Category Archives: 3-bottom

Adventures at San Diego Comic-Con: Warner Brothers at Hall H

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, WKTV Projects, , , , , , , ,

Wonder Woman CastFor the second straight year, Katelyn visited Comic-Con in San Diego. In case you missed it: Wonder Woman had an anniversary, Her Universe had a fashion show, and costumes galore!

 

Written and photographed by: Katelyn Kohane

 

“I was brought to life by Zeus.” – Wonder Woman

 

We finally made it into Hall H a little after 10am after camping out all night on Saturday. I planned on staying in Hall H all day because the line up was capital A-mazing!

 

Warner Brothers kicked off the day with a lineup that included Wonder Woman, Justice League, Suicide Squad, The Lego Batman, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Kong: Skull Island, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I would expect nothing less than the incredible lineup we got with Warner Brothers.

 

On top of the great lineup, the morning was hosted by none other than Conan O’Brien!

 

The presentation began with a fantastic trailer for Wonder Woman that was followed by O’Brien introducing the cast. Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, and Director Patty Jenkins were on the panel to talk about the movie. Gal Gadot summed it up nicely when she mentioned that it took “a lot of hard work and patience.”

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After Wonder Woman came a surprise guest, the cast for Justice League. While they couldn’t stay long – they were headed over to the film set – they stayed long enough to show the trailer and talk to the crowd. Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, and Director Zack Snyder were in attendance.

 

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Suicide Squad, which is currently in theaters, took time on Saturday to pay a visit to Hall H.

 

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After the Suicide Squad cast made their appearance, we were shown the trailer for The Lego Batman movie and we had the opportunity to see Chris Mckay and Will Arnett. Then we saw the trailer for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Charlie Hunnam came and spoke for a little while. When asked how he prepared for such a role, Charlie Hunnam said he tried not to think about it too much.

 

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Next on tap was Kong: Skull Island! Tom Hiddleston (Loki!), Brie Larson, John Goodman (Roseanne and Speed Racer), Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchel and Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts appeared onstage. The movie was filmed in three countries and we were given the first glimpse of the trailer at Comic-Con.

 

And to end our morning in Hall H, we were shown the trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The movie is a story inside the universe of Harry Potter. After the trailer, we were introduced to Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, and David Yates.

 

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The first part of the morning certainly had an amazing line up of guests and trailers! “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” is to stay tuned to see what happens the rest of the day in Hall H! As a spoiler I will mention Star Trek. Until next time…“Live Long and Prosper.”

Book Review: William G. Milliken: Michigan’s Passionate Moderate by David Dempsey

3-bottom, Books, Entertainment, , , , ,

millikenWhen I was a kid, I read a lot of biographies – explorers, sports heroes, presidents. Somehow, reading about those outstanding individuals of the past gave me pride and hope for the future. Dave Dempsey’s new biography of William G. Milliken evoked that same kind of feeling.

 

 

Milliken became Governor of Michigan in 1969, when then Governor George Romney left for Washington to take a post in President Nixon’s Cabinet. Milliken was subsequently elected to three consecutive four-year terms when he retired in 1982, he had served longer than any previous individual as the state’s chief executive. These were not easy years. Riots had scarred Detroit, the automobile industry was battered by foreign competition disrupting the state’s economy, and the battle to protect the environment was just beginning.

 

 

Through it all, Milliken acted with confidence, optimism and a spirit of conciliation. He stood, and still stands, as an example of the decency and civility that raises politics from the level of mud-slinging to the high plain of public service. Like all good writers, Dempsey uses many specific examples to paint a clear picture of Milliken’s general character. He describes the time when the Governor and his wife were taken on a hiking tour to film the television program “Michigan Outdoors” and 60-year-old Gene Little was lugging a huge TV camera on his shoulder. Dempsey lets one of the hikers, David Smethurst, tell the story:

 

“. . . we walked on and on. Pretty soon Gene is huffing and puffing. We stop more often for him. I walk ahead with Ned and Mrs. Milliken and look behind. Gene is still slogging along, but the Governor is now carrying his TV camera . . .I made up my mind about the Millikens that day. Good people make good leaders.”

 

 

 

The book is filled with these firsthand observations from friends of the Governor and his political adversaries, from newspaper editorials, journalists and reporters. Dempsey has done an excellent job of weaving this material into his text which provides a broader historical perspective. It’s like being there and then stepping back to reflect on the impact of major events form the time period. Often he lets Milliken speak for himself as in these words from his first speech as the acting Governor:

 

 

“[I hope my administration] is known for its compassion, its idealism, its candor and its toughness in pursuit of public ends.”

 

 

This high standard is the Milliken legacy something we citizens can hold up with hope and pride for our future political leaders.

 

This all-feline band is the cat’s meow! See them purrform Oct. 16 & 17 in GR

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, , , ,
aacircus
The Amazing Acro-Cats are coming to Grand Rapids (photo courtesy of the Acro-Cats website)

 

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

 

Coming to Grand Rapids October 16 and 17 are the Amazing Acro-Cats, a Chicago-based troupe of real rescued house cats. These fabulous felines perform a plethora of feats with their fancy footwork: they jump through hoops, ride on skateboards, ring bells, rolling barrels, walk the high wire, climb on ropes and more. Anyone who has tried herding cats will appreciate the time, love and patience that goes into training these kitty athletes.

 

But wait! There’s more. The only all-cat band in the entire world — Tuna and the Rock Cats — purrforms as the finale. You don’t want to miss this.

 

One of the four “cat shows” in the U.S., the Amazing Acro-Cats and their human staff are devoted to promoting cat-training awareness and supporting feline adoption and rescue across the country. Their mission and goal are to show cat lovers how to improve their relationship with their furrever friends through positive reinforcements that yield long-lasting and beneficial behaviors.

 

See their performance on Animal Planet:

 

https://youtu.be/6yWno5hFinQ

 

The troupe of former orphans and strays travel from city to city in a custom cat bus and form partnerships that encourage fostering and finding homes for cats and kittens.

 

Tickets are $22-$32. Get your tickets here.

 

When: 1 pm & 5 pm Sunday, Oct. 16; 7 pm Monday, Oct. 17

 

acro-catsWhere: Peter Wege Auditorium, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506

 

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

 

 Photos courtesy of The Acro-Cats website.

Community organizations come together for first South Kent Expo

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Events, , ,

logosSeveral community organizations — covering four municipalities — have come together to host the first South Kent Community Expo, which is set for this Saturday, Oct. 1.

 

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, Kentwood Public Schools, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cutlerville-Gaines Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting the expo which runs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The event is free.

 

expo“The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department hosted a health expo and they were running out of space at the location they were at along with the fact that we at the chamber and Cutlerville-Gaines have hosted expos in the past,”said Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, as he talked about how the idea for the South Kent Community Expo came about. “Coming together, we felt that we had more options and a better opportunity to reach a broader range of residents.”

 

The expo is designed to bring in a representation of businesses and organizations in the Wyoming, Kentwood, Gaines and Cutlerville areas. About 80 different vendors are expected to be at the event representing a variety of groups from health care to financial.

 

“We do not have a lot of duplicate businesses,” O’Callaghan said. “We have a variety of services along with organizations that provide products. It’s a nice representation and should meet about anyone’s tastes or needs.”

 

Mixed in will be several local restaurants and food stores that will be providing tastings of some of the items they offer. There also will be outside activities that include demonstrations from fire and rescue.

 

Kentwood Public Schools will be providing a variety of cultural activities, which O’Callaghan said organizers hope will help draw people to the expo.

 

Being the first year, O’Callaghan said it is hard to predict how many people will attend. A lot depends on the weather, however; being that the event is free, organizers are expecting somewhere between 2,000 – 3,000 participants.

“Voting! Making It Count” mini exhibit opens at Grand Rapids Public Museum

3-bottom, Entertainment, , , ,
This cane was from a Gerald Ford Republican Party Presidential campaign that took place in Grand Rapids 1976. The handle says "For President" and the year "76t." The cane was owned by Henry J. Danielski, a World War II veteran of the 82 Airborne Division and an old friend of Gerald Ford's from when they grew up in Grand Rapids together. Danielski ran into Ford at a campaign event where he was limping due to a long-term war injury. Ford gave him this cane to help him walk. Danielski's son later donated the cane to the Grand Rapids Pubic Museum.
This cane was from a Gerald Ford Republican Party Presidential campaign that took place in Grand Rapids 1976. The handle says “For President” and the year “76t.” The cane was owned by Henry J. Danielski, a World War II veteran of the 82 Airborne Division and an old friend of Gerald Ford’s from when they grew up in Grand Rapids together. Danielski ran into Ford at a campaign event where he was limping due to a long-term war injury. Ford gave him this cane to help him walk. Danielski’s son later donated the cane to the Grand Rapids Pubic Museum.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today the new mini exhibit Voting! Making it Count will open Oct. 1. Tying into the 2016 presidential election, this exhibit will showcase voting related artifacts of the GRPM Collections from the 1800s through the present day.

 

Voting MachineVoting! Making it Count will display a historical timeline of voting machines beginning with a wooden voting box that was used in the 1890s by the Grand Rapids Typographical Union, continuing with a standard voting machine that utilized levers for votes invented in 1898 and used through the 1960s, a ballot container from the 1930s and 1940s used by the 1st Ward 9th Precinct in Grand Rapids, a Douglas Collapsible Voting Booth used from 1945 until the 1960s  in Grand Rapids, and a CES Votomatic Electronic Voting Machine that was used in the 2000 presidential election.

 

Other artifacts in this exhibit will include bumper stickers and buttons from various U.S. presidential elections, a Gerald R. Ford Presidential campaign cane, and campaign gloves, gavels and tags.

 

Admission to the mini exhibit Voting! Making it Count will be included with general admission to GRPM. This exhibit will be on display from Oct. 1 – Nov. 13, 2016, coinciding with the 2016 Presidential Election taking place on Tuesday, November 8.

 

The GRPM continuously showcases several mini-exhibitions, or pop-up exhibits, each year. They are modeled after pop-up stores, and are intended to be shorter in duration, tie into national and current events and showcase the GRPM’s Collections on a routine basis to the community. For further details, visit grpm.org.

‘Big Lebowski’ Beer Tour rolls back into Kalamazoo Oct. 1

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Events, ,

timthumbIn honor of one of the finest and most oft­-quoted films of all time, West Michigan Beer Tours is proud to present the return of the Big Lebowski Beer Tour.

 

In collaboration with Greenbush Brewing Co., Latitude 42 Brewing Co., Airway Fun Center and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the Big Lebowski Beer Tour is yours to enjoy on Saturday, October 1st.

 

The tour includes a trio of specialty beers that reference the film from Greenbush brewer Jake Demski — a unique, tie­-dye-­laden tour of Latitude 42 Brewing Co.; bowling at Airway Fun Center; and a quote­-along of the cult film starring Jeff Bridges. The tour will begin with registration at 3 pm at Central City Tap House and officially conclude with a movie party/screening of The Big Lebowski at 7:30pm at the Alamo Drafthouse.

 

Garb referencing the film is highly encouraged (and may be rewarded). Hotel discounts are also available on request. Greenbush Brewing Co. will provide these small ­batch beers as part of the event:

  • “Obviously You’re Not A Golfer” –­­ 5% ABV Arnold Palmer Ale (available at Central City Tap House; ale with lemonade and ice tea in secondary fermentation)
  • “The Brew Abides” ­­– 9% ABV White Russian Imperial Stout (available at the Airway Fun Center)
  • “Who’s Woo?” ­­– 7% ABV Rice IPA (available at Alamo Drafthouse)

Ticket prices are: “The Donny” ($55,­­ ride only, pay rest as you go); “The Walter” ($79, samples, tour and logo pint glass at Latitude 42; one game of bowling and movie ticket); “The Dude” ($99­­, samples, tour and logo pint glass at Latitude 42; unlimited bowling; West Michigan Beer Tours T­-shirt and movie ticket).

Itinerary

Origination: Central City Tap House, registration at 3 pm with 4 pm departure.

 

Stop 1: Latitude 42 Brewing Co., samples, tour, logo pint glass, 4:15- 5:15 pm.

 

Stop 2: Airway Fun Center, bowling, full pour, 5:30-6:45 pm.

 

Termination: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Kalamazoo, The Big Lebowski Quote­Along, 7 pm with 7:30 pm screening (Central City Tap House is about a block away from Alamo). For more information, go here.

 

For more details on upcoming tours, click on the “Tours” tab on their website, westmichiganbeertours.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and TripAdvisor.

 

 

 

Guiding Light’s ‘Back to Work’ program a smart, strong solution for financial independence

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Non-Profits, , , ,

guiding-light-back-to-work

 

Finding work can be hard enough, but just imagine how difficult it would be if you had an addiction. This is a fact of life for many folks.

 

Guiding Light’s Back to Work program provides a short-term stay for men who are employed or seeking full-time employment, allowing them to save money while they look for permanent housing. Other programs assist in addiction recovery, finding full-time employment and affordable housing.

 

Men in the program sleep in a men’s dorm and eat meals at Guiding Light. They receive job coaching, training in techniques for searches, and daily encouragement and advice. They have use of a computer lab for online job searching, email and résumé preparation. Phones are also available for local calls. As needed, they are provided with transportation and prerequisite necessities to accept a job offer.

 

The Back to Work program is a smart and strong solution for promoting financial independence through work. Each year, millions of dollars are funneled back into the local economy because of the emphasis Guiding Light has on helping men find and hold steady employment.

 

Guiding Light receives no government funding or insurance. All programs are funded by individual donors.

 

Each donation provides a man with the tools and resources to rebuild his life and re-engage with community.

 

Guiding Light is located at 255 Division Ave. S in Grand Rapids. For more information, call 616.451.0236 or email info@lifeonthestreet.org.

Kentwood police continues investigation on Sept. 17 hit-and-run

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Hard News, , , ,

Kentwood Police Dept.

The Kentwood Police Department continues its investigation into a hit-and-run that took place Sept. 17.

 

At around 1:17 a.m., a 26-year-old maile, identified as Jeremy Carlson, was peddling his bicycle westbound on 26th Street. According to police, Carlson started to cross Broadmoor Avenue and was struck by a car traveling northbound on Broadmoor Avenue. The vehicle then continued traveling north on Broadmoor Avenue after striking Carlson.

 

On Friday, the Kentwood Police Department released more information about the suspect’s car stating it is believed to be a 1999-2003 Mitsubishi Galant and is dark silver to medium gray. According to police, there is damage to the passenger side of the vehicle.

 

Police are also interested in speaking to the driver of a yellow vehicles that was reportedly following th Galant and may have witness the crash or have information on the Galant.

 

Carlson is currently at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. According to police, he did not suffer from any broken bones, but is recovering from a head injury.

 

Anyone with information about the crash, the Mitsubishi Galant in question or the yellow vehicle, are asked to contact the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

Wyoming police continue investigations into two weekend fatal crashes

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News, , , ,

Wyoming Public Safety Department blocks off northbound Byron Center Avenue at 52nd Street.

Wyoming Department of Public Safety continues its investigation into two fatal crashes which includes reaching the kin of the victim of the second fatal crash which took place on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 24.

 

The Department responded around 10:35 pm. to a a report of a serious traffic crash on 28th Street and S. Division Avenue. The crash occurred when a west bound vehicle driven by a 25-year-old Grand Rapids female struck a male pedestrian that ran south across 28th Street in front of her vehicle. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by the medical examiner. The victim did not have identification at the time of the crash.

 

The victim was described as between 20- to 30-years-old, possibly Hispanic, 5’ 4” – 5’ 5”, 130-140 pounds, dark hair, mustache, wearing blue jeans, blue hooded sweatshirt, blue with orange high-top shoes. He was later identified with the Department working to reach the next of kin and hopes those looking for someone would reach out to the Department at 616-530-7300.

 

At this time it does not appear that alcohol or speed was a factor in the crash. according to a police report.

 

This was the second of two fatal crashes that took place within the city on Saturday.

 

The first took place in morning with the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responding to the report of a serious vehicle crash on Buchanan Avenue and Plaster Creek at 9:45 a.m. The crash occurred when a westbound vehicle driven by a 22-year-old female from Wyoming ran the stop sign and struck a vehicle driven by a 29-year-old male also from Wyoming. This vehicle then rolled over and was struck by a third vehicle in the roof line. The 29-year-old male, identified as Beranado Diaz-Martinez, was pronounced dead at the scene by the medical examiner.

 

The initial investigation indicates that speed may have been a factor in the crash, according to a report from the Wyoming Public Safety Department. At this time, it does not appear that alcohol was a factor, according to the same report.

 

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety continues its investigation into both crashes. Anyone with further information on either incident is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

Is ArtPrize the New Christmas?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, ,
Jess McDonald at Rockwell Republic says ArtPrize is now the busiest season of the year. (Photo reprinted by permission from Engine and Matt Gryczan. All copyrights reserved.)
Jess McDonald at Rockwell Republic says ArtPrize is now the busiest season of the year.

By Matt Gryczan

 

Downtown Grand Rapids restauranteurs say that ArtPrize has eclipsed Christmas as the busiest season for walk-in traffic — and that can be a double-edged sword for a restaurant that isn’t prepared for the people crush.

 

But the boost in patronage is a welcomed problem, particularly since it smooths out the sometimes feast-or-famine nature of serving food downtown. Another interesting note: the number of new faces entering your door can depend on if there’s a hot entry nearby.

 

“This is the biggest three weeks of the year for us, hands down,” said Jess McDonald, day manager of the Rockwell half of Rockwell Republic at 45 S. Division Ave. “ArtPrize helps to bring in all sorts of new clients.”

 

The colorful chalkboard on the sidewalk at Rockwell Republic said it all: “ArtPrize 2016 — Stop in for food & Art.” There was a steady flow of patrons for the arts and dining on Thursday morning, some who lingered to savor Corrine Hudson’s entry in oils, “Abstract Landscape.”

 

“Do you have any more art?” one visitor asked. There was, on the Republic side of the business that was closed for serving lunch, but open for people to saunter through its temporary gallery of 6 other artworks.

 

“In all honesty, the traffic of new people can depend on where the pieces are located,” Jess said. “Popular pieces obviously bring in more people.”

 

San Chez Bistro around the corner from Rockwell Republic on Fulton Street steels its waitstaff for the three-week event where “you work your bones to the core,” said proprietor Cindy Schneider. “ArtPrize can make or break a restaurant for the year, especially if you’re not ready for waves of people. The food has to be tasty, hot and on-time to the table.”

 

During the 8-year run of ArtPrize, she’s seen two restaurants struggle near her location at 38 W. Fulton St. as they tried to ride the event’s wave. They both opened shortly before ArtPrize and closed only a few weeks later.

 

“They didn’t show well,” Cindy said. “They were slammed by the crowds, and people didn’t have the type of experience you need to bring them back again. The time to open is just after ArtPrize, and take the year to get ready.”

 

Like Rockwell Republic, San Chez sees more walk-in traffic during ArtPrize than Christmas or any other season of the year now.

 

It’s uncertain if ArtPrize trumps Christmas as the busiest season, depending on how you define the season and include outside events such as holiday parties, said Hillary Smith, general manager of Bistro Bella Vita at 44 Grandville Ave. SW, “but it’s 100% certain that ArtPrize is a very important time for us.”

 

She said the restaurant starts to organize its waitstaff starting in July to make sure everything is up to snuff when ArtPrize starts. “We don’t necessarily need to add staff, because we have a big staff here anyway, but we do need to be organized.”

 

Story and photo printed with permission from Engine and Matthew Gryczan. All copyrights reserved.

 

 

New Show “From Earth to the Universe” begins in October at Chaffee Planetarium

3-bottom, Entertainment, , , , ,

grpm_lego_planetarium_0055Starting Saturday, Oct. 1, there will be a new show in the lineup at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium. From Earth to the Universe will allow visitors to revel in the splendor of the various worlds within the solar system.

 

Leaving Earth, viewers of this new show will travel to the colorful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars found beyond the Milky Way and learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope and today’s giant telescopes that allow us to continue to probe deeper into the universe. Directed by the young Greek filmmaker Theofanis N. Matsopoulos, and featuring a soundtrack from Norwegian composer Johan B. Monell, viewers will explore the majesty of the solar system and the ferocity of the scorching sun.

 

For a schedule of show times, please visit grpm.org/planetarium. Tickets for planetarium shows are $4 with general admission, or $5 for planetarium only. Planetarium shows are free to GRPM members.

 

The Planetarium is named for Grand Rapids native, Roger B. Chaffee, who died with fellow Apollo 1 astronauts Gus Grissom and Ed White during a pre-launch test in 1967. The Planetarium was originally opened in 1994 and underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation fall 2013 to spring 2014. The Chaffee Planetarium features the latest Digistar projection technology and immersive surround sound for an unbelievably rich and realistic experience. The renovation was made possible through the generosity of the Museum’s donors, including the lead gift from The Wege Foundation.

 

Understanding American Football – A Seminar

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, ,

football Most of the world plays “football” with the feet. They use a round, black-and-white ball. North Americans, on the other hand, use an oblong, brown ball to play “football” but only touch the ball with the feet on 13% of the plays.

 

If you grew up in the 95% of the world that plays soccer, then North American football is a mystery. The play is hard to follow, and the rules seem confusing. At work on Monday morning, you can’t join the water cooler conversation because you weren’t watching The Big Game over the weekend. Worse yet, at an afternoon sales meeting, someone says they’ll either have to punt or throw up a Hail Mary. Say what?!

 

Before you throw up your hands and give up, know that help is here: a 90-minute seminar on the rules of American football. We will show you, play-by-play, how the game works and teach you the essential vocabulary for watching a live game.  We’ll also go over cultural aspects like rivalries, tailgating, and The Wave. And we’ll talk about the common football expressions that Americans use in everyday life – both at work and at home.

 

And finally, to help you practice what you’ve learned, we’ll watch a televised game in the adjacent sports bar so you can apply your knowledge while nibbling tasty appetizers and sipping the beverage of your choice. Don’t be left out! Sign up today!

Going Local: Woody’s Press Box

3-bottom, Food, Going Local, Local Business, , , , , ,

going localJoanne’s Portion

Joanne@wktv.org

 

I did not know Spectrum Lanes had a restaurant until one day, while bowling with some students, a waitress came by with a menu. We ordered and the food was good, like tasty good.

 

But I have not eaten at Woody’s Press Box, located at 5656 Clyde Park SW, in some time, so when we pulled it out of the hat, I was somewhat excited about visiting.

 

The restaurant was not full — it’s a big space — but it was busy. The day’s specials featured a lunch buffet and an all-you-can-eat spaghetti meal.

 

pizzaThere was a special lunch menu that included an array of fare from pizzas to sandwiches to burgers, but what got me were the prices. Lunch meals were arranged in three categories, $4.53, $5.52 and $6.46, any of which comes with homemade potato chips or onion straws. You could upgrade to fries, loaded potato, coleslaw, macaroni salad, potato salad or baked beans for $1.75 more.

 

Let me repeat: You could have lunch for $4.53. With tax, it is still under $5 which is way cheaper than many of the large chain restaurants. The bargain hunter in me was doing back flips.

 

“Who would order only a half order of chips & cheese,” Mike asked as he looked over the menu. “That’s like a snack.”

 

“Me,” I thought in my head as it would make me feel less guilty with a half order. Then again, I don’t run a lacrosse team four days a week, burning off a gazillion calories.

 

receiptWhen I came in, I was thinking burger but the personal, one-item 10-inch pizza at $4.53 stole my attention. Was it the price? Hmm, maybe, but I went with it. You could add extra toppings for $1.05 but I stayed to just pepperoni. It also came thin crust or hand tossed and at our server’s suggestion, I went with thin crust.

 

It didn’t disappoint. It was end-to-end cheese coverage with a nice sprinkling of pepperoni. Afterwards, I discovered I could have added a small side salad for $1.75, which I might have done and brought half the pizza home. Heck, I could see myself bringing a salad to work and snagging one of those pizzas and being very happy for a couple of lunches.

 

The price point alone is reason enough to pass all those other chain places by and head to Woody’s, the quality is the bonus for doing so.

Mike’s Portion

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

 

“Would you like the lunch menu or were you planning on having the buffet?”

 

More attractive words have never been spoken into my ears. A lunch menu and a buffet? There had to be a catch. Fortunately for me, my stomach and taste buds, there wasn’t a catch as Joanne and I sat down for lunch at Woody’s Press Box.

 

img_1983When we first pulled in to the parking lot at Woody’s, I immediately noticed how big the building was. I was expecting a small, local sports bar but instead was presented with a behemoth of a building. However, once inside, the seating area wasn’t nearly as large as the outside portrayed. Joanne noticed my inquisitive focus on what we just walked into, how the size didn’t match up with what I saw from the outside, and mentioned that a bowling alley — Spectrum Lanes — is attached to Woody’s. The great mystery was solved and my focus could now shift back to what truly mattered, the food!

 

My eyes filtered through the lunch menu while occasionally peeking up at the TVs lining the walls. My eyes also caught a glimpse of the bartenders pouring generous amounts of beer into massive cups. Calling it a cup might be the understatement of the century, like saying the Titanic hit an ice cube. The portion sizes were truly a sight to behold, but Joanne and I were on the clock and we would like to stay gainfully employed. We opted for a water, with lemon of course, and vowed to come back another time.

 

So, about that food — as Joanne mentioned, the lunch menu had meal options that ran $4.53, $5.52, and $6.46. The lunch buffet cost $7.74 and could also be added to anyone of the meal options at a slight up-charge. Woody’s is essentially giving food away. Eventually I settled on the spicy chicken sandwich for $6.46 that came with homemade kettle chips and a pickle.

 

img_1986When I ordered my sandwich I was expecting something small but what was put on my plate may as well have been the full chicken. The meat protruded off of both ends of the bun and was stacked high with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. The chips were bountiful.

 

The first bite into the chicken sandwich was juicy with a kick of heat. I’ll be honest with you, the sandwich was significantly better than I was anticipating. After every bite I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into the next one. The chips were crisp and added a hint of salt to fully complement my taste buds. To get a better idea of how much food there was, I wasn’t able to completely clean off my plate.

 

Eventually the bill arrived and I was pleased to see the price stay under $7 with tax included. After including the tip, the bill was still less than what I would’ve expected to pay for the size of sandwich I received.

 

Woody’s Press Box, I will be making my way back for lunch. This time I might even try the buffet!

 

At Rebel U, Focus is On ‘the Who’

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, , ,
Teacher Lindsay Blume, at right, discusses innovation with colleagues
Teacher Lindsay Blume, at right, discusses innovation with colleagues

By: Erin Albanese — School News Network

 

When students choose to learn about a topic they care about, Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center teacher Lindsay Blume sees the potential for genius to emerge.

 

Her English-language learner first- and second-grade students last school year researched topics ranging from a dog’s life cycle to how studios make movies, how to make a pizza and how to take care of cats. Why? Because they wanted to — and were given the chance.

 

Blume set aside time for Genius Hour to create a product from research, like a board game where you collect ingredients for pizza and a how-to book on cat care. It was up to the students to create what they wanted. Genius Hour is a simple concept that allots time for students to choose something they want to learn and work on a “pet project” about their subject.

 

She shared the process, which she hopes will expand to more classrooms and grade levels, at Rebel U. It was the district’s sixth annual professional development day that provides teachers with opportunities to learn how teaching and learning can be transformed through the use of technology.

 

Rebel U traditionally has focused on technology integration, but now is tied to a broader theme: human-centered design, an approach to problem solving that incorporates the wants and needs of end users of a product or service in every stage of the design process. (Conversely, think of a service that doesn’t consider its recipients’ true needs, like a winter coat drive for Costa Rican children. No matter how well-meaning, the service is likely not helpful.)

 

The district received a $250,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation to re-imagine schools for the small, mostly Hispanic, low-income district over a two-year span using the human-centered design process. It focuses on the real needs of Godfrey-Lee students. Teachers said they’ve been challenged by the program, now in its second year, to be innovative and take risks. Genius Hour is an example of an idea that sprung from human-centered design thinking, Blume said. Instead of telling students what they need to learn about, student get to choose. That leads to more passion and innovation.

 

At Rebel U, teachers embraced new ideas as they headed into the school year. Questions discussed during a brainstorming question were: How can we use podcasts to connect with community members? How might we connect families with Kent District Library resources? How can we use virtual reality to enhance lessons?

 

Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center Principal Peter Geerling adds ideas on sticky notes about serving students best
Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center Principal Peter Geerling adds ideas on sticky notes about serving students best

Learning the ‘Who’ of It

 

The focus is on the “who,” said Superintendent David Britten.”That changes the outlook of the classroom instead of just focusing on what someone told you your kids should be learning. It’s what you think as an adult they should be learning. You focus on who they are and design learning around that.

 

“School’s got to be different than it was for the benefit of our kids, and technology is one tool.”

 

Genius Hour shows the possibilities of both technology and human-centered design in the classroom, and Blume said she wouldn’t be doing it without the opportunities available through human-centered design.

 

“It has helped me to step outside the box and know that I have the administrators’ and the whole district staff’s support to try new things. I’m encouraging my students to do the same thing,” Blume said. “We don’t have to adhere to the rigid ‘sit and let me give you information.’ The students are discovering it for themselves and that makes it a lot more meaningful.”

 

Kelsey Koetje, a first-and second- grade special education teacher, introduced Green Screen at Rebel U. The video-making program puts students in front of a green poster that comes to life behind them, integrating images into a topic they are presenting on. When it comes to how her students learn best, Koetje said human-centered design has given her the confidence to “figure it out.”

 

“Our district is very supportive of trying new things and figuring out what your specific students needs and going from there,” Koetje said. “We do have those high standards they want us to meet, but also encourage us to take risks and try it and if it doesn’t work you try something new.”

 

As part of the human-centered design process last year, a 19-member district team interviewed Godfrey-Lee families about their hopes and dreams. Hearing from those families impacted the thinking of Godfrey Elementary School Principal Andrew Steketee about how to involve them even more at school.

 

“It’s been all about opening up communication with our families,” Steketee said. “It has really opened my eyes. We can do so much more to invite them in, to get on the same level as each other.”

 

Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!

Book Review: Listen to the Landscape by Linda Nemec Foster and Dianne Carroll Burdick

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listenListen to the Landscape is a magical book. The collaboration between artist and poet dance in a visual-verbal blending of words and color.

 

The color comes in the form of hand-colored photographs by Dianne Carroll Burdick, which have a luminous quality. Starting with a black-and-white photograph, the artist has transformed the reality if the image into a soft reflection of a dream world.

 

 

Photographed in her travels throughout the country, Carroll Burdick features scenes from California, Massachusetts, Michigan and other places where the landscape caught the artist’s eye. She is a freelance photographer well known in local artistic circles.

 

 

These photographs inspired Linda Nemec Foster to create haiku that capture the spirit of the landscape scenes. Written in the traditional Asian-style, Nemec Foster’s haiku resonate with the movement of a wave, the breath of a cloud, the green of trees.

 

 

She has written six other volumes of poetry and in 2003, she was selected to be the first poet laureate of Grand Rapids. This slim volume offers a tactile, yet spiritual experience. A meditative book for yourself or a perfect gift to share with friends, it even inspired this writer to try a haiku book review:

 

Scenes wet with color

Haiku captures the moment

Pages turn like waves

 

 

Art.Write.Now.Tour. showcases best student work through Oct. 14 at KCAD

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, , ,
shirakarni_portrait-1
“Portrait 1” by Shira Karni, a high school student from Grandville, Mich. is featured in the Art.Write.Now.Tour. Exhibition

Now through October 14, you can see work from some of the most talented young writers and artists in America at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD). The traveling exhibition will feature the work of three students from Michigan: Shira Karni of Grandville; Scott Hanna of Beverly Hills; and Abe Cone of Chelsea.

 

The Art.Write.Now.Tour. traveling exhibition showcases innovative and inspiring works from national winners in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and it’s on display in the Helen Miller Kendall Gallery (HMK Gallery) on the first floor of KCAD’s 17 Fountain St. NW building.

 

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — recognized as the nation’s preeminent and longest-running scholarship and recognition program for students in grades 7-12 — spotlights outstanding original work in a variety of different creative mediums, including writing, illustration, photography, drawing, sculpture and more. Works were first adjudicated regionally, then again on the national level by leading creative professionals. KCAD has played host to the Awards’ West Central Michigan region for a number of years, with support from Howard Miller.

 

“This selection of teen work is truly remarkable,” said Virginia McEnerney, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. “The visual art and the written pieces delve into themes ranging from the most intimate of human emotions to the current political climate. It’s a privilege to glance into the minds of some of our country’s most talented teens and an honor to have their work on display nationwide in our traveling Tour and in the DC exhibit.”

 

Approximately 50 visual art works selected from the Art.Write.Now. 2016 National Exhibition which took place in New York City at Parsons School of Design and the Pratt Institute this past June will be on display, as well as The Best Teen Writing of 2016, an annual anthology of selected Gold Medal writing, which will be displayed in the exhibition on iPads.

 

After Grand Rapids, the exhibition will visit Houston, TX; Bozeman, MT; and Jackson, MS.

 

For more information on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit artandwriting.org.

Cinque Terre, Italy’s string of gems

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Travel, , , ,

16

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

Cinque Terre (translated The Five Lands), a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a necklace of five seaside villages strung along the Italian Riviera. It’s some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastal scenery anywhere in the world (my opinion, but also that of countless others).

The colorful villages are linked by hiking trails that wind along the coast, up high through olive groves and vineyards, and down low along the water. The whole trail is known as Sentiero Azzurro, or the Azure Trail, and the part of the trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via dell’Amore or the Road of Love. A fence overlooking the sea is embedded with hundreds of padlocks, souvenirs from visitors sealing their love for each other. A train also links the towns, mostly through tunnels, for those who grow footsore or weary, and boats cruise the coastline as well. No cars are allowed.

When I was there the first time, in 2008, you could walk from the first village to the last in a day, albeit a long day. But in October 2011, a flash flood washed out some of the trails, buried streets and homes in mud, and killed nine people. They have recovered relatively quickly, although not all of the trails are open yet. Still, the ones that are give you astonishing views of the villages and sea, and there are plenty of other things to do in this popular tourist destination. (This time I was there in August, but my recommendation is to go in either June or September to avoid the massive crowds.

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Stay in one of the villages, if you can, in order to be able to fully enjoy your time in Cinque Terre, especially the peaceful evenings when people head out and stroll through the towns and watch the sun set. Both visits I stayed at Cinqueterre Residence, high up on a hill in Riomaggiore, a small, family-run establishment where they treat you like you’re one of the family. We had great views from our balcony, and they serve a tasty breakfast, including cappuccino with a smile.

Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso are all worth a visit, full of gorgeous architecture, a profusion of flowers, shops galore, and many, many dining establishments, from tiny trattorias to fancier ristorantes, or just pick up snacks along the streets. They’re known for their local limoncello, basil, garlic and pinenut-filled pesto, and anchovies (if you ever thought you didn’t like anchovies, you haven’t tried these!), as well as focaccia in many different variations — rosemary, olive, tomato, cheese. And of course, there’s plenty of gelato.

12

The main thing to do in Cinque Terre is hike, between the villages, but also in the hills above, where you can get away from some of the tourist crowds. Check your guidebooks, as some of the hikes are relatively easy, but others are quite strenuous, especially in the summer sun. Bring plenty of water, but if you’re lucky, you just might find someone selling fresh-squeezed juice along the way.

You can also hang out at the beach. The longest and busiest beach is in Monterosso, with chairs and umbrellas for rent, and sand that’s soft on your feet. You’ll find other beaches as well, in other villages which are less crowded but tend to be rocky.

Shopping is a pastime for some, and you can certainly pick up lots of souvenirs, but my souvenirs, with my shoestring budget and small backpack, mostly consist of photos, and there are plenty of photo opportunities here.

 If you’re in the area for a while, and you want a day trip away from the Cinque Terre, check out Portofino, a short train ride up the coast. It’s full of high-end shops and the yachting crowd. Colorful buildings line the harbor, and you can rub elbows with the rich and famous, although be prepared for prices to match.

Cinque Terre, like many beautiful places, has become perhaps a little too popular, but it’s so beautiful, it’s definitely worth braving the crowds to see.

23About 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

Two area graduates receive scholarships from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, , , , ,
2-15 Lee High School graduate Monica Rivera
2015 Lee High School graduate Monica Rivera

Two area graduates – one from Wyoming and one for Kentwood – were listed as among the 2016 scholarship recipients from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

 

2015 Lee High School graduate Monica Rivera received the Achille & Irene Despres, William & Andrea Scholarship which she will use toward her associate of science degree. She is a sophomore at Grand Rapids Community College.

 

Rivera recalls a moment in her childhood in San Luis, Mexico, when she developed hives after eating shrimp and had to wait in line for three hours before a physician could attend to her. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, what are the people with real emergencies doing? There really is a need for physicians,” Rivera said. Fast forward a few years to when one of Rivera’s grandmothers in Michigan took a fall and had to wait two weeks to see a Spanish-speaking physician.

 

These stories are just two of many reasons why Rivera wants a career in healthcare. She hopes to one day be a bilingual physician and do missionary work in underserved areas in the U.S. and abroad.

 

For Rivera, this scholarship means she is able to work less and give back to her community even more. According to her, charity and empathy are important values to her family, so this scholarship frees Rivera to continue volunteering with refugee families settling in West Michigan.

 

2016 East Kentwood High School graduate Cheyenne Williams
2016 East Kentwood High School graduate Cheyenne Williams

2016 East Kentwood graduate Cheyenne Williams received the Donald J. DeYoung Scholarship which she will put toward her study of education and childhood development at Ferris State University, where she is a freshman. This scholarship is given annual to a student who has had contact with the family court. It was created in honor of Donald J. DeYoung, who was a Kent County probate judge.

 

Williams, who grew up in the foster car system, plans to study childhood development so she can guide other children, whether as a teacher or as a liaison in a hospital helping sick children better communicate with their doctors and families.

 

“The best thing you do is be a teacher,” Cheyenne said, even though she once thought she’d never want to be a teacher. One day she looked closely at the three-year-old girl she babysat. “I relalized I’d love to do this every day,” Williams said. “I’d love to teach kids right and wrong and be someone they can look up to for guidance.”

 

For Williams, this scholarship means that “the world still values education and teachers. It still sees people who have gone through hardships as relevant and contributing to society —not just as charity cases.”

The Weekend Edition: Things to do for Sept. 22 – 25

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Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It might be a little cloudy this weekend, but that should not stop  anyone from venturing out. And there is plenty to do with ArtPrize rolling in this week.

 

So to help fill your weekend calendar, here are just a few things we spotted that we thought you might enjoy:

 

ARTPRIZECP15Thursday, Sept. 22: ArtPrize kicked off on Wednesday and you have until Oct. 9 to see it all. The radically open international art competition is mostly located in downtown Grand Rapids and is walkable. New are eight ArtPrize Hubs serving as welcoming centers and voter registration. The hubs are Center City Hub @ GRAM, 101 Monroe Center NW; Heartside Hub @ UICA, 2 W. Fulton St.; Hillside Hub @ Women’s City Club, 254 E. Fulton St.; Rumsey Street Hub @SiTE:LAB, 333 Rumsey St. SW; Monroe North Hub @ DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW; Westside Hub @ the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW; Meijer Gardens Hub, 1000 E. Beltline NE; and the ArtPrize Hub/Headquarters at 41 Sheldon Blvd SE.

Round one voting ends Oct 1 with the final 20 announced Oct. 2. (Note only two entries per venue will be allowed to advance to the top 20.) Round 2 voting ends Oct. 6 with the winners announced Oct. 7. For more information, visit artprize.org.

 

witter

Friday, Sept. 23: The Grand Rapids Symphony kicks off its Pops season with the concert “The Piano Men,” featuring pianist Jim Witter. The concert, which is at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, will feature some of the most popular hits of Billy Joel and Elton John accompanied by a multi-media musical journey. Tickets are $90 – $15. For more information, visit grsymphony.org.

 

Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram
Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram

Saturday, Sept. 24: David Lindsay-Abairee’s play “Good People,” about the struggles of the lower middle class, wraps up its run at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre this weekend. Showtime for tonight is at 7:30 p.m. at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. The last show is Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $28 – $16. For more, check out the review by Susanne Ablaitis or visit grtc.org.

 

Of you can head over to Caledonia for the Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hosted by the Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce, this family-friendly event includes a hayride, pumpkin decorating, a hay maze, face painting, games, music, an antique tractor display, food samples from area restaurants and a baked goods sale by the Caledonia Women’s Club.  There is also a Scarecrow Contest. For more information, visit www.caledoniachamber.com/harvestfestival.

 

https://vimeo.com/51718023

Sunday, Sept. 25: Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb bring their “One to One” tour to Grand Rapids Wealthy Theater, 1110 Wealthy St. SE. Barrigar and Mazengarb share a musical chemistry and stage presence seldom found around musicians. The duo’s repertoire constants of original and arranged music of guitar instrumentals and vocal duets. They have been influenced by Americana, Jazz, Country Western, and Classical music. The two perform at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit Wealthy Theatre’s website.

 

BONUS EVENT: Dorr’s New Salem Corn Maze will be hosting its annual Wusrt Festival Ever this weekend with lots of music and fun. This Friday is the country/southern bands No One’s Home, Double Barrel and Dani Jamerson. Saturday, gates open at 11 a.m. with a host of activities such as the Human Hamster Ball Race and live music starting at 4 p.m. The Outer Vibe caps off the two-day event with a performance from 9:30 p.m. to dusk. Tickets are $5/Friday and $10/Saturday. Also all the haunted attractions start that weekend as well. For more information, visit www.newsalemcornmaze.com.

Metro Cruise Pin Up Girl Contest rescheduled for this Saturday

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Entertainment
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Miss Metro Cruise 2015 Stacey Davis a.k.a. Ginger Snaps with contestants Candice Rolfe a.ka. Miss Candie Lux, Sarah Baughn a.k.a. Sarah Marie, and Peggy Preston a.k.a. Peggysue

The Metro Cruise Pin Up Girl Contest finals have been rescheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 24, at Rogers Plaza.

 

The event was rained out during this year’s Metro Cruise forcing organizers to reschedule the event. The final contest will run from noon to 1 p.m. inside the mall located at 972 28th St. SW.

 

One of the most popular highlights of the Metro Cruise has always been the Pin Up Girl Contest. These women are classic and enjoy the art of dressing in eras from the 1920s to 1960s to modern day.

 

In July, the preliminary contest narrowed the field from 17 girls to the final 10 contestants. The following 10 contestants will be competing for the final 3 including the 2016 Ms. Metro Cruise. The are:

Candice Rolfe – Mis Candi Lux
Anna Ellenwood – MJ
Dana Marie Kopp – Miss Dana Divine
Taylor Hurd – Lady Rose
Tonisha Waddell – Toni Sunkiss
Amy Marseglia – Miss Bella Marie
Peggy Preston – Peggysue
Elyse Wieszczecinski – Miss Darlene Dubae
Sarah Baughn – Sarah Marie
Amanda Miehle – Victory Belle

 

The final 10 contestants will be judged by Hayley Sikorski from Mod Bettie Photography, DJ Chivis, a beauty Pageant Judge, Yeli Romero – Representing Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano and Director of Acceso VIP/Marketing and Public Relations and Steve Surim, Owner of Steve’s Antique Auto Repair. Contestants will be judged on costume and make-up, stage presence, professionalism, audience favorite, and Q&A.

 

 

For more information on the Final Pin Up Girl Contest please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1618045005137287/

Snowplow drivers prep for winter at the annual Roadeo

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

RoadeoBy: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@gmail.com

 

The sun sat high in the sky beating down on the hot, black pavement. Midday was in the rear view mirror, the competitors in front of me had come and gone, and there I stood face-to-face with more than 50,000 pounds of metal that I was expected to control through a timed obstacle course.

 

“Do you have your driver’s license?” asked the judge to my left as I stared at the vehicle.

 

A grapefruit sized lump made its way into my throat as the little voice inside my head said what everyone was thinking, “you entered a snowplow driving competition and you left your license in the car?” It was a rookie mistake, and I answered back in a way only a novice can, with false confidence and a dash of ignorance, “No, I left it in the car.”

 

RoadeoThe judge chuckled and made a couple of marks on his score sheet. I hadn’t even entered the snowplow yet and my score was already sitting in the negatives.

 

As a celebrity driver at the American Public Works Association (APWA) Snowplow Roadeo, hosted this year by the Wyoming Department of Public Works, I had the opportunity to personally get behind the drivers wheel of a snowplow to catch a glimpse of the challenges the snowplow drivers face come winter. While the competition is all fun and games for myself and the other celebrities, the Roadeo acts as a training seminar for drivers to prepare themselves for the winter ahead.

 

“This is a training session, but it looks very much like a competition because that’s the way we run it,” explained William Dooley, Wyoming Director of Public Works, “The Roadeo is all about preparing the drivers that have to remove snow and ice from our roads in the winter. It’s really about getting all of the drivers in West Michigan thinking about it again, getting in the trucks, and getting used to where those blades start and stop.”

 

The idea for the Roadeo was started by the City of Wyoming where they hosted the event for 21 straight years before cutbacks in the department forced the event to come to a close.

 

“At that time we said we could no longer host it every year but that we would take our turn,” said Dooley. “Well, here we are in 2016, and we’re happy to host the Roadeo once again!”

 

RoadeoThe drivers take turns driving through a timed obstacle course that tests their fundamentals inside the snowplow. Those fundamentals include basics like having your driver’s license and medical cards on hand, entering the snowplow properly and adjusting the mirrors. After the intial prep is completed, drivers make their way through a course lined with cones and barrels designed to test driving ability with maneuvers like going around a turn to the left and right, backing up, and moving snow in-between parked cars.

 

Oh, and it’s all timed.

 

“This event is an opportunity to get drivers back in the trucks to see some real life situations. In addition to the course, we have classroom training on how to interact with the public and stay alert behind the wheel,” said John Gorney, Kentwood Director of Public Works.

 

“Every element they’ll face on the job, we test them on,” added Dooley.

 

And the tests are anything but easy. For starters, from the driver’s seat, both blades – the big one in front and the one underneath – aren’t visible. Yes, you read that correctly, you cannot see the blades. The front blade has one orange pole on each end that acts as a guide for the driver. They give a frame of reference on how wide the blade is and an idea on where it’s located. It’s very much a ‘feel’ thing where a driver must become one with the snowplow.

 

The green cones mimic snow that has to be moved between parked cars
The green cones mimic snow that has to be moved between parked cars

Unfortunately for me, I did not feel one with the machine, and my Master Yoda was nowhere in sight to teach me the ways of the force. During the serpentine I ran over a barrel like it was nothing more than a fly on the windshield. The obstacle that mimics pushing snow between two parked cars was also an epic fail as I distinctly clipped a barrel acting as the rear bumper of a car. Hopefully they had insurance. As I rounded corners, I assume I trucked numerous cones because, truthfully, I couldn’t really see whether I did or not. The sight lines in a snowplow aren’t the most advantageous to a roadway vehicle.

 

Thankfully the obstacles that involved backing up were taken out of the course for the celebrity drivers. After making my way through the course, I know why, it would’ve been a disaster.

 

Upon completion of the course, scores were gathered and tallied. Shockingly, yours truly didn’t bring home the celebrity hardware.

 

I never thought driving a snowplow would be easy, but it didn’t think it would be as difficult as it was. Even with a beautiful day and no true stress of hitting other cars or pedestrians, it was still a lot to process and handle. The ability to drive one of those on a busy street in the middle of winter is daunting, but the Public Works Departments take their biggest job very seriously.

 

“The event is very important,” Gorney emphasized. “Snow removal for all of the Public Works Departments is the biggest efforts we have. It costs the most money and the trucks are the most expensive piece of equipment. To get back in the truck and get some training is critical.”

‘The Whole District is a Family’

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, , ,
teacher academy
New Wyoming Public Schools Staff members get to know each other during the New Teacher Academy

By: Erin Albanese — School News Network

 

Thirty-three new teachers and 22 support staff members, including food service positions, bus drivers and paraprofessionals, are getting to know district students this month.

 

It’s the biggest crop of new hires for many years in Wyoming Public Schools, administrators said.

 

New teachers replace 28 long-time district teachers who accepted a buyout incentive last spring. Teachers with 20 years or more in the district who were making $70,000 or more qualified for the buyout, which was $45,000 to retire or resign.

 

New teachers include recent college graduates beginning their first teaching jobs. Others are from charter schools and out-of-state districts, said Sarah Earnest, superintendent for employee relationships.

 

Teachers recently completed a three-day New Teacher Academy at Wyoming Junior High to work on building collaboration, connections and culture. The district’s theme this year is “Better Together,” Assistant Superintendent Craig Hoekstra said.

 

New Wyoming Intermediate School English-language learner teacher Marissa Bliss is among a crop of 33 new teachers in the district
New Wyoming Intermediate School English-language learner teacher Marissa Bliss is among a crop of 33 new teachers in the district

Each teacher will become part of the story and history of the district, he added. “We all have skills and talents. How do we grow from one and other?”

 

New Wyoming High School geometry teacher Jeffrey Kordich, a Grand Valley State University graduate, starts at Wyoming after teaching physical education for three years at Korea International School in South Korea. He also spent three years teaching math in Quito, Ecuador.

 

“I love the diversity I’m seeing in the students and staff, and just the excitement and positive energy that Wyoming Public Schools has for education.”

 

Liz Kenney, a new second grade teacher at West Elementary, comes from Benton Harbor Charter School Academy, and has also taught math intervention at North Godwin Elementary School, in Godwin Heights Public Schools. She is a GVSU graduate.

 

“One of the biggest things I’m most excited about is you can definitely feel the family here. They’re always talking about building relationships. They mean it. The whole district is a family and that’s very evident,,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to working with teachers and collaborating because they’ve effectively done that here.”

 

Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!

Local First: Taking a look at the new Knickerbocker Brewpub and Distillery

3-bottom, Beer, , , , ,

defaultlf_knickerbocker2It’s no secret that Grand Rapids is a hub for craft beer activity. “Beer City” has over a dozen breweries providing countless options of well-made ales, lagers, pilsners, and stouts. On top of the beer explosion, the rise of rustic-style restaurants and distilleries that pay homage to a cultural history has grown with the help of a community who is taking the time to consider what they’re eating and drinking.

 

This set of ideals fits in perfectly with the culture at New Holland Brewing Company. It’s one of the major reasons the Holland-based beer and spirits brand opened The Knickerbocker Brewpub and Distillery on the west side of Grand Rapids. Opening its doors last week with a seating capacity ore more than 400, The Knickerbocker will serve as a space to showcase what New Holland considers the craft lifestyle: sourcing local wherever possible and exploring new and reimagined recipes.

 

Located in an area steeped in Grand Rapids heritage, The Knickerbocker will highlight the cultures imbedded in the Westside. The menu includes known dishes such as Galumpkis and Smoked Kielbasa and Kraut alongside modern additions including a Black Bean Farro Burger and Smoked Tempe Burger. And while many people recognize New Holland as a big player in the Michigan craft beer scene, the new location will also highlight their growing spirits catalogue. New Holland’s award-winning whiskies, rums, and gins are featured in the upstairs lounge manned by well-educated bartenders. The lounge will feature a large library of specialty spirits designed to bring out the best in the base spirit to make room for even more creativity in their cocktails.

 

defaultknickerbocker_squareAt New Holland, craft is more than just a buzzword; it’s a choice that enables both the restaurant and its patrons to think about their meal. If it’s a beer, a cocktail, or a dish, The Knickerbocker makes it with purpose. So celebrate and raise a glass to a great addition to the Grand Rapids community!

 

The Knickerbocker is located at 417 Bridge St. NW. For more information, visit newhollandbrew.com/theknickerbocker.

 

This article is courtesy of Local First. WKTV Community Media is a member of Local First.

Grand Rapids Public Museum School Wins XQ: Super School Grant

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museum-signLast week, the Grand Rapids Public Museum High School was chosen out of 700 other applicants as one of 10 schools nationwide as a XQ Super School. Grant funds will go directly to Grand Rapids Public Schools for renovations and technology updates at 54 Jefferson SE, the former Public Museum building and future home of the Grand Rapids Public Museum High School, as well as professional development for the schools’ teachers. The Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle School is currently based inside the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s main location in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

“The Grand Rapids Public Museum School will give GRPS students a truly hands-on education, and the Museum is grateful to be a partner in this project,” said Grand Rapids Public Museum President and CEO Dale Robertson. “There is no better way for students to learn than to be exposed to the real thing. As an educational institution, we have the real thing in more than 250,000 artifacts and six sites at the Public Museum.”

 

Applicants went through a rigorous 11-month application and evaluation process to be chosen as a winning Super School by XQ: The Super School Project. Each school will be awarded $10 million over the next five years, which will directly fund school renovations, facility updates and new technology. All 10 schools will serve as new models for remaking the high school experience.

 

Grand_Rapids_Public_MuseumOf the 10 winning schools, Grand Rapids Public Museum High School is focused on creating a learning environment that leverages cultural artifacts, local impact projects and museum studies to spark student inquiry and creativity delivered through place-based and design-thinking instruction.

 

“This is huge! Our Museum School truly exemplifies the success of our GRPS Transformation Plan. Being named as a winner for the XQ Super School Project gives much deserved national attention to our innovative, collaborative efforts to provide high quality public school choices. Special thanks to all our school partners – Grand Rapids Public Museum, GVSU, Kendall College of Arts and Design/FSU, the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., and the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority,” said GRPS Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal.

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum High School will leverage the unique cultural artifacts and museum archives of the Grand Rapids Public Museum to create a one-of-a-kind learning environment where students are pushed to take risks, guide their own learning and solve real world problems. The Grand Rapids Public Museum School is part of the Grand Rapids Public Schools and works in partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Valley State University, Kendall College of Art & Design/Ferris State University, City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and local businesses to shape the student curriculum. Students will work on projects that give them the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges in their community. For example, students will be involved in one of the largest urban river restoration projects in the United States by working with world-renowned scientists to remove and replace mussel species within the Grand River.

Grand Rapids Public Museum features 16 artists for ArtPrize

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The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will feature 16 artists showcasing their work on the grounds of the Museum during ArtPrize which runs Sept. 21 through Oct. 9.

 

The GRPM will once again host an outdoor exhibition in which the artwork will visually lend itself to the setting of the Museum grounds. One artist’s work will be inside, but visible from the outside of the facility. Each year the GRPM curates a rewarding experience with approachable art that is intriguing, distinctive and engages the viewer’s capacity for awe and curiosity. Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids along the busy river walkway, the GRPM is able to offer a not-to-be-missed immersive, 24-hour experience.
During ArtPrize Eight the GRPM will be open with regular Museum hours and half off general admission fees ($4/adults, $1.50/children). In addition to the outdoor art installation, the Museum will offer a limited time exhibit, “Inspired Style,” created in partnership with students of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) Pamella Rolland DeVos School of Fashion. Nine students were given the opportunity to chose a garment from the Museum’s Collections and create their own original work using it as inspiration. The student’s work is showcased next to the original in this exhibit.

 

The GRPM will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays of ArtPrize. For more information about artists, exhibitions, special programming and tickets visit grpm.org.

 

ArtPrize Educational Programming:

 

The Museum once again will host a special Chair Camp offered by ArtPrize for more than 1,500 school-aged children. In this hands-on activity, Carla Hartman (granddaughter of Charles and Ray Eames) leads children in creating miniature chairs that are displayed around the Museum. Chair Camp will take place Sept 28, 29 and 30.

 

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Museum will host a Chair Camp family day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. open to the public.

 

The GRPM will also be offering ArtPrize Education Days from Sept. 22 until Oct. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for early childhood development and K-12th grade students. These programs will include a walking tour of outside exhibits and hands-on presentation by ArtPrize artist Ann Gildner.

 

During ArtPrize Eight, the GRPM will host a Sensory Friendly Museum Night dedicated to families who are affected by autism and other sensory-processing challenges on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission to enjoy a sensory friendly museum environment, special ArtPrize-themed activities and a free planetarium show. The Museum will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for all. The Chaffee Planetarium will adapt lighting and sounds for an enjoyable, low sensory show.

 

The Artists:

Hailey Lamb – #betweenourhomes

#betweenourhomes is a visual exploration of text messaging as a platform for sharing comfort and encouragement. Messages are sourced from the artist’s original, unscripted text messages and made into vinyl stickers in their likeness. This piece will be the main installation with a number of smaller pieces throughout the Grand Rapids area.

 

Tamara Draper – Homage To The Spillman Carousel 

The artist publicly expresses honor to this unique piece of history. It brings back memories of a more innocent and calm time in life, where kids weren’t trying to grow up so fast. This piece of art started when the artist came across an antique headboard that resembled a carousel, inspiring her to create a stained glass mosaic based on the Museum’s 1928 Spillman Carousel.

 

Paul Nilsson – MILAGROS

MILAGROS is a stoneware clay high fire sculpture that is about the healing process within us. Its symbolically refers to the powers of faith, touch and persistence.

 

Mark Chatterley – Birdzels

The Birdzels are made from high fired clay, crater glaze and reach up to seven feet tall. ArtPrize visitors will see 15-20 of them in a grouping.

 

Joshua Welker – Astrobleme  

These sculptures are a lineage of objects that were produced over the course of several years. These works grow from a protocol of construction with specific dimensional restraints. Each sculpture enacts new combinations of form and color to be perceived by the viewer. The intense thinness of the objects act as optical disparity which counteracts both the color and form of the faces of the sculptures.

 

Patrick Schmidt – How I Make a Mark: Responding to a Carousel 

By manipulating the planes of time and space, this installation symbolizes the fragmentation of identity in a digitized age. The artist analyzes image patterns from a variety of sources by reducing them via technology to simple line drawings. Overlaying select outlines to create visually complex networks that represent the multiple cultural, social and personal identities integrated into ourselves on a moment-by-moment basis.

 

Jason Graham – METROPOLES

This sculpture is part of the Walker series of work that depicts the remains of a group of anthropocentric beings from this display of a failed beings legacy. The artist is using his art to create conversation around an attempt to learn how to better survive our own technological and cultural developments.

 

Valerie Jean Schafer – Three Muses

This bronze sculpture grouping Three Muses: Memory, Song and Contemplation represent the three original muses of Greek mythology and the preconditions for poetic or any art form.

 

Jeffrey Breslow – Bolder & Boulder 

Extraordinary boulders and stones shapes inspire the steel structures of this work, kindling a conversation between human creativity and the natural world. Time and natural elements tame and color the steel with beautiful and unpredictable patinas —a sustained interaction that imparts a sense of life to the materials. The piece is intended to inspire smiles and invite thoughts on the boundaries of art and the relationship between surface and density.

 

Jason Quigno – Infinity Cube 

Infinity Cube is an 11,000-pound piece of black granite with a spiral carved on each surface to connect the inside and outside of the cube.

 

Ann Gildner – Urn – E 

Urn – E is a classic example of necessity becoming virtue. Urn – E is the example what can happen when a necessary craft is applied to a classical design, inspired by “self-made” entrepreneurs who worked with their hands, mind and heart with a simple love for working and creating.

 

Herb Williams – Color Collaborative 

In this piece thousands of crayons are stacked together in the negative spaces of branches and boughs without the use of glue or adhesives.

 

Bird Clarkson – THE Wizard of OZomeness  

The Pursuit of Ahhwesomeness presents an impactful street dance perspective on the Wizard of Oz. The artist will perform live an outdoor Emerald City adventure for all to gather around and share the love of dance. The Pursuit of Ahhwesomeness is about the journey of interacting with others to accomplish or pursue something grand.

 

Harminder Boparai – My Nephew 

This installation is based on the artist’s nephew, always on his cell phone so much that he can’t focus on anything else. Represented by an animal, because like animals he isn’t aware of what’s going on around him and he is focused in on his phone. Through this installation, the artist is depicting some of the negative effects of social media causing a disruption in to our lives every day.

 

William Walther – Towards a Newer Buddha

Buddha sits floating in satori. One of Buddhism’s central tenets is emptiness; an idea is embodied in this piece.

 

STRUXTURS – That’ll Cut It

A structure that creates an illusion of “shear” power, stainless steel is constructed into the largest pair of scissors imaginable. An everyday object that creates a significant degree of aesthetic interest at such a large scale. It captures the eye from any angle.

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is located 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees and exhibit/event listings, please visit www.grpm.org.

 

KCAD students and Goodwill to launch ‘Pop-Up Shop’ of handmade goods during ArtPrize Eight

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In a perfect world, we would all recycle and reuse what we give or throw away. That’s the message — Rethink, Reshape, Revitalize — that Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) partnership with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (Goodwill) for ArtPrize Eight strives to get across with its Pop-Up Shop Sept. 23-25.

 

Visitors to the RE- exhibition inside Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) The Fed Galleries @ KCAD during the opening weekend of ArtPrize Eight will have the chance to leave with more than just their impressions of the art.

 

Organized as part of KCAD’s partnership with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (Goodwill) for ArtPrize Eight, a ‘Pop-Up Shop’ of handmade goods will be open for ArtPrize visitors to shop from September 23-25. The shop will primarily feature one-of-a-kind artwork, clothing, jewelry, furniture and other goods created by KCAD students and staff from The Fed Galleries @ KCAD using reclaimed materials from local Goodwill stores. The goal is to engage visitors in a conversation about the opportunities for more sustainable living in places and everyday things that exist all around us.

 

Many of the included artists use reclaimed materials to create work that confronts the ways in which humanity produces and consumes, so Goodwill stepped up and provided free access to donated materials from area stores.

 

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Photo courtesy of KCAD

“The Pop-Up Shop extends our exhibition’s exploration of environmental and social responsibility because it gives both ArtPrize visitors and those who created the goods another way to confront the way we produce and consume,” said Curator of Exhibitions Michele Bosak. “By working with Goodwill to showcase the tremendous versatility and value of reclaimed materials, we can help further the conversation around ways to work toward a more sustainable future.”

 

A number of unaltered items specially curated from Goodwill stores will also be available for purchase, as will t-shirts commemorating the partnership between Goodwill and KCAD. Silkscreened t-shirts, pillows, and washcloths featuring designs by artists Michael Peoples and Heather Joy Puskarich, both featured in the RE·  exhibition, will also be for sale.

 

All proceeds from the sale of goods created by KCAD students will go to the student organizations they represent — the student fashion alliance Bodies of Art, the KCAD Green Council, the KCAD Game Club, the student chapter of the Interior Designers Society of America, and the student chapter of the International Interior Design Association — while Goodwill will retain the profits for all other goods sold.

 

The Pop-Up Shop’s retail space was designed by a KCAD Collaborative Design class taught by KCAD instructor and Goodwill Director of Friends and Corporate Relations David Abbott. The space will be located outside The Fed Galleries @ KCAD, in the Woodbridge N. Ferris building at 17 Pearl Street NW.

 

The Pop-Up Shop will only be open on the following days/times:

September 23                       11:00am-8:00pm
September 24                       11:00am-8:00pm
September 25                       12:00pm-6:00pm

 

For more information on the RE·  exhibition, visit kcad.edu/artprize.

 

Second candidate forum focuses on candidates for Kentwood

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ballotThe Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce and the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood host the second candidate forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at the KDL Kentwood Branch, 4950 Breton SE.

 

The forum is designed to allow residents to get to know the candidates who want to represent them. The forum is free to the public.

 

The event starts at 7:10 p.m. with the 12th District Kent County Commission candidates. The 12 District area covers part of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. The seat is currently held by Republican incumbent Harold Mast who is being challenged by Democrat Christian Allen. Both candidates are planning to be at Thursday’s forum.

 

At 7:50 p.m. will be the 13th Kent County Commission candidates. The 13th District area covers most of the eastern and northern portion of the City of Kentwood. Newcomers Democrat Betsy Melton and Republican Jessica Ann Tyson are seeking the seat being vacated by Richard Vander Molen. Both Melton and Tyson are planning to be at Thursday’s forum.

 

For more coverage on the candidates, make sure to check out WKTV’s We the People coverage.

Candidate forum set for tonight at Wyoming library

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ballotOutside of the presidential candidates of Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump on the Nov. 8 ballot, there a number of others seeking your vote to represent you in state, county and local government.

 

To help area residents get familiar with the candidates who are running for these various offices, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce along with the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood will be hosting candidate forums this week. These forums are for candidates who will represent residents of the Wyoming and Kentwood communities.

 

The first one is tonight, Sept. 20, and focuses on Wyoming candidates. The event is free to the public and starts at 6 p.m. at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW.

 

voting_united_statesAt 6:05 p.m. will be candidates for the 77th District State Representative. The 77th District includes Byron Township and the City of Wyoming. The seat is currently held by Thomas Hooker of Byron Township, who is vacating due to term limits. The candidates vying for the spot are Republican Tommy Brann and Democrat Dana Knight. Brann plans on being at the event.

 

At 6:30 p.m. will be the 8th District Kent County Commission candidates. This district takes in a part of the City of Wyoming. Currently holding the seat is Republican Harold Voorhees, who is seeking re-election. His opponent is Democrat Franklin Cornielle. Voorhees plans to be in attendance at tonight’s forum.

 

At 6:50 p.m. is the Wyoming City Council 2nd Ward candidates. The City of Wyoming’s 2nd Ward area covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming from Chicago Drive in the north to Prairie Parkway down Burlingame Avenue over 36th Street and up along 32nd Street on the south. The 2nd Ward western border is Wentworth and the eastern border is the city limits. Running for the seat is incumbent Richard Pastoor and newcomer Marissa Postler. Both are planning to be at tonight’s forum.

 

At 7:30 p.m. is the Wyoming City Council 3rd Ward candidates. The City of Wyoming’s 3rd Ward area encompasses the city’s panhandle area that includes most of the western area of the city from Prairie Parkway on the north to 60th Street in the south. The 3rd Ward eastern border wraps around the city limits to Kenowa Avenue and its’ western border is Burlingame Avenue. Newcomers Rusty Richter and Robert Postema are seeking the seat being vacated by Joanne Voorhees. Both Richter and Postema are planning to be at tonight’s forum.

Grant helps Wyoming to expand emergency response, training

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Firetruck WyomingBy Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

About 75 percent of the calls received by the Wyoming Fire Department is for chest pains, difficulty breathing, or similar medical needs but up until now, only some of the department’s firefighters were able to administer an EpiPen, monitor blood glucose, or simply provide aspirin.

 

By 2017, all of the City of Wyoming’s full-time firefighters will be able to provide a variety of vital treatments because of a Metro Health Hospital Foundation grant covering the cost for the necessary emergency medical technician training along with allowing the Wyoming Fire Department to upgrade its status.

 

“We have had to look at a person and the symptoms they were having to determine what is happening,” said Brad Dornbos, a firefighter and EMS coordinator for Wyoming. “Being able to poke their finger to test their blood makes it quicker and a much more efficient way to do that.”

 

The Metro Health Hospital Foundation awarded Wyoming a $10,000 grant providing funding for 27 full-time firefighters to be trained as emergency medical technicians, or EMTS. Dornbos said about two-thirds of the department already are certified EMTs, which requires about 150 hours of training. Without the grant, Dornbos said he is not certain the Department would have been able to offer the trainings.

 

The grant also allows the for department to upgrade its status from medical first responder (MFR) to EMT. This means that firefighters can provide treatment such as albuterol for those with asthma, king tubes for breathing assistance and operate CPAP devices used for patients with congestive heart failure.

 

“Operating at the EMT level allows our department to provide better care and better service to our residents,” Dornbos said. “It is just really awesome to be able to partner with a local hospital to provide better care to the community.”

 

In addition to providing the EMT training for certification, the grant will also fund the purchase of six EMT bags, which will contain medications and equipment, including CPAP devices, albuterol, and king tubes.

 

“Metro Health is a community hospital,” said Metro Health Hospital Foundation Board Chair Mike Damstra. “In this case, that means helping to equip our firefighters to improve patient outcomes.”

 

Dornbos said this is the first time the department has received a grant from the Foundation. He learned about the Foundation and its desire to partner with Wyoming at a Kent County EMS meeting. From there, the two groups worked together on needs for the department.

 

The Foundation has indicated it plans to continue its partnership with the department by providing additional financial support for future years to maintain the EMT program and and instructor development.

Celebrate the Harvest in West Michigan — there’s plenty to see and do

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garden_bounty-251211432_stdFall is here and there are plenty of things to see and do. Indeed, September is the beginning of the harvest season in West Michigan, and we’re fortunate to have a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at our fingertips. Visit one of the many farmers’ markets that pop up all over the state featuring fresh and local produce. Or visit a farm or orchard and gather fruits and vegetables yourself. Businesses are hosting harvest-themed events to kick off the season, so it’s the perfect time to stop by for some food and fun. Many fresh fruits and vegetables await you throughout this fall in West Michigan.

South

St. Joseph will host its Fall Festival in Downtown St. Joseph on September 23rd and 24th. There is fun for all ages with events like The Great Pumpkin Festival, Day on the Farm, Farmers Market and more. There is also a Wine Festival Stage where you can sample Michigan wines, try local cuisine and listen to live music while bidding on your favorite piece of public art.

 

The Greater Lansing Area has plenty of farmers markets. If you’ve ever wondered where to find fresh, local and organic produce this season, look no further — there are 20 different markets across 14 towns. Each farmers market has its own unique vendors, so make sure to visit more than one so you can try all the fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods that we have right here in West Michigan.

 

meijer-gardensThe Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance is celebrating the harvest with a variety of events. Enjoy locally grown produce, flowers and homemade treats at one of Marshall’s farmers markets and visit a farm to create the perfect day trip for the whole family. Here’s another idea: Go for a hayride or get a pumpkin as your prepare for Halloween.

 

Historic Charlton Park in Hastings will host the city’s Fall Harvest Festival from September 23rd to 25th. Demonstrations and events include steamed apples, a tractor pull, corn shelling and more. For a fee, you can even camp at the park to have the ultimate fall harvest experience.

 

Since September is the beginning of harvest season, Mecosta County has plenty for you to enjoy. You can get fresh fruit and vegetables, and there are events throughout the harvest season where you can stop by and enjoy a little harvest of your own. The farmers’ markets in this area offer wonderful produce displays, which change as the seasons do.

 

When it’s officially fall, it’s officially time for the Virtue Cider‘s inaugural Apple Fest! This four-day celebratory cider-filled affair is from September 29th to October 2nd at their farm in Fennville. Each day has a variety of activities centered around apples, the harvest season, and the release of Percheron, their cider named for the traditional draft horses of Normandy that pulled carts of apples for cidermakers. Activities include their Thursday Night Market, Barbecue Night, long-distance bicycle ride and more.

Central

You can’t have a great meal without great ingredients. Reserve Wine & Food in Grand Rapids considers themselves fortunate to have an abundance of area farms who grow and raise responsibly, and they do their best to honor and respect that hard work in their kitchen. They have a long list of local suppliers. Check out some of them below.

  • Blis Gourmet Products, Grand Rapids
  • Field and Fire, Grand Rapids
  • Hasselman’s Honey, Fremont
  • Michigan Mushroom Market, Petoskey
  • Vertical Paradise, Caledonia

rockfordRockford’s 40th Annual Harvest Festival is September 24th to 26th. There will be a car show, beer tents, crafters and more. There’s plenty for children as well, with an outdoor movie, kid’s tractor pull and other family-centric offerings. All of the festival’s activities are spread out across downtown Rockford as they celebrate the harvest in style.

 

The Fremont Harvest Festival hosted by the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce is September 22nd to 24th. More information will be available soon for this harvest-filled event so keep an eye out.

 

Celebrate the harvest in Grand Rapids with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual celebration of autumn, Chrysanthemums and More! from now until October 30th. The event is the largest of its kind, and features an expansive chrysanthemum display, fall foliage and family activities. Vertical columns of colorful chrysanthemums, a vibrant wall of chrysanthemums, chrysanthemum spheres and beds of colorful plants await to delight visitors from all over.

 

The River Country Chamber of Commerce invites you to their Inaugural Harvest Moon Celebration in Newaygo from October 7th to 9th. This event celebrates the rich farming history of the area. There will be plenty of local food, scarecrow and pumpkin decorating and kids activities. The area has been celebrating the harvest for decades and this year they’re inviting you to celebrate with them.

 

The Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau has classes and events featuring freshly harvested local produce.

  • Learn how to preserve foods by canning and freezing at the Preserving the Harvest class on September 20th. Share recipes, techniques and stories while making new memories of your own.
  • Halloween is right around the corner and the Halloween Harvest Weekend will get you in the mood. Hosted at Pioneer County Park from September 30th to October 2nd, enjoy a weekend filled with games, pumpkin decorating, a costume parade and more. Why not prepare for Halloween early with this spooky event?

great-pumpkinRobinette’s Apple Haus & Winery in Grand Rapids is planning a very special Corn Maze this year. Opening September 8th with a special viewing of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” the maze is designed to look like Snoopy as the Red Baron on his dog house. Over 80 farms across the country will be celebrating Peanuts this year. Make sure to stop by on September 24th from noon to 4pm for a special guest appearance by Snoopy himself.

 

The harvest season is very important to SE4SONS Gastropub. Located within Muskegon Country Club, SE4SONS focuses on its name: the four season. Changing the menu seasonally is part of the excitement surrounding this restaurant. Their new menu features beets (red, gold and candy stripe) and Roasted Spaghetti Squash. Come hungry.

 

And be sure to save room for dessert. In an effort to celebrate this noteworthy harvest, Chocolates by Grimaldi, a Grand Haven-based chocolate factory, is offering a special chocolate caramel apple for a limited time. They’ll also have chocolate-covered blueberries, cherries and an assortment of nuts. Chocolates by Grimaldi is committed to using local products whenever possible so what you’re enjoying will come from the Grand Haven, Traverse City and other nearby farms and orchards.

North

Traverse City has several big events to help you celebrate the harvest.

  • On September 24th, the Acme Fall Festival takes over Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg. There will be a farmers market, bake sale, craft show and more fall fun for the entire family.
  • Scarecrows, art, local brews and tunes help celebrate the harvest time at Bellaire’s 18th Annual Harvest Festival on September 24th. This event will have local businesses competing to win the “Best Scarecrow” award. These scarecrows will take over the streets of Bellaire so you’re guaranteed to see some of these zany creations. Additionally, there will be the “craft & flea” market with over 40 vendors, the Boy Scouts’ Pancake Breakfast, kids’ bounce houses, educational hands-on booth and local food vendors.
  • The Harvest at the Commons is October 8th in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. This culinary event is perfect for any foodie looking to get together with friends, neighbors, farmers and community leaders to celebrate everything Northern Michigan has to offer.

tc-farmers-marketLet Chateau Chantal share their excitement of the harvest with their 17th Annual Harvest Day on October 1st. There are plenty of ways to experience this fantastic event, including overnight packages at their Bed & Breakfast, special pricing on full case orders, wine and cooking seminars and more. Chateau Chantal will even be opening its doors so that you can smell their wines, stomp grapes and tour their cellar.

 

Harvest season has arrived in Charlevoix. Explore one of the many farms or farmers markets, each with their different harvest activities throughout September and October. There are plenty of “U-Pick” farms where you and your family can pick your own bushel of apples or find the perfect pumpkin in preparation of Halloween.

 

Also in Charlevoix, the 38th Annual Charlevoix Apple Festival is from October 14th to 16th. Celebrate nature’s harvest at this fun festival which highlights seasonal fruits and vegetables, freshly made products and, of course, apples. There’s plenty of kids activities so this is the perfect time to get the whole family together for some autumn fun.

 

The Petoskey Area celebrates fall with two harvest festivals.

  • The Fall Harvest Festival in Downtown Boyne City is September 24th. Fall means one more reason to have fun in Boyne City with music, crafts and fall produce available at this celebration. The farm market booths sell a variety of apples and other harvest items including pumpkins, squash, apple butter, jam, honey and cider.
  • Located in Downtown Petoskey, the Hemingway Harvest Festival is from October 14th to 16th. The festival pays tribute to the many years that Ernest Hemingway spent growing up in Petoskey with fall activities modeled around the late writer’s hobbies. From the artisan and farmers market to Hemingway Movies in the park, this promises to be a weekend that Hemingway would love.

A Unique Harvest

When you think about the harvest season, fruits and vegetables are usually the first things to come to mind, but one harvest that you should think about is honey. Honey is harvested in the late summer months and into the middle of September. Different types of honey are made in different parts of the world, so what is made in Michigan might not be available elsewhere. With this honey, some Michigan businesses have been making mead. Mead, sometimes called Honey Wine, is fermented honey and is the original alcoholic beverage, predating both beer and wine. All that mead contains is honey, but sometimes fruit, herbs or spices are added to make different flavors.

 

White Lake Area has their own meadery. Meads go by different names based on how they are created. Meads with only honey are called Traditional Mead, Fruit meads are called Melomels and Metheglins are meads with spices or herbs added. The world of mead is available at your fingertips when you visit the White Lake Area.

 

Almost 32 years ago, St. Ambrose Cellars in Beulah started keeping bees and quickly became full time beekeepers. As beekeepers having access to an almost unlimited supply of honey, mead was a natural course to follow. Over the years, with the help of local winemakers in our region, a knowledge of good wine-making technique was acquired and applied to mead making. In 2010, an accident in mixing of of their creamed honey spreads pushed them into action to create St. Ambrose Cellars. In 2010, they built their tasting room and increased their production. Over the years St. Ambrose Cellars has increased their scope, but their quality mead has stayed consistent the entire time.

UICA expands its ArtPrize offerings to the Grand Rapids Ballet

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Louise “Quizi” Chen creates an ArtPrize entry at Grand Rapids Ballet’s Ellsworth building.

The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts’ (UICA) ArtPrize Eight exhibition extends beyond the gallery walls. This year, UICA’s exhibition features a satellite site, located on the exterior walls of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company building at 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW.

 

This summer, UICA commissioned the Detroit-based artist Louise “Ouizi” Chen to create a sprawling public mural as part of its ongoing public art initiative, the Exit Space Project. This mural is an official ArtPrize Eight entry (Vote Code: 63983), and a permanent addition to Grand Rapids’ public art collection. ArtPrize goers can watch Chen work at the mural site as she finishes the final touches on her recent public work. Chen will be working at the site during ArtPrize, Sept. 27 – Oct. 3.

 

UICA, Michigan’s largest contemporary arts center, is host to the Exit Space Project, a dynamic series of art installations investigating ideas, images, and conversation that are conveyed by contemporary artists working in public spaces. The first volume of the Exit Space Project featured public works and street artists from the Midwest who installed work in a public-facing but protected space in UICA’s building facing Fulton St. The second wave of the Exit Space Project highlights and continues to support local and regional artists on buildings and structures throughout the city.

 

This UICA initiative aims to increase Grand Rapids’ vibrancy, build the sense of creative place for our residents and visitors, and advance the city’s identity as a growing collaborative ecosystem that nurtures business, technology, art, and design. The Exit Space Project was first introduced to Grand Rapids by local artists Erwin Erkfitz and Brandon Alman, who continue to work with UICA to implement public artworks.

Metro Health and U-M Health System take next step towards partnership

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Non-Profits, , ,

metro health buildingBack in June, Metro Health announced its plans to join with the University of Michigan Health System. Three months later, the partnership is now one step closer with a definitive affiliation approved by both the board of directors of Metro Health Corporation and the Regents of the University of Michigan.

 

“We are excited about this relationship that should continually improve the care we can – together – provide residents of the state of Michigan. Metro Health will be essential to helping us move groundbreaking research and discovery from bench to bedside,” said Marxchall Runge, M.D., Ph. D., executive vice president of medical affairs, dean of the U-M Medical School and CEO of the U-M Health System.

 

Metro Health and U-M Health System will create a clinical care network that builds upon the strengths of the world-class U-M academic medical center and a very successful community-based health system. Together the two organizations will be able to collaborate on new and improved clinical care models across the system, enhancing patient access to physicians and other care providers at both organizations.

 

The partnership will focus on bringing increased health care innovation to West Michigan and Beyond.

 

“We are very excited about the opportunities we will have, together, to advance the boundaries of clinical practice and medical science through research discoveries and disseminating knowledge,” added Michael Faas, chief executive officer of Metro Health.

 

Along with innovation, the affiliation will enable Metro Health to further expand its primary care and speciality services, as well as enhance its use of complex medial technology.

 

Metro Health and the University of Michigan have no current plans for a satellite medical campus like the partnership with Spectrum Health and Michigan State University.

 

The deal is expected to be completed by year end, pending final regulatory approvals and completion of the closing process.

Book Review: A Stronger Kinship: One Town’s Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith by Anna-Lisa Cox

3-bottom, Books, Entertainment, , , , ,

kinshipEvery so often I feel compelled to suggest a book not only for the skill of the author’s writing ability, but also for its social importance. The book, A Stronger Kinship, by Anna-Lisa Cox is such a book.

 

A true story describing the town of Covert, Michigan during the late 1800s, it tells the tale of the town’s unique population. People settled in the area because the “land was abundant, fertile and cheap, supporting themselves first through lumbering and then through fruit farming. Families developed churches, schools and” formed businesses, creating a small community. What set this town apart was that the population of Covert was integrated at a time when the rest of America was not.

 

The reader encounters a community who felt that all people were equal regardless of color and meets the runaway slaves, freed blacks and abolitionist New Englanders who were the backbone of this community. While elsewhere the country was experiencing racism, families here, black and white, lived side by side on farms and in the town.

 

 

Readers meet the first elected African American official, the town’s business leaders who came from both sides of the color line, and families that were integrated through marriage and accepted by the entire populace. What is remarkable is that this community has stayed true to the original conviction of the pioneer generation. Now a small town outside of South Haven, Covert is a typical rural community in Southwest Michigan – typical except for the easy blending of color that makes it a model for others. It conveys the sense that intentional community is not always impossible, and that the highest morals can be lived out in ordinary life.

Fate and Free Will cross at Civic Theatre’s ‘Good People’

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Reviews, , , ,
Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram
Courtesy of instagram: @grcivictheatre

susanne_albaitisThere’s the age-old debate, fate vs. free will. Margie has made choices in her life, or was it really just her fate?

 

Good People, running September 9 – 25 at Civic Theater, takes a look into the life of Margie, a single mother who loses her job in the first scene. Her boss Stevie is no tyrant, rather the son of a friend who is only trying to keep “corporate” happy. Margie is chronically late to work, leaving the young man no choice but to let her go. When Margie pleads with Stevie to keep her, we begin to see a glimpse of how Margie’s life has reached this point.

 

Margie grew up in South Boston, a working class neighborhood where getting out was more the exception than the norm. Like many of her friends, Margie remained in South Boston after she got pregnant in high school. Her baby, Joyce, was born with special needs. This made finding and keeping a job difficult for Margie because there were days where she was unable to leave on time if Joyce was upset. She often relied on friends, who proved to be inconsistent, for daycare. And college? Forget about it. Margie’s parents did not encourage her to try in high school, college was never an option.

 

But there was someone who made it out of South Boston, Mike. Mike became a doctor, a fertility specialist and he moved to a big house in Chestnut Hill. He married a younger woman, Kate, and together they had a daughter. Margie knew Mike in high school, they even dated for a few months before Mike left for college.

 

Margie and Mike’s past begins to unfold when Margie seeks out Mike for a possible job in his office. Margie takes it one step further when she shows up at his home for a party that he had explained was cancelled.  Part heart-felt reunion, part awkward culture clash, the evening revealed and kept many secrets.  It also made you wonder, was Margie’s, or anyone’s, station in life the result of their decisions, or just their fate?

 

This small cast delivered a huge performance. From the accents to emotions, the cast had it covered. There were a lot of laughs too. The three ladies, Margie, Jean and Dottie are South Boston’s version of Monica, Rachel and Phoebe. They bicker, go to bingo and you can tell there’s a lot of love for each other in there too. Kate’s tenderness balanced Mike’s tough, but understandable attitude toward Margie. She is the voice of reason when the evening of the party takes an uncomfortable trip down memory lane.

 

Good People, a thought provoking, dramedy, is a must see start to Civic Theater’s amazing 2016-2017 season. Visit the Civic Theater website for more information.

Wyoming police continue investigation into suspicious fire

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News, , , ,
Wyoming Public Safety Department blocks off northbound Byron Center Avenue at 52nd Street.
Wyoming Public Safety Department blocks off northbound Byron Center Avenue at 52nd Street.

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety continues its investigation into a suspicious fire that happened over the weekend at a dental office on 28th Street.

 

The Public Safety Department responded around 7:50 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, to a report of a suspected arson at Destiny Dental, 1124 28th St. SW. Witnesses reported a white male in his 30s, stocky build, short dark hair,  broke out the front door window and threw a Molotov cocktail inside.

 

The fire was extinguished quickly and caused minimal damage to the business. There was no structural damage reported. No injuries were reported as the business was closed at the time of the incident.

 

Witnesses stated that the white male suspect left the scene in a black Pontiac Grand Prix, with an unknown license plate.

 

Wyoming Department of Public Safety is asking that anyone with information about the incident or that will lead to the identification of the suspect and vehicle contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.