Paddler safety is of the upmost importance at Paddle Antrim. Northern Michigan is expected to see air temperatures in the range of 70 degrees this week but the water is still extremely cold. During this strange time of social distancing, many are relying on nature for entertainment which means paddlers are likely itching to get out on the water. Now more than ever it is important to keep in mind the danger of cold water.
While the air may feel more like summer, the many lakes are much cooler, some only 40-60 degrees. At these temperatures a wetsuit or a full immersion dry suit with insulating layers is necessary. Sudden immersion in cold water can cause gasping and inhalation of water and hypothermia, resulting in unconsciousness or swimming failure as muscles become numb. Wearing a life jacket may keep your head above water and support your body should your swimming ability fail or you become unconscious. Paddle Antrim wants everyone to know the risks of cold water. If you don’t have the right equipment to take the necessary precautions, please stay off the water until it warms.
“We encourage people to get out and enjoy the water but we also want to make sure people are safe at all times,” says Paddle Antrim Executive Director, Deana Jerdee. “While the air might be 70 degrees the water is still very cold, ensuring that you are taking the right precautions could save your life.”
Cold water claims of lives of many experienced and inexperienced paddlers each year. Please take the extra precautions to ensure your safety. Here are the steps paddlers need to take before heading out on the water for any period of time:
Always wear a properly fitted life jacket. Simply stated, life jackets save lives;
Dress for the water temperature;
Avoid boating alone and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Have a cell phone or VHF radio accessible, in a watertight bag, should you need to call for help;
Carry essential safety gear, signaling devices and whistles; and
This photo also comes from Kentwood resident Gerald De Maagd. Recognize the flower? A definite sign of spring, these are buttercups, a native Michigan wildflower that grows in moist areas and blooms in early May every year.
Do you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week? Then send it to WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
Kentwood’s Woodland Mall announced May 27 that it plans to reopen Monday, June 1, for shopping appointments with new sanitation protocols in place “to enhance the safety of all and to promote physical distance.”
The reopening, City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley points out, continues the promise of local economic recovery from COVID-19 caused retail business restrictions.
“The mall and (Woodland Mall management) PREIT have made a significant investment in Kentwood with the redevelopment (of the mall), which has resonated with our residents and the broader community,” Mayor Kepley said in supplied material. “We wish the mall continued success as we work collectively to jumpstart our local economy.”
While several mall retailers and restaurants have offered limited curbside pickup since March, the mall itself closed March 23. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent executive order permits Michigan retailers to offer shopping appointments.
Visitors will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, and it is recommended shoppers wear masks for the safety of all.
In order to comply with State of Michigan requirements, access and total mall occupancy numbers will be limited initially. The mall will be operating on reduced hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Some stores may modify those hours further.
Given the limited occupancy allowance, the mall will temporarily ask all guests under the age of 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
According to supplied material, Woodland expects many of its retailers to join Von Maur and Urban Outfitters in offering appointments to up to 10 shoppers at a time, although smaller stores may choose to limit the maximum number of shoppers further.
“To say we are excited about Monday’s reopening is an understatement,” Tony DeLuccia, Woodland Mall general manager, said in supplied material. “Our retailers are eager to welcome back customers now that shopping by appointment is permissible in Michigan. … We are truly thrilled to be opening our doors again and have spent significant time and energy to ensure we can do so safely.”
Guests will notice other changes when they return to Woodland Mall.
Parent company PREIT has “carefully reviewed policies and procedures and thoroughly cleaned the mall using CDC-recommended disinfectant,” according to supplied material. “Common area furniture and other elements where physical distancing cannot be enforced have been removed. The play area will be closed indefinitely, and food court seating has been eliminated.”
PREIT and its service providers have also established a rigorous cleaning and sanitizing schedule, particularly for high-touch surfaces. All housekeeping, maintenance and security staff will follow CDC and state health guidelines, and will be wearing masks and gloves when working.
Even during the mall’s temporary closure, it has supported West Michigan during this time of COVID-19, including hosting three community food drives, which will continue to operate during the pandemic.
“Woodland Mall has been a gathering spot for our community for more than 50 years,” DeLuccia said in supplied material. “That has not changed, even though we have made some modifications to ensure the safety of all. We are ready to open our doors on Monday and look forward to seeing our friends and neighbors again.”
Race, gender, socio-economic status and sexual orientation are all common factors that determine risk in a health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. This public health crisis has exposed large health inequities in many populations, resulting in devastating and even life-and-death consequences.
“During a crisis like we are facing with coronavirus, it becomes convenient to abandon commitments toprincipals of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. “This cannot be allowed to happen.”
As of mid-April, African Americans made up 33 percent of all confirmed cases in Michigan – and 40 percent of the deaths from COVID-19. In addition, the Kaiser Family Foundation has reported that those with a lower household income level are at higher risk of serious illness if infected with the coronavirus.
Screen shot from one of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion videos from Metro Health-University of Michigan Health
There are several reasons why these populations are experiencing higher COVID-19 infection rates including underlying health conditions, occupational environment and living situations. There are also barriers to seeking treatment that put some minorities at a disadvantage such as a lack of health insurance and transportation, language barriers and a fear of trust.
Metro Health is educating the community on these health inequities through a video series released today at https://metrohealth.net/covid-19-updates/diversity-equity-inclusion/. Featuring Dr. Booker, these five videos address the important topics of: Health Inequities, Economic Impact, Building a Culture of Equity, Xenophobia and Preparing for the Future. Along with each video are valuable resources for people to continue to educate themselves on the topics.
“Even in the best of times, healthcare does not look the same for all people. It is not equitable. A pandemic shines a bright light on those inequities,” said Dr. Booker. “Metro Health is taking an even greater responsibility and accountability to educate the community on this topic and ensure no one is left behind.”
Please visit metrohealth.net/covid-19-updates for the most up-to-date information from the CDC and resources to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Michael Carbonaro has rescheduled his March Holland show for 2021. (Courtesy)
By Jay Allen Holland Civic Center
The “Michael Carbonaro Live!” show, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the VenuWorks-managed Holland Civic Center Place, has officially been re-scheduled to a new date of Friday, March 12, 2021 at 7 p.m. New ticket sales are available now.
Tickets purchased for the March 28, 2020 show will be honored at the March 12, 2021 show. No action is required by the ticket holder. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled show, please contact your point of purchase for a refund. You have until June 21, 2020 to request a refund.
Purchases through Holland Civic Center Place Office
You will receive a notification email from Ticketmaster which will include a link to your Ticketmaster account where you can complete your refund request. Refunds will be processed in as soon as 30 days after you submit your request.
VenuWorks and the Holland Civic Center Place want to be sure the safety of our patrons, performers, and all visitors is at the forefront as we move forward in our attempts to host events for our community. Thank you for your understanding and we hope to see at this and other future shows.
Known for his original hidden camera magic series, THE CARBONARO EFFECT on truTV, Michael Carbonaro has been seen on television in shows such as Happily Divorced, 30 Rock, Grey’s Anatomy, and CSI Miami. A performing magician since his youth, Carbonaro went on to study experimental theater at New York University with the aspirations of entertaining audiences through a variety of theatrical mediums, including hidden-camera magic, which he later showcased frequently on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
The Michigan Agritourism Association has released the 2020 edition of Discover Michigan Farm Fun, Michigan’s Agricultural Tourism Directory, a popular guide for finding fun activities on Michigan farms. The directory features farm markets, U-pick orchards, educational farms, and other agritourism destinations, along with suggestions for food and fun in every region and season.
Although some farm events and activities have been cancelled or delayed due to concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus, farmers are coming up with creative ways to serve their customers, while following social distancing guidelines, such as offering curbside or drive thru pick-up, virtual educational farm visits, and take and make items such as home gardening kits.
“During this challenging time, with COVID-19 affecting so much of our lives, it’s important to know that local Michigan farmers are open and ready for your business,” says Janice Benson, executive director for Michigan Agritourism. “Every day, farmers adapt to new challenges and they are working hard to keep their customers safe, as they continue to offer fresh, locally grown food and family-friendly activities at their farms. Things will be different this year and it’s a good idea to call ahead for the latest information. Michigan farmers don’t stop and they look forward to your visit.”
“The Agritourism guide promotes hundreds of farm destinations across Michigan where visitors can enjoy our state’s bountiful harvest,” said Farm Bureau Insurance CEO Don Simon. “While we understand that this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, things will look a little different for farmers’ markets, orchards, cider mills, and all popular agritourism spots, we’re excited to get this directory into the hands of Michiganders and to promote Michigan’s farms.”
Registration is now available for the 5th-annual Multi Chamber Golf Outing, set for June 16 and co-sponsored by the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. Adjustments will be made this year to keep participants safe while still creating a fun and competitive day-long golfing experience.
The event will take place at Sunnybrook Country Club in Grandville. In-person morning registration begins at 7 a.m., with an 8 a.m. tee-time, while afternoon registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with a 1 p.m. tee-time. Individually packaged lunches will be served at 11:30 a.m.
Proceeds from the event provide about one-third of the funding for scholarships for graduating seniors from five high schools in the Wyoming-Kentwood area.
“We know how expensive college and trade schools can be,” said Bob O’Callaghan, President/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. “We hope to defer some of that cost for the students. It’s a small way to give back to the community.”
The City of Kentwood has held several Plan Kentwood community information gathering events as part of the Master Plan update. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
As a key element of the City of Kentwood’s Master Plan update, the city is seeking public input on its long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation.
The current Master Plan update has involved numerous public interactions between planning staff and the public. The latest draft plan and associated documents are available for public review on the City’s website at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood. Comments will be accepted through July 31.
“We are nearing the finish line in the Master Plan update process, which is critical for maintaining our community’s vision with thoughtful consideration of future growth,” Terry Schweitzer, Kentwood Community Development Director, said in supplied material. “All the engagement we’ve had so far with residents, businesses and property owners has been vital to the journey, and we look forward to hearing additional feedback as we work toward the plan’s adoption.”
Persons interested in submitting comments may do so online at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood; over the phone by calling 616-554-0707; via email to eplanning@kentwood.us; or by mail to PO Box 8848, Kentwood, MI 49518.
As the plan update nears completion, there will be a work session on Aug. 11, followed by a public hearing to adopt the 2020 Master Plan on Aug. 25. Both opportunities will allow for additional public comment directly to the Planning Commission.
The Master Plan, according to a statement by the Kentwood planning department, is an official public document adopted by the Kentwood Planning Commission.
“The forward-looking development plan considers the long-range goals and desires of residents and property owners, as well as local, regional and market trends,” the statement reads. “The Master Plan features goals, policies and recommended actions to guide land use decision-making for Planning Commissioners and City Commissioners during the next 20 years.”
A Master Plan is reviewed at least every five years but is modified and updated as deemed necessary by the Planning Commission. The most recent update was completed in 2012.
The objective of the update process is to plan for new population growth and redevelopment while protecting key environmental features, creating sustainable economic opportunities and providing public services.
Beginning last summer, the city sought public input on proposed changes through “Plan Kentwood” — a community engagement series that consisted of five opportunities for the community to share their thoughts at different events throughout the city.
Key areas of city under review
Discussions during the community engagement series focused on a few key areas where changes were proposed: Section 13, which consists of 263 acres of open land between 28th and 36th streets, Patterson Avenue and East Paris Avenue; a 480-acre area referred to as Section 34, which is located between 52nd and 60th streets, the Princeton Estates plat and Wing Avenue; the 28th and 29th Street commercial corridor; and the Division Avenue corridor.
Proposed changes from the 2012 plan impact policies and principles for all development in the city, as well as recommendations related to the undeveloped and redeveloping land.
This public comment period allows the Planning and City commissioners, neighboring communities, government agencies, public utilities, transportation and telecommunications providers and the general public to further review and comment on the draft plan.
The Planning Commission will then have the opportunity to make changes to the plan based on the input received. After changes are made, the Planning Commission will seek to adopt the 2020 Master Plan, and then present it to the City Commission for acceptance.
The Grand Rapids Symphony Society and the musicians represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 56, have agreed to a new one-year contract. (Supplied)
The Grand Rapids Symphonyand the Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians have ratified a one-year collective bargaining agreement, which continues economic provisions of the expiring contract while implementing several work rule changes.
The current contract between the Grand Rapids Symphony Society and musicians represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 56, expires August 31, 2020. The new contract will be in effect from September 1 through August 31, 2021.
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, management and musicians were working on a multi-year contract. The uncertainties of the present situation led both sides to agree to a one-year extension of the most recent contract.
“Planning for a multi-year contract right now is no longer straightforward,” said Grand Rapids Symphony President and CEO Mary Tuuk. “This one-year agreement is a prudent course of action that supports our talented musicians in unprecedented times. The agreement also reflects our shared commitment to advance the mission of the Grand Rapids Symphony over the next year.”
Barbara Corbató, assistant principal violist, and Mark Buchner, section double bassist, who served as co-lead negotiators, said the musicians are pleased with the agreement.
“The musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony feel very fortunate to have the support of our Board, administration and community leaders as we all navigate these uncertain times,” Corbató and Buchner said in a prepared statement. “These negotiations were collaborative and amicable, with a shared vision of working for a strong organization. This one-year extension gives the musicians a sense of stability with the knowledge that the Grand Rapids Symphony organization will be prepared to begin performing for our audiences as soon as we can do so safely.”
Music Director Marcelo Lehninger said he’s pleased the Grand Rapids Symphony and its musicians have reached a new collective bargaining agreement months before it takes effect.
“Successfully concluding contract negotiations allows us to devote all our energies to work hard to find creative ways to keep delivering music to our audience,” said Lehninger, who has served as Music Director since June 2016. “I am extremely thankful for the support of the Grand Rapids Symphony Board, Foundation trustees, and donors, who allow us to care for our musicians in such challenging times. It makes me proud to be a part of such a united Symphony family and its special community.”
Musicians ratified the contract on Wednesday, May 20, and the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the contract on Thursday, May 21.
The Grand Rapids Symphony has 50-full-time, contracted positions, and about 30 per-service positions on its roster.
The City of Wyoming cancelled its traditional Memorial Day program, instead releasing a Memorial Day video featuring staff singing “God Bless America.”
“Things are different this year,” said Mayor Jack Poll in the video. “We have traditionally always met at Veterans Memorial Park on this great day in our city to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives for our country.
“But today, these recent events we are a part of today, I am here in my office but my thoughts are still the same and this is what a privilege we have to live in a country that is free and that we have all the freedoms that we have to enjoy, especially today we can think of that.”
Both Michigan and Kent County report COVID-19 numbers routinely, but a big question these days is what specifically does those numbers mean — people who are sick, people who had the virus and did not get sick, people who never contracted the virus for whatever reason?
Kent County, for example, reported 3,385 cases as of May 23 (with 68 deaths), while statewide numbers had 54,881 “confirmed cases” as of May 25.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced last week that it had changed the way it reports data on COVID-19 testing to make those numbers a little clearer.
“The change makes the data more accurate and relevant as the state continues to expand diagnostic testing to help slow and contain the spread of COVID-19,” the Man 23 MDHHS statement read. “The update to the website separates out the results of two different types of tests – serology and diagnostic. Michigan – along with some other states – has not separated data for diagnostic and serology tests.”
Data on serology testing – also known as antibody testing – is separated from the other testing numbers. Currently, serology testing can be used to help determine whether someone has ever had COVID-19, while traditional viral diagnostic tests determine if someone has active disease.
“Accuracy and transparency are paramount as we continue to respond to this pandemic,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said in supplied material. “We continue to expand and improve data reporting to make sure the public understands where their community stands with the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Digging into the numbers
MDHHS emphasizes that the change in reporting does not affect the number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan. It does lower the percentage of positive tests over the last nine days — when serology testing became more common. Michigan’s overall percentage of positive tests since the beginning of the outbreak remains virtually the same — changing from 14.2 percent positive tests to 14.3 percent.
Michigan’s COVID-19 website now shows results for 512,891 total tests reported to the state – with 450,918 diagnostic test results and 61,973 serology results.
Diagnostic tests are most helpful in tracking the spread of COVID-19 since they can show the number of people who currently have the COVID-19 virus. Serology tests are still being studied regarding their utility. They are currently most helpful in understanding how much a community may have been exposed to the disease.
“However, it is unknown if the presence of an antibody truly means someone is immune to COVID-19, and if so, for how long,” the statement continues. “Results of antibody tests should not change decisions on whether an individual should return to work, or if they should quarantine based on exposure to someone with the disease.”
Approximately 12 percent of Michigan’s tests overall have been serology tests; about 60 percent of those have been from the past nine days.
We all know the horror stories about nursing homes—they are dreary and dull, and the people who live there are unhappy and lifeless. While a lot of that is just a bad rap, it’s true that nursing homes are very different from other kinds of senior living communities, like assisted living.
Assisted living provides seniors with many great advantages, most of which you won’t be able to find in a nursing home. Take a look at five of these different assisted living benefits, and see how assisted living can be a better option for most senior loved ones.
1. Different levels of care
The number one difference between nursing homes and assisted living communities is the level of care that is provided. A nursing home provides dedicated, intense care to seniors who have serious medical needs, usually far beyond what a caregiver can manage.
While this level of care is important to have as an option, assisted living can cover everything from limited services like simple medication management, to skilled nursing for memory care and dementia, to even end-of-life care like hospice and palliative care. This provides seniors with a lot more options than just the type of care offered at a nursing home.
As the population of aging seniors continues to grow, many families prefer to have their loved one age in place at a community that can cover all their care needs, even if those needs change as a resident grows older or has a new health concern. And assisted living does that with a continuum of care.
2. Help with only the necessary ADLs
ADLs, or activities of daily living, can include things like:
Bathing
Dressing
Grooming & personal hygiene
Mobility (getting out of bed or moving from room to room)
Housekeeping
Maintenance work
Meal planning and cooking
Financial management assistance
Not every senior is going to need help in all of these areas. Some seniors might only need help with one or two ADLs. At an assisted living community, a resident only gets help with the tasks they need, and can make plans with the staff accordingly.
A nursing home, on the other hand, doesn’t offer much choice in what ADLs are taken care of for residents. All of these are usually taken care of automatically, due to the high level of care that residents in nursing homes need—even if a senior is capable in a particular area.
3. Options for room plans, layouts, & decor
Assisted living apartments are made to have a homey and comfortable feel to them, and can be decorated and set up to the preferences of a resident. An assisted living room can include a kitchenette, living room, or even a dining area, and rooms can be studios, one-bedrooms, or have multiple separate bedrooms for friends who want to live together.
A nursing home will typically only be a bedroom, often shared with another resident. They won’t include kitchenettes or different layouts. Most won’t even have an attached bathroom, but will have a communal bathroom and shower so residents can have help from staff during those tasks, rather than allowing community members to have more privacy and choice of living arrangements.
4. New activities and engagement opportunities
The activities and opportunities for engagement are more varied in assisted living than in a nursing home. It’s common for residents to leave the assisted living building and get out to different areas of the local community for events or performances.
Even in-home activities tend to be more cognitively engaging and fun for all the residents, and there are exercise and other types of activities not found in nursing homes. Nursing home activities are much more limited, due to the limited physical activity that residents can partake in. Assisted living works to create an environment that is stimulating and entertaining for your senior loved one.
5. Independence
One of the most significant differences between assisted living and nursing homes is the level of independence that the residents have. In assisted living, community members are in charge of their daily plans and activities, can choose who they engage with and the friendships they make, and have freedoms that aren’t found in nursing homes.
In luxury assisted living, like Vista Springs, there’s even more ways for residents to live their best lives as they age, with gourmet dining, spas, salons, cafes, and beautiful grounds. Overall, assisted living can provide more benefits and opportunities for the good life than a nursing home.
City of Wyoming cancelled its 2020 Memorial Day program. (Photo by Harriet Sturim)
Full Day of Memorial Day Programs
WKTV will be offering a full schedule of previous recorded Memorial Day programming. The day starts with the Crafty Ladies Memorial Day Floral Arrangements at 9:30 a.m. Special highlights of the day are the USS Silversides Lost Boat Ceremony at 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., the 2019 Kentwood Amvets Memorial Day Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. followed by the Arlington National Cemetery program at 1 p.m. Other programs feature special tributes to Vietnam such as the Vietnam Moving Wall and Return to Vietnam. All programming will be aired on WKTV Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99.
Starting at 6:30 p.m., the WKTV Government Channel 26 will be featured the 2019 Kentwood Amvets Memorial Day Celebration. At 7 p.m. will be the USS Silversides Lost Boat Ceremony and at 8:15 p.m. will be the Arlington National Cemetery presentation. For complete schedules, visit wktv.org.
A Little Positivity
Saturday, City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson will host a casual conversation to “Celebrate the Small Victories” during the global pandemic. The Facebook Live Event will start at 10 a.m. on the WKTV Community Media Facebook Page and Emily Bridson’s Facebook Page.
The discussion is expected to include topics such as the local economy, personal growth, practices of local businesses that prioritize people’s safety and needs, and facilitating the sense of belonging in our community.
Area residents have until Oct. 31 to answer the nine questions about who lived in their home on April 1, 2020. Census fieldworkers are scheduled to go out Aug. 11 to Oct. 31. Interestingly, the response rate for online has been high. (The 2010 Census did not have an online component.) Check out all the details by clicking here.
Fun Fact: Poppies and Memorial Day
After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists attributed the growth to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. From the dirt and mud grew a beautiful red poppy. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the 1915 publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines. The poppy was adopted by the American Legion and in 1924, poppies were distributed by the American Legion as a way to honor the fallen soldiers. Today Poppy Day, usually the Friday before Memorial Day, is observed in several countries.
Civil War Musicians in a Los Angeles Parada, ca. 1915 (California Historical Society Collection, 1860-1960)
Memorial Day started out as Decoration Day shortly after the Civil War which was the first American war to claim so many lives that it initiated the first federal cemetery system.
The earliest recorded observance of a “Memorial Day” is believed to have been by a group of freed slaves in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. It would place that first “Memorial Day” sometime in the month of May.
An early Memorial Day parade in Wilmette, Ill. )Wilmette Public Library Collection)
The custom grew and by the 19th Century, many communities across the country had Memorial Day celebrations. In 1971, the federal government declared “Memorial Day” a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday of the month of May.
Americans mark the day by visiting the graves of servicemen (and later service women) who had perished in the line of duty. It was referred to as “Decoration Day” from the custom of placing flowers , mementos and flags on the graves of service men, but then began to include the graves of family and loved ones.
Fleet Week New York 2009 began on May 20 with the Parade of Ships. Throughout the Memorial Day Weekend, the U.S. Navy will host a number of activities and participate in community projects throughout New York City. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Danals)
WKTV is pleased to offer four full-time internships to students this June through December.
Over the next six months seniors at Ferris State University are joining the WKTV Journal Community Newsroom; WKTV’s Television and Digital Cinema department and WKTV’s Podcasting Studio.
Welcome to Matt, Rachael, Cole and Tyler. If you are interested in an internship, contact tom@wktv.org or joanne@wktv.org.
Continuing concerns about community health and safety due to COVID-19 has brought organizers to cancel two of the area’s biggest outdoor summer concert events.
The Grand Rapids Symphony officially announced last night that it had cancelled all Symphony events through July 31. This includes the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops at Cannounsburg Ski area, which runs during the month of July, and the July Patriotic Pops concert at Grand Rapids’ Ah-Nab-Awen Park. The Patriotic Pops concert has been rescheduled for July 14, 2021.
This morning, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park officialy announced it has cancelled its 2020 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts series.
Grand Rapids Symphony
“It’s with a heavy heart that the Grand Rapids Symphony has had to cancel this summer’s D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops at Cannonsburg,” said Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt. “We are so looking forward to the day we can safely return to live performances and large public gatherings, and until then, we wish everyone good health and safety, and send our sincerest gratitude for your continuing support.”
Grand Rapids Symphony President and CEO Mary Tuuk added that “While our currently planned July concerts are cancelled, we are thrilled to be able to to give the gift of music back to the Western Michigan community in August through innovative ways.”
Symphony officials stated they are looking to offer community concerts with the format being determined by health and safety guidelines. Since March, the Grand Rapids Symphony musicians and members of the entire GRS family have continued to release virtual performances on the From Our Home to Yours seres on Facebook and YouTube. (See video above.) More than 40 videos currently are available.
All exchanges and refunds for the Picnic Pops must be made through the original point of purchase. If you purchased tickets through Ticketmaster, you must contact Ticketmaster regarding your tickets. For the Grand Rapids Symphony, you may contact the office by mail, Ticket Exchange, Grand Rapids Symphony, 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suit 100, Grand Rapids, 49503; email tickets@grsymphony.org; or phone 616-454-9451, ext. 4. The GRS office will remain closed indefinitely with the staff working remotely to help patrons.
Meijer Gardens officials are exploring options to present local and regional performers as part of a modified Tuesday Evening Music Club later in the summer.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
First thing this morning, Meijer Gardens patrons received noticed that the 2020 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens had been cancelled.
“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and after close consultation of government issued public health pronouncements and orders and numerous conversation with our concert promoter and others, we have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel this year’s Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens,” said Meijer Gardens President and CEO David Hooker. “We are looking forward to a summer full of live music once again filling the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater in 2021 and we’ve already begun planning the 2021 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens.”
Tickets for the series had not gone on sale.
The official announcement from Meijer Gardens does state that officials are exploring options to present local and regional performers as part of a modified Tuesday Evening Music Club series later this summer should the COVID-19 situation improve.
As a sizable percentage of the population reaches old age, many families worry about the health of their loved ones. A common fear is that a senior family member will be diagnosed with dementia. Dementia, which is a name given to describe a large number of specific memory diseases, affects about 10% of Americans, although the anxiety surrounding dementia makes many people think that the numbers are higher.
Dementia has many stages and forms, but most people are only aware of the late-stage symptoms that can be the most frightening and upsetting. Because these are the more well known symptoms, it can become difficult to understand what the early signs of dementia actually are.
It’s important to try and get a dementia diagnosis as soon as possible so the best treatment plan can be put in place, meaning it’s equally important to know what the earliest signs of dementia are and how to recognize them in your loved ones.
Memory loss
The most well-known and obvious sign to spot for dementia is memory loss. After all, dementia is another name for memory disease. But memory loss can mean different things, and it’s important to know when something could be a sign of dementia, and when a behavior is part of the normal aging process.
Simple forgetfulness, such as blanking on a name or word but then remembering it later, isn’t necessarily the type of sign you need to be on the lookout for. Something that might be a more significant sign of memory loss would be forgetting the name of a close relative or friend, and not being able to recall it later.
A good indicator of whether memory loss is a simple brain lapse or a serious sign is if the memory loss is interfering with the daily life of your loved one. For example, if they can no longer hold a conversation because they forget names, dates, and events, it could be an early dementia warning sign.
Confusion
Another important indicator of oncoming dementia is confusion. While not as unmistakable as forgetting names of relatives, confusion can often be the result of other, less obvious, characteristics of memory loss. If an elderly family member is having more confusion than normal, such as not understanding where they are, what day or time it is, or who they are talking to, it could be pointing to a more serious problem than a simple senior moment.
Changes in attitude
If you notice abrupt changes in attitude from senior family members, then it could be another early sign of approaching dementia. Sometimes people who are suffering from early dementia symptoms will become angry, irritable, aggressive, scared, or anxious. Usually these behavioral changes are because they are afraid of what’s happening to them, and are either lashing out or withdrawing from confusion.
A major shift in overall personality is another warning sign to be aware of, such as a normally social person becoming reclusive, or a usually shy person suddenly becoming more outgoing and reckless.
Cognitive difficulty
Dementia affects more in the brain than just memory, and a person’s cognitive thinking and mental abilities are often damaged by dementia. Early dementia symptoms can be represented by difficulty with things like:
Puzzle-solving
Organizing
Scheduling
Complex thinking
Following directions
Simple math
Problems with speaking or writing
If your loved one stumbles over words occasionally as they continue to age, there probably isn’t a reason to get overly concerned. However, if your extremely well-spoken relative is struggling to remember even basic words and is forgetting what simple phrases mean, it could be a sign of something more severe.
Similarly, if you notice that a loved one can no longer write the way they used to and is using increasingly poor grammar and spelling, it could be another early dementia warning sign.
Remember:
In today’s world, we can sometimes be hyper-vigilant when it comes to searching for signs of dementia. While it’s important to get an early diagnosis, we can also be a little paranoid with our loved one’s health.
It’s normal for seniors to have a few lapses in memory and some mood changes as they age, so not every dropped word and misplaced item is a reason for alarm. However, if you notice a possible symptom getting rapidly worse, or a number of signs presenting together, you may want to consider talking to your loved one.
Always keep your senior family members informed about your suspicions, and don’t exclude them from any decisions you make. If you think that a trip to the doctor is necessary, go with your loved one to show support. Working together as a family is always the best way to approach serious health issues, including dementia.
The City of Kentwood and its Public Works Department has an annual tradition during National Public Works Week of inviting the pubic into its buildings to see all the impressive equipment and big trucks that serve the community.
But, in this time of social distancing, and in lieu of a traditional open house for National Public Works Week, the city announced May 20 the the Department of Public Works is, instead, bringing the big trucks to the community on Friday, May 22.
Friday morning, from 9 to 11 a.m., a fleet of vehicles will parade through the western portion of the city from Division Avenue east to the Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail, beginning at Division and Maplelawn Street. From 1 to 3 p.m. in the afternoon, the trucks will take a route through neighborhoods east of the Paul Henry Trail. (See the map of streets to be covered below.)
“We invite residents to enjoy the parade from their porch, yard or driveway and wave as we pass by to allow for safe physical distancing outdoors,” the city stated in supplied material.
Also on May 22, the Department of Public Works will be giving away free Red Maple tree seedlings. Native to Michigan, Red Maple trees are known for their beautiful fall coloration. Those interested in the seedlings may pull up to the front of the Public Works building, located at 5068 Breton Ave., between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
To ensure physical distancing guidelines are followed, the city asks that upon arrival, residents stay in their vehicles, and a staff member will bring up to two seedlings and tree care instructions to the vehicle for safe loading. For more information, call 616-554-0817.
It took exactly one day for opposition to come rolling in after Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced May 19 that all registered voters in Michigan will receive an application to vote by absentee ballot in the August and November elections.
“By mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote,” Benson said in a statement from her office. “Voting by mail is easy, convenient, safe, and secure, and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.”
According to the Secretary’s office, of the 7.7 million registered voters in the state, about 1.3 million are on the permanent absent voter list, and their local election clerk mails them applications ahead of every election.
“Additionally, some jurisdictions are mailing applications to all local registered voters,” according to the Secretary’s statement. “The Michigan Department of State’s Bureau of Elections has ensured all remaining registered voters receive an application.”
But ranging from two Wednesday, May 20, Tweets from President Donald J. Trump, to a statement to WKTV from Kent County Clerk/Register Lisa Posthumus Lyons — both Republicans — not everyone agrees with the Democrat Secretary of State’s action.
“My office was not consulted nor had any knowledge that the Secretary of State would be violating the law by sending unsolicited ballot applications,” Lyons said to WKTV. “We support conducting elections according to the constitution and Michigan law, and this practice is unconstitutional.”
A Twitter back and forth
On his official @realDonaldTrump Twitter account, the President today said: “Michigan sends absentee ballots to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election. This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!”
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
Secretary Benson, responding to the President’s May 20 Tweet, Tweeted herself: “Hi! I also have a name, it’s Jocelyn Benson. And we sent applications, not ballots. Just like my GOP colleagues in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska and West Virginia.”
After Secretary Benson responded, the President’s original Tweet was deleted and another posted which corrected the original by saying “Michigan sends absentee ballot applications to 7.7 million people …”.
Secretary Benson also defended her action in her original, May 19, statement.
“We appreciate that some clerks are proactively protecting public health by mailing applications to all their registered voters, and we are fulfilling our responsibility to provide all voters equal access,” Benson said in the statement. “We know from the elections that took place this month that during the pandemic Michiganders want to safely vote.”
Mostly absentee May voting set records
According to the Secretary’s statement, record-breaking turnout was recorded in the approximately 50 elections held across 33 counties on May 5, with nearly 25 percent of eligible voters casting ballots and 99 percent of them doing so by mail or in a drop box.
In contrast, from 2010 to 2019, average turnout in local elections in May was 12 percent.
The absentee ballot application mailing from the Bureau of Elections includes a cover letter with instructions from Secretary Benson, according to the statement. Once a voter signs their application, they can mail it or email a photo of it to their local clerk, whose contact information is included on the application. The application is also available for download at Michigan.gov/Vote. At the same website, voters can also register and join the permanent absent voter list so they always have the option to vote by mail.
“The vast majority of voters across the political spectrum want the option to vote by mail,” Benson said in the statement. “Mailing applications to all registered voters is one of the ways that we are ensuring Michigan’s elections will continue to be safe, accurate and secure.”
May ballot was a unique voting process
After an executive order by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the May 5 voting was conducted using a hybrid system of encouraging absentee voting, either by mail or by dropping of absentee ballots, and having only a few vote-in-person sites. The Wyoming and Kentwood city clerk’s offices were the only locations to vote in person in the cities on May 5.
While Kent County election officials, and the city clerks of both Wyoming and Kentwood, abided by the state mandate in May, Kent County Clerk Lyons said her office will conduct the August and November elections by current laws — unless there is another executive order by the Governor.
“Until the legislature changes the law or the Governor issues an executive order, we are preparing to run the August and November elections as a normal — with in-person and absentee voting options available,” Lyons said to WKTV. “We will also continue to work with our local clerks to protect the health and safety of election workers and voters while preserving the security and integrity of the election.”
In Jerusalem, at the Aqsa Mosque — Islam’s third holiest site, where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven — Muslim worshipers have been kept out of the religious compound throughout the entire month of Ramadan for the first time since the dark days of the Middle Ages when crusaders controlled Jerusalem.
In Dearborn, Mich., home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States, gone are the community gatherings for evening prayers and nightly feasts to break Ramadan fasts with friends and family. But this year, something that could be done while still abiding by social distancing guidelines, there has been a blossoming of a modern Ramadan lights tradition to spread joy and offer some of the holiday spirit similar to the hanging Christmas lights.
In Kentwood, At-Tawheed Islamic Center and masjid (mosque) has been empty since March 13, and local Ramadan traditions including Friday prayers followed by the breaking of fasts, and its annual Eid Al Fitr congregation or community celebration, scheduled for Saturday, have been cancelled.
Imam Morsy Salem. (At-Tawheed website)
While At-Tawheed’s religious leader, Imam Morsy Salem, still offers online virtual teachings, he has been unable to lead prayer services as he would normally as such prayer services can only be done in person in the masjid.
Prayers, however, go on. Privately. Mostly at family homes, but also at places of essential work and even in outdoors — when Michigan’s infamous spring weather allows. But it is not the same …
“Our five daily prayers, including Friday congregation and sermon, are cancelled and are not held at the masjid for now,” Tareq Saleh, a member of the At-Tawheed management team, said to WKTV. “While muslims can still pray pretty much anywhere, praying at the masjid has always been one of our daily to-dos, and it bears bigger reward. The houses of Allah (masjids) are our refuge from the world to connect with him almighty.”
At-Tawheed is only one of at least five Muslim religious centers in the Greater Grand Rapids area serving congregations representing dozens of national and ethnic backgrounds ranging from Egyptian to Kashmirian to Bosnian to Somalian.
The Kentwood family of Hamid Elmorabeti, at prayer at home. (Supplied)
“We can still pray at home, either individually or in groups with family members, i.e. husband with his wife and kids. But no mass congregation prayer can be held through online services or anything of that nature,” Saleh said. “What our imam has been doing is broadcasting his lectures online and holding Quran recitation groups through Zoom service.”
While Ramadan fasting, during daylight hours for most healthy people, has remained the same, the change has come in the breaking of fasts daily and particularly at the end of the month of Ramadan.
“The biggest challenge we are facing with this situation is the congregation part … performing prayers at the masjid, the Friday prayer and sermon, breaking fast with the community, the night prayers in Ramadan, and coming soon the Eid prayer and celebration, Saleh said. “All of our acts of worship can be done at home or while a person is in isolation with the exception of Friday prayer and sermon and Eid prayer.
“While the Friday prayer requires a group of people, some big families with enough adults maybe able to hold a Friday congregation at home or wherever they are isolated.”
Tradition of fasting, supporting those in need
“Fasting is an obligation upon every adult Muslim,” he said. “There are certain conditions to permit breaking someone’s fasting, such as traveling or being sick. (But) Muslims fast wherever they are. The place, in its self, is not a condition to break fasting. So, yes, muslims are fasting at homes this year with their families.”
For a separate WKTV Journal story on Ramadan, and its religious customs and traditions, see a story here.
The At-Tawheed masjid has actually been closed since March 13, “when all the places of worship in town started closing their doors in response to the stay home and social distancing recommendations by the government,” Saleh said. “There will not be an Eid Alfitr congregation or community celebration this year due to the pandemic and the extension the governor put in place until May 28.”
The month of Ramadan, based on the lunar cycle, this year began on April 23 and last until Saturday, May 23.
“There isn’t any activities that are still taking place in the masjid other than the food pantry,” Saleh said. “The team has been able to support those of need through distributing food while taking all precautions to keep both community members and volunteers safe. Actually (a few) weeks ago an entire semi-truck full of potatoes was donated and distributed to the community through our food pantry program.”
For more information on the At-Tawheed Islamic Center, visit their website here.
Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that medical device packaging engineering firm, Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC (PCL) will be expanding its current operations at 4334 Brockton Dr. SE in Kentwood. In addition to a capital investment of $2.57 million, the company will bring 27 new jobs to the area.
PCL was founded in 2014 as a solution to a stagnated health care packaging industry. Headquartered in the City of Kentwood, PCL specializes in helping global medical device manufacturers launch new devices to market faster while maintaining regulatory compliance around the globe.
PCL, along with its sister company, SmartStart Medical, LLC (SSM), will take on the additional 27 jobs as a result of this expansion. SSM specializes in device cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and pilot production for new medical technologies.
“Packaging Compliance Labs is in the midst of an exciting period of growth,” said Matthew Lapham, President, Packaging Compliance Labs. “We’re thankful that The Right Place and their partners at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation have provided continuous support to our business as we’ve prepared for this upcoming expansion.”
Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC (PCL) will be expanding its current operations at 4334 Brockton Dr. SE in Kentwood. (Supplied)
The MEDC is supporting the expansion with a $135,000 Jobs Ready Michigan grant, a program designed by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) to address the cost associated with recruiting and training individuals for occupations that are high-wage, high-skill or high-demand.
“West Michigan’s medical device manufacturing industry has grown steadily over the last five years at a rate of about 10%,” said Eric Icard, senior business development manager for The Right Place and project lead, “These are high-paying, high-quality jobs that are contributing to our regional economy. When a company like Packaging Compliance Labs chooses to expand here, it makes way for continued growth as they create an increasingly efficient supply chain for medical device manufacturers in the area.”
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley also shared his optimism about what PCL’s expansion will mean for his community.
“Having an innovative firm like Packaging Compliance Labs bring more jobs and investment to Kentwood is excellent for our residents and for the community at-large,” Kepley said. “We are glad to be home to Packaging Compliance Labs and commend the company’s efforts to provide critical solutions to the health care industry when they are needed most.”
In addition to information and connections to many COVID-19 related resources, the State of Michigan is now offering confidential emotional support counseling, available 24/7, at no cost to Michigan residents who call the state’s COVID-19 hotline.
Michigan Stay Well counselors are available any time, day or night, by dialing the 888-535-6136 and pressing 8 when prompted. Language translation is available for non-English speakers.
The service is part of a federally funded grant program implemented by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (BHDDA) in partnership with the Michigan State Police.
“Because of COVID-19, many of us are grappling with strong emotions, including anxiety, depression and fear,” MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said in supplied material. “We want Michiganders to know it is okay to have these feelings — and okay to ask for help. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.”
Callers to the COVID-19 hotline will hear a recording that begins by saying to press “8” if they would like to speak with a Michigan Stay Well counselor. The counselors, though not licensed professionals, have received specialized training from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Technical Assistance Center on how to provide emotional support to residents of federally declared disaster areas. A major disaster was declared in Michigan on Friday, March 27, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BHDDA hopes that adding Stay Well counseling services to the hotline will provide callers with relief from the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Emerging or lingering anxiety, distress, irritability and loss of hope are important feelings to recognize in ourselves and others, and it can help to talk to someone,” Dr. Debra Pinals, psychiatrist and MDHHS medical director for behavioral health, said in supplied material. “If it’s helpful, the counselors can also provide callers with referrals to local mental health agencies and substance use disorder support services.”
State employee volunteers also continue to answer general COVID-19 questions on the hotline. The current hours for general questions are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you come across a suspected triatomine, the CDC recommends placing it in a container with alcohol and taking it to your local health department. It can be tested for Chagas disease. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
It sounds like something out of a horror film: A blood-hungry insect feeds on its prey’s faces while they sleep, leaving behind a parasite that can cause stroke and heart disease.
But the triatomine, or so-called “kissing bug,” is all too real and found regularly in Latin America, but also has been found in several areas of the United States, as far north as Illinois and Delaware.
And while it often targets faces, the insect will settle for any patch of exposed skin.
With summer barbecue season on the horizon, how worried should people be?
It’s important to keep things in perspective, said Dr. Caryn Bern, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California School of Medicine.
After an acute flu-like period that lasts from weeks to months, most people who test positive for Chagas disease show no symptoms.
“The estimate is that 20 percent to 30 percent of people with Chagas disease will eventually develop heart or gastrointestinal disease, although heart disease is much more common,” Bern said. “That’s over a lifetime and it usually doesn’t show up until years after the infection occurred.”
It’s not the bug that causes Chagas disease, but rather a parasite that lives in its poop.
When a person inadvertently rubs the bug’s feces into the bug wound, their eye or another mucous membrane, the parasite sometimes makes itself at home.
Chagas disease also can be transmitted from mother to fetus, from contaminated blood transfusions, via an infected organ donor or, in rare cases, through food or drink.
While about 300,000 people in the United States have Chagas disease, most of them contracted it while living in Mexico, Central America and South America, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates up to 6 million to 8 million have been infected.
All told, the disease causes more than 10,000 deaths a year worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
But it’s important to keep in mind that since 1955, there have been fewer than 50 documented cases of people who have acquired the parasite from exposure to the triatomine in the U.S., said Dr. Susan Montgomery, who leads an epidemiology team in the Parasitic Diseases Branch of CDC’s Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria.
“The parasite has to get into a human’s body or an animal’s body by contaminating the wound,” Montgomery said. “It’s pretty complicated.”
But there is cause for concern, said Paula Stigler Granados, an assistant professor at Texas State University who leads the Texas Chagas Taskforce.
Stigler Granados and her team work to raise awareness about Chagas in a state where more than 60 percent of triatomines test positive for the parasite that causes the disease.
“The more we look, the more we find,” Stigler Granados said, noting that since the American Red Cross started screening new blood donors for Chagas disease, they have identified many people infected with the disease. “Although the blood donation tests are extremely sensitive and sometimes have false positives, that’s an indicator that it could be a bigger problem we should be monitoring.”
There is a treatment for people who have Chagas disease.
In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration approved benznidazole, a 60-day medication regimen for people ages 2 to 12.
Once Chagas disease becomes chronic, the medication may not cure it but could slow the progression in younger people.
For older people who are affected, experts recommend doctors and patients weigh the individual benefits with the possible side effects of the medication, which can include rash, abdominal discomfort and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
The best bet is to avoid infection altogether.
The CDC advises people to use window screens, seal any gaps in the home, allow pets to sleep indoors and eliminate things near the house that attract insects, including lights and wood, brush and rock piles.
If you do come across a triatomine, don’t kill it, the CDC recommends.
Instead, capture it with a container and either fill it with rubbing alcohol or freeze it.
Then take it to your local health department or university laboratory for identification. Testing can help to determine if it is a triatomine, and if so, whether it carries the parasite.
In the meantime, experts agree on one thing: People should stay calm.
“The important thing to remember is that these bugs are more interested in staying out in the woods and feeding on animals than they are in feeding on you,” Montgomery said. “It’s important to prevent Chagas disease if you can, but it’s very hard to get this infection and it’s not happening often.”
Tired of all the sad, bad news these days? City of Kentwood commissioner Emily Bridson will host a casual conversation to “Celebrate the Small Victories” during the global pandemic via a Facebook Live Event on Saturday, May 23, starting at 10 a.m.
“Let’s focus on the positive, what we’ve learned, how we adapted, and what moving forward looks like,” Bridson said in supplied material. “This will be an uplifting take during this challenging time but will include real stories of pain and struggle and, of course, the small victories.”
In the discussion, Bridson will be “Celebrating the Small Victories” with guests Hanna Schulze of Local First, Tarah Carnahan of Treetops Collective and Sagar Dangal, an activist in the Bhutanese community.
The discussion is expected to include topics such as the local economy, personal growth, practices of local businesses that prioritize people’s safety and needs and facilitating the sense of belonging in our community, according to supplied material.
Also on the agenda are how we will be more adaptable, proactive and action-oriented; job flexibility for working parents and workforce health considerations moving forward; creating more equitable opportunities for caretakers and those with underlying conditions; and, finally, looking to the future.
The discussion guests
Dangal is owner of the local business Everest Tax Services. In addition, he is vice-president of the Bhutanese Community of Michigan and host of the podcast “Bhutanese Talk”.
Carnahan is the executive director and co-founder of Treetops Collective, which has the mission: “To connect refugee women with people and opportunities in their new community so they can flourish for generations to come — standing tall and impacting others.”
Schulze is the executive director at Local First, a group with the vision: “We lead the development of an economy grounded in local ownership that meets the basic need of people, builds local wealth and social capital, functions in harmony with our ecosystem, and encourages joyful community.”
Bridson is a Michigan native, community activist, business professional and retired professional athlete. She serves as a Kentwood city commissioner and serves on Kent County’s City/County Building Authority.
During the discussion, Facebook Live comments and questions may be discussed in real-time.
Frontline workers responding to COVID-19, along with many others who are returning to their jobs, are wearing masks all day long. Some are experiencing irritation, especially around their ears.
Katarina Samardzija, a 2019 graduate of Grand Valley State University and founder of Locker Lifestyle, took notice. Locker Lifestyle produces athletic clothing with storage pouches.
“I had all of these athletic headbands in stock that have been tested for comfort and fit by marathon runners,” said Samardzija. “I recruited my grandmother, who is a seamstress, to help sew buttons on the headbands. The buttons allow you to attach a surgical mask to relieve irritation behind the ears.”
The Pocket Headband for women and men has non-slip gel dots and a pocket in back, secured by Velcro®, to carry money, keys or even a spare mask. In April, Samardzija made a demonstration video, which went viral. She and her work crew, consisting of her mother and grandmother, have shipped about 600 Headband Aids all over the country.
Katarina Samardzija’s grandmother (left) helped Katarina with the design of the Headband Aid. (Supplied)
Samardzija earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand Valley with a double major in marketing and entrepreneurship. She was also a member of the GVSU Women’s Tennis team. She was headed to tennis practice in 2016, when she got the idea for Locker Lifestyle.
“I got tired of carrying all of my belongings to the gym. The first product I made, which is our best seller, is the Wrist Wallet. It holds items like an ID, money, keys, lip balm. My friends started knocking on my door wanting one,” she said.
Samardzija connected with Grand Valley’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and began competing for startup funds. She has participated in about 14 competitions to date to help fund patents and to manufacture products.
“Runners World” magazine named Locker Lifestyle products the top gear to have in 2020; in 2019, Samardzija was named one of the Newsmakers of the Year by the “Grand Rapids Business Journal;” and in 2018, she was the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest Bronze Prize Winner.
Samardzija said her education and connections at Grand Valley have proven invaluable.
“The support from the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation has been a continual resource,” she said. “I connect with Shorouq Almallah and Matthew Larson from CEI on a monthly basis to stay in touch and discuss growth.”
Considering the medical science surrounding what we already know about the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for people to continue the practice of wearing a mask while in public. The personal policy of behaving as if you are carrying the virus is ultimately a wise one as it directly saves the lives of those around you.
We encourage everyone to remember that COVID-19 is a newly discovered virus and the medical and science community is the best source of it’s characteristics.
Because of the ability for anyone to put anything up on the internet and social media and pass it off as legitimate, we also encourage caution when absorbing what you may read or see. Please stay with mainstream news sources and with the CDC (Center for Disease Control).
We also encourage everyone to be aware that minimizing the spread of COVID-19 is the surest and fastest way for our society and State to get beyond this pandemic. Practicing this behavior, as recommended by medical and science professionals, will also likely bring a more solid and sustainable re-opening of our local economy.
The following link, to a recent article by writers at the magazine Science, who’s COVID-19 reporting is supported by the prestigious Pulitzer Center, is an example of good reporting on the science of COVID-19. (Linked with permission.)
Since people are at home and have the time, the one thing that appears residents are doing is filling out the 2020 U.S. Census.
At least in the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming with the U.S. Census reporting through its interactive response rate map that both cities have already surpassed their 2010 U.S. Census overall response rate. As of May 18, 2020, the City of Kentwood is at 74.1 self-response rate. In 2010, its overall response rate was 73. The City of Wyoming’s 2020 self-response rate is 72.5, just slightly over its 2010 overall response rate of 72.4.
According to recent reports, about 59.5 percent of the U.S. households in the United States have self-responded, meaning that residents have either mailed, called in or gone online to answer the nine questions that center around who was living in the home on April 1, 2020.
This is about 88 million households that have responded. For the 2010 census, it was about 74 percent mail in rate (the 2010 U.S. Census did not have an online component) with about 116.7 million households responding to the census. The total population report for the 2010 U.S. Census was 308.7 million of which about 300.8 million were living in homes and the remaining 8 million lived in group quarters such as school domentories, nursing homes, and military barracks.
Michigan ranks fourth in self-response to the 2020 U.S. Census.
So where does Michigan stand?
Michigan ranks fourth with 66.2 percent or 3.2 million households responding. In the 2010 U.S. Census, the state had a total of 67.7 percent response. Despite having cities with some of the highest participation rates in the 2010 U.S. Census, Michigan had a population drop of about 54,000 going from 9.938 million in 2000 to about 9.883 million in 2010.
Due to the population drop, Michigan lost a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, going from 15 to 14. According to state officials, the goal for the 2020 U.S. Census is for its population to be enough to maintain its current 14 U.S. House of Representative seats.
“The state has been growing, but not growing as quickly as Texas, Florida, or North Carolina,” said Michigan Statewide Census director Kerry Ebersole. “So we have the opportunity to maintain which we have in congress but it is unlikely we will pick up an additional seat.”
Keeping those seats are even more important as Michigan goes against other states for relief funding from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s important that Michigan voices are heard,” Ebersole said, “that we have a voice and representation at the federal level especially as policies are developed that may impact our state.”
And it is not just policies related to COVID-19 relief, but also for programs for the Great Lakes, Medicare, literacy, the elderly and city infrastructure such as the parks and roads.
As of May 18, 2020, the National response rate has been 59.5 percent.
It is all about the numbers
“The two things that the census influences are dollars and how many U.S. Representatives the state will have in Washington D.C.” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley in an interview about the U.S. Census before the statewide COVID-19 state of emergency order.
Funding dollars are largely determined by a municipality’s population and while looking at how the Michigan Department of Transportation determines funding, Kepley noted that 50,000 seemed to be a magic number that would increase a municipality’s funding for roads. The U.S. Census currently estimates that the City of Kentwood’s population is around 51,868 which means Kentwood needs to do a “good” job in getting residents to respond to the 2020 Census.
Which according to the 2020 U.S. Census Interactive Map, Kentwood residents have done quite well in self-responding. As of Monday, May 18, 2020, the City of Kentwood has had 74.1 percent self-response of which 65.7 have been online responses. Of course, there are still a number of factors in determining the overall funding any municipality will receive.
“If we do better in getting the word out and showing an increase, it could be that we are taking money away from another city that may not have done as well doing that,” Kepley said, adding if everyone does well then, it also will have an impact on the dollars Kentwood could receive.
But having residents fill out the U.S. Census is important, Kepley said as it impacts what the city can provide in city infrastructure such as roads and parks, low and moderate housing, and even attracting future businesses which use census information as a component to determining where to locate.
More numbers
Along with the City of Kentwood and the City of Wyoming. which has a self-response rate of 72.5 of which 63.5 were online (as of May 18, 2020), the overall Kent County self response rate has been above the U.S. average of 59.5 percent. As of May 18, 2020, it was at 73.3 percent total of self-reporting of which 64.1 percent were online. In 2010, the county had a total response rate of 73.6 percent.
Some other municipalities numbers as of May 18, 2020:
City of Grand Rapids: 65.6 percent of which 54.5 were online. In 2010, it had a response rate of 69.7.
City of Grandville: 81.1 percent of which 73.4 were online. In 2010, it had a response rate of 79.8.
Caledonia Township: 81 percent of which 73.6 were online. In 2010, it had a response rate of 81.2.
Byron Township: 79.9 percent of which 72.5 were online. In 2010, it had a response rate of 76.3
Still time to respond
Due to the COVID-19 and a majority of the nation placed on lockdown to help prevent the spread, the U.S. Census Bureau announced it has delayed the counts. U.S. lawmakers still need to sign off on the new schedule.
According to the U.S. Census website, residents will have until Oct. 31 to self-respond. Non-response follow-up with census fieldworkers going out will be Aug. 11 to Oct. 31. The U.S. Census Bureau is pushing back the 2020 U.S. Census report to the president from Dec. 31, 2020 to April 30, 2021 with the president delivering the counts to Congress within 14 days. States would receive numbers for redistricting by July 31, 2021 instead of April 1, 2021.
On Wednesday, May 20, the WKTV Government 26 channel will be featuring live coverage of the launch of the JAXA/HTV-9 cargo ship from Tanegashima, Japan, to the International Space Station.
Coverage, which is provided by NASA TV, will start at 1 p.m. with the launch scheduled for 1:30 p.m. The JAXA.HTV-9 is an automated cargo spaceship used to resupply the International Space Station and the Kibo Japanese Experiment Module.
Live coverage will continue on Monday, May 25, at 6:45 a.m .for the rendezvous and capture of the cargo ship to the International Space Station. The capture is scheduled to the place at 8:15 a.m.
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov.
NASA TV can be seen on WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.
The Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW) has unveiled plans to produce free educational videos through the end of the traditional school year (June 5), and share those videos with the public on social media. The organization has already produced 20 videos, all of which are now are available for viewing on its Facebook page and YouTube channel.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the learning landscape for Michigan teachers, parents and students”, said Wendy Ogilvie, Director of Environmental Programs at Grand Valley Metropolitan Council. “We have always provided hands-on environmental programs for students at our partner schools. With caregivers taking on new responsibilities for their children’s education, we decided to share elements of our traditional hands-on programs in a format that provides educational support to caregivers at home as well as our partner teachers.”
On Meadownview Street is featured in the May 18 video.
The LGROW staff began producing and posting the videos on May 18. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, LGROW hosts a Facebook Live session at 1:00 pm. The content is recorded and then shared on LGROW’s Facebook page. The videos focus on inspiring children and families to get outdoors and enjoy the watershed. They include demonstrations of science experiments and place-based activities, read-aloud story times with water-related books, and nature-themed craft tutorials.
“We’re extremely proud of the work the Environmental Programs team does every day, but their innovative approach during the COVID-19 pandemic is especially impressive,” said John Weiss, Executive Director of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council. These videos clearly show how committed the staff is to sharing information about water quality and our environment.”
The archived videos can be accessed via the LGROW YouTube channel or clicking here. Upcoming topics are May 20 Soak up the stormwater experiment; May 22 craft activity A-Maze-ing Water; May 25 story “Beyond the Pond” by Joseph Kuefler; May 27 demonstration Who polluted the Grand River?; May 29 craft project Aquatic Plant Art; June 1 story on clean air action; June 3 a demonstration clean air action; and June 5 a craft project on clean air action.
As you age, it can be difficult to be as socially active as you once were. You might find yourself making excuses or giving friends a rain check on social gatherings. However, this kind of social avoidance can lead to serious consequences for your physical and mental health. Take a look and see why socialization is so important for aging adults.
Why don’t seniors socialize?
It’s very common for seniors and older adults to avoid socializing at the same rates they did when they were younger. But why? For some, it’s because of the decreased mobility they have as they age. When it’s hard to drive or get in and out of vehicles, or if you need to use a walker or wheelchair to get around, going out and socializing becomes a demanding and laborious task.
In addition to struggling with mobility, seniors can find themselves having much less energy throughout the day and becoming exhausted quickly—making evening dinners and events tiring rather than invigorating. It also becomes more difficult to navigate unknown environments, so staying at home becomes a preferable option to going out.
For some seniors, there are more than just physical barriers between themselves and socialization. As adults age, it can become more and more challenging to be emotionally available for family and friends. Seniors may be upset at their condition or frustrated in general, and want to avoid interactions and isolate themselves thinking that will be the better option. However, the opposite is often true.
Socialization lowers rates of depression
Depression is unfortunately a common mental health problem among seniors. Senior depression is usually brought on by the loneliness or guilt seniors feel when they isolate themselves as they age. Symptoms include:
Lack of energy & motivation
Feelings of sadness or despair
Difficulty sleeping (or sleeping much longer than normal)
Feelings of self-loathing
Sudden weight loss or gain
Slower movement & speech
Increased abuse of alcohol
Neglecting personal care (like showering, grooming, or eating)
Loss of interest in hobbies
Thoughts of suicide
While older adults who feel this way might not want to socialize, isolation always makes depression worse. Socialization provides opportunities to learn, converse, laugh, and be stimulated—all of which can make depression more bearable for seniors. Socialization can also decrease the odds of getting senior depression at all.
Remember, if you are at all concerned that you or a loved one is suffering from depression, get help and speak to a professional right away.
Socialization improves memory and can help prevent dementia
Over the years there have been countless studies that have linked a lack of socialization to an increased risk of dementia and other memory diseases. As adults age, it’s important that the brain remains stimulated and engaged. Socialization can help seniors maintain proper cognitive function by exercising their brains in different ways then it works while someone is alone.
In fact, a very recent study suggests that interactions with friends (who are not relatives) can decrease dementia risk by as much as 12%. Socialization decreases the stress on the brain that can slow down mental functions, and well as create a “reserve” of mental energy, all while promoting healthy behavior and interaction.
It’s important that your brain doesn’t just sit in your head as you age, and socializing with others can challenge your cognitive thinking and functions in helpful ways that build brain strength and endurance.
Socialization makes seniors happier and healthier
It’s not just mental health that can be improved with socialization—it can also help boost your physical energy as well. Studies have made connections between lowered social activity and high blood pressure, and some new theories are suggesting that high rates of social interaction can lower the chances of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease in older adults.
Most importantly, social interaction makes people happier. Seniors who are socially active are more likely to be physically active as well, and they are less stressed, have longer lifespans, and have greater self-esteem than seniors who are isolated.
Social opportunities near you
There are plenty of ways for you to be social, or to help a loved one stay social as they age. Opportunities for socialization include:
Senior hobby groups (like gardening, bird-watching, cooking, or collecting clubs)
Activity groups (like arts & crafts, movie watching, or book clubs)
Group health activities (like music therapy or meditation)
Senior living communities like assisted living give people plenty of opportunities to grow socially without needing to find ways to leave home or travel to other locations. Because of the group environment and daily activities in senior living, there are plenty of ways to cultivate new relationships and meet people socially without dealing with stress.
After less than three months on the job, the president of Exalta Health — a south Grand Rapids healthcare provider to persons regardless of their employment, health insurance and limited financial ability — has resigned and the organization will now be led by an interim president.
Exalta serves residents of both Wyoming and Kentwood.
Exalta Health announced early this month that former Byron Center School District superintendent Dan Takens, who took over as Exalta Health president in early February “decided last week that he needed to resign for personal reasons and the board reluctantly accepted that resignation.”
Ed Postma. (Exalta Health)
Takens replaced Bill Paxton, who had retired. Ed Postma, a member of the Exalta Health Board of Directors and a former chair of the board, will take over as interim president as the board enters a new search process, according to supplied material.
Postma worked at Amway for almost four decades in international contract compliance, risk management and international business development, and he is presently a consultant with Cross Creek Consulting.
“Even in the midst of COVID-19,” Postma said in supplied material, “when we have seen fewer patients in person, it has been clear to me and to many others how important Exalta Health is to a part of our population that is often ignored.
“Not just our medical and dental services, but our behavioral and spiritual care services have been a lifeline to many. People know we are here for them, and we plan for that message to continue to come through loud and clear in this time of transition too.”
According to supplied material, in 2019, Exalta Health served 1,099 medical patients, 1,210 dental patients and provided just over 9,000 total services. Staff at the facility includes a medical director, a dental director, social workers, a chaplain and a variety of administrative positions. It also relies on more than 100 medical, dental and other volunteers annually to provide its services.
About 17 percent of Exalta Health patients have insurance, of which most use Medicaid, meaning insurance is just 4.2 percent of its revenue. “The donor community, including businesses, individuals, churches and foundations, helps cover the gap between what services cost and what patients can pay,” according to the Exalta Health statement.
Exalta Heath is located at 2060 Division Ave S. For more information visit exaltahealth.org.
“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces — just good food from fresh ingredients.”
Julia Child
Local farmer’s markets are open, opening
Among the announcements of cancellations and/or delays in programming comes some good news: many area farmers markets such as the Metro Health Farm Market and the City of Kentwood Farmers Market will open as scheduled. Get the latest news on when and where. Go here for the story.
A customers picks up a delivery from Green Wagon Farms at the Ada location of a local REKO market in early May. (WKTV)
Shop the Finnish way … Go REKO!
There are many models for consumers to “buy local and eat local” — home and community gardens, farmer’s markets, CSAs, farm stands — but a group of small, local producers are giving the European-bred REKO model a try, and doing so for many reasons. Go here for the story.
Eating the Mediterranean Way … wine anyone?
We always hear about the latest fad diet, but don’t we often wonder what really works? The Mediterranean diet, however, isn’t a diet so much as it’s a way of living. Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
8 percent (longer life)
There are several studies that have been associated the Mediterranean diet with a longer life. One review conducted by Italian researchers on an overall population of over 4,000,000 showed that a diet can reduce risk of death by 8 percent. Source.
The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department announced it will be offering free Rec at Home Kits.
These kits will consist of fun activities for your children to do at home. There are total of 200 kits. To receive a kit, a child should be pre-registered to receive a kit. The activity number is 300000_01.
Kits may be picked up at 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW. Additional pickup information will be emailed to all who registered.
If you have any questions, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation through email parks_info@wyomingin.gov.
Michigan’s only professional ballet company, Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB), will release two “new” virtual program performances online, one of which will include a world premiere piece from Choreographer-in-Residence Penny Saunders.
This exclusive content (which will also showcase video from past performances) will be made available to those who generously make a tax-deductible donation of any amount to the organization between now and June 11, 2020.
“As the COVID-19 crisis continues, I have been looking for new ways to fulfill our mission of lifting the human spirit through the art of dance,” said Artistic Director James Sofranko. “Our new Virtual Programs seek to replicate the experience of attending one of our performances by offering an evening of ballets handpicked by myself to reflect our times as well as highlight the talents of our company.”
Program I, Classic & Contemporary, will “premiere” online May 15 and feature full versions of the following performances:
George Balanchine’s “Allegro Brillante” as performed by GRB in October 2018 – One of Balanchine’s most joyous, pure dance pieces of expansive Russian romanticism. Of it he said: “It is everything I know about classical ballet in 13 minutes.”
Danielle Rowe’s “November” as performed by GRB in February 2020 – An exciting contemporary work that reminds us why love isn’t for the faint of heart.
Alejandro Cerrudo’s “Extremely Close” as performed by GRB in February 2019 – A unique piece of moving walls and falling feathers will have you seeing the world from a completely different perspective.
“I am particularly excited about the world premiere in Virtual Program II from our resident choreographer Penny Saunders,” said Sofranko. “Rather than feeling stifled by the limitation of social distancing, she is turning challenges into creative jumping off points. The idea this project will one day be re-imagined in a performance venue, integrating the final film with live dancers on stage, gives us all something to look forward to. I especially wish to thank our staff and crew, the dancers, Penny and all of the choreographers participating in the Virtual Programs for their efforts to keep art and beauty present in our world.”
Program II, An Evening with Penny Saunders, will “premiere” online June 12 and will showcase the works of Princess Grace Award winner and GRB’s resident choreographer, Penny Saunders:
“Amiss” (world premiere) This never-before-seen work will feature the voices and talents of Grand Rapids Ballet dancers, staff, teachers, students, and board and audience members who have all generously volunteered their time to the creation of this unique piece during the COVID-19 hiatus. It is a collaboration with video editor Quinn Wharton and composer Michael Wall.
“Again” as performed by GRB in October 2019 – A sensual, tension-filled pas de deux is a personal story of how a dancer’s life evolves when their career on stage ends and a new chapter begins.
“Testimony” as performed by GRB in October 2018 – An important and topical piece influenced by the #MeToo movement.
“Ghost Light” as performed by GRB in February 2019 – A haunting work inspired by the singular light often left on an unoccupied stage to provide the longing spirts of the theatre the opportunity to dance in the dark.
“This project emerged to remain connected to my craft and to try and create something meaningful during this time of great uncertainty,” said Resident Choreographer Penny Saunders. “Over the years, Grand Rapids Ballet has become a creative home for me, and I felt the need to express my gratitude to such an amazing community. Quickly, over 30 individuals from across the organization — from young students to board members — answered the call and offered to join me in this collaboration. Dance, as it often does, provided comfort and connectedness. Amiss is a love story of sorts, highlighting what we cherish about our humanity, our creativity, and our arts community.”
A link to view the programs will be emailed to anyone who makes a tax-deductible donation of any amount between now and May 14 for Program I and May 16-June 11 for Program II. The videos will be available to view online for 72 hours. Donations can be made online at grballet.com/donate. To learn more about these virtual programs and all of the good work GRB is doing “at home,” visit grballet.com/grbathome today.
All Districts: School leaders working together to plan fall and beyond
Now that school districts have distance learning up and running, local education leaders are turning their attention to the next urgent concern: the future of schooling. An ad hoc committee of 13 Kent ISD school leaders — which includes Wyoming Superintendent Craig Hoekstra and Godfrey-Lee Superintendent Kevin Polston — are working on contingency plans to prepare for the next school year and beyond. To learn more about the discussion, click here.
Tara Jones plays with son, Cole, during a Bright Beginnings playgroup. (School News Network)
All Districts: Supporting parents as teachers
Bright Beginnings, which offers parents support and services to help them become the best first teachers for their children, recently received a Blue Ribbon accreditation from the Missouri-based Parents as Teachers program. Free to families in the Kent ISD, to learn more about the program and the accreditation, click here.
Cast members from Godfrey-Lee’s production of ‘The Wiz’ prior to school building closures (courtesy photo/School News Network)
Godfrey-Lee/Wyoming: The show might go on
Last year it was snow days, this year it was COVID-19 that caused area schools, such as Godfrey-Lee and Wyoming, shutdown with school productions left in limbo. And while the show may not happen – some directors remain hopeful – there still is the story of community that brought everyone together. To learn more, click here.
