Category Archives: 3-bottom

2020 West Michigan Photo Contest now accepting entries

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

By Adrienne Brown-Reasner
West Michigan Tourist Association

The West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) has announced the launch of their 2020 West Michigan Photo Contest. With so much beauty found in West Michigan, the West Michigan Tourist Association wants travelers to show off what they love most about this beautiful side of the state, and win some great West Michigan prizes! The contest is looking for traveler photo submissions from all around West Michigan. This region covers the entire west half of Michigan from the Indiana border to Mackinac Island and into the Upper Peninsula.

“We’re really looking forward to being able to share these great images of West Michigan this year,” said Courtney Sheffer, WMTA’s Marketing Director. “We love seeing the community involvement with this contest, and hope that people will find the images inspiring during a summer where they may not be able to travel as originally planned.” 

Sheffer also noted that photos do not need to be taken this month in order to submit them to the photo contest. “If you have West Michigan photos from your past visits to the area, we encourage you to enter those as well! West Michigan is photogenic all seasons of the year, so don’t feel that you’re only limited to submitting summer photos.”

All photo entries must be received by July 28th, 2020. Judges will be awarding prizes in the categories of “Nature,” “Downtown,” “People,” and “Beach/Lake,” with an additional prize awarded via public voting by WMTA’s Facebook audience. In addition to receiving a West Michigan prize pack, all winning photos will be featured in WMTA’s upcoming West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide, printed in January of 2021. 

Photo submissions should include first & last name of photographer, city where the photograph was taken, and a short description of the photo.

The accepted photo formats are high resolution (300 dpi+) jpeg/jpg or tiff. CMYK is preferred. Please visit the Photo Contest Page for full rule and entry requirements: https://www.wmta.org/2020-west-michigan-photo-contest/

2020 West Michigan Photo Contest Prizes:

Public Vote

Judge’s Choice:
Beach/Lake Category; People Category; Downtown Category; Nature Category

Talking to a loved one about assisted living

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Independence, the ability to age in place with the necessary care services, the cost savings compared to other care options, and the lively, active communities that are so different from traditional fears of nursing homes are all reasons why assisted living is an obvious choice for a senior care community. But it’s still not easy to talk to a loved one about making the big move. 


Putting off the conversation can lead to serious long-term consequences, so it’s important to have that discussion sooner rather than later—no matter how difficult it is. Here’s some of the best ways to plan for an open and honest talk with your loved one about making an assisted living community their new home. 

Signs to look out for

There may be a single specific reason or several smaller ones for wanting to move your loved one to an assisted living community, but here are a few common signs to be on the lookout for as your loved one ages.

  1. They are isolated are no longer socializing with others
  2. You aren’t sure if they are eating, or they are losing weight and consistently have an empty fridge
  3. They can no longer drive, or don’t have reliable transportation to necessary places (such as the doctor’s office or the grocery store)
  4. They have a steadily declining hygiene
  5. They have lost interest in activities they used to enjoy
  6. Their house is becoming dirty and cluttered
  7. They can’t remember where they are and get lost in familiar places—or are becoming forgetful in general (forgetting to pay bills, take important medications, turn off the oven, or take out the trash)
  8. They have fallen and injured themselves at home
  9. They need to be checked in on regularly
  10. They frequently need medical care

Prepare beforehand

It’s important that you go into the conversation with a solid plan. Get the essential family members—such as your siblings—involved and ensure that all of you are on the same page about what you want to talk to your family member about. You don’t want the conversation about assisted living to turn into a family argument, which only adds stress to an already stressful topic of discussion. 


It’s also important that you learn about different senior care options and go into the conversation informed—especially about why you recommend assisted living over a nursing home or home care. Have a list of communities that might be good fits and a detailed explanation of what types of daily care services and skilled medical care they provide at the ready. 

Find the right time

Picking the right time to bring up assisted living is essential to ensuring the conversation is productive. Make sure you do it in person, not over the phone. This will likely be a conversation that takes some time, so don’t try and squeeze it into a packed day. Make it a priority and clear your schedule. 


However, don’t hold the conversation during a holiday or family reunion—these events are special and you shouldn’t put a loved one on the spot during a happy celebration. Ensure that you find a neutral day and gather the family to talk to your loved one in a group setting that is comfortable, not accusatory. 

Communicate clearly

During the conversation, it’s important you stay calm and don’t let your emotions overtake the discussion. Be honest and upfront about your intentions during the talk, but don’t try to push your loved one into a decision that they aren’t yet ready for. 

Conversation starters

  • “Do you feel safe at home? Are you worried about what would happen if you fell or hurt yourself and no one was around?”
  • “Are you struggling with remembering important things?”
  • “Do you need help around the house that isn’t being provided right now? Are you able to cook meals and get to the store?”
  • “Do you miss being close to your friends or having plans for things to do?”
  • “Are you concerned about what’s going to happen to your independence or mobility as you age?”
  • “Would you like to feel more secure and have a community around you for support?”

Work together

The first conversation about assisted living shouldn’t be an immediate decision—after all, your loved one’s opinions and feelings should be at the center of the discussion and they need to be comfortable with moving forward. Working together to find the right community is key to ensuring that your loved one feels respected and included throughout the process. 


Research together with your family member and go on community tours with the family to help them feel confident in their choice of a new home. Remember—this is an incredibly difficult task your loved one is about to face. But by keeping their feelings at the heart of all decisions, the conversation about assisted living can lead to great things for your loved one. 


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



Kent County: West Nile Virus found during health department mosquito surveillance

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Newscast, Our Cities, Recreation, ,
(Too) close-up of a West Nile mosquito. (U.S. Air Force)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County Health Department announced last week that ongoing surveillance and testing conducted by the health department has revealed three presumptive positive instances of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in the county.

The discovery comes after testing pools of mosquito remains that were trapped in the 49504 and 49525 ZIP Codes in the City of Grand Rapids. But, the county statement advises, “It is important to note that these are not human cases.”

“Discovering these cases in mosquitoes should serve as a reminder to everyone who lives in West Michigan that West Nile Virus season is upon us,” Brendan Earl, supervising sanitarian at Kent County Health Department (KCHD), said in supplied material. “It is important for people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites as much as possible.”

West Nile Virus is spread primarily by infected Culex mosquitoes. Only about 20 percent of the people infected will notice symptoms that may include headache, body aches, joint pains and fatigue. Most people with this type of West Nile virus completely recover, but fatigue may last for weeks or even months.

About 1 in 150 people infected develop severe illness that can affect the central nervous system. Recovery from this type of West Nile virus may take several months. Some damage to the central nervous system can be permanent. In rare instances the disease can lead to death.

 

Since there is no vaccine or cure for West Nile, the best treatment is prevention, according to the county statement. KCHD recommends wearing a mosquito repellant that contains 10–35 percent DEET, wearing light colored clothing and staying indoors during dusk.

Residents can also help stop mosquitoes from breeding by removing or refreshing water in bird baths, children’s wading pools, water bowls for your pets. Empty other small containers that can collect water in your yard and keeping your lawn and shrubs trimmed also help.

More information about prevention can be found at accesskent.com.

Petoskey Stone celebrates 55 years as Michigan’s state stone

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Diane Stampfler
Promote Michigan

A popular pastime in Petoskey is reaching for the state’s stone, the Petoskey stone. (needpix.com)

Most Michiganders (or Michiganians, depending on your preference) know that the Petoskey stone is the state’s official “state stone.” But just how and when did that come to be?

Let’s go back…way back…for a bit of geological history first.

Glaciers moved rocks, fossilized ancient coral, bedrock and soil throughout what is now Michigan millions of years ago, carving out the Great Lakes and depositing a wealth of natural treasures beneath them. Over time, the waves churned these waters and in turn polished pieces into rocks of all shapes, sizes and configurations—including Petoskey stones.

In the early 1900s, there were mentions of Petoskey stone in regional newspapers, but these referred to rocks harvested from shoreline gravel banks by the Petoskey Stone & Lime Company (incorporated in 1904), not the identifiable hexagon laden stones coveted and collected today.

One of the earliest printed accounts of actual “Petoskey stones” appeared in a handful of newspapers in October 1923—including the Palladium-Item of Richmond, Indiana and The Ithaca Journal in Ithaca, New York—as part of a Q&A section, authored by Information Bureau Director Frederick J. Haskin out of Washington D.C.

  • How is Petoskey stone polished? — C.A.L.
  • Petoskey stone is silicified fossil and is polished like agate. Various polishing powders, such as tin-oxide, chromium-oxide and iron-oxide are used.



A fascinating story appeared in the March 3, 1924 issue of the Battle Creek Enquirer in Battle Creek, Michigan about a large Petoskey stone that served as a paperweight on the desk of Phil Ross of the Central National Bank. At some point, E.M. Brigham, curator of the museum of the Battle Creek Public Schools, was consulted about the stone and its origin.

“Petoskey stone, rare? Why hardly, as many stones of that type are to be found between Lake Avenue and Coldwater Street [in Battle Creek], as there are in all of the Petoskey sector.

In 1969, geologist Dr. Edwin C. Stumm, Professor of Geology and Curator of Paleozoic Invertebrates at the University of Michigan, made the formal determination that what was thought to be a Petoskey “stone” was actually fossilized colonial coral of the genus and species Hexagonaria percarinata. (Wikipedia)

“’Well then,’ said his inquirer, ‘why are Petoskey stones called by that name?’

“The answer was ‘Battle Creek people haven’t time to run around town picking up stones. In Petoskey, all they have to do is wander over the beaches and they naturally run on to the stones, which of course have to be polished before they take the luster which makes them so popular. Petoskey curio dealers have helped the thing along by polishing them in not too large numbers and placing them in their windows for sale, along with some other stones, which are not native to the region.’”

This region of Michigan seemed to have a particular interest in Petoskey stones, as the paper ran another story on August 30, 1931 which read:

“The pretty Petoskey stone which was plentiful 20 or more years ago, appears like a coral formation. The native children along the shore of the lake in the vicinity of Petoskey watch for the waves to wash up these pretty stones with each incoming wave, and gather them for the tourist trade. The stones are sold to the souvenir booths. They are given a high polish which turns each spot into a gleaming eye.”

So, while these unique natural souvenirs have been rolling around the Lake Michigan shoreline for eons, they weren’t actually identified, sold and widely collected for the past 100 years or so (that we know of).

Fast forward to the spring of 1965.

In May, Michigan State Representatives Eugene R. Cater (D-Ludington) and Stanley Powell (R-Ionia) introduced House Bill 2297 to designate the Petoskey stone as the state’s official stone. It passed by a vote of 79-19 on Wednesday, May 19, 1965. The next month, Michigan Senator Thomas F. Schweiger (R-Petoskey) introduced a similar bill in the Senate which was passed 23-9 on Monday, June 14, 1965.

From there, it was off to Governor George Romney for signing during a special ceremony on Monday, June 28, 1965. Also in attendance were Rep. Cater, Rep. Powell and Princess Ella Jane Petoskey — granddaughter of Chief Petoskey for whom the city was named — whose participation was made possible by the Grand Valley Rock and Mineral Society. Ella presented a bit about her legendary grandfather and at the end of the ceremony was presented with the pen used by the governor in signing the bill, while Rep. Cater presented the governor himself with a tie clasp and cuff link set made of Petoskey stones to commemorate the day’s significance.

Interesting enough, it wasn’t until 1969 that geologist Dr. Edwin C. Stumm, Professor of Geology and Curator of Paleozoic Invertebrates at the University of Michigan, made the formal determination that what was thought to be a Petoskey “stone” was actually fossilized colonial coral of the genus and species Hexagonaria percarinata.

If you’re looking to do a little rock hunting for Petoskey stones start at the breakwall in downtown Petoskey, Magnus City Park Beach on West Lake Street and Petoskey State Park on M-119 on the way to Harbor Springs. A little tip for new hunters…spring (after the snow and ice melt) and following windy thunderstorms are prime times to find Petoskey stones as the waves have moved them along the bottom of the lake to the shoreline. Please note that Michigan law limits the amount of stones that can be collected to 25 pounds per person, per year.

And if you can’t find any on your own, many of of Petoskey’s downtown retail shops sell them (polished and unpolished).

MICHIGAN STATE SYMBOLS

  • State Flower: Apple Blossom (1897)
  • State Bird: American Robin (1931)
  • State Stone: Petoskey Stone (1965)
  • State Fish: Trout (1965) (Specified Brook Trout in 1988)
  • State Gem: Chlorastrolite (1972)
  • State Soil: Kalkaska Sand (1990)
  • State Reptile: Painted Turtle (1995)
  • State Mammal: White-Tailed Deer (1997)
  • State Wildflower: Dwarf Lake Iris (1998)
  • State Fossil: Mastodon (2002)



About the author

Dianna Stampfler is the president of Promote Michigan and the author of the best-selling book “Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses.” She loves traveling around the Great Lakes state and currently calls Walloon Lake her home.

Snapshots: Our July 4 weekend — patriotism, fireworks, pets and parades

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Food, Going Local, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Pets/Animals, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air … Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there … Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave … O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

The Star Spangled Banner

The day it all got started

In honor of the 244th 4th of July since American independence was declared against Great Britain, WKTV Journal is sharing with you a Youtube clip from the HBO miniseries, “John Adams” that features the reading of the Declaration after it’s passage on the steps of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

(City of Kentwood)

Watch a parade from your (Kentwood) lawn

The City of Kentwood announced to WKTV this week that a dozen or so city vehicles will parade throughout the community on Saturday, July 4, as a way “to celebrate Independence Day safely in lieu of its traditional celebration activities this year.” Go here for the story.

(Kent County Animal Shelter)

Take care of your pets when things go ‘boom!’

The Kent County Animal Shelter has published a video with steps on how to help pets cope with fireworks.

Catch some fireworks, but play it safe

4th of July fireworks and other “responsible fun” is available this weekend. Go here and here for stories.

Fun fact:

150 million

According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, on the Fourth of July alone, 150 million dogs get consumed – enough to stretch between L.A. and Washington, D.C., more than five times. Source.

Rail crossing work to close Breton Avenue between 29th and 32nd starting July 7

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Hard News, Local Business, Newscast, Our Cities, Travel, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
(WKTV video/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced July 1 that beginning Tuesday, July 7, Breton Avenue will be closed for at least two days between 29th and 32nd streets while CSX Railroad repairs a railroad crossing.

Drivers are asked to plan ahead as the work will require a full closure with a posted detour from 29th Street to Shaffer Avenue to 32nd Street and back, according to the city’s statement.

Due to the deterioration of the crossing, CSX will be replacing the entire concrete crossing, ties and repaving the asphalt at that intersection.

The work is expected to be completed within two days with the road reopening on the evening of Thursday, July 9, but a third day of work may be necessary for unforeseen circumstances, according to the city.

Kent District Library delays reopening of branches

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The Kent District Library (KDL) Kentwood Branch Library. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The planned reopening of Kent District Library to the public on July 6 will be delayed. A new date for reopening has not been determined but will depend on a sustained improvement in the coronavirus situation. Curbside pickups, availability of exterior drop boxes for returns, livestreamed programs and expansion of digital resources is unaffected by the delay in opening the library for public access. 

 

Due to the increased incidence and risk of coronavirus, KDL has made the difficult decision to keep the library closed to the public. The Leadership Team of KDL places the safety of patrons and staff as the highest priority.

 

“Although Kent County is in a better situation than many other areas, we are committed to helping to create a sustained improvement. Right now, the trend needs to be turned around,” explains Lance Werner, Executive Director of KDL.

 

Changes that have been made in library service since mid-March have been well received. The library immediately shifted programming to be livestreamed and online. Due dates for all items were extended and exterior book drops opened for returns on June 8. The introduction of curbside service on June 15 has enabled people to checkout materials from the convenience of their car. Additionally, the library added 700 new Wi-Fi hotspots, which will be mailed to homes needing internet access.

These changes, in conjunction with increasing checkout limits on digital resources, allow people to have continued use of most of the library services that they depend upon and expect.

 

The status of library services is continuously updated on the kdl.org website.

Local back-to-school plans well underway as Governor announces ‘roadmap’ guidance

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Hard News, Kentwood Public Schools, ,
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at a press conference. (Official Facebook page)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Some people may have been waiting, if not eagerly anticipating, the June 30 release of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap”, which outlined a number of safety protocols for schools to implement in each phase of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan.

While local school district leaders undoubtedly will scour the governor’s roadmap for pertinent details and direction, they and their district staff were not idly awaiting the release — after all, Gov. Whitmer admits that different school districts will have different “return to school” situations depending on location within the state, physical building situation and their community make up.

“In Kentwood Public Schools we put together a Back To School Task Force consisting of administrators, teachers and parents that have been working on multiple plans for the reopening of our district,” Michael Zoerhoff, superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools, said to WKTV. “We also have been working closely with the Kent ISD reopening committees. Our plan is to adjust accordingly to ensure the safety of our students and staff per the Governor’s recommendations.”

Wyoming Public Schools superintendent, Craig Hoekstra, echoed his regional educational counterpart.

“The WPS team has been hard at work developing plans that will provide safe and accessible learning options for the fall,” Hoekstra said to WKTV. “As we prepare for re-entry, our district continues to plan forward with a focus on developing a robust online learning option as well as preparing for instructional re-entry for in-person learning. In doing so, it takes into consideration the unfinished learning from the spring. As soon as the Governor’s plan is released, we will review our plans and make the needed adjustments as we work towards finalization.”

The governor’s roadmap outlines a number of safety protocols for schools to implement in each phase of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan — including guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene and cleaning protocols, spacing in classrooms, athletics, and much more.

As far as fall high school sports is concerned, at a press conference announcing the governor’s back-to-school guidance, Gov. Whitmer said she is in discussion with the Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) to possibly move some fall 2020 sports to spring 2021.
 

Detailed guidance on fall athletics — including any possible shift of sports season — is expected to be announced in mid- to late-July by the MHSAA, which has been working with the governor’s office to guide summer and possible fall in-school athletic activities.

Also on June 30, the governor signed Executive Order 2020-142, which “provides a structure to support all schools in Michigan as they plan for a return of PreK-12 education in the fall,” according to a statement from the Governor’s office Tuesday.

(Links to the governor’s MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap and Executive Order 2020-142 are at the end of this story.) 

“Our students, parents, and educators have made incredible sacrifices during our battle with COVID-19,” Gov. Whitmer said in the statement. “Thanks to our aggressive action against this virus, the teachers who have found creative ways to reach their students, and the heroes on the front lines, I am optimistic that we will return to in-person learning in the fall.

“The MI SafeSchools Return to School Roadmap will help provide schools with the  guidance they need as they enact strict safety measures to continue protecting educators, students, and their families.”

In her statement, the governor also acknowledged the financial impact on schools not only to enact “safe return to school” in the fall, but the looming financial shortfalls in state school funding due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

“I will continue working closely with the Return to Learn Advisory Council and experts in epidemiology and public health to ensure we get this right, but we also need more flexibility and financial support from the federal government,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “This crisis has had serious implications on our budget, and we need federal support if we’re going to get this right for our kids.”

(To learn more about the possible financial impact on school funding of the COVID-19 economic downturn, see a WKTV story and Kent ISD videos here.)

Two local education leaders are part of the Return to Learn Advisory Council, including Kevin Polston, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, and Nicholas J. Paradiso, vice president of government relations for National Heritage Academies.

“All of us on the Return to Learn Advisory Council share a commitment to marrying science and evidence, and practicality and local needs to ensure the health and safety of our students and educators,” Tonya Allen, President and CEO of The Skillman Foundation and Chair of the Return to Learn Advisory Council, said in supplied material.

The governor’s Executive Order 2020-142 requires school districts to adopt a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan “laying out how they will protect students and educators across the various phases of the Michigan Safe Start Plan.”

The MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap offers guidelines as to the types of safety protocols that will be required or recommended at each phase, according to the statement.

“In recognition that these protocols will cost money, the Governor also announced that she was allocating $256 million to support the districts in implementing their local plans as part of the bipartisan budget agreement the Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House, and the governor announced” June 29.

MI-Safe-Schools-Roadmap-June-30-2020Download
Executive-Order-2020-142-COVID-19-June-30-2020Download

Local trumpeter kicks of Sounds of Summer series tomorrow

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Max Colley III kicks off the Sounds of Summer concert series tomorrow. (Supplied/Max Colley III)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Trumpeter extraordinaire Max Colley III will kick off the 2020 Sounds of Summer concert series tomorrow at Cutler Park.

The popular concert series is one of the few free concert series that will take place this summer. The concert is set for 7 p.m. and organizer Patty Williams said there will be social distancing guidelines including groups sitting at least six feet a part.

Colley has earned many honors over the years including being named the 2014 Musician of the Year by the West Michigan Jazz Society. He has performed with several area groups such as the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, The Truth in Jazz Orchestra and Gumbo Nuveau, as well as his own Max Colley III Quartet. 

Through his Facebook, Colley has stated he is excited about being able to performing considering so many summer concerts have been cancelled. 

“I always look forward to this and try and keep it fresh and new each year,” Colley wrote on his Facebook page. He has been part of the Sounds of Summer concert series for about 20 years. “It will be hot, but I guarantee it won’t be snowing!”

Joining Colley on stage is Jordan VanHemert on sax, Kazuki Takemura on bass, Elijah Cosby on drums, and Colley will be trumpet and drums. 

The Sounds of Summer includes family friendly activities. All performers start at 7 p.m. The shows are sponsored by Byron Township. 

“We know that people really look forward to this,” said Byron Township Supervisor Tom Hooker about the annual Sounds of Summer concert series. “We just felt this was an opportunity for people to get out and look forward to something that was different.”

Upcoming performances include Jaded July 9, Oat Bran Boys July 16, Dusty Chaps July 23 and LWND July 30. For more information about the Sounds of Summer, click here. 

The fan—friend or foe?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, , ,
If the ambient air is warmer than your body temperature, you might increase your core temperature if you try to cool down with a fan. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay


Thinking of picking up an electric fan to help keep you cool and protect your health during the next heat wave?


You might want to think again.


Electric fans might make you feel cooler, but they can actually increase your risk of becoming heat sick and even dying from a heat stroke, the evidence shows.


Electric fans could contribute to a potentially dangerous increase in a person’s core heat if outdoor temperatures exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit, a recent Cochrane evidence review says.


“The fan actually will be blowing air that is hotter than our body at us,” said co-author Mike Clarke, director of the Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit at Queen’s University Belfast.


It’s like switching on an electric oven’s convection fan to speed up the cooking process, the researchers said.


Meanwhile, another new study found that electric fans are particularly dangerous during very hot and dry conditions, but can help lower core temperatures and heart strain in hot, humid weather. That study appears in a recent issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.


Electric fans are seen as a cheap way to help people cope with the several days of high temperatures that make up a heat wave, researchers for the Cochrane review said.


Global warming means heat waves will become more frequent and they can have terrible health consequences.


As many as 30,000 people died during a European heat wave in August 2003, while a Moscow heat wave in 2010 was responsible for nearly 11,000 deaths, the researchers noted.


The Cochrane review team found that there’s not a lot of research related to the effectiveness of electric fans, even though they’ve been around for well over a century. No studies at all met their review criteria, which were looking for experiments directly comparing electric fans with no fans.


They did find several studies that had looked at the effectiveness of cooling options employed during heat waves, however.


These studies had mixed results, with some suggesting that an electric fan might increase the risk of dying during a heat wave.


Fans don’t cool us down by circulating cooler air, Clarke noted. The air moving through a fan is the same temperature as the surrounding environment.


Instead, they cool us by speeding up evaporation of our sweat. That means fans also are causing our bodies to lose water faster.


According to Dr. Teresa Amato, head of emergency medicine at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, in Forest Hills, N.Y., “If you sweat more and don’t replace it quickly with fluids, there is a theoretical increased risk of dehydration, which could potentially put a person at greater risk for heat stroke or heat-related illness.”


If the ambient air is warmer than the human body, then the air blowing from the fan could actually increase a person’s core temperature, the researchers explained.


For the new study, Australian researchers exposed volunteers for two hours to laboratory conditions that mimicked two different types of heat waves.


One condition was very hot and dry, the same as the peak conditions of the July 2018 California heat wave, with a heat index of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit.


The other condition involved a hot, humid day with a heat index of 133 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to a July 1995 heat wave in Chicago.


The experiment showed that electric fans lowered volunteers’ core temperature and heart strain in the humid condition, but were detrimental in weather that was less hot but very dry.


“Bottom line is that during a heat wave, the safest thing is to be in a cool, air-conditioned area,” Amato said. “If that is not possible in your own home or dwelling, you should seek out ‘cooling stations’ throughout your community. Once there is an alert that a heat wave is coming, many local health departments work to identify these safer alternatives and will use places such as libraries and schools.”


People who stay home and rely on an electric fan should remain aware of signs of heat-related illness, such as nausea, muscle cramps or headaches, she said.


“Be mindful to check on elderly neighbors who might not have working air conditioners and are relying on electrical fans,” Amato added. “They are at a much higher risk and they may not show signs of heat-related illness until they are critically ill.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Continuing service in time of COVID, Streams of Hope reopens food center, joins with CirclesGR

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Food, Going Local, Health, ,
The Streams of Hope Food Center will be reopening to visits by the public. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The nonprofit community center Streams of Hope announced June 29 that its client-choice Food Center will reopen its physical storefront beginning July 2. The Food Center serves more than 500 families in Kentwood’s Townline neighborhood with supplemental food assistance.

As part of its efforts to help “alleviate financial stress during the coronavirus pandemic,” the Food Center has remained active throughout the shutdown utilizing a drive-thru format, and in recent weeks saw a 50 percent increase in visitors, according to a statement from Streams of Hope.

To ensure safe shopping at the Food Center, visitors will make an appointment online and receive a health check before entering the building with a face mask.
 

In addition, Streams of Hope announced it had acquired CirclesGR to “invest in long-term solutions to poverty.”

“We are excited to re-open the Food Center and bring CirclesGr into our family of programs,” Kurtis Kaechele, Streams of Hope executive director, said in supplied material. “We are creating a healthier neighborhood together, alongside our community.”
 

Programs like the Food Center address urgent needs, while CirclesGR will implement long-term solutions to assist families, according to Streams of Hope. Other programs at Streams of Hope include SpringGR, from which 14 entrepreneurs will graduate this summer, and a reduced-cost health clinic in partnership with Exalta Health which will also re-open in July.
 

“Part of our purpose is to raise the poverty IQ of allies and of the community,” Julie Liske, CirclesGR director, said in supplied material. “Poverty is complex: root causes, systemic barriers, and the impact not only on the family but the whole community. CirclesGR offers a holistic way of looking at both poverty and prosperity, and how we might be able to empower more individuals to reach a place of economic independence.”

Liske will temporarily stay on staff with Streams of Hope “to ensure a smooth transition,” according to Streams of Hope.

Streams of Hope is a community-based ministry in the Townline neighborhood of Kentwood. For more information visit streamsofhope.org. For more information  on CirclesGR visit circlesgr.org.

SpartanNash Foundation teams up with store guests to support military heroes

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By Allison Benczkowski
SpartanNash Foundation

As part of its commitment to building stronger communities and serving those who served, the SpartanNash Foundation invites store guests to take part in its companywide fundraising effort, supporting military heroes and their families. The SpartanNash Foundation’s fundraising effort will run July 1-12, and all funds raised will be evenly split between nonprofit organizations Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember.

SpartanNash Foundation grants will be used to connect servicemembers, veterans and their families to their local communities through physical and social activity, provide critical financial assistance and family support services and honor those who lost their lives defending our freedoms. 

During the 12-day scan, store guests who visit any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center in nine states will have the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 at any checkout lane, or round their total up to the nearest dollar to support the trio of patriotic partners. More than 150 stores are participating in the Foundation scan, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery and Dan’s Supermarket.

For the first time, 20 Martin’s Super Markets in Michigan and Indiana will also take part in the SpartanNash Foundation scan campaign, introducing the Foundation and its mission to Martin’s store guests for the first time.

“One of our company’s core values is patriotism, and we are deeply committed to serving our military heroes and their families both at home and abroad,” said Kathy Mahoney, SpartanNash Chief Legal Officer and President of the SpartanNash Foundation Board of Trustees. “We do so by contributing thousands of dollars, products and volunteer hours to military and veterans organizations and events each year, as well as hiring veterans and military-connected associates as a Military Friendly® and veteran-friendly employer. 

“In partnership with Team RWB, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember, our Foundation scan is another unique and powerful way we can support our military heroes and ensure they have access to the benefits they have earned and the camaraderie they need. What better time to join with our store guests to support our military heroes than leading up to the Fourth of July, when we celebrate the freedoms they protect.”

Since 2016, the SpartanNash Foundation has raised and granted more than $1 million for its patriotic partners through its fundraising scan campaigns, benefitting veterans service organizations including Give an Hour, Fisher House Foundation, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., Disabled Veterans National Foundation and in 2020, Team RWB, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember.

Lack of cash poses risks to many Michigan nonprofits

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Johnson Center for Philanthropy

By Nate Hoekstra
Grand Valley State University

A large percentage of Michigan nonprofit organizations face risks of a break in operational continuity due to a lack of cash on hand, according to an analysis of tax return data by the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.

Researchers used data from 2015 and 2017 IRS 990 tax forms to set a baseline for where Michigan’s nonprofits began 2020 financially, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Using that data, they determined the median number of months of cash on hand for Michigan charitable nonprofits (excluding hospitals and college/universities) is two months. That number increases to five-and-a-half months counting cash and cash equivalents. Both figures are identical to the national average for U.S. charitable nonprofits.

According to the analysis, one-third of Michigan’s charitable nonprofits have less than one month of cash on hand. These organizations employ two-thirds of the sector’s employees: more than 163,000 people work for nonprofits with less than one month’s cash on hand. Those organizations pay $4.8 billion each year in salaries and benefits. Researchers say until nonprofits are operational again, Michigan’s return to “normal” employment will be at risk.

These same low-cash nonprofits reported engaging 431,622 volunteers, which is nearly half of the 1 million volunteers reported on all Michigan 990 tax returns. The report indicates that until volunteers feel safe returning to nonprofits, these nonprofits are facing multiple perils: low cash along with a large decline in labor force in the form of employees and volunteers.

“There are still many uncertainties about how COVID-19 will affect nonprofits in Michigan and elsewhere,” said Jeff Williams, director of the Johnson Center’s Community Data and Research Lab. “What we do know is that, in nearly all cases, recovery is not a single event. It will be messy, iterative, and it will likely take years to reach.”

With nonprofits at risk due to a lack of cash, some nonprofit experts are calling for private foundations, which are required by law to pay out 5 percent of their endowment value each year, to distribute more than that amount this year.

Williams and the Johnson Center data team ran a simulation to determine what might happen to endowments in different market and payout scenarios.

Their findings suggest that payouts from private foundations can double or triple in 2020, while still maintaining at least 80 percent of their current value by the end of 2024, unless the country faces a long recovery. Williams said if COVID-19 economic shocks pass through the financial markets even by the end of next year, increased payouts will have very little effect on a five-year outlook, and will largely be erased after 10 to 20 years of compounding earnings.

More details on the Johnson Center’s findings are available at JohnsonCenter.org.

Just be cool and wear a mask even in the summer heat

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As it warms up, wearing a mask is still important to reduce COVID-19 transmissions. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Even with 90-degree weather scheduled for this week, now is not the time to stop wearing masks according to local health officials.

As cases of COVID-19 rise throughout the world — the number of confirmed COVID cases worldwide is more than 10 million with the U.S. reporting more than 2.5 million COVID cases — one of the biggest preventatives is wearing a mask, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 

According to the CDC website, cloth face coverings are recommended as “a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks or raises their voice.”

“For outdoor gatherings, masking remains key in preventing transmission,” said Doreen Marcinek, manager of infection prevention at Spectrum Health. “If unable to mask for health reasons, social distancing of at least 6 feet is recommended.”

It’s all about the fabric

Light color masks will be cooler than dark as they do not absorb ultraviolet light. (WKTV)

During warms days, Marcinek recommends wearing a cotton mask as it may be more comfortable. Cotton is a more breathable option than other fabrics, but it can also absorb sweat, which could cause issues on hot and humid days. Marcinek said she encourages people to carry a couple of masks with them so they can switch the masks out if one does become saturated.

Another light weight option are masks made form bamboo. According to The Miami Herald, bamboo is 40 percent more absorbent that organic cotton fabrics and it can absorb up to three times its weight in liquid. Bamboo is  known for its  insulation properties, allowing it to be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It is hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. Also because of its antibacterial properties, its is less likely to develop an order. 

Remember that lighter colors, white and pastels, tend to reflect ultraviolet rays and will be cooler than wearing darker colors such as black or dark blue. 

If you can’t breathe, remove the mask

According to the CDC, if a person is having trouble breathing, it is OK to remove a mask. When the mask is removed, the person should adhere to the six feet of social distancing. 

In fact, the CDC recommends the following people not wear masks: 

  • Children 2 and under
  • Anyone who has trouble breathing
  • Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance.

There are other reasons as well for people not to wear masks, such as those who are hard of hearing and rely on reading lips and those who work in manufacturing where the strings of the mask could get caught in the machinery. For the list, click here.

Skin care important

A mask should cover the nose and the chin. Megan VanderMaas, a physician assistant at Metro Health Cosmetic Treatment Center said there are no special tricks or ways to wear a mask without compromising the integrity and fit of it.

“Wearing a mask for long hours you are bound to get irritation, potential acne, redness, etc.,” VanderMaas said. One of the thing she would recommend is keeping the face clean and free of make up. The makeup can build up under the mask and clog the pores. Washing the face in the morning and night will help remove any dirt and oils from the day.

VanderMaas said after wearing a mask, try putting on products that will help soothe and calm any area with irritation. Also making sure the skin is well hydrated and try to avoid harsh products that may irritate the skin more, she said.

Wash and repeat

Make sure to wash you cotton masks. The CDC recommends that cotton masks be washed daily and allowed to dry completely before wearing again. 

Many publications recommend that you wash your mask in hot water and use high heat to dry to eliminate as many germs as possible. Also ironing a mask after washing will help to eliminate germs as well.

Basic health tips in dealing with hot weather

Our health experts mentioned that when the heat and humidity are high to take the normal precautions to avoid overheating or heat stroke.  From the Metro Health – University of Michigan Health website:

  • Stay indoors and away from the sun.
  • If you must work outdoors, drink plenty of water and take breaks in the shade.
  • Wear light colored clothing that is lightweight and loose fitting and wear a hat. 

City of Kentwood vehicles big and small to ‘parade’ through the city on July 4

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Many residents were colorful in their appreciation of a parade of trucks in late May. (City of Kentwood)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced to WKTV this week that a dozen or so city vehicles will parade throughout the community on Saturday, July 4, as a way “to celebrate Independence Day safely in lieu of its traditional celebration activities this year.”

The city did much the same as a truck tour last month in celebration of national Public Works Week. See a WKTV video of the event here.

The July 4 parade will begin at 9 a.m. on the western border of the city, near the intersection of Division Avenue and Maplelawn Street, and travel toward the eastern border the city, ending about 11 a.m. near the intersection of Burton Street and Forest Meadows Court.

A small scale map if at the bottom of this story. The full parade route and tentative timeline is available online at kentwood.us/july4. The timeline is tentative as the parading vehicles will be traveling at a faster speed on main roads and at a slower speed on residential roads, according to the city’s webpage on the event.

Residents are invited to watch the parade from the nearest street to their home on the parade route but, according to the city statement, to practice physical distancing from others when they do so.

“The City of Kentwood is pleased to be able to offer a safe, alternate way of engaging with our community on the Fourth of July,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “It is our hope to inspire joy and celebration for America’s independence by bringing the traditional parade to residents throughout the Kentwood community.”

In early June, the City of Kentwood decided to join other communities in canceling this year’s annual July 4 celebration.

“Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and restrictions on large group gatherings, the City Commission voted against hosting the event this summer out of an abundance of caution,” according to the city statement.

The fireworks show planned for July 4 has been postponed to the Kentwood Food Truck Festival this fall.

Gov. Whitmer signs executive order extending eviction suspension, creates new diversion program

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The State of Michigan is working to keep renters, and landlords, fairly protected in these COVIOD-19 related hard times. (Public Domain/pxfuel)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-134 on June 26 which extended the temporary suspension of evictions until July 15 and created the Eviction Diversion Program.

According to a statement from the state, the diversion program outlines a process for renters “to get fast rental assistance or establish a manageable payment plan” to keep residents in their homes. Rental assistance under the Eviction Diversion Program will be available beginning July 16.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (State of Michigan)

“No Michigander should have to worry about losing their home during a global health pandemic and, at the same time, landlords and management companies need rent from their tenants to sustain their businesses,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “This innovative new program will save lives, save money, and save businesses by keeping families in their homes and providing immediate financial relief to landlords for back rent they’re due.”

Under Executive Order 2020-134, $50 million of rental assistance will be made available in the form of lump sum payments to landlords in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes, forgiving late fees and up to 10 percent of the amount due.

Tenants whose back rent is not completely covered by the Eviction Diversion Program will be entered into manageable payment plans facilitated by Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-17.

The program was created following the passage of Senate Bill 690, which passed unanimously out of both the Michigan House and Senate on June 17. The legislation appropriated $60 million in Coronavirus Relief Funding to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for the creation of a rental assistance program to assist tenants and landlords after the eviction moratorium concludes.

Age in place with assisted living

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


There’s no feeling like coming home after a long day. As seniors age, it becomes important to them that they have a home in which they can feel safe, relaxed, and secure. However, this can become a major sticking point that makes seniors unwilling to move to care communities like assisted living.


Many seniors want to age in place, or have a single home that they live in for as long as possible. For most, this means their family home. But, as they age, more and more older adults need assistance that they cannot provide for themselves—which makes staying at home difficult on themselves and their families. 


Rather than aging in place at a family home, assisted living provides seniors with opportunities to age in a community that can provide them with care and personal services—along with other benefits—as needed, rather than moving multiple times when new care concerns arise.

Why seniors think they need to live at home

Seniors want to stay in their familiar homes for many reasons, which aren’t limited to but can include:

  • Wanting to be close to family and friends
  • Staying independent for as long as possible
  • Having a place they can call their own
  • Not wanting to burden or trouble their families with a move to a senior care community
  • Guilt or shame about growing older
  • Wanting to avoid thinking about serious health concerns

Many seniors also have images in their heads of dull and dreary nursing homes, where they are confined to small rooms and lose all their self-sufficiency in a single day. There also is a common misconception about how much senior living costs. Aging adults might think staying at home is a less expensive option, when the opposite is often true. 

Challenges that arise later in life

It’s a sad but true fact that many seniors experience a steep decline in their ability to care for themselves after they turn 70. In fact, over 75% of seniors have a serious chronic illness they likely need assistance with, and health concerns can’t always be addressed by a family member. 


The longer a senior and their family wait to start looking at senior care options, the more limited their options become. It’s hard to find the right place to meet a seniors’ individual needs when:

  • Dealing with a time crunch
  • A senior is struggling with memory loss
  • There isn’t time to mentally adjust to moving
  • You aren’t sure what care needs a loved one might need in the future

In addition, moving to senior living when there is no longer a choice can make things physically, emotionally, and mentally draining on both seniors and their families. And having in-home care when looking for living arrangements can become incredibly expensive. 

Benefits of aging in assisted living

Assisted living communities understand the fears and reluctance that seniors have about leaving their family home. They work to provide a comfortable environment where seniors get the care they need as new conditions and needs develop over time. 


When seniors make the move to assisted living before their condition becomes dire, they have time to readjust to a new community. Most assisted living communities even provide catered living for seniors who don’t need specific care services yet, but want some of the messy parts of life like laundry and cleaning taken care of for them.


Assisted living provides a variety of services that don’t take independence away from seniors, but give help in needed areas. These areas include:

  • Bathing & dressing
  • Personal care
  • Moving around the community
  • Medication management
  • Housekeeping
  • Meal planning & cooking

Moving to assisted living also helps reduce the stress on family members. Living at a family home may seem like a great idea for seniors, until they need everyday help and a child or other family member has to put their career and personal life on hold to become a full-time caregiver. 

Living independently and aging in place at Vista Springs

Assisted living communities like Vista Springs offer many benefits that seniors can’t get when they age at a family home. These include:

Vista Springs offers everything from catered living to skilled nursing care to hospice and palliative care for end-of-life services. With this wide array of options, seniors can find a new home and age in place at Vista Springs!


It’s important for seniors to feel comfortable and secure in their home as they age. But living at home can create problems down the line. When seniors move to assisted living before a situation becomes desperate, they can enjoy incredible benefits during their golden years.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.





Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

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

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Poet/Author Ralph Waldo Emerson



By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Fireworks a no, no before June 29

Oh how we hate to start off by being the bearer of bad news, but according to state law, fireworks are allowed June 29 – July 4. So if you are planning to light up the skies this weekend, don’t. If you get caught, you could face upwards of a $1,000 civil fine. For more on the rules and how to prepare your pets, click here.

Give Some Love to Local Businesses

Independents Week starts Saturday. Hosted by LocalFirst, this special event celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit by supporting local businesses who could use a lot of love right now after being closed for 10 weeks or more. Starting on Monday are different themes each day to help inspire residents on how they can be supportive. For more information, click here.

Feeding the mind and the stomach

The KDL Kentwood, Kelloggsville, and Wyoming branches will all be offering the Meet Up and Eat Up program. a free lunch program for K-12 students. (WKTV).

The Kent District Library announced it has expanded the Meet Up and Eat Up summer food program for K-12 students. Students can visit one of 12 KDL branches such as Kentwood, Wyoming or Kelloggsville, and receive a free meal. Click here for more information. Kent ISD has announced the program Summer Brain Gain for students in K-12. The program is designed help students stay sharp over the summer and avoid the usual knowledge drain that happens when students are out of school for a long period of time. The program is offered through Aug. 7. For more, click here.

An early design to provide cool air to car passengers. (Wikipedia)

Fun Fact

When the temperatures and humidity are high, we all enjoy a little cool air as we drive around in our automobiles. We have Detroit’s Packard Motor Car Company to thank for this luxury. In 1939, the company was the first automobile manufacturer to offer an air conditioning option. Made by Bishop and Babcock (B&B) of Cleveland, Ohio, the units were large, taking up half the trunk space. The system also was not reliable and had no temperature control. The option was discontinued in 1941 with other companies eventually perfecting the air condition option for cars. While air conditioning (amongst other things) has become a standard on today’s automobile that was not always the case about 40 years ago. Air conditions partly become popular because it was more aerodynamic for the car windows to be closed while going down the road then opened to cool off the riders.

County offers free COVID-19 testing event today in support of African American, Latinx communities

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Kent County Health Department’s Wyoming Potter’s House School “walk-through” testing site. (KCHD)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County Health Department is partnering with the Black Impact Collaborative and LINC UP to provide a free COVID-19 community testing today, Monday, June 29, from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Gallery at LINC UP located at 1167 Madison S.E., Grand Rapids.

The county announcement is also available in Spanish at the link at the end of this story.

In Kent County, members of the Latinx community account for 39.4 percent of the COVID-19 cases while comprising 10 percent of the population, while African Americans have 19.25 percent of the cases but make up 10 percent of the population.

Federal CDC-provided Coronavirus test kit. (KCHD)

“We know that COVID-19 has been disproportionately impacting the African American and Latinx communities, so the Black Impact Collaborative wanted to partner with Kent County to make sure that African Americans and Latinxs in our community have the opportunity to get tested,” Robert Womack, Kent County commissioner, said in supplied material. “This is such a needed resource for our community to allow anyone to get tested and we are thankful that the County put this testing day together.”

Any person, 6 months of age or older, can get tested, according to the county statement. Pre-registration for this event is encouraged by going online through this link or calling 616-632-7200 but walk-in testing is available.

The specific location of the free testing is based on county data.

“Our data is showing that 17 percent of our COVID-19 positive cases are located in the 49507 Zip Code and yet only six percent of Kent County’s population resides in this area,” Dr. Adam London, director of the Kent County Health Department, said in supplied material. “This type of data continues to inform our response to COVID-19 and ensures our resources are accessible to the most impacted neighborhoods.”
 

The county health department “will continue working to address the racial and ethnic health disparities by collaborating with community partners to offer testing in areas that are showing a higher prevalence of positive cases,” according to the county statement.

“We are excited to work with community partners like the Kent County Health Department, who recognize that racial health disparities exist and are actively working to address them by changing their practices,” Vincent Thurman, communications manager at LINC UP, said in supplied material. “COVID-19 has further revealed how stark these disparities are and how much needs to change.

“Partnering with KCHD is a great step forward to improving equity in healthcare. The data shows that Black and Brown communities are at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and we are happy to have free tasting available to residents in our neighborhoods.”
 

To learn more about Kent County Health Department services visit accesskent.com/health.

 

Kent-County-Health-Department-June-29-Community-Testing-Day-SPANISHDownload

East Kentwood robotics ‘real world’ project aids Kentwood police to become better, safer

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Video cover photo of Red Storm Robotics 2020 by Andrew C. Schallier.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The story of a 2019 cooperative project between the City of Kentwood police department and the Kentwood Public Schools Red Storm Robotics team, a robot that reached full operation in 2020, was a good news story early this year.

And despite Kentwood schools, and WKTV Journal, seeing big changes in how they did business starting in March due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it is still a good news story — a tool for Kentwood police to help them make better decisions in the field and an example of the high level of interaction between the city’s schools and city staff that Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley relentlessly advocates for.

“What I love about this is always investing in the next generation,” Mayor Kepley said in March when WKTV was producing a video project on the Red Storm Robotics project with the police department. “And this is just another opportunity, and really a great opportunity, to invest in the next generation. … The city working with the school, working with professionals, using technology, and more importantly investing in the very individuals who will be leading this community in the future.”

The police robot project is a prime example of not only engagement with the students but of also giving advanced students a lesson in real-world, on-the-job, design of robotic technology.

Of course, Red Storm was up to the challenge presented by the police department.

WKTV talked with Mayor Kepley, Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts and Sgt. Jeff Leonard, and instructors/parents of the Red Storm Robotics project, including Adam Veenendaal, Mark VanderVoord and Wendy Ljungern.

But most importantly, we talked with students of the program past and present, including Jason Gray-Moore, Kerim Puczek, Jacobi Thompson and Annalise Welch.

For more information on Kentwood Pubic Schools’ Red Storm Robotics program visit their website at redstormrobotics.com.

LocalFirst encourages residents to celebrate independence by supporting locally-owned businesses

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

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

While fireworks and local community events may not be happening this July 4th, there is still a way for area residents to celebrate the nation’s birthday and give a little love to local businesses.

This year, LocalFirst has put together its first Independents Week, June 27 – July 4. The event, started by the American Independent Business Alliance or AMIBA, is designed to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirt by showcasing local businesses.

“We actually started working on this way before COVID,” said LocalFirst Marketing Manager Mieke Stoub during an interview with the WKTV Journal. “We had plans to make this something really big, but COVID had other plans.”

Area businesses have faced a lot of twists and turns as the state grappled with dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, which lead to many businesses being shutdown for at least 10 weeks. With public gatherings restricted and the future being decided on an almost day-by-day basis, LocalFirst staff were not certain if they could even host Independents Week.

“That has definitely been the name of the game – Pivoting in this fast past ever changing world when we don’ know quite what tomorrow’s news is going to be,” Stoub said. “We didn’t know that our businesses, if some of them would even be open at this point.” 

The road has been rough for all businesses, especially the small locally owned ones.

“Our local businesses work on such thin margins,” Stoub said, adding that for restaurants, they need to be at a 100 percent capacity in order to make a profit. “So for the economy to come to a screeching halt that it has, it’s really a scary time for businesses and they need us to show up.”

With all the craziness and the fact that many businesses lost so much during the shutdown, LocalFirst recognized the need to host an event focused on independent business owners. So the work began to turn the Independents Week into a virtual event.

“We decided to make it super flexible, making it online as much as possible and really point people to local businesses and their social media to see the most recent updates,” Stoub said.

Show some love to a local business by visiting or purchasing a gift card. (Supplied)

To help area residents, LocalFirst created different themes for each day. Starting Monday, the themes are:

Monday, June 29: Show Love Today: This is a day to write a review for a local business, such as Wyoming’s Lindo Mexico or Kentwood’s Schuler Books & Music. You could also tag a local business in your social media to show your support.

Tuesday: June 30: Show Love Tomorrow: This is an opportunity to support to a business by purchasing a gift card to use in the future, especially a business, such as Celebration! Cinema, that has not opened yet. Stoub also suggested making a hair appointment with a local stylist or for those planning to do some decorating, contacting some of the local home decor businesses such as Grand Rapids’ Verhey Carpets.

Wednesday, July 1: Let Someone Else Cook: Who doesn’t like a night off from cooking? Well there are a lot of great local restaurants, such as Wyoming’s Lindo Mexico and Grand Rapids’ Daddy Pete’s BBQ, offering in-dining and takeout. Many area food trucks, such as the Patty Matters, also are operating and are easy to find through their websites and social media.

Thursday, July 2: Retail Therapy: The Greater Grand Rapids area also has many locally owned shops from Rockford’s Aunt Candy’s Toy Shop to the area’s longtime sports shop Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus. Head over to The Mudroom and make a plate, browse the shelves at Kentwood’s Schuler Books & Music, or grab a few cans from Kentwood’s Broad Leaf Local Beer.

Friday, July 3: Happy Hour: As Stoub pointed out, Happy Hour does not have to be alcohol as there are places such as Kentwood’s YoChef’s Cafe, which offers Ferris Coffee and Alt City’s cold brews, or try Grand Rapids’ Maiamiah Juice Bar. Of course, for those looking for something a little stronger, there are plenty of options such as Broad Leaf, The Mitten, and Long Road Distillers.

Saturday, July 4: Grill Out: What is July 4th without grilling out? You could hit a number of the area farmers markets such as the Fulton Street Farmer’s Market or a family-owned one such as Belding’s Heffron Farms to collect up on your goodies. Byron Meats now offers the HarvestBox where you can order a selection of beef, pork, or chicken. Also there are a number of area businesses that offer packaged meals — both ready-to-cook and cooked — to making the day a little more relaxing. Remember with the holiday, you may need to pre-order items.

 

Stoub emphasized that Independents Week is really a launch pad to help inspire residents on ways they can support local businesses. Spending local is important, she said because for about every dollar spent, 68 cents stays within the community. This in turns helps produce more local jobs and creates economic stability.

“Our businesses are excited about Independents Week,” Stoub said. “They are excited about just being open.”

Many of the local business owners are nervous as the future still remains uncertain. They are also making sure to follow all Kent County Health Department and Center for Disease Control guidelines.

“The important thing is our businesses need us to show up and that is what we can do right now,”

For more about Independents Week, LocalFirst or how spending local benefits the community, visit localfirst.org. 

County education leadership group releases survey examining school reopening issues

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Going Local, Health, Kentwood Public Schools, WKTV Projects, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Kent Intermediate Superintendents’ Association, during a Tuesday, June 23, teleconference, released the results of a survey of more than 30,000 Kent ISD area parents asking questions related to the school reopening issues.

The bottom line of the extensive survey (link at end of story), according to a summary shared with media during the teleconference, is that while some parents seek continued distance learning for various reasons including their child’s safety, the majority desired “safe, in-school” education for their children.

“Most parents would like to see a return to school as normal in late August,” Ron Caniff, superintendent of Kent ISD, said in supplied material. “Our superintendents are working to ensure a safe opening, researching all information regarding the steps necessary to protect students and staff, and will remain connected with the health department and parents throughout the summer to ensure they are well informed about school re-opening plans.”

Kent ISD website photo. (Supplied)

The survey results come in preparation for the planned release June 30 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap”, which is expected to set state directives for the reopening of schools in August.
 

The survey, commissioned by the Kent ISD on behalf of the superintendents’ association and administered by Gartner Marketing, was conducted from May 29 through June 10. The 30,000 responses represent parents from the 20 public school districts across Kent ISD but did not include any private or charter school parents, according to the Kent ISD.

The Kent Intermediate Superintendents’ Association (KISA) Future Learning Committee hosted the meeting. The speakers included Superintendent Caniff; Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, KISA Future Committee Chair and member of the Governor’s Return to Learn Advisory Council; Sunil Joy, Data Scientist at Kent ISD; and Ron Koehler, Education Consultant and former Kent ISD Assistant Superintendent.

The Kent Intermediate Superintendents’ Association represents the superintendents Kent ISD and each of the 20 school districts it serves.

Survey summary results highlights

Among the key findings of the survey, according to the KISA summary (link at end of story), is that parents want to see school open in the fall, in a traditional face- to-face setting; continued parental concerns about safety will likely necessitate an online option; and a hybrid option has many of the same challenges as an online learning option and “It is also not highly preferred by parents.”

Part of the reason for a hybrid option — where students would spend part of their time in school and part of their time at learning remotely — is that there would be little cost savings on the part of the districts currently facing possible loss of state funding due to COVID-19’s economic impact. (See a WKTV story on the possible funding losses here.) And there would be little difference between the costs of an in-person or hybrid option.

Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, KISA Future Committee Chair and member of the Governor’s Return to Learn Advisory Council. (Supplied)

“We know that hybrid and in-person costs are going to be very similar,” Superintendent Polston said during the teleconference, “because even though you may have fewer students back each day you still have your full compliment of staff the needs to be back each day.

“And, in addition, for a district like Godfrey-Lee, … we served more meals closed than we did open. That means for the students that aren’t at school each day are still going to need the nutritional services that schools provide. So we are going to need to allocate additional resources.”

The survey summary presented at the teleconference (link at bottom of the story) was, as explained by the Kent ISD’s Sunil Joy, a “stratified random sample of 800 respondents … (that was) … representative of the demographic makeup of our region.”

Sunil Joy, Data Scientist at Kent ISD. (Supplied)

“A random stratified sample just is a statistical method to ensure the respondents to the survey actually look like the county’s demographics,” Joy said to WKTV. “For example, if East Grand Rapids parents made up a significant percentage of all respondents — that wouldn’t be very representative of our county as only a small percentage of our county is from East Grand Rapids. So that’s why it’s a stratified sample — so it’s more representative of our districts as whole.”

The survey data was also “disaggregated by respondent groups (e.g. race/ethnicity, special education, income, etc.)”

“This simply means that I reported data not just ‘overall’ but also for different respondent groups,” Joy said to WKTV. “For example, in the question of whether childcare is an issue if school did not open 100 percent this fall, I included both what parents said overall, but also by different grade-levels. As no surprise, parents of younger kids had greater concerns with childcare if school didn’t open normally in the fall.”

In addition to the overall, county wide survey results released at the teleconference, each district has access to their own district-specific reports.

“Each district will share the results in the way they see fit with their constituents,” Joy said to WKTV. “The best way to get them is to contact the district directly, if it is not already available on their website or social media.”

School Re-entry Plan

At the teleconference, and using the results of the survey as part of their guidance, the superintendents’ association also released a School Re-entry Plan, in both English and Spanish. (See links to both at bottom of the story.)

Among the highlights of the plan are: a “desire” to return to full-time, face-to-face instruction, per state health requirements; the intent to provide a high-quality online learning option for students and families; districts will share best practices in virtual instruction to maximize efficiency and quality; families who choose an online option will have continued access to local district extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

The plan also makes clear that a a hybrid option — a mix of face-to-face and online learning — is “not preferred and will be implemented if it is the only way to have in-person instruction as mandated by state executive order.”

Superintendent Polston, in summing up the position school districts could be put in come June 30 and the result of the Governor’s “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” plan, said the best interest of the students must and will come first.

“Regardless of the model for teaching and learning, together we must be ready to meet the challenge that awaits,” Polston said. “And we will.”

Re-Entry-Plan-Survey-Results-Countywide-all-questions-and-disaggregatedDownload
Re-Entry-Plan-Survey-Results-Summary-June-2020Download
KISA-Reentry-Plan-English-June-2020Download
KISA-Reentry-Plan-Spanish-June-2020Download

Fireworks before June 29 not allowed; tips to keep animals calm

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , ,
Consumer fireworks are only allowed June 29 – July 1 up until 11:45 p.m. each of those days.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

A quick flip through Facebook and you know its fireworks season.

“I would like to say thank you to the [person] lighting off fireworks and causing our dog to go crazy. I hope that you are pleased with causing the neighborhood dogs to freak out …”

“OMG. This is worse than the Fourth of July. STTTOOOOPPPPPP! The dogs are freaking! I have come to detest fireworks.”

“Our neighborhood was like a war zone last night and the 4th is still two weeks away.”

While no one can blame people for wanting to have some fun after being cooped up for 10 weeks or more, if you are shooting off fireworks before June 29, you are doing so illegally in most areas. Those who get caught could face up to $1,000 in civil fines.

In 2011, Michigan approved the sale and use of consumer-grade fireworks and in 2018, the state amended the law to allow local governments to restrict the use of fireworks, except around certain holidays, such as July 4.

This year, residents are allowed to display fireworks from June 29 to July 4 until 11:45 p.m. each day. Because July 5 is on a Sunday, fireworks are not allowed.

If fireworks are being displayed outside of those times, it is recommended that residents contact their local police departments even if they do not know the exact location of where the fireworks are being set off.

“Dispatch will put out a broadcast to all cars of ‘fireworks in the area of …'” said Lt. Eric Wiler, of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety. “As call volume permits, officers will check the area of any violations of the firework ordinance.”

Wiler added that in the according to the state law, fireworks are not permitted on public property such as roads and parks, schools, churches, or the property of another person without their permission.

Helping Our Four-legged Friends

So how do we help our dogs get through all the noise and commotion of fireworks? We checked in with local rescue Mosh Pit Rescue for some tips.

  • Keep your dog INSIDE in a closed secure room with no open windows.
  • Use a TV, a white noise machine, your laundry, your dishwasher, a fan, your bathroom fan EVERYTHING to provide familiar noises.
  • Double check your dog is wearing a collar with tags and your contact information is current on the pet’s microchip.
  • Contact your vet about medications – there are meds that can help ease anxiety.
  • Make sure your pet is exercised during the day and take them out just before dusk again so the dog is tired and ready for a calm nap.
  • Many dogs like a kennel with blankets over the kennel as a secure safe space.
  • Consider a Kong with Frozen Peanut Butter or other feeder puzzle toy or chew toy to keep your dog occupied and distracted.
  • Have current photos of the pet in case they go missing.

Safe shopping: as re-opening continues, Woodland Mall focused on safety, cleanliness protocols

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Local Business, Local Food, Newscast, Recreation, Restaurants, WKTV Projects, Woodland Mall,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Woodland Mall recently welcomed the reopening of the Apple Store, joining the Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Von Maur anchor stores and dozens of other stores and restaurants.
 

And while the customer experience is now a little different from the time before the COVID-19 shutdown, the efforts of Woodland Mall management company PREIT make clear that safety and cleanliness is now an important part of that experience.

WKTV talked with Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director, to detail some of those measures.

For the latest WKTV Journal story on the re-opening of Woodland Mall, including the Apple Store, visit here. (The Apple Store is now asking customers to make appointments for service at the store at apple.com/retail/woodland.)

Safety, cleanliness at the Mall

In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers are limited as the mall operates on reduced hours — Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. (Some stores may limit those hours.)

Woodland Mall asks guests to follow CDC recommendations, make use of the several hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, wear masks and practice physical distancing.

In addition to Woodland Mall carefully reviewing policies and procedures, and thoroughly cleaning the mall using CDC-recommended disinfectant, common area furniture and other elements where physical distancing cannot be enforced have been removed. While the play area also remains closed indefinitely, food court seating is now available at reduced capacity.

A complete list of venues open at the mall, as well as updates on safety and cleanliness protocols, can be viewed on Woodland Mall’s website.

Kent ISD, partners offer programs to turn student summer ‘drain’ into ‘Brain Gain’

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Student working with Kent ISD’s Brain Gain online offerings. (Kent ISD)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

A term all-too familiar to educators is “Summer Brain Drain” — that students tend to regress in their educational skills over the summer school break. It is expected to be even more of problem with the final months of the 2019-20 school year moving to online learning instead of in-class learning, the so-called “COVID Slide”.

According to a 2019 article by GreatSchools.org, teachers spend an average of 4-to-8 weeks every fall reviewing materials students have studied but lost mastery of over the summer, and most fall behind particularly in math and spelling.

But again this summer, educators across Kent ISD are collaborating with partner organizations — including the Kent District Library — to turn a brain drain into a brain gain, and to keep learning going all summer for all students through the ISD’s free Summer Brain Gain program.

The program provides online learning, resources students can engage with on their own and printable packets available to students in grades K-12 in Kent County and beyond.
 

Registration for instructor-led courses is available by grade level for all public, private and homeschooled students began June 15. These courses and other learning opportunities continue to begin June and July and conclude Aug. 7.
 

“We have brought together experts in curriculum and instructions from all around Kent ISD to create courses, gather learning opportunities and connect families with resources appropriate for their students at every grade level,” Kelli Brockway, Director of Teaching and Learning at Kent ISD, said in supplied material. “The idea is to bridge the learning gap between June and the start of the new school year.”

Preliminary estimates suggest additional learning losses due to the pandemic, or “COVID slide” as it’s been called.

A report by Dr. Megan Kufeld and Dr. Beth Tarasawa for the Collaborative for Student Growth at NWEA suggests learning loss may range from 30 percent in reading, to more than 50 percent in math and in some grades, according to supplied material. It also suggests when students return in the fall, learning may be nearly a full year behind what likely would be observed in normal conditions.

Summer Brain Gain programs offered include GRASP, the Grand Rapids Public Schools Program for math and reading that is free for Kent ISD students this summer.
 

Connections to vetted online apps, resources and links to learning that children and teens can engage in on their own are also part of the program, according to Kent ISD. Summer Brain Gain also links students and families to educational offerings by area cultural and community organizations who are School News Network Education Everywhere partners such as John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Van Andel Institute, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and more. All resources are located at kentisd.org/SummerBrainGain.

Printable packets and links to Kent ISD’s Summer Brain Gain program are available through partnerships with Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Public Library and Literacy Center of West Michigan.  Packets can be ordered for printing and pick up at library locations throughout Grand Rapids and Kent County.

Through the Kent District Library partnership, students can order printed packets from their local KDL branch and KDL will print it and have it available for them to pick up. For more information visit here.

Registration is now open but the deadline to register for GRASP is June 30. Summer Brain Gain materials and connections will be available through Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Public Library and Literacy Center for West Michigan starting this week, on June 22.
 

Kent ISD is a regional educational service agency that provides instructional and administrative services to more than 300 schools, 20 public districts, three non-public districts, and many public school academies and non-public schools within the ISD’s boundaries.

For more informant about the Kent ISD, visit their website kentisd.org.

School News Network: Local Grads with Grit

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

School News Network hosts the series “Grads with Grit,” sponsored by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. The series offers inspiring stories of seniors who have faced considerable obstacles on the way to graduation day and yet, with perseverance and determination, have made it to the finish line. Below are some of the Grads with Grits from the Kentwood and Wyoming areas.

For more stories on our local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

Milton Brown by his Class of 2020 graduation sign. (School News Network)

Godwin Heights: ‘There’s no replacing Milton’

After being told he was “bad” in first grade, it is not surprising that Milton Brown’s attitude was not pleasant when he entered Godwin Heights Public Schools. But a teacher turned mentor and another at the Boys and Girls Club lead Milton down a different path, going from mentee to mentor. Click here to read Milton’s story.

Kelloggsville High School’s Naudia Potts. (Supplied/School News Network)

Kelloggsville: She’s ‘small but mighty’

Despite a time of homelessness in ninth grade, and the COVID-19 school closure as a senior, Kelloggsville senior Naudia Potts is set to graduate and set to soar at Central Michigan University where she will major in social work. Click here, to learn more about Naudia.


While graduation looks different this year, Quyen Tran is still celebrating. (Supplied/School News Network)

Kentwood: While embracing her roots, student leader steps forward

Wanting to bring the diverse backgrounds, customs, and traditions of Asia together, East Kentwood graduate Quyen Tran, an officer and original member of the Asian Student Union, organized the Asian Festival. This 4.33 grade point average student now has her sights on Harvard where she plans to be active with student groups and happenings. To read this student leader’s story, click here.

Adjy Jean smiles with two teachers at East Kentwood High School (courtesy/School News Network)

Kentwood: ‘Following a map and the sky’

Adjy Jean spent years as an unaccompanied youth, displaced and moving from country to country. Now after three years settled in Michigan, he will graduate from East Kentwood High School and start his next chapter at Grand Rapids Community College. Click here to learn more of Adjy’s story.

Rodrigo Lopez-Ruiz said he gets inspiration from friends and teachers at Wyoming (School News Network)

Wyoming: ‘I had to push myself’

While his family moved back to Mexico, Wyoming graduate Rodrigo Lopez-Ruiz decided to stay in the United States. Being largely on his own and taking responsibility for himself has been challenging, Rodrigo said, but the graduate wrapped up school by completing three dual enrollment courses while working at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital. For Lopez-Ruiz’s story, click here.

Marco Guzman with his parents, Veronica and Juan Guzman, in front of Kelloggsville High School (School News Network)

Project NorthStar/Kelloggsville: ‘So many doors have opened’

It was the birth of his daughter Leilani inspired Marco Guzman to graduate. “The moment I saw her, I knew I had to kick it in gear,” Marco said. “I had messed up my school and I wanted to change. I had to change, because I wanted her to know that she could succeed.” Learn how Kent ISD’s Project NorthStar helped Guzman graduate, get a driver’s license and find a job by clicking here.

Business with Wyoming, Kentwood connection honored by Hudsonville Chamber

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Each year, the Hudonville Chamber of Commerce recognizes local businesses and business leaders. Last year, Hult, Inc received the Business Excellence Award. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

A local business with offices in Wyoming and Kentwood was recognized by the Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce for being an outstanding business that has excelled in its industry while contributing to the Hudosnvile Community.

The Hudsonville Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy, which its Wyoming office is a member of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, was a finalist for the Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Award. Also a a finalist was Healthy Choice Family Chiropractic with Farmhaus Cider Co. receiving the 2020 award fr its excellent innovation, unique business model and community involvement.

Each year the Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce chooses two business, and two individual as recipients o nth eBusiness Excellent, Spark, Leadership, and Chamber Champion Awards. 

The Spark Award serves to recognize businesses/organizations who serve as a catalyst for growth and innovation in the Hudsonville Community.  This year’s finalists included 317 Coffee, City2Shore Real Estate, and 4G Athletic. 317 Coffee received the Spark Award as they have a strong mission, and are truly spark-ing growth in Hudsonville. 

The Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have excelled professionally and support the development of the Hudsonville business community. This year’s nominees included Patrick Waterman, Henry Samaniego, and Kris Keegstra. Kris Keegstra received the award for being an active volunteer in our community. 

The Chamber Champion Award recognizes individuals who have personally contributed to the success of the Hudsonville Chamber. Adam Locker was recognized as the 2020 Chamber Champion as he is constantly going above and beyond to benefit both the Chamber and the Hudsonville Community. 

Study: Dementia crisis looms

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, , ,
Women will account for 65 percent of the projected 13 million people suffering from dementia by 2040. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Nearly 13 million Americans will have dementia by 2040—nearly twice as many as today, a new report says.


The number of women with dementia is expected to rise from 4.7 million next year to 8.5 million in 2040.


The number of men with dementia is projected to increase from 2.6 million to 4.5 million.


Over the next 20 years, the economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia will be more than $2 trillion.


Women will shoulder more than 80% of those costs, according to a report released recently at the 2019 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit in Washington, D.C.


“Longer life spans are perhaps one of the greatest success stories of our modern public health system,” said lead author Nora Super, senior director of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging.


“But along with this success comes one of our greatest challenges,” she added in an institute news release. “Our risk of developing dementia doubles every five years after we turn 65; by age 85, nearly one in three of us will have the disease.”


With no cure on the horizon, reducing the risk of dementia and its cost must be the focus, Super noted.


“Emerging evidence shows that despite family history and personal genetics, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise and better sleep can improve health at all ages,” she said.


The report recommends expanded research, programs to maintain and improve brain health, increased access to testing and early diagnosis and services and policies that promote supportive communities and workplaces for people with dementia and their caregivers.


“As this important new report shows, dementia is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time,” said Sarah Lenz Lock, the AARP’s senior vice president for policy and brain health.


“It also demonstrates that we have the power to create change, whether by helping consumers maintain and improve their brain health, advancing research on the causes and treatment of dementia, or supporting caregivers who bear so much of the burden of this disease,” Lock said in the news release.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Local KDL branches offer free lunches for students

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A Kelloggsville student grabs a snack from the Meet Up and Eat up program before heading off to practice. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The KDL Kentwood, Kelloggsville, and Wyoming branches are among 12 branches that will be offering the statewide summer food program, Meet Up and Eat Up, which runs through Aug. 14.

Last summer, the KDL Kelloggsville branch, located in the Kelloggsville High School, 4787 S. Division Ave., offered the free program through a partnership with Kelloggsville Public Schools and Feeding America. The Kent District Library has again, partnered wth Feeding America to offer the program.

“Feeding the minds, imaginations and spirits is something that we have always done at KDL, but through this program we are literally feeding hungry people,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner.

Students 18 and under can visit any of the branches on specific days to receive a free lunch. The items offered variety but our mostly non-perishable such as beef sticks, granola, a granola bar, crackers with cheese, fruit snacks and water.

The KDL Kentwood branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, will be offering lunch weekdays from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The KDL Kelloggsville branch, 4787 S. Division Ave., will be offering Meet Up and Eat Up program weekdays from noon – 1 p.m. The KDL Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael SW, will be offering the Meet up and Eat Up program weekdays from 1 – 2 p.m.

With the Meet Up and Eat Up program, students, 18 and under, will be able to pick up a free lunch at 12 different KDL branches including Wyoming, Kentwood, and Kelloggsville. (WKTV)

The complete lists of branches and schedule is:

Alpine Township, Weekdays from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Comstock Park, Weekdays from noon – 12:30 p.m.

Gaines Township, Weekdays from 11:30 AM – 12:30 p.m.

Kelloggsville, Weekdays from noon – 1 p.m.

Kentwood, Weekdays from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Nelson Twp., Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Plainfield Twp., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:15 a.m. – noon.

Spencer Township, Weekdays from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Tyrone Township, Mondays – Thursdays from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. thru Aug. 13.

Walker, Weekdays from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Wyoming, Weekdays from 1 – 2 p.m.

Bookmobile, Various dates and locations

For more information about Kent District Library or other summer programs, visit kdl.org.

After nine years, Wyoming’s K9 Dutch retires, with Kovu readying to fill his paws

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Any police officer will tell you that when you have been with a certain partner for awhile, you just know their little quirks.

So when Wyoming Officer Kelsey Eisen came to some train tracks on her first week out without her K9 partner Dutch, she missed his familiar bark.

“It was a little strange not to hear it,” Eisen said. “I was so use to it and then to go over the tracks and it not be there.”

Officer Kelsey Eisen with Dutch. (Supplied)

After nine years of service — three as Eisen’s partner — Dutch officially retired from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety on June 7. As with any officer, he was given a full send off complete with cake — doggie approved — and the final 10-42 call announcing his retirement.

“Yeah, now he gets to hang on the couch and get all the treats that he wants,” Eisen said with a laugh. This means Dutch has moved from his kennel to inside Eisen’s home while Eisen’s new partner, a two-year-old Belgium Malinois named Kovu, settles into the kennel and starts his training as the new “dog” on the force.

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is one of a few area departments that has a K9 unit. Wyoming has four K9 officers, Chase who is with Officer Ryan Patterson, Azar who is with Officer Daniel Sanderson, Jett who is with Officer Chad Wells, and now Kovu who is with Eisen.

High flying’: Dutch shows off his jumping skills. (Supplied)

While a dog can be trained for a single purpose, such as tracking or narcotics, all the Wyoming K9 dogs are dual purpose meaning the animals are cross trained for narcotics, building searches, evidence recovery and people searches such as tracking suspects to missing persons.

“One of my favorite searches with Dutch is when Kent County called,” Eisen said. “They had stopped a car and the suspect had taken off on foot. They had chased him a little bit into a wooded area. They lost him and called for Dutch and I. [Dutch] started to track and he tracked probably a good 10 to 15 yards to a swamp and he started to track into the swamp. We lit the swamp up and Dutch was about a foot away from the guy submerged trying to hide.


It’s the couch life and treats

Now the only searching Dutch has to do is to locate the couch.

 

Dutch helps out collecting cans for Officer Eisen’s new partner, Kovu. (Supplied)

“My son and daughter are extremely excited that he gets to come into the house and hang out for more than a few minutes here and there,” Eisen said with a laugh. 

For the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, when a K9 dog retires, it traditionally comes home with the trainer/handler.

“I don’t know what I would do if someone said I couldn’t keep Dutch after working all those many training hours and working the road ,” Eisen said. “You literally spend more time with the dog than you do with your family. So if someone was to tell me that I couldn’t take him afterwards it would be devastating and I would be heartbroken that I couldn’t give him that special treat afterwards for how much work he has done in the city and couldn’t spoil him in retirement.”

Eisen admitted she’ll have lots of help spoiling Dutch — who had a reputation for visiting City Hall and looking for goodies — which is probably a good thing since Eisen will be spending most of her time training Kovu.

The new dog on the force

Knowing that the Wyoming Department of Public Safety would be needing to purchase another K9, the department partnered with the K-911 Foundation. The cost for a police dog is around $8,500 with the department putting in half. The other half was raised through a can drive, which due to COVID are still waiting to be returned, with the aid of the K-911 Foundation.

Kovu is the new K9 recruit and Officer Eisen’s partner. (WKTV)

After visiting with several dogs at Shadow Creek Kennels, Eisen said Kovu’s “drive and confidence is what won us over with him.”

Kovu, who originally came from the Czech Republic, spent the first two weeks bonding with Eisen, getting to know her and building a relationship of trust. He will spend eight weeks training with Eisen with the goal being for Kovu to officially go on patrol in August. Eisen added that he definitely will be ready to meet everyone at National Night Out, which, due to COVID-19, is set for Oct. 6 this year.

 

“Obviously the dog is a tool for us but he is not just a tool,” Eisen said. “He is our partner, our family. There is that special bond that goes with all the training and all the blood and sweat and tears that you work toward a partnership and it’s all about that partnership.

“It’s not just the dog that does all the work. You have to be able to read the dog and the dog has to be able to rely on you and there’s that balance and confidence working as a team to get to that goal that you want to achieve, whether it’s getting the bad guy, finding the missing person, a building search or anything else like that.”

The importance of a good night’s sleep for seniors

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


As people age, the odds of having a sleeping disorder rise dramatically. Many older adults either can’t fall asleep at night, wake up too often, or can’t breathe properly while trying to sleep. In fact, 40% of seniors struggle with serious health problems as a result of poor sleeping habits and a general lack of sleep. 


What are the senior health problems that arise from not getting a good night’s sleep? And what can you do to help combat sleep deprivation? Look through this blog to get the information you need about seniors and sleep—along with ideas on how you can fix your sleeping habits before bedtime tonight. 

What constitutes a ‘good night’s sleep’?

There’s a common misconception that seniors don’t need as much sleep as other adults, which has likely arisen due to the large number of seniors who struggle to get enough sleep. However, that’s just not true. Seniors need the same amount of sleep as they did when they were younger. All adults over 20 years of age need somewhere between 7-9 hours of sleep per day.

Why seniors don’t get enough sleep

The main causes of sleep deprivation in seniors can usually be linked to two different sources—insomnia or sleep apnea. 

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder that occurs when breathing patterns are interrupted during sleep. This limits the flow of oxygen to the brain, which in turn causes you to wake up in order to correct the breathing error. While there are certain groups of people who are more likely to have sleep apnea, it generally becomes more common as you age.


If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor. They might be able to give you tips on lifestyle changes that will reduce your overall risk, or help you get a CPAP machine or other device that can help open up your airways.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleeping disorder characterized by an inability to fall asleep or an inability to stay asleep. Seniors often get insomnia from:

  • Side effects of medications needed for other health problems
  • Anxiety and stress about aging
  • Other health-related issues such as chronic pain

The dangers of sleep deprivation on senior health 

The number one danger of sleep deprivation is daytime fatigue, a condition that makes people extremely tired throughout the day—although they don’t fall asleep as a result of their sleepiness. Instead, they suffer from:

  • An inability to complete simple tasks
  • Memory problems
  • A lack of concentration
  • Lowered energy levels
  • A lack of motivation
  • Decreased interest in socialization
  • Irritability
  • Depression

In addition to daytime fatigue, sleep deprivation can lead to a number of other serious health issues like:

How to improve your sleeping habits

With sleep deprivation being such a dangerous issue for seniors to contend with, it’s important that immediate steps are taken to fix sleeping habits. Try avoiding taking sleep medication if you can—it can be expensive, habit-forming, and comes with its own side effects. Instead, use mediation and prescriptions as a last resort and first try natural ways to improve your sleep. 

Create a sleeping routine

A nighttime routine can help signal to your brain that it’s time for bed, which is especially helpful if you struggle with insomnia. A routine can include things like:

  • Taking a warm bath before bed
  • Drinking a glass of water
  • Winding down with some light reading and relaxing music
  • Turning off all lights
  • Going to bed at a consistent time (and waking up at the same time each day)

Avoid certain behaviors at night

Sometimes engaging in certain behaviors or activities before bed can hurt your chances of getting a good night’s sleep. Things to avoid before bed include:

  • Watching TV or using smartphones and other electronics
  • Eating heavy meals before bed
  • Drinking anything with caffeine or alcohol before you try and sleep
  • Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol during the day
  • Smoking right before bedtime
  • Exercising at night

Optimize your room for sleep

There are simple changes you can make in your apartment and bedroom that can help you improve your sleeping habits, such as:

  • Making your room dark
  • Keeping the temperature cooler at nighttime
  • Taking electronics and TVs out of the bedroom
  • Creating a noise level that lulls you to sleep—usually either silence or a soft white noise
  • Removing distracting or unnecessary lights and sounds in your room
  • Using your bed only for sleeping, not for relaxing in during the day

It’s essential that seniors get to sleep at night, or you can risk coming down with some serious health problems. By being aware of how much sleep you should be getting and taking immediate action steps, you can improve your sleeping habits and get the right amount of rest as you age.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.




WKTV video: Wyoming Public Schools honor 2020 seniors with praise, parade

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By WKTV Staff

ken@WKTV.org

In recognition of both a desire to honor Wyoming High School’s 2020 graduating seniors, and the importance of allowing the school staff and Wyoming community the opportunity to join the celebration, Wyoming Public Schools held a WHS Senior 11 Night Celebration Parade Monday, June 15.

In addition, Wyoming High School is scheduled to host its Class of 2020 commencement ceremony on July 28 at Grand Rapids First.

Prior to the parade, WKTV caught up with WPS Superintendent Craig Hoekstra and asked about how the parade came to be, and the desire of he and the entire school community to make sure the seniors time of graduation was not “defined” by COVID-19 shutdown.

Snapshots: Need to get a COVID-19 test? WKTV has the info you need

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By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“This will end. As stressful and devastating as it is, it will end. We are all in it together as a global community, and I do see the light at then end of the tunnel.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, in a June interview with UK newspaper The Telegraph

Kent County Health Department

The Kent County Health Department’s efforts to make COVID-19 testing more widely available to specific segments of the public has expanded by the opening of community testing sites, including ones at the Wyoming’s The Potter’s House school, and in Kentwood at the Kent County Health Department South Clinic. Go here for the story.

Metro Health

COVID-19 has exposed large health inequities both nationally and locally, resulting in devastating, even life-and-death consequences. In Michigan, over 40 percent of the deaths from COVID-19 were African American. Metro Health is working to address that issue. Go here for the story.

Mercy Health’s Clinica Santa Maria

Mercy Health Saint Mary’s is offering free COVID-19 testing for 1,000 residents of Grand Rapids’ Roosevelt Park Neighborhood, thanks to funding made available through the federal CARES Act grant to Kent County. Go here for the story.

Just the (sad) facts:

4,156 and 115

The Kent County Health Department has almost daily updates of Kent County and State of Michigan statistics. On May 18, they reported 4,156 total cases of COVID-19 but only 115 deaths. Source.

Woodland Mall’s Apple Store reopens as more retailers, restaurants welcome guests back

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Woodland Mall’s Apple Store reopened this week, joining the three anchors and dozens of other stores and restaurants in again welcoming shoppers and diners. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Woodland Mall’s Apple Store reopened this week, joining the three anchor stores and dozens of other stores and restaurants in again welcoming shoppers and diners while still maintaining safety and cleanliness protocols, according to a statement from the mall management.

Apple, Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Von Maur are among the 80 retailers and restaurants that have reopened since June 1. A complete list of venue open at the mall, as well as updates on safety and cleanliness protocols, can be viewed on Woodland Mall’s website.

“We are so pleased that much of the mall has reopened and is ready to serve West Michigan again safely,” Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director, said in supplied material. “It’s a true pleasure to again welcome shoppers and diners from across to region back to Woodland Mall. The response over the first few weeks has been very positive, and we are delighted to welcome back more of our community.”

In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers remain limited as the mall operates on reduced hours — Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. (Some stores may limit those hours.)

Woodland Mall asks guests to follow CDC recommendations, make use of the several hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, wear masks and practice physical distancing.
 

Guests will notice some changes for their safety, as well as the safety of employees, according to the statement. In addition to its rigorous cleaning and sanitizing schedule, Woodland Mall managment company, PREIT, has carefully reviewed policies and procedures and thoroughly cleaned the mall using CDC-recommended disinfectant. Common area furniture and other elements where physical distancing cannot be enforced have been removed. While the play area remains closed indefinitely, food court seating is now available at reduced capacity.

Woodland Mall recommends shoppers visit individual retail or restaurant websites for the most current information and services including curbside pick-up, appointments and reservations. Retailers participating in the mall’s Mall2Go: Contact-Free Pickup program can be found on its website.

Gov. Whitmer to announce fall school reopening ‘roadmap’ June 30 as budget concerns grow

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In-school education may well be returning this fall, but it will likely look different than before. (2017 file photo)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Continuing to provide some clarity to what K-12 public school education might look like in the fall — including a possible return to in-person learning — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced June 17 that she plans to announce on June 30 a “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” that will provide details on “what will be required and what will be recommended” for schools to reopen.

“Our students and educators have made incredible sacrifices these past few months to protect themselves and their families from the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “I am optimistic that we will return to in-person learning in the fall … (but) schools must make sure to enact strict safety measures to continue protecting educators, students, and their families.

Gov. Whitmer also said her office is working with the Return to Learn Advisory Council and leaders in health care “to ensure we get this right,” but that the state also needs more flexibility and support from the federal government.

“This crisis has had serious implications on our budget, and we need federal support if we’re going to get this right for our kids,” Gov. Whitmer said.

For more information on state funding of public schools, see a related recent WKTV story and Kent ISD videos here.

On May 15, Gov. Whitmer, buy executive order, created the COVID-19 Return to School Advisory Council. On June 3, the governor announced a group of 25 leaders in health care and education to serve on the advisory council. Local persons on the council include Kevin Polston, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, and Nicholas J. Paradiso, vice president of government relations for National Heritage Academies.

The advisory council was created to “identify the critical issues that must be addressed, provide valuable input to inform the process of returning to school, and to ensure a smooth and safe transition back to school,” according to the governor’s statement.

“The most important thing we can do when developing a return to school plan is closely examine the data and remain vigilant in our steps to fight this virus,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief deputy for health, said in supplied material. “I will continue to work closely with Governor Whitmer and the Return to Learn Advisory Council to ensure we continue to put the health and safety of our students and educators first.”