Category Archives: 3-bottom

Work place design kicks off the 2017 SCA’s Conversation Series

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Haworth’s Bluescape

By Angela Peavy

Saugatuck Center for the Arts

 

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ Intriguing Conversation Series reboots for 2017 with a new morning time. Starting Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 8 – 9:15 a.m. for a cup of coffee, breakfast nibbles, and a forward look at work spaces of the future at the SCA, located at 400 Culver St., Saugatuck.

 

Michelle Kleyla, manager of corporate marketing at Haworth and Shawn Stenberg, workplace solutions strategist for Haworth’s Bluescape technology talk about the melding of furniture, architecture, and technology to create work spaces that feel more like home spaces. They’ll also discuss how successfully merging all three segments can enable people to maximize performance and truly enjoy being at work.

 

“We’re very excited to move “Intriguing Conversations” to this new morning time slot,” said SCA Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “This gives people an opportunity to start their day with creative conversation and networking. Michelle and Shawn will give us a fascinating sneak peek of how our work lives will change in the next five years because of the intersection of technology and office or home spaces.”

 

For more information on this free event, visit sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

In honoring Martin Luther King Jr., Kentwood launches the Little Free Pantry program

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, , , ,
The Little Free Pantry is located in the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

This year, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the city of Kentwood decided to honor the civil rights leader by partnering with The Pantry and opening a “little free pantry” where people can take or leave food and household supplies.

 

“This is the one day of the year I believe represents Kentwood,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley to an audience at the KDL Kentwood Library where the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. program took place on Monday.

 

“Because of what Martin Luther King Jr. stood for, who he was, what he said and what he did, his actions helped to make the city what it is today. Kentwood is one of the most diverse and international cities in the state.”

 

With a population of more than 50,000, the city has approximately 60 different cultures speaking more than 70 different languages. According to Kepley, this diversity probably would never have happened without King’s vision of people “…one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character.”

 

Kepley said King taught people to “love their neighbors as yourself…Because how can you hate them if you love them?”

 

Noting that King was not a man of just words but actions, Kentwood leaders decided to follow King’s actions by partnering with The Pantry, located at John Knox Presbyterian Church, for the community’s first Little Free Pantry.

 

Staff work to fill the Little Free Pantry

Started in Arkansas with the motto “Neighbors serving neighbors,” the Little Free Pantry is similar to the little free library movement. The pantries are designed to be small and fill an immediate and local need. Basically, take an item or items when needed and leave an item or items when you can.

 

“It’s residents helping residents, neighbors helping neighbors,” said community leader Jessica Ann Tyson, who was the host at Monday’s event. “If you are going to the store and you are picking up some macaroni and cheese, pick up an extra one for the pantry.”

 

Tyson said there is a need within the city as 9.8 percent of the families in Kentwood live below the poverty line. For a family of four, the poverty line is $24,300. For an individual, it is $11,880 or less.  Other figures Tyson had was that 14.6 of the Kentwood population live under the poverty line, including .6.8 percent are under the age of 18 and 7.6 percent are over the age of 65. Tyson also noted that there are about 5,000 food assistance cases in Kentwood.

 

She said the Little Food Pantry is anonymous, with people not required to fill out an application to receive items.

 

Located inside the Kentwood Activities Center, the Free Little Pantry is open year around. Donations of food items such as brown rice, cereals, canned goods, pasta, and peanut butter, and personal care items, such as deodorant, disposable razors, laundry soap, shampoo, toilet paper, can be dropped off at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, or to The Pantry, 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. Other items accepted are crayons, small toys, games and school supplies.

 

The Free Little Pantry is open during the Kentwood Activities Center regular hours. For more information about the Little Free Pantry, call the Kentwood Activities Center at 616-656-5270.

The Lunar New Year: Ushering the Monkey Out

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , , ,
Students wearing áo dài, a traditional Vietnamese outfit.

By Adrian Ɖặng Bảo Oánh

 

It is about Tết’s time again. This time, the Lunar New Year will fall on January 28 on the western calendar. Being true and loyal to their traditions, Asians who observe the lunar calendar are busy preparing to celebrate their upcoming New Year. Individual ethnic groups from various Asian-American communities are planning celebrations of all sorts and sizes to welcome the new Year of the Rooster. The current Year of the Monkey is ending soon. Each year of the lunar calendar carries the sign of one of the twelve Asian Zodiac animals in proper sequence. The animal-based signs are: the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Cat (or Rabbit), the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Goat, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig. Although there are many similarities, this article will focus more specifically on the Vietnamese way of celebrating the New Year, which they call Tết

 

People set off firecrackers to chase away any old evil spirits leaving the remains in their home. (Photo from author.)

The proper celebration, in general, involves many aspects to be prepared for. People make certain that their homes are cleaned and repaired to their tip top shapes. Many folks repaint their homes from the inside out to welcome the new year. There are many chores in food preparations to offer the best dishes during the celebration of Tết. The food preparation must start several weeks ahead to finish in time for Tết. The prominent offerings would be bánh chưng (sticky-rice cake), bánh dày (white rice dumpling), and many kinds of sweet goods which consist mostly of candied fruits). The rice cake, square and blocky in shape would represent the earth (the world was thought to be square), and the round rice dumpling would represent the sky or the heavens according to Vietnamese legends and tradition. The Vietnamese people offer these two baked items to honor the creator of all things, the divine God. Everybody should acquire new clothes and wear them during the first three days of the new year. This practice shows respect for the new year; it also shows pride and bring good luck. Poorer families try to tailor their own new outfits if they could not afford to buy new.

 

The Vietnamese áo dài is the preferred attire during Tết time. It is as traditionally and nationally “Vietnamese” as one can get. It is a tunic that was designed circa 1920. There is a male and a female version of the traditional áo dài. The men’s áo dài is worn more loosely in more subtle colors while the lady’s áo dài is more form fitting, and it comes in more vibrant colors and derivative options. It neatly enhances and shows off the beautiful shape of the female’s body while it is quietly elegant but not revealing at all. The áo dài has been around for about a century, and it is still popular. Its original design has not really changed much. Now that we have more Vietnamese people residing all over the world, women from many countries are taking to wearing áo dài also. American women from all heritages look really good in Vietnamese áo dài. Between the food and the new clothes alone, Tết may get to be very expensive. It is not uncommon for some families to go into debts after the Tết celebration. People actually borrow money to celebrate Tết “properly.”

 

A more formal styling of áo dài.

In modern time, people keep the festivities down to three days. In the past, it could last as long as three months in some parts of the world. People respectfully usher the current year “out” and joyously welcome the new year “in.” People set off firecrackers to chase away any old evil spirits from the last year that are still lingering around, and firecrackers also keep new bad spirits from attempting to enter. The artful dragon dance also serves a similar purpose: it chases away bad spirits and brings good fortunes.

 

The first day of Tết is the most important day. It is reserved for the closest and highest ranking family members. Lower ranks would go to higher members, usually elders, to show respect and extend to them the best wishes for the new year. In return, the high-ranking family members would wish the visiting members well and hand out “lucky money” in beautiful little envelopes (usually red in color). Folks would visit extended family members and close friends on the second day of Tết. On the third day, they go to other friends and acquaintances.

 

Every year, the Jade Emperor (or the Divine God) would send a different “supervisor” or observer to each household to observe, record, and make a report at the end of the year. Each event that occurs within the household will be reported to God. This character always resides in the kitchen to watch over everything that goes on in the dwelling. On the twenty-third day of the twelth month (12/23), every residence would arrange a ceremony to send off the current year’s “Kitchen God.” By tradition, and according to the ancient legend, this god rides back to heaven on a carp (fish). Therefore each household would provide a nice-size live carp in a water container, the like of a kid’s plastic splashing pool, for the reporting god to use as transportation back to heaven. Upon arriving in heaven, the Kitchen God will report to the Jade Emperor the year’s worth of occurrences within the residence off a long scroll of paper. The Kitchen God kneels down in front of the Jade Emperor and reads the report in a very poetic and rhythmic way. At the turn of the year, the Jade Emperor will send a newly assigned Kitchen God to each household again for the following year. “Clear for taxi to runway 2017 and hold short until 12/23”. “Clear for takeoff at midnight 12/22 and proceed on course”. “Roger that!.” And off he will go, accurate to the split of a second. Have you ever seen a carp taking off flying at more than light speed?

 

The Monkey brought with him many interesting things. The nature of the Monkey was, well…to monkey around. He brought us some good events. He also brought us some questionable events. And true to being a “Curious George,” he has sprung some quite peculiar events on us before he would leave us alone and let the Rooster take over. However, we must be thankful for the Monkey, but it’s time for him to go. Happy New Year of the Rooster. May all be blessed with good health, and may all your wishes come true.

Wyoming Public School District seeks public input on bond request

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,

Would not raise property taxes, officials say

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

In eyeing the needs of the district and planning for the next 30 years, administrators are considering a November bond request that would not raise property taxes.

 

But first, they are seeking input from parents, teachers, students and community members concerning what facility improvements they would support –– and which ones they want most.

 

Parents and staff members were emailed links to fill out by the end of January, and a postcard with information about the online survey is being mailed to residents. The board could vote to approve ballot language in late spring.

 

Voters will be presented with a millage proposal that won’t result in an increase in taxes because existing debt will be expiring. The new millage request will be for the same number of mills or fewer than the mills saved from the expiring debt. A new levy would generate some dollars in 2018, with the balance to come in 2022, to fund upgrades and improvements at its aging facilities.

 

Because voters rejected two attempts to pass major bond requests in August and November 2013, the district is taking a long-term approach to the plan. If voters approved a request in November, the sale of bonds in spring 2018 would generate about $20 million. When existing debt expires in 2021 and 2022, the district could sell the remainder of the bonds to generate approximately another $45 million, said Matt Lewis, assistant superintendent of finance and administrative services.

 

The multi-series arrangement allows flexibility, Lewis said. “We can control the amount of the sale so we don’t raise taxes.”

 

That’s key, said Superintendent Tom Reeder, because “We said we would not return to the public if it would cost them any more in taxes.”

 

Reeder noted that a favorable market has made it possible to move ahead with a new request. “We said, ‘If the money is available without raising taxes next year, could we start the projects that much earlier?’ ”

 

The majority of bond funds generated in 2018 would most likely be invested at Wyoming High School, at 1350 Prairie Parkway. “It is the building with the most needs,” Reeder said. “We want the high school to be the flagship of the community.”

 

Some district needs have changed since the 2013 bond requests failed. The district moved forward with securing school entrances. A 10-year sinking fund levy passed in May — also with no tax increase — generates about $400,000 a year for maintenance such as roof and parking lot repairs.

 

The survey questions gauge community opinions on immediate and future needs in the district, which enrolls about 4,300 students. It asks for input concerning the following:

  • enhancing landscaping and elementary playgrounds
  • improving curb appeal of buildings
  • upgrades to the fine arts center located at the junior high
  • adding a new fine arts center on the high school campus
  • upgrades to outdoor athletic facilities
  • adding artificial turf at the high school stadium
  • upgrading indoor athletic facilities
  • updating labs to support science, engineering, technology and math
  • dedicated music and art space at the elementary schools
  • improvements to parking and traffic flow at schools
  • adding windows to allow for more natural light
  • technology
  • grade configuration at schools

In moving forward, the district will form a planning committee involving parents, staff and community members. Community forums will be scheduled.

 

Give your feedback here.

West Michigan Works! How to answer job interview questions

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

 

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a four-part series about how to answer common interview questions.

 

The Interview: Answers to Common Questions

You did it. You nailed your resume and cover letter. You networked with the right people. You found great references. Now you have to prepare for the interview. Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but with a little practice, you can enter the interview with confidence.

 

Tell us about yourself.

Be professional. This question is not an invitation to tell your life story. Be specific; don’t talk about your career in broad, general terms. Focus on telling a story that demonstrates you are a strong candidate for the job. Have a clear beginning, middle and end. Close with a statement that connects the story to the position for which you are interviewing. For example, “and that is why I am excited about this opportunity.”

 

What is your greatest strength?

Here is your chance to stand out. Give a specific example of how you have used your strength in the past. Finish by explaining how this quality can benefit their company. For example, “I once took a call from an angry customer. Instead of immediately transferring her to the call center, I listened to her frustrations. She was calmer and ready to find a solution by the time I transferred her. Your company is known for excellent customer service. My ability to deal with difficult situations will support that reputation.”

 

What is your greatest weakness?

Answer honestly, but stay positive. Identify something you have struggled with but have worked to improve upon. Give a specific example of what you did to overcome the challenge. For example, “In my last position I was responsible for keeping a spreadsheet with up-to-date sales data. Using spreadsheets is not my strength. So, I requested additional training to increase my skills. I am still not an expert, but I now have the necessary skills to do my job well.”

 

The best way to ace an interview is to prepare and practice. Prepare answers to these common questions ahead of time. Practice answering the questions clearly and concisely. Your answers will feel more natural and you will be more comfortable during the interview.

 

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

Banking on Parent Educators, Parents As Educators

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, , ,

PNC Grant Helps Fund More Outreach

Ivan and mom Careni Solis get their library cards
Ivan and mom Careni Solis get their library cards

by Erin Albanese   

School News Network

 

In a room designated for storytelling at the Wyoming branch of the Kent District Library, Ethel Rodriguez spoke in Spanish with Careni and Joel Solis about ways to best help their son, Ivan, 3, and daughter, Melanie, 5 months, stay on schedule developmentally.

 

The meeting involved the whole Solis family. Rodriguez, a Kent ISD Bright Beginnings parent educator, led activities that had Ivan clapping gleefully, Melanie smiling toothlessly, mom and dad beaming with pride, and sisters Paola, a sixth-grader, and Alondra, a fourth-grader, joining the fun.

 

Rodriguez has worked with the family since September. She focuses on helping Hispanic children, from infancy to kindergarten, and their parents. At the library, she taught Careni how to give Melanie a baby massage, beneficial for bonding and emotional development, she explained. She read the family a story, and led a game focused on large-motor skill development for Ivan that had everyone hopping like frogs and galloping like horses.She named colors with Ivan, “verde, green” and counted dinosaurs in a book with him, “uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco, seis, siete.”

 

Bright Beginnings Parent Educators are trained and certified in the Parents As Teachers evidence- and research-based curriculum, which they use to help parents learn to teach their children at home. Services include home visits, playgroups, developmental screenings and a network of resources.

 

Reaching Out to Hispanic Families

Serving Spanish-speaking families often requires going the extra mile. Rodriguez, who is from Peru and is fluent in English and Spanish, is working with 19 Hispanic families from Godfrey-Lee and Godwin Heights Public Schools, districts with a high percentage of those students. She makes twice-monthly home visits and hosts special library sessions that end with family members getting their own library cards. Rodriguez’s salary is partially funded through a $10,000 Grow Up Great grant from PNC Bank.

 

Jan Sabin, parent educator coordinator for Bright Beginnings, said Rodriguez and other Spanish-speaking parent educators go above and beyond their job responsibilities. They translate for families, make phone calls and help with paperwork. “There are significant extra hours needed for serving families,” Sabin said.

 

Dad Joel Solis catches the baby’s attention
Dad Joel Solis catches the baby’s attention

There are many immigrant families like the Solises whose children are starting school in the U.S. According to the 2015 report Immigrant and Refugee Workers in the Early Childhood Field, by the Migration Policy Institute, “The growth of the U.S. 0-5 population is becoming increasingly diverse. Homes in the U.S. with children ages 5 and under who have at least one immigrant parent now account for all the net population growth of children in that age group in the U.S.”

 

Overall, Rodriguez’s work is helping the Solises and other Hispanic families have better access to what they need. “I think through programs like Bright Beginnings they can have the opportunity to access and accomplish their goal of why they came here,” she said. “They came here to have better opportunities.”

 

Stories, Questions and Books

Joel, who works at a packing company, and Careni, a stay-at-home mother, are emigrants from Guatemala. They said they see benefits of Bright Beginnings for their children. Melanie shows signs of crawling, Careni said, perhaps from increased time spent on her tummy. Ivan asks lots of questions, makes up stories about dinosaurs, has learned to hold a pencil correctly and loves to do the “homework” Rodriguez assigns, Joel said.

 

Melanie watches “Baby Faces” during her baby massage
Melanie watches “Baby Faces” during her baby massage

Rodriguez also puts books into children’s hands and homes. With their new library cards, the Solises can check out books whenever they want, a practice hoped to become a regular activity.”Since you have been coming to my house, I see Ivan is more interested in preschool. Now he wants to go to school,” Joel said to Rodriguez in Spanish. “He used to scribble; now he is more patient and is drawing more specific things by using his imagination.”

 

See more at: http://www.schoolnewsnetwork.org/index.php/2016-17/banking-better-parenting/#sthash.e7p1o24S.dpuf

South Christian grad takes the lead in upcoming Grand Rapids Civic Theatre production

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, , , ,
In character: Audrey Filson as Tracy Lord in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “The Philadelphia.”

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

When actress and South Christian graduate Audrey Filson talks about Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s upcoming production of “The Philadelphia Story,” she likes to refer to it as “The Education of Tracy Lord.”

 

“Tracy has a pretty well developed sense of morality,” said Filson, who portrays the headstrong and spoiled daughter of a privileged family in the production that runs through Jan. 29. “She starts with a world view of black and white and as she goes through the story, she starts to see that not everything falls that way.”

 

And Filson can relate well to her character’s change of view. Bitten by the acting bug at the age of nine when she went to see Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Peter Pan,” Filson started auditioning for shows and even decided to make acting a career after graduating high school in 2006. But a few years ago, Filson, who parents live in Kentwood, moved back to Grand Rapids, enrolled in graduate school and is now a counselor at the non-profit 3rd Chair.

 

“I think everyone’s life changes,” Filson said. “You receive new information and other interactions all of which makes you take a look at who actually am I. I’m still learning and through that I have added this new part to my life and I am still able to incorporate the acting into that as well.”

 

Acting up: Audrey Filson in rehearsal. (Photos courtesy of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre)

The acting certainly bug did not leave Filson and she periodically checks out the shows coming up at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to see if there is a part that might be a good fit, which was the case of Tracy Lord in “The Philadelphia Story.”

 

Originally written for Katharine Hepburn, the story takes place in 1939 and centers around Tracy Lord, a Philadelphia socialite. After a recent divorce, she is engaged to a wealthy snob. A society weekly sends a reporter and female photographer to cover the wedding with Tracy having feelings for the reporter. All is going well, until Tracy and the reporter are caught by her fiancée and ex-husband taking an evening swim.

 

“When I read the script, I was very intrigued by the character in that she was complicated but someone you could grow to love,” Filson said, adding that Tracy is a woman before her time as by 1939’s as well as today’s standards she would be considered a strong and independent person.

 

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre production stays true to the original script with the setting in the late 1903s and while a period piece, Filson said the story of relationships will resonate well with today’s audience.

 

“It’s a romantic comedy,” Filson said, noting that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. “It’s a wonderful story that allows the audience to escape from their life and journey with the character as she learns about humanity and all the people in her life, providing lessons that are still great for the community today.”

 

The story also takes place in June, which according to Filson “might warm you up on these cold January days. At least, I am going with that.”

 

Your Community in Action! helps fight hunger in Kent County

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, ,

Recent statistics indicate that 42.2 million Americans live in food-insecure households. Sadly 8.4% of individuals facing food insecurity are over the age of 60 and 31% are children!

 

Hunger is a reality for too many across the country as well as in our own backyard. Feeding America estimates that 12.6% of all Kent County residents are food insecure. ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) is addressing this need by providing supplemental food to low-income households and seniors in our community. We do this is through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).

 

These programs distribute boxes of USDA food to eligible households. The boxes include a variety of pantry staples and vary depending on the food items available from the USDA. ACSET CAA partners with multiple distribution sites across the county to provide easier access to needed assistance. Nutritious food will be available to eligible Kent County residents on 100 different days in 2017.

Food distributions near you

CSFP: Kent County residents over the age of 60 who meet income requirements can receive monthly distributions at United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), 1131 Chicago Dr. SW, Grand Rapids. The next distribution is Thursday, Jan. 19 from 2 to 8 pm or while supplies last.

 

TEFAP: Kent County households that meet income requirements can receive quarterly distributions at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. The next distribution is Thursday, March 9 from 9 am to 3:30 pm or while supplies last.

 

Eligible residents do not need to register in advance. Visit ACSET CAA’s website to learn more about eligibility requirements, additional locations and dates for TEFAP and CSFP distributions.

 

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

 

Gerald R. Ford Int’l Airport sets passenger record for fourth straight year

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Travel, ,

By Tara Hernandez

 

The Gerald R. Ford International (GFIA) Airport has set a new all-time passenger record for 2016, marking the fourth straight year that the Airport has seen record-setting growth.

 

In 2016, 2,653,630 passengers flew in and out of GFIA, an increase of 4.06% from 2015. December growth helped cap the record-setting year with an increase of 6.53% year-over-year. December 2015 saw 202,769 total passengers, but 2016 surpassed that with 216,017 enplaned and deplaned passengers. Passenger growth was recorded in 9 of the 12 months of 2016 at GFIA.

 

The growth over the last few years started in 2013 with a passenger record of 2,237,979. In 2014, that number jumped to 2,335,105. In 2015, GFIA broke its own record once again with a passenger total record of 2,550,193 — a 9.21% year-over-year increase. Over the past four years, the Airport has recorded its strongest growth in its 53-year history, serving over 9.7 million passengers over the four-year time period.

 

“This is a testament to the growing West Michigan community, and the investment our airline partners have made at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill.

 

“This growth further justifies the need for our Gateway Transformation Project to accommodate the increasing passenger demand, and the need our airlines have in-gate space, amenities, and customer service offerings.”

Number of passengers 2011-2016

 

July 2016 was the single busiest month in Airport history with 238,237 total passengers traveling through GFIA resulting in the busiest July ever, and breaking an all-time monthly record from July 2015.

 

The Gateway Transformation Project began in December 2015 and is slated to continue through summer 2017. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which will centralize and combine security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport, eliminating separate screening for passengers traveling through either Concourse A or B. Construction also includes new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, restroom & nursing rooms, family restrooms, pre- and post-security business centers, new retail and food & beverage space and much more.

 

“As we continue to grow in traffic it is imperative that our facilities keep up with our passenger demand,” said Gill. “There is a reason our passengers keep coming back, and as they do we will continue to do our part to improve our amenities, technology, customer service and infrastructure. We are excited to see what the future holds, and we only expect more growth in the years to come.”

 

The Airport will be celebrating this historic passenger record with daily surprises and giveaways by ‘paying it forward’ to passengers through next week.

 

GFIA monthly passenger statistics are available on the website.

The Rapids announces changes to bus route along 68th Street

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,

The Rapid recently announced a route change due to the recent closing of the KMart on 68th Street.

 

Effective Monday, Jan. 16, the Route 1 southbound buses will no longer travel through the parking lot to the bus stops by the former KMart building. The Route 1 buses will travel west on 68th Street from Division Avenue to Clyde Park and then right on Clyde Park Avenue to Meijer located on 54th Street.

 

According to The Rapid, riders will still have access to the Orchard Plaza located on 68th Street via the current bus stop on 68th Street at the drive by Taco Bell, 695 68th St. SW, as well as a new bus stop located at the corner of 68th Street and Clyde Park Avenue.

 

Route 1 southbound travels Central Station up Granville Avenue to Fulton Street and then down Division Avenue across 54th Street, looping through Meijer at 54th Street and heading west on 54th Street and then south on Division Avenue to 68th Street. The route then heads east on 68th Street to Clyde Park and returns to the Meijer on 54th Street where the northbound Route 1 starts.

Three local students named semi-finalists in annual writing contest

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,

Wyoming and Kentwood students are among the semi-finalists in the Kent District Library and Schuler Books & Music’s Write Michigan Short Story Contest.

 

More than 600 writers from across the state entered the competition with the field being narrowed down to 10 semi-finalists for each category, adult, teen, youth and Spanish. A panel of celebrity judges in each category will select the Judge’s Choice, who will receive $250, and the Judge’s Choice Runner-up Awards, each receiving $100.

 

There is also a public voting for the $250 Readers’ Choice Award. Voting runs through Jan. 31 and is at www.writemichigan.org.

 

The local semi-finalists are: Breanna Harris, a resident of Kentwood who attends Byron Center High School is in the Teen semi-finals for her piece “A Whisper.” In the youth division, Morgan VanDorp, who lives in Kentwood and attends Grand Rapids Christian Middle School, with her piece “Two Bad Ants: First Person Point of View.” From Wyoming is Yareli Paulina Gonzalez Velazquez. who attends San Juan Diego Academy. Velazquez’s piece “Cuando vine a Estados Unidos” is in the Spanish division.

 

Winners will be announced Feb. 3 and honored at an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. March 18 at KDL’s Service and Meeting Center. Mardi Jo Link, author of the memoirs “Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm” and “The Drummond Girls: A Story of Fierce Friends Beyond Time and Chance” will be the keynote speaker.

 

The top five stories  in each age category chosen by the celebrity judges as well as the Readers’ Choice winners will be published by Chapbook Press using the Espresso Book Machine. Copies will be available in March 2017.

Custodial Job Perk: Connecting with Students

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, ,

By Erin Albanese  

School News Network

 

In a world where too many people just “talk the talk,” Fred Cox “walks the walk” — a fast stride around the cafeteria, through entryways, down hallways, in classrooms and outside on snowy sidewalks.

 

While keeping his speedy stride, Cox cleans: picking up trash, wiping tables and shoveling foot-deep snow on winter days. The custodian, called Fred by students and teachers alike at Duncan Lake Middle School, spends school days from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. taking care of the large building that enrolls about 500 sixth- through eighth-graders.

 

Cox’s quickness shows during the three lunch periods when students enter the cafeteria en masse, complete with the quirks and antics of middle schoolers. On a recent morning, one student needs Cox to retrieve 50 cents from the trashcan; Cox uses a broom handle to fix a handful of drop ceiling tiles knocked off center by wayward balls; a group of boys starts a dice game to win pencils provided by Cox; and several more ask his help with one thing or another.

All in a Day’s Work

“How was your snow day, Fred?” seventh-grader Jack Simons asks during lunch on a Tuesday following a Monday when schools closed because of snow.

 

“It was fantastic,” Cox answers without a hint of sarcasm. “I spent four hours clearing snow from all around the school exits.”

 

Cox handles the rambunctious crew with ease, moving seamlessly from sixth- to seventh- to eighth-grade lunch periods, passing out high fives and fist bumps, engaging in conversations and sharing laughs. And his way of connecting with them has caught the attention of staff and students.

 

“The kids are great,” said Cox, who started this year as full-time custodian after working part-time at Caledonia High School since 2007. “I’m blessed every day, because if you can’t come here and smile, something is definitely wrong.”

 

Sixth-grader Ethan Dyksterhouse grabs a rag and helps Cox wipe tables after lunch. “Most kids get to know him,” Ethan said. “He’s always positive, giving high fives and having fun.”

 

Cox worked as an assistant manager at Steelcase for 15 years and then at other companies, doing building and grounds and custodial work. His daughter, Samantha Cox, and late stepson, David Marlink, graduated from Caledonia High School.

 

At school he’s known for his ability to do custodial and maintenance work, for which Principal Ryan Graham said he’s very grateful.

Custodian Fred Cox takes time to get to know students while he works

 

“Kids and staff see his hard work ethic. When he sets out to do things, he’s on it,” Graham said. “He works his tail off.”

 

But more than that, it’s the way students gravitate to Cox that people notice. “Kids who aren’t the jocks or ‘all A’ kids, they respond to Fred,” Graham said.

 

Cox fixes what’s broken, helps students open jammed lockers, hangs banners, shovels and cleans. He said he works hard to meet the needs of staff and students with “whatever they need me to do.”

 

His manner is humble. “I try to do everything, jack-of-all-trades master of none…” he said with a laugh.

 

Food service worker Lori Hoholik said she sees how students light up around Cox.

 

“I love watching Fred and the way he interacts with kids,” she said. “He’s so good with them. He talks to them. If he sees a kid sitting alone, he goes up to them. He’s always upbeat.”

 

Little Things

Students note the small ways Cox helps brighten their day. “He gave me M&Ms,” said seventh-grader Kaitlynn Robotham. “I spilled my whole lunch and Fred cleaned it up.”

 

Added seventh-grader Reagan Weiss: “Once I lost my lunchbox and all the food in it. He bought me a lunch, found my lunchbox and washed it out.”

 

“He always waves at us in the hallway,” said seventh-grader Lindy Bujak.

 

Cox treats students with respect and they seem to like that. He calls them “sir” or “young lady.” “He’s very polite,” said seventh-grader Colin Marckwardt. “He talks openly to kids and that’s really cool about him.”

 

Graham said the respect is mutual. Students make sure they don’t take advantage of their beloved custodian who works so hard.

 

“They remind each other, ‘Don’t make a mess for Fred!’ ” Graham said.

 

See more here.

Cat of the week: Heyward

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , , ,

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).

Dr. Jen happens to think that ALL Crash Cats are good looking, but this guy right here is one hot commodity—and so flipping handsome she could hardly contain herself when she gazed upon his gorgeousness!

Hunky Heyward (born in late 2011) ended up homeless and helpless in mid-October 2016, when a cat-lovin’ rescuer provided him with the safety and comfort of a really awesome outdoor coop she has set up for the strays she often comes across out in her northeast Grand Rapids neighborhood. When Dr. Jen had the extreme pleasure of welcoming him into the program on November 14, he was extremely shy and suffering from severe dental disease; in fact, the neutered male had pockets of pus present in his mouth and was missing many teeth that had literally rotted and fallen out sometime before his rescue.

Heyward was pretty scruffy and matted, probably from not being willing to groom himself scrupulously due to profound oral pain, so Dr. Jen spruced and fluffed him up while he was under anesthesia for his surgery. He looked and smelled SO much better once he woke up and was able to enthusiastically dive headfirst into bowl after bowl of yummy, soft food!

Once at the shelter, Heyward hunkered down in his two-story cat condo and refused any and all human contact for two whole weeks, though he delighted in the endless supply of meals and didn’t mind people speaking softly to him. Then, all of a sudden, at exactly the two-week mark, he waltzed on out of his cage and demanded affection—and he hasn’t stopped since!

He prefers to stay tucked away out of the limelight but will seek out attention when all is quiet in the shelter. He is especially fond of belly rubs and lap snuggles; it could be that once he feels comfy and cozy in his new, mellow home, he will offer his tummy up for major pets and warm the laps of those who have chosen to take a chance on him, take him home and love him up one side and down the other.

Heyward deserves to be doted on and adored, and he will most certainly reciprocate your kindness with unconditional love.

Want to adopt Heyward? 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.

Quaint Corsham – Dropped into Dickens

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Travel,

 

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

What could be a more authentic English experience than living in a home on High Street in the quaint village of Corsham?

 

Luck was with me when I landed this housesit for sweet William, a 15-year-old pup. His masters, Mark and Andy were headed off on holiday and entrusted their furry friend to my care, along with their beautiful home. Will even made happy noises when I scratched behind his floppy ears and rubbed his tummy.

 

Corsham is a picturesque little town, like something straight out of Dickens, with old slate-roofed buildings, ancient spired churches and golden sandstone walls that glow in the afternoon light.

 

“If you wouldn’t mind feeding the birds and the fish, that’d be great,” Andy told me. “And we do have one other pet,” Mark added.

 

Uh oh, what’s this, I wondered.

 

“A peacock called Kevin sometimes visits the garden, if you could just give him a few mealworms…”

 

Who would have guessed I’d have my own pet peacock?

 

Their home is light and airy, and I had a lovely room with my own bath, where a fluffy white robe hung waiting. Books and DVDs lined the walls in the solarium.

 

“Help yourself and enjoy,” they told me, and showed me how to set the surround-sound.

 

Will got three walks a day, though due to his age, they were fairly short ones. A huge park sprawls out behind the house, a five-minute walk away, with a lake full of quacking ducks tucked into the corner. Will showed me his favorite spots.

 

We’d go out rain or shine and this being England, there’s more drizzle than not. But the many misty mornings were magical. With sheep now out of the pasture, Will was allowed to go off lead and often met up with his friends.

 

He may be mostly deaf, but there’s nothing wrong with Will’s nose, or his navigation. He’d approach friendly people in the park, who happened to have treats stashed in their pockets, and he invariably led me to the pet shop to meet his best saleslady pal.

 

Living in Corsham is the best of both worlds — a beautiful garden and park, like being out in the country with most everything you need just out the front door. High Street is only a few blocks long but crammed with small shops — hair salons, a health food store, two opticians, cafes and restaurants, a bakery, a co-op for groceries, a butcher, a pharmacy, pubs and banks and a bookstore and best of all, on Tuesdays, the market stalls set up.

 

Will and I each had our favorite booths.

 

At night, Will got his third walk. He’d lead the way, under glowing streetlights and a full October moon. The street was quiet, shop window-shades pulled. Turning down a dark alley towards the park, I’d switch on the torch (what the Brits call a flashlight). I’d glance around at tall, gnarly trees, branches creaking like arthritic arms; a chill wind whispered through the leaves. We didn’t enter the park but turned just before, down a path that led to a church with a headstone-filled graveyard, tall rounded markers like the ones in scary movies. We were both always happy to get home to our soft, warm beds.

 

We varied our walks sometimes. The churches and graveyards were much less spooky in the daytime.

 

One day I decided to take a tour of Corsham Court, the local manor and gardens. “No pictures allowed inside,” I was told as I paid for my ticket, a frustration for any photographer, but I focused on the positive side — I could enjoy just looking for a change, without having to capture every detail with a lens.

 

With a kitchen to cook in, I ate meals at home, another great reason to housesit. It saved a bundle not dining out, and Will and Kevin made nice dinner companions, when they weren’t both staring at me with “Can I have a bite?” eyes.

 

This Dickensian tale in Corsham has a very happy ending, with Mark, Andy and William reunited, and I felt like I made three new friends.

 

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50+ free spirit 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!”

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

National speakers highlight GVSU’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. week

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , ,
Kevin Powell, author and president of BK Nation

By Michele Coffill

Grand Valley State University

 

Two nationally known speakers will highlight Grand Valley State University’s commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Kevin Powell is an activist, author and president of BK Nation, a national organization based in New York City centered on grassroots activism, pop culture, technology, and social media to spark projects and campaigns. He has written 12 books, the most recent is “The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood.”

 

Powell will be the keynote speaker on Monday, Jan. 16, at 1:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena on the Allendale Campus.

 

Kimberlé Crenshaw is a professor of law at UCLA and Columbia law schools. She coined two terms — critical race theory and intersectionality — that have proved foundational in many areas of study. She is a leading voice in calling for a gender-inclusive approach to racial justice interventions, having spearheaded the Why We Can’t Wait Campaign and co-authored “Black Girls Matter: Pushed Out, Overpoliced and Underprotected,” and “Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality Against Black Women.”

 

Crenshaw will be the keynote speaker on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 4:30 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room, Allendale Campus. This presentation will be simulcast to an audience in the DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. 

 

Both events are free and open to the public.

 

Many free events are planned on the Allendale Campus for Jan. 16, which marks the fifth year that classes have been canceled on the national King holiday, allowing more students, faculty and staff members to participate in events. Visit www.gvsu.edu/mlk for details.

 

Commemoration events continue Tuesday, Jan. 17, when the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies will host “Race and the American Dream” at 7 p.m. in the Eberhard Center. Nikole Hannah-Jones, staff writer at the New York Times Magazine, will join Jason Riley, columnist and editorial board member at the Wall Street Journal, for a dialogue on the progress that has been made since the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the challenges that continue to exist. It is free and open to the public; RSVP online at www.hauensteincenter.org/RSVP.

 

Grand Valley will close its week of events on Saturday, Jan. 21, when hundreds of students will volunteer their time in the community by working at different locations.

Chick-fil-A opens in Gaines Twp.; Wyoming store coming

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Local Food, , ,
Is was cold in Bloomington, Minn., in 2013 when people lined up outside a soon-to-open Chick-fil-A; it likely will be cold in Gaines Twp. when a new store opens this week. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

 

A Chick-fil-A restaurant will be coming to Wyoming soon, but those who want their first taste of the menu can sample it this week as the first of several West Michigan franchises opens on Thursday, Jan. 12.

 

This week’s opening is at 1545 Edgeknoll Dr., S.E., off the M-6 and Kalamazoo Avenue exit, just south of Wyoming city line in Gaines Township. The City of Wyoming store, located at 700 54th St., S.W, is currently scheduled for a February opening.

 

As with other store openings nationwide, the Gaines Township store will also provide an opportunity for 100 people to win free meals for a year, as well as the ability for the community to donate books to a local youth organization, according to supplied material.

 

According to supplied material, the “First 100” party is a “family friendly” event where people will line up — even camp out overnight — to earn a meal a week for a year. The event is open to persons residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. (Eligible zip codes and rules are available at www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Openings).

 

The donated books will be place in a “Book House” built from reclaimed wood, and will serve as a free library exchange. Chick-fil-A has collected more than 27,000 children’s books which have been donated to 162 local organizations since 2014, according to supplied material.

 

Public invited to engage this week in new Kent County administrator selection process

3-bottom, Hard News, Our Cities, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Kent County leadership is nearing the end of its process to name a new county administrator/controller — in essence the chief administrative and financial officer, as well as the person who oversees day-to-day operation of county government.

 

And the public will have opportunity in this week to engage and offer feedback on the process and the two final candidates for the job.

 

The final candidates for the position are Wayman P. Britt, from Grand Rapids, and Marc S. Ryan, from Land O’Lakes, Fla.

 

On Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 5-7:30 p.m., the county will host an open Candidates Community Forum in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Human Services Complex, 121 Franklin SE, Grand Rapids. This will provide an opportunity for the public to provide feedback regarding the candidates, according to supplied material.

 

The importance of that job is evidenced in the fact that the county’s just approved 2018 budget of $417 million will be second highest in the area, behind only the City of Grand Rapids’ $528 million budget, and that the county will spend just over $350 million to fund the sheriff’s office and courts, social services, the county’s elections, veterans services and other programs.

 

The position answers directly to the Board of Commissioners. The position’s salary ranges from $110,300 to $171,078, according to the county, but the specific contract for the new administrator/controller is as-yet undetermined.

 

“The (recruitment) committee is proud to hold the community forum and ask for public feedback in the recruitment process for this important role,” Sandi Steensma, commissioner and Administrator/Controller Recruitment Subcommittee Chair, said in supplied material. “The community’s input in the process is critical to making the right decision for such an important leadership role. We hope residents will make their voices heard as we complete this process.”

 

Britt is currently the interim county administrator and previously served as assistant administrator. He also played basketball for University of Michigan, and played in the NBA for two seasons before continuing his education. Ryan is currently Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer at MedHOK, Inc., and previously served in the State of Connecticut Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management/State Budget Director.

 

One of the two will replace former Kent County Administrator Daryl Delabbio, who retired in June of this year after 22 years of service to the county.

 

IN addition to the Jan. 10 public access opportunity, on Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the finalist candidate interviews with the full Board of Commissioners, will take place and will be open to the public. Finally, also on Jan. 11, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., recruiting subcommittee will review member commissioner feedback and identify the top candidate to be recommended to the full Board of Commissioners for consideration.

 

For more information visit accesskent.com .

 

Wyoming’s Kitzingen Brewery to host KD aLe tour

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Food, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, , ,
Wyoming’s Kitzingen Brewery will host a visit from the Kent District Library’s KD aLe program this week. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

The Kent District Library’s continuing KD aLe program will visit Wyoming’s Kitzingen Brewery on Wednesday, Jan. 11, for a brewery tour — and a little taste of Kitzingen’s speciality: German beers and German food.

 

The event beings at 7 p.m. The brewery is located at 1760 44th St SW.; Suite 8A; in the Chateau Centre strip mall. Attendees receive a discount on beer when you show your library card.

 

The beers produced by Kitzingen brewmaster Rommie Bailey include between 9 and 15 brews on tap, including an IPA, a stout and a seasonal authentic Hefeweizen, according to its website: “We’re inspired by the proud German brewing tradition but we will give it a healthy twist of the innovative American craft brewing spirit,” Bailey said.

 

For more information on Kitzingen Brewery call 616-805-5077 of visit Kitzingen-Brewery.com . For more information on the library’s KD aLe program visit KDL.org

 

Cultural Club: Everyday at East Kentwood High School is an international gathering

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Education, , , , ,
Students from Bosnia gather around their flag. (Photo courtesy of School News Network.)

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

With flags hoisted high and signs declaring “We Are EK” in different languages, nearly 100 district high school students gathered for a photo. It was a proud display of culture for students who accepted the invitation to represent their flag.

 

“This is one of the chances to express my culture freely,” said Salem Tessema, a junior from Ethiopia.

 

It was the culminating activity of the school’s inaugural Culture Week, a celebration and chance for students to share their food, flags, clothing and, at a deeper level, dialogue on what home, traditions and current events mean to them.

 

While flags waved, students, many dressed in sparkling and colorful traditional clothes, mingled and munched on ethnic foods. They represented the countries they are from: Nepal, Burma, China, Thailand, Bosnia, Congo and many more.

 

Bizuaye Hu and Salem Tessema are dressed for their Ethiopian culture. (Photo courtesy of School News Network.)

“We wanted to increase awareness about what amazing cultures we have at this school,” said Student Council member Allison Biss. “It’s to gather everyone together, embrace culture and put it on display for everyone in the school.”

 

Organized by a committee of Student Council members who partnered with English language-learner students, the week opened with “What It’s Like to Be in My Shoes,” discussions held over lunch periods for two days. Students, many of whom are immigrants, shared thoughts on topics around diversity such as cultural appropriation, international relationships, religion, gender roles and the U.S. presidential election.

 

The timing was right following the divisive election. Students at East Kentwood come from 89 countries and represent several religions, said Advanced Teen Leadership and Student Council teacher Mel Trombley.

 

“After the election, things were really heated here, so we were trying to figure out the best way to do things,” Trombley said. “It was incredible. … I have not been with a group of adults that had discourse like they did. It was very connected and personal. Kids were really geeked to be a part of it. … It’s so empowering to just be able to talk.”

 

About 89 different cultures are represented at East Kentwood High School. (Photo courtesy of School News Network.)

Teachers discussed diversity issues in classes, students played a “guess-which-country-the-flag-is-from” game in the cafeteria and answered “If there is one thing I want people to know about my culture it is…” to hang in the hallway.

 

“I learned a lot about how people felt about their own countries, how people were criticized for their culture,” said Student Council member Ana Tran. “I didn’t know they had to go through all those things.”

 

Added junior Kylie Dunn, also a Student Council member, “We walk around every day with all these people, but we don’t really know about them. … We got to learn about their culture because when you grow up all you know is yours. It was nice to hear other people’s perspectives.”

 

Trombley hopes Culture Week will become a tradition Student Council can build on each year. “It’s just the perfect example of how beautiful of a microcosm Kentwood is,” he said.

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

Slight changes in Kentwood water, sewer rates for 2017

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Our Cities, ,

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

 

After conducting an annual rate study and holding a 20-day public comment period, the Grand Rapids City Commission has set the water and sewer rates for 2017.

 

Because a portion of the Kentwood system is owned and maintained by the City of Grand Rapids (generally east of Breton Avenue), Kentwood residential customers will see some very slight changes in their quarterly water/sewer bills.

 

“The average residential customer will actually see a very slight overall decrease of 0.21% in their quarterly water/sewer bill for 2017,” said Tim Bradshaw, Director of Engineering & Inspections with the City of Kentwood.

 

The approximate changes to quarterly billing for the average customer are as follows:

  • Water: $2.15 (2.59 percent increase)
  • Sewer: ($2.46) (3.71 percent decrease)

There were no significant upgrades to the system, and Kentwood experienced minor growth via commercial and residential development.

 

“The main driver for the increase in the water rate is the need for the City of Grand Rapids to maintain a debt service coverage ratio of 1.2 to maintain their AA bonding status,” explained Bradshaw.

 

Metro Health celebrates affiliation with U-M, looks toward the future

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , , ,
Metro Health: University of Michigan Health President and CEO Michael Faas (second from the left) stands with some of the officials who attended the celebration on Jan. 5. They included Metro Health: University of Michigan Health Chief Administrative Officer Floyd Wilson Jr. (far left), University of Michigan Executive Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs and President, Clinical Enterprise, David Spahlinger, M.D. (center) and Metro Health: University of Michigan Health Corporate Board Chair Doyle Hayes (far right). (Photo by Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Metro Health’s announcement of its affiliation with the University of Michigan had even Lt. Governor Brian Calley saying “Go blue.”

 

“And those who really know me, know that is a hard thing for me to say,” said the Michigan State University graduate. Calley, along with state and local officials joined hospital staff and officers for a celebration Thursday, Jan. 5, of the new affiliation between Metro Health and U-M. The event took place at the hospital.

 

T-shirts were handed out with the new logo that includes the familiar maze-color M with Metro Health and the words University of Michigan Health underneath. Blue and gold balloons adorned the Professional Building as the Godwin Heights High School cheerleaders welcomed people in through the hospital doors and the Godwin Heights High School Band played the U-M fight song.

 

The purpose of the event was to provide staff and elected officials more detail about the new affiliation, which, according to a press release handed out at the event, is not a partnership. According to Metro Health: University of Michigan Health Corporate Board Chair Doyle Hayes, who spoke at the event, Metro Health employees would remain Metro Health employees and the decisions of what’s important to the community will remain with the physicians and members of West Michigan.

 

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll congratulates Metro Health University of Michigan President and CEO Michael Faas. (Photo by Abigail Stricker.)

“This affiliation brings together a trusted community resource, this is your resource, and the specialty care of U-M national leadership which also brings medical research and innovation,” Doyle said. “This affliction will provide West Michigan with greater access to high quality health care.”

 

Metro Health: University of Michigan Health President and CEO Michael Faas said Metro Health already has begun recruiting and is starting to look at future plans that include expansion of the Metro Village Health, the first of its kind in the nation, and beyond into other buildings outside of the Wyoming campus. Hospital officials have indicated that future plans could be announced later this year.

 

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said it has been wonderful to watch Metro Health grow over the past 10 years since it moved to the city, with changes that no one really could have predicted.

 

“Well this is obviously very exciting for the City of Wyoming to see the merger occuring,” Poll said. “Two wonderful organizations that are very well established that are now teaming together to bring better health care to the City of Wyoming.”

Business Matters: Wyoming chiropractor receives recognition

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,
Erik Kowalke, D.C.

Chiropractor Erik Kowalke, D.C., from Higher Health Chiropractic was recently recognized for his exceptional performance by receiving the 2016 10 Best Chiropractors for Client Satisfaction from the American Institute of Chiropractors.

 

The American Institute of Chiropractors is a third-party rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Chiropractors in each state. Practitioners who are selected must pass AIOC’s selection process, which is based on client and/or peer nominations, thorough research and AIOC’s independent evaluation.

 

Kowalke, who is from Wisconsin, works out of the Higher Health Chiropractic’s Wyoming office at 1027 Gezon Parkway SW. Higher Health also has an office in Walker. He attended Michigan Technological University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering but when he experienced relief from chronic allergies through chiropractic care, he became intrigued with how the body works, according to his bio on the Higher Health Chiropractic website. From there he went into chiropractic care.

 

Kowalke tours nationally, speaking and teaching chiropractic students and doctors. He is an adjunct faculty member of Palmer College of Chiropractic and Life University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a doctorate of chiropractic.

Tax prep assistance available for low-income Kent County residents

3-bottom, Non-Profits, Our Cities, , , ,

Your Community in Action!

By Area Community Services Employment & Training Council (ACSET)

 

The New Year is here! It’s also the beginning of tax season. For many, income tax preparation can be an overwhelming process.

 

What tax credits am I eligible for? What if I make a mistake?

 

There are plenty of services that can prepare your taxes for you, but if you’re on a limited budget, that might not be an option. Did you know that ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) provides free income tax preparation and filing for qualifying residents of Kent County?

 

According to the IRS, last year in the State of Michigan, $2 billion dollars was received by low-income workers in the form of the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC. This averaged out to $2,488 in tax refunds per qualifying household. However, it is estimated that 20% of eligible workers in the United States do not claim the EITC. Are you one of those missing out on a larger tax refund?

 

To benefit from the EITC, you must file a tax return for 2016. If you are not sure where to begin, the CAA Tax Preparation Assistance program can help. The program was developed to increase the number of low-income families receiving the EITC.

 

Want to know if you qualify for a larger refund in 2017?

  • Find out if you meet the EITC basic qualifications. Visit the EITC website to learn more.
  • See if your income meets the limits required by the program. Visit the IRS website to find out the 2016 tax year limits.
  • Contact ACSET CAA’s Tax Preparation Assistance program at 616-336-4000 for additional assistance.

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.

Chiaroscuro Int’l Film Series returns for 11th season on Jan. 15

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism,

By Kerri VanderHoff

 

The Chiaroscuro International Film Series has announced its 11th season with five celebrated films from around the world. The theme for this year’s award-winning roster of films is “Journeys.”

 

Using a variety of narrative, cinematic and thematic devices, each film explores the idea of the journey — external, internal, metaphorical or otherwise. The programs begin at 2 pm on scheduled Sundays from January through March at UICA, 2 West Fulton in Grand Rapids and include a short film, the feature presentation, a panel discussion and a reception with refreshments. All programs are free and open to the public.

 

The 2017 films and their screening dates include:

 

Jan. 15 — Mustang (Ergüven, 2015) Turkey/France

The film is set in a remote Turkish village and depicts the lives of five young orphaned sisters and challenges they face growing up as girls in a conservative society.

Jan. 29 — Güeros (Palacios, 2014) Mexico

Three restless teens search for folk-rocker Epigmenio Cruz on the streets of Mexico City during the student strikes of 1999.

 

Feb. 12 — Of Horses and Men (Erlingsson, 2013) Iceland

Vignettes of life in a rural Icelandic community show the intertwined lives of humans and equines.

 

Feb. 26 — Timbuktu (Sissako, 2014) Mali/France/Mauritania

A Malian cattleman and his family face the wrath of Islamic fundamentalists after a tragic accident.

 

March 12 — About Elly (Farhadi, 2009) Iran

A young teacher disappears before being introduced to a potential suitor in northern Iran.

 

The Chiaroscuro film selection committee considers various criteria during the nominating process of the international films including variety in country of origin, length, critical acclaim, availability and status as a West Michigan premiere viewing.

 

The selection process for the local student short films is also done by committee. Each submitted film is viewed and finalists are chosen through discussion and consensus. Finalists also have the chance to win best short film of the series, with a cash prize of $250. More information on how to submit a film for consideration, as well as the award information for best short film, can be found on the website.

 

The panel discussion is organized with consideration of each film selected. Two experts are invited to sit on the panel, one is knowledgeable in film studies and the other deeply connected to the culture represented in the film. Feedback and questions from audience members is greatly encouraged.


The reception that follows the film viewing and panel discussion completes the afternoon immersion in world culture by offering complimentary food and drink and a comfortable space to gather outside the theater. This allows participants a space to mingle with others and build upon the ideas presented earlier in the program, encouraging further dialogue and cultural exchange in a friendly, casual setting.

 

Everyone is welcome to enjoy Sunday afternoons of film, food, and cultural exchange. The series offers an engaging way to experience the world without leaving town. All films are shown in the state-of-the-art theater at the UICA in downtown Grand Rapids, 2 West Fulton. Parking garage is available, entrance is off Commerce Street. Follow on Facebook and check the website often for updated announcements on panelists and other information.

 

About the Chiaroscuro International Film SeriesThe Chiaroscuro International Film Series is a non-profit cultural and educational organization fostering a deeper understanding of world cultures through the medium of film. Chiaroscuro enriches the West Michigan cultural landscape by presenting films in a setting that encourages discussion and enjoyment through a shared social experience.

 

Serving the greater Grand Rapids community, Chiaroscuro provides a forum for award-winning cinema and support of local emerging filmmakers.

Eclectic Edinburgh

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Travel, , , , ,

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

How do you know when you’ve landed in Scotland? The men are in skirts, of course! Kilts, to be more accurate.

 

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, was my first stop, with its beautiful medieval Old Town and elegant Royal Mile. The cobblestone streets are lined with shops selling everything in plaid — kilts, scarves, purses, postcards, mugs and key rings, as well as other Scottish paraphernalia.

 

The Royal Mile is crowned at the top with Edinburgh Castle, protecting Scotland’s crown jewels and Stone of Destiny, surrounded by a sweeping view of the city, and anchored at the bottom by Holyrood Palace.

 

In between are the Closes, or Wynds — narrow lanes and alleyways where residents used to live. They were named after the most prominent citizens or businesses, and it was highly unusual for one to be named after a woman. Mary King’s Close is underground, the city was built up over it, and it’s open to the public for tours, if you dare — urban legends tell of hauntings from plague victims and things that go bump in the night. It’s an eerie but fun way to learn of some of Edinburgh’s history.

 

image-175-1024x768Musicians play their bagpipes on the streets, haunting music swirling amongst the beautiful old buildings, and neighborhoods like Grassmarket house hostels and kilt makers, bookstores and gift shops plus plenty of pubs, many with colorful histories. Have no fear if you’re a foodie, there are plenty of places to eat as well as drink.

 

It was such a lovely day, I decided to climb Arthur’s Seat, a nearby extinct volcano with incredible views from the top. “It’s not as hard as it looks,” people told me. It appeared daunting, but I gave it a go. I counted around 900 uneven stone steps, and when the steps ended, there was a dirt path, then it was pretty much rock climbing. I saw moms with little kids, and people in their 70s, so I figured I should be able to do it too. Happily, I had my hiking boots on.

 

I thought I was at the top, only to find another steeper bit to climb. But I made it — 360 degree views, with all of Edinburgh as well as the sea spread below me. The crystal clear day was perfectly still.

 

“It’s usually windy up here,” a woman told me, “you’re lucky.” Yes, I am.

 

image-227-1024x768There’s so much to do in Edinburgh, but of course Scotland is known for its whisky, so why not check out the Whisky Experience? You’re sent off on a Disney-like ride in a barrel where a “ghost” hologram tells you about the three ingredients of whisky — water, malted barley and yeast, and how it’s fermented and distilled and aged in barrels, much like wine. We got to scratch and sniff a card that showed the scents of the four different Scottish whiskey regions — Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside and Islay, which correspond to the flavors of citrus, vanilla, banana and smoke. Then the best part, taste-testing! Plus there’s a sweep through the world’s largest whisky collection, with more than 3,600 bottles.

 

The National Gallery, with free admission, is full of religious, allegorical and impressionist paintings or if you’re more into writing than art, Edinburgh is known for it’s fair share of authors, including  Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott, and you can learn about them in the Writer’s Museum.

 

Or you can even go on a literary pub crawl and combine the spirit of history with spirits of a more liquid nature. Your hosts, actors in character, will lead you on an informative romp through several lively night spots.

 

image-197-1024x768More appropriate for the younger set — you can stop for a coffee or cocoa at the place where J.K. Rowling penned much of her first Harry Potter book.

 

As an alternative to expensive hotels and preferring a more local experience, I’d booked an Air B&B with a lovely couple a short bus ride out of the city in an area called Portobello, where I had the best of both worlds — close to the city center, but a block from the beach, and Scotland was experiencing some unseasonably warm early fall weather.

 

What do you do when your hosts invite you to a real Scottish meal of Haggis and you’ve discovered on a tea towel in town what’s in it? You suck it up and try it, of course, and I have to say, it was really quite tasty, along with the neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes), although I tried not to think of the ingredients.

 

One day my host wasn’t busy and accompanied me for an afternoon. She’d packed a picnic, which we shared on a bench in a park overlooking the city, then walked through town to the botanic gardens to view an art exhibit and strolled towards home along Leith canal, the clouds and blue sky reflected in the water, with ducks and swans gliding by, a lovely last day in historic, eclectic Edinburgh.

 

Lest you be disappointed, having perhaps heard of incessant Edinburgh drizzle, I did manage to experience one day of gray, gloomy skies and damp weather, so I’ll leave you with this, a perhaps more common view of this fabulous historic city.

 

image-218-1024x768About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50+ free spirit 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!”

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Woodland Mall parent company sees opportunity with Sears closing

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Woodland Mall, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

On the heels of the announcement that Sears at Woodland Mall is closing, Joseph F. Coradino, CEO of Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) which owns the mall, announced on PREIT’s website “the company has executed a lease with a fashion department store to replace Sears at Woodland Mall, providing a remarkable opportunity to enhance this premier property,”

 

The statement goes on to say that the company is also finalizing lease documents with two other non-Michigan PREIT properties, Capital City and Magnolia Malls, that also are losing Sears stores.

 

“The transactions are part of PREIT’s plan to continue upgrading its property following our aggressive portfolio disposition and repositioning program which has created a quality platform that is more compelling to retailers,” Coradino said in the statement.

 

The company release stated PREIT has reduced the number of Sears and Kmart stores in its portfolio from 27 to 11. A mall in Scranton, Penn., has a DICK’S Sporting Goods, Field & Stream and HomeGoods replacing a former Sears store and in Chester County, Penn., a Whole Foods is under construction to replace a former KMart.

 

Sears Holding announced today, Jan. 4, the impending closure of 26 Sears stores and 78 KMarts. The only Sears store in Michigan scheduled to close is the one at Woodland Mall. Most recently, the KMart store at Clyde Park and 68th Street along with one on Plainfield Avenue closed at the end of 2016.

 

The reason for the closures, according to company officials, is financial performance at those locations.

 

Sears has been a fixture at Woodland Mall since 1968, when the mall opened. Sears, originally Sears Roebuck & Co., was started in 1886 as a mail ordering company and opened retail stores in 1925. It was headquartered at the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower), the tallest building in Chicago. It is now based in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

 

KMart, the first opened in 1962 by Detroit-based S.S. Kresge Company, was once a staple in the Michigan retail scene. In 2004, KMart purchased Sears with the corporate name changing to Sears Holdings Corporation. The recent announcement of closures will reduce the number of KMart stores to 28 statewide.

Local woman faces felony charge for threatening Islamic Center in Kentwood

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UPDATE: On Wednesday, Jan. 4, Kari Moss was arraigned on a “False Report or Threat of Terrorism” charge at the 62-B District Court in Kentwood. Bound was set at $500,000. Moss is lodged at the Kent County Jail awaiting her preliminary hearing.

 

A 33-year-old woman is expected to be arraigned on the charge of a false report or threat of terrorism today after making threats at the At-Tawheed Islamic Center located in Kentwood.

 

According to a report from the Kentwood Police Department, at around 8:46 a.m. Jan. 2, Kentwood Police units responded to a call at the At-Tawheed Islamic Center, located at 3357 East Paris Ave. SE. A woman was outside the center, demanding money from visitors, while claiming she was armed with a weapon. According to police, she was making addition threats against the facility.

 

Upon arrival, officers made contact with the female and she was taken into custody, according to the report. The Michigan State Police bomb Squad unit assisted with a search of the woman’s belongings and vehicle. According to police, no weapons were located.

 

The charge of false report or threat of terrorism is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Body found in Kentwood identified as missing person

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, , , ,
Willie Donald Crawford

A body found in the 3100 block of 52nd Street in Kentwood has been identified as the missing person Willie Crawford.

 

Crawford, who had dementia, went missing form his home in the area of Eastern Avenue and 52nd Street on Dec. 3. Kentwood Police had sought information on Crawford’s whereabouts.

 

On Jan. 3, according to a police report, the Kentwood Police Department received a call about a body in the a small ravine in 3100 block of 52nd Street. The body was discovered by a person walking on the sidewalk. The body was taken to the Kent County Coroner’s Office.

 

Today, Jan. 4, an autopsy was performed and the body was identified as Crawford. There was no trauma to the body and the Coroner’s Office has listed his cause of death as exposure.

 

The Kentwood Police Department ended the release by stating that “our sympathies go out to Mr. Crawford’s family.”

Cat of the week: Rowdy

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , , , ,
Rowdy is adoptable!

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).

Rowdy’s rescuer has a way with cats — even the most timid of tom cats can’t resist her gentleness and this guy was no exception, although it did take quite a bit of sweet talking to reel him in, after which the rescuer and her cousin carted him off to Focus on Ferals for evaluation and neutering in mid-March 2016.

Although he was none too pleased, in time he did manage to forgive her and allowed her to once again pet him. She bestowed upon him the name of ‘Rowdy’ (born in the fall of 2011), not because he was a hellion at heart but simply because he gave her such a hard time when it came to corralling him into a travel carrier. She chose the name Rowdy after the character Rowdy Yates from the classic Rawhide television show back in the day of Clint Eastwood’s prime.

Rugged and ragged are two words that aptly described this handsome hunk when he arrived at the clinic on March 28 as he was sporting a previously broken tail tip, missing a canine tooth, was filthy and grimy with a stud tail present (from being intact for so long), in dire need of dental cleaning and sporting a nasty bite wound on his chest.

As you can imagine, this guy probably had some harrowing tales to tell, but instead he chose to keep quiet, hunker down in the safety and confines of the cushy cage Dr. Jen set up for him, and rest and recover. Wary and battle-weary, the poor guy needed spiffing up before going down to the sanctuary to be spoiled; he tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

Once at Big Sid’s, Rowdy settled in, though at times it appeared as though he was afraid of his own shadow. With not a mean bone in his handsome, hunky bod, it does take him time to warm up, relax under a gentle touch and get to know you. The volunteers are patiently guiding him through daily life at the free-roaming facility, where he is making furry friends and reveling in the fact that he doesn’t have anything to be frightened of; his fighting days are over and his life of luxury has begun.

The dozens of doting caretakers are professionals when it comes to reassuring the shy guys, so in time, Dr. Jen has no doubt that Rowdy will be rolling on the floor, showing off his belly and relishing the attention showered on him.

MORE ABOUT ROWDY

  • FIV-positive
  • House trained
  • Spayed/Neutered
  • Current on vaccinations

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

Get info about Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) 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.

Lehninger’s Symphony debut brings romance to St. Cecilia

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Marcelo Lehninger, Grand Rapids Symphony’s new music director, will conduct his first concert at St. Cecilia Music Center’s Royce Auditorium this week. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Marcelo Lehninger, Grand Rapids Symphony’s new music director, will conduct in the grand DeVos Performance Hall many times during his tenure, but this week he will conduct his first concert  in the exquisite intimacy of the St. Cecilia Music Center’s Royce Auditorium.

 

Somehow, that is only fitting and proper — and not just because the venue should also be perfect to experience the artistry of guest pianist Daniel Hsu.

 

Daniel Hsu will be the featured performer at the Grand Rapids Symphony concert. (Supplied)

On Friday, Jan. 6, Lehninger leads the orchestra in a concert of Romantic Era works by Brahms and Schumann with Hsu, a 2016 Gilmore Young Artist of Kalamazoo’s Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival.

 

The concert, scheduled for 8 p.m., is part of the symphony’s Crowe Horwath Great Eras concert. Tickets are available.

 

The program title is The Romantic Concert: Schumann & Brahms, and includes Schumann’s “Piano Concerto in A minor” — the composer’s only piano concerto. And both the work and the program’s theme are perfect for a concert focused on “romance.”

 

 

Composers Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms are considered the epitome of romantic composers and both had close relationships with Robert’s wife, Clara Schumann — musical and romantic in the case of Robert, and musical and friendship with Johannes. Both composers wrote music for Clara, a pianist.

 

Fittingly, Clara gave Schumann’s piano concerto its premiere performance in 1846 on New Year’s Day.

 

The Friday concert will also features Brahms’ “Tragic Overture” and his “Variations on a Theme of Haydn”.

 

Portions of evening program also will be performed at 10 a.m. Friday for the Porter Hills Coffee Classic series, with doors opening at 9 a.m. for complimentary coffee and pastry prior to a one-hour concert played without intermission.

 

The evening program will be rebroadcast on April 9 on Blue lake Public Radio, 88.9 FM or 90.3 FM.

 

Upcoming Lehninger symphony concerts

 

Lehninger’s will return to DeVos later this season as he will return in February and March for concerts with the Grand Rapids Symphony, highlighted by performances of works by Mozart and Mahler on Feb. 3-4, featuring pianist Andrew von Oeyen, and maybe the symphony season highlight on March 3-4 with a performance of Mussorgsky’s stunning and timeless “Pictures at an Exhibition” and Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” with guest violinist Stefan Jackiw.

 

It will be a treat for those who have never heard Mussorgsky’s work, a piano-solo piece in its original but orchestrated by Maurice Ravel in its most-often heard form. (OK, maybe Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s alt-rock version has been heard a lot too.) For those whom the work is new, it is a musical must.

 

For more information on Grand Rapids Symphony concerts visit GRSymphony.org

 

Wyoming Public Safety investigates domestic assault that involves a shooting

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety continues its investigation into a shooting of a 21-year-old suspect from Wyoming, who is now being lodged in the Kent County Jail for assault charges.

 

At 4:25 a.m. Dec. 31, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety was dispatched on an active domestic dispute that involved a shooting in the 3500 block of Goodman Avenue SW. The suspect was shot once in the shoulder. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect has since has been lodged at the Kent County Correctional Facility and is being held on a charge of felonious domestic assault/strangulation, according to police officers.

 

After investigation at the scene, it was determined that the suspect was actively attacking/choking a 20-year-old female from Wyoming. The suspect pursued the female and assaulted a 66-year-old, also from Wyoming, who was in the home as well, according to police. The two victims were able to lock themselves in a bedroom but the suspect kicked down the door of the bedroom, according to a report from the department.

 

The suspect began to assault the two and the 66-year-old was able to retrieve a handgun and fired one shot into the suspect’s shoulder, according to the report.

 

The two victims received non-life threatening injuries.

 

The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety detectives are continuing the investigation into the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

 

Public Museum’s Beer Explorers pairs beer, doughnuts this month

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The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Beer Explorers program will pair Founders beer with Robinette’s doughnuts. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

 

Beer and doughnuts … what’s not to like?

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Beer Explorers program continues on Thursday, Jan. 12, with a event pairing Founders beer with Robinette’s doughnuts, allowing participants to explore their sense of taste and what combinations appeal to individual palates.

 

The series of winter programs are held in partnership with Founders Brewing Company one Thursday evening each month through the mid-winter.

 

The third and final installment of Beer Explorers with Founders Brewing Company will take place on Feb. 16, and focusing on barrel aging beers. Participants will learn about the process of barrel aging and how different factors affect the taste and quality of the beer.

 

Classes begin at 6 p.m. and will be held on the 1st floor of the museum. Admission to each class includes general admission to the museum as well as three beer samples. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets to Beer Explorers is $8 for museum members and $18 for non-members. Participants must be 21 and older.

 

For more information and ticket, visit grpm.org

 

5 ways to help the homeless this winter

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

Your Community in Action!

By Area Community Services Employment & Training Council (ACSET)

 

Each year, communities across the country conduct a point-in-time (PIT) count of homeless individuals. On January 27, 2016, the PIT count for Kent County was 800 persons. While the majority of the homeless were in transitional or emergency shelter that particular evening, over 5% were identified as being unsheltered. This means they were sleeping without shelter in the harsh winter weather.

 

Our community has many shelters, serving hundreds of people each year. Every winter they are faced with an urgent need to prevent frostbite, hypothermia and even death among our homeless population. ‘Tis the season to give, so here are some ways you can help.

 

 

  1. Emergency Shelter – Warming centers and emergency overnight shelters provide temporary protection from extreme weather. A list of resources in downtown Grand Rapids can be found here. If you see someone on the streets in freezing temperatures, contact the Heart of West Michigan United Way’s 2-1-1 database by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-887-1107 to get help.
  2. Give Winter Gear – shelters will accept donations of warm winter clothing, including thermal underwear, boots, coats, hats and gloves. Or you can contact a shelter to see if they have any specific needs. Again, 2-1-1 is a great resource to find a shelter near you.
  3. Volunteer – Most shelters and homeless programs are busiest during the winter months and could use more help. Contact a shelter near you to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
  4. Donate – Because this is the busiest time of year for shelters, they are using more. If you typically make an end-of-year donation, consider a monetary gift to a local shelter. You may even be able to set up a recurring donation so you keep giving throughout the year.
  5. Advocate – Advocacy means using your voice to address the root causes of homelessness, such as access to affordable housing. Whether you generate awareness on social media or make a call to your legislators about the issue, using your voice is an inexpensive way to help fight homelessness.

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.

Calvin’s January Series features historian, trekkers, religious sojourner

3-bottom, Area Education, Books, Education, Upcoming Events, , , , ,
Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray will share their story of trekking and service to other as part of the Calvin College January Series.. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Godwin may be the most well-known name on the program for Calvin College’s January Series, the annual series of speakers and discussions on topics great and intimate.

 

Doris Kearns Goodwin

But some lesser-known speakers — such as Eugene Cho,  Lisa Sharon Harper, and the joint lecture by Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray — may well provide inspiration and challenge as much as information.

 

“I think Eugene Cho is great to have on the series,” Kristi Potter, director of the January Series, said in supplied material. “So often we talk about how we can make a difference, but are we actually doing it? … Cho will hold us accountable to take those steps to make a difference. In his book, he asks questions like ‘Are we in love with the idea of changing the world or actually changing the world?’ and ‘Do we just write a check or do we change our lifestyle to help change the world?’”

 

The January Series runs noontime January 4-24 and includes 15 speakers discussing topics ranging from systemic racism in America, the gender gap in technology, healthcare delivery and the cycle of poverty. Cho’s talk will be Jan. 18.

People with stories to tell

 

Cho is the founder and pastor of Quest Church, an urban, multicultural, multigenerational church in Seattle known for tackling societal issues head-on. Harper is an social advocate and, quite literally, a Sojourner. Skeesuck and Gray are friends who share a bond of adventure and service to other.

 

Skeesuck and Gray have shared a lifelong friendship, full of many adventures, including their 500-mile trek across Spain. But their story is much more than simply friendly adventuring. Skeesuck has a progressive neuromuscular disease and travels with a wheelchair. Together, the pair trekked the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, and detailed their adventures in the film and educational project “I’ll Push You”.

 

The pair, according to supplied information, live by the mantra that “Life is not defined by its limitations, it is defined by what is accomplished in spite of those limitations.” Their talk will be Jan. 12.

 

Lisa Sharon Harper

Harper, who will talk Jan. 16, works with Sojourners, a group started in the 1970s in Washington, D.C., that has grown and transformed to now have the goal to “inspire hope and build a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world.” Harper’s faith-rooted approach to advocacy and organizing has activated people across the U.S. and around the world to address structural and political injustice as an outward demonstration of their personal faith.

 

Other speakers include Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission; Mark Desmond, co-founder of the Justice and Poverty Project and the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius Grant”; violinist Taylor Davis, whose passion for gaming and film music has made her one of the fastest rising stars in the digital world with 1 million subscribers on her YouTube channel; and N.T. Wright, a world-renowned New Testament Scholar, who is back on the January Series stage for the fifth time.

 

 

Wright’s talk is also the Stob Lecture, an annual lecture co-sponsored by Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary in honor of philosophy professor emeritus Dr. Henry J. Stob. Wright will also be a featured speaker at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s Symposium on Worship in late January.

 

 

The January Series runs from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, various days, in the Covenant Fine Arts Center on Calvin’s campus. Parts of the series will also via live video in 50 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe. In 2016, 45,000 people attended between the on-campus and remote sites, according to supplied material.

For more information visit calvin.edu/january-series/