The Kent County Emergency Management and the City of Grand Rapids Emergency Management will begin monthly tests of the county’s outdoor warning sirens Friday, April 5, at noon.
According to Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Louis Hunt, if members of the public do not hear the siren tests, and believe they should have, they are urged to contact their local township or city office. The tests will continue the first Friday of each month, April through October, at noon.
“The purpose of the outdoor warning sirens is to provide one of many means to alert residents of an imminent hazard and to prompt them to find shelter and seek further information,” Lt. Hunt said in a statement. “These sirens are one facet of a broad system of emergency warning that also includes weather and media apps for smart phones, NOAA radios, and local radio and television alerts.
“It is important to understand that the outdoor warning sirens may not be able to reach the interior of all homes due to distance, improved housing construction and sound deadening features, or the specific location within the home such as a basement,” he said. “Therefore, redundant methods of emergency alert are recommended.”
The testing of the outdoor warning sirens is also an excellent time to discuss plans for severe weather with your family and in your workplace, the county statement advises.
Kent District Library is pleased to partner with the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM) to present a series of programs titled “Oceans, Lakes, and Streams: Protecting Water Globally and Locally” in April and May. The series will take place at the Kentwood branch of Kent District Library, 4950 Breton Rd. SE, Kentwood, MI 49508.
“The state of the Great Lakes and our oceans. Lead in our municipal water. The health of our local watersheds. When it comes to our water resources, there is a lot to discuss,” said Michael Van Denend, WACWM’s executive director. “Each part in the series focuses on a particular body or type of water to look at this issue globally and locally. The end goal is to remind our community how interconnected we are through the water we share and create positive courses of action that will protect these resources for generations to come.”
The series is as follows:
Wednesday, April 10, features Dr. David E. Guggenheim, known as “The Ocean Doctor,” discussing the “State of the Oceans.” Ocean Doctor is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., established in 2012 dedicated to protecting and restoring our oceans through hands-on conservation.
Monday, April 15, features a panel of local experts discussing the “State of our Ground Water.” Garret Ellison, MLive; Drs. Gail Heffner and Dave Warners, Plaster Creek Stewards; and Dr. Richard Rediske, Robert B. Annis Water Resource Institute (AWRI) will be joined by moderator Elaine Sterrett Isely, West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) as they discuss issues affecting our ground water in West Michigan and the actions our community can take to be better stewards.
Wednesday, April 24, features Anna Clark, author of The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water and the American Urban Tragedy discussing “Learning from the Flint Water Crisis.” Clark is a journalist in Detroit. The Poisoned City was named one of the best books of the year in 2018 by theWashington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, Kirkus, Amazon, and more.
Wednesday, May 1, features Dr. Mark Luttenton, Robert B. Annis Water Resource Institute (AWRI), discussing “State of the Great Lakes.” Luttenton is a Professor of Biology and Associate Research Scientist at AWRI along with serving as Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Grand Valley State University.
Events run from 6:30 to 7:30 pm and are free and open to the public. No reservations are needed and there is free parking available. For more information on sessions, dates and times, as well as detailed information on speakers, visit www.worldmichigan.org/water-seriesor call 616-776-1721.
In existence since 1949, WACWM empowers the people and organizations of West Michigan to engage thoughtfully with the world. WACWM brings timely information and encourages spirited conversation on matters of global importance and national foreign policy through diverse and comprehensive programming. The organization is non-partisan and promises presenters that are credible, topics that are relevant, discussion that is civil and events that are compelling.
WACWM has over 50 member companies and 11 educational institutions as part of its local network, and is itself a member of the national World Affairs Council Association based in Washington, D.C.— consisting of over 90 member-councils across the United States. More information about the council can be found at www.worldmichigan.org.
Cropped portion of poster for “The Miller Prediction”. (Supplied)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Beginning Monday, April 8, and running through the month, WKTV Community Media will offer cable channel telecasts of two new award-winning religious-themed films: “The Miller Prediction” and “World Peace — A Baha’i Vision”, both produced by Radiant Century Films.
“The Miller Prediction” will premiere Monday, April 8, at 11 p.m., and re-air Friday April 12, at noon, and Thursday, April 18, at 4 p.m.
According to Radiant Films, “William Miller, a Baptist preacher and founder of the Adventist movement, predicted that the world would end in 1844. His Biblical and other research proved that Christ would return to the earth in 1844. When that apparently did not happen, The Great Disappointment became a major event in the history of the Millerite movement. ‘The Miller Prediction’ presents a mystery. The mystery is a real one, and of vital importance to every human being. It presents enough evidence to pull the viewer into this investigation, and then allows them to answer the question for themselves.”
“World Peace — A Baha’i Vision”, will premiere Monday, April 8, at 9 p.m., and re-air Thursday, April 11, at 5 p.m.
Radiant films describes the film this way: “World Peace — A Baha’i Vision” was produced in 2016 by Cyrus Parvini. Directed by award winning director Cullen Hoback. Narrated by Emmy Award winner Eva La Rue. This film explores the beliefs and origins of the Baha’i Faith, which has become the second most widespread religion on the planet. Weaving together interviews, historical documents, and footage from around the globe, this documentary takes us inside the Baha’i way of life and the daily struggle to promote unity in a conflicted world.”
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels: Comcast cable Channel 25 and AT&T cable Channel 99 (Community). For WKTV cable television programming highlights, visit WKTVjournal.org . For a complete list of programming visit wktv.org and click on “Programming”.
Local beer and food pairings are the focus of “Beer City Eats.” (Supplied/Beer City USA)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
‘Beer City Eats’, an eight-episode video series launched last month as part of Experience Grand Rapids’ Beer Month GR, is now running on WKTV Community Media’s cable television channels.
DJ Adrian “AB” Butler (Supplied)
Grand Rapids designer, musician and DJ Adrian “AB” Butler is your tour guide for Beer City Eats, according to supplied information. The series focuses on how Grand Rapids’ beer reputation has elevated the food scene to a nationally-recognized level. In each episode, “AB” interviews local brewmasters, chefs, and owners to highlight the unique and delicious dishes available at local breweries, unveiling what makes each spot a favorite among locals.
“It’s awesome to see how every brewery approaches their food in completely different ways,” Butler said in supplied information. “It’s clear that the food (in Grand Rapids) is just as important as the beer. At the highest level, they are passionate about the quality of both the beer and the food.”
The short-form video programs began on WKTV recently, after our Golden Gloves boxing coverage, but is now in regular random rotation. To see the videos on-demand, visit experiencegr.com/beer-city-eats .
Cedar Springs Brewing to host ‘Starkbierfest’, sausage party
Cedar Springs Brewing Company will host its 4th annual Starkbierfest — its “strong beer festival” — on Saturday, April 6, from 3-9 p.m., with live music, and beer, and food, and beer, and a sausage party, and beer … you get the idea.
The rain-or-shine event will have a heated tent (although latest weather reports say it may not be needed) with live music headlined by Jimmie Stagger, limited beer releases, and — because (wo)man does not live by beer alone — a sausage party.
Besides the famous Oktoberfest, Starkbierfest (“Strong Beer Festival”) is the second biggest German beer festival time during the year, according to supplied information. Historically, monks brewed strong beer, or Bockbier, which was higher in calories and a bit stronger to substitute for food during Lenten fasting.
If you not into the Bockbier, Cedar Springs has its usual assortment of good pours, including the Küsterer Pale Bock (Bavarian pale lager bock), Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel Aged Märzen, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel Aged Küsterer (amber lager) as well as cask releases including a Küsterer Bohemian Pilsner and … my favorite when I swing by the brewery which I’m an original member of … the Küsterer original Weissbier.
The sausage party will include Dearborn Kielbasa and a Fontanini Italian sausage, we are told.
The music will have Dave Slivinski’s German/folk sounds from 2-4 p.m., the Aaron Dussing Duo playing German/folk from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and great Bluesman Jimmie Stagger from 7-9 p.m. or until the place runs out of beer.
For more information on the Cedar Springs Brewing and its Starkbierfest, or visit csbrew.com .
Muskegon Museum of Art goes on-tap and uncorked
The Muskegon Museum of Art will hold its annual On Tap & Uncorked fundraiser night at the museum — a Michigan beer, wine and food tasting event — on Friday, April 12, from 6-9 p.m. (By the way, I know from experience that only a limited number of tickets are sold to keep the crowd manageable.)
According to supplied information, the local breweries involved include Big Hart, Cellar, Fetch, Grand Armory, Pigeon Hill, Stormcloud and Unruly. (I can personally vouch for the beers of Sparta’s Cellar Brewing Co. and Muskegon’s own Unruly Brewing Co.) Wineries include Lemon Creek, St. Julian and Twisted Creek; and hard cider will be present from Ridge Cider Co. Restaurants bringing their food include Applebees, Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque, Hank’s Tavern, Hearthstone, Se4sons Gastro Pub and Village Baker.
Advance tickets are $35, or $40 at the door (if it is not sold out).
For more information on MMA events, and/or tickets for the On Tap & Uncorked night, visit the MMA museum store at 296 W. Webster Ave., call 231-720-2580, or visit the museum’s website.
By the way, there are a pair of concerts planned at the museum. On Saturday, April 27, at 7 p.m., the folk duo of Kane & Gellert will take the stage. Kieran Kane has been referred to as “the godfather of Americana music”. Then later in the spring, two-time Grammy winner Laurence Juber will take the stage on Friday, June 14, at 7 p.m. Juber was first recognized internationally as lead guitarist in Paul McCartney’s band Wings, and has since established himself as guitar virtuoso, composer and arranger, and concert performer, according to someone I read somewhere.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
We are very fortunate to have an excellent working relationship with local shelters and rescues, as they will contact us if they come across a Feline Leukemia-positive stray in need of placement. We are also fortunate that we have the financial ways and means to test each and every cat that comes through our door upon arrival, versus having to wait to see if a cat’s status is negative after someone comes in and falls in love with a kitty.
Sadly, such was the case with Pudge, a FABULOUS five-year-old fella (born in November of 2013), who ended up at Harbor Humane Society back in November of 2018; none of his caretakers knew he was harboring the contagious retrovirus until someone had fallen head over heels for him. The potential adopters opted not to take a very disappointed Pudge home, probably because they had other cats that weren’t vaccinated against the disease, which is completely understandable, but sad nonetheless. And since he was now in another category, the shelter was unable to house him any longer and contacted us for help in a hurry.
So Pudge packed his little bags and made the trip from West Olive to Wyoming on Jan. 17, 2019, arriving with such an eager attitude and the brightest eyes that he was pawsitively intoxicating! He sported only two-thirds of his tail, which believe it or not made him even cuter.
However, his mouth was nothing but an inflamed, rotten mess (something that is very common in leukemia kitties), so Dr. Jen had to take him to surgery to remove every tooth present behind his canines. No worries though, as he rebounded without any issue whatsoever and has had no trouble consuming any and all types of food given to him.
The next day Dr. Jen happily sent him down to Big Sid’s, our sanctuary for FELV and FIV kitties—and what an impression he made instantaneously! We have two very important words for you: PUDGE HUGS!
“Pudge has become an instant volunteer favorite with his hugs—he will literally climb you like a tree and never let you go. The only way you can put him down is to hand him to another person. He is learning to play nice with the other cats and I actually caught him wrestling with Tinker and Stavros this week. He would do great with older kids and would probably like a buddy to play with.”
Hugs so awesome, they’re trademarked
“Pudge absolutely loves people, and his trademark hugs are the best. When trying to put him down he’s been known to be a little bossy and has grabbed at faces—I would recommend being with older kids that respect his occasional outbursts. He can’t help it, he’s just happiest when he’s being carried around by as many volunteers in one shift as possible! He does pick on the others on occasion, but once you correct him he’s fine. I call him the Eddie Haskell of cats (though many people won’t get the reference). He’d do great in a home with another cat, a dog, and older kids.”
So there ya have it in a nutshell, why we are all so smitten with this big kitten. It is a hoot to stop in and see him being carted around in the arms of visitors who cannot get over how affectionate and adorable he is. We don’t think he viral status is going to hinder him from getting a happy home of his own, as his personality is so big and he is simply too amazing to pass up!
More about Pudge:
Orange/red Tabby
Adult
Male
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Feline Leukemia-positive
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Pudge? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To
take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids
area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming,
no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be
found.
Just looking at his name, one can tell that Marcelo Lehninger was destined to be a citizen of the world. The child of a Brazilian violinist and German pianist, young Marcelo grew up with two constants in his life: global fluidity and music. Today, he unites his passions on a third continent as music director for the Grand Rapids Symphony. Join us for an uplifting conversation about life, love, and music!
One key to financial success is lowering your housing costs. Generally, about one third of money spent by the typical household goes toward housing. The less you spend each month on housing, including utilities and other fixed costs, the less financial stress you will feel. You’ll also have more money to save toward retirement or for discretionary “fun” spending.
Refinance your mortgage: Interest rates are still low, and worth taking another look. Use an online calculator to estimate how much you will save over the years. If your current mortgage payment is over 31 percent of your income, you might qualify for a loan modification to lower your payments.
Follow these links to determine if your mortgage qualifies:
Cut your utility bills: Weatherproofing, thermostat settings, landscaping and water conservation can all make a difference. Check out No to Low Cost Actions to Save Home Energy and Money for specific information.
Shrink your homeowner’s insurance costs: Look into paying a higher deductible to save yourself money. Ask about the many discount opportunities you might qualify to receive. Do a comparison shop of three companies. Insurance is necessary and it doesn’t have to be super expensive.
Fight your property tax assessment: If you feel your property tax assessment is too high, or much higher than neighbors with similar homes, you can appeal to your local taxing authority and potentially save for years to come. Generally in Michigan, January or February is the time of the year to submit an appeal request and it is reviewed by a local review committee in March. Check for errors on your property record and prepare your case.
Downsize to a smaller home: If your home is too large for your current needs, consider moving to a less costly residence to save money. A smaller home also could mean big savings on mortgage payments, utilities, maintenance and repairs.
Michigan State University Extension is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and has many MSHDA-certified housing counselors at multiple county offices to assist you by phone or digitally. Find a staff person near you at mimoneyhealth.org. MSHDA-certified Housing counselors may be located as well.
Alternatives in Motion’s Wheel Run Together 5K Run/Walk fundraiser from a previous year. (Supplied/Alternatives in Motion)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The local non-profit Alternatives in Motion — whose mission state is to “enhance independence through access to mobility equipment — invites the public to run, walk or hand cycle your way through Grand Valley State University’s campus in Allendale this Saturday, April 6, for its Wheel Run Together 5K Run/Walk fundraiser.
All proceeds go directly to support the organization, which aids in donating and refurbishing wheelchairs to individuals and families in need.
For a late 2017 WKTV In Focus video interview with the group, see this YouTube link.
“Nothing is more powerful than the gift of independence and mobility, so come out to support a wonderful cause put on by students in the physical therapy program at GVSU,” states a supplied press release.
The event will take place at 1110 Kirkhof Center, 1 Campus Drive, on GVSU’s Allendale campus. In addition to the run, there will be raffles, prizes, music, snacks, drinks, and more. The cost is $25 per person with events starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. Online registration ends April 5.
The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at Fifth Third Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Detroit Tigers have already throw out the first pitch of the 2019 season, with the local West Michigan Whitecaps ready to do so Thursday, with their first pitch at home on Saturday, April 6. But the Whitecaps have a little something special planned for their Saturday, May 11, home game — a little lanzamiento descontrolado (wild pitch, in the Spanish).
The West Michigan Whitecaps will become “Las Calaveras de West Michigan” —The Skulls of West Michigan — for three games during the 2019 season, all on Saturdays: May 11, July 13, and Aug. 17.
These games will be centered on “celebrating the Hispanic/Latino culture and the influence it has had on America’s pastime,” according to supplied material.
“Our desire is to reflect the community, whether it’s our game-day employees, our front office or our fans,” Whitecaps President Steve McCarthy said in supplied material. “The core values of this community reflect the core values of Minor League Baseball – family, community, entertainment and tradition. This is an opportunity for us to grow.”
At the games, fans will enjoy sugar skull decorating, face painting, authentic food and music, games and more when Las Calaveras de West Michigan take the field in alternative uniforms focused on the Calaveras.
Calaveras, or skulls, are an important part of Hispanic culture. Skulls made out of sugar are decorated and used during Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a festive and colorful Latin holiday that originated in Mexico thousands of years ago, during which families celebrate the lives and legacies of deceased relatives. The uplifting holiday recognizes death as something to celebrate as part of the cycle of life.
The Calaveras logo is a unique take on a sugar skull, viewed at an angle to suggest motion and competitiveness as the team swings for the fences. Inside the decorative skull logo are subtle references to the Whitecaps and West Michigan. The eyes are baseballs inside the 616 West Michigan area code; also look for baseball bats, home plate, a W and M, the team’s original logo from the 1990s, and seagulls and waves representing the Lake Michigan shoreline.
With its Las Calaveras de West Michigan nights, the Whitecaps will be one of 72 minor league teams participating in the 2019 “Copa de la Diversion,” or “Fun Cup,” an Hispanic/Latino fan engagement initiative.
“This program is aimed at connecting the teams to their communities,” McCarthy said. “For the Whitecaps, it’s allowing us to both demonstrate our commitment to diversity and provide a wide selection of fan engagement offerings.”
The Copa de la Diversion initiative seeks to connect MiLB teams with their diverse communities, embracing the culture and values that resonate most with Hispanics and Latinos. The initiative launched with 33 participating teams in 2018 to great success and overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the program is more than doubling in size to 72 teams for its second season.
For more information about Calaveras de West Michigan, or to buy tickets or merchandise, please visit this link.
The Whitecaps open their 26th season on Thursday, April 4 at 7:05 p.m. at the South Bend Cubs. The home opener is set for Saturday, April 6 at 4 p.m. also against the Cubs. Complete ticket information, including season and group ticket prices and perks, is available at this link.
“And in life, it is all about choices we make. And how the direction of our lives comes down to the choices we choose.”
― Catherine Pulsifer
Do you know what your diet is doing to you? (Supplied)
A gut feeling (something’s wrong)
The human body has more bacteria cells than human cells, and recent clinical research links an imbalance of bacteria in the gut microbiome (“good” vs “bad” bacteria) to almost every chronic disease — including obesity, diabetes, autoimmunity, depression, cancer, heart disease, fibromyalgia and asthma. For the complete story, visit here.
Two trees in the shape of a human head and brain as a symbol of the stress. (Supplied)
Keep calm & (don’t) stress out
There are different types of stress. Some stress is actually good (gets you motivated, gets you pumped up for performance, etc.). Acute stress is bad enough, but chronic stress is worse because it doesn’t let up; it can kill you. For the complete story, visit here.
Coffee and chocolate; what’s not to like? (WKTV)
Coffee, cola and chocolate, oh my!
Americans love caffeine. Whether it’s a steaming, hot cup of java that helps jolt us into the morning, a big cup of diet cola that gets us through the mid-day slump, chocolate to help improve our mood or the chewable/drinkable stimulants that keep us awake for late night driving or studying, we love having caffeine throughout the day. For the complete story, visit here.
Fun fact:
“You are what you eat”
“You are what you eat” has come to into the English language by quite a meandering route. Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote in 1826: “Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es.” (Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are). (Source)
Nursing home. The words themselves can create visions in your mind of a bleak environment used as a holding cell for seniors. Maybe you have even visited a loved one at a nursing home and walked away worrying if they were living an unhappy life. With the way they’re portrayed in the media, it’s no wonder that nursing homes receive such a bad reputation.
Nursing homes may need an image update, but they provide a lot of important care. There are a lot of inaccurate rumors about how they function as a home for seniors. However, aspects of a nursing home and the services they provide might still be wrong for your loved one. And with a growing number of seniors in need of new housing options, finding the right place may be a difficult task for caregivers.
To help you fact check some hearsay, here is a list of some of the most common rumors associated with nursing homes, and why an assisted living community may provide a better alternative.
Nursing homes are too clinical
The image of a traditional nursing home is a dull place, with fluorescent lighting and no atmosphere. Perhaps you may think of a clinical facility, not much better than a hospital room. Putting a loved one in a home like that may seem cruel, or like a punishment for them.
The truth is that nursing homes do have a more clinical feel than some other senior housing options. Because of the level of skilled nursing care that nursing homes are able to provide for seniors, a slightly more medical space is often necessary to ensure safety for both residents and staff. Nursing homes are able to provide constant care and attention for our loved ones who need to be monitored and assisted for their own safety and well-being.
Nursing homes are for the end of someone’s life
Often we think of nursing homes as the final home for our loved ones. Therefore, because nursing homes are full of similar people there for the same reason, it can be easy to assume that nursing homes are full of sick and lifeless people, with no energy or community.
While this may be an image that comes to mind when considering a nursing home, the truth is that nursing homes provide for a wide variety of members. Some seniors, after a medical emergency or a stroke, need constant care that goes beyond what caregivers can provide. Nursing homes can also offer a part-time stay until your loved one has recovered enough to return home.
In addition, due to the rising number of seniors who need to find a
community to live in, nursing homes have plenty of engagement and
community opportunities. Movie showings, games, and other activities
help ensure that even if your loved one needs a high level of care, and
will likely be in a nursing home for the remainder of their life, they
aren’t going to be sitting alone in a chair for that time.
Nursing homes don’t offer independence
While nursing homes do offer activities and opportunities for community building, they do still monitor and supervise events fairly strictly. Again, due to the level of specialized care that nursing homes offer to aging seniors who need it, the freedom that is available for residents may be somewhat limited. Meals may be regulated to make sure that a senior is getting all the proper nutrients, and regulated medicine and bedtimes may also help seniors who have trouble remembering things.
However, this is a far cry from the common fear of an environment where seniors have no control over their movements or what they pursue. While seniors in a nursing home are observed to make sure they are safe, and have schedules for meals and medicines, what they choose to do in their free time is up to them.
The benefits of assisted living
For all that a nursing home can offer in terms of care, there are some limitations in what else they can provide. If your loved one needs a less specialized level of care, or they want to have more freedoms, then an assisted living community may be the right choice for you.
Assisted living communities like Vista Springs can offer many things for seniors:
A continuum of care for people who need some medical assistance, but don’t yet need the high level of care provided in a nursing home.
Focus on providing a multitude of ways for seniors to express independence and feel at home
A change that is much less drastic for seniors who are transitioning into a senior living community.
Communities like Vista Springs can offer independent living within the assisted living home.
While nursing homes get a bad rap, they do offer a highly specialized care that is necessary for many seniors. Once you get past the reputation, nursing homes may provide care that your loved one truly needs.
However, if you’re looking for senior living that provides a full of life experience as well as care services, an assisted living community may be exactly what you and your aging loved one are looking for.
As the weather is getting warmer, we are all looking at healthier activities. One place to check that out is Wyoming Community Health and Wellness Expo set for Saturday, April 13, at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop SW.
The event, which will be from 1 – 3 p.m., will feature local health organizations that will be sharing services and local resources with community members.
“Spring is a great time to focus on health and wellness as the weather warms and outdoor activities begin,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. “This community event is a great way to connect the community with local resources focused on health and overall well-being. The Health and Wellness Expo gives everyone an opportunity to sample, explore and try something new.”
The Expo will include activities for all ages such as free blood pressure checks and yoga and Zumba demonstrations.
If you miss the Wyoming expo, about 10 days later, the City of Kentwood will be hosting its 20th Annual Spotlight on Seniors Health & Fitness Expo, set for April 23, at the Kentwood Recreation Department, 355 48th St. SE. The free event, which is from 8:30 a.m. – noon, offers more than 70 vendors along with free breakfast and lunch.
Americans love caffeine. Whether it’s a steaming, hot cup of java that helps jolt us into the morning, a big cup of diet cola that gets us through the mid-day slump, chocolate to help improve our mood or the chewable/drinkable stimulants that keep us awake for late night driving or studying, we love having caffeine throughout the day.
There has a been a good deal of debate surrounding the health effects of caffeine. Is it safe and how much is too much?
Caffeine has been proven to have some health benefits:
Research indicates that caffeine may help protect human brain cells,
which lowers the risk of developing some diseases, such as Parkinson’s.
Regular cups of coffee may stimulate the gallbladder and reduce the risk of gallstones.
Caffeine causes the blood vessels to constrict, which may help relieve some headache pain.
Coffee reduces inflammation and may help prevent certain heart related illnesses.
Caffeine also has negative effects:
There is a significant association between drinking caffeinated coffee and the decrease of bone mineral density, which leads to osteoporosis.
The daily consumption of caffeinated drinks can increase blood sugar levels and cause problems for people with diabetes.
Caffeine is a diuretic and can cause dehydration.
Caffeine can prevent some from falling asleep and interferes with deep sleep, which can lead to fatigue during the day.
The level of caffeine can vary depending on what is consumed. A piece of chocolate may have as little as five milligrams while energy drinks contain as much as 160 milligrams. Make sure to read the labels of pain medications and diet pills as products can have levels of caffeine as high as 200 milligrams.
Michigan State University Extension recommends moderate doses of caffeine, 200 to 300 milligrams per day, which is equivalent to two to four cups of brewed coffee and is considered safe for most adults. If you are consuming more than 500 to 600 milligrams of caffeine per day, which equals four to seven cups of coffee, you may be prone to health problems including insomnia, nervousness, nausea or gastrointestinal problems, elevated heartbeat, headaches, etc. If you are experiencing unusual side-effects associated with the consumption of foods with caffeine, you should consult your physician.
The following links contain additional information about caffeine:
MSU Extension encourages individuals and communities to adopt healthy
lifestyle choices. For more information about programs that focus on
nutrition, contact your local MSU Extension office.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we catch up with the ambitious Grand River Restoration Project by talking with the project manager about the current status of the project, as well as the co-chair of the fundraising committee for the massive project. Then, continuing our relationship with Grand Valley State University, we talk with a professor of Middle Eastern politics about Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Muslims in America — and he talks not only the problems but the hopefulness for the future.
First up In Focus is Grand River Restoration Project, an ambitious project to restore the Grand River whitewater rapids in downtown Grand Rapids. The project would not only restore the rivers historic rapids flow but would lead to efforts to also to take advantage of the restoration with expanded community access and use, as well as economic development. With us is Matt Chapman, project manager for Grand Rapids Whitewater, the nonprofit spearheading the restoration project, as well as Megan Sall, who was co-chair of the Grand Rapids Whitewater fundraising campaign committee.
Then In Focus is Dr. Gamal Gasim, currently a professor of Middle Eastern Politics and Comparative Politics at Grand Valley State University. He has been at GVSU since 2009, after earning his PhD in political science from Texas Tech University. Gasim is a Yemeni national, born in Sudan in what he said is “a beautiful town called Essuki, alongside the Blue Nile river,” about which he is currently writing a book. He has been in the United States since 2002, when he began pursuit of a master’s degree at Kansas State University through the prestigious Fulbright Scholar program.
Late last year, he lectured at the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan on the subject of the Arabian Peninsula country of Yemen, and he has written articles for the Huffington Post, Al Jazeera and the Arab Daily News. He has also extensively studied and written on the subject of Muslim American culture and politics.
Dr. Gamal Gasim, professor of Middle Eastern Politics and Comparative Politics at Grand Valley State University, on In Focus set. (WKTV)
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Tune in to WKTV Government 26 for our upcoming Special Programming Events from NASA TV! On Wednesday, April 17, we will be featuring the launch of the newest Northrup Grumman Cygnus Cargo Craft, the S.S. Roger Chaffee, to the International Space Station.
Named after hometown hero Roger B. Chaffee, who died in the Apollo 1 spacecraft fire, the space station resupply craft will deliver several tons of cargo, including food, supplies and live mice for scientific experiments.
Coverage begins at 4:15pm, with the launch scheduled for 4:46pm from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
S.S. Roger Chaffee (photo supplied)
Then be watching Friday, April 19, for the rendezvous and capture of the S.S. Roger Chaffee to the ISS. Coverage begins at 4am, with the capture scheduled at 5:30am. Installation of the craft to the Unity Module of the Space Station starts at 7am.
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov. NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channelon Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.
WKTV Community Media’s cable channels began this week the airing of a new program called Breathe In The Grand, which will run Mondays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. The program is hosted by Pamela Keim, and the latest episode of the show features local celebrity Mike Knuble, a professional hockey player from Kentwood.
National Hockey League player Mike Knuble, a 16-year veteran of the NHL who started his NHL journey here in West Michigan, shares his local connection with Pamela Keim, of Grand Tap Media.
Mike Knuble
According to supplied information, Knuble talks about East Kentwood High School, playing Canada, death of his dad at the age of 15, University of Michigan, being traded by the Detroit Red Wings, playing in the Big Apple (New York City) and playing with legendary Wayne Gretzky, social media and today’s coverage of sports, coaching, and being in the NHL Hall of Fame.
Part 2 of the interview will air the following week, Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9.
Editor’s note: This article was first published in April 2016. Nothing’s changed with Gustave since then.
At first blush, the assignment seemed straightforward. “Write a story on Stress Awareness Month [April 1-30],” my editor said. “Tell the audience that stress requires awareness and such. Don’t worry so much. You’ll do fine.”
My editor knows that I get nervous over anything with a deadline, but aside from some performance anxiety, I began this assignment feeling fine. I mapped an outline. I’d do some research, write a short article with the who-what-when-where-how-and-why.
But that’s when I thought I had until April 30. Admittedly, it would be tardy, but I could write the story in past-tense. The problem is that I just found out that Stress Awareness is a DAY, not a MONTH. Well, it is a month—all of April. It’s also a day—specifically, April 16—a mere four days hence as I type, and it’s today, if you’re reading this on April 16.
Now all bets are off. My trusty ulcer, Gustave has beget an ulcerette, and the entire office is taking bets on what I’m going to name him (or her).
If the point of National Stress Awareness Day is for people like you and me to become aware of how stressed we are, well kudos! More than ever I am aware, thanks to all this pressure.
How is this helpful? Why does anybody need a specific day for this? Isn’t it enough that everything in modern-day life is a stressor?
Luckily, my journalist gene kicked in and I compartmentalized my feelings, went undercover and got busy googling. Here’s what I found out: National Stress Awareness Day is the brainchild of the Health Resource Network (HRN), which started the whole thing back in 1992 to—you guessed it!—raise awareness of stress.
Uh, thanks, guys.
Oh, sure. They sell it by saying it’s a great chance to become aware of the deleterious effects of stress. They say to take a deep breath and relax. I don’t have time for this—I’m on a deadline here.
Maybe they meant well, back in 1992. Maybe their intentions were pure. They researched. They tested subjects. And guess what they found: stress is really, really bad for the immune system. I could have saved them the time, trouble and cost to tell them that. But then, I probably wouldn’t have Gustave.
To their credit, they did things scientifically. In one study, they found that people caring for a spouse with dementia (representing the stressed-out group) experienced a significant decrease in their immune response when they were given a flu-virus vaccine when compared to the non-stressed control group. Sounds really scientific, right? What all that means is this: Their immune systems didn’t work as well as those in the control group, so they got sick(er) easier and more often.
There are different types of stress. Some stress is actually good (gets you motivated, gets you pumped up for performance, etc.). Acute stress is bad enough, but chronic stress is worse because it doesn’t let up; it can kill you. It can raise blood pressure, increase the risk of heart attack and speed up the aging process. See that info-graphic there? Just look at all the bad things chronic stress does.
I’ve aged 10 years just writing this.
If you want to read something helpful and get some ideas on how to celebrate stress awareness month, go here.
The Easter bunny will be making a return visit to Kentwood on April 20. (WKTV File Photo)
By City of Kentwood
The Easter Bunny will make an early appearance in the City of Kentwood this year to meet and enjoy breakfast with families on Saturday, April 20, at the Kentwood Activities Center.
A pancake breakfast with juice and coffee will be served from 9-11 a.m. When families arrive, there will be music to enjoy and an art project for children.
An opportunity to take meet and take photos with the bunny will be offered from 10-11 a.m. Guests are asked to bring their own camera for pictures.
“We are delighted to welcome spring with our ‘Breakfast with the Bunny’ event this year,” said Val Romeo, director of Kentwood Parks and Recreation. “All are invited to enjoy hot cakes and activities with Peter Cottontail.”
Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Breakfast is free for kids age 5 or younger.
The Kentwood Activities Center is located at 355 48th St. SE. More information about the event is available online at this link.
Sheesh. Was that a long winter or what? Time to get out and celebrate — and here are some fun ideas. The Mad Hatter Tea Party, an Enchanted Spring Party with Mermaids and Unicorns and family pet photos with the bunny are all in store at Woodland Mall — and the fun starts this weekend. Shoppers will also find the latest spring fashion trends to freshen their wardrobes. Read more here.
Expande tus horizontes
Mark your calendar for April 4-5 — and get down to Wealthy Theatre for Grand Rapids Latin American Film Festival (GRLAFF). This year, GRLAFF will showcase eight feature-length films from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic, plus Una mujer fantástica (A Fantastic Woman), a 2018 Oscar-winning film from Chile. More info here. En español aqui.
Give the kids a break
Rock climbing, art, bounce houses, swimming, and fitness are just a few of the family–friendly activity options available at The Salvation Army Kroc Center during Spring Break 2019. More here.
Fun fact:
1904
The first year scientific literature described fainting goats.
Gut health has become a prominent focus in 21st-century health care.
The human body has more bacteria cells than human cells, and recent clinical research links an imbalance of bacteria in the gut microbiome (“good” vs “bad” bacteria) to almost every chronic disease—including obesity, diabetes, autoimmunity, depression, cancer, heart disease, fibromyalgia and asthma.
Research also reveals that people with lower amounts of “good” intestinal bacteria had increased fat tissue, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and general inflammation when compared with individuals who have a healthy gut microbiome.
In addition to the ecosystem inside the gut, the intestinal wall itself houses nearly 70 percent of the body’s immune system.
The lining of our intestinal wall is only one cell layer thick, and therefore very susceptible to damage. If that barrier breaks down, due to infection, medication, food allergens or toxins, the body’s immune system is compromised, which can also lead to chronic disease.
The gut also contains more neurotransmitters than the brain, and the two organs are highly connected.
If messages are altered for any reason in any direction—from the brain to the gut or the gut to the brain—you’ll experience health concerns.
At STR!VE, we talk with members about the link between gut health and chronic disease, and use evidence-based lifestyle management strategies as the first and primary method for prevention and treatment.
Lifestyle factors that can damage your gut microbiome
Processed foods and a nutrient-poor diet
Chronic stress
Overuse of medications such as steroids, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and acid blockers
Actions you can take to improve your gut microbiome
Replace processed foods, sugars and refined carbohydrates with fiber-rich whole foods
Aim for 75 percent of your plate to be plant-based foods and vegetables
Eat fermented foods that contain good amounts of probiotics such as miso, kimchi, sauerkraut and tempeh
Consider a 30-day elimination diet to pinpoint trigger foods
Need to file for unemployment? Looking for a new career? Interested in job-training opportunities? West Michigan Works! can support you throughout the process of searching for, applying for and getting a job. Ready to visit? Here are some recommendations to make the most of your trip!
Bring personal identification. Bring your state ID/drivers’ license and social security cards and with you. Additionally, some employers require state ID/drivers’ license numbers on applications. (Listing wrong numbers can cause a hold-up in receiving unemployment benefits.)
Have access to a detailed work history. If you are seeking unemployment benefits, you will need a list of employers and dates of employment to file a claim. Write it down on a notepad, type it in an email or save it on your phone so you can access it from the service center. This can also help you build a resume, if you don’t already have one.
Have a resume? Bring it with you. One of the first steps in finding new employment is creating a Pure Michigan Talent Connect account and uploading a resume to your profile. You can use a computer at the service center to create a digital version of your resume if you don’t already have one. Uploading your resume is also a part of the unemployment claim process and required to receive benefits.
Be ready to work. Be prepared to answer questions that will assess your interests and skills to match you with a job that is a good fit for you. Expect to search and apply for multiple positions that interest you. Finding a job is like having a job. The more work you put in, the better the results!
Dress like you would for an interview. West Michigan Works! regularly hosts hiring events with local employers who have current openings. You never know when a job opportunity might present itself. Be ready to meet potential employers any time you visit a service center by dressing interview-ready.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Crystal Lettinga understands the challenges of taking care of someone with a disability. Since the age of 12, she has helped her twin sister Coral, who has autism, get to class and do other daily tasks.
And while the two graduated from Byron Center High School in 2017 and are now on separate journeys — Crystal is a sophomore at Olivet College and Coral attends a secondary program in Grand Rapids — Lettinga has continued to work toward raising awareness about autism and helping the caregivers receive the love and support they need.
It is one of the reasons she organized Olivet College’s first Walk for Autism Awareness Wednesday, April 3. The walk starts at 5 p.m. from the Olivet College Square. Olivet is about an hour away from the Kentwood and Wyoming communities, located just north of Battle Creek on I-69.
According to Hope Network, one in about 68 children are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is a developmental disorder marked by two unusual kinds of behaviors: deficits in communication and social skills, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls, according to Autism Speaks, and it affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
“I am a Hope Network ambassador and I have participated in the Blue Bridge Walk for Autism (in Grand Rapids) for several years,” Lettinga said. “I saw this as my opportunity to do something for the community, epesically those with autism.”
The walk is open to anyone who wants to participate. The first 400 people will receive a free t-shirts. The walk itself, according to Lettinga is less than a half mile, making it something anyone can do. There also will be family-friendly activities and games, so as to give families a chance to make it an evening out, Lettinga said.
“It is an open environment where people aren’t judged and can just be who they really are,” Lettinga said. “It is also an opportunity for people to socialize with other people who are going through the same thing.”
Lettinga understands firsthand the importance of not only the person with autism to have people to connect with, but that the caregiver has that same opportunity. At the age of 12, Lettinga’s father suddenly died and she found herself a lead caretaker for her sister Coral, who is non-verbal.
“It is difficult to have a conversation with Coral, but through the years, I have learned how to communicate with her,” she said. She escorted her to class everyday from about fifth-grade to when they graduated from high school.
“I remember when she was first diagnosed and we had to drive to Detroit because there were no autism centers in the Grand Rapids area or West Michigan,” Lettinga said.
A center offers structured educational programs and tailored therapy which have shown to help children with autism. The discovery that the only available autism center was on the east side of the state lead to the Lettinga family to be advocates and help establish the Hope Network Center for Autism on the Coral Lettinga Campus about eight years ago. Two years ago, the Hope Network Center for Autism in Holland was established with Lettinga adding the hope is to establish another in the Lansing area.
“It is so important for people with autism to learn social skills, living skills and just the basic necessities of life,” she said.
After high school, the family realized the two sisters would be taking different paths. Coral now attends a secondary program in Grand Rapids while Lettinga studies journalism and mass communications at Olivet College.
Lettinga said the journey has not been easy, but she would not change it as it has given her the opportunity to help raise the awareness about autism to others.
“I know would not have had some of the opportunities I have had from helping to open the autism centers to speaking with former Lt. Governor Brian Calley about autism,” she said.
She also does not see herself slowing down from her role as an autism advocate, stating that no matter where she goes in life, she will continue her work in helping people better understand what it is and how it impacts not only the person who has autism, but those round them.
Rock climbing, art, bounce houses, swimming, and fitness are just a few of the family–friendly activity options available at The Salvation Army Kroc Center during Spring Break 2019.
Open swim, climbing wall, and game room hours are extended to help parents make sure they never hear, “I’m bored!” Special guest presentations will take place each morning at 11a.m.
Day passes are only $10 per person for all ages, and as always, Kroc Center members get unlimited free access to all activities. All children ages 11 and under must be supervised by an adult while visiting the Kroc Center. There is also a “family room” where parents and kids looking for a break can have snacks, play games, and more.
As a special gift to Kroc Center members (including those with the Family Pool & Play Pass), Sunday, April 7 will be a Member Appreciation Day. In order to maximize access for members, no day passes will be sold on that day.
Those who may be looking for a place to celebrate Easter can also visit Church at the Kroc for special events on Easter Sunday, April 21. The church will hold a “SONrise” worship service at 8am, and another at 10 a.m.
“Spring is a great time of year at the Kroc,” said Captain Bill Brutto, Senior Kroc Officer. “It reminds us of the chance tocelebrate transformation, especially the transformation given to us through Jesus Christ by His death and resurrection.”
Visit GrKrocCenter.org/springbreak or call 616-588-7200 for more information on open recreation hours and other details.
Injuries are scary for everyone, but for seniors especially, recovery can seem impossible. After a life-altering event such as a bad fall, stroke, or serious illness, it’s not uncommon for the elderly to assume that they’ll never regain the same level of function that they had before the injury. But ignoring a problem never makes it go away, and failing to devote adequate time and effort to recovering after an injury can severely damage a senior’s chances of regaining their maximum functional potential. Inpatient injury rehabilitation can help seniors get back on track, both physically and emotionally, for the life they want to lead.
24-Hour Care
When recovering from an injury, changes can happen at any moment, and it’s important to have support when they do. While outpatient care can allow patients to recover in the comfort of their own home, the lack of 24-hour support can be the difference between a timely and late response to a change in condition. With inpatient injury rehabilitation, seniors have access to a qualified team of care providers, including nurses, doctors, and therapists, at all times, ensuring that care takes place exactly when it’s needed.
In addition, around-the-clock monitoring means that seniors undergoing injury rehabilitation can rest easy knowing there will be someone on hand to help with medication administration, wound dressing, and activities of daily living like using the bathroom, even in the middle of the night.
Tailored Treatments and Therapies
Whether recovering from fall-related injury such as a fractured or broken bone, or from an illness, stroke, or other serious condition, inpatient rehabilitation programs are fully equipped to offer individualized treatment for every patient. Inpatient rehabilitation centers almost always have 24-hour skilled nursing, as well as access to licensed physicians, therapists, social workers, and other staff to provide the best care for their patients. This means treatments can be tailored to each injury, and more importantly, each person.
For example, after a hip fracture, an injury rehabilitation patient may need physical therapy to regain a full range of motion and strength training to learn how to easily maneuver with a walker. Or, after a stroke, treatment may include occupational therapy to create and learn strategies for daily activities of independent or assisted living and speech-language pathology to improve or regain communication skills.
Emotional Support
Injuries and recovery can be isolating, and coming to terms with a life-changing event can wreak havoc on anyone’s emotional state. It’s important for family and friends to support recovering seniors, but it can be hugely beneficial to bring in professional emotional support to help the patient rehabilitate both mind and body. Unlike friends and family, some of whom have never had to navigate the recovery process, therapists and professional caregivers are well-versed in the emotional difficulty that injuries can create, and have helped many patients understand and improve their mental states. This experience can not only help rehabilitation be more effective and quick, but also help the patient feel more calm and assured.
Inpatient rehabilitation is an important tool for getting the most out of life after an injury. With an attention to holistic, individualized care, injury rehabilitation services are dedicated to getting patients back to their highest possible level of function and independent living. With the right care, seniors can rebound from injuries and other life altering events to continue living life to the fullest.
People with autism, dementia, PTSD and similar conditions often experience sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation. A big barrier for these folks is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise — the norm for environments at public spaces like the Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo.
What to do?
Well, thanks to passage of the Kent County millage in November 2016, funding was made available for the Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo to help highly sensitive individuals enjoy their experiences. The duo partnered with KultureCity — a nonprofit based in Birmingham, Alabama — to make their organizations, including all of the programs and events hosted, sensory-inclusive. The goal: to promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with a sensory issue.
To obtain sensory-inclusive certification, JBZ and GRPM employees underwent training by leading medical professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads will be available to guests beginning in early April at the GRPM and in May at John Ball Zoo.
Families can prepare for visits to JBZ or the GRPM by downloading the free KultureCity App where one can view what sensory inclusive features are available and where they can be accessed. Also on the app is the Social Story which will provide a preview of what to expect while visiting.
“Having the opportunity to collaborate with KultureCity and the Museum to offer sensory kits to our guests embodies the Zoo’s value of diversity within the culture, talents, and experiences of our communities,” said Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo.
“We strive to be a place where all people feel welcome,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
The panelists from Tea Time with Tanya visit with some of the guests. (Meochia Nochi Thompson)
By Meochia Nochi Thompson WKTV Community Contributor
Tea Time with Tanya kicked off it’s first hospitality and service panel discussion, featuring top professionals from food, hotel and hospitality services in the Grand Rapids area.
The event was moderated by Douglas Kelley of Evolve Solutions, a web design, marketing, social media and development firm. Panelists included Joe Howard, Co-Owner of Junk King, a nationwide franchise that empties unwanted storage from businesses and homes to donate to those who might find treasure in it. Also on the panel was Jeffrey Burns, Operations Manager for AC Hotel Grand Rapids, Downtown. Burns shared how he worked his way up from laundry to his current positions and how that helped him better understand customer service and teamwork.
Another panelist was Lewis Williams, owner of 40 Acres Restaurant and Café, also the newly awarded Fastest Growing Business and the GR New Business of the Year. Rounding out the panel was Evan Groendyk, retail for Ferris Coffee & Nut Co., and Tanya Lewis, president of TMS Consulting Group and host of the event also set on the panel to discuss ‘bringing business back to the basics of wowing guests.”
Panelists answered several questions pertinent to servicing customers. One pertained to accommodating customers when no clear policy is in place.
Left Joe Howard from Junk King and right, Jeffery Burns from Right, Jeffery Burns from AC Hotel Grand Rapids, Downtown. Both were part of the Tea Time for Tanya panel. (Meochia Nochi Thompson)
“Keeping a customer out values the cost of losing a customer,” said Lewis of 40 Acres.He gave an example of his “no reservations policy.” Restaurant guests were mistakenly given one by a new employee. Lewis prepared for situations like this in advance by purposely opening in an area with plenty of surrounding business. This insight allowed him to walk his patrons to a neighboring bar and pay for drinks for the party of 15 until space became available to accommodate them.
Others mentioned useful information like admitting mistakes, going above and beyond, apologizing and being real, even offering personal services that may not be available, like hand delivering goods when there is no delivery.
Another issue addressed was deciphering which information to give customers. Everyone agreed that it is important to take all the blame, apologize on behalf of the team and immediately make it right.
Burns, with AC Hotel Grand Rapids, Downtown, stressed the importance of honesty and not upsetting the guest by always leading with a yes.
“If you don’t have something, don’t just say no we don’t have that food,” said Burns who shared his experience about a customer requesting an item not on the menu. “Just say, let me see what we can offer you. The last thing you want to do is tick them off.”
The group talked about creating positive work environments by investing in and empowering your team; working on projects together, incorporating everyone’s input if possible and being transparent with staff.
The Tea Time with Tanya panel discusses a variety of points in customer service. (Meochia Nochi Thompson)
“Learn what you do not want to be,” Lewis said. “Teach everyone around you so you won’t have to do it by yourself. Delegate and empower.”
“Lead by example,” was Joe Howard’s simply summary to keeping a positive team enviroment.
“The dishwasher is the most important person,” Williams said. “You give him a problem and you may not have a job.”
Final advice from the panelist included:
Acknowledge your customer. Greet them coming in and thank them going out. Empower your team to make on the spot, bold customer decisions. – Evan Groendyk
The guest experience is always important…Be fully engaged. Lead by example. – Lewis Williams
Under promise, over deliver. – Joe Howard
All employees need to be on the same page on how to treat the customer. – Tanya Lewis
Vendors, guests attending the event included Magic 104.9FM, Blessed Pen Ink Publishing, Green Frog Photo, Debbie Turner Bell, Appetizing, Rising Grinds Café, Leadership Advancement Café, Key to Your Needs Professional Janitorial Services and The Asher Collection.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In late October 2018, Dr. Jen received a call from a couple up in Howard City who were desperate to help this poor kitty who had hobbled into their garage with a severely injured foot. Unable to find anyone to assist them over the weekend, they set up shelter for him and tried tending to his left rear foot—it was swollen to three times normal size.
Dr. Jen took the 18-month-old (born around May of 2017) into her care on the 30th with not a day to spare. It appears that something was tied or wrapped around his foot over bones of the tarsus (above the ankle) and since there is no fat to cushion anything that constricts, the binding ate through his flesh and tendons, exposing bone in its traumatic path.
Poor kitty!
By the time this beautiful boy arrived, Dr. Jen was concerned that his foot was damaged beyond repair and that amputation would be in his future. Luckily, when she debrided the wounds the tissue bled; that means a healthy blood flow would hopefully allow for adequate healing over time. Since the metatarsal bones were exposed in several places, Dr. Jen embarked on rounds of creative bandaging, heavy-duty antibiotics and, of course, narcotics and anti-inflammatories to control the swelling and pain.
Note regal bearing
If that weren’t enough, this big-footed fella tested positive for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). It took about a month for his injuries to heal, leaving only the slightest scar behind, which in itself is utterly amazing.
Yeti walks without a limp and appears to have no residual pain or numbness—he is actually quite athletic and graceful. He can best be described as one of our most chill and relaxed residents —we often find him snoozing all day long in one of our cozy cat cubbies. When people come to find him (as they often do), he gently rolls over and asks for belly rubs, which have become his meaning for existence.
This young man has slowly become what we call a ‘big fish in a small pond’, as he is likely to chase away other kitties when they attempt to steal the spotlight from him. Since he may have the propensity to nip to ward off furry space invaders, we feel it would be best if Yeti became the only cat in his household, but we think he wouldn’t mind a dog as long as the canine was a bit on the lazy side like Yeti.
Dr. Jen is quite enamored by this guy—heck we all are —and by spending time with him at the clinic during phases of his recovery, she can attest to the fact that whoever takes him home and makes him one of their own is going to have one of the most affectionate, adorable feline companions on their hands. He is certainly a people pleaser and would love to find himself in a home where he could be the center of attention.
More about Yeti:
Domestic Short Hair
Adult
Male
Medium
Black
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed
Prefers a home without other cats
Good in a home with children
Want to adopt Yeti? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To
take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids
area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming,
no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be
found.
From Grand Rapids to Sundance. A young man finds his passion in digital storymaking. In the process, Shane McSauby discovers his Native American roots and a drive to empower others.
She had been living with breathlessness for years. She even worked as a hospice nurse caring for patients who had stage 4 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
And still, Michelle Pekel found herself taken aback earlier this year when a doctor diagnosed her with COPD.
“Hearing the letters ‘COPD’ is a wakeup call—a call that I continually ignored for 35 years,” said Pekel, 50, of Fremont, Michigan.
An umbrella term for a group of lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, COPD is a progressive disease in which the blocked airways make it increasingly difficult to breathe.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15 million people have COPD, although this number may be as high as 25 million because another 10 million people don’t know they have it.
Pekel found herself in that latter category of Americans.
“I’ve smoked a pack a day for 35 years and the symptoms didn’t seem like symptoms to me, as this was my everyday life,” Pekel said. “I always had a shortness of breath, chest tightness and constant coughing. … Although abnormal for a non-smoker, (it) was something that I came to terms with and became my norm.”
Not everyone who has these symptoms has COPD, and not everyone who has COPD has these symptoms, said Sally Wagoner, RN, a tobacco treatment specialist with Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial.
Over time, the symptoms can add up and get in the way of simple tasks. They can make everyday activities like cooking, climbing stairs or carrying a suitcase seem like a challenge.
Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat
As a hospice nurse who knows what stage 4 COPD looks like, Pekel wanted to avoid this fate.
“I have two children and I knew that I needed to quit for me to be in their lives,” she said. “My father died at the age of 59 from a massive heart attack and my mother died at 64 with cancer—and both were smokers.”
By her own account, Pekel had been a committed smoker, burning through a pack of cigarettes a day.
She smoked in the mornings, in the evenings, in the hours in between and even throughout her two pregnancies.
“I can’t imagine what I was polluting my children with,” Pekel said. “My daughter begged me to quit, but I didn’t hear her. Now all I can say is, don’t wait until it’s too late, until you get cancer, a stroke or a heart attack. So many diseases, all because of cigarettes.”
Wake-up call
Not until her own COPD diagnosis—and a little nudge from her pulmonologist at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial—did Pekel decide she needed to take control.
She registered for the smoking cessation program that Wagoner leads.
“Quitting tobacco is the single most important thing you can do for your health,” Wagoner said. “The Quit for Good program at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial encompasses all the tools and knowledge you need to be successful in one-on-one, group sessions or family quit programs.”
The program includes weekly meetings that can be adjusted to fit a person’s schedule.
“The weekly meetings are really needed to see higher success,” Wagoner said. “And we recommend eight sessions, which ensures accountability and continued success.”
Pekel said she has smoked her last cigarette.
And while she’s taking her newfound smoke-free lifestyle one day at a time, she credits the special program at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial for giving her the resources and strength to kick cigarettes for good.
“Without the class, I don’t think that I would have been successful,” she said. “The plan was a huge piece of the puzzle, and my quitting this time was successful—and it wasn’t before.
“I’ve never gone this long before without a cigarette, after 35 years of smoking, never,” she said. “I am amazed at my progress and can see and feel the change. My daughter is 14 and used to complain how her clothes smelled of smoke, and second-hand smoke is real. Now my house smells better, my car, my clothes. It’s a nice bonus to have.”
The journey didn’t come easy.
Registering for the class turned out to be the easy part.
“I had to mentally prepare myself to go to the first session,” Pekel said. “I was very anxious for my first class. I have tried to quit countless times over the years and I would make it two weeks and would be back to smoking again. Nothing seemed to work for me.”
Wagoner helped Pekel begin her journey as a non-smoker by first explaining the effects of smoking and describing the 4,000 chemicals that reside in cigarette smoke—dangerous toxins like ammonia, carbon monoxide, arsenic and formaldehyde.
“You see the commercials and you hear about this all the time, but this was an eye-opener for me,” Pekel said. “I didn’t realize I was smoking such harsh chemicals and toxins and for so long. I couldn’t believe what I was willingly doing to my body. Then it made me also realize the effects that I was having on others around me.”
Pekel said she still had doubts she could quit after that first session in January.
Wagoner was encouraging and enthusiastic, but Pekel doubted she could win the mental war with herself.
Among all U.S. adults who smoked in 2015, about 7 in 10 reported they wanted to quit completely, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Wagoner’s early suggestion—taper off gradually to quit cigarettes—proved more difficult than expected because she couldn’t smoke just two cigarettes a day, Pekel said.
She eventually chose a nicotine replacement. Wagoner worked with physicians to find a replacement method that would work for Pekel.
“I was 15 years old when I first started smoking, and like a lot of smokers I’m anxious about what life would be like without cigarettes,” Pekel said. “Sally didn’t push me, but she did show me how you can live life without cigarettes, how to make a plan for quitting, what to do when I crave a cigarette.”
Easy does it
When the craving for cigarettes sneaks up on her, Pekel said she gets busy.
Photo by Taylor Ballek
She does something with her hands and focuses on an activity such as cleaning the cabinets, cupboards and closets. Her house is now constantly clean and much better-smelling without the cigarette smoke, she said.
“When someone is trying to quit tobacco, old routines and triggers can derail any progress,” Wagoner said. “So what we did was analyze Michelle’s routines, so we could break those up to avoid downfalls.
“For her, mornings were the worst times,” Wagoner said. “And she couldn’t give up her coffee, so we had her have her morning coffee at the kitchen table instead of in front of the TV or computer.”
Pekel said changing the routine meant cigarettes were no longer associated with those old habits.
“After meals was another huge trigger for me,” Pekel said. “And I’m happy to say that after 36 days, that trigger was no longer there. If I can do it after 35 years, anyone can do it.”
Another positive activity Pekel incorporated into her life was exercise.
Before she walked into Wagoner’s quit tobacco program, Pekel had never stepped foot inside Tamarac, the wellness facility west of downtown Fremont that houses an outpatient rehabilitation center, a skincare center and spa, a pool, a café and support programs like tobacco cessation and diabetes education.
There’s also a 12,500-square-foot gym with personal trainers and fitness trainers, as well as more than three dozen fitness classes.
“Now I’m working out at least three times a week,” Pekel said with a laugh. “Tamarac has so many resources, opportunities and support for people like me who want to turn over a new leaf and take our health back. Pound and Zumba are my go-to programs, and I go there three times a week.
“The first class after I quit smoking, I was short of breath within seconds,” she said. “And now after 30 days, I’ve noticed an improvement in my breathing and stamina in the class.”
Time and money
Getting healthy wasn’t the only benefit.
Pekel also saw a financial dividend from quitting cigarettes. Because she no longer smoked, she wasn’t spending $6 per pack, per day. That added up to $42 a week, or almost $170 a month.
The extra money was nice, Pekel said, although nothing beats waking up in the morning and being able to breathe deeply without any shortness of breath.
It’s a miraculous feeling to go through the day with more energy.
“It feels so good to have more energy and a better quality of life,” Pekel said. “The exercise is really helping me stay active and busy. I can enjoy my kids and my pets keep me active.
Photo by Taylor Ballek
Said Pekel: “Being diagnosed with COPD was a real wake-up call that made me think about the consequences if I continued down this path. What would happen to my children and my pets if I would die? It’s a reality that you need to come to terms with. Who would take care of my children? Provide for them? Love them as I do? Smoking isn’t worth it.”
Despite the progress she’s made, Pekel is also a realist.
She knows that after smoking for 35 years, she’ll never regain full function of her lungs.
“I’m 50 years old, but I know that by quitting I can slow the progression of COPD,” she said. “Don’t wait until you get sick. Stop polluting your lungs, pick up the phone and register for a tobacco quit class.
“Don’t get into the mindset that you have smoked too long, that you can’t quit,” she said. “You can and you will—and I’m proof of that.”
“I don’t really go out partying, but I’m definitely a social butterfly.”
~ Eliza Doolittle
Well, hello, gorgeous!
Excuse us? We’re dressing!
The fluttering you hear at Meijer Gardens this time of year? It isn’t your heart beating with excitement — it’s the butterflies! There’s still time to get a good dose of gorgeous — the winged ones are on display until April 30 during the 24th Annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. More here.
They call me MISTER Robot
Big things have small beginnings
Hope you’ve cleared your calendar for this weekend. About 40 teams will compete at the FIRST Robotics event this Friday and Saturday. This includes host team East Kentwood’s Red Storm, Wyoming High School’s Demons, Potter House’s Tactical Hams, and the community team Code Red the Stray Dogs. Fun stuff! Go here for further details.
Ready for Act II
And so begins a new chapter in Gina Mancha’s life
Gina Mancha was displaced from a long career in automotive manufacturing and needed to find a new career. As a dislocated worker, Gina was eligible for services through Michigan Works!. Read her success story here.
Fun fact:
Goblin sharks might be the closest we’ll ever get to a real alien
From Kentwood’s Spring Break Club to the butterflies at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, there are plenty of things for area residents to do during next week’s spring break.
Below, I pulled together just some of the possibilities that could keep you and your family busier than if you had headed out.
Local students have fun during the Kentwood Spring Break Club which is offers April 1-5. (Supplied)
In Kentwood
The City of Kentwood will be offering its Spring Break Club April 1 – 5. The club will featured a week full of fun with gym games, arts and crafts, nature walks, gardening and much more. Students can participate the whole week or just for certain days. Registration is required, so make sure to visit the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, or call 616-656-5270.
“We are going to have kids six- to 12-years-olds here,” said Spencer McKellar, recreation program coordinator for the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department. We will do a number of different programs, active games in the gym. Maybe some nature walks if the weather cooperates, working in our kitchen and a number of other things.”
In Wyoming
Depending on weather, many of the area parks will be open. Wyoming’s Pinery Park is the only park in the city where the restrooms are open year around. The park features a paved walking trail, a playground and recently updated fitness equipment.
The Annual Gem and Mineral Show will take place at Rogers Place April 4 – 7. (WKTV)
The Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club will be hosting its annual show April 4-6 at Rogers Plaza, 972 28th St. SW. The show is free and features a number of demonstrations, exhibits, rock and mineral identification and vendors. The event is from 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m .Thursday and Friday and 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday.
Head to Camp
Get close to the animals at the John Ball Zoo which will be hosting its spring break day camps April 1-4. Slumber near the chimpanzees at the zoo’s spring break overnight on April 5. Registration is required for both events, so call 616-336-4300.
Blandford Nature Center‘s spring break camps are currently sold out but there is the Kitchen Dyeing Class April 6. This workshop will cover safety/clean up procedures and how to prepare materials for dyeing. Each participant will leave with enough dyed fiber samples to fill in a small dye journal. The program is for 13 and older with cost being $40/members and $45/non-members. Registration is required, so visit blandfordnaturecenter.org.
Dinosaurs and TOYS! will be the theme of the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s spring break activities. (Supplied)
Dinosaurs, oh my!!
The Grand Rapids Public Museum will have extended hours to 7 p.m. April 1 – 7. Activities will be dinosaur- and toy-inspired, celebrating the museum’s current exhibits “TOYS!” and “Expedition: Dinosaur.” Participates will be able to make their own dinosaur, sock monkey, headbands, dinosaur fossils and more. Join the GRPM on Saturday, March 30 and Saturday, April 6 for a special dinosaur science in the Saturday Curiosity Labs. Play over-sized games including Chess and Connect Four.
Spring break activities are included with general admission/ For more, visit grpm.org.
“A Decade at the Center: Recent gifts and Acquisitions” is at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. (Supplied)
It’s Free
Or head over to the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which, for spring break, is free for all youth ages 17 and under. Admission includes free entry to the museum’s current exhibitions which include “A Decade at the Center: Recent Gifts and Acquisitions” and “A Legacy of Love: Selections from the Mable Perkins Collection.” The museum also has extended its drop-in studio hours for the week. The drop-in studio will be from 1 to 4 p.m. March 30, April 2 and 6. For more information, visit artmuseumgr.org.
Blue Colombia butterfly, (Supplied)
Butterfly Effect
When the butterflies take over the Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, you know its spring. The Fred & Dorothy Pitcher Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition will be open with Gardens hosting extended hours during spring break. Outdoor children’s activities will be taking place at the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden such as a giant butterfly puzzle, butterfly-themed puppet show, the butterfly maze and story time. Activities vary daily, so check the Information center for what is happening or visit meijergardens.org.
Movie Night
The popular Flick’s Family Film Fest runs through April 11. Films are free to children 12 and under and $5 for anyone 13 and older. For the week of spring break, the Fest will feature Warner’s “Smallfoot” and the 2019 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Check with local theaters for showtimes.
A Monster and Peas
The Grand Rapids Ballet will present another kid-friendly ballet for the entire family by bringing to life the beloved children’s book “The Monster Who Ate My Peas.” The performances features the apprentices and trainees of the Grand Rapids Ballet and choreographed by the Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company Director Attila Mosolygo. Showtimes are 11 a.m. April 1-5. Tickets are $7 and available through grballet.com.
Booking It
The Kent District Library is always a source for spring break fun and KDL has the week “booked” with activities for all ages. Author and puppeteer Kevin Kammeraad along with Wimee and friends will be presenting a show on wordplay, puppet, music and movement. Kammeraad and company stop at the KDL Wyoming branch April 5. Other KDL programs include an Escape Room, Coding Camp for Kids, Family Movie, and a Disney Movie Marathon. For a complete list of spring break activities, visit kdl.org.
Crash, the river rascal, is ready for his favorite team to return to Fifth Third Park. Whitecaps season opener is April 6. (Supplied)
Play Ball!
Have a third through sixth grader looking to improve their throwing arm? Grand Valley State University will be hosting its Little Throws clinic April 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is required. Contact Coach Denard at denards@gvsu.edu for more information.
Speaking of baseball, the Detroit Tigers opener is April 4 against the Kansas City Royals and our own beloved Whitecaps’ opening day is April 6. The Whitecaps will face off against the South Bend Cubs. For the full schedule, visit the Whitecaps website.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is coming off a 2018 year which saw a record 3.2 million passengers, and the Airport expects to see the high volume trend continue through its busiest time of the year – Spring Break.
Due to additional passenger volume beginning this month and continuing through April, parking lot demands will be greater, and airport facilities are expected to be busy. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects longer security lines and urges passengers to arrive at the Airport at least two hours prior to departure time.
In order to expedite the security screening process, passengers should carefully consider the contents of their checked luggage and carry-on bags. The TSA recommends wearing shoes that are easy to remove, having identification and boarding passes ready to present at security checkpoints, removing all items from pockets, avoiding bedazzled and jeweled clothing, limiting heavy jewelry, and ending all cell phone conversations prior to screening. In addition, removing heavy food items such as cheese and fudge, along with granular and powdered items like sugar, from your carry-on bag, will also greatly speed up security screening.
“With a record-setting 2018 and over three million passengers served last year, we are busier than ever and that means it is crucial for our travelers to arrive early because our passenger numbers continue to grow,” said GFIA Interim President & CEO Brian Picardat. “Our TSA screening will be staffed with more officers to accommodate the extra traffic, but passengers can do their part by simply arriving early to allow adequate time for screening and some fun as well.”
Passengers traveling through GFIA on select Spring Break travel dates will be treated to the annual Passenger Appreciation Days, compliments of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority Board. This bon-voyage celebration will take place from Thursday, March 28th through Saturday, March 30th each day from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the Airport’s Grand Hall Meet & Greet area. Passenger Appreciation Days events include free refreshments, food, giveaways, prize drawings, contests, and more!
“We are excited to bring back our Passenger Appreciation Days – a tradition at the Ford Airport for 17 years,” said GFIA Board Chair Dan Koorndyk. “This is one way we can thank our community for supporting our airport, and our passengers will have some fun before heading out on their vacations.”
For passengers wanting to partake in the Passenger Appreciation Days festivities, the Airport encourages them to allow even more travel time.
The TSA also encourages passengers to utilize the 3-1-1 rule with liquids, gels and aerosols. Put all liquids in containers with a 3.4 ounce maximum capacity, and place them in a clear, plastic one- quart zip-top bag.
Additional 3-1-1 Information:
Deodorant: Stick deodorant is not limited to 3.4 ounces or less, but gel or spray deodorant is.
Suntan & Sun Block Lotion: Lotions fall under the 3-1-1 procedures mentioned above. As well as the aerosol spray lotions. Sunblock sticks do not fall under this rule.
Makeup: Any liquid makeup cosmetics such as eyeliner, nail polish, liquid foundation, etc. should be placed in the baggie. That goes for perfume as well. Powder makeup is fine.
Beverages: Wine, liquor, beer, and all of your other favorite beverages are permitted in your checked baggage. You can also bring beverages packaged in 3.4 ounces or less bottles in your carry-on bags in the 3-1-1 baggie.
Sporting Goods: Golf clubs, tennis rackets, baseball bats (including the mini slugger bats), cricket bats, lacrosse sticks, bows and arrows, hockey sticks, scuba knives, spear guns, etc. are all prohibited from being carried onto the plane. However, you can have them checked as luggage.
Questions about TSA procedures and upcoming travel can be addressed to the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673 or @AskTSA or Twitter.
At the end of the week, the school bell may signal the start of the spring break for many, but hundreds of students and their families will be filling the East Kentwood gym for the fifth annual Kentwood District Robotics Competition.
About 40 teams are scheduled to compete at the FIRST Robotics event which is this Friday and Saturday. This includes host team East Kentwood’s Red Storm, Wyoming High School’s Demons, Potter House’s Tactical Hams, and the community team Code Red the Stray Dogs.
“I love it,” said Kris Lima-Viana, from Potter House Tactical Hams about participating in FIRST Robotics. “It is like one of the best things I have ever done in my life. It is very, very intense.”
Top Dawgs: Code Red Robotics the Stray Dogs took home the prestigious Chairman’s Award at the 2018 event. This honor automatically qualified them for the state competition. (WKTV)
Started in 1992, FIRST Robotics is an international competition that is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers and technologists through a robotics competition. FIRST stands for “For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.”
Each year, the challenge is revealed in January with teams having six weeks to building a robot that can accomplish specific tasks. This year’s challenge is Destination Deep Space with teams having to construct a robot that can put hatch panels on a “cargo ship” and fill them with cargo and then escape from the harsh planet Primus.
“I like to see the kids learning,” said Justin Van Etten, coach and mentor for the Wyoming High School Demons. “it is skills they don’t normally get in the classroom. They get machining knowledge. They get welding knowledge. They get knowledge of how to use a grinder and a saw. Stuff that academics does not normally teach you, and just being able to see them do something with their hands and show that they are good at a bunch of different stuff that is not classroom related.”
Color coordinated fans are ready to cheer on their team. (WKTV)
The program’s ultimate goal is to encourage students to purse science and technology careers by showing how everyone’s contributions not only build a robot, but a team.
“Robotics is really like a sport for anyone,” said Audrey Marsman, a member of the East Kentwood Red Storm. “You don’t have to just be interested in building a robot. There are a lot of things that are behind the scenes that aren’t just hands on on the robot that anyone can get involved.”
The free family event starts at 8 a.m. on Friday with matches taking place until 7 p.m. On Saturday, activities start at 8 a.m. with elimination round taking place in the afternoon. Awards are at 5 p.m. There are several different awards, including Chairman’s Award, which qualifies a team to automatically move on to the state competition. For more about the event, click here.
The Baby Boomer generation officially arrived on the doorstep of retirement age back in 2011, and an estimated 10,000 people are now retiring daily. But while 65 is understood to be the age of retirement, many aging adults are choosing to delay retirement living. Given the unclear nature of retirement age, many people are struggling with the question of when to make the leap. Here are five factors to consider when deciding when to retire:
1. Your Health
Taking a hard, honest look at your health can be difficult, but knowing exactly what is happening with your body and mind should be a priority when considering retirement. If you’re hale and hearty, working for a few more years could mean more savings for a long and enjoyable retirement, but if your health is less than ideal, it may be worth it to retire earlier than later in order to get started on all the experiences you’ve put off until you had the time. In addition, keep in mind the health of your spouse, friends, and family members: you may not want to work through their healthy years, regardless of how much longer you’re able to.
2. Your Finances
While some experts are questioning the four percent rule, and it may not apply to some people’s specific situations, it still offers a basic guideline for how to plan your finances for retirement. The four percent rule states that in your first year of retirement, you should budget 4% of your savings for your annual spend; for every subsequent year, budget 4% with inflation factored in. You should also include any investments into your calculations, and keep a sharp eye on the markets – investment returns can be critical during the first ten years of retirement.
3. Healthcare Costs
$275,000: that’s Fidelity’s estimate for how much a retired couple will spend on healthcare over the course of their retirement. While that number may be shocking, it’s also a very real part of the costs of retirement, and something you need to plan for. Ensuring that you have the insurance and the savings to deal with general health care as well as any health issues that may arise is crucial to choosing a time to retire.
4. Social Security Benefits
Another factor to consider is the possibility of social security benefits. If you were born after 1943, you can expect an eight percent increase in benefits for each year you work after 65; if you choose to retire earlier, benefits are reduced. Increases cease at age 70, so waiting to claim benefits until then would yield maximum benefits. But be strategic: depending on other factors retiring at 70 could be unrealistic or even impossible.
5. Your Family
While the decision of when to retire is highly personal, you should also factor in the important relationships in your life. Be sure to have clear and honest discussions with your spouse or significant other as to what you want your retirement to look like. Retirement living can take the shape of traveling or relaxing, being with family or spending time on personal goals, and if you and your spouse have different visions of retirement, you may want more time for planning.
Your health, personal finances, investments, and relationships all factor into when you retire, and the truth is that there’s no longer a single age at which people can expect to retire. Talk with your family, doctors, and financial advisors on what time works best for you.
Gina Mancha was displaced from a long career in automotive manufacturing and needed to find a new career. As a dislocated worker, Gina was eligible for services through Michigan Works!. With guidance from a career coach, she completed a career portfolio—a collection of documents that highlights experience, skills and accomplishments—and soon secured an entry level position at Spectrum Health in the Environmental Services department.
Eager to advance at Spectrum, she applied to an apprentice program for sterile processing technicians through West Michigan Works!. She attended an information session and learned about the assessments she would need to take for acceptance in the program. It had been a long time since Gina had taken any tests or attended classes, but she was persistent and spent hours practicing and preparing for the work ahead.
Gina’s hard work and practice paid off; she was the only candidate to complete and pass all of the tests and became the first sterile processing technician apprentice at Spectrum Health.
Gina attended classes at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) while working as an apprentice at Spectrum Health. She credits the apprenticeship for giving her a new set of skills and confidence to start her second career at age 50. Gina successfully graduated from the apprenticeship program last spring and has been promoted from an apprentice to a sterile processing technician with Spectrum Health.
Gina, Spectrum Health and GRCC were recently honored by the Michigan Works! Association and state lawmakers as 2019 Impact Award winners. The awards recognize workforce achievements in communities across Michigan.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
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