Category Archives: 3-bottom

WKTV honors volunteers for years, hours of being ‘heart and soul’ of community media

3-bottom, Going Local, Local Faces, Volunteers, WKTV Projects

[huge_it_slider id=”77″]

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Whenever you visit WKTV Community Media, all hours day and all days of the week, there are almost always volunteers working in the building on their own unique projects or working out in the community with our various community coverage projects.

WKTV appreciates its volunteers all year around, but once a year they are honored with at a special event. This year, in late June, WKTV held its Volunteer Recognition Picnic at Douglas Walker Park in Byron Center.

“For nearly 50 years, the community volunteers at WKTV Community Media have been the heart and soul of this organization, and that continues today,” said Tom Norton, executive director of WKTV Community Media. “We have volunteers working on their own unique projects to be shared on WKTV, volunteers who work with sports coverage and the newsroom programs, we have volunteers whose work helps keep this organization running. We are grateful to them all.”

At the event, top honors were given to Becci Schumaker and Bill Rinderknecht with Volunteer of the Year Awards, with Schumaker able to accept in person. The award for Community Service Programming was given to Gary Vande Velde.

Recognition was given to volunteers for both years of volunteer service as well as hours of service in 2018. Following is a list of those recognized as well as their programs or volunteer areas for those honored for years of service.

25 Years: Rose Hammond – Idlewild Documentary; Kim Johnson – Dynamic Praise Program/ Memorial Tributes/ Princess Diana.


20 Years: Judy Bergsma – The Reading Train; Pat Williams – Reading Train/ Community Awareness/ Anything!

15 Years: Jeff Steere – Rescue 1 FireSafety; Patty Williams – Bluegrass On Stage & Sounds Of Summer.

10 Years: Carrie Bradstreet – You’ve Got To be Kidding Me America/Plus.

5 Years: Kara Boorsma – News/ Plus; Randy Galaszewski – You’ve Got To be Kidding Me America/ Plus; Shahied “DJ” Word – Michigan’s Finest Talent.

100 Hour Club included Garion Adams, Tom Sibley, Gary Vande Velde, Tyler Darland, Marisol Martinez, Joiman Davis, Becci Schumaker, Bill Rinderkencht, Kriss Boom Boom, Matt Zuby, Rose Hammond, Mike Moll, Val Fisher, Ben Aki, Doug Remtema, Kyle Cortez, Stephanie Norton, Kathy Norton, Mike Bacon, Michael McCallum, Scott Baisden.

Those with 51–99 hours included Mark Bergsma, Shahied “DJ” Word, Randy Galaszewski.

With 26-50 hours were Patty Williams, Pat Williams, Rene Karadsheh, Larry Swanson, Carrie Bradstreet, Scott Wiseman.

With 1-25 hours Mike Boorsma, Kara Boorsma, Jim Dohm, Monique Keels, Phyllis Koslow, Pat Moll, Hung Nguyen, Les Raebel, Charlotte Rinderknecht, Mike Van Druemel, Gina Wiseman, Meochia Thompson, Judy Bergsma, Kim Johnson, Dan Kuipers, Dick Visser, Darious Young, Mike Endres, Travis Mandenburg, Edward Jay Nelson, Mark Tangen, Sophia Maslowski, Don Schumaker, Mark Lange.

‘American Made’ Margo Price, with baby story and great music, comes to Meijer Gardens amphitheater

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events,
Margo Price. (Supplied by the artist)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Say what you want about the alt/retro country music sounds of Margo Price, who will be opening for Dawes on the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park outdoor amphitheater stage Wednesday, July 31. But there is no doubt she is “All American Made”, both her music and her just delivered child.

Price comes to town with music from her outstanding 2016 release “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter” and her even better 2017 release “All American Made”. She also comes to the stage after giving birth to a daughter, Ramona Lynn Ivey, on June 4 — of this year.

That’s what I would call “American Made” tough.

Price and her husband, Jeremy Ivey, who plays guitar in Price’s band, have one other child, a boy born in 2010.

Margo Price. (Supplied by the artist)

Price was on the road both during and, as evidenced by her current tour schedule, soon after her latest pregnancy — last November she announced the pending addition to the family at a concert in Nashville: “I’ve been hiding something behind my guitar. We’re expecting a baby,” she says on her website.

What the singer/songwriter hasn’t been hiding is her great songs, including during her 2017 stop at St. Cecilia Music Center. (For a review of the concert, visit here.)

All American Made album cover

Her list of musical honors includes winning Americana Music Emerging Artist of the Year in 2016, the UK Americana International Song of the Year in 2017 for “Hands of Time” (from “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter”), 2018 Americana Music nominations for Artist of the Year and Album of the Year as well as a win for for Song of the Year for “A Little Pain” (from “All American Made”), and just this year, a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

And with a story like her’s, and a growing musical catalogue, I’d bet she is not done with that Grammy thing.

According to her official bio, in 2015, she “was a country underdog just trying to keep enough gas in the tank to get to the next gig,” but by the end of 2016, she was one of the genre’s most celebrated new artists with gigs on late night television and at major festivals around the world. And things are not slowing down, even if her music is growing.

Margo Price. (Supplied by the artist)

“People have started asking me, ‘Now that you’re having success, what are you going to write about?’” Price says in her bio. “A lot of what I wrote on my debut came out of my struggles in the music business, but we don’t have any shortage of material now. I’m just excited to finally have an audience and know that people are going to listen to our songs.”

With all due respect to Dawes, many people will be at Meijer Gardens to listen to her “American Made” songs — and maybe get a baby story or two.

For a video of “All American Made”, visit here.

Other remaining Meijer Gardens shows with original price tickets remaining include An Evening with the Beach Boys on Aug. 1, JJGrey and Mofro with Jonny Lang on Aug. 14, The Stray Cats on Aug. 15, Mandolin Orange — one of my early not-to-miss concerts — on Sept. 4, Dash Sultana on Sept. 8, The B-52s with ODM and Berlin on Sept. 11, and the season finale of Calexico and Iron & Wine on Sept. 18.

The Dawes with Margo Price concert will start at 6:30 p.m. (5:15 p.m. gates open), with a $50 general admission ticket price. For more information and tickets visit meijergardens.org .

21st Annual ‘Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford’ coming up Saturday, Aug. 17

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Upcoming Events
Photo courtesy MRTR

By Lauren King


On Aug. 17, 2019, the 21st Annual Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford (MRTR), a 5K Run/Walk and Kids for Kids Fun Run, will take place in downtown Rockford. 100% of the race fees and pledges from this event are donated to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD).


The race is named for Mitchell Peterson, who was was diagnosed with Duchenne shortly before his third birthday.

Courtesy MRTR

PPMD’s mission is to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal genetic disorder that slowly robs people of their muscle strength. Those with Duchenne are truly in a race against time as their muscles deteriorate further each day.


Duchenne is the most common muscular dystrophy in children. It is a progressive disorder that causes muscles to become weaker over time until it affects the whole body. Duchenne is not contagious. About one out of every 5,000 boys has Duchenne, and about 20,000 babies worldwide are born with it each year. Duchenne mostly affects boys and reaches across all races and cultures. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) estimates that there are about 15,000 young men, as well as a few young women, living with Duchenne today in the United States.

 Over the past 20 years, MRTR has included over 10,000 participants, 1,000 volunteers, and several thousand spectators, raising over $1,000,000. Mitchell’s Run Thru Rockford has been designated by Classic Race Management as “One of the Premier Running Events in West Michigan”.


When you join Mitchell’s Run thru Rockford, a Race to End Duchenne, you are supporting PPMD’s vital work in advancing research, care, and advocacy to help those with Duchenne live longer, stronger lives.


When: Saturday, Aug. 17

  • 5K Run/Walk, 8:30am
  • Kids for Kids Run, 9:30am, (new in 2019, along with the Super Heroes, Princesses from Royal Arrivals will also run alongside the kids.)

Where: Downtown Rockford, Michigan 


Go here to register.



Working after retirement: Why lots of boomers are starting businesses

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


By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Baby boomers over 50 account for one of the fastest growing group of investors and entrepreneurs, with many of them tuning to technology for help. Boomers come into entrepreneurship with decades of experience, extensive networks and the capital required for seed funding, giving them an advantage over other generations. 


If you choose to go into entrepreneurship after retirement, you have a great chance of growing your business into a successful venture.


After working for someone else for decades, you might be looking for an opportunity to become your own boss. Entrepreneurship gives you an opportunity to be independent as you pursue your passions and interests. Owning a business also creates additional income, allowing you to delay claiming your social security benefits. Additionally, entrepreneurship offers you an alternative if you have been laid off and you are not sure you can get rehired.


Whatever your motivation, there are several business ideas you can pursue even after retirement, such as:

Consultancy

Combine your skills, experience over the years and business connections to start a business that allows you to share your knowledge and focus your energy on learning how to run a business as opposed to acquiring new skills. You can explore several consulting opportunities. Start by speaking to your former employers and acquaintances: while they may not contract you on a full time basis, they might afford to bring you in a project basis.


Instead of focusing solely on face-to-face consultancy, consider teaching or coaching online through blogging or vlogging. Explore different options and the flexibility they offer; for example can you dedicate a few hours to online coaching while traveling or do you need to commit time for in-person engagements. Another consideration you must make is the paying power of potential customers.

Service Business

Depending on your interests, passions and expertise, there are different opportunities you can explore in service provision. For example, pet sitting for busy pet owners, tutoring or babysitting. Give yourself an edge by getting creative like this puppy lover whose service is providing pets at parties for children and other guests to enjoy. Explore options that allow you flexibility and the opportunity to work remotely such as running a virtual assistant agency where you can help other entrepreneurs manage their schedules including helping with their travel arrangements.

Active Living

As health care shifts towards a preventive lifestyle, there is an opportunity for you start a career that encourages active living especially among your peers who are looking to age gracefully. Get a license from your activity of choice and start offering classes in your home, at a local fitness center or organize sessions where clients can enjoy the outdoors when the weather allows.


Entrepreneurship has no age limit; explore your passions by becoming your own boss now that you have the time. Take advantage of technology to become a better business owner, for marketing and to connect with other likeminded individuals who are on a similar path.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Living.



Wyoming Lee football seeks better days with independent schedule in 2019

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, , ,
Wyoming Lee’s football team will be playing an independent schedule for the next two seasons. (2018 photo/WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming’s Lee High School has historic rivalries in the OK Conference Silver, especially with local Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville high schools. But, in football, it has also had a history of struggling mightily against its conference rivals.

Ultimately, though, it was “doing what is best for the kids” that drove the Rebels — soon to be Legends — to take at least a two-year hiatus from conference play and play an independent schedule this season starting with a home game against White Cloud Thursday, Aug. 29.

While Lee athletic director Jason Faasse said he and others are excited about the possible impact of two years playing an independent schedule, head coach Tom DeGennaro also hopes for a little excitement but wonders if, after decades, Lee football and the OK Conference should part ways for good.

“We’re excited about it,” Faasse said to WKTV. “Our coaching staff is excited about it. Our kids are excited about it. I think it is going to help build our program. It is going to get more kids out. … We are excited to see what this is going to bring.”

The decision to go independent was actually made last season, in the midst of a 1-8 season, and a streak of winning only five games against 22 losses in three years.

“We put together a proposal to do that back in October of last fall, the decision really came because of the state our program has been in the past several years,” Faasse, said. “Just the amount of players we have coming out seems to ebb and flow but we have seen a decrease (and) a lot of that is based on success.”

Faasse said there was some talk about making the jump to independent schedule in 2017, “but we thought we’d be rushing it.”

“We went out to our (varsity) coaches, our other coaches in the program, our parents, our (school governing) board,” Faasse said. “And we just asked for their input on if you think this is a good idea. We got overwhelming support of it.”

Also, there was no serious consideration of playing 8-man football. “We are above the (student count) threshold … we could play, however we would not qualify for the playoffs because of student count,” Faasse said.

Faasse said they would look at resuming conference play again in two years.

DeGennaro, however, says “what is best for our kids” may be no longer playing football in the OK Conference.

Lee head coach Tom DeGennaro. (WKTV)

“We’ve struggled, and it hasn’t just been a short term thing,” DeGennaro said to WKTV, who, like all coaches, had the stats to back up his actions.

The team has had a 61-year history with the OK Conference, it was one of the founding members, he said. And during those 61 years, the team has had 4 winning seasons. The last time they won the conference championship was 1965. They have had 357 total games in conference and 284 losses.

Lee has football players, many of them hitting the weight room this summer. But maybe not enough to compete at there OK Conference level. (WKTV)

“We preach we should do what is best for our kids … last year we had the score run up on us, a team putting their first string back in so they could break 60 points on us. We were not physically able to stay in a game with anybody,” DeGennaro said.

The decision on what will happen in the future is yet to be decided, Faasse said.

“After two seasons of playing an independent schedule, we (will) conduct a review of the status of the program to determine if rejoining the OK Conference schedule is in the best interest of our students,” Faasse said in a previous memorandum to the district governing board detailing the plan to play an independent schedule.

“The goal of this decision is first and foremost putting our athletes in a safe situation,” Faasse also said in the memorandum. “… Under the direction of our coaching staff, this move will help jump-start the development of the program and provide for a culture of success at Lee High School.”

Lee also has history of success when it has gone with an independent schedule — something both coach and athletic director can attest to.

“We pulled out when I was the coach here for my first tenure, we pulled out in ’05 and ‘’06, and we won 13 games (over those two years) and we lost six,” DeGennaro said. “We made the playoffs when we played schools we could compete with.”

Faasse was, coincidentally, a player at Lee when they went independent in 2005.

“Hopefully this gives out kids something to be excited about,” DeGennaro said. “I think they are excited to play teams that they are more on an even par with.”

Lee’s complete football schedule is available at leelegends.org .

Where and when to see Lee football on WKTV

Lee’s Aug. 29 game and all WKTV Featured Games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

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

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

The functional fern

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, , ,
Researchers say they’ve genetically modified a species of ivy to filter out harmful pollutants. Other common houseplants are likely next. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


A common houseplant to help keep your home’s air cleaner and safer?


Scientists report they have genetically altered pothos ivy to filter certain hazardous chemicals from household air.


Many people use HEPA air filters to reduce levels of allergens and dust particles in their homes. But the molecules of the chemicals benzene and chloroform are too small to be trapped in these filters, the University of Washington researchers explained.


Chloroform is present in small amounts in chlorinated water. Benzene—a component of gasoline—can accumulate in homes through showering or boiling water, or by keeping cars or lawn mowers in attached garages, the study authors noted.


Both benzene and chloroform exposure have been linked to cancer.


“People haven’t really been talking about these hazardous organic compounds in homes and I think that’s because we couldn’t do anything about them,” study senior author Stuart Strand said in a university news release. He’s a research professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering.


“Now we’ve engineered houseplants to remove these pollutants for us,” Strand said.


The researchers genetically modified pothos ivy to remove chloroform and benzene from the air around it. The altered plants produce a protein called 2E1 that transforms chloroform and benzene into molecules the plants can use for growth.


When placed in glass tubes with either benzene or chloroform gas, the modified plants reduced chloroform levels by 82 percent after three days, and the gas was almost undetectable by day six. Benzene levels dropped by about 75 percent after eight days, the researchers said.


These lab tests used much higher levels of the gases than would be found in homes, but it’s likely that the plants would lower home levels of the gases as fast, or even faster, the study authors said.


The researchers said they’re now adding another protein to pothos ivy that can break down formaldehyde, a gas found in many wood products and tobacco smoke.


The research was published recently in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Trails for hiking, biking, paddling, and more in West Michigan

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Kids Activities, Recreation, Senior Living, , ,

By Adrienne Brown-Reasner, West Michigan Tourist Association


Whether you want to get lost in the woods, put your mountain bike to the test, or explore the coastline, you’ll find a great way below to hit the trails.

Hiking & biking

Celebrate 100 years of Michigan State Parks this year by traveling the more than 12,500 miles of state-designated trails and pathways in our state, making Michigan home to one of the largest, interconnected trail systems in the country. This inviting network — and the associated quality of life, health, and economic benefits it offers — is fueling Michigan’s drive to be known nationally as “The Trails State.” The trail system offers ample opportunities for bicyclists, hikers, ORV riders, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, horseback riders, and more.


Discover Munising’s wonderful waterfalls and hiking trails that provide opportunities for tranquility, relaxation, education and fun, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which offers 100 miles of trails within its 73,000 acres along 42 miles of Lake Superior’s shore.

The Grayling area offers a number of walking, hiking, and biking trails, including a paved pathways system that is over 11 miles long, connecting parks and recreation spots around the area, such as Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Hartwick Pines State Park, and Wakeley Lake.


Cheboygan County has more miles of trails than any other county in Michigan. Their hundreds of miles of four-season trails bring visitors back year after year. These trails connect Cheboygan to the surrounding cities, lakes, and recreational areas.


Whether a beginner, intermediate, or expert rider, the world-class Copper Harbor Trails System has a ride-of-a-lifetime waiting for you. Join Keweenaw Adventure Company in Copper Harbor for a professionally-guided tour.


Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings has seven miles of hiking trails throughout the 662 acres of natural area it sits on, and you are invited to celebrate trails and the great outdoors with bird watching, fishing, nature art stations, bicycle safety, and maintenance demonstrations, nature journaling, and much more at the “Get Out on the Trail” event August 6th. 


Looking for a great ride/walk/jog in the Petoskey area? There are multiple trails throughout the area with breathtaking views and a mostly paved surface connecting the communities of Charlevoix, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs. For hikers, the Little Traverse Conservancy nature preserves dotted throughout the whole area gives nature lovers perfect spots to get off the beaten path. 


Coolbough Nature Area in Newaygo encompasses the largest natural prairie east of the Mississippi River. You’ll find several looped paths with unique ecosystems, including a rare oak-pine savanna, prairie, and wetlands.


Hiking opportunities abound at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, located in Hickory Corners. There are numerous trails and other areas open to the public for walking and hiking. The grounds of the Kellogg Estate, which include the Kellogg Conference Center and Manor House, are open from dawn to dusk year-round. Visitors may take self-guided tours of the estate and historic Manor House, and docent-led tours are available by reservation. The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, in nearby Augusta, offers several trails, some of which are paved and accessible to visitors using wheelchairs.


For a unique hiking experience, head to Oswald Bear Ranch in Newberry. Fun hiking around the bear habitats can take an hour at a leisurely pace while taking in beautiful Upper Peninsula scenery, and get a family photo with a bear cub.


Trails and hiking is part of the fun in the Saugatuck area. Home to Saugatuck Dunes State Park, hikers and mountain bikers will love the rugged trails that end on the shores of Lake Michigan. For bikers, Blue Star Trail is growing each year and is a great addition to the already very bikeable towns.


With 5,000 acres to explore, Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire offers a variety of options to just get outside and play. Enjoy the 750 acres that make up this combined trail system suited for hiking, biking and wildlife viewing.


In Bellaire, 31.5 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and winter sports trail await novices and avid trail users alike.


Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire is a special place and one of Michigan’s premier nature preserves. Located along Antrim County’s Chain of Lakes, Grass River Natural Area’s wetlands act as a filter for millions of gallons of water flowing into East Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. Seven miles of trails and boardwalk take visitors through cedar swamp, sedge meadow, and upland forest. 


Holland boasts over 1,800 acres of parks for hiking, cycling, picnicking, and playing. With over 150 miles of paved bike paths, eight miles of mountain biking and hiking at the Riley trails, and over one-third mile of beautiful sandy beach at Holland State Park, there is truly something for everyone.

Set in the middle of the US-12 Heritage Trail, Coldwater Country is a haven for relaxation. From hiking and biking trails to two chains of lakes, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the area trails. Take a hike on the paved trails at Heritage Park in Coldwater or on the gravel trails along the Sauk River. 


Whether you are looking for a place to hike, bike, snowmobile, or snowshoe, Mecosta County has the trail for you, from a leisurely stroll while taking in a scenic view to a more challenging adventure. The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail is just under 100 miles long and is perfect for any time of year. The Hungerford Recreation Area in Big Rapids has separate trails for people to enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking


Marquette County is continually recognized for having the top trail networks in the state, region, and nation, holding a Bronze-level Ride Center designation from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). It is only one of two locations in Michigan with this award. In addition, with more waterfalls than any other county in the state.


South Haven has been named one of Pure Michigan’s first Trail Towns. There are two very popular biking and hiking trails: the Kal-Haven Trail and the Van Buren Trail. The Kal-Haven trail stretches from South Haven to Kalamazoo for a total of 33.5 miles, and the Van Buren trail stretches from South Haven to Hartford for 14 miles, and passes through the Van Buren State Park.


There are a number of hiking, biking, and even horse riding trails to check out in the Muskegon area, taking you through paved trails along the lakeshore and sand dunes, pathways through nature preserves, and trails that meander through oak savannahs and marshy fields.


Whether you prefer to explore on water or on land, Hastings has a trail for you. The scenic Thornapple River is adjacent to downtown Hastings and is easily accessible from Bliss and Tyden parks. The Riverwalk Trail follows the Thornapple for three miles and is suitable for walking, biking, and sight-seeing. For those seeking more of a challenge, the recently completed Hammond Hill Trail offers 7-miles of multi-use trails for hiking and mountain biking and more. Avid cyclists may also test themselves on the permanently marked Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race courses (24, 32, and 64 miles) that take in some of the area’s most challenging trails and scenic back roads.

Water trails

Experience Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Water Trail sea kayaking with the Keweenaw Adventure Company, located on the northernmost tip of the Upper Peninsula in Copper Harbor. Join a guided tour to discover stunning views, Hawaiian-like lava flows, vibrant reefs, & breathtaking boreal forests. 


Indian River, named after the river which flows through it, is home to the 40-mile long Inland Waterway which runs through Pickerel Lake and Crooked Lake, the Crooked River, Burt Lake, the Indian River, Mullett Lake, the Cheboygan River, and finally into Lake Huron. It’s is the ideal location to boat, fish, hunt, camp, bike, kayak, canoe, raft, tube, stand-up paddle board, and more. 


With more than 100 lakes in Coldwater Country, a water adventure is a must — rent a pontoon or launch a kayak.


The Pere Marquette River Lodge in Baldwin sits on the banks of the legendary Pere Marquette River, which has been named one of the top trout fishing destinations in the world by Field & Stream magazine. It’s also a popular destination for canoers and kayakers looking for solitude on one of Michigan’s designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers. The lodge offers a full-service fly shop, guided fly fishing for trout, migratory steelhead, and salmon, and pheasant hunting trips. The fly fishing schools offered throughout the year are a great opportunity for beginners to learn the sport.


For those in search of a more relaxing stroll, enjoy the Big Rapids Riverwalk in Mecosta County, which is accessible to all. The Riverwalk is just under 3.5 miles long and follows alongside the beautiful Muskegon River. It features fishing platforms, benches, bike racks, and picnic areas on either side of the 250-foot wooden bridge that spans the Muskegon River.


The Chain of Lakes Water Trail, planned, coordinated and led by Paddle Antrim, is an extensive trail with over 80 miles of routes through 14 stunning lakes and rivers in Benzie County. This water trail has 81 access sites and stretches through four counties in Northwest Michigan (Antrim, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, and Grand Traverse). From the small upper lakes to Torch Lake, there is an incredible diversity of paddling opportunities, making it a destination for all paddlers.


South Haven is home to the Bangor/South Haven Heritage Water Trail, a great route for kayaking or canoeing for 21 miles. There are also a number of places to rent kayaks and other water vessels and accessories nearby. 

Other trails to try

Developed by the Mason County Historical Society in partnership with the Mason County Cultural Economic Development Task Force, the Ludington section of the Mason County Maritime Heritage Trail provides a free, interactive, and educational experience for residents and visitors to the community alike. The trail, which can be started at the Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, will guide you along Ludington’s historic waterfront as you explore the fascinating history that is all around you. The trail features 13 stops, each with an exhibit-quality sign explaining the history and significance of that location to Ludington’s maritime heritage. 




The Right Place assists Roskam Baking Company with plant expansion

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, , ,
Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager from The Right Place (Supplied)

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that Roskam Baking Company will be expanding its operations at 5565 Broadmoor Ave SE in Kentwood. This expansion will result in the creation of 238 new jobs and a capital investment of $85.2 million.

Roskam is headquartered in Kentwood and was founded in 1923 as a family-owned bakery in Grand Rapids. Today, the company is still owned and operated by the Roskam family, employs over 2,000 in West Michigan, and is a manufacturer for major food companies and brands around the country. The expanded facility will house two new product lines for the company as a result of contracts earned in 2018.

The Right Place worked in collaboration with Roskam Baking Company and the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region. The Right Place also connected Roskam Baking Company to workforce development resources at West Michigan Works! to assist with worker training.

The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $1,000,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

One of the products made at Roskam Baking Company is croutons. (Public Domain)

“This project is an excellent win for our region in terms of jobs, investment, and overall economic impact,” said Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager and project lead, “West Michigan’s food processing industry is a national leader, and Roskam Baking Company’s decision to continue its growth here is a testament to our region’s strength.”

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley

The City of Kentwood is supportive of Roskam’s decision to expand in the city, which will bring new jobs to the community. The city is considering the approval of a local PA 198 Property Tax Abatement. 

“We appreciate Roskam Baking Company’s further investment in the City of Kentwood,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are proud to see a world-leading food processing company have continued success and bring new jobs to the community.”

Allergic to red meat? Blame a tick

3-bottom, Community Health, Education, Food, Health, Senior Living, , , ,
Based on new findings, scientists suspect people are more likely than first thought to develop a red meat allergy if they’re bitten by a tick. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Certain tick bites can cause a red meat allergy—and now scientists are shedding new light on the condition, known as alpha-gal syndrome.


Alpha-gal is a sugar found in most mammal blood, but not in humans.


“Our original hypothesis was that humans developed the allergy after being exposed to alpha-gal through a tick that had fed on a deer, dog or other small mammal that has alpha-gal,” said researcher Scott Commins.


When people develop an allergic immune response to alpha-gal, it can lead to a red meat allergy, explained Commins, who is an associate professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.


“This new data suggests that ticks can induce this immune response without requiring the mammal blood meal, which likely means the risk of each bite potentially leading to the allergy is higher than we anticipated,” he said in a university news release.


In this study, scientists did a series of laboratory experiments with human immune cells and saliva from four species of ticks: Lone Star, deer, Gulf Coast and American dog. Some had fed on blood containing alpha-gal, others had not.


As expected, saliva from Lone Star and deer ticks that had recently fed on blood containing alpha-gal caused an immune cell reaction. But saliva from ticks that had not recently fed on blood also triggered a reaction, the findings showed.


“These results suggest that more tick bites than we initially suspected could pose a risk for developing red meat allergy,” Commins said.


However, no saliva from the Gulf Coast or the American dog ticks caused a reaction, according to the report.


The study was presented Saturday at an American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology meeting, in San Francisco. Research presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.


There is no treatment for alpha-gal syndrome, other than avoiding foods and products that cause a reaction, the researchers noted.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Cat of the week: Tinker

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , , ,
This guy just loooooves to climb

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing


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).


TERRIFIC is one of many fabulous words we can use to describe Tinker, a charming little chap (born in May of 2017) who came to us mid-November, 2018. Rescue dynamo Sandi D. was out and about making her rounds on Quarry St. NW in Grand Rapids when she stumbled across this handsome black-and-white guy who had been abandoned by his owners. Not one to let any grass grow under her feet, she scooped him up and took him on home; five days later Dr. Jen was able to work him up at the clinic with the intention of taking him into our program.


Unfortunately he tested a faint positive for Feline Leukemia, a transmissible virus that befalls too many outdoor cats in our area who don’t receive proper care and vaccinations, so instead of making his way down to Crash’s he got to pack his little kitty bags and head on over to Big Sid’s. On his one month follow-up, he still retested a faint positive, so he is an official resident of our sanctuary, or Sid’s Kid as we call them. 


No worries though, as from the get-go Tinker has been absolutely thrilled with his new surroundings—he is SO darn excited to be indoors and receiving three squares a day. He cannot absorb enough attention from his human caretakers and finds it fun to hang out high above everyone’s heads where he can look down and survey the activity.


He has been known to be a bit aggressive towards certain cats, but over time he is learning that it is a hoot to engage in play versus swatting and swiping at his feline roomies. Because the virus is transmitted by sharing of bodily fluids (saliva, blood), we feel it is best he go into a home with another positive kitty—or none at all, since he would wholeheartedly enjoy being the king of his very own castle.


Everyone simply adores this little busybody! When kids come to our Meet and Greets, he enthusiastically welcomes them and shows off a bit, matching their energy and eagerness to have a good time. Tinker is going to make a spectacular addition to any household who wants an outgoing, adventurous companion. He loves to climb, so keep that in mind if you have your eye on this great guy.


We are sure that once you meet him you will come to agree that he is too cute for words.

More about Tinker:

  • Domestic Short Hair
  • Black & White/Tuxedo
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Medium
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Good in a home with children, no cats

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

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

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

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss


By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Parting is Sweet Sorrow

Marti and Bruce Johns have served as the Studio 28 Flea Market managers for more than 30 years. (WTVK)

After 50 years, the Studio 28 Flea Market is having its last weekend this Saturday and Sunday. The 13 acres the market sits on is in the final stages of being sold, according to officials at Studio C, which oversees Celebration! Cinema and owns the land. Vendors and the market managers, Marti and Bruce Johns, hope people stop by this weekend, between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., for one last walk through and to swap a few memories and laughs. The market is located on Prairie Avenue in Wyoming across from the Wyoming High School.

Structurally Sound

A portion of the roof at Lee Middle/High School collapsed in June. (WKTV)

All those Godfrey Lee students hoping for a delay in school due to the roof collapse at the Lee Middle/High School earlier this summer are going to be greatly disappointed. According to Superintendent Kevin Polston, the building has been inspected and it has been found to be structurally sound. School officials said they are planning for the regular start of school, which for the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district is Aug. 19.

Just Pinky

“Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the taken and never giving up hope.”


The Kent County Sheriff’s Department has made pink its color. Starting this month, the department is offering pink Sheriff’s Office patches for a $10 donation with the proceeds going to Gilda’s Club and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Fund. To get a patch, go to the pinkpatchproject.com.

Sault Ste. Marie:
More Than Just Locks

While famous for being the home of the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie also goes down in the history books as the first European settlement in the Midwest and the third oldest one west of the Appalachians. Sault Ste. Marie marked its 350th anniversary in 2018. The oldest city in the United States? That goes St. Augustine, Florida, which is more than 450 years old.

Sharpen your metabolic insight

3-bottom, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , ,

Scrutinizing what you eat—and how much—will play an outsized role in shaping your metabolism in your mid-30s and beyond. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


Your metabolism rate determines how fast you burn calories. That can influence how fast you lose weight—and how easily you can gain it.


After age 25, metabolism naturally slows by 5 percent every decade.


So if you eat as much in your 40s as you did in your 20s, you’re going to add extra pounds—especially if you exercise less and lose muscle. In addition to weight training to maintain muscle, these tips from the American Council on Exercise can help.


Stick to well-spaced meals at the same times each day. This lets your body know to expect fuel at regular intervals and prevents it from conserving calories and adding to fat stores.


Calorie cutting is important if you need to lose weight, but reducing your intake to starvation levels also puts your body in conservation mode, slowing down metabolism.


So rather than speeding up weight loss, starvation ultimately slows it. And that’s why it’s so easy to regain lost weight when you start eating normally: Your metabolism tends to stay slow.


Dehydration can lead to a 2 percent drop in the number of calories burned, so drink at least eight glasses of water throughout each day and even more when you sweat a lot.


Watch the alcohol. Besides adding empty calories to your diet, processing alcohol diverts the liver from burning fat.


Also consider milk and other dairy choices for their calcium, a mineral involved in fat metabolism.


Dairy also delivers whey and casein—proteins that help build and preserve muscle. Remember that the more muscle you have, the more calories it takes to maintain it.


Finally, keep the hormones that regulate hunger and fullness on an even keel by getting enough sleep—at least seven hours a night.


Otherwise, you might find yourself craving sugary, fatty and starchy foods. Plus if you’re sleep-deprived on a regular basis, your body may not burn calories efficiently.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



How to navigate long-distance care planning

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

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Here in America, it is not uncommon to live far away from our loved ones. Unfortunately, the distance away from each other can end up creating a bit of a problem when it comes time to help out a loved one or relative, especially with care planning.

The challenges with distance and care services

The challenge of long-distance care involves more than just making sure a relative gets to the hospital or local clinic for needed appointments. It also likely includes:

  • Managing health demands
  • Becoming familiar with all of a relative’s medical contacts and history
  • Managing details for assisted living
  • Managing financial reporting and tax-related paperwork
  • Keeping insurance companies informed
  • Obtaining medical supplies
  • Regularly helping the relative informed of the above items

No surprise, the tasks can quickly develop into a full-time job, and that’s where the challenge sits the most — how to manage all these moving pieces from far away.

Carefully selecting providers

The necessity of contracting for help tends to be a given in many cases. While many resources may be available, those arranging for distance care must carefully evaluate who they select as a care provider. Elder abuse typically happens through loss of personal assets and finance by those providing care. The opportunity to take advantage of someone happens all too often when there’s free access to a home and someone’s personal information.

The importance of accountability

Rarely used, the second step recommended by many care providers involves an accountability system on the caretaker chosen. Unfortunately, this approach represents extra costs that many refuse to agree to when planning care. One resource who retains the ability to cut through red tape chatter and implement care quality control protections very quickly tends to be an attorney.

Stay involved

Third, those arranging care should remember to stay involved. Quality care involves the human factor of connection, love, friendship and communication. Families who remain in touch, visit, and who keep an eye on things provide the best care and protection for a loved one. Long distance care arrangements may be challenging, but the goal frequently outweighs the work in the end.


At Vista Springs, we take great pride in delivering the best possible care to those who live further away from their loved ones. We strive to make our communities a second family to those who can’t be with theirs on a regular basis. Please contact us today to find out how we can provide the highest level of care to your loved one. 



School News Network: Record-breaking season shows what heart and hard work can do

3-bottom, Sports, ,
Godfrey-Lee wrestling team after winning its first district championship, coming from behind to beat Kelloggsville in the Division 3 final at Godwin Heights. (School News Network)

By Cris Greer
School News Network


Now that the gold dust has settled on the Godfrey-Lee wrestling season, coach James Maxim has some time to think about the team’s record-breaking accomplishments.

Though the season ended a couple months back for the Rebels, Maxim is just as animated about their success, using words like “astonishing,” “unbelievable” and yet “much deserved.”

With adversity staring them straight in the face the past couple years, the Rebels came through to break many records this season — including winning the first district wrestling title in school history.

“They won this year working under the most adverse conditions that any team could have done,” said Maxim, in his fourth season with Godfrey-Lee. “That’s why it was so cool.

“It was one record after another we were breaking with kids that had no experience.”

After decades of losing, the team this season began celebrating big victories, like this one by senior Nicolas Espinoza (courtesy photo)

Records in a Nutshell

Here’s a quick rundown of the team’s accomplishments:

  • The Rebels won their first-ever district wrestling title with a 39-36 win over Kelloggsville, in a Division 3 final in February at Godwin Heights. That big win came after trailing 36-12.
  • They won their first team trophy at the Reed City Invitational.
  • Senior co-captain Enrique Moreno-Martinez was the first Lee wrestler to win a conference medal all four years. He also finished with a school-record 109 career wins and earned four varsity letters.



But wait, there’s more:

  • They were named the Most Improved Team at the Kent County Championship, and compiled an 11-2 record this season.
  • All 11 wrestlers who competed at the conference championships medaled (fourth place or higher).Senior co-captain Nicolas Espinoza finished with 102 career wins and four varsity letters.
  • Carlos Savala earned the most team points.
  • Mike Beasley was an individual regional qualifier.
  • Amber Fenton was the first Lee female wrestler to earn a third-place conference varsity medal.
  • Regan Mockerman earned a fourth-place medal in the first MHSAA female tournament.
Lee Athletic Director Jason Faasse and wrestling coach James Maxim show off the team’s first district championship trophy



Down to the Wire 

In the district final at Godwin, after trailing 36-12 and losing seven of the first nine matches, the Rebels landed five consecutive wins to pull out the title. They got early victories from Mike Beasley and Amber Fenton, and the final five from Carlos Savala, Yunior Mejia, Nicolas Espinoza, Alan Maya and Enrique Moreno-Martinez.

“It was a lot of heart; and something they deserved,” Maxim said. “We asked them to give it their best and they ended up doing it.”

With the match tied at 36-36, Enrique “did it for the team,” Maxim said. “He was a freshman when I came in, so it was really cool to see a kid like that do it for the team.

“They are the most unselfish kids you could ever imagine. They appreciate everything, plain and simple.”

Enrique said he definitely felt extra pressure to win.

“Because this was the first time our school had a solid chance in winning the team district, it was either ‘I cement this team as the best Lee has ever had by coming back with the team district title, or go and live in the shame,’” he said. “Honestly, with the wonderful group of people who contributed to the win, it was an honor to wrestle by their side that night.”

His close relationship with coach Maxim contributed to his success as well, Enrique said.

Senior captain Enrique Moreno-Martinez was the first Lee wrestler to win a conference medal all four years; he set a school record with 109 career wins and collected four varsity letters in wrestling

“Coach took me in like I was one of his own kids; he would hype me up during practices, coaches meetings and even outside of the sport with friends. There were times where a few of them came up to me and said, ‘Congratulations on the big win’ or ‘You have the heart of a true Rebel.’”

Maxim’s wife, Karen, also encouraged him, and his son, Justin, spent hours helping out the team.

Through Rain, Sleet or Snow

All of these record-breaking accomplishments came through practicing in the basement of a church — not exactly the perfect spot for a wrestling team.

After practicing on Lee’s band stage and sharing the gym with many other sports programs, the grapplers eventually hooked up with Wyoming’s Eighth Reformed Church, which provided basement space.

“It wasn’t ideal, but at least we had someplace to work out,” Maxim said. “These kids left school, whether it was snowing or raining or a blizzard, and they walked about three-quarters of a mile to get to the church. It would take a while to thaw them out.”

Enrique said the walks to the church were “brutal and difficult.” By making the trek, the team showed ”nothing is going to stop them from practicing,” he said.

Senior Alan Jiminez takes on an Ottawa Hills foe during Godfrey-Lee’s Cinderella-story wrestling season (courtesy photo)

Recruitment by Pizza

When Maxim accepted the coaching job in the fall of 2015, after coaching for 25 years at Caledonia, there was only one returning wrestler. Fortunately for him, there was also an exchange student who loved wrestling.

“It wasn’t building a program, it was planting seeds,” said Maxim, a Realtor by day. “And this was only a couple weeks away from the season’s start. So I said I needed to meet this kid right away, ‘like tomorrow.’”

“This kid” was Alexis Slagter, introduced to Maxim by Athletic Director Jason Faasse. Maxim told Alexis they needed to get some students out for the team and start conditioning. The coach provided pizzas and had them play flag football instead, every Tuesday and Thursday. Within a few weeks the group grew from three to six, to nine, to 12.

After a few practices Maxim asked how the pizza was. Enrique said, “Coach, the pizzas are good, but how about tacos?”

“We just hit it off and built a great relationship with these kids and my family as well,” Maxim said.

During Maxim’s first competition, where his team beat both opponents, he said the wrestlers went up in the stands to hug their parents because they hadn’t had anyone cheer like that before.

“That was the coolest thing, and I had state teams and state champions at Caledonia,” Maxim said. “Whether they (Lee) won anything big or not it didn’t matter; it was what they were getting out of it.”

Maxim said one key to his team’s early success was bringing ex-Caledonia wrestler and U.S. Marine Scott Gnass on as the conditioning coach. “This is how we got through a lot of our matches. They had the conditioning to survive.”

Other assistant coaches were brothers Flavio and Isandro Gomez, who wrestled for Maxim at Caledonia, and Michael Henderson, Godfrey-Lee’s middle school coach. Maxin and the team also greatly appreciated a spirit committee of supportive parents.

This poster designed by Stefanie Hylarides celebrates the Godfrey-Lee wrestling team’s records and accomplishments

A Long, Long Time Coming

Those first two wins in the opening match were the first Rebel wrestlers had achieved in a very long time.

“The following day I came in for practice early and walked by the band practicing, and they were waving and saying, ‘Hi coach,’” Maxim recalled. “Half of the kids I recruited were in the band. And as I’m walking through, an announcement comes on over the P.A. and they’re ranting and raving about the win, saying the wrestling team won its first varsity match in over 30 years.”

Turns out that wasn’t quite true, he found out in the office — the last win was actually in 1977, almost 40 years prior, Faasse confirmed.

Success bred enthusiasm. The team has since had as many as 28 wrestlers, the same as some Division 1 and 2 schools, Maxim said. In a school of 458 students, “We were told that was impressive. I think it is cool.”

One of them was Yunior Mejia, who had never wrestled before. He ended up having a phenomenal season this year, winning every one of his district and regional matches.

‘IT WAS ONE RECORD AFTER ANOTHER WE WERE BREAKING WITH KIDS THAT HAD NO EXPERIENCE.’ — GODFREY-LEE WRESTLING COACH JAMES MAXIM



As for team leader Enrique, he will never forget the adversity and experiences he had with Lee wrestling, even as he moves on to study culinary arts at Grand Rapids Community College next fall.

“I just fell in love with the sport; the bonds you make with rivals, the team and just the sport of wrestling,” he said. “This is honestly one of the hardest sports in high school and a great way of showing how durable you are, because with this sport there is hardly ever an easy day of practice and there is never an easy match.

“You must wrestle every match as if it was your last.”

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

Saying good-bye: Studio 28 Flea Market closes after 50 years

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,
Marti and Bruce Johns have been the managers at the Studio 28 Flea Market. Bruce has been with the market for 35 years and Marti has been with the market for 33. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org


As Bruce and Marti Johns sit in the little white booth at the Studio 28 Flea Market, they swap more than just money and spaces, they share the stories that make up the 50-year history of the market.

The original permit to open the Studio 28 Flea Market. (Supplied)

“He’s been doing it for 35 and I’ve been doing this for 33,” Marti said and with a laugh adds. “I just knew if I wanted to spend my weekends with him that I was going to have to do this.”

“It’s always been about family,” Bruce Johns said. “For 35 years, we have seen these people every weekend, sharing their stories, their lives from wedding announcements to babies coming to everything that happens from one weekend to another.”

Started 50 years ago when the East Beltline Drive-In was still located at 1400 28th St. SW, the flea market will have its last weekend this Saturday and Sunday. The 13 acres along the back side of the property along Prairie Avenue, and where the market is located, is in the final stages of being sold. The lot is owned by Studio C, which owns and operates Celebration! Cinema.

“It is not a money maker and over the past several years it has made enough to cover the taxes,” said Emily Loeks, public relations and community affairs for Studio C. For most of its history, it has cost 50 cents for attendees. Vendors pay a separate fee to get a spot.

“In reality, you are not going to keep such a prime piece of property vacant forever,” Loeks said. The entire property is 20 acres with seven acres along 28th Street still available.

In fact many of the vendors and attendees said they knew the market could end some day. 

“I think for the past 10 years, there has been a rumor that this is going to be the last one,” Bruce Johns said. “Well, this year, it really is the last one.”

There have been some efforts to try and relocate the market to another location, but with one option falling through, it does not appear that anything will happen this year. So instead, vendors and attendees are spending the last weekend celebrating the market’s history.

  • Produce has always been available at the market. (WKTV)
  • Shoppers make their way from booth to booth. (WKTV)
  • Clothing items for sale at the Studio 28 Flea Market. (WKTV)
  • Vendors sold all kinds of things at the market. (WKTV)
  • An attendee looks over the toys. (WKTV)
  • Boxes of treasures await discovery. (WKTV)
  • Bedding and house items were common at the market. (WKTV)
  • A vendor offers meals and food items. (WKTV)
  • Handmade crafts we’re also at the Studio 29 Flea Market. (WKTV)
  • Unique and hard-to-find speciality food items. (WKTV)
  • Produce items at the market. (WKTV)
  • Canned jellies and honey at the Studio 28 Flea Market. (WKTV)

Officially started on May 20, 1970, the market was the idea of John D. Loeks, the founder to Celebration! Cinemas. Loeks already operated the East Beltline Drive-In on the site.

“My grandfather was an entrepreneur,” Loeks said. “He started many things. He had a trampoline park, a putt-putt golf and succeed with many ventures, one that became Showspan, which brings in all the sports expos and other shows.”

“According to my understanding, [John D.] Loeks went to California and saw a market like this and decided to bring it here,” Johns said.

Loeks said that the drive-in at the time was empty for parts of the week, so it was set up that vendors could have a space between each post on the drive-in lot.

In the early years, vendors would wait in line and then race once the doors were open to stake out their spot. After the drive-in was closed and the lot was paved for Studio 28, lines were added to indicate spots with vendors being able to rent a designated spot for the day, weekend, or month.

The market has 457 booths. On its biggest weekend in the summer, there might be 300 vendors and about 4,000 customers, Loeks said. More recently, the market is usually half to three-fourths full, mostly depending on the weather, she said. The market has been impacted by other local markets opening but the closest one similar the Studio 28 Flea Market it is in Paw Paw, according to attendees.

Sharon and Alex Cardosa, of Dorr, have been visiting the Studio 28 Street Market for many years. (WKTV)

“There is something about the feel to this particular market,” said Alex Cardosa, of Dorr, who has attended various flea markets for about 30 years. Cardosa said he spends about every weekend from April to October, when the market is usually open, with his wife, walking and looking for deals on a variety of items such as tools, antiques, artifacts, collectibles or “just the unusual.”

“Wet a certain amount of farm choirs done in the morning and then come here to get our exercise in,” said Cardosa’s wife Sharon, with Cardosa adding “the folks here just really make it work.”

Longtime vendor Lynn Baker with Studio 28 Flea Market Operations Manager Bruce Johns. (WKTV)

Grand Rapids resident Lynn Baker agreed as she has been a vendor at the market since it opened 50 years ago.

“I’m low income and so this has been a way for me to supplement my income,” said Baker, who said she attends other markets in the summer as well. Baker sells home goods, clothing, and accessories. “I love coming. I love the people. I love what I do.”

Grand Rapids resident and Studio 28 Flea Market vendor Tami Eisenhuth was introduced to the Studio 28 Street. Market by her mother, Lorene, who also was a vendor. (WKTV)

“It’s the people,” said Grand Rapids resident Tami Eisenhuth. Eisenhuth said she had been coming to the market since she was a little girl with her mother Lorene, who was known as the cookie lady. 

“She would bring tins of cookies with her and hand them out to people,” Eisenhuth said. “She would tell people not to wash the tins because she was afraid they would not let them air property and then the tins would rust.”

Bruce Johns said he remember those cookies and this past week, as a tribute to her mother, Eisenhuth handed out cookies to her Studio 28 Flea Market “family.”

“When my mother died,” Eisenhuth said with a tear in her eye, “we put her stuff out to sell. People were like ‘Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!’ because there were a lot of lions and bears. People bought something to remember her.”

Longtime vendor Allie Henning, pictured with granddaughters Alyssa Armano and Kaleigh Blakeslee, said when the market closes, he will be retiring. (WKTV)

“When it closes next weekend, it will be the end for me,” said Allie Henning who started his business after his plant shutdown 20 years ago. “I have been to other markets and this is the one I do. In fact, it is now the only one I do and I have a clientele that follows me. But when its done, I’m done too.”

Last weekend also will be the last for the Johns as well. 

“I would do this for another 50 years,” Bruce Johns said. “But things do have to come to an end. So instead, I am going to look forward to having my weekends free, play with grandchildren and do a little traveling.”

The Studio 28 Flea Market is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Some vendors are there as early as 6 a.m. While the address is listed as 28th Street, the main entrance is off of Prairie Avenue across from the Wyoming High School. For more information, visit the Facebook page, Studio 28 Flea Market. 

School News Network: Lessons for STEAM-Y Days

3-bottom,
Sarah Wood works with fourth-graders Chloe Calva and Mireya Torres during Day of Code at Godfrey Elementary. Wood created a calendar of summer STEAM activities that caretakers can use to keep students engaged in learning this summer. (School News Network)

By Bridie Bereza
School News Network


Need simple, open-ended ideas to keep children entertained and engaged this summer? Sarah Wood, technology and media integration specialist for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, has got you covered.

Wood created a Summer STEAM Calendar and shared it on her education blog, My Ed Tech World. The calendar has low-cost or no-cost activity ideas students can do every day in June, July, and August. Suggestions include things like creating a mini-golf course in the backyard, making a bug catcher, and designing a car wash for a bicycle.

Calendars for a STEAM activity a day. (School News Network)

Wood, an educator with children of her own, said, “As parents, we know the inevitable ‘I’m bored!’ will come and it is sometimes hard to get creative when feeling burned out. It was my hope that having daily activities at the ready would help curb some of the summer boredom and encourage families to work together on simple projects with items that can mostly be found around the house, outside, or maybe from a friend or family member.”

She said activities can be completed regardless of the language spoken at home, and are designed to help students create, communicate, and build confidence in themselves and their work.

Wood chose activities that encourage outdoor time and thus, de-emphasize the “T” in STEAM – which stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Bonus for parents, sitters, or whoever will be caring for students this summer: none of the activities involve slime. (Your walls and carpets will thank her.)

For more stories on our local schools, visit schoolnewsnetwork.org.

Navigating the yogurt aisle

3-bottom, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's, Senior Living,
You can tame those daunting jaunts down the yogurt aisle by keeping an eye on sugar content. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Kristi Veltkamp, Spectrum Health Beat


Ah, yogurt. A simple staple food, around for hundreds of years, has somehow gotten complicated.


You can now peruse the yogurt section for hours, reading labels as you try to choose the best option. Do you go Greek? Regular? Drinkable? Full-fat or fat-free? Flavored or plain? Grass-fed? Non-dairy?


Do I even need yogurt?


It’s enough to frustrate you into skipping that section altogether.


It’s true—there are more options than ever before. But options are a good thing as long as you know what to look for.


The bottom line: Yogurt can be a great food to incorporate daily.


It’s an excellent source of probiotics, those beneficial bacteria for gut health, and it packs plenty of protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamins B6 and B12.


It has even been shown to help prevent Type 2 diabetes.


Yogurt is made from milk and then fermented with live bacteria cultures that feed on the lactose, the sugar in milk. For those with lactose intolerance, this makes it easier to digest.


Greek yogurt is made when traditional yogurt is strained longer to remove the whey. It’s thicker than traditional yogurt, with higher protein, fewer carbs and less calcium.


Kefir yogurt is a drinkable yogurt made with kefir grains for the bacteria culture. It’s often 99 percent lactose-free and it’s the best source of probiotics.


Personal preferences on flavor and nutrition goals should steer your choice.

Here’s a guide on what to look for when working through the yogurt aisle:

Simple is better

When possible, go for plain. The ideal yogurt does not have any added ingredients beyond the milk and bacteria cultures. Anything flavored is bound to have added sugars or artificial flavors and sweeteners.


Keep in mind, yogurt naturally contains sugar, which means anything over 8 to 12 grams of sugar would come from added sugars. For many flavored brands, you might as well be having a bowl of ice cream with the amount of sugar added.

Doctor it up

For most, plain yogurt will not do the trick. Start with the plain and add your own ingredients.


Top favorites include fresh or frozen fruits, nuts and seeds, granola and honey. Yogurt is also great in smoothies, used in place of sour cream or mayo, or used to make salad dressing or veggie dips.

Lactose intolerance

If you have lactose intolerance, you should be able to tolerate most yogurts. However, those with more severe lactose intolerance may want to look for yogurts that are labeled lactose-free.


Several brands have a lactose-free variety. This means you do not have to cut it out completely.

Grass-fed or organic

My rule of thumb: “You eat what you eat eats.” In other words, the nutritional quality of any animal product can be affected by what the animals has been fed.


Grass-fed products will ensure the animal ate a natural diet, which could improve the nutritional quality of the milk. Organic will also ensure there are no added antibiotics or hormones. It’s also better for the environment.


If you’re OK with spending a little extra, go for grass-fed and organic items.

Low-fat or full-fat

While it is true that whole milk is high in saturated fat—and saturated fat increases cholesterol—findings suggest that full-fat yogurt does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Whole milk yogurt can be enjoyed in moderation by some, while others may prefer low-fat for reducing calories.

Dairy-free variety

For those who choose to follow a vegan diet or have dairy allergies or intolerances, dairy-free yogurt is a nice option. These items still provide beneficial probiotic bacteria and are an easy snack.


The drawback is that the yogurts made from nut milk generally do not have protein and most non-dairy yogurts are loaded with sugar. If you choose to go this route, opt for unsweetened.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Stay safe at the beach

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Kids Activities, Recreation, , , ,
As paddleboarding becomes more popular, safety experts are reminding families about the inherent risks of water sports. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Alan Neushwander, Spectrum Health Beat


Summertime in Michigan means beach time, but trips to the beach aren’t always fun in the sun.


According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3,500 people die each year from drownings unrelated to boating. An additional 332 people die each year from drownings in boating-related incidents.


Among those who drown, about 1 in 5 are children younger than age 14.


Families can enjoy Michigan’s natural resources by following some simple safety tips, said Tammy Middlebrook, MD, with Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Pediatrics.


“When people are swimming in a lake, they need to remember to not go in past their level of comfort,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “If you can’t touch the bottom, then you’re out too far.”


You should also take waves into consideration.


“If you’re just barely touching the bottom, a wave can come and sweep you off your feet,” she said.

Water hazards

Stand anyplace in Michigan and you’re never more than 85 miles from at least one of the Great Lakes. On any afternoon, there’s a sure route to fun and recreation.


But U.S. Coast Guard crews are quick to remind beachgoers about the need to respect the water.


“Even though they may be a good swimmer, there are obstacles on Lake Michigan such as waves, rip currents and rocks under the surface of the water,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Castonia of Coast Guard Station Ludington.


And it’s not just swimmers who need to be cautious.


With the recent popularity of stand-up paddleboarding, the Coast Guard is seeing more people who need to be rescued after falling off their boards.


“When operated outside of a designated swimming area, paddleboards are considered a vessel under Coast Guard regulations,” Castonia said. “When outside of those areas, paddlers over the age of 12 must have a life jacket onboard. They aren’t required to wear it, although the Coast Guard recommends everyone on a boat or paddleboard to always wear a life jacket.”


Paddlers age 12 and under are required to wear a lifejacket when paddling outside of swimming areas, Castonia added.

Sunny days

The water isn’t the only thing that creates hazards. Exposure to the sun can also be dangerous.


“While at the beach, people should wear sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “Wearing sunglasses, a hat, having a coverup and a beach umbrella will protect people against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.”


People should also avoid staying at the beach in direct sunlight for too long, especially during the peak UV hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Staying hydrated will also help ensure your trip to the beach is safe.


“Drink lots of water before going to the beach and while at the beach,” Dr. Middlebrook said. “You should avoid sugary drinks at the beach because the more sugar you drink, the more dehydrated you can get.”


Healthier snacks such as crackers, pretzels, fruits and vegetables should also be part of your beach basket on a hot summer day.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


After partial building failure at Lee high, District leader stresses safety of rest of complex

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Hard News,
The portion of the Lee Middle and High School complex where the collapse and clean-up occurred. (Supplied/Godfrey Lee Public Schools)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Godfrey Lee Public Schools, was really busy this week and it really had little to do with the opening of school in six weeks.

In the wake of the June multi-day collapse of a portion of the Lee Middle and High School, with the damaged area now cleared and the remainder of the multi-building complex independently inspected and judged structurally sound, Polston led a series of meetings to report the current status and possible future plans.

Aerial view of building complex.

After an earlier report to the Godfrey Lee Public Schools Board of Education, Polston has led meetings with staff, city and educational community leaders, community and parents as well as host a press conference. In all the meetings, Polston repeatedly stressed three things:

Building design with affected area in color.

First, the cause of the unforeseeable failure is now clear and rigorous inspections led by Ross Smith, WJE Associates Structural Engineer, of the other buildings in the complex show no similar structural problems.“The building is safe and we are opening as scheduled,” Polston said on Thursday, adding that both the inspector and the superintendent himself “would put my children” in the building.

Second, the district, despite being hampered by local economic factors including the district’s near maximum school millage rate, has plans — three in fact — to rebuild the section as quickly as possible, both due to educational need and insurance reimbursement requirements.

Third and finally, Polston and the entire Godfrey Lee community are grateful that the building failure — the failure of a single wall section actually — occurred after the school year and when the students were absent, and in two incidents over a single weekend when the building was unoccupied. “This would have been a catastrophe if it had been occupied,” he said.

The biggest concern now for the district, Polston said, is that parents will transfer their students — and the funds the district gets for educating their students — to other school districts due to lack of information or misinformation.

“It is extremely important to make sure we have the trust of the community … it is important they get the facts,” Polston said. “We want to make sure they know it is safe to send their kids here.”

District supplies fact sheet on incident and aftermath

Districts summary of incident and aftermath

Snapshots: Sunny days and hot nights for Wyoming, Kentwood

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Health

By WKTV Staff

Ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“The heat is on (oh yeah) … The heat is on, Burnin’ burnin’ burnin’ … It’s on the street, Woo, hoo … The heat is on”

Glen Frey, lyrics from the song “The Heat is On“
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)

Be smart, beat the heat

The heat is on, but Kent County has some common advice: spend as much time as possible in a temperature-controlled cool environment; stay in the shade with a good breeze or air flow to decrease felt temperatures; remain well hydrated by drinking water — as opposed to alcohol drinks that can be counter-productive and dehydrate the body; and, finally, know the signs of heat exhaustion and watch out for each other. For the complete story, visit here.

Here Comes the Sun

The 25th annual summer season of D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops continues in July and while it may be late to make plans for Here Comes the Sun: A Tribute to the Beatles at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 19, you can be early for Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown and More at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, July 25-26. For a complete preview story, visit here.

Hot, sleepless, nights

If you were up all night due to the heat, you might ache all over the next morning and your lack of sound slumber might be to blame. Cant do nothing about the heat, but knowledge is power. For the story, visit here.

Fun fact:

67 degrees

In general, the suggested bedroom temperature should be between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep. Source

Study: E-cig vapors laden with toxic metals

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

Think vaping is a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes? Not likely. New research suggests e-cigarette vapor contains heavy metals. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Alan Mozes, HealthDay


If you think that “vaping” is a safe alternative to smoking, research suggests you might be inadvertently inhaling unsafe levels of toxic metals.


Scientists say the tiny metal coils that heat the liquid nitrogen in e-cigarettes may contaminate the resulting vapor with lead, chromium, manganese and nickel. The finding raises the possibility that e-cigarettes are not harmless to users.


“We analyzed 15 metals in e-liquid from the refill dispenser—before the liquid meets the heating element—in the vapor, and in the remaining e-liquid in the tank after vaping,” explained study author Pablo Olmedo. He’s an assistant scientist with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health’s department of environmental health and engineering, in Baltimore.


“We found that the metal concentrations were generally higher in the tank and aerosol compared to the refill dispenser,” said Olmedo. That suggests that the heating coil is the smoking gun, he added.


But study co-author Ana Maria Rule pointed out that their team also found “the presence of some metals in some of the liquids even before they are in contact with the coil.”


That could mean that “in addition to the metal coil, other factors could play a role in e-cigarette metal exposure, such as the voltage used to heat the coil,” said Rule, also an assistant scientist at Hopkins.


Unlike traditional smoking, vaping works by heating liquids that contain nicotine. The liquid passes through a heating coil, producing a vapor that proponents claim is free of much of the carcinogens associated with burning tobacco leaves.


Given that a recent U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse survey found that one in six high schoolers has vaped in the past month, the finding could have broad public health implications, the researchers said.


In the Hopkins study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, investigators recruited 56 vapers in the Baltimore area to see whether the heating process introduces toxins into what is inhaled.


The researchers used the vapers’ own e-cigarette devices when examining the chemical content of e-liquid, vapor and residue.


Tested chemicals included: aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, titanium, tungsten, uranium and zinc. Prior research has linked prolonged inhalation of such metals to lung, liver, heart and brain damage.


Chronic exposure may also depress immune system function and raise the risk for certain types of cancer, the researchers said.


The team found that e-liquid exposed to heating coils produced a vapor containing significant amounts of chromium, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc.


Highly toxic arsenic was also found in both the e-liquid and the heated vapor among a subset of 10 vapers, though how that metal got into the unheated e-liquid remains unclear.


The team also noted that toxic metal levels seemed to be higher among vapers who changed their heating coils more often, suggesting that new coils may produce more toxins than older ones.


Regardless, Rule said, vapers should know that “as far as we know, all current electronic cigarettes use a metallic coil to generate the vapor, so not vaping is the only way to avoid or mitigate this (toxic) exposure.”


As for whether vaping is safer than smoking or worse, Rule said the team “did not set out to compare e-cigarettes to cigarettes.”


But Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine with the University of California, San Francisco’s Center for Tobacco Control, Research and Education, said it’s important to understand that e-cigs “have an entirely different toxicological profile” than cigarettes.


“So the risk profile is going to be different,” Glantz said. “The assumption has been that at least e-cigarettes aren’t worse. But this suggests they have something in them that isn’t even in standard cigarettes that’s worth being worried about.”


That worry was echoed by Patricia Folan, director of the Center for Tobacco Control at Northwell Health in Great Neck, New York.


“Considering the list of metals, toxic materials and lung-damaging materials found in e-cigarettes, these products are not a healthy product for teen consumption,” she said.


“I guess the question is, do we really want to promote and advertise these products and take a chance on damaging the health of our youth, without knowing their health effects and without regulation?” Folan asked.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



How to vacation with a senior loved one

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

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


We all want to go on vacation during the summer months, and there’s no reason why the whole family can’t go on the trip. While traveling with a senior during the holidays or during the summer is more complicated than going on a vacation alone, it’s going to be worth it when you can share the memories you’ve made for years to come.

Make sure your loved one is on board

Ensuring that your family member is prepared for the trip ahead is an essential step to a smooth vacation. Being upfront about what to expect will help everyone be ready for the good and bad of traveling. Don’t frighten them with the experience, but be honest.


It’s also important to make sure they actually want to go. Some seniors are content to stay at home and avoid traveling, so don’t let your excitement and wishes overrule their own. You don’t want to force anyone on a vacation that they don’t want!

Find the right mode of transportation

It’s important to take into account how you will be traveling, as each mode of transportation has positives and negatives that will affect seniors differently. 

Traveling by plane

Airports can be loud and confusing, and some seniors who are wheelchair-bound or struggle with mobility might find air travel especially difficult. You never want the difficulties of travel to overtake the joys of a vacation. However, if you need to get someplace far away or out of the country, it may be the best option to avoid a long trip.

Traveling by car

A road trip somewhere closer to home can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that can be found in a crowded airport, but a car ride comes with its own complications. A long car trip can be very tiring on elderly family members, and the constant jostling can be painful. But for shorter distances or for seniors who want to avoid the crowds at an airport, it can be a good idea.

Traveling by boat

Cruises are a very popular mode of travel and vacation that your loved one might be interested in. While fun for all ages, cruises are especially great for seniors because the trip isn’t as stressful as traveling by plane or car might be, and they have a room to relax in if they get overwhelmed. However, if your loved one gets motion sickness or seasickness, it might not be the best option.

Propose some activities for all ages

Odds are you aren’t only taking mom or dad on your vacation with you. Your spouse, siblings, or kids may be joining you. Because you might have a range of ages, it’s important to plan activities that not only one age group will enjoy. The grown family may love a trip to the museum or a historical site, but your kids may be bored. On the other hand, while your kids might love a water park, it may not work for your senior loved one.


Think of activities that will keep everyone’s interest, or if you do have specific things in mind that might not be all-age friendly, don’t spend an entire day at those locations. Finding fun for all ages isn’t easy, but it is worthwhile.

Keep senior safety in mind

Just as you would remember sunscreen and bug spray for your kids, it’s important to remember the things that your senior loved one needs as well, such as:

  • Medications—get a schedule of when they need to take medicines, and keep them close by even while in a plane or car. 
  • Allergies—if you are planning on staying outdoors, find out their allergies and have a plan for when they act up. Don’t forget about food allergies as well!
  • Healthy foods—Bring along energy-boosting foods that can help seniors regain some stamina. 
  • Sun protection—Make sure you bring along plenty of water for everyone to drink, and that your loved one is getting plenty. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or stroke, as elderly people are susceptible to the heat.

Plan well in advance

If it’s just you and your family on a vacation, it can be fun to have a loose schedule without many activities planned to see where the day takes you. When you are traveling with an older family member, it’s usually a better idea to have a plan. Make sure there are plenty of breaks planned in between activities to give your senior loved one time to adjust to traveling and regain some energy after a lot of activity. 


Be patient, it’s difficult for elderly people to travel and disrupt their daily routine. Try and keep some things the same, like eating at the same time as usual and waking up at the time your loved one is used to getting up. 


There are lots of things to enjoy during the summer, and there’s no reason why your elderly family members have to stay home and miss out on family vacations. As long are you are clear, take their opinions and wishes in mind, and plan ahead, you are sure to have a family vacation that will lift everyone’s spirits.



Local theater, zoo use ‘Lion King’ movie as platform on lion conservation

3-bottom, , ,
Since The Lion King was release 25 years ago, Africa has lost half of its tiger population. (John Ball Zoo)

By Darci David
John Ball Zoo


John Ball Zoo and Celebration Cinema are announcing a community partnership coinciding with the release of The Lion King movie and Lion Day at John Ball Zoo. The partnership is to bring awareness and education towards conservation of African lions.

Africa’s lion numbers are declining. Since the original The Lion King movie was first released 25 years ago, half of Africa’s lions have been lost. Only 20,000 remain. This decline and need for increased conservation efforts are what brought JBZ and Celebration Cinema together. People and organizations are key to saving species. Together, we can find solutions that benefit people and wildlife.

Lion Day at John Ball Zoo is Saturday, July 20. Guests can learn about African lions in the wild and at the Zoo. Activities will focus on education, including learning how one person can make a conservation difference through actions both big and small. MSU’s Snares to Wares will also be onsite to talk about their work improving human livelihood and protecting wildlife in and around the village of Pakwach, Uganda.

John Ball Zoo guests are also encouraged to watch The Lion King at Celebration Cinema. The first 2,000 Zoo guests through the gate on July 20 will receive a coupon good at any Celebration Cinema location for a free popcorn with paid admission to The Lion King.

“We are excited to be partnering with Celebration Cinema,” said John Ball Zoo’s Chief Development & Community Engagement Officer Michael Lomonaco. “Lion conservation is an important initiative for the Zoo and Celebration Cinema supports our work. The release of The Lion King provides a great opportunity to partner and bring public awareness in order to engage our community in conservation efforts that help save the lives of endangered species such as lions.”

The Lion King movie at Celebration Cinema opens the same weekend on Friday, July 19. The “live action” movie features animals of the African savanna, many of which can be seen at John Ball Zoo; including – African lion, warthog, Southern Ground hornbill, and coming in the future Meerkats.

The partnership makes seeing the Zoo’s African animals easier too. People can receive 50 percent off a paid admission at the Zoo with proof of admission to The Lion King at Celebration Cinema.

For cinema locations and to purchase The Lion King tickets online, visit Celebration Cinema at celebrationcinema.com. Details on Lion’s Day at John Ball Zoo can be found at jbzoo.org/lionday.

School News Network: State legislators get schooled on effect of Michigan’s education cuts

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,
Local legislators meet with area superintendents to talk about school funding.

By James Harger
School News Network

School superintendents from Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties gave their state legislators an earful about how state funding cuts have impacted students during a meeting on Monday, June 24.

Chris Glass, director of legislative affairs for the West Michigan Talent Triangle, said they wanted to give the legislators a “boots on the ground” perspective on how education has suffered. Michigan has fallen far behind other states in achievement scores and funding levels, the school superintendents and teachers told the legislators who were seated among them at round tables.

“We’re not where we need to be on student performance,” Glass told about a dozen state legislators and their top aides during a luncheon session hosted by Kent ISD.

The educators also offered a solution developed by the School Finance Research Collaborative, which tracked school funding trends in Michigan and made comparisons with other state education funding programs.

East Grand Rapids Superintendent Heidi Kattula records the legislator’s concerns

New Funding Formula Sought

Instead of Michigan’s one-size-fits call funding formula based on each district’s student population, the study urged Michigan to change its school funding formula so it is weighted on the basis of each student’s learning needs. That means additional funding for districts that rely more heavily on English Language Learning programs, special education and have greater numbers of students in poverty.

The study recommended that the base funding in Michigan rise to $9,590 a year, not including transportation, meals, and other costs. Michigan schools currently receive $8,188 per student in base funding.

Adjusted for inflation, Michigan schools get only 82 percent of the funding they received in 1995, when Proposal A shifted school funding formulas from local sources to the state. Funding for at-risk students has fallen 60 percent from 2001 to 2017, according to the study.

Michigan now ranks among the worst states in the funding gap between school districts with the most students in poverty and those with the fewest students in poverty. “We think the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer,” said Kent ISD Assistant Superintendent Ron Koehler, a member of the School Finance Research Collaborative’s steering committee.

Legislators Respond

For their part, the legislators were sympathetic but also had suggestions.

State Rep. Julie Calley, R-Portland, said she has three children in public schools. “How do we deal with all of the factors that have entered the classroom? We’re expecting our teachers to be parents to the kids and parents to the parents.”

Citing golfer Tiger Woods’ early training in golf, State Rep. Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming, said he liked the idea of mandatory full-time pre-school and kindergarten as a way to prepare students for achievement.

State Rep. Pamela Hornberger, chair of the House Education Committee and a former teacher, drove to the conference from her district in Macomb County to participate in the discussion. She said funding increases for education would not be automatic and needed bi-partisan support.

State Rep. Greg VanWoerkem, R-Norton Shores, said the reforms being proposed may require structural changes in the way education is funded to overcome the constitutional restrictions currently in place. “There’s got to be a total reform if you want to get the type of dollars you’re looking for and that’s going to be difficult because of term limits.”

For more stories on our area schools, visit the School News Network website at schoolnewnetwork.org.

West Michigan educators gave their legislators first-hand accounts of the challenges they face. (School News Network)

Wakeful nights, woeful days

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, , , ,
Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat

By Alan Mozes, HealthDay


If you were up all night and you ache all over the next morning, your lack of sound slumber might be to blame.


New research found that sleep loss delivered a double whammy to the brain that all but guaranteed greater levels of body pain.


“Activity in the somatosensory cortex, previously associated with the location and intensity of pain, was enhanced following sleep loss,” explained study author Adam Krause.


And “in two regions called the striatum and the insula, sleep deprivation decreased the activity associated with pain (relief),” he added. These regions control the release of dopamine, often called the “feel-good” hormone.


Krause is a Ph.D. candidate with the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley.


During the study, 25 healthy, young participants got the normal eight hours of sleep one night. A week or so later, the same group underwent a night of no sleep whatsoever.


After each session, all the volunteers underwent “thermal pain sensitivity” tests, followed by MRI scans to monitor brain activity while their legs were exposed to uncomfortable levels of heat.


After a full night of sleep, most participants reported feeling heat discomfort at about 111 degrees Fahrenheit.


But after a night of no sleep, that pain threshold dropped to 107 degrees F.


Brain scans pinpointed the neurological basis for the uptick in pain sensitivity following sleep loss.


The research team then surveyed 60 adults (average age 38) over a 48-hour survey period. All had reported experiencing pain during the survey period, and all were asked to keep sleep diaries and report mood and anxiety levels, as well as rank pain intensity when experienced.


“We found that reductions from one night to the next in the quality of the sleep, rather than just the quantity—total hours asleep—predicted worse pain the following day,” Krause noted.


“The optimistic takeaway here is that better sleep can help manage and lower pain. (It’s) a natural analgesic that we can all pick up in repeat prescription each night, if we choose,” he said.


“It is our hope that this research especially encourages health care systems to bring sleep closer to the center of treatment. If we can improve sleep conditions in the setting in which patients are most often in pain—the hospital ward—perhaps we can reduce the dosage of narcotic drugs and clear hospital beds sooner,” Krause suggested.


The findings were published recently in the Journal of Neuroscience.


Monika Haack is an associate professor of neurology with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Human Sleep & Inflammatory Systems Laboratory in Boston. She expressed little surprise at the findings.


“There is very strong evidence to date—and the current study supports this again—that short or disturbed sleep, either in clinical (settings) or in the general population, increases our experience of next-day pain,” Haack said.


“And a number of studies, including the current study, have shown that sleep is a stronger predictor of pain than pain is a predictor of how we sleep,” she added.


“I think the most important and novel finding of the study is that the authors found a biological basis, neuronal brain structures, that correspond to the pain sensitivity increase observed after sleep loss. Only if we understand the biology and mechanisms underlying this relationship will we be able to develop target- or mechanism-specific strategies to prevent pain-processing changes associated with short or disturbed sleep,” Haack concluded.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Healthy fats in Mediterranean diet won’t boost weight

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , , ,
Study shows a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable fats such as olive oil and nuts had little effect on body weight or waist circumference compared to people on a low-fat diet. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


An eating plan that includes healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts isn’t likely to cause weight gain, a new study finds.


That’s good news for people who’d prefer to try the Mediterranean diet—which includes healthy fats—over a diet that’s low in fat. And the study authors suggest that current health guidelines may be creating an unnecessary fear of these healthful fats.


“More than 40 years of nutritional policy has advocated for a low-fat diet, but we’re seeing little impact on rising levels of obesity,” said study lead author Dr. Ramon Estruch, of the University of Barcelona in Spain.


“Our study shows that a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable fats such as olive oil and nuts had little effect on body weight or waist circumference compared to people on a low-fat diet. The Mediterranean diet has well-known health benefits and includes healthy fats, such as vegetable oils, fish and nuts,” Estruch explained in a journal news release.


However, he also pointed out that not all fats are created equal. “Our findings certainly do not imply that unrestricted diets with high levels of unhealthy fats such as butter, processed meat, sweetened beverages, desserts or fast-foods are beneficial,” Estruch added.


The study included more than 7,400 women and men in Spain, aged 55 to 80. The study participants ate one of three eating plans: an unrestricted-calorie Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil; an unrestricted-calorie Mediterranean diet rich in nuts; or a low-fat diet meant to avoid all dietary fat.


All the participants had type 2 diabetes or high heart risk. More than 90 percent were overweight or obese, the study authors noted.


After five years, total fat intake fell from 40 percent to 37 percent in the low-fat diet group, and rose in both Mediterranean diet groups, from about 40 percent to 42 percent. The percentage of proteins and carbohydrates decreased in both Mediterranean diet groups, the findings showed.

People in all three groups lost some weight: an average of almost 2 pounds (0.88 kilograms) per person in the olive oil group, 1.3 pounds (0.60 kg) in the low-fat diet group, and 0.9 pounds (0.40 kg) in the nut group, the researchers said.


Waist circumference did increase slightly in all three groups, though less so in those on the healthy fat diets. The low-fat group had an increase of about a half-inch (1.2 centimeters) per person. The olive oil group saw an increase of about one-third of an inch (0.85 cm), and the nut group only saw an increase in waist circumference of 0.14 inches (0.37 cm), the study authors reported.


The report was published June 6 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.


“The fat content of foods and diets is simply not a useful metric to judge long-term harms or benefits,” Dariush Mozaffarian, professor in the School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University in Boston, wrote in an accompanying commentary.


“Energy density and total caloric contents can be similarly misleading. Rather, modern scientific evidence supports an emphasis on eating more calories from fruits, nuts, vegetables, beans, fish, yogurt, phenolic-rich vegetable oils, and minimally processed whole grains; and fewer calories from highly processed foods rich in starch, sugar, salt, or trans-fat,” Mozaffarian explained.


“Dietary guidelines should be revised to lay to rest the outdated, arbitrary limits on total fat consumption. Calorie-obsessed caveats and warnings about healthier, higher-fat choices such as nuts, phenolic-rich vegetable oils, yogurt, and even perhaps cheese, should also be dropped,” Mozaffarian wrote.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

June 2019 marks busiest ever at Ford Airport

3-bottom, ,
Airline partner Allegiant started new nonstop service to Nashville (BNA), and Savannah-Hilton Head (SAV) in early June. (Ford Airport)

By Tara Hernandez
Gerald R. Ford International Airport


June passenger numbers topped nine percent, and the month goes down as the busiest June in history at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA).

Through June 2019, 1,770,050 passengers have traveled through the airport, and overall passenger traffic is up 11-percent from 2018 – the busiest year in GFIA history.

June 2019 saw 309,439 passengers compared to 282,863 in 2018. It also marks the busiest second quarter and busiest first half on record – also beating out 2018 totals. On average, 9,779 passengers are coming through the airport each day.

The Ford Airport has seen passenger increases in 71 of the last 78 months and 21 straight.

“2019 continues to be an impressive year and the growth we’ve seen in our community is concurrent to the growth at our airport,” said GFIA Interim President & CEO Brian Picardat. “With new additions in air service, summer travel trends peaking upwards, and an overall satisfaction with our services at the Ford Airport we’re continuing to see these numbers climb. ”

Airline partner Allegiant started new nonstop service to Nashville (BNA), and Savannah-Hilton Head (SAV) in early June. Additionally, Allegiant started nonstop service to Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) in April, and is adding flights to New Orleans (MSY), and Jacksonville (JAX) in October.

With the growth, GFIA has invested in its facilities and is currently underway in Phase Two of its Gateway Transformation Project which includes updates to the baggage claim area, airline ticket counters, flooring and lighting; along with new restrooms and concessions. Updates on construction at the airport can be found here: https://www.grr.org/construction.php

As passenger numbers continue to grow at GFIA, those traveling are advised to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight. Updated security screening information, tips on what to pack/not pack, and more information to make security screening smother are available at www.tsa.gov.

GFIA monthly passenger statistics are available at https//www.flyford.org

GVSU launches project to help develop nonprofit boards

3-bottom, , ,

By Nate Hoekstra
Grand Valley State University


While leaders of nonprofit organizations know that their board members can have a significant impact on the work an organization does, few resources exist to help leaders build their own abilities to work with board members and select board members who can effectively foster success.

The Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University is working to help the nonprofit sector develop more diverse and inclusive boardrooms while ensuring effective board experiences that will help organizations thrive.

The Johnson Center is launching a new initiative, The Ecosystem for Nonprofit Leadership, in partnership with Ferris State University and other area nonprofit organizations. Co-chaired by Tamela Spicer, program manager at the Johnson Center, and Carlos Sanchez, director of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center at FSU, the initiative seeks to prepare community members for board service and develop greater nonprofit capacity to support effective boards.

“We know that nonprofits are vital to healthy communities and are instrumental in the success of local governments and businesses,” said Spicer. “However, governing boards can be the deciding factor in the success or struggles of a nonprofit organization despite competent leadership and staffing. We want to ensure that community members are equipped for board service and can easily connect to organizations that will foster that service.”

The initiative is driven by leaders from local organizations and aims to develop a curriculum that can be integrated into existing leadership programs, making board service training more accessible to the community.

The program is being supported by leaders from many area organizations, including Mercy Health, Kids’ Food Basket, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Urban League, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Amway and more.

For more information, visit johnsoncenter.org.

Cat of the week: Montana

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, ,
Montana at rest

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing


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).


In April of 2019, while out tending to her feral colonies, our favorite cat wrangler, Sandy D., came across this beaten-down and bedraggled, intact boy who had obviously been having a hard time on the streets. Suffering from a ruptured cat bite abscess on the left cheek, the 3-year-old (born in the spring of 2016) was a smelly, sticky, matted mess of draining pus and dead tissue. Graphic, but true.


Sandy brought kitty out to the clinic so that Dr. Jen could tend to his medical needs, and in doing so, the good doc discovered that he was FIV+ (no big surprise there); he also had a nasty toenail injury, greasy stud tail, major intestinal parasites and was downright filthy. After deep-cleaning not only his wound site but his entire body, Dr. Jen neutered him, got antibiotics and pain meds on board, dewormed and vaccinated him—he wasn’t ready to go into our program at Big Sid’s, but he was at least squeaky clean and feelin’ fine for his foster time at Sandy’s.


Although Dr. Jen is quite partial to the big boys she affectionately call ‘fat-heads’, it is a cryin’ shame that this darling, dapper fellow had to roam the streets a fully functioning, fighting male for so long. Given the fact that his face was in such rough shape when he arrived, Dr. Jen thought naming him Montana (think Scarface) was more than appropriate, though at his recheck exam three weeks later, his facial fur was growing in very nicely, covering the gooey grossness he was sporting when they first met. In fact, this sweetheart healed so remarkably well that to look at him now you’d never know what injuries he had once sustained.


Indoor life suits Montana to a ‘T’, and he has acclimated to his surroundings better than we all had anticipated, given his history. Here are some astute observations from our volunteers:


“Montana is a pretty laid-back guy, but does have a tendency to get a little upset at times if another cat gets in his way. He loves people, attention, and just hanging out in the windowsill. He’s a nice, big, solid boy and would make the perfect cat for a household with older kids who would know to respect his space.” 

“Montana is a very chill boy. He doesn’t do much other than perch himself on a windowsill and watch birds all day long. He keeps to himself most of the time, but he doesn’t mind sharing his preferred perch with a cat or two, so he could probably live with or without a buddy. He’s not one to look for attention, but he is very accepting of love when you seek him out. He has a tendency to nip when he’s had enough of you, so he should probably go to a home without young children.”


Overall we are very pleased with his progress in the time we have had him—it’s not even three weeks after he became a Sid’s Kid that we are sharing his story. We are enjoying watching him transform into a silky, stunning (former) stud, but even more so, we are delighting in how happy he simply is enjoying his view of the world, now from the inside out. To see him lounge on the floor with his legs stretched out in front of him, relaxing and soaking in the sun, accepting a gentle head scratch or back stroke brings us all so much joy; after all, this boy right here deserves all of the pampering he can get!

More about Montana:

  • Domestic short hair
  • Large
  • Black & White (Tuxedo)
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • FIV+
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Prefers a home without other cats, children

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


Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!




Wet spring weather has not deterred Ideal Park redevelopment

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

While the unusually wet spring has caused the water to be higher than normal at Ideal Park, the park’s redevelopment plans continue to move forward with Wyoming City officials expecting to reopen the park on schedule in June 2020. 

Earlier this year, the Wyoming City Council approved a contact to Katerberg Verhage, Inc. for about $1.6 million for the project. The plan will include an accessible playground, improved parking with enhanced safety features, Buck Creek viewing stations, basketball court, shelter, and restroom. The park also will feature an improved walking and bike trail with connection to the City’s interurban trail system.

“All the development will be on the east side of the park,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. This was per residents who encouraged the city to relocate primary facilities to the eastside of the creek because of flooding, Rynbrandt said. 

Ideal Park’s playground area after the 2014 tornado. (City of Wyoming)

In 2014, the City of Wyoming had a tornado which caused significant damage at Ideal Park, including the lost of many trees — some more than 100 years old — and the park’s playground equipment. It took two years for the city to clean up the park and it was reopened in 2016 only for a second tornado to hit the park area followed by a flood. 

“We have been working toward the redevelopment: the return of playgrounds, the return of trees to that area of our community, particularly to that park since 2014,” Rynbrandt said.

The art deco bridge and the original lodge at Ideal Park were left untouched by the 2014 and 2016 tornados. (City of Wyoming)

Amazingly, what was not touched was the original lodge and art deco bridge which was constructed through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a program designed to put people to work during the Great Drepression years in the 1930s. In fact, Ideal Park is one of the oldest parks in Kent County, dating back to the 1930s. It was South Kent’s preeminent park hosting a number huge events include the local Republican Party. In the 1960s, former Governor George Romney and former President Gerald R. Ford were pictured shaking hands at one of these Republican Party events.

In 2015, after meeting with residents to discuss plans, the city council approved the Ideal Park master plan and was then able to write a grant for Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund. The city received $300,000. The rest of the project will be funded through the dedicated City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation operational millage. 

The entire Ideal Park project will be about $3.3 million, with the first phase of about $1.6 million being approved in April of this year, Rynbrandt said, adding “with the goal of having the park opened by June 6, 2020.”

Kent County Emergency Manager issues advice on handling heat wave

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Recreation, Weather,
With the dead of summer comes hot, humid days — and the need to get plenty of water in you. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)

WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

In anticipation of several days of possible temperatures in the 90 degree plus range and high humidity, of Kent County on Tuesday released a statement from the county’s emergency manager including some advise.

Some predictions have daytime temperatures near and surpassing 90 degrees on Wednesday, July 17, with predicted highs of 95 degrees Thursday through Saturday.

“We collectively waited much of the year in anticipation of warm weather, but this week may be a little too warm for comfort,” Lt. Lou Hunt, Kent County Emergency Manager, said in supplied material. “It will also be very humid, which will increase the discomfort. It is important to be aware of the dangers heat can present to residents, and pets, so we can stay safe and remain as comfortable as possible.”

In the county’s statement, residents are encouraged to follow several simple tips:

Spend as much time as possible in a temperature-controlled cool environment.

Stay in the shade with a good breeze/air flow to decrease felt temperatures.

Remain well hydrated by drinking water (more than usual) which can help the body’s natural process for adapting to higher temperatures, as opposed to alcohol drinks that can be counter-productive and dehydrate the body.

Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion (which can include weakness, cold and clammy skin, darker than normal urine, significant sweating, cramps, dizziness, headache and nausea, among others) is a strong indicator it is time to get to a cooler environment, drink some cold water, and rest, according to county health officials.

Heat stroke, on the other hand, is a medical emergency with signs such as confusion, disorientation, the absence of sweating, high body temperature, rapid pulse/heart rate, and others.

Cooling centers will be open throughout this event for residents to go and rest from the heat. Most cooling centers will be open during the day while the temperatures are hottest (nighttime temperatures this week will be much more tolerable, in the mid 70’s). For locations and hours of cooling centers, please call 211 and a United Way representative will assist you in locating the closest cooling center.

“Remember, this week is a good time to slow things down a little, stay out of the sun, and make sure the people around you (and yourself) are coping during this heat event,” Lt. Hunt said. “Also, please remember your family pets! Pets that live outside will require shade and lots of cool water, but residents are encouraged to bring their pets inside for cooler temperatures.”

Snapshots: Kentwood, Wyoming news you need to know this week

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Local Faces, Politics

By WKTV Staff

Ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

Knowledge is Power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.

Kofi Annan
(From right) Kentwood City Commissioner Emily Bridson, State Sen. Winnie Brinks, Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club.

Pink Tax. Don’t get it? Get it!

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we discuss the various aspects of what is sometimes called the Pink Tax, public policies including taxation that are often viewed as discriminatory toward females. For the complete story and link to Podcast, visit here.

Watch out for Kentwood roadwork

The City of Kentwood has released its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer. The City Commission approved the resurfacing and maintenance program, which includes improvements to 30 miles of major and local roads, at a cost of $1.4 million. For the complete story and a map, visit here.

(Our) Government Matters

Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District) offered his views on the status of Michigan’s current budget problems and West Michigan’s pending mental health services changes as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters meeting. For the story and a link to the video, visit here.

Fun fact:

81 cents on the dollar

In 2018, the ratio of women’s to men’s median weekly full-time earnings was 81.1 percent, a decrease of 0.7 percent since 2017. Source

UCOM’s culture of health expansion leads to growth

3-bottom, , ,
Karrie Brown

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) is pleased to announce that Karrie Brown has joined the organization as Development Director. She brings with her more than 10 years of experience working with non-profits advocating for social and economic justice for all community members.

“United Church Outreach Ministry has spent the past several years moving towards a new model of service for our community in southwestern Kent County.  Our Culture of Health has spread across all of our programs and has launched new initiatives.  In 2017 we expanded to include a low-cost Farm Stand which brings locally grown produce into our community.  With these new services for neighbors, UCOM needs to ensure that funding is available and that it grows to match the needs we meet.  Karrie  will be working on raising funds as well as community awareness of the good work our staff and volunteers are doing to end poverty and to improve the health of our neighbors,” says Dr. Bruce Roller, Executive Director of UCOM. 


Karrie most recently served as Executive Director at another Access of West Michigan Key Pantry, so she is aware of the mission and programs at UCOM as well as the need. “People are not just looking for resources; they are also searching for hope for a brighter future. UCOM walks alongside their neighbors to improve their quality of life.  I am excited to be a part of this wonderful team. I look forward to gaining additional funding for UCOM’s ongoing financial stability so that we can continue to serve the ever changing needs of the community,” says Karrie Brown.

For more information on the Culture of Health and other programs at UCOM, visit www.ucomgr.org

Current shortage has Metro Health hosting community blood drive

3-bottom, ,

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


Metro Health – University of Michigan Health and Versiti Blood Center of Michigan are hosting a community blood drive Thursday, July 18, to help combat the current blood shortage.

This will take place in the mobile blood bus at the Metro Health Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. An emergency blood shortage is prompting an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now.

Willingness to give the gift of life is perhaps more critical now than in recent months, and authorities with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan are hopeful community members will step up to donate blood. An emergency blood shortage is prompting an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now.

The American Red Cross recently escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and community groups than during a typical week. This equates to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.

Metro Health and Versiti Blood Center of Michigan are urging community members to donate on July 18. All attempting donors will receive a limited edition pair of Versiti flip flops while supplies last.

Noodle your veggies

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , ,
Pasta made from zucchini noodles—zoodles, as they’re called—has about a quarter of the calories you’d find in regular noodles. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


Want to get more veggies into your diet but feeling bored with the same old side dishes?


Making noodles from vegetables is the answer. They’re a great substitute for high-calorie, low-fiber traditional pasta and work just as well as a base for your favorite sauces.


While it’s possible to use a sturdy vegetable peeler to turn carrots or zucchini into noodle-length strips, a tool called a mandoline will cut your prep time in half. Just be aware that the mandoline blade has very sharp edges. You’ll want to hold the pusher accessory as you run the length of your vegetables across the blade. In addition, wear a thick kitchen glove to protect your fingers.


Zucchini is perfect for the mandoline because it slices easily. You can make the following sauce ahead of time. It yields enough for another meal.



Zucchini Noodles With Marinara Sauce

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Red chili flakes to taste
2 28-ounce cans San Marzano tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup white wine or broth, any variety
1 basil sprig
2 large zucchini
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive, safflower or grapeseed oil
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Place a large stockpot over medium heat. Brown the garlic in two tablespoons of oil for two to three minutes. Add chili flakes, the tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, salt and black pepper and stir. Next, add the wine or broth and the basil. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, 30 to 40 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside.

Wash the zucchini. Cut off the stems and discard. Insert the fine tooth blade into a mandoline and tighten the screw to hold it in place. Press the pusher into the center of the first zucchini and hold the pusher as you run the vegetable over the surface of the mandoline to form the noodles. Repeat with the other zucchini.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the tablespoon of the oil of your choice. Add the zucchini noodles and cook two to three minutes, stirring often until they soften. Top with marinara sauce and toss well. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.