Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

Chiaroscuro Int’l Film Series returns for 11th season on Jan. 15

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism,

By Kerri VanderHoff

 

The Chiaroscuro International Film Series has announced its 11th season with five celebrated films from around the world. The theme for this year’s award-winning roster of films is “Journeys.”

 

Using a variety of narrative, cinematic and thematic devices, each film explores the idea of the journey — external, internal, metaphorical or otherwise. The programs begin at 2 pm on scheduled Sundays from January through March at UICA, 2 West Fulton in Grand Rapids and include a short film, the feature presentation, a panel discussion and a reception with refreshments. All programs are free and open to the public.

 

The 2017 films and their screening dates include:

 

Jan. 15 — Mustang (Ergüven, 2015) Turkey/France

The film is set in a remote Turkish village and depicts the lives of five young orphaned sisters and challenges they face growing up as girls in a conservative society.

Jan. 29 — Güeros (Palacios, 2014) Mexico

Three restless teens search for folk-rocker Epigmenio Cruz on the streets of Mexico City during the student strikes of 1999.

 

Feb. 12 — Of Horses and Men (Erlingsson, 2013) Iceland

Vignettes of life in a rural Icelandic community show the intertwined lives of humans and equines.

 

Feb. 26 — Timbuktu (Sissako, 2014) Mali/France/Mauritania

A Malian cattleman and his family face the wrath of Islamic fundamentalists after a tragic accident.

 

March 12 — About Elly (Farhadi, 2009) Iran

A young teacher disappears before being introduced to a potential suitor in northern Iran.

 

The Chiaroscuro film selection committee considers various criteria during the nominating process of the international films including variety in country of origin, length, critical acclaim, availability and status as a West Michigan premiere viewing.

 

The selection process for the local student short films is also done by committee. Each submitted film is viewed and finalists are chosen through discussion and consensus. Finalists also have the chance to win best short film of the series, with a cash prize of $250. More information on how to submit a film for consideration, as well as the award information for best short film, can be found on the website.

 

The panel discussion is organized with consideration of each film selected. Two experts are invited to sit on the panel, one is knowledgeable in film studies and the other deeply connected to the culture represented in the film. Feedback and questions from audience members is greatly encouraged.


The reception that follows the film viewing and panel discussion completes the afternoon immersion in world culture by offering complimentary food and drink and a comfortable space to gather outside the theater. This allows participants a space to mingle with others and build upon the ideas presented earlier in the program, encouraging further dialogue and cultural exchange in a friendly, casual setting.

 

Everyone is welcome to enjoy Sunday afternoons of film, food, and cultural exchange. The series offers an engaging way to experience the world without leaving town. All films are shown in the state-of-the-art theater at the UICA in downtown Grand Rapids, 2 West Fulton. Parking garage is available, entrance is off Commerce Street. Follow on Facebook and check the website often for updated announcements on panelists and other information.

 

About the Chiaroscuro International Film SeriesThe Chiaroscuro International Film Series is a non-profit cultural and educational organization fostering a deeper understanding of world cultures through the medium of film. Chiaroscuro enriches the West Michigan cultural landscape by presenting films in a setting that encourages discussion and enjoyment through a shared social experience.

 

Serving the greater Grand Rapids community, Chiaroscuro provides a forum for award-winning cinema and support of local emerging filmmakers.

Eclectic Edinburgh

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Travel, , , , ,

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

How do you know when you’ve landed in Scotland? The men are in skirts, of course! Kilts, to be more accurate.

 

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, was my first stop, with its beautiful medieval Old Town and elegant Royal Mile. The cobblestone streets are lined with shops selling everything in plaid — kilts, scarves, purses, postcards, mugs and key rings, as well as other Scottish paraphernalia.

 

The Royal Mile is crowned at the top with Edinburgh Castle, protecting Scotland’s crown jewels and Stone of Destiny, surrounded by a sweeping view of the city, and anchored at the bottom by Holyrood Palace.

 

In between are the Closes, or Wynds — narrow lanes and alleyways where residents used to live. They were named after the most prominent citizens or businesses, and it was highly unusual for one to be named after a woman. Mary King’s Close is underground, the city was built up over it, and it’s open to the public for tours, if you dare — urban legends tell of hauntings from plague victims and things that go bump in the night. It’s an eerie but fun way to learn of some of Edinburgh’s history.

 

image-175-1024x768Musicians play their bagpipes on the streets, haunting music swirling amongst the beautiful old buildings, and neighborhoods like Grassmarket house hostels and kilt makers, bookstores and gift shops plus plenty of pubs, many with colorful histories. Have no fear if you’re a foodie, there are plenty of places to eat as well as drink.

 

It was such a lovely day, I decided to climb Arthur’s Seat, a nearby extinct volcano with incredible views from the top. “It’s not as hard as it looks,” people told me. It appeared daunting, but I gave it a go. I counted around 900 uneven stone steps, and when the steps ended, there was a dirt path, then it was pretty much rock climbing. I saw moms with little kids, and people in their 70s, so I figured I should be able to do it too. Happily, I had my hiking boots on.

 

I thought I was at the top, only to find another steeper bit to climb. But I made it — 360 degree views, with all of Edinburgh as well as the sea spread below me. The crystal clear day was perfectly still.

 

“It’s usually windy up here,” a woman told me, “you’re lucky.” Yes, I am.

 

image-227-1024x768There’s so much to do in Edinburgh, but of course Scotland is known for its whisky, so why not check out the Whisky Experience? You’re sent off on a Disney-like ride in a barrel where a “ghost” hologram tells you about the three ingredients of whisky — water, malted barley and yeast, and how it’s fermented and distilled and aged in barrels, much like wine. We got to scratch and sniff a card that showed the scents of the four different Scottish whiskey regions — Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside and Islay, which correspond to the flavors of citrus, vanilla, banana and smoke. Then the best part, taste-testing! Plus there’s a sweep through the world’s largest whisky collection, with more than 3,600 bottles.

 

The National Gallery, with free admission, is full of religious, allegorical and impressionist paintings or if you’re more into writing than art, Edinburgh is known for it’s fair share of authors, including  Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott, and you can learn about them in the Writer’s Museum.

 

Or you can even go on a literary pub crawl and combine the spirit of history with spirits of a more liquid nature. Your hosts, actors in character, will lead you on an informative romp through several lively night spots.

 

image-197-1024x768More appropriate for the younger set — you can stop for a coffee or cocoa at the place where J.K. Rowling penned much of her first Harry Potter book.

 

As an alternative to expensive hotels and preferring a more local experience, I’d booked an Air B&B with a lovely couple a short bus ride out of the city in an area called Portobello, where I had the best of both worlds — close to the city center, but a block from the beach, and Scotland was experiencing some unseasonably warm early fall weather.

 

What do you do when your hosts invite you to a real Scottish meal of Haggis and you’ve discovered on a tea towel in town what’s in it? You suck it up and try it, of course, and I have to say, it was really quite tasty, along with the neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes), although I tried not to think of the ingredients.

 

One day my host wasn’t busy and accompanied me for an afternoon. She’d packed a picnic, which we shared on a bench in a park overlooking the city, then walked through town to the botanic gardens to view an art exhibit and strolled towards home along Leith canal, the clouds and blue sky reflected in the water, with ducks and swans gliding by, a lovely last day in historic, eclectic Edinburgh.

 

Lest you be disappointed, having perhaps heard of incessant Edinburgh drizzle, I did manage to experience one day of gray, gloomy skies and damp weather, so I’ll leave you with this, a perhaps more common view of this fabulous historic city.

 

image-218-1024x768About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50+ free spirit whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

 

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Cat of the week: Rowdy

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , , , ,
Rowdy is adoptable!

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).

Rowdy’s rescuer has a way with cats — even the most timid of tom cats can’t resist her gentleness and this guy was no exception, although it did take quite a bit of sweet talking to reel him in, after which the rescuer and her cousin carted him off to Focus on Ferals for evaluation and neutering in mid-March 2016.

Although he was none too pleased, in time he did manage to forgive her and allowed her to once again pet him. She bestowed upon him the name of ‘Rowdy’ (born in the fall of 2011), not because he was a hellion at heart but simply because he gave her such a hard time when it came to corralling him into a travel carrier. She chose the name Rowdy after the character Rowdy Yates from the classic Rawhide television show back in the day of Clint Eastwood’s prime.

Rugged and ragged are two words that aptly described this handsome hunk when he arrived at the clinic on March 28 as he was sporting a previously broken tail tip, missing a canine tooth, was filthy and grimy with a stud tail present (from being intact for so long), in dire need of dental cleaning and sporting a nasty bite wound on his chest.

As you can imagine, this guy probably had some harrowing tales to tell, but instead he chose to keep quiet, hunker down in the safety and confines of the cushy cage Dr. Jen set up for him, and rest and recover. Wary and battle-weary, the poor guy needed spiffing up before going down to the sanctuary to be spoiled; he tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

Once at Big Sid’s, Rowdy settled in, though at times it appeared as though he was afraid of his own shadow. With not a mean bone in his handsome, hunky bod, it does take him time to warm up, relax under a gentle touch and get to know you. The volunteers are patiently guiding him through daily life at the free-roaming facility, where he is making furry friends and reveling in the fact that he doesn’t have anything to be frightened of; his fighting days are over and his life of luxury has begun.

The dozens of doting caretakers are professionals when it comes to reassuring the shy guys, so in time, Dr. Jen has no doubt that Rowdy will be rolling on the floor, showing off his belly and relishing the attention showered on him.

MORE ABOUT ROWDY

  • FIV-positive
  • House trained
  • Spayed/Neutered
  • Current on vaccinations

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

Get info about Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) 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.

Wyoming Public Safety investigates domestic assault that involves a shooting

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

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety continues its investigation into a shooting of a 21-year-old suspect from Wyoming, who is now being lodged in the Kent County Jail for assault charges.

 

At 4:25 a.m. Dec. 31, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety was dispatched on an active domestic dispute that involved a shooting in the 3500 block of Goodman Avenue SW. The suspect was shot once in the shoulder. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect has since has been lodged at the Kent County Correctional Facility and is being held on a charge of felonious domestic assault/strangulation, according to police officers.

 

After investigation at the scene, it was determined that the suspect was actively attacking/choking a 20-year-old female from Wyoming. The suspect pursued the female and assaulted a 66-year-old, also from Wyoming, who was in the home as well, according to police. The two victims were able to lock themselves in a bedroom but the suspect kicked down the door of the bedroom, according to a report from the department.

 

The suspect began to assault the two and the 66-year-old was able to retrieve a handgun and fired one shot into the suspect’s shoulder, according to the report.

 

The two victims received non-life threatening injuries.

 

The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety detectives are continuing the investigation into the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

 

On the shelf: ‘Life’, by Keith Richards

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,
lifeOn the Shelf Book Review
By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

The dark, working man’s engine of the Rolling Stones comes across as a modern Odysseus, relating his memoirs. Looking back at 66, he doesn’t pull many punches. All the Stones gossip is here, and the great musical history, but there’s also a wealth of unexpected human experience that adds up to a compelling memoir.

Born in 1943 near London, Keith grew up a mum’s boy, an only child with a pet mouse for company, who sang soprano, and was a devoted boy scout. Surrounded by a bevy of women — mum, aunts, and girl cousins — he “learned about women” early on, much to his later advantage. His grandfather, Gus, a former band leader, used to take him on outings to escape all those females, and sparked his passion for music. Richards combines a unique voice with the storyteller’s art. His ghost, James Fox, did an excellent job of organizing the material, so the result flows like a personal conversation.
The way-of-the-rock-star is known for egregious excess of course, and there were a lot of casualties along the way. Maybe he came out alive, but the betrayal of the 60’s creed of the “free” life, including his struggle with heroin, and the death of friends, relationships, and even his infant son, could hardly leave Richards unscathed. Why he should be left standing is a mystery. He has his theories, but Richards lets his life speak for itself.

5 ways to help the homeless this winter

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

Your Community in Action!

By Area Community Services Employment & Training Council (ACSET)

 

Each year, communities across the country conduct a point-in-time (PIT) count of homeless individuals. On January 27, 2016, the PIT count for Kent County was 800 persons. While the majority of the homeless were in transitional or emergency shelter that particular evening, over 5% were identified as being unsheltered. This means they were sleeping without shelter in the harsh winter weather.

 

Our community has many shelters, serving hundreds of people each year. Every winter they are faced with an urgent need to prevent frostbite, hypothermia and even death among our homeless population. ‘Tis the season to give, so here are some ways you can help.

 

 

  1. Emergency Shelter – Warming centers and emergency overnight shelters provide temporary protection from extreme weather. A list of resources in downtown Grand Rapids can be found here. If you see someone on the streets in freezing temperatures, contact the Heart of West Michigan United Way’s 2-1-1 database by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-887-1107 to get help.
  2. Give Winter Gear – shelters will accept donations of warm winter clothing, including thermal underwear, boots, coats, hats and gloves. Or you can contact a shelter to see if they have any specific needs. Again, 2-1-1 is a great resource to find a shelter near you.
  3. Volunteer – Most shelters and homeless programs are busiest during the winter months and could use more help. Contact a shelter near you to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
  4. Donate – Because this is the busiest time of year for shelters, they are using more. If you typically make an end-of-year donation, consider a monetary gift to a local shelter. You may even be able to set up a recurring donation so you keep giving throughout the year.
  5. Advocate – Advocacy means using your voice to address the root causes of homelessness, such as access to affordable housing. Whether you generate awareness on social media or make a call to your legislators about the issue, using your voice is an inexpensive way to help fight homelessness.

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.

Grant helps Wyoming make improvements at Ideal Park

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Ideal Park was loved for its dense tree canopy now lost from the 2014 tornado.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The City of Wyoming received a yearend bonus from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust this month when it was awarded a $300,000 grant to help rebuild Ideal Park.

 

Announced last week, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board’s recommendations totaled more than $47.6 million for projects in 2017. This included $19.9 million in recreational development and $27.7 million in land acquisition projects. Of the $19.9 million recreational development funds, the City of Wyoming received one of the largest grants of $300,000.

 

Ideal Park was reopened this past summer.

City officials had made it clear that the grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust was key in helping to rebuild the park which was devastated during a 2014 tornado wiping out the park’s playground, tennis and basketball courts and a majority of the trees.

 

“We are extremely excited that our City has been chosen by the state as a grant recipient for 2017,” said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. “The grant awarded by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund will allow the City to continue restoring Ideal Park, which sustained tremendous damage after the (2014) EF-1 tornado touched down.

 

“There is still more work to be done, but the state grant allows us to tackle some of the most pressing issues.”

 

The city spent the next two years cleaning up the park, located at 5843 Crippen Ave. SW, and just reopened it this past summer. The park currently does not have any playground equipment or basketball or tennis courts.

 

One of the unique features of Ideal Park is that Buck Creek runs through the middle of the park..

Because of the amount of damage caused by the tornado, it gave city officials and residents a chance to review the current layout of Ideal Park and consider some improvements in access and safety, said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Wyoming’s director of community services.

 

“What the city had done in the past with Ideal Park was to maintain the historical heritage of the park for the community,” Rynbrandt said. In fact, Ideal Park pre-dates the City of Wyoming, having been created in the 1930s.

 

One of its natural features is that Buck Creek runs through the middle of the park with bridges providing access to most of the parks amenities such as the shelters and former playground area. This also created limited access for emergency personal and others if something should happen at the park, Rynbrandt said.

 

So the city began to look at ways to reconfigure access into the park with a new gateway from Crippen Street, a new drive from Crippen Street to east lot and a connector drive to Averill Avenue. Other improved security and access include a connector path from art deco bridge to the west lot, lighting in parking areas, a new west parking lot gate, new natural area between Park Drive and west lot, open play area with irrigation, basketball court, trailhead signage, a footpath trail to connect to existing pathway and interurban trail and a new creek overlook.

 

Playground areas within Ideal Park were destoryed by the 2014 tornado.

The $300,000 grant money will be combined with with about $508,000 the city has to move forward on the first phase for Ideal Park, Rynbrandt said. That includes developing construction drawings and hopefully going out for bids at the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018 with construction starting in 2018, she said.

 

The City of Wyoming has a  five-year parks plan which shows more than $26 million in capital need such as major maintenance and replacing of assets such as playgrounds, fencing and trail work. Among those capital improvements is funding the master plans for Ferrand, Oriole Phase II, Jackson and Gezon. In May, Wyoming will ask voters to allow City leadership to change the way dollars can be spent under the dedicated Library Maintenance millage to help with the capital improvements at the parks.

 

Two other Kent County municipalities received funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust, the City of Rockford for its Rogue River Nature Trail Phase IV, $150,000, and Algoma Township’s River’s Edge Park Development, $50,000. A total of 79 projects throughout Michigan received grants.

House-sitting in the Highlands with Hamish

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Travel, , , ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

Castles in the sky, or at least close — my house sit in Fort William, in the Highlands of Scotland, came in the form of a Victorian manse, complete with a lively companion.

 

The Highlands have long been high on my list, and I had two weeks to enjoy the fall with free accommodations in exchange for keeping an eye on this lovely home and entertaining my new furry friend, Hamish. Little did I know that he had 100 times my energy and would keep me on my toes about 14 hours a day. A Border Collie blend, Hamish loves to chase balls, from the crack of dawn (over 50 throws before breakfast) until late at night, with enough zest to knock the stuffing out of both the balls and me.

 

11Luckily, there was a jacuzzi with a view for some recuperation! The hot water and jets felt heavenly on my sore muscles — both throwing arms as well as legs from hiking.

 

When he was not chasing balls, Hamish loved to show me all of the surrounding hikes. The Scottish Highlands are rugged and gorgeous on both sunny and rainy days, and if you’re lucky like I was, you may get both at once, and end up with a rainbow.

 

But first, before going exploring I had to learn how to drive. True, I’d been driving since I was 16, so with decades of experience you wouldn’t think of it as a problem. But upon my arrival, I learned that all of our dog walks — twice a day — started well beyond walking distance. Hamish isn’t comfortable walking in town; he was recently re-homed and has a few “issues,” such as fear of thunder and cars, and a fondness for chasing sheep.

 

“You have use of our car to take him on his walks,” the homeowners told me, and showed me their big SUV, with, oh God help me, a stick shift. I have to say, this was the most terrifying time on my entire around the world trip — a stick shift, which I haven’t driven in years in a big SUV, the owner’s pride and joy, on many a steep hill on the left side of the road with double lane roundabouts. My heart pounded and I broke out in a sweat. I fessed up to my lack of skills, but they were kind and took me out in the countryside for some lessons.

 

27Once I had the hang of it, I appreciated the luxury of such a nice car with navigation that gave me verbal directions, since Hamish wasn’t much help in that department. We climbed through woods by rushing waterfalls in Glen Nevis over lush moss, past fields of heather and wildflowers. We crossed rushing rivers, and hiked partway up Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles. Hamish even knows how to climb over stiles, smart dog.

 

And speaking of smart, Hamish also knows how to ride the ski resort lift; he showed me how to board the gondola for drop-dead gorgeous views. His owners were kind enough to buy me a pass so we could go hiking on top, one of our favorite spots.

 

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’d appreciate the hike near Glenfinnan, up to see the bridge where Harry’s train took him to Hogwarts. We even timed it right to see the old steam train, its whistle blowing as it chugged by below us. And there was lunch in an old parked dining car, where the service was up to Hamish’s standards — they brought him a bowl of water and treated him like an honored guest. Many movies have been filmed in or around Fort William, including scenes from Braveheart.

 

If you’re more of a beach person than mountain, you’ll still enjoy heading to the Highlands. A short but scenic drive will take you to the shore and one of Hamish’s favorite places. He’s not afraid of cold water and lunged into the sea to chase ball after ball, splashing spray up into his sand-covered muzzle.

17

Warm, sunny days alternated with cold rain, but still we hiked twice a day and discovered that we didn’t melt. With a rain jacket for me, and fur coat for Hamish, we shook off the drops and enjoyed the peace and solitude of being the only ones out. Fort William is the start/finish of both the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way, if you’re into long-distance walking or cycling.

 

The quaint town of Fort William has plenty of pubs and if you’re a hiker, plenty of shopping with no shortage of outfitters. Warm, cosy coffeehouses offer shelter, where I could take a short break from my charge — the house was just up the hill, so I could also take a rest from driving.

 

They say in the Highlands the midges are worse than mosquitoes, but I didn’t have a chance to find out — apparently in September, I had just missed midge season, barely by a smidge.

 

The house on the hill had magnificent views, overlooking Loch Linnhe and Fort William. With a turret and rooftop garden, sunken tub inside and jacuzzi out back, a fireplace with lots of wood ready to keep me warm, a library of DVDs, a wine cellar and whiskey cupboard (with permission to sample) and a grand kitchen in which to cook my stew, I was a pretty happy camper. Yes, I was kept on my toes as Hamish isn’t one to rest, but house-sitting in the Highlands was a heavenly haven, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back.

 

32About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50+ free spirit whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

 

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Cat of the week: Jheri

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Pets/Animals, , , , ,

 

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).

Hey! Remember Jheri Curls? (You’d have to be of a certain age.) Well, there’s a good reason Dr. Jen named this cutie ‘Jheri’.

Jheri’s saga began a few days before Christmas 2015 when Dr. Jen received a text from the Kent County Animal Shelter about an FIV+ kitty in need of transfer to Big Sid’s Sanctuary. The folks at the shelter told Dr. Jen that the fabulous feline in need was a lovable cat with loads of personality and, oh, by the way, he’s an American Curl. In Dr. Jen’s 13+ years of running a rescue, this was the first time she had encountered the breed.

Although Dr. Jen is not one to typically fall for a cat’s looks as it is what’s down deep down within that wins her over, she was completely smitten from the get-go.

“He could not be a more complete package of charisma, charm and adorableness,” said Dr. Jen. “If you are an ’80s lady like me, you are very familiar with the name reference — given how rare and uncommon his physical appearance is, I just had to bestow upon him a moniker as interesting as he is.”

Jheri only got to spend a few days at the clinic since Christmas vacation was almost underway, but in the time he and Dr. Jen were together, the fabulous feline roamed the halls and made his rounds, in spite of suffering from some sort of traumatic injury that caused one of his toes to swell and become infected. However, he was none the worse for wear and was raring to go the minute he set foot on the ground, assessing and “assisting” to the best of his abilities.

MORE ABOUT JHERI

  • FIV-positive
  • House trained
  • Spayed/Neutered
  • Current on vaccinations

Suffice it to say that everyone who met Jheri fell instantly in love with his laid-back demeanor and happy-go-lucky attitude. Once at the sanctuary, Jheri made it known that he didn’t want to be contained in the intake suite, so the shelter’s photographer had to get down there in a hurry to snap Jheri’s glamour shots so he could roam and explore. From the second he was allowed the freedom to prance and prowl around the two-story shelter, he was like a little kid at Christmas!

Learn the facts about FIV and FeLV here.

Want to adopt Jheri? 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.

 

 

 

 

Carole Bradbury is the next featured artist at Pine Rest Leep Art Gallery

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

By Colleen Cullison

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

 

A new exhibit titled, “God’s Handiwork,” by local artist Carole Bradbury opens at the Leep Art Gallery on Jan. 4. The exhibit is at the Postma Center on the Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services campus in Grand Rapids.

 

Bradbury is inspired by the beautiful landscapes of the Hudson River School artists’ Thomas Hill, Albert Bierdstadt, Edwin Church and Frederic Edwin Church whom left  notable legacy of American landscape art.

 

She attended classes at Scottsdale Art School in Arizona where Bradbury’s instructors were well known floral artist Linda Glover-Gooch and landscape artist Ralph Oberg. While living in Arizona, she also enjoyed the soft hues of the desert and was mentored with six others by California artist Don Newhouse. He encouraged her to switch from acrylics to oils to get richer colors.

 

In her art, Bradbury hopes the viewers can feel the peace of the quiet rivers, the grandeur of our Great Lakes and wonderful waterfalls. Her passion is to capture some of God’s handiwork in the great outdoors and his delicate design in our flowers.

 

She was a member of the Wickenburg Arizona Art Club where members received monthly classes with accomplished artists, and was a member of the Arizona Women’s Plein Aire Group. Two Metropolitan Opera singers have two of her painting in their collection. Her art pieces have been sold in the Caribbean, Arizona, Virginia and in the Michigan cities of St. Joseph, Grand Rapids and Rockford.

 

Bradbury and her husband, who live in Comstock Park, have 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

 

The exhibit will be on display at Pine Rest Postma Center located at 300 68th St. SE, from Jan. 4 – Mar. 22. The Leep Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, call 616-222-4530 or go to www.pinerest.org/events.

School News Network: A Taste of Mexican Christmas

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Principal Peter Geerling helps serve traditional Mexican foods to families at Godfrey-Lee Early Education Center.

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

The group stood outside the door of the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center media center. In Spanish, they sang, “In the name of heaven I ask you for shelter, for my beloved wife can go no farther.”

 

Inside, through the door’s window, another group responded, “This is not an inn. Get on with you. I cannot open the door. You might be a rogue.”

 

The back-and-forth song continued until someone opened the door, and the parents created a procession to the school’s gymnasium for a feast and fiesta.

 

Here in the school hallway, parents of preschool through second-grade students were re-enacting the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter at an inn in Bethlehem. They were kicking off the nine-day traditional Mexican holiday observance called Las Posadas, and giving teachers a taste of the season as celebrated in their native country.

 

Kindergartner Sanely Gonzalez plays with the Nativity

Las Posadas, which means “the inns” in English, precedes Christmas from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24. In Mexico, customarily, a couple dressed as Mary and Joseph knock on homes designated as inns, singing the song until someone lets the couple in.

 

In Godfrey-Lee, a majority Hispanic district, the volunteer-led evening event was an opportunity for parents to teach school staff members their traditions.

 

“We learn from each other about culture and food,” said Leonicia Rubio, an interpreter at the school. “Our parents want to share with teachers our traditions.”

 

After the procession comes fiesta time.

Teaching the Teachers

Dunce Pineda came with her daughters, high-school student Crystal Gonzalez and kindergartner Janely Gonzalez. Pineda said she has fond memories of carrying the Nativity set in Mexico and going from house to house. She likes that the tradition is being carried forward to young people. “I like that the kids get to learn the traditions of Mexico,” she said.

 

Parents served sizzling homemade dishes and treats including tamales, tacos, sweet bread called concha, Mexican fried cookies called bunuelo, and hot punch called ponche navideno.

 

“It’s really just bringing people together to build understanding and relationships,” said second-grade teacher Andrea Hall. “This is honoring the strengths our families are bringing to us.”

 

First-grade teacher Deedee Stasiak said staff members spend every school day with their students, often without knowing some of their treasured holiday traditions. Observing Las Posadas together was a great way to learn more about families and how their students spend the Christmas season, she said.

 

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” Stasiak said. “They feel really special being able to teach us something for a change.”

 

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

Metro Health, U-M affiliation brings more choice to West Michigan

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

When Metro Health moved to Wyoming about nine years ago, it was tasked with not being just a boutique hospital in a suburban community, but a catalysis to bring quality care to not only its immediate community of Wyoming but the West Michigan region. With Metro Health’s affiliation with the University of Michigan Health System, Metro Health President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Faas believes the hospital has achieved that.

 

Metro Health President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Faas

“We were faced with trying to clinically integrate and grow while at the same time maintain services and infrastructure that we have,” Faas said during a recent interview about the new affiliation between Metro Health and U-M. “There is having more importance to the community, more market share, more money and new buildings and as these issues kept circling we knew that we needed to get a lot bigger and more significant for some of these things to happen.”

 

To achieve this, according to Faas, Metro Health started exploring the possibility of a partnership with another institution. Metro Health officials first went to non-profit U-M as the hospital had formed a relationship with U-M providing radiation oncology. However, Metro Health ended up courting a few other possibilities including the for-profit Tennessee-based Community Health Systems. The deal with Community Health Systems did not happen and Metro Health officials began to look at other possibilities.

 

“We knew one day it could happen,” Faas said of Metro Health’s affiliation with U-M. “We had favored that one the most because we felt it was the best match. Good things came to fruition for all the right reasons.”

 

In fact the affiliation between U-M and Metro Health is not that unusual especially as hospital officials deal with the many challenges in health care from reform efforts to becoming more clinically integrated. Just recently, Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Toledo announced negotiations with UnityPoint Health Des Moines and University of Iowa Health Care. Several hospitals in the Upper Peninsula have similar partnerships.

 

While Wyoming City officials have not had any meetings with Metro Health or U-M on the affiliation, City Manager Curtis Holt said he sees it being a great thing for the community, especially since health care is one of the fastest growing industries.

 

“I have said ever since Metro Health came to Wyoming that it is a great addition to the City of Wyoming,” Holt said. “They do a great job. I think they are beneficial to our community and to our residents which is the most important thing.”

 

Holt said he is cautious over the dollar value that the new affiliation will bring to the city since it is a non-profit venture and collection from this type of development is limited. The city could benefit from the spin off ventures such as restaurants, stores, commercial businesses and other small industries that develop from the affiliation, he said, adding that he is looking forward to meeting with Metro Health officials in the coming weeks to discuss Metro Health/U-M’s plans for the future.

 

“I believe that [Metro Health] has been so focused on getting this affiliation in place, and now that it is, they can start to focus on how they are going to make a difference in the community,” Holt said.

 

Which is exactly correct according to Faas. Now that the affiliation is in place, plans will begin to move forward on various projects which will include the building up of the Metro Health Village. However, the biggest change area residents will see is that for the first time in awhile, there will be a real choice in health care services in West Michigan, Faas said.

 

“U-M has been providing health care to all the residents of Michigan for more than a century,” Faas said. “Now with this relationship with Metro Health, U-M health care is more accessible, more convenient, and less expensive then everyone driving to Ann Arbor.”

Diocese of Grand Rapids selects former Rogers Department Store official to position

Citizen Journalism, , ,

A former Rogers Department Store official was recently named the new chief financial officer  for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

 

Bishop David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, has announced that Michael Lown will be taking over the role on Jan. 9.

 

Lown will be responsible for the broad range management of the diocese’s financial activities, human resources, information technology, investments, insurance, property, and legal matters. He will also work closely with parishes, schools, and related foundations.

 

“I am pleased to bring Michael on board,” said Bishop Walkowiak. “His previous experiences and commitment to the Catholic Church and community service make him an ideal candidate for this position.”

 

Before joining the diocese, Lown served as the corporate controller for The Motorcycle Company LLC in Grand Rapids. His previous experiences include accounting and finance positions with DP Fox LLC / FMG Holdings LLC and Rogers Department Store in the Greater Grand Rapids area.

 

In addition, Lown continues to volunteer many hours to Catholic organizations in the diocese, currently serving as treasurer on the Aquinas College Board of Trustees and as chair of the school board at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School. He is a parishioner at Saint Thomas the Apostle in Grand Rapids.

 

Lown earned a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College and is a certified public accountant (CPA) in the State of Michigan.

On the shelf: ‘The Horse Boy: A Father’s Quest to Heal His Son’, by Rupert Isaacson

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment

the-horseboyOn the Shelf Book Review

The cover of the book caught my eye at first. The horse, with its eyes closed, letting out some sort of loud neigh up to the sky — the little boy with his arm reaching up so high, and the man with his head back, mirroring the horse, looking at the boy — What on earth was this all about? At the end of the book I recalled Hamlet speaking to his friend: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5

The rates of autism are skyrocketing, while it remains a puzzling conundrum for doctors, parents and society. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which is part of our government’s National Institute of Health, lists many Autism Spectrum Disorder associations. There are lots of ideas as to the why, what and how of dealing with autism, and the protocols can be quite different. In the meantime, parents struggle to provide the best life for their child.

It’s inspiring (that’s too weak — amazing is more like it) to read a story like this one, where the parents have literally gone to the ends of the earth for answers. Most parents of an autistic child will not be able to pack up and travel through Outer Mongolia, on a quest to find the Reindeer People, whose Shaman was reputed to be an exceptional healer.

But many of the experiences, and discoveries that the Isaacsons made might be applicable closer to home. Along with the fascinating trip through Mongolia on horseback, the author shares parts of what is “known” or being postulated about autism, and this new science is worked into the story. A certain experience creates a type of brain stimulation, that can help injured areas, and one would not need to go to Mongolia to recreate this.

This book has great writing, science, travel and humor; and since autism can be so challenging (often heartbreaking), the beauty, humor and spirituality contained herein is wonderful. “Code Brown!!”

I took the audio version on an 8-hour trip and found that I never got tired of wondering what would happen next, and I am a person who can only take about 10 minutes of poor writing or dullness. Life is too short to waste on mediocre books!

So you won’t have to worry about the “will it be interesting enough for a whole book?” factor. As soon as I finished I hoped there would be a sequel someday; a follow-up on what is happening with Rowan and his family, and Betsy.

 
 

2017 will bring three new services for Kent County older adults

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Health, Senior Living, , ,

Amanda Haberlein

Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

The Kent County Senior Millage (KCSM) was passed in 1998 as a way to help older adults live in their own homes. Now in its 19th year, the millage has grown to offer more than 51 unique services, with three new services starting in January 2017; Handy Helen, Community Food Club, and Dental Services.

 

The KCSM services are available to Kent County residents age 60 and over and may require individuals to pay part of the cost (based on their income). The three new services below will help meet the diverse needs of a growing senior population.

 

Community Food Club: Some older adults with low incomes have difficulty affording groceries; especially fresh fruit and vegetables. Others without the means to afford food simply skip meals and go without. The Community Food Club (CFC) is designed to help meet nutritional needs, reduce the use of emergency food resources and make sure people are not going hungry. Individuals pay a small membership fee to participate in the CFC and are then given a set number of points for the month. Members can shop at the CFC and spend their points for whatever grocery items they choose such as milk, eggs, fresh produce, meats and more. The CFC is set up like a regular grocery store and includes a check out where items are added up and the points spent are deducted from their monthly total. Members can come as many times as they would like in a month until their points are gone. For more information including how to become a CFC member, contact Community Food Club of Greater Grand Rapids at 616-288-5550.

 

Dental Care: Regular dental care can be expensive, causing older adults without coverage to delay or ignore recommended dental hygiene. When not dealt with, dental issues often affect the whole body and can cause additional complications and health issues. Exalta Health (formerly Health Intervention Services) will be providing dental care to eligible older adults. Services offered will include general dentistry such as teeth cleaning, examination, x-rays, fillings and tooth removals, root canal treatment to diminish pain or eliminate infection of the tooth or jawbone and dentures and partials for those needing to replace missing teeth. For more information, including eligibility requirements and appointment scheduling, contact Exalta Health at 616-988-4301.

 

Handy Helen: Due to traditional gender roles some older women may have relied on their husband to be the handyman around the house; fixing the leaky faucets and keeping up with the home maintenance. But, what happens when their husbands are not able to do these chores due to health or memory issues and the role of wife now also includes caregiver?  For some women, the added task of home repairs becomes an additional stress and expense. Handy Helen is a class designed to empower female caregivers (age 60 and over) with the skills they need to tackle minor home maintenance projects. Each interactive series will include instruction in minor plumbing, electrical and seasonal home maintenance. Participants will also learn how to use the more common tools in the toolbox and who to call when you can’t fix it yourself. Classes are offered by Home Repair Services. For more information, including class schedules and registration information, call Home Repair Service at 616-241-2601.

 

Each year the KCSM holds an open proposal process and proposals are reviewed by the Millage Review Committee, a group consisting of Kent County Commissioners and older adults that live in Kent County.  Agencies whose proposals are approved then make a presentation to the committee in the fall. Funding recommendations for KCSM services is determined by the Millage Review Committee and approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners. This year the committee and the Commissioners approved adding the three new services above to an already robust list of services ranging from in-home care to healthy aging programs. Funding for the services come from taxes paid by Kent County homeowners and is anticipated to be over $10.2 million for 2017.

 

Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan administers the KCSM, including a full list of KCSM services, visit www.aaawm.org/senior_millage.

On the shelf: ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’, by Jonathan Safran Foer

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,
extremely-loudOn the Shelf Book Review
By Rosie Rincones, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main 
There are novels that can be opened up to any part of the story and once you get a few pages in you may be able to put together pieces of the plot and, in general, know what’s going on.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close does not allow you this privilege. Each chapter can differ from the one before in mood, narrator, and time period. A harmonious mixture of words and images, this book carries you swiftly through the ups, downs, in’s, and out’s of young Oskar Schell’s life — told by himself.
Two years after his father is killed in the World Trade Center attacks, Oskar finds a key that had once belonged to his father and embarks on a relentless journey to find the lock it will open.
Reminiscent of Holden Caulfield and Harriet the Spy, Foer has created a character that breathes life into a tragic situation. Alongside Oskar’s tale of adventure and discoveries, we learn of the somber and complex past of his grandfather who survived the World War II bombing of Dresden. All at once warming and breaking your heart, the stories come together in a sobering sort of way to level the ground between the humor and tragedy in the characters’ lives.
Enthralling and moving, Foer has written a story to linger in the minds and hearts of all who choose to read it.

Making Ends Meet: Utility Assistance Programs

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Your Community in Action!

 

By ACSET Community Action Agency

 

Imagine you are a single parent. You’re trying to raise your children and maintain a home on your own. You’re working toward a college degree to improve the outlook for your family. You find yourself having to choose between keeping the heat on and feeding your kids. What would you do?

 

ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) is here to help people get through the tough times. For example, when Shanda came to us for help, our utility assistance program was able to keep the heat, water and electricity on for her family.

 

“Each time I found myself in a position where I was unable to pay these bills due to a decrease in income, unexpected car repairs, [and] increased insurance premiums, the ASCET program was there for my family…  As a single parent and college student I am grateful for the support that the ACSET program provided, so that my family could weather the struggling times we faced…” 

 

– Shanda, ASCET Client

 

Unfortunately, Shanda’s story is a reality for many in our community. The American Community Survey estimates that poverty impacts 15% of the population in Kent County. Even more concerning, over 20% of kids under the age of 18 are living below the poverty line.

 

There is a real need for assistance, especially for single women with children. From 2008 to 2012, nearly 60% of all households living in poverty in Kent County were headed by females. That is why CAA gears services toward these households whenever possible. To learn more about the basic needs of our community and how your CAA is addressing them, view our most recent Community Needs Assessment at www.communityactionkent.org/about/.

 

— 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.

Dawdling around Dingle

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, , ,

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

This time I got lucky on a farm (at least in terms of accommodations). I was a little leery after my other nightmare stay on a dairy farm, but Murphy’s Farmhouse, my B&B for the night near Castlemaine, was delightful. It’s a lovely place, perfectly situated at the start of the ring around Dingle, and they had a single room available which is something you find quite often in Europe that I rarely find in the US. As a solo traveler, single rooms are much appreciated.

 

It was a day of beauty overload. From the start — after a very tasty scrambled egg and salmon breakfast — my day was filled with stunning scenery for nine hours.

 

4First stop out on the Dingle Peninsula was at Inch Beach, which should be more aptly named Mile Beach. The sand is so hard-packed you can drive on it, although I walked across a wet shimmering sea bed so smooth it reflected the clouds and sky and you couldn’t tell whether you were standing on earth or in the air.

 

An old woman walked her little dog and a surfer carrying his board made a dark silhouette against the sea.

 

Surfing schools operated out of a couple of trailers and although a very small part of me thought how cool it would be to try surfing in Ireland, the bigger part of me said OMG that must be friggin’ cold! I didn’t want to leave but there was a whole big peninsula to explore.

 

The road was lined with huge banks of bright-orange flowers as well as many scenic viewpoints, so going was slow for a shutterbug like me. The winding pavement periodically narrowed down to one lane with cliffs of rock on one side and low stone walls barely providing protection from sheer drop-offs on the other, some of it pretty hair-raising.

 

9I followed a series of even smaller roads to a “castle” but it turned out to be more ruin than fortress. Patchwork quilts of green fields stitched the landscape together, and then the town of Dingle appeared, all rainbow-colored shops of Celtic souvenirs, jewelry, sweaters, t-shirts and lots of pubs and restaurants.

 

It’s a great town to wander and I stumbled on a little artisan cheese shop that had a sign saying they make sandwiches, so I decided to purchase a picnic lunch. I ordered an Irish Brie, tomato, olive tapenade and artichoke heart sandwich, and added a piece of artisan chocolate with a creamy toffee center for dessert.

 

But then on my way to the car, I got sucked into the Murphy’s all-natural ice cream shop and ate a sea salt dark chocolate and honeycomb caramel cone BEFORE my lunch, as an appetizer.

 

As I drove off along the winding coast, sun and gray skies took turns following me until I came to a fantastic lookout across from the Beehive Huts (some ancient stone houses). A large seagull sat on a fence post right in front of my car hoping, I’m sure, for a handout. So I had the birds and the bees, and a deep blue sea view while I ate my very tasty picnic.

 

Then I hiked up to the Beehive Huts to check them out and to use the most scenic outhouse on my trip, which also had an interesting sign.

 

12The sun shone brightly here, the sky cerulean blue, but by the time I got to the next scenic turnout, it was gray skies and moody waters, with people swimming and body surfing the rough waves.

 

And, of course, by the next scenic turnout, the sun was shining again and it was one of the most beautiful vistas I’ve seen in Ireland, all craggy shores with a foaming inlet, waves crashing against rocks, and green grassy slopes sliding down to the cliffs.

 

The road heads around the loop at the end of Dingle, then I crept up over the Conner pass, where luckily for me it wasn’t raining. Others told me when they’d crossed it was so misty and gray you couldn’t see a thing but when I reached the top, I could see out to the coast as well as a beautiful waterfall in full force.

 

Heading back, I ran into a sheep jam — a farmer had blocked the road with a truck full of sheep that were running out of the back end. He apologized, but I just grinned — it was fun to watch, especially when the last one wouldn’t come out and they banged on the truck; it was like trying to shake loose the last jelly bean in a jar.

 

Later that night after hours of driving around the whole peninsula, I stopped in a pub to hear a little music, where a gifted young Irish girl sang and played the flute, accompanied by an equally talented young guy on guitar.

 

Dingle is definitely a good place to dawdle for fine views, great food and musical entertainment, another worthwhile stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way.

 

17About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50+ free spirit whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

 

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

 

 

Party hearty New Year’s Eve at ‘The Ballroom Bashes in Downtown GR’

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Holidays, Local Business, Upcoming Events, , , , ,
Image courtesy AHC+Hospitality
Celebrate the past and look to the future!

Be a part of the most epic New Year’s Eve experience the area offers at The Ballroom Bashes in Downtown Grand Rapids! Spanning from the Amway Grand Plaza to the JW Marriott Grand Rapids to the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott (all connected via skywalk) you can party in four glamorous hotel ballrooms, each with a distinct theme and energy, along with a dozen restaurants and bars. Find the bash that suits you best and party all night long — or hop from one to the next to keep your night moving.

 

The purchase of one ticket includes entrance to the following Ballroom Bashes:

 

GLOW Party
Ambassador Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza
Glow sticks and cups pop in this black-lit environment where a band and DJ take turns playing pop hits

 

Bourbon and Bubbles
Pantlind Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza
Bourbon and champagne bars, dueling pianos and a lounge singer for a classic glamour vibe beneath the gold leaf ceiling

 

Caribbean Jam
Imperial Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza
Pina Coladas, a steel drum band and décor to transport you to the islands

 

Throwback Bash
International Ballroom at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids
Music and dancing from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s played by both a band and DJ with sections decorated to celebrate each decade gone by

 

NYE at The Bistro
The Bistro at the Courtyard by Marriott
Sample small plates, crafted cocktails and more in the intimate Bistro setting with a DJ! Complimentary tapas offered with the purchase of a drink. 

 

Sat., Dec. 31, 2016, 8 pm-Sun., Jan 1, 2017, 1:30 am EST

 

Downtown Grand Rapids Hotels

187 Monroe Ave NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

 

To purchase tickets, visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ballroom-bashes-tickets-29285262007?aff=es2

 

Redeem your ticket for a wristband at the Amway Grand Plaza Center Concourse on Dec. 31. Must have photo ID showing you are at least 21 years of age.

Cat of the week: Roku

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , ,

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).

In mid-November, 2015, a pet groomer alerted us to the plight of a cat in need that had been hanging around her house for a few weeks. Although she had set him up on her front porch, and he was camping out there quite contentedly in a heated cat house, she soon discovered that he had been kicked out by another stray, a wild child that wouldn’t let him back in.

So she set him up in her garage for a few days, awaiting program intake, and the overwhelmed, exhausted fella slept like he hadn’t in ages. He had absolutely no interest in venturing further than his food dish and litter box, so he was allowed to just rest and regain his strength.

Although Roku was grateful, he had a hard time expressing his emotions, as he wasn’t used to anyone being decent to him; he grumbled and growled in spite of himself. After some research, his rescuer discovered that this stunning Siamese (born in late 2011) had been living in the area for a few years, sheltered by people’s garages and porches, being fed intermittently, but most of the time fending for himself. Given his history, it is no wonder that this gorgeous guy was a bit grumpy.

Once at the clinic, Roku decided that even though he wasn’t too keen on this whole TLC thing, he did enjoy the endless supply of food and the creature comforts provided. Not a fan of other felines too much, he will tolerate them as long as they are not in too close of proximity; however since we house on average 90 cats at Crash’s, he won’t be able to go very far without encountering another cat.

One good thing though is that Roku now finds humans more tolerable, though if he has had enough petting or attention slathered on him, he will gently slap your hand away or nibble at your fingers, though not once has he attempted to scratch or chomp. We feel that given his strong personality and the fact that he is very set in his ways, he will do best in a solo home, but one where he isn’t expected to be a lap cat, because that just isn’t his thing.

Roku really is a nice boy, but he is stubborn and independent — and obviously these traits served him well in his past, so we can’t begrudge him that.

We have no worries that in time, with patience and stability, Roku will understand and accept kindness wholeheartedly. Each resident in our rescue deserves to have his or her care tailored to meet their individual needs, and Roku is no exception. He’s a work in progress and the volunteers continue to provide him the affection he may not know he wants — but most definitely needs — until his forever family comes along.

MORE ABOUT ROKU

  • House trained
  • Spayed/Neutered
  • Current on vaccinations
  • Prefers a home without cats and Young Children
  • Primary Color(s): Flame Point Siamese

Want to adopt Roku? 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.

On the Shelf Book Review: ‘The Dollmaker’, by Harriette Arnow

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,
the-dollmakerOn the Shelf Book Review
By Karolee Gillman, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

Originally published in 1954, The Dollmaker begins with a very emotional scene of an Appalachian mother desperately trying to save her youngest son’s life, and the roller coaster of emotion doesn’t stop.

This book is very descriptive and worded so beautifully, you can see the story come to life. The book is very long and when the characters speak, they do so in the Appalachian dialect. I had to often read the conversations out loud to comprehend what was being said.

Gertie Nevels is a strong, compassionate woman, with a passion for whittling. Her one dream is to buy her own farm in the backwoods of Kentucky and live there with her husband and children. But World War II intervenes, and as a good wife she must take her children and follow her husband to Detroit, where he has been put to work in a war factory. In the city, Gertie fights desperately to keep her family together, maintain their rural values while they stuck in a Cracker-Jack-box housing development in a world far away from Appalachia.

Read The Dollmaker to see how Gertie handles tragedy and betrayal and makes the ultimate sacrifice to save her family. You will smile and cry right along with her.

School News Network: Hooked on Good Behavior

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, , , ,
Principal Steve Minard hands out FISH! awards!

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

Every other Friday afternoon, the school week ends in a big dance party at West Godwin Elementary School, with students and teachers moving and grooving after Principal Steve Minard cranks up the tunes.

 

Turns out there are a lot of reasons to celebrate at the kindergarten through fourth-grade school, and students are regularly acknowledged for them. Kindergartner Gabriel Martinez Aguillon, for example, “always shows self-control wherever he is in the school. He is consistently being an example for the class.”

 

That’s the message teacher Emily Jansen wrote for Gabriel on a yellow paper fish. Ten other students received similar FISH! messages on a recent Friday –announced and read in front of the entire student body – for reasons tied to the themes of gratitude and self control.

 

Teachers are constantly “fishing” at West Godwin, hoping to hook their students on positive behaviors. Fourth-grader Steve Rios was happy to be lured in with a FISH! award from his teacher Sarah David. “I’m completing my homework every day,” he said.

 

Third-grader Andrea Serrato also got fished by her teacher, Jessica Surdam. Her secret to self-control: “When other people make a fuss, I don’t make a fuss.”

 

Lessons From Fishmongers

Minard introduced FISH! assemblies six years ago. The concept is modeled after the FISH! Philosophy, a training solution started by documentary filmmaker John Christensen, who observed the enthusiasm of fishmongers at Pike Place Fish in Seattle and wondered what the secret was. Based on relationship-building, the philosophy creates a culture where people choose to bring their best to work. It has been adapted for K-12 schools.

 

A message on a fish can mean at West Godwin.

“These assemblies are a celebration of the great things our students and staff are doing on a consistent basis,” Minard said.

 

At West Godwin, relationship and culture-building has several components. Staff members tie FISH! into the character value of the month studied through the TrueSuccess program, which focuses on developing positive behavior skills to make wise choices. Students explore topics including respect, wisdom, thankfulness, self-control, perseverance, responsibility, encouragement, caring and integrity.

 

FISH! assemblies also tie into the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program, which sets common language and expectations school-wide concerning behavior. PBIS has led to a decrease in the number of discipline referrals at West Godwin and has created a positive school culture and climate, Minard said.

 

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

Metro Health announces affiliation with U-M Health Services

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

With an eye toward providing more medical services and increasing health care options in West Michigan, Metro Health this week officially announced that the affiliation process with the University of Michigan Health System has been completed.

 

In June, Metro Health and UMHS signed a letter of intent for an affiliation. In September, both institutions approved the affiliation agreement with final regulatory approvals needed. More announcements about the affiliation and its impact are expected in the new year.

 

“We are a sister organization to them,” said Ellen Bristol, Metro Health director of internal communications and media relations. “Our governance will be by the University of Michigan regents, but we are still Metro Health. It means our employees are still Metro Health employees and U-M employees are still U-M employees.”

 

Physicians, executives and community members from West Michigan will continue serving on Metro Health boards and committees, working closely with University of Michigan leaders.

 

“The new affiliation will offer greater access to U-M services and physicians,” Bristol said. “There will be more choices offered and the hospital is able to deepen its services.”

 

The new logo for Metro Health which shows its affiliation with U-m Health Services.

U-M and Metro Health began working together in 2009 when U-M started providing radiation oncology at The Cancer Center at Metro Health Village. Clinical relations continued to develop in pediatric cardiology and pediatric endocrinology, all of which helped to pave the way for the affiliation, said Marschall Runge, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president for medical affairs, dean of the U-M Medical School and CEO of the U-M Health System.

 

“We are excited to further expand U-M services in West Michigan and to provide access to the highest quality care available to more Michigan residents,” Runge said. “Working together, we will improve the health of our patients and our communities.”

 

Metro Health President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Faas said the affiliation marks a new chapter in Metro Health’s history, “one that builds on the incredible legacy which began in 1942 when 23 osteopathic physicians opened Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital. I can think of no better way to honor our founders than to ensure Metro Health is able to to grow and continue serving patients of years to come.”

On the Shelf Book Review: ‘Cleopatra: A Life’, by Stacy Schiff

Books, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, , , , ,
cleopatraOn the Shelf Book Review
By Amanda Bridle, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main
Fact is better than fiction.
Fictional portrayals of Cleopatra write her off as a mere seductress, not worth much more than her looks. In truth, Cleopatra wasn’t all that good-looking (we can tell from the portraits on coins she herself approved and from the snide comments made by her published detractors) but instead attracted the men in her life, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, with her brains. Author Stacy Schiff, reveals a portrait of a daring, complex and politically savvy woman in her new biography Cleopatra: A Life.
The well-researched book plunges us into another time and place with lush descriptions of lavish royal events and in-depth discussion of the culture and politics that shaped Cleopatra’s life. To understand her is to understand the how her Greek family came to power in Egypt and how they fought, intermarried and murdered amongst themselves.
To know her is to know the status of women in Alexandria and how shockingly different that was from Rome. To appreciate her life and her choices is to understand the power struggles and politics of Roman leaders as they attempted to gain control of more and more of the world and function, or dysfunction, as a democracy.
Painstakingly researched and beautifully written, readers will enjoy a book that is equal parts history, politics, romance, and tragedy.

Wing Avenue residents could get relief from public utility costs depending on final plan

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, , , , ,
Wing Avenue north of 60th Street

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

At a recent December workshop, residents along Wing Avenue got a little bit of good news — the city would defer most of the costs for public utilities.

 

In November, the Kentwood City Commission approved an amendment allowing for a farmhouse exemption with a property owner only having to pay the first 125 feet of frontage for installation of water and sewer. The rest would be deferred if the parcel were split in the future.

 

“Currently, many of these homes along Wing Avenue were looking at upwards to $90,000 to hook up,” aid Kentwood City Engineer Tim Bradshaw. “It brought the cost of hooking up to sewer and water down to a more reasonable price and made it comparable to having a well or septic.”

 

It was noted at a Dec. 5 workshop that based on City of Grand Rapids’s current rates, the connection costs for a 125-foot frontage would be about $17,050 for sewer and $15,975 for water. Those costs are only paid upon connection. According to Building Advisor, the cost of installing water and septic can be $20,000 or more.

 

Another cost concern was that of sidewalk and storm sewer construction. The City Commission also recently amended the city policy to no longer assess for those items if the improvements are included in the final design of Wing Avenue. Residents, however; would be required to maintain the sidewalks running along their property.

 

Wing Avenue at 60th Street

Bradshaw said at the recent workshop, residents seemed to respond well to the changes since it did reduce some of the cost concerns, however; there are still several other issues residents have including keeping the natural feel and look of the road. Impact on the trees and the natural features lead several residents to petition the city to consider designating Wing Avenue from 52nd Street to 60th Street as a Natural Beauty Road in accordance to the guidelines established by the state legislature in 1995.

 

Michigan’s Natural Beauty Road Act is designed to identify and preserve certain county-local roads that have unusual or outstanding natural beauty by virtue of native vegetation or the natural features. There are 34 roads in Kent County with the designation, none of which are in Kentwood.

 

There are several requirements including that the speed be not more than 35 mph. Wing Avenue’s current speed limit — which is determined by a Michigan State Law — is 40 mph.

 

The designation would not prevent tree removal when necessary for the safety and protection of the traveling public and vehicles, including improvements to the roadway and for public utility construction crossing Wing Avenue. Tree removal would not be allowed for construction of public utility alongside the road.

 

The Kentwood City Commission will consider the Natural Beauty Road petition at its Feb. 7 meeting. This is after the presentation by the consulting firm Fleis & VandenBrink on its final corridor study which is scheduled for Jan. 17. Fleis & VandenBrink have been tasked to study several items including public utility planning, road construction, and non-motorized needs such as sidewalk, bike lanes, etc.

 

At the December workshop, the consulting company indicated it would likely recommend the construction of 11-foot lanes striped at 10 feet for safety, better speed control, reduce cost and reduce tree impact over the standard 12-foot width. Also, it was indicated to use the speed of 40 mph to improve sight distances. The firm was still reviewing curb versus ditches and sidewalks/non-motorized trails.

 

The City Commission is expected to make a final decision on the Wing Avenue plans at its Feb. 21 meeting. Once the final scope has been determined, engineering and design work will begin. Bradshaw said the city has targeted the spring of 2018 to start construction.

Climbing the Cliffs of Moher

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

The famous Cliffs of Moher are one of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland, with almost a million visitors a year.

 

After taking the car ferry over the channel from Troger — and before driving to the Cliffs of Moher — I headed for Loophead to check out the lighthouse and walk the loop around the peninsula head. What breathtaking cliffside views! The drive on the peninsula is on some of those quintessential Irish roads — two-way streets, only really wide enough for one car, with grass growing right up out of the asphalt in the middle — with quaint cottages to stop for scones, jam and clotted cream with tea along the way.

 

When I first pulled into the parking lot at the Cliffs of Moher and saw the hordes of tourists and tour buses, I almost left. But as long as I was there, I decided to check it out. It was late in the day and there were more people going than coming. Hiking up to the cliffs, I realized it’s part of a long-distance walk, not just a place to peek over the edge and leave. You can do however much of it you want, up to the whole town-to-town trail that takes about 10 hours.

9

I spent about three hours walking along the cliff edge — the scenery was spectacular! It was gray and gloomy but with great visibility; you could see the Aran Islands in the distance and just a small bit of sun peeked through all of the clouds, creating a bright white spotlight far out on the ocean. It wasn’t the best light for photography — very flat — but I photographed anyway. It wasn’t wind, and my fleece and rain jacket kept me warm, and warning signs helped keep me safe.

 

The path meanders high up on the cliff’s edge, muddy rocky trails between sea and fields of cows. It can be a dangerous place, intentionally or not, and there is a marker in memory of those who never left.

 

The Cliffs of Moher are made up mostly of shale and sandstone, and there are more than 20 species of birds living there, including Atlantic puffins and razorbills. An eco-friendly visitors’ center built into the hill provides interactive exhibits giving lots of information about the geology, flora, fauna and history of the area, and there’s a tower you can visit as well.

 

Even on a gloomy day, take time to hike the Cliffs of Moher. Just watch your step!

 

17About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50+ free spirit whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

 

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Cat of the week: Cinco de Meow

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , ,
cinco3
Look who’s lounging — it’s Cinco de Meow!

 

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).

The frigid and brutal winter of 2013-2014 was certainly beyond problematic for many a stray in our area. When this beautiful black and white boy showed up in February half-frozen, a kind lady in the community knew it was time to take matters into her own hands and bring him indoors where it was safe and warm. Although a nice neighbor had been feeding him, with temps plummeting and no end to the ice and snow in sight, she knew this guy was in trouble. Not only was he an intact male, he had been beaten up and bullied and his immune system was so compromised he was terribly ill with a nasty respiratory infection.

Want to adopt Cinco? 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.

Wondering when your street will be plowed?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Our Cities, ,

By Victoria Mullen
WKTV

 

It’s the $64,000 question after a huge snow dump: When will my street get plowed? Watch the video above to learn about the City of Wyoming’s snow removal policy. In a nutshell, there are priorities: first, the busiest streets get plowed; next, the collector streets; and last of all, the quiet cul-de-sacs. More info is available here. The goal of the City of Wyoming’s snowplowing operation is to have all streets plowed within 24 hours after the end of a storm.

As with the City of Wyoming, the City of Kentwood’s Department of Public Works prioritizes plowing and salting from highest volume streets to lowest volume streets. Nothing personal, but it goes like this:

  1. Major Streets in the City of Kentwood with the most traffic — such as  44th, 52nd, Kalamazoo and Eastern — get plowed and salted first during a snow “event”.
  2. Collector Streets — next in line are the “main” streets throughout many of the subdivisions where you live. The streets you use to enter or exit an area adjacent to the major streets are plowed and salted after the major streets have been cleared and are as safe as possible to travel on. Some examples of collector streets are: Baileys Grove Dr., Stauffer Ave and Gentian Ave.
  3. Local Streets are the streets within the subdivisions themselves. These are plowed after the collectors are cleared and safe for travel. Salt is typically not spread on the local streets.
  4. Cul-De-Sacs/stub streets are the last to get attention. Smaller pick-up trucks direct the snow to areas in the cul-de-sac that are suitable for snow storage. It’s important that items are removed from the cul-de-sacs — soccer goals, portable basketball hoops and any other miscellaneous items.

Sometimes things don’t go as planned — maybe a busy street has been plowed and the City has moved onto another when Mother Nature disrupts the routine. When this happens — say, the major roads deteriorate — attention is shifted back to them and the cycle starts over.

Both cities make every effort to have all the roads cleared within 24 hours after the snow event has ended. During most snow events crews are working around the clock with trucks on the road 24 hours a day, sometimes for several days in a row.

Don’t worry, they’ll get to you!

On the Shelf Book Review: ‘When You Are Engulfed in Flames’, by David Sedaris

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,
when-you-are-engulfed-in-flamesOn the Shelf Book Review
By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

When David Sedaris, the famous humorist, was in Grand Rapids last spring, the Grand Rapids Press reviewer summed up his type of comedy as “NPR funny”— an excellent term, which perfectly describes an addictive style that touches on the poignant absurdity of life.

Along the lines of Woody Allen and James Thurber, with a bit of Jack Benny and Phillip Roth thrown in, Sedaris takes the melancholy and self-absorbed male to new heights. He’s honed an intense, but not mean-spirited voice over the years, and it is quite unique.

With a self-depreciating eye, he looks over topics like his childhood, family life, a checkered career path, being obsessive, being gay, travel, and his long-term relationship with his partner, Hugh, among others. If the topics seem a little mundane, it’s really about what he does with them.

If you haven’t discovered Sedaris yet, try a couple of his more recent works. One of my favorites is Dress Your Family in Denim and Corduroy, which has the small chapter, The End of the Affair, where David and Hugh take in a movie. It becomes clear to Sedaris that watching romantic movies is just plain dangerous, for reasons that may not have ever occurred to you. These four pages alone are worth the price of the book, and of course his works are available in print or audio at the library for free.

Keep your kids safe in holiday crowds — here’s how

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Holidays, , ,

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

 

Kids can go missing in an instant. One minute, your child is right beside you. You pause to admire some bling in a shop window and when you turn back — your child is gone.

 

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reports that more than 460,000 children go missing in the U.S. every year. Kids are especially at risk during the holidays when they’re out of school and with their families at crowded shopping malls or well-attended holiday events.

 

“The holiday season is a busy time, but in the midst of this busyness it is important to take steps to ensure the safety of our children,” said Lt. Timothy Pols, Wyoming Dept. of Public Safety.

 

Here are some tips on how to keep your kids safe in public this holiday season.

  • Write your cell phone number on the child’s wrist, then cover it with liquid band aid. If you get separated, you can be contacted immediately. Do NOT include your child’s name.
  • On your way out of the house, take a photo of the child on your cell phone. That way you can show people exactly how he or she looks that day.

The Family Education website offers even more ideas:

  • Talk to your kids before a family outing. Make it a rule that you must always be able to see them and they must always be able to see you. It may sound simple, but keep reminding them periodically, especially if you think they’re getting restless.
  • Use the “two giant steps” rule — your kids can never be more than two giant steps away from you. It’s a fun and easy way for young children to remember not to wander away.
  • Teach your kids that if they ever become separated from you, they should look for a “safe stranger” for help. Some examples include a mom with kids or a cash register person. With older children, agree on a “meeting place” ahead of time, in case you become separated.
  • Tell your child never to leave the mall or store to go looking for you, no matter what anyone tells them. Remind your child that you would never leave until you are reunited.
  • In busy places like airports or shopping malls, consider using a cute harness for toddlers who are prone to running off. There are lots of fun ones out there. Your child’s safety is most important, so don’t worry about what others think.
  • Establish the “check first” rule with older children. They must always check first with you before going anywhere in a public place, including another store, play area or even the restroom.
  • Don’t treat public facilities as a “convenient babysitter.” Do not leave your children alone at video arcades, movie theaters, play areas or other public places. Predators look for unsupervised kids.
  • Always bring young children into the restroom with you. Look for well-lit restrooms in high traffic areas whenever possible.
  • Statistically, the men’s room isn’t the safest place for a child to use alone. If you feel comfortable letting your older child (at least 9 years old) use the men’s room alone, stand outside the door and call in as your child enters, “I’m right out here if you need me.” It’s a clear signal to anyone who may be hanging around in there that there’s a parent close by. Your child is less of a target if a potential predator thinks there’s a chance he could be caught. If you think your child’s taking too long, open the door and call in, “Is everything okay?” If you don’t get an answer or are unsure, enter the restroom immediately to be sure your child is safe. (Informing your child that you’ll be doing this will encourage him to answer you quickly and not linger.)
  • Discuss age-appropriate safety issues with your child in a calm, non-fearful manner. Replace the word “strangers” with “tricky people.” Let your child know that it isn’t what people look like that makes them unsafe; it’s what they ask a child to do that makes someone “thumbs down.” Kids have been known to leave with a stranger because “he seemed nice” or “she didn’t look like a stranger.”
  • Make sure that your child knows your cell phone number.

Don’t have kids but know someone who does? Be sure to share these tips!

 

‘Tis the season to hit the slopes!

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation, Weather, , , , ,
Photo courtesy Crystal Mountain website

All that white stuff out there? Great news for skiers and snowmobilers. And, for the first time in seven years, Cannonsburg Ski Area near Rockford, Mich. will open before Christmas — opening day is Dec. 17. (Last year, skiers missed out because of the warm, dry December weather.)

 

Other ski resorts are benefitting from the wintry weather as well. Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, Mich. celebrated its 60th opening day on Dec. 10 and, for the second straight year, Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, Mich. has earned the distinction as No. 1 Terrain Park in the Midwest by TransWorld Snowboarding’s 2017 Park Poll. The magazine ranks the best terrain parks across North America and prints the annual list in its Nov. issue.

 

And then there’s Bittersweet Ski Area in Otsego, which opened Saturday, Dec. 10. (Last year, they were only open two days during December.)

 

You’ll find all the info you need on the ski resorts’ websites at the links above.

 

Four ways to make the best of your job search during the holidays

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, ,

job-search-during-holidays

 

By West MichiganWorks!

 

There’s a common belief that no hiring happens in December. Many recruiters and hiring managers would disagree. In fact, some may need to fill positions by the end of the year. During this time, competition is lower. If everyone else believes no one is hiring around the holidays, they won’t be applying for the jobs you want. Take advantage of this; you will be more likely to stand out in a smaller pool of applicants.

 

Don’t take a break from your job hunt during the holidays. Instead, make the most of it!  Here are some ways you can use the holiday season to your advantage.

  • Network at holiday gatherings. Attend as many events as possible and mention your job search to friends and family. Be prepared with a strong elevator speech to describe your goals and what you are looking for. Ask for recommendations and introductions to people that could help in your search.
  • Ask for an Informational Interview. An informational interview is an informal conversation with someone who is working in an area or at a company you are interested in. If someone in your network is taking vacation time over the holidays, request a meeting or phone call. Ask if they would be willing to offer advice.
  • Follow up. While hiring managers are still looking to fill positions over the holidays, they may not make job offers until after the New Year. Stay in touch to let them know you are interested. Send a holiday card and stay on their radar until the position is filled.
  • Make sure you can be reached. Check your voicemail and email regularly and respond in a timely manner. Be available to take calls and schedule interviews, even if it’s the day before Christmas.

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

Two local graduates help national Christian singer produce music video

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, , , , ,
Compass Alum, Kevin Sytsma (left), sets up the next shot with Director Harold Cronk (right).
Compass alum and Wyoming resident Kevin Sytsma (left), sets up the next shot with Director Harold Cronk (right).

By Jessie Hollet

Compass College of Cinematic Arts

 

Renowned film director, Harold Cronk (“God’s Not Dead,” “God’s Not Dead 2”), teamed up with film students from Compass College of Cinematic Arts to create a music video featuring singer-songwriter Micah Tyler and his chart-topping song, “Never Been a Moment.”

 

Filming took place at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, in the Streets of Old Grand Rapids located on the main floor and in the former Grand Rapids City Hall clock tower located on the third floor. The video was released earlier this week on FreeCCM.com.

 

“It was a huge confidence builder receiving the role of production coordinator on a professional music video,” said Stephanie Norton, a Kentwood resident who is a senior at Compass. “I was really excited but at the same time terrified I might screw up. The production coordinator is a big job.

“The production coordinator makes sure everything is running smoothly before, during and after the shoot. I had to book the accommodations. During the shoot, I was in charge of making sure everyone is happy.”

 

Micah Tyler sings “Never Been a Moment” while filming at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts.
Micah Tyler sings “Never Been a Moment” while filming at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts.

Cronk currently is in post-production for his next feature film, “God Bless the Broken Road,” which features Tyler’s music. Tyler is well-known for his parody on the millennial generation called “You’ve Gotta Love Millennials,” which was for a Christian leadership conference earlier this year. The video received more than 23.1 million views on social media and almost 2.5 million views on YouTube.

 

“Micah Tyler was very kind and worked really hard. He kept the energy high and was very down to earth,” Norton said.

 

Several Compass College interns and alumni have been working on Cronk’s film. When the opportunity arose to create a music video for Tyler, Cronk reached out to Compass College offering interns and students in the music video and sound design courses experience working with professionals.

 

“Harold is an excellent teacher who continually offers Compass students excellent on-set opportunities,” said Compass College President Keri Lowe. “Even with his success as a filmmaker, he continues to look for ways to serve and give back to his community.”

 

Compass students worked on many different aspects of the music video project, from scouting locations to camera work, to assistant directing, to sound and editing.

 

Compass College Senior, Jonathan Clark (right), holds the film slate as Micah Tyler (right) prepares for the next take. (Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts.)
Compass College Senior, Jonathan Clark (right), holds the film slate as Micah Tyler (right) prepares for the next take. (Photo courtesy of Compass College of Cinematic Arts.)

“The most exciting part of the process was the first shot of day. It is exhilarating when you see everyone working hard, but also having fun,” Norton said.

 

For Compass College senior Paul Rice, the most exciting part of the process was post-production. “I was selected to work as the primary editor for the project,” Rice said. “It has been a great opportunity for me to work on a professional project.”

 

The music video is scheduled to be released Friday, Dec. 9 on Vevo.com and Tyler’s YouTube channel, MicahTylerVEVO.  “God Bless the Broken Road” is expected to hit theatres summer, 2017.

 

Start off your New Year right — take a few healthy (and fun) cooking classes!

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Local Food, Upcoming Events, ,

Experience the magic of the season, Downtown Market-style and check out the January 2017 class schedule below for your next fun food experience.

 

weekly_meal_prep_550_275_90WEEKLY MEAL PREP

Wed, January 4, 6-8:30 pm • $60

 

You’ll prepare enough meals to get through the entire week. Learn how to make root vegetable chorizo enchiladas, rustic pasta bake, autumn squash soup, pork vegetable stir-fry and a hearty beef stew. At the end of class you’ll head home with containers filled to the brim with scrumptious delights.

 

REGISTER

 

fitness_foods_550_367_90

FITNESS FOODS

Thu, January 5, 6-8:30 pm • $60

 

If you’re an athlete or trying to live a healthy lifestyle but are having a hard time being creative with food, this class is for you. You’ll make a multigrain Moroccan chicken stew, whole grain pasta salad with winter vegetables and a filling shake with banana, chocolate and peanut butter.

 

REGISTER

 

juice_550_275_90INTRODUCTION TO JUICING WITH MALAMIAH JUICE BAR

Sun, January 8, 10 am-12 pm, • $45

 

Join Malamiah Juice Bar as they introduce you to the practice of juicing in order to get the maximum nutrients from your fruits and vegetables. You’ll learn about the health benefits of juicing all while creating delicious juice combinations with targeted health benefits. Plus, you’ll learn how to include boosters and enjoy ample samples.
REGISTER

 

knife_vegetable_550_275_90KNIFE SKILLS: VEGETABLE BUTCHERY

Tue, January 10, 10 am-12:30 pm • $60

Tue, January 10, 6-8:30 pm • $60

 

Vegetables aren’t just a side dish, in this class they are a rock star! You’ll learn proper techniques on how to select, prep, slice and dice, and then masterfully cook a variety of vegetables—from beets (smashed and seared with chimichurri and goat cheese crema) to zucchini (zucchini olive oil cake with lemon drizzle).

 

REGISTER FOR 10a
REGISTER FOR 6p

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE DOWNTOWN MARKET’S JANUARY CALENDAR