Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

Farm Market Recipe of the Week: Chicken and Spiced Apples

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Food, Non-Profits, , ,

chicken spiced applesChicken and Spiced Apples

 

Makes: 6 servings
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

 

Ingredients

 

2 apples, preferably Braeburn, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 teaspoons unsalted butter, divided
1 1/8 teaspoons herbes de Provence, (see Note), divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

 

Directions

 

1. Toss apple slices with lemon juice and cinnamon in a small bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Keep warm.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence, salt and pepper. Place chicken between sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or the bottom of a small saucepan to a 1/2-inch thickness. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with the seasoning mixture.
3. Heat 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken and cook until no longer pink in the center, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a platter and keep warm. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter to the pan; heat over high heat. Cook the remaining chicken in the same manner.
4. Add broth, lemon zest, the remaining 1/8 teaspoon herbes and any accumulated juices from the chicken to the pan. Cook, stirring to scrape up any browned bits, until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve with the sauteed apples.

 

Note: Herbes de Provence is a mixture of dried herbs commonly used in the south of France. You can find commercial mixtures in specialty stores, but it is easy to make your own. Mix 1 tablespoon each (or equal proportions) dried thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram and savory in a small jar. If desired, add a pinch of dried lavender and crushed aniseed.

 

Nutritional Information
Per serving: 185 calories; 7 g fat(2 g sat); 1 g fiber; 7 g carbohydrates; 24 g protein; 6 mcg folate; 68 mg cholesterol; 5 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 119 IU vitamin A; 4 mg vitamin C; 29 mg calcium; 1 mg iron; 341 mg sodium; 276 mg potassium

No need to raise a stink — the bugs are already here

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, How-To's, Pets/Animals, , , ,
stink-bug-courtesy-photo-david-r-lance-bugwood-org
Meet Mr. Stinky, the source of all this brouhaha

The stink bugs are coming! The stink bugs are coming! (Oh, wait. They’re already here.)

 

Well, just don’t you panic — it’s that time of year (you know, like shedding season for Fluffy and Fido), when the little buggers look for a warm place to hibernate for winter — in your home. Can you blame them?

 

Wait! Who? What?

Specifically, it’s the brown marmorated stink bugs that are raising such a stink in lower Michigan. Remember last fall, when we were asked to report any sightings of these guys in our homes? Yeah, me neither, but apparently Michigan residents were asked to report sightings, and apparently there were enough sightings to warrant an official decree: marmorated stink bugs are well-established as a nuisance pest in homes in the southern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

 

It makes sense when you think about it. The little guys want to stay warm during the cold months and don’t worry, they promise to leave in the spring if they can find their way back out. If they do make it back out, they’ll look for plants to eat and lay their eggs outside.

 

Seriously, there is no cause for worry. They are not nesting, laying eggs or feeding on you, your pets or anything in your house. I repeat: They are harmless to pets and humans. They just want a warm place to rest their sweet little mandibles.

 

Who ARE these guys, anyway?

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hempitera: Pentatohalyomorpha_halysmidae), is an invasive insect native to Japan and Asia. It was first discovered in Michigan in 2011. Since then they have been slowly spreading throughout the state. In addition to causing damage to plants and fruit, the little stinkers are a major nuisance because adult stink bugs often seek shelter inside houses and other buildings in the fall. Once inside, they congregate almost anywhere. Although they will not cause structural damage or reproduce in homes or bite people or pets, and although they are not known to transmit disease or cause physical harm, the insect produces a pungent, malodorous chemical and when handling the bug, the odor is transferred readily.

 

Oh, my! What should I do?

  1. Don’t panic. We said that upfront, but it bears repeating.
  2. Look for gaps around window air conditioners or holes in window screens and block them off — these little stinkers love these easy access points.
  3. The easiest, non-toxic way to dispose of them is with a couple inches of soapy water in a bucket — the soap prevents them from escaping the water. Yup, just sweep ’em into the bucket and they will drown in the soapy water, which you can then dump outside. Or you can do the same with a Shop-Vac — add the soapy water to the canister before vacuuming them up with the Shop-Vac. (You may want to use an old, junker vacuum for this purpose because the bugs may live up to their name and “stink up” your vacuum.)
  4. Report how many you’ve seen at a given location using the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network. If you have trouble entering the information on the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network website, leave a message for Julianna Wilson via email at jkwilson@msu.edu or by phone at 517.432.4766 with your name, address (or nearest crossroads), the date you saw them, and how many you have seen.

stink-bug-map

The map above shows where reports have been made to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network of brown marmorated stink bugs in the Lower Peninsula since Sept. 25, 2015.

 

(Call me crazy, but I posit that if these guys didn’t go around stinking things up, nobody would have been the wiser.)

 

 

 

Roaming Rome, Italy

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

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

Welcome to another chapter in the ongoing series by our world traveler, Lynn Strough. This week, Lynn roams Rome.

Rome, the Eternal City — it was known that way even among the ancient Romans, because the Roman people thought no matter what happened to the world, the brightness of Rome would burn forever.

 

One of my Travel Angels, Beth, made it burn even brighter, when she booked us into the Waldorf Astoria with her travel points, high up on a hill, a true room with a view. It’s a great city to share with a friend.

 

31There’s so much to see and do in Rome, it’s hard to know where to start. The Trevi Fountain is undergoing restoration, hence it’s dry, but it’s still worth a look. They say if you throw a coin into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome. I threw one in 20 years ago, and here I am, but what does it mean that the fountain isn’t flowing?

 

Beth was smart and got tickets on line to the Colosseum, so we got in quickly, despite long August lines, and spent an hour or two with an audio tour learning that they don’t really know that Christians were thrown to the lions there, although gladiators did duke it out to the death, and lions and bears and other beasts participated, including 50 bears that came out of a fake whale once. Apparently the Colosseum was a site of many a spectacle, and the elite as well as the lower classes were allowed in, albeit in very different seating positions. Seeing the Colosseum in the rain was a treat, quite atmospheric, like a trip back in time. And then the sun appeared and I got some blue sky shots as well.

 

From there, we visited the Forum, a busy place in peak season and afterwards, treated ourselves to gelato — you really can’t eat enough gelato in Italy, in my opinion.

 

On the recommendation of a friend, we toured the Basilica of San Clemente, which is a layer cake of churches (our friend Sue calls it the lasagne church). It’s a church on top of a church on top of a church. Intriguing, although kind of spooky on the bottom layer. Sorry, no photos allowed inside.

 

20We wandered past lines of people waiting to get into the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel — I’d already been there years ago, and Beth decided it wasn’t a priority for her. But if you do go to Rome and want to see them, I highly recommend that you buy tickets ahead on line, especially if you’re there in the summer.

 

After a peek at the exterior of the buildings we headed for a stroll through Trastevere, a lovely neighborhood full of old buildings glowing in the afternoon sun and we stopped at one of the small trattorias for lunch.

 

One of my favorite things to do in Rome is to simply walk. Put away your map and wander, up this narrow street, down that alleyway. You’ll see lots of beautiful architectural details and some of the local non-human inhabitants. You’ll spy interesting graffiti and who knows what all else.

 

25Heading back towards our shuttle stop, we passed the Pantheon, so we stopped inside. It’s a place not to miss. The signs all say “silence please,” and a recording announces it in six languages, while hundreds of tourists keep talking. But despite the commotion and crowds, you still get a sense of the grandeur and spirituality of the place.

 

I’ve only scratched the surface of things to do in Rome — there are countless museums to peruse, gardens to wander, piazzas to linger in, bridges to cross and of course, bargain shopping for the kitsch, as well as high-end haute couture for the rich).

 

We only had a few days, but spend more time if you can, and enjoy the people, the food, the beauty and the history that is Rome.

 

37About 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

 

The Weekend Edition: Things to do for Sept. 29 – Oct. 2

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,

logosCommunity Finds

South Kent Community Expo takes place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at the East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. More than 80 vendors are expected to be at featuring an array of services and products available in Kentwood, Wyoming, Gaines Township and Cutlerville. There will be fire and rescue demonstrations along with cultural events hosted by the Kentwood Public Schools. The event is free to the public. For more information, click here.

 

ArtPrize 2016

ArtPrizing

The Round 1 voting for Artprize ends at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, with the top five entries in each of the four categories – two-dimensional, three-dimensional, time-based, and installation – moving on to the Round 2 voting which starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, which is the day the top twenty will be announced.  Those interested in learning more about the juror’s selections can do so through the Critical Discourse program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at the ArtPrize HUB, 41 Sheldon Blvd. SE. The ArtPrize Eight Grand Prize Jurors—including Michelle Grabner, artist and professor at School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Paul Ha, director at the MIT List Visual Arts Center; and Eric Shiner, senior vice president at Sotheby’s—also will discus the current and future state of contemporary art exhibitions.

 

29f15603-eaa1-4d98-be9808744781ce84_featureimageThe Burns Edition

Actor’s Theatre gets its season underway with Ann Washubrn’s play “Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play.” After the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors share a campfire and being to piece together the plot of The Simpsons’ episode “Cape Feare.” Explore how pop culture becomes the myths and legends from which new forms of performance are created. The show runs this weekend and next at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. All shows are 8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday. Tickets are $22 – $28. For more information, visit actorstheatregrandrapids.org.

 

16974807-standardThe Greatest Show on Earth

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus returns to the Van Andel Arena with a show that promises to be “extreme.” Performances includes the Human Cannoball, high wire act The Daring Danguir Troupe, Taba and his Exotic Big Cats, The Mighty Ibarra and the Wheel of Steel and amazing trampoline and bicycle feats from The Incredible Concrete Jungle. Oh, and of course there will be plenty of clowns. Shows are 7 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1; 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. Tickets start at $12. For more information, visit, vanandelarena.com.

 

cinderella6602If the shoe fits

Broadway Grand Rapids currently presents Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” through Sunday at DeVos Performance Hall. The timeless classic features some of the most recognizable Broadway tunes such as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1; 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. For more information, visit broadwaygrandrapids.com.

 

Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day — here’s where to get deals on a cuppa

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, , , , ,

coffee-thumbnail

If it’s September 29, then it’s National Coffee Day

(Curiously, there is no information on why or how Sept. 29 became so blessed.)

 

Your coffee addiction? Well, you can probably thank Baba Budan for that. I say “probably” because there are differing views on the origins of the bean. In one version, back in 1670, Baba Budan strapped seven coffee seeds onto his chest and smuggled them out of the Middle East. (Seeds being beans, really.) He brought seven beans because the number 7 is considered sacred in Islam. The first plants grown from these fateful seeds were planted in Mysore. After that, the bean spread quickly to Italy, to the rest of Europe, to Indonesia and the Americas. The rest is history.

 

giphyAnother version has it that in the 15th century in the Sufi monasteries around Mokha in Yemen (Southern Arabia), coffee seeds (i.e., beans) were first roasted and brewed, very similarly to the way they are prepared today. Yemeni traders brought coffee back to their homeland from Ethiopia and started cultivating the seed (er, bean). Mokha, Yemen would become a large coffee marketplace and where the sought-after Mokha beans, which today we call mocha, were found.

 

That’s all fine and dandy, but someone had to discover what made the bean so irresistible in the first place, right? So, here’s another legend for you: a 9th-century Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi (yes, he has his own Wikipedia page) noticed that his flock “became energetic after eating the bright red berries.” Of course, he had to try them for himself and was pleasantly surprised by the burst of energy he experienced. He then brought some of the berries to a local monk, who disapproved of their use and threw them into a fire. And thanks to that jerk of a monk, we now know that heat roasts the beans with aromatic results. The roasted bean was plucked from the fire and soaked in hot water. Voila! Coffee.

 

Cool beans, for sure, but the important thing is that Thursday, September 29 is National Coffee Day, and there are several sources of great deals on coffee in Kentwood, Wyoming and Grand Rapids.

Here’s where you can cop a free — or greatly reduced price on a — cuppa (and other goodies):

Ferris Coffee, 227 Winter Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, is celebrating with an ArtPrize Latte Art Throwdown on Sept. 29. Baristas from all around the Midwest will compete in this single elimination, bracket-style throwdown. The grand prize? The coveted La Marzocco – Linea Mini. Go here for details.

 

krispy-kremeKrispy Kreme is giving away a free 12-oz cup of coffee and you also get a free Original Glazed Doughnut to go along with it. Click here for a list of locations.

 

Dunkin’ Donuts is celebrating by offering medium hot coffee for only 66 cents (it’s their 66th year of serving up donuts and coffee) — go here for more info and locations.

Starbucks is celebrating National Coffee Day by donating a coffee tree for every brewed cup of México Chiapas coffee you buy on Thursday, September 29. “Today’s cup can help a farmer’s future.” Go here for a list of locations in the area.

Eight O’Clock Coffee — Log on to www.EightOClock.com to receive a free sample of Coffee Thins, while supplies last. The thins are edible treats crafted from 100% whole coffee beans.

There are probably other hidden gems that have deals, too, so feel free to explore. But you only have Thursday, Sept. 29 to find them.

Brewery Vivant is presenting sponsor for 6th Annual Fork Fest

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

defaultvivantBrewery Vivant will be the presenting sponsor at Grand Rapids Fork Fest this year and LocalFirst is excited for the brewery/restaurant to participate in this festival of local food and beverage entrepreneurs.

 

This year the popular event returns to Romence Gardens, 265 Lakeside Drive, NE. The event is set  for Oct. 20 from 5 – 9 p.m.

 

Brewery Vivant is a great advocate for this event because the owners truly embody what Fork Fest is all about. They believe a great business exists because of the support of its local community and, therefore, has the opportunity to be an active extension of that community.

 

Fork Fest is a great platform for Vivant to showcase its message: When food and beer are paired together, it can elevate both to a new level of enjoyment. For example, a great pairing at Brewery Vivant can be found in one of the pub’s staple brews, Farm Hand, a French-style farmhouse ale, with the kitchen’s divine duck nachos. The bright acidity of Farm Hand perfectly complements the richness of the duck.

 

defaultnachosOne beer Brewery Vivant owners are particularly excited to bring this year is Pumpkin Tart: a farmhouse pumpkin ale brewed with real pumpkin and spices. Its ability to pair with autumn desserts and entrees will astound Fork Fest attendees.

 

More than 40 West Michigan’s restaurants, farms, grocers, bakeries, breweries and more will be participating in the 6th Annual Folk Fest. New this year will be an on-site butchering demonstration by Louise Earl Butcher.

 

All samples are included in the ticket and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. For more information, visit the LocalFirst website.

Ease on down Wyoming’s Pumpkin Path for all kinds of goodies, fun

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Believe it or not it is almost time for every ghost, goblin, and superhero — big or small — to ready their favorite attire in preparation for one of the City of Wyoming’s most popular events: the Pumpkin Path.

 

Yes, the annual activity that pretty much kicks of the haunting season in the city is set for Saturday, Oct. 8, at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter SW. The event is from 4 to 6 p.m.

 

“We have about 70 to 80 businesses attending who hand out a variety of items, candy, trinkets, coupons,” said Wyoming Recreation Programer Valarie Mester. “We encourage them to bring something for the kids as well as the adults because adults like things too.”

 

pumpkin-path-2011-261Because this event is free and does not require any registration, Mester said the department can only estimate on the number of people in attendance, which in the past has been around 7,000 people with about 2,000 – 3,000 being children.

 

“Most people do come in costume,” Mester said. “It is not required, but it is an opportunity to wear them earlier in the season.”

 

And perhaps no one knows costumes better than Gayle Vaartjes of Wyoming’s Kostume Room, 835 36th St. SW.

 

“Star Wars is going to be big this year,” Vaartjes said, adding that this is because of last Christmas’s release of Star Wars:The Force Awakens. “When there is a movie involved, it usually indicates if the costume is going to be popular.”

 

Another hit is the recently released Suicide Squad, with Harley Quinn, The Joker, and Deadshot being the most popular, she said.

 

“I have the Batman from the other moves and the other Jokers from the other movies as well,” Vaartjes said. “We have everything.”

 

pumpkin-path-2011-227For children, Vaartjes said Star Wars will be big along with the princesses and ninjas as well as the classics such as witches and ghosts.

 

“There are people who love Halloween,” Vaartjes said. “Just like there are some people who love Christmas and it’s their holiday and it’s a time to be someone else and just be creative.”

 

With the growth of the Pumpkin Path over the years, it is pretty apparent people do love the Halloween season. The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department has been hosting the Pumpkin Path for about 13 years. “They used to host a Halloween party and that started to have a decline in attendance, so staff began to think about what else they could do,” Mester said. “Something that was out-of-the-box.”

 

Or at least down the path as patrons travel a paved loop through Lamar Park lined with various businesses stocked with treats to handout. Participating businesses can compete for such awards as most spirited, best costume, and best decorated pumpkin, which are judged by members of the teen council.

 

“It’s pretty neat,” Mester said. “We have had some pretty cool costumes over the years.”

 

A few tips Mester offered for those planning to attend:

 

The entrance to the free event parking is located on Byron Center Ave near where it intersects with Chicago Drive.

 

You do not need to arrive at 4 p.m. to participate. Actually, Mester said they have the first group that comes around 4 p.m. and they go through with usually a couple of more waves who come through after that. “So arriving around 5 p.m. is fine.”

 

The Pumpkin Path opens at 4 p.m. and not a second sooner.

 

For more information on this and other events hosted by the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, visit their website.

‘The Golden Age of Sports Cars, 1949-1967’ at Gilmore Car Museum Oct. 1 through April 2017

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,
janis-joplin-porsche-356
Janis Joplin and her psychedelic 1964 Porsche 356

The Golden Age of Sports Cars, 1949-1967 is the title of an all-new special museum exhibition opening at the Gilmore Car Museum on Saturday, October 1st and running until April 2017.

 

This exhibit showcases nearly two dozen of the rarest and most sought-after sports cars in the world including Nicolas Cage’s 1967 Ferrari 275/GTB 4, the race-inspired 1955 Mercedes Benz Gull Wing, and an authentic Shelby Cobra 427.

 

For a very short period — only the first 10 days of the exhibit — guests will be also able to see rock legend Janis Joplin’s psychedelic 1964 Porsche 356 that set a world record price paid for a Porsche 356 when it was sold in 2015 by Sotheby’s Auction for $1.76 million, earning nearly triple its high estimate of $600,000.

 

Joplin purchased the Porsche used in 1968 and had it painted bumper to bumper in a mural which includes psychedelic skull-like faces, mushrooms and floating eyes as well as landscapes, butterflies and birds.

 

The car became Joplin’s daily driver in the San Francisco Bay area and it’s said that fans would often leave notes for her under the windshield wipers.

 

While multiple replicas of Carroll Shelby’s famed Cobra 427 have been built by hobbyists, the Gilmore Car Museum’s exhibit features a very rare authentic example. The unaltered 1967 Cobra is one of only 30 “Street” versions produced and was delivered new by Brondes Ford of Toledo, Ohio (and is the 6th from the last Cobra ever produced). It can reach 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 163 mph.

 

What caused the great interest in sports cars during this time period? Just after WWII, many returning American servicemen brought back a variety of sports cars they had discovered in Europe. These small cars were ill-suited for a family and were often uncomfortable, but they offered an exciting experience to drive.

 

American car manufacturers quickly recognized the enthusiasm and potential market, and by the early 1950s, they had introduced American cars to compete. The Chevrolet Corvette debuted in 1953, the Kaiser Darrin arrived in 1954, and the Ford Thunderbird was introduced in 1955.

 

The special exhibit is sponsored in part by the Mad Dogs & Englishmen British Car Club and was assembled by guest curators Tom Kayser and John Lacko, both well-known locally and among sports car aficionados.

 

The Gilmore Car Museum—North America’s largest auto museum—is located just 20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo on M-43 and Hickory Road. To learn more about the Gilmore Car Museum visit: www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org or call the Museum at 269.671.5089.

 

‘Bird’ is the word for fall events fun at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Events, , ,
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Photo courtesy of W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary website

October is a special month at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, with three events designed to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages who want to learn more about birds.

 

Get to know the Sanctuary’s ambassador birds of prey at Birds of Prey Live on October 1st from 1-2:30 pm. The Sanctuary is home to a number of birds of prey, including owls, hawks, and bald eagles, who are injured and cannot survive in the wild. Visitors of all ages can participate in a variety of games and activities. Admission for members is $5/adult, $4/senior or student and $3/child, and for non-members it is $7/adult, $6/senior or student and $5/child.

 

On October 12th, from 9-10:30 am, join experts on an autumn morning bird walk to see the birds of the Sanctuary at the monthly Birds and Coffee Walk. Following the walk, participants can enjoy a cup of bird-friendly coffee during a discussion of the morning’s finds. These Birds & Coffee Walks are held every second Wednesday of the month (Upcoming: October 12th, November 9th and December 14th). Admission is free for members, and is $5/adult, $4/senior or student and $3/child for non-members.

 

As part of the regional Arts & Eats tour, visit the Bird Sanctuary to see beautiful local art on October 15th and 16th. This is a great opportunity to get to know artists in the area, as well as explore the grounds of the Bird Sanctuary. The Sanctuary will be open on October 15th from 9 am to 5 pm, and on October 16th from 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is free.

 

All of these events will be held at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, located at 12685 East C Ave, in Augusta, Mich. To learn more, visit birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, call 269.671.2510 or email birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu.

 

Sensory Friendly Museum Night Oct. 4 at the GRPM

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

sensory-friendly-museum-nightThe Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will open its doors free of charge to families affected by autism and other sensory-processing challenges on Tuesday, October 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission on this night to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits at no cost.

 

Visitors will enjoy a sensory-friendly museum environment, special ArtPrize-themed activities and a free planetarium show. The Museum and the Chaffee Planetarium will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for all.

 

“We are excited to be able to offer a night at the Museum to those with autism and family members to experience our exhibits in an environment comfortable for them. This allows more community members that wouldn’t usually be able to visit the Museum an experience to create lifetime memories from our sensory-friendly exhibits and artifacts,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM.

 

The Museum is able to host this Sensory Friendly Museum Night thanks to a sponsorship from Behavioral Health.

 

The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids; and West Michigan Habitats that showcase the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.

 

Adventures at San Diego Comic-Con: Warner Brothers at Hall H

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Wonder Woman CastFor the second straight year, Katelyn visited Comic-Con in San Diego. In case you missed it: Wonder Woman had an anniversary, Her Universe had a fashion show, and costumes galore!

 

Written and photographed by: Katelyn Kohane

 

“I was brought to life by Zeus.” – Wonder Woman

 

We finally made it into Hall H a little after 10am after camping out all night on Saturday. I planned on staying in Hall H all day because the line up was capital A-mazing!

 

Warner Brothers kicked off the day with a lineup that included Wonder Woman, Justice League, Suicide Squad, The Lego Batman, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Kong: Skull Island, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I would expect nothing less than the incredible lineup we got with Warner Brothers.

 

On top of the great lineup, the morning was hosted by none other than Conan O’Brien!

 

The presentation began with a fantastic trailer for Wonder Woman that was followed by O’Brien introducing the cast. Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, and Director Patty Jenkins were on the panel to talk about the movie. Gal Gadot summed it up nicely when she mentioned that it took “a lot of hard work and patience.”

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After Wonder Woman came a surprise guest, the cast for Justice League. While they couldn’t stay long – they were headed over to the film set – they stayed long enough to show the trailer and talk to the crowd. Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, and Director Zack Snyder were in attendance.

 

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Suicide Squad, which is currently in theaters, took time on Saturday to pay a visit to Hall H.

 

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After the Suicide Squad cast made their appearance, we were shown the trailer for The Lego Batman movie and we had the opportunity to see Chris Mckay and Will Arnett. Then we saw the trailer for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Charlie Hunnam came and spoke for a little while. When asked how he prepared for such a role, Charlie Hunnam said he tried not to think about it too much.

 

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Next on tap was Kong: Skull Island! Tom Hiddleston (Loki!), Brie Larson, John Goodman (Roseanne and Speed Racer), Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchel and Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts appeared onstage. The movie was filmed in three countries and we were given the first glimpse of the trailer at Comic-Con.

 

And to end our morning in Hall H, we were shown the trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The movie is a story inside the universe of Harry Potter. After the trailer, we were introduced to Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, and David Yates.

 

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The first part of the morning certainly had an amazing line up of guests and trailers! “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” is to stay tuned to see what happens the rest of the day in Hall H! As a spoiler I will mention Star Trek. Until next time…“Live Long and Prosper.”

This all-feline band is the cat’s meow! See them purrform Oct. 16 & 17 in GR

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, , , ,
aacircus
The Amazing Acro-Cats are coming to Grand Rapids (photo courtesy of the Acro-Cats website)

 

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

 

Coming to Grand Rapids October 16 and 17 are the Amazing Acro-Cats, a Chicago-based troupe of real rescued house cats. These fabulous felines perform a plethora of feats with their fancy footwork: they jump through hoops, ride on skateboards, ring bells, rolling barrels, walk the high wire, climb on ropes and more. Anyone who has tried herding cats will appreciate the time, love and patience that goes into training these kitty athletes.

 

But wait! There’s more. The only all-cat band in the entire world — Tuna and the Rock Cats — purrforms as the finale. You don’t want to miss this.

 

One of the four “cat shows” in the U.S., the Amazing Acro-Cats and their human staff are devoted to promoting cat-training awareness and supporting feline adoption and rescue across the country. Their mission and goal are to show cat lovers how to improve their relationship with their furrever friends through positive reinforcements that yield long-lasting and beneficial behaviors.

 

See their performance on Animal Planet:

 

 

The troupe of former orphans and strays travel from city to city in a custom cat bus and form partnerships that encourage fostering and finding homes for cats and kittens.

 

Tickets are $22-$32. Get your tickets here.

 

When: 1 pm & 5 pm Sunday, Oct. 16; 7 pm Monday, Oct. 17

 

acro-catsWhere: Peter Wege Auditorium, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506

 

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

 

 Photos courtesy of The Acro-Cats website.

Community organizations come together for first South Kent Expo

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

logosSeveral community organizations — covering four municipalities — have come together to host the first South Kent Community Expo, which is set for this Saturday, Oct. 1.

 

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, Kentwood Public Schools, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cutlerville-Gaines Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting the expo which runs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The event is free.

 

expo“The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department hosted a health expo and they were running out of space at the location they were at along with the fact that we at the chamber and Cutlerville-Gaines have hosted expos in the past,”said Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, as he talked about how the idea for the South Kent Community Expo came about. “Coming together, we felt that we had more options and a better opportunity to reach a broader range of residents.”

 

The expo is designed to bring in a representation of businesses and organizations in the Wyoming, Kentwood, Gaines and Cutlerville areas. About 80 different vendors are expected to be at the event representing a variety of groups from health care to financial.

 

“We do not have a lot of duplicate businesses,” O’Callaghan said. “We have a variety of services along with organizations that provide products. It’s a nice representation and should meet about anyone’s tastes or needs.”

 

Mixed in will be several local restaurants and food stores that will be providing tastings of some of the items they offer. There also will be outside activities that include demonstrations from fire and rescue.

 

Kentwood Public Schools will be providing a variety of cultural activities, which O’Callaghan said organizers hope will help draw people to the expo.

 

Being the first year, O’Callaghan said it is hard to predict how many people will attend. A lot depends on the weather, however; being that the event is free, organizers are expecting somewhere between 2,000 – 3,000 participants.

‘Big Lebowski’ Beer Tour rolls back into Kalamazoo Oct. 1

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

timthumbIn honor of one of the finest and most oft­-quoted films of all time, West Michigan Beer Tours is proud to present the return of the Big Lebowski Beer Tour.

 

In collaboration with Greenbush Brewing Co., Latitude 42 Brewing Co., Airway Fun Center and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the Big Lebowski Beer Tour is yours to enjoy on Saturday, October 1st.

 

The tour includes a trio of specialty beers that reference the film from Greenbush brewer Jake Demski — a unique, tie­-dye-­laden tour of Latitude 42 Brewing Co.; bowling at Airway Fun Center; and a quote­-along of the cult film starring Jeff Bridges. The tour will begin with registration at 3 pm at Central City Tap House and officially conclude with a movie party/screening of The Big Lebowski at 7:30pm at the Alamo Drafthouse.

 

Garb referencing the film is highly encouraged (and may be rewarded). Hotel discounts are also available on request. Greenbush Brewing Co. will provide these small ­batch beers as part of the event:

  • “Obviously You’re Not A Golfer” –­­ 5% ABV Arnold Palmer Ale (available at Central City Tap House; ale with lemonade and ice tea in secondary fermentation)
  • “The Brew Abides” ­­– 9% ABV White Russian Imperial Stout (available at the Airway Fun Center)
  • “Who’s Woo?” ­­– 7% ABV Rice IPA (available at Alamo Drafthouse)

Ticket prices are: “The Donny” ($55,­­ ride only, pay rest as you go); “The Walter” ($79, samples, tour and logo pint glass at Latitude 42; one game of bowling and movie ticket); “The Dude” ($99­­, samples, tour and logo pint glass at Latitude 42; unlimited bowling; West Michigan Beer Tours T­-shirt and movie ticket).

Itinerary

Origination: Central City Tap House, registration at 3 pm with 4 pm departure.

 

Stop 1: Latitude 42 Brewing Co., samples, tour, logo pint glass, 4:15- 5:15 pm.

 

Stop 2: Airway Fun Center, bowling, full pour, 5:30-6:45 pm.

 

Termination: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Kalamazoo, The Big Lebowski Quote­Along, 7 pm with 7:30 pm screening (Central City Tap House is about a block away from Alamo). For more information, go here.

 

For more details on upcoming tours, click on the “Tours” tab on their website, westmichiganbeertours.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and TripAdvisor.

 

 

 

Guiding Light’s ‘Back to Work’ program a smart, strong solution for financial independence

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

guiding-light-back-to-work

 

Finding work can be hard enough, but just imagine how difficult it would be if you had an addiction. This is a fact of life for many folks.

 

Guiding Light’s Back to Work program provides a short-term stay for men who are employed or seeking full-time employment, allowing them to save money while they look for permanent housing. Other programs assist in addiction recovery, finding full-time employment and affordable housing.

 

Men in the program sleep in a men’s dorm and eat meals at Guiding Light. They receive job coaching, training in techniques for searches, and daily encouragement and advice. They have use of a computer lab for online job searching, email and résumé preparation. Phones are also available for local calls. As needed, they are provided with transportation and prerequisite necessities to accept a job offer.

 

The Back to Work program is a smart and strong solution for promoting financial independence through work. Each year, millions of dollars are funneled back into the local economy because of the emphasis Guiding Light has on helping men find and hold steady employment.

 

Guiding Light receives no government funding or insurance. All programs are funded by individual donors.

 

Each donation provides a man with the tools and resources to rebuild his life and re-engage with community.

 

Guiding Light is located at 255 Division Ave. S in Grand Rapids. For more information, call 616.451.0236 or email info@lifeonthestreet.org.

Is ArtPrize the New Christmas?

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Jess McDonald at Rockwell Republic says ArtPrize is now the busiest season of the year. (Photo reprinted by permission from Engine and Matt Gryczan. All copyrights reserved.)
Jess McDonald at Rockwell Republic says ArtPrize is now the busiest season of the year.

By Matt Gryczan

 

Downtown Grand Rapids restauranteurs say that ArtPrize has eclipsed Christmas as the busiest season for walk-in traffic — and that can be a double-edged sword for a restaurant that isn’t prepared for the people crush.

 

But the boost in patronage is a welcomed problem, particularly since it smooths out the sometimes feast-or-famine nature of serving food downtown. Another interesting note: the number of new faces entering your door can depend on if there’s a hot entry nearby.

 

“This is the biggest three weeks of the year for us, hands down,” said Jess McDonald, day manager of the Rockwell half of Rockwell Republic at 45 S. Division Ave. “ArtPrize helps to bring in all sorts of new clients.”

 

The colorful chalkboard on the sidewalk at Rockwell Republic said it all: “ArtPrize 2016 — Stop in for food & Art.” There was a steady flow of patrons for the arts and dining on Thursday morning, some who lingered to savor Corrine Hudson’s entry in oils, “Abstract Landscape.”

 

“Do you have any more art?” one visitor asked. There was, on the Republic side of the business that was closed for serving lunch, but open for people to saunter through its temporary gallery of 6 other artworks.

 

“In all honesty, the traffic of new people can depend on where the pieces are located,” Jess said. “Popular pieces obviously bring in more people.”

 

San Chez Bistro around the corner from Rockwell Republic on Fulton Street steels its waitstaff for the three-week event where “you work your bones to the core,” said proprietor Cindy Schneider. “ArtPrize can make or break a restaurant for the year, especially if you’re not ready for waves of people. The food has to be tasty, hot and on-time to the table.”

 

During the 8-year run of ArtPrize, she’s seen two restaurants struggle near her location at 38 W. Fulton St. as they tried to ride the event’s wave. They both opened shortly before ArtPrize and closed only a few weeks later.

 

“They didn’t show well,” Cindy said. “They were slammed by the crowds, and people didn’t have the type of experience you need to bring them back again. The time to open is just after ArtPrize, and take the year to get ready.”

 

Like Rockwell Republic, San Chez sees more walk-in traffic during ArtPrize than Christmas or any other season of the year now.

 

It’s uncertain if ArtPrize trumps Christmas as the busiest season, depending on how you define the season and include outside events such as holiday parties, said Hillary Smith, general manager of Bistro Bella Vita at 44 Grandville Ave. SW, “but it’s 100% certain that ArtPrize is a very important time for us.”

 

She said the restaurant starts to organize its waitstaff starting in July to make sure everything is up to snuff when ArtPrize starts. “We don’t necessarily need to add staff, because we have a big staff here anyway, but we do need to be organized.”

 

Story and photo printed with permission from Engine and Matthew Gryczan. All copyrights reserved.

 

 

Understanding American Football – A Seminar

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, ,

football Most of the world plays “football” with the feet. They use a round, black-and-white ball. North Americans, on the other hand, use an oblong, brown ball to play “football” but only touch the ball with the feet on 13% of the plays.

 

If you grew up in the 95% of the world that plays soccer, then North American football is a mystery. The play is hard to follow, and the rules seem confusing. At work on Monday morning, you can’t join the water cooler conversation because you weren’t watching The Big Game over the weekend. Worse yet, at an afternoon sales meeting, someone says they’ll either have to punt or throw up a Hail Mary. Say what?!

 

Before you throw up your hands and give up, know that help is here: a 90-minute seminar on the rules of American football. We will show you, play-by-play, how the game works and teach you the essential vocabulary for watching a live game.  We’ll also go over cultural aspects like rivalries, tailgating, and The Wave. And we’ll talk about the common football expressions that Americans use in everyday life – both at work and at home.

 

And finally, to help you practice what you’ve learned, we’ll watch a televised game in the adjacent sports bar so you can apply your knowledge while nibbling tasty appetizers and sipping the beverage of your choice. Don’t be left out! Sign up today!

Art.Write.Now.Tour. showcases best student work through Oct. 14 at KCAD

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“Portrait 1” by Shira Karni, a high school student from Grandville, Mich. is featured in the Art.Write.Now.Tour. Exhibition

Now through October 14, you can see work from some of the most talented young writers and artists in America at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD). The traveling exhibition will feature the work of three students from Michigan: Shira Karni of Grandville; Scott Hanna of Beverly Hills; and Abe Cone of Chelsea.

 

The Art.Write.Now.Tour. traveling exhibition showcases innovative and inspiring works from national winners in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and it’s on display in the Helen Miller Kendall Gallery (HMK Gallery) on the first floor of KCAD’s 17 Fountain St. NW building.

 

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — recognized as the nation’s preeminent and longest-running scholarship and recognition program for students in grades 7-12 — spotlights outstanding original work in a variety of different creative mediums, including writing, illustration, photography, drawing, sculpture and more. Works were first adjudicated regionally, then again on the national level by leading creative professionals. KCAD has played host to the Awards’ West Central Michigan region for a number of years, with support from Howard Miller.

 

“This selection of teen work is truly remarkable,” said Virginia McEnerney, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. “The visual art and the written pieces delve into themes ranging from the most intimate of human emotions to the current political climate. It’s a privilege to glance into the minds of some of our country’s most talented teens and an honor to have their work on display nationwide in our traveling Tour and in the DC exhibit.”

 

Approximately 50 visual art works selected from the Art.Write.Now. 2016 National Exhibition which took place in New York City at Parsons School of Design and the Pratt Institute this past June will be on display, as well as The Best Teen Writing of 2016, an annual anthology of selected Gold Medal writing, which will be displayed in the exhibition on iPads.

 

After Grand Rapids, the exhibition will visit Houston, TX; Bozeman, MT; and Jackson, MS.

 

For more information on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit artandwriting.org.

Cinque Terre, Italy’s string of gems

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Travel, , , ,

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By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

Cinque Terre (translated The Five Lands), a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a necklace of five seaside villages strung along the Italian Riviera. It’s some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastal scenery anywhere in the world (my opinion, but also that of countless others).

The colorful villages are linked by hiking trails that wind along the coast, up high through olive groves and vineyards, and down low along the water. The whole trail is known as Sentiero Azzurro, or the Azure Trail, and the part of the trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via dell’Amore or the Road of Love. A fence overlooking the sea is embedded with hundreds of padlocks, souvenirs from visitors sealing their love for each other. A train also links the towns, mostly through tunnels, for those who grow footsore or weary, and boats cruise the coastline as well. No cars are allowed.

When I was there the first time, in 2008, you could walk from the first village to the last in a day, albeit a long day. But in October 2011, a flash flood washed out some of the trails, buried streets and homes in mud, and killed nine people. They have recovered relatively quickly, although not all of the trails are open yet. Still, the ones that are give you astonishing views of the villages and sea, and there are plenty of other things to do in this popular tourist destination. (This time I was there in August, but my recommendation is to go in either June or September to avoid the massive crowds.

Stay in one of the villages, if you can, in order to be able to fully enjoy your time in Cinque Terre, especially the peaceful evenings when people head out and stroll through the towns and watch the sun set. Both visits I stayed at Cinqueterre Residence, high up on a hill in Riomaggiore, a small, family-run establishment where they treat you like you’re one of the family. We had great views from our balcony, and they serve a tasty breakfast, including cappuccino with a smile.

Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso are all worth a visit, full of gorgeous architecture, a profusion of flowers, shops galore, and many, many dining establishments, from tiny trattorias to fancier ristorantes, or just pick up snacks along the streets. They’re known for their local limoncello, basil, garlic and pinenut-filled pesto, and anchovies (if you ever thought you didn’t like anchovies, you haven’t tried these!), as well as focaccia in many different variations — rosemary, olive, tomato, cheese. And of course, there’s plenty of gelato.

12

The main thing to do in Cinque Terre is hike, between the villages, but also in the hills above, where you can get away from some of the tourist crowds. Check your guidebooks, as some of the hikes are relatively easy, but others are quite strenuous, especially in the summer sun. Bring plenty of water, but if you’re lucky, you just might find someone selling fresh-squeezed juice along the way.

You can also hang out at the beach. The longest and busiest beach is in Monterosso, with chairs and umbrellas for rent, and sand that’s soft on your feet. You’ll find other beaches as well, in other villages which are less crowded but tend to be rocky.

Shopping is a pastime for some, and you can certainly pick up lots of souvenirs, but my souvenirs, with my shoestring budget and small backpack, mostly consist of photos, and there are plenty of photo opportunities here.

 If you’re in the area for a while, and you want a day trip away from the Cinque Terre, check out Portofino, a short train ride up the coast. It’s full of high-end shops and the yachting crowd. Colorful buildings line the harbor, and you can rub elbows with the rich and famous, although be prepared for prices to match.

Cinque Terre, like many beautiful places, has become perhaps a little too popular, but it’s so beautiful, it’s definitely worth braving the crowds to see.

23About 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

Two area graduates receive scholarships from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation

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2-15 Lee High School graduate Monica Rivera
2015 Lee High School graduate Monica Rivera

Two area graduates – one from Wyoming and one for Kentwood – were listed as among the 2016 scholarship recipients from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

 

2015 Lee High School graduate Monica Rivera received the Achille & Irene Despres, William & Andrea Scholarship which she will use toward her associate of science degree. She is a sophomore at Grand Rapids Community College.

 

Rivera recalls a moment in her childhood in San Luis, Mexico, when she developed hives after eating shrimp and had to wait in line for three hours before a physician could attend to her. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, what are the people with real emergencies doing? There really is a need for physicians,” Rivera said. Fast forward a few years to when one of Rivera’s grandmothers in Michigan took a fall and had to wait two weeks to see a Spanish-speaking physician.

 

These stories are just two of many reasons why Rivera wants a career in healthcare. She hopes to one day be a bilingual physician and do missionary work in underserved areas in the U.S. and abroad.

 

For Rivera, this scholarship means she is able to work less and give back to her community even more. According to her, charity and empathy are important values to her family, so this scholarship frees Rivera to continue volunteering with refugee families settling in West Michigan.

 

2016 East Kentwood High School graduate Cheyenne Williams
2016 East Kentwood High School graduate Cheyenne Williams

2016 East Kentwood graduate Cheyenne Williams received the Donald J. DeYoung Scholarship which she will put toward her study of education and childhood development at Ferris State University, where she is a freshman. This scholarship is given annual to a student who has had contact with the family court. It was created in honor of Donald J. DeYoung, who was a Kent County probate judge.

 

Williams, who grew up in the foster car system, plans to study childhood development so she can guide other children, whether as a teacher or as a liaison in a hospital helping sick children better communicate with their doctors and families.

 

“The best thing you do is be a teacher,” Cheyenne said, even though she once thought she’d never want to be a teacher. One day she looked closely at the three-year-old girl she babysat. “I relalized I’d love to do this every day,” Williams said. “I’d love to teach kids right and wrong and be someone they can look up to for guidance.”

 

For Williams, this scholarship means that “the world still values education and teachers. It still sees people who have gone through hardships as relevant and contributing to society —not just as charity cases.”

Grand Rapids Public Museum features 16 artists for ArtPrize

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The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will feature 16 artists showcasing their work on the grounds of the Museum during ArtPrize which runs Sept. 21 through Oct. 9.

 

The GRPM will once again host an outdoor exhibition in which the artwork will visually lend itself to the setting of the Museum grounds. One artist’s work will be inside, but visible from the outside of the facility. Each year the GRPM curates a rewarding experience with approachable art that is intriguing, distinctive and engages the viewer’s capacity for awe and curiosity. Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids along the busy river walkway, the GRPM is able to offer a not-to-be-missed immersive, 24-hour experience.
During ArtPrize Eight the GRPM will be open with regular Museum hours and half off general admission fees ($4/adults, $1.50/children). In addition to the outdoor art installation, the Museum will offer a limited time exhibit, “Inspired Style,” created in partnership with students of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) Pamella Rolland DeVos School of Fashion. Nine students were given the opportunity to chose a garment from the Museum’s Collections and create their own original work using it as inspiration. The student’s work is showcased next to the original in this exhibit.

 

The GRPM will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays of ArtPrize. For more information about artists, exhibitions, special programming and tickets visit grpm.org.

 

ArtPrize Educational Programming:

 

The Museum once again will host a special Chair Camp offered by ArtPrize for more than 1,500 school-aged children. In this hands-on activity, Carla Hartman (granddaughter of Charles and Ray Eames) leads children in creating miniature chairs that are displayed around the Museum. Chair Camp will take place Sept 28, 29 and 30.

 

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Museum will host a Chair Camp family day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. open to the public.

 

The GRPM will also be offering ArtPrize Education Days from Sept. 22 until Oct. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for early childhood development and K-12th grade students. These programs will include a walking tour of outside exhibits and hands-on presentation by ArtPrize artist Ann Gildner.

 

During ArtPrize Eight, the GRPM will host a Sensory Friendly Museum Night dedicated to families who are affected by autism and other sensory-processing challenges on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission to enjoy a sensory friendly museum environment, special ArtPrize-themed activities and a free planetarium show. The Museum will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for all. The Chaffee Planetarium will adapt lighting and sounds for an enjoyable, low sensory show.

 

The Artists:

Hailey Lamb – #betweenourhomes

#betweenourhomes is a visual exploration of text messaging as a platform for sharing comfort and encouragement. Messages are sourced from the artist’s original, unscripted text messages and made into vinyl stickers in their likeness. This piece will be the main installation with a number of smaller pieces throughout the Grand Rapids area.

 

Tamara Draper – Homage To The Spillman Carousel 

The artist publicly expresses honor to this unique piece of history. It brings back memories of a more innocent and calm time in life, where kids weren’t trying to grow up so fast. This piece of art started when the artist came across an antique headboard that resembled a carousel, inspiring her to create a stained glass mosaic based on the Museum’s 1928 Spillman Carousel.

 

Paul Nilsson – MILAGROS

MILAGROS is a stoneware clay high fire sculpture that is about the healing process within us. Its symbolically refers to the powers of faith, touch and persistence.

 

Mark Chatterley – Birdzels

The Birdzels are made from high fired clay, crater glaze and reach up to seven feet tall. ArtPrize visitors will see 15-20 of them in a grouping.

 

Joshua Welker – Astrobleme  

These sculptures are a lineage of objects that were produced over the course of several years. These works grow from a protocol of construction with specific dimensional restraints. Each sculpture enacts new combinations of form and color to be perceived by the viewer. The intense thinness of the objects act as optical disparity which counteracts both the color and form of the faces of the sculptures.

 

Patrick Schmidt – How I Make a Mark: Responding to a Carousel 

By manipulating the planes of time and space, this installation symbolizes the fragmentation of identity in a digitized age. The artist analyzes image patterns from a variety of sources by reducing them via technology to simple line drawings. Overlaying select outlines to create visually complex networks that represent the multiple cultural, social and personal identities integrated into ourselves on a moment-by-moment basis.

 

Jason Graham – METROPOLES

This sculpture is part of the Walker series of work that depicts the remains of a group of anthropocentric beings from this display of a failed beings legacy. The artist is using his art to create conversation around an attempt to learn how to better survive our own technological and cultural developments.

 

Valerie Jean Schafer – Three Muses

This bronze sculpture grouping Three Muses: Memory, Song and Contemplation represent the three original muses of Greek mythology and the preconditions for poetic or any art form.

 

Jeffrey Breslow – Bolder & Boulder 

Extraordinary boulders and stones shapes inspire the steel structures of this work, kindling a conversation between human creativity and the natural world. Time and natural elements tame and color the steel with beautiful and unpredictable patinas —a sustained interaction that imparts a sense of life to the materials. The piece is intended to inspire smiles and invite thoughts on the boundaries of art and the relationship between surface and density.

 

Jason Quigno – Infinity Cube 

Infinity Cube is an 11,000-pound piece of black granite with a spiral carved on each surface to connect the inside and outside of the cube.

 

Ann Gildner – Urn – E 

Urn – E is a classic example of necessity becoming virtue. Urn – E is the example what can happen when a necessary craft is applied to a classical design, inspired by “self-made” entrepreneurs who worked with their hands, mind and heart with a simple love for working and creating.

 

Herb Williams – Color Collaborative 

In this piece thousands of crayons are stacked together in the negative spaces of branches and boughs without the use of glue or adhesives.

 

Bird Clarkson – THE Wizard of OZomeness  

The Pursuit of Ahhwesomeness presents an impactful street dance perspective on the Wizard of Oz. The artist will perform live an outdoor Emerald City adventure for all to gather around and share the love of dance. The Pursuit of Ahhwesomeness is about the journey of interacting with others to accomplish or pursue something grand.

 

Harminder Boparai – My Nephew 

This installation is based on the artist’s nephew, always on his cell phone so much that he can’t focus on anything else. Represented by an animal, because like animals he isn’t aware of what’s going on around him and he is focused in on his phone. Through this installation, the artist is depicting some of the negative effects of social media causing a disruption in to our lives every day.

 

William Walther – Towards a Newer Buddha

Buddha sits floating in satori. One of Buddhism’s central tenets is emptiness; an idea is embodied in this piece.

 

STRUXTURS – That’ll Cut It

A structure that creates an illusion of “shear” power, stainless steel is constructed into the largest pair of scissors imaginable. An everyday object that creates a significant degree of aesthetic interest at such a large scale. It captures the eye from any angle.

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is located 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees and exhibit/event listings, please visit www.grpm.org.

 

KCAD students and Goodwill to launch ‘Pop-Up Shop’ of handmade goods during ArtPrize Eight

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In a perfect world, we would all recycle and reuse what we give or throw away. That’s the message — Rethink, Reshape, Revitalize — that Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) partnership with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (Goodwill) for ArtPrize Eight strives to get across with its Pop-Up Shop Sept. 23-25.

 

Visitors to the RE- exhibition inside Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) The Fed Galleries @ KCAD during the opening weekend of ArtPrize Eight will have the chance to leave with more than just their impressions of the art.

 

Organized as part of KCAD’s partnership with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (Goodwill) for ArtPrize Eight, a ‘Pop-Up Shop’ of handmade goods will be open for ArtPrize visitors to shop from September 23-25. The shop will primarily feature one-of-a-kind artwork, clothing, jewelry, furniture and other goods created by KCAD students and staff from The Fed Galleries @ KCAD using reclaimed materials from local Goodwill stores. The goal is to engage visitors in a conversation about the opportunities for more sustainable living in places and everyday things that exist all around us.

 

Many of the included artists use reclaimed materials to create work that confronts the ways in which humanity produces and consumes, so Goodwill stepped up and provided free access to donated materials from area stores.

 

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Photo courtesy of KCAD

“The Pop-Up Shop extends our exhibition’s exploration of environmental and social responsibility because it gives both ArtPrize visitors and those who created the goods another way to confront the way we produce and consume,” said Curator of Exhibitions Michele Bosak. “By working with Goodwill to showcase the tremendous versatility and value of reclaimed materials, we can help further the conversation around ways to work toward a more sustainable future.”

 

A number of unaltered items specially curated from Goodwill stores will also be available for purchase, as will t-shirts commemorating the partnership between Goodwill and KCAD. Silkscreened t-shirts, pillows, and washcloths featuring designs by artists Michael Peoples and Heather Joy Puskarich, both featured in the RE·  exhibition, will also be for sale.

 

All proceeds from the sale of goods created by KCAD students will go to the student organizations they represent — the student fashion alliance Bodies of Art, the KCAD Green Council, the KCAD Game Club, the student chapter of the Interior Designers Society of America, and the student chapter of the International Interior Design Association — while Goodwill will retain the profits for all other goods sold.

 

The Pop-Up Shop’s retail space was designed by a KCAD Collaborative Design class taught by KCAD instructor and Goodwill Director of Friends and Corporate Relations David Abbott. The space will be located outside The Fed Galleries @ KCAD, in the Woodbridge N. Ferris building at 17 Pearl Street NW.

 

The Pop-Up Shop will only be open on the following days/times:

September 23                       11:00am-8:00pm
September 24                       11:00am-8:00pm
September 25                       12:00pm-6:00pm

 

For more information on the RE·  exhibition, visit kcad.edu/artprize.

 

Celebrate the Harvest in West Michigan — there’s plenty to see and do

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garden_bounty-251211432_stdFall is here and there are plenty of things to see and do. Indeed, September is the beginning of the harvest season in West Michigan, and we’re fortunate to have a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at our fingertips. Visit one of the many farmers’ markets that pop up all over the state featuring fresh and local produce. Or visit a farm or orchard and gather fruits and vegetables yourself. Businesses are hosting harvest-themed events to kick off the season, so it’s the perfect time to stop by for some food and fun. Many fresh fruits and vegetables await you throughout this fall in West Michigan.

South

St. Joseph will host its Fall Festival in Downtown St. Joseph on September 23rd and 24th. There is fun for all ages with events like The Great Pumpkin Festival, Day on the Farm, Farmers Market and more. There is also a Wine Festival Stage where you can sample Michigan wines, try local cuisine and listen to live music while bidding on your favorite piece of public art.

 

The Greater Lansing Area has plenty of farmers markets. If you’ve ever wondered where to find fresh, local and organic produce this season, look no further — there are 20 different markets across 14 towns. Each farmers market has its own unique vendors, so make sure to visit more than one so you can try all the fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods that we have right here in West Michigan.

 

meijer-gardensThe Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance is celebrating the harvest with a variety of events. Enjoy locally grown produce, flowers and homemade treats at one of Marshall’s farmers markets and visit a farm to create the perfect day trip for the whole family. Here’s another idea: Go for a hayride or get a pumpkin as your prepare for Halloween.

 

Historic Charlton Park in Hastings will host the city’s Fall Harvest Festival from September 23rd to 25th. Demonstrations and events include steamed apples, a tractor pull, corn shelling and more. For a fee, you can even camp at the park to have the ultimate fall harvest experience.

 

Since September is the beginning of harvest season, Mecosta County has plenty for you to enjoy. You can get fresh fruit and vegetables, and there are events throughout the harvest season where you can stop by and enjoy a little harvest of your own. The farmers’ markets in this area offer wonderful produce displays, which change as the seasons do.

 

When it’s officially fall, it’s officially time for the Virtue Cider‘s inaugural Apple Fest! This four-day celebratory cider-filled affair is from September 29th to October 2nd at their farm in Fennville. Each day has a variety of activities centered around apples, the harvest season, and the release of Percheron, their cider named for the traditional draft horses of Normandy that pulled carts of apples for cidermakers. Activities include their Thursday Night Market, Barbecue Night, long-distance bicycle ride and more.

Central

You can’t have a great meal without great ingredients. Reserve Wine & Food in Grand Rapids considers themselves fortunate to have an abundance of area farms who grow and raise responsibly, and they do their best to honor and respect that hard work in their kitchen. They have a long list of local suppliers. Check out some of them below.

  • Blis Gourmet Products, Grand Rapids
  • Field and Fire, Grand Rapids
  • Hasselman’s Honey, Fremont
  • Michigan Mushroom Market, Petoskey
  • Vertical Paradise, Caledonia

rockfordRockford’s 40th Annual Harvest Festival is September 24th to 26th. There will be a car show, beer tents, crafters and more. There’s plenty for children as well, with an outdoor movie, kid’s tractor pull and other family-centric offerings. All of the festival’s activities are spread out across downtown Rockford as they celebrate the harvest in style.

 

The Fremont Harvest Festival hosted by the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce is September 22nd to 24th. More information will be available soon for this harvest-filled event so keep an eye out.

 

Celebrate the harvest in Grand Rapids with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual celebration of autumn, Chrysanthemums and More! from now until October 30th. The event is the largest of its kind, and features an expansive chrysanthemum display, fall foliage and family activities. Vertical columns of colorful chrysanthemums, a vibrant wall of chrysanthemums, chrysanthemum spheres and beds of colorful plants await to delight visitors from all over.

 

The River Country Chamber of Commerce invites you to their Inaugural Harvest Moon Celebration in Newaygo from October 7th to 9th. This event celebrates the rich farming history of the area. There will be plenty of local food, scarecrow and pumpkin decorating and kids activities. The area has been celebrating the harvest for decades and this year they’re inviting you to celebrate with them.

 

The Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau has classes and events featuring freshly harvested local produce.

  • Learn how to preserve foods by canning and freezing at the Preserving the Harvest class on September 20th. Share recipes, techniques and stories while making new memories of your own.
  • Halloween is right around the corner and the Halloween Harvest Weekend will get you in the mood. Hosted at Pioneer County Park from September 30th to October 2nd, enjoy a weekend filled with games, pumpkin decorating, a costume parade and more. Why not prepare for Halloween early with this spooky event?

great-pumpkinRobinette’s Apple Haus & Winery in Grand Rapids is planning a very special Corn Maze this year. Opening September 8th with a special viewing of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” the maze is designed to look like Snoopy as the Red Baron on his dog house. Over 80 farms across the country will be celebrating Peanuts this year. Make sure to stop by on September 24th from noon to 4pm for a special guest appearance by Snoopy himself.

 

The harvest season is very important to SE4SONS Gastropub. Located within Muskegon Country Club, SE4SONS focuses on its name: the four season. Changing the menu seasonally is part of the excitement surrounding this restaurant. Their new menu features beets (red, gold and candy stripe) and Roasted Spaghetti Squash. Come hungry.

 

And be sure to save room for dessert. In an effort to celebrate this noteworthy harvest, Chocolates by Grimaldi, a Grand Haven-based chocolate factory, is offering a special chocolate caramel apple for a limited time. They’ll also have chocolate-covered blueberries, cherries and an assortment of nuts. Chocolates by Grimaldi is committed to using local products whenever possible so what you’re enjoying will come from the Grand Haven, Traverse City and other nearby farms and orchards.

North

Traverse City has several big events to help you celebrate the harvest.

  • On September 24th, the Acme Fall Festival takes over Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg. There will be a farmers market, bake sale, craft show and more fall fun for the entire family.
  • Scarecrows, art, local brews and tunes help celebrate the harvest time at Bellaire’s 18th Annual Harvest Festival on September 24th. This event will have local businesses competing to win the “Best Scarecrow” award. These scarecrows will take over the streets of Bellaire so you’re guaranteed to see some of these zany creations. Additionally, there will be the “craft & flea” market with over 40 vendors, the Boy Scouts’ Pancake Breakfast, kids’ bounce houses, educational hands-on booth and local food vendors.
  • The Harvest at the Commons is October 8th in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. This culinary event is perfect for any foodie looking to get together with friends, neighbors, farmers and community leaders to celebrate everything Northern Michigan has to offer.

tc-farmers-marketLet Chateau Chantal share their excitement of the harvest with their 17th Annual Harvest Day on October 1st. There are plenty of ways to experience this fantastic event, including overnight packages at their Bed & Breakfast, special pricing on full case orders, wine and cooking seminars and more. Chateau Chantal will even be opening its doors so that you can smell their wines, stomp grapes and tour their cellar.

 

Harvest season has arrived in Charlevoix. Explore one of the many farms or farmers markets, each with their different harvest activities throughout September and October. There are plenty of “U-Pick” farms where you and your family can pick your own bushel of apples or find the perfect pumpkin in preparation of Halloween.

 

Also in Charlevoix, the 38th Annual Charlevoix Apple Festival is from October 14th to 16th. Celebrate nature’s harvest at this fun festival which highlights seasonal fruits and vegetables, freshly made products and, of course, apples. There’s plenty of kids activities so this is the perfect time to get the whole family together for some autumn fun.

 

The Petoskey Area celebrates fall with two harvest festivals.

  • The Fall Harvest Festival in Downtown Boyne City is September 24th. Fall means one more reason to have fun in Boyne City with music, crafts and fall produce available at this celebration. The farm market booths sell a variety of apples and other harvest items including pumpkins, squash, apple butter, jam, honey and cider.
  • Located in Downtown Petoskey, the Hemingway Harvest Festival is from October 14th to 16th. The festival pays tribute to the many years that Ernest Hemingway spent growing up in Petoskey with fall activities modeled around the late writer’s hobbies. From the artisan and farmers market to Hemingway Movies in the park, this promises to be a weekend that Hemingway would love.

A Unique Harvest

When you think about the harvest season, fruits and vegetables are usually the first things to come to mind, but one harvest that you should think about is honey. Honey is harvested in the late summer months and into the middle of September. Different types of honey are made in different parts of the world, so what is made in Michigan might not be available elsewhere. With this honey, some Michigan businesses have been making mead. Mead, sometimes called Honey Wine, is fermented honey and is the original alcoholic beverage, predating both beer and wine. All that mead contains is honey, but sometimes fruit, herbs or spices are added to make different flavors.

 

White Lake Area has their own meadery. Meads go by different names based on how they are created. Meads with only honey are called Traditional Mead, Fruit meads are called Melomels and Metheglins are meads with spices or herbs added. The world of mead is available at your fingertips when you visit the White Lake Area.

 

Almost 32 years ago, St. Ambrose Cellars in Beulah started keeping bees and quickly became full time beekeepers. As beekeepers having access to an almost unlimited supply of honey, mead was a natural course to follow. Over the years, with the help of local winemakers in our region, a knowledge of good wine-making technique was acquired and applied to mead making. In 2010, an accident in mixing of of their creamed honey spreads pushed them into action to create St. Ambrose Cellars. In 2010, they built their tasting room and increased their production. Over the years St. Ambrose Cellars has increased their scope, but their quality mead has stayed consistent the entire time.

UICA expands its ArtPrize offerings to the Grand Rapids Ballet

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Luisa xxxx
Louise “Quizi” Chen creates an ArtPrize entry at Grand Rapids Ballet’s Ellsworth building.

The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts’ (UICA) ArtPrize Eight exhibition extends beyond the gallery walls. This year, UICA’s exhibition features a satellite site, located on the exterior walls of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company building at 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW.

 

This summer, UICA commissioned the Detroit-based artist Louise “Ouizi” Chen to create a sprawling public mural as part of its ongoing public art initiative, the Exit Space Project. This mural is an official ArtPrize Eight entry (Vote Code: 63983), and a permanent addition to Grand Rapids’ public art collection. ArtPrize goers can watch Chen work at the mural site as she finishes the final touches on her recent public work. Chen will be working at the site during ArtPrize, Sept. 27 – Oct. 3.

 

UICA, Michigan’s largest contemporary arts center, is host to the Exit Space Project, a dynamic series of art installations investigating ideas, images, and conversation that are conveyed by contemporary artists working in public spaces. The first volume of the Exit Space Project featured public works and street artists from the Midwest who installed work in a public-facing but protected space in UICA’s building facing Fulton St. The second wave of the Exit Space Project highlights and continues to support local and regional artists on buildings and structures throughout the city.

 

This UICA initiative aims to increase Grand Rapids’ vibrancy, build the sense of creative place for our residents and visitors, and advance the city’s identity as a growing collaborative ecosystem that nurtures business, technology, art, and design. The Exit Space Project was first introduced to Grand Rapids by local artists Erwin Erkfitz and Brandon Alman, who continue to work with UICA to implement public artworks.

Fate and Free Will cross at Civic Theatre’s ‘Good People’

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Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram
Courtesy of instagram: @grcivictheatre

susanne_albaitisThere’s the age-old debate, fate vs. free will. Margie has made choices in her life, or was it really just her fate?

 

Good People, running September 9 – 25 at Civic Theater, takes a look into the life of Margie, a single mother who loses her job in the first scene. Her boss Stevie is no tyrant, rather the son of a friend who is only trying to keep “corporate” happy. Margie is chronically late to work, leaving the young man no choice but to let her go. When Margie pleads with Stevie to keep her, we begin to see a glimpse of how Margie’s life has reached this point.

 

Margie grew up in South Boston, a working class neighborhood where getting out was more the exception than the norm. Like many of her friends, Margie remained in South Boston after she got pregnant in high school. Her baby, Joyce, was born with special needs. This made finding and keeping a job difficult for Margie because there were days where she was unable to leave on time if Joyce was upset. She often relied on friends, who proved to be inconsistent, for daycare. And college? Forget about it. Margie’s parents did not encourage her to try in high school, college was never an option.

 

But there was someone who made it out of South Boston, Mike. Mike became a doctor, a fertility specialist and he moved to a big house in Chestnut Hill. He married a younger woman, Kate, and together they had a daughter. Margie knew Mike in high school, they even dated for a few months before Mike left for college.

 

Margie and Mike’s past begins to unfold when Margie seeks out Mike for a possible job in his office. Margie takes it one step further when she shows up at his home for a party that he had explained was cancelled.  Part heart-felt reunion, part awkward culture clash, the evening revealed and kept many secrets.  It also made you wonder, was Margie’s, or anyone’s, station in life the result of their decisions, or just their fate?

 

This small cast delivered a huge performance. From the accents to emotions, the cast had it covered. There were a lot of laughs too. The three ladies, Margie, Jean and Dottie are South Boston’s version of Monica, Rachel and Phoebe. They bicker, go to bingo and you can tell there’s a lot of love for each other in there too. Kate’s tenderness balanced Mike’s tough, but understandable attitude toward Margie. She is the voice of reason when the evening of the party takes an uncomfortable trip down memory lane.

 

Good People, a thought provoking, dramedy, is a must see start to Civic Theater’s amazing 2016-2017 season. Visit the Civic Theater website for more information.

Humane Society Pet of the Week: May

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Courtesy of Green Dog Photography
Courtesy of Green Dog Photography

By: Kimberly Thomas

 

Meet May! She is a 7 year old Pit Bull Terrier mix. May is a laid-back lady who would do best in a respectful household with older children because she is so polite and gentle.

 

May takes her time to get to know a new person, and once she has, May will have you playing tug-of-war within minutes! If you’re interested in May, please visit the Humane Society of West Michigan located at 3077 Wilson Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534.

Hundreds attend South High School’s 100th Anniversary celebration

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Paul Collins was one of the speakers at the South High School 100th Anniversary Celebration
Paul Collins was one of the speakers at the South High School 100th Anniversary Celebration.

On Sept. 10 approximately two hundred South High School alumni gathered at the old South High School Auditorium to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the completion of the first year of school.

 

South High School opened on Sept. 7, 1915 and was formally dedicated in January of 1916. For decades it was the “shining star” of the Grand Rapids Public School System.

 

Special Guests included:

 

Third Ward Commissioner Senita Lenear, who presented a Proclamation from the City of Grand Rapids on behalf of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss.

 

Superintendent of GRPS Teresa Weatherall Neal spoke about the current status of the Grand Rapids Public Schools. Superintendent Neal attended what became South Middle school after the high school closed in 1968.

 

World Renowned artist Paul Collins spoke about his work and South’s rich history rearing students in an integrated atmosphere that was essentially color-blind. One of his paintings hangs in old Churm Hall depicting the life of President Gerald R. Ford’s years at the school. His work can be seen in an Art Gallery at Marge’s Donut Den.

 

1969 South High School graduate Michael B. Johnson, offered a stirring rendition of “There Is A Balm In Gilead” and led alumni in the singing of the school Alma Mater, “Hail to South.”

 

The SHS Spirit Award  was presented to five former students for their contributions to keeping the “spirit” of South High alive.

 

Those honored included:

 

1958 – Jim Atkinson, President of the South High Varsity Club

 

And four alumni involved in the “Buy a Bomber” campaign which saw South High students raise over $375,000 in 1943 and buy a B-17 Bomber they named, The Spirit of South High School –

 

1947 – Arthur Blackport – the instigator of South’s involvement in the campaign.

 

1944 – David Dutcher – Co-chairman of the “Buy a Bomber” campaign.

 

1962 – Joe Rogers – Former Veteran who discovered the military report that explained the fate of the bomber.

 

1962 – Sandra Dieleman Warren, who brought the story to life in the non-fiction book, “We Bought A WWII Bomber; The Untold Story of a Michigan High School, a B-17 Bomber & The Blue Ridge Parkway.”

 

The program concluded with the legacy of South High School presented by1962 graduate, Sandra Dieleman Warren, who took the alumni on a journey through the History of South High School and highlighted a few of its outstanding graduates who include:

 

1919 – John Hannah – longest reigning President of Michigan State University (28 years)

 

1931 – President Gerald R. Ford

 

1938 – Mike Murphy – Basketball Coach – Won 7 City Championships, 2012 Inductee into the Grand Rapids Hall of Fame & at 96 still beats alumni at golf!

 

1939 – Jane Baessler Doyle – WWII Women’s Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.

 

1946 – Clare Fischer – Grammy Award winning composer, arranger, band leader and session musician who worked with the likes of Prince, Celine Dion, The Jackson’s, Dizzy Gillespie & Herbie Hancock, to name a few.

 

1959 – Jim Cash, screenwriter of movies such as “Top Gun,” “Secret of My Success,” “Turner & Hooch,” “Dick Tracy,” “Legal Eagles” and “Anaconda.”

 

1962 – Dan Houston, artist who has developed a huge international following among interior decorators and lovers of contemporary art.

 

1966 – Al Green – Gospel & Pop singer boasting more than 20 million records sold, a multiple Grammy Award Winner, 2014 Kennedy Center Honoree, and Master Performer named to Rolling Stone Magazines “100 Greatest Artists of ALL TIME List.”

 

South High School closed in 1968 to comply with Federal Desegregation orders. Ironically, from opening day in 1915 to 1968, throughout its staff and students, South High School was well-integrated.

 

South High School was known for its tremendous school spirit, evident today through its alumni who, even though the school closed forty-eight years ago, still gather monthly for breakfast at the New Beginnings restaurant and the last Tuesday of every month for an afternoon at Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming; school spirit that also sees the Varsity Club meeting once a year and in 1990 saw the creation of an annual Alumni Scholarship presented to two worthy Grand Rapids Public Schools seniors to attend Grand Rapids Community College.

 

South High School closed in 1968 and opened that same fall as South Middle School until 1979. In 1982 it reopened as the Grand Rapids Job Corps Center, which was renamed in 2004 to the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center.

 

Today, the Mission Statement which opened the school in 1915, continues: “…to be a school which trains it’s pupils as far as a school may, to perform justly, skillfully and magnanimously all the offices of both public and private, of peace and war, as far as the national endowment of each pupil will permit.

 

South High School – 1915 to 1968 – The Spirit Lives On!

Farm Market Recipe of the Week: Garlic Shrimp with Cilantro Spaghetti Squash

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shrimp spaghetti squashGarlic Shrimp with Cilantro Spaghetti Squash

 

Makes: 4 servings
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

 

Ingredients

 

1 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup dry white wine, such as pinot grigio or apple cider vinegar
1 pound peeled and deveined raw shrimp (16-20 per pound), tails left on if desired
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Lemon wedges for serving

 

Directions

 

1. Place squash cut-side down in a microwave-safe dish; add 2 tablespoons water. Microwave, uncovered, on High until the flesh is tender, about 10 minutes. (Alternatively, place squash halves cut-side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in a 400 °F oven until the squash is tender, 40 to 50 minutes.)

 

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, coriander, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt and cayenne; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add wine and bring to a simmer. Add shrimp and cook, stirring, until the shrimp are pink and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.

 

3. Use a fork to scrape the squash from the shells into a medium bowl. Add cilantro, butter, pepper and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir to combine. Serve the shrimp over the spaghetti squash with a lemon wedge on the side.

 

Nutritional Information

 

Serving size: 2/3 cup shrimp & 3/4 cup squash

 

Per serving: 266 calories; 14 g fat(5 g sat); 2 g fiber; 10 g carbohydrates; 24 g protein; 11 mcg folate; 198 mg cholesterol; 3 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 627 IU vitamin A; 7 mg vitamin C; 112 mg calcium; 1 mg iron; 450 mg sodium; 473 mg potassium

Where to stay on your travels: Bed & Breakfasts in West Michigan

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harbourviewinn
Harbour View Inn

What’s the best home away from home? Bed & Breakfasts, of course. Such accommodations are designed for comfort, charm and uniqueness for the guests that walk through the front doors. Pamper yourself… and wake up to the smell of a freshly prepared breakfast. You’ll feel right at home with these West Michigan Bed & Breakfasts.

South

The Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance wants you to know about the National House Inn B&B, which is the oldest operating inn in Michigan. Overlooking the beautiful Brooks Memorial Fountain in Marshall, the B&B infuses 19th-century flavor with the luxuries of modern conveniences in all 15 of its rooms. Time travel hasn’t been invented yet, so this is the next best way to experience a bygone era.

 

national-house-in-bandb
National House Inn

The Greater Lansing Area prides itself in offering B&Bs that blend a fine attention to detail with an element of surprise. The area’s B&Bs have waterfalls, Koi ponds, Tudor-style settings and more.

 

How does staying at a B&B overlooking Lake Michigan sound? Check out a list on The Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council’s website. The area’s B&Bs have received several awards, including Reader’s Choice Favorite Bed & Breakfast in Southwestern Michigan for eight years in a row.

 

Yelton Manor Bed & Breakfast in South Haven/Van Buren County offers a lovely place to lay your head after a long day of travel and fun. Yelton Manor was just named #2 in the Best Bed and Breakfast Destination in West Michigan by WWMT’s The Best of Michigan Viewers Poll. Enjoy the beautiful grounds, delicious food and desirable location.

More Southern West Michigan Bed & Breakfasts
sherwood-forest-bandb
Sherwood Forest B&B

Central

The White Lake Area and Muskegon County are home to Amanda’s Bequest Bed & Breakfast — take a trip back in time at this 1873 Manse. This place is a must-visit for foodies with hits farm-to-table dining and on-site heritage culinary school where you can learn how to cook from scratch.

More Central West Michigan B&Bs

North

There’s never a bad time to visit Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast in Bellaire — it’s a four-season B&B. Enjoy hiking at Grass River Natural Area, biking in Downtown Bellaire, kayaking the Chain of Lakes region and golfing at nearby Shanty Creek.

 

sparkling-wine-at-the-chateau-chantal-winery-and
Sparkling wine at the Chateau Chantal

Known for its wine, Chateau Chantal also has a Bed & Breakfast open all year round. Rated the most romantic B&B in the state, Chateau Chantal offers guests a private winery tour, complimentary glass of wine per night and a free wine tasting experience. Founder Bob Begin can usually be found pouring orange juice for guests each morning, tell stories and making sure everyone feels right at home.

 

Located in the middle of serene Northern Michigan, Horton Creek B&B is the perfect place to stay. Their seven-room, lodge-themed home is complete with a full breakfast in the morning and dessert each evening. Enjoy a peaceful walk on the trails that wind through 60 acres of secluded woods.

More Northern West Michigan B&Bs

Byron Center Kmart Store #4851 is closing in December

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By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

 

Citing poor sales, parent company Sears Holdings Corp. reported that it is closing two Kmart stores in Kent County — on 68th Street in Byron Township and N. Kent Mall NE in Plainfield Township. The beleaguered company said its liquidation sale begins Sept. 22. The closures are expected in mid-December — and plans are to remain open for customers until then.

Just this past May at its quarterly meeting, Sears Holdings said it planned to restore profitability to the company and fund its transformation into a member-focused company.

But financial analysts worry that the future of the Kmart brand will continue to decline despite its efforts to make a comeback, especially when compared with its main national competitors, Target and Walmart.

Sears opened its first retail store and catalog center in 1925 and was America’s largest retailer until 1989, when it was surpassed by Walmart. Once an American icon of business and merchandising, Sears has been struggling as a company for years.

In 2005 Sears declared bankruptcy and was bought by Kmart, merging the two companies into Sears Holdings Corporation (SHC.)

There are still some Kmart locations open in West Michigan in Battle Creek, Greenville, Hastings, Muskegon and Marshall.

 

‘Rhapsody in Blue’ opens Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016-17 season

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c1_rhapsodyRhapsody in Blue, which launched composer George Gershwin’s career, inaugurates the Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016/17 season, which welcomes to town Marcelo Lehninger as the new music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony. The Brazilian-born conductor will be on the podium later this season.

 

Associate conductor John Varineau will lead the opening concerts of the 2016-17 Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series at 8 pm Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16th and 17th, in DeVos Performance Hall (303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). Spectrum Health is the Concert Sponsor.

 

In its earliest days, jazz was the music of brothels and bars in the “red-light” districts of cities such as New Orleans. But in the Roaring 20s, bandleader Paul Whiteman commissioned songwriter George Gershwin to write a piece merging classical music with elements of the newly emerging sounds of jazz.

rhapsody_in_blue_cover

The sensational premiere of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in 1924 in New York City brought jazz from the streets and the speakeasies into the symphonic concert hall and elevated the song plugger from Tin Pan Alley into the ranks of serious composers.

 

That same year, George Antheil, the original “Bad Boy of Music,” caused a minor scandal when his propulsive A Jazz Symphony was premiered at Carnegie Hall. Hear for yourself what caused all the fuss in New York City in 1927.

 

Americana continues with Aaron Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring Suite, drawn from his music for the ballet that celebrates the simple life of pioneers in the 19th century as they build a house, witness a wedding and treasure the gift to be simple.

 

Rounding out the program is the Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloe by French composer Maurice Ravel, who later became a great admirer of jazz himself. Unlike Copland’s setting in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania, Ravel’s musical tale is set in a country side in ancient Greece where the shepherd, Daphnis, woos his beloved Chloe with the help of the mythological god, Pan.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The best of beautiful Barcelona

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

10

 

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

When mentioning Barcelona, many are familiar with Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, with its soaring sandcastle-like facade, and interior reminiscent of an enchanted forest. It’s been a work in progress since 1882 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026, 100 years after Gaudi’s death.

 

And Parc Guell, Gaudi’s failed residential project, equally enchanting, with its colorful mosaic work, fanciful architecture and panoramic views of the city, is also a must-visit.

 

Of course, there’s the Barcelona beach scene, full of kilometers of bare bellies and breasts (yes, it is legal to go topless here). And, La Rambla, with its famous La Boqueria Market is a foodie paradise.

 

But the best of Barcelona, in my book, are the little neighborhoods that used to be villages in and of themselves before being sucked up into the city, like Born and Gracia, which have a flavor and character all their own. Where mainstream Barcelona has become a raging torrent of humanity, especially in July and August, these little burgs not only have personality, but also more affordable prices and many fewer tourist crowds. Apparently in the summer, each neighborhood has a kind of block party, a different one every week.

 

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These kind of experiences are a good reason to check sites like Air B&B for accommodations, if you prefer to get a feel for the real city, versus the tourist experience you get when staying at a hotel. For a much cheaper price tag you can get a centrally located room with a view. For 10 euro you can purchase a T10 card, with 10 metro rides, and go explore some of these neighborhood regions. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

Make sure you take time to just wander. The streets are full of fanciful graffiti, street performers and those selling colorful souvenirs.

 

What else does Barcelona have to offer? The fancy landmark hotel W, whose half-moon shaped architecture is visible from anywhere along the shore, is worth a visit — I just checked in to see what the lobby was like while on a beach walk and ended up getting pulled into a birthday party for a guy in a group from Australia and the UK.

 

28There are also plenty of museums to choose from: the elegant mansion cum art museum, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, up on a hill with waterfall fountains pouring down, and room after room of amazing art, including the religious, the surreal, the old and the new.

 

Picasso and Miro have their own museums in Barcelona, and if you’re looking for something a little more earthy, there’s even a museum of hemp.

 

You can stroll past the harbor full of impressive yachts, and tilt your head back to see Columbus keeping watch. Or take the gondola for a bird’s eye view. And of course, there’s the requisite castle, Montjuic, a 17th-century hilltop fortress and former prison, if you’re up for a climb and more great views

 

Go out at night, yes, late at night — things don’t really get started until 10 pm or later. Unlike in the US, restaurants don’t even open until 7 or 8, and most people aren’t thinking of dinner until around 9. Or 10. Or midnight. You’ll see families with toddlers in the middle of the night out strolling to the parks.

 

38Music doesn’t get started until 10 pm or later, and many places stay active until 5 am. Too late for me, but I did catch the first set at a flamenco bar, a tiny basement-like place, which happened to be hidden in the red light district.

 

Someone I met in New Zealand, who lives in Bulgaria but is from the UK wrote to tell me of a tapas place not to miss, although he couldn’t tell me the location. Luckily, I stumbled upon it right before it opened, as apparently El Xampanyet is so popular, people sit outside the garage-like door just waiting for it to open in order to get a table. I not only enjoyed great tapas and house-made Cava, but also the company of my next-table neighbors from Sweden and a group on the other side from Austin, Texas and Alabama. Not to mention my adorable, attentive waiter. Meeting people and maintaining connections all over the world are things I love about travel.

 

A good friend of mine from California was brave enough to follow her dreams and take a translation course in Spain, then decided to stay and teach English. Jenni was a delight to spend time with — we hadn’t seen each other in three years, and she showed me around to some lesser known places in the region.

 

8Sitges is a cool little beach town, a short train ride away from busy Barcelona. Not that Sitges isn’t busy, but it’s not the millions-of-bodies-packed-into-a-city busy that is Barcelona. We went on a rainy, heavy gray cloud-studded day, only to have the sun come out and brighten our world after lunch — the best of both worlds. Time to savor the local seafood cuisine while the skies unloaded their wet burden, and then time to soak up the sun and splash in the waves as well. You can even shop on the beach.

 

We also took a train and went wine tasting. Having both worked at wineries in Napa and being wine lovers, this was a special treat. From small boutique Recaredo, where we enjoyed a seated tasting to huge producer Freixenet, where we boarded a Disneyesque ride on our tour, we tasted some of Spain’s great sparkling cavas and rich reds.

 

And don’t forget to go chocolate tasting!

 

So wander and get lost, by train, bus, bicycle, subway or on foot, eat, drink and discover the best of beautiful Barcelona for yourself.

 

6About 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

Get your ‘boo’ on at Niles Scream Park

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

dsc_1937_reducedThe nationally renowned Niles Scream Park is ready to officially start autumn by scaring the “yell” out of you with six different haunted attractions. This year marks the 43rd consecutive year of their annual fright festival. The gates will squeak open on Friday, Sept. 16. Beginning in October, the Park will be open all weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) plus Monday, October 31st.

 

Celebrity guest, Eileen Dietz, will visit the Park on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1. Ms Dietz played the demon in the thriller classic The Exorcist. She will appear on the midway to sign autographs and be available for pictures. For full details on her visit, please go to the website.

 

The Niles Scream Park is not just scary, it is considered by many to be one of the top haunted attractions in the country. Certainly one of the largest, the Niles Scream Park offers 44 acres of blood-curdling fear! Unlike other haunted houses, Niles rebuilds each room of all three interior haunted houses each year to provide participants with completely new and unique shows. The professionally designed sets and ingenious scare-tactics led the Niles Scream Park to be recognized by Haunted Attraction Magazine as one of the “Top 31 Must-See Haunted Attractions” nationwide for the last three years running.

 

For those with the courage to tour all six attractions, here is the line-up for 2016:

  • Niles Haunted House — This season the main attraction features classic horror films from the 1930s. With over 100 possible routes, there is no telling just how final the final the act will be.
  • Krampus: A Christmas Curse — From German folklore comes Krampus, the evil horned helper of St. Nicholas. Naughty or nice, you may be on Krampus’ list this year as you tour this new attraction.
  • Cabin 13 — In 1962, the bodies of a group of friends staying in Cabin 13 were found scattered across the back woods. Every year courageous (or foolhardy) students attempt to stay a night in the same woods. Some never return to tell the tale of the Cabin 13 killer.
  • The Field of Screams — Considered one of the most popular attractions, even a GPS won’t help you find your way of out this outdoor maze.
  • The Dark Terror-tory Haunted Hayride — With a new route and new sets, this Fall ride through the woods will have puzzling mysteries, intense action and unimaginable creatures.
  • Zendor Presents: Murphy’s Law — A stage show where if something can go wrong, it will.

 

An improved midway will feature old favorites like “Fry Freddy” and the “X-terminator.” Back by popular demand, the “Scream Machine,” where you get to pick the next victim, and the popular buried alive simulator–the “Last Ride.” The midway also features several food concessions that provide enough variety to satisfy everyone’s cravings. The Gore Store will let you shop till you drop for the latest Halloween paraphernalia.

 

The Niles Scream Park is located on Mayflower Road, south of Niles-Buchanan Road just off Exit 5 of the US 31 Bypass. More information on prices, times and dates of operation can be obtained by visiting the Niles Scream Park website here or calling 269.687.FEAR.

 

Take an ‘awesomely autumn’ class at the Downtown Market this October

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , ,

downtown market logo

 

Fall is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Time to celebrate the season with classes at the Downtown Market!

 

For the complete fall schedule, go here. To download a pdf of classes and events, go here. (There are classes for everyone — family, kids and adults.) Meanwhile, here are just a few highlights:

 

autumn nights in mediterranianAUTUMN NIGHTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Fri, October 14, 6p-8:30p • $65

The Mediterranean always offers bright flavors and healthy meals. You’ll master an olive tapenade, herb-fresh tabouli, chicken souvlaki, and a citrus semolina cake. Learn how to select authentic ingredients and how the right olive oil can add the finishing touches to your meal. Register here.

stews and brewsSTEWS & BREWS
Tue, October 18, 6p-8:30p • $65 (21+)

Pair some great beers while snacking on Beer Nuts and make a classic gumbo, a hearty meat and bean chili, sweet cornbread and chocolate stout brownies. Register here.

pumpkin patch cookingPUMPKIN PATCH COOKING

Fri, October 21, 6p-8:30p  • $55

Celebrate pumpkins in the most delicious ways! You will enjoy some fresh-roasted pumpkin hummus while creating pumpkin sage soup, roasted herb chicken with pumpkin polenta and festive pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Register here.

boozy halloweenBOOOOOOOZY HALLOWEEN COCKTAIL PARTY

Tue, October 25, 6p-8:30p • $55

In this class, you will learn how to make cocktails along with an appetizer and dessert to host the spookiest Halloween cocktail party. Learn how to make Pumpkin Cauldron Rhum Punch, Apple Cider and Bourbon Spritzers, mini pumpkin cream soup, and a fall tiramisu. Register here.

Writer/Director Amy Heckerling offers sound, no-nonsense advice for West Michigan filmmakers

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, , , , , , ,
amy-with-wktv-geoff-haney
Amy Heckerling with Geoff Haney (WKTV’s cool PR & Promotions guy)

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

 

If you enjoy watching films like Clueless, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Look Who’s Talking (among other Amy Heckerling films), you would have been in seventh heaven last Friday and Saturday.

 

Heckerling was in Grand Rapids September 8 and 9 to screen Clueless and share her thoughts and perspective on film-making — and making it in an annoyingly male-dominated industry — at the Visiting Film Artists Series (VFAS), presented by West Michigan Film Video Alliance (WMFVA) at Celebration!Cinema North. On Friday viewers watched Clueless, the 1996 film written and directed by Heckerling. Saturday featured a luncheon and intimate Q&A with Heckerling.

 

Not surprisingly, guests had many, many questions on how to break into the biz. Heckerling was gracious, engaging and no-nonsense with her answers.

 

In a nutshell, here’s what helps get you in:

  1. Are you rich?
  2. Do you know somebody in the biz?
  3. Are you related to anybody in the biz?

It really is who you know. And sometimes you have to suck up an ‘attaboy sandwich,’ Heckerling’s term for biting your tongue and being gracious about a studio producer’s really stupid idea.

 

But the overarching theme in Heckerling’s presentation was that of perseverance and believing in yourself and your talent. Keep working. Hard. Follow your dreams. Things like that.

Tips for successful filmmaking and getting a big cheese to consider your idea:

  • Think about what’s in your heart that you want to say.
  • Be willing to plan what you want to do, but be flexible enough to change that plan.
  • Follow your dreams but you need to have smart dreams. Be smart and figure out the game.
  • Research people and try to maneuver your way in. Look for chinks in the barrier.
  • These days it’s easier to put together a reel but it’s hard to get someone to watch it; you still need to know someone in the industry.
  • It’s non-stop work. You must want it more, be pushier and work harder than the next guy.
  • Find out what studios are looking for and what’s in your heart you want to do.
  • Fight and stand up for your stuff; every now and then you get to do something you really want to do.
  • Sometimes you have to do something you don’t like on your way to getting where you want to be.

(And don’t forget that ‘attaboy sandwich.’)

 

Heckerling has been recognized for her talent and contribution to the industry with several awards: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay; Writer’s Guild of America Best Screenplay Written Directly for Screen; Women in Film Crystal Awards; and the American Film Institute Franklin J. Schaffner Award.