Grand Rapids Community Foundation is among the international grant partners selected for W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s new Catalyzing Community Giving cohort. The initiative seeks to amplify locally-driven philanthropy by and for communities of color, and will provide the Community Foundation with $350,000 over three years.
The Catalyzing Community Giving initiative supports communities of color in using philanthropy to become agents of their own change. It engages donors in issues that disproportionately affect vulnerable children and families in their communities. Thirty-one other community foundations, nonprofits and emerging networks make up the fourth Catalyzing Community Giving cohort, representing a $9.5 million investment by the Kellogg Foundation over three years.
“This grant is a recognition and acknowledgement of the work we have done to partner with communities of color and our commitment to racial, social and economic justice,” said Jonse Young, director of philanthropic services. “It also identifies that we have work to do so all in our community can thrive—and that communities of color are important leaders in this work.”
The support will bolster continuing efforts of the African American Heritage Fund and emerging partnerships in the Latinx community. It will also allow the Foundation to explore potential frameworks, possibilities, or models that may evolve as we learn along with community members.
“Communities of color are using philanthropy to expand giving on their own terms and in ways that are meaningful for their communities,” says Ciciley J. Moore, program officer for WKKF’s Office of the President and the lead for CCG. “When people of color direct how resources are invested, it can transform the lives the children and families in their community. CCG helps democratize the field of philanthropy — shifting who we see as philanthropists and creating a more equitable and just philanthropic practice.”
In the first year, the Community Foundation will focus on building its operational capacity. They will engage a consultant(s) to support committees, inform staffing structure, build relationships, fundraise and convene community. A Request for Proposals will be released soon. For more information, contact Jenine Torres at 616.454.1751, ext. 126.
It can seem daunting to have the family over for the holidays. Whether you are at your home, or if you are celebrating the holidays in an assisted living community, the pressure to be a good host for their visit can be overwhelming. No matter where you are, having guests can make you feel frantic. Here is a list of ways to prepare for family so everyone—including you— has a happy and carefree holiday.
Get overnight plans in order early
If your family is planning on staying overnight, either for one night or for a few days, the earlier you get plans together the better. Make sure you have a head count for how exactly many guests are coming, and make sure you have the rooms, beds, or couches that you need if you are planning on having family stay with you.
If you don’t have the space (or don’t want the headache), booking a hotel is a great way to make sure your family is close, but not too close. The earlier you start looking at prices and booking rooms, the less expensive and less competitive shopping for rooms will be. While it’s too late to get November rates, it still helps everyone avoid traveling stress to have plans made well in advance.
Spruce up your home
Sprucing up your home, whether that’s rearranging furniture to make room for opening presents or just making sure everything is nice and clean, is a great way to get ready for family. Make sure that the kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces are guest-ready, and your place is looking fresh.
If you are in a new place for the holidays, then having your place ready to go will make a great first impression on family, and it will help you feel good as well to know that your home was appreciated. Having your space looking nice can help you feeling less stressed and more welcoming.
Get out the decorations
Celebrate the season with fun decorations! A small tree, fun and festive lights, winter-scented bath soaps, red and green kitchen towels, holiday knick knacks, and other decorations can help your home shine extra bright. Traveling family will appreciate walking into a home that looks ready for all the festivities, and it can help spread the holiday spirit among tired family.
Plan activities in advance
While you might have your own daily activities, making sure you have enough things planned to fill the days with family is just as important. Crafts and other activities can help keep everyone engaged, especially if you have younger ones visiting.
Some ideas for activities include:
Homemade Christmas cards
Cookie cutter ornaments
Popcorn garland
Gingerbread houses (if you don’t have the time to make gingerbread, many stores sell kits so you can get right into the decorating fun!)
A holiday movie night
Caroling (this can work especially well in an assisted living community, and your neighbors will love the music you and your family bring.)
Play holiday music
Another way to set the holiday atmosphere is to play holiday music. If you are tech-savvy—or have a helpful grandchild—making a holiday playlist on a music streaming service is a good way to keep the spirit bright. Have everyone send you a list of their favorite holiday songs, and combine them together so everyone can enjoy.
Get out of the house
If you have family coming for several days, then you might need to plan something bigger than gingerbread. See what local activities your community is planning for the holidays, like a holiday play or music concerts. Window shopping, holiday parades, Santa’s village, or driving around to look at light displays are all ways to get the most out of the holidays, and get out of the house for a bit.
Make a sweet treat
You may already know the best ways for you to eat right this winter, but the holidays can be a time to be a little naughty. It’s always best to have meals planned out beforehand to save yourself time and stress, and having something homemade is another way to enjoy holiday fun. Something as simple as cookies any senior can make is a great way to show the family you care. And everyone can get involved in the baking or decorating!
The holidays can be a stressful time, even without the added pressure of entertaining family. Being prepared in advance is the best way to ensure that you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Having family over can mean a lot of prep work on your part, but the memories you create and the joy that you can spread among those you love the most will make it all worth it.
Offering more vegetarian choices in school cafeterias significantly cuts meat consumption without hurting overall sales, British researchers report.
In more than 94,000 college cafeteria choices studied, doubling vegetarian options (from 1 in 4 choices to 2 in 4) reduced purchases of meaty meals by 40-80%.
“Replacing some meat or fish with more vegetarian options might seem obvious, but as far as we know no one had tested it before,” said lead author Emma Garnett, a conservationist at the University of Cambridge in England. “Solutions that seem obvious don’t always work, but it would appear that this one does.”
Shifting to a more plant-based diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of food production, she said.
When more vegetarian choices were available, they were popular at every meal and meat eaters who ate vegetarian dishes at lunch didn’t go all-meat at dinner, the researchers found.
Vegetarian options have been an “afterthought” on menus for too long, Garnett said in a university news release.
“Flexitarianism is on the rise,” she said, referring to the eating style emphasizing plant-based foods but also allowing for occasional meat and animal products. “Our results show that caterers serving more plant-based options are not just responding to but also reshaping customer demand.”
Simple changes such as increasing the proportion of vegetarian options could be “usefully scaled up, helping to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss,” Garnett said.
The report was published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Glen Finkel smiled as he stood in front of 75 superintendents, business managers, and technology directors and system administrators.
“One of the reasons we picked October 31st for this event,” the Kent ISD Director of Information Technology said, “is this is kind of scary.”
Those in attendance – primarily from Kent ISD plus a few from Ionia, Montcalm and Muskegon counties – chuckled appreciatively, if not a little nervously.
They’d just heard from presenters at Kent ISD on the ways school districts are vulnerable to cyber attacks, including ransomware.
Scary, indeed.
But, said Finkel, one of the purposes of the workshop was to make things a little less frightening for district leaders, including IT professionals.
“Due to the dramatic increase of ransomware attacks on schools across the state, we wanted to give our school districts an opportunity to hear from industry experts on how to prepare for and respond to this type of cyber attack,” he noted.
“Since effective cybersecurity involves many departments within an organization, we set up this learning opportunity to cover the many perspectives and diverse backgrounds of our audience,” Finkel explained.
Russell Hoorn II, director of technology for Kelloggsville Public Schools, and Terri Ricketson, director of business services, participated in the workshop
‘Why Would Anyone Want to Attack a School’
For Russell Hoorn II, director of technology for Kelloggsville Public Schools, the event provided some good reminders on how life has changed for schools in the two decades he’s worked in K-12 at his alma mater, Kenowa Hills, and the last 15 at Kelloggsville.
“The focus (of cybersecurity) used to be making sure students couldn’t change their grades,” Hoorn said during a break between sessions. He said the workshop underscored how important it is to be vigilant going forward.
“I used to think ‘why would anyone want to attack a school?’ That’s not the case anymore.”
Session speakers made it clear “just why.” Alex Brown with Plante Moran gave the day’s opening talk and his message to attendees was plain.
“What you guys hold,” he said, “is the ‘creme de la creme,’ which is records.”
Brown said that on the dark web – what he referred to as “the Walmart of bad things” – a fully loaded record can be purchased for around $3. Schools, he noted, have lots of fully loaded records, typically where name, address and social security number are all together.
In addition, he said, child records are a prime target for hackers because they are a blank slate – without a lot of history attached to them compared to a data record for an adult.
“That blank slate,” he said, “is a great resource for a lot of bad things.”
In fact, in a 2017 story by DataBreaches.net on children’s records being hacked from pediatricians, it was estimated that the fully loaded patient records of 500,000 children are available on the dark web. DataBreaches estimated another 200,000 records were stolen from elementary schools.
I haven’t had specific training like this,” Hoorn said, “so this is great. “I am interested in the security of our school district. I think we do a pretty good job, but I want to make sure we are following best practices. We don’t want to be a school district in the news because we had to recover something we should have been protecting.”
For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
WKTV Journal In Focus’s audio only podcast of a Community Conversation on Homelessness featured Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson, at left, moderating along with Marshall Kilgore and, from left, panelists Cheryl Schuch, Kent County Commissioner Stephen Wooden, James White and Wende Randall. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we bring you City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson’s Community Conversation on Homelessness, held Sunday, Nov. 10, at Broad Leaf Local Beer in Kentwood.
The Keynote Speaker of the public event was Judge William G. Kelly, the chief judge for Kentwood’s 62B District Court. The event was moderated by Bridson and Marshall Kilgore, Western Michigan Director for United Precinct Delegates.
The panelists included Wende Randall, director of Kent County Essential Needs Task Force; Kent County Commissioner Stephen Wooden; James White of Cinnaire; and Cheryl Schuch, of Family Promise of Grand Rapids.
Schuch, during the talk and after while addressing WKTV, talked about the realities of family homeliness in our area.
“Families who are experiencing homelessness are everyone we see in our everyday life,” she said. “They are neighbors. They go to school with us. They work with us at companies here in town. They just don’t want you to know that.
“So when you talk about bringing their voice to the community, you just need to give them an opportunity to share and not be judged by fact that they are experiencing something like that.”
And Schuch’s voice was just a small part of the discussion at the forum and available in the podcast.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we talk two members of Grand Rapids HQ, a drop-in center for youth ages 14-24 in housing crisis, including but not limited to LGBTQ-plus youth.
HQ collaborates with community partners to provide counseling, medical services, vital document recovery and employment connections with the goal of, quote, “breaking the cycle of homelessness with youth in our community.”
Visiting the WKTV studios are Luke Petsch, Development Director for HQ, and Michael Fravel, HQ member specialist.
While HQ does not provide long-term housing assistance, it has recently been in the news as it is partnering with nonprofit developer Inner City Christian Federation and 3:11 Youth Housing to turn a property into affordable housing for young adults who identify as LGBTQ+.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
It’s that time of year again—time to start thinking about what boots you’ll wear when you’re trudging through snow, slopping through slush and traversing the ice.
Your feet are not immune from the effects of aging.
As we get older, our arches tend to collapse, causing our feet to get longer and wider. With seasonal footwear like winter boots, it’s easy to end up in the wrong size. Don’t assume you’re the same shoe size as last year.
“Getting measured is very important,” Dr. Buchanan said. “This is potentially a big issue as people do more shoe shopping online.”
2. Too small equals cold feet.
If your winter boots (or ski boots) are too tight or too small, your feet get cold faster, which can become a serious issue. There should be room for air to circulate within the boot.
When you go to be measured at a full-service shoe store, try to go mid-day or mid-afternoon. As the day goes on, our feet swell, so a shoe that fits at 9am might be very tight at 6pm.
3. Boots with any size heel do not mix with ice.
Take this advice straight from a doctor who sees a lot of ankle fractures and foot injuries from slips and falls on the ice.
“With a winter boot, a heel is dangerous because it’s more unstable,” Dr. Buchanan said. “You have to be very, very cautious.”
4. Good tread equals good traction.
Make sure your boots are going to grip the ground.
The flat, slippery sole of fashion boots can be treacherous in slippery outdoor winter conditions, Dr. Buchanan said. The best tread will be on boots that are marketed for outdoor winter walking.
5. Boots with a pointed toe might look good, but they’re not good for you.
Boots that come to a point at the toe increase the rate of foot problems for women.
A sharp-pointed boot pushes the toes together, increasing bunion deformities and pressure points on the foot, Dr. Buchanan said.
6. Wrap your feet in warmth.
A winter boot should have the appropriate liner to keep your feet warm and dry. Look for waterproof, wool or sheepskin liners.
7. Two socks are better than one.
To keep your feet warm during extended periods of time in cold
temperatures, consider wearing two pairs of thin socks rather than one
thick pair to help prevent blistering, Dr. Buchanan said.
8. Keep an eye on your kids’ boots during the winter.
Children’s feet grow so fast that something that fits in November might not fit in February. Add to this the fact that kids tend to push the limit of how long they stay outside in the cold, and it can be a recipe for disaster.
Make sure their boots are big enough for air to circulate and keep their feet warm.
9. Outdoor conditions call for outdoor boots.
Wear fashion boots inside, for shorter periods of time during which you will not do much walking. Before going outside, change into winter boots designed for outdoor use.
“It really becomes a question of function of the shoe,” Dr. Buchanan said.
10. Happy feet lead to a happy body.
Robbing your feet of the support and care they need can lead to bigger issues in your knees, hips and back.
Start with a firm foundation with your winter boots, and you can ward off other ailments, according to Dr. Buchanan.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
It is always heartbreaking to us when one of our previous residents has to return to live within our furry fold, especially our senior citizens who have spent many, many years in homes of their own.
When we were contacted in August of 2019 by the adopter of our cat formerly known as Fargo, we were immediately concerned that his re-arrival was going to be a bit difficult; he was adopted out just two months after intake in March of 2011, and up until last year, had lived with just one other cat. As the story goes, since the loss of his constant companion, Larry (as he was renamed) was extremely lonely, and bringing another cat into the household wasn’t a viable option; after much consideration, his owner felt it best he come back to us.
As expected, when the 11-1/2 year old (born in January of 2008) reentered our program, he was shell-shocked to say the least. And to top things off, Dr. Jen diagnosed him with kidney disease when she performed his initial work-up; though geriatric-onset renal disease is very common, the last thing poor Larry needed was daily medication given by strangers—but it had to be done. So our volunteers made sure to soothe his worried soul extensively during his first few weeks with us, taking care not to spook him when it was time to administer the oral liquid meds to slow the progression of his illness.
Larry is a lovely, gentle, old guy who would love nothing more than to land himself a place to live out his golden years; a place that is less busy and bustling than Crash’s. Larry, in our opinion, has been very confused and seems lost at times being back at the shelter. He’s very skittish when approached, but once you’ve got him in your arms he relaxes enough to allow you to hold him for a bit. He isn’t too fond of having several cats around him but has been seen cuddled up with a single cat, which warms our hearts.
We feel that going to a home with another cat may just be what he needs. He can be pretty vocal at times, tends to swat on occasion, but more than likely this behavior is due to the fact that he just feels overwhelmed. We really would like him go to a home where his humans will be around more often than not, and can give him the attention he craves, as he needs to rebuild his trust in people. One cat buddy would definitely help build his esteem, but more than that and we feel Larry will regress and keep to himself.
A lot of us remember him as the full-bodied and outgoing Fargo, so it has been sad for us to see him struggle in this manner. We are doing our very best to show him the affection and shower him with the attention that he so desires but is afraid to ask for, and we will all continue to do so until his fabulous, final family is found.
More about Larry:
Domestic Short Hair
Orange & White
Senior
Male
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date, declawed, special needs: kidney disease
Neutered
Good in a home with one other cat
Want to adopt Larry? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Low-carb, vegetarian, Mediterranean—whatever your diet, it’s important to get enough protein.
Although research hasn’t yet pinpointed one perfect formula, experts say that the typical “recommended” daily minimums aren’t optimal and that it helps to factor in your weight and activity level to determine how much protein you personally need.
A good baseline for people who exercise at a moderate level is between one-half and three-quarters of a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight.
If you weigh 150 pounds, for example, eat between 75 and 112 grams of protein per day.
To lose weight, diets with higher amounts of protein—between 90 and 150 grams a day—are effective and help keep you from losing muscle along with fat.
Since the body uses protein most effectively when you have it at regular intervals, divide your daily intake into four equal amounts for breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner.
If you work out at a high level, consider eating another 50 grams of protein before you go to bed to help with overnight muscle repair.
You might be familiar with calorie counting, but it’s also important to know how to tally your protein intake.
While one ounce of chicken weighs 28 grams, it contains only about 9 grams of protein. So it takes a 3-ounce portion to deliver 27 grams of protein, or about one-quarter of the average daily need.
27-gram protein portions
3 ounces of fish, turkey, chicken or lean beef
7 ounces plain Greek yogurt
3/4 cup cottage cheese
You can also get high-quality protein from some plant-based foods.
These include tofu, whole grains, legumes and nuts—all better options than eating extra red meat or any processed meats.
Eighty-one years have passed since the Kristainancht took place in Germany and Holocaust survivor Martin Lowenberg can still see the synagogues burning.
Lowenberg will share his story during a special program tomorrow, Nov. 13, at the Kent District Library – Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The program is from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Lowenberg was a young boy when the night of Kristalnacht, also called “Night of Broken Glass,” took place in Germany Nov. 9 to Nov. 10, 1938. Starting in the late hours of Nov. 9 and continuing on into the next day, Nazi mobs torched or otherwise vandalized hundreds of synagogues throughout Germany along with thousands of homes, schools, businesses, hospitals and cemeteries. Nearly a 100 Jews were killed during the violence.
Shortly after Kristallnacht, Lowenberg and his family, which included his mother, father, two older sisters and twin brothers were separated and sent to concentration camps. It was the last time he would see his parents and twin brothers, all of who died at Auschwitz. His twin brothers were six at the time. Lowenberg spent his teenage years living in five different concentration camps during World War II.
Along with telling his story of life in Nazi Germany, Lowenberg will share his compelling message of combating hate.
Bell’s Brewery’s is “Goin’ Dark” as it honored veterans, active service military members and their families with a special beer release on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, as part of its Celebration Series of special releases.
Don’t know the term? Think what happens when you know something and tell only a select few others — like military secrets or a great new beer find.
Goin’ Dark is a 6.3 percent ABV Coffee Milk Stout brewed with bourbon barrel-aged coffee beans. The beer was conceived, written, brewed and packaged by a committee of more than 20 Bell’s employees who either served in the military, are currently enlisted or are military family members.
“Celebrating diversity has always been core to our company,” Larry Bell, founder and president of Bell’s Brewery, said in supplied material. “It’s an honor to recognize the men and women in our military as well as their families and extend that celebration to those who make that sacrifice.”
Goin’ Dark is the third release in Bell’s Celebration Series that highlights different groups within the company. Earlier this year, Bell’s employees brewed Unite Hibiscus Saison as part of International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day, and then Alliance Lemon Lager to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. And more celebration brews are being planned for 2020.
Goin’ Dark will be available on draft at the Bell’s Eccentric Café (355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo), and 12-ounce bottles packaged in 6-packs are available at Bell’s General Store. (The group wanted to bottle the beer so it could be shared with family members when they return from deployment.)
As part of the event, Bell’s worked with Section Collection, a local nonprofit that provides direct support to veterans in need.
Kent District Library’s KDaLe schedule includes local events
TwoGuys Brewery’s tap room. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
You got to love Kent District Library’s continuing efforts to get readers out of the book shelves and into local brew pubs with their KDaLe series of programs, and in the next few weeks there will be several local pub stops.
Tops on the schedule will be events at Wyoming’s own Two Guys Brewing and Kentwood’s Broad Leaf Local Beer in early December.
On Dec. 10, from 6-7 p.m., there will be a “behind the scenes” tour at Two Guys Brewing, 2356 Porter St. SW. Then, there will be a Dec. 11 KDaLe Kick Off fundraiser, for adults 21 and older, at Broad Leaf Local Beer, 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd, during regular hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Broad Leaf will donate a portion of all revenues to KDL on that day.
Other local KDaLe events include: Nov. 21 (and Dec. 19), 7-8 p.m., KDaLe Book Club (combine your love of books with your love of beer) at Osgood Brewing, 4051 Chicago Drive SW, Grandville; and Dec. 9, 7-8 p.m., KDaLe Book CLub at Thornapple Brewing Company, 6262 28th St SE, Cascade Township.
New Holland Brewery’s Barrel Bash is coming back to their pubs Nov. 22 through Dec. 1. Over the course of 10 days, they will be rotating through 20-plus barrel-aged beers — “Some are ones you know and love, others are new beers that are not to be missed,” they say.
Among the planned releases are New Holland’s Cabin Fever Brown Ale (6.5 ABV), which actually came out on Nov. 1. (And none too soon given the winter weather we’ve been experiencing!) Also planned are releases of Ride Those Ponies Home pastry stout and You Serious, Clark? spiced stout.
Good news: The Michigan Brewers Guild recently announced a new rsing festival to be held on Saturday, May 16, 2020, from 1-6 p.m., in Traverse City’s Pit Spitters Park (333 Stadium Drive; US-31 South). Bad news: Tickets will not go on sale to the general public until March.
“Over the past 22 years, the Michigan Brewers Guild has prided itself on hosting the best beer festivals in the state,” Scott Graham, Guild Executive Director, said in supplied information. “We started with the Summer Beer Festival in 1998 and have grown over the years in terms of the number of events as well as participating breweries and attendees. Adding a festival in northern Michigan rounds out the geographical footprint for our events.”
In addition to this new festival, the Guild has announced its complete 2020 schedule of festivals – which include changing two events back to one-day festivals, including the local Michigan Winter Beer Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park.
For more on each festival, including ticket on-sale dates for Enthusiast Members and the general public, visit MiBeer.com/events.
A morning accident that involved a Wyoming police car has Wyoming Department of Public Safety officials reminding drivers to slow down.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., a Wyoming Police officer was policing a five-car crash on Chicago Driver near the westbound I-196 ramp. As vehicles were slowing down for the crash, one vehicle lost control and struck another vehicle before striking the police vehicle, according to a department press release about the accident. There were minor injuries in the original five-car crash and not injuries in the three-car crash involving the police vehicle.
Lt. Eric Wiler said during the first snowfall, there seems to be a number of crashes as people relearn how to drive in the snow. In fact, stations reporting the weather on Sunday night reminded viewers of being careful on the roads as West Michigan got its first taste of winter.
“We just want to remind people to slow down,” Wiler said. “Make sure they are leaving plenty of room between them and the car in front of them and approach accident scenes with caution.”
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Study, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 deaths every winter. For winter driving, the National Safety Council and AAA recommend the following driving tips:
Avoid using cruise control in wintery conditions
Steer in the direction of a skid so when your wheels regain traction, you don’t have to over correct to stay in your lane.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
Increase following distances 8 to 10 seconds.
If possible, don’t stop going uphill.
According to the National Safety Council, if the weather looks iffy, wait out the storm if possible. The council also notes that there are a number of safety features built in on today’s cars. For more tips and what those car features are, click here.
I’m not big on fuzzy or fleecy slippers. I just don’t like the texture and the heat. It just gets to be too much.
Aidy Bryant
‘Code Blue’ helps keep homeless neighbors safe and warm
In preparation for plummeting temperatures, Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) is shifting into a “code blue” status to ensure men, women and children experiencing homelessness are safe. Various warming centers have been identified throughout the city, including at Mel Trotter Ministries | View complete warming center list. MTM is collecting new and like-new coats, boots and various other items for all ages and genders. Go here for the details.
Coffee aficionados, rejoice!
After tracking nearly 105,000 Danes for an average of eight years, researchers found that those who downed more than six cups per day of the world’s most popular beverage saw their gallstone risk drop by 23%. Here’s the story.
Happiness is warm jazz
Vocalist Ashley Daneman and her husband, trumpeter Benje Daneman, center. (Supplied)
Jazz standards, African-American spirituals and a little something new will be on the setlist as the Jazz in the Sanctuary concert series opens its sixth season Sunday, Nov. 17, in the acoustically inspiring sanctuary of Fountain Street Church in downtown Grand Rapids. Read all about it here.
Fun fact:
And now for a truly warm, fuzzy fact
A group of wild rabbits is called a ‘fluffle’. It’s also called a ‘colony’, but does that really convey the essence of ‘bunny’ very well? We think not. So, fluffle, it is.
The nation’s top nutrition panel may be changing its tune when it comes to an earlier recommendation of avoiding eggs and other cholesterol-rich foods, but not all doctors agree.
A preliminary report released in 2014 noted that “cholesterol is not considered a nutrient of concern for over-consumption,” meaning it might matter less how much cholesterol is in the foods we eat.
That doesn’t mean people should go wild with a pound of bacon each morning.
Thomas Boyden, MD, a Spectrum Health cardiovascular physician, said he believes diet and exercise are two of the most important components of cholesterol management.
“I am 100 percent for patients doing everything they can for themselves and ultimately taking responsibility for their own health,” Dr. Boyden said. “If patients were more focused on diet and routine aerobic activity, many would realize they have the opportunity to improve their overall health and reduce their chance of heart disease and stroke, potentially without the need for medications.”
Dr. Boyden said some people have inherent genetic risks or other illnesses and are at higher risk than others. These patients oftentimes cannot fix their cholesterol numbers with diet and exercise alone, so he advocates for medication in these cases.
If you have high cholesterol, here’s what you need to know:
Worst foods
Avoid fatty foods, but know that not all fat is bad fat. The worst are trans fats and saturated fats, which are mostly found in processed foods and fatty meats. Eating less of each of these will benefit a patient’s cholesterol levels. Beef and red meats should be consumed in moderation.
Best foods
Try to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and non-animal based proteins. Soy products, beans and fish (which has a better fat composition than other animal products) are all great to incorporate into your diet. Introducing fish into your diet a couple times per week can make a noticeable difference.
Activity
The more aerobic activity you can work into your routine, the better. Moderate aerobic activity is less likely to affect weight loss, but it can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and helps control blood sugar. Exercise improves mental capacity, makes bones strong and improves mood. Any exercise is helpful, so don’t feel that you need to train like an athlete. Just 20–30 minutes per day of moderate activity has proven benefits. The key is to get your pulse and breathing elevated, but there is no need to push yourself to extremes.
Family history
It is important to know family history and whether you have a higher
disposition to illnesses and risk factors. Are you overweight? Do you
have diabetes or high blood pressure? And do any of these conditions run
in your family? Talk to your doctor about how your genetics
could affect your health now and in the future.
Treatment
If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and/or diabetes, it’s important to speak with a physician to create a personalized treatment plan that works for you. Your doctor can conduct an individualized risk assessment and help you determine what might work best for you.
Screenings
Learn about the effects of cholesterol on your health at a free vascular screening. To qualify for a free screening, you must have at least two of the following risk factors:
Culver CPA Group open a second location in Wyoming. (Supplied)
This fall, the Wyoming, Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed two new businesses to the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood.
On Oct. 22, the Culver CPA Group had an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for its second location, 4211 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming. Started in 1977 by Earl Culver CPA, the West Michigan accounting firm serves individuals as well as small businesses. The company’s areas of expertise include real estate, hospitality, service providers, construction, skilled trades, job shops, and healthcare providers.
On Nov. 7, the Susan Sherwood marked the opening of her new Kentwood office, at 6650 Crossing Dr. SE. Sherwood is with Farm Bureau Insurance.
Susan Sherwood opened her new office in Kentwood. (Supplied
Walk through the Affinity Mentoring area in Godfrey-Lee’s Early Childhood Center and you’ll see plenty of children and adults reading, coloring, eating lunch and just sharing a friendly moment together.
Like mentor Anjie Gleisner, who is matched with kindergartner Nicole Dela Torre Gomez.
“I have never done this before, but it’s something I’ve always been interested in doing,” said Gleisner, a branch manager at the Kent District Library.
“I work full time, and recently my employer encouraged us to go out and do this within the community on work time. With the mentoring program, a lot of it is having a dedicated adult available to help out with anything kids might need help with regarding school, but also to be a buddy and someone to talk to every week.
“Because I’m a librarian, I’m really passionate about reading and have been bringing books from the library and we’ve been reading together. I’m really enjoying it so far.”
Rachel Humphreys, development director at Affinity Mentoring, said their model is unique, partnering with organizations, schools, corporations and individuals to provide high quality, culturally responsive mentoring to school-age children.
“Each partnership is developed to meet the needs of the students as well as the needs of the partner,” Humphreys said. “Our school partners support Affinity by providing physical space in the school as well as collaborating around which students to match with a mentor and inviting Affinity staff and mentors to continue to participate in the community/school team.”
Affinity currently partners with Burton Elementary School, Burton Middle School, Southwest Community Campus and Godfrey-Lee ECC. The organization hopes to match 25-35 students in its first year at the ECC and nearly 300 across all four sites.
Mentor Rachel Clousing works with first grader Trezure Griffith through Affinity Mentoring. (School News Network)
Grant-funded Partnerships
The Steelcase Foundation made the mentoring program possible last spring with a $75,000 expansion grant, which consists of $25,000 per year for three years.
The funds support mentor relationships and serve as seed money to open the fourth site, at the ECC.
Mentors and program staff work together with parents, teachers and administrative staff to improve students’ literacy skills, social emotional learning, self-esteem, leadership skills, attendance and academic achievement, Humphreys explained.
She said their goal is for mentors to be role models, tutors and friends.
Superintendent Kevin Polston said Godfrey-Lee Public Schools believes in the impact mentoring can have on a child’s education and their overall well-being.
“One of our core values is community, the belief that it takes a village to raise a child,” Polston said. “We are honored to begin a partnership … to bring out the brilliance in each child.”
New mentor Rachel Clousing said she loves hanging out with kids and wanted to give back by volunteering.
“I love it; it’s really fun,” said Clousing, a personal trainer.
Her mentee, Trezure Griffith, also enjoys her time with Clousing.
“It’s good,” Trezure said. “I was playing with Play-Doh and eating lunch down here. After I ate lunch, we raced each other on the playground.”
Mel Trotter Ministries lifts curfew, offers around-the-clock support
In preparation for plummeting temperatures, Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) is shifting into a “code blue” status to ensure men, women and children experiencing homelessness are safe.
“Code blue” is a term used by MTM to describe the most extreme winter conditions in West Michigan, when temperatures stay below freezing for a period of time — putting those who are exposed to the elements at severe risk of hypothermia, frost bite or even death. MTM expects to serve 400-500 men, women and children on these cold nights.
MTM will provide:
Access to safe, warm shelter 24 hours a day with lifted curfew times.
Warm clothing; hats, gloves, hand warmers, for guests staying at the shelter.
On-site medical staff to assess for conditions caused from cold weather exposure.
Removing previous restrictions to enter shelter for people who have violated rules.
Staff doing outreach around the Mission to welcome everyone in and provide resources.
Various warming centers have been identified throughout the city, including at Mel Trotter Ministries | View complete warming center list.
Mel Trotter Ministries is asking for the community’s help to provide for the hundreds of men, women and children served each night in the shelter with the Code Blue Drive. MTM is collecting new and like new coats, boots and various other items for all ages and genders. Items can be dropped off at Mel Trotter Ministries downtown location at 225 Commerce Avenue SW and various locations throughout greater Grand Rapids. More information about the Code Blue Drive, drop off locations and other ongoing needs at www.meltrotter.org/codeblue.
Vocalist Ashley Daneman and her husband, trumpeter Benje Daneman, center. (Supplied)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Jazz standards, African-American spirituals and a little something new will be on the setlist as the Jazz in the Sanctuary concert series opens its sixth season Sunday, Nov. 17, in the acoustically inspiring sanctuary of Fountain Street Church in downtown Grand Rapids.
Robin Connell (Supplied)
Each concert in the series has guest performers joining Robin Connell, series host and local jazz musician, onstage for an hour or so of music and musical conversation. The Nov. 17 concert, set for 3 p.m., will feature vocalist Ashley Daneman and her husband, trumpeter Benje Daneman, Andrew Peck on bass and Connell on piano.
There is no bad seat in the house due to the venue’s famous acoustics and a large projection screen displays the performers up-close. Connell often invites audience members to ask questions.
According to supplied material, the setlist “will include standards, African-American spirituals, compositions by Benje and music from Ashley’s new album, People Are Fragile.”
Vocalist Ashley Daneman and her husband, trumpeter Benje Daneman. (Supplied)
Ashley Daneman, originally from Ohio, honed her singing voice in Washington, D.C., and New York City, earning her master’s degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Her original music is available on Bandcamp and other online platforms, according to supplied material, and she has drawn comparisons to Becca Stevens, Laura Nyro, and even Stephen Sondheim.
Benje Daneman started his professional career in 2007 with the Doc Severinsen Big Band and now performs and records with his band SearchParty. He has co-founded and directed multiple educational programs including the Jazz & Creative Institute (JCI), Kalamazoo Youth Jazz Orchestra, Kalamazoo Trumpet Workshop, and JazzStart Summer Jazz Workshop.
Included on a long musical resume, Connell received West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 “Musician of the Year” award for her widespread collaboration with area jazz artists and her work on this series. She performs regularly throughout West Michigan, often with her husband, trombonist and educator Paul Brewer.
General admission to each Jazz in the Sanctuary concert is $15 online or at the door. Students admission is $5 with a valid school ID. Please visit fountainstreet.org/jazz.
This coming week, as the nation observes Veterans Day, several community events have been planned to honor area veterans.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on Nov. 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, Nov. 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'” As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urging of the veterans service organizations — amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” Another change happened in 1968, with Veterans Day moved to the fourth Monday of October, however; that did not meet with much success so in 1975, former President Gerald R. Ford signed a law that moved Veterans Day back to Nov. 11.
City of Wyoming
The City of Wyoming will be hosting its annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center. The breakfast is free for veterans and $10 for non-veterans. Reservations for the breakfast are required. To make a reservation, call the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164. For more on this event, click here.
Government Matters
This month’s Government Matters forum, hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, will be at Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23, 98 52nd St. SE. The program, which is from 8 – 9:15 a.m., brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
Several area businesses will be doing special promotions and events for veterans. All SpartanNash stores will be giving veterans an 11 percent discount on eligible products on Sunday, Nov. 10, and Monday, Nov. 11. The stores will also start carrying American Dream apples, with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bag of apples will support service members, veterans and their families.
There’s no definitive proof coffee drinking lowers the risk of gallstones, but there is an association that merits further study. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
To the many ways in which coffee seems to confer unexpected health benefits, add a lowered risk of painful gallstones.
After tracking nearly 105,000 Danes for an average of eight years, researchers found that those who downed more than six cups per day of the world’s most popular beverage saw their gallstone risk drop by 23%.
“High coffee intake is associated with a lower risk of gallstone disease,” said study author Dr. A. Tybjaerg-Hansen. She’s chief physician of Rigshospitalet’s department of clinical biochemistry at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark.
That’s good news for Danes, 6% of whom drink six or more cups of coffee every day, she said.
But what about the average Dane, who knocks back just two cups a day? Or the average American or Brit who consumes between one to two cups daily? The study has good news for them, too. It turns out that even small amounts of coffee appeared to lower gallstone risk.
Compared to those who abstained from coffee, participants who drank just one cup of Joe a day saw the risk of gallstones dip by about 3%. Meanwhile, those who consumed three to six cups per day saw their risk lide by 17%.
The findings were published recently in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Gallstones are hard pebble-like pieces that can accumulate in the gallbladder, where they can sometimes block bile ducts. When that extremely painful condition develops, surgery to remove them is often the treatment of choice.
So what is it about coffee that seems to diminish risk? Tybjaerg-Hansen said that, for now, “we can only speculate on that.”
But she noted that because caffeine is excreted via the bile, it’s possible that it reduces the amount of cholesterol found in the bile. That could reduce gallstone risk, given that “the development of gallstones depends on a balance largely between cholesterol and bile acids,” Tybjaerg-Hansen explained.
Coffee also stimulates the muscle contractions that move contents though the gastrointestinal tract.
As to whether it’s the caffeine content that serves as coffee’s silver bullet, Tybjaerg-Hansen said, “yes, that is a possibility.” That raises the prospect that tea or chocolate might also lower gallstone risk.
But whatever’s behind coffee’s power, she believes that the team’s subsequent genetic analyses indicate that it’s coffee itself—rather than lifestyle factors common to coffee drinkers—that is at play.
Another expert is not so sure.
Dr. Anthony Bleyer is a professor of nephrology at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was not involved in the Danish study and was not previously aware of any link between coffee and gallstone risk.
“(But) it seems every week there is a new story about how coffee may or may not be associated with some benefit,” he cautioned. “Information on coffee is collected in many big databases. It is easy to do a comparison with just about any factor: osteoporosis, weight gain, weight loss, sleep, ulcers, cancer, mortality. You get the picture.”
And Bleyer acknowledged that many people will find studies like this interesting, given that coffee drinking is such a common habit.
“But from a scientific standpoint, I am not a big fan,” he added.
“For one thing, consuming six cups of coffee is quite a lot,” he said, “and the (high level of) caffeine could have big effects on sleep, gastric reflux and on arrhythmias.”
But most importantly, said Bleyer, the things that drive people to drink a lot of coffee in the first place “may also cause other changes in diet.” And it could very well be those dietary changes, rather than coffee itself, that end up affecting gallstone risk.
His bottom line: don’t place too much stock in the power of coffee to reduce gallstone risk.
For now, he said, “these studies show only an association, that is not causative.”
Veterans Day on November 11 is a day for the people of the United States to honor those men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. For aging and elderly veterans, the holiday is an important time to reflect on their experiences and receive recognition for their deeds, and in senior living communities, it’s likely that there are several residents who have served.
Whether you’d like to take some time this Veterans Day to honor the veterans around you, or you are a veteran yourself, here are some meaningful ways to observe the holiday:
1. Plan an Oral History Interview or Discussion
Oral history projects such as the Veterans History Project are reaching out to veterans across the country to preserve their memories and experiences for future generations. The interviews are informal and meant to be comfortable and companionable to make it as easy as possible for veterans to talk about experiences that may be troubling. Most oral history projects recommend one-on-one interviews, but a group discussion with several veterans can make it easier to exchange stories and memories. The most important part of any oral history project, after all, is preserving authentic first-hand accounts. The Veterans History Project has a list of suggested interview questions to get the conversation started, but from there, let it wander. The most interesting stories can come from unexpected places.
2. Pack Care Packages
While Veterans Day is for honoring those who have already finished serving honorably in the armed forces, it’s also a good day to show support to those who are currently serving. Organizations such as Operation Gratitude help people connect with deployed troops to send care packages, which typically include little comforts from home that are difficult to get on deployment. This is a great social activity for veterans to engage in, as they can recall what they would have appreciated, the sort of rations they received, and more details about their service as they continue to support the armed forces.
3. Attend Local Celebrations
Local governments and schools often organize parades or assemblies to honor Veterans Day. If you are a veteran, consider talking to school groups about your service, or attend a school event. Putting a face to history helps kids understand the reality of what they learn. Local parades celebrate the service of our veterans, and local businesses and organizations may offer discounts or donate proceeds to services that help veterans.
4. Thank the Veterans Around You
This is one of the simplest, but most meaningful things you can do to celebrate Veterans Day. Take a moment to shake the hand of the veterans around you and thank them for their service. A small gesture can mean a lot, and for veterans in senior living communities, gratitude from peers, caretakers, family, and friends can have more significance than large events and speeches.
However you choose to celebrate Veterans Day, we hope you have some time to support the aging and elderly veterans who have done so much for our country. From all of us at Vista Springs, happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service!
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is controlled in its home region of Asia by samurai wasps. The wasps are now found in the United States and could help control BMSB in Michigan.
The samurai wasp with the scientific name of Trissolcus japonicus was found in Michigan for the first time in 2018. This tiny parasitic wasp has great potential to provide effective biological control of brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) that have invaded Michigan orchards, crops and homes.
In 2019, Michigan State University researchers started a rearing and release program of samurai wasps at Michigan State University. We are boosting population sizes and increasing its distribution across Michigan to speed up control of BMSB. This program has generated a lot of interest in the media and online recently, and with that there are some common misconceptions about what these developments mean. I wanted to answer some frequently asked questions about the samurai wasp and the brown marmorated stink bug.
1. How did these wasps get to Michigan? Where else can they be found?
The samurai wasp is native to northeast Asia where BMSB comes from. It was not intentionally released in North America, but got introduced accidentally, likely the same way as BMSB by being stowed away in shipping containers, planes or any other means of transportation. It was first found in Maryland in 2014, and in 2015 in Washington in the western United States. Based on its patterns of discovery, the wasp appears to follow BMSB distribution and has been moving west from Maryland.
In 2017, it was found in Ohio and the following year we found it in Michigan. Now, BMSB has been found in 12 states (Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, California, Michigan, Utah and Washington), the District of Columbia and in British Columbia, Canada. The densities of samurai wasps are very low in most places and this is why several states, for example, New York, Ohio and Washington, have started similar rearing and redistribution programs of samurai wasps as is Michigan.
2. What is an invasive species and is the samurai wasp invasive?
The samurai wasp is a non-native species and not considered an invasive species. Invasive species are those that reach high densities locally or regionally and result in economic damage or other harm to the environment.
3. Are they going to attack any species other than BMSB?
The samurai wasp is adapted to parasitize stink bugs only. It cannot attack any other species. However, there is a concern it might attack stink bugs native to Michigan. In the laboratory, it was able to attack native stink bugs when given no other choice, however, it shows a strong preference for BMSB.
Right now, BMSB is the most prolific stink bug species in most habitats, so it will likely be the primary target of the wasp. It is well-known that no-choice laboratory tests often overestimate impact that will actually occur in the field. In nature, the behavior of parasitoids is influenced by many things that cannot be replicated in a laboratory setting including climatic, biological and environmental factors.
Wasps use many different cues to locate hosts, such as chemicals emitted by stink bugs and the plants the stink bugs feed on. A recent study found when the wasps were exposed to these types of chemical cues, in every single case they chose to attack BMSB and not the native stink bug species. So, when given a choice in the field, it is likely they will attack BMSB, their primary host that they are adapted to and which is our most common stink bug.
4. Can I find samurai wasps in my orchard or garden? Will they sting people?
Brown marmorated stink bug feeds on an apple. BMSB are pests of many crops and are a nuisance in people’s homes. Photo by Bill Shane, MSU Extension.
These wasps are tiny, only 1/8 of an inch, about the size of a sesame seed. They cannot sting people and most people will never see them in nature. They track BMSB eggs flying around in tree canopies, hiding among leaves of crops or taking shelter under barks of trees. They are hard to find and see with the naked eye. Scientists use so-called sentinel eggs to capture them.
The sentinel BMSB eggs are usually laid in lab colonies and then affixed to leaves and left for a few days in habitats where BMSB and thus the wasps likely reside. If samurai wasps find these sentinel eggs, they can parasitize them by laying their own eggs inside the stink bug eggs. The sentinel eggs are taken back to the lab and monitored to see if wasps emerge. This is how samurai wasps were detected in Michigan and elsewhere.
5. Why do we think the samurai wasp will be effective at controlling the brown marmorated stink bug?
The samurai wasp is the parasitoid that keeps BMSB populations down in Asia in its native range. There are other parasitoids attacking BMSB in Asia, but the samurai wasp is the one with the highest attack rates, parasitizing 60-90% of BMSB egg masses. Because of its effectiveness in Asia, we assume it will be a good biocontrol agent here. It is adapted to BMSB so it will respond to the cues and chemical signatures that the stink bug leaves on the trees and crops and can find BMSB in many different habitats.
Another trait that usually characterizes successful biocontrol agents is the ability to have several generations during a growing season. BMSB has only one generation in Michigan, but lays eggs over an extended period of time, probably from June to August. Wasps can complete one generation in two weeks so they can keep attacking BMSB during the entire season as the new generations emerge.
Finally, because BMSB is a season-long pest and can feed on hundreds of plant species including many adjacent to crop fields, it is difficult to control with pesticides. Samurai wasps can follow stink bugs across the landscape into all the different habitats where they may feed and reproduce so they can be effective at suppressing their numbers over large areas.
6. Are there efforts to monitor impacts on native stink bugs?
My lab is taking steps to better understand the host choice of samurai wasps and their potential impact on native stink bugs. As part of our release and monitoring program, we placed over 180 sentinel egg masses of native stink bugs in BMSB habitats and in places where wasps were released and so far, none of them were attacked by samurai wasps.
7. Have we seen any results yet of the wasps controlling BMSB?
No. It is too early to see any impact samurai wasps may have on BMSB. Like with most biological control programs, it will take probably years until a newly arrived natural enemy such as the Samurai wasp builds up large enough populations to have a measurable impact on its target. This is the process we are trying to speed up a bit with our augmentative releases.
Also, the samurai wasp will not eradicate BMSB—that is not how biological control works. What is expected of a successful biocontrol agent is to bring down pest densities and reach a low equilibrium density where the wasps and BMSB co-exist, but BMSB would no longer create enough damage to be considered a pest.
World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM) invites the public to join communities across the United States in a national conversation on China as the local group hosts the 13th annual China Town Hall at the University Club in downtown Grand Rapids on Monday, Nov. 18.
The program is hosted in partnership with the National Committee on U.S. China Relations.
After refreshments and a social hour, from 5:15-6 p.m., the WACWM will broadcast a live-streamed interactive panel from New York City focusing on the current state of China-U.S. relations, moderated by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, according to supplied material.
After the panel, at about 6:45 p.m., there will be a local conversation on the issue facilitated by Courtney Henderson from the Michigan-China Innovation Center.
“The local version of the town hall will focus on the bilateral relationship’s local impact on regional business, educational, and cultural interests,” the supplied material states.
“Our country’s relationship with China has a direct impact on the lives of nearly everyone in the U.S. — most certainly including Michigan. These national and local conversations provide an opportunity to discuss the issues that affect our community the most.”
Although the slopes might not be ready just yet, it’s never too early to begin preparing your body for ski season.
Here’s a look at the most common injuries and the best ways to prevent them:
Head injuries
Falls account for 75 to 85 percent of ski injuries, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, and nearly all ski-related head injuries are the result of falling.
The best way not to fall is “making sure you’re in shape,” said Jason Lazor, DO, who specializes in sports medicine for Spectrum Health Medical Group Orthopedics. To do that, start preparing weeks or months before you actually get on the slopes.
The time to start prepping for skiing is yesterday. Prepare your core, muscles and joints for the rigors of skiing and you’re less likely to injure yourself. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
“You don’t really want to ski yourself into shape,” Dr. Lazor suggested. “When you’re skiing, you’re putting a lot of forces on the body. …The body can best handle those forces when you’ve done some prepping.”
Dr. Lazor recommends a combination of stretching, cardiovascular training like running, cycling and/or swimming, and resistance training focused on the lower extremities to best prepare for ski season. In terms of weight and resistance training, he suggests focusing on quads, hamstrings, abdomen and pelvic stabilizers.
Strong muscles and flexibility increase stability and muscle control, as well as decrease muscle fatigue, which all help to prevent serious falls.
“The more in-shape you are and the more body control you have, the better you can avoid accidents, and when accidents do happen, the better you can protect yourself,” Dr. Lazor said.
The other key for protecting your head is wearing a properly-fitted helmet. You’ll look great.
Sprains and fractures
Two other common injuries when skiing are sprains and fractures.
Collisions with objects and other skiers account for between 11 and 20
percent of ski injuries, according to the American College of Sports
Medicine, and are the primary cause of fractures.
Skiing “in control” is the best way to avoid those collisions, says Dr. Lazor. Almost every resort posts a Responsibility Code, which reminds skiers to keep an eye on the skiers in front of them, stop in safe and visible places, always look uphill while stopped, and other basic tips for avoiding collisions and ensuring safety.
It’s also important to know your limits, says Dr. Lazor, and not to ski on trails that are above your ability level.
Thumb and wrist injuries
About 30 to 40 percent of skiing injuries are to the upper extremities, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, and “the most vulnerable joint of the upper body is the thumb.”
Skier’s thumb, which is a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb, happens when skiers fall on an outstretched hand while still gripping their ski poles.
The best way to avoid this injury—which can lead to pain and weakness when grasping objects—is to avoid falling (see above advice). A second helpful tip is to use ski poles with straps rather than fitted grips.
“(Straps) are associated with fewer injuries,” the American College of Sports Medicine reports.
When to see a doctor
“In general, if you’re questioning an injury, go seek out help,” Dr. Lazor advised.
Signs of serious head injuries are people acting outside their normal character, behaving more emotionally than normal, a sudden sensitivity to light and lingering headaches.
Another advantage to working out before winter arrives, Dr. Lazor said, is people who work out can tell the difference between general soreness following physical activity and pain from an injury. He frequently reminds people that the Orthopedic Urgent Care clinic stands at the ready to assist them as they encounter any sort of orthopedic injuries—on or off the slopes.
Dr. Lazor has a simple mantra for those wondering when to see a doctor: “When in doubt, get checked out.”
True heroism is remarkable sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
American Tennis Player Arthur Ashe
We Salute
Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11, with several local events schedule. The City of Wyoming will host its annual Veterans Day Breakfast at the Wyoming Senior Center and the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce will be at Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Mr. Sid’s Afternoon Video Series will be hosting a program honoring local vets. For more information, click here.
Become Civic Minded
This Sunday, Nov. 10, City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson will host a Community Conversation on Homelessness from 2 – 4 p.m. at Broad Leaf Local Beer, 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE. Keynote speaker will be Judge William G. Kelly, the chief judge for Kentwood’s 62B District Court. For more information, click here.
The Grand Rapids Symphony performs the music of “Home Alone” as the film is shown on Nov. 12.
Stay ‘Home Alone’ or hit some craft shows
The weekend will be full of craft shows such as the one at the Byron Center High School, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW. The show runs form 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Kentwood’s St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 1253 52nd St. SE, also will be hosting its craft show from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, get into the holiday spirit as the Grand Rapids Symphony presents the movie classic “Home Alone.” The symphony will perform the John Williams’ score as the film is shown.
Fun Fact: I’m not heavy, I’m a bridge
The world’s largest and heaviest vertical-lift bridge is the Houghton Hancock Bridge, also called the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, located in Houghton, Michigan, the home of Michigan Technology University. About 35,000 tons of concrete and about 7,000 tons of steel was used in the bridge’s construction. The double-decker bridge is the major connection across Portage Lake which cuts across the Keweenaw Peninsula with a canal that links to Lake Superior. And for the beer fans, Houghton is also home to the Keweenaw Brewing Company.
According to GVSU Economist Brian Long, the GM-related layoffs accounted for most of the drop in the West Michigan employment index for October. (Photo by WKTV)
The West Michigan industrial economy continues to see marginal growth despite effects from the GM strike, said Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.
Long surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of October.
The survey’s index of business improvement (new orders) dropped significantly to -21 from +6. The production index fared worse, plunging to -34, from +6. The index of purchases dropped to -21 from -6 and the employment index fell to -14 from +8.
Long said GM-related layoffs accounted for most of the drop in the West Michigan employment index for October; he said he expects the local economy will return to steady slow growth in November.
“Of the 83 counties in Michigan, Ottawa County still posted the lowest unemployment rate at 2.7 percent. At 2.8 percent, Kent and Allegan counties tied for third place.” Long said. “It is good to see many firms are still looking for people at all levels.”
Long said it looks as though China and the U.S. may have come to an agreement and, if so, there could be a modest bounce in the economy if an agreement is signed. “We’ve been here before, only to have China pull the rug out from under us at the last minute,” Long said.
He added current signs still point toward a stagnation rather than a recession for the world economy.
The Institute for Supply Management survey is a monthly survey of business conditions that includes 45 purchasing managers in the greater Grand Rapids area and 25 in Kalamazoo. The respondents are from the region’s major industrial manufacturers, distributors and industrial service organizations. It is patterned after a nationwide survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. Each month, the respondents are asked to rate eight factors as “same,” “up” or “down.”
It’s a difficult and stressful time when an aging loved one begins to show signs of dementia. Memory loss can be frightening and sad, but people with dementia can still live out their golden years happy and full of life, provided they receive the care that’s right for them. Moving to a memory care facility can give them the attention and stimulation they need, but how do you choose the best one? Start by asking these questions:
What are your loved one’s unique needs?
While a diagnosis may give general guidelines as to how your loved one’s dementia may progress and what sort of care they need, every individual has a different experience with memory loss. Any memory care facility that you consider should be able to understand and respond to unique needs. From physical ability to behavior considerations, the care facility’s staff should be able to demonstrate knowledge of and experience with caring for different needs associated with aging and dementia.
What level of care does the facility offer?
Depending on your loved one’s needs, you should look for a facility that offers a variety of care options. All memory care facilities should offer 24-hour supervision, medical monitoring, and help with daily activities. There are also a few specific considerations that you should be sure to ask about during the decision process, such as:
Which meals are provided, and what is the quality of those meals? Aging adults, especially those with dementia, may begin to lose their appetites. Varied meals with different colors present on the plate may keep them interested.
What type of training has the staff received?
What are their emergency response procedures?
How often are housekeeping and laundry services provided?
What is the staff to resident ratio during the day, night, and on weekends? Having too many different people caring for residents with dementia may be distressing for them, so knowing how many people are on call and how many will be providing personal care is important.
Both you and your loved one should be confident in the level of care and comfort provided by the facility before considering it further.
What sort of activities are offered?
Reports and studies published by Alzheimer’s Disease International and the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group link cognitive and physical stimulation to unchanging and even improving cognitive ability in people with dementia, and therefore it’s important that a memory care facility offers a variety of activities that are fun and easy for residents of all ages and cognitive levels. Ask about how often activities are held, residents’ level of freedom, and if people are grouped by cognitive level, which may be more comforting to your loved one.
What are the facilities like?
You may think a familiar setting, such as a comfortable family home, may be better for your loved one if they are showing signs or are diagnosed with dementia, but the level of care that must be provided is hard for families or even hired caregivers in a space that is not designed with ease of care in mind. The memory care facility that you choose should be as homey as possible to help your loved one transition to living there. What type of housing do they offer? Do they have private or semi-private rooms and apartments? Are memory care buildings laid out in such a way that residents won’t get lost, confused, or anxious? The experience of living in a memory care facility should be as enjoyable as possible, so pay attention to the details.
The new care needs of your loved one when they begin to show signs of dementia can seem overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. In the right care facility, you can be sure that they are receiving the best care possible, and that they can live full lives with the assistance they need.
What happens at the federal, state, county and city government levels are of importance to everybody, including veterans, so the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum will be fittingly held at Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23.
“We thought there was no better time to take our Government Matters forum on the road than Veterans Day,” Bob O’Callaghan, president of the chamber, said to WKTV. “We wanted to honor our veterans, and the AMVETS in Kentwood stepped up.”
O’Callaghan also thanked Harold Mast, longtime local public servant and veterans advocate, for arranging the visit to the AMVETS post.
AMVETS Post 23 is located at 98 52nd St. SE. The Government Matters meeting runs from 8-9:15 a.m.
The Government Matters meeting is rebroadcast on WKTV’s channels and on-demand website (wktvlive.com).
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents, businesses — and veterans and their families — in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org.
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org.
Wednesday, Nov. 13, Mr. Sid’s Wednesday After Video Series will host a special program honoring area veterans.
The program will be at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW. Feature presenter will be Fred Johnson, PhD, who is an associate professor of history at Hope College and a frequent presenter at Calvin Academy of Lifelong Learning.
The program will have a special guest, World War II Veteran Virgil Westdale, who is a 101-years-old. Westdale was a farm boy who was a pilot, TSA office and WWII solider serving with the all Japanese/American 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 522nd Artillery Battalion helping push the German’s out of Italy, France, and freeing prisoners from the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany. Westdale’s book “Blue Skies and Thunder” will be available for purchase ($20) during the event.
Upcoming Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series programs are “Feel Like You Belong” host and producer Alan Headbloom on Dec. 4. Headbloom has 30 years of experience in cross-cultural communication on six continents. He is interested in the stories of those who are immigrants and refugees and the challenges that they face. “Feel Like You Belong,” which airs on WKTV, features interviews of immigrants and expatriates faced with the challenge of adjusting to a new culture.
On Dec. 18, the Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series will host a Christmas Extravaganza. Mike Martin and guests will lead the group through Christmas Season music, songs, video and surprises.
Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series is in honor of Sid Lenger, a former Wyoming resident and World War II veteran who loved to share his stories and video travelogues at Marge’s Donut Den. Lenger passed away earlier this year at the age of 100.
A part of her continuing Second Sunday community conversations, City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson will host a Community Conversation on Homelessness Sunday, Nov. 10, from 2-4 p.m., at Broad Leaf Local Beer.
The Keynote Speaker of the public event will be Judge William G. Kelly, the chief judge for Kentwood’s 62B District Court.
The panel will include Wende Randall, director of Kent County Essential Needs Task Force; Kent County Commissioner Stephen Wooden; James White of Cinnaire; and Cheryl Schuch, of Family Promise of Grand Rapids.
The event will be moderated by Bridson and Marshall Kilgore, Western Michigan Director for United Precinct Delegates. WKTV will record the discussion and post it on our WKTV Journal In Focus Podcast Channel.
“The more people I spoke with about housing, the more I realized we have several great community organizations working very hard in this area to make an impact,” Bridson said in her monthly community newsletter. “Homelessness doesn’t have a simple solution, but it does need a regional approach by various members of the community sitting down to compare our efforts, bring more awareness to all and work on more active solutions to keep chipping away at this issue.
“This issue is especially important to me because it disproportionately affects women, people of color and children.”
Bridson said in the community newsletter that she asked for information on homeless students in Kentwood Public Schools and found that, in 2018, Kentwood Public Schools had 283 students that were homeless, while Grand Rapids Public Schools had 671 students homeless.
She also states that Kentwood does not have a homeless shelter.
Thanksgiving is coming up Nov. 28th, and whether you are looking for a turkey dinner, a special holiday weekend getaway, or some unique events to celebrate the day, West Michigan has you covered. You’ll find special shopping events, festivals, Thanksgiving Day races, buffets, ready-made dinner options, Small Business Saturday deals, light shows, and more throughout the month to help make your holiday one to remember.
Thanksgiving brunch, dinner, and buffets
If there’s one holiday you would associate withCrane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant and Winery in Fennville, it’s Thanksgiving. Their famous homemade fruit pies are a perfect addition to any gathering around your family table. Crane’s will take orders for baked pies for your Thanksgiving feast up until Tuesday, Nov. 26th for a Wednesday pick-up. This year, in addition to the traditional pumpkin and apple pies, they are offering an extremely limited new Pumpkin Praline Pie, featuring layers of house-made cream cheese and pumpkin filling in their famous pie crust topped with a praline crumble. If you’re thinking of adding it to your Thanksgiving order, call Crane’s at 269.561.2297 to place your order before they run out.
Let Muskegon’s SE4SONS Gastropub create your Thanksgiving dinner. Chef Jeremy and his staff will prepare a wonderful meal, complete with all the fixings, cooking and reheating instructions, and a food thermometer. Choose your menu and place your order by Nov. 22nd and pick up your Thanksgiving meal Wednesday, Nov. 27th between 2-4pm.
Let RedWater Restaurant Group handle the cooking this Thanksgiving. Enjoy salads, roasted turkey, carved ham, prime rib or sirloin, other entrees, side dishes, desserts, and more at one of six available Thanksgiving buffets throughout Grand Rapids and Holland. Reservations are limited with seating every half hour. Visit www.redwaterrestaurantgroup.com/ for more information, or call the restaurant of your choice to reserve your spot. RedWater Restaurant locations include Cork Wine & Grille in Cascade, FireRock Grille in Caledonia, Reds at Thousand Oaks in Grand Rapids, Rush Creek Bistro in Grandville, RedRock Grille in Holland, and Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant in Holland.
Thanksgiving weekend events
The Zeeland Turkey Trot 8K will begin at 8am Thanksgiving morning. The race begins in the middle of downtown Zeeland and will take runners through the downtown streets. This year’s event will be capped at 1,500 runners, so be sure to sign up in advance.
Muskegon’s 10th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot takes place on the Lakeshore Bike Trail and the Muskegon Community College Fitness Center beginning at 9am. This family friendly 5K is the perfect way to jump-start Thanksgiving morning. Get festive, wear a turkey hat, and earn that extra helping at Thanksgiving dinner.
Join the Grand Rapids Public Museum for the Planetarium Double Feature showing of The Queen Light Show and Dark Side: The Light Show in the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium on Friday, Nov. 29th at 7pm. Music enthusiasts will rock out to the music of Queen and Pink Floyd paired with stunning visuals on the planetarium dome. A cash bar will be available before the first show and during a short intermission. Tickets to the Planetarium Double Features will include both light shows, and are $8 for non-members, $4 for members.
Courtesy City of Zeeland
Light up the season during the official lighting of the South Haven community holiday tree at Holiday in the Park, Nov. 29th in Dyckman Park. Ice skating, karaoke, Santa Paws Pet Parade, luminaries, holiday treats, and more will jump-start the holiday spirit and make memories you can reminisce on for years to come.
This Small Business Saturday, the Downtown Holland merchants want to thank the entire community for supporting small business all year round! On Saturday, Nov. 30th, head to Downtown Holland to enjoy a day full of shopping small, fun giveaways, amazing contests, and free Small Business Saturday swag from American Express!
November events to kick off the holiday season
Shop till you drop along Grand Haven Main Street. Stay up late, shop the night away, and save big on all of your holiday gifts Friday,Nov. 8th, 7-10pm. Get your holiday shopping off to an early start and take advantage of the progressive discounts offered by participating merchants. Up to 20% off from 7-8pm, up to 25% off from 8-9pm, and up to 30% off from 9-10pm. Check with participating stores for details.
Get an early start to your holiday shopping… by staying up late. On Friday,Nov. 8th, participating Downtown Holland businesses will stay open late with amazing saving deals from 7-10pm. Make a night of it with dinner and drinks at one of Downtown Holland’s local restaurants or breweries and then get ready to shop and save big with discounts up to 30% for one night only.
Just because summer’s over doesn’t mean that you can’t fill your table with fresh, local and healthy food. The Holland Farmers Market is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8am-3pm through Saturday, Dec. 21. Stop by to pick up everything you need to make your family’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes or to decorate your home for the holidays. You’ll find apples, squash, onions, potatoes, carrots, brussels sprouts, cheeses, meats, baked goods, and more at the Market, along with pumpkins, hay bales, corn shocks, wreaths, and greenery.
Nov. 9that 11am is Family Day at Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph. Family Days give adults and children time to learn and create side-by-side in these mini art activities at Krasl Art Center. Practice the art of decorating sugar cookies, while also getting to enjoy your delicious and ephemeral work of art.
The holiday season officially begins in Downtown Holland during the annual Holiday Open House on Saturday,Nov. 16 from 5-8pm. Stroll the decorated streets, enjoy the sounds of carolers singing, pose for a photograph with Santa and his favorite elf, visit the reindeer at the petting corral, and even sample a roasted chestnut. Participating businesses will have holiday merchandise on display and will be offering complimentary holiday refreshments while you shop. And don’t miss the official lighting of the Downtown Holland Christmas tree and the Christmas carol sing-along at the end of the night.
Yuletide classics trumpet the crisp air, welcoming families to holiday activities held during Dowagiac’s Christmas Open House in Southwest MichiganSaturday,Nov. 16th, from 10am to 2pm. Jolly Ole St. Nick greets children within the elegant indoor setting of Wood Fire Italian Trattoria. Enjoy the warm surroundings of the Pompeii Room, where children receive a gift from St. Nick.
Kick off the holiday season right by heading to Lansing on Friday Nov. 22 (the week before Thanksgiving) for Silver Bells in the City. The city will glow with thousands of lights, bringing together family and friends from across Michigan and beyond. The Electric Light Parade, Silver Bells Village, lighting of the State Christmas Tree, fireworks over the Capitol dome, and musical entertainment are all part of this Lansing tradition.
Courtesy St. Joseph Today
The Muskegon Museum of Art Festival of Trees returns Nov. 20th through Dec. 1st for its 15th year as a community holiday tradition. Professionally-designed themed trees and décor will be available for purchase through silent auction over the 11 days of the Festival. Raffles, music, holiday shopping, and special events will add to the fun. Special events include the popular Teddy Bear Breakfast, visits with Santa, Deck Your Halls decorating demo workshop, a holiday concert with Max & Ruth Bloomquist and Julia and the Greensides, Family Day, and Senior Day. Festival admission is $10 for adults, $5 for Museum members, $3 for children 3-17 years old, and free for children under 3. An All-Festival Pass is available for $15. The Muskegon Museum of Art Festival of Trees is open daily 10am-5pm, Sundays noon-5pm. MMA will be closed Thanksgiving day.
Experience an authentic European open-air Christmas market filled with handcrafted holiday items, delicious food, and artisan demonstrations at Holland’s Kerstmarkt 8th Street Marketplace. Open Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 23rd-Dec. 14th.
Keyed to the music of the holiday season, Let It Snow light show at Grand Rapids Public Museum features a variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee. It includes a stunning multimedia finale by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation, laser imagery, and special effects. Great for all ages, especially families, the show runs Nov. 29th through Jan. 5th.
The Zeeland City Christmas tree and Magical Christmas Parade bring the holiday season downtown on Dec. 2nd beginning at 6:15pm.
The holidays bring joy to many of us, but they aren’t always so kind to our overall health.
We may feel stressed from trying to do too much, working to please everyone, getting less sleep, exercising less and constantly trying to avoid all the unhealthy food that comes with the holidays.
To make matters worse, all that stress combined with less sleep makes our bodies crave sugar and then store it as belly fat. Yikes! Add alcohol to the mixture, and hot flashes and night sweats can occur, making the holiday roller coaster even worse.
You may think you are destined to gain extra weight during this time of year, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can either read this blog and feel depressed when you are done, or you can take the information and use it as a guide for how to enjoy the holidays the healthy way. All it takes is a little planning and some self control.
Let’s use a patient I’ll call Lisa as an example of how to enjoy the holidays and end up with better health.
Lisa is 51 and just starting menopause. She is taking a low dose of hormones, and she still experiences an occasional hot flash if she forgets to change her patch, gains a few extra pounds, drinks too much wine, is sleep deprived, or forgets to drink enough water.
When Lisa came to see me for her annual check up, she was very worried about the holidays—specifically weight gain.
Like many people, Lisa had several stressors she knew she would be tackling. She was trying to coordinate extended family events to be sure certain family members wouldn’t be together at the same time.
Lisa was also preparing herself mentally for the arrival of her college-age kids. She was excited to see them, of course, but she knew it would be an adjustment for everyone after settling in to their new routines. In addition, Lisa worked full time and was barely able to stick to her exercise routine because of frequent late meetings.
Adding the stress of the holidays could challenge her exercise and eating habits even more. She had just settled into a solid sleep routine and didn’t want holiday to-do lists and night sweats to upset that routine. It was time to make a plan.
Lisa had already outlined her goals, and when she came to see me, she shared them with me. She wanted to:
Not have hot flashes.
Continue her solid sleeping pattern.
Not gain weight.
Be happy and enjoy her family in the midst of potential conflicts and overload.
Lisa had already learned her symptom triggers (inadequate sleep,
wine, sugar, stress and excitement), and she knew her barriers
(full-time work schedule, extra events on her calendar, and holiday
baking and shopping for everyone). Her next step was figuring out how to
accomplish everything while avoiding triggers.
I was confident Lisa could attain her goals with planning, preparation and a few simple rules.
Lisa was aware that if she took care of herself she would be happier, healthier, able to accomplish more, and just more fun to be around. So she committed to planning out each week during the month of December.
Every Sunday afternoon she would make a prioritized list of things she needed to accomplish and break it down by daily tasks. Lisa included meal plans, exercise, work events, family time, changing her patch, taking her vitamins and sleep on her daily list. This would ensure she wouldn’t forget anything or have any excuses for not getting these things done.
Next, Lisa outlined a few rules for herself. She knew certain foods triggered issues like night sweats, weight gain and frustration, so she committed to the following rules:
No carbs after 3pm (unless one glass of wine was the sugar treat for the day).
Limit simple carbs to one serving per day.
Drink eight glasses of water per day.
Watch what she ate at holiday parties (choose lean meats, veggies and salad over carbs when available).
Exercise vigorously, even if it meant shorter workouts, to accommodate other obligations.
Make sleep a priority and stick to her pre-bedtime ritual: Five minutes of gratitude and metered breathing and no screen time. She also vowed to get up immediately in the middle of the night if she awoke (instead of tossing and turning, worrying about things she needed to get done).
As you can see, Lisa made a plan designed to help her make it through
the holidays in good health. She set goals and made some rules to help
her plan become a reality.
You can achieve success as well by setting your own goals, knowing your symptom triggers, listing your barriers and outlining the rules that will help you realize those goals.
The City of Kentwood has its cheesecake and is eating it too with the opening of The Cheesecake Factory at Woodland Mall.
The popular restaurant, which features more than 30 cheesecakes along with 250 menu items, officially opened this week, however; several West Michigan residents were able to check out the restaurant during a special preview to help staff prepare and work out the kinks.
The Brick Chicken at The Cheesecake Factory. (Photo by WKTV)
My daughter, Maggie, and I were among those dinners. Both of us have been to The Cheesecake Factory in Chicago, so we knew what to expect. And while we did not go in, we did drive past the first Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills, California. According to the company’s Senior Director of Public Relations Alethea Rowe, David Overton opened the first Cheesecake Factory in 1978 to highlight his mother’s cheesecake.
“Our story started back in Detroit, Michigan in the 1940s,” Rowe said. “(Overton’s mother) Everlyn Overton found a cheesecake recipe in a Detroit newspaper. She changed it a little bit to make her own and started making delicious cheesecakes for friends and family.”
Our server, Nia Duncan, of Kentwood, told us her cheesecakes are the current seasonal specialities, a Pumpkin Cheesecake and Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, which is a layer of pumpkin cheesecake on top of a pecan pie. She also said she liked another seasonal favorite, the Upside Down Pineapple Cheesecake which is cheesecake between two layers of pineapple upside down cake.
California Guacamole Salad (Photo by WKTV)
Rowe noted the company has a number of seasonal specialties with its Peppermint Bark Cheese being released on Black Friday.
And while Maggie and I are known for having our dessert first, both my daughter and I decided it might be better for each of us to order some lunch. Maggie ordered a new item called the Brick Chicken. This entrée had roasted chicken with crisp potatoes and sauteed onions and green peppers. I ordered from the “Super Foods” Menu getting the California Guacamole Salad that had mixed greens, avocado, tomato, corn, black beans, onion, radish, crispy tortillas, feta cheese and cilantro with a mildy spicy avocado dressing.
We were both extremely happy with our choices with neither one of us able to finish our meals as we had eaten a good portion of two appetizers, one of which was the guacamole and chips. If you like fresh guacamole, then The Cheesecake Factory is definitely the place to visit. It was fresh, with large pieces of avocado.
So with our appetizers and meals bagged, we had a piece of cheesecake. Being the chocolate lovers we are, we went with the Hershey’s Chocolate Bar Cheesecake, a Hershey’s chocolate cheesecake between two layers of chocolate cake with chocolate chips. We are true dessert lovers to the end because while we could not finish our entrées, we made sure to polish off the cheesecake.
The guacamole and chips appetizer. (Photo by WKTV)
The Kentwood location is only the second Cheesecake Factory in the state of Michigan. The other is located in Novi at the Twelve Oaks Mall. So why, put one in Kentwood’s Woodland Mall? According to Rowe, there were a number of factors.
“Everything from the local amount of foot traffic, local demographics, population density and of course all the wonderful renovations they have done here at the Woodland Mall made for the perfect formula of what we think will make a perfect restaurant for us,” she said.
The Cheesecake Factory is open from 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – midnight Friday, 10 a.m. – midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Take out is available from the restaurant and the cheesecake counter is located at the front for those who just want to snag a slice to go.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Once in awhile, we have the extreme pleasure of taking in a cat who is so instantaneously comfortable with his new surroundings, it is as though he has lived among us his entire life. Here’s a cat who is downright ebullient and gleeful at the mere prospect of coming into contact with a human that it elevates his emotions to another level of happiness—pure, unadulterated bliss!
Such is the case with Theon Greyjoy, a 2-year-old, beautiful boy (born in the summer of 2017) who has been simply bursting at the seams since his arrival in late August of 2019. How did we happen across such greatness? Somehow this gorgeous gray guy (sporting a little white locket) ended up at the Kent County Animal Shelter as a homeless stray, and when he tested positive for Feline Leukemia Virus four weeks after his arrival there, they called us to ask for help with placement.
From the get-go, Theon has delighted all of us with his charming personality and people-pleasing antics, bringing unrivaled joy into our lives:
“Theon is not only gorgeous, but he has proven to be an absolute doll. From the minute he arrived, he’s enjoyed all the luxuries of indoor life, including endless bowls of wet food, comfy beds, and ALL of the attention from the volunteers. He gets along great with the other residents, enjoys playing with the many toys scattered around the shelter, and is known to be a “helper” at the kitchen sink. Considering his young, playful age, he will definitely need a home with kids willing to spend plenty of time playing with him.”
“Theon is a bundle of joy and energy. He’s the type of cat that thrives in our chaotic shelter environment. He loves all of his friends, both feline and human. He is constantly in the middle of everything. He will do awesome in any action-packed home, maybe even one with a dog.”
So, there ya have it: aside from the fact he has the Feleuk virus, Theon Greyjoy is absolute purr-fection. And since positive kitties CAN live long and healthy lives, he is absolutely a fabulous candidate for adoption. A word of advice: don’t let this guy slip on by!
More about Theon Lovejoy:
Domestic Short Hair
Gray & White, Gray/Blue/Silver
Adult
Female
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Prefers a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Theon? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
With unofficial final results in from the Nov. 5 election, Ron Draayer has defeated Bill Benoit for the City of Kentwood’s Ward 2 Commissioner seat currently held by Michael Brown.
Running unopposed and reelected to other Kentwood Commission seats were incumbent Commissioner at Large Maurice H. Groce and incumbent Ward 1 Commissioner Robert D. Coughlin.
Unofficial final results from the Kent County Elections office had Draayer with 1,335 votes, Benoit with 845 and 11 write-in votes for others. Groce totaled 3,246 with 59 write-in votes for the city-wide seat, and Coughlin gained 1,228 with 34 write-in votes for the single-ward seat.
“I want to thank the residents of Ward 2 in Kentwood for voting for me and electing me to the Kentwood City Commission,” commissioner-elect Draayer said to WKTV Wednesday morning. “I pledge to work hard and be available to people to help with their concerns.
“I want to ensure that Kentwood continues to be a city where people can come from all over the world to raise their families in good neighborhoods. I also want to thank my family and friends for supporting me in this campaign and working hard for my election. I appreciate it very much.”
Draayer was a classroom teacher at Davenport University for 40 years and taught classes in the field of technology and cyber security.
Benoit works for the Charter Township of Cascade as a building inspector and plan reviewer, and is currently on the City of Kentwood Planning Commission.
“I would like to congratulate Mr. Draayer and I look forward to continue serving the citizens of Kentwood on the Planning Commission,” Benoit said to WKTV.
Coughlin will also continue to serve the city and Ward 1.
“I would like to thanks the voters in Kentwood for their support in yesterday’s election,” Commissioner Coughlin said to WKTV. “As I begin my 5th term as City Commissioner, let me reiterate that it has been an honor to serve our community for the last 16 years and I am looking forward to another four.
“Kentwood is on the move and we have a lot of great things happening. I am thrilled to be a part of it and will continue to serve my constituents with the utmost integrity and productivity. I love this city, it’s residents, and it’s diversity and will work hard to maintain the great standards we have achieved.”
