West Elementary School second-grader Max Troche plans to wear his brand new helmet when he rides his green and black bike this spring.
“I’m excited because the helmet I have hurts my head,” Max said.
Thanks to a donation from Hudsonville Rocket Cheer, a program for girls in first through eighth grades, he is one of 520 kindergarten through fourth-grade students at West who have brand-new bicycle helmets.
Kim Hernden, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital injury prevention specialist, gets the fit just right for second grader Yulian Merced
Along with the headgear, they received helmet fittings from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital representatives, who led education sessions on bike safety. Students learned how, when and why to wear bike helmets.
In 2016, of nine children admitted to the hospital because of bike accidents, only two were wearing helmets, said Kim Hernden, DeVos Children’s Hospital injury prevention specialist.
Britni Schipper, director and owner of Hudsonville Rocket Cheer, said the program hosts a fundraising event every year. “We wanted the girls to learn more than just the sport of cheer,” she said. “By collecting funds, the girls learned to come together as a team to be able to give back to our community.”
Schipper and her assistant director are both emergency room nurses at Spectrum Health, so keeping children safe is “near and dear to our hearts,” she added.
West Elementary physical education teacher Shani Padding helped share information on bike safety during the fitting session. “It’s been fun for me to see the kids being excited about being safe,” she said.
West Elementary School second-grader Max Troche plans to wear his brand new helmet when he rides his green and black bike this spring.
“I’m excited because the helmet I have hurts my head,” Max said.
Thanks to a donation from Hudsonville Rocket Cheer, a program for girls in first through eighth grades, he is one of 520 kindergarten through fourth-grade students at West who have brand-new bicycle helmets.
Along with the headgear, they received helmet fittings from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital representatives, who led education sessions on bike safety. Students learned how, when and why to wear bike helmets.
In 2016, of nine children admitted to the hospital because of bike accidents, only two were wearing helmets, said Kim Hernden, DeVos Children’s Hospital injury prevention specialist.
Britni Schipper, director and owner of Hudsonville Rocket Cheer, said the program hosts a fundraising event every year. “We wanted the girls to learn more than just the sport of cheer,” she said. “By collecting funds, the girls learned to come together as a team to be able to give back to our community.”
Schipper and her assistant director are both emergency room nurses at Spectrum Health, so keeping children safe is “near and dear to our hearts,” she added.
West Elementary physical education teacher Shani Padding helped share information on bike safety during the fitting session. “It’s been fun for me to see the kids being excited about being safe,” she said.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Marilyn discusses her health with registered nurse Linda Lanning at a recent appointment
By Ron Rozema, Catherine’s Health Center
Life handed Marilyn a set of hard blows when her husband died unexpectedly; her cleaning and phone-answering businesses were foreclosed by the IRS in the aftermath of his death, and she had spinal surgery — all within a year. She had no insurance and needed Catherine’s for her medical care, including medications.
Insurance premiums and the cost of medications still are out of reach, although she now is exploring Medicare coverage.
Ten years ago, a friend who also is a patient encouraged her to try Catherine’s. A long history of high blood pressure unresponsive to treatment, other health complications and a lack of insurance meant she needed care she couldn’t get elsewhere.
“Dr. Jack (Walen) immediately sent me to the emergency room because my blood pressure was so high. He’s the only one who has helped me keep it down,” she said.
Although she is thrilled with the medical care and improvement she has seen, it is the way she is treated that really touches her heart.
“Candy at the desk is my friend now, the nurses make your heart happy, and the fellowship is just wonderful!” Marilyn said. “If you didn’t know it, you would have no clue that you didn’t have insurance.
“I’m getting the best health care of my life,” Marilyn said, smiling.
According to US Census data, persons 65 years or older represented 14.5% of the U.S. population in 2014; they are expected to represent 21.7% by 2040. Nearly all seniors want to stay in their homes or “age in place.” Unfortunately, there are many factors that can make living independently a challenge.
When our loved ones can no longer get dressed, fix a meal or remember to take their medications, small home modifications, transportation or in-home services may be all that is needed to help them stay in their homes. Here are some resources that can help older adults live where they choose for as long as possible.
ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) offers services tailored just for seniors. These include nutritious meals and door-to-door transportation. To learn more about CAA’s senior services, visit their website here.
The Michigan Aging & Adult Services Agency offers an online database of aging resources. To find supports and services near you click here and search by location or service type.
MI Choice Waiver Program is an option for older adults and disabled persons who need additional help caring for themselves. The program provides in-home services covered by Medicaid to income-eligible adults. Click here to learn more about services and eligibility.
If you or a family member are starting to have trouble doing everyday tasks, check out the National Institute on Aging’s tip sheet, There’s No Place Like Home — For Growing Old. This sheet can help you develop a plan today to maintain independence in the future.
Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org
The latest Beer Explorers program at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is a partnership with Brewery Vivant as participants in the class will learn about pairing beers with a variety of cheeses on Thursday, May 11.
The class will be led by Brewery Vivant’s “Wandering Monk and Certified Cicerone” Ryan Engemann.
Although wine is typically assumed the ideal pairing with cheese, beer is actually the traditional beverage to pair with cheese, according to supplied material. Both traditional farmhouse products, beers pair well with a variety of cheese and can enhance the flavors on your palate.
The class begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission to class, limited to 40 persons, includes three beer samples and cheese samples, as well as access to the Museum’s first two floors. A cash bar will be available.
Tickets are $18, $8 for museum members, and all participants must be age 21 or older. For tickets and more information visit grpm.org
Perrin Brewing set to release Black Goat
On Friday, May 12, Comstock Park’s Perrin Brewing will unleashing its Black Goat double black lager from its bourbon barrels and offering it on tap at the Perrin Pub. (Bottles will be available on May 15.)
The beer is described as “a bold, sweet vanilla bean aroma rises from the nose which is followed closely by flavors of complex dark chocolate and ripened stone fruit,” according to supplied material. “This lively lager finishes with a unique charred oak character and a smooth, warm caramel bourbon flavor that will exceed all taste bud expectations.”
Calvin College Professor and two-time Newbery Honor recipient Gary D. Schmidt will be coming to Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE, to discuss his latest book, the young adult story “Orbiting Jupiter.”
Schmidt will be at the store at 7 p.m. The event will mark the paperback release of the book which earned starred reviews from “School Library Journal,” “Publishers Weekly,” “Booklist” and “Kirkus Reviews” and was named an ALA Notable Book for Children in 2016 as well as cited in the YALSA 2017 Best Fiction for Young Adults list.
In “Orbiting Jupiter,” Schmidt, who is also a National Book Award finalist, delivers the shattering story of Joseph, a father at 13, who has never seen his daughter, Jupiter. After spending time in a juvenile facility, he’s placed with a foster family on a farm in rural Maine. Here Joseph, damaged and withdrawn, mets 12-year-old Jack, who narrates the account of the troubled, passionate teen who wants to find his baby at any cost.
“There is quite a few books out that deal with this sort of relationship with the lost of a child,” Schmidt said in a recent interview. “There is not that many, I think, that deal seriously with a father’s yearning for a young child.
“If there is a message or a theme, I would suppose it would be the power of love and its ability to reach across.”
Schmidt received the Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor for “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy” and a Newbery Honor for “The Wednesday Wars.” He lives with his family on a 150-year-old farm in Alto.
For more information about this event or other activities, visit Schuler Books & Music’s website, schulerbooks.com.
Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg has received her Certified Michigan Municipal Clerk designation.
Kelli VandenBerg, City of Wyoming City Clerk
The Certified Michigan Municipal Clerk program encourages Michigan clerks to continue learning about the various legal processes involved in their duties. By focusing on personal and professional growth, the program hopes to cultivate clerks that are effective leaders in Michigan communities.
The designation is given by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. VandenBerg’s certification comes after three week-long classes taken annually over the course of three years.
“We are very proud of Kelli’s accomplishment in achieving this certification,” City Manager Curtis Holt said in supplied material. “Since stepping into the role of clerk, Kelli has demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and to enhancing the professionalism of the office that will greatly contribute to the City’s development.”
VandenBerg has worked at the City of Wyoming for 19 years. She began her career in 1998 and has had the opportunity to serve many departments during her career. She became senior deputy City clerk in 2014.
VandenBerg earned her bachelors and master degrees in public administration at Grand Valley State University.
Slim Gypsy Baggage will be one of the “must hear” regional bands at the Meijer Gardens free Tuesday concert series this summer. (Supplied Meijer Gardens/John Rothwell)
While many big-name musical acts come through town as part of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Summer Concert Series, one of the true pleasures of a West Michigan summer is an evening at the Garden’s amphitheater exploring local and regional acts as part of the Tuesday Evening Music Club concert series.
Red Sea Pedestrians (Supplied Meijer Gardens/Brian Powers)
Starting Tuesday, July 4, with one band known for jazzy explorations and another for musical journeys just about everywhere else — Green On Blue and The Red Sea Pedestrians — the diverse two-month program features live bands with music ranging from jazz to indie rock to folk, all in the 1,900-(mostly grass)seat venue and all starting at 7 p.m.
Oh, and did I mention the concerts are free with Gardens’ admission?
Two of the more interesting musical explorations will be the mid August visits of Kalamazoo’s Michigander on Aug. 8 and Slim Gypsy Baggage on Aug. 15.
Michigander (Supplied Meijer Gardens/Adam Podboy)
Playing that night with singer-songwriter Benjaman James, Michigander is described as “emotive indie-rock, delivered through powerful vocals and cerebral lyrics.” The hook for me is the description of the band from its Facebook page: “Michigander has been the toil and passion of Jason Singer since 2013. It’s being built in basements and churches and vans without mufflers. It’s living on stages, floors, and in studios — sounding big and packing light.”
The next week, playing that night with the “downhome, psychedelic jam band” Bigfoot Buffalo, Slim Gypsy Baggage is led by lead singer Morgan Ingle who, accord to the bank’s website, “grew up in a musical family learning guitar from her father and honed her skills as a gifted singer/songwriter. … Morgan signatures the Slim Gypsy Baggage vibe with her unique voice and thoughtful lyrics, as she covers the eclectic rock, funk and soulful sounds of the band.”
The hook, though, is checking out lead guitarist Cam Mammina. As the website states: “Cam shreds! … Mixing crunchy indie triphop licks, blues, funk, and surf rock sustains. Needless to say, Cam brings a energized life and a driving shreddiness to SGBs sound.”
Two possible new words in the same sentence: “triphop” and “shreddiness”. Oh ya.
The rest of the concert series includes:
Miss Atomic and The Zannies, on July 11. Miss Atomic is described as “a melodic blend of modern soul and pop-rock, fresh to the local scene,” while The Zannies is “an antic mishmash of alt-rock, punk, and blues.”
Rollie Tussing & The Midwest Territory Band and The Muteflutes, on July 18. The first is “an old-timey, unique balance of country, early swing, and blues, backed by vaudevillian percussion,” while second is “lilting, thought-provoking, lyric-driven indie folk rock.”
The Moxie Strings and The Dave Sharp World’s Trio, on July 25. Well known to local audiences,
Moxie Strings (Supplied)
The Moxie Strings is “a foot-stomping, rock-influenced, progressive spin on traditional Celtic and Americana classics and originals. While Dave Sharp World’s Trio is “a collaboration between renowned bassist Dave Sharp, Igor Houwat on the ‘oud’ (a short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped stringer instrument), and percussionist Carolyn Koebel, featuring Arabic-based, impromptu adventures into jazz and folk.”
The Moonrays and 6-Pak, on Aug. 1. Two bands also well known locally, The Moonrays offer “vintage, instrumental surf-rock,” while 6-Pak is “an all-girl band, originally formed in 1967, performing the grooviest hits from that era.”
Amy Andrews (Supplied)
Amy Andrews and Taylor Taylor, on Aug. 22. Amy is “a modern day torch singer and award-winning vocalist, once referred to as a female Elvis” — not my words. Taylor offers “a fresh, young blend of pop and R&B, performing acoustic guitar-driven originals.”
Finishing up the series, as usual, is local music icon Ralston Bowles, as Ralston & Friends will his the stage Aug. 29. Describing Ralston’s music, let alone that of his always changing cast of “friends” is impossible. Start at “folk” and just enjoy the ride from there.
Well, the stats are in from the big Earth Day event at the 2017 Community Clean Up Day in the City of Wyoming and they are nothing short of amazing. Wyoming residents showed up in droves — the stats speak for themselves:
Approximately 400 vehicles went through the site
15,000 pounds of electronics recycling — including 140 Tube TVs — were collected
5,096 pounds of household hazardous waste was dropped off
4,400 pounds of metal were recycled
43 dumpsters were filled and
60 tons of refuse hauled away by Plummer’s Disposal
Five Godwin and Lee High School students pitched in, and so did nine family and friends of City of Wyoming employees. And 44 City of Wyoming employees were on hand to make sure the big Earth Day event was a success.
After the fall of Saigon in 1975, hundreds of thousands of refugees poured out of their native Vietnam, fleeing persecution, imprisonment, torture, execution, poverty, and alienation. Those who settled in the United States number 1.8 million, almost half of the 4 million members of the Vietnamese diaspora.
Greater Grand Rapids is home to the fourth largest Vietnamese community in the Midwest. With such numbers of ethnic Vietnamese in the area, the West Michigan Asian American Association undertook a special documentary project.
“Newcomer Legacy: A Vietnamese-American Story” focuses on nine individuals from the West Michigan area, ranging from ages 30 to 70, said Alan Headbloom, who was the project manager.
From a recent screening at Grand Valley State University
“What united the communist party was to get the foreigners (in the 1950s, it was the French Colonists and then later, the Americans) out of the country,” Headbloom said. “They talk about moving their families from the north to the south because they couldn’t live with the communists and then fleeing the country all together when Saigon fell in 1975.”
The nine interviewees share their personal stories of how they came to the United States, restarting in a new country, and what now makes West Michigan home.
The last two public screens of the documentary are Thursday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m. at Grand Rapids Community Center’s Calkins Science Center Auditorium 348, 226 Bostwick Ave. NE., and Thursday, May 11, for the City of Grand Rapids Community Relations Commission at 5:30 p.m. at LINC UP Gallery, 341 Hall Street. Each screening includes a panel with an opportunity for a Q&A session.
Headbloom noted that the first four presentations – which have been at Davenport University, Herrick Library, Grand Valley State University’s and the Vietnamese community’s Black April event in remembrance of those who fought and died when Saigon fell on April 30, 1975 – have been very positive. From the documentary’s website, Karen Nelson wrote “I am very glad I had the chance to hear these stories. I was touched by the accounts of hard work and strong family ties. I only wish it were longer!” and Project Administrator Elizabeth MacLaughlan wrote “Today’s film and panel presentation was excellent. Such powerful stories from our West Michigan Vietnamese community that everyone should hear. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such an important project.”
“What we didn’t anticipate were the comments from students – we have screed this at Davenport University and Grand Valley State University just last week – who said they really had no idea and found the movie incredibly local as these are people who they may have worked with or driven past everyday,” Headbloom said.
Under sponsorship of the Michigan Heritage Council, the project will be made free of charge to area teachers who wish to include it in their history lessons. For more information, on this, contact Headbloom at alan@headbloom.com.
The documentary also will be shown on WKTV and made available to other local stations.
The project sponsor is the Michigan Humanities Council 2016-2017 Heritage Grant Program and the underwriter is the Kellogg Foundation. Local liaison is the West Michigan Asian American Association with project advisers being Connie Dang, Kim McKee, Phillip Nguyen, and Anh Tran.
For more about “Newcomer Legacy: A Vietnamese-American Story,” visit the Facebook page Facebook.com/newcomerlegacy.
The signs of woodies and rag-tops, steel wagons and coupes. Roadsters running the length of 28th street and big-block V8s growling as they pass by. And of course we can’t forget the chrome, lots and lots of it sparkling in the sun.
Believe it or not, but the annual kick off to one of the area’s biggest car cruising events is this weekend. The annual Metro Cruise Dust-Off takes places from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Wyoming Moose Lodge #763 located at 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW.
The event has become an annual tradition and a kick off to the summer car shows with car owners finally being able to show off what has been stored under those tarps.
“We hope to have 100 – 150 cars at the Dust Off on Saturday,” said Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual event. O’Callaghan added that the first 50 collector car owners get a free Dust-Off shirt, which have become a collector’s item.
And while the Metro Cruise itself — which is Aug. 25 and 26 — is still about four months away, planning and preparation for the annual event, which marks its 13th year this year, have been well under way with several deadlines fast approaching.
The popular Art Cruise hosted by the Wyoming Business Leaders has already put a call out for artists for this year’s show. Similar to Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize, several Wyoming businesses feature the work of various local artists during the month of August, the same month as the Metro Cruise.
Interested artists have until June 1 to sign up to participate. The cost is $10, which is used to help cover marketing materials. For more information or to sign up, contact Donna Kuba, who runs Instant Cash Advance, at 616-261-4500 or email her at artcruisewyoming@gmail.com.
Entries for the annual Pin Up Girl contest are also being accepted. The Pin Up Girl contest will take place July 8 at the American Legion Post 154, 2327 Byron Center Ave. SW. The final competition will take place during Metro Cruise on Aug. 26, rain or shine according to O’Callaghan who said this year space has been reserved in Rogers Plaza for the contest if the weather is not cooperating.
Application deadline is June 23. All contestants must provide a head shot and full body shot with costume and makeup. Those interested should email the JA PR Group at staff@japrgroup.com.
In the past 20 years, opioid overdose has mushroomed from an anomaly into an epidemic.
During that span, opioid-related deaths in Kent County soared fourfold—from fewer than 20 a year to more than 80.
The strongest predictor of opioid overdose is clear: a previous history of overdose. That being the case, the ER will soon begin giving Narcan kits to overdose patients at no cost before discharge, becoming the first hospital in the region to do so. Narcan is the only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone, which counteracts the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose.
Called O-180—O is the street name for opiates and 180 signifies reversal—the program is funded by a $40,000 grant from the Metro Health Hospital Foundation.
With Narcan nasal spray on hand, discharged patients who experience a subsequent overdose at home can be treated immediately before placing a call to 911. The Narcan kits will contain two doses of naloxone, along with information about community resources available to overdose patients and their families.
“Our goal is to reduce deaths in the community related to opioid overdoses, while also removing some of the stigma of opioid addiction,” says Crystal Gaylord, a quality and safety nurse specialist in the ER.
By Mary Eilleen Lyon, Grand Valley State University
The annual economic impact that Grand Valley State University (GVSU)has on the region is estimated at $816 million. Grand Valley issued its yearly tri-county economic impact report during its April 28 Board of Trustees meeting held at the L. William Seidman Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
The economic impact report covers Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties and used 2015-2016 data. Grand Valley employs more than 3,600 people and enrolls more than 25,400 students who spend money and pay taxes in the region.
Some additional highlights of this year’s report include:
New construction and renovations pumped more than $83 million into the local economy in 2016, creating more than 1,760 trade and construction jobs.
Construction of the $37.5 million Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall will be finished in May 2018 and will expand Grand Valley’s health campus in Grand Rapids.
On the Allendale Campus, an addition to the Performing Arts Center will add 44,000-square-feet of additional space to the existing building. The $20-million project will be finished in August.
Grand Valley alumni now number more than 106,000 and nearly half are living or working in West Michigan’s tri-county area.
Fifty-four upper elementary students from Kelloggsville Public Schools traveled to Ideal Park on Arbor Day, April 28, to enjoy the outdoors and learn about the importance of planting more trees in our communities. The students have been working on a tree unit as part of their studies. Their Arbor Day experience brought their learning home – literally, as each went home with a blue spruce sapling to plant in their own yard.
To lend a celebratory tone, the Kelloggsville High School pep band played a collection of upbeat tunes, wrapping up with the Kelloggsville fight song.
The Arbor Day event was hosted by the City of Wyoming Tree Commission, “The Tree Amigos.” A former educator and Kelloggsville district resident, Wyoming Tree Commissioner Jim Ward, planned the event. Volunteer Gordy Rayburn donated the 60 saplings and gave the kids instructions on how to plant and care for them.
Founded as an official city commission in July 2016, The Tree Amigos are off to a good start. Through their efforts, the City of Wyoming was designated a Tree City USA on April 11. And, an April 20 proclamation and tree planting brought a new juneberry tree to City Hall, donated by DeHamer Brothers Landscaping and Garden Center. That makes 61 new trees for our communities.
The City of Wyoming Tree Commission meets at 12:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at City Hall. They are hoping many more volunteers will join them to improve Wyoming’s tree canopy – and its residents’ quality of life. For information, email TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com or like “The Tree Amigos” on Facebook.
Four of City of Wyoming’s parks will now have funding for improvements and renovations after voter action Tuesday.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
City of Wyoming voters on Tuesday, May 2, approved a ballot proposal to allow the city to utilize .16 of its .39 library maintenance millage to put toward some of the $23 million in park needs. The unofficial vote results were 2,982 to 2,214, or about 57 percent in support of the proposal.
Gezon Park is one of four parks in line for improvements and renovations.
According to the city, the nearly $800,000 per year raised can now be used to pay a 15-year bond of $4.4 million. The bond money would be dedicated for park improvements at Ideal, Jackson, Ferrand, and Gezon. The current Parks and Recreation millage of 1.5 mills annually captures $2.9 million, which is used to fund recreation programs, maintenance services and basic facility upkeep.
“We are very pleased that the citizens of Wyoming have given us the flexibility to invest in our park system,” Rynbrandt said. “By allowing us to change the way we spend our dedicated library maintenance millage, we can make significant capital improvements in four parks: Ferrand, Gezon, Ideal and Jackson.
“This will be a multi-year process with an eye to have all projects completed within the next four years. Residents will start to see physical improvements to one or more of the parks as early as next spring.”
Current library maintenance
The request was not an increase in the amount of library millage collected and will not reduce the City’s ability to maintain the Kent District Library branch at 3350 Michael Ave. SW.
The library maintenance millage is only to maintain the actually facility, which is owned by the City of Wyoming. Kent District Library operates the library services and owns the collection. Operations of the library and the collection are funded through a Kent District Library millage, which is a 1.28 mill levy, which covers all 18 branches within the KDL system.
The city recently completed more than $650,000 in renovations to the library facility that includes a new roof and the revamping of the former cafe to a public space. Upon review, city staff determined that there would be no major renovation projects needed for the library facility within the next 10 years, Rynbrandt said prior to the vote.
Park needs and plans
With funding for park work now approved, plans for work can now begin.
“We are eager to begin, as there is much to do,” Rynbrandt said. “Our next steps will include formulating individual project timelines which will range from a public engagement process to update the Gezon Park development plan, to engaging engineers, landscape architects and other consultants in the creation of construction documents and processing of necessary permits for each unique park development.
“We’ll be regularly updating the community through the Parks and Recreation Commission, City Council, the Parks and Recreation brochure and social media.”
Every five years, the City of Wyoming meets with residents and city staff to review needs at its parks. Through that process, the city has recognized more than $23 million in park improvements. In 1994, Wyoming residents did grant a park millage which for the past 20 years the city has been able to invest and maintain the parks without an increase, Rynbrandt said.
However, within four years the city has had several natural disasters — a 2013 flood, and 2014 and 2016 tornados — which has created a greater need, Rynbrandt said. Ideal Park was severally impacted from the 2014 tornado with its playground equipment destroyed. The city was able to remove much of the debris and get the park reopened only to have the 2016 tornado cause more damage.
Jackson Park also was impacted by the tornados but also has a need for better stormwater control along with improved security and safety. Ferrand Park is a small pocket park that has not have any major improvements in a number of years and Gezon Park is surrounded by intense residential growth with the central area of the park needing to be developed.
West Michigan Works! is now accepting applications of interest for its Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship program. The one-year program will begin in January 2018.
Hospitals, doctor offices, nursing homes and urgent care clinics across West Michigan are in critical need of medical assistants. A medical assistant is essential to the care of patients and is a great way to begin a healthcare career.
Typical duties
Clinical activities may include:
taking and recording vital signs and medical histories,
preparing patients for exams,
drawing blood and
administering medications.
Administrative activities may include:
medical records,
billing and
coding information for insurance purposes.
As a student in a US Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program:
You’ll graduate with a national, industry-recognized credential.
You’ll immediately apply what you learn in a clinical setting.
You’ll earn a salary while learning the skills to be successful in a high-demand career.
Many students graduate with a full-time job, with little or no debt.
If you are interested in joining the next Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship program, please complete an Application of Interest by July 15, 2017.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Each week WKTV features adoptable pets from area shelters. This week, we focus on Gerdy, a bunny available for adoption at West Michigan Critter Haven.
When you think of a rabbit, typically a small, cuddly animal comes to mind. In reality, not all rabbits are small! In fact, giant breeds of rabbits like the Flemish Giant and Checkered giant can weigh in at more than 15lbs! At West Michigan Critter Haven, we have a soft spot for larger breeds of rabbits.
One of our current larger rabbits up for adoption is Gerdy. She’s a spayed Checkered Giant mix weighing in at 14lbs. This big, beautiful rabbit is such a pleasure to be around. She has a larger-than-life personality and is very social and silly. She’s the type of rabbit who thoroughly enjoys being part of the family. When she’s not relaxing in front of the TV, she can be found begging for treats. She does well with well-mannered, cats, dogs, and even enjoys gentle, respectful children.
Gerdy came to us after she was found hiding in a log in the woods. Our best guess is she either escaped or was abandoned. Many people abandon domestic rabbits outdoors thinking they can survive, when in reality, it’s a death sentence. She was covered in fleas but still as friendly as ever.
For being a rabbit found outside, Gerdy has taken to her new life indoors exceptionally well. She has excellent litter box habits and keeps a relatively tidy space. Gerdy adores the attention of her foster family and will even jump up on the couch to beg for food and head scratches — just like a dog! She loves her fresh veggies and fruit. However, like most rabbits, she doesn’t enjoy being held and prefers to spend time sitting next to you, not in your lap.
If you’re thinking about adding a rabbit to your family, Gerdy would be a fantastic addition. Rabbits are extremely intelligent and trainable. They require attention, love and a life indoors with lots of space to run and play.
West Michigan Critter Haven is a chapter of the House Rabbit Society. To learn more about caring for rabbits, please visit http://rabbit.org/.
More About Gerdy:
Litter trained
Spayed
Gets along well with respectful children
Does well with other gentle animals
Want to adopt Gerdy? Her adoption fee is $75. You can learn more about Gerdy and other West Michigan Critter Haven adoptables at http://wmicritterhaven.org. All adopters must be at least 18 years old.
Kent District Library is pleased to announce that it has received a $208,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation to design and offer a bookmobile to the KDL community.
This mobile library will enable KDL to bring its services and programming to Kent County residents who can’t travel to one of its 18 branches on a regular basis. When it hits the streets in winter 2018, it will be equipped with a vast assortment of collection materials for both children and adults.
The bookmobile, which will take 6-9 months to craft, will be outfitted with Wi-Fi, a video screen, a computer, printer, and modular shelves. The vehicle will also be handicapped accessible and will offer security features
“The Steelcase Foundation chose to support the new KDL bookmobile because of its alignment with the Foundation’s mission of empowering people to reach their full potential by encouraging early learning experiences, family literacy and improving access to books, programs and computer learning throughout Kent County,” said Steelcase Foundation President Julie Ridenour. “While not a new concept, the bookmobile will take these opportunities to the communities where they are most needed. The Steelcase Foundation hopes there will be a future time when today’s young and new readers will share their bookmobile experiences with their own families.”
The bookmobile will allow Kent District Library to share its programs and collection with patrons, particularly students, beyond the walls of the branch library. KDL will partner with Kent School Services Network, or KSSN, to bring the bookmobile to seven elementary schools each week. The bookmobile will also bring the library to senior centers, rural centers, summer day care programs and a variety of other locations.
“KDL is thrilled to offer library services and programs that can help improve our students’ reading ability through this partnership with KSSN,” said Linda Krombeen, development manager for Kent District Library. “We are extremely grateful to the Steelcase Foundation for its generosity in making this effort a reality.”
One of KDL’s goals in offering the bookmobile is to increase reading proficiency in third grade students. In 2016, 50 percent of Kent County third graders were not proficient in English language arts.
“The Kent School Services Network is very excited to partner with the KDL on the Bookmobile grant,” said Carol Paine-McGovern, executive director of KSSN. “Bringing access to library programs and collections to schools is a community school strategy that will have a positive impact on early literacy and parent engagement.”
Kent District Library will seek donations to fill the bookmobile with books and other materials.
The Kentwood’s 50th Anniversary continues with the upcoming Kentwood Parks and Recreation gala, The Vibe. Also, check out the local talent that advanced in the Golden Gloves competition.
GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation has announced the performance lineup for the sixth annual festival being held Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids. Festival organizers announced the lineup at a Lineup Reveal Party held April 26 at H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids as part of International Jazz Day.
Eleven diverse acts are on tap for West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival coming up the third weekend in August. Saxophonist Richard Elliot headlines the festival. The complete performance lineup for the August event in order of appearance:
SATURDAY, AUG. 19
Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde, 12:30 p.m.
Terry Lower / Jazz Expedition Sextet, 2 p.m.
Ed Stone and the Flowmasters, 3:30 p.m.
Tumbao Bravo, 5 p.m.
Bryan Lubeck, 6:30 p.m.
HEADLINER – Richard Elliot, 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, AUG. 20
Jazz Student Band – Blushing Monk, 1 p.m.
The Isaac Norris Project, 2:30 p.m.
organissimo, 4 p.m.
Four80East, 5:30 p.m.
Nate Harasim & NILS featuring Brandon Willis, 7 p.m.
Edye Evans Hyde (photo supplied)
“We’re thrilled to have Richard Elliot headline the sixth annual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation!” GRandJazzFest Founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “He’s a huge name in the jazz and R&B world. We can’t wait for the energy that he’ll bring to the stage!”
Scotland-born, L.A.-based Elliot is one of 11 performers and bands who will play throughout the two-day weekend. The eclectic array of jazz performances includes genres from big band to straight-ahead, contemporary to Latin-Cuban and more.
“We have music for everyone,” Sundstrom said. “The great thing about jazz is there are so many types. Our goal is to spread the love of jazz in all it forms.”
In addition to kicking off the festival as always with the acclaimed Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and Edye Evans Hyde performing vocals, several acts make return appearances at GRandJazzFest: Tumbao Bravo, organissimo, Nate Harasim and Bryan Lubeck. A student jazz band also will perform.
Tumbao Bravo (photo supplied)
GRandJazzFest announced this year’s lineup on April 26 as part of International Jazz Day celebrations taking place worldwide honoring the great American art form. The Steve Hilger Jazz Quartet — which has performed at past GRandJazzFests — played April 26 at H.O.M.E. Learn more about International Jazz Day at http://jazzday.com.
The two-day GRandJazzFest festival will again be free thanks to presenting sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids, Gilmore Collection, GR and Jazz, IntentPR, Corporate Live, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Amway Hotel Corporation, Experience Grand Rapids, Icon Sign, Matt Huizenga Videography, Meijer, MoxieMen, Steelcase, Configura, Fancy Faces, Grand Rapids Community College, Hilger Hammond, Kitchen 67, Levens Strand & Glover, Rick and Mary Stevens, Rockford Construction, Swift Printing, WGVU, and other sponsoring organizations and individuals. Sponsors are still needed. Go here for more info.
Politics and discourse in America today are more contentious than ever, and engaging with people of opposing political views in a civil manner is often difficult for many.
From May 4-6, the Hauenstein Center will host its annual Conservative/Progressive Summit, which will feature lectures and panel discussions specifically designed to bring serious, thoughtful discussion about the shifting political and intellectual terrain of American life to the forefront.
Speakers will include professors, authors, and journalists and contributors from media outlets including The Atlantic, The American Conservative, U.S. News and World Report, Vox, National Review, The New Republic, The Nation and more. Together, they will discuss political coverage in the media, religion and American civic life, the Trump administration, higher education, the history of conservative thought, the Constitution, and more.
A full event schedule along with speaker biographies and information can be found here.
What: Hauenstein Center Conservative/Progressive Summit
When: May 4-6, 2017
Where: Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium, Richard M. DeVos Center, 401 Fulton St. W., Grand Rapids, MI
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested here.
“The three-day conference will not pretend to find the answers to political division,” said Hauenstein Center director Gleaves Whitney. “Instead it will attempt to promote understanding of opposing viewpoints that are often absent from critical analysis among like-minded people.”
The summit is presented in partnership with the Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation, the Progressive Women’s Alliance of West Michigan and the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal.
The annual summit is a one-of-a-kind event in political discourse, said Common Ground program manager Scott St. Louis.
“The Hauenstein Center’s Conservative/Progressive Summit is a unique event that showcases a broad range of American political thought on the same stage,” St. Louis said.
Tomorrow both residents of Kentwood and Wyoming will be heading to the polls to vote on millage proposals.
Residents from the two cities – along with all of Kent County – will be voting on a proposed Kent Intermediate School District Regional Enhancement Millage. The property tax increase of .9 mills would be distributed to all 20 school districts in Kent County for the next 10 years. The amount is about .90 cent of taxable evaluation. For a $200,000 home, the taxable evaluation would be $100,000 with the increase being about $90 per year.
If passed, each district would receive an additional $211 per student each year, which can be used to supplement the funding that comes from the state of Michigan. School officials have stated the funding would be used to help maintain programs, improve services and meet other needs. Each school district will be able to determine how to spend the money. For more information on the district’s plans for the money, clicking on the school’s name which will direct you to the School News Network stories. For more on the millage, click here.
Also, the residents of Wyoming are being asked to vote for flexible funding by opening up its library maintenance millage to help with park improvements. The city is seeking about .16 of the .39 of the mill levy to help with park improvements at four parks, Ferrand, Ideal, Gezon, and Jackson. The nearly $800,000 per year raised would be use to pay a 15-year bond of $4.4 million. The cost for the average Wyoming homeowner would be about $12 a year, according to city officials. For more about the millage, visit WYParks.com.
At the Grand Rapids Public Museum ‘Creatures of Light’ exhibit
By Kate Moore, Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM)is partnering with the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum to offer extended reciprocal membership benefits for the month of May.
Through this partnership, GRPM members can visit the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museumand receive free general admission. Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum members in return can visit the GRPM and receive free general admission, free planetarium shows and free carousel rides. Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum members will also be able to visit the traveling exhibit Creatures of Light free of charge for the entire month of May, as well as visit Mindbender Mansion as a GRPM member for free between May 27 and May 31.
“It’s great to be able to offer additional opportunities for our members,” said Jerica Starr, Education Coordinator at the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum. “The Grand Rapids Public Museum will offer a great new experience for our members and we hope that the Grand Rapids Public Museum members enjoy their trip to the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum!”
For more information on the reciprocal membership benefits or to become a member of the GRPM, please go here.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a publicly owned institution that is home to more than 250,000 unique artifacts that tell the history of Kent County and beyond, houses the only planetarium in the region, and is responsible for protecting the Norton Indian Mounds, a national historic landmark. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, with its main location in downtown Grand Rapids, MI at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees and exhibit/event listings, please visit www.grpm.org.
At the Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum
Mt. Pleasant Discovery Center
The Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to sparking creativity, nourishing learning, and inspiring curiosity of children through self-directed discovery in an engaging hands-on environment. The museum provides fun, hands-on exhibits to promote learning for children ages 0-12 in Mid-Michigan and surrounding areas. The discovery museum is a place that sparks curiosity and promotes learning. Each exhibit also aligns with Michigan’s Common Core Standards.
The discovery museum is located on at 5093 E Remus Rd, Mount Pleasant MI 48858 next to Morey Courts and the Isabella County Events (ICE) Arena.
For additional information please go here or call 989.317.3221.
The Friesian Connection will host its Annual Open House and Ice Cream Social Saturday, May 6 from 1 – 4 p.m. on its beautiful acreage just minutes from downtown Grand Rapids at 2685 144th Ave., Dorr.
Come for an afternoon of fun and fellowship and visit the Friesian Connection Stallion Station. Here, the public will see these majestic creatures up close and personal. The afternoon will include the presentation of stallions under saddle and driving, horses at liberty, a petting barn, and all the ice cream you can eat.
This year the Open House will feature Hessel 480, a majestic stallion direct from the Netherlands, with special guest Petra Zeelen who is a renowned trainer and clinician from the Netherlands. Also, Spring is foaling season for local Friesians, so visitors will be able to witness these beautiful colts, llies, and mares up close.
The Friesian is a horse breed originating in Friesland in the Netherlands. The conformation of the breed resembles that of a light draught house with the animal being graceful and noble for its size. IT is believed that during the Middle Ages, ancestors of Friesian horses were in great demand as war horse through continental Europe because their size enabled them to carry a fully dressed knight.
In 1984, Robert and Arlene DeBoer imported three Friesian Star mares from the Netherlands. From there, the Friesian Connection expanded into a well-established breeding program, training, selling and importing horses from the Netherlands. Today, the Friesian Connection has more than 50 Friesian horses on its 400-arce farm with the entire family involved in the business.
The Friesian Connection has a history of hosting Friesians owners to market Friesian horses and services. This tradition began back in the 1980s when the DeBoers and other early Friesian import partners began to market their stock for sale and stud services. It has since grown to be a huge event that attracts enthusiasts from across the Midwest. Remember to bring your horse loving friends and family to this special, free event.
“Throughout their time at KCAD, these individuals have exhibited an exemplary work ethic, dedication, curiosity, and thirst for knowledge and experience that has empowered them to get the most out of their education,” said KCAD President Leslie Bellavance. “We congratulate them on this accomplishment, and look forward to celebrating their continuing excellence as KCAD alumni.”
Kentwood resident, Eric Schroeder is among those being honored. Outside of his success in the classroom, Schroeder was named a finalist in the 2017 Bienenstock Furniture Library Design Competition, a prestigious competition that invites students from around the country to submit their best original furniture designs for a chance to win scholarship funding.
He also completed internships with Grand Rapids, Mich. furniture design and manufacturing company Guild Nines and New York City-based furniture/theatre designer Doug Fitch. While still a student, he landed a job as a product designer with Muskegon, Mich.-based Bold Furniture, where he is currently employed.
Upon graduating, Schroeder will continue to design products and furniture for Bold Furniture, and plans to eventually pursue a graduate degree in product design.
Kingfisher End Table (image courtesy of Eric Schroeder)
“Eric doesn’t wait for opportunities to find him — he seeks them out and explores them fearlessly,” said Associate Professor and Furniture Design Program Chair Gayle DeBruyn. “He also enjoys collecting and restoring mid-century modern furniture and nicely ties his passion for this style of design to his own.
“Clean, functional, elegant furniture is difficult to design; it requires a clear understanding of manufacturing and materials capabilities. For this, Eric engages his network to assist him. His employer, Bold Furniture, agreed to prototype a line of furniture specifically for Eric’s senior capstone project, and we can’t wait to see his work during the KCAD Annual Student Exhibition.”
Matt VanSweden (Grand Rapids, Mich.) – Collaborative Design
The 2017 Excellence Award winners will be recognized at an official ceremony on May 5, and their best work will be on display during KCAD’s annual Excellence Awards Exhibition (May 2-18), hosted in The Fed Galleries @ KCAD inside the college’s Woodbridge N. Ferris Building (17 Pearl St. NW).
The Fed Galleries will also be hosting the Masters Thesis Exhibition (May 2-18), spotlighting the fully developed work of the students who have completed their graduate studies.
KCAD’s Annual Student Exhibition (May 2-6), featuring work from each of the college’s programs, will encompass all floors of the college’s 17 Fountain St. NW and Woodbridge N. Ferris Buildings. A campus-wide opening reception will be held on May 2 from 4-7pm. All exhibitions and the reception are free and open to the public. For more information, go here.
Summer is right around the corner. That means plenty of locally-grown produce options will be available. But why is choosing local produce good for you?
It’s fresh. Most wholesale produce is picked up to a week before it reaches a supermarket and travels an average of 1500 miles! Veggies and fruits grown by local farmers don’t spend days in transport. This means they can be harvested at peak maturity when they are the most nutritious and tasty.
It supports local farmers. The money you spend on local products stays in the community and boosts the local economy. It’s a win-win for you and the farmers.
It can cost less. When you purchase produce that is grown locally and in-season, you aren’t paying for the transportation costs of getting food from across the country.
What about families who have a limited grocery budget? Many local farmers markets participate in food assistance programs. Programs like Double Up Food Bucks, Senior Project FRESH and WIC Project FRESH can make buying local an affordable option for those that qualify.
ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) also provides food assistance for qualifying families. When in-season, locally grown produce is combined with the pantry staples offered by CAA, low-income families in Kent County can put healthy meals on the table.
Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org
On Saturday, April 29, the City of Wyoming will host the last of its three public information sessions on its request to open the city’s library maintenance fund for park improvements.
The meeting is at 10 a.m. at the KDL Wyoming Branch located at 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The discussion will center on the May 2 ballot proposal where voters are being asked to allow the city to utilize .16 of its .39 library maintenance millage to put toward some of the $23 million in park needs. The nearly $800,000 per year raised would be use to pay a 15-year bond of $4.4 million. The bond money would be dedicated for park improvements at Ideal, Jackson, Ferrand, and Gezon.
According to Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt, the mill levy for the average Wyoming homeowner would be less than $12 a year.
The library maintenance millage is only to maintain the actually facility, Rynbrandt said, adding that what many people do not realize is that the library building is owned by the City of Wyoming. Kent District Library operates the library services and owns the collection. Operations of the library and the collection are funded through a Kent District Library millage, which is a 1.28 mill levy, which covers all 18 branches within the KDL system.
The Kent District Library and the Kent District Library Board are neutral on the subject of Wyoming’s request to transfer some of its library maintenance millage for park improvements, however; KDL Director Lance M. Werner said he and Wyoming Branch Manager Lori Holland have had multiple talks with the city about the proposal and impact to the library.
“We have been repeatedly assured by the City that the Branch will be held harmless and will be supported at the same level it currently is in the future,” Werner said.
The city recently completed more than $650,000 in renovations to the library facility that includes a new roof and the revamping of the former cafe to a public space. Upon review, city staff determined that there would be no major renovation projects needed for the library facility within the next 10 years, Rynbrandt said.
Every five years, the City of Wyoming meets with residents and city staff to review needs at its parks. Through that process, the city has recognized more than $23 million in park improvements. In 1994, Wyoming residents did grant a park millage which for the past 20 years the city has been able to invest and maintain the parks without an increase, Rynbrandt said.
However, within four years the city has had several natural disasters — a 2013 flood, and 2014 and 2016 tornados — which has created a greater need, Rynbrandt said. Highlighting some of those needs is Ideal Park, one of the four parks that would receive funding through the millage proposal. Ideal Park was severally impacted from the 2014 tornado with its playground equipment destroyed. The city was able to remove much of the debris and get the park reopened only to have the 2016 tornado cause more damage.
Jackson Park also was impacted by the tornados but also has a need for better stormwater control along with improved security and safety. Ferrand Park is a small pocket park that has not have any major improvements in a number of years and Gezon Park is surrounded by intense residential growth with the central area of the park needing to be developed.
For more information about the proposal or any the parks, visit WYParks.com.
On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Kentwood Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Kentwood Police Department at 4742 Walma Ave SE. Liquids, needles, inhalers or medical equipment cannot be accepted, only pills and patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue. Medications that are forgotten in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards by drug residues appearing in surface water, such as rivers and lakes.
Please take advantage of this free program that allows you to properly dispose of your unused and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications. For more information, contact Vicki Highland at 616-656-6571.
As mentioned, needles, or sharps will not be accepted at during the Take Back day. The Kent County Department of Public Works and the Kent County Health Department do offer a safe disposal of needles through a program called SafeSharps.
“Sharps” is the term for medical devices with sharp points or edges the can puncture or cut the skin. Kent County residents may request a free container from any KCHD facility. After completing a brief registration form, KCHD will issue a sterile approved container that users make take home. Once the container is full, it can be returned to any KCHD facility and exchanged for a new one.
Containers will be accepted at the Kent County Health Department, 700 Fuller Ave. NE; Sheldon Clinic, 121 Franklin SE; South Clinic, 4700 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.; and North County Clinic, 4388 14 Mile Road NE. Hours for all the sites are 8 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 – 4:45 p.m. Monday – Wednesday and Friday; 12:45 – 4:45 p.m. the first, third and fifth Thursdays of the month; 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 – 6:45 p.m the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. For more information on the SafeSharps program, visit recyclekent.org.
Attention artists! It’s that time of year again, so get ready to enter your best work on May 4th or 5th
The Festival Regional Arts Competition and Exhibition has a new home for festival 2017 — going back to the old federal building, now the Woodbridge N. Ferris Building of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD). KCAD has agreed to host the Exhibition and also is sponsoring the Juror Awards again this year. (A festival stage will be on Pearl between the KCAD buildings so the college will be fully included in the footprint of festival 2017.)
The dates for the Exhibition will be June 1, 2017, through July 15, 2017. The opening Reception will be on Wednesday, May 31, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
While this year’s Exhibition will be in the Fed Galleries @ KCAD, the timeline has dictated that entries areaccepted at a different location — the former Water Department Office Building at 1101 Monroe North (just south of Leonard) to take in, and jury art entries. Those selected will be transferred to the Fed Galleries by Festival. Non-selected works will be picked up at 1101 Monroe North.
Drop-off dates and times at 1101 Monroe North:
Thursday, May 4, noon to 6:00 pm
Friday, May 5, 3:00 to 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 6, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Pick-up of non-selected works at 1101 Monroe North:
Friday, May 12, 3:00 to 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
There are three jurors: Diane Zeeuw will be the juror for Painting and drawing. Tim Priest will be the juror for Photography. Lindsay Isenhart will be the Juror for 3-Dimensional and Multi Media works. Here is the link to their bios.
Following the close of the Regional Exhibition at KCAD, selected Award-winning pieces will be moved to the Grand Rapids Art Museum for display in the East Gallery from July 18 through August 27.
The online registration application and all of the entry information including sizes, entry fees, rules, and juror bios are available here.
Kent County names Interim Administrator to start July 1
By Lisa LaPlante, Kent County
The Kent County Board of Commissioners has announced that Assistant County Administrator Wayman Britt will take over as Interim County Administrator/Controller on July 1, 2017. Britt has been with Kent County since 2004, serving as management oversight for the Kent County Health Department, the Community Development and Housing Department, and the Veterans Services Department.
In addition, he is the liaison for the State Department of Health and Human Services, and is responsible for several community initiatives such as the Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council.
Prior to beginning his career with the County in 2004, Britt held several management positions at Steelcase, Inc. and Michigan National Bank – Central. Britt holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Michigan.
Britt has served on numerous boards and councils, including the Gerald R. Ford Council Boy Scouts of America, Grand Rapids Community Foundation Board of Trustees, Treasurer of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market Board of Directors, the West Michigan Sports Commission, Grand Rapids Job Corps Community Relations Council, and Kent County American Red Cross Executive Board.
Current Kent County Administrator/Controller Daryl Delabbio retires on June 30, 2017, wrapping up a career spanning four decades in municipal management.
Peters, Gardner introduce bill to keep government research data publicly available
By Allison Green
U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) today introduced bipartisan legislation to help federal agencies maintain open access to machine-readable databases and datasets created by taxpayer-funded research. The Preserving Data in Government Act would require federal agencies to preserve public access to existing open datasets, and prevent the removal of existing datasets without sufficient public notice. Small businesses rely on a range of publicly available machine-readable datasets to launch or grow their companies, and researchers and scientists use data to conduct studies for a variety of fields and industries.
“Research data that has been collected using taxpayer dollars should be publicly accessible and easily searchable,” said Senator Peters. “Small businesses and individuals rely on federally produced information for everything from long-term planning to innovative product development to help grow their companies and create jobs.”
Stabenow introduces bipartisan Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act to protect Michigan Seniors’ access to ambulance services
By Miranda Margowsky
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has introduced the Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act, which would make permanent key Medicare reimbursements to ambulance service providers and would ensure seniors and other people in Michigan continue to have access to life-saving services.
Ambulance service providers are an essential part of our local and national health care and emergency response systems, and are often the only provider of emergency medical services for their communities. There more than 200 ambulance service providers in Michigan, including small businesses, fire departments, hospitals, cities, and counties, that rely on Medicare reimbursements to provide emergency care and support jobs in local communities.
Senator Stabenow’s bill makes permanent the 2% urban and 3% rural reimbursement as well as a 25.6% reimbursement for areas that are classified as “super-rural,” meaning they represent the lowest measure of population density. If the Medicare reimbursements are not extended before they expire at the end of 2017, Michigan ambulance providers could lose up to $4 million per year.
Stabenow joins group of 19 senators calling on Republican leaders to focus on funding for opioid crisis and medical research
By Miranda Margowsky
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has joined a group of 19 senators calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to include a substantial increase in funds for the fight against the nation’s opioid epidemic and additional investments in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as part of the Continuing Resolution currently being negotiated in Congress to avert a government shutdown. Last year in Michigan, research funding for the NIH supported 10,817 jobs and $1.7 billion in economic activity.
The senators asked for additional resources to address the nation’s opioid crisis, particularly those communities which have been hit hardest by the epidemic, noting that only ten percent of people with substance abuse disorder receive specialty treatment due in large part to lack of funding for services. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Michigan had the 7th most drug overdose deaths of any state in 2015, a 13 percent increase from the year before.
Senator Stabenow’s statement following Great Lakes Task Force meeting on Asian carp
By Miranda Margowsky
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Great Lakes Task Force, has released the following statement after a bicameral meeting on near- and long-term measures to prevent Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes, including the status on the Tentatively Selected Plan for the Brandon Road Study:
“It’s deeply irresponsible for the Trump Administration to continue to block the Army Corp from releasing a critical plan to permanently address the threat of Asian carp to our Great Lakes. There is no reason to gamble with the future of our Great Lakes because a narrow group of special interests do not recognize that Asian carp is a problem. In our bipartisan, bicameral meeting today, we sent a clear message that it’s past time to take action to create a permanent solution to the threat of Asian carp.”
Senator Stabenow led the Great Lakes Task Force meeting, which was attended by officials from the White House, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Service. In February, the Trump Administration prevented the Army Corps from releasing the draft plan for stopping further movement of Asian carp in the Illinois River.
Peters urges colleagues to support funding for farm loans
By Allison Green
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) spoke on the Senate Floor on the need to support Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan programs. The Farm Service Agency works with lenders to guarantee and deliver loans to the small farms that need them the most. In June 2016, FSA operating loans faced a significant funding shortfall due to high demand, and hundreds of farmers whose loans had already been approved could not receive the funds they needed until Congress passed emergency appropriations in December 2016. Peters is leading a bipartisan letter urging Congressional appropriators to provide robust funding for Farm Service Agency loan programs in the 2018 budget.
“Small farms that are just starting out — or are facing tough economic conditions — sometimes struggle to secure affordable credit. That is why I am working across the aisle with Senator Tillis to urge Congressional Appropriators to fully fund Farm Service Agency loan programs as Congress considers government funding bills for 2018.
“Access to capital is critical across a range of businesses, but it is incredibly important for our farmers,” said Peters. “They can lose out on entire growing seasons if they can’t buy the equipment and supplies they need while they wait on Congress to fund the Farm Service Agency.”
Michigan delegation members join bipartisan push to keep EPA Region 5 Office open
By Miranda Margowsky
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Representatives John Conyers Jr, Sander Levin, Dan Kildee, Debbie Dingell, and Brenda Lawrence sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt stressing the importance of the Great Lakes.
Following reports that the Trump Administration plans to abolish Region 5 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — which serves Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio — as part of the fiscal year 2018 budget, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Representatives John Conyers Jr., Sander Levin, Dan Kildee, Debbie Dingell, and Brenda Lawrence joined a bipartisan push calling for the Region 5 office to remain intact and fully supported. In a bicameral letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, members of Congress from the Great Lakes region stressed the importance of the Great Lakes, which provide 90 percent of the nation’s fresh water supply and are a source of drinking water for more than 30 million Americans.
“We write to express our grave concerns regarding reports that the Administration plans to abolish Region 5 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the fiscal year 2018 budget. EPA Region 5 is critical to protecting the air, drinking water, and health of residents in the six Great Lakes states the region serves and closing its headquarters in Chicago would make EPA less efficient and effective in its efforts to protect human health and the environment. Accordingly, we request that you commit to preserving EPA Region 5,” the members wrote.
The Committee to Honor César E. Chávez has partnered with the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Unity Committee to host the 2017 César E. Chávez “5 de mayo” Celebration.
The public is invited to this annual event,Friday, May 5, at the museum, 272 Pearl St NW, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per individual, or a table of 10 for $300; purchase tickets online here.
“We are proud to be a partner with the Committee to Honor César E. Chávez in hosting this important community celebration,” said Dale A. Robertson, Grand Rapids Public Museum president and CEO. “The museum is a fitting place for this historical event; we believe in the value of working together to share stories and lessons that inspire and expand cultural opportunities for all.”
Three community members will be honored for their service and social justice work:
Andrés Abreu, editor-in-chief, El Vocero Hispano;
Carol Hennessey, Kent County commissioner, 14th district; and
José Reyna, community health programs director for Spectrum Health.
The celebration will feature authentic Mexican food, music and dancing.
Area colleges and universities joining the Committee to Honor César E. Chávez to support this event include: Aquinas College, Calvin College, Kendall College of Art and Design, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, and Western Michigan University-Grand Rapids.
“Many of our campus partners serve a diverse populations and Grand Valley is proud to partner with and support this annual cultural event alongside our partner universities and colleges,” said Jesse Bernal, vice president for Inclusion and Equity at Grand Valley.
The Proud Aguila sponsors of the event are AT&T, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Valley State University and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lupe Ramos-Montigny “Si Se Puede” Legacy Endowed Scholarship at Grand Valley. Scholarships will be awarded in October to Hispanic students who are pursuing college degrees.
Questions about the event can be directed to Lupe Ramos-Montigny, chair of the Committee to Honor César E. Chávez, at lrmontigny@yahoo.com or 616.443.5922.
The crowds that come to Meijer Gardens, shown here for a summer concert, pump money into the local economy, according to a GVSU Study. (Supplied Meijer Gardens/Tony Norkus)
By Dottie Barnes
Grand Valley State University
The overall economic impact of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on Kent County is $75.2 million, which supports 804 jobs, according to a study by Grand Valley State University researchers.
The entrance to Meijer Gardens. (Supplied)
Economics professors Paul Isely and Christian Glupker, who conducted the study, reported that the annual economic impact of Meijer Gardens came from three components: the impact of visitor spending outside of the venue, the operations of the venue (including what visitors spend inside the venue) and construction spending.
Isely said one way Meijer Gardens adds to the regional economy is by bringing visitors to Kent County.
“As these individuals come to the county to visit, they spend money on food, lodging, entertainment, transportation and other items,” Isely said. “The combined dollar value of this spending translates into greater earnings for area employers and employees, as well as greater job creation.”
Glupker said direct spending by all visitors outside of Meijer Gardens is $22.7 million, with more than 86 percent of this coming from people outside of Kent County.
“The result is a lot of new dollars into Kent County,” Glupker said. “This happens because the venue draws 445,000 visitors from outside Kent County and each of these individuals spends more as a result of a visit to Meijer Gardens than a comparable local visitor.”
David Hooker, president and CEO of Meijer Gardens, commented on the study by saying: “Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has been embraced and supported by our wonderful community. It is with the community’s support that we can further our unique mission of horticulture and sculpture and bring joy to so many people. The Grand Valley study clearly shows the importance and support of the great cultural community that we have.”
Details of the study shows The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park supports or contributes:
• 804 jobs in Kent County annually
• A $75.2 million economic output annually
• Visitors from outside the county who directly spend $19.6 million at businesses around Kent County annually
• Construction that created 39 jobs during the last year
• 86 percent of visitor spending is the result of spending by individuals who do not live in Kent County
• Nonresidents spent an average $129 per group outside the venue during their visit to Meijer Gardens while in Kent County.
SF Jazz Collective photographed in San Francisco in 2015. (Supplied St. Cecilia/Jay Blakesberg
By St. Cecilia Music Center
St. Cecilia Music Center will bring eight of the best jazz musicians from around the world to the Royce Auditorium stage on May 4. The SFJazz Collective is an all-star ensemble, that changes each season and is comprised of the finest performers/composers at work in jazz today.
SFJAZZ artists appearing at St. Cecilia include Miguel Zenon, alto saxophone; David Sanchez, tenor saxophone; Sean Jones, trumpet; Robin Eubank, trombone; Warren Wolf, vibraphone; Edward Simon, piano; Matt Penman, bass, and Obed Calvaire, drums.
The eight will perform the Collective’s arrangements of the music of Miles Davis as well as their own fresh compositions.
“If you are a jazz lover, this is the performance not to miss,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director. “An eight-piece band made up of eight of the most talented jazz performers on the jazz scene today will culminate in an exciting night for everyone who is in the audience.”
The SFJAZZ Collective’s mission each year is to perform fresh arrangements of works by a modern master and newly commissioned pieces by each Collective member. More than any other figure, Miles Davis changed the sound of jazz — not once, but consistently over his career — from the birth of bebop in the 1940s to the integration of rock that gave rise to the fusion movement in the 1970’s.
In addition to its outstanding line-up with a leaderless format, the SFJAZZ Collective has also been praised for the innovative approach to repertoire. Through the pioneering approach of simultaneously honoring jazz’s recent history while championing the music’s up-to-the-minute directions, the Collective embodies SFJAZZ’s commitment to jazz as a living, ever-relevant art form.
As soloists, composers, and bandleaders, the SFJAZZ Collective represents what’s happening now in jazz. They also demonstrate that jazz has truly become an international language. Hailing from Ohio, Baltimore, Miami, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and New Zealand, the Collective’s multi-cultural lineup mirrors the explosion of jazz talent around the globe.
However, the jazz community only reached its current state by maintaining its traditions while simultaneously embracing innovation. This, too, is the essence of the SFJAZZ Collective. These exceptional artists come together in the name of jazz as a constantly evolving, quintessentially modern music.
A pre-concert wine and hors d’oeuvres reception for $15 per person is also optional when purchasing tickets for this event. There will be a a post-concert “Meet-the-artists” reception with all ticket-holders will be held giving the audience the opportunity to meet members of SFJazz and to obtain signed CDs of their music including their newest release.
The City of Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival is on track to open tomorrow at a new location, Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.
“We are excited to return the carnival to its’ historic home at Lamar Park,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of Community Services for the City of Wyoming. “If you visit 28West Place you’ll see all of the orange barrels. It is wonderful to see the new construction occurring in Wyoming’s downtown area. With the redevelopment occurring of the Village Mall, the spring landscaping and final restoration work on tap for the new street, and more, we did not want the carnival location to delay this economic development in any way.”
Rynbrandt said when city officials evaluated other potential sites for the carnival, they sought an area that would be able to accommodate parking and provide for a larger venue.
“By going back to our roots, Lamar Park fits the bill,” she said.
The carnival will be open through May 7 and feature activities for the entire family.
A staple in the city for more than 30 years, proceeds from the carnival will be split between the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance (GWCRA). GWRCA funds support youth scholarships and youth and family programming through the Parks and Recreation Department. The GWCRA will also distribute funds to the community through its annual grant making process.
“We hope that the community will join in supporting these two great causes,” Rynbrandt said. “The Parks and Recreation Department and the GWCRA provides services and funding that benefit children, families and non-profit organizations throughout Wyoming.”
The Spring Carnival runs from April 28 – May 7 with its hours being 4 – 8 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 2 – 8 p.m. Friday, and noon – 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The carnival will feature entertainment for all ages, including games, prizes, and carnival fare favorites. A spectrum of rides will be available for carnival-goers, from crowd pleasers, such as a carousel and Ferris Wheel to the adrenaline-inducing Mega Drop and Wipe Out. Unlimited ride wristbands will be available daily for $20.
The Spring Carnival is made possible through the work of the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation and TJ Schmidt. For information, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation at 616-530-3164.
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health hosts a Drug Take Back Day event Saturday, April 29.
University of Michigan Health, in partnership with the City of Wyoming Environmental Services and the Kent County Safe Meds Program, is hosting a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is proud to provide this service to the community,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Floyd Wilson, Jr. “Returning unused or expired medicines is the responsible thing to do. Proper disposal of expired or unused drugs is a matter of public safety and public health.
“When drugs are thrown away or flushed, the chemicals in them can get into our water supply and soil. Additionally, it can be dangerous for individuals to use expired medicines or creams. By providing this service to the West Michigan community, we are all working together to keep our homes and families safe.”
All drugs are accepted at this event. They do not have to be in original containers. If they are in original containers, confidential bins will be used to dispose of those containers. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety participates in the event to ensure the safe disposal of the medicines.
Additionally, the Drug Enforcement Administration requires the presence of law enforcement at events like this. No questions will be asked of anyone bringing in any type of medication at this event. Furthermore, no paperwork is required and no signatures are collected.
“We hope area families will take advantage of this free service,” Wilson said. “We appreciate the support from our partner, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, who join us in ensuring the proper disposal of medicines.”
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health has hosted Drug Take Back Days since 2011. Since then, more than 3,712 pounds of drugs have been collected from the community. In April 2016, 384.35 pounds of drugs were collected along with 60 pounds of mercury. And, in October 2016, 366 pounds of drugs, along with one pound of mercury thermometers were collected.
Recruiters and hiring managers can receive hundreds of résumés for a single job opening. They take 10 to 15 seconds on average to scan each resume. With this kind of competition, how do you make your résumé stand out?
To get noticed, your resume must:
Quickly create interest for the reader
Entice the reader/potential employer into wanting to know more about you
Speak to the needs of the employer
How do you do this? Here are five tips to get you started!
Make it relevant. Include only the experience, training and skills that are related to the job you are applying for. Employers want to know what you can do for them.
Be honest. Don’t exaggerate your qualifications. You need to be able to back up any statements you make.
Keep it professional. Don’t include personal information or hobbies. Use a professional font that is easy to read. If you don’t have a business-like email address, create a new one. Keep it simple and use your name, if possible. Example: J.Smith@gmail.com not DogLuvr100@gmail.com
Make it easy on the eyes. Keep some white space and use a font size above 10 point so it is easy to read. Keep it uniform, using the same bullet points and structure throughout.
Proofread. Check spelling, punctuation and grammar. Then have someone else check it for you. Don’t let a typo ruin your chances of getting an interview!
Learn more about writing a résumé at one of our free workshops. Check the workshop schedule to see when the next résumé workshop is scheduled near you.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
