Category Archives: 3-bottom

Embracing art, horticulture and education, Meijer Gardens newly expanded Wege library readies big plans

3-bottom, architecture, Area Education, Education, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recreation, WKTV Projects, ,
Jess Hart, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s director of education, discusses planned and possible educational programing available in the new Peter M. Wege Library and the unique public area outside its doors. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

There is a work of art on the grounds of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Bill Woodrow’s “Listening to History”, that speaks to many people about the importance of knowledge as much as it does the imagination of the artist. And the importance of knowledge is not lost on the visionaries at “The Gardens” as well.

 

As Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park laid out its ambitious expansion plans in 2017 much of the talk was about the new education center and the rooftop garden, the upgraded outdoor amphitheater and the crown jewel of the new “Welcome Center” entrance. All rightly so.

Bill Woodrow’s “Listening to History”, on display at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. (Supplied)

Tucked away in the design plans for the entrance, which opened early this year with a few pieces yet to be place — most notably the placement of Spanish artist Jaume Plensa’s Utopia — was the relocated and expanded Peter M. Wege Library.

But then again, education in general and art history resources in specific was important to Fred Meijer and continues to be important to the mission of the sculpture park named for him.

Located on the lower “Courtyard” level of the Welcome Center, along with “Mimi’s Garden”, a unique garden area seemingly located inside a glass terrarium, the library is intended to not only be a “go to” educational resource center but also a focal point for the Meijer Garden’s community and educational programming.

A scene from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s relocated and expanded Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

While the old library was nice — tucked into a corner just as you entered the old entrance building — both Jess Hart, director of education, and Shelly Kilroy, librarian and archivist, could barely contain their joy at the new space when WKTV visited recently.

“The thing I really enjoy most about it is that it is a space not only for information and learning but for curiosity,” Hart said to WKTV. “We have a really professional staff here at Meijer Gardens and wonderful volunteers, and guests are constantly asking those volunteers and staff questions about our collections and our gardens.

“But occasionally there is a question that a staff member or volunteer cannot answer. And in those instances we often encourage guests to come down to the library to find that information. It is wonderful to have that resource.”

And what a resource it is.

“We are used by the general public, researchers — particularly researchers of a particular artist — or someone who just wants to come in and browse,” Kilroy said to WKTV. “Also for our staff, for inspiration and research for their programs, especially the education staff and our sculpture staff. And, of course, volunteers as well, to learn more about all the Gardens has to offer.”

Library a key element in the expansion

Built using funds from the $115 million Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love capital campaign, the 69,000 square-foot Welcome Center of which the library is only a small but important part, was designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects/Partners.

And the importance of the library and adjacent space to the overall mission of Meijer Gardens was not lost on the internationally known building designers — nor was it to David Hooker, president of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

“Fred Meijer grew to truly enjoy contemporary art through education and the understanding of the principles behind much of the artwork he gave to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park,” Hooker said to WKTV. “The Peter M. Wege Library is a fantastic resource for information about our artwork and gardens. Making use of the Wege Library promotes understanding and appreciation.”

And how extensive is that resource?

Shelly Kilroy, librarian and archivist at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, in the Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The collection is approximately 4,500 books and magazines, Kilroy said. And they cover the spectrum of all of what makes Meijer Gardens famous in several ways.

“Some art history, primarily sculptures and sculptors, and then we also have a small poetry collection, actually. … But also plant and insect and bird identification books, and then plant care in general,” Kilroy said. “Also general (garden) design, if you want to design a Japanese garden or an English perennial garden, we have the books here.”

There are also books on using plants in cooking and crafts, she said, as well as a children’s collection — “so the kiddos can learn more.”

The focus, though, is the art and the artists, and the horticulture, represented at the gardens.

“Any of the artists, the sculptures we have here, there are resources in our collection about that artist and about the art we have here. If you want to learn more about sculpture, broadly, or about a specific sculpture we have here, you can come in and we are more than happy to help.”

  • An community area at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s relocated and expanded Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • A scene from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s relocated and expanded Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • A scene from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s relocated and expanded Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • A scene from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s relocated and expanded Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • A scene from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s relocated and expanded Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • A scene from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s relocated and expanded Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

Present and (hopefully) future educational plans

Hart, the director of education, leads a department which oversees Meijer Gardens’ archives as well as library space. And she considers the library’s learning space to be both inside the Wege library and the community area adjacent.

Jess Hart, director of education at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, outside the Peter M. Wege Library. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“With that new space, we are able to support new programs as well,” she said. “We are really looking forward, in the future, to hosting our quarterly book groups here. Also some Sunday drop-in programs, and potentially our very popular Cozy Tales for Chilly Days for preschoolers and families. Which we can now hold in the library and in this beautiful seating area outside or the library as well.”

And while the current pandemic has led to some pauses in programming and restrictions on programming planned, Hard is hopeful.

“We are hoping to hold all our regular programing upcoming, but I think that remains to be seen with what happens with COVID this winter and any restrictions that may go into place,” she said. “A lot of our programs that are library centered are fairly small, so we do hope to be able to hold some of our story-time groups and some of our drop-in programming.”

For information on the Peter M. Wege Library visit here. For more information on Meijer Gardens educational programming visit here.

Drinking water filters eyed as better option to testing in schools and day care centers

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Environment, Health, Our Cities, ,
Drinking water filters would be cheaper than the current “test and tell” method. (pxhere.com)

By Vlaislava Sukhanovskaya 
Capital News Service

LANSING — Children’s health advocates are pushing to install drinking water filters in Michigan schools and child care centers to protect them from lead poisoning.

The project, named Filter First, would provide schools with filtration stations that reduce lead in drinking water instead of requiring the costlier periodical testing of water for lead.

The move could cost about $55 million in the first year, said Charlotte Jameson, a water policy program director for the Michigan Environmental Council.

That’s still cheaper than the “test and tell” method that includes testing of all drinking water fixtures and then replacing those that test positive for lead above a set action level, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council and Safe Water Engineering.

Estimating the cost of two approaches to protecting children from water contaminated by lead. Chart by Natural Resources Defense Council and Safe Water Engineering.

The testing strategy costs about $81 million a year and doesn’t guarantee clean water because lead releases from time to time, Jameson said.

“One school did the testing regime just on their own.” she said. “They got a sample from the water fountain that didn’t contain any lead. Then they went back a month later and tested that same water fountain and it had a very high lead release.”

Other states following the testing approach spend a lot of money going out to test the water in schools, Jameson said.

“We have seen other states doing tests and we learned from them,” she said.

Test and tell is used in 24 states, according to Governing,  a publication that reports on and analyzes state policy.

It is expensive and doesn’t guarantee clean water, Jameson said. Filtration is cheaper and provides water free from lead.

The “test and tell” method requires constant testing and money for sampling, analyzing and replacement fixtures with high levels of lead.

Test and tell is a technique that would cost $497 million for Michigan in the first 10 years. That’s much more than the $166 million for filtration strategy even though it requires ongoing costs that include replacing the unit’s filters and sampling water to verify performance, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council and Safe Water Engineering.

“Schools and day cares are meant to be places for children to thrive,” said Becca Maher, the director of strategic campaigns at the Michigan Environmental Council. “But when lead, a harmful neurotoxin, gets into the drinking water of these institutions leached from plumbing, fixtures, and fittings, it presents a grave risk to the development of young bodies and minds.”

It’s unclear how many schools have a lead problem, Maher said. “But given the age of our school building stock and the fact that even fixtures labeled “lead free” still have lead in them, we expect all Michigan schools are at risk of lead leaching into drinking water.”

And the threat is significant, experts say.

“There is no acceptable level of lead for children,” said Larissa Miller, the associate executive director of Nursing and Government Affairs for the Michigan Nurses Association. “Any level of lead exposure is unsafe. Any exposure to lead can cause hearing loss, slow development of teeth and bones.

“Also, it can cause anemia and that’s a lack of adequate hemoglobin,” she said. “That means that kids may not have the oxygen they need to physically run or play or participate in childhood activities. With lead exposure the impacts are permanent and they are lifelong and can’t be reversed.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee is considering appropriating $85 million next year for grants to install filters. A package of bills was introduced in the Senate to regulate drinking water standards and filter use in schools and day cares.

If bills pass the legislative process next year, schools will have filtration stations installed by the 2025 school year, Jameson said.

Used book sale this Saturday at KDL Wyoming branch

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Calling all book lovers, there will be a used book sale this Saturday at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW.

The sale will take place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the library. An array of titles will be available. The $3 a bag of books will start at 2 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Friends of the Wyoming Library.

Kentwood Glow in the Park returns with fun run, Glow Dance Party and other themed activities

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Health, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
The City of Kentwood will host a Glow in the Park event Saturday, Oct. 16. (City of Kentwood)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

In 2019 the City of Kentwood hosted its initial Glow in the Park 5K and the community liked it so much the upcoming Glow in the Park event, set for Saturday, Oct. 16, will feature more activities in addition to a fun run/walk, including games, crafts, music, food and dancing.

As always, however, community members are invited to “illuminate the night” — participants and supporters are encouraged to wear brightly colored and glow-in-the-dark clothes and accessories — for the event, taking place 7-9 p.m., at Pinewood Park, 1999 Wolfboro Drive SE.

Among the glow-themed activities planned are light-up playground games and crafts, music, food — and, of course, the self-timed fun run/walk.
 

Proceeds will help keep Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department’s youth programs affordable for all children to participate, have fun and learn with their peers, according to a city announcement. Donations also will be accepted during the event.

The City of Kentwood will host a Glow in the Park event Saturday, Oct. 16. (City of Kentwood)

“Ever since the great turnout we had for our first after-dark running event in 2019, we have been looking forward to offering another Glow in the Park night in Kentwood,” Spencer McKellar, lead recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “This time, we’re including a variety of additional activities to encourage all ages to dress up and join us outside with friends, neighbors and loved ones.

“In addition to being a fun way to soak up the fall weather before winter comes, our Glow in the Park event is also for a good cause — helping more families be able to participate in our youth programs.”

The “lighthearted” — pun intended — run/walk will start at 7:30 p.m., with on-site packet pickup beginning at 7 p.m. Participants can choose to do either a 0.3- or 1-mile run/walk along a park path that will be lit with glow sticks and other colorful lights. Volunteers in glow wear will also help light the way. A water station will be provided at the course start/finish line.

Light-up playground games and crafts, music and snacks will be available throughout the event. The fun run will be followed by an after-party with dancing. The evening will conclude at 9 p.m.

Two levels of registration are available online at kentwood.us/GlowInThePark. For entry to the event with a goody bag full of glow supplies, registration costs $5. For those who also want to take part in the fun run/walk, registration costs $20 and includes a goody bag, T-shirt and race medal.

The City of Kentwood will continue to monitor public health guidance and orders, which may require changes to events.

For more information on City of Kentwood event’s visit kentwood.us.

Group pushes for teacher training to recognize epilepsy seizures

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The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann, would make seizure action plans for students with epilepsy accessible for employees in contact with them. (pxhere.com)

By Emerson Wigand
Capital News Service

LANSING — Advocates for children with epilepsy are pushing to train Michigan school employees to recognize seizures and provide necessary first aid.

The legislation would mandate education for all of the state’s school districts to help the 13,600 Michigan children with epilepsy and their families.

 

Elizabeth Stout, an Albion College student and youth consultant with Children’s Special Health Care Services of Michigan, said thebill is a great step.

“Every patient is different when it comes to their epilepsy and how you treat it,” said Stout, who has had epilepsy for the past 12 years. ”It’s hard when people assume things about a health condition, and it would be a lot easier if there was more education.”

The bill would require that all school employees be educated in seizure first aid and recognition. This one-hour training would be provided online for free, with in-person options as well. (pxhere.com)

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann, would make seizure action plans for students with epilepsy accessible for employees in contact with them. Using information from parents, the plans are specific to each student’s needs, including information on medication or first aid.

The legislation would also mean each school would need have a full-time employee trained to administer emergency rescue medication in potentially life-threatening situations. Eleven other states have already passed seizure safe schools legislation.

“Most individuals we meet with, certainly on the legislative side, are surprised to know this training isn’t already in the repertoire for teachers,” said Brianna Romines, the president of the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.

 

The bill would require that all school employees be educated in seizure first aid and recognition. This one-hour training would be provided online for free, with in-person options as well.

The training is also offered by the National Epilepsy Foundation, which allows broader access than the state’s chapter can provide, said Russ Derry, the Michigan Epilepsy Foundation’s director of education.

Romines said epilepsy training is as important as other safety training teachers receive. One school counselor, who was trained yearly in the use of fire extinguishers, said she has never had to use one in over 15 years But the counselor has responded to between about five and 15 seizure emergencies each year.

 

The lack of education is a problem because it stigmatizes epilepsy, said Sierra Cameron, the CEO of the Michigan chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“If a child goes into a seizure, it might not be as clinically bad as folks think it is,” Cameron said. “If you don’t have any familiarity with seizures, it might really daunt you.”

One of the consequences is that school employees call 911 and have children diagnosed with epilepsy taken from class to the emergency room, Romines said. This leads to trauma for the children and needless costs for families from hospitals, ambulance rides and lost wages for those who leave work.

“So, there are economic and emotional impacts to this,” Romines said. “But all of that could’ve been simply addressed with training.”

Another challenge is that school employees may be uncomfortable administering invasive rescue medication, Derry said. While nasal medication options are increasingly available, the primary rescue treatment for youth suffering seizures is administered rectally.

 

Derry empathizes with these employees, but he said rescue medication training is just as important as learning to use epipens for students with serious allergies. While a school nurse would ideally be administering the medication, all employees allowed to administer medication would receive training.

 

Derry said everyone should understand the needs of students with epilepsy as seizures can happen any time.

“In Michigan, we have one of the worst ratios of school nurses to students in the country,” Derry said. “We have about 4,200 students per school nurse.”

Stout said it’s also important to remember epilepsy is not just seizures with uncontrollable movements. Epilepsy can prompt staring spells that lead to students being disciplined for not paying attention, or to an assumption that they have attention deficit disorder, Romines said. Many effects of epilepsy and its medications are difficult to distinguish.

“That’s why we’re hopeful for this training,” Romines said. “Not only does it teach you seizure first aid, it teaches seizure recognition.”

The foundation says it hopes the House will hold hearings on the proposed Seizure Safety Act in October.

 

Stout said repeatedly explaining your condition is exhausting. While she was lucky to have teachers that were open to that conversation, that’s not always the case.

“If teachers and others within the education system understand epilepsy, then it’s easier for students to be honest about it, and share it,” Stout said.For youth diagnosed with epilepsy, and their families, in need of more support she recommends the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan’s Call and Connect Network.

Resident, stakeholders think big when it comes to the future of Marquette Park

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Our Cities, Pets/Animals, Recreation, , , ,
Residents go over an existing master plan for Marquette Park with designers from the architect and landscape company MCSA. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

A pool. A splash pad. An ice rink. Heated shelters. Expand the community garden. Expand the dog park. Add more soccer fields.

These were just some of the ideas that area residents and community members offered when asked what they wanted to see at Marquette Park. The City of Wyoming hosted two meetings this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the goal of getting input from residents and stakeholders for a new master plan for the park.

“This is the time to dream big,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt to those in attendance. “If the sky was limit, what would you want to see at Marquette Park?”

Rynbrandt said all of the suggestions from the meetings are added to the Marquette Park survey input with the ideas being mentioned the most considered for the park. Not every idea will be possible, she noted. For example, putting a pool at Marquette Park would be difficult as the park is in a flood zone, restricting what can be built. Also, the park has a former gypsum mine on it which does not provide the stability that a pool facility would require.

  • The keywords that came from the first meeting.
  • The keywords from the second meeting.
At the two meetings, attendees were asked to write down a word or two that best described what they wanted at Marquette Park. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

But the pool suggestion still has potential if residents really want it as the city owns 21 parks with one possibility being able to accommodate a pool or community center. In fact, Rynbrandt mentioned that at Lamar Park, land has been set aside for a possible community center.

The meetings were focused on the desires and wishes for Marquette Park, with those in attendance offering a number of suggestions.

At Tuesday’s meeting, there was some focus on the community garden at the park, which is a cooperative between the United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), University of Michigan Health-West (formerly Metro Health) and the city. Established in 2014, the community garden serves several residents by allowing them to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. The garden also provides fresh produce to UCOM’s Health Choice Food Pantry, which provides food to those in need.

UCOM representative Trisha Belbot said she would like to see the garden expand and possibly have the garden boxes on a cement slab to help reduce weeding. Another resident also stated her support for the garden but asked if the city had ever considered winter activities such as an ice rink.

Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt talks to residents about ideas for Marquette Park. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Others at Tuesday’s meeting talked about a splash pad, a paved trail, benches near the playground, and more trees especially along the the north and west borders, where an industrial area is located.

Some mentioned activities such as soccer and pickle ball. Sporting activities were high on the list of the online survey, which is still open for those interested in adding their input. More than 100 survey responses have been collected so far with about half of those respondents living a mile or less from the park. The survey showed a strong interest in a variety of sporting activities such as baseball, basketball, football, pickle ball, and a skate park. The park current houses Kimball Field, a basketball court, and soccer fields.

There also was strong support for facilities that accommodate groups such as family reunions and neighborhood parties as well as festivals and cultural events.

 

The survey also indicated that respondents liked a mixture of natural spaces and developed recreation facilities, which those at the meetings also indicated they preferred.

At Wednesday’s meeting, there was a group representing the Wyoming Dog Park, which is housed at Marquette Park. For the dog park, the group suggested better lighting, a larger parking lot, heated sidewalks, heated bathroom, a shelter, a second entrance, and better access for those with disabilities. The group also said they would like to see the dog park expanded into the wooded area to allow patrons to let their dogs run off lease in the woods. The Wyoming Dog Park does require a membership to use it.

Another group was from the Grand Rapids Rifle and Pistol Club. The club predates the park and has a long-term lease with the city, according to Rynbrandt. Members said they would like to see better lighting and parking. Another group was in support for expanding the community garden and a fourth group, the Michigan Power Futbol Academy, said it would like to see revitalization of the soccer fields, perhaps with turf, and better lighting so the fields could be used at night.

Rynbrandt said the city will continue to collect input from residents. Once that process is complete, the master plan process will begin. Those plans will be provided for input from residents before going through the approval process. 

Fresh produce more accessible for low-income Michiganders

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Environment, Food, Great Lakes, Health, Local Food, Senior Living, , , , ,
More fresh produce will be available to low-income Michigan residents. (supplied)

By Barbara Bellinger
Capital News Service

LANSING — A program that gives low-income Michigan residents fresh fruit and vegetables and a path to healthier nutrition recently got a $2 million boost from state lawmakers.

That’s up from the $900,000 they allocated last year for the Double Up Food Program. The program gives participants a dollar-for-dollar match on fresh fruits and vegetables. Families receive twice the quantity of produce for half the price.

“It feels as if when this program was started, it was just a crazy idea,” said Alex Canepa, the policy manager for the Fair Food Network, which manages the program. “Now it’s time has come. Both Lansing and D.C. (legislators) are talking about the importance of nutrition security.”

Michigan’s Double Up program launched in 2009 as the first state in what is now a 29-state program run by the Fair Food Network based in Ann Arbor. The program has grown from five Detroit-area farmers markets to around 250 farmers markets, mobile markets, food stands and independent grocers.

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the food network a four-year, $12.5 million grant in 2019 for program expansion. But to get the money, the program needs a 50% match, Canepa said.

“The state money allows us to draw down the full remaining balance,” Canepa said.

This added benefit is necessary for a state that has 1.9 million people who are food insecure, according to a Food Security Council report. 

“One administrative change the state made early in the pandemic was to eliminate the $20-per-day limit for Double Up Food Bucks,” Julie Cassidy, the senior policy analyst for the Michigan League for Public Policy, wrote in an email. “This helped families stretch their food assistance dollars as far as possible when so many were suddenly struggling, food prices were skyrocketing, and local pantries were pushed to the limit.”

“It gives customers really good options,” said Courtney King, the manager of King Orchards in Kewadin and Central Lake in northern Michigan. “I love that it’s just for like fresh produce, which really helps us and them.”

Michigan farmer markets and farm stands are part of the Double Up Food Bucks program. (Supplied)

Becoming a Double Up Food Bucks retailer requires a lot of accounting, but it’s a great way to provide fresh produce to people who might otherwise think it is too expensive, King said.

“It’s a multi-pronged process,” said Joe Lesausky, food access director for the Michigan Farmers Market Association.

Farmers markets and farm stands first apply to be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a vendor for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. Then they must contact the Michigan Farmers Market Association to apply to become a Double Up Bucks retailer.

The program is in 67 of Michigan’s 83 counties and adds about 10 new sites a year, Lesausky said. Officials say they hope to reach all of the state’s counties in the next three years. 

“We saw an increase of Double Up spending before the pandemic in even middle and upper-middle class communities,” Canepa said.

“Nutrition insecurity isn’t always where you expect it to be.”

ABOUT BARBARA BELLINGER

Barbara Bellinger

Barbara Bellinger is a master’s student in journalism at Michigan State University. Her journalistic interests include undocumented immigration, international journalism and the criminal justice system. She hopes to become a reporter for CNN, NPR or a local Michigan news outlet.

County animal shelter one of many local animal welfare groups part of Bissell’s ‘Empty the Shelters’ campaign

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
Kent County Animal Shelter’s Angela Hollinshead with “George” — who has since found a home. But there are many more like George awaiting. (KC Animal Shelter)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County Animal Shelter’s staff members are always enthusiastic about participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” fall event, which starts next week, not only for the funding provided to support the adoption event but also for the publicity to make people aware of the event.

But they also know there is always a need for sheltering needy animals, and a year-around need to support current and possible future animal lovers in finding their perfect housemates.

“Bissell is wonderful in that they provide all the resources shelters need through media sites to make people aware of the event, as well as funding it,” Angela Hollinshead, division director of the Kent County Animal Shelter, said to WKTV. But “we will always need adopters. There will always be a need for people willing to adopt the pets that come through our door.”

Who could resist? (KC Animal Shelter)

The Bissell Pet Foundation’s fall national “Empty the Shelters” adoption event, running Oct. 4-10, is a quarterly effort that has helped more than 61,787 pets in shelters find their “forever homes” by sponsoring reduced adoption fees for $25 or less. This fall’s event will be hosted in more than 180 shelters in 38 states, including about 11 in West Michigan, including the Kent County Animal Shelter.

Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, Bissell Pet Foundation began its “Empty the Shelters” campaign in 2016 by sponsoring adoptions across the country and in Canada.

“Shelters are in dire need of support in the wake of natural disasters and overcrowding due to obstacles such as increased length of stay and slowed adoptions for mid-to-large sized dogs,” Bissell said in supplied material. “Our fall ‘Empty the Shelters’ will support the adoption of thousands of pets across the country, helping shelters in this time of crisis. Opening your home to a shelter pet will save a life and create space to give another pet a chance.”

Among the participating West Michigan shelters are Al-Van Humane Society, Crash’s Landing, Faithful to Felines, Harbor Humane Society, Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven, Humane Society of West Michigan, SPCA of Southwest Michigan, Van Buren County Animal Control and Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance.

Because every shelter is not participating for the full event, potential adopters are encouraged to visit the “Empty Shelters” website to find the nearest participating shelter and confirm their adoption day details.

Animal rescue, adoption efforts are year-round

“The pets who come to us are not broken or damaged, oftentimes coming to us through circumstances that are no fault of their own,” Hollinshead said. “We have met some truly wonderful animals.”

While the pet intake numbers fluctuate from month-to-month, Hollinshead said that they take in approximately 142 animals per month.

Need a little, or big, companion while working from home? Kent County Animal Shelter may have a perfect match awaiting. (KC Animal Shelter)

“These events help us a lot because we don’t turn away stray animals,” she said. “The reduced adoption fee helps us find homes for pets who have been here longer.”

Since 2019, Hollinshead has also noted a 48 percent decrease in pets coming into the shelter due to resources they are now able to offer current pet owners. Some of the resources available include spaying and neutering, food resources, and a behavior specialist who can help pet owners with training for their animals.

“These options allow us to focus more on each individual pet and its needs and provide better outcomes,” Hollinshead said.

If an individual or family is not able to adopt, Hollinshead also encourages community members to consider fostering shelter animals, volunteering at the shelter, and raising awareness of the need for continued help from the community.

Located on Fuller Avenue in Grand Rapids, the Kent County Animal Shelter will be participating for the full duration of the event, Oct. 4-9. Potential adopters may contact the shelter at 616-632-7300 if they have any questions.

For more information on BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” fall event, visit here.

County’s Sustainable Business Park, designed to avoid landfill use, gets $4 million in state funding

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Environment, Going Local, Hard News, Local Business, Recycling, WKTV Projects,
Kent County Land for planned Sustainable Business Park, aerial shot that includes the property adjacent to the landfill, with the landfill in the background. (Supplied/Kent County)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Kent County’s efforts to reduce use of landfills has gained a big vote of support — in the form of a $4 million state allocation — as the county’s Department of Public Works announced this week that its Sustainable Business Park plans will now have initial funding for infrastructure improvements.

The Sustainable Business Park, planned for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center, will be built on land that was initially purchased by Kent County to create a new landfill for Kent and Allegan counties. The goal of the park plan is to attract businesses which will lessen landfill use by diverting waste streams.

Trash being dumped at the Kent County landfill. (Supplied/Kent County)

For a WKTV story when the Sustainable Business Park was initially announced visit here. For a WKTV Journal In Focus video interview with Dar Baas, director of the Kent County Department of Public Works, discussing the Sustainable Business Park visit here.

The state funding will go toward infrastructure improvements on the site such as utilities, roads and stormwater to prepare it for initial tenants. The first phase of infrastructure development is estimated to cost $19 million, according to the county.

“The state investment in this important project will vastly reduce Kent County’s landfill usage and contribute to a circular economy, ,” Baas said in supplied material. “Landfills are not the legacy anyone wants to leave for future generations and this investment is an acknowledgement that we’re on the right path toward a more sustainable future.”

The $4 million coming to Kent County is an appropriation in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) budget. The Michigan Legislature approved a $69.9 billion fiscal year 2022 state budget last week.
 

“We want to thank our elected leaders,” Baas said, “including state Reps. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, and Bryan Posthumus, R-Cannon Township, and state Sens. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, and Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, for their support of this project and moving us closer to our landfill diversion goals.”

Approved in 2018, the Sustainable Business Park Master Plan lays out a vision for transitioning away from landfilling waste in favor of placing value on components of the waste as feedstock for new products or fuel sources, according to the county announcement.

The Master Plan calls for an anchor tenant that will receive the mixed waste currently going to the landfill and separate it for secondary and tertiary tenants to utilize. The state funding will lay the foundation for additional private investment in the entire park.

Michigan DNR expanding accessibility for more visitors

3-bottom, Environment, Great Lakes, Recreation, Travel, West Michigan,
A visitor uses a track chair to access the beach. Unimproved areas are otherwise inaccessible to those in wheelchairs
Michigan Department of Natural Resources: A visitor uses a track chair to access the beach. Unimproved areas are otherwise inaccessible to those in wheelchairs

By Nicholas Simon
Capital News Service

LANSING — Trails that can accommodate strollers, wheelchairs with tank treads and baby changing stations in men’s bathrooms are part of a push to accommodate a surge of new visitors at Michigan state parks.

The parks system has taken an interest in serving new parents, people with physical disabilities and people who live in urban areas of the state, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials said.

One reason is that the pandemic sparked an influx of new visitors, according to the agency. 

The system saw 35 million visitors in 2020, a 30% increase over the previous year, according to the department.

Pampers, a major diaper manufacturer, is partnering with the department as part of its #LoveTheChange campaign. Pampers says that nine out of 10 fathers have gone into a restroom without a changing station.

  

“Pampers reached out to us and asked if there was a need in the state parks,” said DNR Fund and Resource Development Coordinator Michelle O’Kelly. “They supplied us 186 units to be distributed over 52 locations.”

O’Kelly says that parks have been receiving these units over the summer and fall and that they should be installed for use by next season because the workload this year has been intense for DNR workers.

Park workers use a helicopter to install a new pedestrian bridge at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesPark workers use a helicopter to install a new pedestrian bridge at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. 

“The parks are at capacity,” O’Kelly said. “On weekends that we would normally never fill, we are filling all our parks”

O’Kelly said that she thinks that the large number of people working remotely has been pushing back traditional vacation seasons, so maintenance that would traditionally be done in fall had to be pushed back as well.

  

The department is also working to pave miles of trails across the state, a welcome relief for more than just parents, said Jon Spieles, the agency’s interpretative manager.

“One of the coolest things about our efforts to improve state parks accessibility is how those improvements work for parents with strollers and all kinds of wheeled equipment.” Spieles said. “The fact is we will all benefit from these great steps forward at one point or another.”

The DNR lists over 30 trails and recreation areas with paved or accessible trails and plans to increase that number. But for areas without paved access, the DNR has also started to provide tracked chairs, which look like wheelchairs equipped with tank treads.

Video of the device provided by the department shows the chairs going over sand, forest floors, tall grass and even deep snow. These chairs are available at nine parks, but officials hope that donations to the program will allow the DNR to provide these chairs to more sites across the state.

Urban residents are the least likely to visit the park system, according to a report by the Dow Sustainability Fellows of the University of Michigan. It cited lack of access to transportation as a major reason that urban Michigan residents don’t take advantage of the state natural areas.

 State officials announced this summer the creation of a state park in Flint.

The $26.2 million investment in a former industrial site was targeted to reach people disproportionately affected by COVID19.

Spieles, who primarily works with educators and children, says one of the best state parks for kids is in an old Detroit warehouse, not a location typically associated with the great outdoors.

“An opportunity for families and school or youth groups is at the Outdoor Adventure Center in William G. Milliken State Park in Detroit,” Spieles said. “The center provides a taste of Michigan’s great outdoors with hands-on activities, exhibits and simulators.”

The facility includes a multi-story waterfall, a re-creation of a Michigan oak tree and a fishing game, that allows urban park goers to learn about the outdoors and inspires future visits to the actual wilderness.

O’Kelly said that public-private partnerships like the Pampers deal are welcome additions, but most state park initiatives are funded locally.

“It’s all just based on need,” O’Kelly said. “Some of our parks have formal nonprofit ‘friends of the park’ groups. So if a park need a new playground, there is usually a strong (local) campaign to secure funding.”

Officials say that such bottom-up strategies will help the state park system meet the changing needs of visitors in both the short term and for projects in the future.

ABOUT NICHOLAS SIMON

Nicholas Simon is a multimedia reporter from South Haven, Michigan. His areas of interest include international relations, commercial spaceflight, ecology, and globalization. He has covered events for both print and broadcast outlets ranging from protests to presidential debates and currently covers the Grand Ledge community for the Spartan Newsroom.

Kent County Health Department now offering COVID-19 Pfizer booster shots

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, WKTV Projects, ,
A Kent County Health Department nurse gives a COVID-19 vaccination shot. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County Health Department announced this week that it will begin making Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 booster shots available to eligible individuals on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at all three health department clinic locations.

County clinic locations and hours can be found here. Appointments can be made by calling 616-632-7200; persons may also use this number to schedule a first dose of vaccine for those who have not already had it.

“Note that these boosters are only for people who have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. We expect other boosters from other manufacturers to be coming soon,” according to the announcement. “In the meantime KCHD continues to strongly encourage anyone who has not yet received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to do so as soon as possible.”

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) action follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommending a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in certain populations and for those in high risk occupational and institutional settings. This recommendation only applies to people who originally received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago.

The CDC recommends the following groups should receive a booster: people 65 years and older, residents in long-term care settings aged 18 years or older, and people aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions.

Additionally, the CDC recommends that the following groups “may” receive a booster based on their individual benefits and risks: people aged 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions, people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their occupational or institutional (residential) setting. (This groups includes adults aged 18-64 years who work or reside in settings such as health care, schools, congregant care facilities, correctional facilities, or homeless shelters. This group also includes front line essential workers such as first responders — firefighters, police, and EMS — as well as food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, public transit workers, and grocery store workers.)

The county health announcement also states that after reviewing data in the coming weeks, the CDC is expected to make recommendations about the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.

Booster vice ‘third dose’ difference explained

In the meantime, there have been reports about a “third dose” of the COVID vaccine that is now available. The third dose is different than a booster and has been approved by the FDA and recommended by the CDC specifically and exclusively for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. These individuals have a medical condition or are on a medication that limits the strength of their immune systems and, therefore, they may not receive the same level of protection from a regular course of vaccination.

People who are immunocompromised may receive a third dose of either the Moderna or the Pfizer vaccine as soon as 28 days after the second dose. There is no additional dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine currently recommended.

“Again, the third dose should not be confused with a booster,” according to the county announcement. “A vaccine booster is an additional shot that is given to previously vaccinated people as the immunity provided by the original dose(s) has started to decrease over time. A booster is administered to help maintain the level of immunity in the future.”

Extras, extras, read all about us

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Faces, WKTV Projects, , , ,
Director Todd Lewis talks to some of the extras on the set of the “Horizon” production. (Colleen Pierson)

By Colleen Pierson
WKTV Contributing Writer

When Todd Lewis, multitalented director, writer, actor and musician put out a call for extras for a movie he is creating, we all came in masses.

It’s hard to resist a Lewis film since he pours his heart and soul into every project he is involved. I personally knew with him writing, directing, and editing this film, it would be a great project to be involved in and so did many others who volunteered to help Lewis with the project.

Author Colleen Pierson poses with Gina Boscarino. The two were extras in the film “Horizon.” (Supplied)

Lewis created a short film entitled “Horizon” as part of a three-film series created for the WKTV Community Media’s 28th Street Metro Cruise coverage. Each of the six-minute films tells a narrative story about classic cars and classic design.

Lewis said when approached about the idea, he immediately thought of the late 1940s/early 1950s when some of the most iconic cars were created. 

“I decided to set the story against the backdrop of segregation that was taking place at that time using the vehicle as a symbol of freedom,” he said.

A key setting in the film was a busy 1950s dinner where the two main characters, played by local actors Julianne Howe and Matt Dennis, which meant a whole lot of extras.

Holland Resident R.T. Williams shaved his beard and mustache in order to be an extra in the 1950s-based film.

 

“I may end up on the cutting room floor,” he joked, “but it was such an interesting experience.”

“I love the era of the 1950s,” said Gina Boscarino about being a part of the film. “It was a chance to dress up in costumes and have fun. I was so excited about a new experience.”

Ruth Ann Molenaar gets ready for the “Horizon” shoot. (Colleen Pierson)

For many, like Beth Schaub, it was a great opportunity to learn more about film while for others like Richard Mulligan, it was a nice opportunity to reconnect with many theater people and collaborate, especially after the past couple of years that saw theaters go dark and productions be delayed due to COVID.

“I had a chance to read the script,” said local actress Ruth Ann Molenaar. “I’m the only other black performer. I wanted to be part of it.”

Of course, there is always that chance that being an extra could lead to something bigger.

 

“Who knows maybe Quentin Tarantino might see this and see me,” said Rod Zammaron, jokingly.

 

Postproduction is going on now and some additional filming will be done in the next few weeks. Lewis’s film, “Horizon” along with the other two, John Philben’s “No Trip for Biscuits,” which is set in the 1930s and Kyle Misak’s “Drive,” which is based in the 1980s, will be available on WKTV and on the station’s video on demand service this fall.

Wyoming Tree Commission looking for volunteers to help plant

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Environment, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , ,
Tree Commissioner Estelle Slootmaker holding the tree. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.staff

The Wyoming Tree Commission is looking for a few more people to help with tree plantings this weekend and next.

Plantings are set for the morning of Oct. 2 and 16, which are both Saturdays. For more information on helping, email treeamigoswyoming@gmail.com.

Recently, the Tree Commission received a DTE Energy Tree Planting Grant of $3,000. With an additional $1,000 from the commission’s funds, was able to purchase about 25 8-foot and 10-foot trees. More than a dozen residents have signed up to receive a tree. The trees are free to residents but they are required to help plant it and commit to maintaining the tree.

The city’s recently revised Master Plan calls for the city to set a tree canopy goal. the Tree Commission recommendation was a goal of 40%, the same goal as many cities have set such as the City of Grand Rapids. Currently, Wyoming has an approximate tree canopy of 13.5%, as determined by an iTree survey that looks at aerial photographs. 

The Tree Amigos is a volunteer City of Wyoming commission seeking to improve the city’s overall tree canopy. They meet every second Monday of the month at 12:30 p.m. at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. 

Fall is best time to get your flu shot before the season begins

3-bottom, Health, Our Cities, Senior Living, Veterans, ,
Now is the time to get a flu shot. (pxhere.com)

By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya
Capital News Service

LANSING — Michigan health officials expecting a heavier flu season than last year hope to vaccinate more than 40% of the population.

Last flu season Michigan’s vaccination rate was about 34%, according to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. That was the highest state flu vaccination rate of all time, according to state health officials.

In the 2019-20 flu season 31.6% of people were vaccinated, according to state numbers.

The best time for flu shots is in September and October so people are protected before the flu starts to circulate, said Terri Adams, the section manager of immunizations at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

The new flu season may be worse than last year when COVID-19 precautions helped keep it from spreading.

“Last year we had a low number of flu cases, but we were mitigated at home, socially separated, schools closed and sports were canceled,” Adams said.

Rates of viral infections are already rising, said Dr. Rebecca Schein, a Michigan State University assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development.

“Last winter was odd in that there was very little influenza due to the infection prevention measures that were in place,” she said. “This year, we are already seeing rising rates of other viruses and we anticipate a typical flu season with high rates of infection.”

The flu vaccination rate reported by Michigan in the 2019-20 flu season is 31.6%. That is less than the 49.7% the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that year.

The gap is caused by differences in collecting data, state officials say.

The state figures count people from 6 months to 20 years and part of the population above 20. The federal data is based on the National Health Interview Survey, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System to estimate the number of vaccinated people according to the health officials.

Michigan’s federal 2019-20 flu vaccination rate ranks 38th in the nation and is just below the national average rate of 51.8%.

Among the reasons people refuse to get a flu shot is that they don’t think that they’ll get sick or they are afraid of vaccine side effects, according to research scientists at the CDC.

Flu season pops up in different months every year, and it’s hard to say when the next season starts, Adams said. She said peopleshould receive the shot at least two weeks prior to the flu beginning to circulate for maximum protection.

But since the influenza season peaks in February, Adams said, it’s still worth getting a vaccine after the winter holidays and even into the spring or summer.

“Persons can receive an influenza vaccine as long as they are available until the vaccine expires, which for most of the inventory is June 30, 2022,” said Jackie Anderson, the personal health supervisor at Barry-Eaton District Health Department.

“People can get a COVID-19 and a flu vaccination at the same time, Schein said. “I have to say we don’t have direct data of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine together. But from what we know from other vaccines given in groups, the CDC is not concerned about them giving at the same time. They have said that it is fine to get them together.”

Dr. Annette Mercatante, the medical health officer at the St. Clair County Health Department, agreed.

“In general, we like to vaccinate simultaneously because people don’t tend to come back,” Mercatante said. “So, you have them in front of you (and) you want to get them all vaccines that they are eligible for.”

Sailors roll; Falcons, Rockets break out in WKTV’s Week 5 update of local teams’ prep football seasons

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local History, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
From WKTV Featured Game action from Sept. 10, South Christian in a goal-line stand against Middleville T-K. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Last week, in Week 5 of the 2021 high school football season, East Kentwood High School broke into the win column in a big way with a 37-20 home win over Holland West Ottawa. And WKTV’s Feature Game coverage team was there, with Wyoming and Kentwood cable television and on-demand replays available.

In other local action, South Christian stayed in the OK Gold title hunt with a 62-20 conference win at Wayland, and Kelloggsville also broke in the win column with a 70-22 win at Granville Calvin Christian.

The Week 6 schedule of local teams will find WKTV at East Kentwood this week for a WKTV Featured Game, but this time for a “home” game for South Christian as they host Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills on Oct. 1.

Jack VerDuin. (Supplied)

Upcoming games on the WKTV Featured Game schedule include the Friday, Oct. 8, Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights traditional cross-town rivalry game; and the Friday, Oct. 15, Union at Wyoming high game — which is scheduled to be a special celebration as the high school’s new stadium is named in honor of Jack VerDuin, who rolled up a 243-118-6 record with the Wyoming Park Vikings before the school merged with Wyoming Rogers to become Wyoming high in 2012.

The final week of the regular season, on Friday, Oct. 22, WKTV will select a game of more importance to local fans.

Other WKTV Featured Games available on-demand include the Aug. 26 Forest HIlls Northern at Wyoming High game, the Sept. 1 NorthPointe at Lee 8-man game, and the Sept. 10 Middleville T-K at South Christian game (played at East Kentwood).

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

Team-by-team update

East Kentwood

The East Kentwood Falcons —1-4, 1-2 in OK Conference Red action after the win over West Ottawa (0-5, 0-3) — will be on the road this week, playing at Hudsonville (2-3, 2-1).

After last week’s action, Caledonia (5-0 overall) and Rockford (5-0) are both 3-0 in OK Red standings, with Hudsonville and Grand Haven (3-2) at 2-1.

Remaining on the Eagle’s schedule after Hudsonville is Grandville (2-3, 1-2) away on Oct. 8, at home hosting Grand Haven on Oct. 15, then closing out the regular season at Jension (0-3, 1-4) on Oct. 22.

Wyoming high

The Wyoming Wolves (0-5) last week hosted OK Conference Green co-leader, and always tough, Muskegon (4-1) and lost 0-62.

After last week’s action, Muskegon (4-1) and Muskegon Mona Shores (4-1) are each 3-0 in OK Green action. The Wolves are 0-3 in conference, with a road game this week at Zeeland West (2-2, 1-2) on Oct. 1.

After this week’s game, Wyoming will be on the road at Zeeland East (3-2, 2-1) on Oct. 8, at home for the final time this season facing Grand Rapids Union (3-2, 1-2) on Oct. 15, and then close out the season at Mona Shores on Oct. 22.

Grand Rapids South Christian

The South Christian Sailors (3-2, 2-1 in OK Conference Gold) will be at home (at East Kentwood) in Week 6 hosting Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (2-3, 1-2) in OK Gold action.

After last week’s action, Grand Rapids Central Catholic (5-0) and Cedar Springs (4-1) are both 3-0 in OK Gold action, with the Sailors one game behind. South Christian played and lost to Catholic Central on Sept. 17, but still have a home game against Cedar Springs to be played.

After this week’s game against Kenowa Hills, South Christian will host Ada Forest Hills Eastern (2-3, 1-2) on Oct. 8, travel to Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (2-3, 1-2) on Oct. 15, then finish the regular season against Cedar Springs on Oct. 22.

Godwin Heights

The Godwin Heights Wolverines (2-2) had a week off from action last week but will return to the field and OK Conference Silver acton this week with a road game at Sparta (3-2) on Oct. 1.

After last week’s action, Comstock Park (5-0) is the only undefeated in OK Silver action at 3-0, while Belding (4-1) and Hopkins (2-3) are each 2-1 in conference. Godwin remained at 0-2 in conference while Sparta is 1-1.

After this week’s game at Sparta, the Wolverines will host cross-town and conference rival Kelloggsville (1-4, 1-2) on Oct. 8, then travel to Belding on Oct.15, before finishing the season at home against Grandville Calvin Christian (1-4, 0-2) on Oct. 22.

Kelloggsville

The Kelloggsville Rockets (1-4) saw their offense in high gear two weeks in a row last week as they followed up a 38-point effort Sept. 17 in a 38-42 loss to Hopkins with the 70-22 road win at Calvin Christian in OK Conference Silver action.

After last week’s action, Comstock Park (5-0) is the only undefeated in OK Silver action at 3-0, while Belding (4-1) and Hopkins (2-3) are all 2-1 in conference. Kelloggsville is 1-2 in conference.

Kelloggsville will be at Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (2-3, 2-0 in Catholic High School League Intersectional #1) in a non-conference game this week, Oct. 1, before finishing the season with conference games at Godwin Heights (2-2, 0-2) on Oct. 8, at Comstock Park on Oct. 15, and then at home to face Sparta (3-2, 1-1) on Oct. 22.

Lee (8-man football)

The Lee Legends are playing a non-conference 8-man schedule which includes both 8-man varsity and junior varsity games.

Garage Bar & Grill hosting open interviews for new Ada location

3-bottom, Food, Local Business, Our Cities, Restaurants, Upcoming Events, , ,
Garage Bar & Grill recently expanded to Ada and is now looking for staff for the new restaurant. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Just four months after Third Coast Development and Garage Bar & Grill owner and operator Kevin Farhat announced plans to open a Garage Bar & Grill in Ada, the team is now setting their sights on hiring 47 workers to staff the establishment. To help expedite the hiring process, Garage Bar & Grill is hosting open interviews every Saturday in October from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new location, 518 Ada Drive. Applicants will be interviewed by Farhat and executive chef and general manager Joe Peebles and potentially hired that day or by the end of October.

Garage Bar & Grill is looking for hospitality-minded people to help Garage “run a good party” as its tagline says. Farhat is looking to fill part-time and full-time staff, ranging from dishwashers, cooks, servers, bartenders, and other front-of-house staff. Wages for some positions will start at $15 per hour. Once hired, staff will receive training at the Ottawa Avenue location before starting at the Ada location.

“We take pride in running a good party, and the main ingredients are delicious, never-frozen food, tasty drinks, great prices and amazing customer service,” Farhat said. “We take pride in hiring some great people who want to give each customer a great experience at Garage Bar & Grill, so we’re hopeful there are some cool food service pros around the region that are ready to take the party to Ada!”

Peebles, who Farhat brought on in July to overhaul the menu and manage the Ada location, is eager to open the new location with great staff.

“The new Garage Bar & Grill location will be very inviting to visitors who are looking for a fun atmosphere, great food and drinks and comfortable vibe,” said Peebles in a July news release announcing his arrival. “We would love to staff the new location with people that know how to provide that experience. We offer a high-volume environment, but we try to be low volume on drama!”

Input meetings for Marquette Park are this week

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,
The City of Wyoming is seeking input on a redesign of Marquette Park. (supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming’s efforts to collect as much input from residents about Marquette Park continues as the city hosts two public meetings this week.

The first meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Godfrey Lee Early Childhood Center, 961 Joosten St. SW, and the second one is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW. 

“We need the facility of Marquette Park to align, not only with the community needs of today, but well into the future,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. “We really look to our community and area residents to guide this process so Marquette Park can be exactly what is needed for the neighborhood and city overall.”

The 40-acre Marquette Park, which is located at 1414 Nagel Ave. SW, is one of the city’s oldest parks. The eastern section, which includes Kimble Field and the Dog Park area, was originally purchased in 1938 when the city, which was a township at the time, paid $2,800 for sewage disposal site from the estate of William F. Keeney. The western portion of the property, which currently features soccer fields, the Grand Rapids Rifle and Pistol Club, and a playground, was added to the park in 1946. Marquette Park was officially designated as a city park in 1971.

The park is surrounded by an ethnically diverse, dense residential neighborhood and adjacent to industrial properties. Plaster Creek flows through the northeast corner of the park and the park generally serves the city residents attending the Godfrey Lee Public School district.

“With a significant increase in Spanish speaking residents, the City has taken steps to move language barriers in this process,” Rynbrandt said. All public meetings will have simultaneous Spanish interpretation services in addition to English presentation.

The September meetings are the first round of community input the city will be having for Marquette Park. The city also is conducting a 15-question survey, which is in both English and Spanish. For the survey, click here.

It is official: Wyoming is now the home of University of Michigan Health-West

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Health, Non-Profits, , ,
Staff are getting new lab coats with the University of Michigan-West on them. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Today’s the day that Metro Health — University of Michigan Health’s name officially changes to University of Michigan Health – West.

The new name, announced earlier this year, serves two purpose. It describes the organization’s role as part of the state’s top-ranked health system, University of Michigan Health. And it emphasizes a focus on West Michigan, where the organization had been working to advance healthcare for eight decades.

Peter Hahn, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health (Supplied)

Visible changes will be gradual as physicians and staff receive new lab coats and uniforms, and correspondence and signage are updated for multiple sites across West Michigan. The transition is expected to continue into 2022. Throughout the process, the experience for patients will be seamless. Patients will not need to change anything in the way they connect with services.

“University of Michigan Health-West will have the same progressive, patient-focused culture as when we were known as Metro Health or Metropolitan Hospital or Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital,” said Dr. Peter Hahn, president and CEO, University of Michigan Health-West. “Our founding physicians would be proud of our identity today, as part of one of the world’s greatest health systems.”

Metro Health was found in 1942 as the Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital with a home on Lake Drive converted to serve the new facility. In 1957, the hospital moved to Boston Street in Grand Rapids. In 1985, the hospital’s name was changed to Metropolitan Hospital.

In 2003, construction began on the the Metro Health Village in Wyoming and in 2005 the hospital changed its name to Metro Health.In 2007, the Metro Health Village was open and two years later, the hospital began relationships with the University of Michigan Health in several areas: cancer, neurosciences, pulmonology, cardiology, endocrinology, pediatric cardiology and pediatric endocrinology.

The former Metro Health became the premier affiliate of University Michigan Health on Dec. 15, 2016.

“As we approach the fifth anniversary of the affiliation, the name change reminds us of what our relationship with University of Michigan Health has made possible,” said Hahn. “Sept. 27 will become another important milestone of our long, proud legacy of innovation, compassion and excellence.”

Gradual changes will take place with new signage and other details. (Supplied)

Recent years have see the addition of multiple services and capabilities, including more outpatient care sites, certification as a comprehensive stroke center, and groundbreaking regional partnerships to advance cancer and cardiovascular care. Earlier this year, the state grand approval to launch Michigan’s first new open-heart surgery program in nearly 20 years.

 

“These accomplishment are bringing world-class care close to home for the patients we serve across West Michigan,” Hahn said. “This really is a testament to the dedicated staff across our organization, as well as visionary leadership through the years that made us who we are today. Together, they have set the stage for an even brighter future as University of Michigan Health-West.”

The 208-bed acute-care osteopathic teaching hospital serves 250,000 patients and 61,500 emergency patients a year, with more than 500 physicians on staff. UM Health-West operates 30 neighborhood outpatient centers and offices in West Michigan. 

We the People 2021 General Election: City of Kentwood’s mayoral position

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Election, Going Local, Local Faces, Local History, Politics, Upcoming Events, We The People, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

For the Michigan Nov. 2 general election, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from all candidates. If they participated, their videos are linked here. For those who did not participate, either a candidate-provided biography/issues statement, or simply their name is listed. All videos are 5-minutes or less devoted to the candidate, and were not edited in any way by WKTV.

The office of the Mayor of Kentwood is voted upon by all of the City of Kentwood.

The non-partisan candidates are incumbent Mayor Stephen Kepley and current Ward 1 Commissioner Emily Bridson.


Stephen Kepley – Incumbent

Occupation: Kentwood Mayor

Why did you decide to run for this position?

I’m called to serve my community. I am also the experienced candidate with 8 years as Mayor and 10 years as the Director of Engineering and Inspections. I know the intrinsic details of how the city operates and can continue to lead Kentwood to a bright future.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

Public Safety is job 1 — The city’s main function is to protect people and property and thus I am not for defunding police. Kentwood is in need to increase our police and fire staff to serve a growing population.

Business and employment will always be high on my initiative list. I will continue to support businesses and local job creation. Kentwood will remain open for business under my administration.

A unified community having a high quality of life is very important to me and our community. I have spent many of my days building relationships and uniting people together. I will continue to use this office to improve the quality of life for our residents and build bridges through bonds of love and understanding to keep Kentwood a unified and strong community.


Emily Bridson — Candidate

Occupation: I resigned from my full-time job as an Operations Manager for Republic Services in December to best run for mayor. My current job is campaigning for Kentwood Mayor, and my part-time job is for Spectrum Health as a Patient Services Representative.

Why did you decide to run for this position?

My concern for my community drove me to attend my first Kentwood City Commission meeting in 2014. I stood up during the general comments as a resident to inquire about the level of crime occurring in my neighborhood. My attendance became regular, and I became a vocal and engaged participant. This led to my appointment on Parks and Recreation and the Planning commissions. After further educating myself on how local government works and accumulating a “to-do” list of the changes I wanted to see, I decided to put my knowledge and passion to work for the people of Kentwood by running to become a City Commissioner. I realized that I needed to be part of the change that I wanted to see in our community. Now, after serving as a City Commissioner, I am ready to continue my passion and work for the people of Kentwood as your next mayor. I would be honored to earn your vote for Mayor of Kentwood to ensure we have safe neighborhoods, recycling, trails, and the support small businesses need to build a thriving, vibrant community for all.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

Public safety: Crime rates have been soaring over the last five years, and our community members deserve to feel safe in their homes. I am committed to working with public safety officials to reverse violent crimes and car break-ins. My relationship with our public safety officials is strong, which is why I am proudly endorsed by Kentwood Professional Firefighter’s L3174, and I look forward to continuing to grow such relations within our community between safety officials and residents to ensure a strong and safe Kentwood.

Sustainability: Kentwood residents have shared with me that they would like to see recycling services, trails, and green spaces. Ensuring access to clean drinking water and preserving our natural resources for our children and generations to come will also be central to my work as your mayor. I value the voices and needs within our community, and I will work to ensure that your needs are met by Kentwood becoming an environmental and sustainability leader.
 

Supporting small businesses and growing our local economy:  Small businesses and entrepreneurs play crucial roles in Kentwood’s economy and culture. It is up to us to ensure they have the needed resources to survive the current climate and bounce back as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic. As your mayor, I will support local businesses throughout this time and beyond to allow Kentwood to be a place that entrepreneurs and employers seek out and strengthen our economy.

Special forces: West Michigan non-profit to hold benefit comedy night to support American hero

3-bottom, Community Health, Local Entertainment, Local History, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, Veterans, WKTV Projects, ,
Jaeger, and The Jaeger Foundation founder Jonathon Jacobs. The non-profit works to provide services dogs like Jaeger to other veterans. (The Jaeger Foundation)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

What West Michigander James McCloughan went thorough in Vietnam in 1969-70 was no laughing matter — and he has the scars and Congressional Medal of Honor to prove it.

But local non-profit The Jaeger Foundation will be holding a “Special Farces” comedy night Oct. 8 in Muskegon to help provide McCloughan with a service dog as part of the foundation’s continuing efforts to provide service dogs to veterans and first responders who need them.

James McCloughan is presented the Congressional Medal of Honor for service in Vietnam — specifically in the May 13-15, 1969, battle of Tam Kỳ  and the Nui Yon Hill — by then Secretary of Defense James Mattis (U.S. Defense Department)

“Mr. McCloughan is a true American Hero,” Jonathon Jacobs, chief executive officer of The Jaeger Foundation, said to WKTV. “He was an Army Medic in Vietnam. Mr. McCloughan took two blasts of shrapnel to his back and was shot through the arm and still never quit and kept going back for more wounded.”

The Jaeger foundation was born out of a need to provide service dogs to veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD and other disabilities, Jacobs said. And the planned comedy night is one of many ways the foundation raises money to do so.

 

One event is the Special Farces Comedy Competition, which will be held at Back Alley Comedy Club in Muskegon, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. Tickets are available on the Back Alley Comedy Club website at backalleycomedyclub.com and the event page on Facebook.

The night will feature 9 stand up comics, battling head-to-head for the title of “Funniest Comedian”, as well as other prizes. The night will also include a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. The Jaeger Foundation also has t-shirts and decals on their website to raise funds to pay for the purchase and training of the service dogs.

For Jacobs, the goals of the foundation — even the foundation’s name — is personal.

Jaeger, at rest. (The Jaeger Foundation)

“The foundation was created in 2019 after going through to the journey to get my own service dog,” Jacobs said. “Naturally the foundation was named after my Service Dog, Jaeger.  After reaching out to many programs, and not fitting within the limits of their program, we decided to start the foundation with the goal of getting service dogs in the hands of veterans and first responders with as little red tape as possible. So far we’ve helped about 15 People to receive service dogs at no charge to them.”

And “Mr. McCloughan” certainly deserves a service dog for all he has done, during wartime when he earned his Medal of Honor, and for what he has done for the community in West Michigan.

McCloughan was born in South Haven in 1946, was a four-sport varsity athlete at Bangor High School and went on to wrestle and play football and baseball at Olivet College. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and a teaching certificate in 1968, he accepted a teaching and coaching position with South Haven Public Schools. Three months later, McCloughan was drafted into the U.S. Army at the age of 22.

James McCloughan with a military dog in Vietnam, likely dated 1969. (U.S. Defense Department)

His service in Vietnam — specifically in the May 13-15, 1969, battle of Tam Kỳ  and the Nui Yon Hill, which earned him his Medal of Honor — was nothing less than heroic. And deserves a completely separate story. (Which is detailed here.)

Following his service in Vietnam, McCloughan returned to his teaching and coaching profession. In 1972, he earned a Master of Arts in counseling and psychology from Western Michigan University, and then taught sociology and psychology at South Haven high until his retirement in 2008 earning him the Michigan Education Associations’ 40 years of Service Award.

He was also the recipient of the Wolverine Conference Distinguished Service Award for 38 years of coaching football and baseball in addition to 22 years of coaching wrestling.

He was inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1993, Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame 2008. McCloughan was also a Michigan High School Athletic Association wrestling official for 25 years.

For more information on The Jaeger Foundation visit here.

Snapshots: Kentwood City Commission candidates, in their words and We The People videos

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Election, Going Local, Local Faces, Politics, Upcoming Events, We The People,

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Talk is cheap, voting is free; take it to the polls.”

Nanette L. Avery


City Commission At-large seat

The City of Kentwood Commissioner At-Large, which is one of two commissioners at-large, is voted upon by the entire City of Kentwood. The non-partisan candidates are incumbent Commissioner Betsy Artz and candidate Leonica Riley Erwin. Go here for the story.

City Commission Ward 1

The City of Kentwood Ward 1, which has two commissioners, includes voting Precincts 1-9, roughly the southwest areas of the city. The non-partisan candidates for the open Ward 1 seat are Clarkston Morgan and Meochia Thompson. This is the seat currently held by Commissioner Emily Bridson, who is running for mayor. Go here for the story.

City Commission Ward 2

The City of Kentwood Ward 2, which has two commissioners, includes voting Precincts 10-18, roughly the east and northeast areas of the city. The non-partisan candidates, the top two vote-getters in an August primary for the position, are Jessica Ann Tyson andDan VanderMolen. This is the seat currently held by Commissioner Tom McKelvey. Go here for the story.

(Not-so) Fun fact:

12.5 percent

In the November 2020 election, 70.9 percent of white voters cast ballots compared with only 58.4 percent of nonwhite voters. Source.

Kentwood’s The Vibe offered inspiration, information about unique adaptive recreation

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Kentwood resident Brad Dion talks to the crowd at the City of Kentwood’s The Vibe event recently. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Kentwood and West Michigan community, both those involved in and those who support the city’s Adaptive Recreation Programs, turned out as the city’s Parks and Recreation Department put on its “The Vibe” event recently.

The annual celebration and fundraiser, held Sept. 16 at the city’s Kent District Library branch, was a night of inspiration — especially the story of guest speaker Brad Dion — as well as a chance to mix with like-minded people supporting the goals and continuation of local adaptive recreation programs such as waterskiing and indoor rock climbing.

(WKTV informational videos on the various programs, produced with the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department for TheVibe event, are linked at the bottom of this story.)

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department team supporting the Adaptive Recreation at September’s The Vibe event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

Adaptive Recreation Program coordinator Ann Przybysz talked to WKTV at the event about the importance and uniqueness of the program — “The program serves those typically underserved in other recreation programs. We appreciate offering very inclusive programs.”

However, the highlight of the event, other than the money raised for a special need for the adaptive recreation water skiing program, was clearly Dion talking about his life, his efforts to overcome disability, and his passion for helping others to overcome — to thrive — however disabled.

“I like to call it a different ability,” Dion told the gathering from his wheelchair. “I don’t know what the future will hold, but I do know I will continue to be involved with these programs. Continue to teach wheelchair tennis to Kentwood parks and rec kids. To be involved.”

(See his complete talk, recorded by WKTV, above. And you can follow him on Facebook and Instagram.)

 

Dion, a longtime Grand Rapids resident and East Kentwood High School graduate, shared his life experiences of living with cerebral palsy, accomplishing goals and giving back to his community.

As a wheelchair athlete, Dion enjoys competing in wheelchair tennis. He also loves to mentor and coach wheelchair sports to kids with disabilities. While he spends his days inside the classroom teaching fifth- and sixth-grade general education as well as supporting special education. He has learned to use his life story, living with a “different ability,” to show others that “the sky’s truly the limit when it comes to what someone can do if they set their mind to it.”

Funds raised at this year’s event will go toward purchasing new jet skis for Kentwood’s adaptive water ski program — essential safety equipment as staff must be able to get to participants very quickly if necessary. The program includes various adaptive water ski clinics offered by the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with community partners.

Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department program coordinator Katelyn Bush and one of her Adaptive Recreation participants at September’s The Vibe event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department provides Michigan’s most comprehensive adaptive recreation programming, according to supplied material, and does so in partnership with community partners such as Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, Hope Network and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and dozens of volunteers.

Adaptive programs available include archery, bike club, boccia league, bowling, canoeing, downhill skiing, golf league, leisure club, kayaking, rock climbing, track and field clinics, pickleball, wake boarding and water skiing, along with dances and other social events.

Open to individuals of all abilities in Kentwood and beyond, the programs enable participants to enjoy the benefits that come with any athletic or recreational activity, such as a sense of camaraderie, improved confidence and new skills.

To learn about current offerings, visit kentwood.us/adaptive.

Videos of various programs

Adaptive Archery

Adaptive Kayaking

Adaptive Snow Skiing

Adaptive Rock Climbing

Adaptive Water Skiing

We the People 2021 General Election: City of Kentwood’s City Commissioner Ward 2

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Election, Going Local, Local Faces, Politics, Upcoming Events, We The People, , ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

For the Michigan Nov. 2 general election, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from all candidates. If they participated, their videos are linked here. For those who did not participate, either a candidate-provided biography/issues statement, or simply their name is listed. All videos are 5-minutes or less devoted to the candidate, and were not edited in any way by WKTV.

The City of Kentwood Ward 2, which has two commissioners, includes voting Precincts 10-18, roughly the east and northeast areas of the city. For a precinct and ward map, click here.

The non-partisan candidates, the top two vote-getters in an August primary for the position, are Jessica Ann Tyson andDan VanderMolen. This is the seat currently held by Commissioner Tom McKelvey.

Note: Candidate VanderMolen chose not to record a new general election We The People video but instead use his video from the primary election.


Jessica Ann Tyson — Candidate

Occupation: Business owner of The Candied Yam — Delightful Southern Cuisine; JA PR Group, LLC; Pink Lounge Dry Salt Therapy

Why did you decide to run for this position?

As a long time Kentwood resident and business owner, I want to continue and expand my volunteer service to the community I love, work and live in. There are many opportunities for continued growth. This is why it is of the utmost importance that we elect qualified, caring servant leadership. I am active in our community. With the full support of my family, I know that I am the right person to represent for such a time as this.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

Involved leadership — If you serve the community you must be genuinely and authenticity involved. You only know what the community needs if you show up. Lack of involved leadership will only cause further disconnect. Our community is changing and deserves elected leadership involvement.

The community of Kentwood is facing space deficits. From crisis with housing to available land for zoning uses, the right leadership can support with expertise and knowledge. The city needs elected servants that are good listeners and appreciate input from constituents. The elected official need to serve by being active and forward thinkers in utilization and creation of spaces available that will make sense for our community and generations to come.

Kentwood has been granted several millions of dollars. It has to be used judiciously. However the funds are spent, those elected need to make sure that there is no legacy cost and minimum taxation to the residence. Vote Tyson to work for YOU November 2.

 

Dan VanderMolen — Candidate

Occupation: Project Coordinator at First Steps Kent

Why did you decide to run for this position?

I’m running for this position because I believe that the residents of Kentwood want a solutions-focused government that works for them, with them, to tackle the important issues facing the city. Kentwood has an incredible opportunity right now to establish a future of long term growth and development, and for that to happen we need to leverage all of our available resources and create intentional, strategic partnerships with the amazing people and organizations in our area. I have made community collaboration the focus of my career over the past ten years and know for a fact that If we work cooperatively we can create a thriving city that works for everyone. However, we’ll only be able to accomplish that if we pledge to focus on what brings us together, not what tears us apart.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

Affordable Housing: It’s no secret that Kent County currently suffers from an affordable housing crisis which extends to the community of Kentwood. Far too often our residents are faced with the difficult decision of whether to pay their rent or mortgage, or spend money on basic needs. As housing costs continue to climb, pricing many people out of the market, it is imperative that we provide effective measures to help people find safe, attainable housing no matter what the budget.

High quality, affordable child care: The Covid-19 pandemic illuminated a number of things about our world, one of which is just how important access to child care is to the health of our families, our community, and our economy. To address this crisis, we need to tackle it on two fronts: Lower costs for families and higher wages for providers. The only way to accomplish that is through targeted financial investment at the local, state, and federal levels.

Broadband internet: Another issue that became abundantly clear over the past year and a half is that not everyone in our community has equal access to the broadband internet services absolutely necessary to support remote learning and work. By working with local tech companies and internet providers we can develop the much needed infrastructure required to assure that nobody in Kentwood is ever left behind again.

Wyoming’s second public market set for this Saturday

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Local Business, Upcoming Events
A customer looks over a flower arrangement from Wyoming-based Periwinkle Flower Co. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It appears this Saturday will be another beautiful day to stroll through the City of Wyoming’s second public market set for 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.

The first public market was held last Saturday at HŌM Flats with several vendors showcasing items from plants to coffee. Some of those vendors, such as Wyoming-based Runyon Coffee Company and Periwinkle Flower Co., will be returning to this Saturday’s event along with a number of vendors that will be offering an array of items.

Ed Runyon, owner of Runyon Coffee Company, said he plans to be at this Saturday’s public market. (WKTV)

“The City of Wyoming is very excited about its partnership with HŌM Flats and the new public markets,” said Wyoming’s Planning & Economic Development Director Nicoe Hofert.”One of the City’s economic development goals identified in its master plan, Wyoming [re]imagined, is to work with and support local businesses to showcase local talent and support their growth and investment in our community.”

Hofert said events like the HŌM Flats Public Market provide exactly this opportunity, adding that “the City believes these markets create a vibrant environment where people can interact and connect. We hope that these events lead to an expanded market with additional dates next year.”

HŌM Flats approached the city about hosting a public market at its location, 1401 Prairie Parkway SW, with representatives learning that city officials were also looking at a similar idea. According to Jaylyn McCloy with Magnus Capital Partners, which owns HŌM Flats Flats at 28 West, it only made sense for the two organizations to partner.

The result was the two-weekend event. Last Saturday, the market was tucked into the HŌM Flats, with residents strolling through checking out items. Both city and HŌM Flats officials said they were pleased to see the first event launch and building upon it.

Dutton Elementary School named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, West Michigan, ,
Dutton Elementary School was named a Blue Ribbon School. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Dutton Elementary School has been recognized as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for being an Exemplary High Performing School.

“Caledonia Community Schools is so proud of all our faculty and staff who work so hard to make an excellent learning environment for our students,” said Dr. Dedrick Martin, superintendent of Caledonia Community Schools. “Dutton Elementary is a great example of a school that prepares students to make a positive difference in the community by empowering all students to achieve their best and cultivate agile learners.”

Dutton Elementary has been recognized in the past for its staff’s work in supporting students. Dutton earned the title “Reward School 2018-2019″ for earning all A’s or Significantly Above Average in all categories rated by the state of Michigan. Michigan nominated Dutton Elementary for the National Blue Ribbon Award and recognized the school for creating an environment that encourages feedback among staff, parent involvement, and support from the Caledonia Community Schools administration.

Dutton Elementary Principal Shawn Veitch and staff regularly partner with a local church and several businesses. Staff members volunteer with students at a weekly summer reading program in a neighborhood mobile home community and connect students with Kids’ Hope mentors and hand-to-hand weekly food distribution.

“Our Dutton Elementary school teachers and staff go above and beyond to ensure our students have the support they need to succeed in school,” Veitch said. “On behalf of our school, I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in making Dutton Elementary a great place to learn.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes outstanding public and non-public schools, celebrating school excellence, turnaround stories, and closing student achievement gaps. The U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. Thirteen Michigan schools received the honor with Dutton Elementary being the only Greater Grand Rapids school to be recognized.

In 2020, 15 Michigan schools were recognized that included Kentwood’s Discovery Elementary and Grandville’s Central Elementary.

We the People 2021 General Election: City of Kentwood’s City Commissioner Ward 1

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Election, Hard News, Local Faces, Local History, Politics, Upcoming Events, We The People, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

For the Michigan Nov. 2 general election, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from all candidates. If they participated, their videos are linked here. For those who did not participate, either a candidate-provided biography/issues statement, or simply their name is listed. All videos are 5-minutes or less devoted to the candidate, and were not edited in any way by WKTV.

The City of Kentwood Ward 1, which has two commissioners, includes voting Precincts 1-9, roughly the southwest areas of the city. For a precinct and ward map, click here.

The non-partisan candidates for the open Ward 1 seat are Clarkston Morgan and Meochia Thompson. This is the seat currently held by Commissioner Emily Bridson, who is running for mayor.

Clarkston Morgan – Candidate

Occupation: CEO of Ambassador Consultants LLC, COO of W4 Construction Group

Why did you decide to run for this position?

As a 13-year Kentwood resident, assistant pastor in a local church, small business owner and a Kentwood Planning Commissioner, I’ve found great joy empowering our Kentwood families and community to reach its greatest potential. Having strategically helped broken families grow out of poverty, and small businesses expand profit margins when policy and/or broken systems limited them, I understand this system must become a standard in our city.

As a nonpartisan leader, I’m running to make sure politics do not limit the voice and benefits all residents can receive. To make sure the heart and voice of the community is valued in our city master plans and budget. Coming into office with my past experience means I do not need to use residents as test subjects to confirm the validity of policies. On day one, I’m equipped and ready to serve.
 

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

Affordable Housing and Homelessness: In Kentwood, we have a major silent issue of families and teens experiencing homelessness. Research shows that the three main reasons are due to job loss, addiction and mental health. I find that numerous families are struggling to afford the cost of housing. This, stacked with the three previous issues, have caused families to become homeless.  Utilizing the Community Block Grants, and in partnership with the county and existing nonprofit organizations, we can create housing programs to help families afford housing, but even more, build their credit, eliminate debt and transition to homeowners.
   

Expanding opportunities for small businesses: Kentwood has been successful because of the support of large corporations, but even more our diverse and multi-ethnic small businesses. These companies want to compete on a larger scale but are not being afforded the same opportunities. A solution I have started to work and will launch on a city level is training small businesses to become market ready for larger contracts. And as city projects are position with major developers, I would like to incentivize the use of these contractors for projects. This will allow the corporation, developers, contractors, and small businesses to benefit from the development of the project.

Community Involvement: With residents from 80 nations, speaking about 90 languages, outside Kentwood Public Schools, our community is still operating in silos. We do not lack diversity, but more harmony. When we are in harmony, systems are refined to make sure there’s inclusivity based on cultural intelligence. This means actively engaging multi-ethnic businesses, houses of worship, nonprofits and community leaders to be cultural intelligence advocates to the city, but even more, back to their community.

 

Meochia Thompson — Candidate

Occupation: Self-Employed. Publisher at Blessed Pen Ink Publishing

Why did you decide to run for this position?

I decided to run because of all the negativity and division ripping throughout our country. I want to help create stronger connections within my community by sharing information, resources, and celebrating each other. It’s important that everyone feels heard and counted. I’m looking forward to growing better relationships in Kentwood!

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

I’ve heard from so many voters and most would agree that they need connection. This means listening to the needs of ALL the people that make up our beautiful community and responding effectively when it comes to implementing leadership that reflects the diversity in our neighborhood including our local government, police, and fire departments. We also need programs that help new citizens and immigrants get acclimated to our city and state laws, statutes, programs, and resources. Families need more stop- and speed-limit signs, and sidewalks throughout our neighborhoods, so they can feel safe, and playgrounds with accessible equipment so all children can play together. Businesses need dedicated workers and workers need pathways to leadership and professional development.

East Kentwood Falcons looking for week-to-week improvement after tough start to season

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,

East Kentwood High School head coach Anthony Kimbrough, shown at practice with his Falcons team, talks about the good and bad of a tough early-season schedule. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The 2021 high school football season did not start the way East Kentwood High School head coach Anthony Kimbrough and his Falcons team expected — going 0-4 as the team prepared this week to host Holland West Ottawa in a OK Conference Red game.

The Falcons did have a brutal early season schedule, by choice and by chance, with a home loss to state power Muskegon followed by road losses at another state power in Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice and then at Rockford (4-0), before falling to Caledonia (4-0) on Sept. 17, the last two in OK Conference Red action.

Rockford is No. 1 in Division 1 the first AP state football rankings. Caledonia is #3 in Division 2, Brother Rice No. 1 in Division 3, and Muskegon (3-1) is— everyone knows — always ranked by year’s end.

“We are just trying to improve every day: basic fundamentals, little things,” Coach Kimbrough said to WKTV this week. “We went into the season knowing our first three opponents were big-time programs … but we are tying to stay positive … just getting the kids to believe in themselves. We are working hard and hopefully it will pay off this Friday.”

And about that brutal season-opening schedule?

East Kentwood football senior Jakeilon Heard (33) awaits his turn at a Falcons practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“It is a combination of some people just don’t want to play us, so you are stuck playing the Muskegons and the Brother Rices of the world,” Kimbrough said. “But I do want our kids to understand that if you are going to win a state championship, you are going to have to beat those types of programs.

“It was a challenge going in. … (But) I never imagined us going 0-4. It’s been tough. But I have to give credit to our players and our coaches, they’ve stayed positive. We have a long season ahead and we have five games to get better.”

This week’s game, starting at 7 p.m., is not only this week’s WKTV Featured Game of the Week, with cable television and on-demand replays available, but will also be East Kentwood’s Homecoming Game.

Leaning on senior leaders

Coach Kimbrough said despite the rough beginning to the season, parts of the Falcon machine and several players are performing well on the field.

East Kentwood head football coach Anthony Kimbrough likes the positive attitude of his seniors, despite an 0-4 start to the season, including senior Bobby Durr (68) pumping up teammates as they start a practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“I got to start with (senior) Jeffery Perry, our running back. He probably had his best game of the year against Caledonia. He rushed for 93 yards. He ran hard,” Kimbrough said. “And we have offensive linemen that have really played well. Bobby Durr, he’s a senior. He’s stayed positive and he’s a captain on the team.”

“My quarterback (Casey Joppie). He’s a sophomore. He’s taken some licks and got back up. He’s very coachable … very proud of him. And there has been guys on the defensive side who have played well — I could name a bunch.”

And coach also credits many of his seniors, playing or not, as helping to keep the team focused on the past and future winning ways of East Kentwood.

“Jalon Fuller, one of our safeties, he’s played well. Brian Dinh, possibly an all-conference kid, cornerback. He’s played well,” he said. “Those guys just lead by example. Play hard in practice. Staying positive. … I think our underclassman are appreciative of what out seniors bring.”

Along the other seniors are Joe Stille, Reginald Brown, Carlo Russel-Dumani, Dakota Stephens, Felice Messina, Devontae Savage, Shawn White, Jakeilon Heard, Jack Izenbart, Mehki Baker, Anthony Nelson, Alonte’ Brandon, Shawn Dumani, Levi Robinson, Bryson Woods, Patrick MacDonald, Jake Tate and Zachary Vanoverloop. 

Where, when to catch WKTV’s feature games

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

GR YMCA’s Veggie Vans bring fresh food, healthy ideas to Kentwood, West Michigan residents

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Going Local, Health, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects,
The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’ Veggie Vans offer up not only fresh farmers market food but also heathy advice and information. (YMCA GR)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Most people think of the YMCA as being focused on healthy bodies through exercise, programs and classes. Yes, but healthy eating is also a key part of promoting healthy bodies.

On Monday, Sept. 27, residents of Kentwood’s Tamarisk Apartments will gain the opportunity for both healthy food and healthy ideas when they get a visit from one of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’ Veggie Vans as part of its ongoing regional tour of Y’s new community program.

On board the van will not only be fresh, healthy food but also information on other YMCA efforts, and available social programs, designed to help underserved residents live a more health lifestyle.

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’ new Veggie Vans offer up fresh produce and other healthy foods. (YMCA GR)

“Eating healthy is a critical part to having a healthy body,” Belisa Melton, GR YMCA community collaborations director, said to WKTV. “That is why the Veggie Van also promotes the YMCA’s Healthy Corner Stores initiative, which connects small-scale growers and distributors with urban corner stores to increase the fresh fruits and vegetables to households across West Michigan.

“The goal is to bring healthier and more affordable food options to communities that often have limited fresh options by making local produce more readily available at neighborhood markets.”

And the is just part of the YMCA’s offerings.

“The Veggie Van also provides visitors with opportunities to learn about and engage with the YMCA’s free community fitness programs and nutrition education classes,” Melton said.

The Veggie Van will also serve up conversation and education about how to use the produce or benefits such as Double Up Food Bucks or SNAP.

“The knowledge of these programs and the opportunity to learn more from a trusted resource is important,” according to a recent YMCA announcement.

The Veggie Van’s September schedule for Kentwood-Wyoming includes a stop at Tamarisk Apartments, 4520 Bowen Blvd. SE, Kentwood, from 10-11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 27.

Goal: fresh veggies; fresh ideas

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, knowing farmers markets are a summer favorite for many West Michigan residents but not everyone has access to one, developed the Veggie Van as the region’s first mobile farmers market.

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’ new Veggie Vans offer up fresh produce and other healthy foods. (YMCA GR)

The YMCA Veggie Van delivers locally grown, top-quality fruits and vegetables at cost directly to apartment complexes, senior living facilities and other locations in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, according to the recent announcement. The Veggie Van’s two vehicles run year-round, making stops in neighborhoods to provide “vulnerable communities with access to locally sourced produce when in season or sourced from local grocers.”

 

On a weekly basis, the YMCA supplements local produce suppliers to stock the vans by growing its own produce in a greenhouse and in raised beds at the Mary Free Bed YMCA branch.

Access to healthy, fresh food continues to be a significant issue for community members across the region, according to the announcement. While the pandemic has heightened awareness for the food deserts in our communities, the critical need for food security existed prior and continues now. Access to quality food can lead to improved work and school performance, healthy bodies and minds and stronger communities all while preventing chronic disease.

“The Veggie Van is a physical representation of health, wellness and community building,” Nicole Hansen, district executive director of community engagement and youth development, said in supplied material. “Through the availability of nutritious food, our teams help create access and success for those seeking to improve healthy habits.
 

“We believe strongly in building positive experiences with fruits and vegetables that lead to the consistent consumption of healthy meals by individuals and families throughout all neighborhoods in West Michigan.”
 

The YMCA Veggie Van is sponsored by the David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation, Spectrum Health, Nelson Neighborhood Association and The Mart Dock.

For more information on the YMCA’s Healthy Corner Stores program visit grymca.org/healthy-corner-stores.

For more information on the YMCA’s community fitness and nutrition education classes visit grymca.org/community-group-fitness and grymca.org/community-programs.

City of Wyoming asks voters to consider future funding for police, fire, parks

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The funding generated by income tax would allow the Wyoming Department of Pubic Safety to add 27 firefighter and 14 police positions. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

At its Monday night meeting, the Wyoming City Council approved two proposals to be placed on the May 2022 ballot that, if approved, could minimize the overall tax burden to city residents while providing public safety and park needs and helping to make the city more financially sustainable.

“After carefully reviewing our options, the City Council has agreed that an income tax is the most equitable way to fund these needs and ensure a sustainable economic future for Wyoming,” said Mayor Jack Poll.

The first ballot proposal would allow the City to levy an income tax on residents, business and non-residents who work in Wyoming. Under this proposal, the City would levy an income tax of .8% for residents and businesses and .4% for non-residents. This would be the lowest income tax rate charged by any city in Michigan that currently has an income tax.

 

According to the U.S. Census, the average median income for a household in the City of Wyoming, for 2019, was $54,328, which would pay $434.63 for the proposed income tax.

This City of Wyoming chart shows that Wyoming firefighters on average responded to 100 calls more than their counterparts in other cities. For more information, visit wyomingmi.com/FundingForTheFuture. (Supplied)

The second ballot proposal would decrease the City of Wyoming property tax millage by more than half. The current Wyoming milage rate is 11.89470 mills. If approved, property owners would see a decrease of 4.3497 mills in the summer 2022, with the rate being about 7.54 mills and an additional decrease of 2.5450 mills in summer 2023, with the rate being just under 5 mills.

According to the U.S. Census, the median price in 2019 for a home in the City of Wyoming is $127,000 with under the city’s current millage, paying $755.50. If the proposal is approved, the 2022 property millage for the home would be about $478.79, which is about a $276.11 savings. In 2023, the property millage will be $472.50, which will be $438 savings from the current millage rate.

Under the language, both proposals must be approved by voters.

“These proposals support the City of Wyoming’s commitment to community, safety and stewardship,” Poll said, adding that the Wyoming Department of Public Safety has seen an increase in the frequency and complexity of calls for service and surveys of residents have clearly illustrated a need for additional, proactive traffic enforcement and community policing. At the Sept. 20 council meeting, a resident presented the council with a petition signed by 36 residents along with letters in support of the income tax proposal because of the need for increase fire personal.

Another need, Poll noted was the city parks. Many of the parks were built between 1950 and 1970 and while the city has made great strides in developing park properties such as Ideal, Frog Hollow, Jackson, and Ideal, other parks, such as Marquette Park, are 25-years-old or more and are in need of of capital improvement. The current parks millage does not have capacity to provide any funding for capital investment.

The funding generated by income tax would allow the Wyoming Department of Pubic Safety to add 27 firefighter and 14 police positions, improving public safety by decreasing response times, enhancing crime prevention efforts and adding more proactive traffic enforcement. The funding also would provide $600,000 in sustainable annual capital invest in the city’s park system.

There are 21 other Michigan cities that levy an income tax of which four are located in West Michigan: Grand Rapids, which is 1.5% for residents and .75% for non-residents, and Walker, Muskegon, and Muskegon Heights, which all levy 1% for residents and .5% for non-residents.

For more about the income tax proposal, visit wyomingmi.com/FundingForTheFuture.  

We the People 2021 General Election: City of Kentwood’s City Commissioner At-Large

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

For the Michigan Nov. 2 general election, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from all candidates. If they participated, their videos are linked here. For those who did not participate, either a candidate-provided biography/issues statement, or simply their name is listed. All videos are 5-minutes or less devoted to the candidate, and were not edited in any way by WKTV.

The City of Kentwood Commissioner At-Large, which is one of two commissioners at-large, is voted upon by the entire City of Kentwood.

The non-partisan candidates are incumbent Commissioner Betsy Artz and candidate Leonica Riley Erwin.

Note: Commissioner Artz chose not to record a We The People video.

Betsy Artz – Incumbent

Occupation: General Manager, Celebration Cinema, 27 years

Why did you decide to run for this position?

After serving this city for the last 8 years as a city commissioner, and more than 10 years in other volunteer positions before that, I feel that there is still so much to do. Serving on the Pension Board for the last 8 years, we now have a fully funded employee pension, something that only one other city in Michigan can claim. I want to make sure that our city continues on this fiscally responsible path.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

When I am meeting residents while going door-to-door in our city, these are the three most talked about concerns:

Speeding in the neighborhoods — Our commission has been working on different ways to combat speeding, including the purchase of new devices, and the addition of patrol officers.

Car break-ins — Kentwood, and all neighboring cities, have had a rash of auto break-ins. The Kentwood Police Department has stated that in these break-ins, over 90 percent of the cars are unlocked, and some even have the keys in them. I will continue to push a public service campaign to make residents aware.

Growing homeless population — about two years ago, Mayor (Stephen) Kepley and I began working with local agencies to help identify where our homeless population is, and what we can do to help. Since then, I have formed a Kentwood Coalition to End Homelessness. We are working with school administrators, City of Kentwood staff, the Kentwood Police Department, Kent County commissioners, Community Rebuilders, and private residents to find lasting solutions.


Leonica Riley Erwin — Candidate

Occupation: Social worker, Wellspring Lutheran Services

Why did you decide to run for this position?

I genuinely enjoy helping people and want to ensure that all of my Kentwood neighbors can achieve their full potential in life. I’ve spent my career helping Kentwood families resolve personal crises. That has given me a unique understanding of the issues that prevent families from achieving their goals. I want to help us come together as a community to solve some of the problems our neighbors are facing. Running for office is my way of being a part of the solution and taking responsibility for what happens around me.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

The greatest challenge in Kentwood is creating a sense of community. The pandemic, language barriers, and other issues prevent residents from getting to know their neighbors. I’d like our city to organize more neighborhood associations and social groups with a focus on community empowerment. We can provide residents with more cultural events, neighborhood picnics, wellness activities, volunteer projects, and community celebrations near our homes. We can celebrate each other’s successes and provide support when needed too.

Economic stability is another issue voters are facing. My neighbors are concerned about affordable housing, especially renters. Most landlords require a tenant’s wages to be three times the amount of rent. Rent prices are high. Food security is a related concern because there are only two grocery stores in Kentwood. That’s essentially a food desert for residents without transportation. The best-paying jobs in the city are not on the bus line so we need to expand public transportation. More residents need education about the resources available for entrepreneurship.

Environmental safety is a major concern in Kentwood. Voters want a sustainable recycling program. They want to ensure that there is clean water in EVERY Kentwood home. They want our city to be pedestrian-friendly with continuous improvements to our parks and trails. Voters want ALL Kentwood residents to feel safe in our neighborhoods. Discussions about community policing and mental health services for our community need to be held. Finally, voters want Kentwood to be an environment where everyone has access to high-speed internet.

Running for a cause: Runway 5K returns to Ford airport Saturday, Sept. 25

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Making a return is the Runway 5K at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Ever wanted to se if you can outrun a jet airplane? Probably not. But you can run with the jets and support a local non-profit as, after a pandemic pause in 2020, the popular Runway 5K will return to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on Saturday, Sept. 25.

And the Ford airport’s two commercial aviation runways will still be operational during the race.

Register is still available to be one of the 1,200 walkers and runners given the rare opportunity to compete on an actual airport runway. For more information and to register, visit triviumracing.com/event/grr5k2021/.

The course will begin north of the economy parking lot, looping on taxiway Juliet and runway 8L/26R, the Airport’s general aviation runway, before ending back at the parking lot.

A runner during the 2019 Runway 5K. (Supplied)

Race-day registration and packet pick-up begins at 7 a.m., with the race starting at 9 a.m. A one-mile fun run will begin at 9:05 a.m. Awards for the top three overall males and females, as well as age groups, will be presented at 10:15 a.m.

The race is being hosted by Trivium Racing, with this year’s charity partner being the Family Hope Foundation — a Jenison nonprofit which provides resources, activities, support and funding for therapies to families of children with special needs in West Michigan.

“The true impact of 2020 is beginning to come to light,” Jane Eppard, executive director of the Family Hope Foundation, said in supplied material. “Many children with special needs lost ground due to disruptions in school and routine in the past year. This was clearly evident in the 25 percent increase in scholarship requests we received this spring.

“The opportunity to be the charity partner for this year’s Runway 5K and the support it will bring to families in our community is deeply appreciated and gives the organization hope.”
 

In 2019, the Runway 5K raised nearly $14,600 for charity.

“We are delighted to welcome West Michigan back to the Airport for this year’s Runway 5K,” Torrance A. Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, said in supplied material.

“We are also honored to support the good work of Family Hope Foundation, which provides therapy scholarships, family fun, advocacy, education and resources to families of children with special needs. We encourage runners and walkers of all abilities to come out and see the Airport from a perspective you will only get once a year.”

Registration includes a T-shirt, post-race snacks and beverages, awards for top finishers and other giveaways.

Perspectives: From the NBA to annuities, from free throws to guaranteed income

3-bottom, Education, How-To's, Local Business,

By Dave Stanley
Integrity Financial Service, LLC

I recently read an article about Shaquille O’Neal and his after basketball life that was truly amazing. Did you know in his 19 -year NBA career, he earned a total of $292 million in compensation? He was the highest-paid player over that time period, making enough money for a couple of hundred families to live in complete comfort. With the athlete’s age, we have watched salaries skyrocket to levels we cannot comprehend as just regular folks.

Shaq was one of the all-time greats, and he proved it on and off the basketball floor. Did you know he also starred in movies and had three very successful records with more than 1.3 million copies sales? Shaq became a brand, and he used his celebrity to put in place a money-making machine for his retirement from basketball.

The article mentions his endorsement life: products we know nationally, such as Buick, Icy Hot, Reebok, Zales, Foot Locker, Arizona Tea, and many more. The list includes more than 20 products and companies. His endorsement income is now greater than his salary as a top NBA center, and more to come.

Shaq is booked all day, every day, in a nonstop worldwide promotional endorsement and entertainment tour. In addition to product endorsements, he is also a TV analyst, an international motivational speaker, and a private party DJ. Yes, you can have Shaq come to your house for 2 hours, have him DJ your party for only $50,000.

It was estimated he could earn more than a BILLION dollars in just his endorsement career. Certainly a lot of money and reason to be concerned about how the money is invested and protected to ensure his and his family’s financial security.

In the article, he was asked about the income he is now earning. He said, “I don’t pay any attention to the money. If I lose it all, it is no big deal, myself and my family are already financially secure because when I started in the NBA, every year I invested in annuities.”

Annuities now provide more income than myself and my family need. The money I earn now is just for fun.”

Annuities? Yes, a man who in his lifetime will earn in excess of a BILLION dollars is depending on annuities to guarantee his financial future.

Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or  Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463  or click this link:  Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.com  Dave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.

Outdoor recreation drives Michigan tourism recovery

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According to data, tourism is up in Michigan with many taking in some of the state’s most popular sites, Tahquamenon Falls. (Photo courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Nicholas Simon
Capital News Service

LANSING — Local tourism officials say outdoor recreation is bringing Michigan tourism back, after two summers plagued by pandemic fears.

And they hope that changes in how people travel will mean even better days are ahead.

   

This is welcome news to the tourism industry, which employed more than 230,000 people before the pandemic, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

 

In 2019, almost every region in the state had its best year for tourism spending, according to the council. In the summer of 2020, however, spending was halved in some peak vacation months.

Lakenenland, a sculpture museum near Marquette, Michigan. (Photo courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Some indications show that the decline is over and Michigan tourism is bouncing back, especially for beach communities.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority reports traffic between the Upper and Lower peninsulas returned to normal by August of last year. Even better: April through July of this year has had the highest traffic numbers on record.

Linda Hart, the executive director of the Holland Area Visitors Bureau, said she thinks the pandemic has exposed beach communities like hers to a new audience.

“We saw a lot of first-time visitors to Holland,” Hart said. “While Holland has normally been an annual family destination, this year and last, we saw many more people who were looking for bike trails, beaches and smaller communities.”

These amenities spared Holland the worst of the effects of the pandemic last summer, with hotel occupancy falling only 15% from its normal rate, according to the visitors bureau. While rates have returned to comparable pre-pandemic levels this summer, recent hotel expansions mean that the actual numbers of visitors this year could be even higher than peaks in the past, according to the visitors bureau.

  

Michigan saw reductions in vacation spending fall by 35% by the end of the summer of 2020, but that’s better than the 48% drop nationwide, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

“In 2020 we started to see a recovery all around the state, but it’s very unbalanced,”  said David Lorenz, the vice president of Travel Michigan, the organization that developed and manages the Pure Michigan brand. “You look at cities compared to rural areas and it’s a tale of two cities, excuse the pun. And this is because our rural areas, especially along the coast, saw a huge increase in 2020.”

Eagle River Falls in Michigan’s upper peninsula. (Photo courtesy Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Lorenz said that people who wanted to travel in 2020 didn’t want to go long distances and instead chose to travel close to home. That way they could be outdoors and comply with social distancing requirements that caution against large gatherings indoors and encourage physical separation between groups when outside.

“Those people who were traveling were heading literally up north,” Lorenz said. “Now, that’s normally a term we use as a sentiment of wanting to travel and get outside, but in this case, ‘Up North’ meant Up North. They were heading to northern Michigan and to waterfront communities.”

Mike Kent, the public relations manager for Traverse City Tourism, sees a lot of people traveling to Northwest Michigan for outdoor recreation, and local businesses are seeing the same effects. Hotel occupancy in Traverse City was four times higher this April than last year and is steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels.

“You can see it in the numbers that we are getting back to where we were in 2019 which was a very robust year,” Kent said. “People are taking advantage of what we have to offer, which is wide open spaces”.

Similar results are being seen in Petoskey, where “people see it as a safe place to be,” according to Diane Dakins, the assistant director of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau.

“We have a lot of outdoor recreation and places to spread out to have a great time without people being right next to each other,” Dakins said. 

Dakins said she thinks that the elevated numbers are temporary because of the number of family gatherings like weddings and reunions that were canceled last year, attributing the spike this year to pent-up demand. However, other officials say this represents a larger trend that could bring people back to these towns year after year.

“We saw a lot more local traffic last year from the state of Michigan and places like Chicago,” Hart said, referring to Holland. “Normally we see more traffic from the Midwest, but this year we saw a return of both (local and out-of-state travelers).”

Kent also thinks events like the Ironman race held in Frankfort earlier this month are the types of things that will continually bring people back to Michigan.

 

“People are literally coming from all over the country, and most of them have never heard of Frankfort,” Kent said. “Our goal is to make them fall in love with the area, and what’s not to fall in love with?”

ABOUT NICHOLAS SIMON

Nicholas Simon is a multimedia reporter from South Haven, Michigan. His areas of interest include international relations, commercial spaceflight, ecology, and globalization. He has covered events for both print and broadcast outlets ranging from protests to presidential debates and currently covers the Grand Ledge community for the Spartan Newsroom.

Nearing halfway point in prep football season, here is the Wyoming/Kentwood team report

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
From WKTV Featured Game action from Sept. 10, South Christian in a goal-line stand against Middleville T-K. @WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The 2021 high school football season, and WKTV’s Feature Game coverage of local teams, are about at the halfway point of the season — and, after a week off for the WKTV crew, we will be catching up with the East Kentwood High School Falcons this week.

With most Kentwood and Wyoming area high school football team having played their fourth game of the season last week and prepping this week for the halfway point in their schedule, WKTV brings you a look at where the teams are standing.

And speaking of Week 5 schedules, WKTV will be at East Kentwood this week for a WKTV Featured Game with the Falcons hosting Holland West Ottawa.

WKTV Featured Games available on-demand include the Aug. 26 Forest HIlls Northern at Wyoming High game, the Sept. 1 NorthPointe at Lee 8-man game, and the Sept. 10 Middleville T-K at South Christian game (played at East Kentwood).

Upcoming games on the WKTV Featured Game schedule include the Friday, Oct. 1, Kenowa Hills at South Christian game (also at East Kentwood); the Friday, Oct. 8, Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights game; and the Friday, Oct. 15, Union at Wyoming High game.

The final week of the regular season, on Friday, Oct. 22, WKTV will select a game of more importance to local fans.

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

East Kentwood

The East Kentwood Falcons (0-4) lost at home last week, 9-35, to Caledonia (4-0) on Sept. 17 in OK Conference Red action.

After starting off a brutal early season schedule with a home loss to state power Muskegon (7-47) on Aug. 27, followed by two road losses: at Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (0-33) — another state power — on Sept. 3, and then falling to open OK Red play at Rockford (0-48) on Sept. 10.

After last week’s action, Caledonia and Rockford are both 2-0 in OK Red standings, with East Kentwood at 0-2. The Falcons (0-2) host Holland West Ottawa (0-2 OK Red; 0-4 overall) this week.

Wyoming high

The Wyoming Wolves (0-4) saw their offense kick into high gear but could not break into the win column at home last week during a 49-52 loss to Holland (1-3) on Sept. 17 in OK Conference Green action.

The Wolves started the season with a 13-37 loss at home to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern on Aug. 27, then lost a road game at Grand Rapids Northview, 0-24, on Sept. 3. Last week, on Sept. 10, Wyoming was also on the road to open OK Green action with a 12-48 loss at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer.

After last week’s action, Muskegon, Muskegon Mona Shores, and Zeeland East are all 2-0 in OK Green action (and all 3-1 on the season). The Wolves are 0-2, with a home game this week against Muskegon.

Grand Rapids South Christian

The South Christian Sailors (2-2) saw their up-and-down season continue last week with a 6-28 road loss at OK Conference Gold leader Grand Rapids Catholic Central (4-0) on Sept. 17 in OK Gold action.

The Sailors started the season, in non-conference action, with a 27-7 win on the road at Grand Rapids Christian Aug. 27, then lost 21-30 at home to East Grand Rapids on Sept. 3. South Christian then got back into the win column Sept. 10 with a 35-14 home win over Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg.

After last week’s action, Central Catholic and Cedar Springs (3-1) are both 2-0 in OK Gold action. The Sailors are 1-1 in conference with a road game at Wayland (0-2; 0-4) coming this week.

Godwin Heights

The Godwin Heights Wolverines (2-2) saw their season record fall to .500 last week with a 18-59 road loss at OK Conference Silver leader Comstock Park (4-0) on Sept. 17 in OK Silver action.

The Wolverines started the season, in non-conference action, with a 34-7 win at home over Manistee on Aug. 27, then followed that up with a 27-21 overtime win on the road at Fowler on  Sept. 2. Godwin opened its OK Silver slate with a 28-40 loss at home to Hopkins on Sept. 10.

After last week’s action, Belding (4-0), Comstock Park, and Hopkins (2-2) are all 2-0 in OK Silver action. Due to an open week in the Wolverines schedule, Godwin will next play on Oct. 1 at Sparta (0-1; 2-2).

Kelloggsville

The Kelloggsville Rockets (0-4) also saw their offense crank it up last week but lost at home 38-42 to Hopkins (2-2) on Sept. 17 in OK Conference Silver action.

The Rockets started the season, in non-conference action, with a 28-49 home loss to Owosso on Aug. 26, a 8-55 road loss at Ionia on on Sept. 2, and then opened its OK Silver schedule with a 26-67 loss at conference co-leader Belding on Sept. 10.

After last week’s action, Belding (4-0), Comstock Park, and Hopkins (2-2) are all 2-0 in OK Silver action. Kelloggsville, this week, will be at Calvin Christian (0-1; 1-3).

Lee (8-man football)

The Lee Legends are playing a non-conference 8-man schedule which includes both 8-man varsity and junior varsity games.

Disability Advocates’ new headquarters to include first-of-its kind occupational therapy home center

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Construction for the Disabilities Advocates of Kent County’s future home is now underway. Move-in date is set for April 22. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Katie Pew Wolters admitted she thought raising $40,000 was a monumental task for the dream of having a model apartment that showcased how people with disabilities can live independently.

“Now they are raising $2.5 million,” said the former executive director of the Grand Rapids Center For Independent Living which became Disability Advocates of Kent County.
 

The $2.5 million is for the Disability Advocates’ new expanded headquarters which the organization celebrated the start of construction on Sept. 14. The 8,600-square-foot facility, located in the future Special Olympics Michigan facility, 160 68th St. SW., will including a new Occupational Therapy home accessibility center.

Kate Pew Wolters, the first executive director for Disability Advocates, said she remember the challenges of raising $40,000 for the organization’s first model apartment. (WKTV)

“The $40,00 we raised was for a model apartment which was a corner of our office,” Wolters said. “It is nothing like what is being planned now. It had a bed and a very small kitchen but it was designed so people with disabilities would learn about being independent.”

The new Occupational Therapy home accessibility center builds on the initial concept that Wolters and her staff had in the early 1980s. (Diability Advocates was founded in 1981). The center will be a place where people with disabilities explore ways to renovated and retrofit their homes so they can be more independent. It will serve as a “test space” showroom where persons with disabilities, their families healthcare, and design professional and building contractors can explore options for a safer home, including models and adaptive equipment, something that is not offered anywhere in the region.

Disabilities Advocates Executive Director David Bulkowski said the center will be a national model where people can come “hang out and try new things to make themselves more independent.”

“The Home Accessibility Center is a response to a demonstrated need,” said Disabilities Advocates Development Director Peggy Helsel. “Often people ask, ‘What does that mean?’ When we talk about universal design and home, we are giving people a real-life model home to experience what a universally-accessible space can look.”

Through corporate sponsors and private fundraising, Disability Advocates have raised $1.75 million of the $2.5 million for the project. The organization launched its public campaign for the remaining $750,000 on Sept. 14. Bulkowski noted that they have received a matching challenge grant of up to $50,000 from the Frey Foundation to help get things rolling.

Disability Advocates of Kent County’s new headquarters will inline the Occupational Therapy home center. (WKTV)

“Dreams can come true even from 36 years ago,” Wolters said. “I am very excited about this opportunity. We knew we needed to keep going until we got it done.”

Disability Advocates will be one of nine disability organizations occupying the former South Christian High School, which is currently being transformed into the largest Special Olympics trading and inclusion center in the world. Special Olympics launched its own public phase of capital campaign in July to raise $20 million for the retrofitting and construction of the 127,000-square-foot facility that was once the South Christian High School.

Wolverine Building Group is the general contractor with Disabilities Advocates allocating 40-percent of its construction budget on engaging with local minority-owned contractors which include DHE Plumbing, Monte Christo Electric, and Grand Rapids Fire Suppression. Mathison l Mathison Architects is the architect. A move-in date has been set for April 22.