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Modern dance premieres on GR Ballet’s stage with MoveMedia series
By K.D. Norris
The modern dance scenes in Chicago and San Francisco are two of a very short list of the world’s incubators of dance innovation, and this week the Grand Rapids Ballet is part of the innovation process as it hosts the latest installment of its MoveMedia series.
Inbound to the ballet’s Peter Martin Wege Theater will be three world-renowned choreographers bringing world premiere works to the stage: from Chicago’s Hubbard Street dance company is Penny Saunders and Robyn Mineko Williams, each with new works, and from San Francisco’s Post:Ballet is Robert Dekkers, who will be collaborating with Vanessa Thiessen on a third new work.
“MoveMedia: World Premieres” will be presented Friday to Sunday, March 10-12, with 7:30 p.m. performances the first two nights and a 2 p.m. matinee on the final day. Tickets are still available for all performances, but the Friday night is near a sell-out.
Williams’ work is titled “Gleam”; Saunders’ is “In Frame”; and Dekkers and Thiessen’s work is “Dear Light Along the Way to Nothingness”.
Now in its seventh year, MoveMedia is “a contemporary dance series featuring dance works merging visual elements of sets, props, costumes and lighting, framed by technology and digital media to enhance the body in space by providing internationally recognized choreographers a creative canvas,” according to supplied material.
Taking full advantage of that “creative canvas” will be the impressive group Saunders, Williams and the duo of Dekkers and Thiessen.
Saunders began her professional career at The American Repertory Ballet, has been part of Chicago’s Hubbard Street company since 2004, and in 2016 was the recipient of the Process Grace Choreographic Fellowship.
Williams, originally from Chicago, spent 12 seasons with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, where in 2010 a work co-choreographed with Hubbard Street 2 director Terence Marling her work premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Dekkers has been named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine and in 2013 was nominated for an Isadora Duncan award for “Outstanding Performance — Individual” with the Diablo Ballet. Thiessen graduated from the School of Oregon Ballet Theatre, teaches at Reed College and the Northwest Dance Project in Portland (Oregon), and is the Post:Ballet’s movement director.
For a video of Dekker’s Post:Ballet, visit here … and click on Season VI Highlights.
For more information on MoveMedia, visit GRballet.com .
School News Network: Godfrey-Lee schedules superintendent interviews
By Erin Albanese
The Board of Education has scheduled special meetings in March to interview superintendent candidates to replace superintendent David Britten, who will retire July 1.
Candidates were narrowed from a field of 30 applicants. The following candidates will be interviewed in scheduled open public sessions:
- Tamika Henry, principal at New Options High School in Allendale Public Schools;
- Carol Lautenbach, assistant superintendent for teaching, learning and accountability for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools;
- Carlos Lopez, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools;
- Margaret Malone, director of fine arts for Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Lopez and Lautenbach will be interviewed starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 6; and Henry and Malone starting at 6:30 p.m on Wednesday, March 8, during special board meetings. Both meetings are open to the public.
After the initial round of interviews, the board is expected to narrow the field to two for a final round and selection scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, March 20. All interviews will be at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, 961 Joosten St. SW.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Author of ‘The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas’ to visit March 22 & 23
By Jennifer Jameslyn, GVSU
Interested in attending the author lectures, or meeting the author? Anand Giridharadas will be giving two public lectures:
March 22, 7 pm, Herrick District Library in Holland, Michigan
March 23, 7 pm, Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, GVSU Allendale campus
Grand Valley State University’s Community Reading Project is a signature program of Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Each year, the project selects one book to explore through discussion, co-curricular programming, classroom study and hands-on experiences in the Grand Rapids community. The year culminates in a visit from the author.
This year’s selection is The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas, by Anand Giridharadas.
Imagine that a terrorist tried to kill you. If you could face him again, on your terms, what would you do? The True American tells the story of Raisuddin Bhuiyan, a Bangladesh Air Force officer who dreams of immigrating to America and working in technology. But days after 9/11, an avowed “American terrorist” named Mark Stroman, seeking revenge, walks into the Dallas minimart where Bhuiyan has found temporary work and shoots him, maiming and nearly killing him. Two other victims, at other gas stations, aren’t so lucky, dying at once.
The True American traces the making of these two men, Stroman and Bhuiyan, and of their fateful encounter. It follows them as they rebuild shattered lives—one striving on Death Row to become a better man, the other to heal and pull himself up from the lowest rung on the ladder of an unfamiliar country.
Ten years after the shooting, an Islamic pilgrimage seeds in Bhuiyan a strange idea: if he is ever to be whole, he must reenter Stroman’s life. He longs to confront Stroman and speak to him face to face about the attack that changed their lives. Bhuiyan publicly forgives Stroman, in the name of his religion and its notion of mercy. Then he wages a legal and public-relations campaign, against the State of Texas and Governor Rick Perry, to have his attacker spared from the death penalty.
Ranging from Texas’s juvenile justice system to the swirling crowd of pilgrims at the Hajj in Mecca; from a biker bar to an immigrant mosque in Dallas; from young military cadets in Bangladesh to elite paratroopers in Israel; from a wealthy household of chicken importers in Karachi, Pakistan, to the sober residences of Brownwood, Texas, The True American is a rich, colorful, profoundly moving exploration of the American dream in its many dimensions. Ultimately it tells a story about our love-hate relationship with immigrants, about the encounter of Islam and the West, about how—or whether—we choose what we become.
Watch the author’s TED talk here to get an overview of the events of the book and their connection to present day issues:
You can participate in a virtual book discussion led by GVSU Brooks College alum Ashley Nickels here.
Check out the author’s most recent article, connecting the events of True American to the tragic shootings of two Indian immigrants in Kansas here.
School News Network: Tuesday Job Fair Seeks Teachers, Support Staff
With a job fair Tuesday, March 7, Kent ISD and EDUStaff seek to increase the substitute teachers and support staff local districts badly need. The job fair takes place from 10am-2pm at Kent ISD’s administration building, 2930 Knapp Street NE, Grand Rapids, 49525.
EDUStaff is a Grand Rapids area company formed in 2010 to provide substitute staff for schools and works with many districts across the state. (EDUStaff is also a sponsor of School News Network.)
Finding substitute staff is increasingly difficult for schools, according to Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Caniff. “As Michigan’s job market has improved, our districts are having a tough time finding good staff, including subs. And these subs are a critical resource and an important part of the school family. They help students keep learning when staff are out ill, tending to the needs of their own families, or participating in the professional development that improves achievement.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Government Matters: The week in review
Congressman Bill Huizenga’s Listening Tour is March 6 in Grand Haven
Congressman Bill Huizenga announced that the second stop on his listening tour will take place on Monday, March 6th in Grand Haven. The town hall style listening session will be held in the auditorium of Lakeshore Middle School and begin at 7 pm. This event is open to all residents of Michigan’s Second Congressional District. Media is asked to RSVP to Brian.Patrick@Mail.House.Gov.
- Who: Congressman Bill Huizenga
- What: A Town Hall Listening Session
- Where: Lakeshore Middle School Auditorium – Lakeshore Middle School is located at 900 Cutler Street in Grand Haven
- When: Monday, March 6th Doors at 6:15 PM, Town Hall from 7-9 pm
Signs will not be permitted in the auditorium. Those who would like to display signs are welcome to do so outside the middle school prior to the event.
Congressman Huizenga’s first listening tour stop took place in Baldwin on February 25th and was attended by over 300 people.
The State and Local Cyber Protection Act
U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and David Perdue (R-GA) have introduced bipartisan legislation to help state and local governments combat cyber threats by increasing coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The State and Local Cyber Protection Act requires DHS’s National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) to provide assistance and training for state, local and tribal governments in preventing, preparing for and responding to cyber threats.
According to the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), state governments have identified improving cybersecurity as a top information technology priority. However, state and local governments often lack the resources or technical expertise to defend their networks from cyberattacks. Analysis from the Brookings Institute found that state and local governments vary widely in their abilities to budget sufficient resources and field the technical expertise necessary to respond to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. The State of Michigan estimates that they detect over 600,000 attempted intrusions to their information systems every day.
“This bipartisan legislation will help ensure every level of government has the necessary tools to protect their networks and respond to cyber attacks,” said Sen. Peters.
Self-driving vehicles
U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Representatives Fred Upton and Debbie Dingell called on the Trump Administration to prioritize the development and testing of connected and self-driving vehicles in the President’s proposed budget for 2018. The Members of Congress sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao urging them to include $200 million in their 2018 federal budget request for facilities designated by DOT as proving grounds for automated vehicle testing. In January, DOT designated ten sites across the country as national proving grounds, including the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti.
The letter calls for federal funding to help support the development of automated vehicle proving grounds and promote safe testing to validate these self-driving technologies and ensure they are ready for use on American roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 35,000 people are killed on our roads and highways annually. Connected and self-driving vehicle technologies have the potential to reduce accidents and save thousands of lives.
Full text of letter here.
Preparing youth and adults for high-skill, high-demand jobs
U.S. Senator Gary Peters has joined the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, a bipartisan caucus focused on improving and strengthening access to career and technical education. CTE programs help prepare youth and adults for high-skill, high-demand jobs in fields ranging from health care, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, information technology, marketing and sales, public safety and more. Each year, over 100,000 Michigan students enroll in CTE programs across 16 different career pathways.
“In an increasingly dynamic economy, we must invest in education and workforce development to equip workers with skills they need to compete in the 21st century,” said Senator Peters. “Career and technical education helps prepare America’s workforce for the jobs of the future in high-demand, good-paying career fields. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus to continue supporting CTE programs.”
Government Matters: Protecting the Great Lakes
In response to recent moves by the White House
- ordering a hold on the release of a tentative plan to stop Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes by strengthening a choke point in the Chicago waterway system, and
- slashing EPA funding that pays for Great Lakes pollution cleanup by 97 percent (which would virtually eliminate annual Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding)
Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Congressman Mike Bishop (R-MI) and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) led a bipartisan letter to President Trump requesting that he personally intervene to help protect the Great Lakes by releasing the first draft f the Brandon Road Report. The letter also respectfully requests President Trump to instruct the Army Corps of Engineers to continue working with state and local officials, as well as Great Lakes stakeholders, to implement a long-term solution for keeping Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes. The bipartisan letter is signed by 26 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“In order to protect both the ecosystem and the economy of the Great Lakes, we must have complete, accurate, and reliable information from the Army Corps of Engineers,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “Delaying the release of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam evaluation does nothing to stop the threat Asian Carp and other invasive species pose to the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet. By slow walking this important information, the federal government is jeopardizing the livelihood of hardworking families in Michigan and across the Great Lakes Basin. Time is of the essence.”
The text of the letter to President Trump is available online here.
Kentwood 50: Railtown’s golden ale a natural fit for celebration
By K.D. Norris
Following the City of Kentwood’s special City Commission meeting Monday, held as the kickoff event of the year-long Kentwood 50 celebration of the city’s 50th anniversary, the reception was held at Railtown Brewing Company and the beer of choice was — naturally — a golden ale brewed with a touch of mango.
Two reasons for the beer being the natural choice of the celebration: a 50-year anniversary is considered a “golden” anniversary, and the brew was the pick of some staff at the city’s Park and Recreation Department, which has, shall we say, a relationship with the 2-year-old Railtown.
The addition of the mango flavor? Well, the parks people also liked it so that was good enough for the brewery.
“A lot of the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department are actually mug clubbers here, they have a mug on the wall over there, they are just regulars,” said Gim Lee, who along with his partner Justin Buiter opened the brewery in late 2014. “They are friends and they asked if we would like to do something special (for the anniversary celebration) and we said ‘absolutely.’
“A group of them came, we sat down and collaborated on what they were celebrating and what kind of beer would work with that. They threw a whole bunch of different styles on the table, what they might want to try. They, as a team, actually landed on the golden ale — this is their golden 50th — and the mango being a golden fruit, that would be a perfect pairing. They wanted something unique and mango is a flavor not used too frequently.”
Railtown is located at 3555 68th St., in Dutton but just across the border with Kentwood. Since it opened it has grown to be a 3,500-square-foot space at the east end of the Village Mall plaza. The brewery’s tap room has 10 taps and usually 10 different brews available, and it has started to distribute kegs to other restaurants.
While the special Kentwood 50 brew was tapped at Monday’s invite-only opening ceremony reception, Lee said it would be available to the public — just maybe not until they brew up some more.
“We will have it on and off throughout the year, so people should be able to come in here and get it through the rest of the week — assuming we do not blow it out that first night,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Also debuting on the night of the reception were growlers with a special logo, which are part of the brewery’s continuing support of the Kentwood 50 event. The brewery will be donating a portion of its growler sales as the celebration continues.
“We are raising some money for the parks and recreation department by doing this,” Lee said. “When you buy a growler, we will be donating a couple bucks back to parks and recreation every time you fill that growler, regardless of what beer it is. It doesn’t have to be the golden ale. This will be an on-going promotion.”
As far as the process of developing the new brew, Lee admitted it was pretty much like Railtown decides on any beer it brews — they like to drink it, so they know other people will like to like to drink it. Although, he said, this time they had to satisfy more tastebuds than just the staff’s.
“We have brewed golden ales, we have done a lot of that. That part is easy,” he said. “We took a different golden ale, we racked it off to what is called a firkin, a 10-gallon cask, it is an old-fashioned way of serving beer. In the firkin you can dose whatever you want in it, that is part of the fun of using a firkin — you can add a little fruit, extra hops, a little coffee, whatever you want. It is a really good way to experiment with different flavors. … based on that, that flavor profile, we can scale it up to a bigger scale” for brewing.
“The (Kentwood 50) beer has been done for quite a while, and that was intentional,” he said. “I wanted to make sure if they did not like it at all, I would have time to brew something else if I had to. Its been done for a month. They came in and tried it, and I tried it, and my brewers tried it. We all thought it was pretty nice.”
For more information on Railtown Brewing Company, call the taproom at 616-881-2364 or visit railtownbrewing.com (leads to a Facebook page).
ACSET: Providing access to healthy food
Your Community in Action!
By Community Action Partnership of Kent County
A trip to the grocery store is a regular part of many families’ weekly routine. Most people are lucky enough to hop in their car and run to the nearest store where they have access to an abundance of nutritious foods and fresh produce. But what happens if you don’t have reliable transportation? Is there a grocery store close enough that you can walk? Can you easily get to a store using public transportation? Once you get there, how do you carry your groceries back home?
Many households in our country face too many challenges to access healthy food for their families. According to the USDA, there 2.3 million Americans living in low-income areas that are 10 miles or more from a grocery store or supermarket. These areas are defined as food deserts because residents have limited access to affordable, healthy food.
Living in a food desert is a serious health concern. It has been found to lead to greater risk for heart disease in adults. Children are at risk too. Studies have found 53% more cases of asthma in kids who live more than a mile from a grocery store.
If you or someone you know is living in a food desert, there are local organizations working to address nutrition needs. ACSET CAA has many community partners that distribute healthy food throughout the county through their nutrition services. This includes locations within known food deserts. To learn more about qualifications, distribution dates and locations, visit CAA’s website: http://communityactionkent.org/programs/nutrition-services/
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
It may have been warm, but WinterFest was a success
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
The weather was unseasonably warm for Wyoming’s first WinterFest, making organizers a little nervous as to whether residents would visit the seven sites hosting activities.
Those worries were put to rest as by 9:30 a.m. the Wyoming Junior High School already was hopping with students and adults getting in some hoops in the gym, visiting booths in the halls, and snagging some breakfast and partaking in the cake walk game in the cafeteria. By 10:30 a.m., greeters estimated that they had gone through about half of its 300 bracelets that each of the seven locations received to help count participants.
“We are celebrating the success of the first One Wyoming WinterFest,” said Rachel Verwys, one of the event organizers. “Through the seven locations, we believe we connected with about 1,400 people through Wyoming for a fun-filled event that connected residents to one another and to community resources.”
Put together by the One Wyoming Community Collaborative, which is made up of a collaboration of school, businesses, government, churches, nonprofits and residents to improve the quality of life in the community, the Wyoming WinterFest was considered the next step in working to bring residents, community leaders and business owners together to start the dialog of what they can do to improve their neighborhood, according to Jon Shaker, the marketing director for the salvation army Kroc center, one of the sponsors for the event.
“This is really nice for the community,” said Marilee Taken, from Beverly Reformed Church, located just down the street from Wyoming Junior High School. The church was handing out mugs, shirts, and popcorn. “It is such a wonderful idea to bring the community together for something fun and a great opportunity to meet your neighbors.”
Having grown up in the area of the Wyoming Junior High School, Elevation Church Pastor Chris Hall said he was thrilled at the opportunity to bring community members together to enjoy some fun activities – Hall’s church was providing the basketball games – and fellowship.
Even before the actual event, the planning process brought together more than 40 partners, businesses, nonprofits, churches, the city residents and schools, Verwys said. The idea was to have various locations opened within the city to bring the residents and organizations from that neighborhood together to start their own dialog on what they could improve their neighborhood, Shaner said. Along with the Wyoming Junior High School, The DOCK/The PIER, Vanguard Charter Academy, Calvary Church, Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, Community Church (Godwin Heights), and Grace Bible College all participated in the Wyoming Winterfest, which was Feb. 18. Locations were open at various times with each location offering food and an arrange of activities.
Many had planned winter activities. Hall said at the Wyoming Junior High School, there had been plans to have snow sculpting, but it was changed to fun with bubbles. “We just go with the flow,” Hall said.
As to whether the warmer weather helped the event, Verwys said she was not certain, but it certainly did not impede residents from attending.
“Another goal we accomplished was the connectivity to local community resources like health care organizations such as Metro Health Hospital, the library, KSSN, and the Girl Scouts,” she said. “The service volunteers provided at each location was amazing, WinterFest provided an avenue for about 350 people to serve generating well over 1,000 hours of service.”
With the Wyoming WinterFest deemed a success, One Wyoming is back at work planning future community-wide collaborations. Verwys said up next is a community-wide Earth Day event set for April 22.
Kentwood 50: Opening celebration brings dignitaries to town
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
It was a celebration of Kentwood’s past and future as residents, city leaders, school officials and students came together Monday night for the city’s kick off to its 50th anniversary.
Feb. 27, 1967, the Kentwood City Commission had its first meeting at Bowen Elementary School, so organizers of the year-long celebration decided it would only be fitting, and a perfect way to kick off the 50th anniversary celebration, if fifty years to the day, the Kentwood City Commission would have its meeting at Bowen Elementary School.
Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said the district was excited to be able to help make that happen as both school and city officials are proud of the strong partnership that exists between the two organizations. In fact, at the meeting, Zoerhoff said it is that partnership between the Kentwood Public Schools and the City of Kentwood that has made the community the incredibly strong one that it is.
“I am excited to see what we will do in the next 50 years because its going to be something,” Zoerhoff said.
Last night’s celebration had a definite eye toward the city’s future with Kentwood Public Schools students open the meeting with the Pledge of Alliance followed by students welcoming audience members in their native language, wearing the clothing of their homeland, which was designed to celebrate one of the city’s most unique attributes — it’s diversity. In fact, Kentwood is often called “the melting pot” as its residents represent more than 60 different countries, speaking more than 70 languages.
“If you ask a citizen of Kentwood why they like the city of Kentwood, the first thing that will come of of their mouth usually is diversity,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley to the almost 200-person crowd in attendance.
Kentwood’s residents’ and leaders’ willingness to work together have made it the success it is today, said State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-26th District), who, on behalf of the state legislature and with other state officials, presented the city with a special proclaimation. For that reason, she believed the quote at the top of the proclamation from Henry Ford was especially appropriate for the city: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
Lt. Governor Brian Calley, who also was in attendance along with other national, state, county and local officials, said it is the attitude of strong people, strong families and strong communities that has made Kentwood and West Michigan the vibrant community it is today. He said that Kent and Ottawa counties make up 10 percent of the state’s population but has been about 20 percent of the job growth over the last six years.
“So in celebrating 50 years, I want to say to the leadership that this doesn’t happen by accident,” Calley said. “It happens when people really know there stuff. Who are accountable and transparent and have the type of professionalism to do it and do it right.
“And clearly in Kentwood, you do it right.”
At the closing of the meeting, each of the commissioners talked about how much they have enjoyed living, working and serving Kentwood, making it a place to call home.
“How can a community so diverse unify?” Kepley said. “I think we have the answer not just for Michigan, the country, but for the world. It is a very simple word, and the word is love.
“We love each other. Neighbors love each other, taking care of each other and that neighbor might not look like you, talk like you, worship like you, but there is love there and I think that is why it all works.”
During the meeting, Kentwood resident Dale Potter was recognized for his 30 years of service to the community as representative of the importance volunteers have played in building the city and helping to continue to grow, Kepley said. Also a clip of the Kentwood 50th Documentary was shown, which was produced by WKTV. The full documentary will be available March 20 and will air on WKTV.
The Kentwood 50 celebration continues as the Taste of Kentwood is March 2 and the audition deadline of the Kentwood’s Got Talent is Friday, March 3. The first round of the Kentwood’s Got Talent is March 9. For more information, visit www.kentwood50.com.
Author of ‘The End of Your Life Book Club makes a stop at Schuler with new book
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Will Schwalbe understands the importance of books in a person’s life.
It was the connecting force between Schwalbe and his mother as she dealt with pancreatic cancer. As the two sat waiting for her chemo treatments, Schwalbe turned to his mother and asked what she was reading. The following discussions on books lead to the runaway bestseller “The End of Your Life Book Club.”
As Schwalbe, toured with the book, he had a number of people reach out and ask for lists. “It got me thinking about life and books,” he told publishersweekly.com. So this time around, he put together a book, “Books for the Living” that is a celebration of reading and recommendation of specific books that may guide people through their daily lives.
“I wanted this book to be a kind of virtual experience of sharing,” he said to publishersweekly.com. “Also a theme that was very important to me was the role of reading in our lives and being more thoughtful in limiting our electronic time.”
Schwalbe will be visiting Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE, Friday, March 10. The program is at 7 p.m. with a book signing afterwards.
Schwalbe is the the founder and CEO of Cookstr.com, a leading recipe and cookbook website. As a journalist, he has written for various publications, including “The New York Times” and “The South China Morning Post.
For more about the the author visit or other programs at Schuler Books & Music, visit schulerbooks.com.
Adoptable Pet of the Week: Carrot
Each week WKTV features adoptable pets from area shelters. This week, we focus on Carrot, a bunny available for adoption at West Michigan Critter Haven.
By West Michigan Critter Haven
Carrot is a Dutch rabbit with a beautiful gray and white coat. But she’s more than looks. She’s a smart, sassy girl and knows what she likes. She adores shoulder rubs and bum scratches. Like most rabbits, she takes pride in her personal space and doesn’t approve of any rearranging that she hasn’t done herself. She loves fresh leafy greens and grass hay. She will grunt her disapproval if you don’t feed her quickly enough, too. Her foster person adores her and Carrot has wiggled her way into the hearts of many that have followed her story and generously donated to cover her medical costs.
Like many of our surrendered critters, Carrot the rabbit was relinquished to us by a family who had outgrown her. She was a pet shop purchase for their daughter. Several years later when the daughter left for college, the parents decided they no longer had the time to care for Carrot. They reached out to us and we took Carrot as soon as we had an opening in our foster network, in October 2016.
As soon as Carrot came into our care, we had a suspicion something wasn’t quite right. While doing a careful physical check and nail trim for Carrot, we noticed her belly was quite enlarged and as tight as a drum. Our minds immediately went to reproductive organ cancer since Carrot was an unspayed female. Unfortunately, unspayed female rabbits have an 80 percent chance of developing uterine cancer. Spaying and neutering rabbits is absolutely crucial to their health and wellbeing. This is something that many rabbit owners are not aware of.
As with all of our unaltered foster rabbits, Carrot went in for her spay surgery just a few days after coming into our care. Our worst fears became reality when our veterinarian informed us that while the surgery went well, Carrot had been suffering from uterine cancer. The mass that was removed from her was nearly one-third of her body mass. And to make matters worse, less than 24 hours after her surgery, Carrot promptly demolished her sutures and ate the staples that were required for the size of the incision.
Carrot is a fighter with a huge personality. Her x-rays showed no signs of cancer anywhere else in her body. She also successfully passed her staples. We’re happy to say she’s in wonderful health. So aside from scaring the heck out of us with a rollercoaster of medical issues, the only thing she has left to do in our care is find her forever home.
Carrot is roughly six years old. In rabbit years, this is about middle age. Rabbits routinely live to be 12 years and older. She’s litter trained and spends her unsupervised time in a large dog exercise pen where she can stretch out and romp around freely. We do not advocate the use of cages, as they are quite restrictive. When supervised, she loves exploring her bedroom and other bunny-proofed parts of her foster home.
Carrot is a sweet, independent rabbit that will require a patient, loving adopter. She would do best in a home with adults or a family with mature children who will respect her and give her the space she needs to adjust. Since rabbits are prey animals, most do not like to be held. She is the type of rabbit that enjoys human company on her level. She enjoys flopping down near you while you watch TV or enjoy a book on the floor with her. She will also beg sweetly for treats by standing on her tippy toes against you to do her best to reach the treats in your hand!
Rabbits are not easy, starter pets. Carrot’s story is the perfect example of this. They are extremely intelligent and trainable. They require attention, love and a life indoors with their families. 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 Carrot
- Litter trained
- Spayed
- No small children
Want to adopt Carrot? Her adoption fee is $75. You can learn more about Carrot and other West Michigan Critter Haven adoptables at http://wmicritterhaven.org. All adopters must be at least 18 years old.
Interested in fostering small animals for West Michigan Critter Haven? Email info@wmicritterhaven.org.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Donate at http://wmicritterhaven.org!
LocalFirst recognizes business owner for contributions to the Grand Rapids/Kentwood community
By Bre Wilson
Josephine “JoJo” White recognizes that when a person makes the decision to leave a destructive relationship, they only have a short time to pack up and the last thing they may consider to grab is personal items such as shampoo and conditioner.
Which is why the owner of JoJo’s House of Beauty, located at 1801 44th St. SE, over the past several years has worked with the YWCA to make sure those items are available when people come to stay there.
“The YWCA has always been a great place to just give, they give so much to domestic violence and we wanted to just be a part of that,” White said. “We donate brushes and combs, hair care, whatever we have or whatever clients give to us.”
It is because of White’s dedication to building a better community that she was recently one of nine recipients of the LocalMotion Award presented by LocalFirst of West Michigan. Given out annual, the LocalMotion Awards are designed to recognize businesses, organizations and individuals leading the way in building vibrant, sustainable communities. Each nominee was asked to complete a Quick Impact Assessment, which quantifies their positive impact through business practices such as philanthropic efforts, employee satisfaction and responsible waste management. From there, the LocalMotion Award recipients are determined and were announced at a special event earlier this year.
“I was totally shocked,” White said of being a LocalMotion Award recipient. “There were over 60 people who were nominated, so just to be nominated was a good thing.
“It was amazing to be recognized.”
White open JoJo’s House of Beauty three years ago after taking over her current location. Her goal has been to offer a multi-cultural salon designed to serve both men and women of all hair types. “Opening a salon has been a dream of mine since the age of 16, so it’s just a blessing to see my dreams come true,” she said.
Even before achieving her dream, White was committed to giving back to the community. Through the years, she has been very involved in many organizations from giving scholarship money to Omega Si Phi Fraternity Incorporation and Alpha Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporation to volunteering with Beauty of Zion Fashion ArtPrize hair show. White said she enjoys creating a positive presence in her community.
“LocalFirst is proud of all the busiensses in West Michigan who are making a positive impact in our local community,” said LocalFirst President Elissa Hillary. “The businesses recognized at the LocalMotion Awards are excellent examples of what it means to use business as a force for good and we applaud them for their commitment to positive social and environmental change in Grand Rapids and beyond.”
The other LocalMotion Award recipients are, from Grand Rapids, ACTPhotoMedia, LINC UP, Management Business Solutions, Mindful Vinyasa School of Yoga, and Mixed Staffing and Recruiting; from Grand Haven, C2C Galleries; and from Holland, EcoBuns Baby+Co.
Employment Expertise: First steps to a positive online presence
By West Michigan Works!
More and more HR professionals are using the Internet to find information about job candidates. In a recent poll of recruiters, 93% said that they look at a candidate’s social profile and 42% of those said that they’ve reconsidered a candidate based on what they found.
Knowing this, how can you create a good online first impression? Here are a couple tips to get you started.
Google yourself. Look at the first three or four pages to see what an employer will see. A search that brings up negative or inappropriate content could land you in an employer’s reject pile. And while having negative content online may hurt your chances of landing a job, having no information is almost as bad; recruiters may see this being out of touch or lacking skills.
To combat this, you need to get fresh, positive content on the Internet. A good way to do this is to create or update your LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn is the #1 social media site that employers and recruiters use to search for candidates, so it’s important to have a complete profile with detailed information about your skills and experience. Pay close attention to the following:
- Photo: Your profile is 11 times more likely to be viewed if you include a photo of yourself. Be sure to use a professional-looking photo.
- Headline: Your headline is the short description of you that follows your photo in LinkedIn. A strong headline uses key words that are relevant to the position that you’re searching for and makes people want to view your profile. This is your opportunity to sell yourself in 120 words or less. Be concise. Be creative.
- Network: Once you set up your profile, connect with everyone you know: current and former colleagues, past employers, people in your industry, neighbors, family, friends and former classmates. And don’t forgot to follow companies that you may be interested in.
Building your online presence takes time, but these steps are a good start. Once you get some positive content on the web, remember to monitor it on a regular basis.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
And the Oscar goes to: A review of the 2017 Academy Awards and where to see the films
By Katelyn Kohane
“If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to, do it; want to change the world… there’s nothing to it.”
– Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Last year I mentioned a little bit of history for the Oscars. So this year lets dive right into the night of glamor, which started with a great performance by Justin Timberlake.
They had many great presenters including a few from Star Wars including Felicity Jones (Jyn Erso) and Diego Luna (Cassian Andor). Some of the Avengers even “assembled” to present awards such as Chris Evans (Captain America), Scarlet Johnson (Black Widow), and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury/ Mace Windu). Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Ben Affleck (Batman), and Matt Damon (Jason Bourne) also made an appearance.
The show had some great performances through out the night. Sting performed “The Empty Chair” from Jim: The James Foley Story. Auli’I Carvalno preformed “How Far Will I Go” from Moana. And Sara Bareilles performed Johi Mitchell’s “Both Sides” for the In Memoriam.
Of course let’s not forget Jimmy Kimmel’s presence as host for the evening. He certainly had his own style for the night even though you could see a little of the Kimmel/ Damon feud throughout the event. However, I did find it funny when Damon tried to trip Kimmel and when Kimmel tried to play Damon off the stage with the orchestra.
The In Memoriam is always a nice touch for the evening and included Prince, Mary Tyler More, Gary Marshal, Gene Wilder, Kenny Baker, Debbie Reynolds, and Carrie Fisher. They even mentioned Bill Paxton who unfortunately passed away over the weekend.
Let’s talk the mishaps. There was Carvalno performance where she was hit in the head with a flag and she continued graciously. And of course, the biggest mishap of the Oscars was the mix up of the envelopes that were given to Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. No one could believe what happened. The audience in attendance and I would dare say that everyone watching were stunned. You could see their faces drop while watching, however; I thought the cast of La La Land held their own and accepted the mix up with dignity.
And just like that another year has come and gone for the Oscars. And just in case you are wondering where to watch some of these great films, which are still in theaters, you can find them at the following cinemas: AMC Grand Rapids 18 (formerly Star Theater), which has both “La La Land” and “Moonlight.” Many of the Celebration! theaters including North, South and RiverTown are still showing “La La Land;” and Celebration! Woodland has a number of the Academy Award-winning and nominated films including “Fences,” “Moonlight,” “Manchester by the Sea,” “Moana,” and “The Salesman.”
Once again, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, 2 W. Fulton St., will be featuring the Oscar Nominated Shorts series. There are two sets of documentaries, with Documentary A running through March 26 and Documentary B, which includes the 2017 Oscar winner “The White Helmets,” running through March 28. The animation series, which includes the 2017 winner “Piper,” and the live action series, which includes the 2017 winner “Sing,” will run through April 1. Check for showtimes at www.uica.org.
In Honor of Carrie Fisher (one of my favorites) “May the Force Be With You.”
The full list and the winners of the 89th Academy Award are as follows:
Best Picture: Moonlight
Best Actor: Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea
Best Actress: Emma Stone for La La Land
Best Foreign Language Film: The Salesman by Asghar Farhadi
Best Animated Feature Film: Zootopia by Bryon Howard, Rich Moore, and Clark Spencer
Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali for Moonlight
Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis for Fences
Best Documentary Feature: O.J.:Made in America by Ezra Edelman, Caroline Waterlow
Best Director: Damien Chazelle for La La Land
Best Original Music Score: La La Land by Justin Hurwitz
Best Original Screenplay: Manchester by the Sea by Kenneth Lonergan
Best Original Song: City of Stars for La La Land by Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Best Writing Adapted Screenplay: Moonlight by Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney
Best Cinematography: Linus Sandgren for La La Land
Best Costume Design: Colleen Atwood for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Fin Them
Best Animated Short Film: Piper by Alan Barillo, Marc Sondhimer
Best Visual Effects: The Jungle Book by Robert Legato, Dan Lemmon
Best Live Action Short Film: Sing by Kristof Deak, Anna Udvardy
Best Film Editing: John Gilbert for Hacksaw Ridge
Community Health & Wellness Expo set to inspire heathy lifestyles
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
The almost week of warm, spring-like weather had about everyone trying to take advantage of the outdoors whether it be hitting a few balls at the golf course or just walking around the neighborhood.
So with spring on the mind, it is only fitting that the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department announce the second annual Community Health & Wellness Expo is set for Saturday, March 4 at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW. The event, which is from 1 – 3 p.m., is designed to provide inspiration on how to get active and eat smart.
“We had a good showing from our first event,” said Val Mester, recreation planner of Wyoming Parks and Recreation. “We saw that those businesses who participated were able to network not only with the public but also with each other as well.”
While at the Wyoming Senior Center, the expo programs are not just for seniors but include things for children, adults, and families, Mester said. A variety of local businesses, clubs and organizations will host tables and hand out samples and other great goodies. The first 50 adults through the door will receive a special gift.
Just like last year, there will be demonstrations of several programs including line dancing, yoga, and kickboxing. Healthy snacks will be handed out and those who attend will receive tickets for a raffle.
“It is all designed to encourage people in the community to try new things,” Mester said, adding that the expo will also encourage residents to continue to get outside and exercise.
For more information about the Community Health & Wellness Expo or for other upcoming Parks and Recreation Department activities, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 530-3164 or visit www.wyomingmi.gov.
Previn & Newhof earns award for exemplary engineering achievement
By Leonard Schneider, American Council of Engineering Companies
Prein & Newhof of Grand Rapids, Mich., has earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 50th annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) for designing drainage and treatment system improvements at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.
ACEC is the Washington-D.C.-based business association of the engineering industry representing more than 5,000 independent engineering firms throughout the United States.
The $20 million system is designed to eliminate environmental risks from aircraft deicing operations during the winter months. Stormwater from the airport’s north detention basin has been re-routed to a new outfall at the Thornapple River, while the west apron stormwater system was reconfigured to consolidate runoff from all major existing and future aircraft deicing areas.
In addition, the treatment system enhances the quality of the natural environment with an innovative design for collecting and treating propylene glycol, and managing stormwater. The green design uses gravity, vegetated beds, and natural organisms to treat the stormwater with essentially no power consumption or residual waste.
The project is among 162 engineering achievements from throughout the nation and the world being recognized by ACEC as the year’s finest examples of engineering excellence, and eligible for additional top national honors. Judging for the awards program — known industry-wide as the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry” — took place in February, conducted by a national 30-member panel of built environment leaders, along with experts from government, the media and academia. Award criteria focuses on uniqueness and originality, technical innovation, social and economic value, and generating excitement for the engineering profession.
Recognition of all award winners including top commendations — 20 Honor Awards, 16 Grand Awards and the prestigious “Grand Conceptor Award” for the year’s most outstanding overall engineering achievement — will take place at the annual EEA Dinner and Gala, a black-tie event to be held Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the business association of America’s engineering industry, representing more than 5,000 independent engineering firms and more than 500,000 professionals throughout the United States engaged in the development of America’s transportation, water and energy infrastructure, along with environmental, industrial and other public and private facilities. Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.
Registration now open for the Michigan IDA Annual Spring Conference
Technology and Literacy: The Ultimate Chicken and Egg Conundrum
Does your child continue to struggle in class specialized instruction and additional support? Are you overwhelmed with the choices of assistive technology? Have you ever 
had a bright student with unexpectedly poor reading, spelling and writing skills? Even though you thought your instruction was carefully planned, you somehow couldn’t reach that student.
For the past dozen years, educational technology has been the rage of schools across North America and abroad. It held great promise for students with reading and writing challenges, including dyslexia. However, too often this technology is nothing more than word-processing assignments, spell check, email and web searches — all of which require competent literacy skills to access.
Here’s the conundrum: no student can access these traditional technologies without competent reading, spelling and writing skills. Throughout this presentation, Elaine Cheesman will demonstrate instructional technology that is intuitive, research-based and focused on specific literacy skills. Dr. Cheesman offers solutions that can take students, teachers, tutors and clinicians beyond the conventional technologies to give them the technological keys to literacy success.
Dr. Cheesman is an associate professor at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut and credentials as a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University, under the direction of Judith Birsh. Her primary research, teaching and service interests are teacher-preparation in scientifically based reading instruction and the use of technology in literacy education.
Dr. Cheesman received the Excellence in Teacher Educator Award from the Teacher Education Division of the Colorado Council for Exceptional Children, the Teacher of the Year and the Outstanding Researcher awards from the University of Colorado College Of Education. The reading courses she developed are among the first teacher preparation programs accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.
When: Saturday, April 8, 2017
Where: Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor, Mich.
Register here.
GR Symphony, conductor Lehninger to take tour of historic Mussgorsky’s ‘Pictures’
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Marcelo Lehninger, in his first full year as Grand Rapids Symphony’s Musical Director, has a long history with Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” — ranging from hearing it in its original piano solo form as a youth, to it being on his debut program at the famous Tanglewood Festival, to his now conducting it on both sides of the Atlantic in the span of a month.
But as he prepares to bring Maurice Ravel’s orchestrated version of the work to Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, he admits to having only a cursory knowledge of Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s progressive-rock, synthesizer-driven version.
And who is to blame him? He was raised in Brazil, surrounded by classical and Latin music — his father is German violinist Erich Lehninger and mother Brazilian pianist Sonia Goulart — and he was born in 1979, eight years after EL&P’s vinyl version debuted.
“I first heard the piece on its original piano solo version, and I felt in love with it,” Lehninger said in a email interview this week. “I’ve conducted many times — in fact I just conducted it in Europe (Slovenia) where I am right now. It was also on my debut program in Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony.”
And, despite his only passing familiarity with the rock variation, he is all for even old rockers giving Ravel’s version a listen.
“I heard about the ELP version, but never got familiar with it,” he said. “In any case, we will rock with ‘Pictures’ next week in Grand Rapids!”
Ravel’s version, with its virtuoso violin work required, is the most “colorful” of all the versions, Lehninger believes, despite the fact that he studied both violin and piano early in his career.
“I definitely have an affinity for both violin and piano, not only because I studied these instruments, but because I grew up listening to them,” he said. “However, one instrument was never enough for me. I loved playing the violin and piano, but I needed more colors, more sounds; therefore I exchanged the 88 keys of the piano for 88 musicians in the orchestra.
“I believe that many composers that orchestrated the piece felt exactly how I felt playing just one instrument. This is a piece with so many sounds and colors possibilities, somehow the piano alone doesn’t achieve that. Therefore many composers orchestrated the piece. Although Ravel’s orchestration is criticized for not ‘sounding Russian enough’, it is my favorite orchestration of the piece. Ravel was a master of orchestration and with ‘Pictures’ he explores all the sound palette of the orchestra. I have to confess that I like Ravel’s version much better than the original piano solo version.”
In addition to “Pictures at an Exhibition”, also on the symphony’s upcoming program are Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D Major with guest soloist Stefan Jackiw, as well as Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings and “John Corigliano’s Promenade Overture from 1981.
Jackiw’s career has included performing at the grand opening of Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall alongside pianist Emanuel Ax, soprano Renée Fleming and conductor James Levine. He may be best known to younger audiences for his performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra at Australia’s Sydney Opera house, seen live on YouTube by more than 30 million people worldwide.
For more information on Grand Rapids Symphony concerts visit GRSymphony.org
Changing careers? Here’s how to find a job that’s right for you
By West Michigan Works!
Did you know that the average person will change careers five to seven times in a lifetime? Not just a new job, but a completely new field. For example, leaving a marketing position for accounting or moving from manufacturing to retail.
Why do workers change careers so often? Sometimes it has to do with frustration in a current job. Other times, a business closure or downsizing forces a move. A lifestyle change can leave workers needing more time at home or a larger salary. As workers mature, they better understand their talents and interests.
Whatever the reason, multiple career changes is the norm in today’s workforce. So, how can you do it successfully?
Understand yourself. Take time for self-reflection. What are your passions, strengths and weaknesses? Not sure where to begin? Consider taking a personality test, like the Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment, to get started.
Find the right fit. Once you understand your skills and personal preferences, start exploring your options. There are many good career exploration sites online like Pure Michigan Talent Connect. Their Career Explorer page has tools that match your interests and skills with the best career for you.
Prepare. Research the position you want to transition into. Are your current skills transferable? Do you need additional training or education? Consider volunteering in the field. You can gain knowledge and make connections.
Network. Speaking of connections, do you know anyone who is already working in the field? Would they be willing to provide a reference, or do they know of current job openings? Join a professional network in the field and attend local networking events. Prepare a strong elevator speech to let your new connections know why you want a new career.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Running with the Wolves; Wyoming high inducts five into its athletic Hall of Fame
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
When cross-town athletic rivals Wyoming Park and Rogers high schools combined to form the current Wyoming High School, two athletic traditions were combined and a new one was born.
That shared past and unified present was honored early this month as five one-time students athletes were inducted into the Wyoming High School athletic Hall of Fame.
The ceremony was held Feb. 10, between home boys and girls basketball games. Those inducted included Andy Vavere, Laura Erdmans Readle, Doug Chappell, Kim Blouw Norden and Eric Taylor.
For many of the inductees, it was not only night to be honored but to remember high school athletic careers and experiences still remembered fondly — including one where cross-town athletic competition led to a union of a different kind.
Andy Vavere, Rogers High Class of 1980, was not only a standout football, basketball and baseball athlete — highlighted by the basketball team’s deep runs into the state tournament in 1979 and 1980 — but he also met his future wife during his high school years.
“My favorite (athletic) memories were our tournament runs we had in 1979 and 1980. We were regional finalists in ’79 and semifinalists in ’80,” Vavere said. Rogers was 21-4 the first year and 21-5 the second.
During those years, Vavere was an OK Red all-conference baseball player in 1979, an all-conference quarterback in 1980, and a all-conference basketball player in both years. He was also the 1980 Adrian Allen Athlete of the Year Award winner.
But the longest lasting memory was meeting his wife, Margaret, who attended his school’s arch rival.
“I was a senior at Rogers High School in 1980 and she was at Wyoming Park, a competitive school, and we met through competition,” he said. “I started dating Margaret in 1979 and we got married in 1989.”
And, Vavere admitted, it was always a challenge to face Wyoming Park on the field: “Absolutely, those guys were great,” he said.
Running into the Hall of Fame
One of those “great” Wyoming Park athletes was cross country and track runner Kim Blouw, Class of 1990.
Blouw, who later graduated from Central Michigan University, was track all-state each of her four years of high school, and was an all-state cross country runner her junior and senior years. She held school records in the 800, 1,600, 3,200-meter runs as well as in the 2-mile relay run. And she was part of a state champion 2-mile relay team one year.
But, maybe, the highlife of her high school career was spring track practice after a 16-hour bus ride to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
“I guess my favorite memories about high school would be my two coaches, Mr. (Frank) Grimm and Mr. (Dick) Locke, and traveling to South Carolina to go to Myrtle Beach, becoming a team, but not only a team but becoming a family,” Blouw said.
She also credits her family, both at home and on the Wyoming Park athletic teams, for keeping her focused and successful in her high school years.
“What made me do that was that I had two great parents who instilled a really good value system in us, myself and my brother,” she said. “I had really great coaches that really emphasized the importance of never giving up. I had a goal, and my goal was to go to college. And I was blessed with the ability to run. … So many people believed in me, encouraged me to excel in my career as a track and cross country runner. I embraced that.”
Three more honored with induction
Eric Taylor, Wyoming Park Class of 1988, had a basketball career that not only brought success to his high school, but to his college and professional teams as a player, and then carried him back nearly to full-circle as a high school basketball coach.
Taylor was an all-conference and all-state player his last two years at Wyoming Park, then played basketball and earned a degree at Oakland University. He went on to play professionally in Europe, winning multiple championships, and earn his masters degree from Grand Valley State University. He now coaches varsity basketball at Grand Rapids Christian High School.
“My passion is giving back to students and to influence their lives in a positive way everyday,” Taylor said in supplied material. “It’s about the legacy to reach, teach, love and support all students and be an example and a role everyday for all students.”
Doug Chappel, Rogers Class of 1979, died in 2012 but left a mark on the basketball record books both at his high school and at University of Detroit. He was a multi-sport athlete but starred on the basketball court in high school — including being all-conference three years, all state two years including being one of the top five players in the state his senior year, and scoring 1,300 points while grabbing more than 700 rebounds. He then played four years of college ball at Detroit, scoring nearly 1,200 points and gaining all-league honors.
Laura Readle, Wyoming Park Class of 1981, was a multi-sport athlete, including all-conference honors multiple years in volleyball, basketball and track. She was a rebounding machine on the basketball court, averaging 29 rebounds a game one year, and a record-braking sprinter on the track. She went on to gain her bachelors and masters degrees from Aquinas College, coached AAU basketball for 10 years and is now the track coach at Tri-County High School.
She also still runs, and runs and runs — including finishing marathons, ½ marathons, triathlons and the 25K River Bank run spread out over 30 years, and recently participated in a 5-hour adventure race. And the track for Wyoming Park, at Godwin High School, is still one of her favorite memories.
She remembers “when the only track that was ‘rubberized’ not cinder, in the late ’70s, at Godwin High School … every track meet all 8 schools in our conference would be there,” Readle said in supplied material. “I met many wonderful friends from all the other schools in our conference and I am still friends with many of them today. It is also where I met my husband. Many, many happy memories!”
Kentwood 50: Registration deadline for Kentwood’s Got Talent coming up quickly
The registrations deadline for the Kentwood’s Got Talent is only a week away.
Those interested in singing, dancing, or making people laugh, need to register by March 3. The event is part of the Kentwood 50th Anniversary celebration, which kicks off on Monday, Feb. 27, with a special City Commission meeting that marks when Kentwood’s first City Commission meeting took place 50 years ago. Registration forms can be found at www.yourkprd.org and may be sent in online through the website or mailed to Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE., Kentwood.
The Kentwood’s Got Talent is a talent show with first round auditions set for Thursday, March 9, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton SE.
The contest is open to anyone ages six and up with adults and seniors encouraged to participate. A person may participate in one act, a solo or group. All acts are limited to five minutes. The event is family friendly, so music selection should be appropriate for all audiences. The Talent Committee does reserve the right to refuse materials or acts due to mature content.
Complete guideline details are available at www.yourkprd.org.
First round winners will be notified and will move on to the finals which will take place during the city’s weekend-long celebration in August. The Kentwood’s Got Talent final round is set for Aug. 11 from 7 – 9 p.m. at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton SE.
March of Dimes Western Michigan hosts open house Feb. 28
By Ginger Feldman
Local Grand Rapids community members will have the opportunity to learn about the work, mission and events of the March of Dimes Western Michigan Market. A ribbon cutting and open house will be held Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 3:30-7 pm at their new office location, 3001 Orchard Vista Suite 250 in Grand Rapids. All are welcome to attend and learn more about the March of Dimes and their fight to end premature birth.
The March of Dimes Western Michigan’s former office space flooded in 2014 causing extensive damage structurally as well as to office furnishings and supplies. The building was eventually sold and the March of Dimes had to leave the space. Thanks to an enormous amount of support from partners in the community the March of Dimes Western Michigan is now settled into their new office space. Northstar Commercial and Steve Millman donated the 1,000 square foot office space, while over $7,000 of office furnishings were donated by UBU. The Fox and the Owl designed and donated building plans, layout, and colors while FASTSIGNS donated all the signage for the new office.
The March of Dimes is incredibly grateful for all the support they have received and want a chance to share with the community not only their new space but all the amazing work that’s being done there. Guests will have an opportunity to learn about locally funded programs as well as receive information on the March of Dimes premier fundraising event, March for Babies.
If you’d like to attend, please RSVP via email to Executive Director Ginger Feldman or by calling the office at 616.247.6861.
About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and information, go here.
Government Matters: Huizenga, Stabenow stress critical importance of completing Soo Locks study
By WKTV Staff
In October 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted an analysis of the economic impacts of a 6-month closure of the 49-year old Poe Lock at the Soo Locks complex. DHS concluded that the Poe Lock is the Achilles’ heel of the North American industrial economy and that such an outage would send the United States’ economy into a recession, closing factories and mines, halting auto and appliance production in the U.S. for most of a year and result in the loss of some 11 million jobs across the nation. Later that year, in December 2015, USACE agreed to reevaluate the BCR of upgrading the Soo Locks after acknowledging inaccuracies in its original BCR determination that left the project unable to compete for federal funding.
On Feb. 23, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Co-Chair of Senate Great Lakes Task Force, led a bicameral, bipartisan letter to the United States Army Corps of Engineers stressing the importance of completing the study at the Soo Locks in an accurate and timely manner. U.S. Senator Gary Peters and Representatives Jack Bergman, Sander Levin, Fred Upton, Tim Walberg, Dan Kildee, Debbie Dingell, Brenda Lawrence, David Trott, and Paul Mitchell also signed the letter as members of the Senate and House Great Lakes Task Forces.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is currently undertaking an economic reevaluation of a project to build a new navigation lock at the Sault Ste. Marie Locks complex in Michigan,” the lawmakers wrote. “This revaluation is necessary due to erroneous assumptions later acknowledged by USACE in its original economic analysis. We write to ensure that USACE engages stakeholders and considers appropriate transportation alternatives to ensure an accurate benefit-cost ratio (BCR) analysis for the project, which is critically important to our states and the entire country.
“We therefore encourage USACE to ensure that the BCR reevaluation of the Soo Locks project is conducted in a manner that is consistent with other navigation lock and dam project evaluations regarding alternate transportation modes, and that every step is taken to expedite the completion of this critically important analysis,” the lawmakers went on to say.
The full text of the letter is available online here.
Michigan band Pop Evil entertains kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; plays GR Feb. 25
By Kelly Taylor, WKTV
Michigan band POP EVIL took time out of their tour schedule to visit with some special fans at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis, Tennessee recently. The band was invited by the hospital as part of Music Gives to St. Jude Kids, an initiative that mobilizes the music community — artists, fans, corporate partners and sponsors — to join in the fight against childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, and to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Playing for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was a career highlight,” said Pop Evil frontman Leigh Kakaty. “Whenever you can help bring inspiration and positivity to children in need it makes it all worthwhile. Being able to bring smiles to both the kids and their families was humbling and something we hope we can do more of in the future.”
The band performed some of their biggest hits like Footsteps and Take It All. Video of each performance can be seen here. Bassist Matt DiRito added, “It has been such an honor to be able to work hand-in-hand with the staff and families at St Jude. Those kids have touched our lives in a way that is so incredibly powerful and different from anything we have experienced in our travels across the world.”
The band will perform in Grand Rapids on Feb. 25 at the new venue, 20 Monroe Live. Go here to get tickets.
Need to make some home repairs? Kent County increases grant funding
By Lisa LaPlante
Residents in need of repairs or home modifications may be eligible for additional funding through a grant available in parts of Kent County. The Board of Commissioners voted this morning to provide an additional $181,689 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for repairs on homes owned by low- to moderate-income families.
Kent County currently contracts with Home Repair Services (HRS) to provide home repairs of up to $10,000 for eligible clients outside of the cities of Grand Rapids and Wyoming (which have their own funding components). Those living in Kentwood would be eligible. The Kent County CDBG funds two programs:
* Minor Home Repair Program: emergency home repairs to single family, owner-occupied homes for very low income homeowners making 80 percent of area median income (i.e. roofs, septic systems, furnaces, etc.);
* Access Modification Program: modify homes of eligible individuals with mobility impairments in order to improve access and use of the home.
“The County partnership with Home Repair Services is vital to many homeowners,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners. “Home repair or modification is often difficult for families living on a fixed budget, especially our most vulnerable elderly residents or those living with disabilities. This funding will assist families with necessary repairs that will also help retain or improve home values.”
“Home Repair Services is thrilled and honored to partner again with Kent County to maximize the use of these extra funds,” said HRS Executive Director Joel Ruiter. “We look forward to strengthening additional lower-income and vulnerable homeowners throughout the County. Successful and safe homeownership builds value and results in a stronger more vibrant community for us all.”
To learn more about Home Repair Service programs, call 616-241-2601 during business hours or go to www.homerepairservices.org.
Kentwood 50: 16th Annual ‘Taste of Kentwood’ — Bigger, tastier than ever
By WKTV StaffWhat tickles your tastebuds — Thai? Mexican? Barbecue?
This year, Taste of Kentwood will host more than 15 local restaurants on March 2 at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
There will be a variety of food including the above-mentioned perennial favorites, Thai, Mexican and barbecue — plus soups, sandwiches and other gastronomical delights. Sample delicious creations from Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Pepping’s South Kentwood, The Candied Yam, Celebration! Cinema South, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Jet’s Pizza, On the Border, Beta Bars, Bloop Frozen Yogurt, Larues Kitchen & Catering, Taco Bob’s, Zoup! and Mosbyspopcorn.
“Taste of Kentwood is a great way to showcase the variety of restaurants we have in the community and a delicious and wonderful way to bring together our local community with our businesses,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley.
The event is open to the community. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at www.yourkprd.com. Two time slots are available, from 4:30-6 pm. and from 6:30-8 pm.
For questions, please contact City of Kentwood’s Park and Recreation Event Coordinator Laura Barbrick at barbrickl@ci.kentwood.mi.us or 616.656.5272.
California dreaming — back to the USA
By Lynn Strough
This is the final installment in this year-long journey, at least for WKTV. Lynn is currently wintering in Mexico and deciding where to go next.
After 18 months outside the U.S., it was time for a brief return. Leaving Thailand when my six months of visas were up and with the first draft of my book manuscript completed, I made a sweep through California to renew my passport and, more importantly, to see family and friends. In keeping with my backpacker’s budget — this included house- and pet-sitting, a cobbling together of places to stay. Opportunities arose and disappeared per usual on this journey, more chances for a planner like me to keep practicing letting go.
Through an amazing synchronicity, an American woman I met via Facebook — a fellow house and pet sitter — offered up a California cat sitting job she had to turn down due to a prior commitment. My first stop for 10 weeks was set in the city of Sacramento caring for Cinco, a 15-year-old cat. Easy — just feed him, clean out his litter box and keep him alive until his owners come home. That was before I knew about the cockroach invasion or the neighborhood gunfight, but that’s another story.
Sacramento is California’s capitol and it’s worth a stroll through the Old Town near the dome to learn a bit about American history — about the gold rush and stage coaches and the Wild Wild West. (It’s still a bit wild.)
The highlight for me was seeing my daughters after almost two years on the road (one of the downsides of being a nomad on a limited budget is being far away from loved ones). My Michigan daughter was visiting my Los Angeles daughter, and they took the coastal train up to visit me. It was a much too brief but wonderful reunion, including a hike in the Auburn hills.
Sacramento reminded me of what it’s like to live in American suburbs, taking daytime walks in neighborhoods virtually abandoned by people off hiding in cubicles at work, a stark contrast to the streets in places like Thailand that are bustling with people no matter what time of day. Empty yards of manicured grass led me to a lush rose-scented garden surrounding the local library, and grocery stores loaded with all of my favorite (and much-missed) foods. Reverse culture-shock set in — people who spoke English, signs and labels I could read, and driving a car once again — the homeowner’s giant old SUV.
Several dear friends came to town — too many to name, and it was such a delight to reconnect after being out of the country for so long. When my friend Beth came from Michigan, we got to check out Lake Tahoe for a couple of days. Tahoe has some of the most stunning scenery in California, in fact in the entire U.S. Take a spin around the whole lake in a day and you’ll see fabulous lookouts.
My plan was to end up in Napa, a town I’d lived in for several years, and then a housesitting stint in Redwood City, but those opportunities vanished like coastal fog. It’s a little unnerving not knowing where I’m going next, but when I can stop stressing and let curiosity overtake fear, something interesting always comes up. This time it included a pet sit in a luxury condo in San Francisco and another in an apartment with a view in Tiburon, across the bay. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities, and my lively charge Loki kept me very busy hiking its famously steep hills.
Luckily I had a few hours each afternoon between dog walks to explore on my own — places like the famous Fisherman’s Wharf with barking seals, scents of sour dough bread baking and tastes of Ghirardelli chocolate. And then there’s bustling Chinatown, full of colorful shops displaying all manner of scarves, shoes and jewelry.
San Francisco is also home to some of California’s best museums — SFMOMA, the De Young and Legion of Honor art museums, and the fascinating Californian Academy of Sciences where you can view the stars in the planetarium, walk through a tunnel of sea creatures and feel what it’s like to be in a building during an earthquake.
There’s Haight Ashbury, full of tie-dye, and fashionable Union Square. In San Francisco, even getting around can be fun with sounds of street cars clanging and clacking up and down the rails. Along with a daily dose of that gorgeous red bridge, I felt at home in California once again.
Across the Golden Gate lies Sausalito and the tiny town of Tiburon –my next stop, for the care of a small pup and the real boss of the place, a cat. In a one-bedroom apartment high up on a hill, I enjoyed the most spectacular scenes of the bay in exchange for hanging out with Bea and Mowgli. One thing housesitting allows besides free accommodations is a chance to see how it feels to live in an amazing variety of places. And with kitchens, a chance to save money by cooking at “home”. Even though it’s not my own place, I’ve learned to get outside my comfort zone and make home where I hang my hat.
Life in Tiburon was slow, filled with dog walks, writing, visits from more friends and deckside dining, both at seaside and on the apartment’s sky-high deck. The views were mesmerizing in the daytime, at sunset and with glittering gold dust scattered across the horizon at night. It was hard to close my eyes at the end of the day as I didn’t want to miss a moment of such beautiful sights.
Angel Island State Park is a short ferry ride away, so I was able to hop over for a day hike. It’s not only a lovely place for a nature fix, but it’s also full of history about the Asian immigrant experience. Sometimes called “the Ellis Island of the West”, it was a detention point for immigrants from China, Japan and India, among other countries. You can tour some of the original buildings.
Soon enough, my house sits ended and with new passport in hand — good for 10 more years — I booked a Megabus down to L.A. For the budget-minded traveler, avoiding flights running over $200 oneway from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Megabus is a great alternative ($26 to $46, depending on date and time). True, an overnight ride for eight hours on a sold-out double-decker bus isn’t the most comfortable way to travel, but with more time than money, it’s part of this nomad’s life. And you meet the most interesting people! Next stop, a peek at L.A. and a tour of the beaches in SoCal.
About Lynn Strough
Lynn is a 50+ wanderer whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.
“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”
All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales
Reprinted with permission
Kentwood kicks off year-long 50th anniversary celebration with a special city commission meeting
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
On Feb. 27, 1967, the City of Kentwood had its first commission meeting at Bowen Elementary School. Fifty years to the day, the city commission will once again meet at Bowen Elementary to kick off Kentwood’s golden anniversary.
“February 27 marks a truly historic occasion for the City of Kentwood,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “Celebrating the original City Commission meeting is a memorable way to honor Kentwood’s past while looking forward to our future.”
Long before the city was even mapped out as Paris Township, people were coming to the area mostly because it reminded them of their former homes, with rolling hills and good soil, said Ray Boisvenue, a local historian who has helped collect oral histories of many of Kentwood’s residents.
In 1939, the township organized with resident Joel Guild suggesting the name Paris for the area after his former home of Paris, New York. Guild was then elected the first township supervisor. The township at that time was a perfect square, bordered by Hall Street to the north, 60th Street to the south, Division Avenue to the west and Patterson Avenue to the east.
As the township grew, so did the neighboring City of Grand Rapids, which slowly chipped away at the township’s area though annexations. The first annexation took place in 1891 but the bulk happened from 1958 to 1963 causing residents to fight for incorporation. It would take three attempts and the announcement of a new $4 million shopping center – Woodland Mall – for the vote of incorporation to pass by a slim margin of 177 votes in favor on Feb. 20, 1967.
A few minor details had to be worked out, but the newly formed city had its first meeting Feb. 27, 1967, with Peter Lamberts elected as the city’s first mayor. The rest of the city commission include Dale Heyboer and Robert Ide as commissioners-at-large, Preston Miller and Quinten (Jack) Ward from Ward 1 and Gordon Gezon and Clifford Barnes from Ward 2.
The anniversary commission meeting – which will feature the current City Commission, Mayor Stephen Kepley, Commissioner-at-Large Betsy Artz, First Ward commissioners Gerald DeMaagd and Robert Coughlin and Second Ward commissioners Erwin Haas and Michael Brown – is at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at Bowen Elementary, 4483 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The event will feature special programming provided by the current city commission. The meeting will flow much like a typical city commission meeting but with special tributes and fun facts about the city and will include a two-minute clip of the Kentwood 50th Anniversary documentary produced by WKTV.
According to organizers, the evening will be a celebration of the community’s growth and recognition of the residents, schools, businesses and nonprofit that have made Kentwood a great place to live, work and raise a family. Among the special guests scheduled to attend are Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, both of whom will be presenting proclamations honoring the city.
Kentwood 50th Anniversary events have been planned throughout the year. Among the public events coming up in the next couple of months are the Taste of Kentwood set for March 2, the Kentwood’s Got Talent auditions March 9 (registration deadline is March 3), and an Easter Egg Hunt April 15. There is also a breakfast planned to honor businesses that have been in Kentwood since 1967 on March 23. Also, Railtown Brewing Company, 3555 68th St. SE, Dutton, will be unveiling a special beer next week in honor of Kentwood’s 50th Anniversary.
“We have been working really hard to make this a special year for our community,” said Kentwood Treasurer and Kentwood 50 committee leader Laurie Sheldon. “Our residents, businesses and organizations have made Kentwood an amazing city and we are making sure we express our thanks through great events in 2017.”
Other programs include The Vibe – a Parks and Recreation Gala that raises money for the department’s programs will be May 19 and a weekend-long street fair and festival August 11 and 12 that will include food, kid-friendly events, live entertainment and the finale of the Kentwood’s Got Talent.
The Farmer’s Market, Fourth of July celebration and parade and all other city-sponsored events also will be focused on the Kentwood 50th Anniversary.
WKTV also will be providing coverage of many of the events along with special Kentwood 50 stories at now.wktv.org.
For more about Kentwood’s 50th Anniversary celebration, visit www.kentwood50.com.
City of Kentwood seeks candidate to fill commission seat
The City of Kentwood is seeking applications from residents to fill a vacant position on the City Commission.
Applicants must be a Kentwood resident and registered voter. The selected candidate will complete the vacant Commissioner-At-Large term, which expires in November 2019.
“A Kentwood City Commissioner is an important leadership position providing a unique opportunity for a resident to perform a key role in shaping our community,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “Many exciting initiatives are being developed and implemented in the City and I encourage anyone interested to apply.”
Steven Redmond recently resigned from the Commissioner-At-Large position. The City Commission will begin receiving applications on Feb. 22 and plan to have an appointment made by early April. The City will accept applications through noon on March 10.
Residents are encourage to apply in person at the Kentwood City Clerk’s office, located at the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Rd. SE, or online at: www.ci.kentwood.mi.us.
Need a job? Here’s where to look
By West Michigan Works!
Kent County is home to many organizations dedicated to helping residents meet their basic needs: food/nutrition, energy efficiency, transportation, housing and employment.
ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) assists many low-income individuals with emergency food, energy, transportation and housing needs. They also have direct contact with individuals who want and need meaningful employment. Seeking to create self-sufficiency amongst its clients, CAA refers these job seekers to organizations that focus on workforce development, like West Michigan Works!
With three service centers in Kent County, West Michigan Works! welcomes anyone looking to advance their career or find a new job. Visitors can take advantage of no-cost services, such as:
- Office resources to job search: internet, phone, fax and copier
- Weekly Job Blast email with immediate job openings in West Michigan
- Workshops to help you get your next job: resumes, interviewing, career exploration, etc.
- Onsite hiring events with employers looking to fill current job openings
- Specialized services for youth, veterans and migrant workers
- And many more, based on eligibility!
To get started, visit a Service Center near you:
Franklin Service Center
Kent County Human Services Complex
121 Franklin St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm
Westside Service Center
215 Straight Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm
Sparta Service Center
36 Applewood Dr, Sparta, MI 49345
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8am – 12pm & 1pm – 5pm
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 butterflies spring out at Meijer Gardens starting March 1
WKTV Staff
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s tropical conservatory, starting Wednesday, March 1, will be home to the first of more than 7,000 tropical butterflies that will be hatched and start flying around the heads of both children and adults alike.
Can’t you just see the Facebook photo?
Butterflies are Blooming runs through April 30. The annual show attracted more than 170,000 visitors last year.
With butterflies from Africa, Asia, South America and Central America, Butterflies Are Blooming is the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation, according to Meijer Gardens.
Approximately 60 colorful species will be flying freely in the five-story, 15,000 square-foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, wherein the 85-degrees and 70-percent humidity environment mimics tropical regions that the butterflies call home.
“Our exhibition this year celebrates shape and pattern,” Steve LaWarre, director of horticulture, said in supplied material. “The butterflies and the natural environment of the conservatory are wonderful examples of how these patterns reveal themselves all around us. This exhibition provides a superb opportunity for our guests to view caterpillars, wings, flowers and foliage with a renewed appreciation for the world around us.”
Species of butterflies expected to arrive include the blue Common Morpho, whose iridescence impresses in flight; brushfoot varieties such as the Clearwing, Lacewing and Zebra Mosaic; the “Longwings” such as the Small Blue Grecian, Doris, Postman and Tiger butterflies; and the “Gliders” such as the Emperor, Ruby-spotted and Tropical Swallowtails.
Special related events include “Who Am I?” A Butterfly Ballet”, with two shows on both March 4 and March 18, a program performed by the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company; as well as Tuesday Night Lights, running each week throughout the exhibit’s run, where visitors bring their flashlights to find the butterflies at rest throughout the conservatory.
For more information visit MeijerGardens.org.
Cat of the week: Rio
By Sharon Wylie
Crash’s Landing
Each week WKTV features an adoptable cat from Crash’s Landing or Big Sid’s Sanctuary. Both cat rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Petrovich, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Up for a challenge? Rio is one tough nut to crack, but we KNOW on the inside of her hard exterior there is a sweet center waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. We have seen glimmers of her gentle self when she has been alone in a room with ’just us humans’ but the problem is that we don’t have the accommodations that she soooo desires.
See, the problem lies with the fact that Rio was in a home of her own—her VERY own—for nine long and luxurious years before she had to be abruptly returned in the summer of 2015. Seems that when her mom moved into a new house without a foyer or vestibule, Rio took to running outdoors; even though she is a senior (born in late 2005) and a chunky 12 pounds, this girl is FAST—and her owner couldn’t keep up. After months of putting up with her antics and fearing for her safety, it was decided that she should come back to live with us, lest she end up splattered on the pavement.
Now, Rio doesn’t understand one bit why on earth she has ended up in a place overrun with cats of all shapes and sizes—and she isn’t afraid to express her dismay and disdain quite loudly. We had hoped that she would simmer down and settle in over time — especially after Dr. Jen had to extract quite a few of her teeth due to profound dental disease — but that didn’t happen.
And since it is impossible for us to provide solo housing in a facility that holds on average 90-100 kitties at a time, we have had to make do and shuffle her from room to room, allowing a cat or two in at a time in the hopes that she would take a shining to them.
The sad fact of the matter at hand (er, paw) is that Rio is miserable in our place—even as awesome as it is—so we are desperately trying to find her a place to reside where she can be the Queen of the Castle, a Rapunzel of sorts since she cannot be allowed outdoors due to her front declawed and semi-toothless status. Until then, we will do our best to sooth our angry beastie and shower her with understanding and anti-anxiety medication to ease her less than desirable cat-itude.
Rio really is a sweetheart—just not in her current surroundings, and she isn’t going to blossom until she is truly comfortable and content. So if you feel you can help us all out by opening your heart and home to a grumpy old girl who really needs peace and solitude in order to regain the happiness she so suddenly lost, please let us know!
MORE ABOUT RIO
- House trained
- Spayed/Neutered
- Declawed
- Current on vaccinations
- Prefers a home without cats
Want to adopt Rio? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
2017 Total Eclipse informational session at Public Museum set for March 1
By Kate Moore
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA) on Wednesday, March 1, for a special presentation on what people in West Michigan can do for the 2017 total solar eclipse.
On Aug, 21, the first significant total eclipse of the sun visible across a broad area of the continental United States since 1970 will take place midday. As the moon slips between the earth and sun, observers within the 70 mile wide band of the total eclipse, stretching from Oregon to South Carolina, will witness complete darkness for up to two minutes and forty seconds.
On March 1 at 7:30 p.m., Dave DeBruyn, Curator Emeritus of the GRPM’s Chaffee Planetarium and current GRAAA President, along with WZZM Meteorologist George Lessons will give a presentation about this year’s eclipse including useful tips to potential eclipse chasers and answer questions. The duo will also share information about the GRPM’s eclipse event that will take place at the GRPM on August 21, 2017.
DeBruyn will discuss how the motions of the sun and moon produce eclipses, but rarely total solar eclipses over a given location. Participants will learn what to look for and concentrate on during the eclipse, as well as what not to do. DeBruyn has traveled the world to see five total solar eclipses.
Lessens will discuss prospects for clear weather at various places along the path of totality. A weather system at the place of observation at eclipse time or midday convective cloudiness in the air could ruin viewing opportunities. Lessens will suggest locations where that is least likely to happen.
The presentation on March 1 will take place in the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Meijer Theater and is free to attend for the general public.