School busses and backpacks are everywhere, which can only mean one thing: Summer is coming to an end and cooler weather is on its way. Regardless of how you feel about Michigan winters, saving money is something everyone can appreciate. Tackle these home projects now, before the snow flies, to save energy and money this winter!
Replace your furnace filter. The Department of Energy recommends replacing your furnace filter once per month (or as directed) when your furnace is in use. If you have pets or smokers in the house, it will likely need to be done more often. A clean filter means your furnace can work more efficiently, saving energy and money!
Use a programmable thermostat. If you have a programmable thermostat, be sure to use it. Set temperatures lower when no one is home or at night when sleeping. You can reduce your heating costs by as much as 10 percent a year by lowering your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for at least eight hours a day.
Find and stop air leaks. It is estimated that the number of air leaks in the average house adds up to the equivalent of leaving a medium-sized window open all day, everyday. Leaks are most often found around windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures and attic hatches. Stop any air leaks you find using caulk, seal or weather stripping.
Seal air ducts. Air ducts carry air from your furnace to each room in your home. If there are leaks in your air ducts, you are losing heat to spaces in your walls, ceilings and floors. Look for joints in your ducts that have come loose or have obvious holes. Use tape to seal any leaks found. The Department of Energy recommends tape with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) logo on it.
Weatherize Windows. Windows can let enough warm air escape your home to account for 10 to 25 percent of your heating bill! If you have storm windows, install them now to decrease heat loss when the weather turns cold. To further reduce heat loss install clear plastic film on the inside of your window frames. Closing curtains and shades at night will also lessen cold drafts. Open them back up during the day to allow natural sunlight to warm your house.
Learn more DIY projects to save money and energy with the Energy Saver Guide. Prefer an expert opinion on weatherizing your home for winter? Get a professional energy audit. ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) provides free home energy audits and weatherization services to eligible low-income households. To learn more and see if you qualify, contact ACSET CAA at 616.336.4000.
Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.
Wyoming high and Holland high were featured on WKTV’s first televised game of the fall season. (WKTV)
By Rob Gee
WKTV sports volunteer/news@wktv.org
The year was 2008.
President George W. Bush was finishing his second term in office, Barack Obama was running for a first term. The war in Afghanistan was only six years old, OJ Simpson was convicted of a crime that would send him to prison and Lehman Brothers was still in business.
2008 was the last time that Wyoming Lee High School football would start the season with a win. After eight consecutive years of opening the season with a loss, Lee started its 2017 football campaign with a win by defeating New Buffalo, 26-8, on Thursday, Aug. 24.
As part of WKTV’s 2017-18 high school sports game coverage schedule, the video crew will be at Lee this Thursday, Aug. 31, for a 7 p.m. game. For a complete list of local high school sports scheduled visit here.
To find an opening day with Lee winning by more than 18 points, one must go all the way back to 1998, when Lee opened the season with a 64-0 win over Bloomingdale.
By no means does this set Lee up for a winning season but sure does set a tone for a different season than what Lee students have become accustom to having been 1-32 in their last 33 games.
A big catch and touchdown by speedster Thomas Robinson, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. and a defensive touchdown by JJ Williams, secured the win for the Rebels.
In other Wyoming-Kentwood area opening-night action:
Wyoming Kelloggsville was a winner in their game against White Hall by a score of 26-23, as ultra-Back Thomas Griggs scored once on the ground and once as a receiver to lead his team to the win as the Rockets try to repeat as OK Silver conference champs.
Godwin Heights defeat Hamilton, 45-35, as Susu Davenport started right where he left off last season in being an exciting playmaker.
South Christian defeated Holland Christian, 40-12, as quarterback Andrew Haan threw for a couple touchdowns and their dynamic cornerback/wide receiver Jared Gordon intercepted a pass and then scored on a reception in the next series for South Christian. Gordon went on to have a second interception later in the game.
East Kentwood got in on the winning night for area teams by crushing Macomb L’anse Creuse North, 45-6.
Wyoming High School lost its opener to Holland, 28-6, in a game that was close right up until the fourth quarter.
Tri-Unity also lost its opener to St. Philip Catholic Central (Battle Creek) by a score of 14-8.
Interested in being a WKTV sports volunteer, working game production or writing for WKTV Journal? Visit here for a story.
The Crows is the first mystery novel from local romance writer Maris Soule. The story follows P.J. Benson and her four-month-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Baraka, as they get personally involved with a series of break-ins and murders that seem to point to Benson as the prime suspect.
The book starts with Benson finding a dying man in her house after returning from a walk with her dog. Homicide Detective, Wade Kingsley, begins to suspect that Benson may be involved in the murder, especially after a series of events keep her in the center of the mystery.
Part romance, part mystery with a dash of suspense, this book has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Set in rural West Michigan, local readers will enjoy glimpsing their region through the eyes of the characters.
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a four-part series about how to stand out in your job search.
Hiring managers look for lots of qualities in job seekers during an interview, including ones not listed in the job description. These qualities are important to help you get and keep a job. Make sure you stand out from the rest by showing employers you are loyal, accountable and have a good attitude.
Loyalty matters
Loyalty doesn’t mean you will stay in the same job for 20 years. It means you won’t talk poorly about your manager or the company. You take pride in your work and give 100% each day. If you do switch jobs, you leave the position respectfully, not burning any bridges.
Accountability counts
Showing up and leaving on time is important to employers. Take sick days only if you are ill and leave your vacation days for relaxing. Make childcare arrangements before starting a new job to avoid unnecessary absences. Show hiring managers you’re accountable by listing any attendance awards on your resume. In your interview, make sure to mention ways you are accountable at your current job.
Attitude is everything
Employers can teach you new skills and processes for a job. But, they can’t teach you a new attitude. Hiring managers look for candidates who will bring a genuine, positive attitude to work every day. Communicate this in your interview by walking in confidently with a smile on your face. Don’t be afraid to talk about challenges you’ve faced in your last job, but make sure to let them know how you resolved it appropriately.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Do you know a crime-fighting hero that works tirelessly in keeping our community or their neighborhood safe? If you do, Silent Observer is giving you the opportunity to nominate them for one of Silent Observer’s Community Heroes Awards. This event was created to recognize both law enforcement and civilians who have made significant contributions to safety and crime prevention. The nominee’s efforts should be directed within the boundaries of Kent County. Winners will be celebrated and recognized at Silent Observer’s First Annual Community Heroes Awards Luncheon on December 7, 2017.
Award Categories are:
Law Enforcement Bridge Builder Award
Building Stronger Neighborhoods Award
Making A Difference Community Award
Click here to download the Nomination Application for a description of each award category and for the award application. Deadline for nominations is October 20, 2017.
For more information, visit Silent Observer’s website here.
About Silent Observer:
Public Act 557 strengthens Silent Observer’s promise of anonymity to tipsters who call our tip line with information about crime. The law protects Silent Observer’s records from subpoena unless the information would clear a defendant of guilt. “The guarantee of anonymity is the most important element of Silent Observer and Crime Stoppers programs,” said Chris Cameron, Executive Director of Silent Observer. ” It is what makes our program a vital tool in obtaining leads to assist investigators in solving crime.”
Silent Observer will pay a reward of up to $1,000 if your tip leads to the arrest of an individual. The reward amount is based on the severity of the crime and how important the tip was to police. A reward is available for any serious crime solved with the help of a tip to Silent Observer. So if you have information about crime call the Silent Observer tip line at 616.774.2345.
It’s gonna be cars, cars and more cars this weekend as the 13th Annual Metro Cruise takes place this Friday and Saturday along 28th Street.
Once again, the epicenter of it all will be Rogers Plaza with cars, vendors and food along with WKTV on site to record the two-day event.
“It has grown into quite a large event,” said Bob O’Callaghan, the president of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, which ha hosted the annual event. “The original thought process was to get a few cars and a couple thousand people at Rogers Plaza to highlight 28th Street and last year we have about 250,000 people and about 16,000 collector cars.”
New to this year’s event is the Blessing of the Cars which takes place Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. at Wesley Park United Methodist Church, 1120 32nd St. SW. The lot will open for cars starting at 6 p.m. Cars should enter off of 32nd Street or Michael Avenue.
On the east end of 28th Street will be the Cascade’s Metro Cruise Warm Up from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Thornapple Center, 6797 Cascade Rd SE. (near the Cascade Road and 28th Street intersection.) Along with lots of cars, there will be food trucks, live music from the band Decades, kids’ activities, and a dunk tank to benefit the Kent County Sheriff’s Department’s K9 Unit. The event is sponsored by the Cascade DDA, Cascade Community Foundation and the Forest Hills Business Association.
Other new additions to this year is expand hours for the event with it running from 4 – 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, said O’Callaghan, noting the closing times are about an hour later than in previous years.
For Friday, Aug. 25, food and vendors will be at Rogers Plaza along with a variety of cars. Main Stage entertainment will feature Big Boss Band at 4 p.m. followed by local country singer Kari Lynch at 7 p.m.
While the event starts on Friday, which O’Callaghan noted organizers have seen increase attendance Friday night over the past several years, the official opening ceremonies take place at 9 a.m. Saturday. During the ceremonies, the GM Foundation presents checks to several local charities.
At a 11 a.m., about eight ladies will compete in the annual Pin Up contest, which is an era-type contest with the ladies involved dressing according to the era they represent, O’Callaghan said,
“The belief before people get to know Pin Up is that it’s just women perpetuating the old school idea that women should be beautiful and something that men should look at,” said Amanda Miehle, who is Victory Belle and will be competing in this year’s contest. That women can’t be more than a pretty face but Pin Up is so much more than that. It is empowering. Women took something with a stigma and a label that was once almost degrading to women and they reclaimed it. These women are amazing. They are strong. They are empowering. They are uplifting to other women. They are not afraid to get on a stage and show the world they are beautiful.
“It’s kind of like taking something and making it our own.”
There is more music starting at noon on Saturday with blues group Out of Favor Boys followed by country group Stolen Horses at 3:30 p.m. and JetBeats wrapping up the evening with a performance from 7 – 8:45 p.m.
Of course there are activities all along 28th Street at various businesses and car dealerships. One such event that takes place through the entire month of August is the Art Cruise. Similar to ArtPrize, local artists are matched with 18 Wyoming businesses where the artists’ work is featured for the month.
For a complete list of the businesses — or for more about this year’s Metro Cruise — make sure to pick up a brochure at the event or visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.
Some of the many volunteers who helped with programming, from an August volunteer appreciation event. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff
news@wktv.org
WKTV, community television for Wyoming and Kentwood, will be heading out on the road this fall for high school sports coverage of football, swimming, water polo and soccer — as well as youth equestrian competition. And for all events volunteer crews are being welcomed, trained and occasionally feed pizza.
Not a sports fan but want to get involved? There are many opportunities such as helping to produce a newscast, a public affairs talk show, and other special community events including concerts.
If it wasn’t for the commitment and participation of our community volunteers, WKTV programming would not be possible. Volunteers are trained and operate the latest technology in cameras, and other video recording and editing equipment.
For more than 30 years, high school sports has covered countless local football and basketball games. And now other sports including baseball, softball and hockey games have been added. WKTV sports crews also work the annual Golden Gloves tournament held in West Michigan.
Typically, WKTV sports covers Tuesday and Friday night contests that are aired later that night, and again the following Saturday morning. Usual commitment of time, after training, is 2-to-3 hours a night.
Newscast and public affairs show taping are typically on Thursday afternoons, also with a commitment of 2-3 hours for each show.
To get more information on volunteering for sports, contact Bill at bill@wktv.org or Davin at davin@wktv.org. For information on volunteering for newsroom projects, contact Joanne at joanne@wktv.org or Ken at ken@wktv.org .
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.
Marcel — Male Shepherd/Hound Mix
I’m a 3-year-old goofy guy looking for my forever home! I’m an outgoing and social dog who was transferred to HSWM from another shelter making much of my history a mystery, however, they do know that I have lived successfully with children in the past.I love to fetch and play around! I’m looking for a home that could give me the attention and love I deserve! Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan and see if we are the right fit!
I’m a 5-year-old cat looking for my forever home! I would do best in a home with no small children where I would have my own space. I’m a relaxed cat that enjoys pets, but I prefer to approach people for affection. I have a sweet personality and a lot of love to give! Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!
Kylie — Female American Staffordshire Terrier/Pointer Mix
I’m a sweet dog who has so much love to give! I’m social and friendly with people and I love to snuggle, lay on laps, give hugs, and give lots of kisses. I’m a laid-back dog who has successfully lived with young children and cats in the past. I do need to be adopted into a home where I am the only dog. I am very kennel-stressed right now and am reactive when I am on my leash and see another dog. This means that I need to be placed in a home with no other dogs where I would have the time and space to destress. My adoption fee is sponsored by Kool Toyota, plus they will give my adopters a $100 gift card to Chow Hound to get me all of the things I need to start a great life! Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan and see if we are the right fit!
I’m a 6-year-old cat looking for my forever home! I have a relaxed personality and I like to have my own space, but I can also be very social and love to get pets when I approach. I would do well in a calm home that would give me time and space to adjust and warm up to my new surroundings. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!
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.
Experience Grand Rapids, in partnership with My City Bikes, has launched an app to help visitors access the city’s best local attractions and nearby communities on two wheels.
The new bike amenities include a comprehensive bike map with local road, recreational, and mountain biking opportunities, plus two self-guided bicycle day tours. Local bike maps and self-guided tours are available online at www.experiencegr.com/biking or in the free My City Bikes Grand Rapids mobile app.
Recommendations from the Destination Asset Study released in December 2016 showed that Grand Rapids has an opportunity to leverage outdoor recreation to increase travel to the area. Due to these findings, Experience Grand Rapids wanted to further promote and organize the biking scene which led to the partnership with My City Bikes and the development of two self-guided bicycle day tours.
Self-Guided Tour: West Side to Uptown Day Tour The “West Side to Uptown” Day Tour is a 9-mile loop that starts and finishes at John Ball Zoo. The day tour features a beginner-friendly route with destinations including the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, Rosa Parks Circle, Donkey Taqueria, New Holland Knickerbocker and more.
Self-Guided Tour: Stops Along the White Pine Trail The “Stops Along the White Pine Trail” Day Tour is a build your own adventure along Michigan’s second longest rail-trail. Beginning in Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, users can make the 6-mile round trip ride to Comstock Park, the 21-mile round trip ride to Rockford, or the 35-mile round trip adventure to Cedar Springs. The tour features highlights like Elk Brewing and the Rockford Dam Overlook at every stop along the way.
The self-guided bicycle tours and interactive Kent County bike map developed through a partnership between Experience Grand Rapids and global beginner biking specialists My City Bikes provide visitors with a bicycling adventure to enjoy at their own pace. Simply follow the turn-by-turn directions to pedal to historic places, delectable local flavors, and entertaining attractions for a quintessential Grand Rapids experience.
As with any bicycling adventure, safety should always come first. When riding a bicycle, always wear a helmet and use bike lights. Obey traffic signals and stop signs just as a car would, and stop at all intersections when on a shared-use path. Use hand signals like indicators to tell traffic when turning left or right. Use a bike lock to secure the bike to a rack when stopping at local attractions. For more information about bicycle safety, visit http://grdrivingchange.org.
It is not just the local school that will be starting before Labor Day, but many of the area’s private schools as well.
Both Wyoming and Kentwood are home to several faith-based and charter schools. Most of these schools will be opening Aug. 28. Those schools include: Grand River Prep, Potters House, South Christian High School, West Michigan Aviation Academy, West Michigan Lutheran ad Legacy Christian School. West Catholic and Catholic Central High Schools also are starting on Aug. 28.
Grand Rapids Christian High School started before everyone — and this includes public schools as well — on Aug. 16, while the first day of school for all the Calvin Christian schools is Aug. 29
Tri Unity Christian High School is one of the only private schools scheduled to start after Labor Day on Sept. 5.
Michigan law mandates that public schools may not start before Labor Day. However, districts may seek a wavier with the Michigan Department of Education reporting a record number of waivers for this school year totaling 123. This included 99 school districts and charter schools and 24 intermediate school districts, which includes Kent Intermediate School District. The Kent Career Technical Center is started on Monday, Aug. 21.
A for a list of the public school start dates, click here.
Living below the poverty level (less than $24,600 per month for a family of four) is a reality for 1 in 5 children in Kent County. Not only does living in poverty have negative effects during childhood, it can also cause life-long health issues like the ones discussed in part two of this series. Living in poverty effects nearly every aspect of child’s life including academic performance, emotional development and physical health.
Academics
For children, the effects of poverty begin before they are born. Low-income parents are more likely to experience environmental toxins, poor nutrition and exposure to excessive stress. All of these factors play a role on how a baby’s brain develops and can have long-term effects.
As poor children grow, they continue to face roadblocks to learning. They have decreased access to quality child care, which provides important building blocks needed to succeed in school. A lack of basic needs can also affect performance. How can a child concentrate in school when they are hungry?
Emotional Development
Quality early child care and education also builds the social and emotional foundation that children need. Without these skills, they are more likely to struggle with emotional and behavioral problems when they begin school.
Imagine growing up worrying about when you will eat next or if you will have a safe place to sleep. It is no surprise that children in poverty have more anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Many times these same concerns lead to challenges for their parents, such as marriage problems and depression. All of these pressures have been associated with mental illness in children.
Physical Health
Living in a poor community means increased exposure to environmental toxins like lead and violence that can lead to injury. It has also been linked to increased risk for diseases later in life, such as asthma, high blood pressure and stroke. Check out part one of this series to learn more about how growing up poor leads to long-term health problems in adults.
Living in poverty is a dangerous reality for too many in our community. That is why programs that decrease the effects of poverty, especially on children, are so important. ACSET Community Action Agency is addressing these outcomes by providing emergency assistance to families, like supplemental food and homelessness assistance programs. By supporting our neighbors, we are creating a brighter future for our children.
Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.
ArtPrize Labs offers hands-on contemporary art experiences to event visitors of all ages, encouraging them to not only experience the event but also to create works of their own.
ArtPrize, the independently organized art competition recognized as the world’s largest annual public art event, today announced 2017 programming for ArtPrize Labs, sponsored by Grand Valley State University, Herman Miller Cares, and Switch—which will encourage ArtPrize visitors to not only experience the art, but also to unleash their creative spirits at the ninth annual event and create works of their own. ArtPrize Nine is slated to return to Grand Rapids, Michigan from September 20-October 8, 2017.
“ArtPrize provides opportunities for people of all ages to discover, learn and create in a city transformed by art and overflowing with creative energy ,” said Becca Guyette, ArtPrize Education Director. “Through ArtPrize Labs, we seek to offer hands-on contemporary art experiences—and spark the curiosity of the next generation of art lovers.”
Returning for a third year are the ArtPrize Labs Studios—with two locations for ArtPrize Nine, inside the ArtPrize HUB/HQ and at Rosa Parks Circle. The drop-in studios provide materials for visitors of all ages to rest, unwind and explore their creative inspiration in a self-directed way. The studio at Rosa Parks Circle will be open daily from Noon-6 p.m., and the HUB/HQ location from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., daily during the event.
Additionally, ArtPrize Labs will once again feature Studio Events with hands-on activities at Rosa Parks Circle each Saturday during the event from Noon-3 p.m. Each event will feature different creative experiments including, a large collaborative cardboard installation, a 20-foot sharpie mural and a paint catapult.
On September 23, visitors can join ArtPrize Labs and Herman Miller Cares in building a gigantic temporary cardboard installation at Rosa Parks Circle. On September 30, ArtPrize Labs and Newell Brands will present a fun-filled afternoon of drawing and coloring, with visitors working together to create a large-scale Sharpie® mural. On October 7, Air Zoo will join ArtPrize Labs to send paint flying from two catapult systems, launching paint-covered objects at a canvas to create colorful, collaborative impact art.
Returning for a second year is the ArtPrize Labs Mobile Workshop, presented by Herman Miller Cares. The ArtPrize Labs Mobile Workshop, which unfolds from a bicycle, will tour around the ArtPrize district throughout the 19-day event—bringing pop-up art-making activities to thousands of visitors, all done with repurposed materials.
Visitors are also invited to attend ArtPrize Labs Partner Programs, with a variety of hands-on art making programs produced by leading arts and cultural organizations throughout the 19-day event. ArtPrize Labs Partners include Artists Creating Together, GRKids.com, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and Lions & Rabbits.
Complete details on ArtPrize Labs events and programming is available at artprize.org/learn.
Doctor Carrie Ames would be the first person to tell you she is not a coward. Whatever else she is, you can bet on that. At least until she finds herself attacked while working at the local hospital. Then all bets are off. Carrie is shocked to find herself one of the undead: a vampire capable of many things. She is tied by blood to the one who made her, and there are a lot of people who want to see her dead. Why? Because it is unlawful to create new vampires.
Thrust into a world she knows nothing about, Carrie struggles to find allies and a reason to continue living. For someone solely dedicated to the health and welfare of the people around her, can she survive being forced to be a part of something she views as evil and dark?
She’s not alone. Carrie soon finds herself a friend in another vampire living in town. It’s really too bad he’s good looking, a successful entrepreneur, and an elite vampire who hunts those who violate vampire law. It’s all well and good except that last little piece.
Author Jennifer Armintrout cites her experience working for Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan as an influence in her writing. Her Blood Ties series begins with The Turning, a romp into the world and politics of being a vampire. Possession and Ashes to Ashes round out more of this world hidden from view.
Carrie is a unique voice and brings the reader into a new understanding — a reality of the choices and decisions that might accompany being forced into becoming something one never imagined. Fans of JR Ward and Patricia Briggs will certainly enjoy this series. I know I did. This southwest Michigan native has done quite well. Pick up a copy of The Turning today!
Today all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun, and NASA Television will carry it live from coast to coast from unique vantage points on the ground and from aircraft and spacecraft.
Programming begins at noon EDT with a preview show hosted from Charleston, South Carolina. That program is followed by the main show which begins at 1 p.m. EDT.
The main program will cover of path of the eclipse from Oregon to South Carolina. The program will feature views from jet aircraft, high-altitude balloons, satellites and specially modified telescopes. It will also include live reports from Salem, Oregon, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Beatrice, Nebraska, Jefferson City, Missouri, Carbondale, Illinois, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Clarksville, Tennessee and at our home base at the College of Charleston (SC).
NASA TV may be seen on WKTV 26 and AT&T 99 Government. Please note: All content is subject to change in real time and without notice.
Barry Brown knew it was time to retire when the daughters of his first waitresses from 1996 began applying for jobs at the diner.
“It feels like I moved this diner here just yesterday, the time has gone by that fast,” said Brown, whose classic 1950s-style diner, Pal’s, has been a mainstay at 6503 28th St. SE for more than two decades.
Come October 1st, Brown and his wife, Sam, are hanging up their aprons to begin the next phase of their lives — retirement. They’ll still be busy with other businesses, but the long hours that a restaurant requires will be a thing of the past. This summer, the Browns sold the lot on which Pal’s Diner stands, and the new owners have no intention of moving the diner; they would like to see it keep running. So the hunt is on for a new operator.
Interested parties must be realistic, however. Maybe you’re a great cook at home, but are you up for supervising employees, buying inventory, maintaining equipment and putting in round-the-clock hours this type of business requires? Going in blind is a recipe for disaster.
“The restaurant business is highly stressful,” said Barry. “It’s a lot of work and long hours. The new owner should be experienced and should know the business. It’s not as simple as saying, ‘I make a great cake.’ You need to be on board 100 percent.”
That said, operating Pal’s Diner could offer the perfect situation for the right person. Some people may have the smarts and the dedication to take on a business like this, but lack the capital. It takes at least $500,000 to open a restaurant.
The interior of Pal’s Diner
“Someone could just step in on a turnkey business,” Barry said.
The Pal’s Diner name will attach to the business, but the new operator would have to set up a new LLC and buy workers’ compensation insurance. Rent would be paid to the new property owner, and it would be necessary to hire a seasoned crew. Barry would train the new operator.
This time is bittersweet for the Browns. On the one hand, there are so many wonderful memories.
“We’ve had three marriage proposals and an actual wedding in here,” said Barry. “I’ve made two marriage matches. Several films have used Pal’s as a location.”
Business is booming — up 25 percent in the last few months. Barry credits the millennial generation for that.
“The trend seems to be in the direction of home cooking and away from franchise restaurant food,” said Barry. “We’re seeing this on a national level, with i-Hop and Applebee’s shutting down in some locations.”
Sam and Barry Brown in the 1980s
And a lot of people from New Jersey are making a special trip here as the diner began life in that state before relocating to Grand Rapids. A couple who met standing in line at Pal’s out east renewed their wedding vows here.
But the hard work has taken its toll. Brown has had a hip replacement. At 65, it’s difficult to stand on his feet all day. It’s time to pass the baton and relax.
The 6th annual GrandJazzFestis Aug. 19 & 20, 2017, at Rosa Parks Circle, in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. On stage, notable jazz performers as well as up-and-coming artists will please a diverse audience. The festival showcases a jazz headliner and features a wide and encompassing range of jazz artists and acts.
The event is family friendly. Bring folding chairs, blankets and snacks, and get ready to relax for a couple of hours or for the whole weekend! Try out some of the local restaurants and pubs, and be sure to visit other Grand Rapids attractions.
By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University
On Monday, August 21, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun, and anyone within the “path of totality” will be able to see a rare total solar eclipse.
The total eclipse path, called the corona, will stretch from Salem, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina. Those outside of this path, like those in Michigan, will see a partial solar eclipse.
Ross Reynolds, professor of physics at Grand Valley State University, said that the Grand Rapids area will see the maximum amount of coverage (81 percent) around 2:20 p.m. Reynolds added that at the maximum coverage time in Michigan, the planet Venus may be visible about one third of the way between the sun and the western horizon.
Reynolds explained that safety should be a top priority for eclipse enthusiasts. When watching the eclipse, it is most important to avoid looking directly at the sun without proper protection, such as special-purpose solar filter “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers. Homemade filters and ordinary sunglasses are not safe for looking at the sun.
To help keep eclipse viewers safe, Regional Math and Science Center will be distributing eclipse glasses at three locations on the Allendale Campus from 10-11:30 a.m. on August 21. These locations include outside of The Connection, at the RMSC office located in Mackinac Hall (room C-1-120), and outside of Mackinac Hall near the Copeland Hall Living Center.
Reynolds said that another safe way to view the eclipse is to make a “pinhole projector” by poking a hole into a piece of cardboard or an index card. Then, hold the card approximately three feet above a surface area to project an image of the sun as the moon passes by it.
No matter where someone watches the eclipse in Michigan, Reynolds said all areas of the state will have similar views of the event.
“The further south and west, the more complete the eclipse will be, but the best will only be a bit more at 85 percent down on the border near Michigan City and the worst will be around 70 percent in the Upper Peninsula,” he said. “As the eclipse will happen around 2 p.m., the sun will be high in the sky so there is no need to look for big open spaces with low horizons because anywhere without clouds will do.”
NASA’s live stream of the eclipse, available at www.nasa.gov/eclipselive, will be available to watch in the RMSC office, and in the Learning Alcove of the Mary Idema Pew Library.
Faculty members from Grand Valley’s Physics Department will be partnering with the Grand Rapids Public Museumfor the museum’s Eclipse Party. Faculty will be on-hand to facilitate a variety of activities for both children and adults. The Eclipse party will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on August 21 at the museum, complete with telescopes equipped with solar filters, tracking devices that can track the Sun during the eclipse, and multiple hands-on activities that illustrate eclipses and the sun-moon-Earth system.
According to NASA, the last total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. coast-to-coast occurred in 1918, and the next total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. won’t occur until 2024.
While this eclipse will be noted in the history books, Reynolds said that, among physicists, the most “famous” eclipse occurred in 1919.
“During the 1919 eclipse, Sir Arthur Eddington made observations of stellar positions and was able to show that the positions were displaced by an amount predicted by Albert Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity,” Reynolds explained. “It was seen as the first test of that theory.”
Global refugees often find themselves warehoused in makeshift camps for years — or even decades. The lucky ones are eventually resettled by a generous nation to start a new life.
But new struggles, especially for older refugees, then begin: trying to learn a strange language, adapting to new climates and customs. Who is the best to help with the daily tasks that natives take for granted: driver’s license, bank forms, job applications, healthcare appointments, school registration for kids? It’s often fellow refugees who came before. Like the courageous Leela Dhakal.
Residents of Kent County are again being contacted by individuals claiming to be from the IRS. Below is an example of one of the voicemails:
“Hello, we have been trying to reach you. This call is officially a final notice from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). The reason of this call is to inform you that the IRS is filing a lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case file, please call immediately on our department number (gives number). Thank you.”
If you call the number provided, they will often ask you to obtain a prepaid credit card from a local store and provide them the credit card number.
This is another reminder that these are scams. Once the money is taken from the credit card, there is very little law enforcement can do to identify the suspect and recover the money. The suspect(s) are often not from the area and are difficult to identify because they use spoofed phone numbers that change frequently and are problematic to trace.
Other common scams include the following:
A stranger sends you a check and asks you to cash the check and keep some of the money. A different variation of this is a Craig’s List transaction where the buyer “accidentally” overpays and asks you to cash the check and send them the amount of the overpayment. The banks will most likely cash the check and not realize the check is forged until several days later. You are then financially responsible for the amount of the bad check.
We are also getting complaints of residents being contacted by a person saying they have found a virus on the resident’s computer. They ask for remote access to the computer and then hold the computer hostage until a ransom is paid.
A person contacts you over the phone and claims to be your relative who has been arrested. They ask you to provide them with the number off a prepaid credit card for bond money.
If a stranger asks you to provide them with a prepaid credit number or iTunes card, it is a scam.
The best way to avoid these scams is to avoid talking to them on the phone. We are aware of all of these scams and the many variations in our area, and there is no reason to report them to law enforcement unless you are a victim who suffers a loss as a result of one of these calls.
When we think of skilled nursing facilities, we tend to think of the nursing home where grandma went to live when she could no longer care for herself. Skilled nursing facilities are actually rehabilitation centers that cater to short-term stays, and function as a bridge between acute care or care in the hospital and a patient’s home.
What Skilled Nursing Facilities Provide
Many patients in skilled nursing facilities are recovering from an illness or injury or have had surgery such as a joint replacement.
“Hospitals are discharging patients earlier than ever, and some of those patients might need a few more weeks of skilled nursing or rehabilitation therapy,” said Sara Heethuis, Executive Director of Holland Home’s Breton Rehabilitation & Living Centre.
A skilled nursing facility can provide around-the-clock nursing care, as well as appropriate therapies —physical, occupational and speech. A skilled nursing facility can also provide specialized medical services such as wound care.
“Our main goal is to get the patient functioning well enough so that they can go back home. As a matter of fact, we begin planning for their discharge the minute they arrive,” said Heethuis. “We do have some long-term care patients, but most of our patients are only here until they are well enough to go home,”
Choosing a Skilled Nursing Facility
Family members are often faced with making the decision about a skilled nursing facility within days or hours of their loved one’s discharge from the hospital. It can be a confusing and frightening time.
One of the best places to start is at medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare. By plugging in your zip code or city, you can access information on all facilities in your area. All skilled nursing facilities are inspected and regulated by its state’s Department of Health Services and are given an overall rating, as well as ratings on health inspections, staffing and quality measures. The site also allows you to choose three facilities and compare them side-by-side.
“Breton Rehabilitation & Living Centre consistently receives four and five stars in all the areas measured. All of Holland Home’s skilled nursing facilities, including Raybrook Manor and Fulton Manor, receive four and five stars overall,” said Heethuis.
Another measure of the facility’s quality is their outcomes. Ask about the facilities’ discharge and re-hospitalization rates.
“Holland Homes’ outcomes are higher than the national average,” said Heethuis. “More of our patients are discharged to their homes, as opposed to needing re-hospitalization, than most other facilities.”
Amenities
Many facilities provide a wide range of amenities that may include catering to specific diet preferences, cable television, telephone, Wi-Fi throughout the facility, tastefully decorated private rooms, life enrichment activities and assisted excursions.
A stay in a skilled nursing facility can be a beneficial experience allowing you to return home with improved function and on the path to wellness.
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).
On June 13th, 2017, we took in this affectionate little girl, about 18 months of age (born in late 2015). As it turned out, Salsa was pregnant (and eating bird seed in her rescuer’s yard to feed her growing belly).
Salsa was very lucky that she stumbled into the yard of volunteer Sandy R, as she put food out for the darling calico until such a time that she could coax her into her good graces and bring her in to Dr. Jen. She recovered well from her spay surgery and was totally meshing with the other residents at Crash’s when she fell ill with Calici virus, a very contagious feline respiratory disease that strikes unvaccinated, immunocompromised kitties. Thankfully we were able to treat her successfully and she recovered fully.
Salsa has earned the nickname of ‘Sassy Salsa’ — she is a spitfire, but only in a totally endearing way. She has a lot of spunk in her teeny little body; for example, she will only eat wet food that she steals from other cats, even if you put the same food in front of her. She is not afraid to show her roommates who’s the boss and will smack them right across the face if she doesn’t like what they are doing. She will do very well in any home that has lots to do, but she would probably prefer to be the only cat.
Want to adopt Salsa? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
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.
When you live in poverty, you worry about being able to provide basic needs like housing, food and health care for your family. It is no surprise this can cause tremendous stress. Data show that the rate of adults experiencing any type of mental illness is greatest among those with family incomes below the federal poverty level (about $2,050 per month for a family of four).
Photo supplied
High levels of stress can damage both mental and physical health over the long term. This is the second installment in a series that will look at how living in poverty affects health and well-being.
Severe Mental Illness
Individuals living in poverty are at increased risk of experiencing trauma. This has been linked to increased mental illness, risk behaviors and challenges to daily life functions. Additionally, poor individuals typically experience greater work-stress because of low wages and the need to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, poor Americans are less likely to get the mental health help they need to manage illness and deal with excessive stress and trauma. This becomes even more tragic when you consider that individuals living in poverty are also more likely to have severe mental illness and serious thoughts of suicide. Between the physical health risks and potential of suicide, poverty is killing our neighbors.
Toxic Stress
Toxic stress occurs when a child experiences strong, frequent and/or prolonged hardship. When children are exposed to constant hardship, their bodies’ stress response is on all the time. They tend to have higher heart rates and blood pressure than their peers who aren’t living in poverty.
Long-term exposure to stress can have damaging effects on multiple organs, including the brain. Many adult illnesses, such as inflammatory diseases and increased risk for heart attack, stroke and diabetes, can be traced to toxic stress in childhood. Next week, we’ll look deeper into how poverty impacts children.
ACSET Community Action Agency’s (CAAs) mission is to fight the causes and circumstances of poverty by investing in low-income individuals and families. They do this by meeting emergency needs and assisting in areas of self-sufficiency. Through dedicated staff and community partnerships, ACSET CAA provides services, resources, education and advocacy to improve the quality of life for all residents of Kent County.
Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.
Gillian Flynn’s disturbing and enthralling first novel delves into the dark heart of a small town and the complex relationship between a mother and her daughters. Camille hasn’t been back home in eight years and is eking out a meager existence as a reporter for Chicago’s fourth-largest paper. In search of a prize-winning scoop, Camille’s editor persuades her to return to her southern Missouri hometown and search out the connections between the murder of a girl the year before and the recent disappearance of another little girl. It’s not long before the missing girl is found dead in a manner strikingly similar to the first death, meaning there is a serial killer in the town.
Busy searching for leads, Camille delays going home as long as possible, but finally shows up on her mother’s doorstep, where she is given a half-hearted and vague welcome. She clumsily attempts to get to know her teenage half-sister Amma and becomes messily involved with the detective handling the investigation.
In one sense, the novel is a mystery, as the search for the girls’ killer provides the framework for everything that happens to Camille. But it is also a story of why certain families’ wounds never heal. Flynn only gradually unveils why it is so hard for Camille to go home and why she has chosen to live far away from her mother. There are hints early on that she is damaged—for example, she can only take baths because the shower spray gets her skin to buzzing and she has a specific coping mechanism that she keeps a secret. But the longer Camille stays in Wind Gap, the more her hard-won emotional distance slips away and she finds herself more involved with her family than she had planned.
Sharp Objects is appropriately named. It is not a comfortable book to read, but the sharp edges in both the characters and the setting add to the power of the novel. Flynn’s portrayal of Wind Gap is nicely full of details that highlight the setting of a small Missouri town and she paces out the revelations perfectly for a sense of suspense. This is a mystery that got under my skin and even missing a traditional happy ending has nonetheless stuck with me as one of the more thought-provoking reading experiences I’ve had this year.
Next, I’ll be checking out Flynn’s second novel, Dark Places, which also deals with past tragedies and the often bizarre interior world of families.
The 54th Annual Marshall Historic Home Tour on September 9th and 10th will feature six private residences including the Italianate-style home built in 1873 for prominent local merchant Jeremiah Cronin.
“The six tour homes reflect six different and distinctive architectural styles,” said Ray Lessnau, home tour co-chair. “The home of Jeremiah Cronin, which inspired the 1973 John Bellairs novel The House with a Clock in its Walls will be on the tour for the first time in almost 10 years. It now shows the beautiful interior design choices of the new owners.”
The nearby Queen-Anne-style home built in 1886 for Jeremiah’s brother Thomas Cronin also is on this year’s tour. It had been on two recent tours as under restoration.
The other tour homes are an 1857 Gothic-Revival-style home, an 1858 cottage, Marshall’s only Second Empire home built in 1870, and an early 1900s Craftsman-style house that was likely updated from a smaller pre-Civil War dwelling.
The tour will be 9am to 5pm on Saturday, September 9th, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday, September 10th. The Honolulu House Museum, 107 N. Kalamazoo Ave., again will be the focal point for home tour activities.
Anderson Home
The tour will include more than 20 sites including eight local museums and historic buildings at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. Advance tickets cost $17 and are available through September 4th by going here or by calling 269.781.8544. Tickets will be $20 after September 4th. Tickets are good for both days. Parking is free downtown and at the fairgrounds. Free shuttle buses will run to the tour sites.
The Marshall Historic Home Tour began in 1964 and has grown into the longest-running home tour in the Midwest. The Marshall Historical Society uses the home tour proceeds to maintain and enhance its three museums and to support community efforts to preserve, protect and promote Marshall’s historic heritage.
WKTV will air Modern Ahabs Craft Beer Special on Monday, August 21 at 8:00pm; Tuesday, August 22 at 6:30pm; and Friday, August 25 at 7:30pm.
Craft beer enthusiast Jason Ley from Grand Rapids, MI, had been quietly brewing an idea for a TV show for almost two years.
The show, titled Modern Ahabs, explores the hunt for the world’s most elusive craft beer. With this generation’s boom in brewing, craft beer has become more than a casual pastime hobby. Like rookie cards in mint condition or vintage toys still in their original packaging, craft beer is a worldwide phenomenon — a drinkable collector’s item. Modern Ahabs dives into the unique fanaticism that steers the pursuit for these highly sought-after, coveted trophies — known to enthusiasts as “whales.”
The pilot episode features Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS) by Founders Brewing Co., of Grand Rapids, MI.
Ley, who created the show, also wrote and produced the episode. He enlisted the help of director, Ben Wilke and his video production company, Deep End Films, to film and edit Modern Ahabs. The result is a non-staged, reality-style episodic series.
Filming took place in Grand Rapids, MI in March 2016 during KBS’s city-wide release festivities, KBS Week. Locations featured in the pilot episode include HopCat, Derby Station, The Winchester, The Meanwhile, and Founders Brewing Co.
Ley’s ultimate goal for Modern Ahabs is to partner with a major TV, cable or streaming network — to develop a series of multi-episode seasons, with each episode featuring a different national or international craft beer whale.
For more information, and to join the hunt, visit modernahabs.com.
Peters Honored as Legislator of the Year by Vietnam Veterans of America
Peters Recognized for Fairness for Veterans Provision to Help Service members with PTSD
By Allison Green and Zade Alsawah
Senator Gary Peters
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was recognized by the Vietnam Veterans of America as a Legislator of the Year and delivered remarks at the organization’s annual national convention. Peters was recognized for his efforts to pass bipartisan legislation to help veterans who may have been erroneously given a less than honorable discharge from the military due to negative behavior resulting from mental traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the Fairness for Veterans legislation in 2015, and it was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2016.
Peters Statement on Release of Brandon Road Study to Limit Spread of Asian Carp
Study Outlines U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Plan to Prevent Invasive Asian Carp from Reaching the Great Lakes
By Zade Alsawah and Allison Green
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) has issued the following statement on the release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Brandon Road Draft Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement, which seeks to prevent the spread of invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes:
“The Great Lakes power Michigan’s economy, supporting our multi-billion dollar commercial shipping, fishing, tourism and agricultural industries, and we must move quickly to ensure the Great Lakes are protected against invasive Asian carp that can disrupt this important ecosystem. I urged the Trump Administration to swiftly release this long awaited report, and I’m pleased we can now move forward with the public comment period and work with stakeholders to determine the next actions needed to prevent the spread of this harmful invasive species and keep our economy growing.”
Earlier this year, Peters introduced legislation with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow to require the Trump Administration to immediately release the Brandon Road Study. Peters also joined with Stabenow and other Great Lakes Senators in a letter calling on President Trump to release the study and expedite potential measures to stop Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. In June, a silver carp was discovered within nine miles of Lake Michigan and beyond an electric barrier designed to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.
Senator Stabenow Highlights Great Lakes Restoration Success Stories Across Michigan, Importance of Federal Funding
By Miranda Margowsky
Senator Debbie Stabenow
This month, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow is highlighting Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) success stories throughout Michigan and the importance of federal funding to protect our lakes and waterways.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provided $196,000 in federal funding to the Kalamazoo Nature Center to restore wetlands and prevent erosion and runoff into the Kalamazoo River. The GLRI funding has led to increased economic activity in the area, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and boating on the river. Arcadia Ales, a locally owned brewery, opened a new location on the Kalamazoo River, allowing patrons to take advantage of the riverfront.
According to the University Research Corridor, more than 700,000 Michigan jobs, one in five in the state, are tied to water. GLRI is critical to cleaning up our Great Lakes, beaches, and waterways for swimming, boating, and fishing; fighting invasive species like Asian carp, and protecting our Michigan way of life. Michigan projects have received more than $400 million in funding from the GLRI since its establishment. Michigan has an estimated 2,850 miles of coastal water trails as well as an estimated 1,280 miles of inland water trails. Our canoe and kayak industry annually contributes $140 million to our state’s economy.
Senator Stabenow Announces More Than $3.5 Million to Expand Double Up Food Bucks throughout Michigan
By Miranda Margowsky
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, has announced more than $3.5 million in new federal funding to expand the successful Double Up Food Bucks program in Michigan. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant program, which Stabenow authored in the 2014 Farm Bill. The grant will be matched by private funding, totaling to $7 million in new investments.
Double Up Food Bucks makes it easier for low-income families in Michigan to eat healthy by doubling the value of food assistance dollars spent on fresh, regionally grown produce. This has helped families stretch their food budget while supporting Michigan farmers and rural communities.
Fair Food Network will utilize the new funds to expand the Double Up Food Bucks program to more farmers market and grocery stores throughout Michigan. Additionally, funding will be used to expand new technology to make purchases easier for families and farmers, and expand year-round rather than seasonal programming at farmers markets and groceries.
Senator Stabenow Announces Medicare at 55 Act
By Miranda Margowsky
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has introduced the Medicare at 55 Act, which provides an option for people between the ages of 55 and 64 to buy into Medicare. There are 1.4 million people in Michigan between the ages of 55 and 64, and many of them are burdened by high insurance premiums, unaffordable deductibles and limited options.
People in the 55-64 age group face unique health challenges and especially high health care costs. The average person in this age group pays more than $1,200 in annual out-of-pocket costs and is at a greater risk of suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis and medical emergencies such as heart attack and stroke.
Under the Medicare at 55 Act, an individual between the ages of 55 and 64 who buys into Medicare would receive the same benefits and protections as an individual enrolled under Medicare parts A, B, and D.
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Peters-Young Legislation to Update Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps for Great Lakes
Maps Help Assess Ecological Risks of Oil Spill & Natural Disasters; Great Lakes Maps Have Not Been Updated in Over 20 Years
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes. ESI maps are used to assess coastal resources that could be at risk in the event of an oil spill or natural disaster, including endangered and threatened species, sensitive shoreline habitats, and human-use resources like beaches, parks and boat ramps. The Great Lakes region ESI maps have not been updated since between 1985 and 1994, though maps for the East coast, West coast, and Gulf coast have seen updates within the last five years.
ESI maps, which are administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), are used to document the potential ecological impacts to natural and human-use resources from risks such as oil spills, natural disasters, and resource damage assessments. The maps are also used in disaster planning and recovery, research and restoration efforts. ESI maps must be regularly updated to ensure they are providing an accurate representation of vulnerable locations and areas that require protection in the event of a disaster. Updates would also improve the accessibility of the ESI maps by making them available in searchable formats.
Peters, Grassley & Feinstein Call for Increased Transparency in Administration Ethics Disclosures
Letter Urges Administration to Make Ethics Waivers Immediately Publicly Available
By Allison Green
U.S. Senators Gary Peters, Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) sent a letter urging Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney to ensure that any executive branch ethics pledge waivers granted by the Trump Administration are immediately provided to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and made publicly available.
On January 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13770 requiring all incoming political appointees to sign an ethics pledge as a condition of their employment in the federal government. The Administration’s ethics pledge places certain restrictions on appointees’ participation in matters directly related to their former employers, clients, or matters on which the appointee lobbied prior to their appointment.
The executive order also includes a provision allowing the President or his designee to issue a waiver to any individual appointee from any of the ethics pledge’s requirements, though there is no specific requirement that the waiver be issued prior to an appointee’s first day of employment.
ArtPrize, the independently organized art competition recognized as the world’s largest annual public art event, announced 2017 registration details for its Volunteer program, presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union. ArtPrize seeks volunteers—who through their energy and commitment provide the framework essential to the visitor experience—to join the 1,000 plus individuals who collectively work nearly 4,000 shifts and upwards of 12,000 hours of service each year, while welcoming visitors from near and far to the event this fall. The ArtPrize Volunteer season will officially commence at the annual Volunteer Kick-Off Party on August 10. ArtPrize Nine is slated to take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan from September 20–October 8, 2017.
“Volunteers play an invaluable role on the ArtPrize team—their enthusiasm and support make ArtPrize the success it is,” said Katherine Hagman, ArtPrize Volunteer Program Manager. “They are the face of the event, interacting with visitors from near and far, helping to tell the ArtPrize story, offering practical suggestions and encouraging visitors to explore, learn and vote for art that moves them throughout the 19-day event.”
Volunteers help visitors to navigate through the event with ease while experiencing everything ArtPrize has to offer. Whether it be as individuals, groups, families or friends, volunteers bring the community together with their willingness to devote and share their time with ArtPrize.
Online self-registration opens Friday, August 11, allowing volunteers to sign up and register for shifts that will suit their interests and availability. The volunteer program has added ongoing training modules for volunteers in 2017, allowing volunteer registration to stay open throughout the 19-day event. This replaces the previous system of incorporating a cut-off date for shift sign ups.
Volunteer Kick-Off Party
Volunteers and community members are invited to join the ArtPrize staff in celebrating the beginning of the ArtPrize Nine season at the Volunteer Kick-Off Party, held at 200 Monroe Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m. Friends and supporters of ArtPrize will enjoy music, food and activities throughout the night. Information about what is to come for ArtPrize Nine this season will be highlighted as well as the opportunity to learn about specific volunteer opportunities and sign up for an volunteer account.
Volunteer Training
Volunteers must take part in a training session prior to their shifts. In-person training sessions will take place the week after Labor Day, offering weekday, weekend and evening options throughout the week. In addition to in-person training, volunteers are also given the option of learning through a series of online orientation videos.
Image from Google Creative Commons
Through training, volunteers will hear from ArtPrize staff and partners on the event’s history, how it works, and specifics about shifts and what to expect during the event. This will provide new and returning volunteers with a strong foundation so they are fully equipped to provide assistance throughout the course of ArtPrize Nine.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are an array of volunteer opportunities available during ArtPrize Nine to fit everyone’s interests and schedules. Wayfinders, stationed around the ArtPrize district, serve as ArtPrize tour guides and ambassadors of downtown Grand Rapids. Equipped with guides and resources to welcome visitors, they provide directions, answer questions and promote activities and Venues in the surrounding area. Education volunteers assist with family events, activities and school programs – with positions ranging from lead docents to facilitators in our drop-in art studio spaces and STEAM Village. Some volunteer opportunities may require additional training. A full listing of volunteer opportunities can be found at artprize.org/for-volunteers.
Volunteer Artist Hosting Program
Volunteering to host an artist in your home can be an equally rewarding opportunity. With nearly 30% of artists coming to ArtPrize from locations outside of Michigan, the Artist Hosting Program has become a crucial aspect of the ArtPrize experience for artists visiting from out of state or another country. Whether it’s just for a few days or for a longer stay, by hosting an artist volunteers make it possible for artists to experience ArtPrize. Previous award winners who took advantage of the temporary housing arrangements include Stacey Kirby, Beili Liu, Mia Tavonatti, Adonna Khare, Young Kim and Anila Quayyum Agha. Interested volunteers are encouraged to email the ArtPrize team at exhibitions@artprize.org for more information.
Volunteer Rewards
Volunteers will enjoy a variety of benefits for dedicating their time to the event including: a free event guide, a Metro Pass—good for 10 free rides on The Rapid’s fixed routes and unlimited use of the Silver Line during the event—access to the Volunteer Lounge at the ArtPrize HUB/HQ, access to volunteer-only events and weekly raffle entry for prizes. Volunteers will enjoy discounted ArtPrize merchandise for every three shifts completed and a special “fifth shift” gift for completing five shifts throughout the 19 days.
Additionally, ArtPrize Nine volunteers will be offered a discount on pre-sale tickets to the Ninth Annual ArtPrize Awards—including the Ceremony, powered by the DTE Energy Foundation, and the official after party, details to be announced soon. Volunteers will also be given an exclusive ArtPrize Nine word poetry magnet set.
For more details on the ArtPrize Volunteer Program and how to register, visit artprize.org/volunteer. ArtPrize Nine is slated to take place September 20-October 8 in downtown Grand Rapids, transforming three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids into an open playing field where 1,346 entries at 175 venues will vie for a combination of public vote and juried awards totaling $500,000 in prizes.
In addition to the skills listed in a job description, one of the most important attributes an employer looks for in a candidate is a genuine interest in the job.
A great way to show this is by being knowledgeable about the industry, the company, its leadership and culture.
Doing some research and showing up to the interview with the following information will set you apart and increase your chances of getting hired:
1. Know the basics. Believe or not, employers have reported interviewing people that didn’t know even the name of the company! In addition to the company name, know the location of your company’s headquarters, where they do business, how many people they employ, what products or services they provide.
2. Find out who’s in charge. Know the names of the CEO and top management. You can generally find this information on the company’s about page. If you know who is going to be interviewing you and who you would be reporting to, do some research on them as well. Armed with a name and company, you can look them up on LinkedIn to learn more about their background and interests.
3. Get a feel for the company culture. Check the company’s website for its mission statement and see what they’ve written about their values. Read their blog if they have one; is it stiff and formal or casual and lighthearted? A company’s social media pages are a good place to learn more about their culture.
4. Learn about the industry. What are the current trends? Who are the top competitors? Are there any economic factors affecting or influencing the industry?
5. Listen to what others are saying about the company. Content on a company’s website is a great way to learn how the company wants to be seen. But how are they perceived by their employees, competitors and customers? At Glassdoor, a job search and recruiting site, you can find company reviews and other details that can’t be found on the employer’s website. A simple Google search may bring up news articles and reviews about the company and/or their leadership.
There is no such thing as being too prepared for a job interview or too knowledgeable about a prospective employer. Happy researching!
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Randle Green, in the blue suit, of Kenowa Hills High, dances in “Hairspray Jr.” with, from left, Jacob Breitweiser of Byron Center High, Mia Brown of Rockford High, Kye Body of Kenowa Hills High, and Jack Schneider of Thornapple Kellogg High (photo courtesy Studio3Twenty)
Evie VanderArk says she fell in love with being on stage “when I played the role of Tiger Lily at my elementary school,” Breton Downs, in fourth grade.
The soon-to-be seventh-grader at East Grand Rapids Middle School is deepening her affection for theater this summer, in the role of Childlike Empress in “The Neverending Story” at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, running through Aug. 6.
Evie is the youngest of a handful of students from Kent ISD member districts who are spending their summer onstage, as part of their participation in the Civic’s Summer Repertory Theatre Intensive.
“I was very nervous at first, but it was pretty easy once I got into it, and it was really fun,” she said.
Summer Repertory Theatre Intensive is open to students ages 13 to 19 who apply and audition. The program teaches performance skills, as well as technical aspects including set and costume design, lighting, sound and backstage work.
Stage Work Benefits School
Randle Green’s first play was “101 Dalmatians” in South Bend, Indiana. He was a fourth-grader.
“I just loved everything about it,” Randle said. He went on to play one of just three child roles in a community theater production of “The Wiz” in eighth grade.
Evie VanderArk as the Childlike Empress in “The Neverending Story” (Photo courtesy Studio3Twenty)
Soon to be a senior at Kenowa Hills, Randle also is adding a Civic performance to his repertoire this summer. He plays Seaweed J. Stubbs in “Hairspray Jr.,” which runs through Aug. 5. His twin brother, Richard III, is in the production as well, as Gilbert.
“It’s always a new journey from musical to musical,” Randle said. “You are working with different people and bringing different things to the table. I always get nervous when I walk onstage for my first number, but once I do I just want to keep going out until I take that bow.”
Randle thinks the benefits of being involved in theater translate to school.
“There is definitely a connection with the social skills,” he said. “In theater you have to be able to talk to people, to get along and make connections. At school, you have to do the same things with teachers and other students. You have to be able to connect on different levels.”
Another skill that brings benefits to both settings: discipline — whether it is pulling your weight, working as a team or being on time. “They both build off of each other,” Randle said.
Once the repertory intensive is done, Randle said, the first couple weeks of school will be an “off” period to focus on learning about his classes, his teachers and their expectations. “I am an academic addict,” said the 4.039 GPA. “My grades have to be just so.”
Other Kent ISD member schools with students in the Civic’s Summer Repertory Theatre Intensive this year are Byron Center, Caledonia, Comstock Park, Forest Hills, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Northview, Rockford and Thornapple Kellogg.
As far as I’m concerned, you can’t go wrong with Elizabeth Berg. Her latest release is a collection of short stories that celebrates women and moments in their lives. Most of these moments start with a spark of discontent and blossom into something wonderful.
As a lifetime member of Weight Watchers (currently over my goal weight) the title story celebrated food and health and what we go through to maintain ourselves in order to live longer in a manner that I related to. Berg successfully takes the everyday events of our lives and somehow makes them more. Each character in this collection becomes you, someone you know, or someone you’d like to know. For new readers and regular fans, this book won’t disappoint.
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 a new forever home. 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.
Aurora
Aurora — Female American Pit Bull Terrier Mix
Meet Aurora! She is a 1-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. Aurora is house-trained and knows several commands. She loves to cuddle up in her bed and get pets from her favorite people. Aurora seems to do well with respectful children and walks well on a leash. She may be too stressed currently to go home with another dog. If you’re interested in her, please visit HSWM!
I’m a 6-year-old cat that was brought to Humane Society of West Michigan in April. I arrived in rough shape with severe hair loss, scabbing, and bleeding skin. It is believed that I have severe allergies and my skin has seen vast improvements since my intake with a customized diet and TLC. While I still have some scabs, I am on the road to recovery and can finally be placed into a forever home! I need a home willing to provide the TLC I need to continue to improve. Please come meet me to see if I am the right fit for your home!
The staff at HSWM told me that I’m one of their favorites (not to tell anyone this, but I’m going to tell you!). I am 5 years old and so social and sweet. I love rolling around in the kiddie pool in the dog park here at HSWM. I love belly rubs, meeting new friends, and playing around. I do really well with other dogs, but I do prefer to play with male dogs (I currently am roommates with a male dog). I also get along well with children. My friends at HSWM think I’m such a cute and sweet dog and they can’t believe I haven’t been adopted already. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan and see if we are the right fit!
I’m a gentle 4-year-old cat looking for my forever home! I can be a little shy at first, but after some time I warm up to new people and have so much love to give. I would do best in a home with older/respectful children. I want my new family to let me approach them in my time and have some safe spaces in the home where I can snuggle up. I would be a great fit for a relaxed home.
A test for heartworm disease (if six months or older)
A first series of vaccines including DHLPP (distemper combo), Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine, and rabies (if older than 14 weeks of age)
Spay/Neuter Surgery
Treatment for internal parasites
One dose of flea preventative
One dose of heartworm preventative
The organization 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.
Secrets. We all have them. Do we share them? Should we keep them? It was this concept that I found so I intriguing in Barbara Delinsky’s latest book, The Secret Between Us.
Deborah, a recently divorced family physician in a small New England town, and her daughter, Grace, are the principle characters in this deception. The story opens with a car accident during a torrential downpour on an unlit street, and spirals from there. Deborah went out in the rain to pick up Grace from a friend’s house and allowed Grace to drive home with her learner’s permit. The two are arguing when suddenly there is a flash of movement, a hideous thump, and events unravel from there.
While I could totally relate to the maternal instinct to protect your child at all costs, I don’t think this story could have worked without its setting. Everybody in a small town knows, or knows of, everyone else, which is what makes the keeping of secrets so tenuous. They all know each other’s business and each character naturally has something to hide. I found parts of the story to be somewhat contrived, but I was still interested enough to finish the book.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to sort through some small town family dynamics, this is the book for you.
The second Tuesday of the month is always the primary election and while this year is certainly not as busy as the 2017 primary election, there is one issue on the ballot that Godwin Heights Public Schools is rallying voters in its district to get out and vote on.
The school district is seeking a renewal of its operating millage. The proposal would allow the district to continue to levy a rate not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except primary residences and other property exempted by law, required to receive the state per pupil foundation allowance.
According to school officials this is not a new tax and it is not a tax on primary residences. If you can answer no to owning commercial/industrial property, vacation property, rental property or a second home in the Godwin Heights area, then the non-homestead property tax does not apply to you, according to school officials.
The proposal does include an additional three mills to help recover reductions from the Headlee rollback. The Headlee rollback was approved in 1978 by Michigan voters and provides provisions on state and local taxes.
The request is for 10 years. The estimated revenue in the first year for the district is about $2.94 million.
Those voting on the Godwin Heights proposal are in the following city precincts: Precincts 1 and 2 are voting at the Godwin Physical Education Building, 31 36th St. SW; Precinct 3 are voting at Gethsemane Lutheran, 3152 Clyde Park SW; Precinct 5 are voting at the Grand Valley Armory, 1200 44th St. SW; Precinct 9 are voting at the Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park SW; and Precinct 19 are voting at the KDL Wyoming Library Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. Polls for the primary election will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Work at a school? Then Tuesday is your day to visit the zoo and public museum to learn about what both institutions can offer your classrooms and students.
Teachers and educators with ID get free admission and parking at John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Informational sessions will be held at both locations at 10 and 11 a.m. and at 1 and 2 p.m. Register here.
Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Kate Moore said this is the first year the partnering institutions have offered a free educator day, as “an effort to let schools in our area know what the museum and zoo offer, and also how they can visit both of us during a field trip.”
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is located at 272 Pearl St. NW. The John Ball Zoo is located at 1300 W. Fulton St.
You may wonder why you have to complete an application if you are also submitting a cover letter and resume. The answer is, employers use applications to ensure that they collect the same information from each applicant. Instead of viewing the application as another hoop to jump through, make it an opportunity to stand out from the rest. Check out these tips to make your application shine!
Be prepared.
Consider creating a master application to work from. This should include basic contact information, education and work history, salary and references.
Read the Instructions.
Don’t make any assumptions about what an employer wants. Read the instructions carefully before you start. If the application doesn’t provide submission instructions, visit their website to find out their preferred method. Some employers will only accept applications through email.
Make it relevant.
If you have been in the workforce for 20+ years, it isn’t necessary to include every job you’ve ever had. Include your most recent experiences and those that highlight skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
Double-check everything.
Proofread your application to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Make sure there are no typos in your contact information. You want them to be able to get a hold of you!
Make it easy to read.
Many applications are online these days, but there are still some employers who prefer hard copies. If possible, use a digital form and fill it out on a computer. If you must fill it out by hand, use good penmanship and blue or black ink. Keep information brief, clean and easy to read.
Highlight your skills.
If there is space, include skills that show your qualifications for the job. For example, typing speed of 45 wpm, Microsoft Word, Adobe Creative Suite, first aid certification, second languages, etc.
Be Specific.
Clearly describe your former jobs. Don’t rely on the job title to explain your responsibilities. Instead, provide a brief job description and include specific numbers or statistics if possible. For example, managed five support staff members or increased sales by 25%.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
