Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

WKTV Government Report: Recent news from our federal and state officials

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By WKTV Staff

Peters Consumer Protection Provisions Pass the Senate

On March 16, the Senate passed two consumer protection provisions introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters that will help private student loan borrowers rehabilitate their credit and protect children from identity theft. The provisions were approved as part of a broader banking bill.

 

“Student debt is one of the biggest hurdles to financial success for young people,” said Senator Peters. “My commonsense provision will help student loan borrowers in default fix their mistakes and get back on track, while increasing the likelihood of repayment for lenders.”

 

Under current law, federal loans may be rehabilitated one time, and borrowers can repair their credit by removing a default. However, private lenders currently do not have the ability to remove negative credit information on borrowers who participate in loan rehabilitation programs. Peters’ provision, based on the bipartisan Federal Adjustment in Reporting (FAIR) Student Credit Act, he introduced with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) would allow private student loan borrowers who have successfully completed a series of on-time payments to remove a default from their credit report. More here.

Peters Floor Remarks on Supporting Small Farmers

Peters’ Bipartisan Bill Would Strengthen Loan Program for Small Farmers

 

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), spoke on the Senate floor March 15 on the need to preserve access to capital for small and disadvantaged farmers to start and grow their operations. This week, Peters introduced the Farm Service Agency Loan Flexibility Act, which will provide greater flexibility for the FSA loan program to provide loan and loan guarantees to farmers during periods of high demand. More here.

 

Committee Approves Peters Bills to Support Small Businesses

Bipartisan Bills Improve Awareness of Employee Stock Ownership Plans and Help Small Businesses Access Patent Protections

 

On March 15, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee approved two bipartisan bills introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) that support small businesses. Peters’ bills will increase awareness of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and help small businesses protect their intellectual property through patents. Peters introduced both bills with U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID). More here.

Peters Statement on Bipartisan Bill to Boost Consumer Protections and Support Economic Growth

On March 14, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) issued the following statement on Senate passage of the bipartisan Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act:

 

“Commonsense financial regulation is essential to supporting Michigan families, growing our economy, and creating jobs. I am proud to have served on the House Financial Services Committee and the conference committee that wrote and finalized Dodd-Frank. This important law cracked down on risky trading and created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect American families. I am committed to defending these critical consumer protections and ensuring our financial regulators have the necessary tools to keep our economy stable and growing…” More here.

Peters, Colleagues Tell FCC That Mobility Fund Map Has ‘Gaps’

On March 12, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai expressing serious concerns about the agency’s recently released Mobility Fund Phase II (MF II) map. The purpose of this fund is to allocate $4.53 billion over the next 10 years to preserve and expand mobile coverage to rural areas. More here.

Huizenga: Pregnancy Resource Centers Should Be Treasured, Not Targeted By Government

On March 14, Congressman Bill Huizenga spoke in support of pregnancy resource centers, the important role they play in communities across West Michigan, and the freedom of conscience. More here.

The Senate Financial Reform Legislation Should Be The Floor, Not The Ceiling

On March 14, Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to reform Dodd-Frank and provide much needed relief to community and regional financial institutions.

 

“For years we have seen the one-size fits all regulatory structure of Dodd-Frank slow economic growth and reduce the ability of community financial institutions to lend to hardworking families and small business job creators across the nation. The bipartisan Senate legislation to reform Dodd-Frank is a good start; however it should be viewed as the floor, not the ceiling. Currently, there are dozens of noncontroversial, bipartisan bills that have passed the House dealing with additional issues that negatively impact consumers. I look forward to taking this opportunity to work with my colleagues to strengthen the Senate reform package and include some of the bipartisan measures passed by the House to make the final legislation even more effective.”

 

 

On the shelf: ‘Boy 30529: A Memoir’ by Felix Weinberg

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Reviews, , , , ,

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

At age 82 Felix Weinberg started writing down the history that he had tried to forget for 65 years.

 

“Anyone who survived the extermination camps must have an untypical story to tell. The typical camp story of the millions ended in death…”

 

The writing is simple and eloquent, and the story unfolds with a detachment that lends it a somber power, as if he is describing events from a hellish dream world.

 

Weinberg explains, “In the camps I tried to acquire the ability to look without seeing, listen without hearing and smell without taking in what was around me. I cultivated a kind of self-induced amnesia. I feared that being made to look at hangings, seeing piles of corpses on a daily basis, would somehow contaminate my mind permanently.”

 

In a reversal of our usual consciousness, he credits his night-time dreams of his beloved childhood in Czechoslovakia, with sustaining him during the bizarre waking hours.

 

The democratic republic of Czechoslovakia was short lived, and Weinberg’s happy life, along with the whole Czech Jewish community, came to an end with Hitler’s invasion of the Sudeten. His father was able to get out to England, but the rest of the family was detained, and the author’s teenage years from 12 to 17 follow the terrible road from the relocation to local Jewish ghettos, to the camps, and finally to the Nazi’s insane “final solution”.

 

The cover of the book speaks of depths of emotion that could never be adequately expressed. A beaming little boy, gazes admiringly, lovingly, at his older brother, as they stand together holding hands. Neither his brother nor his mother survived the camps.

 

“My brother was too young to work. I am convinced that, given the choice, my mother would have gone to the gas chambers with him but I doubt that was an option. I believe she died in some other slave labour camp. All my attempts to trace her, all my searches of archives for further information, have proved futile. It does not do to dwell on these thoughts if one wants to live the semblance of a normal life, but I invite anyone who wishes to share my nightmares to picture that group of children, including my terrified little brother, being herded into the gas chamber.”

 

Felix’s youth and strength aided him, and a large amount of luck, when so many died at every turn, going from Terezin, to Auschwitz-Birkenau, to Blechhammer, and the final death march to Gross-Rosen. He takes no credit for his survival, and often thanks others for every small kindness. There are many different kinds of holocaust stories, and all are deeply effecting.  Felix Weinberg’s tale is one that no one should miss.

Dishing It: Annual Taste of Kentwood serves up special sampling of food delights within the city

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Staff from The Candied Yam serve up some of the restaurant’s specialties.

By Lindsay Papciak

Community Writer

 

The 17th Annual Taste of Kentwood took place this past Thursday, March 15, at the newly-renovated Kentwood Activities Center. The event featured 15 local favorites and each provided tastes of popular items on their menu. Guests had the chance to experience the diversity of Kentwood by attending one of two sessions during the evening.

 

Guests were welcomed into the Kentwood Activities Center with the smells of American and international cuisines. “[The Taste of Kentwood is] where neighbors and friends comes together and get to taste what’s great about Kentwood,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said.

 

Residents enjoying the Taste of Kentwood at the newly renovated Kentwood Activities Center.

“This event provides opportunity for local businesses to showcase their cuisine and advertise to new customers,” Kentwood Parks and Recreation Marketing and Events Coordinator Laura Barbrick said. “It’s a great way to sample restaurants that you’ve wanted to try or may not normally get to.”

 

Local favorite The Candied Yam featured the restaurant’s fried chicken and sweet potato muffins.  Co-Owner Jessica Ann Tyson loved being able to share her heritage and favorite recipes with old and new faces. “This is where the community thrives,” Tyson said. “People are working and living and playing and this is the other side of it. We are working and they are playing. So taking the opportunity to mix us all together is really nice.”

 

Tallarico’s Boardwalk Subs featured its Italian sub as well as its ham and turkey with original ‘herb de provance’ which is an herb mayo on their house-made white or wheat bread. Owner Chris Tallarico now runs five locations, so the Taste of Kentwood is a place for him to reconnect with Boardwalk Subs regulars as well as share why they were voted “#1 Best Subs in Grand Rapids” in 2017. “The food part is easy,” Tallarico said. “One thing that sets us apart is the experience we give. We treat people at Boardwalk the way you would be treated at a full service restaurant.”

 

One local resident enjoys his food at this year’s Taste of Kentwood event.

Tallarico has held down a booth at this event since he opened his first Boardwalk Subs in Kentwood in 2003. “We keep doing Taste of Kentwood because of the people,” Tallarico said. “Everyone is smiling and having a good time.”

 

“This event continues to grow in popularity every year,” Barbrick said. “We estimate that over 500 people came through our doors throughout the evening. Eventually, we may need to relocate to a larger space, but it’s a good problem to have.”

 

For upcoming Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department events, visit www.kentwood.us/recreation/.

Meet the employer: Paragon D&E

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Paragon D&E is a full-service tooling and machining company located in Grand Rapids, Mich. They design and manufacture tools and machines needed to make products in a variety of industries such as aerospace, oil & gas, automotive and many more.

 

Paragon D&E is currently seeking candidates for multiple openings. If you’re looking for a job, Britteny Willis, Human Resource Representative at Paragon, has shared some inside information about joining their team.

 

When you meet a job seeker at a hiring event, what questions do you want them to ask you?

 

Here are some of the questions that we look for job seekers to ask us:

  • What do you do at Paragon D&E?
  • What’s the coolest thing about Paragon?
  • What kind of benefits can I receive from working here?

Why is Paragon different?

 

Our family owned, privately held company has been around for over 75 years. Our employees are genuinely nice, care for each other, and are extremely dedicated to their work. They know how much we appreciate them and are constantly referring others to Paragon so they can join in the fun here. We serve many industries, allowing our employees to change careers without ever leaving the building!

 

What opportunities are currently available at Paragon?

  1. Apprentices – Machinists & Mold Makers
  2. Class-A Truck Driver
  3. CNC Machinist (Nights)
  4. Controller
  5. Lead Mold Maker
  6. Material Handler
  7. Mold Maker
  8. Supply Chain Clerk

Fill in the blank. When I’m not at work, you can find me _______.

 

Hunting, fishing, snowboarding, fixing my car, anything outside

 

See all of Paragon D&E’s job openings here.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Stories from Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan: An inclusive college experience

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By Emily Perton, Executive Director, Ready For Life

 

Recently I was taking a walk-through Hope College’s campus. As I walked, I came across a mentor from the Ready for Life program. We talked about how she had been listening to the Hope College radio station and heard one of the Ready For Life students broadcasting his weekly radio show. She asked me about a graduate from last year, and I had the pleasure of sharing how she was employed and living with some other graduates of Ready For Life. We parted ways, and I kept walking. I soon encountered one of the Ready for Life students hurrying to get to her dance class. I walked on and came across a Hope College professor who shared he was eager for basketball season to get started and how thankful he was to have one of the Ready for Life guys help out with the team. I ended my walk at the Ready For Life classroom where ten Ready for Life students and five mentors were playing board games on a Friday afternoon. In my ten-minute walk across campus, I was able to see the effect the Ready or Life program has!

 

Ready For Life Academy provides an inclusive college experience for adults with intellectual disabilities at both Hope and Calvin College. The program was established to provide an inclusive transition option for students ages 18-26. This Spring we have 12 students at Hope College and 5 students at Calvin College. The students audit 2 college classes each semester. They also take life-skill/transition classes taught by a certified special education teacher. They volunteer on campus or out in the community starting their sophomore year in the 4-year program. On top of the educational experience, the students are also gaining social skills through relationships with mentors on campus. Each semester between the 2 campus’ we have 30-40 college students who mentor the Ready For Life students. The students engage in many different clubs and activities on the campus where they are having an opportunity to receive the college experience.

 

At Ready For Life we desire to give students a place where they belong. We want them to know they make a difference and that when they are absent, we miss them. Once the students feel connected to the college community, they can believe in themselves and learn how to become independent adults. Throughout their four years in the program they gain the skills necessary to achieve the two goals of the program: independent living and paid employment.

 

As a mother of two young boys with Down Syndrome and the Executive Director of Ready For Life, I desire for them to have an enriched life with every opportunity available to them. I must admit when we adopted our oldest son with Down Syndrome we didn’t think about him attending college. I am not sure if we thought much past kindergarten when he was twenty-one months. But now as he, nine years old, and his brother, six years old, are attending school with their peers and experiencing inclusion, I envision them experiencing college life following High School. The requirements needed to get into the Ready For Life program are now the long-term goals we share at their IEP meetings. Our boys see themselves on a college track; Nico is determined to go to Calvin, and Gus is determined to go to Hope — apparently, we will be a house divided.

 

If you are interested in learning more about your child’s future as a college student, check out the Ready For Life program at rflnetwork.org, or sign-up to come to our “Visit Day” at Calvin College on Friday, March 9, 2018, at rflnetwork.org/events.

 

Reprinted with permission from Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan

Civic Theatre has a few tricks up its sleeve for the upcoming season including a not-yet-to-be-named musical

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , ,

 

By Nancy Brozek

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

 

From start to finish, this year’s lineup promises to surprise, delight, and challenge audiences in the way only live theatre can.  Civic Theatre’s 2018-2019 season is brimming with titles you will recognize from Broadway and your favorite books, along with one show so exciting that we are not able to reveal its name until later in the season.

 

Civic Theatre Executive and Artistic Director Bruce Tinker notes, “We were very fortunate to secure the rights to this show – but only if we agreed to withhold revealing the title until a later date this season. The chance to produce one of the most successful and entertaining musicals of recent history was too important to pass up.” Tinker continued, “As a community theatre, it isn’t unusual for rights to be released with strong guidelines.  If a show is touring, currently on Broadway, or in production at an (equity) theatre in a geographic location deemed ‘near,’ then our rights are often restricted. One of the examples mentioned is the reason why we are keeping the title under wraps for now.  We can share, this show will be produced on our stage February/March 2019 and . . .it’s a MUSICAL, it’s BIG, and it’s filled with FUN”.

 

There is a delicious sense of anticipation when you are waiting for the curtain to rise. For Civic Theatre, that moment is even more tantalizing with a season filled with love, mystery, sacrifice, dreams and an overall sense of WOW!!

 

Season Ticket Packages are on sale now, to purchase online visit www.grct.org, order by phone at 616-222-6650, or in person in Civic Theatre’s box office.  Ticket Packages are $135.  Single tickets will go on sale August 22.

 

 

Steel Magnolias

Playwright – Robert Harling

Sept. 7-23, 2018

 

From a small-town beauty parlor in Louisiana, the outspoken Truvy and her new assistant Annelle treat their clientele to shampoos, haircuts, and advice, not necessarily in the order.  When the local socialite’s daughter marries a good ol’boy and decides to start a family, complications from her diabetes force all to face life’s big questions with the strength of steel and the fleeting beauty of magnolias.

 

Number the Stars

Playwright – Dr. Douglas W. Larche

Based on – Sean Hartley’s adaptation of Lois Lowry’s book Number the Stars

Oct. 12-21, 2018

 

Written from a child’s perspective, the play begins when Ella surprises her best friend Annemaire by arriving unannounced to spend the night.  Not long after, Nazi soldiers appear at the door looking for Ella’s family, and Annemarie’s family claim that Ella is their own daughter.  Annemairie realizes that all Jewish Danes are in danger, and their only hope is for their Christian neighbors to escort them to safety in nearby Sweden.   Defying the law of the land, she steps up to help Ela’s family escape…but will they reach Sweden before it is too late.

 

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Book – Doug Wright

Music – Alan Menken

Lyrics – Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater

Nov. 16 – Dec. 16, 2018

 

Always fascinated by the world above, Ariel’s longing becomes even greater when she rescues Prince Eric from drowning.  Though her father warns her to stay away from humans, she eventually trades her beautiful singing voice to the sea witch Ursula, in return for a pair of human legs.  When the bargain turns out to be more than it appears, Ariel needs the help of her animal friends Flounder, Scuttle, and Sebastian to overcome the witch’s evil plans and make a choice that will let her live happily ever after.

 

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None

Based on Agatha Christie’s book, And Then There Were None

Jan. 11-27, 2019

 

As the story begins, ten strangers arrive on an island where they will meet their fate.  Each one has a secret and shameful past – and each one is marked for murder.  Who’s next?  And whodunit?  It’s impossible to say.  Nevertheless, one by one, each guest meets his or her end in a way that mirrors the lines of the nursery rhyme, “until there were none”

 

Surprise Musical

Feb. 22- Mar. 17, 2019

 

Our licensing agreement prohibits us from revealing the name of this show until later this season.  We look forward to lifting the curtain to reveal the title of this surprise musical.  All we can say is; it’s a musical, it’s big and it’s filled with fun!

 

Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach

Book – Timothy Allen McDonald

Music & Lyrics – Bej Paskek and Justin Paul

Based on Roald Dahl’s book James and the Giant Peach

April 26- May 5, 2019

 

James finds a door in the peach and discovers a crew of fantastic creatures living inside, all transformed, by a potion, to giant size.  When the peach rolls off the tree and into the ocean, the crew must work together to overcome hunger, battle sharks, and escape greedy aunts who are plotting to fumigate the peach and everyone inside.   From the branches of the tree, to the Atlantic Ocean, to the skies above New York city, their daring exploits teach James’ and his new friends to work together and redefine what it means to be a family.

 

Disney’s Newsies

Book – Harvey Fierstein

Music – Alan Menken

Lyrics – Jack Feldman

Based on – Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White

Originally Produced = by Disney Theatrical Productions

Mary 31- June 23, 2019

 

The strike begins when Pulitzer and Hearst raise distribution prices on their papers, forcing the newspaper boys to sell more to earn a living.  Jack the paperboy steps up as leader of the Newsies, rallying underpaid newsboys across the city to stand up to the publishing titans.  A friendly reporter’s interest in the story leads to a budding romance with Jack and publicity for the cause, but will the pressure be enough to make Pulitzer and Hearst bow to what’s right?

 

All Shook Up

Book – Joe DiPietro

Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley

Young@Part Edition Adapted by Marc Tumminelli

Young@Part Edition originally produced at Broadway Workshop in New York City

First workshopped at Hoboken Children’s Theatre, NJ, Chase Leyner, Director.

July 26 – August 4, 2019

 

Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Midsummer Night’s Dream, the story takes place in 1955, when a handsome stranger stops in town to get his motorcycle fixed and catches the eye of the gas station owner’s daughter, Natalie.  When he fails to take interest in her, she disguises herself as “Ed” to get close to him and earn his trust.  A case of mistaken identities and mixed-up couples create a web of comedy and confusion, and it becomes anyone’s guess if Natalie will find her happily-ever-after by the last song.

 

Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland

Playwright – Deborah Lynn Frockt

Based on – Lewis Carroll’s book Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland

July 27-August 3, 2019

 

The play begins on a lazy summer day, when young Alice follows the White Rabbit down its hole and comes upon a curious world with food and drinks that make her grow or shrink most inconveniently.  Alice encounters a disappearing Cheshire Cat who warns her that no one around her is sane.  She observes a series of puzzling adventures at the Mad Hatters tea party.  She plays a game of hedgehog croquet with the King and Queen of Hearts, and holds a philosophical conversation with a Mock Turtle.  When Alice finds herself on trial, she must draw on the new skills she has learned in this Wonderland, to save her from danger.

Calvin College earns ‘Tree Campus USA®’ distinction

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Photo courtesy of Calvin College

By News & Stories Staff, Calvin College

 

Calvin College is honored with 2017 Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. Calvin is one of four Michigan institutions to receive the distinction. (University of Michigan, Washtenaw Community College, and Western Michigan University were also included.)

 

“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.”

 

Tree Campus USA, an Arbor Day Foundation program, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Calvin College achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and student service-learning project. Currently there are 344 campuses across the United States with this recognition. This is Calvin’s sixth consecutive year being named a Tree Campus USA.

 

“Calvin’s Tree Campus USA designation shows the importance we place on not only the care and management of our existing trees, but also on campus involvement in planting new ones,” said Bob Speelman, Calvin’s landscape operations supervisor and a certified arborist. “Campus trees play a key role in making this an attractive, sustainable and enjoyable place to live, work and visit. I am pleased that our role as stewards of the campus urban forest has been recognized once again.”

 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. The organization has helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $48 million in campus forest management last year.

 

Reprinted with permission from Calvin College.

Adoptable pets from Humane Society of West Michigan: Becca and Ike

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Meet Becca!

By Brooke Hotchkiss, Humane Society of West Michigan

 

Each week, WKTV features an adoptable furry friend (or few) from various shelters in the Grand Rapids area. This week, we focus on Humane Society of West Michigan, located at 3077 Wilson Dr. NW in Grand Rapids.

 

Humane Society of West Michigan’s mission is to rescue hurt, abused and abandoned animals and find them new, forever homes. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization helps over 8,000 animals annually and is 100% donor-funded by caring individuals and businesses in the community. Additional programs help reduce pet overpopulation, provide assistance to low-income pet owners, behaviorally assess animals and reunite lost pets with their owners.

 

Becca — Pit Bull Terrier/Mix

Meet Becca! She is a 4 year old Pit Bull Terrier mix. Becca is such a goofy girl who loves to to run around and show off her favorite toys. She would love a household willing to provide her regular exercise or has a fenced in backyard. Becca would make a great running partner! She knows several commands and is eager to learn. Becca has previously lived with a cat successfully. Her energy level should be considered around small children. Becca would do best with male dogs, however should meet any before going home with one. If you’re interested in her, please visit Humane Society of West Michigan.

 

More about Becca:

  • Animal ID: 37594097
  • Breed: Terrier, American Pit Bull/ Mix
  • Age: 4 years
  • Gender: Female
  • Size: Medium
  • Color: Black/White
  • Spayed
Here’s Ike!

Ike — Domestic Short Hair/Mix

Meet Ike! He is a 4-year-old domestic short hair kitty. Ike loves to pose for pictures, receive pets, and give nose kisses. He has lived with cats previously and seems to do well as long there are multiple litter boxes in the home. Ike would love a owner that allows him time and gives him patience to acclimate to his new surroundings. Ike would be a great addition to many homes! If you’re interested in him, please visit Humane Society of West Michigan.

 

More about Ike:

  • Animal ID: 37352065
  • Breed: Domestic Short Hair/Mix
  • Age: 4 years
  • Gender: Male
  • Size: Small
  • Color: Brown/Black
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed

The Humane Society of West Michigan automatically microchips all adoptable animals using 24PetWatch microchips, which include FREE registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet is also provided with 30 days of FREE ShelterCare Pet Health Insurance with a valid email address. For more information visit www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-7387 (PETS).

Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tues-Fri 12-7, Sat & Sun 11-4.

On the shelf: ‘A Stronger Kinship’ by Anna-Lisa Cox

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Reviews, , , ,

By Tim Gleisner, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

Every so often I feel compelled to suggest a book solely not only for the skill of the author’s writing ability, but for it’s social importance as well. The book, A Stronger Kinship by Anna-Lisa Cox, is just such a one.

 

A true story set in the town of Covert Michigan, during the latter half of the nineteenth century, it tells the tale of the town’s unique population. Covert is a small town of roughly 1,000 people in Van Buren County just outside of South Haven. It is a typical rural community in Southwest Michigan. People settled the area because the land was plentiful and could provide an income. Agriculture, in various forms, has sustained this community from the very beginning — first lumber, then fruit farming. Families went to church, school, formed businesses, all in all a community within the norm of American life. The quality that set this town apart was that the population of Covert was integrated at a time when America was not.

 

Building on the lives of runaway slaves, freed blacks, and abolitionist New Englanders, the reader encounters a group of people who felt that one was equal regardless of color. This attitude was nurtured while the Midwest was experiencing racism in various forms. Families lived on farms side by side, as well within the town. You learn of the first elected African-American official, of the town’s business leaders who came from both sides of the color line, and from families that were integrated and accepted by the populace as a whole. What is remarkable is that to this day this community has stayed true to the original conviction of the pioneer generation. It conveys the sense that intentional community is not always impossible, and that one’s morals can be lived out in ordinary life.

 

Anna-Lisa Cox is the recipient of numerous awards for her research. She is an active historian, writer, and lecturer on the history of race relations in the nineteenth-century Midwest.

Per residents’ request, Wyoming City Council considers short-term rental ordinance

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Wyoming City Council will consider an ordinance on short-term rentals at its next meeting set for March 19.

 

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

“It’s noisy, it’s loud,” said Steven Christensen of an AirBnB located near his home along Mayflower Drive in Wyoming. “You are trying to sit in the living room, trying to relax and people are coming and going, slamming doors all the time. It’s just loud. I had one time with a wedding … I have to go to work at five and they are out there at three o’clock in the morning hooting and hollering it up.”

 

Christensen and his neighbor Andrew Hanselman attended a Wyoming City Council work session earlier this year to encourage the city to host public hearings on short-term rentals such as AirBnBs, VRBO, and HomeAway, in an effort to create a city ordinance to regulate them.

 

At its March work session, the Wyoming City Council reviewed an ordinance that would prohibit all short term rentals for non-owner occupied homes. The proposed ordinance will be presented at Monday’s regular council meeting, which is at 7 p.m. at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.

 

“So, if I owned a house, I could rent my room or a room in the house, the basement or something as a short-term rental and that would be completely acceptable,” said City Manager Curtis Holt as he explained the proposed ordinance. “If I own a house and I bought a house just for the idea of an AirBnB that would not be acceptable. If I own a house and let’s say I would be out-of-town for long periods of time and I wanted to hold that house, it would not be acceptable to do short-term rentals with it.”

 

Holt acknowledged that the ordinance would address the one property the city has received two complaints about. In general, the city has not received a lot of complaints about short-term rentals. He said in a recent search, city staff found about six properties listed as short-term rentals. The most the city has had at one time is around 12, Curtis said.

 

“Well, understand this short-term rental issue is far more prevalent in tourist destination type towns…,” Curtis said.

 

The tougher challenge would be enforcement, Curtis said. Mayor Jack Poll said he could see that as if he goes away for the weekend and his children came by to stay, it would be tough to determine if they were renting or just house guests.

 

Still several council members liked the simplicity of the proposed ordinance and it gave something for the city to refer to when a property owner is blatantly obvious in not following the rules.

 

The ordinance could have a short life. At the state level, both the House and the Senate have bills — HB5403 and SB329 respectively — in committee that would prohibit municipalities enacting zoning ordinance bans of short-term rentals. Rep. Steve Johnson said during a January Government Matters, cities would still be able to regulate short-term rentals through such means as noise, advertising, traffic or other conditions. The house bill remains in committee, Johnson said.

 

“There is a battle going with one side on the private property rights of an individual who owns a piece of property versus local control and what control a local municipality can have on it,” State Senator Peter MacGregor said of the proposed Senate bill. In the past couple of months, there has been little movement on either the Senate or House bill.

 

Holt said municipalities have several concerns about the state bills. It is the belief of many community leaders, including those in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, that to avoid inspection requirements, landlords would change their leases to 28 days or less.

 

“The majority of people who own residential properties do a great job,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley during the January Government Matters meeting, “but then you have have five percent who don’t and if they don’t have to do something they aren’t going to do something.”

 

To prevent a “one bad apple” scenario, Kepley said city officials are hoping to prevent that loophole so as to keep the neighborhoods nice. Currently the City of Kentwood does not have any regulations on short-term rentals.

 

AirBnB has opposed outright banning of short-term rentals but does support fair regulations. In an October 2017 Crain’s Detroit Business op-ed piece, a representative for AirBnB said “by taking the nuclear option off the table (the banning of short-term rentals), this law would encourage communities to collaborate with local hosts on commonsense rules…”

 

The most popular Michigan destinations for AirBnB travelers is Detroit followed by Ann Arbor and then Traverse City. Traverse City does regulate short-term rentals like bed and breakfasts. Traverse City’s ordinance requires owners must be present when renters are there, be licensed and cannot be within 1,000 feet of one another.

 

Last summer, AirBnB did strike a deal with the Michigan Treasury to collect use taxes. It is estimated that about $1.5 million would be generated through the tax. The move also will allow the state to track and collect the six percent use tax that applies to nightly rental charges on stays in Michigan hotels for periods of less than a month. However the six percent use tax, currently, does not come back to the municipalities.

Get Down with Down Syndrome at the ‘Rock Your Socks Dance’ March 21

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Non-Profits, , ,
Photo supplied

By Victoria Hart, Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan

 

Myth: All people with Down syndrome have a severe cognitive disability and cannot be active members of society.

 

Fact: Many people believe this. The misconception that Down syndrome affects all those with the condition identically and that, as a result, these individuals are unable to live independently or lead successful lives could not be further from the truth. At the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) we work every day to ensure that myth does not overshadow truth. Educating West Michigan about the condition is a critical part of advocacy.

 

So, what is Down syndrome? Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. It is the most commonly occurring chromosomal abnormality and occurs in one of approximately every 700 births. Those with Down syndrome often experience cognitive delays and have several physical identifiers including low muscle tone, small stature, and an upward slant to the eyes.

 

While it is true that some people with Down syndrome have severe cognitive delays, for most the effect is usually mild to moderate. Many individuals are enrolled in general education programs, attend college, marry, and have jobs. Just ask our intern Allie! Allie is 25 years old and in addition to working with our organization, has two other jobs, is taking a college course, and spends her weekends skiing.

 

It is important to remember that each person with Down syndrome is unique. When we limit our understanding of the condition, we limit the opportunities for those affected. Quality education programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends, and the community help people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

 

World Down Syndrome Day is March 21st, in honor of the third copy of the 21st chromosome. On this day, individuals with Down syndrome and advocates across the world raise public awareness and advocate for inclusion with community events and conferences with lawmakers. And don’t be surprised if you see people wearing brightly colored or mismatched socks on World Down Syndrome Day. The #lotsofsocks campaign encourages participants to wear their funkiest socks to get people talking and asking questions about Down syndrome.

 

At DSAWM we can’t think of a better way to celebrate our favorite extra-chromosomed friends on World Down Syndrome Day than by throwing a party! On March 21st we will be hosting a ‘70s themed Rock Your Socks Dance to raise awareness and celebrate our loved ones with Down syndrome. DSAWM staff, members, family, and friends will be boogieing the night away with snacks, crafts, a photo booth, costume contest, and, of course, dancing!

 

Join us at the Masonic Center in downtown Grand Rapids at 6pm for the grooviest get-down in town. Check out the DSAWM Facebook page for more details and to learn more about our organization and the fantastic community of eager and inspiring individuals whom we serve.

 

For more information, please visit the following links.

 

Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan: Dsawm.org

National Down Syndrome Society: Ndss.org

World Down Syndrome Day: Worlddownsyndromeday.org

Understanding Medicare Coverage: Inpatient vs. Observation

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, Non-Profits, Senior Living

By Regina Salmi, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

You don’t feel well. You might go to the emergency room, where after initial triage, you’re taken to a hospital room. You’re in a gown, you’ve got an ID bracelet, nurses and doctors are visiting you, and you are given medication. You are inpatient, right?

 

Maybe not. Under Medicare rules for hospitalization, you can be admitted to a hospital under observation or as an inpatient. While the treatment you’re receiving might be almost identical, no matter your designation, under Medicare rules, it could be the difference between a co-pay or thousands of dollars in medical bills. It is important to understand the difference and know your rights when you are in the hospital.

 

An example, when Steve suffered a fall, resulting in broken ribs and a severe sprain, he spent 4 days in the hospital. Before returning home, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for two weeks in order to recover. After Steve returned home, he received an extremely large medical bill in the mail, because Medicare did not pay for his stay at the rehabilitation facility. He was dumbfounded. What he discovered through multiple inquiries was his status at the hospital was observation, not inpatient, prior to going to rehabilitation. Therefore, he was billed for his entire stay at the facility.

 

Bob Callery, MMAP Regional Coordinator explains, “When a person’s status is inpatient during their hospital stay, it is billed through Medicare part A. As long as they were inpatient during their hospital stay for 3 days, if transferred to a rehab to continue recovery, Medicare part A will pay for that stay as well. Observation, on the other hand, is billed through Medicare part B. If a person’s status is ‘observation’ and they are transferred to a facility, Medicare part B will not cover that stay and patients are billed for their time in rehabilitation.”

 

What can we do to avoid getting whacked with a huge medical bill?

 

Callery says, “Get the MOON!” That stands for the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON). As of March 8, 2017, hospitals are required to give patients this form within 24-36 hours of an observation stay. The MOON will let you know whether your status is observation or inpatient and the coinsurance amount you might have to pay. It will also inform you that if you need to go to a skilled nursing facility after your stay in the hospital, your care will not be covered by Medicare if your admission status is observation rather than inpatient.

 

If you are in the hospital, you or your family member need to make sure you receive this form. Your physician’s decision to transfer you to a skilled nursing facility may be the best treatment decision for you, but s/he may have forgotten that you were originally admitted on an observation status rather than inpatient. In order for Medicare A to cover the costs of rehabilitation, you must be in the hospital under inpatient status for at least 3 days prior to being transferred. If your doctor wants you to continue to recover at a facility, your status needs to be changed before the transfer takes place.

 

Medicare, with all of its rules and various parts, can be very confusing and difficult to untangle. Remembering to ‘Get the MOON!’ will help you avoid unnecessary medical bills when you’re in the hospital. In addition, there is MMAP. This is Michigan’s Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program. MMAP’s purpose is to help “educate, counsel and empower” people about their Medicare/Medicaid programs and benefits. MMAP, Inc. works through the Area Agencies on Aging. MMAP can also help you appeal a Medicare bill you believe is incorrect, but more importantly, they can help you understand your coverage to avoid receiving those bills in the first place.

 

If you have questions about your Medicare plan, you can contact MMAP at aaawm.org 800.803.7174 or email aaainfo@aaawm.org. You can also visit www.mmapinc.org to learn more.

Michigan Mission of Mercy dental clinic to provide free dental care June 2-3

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, ,

 

By Michigan Dental Association Foundation

 

The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) and the Michigan Dental Association Foundation are now working to organize an unprecedented statewide dental access program — the Michigan Mission of Mercy clinic, to be held June 2-3, 2018 at Calvin College’s Huizenga Tennis and Track Center, 3201 Burton SE in Grand Rapids. Approximately 2,500 patients are expected to be treated over the course of two days.

 

The clinic will be staffed with hundreds of volunteers from throughout the state of Michigan and neighboring states, including licensed dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. As patients enter the Huizenga Tennis and Track Center, volunteers will register them, take a basic health history, and then direct them to the appropriate treatment area. There are no qualifications or restrictions (except possible health issues) to take advantage of the free dental services.

 

All patients are examined by a licensed dentist to determine their most important need. Depending on the need, services may include cleanings, fillings, tooth removal (extractions), a limited number or root canals and treatment partials to replace front teeth. They are not able to provide caps, crowns, metal-based partial dentures, dentures, implants, bridges, orthodontics or extraction of wisdom teeth. Narcotics will not be dispensed. The patient and the treating dentist will decide the appropriate service that best fits each patient’s circumstances. An individual’s most severe problem (infection and/or pain) will be given first priority.

 

Only one major service is usually performed on each patient. Multiple extractions or fillings can be done at one time; however the patient will not receive both of these services at one time. Our philosophy is to provide services to as many people as possible rather than provide many services to fewer people. If a patient receives treatment on Friday, they can get in line for Saturday, too.

 

Children are welcome. Pediatric dentists will be on-site, especially trained to work with children, who will provide treatment in a gentle and caring manner.

 

Doors open at 6 am and all services at the Michigan Mission of Mercy are provided on a first-come, first-served basis until we have reached our capacity for the day. Our capacity is determined by the number of professional volunteers present and cannot be predicted in advance of the opening of the MOM event. Our goal is to treat as many patients as we can each day.

 

Since 2013, the MDA Foundation’s Michigan Mission of Mercy program has united hundreds of dentists, dental team members, and other volunteers to provide dental care, to disadvantaged individuals. From June 1-2, $3 million in dental health care services will be provided at no charge.

 

Treating patients in need is at the core of all Mission of Mercy events. Individuals interested in attending the 2018 Mission of Mercy event should go here to read through the information available here prior to arriving. Familiarizing yourself with the procedures and requirements will help the volunteers at the 2018 Mission of Mercy provide you with the best care.

 

Michigan Dental Association Foundation Mission of Mercy is entirely volunteer run and donation based. We have received very generous contributions from our MOM sponsors that allow us to bring in the equipment and supplies necessary for the clinic. Everyone working at the clinic is volunteering their time and talents.

 

For patient information and FAQs, go here.

 

They share a dream which will be celebrated at the Cesar E. Chavez March and Community Gathering

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , , ,
The Cesar E. Chavez Social Justice March starts at 11 a.m. and will be along the Cesar E. Chavez Way (Grandville Avenue).

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

They have a dream: a dream of dignity, respect, and protection for all and for this year’s César E. Chávez Social Justice March and Community Gathering — set for Thursday, March 15 — it will be the DREAMers who will be honored.

 

“Since 2012, we have been working with and encouraging the DREAMers to stand in solidarity,” said CEC Community Gathering Leader Suzanne Hewitt. So this year’s César E. Chávez Social Justice March and Community Gathering will focus on and honor the DREAMers, Hewitt said.

 

Community members, students and business leaders will kick off the day’s activities with the César E. Chávez Social Justice March at 11 a.m. The march will start at the Cook Library Center, 1100 Grandville Ave. SW and head down the César E. Chávez Way (Grandville Avenue) to the Potter House Chapel, 810 Van Raatle Dr. SW.

 

At the Potter House Chapel, there will be a community gathering at around 11:30 a.m.

 

Committee to Honor César E. Chávez Chairperson Lupe Ramos-Montigny

Chávez dedicated his life to workers’ rights, empowerment  of the poor and disenfranchised, civil rights, economic justice, environmental justice and peace. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, later the United Farm Workers union, along with Dolores Huerta. After his death, he became a major historical icon for the Latino community with streets, schools and parks named after him. In the Greater Grand Rapids area, Grandville Avenue was renamed the César E. Chávez Way and there is a Grand Rapids elementary school, César E. Chávez Elementary.

 

César E. Chávez National Holiday was established by Los Angeles volunteers who organized and led the effort in California. The legal holiday bill was signed into law on August 18, 2000. The holiday is celebrated in California on César E. Chávez’s birthday March 31. This marked the first time that a labor leader or Latino has been honored with a public legal holiday.

 

For several years,  Committee to Honor César E. Chávez has hosted events and social justice activities in remembrance of Chávez and the contributions he made to the Latino community. The committee is chaired by Lupe Ramos-Montigny, who currently sits on the State Board of Education.

 

All are welcomed to participate in the annual Cesar E. Chavez Social Justice March.

After the gathering, there will be a 2018 César E. Chávez Unity Luncheon at MAYA Mexican Grill and Bar, located in the Rogers Plaza at 1020 28th St. SW. The luncheon is at 1 p.m. and is a fundraiser for a Grand Valley State University scholarship that honors Ramos-Montigny. Tickets are $50 per person or $500 for a table of 10. For more information or tickets, click here.

 

For more on the 2018 César E. Chávez Social Justice March and Community Gathering, visit the Committee to Honor César E. Chávez’s Facebook page.

School News Network: Filipino ESL student is still learning, and loving it, at age 84

Citizen Journalism, , ,
Susan Domeier has gotten to know classmates and friends including Ayuba Bedaso, at right

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

At 5 p.m., the bus pulls up to the Kent ISD Adult Education Center at Beckwith School in Northeast Grand Rapids and Susan Domeier steps out. Aided by a cane and clad in a black beret and bright pink scarf, the 84-year-old Filipino woman is ready for her class in English as a Second Language.

 

Susan Domeier laughs at the idea of singing in class while telling classmates she is a drummer, guitar player and singer

Domeier greets teachers and friends and they offer cheerful hellos. The center is a place where there’s camaraderie among students who are learning to speak, read, write and listen in English together, and Domeier likes to spend three hours, two evenings a week there. Her native language is Tagalog, and though she has spoken English for decades, she wants to improve her vocabulary and conversational skills. She carries a notebook filled with words to learn.

 

She decided to enroll in the ESL program last year. “I was bored and I said, ‘I don’t like to watch TV all the time,’ and I said I would like to learn better English because some people I talk to and I do not understand what they’re saying.”

 

Now she looks forward to class. “I love it. I would like to help people. So many people here don’t know how to speak English at all. I feel sorry for them. I like to help them.”

 

In class, Domeier takes her seat, surrounded by classmates from many countries. They get a kick out of Domeier’s personality and never-ending perseverance.

 

“I like her funny stories. She wants to know everything,” said student Ayuba Bedaso.

 

“She is so happy every day,” added Abun Zegata.

 

“She brings a perspective from somebody who’s a lot older,” said instructor Karen McBurney. “In some ways she’s a real role model of tenacity for the other students. She asks interesting questions” and is “kind, compassionate and generous.”

 

The Kent ISD Adult Education Program enrolls nearly 1,000 students in Adult Basic Education, High School Equivalency (GED) and ESL programs at locations in Grand Rapids, Wyoming and the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district.

Susan Domeier works on Olympics vocabulary

 

A Long-Held Appreciation for School

 

Like most students in the Adult English as a Second Language program, Domeier has a remarkable story.

 

She lived in the Philippines during World War II. Her father was an architect who joined the military as a supply sergeant who supplied guns to soldiers. He was wanted by the Japanese, Domeier said. She was 7 when the war started and remembers living in hiding on a boat and in the mountains with her father, sister and mother.

 

“I like to go to school because I missed four years of school because we always had to hide,” she said. In the mountains, she and her family lived off wild fruits and bananas, too fearful to cook because they didn’t want to draw attention to themselves.

 

After the war ended, Domeier was able to attend a Catholic school until she was 15 or 16. She became a cook at a restaurant where she met her husband, a German. He immigrated to the U.S. first, and she joined him 1962. She now has five children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Over the years, she worked at a car parts factory and at Meijer. Domeier’s husband died in 2011.

 

Indeed, one of the oldest students in Grand Rapids, Domeier is also perhaps the most surprising. She often reveals stunners about herself, like that she’s a drummer who played in bars for 25 years with her late husband.

 

Susan Domeier is always quick to help her classmates and share funny stories

“I am a jealous person. I don’t want him to play in a bar without me,” she said, explaining why she decided to pick up drumsticks and learn to play. “I miss him so much.” She plays “everything,” she said, especially country music. She also plays guitar and sings in the choir for Sts. Peter and Paul and St. Mary’s Catholic churches.

 

School secretary Michelle Downer sees how Domeier impacts others as a true example that “You are never to old to learn. She has that stamina. She is an inspiration to other students as well as staff.”

 

Domeier, who shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, said she just enjoys her time hitting the books.

 

“This is better than sitting in the house or watching TV,” she said.

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

Adoptable cat of the week: Kitty Kitty

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , , ,
Kitty Kitty has already proven herself to be a wonderful companion!

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).

Kitty Kitty was once a Crash Cat back in 2009. Her name was Sandra then and we had taken her in on a shelter transfer from Harbor Humane Society. How this darling, dainty girl ended up homeless and in need of help was beyond us, but we sure were happy to help out and to have her with us. In fact she was such a charmer that she was adopted out just a few months after her arrival, and Dr. Jen has had the pleasure of providing veterinary care for her all of these years. Dr. Jen can attest to the fact that her owners, a mother and son duo, doted on their baby girl, and our visits were always enjoyable because they simply beamed when they brought her in.

So it was understandably heartbreaking when we were contacted in Sept. 2017 and asked if we could take Kitty Kitty back into our adoption program. Due to unexpected health issues, her mom suddenly found herself caring for her adult son, and that took up all of her time. Knowing that her fluffy friend deserved more than she could now give, she handed her back over into our care, although heavyhearted during the entire process.

Although the dark chocolate beauty (born in the summer of 2006) needed a bit of grooming and some teeth extracted due to dental disease, the bigger concerns were weight loss, loose stool sand arthritis symptoms; she was now sporting a hitch in her giddy-up that needed attention. So Dr. Jen set about righting the wrongs, starting Kitty Kitty on meds to improve her appetite, firm up her stools (major success) and injections to treat her aging joints.

Each and every one of the volunteers who care for her think she is just the sweetest thing, a stunning senior who is more than ready to start the next chapter in her life. And we would like nothing more than to be able to offer her a home of her own again, as her former family would be extremely appreciative and could rest a bit easier knowing that she was once again lounging in the lap of luxury.

More about Kitty Kitty

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!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Wyoming City Council unable to meet super majority, Reserve rezoning fails

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

Joanne Bailey-Boormsa

joanne@wktv.org

 

At Monday night’s Wyoming City Council meeting, the Wyoming-based Granger Group lost its second rezoning bid for property located southeast of the 56th Street and Wilson Avenue intersection.

 

Known as the Reserve at Rivertown, the Granger Group was seeking the rezoning of 98.4 acres that was a mix of zonings including estate residential, business and restricted office to a PUD-1 low density planned unit development. Many of the residents living in and near the development objected to the rezoning, having filed a protest petition.

 

Under Michigan’s Zoning Enable Act, a valid protest petition signed by at least 20 percent of owners within an area extending 100 feet outward from the boundary of land included in the proposed change would require a super majority vote for a rezoning to pass. This meant that for the Wyoming City Council to grant the rezoning for the Reserve at Rivertown, it had to pass by a 5-to-2 vote.

 

Earlier during the meeting, it was announced that First Ward Council member William Ver Hulst had officially retired, leaving the Wyoming City Council with only six members. Those members could only come to a 4-to-2 vote with Mayor Jack Poll, Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt, and Councilors Kent Vanderwood and Dan Burrill voting for the rezoning. Councilors Rob Postema and Marissa Postler voted against it. Because of the super majority requirement of a two-thirds vote of the entire council, the rezoning request failed, Poll said during the meeting.

 

Postema said during the meeting that he had some concerns over the Planning Commission approving the rezoning request since the 2018 plan was not much better than the one the city reviewed a few months ago and, he felt, it did not meet the city’s land use plan of incorporating the land’s natural features. The proposal would have utilized some wetlands for the development.

 

“I watched the planning commission meeting, Postema said, “…and the difference was whether it met the ordinance or not. And for rezoning you don’t need to meet the ordinance. It doesn’t make sense that you would use that as a standard of rezoning because that could apply for any rezoning anywhere by drawing something up that meets that ordinance for that particular zoning district.”

 

Postler said her concerns were similar but focused on “this dichotomy of it is either this or 2001.

 

“It’s A or B, but there is no C. But the fact that we had the same conversation like four months ago about the 2017 plan and it was either the 2017 plan or the 2001 and there was no option C, but we are here tonight talking about 2018 which would be option C.”

 

Postler said she could respect that the Granger Group would like to get something going on the property, but she just could not accept that the plan before the city council was the only option.

 

“I guess this narrative that we keep hearing is that if this doesn’t get accepted we are just going ‘to go back to the 2001 plan’ and I get that it legally can, but I don’t get that it has to,” she said.

 

Residents who spoke at Monday night’s meeting and at February’s Planning Commission meeting raised several issues, including overcrowding at the schools, traffic concerns, and legal issues over a home owner association requirement and whether the Granger Group could include the existing homes from first three phases in the new proposed PUD without the homeowners’ consent.

 

Poll, who lives in the area where the Reserve at Rivertown development is proposed, went through several of the concerns. He said the schools will make room for additional students. No matter what was built in the area, there would be more traffic, he said. And he noted that he did not believe the project would “destroy the panhandle” as some have indicated or have an impact on property values.

 

If the Granger Group does decide to go back the 2001 PUD plan, which has been modified by the city and the company since its original approval, the Granger Group would still need to seek approval from the city’s Planning Commission for site plans, plates and other items before any development could start, according to staff. The Granger Group has completed three phases based on the 2001 PUD.

Meet the employer: Fogg Filler

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

 

By West Michigan Works!

 

Fogg Filler is a family owned business in Holland, Michigan that designs and manufactures rotary filling systems. Their machines are used to fill containers for a growing number of industries throughout the world including dairy, water, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical. The company strives to combine skilled craftsmanship with innovative management to offer their customers exceptional service and quality products.

 

To learn more about Fogg Filler, we talked to Greg Gibble, a service manager who’s been with Fogg for 34 years.

 

What is it like to work at Fogg Filler? 

I love working at Fogg because of the great family orientated culture and challenging work. Over the years I have seen continuous growth with new product releases and new team members. In my career at Fogg, I started out rebuilding competitor’s filling machines and then moved through the capper, weld, assembly and service departments. I’ve gained valuable knowledge of our products and processes.

 

How have you seen your job change as technology changes?

When I started at Fogg, we used push-button machines, all my documentation was done by hand and filed in a cabinet. Now, all of our machines come with human-machine interface (HMI) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and can be programmed to do just about anything. This takes most of the human error out of the process. All of our internal documentation is done on computers and filed electronically. When I started, I was in the service department; if you had any issues, you got me. Now we have a team of five service coordinators, 20 mechanical technicians and 10 electrical programmers to install and maintain our equipment.

 

What are the most interesting parts of your job?

The custom equipment is the most interesting part of my job. We are continually following customer- and industry-driven improvements for each piece of our equipment. Each machine goes out with a minimum of two improvements. Over time, those improvements add up to huge advancements in technology. Continually learning is our standard operating procedure.

 

What advice would you like to pass on to a new employee?

Always embrace change. Fogg is a company that is always on the forefront of new products and technology. As each change arises, view them as unique challenges for you to solve. Whether it’s people, technology or documentation, it is another opportunity for you to succeed.

 

See Fogg Filler’s job openings here.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Nine Cherry Health Medical Health Centers Receive Patient-Centered Medical Home Status

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Non-Profits,
Photo courtesy of Cherry Health

By Tiffany Aldrich, Cherry Health

 

Nine Cherry Health medical health centers are part of an elite group that has demonstrated commitment to advancing quality care, as certified by a national leader in health-care accreditation.

 

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has certified the following Cherry Health medical sites as a Patient-Centered Medical Home at Level 3, the highest level possible:

  • Barry Community Health Center
  • Burton Health Center
  • Cherry Street Health Center
  • Heart of the City Health Center Adult Medicine
  • Heart of the City Health Center Durham Clinic
  • Heart of the City Health Center Pediatrics
  • Montcalm Area Health Center
  • Westside Health Center
  • Wyoming Community Health Center

That certification means these medical sites meet rigorous standards of patient-centered care.

 

“We are dedicated to enhancing quality of care at each of our health centers,” said Jodi Pyper, Director of Health Center Programs. “Putting our patients at the center of care allows us to best meet their needs.”

 

The Patient-Centered Medical Home is a primary-care model with high standards of access, teamwork, and technology. Research shows it can improve quality, lower costs, and provide a better experience for both patients and clinicians.

 

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of American health care. Its standards for certifying Patient-Centered Medical Homes follow principles established by the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Osteopathic Association.

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Stories from Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan: Thinking Outside of the Box

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, Local Faces, Non-Profits, , ,
Katrina Curtis and her daughter, Cora

By Katrina Curtis, Byron Center

 

When my daughter Cora was two years old, she was still struggling with lack of physical strength, muscle coordination, and core muscle use. She was receiving PT and OT, but we were both frustrated with the results. Cora was doing the same thing over and over at every visit with little improvement. It didn’t help that I would diligently work with her between those therapy sessions on the homework the therapists gave me. I was being a great mama and helping my child improve, right? YES, I was being a good mama, but I was also boring my daughter to the point of frustrated tears on both our parts. I was so focused on her achieving the goals that were given to her that I totally ignored what was literally right in front of my face.

 

You see, I have been a professional horse trainer for over 30 years and with the birth of my daughter Cora I had taken a step back and cut down on the number of clients and horses that I had in training at my facility every month. Don’t get me wrong, I still rode and worked with others, but Cora was the new priority. She would often be in the in the house during most of my horse-related sessions. Once she was strong enough, I brought her out to a play pen near the arena. It was seeing Cora light up while she watched the horses that gave me the idea to get her ON a horse.

 

You’d think that having her on a horse would have been my first inclination. The adage is true though, that we often don’t see what is right in front of our eyes. Cora started riding a horse after she received the required neck x-ray from the pediatrician. I felt like a failure and a success at the same time. A failure that I hadn’t tried this sooner, and a success because I finally did get Cora on a horse.

 

Long story short — Cora’s physical strength and core strength increased with the use of a four-legged friend that whinnies. She would ride at a walk gait with a side walker and I would lead the horse while giving Cora little tasks to complete. For half an hour at a time, life was filled with laughter, a child, and a walking horse. I immediately saw improvement in Cora’s strength and coordination.

 

Cora on horseback

How? It’s called Equine Hippotherapy and here’s how it works. A horse has a walking gait which mimics a human’s walking gait. As the horse walks and the child rides the horse, the movement that works through the body of the child is the same as the child physically walking. The brain does not process that the child is riding a horse. It instead processes the movements as physically walking and therefore the muscles respond in the same way. Cora is 6 years old now and is still riding horses. The physical strength and coordination this kind of play offers has been wonderful for Cora’s progress.

 

One of the greatest blessings that this journey with Down syndrome continues to teach me is to look outside of the box for the answers that Cora needs. After all, Cora doesn’t do anything the usual way. She traditionally finds her own way and achieves a goal in her own time. Another thing this journey has taught me: Cora will achieve any task handed to her if given the respect to achieve it in her own time.

 

If you are stuck in a rut with your kiddo’s therapy, think outside of the box. A task usually has at least five ways of getting it done. Society has taught us that there are only two ways to do something — the right way and the wrong way. I encourage you to shake that theory up a little bit just like our kiddos do daily. That extra chromosome they were born with? It comes with a “thinking outside of the box”, “watch while I do it upside down and sideways” genetic makeup. It’s a positive attribute in a stringent world.

 

Down syndrome is a blessing which allows us parents many opportunities to walk along side our kiddos and ENJOY life — one moment at a time. But, we should remain open to the unseen blessing that will be delivered in a different way. And if a horse is involved, even better!

 

Katrina Curtis and her husband Scott live in Byron Center, Michigan on a few acres they call We-N-Us Ranch. Their slogan is “Where Courageous Kids and Special Horses rub elbows”. If you would like more information on Equine Hippotherapy and getting your child involved, you may contact Katrina on her Facebook page or email her at plexuskatrina@gmail.com.

 

Reprinted with permission from Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan.

Governments and Nonprofits: New Partnerships or Paradigm Shifts?

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By K. Caldwell, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University

 

As priorities of government have shifted away from directly providing services and programs, there has also been an explicit and implied expectations shift between government and philanthropy (defined here to include donors, volunteers, charities, and foundations). The partnerships between governments and philanthropy have evolved from working on similar issues independently, to working together or in place of one another. Consequently, there are new challenges in terms of roles, responsibilities, resources, and repercussions that merit exploration.

 

In recent years, philanthropy has undeniably taken on a larger role in meeting community needs and serving as an economic engine. Nearly one-third of nonprofit sector revenues come from public sources to fund vital services (McKeever, 2015). And one in ten workers in America are employed by a nonprofit organization. That workforce is growing in response to society’s demands (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).

 

What is more fascinating (and perhaps alarming), is the many ways, in which philanthropy is now temporarily substituting for, or flat out supplanting, the traditional roles of government. A few examples from Michigan present very different, yet similarly complicated examples of sector role conflation.

 

Kalamazoo, Mich. launched the Kalamazoo Promise — an effort to provide higher education opportunities for all public-school graduates — with the support of five anonymous donors (Bartik, 2015). In that same community, two other donors have committed their wealth toward the creation of a new nonprofit, the Foundation for Excellence, which provides funds to maintain a stable property tax rate and structure and funds innovative community solutions as defined by city government.

 

Flint, Mich. experienced one of the nation’s greatest infrastructure failures when the city switched its public water source to the Flint River without proper anticorrosion treatment, thereby damaging the plumbing system, and leaching lead into the drinking water (Bosman, 2016). Foundations and nonprofits stepped up as first responders, delivering bottled water and water filters to residents. A group of foundations ultimately
stepped in to underwrite the costs of switching the water back to the original source, and the community foundation launched a response fund to provide for the long-term nutrition and education needs of the children affected by the increased lead levels (French, 2016).

 

When Detroit, Mich. filed for bankruptcy in July 2013, its debt was estimated at $18-$20 billion. Several foundations pooled their resources to help ensure that pensioners could survive on their fixed incomes, while the Detroit Institute of Arts (which was otherwise headed for the auction block) was reinvented as a nonprofit with a solid financial footing. A new fund was developed through the local community foundation to disperse settlement funds to various individuals and organizations involved in the settlement. (Ferris, 2017)

 

If paradigm shifts such as these are a good thing for the sector and demonstrate the versatility and leadership philanthropy can demonstrate, there are important questions to address as these new “muscles” are exercised. Can philanthropy’s assets substitute for those provided through the public sector? If so, are the sector’s current fiscal and operational systems ready to deal with the change? What are the accountability and transparency responsibilities of philanthropy if it is asked to step into leadership roles traditionally occupied by elected bodies? It is important to be cognizant of the challenges that unclear boundaries and unrealistic expectations can bring to such paradigm shifts.

 

Reprinted with permission from Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.

Garage Bar & Grill brings the party to Wyoming with remodeling of Godwin Heights bar

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Monday, March 5, Drake’s Pub officially closes. It in about two weeks it will be opened as a new Garage Ba & Grill.

Less than a year after acquiring a bar and grill in Wyoming’s Godwin Heights area, Third Coast Development along with Garage Bar & Grill owner and operator Kevin Farhat announce that Drake’s Pub, 3766 Division Avenue, will soon become a second Garage Bar & Grill establishment.

 

Starting Monday, March 6, Drake’s Pub, which was once known as  Southland Tavern, will be closed. The place will be remodeled over two weeks and then reopening as Garage Bar & Grill. Proprietor Kevin Farhat says the interior will be redecorated to resemble the popular North Monroe district’s design and a completely new kitchen will be constructed.

 

Garage Bar & Grill executive chef Shaen Abbott joins Farhat as an operating partner at the Division Avenue location.

 

“We are excited to bring the popular Garage Bar & Grill concept to Godwin Heights,” said Kevin Farhat. “As we mentioned last year when we acquired the property, we want to blend our brand into the characteristic of this neighborhood, and we feel the Garage Bar concept, and its exceptional menu, will accomplish that goal, especially with the automotive manufacturing history of this area.”

 

Aside from the new name, interior design and signage, the biggest change to the facility will be the kitchen operations and menu items.

 

“Don’t let the ‘bar’ name fool you, Garage Bar & Grill has won several awards for its menu, so we are excited to bring new, fresh items at a fair price to Godwin Heights,” said Shaen Abbott. “No frozen food here, just fresh ingredients that arrive daily from our local suppliers,” Abbott added.

 

After remodeling the former Teazers Bar & Grill in 2014 to the current Garage Bar & Grill (located at 819 Ottawa Ave. NW), the newly established restaurant quickly gained a reputation for serving quality food at reasonable prices, according to Grand Rapids Press food critic John Serba.

 

All the food and drink specials and philanthropic commitment to honoring veterans that customers have experienced at the North Monroe location will be present at the new location.

 

Third Coast partner Brad Rosely said he is excited about the possibilities for the Garage Bar & Grill brand in Wyoming’s Godwin Heights area.

 

“We firmly believe that the success we’ve had at the original Garage Bar will be replicated at our Godwin Heights location,” Rosely said. “Kevin always says that he knows how to ‘run a good party’, so we’re excited to bring that Garage Bar energy to this location. But, he also knows how to run a great establishment, so we’re eager to enhance the bar and grill offerings to the Godwin Heights area.”

Gerald R. Ford International Airport hosts TSA Pre-check Enrollment Event

Citizen Journalism, ,

By Tara Hernandez

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

 

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is inviting passengers to enroll in the TSA Pre✓® expedited screening program March 19-23 on airport grounds.

 

TSA Pre✓® is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and more efficient screening experience. For TSA Pre✓® travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear or belts. Today, TSA Pre✓® has more than 450 lanes at 200+ U.S. airports, including GFIA.

 

“We are excited to bring this enrollment event back to our airport,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill. “Our last enrollment event was so popular that we’ve been getting requests to hold another one. The TSA Pre✓® Program is a beneficial program for frequent travelers, and we are encouraging those interested to sign up and reserve their spot.”

 

 

The airport is hosting the event in its Michigan Room on the second floor of the terminal building from 8 a.m. – Noon, and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Walk-in appointments are available, but priority is given to those with reservations, so pre-applying is encouraged.

 

Applying for TSA Pre✓® through this local enrollment event is easy. First, applicants can Pre- Enroll ahead of time by simply clicking here, choose “Pre-Enroll” then “Apply Now” and fill out steps 1 through 4. Once you arrive at step 4 of 4, type in your location “Grand Rapids, MI” and be sure to choose “Pop up: Gerald R. Ford International Airport”. Select “Next” at the bottom of the screen and select an appointment time (the first available shows, but you can use the drop down to choose a different date and/or time).

 

IMPORTANT! To complete the application process, you will need to bring proof of identity and U.S. citizen documentation (such as a U.S. Passport or a birth certificate and a driver license). If you have a valid U.S. passport, that is all you need for ID!

 

The application process is completed on site where staff will capture fingerprints for a background check and collect the $85 application for five years of service. The fee can be paid by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.

 

Enroll in TSA Pre✔® today and begin to enjoy the expedited security screening program that helps take the stress out of travel.

Donations sought for annual Kentwood Aquatics’ Easter Egg Hunt

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

Some people like to hunt for their eggs and others prefer to swim for them. Well, at least that is what area children will do at the 8th Annual Kentwood Public Schools Aquatics Center In-Water Easter Egg Hunt.

 

Set for March 24 from noon to 1 p.m., the aquatic center staff fills its pool up with bright color Easter Eggs with area children having the chance to jump in and collect as many as they can.

 

According to Joey Sutherlin, one of the organizers, more than 200 children attended last year’s In-Water Easter Egg Hunt, “but thanks to the generosity of our Kentwood community, we were able to accommodate them all and increase that number.”

 

Organizers for the annual event have put a call out to the community to once again donate items. The items needed are:

• plastic Easter eggs

• sandwich baggies or clear Easter gift baggies

• chocolate bunnies

• candy

• aquatic or Easter toys

• cash donations

 

Donations should be dropped off at the pool, located at the East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The aquatic center is located at Entrance K. Organizers are asking that donations be dropped off by 2 p.m. March 21.

 

The March 24 In-Water Easter Egg Hunt is free and open to the public. Children four and under will meet at the splash pool with their egg hunt starting at 12:15 p.m. Children five and up will be at 12:35 p.m. and second round, if needed will be at 12:50 p.m.

Adoptable pets from Humane Society of West Michigan: Hannah and Hadley

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Hannah

By Brooke Hotchkiss, Humane Society of West Michigan

 

Each week, WKTV features an adoptable furry friend (or few) from various shelters in the Grand Rapids area. This week, we focus on Humane Society of West Michigan, located at 3077 Wilson Dr. NW in Grand Rapids.

 

Humane Society of West Michigan’s mission is to rescue hurt, abused and abandoned animals and find them new, forever homes. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization helps over 8,000 animals annually and is 100% donor-funded by caring individuals and businesses in the community. Additional programs help reduce pet overpopulation, provide assistance to low-income pet owners, behaviorally assess animals and reunite lost pets with their owners.

 

Hannah — Female American Staffordshire Terrier Mix

 

I am a 4-year-old, sweet and social dog! I am currently roommates with a male dog and we get along well and like to play together. I would do well in a relaxed home with older/respectful children. I like to play around and go for walks, so I would also do well in a home that had the time and energy to give me some exercise and playtime and possibly a second dog in the home for me to pal around with! If I sound like a good fit for you, please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

 

More about Hannah:

  • Animal ID: 37690093
  • Breed: Terrier, American Staffordshire/ Mix
  • Age: 4 years
  • Gender: Female
  • Size: Medium
  • Color: Black
  • Spayed
Hadley is the cat’s meow

Hadley — Male Domestic Medium Hair/Mix

 

I’m a handsome, fuzzy, 3-year-old guy who is just the sweetest cat you’ll ever meet, if I say so myself. I love affection and am looking for a home where I can lounge in the sun and be pampered. I’m worth it. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!

 

More about Hadley:

  • Animal ID: 37839495
  • Breed: Domestic Medium Hair/Mix
  • Age: 3 years
  • Gender: Male
  • Size: Small
  • Color: Brown
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed

Calvin College gifted complete set of Audubon’s ‘Birds of America’

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, , ,

 

By Hannah Ebeling, Calvin College

 

“The science that we have today is shaped so much by a desire to know the God that created it,” said David Malone, dean of college and seminary library. John James Audubon reflects this desire to understand creation in his passionate and detailed study of North American birds.

Rare Audubon prints gifted to Calvin

Calvin College was recently gifted, by Udean Burke, Birds of America, a collection of prints by naturalist and painter John James Audubon. The collection was produced in 1966 by American Heritage Publishing and has an estimated value in the tens of thousands. The set contains 431 colored illustrations of a wide variety of birds of the United States, and is one of only 120 complete sets known to exist. Audubon’s Birds of America was originally produced between 1827 and 1838, consisting of hand-colored prints made by engraved plates.

 

The donor, owner of Nancy and Udean Christian Tours, emphasized the importance of gifting this set to a Christian institution. “The donor was looking for a Christian school that would put them to use,” said Malone. The prints were given to be used at the discretion of the college, without restrictions, for the needs of the school, he said.

 

“I think it reflects well on Calvin that someone really not that familiar with Calvin, except by reputation, would select us for this gift,” said Randy Vogelzang, director of gift planning and major gifts. “It was an unexpected blessing and quite an honor and a privilege that they would have the confidence in supporting us and Calvin’s mission.”

Collection to be available to all

“Generally, when we have something like this, it’s my desire that we not hide it somewhere just in storage, and that the materials get engaged,” said Malone. “That’s really at the core of what a library does.” They are valuable and need to be well cared for, but that does not necessarily mean they need to be sequestered and unavailable, explained Malone.

 

The library’s goal would be that these prints are engaged and made available for natural science and history courses to understand the role of documentation in the history of science. “The collection is very attractive, and I can imagine that it could be framed and hung around the campus,” he said.

Complete set in perfect condition

The prints are in near perfect condition and while individual prints of Audubon’s Birds of North America are available, it is much rarer to come across a complete set of all 431 prints, much less in perfect condition, explained Vogelzang. “There are very few private colleges that have sets like this,” he said. “It is pretty remarkable for a smaller college to have something like this in their collection.”

 

“It was attractive to obtain them simply because of what they were, but it’s also desirable to find new ways of connecting curriculum with resources, and these kinds of visual materials are very different in that way,” said Malone.

 

What separates Audubon’s work is the detail and the intricacy that he was able to create in his documentation, explained Malone. The prints show the change in how the natural world was being documented and viewed at the time. “These fit well within a reformed perspective,” said Malone. “This is God’s creation, let us fully understand the depth of it and try and understand as much as we can.”

 

Reprinted with permission from Calvin College.

Review: Civic Theatre’s ‘My Fair Lady’ a loverly production

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Alyssa Bauer as Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” running through March 18.

By Anne Hillman

 

Grand Rapids Civic Theater has begun its production of My Fair Lady, and the production team and cast have brought this well-known story to entertaining life. This production marks the return of many faces who will be familiar to frequent attendees of Civic Theater’s past seasons: Alyssa Bauer as Eliza Doolittle, Michael Dodge as Colonel Pickering, Charles Hutchins as Alfred Doolittle, Kristen Pearson as Mrs. Pearce, and second time Civic alum John Girdlestone as Henry Higgins. Led by director Allyson Paris, joined by a strong ensemble, and supported by a fabulous orchestra, these volunteer actors present a professional level musical to the Grand Rapids community.

 

Wyoming resident part of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s My Fair Lady cast. Click here to read the story.

 

Accents are central to the story-line as they mark the class distinctions which shape the prejudices and motivations of the main characters, and the choice to bring in dialect coach Spencer Tomlin paid off in the consistency and variety of accents used by the actors. While each actor obviously put in hard work, Alyssa Bauer’s deft transformation from Cockney-speaking flower seller to proper British lady is very impressive. She does an excellent job of keeping the two accents straight and managing to switch between the two during the time that Eliza is still learning her new manner of speaking.

 

Alyssa Bauer’s deft transformation from Cockney-speaking flower seller to proper British lady is very impressive.

My Fair Lady is a hard story to tell in our current context and yet an important one. Issues of class, power, privilege, and sexism are still relevant today, and this production does a good job of demonstrating the ways in which these forces shape the attitudes and expectations of the various characters. Henry Higgins, played exceptionally well by John Girdlestone, is not a particularly loveable personality. His continued arrogance and lack of empathy could have become frustrating for the audience, but the excellent background acting of the other characters in the scenes did a great job of conveying that the misogynist and classist rhetoric was not to be condoned.

 

The music is familiar to many veteran musical theater fans, but previous sessions of listening to soundtracks is not necessary to enjoy this production. The attention to diction extends from the work on accents to the clarity of the lyrics in each song.  Each rhyme, each joke, each insight into a character’s motivation and personality is easily understood by the audience. And the quality of the singing is excellent. Soaring notes and beautiful harmonies are heard throughout the performance, creating a wonderful night out at the theater. Well done Civic Theater; I will be recommending My Fair Lady to all of my theater loving friends and looking forward to the next production.

 

My Fair Lady runs through March 18 at Grand Rapids Civic Theater, 30 N. Division Ave. Show times are 7:30 p.m Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m Sunday. Tickets are $18-$37. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit grct.org.

Girls Choral Academy gives West Michigan girls a voice

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By Lori Tennenhouse, Girls Choral Academy

 

Girls Choral Academy’s (GCA) mission of Giving Girls a Voice is accomplished by providing a safe place where girls of all ages regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status can gain a strong choral education. GCA has served over 2350 girls in the 20 years it has been in West Michigan with over 150 girls being served this year.

 

GCA is dedicated to creating quality performances and providing quality arts education, as well as providing a place where girls can form a positive sense of self as they experience the rewards of successful planning, hard work, and goal accomplishment. GCA encourages girls to develop self-esteem, self-confidence, and leadership skills through mentoring, opportunities to perform solos, as well as work as a team and building a community of like-minded artists.

 

Through its programs, both singers and audience members experience a wide range of musical styles, genres, origins, and cultures, including traditional, jazz, gospel, multicultural, classical, and contemporary music. GCA provides a safe, loving and nurturing environment for singers, and a high-quality artistic experience for its audience members, while contributing to a growing arts community in Grand Rapids.

 

Girls develop vocal technique, musical skills, creativity, expressive artistry, and an awareness of music from many cultures. The Campus Choir program encourages girls to respect the uniqueness of others, to take risks that foster individual growth, and to collaborate as a team and create something bigger than themselves. In addition to performance, girls have opportunities to attend choir camp and travel.

 

In 1999, the Grandville Avenue Girls Choir (GVA) was founded as a non-tuition after-school choir program for girls who attend Grand Rapids Public Schools in the southwest urban area of Grand Rapids. The three choirs that make up GVA Choir meet at Cesar E Chavez School, Southwest Community Campus School, and Buchanan School. Close to 100 girls participate in this structured after-school music education program on any given year. Our Grandville Avenue Girls Choir after-school programs give girls the opportunity to learn the values of perseverance, teamwork, commitment, respect, and friendship—all through the medium of excellent music-making in a nurturing, positive environment.

 

In addition to offering a high quality of vocal education, our mission further centers on personal growth due to exposure to new experiences through competitions and collaborations. In the most recent season, the choir programs’ programming included:

  • Participating in the Treblemakers’ Showtunes Showdown competition in the fall.
  • Participating in Celebrate! A Community Arts Day with the Artists Creating Together Choir and Drum Troupe and the Grand Rapids Youth Ballet.
  • Visiting Calvin College for campus tours.
  • Singing at Porter Hills and Clark Retirement Homes.
  • Singing the National Anthem at a Grand Rapids Griffins game.
  • Singing at the Roosevelt Park Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.
  • Taking a trip to the city of Chicago which included: attending My Fair Lady at the Lyric Opera Theatre, having pizza at Giordano’s and visiting Navy Pier.
  • Visiting Mackinac Island and performing at the Grand Hotel and the Little Stone Church.
  • Performing for various companies, organizations and fundraising events, including the University Club Scholarship Breakfast, the Kiwanis Club and Pridgeon & Clay.

On April 21, the GCA will collaborate with the Chicago Children’s Choir at St. Cecilia Music Center at 6:30pm to present “Voices Rising”, a concert open to the community. Then in May, the Grandville Ave Girls Choir will travel to Chicago for “Canto Latino” where they will sing with the Chicago Children’s Choir Humboldt Neighborhood Choir. They will also visit the Chicago Aquarium, and enjoy Giordano’s Pizza.

 

The Campus Choir program will have all 4 choirs, ages 6-18, perform their Spring Concert at First United Methodist Church (224 Fulton E) on May 21 at 3pm.

 

GCA is fortunate to have wide ranging financial support from foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Those funding us include among others: Amerikam, Amway, Cook Foundation, Douglas & Maria DeVos Foundation, Pridgeon & Clay, Sebastian Foundation, and Wege Foundation.

 

For more information, go to www.girlschoralacademy.org or www.facebook.com/girlschoralacademy

‘Use common sense,’ officials say as rivers continue to rise

Citizen Journalism, , , ,
The Middleville dam has failed, releasing additional water downstream. The river will continue to rise through tonight.

Early this morning the Kent County Sheriff’s Marine Division assisted Plainfield Township in rescuing a resident on Willow Drive NE. The resident was rescued safely. More than 100 residents in Kent County have evacuated their homes this week due to rising floodwaters. Don’t wait until it’s too late to leave a dangerous situation. The staff from Kent County Emergency Management is asking residents facing safety issues over floodwaters to determine if there is a safety issue in your home, and if so, to self-evacuate and call for help if you need it.

 

“Use good sense and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice,” said Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator Jack Stewart. “If you feel you are in a dangerous situation, evacuate immediately. If you need assistance leaving, call 911. Do not try to ‘ride it out’ if there is a potential for injury.” Stewart adds that if you live in a flood-prone area, have an evacuation plan. Be sure you have a preparedness kit with a flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies and cash. Put all medications and important documents where they are easily accessible if you need to leave immediately. Make sure you communicate your whereabouts with loved ones.

 

This morning Barry County informed Kent County officials that the spillway of the Middleville dam on the Thornapple River has failed and released additional water downstream. Caledonia Fire Department will be monitoring the Thornapple and reporting changes to staff at Emergency Management. Residents throughout Kent County can obtain updates about flooding along with information and fact sheets at  www.accesskent.com/News/flood.

 

Grand Rapids Fire Chief John Lehman is reminding the community to stay away from the water’s edge.

 

“The river is moving at a dangerous clip,” Chief Lehman said. “We are asking the community to keep a safe distance from the river to ensure everyone’s safety.” For updates on river conditions and the City’s response, visit www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Home/Emergency-Announcements/Important-Weather-Update. Grand Rapids residents with concerns about the water levels and questions may call the City’s 311 Customer Service at 311 or 616-456-3000.

 

Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) reminds residents and motorists experiencing an emergency situation on roadways to call 911. KCRC will respond as directed by law enforcement.  KCRC will update road closures twice a day: after 9:00 a.m. and after 3:30 p.m. on their website at  www.kentcountyroads.net/news/entry/flooding-information, as well as the KCRC Facebook and Twitter pages. Please slow down and heed road warnings and closures.

 

KCRC Roads Closed Due to Water over Road (February 23, 2018 at 9:15 a.m., subject to change)

Ashley (5 Mile Rd to 6 Mile Rd)

Summit (12 Mile Rd to 13 Mile Rd)

Friske (12 Mile Rd to Rector)

Whipple (Shaner to Myers Lake)

Ashley Ave (7 Mile Rd to M-44)

Reeds Lake Blvd (East Beltline Ave to Manhattan)

Division Ave (7 Mile Rd to 8 Mile Rd)

Konkle (east of Jupiter)

Indian (off West River)

River Point (off Indian)

Abrigador Trail (off West River)

Abrigador Trail (off West River Center)

Willow (off 4 Mile Rd)

Willow (off Canright)

Willow (off Bailey Park)

Walnut Park (off Northland Dr)

Shady Dr (off Knapp St)

Forest Ridge (off Coit Ave)

Michigan St (Twin Lakes Ave to Crahen)

60th St (Bancroft to M-50)

60th St (Pratt Lake Ave to Montcalm Ave)

64th St (East of Pratt Lake Ave)

Wingeier Ave (64th St to 68th St)

Pratt Lake Ave (64th St to 68th St)

Montcalm Ave (Flat River Dr to Covered Bridge Rd)

68th St (Wingeier to Pratt)

Jackson St (M-21 to Oberley Dr)

Grand River Dr (Jackson St to Montcalm Ave)

Riverbend between Butterworth and Veterans Dr (City of Walker)

White Street west of Franklin Avenue and Division Avenue (City of Grandville)

 

National Weather Service River Warnings

(February 23, 2018 at 8 a.m.; subject to change)

 

Thornapple River Near Caledonia: through Monday morning. Thursday the stage was 10.8 feet. Flood stage is 10.0 feet. The river will continue rising to near 12.0 feet by after midnight tonight. The river will fall below flood stage Tuesday.

 

Grand River in Ada: through Tuesday night. Thursday the stage was 20.2 feet. Flood stage is 20.0 feet.  Moderate flooding expected, with levels to rise above flood stage by this evening and continue to rise to near 22.5 feet Saturday. The river will fall below flood stage Tuesday afternoon.

 

Grand River at Grand Rapids: through Wednesday afternoon. Thursday the stage was 16.7 feet (flood stage is 18.0 feet). The forecast calls for the river to rise above flood stage after midnight tonight and continue to rise to near 21.5 feet Sunday morning. The river will fall below flood stage by Wednesday morning.

 

Grand River at Comstock Park: until further notice. Thursday the stage was 14.6 feet (flood stage is 12.0 feet). The river is expected to rise to 17.8 feet by early Saturday afternoon with additional rising possible thereafter. Approximately 100 homes in Comstock Park and Plainfield Township are impacted at this time.

 

Grand River at Lowell: through Wednesday afternoon. Thursday the stage was 15.9 feet; flood stage is 15.0 feet. Moderate flooding is expected as the river will continue rising to near 18.4 feet by tonight. The river will fall below flood stage Tuesday.

Disc golf tournament Freeze Fest set to take place Saturday

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

Once again disc golf aficionados will be heading to the fields of Jaycee Park for the annual Freeze Fest Saturday.

 

Hosted by GR Hobby & Disc Golf, the event is a fund raiser for the Kentwood Parks & Recreation south Programs.

 

Participants should bring your own partner. It will be a best shot doubles tournament. On-site registration and check-in is at 9 a.m. with a player meeting at 9:45 a.m. The cot is $40 plus canned food donation per team. All for items will be collect for The Pantry.

 

Jaycee Park is located at 355 48th St. SE, Kentwood. For more information, call 616-656-5317.

Surf’s Up: Muskegon set to host first Great Lakes Surf Festival

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , ,

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Muskegon City Commission voted unanimously to approve beach camping at Pere Marquette Park for the inaugural Great Lakes Surf Festival, to be held on Aug. 18. The City Commission also approved RV camping for a nearby site that is walking distance to the beach.

 

The Great Lakes Surf Festival is expected to draw a large crowd of boardheads and beach lovers, and will offer a family-friendly atmosphere. The event will include workshops, free lessons, product demos, stand up paddleboard and kayak races, and paddleboard yoga. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, as well as merchandise. A large number of retailers and industry brands are expected to host booths and sponsor raffles.

 

The event is the brainchild of Joe Bidawid, a West Michigan resident and a former professional boarder.

 

Riders and visitors are encouraged to register at GreatLakesSurfFestival.com.

Plaza Roosevelt Development Approved By City Commission

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By Luke Ferris, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

 

On Feb. 20, the Grand Rapids City Commission unanimously approved the site plan for the 5.5-acre Plaza Roosevelt development located in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood in southwest Grand Rapids.

 

“One step closer,” said Mayor Rosalynn Bliss after the commission commenced a roll call vote to adopt the ordinance that will rezone several properties along Grandville Avenue, Graham Street and Rumsey Street SW.

 

The plan was unanimously approved by the City Planning Commission in January and reviewed by the Community Development Committee on February 6th. The project is scheduled to break ground in fall of 2018 with Habitat Kent’s affordable housing and a new Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) high school.

 

“Congratulations, this is an amazing process where a really deep dive was done with the community and I’m really pleased to move this forward tonight,” said Second Ward Commissioner Ruth Kelly prior to the vote.

 

Plaza Roosevelt is a neighborhood-driven mixed-use development which will enhance health, education, and economic opportunities for the Roosevelt Park neighborhood. Guided by resident leadership throughout the process, the development plan is the result of community-based organizations representing health, education, housing, and the arts coming together to bring neighbors’ vision for Roosevelt Park to life.

 

“We are pleased to be a partner in something that is going to bring such a good development project that is benefitting our neighbors and driven by our neighbors,” said Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association Director Amy Brower. “This is a step toward a bright and strong future for an already vibrant neighborhood.”

 

The site is situated in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood on two blocks on the east side of Grandville Avenue between Graham Street on the north and Franklin Street on the south. Named Plaza Roosevelt by neighbors, the development will provide future affordable homeownership and rental opportunities, expansion of Mercy Health St. Mary’s Clinica Santa Maria, the new dual-immersion GRPS high school, arts and cultural programming, community gathering space, after-school programming and other services and amenities to the area.

 

“Because of neighborhood leadership and guidance throughout the process, the development plan is the result of people coming together to bring the neighbors’ vision for Roosevelt Park to life” said Habitat Kent Executive Director BriAnne McKee. “I’d like to thank the Planning Commission, Community Development Committee, City Commission, and Mayor Bliss for approving the site plan and understanding the vision for the neighborhood.”

 

Partners in Plaza Roosevelt include the Neighborhood Partner Committee—comprised of neighborhood residents—and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Ferris State University, Dwelling Place, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Clinica Santa Maria, and the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association.

 

For more information on the Plaza Roosevelt development, visit plazaroosevelt.org.