Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson (with Anderson from yesteryear on video) made a stop at Meijer Gardens on Friday, Aug. 18, and did not disappoint the sellout crowd. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson, Aug. 18, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Mi.
60-second Review
Two preface points: First, when I say the Jethro Tull concert was rock ’n’ roll theater by a good ol’ dude for good ol’ dudes, I count myself as one of those dudes. (Empirical evidence of the audience’s majority was the fact that the line for the men’s restroom was longer than the for the women’s.)
Second, despite Tull’s heart and soul, Ian Anderson, having turned 70 earlier this month, we will avoid the easy review road by ignoring the band’s 1976 release “Too Old to Rock ’n’ Roll; Too Young to Die”. (Didn’t like the song the year I graduated from high school, and I now avoid cliches whenever possible.)
As to Friday night’s sold-out concert at Meijer Gardens, Anderson and his band — the current line-up includes not a single other member of the original band, but now includes standout keyboardist John O’Hara and lead guitarist Florian Ophale — breezed through a 18-song, 2-hour and 45-minute set that was just what the audience came for.
The current line-up of Jethro Tull, with Ian Anderson center. (Supplied)
Most of the songs were from the band’s very-late 1960s and ‘70s heyday, most mainstays of the “Classic Vinyl” music radio channels and record store record racks. From the opening song, “Living in the Past”, to the set-closing pre-and post-encore break offerings of “Aqualung” and “Locomotive Breath”, Anderson/Tull played the hits.
Having heard Tull’s hits almost ad infinitum, my favorite songs were lesser-known to me and maybe unknown to the casual fan: “Heavy Horses”; the more-modern social commentary of “Banker Best, Banker Wins” and “Farm on the Freeway” as well as the purely instrumental “Bourrée” and “Toccata and Fugue in D Major” (both Johann Sebastian Bach covers).
Aside from the songs, however, the two real pleasures of the night were experiencing what was, really, a video-driven rock show — with a large screen behind the band showing song-by-song videos apparently synched to the live music, or visa versa — and spending a great evening with Anderson, whose singing voice may have, ah, “mellowed” over the years but who can still make his flute whisper and scream as desired.
It was good to see, as Anderson sang in “Locomotive Breath”, with slightly changed lyrics: “You know I couldn’t slow down …” — even if many of the audience had, clearly, slowed down a little.
May I have more, please?
Having been in the pop-music biz for coming on half a century now, Ian Anderson undoubtedly has new music and new stories that few interviewers want to hear or ever ask about. But being the polite, proper Englishman that he is, Anderson provides perfectly acceptable answers to stale answers on his website.
Under the heading of “All Too Frequently Asked Questions” he talks about the origin of the band’s name, the changing line-up over the years, and his on-again, off-again retirement and distance from his Tull.
But the most interesting pat answer, I think, is his response to the question “Do you listen to new bands and who are your favourites?” (Spelled in the English way, of course!) His answer:
“I receive rather a lot of unsolicited demo tapes and CD’s from would-be musicians as well as from more professional performers, so I listen to a lot of “new” stuff that way. The car radio and music television keep me as informed as I want to be. But I have never been a great listener of other people’s work. Even when I first started, I listened only to a few things which really caught my attention. My favourite music to listen to these days is that of Muddy Waters, Beethoven and Indian Classical and pop music.”
Quite an eclectic guy, in music and life, I would say. Would love to share a pint with him sometime.
“The Kamla Show: The Glass Castle” will be airing on WKTV 25 on Monday, Aug. 21 at 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 11:30 a.m. and Friday, Aug. 25 at noon and 7:30 p.m.
In this episode, Kamla sits down with journalist and author Jeannette Walls to talk about her memoir The Glass Castle that is now a Hollywood film. The film stars Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, Naomi Watts and others. The film was released on Aug. 11.
Walls grew up poor and lived in a home with no running water or electricity. She left home at 17 for Manhattan, where she completed her high school education and started working for a local newspaper in Brooklyn. Walls then went on get her undergraduate degree from Barnard College and became a journalist. She worked as a gossip columnist for MSNBC. While covering stories about celebrities, Walls realized that she had never shared her story of a gritty and nomadic childhood, where her family lived in cars, abandoned buildings and foraged for food . The irony did not escape Walls that she now lived in a nice apartment, while her homeless parents lived in an abandoned building and foraged for food. The dissonance did not escape her and that prompted her to write her memoir that became a best-seller.
If you are interested in learning more about Walls’ writing, check out a review by the Grand Rapids Public Library on her book “Half Broke Horses,” by clicking here.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is pleased to announce a digitization project made possible through a grant awarded by the Furniture Manufacturers Heritage Advised Fund and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The Museum has more than 1,500 rare and out-of-print furniture catalogs that document Grand Rapids’ history in the furniture industry. In partnership with Kent Records Management, Inc., the Museum is in the process of digitizing the furniture trade catalogs created in Grand Rapids and the greater Grand Rapids area, and expects to have the project completed by the end of 2017.
The Museum recognizes the historical significance of these catalogs as artifacts documenting the City’s remarkable history in the furniture industry and innovative furniture designs. Museum staff respond to hundreds of research inquiries regarding furniture each year. The effort to digitize the furniture trade catalogs will undoubtedly encourage more research and continue to foster the scholarship of furniture construction, design and the study of Grand Rapids’ furniture history.
“This project allows us to make more of our Collections of 250,000 artifacts and specimens available online,” said Alex Forist, the GRPM’s Chief Curator. “Digitizing these furniture catalogs allows for high quality images to be available to the public to learn more about the industry that helped shape our region and our city.”
This digitization project will allow the Museum to offer full-page, hi-definition scans to the public to access via the GRPM’s Collections website, GRPMCollections.org. Visitors can view the completed furniture trade catalogs in the Furniture Industry Archives online gallery viewable here: https://www.grpmcollections.org/index.php/Detail/collections/274.
Today all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun, and NASA Television will carry it live from coast to coast from unique vantage points on the ground and from aircraft and spacecraft.
Programming begins at noon EDT with a preview show hosted from Charleston, South Carolina. That program is followed by the main show which begins at 1 p.m. EDT.
The main program will cover of path of the eclipse from Oregon to South Carolina. The program will feature views from jet aircraft, high-altitude balloons, satellites and specially modified telescopes. It will also include live reports from Salem, Oregon, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Beatrice, Nebraska, Jefferson City, Missouri, Carbondale, Illinois, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Clarksville, Tennessee and at our home base at the College of Charleston (SC).
NASA TV may be seen on WKTV 26 and AT&T 99 Government. Please note: All content is subject to change in real time and without notice.
On Monday, Aug. 21, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the Sun, and NASA Television will carry it live from coast to coast from unique vantage points on the ground and from aircraft and spacecraft. Programming begins at noon EDT with a preview show hosted from Charleston, South Carolina. That program is followed by the main show which begins at 1 p.m. EDT.
The main program will cover of path of the eclipse from Oregon to South Carolina. The program will feature views from jet aircraft, high-altitude balloons, satellites and specially modified telescopes. It will also include live reports from Salem, Oregon, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Beatrice, Nebraska, Jefferson City, Missouri, Carbondale, Illinois, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Clarksville, Tennessee and at our home base at the College of Charleston (SC).
NASA TV may be seen on WKTV 26 and AT&T 99 Government. Please note: All content is subject to change in real time and without notice.
Barry Brown knew it was time to retire when the daughters of his first waitresses from 1996 began applying for jobs at the diner.
“It feels like I moved this diner here just yesterday, the time has gone by that fast,” said Brown, whose classic 1950s-style diner, Pal’s, has been a mainstay at 6503 28th St. SE for more than two decades.
Come October 1st, Brown and his wife, Sam, are hanging up their aprons to begin the next phase of their lives — retirement. They’ll still be busy with other businesses, but the long hours that a restaurant requires will be a thing of the past. This summer, the Browns sold the lot on which Pal’s Diner stands, and the new owners have no intention of moving the diner; they would like to see it keep running. So the hunt is on for a new operator.
Interested parties must be realistic, however. Maybe you’re a great cook at home, but are you up for supervising employees, buying inventory, maintaining equipment and putting in round-the-clock hours this type of business requires? Going in blind is a recipe for disaster.
“The restaurant business is highly stressful,” said Barry. “It’s a lot of work and long hours. The new owner should be experienced and should know the business. It’s not as simple as saying, ‘I make a great cake.’ You need to be on board 100 percent.”
That said, operating Pal’s Diner could offer the perfect situation for the right person. Some people may have the smarts and the dedication to take on a business like this, but lack the capital. It takes at least $500,000 to open a restaurant.
The interior of Pal’s Diner
“Someone could just step in on a turnkey business,” Barry said.
The Pal’s Diner name will attach to the business, but the new operator would have to set up a new LLC and buy workers’ compensation insurance. Rent would be paid to the new property owner, and it would be necessary to hire a seasoned crew. Barry would train the new operator.
This time is bittersweet for the Browns. On the one hand, there are so many wonderful memories.
“We’ve had three marriage proposals and an actual wedding in here,” said Barry. “I’ve made two marriage matches. Several films have used Pal’s as a location.”
Business is booming — up 25 percent in the last few months. Barry credits the millennial generation for that.
“The trend seems to be in the direction of home cooking and away from franchise restaurant food,” said Barry. “We’re seeing this on a national level, with i-Hop and Applebee’s shutting down in some locations.”
Sam and Barry Brown in the 1980s
And a lot of people from New Jersey are making a special trip here as the diner began life in that state before relocating to Grand Rapids. A couple who met standing in line at Pal’s out east renewed their wedding vows here.
But the hard work has taken its toll. Brown has had a hip replacement. At 65, it’s difficult to stand on his feet all day. It’s time to pass the baton and relax.
Great for a storytime read-aloud with the grandkids! Colorful, expressive illustrations by Henry Cole are a delightful addition to this title which will help kids conquer their fears.
Big Chickens is the story of four fearful chickens who seem to talk themselves into a series of predicaments while trying to escape from a wolf. The chickens are afraid to go home, afraid to jump, afraid of cows, afraid of the water, afraid of caves, afraid of big, hairy animals. Will they remain afraid of the wolf?
This predicable tale has some great repetition which invites participation, perfect for preschoolers who will quickly learn the routine. They’ll love to repeat “Me, too!” “Me, three!” “Me, four!” after the first chicken asks about some hypothetical situation. Once a question is asked (What if we fall in the ditch? What if the cows chase us?) you turn the page and find the chickens have to find their way out of that very situation.
The story would be a great discussion starter for preschoolers and their caregivers to help with their fears. Showing how the chickens eventually see how the wolf isn’t necessarily the big bully that everyone thinks he is will allow children to put themselves in the chickens’ place.
You breathe a sigh of relief once your interview is completed. But not so fast! You still have a few important things to do. Hiring managers look through hundreds of resumes a week and interview a lot of people. Follow these steps to make sure you stay top of mind.
Ask about next steps. Before the interview ends, ask the interviewer about their timeframe for making the hiring decision. You’ll know when to expect an answer, and when to follow up if they haven’t responded during that timeframe.
Send a thank you note. Write a thank you note to each person in the interview. Send it within a day to show the interviewer you’re eager to join their team. Email or postal mail is appropriate.
Follow up. Has it been longer than the interviewer indicated in the interview? Send them a quick email to check on the status. Let them know you’re eager to begin the job and look forward to an update. Avoid asking direct questions like “Did I get the job?” or “Do you have an answer yet?”
Keep your conversation offline. Waiting to hear back from an interviewer can get frustrating. Do not express this frustration on any social media profiles. Keep those conversations offline to close family and friends.
Wait, and then move on. Resume your job search within a week after an interview. Don’t lose job search momentum by waiting too long.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Following a contentious meeting, attended by about 100 persons in opposition to a development plan proposed by the Granger Group for the city’s southwest side, the Wyoming City Planning Commission recommended that the Wyoming City Council deny a rezoning request associated with the development.
The vote Tuesday, Aug. 15, was 4-3 with two commissioners absent. The City Council is currently scheduled to take up the issue at its Sept. 5 meeting.
The issue may be a moot point, however, as after the meeting, the Granger Group announced it will change its plans in response to community mood.
“We respect the neighbors, we respect the City of Wyoming … we thought we had a better plan,” Gary Granger, President and CEO of Granger Group said to WKTV on Thursday, Aug. 17. “The neighbors said ‘No’ and so we have to stick with our original plan.
“We have an original PUD (Planned Unit Development) … a clear PUD that was approved in 2000,” he said. “We will go back to that plan. We still have additional land that we will be dealing with in the future.”
City Planner Tim Cochran said Thursday that Granger had not yet withdrawn the rezoning proposal.
The specific rezoning request, according to the agenda report of the planning commission meeting, was to rezone 98.4 acres from currently approved zoning status to low density planned unit development status. The properties include 66.9 acres zoned estate residential, 9.5 acres of general business, 15.7 of local business and 6.3 of restricted office.
The properties, generally located in the southeast corner of 56th Street and Wilson Avenue, are 3928 56th Street, 3952 56th Street, 5700 Wilson Avenue, 5850 Wilson Avenue, 5950 Wilson Avenue, 5972 Wilson Avenue, 5988 Wilson Avenue, 6002 Wilson Avenue, 6010 Wilson Avenue, and 6030 Wilson Avenue.
According to a city planning department rezoning synopsis given to the planning commission, the “proposed rezoning area is primarily agricultural fields” and if rezoned would “accommodate a mixed use development. The rezoning covers eleven separate properties. The rezoning would combine these properties with the adjoining Rivertown Valley Planned Unit Development to create a total PUD of 211.2 acres to be rebranded as The Reserve.”
According to the city planning department report, there are currently 131 single family lots within a Rivertown Valley development. The Reserve at Rivertown development, if approved, would add 185 additional single family lots, 370 apartments and about 3.5 acres of commercial area.
It is the combination of an existing PUD with a proposed PUD — and the possibility of as many as 370 rental apartments being created — which has led local single-family homeowner to oppose Granger’s plans, according to a press release from a citizens group.
According to the citizens group’s press release, the residents are concerned about “370 apartments being constructed in their backyards … (being) forced into a home owners association with no disclosure in purchase agreements … the impact that 370 new rental units would have on the local schools (this part of Wyoming the school district is the City of Grandville) … (and) Granger’s plan to use an old traffic study from 2014. We believe that the study is outdated and a new study by the City of Wyoming needs to be conducted.”
The community group also said in the press release that it has hired a lawyer, Kevin Keenan of Wheeler Upham, to represent them.
The 6th annual GrandJazzFestis Aug. 19 & 20, 2017, at Rosa Parks Circle, in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. On stage, notable jazz performers as well as up-and-coming artists will please a diverse audience. The festival showcases a jazz headliner and features a wide and encompassing range of jazz artists and acts.
The event is family friendly. Bring folding chairs, blankets and snacks, and get ready to relax for a couple of hours or for the whole weekend! Try out some of the local restaurants and pubs, and be sure to visit other Grand Rapids attractions.
By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University
On Monday, August 21, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun, and anyone within the “path of totality” will be able to see a rare total solar eclipse.
The total eclipse path, called the corona, will stretch from Salem, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina. Those outside of this path, like those in Michigan, will see a partial solar eclipse.
Ross Reynolds, professor of physics at Grand Valley State University, said that the Grand Rapids area will see the maximum amount of coverage (81 percent) around 2:20 p.m. Reynolds added that at the maximum coverage time in Michigan, the planet Venus may be visible about one third of the way between the sun and the western horizon.
Reynolds explained that safety should be a top priority for eclipse enthusiasts. When watching the eclipse, it is most important to avoid looking directly at the sun without proper protection, such as special-purpose solar filter “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers. Homemade filters and ordinary sunglasses are not safe for looking at the sun.
To help keep eclipse viewers safe, Regional Math and Science Center will be distributing eclipse glasses at three locations on the Allendale Campus from 10-11:30 a.m. on August 21. These locations include outside of The Connection, at the RMSC office located in Mackinac Hall (room C-1-120), and outside of Mackinac Hall near the Copeland Hall Living Center.
Reynolds said that another safe way to view the eclipse is to make a “pinhole projector” by poking a hole into a piece of cardboard or an index card. Then, hold the card approximately three feet above a surface area to project an image of the sun as the moon passes by it.
No matter where someone watches the eclipse in Michigan, Reynolds said all areas of the state will have similar views of the event.
“The further south and west, the more complete the eclipse will be, but the best will only be a bit more at 85 percent down on the border near Michigan City and the worst will be around 70 percent in the Upper Peninsula,” he said. “As the eclipse will happen around 2 p.m., the sun will be high in the sky so there is no need to look for big open spaces with low horizons because anywhere without clouds will do.”
NASA’s live stream of the eclipse, available at www.nasa.gov/eclipselive, will be available to watch in the RMSC office, and in the Learning Alcove of the Mary Idema Pew Library.
Faculty members from Grand Valley’s Physics Department will be partnering with the Grand Rapids Public Museumfor the museum’s Eclipse Party. Faculty will be on-hand to facilitate a variety of activities for both children and adults. The Eclipse party will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on August 21 at the museum, complete with telescopes equipped with solar filters, tracking devices that can track the Sun during the eclipse, and multiple hands-on activities that illustrate eclipses and the sun-moon-Earth system.
According to NASA, the last total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. coast-to-coast occurred in 1918, and the next total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. won’t occur until 2024.
While this eclipse will be noted in the history books, Reynolds said that, among physicists, the most “famous” eclipse occurred in 1919.
“During the 1919 eclipse, Sir Arthur Eddington made observations of stellar positions and was able to show that the positions were displaced by an amount predicted by Albert Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity,” Reynolds explained. “It was seen as the first test of that theory.”
Global refugees often find themselves warehoused in makeshift camps for years — or even decades. The lucky ones are eventually resettled by a generous nation to start a new life.
But new struggles, especially for older refugees, then begin: trying to learn a strange language, adapting to new climates and customs. Who is the best to help with the daily tasks that natives take for granted: driver’s license, bank forms, job applications, healthcare appointments, school registration for kids? It’s often fellow refugees who came before. Like the courageous Leela Dhakal.
Residents of Kent County are again being contacted by individuals claiming to be from the IRS. Below is an example of one of the voicemails:
“Hello, we have been trying to reach you. This call is officially a final notice from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). The reason of this call is to inform you that the IRS is filing a lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case file, please call immediately on our department number (gives number). Thank you.”
If you call the number provided, they will often ask you to obtain a prepaid credit card from a local store and provide them the credit card number.
This is another reminder that these are scams. Once the money is taken from the credit card, there is very little law enforcement can do to identify the suspect and recover the money. The suspect(s) are often not from the area and are difficult to identify because they use spoofed phone numbers that change frequently and are problematic to trace.
Other common scams include the following:
A stranger sends you a check and asks you to cash the check and keep some of the money. A different variation of this is a Craig’s List transaction where the buyer “accidentally” overpays and asks you to cash the check and send them the amount of the overpayment. The banks will most likely cash the check and not realize the check is forged until several days later. You are then financially responsible for the amount of the bad check.
We are also getting complaints of residents being contacted by a person saying they have found a virus on the resident’s computer. They ask for remote access to the computer and then hold the computer hostage until a ransom is paid.
A person contacts you over the phone and claims to be your relative who has been arrested. They ask you to provide them with the number off a prepaid credit card for bond money.
If a stranger asks you to provide them with a prepaid credit number or iTunes card, it is a scam.
The best way to avoid these scams is to avoid talking to them on the phone. We are aware of all of these scams and the many variations in our area, and there is no reason to report them to law enforcement unless you are a victim who suffers a loss as a result of one of these calls.
When we think of skilled nursing facilities, we tend to think of the nursing home where grandma went to live when she could no longer care for herself. Skilled nursing facilities are actually rehabilitation centers that cater to short-term stays, and function as a bridge between acute care or care in the hospital and a patient’s home.
What Skilled Nursing Facilities Provide
Many patients in skilled nursing facilities are recovering from an illness or injury or have had surgery such as a joint replacement.
“Hospitals are discharging patients earlier than ever, and some of those patients might need a few more weeks of skilled nursing or rehabilitation therapy,” said Sara Heethuis, Executive Director of Holland Home’s Breton Rehabilitation & Living Centre.
A skilled nursing facility can provide around-the-clock nursing care, as well as appropriate therapies —physical, occupational and speech. A skilled nursing facility can also provide specialized medical services such as wound care.
“Our main goal is to get the patient functioning well enough so that they can go back home. As a matter of fact, we begin planning for their discharge the minute they arrive,” said Heethuis. “We do have some long-term care patients, but most of our patients are only here until they are well enough to go home,”
Choosing a Skilled Nursing Facility
Family members are often faced with making the decision about a skilled nursing facility within days or hours of their loved one’s discharge from the hospital. It can be a confusing and frightening time.
One of the best places to start is at medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare. By plugging in your zip code or city, you can access information on all facilities in your area. All skilled nursing facilities are inspected and regulated by its state’s Department of Health Services and are given an overall rating, as well as ratings on health inspections, staffing and quality measures. The site also allows you to choose three facilities and compare them side-by-side.
“Breton Rehabilitation & Living Centre consistently receives four and five stars in all the areas measured. All of Holland Home’s skilled nursing facilities, including Raybrook Manor and Fulton Manor, receive four and five stars overall,” said Heethuis.
Another measure of the facility’s quality is their outcomes. Ask about the facilities’ discharge and re-hospitalization rates.
“Holland Homes’ outcomes are higher than the national average,” said Heethuis. “More of our patients are discharged to their homes, as opposed to needing re-hospitalization, than most other facilities.”
Amenities
Many facilities provide a wide range of amenities that may include catering to specific diet preferences, cable television, telephone, Wi-Fi throughout the facility, tastefully decorated private rooms, life enrichment activities and assisted excursions.
A stay in a skilled nursing facility can be a beneficial experience allowing you to return home with improved function and on the path to wellness.
By Metro Health-UM Health/U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Scores of homeless veterans from throughout West Michigan are expected to gather for the second year in a row on the Wyoming campus of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health to connect with resources that can help them rebuild their lives.
The veterans will be participating in a Stand Down event coordinated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Held throughout the year and throughout the country, Stand Downs bring homeless veterans together in a single location to provide convenient access to community resources.
The local Stand Down will be held Friday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the Granger Green in front of the hospital at The Metro Health Village, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW.
“We’re honored to host these veterans on our campus,” says Emil Hannesson, director of community outreach for Metro Health. “These individuals have pledged their lives to the country and now need the community’s assistance. This event is a great way to remind them how much they are valued, and that people do support them.”
Tiyanna Payne, a supervisor with the VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans program in Grand Rapids, adds: “Stand Downs are the nation’s most valuable outreach tool for veterans who are homeless or marginally housed.”
Nearly 50 service providers plan to participate, including federal, state, and community agencies, as well as veteran support groups. Homeless veterans will have access to food, clothing, medical care, housing assistance, job counseling, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
In addition, military surplus items will be available for eligible vets, including sleeping bags, rucksacks, cold weather gear and personal hygiene products. The event also offers breakfast, a lunch prepared by Metro’s chef, and free haircuts.
“Veterans won’t have to go from one agency to another to access the services they need,” Payne says. “For one day, everything will be in one place, and everyone will be here to provide them with aid.”
The name of the event has its origins in the Vietnam War, when “standing down” referred to soldiers being taken off the lines to rest and recover.
“Our Stand Down is designed to give veterans an opportunity to renew their spirit, health and well-being,” Payne says. “Here’s our chance to surround this vulnerable population with the services they need.”
The event gets underway at 10 a.m. with a Color Guard presentation and national anthem. The anthem will be performed by Joyce Jones-Davis, a nurse manager with the Wyoming VA Health Care Center. Lisa Martin, director of the Wyoming VA clinic, will follow with a welcome address.
This event is for veterans only. If a veteran needs assistance getting to the event, please call the Health Care for Homeless Veterans service center (616-356-1746).
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 June 13th, 2017, we took in this affectionate little girl, about 18 months of age (born in late 2015). As it turned out, Salsa was pregnant (and eating bird seed in her rescuer’s yard to feed her growing belly).
Salsa was very lucky that she stumbled into the yard of volunteer Sandy R, as she put food out for the darling calico until such a time that she could coax her into her good graces and bring her in to Dr. Jen. She recovered well from her spay surgery and was totally meshing with the other residents at Crash’s when she fell ill with Calici virus, a very contagious feline respiratory disease that strikes unvaccinated, immunocompromised kitties. Thankfully we were able to treat her successfully and she recovered fully.
Salsa has earned the nickname of ‘Sassy Salsa’ — she is a spitfire, but only in a totally endearing way. She has a lot of spunk in her teeny little body; for example, she will only eat wet food that she steals from other cats, even if you put the same food in front of her. She is not afraid to show her roommates who’s the boss and will smack them right across the face if she doesn’t like what they are doing. She will do very well in any home that has lots to do, but she would probably prefer to be the only cat.
Want to adopt Salsa? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
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.
When you live in poverty, you worry about being able to provide basic needs like housing, food and health care for your family. It is no surprise this can cause tremendous stress. Data show that the rate of adults experiencing any type of mental illness is greatest among those with family incomes below the federal poverty level (about $2,050 per month for a family of four).
Photo supplied
High levels of stress can damage both mental and physical health over the long term. This is the second installment in a series that will look at how living in poverty affects health and well-being.
Severe Mental Illness
Individuals living in poverty are at increased risk of experiencing trauma. This has been linked to increased mental illness, risk behaviors and challenges to daily life functions. Additionally, poor individuals typically experience greater work-stress because of low wages and the need to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, poor Americans are less likely to get the mental health help they need to manage illness and deal with excessive stress and trauma. This becomes even more tragic when you consider that individuals living in poverty are also more likely to have severe mental illness and serious thoughts of suicide. Between the physical health risks and potential of suicide, poverty is killing our neighbors.
Toxic Stress
Toxic stress occurs when a child experiences strong, frequent and/or prolonged hardship. When children are exposed to constant hardship, their bodies’ stress response is on all the time. They tend to have higher heart rates and blood pressure than their peers who aren’t living in poverty.
Long-term exposure to stress can have damaging effects on multiple organs, including the brain. Many adult illnesses, such as inflammatory diseases and increased risk for heart attack, stroke and diabetes, can be traced to toxic stress in childhood. Next week, we’ll look deeper into how poverty impacts children.
ACSET Community Action Agency’s (CAAs) mission is to fight the causes and circumstances of poverty by investing in low-income individuals and families. They do this by meeting emergency needs and assisting in areas of self-sufficiency. Through dedicated staff and community partnerships, ACSET CAA provides services, resources, education and advocacy to improve the quality of life for all residents of Kent County.
Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.
WKTV’s broadcast crew’s coverage of high school sports will begin in a couple weeks, but local high school sports has already begun.
WKTV will once again be bringing a game of the week to the viewers starting with two weeks of Thursday night games before Labor Day weekend, after which the Friday night games will return.
The August schedule is Thursday, Aug. 24, with Holland at Wyoming; and Thursday, Aug. 31, with White Cloud at Wyoming Lee.
WKTV sports events will be broadcast the night of the game on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
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 (through next Monday) are as follows:
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Boys Tennis
East Kentwood @ FH Northern
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Quad
Calvin Christian @ South Christian
Girls Golf
East Kentwood @ Kent County Classic
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming
South Christian @ Lansing Central
Thursday, Aug. 17
Girls Golf
East Kentwood @ Portland
Wyoming @ Sparta
South Christian @Lansing Central
Boys Football
@ East Kentwood (Scrimmage)
Wyoming @ Plainwell (Scrimmage)
Union @ Wyoming Lee (Scrimmage)
Kelloggsville @ Schoolcraft (Scrimmage)
Tri-unity Christian @ Camden Fortier
Boys Tennis
NorthPointe Christian @ South Christian
Friday, Aug. 18
Boys Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer
Girls Golf
East Kentwood vs Jenison @ The Meadows GVSU
Boys Tennis
East Kentwood @ Ludington
Western Michigan Christian @ Wyoming
Boys Soccer
FH Central @ East Kentwood
West Michigan Aviation @ Union
Girls Volleyball
@ Wyoming – WMVOA Meet
Boys/ Girls Cross Country
Wyoming @ Wayland
Kelloggsville @ Wayland
Tri-unity Christian @ Unity Christian
Saturday, Aug. 19
Boys Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer
Boys Tennis
South Christian @ East Kentwood – Tennis Invite
Girls Volleyball
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Lakeshore Classic
Wyoming Lee @ Grand River Prep – WMVOA Tournament
Kelloggsville @ Grand RiverPrep – WMVOA Tournament
Zion Christian @ Grand River Prep – WMVOA Tournament
Tri-unity Christian @ Grand River Prep – WMVOA Tournament
West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep – WMVOA Tournament
South Christian @ Grand Haven – Lakeshore Classic
Boys Soccer
Godwin Heights@ Grand River Prep
Tri-unity Christian @ Wyoming Lee – Copa Rebelde
Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Hackett
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Oakridge
West Michigan Aviation @ Muskegon Oakridge
Catholic Central @ South Christian -Mark Hasper Invite
Monday, Aug. 21
Boys Tennis
East Kentwood @ FH Central – Elliott Pearce Invite
Gillian Flynn’s disturbing and enthralling first novel delves into the dark heart of a small town and the complex relationship between a mother and her daughters. Camille hasn’t been back home in eight years and is eking out a meager existence as a reporter for Chicago’s fourth-largest paper. In search of a prize-winning scoop, Camille’s editor persuades her to return to her southern Missouri hometown and search out the connections between the murder of a girl the year before and the recent disappearance of another little girl. It’s not long before the missing girl is found dead in a manner strikingly similar to the first death, meaning there is a serial killer in the town.
Busy searching for leads, Camille delays going home as long as possible, but finally shows up on her mother’s doorstep, where she is given a half-hearted and vague welcome. She clumsily attempts to get to know her teenage half-sister Amma and becomes messily involved with the detective handling the investigation.
In one sense, the novel is a mystery, as the search for the girls’ killer provides the framework for everything that happens to Camille. But it is also a story of why certain families’ wounds never heal. Flynn only gradually unveils why it is so hard for Camille to go home and why she has chosen to live far away from her mother. There are hints early on that she is damaged—for example, she can only take baths because the shower spray gets her skin to buzzing and she has a specific coping mechanism that she keeps a secret. But the longer Camille stays in Wind Gap, the more her hard-won emotional distance slips away and she finds herself more involved with her family than she had planned.
Sharp Objects is appropriately named. It is not a comfortable book to read, but the sharp edges in both the characters and the setting add to the power of the novel. Flynn’s portrayal of Wind Gap is nicely full of details that highlight the setting of a small Missouri town and she paces out the revelations perfectly for a sense of suspense. This is a mystery that got under my skin and even missing a traditional happy ending has nonetheless stuck with me as one of the more thought-provoking reading experiences I’ve had this year.
Next, I’ll be checking out Flynn’s second novel, Dark Places, which also deals with past tragedies and the often bizarre interior world of families.
Tree work by the city will cause delays on 32nd Street Aug. 16.
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood announced today, Aug. 15, that crews will be removing a fallen tree from 32nd Street midday on Wednesday, Aug. 16. The work will affect travelers using the road between Breton Road and Shaffer Avenue, and delays should be expected from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During these times, motorists are encouraged to find an alternate route.
The 54th Annual Marshall Historic Home Tour on September 9th and 10th will feature six private residences including the Italianate-style home built in 1873 for prominent local merchant Jeremiah Cronin.
“The six tour homes reflect six different and distinctive architectural styles,” said Ray Lessnau, home tour co-chair. “The home of Jeremiah Cronin, which inspired the 1973 John Bellairs novel The House with a Clock in its Walls will be on the tour for the first time in almost 10 years. It now shows the beautiful interior design choices of the new owners.”
The nearby Queen-Anne-style home built in 1886 for Jeremiah’s brother Thomas Cronin also is on this year’s tour. It had been on two recent tours as under restoration.
The other tour homes are an 1857 Gothic-Revival-style home, an 1858 cottage, Marshall’s only Second Empire home built in 1870, and an early 1900s Craftsman-style house that was likely updated from a smaller pre-Civil War dwelling.
The tour will be 9am to 5pm on Saturday, September 9th, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday, September 10th. The Honolulu House Museum, 107 N. Kalamazoo Ave., again will be the focal point for home tour activities.
Anderson Home
The tour will include more than 20 sites including eight local museums and historic buildings at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. Advance tickets cost $17 and are available through September 4th by going here or by calling 269.781.8544. Tickets will be $20 after September 4th. Tickets are good for both days. Parking is free downtown and at the fairgrounds. Free shuttle buses will run to the tour sites.
The Marshall Historic Home Tour began in 1964 and has grown into the longest-running home tour in the Midwest. The Marshall Historical Society uses the home tour proceeds to maintain and enhance its three museums and to support community efforts to preserve, protect and promote Marshall’s historic heritage.
New Wyoming High School football coach Irvin Sigler, at his introductory press conference in June. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
WKTV Staff
news@wktv.org
On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with Irvin Sigler III, Wyoming High School’s new head football coach and dean of students.
In the discussion with on “In Focus”, which will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Aug. 27, WKTV’s Ken Norris talks to “Coach Sig” about his on-the-field work with the Wolves but also the “opportunity” of his off-the-field work for all the students at the school.
“I don’t know that I see challenge (with his dean of students position), what I see is tremendous opportunity,” Sigler told WKTV. “The ability to interact and work with a wide variety of students. The ability to spend time one-on-one with them. To be able to help them, and advocate for them.”
Taking the dual job at Wyoming, he said, “was a slam dunk once we talked about the teaching position in the building, because I feel like I have tremendous passion for helping people to succeed.”
As part of WKTV’s season-long football coverage schedule, the station’s cameras and announcers will be at Sigler’s first game leading the Wolves, Thursday, Aug. 24, a home game against Holland.
“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will start airing on Tuesday, Aug. 15, the program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
WKTV will air Modern Ahabs Craft Beer Special on Monday, August 21 at 8:00pm; Tuesday, August 22 at 6:30pm; and Friday, August 25 at 7:30pm.
Craft beer enthusiast Jason Ley from Grand Rapids, MI, had been quietly brewing an idea for a TV show for almost two years.
The show, titled Modern Ahabs, explores the hunt for the world’s most elusive craft beer. With this generation’s boom in brewing, craft beer has become more than a casual pastime hobby. Like rookie cards in mint condition or vintage toys still in their original packaging, craft beer is a worldwide phenomenon — a drinkable collector’s item. Modern Ahabs dives into the unique fanaticism that steers the pursuit for these highly sought-after, coveted trophies — known to enthusiasts as “whales.”
The pilot episode features Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) by Founders Brewing Co., of Grand Rapids, MI.
Ley, who created the show, also wrote and produced the episode. He enlisted the help of director, Ben Wilke and his video production company, Deep End Films, to film and edit Modern Ahabs. The result is a non-staged, reality-style episodic series.
Filming took place in Grand Rapids, MI in March 2016 during KBS’s city-wide release festivities, KBS Week. Locations featured in the pilot episode include HopCat, Derby Station, The Winchester, The Meanwhile, and Founders Brewing Co.
Ley’s ultimate goal for Modern Ahabs is to partner with a major TV, cable or streaming network — to develop a series of multi-episode seasons, with each episode featuring a different national or international craft beer whale.
For more information, and to join the hunt, visit modernahabs.com.
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, second from right, was one of several government officials at this month’s Chamber Government Matters meeting. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meetings brings together government leaders of all levels and a spectrum of topics, but often those attending the meeting — or watching WKTV’s rebroadcasts of the meeting — are given the rare opportunity to hear a wide-range of government voices on a single subject.
“There are really two things going on,” City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley told WKTV following the Aug. 14 meeting. “One is just to know what is going on at all the different government levels. I learn a lot just sitting with our leaders … The second is when there is a common problem, we hear about what other levels of government are trying to do to solve this problem. When we can come together … to do something, that is always good.”
Among the multi-level government discussions topics at the meeting were local and state work to control prescription opioid drug abuse, Great Lakes environment protection, and the funding crunch coming to local cities due to state funding policies.
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 State of Michigan and federal elected officials. The next meeting will be Sept. 11 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 Cable Channel 25. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktv.viebit.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.
For the first time in 40 years, the North American continent will experience a total solar eclipse, where the moon is between the sun and earth casting its shadow on the earth.
And depending where you are on Aug. 21 will determine how much of the solar eclipse you will see, according to David DeBryun, the president of the Grand Rapids Amateur Astrological Association.
“Bad news is we are not going to see a total eclipse in Grand Rapids,” DeBryun said during a special interview with WKTV’s Bre Wilson. During that interview, DeBryun said that the Grand Rapids area will experience about an 85 percent of the eclipse.
Bre Wilson with David DeBryun
He also noted that the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. SW, will be hosting a special Eclipse Day Party on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event will include hands-on solar related activity booths, multiple shows on the half hour of “Eclipses and Phases of the Moon” in the Chaffee Planetarium, and a live stream of the total eclipse will be shown int he Meijer Theater. All Eclipse Party activities will be included with general admission to the Museum. For more, visit grpm.org.
While several members of the GRAAA will be on hand at the Eclipse Day Party, DeBryun will not be one of them. He plans to be part of a group heading to Nebraska to see the eclipse. In fact, he has travelled the world to experience solar eclipses, which are a rare occurrence. The next total solar eclipse is July 2, 2019 and will across southern Africa.
DeBryun’s first solar eclipse was in 1963, when he was a young boy. “Boy do I remember that because that was the most dramatic thing I had seen in nature at that point,” he said. “It was just overwhelming. And it was the impetus for me to travel the far corners of the earth in the time since then to witness five of these total eclipses of the sun.”
With the total solar eclipse happening only about 70 miles away from the Grand Rapids area and going through such major cities as St. Louis and Nashville, DeBryun encourages residents to make the trip to experience the phenomenon especially since the next time a total solar eclipse will travel across West Michigan will be in the year 2099.
“I know I won’t make that,” he said with a a laugh.
If you plan to check out the solar eclipse, DeBryun encourages people to use the safe viewing glasses available at the Public Museum or to make an eclipse box. For other tips and more discussion about the solar eclipse, check out the interview with DeBryun airing on WKTV channel 25 at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 14; 7 and 11 p.m. Aug. 15; 11:30 a.m. Aug. 16; and noon and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18.
State Rep. Tommy Brann on a the set of WKTV Journal’s “In Focus” public affairs show. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
news@wktv.org
On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s new public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with first term State Rep. Tommy Brann, as well as inviting in the director of a non-profit working to give alternatives to persons with mobility issues. And, with the high school football football season approaching, WKTV’s Ken Norris also talks with Wyoming High School’s new head coach and dean of students.
In the discussion with Rep. Brann, which will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Aug. 27, the businessman and legislator talks about his new “part-time” job in state government.
“I’ve only missed five nights at my restaurant, I come back from Lansing — we are only there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday” in regular session, Brann told WKTV. “I do think it, possibly could be a part-time job. Right now, July and August, I only go one day a month. I mean, jeez, how is that right?
“Also, Sue (Brann, his wife) and I are giving half our legislative salary back to people in need, and that is a great part of the job, doing that.”
Michigan state representatives make $71,685 a year.
Also during the discussion, Rep. Brann discusses to of his efforts to pass legislation dealing with youth smoking and with the abuse of animals, as well as his and his brother’s well-known support for police and fire public servants.
“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will start airing on Tuesday, Aug. 15, the program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is pleased to announce that two employees have successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of “Chief Training Officer” (CTO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on July 26, 2017, to confer the designations upon Wyoming’s Fire Lieutenant Dennis VanTassell and Firefighter Bradley Dornbos. VanTassell and Dornbos have become two of only 104 CTOs nationwide.
The Designation Program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement and technical competence. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan.
Captain Dennis VanTassell
The CTO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria. Achieving this designation signifies the commitment that VanTassell and Dornbos have made to their careers in the fire and emergency services.
This professional designation is valid for three years. Maintaining the designation requires recipients to show continued growth in the areas of professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement as well as adhere to a strict code of professional conduct.
The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE) administers the Designation Program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession. To learn more about CPC, visit www.cpse.org.
The City of Wyoming Community Services Inspections Department will offer the ability to apply for permits online starting Sept. 5. The service, facilitated by the AccessMyGov.com website, will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will provide a convenient method for residents and contractors to apply for various permits.
Currently, residents and contractors must apply for permits in person at the Inspections Department at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St SW or through the mail. Following implementation of the new system, individuals seeking plumbing, mechanical or electrical permits will be able to apply directly online at any time of day using their computers or mobile devices. Common activities that require permits of these types include replacements of water heaters, furnaces, mast repairs, electrical service upgrades, additional plumbing fixtures and underground sprinkling. Permits that require detailed plans to be submitted as well as building permits are not eligible for this service and must still be applied for in person.
“We are excited to offer this online service as we know it will help save time and expense for local residents and contractors,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services for the City of Wyoming. “There is a lot of construction activity in the city and we want to facilitate growth in whatever ways we can.”
The Inspections Department will be holding two open houses at their office in Wyoming City Hall to train interested participants on the new system: Thursday, Aug. 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to noon. Computers will be available for use and participants are also welcome to bring their own devices. For those unable to attend an open house, a step by step registration guide and video tutorial will be available on the City website beginning August 14, 2017.
This month, the International Space Station Experiditon 52 will feature a Russian Spacewalk with WKTV airing the six-hour event on Aug. 17 on channel 26.
The coverage of the spacewalk begins at 10:45 a.m. and is expected to last approximately six hours.
Expedition 52 is the 52nd expedition to the International Space Station. It officially started on June 2. It includes two cosmonauts from Russia, Fyodor Yurchikhin, who is serving as commander of the expedition, and Sergey Ryazansky, a flight engineer. There is one astronaut from Italy, Paolo Nespoli, who is a flight engineer. Rounding out the crew are three Americans, all serving as flight engineers, Jack Fischer, Randy Bresnik, and Peggy Whitson, who is the first woman astronaut to command the International Space Station twice and holds the record for most total days spent in space by amu NASA astronaut.
For more information on the spacewalk or the expedition, visit www.nasa.gov.
Commissioners Emily Brieve and Stan Ponstein (Photo courtesy of Emily Brieve)
By Lisa LaPlante
Kent County
Commissioners Emily Brieve, Stan Ponstein and Robert Womack joined more than 50 county commissioners from across Michigan on Aug. 8 at a White House Conference to discuss greater cooperation between local and federal leaders. The Commissioners were invited by the Trump administration to share their views on public policy challenges facing local governments.
Commissioner Brieve, who serves District 10 part of Caledonia Township and Gaines Township, said it was an informative visit. “Communicating with the various levels of government can be like playing a game of telephone. This meeting was important because it gave us, at the County level, a direct line to the White House,” Brieve said. “We were able to communicate our role in local government and bring light to issues important to counties in Michigan. This opportunity has allowed us access to departments that provide funding for core services to Kent County residents.”
Commissioners Ponstein and Brieve (in back) with the rest of the county commissioners from Michigan. (Photo by Emily Brieve)
Commissioner Ponstein felt honored to receive an invitation. “No one with the Michigan Association of Counties has ever known of the White House inviting County Commissioners to appear before them to speak of shortcomings of the Federal Government. I am glad I had the opportunity, along with two other Kent County Commissioners, to have our voice be heard,” Commissioner Ponstein of District 7 which is Grandville and part of Wyoming, said after the visit. “I was asked often, ‘What does the public really think?’; I simply stated that in Kent County, when residents see a problem, they work together to find a solution; they don’t feel that way about the Federal Government; they feel the system is broken and it no longer works for the people.”
The evening before the conference, the Commissioners attended a briefing from the Michigan Association of Counties and National Association of Counties on “Matters of Importance to Michigan.” “The engagement of Michigan commissioners in this event is highly encouraging,” said Stephan W. Currie, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Counties. “There’s nothing more valuable in the development of strong public policy than to have local elected officials giving their on-the-ground assessments to federal leaders.”
Peters Honored as Legislator of the Year by Vietnam Veterans of America
Peters Recognized for Fairness for Veterans Provision to Help Service members with PTSD
By Allison Green and Zade Alsawah
Senator Gary Peters
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was recognized by the Vietnam Veterans of America as a Legislator of the Year and delivered remarks at the organization’s annual national convention. Peters was recognized for his efforts to pass bipartisan legislation to help veterans who may have been erroneously given a less than honorable discharge from the military due to negative behavior resulting from mental traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the Fairness for Veterans legislation in 2015, and it was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2016.
Peters Statement on Release of Brandon Road Study to Limit Spread of Asian Carp
Study Outlines U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Plan to Prevent Invasive Asian Carp from Reaching the Great Lakes
By Zade Alsawah and Allison Green
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) has issued the following statement on the release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Brandon Road Draft Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement, which seeks to prevent the spread of invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes:
“The Great Lakes power Michigan’s economy, supporting our multi-billion dollar commercial shipping, fishing, tourism and agricultural industries, and we must move quickly to ensure the Great Lakes are protected against invasive Asian carp that can disrupt this important ecosystem. I urged the Trump Administration to swiftly release this long awaited report, and I’m pleased we can now move forward with the public comment period and work with stakeholders to determine the next actions needed to prevent the spread of this harmful invasive species and keep our economy growing.”
Earlier this year, Peters introduced legislation with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow to require the Trump Administration to immediately release the Brandon Road Study. Peters also joined with Stabenow and other Great Lakes Senators in a letter calling on President Trump to release the study and expedite potential measures to stop Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. In June, a silver carp was discovered within nine miles of Lake Michigan and beyond an electric barrier designed to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.
Senator Stabenow Highlights Great Lakes Restoration Success Stories Across Michigan, Importance of Federal Funding
By Miranda Margowsky
Senator Debbie Stabenow
This month, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow is highlighting Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) success stories throughout Michigan and the importance of federal funding to protect our lakes and waterways.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provided $196,000 in federal funding to the Kalamazoo Nature Center to restore wetlands and prevent erosion and runoff into the Kalamazoo River. The GLRI funding has led to increased economic activity in the area, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and boating on the river. Arcadia Ales, a locally owned brewery, opened a new location on the Kalamazoo River, allowing patrons to take advantage of the riverfront.
According to the University Research Corridor, more than 700,000 Michigan jobs, one in five in the state, are tied to water. GLRI is critical to cleaning up our Great Lakes, beaches, and waterways for swimming, boating, and fishing; fighting invasive species like Asian carp, and protecting our Michigan way of life. Michigan projects have received more than $400 million in funding from the GLRI since its establishment. Michigan has an estimated 2,850 miles of coastal water trails as well as an estimated 1,280 miles of inland water trails. Our canoe and kayak industry annually contributes $140 million to our state’s economy.
Senator Stabenow Announces More Than $3.5 Million to Expand Double Up Food Bucks throughout Michigan
By Miranda Margowsky
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, has announced more than $3.5 million in new federal funding to expand the successful Double Up Food Bucks program in Michigan. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant program, which Stabenow authored in the 2014 Farm Bill. The grant will be matched by private funding, totaling to $7 million in new investments.
Double Up Food Bucks makes it easier for low-income families in Michigan to eat healthy by doubling the value of food assistance dollars spent on fresh, regionally grown produce. This has helped families stretch their food budget while supporting Michigan farmers and rural communities.
Fair Food Network will utilize the new funds to expand the Double Up Food Bucks program to more farmers market and grocery stores throughout Michigan. Additionally, funding will be used to expand new technology to make purchases easier for families and farmers, and expand year-round rather than seasonal programming at farmers markets and groceries.
Senator Stabenow Announces Medicare at 55 Act
By Miranda Margowsky
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has introduced the Medicare at 55 Act, which provides an option for people between the ages of 55 and 64 to buy into Medicare. There are 1.4 million people in Michigan between the ages of 55 and 64, and many of them are burdened by high insurance premiums, unaffordable deductibles and limited options.
People in the 55-64 age group face unique health challenges and especially high health care costs. The average person in this age group pays more than $1,200 in annual out-of-pocket costs and is at a greater risk of suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis and medical emergencies such as heart attack and stroke.
Under the Medicare at 55 Act, an individual between the ages of 55 and 64 who buys into Medicare would receive the same benefits and protections as an individual enrolled under Medicare parts A, B, and D.
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Peters-Young Legislation to Update Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps for Great Lakes
Maps Help Assess Ecological Risks of Oil Spill & Natural Disasters; Great Lakes Maps Have Not Been Updated in Over 20 Years
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes. ESI maps are used to assess coastal resources that could be at risk in the event of an oil spill or natural disaster, including endangered and threatened species, sensitive shoreline habitats, and human-use resources like beaches, parks and boat ramps. The Great Lakes region ESI maps have not been updated since between 1985 and 1994, though maps for the East coast, West coast, and Gulf coast have seen updates within the last five years.
ESI maps, which are administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), are used to document the potential ecological impacts to natural and human-use resources from risks such as oil spills, natural disasters, and resource damage assessments. The maps are also used in disaster planning and recovery, research and restoration efforts. ESI maps must be regularly updated to ensure they are providing an accurate representation of vulnerable locations and areas that require protection in the event of a disaster. Updates would also improve the accessibility of the ESI maps by making them available in searchable formats.
Peters, Grassley & Feinstein Call for Increased Transparency in Administration Ethics Disclosures
Letter Urges Administration to Make Ethics Waivers Immediately Publicly Available
By Allison Green
U.S. Senators Gary Peters, Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) sent a letter urging Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney to ensure that any executive branch ethics pledge waivers granted by the Trump Administration are immediately provided to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and made publicly available.
On January 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13770 requiring all incoming political appointees to sign an ethics pledge as a condition of their employment in the federal government. The Administration’s ethics pledge places certain restrictions on appointees’ participation in matters directly related to their former employers, clients, or matters on which the appointee lobbied prior to their appointment.
The executive order also includes a provision allowing the President or his designee to issue a waiver to any individual appointee from any of the ethics pledge’s requirements, though there is no specific requirement that the waiver be issued prior to an appointee’s first day of employment.
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga visited the set of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” this week and sat down for a wide-ranging discussion. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
news@wktv.org
One-time U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, Jr., famously said “All politics is local,” and current Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) delves into the balance of local and national politics in a special edition of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s new public affairs show.
Rep. Huizenga, whose Michigan 2nd District includes portions of Wyoming and Kentwood in Kent County, as part of a wide-ranging discussion with WKTV’s Ken Norris, said “That is the balancing act … but first and foremost, I am responsible to the people of this district. This is home. My family is here, I am from here. Those are my bosses.
“Every two years get a very public job review. A couple hundred thousand people come out and say ‘You know, you’ve been doing a good job’ or ‘You know what, we want to go in a different direction’.”
In the discussion, Rep. Huizenga also discusses his work for Michigan, both partisan and nonpartisan, as well as his continuing but cautious support of President Donald Trump.
Rep. Huizenga’s discussion on “WKTV Journal: In Focus” will air Friday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 12, at noon on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
The first day of school is two weeks earlier than the traditional post-Labor Day start for many districts, and administrators are working to make sure families are aware of the change.
First days vary across Kent ISD’s 20 public school districts, with the earliest beginning Monday, Aug. 21. Kent ISD received a waiver from the state for its member schools to begin prior to Labor Day, and districts set their own start dates. They are as follows:
Monday, Aug. 21: Grandville Public Schools, Comstock Park Public Schools, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools, Kent Career Tech Center and Kent Innovation High
Tuesday, Aug. 22: Wyoming Public Schools, Thornapple Kellogg Schools, Lowell Area Schools and Kentwood Public Schools
Wednesday, Aug. 23: Kent City Community Schools
Monday, Aug. 28: Caledonia Community Schools, Forest Hills Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kenowa Hills Public Schools, Northview Public Schools and Rockford Public Schools
Tuesday, Sept. 5: Byron Center Public Schools, Cedar Springs Public Schools, East Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kelloggsville Public Schools and Sparta Area Schools
ArtPrize, the independently organized art competition recognized as the world’s largest annual public art event, announced 2017 registration details for its Volunteer program, presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union. ArtPrize seeks volunteers—who through their energy and commitment provide the framework essential to the visitor experience—to join the 1,000 plus individuals who collectively work nearly 4,000 shifts and upwards of 12,000 hours of service each year, while welcoming visitors from near and far to the event this fall. The ArtPrize Volunteer season will officially commence at the annual Volunteer Kick-Off Party on August 10. ArtPrize Nine is slated to take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan from September 20–October 8, 2017.
“Volunteers play an invaluable role on the ArtPrize team—their enthusiasm and support make ArtPrize the success it is,” said Katherine Hagman, ArtPrize Volunteer Program Manager. “They are the face of the event, interacting with visitors from near and far, helping to tell the ArtPrize story, offering practical suggestions and encouraging visitors to explore, learn and vote for art that moves them throughout the 19-day event.”
Volunteers help visitors to navigate through the event with ease while experiencing everything ArtPrize has to offer. Whether it be as individuals, groups, families or friends, volunteers bring the community together with their willingness to devote and share their time with ArtPrize.
Online self-registration opens Friday, August 11, allowing volunteers to sign up and register for shifts that will suit their interests and availability. The volunteer program has added ongoing training modules for volunteers in 2017, allowing volunteer registration to stay open throughout the 19-day event. This replaces the previous system of incorporating a cut-off date for shift sign ups.
Volunteer Kick-Off Party
Volunteers and community members are invited to join the ArtPrize staff in celebrating the beginning of the ArtPrize Nine season at the Volunteer Kick-Off Party, held at 200 Monroe Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m. Friends and supporters of ArtPrize will enjoy music, food and activities throughout the night. Information about what is to come for ArtPrize Nine this season will be highlighted as well as the opportunity to learn about specific volunteer opportunities and sign up for an volunteer account.
Volunteer Training
Volunteers must take part in a training session prior to their shifts. In-person training sessions will take place the week after Labor Day, offering weekday, weekend and evening options throughout the week. In addition to in-person training, volunteers are also given the option of learning through a series of online orientation videos.
Image from Google Creative Commons
Through training, volunteers will hear from ArtPrize staff and partners on the event’s history, how it works, and specifics about shifts and what to expect during the event. This will provide new and returning volunteers with a strong foundation so they are fully equipped to provide assistance throughout the course of ArtPrize Nine.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are an array of volunteer opportunities available during ArtPrize Nine to fit everyone’s interests and schedules. Wayfinders, stationed around the ArtPrize district, serve as ArtPrize tour guides and ambassadors of downtown Grand Rapids. Equipped with guides and resources to welcome visitors, they provide directions, answer questions and promote activities and Venues in the surrounding area. Education volunteers assist with family events, activities and school programs – with positions ranging from lead docents to facilitators in our drop-in art studio spaces and STEAM Village. Some volunteer opportunities may require additional training. A full listing of volunteer opportunities can be found at artprize.org/for-volunteers.
Volunteer Artist Hosting Program
Volunteering to host an artist in your home can be an equally rewarding opportunity. With nearly 30% of artists coming to ArtPrize from locations outside of Michigan, the Artist Hosting Program has become a crucial aspect of the ArtPrize experience for artists visiting from out of state or another country. Whether it’s just for a few days or for a longer stay, by hosting an artist volunteers make it possible for artists to experience ArtPrize. Previous award winners who took advantage of the temporary housing arrangements include Stacey Kirby, Beili Liu, Mia Tavonatti, Adonna Khare, Young Kim and Anila Quayyum Agha. Interested volunteers are encouraged to email the ArtPrize team at exhibitions@artprize.org for more information.
Volunteer Rewards
Volunteers will enjoy a variety of benefits for dedicating their time to the event including: a free event guide, a Metro Pass—good for 10 free rides on The Rapid’s fixed routes and unlimited use of the Silver Line during the event—access to the Volunteer Lounge at the ArtPrize HUB/HQ, access to volunteer-only events and weekly raffle entry for prizes. Volunteers will enjoy discounted ArtPrize merchandise for every three shifts completed and a special “fifth shift” gift for completing five shifts throughout the 19 days.
Additionally, ArtPrize Nine volunteers will be offered a discount on pre-sale tickets to the Ninth Annual ArtPrize Awards—including the Ceremony, powered by the DTE Energy Foundation, and the official after party, details to be announced soon. Volunteers will also be given an exclusive ArtPrize Nine word poetry magnet set.
For more details on the ArtPrize Volunteer Program and how to register, visit artprize.org/volunteer. ArtPrize Nine is slated to take place September 20-October 8 in downtown Grand Rapids, transforming three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids into an open playing field where 1,346 entries at 175 venues will vie for a combination of public vote and juried awards totaling $500,000 in prizes.
In addition to the skills listed in a job description, one of the most important attributes an employer looks for in a candidate is a genuine interest in the job.
A great way to show this is by being knowledgeable about the industry, the company, its leadership and culture.
Doing some research and showing up to the interview with the following information will set you apart and increase your chances of getting hired:
1. Know the basics. Believe or not, employers have reported interviewing people that didn’t know even the name of the company! In addition to the company name, know the location of your company’s headquarters, where they do business, how many people they employ, what products or services they provide.
2. Find out who’s in charge. Know the names of the CEO and top management. You can generally find this information on the company’s about page. If you know who is going to be interviewing you and who you would be reporting to, do some research on them as well. Armed with a name and company, you can look them up on LinkedIn to learn more about their background and interests.
3. Get a feel for the company culture. Check the company’s website for its mission statement and see what they’ve written about their values. Read their blog if they have one; is it stiff and formal or casual and lighthearted? A company’s social media pages are a good place to learn more about their culture.
4. Learn about the industry. What are the current trends? Who are the top competitors? Are there any economic factors affecting or influencing the industry?
5. Listen to what others are saying about the company. Content on a company’s website is a great way to learn how the company wants to be seen. But how are they perceived by their employees, competitors and customers? At Glassdoor, a job search and recruiting site, you can find company reviews and other details that can’t be found on the employer’s website. A simple Google search may bring up news articles and reviews about the company and/or their leadership.
There is no such thing as being too prepared for a job interview or too knowledgeable about a prospective employer. Happy researching!
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
