Growing up on a farm helps one have an appreciation of nature. We never had a lot but we had an abundance of healthy, home grown vegetables, butchered our meat, and raised our own eggs and poultry, cut our own firewood to heat our home. Mom canned and later froze our produce. We had a fruit cellar for the potatoes. Carrots we dug out of the snow covered ground. We would purchase apples by the bushel and make jars and jars of apple sauce. We did not know much about environmental issues and never heard about climate change.
We were ignorant. The icicles hanging from our kitchen roof I thought were beautiful and never considered adding to the four inches of insulation in the attic. We hauled our few throw-away aluminum cans to a dry creek bed in the back forty. Our drain field, it turned out to my surprise, was the country drainage ditch from which our cows drank. We swam in the larger creek a half mile from our home. We were poor and had no money for herbicides. What pollution we caused was easily covered by the hospitality of nature.
College came and went. I became aware of the word ecology. After living in Africa for 16 years we returned to Michigan where I had found a job selling and later installing Blackberry Solar Systems for heat. It made economic sense…barely…because of the Michigan solar tax credit in the early 1980s. Gas became expensive.
Living in Africa and working in agriculture community development I had learned what it means to live simply, living in balance with nature, and being abundantly careful with the limited resources poor people have. It became a motivating factor of my life.
I purchased a large solar water heating system for a multiple rental unit we owned. Every home we lived in I established a flourishing garden. We recycled everything. We sought ways to be energy efficient. In 2013 Jan and I visited an organization called New Vision Renewable Energy in West Virginia. I saw how one could build a hydroponic garden raising vegetables where recycled water from a small fish pond became the nutrient basis for the vegetables. It was powered by solar. We sell hundreds of small solar telephone chargers and light all over the world through our small international business (www.businessconnectworld.com).
I had to take the next step, a big one, and expensive. I calculated what it would cost to provide 100% of our power off solar. The system would cost me over $40,000.00.
Learn what steps Lou took when he learned what installing a solar system would cost him – and whether this challenge altered his commitment to Creation Care. Watch for part two of the story Friday and accompanying video.
Yolanda Guzman laughs with Godfrey Lee Early Childhood Center staff member.
When Yolanda Guzman’s son Edgar was in kindergarten, his teacher taught the Spanish-speaking mother how to count to 100 in English. That was the beginning of a very special bond between Guzman and the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center.
“Then I could teach the children to count to 100,” Guzman said through a translator.
Since then, Guzman has spent nearly the entire school day, every day, for the past four years helping students and teachers at the ECC, which includes preschool through second grade. From the moment she wakes at 5 a.m. to cook speciality dishes like cactus gorditas, and homemade tortillas stuffed with meat, cilantro, onions and cheese for teachers, she’s focused on helping out at her son’s school.
“I like everything here because I like being with the children and seeing what I can help them with,” she said, on a typical day spent cleaning up in the lunchroom and helping kindergartners with math.
Guzman’s dedication led to her to being hired to a paid position for three hours a day, but she puts in far more time that that.
“She does really anything that is needed,” said Principal Peter Geerling. “She’s kind of instilling in her kids to get involved and stay involved in school.”
Committed to Helping
Guzman walks the three blocks from home to school, arriving at 7:30 a.m. She helps get the students settled after they arrive and then works in the kindergarten classrooms.
“Rain, snow, shine, I’m here,” she joked. “Like the post office,” quipped Geerling.
Guzman immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico, eight years ago, with her husband, Jose Guzman. Their children include Edgar, now a second-grader, and Juan Daniel, a Lee High School sophomore.
She’s setting an example that’s having a ripple effect in the community, Geerling said. The district’s racial demographic is 75 percent Hispanic. Guzman has played a key role in informing other Hispanic parents, like her friend Jeidi Guzman-Celaya, of opportunities to get involved.
“I didn’t even know I could help at school before Yolanda recruited me,” said Guzman-Celaya, in translation. “People from Mexico are accustomed to having the teachers do everything without having to help out.”
“In Mexico, you take your child to school and pick them up and that’s it,” Yolanda Guzman explained. So she often tells Hispanic parents, “It’s not like that here.”
Serving Teachers with her Talents
Yolanda Guzman and her friend Jeidi Guzman-Celaya work in the cafeteria.
Before lunch, Guzman, a skilled cook, heads home to pack the meals she cooked that morning, and returns to pass them out to the teachers. “I make tortillas every day, different foods, but always homemade tortillas,” she said. “I want the teachers to get to know my food and for them to enjoy it.”
After lunch, Guzman helps in the school’s library, working with students or completing tasks for teachers. She then passes out sack lunches provided by Kids’ Food Basket, a Grand Rapids nonprofit that provides meals for students in need. To end the school day, she helps with dismissal.
Guzman said being involved has given her skills to help her children at home with schoolwork.
“That way, I know everything the teachers teach, and at home I can go more into depth,” she said. “What I tell moms is, ‘Get involved with your children because the children here need a lot of love from their moms.’
“The kids here, they like it that their moms come to see them do their school work. It makes them very happy to see their moms involved in the class.”
Yolanda Guzman
Geerling said Guzman connects with the Godfrey-Lee community in a much-needed way.
“She really has good contact with lots of parents in the community and is very passionate about how necessary it is to be involved,” Geerling said. “It’s one thing having the schools say we need involvement, but it’s a lot more powerful to have a parent doing it. She sees the need and the benefit and wants others to be involved.”
Many parents call the school and ask to talk to Guzman, or stop her in the hallway to ask about field trips and activities.
English-language learner teacher Amy Gregory said Guzman always takes the extra step. She contacts parents she knows have the best cheesecake or pastry recipes to ask them to pitch in for class parties. She listens to recordings of English words so she can help Edgar study for spelling tests.
“She constantly advocates for her kiddos,” Gregory said.
Guzman said her husband works long hours packing eggs at a farm, and she wants her children to do well in school so they can pursue the jobs that they want.
“I want them to have a career,” she said, “even if it’s a small career.”
Local Kentwood restaurants plan to wow your tastebuds at the upcoming annual Taste of Kentwood & Silent Auction slated for Thursday, March 5 at the Kentwood Activities Center on 355 48th Street SE. Sponsored by the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, the event highlights some of Kentwood’s fun and finest eateries. At the same time, the Silent Auction features great items for bid. Want a discount ticket?
The cost is $7 per person at the door and kids 5 and under get in free. For an early discount rate of $5 per person, pre-register by calling 616-656-5270, or go to the website www.yourkprd.org (use code #116430D). You can also pre-register in person at the Kentwood Activities Center.
Choose from two different sessons:
Session I from 4:30pm – 6pm
Session II from 6:30 – 8pm
Or get in free by volunteering to assist at one of the sessions. You’ll receive a free ticket to attend the opposite session. Call Jen Keith at 616-656-5272 to volunteer.
If you’re a beer lover looking to beat the winter blues, your opportunity starts today with the Cool Brews. Hot Eats. event running through Saturday, February 28th. Beer City Grand Rapids and over 50 of its restaurants celebrate the perfect pairing of food and beer as local chefs and brew masters offer beer-infused dishes and meals with complementary beer pairing.
“Back for the third year, Cool Brews. Hot Eats. has grown into an event that is not only a benefit for beer lovers, but also the local economy,” says Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene continues to be recognized on a national level, most recently as ‘Best Beer Town’ from the readers of USA Today. Paired with our ever-popular dining scene drawing in food enthusiasts from throughout the region, these two cultures collide to give beer and culinary fans a unique and wonderful experience.”
It’s no coincidence then that Cool Brews. Hot Eats. falls in the same timeline as other popular beer-related events in the area like Beer Week and the 10th Annual Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark. Thanks to 90 Michigan breweries and the offering of more than 800 craft beers, the festival has been extended this year to Thursday, February 26th and Friday, February 27th. Last year the event sold out in less than 30 minutes.
To experience why Grand Rapids was named one of the Top 10 Best Vacation Cities for Beer Lovers, visitors can plan a self-guided craft beer tour on the Experience GR website’s “Beer Page”.
I had just finished cleaning at my Lafayette apartment and answered a phone invite to Paulo’s for live rock and 10 cent beer and wine. I told her yes…but that I’d come just as I was — wearing old holey jeans, my well-worn CMU sweatshirt and Docksider shoes…popular in the late 80’s. The girlfriend did plead a good case of why I should join her, so I did. No extra shower. No extra make up and certainly, not one bit ready to meet “him.”
The club was busy, there was a long line out the side door to get in. The band really jamming with couples crowded on the dance floor and I had a pocketful of dimes. My pretty friend sat at the end of a long table with co-workers. She looked fabulous! Her long brown curls coifed just so. Dramatic eye makeup and shiny lips, she was a knock out! Her Calvin Klein jeans had perfectly pressed creases down the front by the drycleaner.
And me, I looked down at the end of the string in my hoodie which had disappeared into the neck seam, oh well! I took a seat at the other end of the table, stacked my dimes and put my sockless leather shoes up on a nearby chair.
There he was. “Him.” He said hello to all his buddies who flanked my girlfriend, she smiled and appeared to know this man who made his way directly to me and said, “looks like I belong here.” I’ll tell you now…he did. No socks, old tennis shoes, a hole in the material of his pants and a t-shirt. For the sake of time I’ll flash the story forward a bit, we danced a lot – my dimes disappeared and “he was hanging invisible mistletoe over my head by midnight”. It worked!
The next morning he remembered where I worked and called to ask me to lunch. There was a problem though, when his call was connected to a woman who had my same name! She declined his invitation to lunch telling him she was a married woman. His reply was, “you weren’t married when we were dancing last night!” She transferred the call downstairs to me, thank God! All the married women upstairs swarmed to ask what he looked like, where he worked and – and – and! I just knew his name, and that he was really fun and made me smile!
The women peeked through the blinds when he drove in the parking lot; now that I’m older I see how exciting that must have been for all of them. For the record, he drove a blue metallic convertible sports car and you should have seen the office ladies faces when they saw his smile, dark curls and sunglasses. “Bye girls!”
At lunch we discovered we both were left handed. That’s a great coincidence! We talked about our birthdays, I had just turned 21…we found we had the same birthday! After more talk we also discovered our favorite piece of chicken was the wing, which “back in the day” restaurants didn’t have on the menu. When he dropped me back off to work, I was in a wonderful daze the rest of the afternoon and not much was accomplished.
That night “he” asked me to go dancing…what a thrill! When he would arrive at my apartment he would have a clean shirt in his hand and ask to use my iron. My iron! I thought to myself? “Sure! Come on in” I couldn’t believe he would show up to the door and want to use my iron?
We’d go out, dance, laugh and get to know each other a little more each evening and when he would bring me home and walk me to the door he’d ask, “May I sleep on your chair?” “No!” I replied to him laughing a little as he walked away. Sheesh, I thought to myself, he wants to sleep on my couch…yea right!
Each night of the week patterned the same, shirt in hand to iron, great date with lots of fun and at the end of our time together he would ask to sleep on the couch, then the chair and everywhere but the bedroom! Each night when I refused, he happily kissed me good night and walked to his car. I had several conversations with my roommate about the oddity of the iron and how forward he was asking to sleep in our apartment the first week we met! And then, it was Friday.
Friday was very much like each night we went out. He asked for the iron at the beginning of the evening and pressed his dress shirt to take me out. We now had danced for five evenings straight and were up for even more. But this evening when he dropped me off he did not ask the “sleep over” question, but told me that he would be going to Cleveland and would call me when he returned.
This was great news to my tired dancing feet as Cleveland was 4 ½ hours from Grand Rapids! I slept for most of the day and accomplished some chores around the apartment. I was dumping trash in the parking lot when his metallic blue convertible zipped into the parking lot! It was “him!” Had he had driven to Cleveland and back so fast? There he was sitting in the driveway at 5:30pm with a TV bungee strapped to the back of the car! What was this all about?
I was twenty-one then, and didn’t really understand everything that was taking place through this initial week. I only found out later that the evening I met my husband to be, he was at Paulo’s to say good-bye to all his friends. Rich had quit his job of 10 years to take a new one in Cleveland and be closer to his girlfriend, anxious to have him move closer. He had sold his house and had one rented in Cleveland. He had moved his TV and furniture there. All those evenings that began with him at my door, wrinkled shirt in hand, and ended with him requesting to sleep over at the end of the date…he was living in that blue metallic convertible sports car – right there in my parking lot!
We married two years from that first date. It was “him and still is.” All along this was the man of my dreams and will celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary in August. This is our true-life love story!
Rich and Sue Lamos 30 years later, still a perfect Valentine story!
While something like cigarette smoking is easy to detect as a cancer causing agent in your home, something less obvious is radon gas. It’s a radioactive gas that comes from the soil and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
“[Radon] makes its way into your home through the foundation,” owner of Radon Control Services Patrick Bird says.
Spectrum Health Plumonary Critical Care Physician Glenn Van Otteran says 10% of the lung cancer causes they see at the Spectrum Health clinic are radon related. “We can only make estimates, but I would say about 30-40 [cases] a year are related to radon exposure.”
The Environmental Protection Agency’s website identifies areas with the highest risk as located in southern Michigan; Kent County and other inland counties have a mild risk; and the lake shore areas face even less likely risk. However, owner of Buyer’s Home Inspection Branden Vanderhoof says that doesn’t mean the radon problem isn’t prevalent in West Michigan.
“ [Radon exposure] can change over time, so it’s suggested that you test every couple of years,” Vanderhoof said. “Some parts around the Grand Rapids area there is a lot more than other parts.”
Vanderhoof explains that about one of every three homes in the Grandville and Jenison areas may detect radon in their homes, whereas only 1 out of every 20 homes are threatened in other areas of the state.
Vanderhoof says that avoiding radon in your home is almost impossible, but there are several ways you can protect yourself from the deadly gas. The first step is to get your home tested, which you can do yourself. Pick up your own testing kit at your local health department for a minimal fee.
If you’re selling your home and looking for quick, credible results, Vanderhoof says hire a pro, called a “mitigator.” Owner of Radon Control Services Patrick Bird says “Unfortunately there are some who don’t take any steps forward and of course that’s where your elevated health risks come into effect.”
Because radon can cause lung cancer, people who find high rates of radon in their homes may want to check on their health as well.
Dr. VanOtteran says there are no specific tests to indicate whether someone has gotten lung cancer from radon exposure-but different types of cancerous cells provide clues. Rates of exposure can also play into increased risk.
“Studies indicate that your risk of getting cancer related to radon exposure is related to not only to the dose of radon exposure, but the duration,” Dr. VanOtteran said. “Typically, that’s over many years.”
Vanderhoof says the number one way to avoid any health risks is to have your home tested and significant rates of radon gas mitigated with a system that’s typically installed in your basement.
Originated in Poland, women would make these to use up the sweet ingredients before Lent.
Next Tuesday is FAT Tuesday or Paczki Day (pronounced Pawnch-kee) named so because it’s the last day to indulge in sweets before the season of Lent. These traditional Polish doughnuts (which date back to the Middle Ages!) have their own special dough recipe to be deep fried, injected with sweet fillings and then rolled in powdered sugar or basted with a glaze. It seems appropriate then for Marge’s Donut Den to take these seductive calorie bombs seriously and offer them to the public freshly made around-the-clock starting in the wee hours of the 17th, exactly at 12:01 a.m.
Paczkis are loaded with yummy goodness weighing in between 350 and 700 calories each.
“And the first customer that comes in gets a very special prize,” promises Marge Wilson, owner of Marge’s Donut Den on 28th Street in Wyoming.
“We’re not selling any Paczkis in advance,” she warns. “Only on the 17th at 12:01 a.m.”
She is quick to add though that they’ll be taking orders ahead of time by phone.
“We’ll have a special line for order pick ups so that you don’t have to wait,” she says.
But if you do have to wait, you’re likely to be entertained. Marge has a 24-hour Paczki party planned that starts and ends with live family entertainment. Starting at midnight, Tom Briggs, a favorite Donut Den DJ, will play music and take requests until 7 a.m. Then the duet Irv and Carol take over with signing, accordion and piano music. The Hark Up Band steps in at 7 p.m. for music and dancing until 10 p.m.
“We want families to come in the evening wearing their pajamas – with underwear please – to dance, party and eat Paczkis. It’s going to be a lot of fun for everyone!”
Marge’s Donut Den offers 12 varieties of Paczkis with powdered or glazed topping.
This is the first time Marge has been open 24-hours for Paczki Day. At 75, she admits she has the reinforcements of her three adult children and their families to help tip the scales on Fat Tuesday.
“I’m here for twenty hours anyway. I figured another four hours wouldn’t hurt.
“Besides, my daughter is coming in from Arizona for this and my other kids are taking a day off work to be here so what better way to catch up on visiting than here at work having fun?”
Fun for this family means making 12 varieties of fresh Paczkis for customers. Order by phone now or the day of Fat Tuesday and choose from fillings of: apple, apricot, peach, lemon, blueberry, cherry, chocolate, custard, raspberry, strawberry, white creme or prune jam – the traditional choice.
So if you want to indulge one last time before Lent, stop by Marge’s Donut Den and treat yourself to a few fresh Paczkis and a cup of coffee. Then if you feel guilty, stay and dance it off! Remember – pajamas (with underwear) are optional.
Dreaming of a green paradise where you can shed your coat, toss off your hat and feast your eyes on exotic wildlife? Now add hundreds of colorful butterflies flitting so close some even land on your hand, your hair, your kids!
From March 1 through April 30 the dream comes true at Meijer Gardens Butterfly Exhibit.
For the past 20 years, Meijer Gardens has brought more than 7,000 tropical butterflies to West Michigan from Africa, Asia, South and Central America. It’s the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation.
Approximately 50 colorful species will fly freely in the five-story Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. At 85 degrees and 70 percent humidity, this balmy environment mimics tropical regions where the butterflies thrive.
Visitors can learn about the life cycle of the butterflies in the Butterfly Bungalow, where adult butterflies emerge from cocoons and spread their wings for the first time.
Included in the species arriving from this area are the Columbian and Common Morpho, two visitor favorites whose blue iridescent color seems to change in flight, in addition to many others.
The butterfly exhibit attracts more than 170,000 visitors from all over the nation each year. For more information contact awolschleger@meijergardens.org or call 616-975-3155.
MLive reports that Trader Joe’s will open in Kentwood across from Centerpointe Mall on 28th Street. Quoting information released by Trader Joe’s, the news source said that “according to Kent County records” the Kentwood store will open in the space formerly occupied by Ruby Tuesday on 28th Street. The high-end grocery is said to be scheduled to open late this year or in early 2016.
by Kent County Emergency Management & Health Department
Arctic air is expected to blast into Kent County in the coming days, with the potential to bring record low temperatures and wind chills could reach -35 in the coming days. The Kent County Health Department and Kent County Emergency Management urge residents take every precaution possible with these extreme cold days and nights.
“Be aware of the conditions outdoors, even if you only plan on going outside for a few minutes,” said Jack Stewart, Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator. “Check on your family members, your friends, and your neighbors, especially those who are elderly. The cold can be especially harsh on young children, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and seniors.” Respiratory issues can occur from breathing in cold air, such as asthma attacks. Be sure children with asthma are wearing a scarf when outdoors, and if they appear to have trouble breathing, get them to a warm, sheltered area immediately.
“Frostbite sets in quick, especially in small pets and young children, when we see negative wind chills,” says Adam London, Administrative Health Officer of the Kent County Health Department. “If you are going outdoors, wear layers of light, warm clothing, mittens or gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots. And keep a close eye on children.”
Symptoms of frostbite include redness, numbness or pain, white or grayish-yellow skin, or skin that feels unusually firm or waxy. Frostbite most often affects the extremities: nose, ears, cheeks, fingers, or toes. If the person appears to be very tired or lethargic, is having trouble breathing or talking, shivers or fumbles his or her hands, or seems confused, call 911 immediately. Try to keep the person warm until help arrives.
If driving in these conditions, make sure your car has more than enough gas to reach your destination. Keep a cell phone and phone charger in the car, and keep an emergency kit and blanket within your reach.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make sure they are on a leash or in a fenced in area when they need to relieve themselves. The smaller the pet, the quicker the cold impacts them. Puppies and kittens are especially sensitive to the cold, as are older pets. Watch out for community cats that might crawl under the hood of your car to keep warm. Bang loudly on the hood before starting the car, and never leave pets in a car during the winter. Temperatures can be just as cold inside the car as they are outdoors.
WKTV is publishing love stories from our readers leading up to Valentine’s Day. 4 winners will receive a $25 gift card from Eastern Floral. If you would like to enter your love story, email mike.dewitt@wktv.org.
By: Dorothy Tibbe
Jim, A 66 year old widower, and Dorothy, a 58 year old widow, saw each other for the first time at a 1990 Valentine party for a newly formatted “Widows and Widowers” church. Dorothy was in charge of the activities and had planned the event. She was very busy keeping all 37 women and 2 men occupied with various games to get aquatinted with each other.
I am Dorothy, now 83 and a resident of Vista Spring Assisted Living. This is my love story.
I was alone 3 years; widowed after 37 years of a loving marriage. My life was very busy with family and many volunteer activities. I had a few blind dates, but no sparks flamed for any of them.
This church activity was one of my volunteer jobs. I had mailed about 150 invitations to form this new group. Two men were out-numbered by thirty seven women, but we had a fun evening of games, good food, laughter and drinks.
My phone number was on the invitation letter. Jim called to find out more about the party, and seemed very lonesome. He talked about a lady he was dating, about his dog, and many other interesting subjects.
I did not talk to any individual person at the Valentine’s party, so I really did not meet him personally. I just led the group in games and fun.
My Dad fell the following day and I went up north to help my Mom care for him. I told my Dad about the two men and thirty seven women, and Dad said, “You can handle those odds, Dorothy!”
Dad died at the end of March. Jim sent me a sympathy card at Dad’s passing and phoned frequently.
We both enjoyed our phone talks but really had not “met” yet. Jim was hospitalized with a blood clot in his leg, so I sent him a Get Well card and offered to get groceries for him if he needed help, but did not go to visit him.
I spent a lot of time up north with my Mom, but Jim would phone me whenever I returned home.
On June 21st, I had just returned home when the phone rang. Jim said he called me because he enjoyed talking to me and missed me when I wasn’t available by phone.
I replied, “How can you miss me? You do not even know me.” To which Jim responded, “I really like to talk to you and I miss you when I cannot reach you by phone.
I blurted out, “If you miss me so much we should go out and have coffer to get better aquatinted!” He kept on talking, when I stated, “Jim, I just asked you out on a date!”
He was very shocked and hesitated for a few moments, then asked, “You did?” I was laughing at his surprised voice and he said he would be over at 5:30 that evening to take me out to dinner.
Wow! Butterflies were in my tummy because I was so excited, but I really had no time to worry about it.
This was the first day of summer in 1990. Jim had his suburban freshly washed and came to the door with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He was such a gentleman, opening doors and assisting me!
We went to Grand Haven for a nice dinner, then walked the boardwalk until time for the Musical Fountain on the waterfront. We enjoyed talking with each other in person even more than by phone and Jim tole me his wedding anniversary would be June 27th, a very sad day for him as his wife had only passed away a year and a half ago.
I told him it was also a very sad day for me as my husband had died 3 years ago on June 27.
We agreed to take the sad day and change it to a happy day by spending it together! We held hands after dark at the water and light show, but there were no hugs or a goodnight kiss.
The 27th of June was the turning point in our lives as we both had so much fun spending the entire day together. We went on a boat ride, a dune buggy ride, visited a museum, and spent time just walking around and talking. We ate ice cream cones, laughed and joked. We cried as memories of our sad times came to mind.
As we walked hand in hand, some kids yelled, “Go for it Grandpa and Grandma!” It was fun!
I invited Jim to go to a wedding with me the following Saturday night, but he said he couldn’t because he had a date. I thought I might not see him again.
That Sunday he came over to tell me he had told his “girlfriend” he would not be seeing her anymore because he found the woman he wanted to marry. Then Jim took my hand and said he wanted to show me a picture of his next wife. As he led me to the mirror he said, “What do you think of her?” We both shed tears and hugged and kissed with happiness!
On August 15th, Jim asked me to sit on the couch. He knelt down and gave me a little white box which contained a beautiful ring! “Will you be my beautiful wife?” asked Jim. Salty tears once again! What a kind a gentle man.
My Dad had gone to heaven and asked the Lord to send me a husband to care for me, and the Lord chose a man so much like my Dad’s loving personality.
We were married September 29, 1990, just three months after our first date. Jim married into a ready-made family and we all love him!
If you’re worried about the future health of our planet, you’re not alone. But worry is not a strategy for progress and neither is waiting for answers or action from Washington. A group of west Michigan residents grabbed the reins of change long ago. They regularly share their healthy planet insights with each other and the public based on back-yard experience. The group gathers from 11:15am until noon every Sunday from Feb 8 through May 3 (except Easter) at Hope Reformed Church at Burton St. and 2210 Kalamazoo Ave in Grand Rapids.
Inspired by Vern Hoffman, one of the founders of The Micah Center (www.TheMicahCenter.org), which is dedicated to furthering social justice, hosts the series. He attributes the idea to a book he urges everyone to read, “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate,” by Naomi Kline.
L to R: Frank Lynn, Jim Muller, Vern Hoffman, Lou Haveman, Martie Jager
Hoffman, former pastor of the Hope Church, is a sprightly 80 year old known for his passion and tireless work on behalf of sustainable and just social initiatives. He titled the Sunday series Our Changing Climate and Positive Earthkeeping Response and gathered a number of friends, colleagues, and experts from the region to present simple 7 minute long “show and tells” on topics close to their hearts: Lou Haveman on going solar, Martie Jager doing her best to divest from companies indifferent to climate change, Frank Lynn sharing the benefits of a home garden, and Jim Muller on cleaning up Plaster Creek, one of the most polluted in Michigan, and creating your own personal watershed.
The series reflects the intersection of spiritual stewardship and climate change initiatives that some refer to as “Creation Care.” Vern says he wanted the series to start with a focus on individual efforts before broadening to a regional and then global view. Topics for the rest of the series include:
Part I: Living Green
Sunday, February 15 Home Insulation – Phil Boogaart & John Kuiper
Sunday, February 22 (Living Your) Concern for the Environment – various presenters
Part II: The Church
Sunday, March 1 The Greening of American Congregations – Cybelle Shattack
Sunday, March 8 Caretakers of the Earth – Steve Bouma-Prediger
Sunday, March 15 What’s Happened at Hope Church, Holland? Peter Boogaart
Part III: Local/Regional Issues & Efforts
Sunday, March 22 Grand Rapids and its Environment – GR Mayor George Heartwell
Sunday, March 29 The Restoration of Plaster Creek – David Warners
Sunday, April 5 Easter Sunday – No Presentation
Sunday, April 12 Urban Transportation – Dave Bulkowski & Andy DeBraber
Part IV: Global Concerns
Sunday, April 19 The Groaning Creation – Steve Bouma-Prediger
Sunday, April 26 Environmental Stewardship in the Third World – Kyle Schaap
Sunday, May 3 Employment Opportunities in Green Technology – Lou Haveman
WKTV is publishing love stories from our readers leading up to Valentine’s Day. 4 winners will receive a $25 gift card from Eastern Floral. If you would like to enter your love story, email mike.dewitt@wktv.org.
By: Anja Smith
Our love story began much earlier for one of us than for the other. I grew up in a small old town in Germany and after graduating high school I started my nursing training. I went to live in a bigger city not too far away from my home town. I had my own apartment and made friends quickly.
On one of those weekends I went out with my then boyfriend to a club where there were pool tables, young people and music we liked. Undetected by me, there was also a young American service man who took notice of me. He did not approach me and we didn’t speak a word. He was processing out of Germany and was set to go back to the US within the following 2 months.
The following day, he approached his superior with the request to extend his time in Germany for 1 year. His request was granted and he started looking for me. He did not have a name to look for, no phone number, nothing. He just knew he had to find me.
Eight months later I was without a boyfriend and had time to spare. A friend of mine gave me a call and asked if I wanted to go out with her and her husband on a Saturday night. They wanted to play some pool at a local club. Since I had no plans, and I like playing pool, I agreed and they picked me up that evening.
As we approached the club, my friend asked me to go ahead and go inside, as they wanted to grab something to eat first. They asked me to tell a friend of theirs that they would be a little late, but they surly would come in just a few minutes. I agreed after they gave me the friends name and I made my way into the club.
This was a very small club, with only 2 pool tables, and I was standing in the doorway, between the music changing to a new song, I just shouted if there was a Richard Smith somewhere. One young man shouted, “Yes!!!” He turned around, staring at me. I let him know what my friends had told me, that they would be there shortly. As I turned around to sit down on a chair Richard asked me if I wanted to play pool. We did and we had a great night.
This young man was the same from 8 months earlier, extending his time in a foreign country in order to find the girl of his dreams! We didn’t know we had mutual friends, and he was in shock when this girl appeared in the club asking for him by his name!
We started dating a few days later and he asked me to marry him after 2 weeks knowing each other.
We married one year later in Denmark, had 2 children in Germany and 2 more after we moved to the USA. Last year we celebrated our 25th Anniversary and are looking towards the next 25!
WKTV is publishing love stories from our readers leading up to Valentine’s Day. 4 winners will receive a $25 gift card from Eastern Floral. If you would like to enter your love story, email mike.dewitt@wktv.org.
By: Tricia Dooley
We only starting dating in September 2014, but I have known Dave for almost 2 years. He has also been a friend of my brother for 20 years. I knew almost instantly that I liked Dave, but the timing was just not right.
He didn’t know it, but thought about him and talked to my friends about him, but that is as far as it went.
On a Saturday in August, while both of us were working at a U of M football game, I went over to talk to him and it put the biggest smile on his face. The feelings that overcame me during that embrace were feelings I knew I wanted to feel everyday. I used my brother to secretly get his phone number so I could wish him a good time on his weekend up north. Dave’s response was, “Good, now I have your number.”
Our relationship started out very slow at first but I quickly knew Dave was the kind of man I had been looking for. He is so kind, gentle, and loving. I could go on but the list is so long. After less than a month, our relationship escalated and by November we were talking marriage! Then, on January 20, 2015, he proposed. We will be married on July 10th, 2015 in Traverse City on the beach!
I have meet the true love of my life. It has been a long time for me, but it was worth the wait.
WKTV is publishing love stories from our readers leading up to Valentine’s Day. 4 winners will receive a $25 gift card from Eastern Floral. If you would like to enter your love story, email mike.dewitt@wktv.org.
By: John S. Gore
I spent what I thought was a lot of money on a dating service for a prescribed number of dates with women, hoping to connect with someone my age and start a fresh chapter in my life.
The “matching” process started with agreeing to a mutual phone call before setting up an actual date. I spoke with four or five women on the phone; two of whom I actually met on dates. The first lady I took to dinner was a mistake. The second one was nice but considerably older and not interested in dating as much as having a dinner companion – not what I signed up for at all.
Then one evening the dating service called me to ask if I would be interested in talking to a widowed woman my age. Apparently, other men they approached were not comfortable dating a widow. It didn’t bother me. After all, widowhood can happen at any age. The dating service also admitted that although they thought she was not compatible enough with me to be on “my list of potential dates,” there were a few things we had in common that were worth giving it a go. I thought, sure, why not? I needed a positive experience and apparently she did too.
Following several lengthy phone conversations which I enjoyed very much, we agreed to meet for a late lunch in South Haven one hot Sunday afternoon. I still had on the shirt and slacks I had worn that Sunday morning to church when I arrived to meet her outside at Captain Lou’s near the drawbridge. It was a sweltering afternoon to be waiting for a blind date.
Shortly after I arrived, she called me to say she’d been delayed a half hour because of a visit with her grandchildren in Holland. Not a great start to our date, but okay.
She finally arrived, and was beautiful in her sun dress. Anticipating the usual difficulty in meeting and talking to someone new, I was surprised how easy it was to talk with her. We ended up spending over five hours talking and walking around South Haven that first date.
As I reflected on our time together, I realized this was what…or who…I had been looking for: Someone who puts me at ease and enjoys me for who I am. A second date to St. Joseph sealed the deal for me. Ironically, though it was only the second time we’d been together, a waitress commented to us about how well we got along, like a couple who’d been together for many happy years. We laughed and told her it was only our second date! She couldn’t believe it.
That was 18 months ago. After a year of commuting to Holland as often as I could from the Southwest corner of the state, I moved to Holland last fall. Best move I ever made, for the finest lady I’ve ever met – Janice Baron Limbaugh.
So it’s fitting that the Kelloggsville High School senior is one of 100 high-school students selected nationwide to attend the 2015 Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort March 5-8.
Hasani will join other aspiring students at the conference, offered in partnership with comic Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine. The weekend includes educational sessions, guest speakers, and hands-on learning opportunities, with the focus on teaching high school students how to dream big and discover possibilities.
Hasani said he looks forward to getting involved with students from across the country to learn more about effective dreaming and achieving these dreams.
“I want to be able to accomplish anything I set my mind to and I hope the Disney Dreamer Academy can help with that,” he said.
He also has a personal reason for wanting to go to the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”
“My mother has always wanted to take me to Disney World. The opportunity never presented itself until now,” he said. “I can now take her expense free.”
On his application essay, Hasani described how he hopes to become an entrepreneur by starting his own consulting firm or private bank. He also wants to start a mentoring program for underprivileged youth in the Grand Rapids area.
Hasani was recently accepted into Harvard University, and is in the process of choosing between Harvard or Morehouse College, where he has been offered full-ride scholarship. He is also a finalist for Morehouse College’s Stamps Leadership Scholarship. He plans to study a combination of finance, economics, political science or education.
Hasani is extremely involved at Kelloggsville High School and in the Wyoming community.
He is vice president of the National Honor Society, vice president of the Kent Career Technical Center National Technical Honor Society and is a member of the Principal Leadership Team at KCTC. He is president of the City of Wyoming Teen Council, a model and contributor for the peer-to-peer education program Pure Passion for Fashion, a mentor for D.A. Blodgett’s Big Brother Big Sister program and Hasani is vice president of the National Honor Society. He also serves as president of the Kent Career Technical Center National Technical Honor Society and is a member of the Principal Leadership Team at KCTC. He is president of the City of Wyoming Teen Council, a model and contributor for the peer-to-peer education program Pure Passion for Fashion, a mentor for D.A. Blodgett’s Big Brother Big Sister program and Co-Program Director of the Youth Leadership Academy at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center. Hasani also executive produced the fundraiser “Hasani Helping Haiti” and last summer attended American Legion Boys Nation.
The suspect in the January shooting of a Wyoming Public Safety officer died on Saturday afternoon, February 7th.
Alan James, 31, died from injuries he sustained on Jan. 29 after shooting Wyoming Public Safety Officer Frank Hartuniewicz. Hartuniewicz was one of several officers responding to a domestic complaint that afternoon when James exited his home at 232 Hines St. SE and began shooting at officers.
James was taken to Spectrum Health-Butterworth, where he remained in critical condition after being treated for his injuries.
In keeping with Wyoming Public Safety policy, James’ name was not released nor confirmed to the media until today, as Wyoming Detectives were in the process of completing their investigation of attempted murder. A warrant had not yet been prepared as the detectives waited for the suspect’s medical condition to improve.
Officer Hartuniewicz, who was treated for a gunshot wound at Mercy Health-Saint Mary’s Hospital and released on the day of the shooting, continues to recover at home with his family. He asks the media to respect his desire for privacy as he continues to recuperate.
The investigations into the shootings remain ongoing. At the request of Wyoming Public Safety, the Michigan State Police are continuing to investigate the officer-involved shooting portion of the incident.
No further details will be released pending the outcome of the Michigan State Police investigation.
The Biennial Accolade Honors Trans-formative Urban Development
The folks at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market are celebrating this week after The Bruner Foundation named the site as one of five national finalists for the 2015 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence. Since 1987, the foundation has sponsored the award to identify trans-formative urban places across America and celebrate their impact on the economic, social, and physical fabric of our cities.
Downtown Market Grand Rapids
According to Erin Cataldo, the announcement came as welcomed news after long application process. “To be considered for the award we had to submit a pretty extensive application process that required the involvement of quite a few people. So yes, this is great news for all of us here!”
As a finalist, Cataldo says the Downtown Market will be visited by the judging committee from the Bruner Foundation in the next several weeks to determine where the project places. The finalists will receive cash awards to support their projects: one Gold Medal recipient wins $50,000 and four Silver Medal recipients receive $10,000 each. The Gold Medal winner will be announced in June. Pike Place Market in Seattle was the first RBA winner, and 73 places in 25 states have been recognized with the award since.
Regardless of either amount won, the funds will be used to benefit the Downtown Market Education Foundation Cataldo explains. “The Foundation exists to support culinary and nutrition education; training in entrepreneurship, food production and gardening; obesity prevention and other wellness issues and concerns. In addition, the Foundation supports access to, and the promotion of, fresh healthy foods for all, including disadvantaged families and children.”
The 2015 RBA finalists are:
GR’s Downtown Market is open all year.
Falls Park on the Reedy – Greenville, SC: The renaissance of a 26-acre river corridor running through the heart of Greenville, restoring public access to the falls and greenspace and catalyzing adjacent downtown development. (Submitted by the City of Greenville.)
Grand Rapids Downtown Market – Grand Rapids, MI: A new downtown public space promoting local food producers and community events, entrepreneurship, and education about nutrition and healthy lifestyles. (Submitted by Grand Rapids Downtown Market.)
Miller’s Court – Baltimore, MD: The redevelopment of a vacant manufacturing building into an affordable and supportive living and working environment for public school teachers and education-focused nonprofits. (Submitted by Enterprise Community Investment, Inc.)
Quixote Village – Olympia, WA: A two-acre community of 30 tiny houses and a common building that provides permanent, supportive housing for chronically homeless adults. (Submitted by Panza.
Uptown District – Cleveland, OH: The vibrant redevelopment of a corridor linking art, educational and health care institutions with surrounding neighborhoods, creating lively outdoor gathering spaces, retail shops and restaurants, student and market-rate housing, and public transit connections. (Submitted by Case Western Reserve University.)
“The Rudy Bruner Award offers the opportunity to showcase innovative placemaking responses to the needs of American cities and communities,” says Simeon Bruner, founder of the award. “We want to advance discourse about making cities better, and seek outstanding examples to share with those who care about improving our urban environments. There are a surprising number of inventive projects out there, if you just look for them.”
Entries comprised completed projects in the continental United States. The finalists and Gold and Silver Medalists are selected by a nationwide committee of urban experts. The 2015 selection committee includes:
Rebecca Flora – AICP, LEED ND-BD+C, Sustainable Communities Practice Leader, Ecology & Environment, Chestertown, MD
Larry Kearns – AIA, CSA, LEED AP, Principal, Wheeler Kearns Architects, Chicago, IL
India Pierce Lee – Program Director, Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Mia Lehrer – FASLA, President, Mia Lehrer + Associates, Los Angeles, CA
James Stockard – Lecturer in Housing, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, MA
Mark Stodola – Mayor, Little Rock, AR
Case studies of all past RBA winners are available online. 2015 winner case studies will be posted in 2016.
WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE
On Friday, February 6, 2015, at approximately 11:47 a.m., the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to the report of an armed robbery at the ATL Credit Union, 841 36th St SW. Witnesses report that one male suspect entered the bank wearing a hooded sweatshirt with a red scarf covering his face. The suspect was armed with a handgun and demanded money from the teller. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, he fled on foot and was last seen southbound on Clyde Park from 36th St SW. There were no customers in the bank at the time and no employees were injured.
The suspect is described as a black male, 5’4”, wearing a red scarf (possibly knit), gloves, black hooded sweatshirt and black jeans. The suspect was also seen carrying a drawstring knapsack.
Wyoming Police detectives continue to assist the FBI with their investigation into the robbery. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyoming Police Department at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
West Michigan honors the contributions of African Americans to the rich tapestry of our nation’s history. Organizations including local universities, social clubs, and institutions such as public libraries will feature special displays, exhibits, and events dedicated to recognizing the unique stories and achievements of Black Americans.
GVSU Office of Multicultural Affairs Events
GVSU will host several events to honor Black History Month. For dates and locations, click on the link for details.
Taste of Soul Sunday at Grand Rapids Public Library
Join the GRPL as they celebrate African American history and
Imani Singers of Grand Rapids
culture at the tenth annual FREE Taste of Soul Sunday. Parking is always free on Sunday in the library lot. The parking ramp at GRCC (north of our building) and metered spots on the street are free on Sunday as well.
Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, 655 Seward, Grand Rapids, MI, (4th Tuesday of every Month). FREE and open to the community with free parking in the lot and on the side streets. Build relationships, your knowledge of racial equity, and learn about advocacy to create ideas for action, recruit the help of others, and implement work that can help eliminate racialized outcomes in our community. Email Colin Smith with questions.
Saturday, February 28 –5:00 – 11:00 pm
Celebration of Soul
For 14 years, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Symphony with Soul concert has moved diverse audiences with jazz, opera, gospel and R&B. On February 28th, Vanessa Williams will perform her greatest pop hits alongside the Grand Rapids Symphony orchestra. The Grand Rapids Symphony is proud to collaborate with the Community Inclusion Group to bring the NAACP Image Award-winner and Grammy-nominated artist to DeVos Performance Hall.
The concert is part of the evening’s Celebration of Soul gala, which is celebrating its 10th year. DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
For the past 10 years, the Grand Rapids Public Library has celebrated African American heritage and culture by highlighting local artists, musicians, dancers, authors, historians and restauranteurs. The 10th annual Taste of Soul Sunday will take place on February 15, 2015 from 1-4:30 pm at the Main Library – 111 Library St NE. The event is free and sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation.
Taste of Soul Sunday is an annual event that features food sampling from local restaurants, lectures by local authors, historians, and artists, music and children’s activities. Musical performances will include Karisa Wilson, Serita’s Black Rose, and Imani Singers of Grand Rapids. There will also be a breakdance performance by 61SYX Teknique.
History and author presentations include two presentations on the Auburn Hills neighborhood in Grand Rapids, a discussion about Idlewild—once called ‘The Black Las Vegas’, and an exploration of African American quilts. Storyteller John Steven Crowley will also perform.
Activities for children and teens will feature a poetry reading, a paint party and a craft activity.
Free food samplings will be provided by local restaurants LINC Up Soul Food Cafe, Southern Fish Fry, and TaDOW! BBQ. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.grpl.org/tasteofsoul.
Taste of Soul Sunday will take place at the Main Library – 111 Library St NE from 1-4:40 pm on Sunday, February 16, 2014. Free parking is available in the Library’s lot. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 616-988-5400 or visit www.grpl.org/tasteofsoul. The Grand Rapids Public Library connects people to the transforming power of knowledge.
WKTV is publishing love stories from our readers leading up to Valentine’s Day. 4 winners will receive a $25 gift card from Eastern Floral. If you would like to enter your love story, email mike.dewitt@wktv.org.
By: Roselle Havens
It was a very cold November Sunday afternoon at the Oakland Pharmacy in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1945. I had been waiting on tables and serving milk shakes and sundaes to college students all afternoon. I was just a freshman in college myself and was earning my way through by working as a soda jerk.
I heard the store telephone ring but had no time to answer it so I let it ring. Soon, I looked up from the ice cream counter and saw the crotchety janitor approaching me.
“Hey, Roselle, that phone call is for you. Some guy on the phone asked for Jean. She isn’t working I told him. Then he asked for Betty. She isn’t working today, either. Then he asked for Barb but she isn’t working today, either. Then he asked for you, I told him you were here and I’d get you. But I wouldn’t talk to him if I were you because he asked for every girl but you. His name is Dwight.”
After a quick consideration of his suggestion, I decided to take the call. After all, it was my first call from a tall, handsome veteran of the Army Air Corp since I had enrolled in college. I had met Dwight on a bad blind date with another guy and had thought I’d rather be on a date with him than the guy I was with.
Dwight was waiting patiently on the phone. I picked up the receiver and said, “Hello.”
Dwight asked me if I’d like to go skating. “Sure” I said.
“When do you get off work,” he asked.
“In two hours,” I replied.
“I’ll pick you up then,” he said.
The two hours passed quickly. I looked up to see Dwight walk in the store swathed in winter clothing up to his neck and carrying a pair of ice skates.
“You didn’t mean ice skating, did you?” I asked after giving a surprised “Hello.” “I thought you meant roller skating at an indoor rink.”
He took one look at my above-the-knee skirt, sloppy Joe sweater, and saddle shoes and knew his date on the ice was not going to happen.
Teens from Saugatuck High School present an in-depth look at the question of teen homelessness as experienced by young people in the foster care system at the “Intriguing Conversation” series on Thursday, February 12. The program at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, MI) begins at 7:00 p.m.; free admission. For more information click on the link
The issue of teen homelessness is quite complex. According to Bethany Christian Services, a big challenge is children who turn 18 in the Michigan foster care system. About 30% of the youth that age out of the foster care system end up homeless within 2 years.
Currently, there are 292 children in the state of Michigan between the ages of 8 – 17 in foster care awaiting adoption. Without a permanent home, they are turned out of the system with no home, no job, no pathway to education and no support systems.
It’s no secret that West Michigan is home to Beer Mania, but if you want the secrets behind the Rockford Brewing Company’s signature beers such as Rogue River Brown, Sheehan’s Irish Stout and Paradigm MPA, you’ll save the upcoming date: The Wyoming branch of the Kent District Library has teamed up with the Rockford Brewing Company to offer a facility tour on Tuesday, February 10 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The brewery is located at 12 E. Bridge Street in Rockford.
After the tour, show your Kent District Library card and Wyoming KDL branch tour partners will get you a special deal on beer tasting. Plus, they’ll help you unlock the secrets of home brewing your own beer with KDL materials ready and waiting for check out.
Last week 27 people from the Kent County area bundled up on one of the coldest nights of the year to check under bridges, overpasses, and parks. They were looking for their fellow citizens, people technically classified as “homeless.” Jim Talen, coordinator for Kent County’s 2015 Point in Time Count of homeless residents, says total numbers of homeless in Kent County are expected to range somewhere between 650 to 800. “Last year we counted a little over 790 and we expect to be close to that this year,” says Talen. Numbers are not broken out by community.
Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Wyoming, says that communities in Kent County work together to care for the homeless, so services are centralized. “We want everyone to know that calling 2-1-1 is the way to access services for people who fear they will become homeless or those who already are.” The City of Wyoming publishes a pamphlet on homeless issues available at this link: Community_Outreach_Trifold.pdf
Only a week and a half until Valentine’s Day and the first love stories are starting to arrive!
WKTV is asking for your love stories so that we can share them with our community, because love makes the world go round. After reading the tales of love, you can then vote on which story you like best! Four winners will receive a $25 gift certificate to Eastern Floral.
Each love story will be posted onto now.wtkv.org with voting starting February 9th.
If you would like to share your love story (and we encourage you to do so!), send an email to mike.dewitt@wktv.org or write a letter and mail it to WKTV at 5261 Clyde Park Avenue Southwest, Wyoming, MI 49509.
Every love story is special, let’s hear yours! Don’t forget to vote starting next week.
The Michigan International Auto Show features more than 300 new sedans and sports cars, trucks, SUVs, hybrids — and the Secretary of State Mobile Office. “Our full-service Mobile Office is designed to make taking care of business fast and easy,” Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said.
Customers visiting the full-service Secretary of State booth can renew their drivers license, get license plate tabs, change their address, update their voter registration, sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry or order a replacement vehicle title. The Mobile Office hours are:
Thursday, Feb. 5 – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 8 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Look for the Mobile Office located near the Ford display. SOS services are available online as well at www.ExpressSOS.com.
The 2015 Michigan International Auto Show at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. N.W. in Grand Rapids, begins Thursday, February 5th and runs through Sunday, February 8th.
The City of Wyoming takes great pride in its winter snowplowing service and has some of the best operators in west Michigan. In order to efficiently accomplish our snowplowing, the City is divided into five snowplowing districts with first, second and third priority streets.
First Priority
Bare pavement streets that carry most of the traffic (over 10,000 cars per day).
Second Priority
Collector streets, streets in an area/neighborhood that carry the majority of that area’s traffic, and selected bus routes that enable most residents to be within one block of a well plowed street.
Third Priority
The remaining residential streets and cul-de-sacs.
The goal of the snowplowing operation is to have all streets plowed within 24 hours after the end of a storm.
Snow Plowing Information
The plowing operation begins at the start of a snowstorm and continues 24 hours until all plowing has been completed. The success of the snowplowing operation depends in a large part on the cooperation of the residents adhering to the Odd/Even Parking limitations and NOT plowing driveway snow back into the street.
For more information on our snowplowing policies, visit the links on this page or contact the City of Wyoming Public Works department at (616) 530-7260 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or contact us via email.
Odd/Even Parking
In many areas of the City residents utilize on-street parking. During the winter months parking on both sides of the street can restrict the width of the street to a point where emergency vehicles are unable to have access. In order to provide better access, the City implements Odd/Even Parking restrictions from December 1 until March 31. See the Odd/Even Parking ordinance for specific information.
From December 1 through the end of March of each year and during any declared snow emergency, any motor vehicles and other licensed trailers or equipment shall be parked only on that side of the street having even numbers on even numbered calendar days and on that side of the street having odd numbers on the odd numbered calendar days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 7:00 pm of the same day with the following exceptions:
* When a residence is on a cul-de-sac, on-street parking shall only be on the even numbered calendar days.
* When a residence is on a street already posted “No Parking”, the no parking restrictions shall apply.
In Holly Vostad’s North Godwin Elementary School classroom, kindergarteners sat in circles on the rug, discussing what they planned to write about: A weekend at their father’s. Christmas. Snow. Their favorite things. They soon headed to their desks, pulling out their pencils and got to work on their stories. Even among the students, there’s a lot of collaboration going on at North Godwin.
The students are from diverse ethnic backgrounds, but the vast majority come from low-income families. At North Godwin, one of two Godwin Heights Public Schools elementary buildings, 92 percent of students receive free or reduced-priced lunch. As illustrated in our continuing School News Network series on how poverty affects education, a percentage of low-income students that high is a strong predictor that test scores should be among the lowest in the county.
But that’s not the case. Instead, North Godwin’s scores are soaring. Not only do students in the K-4 school buck the trend that poverty correlates to low achievement. They test so well that they’re on par with West Michigan’s most affluent school districts, East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills.
Last year, 92.2 percent of North Godwin fourth-graders scored proficiently in reading on the MEAP test, and 65.5 percent of third- and fourth-graders were proficient in both reading and math. The state averages are 60 percent and 38.5 percent, respectively. In East Grand Rapids’ Breton Downs Elementary, where just 6.3 percent of students are economically disadvantaged, students’ scores were 92.5 percent proficient in reading and 66 percent proficient in both reading and math.
Kindergartner Avantae Sanders gets to work
So how did North Godwin, located in a former car-manufacturing community that has fallen on hard times, do what so many other schools faced with barriers of poverty, student transiency and a high percentage of English language learners haven’t been able to achieve? How have test scores remained consistently high over the past 10 years, setting North as a case study for education professionals interested in turning around low-performing schools?
It’s a combination of things that work in the classroom, hallways and community. It has to do with connections staff members make with each other, the students and the parents, and it has a lot to do with a culture of commitment, collaboration and high expectations.
“There’s a lot of passion here. I love our families and the staff loves our families,” Vostad said. “A lot of times in conferences parents will say, ‘I dropped out of school, but I want better for my child.’ I feel like there’s that desire in the staff to say, ‘You know, they can do better.’”
Staff Mindset is Key
But there’s no magic formula Principal Mary Lang can bottle up and send to other schools. She says the success is the result of a process that requires all teachers to work together with the belief that students can achieve despite their challenging backgrounds. Strong leadership is a must, and data is continually scrutinized.
“It’s a mindset. Everyone believes all children can learn and they believe they will,” Lang said. “It really (has) to do with the staff choosing to come together and work together collaboratively to create the best environment, and create really strong relationships with the community as well.”
Second-grade teacher Kelly Compher agrees staff collaboration is a “huge” factor in student success.
“All the teachers here are 150 percent dedicated to their job and having our students achieve,” Compher said “Everyone is here to support each other, and they all want to see each other succeed. We know our children go through tough times, and we empathize for them, but we don’t let that stop them. We hold them to high expectations.”
Godwin Heights Superintendent William Fetterhoff, who formerly served as North Godwin principal, compares “how they do it” to what a wise fisherman knows.
“Everyone wants to know. ‘What rod are you using?’” Fetterhoff said. “The reality is it’s not about the rod, it’s about the technique — the perseverance to do it over and over again and refine your skill.
“The point is, it doesn’t matter what you use as long as you are consistent, introspective and (willing to modify instruction) for higher-level and lower-level learners.”
The Education Trust-Midwest, a statewide education policy and advocacy organization, in 2009 selected North Godwin as one of its “Dispelling the Myth” schools for high performance in a high-poverty school.
“If something’s not working or doesn’t meet a curriculum goal, we don’t continue doing it. Teaching is data-driven.” — Holly Vostad
Sarah Winchell Lenhoff, the group’s director of policy and research, cited strong leadership, teacher collaboration and high expectations for students and teachers as key reasons for the school’s success.
“What we’ve seen is a real commitment to valuing the importance of teaching, and understanding that teachers are the most important things in school when it comes to student learning and growth,” Winchell Lenhoff said. “They take the development of their teachers very seriously. They are not afraid to have those difficult conversations with teachers if they are not performing as well as they like.”
The Beginning of Change
North’s transformation from average to exceptional began under Principal Arelis Diaz in the early 2000s. She put a laser-like focus on digging into data, bringing all staff onto the same page and creating a culture where everyone had the same goals. Parent involvement became a huge priority, as did removing long-held beliefs about low-income families.
In 2005, when Diaz left the principal position, her students, including English-language learners and special education students, were outperforming similar students throughout the state. Eighty-five percent of fourth-grade students met or exceeded state reading standards, and 94 percent did so in math. Eighty-seven percent also met or exceeded state writing standards, compared with 50 percent in 2000, while 75 percent of fifth-graders met or exceeded social studies standards.
The district’s dramatic turnaround has earned it statewide recognition for beating the odds and closing achievement gaps.
Everyone On Board
At many schools, teachers work within their own departments: general education, special education, English language learners. That changed at North Godwin.
“Everybody has to hear the same message,” Fetterhoff said. “We used to go to separate trainings and we would exclude teachers if they were special education or ELL. We started bringing everyone in together. … Those specialized teachers were getting the same message and training. It was a double dose for everybody. After a period of time, that led to strong changes in terms of our achievement.”
Kindergartner Zachery Steele writes
Accountability increased as well. Consider third-grade teachers comparing scores on a science unit. “They would say, ‘Your kids did much better on that. What did you do differently?’” Fetterhoff said. “Teachers stopped saying, ‘Gosh, I did the best I could,’ and instead looked at their neighbors.”
Vostad explained how that works.
“If something’s not working or doesn’t meet a curriculum goal, we don’t continue doing it. Teaching is data-driven. … Being in the same district years ago, it wasn’t like that. Now, if there’s not an objective behind it, we are not going to waste time doing it.”
The best training teachers can receive is inside their own school building, Fetterhoff said. “Our best professional development is to take a look at our own teachers who are successful and then try to implement those strategies. Two heads are better than one.”
“Everyone wants to know. ‘What rod are you using?’ The reality is it’s not about the rod, it’s about the technique.” — William Fetterhoff, Godwin Heights superintendent
“Student teaching was very much like an interview,” said second-grade teacher Compher, who first worked as a student teacher and then a paraprofessional at North. “They were training us to potentially be a candidate for any job that opened. Then, as a parapro, I got to see all grade levels and how they worked with each other.”
Student teachers, many who go on to be hired at Godwin, work alongside classroom teachers the entire semester. The new educator benefits from a seasoned teacher’s experiences, and experienced teachers learn new ideas and technology trends in education.
Forming Bonds with Parents
At many low-income schools, teachers cite lack of parental involvement as a major problem. That’s not the case at North Godwin, Compher said. She only had one parent miss fall conferences, which was followed up with a phone conference.
“This community is really great,” Compher said. “The parents want what is best for their kids. Our partnership with them, and relationship with each other, is also what drives the success of our students. I feel like that is a big portion of why our school is successful: because we are trying to reach out to our community. We really push parental involvement.”
The demographics of the Godwin district have changed over the past decade, with many Hispanic families moving into area, said Lang, the principal. The staff embraced them.
“There was tons of work done to build relationships with the Hispanic population,” Lang said. “That helped tremendously as well. We have a a strong Hispanic community and really strong relationships here at North.”
Supporting families goes beyond academics. Vostad noted a teacher who helped a student’s family get rid of lice by visiting their home, and another who studied with a student’s mother to help her take a test to receive her U.S. citizenship.
“We want all of our students to have the same opportunities as kids in other districts,” Compher added. “Coming to our school, we want them to have breakfast, to have their meals. Having their personal needs met is very important for them to be successful.”
In early elementary school, students learn more content than some of their affluent peers. The district implemented all-day kindergarten years before other districts.
Students raise their hands at North Godwin Elementary School
“Because our kids come in at a lower level with a lack of background knowledge, I feel like we do have to push a lot more,” Vostad said. She noted educators from other districts would visit and ask, “‘How do your kids know so many sight (beginning reading) words?’ They know 75 to 100. Every school that came said, ‘We only teach 25 or 30.’”
The visiting educators questioned the necessity of teaching so much in kindergarten.
“Our point is: They can do it, so why not? In a lot of districts, they can teach just 25 or 30 and their kids will be just fine, and the scores will be there, because they have that parental support at home,” Vostad said.
‘The Strongest Tool We Have’
High expectations aren’t limited to students. Teachers must be the best at their craft, Fetterhoff said.
“You come to work for us. It’s not enough to stay out of trouble. It’s not enough to not do something wrong. It’s not enough to be average, because we will cut you loose. The strongest tool we have is putting the best people in front of our students. If you are not exceptional, you will not be given tenure in this district.”
“Our kids are tough,” said Lang. “If a teacher can’t manage a classroom, they don’t stick around.”
IRS-certified student volunteers will prepare and e-file taxes FREE for people whose income falls below $53,000. Volunteers will be available at the Wyoming branch from February 3 through April 11 on Tuesdays from 2:00-6:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM -1:00 PM. This program is sponsored by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). For more information or for an appointment, please call 616-871-6147 or visit taxhelp.davenport.edu
Investigations into January 29 shootings will continue as Wyoming Public Safety and the Michigan State Police continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
The suspect in the shooting of Wyoming Public Safety Officer Frank Hartuniewicz remains hospitalized at this time in critical condition. He has yet to be charged or arraigned in the shootings, so his name is not being confirmed or released.
A 15-year-veteran officer, Hartuniewicz was resting comfortably at home on Friday, recovering from wounds he received during Thursday’s shooting. He and his family will not be doing interviews but have released the following statement:
As a family, we appreciate the many thoughts, prayers and kind words we have received over the past 24 hours. This has been an extremely challenging time, and we are so grateful for the tremendous support of our community. We also want to recognize the many officers and departments who immediately came to the aid of Wyoming Public Safety yesterday. It has been my honor to have served as an officer for the City of Wyoming for the past 15 years, and I look forward to returning to duty when I am able. We appreciate the media’s sensitivity at this time and ask they continue to respect our privacy.
Wyoming Public Safety Director Jim Carmody praised the work of Hartuniewicz, Wyoming Public Safety officers and other departments and agencies who responded to the shootings. He also echoed thanks posted to Facebook for the outpouring of community support that his team has received.
The 17-year-old Wyoming High School girl seriously injured when struck by a Chevrolet Impala is recovering and even tries to joke a bit, says Principal Nate Robrahn, who visited her recently. “She comes from an incredible family, she’s a strong young lady,” he added. The student’s name will not be released.
Robrahn noted that when he visited the hospital, the WHS student was sitting up in a wheel chair despite suffering several broken bones. “But,” says Robrahn, “I don’t expect her back at school right away.” Arrangements will be made with her family to ensure she doesn’t fall too far behind in her school work during her recovery. Efforts to support her, like the principal’s visit, are just part of Wyoming High School’s commitment to each student’s success, or as Robrahn puts it, “She’s part of the Wolf family!”
It’s the start of February in Michigan which means endless days of cloudy gray skies, brisk biting winds and a case of the winter blahs. For me it’s all that and more as I enter into the second phase of my breast cancer treatment, radiation.
Grateful to be done with the chemo, I am left tired, pale and hairless in the dead of winter. “From here on out, it’s growing season!” I tell myself even though looking my best and feeling better about myself is a daily challenge. From deciding what to wear on my head (for warmth and comfort rather than sex appeal), to avoiding clown makeup, getting ready to go out for the day has been less than inspiring for my social confidence and kicking cancer’s butt!
So it was indeed a godsend when I discovered a brochure for the Look Good Feel Better program at the Resource Library in Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion. Thanks to the Personal Care Products Foundation, American Cancer Society, and Professional Beauty Association, I, or anyone with cancer, could attend a FREE two-hour makeover workshop to guide me in dealing with appearance changes during my cancer treatment. Wow! And when I signed up and was told I would also be getting a FREE makeup kit filled with quality products to take home – it was like a little ray of sunshine broke through my gloom to give me hope! Ahhh!
Cosmetology professional, Ronna Kilts has been driving from Newaygo every week for over a year to volunteer her time and talents to helping women like me feel empowered and beautiful in the face of cancer treatment. Kilts says her inspiration to do this came from her aunt, also a cancer survivor, who went through the program herself.
“The day I graduated from cosmetology school I signed up to do this,” Kilts says. “It was something I knew I had to be involved in. It’s a great program, it’s fun and it’s super rewarding!”
The Look Good Feel Better program is a step by step guide to teach women about makeup, skin, nail care, wigs and other head coverings used during cancer treatment. It is a free, non-medical workshop and does not promote any one brand. Products in the kits have been generously donated for the cause and come in light, medium, dark, and extra dark to match your skin tone.
We started our session with brief introductions before turning our attention to the contents of the Look Good Feel Better makeup kits. You’d think it was Christmas morning for the three of us who participated as we examined each item individually, impressed by the brand names at our disposal. Although no two kits are alike, they all contain the essentials such as concealer, foundation, powder, blush, etc. With ooohs and aaahs and giggles of delight, (because we were all anxious to look good and feel better!) we were eager to get underway. Kilts took us step by step through the how-to booklet provided to graciously and patiently transform our appearance and our spirits.
“It’s amazing how a few subtle make-up tips can work miracles!” one women remarked, adding, “I wish I did this at the start of my chemo. I would have saved myself a lot of frustration!”
And that’s the whole initiative behind the Look Good Feel Better program – to give women, and men too, the opportunity to look in the mirror and see themselves again! Since 1989 the program has helped well over a million patients worldwide. To find a session near you go to http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/ and search your zip code. While you’re there, spend some time browsing their helpful website. It’s bound to inspire, inform and lift spirits during the cancer journey. It certainly did mine!
For more in-depth information about cancer programs, resources and questions go to cancer.org or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions, provide information, or offer referrals to programs.
Visitors to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport are in for a fresh experience. Concourse B is officially renovated and expanded with two new airline gates, passenger hold room, restrooms and the much anticipated MI Tap Room Restaurant & Bar. Also included in the renovations is the Grand Rapids Magazine travel store.
“Our primary goal is to ensure travelers have a positive experience when transitioning through our airport,” says Brian Ryks, GFIA executive director. “The airport is the first and last impression when visiting our region and it is important travelers get a sense of what West Michigan has to offer as soon as they step off the aircraft.”
At each gate walls feature West Michigan-themed murals of tulips, downtown buildings, shorelines and the Calder Plaza. The MI Tap Room features several local Michigan craft beers on tap along with a menu that’s locally themed.
Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for Concourse B completes the two year expansion project of both concourse A and B. Concourse A renovations included new seating, carpeting, food and beverage updates and an expansion of passenger hold rooms. Business travelers also appreciate the expanded work space and charging stations in the area. A new Grand Rapids Magazine travel store was added there too.
Airport officials estimate the cost of the project to be $12.3 million.
GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 15 and 16, the fourth consecutive year for West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival.
The two-day festival will again be free thanks to presenting sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids and other sponsoring organizations and individuals.
“GRandJazzFest is one of the most diverse and well-attended events in West Michigan. As a major event, it has established its own name on the jazz scene in Michigan and the Midwest,” DTE Energy Regional Manager Roger Royer said.
More than 10,000 people attended the 2014 festival.
“Grand Rapids loves its jazz,” GRandJazzFest Founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “People came from as nearby as local neighborhoods and as far away as other states and Canada. With the great turnout and positive feedback, we’re excited to be producing a fourth annual festival.”
Festival planning for 2015 is underway, with artist selections to be announced in the spring. Like last year, 10 diverse jazz artists and bands will perform, including a major headline act.
Sundstrom said diversity of the lineup is key: “Jazz has so many sub-genres – Latin, straight-up, contemporary, soul and big band, to name a few. If diversity has a sound, it’s the sound of jazz.”
“DTE Energy Foundation is proud to support the diversity and vibrancy that GRandJazzFest brings to downtown. We’ve been so pleased with the past three GRandJazzFests and look forward to the fourth annual event!” Royer said.
Grand Rapids city commissioners approved GRandJazzFest as one of 24 events that it will co-sponsor in 2015, a distinction only given to events that have proven to be successful and enrich the community.
In addition to DTE Energy Foundation and the City of Grand Rapids, sponsors for the 2015 event to date include Experience Grand Rapids, Amway Hotel Corporation, Ellis Parking, Swift Printing, Gilmore Collection, Moxie Men Incorporated and Intent Public Relations.
“We are so grateful to all of our sponsors for their support,” Sundstrom said. “We’re seeking additional sponsors to join our sponsors from last year in bringing a full weekend of free jazz performances to West Michigan!”
