A new exhibit titled, “A view of my artistic journey from the past to the present,” by local artist Larry Blovits, opens at the Leep Art Gallery on April 4 at the Postma Center on the Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services campus in Grand Rapids.
Blovits’s artistic career has centered around his love for painting in oil and pastel portraits, landscapes, and teaching. Receiving numerous awards and honors in national shows ever since 1962, Blovits has achieved signature status in many prestigious national art organizations around the country.
“The primary goal of my artwork has always been to go beyond the important technical and fundamental aspects of painting in my quest to capture the essence of the scene, or the person;” says Blovits. “With homage to the Great Masters, I continue to emulate and carry on the tradition of ‘academic’ painting because that’s what drives me, and what I love to do. “
Blovits received his bachelor and master of fine arts degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit in 1961 and 1966 respectively. His artwork is represented in the collections of several local art galleries, museums and many private collections.
The Pine Rest Leep Art Gallery exhibit will be on display at the Postma Center located at 300 68th Street, SE, from April 4 until June 29. The Leep Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 616.222.4530 or go to www.pinerest.org/leep-art-gallery .
Wyoming Junior High eighth-graders considered what is arguably the most debated sentence in the U.S. today: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
Like in many discussions surrounding interpretation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, students’ questions and comments focused on the words “militia” and “well-regulated” and what they mean in relation to the rest of the sentence. Their definitions varied concerning the intention of the amendment.
Prior to the March 14 student walkout protesting gun violence in schools, Wyoming Junior High eighth-graders read and discussed different perspectives — right, left and center — on the amendment, gun rights and what measures should be taken to stop mass shootings.
While learning that much is up to interpretation when it comes to constitutional gun rights, students studied the history behind the amendment and reflected on how they feel it should apply to society today. They then wrote letters to legislators, adding their own voices to the debate.
Brian Juarez-Diaz jots down his thoughts
Considering Various Views
English teacher Shantel VanderGalien said she felt it was important to bring the topic into her curriculum, rather than avoid something on the forefront of students’ minds on days leading up to the National School Walk Out. She used a Mass Shooting Unitcreated by teacher, author and consultant Kelly Gallagher, with sources including articles both supportive and against stricter gun laws. They listened to a podcast, shared in groups to hear different opinions, and considered pros and cons of each side of the gun-control debate.
“I feel like we have to create time and space for our students to reflect on important issues,” VanderGalien said. ”If there is a way I can get them to read, write and think critically about those issues, I want to give them that time and space.”
She said she hopes the unit encourages students to keep up with the news, learn facts surrounding issues, and listen to varying points of view.
“I want them to be informed and make their own decisions,” in an age when people tend to avoid or “unfriend” those with whom they disagree, she said. “I feel it’s important that we don’t hide, shy away or shun people who think differently, but instead we need to to lean into that discomfort, ask questions and seek to understand instead of isolate.”
Eighth-grader Lizzie Ochoa listens to perspectives on the Second Amendment
Penning their Perspectives
Students wrote letters to local politicians including Rep. Tommy Brann (R-Wyoming), President Trump and Governor Rick Snyder.
Researching different sides of the debate provides a better foundation of information, said eighth-grader Trista Werkema, noting, “This is real-life stuff that can happen at any point in our school.”
She said she planned to emphasize in her letter that students’ perspectives matter.
“Just because we are kids doesn’t mean we don’t have knowledge about what’s going on,” Trista said. “We may even be more educated than our parents on it because they’re not reading all these articles and stuff like we are.”
Neveah Morofsky writes a definition of the Second Amendment
Added Marissa Menard, “As we get older, things will progress, social media will progress and that influences the way we think about things, so it’s important for us to know what’s going on in the world.”
She said she planned to push for increased gun restrictions in her letter.
“If this is the world we have to grow up in, it’s not going be a very safe world and we deserve the same opportunity as everyone else had.”
Eighth-grader Aleena Allen said it’s not enough to address just guns. She said her letter would support better resources for mental health.
Aiden Curtis takes notes on editorials about the Second Amendment
“It’s important to learn both sides so we can form our own opinions about what we think about this very controversial topic, so we can say, ‘Hey, this is what we think and we will argue our case and find out what other people think,’” she said.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Former Wyoming City Council member and longtime Wyoming resident Richard Kent Pastoor died Sunday, March 18. He was 79.
Pastoor had lived in Wyoming most of his life, noting in a 2016 interview that “he could remember back before Wyoming was a city because I was living here in the Second Ward.”
He served on the Godfrey Lee Public Schools Board of Education and the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Commission. In 2001, he was appointed to fill the seat of Jack Magnuson, longtime council member and former mayor who died during his term. Pastoor was re-elected three times to the Wyoming City Council serving the Second Ward.
During his 2016 re-election campaign, Pastoor said in his “We the People” segment that “I love this city. I make no bones about that. I have seen so much growth and we have such wonderful people in administrative positions in the city and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to serve you…” He said the people of Wyoming had proven that by working together, all things are possible and he was proud of the opportunity and growth within the city.
“Richard [Pastoor] was a true severant and leader of the City of Wyoming,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “His heart was always with the City of Wyoming. He did a wonderful job representing his district.
“Of the many things, it was his very positive nature that for the city and those who knew him will remember.”
At Monday night’s regular city council meeting, several council members echoed the mayor’s thoughts about Pastoor, sending prayers and thoughts to family and friends.
Pastoor worked in broadcasting and sales. He started with the Children’s Bible Hour as a teenager and later was an announcer on WFUR and WMAX. He co-hosted the Polka Pops for nearly 20 years on WYGR. He also was a longtime member of the Eighth Reformed Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret “Maggie” Pastoor, and his sister, Faith Heinrich. He is survived by his children, Scott Pastoor and fiancée, Beth Carroll, Kevin and Susan Pastoor, Deb and Bob Hoyle; seven grandchildren, his nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation with the family is from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4145 Chicago Drive SW, Grandville. There will be a visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. before the funeral service which will be held on Thursday, March 22, at 11 a.m. at Eighth Reformed Church, 841 Burton St. SW, Wyoming. Rev. Harry Koops will be officiating. Interment will be at Rest Lawn Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eighth Reformed Church Radio Fund. For more information or to send condolences, visit www.mkdfuneralhome.com.
A 90-minute drive … replaced by a single click. Thanks to Google, the course catalog is expanding, and students at three colleges, separated by 100 miles, are learning together.
“This isn’t happening anywhere else on this scale,” said Roman Williams, assistant professor of sociology at Calvin College.
Leading the way
In collaboration with Google, the Michigan Colleges Alliance is piloting the Google Course Share Collaboration, a new approach that aims to expand course options at smaller private colleges, while still retaining the faculty-driven teaching model.
Calvin, Alma, and Albion are participating in the pilot in spring 2018, each offering one course available to all three campuses.
“The whole idea is to offer courses that might not otherwise be offered because they are so specialized that student interest on one campus might not be enough to achieve the desired level of enrollment,” said Williams, who is teaching his Visual Toolkit course on Monday nights to six Alma, seven Albion, and six Calvin students. “Adding compelling technology to the mix amplifies students’ experiences.”
Powered by Google
How it works? Each campus is making a Google Extended Classroom available, complete with Hangouts Meet—Google’s video meeting software—and Jamboard—Google’s 55-inch, 4K interactive display, which is spurring collaboration through linking up digital whiteboards across the colleges. And each student has been given a Chromebook from their respective institution.
“The Jamboard is an interactive whiteboard that you can all share,” said Emma Chung, a junior digital communications major at Calvin who is taking “Media Theory and Culture” via Google Course Share through Albion College. “So, if Albion students are writing on it, we can see what they are writing, kind of like a Google Doc in a portable whiteboard form, but it’s still treated like a whiteboard. It’s pretty neat.”
The classrooms have two large monitors, each showing students from the other two participating colleges. Steelcase, the largest office furniture manufacturer in the world, has also joined the effort, and will be outfitting each classroom with comfortable seating and in helping create collaborative spaces for students to thrive.
Collaborating across colleges
Learning how best to collaborate from a distance takes a little time, says Williams. But, he says that students having the unique experience of helping pioneer a new way of learning, combined with the novelty of working with “cool technology,” are already going a long way in producing higher levels of student participation, engagement, and enthusiasm about these courses.
Students agree.
“I think it’s a really enriching experience. You get a chance to interact with students from another campus that isn’t yours, who you haven’t spent four years with,” said Taylor Hartson, a junior sociology major at Calvin. “It’s also a good experience for people considering going to grad school. ‘How do I interact with strangers for the first time? How do I adjust to a class that isn’t taught in a way that’s the way I’ve been taking the last several years?’”
Hartson, who is taking Williams’ class, is looking forward to more opportunities to hear from classmates representing various disciplines and multiple institutions. “It’s interesting to hear the perspectives of those not in this field on an up-and-coming methodology, to kind of explore that together, to see what it looks like to use this methodology in communications or in biology. It’s cool to hear all these perspectives.”
Opening more options
The pilot program is testing the viability of an academic-resource-sharing model between colleges, giving students and faculty more access to resources. The Michigan Colleges Alliance represents an ideal platform for launching a new course delivery system like this one. The MCA consists of 14 smaller private institutions. But, collectively, the alliance comprises the third largest student body in the state of Michigan.
What Google Course Share allows is for private institutions to keep their student-centered learning and close faculty interaction—hallmarks of the experiences they currently offer—all while expanding their course options for students.
One Calvin student wrote in her reflection after the first class, ‘I LOVE THIS TECHNOLOGY! That’s all I have to say for now. I feel like I’m living in the future.’
“On many levels she is correct,” said Williams, “she is living into the future. Increasingly a company’s workforce is spread across multiple locations and using meeting/collaboration technology like Google’s Jamboard and Hangouts Meet are the norm. A student who experiences a course like the ones we’re offering gains aptitudes and skills for thriving in the global economy.”
Calvin College’s Center for Social Research (CSR) has been tasked by MCA with evaluating the pilot program. Through surveys, focus groups, and research, CSR will provide an evaluation by the end of April 2018. The plan is to publish these results after the final evaluation.
In early September 2017, the ownership and management of Hickory Creek Winery in Buchanan officially changed hands from previous owners Eric and Jayne Wagner to Adam McBride of Grand Rapids. Hickory Creek is featured on the
and sits on a picturesque 38-acre farm and vineyard in Southwest Michigan.
New owner and winemaker McBride is energetic and optimistic about Hickory Creek’s future, while respectful of its past. He explains, “Eric and Jayne built a brand that focuses on a classic European winemaking style featured in a postcard picture setting at Hickory Creek Winery. I hope to maintain the reputation they worked hard to build over the past few years. As a winemaker, I know Eric has prided himself on making elegant wines featuring the varietals this part of Michigan is known for. And Jayne has created a welcoming feel in both the tasting room and the cottage. I want to continue what they have started.”
McBride, a Grand Rapids native, describes his purchase of the winery as a long-time dream becoming a reality. After college, he served for nearly a decade on active duty in the Air Force before returning home to West Michigan. He explains, “My passion for wine and my dream of owning a winery started over ten years ago while traveling across Europe and living in German wine country during my last duty assignment. The dream has always been in the back of my mind since then.”
Hickory Creek Winery is located at 750 Browntown Road, Buchanan.
After completing his military service, he spent several years building his professional skill set while directing logistics and transportation operations for two of Michigan’s most prominent manufacturers; first for Steelcase and then Stryker. He explains, “My civilian logistics career was amazing. I learned so much about leadership, operations management, lean principles, and six-sigma methodology. But I never lost my passion for wine and my dream of getting into the field full-time someday. I really started positioning myself to take this leap a couple years ago. It’s sometimes hard to believe it actually happened.” McBride completed his master’s degree in Business Administration at Michigan State University in 2016 to prepare himself for the rigors of starting and operating his own business. He followed that up by taking on his formal wine education in California, studying at the Napa Valley Wine Academy under winemakers, sommeliers, brand managers, and other industry experts. He now holds a Level 3 Award with Distinction from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust based in London. And his education continues, as he is currently taking classes through Lake Michigan College’s Viticulture and Enology degree program.
The transition of the business from the previous owners was just the beginning of the hard work for the 41-year old father of two. As both owner and winemaker, McBride faced a steep learning curve from the very start. Just days after completing the sale of the winery, the grape harvest started in full force. McBride bought as many grapes as he could get his hands on, more than 36,000 pounds that had to be processed by hand. His goal was to process enough grapes to return Hickory Creek’s storage tanks and barrels to full capacity, a necessity after the brutal winters of 2014 and 2015 devastated grape harvests and depleted the winery’s inventories. McBride notes, “The 2017 harvest was incredible. The fruit quality was amazing and the yields were excellent. I was able to get almost everything on my wishlist from the local farms.”
The local winemaking community has shown its support for the newcomer over the past few months. Experienced winemakers and local business owners have guided McBride on many aspects of the business. In addition to providing technical expertise and advice, multiple wineries signed on to supply fruit for the 2017 harvest. The collaboration between the local wineries in Southwest Michigan is unique according to McBride, something he hasn’t witnessed between competitors during his time in the corporate world. “I’ve been amazed by the support of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail and its 21 member wineries. The Makers’ Trail has been a huge help as well. The other winemakers and winery owners have welcomed me into the community with open arms. They all want to see Hickory Creek do well and they genuinely want to help me get started on the right track as the new guy. The collaborative spirit is refreshing. Everyone is pulling together to set us up for success.”
When asked about his vision for the winery, McBride’s plans are simple. “I want to continue Eric and Jayne’s legacy of crafting high-quality small batch wines in the classic European style. I want customers to see our products and wine overall as approachable and our staff as welcoming and authentic. I also want a visit to Hickory Creek to be enjoyable and educational. Hopefully, our customers have fun, but also learn something from their visit.”
Hickory Creek features a selection of red, white, and rosé wines. Many of the red wines feature Cabernet Franc either as a varietal or in Bordeaux-style blends. White wines feature Riesling and Chardonnay, both as varietals and in blends. They range from dry to semi-sweet. The Hickory Creek tasting room is located on the winery premises at 750 Browntown Road in Buchanan, Michigan. It is open daily from May to October (Monday and Thursday 11am-5pm, Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 11am-7pm, and Sunday noon-6pm). From November to April, it has limited opening hours (Monday 11am-5pm, Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 11am-6pm, and Sundays noon-5pm). The property also features a 2-story cottage available for rent through Airbnb and VRBO. Details for the tasting room and cottage can be found at hickorycreekwinery.com and on the Hickory Creek Winery Facebook page.
By Maram Hekhuis, Outpatient Therapist at Heart of the City Counseling Center
Many people either do not recognize or are in denial that they have mental illness, even though mental illnesses are very common and widely spread in our society. This can be due to fear and anxiety about being judged or stigmatized by others, not being prepared to cope with learning that they have a mental illness, or their loved one has a mental illness. Many people fail to recognize that mental illness does not define who you are! You have a diagnosis of mental illness, but you are not your mental illness.
You are not schizophrenic, autistic, or depressed. You have diagnosis of schizophrenia, autism, or depression. Having a mental illness does not mean you are robbed of the opportunities to have a quality life such as having a job, being in a relationship, building a family, having safe housing, having access to health care and/or being affiliated with a certain group. It is important to recognize that even though you have a mental illness and some challenges associated with your mental illness symptoms, you still have many strengths and abilities that help you move forward in life to achieve your goals and dreams. There is nothing to be ashamed of for having a mental illness. Having a mental illness is like having a medical problem. It is your body’s way of telling you something is off, and it is time to do something about it by seeking help.
Mental illness is treatable! Most people with mental illness continue to function in their daily lives and are able to live a fulfilling life. If you feel you are unable to manage your mental illness, experiencing significant symptoms that cause significant distress or impairment in social, work, or other important areas of functioning, then seek professional support. There is nothing to be ashamed of for seeking support. When you get the flu and a high fever for a couple of days, you will seek medical attention, so when you are feeling mentally exhausted and sick, then make sure to seek mental health attention.
When we think of an inventor, we don’t normally think of a Hollywood bombshell who was mostly self-taught.
But Hedy Lamarr, known for her role as Delilah in the Cecil B. Demille’s “Samson and Delilah,” the highest-grossing film of 1949, was both the bombshell and the inventor. With composer and pianist George Antheil, she developed a device that allowed for frequency-hopping to keep the signals of torpedoes from being tracked or jammed. This system would become the basis of cell phone and bluetooth technology.
Lamarr’s life is the subject of the 2017 documentary “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story.” The film’s writer and director Alexandra Dean sits down with Kamla Bhatt from “The Kamla Show” to talk about the film and Lamarr’s life. This edition of “The Kamla Show,” which is being aired by WKTV in honor of Women’s History Month, will air on WKTV 25 at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20; 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 21; and 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 23.
“I made this film because when we close our eyes and think of an inventor we don’t think of a woman,” Dean said. “We don’t typically think of anything but a very certain type of man. We even might think of his pocket protector and the look on his face. We have a very specific idea of the people who shape our world and made it the way it is today.”
Lamarr, who was the inspiration for Snow White and Cat Woman, emigrated from her home in Austria to escape a bad marriage. Before coming to America, she was already known for the scandalous European film “Ecstasy.” She became a Hollywood icon starring with such legends as James Stewart and Cary Grant.
But being pegged as a seductress and with limited speaking parts, Lamarr was bored and turned to inventing. Her first husband had been an arms dealer and so she was familiar with weapons like torpedoes. An ad for the Inventors Council encouraged her to think about how she could help her adopted home of the United States and she eventually paired up with Antheil. In her later years, Lamarr became a recluse, impoverished and almost forgotten.
Dean said she was looking for a person who broke the mold of the traditional “inventor” and found Richard Rhodes book “Hedy’s Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Women in the World.” The book lead to Dean finally finding not only an inspiration to her movie but to life as well.
“Someone said to me that ‘Hedy Lamarr wasn’t only thinking outside of the box, she didn’t even know the box existed,’” Dean said. “That is how Hedy Lamarr inspires me. Why do we care that there is even a box. Why not just live outside the box. That is the message she gave me.”
The “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” has won awards at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Nantucket Film Festival, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, and Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival. For more on the film, visit click here.
Sandra Uwiringiyimana, author of How Dare the Sun Rise, will be visiting the Wyoming Branch of Kent District Library at 6:30 pm on Monday, March 26. Uwiringiyimana will tell the story of her survival, of finding her place in a new country, of her hope for the future and how she found a way to give voice to her people. A book sale and signing will follow.
“After reading Sandra’s heart-wrenching tale of survival, loss, family, love and ultimately hope, we are reminded of all the beautiful things that make our lives full – family, friends, freedom, safety, home, and the peace of mind this country brings,” said Abby D’Addario, youth librarian at the Wyoming Branch. “Refugees are our neighbors, and an intrinsic part of our lives. And refugees are people with real stories that need to be heard.”
Uwiringiyimana was just ten years old when she found herself with a gun pointed at her head. She had watched as rebels gunned down her mother and six-year-old sister in a refugee camp. Remarkably, the rebel didn’t pull the trigger and Sandra escaped. Thus began a new life for her and her surviving family members. With no home and no money, they struggled to stay alive. Eventually, through a United Nations refugee program, they moved to America, only to face yet another ethnic disconnect. Uwiringiyimana may have crossed an ocean, but there was now a much wider divide she had to overcome.
How Dare the Sun Rise, a profoundly moving memoir, is the remarkable and inspiring true story of a girl from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who tells the tale of how she survived a massacre, immigrated to America and overcame her trauma through art and activism.
This author visit is a part of the Grandville-Wyoming Community Reads 2018 program, which focuses on the challenges for refugees around the world who are seeking safety and a better life. A schedule of upcoming activities, which are open to the public and free, can be found athttp://kdl.org/communityreads/.
Community Reads sponsors include Grandville Education Foundation, Friends of the Grandville Library, Grandville Public Schools, Tegna Foundation, Wyoming Community Foundation, Wyoming Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools and Mars Hill Bible Church.
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 55 crewmembers Drew Feustel of NASA (left), Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos (center) and Ricky Arnold of NASA (right) pose for pictures Feb. 21 during their final day of crew qualification exams. They will launch March 21 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-08 spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Andrey Shelepin and Irina Spektor
Wednesday, March 21, NASA TV will be featuring the launch of the ISS Expedition 55-56 crew to the International Space Station, which area residents will be able to watch on WKTV Government 26.
NASA astronauts A.J. (Drew) Feustel and Ricky Arnold and cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev of the Russian space agency Roscosmos will launch on the Soyuz MS-08 spacecraft to the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch is scheduled for 1:44 p.m.
On Friday, March 23, tune back in to WKTV Government 26 for the docking of the ISS Expedition 55-56 Crew to the International Space Station. Coverage begins at approximately 3 p.m., with the actual docking scheduled for 3:41 p.m.
Next will be the hatch opening with a Welcoming Ceremony for the ISS Expedition 55-56 crew., Arnold, Feustel, and Artemyev will join Norishige Kanai from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Commander Anton Shkaplerov, from the Russian space program, and NASA Astronaut Scott Tingle all of whom are already on the International Space Station. Coverage of this event will begin at 4:45 p.m., with the hatch opening scheduled at approximately 5:20pm.
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov.
NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and on AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.
Peters Consumer Protection Provisions Pass the Senate
On March 16, the Senate passed two consumer protection provisions introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters that will help private student loan borrowers rehabilitate their credit and protect children from identity theft. The provisions were approved as part of a broader banking bill.
“Student debt is one of the biggest hurdles to financial success for young people,” said Senator Peters. “My commonsense provision will help student loan borrowers in default fix their mistakes and get back on track, while increasing the likelihood of repayment for lenders.”
Under current law, federal loans may be rehabilitated one time, and borrowers can repair their credit by removing a default. However, private lenders currently do not have the ability to remove negative credit information on borrowers who participate in loan rehabilitation programs. Peters’ provision, based on the bipartisan Federal Adjustment in Reporting (FAIR) Student Credit Act, he introduced with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) would allow private student loan borrowers who have successfully completed a series of on-time payments to remove a default from their credit report. More here.
Peters Floor Remarks on Supporting Small Farmers
Peters’ Bipartisan Bill Would Strengthen Loan Program for Small Farmers
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), spoke on the Senate floor March 15 on the need to preserve access to capital for small and disadvantaged farmers to start and grow their operations. This week, Peters introduced the Farm Service Agency Loan Flexibility Act, which will provide greater flexibility for the FSA loan program to provide loan and loan guarantees to farmers during periods of high demand. More here.
Committee Approves Peters Bills to Support Small Businesses
Bipartisan Bills Improve Awareness of Employee Stock Ownership Plans and Help Small Businesses Access Patent Protections
On March 15, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee approved two bipartisan bills introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) that support small businesses. Peters’ bills will increase awareness of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and help small businesses protect their intellectual property through patents. Peters introduced both bills with U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID). More here.
Peters Statement on Bipartisan Bill to Boost Consumer Protections and Support Economic Growth
On March 14, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) issued the following statement on Senate passage of the bipartisan Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act:
“Commonsense financial regulation is essential to supporting Michigan families, growing our economy, and creating jobs. I am proud to have served on the House Financial Services Committee and the conference committee that wrote and finalized Dodd-Frank. This important law cracked down on risky trading and created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect American families. I am committed to defending these critical consumer protections and ensuring our financial regulators have the necessary tools to keep our economy stable and growing…” More here.
Peters, Colleagues Tell FCC That Mobility Fund Map Has ‘Gaps’
On March 12, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), joineda bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai expressing serious concerns about the agency’s recently released Mobility Fund Phase II (MF II) map. The purpose of this fund is to allocate $4.53 billion over the next 10 years to preserve and expand mobile coverage to rural areas. More here.
Huizenga: Pregnancy Resource Centers Should Be Treasured, Not Targeted By Government
On March 14, Congressman Bill Huizenga spoke in support of pregnancy resource centers, the important role they play in communities across West Michigan, and the freedom of conscience. More here.
The Senate Financial Reform Legislation Should Be The Floor, Not The Ceiling
On March 14, Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment Subcommittee ChairmanBill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to reform Dodd-Frank and provide much needed relief to community and regional financial institutions.
“For years we have seen the one-size fits all regulatory structure of Dodd-Frank slow economic growth and reduce the ability of community financial institutions to lend to hardworking families and small business job creators across the nation. The bipartisan Senate legislation to reform Dodd-Frank is a good start; however it should be viewed as the floor, not the ceiling. Currently, there are dozens of noncontroversial, bipartisan bills that have passed the House dealing with additional issues that negatively impact consumers. I look forward to taking this opportunity to work with my colleagues to strengthen the Senate reform package and include some of the bipartisan measures passed by the House to make the final legislation even more effective.”
Staff from The Candied Yam serve up some of the restaurant’s specialties.
By Lindsay Papciak
Community Writer
The 17th Annual Taste of Kentwood took place this past Thursday, March 15, at the newly-renovated Kentwood Activities Center. The event featured 15 local favorites and each provided tastes of popular items on their menu. Guests had the chance to experience the diversity of Kentwood by attending one of two sessions during the evening.
Guests were welcomed into the Kentwood Activities Center with the smells of American and international cuisines. “[The Taste of Kentwood is] where neighbors and friends comes together and get to taste what’s great about Kentwood,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said.
Residents enjoying the Taste of Kentwood at the newly renovated Kentwood Activities Center.
“This event provides opportunity for local businesses to showcase their cuisine and advertise to new customers,” Kentwood Parks and Recreation Marketing and Events Coordinator Laura Barbrick said. “It’s a great way to sample restaurants that you’ve wanted to try or may not normally get to.”
Local favorite The Candied Yam featured the restaurant’s fried chicken and sweet potato muffins. Co-Owner Jessica Ann Tyson loved being able to share her heritage and favorite recipes with old and new faces. “This is where the community thrives,” Tyson said. “People are working and living and playing and this is the other side of it. We are working and they are playing. So taking the opportunity to mix us all together is really nice.”
Tallarico’s Boardwalk Subs featured its Italian sub as well as its ham and turkey with original ‘herb de provance’ which is an herb mayo on their house-made white or wheat bread. Owner Chris Tallarico now runs five locations, so the Taste of Kentwood is a place for him to reconnect with Boardwalk Subs regulars as well as share why they were voted “#1 Best Subs in Grand Rapids” in 2017. “The food part is easy,” Tallarico said. “One thing that sets us apart is the experience we give. We treat people at Boardwalk the way you would be treated at a full service restaurant.”
One local resident enjoys his food at this year’s Taste of Kentwood event.
Tallarico has held down a booth at this event since he opened his first Boardwalk Subs in Kentwood in 2003. “We keep doing Taste of Kentwood because of the people,” Tallarico said. “Everyone is smiling and having a good time.”
“This event continues to grow in popularity every year,” Barbrick said. “We estimate that over 500 people came through our doors throughout the evening. Eventually, we may need to relocate to a larger space, but it’s a good problem to have.”
For executive chef Joseff VanHorn, he believes “when God gives you a talent, you should embrace it.” Recently, VanHorn opened a permanent home for YoChef’s Catering based out of Kentwood.
“[Becoming a chef] is not what I wanted to do. I wanted to be an attorney or a doctor, but it wasn’t my calling,” VanHorn said. “When I accepted it, doors opened and I’m like ‘okay God, I get it.'”
VanHorn involvement with fine dining began when he was 16. He learned the ropes for the front of the house, but his passion was behind the scenes, even if it meant shucking oysters and cleaning mussels.
Chef Joseff VanHorn with Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley (left) and State Rep. Steven Johnson at the YoChef’s Catering ribbon cutting event. Photos by Tom De Vette.
With 20 years of experience as a general manager and 15 years as an executive chef, VanHorn thought “I could do this myself.” YoChef’s Catering was established in October 2009. “I didn’t have a pot to cook in but I had a lot of good friends in the ACF (American Culinary Federation),” VanHorn said. ” In February of last year, we had to find our own place, and that was a challenge.”
After more than eight years of borrowing time in four different kitchens, VanHorn and his team officially cut the ribbon for YoChef’s permanent home in February 2018. “I tried to escape [food] a couple of times and sold life insurance. I was young and almost starved to death,” VanHorn said. “I went back to food because you always know where your lunch is at.”
VanHorn considers his influence to come from old school chefs as well as his time in the Marine Corps from 1986-1990. “I was just a sponge when I was young and I learned from all the chefs just by watching and doing and mentoring,” VanHorn said. “I give them both props for what we do now and our standards of service and how we do our events.”
VanHorn also has had the opportunity to grow with the film industry in Grand Rapids by providing craft services for more than 14 productions. “[Catering for] the movies was a launching point for us,” VanHorn said.
Out of all the celebrity encounters he has experienced, the most notable was Bruce Willis.
Chef Joseff VanHorn with staff and Bob O’Callaghan from the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. (Photos by Tom De Vette)
“I thought he was going to complain,” VanHorn said.
“He said ‘did you cook my salmon?’
And I said ‘yes Mr. Willis’
‘That was the best Salmon I ever had’
I’m like ‘oh cool.’ and I said ‘thanks Mr. Willis’ and he said ‘call me Bruce’ and I said ‘okay Mr. Willis’ That was the only time I was really star struck.”
VanHorn makes each client feel like a star by running his business as a ‘boutique caterer’. “We only want at the most to do two weddings at a time. I want to put the personal touch in everything we do,” VanHorn said. “Our secret ingredient is love. We love what we do and it shows in our customer service and in the quality of our food. I have a freezer that’s unplugged. I don’t do frozen.”
After establishing YoChef’s catering, VanHorn knows that he does not want to stop there. “I’m not the kind of person that will plateau,” VanHorn said. “We know catering works for us, and next we want to try a cafe. We have a great concept and a great menu. I’m just waiting. And when it happens it’ll happen. We never say no to opportunity.”
If you would like to learn more about YoChef’s Catering, visit their website at yochefscatering.com, or contact Joseff VanHorn directly at 616-558-1077.
All photos are by Tom De Vette, community contributor.
PF Michigan Group, LLC (“PFMG”), one of the nation’s largest franchisees of Planet Fitness health clubs, will celebrate the opening of its newest Grand Rapids-area location in Wyoming at 958 28th Street SW on March 20 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The grand opening event, which is being held with the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, is a free event and open to the public. It will kick off at 11 a.m. and include a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Immediately following, food and light refreshments will be served. The first 100 guests will receive a giveaway, and each guest will be entered for a chance to win a complimentary one-year PF Black® card membership and brand-new, 49” television.
Guests will have an opportunity to tour the new facility and network with other area businesses and residents. In addition, several local lawmakers, including Wyoming Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Bolt, will be present.
“We are very excited to be part of the community in Wyoming, giving residents access to our state-of-the-art facilities,” said Bryan Rief, one of the Northville, MI
-based franchise owners responsible for bringing Planet Fitness to Wyoming. In addition to Wyoming, Bryan and Laura Rief own and operate 38 other Planet Fitness locations throughout Southeastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Grand Rapids and Toledo.
Planet Fitness has plans to open an additional 12 to 15 Planet Fitness clubs in Michigan in the next 2-3 years, said Rief.
Tune in tonight at 8:30 p.m. for the West Michigan premiere of the latest video from the Tommy Marz Band, Tumble In The Rough.
This classic, originally done by the Stone Temple Pilots, gets an alternative take with the Tommy Marz Band’s familiar edge and is featured on their new album Seventy Trips Around The Sun.
After the video, Tommy sits down with us to talk about the new album and the group’s energetic live shows.
Hailing from Detroit, the Tommy Marz Band has shared the stage with many outstanding rock bands, including Grand Rapid’s favorite sons, The Verve Pipe.
Paragon D&E is a full-service tooling and machining company located in Grand Rapids, Mich. They design and manufacture tools and machines needed to make products in a variety of industries such as aerospace, oil & gas, automotive and many more.
Paragon D&E is currently seeking candidates for multiple openings. If you’re looking for a job, Britteny Willis, Human Resource Representative at Paragon, has shared some inside information about joining their team.
When you meet a job seeker at a hiring event, what questions do you want them to ask you?
Here are some of the questions that we look for job seekers to ask us:
What do you do at Paragon D&E?
What’s the coolest thing about Paragon?
What kind of benefits can I receive from working here?
Why is Paragon different?
Our family owned, privately held company has been around for over 75 years. Our employees are genuinely nice, care for each other, and are extremely dedicated to their work. They know how much we appreciate them and are constantly referring others to Paragon so they can join in the fun here. We serve many industries, allowing our employees to change careers without ever leaving the building!
What opportunities are currently available at Paragon?
Apprentices – Machinists & Mold Makers
Class-A Truck Driver
CNC Machinist (Nights)
Controller
Lead Mold Maker
Material Handler
Mold Maker
Supply Chain Clerk
Fill in the blank. When I’m not at work, you can find me _______.
Hunting, fishing, snowboarding, fixing my car, anything outside
Recently I was taking a walk-through Hope College’s campus. As I walked, I came across a mentor from the Ready for Life program. We talked about how she had been listening to the Hope College radio station and heard one of the Ready For Life students broadcasting his weekly radio show. She asked me about a graduate from last year, and I had the pleasure of sharing how she was employed and living with some other graduates of Ready For Life. We parted ways, and I kept walking. I soon encountered one of the Ready for Life students hurrying to get to her dance class. I walked on and came across a Hope College professor who shared he was eager for basketball season to get started and how thankful he was to have one of the Ready for Life guys help out with the team. I ended my walk at the Ready For Life classroom where ten Ready for Life students and five mentors were playing board games on a Friday afternoon. In my ten-minute walk across campus, I was able to see the effect the Ready or Life program has!
Ready For Life Academy provides an inclusive college experience for adults with intellectual disabilities at both Hope and Calvin College. The program was established to provide an inclusive transition option for students ages 18-26. This Spring we have 12 students at Hope College and 5 students at Calvin College. The students audit 2 college classes each semester. They also take life-skill/transition classes taught by a certified special education teacher. They volunteer on campus or out in the community starting their sophomore year in the 4-year program. On top of the educational experience, the students are also gaining social skills through relationships with mentors on campus. Each semester between the 2 campus’ we have 30-40 college students who mentor the Ready For Life students. The students engage in many different clubs and activities on the campus where they are having an opportunity to receive the college experience.
At Ready For Life we desire to give students a place where they belong. We want them to know they make a difference and that when they are absent, we miss them. Once the students feel connected to the college community, they can believe in themselves and learn how to become independent adults. Throughout their four years in the program they gain the skills necessary to achieve the two goals of the program: independent living and paid employment.
As a mother of two young boys with Down Syndrome and the Executive Director of Ready For Life, I desire for them to have an enriched life with every opportunity available to them. I must admit when we adopted our oldest son with Down Syndrome we didn’t think about him attending college. I am not sure if we thought much past kindergarten when he was twenty-one months. But now as he, nine years old, and his brother, six years old, are attending school with their peers and experiencing inclusion, I envision them experiencing college life following High School. The requirements needed to get into the Ready For Life program are now the long-term goals we share at their IEP meetings. Our boys see themselves on a college track; Nico is determined to go to Calvin, and Gus is determined to go to Hope — apparently, we will be a house divided.
If you are interested in learning more about your child’s future as a college student, check out the Ready For Life program at rflnetwork.org, or sign-up to come to our “Visit Day” at Calvin College on Friday, March 9, 2018, at rflnetwork.org/events.
With Spring Break around the corner and — believe it or not — summer not that far away, West Michigan Tourist Association Marketing Manager Courtney Sheffer offered some tips on a few places to visit.
A sunset view on the S.S. Badger
Ludington
This month, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum has opened. Sheffer noted this is one of the newer attractions in Ludington with the museum featuring an extensive history on maritime activities. Along with the many authentic artifacts, there is a virtual reality experience where visitors can experience piloting the car ferry Pere Marquette 22 into Ludington’s harbor. The experience gives people a chance to learn the unique light signals of Lake Michigan’s many lighthouses as well, Sheffer said.
Then you can go from virtual reality to actually riding the last coal-fired steamship in the United States. The S.S. Badger makes its maiden voyage for 2018 on May 11 and runs through the last day of the season in October.
The S.S. Badger offers nostalgic, four-hour cruises across Lake Michigan to and from Manitowoc, Wisconsin twice daily in the summer season. Sheffer said visitors can also enjoy themed two-hour shoreline cruises in the summer such as the Fourth of July Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean Shoreline Cruise on July 25. For more on the S.S. Badger and its schedule, visit www.ssbadger.com.
Michigan’s Adventure
Muskegon
“It’s so close to the Grand Rapids area that it is a great day trip destination,” Sheffer said, adding that along with all of its out door activities, one of the biggest Muskegon attractions is Michigan’s Adventures, Michigan’s only adventure park.
Michigan’s Adventure, which opens in May, offers a number of rides from the Thunderhawk and Shivering Timbers roller coasters to the family fun of Lakeside Gliders and the Swan Boats. The 250-acre complex also has a waterpark, Wildwater Adventure, with wave pools and splash pads, with admission covering both parks. For more information, visit www.miadventure.com.
There is also the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, which is located inside the Muskegon State Park. There is cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding or sledding on five miles of groomed track. Also, the complex is home to one of four luge tracks in the nation, giving visitors the chance to feel what it is like to luge like an Olympian, Sheffer said.
The Heritage Landing Park at Hilt
Head just a little north of Muskegon to White Lake, where the Michigan Heritage Park at Hilt’s Landing, operated by the Lakeshore Museum, will be opening in May.
“There is this path that you go through the park and walk on, and travel through Michigan history,” Sheffer said. “They say they have 10,000 years of Michigan history.”
There are many “make and take” vintage craft opportunities such as candle dipping and an opportunity to unearth a mastodon at a dig site, she noted. For more on the Lakeshore Museum Center go to lakeshoremuseum.org.
The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum
South Haven
Everyone likes to head south this time of year and just south of the Grand Rapids area is South Haven.
“There are a lot of indoor history museums in the South Haven area and lot of these are free to visit as well,” Sheffer said. “So it is a good time of year to head south and do some of that.”
A few places to visit include the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, which is the birthplace and childhood home of America’s “Father of Modern Horticulture,” Liberty Hyde Bailey Jr. The museum is a National historic Site and includes a garden, park and educational outreach center.
The gardens at the W.K. Kellogg Manor House
The Historical Association of South Haven has its home in the old Hartman School Building in South Haven and features a number of exhibits. And then there is the W.K. Kellogg Manor House in Hickory Corners, which was built in the 1920s by cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. The home overlooks Gull Lake and there are free self-guided tours, but Sheffer said you do need to call ahead to reserve a spot.
For more ideas, check out the 2018 West Michigan Carefreee Travel Guide which is available at the WKTV station, 5261 Clyde Park Ave. SW or visit wmta.org.
“So there is a lot of information here, whether you want to stay close to home or maybe take a trip up north for the weekend or down south to like the South Haven area,” Sheffer said about the guide.
Calvin College is honored with 2017 Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. Calvin is one of four Michigan institutions to receive the distinction. (University of Michigan, Washtenaw Community College, and Western Michigan University were also included.)
“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.”
Tree Campus USA, an Arbor Day Foundation program, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Calvin College achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and student service-learning project. Currently there are 344 campuses across the United States with this recognition. This is Calvin’s sixth consecutive year being named a Tree Campus USA.
“Calvin’s Tree Campus USA designation shows the importance we place on not only the care and management of our existing trees, but also on campus involvement in planting new ones,” said Bob Speelman, Calvin’s landscape operations supervisor and a certified arborist. “Campus trees play a key role in making this an attractive, sustainable and enjoyable place to live, work and visit. I am pleased that our role as stewards of the campus urban forest has been recognized once again.”
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. The organization has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $48 million in campus forest management last year.
In May 2017, a report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project revealed that approximately 67 percent of seniors over age 65 use the internet and that number continues to grow.
“We have residents that are very involved in emailing their family and friends or even using Skype to connect with family members who are unable to visit,” said Nancy Venema, Life Enrichment Coordinator at Holland Home’s Fulton Manor. “We have a 97-year-old resident with severe vision and hearing impairments who has taken our computer classes, so she could learn how to email her family who live outside of Michigan.”
What are the tools available today and how should seniors use them?
Email
Email is a wonderful way to stay in close contact with family and friends. It’s easy to set up a free email account at gmail.com, yahoo.com or various other sites. You can email messages, as well as photographs, documents and videos. And it’s virtually instantaneous, so there’s no waiting for the mailman to come.
Facebook
While Facebook use is declining among young people, 45 percent of seniors in the 65 and older age group are using the social networking service. Facebook is another great way to stay connected with family and friends. The newsfeed, which appears on every user’s homepage, highlights information including personal profiles, upcoming events, and birthdays of the user’s friends. It’s easy to share pictures, and to provide updates to several people at once. Facebook has a variety of privacy settings allowing you to choose how public you want your information to be. Registering is free and requires a valid email address. By accepting or not accepting friend requests, you can control who sees what you are sharing.
Twitter
Twitter is another online social networking site where you can send and receive “tweets” or updates limited to 140 characters. Users may subscribe to other users’ tweets – this is known as following and subscribers are known as followers. Unlike with Facebook, you cannot control who “follows” you on Twitter.
Messages can be categorized by using the # symbol, known as a hashtag or keyword. It is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. For instance, “Check my Facebook page for a great #recipe for #apple #pie.” Anyone interested in recipes, apples or pies can search for those hashtags and follow the conversation.
Registering for Twitter is also free.
Skype
Communicating with someone via telephone and being able to see each other used to be the stuff of futuristic cartoons, but it is now a reality with Skype. The service allows users to communicate by voice using a microphone and by video by using a webcam, the camera that feeds an image to a computer. While Skype is not a form of social media, it is a wonderful way to stay in touch with family. Imagine being able to see, as well as talk, to your grandchildren or other distant family members who may be hundreds of miles away.
Pinterest
Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board where you can collect photos and links to things you want to save like recipes, DIY projects or travel destinations. By downloading the Pinterest “Pin It” button, you can click on a picture on the internet and save it to your bulletin board. When you click on the picture again, it automatically links back to the original site. You can have multiple bulletin boards, and pins can be collected according to themes.
“Technology is now a way of life,” said Michael Loughman, Director of Sales for Holland Home. “We have made computer classes available on all our campuses, and have volunteers who are willing to work one-on-one with our residents.”
Even if you decide not to try any of these social media tools, you will be able to surprise your children and grandchildren when you understand what they are talking about when they say they’ve been tweeting or Skyping or pinning or friending on Facebook!
The Kent County Board of Commissioners voted at its March 8 meeting to approve the sale of four properties on Monroe Avenue NW, just north of I-196, and to purchase a property on Ottawa Avenue NW, as part of a three-way public partnership that will clear the way for development of a downtown, riverfront park by the City of Grand Rapids and for expansion of the innovation park by Michigan State University.
Three riverfront lots at 511, 519 and 525 Monroe Avenue NW (totaling 1.285 acres) are being purchased by the City of Grand Rapids for $3.3 million, with funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund. In 2016, the Trust Fund awarded the City a grant for 75 percent of the price of acquiring almost four acres of riverfront property which include the County parcels; the remaining 25 percent is being paid by the City. Also included in the project is 2.4 acres owned by MSU and the City.
The County is also selling property across from the riverfront properties, 520 Monroe Avenue NW for $1.65 million. The property is currently used as a parking lot by the County, and is adjacent to other MSU-owned property. The County will purchase City-owned property at 601 and 617 Ottawa Ave NW for $1.33 million. The County plans to develop these parcels for employee parking to replace the 520 Monroe parking lot, and intends to have the site available for public parking after hours and on weekends. The Board vote was 16-to-0 (three Commissioners were absent today).
“This is more than a property sale; it is an investment in the future of Kent County,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Board of Commissioners. “This Board feels the uses proposed here are beneficial to the entire community, and this series of transactions support the future vision of all three public entities. This is yet another example of the West Michigan collaboration that keeps our region thriving.”
The City of Grand Rapids Planning Commission is set to take up the issue next week.
Filmmaking at Lee Middle/High School involves working together, operating technology from sound to lighting to editing, showing off acting chops –– and ferreting out some ghosts.
The rewards of a summer filmmaking experience are (not grimly) being reaped by Lee students who spent a week last June creating a 10-minute short film, as part of the school’s first summer Movie Making Extravaganza class offered by Kelly McGee, district’s media specialist and theater director.
Lee Middle/High School students pose during a scene of “Ghost Ferreters,” a film they created that won awards at the Kent County Teen Film Festival
Eight students created the film using the school’s audio-visual equipment and a previously written script, dusted off and adapted for Lee students by junior Luke McGee, son of Kelly McGee.
Luke said he was inspired by the iconic cartoon “Scooby-Doo” and the paranormal reality TV show “Ghost Hunters” to write the campy, ghostly caper. Lee Middle/High School, a historic building complete with classic architecture and a “tech graveyard where old computers go,” was the perfect set for ghost hunters to encounter more than they anticipated, Luke said.
“It was really interesting to learn how to pace a film over the course of a week,” Luke said. “I learned so much more about filmmaking than I ever had before, because I always made casual films and stuff for fun. This was much more of an intensive project, and it was a lot of fun to be able to learn how to use equipment and be able to learn how to make professional-type films.”
From left, junior Luke McGee; Kelly McGee, the district’s media specialist and theater director; junior Eddie Carter-Cook; and junior Janyia Corp hold their awards
Inspiring Experience
While the filmmaking was student-led, the cast and crew received guidance from local filmmaker Lauren Bailey.
The cast included Luke, sophomore Olivia Clark, junior Eddie Carter-Cook, senior Jacky Garcia, junior Jania Corp and Kelly McGee, who won the award for Best Adult Cast Member at the Kent County festival. Senior Jackie Lopez was the cinematographer.
“I learned what it was like to work behind the scenes, to work with a team and to be able to act and see how (the film) is going to end up,” Olivia said. “It was a lot of fun. I feel like I made a lot of new friends and I learned things I never thought I could learn.”
“It was very inspiring being able to work with the cast,” added Eddie. “Seeing some of the work that they’ve done inspired me to do more. It was really exciting. I’m hoping to be in more plays and do more in filming.”
Kelly McGee created the course with the mission of having students create a “movie the way it’s supposed to be made” in one week’s time, complete with script, sound checks, angles and lighting. He also wanted to expose them to an exciting career field.
“I wanted to create an experience that was closer to what they might see if they went into that field, and to give them an understanding of how much time, work and preparation is required to do something really well.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
A new episode of EP Adventures will be premiering Saturday, March 17 at 7 p.m. on WKTV Channel 25.
Here in Michigan, winters can be long and rough, according to Michael Endres, from EP Adventures. Come Spring, the EP Adventures staff is ready to ditch cabin fever and hit the woods for Spring gobblers, he said. In “Feathers a Flyin’!,” not only will you see hours of exciting adventures but you will also learn some great wild turkey recipes and how to properly make your own tail mounts. Ditch Cabin Fever and pull the trigger on this edition from EP Adventures!
Each week, WKTV features an adoptable furry friend (or few) from various shelters in the Grand Rapids area. This week, we focus on Humane Society of West Michigan, located at 3077 Wilson Dr. NW in Grand Rapids.
Humane Society of West Michigan’s mission is to rescue hurt, abused and abandoned animals and find them new, forever homes. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization helps over 8,000 animals annually and is 100% donor-funded by caring individuals and businesses in the community. Additional programs help reduce pet overpopulation, provide assistance to low-income pet owners, behaviorally assess animals and reunite lost pets with their owners.
Becca — Pit Bull Terrier/Mix
Meet Becca! She is a 4 year old Pit Bull Terrier mix. Becca is such a goofy girl who loves to to run around and show off her favorite toys. She would love a household willing to provide her regular exercise or has a fenced in backyard. Becca would make a great running partner! She knows several commands and is eager to learn. Becca has previously lived with a cat successfully. Her energy level should be considered around small children. Becca would do best with male dogs, however should meet any before going home with one. If you’re interested in her, please visit Humane Society of West Michigan.
More about Becca:
Animal ID: 37594097
Breed: Terrier, American Pit Bull/ Mix
Age: 4 years
Gender: Female
Size: Medium
Color: Black/White
Spayed
Here’s Ike!
Ike — Domestic Short Hair/Mix
Meet Ike! He is a 4-year-old domestic short hair kitty. Ike loves to pose for pictures, receive pets, and give nose kisses. He has lived with cats previously and seems to do well as long there are multiple litter boxes in the home. Ike would love a owner that allows him time and gives him patience to acclimate to his new surroundings. Ike would be a great addition to many homes! If you’re interested in him, please visit Humane Society of West Michigan.
More about Ike:
Animal ID: 37352065
Breed: Domestic Short Hair/Mix
Age: 4 years
Gender: Male
Size: Small
Color: Brown/Black
Neutered
Not declawed
The Humane Society of West Michigan automatically microchips all adoptable animals using 24PetWatch microchips, which include FREE registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet is also provided with 30 days of FREE ShelterCare Pet Health Insurance with a valid email address. For more information visit www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-7387 (PETS).
Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tues-Fri 12-7, Sat & Sun 11-4.
Never ones to shy away from a challenge, Wyoming High School student actors are bringing to the stage the quirky characters obsessed with spelling their way to perfection in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a show that combines raucous humor and music with underlying themes that hit home for youth.
Cast members who are presenting the PG-13-rated Tony Award-winning musical comedy recently sat down to talk about how humor and satire can be used to start dialogue.
Taking on their roles has allowed them to go deep into character development, while recognizing strong themes of isolation, anxiety and abandonment.
“It generally highlights a lot of the problems kids actually face today while growing up,” said senior Nick Byrd, who plays “touchy, on-edge” William Barfee. Those include pressure to over-achieve; a hard time making friends; and even for adults, problems moving on from their past.
Added senior Caitlyn Bulthuis, who plays spelling bee host Rona Perriti, “The humor the show brings to the audience is a way to start a conversation that needs to be talked about, especially around abandonment and always feeling like you have to achieve.”
Juan-Pablo Angel Marcos plays last year’s spelling bee champion
Caitlyn said many teens are overwhelmed by their hyper-scheduled lives, like some characters in the play.
“It’s a lot of pressure for kids and I think the kids in the play, even though they are excited to be in the spelling bee, they feel a lot of pressure to do well,” she said. “It’s a good way to start a conversation for students and adults.”
Another theme is winning at all costs, said Juan-Pablo Angel Marcos, who plays “boy scout” Chip Tolentino. There is so much emphasis on winning, he said, that characters dismiss other things that should be more important.
Senior Mellisa Hadzikic agreed.
“They are so focused on this one topic that it kind of consumes them,” said Mellisa, who plays the “shy” Olive Ostrovsky. “Their parents have these high expectations and want them to succeed, but the kids are under so much stress from other things that are happening, it makes them want to explode.”
Mellisa Hadzikic performs during rehearsal on stage
Many ‘Firsts’ for Theater Company
Jeremy Schnotala, 24-year Wyoming theater director whose repertoire includes high school performances of “Willy Wonka,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Cats,” and “Spamalot,” said the play includes a lot of firsts for the Wyoming Theater Company: It’s their biggest set yet, includes audience involvement that requires improv, and adds a “cheerleader” chorus that isn’t in the original production. Plus, serious issues span a wide spectrum of topics.
“What most excites me is how amazing my cast has connected with the story and with each of their roles,” Schnotala said. “I also love how the show juxtaposes humor and emotion. One minute you are laughing, and the next minute you’re crying. I’ve cried several times during rehearsal already. The show is honestly very touching and has some of the most tender moments, as well as the most raucously funny, of any show I’ve ever directed.”
Director Jeremy Schnotala has led Wyoming theater for 24 years, bringing big shows to the stage
Students said they love that Schnotala puts them up to big challenges.
“He respects us and understands we are people who are going to grow up and are growing up,” said senior Alexis Soto-Rodriguez, who plays the “desperate” Vice Principal Douglas Panch. “We are not just elementary school students who aren’t dealing with these grown-up topics. Not watering down or making it easier shows he has a lot of faith and respect in us.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
In Newcomer-USA conversations, one line frequently comes up: “We’re all immigrants, really.” While Feel Like You Belong is committed to telling immigrant stories, we acknowledge an important pre-immigration narrative that is too often missing. That is, the story of the indigenous peoples living on the continent for millennia before Europeans arrived.
We are proud to bring Native American author/activist Jacqueline Keeler to the table to share important stories absent from our U.S. history books. Part 1. Part 2.
In October, Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Tom Reeder tells the board of his district’s efforts to improve reading proficiency.
After 27 years of service to Wyoming Public Schools, Dr. Thomas Reeder announced his retirement which will take effect at the end of the school year.
Reeder began his career as a math specialist/coach in the District in 1991. He then served as Director of Academic Support for a short time before becoming Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in 2002. Reeder has been Superintendent of Wyoming Public Schools for the past seven years.
Reeder said that he hoped when he retired, that he would be jealous of where the District was heading. And he is. He said, “I have been extremely fortunate to work with a staff who not only shared in an endless list of joys and proud moments, but worked tirelessly to make a difference in the Wyoming community.”
Superintedent Thomas Reeder
The Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education accepted Dr. Reeder’s retirement letter at its March 12 board meeting. “It is an ideal time for me to end this chapter of my life knowing full well that Wyoming Public Schools is in very good hands,” Reeder noted following Monday night’s meeting. “Together we have made a difference. I am proud of all that has been accomplished, but always wishing it was even more or faster.”
“My goal was to leave much more than I took and leave the District better than when I came.” He hopes he did that every day for the 550 staff and over 4,300 students he has served. “With all of you, we are Better Together at Wyoming Public Schools.”
School Board President Craig Popma noted the Board will begin the search for Dr. Reeder’s replacement immediately with the intent of having the new Superintendent start on July 1, 2018.
“Dr. Reeder is one of the most dedicated leaders Wyoming Public Schools has ever had. He is a true visionary and a champion in helping grow our schools and community” Popma said. “His drive, dedication, and commitment is why Wyoming where it is today. Dr. Reeder was vital in bringing Wyoming together through some very difficult times. There is no one I would have ever wanted to work with during the consolidation of our high schools other than Dr. Reeder. He was able to take a very difficult situation and make it a positive outcome for our entire district.”
Prior to coming to Wyoming Public Schools, Reeder taught Math at Mason County Central High School in Scottville, Michigan for six years. He graduated high school here in Wyoming and then went on to earn his Bachelor’s from Aquinas, his Master’s in Education from Grand Valley State University and his Doctorate in Education from Eastern Michigan University.
Dr. Reeder serves on numerous community boards as an advocate for the City of Wyoming.
Dr. Reeder and his wife, Maggie, plan to remain close to the Wyoming community and enjoy time with their four children and eight grandchildren.
“It’s noisy, it’s loud,” said Steven Christensen of an AirBnB located near his home along Mayflower Drive in Wyoming. “You are trying to sit in the living room, trying to relax and people are coming and going, slamming doors all the time. It’s just loud. I had one time with a wedding … I have to go to work at five and they are out there at three o’clock in the morning hooting and hollering it up.”
Christensen and his neighbor Andrew Hanselman attended a Wyoming City Council work session earlier this year to encourage the city to host public hearings on short-term rentals such as AirBnBs, VRBO, and HomeAway, in an effort to create a city ordinance to regulate them.
At its March work session, the Wyoming City Council reviewed an ordinance that would prohibit all short term rentals for non-owner occupied homes. The proposed ordinance will be presented at Monday’s regular council meeting, which is at 7 p.m. at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
“So, if I owned a house, I could rent my room or a room in the house, the basement or something as a short-term rental and that would be completely acceptable,” said City Manager Curtis Holt as he explained the proposed ordinance. “If I own a house and I bought a house just for the idea of an AirBnB that would not be acceptable. If I own a house and let’s say I would be out-of-town for long periods of time and I wanted to hold that house, it would not be acceptable to do short-term rentals with it.”
Holt acknowledged that the ordinance would address the one property the city has received two complaints about. In general, the city has not received a lot of complaints about short-term rentals. He said in a recent search, city staff found about six properties listed as short-term rentals. The most the city has had at one time is around 12, Curtis said.
“Well, understand this short-term rental issue is far more prevalent in tourist destination type towns…,” Curtis said.
The tougher challenge would be enforcement, Curtis said. Mayor Jack Poll said he could see that as if he goes away for the weekend and his children came by to stay, it would be tough to determine if they were renting or just house guests.
Still several council members liked the simplicity of the proposed ordinance and it gave something for the city to refer to when a property owner is blatantly obvious in not following the rules.
The ordinance could have a short life. At the state level, both the House and the Senate have bills — HB5403 and SB329 respectively — in committee that would prohibit municipalities enacting zoning ordinance bans of short-term rentals. Rep. Steve Johnson said during a January Government Matters, cities would still be able to regulate short-term rentals through such means as noise, advertising, traffic or other conditions. The house bill remains in committee, Johnson said.
“There is a battle going with one side on the private property rights of an individual who owns a piece of property versus local control and what control a local municipality can have on it,” State Senator Peter MacGregor said of the proposed Senate bill. In the past couple of months, there has been little movement on either the Senate or House bill.
Holt said municipalities have several concerns about the state bills. It is the belief of many community leaders, including those in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, that to avoid inspection requirements, landlords would change their leases to 28 days or less.
“The majority of people who own residential properties do a great job,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley during the January Government Matters meeting, “but then you have have five percent who don’t and if they don’t have to do something they aren’t going to do something.”
To prevent a “one bad apple” scenario, Kepley said city officials are hoping to prevent that loophole so as to keep the neighborhoods nice. Currently the City of Kentwood does not have any regulations on short-term rentals.
AirBnB has opposed outright banning of short-term rentals but does support fair regulations. In an October 2017 Crain’s Detroit Business op-ed piece, a representative for AirBnB said “by taking the nuclear option off the table (the banning of short-term rentals), this law would encourage communities to collaborate with local hosts on commonsense rules…”
The most popular Michigan destinations for AirBnB travelers is Detroit followed by Ann Arbor and then Traverse City. Traverse City does regulate short-term rentals like bed and breakfasts. Traverse City’s ordinance requires owners must be present when renters are there, be licensed and cannot be within 1,000 feet of one another.
Last summer, AirBnB did strike a deal with the Michigan Treasury to collect use taxes. It is estimated that about $1.5 million would be generated through the tax. The move also will allow the state to track and collect the six percent use tax that applies to nightly rental charges on stays in Michigan hotels for periods of less than a month. However the six percent use tax, currently, does not come back to the municipalities.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, two members of the Kent County Lead Task Force, a group which studied the issue of rising levels of childhood lead poisoning in Kent County, talk about a report recently presented to the County Commission which included a list of recommendations to combat the problem.
And just in case you think lead poisoning is only a problem of heavily urban areas such as Flint, consider that in 2016 the county being statistically the third worst in the state.
In Focus host Ken Norris talks with Kent County Commissioner Emily Brieve and Adam London, the Health Officer for the Kent County Health Department. And, at one point, Brieve discussed the role of local city governments and individual rental property owners as part of the solution.
“Each municipality, each city has different rules, different regulations for rental properties, and rental inspections,” Brieve said. “So one of the things that was part of our recommendations was to gather that information, to see what a good practice would be, going on, and what we could recommend to those municipalities, how they should address lead in their communities. … I think it is a multi-facetted effort. There is an awareness on behalf of the renter and also the property owner. It is an awareness of how to take care of the property, how to fix it up. And also local government, keeping an eye, making sure the rules are followed.”
Also on the episode, The Rev. Dr. Weldon Frederick Wooden, just Fred to his friends and congregation at Fountain Street Church, who is one of currently two Democratic candidates attempting to unseat Republican U.S. Congressman Justin Amash in Michigan’s District 3.
The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
The episode will debut on WKTV cable channels on Tuesday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m., will again air on Thursday, March 15, also at 6:30 p.m., and will continue on the same days and times the week of March 19. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.
From standing in front of a banner declaring “We Can Make the World a Better Place By…,” making paper circles with ideas for completing the thought and posting the hashtag #justiceforparkland, juniors Aliyah Rivera, Seth Martin and sophomore Michelle Rivera collected donations and messages of support to send to students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The Wyoming High students said they wanted to reach out to Florida peers who experienced the Feb. 14 mass shooting at their school.
“It was teenagers who were affected the most, so if we teenagers speak up about it more people will be aware,” Aliyah said.
Seth said teenagers are impacted no matter where they live.
“Just because I’m not in Florida doesn’t mean I’m not affected by what happened in Florida,” he said.
Written ideas for making the world better included “spread kindness,” “help each other,” “be a leader,” and “gun control,” among many others.
They also set up a video camera at the recent Wyoming Fine Arts Festival for people to share messages of sympathy and encouragement. Students are emailing their support to the Stoneman Douglas principal and theater teacher.
Gun violence is a complicated issue that needs to be addressed, Aliyah said.
From left, Seth Martin, Aliyah Rivera and Michelle Rivera create a show of support for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
“There are so many different factors that fall into it. It’s not just one thing. People are so quick to point fingers at just one specific thing, and they aren’t looking at the bigger picture.”
The biggest thing she is an advocate for, she said, are better resources for mental health. “There are not enough people who understand it, who know what it looks like, who know how to help.”
Seth also has ideas for solutions.
“America as it is now can’t do much about controlling guns,” he said, “but they can do a lot about controlling the people who use guns. Doing stronger background checks, trying to keep safer gun control policies will really help.”
Michelle said it was important for them to speak up. “If teenagers don’t do something to help, nothing will change,” she said.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of high school sports. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
The high school boys and girls basketball season is in the state championship playoff stretch, but due to Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) rules the WKTV sports truck is done for the winter season.
However you can still get out and see some action as this year’s girls Semi-Finals and Finals will be held on the campus of Calvin College at Van Noord Arena and the boys Semi-Finals and Finals will once again be on Michigan State’s campus at The Breslin Center.
The early start to spring high school seasons is also on the horizon as the first pitches will soon be thrown in boys baseball and girls softball, along with girls soccer, boys lacrosse, boys and girls track, boys golf, girls tennis and soccer, and girls water polo.
While the spring broadcast schedule for the WKTV sports crew is still being completed it it expected to include boys baseball, girls softball, and girls water polo.
In general, all games will be broadcast the night of the event on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat later in the week. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99. All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The complete schedule of all local high school sports for the remainder of March is as follows. For any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/ .
Monday, March 12
Boys Basketball
TBD @ Grandville – Class A MHSAA Regionals
TBD @ West Catholic – Class B MHSAA Regionals
TBD @ Climax-Scotts – Class D MHSAA Regionals
Tuesday, March 13
No local contests scheduled
Wednesday, March 14
Boys Basketball
@ Grandville – Class A MHSAA Regionals
@ West Catholic – Class B MHSAA Regionals
@ Climax-Scotts – Class D MHSAA Regionals
Thursday, March 15
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class C MHSAA Semi-Finals
@ Calvin College – Class D MHSAA Semi-Finals
Friday, March 16
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class A MHSAA Semi-Finals
@ Calvin College – Class B MHSAA Semi-Finals
Saturday, March 17
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class D MHSAA State Finals 10:00 AM
@ Calvin College – Class A MHSAA State Finals 12:15 PM
@ Calvin College – Class C MHSAA State Finals 4:00 PM
@ Calvin College – Class B MHSAA State Finals 6:15 PM
Finny, the finback whale skeleton, greats visitors as they enter the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will open its doors free of charge on Sunday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission on this day to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits at no cost, and get hands on with agriculture-themed activities from Kent County Farm Bureau and artifacts from the GRPM Collections.
“Thanks to Kent County Farm Bureau, we are excited to offer the community the chance to explore the Museum free of charge again this year,” said Kate Moore, Vice President of Marketing & PR at the GRPM. The Kent County Farm Bureau is sponsoring the event. “The GRPM continues to be the West Michigan hub for hands-on science, history and cultural education, and continue to increase access to the Collections for all.”
“On behalf of more than 1,200 Kent County Farmers, Kent County Farm Bureau is excited to welcome our City family and friends to the Grand Rapids Public Museum to see agriculture in action,” said Kent County Farm Bureau Board President Jim May.
Another popular exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is the Streets of Old Grand Rapids.
The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats, that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.
The current traveling exhibit Water’s Extreme Journey will be included free of charge for visitors on the Museum’s Free Day. Visitors will become a water droplet as they enter an experiential maze to learn about water conservation.
Additional experiences for visitors include the special traveling exhibit Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids, planetarium shows and the Museum’s 1928 Spillman Carousel – that are available for an additional charge.
The free day will be held during the Museum’s normal hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 18. For more information on the event, visit grpm.org.
Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids runs through May 20 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids
Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids features models and replicas of preserved specimens as well as cast fossils of prehistoric animals to investigate how they could have, through misidentification, speculation, fear, or imagination, inspired the development of some legendary creatures.
Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids offers many interactive stations throughout the exhibition. Visitors can build their own dragon on an engaging touch-screen and watch it come alive before their eyes in a virtual environment.
Visitors touch casts of a narwhal tusk to discover how they lent credence to the centuries-old belief in the unicorn. Hands-on stations also include the lower jaw of Gigantopithecus (extinct group of apes) and a life-size reproduction of the talon of a Haast’s eagle.
Dragons, Unicorns, and Mermaids explores how some animals could have been misidentified as mythical creatures.
Admission to Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is $12 for adults, $7 for children, $9 for Kent County resident adults, $4 for Kent County resident children, and $2 for all Museum members! Tickets include general admission to the Museum.
Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (amnh.org), in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney; Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau-Quebec; Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta; and The Field Museum, Chicago.
Last year’s winning piece of art, entitled “Nostalgia,” was created by Ruby Henrickson of Ludington.
Congressman Bill Huizenga announced the start of the 2018 Congressional Art Competition for high school students across Michigan’s Second Congressional District.
“The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful way for West Michigan students to showcase their creativity and demonstrate their artistic ability,” said Rep. Huizenga. “I look forward to seeing the innovative and imaginative artwork from aspiring student artists across West Michigan.”
The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 20. All original entries should be submitted to Congressman Huizenga’s office in Grandville. Entries are limited to one per student.
The winning entry and finalists will be selected by a panel of local art and design professionals. The winning entry from each congressional district will be displayed on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The winning artist will also be invited to fly to Washington, D.C. for a national reception honoring the winning artists from across the nation.
The 2018 Congressional Art Competition Rules and Regulations for both students and teachers can be found here. If you have questions regarding the rules, the competition itself, or submitting a piece of art, please contact Sarah Lisman in the Grandville District Office at 616-570-0917.
The City of Kentwood recently celebrated the area’s first Ashley HomeStore.
The new store, which is located on the former MC Sports location on 28th Street across from Woodland Mall, opened last week with a ribbon cutting on March 8 with the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce followed by a grand opening celebration on March 10.
The Wisconsin-based company is an American furniture store chain that sells Ashley Furniture products. Opened in 1997, the chain comprises of more than 450 HomeStore locations in North America and 520 locations worldwide. There are currently seven Ashley HomeStores in Michigan including the one in Kentwood. The other locations are in Lansing, Bad Axe, Escanaba, Westland, Saginaw, and Marquette.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Discussion ranging from international trade wars to local mental health care were presented Monday, March 12, as part of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meeting. But those spring pot-hole problems took center stage early.
State Sen. Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, and state representatives Tommy Brann and Steven Johnson — all of whom represent parts of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood — discussed the state’s present and future spending on the state’s roadways.
A road funding plan passed by the Michigan Legislature in 2015 included an increase in gas taxes and vehicle registration fees to raise $1.2 billion for roads. And while those funds will be spent in yearly portions spread over six years as the gas tax is phased in and contractor schedules allow, the Legislature also recently passed an additional $175 million in road funding for the upcoming construction season, with part of that money due to flow to local counties and cities.
“We are trying to address the issue,” Sen. Schuitmaker told the various government officials at the meeting.
But, talking about the flow of state funds to local governments, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley expressed concern about the “long-term viability” of such state funding commitments.
A more detailed discussion on the issue, along with discussion on other issues such as the state’s response to the federal tax cuts, changes to voter registration procedures and funding problems with Kent County’s mental health programs, were part of the latest Government Matters meeting.
The monthly meeting brings together government leaders of all levels to discuss issues of importance and presents those discussions through WKTV’s live, delayed and on-demand broadcasts.
The Chamber’s Government Matters meetings include representatives of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Kent County, local Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, and, often, representatives of other regional, State of Michigan and Federal elected officials. The next meeting will be April 9 at Kentwood City Hall.
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktvondemand.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.
Myth: All people with Down syndrome have a severe cognitive disability and cannot be active members of society.
Fact: Many people believe this. The misconception that Down syndrome affects all those with the condition identically and that, as a result, these individuals are unable to live independently or lead successful lives could not be further from the truth. At the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) we work every day to ensure that myth does not overshadow truth. Educating West Michigan about the condition is a critical part of advocacy.
So, what is Down syndrome? Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. It is the most commonly occurring chromosomal abnormality and occurs in one of approximately every 700 births. Those with Down syndrome often experience cognitive delays and have several physical identifiers including low muscle tone, small stature, and an upward slant to the eyes.
While it is true that some people with Down syndrome have severe cognitive delays, for most the effect is usually mild to moderate. Many individuals are enrolled in general education programs, attend college, marry, and have jobs. Just ask our intern Allie! Allie is 25 years old and in addition to working with our organization, has two other jobs, is taking a college course, and spends her weekends skiing.
It is important to remember that each person with Down syndrome is unique. When we limit our understanding of the condition, we limit the opportunities for those affected. Quality education programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends, and the community help people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.
World Down Syndrome Day is March 21st, in honor of the third copy of the 21st chromosome. On this day, individuals with Down syndrome and advocates across the world raise public awareness and advocate for inclusion with community events and conferences with lawmakers. And don’t be surprised if you see people wearing brightly colored or mismatched socks on World Down Syndrome Day. The #lotsofsocks campaign encourages participants to wear their funkiest socks to get people talking and asking questions about Down syndrome.
At DSAWM we can’t think of a better way to celebrate our favorite extra-chromosomed friends on World Down Syndrome Day than by throwing a party! On March 21st we will be hosting a ‘70s themed Rock Your Socks Dance to raise awareness and celebrate our loved ones with Down syndrome. DSAWM staff, members, family, and friends will be boogieing the night away with snacks, crafts, a photo booth, costume contest, and, of course, dancing!
Join us at the Masonic Center in downtown Grand Rapids at 6pm for the grooviest get-down in town. Check out the DSAWM Facebook page for more details and to learn more about our organization and the fantastic community of eager and inspiring individuals whom we serve.
For more information, please visit the following links.
Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan: Dsawm.org
