Blandford Nature Center welcomes West Michigan families to join us at our Annual Pioneer Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 8th, 2018, from 12-4pm located at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The program is the perfect way to kick off the Grand Rapids holiday season with festive favorites and holiday traditions for guests of all ages to enjoy.
“Winter is a beautiful season! This event allows families to get out in nature and experience the beauty of Blandford while also learning about history and engaging in Pioneer traditions. We will also offer traditional holiday concessions available such as coffee, hot cocoa, and roasted marshmallows free of charge”, says Amber Kilpatrick, Community Programs Manager.
Several activities will be available to visitors such as cookie decorating, creating ornaments, candle dipping, making stick gnomes, cookie making, marshmallow roasting, snow snake games outdoors and more. Visitors are also encouraged to tour the historical buildings on site and explore life as an early pioneer in the one-room schoolhouse, log cabin and blacksmith shop.
Guests can also visit the wildlife ambassadors inside the Wildlife Education Center and farm animals over at the Blandford Farm (3143 Milo St NW). As usual, the trails will be open for exploration plus information will be available on how Blandford gift memberships make a great holiday gift.
The event is open to the public with admission fees of $5 for members and $8 for non-members. Children 2 years and younger will be admitted for free. For registration and more event details, go here.
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).
It’s goes without saying that scruffy little Stavros had seen his fair share of tough times before he was picked up on south campus of Davenport College in mid-August 2018. His rescuer took him in and housed him, making sure he had his basic needs met (food, water, shelter) but he still had a long way to go in filling out his bony frame (he was starving when found); he also needed to be neutered and was in dire need of a spa day.
When he was taken in to a local vet a week prior to coming to us, it was discovered that he was FIV+, which made long-term housing even more challenging. So the dynamic duo of Lynnette and Sue asked for our assistance, and on October 8th Dr. Jen was able to bring this stinky, skunky (yet adorable), filthy, matted and formerly flea-ridden fellow into our program, but first he had to make a long overdue pit stop at the clinic. While there Dr. Jen not only (nicely) took away his manhood but combed an entire cat’s worth of hair off of him, treated a nasty ear infection and extracted some problematic teeth.
Once he was bathed and beautified, stunning Stavros (born around October of 2013) was ready to head on down to Sid’s to receive lots of hands on attention, something he had clearly been missing for quite some time.
Since Dr. Jen only got to spend a bit of time with him at the clinic upon intake, and then again for his follow-up a month later, she asked my cat care people for some insight on our ever evolving Stavros:
“He is becoming a really sweet boy. He was so scared for the first couple weeks he was with us, but now he purrs and happy drools. He still spends all of his time up on the cat walk, but he will let you know when he wants attention. He seems to get confidence from being around the other cats, so he should go to a home that has at least one other cat. He does get a little nervous at times, so it is probably best he live without obnoxious dogs or young kids.”
“Stavros—I love this cat!! He has a secret… he LOVES one-on-one attention as long as you have the brush or comb in hand; he drools, coos, and shakes when he’s being brushed which cracks me right up. He’s always got that concerned/ puzzled look on his face which I think some perceive as “not friendly”, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s a quieter, keep to himself kind of cat until you set him down either on your lap or next to you and start brushing his super fuzzy soft hair. Everything about him is just adorable to me. He’s not real crazy about a lot of the other cats near him, but has not once shown any aggression towards them. He’d do well in a quieter home with lots and lots of attention. No dogs, but possibly another non-dominant cat.”
We also have it on good authority that someone has a finger fetish—to the point where he will slobber and nibble on your fingertips, so you have to watch out as when he gets a bit over-enthusiastic he can’t help but give a love chomp! There exists a video of him enjoying grooming himself so exuberantly that the slurping sounds he elicited almost made the videographer gag a bit.
We figure that he spent so much time dirty and dread-locked that now he can finally keep him self shiny and clean he is going to make the most of it—and make sure everyone knows what he is doing! In the short time we have had him, Stavros has come such a long way, and we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us.
More about Stavros:
Medium
Domestic Medium Hair & Domestic Short Hair Mix
Gray/Blue/Silver, White
Adult
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Not declawed
Prefers a home without dogs, children
Want to adopt Stavros? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
Many people use the internet to find health-related information for themselves, family or friends. Health-related websites are one of the most widely-searched sites in the world. In fact, according to Pew Internet & American Life Project, 80 percent of internet users, or about 93 million Americans say they have looked online for health-related information within the last year. This is an increase of 18 percent from 2001, in which only 62 percent of internet users who went online to research health related topics. Although there is quality information on the internet, it is important to sift through the fact and fiction when searching for health information.
What to look for:
Credible source:
Ensure the website is managed by recognized and responsible authorities. Many reliable sources include a branch of the federal government, a non-profit institution, university or health system.
An “About Us” page should be included with proper contact information for the organization or institution.
Check more than one source/website for the desired information
Quality information:
The authors or editors are qualified health care professionals and their credentials are clearly stated.
Information included should be reviewed by a subject-appropriate advisory board.
Sites that have a privacy policy indicating what information they collect.
Research-based:
Rely on medical research, not opinion. The site should describe the evidence, such as articles in medical journals, that the material is based on.
Beware of bias. Is the site supported by public funds or commercial advertising?
Timeliness:
Is the site updated often with current information? Check for dates, last updated, or copy right dates to ensure all the information is relevant today (less than three years old).
What to avoid:
Discussion of miracle cures or advertisements for health related products within the article are an indicator of bias information. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Sites asking you to pay for information or to create an account are often not trustworthy sources to collect information related to your health. Most reliable information is accessible to the general public for free.
Websites made up of only forums or discussion groups present people’s opinions and not scientific evidence. These sites may be a good place to document your personal journey but shouldn’t be used to find scientific research.
Consult with your health care professional:
Give the information you collected to your health care provider to review.
Talk to your health care professional about your specific health information concerns.
Make a list of all your health concerns to take to your appointment.
It is okay to be skeptical when looking for trustworthy health information online. Keep your information private and never provide your social security number, address, date of birth or credit card information before reading the privacy policy. Although online sites can offer quality information, they are not made to replace your doctor. Consult with your health care provider before making any medical changes. Michigan State University Extension is a reliable source for information and resources on health and nutrition.
"It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not."
Andre Gide
Oh, boy. No. 3,000,000
is in for a big surprise
This woman is not the 3,000,000th passenger
If you’re the 3,000,000th passenger on Dec. 5th, you’ll be feted with a surprise. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport had a total of over 2.7 million passengers served through the end of October. November and December seat totals and flight information are forecasting the three millionth passenger to arrive around 11am on Dec. 5.
There will also be a reception to include surprises and giveaways for passengers flying that day. More here.
Proof that science really exists!
This launch could not happen without science
Tuesday, Dec. 4, WKTV will be featuring the launch of the SpaceX CRS-16 Cargo Craft to the International Space Station. SpaceX CRS-16 will be filled with supplies and payloads including critical materials to directly support the science and research that will occur during the current expeditions.
Coverage continues on Thursday, Dec. 6, for the rendezvous and capture of the SpaceX CRS-16 at the ISS at 4:30am, with the capture scheduled for approximately 6am Installation of the cargo craft begins at 7:30am. Go here for more info.
You say “tomayto”, I say “tomahto”
Gleaves Whitney will tackle a thorny topic
We all have our differences. But the 2016 election of Donald Trump, Kavanaugh hearings, and 2018 midterm elections have stirred up deep emotions about what kind of nation America is and should be. Conservative and progressive debates over the meaning of these events have opened old wounds and created new injuries in our body politic.
On Wednesday, Dec. 5, Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, will address the divide in the country, and explain why failure to resolve our most difficult challenges is not an option. Go here for more info.
Fun Fact:
The footprints on the moon will
be there for 100 million years
The Moon has no atmosphere, which means there is no wind to erode the surface and no water to wash the footprints away. This means the footprints of the Apollo astronauts, along with spacecraft prints, rover-prints and discarded material, will be there for millions of years.
The 2016 election of Donald Trump, Kavanaugh hearings, and 2018 midterm elections have stirred up deep emotions about what kind of nation America is and should be. Conservative and progressive debates over the meaning of these events have opened old wounds and created new injuries in our body politic.
Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, will address the divide in the country, and explain why failure to resolve our most difficult challenges is not an option.
“Fortunately, America has usually had enough people of goodwill who want to work with others over the divide of their differences,” Whitney said. “A major aim of the Hauenstein Center is to tap this civic energy by enlightening, encouraging, and empowering Americans to seek common ground for the common good.”
Gleaves Whitney: Common Ground?
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium, Richard M. DeVos Center
401 Fulton St. W., Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested at gvsu.edu/hc
Whitney will lead a searching exploration of how we can do better — and be better — as a people.
The holidays are fast approaching, and there is a whirlwind of activities, to-do lists, and travel. With so much going on, it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement. At the same time, cold and flu season is already upon us, and the stress of the holidays don’t do our immune systems any favors.
Before getting too caught up in all the the fun that comes this time of year, it’s important for seniors to get proactive with their health. Helping your system with a diet filled with immune boosting foods is a great way to start. Here are eight foods the get you through the holiday season.
Citrus. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are high in Vitamin C, and offer an all-natural boost to the immune system. Foods high in Vitamin C not only protect against the common cold and other seasonal illness, but can lessen the duration and intensity of sickness as well. There is no wrong time to eat some citrus
Ginger. When preventing the cold and flu, ginger and its anti-inflammatory properties have no match. When inflammation is down, the immune system is able to function more effectively. Ginger has many well-documented uses, and can help intestinal and heart health as well. A cup of ginger tea in the mornings during the holidays can go a long way in improving senior health.
Honey. If your cup of ginger tea is too spicy, then adding some raw honey might help it go down easier, and provide even more health benefits. Honey soothes sore throats and works as an antibacterial, killing germs while boosting the immune system.
Blueberries. Berries, particularly blueberries, are full of antioxidants, which fight colds and support immune health. In addition to these antioxidants, blueberries contain healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, which protect cognitive functions and can help improve overall brain health in aging seniors.
Salmon. Like blueberries, salmon has healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, and is another component in brain health. In addition, salmon and other wild fish contain zinc, an important nutrient in reducing the spread of the common cold. While most effective in children, zinc can also help adults build strong immune systems and fight disease.
Dark Chocolate. Who doesn’t like chocolate? Dark chocolates contain theobromine, an antioxidant which can help suppress coughs during cold and flu season, along with tasting delicious. One tip for seniors? Try making some desserts with dark chocolate this holiday season.
Broccoli. While veggies might not be the most exciting food, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts are an important addition to your diet. Broccoli and the others can boost enzymes that help fight cold and flu germs and strengthen the overall immune system. Eating a serving of veggies with dinner is a key way to help promote good immune health.
Eggs. Simple to make and easy to eat, eggs can be added into your diet in some way at almost every meal. Eggs also provide Vitamin D, a vitamin that, along with Vitamin C, boosts the immune system to fight off colds and the flu.
Garlic. Along with being a versatile flavor to add to many dishes, garlic provides immune boosting compounds. Garlic is an easy addition to work into more foods to add that extra benefit to health. In addition to immune health, garlic can also lower blood pressure, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Chicken. It’s not just the eggs that are good for you! Chicken and other poultry can battle cold symptoms as well as providing the immune boost to help stop you from getting sick in the first place. Simple chicken dishes, chicken soup, or even chicken stock can add useful vitamins and nutrients to a senior diet. And like other foods on this list, chicken provides other benefits as well. Chicken is high in iron, and provides more heart healthy help.
Boosting immune health is key to preventing illness. From the upcoming cold and flu season, to more serious sickness, a healthy immune system is the first way to protect yourself. Adding these foods and others like them to your daily diet will help you eat well, appreciate life, and enjoy this holiday season to the fullest.
By Megan Andres, Grand Rapids Public Library, Seymour Branch
Hearing that her father is dying, Ruby Torvald takes her little sister Opal and leaves New York City for the wilds of Little Missouri in Dakota Territory. When they arrive in this pioneer town, they are shocked to discover their father is very near death and owns Dove House — a sordid bar, complete with barmaids. Before he dies, Per Torvald makes Ruby swear she will “take care of the girls” — the soiled doves in residence. Ruby finds herself suddenly faced with life on the frontier in a barely-there town.
Over the course of four books, Snelling tells the story of Ruby Torvald and Little Missouri. The author focuses on each of four women: Ruby Torvald, Pearl Hossfuss, Opal Torvald, and Amethyst O’Shaunasy. These women find themselves in circumstances often beyond their control in a time when women were not considered strong in body or emotion.
Ruby finds herself taking on the reform of Dove House while her younger sister Opal confronts societal views of women in the West. Pearl goes from riches in Chicago to a one-room schoolhouse in Little Missouri, and Amethyst comes to find her lost nephew Joel in Medora. The four women learn something about themselves and about God in this Inspirational Fiction series.
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Khalifa of Islam, planting a tree at Masroor mosque located in Virginia. Ahmad inaugurated several mosques during a recent visit to the United States.
For West Michigan resident Ayesha Mangla it was heartbreaking to know that she would not be among the thousands to welcome His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Khalifa of Islam and head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to the United States.
Mangla was in the process of selling her home when Ahmad came to the states in mid-October to start his three-week trip through North and South America. The tour focused on him visiting and inaugurating a hospital in Guatemala built through the community’s charity arm, Humanity First.
But Mangla had a second chance to see the spiritual leader, who was scheduled to return to the United States with his last stop being in Virginia in the beginning of November.
So, once she had competed the sale of her home, Mangla and her daughter, Ismat (who lives in New York City), packed up and drove almost straight through to Virginia just to be in Ahmad’s presence.
“It was just so important because he is our spiritual leader for the community,” Mangla said during a phone interview. “Because I missed that first welcome, I wanted to make sure that I made it to the last leg of his trip.”
His Holiness Mirza Masroor, the Khalifa of Islam and head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, recently visited the United States.
Founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a revival movement within Islam and the fastest-growing sect of Muslims in the 21st century. A khalifa, or spiritual leader, oversees the international movement, assisted by regional amirs who help place imams in local mosques. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is one of the oldest and largest Muslim communities in the United States, dating back to 1920 when Mufti Muhammad Sadiq came as the first Ahmadi Muslim missionary to the United States.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is the fifth Khalifa (or successor) of the Promised Messiah. He tours extensively, visiting his followers and bringing his message of peace despite the fact that many of the Ahmadi Muslims are persecuted in some Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. The 2018 tour is his fourth visit to the United States.
“We write letters to him, all of his followers do, and he takes the time to write back,” Mangla said. “At one time, I thought of all that he does and the thousands of letters he receives, that he does not have time to read my letters and so I simply stopped. When I saw him once, he asked me why I had stopped.”
Ahmad had a full schedule during his 2018 tour as well. Along with visiting the hospital in Guatemala, he inaugurated several new mosques of the community, met with local leaders and gave keynote speeches on Islam’s teachings of justice and peace as well as conducted marriage ceremonies and had private meetings with various followers.
Mangla knew before making the 12-hour trip to Virginia that she would not get the opportunity for a private meeting with Ahmad. “Those who have never met with him are usually the first to get that opportunity,” she said.
But not having a meeting did not deter her desire to see Ahmad and to celebrate his visit with other members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. In fact, it was a family affair as Mangla stayed with her daughter in Virginia and her son-in-law helped with organizing the visit to Virginia.
“It is just so exciting to be with him and to be with everybody else in his presence,” Mangla said. “The goodness and spirituality that he represents to us, well it is hard to put in words.”
Followers rolled out the red carpet and children and adults put on their best clothes for the special visit. In fact, the visit is so special that in a world where most people whip out their cameras and take zillion photos at such events, neither Mangla or her daughter Ismat ever thought of taking out a phone for a picture.
“When you are in his presence, you don’t think about getting a picture of yourself or trying to get a picture with him in the background,” Ismat Mangla said. “You want to just be there in the moment, to be in his presence.”
It was sad to see Ahmad leave, Mangla said, but it was delightful to see the warm and excited reception for his return to his home in London.
“It was like they hadn’t seen him in years, but it had only been a few weeks,” Mangla said. “It just shows the love that exudes from him and the love that exudes from the Ahmadi Muslims.”
Join the Michigan Maritime Museum and the South Haven Memorial Library for a family event Saturday, Dec. 15th. From 10am to 11am the Library will be offering a holiday craft activity. From 12pm to 3pm at the historic Keeper’s House there will be children’s book readings about the Christmas Tree Ship on the top of each hour. Hot cocoa, Christmas tree cookies, sledding, and a little nautical holiday shopping will be provided.
Participate with your children and grandchildren in a free take-home craft activity inspired by the holiday season provided by the South Haven Memorial Library. After your craft project, head over to the Keeper’s House at 91 Michigan Avenue and snuggle up with hot chocolate and a cookie while listening to the heartfelt story of “Captain Santa.” The Rouse Simmons, the real Christmas Tree Ship, delivered Christmas trees to the poor in Chicago every year until its sinking in 1912. Hear the story of how the US Coast Guard continues this tradition even today in honor of the Rouse Simmons, over 100 years later. Spend the afternoon enjoying sledding on the famous South Haven sledding hill just outside.
While you cross a few things off your holiday gift lists, take the chance to peek inside this 19th century home that housed South Haven’s light keepers, Life Saving Service men, the US Coast Guard and is now the home for the Michigan Maritime Museum’s Marialyce Canonie Great Lakes Research Library.
The event is free to attend. Donations are appreciated. Enjoy Christmas at the Keeper’s House this holiday season!
For information on the family craft activity, contact the Library at 269-637-2403 ext. 2. Information about the Keeper’s House event can be found online at www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org or by calling 269-637-8078 ext. 3.
It’s been several years since Boomers began reaching the age of retirement, and the reality of our society’s lack of preparedness to deal with the influx of retirees over the next decade has become impossible to ignore. This issue has come to be known as “The 2030 Problem,” and one of the main points of concern is the ability of our medical system to address the needs of so many seniors. So what are the current and impending problems with the availability of senior health care services?
Healthcare Professionals
We’re already facing a shortage of primary care physicians in the United States, and the issue is only going to get worse according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. By 2030, we could be facing a shortfall of as many as 43,000 primary care physicians across the country, and the problem is expected to be worse for people living outside large population areas and patients using government health care assistance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
On top of this, it’s not only primary care where shortages are projected, but also specialized healthcare professionals such as surgeons and geriatricians. Demand for specialty healthcare services is projected to require as many as 61,000 more physicians than will be practicing in 2030, an even steeper disparity than primary care.
Caretakers
Not only are healthcare professionals going to be in short supply, the number of both professional and unofficial caretakers may not be sufficient for the rising senior population. Many seniors rely on a network of family and friends to help with activities of daily living as they age, but research from the AARP reports that the ratio of potential caregivers to retirees will fall from 7:1 in 2010 to 4:1 in 2030. Soon-to-be retirees planning to rely on family for care may not have as much success as they hope, and will most likely need turn to assisted living or another formal care option as they find they need more assistance with activities of daily living.
Formal care faces its own challenges in this new population of retirees, however. The United States is projected to become majority minority by 2043, and the current generation of soon-to-be retirees is certainly more diverse than their predecessors. However, projections in senior health care professions speculate that formal caretakers are not on a course to become similarly diverse. Fortunately, studies on the implementation of cultural competency training in senior care settings have shown that culture barriers can be overcome.
Diseases and Conditions
There has been a dramatic shift in the leading causes of death in the last century. From the early 1900s to now, infection-caused diseases such as influenza and pneumonia have given way to noncommunicable, chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer as the leading causes of death in the United States. Elderly populations are at high risk for both of these conditions, as well as other conditions that fall into the ten leading causes, such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, simply due to the way the human body ages. And while rising life expectancies are a triumph for medicine, longer lifespans do present the need for a change in our approach to healthcare.
The issue is that many of these diseases and conditions don’t have cures, and in some cases, don’t even have effective research-based treatments. So, even if the barriers to senior health care access were to be removed, retiring adults are facing the issue of manageable, but not treatable, chronic illnesses.
Care Focuses
Related but not synonymous to the shift in prevalent diseases is the focus of healthcare in senior populations. According to the CDC, about half of all adults in the United States are managing one or more chronic health conditions, with one in four living with at least two. Known as comorbidity, the presence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions presents a unique challenge to healthcare providers, as they need to understand not only how to treat the diseases separately, but also how the diseases present, interact, and even worsen when experienced simultaneously.
This shift in focus to comorbidity requires a much more consistent and frequent approach to seeking and obtaining healthcare, as opposed to the reactionary model experienced by many US adults. While ongoing healthcare may be a better model, the associated costs of frequent physician visits may be prohibitive to seniors who may already be facing a crisis of affordability.
Affordability
According to a report by Fidelity, healthy, retirement-aged couples can expect to spend $245,000 on healthcare costs over the course of their retirement – and other sources suggest that this estimate may be conservative. Baby Boomers have an average of only $147,000 saved for retirement, leading to natural concern about the high cost of retirement living, and experts suggest that government assistance programs like Medicare will not be able to sustain the retiree boom.
The picture of senior health care in the coming decade looks bleak, but it’s important to remember that our society faced similar questions of economic strain when faced with caring for the Baby Boomers as children. While it’s important to keep the challenges of retirement in mind as we move towards 2030, it’s also important to not lose sight of the joy that the Golden Years can bring. By facing projected issues now, we can prepare for the needs of seniors for years down the line.
Don’t let long shopping lists and holiday parties distract you from your job search this month. Many people pause their search until the New Year, but December is a good month to look for a job. Here’s why:
Fewer people look
Many job seekers put their job search on hold during the busy holiday season. Use this time to get ahead of the competition by applying to jobs and connecting with recruiters. Overwhelmed with your to-do list this month? Balance your job search and holiday activities by blocking out time every day for job search activities.
Plenty of networking opportunities
The holidays are a great excuse to reconnect with people you’ve met through networking. Ask them to coffee or lunch to catch up. These meetings will strengthen your relationship and keep you top of mind as they move into the New Year.
Consider holiday parties as another networking opportunity. Meet someone new and let them know you’re job searching (even if it’s your grandma’s neighbor!). Make sure to leave your resume at home.
Extra time with recruiters
Recruiters are more likely to respond to your email because they aren’t as busy this month. Apply to relevant job postings and follow up with an email to the recruiter. Give them a chance to get to know you now, so they’ll remember you once 2019 hiring begins.
Did you get an Out of Office reply? Great! If they don’t respond to your email upon return, welcome them back to work and then ask your questions.
Keep up your momentum
It’s hard to restart a job search after a lengthy break. Do yourself a favor by continuing to job search this month.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
"Sing, sing a song,
Make it simple to last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear,
Just sing, sing a song..."
- "Sing" by Joe Raposo, written for "Sesame Street" in 1971
The airport is alive with music
Several Wyoming and Kentwood high school choirs will be performing at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s Holiday Music Festival, which is Dec. 3 – 7. Some of the groups scheduled are Potters House, Legacy Christian, South Christian, Wyoming High School, Lee High School, and East Kentwood High School. Performances are daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. andJe are free.
And the winner is…
Jennifer Lewis and Brian Jirous were declared the newest members of the Wyoming Board of Education this week. Both ran in the Nov. 6 election. Jirous was the only candidate who filed for one of the two open seats on the board. Lewis was one of two write-in candidates. It took a couple of weeks for the write-ins to be hand counted, according to school officials. The two will be sworn in at the Wyoming Board of Education meeting set for Jan. 14 at 6 p.m.
Santa is coming to town
While it is still a week yet until Kentwood hosts its annual tree lighting and parade, set for Dec. 7, and the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Santa Parade, Dec. 8, you can get your celebrating started at Byron Center’s community festivities this Saturday, Dec. 1. The parade portion has been cancelled due to the weather but the chili dinner and holiday concert at Pathway Church, 8350 Byron Center Ave. SW, is still taking place.
Fun Fact:
Light It Up
Ever wonder how many lights you can fit on a Christmas tree? Well a group in Belgium did, managing to get 194,672 lights on a real tree on Dec. 10, 2010. Seven years later, Universal Studios Japan was not about to be out done, so they managed to place 570,546 lights on an artificial tree. You have to admit, that is a lot of lights. (Source)
Santa is coming to town. How do we know? Because the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, is hosting the 12th annual Santa Parade Saturday, Dec. 8, along Division Avenue.
The parade, which starts at 10 a.m. and lasts about 45 minutes, will feature more than 50 participants including five school bands. Participants will travel down South Division from 33rd Street to Murray Avenue.
Chamber President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan said the Santa Parade provides an opportunity for many residents to attend a parade who may not get the opportunity to attend the big parade in downtown Grand Rapids. Another key element to the event is free photos with Santa, which takes place after the parade at Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille, 4157 S. Division Ave. Parade-goers and residents are encouraged to bring their children over to the restaurant along with cameras for free pictures with Santa.
Santa is scheduled to make his arrival at the annual Santa Parade hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It is part of the Community Service we offer at the Chamber,” O’Callaghan said.
In the parade will be police vehicles and fire trucks from both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. There also will be floats and vehicles from several of the parade sponsors such as The Rapids, Steelcase, Conumsers Energy, Diversified Protection, JX Peterbilt, Marge’s Donut Den, Supermercado Mexico, Two Men and A Truck, Liberty Tax Service, Godwin Plumbing, Celebration Cinema, and Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille. Also five local high school bands are set to perform as well.
This year the Chamber will be hosting a Float Judging Contest selecting the three best decorated floats with first place being a $1,500 office chair from Steelcase.
If you miss or can not make the parade, WKTV will be broadcasting the entire event on Comcast channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 at 12:30 p.m. and then again at 7 p.m. that day. It will re-air the program throughout the month. Check wktv.org for listings.
Courtesy W.K. Kellogg Conference Center and Manor House
By Sarah Carroll, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Have a holly jolly holiday season when you visit the W.K. Kellogg Manor House this year for a marvelous meal or a traditional high tea. The holidays are a special time at the Manor House, visible in our lavish decorations and decadent culinary spreads.
Holiday meals at the Manor House are a special tradition, sure to bring cheer to you and your friends and family of all ages.
Each high tea at the Manor House has a different theme and menu, featuring a light meal and a historic tour of the Manor House. All teas will be held from 3–5pm unless otherwise noted.
Pricing information and registration for each event are available online. All events will be held in the W.K. Kellogg Manor House, located at 3700 E. Gull Lake Dr., in Hickory Corners. Reservations are required. To learn more, visit conference.kbs.msu.edu, call 269-671-2400 or email conference@kbs.msu.edu.
Many of our holiday events have already sold out, please register today to secure your reservation.
The W.K. Kellogg Manor House is part of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. As MSU’s largest off-campus educational complex, we’ve put our land-grant values into practice for nearly a hundred years as we’ve delivered groundbreaking scientific research and education, community engagement, and historic preservation. As we look forward, our students, staff, and faculty are working to understand and solve real-world environmental problems for a better tomorrow.
KBS is more than any individual lab or location. There’s a story behind all that you see; look closer and you’ll find more amazing discoveries than ever before. To learn more about KBS, visit us online at kbs.msu.edu.
For most adults reaching retirement age, finances are looking pretty grim. By most studies, more than half of the Baby Boomer generation isn’t financially prepared for retirement, and as many as 30% have no retirement savings at all. Experts are worried about how new retirees will fare, or if retirement as we currently think of it will even still exist. So if savings can’t save the day, what can?
Why do you need it?
While many of the people who have been retired for a while have managed to maintain their nest egg while enjoying pre-retirement lifestyles and spending habits, younger retirees and adults approaching their full retirement age shouldn’t count on the same fortune. Americans nearing retirement have a median retirement savings of about $147,000, which is more than $500,000 shy of the amount that experts project is necessary for a comfortable, financially stable retirement.
Sources of retirement income are one way that current and future retirees are dealing with their finances. From estimated medical costs as high as $280,000 to cost of living to travel and entertainment, there’s so many aspects of retirement that require financial security. So what can you do?
What are your options?
Social Security
The in’s and out’s of Social Security can be difficult to navigate. If you’ve already claimed your benefits and have been receiving monthly payments for a year or more, the amount you can receive each month is more or less locked in aside from cost-of-living increases. If you haven’t claimed yet, or if you’ve been receiving benefits for less than a year, you have some choices to go over with your financial advisor.
First, the age at which you claim benefits has a huge effect on how much money you’ll receive each month. At the minimum age of eligibility, 62, your benefit could be reduced by as much as 25-30%, depending on your full retirement age (FRA). Then, at your FRA, you can receive your full benefit with no reductions. Or, for every year you wait to claim after your FRA and up to age 70, you can earn an 8% bonus to your benefit. Everyone’s situation is different, so one age is not necessarily always better than another, but many financial planning experts advise waiting and betting bonuses if your health and financial situation will allow.
Employer Pensions
Today, employer pensions are becoming rare, but they do still exist. Public service workers, such as the police force, firefighters, judges, and public teachers have always had pension plans, and other government positions also offer pensions. Because pensions are part of an employee’s compensation package, the amount of retirement income they provide varies based on industry, position, and even from person to person.
Retirement Accounts
While you can open your own retirement accounts, they are generally associated with employer-provided benefits. These benefits, such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, deferred comp plans, SIMPLE or SEP IRAs, and more, may not be income like pensions are, but function in much the same way after retirement. You are required to withdraw a minimum amount per year after age 70½, though earlier withdrawals may help reduce your lifetime tax bill. Transfers can be done in a lump sum (though we don’t recommend it), quarterly, monthly, or on a different schedule as long as the minimum is met annually.
Savings Accounts
Your personal savings aren’t actually guaranteed income, but barring emergency expenses, you should treat money you withdraw about the same as you treat Social Security payments or retirement account withdrawals. Budget your spending and pay yourself a monthly paycheck from your savings account, and don’t go over that budget. The main difference is that you can withdraw more money if you need to, in case of an emergency medical expense for example, whereas other sources of retirement income generally pay out a regular amount that you have little to no control over.
Annuities
Annuities are somewhat unique in this list, as they can be obtained after you’ve already retired, and some, like fixed indexed annuities, have the option to be truly guaranteed retirement income, meaning that you will always receive income from them regardless of your financial situation, the markets, and other variable factors. There are different types of annuities that may be better or worse for your needs, which you should discuss with a financial advisor.
Part-time Work
And of course, one way to earn retirement income is simply by earning income from a job. There are many part-time work opportunities that allow retirees to supplement their savings while still maintaining a retirement lifestyle, and more retirees are becoming entrepreneurs for enjoyment and income. Continuing to work isn’t part of the traditional picture of retirement, but it’s quickly becoming more common.
While retirement savings across the board aren’t where they should be, a financially stable retirement is possible with enough planning. Take stock of your options for retirement income, and speak with a financial advisor to get the clearest picture of your finances.
Looking for a way to add depth of flavor to some food dishes? Why not make flavored vinegar using either herbs or berries from the garden? Michigan State University Extension says that flavored vinegars are easy and fairly safe to make, provided precautions and the directions are followed.
It’s important to know that only glass containers that are free of cracks and nicks can be used to make flavored vinegars. The containers can be sealed with cork stoppers or two-piece canning lids and will need to be washed, rinsed and sterilized.
Herbal Flavored Vinegars
For herbal vinegars, choose fresh picked herbs just before they begin to flower for the best flavor. Three or four sprigs of herbs are needed per pint of vinegar. When picking your herbs, do so in the morning, just after the dew has dried, but before the noon sun and use only the best leaves or stems. Discard crushed, discolored, dried out or nibbled on pieces because these will give the vinegar a bitter flavor, plus the quality will be poor. The damaged pieces may introduce mold spores into the vinegar and if damaged product is put in, less than desirable product will be the result.
After picking, gently and thoroughly wash the herbs and then blot them dry. Next, dip the herbs in a sanitizing bleach solution. The concentration of the chlorine bleach solution should be one teaspoon of chlorine bleach to six cups of water. Then rinse the herbs thoroughly under cold water and use clean paper towels to blot them dry. The step of rinsing in the chlorine bleach solution is needed to avoid introducing food borne pathogens into the product.
Dried herbs may also be used. Three tablespoons of dried herbs are needed per pint of vinegar.
Fruit Flavored Vinegars
Favorite fruits used in vinegars are raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, pears and the peel of lemons or oranges. Sometimes the fruits are paired with herbs and spices like mint or cinnamon. Other popular flavorings include peeled garlic, green onions, jalapeno or other peppers, mustard seed and peppercorns.
Preparation of the fruit and vegetables includes washing and peeling, if necessary. Small fruits and vegetables may be left whole, whereas larger fruits like peaches need to be cubed or sliced. Allow one to two cups of fruit per pint of vinegar or the peel of a whole orange or lemon per pint of vinegar.
Types of Vinegar
Not all vinegars are created equal. Distilled white vinegar is clear in color, but has a distinctively sharp flavor of its own. However, distilled white vinegar is the best choice for those delicate herb flavors. Apple cider vinegar is milder in flavor, but the amber color may not be desirable. The apple cider vinegar blends best with fruits.
Even though wine or champagne vinegars are more expensive, they tend to have a more delicate flavor that works well with delicate herbs and light flavored fruits. Red wine vinegar goes well with spices and stronger herbs like rosemary, but most other herb flavors will be masked by the red wine flavor.
Beware that wine vinegars contain some protein, which make them an excellent medium for bacterial growth to take place in. If wine vinegars are used, they need to be handled properly and stored carefully. For safety reasons, use only commercially produced vinegars.
Flavoring Vinegar
The process of flavoring the vinegar involves placing the prepared fruits, herbs and/or spices in the sterilized glass jars. Use three to four sprigs of fresh herbs or three tablespoons of dried herbs per pint jar. For fruits, use one to two cups of fruit or the peel of one orange or lemon per pint of vinegar to be flavored. Do not over pack the jars.
Sometimes it is necessary to slightly bruise the herbs or fruits to help release the flavors. When working with jalapeno or hot peppers, it is wise to wear gloves.
Heat the vinegar to just below the boiling point about 190 -195 degrees Fahrenheit and then pour over the flavoring, leaving a quarter-inch of head space. Wipe the rims with a clean damp cloth and then adjust the lid, corks or screw cap tightly. Allow to cool undisturbed.
Store the vinegar in a cool, dark place for three to four weeks, this will give the flavors the chance to develop. After the time has passed, strain the vinegar through damp cheesecloth or coffee filters until it is no longer cloudy. This may take more than one straining. Discard the fruit, herbs, vegetables and spices because they have served their purpose.
Prepare the jars for the final bottling process and pour the strained vinegar into clean sterilized jars and cap tightly. Label the vinegar and decorate the jar if it is a gift.
Flavored vinegars can add excitement to dishes by the blending of different flavors. Try this new gift of the garden.
In an instant, Julie and John VanderMolen became parents of three beautiful infants.
All boys.
All identical.
Statistically, that’s a rare event―identical triplets occur once in every 100,000 births.
And for the VanderMolens, it’s a triply blessed event.
The babies arrived by cesarean section Nov. 26 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, and the couple eagerly embraced the moment they became a family of five.
“I just was a mess of tears,” Julie says. “The pregnancy was a pretty long journey for me.
“Just having that bond with them in utero, and being able to feel each one of them move separately. And then to see them outside of me, it just felt so surreal. I felt like I already knew them.”
Ivan John arrived first, at 11:28 a.m., weighing 4 pounds, 7 ounces. Then came William Lloyd, at 11:29 a.m., tipping the scale at 5 pounds. Third was Harrison Kenneth, born at 11:31 a.m., weighing 3 pounds, 15 ounces.
Each has a full head of hair, and each gave a hearty cry at birth.
“To hear that scream―that moment is indescribable,” John says. “I am just so happy and thankful they are healthy. They are doing great now. We are just very blessed.”
One, two, three heartbeats
The couple found out they were expecting triplets early in the pregnancy. Julie had experienced a miscarriage a year earlier, so she had an ultrasound exam at six weeks.
“You guys are having twins,” the technician said, as she detected two heartbeats.
Photos by Chris Clark
A moment later, she added, “There are three heartbeats.”
Julie began to shake. “Like a leaf,” she says. John became dizzy.
“Things got real very quickly,” he says. “I just was not prepared. I felt like I had been hit by a car.”
It didn’t take long for shock to give way to feelings of excitement.
“We desperately wanted children,” Julie says.
Although John had lobbied for a big family, they hadn’t decided how many kids they wanted. They thought they would start with one and see how that went.
Doctors told the parents early in the pregnancy the infants would be identical because, although they had three separate sacs, they shared a single placenta.
Identical triplets can occur when a single fertilized egg divides in two, and then one of those eggs divides, said Vivian Romero, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group.
Julie, a social worker, and John, a former Marine who works for the federal government, are Grand Rapids-area natives who moved to North Carolina for John’s job. After they found out they were expecting triplets, they moved back to West Michigan to be closer to family.
To be able to see him and hold him is an indescribable feeling.
The boys receive nourishment through feeding tubes. They will learn to eat on their own before they are ready to go home.
Perfection
On Monday afternoon, John wheels Julie to the NICU so they can hold the babies, providing skin-to-skin contact. They make sure each boy receives equal cuddle time. This visit, Ivan waits in his crib while his brothers get their turn.
Nurse Bos lifts Harrison from his crib and gently helps Julie settle him on her chest.
“Hi, buddy. Come to mama,” Julie murmurs. Harrison opens his eyes and looks up at her.
John sits in a nearby chair and holds William. The newborn squawks and squirms, then settles in and closes his eyes.
“To be able to see him and hold him is an indescribable feeling,” John says.
“It’s unlike anything you can ever describe,” Julie agrees. “It’s perfection.”
The VanderMolens received a moment of fame with a playful video they created to announce their triple pregnancy. It shows their frantic preparations for parenthood―with John catching three baseballs and Julie filling three baby bottles. It was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Now, they can’t wait to bring their babies to their home in Kentwood, Michigan. Three cribs await the boys upstairs. A triple stroller stands ready. They have piles of outfits, diapers and bottles.
Photo by Chris Clark
Julie looks forward to taking her sons to church. John dreams of playing sports with the boys.
With Julie still recovering from surgery, the couple says they don’t think they have quite come to grips with the challenges ahead.
“The full responsibility has not sunk in yet,” John says.
“But I wouldn’t say we are fearful about it at all,” Julie says. “The connection we have with them is just so instant. And I am so looking forward to being home, on our own schedule, and figuring it out together as a family.”
One of the best ways to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis or Parkinson’s disease is to make a weekly action plan. This will guide you to achieve your health goals. Michigan State University Extension suggests you make sure your action plan has these key ideas:
Make your action plan something you want to do
This is your plan, not someone else’s plan for you. Action plans can help you feel better by successfully accomplishing tasks.
Your plan is something you think you should do and want to do or achieve yourself. An example is if you hate pool water, you shouldn’t make a goal to swim three times a week.
Pick something you can do easily
Ask yourself if your plan is realistic and achievable for you right now. You wouldn’t want to begin walking three miles a day if you have not walked after your knee surgery!
If you feel you will fail at this action, then change it so you can succeed. If you do fail at an action plan, usually you will not try again.
Be action specific
What is it that you are going to do?
How much are you going to do? This can be broken down in minutes or days.
When are you going to do it? Be specific.
Plan ahead for possible barriers
Ask yourself what might get in the way of achieving this goal. If the weather is bad you may not want to walk.
Figure out ahead of time how you will handle barriers, such as plan on walking in an open gym in the evening when the weather is bad.
Know who you can call if you need help. You may like to have a partner when you walk.
Celebrate and evaluate:
Congratulate yourself on what you’ve achieved.
If things went well, the next week you may be able to stretch your goal. Instead of walking a quarter of a mile three days a week, you may walk a half mile four days a week.
If things got in your way, find solutions to help get past the barrier. Perhaps walking through a box store three days a week is better than walking in inclement weather. Keep track of your progress. If things get in your way, think of solutions that can help you achieve your goal.
An example of a weekly action plan to get more exercise
What am I going to do?
I will start taking a water aerobics class.
How often will I do it?
I will do one hour a week.
When will I do it?
I will go to the 9 a.m. class every Friday.
What might get into my way?
The weather, which may make it challenging to get out of the house in the morning.
What might make doing this easier for me?
I will ask a friend to join me; one that has mentioned water aerobics before.
Action plans outline steps you can take to attain a larger health goal. Research shows that such plans are instrumental in bringing about behavior changes in patients. American College of Physicians Foundation gives ideas for some opportunities to use an action plan:
By Krystle Wagner, Spectrum Health Beat; photos by Chris Clark
As her graduating classmates celebrated accomplishments and looked forward to the future, Angela Maurer focused on one thing.
Regaining the ability to walk.
In high school, Maurer stayed active in cross country, basketball and track. She served on student council, in the National Honor Society, in the Business Professionals of America, and, an avid horseback rider, as president of her 4-H club.
She was an achiever, in every sense of the word.
And since running had been part of her life since middle school, Maurer planned to join the cross country team at Aquinas College in the fall of 2014.
Everything changed in her final week of high school.
The crash
On May 22, 2014, Maurer, then 18, was behind the wheel of her Chevy Tahoe, with her younger brother, Nathan, in the passenger seat.
Photo courtesy of Angela Maurer
They had just left the house. When Maurer made a left turn out of the driveway of her family’s home in Williamston, Michigan, she forgot to check her blind spot.
An oncoming SUV broadsided her Tahoe at about 60 mph. Although Maurer’s brother managed to walk away with minor injuries, Maurer sustained serious injuries that would change her life.
Initially, she didn’t even understand the severity of her trauma. She remembers telling her mom she could move her toes, and asking her mom if that was a good thing.
“The entire dash was on my lap,” Maurer recalled.
An ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where an initial evaluation provided more uncertainty. The left side of her pelvis shattered upon impact and her neck had fractured.
Given the extent of the trauma, doctors couldn’t say if she would ever walk again.
Hearing that, Maurer became motivated to make a full recovery.
“It drove me to prove them wrong, push myself harder,” she said.
The work to recover began immediately. Each day for three weeks, she would undergo four therapy sessions—one hour of physical therapy and one hour of occupational therapy followed by half-hour sessions of each.
She first entered therapy on a Tuesday, making a goal of attending her high school graduation ceremony that Sunday.
Maurer remembers the pain when she first arrived at therapy. She needed two people to help her get up. But she was clearly motivated, Rusiecki recalled.
The young woman progressed from learning how to sit up in bed to getting into a wheelchair. When she sat up in bed, her head spun and she couldn’t focus on anything.
Maurer said it was hard to visualize how she would ever reach her goal and someday run again, but her family encouraged her to keep going.
Progress came incrementally.
After days of persevering through pain, she joined her classmates in celebrating high school graduation. As Maurer’s brother pushed her wheelchair across the stage, the crowd gave her a standing ovation.
Hitting that milestone was emotional, Maurer said. In that moment, she saw the volume of love and support behind her, even as she continued her recovery about an hour-and-a-half away from her hometown.
Her accomplishments didn’t stop there. In two more weeks of therapy, she progressed from a walker to crutches.
Although some days proved to be more challenging than others—she remembers being plagued by soreness—the hurdles became easier to clear once she could walk with crutches.
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
Through occupational therapy, she learned how to get out of bed, shower and use the restroom without assistance. In physical therapy, she learned how to get in and out of cars, walk down stairs and walk across different terrains with her crutches.
When therapists released Maurer from inpatient therapy on June 9, less than a month after the crash, she could walk more than 1,000 feet with crutches over various terrain. She could also maneuver a flight of steps as long as she kept the weight off her left foot, Rusiecki said.
Returning home, Maurer became single-mindedly focused on one goal: Running again.
The finish line
Her medical team cleared Maurer to stop using crutches two days before freshman orientation at Aquinas College. She then worked toward her goal, one step at a time.
“Everything was worth it in the long run,” she said.
Before she got the OK to run, she spent time cross-training, biking and exercising on the elliptical to build up her strength. Six months after the crash, doctors approved her to begin running again.
In November 2014, she become an active member of the cross country team, where her teammates heard her story and greeted her with enthusiastic support.
“They remind me how I’m a walking miracle, and it’s like a blessing to be able to run again,” she said.
In May 2015, a year after the crash, Maurer visited staff at the Center for Acute Rehabilitation to show them her progress.
“It was very exciting to see her again,” Rusiecki said.
Maurer said she’s now in the best shape she’s ever been in. And her experience is shaping the trajectory of her life not just in physical recovery, but in academic prowess.
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
Prior to the crash, she had planned to study either occupational or physical therapy. Given her experience, she has decided to study physical therapy, in hopes of one day working with athletes who may find themselves in similar situations.
She can relate to athletes whose injuries might temporarily keep them from doing what they love. She can help them persevere to reach their goals, and help them return to their passions.
Despite the challenges, Maurer said the journey has made her thankful for every day. Thankful for everything she has. Thankful for still being alive.
For others going through their own struggles and journeys, Maurer, now 20, recommends keeping a positive mindset, because negativity will only make things more challenging.
This just in: Kayla Dean, budding feminist and future journalist, is about to break the story of a lifetime. Egged on by her best friend, Kayla has decided to try out for her high school’s notorious dance team, the Lady Lions, in order to expose their unfair selection process. But when she actually makes the team, the true investigation begins! Now a Lady Lion, Kayla is transformed into a dance diva. But does looking good and having fun mean turning her back on the cause? Soon Kayla is forced to challenge her views, coming to terms with who she is and what girl power really means.
Saving Juliet
by Suzanne Selfors
Mimi Wallingford has a life most girls can only dream of — complete with the starring role in her family’s production of Romeo and Juliet. But acting is not her dream, and she’s fighting for the right to become a doctor. During the play’s final performance, Mimi’s wish to get away actually comes true when she and her costar are magically transported into Shakespeare’s Verona. Now that she knows the real Juliet, Mimi doesn’t want to stand by and allow the play to reach its tragic end. But if saving her new friend means changing the ending, will she and Troy ever make it back to Broadway?
Vampire Kisses 1: Blood Relatives
by Ellen Schreiber, Art by rem
The absolute last thing goth-girl Raven and her vampire boyfriend, Alexander, need is another hitch in their nighttime — only romance — but dark trouble hovers on the horizon. When a crew of sketchy vampires takes up residence in Dullsville’s lonely graveyard, Alexander finds this motley bunch led by his very own blood-sucking cousin, Claude Sterling. Claude and his creepy crew can only spell out more problems for the pair, especially when Raven finds them in daylight in the very last place she could ever imagine. What could Claude and his invaders be doing — or searching for — in Dullsville?
The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook
by Dilara Hafiz, Imran Hafiz, and Yasmine Hafiz
What does it mean to be a Muslim? Ask ten people, and you’ll probably receive ten different answers. The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook is a positive, informative guide to Islam in America. Timely and engaging, it conveys the basics of the fastest-growing, most stereotyped and misunderstood religion in America from a progressive, teen perspective. Whether struggling to define themselves as Muslims in American society or simply curious about Islam, teens will find much to love about this entertaining book.
Bunker 10
by J. A. Henderson
At eight o’clock in the evening, 24 December 2007, Pinewood Military Installation exploded. The blast ripped apart acres of forest and devastated the remote highland valley where the base was located. No official cause was given for the incident. Inside Pinewood were 185 male and female military personnel — a mixture of scientists and soldiers. There were also seven teenagers. This is the story of their last day.
“How do I buck the expectations of my parents and a billion people back home?” Chinese students in the U.S. ask this question this every day. “Do I listen to the counsel of my family, as tradition dictates? Or do I follow the passions of my heart?” Creative business strategist Ning Liu talks about her life journey in the context of this cultural conundrum.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
On October 13, 2018, Dr. Jen received this very heartfelt request: “I’ve been trying to avoid writing this email for a long time. I adopted Otter in 2009 and he’s been my best friend from Day 1. My partner and I have been living separately for the past 5 years due to his severe allergic reaction to my cat, but we’ve reached the point where we’d like to start our lives together. I have tried everything to place Otter into a home I trust but nearly everyone in my life has multiple pets and the inability to take on another. I am hoping that, even after all of this time, Otter still can have a place at Crash’s. He means the world to me and I can’t consider him going somewhere his life might be at risk. Please let me know if this is still an option. I’m heartbroken and just need to know he will be safe and loved.
“He’s lived the past 3 years with two rescue pit bulls, as part of the gang we affectionately call ‘Two Pitties & a Kitty’. He’s a little instigator who loved to get the pups to chase and play with him, especially taking on the laser pointer together. Otter has been through probably half a dozen moves with me and has handled change like a champ, always making himself instantly comfortable. His favorite pastimes are sleeping on the windowsill in the sun, chirping at the birds or any other wildlife he can see, and snuggling on your chest while purring in your face (his purr motor never shuts off). He loves catnip probably too much (we have had talks about it). Otter has been my one constant through so much change over the last near decade—he is part of my heart and soul.”
Every time we read this, we get choked up; to love someone so much and have to let them go is one of the most difficult decisions to have to make. We strive for our motto to be ‘once a Crash cat, always a Crash cat’, so there was no question about it—Otter was of course welcomed back into our furry fold. Since he is a senior citizen (born in August of 2008) and had been away from us for such a long time, Dr. Jen was a bit concerned that his world would be turned upside-down, but literally within minutes he was trucking around the place, finding himself a great vantage point on a perch and surveying his surroundings (this was of course after our grand reunion at the clinic where Dr. Jen got to personally greet him and get some long overdue lovin’ ).
He is such a sweet, gentle cat who more often than not can be seen being carried around in the arms of a volunteer, obviously enjoying every second of hands-on time with his new BFF’s. He is going to thrive in a home where he can be showered with attention, both human and canine-kind; you can even throw a cat or two in the mix and all will be right with Otter’s world once again.
He really is the perfect cat, and if you haven’t heard, 10 is the new 5, so age certainly isn’t a factor in considering Otter as your lifelong kitty companion; a full work-up at the clinic deemed him healthy after several teeth were extracted, with sensational lab work to boast about as well. As you can see from how his mom gushed about him and by how smitten our volunteers are with him already, this great guy here really is exactly the type of cat that will seamlessly transition into any happy household and add so much joy to it as well, so don’t let a cat as magnificent as Otter pass you by!
More about Otter:
Large
Domestic Short Hair
Tabby (brown/chocolate, tiger-striped, white)
Senior
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Declawed
Good in a home with other cats, dogs, children
Want to adopt Otter? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
Quick to react with words and fists, Farhiya Abdullahi became a regular in school administration offices. She spent many days suspended, and was eventually expelled.
“The way I reacted was terrible. I had so much anger built up in me… My mouth was terrible,” she said. “My attitude was terrible. I was suspended literally every month.”
Farhiya sat at the desk of Crossroads Alternative High School Assistant Principal Ian Gibson, the administrator who expelled her two years ago and welcomed her back last fall.
Turns out, a lot can happen in a year: Gibson recently recommended Farhiya for a School News Network article about how far a student can go after deciding to change.
Farhiya Abdullahi says time to reflect and the realization that she was out of options led her to change her ways
Farhiya now has 16.5 of 19 credits required to graduate and could earn her diploma as early as December, before her peers. Compare that to a year ago when she had earned just four total credits.
Farhiya immigrated to Kentwood as a toddler with her mother, Nunay Ali, and six siblings, as refugees from Kenya. Farhiya does not remember Kenya. She and her family speak Maay Maay, a Somali dialect.
“My mom ended up coming to America to make not only her life better, but her kids’ lives too. She wanted us to get our education. In Kenya, there aren’t that many opportunities. This is the place she felt her kids needed to grow up.”
Farhiya’s father, who emigrated from Africa separately from the rest of the family, moved away completely when Farhiya was young. “My mom was struggling; she had seven kids and was new to the country… She was a single mom and she had to raise all of us by herself.”
Farhiya had a few negative early experiences in school; her resentment grew and she began getting in trouble. She got in many fights at Crestwood Middle School, and, at East Kentwood High School, her fists landed her in long-term suspension.
She enrolled at Lighthouse Academy briefly, then at Crossroads Alternative High School in 2016. “I stayed in school for a month and got expelled,” she recalled.
Learning to not react to drama was a key to getting on the right path
Leaving Behind Anger and Resentment
Being out of school gave Farhiya time to reflect. She knew her options were limited and she had passed few classes at school. She realized her self-created predicament was sad, but she also knew she could get herself out of it.
Farhiya re-enrolled at Lighthouse and passed a couple classes. Last October, a Lighthouse staff member asked Shirley Johnson, the district’s assistant superintendent of student Services, if she would meet with Farhiya to talk about reinstatement. Johnson agreed.
“In my mind I was like, ‘I don’t deserve it. I got long-term suspended and I got expelled, and she’s still willing to talk to me?’ ” Farhiya recalled.
At the reinstatement hearing, Johnson asked Farhiya why she wanted to go back to Crossroads.
Her answer: “I sat down this summer and thought about everything. I shouldn’t be putting my mom through this. I shouldn’t be putting myself through this. My mom brought me here for better opportunities and I’m just putting it to waste.
“On top of that, I’m trying to graduate. I want to be successful. I want to make a better living for myself and my family. I don’t want to sit here and struggle. I see a lot of people in my family struggling because they have no education. They are working, breaking every bone in their body, just to survive.”
Johnson said students including Farhiya need champions and an advocate for a second chance. “I saw her heart and her authentic self in the process,” she said. “Farhiya has really made significant gains since returning to school, and I couldn’t be more proud of her maturity and growth.”
Farhiya was all in.
Back at Crossroads, she ignored drama, avoided conflict and soon realized she could excel. “Teachers are motivating here. Teachers will help you,” she said.
She completed 12 classes in a matter of months, often working at home into the wee hours. She was soon Crossroads’ No. 1 student and last spring earned a science award.
Mom Nunay Ali stands with Farhiya Abdullahi after Farhiya received her U.S. citizenship Oct. 31.
“She’s a model student now. She’s got that grit we talk about here in Kentwood,” Gibson said. “She has this positive vibe about her… She is absolutely college-bound.
Added Principal Rick Hatfield, “She’s done a phenomenal job. Farhiya has had exemplary behavior, academically and emotionally, since she was reinstated.”
Farhiya recently received her citizenship from U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, with her mother by her side.
Farhiya plans to go to Grand Rapids Community College. She said she is interested in healthcare or social work.
Her mother, who once was more accustomed to her daughter being out of school than in, is now proud of Farhiya, and says their relationship has improved.
That matters a lot.
“If I could buy my mom the world, I honestly would. The only way I can do that is to further my education.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Gift-giving adds up fast, both financially and emotionally, during the holiday season. The stress of finding just the right thing may be easier than you think and you can keep your loved ones health in mind at the same time.
Michigan State University Extension suggests these healthy ideas to be used for any age group and they promote physical activity and healthy eating along the way.
Health related magazine – Give a recipe magazine or one related to overall health. There are magazines for children, women or men as well as magazines specific to physical activity.
Healthy recipe and ingredients – Do you have a favorite healthy recipe that everyone always asks you to make? Copy the recipe and purchase the ingredients and you have a great gift.
Meals for someone home bound – Prepare a meal for someone who has just had a baby or surgery, to an elderly person no longer able to get out or anyone else you feel is in need. As you cook for yourself or your family, simply take out one serving. These meals could also be frozen and used as needed by the person receiving them.
Coupon to host a sledding party – Sledding is a great way to promote physical activity during winter months. After sledding, serve healthy snacks like cheese sticks and apples with low-fat hot chocolate.
Physical activity items – Purchase exercise equipment either new or used that can be found at second-hand stores. If kids are on your list, look for soccer balls, bats, skates, scooters, snowshoes, sleds, exercise bands or helmets to keep kids thinking of physical activity all year long.
Gift certificate to swim at a local hotel – Swimming is appropriate for any age group and could be used for those older adults who have everything. Many hotels have designated public swimming hours with daily or monthly passes available.
Gardening supplies – Gardening supplies might not be as easily found in large stores this time of year, but local hardware and farm supply stores will have a rake, shovel, hand tools, gloves or knee pads, many items to make a gardener happy and ready to plan for next year’s garden.
Coupons to walk with a friend – Have you been meaning to join friends on a daily walk? This gift benefits the giver and the receiver. Keep yourself and your friends motivated to take that healthy walk each day, create a coupon in the shape of your favorite walking shoes. On your way out the door grab a can of soup for each hand and work those arm muscles while walking.
Gift certificate for roller-skate rental – When is the last time you went roller-skating? Roller rinks are still available and are a great way to spend time participating in physical activity as a family.
These gifts don’t take a lot of time, are low or no cost and send a strong message of caring because they promote health and well-being to those you care about, great reasons to choose from this list when finishing up your holiday gift-giving.
Not sure you’re crafty enough to create all these great gift certificate ideas? Pinterest can help! Simply fill in the information and print the certificates at home. For family nutrition information, Choose My Plate online has a wealth of information to stay healthy all year long. To find out more about physical activity and healthy eating for the whole family try the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Research conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving estimates over 1.4 million youth ages 8–18 are taking care of ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members. They are taking care of parents, grandparents and siblings as well as dealing with the most prevalent conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, heart, lung or kidney diseases, arthritis and diabetes.
What kind of care are they providing?
Kids are not just performing day-to-day household chores such as laundry, dishes, vacuuming and fixing simple meals, they are handing out medications, bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding family members. Some are even responsible for communicating with health care providers.
While it may seem inappropriate for kids to take on caregiving duties, changes in family structures, such as kids being raised in single parent homes or by their grandparents, increase the number of older people and multi-generations in households. Healthcare delivery has also changed so that home visits have decreased and an increase of care is becoming the responsibility of families instead of hospitals and doctor offices.
Why are kids in the role of caregiver?
Not everyone agrees that a child should be in the role of a family caregiver, however, changes in family structure and how healthcare is delivered impacts children. Economic hardships also play a part in multi-generation households, with married adults returning home with children. Regarding healthcare, medical facilities are no longer providing complex care, instead, it is being done at home by family members. Adults may be identified as the primary caregiver, however due to job obligations, children end up providing care.
How do caregiving responsibilities affect these kids?
Roger Olson, a clinical child psychologist at St. Luke’s Children’s Center for Neurobehavioral Medicine in Boise, Idaho, states that low level caregiving (helping with chores, running errands or spending time together) helps youth with character development. This type of caregiving fosters kindness, generosity, compassion and nurturance. The other, more personal side to caregiving including feeding, bathing or changing adult diapers, can take a toll and may be traumatizing to a child. Children have the coping skills of children and are not equipped to handle these stressful roles.
What can we do to help youth caregivers?
We can help young caregivers by knowing behaviors that may be signals of concern:
School: tardiness, missed days, incomplete assignments, lower participation in after-school programming, poor behavior and dropping-out
Emotionally: anxiety, depression, grief and feelings of being overwhelmed
Socially: difficulties getting along with others, loss of social activities and friendships
Physically: exhausted, lethargic and lack of interest in appearance
We can also bring awareness to our communities that kids are in this role. We can help by providing resource information for kids in our local schools, religious organizations and public libraries. Starting a local coalition can bring more attention and support for these families. Every caregiver needs and deserves support.
For information on youth caregivers visit the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) at www.aacy.org or call 800-508-9618 or 561-391-7401 for direct assistance. The AACY website has suggestions and links that can help families, professionals and school-based staff to assist caregiving kids. Visit the Michigan State University Extension website for additional information related to caregiving.
Comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director Aziz Ansari is bringing his “Road to Nowhere” Tour to Grand Rapids! The MASTER OF NONE star will take the stage at SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall on Friday, April 26, 2019, at 7:30pm*.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 30 at 12pm. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of four (4) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.
Fans who register as a Ticketmaster Verified Fan by Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 10pm will receive a personal presale code to gain presale access to tickets with a 10% discount on Friday, Nov. 30 at 10am.
*No late seating. No cellphones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at this show. Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches will be secured in Yondr pouches that will be unlocked at the end of the show. Guests maintain possession of their phones throughout the night, and if needed, may access their phones at designated Yondr unlocking stations in the lobby. All guests are encouraged to print their tickets in advance to ensure a smooth entry process. Anyone caught with a cellphone in the venue will be immediately ejected. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free viewing experience.
Oh Brudder Productions own all rights in the content and materials delivered during his performance (the “Materials”). Any use of the Materials without the express prior written consent of Oh Brudder Productions is strictly prohibited and is punishable to the full extent of the law.
About Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer and director. Ansari stars in his Emmy Award-winning Netflix hit MASTER OF NONE, which he also writes and directs. Among several other awards and nominations, the show has earned him a 2017 Golden Globe Award for “Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy” as well as nominations for “Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy” in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, Ansari was honored with the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award of Excellence in Comedy, a SAG nomination for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series,” and the WGAW Evan Somers Award for outstanding writing featuring characters with disabilities, for the MASTER OF NONE episode “New York, I Love You.”
In 2015, Aziz became one of the only headlining comedians ever to sell out Madison Square Garden in New York. His two sold-out performances at the legendary arena were filmed for his fourth comedy special, AZIZ ANSARI: LIVE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, which was released on Netflix in March 2015. In 2013, his hour-long stand-up special BURIED ALIVE premiered on Netflix to rave reviews. Aziz’s other comedy specials include DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS and INTIMATE MOMENTS FOR A SENSUAL EVENING. He continues to perform stand-up for tens of thousands of people all around the world.
Aziz co-starred opposite Amy Poehler in the beloved NBC series Parks and Recreation for the show’s entire seven season run. Aziz’s portrayal of government employee ‘Tom Haverford’ earned him critical praise as one of the show’s breakout stars and garnered him nominations for an American Comedy Award for “Best Comedy Supporting Actor – TV” and a NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” in 2014.
Aziz has also appeared on the big screen in THIS IS THE END, FUNNY PEOPLE, 30 MINUTES OR LESS, GET HIM TO THE GREEK, I LOVE YOU, MAN, and OBSERVE AND REPORT, and lent his voice to animated projects in both film and television; the FOX animated series BOB’S BURGERS as ‘Deryl’ and in Twentieth Century Fox’s animated features EPIC and ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT, which grossed $268 million and $877 million worldwide, respectively.
For his career in comedy, Aziz received VARIETY’s “Power of Comedy” Award in 2014. Aziz got his start in entertainment performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and with the sketch comedy group HUMAN GIANT.
"At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished…it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.”
- Actor Denzel Washington
Wyoming Gives Back
Mayor Jack Poll near the truck during a previous Wyoming Gives Back event.
You have just over a week to purchase a toy and help the City of Wyoming stuff a truck with donations for the Salvation Army Angel Tree. The 8th annual Wyoming Gives Back is set for Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Rogers Plaza Mall. Residents are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event and every person who does, will receive raffle tickets for prizes provided by local businesses. There will be holiday cookies, music and the biggest gift-giver, Santa, is planning to attend.
Pretty Lights
The Christmas Lite Show returns for its 21st year at Fifth/Third Ballpark, 4500 W. River Drive, Comstock Park. Billed as West Michigan’s largest, animated, drive-through light show, the attraction maintains almost two miles of lights, tunnels, and animated displays and entertained more than 70,000 visitors last year. The popular Memory Lane Train will returns this year giving visitors a choice to drive through the display or ride the train. The display is open every day from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. through Dec. 31.
Today is actually the 48th Tuesday of 2018. It is the 48th Tuesday of the 48th week. There are only 34 days left to 2018 and, despite yesterday's storm, 24 days until winter, which officially begins on the Winter Solstice, which is Dec. 21. (Source)
Are you looking for help to pay off student loans or save money for college? Do you need to add relevant work experience to your resume? Are you trying to enter or re-enter the workforce? Do you want to make a difference in your community? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider becoming a member of AmeriCorps or Senior Corps. If you answered yes to any of those questions and would like to accomplish that feat within Michigan 4-H, consider joining 4-H STEAM Corps.
Michigan State University Extension will be expanding its 4-H programming impact through 4-H STEAM Corps, an AmeriCorps program that will place 30 full-time members in MSU Extension 4-H offices across the state to provide science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) enrichment programming via 4-H SPIN Clubs and 4-H Tech Wizards. Through this program, MSU Extension will expand 4-H SPIN clubs by potentially creating 600 new SPIN clubs in 30 counties across the state reaching over 3,200 youth. Members will serve from September 2018 through July 2019. The program is contingent upon funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service and Michigan Community Service Commission. Contact Rachel Puckett at pucket21@msu.edu for more information.
AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs are operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency established in 1993 whose mission is “to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.” The Corporation for National and Community Service employs 75,000 individuals across the United States in a variety of public service assignments aimed to meet critical needs in the community. At 21,000 locations nationwide, national service members are making a difference in their community through projects focused on disaster preparedness and relief, the opioid epidemic, youth mentoring, college access and readiness, conserving our environment and improving the economic opportunity of our veterans and limited income families.
In addition to making a positive impact on others and serving your country, there are many other benefits to becoming a national service member. Full-time members typically receive:
Modest living allowance or volunteer stipend
Limited health benefit option
Student loan deferment
Educational award to pay for college, technical school or repay student loans
Skills and training
Furthermore, the Corporation for National and Community Service found service work also spurred personal and professional growth. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service Office of Research and Evaluation 2013 study, volunteering is a positive pathway to employment. They found volunteers in general were “27 percent more likely to find a job after being out of work, and that number jumped to 51 percent for volunteers without a high school diploma” and 55 percent increase for those in rural America. The Corporation for National and Community Service 2017 State of the Evidence Annual Report also found:
9 out of 10 alumni reported their experience increased their problem-solving abilities.
8 out 10 alumni indicated their experienced benefitted their career path.
79 percent are, or plan to become, actively involved in their community after service, compared to 47 percent prior to service.
According to the National Service 2018 Impact Report, locally Michigan has 1,710 service locations with 9,360 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members hard at work improving lives and communities, with the Corporation for National and Community Service contributing 63.1 million in program funding.
Wild Ride: A Graphic Guide Adventure
Written by Liam O’Donnell and illustrated by Mike Deas
On a flight to visit their environmentalist parents who are working to stop a logging company from clear-cutting a remote valley, a plane crash strands Devin, Nadia, and Marcus. Soon the trio discover that they are stranded with the enemy and must rely on their survival skills.
The Willoughbys
Written by Lois Lowry
Abandoned by their parents, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good old-fashioned children. Then an unquestionably ruthless act sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings. This hilarious parody pays homage to classic works of children’s literature.
The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums
Written and illustrated by Edward Miller
Taking good care of your teeth and gums is an important part of maintaining overall health. After all, you need your pearly whites to eat, smile, and talk. But what should you expect when you go to the dentist? What should you do if you lose a tooth? Full of straightforward advice and animated, colorful art, as well as some bite-sized bits of history and lore, this guide provides accessible information about taking care of your teeth.
Canned
Written by Alex Shearer
Fergal Bamfield is an oddball and his tin can collection is as strange as everything else about him. One day he finds a can without a label. What could be in it? Peaches, soup, perhaps spam? But instead it’s something gruesome: a human finger. Then Fergal finds another can, this time containing a one-word message, HELP! Now Fergal and his friend Charlotte are knee-deep in an adventure, and they’re about to learn something horrible: Everybody has an expiration date.
Arabella Miller’s Tiny Caterpillar
Written and illustrated by Clare Jarrett
Arabella Miller finds a tiny caterpillar, brings him home and feeds till the caterpillar sheds his skin and disappears inside his chrysalis. Arabella misses her friend until he emerges and she is filled with wonder at the beautiful creature he has become. Clare Jarrett’s sweet story and vibrant illustrations weave details about a caterpillar’s transformation into this elaboration on the song Little Arabella Miller.
With more spending comes more opportunities to get swindled. Michigan State University Extension recommends these tips and suggestions to avoid being scammed.
Only give to charities you trust and know. Holidays are a time for giving and some people can take advantage of your good will. Give smarter by learning about the charities you plan to give to, making sure they are legitimate. Look them up on the Charity Navigator who rates charities based on financial health, accountability, transparency and other factors.
Be cautious of contests. Many scammers use telemarketing to tempt consumers with prizes from fake contests. Be skeptical if you get a call out of the blue about winning a big ticket item like the newest iPhone or luxury vacation. Don’t put down a deposit or provide the caller with your personal information.
Beware of bait and switch. Peddlers of fake merchandise items do a booming business during the holidays as people shop for the most popular, high ticket items like watches, designer handbags and electronics. The rule of thumb here is one you’ve heard before: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Check the authenticity of purchased gift cards. Gift cards have been increasingly popular, so make sure your gift card has not been tampered with. Check the scratch-off personal identification numbers to ensure it is still intake. The Better Business Bureau also urges caution if you buy your cards from an auction or third-party website (a site that doesn’t belong to the retailer offering the cards). The card may have already expired, has no value or was obtained illegally.
Limit your chances of identity theft. While identity theft is an issue throughout the year, it happens even more often during the holidays. You’re probably giving out your personal information more often and freely than you even realize. Many retailers are now asking for your zip code, phone number and email address at checkout. None of this is necessary to complete a retail transaction. You can politely decline to give this information. It is best to keep sensitive information private.
Secure your online shopping. When you are buying online, make sure to shop on your home or other secure Wi-Fi network. You will also want to stick to secure web pages when making your purchases. Be careful of giving personal information when clicking on email links. It is better to type the company’s URL into your browser instead. This way you can see if it is a secure web page (it would have a padlock symbol and “https:” at the beginning of the URL). Make your computer is safe by using firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Keep all software and browsers updated.
Unfortunately, there are new scams each year and it’s hard to keep up on all of them. Protect your wallet, purchases and identity by shopping safer and smarter this holiday season.
Winter may be harsh on the spirit, but it’s also rough on the skin.
From getting pelted by blowing snow to being cooped up inside without the benefit of outdoor activity, our skin takes a beating.
Kim Delafuente, ACSM-PD, a Spectrum Health community health educator, offers up some tips on how to get through this cold weather season looking (and feeling) a whole lot better.
15 surefire ways to get your glow back:
1. Exercise saves your skin
“There are a lot of small blood vessels on the surface of the skin,” Delafuente said. “As you exercise, the blood flow rises to that level. With the blood comes oxygen. It’s actually the oxygen that helps rejuvenate the skin and helps to get rid of toxins.”
2. Sweat often
Sweating is often viewed as a negative thing, especially for women.
Delafuente suggests we wipe away this perception.
“As we sweat, we’re able to release unwanted impurities from our skin,” she said. “In some people, those impurities can lead to acne or other skin-related conditions. Sweating is a good thing. It’s a natural thing. It’s really the way our body cools itself off. This is an added benefit of exercise that helps to clean out pores.”
3. Wash after exercising
Sweating is great, but don’t forget to wash after exercising.
“The idea is to get the sweat and salt off,” she said. “If you don’t, you’re kind of defeating the purpose. You’re releasing impurities from your pores, but if they just sit on your face, you’re not getting the complete cleansing effect of exercise.”
4. Elevate your heart rate
Anything that boosts your heart rate is a skin-pleaser.
“Walking, running, any type of cardio activity is good for your skin,” Delafuente said. “Dancing is great. As your heart rate goes up, more blood is circulated. With lower level activity, there’s less blood circulating. It’s the aerobic type exercise that’s going to have the most impact.”
5. Sleep is good for the skin
Don’t use this as an excuse to sleep the day away, but the more we exercise, the better we sleep.
“Sleep is a time when our body repairs itself,” Delafuente said.
6. Reduce stress
Exercise reduces stress hormones like cortisol, according to Delafuente.
“As those levels decrease, it can have a positive effect on the skin,” she said. “Stress releases cortisol, which can be damaging to our bodies. It can cause weight gain and is responsible for belly fat. In the case of skin, it can lead to acne and eczema. There have been studies that show exercise can actually help reduce the incidents of those types of skin conditions.”
7. What is “the glow?”
Exercise not only keeps your body fit, it does wonders for your skin. As you exercise, blood flow intensifies and moves toward the surface of your skin, which is known for giving that infamous “glow” to your skin.
“You work out and your skin gets a little more reddish,” Delafuente said. “That’s how your body is cooling itself. As your blood comes to the surface, it helps to keep your body cooler. After a workout, when you cool down, that blood flow is still going to be intensified.”
And that look, for some people, is a motivator to exercise more.
“It’s an added benefit of exercise that sometimes people don’t think of,” Delafuente said. “For some people, this might be a draw. It seems regular exercise has the potential to keep the skin at its best.”
8. If you feel good, you’ll likely look good
Exercise provides mental as well as physical health benefits, according to Delafuente.
“Some of that glow comes with a positive attitude and feeling good,” she said. “The other thing is, exercise does improve immunity. When we have less chronic disease or colds and flu, our skin will naturally look better because of that as well.”
9. Remember that your skin is an organ
You may exercise to keep your heart healthy, but remember your skin is an organ that directly benefits from a workout, too.
“I think people are conscious of their skin, but they don’t think of it as an organ,” she said. “I think when we think of organs, we think of internal organs, but we don’t think externally.”
1o. Remove makeup before exercising
Leave your foundation and blush on, and you risk clogging your pores when you sweat.
Instead, remove all traces of makeup before you begin.
11. Wear proper sunscreen
If you’re exercising and sweating, make sure you wear sunscreen that is sweat resistant or that you are reapplying often.
“I think we all know it’s important to wear sunscreen,” Delafuente said. “But I don’t know that people always think about it when they’re exercising. They’ll say, ‘Oh, I’m going to to walk for an hour,’ but they may not think of that as a time they need to use sunscreen. People can also wear a hat to shield their face from the sun.”
12. Forget about tanning booths and spray tan products
“Never a good idea,” Delafuente said.
Enough said.
13. Treat your skin kindly in the face of cold weather
“Make sure you’re covered up appropriately,” she said. “If you have really sensitive skin, you may want to wear a scarf over your face.”
14. Stay hydrated
“Make sure you’re drinking enough water,” Delafuente said. “If we’re dehydrated then our skin isn’t going to be as healthy. We should drink to our thirst. In the winter, especially, we may not be as thirsty.”
15. Wear proper clothing when you exercise
Loose fitting clothing is the best choice.
“Make sure you wear clothing that wicks away the sweat and moisture,” she said.
If your clothing traps sweat in, it may clog your pores, leading to unhealthy skin conditions.
The City of Wyoming will be encouraging everyone to get into the holiday spirit by hosting its 8th annual Wyoming Gives Back event Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6-8 p.m.
“We look forward to a great night as we celebrate the Christmas season with this Christmas kick off here in the City of Wyoming,” said Mayor Jack Poll.
“It’s exciting for The Salvation Army Kroc Center to be part of great collaborative efforts like Wyoming Gives Back,” said Senior Krox Officer Captain Bill Brutto. “It’s one of the reasons we were also proud to help launch the Wyoming Winterfest event a couple of years ago. I think that, as a community, we understand that no one person or group can create positive change on their own — but that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Seeing local government, businesses, school districts, and other organizations all working together to fight for good says so much about the city of Wyoming.”
The annual event encourages residents to bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation to the Salvation Army Tree. Every person who donates receives a raffle ticket for a chance to win prize packs that contain hundreds of dollars of gifts donated by Wyoming businesses.
“We have a city truck here where local people from our community can fill that truck up,” Wyoming City Council member Dan Burrill said. “It is a great time to support our community.”
The City of Wyoming partners with a number of local businesses who provide the prizes. Last year, more than 400 toys were collected for donation with nearly $5,000 in prizes raffled.
“I think it is important for businesses to say thank you to all the people who have supported us all year long,” said Marge Wilson, of Marge’s Donut Den, a longtime sponsor of the event.
With Lillian VanderVeen from Lenger Travel Center, Inc, stating that “It’s a nice start to the holiday season.”
More than 20 businesses are hosting tables this year. WKTV will be there again this year to record Christmas greetings for the community to air on channels 25 and 26 and on WKTV’s YouTube channel, WKTVVideos.
The Salvation Army will be providing cookies and hot chocolate to event attendees. Residents are encouraged to bring their children to meet and visit with the Wyoming Police Department, the Wyoming Fire Department and, of course, Santa Claus!
A lineup of local choirs and bands is scheduled to share the sounds of the season. The lineup includes the Salvation Army Band, Godwin Heights High School Choir, San Juan Diego Choir and the Wyoming Public Schools Jazz Band.
By Nicole Kooiker, DDS, Dentist at Heart of the City Health Center
Q: One of my teeth hurts when I drink ice tea. Do I need to see a dentist?
A: As a dentist practicing in Grand Rapids, I can tell you that pain in your mouth is not a feeling to ignore. While it doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, you should contact your dental office if you are experiencing any of the following five symptoms:
Mouth pain could be caused by a cavity, gum disease, an abscess or impacted tooth. If not treated by a dentist, your tooth could die, causing an even bigger problem.
Experiencing pain in your teeth when you drink hot or cold beverages could indicate tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel, or an exposed tooth root due to gum recession. Treatment options depend on the source of the sensitivity as determined by your dentist.
Bleeding or sore gums could simply be caused by brushing too hard or overzealous flossing; however, this could also be a sign of gum disease that only an oral health professional can address.
Mouth sores could indicate an infection, virus, fungus, or simply an irritation from dentures or a sharp edge of a broken tooth or filling. Consult your dentist if you’ve had a mouth sore for longer than one week.
Bad breath can indicate poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, gum disease, or a medication’s side effects. If you brush your teeth and tongue twice a day and floss daily, but still experience bad breath, consult your dentist to rule out an underlying medical condition.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues or have other concerns, please contact us today. We’re here to help!
Carlos Urbina and Josephine Shindano sat next to each other in Kara Jones’ classroom at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center. The second-graders colored on worksheets that asked them to create a picture of a tradition their family observes. Carlos peeked over at Josephine’s drawing, which showed an Easter egg hunt she participates in each year.
Students eye the baked goods at Supermercado Mexico on Division Avenue
“They have Easter in Africa?” he asked.
“Yes,” replied Josephine, an African immigrant who has been in West Michigan for three years. She and her classmates have spent time each week since school began working on a project called “Who AM I?” It encourages students to explore and share their culture, language and family traditions.
The project was devised by Jones and first-grade teacher Nancy Stefano, following a weeklong summer course on thematic learning. They created “Who AM I?” to address a phenomenon they had both observed among students: they weren’t proud of their heritage.
Josephine Shindano, a second-grader at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, works on her family tree
Fostering Pride
“One thing I noticed in the classroom was that during conferences, parents would frequently tell me that kids didn’t want to speak their native language. They wanted to blend in to the U.S. culture with how they look and speak,” said Stefano. “We want kids to be proud of who they are, where they come from, and the wonderful differences we can share.”
Jones noticed similar sentiments among her students: When asked about their culture and customs, she said, many students would just copy whatever the person next to them said, saying, ‘Oh, I do that, too!’
The teachers have built in time throughout the week to work on projects surrounding family, culture and traditions.
Second-grader Nevah Sivins looks at photos depicting different traditions
Students are creating their own portfolios that contain family trees they created, and other drawings and writings about their families and cultures.
Seventy-five percent of students in the district are Hispanic. While the lessons in “Who AM I?” emphasize students’ individual identities, the teachers have incorporated some elements specific to Hispanic culture into the project, such as taking students to Supermercado Mexico, and having them prepare a song, poem and a dance for a school assembly during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Getting to Know You
“Who AM I?” will culminate around Thanksgiving, with a party for students and their families, who will be invited to bring a dish to pass that is specific to their family or culture.
First-graders from the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center had many questions for Yeli Romero of Supermercado Mexico
Students throughout the school will get a chance to walk around and see portfolios created by those who participated in the project.
Besides instilling some pride and a sense of who they are and where they come from, the project has served another purpose: to help the teachers get to know students and their families a bit better. That has been a major focus at the school this year, said Jones.
“We wanted to find out what makes (students) unique,” said Jones. “Through these different projects, we’ve learned a lot about different people. We’ve learned about their families, we’ve learned about their traditions. It’s been really fun.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
You submitted your resume, got an interview and left the interview feeling great. Before you celebrate, there’s one last step to your job search:
A thank you note.
One in three employers think less of a candidate who doesn’t send a thank you note. One in ten wouldn’t hire someone if they don’t send a thank you note, according to Career Builder.
Here are some tips to help you write a memorable thank you note:
Keep it short, professional and sincere.
Send the note within 24 hours of your interview.
Hiring managers are busy. If they receive your note a day or two after your interview, it shows them you are organized. And, it helps them remember you as they make hiring decisions.
A hand-written note is best.
The average hiring manager receives 100+ emails a day. Make your thank you note stand out by sending it through the postal service instead of their clogged inbox.
Choose a thank you note that is simple and professional.
Avoid cartoons, silly sayings and bright colors.
Use the three sentence rule:
#1: thank them for the interview.
“Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday.”
#2: Add something personal from your interview.
Reference a specific conversation or a question they asked. Or, talk about something you liked from the interview.
“I really enjoyed hearing more about your company culture.”
#3: Repeat your interest in the job.
Remind them you’ll be a great addition to their organization.
“I look forward to working with you in the future. My background will help [name of organization] continue to grow.”
Don’t forget to add “Dear [their name]” and the beginning, and “Sincerely, [your name]” at the end.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
