Category Archives: 3-bottom

18 Internet Safety Tips for Seniors

3-bottom, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, Tech Trends, , , , ,
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

 

Despite all the stereotypes about seniors who simply don’t understand technology, a majority of adults age 65 and over are now using the internet. According to a report by the Pew Research Center, over 67% of this group uses the internet regularly, and as many as 40% own a smartphone. However, while seniors and technology may be more compatible than people think, it doesn’t change the fact that this generation was raised without it, and may not be familiar with some of the risks. We’ve put together 18 important tips for safer internet surfing:

General Safety & Security

  1. Make sure your passwords are unique and secure. Use strong passwords that don’t include any personal information, and try to avoid dictionary words and common phrases. Many websites recommend a mix of lower and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. In addition, never use the same password for more than one account.
  2. Use anti-malware software and other protective tools. Be sure that your computer has some sort of trusted security software installed, and set it to automatically update so that you’re protected against the latest risks. Ask an expert or trusted tech-savvy person if you’re unsure what to install.
  3. Don’t download unknown attachments and software. Never download documents, images, or software if you don’t know and trust the source. Scammers and hackers will often disguise viruses and other malware as “free” software tools or interesting content to download.
  4. Consider authorizing a trusted friend or family member to access your accounts. In case of emergency, it can be difficult or impossible for trusted friends and family to access online email, bank, and file storage accounts. Plan ahead and work with an attorney to authorize someone you trust to access your accounts.

Email and Social Media

  1. Understand “spam” filters. Spam refers to unwanted, unsolicited emails. Most email providers have spam filters that remove these emails from your main inbox.
  2. Use social media privacy settings. Be aware of what you’re posting on any social media sites, and use privacy settings to restrict access to your posts to people you trust with personal information.
  3. Report any and all instances of abuse. Cyberbullying may be associated with children and teens, but that doesn’t mean that adults don’t get abused online. Don’t respond. Instead, report abuse – both to the platform you’re on and to people who can help, and remember that abuse is not your fault.
  4. Know the signs of a scam. If it’s too good to be true, it usually is. Offers of low-priced or free big-ticket items such as vacations, electronics, and medicines are usually scam attempts. On the other hand, scammers will sometimes send you requests for money from friends’ personal accounts; never reply or send funds without first verifying the request with the person in some other way.

Money and Purchasing

  1. Look for secure websites. Whenever you’re prompted to enter your payment information into a website, first check that the website is secure. In the URL bar at the top of your internet browser, look for “https://” for a secure site. (The “s” stands for secure.)
  2. Understand and avoid phishing attempts. Be wary of links to sites that ask you to make a purchase or enter your payment information. One common scam, “phishing,” makes a phony site look like a trusted site, then gives your information to the scammer. Look for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and URLs that look different than you’re used to. When in doubt, enter the web address you know to be correct directly into the URL bar.
  3. Do not enter personal or payment information into an unknown site. On a similar note, be sure to verify the website if you’re going to enter personal or payment information. Look for reviews of online retailers, and in the case of banking or government portals, never respond to requests for information. Banks and government agencies will never solicit passwords, Social Security numbers, or payment information.
  4. Monitor your financial accounts. Even when you take every precaution, there is a chance that your payment information may be leaked or stolen from a trusted vendor. Watch your bank accounts and credit cards for unauthorized purchases.

Meeting New People

  1. Exercise caution. Unfortunately, not everyone on the internet is who they say they are. There are many online opportunities to meet new people, from dating sites to hobby groups and forums, but not everyone is trustworthy. Be cautious when interacting with new people, and don’t give out too much personal information where people can find it.
  2. Do not send money to new acquaintances. Similarly to personal information, some people will use the relative anonymity of the internet to get close to their targets, then request money and never be heard from again. Don’t be swayed by stories of personal tragedy or requests for money to visit unless you’re positive of the person’s good intentions.
  3. When meeting up in person, be safe. If you choose to meet someone from a dating website or a friend you met online, choose a public place and let a friend or family member know where you’re going and who you’re meeting. You can never be too safe, even if you feel you know the person well.

Well-being and Health

  1. Know fact from fiction. Websites such as news publishers and health advice blogs often make money by attracting visitors to view and click ads on their pages, and will publish sensational headlines to get those views. Not everything published on a website is true, no matter how official it may look.
  2. Avoid self-diagnosis and armchair healthcare advice. It’s incredibly easy to look up your symptoms on a search engine and find a list of possible diseases, or a forum discussing a diagnosis. Only a licensed healthcare professional who understands your health background should make diagnoses and prescribe treatments. Attempting to use the internet to do so could mean the condition goes untreated or becomes worse.
  3. Follow up with a professional. Of course, not every piece of health advice on the internet is life and death. There are many helpful resources online for nutrition advice, well-being, and fitness, but it’s always good to consult a professional before making any changes that could impact your health, such as a new diet or exercise plan.

The internet is a helpful tool for staying connected and getting informed, but there are some risks inherent to its use. By educating yourself, you can stay safe from the unpleasant aspects of technology while continuing to reap the benefits.

 

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

On MLK Day and beyond, Kentwood seeks support for Little Food Pantry

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Food, Holidays


The City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

On the national holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Monday. Jan. 21, the City of Kentwood stocked the shelves of its Little Free Pantry with a donation drive to collect food supplies for community members in need.

But the city is looking for support of its pantry all year long.

The city is seeking community partners willing to place a Kentwood Little Free Pantry collection bin for canned goods and other non-perishable items at their organization or business. Those interested in accepting a collection bin should contact the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5270 or eRecreation@kentwood.us .

Located in the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, the Kentwood Little Free Pantry is similar in operation to a Little Free Library: take an item (or items) when needed and leave an item when you can. No applications are necessary. No questions are asked.

More information about Kentwood Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, is available online at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry .

Cat of the week: Juanita

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , ,
Meet gorgeous Juanita!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing


Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW)


On Sept. 17, 2018, a super nice gal on the northwest side of Grand Rapids contacted Dr. Jen for help in placing a kitty she had rescued a week prior that turned up Feline Leukemia-positive. Although the rescuer was totally in love with the beautiful and bubbly teenager (born in February of 2018), she wasn’t comfortable adding a cat with this virus into her furry household; FELV+ can be transmitted through saliva (grooming, shared dishes) and blood (fighting), so unless a resident cat is fully vaccinated against the virus, it isn’t smart to intermingle the two.


Dr. Jen was more than thrilled to open our sanctuary doors to this little lass, and thankfully she did at that point in time as Juanita was terribly anemic; both antibiotics and steroids were started for a blood parasite that is common in stray cats who have either been flea infested or are immuno-compromised


Ten days later, Dr. Jen’s treatment was deemed a smashing success, and she was able to spay kitty, but another 10 days after that, Juanita came down with a highly transmissible respiratory infection (calicivirus) and was quarantined until her oral ulcers healed—poor girl could not catch a break! But no worries, as jovial Juanita is a sturdy, saucy kitty who is bound and determined to take what comes her way and kick it to the curb.


Ten days later, Dr. Jen’s treatment was deemed a smashing success, and she was able to spay kitty, but another 10 days after that, Juanita came down with a highly transmissible respiratory infection (calicivirus) and was quarantined until her oral ulcers healed—poor girl could not catch a break! But no worries, as jovial Juanita is a sturdy, saucy kitty who is bound and determined to take what comes her way and kick it to the curb.


Ten days later, Dr. Jen’s treatment was deemed a smashing success, and she was able to spay kitty, but another 10 days after that, Juanita came down with a highly transmissible respiratory infection (calicivirus) and was quarantined until her oral ulcers healed—poor girl could not catch a break! But no worries, as jovial Juanita is a sturdy, saucy kitty who is bound and determined to take what comes her way and kick it to the curb.

Since her arrival at Big Sid’s, it is safe to say that she has taken the place by storm, and that everyone (human and feline) is quite enamored by her:

“Juanita — what a little doll! She is such an outgoing little girl. She quickly made friends with just about everyone, and she and Eros have been seen chasing each other around the last few days, that is when she isn’t snuggled up napping with Gordo. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her pint-sized body. She loves to hang out up high on her favorite cat walk either looking down at everything going on when she isn’t directly involved in the activity.”

“If anyone is looking for a playful kitten-like cat, she would be perfect. She will require LOTS of feather toys as they are her absolute favorite.”


In all honesty, Juanita would be just about the perfect cat companion if it weren’t for the darned virus that could hold back her chances of being adopted. Cats with FELV can and often do live healthy, happy lives, and we have known dozens upon dozens over the years who have thrived, living well into late adulthood, so her viral status isn’t an immediate threat. Yes, certain living circumstances are required to house cats like Juanita, and education is key to understanding what the virus is all about and what to watch for as she ages, but she and all of our resident Sid’s Kids are some of the most loving, agreeable and affectionate cats around, and each of them deserves to end up in a home of their very own.


We know for a fact that Little Miss Sunshine here is going to add so much joy to her adopter’s life because she is simply so easy to fall hopelessly in love with and a hoot to engage, interact and play with!

More about Juanita:

  • Small
  • Domestic Short Hair, Black
  • Young
  • Female
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • FELV+
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

Want to adopt Juanita? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.


Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

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.

Study: Women less likely to receive CPR

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, ,

Study: Women less likely to receive CPR (Courtesy Spectrum HealthBeat)

By Amy Norton, HealthDay

 

Some bystanders may avoid performing CPR on women because they fear hurting them or even being accused of sexual assault, preliminary research suggests.

 

In two new studies, researchers tried to dig deeper into a puzzling pattern that has been seen in past research: Women are less likely than men to receive bystander CPR if they go into cardiac arrest in a public place.

 

One study confirmed that real-world phenomenon in a controlled setting: It found that even in “virtual reality” simulations, participants were less likely to perform CPR when the virtual victim was female, versus male.

 

People performed CPR on 65 percent of male victims, but only 54 percent of females.

 

A separate study, which surveyed 54 adults, turned up some possible explanations.

 

Respondents said bystanders may worry about hurting a woman while doing CPR chest compressions—or fear being accused of sexual assault. Some said people also might believe women’s breasts get in the way of CPR.

 

The respondents also cited a long-standing misconception: Women are less likely to have heart problems than men.

 

But the reality is that heart disease is the leading killer of U.S. women and men alike, according to government figures.

 

And when cardiac arrest strikes, CPR can be lifesaving, regardless of sex, said Dr. Sarah Perman, who led the survey.

 

People in cardiac arrest need immediate chest compressions, said Perman, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver.

 

“Providing this lifesaving procedure for women should be normalized and not sexualized,” she said.

 

In the United States, more than 356,000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital each year. Only about 11 percent survive, according to the American Heart Association.

 

Survival is dismal because without emergency treatment, cardiac arrest is fatal within minutes. But quick CPR can double or triple survival odds, the American Heart Association says.

 

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and cannot pump blood and oxygen to the body. If a bystander performs CPR, that keeps the victim’s blood circulating, buying time until paramedics arrive. Cardiac arrest is not a heart attack, which is caused by an artery blockage that diminishes blood flow to the heart.

 

“There is still a lot of misunderstanding about cardiac arrest and CPR,” said Dr. Aaron Donoghue, of the American Heart Association and the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Men and women benefit equally from CPR chest compressions, Donoghue said, adding that the notion that it could injure women is “false.”

 

As for fears of being accused of sexual assault, Donoghue noted that chest compressions are performed on the breastbone—also called the sternum, it’s the long flat bone in the center of the chest—not the breasts.

 

“It would be terrible for that fear to deter a would-be rescuer from performing CPR,” said Donoghue, who was not involved in the new studies.

 

“Doing nothing is always worse than doing something,” he added.

 

For its pilot study, Perman’s team surveyed 54 U.S. adults. Participants were asked: “Do you have any ideas on why women may be less likely to receive CPR than men when they collapse in public?”

 

Their answers reflect their personal perceptions, Donoghue pointed out. So, he said, it’s hard to know whether witnesses to cardiac arrest really do act on such beliefs in the real world.

 

Perman agreed, saying more research is needed to understand why women are less likely to receive CPR. She and her colleagues have already conducted a larger survey, she said, but the results have not been published yet.

 

For now, Donoghue suggested people educate themselves about cardiac arrest and CPR. The American Heart Association website is one place to start, he said.

 

Both studies are scheduled for presentation at the upcoming American Heart Association meeting in Chicago. Research presented at meetings is typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum HealthBeat.

Historians to explore crossroads of slavery and American memory at GV event

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Annette Gordon-Reed and Peter S. Onuf

By Nate Hoekstra
GVSU

Thomas Jefferson, one of the nation’s founding fathers, was the most revered philosopher of the early republic’s Enlightenment ideals. But he was also deeply involved in the nation’s original sin of slavery.

Not only was Jefferson a slave owner: DNA testing has strongly suggested he fathered children with Sally Hemings. 

Grand Valley’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies and the university’s Division of Inclusion and Equity will host historians Annette Gordon-Reed, from Harvard University, and Peter S. Onuf, retired from the University of Virginia, for a discussion about how Americans can work toward finding common ground for the common good, especially at the troubled crossroads of race and American memory.

Annette Gordon-Reed and Peter S. Onuf: Jefferson, Slavery, and the Moral Imagination

Thursday, January 24, 7 p.m.

L.V. Eberhard Center, Room 215

301 Fulton St. W., Grand Rapids

The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested at gvsu.edu/hc/events.

Gordon-Reed is the Charles Warren Professor of American Legal History at Harvard Law School, and has published six books, including The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family, which won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize in history and the National Book Award for nonfiction.

Onuf is an American historian and professor known for his study of Jefferson. In 1989, he was named the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor of the University of Virginia, a chair he held until retiring in 2012. He is also one of the founders of the NPR program Backstory.

This event is presented in collaboration with Grand Valley’s Division of Inclusion and Equity as part of the university’s week of events to commemorate the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

For more information, visit gvsu.edu/hc/events.

Kentwood honors MLK, gathers food, cash to support Little Food Pantry

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Holidays
The community came out in support of the City of Kentwood’s collection of food stuffs for its Little Free Pantry. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)


By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on the national holiday in his honor, the City of Kentwood stocked the shelves of its Little Free Pantry on Monday, Jan. 21.

The city collected canned goods and other non-perishable items at three locations: the Family Fare on Kalamazoo Avenue, Celebration Cinema on 1506 Eastport Drive, and the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department — the food pantry is located at the department’s activities center.

At the end of the day, the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page reported on the results: “Thank you to all who generously donated to the Little Free Pantry today! Our pantry is full again! We collected $68 and more items than could fit on the shelves. Your contributions will help a number of families in our area.”

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley visited Founder and Senior Leader Kathy El-Ali and Outreach Director Max Johnson at The Well Church to collect an abundance of donations for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

Mayor Stephen Kepley also did a little collecting himself, as he visited The Well Church on Monday to collect donations for the pantry. The city’s Facebook page commented on the church’s effort: “We are so appreciative of your generosity. The support of community partners like you helps ensure those who need help can find it year-round.”

Mayor Kepley, in previously supplied material, commented on the community support the city receives for the pantry and other community needs.

“Kentwood is a compassionate community which supports practical acts of generosity by encouraging neighbors to help neighbors especially in times of need,” Mayor Kepley said. “Since 2017, Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry has assisted countless families to such an extent that the shelves become empty on a weekly basis.”

Located in the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, the Kentwood Little Free Pantry is similar in operation to a Little Free Library: take an item (or items) when needed and leave an item when you can. No applications necessary. No questions are asked.

More information about Kentwood Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, is available online at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry .

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.



Meet a musical treasure

“Music has always been a big part of my life,” said Bruce Ling, who began playing slide guitar when he was 4 years old and whose father and uncle are both professional musicians. “When I was 8, my band made $5 playing in a basement for a birthday party. I’ve been playing ever since.” Read the story here.



Just the facts, folks

The latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus offers two discussions focused on important topics: improving Michigan’s prison environment and how Calvin College is reaching out to inmates with education and life-changing opportunities, as well as the current opioid abuse and addiction public health crisis and how Kent County is working to address that crisis locally. Go here to read the story.



Common ground… troubled crossroads

Grand Valley’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies and the university’s Division of Inclusion and Equity will host a discussion about how Americans can work toward finding common ground for the common good, especially at the troubled crossroads of race and American memory this Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7pm. More info here.



Fun fact:

One month

The time it would take a sloth to travel one mile (.15 mph). Road trip!

Are sleep issues breaking your heart?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, ,

People with undiagnosed sleep apnea may be suffering heart damage as well.
(Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Maureen Fitzgerald Penn, Spectrum Health Beat

Has your spouse or a family member ever told you that you alternate between snoring and gasping for breath while you sleep?

For the sake of your heart, it may be time to seek a solution.

Researchers often identify a connection between obstructive sleep apnea and a number of cardiovascular problems.

Wael Berjaoui, MD, a pulmonologist with Spectrum Health Medical Group, describes sleep apnea as an interference of airflow during sleep. This potentially serious disorder is characterized by breathing that repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, and it’s usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation.

These episodes can prevent restful sleep, often waking a sleeper as he gasps for air.

But there’s also a hidden impact on the heart.

This condition can worsen coronary artery disease. Research has found that patients who have sleep apnea are more likely to have life-threatening outcomes when they have a heart attack.

“Imagine waking up and feeling like someone is trying to choke you. Of course your heart rate and blood pressure will increase,” Dr. Berjaoui said of the association between obstructive sleep apnea and the heart. “Your body thinks it is in distress.”

Research has shown that patients who undergo continuous positive airway pressure therapy will see a decrease in systolic blood pressure, Dr. Berjaoui said, which reduces the potential for progressive damage to arteries and veins, and in turn reduces the incidence of stroke, heart disease and heart failure.

Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, is a treatment that uses mild air pressure, delivered through a lightweight mask, to keep the airways open during sleep.

CPAP treatment also can improve the health of people with heart rhythm problems, particularly those with an irregular heartbeat condition known as atrial fibrillation. Up to 80 percent of people with atrial fibrillation also may suffer from sleep apnea, Dr. Berjaoui said.

“It is much harder to control atrial fibrillation or cure it if you don’t treat the (apnea) first,” he continued. “It is important for patients who have cardiac conditions to be evaluated. …Even without all of the symptoms, a patient still could have sleep apnea and it can compromise their ability to effectively manage something like high blood pressure.”

If a patient requires more than two medications to control high blood pressure, for instance, there is at least a 7-in-10 chance the patient also suffers from sleep apnea, even if he doesn’t have the telltale symptoms of loud snoring or excessive daytime sleepiness.

And while there is an association between sleep apnea and cardiac conditions, Dr. Berjaoui pointed out it is not cause and effect.

The important takeaway: Sleep apnea can affect your ability to manage other conditions, including those affecting the heart.

Dr. Berjaoui said if you’re concerned about the impact of obstructive sleep apnea on your heart, you should talk to one of Spectrum Health’s sleep professionals. They can evaluate your sleep patterns in the sleep lab or in an at-home test.

Your heart is counting on it.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

WKTV VOICES: A conversation with Bruce and Becca Ling

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Faces, , ,

By Victoria Mullen, WKTV


Animals. Music. Nature. The river. These are just four things that Grand Rapids resident, Bruce Ling holds dear.


During his lifetime, the Chicago native has lived in many locales, always near water — from the Calumet River, the Pacific to Cape Cod — currently on the Grand River with wife and musical partner, Becca.


Bruce and Becca sat down with VOICES recently to talk about Bruce’s musical background, his affinity for animals and nature, and life on the river. According to Becca, Bruce is considered a kind of Michigan treasure when it comes to old-time music, being a collector of tunes, and teaching them to younger generations.


“Music has always been a big part of my life,” said Ling, who began playing slide guitar when he was 4 years old and whose father and uncle are both professional musicians. “When I was 8, my band made $5 playing in a basement for a birthday party. I’ve been playing ever since.”


After injuring a finger in an industrial accident, Ling turned from guitar to mandolin and fiddle out of necessity, mastering those instruments in very little time. Ling founded the ‘Hawks & Owls’ band in 1997, so named as a tribute to the many birds of prey that have crossed his path over the years.


In addition to music, Ling has enjoyed stints as a self-employed electrician and volunteer animal caretaker at Blandford Nature Center.


“I was the kid on the block with a menagerie in the basement,” he said. “People would bring me animals and birds that were injured. I could feel bones for a break and crafted popsicle stick splints with some paper medical tape a number of times on wings and legs and whatnot.”


He holds a reverence for all creatures, and it was an encounter with a red-tailed hawk years ago that led Ling to volunteering at Blandford Nature Center back when it had an animal hospital on site; he focused on the care and healing of raptors.


“I learned a long time ago that sometimes if you’re very quiet, a creature will tell you what needs to be done,” said Ling. “Whether it needs to go away and be euthanized with a quick crack and it’s done, or if it needs the energy of healing.”

Living on the river can be rejuvenating, exciting, challenging; the Lings and their neighbors always help each other out. The flood of 2013 wrecked the Lings’ house, and making matters worse, a vandal came in and destroyed the interior; Bruce and Becca were homeless for five months. Then out of the blue, an older couple with a house the Lings had coveted for years made it possible for them to obtain the title to that property.


“It was a karmic thing,” said Ling. “We try to help out where we can and now live just three doors down from the old house, but on higher ground.”

Listen to Bruce and Becca’s VOICES conversation here.

Share your story with VOICES. It’s easy — just go here to reserve a time!

Don’t let your resolutions go up in smoke

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Holidays, How-To's

Make a resolution to quit smoking? You can do it. You just need a plan.
(Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)


By Health Beat staff

 

Every year, many of the 75 percent of smokers who want to quit find motivation in getting a fresh start in the New Year.

Libby Stern, LMSW, TTS, knows that quitting smoking can be a challenge and, for many, it may take several attempts to finally succeed.

“A lot of times it’s like a practice approach,” she said. “It’s not uncommon to make six or seven attempts to quit.”

If you’re seriously thinking about kicking the habit once and for all, here are a few things that Stern, a smoking cessation expert at Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, suggests will help you get off on the right foot and stay on your path.

Remember what the QUIT acronym stands for:

  • Quit date. Set a quit date within two to three weeks. This gives you time to get used to the idea and to make preparations without allowing so much time that you forget about it. Having an important date allows you to attach additional meaning to your quit.
  • Use medication. Talk with your health care provider about using a medication to help you quit. There are prescription options like Chantix and Zyban as well as over-the-counter options like nicotine replacement patches, gum and lozenges. Figure out what you think will work for you and prepare yourself. Some medications will need to be started a week or two ahead of time.
  • Identify your social support. Find a quit buddy or someone who will support you along the way. It makes a huge difference to have someone you can talk to about your quit smoking journey and get their support and encouragement.
  • Talk to an educator or counselor. Counseling and/or formal education can help you to identify your personal triggers and develop new coping skills. Combining counseling with medications significantly improves the likelihood of success.

Develop a quit plan for yourself. Keep in mind that, when you quit smoking, you have to change more than the smoking.

Identify how you can change your routine to make quitting easier. For instance, if you always wake up, make your coffee and smoke while you read the paper or watch TV, change it up. Maybe you skip the coffee and paper and go straight for the shower and off to work instead, getting your coffee at work where there is no smoking.

If driving and smoking poses a challenge, get some coffee stirrers, cinnamon toothpicks, sugar-free licorice sticks or lollipops and have them in the car for those times when you have a craving. Changes in your routine can make it easier for you, especially in the beginning.

As a former smoker, Stern knows quitting is hard, but not impossible. Sometimes, students even tell her it was not as difficult as they expected.

Her message to anyone hoping to quit: “There are more former smokers today than smokers. You can be one, too.”

Planning is the key, so make sure you plan ahead for the expected and unexpected. Educate yourself and consider medications that may help.

Only you can decide when you’re ready to quit, but when you are, remember that there are many resources to help you. You can do this—there are more former smokers today than smokers. You can be one, too.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

New Year, New… Blah?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, , , , ,

By Ronald Christian Rivera, LMSW, Outpatient Therapist

 

New Year, new blah… The fact that I put off writing this blog entry (New Year’s inspirational) until the end of January shows my lack of interest for hallmark catchphrases and societally forced transformations. Now, I know I’m coming off as somewhat pessimistic, but I’m the kind of person that thinks we should be seeking growth and transformation in our daily lives and not simply at the beginning of the year. Most of us sprint towards desired changes until we’re faced with obstacles and challenges that our new routines bring about, and in no time we find ourselves right back where we started.

 

Let me back up a bit and say that I do think there’s something special in regards to the hope and inspiration that a new year brings. For some people it represents a fresh start or a clean slate. If you’re someone that finds that spark for change due to this time of the year, then more power to you. Maybe I should be more embracing of this annual gift.

 

In treatment we have a scientific phrase used to describe the catalyst for change or universal phenomenon that we refer to as, “whatever works.” So, if kicking off the New Year generates newly found motivation in you to _____________ (insert New Year’s Resolution), then that’s the antidote to ambivalence. Below I have provided a rather commonsensical, yet overlooked, “how-to” guide that (hopefully) may assist in following through with your New Year’s Resolutions for 2016. “May the odds be ever in your favor.”- Katniss Everdeen (I think).

 

Comprehensive guide to achieving your New Year’s Resolution goals:

  1. Slow and steady wins the race. Set small, measurable, bite size goals that can be reasonably achieved within 1-3 months. This will help you to build off of your daily progress which in turn will provide additional motivation to stick with your plan as you meet short term goals and continue to raise the bar. Example: Instead of saying, “I want to get in shape by summer.” Try, “I’m going to exercise three times a week for the next month and aim to lose 10 pounds.”
  2. Your language matters. There have been some interesting articles that I’ve read throughout the years in regards to how our irrational thoughts can prevent us from taking risks and challenging our comfort zone. Negative thoughts, intrusive thoughts, and self-defeating attitudes can be toxic for anyone who is attempting to make changes in their lives. Even when we have the motivation to try something new and dare to take a leap of faith, our inner critic is right there to remind us of why we shouldn’t. Silencing our inner critic can be challenging, but one effective way to combat that pesky inner voice is by mindfully speaking to ourselves with the wisdom and encouragement that we would give to our best friends. Example: Instead of allowing your friend to dwell on past failures after experiencing a set back on a new business venture, it would be more constructive to challenge their negative attitude by helping them focus on past accomplishments that were only met after overcoming adversity. It is essential that we channel this stream of positivity and affirmation in moments of “self-talk” in order to silence the voice of self-defeat.
  3. Make it fun! This is a big one for me. If the resolution you’re looking to make involves a significant lifestyle change, then it is essential that you have a fun time doing it. We humans love our habits, and man, is it difficult to lose our comforts no matter how destructive or maladaptive they may be. Example: For some of us that might be finding the simple pleasures of adjusting to an early morning routine and for others it could be finding a creative exercise to stay in shape if running or biking are not your cup of tea. The takeaway is this: the more fun or pleasure we get from the activity the more likely our body will crave that we repeat it.

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Kent County’s Opioid Task Force, Calvin’s Prison Initiative on WKTV Journal In Focus

3-bottom, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Hard News, Health, WKTV Journal In Focus, , , ,

K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

The latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus offers two discussions focused on important topics: improving Michigan’s prison environment and how Calvin College is reaching out to inmates with education and life-changing opportunities, as well as the current opioid abuse and addiction public health crisis and how Kent County is working to address that crisis locally.

We also have two community guest hosts — City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson and Grand Rapids Community College instructor Keith St. Clair — who will bring their own unique views to the show.

First up, In Focus is Rachel Jantz, a Public Health Epidemiologist with the Kent County Health Department. She has served in this role for the past 2 and one half years. In March of 2018, the Kent County Commissioners approved the addition of two more experts to deal with emerging public health concerns — PFAs and the opioid epidemic. Jantz is the lead for the Kent County Opioid Task Force.

Then In Focus is Todd Cioffi, an associate professor at Calvin College, and director of Calvin Prison Initiative. The Calvin Prison Initiative, a partnership between Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary, provides a Christian liberal arts education to inmates at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, a state prison located in Ionia. This five-year program results in a bachelor of arts degree from Calvin College, but it is much more than simply an educational effort.

Starting Jan. 22m 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). In Focus is also available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com. All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

School News Network: Immigrant parents learn how to track their children’s progress online

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Parents attending Kentwood Public Schools’ EL Parent Academy gather around their translators in the library at Bowen Elementary School. (School News Network)

By James Harger
School News Network

The library at Bowen Elementary School was anything but quiet on a recent evening, when several dozen parents learned how to explore the website containing their children’s grades during the Kentwood Public School’s EL Parent Academy.

As instructor Pam Thompson explained the features of the school district’ s Parentvueprogram for some 40 parents in attendance, she paused so 11 translators in the room could interpret what she said in their native tongues.

With nearly 9,000 students and more than 60 languages spoken in the home, Kentwood is the most diverse school district in Michigan. The district is embracing its diversity by hosting the EL Parents Academy, designed to show parents how to use the Internet to track their children’s grades and progress in school.

The interpreters simultaneously translated Thompson’s lecture into Rohingya, French, Karen, Hakha Chin, Tedim, Burmese, Spanish, Arabic and Nepali. It was the fifth two-hour workshop in the seven-night program, designed to teach immigrant parents how they can use technology to help their children learn in school.

“We’re not working to overcome the language barrier, but to accommodate it,” said Blair Feldkamp, the principal at Bowen who assisted in the workshop.

Parents and their translators watch as Pam Thompson, administrator for Kentwood Public Schools’ ParentVUE system, explains how to find their children’s grades online. (School News Network)


Reaching Out to Immigrant Parents

Sponsored by the Steelcase Foundation, the program hires translators who are fluent in parents’ native languages, provides childcare for the evening, free transportation, a free meal and at the end of the session gives each family a laptop they can take home.

Thompson, who administers the ParentVue and StudentVue programs, shows parents how to use the online tools to track children’s grades and communicate with teachers and administrators via email.

The site, which is updated by teachers at least once a week, is used by more than 80 percent of Kentwood students from grades 6-12, Thompson said. Showing non-English speaking parents how to use the tools brings them in touch with the opportunities being afforded their children and their performance.

Bawi Them closely followed Thompson’s translated explanation of the site. A Burmese immigrant, Them came to the U.S. in 2016 with her five children, ages 3 to 21. Through her translator, she said she appreciated the opportunity to learn about the schools her children attended.

After Thompson spent the first hour of her lecture showing the features of ParentVue on a wall screen, she and Feldkamp passed out the laptops to give them hands-on experience.

“Remember, you have to be exact when you type in the address. You have to type it in exactly as it’s written on the board,” Feldkamp told the group as Thompson went from table to table to make sure they got connected.

In addition to showing parents how to access their children’s records on ParentVue, Feldkamp also showed them how to access sports scores, athletic schedules and other district events.

Earlier workshops showed the parents how to access the Internet, taught them about Internet safety and Internet fraud and introduced them to the Kentwood Public Schools’ website. Guest lecturers included local police officers and bank administrators.

Congolese immigrant Elisa Mutual, left, learns how to access Kentwood Public Schools’ website with the assistance of his French translator, Jeremie Mulaji. (School News Network)
  • Parents gather for one of Kentwood’s EL Parent Academy programs.
  • Parents attending the EL Parent Academy will take home a laptop computer at the end of the course.
  • Pam Thompson, administrator for Kentwood Public Schools’ Parent VUE system, shows parents how to find their children’s schedule and grades at a recent session of the district’s EL Parent Academy.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood fun news for you

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recreation, Upcoming Events

By WKTV Staff

Ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“A little girl giggles when she is denied an ice-cream by her mother. She knows daddy will get her some later.”

                                                   ― Unknown
From a previous year City of Kentwood Daddy-Daughter Dance, fun is had by all and memories made. (WKTV)


Dads and daughters dance coming to Kentwood

Fathers can dance the night away with their daughters at the City of Kentwood’s annual Daddy-Daughter Dance, which is set for Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Kent District Library — Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. With an “Under the Sea” theme, this year’s event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will include dinner, dessert, crafts, a photo area with props and, of course, dancing. For the complete story, visit here.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

Local history exhibit at GRPM extended

The Grand Rapids Public Museum exhibition, “Ralph W. Hauenstein: A Life of Leadership” is being extended. Visitors can now experience the life and legacy of Ralph W. Hauenstein through April 14. Hauenstein was a leader in the West Michigan community, remembered for his role as a journalist, his military and intelligence service, his dedication to the Catholic faith, his entrepreneurship, and his philanthropy in Grand Rapids.
For the complete story, visit here.

Joey DeFrancesco having fun in concert. (JoeyDefracesco.com)

Jazz organ on display at St. Cecilia

“Hammond hero” Joey DeFrancesco and his serious jazz playing will be on full display when St. Cecilia Music Center bring multi-talented, multi-Grammy nominated jazz man and his quartet “The People” to Grand Rapids on Thursday, Feb. 7. Tickets are still available. For the complete story, visit here.

Fun fact:

Organ keyboards are called manuals

Most Hammond organs have two 61-note (five-octave) keyboards called manuals. As with pipe organ keyboards, the two manuals are arrayed on two levels close to each other. (Source)

Art in West Michigan

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism,

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association


Walking through a beautiful art gallery or scenic art festival is bound to bring out your creative side. Here in West Michigan, an art excursion is always nearby with many museums, galleries, art centers, and annual festivals.

Museums & Galleries

These locales are all about the arts, with each offering something different.

Muskegon Museum of Art


Muskegon County is home to one of the most highly respected art museums in the Midwest, the Muskegon Museum of Art. Throughout the marbled halls of the museum is a full schedule of permanent collection displays, traveling exhibits, and a lovely museum gift shop.


The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is a museum and art school filled with opportunities to experience, enjoy, learn about, and make art. The KIA offers tours, classes, exhibits, and hands-on experiences for the whole family.


The Art Gallery of Algoma is a public gallery dedicated to cultivating and advancing the awareness of visual arts in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The AGA’s commitment to excellence is reflected in all aspects of its programming. Approximately 24 exhibitions are mounted each year featuring local, national, and international artists. The AGA also boasts an ever-growing permanent collection of 5,000 works of art and an arts-related resource center.


Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings currently has Patrick Thomas’ Ephemeral Moments art exhibit on display through February 2019. Patrick Thomas is best described as a representational, landscape, pastel artist. His paintings are executed in soft pastel over watercolor washes on sanded paper. He is a self-taught artist with firm foundations from studies at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

Performing Arts & Events

The area is home to many art events, including performing arts. To see even more events in West Michigan, visit our Event Calendar.


Exquisite storytelling through the time-honored art of dance, with the Russian National Ballet’s performance of Sleeping Beauty on Friday, Jan. 18, at the Mendel Center in Benton Harbor. With a company boasting more than 50 dancers of singular instruction and vast experience, the Russian National Ballet will deliver a performance demonstrating the best in ballet artistry during this stop on their coast-to-coast U.S. tour. Before you fall under the enchanted spell of Sleeping Beauty, gather for a kid-friendly pre-show dinner complete with charming surprises.

At Grand Haven’s C2C Gallery

Grand Haven’s C2C Gallery is a venue for the Wine About Winter event on Friday, Jan. 18. Stone Peng will be their featured artist, with wine tasting on location during this fun event. The art continues with First Friday Art Hop on Friday, Feb. 1, where Peng will host a special artist talk


Arts Alive in Coldwater Country is a new initiative hosting gallery exhibitions and organizing art-related community events. In January, Coldwater’s Tibbits Opera House will host Beautiful Chaos, with more Arts Alive events scheduled throughout the year.

Artsy Areas

Some cities or regions in West Michigan draw artists and their works to that area.


Inside Southwestern Michigan’s Creative Connections map, you’ll find 16 creative destinations in Berrien County. To entice you to connect with each one, you’re challenged to a game of Creative Pursuit. The more Creative Connections galleries, museums, and theaters you visit, the more fun you’ll have and the more prizes you can earn. The Creative Connections program runs through April 30, 2019.


Throughout downtown Holland, life-size bronze sculptures dot the landscape. South Shore Village is also the backdrop for a community mural project. These murals depict important scenes from historic Holland, like the early boat-building industry, Holland’s designation as the hometown of four Medal of Honor winners, and the inspiration for L. Frank Baum, who wrote The Wizard of Oz.

Courtesy Holland Convention and Visitors Bureau


Art is brought to life in the Mecosta County area. Their local art center has a large gallery for local and visiting art and cultural exhibits, connected to a gift shop features art and gifts by Michigan artists. This entity is a staple in the Big Rapids community as they offer classes throughout the year such as Beginning Photography and an Open Pottery Studio as well as a place for groups such as Intimate Theater and Novel Tea Book Club to host their activities.


Pick up a brochure and enjoy a year-round self-guided outdoor sculpture tour in historic downtown Hastings. Before, during, or after your tour, take time to shop in Hastings many unique shops and enjoy dining and refreshments at one of the many downtown restaurants and eateries.

More West Michigan Art

There’s even more art in West Michigan, so get out there and discover your inner artist.




Employment Expertise: Top 10 most in-demand skills for 2019*

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, , , ,

By West Michigan Works!


*according to LinkedIn


Recently, LinkedIn analyzed hundreds of thousands of job postings to decide which skills companies need most in 2019. How does that list compare to what West Michigan employers need? We asked a couple of them their thoughts.


The 5 most in-demand soft skills in 2019:

soft skill: personal attributes, personality traits and communication abilities needed for success in a job. They characterize how a person interacts with others.

5. Time Management


4. Adaptability


3. Collaboration


2. Persuasion


1. Creativity


“I would move adaptability closer to the top,” said Alison Giardini, caregiver recruiter, Senior Helpers. “It’s such an important skill. The more you can adapt to in the workplace, the more quickly you’ll move forward in your career.”


The best way to showcase your soft skills initially is through your cover letter. Share a story or situation that demonstrates your strengths. For example: how you buffered a conflict, received a perfect attendance award or had your idea implemented by the company. The interview will give you an additional opportunity to highlight your soft skills.


The 5 most in-demand hard skills in 2019:

hard skill: a specific, teachable skill that can be defined and measured like reading, math and writing.


5. UX Design


4. People Management


3. Analytical Reasoning


2. Artificial Intelligence


1. Cloud Computing


“All of these would make up the ideal employee,” said Joe Howard III, co-owner, Junk King. “This list is very in-tune with today’s market.”


Do you need some new hard skills? Our career coaches can connect you to trainings for high-demand careers in manufacturing, health care, construction and IT. Sometimes scholarships are available too.


Alison and Joe are hiring. Interested in taking your hard and/or soft skills to their company? Click here to see jobs at Senior Helpers and Junk King.


Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

30 days without sugar? Sweet!

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, ,

“I loved sugar, and I still do,” says Kelsey Haynes, a community relations specialist for Spectrum Health. (Photo by Taylor Ballek, Spectrum Health Beat)

By Sue Thoms, Spectrum Health Beat

 

Could you go a month without sugar?

 

No candy or cookies. No soda pop. No hazelnut syrup in your coffee.

 

The idea filled Kelsey Haynes with dread at first. A self-described “sugar addict,” she didn’t know how she could give up her sweet ways.

 

But three weeks into a sugar-free challenge, she likes the results. She’s lost a few pounds. She feels energized. She has broken her afternoon candy-jar habit.

 

“I loved sugar, and I still do,” she says. “I just don’t crave it. It’s changing my habits.”

 

Sugar-free challenges are popping up on the internet lately, urging folks to cut added sweeteners from their diets for a set period of time, as a growing number of health advocates identify added sugars as a prime culprit behind rising obesity and diabetes rates.

 

Haynes followed a suggestion from a New York Times columnist, who advised readers to try going a month without sugar.

 

Most sugar-free campaigns don’t target the sugars naturally found in fruit and dairy products.

 

They focus on the sweet stuff added to food to make our taste buds happy. Sugar lurks in some surprising places―bread, crackers, ketchup, breakfast cereal, salad dressing and pasta sauce―that don’t seem at all sweet.

 

Low-calorie artificial sweeteners are eliminated in the sugar-free challenge, as well, because they help fuel the sweet-tooth habit.

 

“A 30-day (no-added-sugar) challenge is not such a bad idea,” says Christy McFadden, MS, RDN, a dietitian and supervisor of medical nutrition therapy for Spectrum Health. “I think people can learn a lot about how much sugar is in the food that they are eating.”

 

Haynes meal preps her health lunches to bring to work. Picture above is her cauliflower rice recipe. (Photo by Taylor Ballek, Spectrum Health Beat)

The challenge requires people to read nutrition labels and discover the many ways sweeteners appear in prepared food. Instead of sugar, the ingredients might include honey, agave, nectar, molasses, cane juice or sucrose―all forms of added sweeteners.

 

“Fifty-seven things are actually sugar on a label,” McFadden says.

 

With sugar incorporated into so many foods, people can develop a preference for the sweet stuff without realizing it.

 

“We want to eat more of it or want to overeat in general,” she says. “When we go away from that for a while and make a conscious effort to avoid it, you can retrain your taste buds to prefer other foods or just not love sugar so much.”

The 10 percent guideline

Haynes, a community relations specialist for Spectrum Health, has long been interested in nutrition and fitness. She already read nutrition labels and had a good idea of the amount of sugar in food.

 

But she still struggled with a longing for sweets.

 

“When people would ask me what my favorite sugar was, my answer would be, ‘Yes,’” she says. “That sugar packet on the table―I would open it up and eat it.”

 

Eliminating added sugars helped her focus on more nutritious options.

 

“I still eat a decent amount of sugar in fruit form,” she says.

 

A typical morning smoothie consists of kale, ginger, chia seeds, kefir, a half-banana and an orange.

 

She also developed an efficient way to plan a week’s worth of meals and snacks―to keep her healthy eating plan on track. She keeps menus and matching grocery lists on file in her computer, so she can print up a list before she heads to the store.

 

McFadden says the focus on healthier foods is a key benefit of a short-term no-sugar challenge.

 

Haynes has long been interested in nutrition and fitness. With a serious sweet tooth, she wasn’t sure she could give up her sweet ways. But three weeks into a sugar-free challenge, she likes the results. (Photo by Taylor Ballek, Spectrum Health Beat)

“I think it does force you to make healthier choices for a while and be conscious of that, too,” she says.

 

Americans get 13 percent of their calories from added sugar. But they should keep it under 10 percent, according to federal dietary guidelines.

 

Going beyond that point could mean either consuming excess calories or not eating enough nutritious foods.

 

For those aiming to limit sugar intake, upcoming changes in food labels will help. By July 2017, the Food and Drug Administration will require manufacturers to list added sugars on the labels for most foods. The labels must state the amount of sugar in grams and as a percent of daily calories.

 

The ultimate goal of a no-sugar challenge should not be to avoid all types of sugar forever, McFadden says. It should be to develop a healthy diet―one that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

 

“Milk, yogurt and fruit have a lot of natural sugars. It’s not a pure evil,” she says. “But they come with all these other nutrients. In soda pop, there’s nothing there except sugar.”

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

GR Symphony, GR Civic offering free tickets to furloughed government employees

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming
GRS Symphony Music Director Marcelo Lehninger (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

This week, both the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre have announced free tickets to federal government employees who have been furloughed or are working without pay due to the government shutdown.

“The Grand Rapids Symphony is a community supported orchestra, and it’s our duty and privilege to support our community as well,” said Grand Rapids Symphony Vice President of Marketing and Communications Denise Lubey.

“Music not only is one of our greatest pleasures, it’s one of our greatest sources of comfort in trying times,” Lubey said.  “Music nourishes the soul and lifts the spirts. It sustains us when we’re sad and entertains us when we need to set aside the worries of the day.”

More than 22 percent of all federal employees in Michigan totaling about 5,700 workers currently are affected by the shutdown in the Great Lake State.

For the Grand Rapids Symphony, federal employees who are affected by the shutdown may receive up to two free tickets to any upcoming Symphony concert. The exception is “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” on Feb. 1-2, which is sold out. The Grand Rapids Symphony also is offering four free tickets for any of its upcoming Family series or Lollipop concerts to affected workers and their families. Federal employees will be asked to provide their job and office or agency for confirmation.

Call the Grand Rapids Symphony at (616) 454-9451 or go online to GRSymphony.org for more information and for details on all upcoming concerts in the 2018-19 season.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents “And Then There Were None” through Jan. 27. (Civic Theatre)

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is offering two tickets to its current production “And Then There Were None,” which runs through Jan. 27. Federal employees must show their federal ID for the tickets.

Advance tickets are available at civic’s box office, which is located at 30 N. Division Ave., or the night of the performance. For more information, call 222-6650.

Kentwood invites community to honor MLK, support food pantry

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Upcoming Events
The Little Food Pantry is located in the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.

By City of Kentwood

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the City of Kentwood will hold a food drive to stock its Little Free Pantry on Jan. 21. The City will collect canned goods and other non-perishable items on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at three locations:
 

Family Fare, 6127 Kalamazoo Ave. SE – 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Celebration Cinema, 1506 Eastport Dr. SE – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, 355 48th St. SE – 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The City is also seeking community partners willing to place a Kentwood Little Free Pantry collection bin for canned goods and other non-perishable items at their organization or business.

“Kentwood is a compassionate community which supports practical acts of generosity by encouraging neighbors to help neighbors especially in times of need,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley. “Since 2017, Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry has assisted countless families to such an extent that the shelves become empty on a weekly basis.”

“To ensure those who need help can find it year-round, please lend a hand by donating to the pantry and consider becoming a year-round partner. Added partners will provide a more sustainable food source for our community.”

Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry initiative began as an MLK Day community service project in 2017 to fill an immediate and local need throughout the year.

Located in the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, the premise of the Kentwood Little Free Pantry is similar to that of the Little Free Library movement: Take an item (or items) when needed and leave an item when you can. No applications necessary. No questions are asked.

Those interested in accepting a collection bin are encouraged to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 616.656.5270 or eRecreation@kentwood.us.

More information about Kentwood Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, is available online at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry .

The key to success is failure

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Kids Activities, , ,

Courtesy MSU Extension

By Kylie Rymanowicz, Michigan State University Extension

 

No one is great at something the first time they try it. Success comes from hard work, practice and, yes, even failure. When young children are learning to walk they have to fall down again and again and again in order to master the balance they need to stand upright (and even then, they will still fall down). When learning to feed themselves, tie their shoes or master long division, children have to try, practice and learn from their missteps and try again in order to master their new skills. You can help your child learn from their failures and use those failures to work towards great successes.

 

Michigan State University Extension suggests the following ways to help your child learn to succeed through failure.

 

Encourage your child to take risks and try new things. Trying new things can be scary, especially if we are worried that if we try, we will ultimately fail. Give your child encouragement to try things outside of their comfort zone, and attempt things they might not be good at right away. By taking risks and trying new things, your child can overcome their fear of failing and learn that when you take risks, you learn so many new things and practice new skills.

 

Emphasize your child’s efforts. Not every effort will result in success. When your child is trying to draw a unicorn for the first time, it likely won’t be a perfect picture. This may be discouraging for your child, but try focusing on emphasizing their efforts. You can talk about their work they put into the project, “You worked so hard on this drawing. You tried something new, you did your best! I’m proud of you for working so hard!” Remind your child that great things happen over time; even famous artists start with a rough draft.

 

Teach problem-solving skills. Failure often makes us feel stuck and can make someone feel like giving up. Teach your child that through hard work and effort, you can work to solve problems. If they are trying to learn a new skateboarding trick and they just can’t seem to pick it up, help them think about what they can do to solve their problem. Is there someone who knows that trick who can help them? Can they watch a video on YouTube that will help them figure out what they need to do differently? Help your child think about what they can do to keep working and trying.

 

Value hard work. Show your child that you value hard work by noticing it happen all around you. Notice those who work hard around you and in your child’s life. Point out the construction workers who are working hard in rain to repair the roads. Write a thank-you note to your mail carrier who works extra hard during the holiday season to help deliver gifts and goodies. Showing gratefulness and appreciation for those that work hard will show your child that hard work is to be valued.

 

Engage in self-praise. When children hear you praise yourself, they learn to do the same. Show off your hard work and that you can be proud of yourself for not giving up on tasks that are hard. When you work hard, say out loud, “I’m so proud of myself! I was having a hard time figuring out how to fix the TV, but I kept trying and I did it! Go me!”

 

Help your child adopt a growth mindset. Show your young child that making mistakes and failing is normal and something that happens to everyone. It means you tried something new. Failure doesn’t mean an ending—it’s just the beginning. You can teach your child to be a hardworking problem solver that can turn their failures into successes.

 

For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, please visit the Michigan State University Extension website.

 

To learn about the positive impact children and families experience due to MSU Extension programs, read our 2017 impact report. Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension positively impacted individuals and communities in 2017, can be downloaded from the Michigan 4-H website.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Stone Fox Ventures set to move new acquisition to Wyoming

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,
Even Cut Abrasive Company, which supplies American made abrasive products, will be relocating to Wyoming. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Wyoming, announced that Grand Rapids-based Stone Fox Ventures LLC will be relocating a portion of its recent acquisition, Even Cut Abrasive Company, to a new location at 4050 Roger B. Chaffee Memorial Blvd, in Wyoming, which was the former Ferris Nut and Coffee warehouse. Additionally, the company will invest $3.76 million in equipment and facility to expand product offerings, resulting in the creation of 52 jobs.

Stone Fox Ventures is a private equity investment firm that acquires, structures, manages and grows middle-market manufacturing, distribution, and services companies with industrial and business customers. Recently, the firm closed the purchase of Even Cut Abrasive Company, currently located in Cleveland, Ohio. The manufacturer produces coated and non-woven specialty abrasive products for industrial use.

After considering keeping the full-scope of the company’s operations in Cleveland, Stone Fox Ventures ultimately decided to relocate and expand a portion the industrial manufacturer to Wyoming with the assistance of The Right Place and the MEDC. The new Wyoming facility will take over the production of two product lines, as well as the expansion of several others.

“We believe the City of Wyoming is a great place to build a company and a community. Not only is the area full of talented individuals who will make fantastic team members, but it also provides a quality of life we believe is important to our business culture,” said Robert Shindorf, Managing Member, Stone Fox Ventures LLC, “The Right Place and their partners at the MEDC have been incredibly helpful as we’ve worked through this process, and we’re grateful for their continued support as we move forward.”   

The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $400,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The Right Place also connected the company with workforce development resources at West Michigan Works! to assist with talent attraction and workforce training.

Eric Icard, senior business development manager with The Right Place (Supplied)

“Stone Fox Ventures’ decision to expand Even Cut Abrasive’s operations into Wyoming is a testament to the economic strength of our region,” said Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager and project lead, “West Michigan has always been exceptionally well-suited to support manufacturers, and the addition of Stone Fox Venture’s recent acquisition only strengthens our reputation as a place where manufacturers thrive.”

“We’re thrilled Stone Fox Ventures selected Wyoming as the location for its expansion project,” said Mayor Jack Poll, City of Wyoming, “We look forward to welcoming them to our community and being part of their continued success.”

About Stone Fox Ventures LLC 
Stone Fox Ventures is a private equity investment firm focused on bringing growth and improvements to the communities our companies serve. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan our values mirror the collective principles and conservative nature of our state. We structure our acquisitions and business process improvements to protect the interests of our employees, providing security, stability and advancement opportunities. For more information, please visit http://stonefoxventures.com. For information on Even Cut Abrasive Company, please visit: http://evencut.com

About The Right Place, Inc. 
The Right Place, Inc., is a regional nonprofit economic development organization founded in 1985 and supported through investments from the private and public sector. Its mission is to promote economic growth in the areas of quality employment, productivity and technology in West Michigan by developing jobs through leading business retention, expansion and attraction efforts. For more information, visit:www.rightplace.org.

School News Network: Library book talks are big hit with middle schoolers

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KDL youth paraprofessional Claire O’Tsuji always comes with new books in hand. (School News Network)

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

Valleywood Middle School students noshed on pizza and sipped milk while listening to synopses of popular teen reads, which they would later have the chance to check out.

Kent District Library is a proud sponsor of SNN
Kent District Library is a proud sponsor of SNN

While they sat back and listened during the monthly Literary Lunch in the school’s Collaboration Center, Kent District Library employee Claire O’Tsuji presented on “How Train Your Dragon,” by Cressida Cowell.

“Hiccup is the smallest viking on the island, and his dad is the strong bearded muscle-y viking, and really wants Hiccup to grow up and become a big, strong viking like himself,” O’Tsuji said. “But Hiccup is Hiccup, and they have to find and train a dragon.”

Seventh-grader Elizabeth King has a slice while learning about books. (School News Network)

The Gaines Township Branch youth paraprofessional also presented on “Moo” by Sharon-Creech and “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds. Literary Lunch, a partnership with KDL, has drawn students in for books sessions during lunch for the past two years so they can learn about titles and check them out.

“I usually bring a lot of new books and graphic books, ones that the schools don’t have readily accessible in big volumes,” she said. “It gives students a break from the school day, and if I can introduce new and exciting books that might not be what they usually read… it’s always a strong way to create good readers.”

Seventh-grader Byron Buter chooses two new KDL books to check out. (School News Network)

She also does a 10-minute read-aloud and has encouraged students to sign up for library cards, which nearly all students now have, thanks to the library partnership.

“I can only stock so many books, so it opens up another entire world of availability that I can necessarily provide,” added Dani Rieker, Valleywood  media clerk. “Being able to partner with KDL has been fantastic.”

Seventh-grader Byron Buter settled down to read from KDL books he was checking out. “We get to pick from a whole bunch of different books and hope we find something that’s interesting,” he said.

Fox Motors increases domestic presence in Grand Rapids

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism,
K&M Dodge RAM is now part of the Fox Motors family.

By Fox Motors

This week, Fox Motors announced the addition of the Chrysler family brand of automobiles – Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep & RAM to Fox’s automotive portfolio in the Grand Rapids market, with the addition of Fox Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, formerly known as K&M Dodge RAM and Van Andel & Flikkema Chrysler Jeep. The new combined dealerships will now be called Fox Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM with the Chrysler and Jeep lines located at 3844 Plainfield Ave NE, and the Dodge and RAM lines located at 4100 Plainfield Ave NE. Fox will also serve K&M’s Suzuki service customers at the “Motor Mile” location at 4180 Jupiter, across the street from the Dodge RAM dealership, and Venom Motorsports customers at 5174 Plainfield Ave NE.

These acquisitions bring the Fox Motors portfolio to 41 automotive and powersports brands in 36 locations, and is the third Chrysler dealership for the group (current Fox Chrysler stores are located in Charlevoix, Michigan and Negaunee, Michigan). Fox Motors hired 150 former K&M and VanAndel & Flikkema employees, which brings the total number of Fox employees to 1,825 in Michigan and Illinois.

“By adding the Chrysler family of brands to our backyard, Fox Motors now offers all three domestic lines within our community, as well as a variety of imports, Harley-Davidson and over 10 different powersports brands. Whatever you are looking for, Fox Motors will have you covered in Grand Rapids,” said Daniel G. DeVos, Fox Motors Chairman & CEO. “It has been anhonor to work with the K&M owners, Hank Makarewicz, Tom Makarewicz, Jim Koning and Dave Koning, and with Van Andel & Flikkema’s, John Flikkema, and their respective teams these pastfew months. The Makarewicz, Koning and Flikkema families are iconic in the Grand Rapids automotive industry and you can see the dedication and loyalty to our community, their teams and their customers that they brought with them every day.”

“My number one piece of advice to everyone in the automotive business is, ‘work hard and be honest with people,’” stated Hank Makarewicz, K&M Dodge RAM Partner. “I know the Fox family holds these values true and will take great care of our employees and customers for many years to come.”

K&M Dodge RAM was purchased in October 1974 by Hank Makarewicz and Hank Koning. While under their ownership, they added a collision center and world recognized Mopar parts distribution center, as well as growing the team from 32 employees to 100.

“We have certainly had a great run in this business and I’ve enjoyed each season,” said John Flikkema, Van Andel & Flikkema Owner. “Our community, our customers and our employees have made this life special and I want to thank you all for your partnership, trust and memories. I will miss you all but know you are in great hands with Fox.”

Van Andel and Flikkema was established in 1932 by James Van Angel and John Flikkema Sr. The partners purchased a Desoto and Plymouth dealership in 1950.

Van Andel & Flikkema was established in 1932 by James Van Andel and John Flikkema Sr., the partners purchased a Desoto and Plymouth dealership in 1950. The Chrysler franchise was added in 1981 and then in 1991, John Flikkema III bought out the Van Andel family interest and the dealership moved to its current location.

Fox Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM joins the following Fox Motors affiliates in the Grand Rapids market:

Audi Grand Rapids & Porsche Grand Rapids (6025 28th Street SE)

Fox Acura (4330 29Th Street SE)

Fox Buick GMC (5977 Alpine Avenue NW)

Fox Chevrolet (632 E. Main Street, Caledonia)

Fox Ford Mazda (3560 28th Street SE)

Fox Honda (3050 Broadmoor SE)

Fox Hyundai Kia (4141 28th Street SE,)

Fox Nissan (4430 28Th Street SE)

Fox Powersports (720 44th Street SW, Wyoming)

Fox Shine (3120 Broadmoor, Kentwood)

Fox Shine Detail & Appearance Center (2890 Acquest Ave SE, Kentwood)

Fox Subaru (6045 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids)

Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson (2977 Corporate Grove Drive, Hudsonville)

Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center (2950 Broadmoor SE, Kentwood)


Fox Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM operations will be overseen by Division Director, Jerry Moore, and General Manager, John Phillips.


K&M Wayland was not involved in this transaction and will stay with the Koning and Makarewicz families.

Caregiver challenge: Needs double as end of life nears

3-bottom, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , , , , ,

By Maureen Salamon, HealthDay

 

Reliance on caregivers doubles as people near death, and half of those caregivers—typically unpaid family members—report having no time for themselves, a new study indicates.

 

The research used a nationally representative sample of about 2,400 older adults in the United States. The study authors found that caregivers provided nearly twice the number of hours of help each week to dying individuals than to those not at the end of life.

 

“We were certainly aware when dealing with end-of-life care that families are mostly involved, but we couldn’t quantify that prior to this [research],” said study author Dr. Katherine Ornstein. She’s an assistant professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

 

More than 34 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult aged 50 or older in the past 12 months, according to 2015 figures from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Most caregivers are female.

 

Ornstein and her team drew from two nationally representative surveys in which caregivers in the United States reported their experiences caring for dying adults over age 65. The researchers contrasted this data with that of other caregivers providing ongoing care.

 

Older adults were classified as being at the end of life if they died within 12 months of the surveys’ completion.

 

The study found that dying adults had an average of 2.5 caregivers assisting them. Those near the end of life received 61 hours of help per week compared to 35 hours of help per week for older adults who weren’t at the end of life.

 

More than one-third of the end-of-life caregivers reported physical difficulty related to their duties. Just over half reported having no time for themselves. These figures were 21 percent and 40 percent, respectively, for other caregivers.

 

Nearly nine in 10 caregivers are unpaid, according to the study. For end-of-life caregivers who were spouses, nearly two-thirds reported receiving no help from family or friends.

 

“What we see now is, on average, there are 2.5 people helping someone at the end of life. You can imagine if they don’t have that, it’s much more difficult,” Ornstein said. “When spouses are serving as caregivers, the majority are reporting doing it alone and have the [most challenging] consequences.”

 

Barbara Coombs Lee is president of Compassion & Choices, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization for patients’ rights and end-of-life issues. She pointed out that the caregivers surveyed in the new study didn’t necessarily know ahead of time that the person they were caring for was at the end of life.

 

This lack of awareness may have increased caregivers’ stress levels, she said.

 

“This told me the caregivers were probably struggling, not knowing this was an end-of-life situation. Our [organization’s] research indicates that uncertainty about decision-making is an inherent and extremely powerful source of stress,” Lee said.

 

“I would guess that many of these people didn’t know they were dying … so they pursued heroic, torturous, futile treatment,” she added. “Often the default decision [to continue treatment] increases the caregiver burden.”

 

Ornstein said she hopes greater awareness of the family burden of caregiving, especially at the end of life, comes from her research.

 

“We need to think about expanding access to palliative care services, which can help facilitate the delivery of supportive services to families earlier,” she added. “And we can see how we need to provide more paid family leave so families can provide the support we’re pretty much expecting them to provide.”

 

Lee agreed with the need for expanded access to hospice and palliative care.

 

“One of the big barriers to access to hospice is [an] information gap,” Lee said. “People don’t understand that hospice is appropriate to them in their journey in their illness. Palliative care utilization would go up if people had more candid conversations and were privy to information that physicians have but aren’t sharing.”

 

The study was published in the journal Health Affairs.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Federal government may be shutdown, but it’s business as usual at the Ford Airport

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport has been running at normal times but staff recommends that people get to the airport at least 90 to 120 minutes before their flight takes off. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

With reports of some TSA officers not coming in and potentially long wait times at local airports, area residents will be happy to know things are running smoothy at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

“The security wait times are running at normal times,” said Alicia Roberts, marketing coordinator for the Ford Airport. “We appreciate the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and CBP (U.S. Customers and Board Protection) staff continuing to work hard to keep things at the airport running smoothly.”

Roberts statement matches what the TSA website has stated. According to the site, TSA screened 1.89 million passengers on Jan. 14. The overall wait time for 99.1 percent of passengers was less than 30 minutes with 94.3 percent of the passengers waiting less than 15 minutes. For the TSA PreCheck lanes, the average wait was less than 10 minutes.

Wait times vary at each airpot. For example, Atlanta was reporting a max standard wait time of 88 minutes with a TSA PreCheck maximum wait time of 55 minutes. For Chicago’s O’Hare, the maximum waiting time was 16 minutes and the maximum wait time for TSA PreCheck was three minutes. At the Detroit airport, the maximum wait time was 19 minutes and the maximum wait time for the TSA PreCheck was four minutes.

Roberts said that it is always recommended that passengers come to the airport early to get checked in and through security. GFIA encourages passengers to arrive at least 90-120 minutes before their flight and check flight information at www.flyford.com.

To help with moving through security, passengers should 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. Each passenger is limited to one quart-sized 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 3-1-1procedures 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.


Due to safety concerns, the FAA yesterday recalled thousands of furloughed inspectors and engineers back to work. It happened after unions representing aviation safety inspectors and air traffic controllers raised concerns that the shutdown was eroding the safety of the nation’s air travel.

All FFA TSA and CBP employees are working without pay during the government shutdown. 

CNN recently compiled a list of impacts from the government shutdown. Click here to read more.

Threats to democracy, closed borders, free trade on World Affairs Council lecture schedule

3-bottom, Hard News, Tech Trends, Upcoming Events,
A Border Patrol agent drives past new vehicle barriers near Deming, N.M., built by U.S. Army soldiers. (U.S. Army historical photo)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

 
After President Donald Trump gives his State of the Union speech on Jan. 29, the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan’s 2019 Great Decisions global discussion series will debut with a discussion on the “State of the State Department” on Feb. 4-5.

Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, president of American Foreign Service Association (Supplied/World Affairs Council)

With Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, president of American Foreign Service Association, will be talking about the “State of the State Department” on both days, and will pose and then discuss the question: “Is the State Department currently equipped to do its diplomatic work?”

“Our organization’s perspective on this series is that to change the world — or to even begin to understand global issues — one first must know about the world, and that’s what we attempt to do with Great Decisions,” Michael Van Denend, executive director of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, said to WKTV.

 
The eight topics covered by the series were specifically chosen by the Foreign Policy Association in New York as the global issues every American community should know more about and currently be discussing. The World Affairs Council has been sponsoring the series since the mid-1950s.

 
“We’re particularly pleased with the expertise and diversity of the speakers coming to West Michigan this year,” Van Denend said. “There are two ambassadors, a cyber security FBI agent, two journalists reporting on Eastern Europe and Syria, and one of the country’s foremost China experts. Attending these presentations will open up many corners of the world for participants.”
 

The annual series, which bring leaders in international theory and action to Grand Rapids for lectures, will offer two options to attend: Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., at Aquinas College Performing Arts Center; and Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m. at the Recital Hall in the Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin College.

There is a $10 general-public admission fee per discussion, with no reservations needed and free parking.

The series will continue through March 25-26.

The Great Decisions format features a world-class expert leading each conversation, followed by an extensive question-answer session.

 
The reminder of the 201 series will feature:

 
Feb. 11 and 12: “Democracy on the Run: Dispatches from Eastern Europe”, a behind-the-scenes-look at rising anti-democratic efforts abroad, lead by Carol Schaeffer, a freelance journalist.

Feb. 18 and 19: “Immigration Policy beyond the Border”, a talk “shedding light on a complicated and contentious issue with thoughtful dialogue,” according to supplied material, with Ambassador Jim Nealon, former U.S. Ambassador to Honduras.

Feb. 25 and 26: “A New Nuclear Arms Race?”, with Kelsey Davenport, of the Arms Control Association, discussing “Russia. North Korea. Iran. What’s our nuclear future?”

Mar. 4 and 5: “China-U.S. Trade War”, with Amy Celico, Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG), discussing “How will we handle the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century?”

Mar. 11 and 12: “Life After the Arab Uprisings and the Islamic State”, a ground-level report from a brave Lebanese journalist, Rania Abouzeid, author of “No Turning Back: Life, Loss, and Hope in Wartime Syria”, a New York Times 2018 Notable Book.

Mar. 18 and 19: “Global Cyber Threats” with FBI Special Agent Peter Jolliffe
discussing “Cyber risks are on the rise — can we thwart them?”

And finally, on Mar. 25 and 26: “Mexico and the U.S.: The Economic Ties that Bind”, Carlos Capistran, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, New York City, discussing “What must we do to make certain both countries thrive?”

The Aquinas College Performing Arts Center is located at 1703 Robinson Road S.E., Grand Rapids. The Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin College is located at 1795 Knollcrest Cir SE, Grand Rapids.

 
The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan is located at 1700 Fulton Street E., Grand Rapids, For more information on sessions, dates and times, as well as detailed information on speakers, visit worldmichigan.org .

Cat of the week: Leonard Purrstein

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , ,
The kid is a hard worker

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

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).

When Dr. Jen first laid eyes on the strikingly stunning Leonard, she was impressed with how composed and sure of himself he was considering we were the third facility he had been in since June of 2018. Initially, he was transferred from Calhoun County to Focus on Ferals where it was discovered that he was FIV+. Having a bigger heart than space for these viral-bound cats, Gina committed to keeping him in her program with the hopes that someday soon there would be an opening for him at our sanctuary; luckily for them both, we were able to open our doors to the debonair Leonard Purrnstein in early August.

This muscular, 14-lb. lug (born in early 2014) was hungry for affection and couldn’t wait to repay our attention in kind with head butts and cuddle sessions. We’ve discovered that his favorite thing in the whole, wide world is wet food, wet food and more wet food—even more than people! In fact, he has become our little garbage disposal, cleaning up every single plate and bowl that the others leave behind. When he isn’t hanging out in the food prep area in our free-roaming shelter begging for handouts, he can be found snoozing away high upon a cat tree as, after all, a food coma is secondary to a full tummy.

Leonard really doesn’t care for the other cats, and at times he gets a bit too big for his britches and causes commotion, but he is surrounded by 49 other cats, so who can blame him. However, he has also has shown us his mellow, softer side so we feel that placing him in a home with a laid-back cat would be acceptable to him. Since FIV+ is transmitted through bite wounds, it is no wonder that being in close quarters with so many of the feline kind gets him a bit rattled, but food is an easy way to diffuse any tense situation with him.

Hopefully, he won’t leave our place much heavier than he arrived, but we figure he deserves a little spoiling given all that it took to get him here to us! We feel he would thrive in a home with kids and lots of things to climb; he may be part monkey, as the higher up he can get the happier he is. Overall, we adore Leonard, are enthralled by his intense good looks, and are thoroughly enjoying having him as an official Sid’s Kid until we find him his fur-ever home.

More about Leonard Purrnstein:

  • Medium
  • Domestic Short-haired Tabby (Tiger-striped), White
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

Want to adopt Leonard Purrnstein? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

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.

Understanding personalities: What color is your personality?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, ,

Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Jackelyn Martin, Michigan State University Extension

 

Any adult or youth who has participated in an interview can recall the ever-popular question, “Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses.” But how do youth gain insight into those characteristics without on-the-job experience and feedback from superiors? The Real Colors personality inventory can be a helpful tool for youth to explore their personality traits and potential individual strengths and weaknesses.

 

Real Colors is an assessment and training rooted in the work of well-known social science researchers including Carl Jung, Isabel Myers, Katharine Briggs and David Keirsey. The Real Colors personality inventory uses self-assessments to break down personality types into four basic color groups, making the tool easy to teach and remember in future applications. The training helps youth and adults discover their primary “colors,” each associated with a personality type, and gains insight into areas their personality type may excel or struggle in their work in groups. The training is conducted over the course of two hours to a full day and is carried out by trained instructors.

 

By participating in a training, youth and adults gain perspective about the tasks they may consider easy in their lives, but present challenges to others based on the way others think or approach the task. For example, organizational skills and meeting deadlines may come naturally to some people, but others may need to work harder at achieving the same results. Likewise, some people can read and analyze numbers or see how a problem fits in with a broader context, while others may not draw those connections as easily. Similarly, some people excel in groups and teamwork, and others prefer to work alone.

 

Understanding what makes individuals unique can help groups identify individual strengths and areas that they could improve. It also provides perspective into how individuals participate as part of a team. Michigan State University Extension educators are trained in facilitating the Real Colors personality inventory, appropriate for adults and youth. Contact your local MSU Extension office or the 4-H Leadership and Civic Engagement Work Team at 4-hleadership@msu.edu for more information.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

St. Cecilia to bring jazz organ master Joey DeFrancesco and his ‘People’ to town Feb. 7

3-bottom, Upcoming Events
Joey DeFrancesco having fun in concert. (JoeyDefracesco.com)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

In publicity material for Van Morrison’s 2018 all-jazzed up release “You’re Driving Me Crazy” his partner in musical crime is listed at “Hammond hero” Joey DeFrancesco. Maybe the nickname is a little bit of Morrison’s infamous Irish humor and maybe it is simply stating the obvious.

Either way, DeFrancesco and his Hammond heroics will be on full display when St. Cecilia Music Center bring multi-talented, multi-Grammy nominated jazz man and his quartet “The People” to Grand Rapids on Thursday, Feb. 7.

Tickets are still available.

DeFrancesco is a four-time Grammy Award nominee, with more than 30 recordings as a leader under his belt. He has received countless jazz awards including being inducted into the inaugural Hammond B3 Organ Hall of Fame in 2014, as well as being named the top organ player in the Critics Polls in DownBeat Magazine 11 times over the past 15 years and the Readers Polls every year since 2005.

That certainly qualifies as being a “Hammond hero.”
 

Accompanying DeFrancesco at St. Cecilia will be his group — known as “The People”, and including drummer Michael Ode, guitarist Dan Wilson and saxophonist Troy Roberts. And Joey may well also break out his trumpet and singing voice during the show.
  
 
“Joey DeFrancesco and “The People” … is bound to have guests swinging in their seats,” Cathy Holbrook, SCMC executive director, said in supplied material. “Their amazing jazz, blues, soul sound will really speak to the hearts of true jazz lovers and it’s something different then we have featured in the past with Joey on the Hammond B3 Organ.”

DeFrancesco’s latest Grammy nomination was with “The People”, in 2017 for “Project Freedom”, an album that features DeFrancesco on the Hammond B-3 organ, along with contributions on keyboards, trumpet and as a vocalist. “Project Freedom” includes originals by DeFrancesco and covers of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” and John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

DeFrancesco is no stranger to a little genre bouncing, and in 2018 he teamed up with Van Morrison on Morrison’s hard-driving soul-jazz sounding 2018 album titled “You’re Driving Me Crazy”. The album included Morrison, JDeFrancesco, Wilson, Roberts and Ode.


Joey DeFrancesco, in brief

Joey DeFrancesco (Jay Gilbert)

DeFrancesco was raised in Philadelphia where his musical roots in jazz, blues and other musical art forms were born, according to his website bio. The son of “Papa” John DeFrancesco, an organist himself, the younger DeFrancesco remembers playing as early as four-years-old. Soon after, his father began bringing him to gigs in Philadelphia, sitting in with legendary players like Hank Mobley and Philly Joe Jones.


Some argue that DeFrancesco’s emergence in the 1980s marked the onset of a musical renaissance as organ jazz had all but gone out of vogue from the mid-’70s to the mid-’80s “until DeFrancesco reignited the flame with his vintage Hammond organ and Leslie speaker cabinet.”


DeFrancesco has recorded and toured with his own groups as well as musical whose who names such as Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Nancy Wilson, George Benson, James Moody, John Scofield, Bobby Hutcherson, Jimmy Cobb, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell and David Sanborn.

He currently also hosts a weekly program on SiriusXM Radio’s Real Jazz channel, fittingly called “Organized.”

 
Tickets for Joey DeFrancesco and “The People” are $35 and $40 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org .
 

A pre-concert reception for $15 begins at 6:30 pm, including wine and hors d’oeuvres, is available by reservation in advance by calling the center. A post-concert party with dessert, coffee and wine is open to all ticket-holders to meet the artists, obtain autographs and CD purchases.

The final St. Cecilia Jazz Series Concert will be on March 7 and will feature rising jazz star singer Veronica Swift and the Benny Green Trio.

For more information on Joey DeFrancesco visit his website; for a video of DeFrancesco and his quartet “The People”, visit here.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming

By WKTV Staff
Ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“No matter at all, I replied; for the point is not who said the words, but whether they are true or not.”
 
                         ― Plato, The Dialogues of Plato, Vol 1
The Lee High School’s current mascot is a caricature of Confederate soldier. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

To change or not to change the Rebel

When the Godfrey-Lee Board of Education announced it was going to host forums to discuss whether to change or keep its Rebel mascot, the goal, according to school officials, was to have an open and honest discussion among students, parents, staff and the community. For the complete story, visit here.

Young people can get too much screen time, no matter what they say. (Pexels)

Study finds kids at risk for myopia

Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is on the rise worldwide. And kids, who spend long hours playing on smartphones and tablets, might be at greater risk for vision problems, a new study suggests. For the complete story, visit here.

An Allegiant Airlines plane at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Supplied/Ford International Airport)

And the beat goes on at Ford airport

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, announced that Allegiant Air, LLC will be opening a new base at GRR in Grand Rapids. This expansion will result in the creation of at least 66 new jobs and a capital investment of $42.8 million. For the complete story, visit here.



Fun fact:

2 hours, 19 minutes

Average screen time of an American child under 8 years old in 2017. (Source)

Schuler Books hosts national pilot program on civil discourse

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Since the 2016 elections, we have seen conservatives and liberals pretty much sparring with each other at what seems like a moments notice. But over the past year, a quiet movement has taken place with those of opposing views sitting down and just listening to each other. It is a movement that Schuler Books & Music is joining starting tonight with its program the “Open Discussion Project.”

Starting at 7 p.m at the bookstore, 2660 28th St. SE, and led by moderators, each meeting will be centered on a book of the group’s choosing. Attendees are encouraged to invite a neighbor, colleague, or friend – especially if they hold different political views. Attendees should be committed to having civil discourse where all opinions are treated with respect.

“I think people are tired of being angry and not being able to have a conversation,” said Schuler Books Marketing Coordinator Alana Haley. “You see where the political situation has ended up and I believe people just want to sit-down and have an open discussion.”

The concept is not new. In fact many have been following the “Hands Across the Hills project that brought a group of liberal voters from Massachusetts to meet with conservatives in Kentucky just to talk.

Schuler Books & Music is one of six book stores participating in the pilot program Open Discussion Project. (WKTV)

“At last year’s American Booksellers Association (ABA) conference, there was a bookstore, Quail Ridge Books (in Raleigh, North Carolina), that mentioned it was hosting a civil discourse program where it was trying to bring people together to discuss the issues that divide them,” Haley said.

From there, the discussion lead to launching the program nationally. Before doing that, it was decided that six independent bookstores would participate in a pilot program to help determine the best way to launch the national program, Haley said. Quail Ridge Books as well as Schuler were selected along with a bookstore in Washington, DC, Naperville, Ill., Concord, NH, and Pasadena, CA.

There are a few guidelines and a booklist provided by ABA. Each bookstore determines how it will operate its program. For example, the one in Washington DC, sent out invitations to a variety of panelists to talk about the books with the goal of getting a mix of conservatives and liberals, Haley said.

Schuler Books opened its program to the general public with response being fairly positive.

“We weren’t really sure what the response would be and so far it has been very positive,” Haley said. “We put it on social media and it took off with most people tagging it and sharing ti with others. There really has been no negative.”

For the first meeting, the book “Think Again: How to Reason and Argue” by Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, was selected. There will be sheet available with a list of points from the book that will be discussed so anyone can participate.

The next programs, which are the third Tuesdays of the month (Feb. 19, Mar. 19, April 16, May 21, and June 18) will be focused on a book. The goal is to have those who attend tonight’s meeting to decide which books they would like to include, Haley said.

“It is an opportunity to meet with people who think very differently from you and to understand where they are coming from and why they feel the way they feel,” Haley said. “And hopefully they will do the same.”

In June, the pilot program will be reviewed with a national rollout set for later in 2019. The Open Discussion Project is sponsored by the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) in partnership with the American Booksellers Association (ABA) and the National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD).

GR theater community mourns death of longtime actor

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Rob Thomasma as General MacKenzie in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.”

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

A tremendous amount of outpouring of love could be seen on Facebook as members of the Grand Rapids theater community remembered friend and colleague Rob Thomasma.

Thomasma died over the weekend. His contributions to the theater were well known ranging from make up to performing on stage. He started in the theater as a child with his first production being “The Wizard of Oz.” Since then, he has appeared on stage or behind the scenes at Civic Theatre Jewish Theatre, Heritage Theatre, Circle Theatre, Opera Grand Rapids, Actors’ Theatre, and Grand Valley State University.

His last role was as General MacKenzie in the current Grand Rapids Civic Theatre production of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” which opened on Friday. Many people noted they saw him at Friday’s opening.

“Rob loved theater and his 50-year career has made a lasting impression in our West Michigan community theatre and opera,” said Nancy Brozek, the director of development and community relations for the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. “He was a talented actor and an extraordinary hair and make up artist.”

Brozek said Thomasma had enjoyed his role as General MacKenzie with many commenting on social media that he said he was happy to return to the stage.

Jack Gillisse will reprise his role as General MacKenzie for the rest of the show’s run, which is through Jan. 27. Gillisse was in the Shadblow Theatre’s summer production of “And Then There Were None,” with Wyoming resident Cathy Van Lopik. 

“We dedicate our production in celebration of Rob’s full and artistic life,” Brozek said. “He is greatly missed.”

For more information about the show, visit grct.org.

City of Kentwood’s Daddy-Daughter Dance set for Saturday, Jan. 26

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Kids Activities, Upcoming Events
From a previous year, the City of Kentwood Daddy-Daughter Dance includes fun had by all and memories made. (WKTV)

City of Kentwood


Fathers can dance the night away with their daughters at the City of Kentwood’s annual Daddy-Daughter Dance, which is set for Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Kent District Library — Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch.

With an “Under the Sea” theme, this year’s event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will include dinner, dessert, crafts, a photo area with props and, of course, dancing.

“We love offering this dance for Kentwood dads and daughters to have a special night out together,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “Our Daddy-Daughter Dance sets the stage for a fun evening, making memories that will last a lifetime.”

Tickets cost $20 per pair, $5 per extra person. Pre-registration is required. Those interested in purchasing tickets can go online at kentwood.us/daddydaughter or call 616-656-5270.