pikachu and the gang will appear on a 40-foot screen while the Grand Rapids Symphony plays the iconic music of the beloved video game.

 

Grand Rapids Pops presents Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions in a one-night spectacular on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. in DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW in Grand Rapids.

 

A concertgoer brings a special friend to the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Pokemon 2016 program. (Photo by Terry Johnston)

Two seasons ago, Grand Rapids Pops presented Pokémon to audiences keen to engage in sights and sounds of the endearing game. Now, with the advent of the location-based, augmented reality game Pokémon Go in 2016, more people than ever are participating in Pokémon, capturing and training wild Pokémon to do battle and become Pokémon tournament champions.

 

As part of the Gerber Symphonic Boom series, this concert gives fans a different kind of immersive experience: a symphonic one.

 

The fuzzy tones and beeps of the game that originated on the hand-held Game Boy now give way to big-screen images enveloped by the surround sound of the Grand Rapids Symphony, performing musical arrangements timed to the visuals from recent and classic Pokémon video games.

 

Guest Conductor Chad Seiter, Michigan native who attended Grand Valley State University from 2001 to 2003, conducts the concert produced by Princeton Entertainment. Seiter, a prolific composer, arranger, and orchestrator for film, television, and video games has provided compositions and arrangements for some of Hollywood’s biggest projects, including Lost, Star Trek, and the Medal of Honor video game series.

 

Grand Rapids Symphony’s Pokemon 2016 program had many bringing special guests. (Terry Johnston)

In 2016 season, guest conductor Susie Benchasil Seiter conducted Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions to an enthusiastic Grand Rapids crowed decked out in Pokémon garb and Game Boys. The husband and wife team also collaborated to orchestrate and conduct The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddess.

 

Chad Seiter, originally from Okemos, now serves as the Associate Executive Producer at Princeton Entertainment, and was the lead arranger and music director for all of the Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions concerts.

 

Together with Benchasil Seiter, he transcribed the score of Pokémon’s original composer Junichi Masuda for symphonic audiences, while crafting additional music to enhance the concert-going experience.

 

“We started by listening to every single piece of music in all the Pokémon games,” Seiter said. “From there, we narrowed it down to our favorites that tell the story of Pokémon. Then we picked the pieces we thought would work best with a symphony orchestra.”

 

Their musical efforts have resulted in what iDigital Times called a “once in a lifetime event.”

 

Memorable musical highlights such as the Pokémon Red and Blue Overture, and the beautiful “Kiseki” from Pokémon X and Y, were handpicked by Masuda for Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions. The concert also features music from the Pokémon anime series and films.

 

Perhaps Game Music Online puts it best: there are few things as fun as celebrating beloved childhood memories played out in front devoted fans with the help of live, symphonic music.

 

Tickets

 

Tickets for Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions start at $18 and are available at the GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 am-5 pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

 

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