Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

Mason Street Warehouse summer line-up dazzles to celebrate SCA’s 15th Anniversary

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment

Mason Street Warehouse housed at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) is celebrating its 15th Anniversary, bringing a dazzling lineup to the stage.  The lakeshore’s only professional Equity theatre, Mason Street is producing the Michigan premiere of “Memphis The Musical:” the hilarious comedy “Fully Committed;” and the fresh, modern musical comedy “It Shoulda Been You.”

 

Mason Street Warehouse (MSW) performances are at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck. Season and individual tickets are now on sale at sc4a.org or 269-857-2399. 

 


MSW Founder and Artistic Director Kurt Stamm held auditions in New York City, Chicago, and various Michigan locations – Mason Street received more than 3,400 submissions in NYC alone this year.  Stamm says the strength of Mason Street’s brand means he’s bringing outstanding professional talent back to West Michigan this summer.

 

“Memphis is a huge song and dance show and we’ll be putting up the Michigan premiere. We had truly phenomenal talent audition for the production as well as for ‘Fully Committed’ and ‘It Shoulda Been You,’” Stamm said.  

 


“Memphis: The Musical” is the largest production Mason Street has produced in its 15-year history and was a very deliberate choice, Stamm said. “We had a tremendously strong season last summer and this year we’re celebrating our 15th anniversary. We’re pulling out all the stops and giving the community a seriously dazzling lineup!”

 


Stamm noted that this summer’s shows will feature professional actors making their Mason Street debuts as well as MSW “alumni.”  “We’re still nailing down our contracts, but I’m very excited about the possibility of welcoming back several fabulous actors who have been on the Mason Street stage before. It’s always wonderful to bring these professionals back to West Michigan.”


Individual and season tickets are now on sale, and season tickets to see all three shows can be purchased at a great discount. Mason Street also offers senior, student, and group discounts. Call the box office for more information: 269-857-2399

Tickets now on sale for the 2017 D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , , , ,

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk

The Grand Rapids Pops will rock your world in more ways than one at the 2017 D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops.

Three weeks of classic rock, including a brand-new show, Women Rock, with the music of Tina Turner, Carole King, Aretha Franklin and more, are part of the 2017 D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops season at Cannonsburg Ski Area. The season opens July 13-14 with The Music of ABBA starring Arrival from Sweden.

“It’ll be a joyously, infectious opening night. Everything about it is fun,” said Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt, who will be a big part of the summer season.

The summer of rock continues July 20-21 with The Musical Legacy of Chicago featuring Brass Transit.

The three-concert series ends July 27-28 with Women Rock, a brand-new show that pays homage to some of the biggest stars and best-known female singers of the past 50 years with songs including Carole King’s I Feel The Earth Move, Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got To Do With It, Aretha Franklin’s Freeway of Love, Janis Joplin’s Piece Of My Heart, Pat Benatar’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot, and Heart’s These Dreams.

Classical Fireworks on Friday, Aug. 3, welcomes Grand Rapids Symphony Music Director Marcelo Lehninger to the podium for his debut at Cannonsburg. Lehninger will lead the orchestra in audience favorites including Copland’s “Hoedown” from Appalachian Spring, the finale from Dvorak’s “From the New World” Symphony No. 9, and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, dubbed the world’s best mariachi band, ends the season on Saturday, Aug. 5.

For more info and to purchase tickets, go here.

 

‘Walk for Warmth’ utility assistance program fundraiser surpasses goal

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By ACSET Community Action Agency

 

For 21 years, ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) has hosted the Walk for Warmth in Kent County. The Walk for Warmth is a statewide effort to raise funds to help low-income households pay their utility bills and avoid shut-offs. ACSET CAA surpassed their goal this year by raising more than $20,000. All money raised at the Kent County event will stay in Kent County to assist families through CAA’s utility assistance program.

 

“The funds raised by the walk are critical as they allow us to serve more Kent County residents and reach vulnerable households that might not meet the criteria of some of our other programs,” said Susan Cervantes, Associate Director of ACSET CAA.

 

Walk for Warmth donations make it possible for more families to get the help they need. These families won’t have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table.

 

Consumers Energy is a longtime supporter of Walk for Warmth events across the state. A large group of their employees gathered pledges and joined the Kent County walk again this year. Consumers Energy then matched all individual pledges that were received. Dan Malone, the company’s senior vice president of energy resources participated in the walk.

 

“The Grand Rapids walk was one of over 30 that we are participating in across Michigan, and I was happy to be a participant. I was encouraged by our strong employee support and those in the community who took time during their Saturday morning to help others,” Malone said.
This year’s event took place on Saturday, Feb. 11. The date was officially proclaimed Walk for Warmth Day 2017 by Grand Rapids Mayor, Rosalyn Bliss, and Kent County Commissioner, Carol Hennessy who both attended the event.

 

Saugatuck Center for the Arts Hosts “Taste of Telluride” Screening March 24

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By Angela Peavey

Saugatuck Center for the Arts

 

The acclaimed Telluride Film Festival is coming to West Michigan when the Saugatuck Center for the Arts presents a “Taste of Telluride” on Friday, March 24, at 7 p.m.  Reserved tickets for this special evening of film ($10/each; cash bar available) can be purchased at sc4a.org or 269-857-2399.

 

 

Hailed by Movie Maker Magazine as, “One of the Top 25 coolest film festivals in the world,” the SCA is presenting its “Taste of Telluride” screening as part of its special 15th Anniversary programming.

 

 

“The SCA is the only place in Michigan for people to experience films from Telluride,” said SCA Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “We know West Michigan audiences love film; we’re really thrilled to bring this event to Saugatuck.”

 

 

Kitchen overseer Genghis Khan (aka Desert Dog) keeps an eye out for salami skins to dispose of and food pouches in need of a good licking. Photograph by Mary McIntyre

Armstrong said the SCA collaborated with the Telluride Film Festival to curate the films selected for its “Taste of Telluride” event. “Audiences are going to be blown away by these incredibly inspiring stories, including extreme sports and adventure, our environment, and foreign arts and culture.”

 

 

Films at the “Taste of Telluride” include “Angel Annihilates Alaska” (extreme skiing), “Ace and the Desert Dog” (backpacking and friendship), “When We Were Knights” (base jumping), “The Super Salmon” (environment), and “Mile 19” (marathoner & veteran Johnnie Jameson).

 

 

The Telluride Film Festival bills itself as a celebration of the best in film — past, present and future — from all around the world. Guest Directors have included luminaries like Salman Rushdie, Buck Henry, Laurie Anderson, Stephen Sondheim, and Peter Sellars. Telluride audiences were the first in the world to laugh with “Juno,” to observe “The Lives of Others,” to visit “Brokeback Mountain,” to learn the secret of “The Crying Game,” and to experience “Blue Velvet.”  As Roger Ebert said, Telluride is, “…like Cannes died and went to heaven.”

 

 

The SCA’s relationship with the Telluride Film Festival has grown over the past five years as the two organizations have collaborated via the SCA’s Children’s Film Festival. “Our film festival for young viewers began 15 years ago,” Armstrong said. “In 2014 we reached out to the Telluride Film Festival to see if we could bring their award-winning films for young viewers to our festival. They loved the idea of reaching students in West Michigan so they agreed – and we’ve been growing our relationship ever since.”

 

 

Thanks to support from sponsors, the SCA makes its Children’s Film Festival available to West Michigan schools cost free, even including “bus money” if schools cannot afford transportation funding. “We typically serve 1,500 K-12th grade students during a week of screenings at the SCA,” Armstrong said. “This year we’re excited to announce a new partnership that is expanding the festival’s outreach tremendously.”

 

 

The Children’s Film Festival, which runs March 20-24 for partner schools, is going “on the road” to the Allegan Public Schools Performing Art enter for a day.   As a result, an additional 1,100 students will experience the Festival, and in total more than 2,500 students from Allegan, Ottawa, Kent, and Van Buren Counties will participate in the 2017 Children’s Film Festival.

 

 

Armstrong notes that SCA Education and Exhibition coordinator Whitney Valentine has created post-festival resources for educators so students can continue to benefit from the film festival experience long after the screening.

 

 

The Children’s Film Festival is a vital part of the SCA’s three-pronged mission of education, entertainment, engagement, Armstrong said. “The Children’s Film Festival hits all three of our key focus areas. The topics matter, and the experience gets kids thinking and learning in a different way.”

 

 

Reserved tickets for the “Taste of Telluride” screening and additional information can be found online at sc4a.org.  

 

Government Matters: Week in review, March 13-17

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Politics, , , , ,

Stabenow, Peters, Kildee introduce resolution opposing nuclear waste storage site in Great Lakes Basin

By WKTV Contributor

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) have introduced resolutions, in both the House and Senate, expressing opposition to construction of a nuclear waste repository less than a mile from Lake Huron in Ontario.

“The Canadian proposal … could cause significant, lasting damage to the Great Lakes and undermine the progress we have made cleaning up the water quality in the Great Lakes Basin,” said Senator Peters.

“President Trump and Secretary of State Tillerson should make every effort to prevent the Canadian government from moving forward with this proposal and work to find an alternative solution that does not jeopardize the health of the Great Lakes.

“Surely in the vast land mass that comprises Canada, there must be a better place to permanently store nuclear waste than on the shores of Lake Huron.”

Over 40 million people in Canada and the United States get their drinking water from the Great Lakes and the highly toxic waste could take tens of thousands of years to decompose to safe levels. Ontario Power Generation is currently seeking approval from the Canadian Ministry of Environment to build a deep geologic repository to permanently store 7 million cubic feet of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste less than one mile from Lake Huron in Kincardine, Ontario.

Peters, Portman & Stabenow introduce bipartisan legislation to boost Great Lakes funding

Legislation would help modernize research capabilities, bring Great Lakes on par with ocean coasts

By WKTV Contributor

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) have introduced bipartisan legislation to spur Great Lakes funding and research efforts and help support effective fishery management decisions.

The Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization (GLFRA) Act gives the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) the legislative authority to support the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fishery industry. Despite holding one-fifth of the world’s fresh water, the Great Lakes science program does not have the same funding authorization as science centers on saltwater coasts, and this legislation will close the resource gap between the Great Lakes Science Center and other fishery research centers across the country.

“Our Great Lakes and waterways are part of who we are and our way of life,” said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. “From water quality issues to invasive species, there are so many challenges facing our lakes and fisheries, which is why funding for cutting-edge research is so important.”

Peters statement on President Trump’s proposed budget

By Allison Green

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Federal Spending Oversight Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding President Trump’s proposed budget that dramatically cuts critical domestic programs:

Sen. Gary Peters

“President Trump’s proposed budget makes drastic cuts that will hit Michigan families and businesses in both urban and rural areas especially hard, including cuts to transportation services education, job training and programs that are essential for protecting the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes, which provide drinking water to 40 million people and support Michigan’s multi-billion dollar shipping, fishing and agricultural industries.

“I am particularly disappointed that President Trump still has not put forward a comprehensive strategy to grow our manufacturing industry and create jobs. Instead, his budget proposal eliminates or slashes funding for critical programs that support the small businesses and manufacturers that are our country’s greatest job creators. Instead of gutting programs that Michigan families, seniors and businesses rely on, the President should focus on making smart investments to boost innovation and American manufacturing, strengthen our infrastructure and ensure our country remains economically competitive.

“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I believe it is important for us to have a strong and innovative military, but we must also invest in our people to maintain our nation’s competitive edge. Congress has a responsibility to use taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively, and members of both parties must work together to reduce wasteful spending and help shrink the deficit, but this proposal does more harm than good.”

Senator Stabenow statement on President Trump’s budget request that completely eliminates Great Lakes funding

Sen. Debbie Stabenow

By Miranda Margowsky

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget request, which completely eliminates funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative:

“It is outrageous that President Trump’s budget request completely eliminates funding to protect the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has always received bipartisan support and continues to be absolutely critical to protecting our Great Lakes, including fishing, boating, hunting, and fighting invasive species. Our Great Lakes economy creates 1.5 million jobs and are part of our Michigan way of life.

“I will continue working across the aisle to not only stop cuts to Great Lakes funding but  also to other important initiatives that are important to Michigan families, manufacturers, farmers, and small businesses.”

On the shelf: ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ by Ken Follett

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

 

The year is 1123, England is full into the Middle Ages, and a routine event is occurring in the town square: a man is being hanged. There’s something odd about this particular execution though. The man is unknown to the people.  He sings in French before his death, and the crowd becomes uneasy, absorbing the unrest of the officials at hand. Suddenly, a young woman appears, cutting the throat of a cockerel as she utters a terrifying curse, and throws the blood spattering bird directly at the three men responsible for the stranger’s death. Shock momentarily paralyzes the populace, and she disappears into the forest.

 

This is the heart of the mystery that pulses at the center of the numerous plot lines: who was this man and why was he killed?

 

The Pillars of the Earth is a riveting, epic work, with a cast of real, engaging characters, living in times that will definitely take your mind off your 401K.  Written in 1989, it has always enjoyed a place on “great reads” lists, and was chosen as an Oprah Book Club pick in 2007. Like all epics, the author celebrates the continuous struggle of Good against Evil in this work, and how human nature can be so easily inclined either way. I loved (or hated) the characters. Listening to it on audio, I found that I was constantly making excuses to drive somewhere to find out what was going to happen. I was hooked after the first few minutes, actually sobbing out loud as one early drama (probably very commonplace back then) unfolded. So, there’s plenty of emotional connection to the characters, and the plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns.

 

Follett begins his tale with a brief reference to a great historical disaster for the English Crown that occurred in 1120: the wreck of the White Ship. King Henry I, (1068-1135), who was the youngest son of William the Conqueror, had one son. On a fatal night in November 1120, the White Ship set out from France to England, carrying this son of Henry; but it foundered on the rocks, and all aboard perished in the sea, save one man.

 

The end result of this disaster was the lack of an obvious inheritor to the throne. Henry arranged for his daughter, Matilda (Maude) to succeed him, but his nephew, Stephen, also had factions supporting him, and civil war broke out. Later known as “the time of anarchy”, chaos and lawlessness broke out, lasting almost 20 years until another undisputed king was crowned.

 

During this time, wars are fought, political alliances are formed and betrayed, bishops are created, men and women live and die, and life in Kingsbridge increases and wanes, according to the whims of the larger forces that seek power, and the fierce spirit of human creativity and growth.

 

Follett was well-known for writing intricate, popular thrillers before this work. He said that Pillars of the Earth grew out of his fascination with the history and architecture of the great cathedrals. He began to imagine the men that built them, the mathematical discoveries that informed their advance into new building forms, resulting in the creations that would inspire and awe for generations to come. If you’ve ever walked into an old cathedral, you’ll appreciate this book all the more. Follett said that he wanted to tell their story, but in a way that would convey everything that was put into them and going on around them. If you’re looking for a long, absorbing historical novel that’s also a total thriller, this is for you!

A former Michigan native returns with new fantasy adventure book

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By Whitney Spotts

Schuler Books & Music

 

Former Michigan native and author H.M. Bouwman is scheduled to visit Schuler Books & Music Monday, March 20, at 7 p.m. with her newest release “A Crack in the Sea.”

 

“A Crack in the Sea” is an enchanting historical fantasy adventure. No one comes to the Second World on purpose. The doorway between worlds opens only when least expected. The Raft King is desperate to change that by finding the doorway that will finally take him and the people of Raftworld back home. To do it, he needs Pip, a young boy with an incredible gift — he can speak to the fish; and the Raft King is not above kdinapping to get what he wants. Pip’s sister Kitchen, though, is determined to rescue her brother and foil the Raft King’s plans.

 

The book was a Winter 2016-2017 Kids’ Indie Next Pick and A Midwest Connections Pick for January 2017. “Publishers Weekly” wrote “through the captivating interwoven tales of these three sibling pairs — and with assistance from Shimizu’s powerful illustrations — Bouwman crafts a moving narrative about family, magic, morality, the power of storytelling, and the cyclical nature of history.”

 

Bouwman also received Thanhha Lai’s Newbery Honor for her 2011 “Inside Out and Back Again.”

 

The Schuler Books & Music free event will include a talk and signing. For more information, visit www.schulerbooks.com.

 

 

Waltzes and world-class female conductor at GR Symphony March 24-25

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ,
JoAnn Falletta

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk

 
When JoAnn Falletta attended Mannes College of Music in the early 1970s, her teachers were reluctant to allow her to major in conducting. They didn’t question her musical abilities as a classical guitarist. They doubted whether the New York native ever would be given a shot at becoming music director of an orchestra. Times changed, and JoAnn Falletta beat the odds.

Today, Falletta, who celebrated her 63rd birthday in February, is music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (since 1999) and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra since 1991. She’s conducted over 100 orchestras in the world. She attended master classes with Leonard Bernstein (whose 100th birthday is in 2017), and she’s conducting the Grand Rapids Symphony on March 24-25. 

 
Waltzes by Ravel and Strauss, a cryptic scherzo by Grand Rapids Symphony’s own Alexander Miller, and Italian pianist Fabio Bidini performing Saint-Saens’ exotic, Egyptian Piano Concerto No. 5 all are on the program.
 
Interesting back story:  One of Falletta’s principal conducting teachers was Russian conductor Semyon Bychkov, who was Music Director of the Grand Rapids Symphony from 1980-85. Bychkov was succeeded in 1986 as Music Director of the Grand Rapids Symphony by Catherine Comet, who helped pave the way for women as music directors. The French-born conductor was the very first woman appointed music director of a regional professional American orchestra.
Tickets

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

 

Full-time students of any age are able to purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Passport program. This is a MySymphony360 eligible concert.

 

Adoptable Pets of the Week: Buddy & Sheik

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Pets/Animals, , ,
Sheik (left) and Buddy must be adopted together as a bonded pair

Each week WKTV features adoptable pets from area shelters. This week, we focus on a couple of cuties from West Michigan Ferret Connection.

 

By West Michigan Ferret Connection

 

Is there a ferret in your future? Since December 22, 1994, ferrets have been legal to own in Michigan. They make very fun pets, but they’re a lot more work than one might think.

 

First, ferrets can live up to 10 years old. That means you’ll need to make a commitment. Then there is the little matter of a very busy and curious little creature who requires mental stimulation and plenty of exercise in ferret-proofed surroundings. Ferrets also need annual vaccinations against distemper and require a rabies shot as well. They are also accident prone, will often eat things they shouldn’t and will need ideally half-yearly health checks with their vet. This can all add up and you may incur similar costs to having an outdoor cat.

 

There are several ferret breeders out there, but the sad fact is, for every ethical breeder there are many backyard breeders who don’t have the animals’ welfare at heart.

 

“In my opinion, ferrets are best obtained by rescue, not from a pet store where ferrets are ‘sold’ specifically for profit,” said Dee Gage, founder of West Michigan Ferret Connection. Featured for adoption this week are Buddy, a one-year-old male chocolate ferret and Sheik, a two-year-old black sable.

 

Dee Gage with her “ferret bouquet”

“I do not ‘sell’ ferrets. I ‘re-home’ them,” said Gage. “They’ve already been ‘dumped’ once and I want to make sure they are not dumped again. The ferrets under my care deserve to have a safe and secure ‘forever’ home and I do everything I can to guarantee that.”

 

There are no “breeds” of ferrets. There ARE, however, 38 different colors and patterns.

 

Established in October 2001, West Michigan Ferret Connection re-homes an average of 50 ferrets per year. Visit their Facebook page here.

 

Is a ferret the right pet for you?

“Ferrets aren’t for everybody and I can’t stress strongly enough that you should do your research,” said Gage.

 

A group of ferrets is called a “business”

Buddy and Sheik must be adopted as a bonded pair. If you’re interested in adopting these cuties, Call WMFC at 616.447.2978 or email wmfc2001@sbcglobal.net.

 

The West Michigan Ferret Connection is a home-based ferret rescue providing rescue services, boarding, adoption & education.

Employment Expertise: The power of words

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By West Michigan Works!

 

A résumé should display your unique skills and abilities. A strong résumé should make you stand out from the crowd, so try to show your work history and abilities in an interesting way. One way to do this is using action-oriented words to describe your individual talents.

 

Choose words that show employers real activities with measurable results. Words like “was” or “became” do not say much about what you actually did. Instead, choose verbs that lead to questions such as “how,” “how many,” “how much,” “when,” “where,” “who” and “why.” Good words should make you want to include more details and make the reader want to know more.  You can provide the specifics on how you achieved your results during the interview.

Example of weak word choice:
“I became Lead Scheduler after six months with the office.”

Example of strong word choice:
“I reduced the number of unfilled appointments by 30% in my first 6 months with the office.”

Here are 20 action verbs to consider using in your résumé:

  • Accomplished
  • Arranged
  • Assisted
  • Collaborated
  • Completed
  • Delivered
  • Generated
  • Improved
  • Managed
  • Monitored
  • Operated
  • Planned
  • Processed
  • Produced
  • Reduced
  • Reported
  • Scheduled
  • Screened
  • Tested
  • Updated

Take the time to review and re-write your résumé to include strong action verbs. This will clearly show the employer the value you will offer as an employee. You want your résumé to make a good first impression so you’ll get the interview!

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

On the shelf: ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , ,

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

 

“Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow, grow.” ~ The Talmud

 

Push is a beautiful, strong novel that reads like raw poetry. The narrator, Claireece Precious Jones, speaks right to our heart, in an original, spare, untouched way. Physically, mentally and sexually abused by both of her loathsome parents, she has “slipped through the cracks” of myriad social welfare systems and finds herself pregnant with her father’s second baby at age 16. Illiterate, obese, friendless and despairing; half crazed from her torturous home situation, Precious experiences times of fading into and out of awareness.

 

One incident is going to bring about seismic changes in her life though —

 

This author grabs us by the neck and makes us think and makes us mad.  When did incest, child abuse, institutional failure and depraved people lose the power to shock us? The saddest part is that it’s one more look into the “banality of evil” and our fascination with it. As one of the girls from Precious’s new alternate school, “Each One Teach One” says, “Everybody likes to hear that story. Tell us more tell us more more MORE about being a dope addict and a whore!” But there’s a lot more to the story than that, and the end is well worth the beginning. If it seems a little gritty at times, remember that former First Lady Barbara Bush highly recommends it.

 

Sapphire reminded me of Charles Dickens, writing about the deplorable conditions of his time in Victorian England. Both authors want to move us to action with their unforgettable characters and fast-paced plot. This isn’t a book anyone will put down midway.

 

We may not want to see what Sapphire shows us in her mirror, but we look anyway. It’s good that we do, because everyone will take away something different and something valuable from this short volume.

 

The Public Museum’s newest exhibit goes dark, allowing the creatures to light the way

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Fireflies dancing across the night sky. Jellyfish floating gracefully through a sea’s current. Each of these offer a colorful display of light in the darkness.

 

That generation of light by living things is called bioluminescence, which is created by chemical reactions. And it is not produced for beauty but used to attract a mate, lure unsuspecting prey and/or defend against a predator. These creatures who use bioluminescence are the focus of a new Grand Rapids Public Museum exhibit, “Creatures of the Light.”

 

“This is a very different exhibit for us,” said Kate Moore, the Public Museum’s vice president of marketing and public relations, adding that is partly because the exhibit is in very low light as to better showcase the bioluminescence of the plants and animals featured. “It is a different topic then what we have offered in the past and it has an emersion feel that you experience as you travel through the exhibit.”

 

Opening on Saturday and running through July 9, “Creatures of the Light,” starts by exploring the living things that are on the ground that utilize bioluminescence, such as mushrooms, or fly through the air, such as fireflies. From there, it travels to Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand where visitors can feel what it is like to view the worms in the caves.

 

The recreated Waitomo Glowworm Caves of New Zealand. (Photo courtesy of the Grand Rapids Public Museum)

Then the exhibit heads to open water, where a majority of bioluminescence creatures live. “In the depths of the ocean, there is complete darkness so the animals living there survive using bioluminescence,” Moore said. Think of “Finding Nemo,” when Dory and Marlin, swimming in complete darkness, see a light and follow it almost right into the hungry mouth of a angler fish.

 

But before you can get to the depths, you must first explore the ocean’s surface where plankton organisms called dinoflagellates will follow your movement and creating a glowing halo around anything that moves. From there, is the Bloody Bay Wall, lit up by coral and fishes followed, of course, by jellyfish. And then finally, you are where almost 90 percent of the bioluminescence animals live, 2,200 feet below sea level in darkness, where the angler fish is waiting to greet you along with some other interesting animals.

 

While the exhibit is dark, it is not scary, Moore said with Public Museum’s Marketing Communications Manager Christie Bender liking it to a ride at Disney World that has little or no light. “It’s a fun experience,” Bender said. “It has that Disney ride, magical sense.”

 

Elements such as the illuminated floor with the dinoflagellates will easily entertain along with the wonderment of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Adding to the exhibit, will be a pop-up store by the entrance into the exhibit offering glow sticks, as well as other items, allowing participants to “glow” as they move through the exhibit.

 

“Creatures of the Light” is one of two new spring/summer exhibits at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Opening in May will be “Mindbender Manson,” which will feature 40 brain teasers and five group activities.

 

“The Museum is excited to bring in these two new, innovative exhibits that encourage our visitors to explore more about the world around us, as well as test knowledge and
skills in puzzle solving,” said GRPM’s President & CEO Dale Robertson. “’Creatures of Light’ reveals some of the most magical, wondrous, and truly extraordinary creatures and phenomena to be found in the natural world, and ‘Mindbender Mansion’ is a family friendly way to learn and adapt constructive thinking skills.”

“Creatures of Light” is part of the museum general admission which is $8 for adults, $5 for  Kent County resident adults; $7 for seniors, $3 for Kent County resident seniors, and $3 for students.  “Mindbender Manison” will be $10 for adults, $5 for children, $7 for Kent County resident adults and $2 for Kent County resident children, and free for Museum members.

For more information about exhibits and programs at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, visit www.grpm.org. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is located at 272 Pearl St. NW.

Government Matters: March 6-10 week in review

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Peters named Ranking Member on Senate subcommittee overseeing U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA

“Next to our people, the Great Lakes are Michigan’s most precious resource and play a central role in our state’s economy, environment, and way of life,” said Senator Peters.

“As Ranking Member of this subcommittee, I look forward to continuing my bipartisan work to protect and preserve the Great Lakes and strengthen our economy by advancing commercial shipping, fishing and tourism industries. These efforts take on a new urgency and importance in light of reports outlining President Trump’s proposed cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other important programs — cuts that pose a threat to our Great Lakes.”

NOAA provides research, information, and services to support decisions that affect recreation, the environment, public health and safety, and the economy of the Great Lakes. Their Office of Marine Sanctuaries manages the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary to protect the unique history preserved by more than 100 discovered shipwrecks within the sanctuary while also maintaining responsible and sustainable recreational and commercial uses in the area.

As a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force and Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Peters has made the protection and preservation of the Great Lakes a top priority. His efforts include:

  • Co-authored legislation that was signed into law to increase federal pipeline safety and oversight by designating the Great Lakes as a high consequence area, improving oil spill response plans to address ice cover and require critical reviews of pipeline age and integrity.
  • Worked to secure authorization for a new icebreaker in the Great Lakes as part of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015. In the winter of 2014-15, ice cover on the Great Lakes contributed to an estimated 3.2 million ton decrease in cargo, costing nearly $355 million in lost revenue and 2,000 lost jobs.
  • Passed a provision requiring the USCG to conduct an assessment of oil spill response activities for cleanup in fresh water, especially under heavy ice cover.
  • Introduced the Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act to provide better federal funding opportunities, update technologies and create new research projects to benefit the Great Lakes. Despite the size of the Great Lakes and the value of the fishery, the Great Lakes science program does not have the same funding authorizations as science centers on saltwater coasts.
  • Led delegation of Great Lakes Senators in urging Department of Transportation to take a leadership role in the implementation of a first-ever regional strategy for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence maritime transportation system (MTS). Currently, the Great Lakes MTS is a major regional and national transportation asset, but is significantly under-utilized and operating at an estimated 50% of its full capacity.

Peters, colleagues urge Trump Administration to stop cuts to Coast Guard

Proposed 12 percent cut would severely restrict Coast Guard’s national, economic security operations on the Great Lakes

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee overseeing the U.S. Coast Guard, helped lead a bipartisan group of 23 Senators in a letter urging Office of Management and Budget Administrator Mick Mulvaney not to make a $1.3 billion dollar cut to the budget of the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to reports, the FY 2018 Presidential Budget Request could amount to almost 12 percent of the service’s budget being cut. The U.S. Coast Guard plays a critical role in protecting our Northern border along the Great Lakes, conducting counter-terrorism patrols and law enforcement operations, and ensuring the smooth flow of goods on Great Lakes year round.

The Coast Guard is responsible for patrolling 721 miles of Michigan’s northern border to protect national security and combat drug and human trafficking. In Michigan, they operate a fleet of six cutters, three air stations and two Aids to Navigation teams that support critical ice-breaking operations, conduct search and rescue missions and provide navigation support to ships on the Great Lakes.

Senators Peters, Perdue reintroduce ‘No Hero Left Untreated Act’

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and David Perdue (R-GA) have reintroduced the No Hero Left Untreated Act to enhance medical care for America’s heroes. The bipartisan legislation would create a pilot program to test an innovative treatment called Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy for veterans to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other mental health issues. Peters and Perdue are both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Peters is a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Sen. Gary Peters

“Veterans suffering from the devastating effects of PTSD, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma deserve to have the best, most cutting-edge treatment available,”said Senator Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

“Incorporating innovative new treatment options like Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy technology into VA medical centers has the potential to improve treatment for veterans and create meaningful change in their lives.”

The No Hero Left Untreated Act would establish a pilot program at two medical centers within the VA network and enroll up to 50 veterans in Magnetic EEG/ECG-Guided Resonance Therapy (MeRT) for a one-year period.

Huizenga testifies before Congress on Great Lakes economy

Congressman Bill Huizenga, Co-Chair of the U.S. House Great Lakes Task Force, testified before the House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee on the importance of properly using funds collected in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and water infrastructure across the Great Lakes. Congressman Huizenga discussed the strong bipartisan effort he has led to hold Washington accountable and make the federal government live up to its promise of dredging harbors across the Great Lakes. Huizenga also warned of the negative economic consequences including fewer jobs and fewer American products being exported should the federal government fail to live up to its obligation.

Peters urges FCC to protect Internet access for rural, high-poverty schools & libraries

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) joined his colleagues in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to protect the E-Rate Program, which ensures the neediest schools and libraries — especially those in rural and high poverty areas — have affordable Internet access. The E-Rate Program has given students across Michigan access to modern teaching tools that expand their knowledge and prepare them to enter the 21st century workforce. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s recent decision to retract a report detailing the E-Rate Program’s success has stirred concern that the new Administration will not support the vital program.

“E-Rate helps schools and libraries in every state by supporting access to modern communications and the Internet. Such access is critical if we are a country that is serious about preparing and educating our children for the digital age,” the Senators wrote.

Peters joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Al Franken (D-MN), Jeffery Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bob Casey (D-PA) in signing the letter.

NPR comedian James Judd comes to Saugatuck Center for the Arts

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,
James Judd

By Angela Peavey

Saugatuck Center for the Arts

 

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts opens its 15th anniversary season with the star of NPR’s Snap Judgement comedian James Judd.  Judd will be at the SCA one night only: March 18.

 

The storyteller and comedian takes audiences on a rollercoaster joy-ride, sharing tales that pull you up and down and leave you laughing till you cry. The Toronto Star calls Judd, “off-the-wall and out-of-the ballpark entertainment,” and the San Francisco Chronicle says Judd is, “hilarious!”

 

A former member of the Los Angeles based improv group—and Saturday Night Live training ground—The Groundlings, Judd worked the stand-up circuit until he was 30, when he made a U-turn going back to law school to become a criminal defense attorney. Ultimately Judd returned to comedy but this time through autobiographic storytelling.

 

Judd is a recurring storyteller on the acclaimed radio show Snap Judgement and can be heard at festivals across the nation.  “Like David Sedaris on a pot of coffee,” says the Democrat & Chronicle.

 

The show is at 8 p.m. at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver, Saugatuck. Tickets are $29 in advance and $32 the day of the show. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

On the shelf: ‘Feed Your Pet Right’ by Marion Nestle & Malden C. Neshiem

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Steve Maesen, Grand Rapids Public Library, Van Belkum Branch

 

Within the “I didn’t know I needed it until I read it” genre Marion Nestle and Malden C. Neshiem’s Feed Your Pet Right: The Authoritative Guide to Feeding your Dog and Cat is an informative overview on pet nutrition as well as an interesting look inside the multi-billion dollar a year pet food industry.  Investigating both the widely available commercial foods and the less common, though growing, holistic/organic/natural/raw pet food movements, what they discover about what goes into our pet’s food is surprisingly comforting.

 

Throughout the book the authors provide detailed descriptions of the different kinds of pet foods, treats and supplements on the market: where they come from, why they are used and whether or not they should be used in pet food. Looking into such controversial ingredients like animal by-products the reader may well be surprised by their conclusions. Acknowledging the various issues many people have with feeding their pets “commercial” grade food, they engage the reader in a discussion about what roles personal ethics and morals play in selecting pet foods.

 

Worth the read, if only for the brief but fascinating history of pet food in America, the book also serves as an informative and objective reference for any pet owner who wants to make sure they are doing the best they can for their four-legged friend.

 

Spring Ahead: 5 warm weather prep ideas to save energy and money

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By ACSET Community Action Agency

Daylight savings time begins at 2 am, Sunday, March 12 this year. Did you know daylight savings time began in the U.S. to increase daylight hours and decrease candle usage to save money? Instead of looking at spring’s annual time change as the loss of an hour of sleep, consider using it as reminder to make your home more efficient for the spring and summer.

ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) currently has funds available to help qualifying individuals weatherize their home. Weatherization services not only reduce heating costs in the winter but help keep your home cooler in the summer. Learn more about the Weatherization Assistance Program here and contact us to see if you qualify at 616.336.4000.

Here are five more ways to save energy and money this spring and summer!

  1. Change your furnace filter. If you haven’t done this in a while, now is a great time. After running more to heat your home over the winter, your furnace will thank you. Not only will it improve the air quality in your home, it will help your furnace run more efficiently — saving you money!
  2. Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. This is a task that is easily forgotten but incredibly important for your family’s safety. Test all of your detectors and swap out old batteries. Need a new detector? Many fire departments have free smoke detector installation programs; contact yours to find out more.
  3. Tune up your AC. Your air conditioner needs upkeep to work as efficiently as possible this upcoming summer. Changing the filters will improve efficiency and save money, but having a professional check your system before the weather heats up is an even better idea.
  4. Redirect ceiling fans. Did you know that in the winter you should set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to distribute warm air? Likewise, set your fans to rotate counter-clockwise in the spring and summer. This can keep your rooms cooler in warm weather, limiting the need to run the air conditioner.
  5. Dust. Over the winter dust can accumulate in nooks and crannies. Do some spring cleaning to remove dust from electronics that may be forcing them to work harder. Dust air vents to allow for maximum efficiency and circulation. Vacuum your refrigerator coils. The dust that settles there can cause your fridge to work harder and cost you more money.

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

Complete list of honors at Wyoming Department of Public Safety even

Citizen Journalism

 

Supplied by the City of Wyoming

 

The City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety honored its police officers and firefighters, as well as select community members, for their service to the community in 2016 on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Wyoming Senior Center.

 

Each year a Public Safety Awards Board, consisting of department members, reviews nominations for 30 different awards, including firefighter and officer of the year. Following is a complete list of winners:

 

Certificate of Merit:

Officer Adam Bartone

Officer Aaron Gray

Officer Russ Kamstra

Officer Andrew Koeller

Officer Jesse Lopez

Detective Rob Meredith

Officer Erich Staman

Detective DJ VerHage

Officer Chad Wells

Officer Joshua Yancho

Equipment Operator Troy Landis

Firefighter Tom Marsman

 

Certificate of Achievement:

Det. Sgt. John McCaw

 

Life Saving Award:

Officer Mike Nachtegall

Officer Ryan Patterson

Officer Eric Toonstra

Lt. Chris Velzen

Firefighter Eric Campbell

Equipment Operator Scott Vredevoogd

Firefighter Todd Yonkers

 

Individual Commendation:

Lt. Kirt Zuiderveen

Sgt. Jeff Bylsma

Sgt. Corey Walendzik

Sgt. Eric Wiler

Officer Dustin Cook

Officer Chris DeBoer

Officer Kelsey Eisen

Officer Aaron Freeman

Officer Aaron Gray

Officer Kresten Green

Officer Ben Hecksel

Officer Dwayn Holmberg

Officer Andrew Koeller

Officer Jesse Lopez

Det. Jacob Marckini

Officer Kesha McConaha-Schultz

Officer Jason Murdock

Officer Ryan Patterson

Det. Dennis Pittman

Officer Ryan Silvis

Officer Jake Terpstra

 

Unit Commendations:

Officer Matt Rooks

Lt. Dennis VanTassell

Lt. Chris Velzen

Firefighter Brad Bennett

Equipment Operator Dan Deppe

Firefighter Brad Dornbos

Firefighter Matt Frazee

Firefighter Kyle Visser

Equipment Operator Scott Vredevoogd

 

2016 Officer of the Year: Officer Carmen Morales

2016 Civilian of the Year: Milt Zaagman

2016 Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter Lance Bowman

 

Chief’s Award of Professional Excellence: Det. DJ VerHage and Firefighter Brad Dornbos

 

Deadline for 2017 Eclipse Award entries fast approaching 

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By WKTV Staff

 

Calling the best and brightest producers, directors, actors, writers, and filmmakers to submit their entries for the 2017 Eclipse Awards! Entries are accepted until March 27th, 2017.

 

The Eclipse Awards honor content creators for Excellence in Craft in the disciplines of film, television, video, acting, sound, music and writing. Created by WKTV Community Television and Media as a means of empowering the West Michigan “voice” of content creators, the Eclipse Awards has become the “big event” for the creative community.

 

“There really are a large number of content creators here who are either fully established and enjoy the recognition or who are just starting out and have that spark of genius with a great idea,” said Tom Norton, General Manager of WKTV.

 

Tom Norton, General Manager of WKTV Community Television and Media

In the first round of voting beginning right after March 27th, voting members from Michigan select the nominees. Nominees are then announced at 7 pm EST on Monday, April 17th and streamed live on the WKTV Youtube Channels. A link will be available on The Eclipse Awards website, theeclipseaward.com. A second round of voting begins following the announcement and this time, voting members are joined by industry peers across the US and in Europe.

 

The tallies from those votes then decide from the list of nominees who will be the recipient of The 6th Annual Eclipse Award in each category and craft.

 

The Hyperion Award — a leadership award given to outstanding leaders in TV, Film and the Arts — is voted on by the Eclipse Awards Board of Governors. The name “hyperion” refers to the light that exists behind an eclipse and this is the leadership that The Hyperion Award honors; the individual in West Michigan who by example and leadership encourages others to excel and contribute to an already thriving community of content creators.

 

The 2017 Hyperion Award recipient will be announced on the day the Eclipse Nominations are announced and will be presented at the 6th Annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony televised live from City Flats Ballroom on Thursday, May 18th.

 

NEW to the Eclipse Awards this year, Los Angeles distributor FairwayFilm Alliance, through their Rogue Arts label, is offering a first look to the 6th Annual Eclipse Award winners in the feature film and documentary category. Following the night of the awards ceremony, when the winners are known, the connection between Fairway Film Alliance and the winner(s) in these categories will be arranged.

 

“We’re tremendously pleased to be working with all of our sponsors,” said Norton. “They really believe in the importance of West Michigan having regional awards recognition to help foster the creative spirit. The democratization of media over the last few decades has really given voice to a much wider array of creativity and WKTV wants to see it grow and expand.”

 

Here are the important dates:

  • Friday, March 27th at 5pm — Entry Window Closes
  • 1st Round of Voting Begins
  • Nominations Announcement 7pm on Monday, April 17th
  • Hyperion Award Recipient Announcement Monday, April 17th 7pm
  • 2nd Round of Voting Begins with National Judges
  • Nomination Certification Party, Monday May 15th
  • The 6th Annual Eclipse Awards Excellence in Craft Award Ceremony, Thursday, May 18th 7pm

 

More information can be found on the website www.theeclipseaward.com or by calling 616.261.5700. Entries are $35 for content creators and $20 for students, however there is no student criteria for voting by the judges.

 

The 6th Annual Eclipse Awards is sponsored by WKTV Digital Cinema, the West Michigan Film Video Alliance, West Michigan Film Office, Compass College of Cinematic Arts and Ferris State University.

 

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day with Irish singer, songwriter Cathie Ryan and Grand Rapids Pops

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , , ,
Cathie Ryan

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk 

 

For nearly 30 years, Cathie Ryan has been a leading light in Irish music.

 

The former lead singer for Cherish the Ladies has recorded five solo albums on her own and collaborated with a galaxy of Irish and Celtic musicians. Twice she’s been named Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade by LiveIreland and honored as one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish Music Magazine.

 

Surprisingly, the singer and songwriter isn’t from Dublin; she’s from Detroit.

 

A first-generation Irish-American, Ryan is the daughter of immigrants Mary Ryan from County Kerry and Timothy Ryan from County Tipperary. Though she grew up surrounded by the music of Motown in the Motor City, Ryan also was steeped in the music of her ancestral home. Her father sang tenor, her grandmother was a fiddler and singer, and Ryan regularly crossed the Atlantic Ocean to visit relatives back home.

 

Singing “songs of the heart” in a distinctive soprano voice, folksinger and songwriter Cathie Ryan joins the Grand Rapids Pops for a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration that opens on St. Patrick’s Day itself, March 17.

 

Associate Conductor John Varineau leads the Fox Motor Pops concerts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 17-18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW.

 

The Cathie Ryan Band, with traditional musicians Patsy O’Brien on guitar and vocals, Patrick Mangan on fiddle, and Brian Melick on percussion, perform Ryan’s original songs such as Carrick-a-Rede plus a blend of Irish traditional music mixed with rafter-raising jigs, reels and rousing Irish step dancing with special guest dancers, West Michigan’s own Scoil Rince Ní Bhraonáin.

 

Ryan’s tales about her parents and their childhood in Ireland, paired with her humorous take on Irish culture, creates a true celebration of Irish-American music.

 

Ryan’s family’s musical legacy, coupled with the early influences while growing up as a member of The Gaelic League and Irish-American Club of Detroit, gave Ryan her start. But she faced challenges along the way.

 

She left Detroit to attend Fordham University in New York. In the early 1980s, she sang in a band, married a musician, became a mother and set aside her own musical career. Then she got divorced.

 

When her son was little, she cleaned houses during the day and returned to school at night, eventually finishing her bachelor’s degree in English literature and secondary education at the City University of New York in 1991.

 

But four years earlier in 1987, Ryan became the lead vocalist for Cherish the Ladies, writing songs including the title track for Cherish the Ladies’ 1992 album, The Back Door.

 

A 1995 appearance on a PBS-TV special, A Christmas Tradition with Tommy Makem, starring the Irish folk musician and storyteller, gave Ryan the break she needed to launch a solo career.

 

Cathie Ryan has been in the vanguard of Irish music ever since. Her fifth CD, Through Wind and Rain, is bringing her music to a much wider audience.

 

Closer to home, in 2012, Ryan was one of the first people inducted into the Michigan Irish Hall of Fame alongside another well-known descendant of Ireland, Henry Ford.

 

Tickets

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 am-5 pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

 

Full-time students of any age are able to purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Passport program. This is a MySymphony360 eligible concert.

Employment Expertise: 5 reasons to say “Yes!” to a temporary job

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Nearly 3 million people hold temporary jobs. The number is expected to increase as employers struggle to meet growing demand for goods and services. The trend is seen in a variety of occupations and pay levels, in all industries and at companies, large and small.

 

Temporary employment appeals to employers for obvious reasons, but there are advantages for employees as well. While temporary jobs are just that —temporary — taking a short-term position can be a smart career move.  Here are five reasons to seriously consider a temporary job:

  1. Temporary work can be a great opportunity to develop new skills or open the door to a new industry you hadn’t considered. You can also use the opportunity to sharpen your current skill set. Many staffing companies provide training to their temporary workers.
  2. Whether the position turns into a permanent job or not, you’ll meet new people. You’ll leave the job with new personal and professional connections. An expanded network can only improve your job search.
  3. If you’ve been unemployed for a long time, you may feel restless or hopeless. A temporary job can provide much-needed structure and purpose to your day.
  4. Temporary work often leads to permanent employment. A good work ethic and positive attitude will capture any employer’s attention. Treat everyday like an audition; if the employer is looking to hire full-time, you’ll be a front-runner.
  5. “A” job is better than “no” job. A temporary job beats a large gap in employment history on your resume. Many recruiters and employers will see your temporary work as a positive sign of your ambition and work ethic.

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

Cat of the week: Kate Spayed

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By Sharon Wylie
Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable cat from Crash’s Landing or Big Sid’s Sanctuary. Both cat rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Petrovich, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

It is infuriating when so-called ‘pet-owners’ move out and leave their cat (or dog behind), but when winter is in full force and they toss their pet outside to fend for themselves, well we find that selfish act unforgiveable. Luckily a rescuer was hot on the trail of a homeless tail attached to a very striking and saucy girl who wanted back indoors in the worst kinda way. She scooped her up, creating a cozy bed for her in the garage for the night (she has over a dozen kitties of her own so it wasn’t feasible to bring her into her actual home) until she could bring her to the clinic on Dec. 6, 2016.

 

At first the red patch tabby (born in the summer of 2013) was none too pleased being temporarily caged at the clinic, so Dr. Jen let her acclimate overnight, which helped adjust her cattitude immensely. Canned food proved to be the gateway to her soul, and by the next morning Dr. Jen was able to work her up to get her program-ready. With the exception of fleas, Kate Spayed, as Dr. Jen dubbed her, was a pretty healthy girl—thank goodness!

 

Once at Crash’s the diva that is Kate surfaced — she grumped, grumbled and groaned when any other inquisitive feline got too close to her personal space. One-on-one with the humans is another story — she is delightful, possessing the charm and manners of a sophisticated lady, but in the presence of those of her own kind, Kate tends to show her less than purrsonable side, getting overwhelmed quite easily and issuing warning bites so everyone knows to leave her alone. For that reason, we feel that our gorgeous gal should go into a home without any other cats or small children who may not understand her cues when she has simply had enough.

 

Don’t get me wrong, as she is a lovely cat who wants nothing more than to be loved—and to love on her person once again; she doesn’t understand why she was tossed out like trash, she doesn’t understand why her people chose not to love her anymore. What Kate DOES understand is that she is currently bunking with over 40 other cats who want to tickle her whiskers, snuggle up beside her and make friends, but she simply doesn’t have that desire in her. Plain and simple, she just wants a person to cherish her and make her feel comfortable and secure again—and we feel that is not too much to ask for at all; after all, Kate deserves to be a valued furry family member!

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

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

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

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.

UCOM benefit concert a ‘great way’ to discover what it is all about, according to director

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

United Church Outreach Ministry, or UCOM, is the secret that is not a secret, according to its Executive Director Dr. Bruce Roller.

 

For more than 30 years, the organization has provided resources to those in the community who are low income, “trying to give them the hand that they need, whatever that hand is, to help them move to a better quality of life,” Roller said.

 

For the clientele, what UCOM provides is no secret. This has included providing food and clothing for immediate needs along with programs such as financial, health, and workforce development. One of those programs has been “tutoring and mentoring in public schools so that the children get the eduction they deserve and are able to move on in that next generation,” Roller said, adding that could include perhaps going to college, which for some may have not been an option.

 

However, for those not in need or having never needed services like what UCOM offers, the organization may seem like the “best kept secret in town.”

 

“I don’t really like to say that,” Roller said with laugh, “as it is my job that it isn’t.”

 

Julianne Howe-Bouwens, seen here rehearsing for a Grand Rapids Civic Theatre production, will perform at this year’s 14h Annual Friends of UCOM Benefit Concert. (Photo by now.wktv.org)

One of the best ways UCOM representatives have found to share with its community about its mission and work is through the 14th Annual Friends of UCOM Benefit Concert which is Sunday, March 12, at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4010 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. Tickets are $25 with the event starting with a silent auction at 5 p.m. and a concert following at 6 p.m.

 

“This is a good place for people to jump in and begin to see what we do, Roller said. “They may begin to want to get involved in the work that is going on here.”

 

“This fundraiser, this effort, these people are so amazing,” said Julianne Howe-Bouwens, a local actress and singer who will be performing at Sunday’s Friends of UCOM Benefit Concert. “They help the community in so many ways by providing for people who are in need and it is such an honor for me to be a little part of that effort.”

 

Howe-Bouwens, who starred in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Sister Act” last year, will be joined by the area’s longest continuing choir, The Schubert Male Chorus. The entire program is coordinated by Phil Pletcher, who has lended his expertise to all of the benefit concerts these past 14 years, according to Roller.

 

The Schubert Male Chorus

UCOM was started in 1969 by the women of Smith Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ. The group began with a food collection and hot lunch program for students at neighboring Hall Elementary School, now Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School. As the group learned about its community needs, the program expanded and changed to fit them, with UCOM becoming what it is today. UCOM is now located 1311 Chicago Dr. SW, Wyoming and is part of the All County Churches Emergency Services System (ACCESS), serving those in southwest Grand Rapids, Grandville, and Wyoming.

 

Roller said he hopes through programs like the benefit concert that UCOM will continue to expand its efforts to meet the needs of those it serves.

 

For more about the 14th Annual Friends of UCOM Benefit Concert or UCOM, visit www.ucomgr.org.

On the shelf: ‘My Cross to Bear’ by Gregg Allman

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,

By Lisa Boss

Grand Rapids Public Library

 

Born in 1947, Allman looks back on a long life, having beaten the odds, so to speak. In a career field where sex and drugs are ubiquitous, he stood out with six ruined marriages and decades of heroin, coke and alcohol addictions. In 1995, after an embarrassing speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Gregg went into his last rehab. In 2010 his liver had deteriorated so badly from the Hepatitis C that he received a transplant. But wait, it’s not all bad news!

 

His memoir is a fascinating chronicle of the twists and turns of the Allman Brothers band, forging a new sound back in the sixties — “southern rock”, a mix of blues, rock and country. It’s also an honest, revealing look at a man remembering a life filled with triumphs and failures. Some of the material about his mom and brother Duane is just kind of heartbreaking, and the photos underscore the sense of love and loss.

 

An interesting twist for me was that when I had finished the book, I checked out the library’s collection of Allman Brothers music, and found that I really liked the CD, Low Country Blues — that Allman recorded at the age of 63 — best. He went back to the blues roots that he loved, and the tracks have that haunting, powerful sound. So, maybe getting clean and finding religion was the best thing he ever did musically…

 

Author of ‘The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas’ to visit March 22 & 23

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By Jennifer Jameslyn, GVSU

 

Interested in attending the author lectures, or meeting the author? Anand Giridharadas will be giving two public lectures:

 

March 22, 7 pm, Herrick District Library in Holland, Michigan

 

March 23, 7 pm, Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, GVSU Allendale campus

 

Grand Valley State University’s Community Reading Project is a signature program of  Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Each year, the project selects one book to explore through discussion, co-curricular programming, classroom study and hands-on experiences in the Grand Rapids community. The year culminates in a visit from the author.

 

This year’s selection is The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas, by Anand Giridharadas.

 

Imagine that a terrorist tried to kill you. If you could face him again, on your terms, what would you do? The True American tells the story of Raisuddin Bhuiyan, a Bangladesh Air Force officer who dreams of immigrating to America and working in technology. But days after 9/11, an avowed “American terrorist” named Mark Stroman, seeking revenge, walks into the Dallas minimart where Bhuiyan has found temporary work and shoots him, maiming and nearly killing him. Two other victims, at other gas stations, aren’t so lucky, dying at once.

 

The True American traces the making of these two men, Stroman and Bhuiyan, and of their fateful encounter. It follows them as they rebuild shattered lives—one striving on Death Row to become a better man, the other to heal and pull himself up from the lowest rung on the ladder of an unfamiliar country.

 

Ten years after the shooting, an Islamic pilgrimage seeds in Bhuiyan a strange idea: if he is ever to be whole, he must reenter Stroman’s life. He longs to confront Stroman and speak to him face to face about the attack that changed their lives. Bhuiyan publicly forgives Stroman, in the name of his religion and its notion of mercy. Then he wages a legal and public-relations campaign, against the State of Texas and Governor Rick Perry, to have his attacker spared from the death penalty.

 

Ranging from Texas’s juvenile justice system to the swirling crowd of pilgrims at the Hajj in Mecca; from a biker bar to an immigrant mosque in Dallas; from young military cadets in Bangladesh to elite paratroopers in Israel; from a wealthy household of chicken importers in Karachi, Pakistan, to the sober residences of Brownwood, Texas, The True American is a rich, colorful, profoundly moving exploration of the American dream in its many dimensions. Ultimately it tells a story about our love-hate relationship with immigrants, about the encounter of Islam and the West, about how—or whether—we choose what we become.

 

Watch the author’s TED talk here to get an overview of the events of the book and their connection to present day issues:

 

You can participate in a virtual book discussion led by GVSU Brooks College alum Ashley Nickels here.

 

Check out the author’s most recent article, connecting the events of True American to the tragic shootings of two Indian immigrants in Kansas here.

 

 

Government Matters: The week in review

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Congressman Bill Huizenga’s Listening Tour is March 6 in Grand Haven

Congressman Bill Huizenga announced that the second stop on his listening tour will take place on Monday, March 6th in Grand Haven. The town hall style listening session will be held in the auditorium of Lakeshore Middle School and begin at 7 pm. This event is open to all residents of Michigan’s Second Congressional District. Media is asked to RSVP to Brian.Patrick@Mail.House.Gov.

  • Who: Congressman Bill Huizenga
  • What: A Town Hall Listening Session
  • Where: Lakeshore Middle School Auditorium – Lakeshore Middle School is located at 900 Cutler Street in Grand Haven
  • When: Monday, March 6th Doors at 6:15 PM, Town Hall from 7-9 pm

Signs will not be permitted in the auditorium. Those who would like to display signs are welcome to do so outside the middle school prior to the event.

Congressman Huizenga’s first listening tour stop took place in Baldwin on February 25th and was attended by over 300 people.


The State and Local Cyber Protection Act

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and David Perdue (R-GA) have introduced bipartisan legislation to help state and local governments combat cyber threats by increasing coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The State and Local Cyber Protection Act requires DHS’s National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) to provide assistance and training for state, local and tribal governments in preventing, preparing for and responding to cyber threats.

According to the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), state governments have identified improving cybersecurity as a top information technology priority. However, state and local governments often lack the resources or technical expertise to defend their networks from cyberattacks. Analysis from the Brookings Institute found that state and local governments vary widely in their abilities to budget sufficient resources and field the technical expertise necessary to respond to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. The State of Michigan estimates that they detect over 600,000 attempted intrusions to their information systems every day.

“This bipartisan legislation will help ensure every level of government has the necessary tools to protect their networks and respond to cyber attacks,” said Sen. Peters.


Self-driving vehicles

U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Representatives Fred Upton and Debbie Dingell called on the Trump Administration to prioritize the development and testing of connected and self-driving vehicles in the President’s proposed budget for 2018. The Members of Congress sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao urging them to include $200 million in their 2018 federal budget request for facilities designated by DOT as proving grounds for automated vehicle testing. In January, DOT designated ten sites across the country as national proving grounds, including the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti.

The letter calls for federal funding to help support the development of automated vehicle proving grounds and promote safe testing to validate these self-driving technologies and ensure they are ready for use on American roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 35,000 people are killed on our roads and highways annually. Connected and self-driving vehicle technologies have the potential to reduce accidents and save thousands of lives.

Full text of letter here.


Preparing youth and adults for high-skill, high-demand jobs

U.S. Senator Gary Peters has joined the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, a bipartisan caucus focused on improving and strengthening access to career and technical education. CTE programs help prepare youth and adults for high-skill, high-demand jobs in fields ranging from health care, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, information technology, marketing and sales, public safety and more. Each year, over 100,000 Michigan students enroll in CTE programs across 16 different career pathways.

“In an increasingly dynamic economy, we must invest in education and workforce development to equip workers with skills they need to compete in the 21st century,” said Senator Peters. “Career and technical education helps prepare America’s workforce for the jobs of the future in high-demand, good-paying career fields. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus to continue supporting CTE programs.”

Register now for kids’ Spring Break cooking classes at the Downtown Market

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , ,

 

By Downtown Market Grand Rapids

 

Spring break is nearly here and you know what that means — a lot of extra time for kids to get antsy, especially if you plan on staying home. No worries! The Downtown Market has the perfect recipe for keeping kids ages 7-11 engaged — take a trip around the world without leaving Grand Rapids!

 

KIDS SPRING BREAK GLOBETROTTERS

Doing a staycation this spring break? The Downtown Market can help! Spring break classes will take kids around the globe as they make foods such as Jamaican jerk chicken skewers, Asian egg rolls, Norwegian elk sliders and Madagascan marshmallows on the braai. For kids ages 7-11.

  • Tues., April 4, 10 am-12:30 pm — $50/child
  • Wed., April 5, 10 am-12:30 pm — $50/child
  • Thu., April 6, 10 am-12:30 pm — $50/child

KIDS SPRING BREAK ROADTRIPPERS

For the young domestic traveler, you’ll visit a few delicious U.S. destinations that are sure to expand kids’ culinary knowledge. Kids will cook up tasty Memphis barbecue, Chicago-style hot dogs and southwest veggie quesadillas. Not to be forgotten, the Floria orange sorbet will have your kids asking, “Are we there yet?” For kids ages 7-11.

  • Tues., April 4, 2:30-5 pm — $50/child
  • Wed., April 5, 2:30-5 pm — $50/child
  • Thu., April 6, 2:30-5 pm — $50/child

Click here for the complete April 2017 culinary calendar.

On the shelf: ‘In Pharaoh’s Army: Memories of the Lost War’ by Tobias Wolff

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,

 

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library

 

After reading Jon Krakauer’s new book, Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman, (which is an excellent book!), I remembered that Tobias Wolff had also been in the Special Forces during the Vietnam era, and that both Tillman and Wolff were unusually honest in their thoughts about the military.  While Krakauer’s work about Tillman’s life trajectory from childhood to pro-football to Afghanistan is contemporary, Wolff needed a lot more time to distill the essence of his experience.

 

He begins his memoir at the wheel of his armor-plated truck, rolling along towards a chaotic street scene. He honks a warning — another one — and then, since the villagers do not get their bicycles out of the road, Wolff runs right over them.

 

“Seven months back, at the beginning of my tour, when I was still calling them people instead of peasants, I wouldn’t have run over their bikes. I would have slowed down or even stopped until they decided to move their argument to the side of the road, if it was a real argument and not a setup.    

 

“But I didn’t stop anymore. Neither did Sergeant Benet. Nobody did, as these peasants — these people — should have known.”

 

The parallels between then and now are thought-provoking, because while Wolff’s slim volume was written almost 30 years after his military experience of 1967-68, one wonders if it could be yesterday in Iraq or Afghanistan.

 

Wolff’s ultimate take on the Vietnam war was, “Here were pharaoh’s chariots engulfed; his horsemen confused; and all his magnificence dismayed.”  By contrast, Krakauer, an excellent writer and journalist, leaves us to draw our own conclusions, as to where we are headed in Afghanistan.

 

Government Matters: Protecting the Great Lakes

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In response to recent moves by the White House

  1. ordering a hold on the release of a tentative plan to stop Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes by strengthening a choke point in the Chicago waterway system, and
  2. slashing EPA funding that pays for Great Lakes pollution cleanup by 97 percent (which would virtually eliminate annual Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding)

Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Congressman Mike Bishop (R-MI) and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) led a bipartisan letter to President Trump requesting that he personally intervene to help protect the Great Lakes by releasing the first draft f the Brandon Road Report. The letter also respectfully requests President Trump to instruct the Army Corps of Engineers to continue working with state and local officials, as well as Great Lakes stakeholders, to implement a long-term solution for keeping Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes. The bipartisan letter is signed by 26 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

“In order to protect both the ecosystem and the economy of the Great Lakes, we must have complete, accurate, and reliable information from the Army Corps of Engineers,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “Delaying the release of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam evaluation does nothing to stop the threat Asian Carp and other invasive species pose to the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet. By slow walking this important information, the federal government is jeopardizing the livelihood of hardworking families in Michigan and across the Great Lakes Basin. Time is of the essence.”

 

The text of the letter to President Trump is available online here.

ACSET: Providing access to healthy food

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Your Community in Action!

By Community Action Partnership of Kent County

A trip to the grocery store is a regular part of many families’ weekly routine. Most people are lucky enough to hop in their car and run to the nearest store where they have access to an abundance of nutritious foods and fresh produce. But what happens if you don’t have reliable transportation? Is there a grocery store close enough that you can walk? Can you easily get to a store using public transportation? Once you get there, how do you carry your groceries back home?

Many households in our country face too many challenges to access healthy food for their families. According to the USDA, there 2.3 million Americans living in low-income areas that are 10 miles or more from a grocery store or supermarket. These areas are defined as food deserts because residents have limited access to affordable, healthy food.

Living in a food desert is a serious health concern. It has been found to lead to greater risk for heart disease in adults. Children are at risk too. Studies have found 53% more cases of asthma in kids who live more than a mile from a grocery store.

If you or someone you know is living in a food desert, there are local organizations working to address nutrition needs. ACSET CAA has many community partners that distribute healthy food throughout the county through their nutrition services. This includes locations within known food deserts. To learn more about qualifications, distribution dates and locations, visit CAA’s website: http://communityactionkent.org/programs/nutrition-services/

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

It may have been warm, but WinterFest was a success

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Students participate in basketball at Wyoming Junior High School. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

The weather was unseasonably warm for Wyoming’s first WinterFest, making organizers a little nervous as to whether residents would visit the seven sites hosting activities.

Those worries were put to rest as by 9:30 a.m. the Wyoming Junior High School already was hopping with students and adults getting in some hoops in the gym, visiting booths in the halls, and snagging some breakfast and partaking in the cake walk game in the cafeteria. By 10:30 a.m., greeters estimated that they had gone through about half of its 300 bracelets that each of the seven locations received to help count participants.

Students participate at one of the WinterFest booths. (WKTV)

“We are celebrating the success of the first One Wyoming WinterFest,” said Rachel Verwys, one of the event organizers. “Through the seven locations, we believe we connected with about 1,400 people through Wyoming for a fun-filled event that connected residents to one another and to community resources.”

Put together by the One Wyoming Community Collaborative, which is made up of a collaboration of school, businesses, government, churches, nonprofits and residents to improve the quality of life in the community, the Wyoming WinterFest was considered the next step in working to bring residents, community leaders and business owners together to start the dialog of what they can do to improve their neighborhood, according to Jon Shaker, the marketing director for the salvation army Kroc center, one of the sponsors for the event.

“This is really nice for the community,” said Marilee Taken, from Beverly Reformed Church, located just down the street from Wyoming Junior High School. The church was handing out mugs, shirts, and popcorn. “It is such a wonderful idea to bring the community together for something fun and a great opportunity to meet your neighbors.”

Having grown up in the area of the Wyoming Junior High School, Elevation Church Pastor Chris Hall said he was thrilled at the opportunity to bring community members together to enjoy some fun activities – Hall’s church was providing the basketball games – and fellowship.

The vendor hall at the Wyoming Junior High School. (WKTV)

Even before the actual event, the planning process brought together more than 40 partners, businesses, nonprofits, churches, the city residents and schools, Verwys said. The idea was to have various locations opened within the city to bring the residents and organizations from that neighborhood together to start their own dialog on what they could improve their neighborhood, Shaner said. Along with the Wyoming Junior High School, The DOCK/The PIER, Vanguard Charter Academy, Calvary Church, Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, Community Church (Godwin Heights), and Grace Bible College all participated in the Wyoming Winterfest, which was Feb. 18. Locations were open at various times with each location offering food and an arrange of activities.

Many had planned winter activities. Hall said at the Wyoming Junior High School, there had been plans to have snow sculpting, but it was changed to fun with bubbles. “We just go with the flow,” Hall said.

As to whether the warmer weather helped the event, Verwys said she was not certain, but it certainly did not impede residents from attending.

“Another goal we accomplished was the connectivity to local community resources like health care organizations such as Metro Health Hospital, the library, KSSN, and the Girl Scouts,” she said. “The service volunteers provided at each location was amazing, WinterFest provided an avenue for about 350 people to serve generating well over 1,000 hours of service.”

With the Wyoming WinterFest deemed a success, One Wyoming is back at work planning future community-wide collaborations. Verwys said up next is a community-wide Earth Day event set for April 22.

Kentwood 50: Opening celebration brings dignitaries to town

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Former Kentwood mayors Richard Clanton, Jerry DeRuiter, and Bill Hardiman; former mayor Richard Root’s wife, Karleen; Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kelley, and first mayor Peter Lamberts’ son Richard.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It was a celebration of Kentwood’s past and future as residents, city leaders, school officials and students came together Monday night for the city’s kick off to its 50th anniversary.

 

Feb. 27, 1967, the Kentwood City Commission had its first meeting at Bowen Elementary School, so organizers of the year-long celebration decided it would only be fitting, and a perfect way to kick off the 50th anniversary celebration, if fifty years to the day, the Kentwood City Commission would have its meeting at Bowen Elementary School.

 

 

Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff said the district was excited to be able to help make that happen as both school and city officials are proud of the strong partnership that exists between the two organizations. In fact, at the meeting, Zoerhoff said it is that partnership between the Kentwood Public Schools and the City of Kentwood that has made the community the incredibly strong one that it is.

 

“I am excited to see what we will do in the next 50 years because its going to be something,” Zoerhoff said.

 

State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-26th District) presents a proclamation with current and former state legislators to Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley.

Last night’s celebration had a definite eye toward the city’s future with Kentwood Public Schools students open the meeting with the Pledge of Alliance followed by students welcoming audience members in their native language, wearing the clothing of their homeland, which was designed to celebrate one of the city’s most unique attributes — it’s diversity. In fact, Kentwood is often called “the melting pot” as its residents represent more than 60 different countries, speaking more than 70 languages.

 

“If you ask a citizen of Kentwood why they like the city of Kentwood, the first thing that will come of of their mouth usually is diversity,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley to the almost 200-person crowd in attendance.

 

Kentwood’s residents’ and leaders’ willingness to work together have made it the success it is today, said State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-26th District), who, on behalf of the state legislature and with other state officials, presented the city with a special proclaimation. For that reason, she believed the quote at the top of the proclamation from Henry Ford was especially appropriate for the city: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

 

Lt. Governor Brian Calley, who also was in attendance along with other national, state, county and local officials, said it is the attitude of strong people, strong families and strong communities that has made Kentwood and West Michigan the vibrant community it is today. He said that Kent and Ottawa counties make up 10 percent of the state’s population but has been about 20 percent of the job growth over the last six years.

 

Kentwood Public School students participate in the program with a special welcome to the audience.

“So in celebrating 50 years, I want to say to the leadership that this doesn’t happen by accident,” Calley said. “It happens when people really know there stuff. Who are accountable and transparent and have the type of professionalism to do it and do it right.

 

“And clearly in Kentwood, you do it right.”

 

At the closing of the meeting, each of the commissioners talked about how much they have enjoyed living, working and serving Kentwood, making it a place to call home.

 

“How can a community so diverse unify?” Kepley said. “I think we have the answer not just for Michigan, the country, but for the world. It is a very simple word, and the word is love.

 

“We love each other. Neighbors love each other, taking care of each other and that neighbor might not look like you, talk like you, worship like you, but there is love there and I think that is why it all works.”

 

During the meeting, Kentwood resident Dale Potter was recognized for his 30 years of service to the community as representative of the importance volunteers have played in building the city and helping to continue to grow, Kepley said. Also a clip of the Kentwood 50th Documentary was shown, which was produced by WKTV. The full documentary will be available March 20 and will air on WKTV.

 

The Kentwood 50 celebration continues as the Taste of Kentwood is March 2 and the audition deadline of the Kentwood’s Got Talent is Friday, March 3. The first round of the Kentwood’s Got Talent is March 9. For more information, visit www.kentwood50.com.

Eclectic season planned for GR Symphony in 2017-18

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,

 

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk

 

The Grand Rapids Symphony has unveiled its 2017-18 season with classical blockbusters, classic rock, Broadway’s biggest hits, family friendly entertainment and cinematic special events including second and third films in the Harry Potter Film Concert Series with live music.

 

In 2017-18 the symphony will perform all-time classical favorites including Ravel’s Bolero, Holst’sThe Planets, Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony No. 41, and an all-Tchaikovsky program on the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical series.

 

In addition to pianist extraordinaire, Nelson Freire, world-famous soloists including violinist Sarah Chang and pianist Gabriela Montego — all three personal friends and colleagues of the Grand Rapids Symphony’s new Music Director Marcelo Lehninger — will perform on the stage.

 

The 2017-18 season*

Grand Rapids Symphony’s 88th season includes such monumental works as Richard Strauss’ epic tone poem, Ein Heldenleben or A Hero’s Life in DeVos Hall.

 

The Brazilian-born Lehninger will lead the orchestra in several pieces by Brazil’s best-known composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, including Momoprecóce featuring Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire. Several years ago, Lehninger led a performance of it with the Freire and the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood.

 

Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus will join the orchestra for Verdi’s Requiem in the fall and for Beethoven’s “Choral” Symphony No. 9 to end the 2017-18 season.

 

“It’s one of the pieces I enjoy conducting the most,” Lehninger said about the Verdi Requiem.

 

*Click here for a pdf of the lineup.

 

St. Cecilia Music Center

At St. Cecilia Music Center, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Crowe Horwath Great Eras and Porter Hills Coffee Classics series will expand from three concerts to four.

 

Sarah Chang, who was in Grand Rapids as St. Cecilia Music Center’s 2011 Great Artist, will open the Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2017-18 season with West Side Story Suite for Violin and Orchestra, arranged for her by David Newman from Leonard Bernstein’s musical score. The performance coincides with the 100th anniversary of Bernstein’s birth in 1917.

 

“Sarah’s a wonderful violinist, a wonderful artist, and a personal friend of mine,” Lehninger said. “She’s the only one who plays the piece, so it was a perfect fit.”

 

Venezuelan pianist Gabriella Montero will be soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, part of the all-Tchaikovsky program Lehninger will lead.

 

“Gabriella has a sound, a big, round sound that’ll be perfect for it,” Lehninger said. “She’s a great, great pianist with a great personality, a wonderful heart, and a fabulous musician.”

 

The Grand Rapids Pops

Join the Grand Rapids Pops at the movies for a full-length screening of An American in Paris starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, the 1951 film powered by live musical accompaniment. Back by popular demand, the Fox Motors Pops Series celebrates the music of one of the greatest film composers in history with ‘Star Wars’ and More: The Music of John Williams.

 

The six-concert season, which opens with a salute to the music of Fleetwood Mac by the rock group Landslide, includes an evening of Broadway blockbusters with songs from Broadway’s biggest shows of all time including Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, The Sound Of Music, Chicago, A Chorus Line, and Cats.

 

Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt will be on the podium for the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops, one of three shows he’ll lead on the series. Associate Conductor John Varineau will conduct the other three concerts including The Second City Guide to the Symphony, an evening of sketch comedy and beautiful music featuring The Second City comedy troupe.

 

A highlight of the 2017-18 season will be special-event screenings of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the second and third films in the Harry Potter franchise of eight movies, based on the books by J.K. Rowling.

 

Meanwhile, the Grand Rapids Symphony will unveil its 2017 D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops series in mid-March. Plenty of great music is coming this summer to Cannonsburg Ski Area.

 

Back to Carnegie Hall in 2018

Nearly 12 years ago, the Grand Rapids Symphony capped off its 75th anniversary season with a trip to the Big Apple and a concert in New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

 

New York Times critic Bernard Holland, noting the enthusiastic reception for the orchestra in the 2,800-seat hall, began his review with, “The Grand Rapids Symphony came to Carnegie Hall on Saturday night and brought a good part of the city with it.”

 

The Grand Rapids Symphony, under Lehninger, will return to Carnegie Hall near the end of its 88th season in April 2018. The Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, for the first time, will travel along with the orchestra for the performance in the world-famous concert hall.

 

The Brazilian-born conductor will be joined by the eminent Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire for a performance on April 20, one week after appearing in DeVos Performance Hall with a concert featuring Freire as soloist in Manuel de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain and Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Momoprecóce.

 

Tickets

Season tickets are on sale now with select concerts also on sale to subscribers. Subscriptions are available at a discount of up to 50 percent off select series and seats for new package orders. Single tickets will be available beginning July 31.

 

Tickets are available at the GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 am-5 pm, at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

Author of ‘The End of Your Life Book Club makes a stop at Schuler with new book

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Will Schwalbe understands the importance of books in a person’s life.

 

It was the connecting force between Schwalbe and his mother as she dealt with pancreatic cancer. As the two sat waiting for her chemo treatments, Schwalbe turned to his mother and asked what she was reading. The following discussions on books lead to the runaway bestseller “The End of Your Life Book Club.”

 

As Schwalbe, toured with the book, he had a number of people reach out and ask for lists. “It got me thinking about life and books,” he told publishersweekly.com. So this time around, he put together a book, “Books for the Living” that is a celebration of reading and recommendation of specific books that may guide people through their daily lives.

 

Will Schwalbe

“I wanted this book to be a kind of virtual experience of sharing,” he said to publishersweekly.com. “Also a theme that was very important to me was the role of reading in our lives and being more thoughtful in limiting our electronic time.”

 

Schwalbe will be visiting Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE, Friday, March 10. The program is at 7 p.m. with a book signing afterwards.

 

Schwalbe is the the founder and CEO of Cookstr.com, a leading recipe and cookbook website. As a journalist, he has written for various publications, including “The New York Times” and “The South China Morning Post.

 

For more about the the author visit or other programs at Schuler Books & Music, visit schulerbooks.com.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Carrot

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , ,
Meet smart, sassy Carrot!

 

Each week WKTV features adoptable pets from area shelters. This week, we focus on Carrot, a bunny available for adoption at West Michigan Critter Haven.

 

By West Michigan Critter Haven

 

Carrot is a Dutch rabbit with a beautiful gray and white coat. But she’s more than looks. She’s a smart, sassy girl and knows what she likes. She adores shoulder rubs and bum scratches. Like most rabbits, she takes pride in her personal space and doesn’t approve of any rearranging that she hasn’t done herself. She loves fresh leafy greens and grass hay. She will grunt her disapproval if you don’t feed her quickly enough, too. Her foster person adores her and Carrot has wiggled her way into the hearts of many that have followed her story and generously donated to cover her medical costs.

 

Like many of our surrendered critters, Carrot the rabbit was relinquished to us by a family who had outgrown her. She was a pet shop purchase for their daughter. Several years later when the daughter left for college, the parents decided they no longer had the time to care for Carrot. They reached out to us and we took Carrot as soon as we had an opening in our foster network, in October 2016.

 

As soon as Carrot came into our care, we had a suspicion something wasn’t quite right. While doing a careful physical check and nail trim for Carrot, we noticed her belly was quite enlarged and as tight as a drum. Our minds immediately went to reproductive organ cancer since Carrot was an unspayed female. Unfortunately, unspayed female rabbits have an 80 percent chance of developing uterine cancer. Spaying and neutering rabbits is absolutely crucial to their health and wellbeing. This is something that many rabbit owners are not aware of.

 

As with all of our unaltered foster rabbits, Carrot went in for her spay surgery just a few days after coming into our care. Our worst fears became reality when our veterinarian informed us that while the surgery went well, Carrot had been suffering from uterine cancer. The mass that was removed from her was nearly one-third of her body mass. And to make matters worse, less than 24 hours after her surgery, Carrot promptly demolished her sutures and ate the staples that were required for the size of the incision.

 

Carrot is a fighter with a huge personality. Her x-rays showed no signs of cancer anywhere else in her body. She also successfully passed her staples. We’re happy to say she’s in wonderful health. So aside from scaring the heck out of us with a rollercoaster of medical issues, the only thing she has left to do in our care is find her forever home.
Carrot is roughly six years old. In rabbit years, this is about middle age. Rabbits routinely live to be 12 years and older. She’s litter trained and spends her unsupervised time in a large dog exercise pen where she can stretch out and romp around freely. We do not advocate the use of cages, as they are quite restrictive. When supervised, she loves exploring her bedroom and other bunny-proofed parts of her foster home.

Carrot is a sweet, independent rabbit that will require a patient, loving adopter. She would do best in a home with adults or a family with mature children who will respect her and give her the space she needs to adjust. Since rabbits are prey animals, most do not like to be held. She is the type of rabbit that enjoys human company on her level. She enjoys flopping down near you while you watch TV or enjoy a book on the floor with her. She will also beg sweetly for treats by standing on her tippy toes against you to do her best to reach the treats in your hand!

Wearing the ‘cone of shame’ after eating her staples

Rabbits are not easy, starter pets. Carrot’s story is the perfect example of this. They are extremely intelligent and trainable. They require attention, love and a life indoors with their families. West Michigan Critter Haven is a chapter of the House Rabbit Society. To learn more about caring for rabbits, please visit http://rabbit.org/.

 

More About Carrot

  • Litter trained
  • Spayed
  • No small children

Want to adopt Carrot? Her adoption fee is $75. You can learn more about Carrot and other West Michigan Critter Haven adoptables at http://wmicritterhaven.org. All adopters must be at least 18 years old.

 

Interested in fostering small animals for West Michigan Critter Haven? Email info@wmicritterhaven.org.

 

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Donate at http://wmicritterhaven.org!

Employment Expertise: First steps to a positive online presence

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , ,

 

By West Michigan Works!

 

More and more HR professionals are using the Internet to find information about job candidates. In a recent poll of recruiters, 93% said that they look at a candidate’s social profile and 42% of those said that they’ve reconsidered a candidate based on what they found.

 

Knowing this, how can you create a good online first impression? Here are a couple tips to get you started.

 

Google yourself. Look at the first three or four pages to see what an employer will see. A search that brings up negative or inappropriate content could land you in an employer’s reject pile. And while having negative content online may hurt your chances of landing a job, having no information is almost as bad; recruiters may see this being out of touch or lacking skills.

 

To combat this, you need to get fresh, positive content on the Internet. A good way to do this is to create or update your LinkedIn profile.

 

LinkedIn is the #1 social media site that employers and recruiters use to search for candidates, so it’s important to have a complete profile with detailed information about your skills and experience. Pay close attention to the following:

  • Photo: Your profile is 11 times more likely to be viewed if you include a photo of yourself. Be sure to use a professional-looking photo.
  • Headline: Your headline is the short description of you that follows your photo in LinkedIn. A strong headline uses key words that are relevant to the position that you’re searching for and makes people want to view your profile. This is your opportunity to sell yourself in 120 words or less. Be concise. Be creative.
  • Network: Once you set up your profile, connect with everyone you know: current and former colleagues, past employers, people in your industry, neighbors, family, friends and former classmates. And don’t forgot to follow companies that you may be interested in.

Building your online presence takes time, but these steps are a good start. Once you get some positive content on the web, remember to monitor it on a regular basis.

 

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