In the past year, Michigan has seen unemployment rates dip below 4%. This has left many employers struggling to fill their open positions. When the total jobs needing to be filled outnumbers the amount of qualified employees looking for work, a skills gap is created.
In Michigan, the professional trades—skilled trades jobs in industries like construction, advanced manufacturing, information technology and health care—are experiencing a skills gap. In fact, 15,000 new job openings are expected each year in the skilled trades through 2024. So what can you do to land one of those jobs?
Build your skill set. Learn more about the jobs employers are having a hard time filling and what skills are needed for those jobs. What industries are they in? How much do they pay? What is the job outlook? Would you enjoy the work? Do you already have some of the skills needed for the job? Make a list of jobs you are interested in and the skills you will need to qualify for the position. Check out this list of professional trades jobs.
Find training opportunities. Once you have found a career path you would like to pursue, find out where you can get the skills to qualify for the job. Most professional trades don’t require a four-year college degree. You may even qualify for a training scholarship. Visit your local Michigan Works! Agency to find out.
Consider an apprenticeship. If training for a new career seems like it will take too much time when you need a paycheck now, an apprenticeship might be the answer. Apprentices can earn a pay check while getting the education and hands-on training needed for a new career. Apprenticeships are offered in a variety of industries with positive job outlooks. Find current apprenticeship openings in Michigan.
There are now 30 names on special purple and white banners hanging in the gym at Wyoming High School, including recent additions Julyssa Barajas-Gutierrez and Adrian Ngo.
But none are football or basketball players; they are “Champions of Character”.
Barajas-Gutierrez, a sophomore, is a band member, a person known for helping other students in and out of class, and, according to one nominating student, “the nicest person I’ve ever met.”
Ngo, a senior, is member of the National Honors Society and the National ART Honors Society, is seen as a roll model by many other students, and, according to one nominating teacher, is “composed of the desire to encourage others so all might feel success.”
On Dec. 7, as they have at the end of each semester for the last three three school years, Wyoming students and teachers honored six exemplary students with the Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character Award — two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.
Wyoming High School’s recent Alpha Wolf ceremony included a special flag ceremony. 9WKTV)
The ceremony was attended by the student body, special guests from the Wyoming community, City of Wyoming city and public safety leaders, school district administration and the Wyoming Board of Education members. There was also a special flag ceremony.
A special guest at the recent ceremony was the staff of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan and its executive director, Christy Buck, who spoke about the group’s Be Nice initiative. The program works in schools and the community to provide simple, common sense, ways to prevent suicide and be proactive to other dangers resulting from mental illness.
The Alpha Wolf program was led by teachers Jonathan Bushen and John Doyle, who started the program three years ago modeled on a program at Grandville high school, where he kids attended. But many teachers and staff members were involved.
As announced to the crowd, the Alpha Wolf is a rare and special breed — a power unto him or herself. They’re at their strongest when they empower their peers. Proactive in helping others and ever striving to set a high standard for those around them, they lead by example, going the extra mile to help a schoolmate feel welcome, spreading good cheer to all and displaying good character. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Alpha Wolf is an 11 in everything they do.
In addition to Barajas-Gutierrez and Ngo, the other first semester Alpha Wolfs were sophomore Erika Hernandez, juniors Becca Hanson and Gabriela Martinez Bello, and senior Brooke Elzinga.
Hernandez is described as someone who “settles for nothing less than excellence in all things” but “when a classmate is struggling in class, this student is the first one there to help and give encouragement.” Bello, who is also Miss Belleza West Michigan 2017, was described as “a gifted speaker this wolf is; she speaks not only for what is right, but for the rights of all.” Elzinga is described “as a leader, a member of student council, a cheerleader, a friend to all. Everyone knows this student is the definition of an Alpha Wolf.”
Hanson, in a supplied essay written after winning the Alpha Wolf award, explained the uniqueness of being so honored.
“In the past, I have sometimes been noticed for my grades and for my activity in extracurriculars, but I have never been noticed for my character and was not expecting to be seen as a good person,” Hanson said. “People receive awards for what they do, that’s the premise of awards, but this award, it’s different. This award celebrates who a person is and separates the receiver from what he/she has done — so powerful because many people feel like they are their accomplishments, not themselves.”
Steve Carrel, Bryan Cranston, and Lawrence Fishburne in “Last Flag Flying”
Director Richard Linklater will be the next featured guest in the latest episode of “The Kamla Show” premiering on WKTV Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Sitting down with host Kamla Bhatt, Linklater talks about his latest film “The Last Flag Flying,” currently in theaters including Celebration! Cinema North. The film, which stars Steve Carrel, Lawrence Fishburne, and Bryan Cranston, is based on the 2005 book of the same title by Darryl Ponicsan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Linklater.
“Really loved those characters and what it was trying to say about middle age guys coming back together that had something in their past, and how time changes you and it doesn’t,” Linklater said during the interview as to why he wanted to do produced the film.
Richard Linklater (Photo by Lauren Gerson/LBJ Library)
Thirty years after serving in Vietnam together, a former Navy Corposman Larry “Doc” Shepherd (Carrel) re-unites with his old buddies, former Marines Sal Nealon (Cranston) and Reverend Richard Mueller (Fishburne), to bury his son, a young Marine killed in the Iraq War.
Linklater said this is not a war film in the sense that it is an epic battle with soldiers “taking the hill” but more of his type of war film where it delves into the lives of the characters.
“You are seeing these wars echoed through three individuals who have been through it then and now in different ways and it is really about their lives,” he said.
During the interview with Bhatt, Linklater also shares his love for film and how he watches them along with the influence of Soviet filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky — considered a master filmmaker — has had on his career.
Linklater’s previous films include “Boyhood,” “Bernie.” “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” and “School of Rock.”
“The Kamla Show: Last Flag Flying” will be rebroadcast on Wednesday, Dec. 20, and Friday, Dec. 22, at 11:30 a.m.
The new library is scheduled to open Jan. 9 with an official open house as part of the Jan. 17 Kelloggsville Rocket Family Night. The event is from 5:30-7 p.m. at the high school, 4787 S. Division Ave.
The state-of-the-art library was part of a $33.9 million bond proposal passed by Kelloggsville voters in February 2015. About $29 million of the bond proposal was dedicated to the high school with major changes that included a redesigned entrance on Division Avenue along with a new gym and an indoor track facility. The goal, according to Kelloggsville Director of Curriculum Tammy Savage, was to have all these facilities open to the public.
A room with a view: the new state-of-the-art library at Kelloggsville High School.
“Our community members don’ have access to a library in walking distance,” Savage said of the decision to have the library open to the community. “It is over four miles to the Wyoming branch and over five miles to the Kentwood branch.”
Kelloggsvile officials approached KDL and brought library representatives in for a tour of the new library facility.
“At KDL, we are always looking for ways to make library services easier and more convenient for the residents of Kent County and we know that transportation can be a barrier for the folks in Kelloggsville, especially the young children who have parents who work all day,” said KDL Director of Branch Services and Operations Lindsey Dorfman. “So we are really happy to bring KDL services right to their backyard.”
KDL has 18 partnerships with various local municipalities including the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. The partnership with Kelloggsville will be similar in that Kelloggsville owns the building and will be responsible for the care and maintenance of the facility just like Wyoming and Kentwood. KDL operates the library services within the buildings such as the staffing, collections and technology. Dorfman said the unique element to the Kelloggsville/KDL partnership is that the staffing with a be a team effort between the two organizations.
There are a lots of places for students to study and collaborate.
With the focus being on equity of service, according to Dorfman, the collection at the new Kelloggsville branch will be similar to what other KDL branches offer. It will have a range of books from preschool to adult along with the Beyond Books Collection that includes iPads, Go Pro cameras and even ukuleles. Also KDL programming such as KDLville Play and KDL Lab Spaces will be available. Both students and community members also will be able to reserve materials from other KDL branches that can be delivered to the Kelloggsville branch along with access to the Michigan Electronic Library (MEL), which allows patrons to order books from all over the state and have them delivered to their neighborhood library.
Savage said the Steelcase Foundation gave the district a $250,000 grant for seed money to get the community library project started. And while the library has not officially opened, response to the remodeled high school and the library facility has been overwhelmingly positive, Savage said.
“We had an open house in early October and we had over 200 people here for the open house at the high school and people were very excited about what they saw here,” Savage said. “Again, this is a fabulous space that [has been] renovated and then to have things like this, a 6,500-square-foot media center be here and know it is going to be open to the community…our community is very impressed and very happy about this.”
The KDL collection will include materials for all ages, pre-school to adult.
The Kelloggsville Library, which has its own entrance on the north side of the high school or to the right of the high school’s main entrance, will have community hours that will include three evenings, 3-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and every other Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Additional hours will be added during the summertime.
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health announces significant new clinical capability to provide comprehensive care for patients suffering from stroke with the hiring of three experienced, highly-trained specialty physicians.
Chief Medical Officer Peter Hahn, M.D., MBA, said expansion of the stroke physician team is evidence that “Metro is strengthening its comprehensive stroke care for the community and serving as a specialty referral center for the region.”
The new Stroke Center physicians include:
Augusto Elias, MD, the director of Neurointerventional Radiology, is fellowship trained in neuroradiology and neurointerventional radiology at the University of Michigan Medical Center, and is board certified in radiology and neuroradiology. He completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Michigan Medical Center.
Jeffrey Fletcher, MD, the director of Neurocritical Care, is fellowship trained in Critical Care Medicine at the University of Virginia. Board certified in neurology and vascular neurology, he completed his residency in neurology at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
Ravi Shastri, MD, is fellowship trained in neuroradiology and neurointerventional radiology at the University of Michigan Medical Center, and is board certified in radiology and neuroradiology. He completed his residency in radiology at the University of Arizona Medical Center.
These physicians join an established neurology team consisting of Kipp Chillag, DO, and Jordan Taylor, DO.
Any patient who presents with stroke symptoms is met by a team comprised of emergency physicians and staff, neurocritical care, neurologists, neurointerventional radiology, and neurosurgeons to assess and meet all needs.
Recently, Metro Health treated a patient who was found on the floor of their bathroom on a Saturday morning, unable to move, and showing signs of a stroke. Dr. Augusto Elias performed a minimally invasive catheterization and mechanical thrombectomy to remove a blood clot from the brain. Two days later, the patient was able to walk out of the hospital. Following outpatient occupational and speech therapy at Metro Health, the patient was cleared to drive and return to work within two months.
“A stroke is a ‘brain attack’. Two million brain neurons die every minute during a stroke,” said Dr. Augusto Elias. “As part of our comprehensive care, we collaborate with primary care physicians to educate the West Michigan area about having a sensible diet, controlling blood pressure and having a low glucose intake, so we can prevent these devastating diseases from happening.”
According to the National Stroke Association, more than 800,000 people suffer a stroke each year in America, and 80 percent of strokes are preventable. The American Heart Association recently announced new guidelines that a blood pressure of 130/80 is characterized as “stage one hypertension.”
Physicians in Metro Health’s neurology team support primary care physicians by meeting with patients showing neurological symptoms and conducting neural imaging to diagnose, and then working closely with the patient and doctor on a treatment plan.
Michael Faas, President and CEO, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, said the expansion in neurology builds upon an already strong program which received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®
Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award.
Get With The Guidelines® sets specific quality measures to ensure hospital teams follow the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. To receive these awards, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health had to provide patient care at or above certain achievement indicators for 24 consecutive months.
Faas added, “The growth in our comprehensive stoke program, which includes new technology and specialty physicians to supplement our staff of neurologists, neurosurgeons and rehabilitation specialists, is just another example of the benefits of our affiliation with University of Michigan Health. Our physicians are committed to providing comprehensive stroke care covering all areas including prevention, acute care and rehab.”
By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University
Virginia Jenkins is a professor and former chair of the Department of Visual and Media Arts at Grand Valley State University. Landscape forms and images have been the primary focus of her work for more than two decades, and her areas of specialty are in painting, drawing and mixed media. This exhibition is drawn from a recent series created in response to the landscape of the Northwest coast of the United States.
What: ‘Landscapes, Color & Light: Paintings by Virginia Jenkins’
When: Exhibition on display through March 2
Where: Red Wall Gallery, Lake Ontario Hall (first floor), Allendale Campus
In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 54-55 crew members Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA, left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Scott Tingle of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of their Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft Dec. 5 as part of their first fit check dress rehearsal activities….Courtesy of Roscosmos
NASA set to feature the launch of a new crew to the International Space Station which will be featured on the WKTV Government Channel 26.
On Sunday, Dec. 17, we will be covering the launch of the ISS Expedition 54-55/Soyuz MS-07. Coverage will begin at 1:15 a.m, with the launch scheduled at 2:21 a.m. Footage of the crew’s launch day pre-launch activities will be shown at 1:25 a.m. The crew of ISS Expedition 54-55 is Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Scott Tingle of NASA
Tuesday, Dec. 19, we will be featuring the Docking of the ISS Expedition 54-55/Soyuz MS-07 to the International Space Station. Coverage begins at approximately 3:15am with the Docking scheduled for 3:42 a.m.
Stay tuned for the Hatching Opening and Welcoming Ceremony. Coverage starts at 5:30 a.m. with the actual opening scheduled for approximately 5:20 a.m.
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov.
NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and on AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99
Frontier Airlines has landed in Grand Rapids (GRR), as the first flight from sunny Orlando (MCO) came in to the snowy Gerald R. Ford International Airport with a celebratory welcome and press conference.
Frontier, headquartered in Denver, is serving the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) with four weekly nonstop flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on an Airbus A320 family aircraft. The airline is also making three weekly nonstop trips to Fort Myers, Florida (RSW) which began on Sunday, and four weekly nonstop flights to Denver (DEN) beginning April 8, 2018.
“We are thrilled to welcome Frontier in the Grand Rapids market,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill. “Having another low cost carrier option to stimulate competition and offer even more nonstop service is a welcome addition for our air service portfolio and our growing community.”
Orlando is the number one market for nonstop service out of Grand Rapids with an average of almost 200 passengers per day each way. Denver is a top-five market for GFIA.
“Today we celebrate a more affordable way to travel from Grand Rapids to both Orlando and Fort Myers this winter. With fares as low as $39 it’s the perfect time to escape the winter chill,” said Richard Oliver, Spokesman for Frontier Airlines. “We’re offering not only amazing low fares but a reliable and friendly service that allows customers to customize their travel experience to their needs and their budget. This empowers more people than ever before to fly. This is what our Low Fares Done Right Philosophy is all about.”
Booking is available on Frontier’s website, www.flyfrontier.com.
“Our community has been receptive and supportive of each airline and new route we have added to our map, and we have no doubt that they will do the same with Frontier entering our market,” said GFIA Board Chairman Roger Morgan. “We are excited to offer even more competitive choices for our passengers, and continued growth in our airport.”
Frontier previously served Grand Rapids from 2010 through 2013.
UPDATE: The precautionary boil water advisory for affected areas near Burlingame & 44th has been lifted. Residents are free to use their water as normal.
By City of Wyoming
Due to a drop in pressure in the City of Wyoming water supply, bacterial contamination may have occurred in the water system. Bacteria are generally not harmful and are common throughout our environment. Corrective measures are currently being undertaken to correct the situation.
What should I do?
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing food. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Continue using boiled or bottled water until further notice.
What happened? What is being done?
These precautionary actions are being taken due to the loss of water pressure in the water distribution system caused by a water main break on December 12, 2017. Whenever a water system loses pressure for any significant length of time, precautionary measures are recommended. When a pressure loss occurs, water from inside a building may backflow into the water supply system.
Working in the trenches to restore water pressure
The City is working to get pressure restored, and water staff will be taking other remedial actions such as flushing and collecting bacteriological samples from around the system. The samples will be collected to determine that the water quality meets the state drinking water standards. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water. If all goes well, water pressure should be restored by the end of the day today. Bacteriological test results should be available by the end of the day tomorrow. When water is restored, please remove your aerators and flush your water outlets for a minimum of 5 minutes.
This boil water notice shall remain in effect until results from the sampling verify the water is safe to drink. Customers will be advised when the boil water advisory has been lifted.
For more information, please contact Jaime Fleming, Laboratory Manager with the City of Wyoming at 616.261.3572. Please communicate as necessary with other people who may drink this water
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
On October 27th, 2016, we got a call at the clinic from a Meals On Wheels worker who was out and about and came across this hungry, flea-ridden little lady who was hungry for human contact even more than she was craving food. A kindhearted volunteer scooped her up and took her home, offered her some tasty treats and then tried to figure out what exactly to do with her. The cat appeared to have an injured rear leg and her paws looked odd, so the volunteer thought it best to seek help from Dr. Jen.
Although we really didn’t have any extra room at our facility, turning away a cat in need of medical care just isn’t anything Dr. Jen is comfortable with, so she said to bring the kitty on in. Thankfully, the injury sustained to kitty’s left rear leg was minor, and the pododermatitis (or ‘pillow foot’ as it is commonly called) affecting all four foot/toe pads is easily treatable if actively inflamed or painful. Since her tootsies weren’t bothering her, the condition was noted and would be monitored.
Dr. Jen set about treating the kitty for fleas and a mild case of flea allergy dermatitis, spayed the 2-1/2 year old (born in the spring of 2015) and got her program-ready.
Once at Crash’s, Nessarose immediately took to the volunteers. In the words of our cat care director: “What a doll! Nessarose just can’t get close enough to people. Whenever you pick her up, she snuggles up and burrows to the point of almost crawling inside of your clothing — and never wants to be put down. She loves everything about shelter life, especially the never-ending supply of volunteers to cuddle with her. She also makes feline friends eagerly. She really doesn’t need to go into a home with other cats though — as long as there are plenty of people to give her attention — but since she thrives on physical contact, another kitty to claim as her BFF would be fabulous”.
You really couldn’t find yourself a nicer cat than Nessarose, so seriously consider doing something wickedly wonderful by welcoming this darling, delightful girl into your heart and home!
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
Though some may think it’s crummy, 10th-graders Madalyn Austin and Rebekah Hoyle said The Snacky Sleeper is the perfect lazy-evening, popcorn-munching luxury: a “comfortable, supportive memory foam pillow” with a pouch for snacks.
“The Snacky Sleeper keeps your snacks in great, undamaged condition,” said Madalyn as the duo delivered a slideshow presentation including different views of the product they developed.
“Our pillow is easy to use, it saves time. It’s not only good for kids and teenagers, but it’s also helpful and comfortable, and it’s safe for sleeping,” Rebekah said.
But did their product really have teeth? That would be up to the Sharks to decide. The
Sharks, a panel of Godwin Heights High School educators who took on the persona of business-savvy millionaires, evaluated the pillow, circling in closely on math the students used to estimate potential profit.
They did the same for products like Toasty Toes, a battery operated toe warmer; The Boomer, a Bluetooth-enhanced cell-phone case; PakTele, a backpack-phone combination that works to contact 911 in an emergency; and the Diskinizer, a video-game organizer that uses a robotic arm.
adalyn Austin, left, and Rebekah Hoyle ponder the offers made for their Snacky Sleeper business
Let’s Talk Numbers
Students used math to develop their pitches to the Sharks, seated in front of them in the style of TV show “Shark Tank.”
Algebra 2 teacher James Rex started the game last year to provide students a lesson in business, while learning the math involved in bringing a product to market. Students developed the products, brainstormed materials, researched all costs and came up with estimates.
“Sometimes they come up with things that are super-creative, and sometimes they come up with things that are super-unrealistic,” Rex said. “You want to encourage that creative element of it and give them the freedom to explore their ideas and think through it, but also to ground them in the math and the feasibility of some of those things.”
During presentations, Rex based his offers on the math. “I feel like I trick them into talking about their numbers,” he said. “That’s where I get the bang for my buck in terms of their learning. They are up there talking about math in a high-pressure situation. I try to keep it light, relaxed and fun for them.”
Snacky Sleeper: Sink or Swim?
Showing their work through algebraic equations and graphs, Madalyn and Rebecca calculated each Snacky Sleeper would cost $15 to produce; monthly rent for manufacturing space would cost $30,000; and monthly wages for employees at $10 per hour for a 40-hour week would cost $16,000. By selling each pillow at $25 they would profit $10 per pillow.
“When we break even it will be at 5,500 pillows sold (per month),” Rebekah said.
Their request for the Sharks: $60,000 in investment for 40 percent of the company.
While Principal Chad Conklin said he has an aversion to food in his bed and would not invest for that reason, Rex took a bite at the offer, though he questioned if the company could sell enough pillows to make a profit.
“I see potential. I see this as being something millennials would use,” he said. “My offer is $80,000 for 50 percent of the company.”
Math coach Molly Mosketti also made an offer: $60,000 for 45 percent of the company. “I’m thinking this might be a covert way for parents to enjoy a snack,” she said.
Students said the project allowed them to learn how to do calculations in a fun way and have a real-life experience in pitching a product.
“I liked debating with the sharks,” said Jalisa Lopez-Longoria, who helped pitch PakTele. “I like how we got to pick our product and find our own numbers to figure out the prices we want to use.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
From left, math teacher Patti Reeder, science teacher Grace Boersma, science teacher Derek Stoneman and math coach Molly Mosketti mull over students’ investment proposals
In the recent WKTV Journal newscast, we talk to officials from Kelloggsville Public School and the Kent District Library about the new collaborative project to make the Kelloggsville High School library open to everyone in the community. We also visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park for a look at its 23rd annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the Word exhibition. Lastly, renowned musician and original member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Mark Woods visits Kentwood Public Schools for a concert that was electrifying and had everyone dancing, especially the musicians.
Join the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) for the final Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concerts of the 2017 series with special holiday music performances by John Lauter on Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16.
Lauter will present holiday cheer this season bringing to life favorite holiday songs on the GRPM’s 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ. Tickets are recommended to be purchased early, as they are likely to sell out.
A Detroit native, Lauter began his organ, piano and music studies at age 14, with his public debut at the Redford Theatre at age 16. He has presented concerts in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Boston, San Francisco, Phoenix, Denver, Wichita, Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, Toronto and more. John has been on the staff of the Fox Theatre, and was staff organist of the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor for 17 years. He is the musical curator of the Stahl Museum in Chesterfield and just completed the installation of a large Wurlitzer Theatre Organ there.
Shows will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, in the Meijer Theater at the GRPM.
Tickets for individual concerts are $8 for Museum member adults, $4 for Museum member children, $10 for non-member adults and $5 for non-member children. Tickets are available by visiting www.grpm.org/Organ or by calling 616-929-1700.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that a new virtual reality experience will be opening on Saturday, Dec. 16, featuring Finny, the Museum’s iconic 1905 finback whale skeleton that hangs above the first floor Galleria.
At the “Meet Finny” kiosk, visitors will come face to face with Finny in the Finny Virtual Reality experience. An HTC Vive headset and hand controls will be available to put on and spend a few minutes interacting with Finny in a whale’s natural environment.
Visitors will see Finny swimming around as you stand on the ocean floor, and learn about whale anatomy through the layers of its body. As visitors look through the headset, small targets will be seen on the whale, that allow users to click and learn more about fin whales. Learn about Finny’s blubber layer, internal organs and skeleton!
Additionally, visitors can interact with two video touchscreens to learn more about Finny and fin whales in general. Museum visitors can explore the history of Finny, how this artifact came to the Museum and see images of Finny throughout history, as well as interact with scientific findings about fin whales, including what they eat, how big they are and more!
“Using technology to enhance our experiences here at the Museum is one of our priorities,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM. “Creating a virtual reality experience and interactive exhibit for one of our most iconic artifacts allows visitors to learn more about it from a scientific and historical perspective, while adding a new dimension to visitor trips to the Museum.”
“Meet Finny” was created through local partnership with Externa CGI and Freshwater Digital. “Finny Virtual Reality” is sponsored by Externa CGI.
“The team at Externa CGI and I were thrilled to play a part in bringing Virtual Reality (VR) to the Grand Rapids Public Museum,” said Brian Knapp, Creative Director at Externa CGI. “We all love the Museum and what it brings to our community and we are honored to be involved.”
”It has been a privilege to partner with the Grand Rapids Public Museum on the Finny project. This display has been an iconic piece of Grand Rapids culture for years and we hope the new digital experience will further enhance the exhibit and inspire the public as much as it inspired our team that worked on the project,” said Matt Downey, President of Freshwater Digital.
“Meet Finny” and “Finny VR Experience” will be included with general admission to the Museum. For more information, visit grpm.org/MeetFinny.
About Finny
The finback whale skeleton was acquired by the GRPM in 1905 from the estate of Dr. Jacob W. Velie of St. Joseph, Michigan. Velie acquired it on a trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast, where the whale had washed ashore.
Measuring about 75 feet in length, the fin or finback whale was a mature adult weighing between 80 and 90 tons. Shaped for speed and endurance, this large baleen mammal is native to the deeper waters of the world’s oceans. The semi-flat v-shared head, tapering flippers, and broad powerful flukes aided in propelling it through the water so swiftly that few predators could overtake it. The large mouths incorporate many rows of baleen plates, a horn-like substance fringed with tiny bristles. This specimen has been restored to reflect how whales appear underwater.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is getting into the holiday spirit with an open house, and a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus.
On Saturday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., GFIA is opening its doors for a unique experience where guests can pre-register for an open house and enjoy the new amenities and offerings post-security as a part of the airport’s new Gateway Transformation. Anyone is open to attend, but must register on the airport’s website at: http://www.grr.org/public-notices2.php. After receiving a checkpoint pass, guests will go through security, and have a chance to shop at the new retail stores, grab a bite to eat at one of the new restaurants, and explore the new business centers, kids play areas, and more.
“We’ve heard so many wonderful compliments about our new space from our regular travelers, but we know there are many who haven’t seen the new renovations and want to. This will give them the opportunity to check out the offerings, even if they aren’t flying,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill.
In addition to the open house, Santa will be listening to children’s requests, and passing out treats with Mrs. Claus in the Airport’s Grand Hall in the pre-security area, and carolers will be putting travelers in the holiday spirit.
The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camera to snap a photo with Santa Claus. Photos with Santa are free of charge, but the airport is asking guests to bring in two non-perishable food items per person.
“Our airport is extremely busy around the holidays, but it is important for us to reflect upon what this season is all about,” said Gill. “We are hoping we can put some smiles on children’s faces as they sit on Santa’s lap and listen to carols, and at the same time we are asking West Michigan to give back to the community by donating non-perishable food items to those in need.”
The donated food items will go to Mel Trotter Ministries – a Grand Rapids non-profit that serves anyone experiencing hunger and homelessness, and helps individuals and families find sustainable income and housing through rescue and restoration programs and services.
“It takes a community of partnerships to address hunger and homelessness in West Michigan and we are filled with gratitude that the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is supporting the holiday food drive again this year,” said Dennis Van Kampen, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries. “The food collected will supplement our pantry through the holidays and the surplus will support Feeding America West Michigan and other area food pantries.”
In addition to Santa’s appearance, GFIA’s traditional Holiday Music Festival is running the week of December 4-8. The 23nd Annual Holiday Music Festival brings in middle and high school choirs from around West Michigan singing a variety of Christmas carols. Daily performances run from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., but a full schedule is available on the Airport’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GeraldRFordInternationalAirport.
A total of 12 local choirs representing public, charter and private schools sing 20 minute song sets throughout the day, putting passengers and guests at GFIA in the holiday spirit.
Kent District Library announced the launch of the Library Card Challenge, giving 2,000 students at Godwin Heights Public Schools their very own library card.
The first program of its kind in Kent County, the Library Card Challenge will incorporate the library’s resources into every student’s learning experience. Library card-holding students will receive access to Kent District Library’s online research databases, materials from all 18 branches as well as computer and Internet access.
Teachers will be able to participate in the library’s education-based programming to enhance learning in the classroom, such as Leap into Reading, Lit Lunch and Storytime. Additionally, when school isn’t in session, students can still participate in KDL’s many summer offerings, including its popular summer reading program.
“Godwin Heights has been a wonderful partner as we launch the Library Card Challenge program,” said Lance Werner, Kent District Library executive director. “Our mutual goal of advancing literacy and lifelong learning has inspired us to join this national movement with a local collaboration.
“Our goal is to make sure that every public school student, from kindergarteners to high school seniors, in our county has a library card – and with it, the keys to unlock learning.”
The Library Card Challenge is part of a national effort to ensure every child enrolled in school has access to the valuable learning resources available at public libraries. Launched in 2015, the Library Card Challenge includes more than 100 communities nationwide dedicated to improving education outcomes, close achievement gaps and create a framework for an integrated approach to education.
“Providing our school community access to a full range of KDL educational databases and resources enhances our ability to meet 21st century learning goals,” said William Fetterhoff, Godwin Heights Public Schools superintendent. “The Godwin Heights teaching community will have access to high-quality resources to plan and deliver engaging lessons which will enable our students to extend and deepen their knowledge of content through exposure to non-fiction/informational material.
“The end goal culminates in allowing today’s student to be a successful, self-directed problem solver, better prepared for career and college readiness.”
Encouraging early childhood literacy has long been an objective of Kent District Library. In Kent County, third grade literacy rates remain low with, only 48.6 percent of students reading at the proficient level, according to KConnect, a network of organizations focused on ensuring all children in Kent County have a clear path to economic prosperity.
“Our community takes responsibility for ensuring our students have the skills they need to succeed in life,” said City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. “The Library Card Challenge is an excellent way to provide open access of information to all students in our community.
“We are appreciative of our partnership with KDL and its commitment to the Wyoming community. As a municipality, we are continuously looking for ways to collaborate with our partners to enhance services and opportunities for our residents.”
Kent District Library is committed to increasing library card holders and granting access to valuable learning resources to every child. This first-of-its-kind partnership in Kent County highlights the local network of committed leaders and educators working to make library resources accessible for all.
KDL hopes to roll out the Library Card Challenge to the more than 120,000 students in Kent County over the upcoming years.
“This is a big undertaking, but we are ready for the challenge,” Werner said. “Literacy starts at the library, and we’re proud to be with students and families as children take the first exciting steps into a lifelong love of reading and learning.
“We have a wonderful community in Kent County and want to ensure that each student has the tools he or she needs to excel.”
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is once again hosting family-friendly fun over this year’s holiday break! From Dec. 23 through Jan. 7, the GRPM will celebrate Snowflake Break with additional hands on activities, all included with admission.
Offerings will include a variety of family friendly programs and activities themed around history, science and culture, and the exhibits “Dragon, Unicorns & Mermaids and Brain: The World Inside Your Head.” Visitors can make their own take home crafts including: unique paper snowflakes, punched tin crafts and ornaments. Snowflake Break crafts will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
New for 2017, a feature during the holidays at the GRPM is LEGOs! See historic Grand Rapids like never before, all built from LEGOs. The 1925-era display, complete with operating trams showcases what Grand Rapids looked like during the early 20th century, including a section of the Grand River, the Morton Hotel, and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation building – the former ice house for Anheuser Busch.
Visitors to the Museum will be able to view this special holiday LEGO recreation now through January 26, 2018. It is on display in the Streets of Old Grand Rapids and included with general admission. “Built by the West Michigan Lego Train Club.”
In addition to the free with admission activities, the GRPM is hosting a holiday themed planetarium show “Let it Snow,” with additional shows daily during Snowflake Break. Visitors are also invited to go on a Santa & Elf Hunt, to find 15 historic Santas from around the World in the “Streets of Old Grand Rapids” exhibit, and 12 elves hidden throughout the 3 floors of the Museum. The Santa & Elf Hunt is included with general admission.
Join the Museum for late nights to see “Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids” until 8 p.m. on Dec. 26, 28, 29, and Jan. 2. The GRPM will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Santa finds a new ride at the Grand Rapids Public Museum
Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids
Explore the various mythical creatures of the world. Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids features 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.
“Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids” offers many interactive stations throughout the exhibition, including building your dragon in a virtual environment. Touch casts of a narwhal tusk to discover how they lent credence to the centuries-old belief in the unicorn. Hands-on stations include the lower jaw of Gigantopithecus (extinct group of apes) and a life-size reproduction of the talon of a Haast’s eagle.
The exhibition includes imaginative models, paintings, and textiles, along with other cultural objects from around the world. The exhibit will bring to light surprising similarities and differences in the ways people around the world have been inspired by nature to envision and depict these strange and wonderful 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.
“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.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Streets of Old Grand Rapids are decked out for the holidays.
Brain: The World Inside Your Head
“Brain” literally takes you inside the head to probe the geography of a giant brain and stand in the midst of the brain’s constant electrical brainstorm as thoughts and sensations are generated.
Upon entry into the exhibit, walk through a shimmering tunnel of flashing fiber-optics that illuminates networks of neurons firing and communicating. From this dynamic beginning, “Brain” invites guests deeper into the brain to discover its basic workings. Trace this brain’s development from infancy through old age, learn the evolution of scientists’ understanding of the brain’s physiology and study the re-created skull of Phineas Gage — a man who survived after his brain was pierced by a metal rod.
Admission to “Brain: The World Inside Your Head” will be free with general admission. “Brain”is open now through Jan. 7, 2018.
Want a New Year’s resolution that doesn’t make you sweat? How about a book that pumps up your vocabulary? Pick up a copy of Better Than Great. In a world filled with bland adjectives like “amazing” or “fantastic” or “awesome” this 198-page handbook will boost your word choices from boring to bountiful. You won’t become a word nerd, but it will help you become more descriptive and convey what you are really trying to say.
Author Arthur Plotnik suggests that you partake his suggestions in small doses and practice in everyday conversations. He has divided the book into several categories (like beautiful, large, intense, exceptional, etc) under which he has listed hundreds of more expressive words. Is that supermodel beautiful or resplendent? Was that symphony performance just great or stellar or transcendent? Is your best friend fun or really effervescent?
Mr. Plotnik, who is editor and publisher with the American Library Association, also provides “50 ways to text acclaim” and 75 acclamatory terms for wine.
My advice? Consult the book once a day and learn a new way of saying what you really mean. Your vocabulary will go from standard to salient!
’ Tis the season, for brewery swag gifts for that special boy (or girl), and beer.
Rockford Brewing Company today begins five days of holiday fun — translate that as being beer and music — to celebrate five years of business, during which visitors can partake in limited release brews, free live music from local artists, and discounts on brewpub swag.
“We’ve had many triumphs and also learned many lessons the last five years,” Seth Rivard, co-owner of Rockford Brewing Company, said in supplied material. “We wanted to extend our anniversary celebration from one day to one week this year so we can thank everyone who has supported us.”
Today, Tuesday, Dec. 12, the party begins with 50 percent off pints all day and free live music from An Dro at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Dec. 13, there will be 55.5 percent off howler and growler fills, and free live music from Patrick Nolan at 7 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 14, there will be 23 percent off total bill and free live music from Eric Engblade at 7:30 p.m.; on Friday, Dec.15, there will be 50 percent off gift cards with any purchase and free live music from Roosevelt Diggs 8:30 p.m.; and finally on Saturday, Dec. 15, there will be 50 percent off merchandise and free live music from Hazy Past at 8:30 p.m.
Rockford Brewing Company will also be releasing two specialty brews: Shanty Warmer, a Russian Imperial Stout, and Complete Nutter Madness, a coffee, peanut butter and vanilla Imperial Porter.
Rockford Brewing Company has many reasons to celebrate this year, according to supplied information. Along with opening a kitchen last fall, bottling and distributing 6-packs for the first time, it won local awards from Revue Magazine and Best Wings in Grand Rapids by Mlive. On a national level, they were awarded Best Small Brewpub and Best Small Brewpub Brewer, along with a silver medal for their Sheehan’s Irish Stout and a bronze medal for their Rogue River Brown.
Gravity helps Founders celebrate 20 years with 20 pours
On Wednesday, Dec. 13, Gravity Taphouse and Grill will take part in Founders Brewing Company’s 20th anniversary celebration by offering 20 Founders beers either on tap or in bottle — and offering a free anniversary growler with most of the brewery’s pours.
There will be special brews available all day, including Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS), both 2016 and 2017, and its Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) will be tapped at 6 p.m. Alas, those three are not available in growler; but then most of us could not handle a growler of the magical stuff.
Club members march in the Kelloggsville Community Pride parade. (Photos by School News Network)
For Hispanic students at Kelloggsville High School in the new Latino Student Union, there are many ways to relate to each other. They enjoy shared traditions and values: “tamales, Dia De Los Muertos, big families, music, dancing,” lists sophomore Joshua Casas. “Our parents are very hard working,” said junior Andrea Paniagua. And they teach manners, she said. “Manners are huge.”
The students also talk gravely about serious issues affecting their community, like friends who are Dreamers under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, rescinded by the Trump administration in September, and who now face an uncertain future. They also talk about fear in their community concerning threats of deportation.
Junior Karina Villagomez paints a sugar skull on junior Jackie Garnica’s face for Dia de los Muertos
About 35 percent of students at Kelloggsville High School are Hispanic, and many are first- and second-generation U.S. residents, coming from Mexico and other Central American countries. Andrea Paniagua, last year, wanted to restart the Latino Student Union, which hadn’t existed for several years, as a way to celebrate culture and share it with all students. The club is open to everyone.
“I wanted to have fun and I wasn’t involved in anything else,” said Andrea, who immigrated to the U.S with her family from Mexico. “A lot of us weren’t involved in anything, so we all agreed to put this together. We also wanted to show others about our culture.”
It was last fall and she noticed anti-immigrant sentiment heating up before the U.S. presidential election. She decided, “We are still going to start a club.”
From left, senior Alex Aguilar, junior Cindy Esparza and junior Andrea Paniagua dance the Caballo Dorado
Embracing Their Culture
Now about 20 students meet weekly to plan events and activities like selling Mexican candy, painting sugar skulls for Dia De Los Muertos, and hosting a fiesta with ethnic food. They are planning to take part in the annual Cesar Chavez Parade in March in Grand Rapids, and plan to host a dance.
The Latino Student Union started a trend. Since it began, students have started other clubs including the Asian American Club, fitness clubs and a gay-straight alliance.
“I like letting everyone know that it’s OK to embrace your culture and be proud of who you are,” Joshua Casas said.
Andrea approached Spanish teacher Diana Berlanga, who is also Mexican, about being the club’s adviser.
“I thought about the reason I became a teacher,” Berlanga said. “I love teaching Spanish but I also want to help out the Hispanic community, so I said this could be a great way to connect with students to motivate them to go to college and complete high school. For a lot of these students, what I’ve noticed is their parents didn’t graduate high school or even attend middle school, so education (for their children) is very important.”
A Godwin High School graduate, she told club members, “If I made it, then you guys can make it too.”
Parents’ Expectations High
Students said coming together regularly is motivating, and has helped them build friendships. In terms of academics, Joshua said the club gives him confidence and a group of people in similar situations to turn to.
They also hope to breakdown stereotypes. Andrea, who still visits Michauna, Mexico, almost every year, said she and her Hispanic peers are all different, but share common life experiences. They describe their parents as strict and insistent that they do well in school and go to college. “They expect us to go to school. That is not something they play around with,” Andrea said.
Their parents are also focused on being successful in the U.S., she added.
“I’ve never in my life seen a Mexican asking for money. That’s our last option. My dad came here with nothing and we have a house and a car. He gives us everything.”
In preparation for the dance they are planning, club members discussed the music and dances. They lined up to show off the Caballo Dorado, a lively cowboy dance — just one example of their celebration of culture.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Latino Student Union members discuss plans for a dance they are hosting
In Michigan politics two almost conflicting aspects of our election system are coming into conflict as the current politically directed voting redistricting system — often called gerrymandering — is being opposed by a group seeking to place a ballot initiative before the voters in 2018 which would change the system.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, a public affairs talk program hosted by Ken Norris, he speaks to the leader of the ballot initiative group Voters Not Politicians.
Katie Fahey, president and treasurer of Voters Not Politicians, a non-partisan ballot committee seeking to put before voters in 2018 a proposal to end gerrymandering in Michigan, talks about the state’s current system of drawing election district maps, and how and why the plan Voters Not Politicians is advocating for would change the redistricting system.
Network 180’s director of network services Ross Buitendorp talks with program host Ken Norris. (WKTV)
Also on the latest WKTV Journal: In Focus, a new county Mental Health Court program — involving law enforcement, courts and the county’s pubic mental health and substance use disorder services provider, Network 180 — aims to change the system for the betterment of all. So also on the latest WKTV Journal: In Focus, Network 180’s director of network services Ross Buitendorp talks about the effort.
The episode will continue airing Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m., and will again air on Thursday at the same time on WKTV channels but all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.
The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
The winter portion of the WKTV sports broadcast schedule tips off this week with three basketball games on two nights.
Tuesday night the truck and crew will be heading to Kelloggsville where the Rockets will host the Potter’s House Pumas in girls’ basketball. Potter’s House had a 2-1 record heading into their Friday night game against Barry County Christian while Kelloggsville had a 1-1 record before their pair of games last week against Union and West Michigan Aviation. Game time is 7 p.m.
Friday night, the crew will be at South Christian where both the girls and boys Sailor teams will be hosting the Fighting Scots from Caledonia. There will be a special Wounded Warrior Project ceremony between the girls and boys game that will honor David Warsen who was killed in 2012, other servicemen and women that have sacrificed their lives, and an organization called Warriors Set Free, which is an organization for veterans that is run by veterans to help deal with PTSD, suicide, anxiety, depression, and other life issues. Game times are 6 p.m. for the girls with the boys scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Tuesday, Dec. 19 – Boys Basketball East Grand Rapids at East Kentwood
Friday, Dec. 22 – Girls and Boys Basketball Wyoming Lee at West Michigan Aviation
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:
Monday, Dec. 11
Boys/Girls Bowling
Ottawa Hills @ Godwin Heights
Wayland @ Wyoming
Girls Basketball
Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Lutheran
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Girls Basketball
Holland @ Godwin Heights
Northview @ Wyoming – Abbey Czarniecki Community Night
Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville – WKTV Featured Game
East Kentwood @ Byron Center
Martin @ Zion Christian
WMAES @ West Michigan Aviation
Western Michigan Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Basketball
Wyoming Lee @ Union
Northview @ Wyoming – Abbey Czarniecki Community Night
Byron Center @ East Kentwood
Zion Christian @ Martin
WMAES @ West Michigan Aviation
Western Michigan Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Boys/Girls Bowling
Rockford @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Boys Wrestling
Allendale @ Godwin Heights – Double Duel
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ Holland
Thursday, Dec. 14
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming @ Hudsonville
Girls Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Zion Christian
Friday, Dec. 15
Boys Basketball
Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee
Wyoming @ East Kentwood
Caledonia @ South Christian – WKTV Featured Game
Hamilton @ Kelloggsville
Cedar Springs CTA @ West Michigan Aviation
Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep
NorthPointe Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Girls Basketball
Wyoming @ East Kentwood
Caledonia @ South Christian – WKTV Featured Game
Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee
West Michigan Lutheran @ Holland Black River
Cedar Springs CTA @ West Michigan Aviation
Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep
NorthPointe Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Hockey
Manistee @ South Christian
East Kentwood @ Alpena
Saturday, Dec. 16
Boys Wrestling
Godwin Heights @ South Haven
Wyoming Lee @ FH Central – Kent Count Championships
Wyoming @ FH Central – Kent County Championships
Kelloggsville @ FH Central – Kent County Championships
East Kentwood @ FH Central – Kent County Championships
Girls Basketball: Sailors fend off Maroons, 42-39, to move to 3-1
South Christian hosted rival Holland Christian on Friday, Dec. 8, night. It was a slow start by both clubs, as the scoring was sparse in the 1st quarter. South held a slight edge after one and would extend their lead over the Lady Maroons to go into halftime up by 6, 19-13. SC came out of the locker room with a solid 3rd quarter to go up by double digits going into the final 8 minutes of the contest.
Holland Christian would continue to work hard and closed to within a basket in the final seconds, but a corner three pointer would come up short and South Christian would hold on for the 42-39 victory. Gabby Timmer would again lead South in the scoring column and on the boards with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Mariel Bruxvoort dropped in 15 points to go along with her 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Sydney Cleary led SC in handouts with 5 assists on the night to go with her 5 points and 3 steals.
South is now 3-1 on the year and will host another local rival, Caledonia, on Friday, Dec. 16, night at South Christian High School.
By Ty Cleary
Boys Basketball: Sailors defeat HC thanks to the hot hand of Vis
The Boys Varsity Basketball Team welcomed long time rival Holland Christian Friday, Dec. 8. A back and forth first half ended with South leading 27-24 at the break. A big 3rd quarter saw the Sailors outscore the Maroons 24-16 with some hot shooting from junior Peyton Vis. South held the lead the rest of the way, the final score 69-53.
Vis led all scorers with 29 points on 6 made 3-pointers. Fellow junior Luke Schrotenboer had 10 while senior Trey Vredevoogd scored 9, including a thunderous dunk in the 3rd quarter, and grabbed 6 boards.
The 2-0 Sailors have Tuesday off and then welcome Caledonia Friday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 for the David Warsen Legacy Foundation game to honor Veterans and Servicemen.
The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team kicked off a highly anticipated season on Friday night, securing a 63-54 victory over non-conference opponent Crossroads Charter Academy of Big Rapids.
Quentin Thompson led the way for the Aviators, dialing in from long range to finish with 21 points, as reported by WMAA boys coach and athletic Tyler Whitcomb. Thompson was 6-of-12 from the field, including a 6-of-11 performance from behind the 3-point arc. Thompson was also a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe.
Micah Broersma also let it fly from deep in the win, finishing 4-for-10 from 3-point land for all 12 of his points. Ryan Robertson contributed 12 points for the Aviators, dropping in 10 of his 14 free throw attempts.
West Michigan Aviation Academy did not shy away from stiff competition in the season-opening contest. Combo guard Britton Angel returned to Crossroads this year as an All-State honoree last season.
Angel has already been on scoring tear this season, recording 36 points in the game 1 and 53 points in the game leading up to his visit to WMAA, but the Aviators were able to limit him to 22 points, which included a 9-for-14 performance from the field.
The Aviators slowly built their lead over the course of the game, gaining an 18-14 lead after the first stanza and holding on to a 26-23 lead at the break.
WMAA finished 17-for-43 from the field, 12-for-28 from 3-point land and 17-for-24 from the free-throw line. The Aviators grabbed a 27-24 advantage on the boards. Broersma and Robertson each hauled in five rebounds apiece to lead the team. Robertson added six assists, as well. WMAA is now 1-0 on the season.
Sam Ver Steeg chipped in with nine points for the Aviators, who also got points from Niklass Kurth (3 points), Bakar Dadiri (2), Zach Ellis (2) and Darnell Frye II (2).
West Michigan Aviation Academy continues its non-conference slate with Tuesday’s home match-up with West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science.
By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University
The German-born American artist Mathias Joseph Alten (1871-1938) is often referred to as the dean of Michigan painters. Working in a traditional representational style, Alten incorporated the aesthetics and techniques of the Impressionist Movement in paintings infused with light and punctuated with deft brushwork. Based in Grand Rapids, Alten created more than 3,800 works over a more than 40-year career, including landscapes, seascapes, portraits and florals.
Grand Valley State University holds the largest public collection of Alten’s work in the world.
What: ‘Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy’
When: Exhibition dates: ongoing
Where: George and Barbara Gordon Gallery, DeVos Center, Building E, Room 103 and 202, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
Hours: Gordon Gallery hours are Friday and Saturday, 1-5 p.m.; closed on holiday weekends
For more information about Art Gallery exhibitions, visit gvsu.edu/artgallery or call 616.331.3638.
One of the unique aspects of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meetings is that you sometimes get differing views on the same issue — for instance, local city and state leaders in a debate on the current difficulties for local governments dealing with inequities in state revenue sharing.
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.
At the Monday, Dec. 11, meeting at Kentwood City Hall, City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley and City of Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt offered their assessment of state government actions when it comes to an abundance of regulations and a lack of consistency and clarity when it came to historic and current state revenue-sharing.
“There was a promise made on state revenue-sharing … (now) we can’t count on that,” Holt said at one point. “We used to have a partner in the state” government.
Among the other multi-level government discussions topics at the meeting — and available on the WKTV video — were the status of federal tax reform, the impeding Kent County action to hire a new top administrator, and economic development Wyoming’s 28th Street areas, including the old Klingman’s building.
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 Jan. 8, 2018 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.
Decking the halls with boughs of holly and hanging the stockings by the chimney with care are favorite December traditions for many West Michigan families.
The Grand Rapids Symphony celebrates the season with two enduring holiday traditions in Grand Rapids including the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops and the Old National Bank Cirque de Noël in DeVos Performance Hall.
The Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops, an institution that’s lasted for decades, draws entire families from children to parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Join the Grand Rapids Pops to celebrate the season in five performances Dec. 14-17.
Old National Bank Cirque de Noël welcomes Cirque de la Symphonie back to Grand Rapids for cirque artistry accompanied by the Grand Rapids Pops. See amazing acrobats and aerial artists in two appearances Dec. 21 and 22.
The Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops, part of the Fox Motors Pops Series, is home-grown entertainment especially for a hometown audience.
Guest vocalist for the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Holiday Pops performance is Leon Williams.
Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt leads performances including such favorites as Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and highlights from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. The Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, conducted by Pearl Shangkuan, joins the orchestra to sing G.F. Handel’s “Hallelujah” Chorus from The Messiah.
The Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, directed by Sean Ivory, will be featured on John Rutter’s “Star Carol.” Both choruses will sing music from the 1990 movie Home Alone with orchestra.
Embellish handbell ensemble, directed by Stephanie Wiltse, will join the Symphony Chorus for “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and will play a solo number, “Change Ring Prelude on Divinum Mysterium” by Fred Gramann,” on a battery of handbells.
Guest vocalist Leon Williams joins the Grand Rapids Symphony to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” in his third Holiday Pops appearance with the orchestra.
Though Williams doesn’t live in West Michigan, he’s made many appearances here. In October, he sang for the funeral of Grand Rapids Symphony benefactor and philanthropist Helen DeVos.
The Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, and at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16. Matinees will be at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17 in DeVos Performance Hall.
Families with children are invited to the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Wolverine World Wide Holiday Pops Spectacular on Saturday, Dec. 16, just before the 3 p.m. matinee concert. Beginning at 1 p.m., children can enjoy festive treats, arts and crafts, games, and much more leading up to the concert at 3 p.m. Tickets for the Holiday Pops Spectacular plus the Holiday Pops are $20. Supporting Sponsor is Meijer, Inc. Community Partners are Amerikam and Calvin College.
The Old National Bank Cirque de Noël, part of the Gerber SymphonicBoom Series, returns to DeVos Performance Hall for the eighth annual holiday show Dec. 21 and 22.
See aerial artists, gymnasts, jugglers and strongmen and hear classical favorites and seasonal music.
Acts include aerial artists Nataliya Tolstikova and Sergey Parshin performing on silk above the DeVos Hall stage while the Grand Rapids Symphony plays the “Waltz of the Flowers” from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
Associate Conductor John Varineau leads the orchestra in music from the 2004 film The Polar Express plus familiar melodies such as “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”
Tickets
Tickets for the Wolverine World Wide Holiday Pops start at $18.
Student tickets for concerts on Thursday, Dec. 14 and for the matinee on Saturday, Dec. 16 also are available for $5. 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 Tickets program, sponsored by Comerica and Calvin College. This is a MySymphony360 eligible concert.
Tickets for Old National Bank Cirque de Noël start at $32.
Tickets for both program are available at the GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616-454-9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)
Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.
Given that almost 20% of the population in the United States is aged 60+ and that more than 5 million people in the United States live with some form of dementia, it is likely that we have at least one person in our family who is a caregiver. We may not recognize them as being a caregiver — we might look at it as mom taking care of dad, or the sister who drives mom and dad places since she lives nearby.
As the holiday season comes into full swing, the caregiving role can take on added stress. Reaching out to caregivers and helping them plan for holiday festivities can go a long way toward helping the caregiver and their loved ones enjoy the holidays alongside family and friends.
We can begin by helping to choose holiday activities. As invitations arrive, it can be challenging for a caregiver to decide what to accept and what to decline. An evening out with old friends might be something the caregiver would like to do, but might be difficult for their loved one to attend. A family gathering might require a long trip and an overnight stay. Having family in for the weekend might be overwhelming for caregiver and loved one, alike. Some people might decide the amount of planning required is too much and decide to just stay home.
Social isolation is an unfortunate reality for many caregivers and their loved ones. It doesn’t have to be this way though. Julie Alicki, Certified Advanced Dementia Practitioner, agrees.
“Particularly in people with dementia, the tendency is to want to isolate, but being included in gatherings is beautiful,” Alicki said. “It allows them the opportunity to be social and this is important.”
Planning is key in helping caregivers approach the holiday season. Sitting down with a caregiver and mapping out the holidays can help us plan in advance for how we’re going to manage the holidays. Sarah Sobel, LMSW, AAAWM Caregiver Services & Contract Administrator has a suggestion.
“Decide what invitations the caregiver would like to accept and, of those, which events the loved one would like to attend and start from there,” she said.
Knowing in advance what events will be attended helps with the next phase, which is to make plans for each event — a Plan A, Plan B and even a C just in case. This will help determine what resources and assistance will need to be put in place ahead of time, so the person in the caregiving role does not feel that they’ve been left in a lurch.
For example, if there is a large family gathering, a person with dementia may require a quiet place to go when things become loud or chaotic. Arranging this in advance will help the caregiver be able to relax and enjoy, knowing there is a plan in place.
Alicki said, “When getting together as a family, if there are big, important things planned to take place, like gift opening, move those to the beginning of the gathering so both the caregiver and loved one can participate, and they can leave when necessary without missing out.”
Caregivers often put their needs second, third or last to other people in their life. Offering the caregiver some relief would make a tremendous gift for the holidays.
“Caregiving is stressful and the holidays can add to that stress. It is important for caregivers to do self-care,” Sobel said.
How can friends and family help with this? Having a friend or family member stay with a loved one for a weekend would offer the caregiver the freedom to get away for some rest and time for themselves or stepping in for a day so the caregiver can take in a concert or do some shopping. Arranging for professional in-home care can also provide some relief for a caregiver.
“This also clues the rest of the family in on what the caregiver is going through — it keeps them in the loop,” said Alicki.
Try to make the holidays guilt-free for caregivers.
“Caregiving for someone every day can be so unpredictable. It’s important that plans are flexible,” Sobel said.
If a caregiver needs to leave a gathering early, let them know how happy you are that you got to spend time with them rather than how disappointed you are that they have to leave. If traveling is too much, consider changing the location of a gathering to accommodate them. If a plan needs to be cancelled, be understanding.
During the holidays, like everyone else, caregivers and the loved ones they care for want to be involved in holiday festivities: attending parties, gatherings, concerts and events. The holidays are time to connect with friends, relatives who live states away, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc. Those who care for caregivers can help the holiday season be an enjoyable one by offering support, participating in planning, and sharing in the responsibilities of caregiving.
If you need help making in-home care or respite arrangements, contact Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at 888.456.5664 or aaainfo@aaawm.org.
Grammy Award winning country-swing band Asleep at the Wheel. (Supplied)
WKTV Staff
St. Cecilia Music Center this week announced two additional shows to their Acoustic Café Folk Series — the banjo royalty of husband and wife duo Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, and Grammy Award winning country-swing band Asleep at the Wheel — with both set to visit Grand Rapids in early 2018.
Fleck and Washburn will appear on Friday, Feb. 23, and Asleep at the Wheel will perform on Thursday, April 12, both at 7:30 p.m. There will also be additional Acoustic Café Folk concerts for 2018 announced after the new year.
“Over the years SCMC has expanded the genres of music we present with the creation of the jazz series 10 years ago and the Acoustic Café folk series a few years ago, in addition to our traditional chamber music offerings,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “With the appearance of Margo Price last season, we opened the door for country music artists. … We trust Asleep at the Wheel fans will be excited to hear them up close and personal, and that banjo lovers will unite for the power-house couple Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn.”
Banjo royalty and husband and wife duo Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn. (Supplied)
Asleep at the Wheel, now based in Austin, Texas, holds 10 Grammy awards, 20 studio albums and 20 singles on the Billboard country charts. Most recently, the band shared a Grammy for “Still The King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys”, the band’s most recent release in 2015. The recording features 22 collaborations, including legends such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and George Strait and newcomers like The Avett Brothers, Amos Lee and Old Crow Medicine Show.
Fleck and Washburn, given the name of “the king and queen of the banjo” by Paste Magazine, have a unique musical partnership. Fleck is a fifteen-time Grammy Award winner who has taken the instrument across multiple genres, and Washburn is a singer-songwriter and clawhammer banjo player. Whether at home, on stage or on record, their bond, combined with the way their distinct musical personalities and banjo styles interact, makes theirs a picking partnership.
Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn tickets are $45 and $50. Asleep at the Wheel tickets are $35 and $40. Tickets and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224, visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE, or online at scmc-online.org. A post-concert party with a cash bar will be available to all ticket-holders after the concerts
The Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft is seen on the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad, Thursday, July 27, 2017. Expedition 52 flight engineer Sergei Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, flight engineer Randy Bresnik of NASA, and flight engineer Paolo Nespoli of ESA (European Space Agency) are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 28. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
There is lots of activity taking place next week as NASA launches a cargo craft along with the changing of command on the International Space Station.
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, we will be featuring the launch of the SpaceX/Dragon CRS-13 Mission. Coverage will begin at approximately 11:15am, with the launch scheduled at 11:46 a.m. A Post-Launch News Conference will be held at 1:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 13, we will be featuring the Change of Command Ceremony of the ISS Expedition 53/54 on the International Space Station. Coverage begins at 7:30 a.m. with the Ceremony scheduled for 7:40am.
Later in the day, we will cover the undocking of the ISS Expedition 53/Soyuz MS-05. Coverage starts at 11:30 p.m., with the undocking scheduled for 12:16 a.m.
Coverage continues on Thursday, Dec. 14, with the Deorbit Burn and Landing of the ISS Expedition 53/Soyuz MS-05. The deorbit burn is scheduled for 2:44am and the landing near Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan is scheduled for 3:38am.
On Friday, Dec. 15, we will be featuring coverage of the Rendezvous and Capture of the SpaceX/Dragon CRS-13 Cargo Craft at the International Space Station. Coverage starts at 4:30am with the capture of the Cargo Craft scheduled for approximately 6:00am. Stay tuned for the installation of the Cargo Craft scheduled for 7:30am
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov.
NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and on AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99
By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch
A man is haunted by a photograph. Taken at an archeological dig, at Ein Mallaha, in the Jordan Valley, it presents a puzzling tableau. Looking down into a grave site formed 12,000 years ago, the photo reveals the skeleton of a man reaching out to another, much smaller skeleton — a puppy.
The author can’t seem to push the question out of his mind. Why is the old man reaching out to the puppy in his burial site, so long ago? And why is he so interested in this particular question, when he isn’t all that taken with dogs anyways…
Being a Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist, when a question really gets under his skin, Jon Franklin often ends up turning it into an article, a series, or in some cases, an entire book. And so it was that almost 20 years after contemplating the press release photo of the Jordan Valley excavation, The Wolf in the Parlor was published.
This is a great book for any dog lover, but it’s much more. Franklin ranges widely, and the book is like an evolutionary drama, a pre-historical mystery, and a neurobiological puzzle — all forming a Gordian Knot, unraveled by a master storyteller.
There is a delicious irony in the book, in that the man pursuing his scientific research ultimately ends up forming his hypothesis, through the quality time that he spends with his wife’s dog. A relationship that he had considered inconsequential at first becomes a key to not only his research, but to the very question that bothered him so much in the first place.
Why was the man in the grave reaching out to the puppy, as if his spirit needed the animal to complete him?
The Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) opens two new exhibitions, Sarah Wagner: Vegetable Lamb of America and Southern Roots: The Paintings of Winfred Rembert, on Thursday, Dec. 14. The MMA invites the public to an opening reception and a talk by artist Sarah Wagner that evening. The reception will run 5:30-7 pm and Wagner’s talk will begin at 7 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
The exhibitions examine, in various ways, the influence of cotton upon history, economics and the environment.
Sarah Wagner: Vegetable Lamb of America
Sarah Wagner sculpts in wood, metal and fabric, creating animals and environments that address the fragility and resilience of Nature and humanity’s impact on its surroundings. Her art is inspired and informed by the City of Detroit, where she lives and works. For her MMA exhibition, Wagner is creating a new installation of capitalism and industrialism around the world.
Southern Roots: The Paintings of Winfred Rembert
Winfred Rembert works in the medium of carved and dyed leather, creating vibrant and rhythmic imagery of his life in 1950s Georgia. A storyteller, Rembert reveals images of culture, community, family and struggle through intense color and repeating patterns. His most recognizable pieces depict pickers at work in the cotton fields, a grueling task the artist himself experienced in his childhood and later on a prison chain gang. Over 25 works, including the premiere of several recent paintings by the artist, are featured in the exhibition.
The MMA will present a screening of the documentary about Rembert’s life, All Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert, following a special reception on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. The reception will start at 5:30 pm and the film will start at 7 pm. Rembert has a lot of stories to tell, from his childhood on a cotton farm to his near lynching during the Civil Rights Movement; his life experiences are the bed of work that inspires his artwork. This film documents Rembert’s life and how his tooled leather artwork has become his biography and therapy. The film was directed by Vivan Ducat of Ducat Media. She and Rembert will be at the screening, followed by a Q&A with the artist.
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located next to Hackley Public Library in downtown Muskegon. Call 231.720.2570 or go here for visitor information.
Students trickle in after school, one or two at a time, into a Wyoming High School classroom. They grab a slice of pizza and sit down to discuss issues that affect their lives and community: school, jobs and ways to give back.
Fresh off a service-learning project they chose to take on to promote the November school bond proposal, they discuss what they learned about school millages and voting, and what their school needs most: bigger classrooms, more space, more buses. And while it’s not something a bond would cover, someone mentions food.
The students in the Teen Outreach Program, discuss how most teenagers who stay after school are hungry, having eaten lunch well before noon.
Mikayla Reynold, a Grace Bible freshman majoring in psychology, and John Napper, a business owner, share how Teen Outreach impacted their lives.
“You know, 80 percent of kids here qualify for free or reduced lunch,” said Julian Goodson, who leads the group of ninth- through 12th-graders.
“That doesn’t mean the other 20 percent can always afford it,” a girl responds.
The seed of an idea is planted. “For our next service learning project, let’s come up with a plan to feed people who are here from 2:30 to 5 p.m. for the rest of the year,” Goodson suggests. The students agree.
Combining Leadership with Jobs, Giving Back
The 10-15 students who attend Teen Outreach every Tuesday are learning important connections between what they do now and where they are headed.
Julian Goodson has taught Teen Outreach since 2013
Goodson, a youth development specialist with Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, started the class in 2013, initially as a way to engage students at risk of truancy. Since then, it has been opened to all students who could use a boost toward school and work success, or who just want to step up as leaders.
The program has three components: leadership or life-skills development; job placement; and community service. It also extends into a Summer Youth Employment Program.
Each student has an individual goal plan with action steps, and Goodson holds them accountable to their plans by checking in with them each week.
Part of the picture, Goodson has found, is helping meet basic needs, which helps them get to school in the first place. That’s why he comes to each meeting with boxes of pizza in hand.
“It’s extremely rewarding. A good majority of them just really need a caring adult,” Goodson said. “That’s true for a lot of youth in general. They just want to know someone cares about them. I just happen to be that person. … I get to know them as individuals and really meet them where they are at.”
The class teaches networking, resume-building and public speaking skills. Students are placed in summer jobs at local businesses and organizations, including the Wyoming Branch of Kent District Library, Goodwill Industries, Family Fare, Applebee’s, Bethany Christian Services and Wyoming Public Schools.
Completion of the Teen Outreach Program, 10 hours of involvement in a service learning project, and a summer job make for a great head start. “That’s a pretty robust resume for a teenager,” Goodson said.
A Unique Ability to Relate
Goodson relates to his students. As detailed in his book, “Thoughts of a Foster Dad,” his own childhood was thrown into turmoil after his mother died and his father was arrested multiple times. With his wife, Stacey Goodson, he has fostered many children, including 2017 Wyoming High School graduate Donnie Alford.
Four years ago, feeling as if he missed his calling to be a teacher, Goodson left the corporate world of sales to work with at-risk youth and foster children. It led him to GRCCT, and to Wyoming Public Schools to teach Teen Outreach. He also teaches at Covenant House Academies, and at Innovation Central High School in Grand Rapids Public Schools.
He faced an immediate challenge at the outset, he said: “How do you get a truant kid to come to an after-school program?” The answer was to build up their self-esteem. Instead of making it sound like a punitive way of getting them to school, students were invited based on their untapped leadership potential.
It was potential senior Zayveon Hymon can now see in himself. He said the class has made a major difference in his life. He worked a summer job at Lighthouse Property Management.
“I wasn’t a great leader,” Zayveon said. “I wasn’t coming to school every day and I wasn’t doing good on my grades. Julian approached me and said ‘I think you can be a leader, you just haven’t shown it yet. If you want to you can join my class.’
“I’ve met lifelong friends and learned how to be a leader,” he added. “My leadership skills improved a lot and, on top of that I learned handiwork (through the summer job). I improved my grades and actually wanted to come to school.”
Envisioning Success
After the bond discussion, students interviewed Wyoming High School graduates and Teen Outreach Program alumni Mikayla Reynolds, a Grace Bible School freshman majoring in psychology, and John Napper, a business owner. Both credit Goodson and the class for helping them turn their lives around.
“I eat, I sleep, I breathe college. I make good grades,” said Reynolds, describing how the class helped her realize success was an option after rocky years in high school. “This class impacted me because it really fine-tuned my leadership skills. I was always an introvert, always quiet and never wanted to step up to the plate. This class pushed me out of my comfort zone.
“It takes a good leader to push you out of your comfort zone,” she added. “It takes a great leader to push you to a place you never thought you would go.”
Don’t let long shopping lists and holiday parties distract you from your job search this month. Many people pause their search until the New Year, but December is the good month to find a job. Here’s why:
Fewer people look
Between traveling, parties and shopping, many job seekers are busy making plans and they put their job search on hold. Use this time to get ahead of the competition by applying to jobs and connecting with recruiters. Overwhelmed with your to-do list this month? Balance your job search and holiday activities by blocking out time every day for job search activities.
Plenty of parties
The holidays are an excuse to reconnect with people you’ve met through networking. Ask them to coffee or lunch to catch up. These meetings will strengthen your relationship and keep you top of mind as they move into the New Year.
Consider holiday parties as another networking opportunity. Meet someone new and let them know you’re job searching (even if it’s your grandma’s neighbor!).
Extra time with recruiters
Recruiters are more likely to respond to your email because they aren’t as busy this month. Apply to relevant job postings and follow up with an email to the recruiter. Give them a chance to get to know you now, so they’ll remember you once 2018 hiring begins.
Did you get an ‘Out of Office’ reply? Great! If they don’t respond to your email upon return, welcome them back to work and then ask your questions.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Do you know someone in a service industry job who goes above and beyond their expected role? Do they take pride in their vital, yet under-appreciated job? Nominate them for an Essential Service Award.
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.
Buddy — Shepherd / Labrador Retriever Mix
I am a 7-year-old dog looking for my forever home! I would do best in a quiet/routine home with older/respectful children. I am a happy guy who loves to play! Due to generous grant funding, my adoption fee is waived because I am 7 years or older. If I sound like a good fit for you, please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!
More about Buddy:
Animal ID: 12071234
Breed: Shepherd/Retriever, Labrador
Age: 7 years
Gender: Male
Size: Large
Color: Tan/Black
Neutered
Sweet Jasmine
Jasmine — Female Domestic Short Hair
I am a 3-year-old sweet, sassy, and playful cat! I love napping, playing, receiving pets, and occasionally causing a bit of mischief. I would do best in a home that could give me plenty of attention, but also space when I need it. I would do best with older/respectful children. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!
More about Jasmine:
Animal ID: 35769251
Breed: Domestic Shorthair/Mix
Age: 3 years
Gender: Female
Size: Small
Color: Grey
Spayed
Not declawed
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.
