All posts by Joanne

Code Red: A Robotics Takeover by Area Students

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Kids Activities, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

 

The outside fortifications of the castle have taken serious damage as the opposing forces lick their chops readying for a takeover. Three valiant knights, bonded by an alliance, are all the castle has left. They band together and strike back, strategically battering the opposing stronghold with a flawlessly executed counterattack that places victory within reach.

 

Now all that’s left is to bring down the tower, and time is running out.

 

It’s a battle scene playing out straight from a movie. However, these knights aren’t people, they’re robots, and they’re built and operated by high school students on a quest for a state championship at the DeltaPlex from April 14-16..

 

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in Michigan is an organization and robotics competition that gives students an opportunity to build their own robots and compete against other teams. It’s a way for students to discover how rewarding a career in engineering or technology can be.

 

Code Red Robotics, a local program based in Kentwood, recently qualified for the Michigan FIRST Robotics State Championship that will be held this weekend at the DeltaPlex Arena. Code Red enters the competition with the highest district score in West Michigan, highest scoring regular season match in the country, and as a winner of the Chairman’s Award, the top award in FIRST.

 

The competition theme for this year is “FIRST Stronghold” and creates alliances of three robots on a quest to breach their opponents’ fortifications, weaken the opponents’ tower with foam boulders, and ultimately capture the tower. Students were given six weeks to create a robot from scratch that could best handle all the obstacles. In all, the outermost line of fortification had more than 18,000 possible field configurations.

 

Code Red“Robotics is a great opportunity for the kids to learn teamwork. It truly is a team sport,” said Code Red director Ken Orzechowski.

 

Code Red Robotics started in 2008 and hasn’t looked back. Since the team started competing in 2009, Code Red has qualified for the state championship every year but one and has qualified for the world championship twice.

 

While most robotics teams are affiliated with a school, Code Red Robotics runs separately and relies on students from surrounding area schools to bolster the team. It’s the most challenging obstacle for the program.

 

“We have to constantly reach out to kids to join,” said Orzechowski. “It’s difficult, but having a team represented by 10 different schools only adds to our team dynamic. Plus, once they get in, they don’t leave. It’s too much fun!”

 

The schools represented at Code Red include Byron Center, Caledonia, Calvin Christian, Forest Hills Central, Grandville, Kenowa Hills, NorthPointe Christian, South Christian, Well Spring Academy, and home schools. On top of bringing kids in from other schools to learn robotics and be a part of a team, Code Red has been active in starting up robotics programs across the area.

 

In order to get a new program off of the ground, Code Red meets with school and community leaders, recruits mentors to help the students, and aids in finding sponsors and developing business plans. Their efforts have succeeded in getting six programs off the ground and rebooting another: the Forest Hills Comets, East Kentwood Red Storm, the Altobots, West Mi Aviation Spitfires, Harper Creek Robo Beavers, and the Petoskey Paladins. Code Red was also instrumental in finding mentors and sponsors to revive the Wyoming Demons after they folded in 2012. The Demons also qualified for the state championship this year.

 

Code Red“Starting some of these programs has cut into our own pool of kids, but that’s okay. It’s all about spreading the positives that come with FIRST,” said Orzechowski.

 

Orzechowski touched on those positives that spread well beyond the technical skills learned.

 

“It forces kids to articulate what they know and share ideas. We have a lot of smart kids; at one point we had five valedictorians, but they don’t always know how to share their ideas. If you can’t articulate your idea, it’s as bad as not knowing it. The teamwork that is required for FIRST helps build those skills.”

 

Code Red Robotics will compete in the state championship at the DeltaPlex, April 14-16. For further information on the competition, visit FIRST in Michigan. For more information on Code Red Robotics, visit their website.

Grand Rapids Plastics announces it will cease operations on Friday

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News
Grand Rapids Plastics is set to close Friday, April 15.
Grand Rapids Plastics is set to close Friday, April 15.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Despite an effort to expand sales to cover a major blow in the lost of contracts earlier this year, Grand Rapids Plastics has announced it would be closing its doors at the end of this week.

 

“Grand Rapids Plastics has made the difficult decision to end operations on Friday,” said Mary Ann Sabo who is with Sabo PR and is serving as spokesperson for the company. “While our management team worked to expand sales efforts, we were unable to compensate for contracts that ended earlier this year.”

 

It was about two months ago, Grand Rapids Plastics, which made auto replacement parts, had sent a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice to the Michigan Workforce Development Agency stating the company will begin permanently laying off a number of its employees. The reason for the layoffs, according to the letter, was that Fiat Chrysler (FCA), had ended contacts with Grand Rapids Plastics. Grand Rapids Plastics reached out to FCA seeking clarification and was told all orders would cease immediately. WKTV reached out as well to FCA, but there was no response from the company.

 

Accord to the notice, FCA was the main customer for Grand Rapids Plastics, which has  an official address of 4220 Roger B. Chaffee in Wyoming. The layoff was to affect 85 employees.

 

Officials confirmed in February that 125 employees would remain with the company focusing on diversifying the company’s portfolio, according to a statement made at the time by Grand Rapids Plastics Chief Operating Officer Fred Cini.

 

Sabo said there are currently fewer than two dozen employees at Grand Rapids Plastics.

 

“We are especially appreciative of the employees who helped us complete final orders for our customers.,” she said.

 

Grand Rapids Plastics was started in 1976 by Arthur J. Bott, Sr., who received a 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, one of 10 Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards, for his work in the community. In 2001, Bott sold Grand Rapids Plastics, which had an estimated worth of $300 million with 300 employees at the time. When the company went into bankruptcy, he bought it back in 2003 and re-launched it. The Bott family still owns the company.

 

In 2015, the company was fined $558,000 for safety violations related to the death of a worker by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. MIOSHA issued 32 serious citations, nine willful-serious citations, and 14 other-than-serious citations as a rule of the investigations.

Metro Health earns special recognition

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Non-Profits, , ,

metro health building

Mike DeWitt

Mike.Dewitt@wktv.org

 

Metro Health Hospital is home to some of the best maternity care and hip and knee replacements in the country. Recently, Metro Health received Blue Distinction Center status, a national designation program from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), for their exceptional treatment.

 

“The Blue Distinction Center designation lets our members know where they can go in Michigan to receive high-quality care that meets robust clinical standards,” said David Share, MD, MPH, and senior vice president at Blue Cross.

 

As a first time winner, Metro earned the award based on a number of measurements from BCBSM. BCBSM hands out the awards based on a combination of publicly available data and information it compiles from its subscribers’ medical claims. The examined data includes clinical measures, patient outcomes, and the cost of care. Patient satisfaction scores and patients’ willingness to recommend the hospital are also taken into account.

 

“Awards such as these from BCBSM are meaningful to the hospital for multiple reasons,” said PR Director Ellen Bristol in and email with WKTV News. “They confirm our teams are providing quality care to patients and they boost morale and a sense of pride among employees and physicians.”

 

Both award distinctions from BCBSM carried different criteria. The Spartan Stores Family Childbirth Center at Metro Health excelled in areas of early elective delivery and for maintaining programs that promote successful breastfeeding as well as requirements for cost efficiency.

 

Knee and hip replacements are the fastest growing medical treatments in the country, the BCBSM distinction recognizes Metro as a leader in safe and high-quality specialty hip and knee care.

 

“The recognition helps patients be confident in the organization and the people who are caring for them,” said Bristol. “Plus, they confirm to physicians that the hospital can provide their patients with the high quality care they want for their patients”

 

With an annual patient count of over 250,000 across West Michigan, a little recognition is just a reminder of the great work they do every day.

The Full Story on Graduation Rates – Godfrey-Lee

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, , , , ,

Godfrey-LeeBy: David Britten, Superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools

 

The State of Michigan has released the graduation rates for the cohort Class of 2014-15 and overall they continue to climb.

 

Reports by local media tend to show a district’s combined graduation rate, lumping together all of the high schools within a district, including those designed to provide an alternative pathway to a high school diploma or GED for students who for many reasons were not successful at their home school.

 

The chart below depicts the 4, 5 and 6 year graduation rates for those students in our district who graduated in 2015. As you can clearly see, the rates continue to improve overall but don’t tell the full story for each high school.

 

14-15 graduation dropout trend all rate years/all students
14-15 graduation dropout trend all rate years/all students

Lee High School, which has experienced significant growth as well as a substantial cultural change since the dawn of the 21st century, continues a strong 4-year on-time graduation trend as the chart below depicts. Considering that the community battles with the highest child poverty rate in the county and our extraordinary staff works to help many limited-English-proficient students meet success, we should be proud of what our students, parents and staff accomplish each year!

 

GodfreyLee
14-15 graduation dropout trend Lee High School

The trend for Lee High School’s graduation rate continues to be higher than the statewide graduation rate as the following two charts indicate:

 

GodfreyLeeDropoutTrend
14-15 graduation dropout trend statewide

 

East Lee Campus is a non-traditional high school that provides many young men and women with what often is their last chance to successfully complete high school or prepare for the GED test. This school is an “open enrollment” campus that allows students who have dropped out or find they are struggling due to a number of life’s circumstances to return to the classroom. Many are already behind in their education and it isn’t unusual for students to take an additional year or two to complete their graduation requirements. We believe the opportunity we provide these students is invaluable and contributes positively to the community and Greater Grand Rapids area at large. The federal and state government and many of our citizens, however, don’t always see it that way and prefer to label our district as sub-standard or failing. Little do they know.

 

The chart below illustrates the 4-year graduation rate at East Lee but as I pointed out, it’s unfair to brand the school as anything but exemplary given that most students arrive there behind in their respective educations. Because it’s not unusual for a student to need a 5th year to get on track and successfully complete the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements for graduation, the next subsequent slide shows the positive 5-year trend for graduates through 2015.

 

14-15 graduation dropout trend 2015 graduation cohort
14-15 graduation dropout trend 2015 graduation cohort

 

14-15 graduation dropout trend
14-15 graduation dropout trend

 

As you can see from the chart below, the trend has accelerated significantly since 2010 but actually, it has been improving since the graduation rate was sort of drifting along hit bottom in 2009-10, as the next chart shows. At that point, we made some changes and much of this improvement is attributable to effective leadership and the hard work of staff and students to rebrand the school and develop a more rigorous academic and job skills focus. Since those changes, the improvement has been very positive.

 

10-11 graduation dropout trend
10-11 graduation dropout trend

This chart is a similar trend chart as the one above but for the four years preceding. If you follow this one to the one above it, you will get an idea of the dramatic turnaround at East Lee Campus these past seven years.

 

We’re proud of our high schools (as we are of all our schools) and the success they are achieving! We’re very excited for the future of our students who have been demonstrating time and again they have what it takes to overcome many obstacles they face and reach their educational goals and life dreams.

 

If you wish to examine this data in more detail or look at other data for our district, state or any school in the state, you can go to http://www.mischooldata.org.

Pine Rest’s Leep Gallery’s newest exhibit features the work of a local photographer

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, , ,
One of the collages by Kathryn Armstrong now on display at the Leep Gallery at Pine Rest
One of the collages by Kathryn Armstrong now on display at the Leep Gallery at the Postman Center on the Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, 300 68th St. SE.

A new photography exhibit, “From the Rising of the Sun” by local artist Kathryn Armstrong opens at the Leep Art Gallery April 7, 2016. The exhibit is at the Postma Center on the Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services main campus in Grand Rapids.

 

The photography exhibit is in the form of 20 collages with 400 photographs, and is based on Psalm 113:3, “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.” It reflects Armstong’s lifetime of experiencing the wonder and glory of God’s creative genius around the world. The murals share the heartbeat of one family traveling through one year and one lifetime in a modest lake home here in Grand Rapids.

 

“I hope it also transcends that perspective to speak for the universal experiences of humans, not only in our American life and culture, but everywhere, through vistas of the intimate and exotic both at home and throughout our magnificent planet,” Armstrong said. “My prayer is that every person who views these collages will feel their spirits lifted and their hearts drawn toward the eternal creator of our universe, who loves us with an everlasting love.”

 

Armstrong has taught high school, has home schooled her own seven children, and sold photos to the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore in Marquette, Mich. Last fall she had one of her collages on display at Acton Institute, has photographed numerous weddings and has been an avid photographer since receiving a Brownie box camera for her tenth birthday. She has carried a camera with her ever since.

 

Armstrong’s exhibit will be on display at Pine Rest Postma Center located at 300 68th St. SE, through July 1. The Leep Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 616-222-4530.

Got an urge to purge? Wyoming hosts its first-ever community clean-up day

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming
Wyoming gets ready for its first-ever Community Clean-Up Day Saturday, April 23.
Wyoming gets ready for its first-ever Community Clean-Up Day Saturday, April 23.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

With the warmer spring weather and the chance to finally get outside, it seems like everyone starts taking a look at the “stuff” they have accumulated over the winter and that little urge to purge takes over.

 

And Wyoming City officials say purge away and bring all of your discarded stuff to Wyoming’s fist citywide Community Clean-Up Day set for Saturday, April 23. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Godfrey Lee Athletic Complex, 1824 Godfrey Ave. SW, Wyoming residents will be able to drop off trash, household hazardous waste and donations for the Salvation Army.

 

“In the past, there have been dumpsters placed in certain neighborhoods, but we have never had a citywide clean-up event,” said Nancy Stoddard, who works in the city’s treasurer’s office and is on the organizing committee for the Clean-Up Day event. The event was put together by the Looks Good Committee, one of three strategic  planning committees made up of city employees. The other two committees are Feels Good and Sense of Place, both of which are helping with the April 23 event.

 

“We are excited to do something together,” Stoddard said. “We enjoy working with each other and this is a nice opportunity to be able to volunteer for the community, working to make it a nicer place to live and work.”

 

More than 30 volunteers will be on hand during the day at the drop-off site to help residents. Residents of Wyoming will need to bring proof of residency such as a picture ID or a tax or water bill with the person’s name and address on it. Only Wyoming residents will be allowed to drop off trash or general household items such as old furniture, appliances, building material scraps, etc. Kent County will be on hand for the collection of household hazardous waste, such as antifreeze, bleach and pesticides, and recycling, such as cardboard, metal cans and plastic shopping bags. For what is accepted in hazardous waste and recycling, visit the Recycle Kent website.

 

“Kent County officials said they would have one dumpster just dedicated to cardboard because at these type of events, they said they get a lot of cardboard,” Stoddard said.

 

The Salvation Army will be on site to collect gently-used items (for a list of accepted items, visit the Salvation Army website) and Plummer’s Disposal will be there for mattresses and box springs, which will be $12 each to drop off, and tires, which will be $10. The only item that will not be accepted is electronics, such as old computers and televisions. Stoddard said the organization that planned to help with that had to drop out due to another commitment.

 

Traffic will enter off of Joosten Street near the Godfrey Lee Early Education Center, curving through the site with various drop points before exiting on to Godfrey Avenue.

 

Being the first one, Stoddard said they are not sure what attendance will be like. She said she has handed out more than 300 handbills at the treasurer’s office and people have seemed interested.

 

“We have talked to the city of Kentwood, which has held a community clean-up day in the past and officials there said to expect about 300 vehicles,” Stoddard said. Kentwood’s annual Pride Day Community Clean-Up is May 7 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Kentwood Recycling Center, 5068 Breton SE.

 

In addition to the activities taking place at the Godfrey  Lee Athletic Complex, the Wyoming Public Service Center Yard Waste Drop-Off site, 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 223. There are no limits to the size of branches or shrubs, however; residents must unload the yard waste themselves. All containers must be removed from the facility and proof of residency is required.

 

Also on April 30, the city has partnered with Metro Health for a Drug Take Back program from 10 a.m .to 2 p.m. at Metro Health Hospital, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW.

 

For more information, visit the City of Wyoming’s website.

Local Jaycees changes name to South Kent, expand area

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Non-Profits, , , ,
The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly rebranded South Kent Jaycees.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly rebranded South Kent Jaycees.

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Even though its charter said South Kent, the name Kentwood Jaycees just seemed to fit better when the group original formed in 1966. It certainly described the area that this particular chapter of the United States Junior Chamber covered.

 

But with recent changes, including absorbing the former Wyoming Jaycees chapter, the name did not seem to fit anymore. So in 2015, the former Kentwood Jaycees chapter rebranded itself as the South Kent Jaycees.

 

The South Kent Jaycees recently participated in a wish list drive for the Grand Rapids' Ronald McDonald House.
The South Kent Jaycees recently participated in a wish list drive for the Grand Rapids’ Ronald McDonald House.

“It really broadens our horizon not only for the membership but for the communities we are able to help,” said Jen Groom, secretary of the South Kent Jaycees. “By staying Kentwood, we could only help Kentwood.”

 

A requirement of being part of the Jaycees organization is that you live within the state and are from the area the local chapter represents. Looking at its membership, South Kent Jaycees leaders discovered that many lived or worked outside of the Kentwood area. The name changed also allowed the organization to expand its reach into adjoining communities which include Grandville, Jenison, Byron Center, and Caledonia along with Kentwood and Wyoming.

 

With that South Kent Jaycees leadership was able to find a larger base of service and leadership opportunities. Most recently, the South Kent Jaycees worked with the Ronald McDonald House with a holiday wish list drive. South Kent Jaycees also have teamed up with the Grand Rapids Jaycees in an effort to bring the Kids Kicking Cancer program to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Kids Kicking Cancer, which just expanded to help all children who are in pain, focuses on martial arts therapy.

 

“It is a really great outlet for the kids while they are in the hospital,” Groom said.

 

And should anyone fret over the Forest of Fear disappearing, Groom and the other board members confirmed plans are in the works for this year’s haunted attraction and that the popular Breakfast for Santa event also will continue.

 

The South Kent Jaycees plan to host the Breakfast with Santa event again this year.
The South Kent Jaycees plan to host the Breakfast with Santa event again this year.

Gone is the Kentwood Jaycees Club House, which before being the club house was a Pizza Hut located at 1640 44th St. SE. According to the group’s website, it was sold so the organization could focus more local trainings, community benefit programs and local partnerships.

 

“I joined the Jaycees to give back to my community, but what I get from it so much more than that,” said Marybeth Schafer, who is the secretary of the Grand Rapids Jaycees and is part of the Grand Rapids and South Kent Jaycees collaboration efforts. “It helps me grow personally and professional and I have made some really close friends.

 

“You also not only meet people in your area, but across the state and the nation.”

 

The Jaycees organization was established on January 21, 1920 to provide opportunities, at that time, for young men to develop personal and leadership skills through service to others. The organization included women in 1984 after the U.S. Supreme court ruled that Minnesota could prevent sex discrimination in private organizations. 1985 marked the end of the US Jaycee Women organization. Today, there are numerous Jaycees chapters around the globe. There are about 33 chapters in Michigan with five being in the West Michigan area, Allegan, Greater Muskegon, Lakeview (covering the Montcalm area), Grand Rapids and South Kent.

 

This year, according to Julia Klein, who is a District 2 Michigan Chairman of the Board and treasurer for the South Kent Jaycees, the Michigan Jaycees chapters will host the National Jaycee Conference which is set for Sept. 22 – 25 in Detroit.

 

But you do not have to wait until September, or head to Detroit, to learn more or join the Jaycees, said Scott Avery, South Kent Jaycees vice president. The organization has monthly membership meetings where potential members can learn more about events and meet other members. Meetings are rotated through the South Kent Jaycees coverage area. On April 20 at 6:30 p.m., the group will meet at Bigby’s in Wyoming. May 23 at 6:30 p.m., they will be at the Byron Family Restaurant, 2527 84th St. SW, Byron Center. On June 18, they will be meeting at 10 a.m. at EB Coffee and Pub, 8980 Rodgers Court SE, Caledonia.

 

More information can be found at the South Kent Jaycees’ website or the group’s Facebook page.

 

 

Local spoken word poets featured at upcoming KDL Kentwood advance

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,
Local spoken word group The Diatribe will be at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch April 21.
Local spoken word group The Diatribe will be at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch April 21.

Marcel Price, better known as Fable the Poet, understands how powerful words can be. When strung together, they can be hurtful, he acknowledges, but they can also be liberating.

 

“Recently, I was working with students [at a local high school] and we were talking about domestic violence and this boy in the class offered to share up one of his poems,” said Fable the Poet, who is one of the founding members of the local spoken work poet group The Diatribe. The Diatribe will be at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch April 21. “I was like, ‘OK, everybody, let’s clap him up, he is going to share with us.”

 

As the young man stood there telling his story, and tears, about knowing and facing domestic violence, the room became quiet.

 

“Afterwards, students came up and gave him a hug and that in the end is what it is about,” Fable the Poet said. “It is teaching that there are a lot of issues but that many are facing the same issues and through those issues there is a feeling of unity.”

 

For the past several years, The Diatribe, which includes Fable the Poet, Kelsey May, Rachel Gleason, Shawn Moore and G Foster II, have been working with area high schools and students, showing them how spoken word poetry can be used as a catalyst to talk about the issues going on in a person’s life.

 

“We focus on trust,” Fable the Poet said about getting students to standup and openly share their poetry with a group of their peers. “We tell them that we are going to be vulnerable  with them and that they need to be vulnerable with us. We make sure they understand that everything we do is transparent.”

 

The spoken word poetry movement has certainly taken a foothold within the United States  punctuated by Sarah Kay’s “If I Should Have A Daughter” at a 2011 TEDx. The spoken word art form can include hip-hop, jazz poetry, poetry slams, traditional poetry readings, some comedy routines and prose monologues.

 

Because of its popularity, the Kent District Library added a spoken word component to its annual teen poetry contest. Students in grades 6 -12 can enter up to three poems by April 30. Judges will select 10 winners with all entrants eligible for the spoken word competition on May 17 at the KDL Kentwood Branch, 4950 Breton Rd. SE. Ten winners will be selected from the spoken word competition with all winners receiving a $50 gift card from Schuler Books & Music. For complete details, click here.

 

As part of the spoken word contest, The Diabrite has partnered up with KDL, hosting workshops in about 12 to 14 area schools which included Kentwood’s Pinewood Elementary School and Kelloggsville Discovery Alternative High School. The partnership culminates with the KDL Reads: Spring into Poetry with The Diatribe Thursday, April 21 from 7 – 8 p.m. at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch, 4950 Breton SE.

 

“This is the first time we have partnered with KDL,” Fable the Poet said, adding that the collaboration has been amazing with hopes of expanding the project to more schools next year.

 

For more about the KDL’s 2016 Find Your Voice Teen Poetry Contest and Spoken Word Competition, visit KDL’s website.  The April 21 event with The Diatribe is free and open to the public.

 

 

Schools Learn New Ways to Teach Reading

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, , , , ,

High-Performers Provide Good Models

 

School News Network - Reading
Practicing letters on a clear board is just one fun way to learn phonics

By: Erin Albanese — School News Network

 

Collaboration is the way forward, say leaders of West Michigan’s Reading Now Network. Teachers teaching other teachers, more staff with reading expertise, and learning from those whose students are excelling, are all actions the region’s schools are taking to change reading achievement numbers.

 

Dorothy VanderJagt, RNN field study member and director of Teaching & Learning at Kent ISD, said teachers presented best practices at the Fall Institute, share tips on the RNN Twitter feed and “are visiting other schools to dig deeper into those common traits of the high performers.”

 

Educators from the Field Study Team are working directly with schools that need to make big gains, with administrators who set a goal to meet or exceed their peers in two years.

 

The work of Reading Now Network, a collaborative effort to increase reading proficiency involving 100 districts in 13 counties, is well under way. It is paying off in districts like Kelloggsville, where additional staff and new techniques are helping students read in fun, new ways.

 

Source: Reading Now Network
Source: Reading Now Network

Kyle Mayer, an RNN field study member and Ottawa Area ISD assistant superintendent, said the project’s findings have prompted many schools to take action.
“Every day I come to work and I hear about something else happening because of Reading Now Network,” Mayer said.

 

The network was launched in the spring of 2014, examining best instructional practices at five West Michigan elementary schools with high reading success rates in order to implement them region-wide.

 

Schools studied ranged from urban to rural, with varying levels of poverty. They are: Brown Elementary in Byron Center, North Godwin, Lakeshore Elementary in Holland, Coit Creative Arts Academy in Grand Rapids, and Sunfield Elementary in Lakeview Community Schools.

 

Curriculum leaders visited the schools (all of which scored high on third-grade reading MEAP tests), over the course of an eight-month study to identify why they were high performers.

 

Students “arm spell,” a multi-sensory approach that helps them remembers sounds
Students “arm spell,” a multi-sensory approach that helps them remembers sounds

One District’s Response 

 

Tammy Savage, Kelloggsville Public Schools director of instruction, added two new reading instructional specialists this year, partly in response to information she learned at a spring RNN symposium.

 

Specialists Suzanne Schmier and Janna Schneider joined Sue Lathrop this fall to work full-time in the district’s three elementary schools. For the past few years, Lathrop was spread among all three schools, assisted by paraprofessionals.

 

The goal is to create a consistent, structured, very focused reading intervention program for students, Savage said. Teachers are using data to identify students’ needs.

 

Learning how to implement best practices is taking shape in different ways, said Mayer, the field study member. A sold-out event at Kent ISD in November brought together 200 area principals to learn from leaders of the schools originally studied for their reading practices.

 

“Principals can go back and start making immediate changes based on what they learned,” Mayer said.

 

Three schools where educators are not satisfied with reading results have been named “lab” schools. Field study members are working with them on instructional practices to help them improve their results, Mayer said. The schools represent three counties and have varying demographics, including differing income levels and locations.

 

A Peek Into a Classroom

 

In Kelloggsville, reading sessions are a multi-sensory experience. Students see, touch, hear, and even smell and taste the words — when letters double as licorice sticks.

 

During a recent class with Shmier, West Kelloggsville Elementary students acted out what they were reading. A sentence about a girl who hurt her lip had them pouting. Another about flying kites had them pretending to send them soaring.

 

West Kelloggsville Reading Intervention Specialist Suzanne Schmier uses many different methods and tools to teach reading

“That’s fun!” said second-grader Alyssa VanVolkinburg. “It’s fun to make the motions.”
Students wrote letters on plastic tablets, velvet and laminate; they spelled out words with their fingers and while touching different spots on their arms. They talked vividly about what they read.

 

The coaches, all longtime Kelloggsville teachers, were also recently trained in Orton-Gillingham methodologies, which promote multi-sensory learning.

 

Tools Are Available

 

In-depth videos with interviews from administrators, teachers and students taken at the school, are available on the Reading Now Network web site.

 

One thing made clear from the field study was that high-performing schools are “data-driven,” meaning they constantly used test scores and other data to improve instruction – often on a daily basis. Teachers are being trained to easily access data through an Edify software system, which Kent ISD first developed.

 

Enadina Mencho-Vail acts out flying a kite after reading about it
Enadina Mencho-Vail acts out flying a kite after reading about it

Kent ISD received a state grant to develop an early literacy alert and intervention system. The intent is to equip teachers participating in RNN with lots of resources to help students reading below grade level. These resources will be offered free of charge to the schools and service agencies within the Reading Now Network.

 

CONNECT

 

SNN Article on Reading Now Network Symposium

 

Reading Now Network Resources

 

Reading Now Network Website

 

Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!

Actress Julianne Moore’s storybook character comes to life on Civic’s stage

3-bottom, Entertainment, Kids Activities, , ,
Byron Center's Abbie Westers plays Freckleface Strawberry in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre's upcoming production "Freckleface Strawberry the Musical," running April 22 - May 1.
Byron Center’s Abbie Westers plays Freckleface Strawberry in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s upcoming production “Freckleface Strawberry the Musical,” running April 22 – May 1.

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

When Allyson Paris got hired as the new Grand Rapids Civc Theatre associate director, she learned right away about the spring children’s production Freckleface Strawberry the Musical and immediately went out and purchased all the books in the series.

 

“I was familiar with the first one but quickly went out and got my hands on all the ones I could find,” said Paris who directs the upcoming show which runs April 22 – May 1.

 

Freckleface Strawberry the Musical is based on the New York Times best-selling children’s book written by actress Julianne Moore. Moore – whose nickname when a child was Freckleface Strawberry – has stated that the story is based on her childhood memories and those stories have resonated well with both young and old as the original book has now grown into a book series with two apps and the musical. Paris did not know about the apps.

 

“Oh my gosh, I’ve been schooled,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll have to tell the cast about them. More research.”

 

Freckleface Strawberry (played by Byron Center’s Abbie Westers who was in Civc’s production of Mary Poppins and Junie B. Jones) is just like every other girl, except she has bright red hair and, according to her, something far worse, freckles. She will do anything to get rid of her freckles until her schoolmates help her learn a valuable lesson: everyone is different and that’s what makes everyone special.

 

“I feel the message of valuing what makes us different and celebrating ourselves is great for kids,” Paris said, quickly adding “and adults.”

 

Paris said Freckleface is part of the new generation of musicals. “It’s a smart, funny, musical,” she said. “It is upbeat, modern and really refreshing.

 

“It also has a broad range. Should you bring your five-year-old, absolutely. Should you bring your 15-year-old, of course.”

 

And despite it being about a 6-year-old girl, who by the way is kind of tomboyish, Paris can attest that the story is relatable to both boys and girls as her main reading partner with all those books she purchased was her six-year-old son “and he loves the Freckleface books.”

 

Freckleface Strawberry is a children’s musical appropriate for children ages four and older. The production is an hour long, which Paris noted is great for a first-time theater experience. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled performance. Tickets are $10 – $16. For more information, visit grct.org or call the theater’s box office at 616-222-6650.

Janice Limbaugh: An Appreciation

3-bottom, Local Faces, , , , ,

Janice4By: Colleen Pierson

 

Janice Limbaugh has been an avid student of life. She was a beacon of humor, creativity, intelligence, and compassion to all who knew her. Death succumbed her last week after fighting a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer. She served as a model of a life well lived.

 

JaniceJanice made a name for herself here at WKTV Community Television as one of the individuals who started the Citizen Journalism program. I, along with the rest of the staff, had the opportunity to be alongside her in that journey. When you walked into her cubicle, we would all light up to see her face breaking grin and the way she celebrated life with uncommon vigor and joy. In a word, she was a SUPERSTAR.

 

She could write about anything, but what interested her most were stories that surrounded the history of the Wyoming/ Kentwood area, and people stories. On some days, we would just hang out at Marge’s Donut Den, and anyone that walked through those doors was fair game for a well-told story. She had a crisp mind and an uncanny focus when she sat down to write.

 

Janice2“Startup programs are never easy,” remarked Tom Norton, General Manager at WKTV. “Janice attacked all the challenges we gave her day in and day out in building a successful Citizen Journalism program here at the station. Always with a smile on her face.  Always being the consummate professional.”

 

Gratitude always encompassed Janice. She always felt positively grateful for her family, friends, the winning performance of the Detroit Red Wings, and the ability to find a scenic camp site.

 

She also told me numerous times how thankful she was to the WKTV Board of Directors and Tom Norton who helped her extensively with medical bills and financial help throughout her cancer fight.

 

Janice1“Not many places of employment would do that for an employee these days,” Janice would relate.

 

She graduated from Redford Union High School in 1977, and from there went on to Grand Valley State University. Janice later transferred to Ferris State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and journalism in 1981.

 

Her Catholic faith played an important role throughout her entire life and helped her through the death of her beloved daughter Hannah and husband Dan Limbaugh. Her sons Dave and Nick have been a constant source of love.

 

In 2013, Janice met John Gore, and he later became her fiancé. She loved spending time outdoors which led to the purchase of a camper. The enjoyment continued as they traveled all over Michigan, enjoying the state’s natural beauty along the way. During Janice’s final days, John became her primary and devoted caregiver.

 

Janice6Because she was such a great friend and family person, her death leaves everyone who was part of her life in such profound grief.

 

The staff at WKTV may feel utterly bereft and sad for a while– losing the affable, huggable writer who was never at a loss for words. So, be kind to them. She was loved by all, and will not soon be forgotten.

 

I spoke to her two days before she died.  The last thing she said was, “I do not want to suffer.”

 

I will always hold onto that.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Koss National Triple Negative Breast Cancer Research Foundation at curetnbc.org.

Movies in the Park start June 3

3-bottom, Beer, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , ,

movie-rMark your calendar for Movies in the Park this summer. Pre-movie entertainment typically begins at 6 pm and movies begin at dusk.  A list of movies will be out later this month. Meanwhile, the dates are as follows:

 

  • June 3
  • June 17
  • July 8
  • July 22
  • August 5
  • August 19

 

Movies in the Park is the premier outdoor film series in Grand Rapids. DGRI and partners present films–free of charge–on a giant screen in Ah-Nab-Awen Park on the banks of the Grand River every other Friday from June thru August. Guests are invited to treat the evening like a picnic and bring your own blanket, chairs, beer, wine and snacks for a special night under the stars. Pre-movie entertainment begins at 6 pm. Films start at dusk.

 

Movies in the Park stems from a 2013 community idea to expand the portfolio of free, outdoor urban recreation activities in Downtown Grand Rapids. The film series has quickly become a signature event in Downtown. The 2015 series of six movie nights attracted more than 31,000 people and stimulated an estimated $664,000 in total consumer spending. Overall, the series leveraged approximately $441 in economic return to downtown and participating businesses for every public dollar invested to produce the events.

 

Go here for more info.

In Cambodia: The Art of Making Silk

3-bottom, Education, Recreation, Travel, , , ,

IMG_8035-1024x768By Lynn Strough
Travelynn Tales

 

Editor’s note: We are excited to share with you the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

 

In this first installment, Lynn is in Cambodia and shares the art of creating silk.

 

Just outside Siem Reap in Cambodia is a silk farm, where for free, you can go on a tour and see the whole process. They will even give you a free ride on their shuttle bus. Yes, they have a gift shop at the end, a very lovely one, but there is absolutely no pressure to buy anything, although you might be tempted to! And it’s nice to tip your tour guide. I was amazed at what it takes to go from a worm to a single piece of fabric. I think you will be too!

 

[huge_it_slider id=”33″]

 

 

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50-something year old woman whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Vlynn stroughalley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

 

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Aldo Leopold Festival 2016 – Celebrating the North Huron Birding Trail

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

Aldo LeopoldBy: LesCheneaux.org

 

Les Cheneaux welcomes you to celebrate the legacy of Aldo Leopold— one of America’s most influential naturalists— by visiting a place he spent summers in his youth. Les Cheneaux is now home to a historical marker honoring Leopold’s time in Les Cheneaux. See the woods and water that surely formed Leopold’s early impressions of the natural world.

 

Les Cheneaux IslandsThe 2nd Annual Aldo Leopold Festival is scheduled for May 13-15 in the Les Cheneaux Islands, centered around the communities of Cedarville and Hessel.

 

Who Was Aldo Leopold & Why Do We Care?

 

Aldo Leopold and his family spent several months a year in Les Cheneaux at their cottage on Marquette Island. There, young Leopold spent his days in the woods and on the water, where he developed an appreciation for the environment and wildlife on the island while mapping trails and listing the flora and fauna he found.

 

Beginning in the early 1890s, the Leopold family made annual treks from their Burlington, Iowa home to their cottage, first by steam ferry from Chicago to Mackinac Island, and later by rail. As a young adult, Leopold continued to visit the Les Cheneaux area until about 1919, according to family photographs of Leopold in the area.

 

Aldo LeopoldIf one believes that our love of the land begins in childhood, it can be said that those summers spent roaming the islands, by foot or by canoe, were instrumental in helping to shape Leopold’s own land ethic. His brother, Frederick, wrote of their summers on Marquette describing Aldo’s explorations: “Aldo knew most of the island intimately. He produced several handmade maps artistically decorated and illustrated with typical trees, animals, and birds in appropriate places. All of the trails were shown including some newer trails which he himself created.”

 

While in the Les Cheneaux Islands, Leopold met the headmaster of the Lawrenceville School, a preparatory school that eventually took him to Yale, the only school in the country at that time that offered a forestry degree. Graduating from the Yale Forest School in 1909, he eagerly pursued a career with the newly established U.S. Forest Service in Arizona and New Mexico.

 

By the age of 24, he had been promoted to the post of Supervisor for the Carson National Forest in New Mexico. In 1922, he was instrumental in developing the proposal to manage the Gila National Forest as a wilderness area, which became the first such official designation in 1924.

 

Following a transfer to Madison, Wisconsin in 1924, Leopold continued his investigations into ecology and the philosophy of conservation, and in 1933 published the first textbook in the field of wildlife management. Later that year he accepted a new chair in game management – a first for the University of Wisconsin and the nation. In 1935, he and his family initiated their own ecological restoration experiment on a worn-out farm along the Wisconsin River outside of Baraboo, Wisconsin.

 

Planting thousands of pine trees, restoring prairies, and documenting the ensuing changes in the flora and fauna further informed and inspired Leopold. When Aldo Leopold wrote about considering the natural world “as a community to which we belong,” the world was a different place than it is now. The simple idea of leaving a few trees behind to seed the next generation of forest was a wild idea in a time when it was thought the American landscape offered unlimited resources that were ripe for the taking. Leopold’s influence on modern land ethics, land and wildlife conservation, and on American love of the land, is still felt today.

 

Aldo Leopold Festival – Program at a Glance

 

A Sand County AlmanacAll weekend: Follow the Birdie – Berry Hunt
Location: Hessel School (Scavenger hunt maps and programs available here)

 

Friday, May 13:

 

9:30 am – Wings of Wonder raptor program
Location: DeTour Elementary School, DeTour – Open to public

 

1:30 pm- Wings of Wonder raptor program
Location: Les Cheneaux Community School, Cedarville – Open to public

 

6-9 pm – The Historic Waters of Aldo Leopold Kayak Outing
Location: Woods & Water Ecotours, 20 S. Pickford Ave., Hessel

 

7 pm – “Native Orchids of the Eastern U.P. and Tip of the Mitt” by Dr. Steve Baker
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

8 pm – “Beautiful Birds of the Eastern U.P.” – by Paul Rossi
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

Saturday, May 14:

 

7 am – Bird Walk at Gerstacker Preserve with Dave Ewert of The Nature Conservancy
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

7am – Birding for Warblers at Search Bay with Elliot Nelson
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

9am – Wildflower Walk with Pat Wilson
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

10 am – Aldo Leopold Festival “ALF” Triathlon
Location: Begins at Hessel Beach

 

10-4 pm – “Green Bird” Bird Houses Family Workshop
Location: Pickle Point, 138 Pickford Ave., Hessel

 

12 pm – Birding Trail Opening Celebration
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

1 pm – Wildflower Walk with Pat Wilson
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

1:30 pm – Birding Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands with Elliot Nelson
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

3 pm – “Cold Love” Documentary Film Screening
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

7 pm – “Migration of land birds in the Great Lakes region: Natural history and conservation”
by Dave Ewert
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

8:30 pm – “The Storyteller’s Night Sky” by Mary Stewart Adams
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

Sunday, May 15:

 

Little Traverse Conservancy7 am – Bird Walk at Gerstacker Preserve with Dave Ewert of The Nature Conservancy
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

7 am – Birding for Warblers at Woollam Preserve with Elliot Nelson
Location: Hessel School, 3206 W. Cedar Road, Hessel

 

9 am – Drummond Island Alvar Tour
Location: Drummond Island (Participants should arrive in DeTour at 8:20 am to catch the 8:40 ferry to Drummond Island)

 

10 am – The Historic Waters of Aldo Leopold Kayak Outing
Location: Woods & Water Ecotours, 20 S. Pickford Ave., Hessel

 

1-3 pm – Lions Club Community Picnic
Location: Snows Heritage Park, 267 Blindline Rd., Cedarville

 

This article was republished with permission from Dianna at Promote Michigan. We do our best to help with the promotion of the great State of Michigan!

Kent District Library Hosts International “Disability Rights” Dignitaries

3-bottom, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , ,

wyoming library

By: Andrea Mantakounis

The Wyoming Branch of Kent District Library will host a tour of international leaders to discover how the library offers an inclusive environment and accessible spaces for disabled community members.

 

The group of eight visitors represent disability rights organizations in seven countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan. They will tour KDL’s Wyoming Branch on Monday, April 11 from 1-3 p.m. The visit is part of an international professional development project that stems from a partnership between Colleagues International (CI) – a non-profit organization based in Kalamazoo, Michigan – and the U.S. Department of State.

 

In 2015, Kent District Library was awarded the Community Champions Award by Disability Advocates of Kent County for assessing all 18 KDL branches and the service center headquarters for accessibility. Kent District Library operates the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for residents in Kent, Ionia, and Montcalm Counties

 

“We are so humbled to see this recognition for our accomplishments in serving the disabled community. We have learned so much from our partners at Disability Advocates of Kent County and their assistance has helped us become the best library we can be for all members of our community,” says Lance Werner, KDL’s Executive Director.

 

The Department of State has outlined the following specific objectives for the project:

 

·         Examine federal, state, and local laws and programs intended to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
·         Explore government and private sector funding of services and programs for persons with disabilities;
·         Discuss how various organizations, associations, and NGOs influence policy and raise awareness of disability issues through advocacy, media and grassroots organizing; and
·         Provide professional networking opportunities that facilitate long‑term dialogue among the visitors and their American counterparts.

 

The Department of State specifically requested these guests have a tour and meeting with Kent District Library. This event will include KDL staff and community members, including those with disabilities, highlighting how the library has created an inclusive environment and accessible spaces for the community.

Gem and Mineral Show ‘rocks’ the spring with demos and more

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Local Entertainment, , ,

 

Don VanDyke looks forward to the annual Gem & Mineral Show at Rogers Plaza every year.

 

“Some people come to sell, some people come to look, me, I come to just share my passion,” said the 82-year-old who calls himself a Rockhound (a nickname for an amateur geologist).

 

In fact, VanDyke lights up the minute a young girl comes to the table and he immediate starts talking about the rocks and minerals sitting in front of him.

 

Rockhound Don VanDyke talks to visitors at the 41st Gem & Mineral Show.
Rockhound Don VanDyke talks to visitors at the 41st Gem & Mineral Show.

“This is chlorastrolite,” VanDyke says as he points to a greenish stone with a turtle back pattern. “It is Michigan’s official gemstone and more commonly referred to as Isle Royal Greenstone.”

 

Turnout for this year’s Gem & Mineral Show, which marks its 41st year, has been high with Rogers Plaza pretty busy on the opening day of the show. The show continues today through 9 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9.

 

On opening day, the club’s Junior Rock Club Leader LaDonna Siebelink, who oversees all the children’s activities at the show, already was estimating that the group would go through 1,000 mini rock collections and about 500 grab bags.

 

“The bad weather does pretty well for us,” said Indian Mounds Rock and Mineral Club President Kreigh Tomaszewski with a laugh.  Tomaszewski contributed some of the draw from the weather being cold and snowy. The group also has seen an increase in attendance due to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) incentives along with other science-related programs.

 

Part of one of the displays at the 41st Annual Gem & Mineral Show.
Part of one of the displays at the 41st Annual Gem & Mineral Show.

“Geology includes chemistry, physics, meteorology…paleontology – we’ve got the fossils – which touches into biology,” Tomaszewski said.

 

A must-see at this year’s show, according to Tomaszewski, is the rock and mineral displays put together by Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club members. “The members really dug deep into their personal collections and pulled out some amazing specimens,”  he said.

 

The Indian Mounds Rock and Mineral Club meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month, September – May at Wesley Park United Methodist Church, near the corner of Michael Avenue and 36th Street in Wyoming. June – August, the group meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday at Wyoming’s Pinery Park, off of DeHoop Avenue across from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.

 

For more about the group, visit the website indianmoundsrock.com or the group’s Facebook page.

UN.EARTH showcases KCAD students’ imaginative, captivating work

3-bottom, Area Education, design, Education, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , ,

Un_Earth LogoBy KCAD

 

The most imaginative and captivating work from students in Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD) Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion will be presented to the public at their annual fashion show, to be held inside the Grand Rapids Downtown Market on April 13 from 7:30-10 pm.

 

“It’s fitting that all of the hard work and dedication the students in our Fashion Studies program have displayed throughout the year culminates in an event that they have the freedom to make their own,” said Interim Dean of the College Ron Riksen. “The KCAD community looks forward to celebrating their accomplishments.”Chelsey Sawallich

 

Titled UN.EARTH, the event will feature work from all class levels of the Fashion Studies program that ties into the event’s theme of nature and personal growth. The theme is based on the earth’s terrain and includes three subcategories: peak, valley, and coast. Specific color schemes and key words associated with each subcategory informed class projects in Fashion Studies courses throughout the spring semester of the 2015-2016 academic year.

 

Underclassmen will be displaying individual garments, selected through a juried process, that were designed within the parameters of different class projects. Graduating seniors, on the other hand, will be displaying their full capstone collections, multiple garments that have been designed with much more creative freedom at the students’ disposal. A number of fashion illustrations will also be on display.

 

“We chose to call the fashion show UN•EARTH specifically for its definition and connotation,” said Fashion Studies senior Audrey Langejans, one of the event’s lead organizers. “The word ‘earth’ got us thinking a lot about incorporating the nature-inspired trends that are so relevant in the fashion industry right now – trends that would give the underclassmen a chance to be extra creative in their interpretation of the theme. The definition of the word ‘unearth’ itself felt like the perfect summation of the senior experience. We seniors have spent three years working on class projects and learning different techniques, and now we have been able to unearth our own aesthetics and identities as designers through our capstone collections.”Maria Tenhave-Chapman

 

Fashion Studies Program Chair Lori Faulkner added, “In our Capstone course, senior students use all the technical skills and knowledge they have gained through their years of study at KCAD to create an individual collection that specifically reveals their individual vision. Up until their senior year, they have been designing with certain guidelines in mind, but for this project they are given complete creative freedom. Regardless of their class level, I am consistently amazed by the unique designs that my students are able to take from concept to finished product.”

 

UN.EARTH will be held at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market on April 13, 2016 from 7:30-10 pm. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided by Martha’s Vineyard. Admission to the event is free, and the public is warmly welcomed to attend. Attendees are asked to please RSVP through Eventbrite to reserve their free tickets. Space is limited.

Wyoming set to host annual fair housing seminar this month

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News, , ,
The Wyoming Senior Center will be the host site for the upcoming fair housing seminar.
The Wyoming Senior Center will be the host site for the upcoming fair housing seminar.

Up until a month ago, a person with a criminal record might have found it difficult to find a place to rent. But changes made by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has made it harder for landlords and home sellers to give a blanket “no” based solely on a person’s criminal background.

 

“It is a very competitive market out there,” said Fair Housing Center of West Michigan Director of Education and Outreach Liz Keegan, who will be one of the speakers at the City of Wyoming’s fair housing seminar set for April 25. Keegan said from what they have heard, houses have been selling before they even get on the market and with such a competitive market, it is important to make sure people are not being too particular in their choices that would impede fair housing.

 

For the past several years, the City of Wyoming Community Development Office has hosted a seminar for rental property owners and housing professionals to assist them in their daily compliance with fair housing laws and also provide information on local agencies and resources that address various housing-related issues. This year’s seminar is from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. April 25 in the Community Room at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW.

 

In fact, criminal background checks are just one of the many topics landlords and home sellers need to consider, Keegan said. Another is assistance animals, which covers not only trained service animals but animals designated for emotional support.

 

“We really view these seminars as more of a risk prevention opportunity,” Keegan said, adding its an opportunity for the Fair Housing of West Michigan to educate and provide resources on federal, state and HUD guidelines.

 

Along with the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan’s update on fair housing practices, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety will present “A Crime-Free Multiple Family Housing Program,” and The Salvation Army Social Services will discuss “Eviction Prevention Assistance.”

 

The Rental Property Owners Association, which is sponsoring the event with the City of Wyoming Community Development Office, and Wyoming building inspectors will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.

 

Keegan noted that the City of Wyoming has done a nice job of growing the seminar over the years with up to 90 people in attendance. Landlords, rental agents, property management personnel, real estate agents, residents and others are invited to attend the seminar. Each attendee will be issued a certificate of completion.

 

The seminar is free, and a continental breakfast will be provided to attendees. Registration is required by April 18. To register, call 530-3164.

 

The City of Wyoming, which has about 10,798 rental units within its limits, prohibits unfair housing practices through its adopted City Code Section 42-53 and also has certified to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that it will affirmatively further fair housing.

 

For further information, call the City of Wyoming at 530-7266, or visit the City website at www.wyomingmi.gov.

 

April is Fair Housing Month with the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan hosting its annual event, the 29th Annual Luncheon & Workshop Series with “Remember the Titans” Coach Herman Boone May 19. This event is at the Crowne Plaza, 5700 28th St. SE. For more information, visit the Fair Housing of West Michigan website.

On the Shelf: a few spring break offerings

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Reviews, , , ,

1395807-198x300By Kayne Ferrier

Grand Rapids Yankee Clipper Branch 

 

Blue Heaven is the latest action packed book from C.J. Box. It tells the story of several retired, corrupt cops from Los Angeles and how they almost successfully cover up two major felonies, including a murder. But several factors contribute to their undoing: two little kids, a retired good cop from L.A. and an honest older rancher. The story has a lot of verisimilitude and a great ending. I recommend this book.

 

Another of Box’s book, Winterkill is one of the game warden Joe Pickett books. Box’s books always start off with a bang (no pun intended) and you’re off and running. Corrupt bureaucracy and good hearted, honest people butt heads in this tale of tracking down a murderer and blaming it on the most convenient suspect. Joe works to catch the real murderer and makes some new friends and enemies along the way. It all comes to a satisfying conclusion.

6033731

 

Real Life and Liars, by Kristina Riggle, is truly a book for adults, the older ones of us, that is. It takes place in Charlevoix, Michigan, over one weekend. Mira’s children are all in town to help her celebrate her 35th wedding anniversary. However, she has learned that she has breast cancer and Mira uses this time to review what her life has meant and what will come of it in the future. Philosophical questions that begin to nag at us as we enter middle age are the meat of this novel.

 

Wintry weather forces Wyoming to delay the opening of its Spring Carnival

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Events, , ,
Wyoming's Spring Carnival, located in the former Studio 28 parking lot, will officially open Monday, April 11.
Wyoming’s Spring Carnival, located in the former Studio 28 parking lot, will officially open Monday, April 11.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.com

 

With the forecast of possible snow on Friday, officials from the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department announced today that due to the weather, it would be delaying the opening of its Spring Carnival to Monday, April 11.

 

“With today’s weather and reviewing the pending forecast for the rest of the week, safety during the carnival set up and for attendees has required us to delay opening,” officials stated in a press release sent to WKTV. The Weather Channel is reporting snow for Thursday and Friday with break on Saturday and snow again on Sunday. It is supposed to rain on Monday with the weather clearing by Tuesday.

 

Due to schedules, the Spring Carnival will be shorten from ten days to seven. City of Wyoming Community Services Director Rebecca Rynbrandt said the decision to delay start was mutual one made by both city officials and the carnival vendor.

 

The annual event, which was scheduled to start on Friday, is now scheduled to run from 4 – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, April 11 – 15; noon – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 15 – 16; and 1 – 10 p.m. Sunday, April 17. The carnival is located in the parking lot of the former Studio 28 theaters, 1400 28th St. SW.

 

A staple in the city for more than 30 years, proceeds from the carnival will be split between the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance (GWCRA). GWRCA funds support youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Parks and Recreation Department. The GWCRA will also distribute funds to the community through its annual grant making process.

 

The Parks and Recreation Department will use its funds to help with park needs such as updating playground equipment, ball field matts and bases and tennis court nets.

 

“It really is a great opportunity to go out and enjoy the carnival while at the same time giving back to your community,” Rynbrandt said.

 

Last year, the event raised $26,000. The goal for this year is $30,000. Of course events like these are weather dependent and the shortening of the event could impact the goal, but the overall safety of the carnival workers and those attending is the city’s first priority, Rynbrandt said.

 

“The carnival will be open in the evenings and on the weekend of April 15, 16, and 17,” Rynbrandt said. “If we have four really great days, we can still meet our goal.”

 

The admission cost is $15 Monday—Thursday and $20 Friday—Sunday. The Parks and Recreation Department has $3-off coupons available on its Facebook page.

 

This year’s sponsors are the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, T.J. Schmidt & Co. and Loeks Theatres Inc.

 

For more information on the carnival, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 530-3164.

Jim Carrey might be a no, but Garth Brook is a yes for performing in GR

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,
Garth Brooks performs at the We Belong: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Center
Garth Brooks performs at the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Center

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Earlier this week, the management arm of the Van Andel Arena, SMG, announced that country legend Garth Brooks and the Garth Brooks World Tour will make its first ever appearance and only show in Michigan for 2016 in Grand Rapids on May 14.

 

Tickets, which are  $74.98 and include at $2.50 facility fee and $6.25 service charge, for the show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 15 at Ticketmaster.com/GarthBrooks or Ticketmaster.com. There will be no sales at the venue box office or TicketMaster outlets on April 15, according to an SMG press release. Calls for tickets can be made at 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000.

 

Brooks exploded on the scene in 1989 with his self-named first album, which featured the song “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old),”  that was followed by No Fences that included “Friends in Low Places,” “The Thunder Rolls,” and “Unanswered Prayers.” Brooks would continue with a string of albums, each with chart topping songs such as “The River,” “What She’s Doing Now,” “Somewhere Other Than the Night,” “In Pieces,” and “Standing Outside the Fire.” In 2000, he announced his retirement from performing and left to focus on his family, making brief performances such as for We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Center and at Las Vegas. In 2014, he made his announcement of signing with Sony Music Nashville, his new tour and the release of his latest album Man Against Machine. In 2012, Brooks was inducted into the County Music Hall of Fame.

 

“We are just really excited about being able to bring Brooks to Grand Rapids,” said Mike Klompstra, SMG marketing assistant.

 

The show includes Garths’ wife Trisha Yearwood, a country star in her own right who broke out in 1991 with the song “She’s In Love With a Boy.” Yearwood was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2000 and has won a number of awards including three Grammy Awards, one for her signature song “How Do I Live” from the soundtrack of Con Air.

 

Marking its 20th year, the Van Andel has hosted a number of high profile names including most recently Elton John along with Kate Perry, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Aerosmith (several times), Marilyn Manson, and Rush.

 

Because of Brooks popularity, he is the best-selling solo albums artist in U.S history with more than 136 million albums sold, demand for the tickets is expected to be high. Klompstra said having worked with a number of high profile performers in the past, SMG is not anticipating any problems.

 

TicketMaster will be the only authorized seller. Tickets will be available at 10 a.m. sharp and a personal recommendation is to start checking before the start time. There will be an eight ticket limit and timers will be set to keep people moving through.

 

Some other tips from Ticketmaster’s “On Sale Tips” section: if you don’t have one, create an online account now and mark the concert for an alert; sign in ahead of time; split up the number of tickets you are requesting – the fewer the number makes it easier to find seats; keep checking back as tickets do get released; and only buy verified resale tickets.

 

Lastly, if you miss you chance to snag tickets for Brooks at the Van Andel Arena’s May show, he will be returning to Michigan in 2017. The tour is scheduled to come to Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena Feb. 20 – 21 and 27 – 28, according to the Garth Brooks World Tour official website.

 

 

 

 

Postpone pruning to prevent oak wilt disease

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,
Leaves showing signs of oak wilt diesease.
Leaves showing signs of oak wilt diesease.

By Stelle Slootmaker

The Tree Amigos

 

The City of Wyoming encompasses an environmental feature known as oak barrens. Located near glacial outwash areas in southern Lower Michigan, “Oak barrens likely originated when prairie fires spread into surrounding closed oak forest with enough intensity to create open barrens,” states the Michigan Natural Features website article. “Oak barrens and surrounding prairie habitat once supported a rich diversity of invertebrates including numerous species of butterflies, skippers, grasshoppers, and locusts. Mound-building ants and numerous grassland birds also once thrived in barrens and prairies.”

 

The article goes on to say that past degradation of Michigan’s oak barrens caused the regrettable decline of these many species.

 

A map showing the areas where oak wilt disease has been discovered.
A map showing the areas where oak wilt disease has been discovered.

Our City’s oak trees now face a new threat: oak wilt disease. A serious disease, oak wilt mainly affects red oak, black oak and pin oak. It can kill a red oak tree in just a few weeks’ time. In white oaks, the disease progresses more slowly.

 

Beetles carry the fungus that causes oak wilt from diseased to healthy trees. The fungus especially thrives on a tree that has been recently pruned or injured. The beetles become active in mid-April and stay active through mid-July. Hence, the Michigan DNR shares that you can help prevent oak wilt by not pruning or otherwise injuring oak trees from April 15 to July 15.

 

Help stop the spread of oak wilt disease in your neighborhood. Postpone pruning your oaks and share this advice with your neighbors. If you want to do even more to ensure that the City of Wyoming supports a healthy tree canopy, join The Tree Amigos, a citizen group supporting a vibrant Wyoming tree canopy. Like The Tree Amigos on Facebook and message or post your concerns and comments.

Batman v Superman: From Hall H to the big screen

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Movie Review, Reviews, , , , , , , , ,

Batman v Superman

By: Katelyn Kohane

 

“The greatest gladiator match in the history of the world. God vs Man. Day versus night! Son of Krypton versus Bat of Gotham!”

 

First two rows: Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. Bottom left: Gal Gadot, bottom center: Jesse Eisenberg, and bottom right: Amy Adams.
First two rows: Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. Bottom left: Gal Gadot, bottom center: Jesse Eisenberg, and bottom right: Amy Adams.

Last year, I was lucky enough to get into Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con for a first look at Batman v Superman. The preview was amazing and the whole cast was there! I had the privilege to see Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot and Zach Snyder.

 

Let’s take a quick glance back at some of the actors and actresses who have portrayed some of these great characters: Batman, Superman, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane and Wonder Woman.

 

Lois Lane has been portrayed by Noel Neill, Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, Erica Durance, and now Amy Adams.

 

Lex Luthor has been portrayed by Kevin Spacey, Gene Hackman, Lyle Talbot, Michael Rosenbaum (who is my favorite Lex Luthor uptil now.) and now Jesse Eisenberg.

 

Batman v Superman Hall HWonder Woman has been portrayed by Lynda Carter and now Gal Gladot (she is awesome. Loved her in Fast and the Furious).

 

Superman has been portrayed by Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Tom Welling (my favorite Superman), Brandon Routh and now Henry Cavill.

 

Last but not least, of course, is Batman who has been portrayed by Adam West, George Clooney, Val Kilmer (one of my favorite actors), Christian Bale (my favorite Batman) and now Ben Affleck.

 

Ben Affleck held his own as Batman
Ben Affleck held his own as Batman

It certainly was humbling being in Hall H to see the new characters in person. Many people, including myself, were worried about Ben Affleck playing Batman. However, that worry is no longer there. I think he has proved that he can tackle the role.

 

I personally enjoyed this take on Batman v Superman, and while I loved parts of the cast, there is certainly room for improvement. Superman is overshadowed by Batman, and I am team Batman all the way. This Batman is a little darker than normal with Batman utilizing more guns. Hey, desperate times call for darker measures.

 

Within the first two days of release, I had already made it to the theater twice to soak in all the action. In fact, I liked it so much that I even bought the sound track composed by Hans Zimmer.

 

As the movie opens you see separate sides of both Batman and Superman. We catch up with Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent and Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) at a party hosted by Lex Luthor. Bruce Wayne comes to investigate Lex Luthor and Diana Prince is at the party to see if she can get a picture back from Lex that he stole from her. Diana ends up stealing the hard drive from Bruce, but since she can’t unlock it, she ends up giving it back to Bruce.

 

Bruce becomes more of a detective and unlocks the hard drive to find a picture of Diana. He also notices that Lex has found others like her including the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg.

 

Superman had to answer to the Senate
Superman had to answer to the Senate

Superman gets into some trouble and the Senate holds a hearing. Lex blows up the hearing and starts even more trouble. Lex kidnaps Lois Lane and Martha Kent. Superman saves Lois Lane but Martha is still held by Lex. Lex threatens Superman that he has to fight Batman in order to save Martha. Superman and Lois attempt to convince Batman to save Martha. Batman obliges. Then Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman fight Doomsday. Two are victorious, while one scarifies himself to save the day.

 

(And breath!)

 

I condensed the movie down considerably, but you get the gist. If you haven’t seen it yet, the epic fight is worth the price of admission.

 

The first night I saw the film I went with a group of friends. I have to admit the first time was better than the second because you didn’t know what to expect. On second viewing, this time with a few friends from the West Michigan Film and Video Alliance, I noticed that the dream sequences were a little long and so was the fight with Doomsday. Overall, I’d give it an A-.

 

Don’t forget that Captain America: Civic War is coming to theaters of May 6. Suicide Squad will premier on August 5. The superhero movies never stop coming.

 

“It may be the Gotham city and me… we just have a bad history with freaks dressed like clowns.”

 

Katie works in the film industry as a camera operator and has worked on films like ‘All You Can Dream’, ‘Set Up’ and a TV show called ‘American Fallen Soldier.’ She loves helping WKTV with the Citizen Journalism team and working as a tech at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Katie loves working in the film industry and loves watching movies just as much!

Spring into these book selections from locally owned Schuler Books & Music

3-bottom, Reviews, , , ,

lovecraftcovThe staff of Schuler Books & Music offer a few book selections that are certain to add some color and fun to your spring.

 

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Reviewed by Jim Tremlett, Schuler Books, Lansing

 

It’s the 1950s in America, and horror is everywhere — especially if you’re Black. But there are mystical threats afoot, too: the kind that pit family against family in a race for the hidden truths of existence. Winners take all, losers serve forever.

 

When Atticus Turner’s unpleasant father goes missing, he and his family must trek to a mysterious, New England town to find him. What they encounter there sets the entire Turner family down a weird path, indeed. For the magical clan that awaits there once owned their ancestor, and still has macabre plans for “their” family.

 

But these are the Turners, and this is Jim Crow America. They’ve handled worse threats in their everyday lives than sorcerers’ schemes and otherworldly beings. These modern-day magicians are in big trouble — they just don’t know it yet…

 

Spooky, heartfelt, and subtly sinister, Lovecraft Country deftly accomplishes Ruff’s primary mission of turning sci-fi tropes on their head. Some of the book’s vignettes are better than others, but they all succeed in maintaining a pulp noir feel — echoing H. P. Lovecraft’s brand of cosmic horror without stealing from him outright.

 

More importantly, it brings the real horrors of relatively-recent American history home to a generation that might otherwise believe recent attempts to whitewash that era. Given Lovecraft’s own considerable racism, and recent controversies concerning his place in the horror canon, this is a victory all in itself.

 

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The Charm Bracelet by Viola Shipman

Reviewed by Aubrey Dolinski, Schuler Books, Lansing

 

The Charm Bracelet by Viola Shipman – the pen name of popular Michigan memoirist Wade Rouse, in honor of his grandmother — was inspired by the author’s grandmother and her charm bracelet. The novel’s grandmother is sassy, one-of-a-kind Lolly, whose daughter and granddaughter come for an unexpected stay at her cabin in a small northern Michigan resort town. They are all at turning points in their lives and find inspiration in the stories behind the charms on Lolly’s bracelet. They gain a new appreciation for each other and the simple things in life. With its vivid depictions of Lake Michigan, this is the perfect book for a weekend getaway and also great for Mother’s Day.

 

tuesday-nights-in-1980-9781501121043_hr

Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss

Reviewed by Pierre Camy, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids

 

It will be very difficult to find a book this year as vividly descriptive and deeply moving as Tuesday Nights in 1980. A successful art critic whose talent is due to a singular disability, a painter who selflessly left his sister in Argentina, and a young woman from Idaho eager to prove herself, meet, fall in love and clash in 1980 New York. Their worlds collide in an explosion of colors, smells, lies and betrayals. Molly Prentiss offers a breathtaking portrait of a city and of the freedom its artists enjoyed compared to the events that were unfolding in Argentina and all the people who were disappearing at that time. This is a superb novel that I will not soon forget.

 

9781632862167

Thirst by Benjamin Warner

Reviewed by Pierre Camy, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids

 

At the risk of sounding silly, reading Thirst is going to make you very thirsty. This is a compliment to author Benjamin Warner’s descriptive talents. Imagine a time in the near future when all means of communication, electricity and especially water are no longer available. How long will you survive and how long before the world erupts into total chaos? Although this is speculative fiction, the lack of water is a highly relevant topic — as exemplified in last year’s excellent novels The Water Knives by Paolo Bacigalupi and Gold, Fame, Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins — and this novel is as scary as scary can be.

 

23613983

​Run by Kody Keplinger

Reviewed by Holly Frakes, Schuler Books, Okemos

 

Agnes and Bo are the most unlikely friends. Agnes is partially blind and lives with loving, yet overprotective parents. Bo is a wild child whose parents are either absentee or outside the law.

 

But these two girls form a strong friendship, filling in the gaps for each other in their respective lives.  Bo brings adventure and freedom to Agnes, and Agnes gives Bo a sense of belonging and trust. Set in a small town where both girls dream of nothing but escaping, they will test their loyalty to the limits.

 

This beautiful teen novel explores the depths of female relationships, and celebrates that special bond you have with that one person who gives you unquestionable acceptance.  I highly recommend it.

 

Volunteers shine at the Volunteer Award Banquet

3-bottom, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Volunteers, WKTV Projects, , , , , , ,

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The WKTV community gathered at Stony Brook Country Club on April 1 – and that’s no April Fools – to celebrate the volunteers to who make the station so special.

 

Since its inception as only the second community media station in the country in 1974, WKTV has given everyday citizens a platform for their voice and message to be heard. Volunteers have access to state-of-the-art video and editing equipment, studio space, a television channel, and an online newspaper to help mold their messages and stories about the communities they live in.

 

The best part? It’s all free!

 

Volunteer Banquet 2016Over 300 volunteers take advantage of the services WKTV has to offer in production, recording, editing, writing and filming. The Volunteer Appreciation Banquet is one way for the station to say thank you.

 

The banquet started with cocktails and a meet and greet before everyone sat down for dinner. The presentation of the awards followed dinner, but not before the premier of the annual volunteer appreciation videos courtesy of Nate Diedrich and the WKTV Production Staff.

 

“Producing these videos for the volunteer appreciation event allows us to express our sincere gratitude for all the effort our volunteers and producers put into creating quality content throughout the year,” said Nate.

 

 

When the room finally quieted down from all the laughter, the awards were ready to be handed out.

 

Volunteer of the Year - Doug Remtema
Volunteer of the Year – Doug Remtema

Volunteer of the Year was rewarded to Doug Remtema for his willingness and ability to help out on multiple projects at the station. Doug is a real pro and makes life easier on whichever project is lucky enough to utilize his talents.

 

Doug Hansen was recognized for Lifetime Achievement. Doug started at the station back in the 80s and has continued to be a resource for both volunteers and staff members.

 

Kathryn Gray was chosen as Citizen Reporter of the Year for her ability to make individuals come alive through the written word.

 

Community Service Programming went to Thomas Hegewald. The Community Service award is given to the volunteer who not only creates their own programming, but is also willing to volunteer on other projects as well.

 

On top of the four individual awards, volunteers were recognized for their individual service at the station.

 

23 volunteers were first year volunteers, 16 joined the 100 hour club, six citizen reporters in attendance were recognized for their yearly contributions, four volunteers were recognized for five years at the station, two volunteers were recognized for 10 years, four volunteers were recognized for 15 years, and two volunteers were recognized for 20 years of service.

 

20 years of volunteering at WKTV
20 years of volunteering at WKTV

19 shows were recognized for Program Dedication Awards.

 

WKTV is run by the volunteers who make everything possible. The volunteer banquet is one more night for them to shine.

 

Full list of volunteers recognized:

 

Volunteer of the Year: Doug Remtema

 

Citizen Reporter of the Year: Kathryn Gray

 

Community Service Programing: Thomas Hegewald

 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Doug Hansen

 

100 Hour Club

Terri Rees – 711

Doug Remtema – 494

Gary Vande Velde – 480

Alan Dunst – 446

Mike Bacon – 279

Barb VanDuren – 278

Thomas Hegewald – 249

Tom Sibley – 220

Sophia Maslowski – 190

Phil Moore – 172

Carrie Bradstreet – 149

Dan Simone – 122

Kristyn Miller – 117

Nathan Krzykwa – 111

Doug Hansen – 110

Athina Morehouse – 103

 

Program Dedication

A Day in the Dirt – Gary Vande Velde

Catholic Forum – Alan Dunst

Community Awareness – Donna Smith

Feel Like You Belong – Alan Headbloom

Fools for Christ – Jim Dohm

High School Sports – Paul Kableman

Is That Really Me on TV – Melanie Evans

OnPoint – Thomas Hegewald

River Reflections – Rosemary Burns

Senior Exercise – Chris Rush

Silent Voices – Dennis Lawrence

So & Mo Presents – Sophia Maslowski

Sounds of Summer – Patty Williams

Talking God & Guns – Janice Brown

Tips, Tricks & Techniques – Chef Terri Rees

Veteran’s History Project – James Smither

Whittlin’ Time – Mike Bacon

VMTV – Hung Nguyen

You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me America – Carrie Bradstreet

 

First Year

 

Dan Davis – Whittlin’ Time

Gina Greenlee – OnPoint

Robert Gonzalez – Sports/Plus

Wendy Jenkins – Silent Voices

Mark Kelly – Sports

Mark Lange – Sports

Linh Le – VMTV

Cameron McCargar – Sports

Brice Miller – Sports

Athina Morehouse – OnPoint

Angela Peavey – Indie Films

Reid Petro – Indie Films

Steve Pham – VMTV

Bill Roelfsema – OnPoint

Eric Sheler – OnPoint

Michelle Sheler – OnPoint

Downie Streahl – Sports/Plus

Kevin Ton – VMTV

Lillie Towns – Silent Voices

Barb VanDuren – Chef Terri Right Hand

Arturo Varela – Mision Evangilistica

Chris Williams – Sports

 

5 Years

 

Ray Boisvenue – Fools for Christ

Karen Graham – Schubert Chorus/Plus

Mike Moll – Sports Announcer

Ron Schultz – Sports Announcer

 

10 Years

 

Mark Bergsma – Sports

Anne VanDreumel – Shubert/Plus/Plus

 

15 Years

 

Girbe Eefsting – Digital Cinema Guild

Eddie Grover – Various Shoots

Gary Vande Velde – Day in the Dirt/Sports/Plus

Mike VanDreumel – Mr. Fix It/Everything

 

20 Years

 

Mark Tangen – Dream Wheels/Festivals of Chefs

Dick Visser – Board/Direct: Reading Train/Beanie Babies/Crafty Ladies

Nominees for the 2016 Eclipse Awards announced

3-bottom, Entertainment, WKTV Projects, , , , ,
Marie Ullrich and Todd Lewis announce the nominees for the 2016 Eclipse Awards.
Marie Ullrich and Todd Lewis announce the nominees for the 2016 Eclipse Awards.

The nominees for the 2016 Eclipse Awards were announced today by Todd Lewis and Marie Ullrich on WKTV.

 

With a record number of entries, judges from around the globe narrowed the field down to the nominees listed below. An annual event, the Eclipse Awards are designed to celebrate West Michigan filmmakers and the films they create.

 

Winners will be announced live on April 28 on WKTV, Comcast channel 24, starting at 7:30 p.m. and is hosted by local comedian Ben Wilke. The Eclipse Awards show also will be streamed live at theeclipseaward.com. WKTV News will be providing complete coverage of the entire event.

 

For all nominees and their guests, there will be the Eclipse Lounge on April 25 at 7 p.m. at the second floor patio of the Rockwell Republic, 45 S. Division Ave. Tom Norton, station manager for WKTV, which helps to organize the event, said the the Eclipse Lounge is an important aspect to the event in that it gives nominees an opportunity to network and for everyone to be recognized for their accomplishments.

 

“We believe that being nominated is an important achievement and so we honor all the nominees,” Norton said.

 

Filmmakers can enter in several main Categories such as Cinema Trailer, Documentary, and Narrative Short. There are also craft Categories focused on the experiste in creating a film such as Acting, Directing and Original Score.

 

Categories are listed in alphabetical order with nominees listed in random order.

 

Documentary nominees are My Personal Pink Time, Josh Reed, producer; Strong Words: The Art of Toi Derricotte, David Schock, producer; and UP a River, Kristin Ojaniemi, producer.

 

Local & Regional Segments & Promotional Pieces (under 20 minutes) nominees are Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park: A Grand Rapids Treasure, Experience Grand Rapids, producer; GoSite Sponsor Video, Mallory Patterson and Randy Strobl, producers; HappenDance, Andrew Tebeau, producer; Meet Maren, Mallory Patterson and Randy Strobl, producers; There’s a Little Gilda in All of Us, Mallory Patterson and Randy Strobl, producers; and Why We Work at Wedgwood, Navin Kharmai, producer.

 

Local TV & Cable (30 minute time slot) nominees are Cooking with Angus: Mozzarella, Noah DeSmit, producer; Feel Like You Belong – Takunda Maxima Episode, Alan Headbloom, producer; and Jake’s Safari, Randy Bassin, producer.

 

Narrative Short nominees are Interference, James Stephens, Kelly Loughlin, producers; Portrait, Andrew Behm, producer; shehimher, DJ Viennese, producer; The Discovery of Alan Hindley, Andy Fortenbacher, producer; The Million Dollar Nickel, Kyle Misak, Jake Maxwell, producers; and This is Munyagwa, Erick Lauchie, producer.

 

On-line Programs, Segments or Promotional Pieces nominees are Live Arts, Andy Terzes, producer; Lucky Jay, Brian Gotberg and Harper Philbin, producers; Recognizing the Signs of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in the Clinic, Kendall College of Art and Design, producer; and The Story of the Nutcracker Village, Jacob Schmiedicke, producer.

 

Craft categories are listed in alphabetical order with nominees listed randomly.

 

Acting nominees are Ray Brazaski for Cathedral; Michael McCallum for Lucky Jay, Sherryl Despres for Rodeo Girl, Sophie Bolen for Rodeo Girl, Heather Baker-Jackson for shehimher and Liz Nolan for Two For the Show.

 

Animation nominees are Sanjo Antony for Jake’s Safari, Larry Lauria for Pete’s Odyssey, and Brett Deacon and Evan Hollingsworth for Project Liberation.

 

Cinematography and Videography nominees are Reid Petro for Alaskan Adventure, Logan Hurtado and Dylan Sanders for Death at the Opera, Steve Steketee for Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park: A Grand Rapids Treasure, Reid Petro for It’s Your Move, Matthew Weaver for Journeyman, Andy Terzes for Live Arts, John Hansen for shehimher, Reid Petro for The Million Dollar Nickel and Travis Babbitt for Topanga.

 

Direction nominees are Andy Terzes for Live Arts, Harper Philbin for Lucky Jay, DJ Viernes for shehimher, Kyle Misak and Jake Maxwell for The Million Dollar Nickel,  and Michael McCallum for Two for the Show.

 

Editing nominees are Alex Bolen for L I G H T, Tim Lieber for Lucky Jar, Mallory Patterson and Randy Strobl for Mosaic Mobile 2015 Promo, Kyle Misak for The Million Dollar Nickel, and Michael McCallum and Andrew Tebeau for Two for the Show.

 

Original Scoring nominees are David Purnell for INK 180 and Theo Ndawille II for shehimher.

 

Writing in Produced Content nominees are George Snider III for Jake’s Safari, Harper Philbin, John Dufresne and Angelo Eidse for Lucky Jay, DJ Viernes for shehimher, Kyle Misak and Jesse Charles for The Million Dollar Nickel and Michael McCallum for Two for the Show.

WKTV readies to air Golden Gloves for the 32nd straight year

3-bottom, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, , , , ,

michigan golden glovesThe Golden Gloves have a long, outstanding history throughout the country in the sport of boxing. What started in New York in 1927 as an amateur boxing tournament has morphed into The National Golden Gloves, a boxing program with affiliates in all 50 states who focus in training young people for success.

 

Grand Rapids started their involvement in 1932 under the sponsorship of the Grand Rapids Press and the Furniture City Post of the American Legion to foster competing teams in Grand Rapids. In 2008, Grand Rapids and the Michigan Golden Gloves Association hosted the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions.

 

Back in 1985, the Michigan Golden Gloves Association and WKTV formed a partnership to film the state championship boxing bouts. When the partnership began, the tournament was held at Stadium Arena (now known as the DeltaPlex). When Stadium Arena was no longer suitable, the tournament was moved to the Grand Valley National Guard Armory on 44th street.

 

2016 marks a return to the DeltaPlex and the 32nd year of WKTV’s coverage of the Golden Gloves Boxing Championship. Catch all the action on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 with a tape delayed airing of each evenings bouts the following day at noon.

 

West Michigan Championships
Saturday, April 9
Wednesday, April 20 (airing at 8:30pm)

 

State Championships
Saturday, April 23
Friday, April 29
Saturday, April 30

West Michigan Design Week kicks off April 9 at the Pyramid Scheme

3-bottom, architecture, design, Education, Entertainment, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, West Michigan Design Week, WMDW, , , , , , , , , , , ,

By WMDW

 

West Michigan has a long history of design, and it’s becoming an even stronger and more vital part of our community. From graphic design to industrial design, architecture, interior design, packaging design, and UX design, an incredible amount of innovative, world-class work is happening here, and we want the world to know about it!

 

In its second year, West Michigan Design Week is a week-long series of programs aimed to inspire designers from all disciplines and demonstrate the strategic and economic advantages of design thinking to the rest of the community. The hope is that this event will spotlight West Michigan design increasing opportunities for local designers, attracting new ones, and building connections between designers and our cultural, educational and business communities.

Speakers
Mimi Valdés, The Multimedia Maker

 

From April 6-11, a lineup of tours, speakers and workshops is scheduled in the area to showcase what has been accomplished in the region as well as to develop connections in the design industry. Go here for the calendar of events.

 

The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, kicks things off on April 9 with music and good company. Get your 2016 West Michigan Design Week t-shirts screen printed by Ambrose live on stage. Glitter Booth will capture the action.

 

Saturday, April 9th  |  9pm – 2am
9:00 – 10:30 | Tom Engelsman from Scintillate
10:30 – 12:30 | AJPASCHKA
12:30 – 1:30 | AB

 

$8 / 21+
Get tickets here.

 

Sponsors:
Glitter Booth

 

Several design industry organizations have collaborated to make this event possible, including (in alphabetical order):  AIGA West Michigan, American Institute of Architects Grand Rapids,  American Society of Interior Designers and Interaction Design Association, Design West Michigan, Industrial Designers of America, International Interior Design Association, and Kendall College of Art and Design.

 

 

 

On the Shelf: A selection of gardening guides just for Michigan

3-bottom, Food, How-To's, Local Entertainment, Reviews, , ,

TheBountifulContainer72By Laura Nawrot

Grand Rapids Main Library

 

The growing season can start just about anytime in Michigan, so if you haven’t planted yet, it’s probably not too late. There are plenty of bargain plants and pots galore at the usual places, and several books are available to help you get growing.

 

If you have a small space on a patio or deck, just want to plant a few tomatoes or start a salad garden, McGee & Stuckey’s Bountiful Container by Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey will walk you through all the steps to an abundant container garden in no time.

carrots-love-tomatoes

If you have a larger area and want to make the most of your plantings, Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte is the book for you. Louise tells you what to plant where to make the most of beneficial relationships between plants. As the title suggests, carrots love tomatoes and grow very well when planted beside each other. This book also includes which plants naturally repel pests to help keep your garden chemical free. Find out more about which plants get along and which ones don’t in this easy to read selection.

 

Not sure what you should be doing in the garden in Michigan? Not to worry. There are several books available that focus just on growing in this area. Month-by-Month Gardening in Michigan by James A. Fizzle is packed with beautiful photos and illustrations, offering specific advice for every month of the year designed to make your gardening successful year round.

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Michigan Gardener’s Guide by Marty Hair, Laura Coit, and Tim Boland is written by popular gardening experts who offer easy to use advice on how to grow and care for specific varieties of Michigan’s best plants. This book is divided into sections for each of the different types of plants; annuals, perennials, trees, etc. complete with full color illustrations. Best of all, chapter two tells you how to use the book without insulting your intelligence.

 

Perennials for Michigan by Nancy Szerlag & Alison Beck garners rave reviews from customers on Amazon.com who insist the authors definitely know what they are talking about. This book is very well organized and easy to use, contains beautiful photos and practical advice on which plants to select for your gardening interests and growing zone; low maintenance, fine-textured, color variations and native plants. Included in this selection is a quick reference guide to the plants plus a chapter on recommended gardens to visit in Michigan. For color that returns year after year, this is the guide to choose.

 

On the Shelf book reviews are provided by Grand Rapids Public Library. For more suggestions, activities and programs, click here.

 

Spring is time for Pure Michigan Blossoms

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,

Marsh Marigold DegraafBy: Dianna Higgs-Stampfler

 

Spring BeautyAs the winter snow melts away, spring wildflowers begin to push their way up through the ground to welcome the new warm-weather season. Located in the heart of the Great Lakes region, Michigan his home to approximately 1700 native wildflower species of all shapes and sizes, found from coast to coast to coast.

 

My love of nature – flowers, trees and birds – comes from my maternal grandmother who helped me in high school with various biology class projects such as my leaf and bug collections. Thanks to grandma, I’ve remained fascinated as an adult by birds (specifically cardinals), trees (birch and gingko) and flowers (lilacs)…but, ironically, not bugs!

 

While all gardens and flowers are beautiful, I’ve been drawn to the natural formation of wildflowers as they grow along the side of the roads as I travel Michigan. The variety of colors, textures and sizes I think make the prettiest impact.

 

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, “all plants are protected on Michigan’s public lands, including road rights-of-ways. Additionally, 243 native plants are listed as threatened or endangered and are protected by Michigan’s Endangered Species Act.

 

picDutchmansBreechesThe wetlands and woodlands present the first displays each spring – when marsh marigold, wild garlic, jackin-the-pulpit, bloodroot, trillium and Dutchman’s breeches make their showing. Blossoms can also be found throughout the summer in the dunelands, meadows, stream banks, shorelines and rocky slopes along the highways and byways.

 

To learn more about Michigan’s wildflowers, download the DNR’s Michigan Wildflower Viewing Guide.

 

Founded in 1986, the Wildflower Association of Michigan encourages the preservation and restoration of Michigan’s native plants and native plant communities.

 

“Michigan’s native plants and plant communities are part of our natural heritage and should be preserved for future generations,” the WAM reports on its website. “By one estimate, 25 percent of Michigan’s plants will be extinct by 2050, as the result of loss of habitat due to development and invasion by aggressive non-native plants—and this estimate doesn’t include the possible effects of global warming. By cultivating native plants in your yard, you can help preserve the existing diversity of native vegetation and wildlife.”

 

The association also reports that:

  • native plants are easy to grow and maintain because they, unlike plants from Europe and Asia and even from other regions of our own continent, are well adapted to our soils and climate, with its extremes of weather;
  • native plants provide food and shelter for the wildlife with which they have evolved over millennia, and recent research is showing that the support for wildlife provided by native vegetation is better than that offered by non-native plants;
  • landscaping with native plants not only lowers water use—it improves water quality;
  • landscaping with native plants helps reduce global warming as many of our native plants are able to store carbon in their deep and extensive root systems, thus permanently removing it from the air.

 

The Michigan Nature Association is a nonprofit conservation organization working to protect Michigan’s rare, threatened and endangered species by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Established in 1952, MNA’s members, donors, and volunteers have built a remarkable network of more than 170 nature sanctuaries across the state – the largest network of natural areas established and maintained by a nonprofit conservation organization in Michigan. Through the help of staff, volunteers, members and donors, MNA protects more than 10,000 acres of Michigan’s most special natural areas and stewardship of more than 170 nature sanctuaries and plant preserves in nearly 60 counties around the state.

 

The Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary is located in the heart of the Huron-Manistee National Forests in Baldwin. It is the only wildflower sanctuary in the National Forest System, a project supported both financially and botanically by the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan for over 70 years.

 

“Loda Lake is ideally suited as a wildflower sanctuary and although near one of Michigan’s busy highways, can still be a natural reservoir of wild plants,” says botanist Clayton Bazuin. “This is due to the large number of ecological associations it affords in which they may survive.”

 

picJackInAPulpitThe property includes a small spring-fed lake, a bog-like wetland area, a creek and marshy areas as well as an oak forest, pine plantations and an early successional old farm site. There are more than 200 wildflower species (and over 500 unique plant species) found at Loda Lake.

 

Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) was an American scientist, ecologist, forester, environmentalist, conservationist and author of A Sand County Almanac (which was published posthumously in 1949 and has sold more than two million copies). He was also a professor at the University of Wisconsin and was influential in the development of modern environmental ethics and in the movement for wilderness conservation.

 

Born and raised in Wisconsin, the Leopold family vacationed in the forested Les Cheneaux Islands in northern Lake Huron, near the cities of Cedarville and Hessel in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The area was a natural playground for young Aldo, who took to exploring the woods and waters—which shaped his future. Aldo’s legacy has taken root in the Les Cheneaux area, with the establishment of a nearly 1700-acre nature preserve on Marquette Island which bears his name (and is maintained by the Little Traverse Conservancy). The Aldo Leopold Festival is also planned for May 13-15, with this year’s theme: “Celebrating the North Huron Birding Trail.”

 

picTrilliumDeGraafMichigan is home to one chapter of The Nature Conservancy—a global organization that works in 69 countries worldwide and all 50 states. In Michigan, this group hosts countless events and maintains about 20 preserves throughout both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

 

Michigan is also home to several local, grass-roots organized conservancies, including:

 

Other Michigan eco-friendly organizations can be found here.

 

picLupinePatchLooking to add a natural garden to your property? The Michigan Wildflower Farm, located in Ionia County, is a working farm open for visitation by appointment only.  Open since 1988, they produce native Michigan wildflower and grass seed—most of which is collected from within a 150-mile radius of the farm. Seeds are sold through mail order, telephone, email and fax. They also specialize in installation and management of rain gardens, shoreline restorations, detention and retention basins, bio-swales, wetland mitigations, CRP and SAFE projects, meadows, prairies and gardens. They work with businesses, housing developments, libraries, municipal offices and single homes in urban and rural settings throughout Michigan.

 

As you travel around Pure Michigan in search of wildflowers, be sure to check out Michigan.org for a list of events, lodging properties, attractions, restaurants and more.

 

picMichiganWildflowersCoverSpring Wildflower Events:

 

April 2 – Spring Wildflower Walk – Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve Niles

 

April 14 – Wildflowers After Work – Kalamazoo Nature Center

 

April 16 – Small Wonders Fantastic Flowers – Kalamazoo Nature Center

 

April 16 – Maple River Ramble – Philip C. Braun Nature Preserve, Pellston

 

April 21 – Wildflowers After Work – Kalamazoo Nature Center

 

April 23 – EcoStewards Volunteer Kick Off – Little Traverse Conservancy

 

April 23 – Wildflower Folklore – DeGraaf Nature Center, Holland

 

April 30 – Wildflower Walk – Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary

 

May 1 – Spring Has Sprung at Springhill Nature Preserve – Superior Charter Twp

 

May 3 – Spring Wildflower Hike in Pete’s Woods

 

May 4 – Kent Conservation District Native Plant Workshop, Grand Rapids

 

May 7 – Wildflower Hike – Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Hastings

 

May 7 – Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk – Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids

 

May 8 – Mother’s Day Spring Wildflower Walk – Good Hart Farms Preserve, Good Hart

 

May 10 – Spring Wildflower Hike in Pete’s Woods

 

May 13-15 – Aldo Leopold Festival in Les Cheneaux

 

May 21 – Kent Conservation District Native Plant Sale, Grand Rapids

 

May 22 – Wildflower Walk – Michigan Nature Association – Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary

 

May 26 – Spring Wildflower Walk, Holland

 

Safe Travels!

 

This article was republished with permission from Dianna at Promote Michigan. We do our best to help with the promotion of the great State of Michigan!

Wyoming High School Artist Leaves Mark with Mural

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, , ,
Kibsy works on a painting during the recent Wyoming High School Festival of Arts.
Kibsaim Kibsy works on a painting during the recent Wyoming High School Festival of Arts.

by Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

When senior Kibsaim “Kibsy” Ruiz Salva paints, she relaxes. That’s an important outlet for someone who is already working toward becoming a doctor.

 

Kibsy is beginning her studies to become a neurosurgeon by attending the Kent Career Tech Center’s Health Early College Academy, but the talented student is leaving her mark at school through art.

 

Kibsy painted a mural titled “Time and History” in the school hallway — which showcases how literature can help people step back in time — by depicting a woman reading to a child on a park bench on one side and a gathering of people in dress from bygone eras on the other.

 

Kibsaim “Kibsy” Ruiz Salva’s painting won second place in the Hope Restored Empowerment Center 2016 Soul Food Eat and Greet Excellent Art Award contest.
Kibsaim “Kibsy” Ruiz Salva’s painting won second place in the Hope Restored Empowerment Center 2016 Soul Food Eat and Greet Excellent Art Award contest.

She also created a painting of a boy and his mother reading about civil rights activist, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which received second place in the Hope Restored Empowerment Center 2016 Soul Food Eat and Greet Excellent Art contest. The center is a non-profit located in Wyoming.

 

“Martin Luther King is an icon. He had a dream and he wanted to see people together,” she said of the inspiration for her piece.

 

Kibsy began studying art as a 9-year-old at a specialty school in Durango, Mexico, after her parents, Daniel Ruiz and Juanita Salva, realized she had the ability to draw what she saw. She said her artistic ability is a gift from God that gives her peace.

 

“My inspirations come from my past and family, as they define my culture, my daily life, and my passion for art,” she said.

 

After immigrating to the United States at age 11, Kibsy continued her art, impressing those like Wyoming High School art teacher Robyn Gransow Higley.

 

“Kibsy’s artwork is powerful, from inception to product,” Higley said. “Full of emotion, her artwork invites viewers to engage and reflect upon meaningful figures, eras and experiences. Kibsy’s passion for learning is inspirational and exciting.”

 

Kibsy had to choose between art and attending the Tech Center this year, but Higley encouraged her to continue art outside of class to continue creating.

 

While painting is a stress reliever and outlet, Kibsy finds it an important means of expression too.

 

“I want to influence people and make an impact in their lives,” she said. “Art is the most convenient form of message. In an image, people can think of many things.”

 

Kibsy plans attend Grand Rapids Community College and then a four-year university to major in biomedical engineering before attending medical school.

 

Top-5 Stories from the month of March

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Local Faces, Our Cities, , , , , , , , , , ,

Mike DeWitt

Mike.dewitt@wktv.org

 

March brought some record numbers to WKTV News because of stories about people who make Wyoming and Kentwood a great community to live in.

 

If you happened to miss some of March’s top stories, make sure to check them out below!

 

Thom Vander Klay - Wyoming BasketballAfter 31 years, Thom Vander Klay and the Wyoming Wolves are still making history

 

Coach Vander Klay has coached basketball in Wyoming for over three decades. The 2016 season marked a new experience with Wyoming’s first four-year class of Wolves.

 

Sami Ahmad18-year-old pianist wows crowd performing Rachmaninoff at Grand Rapids Youth Symphony concert

 

At only 18 years old, Sami Ahmad mastered Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. His mastery of the piece earned him the honor of being the featured soloist at the March concert.

 

Maria ErazoNot just another pretty face

 

First generation immigrant Maria Erazo is a woman of many talents: Entrepreneur, business woman, author, motivational specialist…and the new Face of Siegel Jewelers.

 

The TwitsWyoming Theater Company presents the original ‘despicable me’ Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits’

 

Wyoming High School students worked hard to put on a wonderful performance of Roald Dahl’s “The Twits.”

 

quilter - OnPointOnPoint Tutorials, Tips & Tours – the show about all things creative

 

OnPoint Tutorials, Tips & Tours airs on WKTV and focuses on providing viewers with step-by-step tutorials on particular techniques each week. The show airs Monday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

The joke is on us: Jim Carrey moving to Grand Rapids – highly unlikely

3-bottom, Entertainment, , ,
Actor Jim Carrey
Actor Jim Carrey

There it was, streaming across my Facebook news feed “Jim Carrey Moves to Grand Rapids, Michigan.”

 

What? Really? Click on the link and according to “KNP 7 News, Your Local News Source,” Carrey is moving because he is “… just tired of the L.A. lifestyle and the fake people, honestly, and I feel like, at this point in my life, I’d rather just live in a place full of real, genuine people. I’ve been to Grand Rapids a few times over the years and the people there are real…”

 

OK. But my question is whom is KNP 7 a local news source to? The only news outlet I know in the Grand Rapids area with a seven in its name is Fox 17. Checking the “about” section of the KNP 7 site and it states: “KNP 7 News is a fantasy news site.  All news articles on knp7.com are satire or pure fantasy.” Hmm. Which coincidentally, Fox 17 News was quick to debunk the rumor.

 

Still, those West Michiganders who left welcoming messages – or shared the announcement on Facebook – shouldn’t feel too deflated. While Carrey might not be moving here, West Michigan has been home to a number of big name stars. For starters, Good Morning America weather anchor Ginger Zee, who hails from Rockford, for starters. Zee is currently on Dancing With the Stars.

 

And there must be something about Rockford as Dick York, from the 1960s television show Bewitched, lived there as well.

 

Other famous faces are Gillian Anderson, of The X Factor fame; Taylor Lautner, of Twlight fame; Conan O’Brien’s sidekick Andy Richter; and Tony Award-winning actress Elizabeth Wilson, just to name a few of the many who entered the entertainment field.

 

Musically we have Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kevin Max of dc Talk, Brian VanderArk from The Verve Pipe, Dennis “Fergie” Frederiksen from Toto and Al Green.

 

The list of sports names is long but boxers Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Jr. top it along with olympic medalist Brian Diemer who still hosts the Brian Diemer 5K every June. This year is June 11 in Cutlerville.

 

And while Carrey may have portrayed many different types of characters, he has never had the role of being president, something that Grand Rapids favorite son, Gerald R. Ford, certainly achieved.

 

Bottomline is, if Carrey was to move West Michigan, he would be among some great famous company, but if he doesn’t we won’t be a “grinch” about it.

On the shelf: Book review of “Empty Mansions”

3-bottom, Entertainment, Reviews, , , ,

05BOOK-blog427Empty Mansions:

The Mysterious Life of Hugette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune

by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr.

 

Review by Mary Knudstrup

Grand Rapids Main Library

 

The rich really are different and nothing proves it as much as Empty Mansions, the story of Huguette Clark, heir to the riches of her millionaire father, W.A. Clark , a savvy and ambitious businessman and politician, who made his money in copper mines and founded a town that later became Las Vegas.

 

Authored by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell Jr., a cousin to Huguette, Empty Mansions tells the story of a woman so wealthy she owned paintings by Renoir and Degas, Stradivarius violins, and several remarkable homes, including an estate in Santa Barbara, California, and three apartments totaling more than 40 rooms at a posh Fifth Avenue address.

 

Despite her vast wealth, however, she chose to spend a large part of her life as a recluse, collecting dolls and abandoning her many opulent homes to live in a small and rather spartan hospital room even though she was not ill.  A complex and mysterious individual, she was extraordinarily generous to people she hardly knew but avoided most of her family.

 

Upon her death her secluded life was thrust into the public venue as a legal battle over her $300 million dollar ensued.  Meticulously researched and filled with illustrations of her homes and possessions, Empty Mansions is an intimate look at an eccentric life.