By Nicole Kooiker, DDS, Dentist at Heart of the City Health Center
Q: One of my teeth hurts when I drink ice tea. Do I need to see a dentist?
A: As a dentist practicing in Grand Rapids, I can tell you that pain in your mouth is not a feeling to ignore. While it doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, you should contact your dental office if you are experiencing any of the following five symptoms:
Mouth pain could be caused by a cavity, gum disease, an abscess or impacted tooth. If not treated by a dentist, your tooth could die, causing an even bigger problem.
Experiencing pain in your teeth when you drink hot or cold beverages could indicate tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel, or an exposed tooth root due to gum recession. Treatment options depend on the source of the sensitivity as determined by your dentist.
Bleeding or sore gums could simply be caused by brushing too hard or overzealous flossing; however, this could also be a sign of gum disease that only an oral health professional can address.
Mouth sores could indicate an infection, virus, fungus, or simply an irritation from dentures or a sharp edge of a broken tooth or filling. Consult your dentist if you’ve had a mouth sore for longer than one week.
Bad breath can indicate poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, gum disease, or a medication’s side effects. If you brush your teeth and tongue twice a day and floss daily, but still experience bad breath, consult your dentist to rule out an underlying medical condition.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues or have other concerns, please contact us today. We’re here to help!
The transition of summer to fall is not many people’s favorite time of year as it brings on physical and mental fatigue. Muscles often tense due to the cooler weather, the decreasing daylight triggers an earlier bedtime, skin is drier due to lower humidity and appetites spike. The beautiful fall colors are a welcoming and enjoyable distraction from all the mentioned bodily reactions to this transitional time, but for some, these seasonal changes may be a trigger that leads to Seasonal Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder. During the fall and winter months, people with Seasonal Depression experience having a lack of energy, sleeping too much, overeating, weight gain and a craving for carbohydrates.
Other forms of depression that can occur, no matter what the season, can be more difficult to identify. One way to help notice your moods is practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice of paying attention or focusing on your senses in the present moment without judgment. If a depressed mood is noticed for more than two weeks or there is a loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that used to be enjoyable, one should consider speaking to their primary care provider or appropriate professional, or at least, a trusted friend. Depression oftentimes occurs with anxiety or substance use disorders, and once a person has had an occurrence of depression, they are more susceptible to subsequent episodes.
Symptoms of depression affect one’s emotions, thinking, behaviors and physical well-being:
Emotional symptoms of depression: sadness, anxiety, anger, mood swings, lack of emotional responsiveness, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and irritability.
Symptoms of depressed thoughts: frequent self-criticism, self-blame, worry, pessimism, impaired memory and concentration, indecisiveness and confusion, tendency others see you in a negative light, thoughts of death and suicide.
Behavioral symptoms of depression: crying spells, withdrawal from others, neglect of responsibilities, loss of interest in personal appearance, loss of motivation and using alcohol or other drugs.
Physical symptoms of depression: chronic fatigue, lack of energy, sleeping too much or too little, over eating or loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss, weight gain, headaches, irregular menstrual cycle, loss of sexual desire and unexplained aches and pains.
If you or a loved one are experiencing any form of depression, talk about what you are noticing. If you are concerned about others, ask them if they are having suicidal thoughts, listen to them non-judgmentally, give reassurance and encourage them to seek medical attention. Offering to take them to their appointment may increase the likelihood that they will attend. If they dismiss or deny your help, tell them you will check in on them over the week. It is important to keep your promise to do so. Remember, people in depressed moods have impaired memories, they lose track of time and have difficulty recalling how long they have been feeling blue. If symptoms persist, ask others who are close to the depressed person to help you in the intervention process.
Helping people recognize their moods can be a stressful and scary task, especially if you do not practice being mindful of your own well-being. Attending a program that can help you become more aware and/or improve your mindset could be a starting point. MSU Extension provides a community-based program series that teaches the basics of mindfulness to help participants be more aware of their thoughts, emotions and physical self as they encounter stressors. Mindfulness is proven to help relieve stress and pain and improve health and well-being, to learn more, sign up for a class near you.
You submitted your resume, got an interview and left the interview feeling great. Before you celebrate, there’s one last step to your job search:
A thank you note.
One in three employers think less of a candidate who doesn’t send a thank you note. One in ten wouldn’t hire someone if they don’t send a thank you note, according to Career Builder.
Here are some tips to help you write a memorable thank you note:
Keep it short, professional and sincere.
Send the note within 24 hours of your interview.
Hiring managers are busy. If they receive your note a day or two after your interview, it shows them you are organized. And, it helps them remember you as they make hiring decisions.
A hand-written note is best.
The average hiring manager receives 100+ emails a day. Make your thank you note stand out by sending it through the postal service instead of their clogged inbox.
Choose a thank you note that is simple and professional.
Avoid cartoons, silly sayings and bright colors.
Use the three sentence rule:
#1: thank them for the interview.
“Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday.”
#2: Add something personal from your interview.
Reference a specific conversation or a question they asked. Or, talk about something you liked from the interview.
“I really enjoyed hearing more about your company culture.”
#3: Repeat your interest in the job.
Remind them you’ll be a great addition to their organization.
“I look forward to working with you in the future. My background will help [name of organization] continue to grow.”
Don’t forget to add “Dear [their name]” and the beginning, and “Sincerely, [your name]” at the end.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Common perceptions about fats are often not true and avoiding all fats is not healthy because it is important to have healthy fats in our diet. There are fats that contain essential fatty acids that are necessary for good health and fats that help the body to use certain vitamins.
The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes the following recommendations in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
Keep trans-fatty acid consumption as low as possible, especially by limiting foods that contain synthetic sources of trans-fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils, and by limiting other solid fats.
Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars. Such as:
Butters, stick margarines, and animal fats from beef and pork. These are all solid at room temperature.
Soft drinks, candy, cakes, cookies, fruit drinks and ice cream. These are all processed foods that have added sugars and syrups.
Here are some actions you can take every day to keep your consumption of saturated fats, trans-fats and cholesterol low while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.
Check the Nutrition Facts label to compare foods. Our interactive label can help you find what to look at on the label.
Choose alternative fats. Replace saturated and trans-fats in your diet with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Sources of monounsaturated fats include olive and canola oils. Sources of polyunsaturated fats include soybean, corn, sunflower oils and foods like nuts.
Consider consuming fish and cuts of lean meat. Examples include:
Poultry: chicken or turkey white meat or ground meat
Beef: flank steak, top loin, sirloin, lean ground beef
Pork: pork tenderloin
Seafood: salmon, trout, cod, flounder, mackerel, mussels and clams
Choose foods such as dairy products, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods and fruit and vegetables.
Beware of diets that tell you to eliminate a nutrient, such as fat.
Daily essential fatty acid consumption contributes to our overall daily health in moderation. For more information please contact your local MSU Extension office or visit the MSU Extension Health and Nutrition site.
"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
- President Calvin Coolidge
Holiday traditions at Meijer Gardens
Scenes from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition and events. (Supplied/Dean VanDis)
Experience the joy of the holidays at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park with the annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition on display through Jan. 6, 2019. Guests from all over the world visit Meijer Gardens to experience 42 Christmas and holiday trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe. For the complete story, click here.
A winter’s night hike at Blandford
Nothing is quite as crisp as a sunset in December.
Enjoy a crisp, evening hike through Blandford’s woods. Practice using your nocturnal senses of hearing and night vision while enjoying a winter’s night at Blandford Nature Center Trails on Saturday, Dec. 1. For the complete story, click here.
Are you ready for some floor checks?
The high school hockey season is now in action.The high school hockey season is just starting, for one of the best Wyoming/Kentwood teams will be on the side this weekend as East Kentwood hosts a tournament. Drop the puck! For the complete story, click here.
Fun Fact:
25 percent
The historic chance of snow (or rain) on Dec. 1 in Grand Rapids is 25 percent. Average high and low temperatures? 40 and 29 degrees. (Source)
With more spending comes more opportunities to get swindled. Michigan State University Extension recommends these tips and suggestions to avoid being scammed.
Only give to charities you trust and know. Holidays are a time for giving and some people can take advantage of your good will. Give smarter by learning about the charities you plan to give to, making sure they are legitimate. Look them up on the Charity Navigator who rates charities based on financial health, accountability, transparency and other factors.
Be cautious of contests. Many scammers use telemarketing to tempt consumers with prizes from fake contests. Be skeptical if you get a call out of the blue about winning a big ticket item like the newest iPhone or luxury vacation. Don’t put down a deposit or provide the caller with your personal information.
Beware of bait and switch. Peddlers of fake merchandise items do a booming business during the holidays as people shop for the most popular, high ticket items like watches, designer handbags and electronics. The rule of thumb here is one you’ve heard before: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Check the authenticity of purchased gift cards. Gift cards have been increasingly popular, so make sure your gift card has not been tampered with. Check the scratch-off personal identification numbers to ensure it is still intake. The Better Business Bureau also urges caution if you buy your cards from an auction or third-party website (a site that doesn’t belong to the retailer offering the cards). The card may have already expired, has no value or was obtained illegally.
Limit your chances of identity theft. While identity theft is an issue throughout the year, it happens even more often during the holidays. You’re probably giving out your personal information more often and freely than you even realize. Many retailers are now asking for your zip code, phone number and email address at checkout. None of this is necessary to complete a retail transaction. You can politely decline to give this information. It is best to keep sensitive information private.
Secure your online shopping. When you are buying online, make sure to shop on your home or other secure Wi-Fi network. You will also want to stick to secure web pages when making your purchases. Be careful of giving personal information when clicking on email links. It is better to type the company’s URL into your browser instead. This way you can see if it is a secure web page (it would have a padlock symbol and “https:” at the beginning of the URL). Make your computer is safe by using firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Keep all software and browsers updated.
Unfortunately, there are new scams each year and it’s hard to keep up on all of them. Protect your wallet, purchases and identity by shopping safer and smarter this holiday season.
Over 40 million people provide unpaid caregiving for a family member in the United States. The daily routine of caring for another often means caregivers are not taking care of themselves. The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for caregivers due to the break in daily routines, the additional planning necessary to join in celebrations, travel or to receive visitors. Some caregivers may choose to isolate rather than to burden themselves with making these plans.
The holidays are a wonderful time for other family members to express their gratitude and appreciation for their family member’s caregiving and help them enjoy the holiday season. Caregivers often put their needs second, third or last to other people in their lives. Offering the caregiver some relief would be a marvelous gift for the holidays.
Sarah Sobel, AAAWM Caregiver Services & Contract Administrator says, “Caregiving is stressful and the holidays can add to that stress. It is important for caregivers to do self-care.”
How can family help with this? Having a friend or family member stay with a loved one would offer the caregiver the freedom to get away for some rest and time for themselves. Stepping into the caregiver’s shoes for a weekend or a day can be eye-opening as to what the caregiver experiences regularly.
Julie Alicki, Certified Dementia Practitioner, points out, “This clues the rest of the family in on what the caregiver is going through — it keeps them in the loop.” If family members providing relief isn’t feasible, arranging for professional in-home care or respite services would be a great way to provide relief for a caregiver.
Relieving some of the daily tasks of a caregiver can also make a thoughtful gift. A membership to a grocery delivery service like Shipt or a meal delivery service like Hello Fresh would offer the caregiver one less task to manage. With winter coming on, arranging for a snow clearing service would provide some stress relief as well as additional safety for the caregiver.
Gifts they can use during some precious time off, like a spa day, tickets to a sporting event or the theatre, gift certificates to favorite restaurants, a round of golf, movie tickets or a weekend get-away make wonderful stocking stuffers for caregivers. If you’re a little more on the creative side, putting together a book of IOU coupons to be used throughout the year would not only help provide support, but would also assist the caregiver in being able to ask for much needed help more easily.
The greatest gift a caregiver can receive is time — time for themselves. Being given the ability to be worry-free and able to choose how they want to spend a few hours, a day, a weekend or even a week to themselves is a precious gift to a caregiver. It is also a tremendous acknowledgement on the behalf of family members of the gift the caregiver gives to another all year around.
Whatever we can do to though to demonstrate our gratitude and appreciation during this holiday season to the caregivers in our lives will reverberate throughout their year.
If you need help making in-home care or respite arrangements, contact Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (888) 456-5664 or aaainfo@aaawm.org.
Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutrition Educator, is shown using the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
The desk job. Some aspire to it. Others avoid it like the plague.
As the perils of sitting all day become more widely known, the latter is probably the smarter path to take (I think as I sit at my desk, for hour number eight, typing this story).
According to the latest research, prolonged sedentary time—think eight to 10 hours a day sitting at that desk job—can take years off your life by putting you at an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
What’s more, even if you do have a regular exercise routine, it doesn’t protect you enough to offset the detrimental effects of hours and hours of sitting.
If, like me, you add on a commute to and from your desk job, well, don’t be surprised to see the grim reaper in the rear-view mirror.
Move it or lose it
Federal guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week. Indeed, it’s widely known that getting 30 minutes of exercise every day can lower your risk for disease and premature death.
But with health experts now saying that staying active throughout the day is more important than hitting the gym, the challenge becomes finding the time to move. And work. At the same time.
Luckily for us office drones, there are creative ways to reap some of the health benefits of movement throughout our day, even with a desk job.
1. Stand up at your desk
Stand up to get healthy! (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Instead of sitting at your desk and working on your computer, grab your laptop and stand up while you work. Granted, this may require you to walk around your office to find a table upon which to place your laptop. That’s good.
Better yet, get an actual stand-up desk.
That’s what one local business did to get employees out of their chairs. Life EMS Ambulance dispatchers got new desks, which are motorized so they can adjust the height to sit and stand as they please.
“The sit-to-stand desk is becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace,” said Leah Konwinski, an ergonomic specialist with Spectrum Health. “It’s a great option to promote a little more movement at work without sacrificing comfort, safety or ability to focus and still be productive.”
Standing is still a ‘static’ activity, though, and our bodies are not made to be static. Even when standing, take breaks and move about, Konwinski suggested.
2. Hop on a treadmill (desk, that is)
For someone who has a tough time sitting still, a treadmill desk may be the ideal form of multitasking.
Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN, a community nutrition educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, is a frequent user and offers a few observations.
“Lots of days, especially in the winter, I’m stuck at my desk,” she said. “And since I’m typically multitasking and am one who does not experience motion sickness, using a treadmill desk is quite fitting. It’s an awesome way to squeeze in a little exercise or at the very least, spend time standing instead of sitting.”
She typically uses it first thing in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
“It’s ideal for getting caught up on e-mail, doing a little research or reviewing a presentation,” said Corwin. “It also helps me hone my reading comprehension and retention, and makes my time more efficient—I walk, learn and forgo the need to read things twice.”
On the con side, she can’t spread out the things she’s working on or pull files out as needed. For that kind of work, she said, it’s still nice to be at her regular desk.
And, your pace really can’t approach anything too speedy, which leads some to question whether there’s really any health benefit at all.
A recent NPR report looked at treadmill desks and cited several small studies that found they do potentially hold health benefits, depending on how often, how much and how vigorously they’re used.
First, treadmill desks can help increase the number of steps taken per day, and that accumulation of physical activity is better than nothing or sitting all day. Second, it’s not about working out or working up a sweat. It’s about not sitting.
So, if you have a treadmill desk—use it. But don’t forget, you still have to fit about 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise into your weekly routine as well.
If you don’t have a treadmill desk, but want one (and you have some semblance of creativity and mechanical ability), you can join the folks opting for a DIY approach.
3. Swap out your desk chair for a stability ball
Many of us remember bouncing around the yard on a ‘hippity hop’ ball when we were kids. Similar concept, but no handle. And no bouncing down the halls.
Sitting on a stability ball can improve posture and strengthen your core abdominal and back muscles, said Kim DeLaFuente, MA, ACSM-PD, an community exercise educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.
“A stability ball forces your core muscles to work harder to keep you balanced so you don’t fall off,” she said. “You’re also forced to sit up straight and upright.”
So, good posture. Strong core. But for those of us who aren’t so coordinated, possible concussion. (Remember, no handle.)
4. Workout at work
There are other ways—calisthenics for example—to get in a bit more movement at work.
Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutricion Educator, is shown near the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Keep resistance bands in your desk drawer and use them to work in a little strength training
Hold a walking meeting
“Just find ways to incorporate short bits of activity throughout the day,” she said. “Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park farther away and walk. It all adds up.”
Setting up the traditional office set-up
Even if you wish to simply remain seated at your desk, it’s important to make sure your workstation is structured to properly support your body.
“Maintaining neutral postures and proper body alignment allows you to feel comfortable much longer,” Konwisnski said. “Most workstations nowadays have sufficient adjustability between the chair and other small items like a footrest or keyboard tray.”
There are few people who make it to extreme old ages—the influence of good genes and healthy life choices are key. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
The limits of human existence might not be as limited as we have long thought.
A person’s risk of death slows and even plateaus above age 105, a new study reports, challenging previous research saying there’s a cutoff point past which the human life span cannot extend.
Longevity pioneers lucky enough to make it past the perilous 70s, 80s and 90s could potentially live well into their 110s, if fortune remains on their side, said senior author Kenneth Wachter, a professor of demography and statistics at the University of California, Berkeley.
“Our data tell us that there is no fixed limit to the human life span yet in sight,” Wachter said. “Very few of us are going to reach those kinds of ages, but the fact that mortality rates are not getting worse forever and ever tells us there may well be more progress to be made improving survival past the ages of 80 to 90. This is a valuable, encouraging discovery.”
Specifically, the study showed that people at age 110 had the same continued chances of survival as those between the ages of 105 and 109—a 50/50 chance of dying within the year and an expected further life span of 1.5 years.
This plateau runs counter to the way death risk relentlessly rises as we age from age 40 onward, Wachter said.
“If mortality rates kept rising at the rates they rise from age 40 to age 90, then there would be a strong barrier to progress at extreme ages — great diminishing returns to behavioral change or to new medical advances,” Wachter said. “The fact these rates ultimately level out gives hope there’s more leeway for those advances.”
The oldest known human on record is Jeanne Calment of France, who died in 1997 at age 122.
Different findings
There’s been ongoing debate about whether there’s a maximum human life span.
Last year, researchers at McGill University in Montreal issued a report challenging earlier assertions that human life span peaks at about 115 years.
“The statistics aren’t good enough to be able to say you can’t live much longer than that, based on the data we have,” said report author Siegfried Hekimi, chairman of developmental biology at McGill. “It’s simply not good enough to make that claim.”
To investigate this further, Wachter and his colleagues tracked the death trajectories of nearly 4,000 residents of Italy who reached age 105 between 2009 and 2015.
The investigators found that the odds of survival inexorably decline as a person enters middle and old age.
For example, Italian women who reached age 90 had a 15 percent of chance of dying within the year and an expected further life span of six years on average, results showed.
But if they made it to 95, their odds of dying within a year increased to 24 percent and their life expectancy dropped to 3.7 years.
One might think these odds would continue to increase indefinitely, as people age toward an undefined vanishing point.
That’s not what happened, though. The chances of survival instead plateaued once people made it past 105.
“The risk of death is very high at 105 years, but next year it’s not higher,” Hekimi said of the new study. “Every year you have the same chance of dying, and every year you can be the one who wins the coin toss.”
This plateau likely occurs due to evolutionary selection and the influence of good genes and healthy life choices, Wachter said.
“When you look at a group of older people who are all the same age, some are already quite frail and some are robust. There’s a big difference in the level of frailty,” Wachter said.
“People who go to college 50th reunions, you just look around you and some people are climbing mountains while some people are walking with canes. Now go 15 to 20 years later, the people who were already frail are the ones who are likely to have died,” he said.
Not enough study participants
So far, looking at the genetics of long-lived people has provided maddeningly few clues for extending overall human life span, Hekimi said.
There are just too few people who make it to these extreme old ages, and the genes that seem to be working in their favor vary from place to place, Hekimi said. For example, genes that seem to be supporting extended life span on Okinawa are not the same ones found in England.
But this study shows there’s a good chance of extending the survival plateau earlier into the average human life span, making it increasingly likely that more people will survive into their 100s, Wachter said.
“It gives us a good piece of hope, because there is now lots of opportunity to look at these bad variants as they are in populations today and to try to understand the interaction of those genetic variants with potential medicines and different health challenges,” Wachter said.
“This basic theory could help us inform medical progress and public health progress 10 to 15 years from now as genetic research continues,” he said.
Hekimi agreed.
“Given that our life span keeps increasing, maybe the plateauing is going to start earlier and earlier,” he said.
The new study is published in the June 29 issue of the journal Science.
Live your best life for longevity. Browse Spectrum Health’s classes and events to find nutrition and exercise programs that fit your schedule.
As our natural growing season comes to an end, it is important to properly store all of your home preserved foods correctly to maintain safety and quality over winter. Find a cool place between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is dry and has some circulation to keep your jars filled with your home preserved foods. If contents are exposed to direct sunlight or stored in a warm place, the food may lose quality in a shorter amount of time.
Wash the outside of lids and jars to remove any residue that may have leaked out. Remove ring bands and wash and dry the outside of lids, jars and the band to remove any residue that may have leaked out in order to prevent rusting. It is recommended that jars be stored without ring bands to allow for easier detection of broken vacuum seals.
Label and date each jar with the name of the contents and the date is was preserved. This practice will help ensure you are eating foods that have been preserved safely in a timely matter. For the best quality of food, preserve only the amount of food that you can use in one year. It is important to not taste food from jars with lids that have become unsealed or show signs of spoilage. As each jar is taken off the shelf for use, examine its lid for tightness and that the lid is still vacuumed.
Canning equipment should also be stored properly. For safe operation of your pressure canner for the next year, Michigan State University Extension recommends cleaning the vent and safety valve by drawing a clean string or narrow strip of cloth through the opening, remove the valve and follow the manufacturer’s directions. The rubber gasket that helps the edges of the canner and lid prevent steam from escaping should be cleaned or replaced if needed. Clean the equipment with hot soapy water and then rinse and dry.
If your pressure canner has a dial gauge, be careful not to immerse the gauge when cleaning. If the inside of your aluminum canner has darkened, it can be cleaned by filling the canner with a mixture of one tablespoon cream of tartar to a quart of water and boil until the dark deposits disappear.
Store the canner with crumpled clean paper towels in the bottom to help absorb moisture and odors. Place the lid upside down on the canner, remembering not to seal it. These same directions apply to a weighted gauge canner, except that the lid can be submerged in water for cleaning.
Following proper storage of your home preserved foods will help ensure the quality and safety of your canned food to be enjoyed all year. Giving your canning equipment special attention in cleaning and maintenance will make you ready for the next growing season of preserving.
Seven area service workers received a 2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Award for integrity, commitment and passion in their jobs. The Essential Service Awards honor non-managerial employees who provide critical services that often go unnoticed and unrewarded.
“The business community often overlooks the significant contributions that service workers make in our region and economy,” said Dave Smith, chair of the West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board. “The Essential Service Awards recognize exceptionally hardworking individuals who perform these crucial jobs.”
2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Services Award Winners
Kelle Bergers, housekeeper, Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan (28 years)
Nicholas Borgman, customer service representative, Quality Car Wash (4 years)
Riley Frens, nurse technician, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (3 years)
Andrea Gafford, customer service/scheduling, Anderson Technologies, Inc. (20 years)
Sam Sandee, employment training program specialists, Wedgwood Christian Services (22 years)
Laurie Trestrail, dietary aide, SKLD (39 years)
Employers, co-workers and the community can submit Essential Service Award nominations in a variety of industries including housekeeping, hospitality, retail, healthcare, transportation, administrative, food service, general labor, childcare, nonprofit and custodial, or government.
2018 honoree Kelle Bergers is known for going above and beyond. Each day, Bergers ensures that the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan is sanitary for families of children traveling to Grand Rapid for their child’s medical or mental health treatment.
“I’m honored to receive this award, but I don’t need the recognition. I am just doing my part to make sure our guests’ experience is the best it can be,” Bergers said.
Kelle was nominated by her manager Megan Priester, services director at Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.
“To explain every way that Kelle has impacted our organization would take hours; she is a shining light,” said Priester. “Our families love seeing her so much that they often come back years later to visit her. There is not another human being like Kelle.”
Priester recalled a time when a guest room was left in an extremely less than desirable state.
“Other staff looked at the room and turned around, but not Kelle. She methodically cleaned the room section by section until it was finished,” said Priester. “After Kelle was finished, she simply let the front office know it was ready, never looking for praise.”
You can see photos and learn more about this year’s winners at westmiworks.org/esa.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
The design for a major high school expansion– including a 30-classroom addition – are taking shape.
“It just looks cool,” said Principal Nate Robrahn, who has been involved in the design process. “It will look like a campus.”
Construction will start in the spring on work that will eventually consist of $40 million in improvements at the high school, 1350 Prairie Parkway SW. The project is funded by the $79 million bond passed by voters last November, which is generating about $23.5 million for a first phase in 2018 and the remaining $56 million for a second phase in 2022.
The addition should be ready for students in 2021, with completion in 2022. Ninth-graders could join 10th through 12th graders at the high school in 2023. Currently, ninth-grade is at Wyoming Junior High.
Robrahn said he looks forward to offering his students wide-open spaces, with room for project-based and group learning.
A large cafeteria with high ceilings to offer an open, coffee-shop feel
A Learning Stair to serve as a unique stairwell and place for formal and informal gathering
Classrooms will have removable walls to allow for team teaching and shared lessons
Wider hallways
Breakout areas for small group work and project-based learning
Added parking, ease and flow on exterior of the building
New softball field on the corner of Prairie Parkway and Burlingame Avenue
Media center relocation
Science lab renovation
Athletic upgrades to include space for wrestling and cheer practice, a new stadium entry plaza, new track and football field surfaces, press box updates, concession area upgrades
Interior and exterior lighting upgrades
Parking expansion on the west side of the building
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
The City of Kentwood’s busy holiday schedule started with an Ugly Sweater Cross County 5K run on Saturday, Nov. 17, but that is just the start of the city’s season’s offerings.
Next up will be the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, slated for Friday, Dec. 7. Centered around the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, the free event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Holiday Light Parade will start at 6 p.m., at the Kentwood Public Works, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, and travel north to the Kentwood Justice Center at 4740 Walma Ave. SE. Roads will be closed from 5:50 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. for the parade, which will affect both Breton Avenue and Walma Avenue.
At 6:30 p.m., city officials accompanied by carolers will conduct the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Following the tree lighting, community members will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa, go on carriage rides and enjoy a musical performance by the East Kentwood High School Jazz Band. The Elves Express Gift Shop will be open at the library for the duration of the event, offering a variety of gift items and gift-wrapping services.
The Ugly Sweater 5K run featured a route that showcased two Kentwood parks and a portion of the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. Proceeds from the race will support the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, which allows recipients to receive up to 50 percent off of one program per season.
More information about Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, as well as other community events, is available on the City’s website at www.kentwood.us.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In early October of 2018, we received a special plea from a wonderful woman on the east side of the state regarding a very special kitty she had rescued and then sadly surrendered to her local humane society; immediately she regretted her decision and was applying to adopt him back when she discovered he was harboring the feline leukemia virus. Because she has a negative cat at home, she didn’t feel comfortable risking exposure (the virus is transmitted through bodily fluids like saliva), but she just couldn’t fathom the potential outcome of her super friendly, fluffy fella. So, she contacted us in the hopes that Dr. Jen could lend her a hand, and once the good doc agreed to help when we had a spot open, she made work of insuring his safety there until she could spring him and bring him on over.
Thankfully because of her valiant efforts and a very accommodating staff at the Michigan Humane Society, Big Sid’s was able to welcome this fabulous four-year-old (born in the fall of 2014) into our free-roaming facility.
From the instant we met, we were fast friends, as he won us over with his silly antics, voice bigger than he is and his affinity for people pleasing. He had to hang out with Dr. Jen at the clinic for a few days as she needed to treat an abscess that went undetected (he had received treatment for one at the HS), extract all of his incisors and address an inflammatory condition know as stomatitis which causes oral pain secondary to significant inflammation (this is quite common in FELV+ kitties). Dr. Jen had such fun while he was there, even though he spent most of his time hootin’ and hollerin’ at her and her coworkers so they would stop what they were doing, take him out of his cage and cuddle him—he is too darn adorable to resist.
Mr. Fluffytail, aptly named by his rescuer, needed only about a half of a second to acclimate to his new, cushy surroundings, as he was raring to go meet and greet everyone that he laid his eyes on. At the writing of his story about a month after his arrival, he is still very chatty, extremely playful and sports a kitten attitude with the appetite to rival a 20 pounder! He is constantly on the move and LOVES any and all attention sent his way, so he has to keep filling his belly as he burns calories faster than he can take them in.
He is by far one of THE HAPPIEST CATS we have ever had—and we have had our fair share of extremely enthusiastic residents over the past 16 years. He is constantly the center of attention and is always getting into things—he is just thriving in our busy shelter. He would do fabulously well with a house full of kids so we are going to make that our target goal: Fluffytail + rambunctious children = best idea ever!
The only thing squirrelly about him is his tail, which sometimes we swear is about the same diameter of his lithe and lanky body. If you aren’t immediately taken by his cute personality, his awesome amber eyes and striking, silky fur will draw you in and never let you go; he is so darn handsome. I know I speak for everyone at Big Sid’s when I say that we are so very blessed to have such an energetic and goofy guy as part of our furry crew; his lust for life and the pure unadulterated bliss he exudes from every single pore is absolutely contagious.
More about Mr. Fluffytail:
Medium
Tabby (brown/chocolate, tiger-striped, white)
Adult
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Not declawed
FELV+
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Mr. Fluffytail? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
An aging brain has a higher tendency to remember positive aspects of past events, rather than negative. (Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension)
As we age, our cognitive control declines. In recent years, many programs have been developed and promoted to help stimulate our brains with the goal of delaying cognitive decline. However, the research on whether or not these brain-enhancing activities actually helps is not conclusive. These results are because a part of the brain that is affected by aging, has to do with our ability to focus on a task without getting distracted by internal and external stimulus.
At the same time, as we age, the emotion processing and regulation part of our brain is increasing. Therefore, our brains are a paradox — as we age, starting at about 30 years, our cognitive abilities decline and social-emotional abilities increase.
Another interesting aspect of our aging brain is that we tend to remember the positive aspects of past events, even if those events were overwhelmingly negative. Researchers Mather and Carsten (2005) call this the positivity effect. The tendency to focus on the positive, rather than the negative, may have to do with our realization that we have a limited lifetime. Our goals switch from future-oriented to emotional satisfaction and well-being.
Some researchers are now looking at the benefits of mindfulness as a way to tap into that increase in social-emotional abilities in order to enhance our brain functioning and overall well-being as we age. As defined by John Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, without judgement.
Mindfulness has shown to increase our capacity for sustained attention, a cognitive capability. By focusing on the present moment, in particular without judgement, we are tapping into our aging brains’ tendency to focus on our own emotional satisfaction and well-being, rather than plan for the future or dwell on negative past experiences.
There are many ways to learn about mindfulness and begin your own practice. You can look up resources online regarding mindfulness or visit your local library and check out some books. You may also consider contacting your local Michigan State University Extension and signing up for one of our Stress Less for Mindfulness classes. Any way you choose, expanding your knowledge and developing your own mindfulness practice could improve your cognitive, emotional processing and overall well-being as you age.
In conclusion, mindfulness may be a way to improve our cognitive control as we age by teaching us to improve our ability to focus our attention on a particular task, such as our breath, (in the moment) and reduce our attention (on purpose) to external and internal thoughts or events (without judgement).
Traditions are a wonderful part of the holiday season. It’s common that at gatherings, rather than one person bearing the burden of preparing the entire meal, several people divide the duties prior to getting together. Then, on the day, one person will then bring the veggies, another rolls, another salad, another dessert, etc.
When dividing the tasks, keep in mind food safety and consider two important factors: the type of food being transported and the length of time involved. Michigan State University Extension (MSU) recommends applying the two-hour rule – do not leave perishable foods at room temperature for longer than two hours. Remember the two-hour rule includes the time involved prepping foods from their raw state to the finished state, as well as the time the food will spend on the table being served.
Family members traveling long distances should be assigned foods that may not need refrigeration, like fruit pies, rolls, etc. Local relatives (within a half hour travel distance or less) should be in charge of more perishable items such as meat, poultry, fish, cut produce or cooked casseroles.
Keep in mind, hot foods must be kept hot (140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) and cold foods, kept cold (40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder). To keep the hot foods hot, consider using an insulated bag designed to keep foods warm. Remember, these bags are temporary and not designed for long-term hot holding. Keep your cold food cold by utilizing a cooler packed with ice or freezer gel packs. Do not rely on the outside temperature to keep food cold even during freezing winters. Cars and garages can take on a “greenhouse effect” and actually become warm, defeating the purpose of attempting to store cold foods outside.
If you are the host house, plan ahead for your feast by clearing your refrigerator out ahead of time and creating room to store the food that will be arriving. Have extra coolers on hand with ice or freezer packs for cold foods and borrow roasters or slow cookers to help keep all the arriving hot food heated. Don’t forget to have plenty of refrigerator containers or plastic food grade bags on hand for the leftovers after the meal. Putting large quantities of food into smaller containers will allow the food to cool quickly and remain safe by preventing any bacteria from growing. Also, ensure leftovers are not left out at room temperature or in the temperature danger zone (40 degrees – 140 degrees Fahrenheit).
Michigan State University Extension recommends planning your larger meals out ahead of time, be prepared and make room in your kitchen for storage before and after the meal to prevent foodborne illness from ruining your family gatherings.
When the Mexican peso devalued, Juan Daniel Castro found he owed more money than he earned. So, he did what any optimist would do: summoned his courage, applied for a visa, and moved to the U.S. Twenty years later, he is an American citizen, the leader of a salsa band, and an advocate for healthcare in the Latino community.
Lynn Hopkins’s bond with her rescue cat, Jack B. Nimble, is rewarding on myriad levels. Besides the close companionship the two enjoy, Hopkins and Jack share their time with seniors in assisted living environments, as well as students who are in dire need of de-stressing before exams.
And then, there is the little matter of a certain, er, jackpot that recently paid off big-time, thanks to Petco Foundation and Hopkins’s unwavering faith in Jack. Each year, Petco invites people across the U.S. to share the story of how their adopted pet changed their lives during Petco’s annual Holiday Wishes campaign, giving the organization that they adopted from a chance to receive a grant award.
Hopkins knows a sure bet when she sees it. First, she spotted Jack at Crash’s Landing a few years ago and couldn’t resist adopting him. Second, she identified in Jack certain personality traits that catapulted him into the pet therapy field. Third, this past fall, she came across Petco Foundation’s application for the Holiday Wishes campaign and knew Jack had a winning story.
“Petco’s application said they would only guarantee full review of the ‘first 10,000’ entries so it was pretty long odds,” said Hopkins. “The application materials said the winners would be announced in November, so the first week of November, I checked the website and found out the winners were being announced on the 16th. I didn’t tell anybody when the announcement was scheduled in case we didn’t win anything.”
But when it came time for the live video feed on Petco’s website, you can bet Hopkins was glued to the screen.
Photo courtesy Lynn Hopkins
“Other than the first prize, they did not announce the winners in any particular order,” she said. “Out of more than 10,000 entries, there were 51 winners. They were like 3/4 of the way through before our prize was announced and I was losing hope, then the picture of me with Jack in his stroller popped up and then the grant amount—$25,000. I was totally thrilled—I had fantasies about winning a big grant but didn’t really expect it.”
Next, it was time to share the great news with Dr. Jen Denyes, veterinarian and founder of Crash’s Landing. The timing couldn’t have been better—the organization’s annual fundraiser, Whiskers and Wine Gala, took place Nov. 17th, and this was an exceptionally welcome announcement.
“When I learned of the award, I was rendered temporarily speechless, and that never happens to me,” said Denyes.
Depending on the grant’s restrictions and requirements, the funds could go toward renovating the organization’s kitchen, a long-overdue project. The kitchen is central to the organization; it’s a hub of activity, where food is prepped, dishes washed, sundries stored, and litter boxes cleaned.
Keeping Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary humming along good and strong—and the cats healthy, safe, and well-fed—requires a budget of $14,500 per month. And that just covers the basics, such as rent, utilities, medical expenses, food (wet and dry), litter, and cleaning supplies (including paper towels, cleansers, and detergent). The organization relies on donations; monthly cat sponsorships; grants; and its largest fundraiser, Whiskers & Wine, to remain open.
Once the Petco funds are disbursed to Crash’s Landing on Dec. 18th, Denyes will know better how the money will be spent.
You may remember Jack’s story published here on wktvjournal.org this past September (Jack, the therapy cat puts a spark in the spirit). As we accompanied Hopkins and Jack on their rounds, it was clear that the bond between feline and human was strong.
So, the short version of the backstory: Jack B. Nimble is a shelter rescue who grew up to be a therapy cat.
“Jack’s visits bring joy to seniors and hospice patients who have had to give up pets they can no longer care for,” Hopkins wrote on the Petco application.
“Patients who barely respond to the people around them will respond to Jack, drawing comfort from his snuggles and purrs. Faces light up when they see him, and agitated patients become calmer while petting him. Many of the nursing home residents look forward to Jack’s visits all week. And he has given me a new purpose and mission now that I’m retired. I never would have volunteered with the Hospice program or visited the nursing homes on my own, but I cherish the opportunities I have now to share Jack with people who take so much comfort from his presence.”
Hopkins and Jack also participate in end-of-semester student de-stress days at a local college. The college provides activities to give students some relief from the stress of upcoming final exams, including bringing in several therapy dogs for the students to interact with—and as of last year, one very special therapy cat for students to pet and hold.
Crash’s Landing welcomes donations in the form of sponsorships, food, and cash. Go here to learn how to donate.
To learn more about Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary, go here.
"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you'll never have enough."
- Oprah Winfrey
Ford airport offers Thanksgiving with ‘Operation Handshake’
“Operation Handshake,” is an event to welcome home returning military members and veterans, and to thank them for their service. (Supplied)
Thanksgiving eve, one of the busiest days of the year at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, will find the airpot celebrating “Operation Handshake,” an event to welcome home returning military members and veterans, and to thank them for their service. On Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., airport volunteers including therapy dog teams and the Patriot Guard Riders will be on hand. For the complete story, click here.
Turkey Day eve job hunting … with beer? You bet!
Grand Rapids’ The B.O.B. is one of six locations for the ReThink West Michigan event on Wednesday, Nov. 21.
More than 40 companies and non-profits want you to help with special interviews at several West Michigan bars on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The Right Place, Inc. and Hello West Michigan are once again hosting the annual event, titled ReThink West Michigan, which runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., in hopes of filling up job holes with young professionals. For the complete story, click here.
WKTV’s 18th Annual Turkey Bowl returns Thanksgiving Day
WKTV’s sports coverage team was at the NorthPointe Christian at Wyoming Lee football game. (WKTV)
As every year, Wyoming and Kentwood high school football fans can get their Turkey Day football fix this year as we broadcast a selection of the big games we covered as part of our Featured Football Game coverage. The games are available on our cable Channel 25, as well as On Demand. For the complete story, click here.
Fun Fact:
1.2 hours vs. 3.7 hours
One an average Thanksgiving Day, Americans spend an average of 1.2 hours eating and drinking ... and an average of 3.7 hours watching television, mostly football. (Source)
On the afternoon of Nov. 16, around 2:37 p.m., the famous (and loved by thousands across the globe) bald eagle named Harriet, at the Pritchett Nest in Southwest Florida, laid the first egg of this new season and a next generation looks promising. Other than working extra hard on her nest, she hardly showed she was laying that egg. Of course, eagle watchers across the globe are celebrating and waiting to see if she lays a second and/or third egg. So…with possibility of one or two more eggs coming, eggs getting ready to hatch, new lives to watch, untold drama and joy to unfold…right now is the time to start eagle watching or get back to the computer screen. Be forewarned: eagles have multiple personalities that change without much warning…so, eagle watching is not for the faint of heart, young or squeamish.
Many people in Wyoming, Grand Haven and countless places in Michigan only need to look up to see an eagle flying or living in a tree overhead. They like pines. They like our ponds and rivers with fish and small animals. I recall one subadult eagle landed feet behind my car as a rabbit ran past, then caught the rabbit. As it clutched the rabbit, it gave me that “don’t even think about touching this rabbit” look, then had lunch as I very calmly backed away.
People have seen eagles at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
If you go to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, carefully check out the trees. Eagles have been seen by the river and pond at the Home for several years. In fact, because eagles are seriously protected by law and cherished by many, intense discussions were held during the planning stages of the upcoming rebuild for the Grand Rapids Home to make sure the eagles’ site and wetlands were protected as well. In fact, there will be eagles living on the grounds of the former Sebille Manor when the new State Veterans’ Home there is finished. A local who lives by the new Chesterfield Township site teased that he watches a very active nest of eagles from his deck while drinking his morning cup of coffee. We agree the veterans will enjoy watching the eagles there.
Meanwhile, people across the globe, especially in Michigan and in Florida, are obsessed with watching eagles live out life under the eye of cameras that have been carefully mounted and maintained during the “off season.” Harriet is super special. Eagles mate for life, typically. Harriet’s mate died a short time ago and another male eagle stepped in. He is known as M15. Since then, we have watched them build and rebuild nests after the hurricanes, bond, prepare their nests with grasses, rails and food, then lay eggs, watched the eggs pip then hatch. But the best part and total amazement lies in watching them tirelessly, regardless of weather or threat, care for and raise their young…only for the eaglets to leave the nest, not to return. Somehow, M15 knows to bring an air plant or sticks to get in Harriet’s good graces, that she likes certain types of fish and he literally lays in the nest over the young to give her a break while she goes to the pond for her bath and preening. The differences between their delicate, loving moments and their savage raptor side intrigue many. They pose an internal knowledge that leaves us all questioning “Where does that come from and how?”
Some of the questions are: How do they do what they do? How did their nest survive in an open tree with minimal damage during the hurricanes — which took down homes built by people? How do they know what to do for their young? How do they find each other and stay together for life? What makes them so protective? They eat or use everything they bring to the nest, nothing is wasted. (Now, in fairness, that may not be for faint hearted viewers.)
2017-2018 was a very unusually intense period for eagles and nonstop nail biting for eagle watchers. The Southwest Florida nest ended up with ever fascinating eaglets that grew into majestic creatures. But even they had their moments such as protecting the nest from the evil owl or when the eaglet fell out of the nest too early. (Spoiler: it did make it back ok.)
Other nests did not fare as well. For instance,
Eaglets in Iowa, which seemed to be thriving and growing, died suddenly due to a plague of small flies. (Spoiler: clogged their airways and they suffocated).
Others ate rodents that had eaten poison and died of poisoning.
And who can forget the brave tree climber who climbed into an active nest to save an eaglet that was trapped in nest rails, dying — with mother eagle watching, crying after many desperate tries to free it failed??? Somehow, she knew he was a hero there to help her young and did not attack him. (Spoiler: that bird grew into a beauty!)
Seeing a full grown man standing in that nest really brought home to the global network of watchers just how large these raptors and nests are. What a brave, unique hero!
In another state, one sibling killed, then ate another sibling…often the result of too many birds in one nest competing for basics or dominance.
A patriotic eagle in Washington, DC, which flew over monuments and enchanted visitors, died of West Nile very suddenly. The food in the nest attracted insects, which carried the disease, which spread to the bird.
Elsewhere, we watched for days as the Decorah, Iowa, mother eagle literally cried, screamed and called for her mate. Eagle watchers cried with her and supported each other via internet. That dad eagle left to get fish and disappeared…leaving three baby eaglets behind, not something he would do willingly. Then, that mother regained strength and, to everyone’s sheer amazement, raised all three babies alone while fighting off suitors which posed a threat to her young. (Spoiler: Somehow, rather than show the degree of sibling rivalry a.k.a. bonking seen in other nests, those three eaglets seemed to comprehend the situation, worked with their mom, and they were an unbelievable team which grew into gorgeous creatures.) This year, she has a new mate and we wait to see if they will produce another generation. It looks promising as they have been working very hard on this year’s nest and appear to respect each other a great deal. Meanwhile, we still struggle to accept we may never know the fate of the devoted father, which never was found.
Yet, if you look closely, one must laugh to see some nests are also inhabited by little mice…who should be a food source, but are tolerated by some eagles. How is that?
Then there was a weird one, with many watching the eagle cam high in the tree, some unseen person cut the tree down at the base — nest and all. Did not see that one coming!
Visit http://archive.hancockwildlife.org/index.php?topic=cam-sites it check out several of the top eagle cams. (The links to those cams are near the end of the link.) Some sites just watch the nest, others have people doing reports as well, others have forums, online classes, resources…as much or as little as one wants. Like many, I favor the Pritchett site which covers Harriet and the nest on their land, along with forums, reports, classes…. Also, the Decorah, Iowa nest has been amazing and is quite popular.
Check it out — you will find it amazing and inspirational. Be careful, it is hard not to fall in love with these majestic yet deadly raptors.
Creating colorful and breathtaking abstract paintings was never Wesley DeVries’ plan. He was a hardworking Grand Rapids area resident who took art classes for fun. But after getting diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy in 1996, he needed a way to loosen up and stay active.
Art became more than just a pastime, it became a journey of discovery.
The public can join in the journey at the Frederik Meijer Gardens And Sculpture Park “Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture” exhibit. Opening as part of the latest ArtPrize regional show, artists from around the world are featured in the show that’s set to last until Jan. 6, 2019.
The show, among other aspects, is meant to highlight how a person can change while a disability progresses. And DeVries’ entry is a perfect example of that.
DeVries’ artistic transition and discovery, in part, was that the tools of his artistic trade became, surprisingly, part of his continuing journey. As part of the DisArt Project for ArtPrize, which teamed with Meijer Gardens for the exhibit, DeVries submitted the tools he uses to make his abstract paintings: credit cards.
Because of his disease, DeVries only has a little bit of time to paint before he has to rest. So quick and sporadic movements are used to start and finish a painting. And because paint brushes are too difficult for DeVries to use because of his disability, he decided he would adapt a trick from a family member who used playing cards to paint his mailbox. While playing cards became soaked too quickly, the plastic credit cards worked perfect.
But what he had found was that the colorful cards became, and continue to be, an unexpected artistic byproduct.
“I’m not looking to finish a credit card,” DeVries said in a video interview with WKTV “… My paintbrushes are my happenings.”
And what is happening next for DeVries? He said he hopes to do a special demonstration for ArtPrize 11.
“(Maybe I can be) suspended from a ceiling with bungees and then swooping around and painting on a large canvas for (the next) ArtPrize,” he said, joking, maybe; but maybe not.
For more information about Meijer Gardens visit meijergradens.org . For information about DisArt’s 2018 Process and Presence season of events, visit disartnow.org .
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) now sits less than 300,000 passengers away from setting another all-time annual record for passengers served. October 2018 saw 16-percent growth year-over-year, putting the Ford Airport at over 2.7 million passengers served in 2018 with two months left.
October marks the tenth record-breaking month in a row for 2018, and the airport has seen growth in 63 of the last 70 months. October 2018 was the busiest October ever, and at this point in the year GFIA has surpassed its annual totals reached in every year except 2017.
October 2018 had 284,710 passengers come through the Ford Airport, up from 245,319 in 2017. GFIA is up 15.7-percent in annual passenger totals.
“We still have two months left in the year and these are big months for us with November and December holiday travel mixed in. We know we will hit our three million passenger mark and then some,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport Marketing & Communications Director Tara Hernandez. “We continue to work on adding more air service, working with our airline partners to serve the destinations West Michigan travelers want to visit. Our work isn’t done and we only expect more big things in 2019.”
Allegiant recently announced nonstop service to Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) which will begin in April 2019, and American Airlines kicks off new nonstop service to Miami (MIA) and Phoenix Sky- Harbor (PHX) beginning in December 2018. Frontier also started Phoenix (PHX) and Tampa (TPA) this month.
“We are proud to have airlines investing in the Ford Airport and recognizing the growth of our West Michigan community,” said GFIA Board Chairman Dan Koorndyk. “We are thrilled to be on the edge of three million passengers, and we’re looking forward to celebrating that milestone.”
GFIA has invested in new facilities to accommodate the growing traffic by recently completing Phase One of the Gateway Transformation Project – an upgrade in space, retail, food and beverage, restrooms, finishes, amenities, and customer service offerings. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which centralized and combined security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport. Construction also included new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, pre and post security business centers, a military welcome center, kids play areas, and much more.
Phase Two of the Gateway Transformation Project began in November 2018 with construction taking place at the airline ticket counters, baggage claim area, curbside, and ‘front of house’ area. For more information on construction updates and upgrades, please visit: http://www.flyford.org/construction.php
GFIA monthly passenger statistics are available on our website: http://www.grr.org/
Have a friend or relative coming back to West Michigan for turkey on Thanksgiving? Want to entice them to stay? Or are you looking to move to or back to West Michigan?
Well, 43 companies and non-profits want you to help with special interviews at several West Michigan bars on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The Right Place, Inc. and Hello West Michigan are once again hosting the annual event, titled ReThink West Michigan, which runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., in hopes of filling up job holes with young professionals.
“When someone wants to relocate here, they usually just have to apply online or try really hard to network virtually,” said Cindy Brown, executive director of Hello West Michigan and vice president of talent initiatives at The Right Place, Inc. “ReThink West Michigan gives interested candidates a chance to connect face-to-face. We’re highlighting the things people want to know about when they think about relocating: career opportunities and lifestyle in West Michigan.”
The Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development collaborated with West Michigan Development Collaborative to host events in Grand Rapids, Hastings, Ludington, Muskegon, Naugatuck and Fremont.
The event in Grand Rapids will be in Eve at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW. The other locations are:
Saugatuck Brewing Company, 2948 Blue Star Hwy., Douglas
Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro, 105 E. State St., Hastings
The Block (above Unruly Brewing), 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon
Ludington Bay Brewing Co., 515 James St., Ludington
Lakes 23 Restaurant and Pub, 1100 Ramshorn Dr., Fremont
Saugatuck Brewing Company also is participating on Wednesday’s ReThink West Michigan event.
ReThink West Michigan aims to provide a casual environment to network and talk to many professionals in the area. The past six events had a turn out of more than 800 candidates, 65 of which were hired.
Amway, Haworth, Meijer, Spectrum Health, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Express Employment Professionals, Mercy Health, Northwestern Mutual, Ranir, Suburban Inns, Steelcase, West Michigan Works! and X Rite Inc. will be participating at the event in Grand Rapids.
“Companies in West Michigan are continuing to grow at a fast pace, but many face constraints when it comes to finding talent,” said Rachel Bartels, program manager at Hello West Michigan. “The labor market in the region remains tight, and there are hundreds of positions available. We know that in order to meet demand we will need to attract talent to the area, and who better to fill those jobs than former West Michiganders.”
Humans communicate quite a bit without ever speaking. This is called nonverbal communication—gestures, facial expressions or postures that communicate feelings without using any words. If you’re speaking to someone and they are turning away from you and looking at their watch, they are communicating they either have to go or they want to stop talking. Without using any words, they can tell us what they need or want.
Babies, toddlers and young children are sending us nonverbal cues all the time. A baby cries when they are hungry or wet because they can’t tell you what they need with words. A toddler might grab your hand and lead you to the kitchen to tell you they are hungry or hide behind you at a family reunion to say they are overwhelmed.
When we take the time to pay attention to, recognize and understand a child’s point of view, we can help better understand their behaviors. Understanding why a child is doing something makes it easier to react to them in a way that is responsive to their needs.
Think about the “why?” When your child does something, take time to think about why they might be doing it. What are they trying to communicate to you? Do they need something from you to meet their needs?
Respond, don’t react. Instead of reacting with your own strong emotions when your child does something, take a minute to think about how to respond. You might want to yell when your child draws on the wall with crayons, but if you take a minute to think, you can respond calmly and address their needs.
Make sure your child’s needs are met. Sometimes children misbehave or have strong emotional outbursts when their needs aren’t met. You can be responsive to your child by making sure they have what they need to be happy and successful. Are they eating enough? Getting enough sleep? Have they gotten enough hugs, kisses and attention?
Be responsive. It’s sometimes easy to take a “one-size-fits-all” solution to solving problems with young children. For example, sending a child to time-out anytime they have broken a rule. It is much more effective to respond to your child’s specific cues or needs. When your child draws on the wall with crayons, they might be telling you they are bored and need help to release their energy in a productive way. Tailor your response to your child’s behaviors to fit their specific needs
When you respond to your child’s cues, they feel loved, understood and less frustrated. Tune in to your child’s cues, be calm and responsive and you can build a strong and supportive relationship with your child.
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.
Whether your Ariel or not, being a part of the cast of the Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is “a magical, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” according to Angelique Ferrante, who portray’s the mersister Atina in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s current production which runs through Dec. 16.
“I’m 29-years-old, so the idea that I’d be able to play in a Disney show meant for kids, I was just excited to play a tapping seagull, a mermaid or a fish. It was all very exciting to me to be able to play out this child fantasy for myself,” Ferrante said.
The show is a rendition of the familiar 1989 animated film with Disney using some of its magic for the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairytale. Princess Ariel and her undersea companions are in for a whirlwind of adventure as Ariel falls for the human Prince Eric. She cuts a deal with the sea witch Ursula, trading her singing voice for a pair of human legs. All she has to do is get Eric to “kiss the girl.” The production includes many of the award-winning songs by Alan Menken such as “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Under the Sea.”
“Some of the songs are a bit different but all the things you know and love from the movie are there,” she said. “‘Under the Sea’ is so magical. I get excited looking around when I’m on stage with my fellow castmates. I can only imagine what it looks like for the audience looking in because when I look up, left and right, I’m usually in awe.”
Residing in Grand Rapids, Ferrante grew up on Long Beach in Long Island, New York. Her latest role was Reno in a production of “Anything Goes,” put together by the Long Beach Theatre Guild. She was brought to West Michigan this year when her fiancé accepted a position as a doctor at Mary Free Bed.
Angelique Ferrante as the mersister Atina performs the song “Daughters of Triton.”
“Moving to Michigan this summer, I knew I was going to do some homework, not just for a new job or a place to live, but to perform,” she said. “Civic Theatre had an amazing reputation and auditions at the same time I knew I’d be able to get my life in order and audition.”
Ironically, the actress said working with a company and organization like the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has been a game changer compared to acting in New York.
“It’s like the further I’ve gotten away from New York, the closer I’ve gotten to Broadway in a sense,” said Ferrante. “It’s been far more professional the further I’ve gotten away from New York City. It’s just kind of crazy to imagine that’s a reality. This is a whole other league. It’s so impressive to me not only the amount of talent that’s in the cast but the production, the crew, the entire behind the scenes corporate business model that Civic has.
“To my surprise, we were doing costume fittings before our first rehearsal even before the first read through. That’s when I knew I was in a unique place that was going to really take any performing I’ve done to the next level.”
She estimated there’s about 25 cast members for the production, relatively small for a Civic holiday performance, but it’s a “tech-heavy” show, recalling the director mentioning the crew easily outnumbers the cast. Audiences will feel like they are under the sea with huge set designs, lighting and sound arrangements and special effects.
“I don’t know what it is, I think it’s that every single moving part is so prepared that the nerves have left, and at this point, it’s just buzzing excitement,” said Ferrante. “We are all really excited to just be in front of a crowd that’s going to give new moments and real time, laughing at the same lines we’ve been saying for weeks and sharing that magic with a live audience. I think every night is going to be so electric.”
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” runs through Dec. 16 at Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $17 – $39. For more information, visit grct.org or call 616-222-6650.
With opening day behind us, deer season is here and the excitement is just beginning. After shooting a big buck though, taking the first pictures, and dressing the deer, the work begins. If you have an extended time before you leave camp to head home, there are a few things that need to be considered to keep your carcass safe for consumption.
Hanging the deer can assist in cooling the carcass quickly. When cleaning a carcass, Michigan State University Extension recommends using sanitary utensils to lower the risk of cross contamination. It is important to thoroughly cut away any visible contamination and then rinse the cavity of the deer with cold potable water before storing. These practices will also help clean away debris and bacterial contamination.
To safely store the carcass, it must be kept at a temperature below 41 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bacterial growth. It is advised to transport your carcass to a processor as soon as possible. Packing the cavity with ice is another way to help cool the venison carcass quickly or for long distance transport.
Aging the meat is a method of enhancing and tenderizing the meat while dispelling the gamey taste of venison. It is important for a safe method of aging to be used. A safe temperature for aging a carcass is 40 degrees F or lower for two to three days. This will safely assist in allowing the natural aging process take place.
Carcass safety will assist you in bringing safe food to the table for everyone to enjoy. Have a safe hunting season!
At 6:30 p.m., Kentwood city officials accompanied by carolers will conduct the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood invites the community to begin the holidays with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, slated for Friday, Dec. 7. Centered around the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, the free event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.
The evening will be filled with festive activities, including a parade, live holiday music and carriage rides, as well as caroling and a tree lighting ceremony. Hot chocolate and cookies will be offered, and Santa, of course, will be there to take pictures with families.
“The holidays are special times every year that bring families and communities together,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “In Kentwood, we are working diligently to create memories for both the young and old by sponsoring a holiday evening in Kentwood. The tree lighting and parade along with other family activities that night are becoming a tradition in Kentwood that we hope our friends and neighbors will enjoy.”
The Holiday Light Parade will start at 6 p.m., at the Kentwood Public Works, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, and travel north to the Kentwood Justice Center at 4740 Walma Ave. SE. Roads will be closed from 5:50 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. for the parade, which will affect both Breton Avenue and Walma Avenue.
At 6:30 p.m., city officials accompanied by carolers will conduct the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Following the tree lighting, community members will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa, go on carriage rides and enjoy a musical performance by the East Kentwood High School Jazz Band. The Elves Express Gift Shop will be open at the library for the duration of the event, offering a variety of gift items and gift-wrapping services.
As with any large community event, the city relies on volunteers to ensure a smooth-moving event. Individuals interested in helping with the evening festivities may sign up online. The cost to participate is $15.
There are also openings for the parade. Groups interested in participating can submit a parade entry form online, The cost to participate is $15.
More information about Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade, as well as other community events, is available on the City’s website at www.kentwood.us.
The Triiio Tour features the three key members of The Lone Bellow — guitarist/vocalist Zach Williams, guitarist Brian Elmquist, and multi-instrumentalist Kanene Donehey Pipkin — playing in concert as a trio with no back up band.
The Lone Bellow, the band’s hearts and souls anyway, will bring their alt/indie Americana folk sounds to St. Cecilia Music Center’s stage later this month as part of its Acoustic Cafe Folk series with the Royce Auditorium stage set for an unusual but alluring concert focused on the band’s one-mic sounds.
Grand Rapids will, in fact, be among the first cities in the U.S. to feature The Lone Bellow’s Triiio Tour, which not only focuses the band down to its core three but also highlights their new acoustic EP, Restless, released Oct. 19.
And tickets remain available for the Thursday, Nov. 29, show, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with a post-concert party open to all ticket-holders and giving the audience the opportunity to possibly meet the artists and obtain signed CDs of their releases.
The Triiio Tour features the three key members of The Lone Bellow — guitarist/vocalist Zach Williams, guitarist Brian Elmquist, and multi-instrumentalist Kanene Donehey Pipkin — playing in concert as a trio with no back up band. (Something which experienced fans know from previous live shows where the trio would gather for a couple of songs as part of an intimate acoustic interlude.)
“We are very excited to welcome The Lone Bellow on this special acoustic tour,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “SCMC will be the perfect venue for this great band and their acoustic sound.”
The Triiio Tour is also a live presentation of their Restless EP, which features new songs, two covers, and three reworked versions of songs from previous records form the Brooklyn-born, now Nashville-based band.
“Since we released our first album in 2013, we’ve been setting a few songs aside every night to sing together around one mic, and those times have become some of our most memorable musical moments of touring together,” Williams said in supplied material. “We were prompted to make a record that would capture that feeling, and to make it ourselves. We had never done that before. We ended up making it in Jason and Kanene’s attic along with all of the natural sounds of that space: floors creaking, birds chirping, babies crying, lawnmowers running. It was a joy to make.”
The Restless EP was produced by Brian Elmquist and Jason Pipkin. For more information on The Lone Bellow, visit here.
Remaining tickets for The Lone Bellow are $30. All concert tickets can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. For more information or to purchase tickets online visit www.scmc-online.org.
With food temptations at their greatest, it may seem impossible to lose any weight during the holiday season, but if you pay close attention to detail, losing or maintaining a healthy weight can be done during the holidays. Most of us would agree that holidays are healthier when we can maintain a healthy weight.
Be recipe ready. As you search and shop for holiday recipes, search for those already incorporating low or reduced fat. Other substitutions include:
Replace high fat oil(s) — Applesauce and canned pumpkin are good substitutes in most baked good recipes. Look for trans-fat-free oils, spreads and butter. Instead of oil, use low-fat or non-fat cooking sprays to coat and cook meat, sauté vegetables or prepare omelets.
Cut down on sugar — Keeping tabs on how much sugar you’re swallowing is an important part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Explore using sugar substitutes like stevia which can be used in drinks and for baking. The good news, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) is that cutting down on sugar may be easier than you think. Read food labels to identify sugar and hidden sugars.
Garnish not! — Skip the added butter, whip cream, gravy & cream sauces. Going plain allows you to enjoy 100 percent of the foods natural flavor.
Explore your menu options — The internet, the library and most newspapers include articles that offer step by step tips for healthier baking, shopping and cooking.
You bite it, you write it — What if just by making one change in your habits you could double your weight loss? It may sound too good to be true, but many experts say that the simple act of keeping a food diary can encourage you to eat fewer calories — and thus lose weight. Don’t deny yourself of your favorite holiday foods, instead watch your portion size and track what you eat. Food tracking reveals:
What’s missing — Food tracking or food journaling allows you to see how much and what you are eating. You also see what you’re not eating (good carbs vs. bad carbs, fiber and hidden sugars) and perhaps your diet is lacking fruits or vegetables.
Food triggers — Food tracking can also reveal and identify triggers to avoid, such as not eating enough throughout the day and then overeating at night, or overeating when drinking alcohol.
Track your physical activity — In almost all plans to lose or maintain a healthy weight, you have to stay active. As a start, the CDC recommends that adults need to do two hours and 30 minutes of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities weekly.
Set your goal to lose or at least maintain your weight during this upcoming holiday season. There is a tendency to gain weight in adulthood, but being overweight increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain types of cancer, arthritis, breathing problems and other illness. Therefore, most adults should not gain weight. If you are uncertain about your risk of developing a problem associated with being overweight, you should consult a health professional.
By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension
Getting married? 83 percent of couples fight about money, according to Debt Reduction Services. Making household finances work is one way newlyweds can help make their marriage work. Both should agree on how to coordinate household accounts and debt by having constructive conversations. Even though this is not the most romantic topic, it will contribute to a happier marriage.
Once the honeymoon is over, focus some attention on your shared financial lives. The Building MI Financial Future Financial Toolkit from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services offers these tips:
Request a free copy of your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com. This information tells you about your use, management and payment history of loans and financial obligations. You might also get credit score estimates from FICO. Then you can objectively analyze the strengths and any weaknesses in the reports, including high debt amounts or discipline about making timely payments.
List all sources of income and expenses. Using all pay stubs, account statements, monthly bills and debt obligations, disclose everything financial to each other. Then you can make a monthly spending plan for handling monthly expenses and establish a debt prevention and/or elimination plan.
Open a joint checking account to pay for household expenses. Pay for all marriage-related bills, including housing, food, necessary clothing, vacation, transportation, cell phones, etc. If neither of you had credit-related problems, both names can be on the account. If one person has poor credit, you may choose to have your account in only one name. Consider automating your household bills payments, plus setting up separate accounts for each of your savings goals.
Decide who is going to pay for what.
Option 1: Combine incomes and consider all expenses and debts as one.
Option 2: Assign certain payments to one or the other. This might depend on who had loan obligations prior to the marriage.
Option 3: Pay ongoing expenses based on the percentage of income contributed.
Discuss the relationship each of you has with money. Is one of you a saver and one a spender? Talk about the potential consequences and agree on a workable solution.
Consider opening a savings account for an “emergency or rainy day fund”. Unplanned emergencies happen. As a couple, you should have a goal about how much is enough for unexpected expenses or emergencies. In addition, the recommendation is to set aside several months of earned income to prepare for an unplanned loss of future income. Decide together on a monthly amount to save which fits into your budget and is sustainable.
Tip: While many couples choose to pursue a joint checking account, this method may not work for all couples. Whether you have a joint account or separate accounts to pay household expenses, the key is to communicate, have a bill payment plan, and pay bills on time.
Update your beneficiaries. Check any employer-sponsored retirement plan, IRAs, annuities, and life insurance policies to update the beneficiary information.
Take care of your future selves now. Contribute to your employer-sponsored retirement plan and/or IRA. The recommendation is 15 percent of your combined gross pay or the maximum amount allowed by the IRS. This is a great time to talk about your retirement goals that will require financial planning and strategies. Further, decide on a homeownership plan including thinking about if, where and when to buy a home and its cost. Discuss any education and professional training plans.
The first year of marriage typically includes many lifestyle adjustments. Setting goals and planning to save are best practices to help make your financial hopes and dreams come true. Having a spending plan shows your sense of control and willingness to set aside now for the future. Discussing and agreeing on financial adjustments should make your financial lives go smoother. Financial planning takes time, patience, and discipline. Find more information about spending plans, reasons for and ways to save, credit and debt, homeownership, and many other topics at MIMoneyHealth.org.
November is here, and with it, the holiday season begins. As you begin to plan and shop for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, including the turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a critical step for preparing your great holiday meal is to safely prepare your stuffing.
When it comes to both the turkey and stuffing there are food safety practices that must be considered in order to ensure a great tasting and safe holiday meal. Cooking a home-stuffed turkey is riskier than cooking the stuffing separate from the turkey. Even if the turkey has reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, the stuffing may not have reached a temperature high enough to destroy potential bacteria.
Purchase a food thermometer if you don’t have one, or if you do have one, find it and calibrate the thermometer in your kitchen
When planning for your stuffing, it is recommended to bake your stuffing outside of the turkey in a separate baking dish, until the stuffing reaches a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you choose to stuff your turkey, follow these tips:
Precook any raw items like meat, fish or poultry that is an ingredient in the stuffing.
Do not mix wet and dry stuffing ingredients until you are ready to stuff the turkey.
Stuff the turkey loosely with the moist stuffing.
Use a food thermometer to ensure that the center of the stuffing reaches the temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria that could cause food-borne illness can survive if the temperature does not reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the turkey has not reached a minimum internal cooking temperature of 165 degrees, continue roasting the turkey until it reaches the minimum temperature.
Let the turkey and stuffing rest for 20 minutes before carving and removing the stuffing.
Refrigerate any leftover stuffing within two hours of removing it from the oven.
Reheat stuffing to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating the leftovers.
Enjoy your safe and tasty stuffing for this year’s turkey day.
Operation P.R.I.C.E. was launched in 2014 by the Kentwood Police Department in an effort to curb retail theft along the 28th Street corridor.
By City of Kentwood
In preparation of the holiday shopping season, when incidents of shoplifting and retail fraud often spikes, the Kentwood Police Department is again partnering with local store owners to prevent retail theft with Operation P.R.I.C.E., an educational program that has helped area retailers reduce crime during the holidays since 2014.
As part of the program, Kentwood police educate store employees on how they can discourage shoplifting and how to identify potential crime, as well as what to do when a shoplifter is caught. The partnership between police and store owners also provides increased police presence in stores and on the streets.
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2018 National Retail Security Survey, shoplifting was the top source of inventory shrinkage for the fourth year in a row, outpacing employee theft.
Operation P.R.I.C.E., which stands for Preventing Retail Theft Through Initiative, Collaboration and Enforcement, has had a proven track record in helping local businesses decrease incidents of retail fraud.
Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen says the key to the program’s success is the focus on collaborating with business owners and employees.
Kentwood Chief Thomas Hillen. (Supplied)
“At the end of the day, we are working toward the same goal: reducing crime in our community,” Hillen said. “By proactively engaging with business owners and employees, and having open communication early on, we are able to equip them with knowledge and skills needed to help prevent crime. Being able to increase police presence at their shops also helps discourage theft.”
This year, Operation P.R.I.C.E. will run from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4. During this time, participating retailers will have posters and signs displayed declaring their partnership with the Kentwood Police Department. Shoppers will also see police officers in and around the community’s prime retail destinations, such as Woodland Mall.
Woodland Mall in Kentwood.
“Operation P.R.I.C.E. has been well-received by retailers and shoppers at Woodland Mall,” said Tony DeLuccia, Woodland Mall general manager. “Beyond the increased police presence in and around the mall, store owners have appreciated the education police provide on how to spot potential shoplifters to keep theft down during the busy holiday season.
“We’ve found the proactive approach of the program combined with the mutual respect between officers and retailers to be empowering for employees. The personal connections made with officers help employees feel more comfortable calling for assistance when they notice suspicious activity.”
Operation P.R.I.C.E. was launched in 2014 by the Kentwood Police Department in an effort to curb retail theft along the 28th Street corridor.
The program has since grown beyond 28th Street in recent years, extending to 29th Street and doubling in participating businesses to more than 70 the past two years. Initially, calls for police services increased, resulting in more retail fraud arrests as store owners and employees used police as a resource. More recently, police have seen retail theft during the holidays on a downward trend.
“The apparent decline in retail theft during the holiday season is a result of proactive policing activities from the P.R.I.C.E. task force,” Hillen said. “Retailers are becoming familiar with how to file a police report, how to spot theft and what legal actions they can take. These education efforts along with the visibility of retailers’ partnerships with us are helping deter potential offenders.”
In a recent interview with Kentwood City Police Department Deputy Chief Richard Roberts, and local resident Pam Schichtel, WKTV Journal found out more about the department’s volunteer program as part of our November WKTV Journal newscast.
As a way to give back to the community they love so much, Kentwood residents volunteer thousands of hours annually to the program in order to keep the city safe. Schichtel tells us why she volunteers.
Deputy Chief Roberts and the rest of his department are grateful for the assistance given to them by these citizens and hope to see more involvement in the program in order to better serve the community with excellence. He tells us what the volunteers do and how people can join the team.
WKTV Journal airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos. For more information regarding the police volunteer program please click here.
Former Tech Center student Keith Takens, left, and Marc Petz, a 3D Animation instructor, are headed to San Francisco for a development conference hosted by electronic giant Samsung
A smartphone app developed by Kent Career Tech Center students to help autistic teens navigate social situations will be showcased on a national stage in November.
Two students and their 3D Animation & Game Design Instructor Marc Petz, are headed to the Samsung Developer Conference in San Francisco to show off a smartphone app they created to help autistic teens develop their social skills.
They were invited to attend the conference after an earlier edition of the app finished in the Top 10 at the national “Solve For Tomorrow” competition sponsored by Samsung earlier this year. His students have now upgraded their Virtual Reality (VR) application into an Augmented Reality (AR) application that can be loaded into a smartphone.
Avatars simulate hallway encounters, coaching autistic teenagers through social encounters they might otherwise find awkward or uncomfortable
“This is 100 percent student developed and expert guided,” said Petz, who was invited to the conference with two of his 3D graduates. The group plans to demonstrate their app from Samsung’s booth at the conference, which attracts thousands of software developers.
Their AR app uses avatars to coach autistic teenagers as they role-play their interaction with other teenagers. The social scenarios, such as a having conversation in a school hallway, were scripted with help from Mary Musto, a teacher consultant at Kent Transition Center with a background in Autism and Behavioral Therapy.
Petz and his students also worked with YETi CGI, a Wyoming-based company that develops electronic games and artificial intelligence products for Fortune 500 companies. Petz also teaches digital animation and game design as an adjunct professor at Ferris State University.
The animated avatars – or characters – coach their users to make eye contact and respond to questions or comments from the avatars, who appear in the settings in which the users find themselves.
“We’re bringing the technology to your reality,” said Petz. The app uses recorded voices instead of machine-generated speech to make the interactions seem more natural.
The smartphone app developed by students at Kent Career Tech Center offers several scenarios that can be used as coaching tools by autistic teenagers
“We know this has the potential of reaching a lot of people,” said Keith Takens, a Ferris State University sophomore who helped develop the program while he attended the Tech Center.
Takens, one of the students going to the Samsung conference, noted that up to 2 percent of the world’s population has autism to some degree.
Meanwhile, Petz’ students are continuing to develop new role-playing scenarios to the app. For example, methods of starting, maintaining and ending conversations are being added to the app.
The app is based on a web site that connects to the app, forgoing the need to download the app to a smartphone. “It’s as accessible as Wikipedia,” said Takens, noting the app does not require the bandwidth needed for other streaming services such as Netflix.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing."
~ Dale Carnegie
Don’t forget your roots
Searching for the perfect Christmas tree? You might want to check out Downtown Market’s Christmas Tree & Decor Lot, beginning Saturday, Nov. 17th. The market also has lots of other treasures and events coming up. Go here for more info.
Must open before Christmas
Bring the kids! The Grand Rapids Symphony Pops has quite the lineup this holiday season, from thrilling acrobatics, classic films and timeless music, to the the sublime sounds of the holidays, sure to make spirits bright. Go here for info.
It’s OK to wax nostalgic
This holiday season, you’re in for an extra-special treat! From Saturday, Nov. 17 through Jan. 18, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will have a community favorite on display — the Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train. While you’re there, enjoy the Museum’s holiday decorations. Go here for more info.
Fun fact:
It was a simpler time.
Between 1887-1933 a fishing schooner called the "Christmas Ship" would tie up at the Clark Street bridge and sell spruce trees from Michigan to Chicagoans.
By Nicole Kooiker, DDS, Dentist at Heart of the City Health Center
