Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

Prioritize which bills to pay

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, , ,

By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension


Some bills are more important than others are. To aid your family’s decision-making process, consider the following questions on the University of Illinois Extension Getting Through Tough Financial Times website:


Do you feel you are buried under with debt from child support, back taxes, student loans or credit cards? You have some choices. After creating your spending plan, you need to decide which bills you should pay first and the amount you should pay. You are legally obligated to pay all your bills. However, you can determine the priority you need to pay and how much you should pay on each. You can work with your creditors, as they may be able to reduce some of your payments.


Do you owe child support, back taxes or student loans?

  • Failure to pay child support can be serious: you may be held in contempt of court, have your driver’s license revoked, have liens placed on your property, have your tax refund intercepted or be ordered to jail. You may be able to get the child support order modified. If you don’t get the order modified and fail to make payments, you are responsible for all unpaid support obligations plus interest. Contact Friend of the Court in Michigan or your county child support office for more information.
  • If you owe unpaid income taxes, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may seize your paycheck, bank account, house or other property. If you can’t pay the total amount due, contact the IRS to request a monthly repayment schedule. Also contact a reputable tax professional about other options.
  • Federal student loan payments can be deferred (no payments required) during periods of unemployment or financial hardship. You can’t qualify for a deferment once your student loan is in default. For more information on student loans, visit the Federal Student Aid, MyEdDebt.com and Student Loan Borrower Assistance. Interest you pay on student loans during the first 60 months after you begin loan payments may qualify as a tax deduction.

Do you have outstanding balances on credit card accounts? What should you pay first?


According to the National Consumer Law Center book on Guide to Surviving Debt,

  • Medium-priority Debts: Government student loans are medium-priority debts.
  • Low-priority Debts: Loans without collateral are a low priority. Collateral is property that a creditor has the right to take if you do pay.
  • “Unsecured” debts are a low priority and include most credit cards; attorney, doctor and hospital bills; and open accounts with merchants.
  • Do not move a debt up in priority because the creditor or collector threatens to sue you or to ruin your credit record; they may use threats as a tactic to get you to pay. Check your state debt collection laws for more information.

Do you make the minimum monthly payments on your credit cards? This will keep accounts current and avoid negative impacts on your credit report. However, paying only the minimum will increase your finance charges and extend the time it takes to pay off the balance. Compare and negotiate interest rates to ensure you pay the lowest rate. Stop using your cards until your situation improves. Contact a nonprofit consumer credit counseling service if you are having difficulty paying your bills. One such service is the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Contact them at 1-800-388-2227.


Michigan State University Extension has released a toolkit for homeowners who are experiencing or have previously experienced foreclosure. This toolkit will equip these individuals and families with tools to help them recover their financial stability, in the case that a recovery of their home is not possible. The toolkit is available to download free at MIMoneyHealth.org.


Michigan State University Extension is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency has many MSHDA-certified housing counselors at multiple county offices to assist you by phone or through technology. Find the one staff person nearest you on the MI Money Health website. MSHDA certified Housing counselors may be located online.


To contact an expert in your area, visit the website, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).


Other articles in this series:


Which bills should I pay first in a financial crisis


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Cat of the week: Crumbs

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, ,
He’s been through a lot, but what a trouper!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing


Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).


Wyoming resident Brenda R. is no stranger to the strays that populate her neighborhood; in fact over the years we have taken in quite a few wayward souls that thankfully fell under her care. She contacted Dr. Jen right after Valentine’s Day 2019 when an emaciated, darling but dirty intact male (born in late summer of 2017) crossed her path. The poor boy had obtained a bite wound to his tail when he tried to hang out with two feisty females that didn’t take kindly to his intrusion on their food bowls.


Part of the reason Crumbs was so skinny and felt as though he was starving was due to the fact he had internal tapeworms, so Dr. Jen treated him for the nasty little buggers, tended to his wound, got him neutered, tested, vaccinated and all spiffed up. A few days later Dr. Jen sent him on down to Crash’s, where he IMMEDIATELY became a volunteer favorite, so she enlisted the help of his new BFF’s to enlighten everyone on just how awesome he is:


“Crumbs is an adorable little guy that quickly became friends with everyone. He tends to hang back when there’s a lot of commotion but is right there underfoot when he knows there’s food involved. He doesn’t mind being picked up and held, he loves playing with laser toys, and enjoys his naps cuddled up next to his friends. He’d do great in any home, especially one with kids.


“Crumbs is a very happy and social boy. He loves being around people and gets along great with all of his buddies at the shelter. The only thing he likes more than being the center of attention is endless bowls of canned food. I can’t think of a home where he wouldn’t do well, he’s just that perfect.”


About three weeks into his stay with us, our beloved buff-and-white boy fell ill with symptoms of Calici virus, a highly contagious respiratory illness that unvaccinated cats are very susceptible to. He developed an acute fever and painful tongue ulcers that caused excessive drooling, but even in the thick of it all he surprised us all by pounding down bowl after bowl of delicious canned food.

Since he was hospitalized at the clinic again (for narcotics to control his discomfort and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection) Dr. Jen opted to retest him a week earlier than planned, and discovered that the bite wounds he had sustained prior to his arrival had transmitted the FIV virus to him. When it was time to send him back to our facility, he took up residence on the other side of our building, officially becoming a Sid’s Kid.


No worries though, as Crumbs once again made instant furry friends, and even when he was so sick with Calici, he wanted to be in the middle of everything. Although it bummed us all out to learn of his new viral status, we have no doubt that our charming, outgoing little fella is going to get himself adopted, as he hasn’t an ounce of mean coursing through his veins, and he absolutely loves everyone he comes into contact with.


It is no doubt crummy (we couldn’t resist) all that has befallen our buddy here, but in true form he takes whatever comes his way in stride and is absolutely thriving indoors, where he was always meant to be.

More about Crumbs:

  • Domestic Short Hair / Buff & White
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Medium
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • FIV-positive
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

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

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

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

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

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives . . .”

~ Carl Sagan

Painting the town … purple

Because red is just so overrated. Seriously, though, Paint the Town Purple offers an opportunity to check out the artwork of some of the talented and creative students of Wyoming High School. But hurry, because it all goes away this Thursday. Go here for the deets.

“Here am I floating
’round my tin can…”

On Wednesday, April 17, WKTV will be featuring, via the NASA channel, the launch of the newest Northrup Grumman Cygnus Cargo Craft, the S.S. Roger Chaffee, to the International Space Station. For more info, go here.

Looking for a few, good members

Get involved! The Kentwood City Commission has approved a resolution to establish an advisory committee that will review and prioritize improvements to Kentwood’s parks, trails and recreational programming to align with the needs of the community. Here’s your chance to do your part! Go here to learn more.

Fun fact:

$12,000,000

That’s how much an entire NASA suit costs — just ONE suit, mind you — and 70% of that is just for the backpack and control module. And you thought a Birkin bag was expensive.

Sharpen your supermarket smarts

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's, , ,

By Len Canter, HealthDay


If supermarket circulars influence your grocery shopping, you could be saving money at the expense of your health.


That’s because studies show the offerings are often far from the healthiest food choices.


Researchers looked at a year’s worth of circulars from a small Midwestern grocery chain to see how the nutritional quality of sale items compared to that of the average American diet, which itself scores low.


They found that sales reflected a tendency to eat too much protein and not enough fruits and vegetables.


While 25 percent of sale items were for protein-based foods, only 8 percent were for vegetables and 7 percent for fruits. Worse still, less than 3 percent were for the most healthful dark green, red and orange vegetables.


So it’s important not to let these circulars dictate your eating habits.


Eating healthy doesn’t have to cost as much as you might think. The difference can be as little as $1.50 more per day. Interestingly, some studies have shown that even people who spend the most money on food don’t automatically select healthier choices.


Regardless of budget, the average family spends the biggest chunk of their food budget—about 35 percent—on items like snacks, treats and frozen dinners. That means shifting just some of your shopping dollars may be enough to boost your diet.


Once you’re at the store, carefully shop the perimeter—that’s where fresh foods are displayed—for items that didn’t make the circular.


Buy seasonally to save money, and choose whole foods—like a chicken you cut up yourself—and fruits and vegetables that you wash and slice since precut ones cost more.


Buy in bulk when it makes sense, if for example, canned beans and whole wheat pasta are on sale.


Make a shopping list in advance to avoid impulse buying, but be flexible so you can take advantage of unannounced sales.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Share your Notre Dame photos, stories with WKTV

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism
The original bells in the Notre Dame towers. (WKTV/2004)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Kentwood resident Maria Orr said she is grateful that she at least had the opportunity to tour Notre Dame before the fire that brought down its spiral tower destroyed most of it.

The spiral tower of Notre Dame. (WKTV/2004)

Residents were glued to media outlets today as the world watched the catastrophic blaze ravage the beloved Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.

“I am glad that I got to see it before this happened,” said Orr, who visited the church with her daughter’s art class from East Kentwood High School. “I got to see the history and the windows before that was all destroyed.”

The artist behind the windows at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, which burned in 2012, Orr understands the pain and loss of the stained-glass windows at Notre Dame. Orr was able to recover four sets of the St. Mary Magdalen windows, which now hang in the new church building.

Notre Dame blaze brings back memories of St. Mary Magdalen Parish fire.

“St. Mary Magdalen at least had me around so when construction started, I was there to help design the windows for the new building,” Orr said. “None of the people who designed the windows for Notre Dame are around anymore to do that.”

Parishioner Luia Ortiz also mourned the loss of the windows. She had visited the church twice and now has a decal of one of the more famous Notre Dame windows on a window in her home.

“I wanted this little replica of the window but they were totally sold out of them when I was there, so I ended up buying a large piece,” Ortiz said, adding that when a friend went a few years later, she was able to get the replica for her.

The outside of Notre Dame (WKTV/2004)

What moves Ortiz more is the historical loss of the church.

“If they rebuild it, I don’t know if they will ever be able to capture the historical aspect,” she said. 

At WKTV, we hope to capture some of the historical context along with the memories of those who visited Notre Dame. We encourage area residents to share their photos and stories about their visit to the iconic church. To share photos, go to our Facebook page or email them to joanne@wktv.org.

Helping honey bees pollinate pickling cucumber fields

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, How-To's, Pets/Animals, , , ,

By Thomas Wood, Michigan State University, Department of Entomology


The Michigan State University Vegetable Entomology Lab started working on honey bee health in pickling cucumber fields two years ago as part of a USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant. This project aimed at improving our understanding of how to balance cucumber production and pest management against pollinator health.


Our research has shown that honey bees are the dominant pollinator of cucumbers in Michigan, and that effective pollination depends on large numbers of bees. Honey bee colonies are robust, but are exposed to many stressors in the cucumber production system. Watch our new video to learn more about this topic.


Thanks to Joy Landis and colleagues from MSU CANR Communications for helping us create this video. Follow us on Twitter @msuvegent!


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Tickets for Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss go on sale April 19

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ,
Photo supplied

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG


Country music legend Willie Nelson and 27-time-winning Grammy sensation Alison Krauss are headed to Grand Rapids to play SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Friday, Aug. 9 at 7:30pm. Get tickets to this exciting live concert starting Friday, April 19 at 11am at the DeVos Place & Van Andel Arena Box Offices and Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.


Willie Nelson is one of the most successful country music singer-songwriters in history, releasing 68 studio albums and 10 live albums. In 1973, he signed to Atlantic Records and put out Shotgun Willie, which veered into outlaw country, a stark contrast from the mainstream Nashville sound and clean-cut country artists of the era. 1975’s Red Headed Stranger and 1978’s Stardust followed on Columbia Records, both garnering commercial and critical success.


The ’80s saw the release of No. 1 albums Honeysuckle Rose, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Always on My Mind, and The Promiseland, as well as Nelson joining Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson in the country supergroup The Highwaymen, touring and releasing three studio albums between 1985 and 1995. Nelson continues to release a new album almost every year and delight ticket buyers in live shows to this day.


Alison Krauss is largely responsible for keeping bluegrass music alive and well in the U.S., and she’s got the awards to prove it. The singer-songwriter has received 27 Grammy Awards, making her the most awarded female artist in all of Grammy history — not too shabby for 47 short years. Krauss is a nationwide favorite in concert and has been performing onstage since the early 90s and selling out tours across North America since the early 2000s. She loves taking the stage just as much as recording in the studio, and ticket holders get to hear her soulful, soothing soprano up close, in addition to seeing her expertly play the fiddle, piano and mandolin.

May 5th ‘Jazz in the Sanctuary’ season finale will feature Michigan musicians

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By Virginia Anzengruber, Fountain Street Church


The ​Jazz in the Sanctuary concert series will conclude its sixth season at Fountain Street Church on Sunday, May 5th. The concerts, curated and hosted by West Michigan jazz mainstay Robin Connell, pair the spontaneous wonder of jazz with the acoustic and architectural beauty of the century-old, neo-Romanesque sanctuary in downtown Grand Rapids. As the church celebrates its 150-year Anniversary in 2019, Connell will welcome fellow Michigan musicians Elgin Vines on bass and Alain Sullivan on saxophone.


Vines has been described as one of the most sought-after jazz bassists in West Michigan. As a student at Norfolk State University, he paid his tuition by gigging along the Virginia Beach strip and was a member of the house trio on the daily Morty Nevins Television Show for three years. After graduating, he went on the road with The New Direction for eight years, and then in 1972 settled in Grand Rapids to play for the Bennie Carew Trio and work as a technologist for Amway. In 2005, the West Michigan Jazz Society named him their Musician of the Year.


Sullivan is a 19-year-old jazz saxophonist, bandleader, composer/arranger, and woodwind instrumentalist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He currently attends the University of Michigan, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry toward pre-medicine, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in jazz studies under the tutelage of its esteemed faculty, including Andrew Bishop, Ellen Rowe, Dennis Wilson, Robert Hurst, and Benny Green. He has performed in a wide variety of musical settings, including jazz settings of all types and several pit orchestras for musicals, doubling on flute and clarinet. He has played frequently throughout Michigan, across the country, and in Germany and Denmark. In 2018, he was presented with a YoungArts award, which is given to just a handful of young artists in multiple disciplines.


Connell herself is a prolific jazz pianist, vocalist, and educator who received the 2017 Musician of the Year award from West Michigan Jazz Society for her widespread collaboration with other artists and her continuing work on the ​Jazz in the Sanctuary series. Whether solo or in a group, she performs regularly throughout the region.


General admission to ​Jazz in the Sanctuary is $15 online or at the door. College students may show ID for $5 admission. Tickets and additional information are available at fountainstreet.org/jazz.

Fountain Street Church is an independent house of worship with an open pulpit and a 150-year history of progressive action in the heart of West Michigan.

For more information about Fountain Street Church or the Jazz in the Sanctuary concert series, please contact Conor Bardallis, Events Manager, at cbardallis@fountainstreet.org or 616-459-8386 ext. 221 or Virginia Anzengruber, Content and Communications Manager at vanzengruber@fountainstreet.org.

Employment Expertise: Summer employment for teens

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, , ,

By West Michigan Works!


It’s spring and that means employers are starting to post summer employment opportunities. Now is the time for young adults to prepare for summer employment. Summer work experience provides an excellent opportunity for teens to earn money, gain valuable experience and build confidence. 


Teen workforce participation


According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, teen participation in the labor force peaked in 1979 at almost 60 percent. It dropped sharply during and after the recession in 2007 and has continued to hover around 34.1 percent. 


While some may be quick to chalk it up to teen laziness, the fact is, more teens are attending school during the summer, they’re participating in more activities and they’re competing against a growing number of older workers and underemployed college grads.   


Summer opportunities


Teens that are willing and able to work during the summer months are most likely to find positions in businesses that have seasonal surges: movie theaters, amusement parks, hotels, farm labor, construction and landscaping. A quick search on Indeed.com for summer jobs near the Holland/Zeeland area pulls up 350 entry level jobs; a mix of temporary, full-time, part-time and internship opportunities.


Teens may also want to explore volunteer opportunities where they can learn valuable employability skills, such as time management, teamwork and responsibility.


Preparing for a successful job search


Here are three tips to help teens compete for summer employment:

  • Research the job opportunity. If it’s a retail job, visit the store and observe the current sales staff. Visit the company’s website and social media accounts. 
  • Create a simple resume. List any volunteer work, school activity or odd job that demonstrates responsibility, commitment and a positive attitude.
  • Rehearse the interview. Practice a firm handshake, making eye contact and speaking with a clear, enthusiastic voice. Prepare a few questions that will show the employer that you’re genuinely interested in working for them.

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

Kent County Seasonal Job Fair

  • When: Tuesday, April 16, 2-4:30pm
  • Where: West Michigan Works! 215 Straight Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
  • Who: Kent County Road Commission and Parks Department
  • What: Over 30 Seasonal Openings, including maintenance, equipment and engineering positions, and park workers

Go-to recipes for chaotic nights

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's,
Don’t despair. You can eat healthy, quickly on even the busiest evenings. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Jessica Corwin, Spectrum Health Beat


We all have those nights when you’re home late from work or when picking up kids from their various activities throws your schedule way back. Your stomach is growling, the kids are hangry, and the temptation is strong to swing by a fast food drive-through for a quick fix.


But, deep inside, you know that’s not the best nutritional solution, and you’ll regret your decision as soon as the soda gurgles at the bottom of that paper cup.


While I generally encourage home-cooked meals, I understand the reality that our busy lives sometimes makes this ideal more difficult to achieve.


So here are some recipe ideas you can throw together in a pinch to deliver a healthful meal on the table in no time.

Nine of our family favorites:

1. Black Bean Quesadillas

Simply add a can of no-salt-added black beans to a whole grain tortilla with shredded cheese and a handful of baby spinach, then cook on a heated pan until the cheese is melted. Or, if your kids are food detectives as ours are, mash up white beans and spread in a thin layer on the tortilla before adding toppings. That adds some hidden nutrition.

2. Chicken or Tofu Stir-Fry

As time does not allow for much produce prep on these evenings, I opt for frozen stir-fry vegetables and a quick homemade teriyaki sauce of honey and tamari or soy sauce. Serve alongside brown rice (keep some ready to go in the freezer, refrigerator, or opt for a bag of microwavable rice). If you’re lucky, you may even have leftover chicken on hand that you can slice up; if not, quickly squeeze the moisture from firm tofu, dice, and stir-fry away!

3. Tortellini Pasta

I try to keep a well-stocked kitchen with pantry staples for Plan B nights. A few of the staples? Whole grain tortellini, spinach and marinara sauce. When you get home, begin simmering the marinara in a medium saucepan on the stove. In a separate skillet over medium, toss your fresh spinach or slowly heat your frozen spinach. Add the cooked tortellini to the spinach (or keep separated for little ones still learning to enjoy these flavors together) and top with the marinara. If you have any leftover chicken, turkey or beef, you could certainly serve this in or alongside this dish.

4. Corny Salmon Cakes

These are amazing and perfect finger foods for little ones! You can find the recipe here from the Meal Makeover Moms.

5. Black Bean Burgers

I often make my own and freeze an extra six or so, however you can also stock up on your favorite veggie burger as a quick and easy backup. My favorite recipe can be found here from the Six O’Clock Scramble.

6. Egg Sandwiches

All you need is whole grain bread, eggs, cheese, and if you prefer, fresh spinach leaves and sliced tomatoes. If you want to take things up a notch, add sliced avocado. Serve sunny-side up alongside a dish of fresh fruit for a complete (and completely simple) supper.

7. Pizza-Dia

Think pizza on a tortilla. In all honesty, we have even made these using whole grain bread or portabella mushrooms. All you need is mozzarella, tomato sauce, and the toppings of your choice.

8. Super Sloppy Joes

Another winner is this healthy sloppy Joe recipe made from ground meat (consider lean turkey), whole grain buns, and the veggies of your choice. Done and done.

9. Taco or Wrap Night

This meal can be served in a variety of ways. Whether you choose to go with traditional beef or bean tacos in a hard corn tortilla, or you choose to mix things up, the goal is to have a self-serve meal to save a bit of effort on your end. My family loves these fish tacos from Real Mom Nutrition.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Are hormones safe?

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , ,

For many women, a healthy lifestyle is not enough. They want some kind of treatment to help them feel better and get back to feeling like themselves. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum Health Beat


Too many women suffer needlessly from symptoms of hormone changes and menopause.


Women want to age with health and vitality, but often are taken by surprise with midlife body changes. It is unfortunate that not enough women know the facts about hormones and options for healthy aging.


We are fortunate these days because there are so many treatment options available.


There has been significant research to help us understand how to individualize these options for each woman depending on her preferences, medical history, stage of menopause and degree of symptoms.

Options abound

The foundation of treatment for the symptoms of menopause is a healthy lifestyle. This is defined by the SEEDS, or seven essential elements of daily success.


Following the SEEDS each day includes:

  • Eighty ounces of water
  • Seven hours of sleep
  • A healthy balance of healthy carbs, protein and fats with only one unhealthy carb treat
  • A multivitamin and vitamin D
  • Exercise and stretching
  • Fiber
  • Calm breathing and gratitude

For some women, this is enough to feel good through menopause. Twenty percent of women get through their transition with only minimal symptoms.


For many women, however, a healthy lifestyle is not enough. They feel so in the hole of symptoms that they want some kind of treatment to help them feel better and get back into good habits. This is when we talk about the most effective treatment for hot flashes, night sweats, pain with sex, sleep and mood disturbances and decreased sex drive.


Estrogen medication works quickly and is safe for many women. There are many fear-based untruths out there that keep women from using medication that can help them feel like themselves again.


A recent study of hormone use showed that the risk of blood clots has a higher association with oral estrogen use, not with transdermal—absorbed through the skin—estrogen therapy. And for oral estrogen use, the risk was higher with equine estrogen, also known as premarin, and not with the bioidentical, FDA-approved form of estrogen.


Now, for women who have taken premarin for years and do not want to stop, the risk of associated blood clots is mainly in the first year. Switching is possible, but for those women who choose not to, the advice would be to minimize other risks for blood clots by maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated, and taking a baby aspirin when on long car trips or plane rides. And always talk to your doctor about your risk.


Bottom line, be informed, make decisions based on facts, and get advice from doctors and other health care providers who are menopause certified. Every woman is different and what works for her or is safe for her may not apply to another.

Test your hormone knowledge

True or false? Hormones will make me fat.


False. Menopause is associated with belly fat, hormone medications are not. Studies show that hormone medication may help with sleep and reduce insulin resistance, so if women do the work to stay healthy, hormones can help maintain a healthy weight.


True or false? Estrogen causes breast cancer.


False. In the aforementioned study, women who were on estrogen because they had a hysterectomy had a lower risk of breast cancer. Estrogen does not cause cancer, but if a woman gets breast cancer, we do not give estrogen in the blood (via a patch or pill) because of concerns it could cause a recurrence. We might prescribe vaginal estrogen, but not systemic. The only women in the Women’s Health Initiative study with more breast cancer were older and on synthetic oral progesterone more than seven years. This study helps us understand safe ways to give hormones and which type.


True or false? Prescription medication is not bioidentical.


False. It is biochemically identical to the estrogen the ovary makes before menopause. We prescribe FDA-approved estrogen and progesterone, meaning it is the same every time you place a patch or take a pill. There is no batch-to-batch variability like in the compounded medications. Insurance will cover the FDA-approved medication.

Hormone guidelines to consider

If the below criteria describes you, hormones could be a safe option:

  • Less than 10 years from last period
  • No history of breast cancer
  • No vascular heart disease (heart attack, or high risk for heart attack)
  • No history of blood clot in the leg or lung
  • No prior stroke
  • No dementia
  • No metabolic syndrome (combo of high blood pressure, central obesity, high blood sugar, high cholesterol)

These are only guidelines. If there are any questions regarding risk, your provider will bring in partners from cardiology, diabetes, hematology, and cancer care to help guide decisions.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

A wooden box reveals a sticky piece of Wyoming History

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

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

A few years ago when Bill Branz was visiting in Colorado, he found an old wooden box with the word “Tanglefoot” printed on the side. The Wyoming Historical Commission chair quickly snapped it up. 

Tanglefoot is one of the most well-known flypaper manufacturers, and while some know that the company got its start in Grand Rapids, many may not realize Tanglefoot had a factory operation in Wyoming.

“Back in the early 1900s we had this little factory operation here in Wyoming Township and it was a family of four brothers who worked with their father in the late 1800s in Grand Rapids,” Branz said.

The Thum family ran a drugstore in the late 1800s. Due in part to the horse-drawn carts, flies were a big problem during that time period, with farmers to lawyers visiting the local drugstore to have flypaper, paper covered in a sweet, tacky substance, prepared. 

“The two younger brothers discovered with the chemistry that their family played with that they could make this flypaper out of some of the chemicals they were using,” Branz said. The flypaper was a hit and the family patented the product. 

Where the former Tanglefoot building was located. The building is still there. (WKTV)

“They stated up a factory operation right along the old railroad track line that ran from the Kalamazoo/Allegan area into Grand Rapids,” Branz said. “They made enough money to become what is considered wealthy and moved to California, the Pasadena area, and the youngest brother, William, became the mayor of Pasadena.”

The wooden box is now housed at the Wyoming Historical Room, located in the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. 

“I thought it was an interesting story and it is just fun to have something like this in our room to show people and bring back a little story involving our local history,” Branz said of the box.

The Wyoming Historical Room is always looking for items related to the history of Wyoming. If you have something you would like to donate or if you are interested in volunteering, call 616-261-3508 or visit the Wyoming Michigan Historical Room on Facebook. 

Cat of the week: Donut

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, ,
Meet sweet Donut

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing


Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).


Holy moly, did it take a long time (and a massive effort) to corral this badly injured boy and convince him (and others) that he needed to be taken in out of harm’s way.


About two years ago, this three-year-old, intact male (born in early 2016) took to wandering around a Wyoming apartment complex, befriending a few of the residents who let him in from time to time. Then in the summer of 2018, he was terribly traumatized, most likely the victim of a nasty cat fight that caused his initial neck wound.


It seems that some of the residents had taken a shine to our boy, but instead of seeking medical care for him, they let nature take its course and went so far as to insist that he needed to stay put as ‘their’ outdoor cat; they would miss him too much if he were gone. Finally, his skin had progressively been damaged over the harsh, horrible winter we had, and he was brought in for long overdue medical attention.


Dr. Jen has smelled a lot of foul things in her career as a veterinarian, but this matted, chronically abscessed and necrotic skin flap was a doozy! Once anesthetized and prepped for surgery, the good doctor gently cut away the nasty, useless chunk of skin that was overlaying a 4-5 cm open wound, with another full-thickness hole present beneath. After flushing and debriding the wound site, Dr. Jen started this kitty on broad-spectrum antibiotics and pain medication, then set about neutering, conducting internal and external parasite control, administering vaccines, bathing (repeatedly to remove layers of grime), and testing.


It was no surprise that Donut tested positive for FIV, a transmissible feline virus acquired from deep puncture/bite wounds, disheartening but not unexpected. By the time he was done being brushed and blow-dried, he looked like a million bucks, albeit one missing a huge section of flesh.


Although his recovery was routine, the next morning Dr. Jen was not greeted by the happy, hungry hunk she left the night before, but a depressed kitty with an elevated respiratory rate who was lying in his feces—and very subdued while she re-bathed him. Dr. Jen was concerned about a reaction to the drugs used to sedate him or, more importantly, an underlying cardiomyopathy, so she ran a specialized test that showed elevated levels of an enzyme we can see in cats with heart disease.


Thankfully, after a course of subcutaneous fluids and the passing of a very large bowel movement laden with roundworms, this guy immediately perked up, his breathing resumed normal, and he was back to filling his face. A few days later, Dr. Jen sent him off to Sid’s with a vial of topical Silvadene cream in tow to be applied to his skin defects twice daily. Although an instant fan of belly rubs, Donut was understandably weary of any sort of human contact involving his head, so there was a bit of a learning curve for everyone involved. However, over the course of the next four weeks, his healing plugged along at a good clip, and although he will sport one heck of a scar, overall he really is none the worse for wear.


The majority of the time Dr. Jen spent with Donut was at the clinic, so she wanted to get a more in depth summary of his personality and observations made by his caretakers for his biography:

“I can’t say enough good things about him,” said one volunteer. “He absolutely loves all the comforts of indoor life. He’s crazy about wet food, treats, and humans. While taking care of his neck wound, he’s been nothing short of a gentleman, just sits and waits patiently for the treats at the end.  He really does love people, knows his name already, and is starting to follow us around. He was slow to venture out of his safe place/room, but he knows he’s safe now, and has been strutting around with confidence. He can be a little selfish and push his way through when I’m interacting with him and a few of the other cats, but he’s not aggressive about it; he’s just trying to make upon for lost time.


“Donut has come such a long way since he came in. He has turned into a very sweet boy who absolutely loves his new life of luxury. He can still be pretty reserved and prefers to snuggle up in a cubby, but if you sit and talk to him or offer him a few treats he will come right out for attention. He loves canned food more than anything else and probably will eat until he explodes if you let him! He doesn’t seem to care at all about the other cats, so he could probably live with or without them. He would do great in a quiet home without kids, one where he could be the center of quiet, gentle attention.”


Now that you have read all about this amazing creature, ‘do-nut ya wanna’ take him home and make him your very own?

More about Donut:

  • Domestic Short Hair / Gray & White
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Large
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • FIV-positive
  • Good in a home with other cats
  • Prefers a home without children

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

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

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

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

Which bills should I pay first in a financial crisis?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, , ,

By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension


Do you find yourself making tough choices about which bills to pay in tight months? In Michigan, 14 percent of individuals reported that in 2015, their household spent more than their income (not including the purchase of a new home, car or other big investment), according to the National Financial Capability Study. This same study reported 18 percent of individuals have medical bills that are past due. If you are struggling to make ends meet, you can prioritize based on what might happen and decide which bills are the most important to pay this month. This article contains recommended steps and suggests several possible strategies.


Gather your bill statements and overdue notices, including any letters from creditors. There are three steps you should take, according to Behind on Bills from the Bureau for Consumer Financial Protection.

  1. Understand the risk of not paying certain bills now. What things do you need to keep or get a job, like transportation, childcare, tools or work uniform? To stay housed and keep your utilities connected? What insurance do you need to pay for, including car, health, home or renter’s insurance? Do you have other important financial obligations, such as court-ordered child support, other loans or credit cards?
  2. Assess the pros and cons of your situation. Remember that the costs of losing a place to live add up fast and can make it harder to find a new one. Also, consider consequences, legal or otherwise, of delaying payment. For example, credit card companies might raise your interest rates if you pay more than 60 days late.
  3. Prioritize your bills. You are responsible for all your bills. If you cannot pay all of them at once, decide the payment order from highest to lowest priority. Keep in mind, if you fall behind on secured debt payments, you can lose your house or car.

Next, you can create an action plan to make this month’s most important payments. Use the Personal Monthly Budget spreadsheet or another budgeting tool to list your income and monthly expenses like rent or mortgage, utilities, transportation, education, childcare, cell phone and groceries. How much do you have left to use for debt payments? How balanced are your income and spending?


Now that you see your personal budget numbers, decide on your strategy. Here are five possibilities to consider.

  1. Look at each line item and ask yourself if you can increase income as well as if you can decrease or eliminate some expenses.
  2. If you have to miss a payment, you can try to call the creditor to tell them why and work out a short-term agreement. For example, are they willing to forgive an occasional fee?
  3. If a certain bill is difficult to pay because of the due date, try to negotiate a new due date which better lines up with the dates you receive your income or benefits.
  4. Another strategy is to rotate the bills you pay each month. While this is not ideal, it can prevent serious consequences such as losing your car or house, having a utility shut-off, or defaulting on a loan.
  5. Find out if there are local resources to turn to for help. Those listed below are in Michigan:

Setting goals and planning to pay your bills on time are best practices to help make your financial hopes and dreams come true. Having a monthly budget shows your sense of control to understand your situation and make your action plan. And you will save money by paying down debt to avoid the interest costs from borrowing on credit. Financial planning takes time, patience, and discipline. Find more information about making money decisions and to learn about educational events in your area at MIMoneyHealth.org.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Snapshots: Kentwood, Wyoming news you need to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


Quote of the Day

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”
 
                                 ― Silent Movie Star Charlie Chaplin
Summer leagues are now forming at both the Kentwood and Wyoming Parks and Recreation Departments. (Supplied)

Warmer weather = more fun

Both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming have released spring/summer brochures with a host of activities available. There is a league for just about everything from volleyball to baseball along with fitness activities, day trips and more. Curious, well then click here to check out Wyoming’s brochure and for Kentwood’s, visit the story by clicking here.



According to scientists and some users, Lake Michigan is seeing an impact from global warming. (Supplied)

Water, water everywhere

Tomorrow, the Kent District Library kicks off the series “Oceans, Lakes, and Streams: Protecting Water Globally and Locally,” which focuses on our waterways. Tomorrow’s program, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at the KDL Kentwood Branch, features Dr. David E. Guggenheim, known as “The Ocean Doctor,” discussing the “State of the Oceans.” The program is free. For more, click here.


An Allegiant Airlines plan at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Supplied/Ford International Airport)

Head South

Let’s be honest, the threat of snow has us all wishing we could head south for warmer weather. Good news! Allegiant now offers non-stop service to Sarasota from Grand Rapids. Bonus: to celebrate the airlines is offering a special airfare rate making it possible for you to head there right now, if you wanted to. For more, click here.



Fun fact:

38

That is the number of parks/trails that the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood have combined. Wyoming maintains 21 which range from the Buck Creek Nature Trail to Lamar Park, home of the Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park. Kentwood has Jaycee Park, famous for its Disc Golf site, and Kelloggs Wood Park, which has a dog park. As the weather warms up, now is the time to enjoy these lovely assets of the cities.

School News Network: PH.D.-bound college student shares her journey through science with high school students

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, ,

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

Michigan State University senior Gabby Huizenga has tinkered with cells, experimented with environmental toxins and hypothesized complex scientific theories about disease — but she still has time to remember her roots.

The Wyoming High School Class of 2015 graduate visited science classes recently to share the pathway she took from high school to a Ph.D. program, and how other young science lovers can take similar routes in pursuing their goals.

Michigan State University senior and Wyoming High School graduate Gabby Huizinga returns to Wyoming to talk about opportunities to go far in science

Huizenga said the hours she spent in MSU research labs — not to mention changing her major a few times– has led her to where she is now: enrolled in the Immunology Postgraduate Doctoral Degree program at University of Michigan. She was accepted into several colleges’ programs before choosing U of M. After listening to her story, Wyoming students asked her about college, financial resources, ways to get involved, and courses to take now and in college.

“I really want to get them excited about science and research and share one particular path they can take,” Huizinga said. “One of the things I didn’t realize is that for a Ph.D., instead of you paying them they pay you. I think that is a great opportunity.” (Many universities fully fund doctoral students with tuition covered and a stipend.)

While finishing up her undergraduate degree, Huizinga is involved in research for MSU assistant professor Andrew Olive, in the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics. She’s studying how humans and animals interact with invading bacteria or viruses and experimenting with the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The research could eventually lead to a new tuberculosis drug.

“We are trying to figure out why only five percent of people who are affected with the bacteria actually get TB,” she said.

She’s also researched toxic chemicals produced when waste is incinerated.  “We’re wondering if we can use bacteria to clean up the chemicals in the soil because they are really cheap to produce and really efficient,” she said.

Gabby Huizinga is researching the bacteria that causes tuberculosis

High School Students, Take Note

Huizinga said taking AP classes and other challenging courses at Wyoming, where she graduated as co-valedictorian, helped prepare her for college. But learning about myriad options  once at MSU led her to explore different paths before choosing a double major in microbiology and molecular genomics and genetics.

She will graduate in May and take the direct route to her Ph.D.

“My dream job would be to be a research professor at a large research institution,” Huizinga said.

Huizinga encouraged students to get involved in college life and offerings in order to make the most of their years there. Attending a diverse school like Wyoming led her to get involved in the honors college multicultural program, Mosaic.

“Attending Wyoming gave me a huge appreciation for the world I don’t think a lot of other students had,” she said, noting she “found her people” through Mosaic.

Junior Lio Matias said it’s interesting to hear about options from a recent Wyoming graduate. “It’s helpful hearing how far she’s come,” he said.

Stephanie Rathsack, who teaches AP biology, honors chemistry and chemistry, said a college student’s point of view and knowledge is valuable to high schoolers.

“It’s nice to hear from someone who is closer in age to them, who can answer questions in a small group setting,” Rathsack said.

Added Superintendent Craig Hoekstra, “I think this is a great opportunity for our students to hear from one of our former students about their Wyoming experience, and the importance of making the most of every life experience to achieve what one sets out to accomplish.”

For more local school news, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

Gabby Huizinga’s undergraduate experience included research on dioxins. (School News Network.)

Tillage and squash bees: Protect your best source for pollination in your squash fields

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, How-To's, Pets/Animals, , ,

By Zsofia Szendrei, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Entomology


The Michigan State University Vegetable Entomology Lab started researching squash pollination two years ago when the USDA Organic Research and Extension Initiative funded a project that focused on all aspects of squash management. One of our goals was to learn about the impact of management practices on a little-known native pollinator that specializes in pollinating winter and summer squash: the squash bee.


The squash bee is a unique insect because it naturally occurs in most squash productions in Michigan and must find squash pollen to feed its young. The female creates nests in the ground and our project focused on finding out how soil disturbance impacts squash bees.


Watch our new 3-minute video on tillage and squash bees to learn more about this topic, and enjoy the animations created by our talented collaborator, Holly Hooper, MSU Entomology graduate student. Thanks to Joy Landis and colleagues from MSU College of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesCommunications & Marketing for helping us create this video. Follow us on Twitter @msuvegent!


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Employment Expertise: Skills veterans bring to civilian careers

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

By West Michigan Works!


U.S. veterans return from duty with knowledge, skills and abilities that employers are looking for in their workforce. Here are some transferrable skills that veterans bring to civilian jobs:

  1. TEAMWORK: Most military activities are performed with the help or coordination of others. Veterans have learned to collaborate with others to complete tasks and stay safe. Veterans who have served as team leaders have learned to evaluate situations, make decisions quickly and accept the consequences of those decisions, good or bad. 
  2. FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY: Life in the military is ever-changing. Service members learn to adapt to the changing needs of any situation while remaining calm and moving towards the goal.
  3. EDUCATION: All service members are required to have a high school diploma or GED. Many have college degrees as well.
  4. CRITICAL THINKING: Service members are trained to examine the results and consequences of a specific action. They learn to use reason and evidence to make decisions and solve complex problems.
  5. WORK ETHIC: In the military, mission comes first. Service members are recognized for finishing their missions in a timely and effective manner. They learn to take responsibility for their duties and complete them with minimal supervision.
  6. LEADERSHIP: The military’s focus on duty, honor and responsibility give veterans leadership skills that are highly valued by employers. They have been taught to take responsibility for other people, activities and their own behavior and to motivate others to achieve results.
  7. GLOBAL OUTLOOK: Service members are stationed across the globe, exposing them to different cultures, economies and languages. Veterans can bring a diverse outlook and new ideas to the workplace.

Veterans who need help translating their military skills, qualifications and experience to their job search can visit a West Michigan Works! service center to be connected to a veterans representative. 


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

Conquer your sleep issues

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , , ,

Sleep well with these doctor-approved techniques that calm the mind… and hormones. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum HealthBeat

 

Many of the women who come to our midlife and menopause clinic have a common problem: sleep issues.

 

As an OB/Gyn doctor who still delivers babies, I admit I don’t always get as much sleep as I should, but I do strive to get my seven to eight hours most nights.

 

Also, as a doctor, I am well aware of the problems people often encounter as a result of poor sleep habits: decreased cognitive function (also known as brain fog), difficulty remembering things, decreased job performance, and an increased chance of having a vehicle accident.

 

If you aren’t sleeping well, your overall quality of life suffers, and you may feel less motivated to follow a healthy and active lifestyle. This, in turn, can cause mood disturbances such as anxiety and depression. You may not suffer from major depression, but even having an underlying sense of dread or being in a bad mood is not a healthy way to live your life.

Having a hard time sleeping?

It may make you feel better to know that you’re not alone. In fact, about 69 percent of people have sleep problems, and women have 50 percent more problems with sleep than men.

 

Nearly 20 percent of people have chronic sleep issues that can cause serious medical risks, especially if they average less than six hours per night and have poor quality sleep. Some of these health threats include an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

 

These are serious health issues for people of all ages, but for women who are also navigating their way through menopause, sleep issues add more stress to an already difficult time in their lives.

 

So, why do sleep problems become worse during midlife and menopause, and what can you do to start getting more (and better) sleep?

 

The answer to the first question has to do with hormones. My experience with helping women in midlife and menopause has shown that a common pattern develops in women during this time, especially as their hormones start to change.

 

Even if your periods are regular, as you get older, your hormones can change three days before your period, causing night sweats. Early in the transition, you might not even think you are having night sweats, but waking three nights in a row in the middle of the night can actually be a slight nighttime hot flash.

 

Unfortunately, what happens to we busy women is that we turn a simple night of waking up into a catastrophe that may look something like this:

 

“OMG—I’m awake! I cannot afford to be awake. Oh geez, I have to pee, but I don’t want to get up to pee. Now I really have to pee, but if I get up, I might not be able to fall back asleep. What should I do? Oh, I will just lie here. Well, that is not working. Toss, turn, toss, turn. Fine—I will get up! Now that I’m up and can’t sleep, maybe I should clean, or check email, or watch TV, or check Facebook. Maybe then I will feel tired.”

 

Of course, then you fall back asleep at 4:30 a.m. or so, and the alarm goes off at 5:30 or 6 a.m. You wake up and you feel stressed, cranky and craving sugar.

 

Does this scenario sound familiar? If so, you know how poor sleep makes you feel, and it’s not good. To make matters worse, as women progress into perimenopause and then into menopause, the symptoms can stretch from happening three days a month to every night.

 

The result is what I call a hot mess.

What can I do about it?

Don’t fret. There is hope.

 

There are several treatments for sleep disorders, but it really comes down to how well you follow the recommendations and treatment guidelines from your physician. It’s important to treat any medical conditions, such as snoring, sleep apnea and obesity, that may be causing your sleep issues to worsen.

 

I talk to patients about using hormone replacement therapy for improving sleep issues. Such therapy is not a sleep medicine, but it can reduce hot flashes and night sweats, thereby reducing nighttime waking events.

 

We also discuss sleep hygiene, which includes developing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding stimulation such as caffeine or screen time before sleep, avoiding naps longer than 20 minutes in the afternoon, and keeping a regular exercise schedule of at least 20 minutes per day.

 

Probably the most effective recommendation I make for my patients is to make time each night before bed for metered breathing.

 

If you’re not familiar with this technique, here’s a quick explanation: Find a peaceful place in your house, outside of the bedroom. I call this your Zen spot. Turn on a low light and get into a comfortable position. Close your mouth, open your eyes, stare at a particular spot in the room, and just breathe. Breathing should not deep or forced. It should be relaxed.

 

Be aware of the sound of your breath. As you are aware of your breathing and focused on one visual stimuli, your mind will become still. If an annoying thought or worry enters your mind, simply think about it for a second and then go back to the sound of your breath.

 

Do this for five minutes, then go straight to bed, close your eyes and enter dreamland.

 

It may take several nights of practice before it works effectively. If you wake in the middle of the night and can’t fall back asleep, go to your Zen spot and do your metered breathing.

 

You will be pleasantly surprised how well it works.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum HealthBeat.

Pine Rest to participate in National Institute On Aging study

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,
Eric Achtyes, M.D., M.S., D.F.A.P.A.
(photo supplied)

By Colleen Cullison, Pine Rest


Pine Rest has been chosen as one of five organizations to participate in a National Institute on Aging study.


The 5-year study will investigate the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat severe agitation and aggression in people with Alzheimer’s disease. The study was made possible by a 5-year award which is expected to total $11.8 million from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). 


Researchers at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate, will lead the study. Pine Rest will receive a $1.3 million sub-award for the study from McLean. The NIA, part of the National Institutes of Health, leads scientific efforts to study aging and Alzheimer’s disease.


The study will be the first randomized, double-blind, controlled study of ECT for agitation and aggression in Alzheimer’s dementia. It will compare how ECT treatment plus standard treatments, such as antipsychotic medications and behavioral therapies, compares with standard therapies alone for individuals with Alzheimer’s dementia with severe aggression and anxiety.


For the study, 200 patients will be enrolled across the five sites. The study will be open to older adults or individuals who have been admitted to the inpatient geriatric psychiatry units of any of the five participating sites and who have moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease, are experiencing agitation and aggression, and who have not been responsive to other forms of treatment. Enrollment is expected to begin in spring 2019.


“We have been interested in the use of ECT for the treatment of advanced dementia for many years and have been offering this treatment to patients and families for a long time,” said Eric Achtyes, M.D., M.S., D.F.A.P.A., staff psychiatrist, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, and Michigan State University – College of Human Medicine, associate professor and chair, department of psychiatry west.


“Several years ago, we conducted a pilot study of ECT in this patient population which showed promising results for reducing agitation associated with dementia,” Achtyes said. “Now, thanks to this grant, we will be able to conduct a definitive study to assess the benefits and risks of using ECT for these individuals and the families who care for them.”

Dr. Louis Nykamp
(photo supplied)

“Agitation and even aggression are unfortunately common in the context of the brain changes which occur in the late stages of Alzheimer’s dementia,” said Dr. Louis Nykamp, Pine Rest’s geriatric fellowship director and electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation clinic director.


“Many people can think of a family member or friend to whom this has occurred,” Nykamp said. “There are currently no approved treatments and the medications typically used for these complications of the illness can come with troublesome side effects and often they don’t work as well as we’d hope.”


A $20,000 grant from the Pine Rest Foundation will fund preliminary work to prepare Pine Rest’s ECT Clinic to participate in the NIA grant.


When the study begins this spring, the teams from the five hospitals will interact regularly with a data safety monitoring board composed of experts in geriatric psychiatry, biostatistics, and ECT who will review every piece of data as well as the overall conduct of the study to provide an independent objective review of safety. The researchers will also provide a yearly progress report to the NIA.

Anti-inflammatory foods are your friends

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, How-To's, Senior Living, , ,

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are great for fighting inflammation.
(Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)


By Jennifer Ford, MA, RDN, CSO

Inflammation is the body’s initial reaction to infection and injury. It can be classified as acute or chronic.


Acute inflammation is a short-term, physiologic response that can occur for minutes or days. It is caused by injury, infection or irritation.


Chronic inflammation is a long-term physiologic response that can occur over weeks, months or years. It’s caused by poor nutrition, obesity, viruses and chronic infection. This prolonged, continuous or chronic inflammation state is what can generate hormones and proteins that can damage your body’s healthy tissues and cells and increase your risk for cancer.

Follow these anti-inflammatory nutrition tips to help lower your risks:

  • Fill your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables: Five servings of fruits and 2.5 servings of vegetables per day can provide anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and fiber. Fiber can lower levels of C-reactive protein, which is a protein in the blood that signals inflammation. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends adding plant foods to at least two-thirds of your plate. Make one-quarter of your plate whole grains and starchy vegetables, then make the other half non-starchy vegetables and fruits.
  • Limit red meat and processed meats: Keep pork, beef and lamb consumption to less than 18 ounces of cooked meat per week, and avoid processed meats, to decrease your cancer risk. Substitute these with other healthy sources of protein, such as beans, lentils, tofu, fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products, high-protein grains and non-processed soy protein.
  • Consume foods rich with omega-3 fatty acids: Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish and alpha-linolenic acid from plant sources help protect your body from inflammation. Tuna, salmon, flaxseed, walnuts and avocado are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Promote probiotics in your diet: Add a daily serving of cultured dairy foods like kefir, Greek yogurt and yogurt.
  • Eat fewer foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients: Foods with added sugars and fats can cause weight gain and prevent the intake of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.

How does body weight influence inflammation?

  • Stay physically active: Studies suggest that physical activity reduces inflammation and also helps you lose weight. The American Institute for Cancer Research suggests adding 30 minutes of daily activity, then slowly increasing it to 60 minutes or more of moderate activity or 30 minutes of vigorous activity.
  • Aim for a healthy BMI and waist circumference: Being overweight or obese can cause chronic inflammation. Fat cells release a variety of hormones, proteins, cytokines and growth factors that increase inflammation. Obesity increases the risk of numerous cancers—pancreatic, kidney, postmenopausal breast, colon, esophageal and endometrial. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. As BMI increases, cancer risk increases. A waist measurement of 31.5 inches or more for women and 37 inches or more for men can also increase your cancer risk.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Early literacy skill-building begins at birth

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, How-To's, Kids Activities, ,

By Carrie Shrier, Michigan State University Extension


Did you know if you start daily reading at birth, and read with your child for 30 minutes a day, they will go to kindergarten with over 900 hours of literacy time? If you reduce that to 30 minutes a week, they lose over 770 hours of this critical “brain food” and go to kindergarten with just 130 hours of literacy time.


Developing early literacy skills makes it easier for children to read. These early skills, such as building vocabulary, rhyming, and book handling skills make it easier for children to learn how to read when they get to kindergarten. However, more than one in three American children are starting kindergarten without the essential skills they need to be ready to learn to read.


Make a commitment to help your child be ready to succeed in school and commit to engaging in 30 minutes of daily literacy skill-building time starting at birth. Here are seven tips from Michigan State University Extension and ideas to support your young child’s literacy development.

1. Promote high-quality language interactions

Think of yourself like a sports commentator. You are providing the play by play for the infant or toddler in your life. Narrate the world around them, their interactions with toys, even diaper changes. Talk about what is going on, what you are doing, what they are seeing, etc. Research shows that when children have higher levels of language stimulation in the first year of life, they have better language skills, including larger vocabularies.

2. Make art a regular part of the day

In infancy and toddlerhood, young children are learning that their movements and motions can make the marks on the paper. Art experiences provide young children with the ability to practice gripping and holding a marker or crayon, learning to be purposeful in making marks on paper and phenomenal sensory feedback (feeling the paint squish between their fingers, smelling the crayons, etc.). Provide children with a wide variety of art experiences including, but not limited to, coloring with markers and crayons on heavy and thin paper, painting, finger painting, molding paint and clay, etc. Consider using non-traditional paints like chocolate pudding or shaving cream for a fun sensory experience.

3. Read, read, read

Build children’s print awareness and book handling skills by reading to them every day and making books available for children to explore. Consider heavy-duty board books that will survive heavy duty toddler usage. MSU Extension offers ideas to expand on your child’s experiences with books in our free, reproducible Family Book Sheets.

4. Nursery rhyme time

Research in early literacy has proven that regular exposure to rhymes help boost children’s abilities to master pre-reading skills such as rhyme prediction and detection. Add rhymes and rhythms to your child’s day. Read nursery rhymes, sing songs with rhyming words, find fun books with rhymes and add chants or rhymes to routine times of your day, such as cleanup time or bath time.

5. Use baby sign language

Did you know that babies who learned to sign first have been found to have significantly higher vocabularies and higher IQ scores? In fact, babies who learn to sign are more likely to be reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Use signs to teach your baby and toddler basic communication words like eat, more, milk, tired, wet, hot, etc. You can tell your baby is starting to be old enough to sign when you see them waving bye-bye or mimicking other gestures to communicate, such as pounding on their high chair tray for more food.

6. Read it again, and again, and again!

While reading books again and again might be frustrating for parents, toddlers love to have their favorite books read aloud multiple times. The act of re-reading a book helps young children build their comprehension skills and their vocabulary. Consider having special books as parts of your routine, such as a bedtime book you read at the same time every night. Ask questions while you read, can they predict what will happen next?

7. Literacy rich environments

Point out to your baby or toddler all the things you read in a day. Read in front of them, emphasize that reading is something you value. Read cereal boxes at breakfast, magazines in the doctor’s waiting room, street signs while you are driving. Make books accessible to your child. Help your child grow up valuing reading as a critical skill and worthy use of their free time.


It is critical to help your child be ready to read when they go to kindergarten. According to 2017 M-STEP data, only 50 percent of Michigan’s children were reading on grade level by the end of third grade. This is a crucial benchmark because in fourth grade, children shift from learning how to read to reading to learn. The Michigan Department of Education is working diligently to improve reading proficiency, beginning with supporting language, literacy and pre-reading skills in early childhood.


Do your part in supporting your child’s early reading skills. Make an effort to keep reading a priority in your home; a family activity that is fun, engaging and something you do together, every day. Helping your child learn to love reading is an amazing gift.


For more information about early childhood literacy development, programs in your area and webinars, visit MSU Extension’s Early Childhood Development.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Tickets for ‘Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars’ tour go on sale April 12

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG


Tickets for the Sept. 19th Miranda Lambert’s ‘Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars’ tour (with very special guests Elle King, Pistol Annies, and Caylee Hammack) go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, April 12 at 10am.


Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena® and DeVos Place® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of six (6) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.

  • What: Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars tour (Miranda Lambert with very special guests Elle King, Pistol Annies, and Caylee Hammack)
  • When: Sept. 19 at 7pm
  • Where: Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI

Good Night, Sweetheart

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Kids Activities, , ,

By Dr. Jenny Bush, Cherry Health

Anyone who has ever had a bad habit to break knows that life would have been easier if they had never started the habit in the first place. Bad sleep habits in young children can cause fatigue for the caregivers along with irritability and learning difficulties for the child. The following are tips for starting your child off with a good night sleep:

  • Newborn babies typically go through cycles of playing, eating and sleeping every 3-4 hours. If your baby has been recently fed and seems fussy, try to calm them by walking or rocking them. When they seem calm but are not quite asleep, place them in a crib on a firm surface on their back with nothing extra present. Doing this while they are tired but still awake will help them develop the ability to fall asleep on their own, which eventually helps them get back to sleep when they awaken at night.
  • If the baby gets fussy when put in the crib, try rubbing their tummy and softly shushing or singing a lullaby.
  • Never let a baby fall asleep with the bottle or breast in their mouth, as this habit is very hard to break and can cause severe dental infections that are often painful and require surgery to fix.
  • Establish a firm bedtime routine. It is good to have bedtime at the same time every night. Choose 2-3 things to do the same prior to saying goodnight. For example, you could read a book, sing a song and say ‘goodnight’ to a favorite stuffed animal.
  • Avoid stimulating activities such as television, phone or tablet use for 30 minutes prior to bedtime. This tip can help people of any age sleep better!

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

‘Ralph W. Hauenstein: A Life of Leadership’ extended to April 14 at GRPM

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Faces, Local History, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, ,


By Grand Rapids Public Museum


A Life of Leadership explores the extraordinary life of Grand Rapidian Ralph W. Hauenstein. COL Hauenstein was a leader in the West Michigan community, remembered for his role as a journalist, his military and intelligence service, his dedication to the Catholic faith, his entrepreneurship, and his philanthropy in Grand Rapids. Hauenstein left a lasting legacy in the United States and around the world.


Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1912, Hauenstein’s family moved to Grand Rapids when he was 12 years old and he graduated from Central High School in 1931. He was a public servant from his early years starting as a boy scout. Hauenstein was curious, inquisitive, and an exceptional storyteller, which led him to his first job as a police reporter for the Grand Rapids Press and later as a city editor with the Grand Rapids Herald.


Hauenstein joined the U.S. Army in 1935, serving first with the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1941 he began working as an intelligence officer in Iceland and rose to the rank of colonel. During World War II, he was promoted to Chief of Intelligence for the European Theater of Operations under General Dwight D. Eisenhower. An important part of his experience was the liberation of the German concentration camp at Dachau. His WWII experiences opened his eyes to the need for ethical, effective world leaders.


Hauenstein saw first-hand that many countries face food shortages. After the war he returned to Grand Rapids and became an entrepreneur in international trade and food equipment manufacturing, designing equipment to make Goldfish Crackers. His success in business allowed for substantial philanthropic contributions in Grand Rapids. He gave generously to many local causes and established the Grace Hauenstein Library at Aquinas College, Mercy Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center and the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University.


The exhibition highlights Hauenstein’s extraordinary life, his contributions to our nation and community, and his legacy of leadership. Interactives allow visitors to test out writing a headline for the newspaper on an antique typewriter and try their hand at cracking a secret code. Photography from around the world brings visitors face-to-face with Hauenstein’s impact globally.


Ralph W. Hauenstein: A Life of Leadership is included with general admission to the Museum, and located on the Museum’s third floor.


This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of: The Hauenstein Family and The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University. Images and objects on loan courtesy of Brian Hauenstein unless otherwise stated. The images in this exhibition were first digitized for public display by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University. Thank you also to the National Cryptologic Museum, NSA, Washington D.C.
E

Cat of the week: Pudge

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals,

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing


Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).


We are very fortunate to have an excellent working relationship with local shelters and rescues, as they will contact us if they come across a Feline Leukemia-positive stray in need of placement. We are also fortunate that we have the financial ways and means to test each and every cat that comes through our door upon arrival, versus having to wait to see if a cat’s status is negative after someone comes in and falls in love with a kitty.


Sadly, such was the case with Pudge, a FABULOUS five-year-old fella (born in November of 2013), who ended up at Harbor Humane Society back in November of 2018; none of his caretakers knew he was harboring the contagious retrovirus until someone had fallen head over heels for him. The potential adopters opted not to take a very disappointed Pudge home, probably because they had other cats that weren’t vaccinated against the disease, which is completely understandable, but sad nonetheless. And since he was now in another category, the shelter was unable to house him any longer and contacted us for help in a hurry.


So Pudge packed his little bags and made the trip from West Olive to Wyoming on Jan. 17, 2019, arriving with such an eager attitude and the brightest eyes that he was pawsitively intoxicating! He sported only two-thirds of his tail, which believe it or not made him even cuter.


However, his mouth was nothing but an inflamed, rotten mess (something that is very common in leukemia kitties), so Dr. Jen had to take him to surgery to remove every tooth present behind his canines. No worries though, as he rebounded without any issue whatsoever and has had no trouble consuming any and all types of food given to him.


The next day Dr. Jen happily sent him down to Big Sid’s, our sanctuary for FELV and FIV kitties—and what an impression he made instantaneously! We have two very important words for you: PUDGE HUGS!


“Pudge has become an instant volunteer favorite with his hugs—he will literally climb you like a tree and never let you go. The only way you can put him down is to hand him to another person. He is learning to play nice with the other cats and I actually caught him wrestling with Tinker and Stavros this week. He would do great with older kids and would probably like a buddy to play with.”

Hugs so awesome, they’re trademarked

“Pudge absolutely loves people, and his trademark hugs are the best. When trying to put him down he’s been known to be a little bossy and has grabbed at faces—I would recommend being with older kids that respect his occasional outbursts. He can’t help it, he’s just happiest when he’s being carried around by as many volunteers in one shift as possible! He does pick on the others on occasion, but once you correct him he’s fine. I call him the Eddie Haskell of cats (though many people won’t get the reference). He’d do great in a home with another cat, a dog, and older kids.”


So there ya have it in a nutshell, why we are all so smitten with this big kitten. It is a hoot to stop in and see him being carted around in the arms of visitors who cannot get over how affectionate and adorable he is. We don’t think he viral status is going to hinder him from getting a happy home of his own, as his personality is so big and he is simply too amazing to pass up!

More about Pudge:

  • Orange/red Tabby
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Medium
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Feline Leukemia-positive
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

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

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

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

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

Scott Moreau returns for Johnny Cash concert April 12 & 13

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
Scott Moreau (photo supplied)

By Courtney Sheffer, West Michigan Tourist Association


Farmers Alley Theatre welcomes Scott Moreau back to West Michigan for a special, one-weekend only concert event: LATE & ALONE: An Intimate Portrait of Johnny Cash April 12th & 13th.


Farmers Alley audiences will remember Scott from the record-breaking production of Million Dollar Quartet at the Little Theatre on Oakland Drive in December of 2016. Scott directed that sold-out run and pulled double duty as he portrayed the Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash.


Moreau comes to Kalamazoo direct from his sold-out performance at New York City’s famed 54 Below. Using anecdotes from his autobiography, multiple interviews, and live concerts, Scott tells Johnny’s story with his own words and songs. Featuring more than 20 songs from Johnny’s 40+ years in the music business, Moreau creates a stripped down look into the life of this American icon.

“Moreau channels the Man in Black and then some. He unleashes a voice that possesses not just Cash’s deep, rumbling, sepulchral timbre but also an astonishing power. This guy seems like he could knock down a brick wall just by singing at it.”

Boston Globe


LATE & ALONE: An Intimate Portrait of Johnny Cash has just two performances, April 12th & 13th at 8pm. Seating will be limited at the original black-box space at 221 Farmers Alley, so make your ticket reservations quickly by calling our Box Office at (269) 343-2727 or visiting www.farmersalleytheatre.com. Tickets are $30 general admission and $10 for students.

Five ways to save on housing costs

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, , ,
Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension


One key to financial success is lowering your housing costs. Generally, about one third of money spent by the typical household goes toward housing. The less you spend each month on housing, including utilities and other fixed costs, the less financial stress you will feel. You’ll also have more money to save toward retirement or for discretionary “fun” spending.


Refinance your mortgage: Interest rates are still low, and worth taking another look. Use an online calculator to estimate how much you will save over the years. If your current mortgage payment is over 31 percent of your income, you might qualify for a loan modification to lower your payments. 


Follow these links to determine if your mortgage qualifies:

  • Cut your utility bills: Weatherproofing, thermostat settings, landscaping and water conservation can all make a difference. Check out No to Low Cost Actions to Save Home Energy and Money for specific information.
  • Shrink your homeowner’s insurance costs: Look into paying a higher deductible to save yourself money. Ask about the many discount opportunities you might qualify to receive. Do a comparison shop of three companies. Insurance is necessary and it doesn’t have to be super expensive.
  • Fight your property tax assessment: If you feel your property tax assessment is too high, or much higher than neighbors with similar homes, you can appeal to your local taxing authority and potentially save for years to come. Generally in Michigan, January or February is the time of the year to submit an appeal request and it is reviewed by a local review committee in March. Check for errors on your property record and prepare your case.
  • Downsize to a smaller home: If your home is too large for your current needs, consider moving to a less costly residence to save money. A smaller home also could mean big savings on mortgage payments, utilities, maintenance and repairs.

Michigan State University Extension is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and has many MSHDA-certified housing counselors at multiple county offices to assist you by phone or digitally. Find a staff person near you at mimoneyhealth.org. MSHDA-certified Housing counselors may be located as well.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Thompson Square, Joy Williams coming to Calvin College in April

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Thompson Square comes to Calvin College April 5.

Calvin College hosts a series of shows throughout the year featuring national and international recording artists.

For April, the country duo Thompson Square makes at stop at the college’s Covenant Fine Arts Center, on Friday, April 5. The show, which will be acoustic, is at 8 p.m. with tickets $25.

The group is composed of husband-and-wife duo Keifer and Shawna Thompson. They are known for their number one hits “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” and “If I Didn’t Have You.” They have had multi-platinum international success and honors as vocal duo of the year from both the American Country Music and the Country Music Association awards. They recently released the album “Masterpiece,” with the title hit receiving positive reviews.

On April 13, Joy Williams will perform at 8 p.m at the college’s Covenant Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $20.

Joy Williams will perform on April 13.

Williams, who was born in Michigan, is one half of the folk rock duo Civil Wars. She has been working on a solo album and made her acting debut in 2016 in an episode of “Roadies.” She is also known for her recording of The Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” which was used for a State Farm commercial in 2017.

The Covenant Fine Arts Center is located on the Calvin College campus, 3201 Burton St. SE. To get tickets for either show, call 616-526-6282 or visit www.calvin.edu/boxoffice.

Why Nursing Homes Get a Bad Rap (And Why Assisted Living is the Answer)

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, ,
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

Nursing home. The words themselves can create visions in your mind of a bleak environment used as a holding cell for seniors. Maybe you have even visited a loved one at a nursing home and walked away worrying if they were living an unhappy life. With the way they’re portrayed in the media, it’s no wonder that nursing homes receive such a bad reputation.

Nursing homes may need an image update, but they provide a lot of important care. There are a lot of inaccurate rumors about how they function as a home for seniors. However, aspects of a nursing home and the services they provide might still be wrong for your loved one. And with a growing number of seniors in need of new housing options, finding the right place may be a difficult task for caregivers.

To help you fact check some hearsay, here is a list of some of the most common rumors associated with nursing homes, and why an assisted living community may provide a better alternative.

Nursing homes are too clinical

The image of a traditional nursing home is a dull place, with fluorescent lighting and no atmosphere. Perhaps you may think of a clinical facility, not much better than a hospital room. Putting a loved one in a home like that may seem cruel, or like a punishment for them.

The truth is that nursing homes do have a more clinical feel than some other senior housing options. Because of the level of skilled nursing care that nursing homes are able to provide for seniors, a slightly more medical space is often necessary to ensure safety for both residents and staff. Nursing homes are able to provide constant care and attention for our loved ones who need to be monitored and assisted for their own safety and well-being.

Nursing homes are for the end of someone’s life

Often we think of nursing homes as the final home for our loved ones. Therefore, because nursing homes are full of similar people there for the same reason, it can be easy to assume that nursing homes are full of sick and lifeless people, with no energy or community.

While this may be an image that comes to mind when considering a nursing home, the truth is that nursing homes provide for a wide variety of members. Some seniors, after a medical emergency or a stroke, need constant care that goes beyond what caregivers can provide. Nursing homes can also offer a part-time stay until your loved one has recovered enough to return home.

In addition, due to the rising number of seniors who need to find a community to live in, nursing homes have plenty of engagement and community opportunities. Movie showings, games, and other activities help ensure that even if your loved one needs a high level of care, and will likely be in a nursing home for the remainder of their life, they aren’t going to be sitting alone in a chair for that time.

Nursing homes don’t offer independence

While nursing homes do offer activities and opportunities for community building, they do still monitor and supervise events fairly strictly. Again, due to the level of specialized care that nursing homes offer to aging seniors who need it, the freedom that is available for residents may be somewhat limited. Meals may be regulated to make sure that a senior is getting all the proper nutrients, and regulated medicine and bedtimes may also help seniors who have trouble remembering things.

However, this is a far cry from the common fear of an environment where seniors have no control over their movements or what they pursue. While seniors in a nursing home are observed to make sure they are safe, and have schedules for meals and medicines, what they choose to do in their free time is up to them.

The benefits of assisted living

For all that a nursing home can offer in terms of care, there are some limitations in what else they can provide. If your loved one needs a less specialized level of care, or they want to have more freedoms, then an assisted living community may be the right choice for you.

Assisted living communities like Vista Springs can offer many things for seniors:

  • A continuum of care for people who need some medical assistance, but don’t yet need the high level of care provided in a nursing home.
  • Focus on providing a multitude of ways for seniors to express independence and feel at home
  • A change that is much less drastic for seniors who are transitioning into a senior living community.
  • Communities like Vista Springs can offer independent living within the assisted living home.

While nursing homes get a bad rap, they do offer a highly specialized care that is necessary for many seniors. Once you get past the reputation, nursing homes may provide care that your loved one truly needs.


However, if you’re looking for senior living that provides a full of life experience as well as care services, an assisted living community may be exactly what you and your aging loved one are looking for.

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

Health benefits and risks associated with caffeine

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

By Kris Swartzendruber, Michigan State University Extension


Americans love caffeine. Whether it’s a steaming, hot cup of java that helps jolt us into the morning, a big cup of diet cola that gets us through the mid-day slump, chocolate to help improve our mood or the chewable/drinkable stimulants that keep us awake for late night driving or studying, we love having caffeine throughout the day.


There has a been a good deal of debate surrounding the health effects of caffeine. Is it safe and how much is too much?


Caffeine has been proven to have some health benefits:

  • Research indicates that caffeine may help protect human brain cells, which lowers the risk of developing some diseases, such as Parkinson’s.
  • Regular cups of coffee may stimulate the gallbladder and reduce the risk of gallstones.
  • Caffeine causes the blood vessels to constrict, which may help relieve some headache pain.
  • Coffee reduces inflammation and may help prevent certain heart related illnesses.

Caffeine also has negative effects:

  • There is a significant association between drinking caffeinated coffee and the decrease of bone mineral density, which leads to osteoporosis. 
  • The daily consumption of caffeinated drinks can increase blood sugar levels and cause problems for people with diabetes.
  • Caffeine is a diuretic and can cause dehydration.
  • Caffeine can prevent some from falling asleep and interferes with deep sleep, which can lead to fatigue during the day.

The level of caffeine can vary depending on what is consumed. A piece of chocolate may have as little as five milligrams while energy drinks contain as much as 160 milligrams. Make sure to read the labels of pain medications and diet pills as products can have levels of caffeine as high as 200 milligrams.

Michigan State University Extension recommends moderate doses of caffeine, 200 to 300 milligrams per day, which is equivalent to two to four cups of brewed coffee and is considered safe for most adults. If you are consuming more than 500 to 600 milligrams of caffeine per day, which equals four to seven cups of coffee, you may be prone to health problems including insomnia, nervousness, nausea or gastrointestinal problems, elevated heartbeat, headaches, etc.  If you are experiencing unusual side-effects associated with the consumption of foods with caffeine, you should consult your physician.


The following links contain additional information about caffeine:

MSU Extension encourages individuals and communities to adopt healthy lifestyle choices. For more information about programs that focus on nutrition, contact your local MSU Extension office.


This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Tune in for a special NASA launch, April 17

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Hard News, Upcoming Events, , ,
Roger B. Chaffee (photo supplied)

By Kelly Taylor, WKTV


Tune in to WKTV Government 26 for our upcoming Special Programming Events from NASA TV! On Wednesday, April 17, we will be featuring the launch of the newest Northrup Grumman Cygnus Cargo Craft, the S.S. Roger Chaffee, to the International Space Station.

 
Named after hometown hero Roger B. Chaffee, who died in the Apollo 1 spacecraft fire, the space station resupply craft will deliver several tons of cargo, including food, supplies and live mice for scientific experiments.


Coverage begins at 4:15pm, with the launch scheduled for 4:46pm from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

S.S. Roger Chaffee (photo supplied)

Then be watching Friday, April 19, for the rendezvous and capture of the S.S. Roger Chaffee to the ISS. Coverage begins at 4am, with the capture scheduled at 5:30am. Installation of the craft to the Unity Module of the Space Station starts at 7am.


For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov. NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channelon Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.

Keep calm: April is National Stress Awareness Month

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health

Stress-Awareness-DayBy Victoria Mullen, WKTV

Editor’s note: This article was first published in April 2016. Nothing’s changed with Gustave since then.

At first blush, the assignment seemed straightforward. “Write a story on Stress Awareness Month [April 1-30],” my editor said. “Tell the audience that stress requires awareness and such. Don’t worry so much. You’ll do fine.”

My editor knows that I get nervous over anything with a deadline, but aside from some performance anxiety, I began this assignment feeling fine. I mapped an outline. I’d do some research, write a short article with the who-what-when-where-how-and-why.

But that’s when I thought I had until April 30. Admittedly, it would be tardy, but I could write the story in past-tense. The problem is that I just found out that Stress Awareness is a DAY, not a MONTH. Well, it is a month—all of April. It’s also a day—specifically, April 16—a mere four days hence as I type, and it’s today, if you’re reading this on April 16.

Now all bets are off. My trusty ulcer, Gustave has beget an ulcerette, and the entire office is taking bets on what I’m going to name him (or her).

If the point of National Stress Awareness Day is for people like you and me to become aware of how stressed we are, well kudos! More than ever I am aware, thanks to all this pressure.

stressed-498x300

How is this helpful? Why does anybody need a specific day for this? Isn’t it enough that everything in modern-day life is a stressor?

Luckily, my journalist gene kicked in and I compartmentalized my feelings, went undercover and got busy googling. Here’s what I found out: National Stress Awareness Day is the brainchild of the Health Resource Network (HRN), which started the whole thing back in 1992 to—you guessed it!—raise awareness of stress.

Uh, thanks, guys.

Oh, sure. They sell it by saying it’s a great chance to become aware of the deleterious effects of stress. They say to take a deep breath and relax. I don’t have time for this—I’m on a deadline here.

number 1 killer

Maybe they meant well, back in 1992. Maybe their intentions were pure. They researched. They tested subjects. And guess what they found: stress is really, really bad for the immune system. I could have saved them the time, trouble and cost to tell them that. But then, I probably wouldn’t have Gustave.

To their credit, they did things scientifically. In one study, they found that people caring for a spouse with dementia (representing the stressed-out group) experienced a significant decrease in their immune response when they were given a flu-virus vaccine when compared to the non-stressed control group. Sounds really scientific, right? What all that means is this: Their immune systems didn’t work as well as those in the control group, so they got sick(er) easier and more often.

There are different types of stress. Some stress is actually good (gets you motivated, gets you pumped up for performance, etc.). Acute stress is bad enough, but chronic stress is worse because it doesn’t let up; it can kill you. It can raise blood pressure, increase the risk of heart attack and speed up the aging process. See that info-graphic there? Just look at all the bad things chronic stress does.

I’ve aged 10 years just writing this.

If you want to read something helpful and get some ideas on how to celebrate stress awareness month, go here.