Common perceptions about fats are often not true and avoiding all fats is not healthy because it is important to have healthy fats in our diet. There are fats that contain essential fatty acids that are necessary for good health and fats that help the body to use certain vitamins.
The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes the following recommendations in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
Keep trans-fatty acid consumption as low as possible, especially by limiting foods that contain synthetic sources of trans-fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils, and by limiting other solid fats.
Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars. Such as:
Butters, stick margarines, and animal fats from beef and pork. These are all solid at room temperature.
Soft drinks, candy, cakes, cookies, fruit drinks and ice cream. These are all processed foods that have added sugars and syrups.
Here are some actions you can take every day to keep your consumption of saturated fats, trans-fats and cholesterol low while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.
Check the Nutrition Facts label to compare foods. Our interactive label can help you find what to look at on the label.
Choose alternative fats. Replace saturated and trans-fats in your diet with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Sources of monounsaturated fats include olive and canola oils. Sources of polyunsaturated fats include soybean, corn, sunflower oils and foods like nuts.
Consider consuming fish and cuts of lean meat. Examples include:
Poultry: chicken or turkey white meat or ground meat
Beef: flank steak, top loin, sirloin, lean ground beef
Pork: pork tenderloin
Seafood: salmon, trout, cod, flounder, mackerel, mussels and clams
Choose foods such as dairy products, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods and fruit and vegetables.
Beware of diets that tell you to eliminate a nutrient, such as fat.
Daily essential fatty acid consumption contributes to our overall daily health in moderation. For more information please contact your local MSU Extension office or visit the MSU Extension Health and Nutrition site.
Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutrition Educator, is shown using the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
The desk job. Some aspire to it. Others avoid it like the plague.
As the perils of sitting all day become more widely known, the latter is probably the smarter path to take (I think as I sit at my desk, for hour number eight, typing this story).
According to the latest research, prolonged sedentary time—think eight to 10 hours a day sitting at that desk job—can take years off your life by putting you at an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
What’s more, even if you do have a regular exercise routine, it doesn’t protect you enough to offset the detrimental effects of hours and hours of sitting.
If, like me, you add on a commute to and from your desk job, well, don’t be surprised to see the grim reaper in the rear-view mirror.
Move it or lose it
Federal guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week. Indeed, it’s widely known that getting 30 minutes of exercise every day can lower your risk for disease and premature death.
But with health experts now saying that staying active throughout the day is more important than hitting the gym, the challenge becomes finding the time to move. And work. At the same time.
Luckily for us office drones, there are creative ways to reap some of the health benefits of movement throughout our day, even with a desk job.
1. Stand up at your desk
Stand up to get healthy! (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Instead of sitting at your desk and working on your computer, grab your laptop and stand up while you work. Granted, this may require you to walk around your office to find a table upon which to place your laptop. That’s good.
Better yet, get an actual stand-up desk.
That’s what one local business did to get employees out of their chairs. Life EMS Ambulance dispatchers got new desks, which are motorized so they can adjust the height to sit and stand as they please.
“The sit-to-stand desk is becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace,” said Leah Konwinski, an ergonomic specialist with Spectrum Health. “It’s a great option to promote a little more movement at work without sacrificing comfort, safety or ability to focus and still be productive.”
Standing is still a ‘static’ activity, though, and our bodies are not made to be static. Even when standing, take breaks and move about, Konwinski suggested.
2. Hop on a treadmill (desk, that is)
For someone who has a tough time sitting still, a treadmill desk may be the ideal form of multitasking.
Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN, a community nutrition educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, is a frequent user and offers a few observations.
“Lots of days, especially in the winter, I’m stuck at my desk,” she said. “And since I’m typically multitasking and am one who does not experience motion sickness, using a treadmill desk is quite fitting. It’s an awesome way to squeeze in a little exercise or at the very least, spend time standing instead of sitting.”
She typically uses it first thing in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
“It’s ideal for getting caught up on e-mail, doing a little research or reviewing a presentation,” said Corwin. “It also helps me hone my reading comprehension and retention, and makes my time more efficient—I walk, learn and forgo the need to read things twice.”
On the con side, she can’t spread out the things she’s working on or pull files out as needed. For that kind of work, she said, it’s still nice to be at her regular desk.
And, your pace really can’t approach anything too speedy, which leads some to question whether there’s really any health benefit at all.
A recent NPR report looked at treadmill desks and cited several small studies that found they do potentially hold health benefits, depending on how often, how much and how vigorously they’re used.
First, treadmill desks can help increase the number of steps taken per day, and that accumulation of physical activity is better than nothing or sitting all day. Second, it’s not about working out or working up a sweat. It’s about not sitting.
So, if you have a treadmill desk—use it. But don’t forget, you still have to fit about 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise into your weekly routine as well.
If you don’t have a treadmill desk, but want one (and you have some semblance of creativity and mechanical ability), you can join the folks opting for a DIY approach.
3. Swap out your desk chair for a stability ball
Many of us remember bouncing around the yard on a ‘hippity hop’ ball when we were kids. Similar concept, but no handle. And no bouncing down the halls.
Sitting on a stability ball can improve posture and strengthen your core abdominal and back muscles, said Kim DeLaFuente, MA, ACSM-PD, an community exercise educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.
“A stability ball forces your core muscles to work harder to keep you balanced so you don’t fall off,” she said. “You’re also forced to sit up straight and upright.”
So, good posture. Strong core. But for those of us who aren’t so coordinated, possible concussion. (Remember, no handle.)
4. Workout at work
There are other ways—calisthenics for example—to get in a bit more movement at work.
Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutricion Educator, is shown near the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Keep resistance bands in your desk drawer and use them to work in a little strength training
Hold a walking meeting
“Just find ways to incorporate short bits of activity throughout the day,” she said. “Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park farther away and walk. It all adds up.”
Setting up the traditional office set-up
Even if you wish to simply remain seated at your desk, it’s important to make sure your workstation is structured to properly support your body.
“Maintaining neutral postures and proper body alignment allows you to feel comfortable much longer,” Konwisnski said. “Most workstations nowadays have sufficient adjustability between the chair and other small items like a footrest or keyboard tray.”
Over 40 million people provide unpaid caregiving for a family member in the United States. The daily routine of caring for another often means caregivers are not taking care of themselves. The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for caregivers due to the break in daily routines, the additional planning necessary to join in celebrations, travel or to receive visitors. Some caregivers may choose to isolate rather than to burden themselves with making these plans.
The holidays are a wonderful time for other family members to express their gratitude and appreciation for their family member’s caregiving and help them enjoy the holiday season. Caregivers often put their needs second, third or last to other people in their lives. Offering the caregiver some relief would be a marvelous gift for the holidays.
Sarah Sobel, AAAWM Caregiver Services & Contract Administrator says, “Caregiving is stressful and the holidays can add to that stress. It is important for caregivers to do self-care.”
How can family help with this? Having a friend or family member stay with a loved one would offer the caregiver the freedom to get away for some rest and time for themselves. Stepping into the caregiver’s shoes for a weekend or a day can be eye-opening as to what the caregiver experiences regularly.
Julie Alicki, Certified Dementia Practitioner, points out, “This clues the rest of the family in on what the caregiver is going through — it keeps them in the loop.” If family members providing relief isn’t feasible, arranging for professional in-home care or respite services would be a great way to provide relief for a caregiver.
Relieving some of the daily tasks of a caregiver can also make a thoughtful gift. A membership to a grocery delivery service like Shipt or a meal delivery service like Hello Fresh would offer the caregiver one less task to manage. With winter coming on, arranging for a snow clearing service would provide some stress relief as well as additional safety for the caregiver.
Gifts they can use during some precious time off, like a spa day, tickets to a sporting event or the theatre, gift certificates to favorite restaurants, a round of golf, movie tickets or a weekend get-away make wonderful stocking stuffers for caregivers. If you’re a little more on the creative side, putting together a book of IOU coupons to be used throughout the year would not only help provide support, but would also assist the caregiver in being able to ask for much needed help more easily.
The greatest gift a caregiver can receive is time — time for themselves. Being given the ability to be worry-free and able to choose how they want to spend a few hours, a day, a weekend or even a week to themselves is a precious gift to a caregiver. It is also a tremendous acknowledgement on the behalf of family members of the gift the caregiver gives to another all year around.
Whatever we can do to though to demonstrate our gratitude and appreciation during this holiday season to the caregivers in our lives will reverberate throughout their year.
If you need help making in-home care or respite arrangements, contact Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (888) 456-5664 or aaainfo@aaawm.org.
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.
There are few people who make it to extreme old ages—the influence of good genes and healthy life choices are key. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
The limits of human existence might not be as limited as we have long thought.
A person’s risk of death slows and even plateaus above age 105, a new study reports, challenging previous research saying there’s a cutoff point past which the human life span cannot extend.
Longevity pioneers lucky enough to make it past the perilous 70s, 80s and 90s could potentially live well into their 110s, if fortune remains on their side, said senior author Kenneth Wachter, a professor of demography and statistics at the University of California, Berkeley.
“Our data tell us that there is no fixed limit to the human life span yet in sight,” Wachter said. “Very few of us are going to reach those kinds of ages, but the fact that mortality rates are not getting worse forever and ever tells us there may well be more progress to be made improving survival past the ages of 80 to 90. This is a valuable, encouraging discovery.”
Specifically, the study showed that people at age 110 had the same continued chances of survival as those between the ages of 105 and 109—a 50/50 chance of dying within the year and an expected further life span of 1.5 years.
This plateau runs counter to the way death risk relentlessly rises as we age from age 40 onward, Wachter said.
“If mortality rates kept rising at the rates they rise from age 40 to age 90, then there would be a strong barrier to progress at extreme ages — great diminishing returns to behavioral change or to new medical advances,” Wachter said. “The fact these rates ultimately level out gives hope there’s more leeway for those advances.”
The oldest known human on record is Jeanne Calment of France, who died in 1997 at age 122.
Different findings
There’s been ongoing debate about whether there’s a maximum human life span.
Last year, researchers at McGill University in Montreal issued a report challenging earlier assertions that human life span peaks at about 115 years.
“The statistics aren’t good enough to be able to say you can’t live much longer than that, based on the data we have,” said report author Siegfried Hekimi, chairman of developmental biology at McGill. “It’s simply not good enough to make that claim.”
To investigate this further, Wachter and his colleagues tracked the death trajectories of nearly 4,000 residents of Italy who reached age 105 between 2009 and 2015.
The investigators found that the odds of survival inexorably decline as a person enters middle and old age.
For example, Italian women who reached age 90 had a 15 percent of chance of dying within the year and an expected further life span of six years on average, results showed.
But if they made it to 95, their odds of dying within a year increased to 24 percent and their life expectancy dropped to 3.7 years.
One might think these odds would continue to increase indefinitely, as people age toward an undefined vanishing point.
That’s not what happened, though. The chances of survival instead plateaued once people made it past 105.
“The risk of death is very high at 105 years, but next year it’s not higher,” Hekimi said of the new study. “Every year you have the same chance of dying, and every year you can be the one who wins the coin toss.”
This plateau likely occurs due to evolutionary selection and the influence of good genes and healthy life choices, Wachter said.
“When you look at a group of older people who are all the same age, some are already quite frail and some are robust. There’s a big difference in the level of frailty,” Wachter said.
“People who go to college 50th reunions, you just look around you and some people are climbing mountains while some people are walking with canes. Now go 15 to 20 years later, the people who were already frail are the ones who are likely to have died,” he said.
Not enough study participants
So far, looking at the genetics of long-lived people has provided maddeningly few clues for extending overall human life span, Hekimi said.
There are just too few people who make it to these extreme old ages, and the genes that seem to be working in their favor vary from place to place, Hekimi said. For example, genes that seem to be supporting extended life span on Okinawa are not the same ones found in England.
But this study shows there’s a good chance of extending the survival plateau earlier into the average human life span, making it increasingly likely that more people will survive into their 100s, Wachter said.
“It gives us a good piece of hope, because there is now lots of opportunity to look at these bad variants as they are in populations today and to try to understand the interaction of those genetic variants with potential medicines and different health challenges,” Wachter said.
“This basic theory could help us inform medical progress and public health progress 10 to 15 years from now as genetic research continues,” he said.
Hekimi agreed.
“Given that our life span keeps increasing, maybe the plateauing is going to start earlier and earlier,” he said.
The new study is published in the June 29 issue of the journal Science.
Live your best life for longevity. Browse Spectrum Health’s classes and events to find nutrition and exercise programs that fit your schedule.
By Laura Nawrot, Grand Rapids Public Library, Ottawa Hills Branch
When I picked up this book, I was looking for something light to read that involved characters that I could relate to—and I was not disappointed. In The Hot Flash Club, Nancy Thayer introduces the reader to four very diverse women ranging in age from fifty-two to sixty-two. The only things they have in common are a mutual acquaintance and the process of menopause. I found my self quickly drawn into the world of Faye, Alice, Shirley and Marilyn, characters who give the term “aging gracefully” a whole new meaning.
As the four women plunge into an unexpected relationship with each other, they explore many current women’s issues with gentle humor, honesty, and nerve. Rather than viewing menopause as the end of childbearing years, Thayer suggests it is the launching point into late middle-age. Her characters are far too busy living their lives and following their dreams to focus on things that might hold them back, like arthritis, divorce, retirement and widowhood. Those topics are simply a part of their lives, not the main focus, and this positive approach works well within the framework of the story.
While the story holds a lighter tone than works by authors such as Elizabeth Berg, it is an entertaining and positive look at women and aging, as well as being a gentle reminder that life is a journey, not a destination, and our perception of the process is vital to how much we enjoy the ride.
As our natural growing season comes to an end, it is important to properly store all of your home preserved foods correctly to maintain safety and quality over winter. Find a cool place between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is dry and has some circulation to keep your jars filled with your home preserved foods. If contents are exposed to direct sunlight or stored in a warm place, the food may lose quality in a shorter amount of time.
Wash the outside of lids and jars to remove any residue that may have leaked out. Remove ring bands and wash and dry the outside of lids, jars and the band to remove any residue that may have leaked out in order to prevent rusting. It is recommended that jars be stored without ring bands to allow for easier detection of broken vacuum seals.
Label and date each jar with the name of the contents and the date is was preserved. This practice will help ensure you are eating foods that have been preserved safely in a timely matter. For the best quality of food, preserve only the amount of food that you can use in one year. It is important to not taste food from jars with lids that have become unsealed or show signs of spoilage. As each jar is taken off the shelf for use, examine its lid for tightness and that the lid is still vacuumed.
Canning equipment should also be stored properly. For safe operation of your pressure canner for the next year, Michigan State University Extension recommends cleaning the vent and safety valve by drawing a clean string or narrow strip of cloth through the opening, remove the valve and follow the manufacturer’s directions. The rubber gasket that helps the edges of the canner and lid prevent steam from escaping should be cleaned or replaced if needed. Clean the equipment with hot soapy water and then rinse and dry.
If your pressure canner has a dial gauge, be careful not to immerse the gauge when cleaning. If the inside of your aluminum canner has darkened, it can be cleaned by filling the canner with a mixture of one tablespoon cream of tartar to a quart of water and boil until the dark deposits disappear.
Store the canner with crumpled clean paper towels in the bottom to help absorb moisture and odors. Place the lid upside down on the canner, remembering not to seal it. These same directions apply to a weighted gauge canner, except that the lid can be submerged in water for cleaning.
Following proper storage of your home preserved foods will help ensure the quality and safety of your canned food to be enjoyed all year. Giving your canning equipment special attention in cleaning and maintenance will make you ready for the next growing season of preserving.
Seven area service workers received a 2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Award for integrity, commitment and passion in their jobs. The Essential Service Awards honor non-managerial employees who provide critical services that often go unnoticed and unrewarded.
“The business community often overlooks the significant contributions that service workers make in our region and economy,” said Dave Smith, chair of the West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board. “The Essential Service Awards recognize exceptionally hardworking individuals who perform these crucial jobs.”
2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Services Award Winners
Kelle Bergers, housekeeper, Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan (28 years)
Nicholas Borgman, customer service representative, Quality Car Wash (4 years)
Riley Frens, nurse technician, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (3 years)
Andrea Gafford, customer service/scheduling, Anderson Technologies, Inc. (20 years)
Sam Sandee, employment training program specialists, Wedgwood Christian Services (22 years)
Laurie Trestrail, dietary aide, SKLD (39 years)
Employers, co-workers and the community can submit Essential Service Award nominations in a variety of industries including housekeeping, hospitality, retail, healthcare, transportation, administrative, food service, general labor, childcare, nonprofit and custodial, or government.
2018 honoree Kelle Bergers is known for going above and beyond. Each day, Bergers ensures that the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan is sanitary for families of children traveling to Grand Rapid for their child’s medical or mental health treatment.
“I’m honored to receive this award, but I don’t need the recognition. I am just doing my part to make sure our guests’ experience is the best it can be,” Bergers said.
Kelle was nominated by her manager Megan Priester, services director at Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.
“To explain every way that Kelle has impacted our organization would take hours; she is a shining light,” said Priester. “Our families love seeing her so much that they often come back years later to visit her. There is not another human being like Kelle.”
Priester recalled a time when a guest room was left in an extremely less than desirable state.
“Other staff looked at the room and turned around, but not Kelle. She methodically cleaned the room section by section until it was finished,” said Priester. “After Kelle was finished, she simply let the front office know it was ready, never looking for praise.”
You can see photos and learn more about this year’s winners at westmiworks.org/esa.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
An aging brain has a higher tendency to remember positive aspects of past events, rather than negative. (Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension)
As we age, our cognitive control declines. In recent years, many programs have been developed and promoted to help stimulate our brains with the goal of delaying cognitive decline. However, the research on whether or not these brain-enhancing activities actually helps is not conclusive. These results are because a part of the brain that is affected by aging, has to do with our ability to focus on a task without getting distracted by internal and external stimulus.
At the same time, as we age, the emotion processing and regulation part of our brain is increasing. Therefore, our brains are a paradox — as we age, starting at about 30 years, our cognitive abilities decline and social-emotional abilities increase.
Another interesting aspect of our aging brain is that we tend to remember the positive aspects of past events, even if those events were overwhelmingly negative. Researchers Mather and Carsten (2005) call this the positivity effect. The tendency to focus on the positive, rather than the negative, may have to do with our realization that we have a limited lifetime. Our goals switch from future-oriented to emotional satisfaction and well-being.
Some researchers are now looking at the benefits of mindfulness as a way to tap into that increase in social-emotional abilities in order to enhance our brain functioning and overall well-being as we age. As defined by John Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, without judgement.
Mindfulness has shown to increase our capacity for sustained attention, a cognitive capability. By focusing on the present moment, in particular without judgement, we are tapping into our aging brains’ tendency to focus on our own emotional satisfaction and well-being, rather than plan for the future or dwell on negative past experiences.
There are many ways to learn about mindfulness and begin your own practice. You can look up resources online regarding mindfulness or visit your local library and check out some books. You may also consider contacting your local Michigan State University Extension and signing up for one of our Stress Less for Mindfulness classes. Any way you choose, expanding your knowledge and developing your own mindfulness practice could improve your cognitive, emotional processing and overall well-being as you age.
In conclusion, mindfulness may be a way to improve our cognitive control as we age by teaching us to improve our ability to focus our attention on a particular task, such as our breath, (in the moment) and reduce our attention (on purpose) to external and internal thoughts or events (without judgement).
Traditions are a wonderful part of the holiday season. It’s common that at gatherings, rather than one person bearing the burden of preparing the entire meal, several people divide the duties prior to getting together. Then, on the day, one person will then bring the veggies, another rolls, another salad, another dessert, etc.
When dividing the tasks, keep in mind food safety and consider two important factors: the type of food being transported and the length of time involved. Michigan State University Extension (MSU) recommends applying the two-hour rule – do not leave perishable foods at room temperature for longer than two hours. Remember the two-hour rule includes the time involved prepping foods from their raw state to the finished state, as well as the time the food will spend on the table being served.
Family members traveling long distances should be assigned foods that may not need refrigeration, like fruit pies, rolls, etc. Local relatives (within a half hour travel distance or less) should be in charge of more perishable items such as meat, poultry, fish, cut produce or cooked casseroles.
Keep in mind, hot foods must be kept hot (140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) and cold foods, kept cold (40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder). To keep the hot foods hot, consider using an insulated bag designed to keep foods warm. Remember, these bags are temporary and not designed for long-term hot holding. Keep your cold food cold by utilizing a cooler packed with ice or freezer gel packs. Do not rely on the outside temperature to keep food cold even during freezing winters. Cars and garages can take on a “greenhouse effect” and actually become warm, defeating the purpose of attempting to store cold foods outside.
If you are the host house, plan ahead for your feast by clearing your refrigerator out ahead of time and creating room to store the food that will be arriving. Have extra coolers on hand with ice or freezer packs for cold foods and borrow roasters or slow cookers to help keep all the arriving hot food heated. Don’t forget to have plenty of refrigerator containers or plastic food grade bags on hand for the leftovers after the meal. Putting large quantities of food into smaller containers will allow the food to cool quickly and remain safe by preventing any bacteria from growing. Also, ensure leftovers are not left out at room temperature or in the temperature danger zone (40 degrees – 140 degrees Fahrenheit).
Michigan State University Extension recommends planning your larger meals out ahead of time, be prepared and make room in your kitchen for storage before and after the meal to prevent foodborne illness from ruining your family gatherings.
When the Mexican peso devalued, Juan Daniel Castro found he owed more money than he earned. So, he did what any optimist would do: summoned his courage, applied for a visa, and moved to the U.S. Twenty years later, he is an American citizen, the leader of a salsa band, and an advocate for healthcare in the Latino community.
Lynn Hopkins’s bond with her rescue cat, Jack B. Nimble, is rewarding on myriad levels. Besides the close companionship the two enjoy, Hopkins and Jack share their time with seniors in assisted living environments, as well as students who are in dire need of de-stressing before exams.
And then, there is the little matter of a certain, er, jackpot that recently paid off big-time, thanks to Petco Foundation and Hopkins’s unwavering faith in Jack. Each year, Petco invites people across the U.S. to share the story of how their adopted pet changed their lives during Petco’s annual Holiday Wishes campaign, giving the organization that they adopted from a chance to receive a grant award.
Hopkins knows a sure bet when she sees it. First, she spotted Jack at Crash’s Landing a few years ago and couldn’t resist adopting him. Second, she identified in Jack certain personality traits that catapulted him into the pet therapy field. Third, this past fall, she came across Petco Foundation’s application for the Holiday Wishes campaign and knew Jack had a winning story.
“Petco’s application said they would only guarantee full review of the ‘first 10,000’ entries so it was pretty long odds,” said Hopkins. “The application materials said the winners would be announced in November, so the first week of November, I checked the website and found out the winners were being announced on the 16th. I didn’t tell anybody when the announcement was scheduled in case we didn’t win anything.”
But when it came time for the live video feed on Petco’s website, you can bet Hopkins was glued to the screen.
Photo courtesy Lynn Hopkins
“Other than the first prize, they did not announce the winners in any particular order,” she said. “Out of more than 10,000 entries, there were 51 winners. They were like 3/4 of the way through before our prize was announced and I was losing hope, then the picture of me with Jack in his stroller popped up and then the grant amount—$25,000. I was totally thrilled—I had fantasies about winning a big grant but didn’t really expect it.”
Next, it was time to share the great news with Dr. Jen Denyes, veterinarian and founder of Crash’s Landing. The timing couldn’t have been better—the organization’s annual fundraiser, Whiskers and Wine Gala, took place Nov. 17th, and this was an exceptionally welcome announcement.
“When I learned of the award, I was rendered temporarily speechless, and that never happens to me,” said Denyes.
Depending on the grant’s restrictions and requirements, the funds could go toward renovating the organization’s kitchen, a long-overdue project. The kitchen is central to the organization; it’s a hub of activity, where food is prepped, dishes washed, sundries stored, and litter boxes cleaned.
Keeping Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary humming along good and strong—and the cats healthy, safe, and well-fed—requires a budget of $14,500 per month. And that just covers the basics, such as rent, utilities, medical expenses, food (wet and dry), litter, and cleaning supplies (including paper towels, cleansers, and detergent). The organization relies on donations; monthly cat sponsorships; grants; and its largest fundraiser, Whiskers & Wine, to remain open.
Once the Petco funds are disbursed to Crash’s Landing on Dec. 18th, Denyes will know better how the money will be spent.
You may remember Jack’s story published here on wktvjournal.org this past September (Jack, the therapy cat puts a spark in the spirit). As we accompanied Hopkins and Jack on their rounds, it was clear that the bond between feline and human was strong.
So, the short version of the backstory: Jack B. Nimble is a shelter rescue who grew up to be a therapy cat.
“Jack’s visits bring joy to seniors and hospice patients who have had to give up pets they can no longer care for,” Hopkins wrote on the Petco application.
“Patients who barely respond to the people around them will respond to Jack, drawing comfort from his snuggles and purrs. Faces light up when they see him, and agitated patients become calmer while petting him. Many of the nursing home residents look forward to Jack’s visits all week. And he has given me a new purpose and mission now that I’m retired. I never would have volunteered with the Hospice program or visited the nursing homes on my own, but I cherish the opportunities I have now to share Jack with people who take so much comfort from his presence.”
Hopkins and Jack also participate in end-of-semester student de-stress days at a local college. The college provides activities to give students some relief from the stress of upcoming final exams, including bringing in several therapy dogs for the students to interact with—and as of last year, one very special therapy cat for students to pet and hold.
Crash’s Landing welcomes donations in the form of sponsorships, food, and cash. Go here to learn how to donate.
To learn more about Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary, go here.
On the afternoon of Nov. 16, around 2:37 p.m., the famous (and loved by thousands across the globe) bald eagle named Harriet, at the Pritchett Nest in Southwest Florida, laid the first egg of this new season and a next generation looks promising. Other than working extra hard on her nest, she hardly showed she was laying that egg. Of course, eagle watchers across the globe are celebrating and waiting to see if she lays a second and/or third egg. So…with possibility of one or two more eggs coming, eggs getting ready to hatch, new lives to watch, untold drama and joy to unfold…right now is the time to start eagle watching or get back to the computer screen. Be forewarned: eagles have multiple personalities that change without much warning…so, eagle watching is not for the faint of heart, young or squeamish.
Many people in Wyoming, Grand Haven and countless places in Michigan only need to look up to see an eagle flying or living in a tree overhead. They like pines. They like our ponds and rivers with fish and small animals. I recall one subadult eagle landed feet behind my car as a rabbit ran past, then caught the rabbit. As it clutched the rabbit, it gave me that “don’t even think about touching this rabbit” look, then had lunch as I very calmly backed away.
People have seen eagles at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
If you go to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, carefully check out the trees. Eagles have been seen by the river and pond at the Home for several years. In fact, because eagles are seriously protected by law and cherished by many, intense discussions were held during the planning stages of the upcoming rebuild for the Grand Rapids Home to make sure the eagles’ site and wetlands were protected as well. In fact, there will be eagles living on the grounds of the former Sebille Manor when the new State Veterans’ Home there is finished. A local who lives by the new Chesterfield Township site teased that he watches a very active nest of eagles from his deck while drinking his morning cup of coffee. We agree the veterans will enjoy watching the eagles there.
Meanwhile, people across the globe, especially in Michigan and in Florida, are obsessed with watching eagles live out life under the eye of cameras that have been carefully mounted and maintained during the “off season.” Harriet is super special. Eagles mate for life, typically. Harriet’s mate died a short time ago and another male eagle stepped in. He is known as M15. Since then, we have watched them build and rebuild nests after the hurricanes, bond, prepare their nests with grasses, rails and food, then lay eggs, watched the eggs pip then hatch. But the best part and total amazement lies in watching them tirelessly, regardless of weather or threat, care for and raise their young…only for the eaglets to leave the nest, not to return. Somehow, M15 knows to bring an air plant or sticks to get in Harriet’s good graces, that she likes certain types of fish and he literally lays in the nest over the young to give her a break while she goes to the pond for her bath and preening. The differences between their delicate, loving moments and their savage raptor side intrigue many. They pose an internal knowledge that leaves us all questioning “Where does that come from and how?”
Some of the questions are: How do they do what they do? How did their nest survive in an open tree with minimal damage during the hurricanes — which took down homes built by people? How do they know what to do for their young? How do they find each other and stay together for life? What makes them so protective? They eat or use everything they bring to the nest, nothing is wasted. (Now, in fairness, that may not be for faint hearted viewers.)
2017-2018 was a very unusually intense period for eagles and nonstop nail biting for eagle watchers. The Southwest Florida nest ended up with ever fascinating eaglets that grew into majestic creatures. But even they had their moments such as protecting the nest from the evil owl or when the eaglet fell out of the nest too early. (Spoiler: it did make it back ok.)
Other nests did not fare as well. For instance,
Eaglets in Iowa, which seemed to be thriving and growing, died suddenly due to a plague of small flies. (Spoiler: clogged their airways and they suffocated).
Others ate rodents that had eaten poison and died of poisoning.
And who can forget the brave tree climber who climbed into an active nest to save an eaglet that was trapped in nest rails, dying — with mother eagle watching, crying after many desperate tries to free it failed??? Somehow, she knew he was a hero there to help her young and did not attack him. (Spoiler: that bird grew into a beauty!)
Seeing a full grown man standing in that nest really brought home to the global network of watchers just how large these raptors and nests are. What a brave, unique hero!
In another state, one sibling killed, then ate another sibling…often the result of too many birds in one nest competing for basics or dominance.
A patriotic eagle in Washington, DC, which flew over monuments and enchanted visitors, died of West Nile very suddenly. The food in the nest attracted insects, which carried the disease, which spread to the bird.
Elsewhere, we watched for days as the Decorah, Iowa, mother eagle literally cried, screamed and called for her mate. Eagle watchers cried with her and supported each other via internet. That dad eagle left to get fish and disappeared…leaving three baby eaglets behind, not something he would do willingly. Then, that mother regained strength and, to everyone’s sheer amazement, raised all three babies alone while fighting off suitors which posed a threat to her young. (Spoiler: Somehow, rather than show the degree of sibling rivalry a.k.a. bonking seen in other nests, those three eaglets seemed to comprehend the situation, worked with their mom, and they were an unbelievable team which grew into gorgeous creatures.) This year, she has a new mate and we wait to see if they will produce another generation. It looks promising as they have been working very hard on this year’s nest and appear to respect each other a great deal. Meanwhile, we still struggle to accept we may never know the fate of the devoted father, which never was found.
Yet, if you look closely, one must laugh to see some nests are also inhabited by little mice…who should be a food source, but are tolerated by some eagles. How is that?
Then there was a weird one, with many watching the eagle cam high in the tree, some unseen person cut the tree down at the base — nest and all. Did not see that one coming!
Visit http://archive.hancockwildlife.org/index.php?topic=cam-sites it check out several of the top eagle cams. (The links to those cams are near the end of the link.) Some sites just watch the nest, others have people doing reports as well, others have forums, online classes, resources…as much or as little as one wants. Like many, I favor the Pritchett site which covers Harriet and the nest on their land, along with forums, reports, classes…. Also, the Decorah, Iowa nest has been amazing and is quite popular.
Check it out — you will find it amazing and inspirational. Be careful, it is hard not to fall in love with these majestic yet deadly raptors.
Whether your Ariel or not, being a part of the cast of the Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is “a magical, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” according to Angelique Ferrante, who portray’s the mersister Atina in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s current production which runs through Dec. 16.
“I’m 29-years-old, so the idea that I’d be able to play in a Disney show meant for kids, I was just excited to play a tapping seagull, a mermaid or a fish. It was all very exciting to me to be able to play out this child fantasy for myself,” Ferrante said.
The show is a rendition of the familiar 1989 animated film with Disney using some of its magic for the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairytale. Princess Ariel and her undersea companions are in for a whirlwind of adventure as Ariel falls for the human Prince Eric. She cuts a deal with the sea witch Ursula, trading her singing voice for a pair of human legs. All she has to do is get Eric to “kiss the girl.” The production includes many of the award-winning songs by Alan Menken such as “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Under the Sea.”
“Some of the songs are a bit different but all the things you know and love from the movie are there,” she said. “‘Under the Sea’ is so magical. I get excited looking around when I’m on stage with my fellow castmates. I can only imagine what it looks like for the audience looking in because when I look up, left and right, I’m usually in awe.”
Residing in Grand Rapids, Ferrante grew up on Long Beach in Long Island, New York. Her latest role was Reno in a production of “Anything Goes,” put together by the Long Beach Theatre Guild. She was brought to West Michigan this year when her fiancé accepted a position as a doctor at Mary Free Bed.
Angelique Ferrante as the mersister Atina performs the song “Daughters of Triton.”
“Moving to Michigan this summer, I knew I was going to do some homework, not just for a new job or a place to live, but to perform,” she said. “Civic Theatre had an amazing reputation and auditions at the same time I knew I’d be able to get my life in order and audition.”
Ironically, the actress said working with a company and organization like the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has been a game changer compared to acting in New York.
“It’s like the further I’ve gotten away from New York, the closer I’ve gotten to Broadway in a sense,” said Ferrante. “It’s been far more professional the further I’ve gotten away from New York City. It’s just kind of crazy to imagine that’s a reality. This is a whole other league. It’s so impressive to me not only the amount of talent that’s in the cast but the production, the crew, the entire behind the scenes corporate business model that Civic has.
“To my surprise, we were doing costume fittings before our first rehearsal even before the first read through. That’s when I knew I was in a unique place that was going to really take any performing I’ve done to the next level.”
She estimated there’s about 25 cast members for the production, relatively small for a Civic holiday performance, but it’s a “tech-heavy” show, recalling the director mentioning the crew easily outnumbers the cast. Audiences will feel like they are under the sea with huge set designs, lighting and sound arrangements and special effects.
“I don’t know what it is, I think it’s that every single moving part is so prepared that the nerves have left, and at this point, it’s just buzzing excitement,” said Ferrante. “We are all really excited to just be in front of a crowd that’s going to give new moments and real time, laughing at the same lines we’ve been saying for weeks and sharing that magic with a live audience. I think every night is going to be so electric.”
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” runs through Dec. 16 at Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $17 – $39. For more information, visit grct.org or call 616-222-6650.
By Megan Andres, Grand Rapids Public Library, Seymour Branch
In February, 2004, three criminals sit together at a courthouse. They decide to play an innocent game: name three people you would kill if you knew you couldn’t be caught. Then the twist: they exchange lists.
Mariah Stewart’s Dead Wrong is the beginning of a four-book series which tells the tale of this horrid game and the lives threatened by it. In this first book, Mara Douglas is a child advocate for the Lyndon courthouse. She stands for those who have no voice: the abused, the neglected, and the lost. One of her cases has earned her a place in the game. The prize: her death.
When someone begins killing women in Lyndon, the police and the FBI get involved. What truly haunts them is that all the women so far have one similarity: their name is M. Douglas. Mara finds herself saddled with a former FBI agent as a bodyguard because her own sister, another FBI agent, fears something bigger.
As events unfold and two more die, Mara makes the connection. Once upon a time Mara advocated in court on behalf of the Giordino children. She helped their mother Diana take them away from their father Vincent. Vincent didn’t like that idea and decided that if he couldn’t have them no one would. In jail for murdering his family, Vinnie also happens to have played that game in the courthouse. And the man who took his list is after Mara.
Dead Wrong is full of twists and turns. It is both romance and thriller, genres that Mariah Stewart blends convincingly. But what may be the Dead Wrong‘s best promise is that there are still two more lists out there with two more killers waiting.
Experience the joy of the holidays at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with the annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition on display from Nov. 20 through Jan. 6, 2019. Guests from all over the world visit Meijer Gardens to experience 42 Christmas and holiday trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe. The always favorite and enchanting Railway Garden and the holiday wonderland that encompasses it will once again wind its way through three lush indoor garden spaces, including the recently renovated Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse.
Guests are invited to ring in the holiday season with our most beloved winter exhibition. It’s the season of joy! This year Meijer Gardens celebrates how our community and communities around the world joyfully commemorate the diverse and generations-old traditions that remain vibrant today. Visitors will experience a world of cultural celebrations, represented across 42 different displays that explore folklore and fact, past and present.
In many cultures, the holidays bring people together in distinct and memorable ways that are difficult to capture in a display. New this year, Meijer Gardens is presenting a wondrous original film, joy, that explores the diverse festive fabric that is holiday life across our local communities. This film will be shown continuously in the Hoffman Family Auditorium and is available on the Meijer Gardens YouTube channel as well. “This year we take note of how our community joyfully commemorates the diverse, generations-old traditions that remain vibrant today though joy, a new film exploring the festive fabric that is holiday life across our local community,” said Maureen Nollette, Annual Exhibitions Assistant Designer.
Each winter, Meijer Gardens transforms into a botanic wonderland with fresh poinsettias, orchids, and amaryllis. The smell of evergreens as visitors enter the building and the sounds of carolers make it a place to reflect and enjoy the holiday season. Indoors and out, trees sparkle with 300,000 colorful lights. More than 500 volunteers lovingly decorate the trees and displays.
Photo courtesy Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
The unique horticultural artistry of the beloved Railway Garden complements the model trolleys, trains and handcrafted buildings replicating 30 Grand Rapids landmarks. Visitors will find familiarity in the Fifth Third Ballpark replica building with its light posts made of willow, as well as striking hydrangea petals that make up the iconic glass tower of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Five landmarks from Grand Rapids sister cities around the world are also represented in the Railway Garden.
“This holiday season, guests have a special opportunity to see how our community joyfully celebrates a variety of traditions from centuries ago that remain vibrant today,” said Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture. “These traditions are wonderful, celebratory aspects of West Michigan’s diversity and community.”
Mainstays of the exhibition include the Germany tree, adorned with handmade glass ornaments and homemade springerle cookies, the England tree—with antique Christmas cards and mistletoe—and the beautiful Eid ul-Fitr display, which celebrates the end of Ramadan.
A variety of family-friendly activities are offered throughout the exhibition.
Exhibition Activities
Extended Holiday Hours:Open until 9 pm on Dec. 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29. (PLEASE NOTE: Meijer Gardens is CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
The Original Dickens Carolers: Tuesdays: Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 6-8 pm
Santa Visits: Tuesdays: Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 5-8 pm
Winter-Time Walks: (Nov. 20-Jan. 5, 2019)
Tuesdays 10:15am and 11:15am, Saturdays 11:15am
Fee: Included with admission
Winter in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden can be chilly, but fun! Bundle up and join us on an outdoor interactive discovery walk to investigate the Children’s Garden in new ways. We’ll explore different winter themes and gather in a cozy spot to learn about winter with stories, kid-friendly conversation, and other activities.
Christmas and Holiday Themed Classes: Enjoy festive learning opportunities for adults and families. Fees apply. Visit MeijerGardens.org/calendar for more information.
With opening day behind us, deer season is here and the excitement is just beginning. After shooting a big buck though, taking the first pictures, and dressing the deer, the work begins. If you have an extended time before you leave camp to head home, there are a few things that need to be considered to keep your carcass safe for consumption.
Hanging the deer can assist in cooling the carcass quickly. When cleaning a carcass, Michigan State University Extension recommends using sanitary utensils to lower the risk of cross contamination. It is important to thoroughly cut away any visible contamination and then rinse the cavity of the deer with cold potable water before storing. These practices will also help clean away debris and bacterial contamination.
To safely store the carcass, it must be kept at a temperature below 41 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bacterial growth. It is advised to transport your carcass to a processor as soon as possible. Packing the cavity with ice is another way to help cool the venison carcass quickly or for long distance transport.
Aging the meat is a method of enhancing and tenderizing the meat while dispelling the gamey taste of venison. It is important for a safe method of aging to be used. A safe temperature for aging a carcass is 40 degrees F or lower for two to three days. This will safely assist in allowing the natural aging process take place.
Carcass safety will assist you in bringing safe food to the table for everyone to enjoy. Have a safe hunting season!
This year marks the twenty-first anniversary of celebrating the holidays for Christmas Lite Show — a Grand Rapids-area holiday attraction. Christmas Lite Show is West Michigan’s largest, animated, drive-through light show. Located at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, the attraction maintains almost two miles of lights, tunnels, and animated displays and entertained over 70,000 visitors last year.
Founder, Bill Schrader hopes to continue “Making Lifetime Memories” for other West Michigan families like his own, who helped him open and grow the attraction throughout its twenty-one years.
The popular Memory Lane Train will return for a second season. Guests can experience maximum views under the sky on this open-air train ride. Also new this year is the 2018 Season Pass Giveaway. The Lite Show will be giving away 21 Season Passes, announced Saturday, Dec. 1st. Santa will visit the Christmas Lite Show on select dates in November and December. To find these dates and more information, please visit christmasliteshow.com.
This year, the Lite Show will open Wednesday, Nov. 21st and run until Monday, Dec. 31st, including all holidays, from 5:30pm until 9:30pm. The Bicycle Blast family bike ride through the lights will take place Friday, Nov. 16th from 6pm until 8:30pm and the Red Nose Run will take place Saturday, Nov. 17th from 6pm until 8:30pm New this year is the Winter Wonder Walk, which lets guests walk through the show at their own pace and take close-up photos. The walk will begin at 7pm on Saturday, Nov. 17th, just after the Red Nose Run.
With food temptations at their greatest, it may seem impossible to lose any weight during the holiday season, but if you pay close attention to detail, losing or maintaining a healthy weight can be done during the holidays. Most of us would agree that holidays are healthier when we can maintain a healthy weight.
Be recipe ready. As you search and shop for holiday recipes, search for those already incorporating low or reduced fat. Other substitutions include:
Replace high fat oil(s) — Applesauce and canned pumpkin are good substitutes in most baked good recipes. Look for trans-fat-free oils, spreads and butter. Instead of oil, use low-fat or non-fat cooking sprays to coat and cook meat, sauté vegetables or prepare omelets.
Cut down on sugar — Keeping tabs on how much sugar you’re swallowing is an important part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Explore using sugar substitutes like stevia which can be used in drinks and for baking. The good news, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) is that cutting down on sugar may be easier than you think. Read food labels to identify sugar and hidden sugars.
Garnish not! — Skip the added butter, whip cream, gravy & cream sauces. Going plain allows you to enjoy 100 percent of the foods natural flavor.
Explore your menu options — The internet, the library and most newspapers include articles that offer step by step tips for healthier baking, shopping and cooking.
You bite it, you write it — What if just by making one change in your habits you could double your weight loss? It may sound too good to be true, but many experts say that the simple act of keeping a food diary can encourage you to eat fewer calories — and thus lose weight. Don’t deny yourself of your favorite holiday foods, instead watch your portion size and track what you eat. Food tracking reveals:
What’s missing — Food tracking or food journaling allows you to see how much and what you are eating. You also see what you’re not eating (good carbs vs. bad carbs, fiber and hidden sugars) and perhaps your diet is lacking fruits or vegetables.
Food triggers — Food tracking can also reveal and identify triggers to avoid, such as not eating enough throughout the day and then overeating at night, or overeating when drinking alcohol.
Track your physical activity — In almost all plans to lose or maintain a healthy weight, you have to stay active. As a start, the CDC recommends that adults need to do two hours and 30 minutes of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities weekly.
Set your goal to lose or at least maintain your weight during this upcoming holiday season. There is a tendency to gain weight in adulthood, but being overweight increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain types of cancer, arthritis, breathing problems and other illness. Therefore, most adults should not gain weight. If you are uncertain about your risk of developing a problem associated with being overweight, you should consult a health professional.
By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension
Getting married? 83 percent of couples fight about money, according to Debt Reduction Services. Making household finances work is one way newlyweds can help make their marriage work. Both should agree on how to coordinate household accounts and debt by having constructive conversations. Even though this is not the most romantic topic, it will contribute to a happier marriage.
Once the honeymoon is over, focus some attention on your shared financial lives. The Building MI Financial Future Financial Toolkit from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services offers these tips:
Request a free copy of your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com. This information tells you about your use, management and payment history of loans and financial obligations. You might also get credit score estimates from FICO. Then you can objectively analyze the strengths and any weaknesses in the reports, including high debt amounts or discipline about making timely payments.
List all sources of income and expenses. Using all pay stubs, account statements, monthly bills and debt obligations, disclose everything financial to each other. Then you can make a monthly spending plan for handling monthly expenses and establish a debt prevention and/or elimination plan.
Open a joint checking account to pay for household expenses. Pay for all marriage-related bills, including housing, food, necessary clothing, vacation, transportation, cell phones, etc. If neither of you had credit-related problems, both names can be on the account. If one person has poor credit, you may choose to have your account in only one name. Consider automating your household bills payments, plus setting up separate accounts for each of your savings goals.
Decide who is going to pay for what.
Option 1: Combine incomes and consider all expenses and debts as one.
Option 2: Assign certain payments to one or the other. This might depend on who had loan obligations prior to the marriage.
Option 3: Pay ongoing expenses based on the percentage of income contributed.
Discuss the relationship each of you has with money. Is one of you a saver and one a spender? Talk about the potential consequences and agree on a workable solution.
Consider opening a savings account for an “emergency or rainy day fund”. Unplanned emergencies happen. As a couple, you should have a goal about how much is enough for unexpected expenses or emergencies. In addition, the recommendation is to set aside several months of earned income to prepare for an unplanned loss of future income. Decide together on a monthly amount to save which fits into your budget and is sustainable.
Tip: While many couples choose to pursue a joint checking account, this method may not work for all couples. Whether you have a joint account or separate accounts to pay household expenses, the key is to communicate, have a bill payment plan, and pay bills on time.
Update your beneficiaries. Check any employer-sponsored retirement plan, IRAs, annuities, and life insurance policies to update the beneficiary information.
Take care of your future selves now. Contribute to your employer-sponsored retirement plan and/or IRA. The recommendation is 15 percent of your combined gross pay or the maximum amount allowed by the IRS. This is a great time to talk about your retirement goals that will require financial planning and strategies. Further, decide on a homeownership plan including thinking about if, where and when to buy a home and its cost. Discuss any education and professional training plans.
The first year of marriage typically includes many lifestyle adjustments. Setting goals and planning to save are best practices to help make your financial hopes and dreams come true. Having a spending plan shows your sense of control and willingness to set aside now for the future. Discussing and agreeing on financial adjustments should make your financial lives go smoother. Financial planning takes time, patience, and discipline. Find more information about spending plans, reasons for and ways to save, credit and debt, homeownership, and many other topics at MIMoneyHealth.org.
November is here, and with it, the holiday season begins. As you begin to plan and shop for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, including the turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a critical step for preparing your great holiday meal is to safely prepare your stuffing.
When it comes to both the turkey and stuffing there are food safety practices that must be considered in order to ensure a great tasting and safe holiday meal. Cooking a home-stuffed turkey is riskier than cooking the stuffing separate from the turkey. Even if the turkey has reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, the stuffing may not have reached a temperature high enough to destroy potential bacteria.
Purchase a food thermometer if you don’t have one, or if you do have one, find it and calibrate the thermometer in your kitchen
When planning for your stuffing, it is recommended to bake your stuffing outside of the turkey in a separate baking dish, until the stuffing reaches a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you choose to stuff your turkey, follow these tips:
Precook any raw items like meat, fish or poultry that is an ingredient in the stuffing.
Do not mix wet and dry stuffing ingredients until you are ready to stuff the turkey.
Stuff the turkey loosely with the moist stuffing.
Use a food thermometer to ensure that the center of the stuffing reaches the temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria that could cause food-borne illness can survive if the temperature does not reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the turkey has not reached a minimum internal cooking temperature of 165 degrees, continue roasting the turkey until it reaches the minimum temperature.
Let the turkey and stuffing rest for 20 minutes before carving and removing the stuffing.
Refrigerate any leftover stuffing within two hours of removing it from the oven.
Reheat stuffing to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating the leftovers.
Enjoy your safe and tasty stuffing for this year’s turkey day.
The Muskegon Museum of Art’s 14th Festival of Trees runs Nov. 21 through Dec. 2, 2018. Each year, MMA volunteers and staff transform gallery spaces with festively designed Christmas trees and decorations, many of which can be purchased through the silent auction during the Festival. The Festival has become a local community holiday tradition that offers special events, holiday music, visits with Santa, Money Tree and special gift raffles, and holiday shopping. Festival of Trees looks different every year; this year’s theme is “A Fantastical Holiday Adventure.”
Funds raised through tree and decoration sales, raffles, sponsorships, and ticket sales benefit the museum. For information on sponsoring an event or tree in 2019, call 231.720.2573.
Hours
The Festival will be open Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 2 and will be closed on Thanksgiving. Open daily 10am to 5pm and Sundays noon to 5pm.
Admission
Purchase tickets at the door: $10 Adult, $5 MMA Member, $3 child 3-17 years (under 3 free); $15 Every-Day Festival Pass. To purchase gift passes, call 231.720.2580 or purchase at the Museum Store.
Special Festival of Trees Events
First Day Food Drive — Wednesday, Nov. 21
Special half-off adult admission: $5 with a food donation for Loaves and Fishes food pantry, just in time for the holidays. Regular adult admission: $10.
Family Day — Friday, Nov. 23, 10am-5pm
Santa will stop in for a visit from 2-4pm and the fun will include a kids’ craft activity, scavenger hunt, and performances from The Nutcracker by the Michigan Youth Ballet Theatre from 1-3pm. Call 231.720.2571 for group bookings. Special Family Day half-off adult ticket price: $5.
Teddy Bear Breakfast is especially fun for kids ages 3 to 8 years old, with a full family breakfast; visit with Santa, teddy bear checkup (by a certified teddy bear nurse), Teddy Bear Parade, and more.
Tickets: Adults $15, Kids 12 and younger $8. Tickets include breakfast, all activities, and Festival of Trees admission. Tickets are limited and sell out early. Call 231.720.2580 to purchase tickets in advance.
Floral designers Deb Moon from Lefleur Shoppe and Skeeter Parkhouse from Wasserman’s Flowers and Gifts will demo how to create unique holiday décor during this event. Ticket includes a take-home DIY kit, refreshments, and Festival of Trees admission. Items created during the demo will be raffled to the audience. Holiday Cheer, from 1:00 to 1:30 pm, will include a light snack, coffee, and cash bar.
Space is limited.
Advance Tickets: $35 per person/$30 MMA member. Call 231.720.2580 to purchase. Purchase tickets by Nov. 18.
Senior Day — Tuesday, Nov. 27, 10am-5pm
Special Senior Day half-off ticket price: $5 for ages 65+. Free coffee and cookies, vendor samples, door prizes, and more. For large groups, call 231.720.2571.
THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris, Presented by Andrew Zahrt Friday, Nov. 30 & Saturday, Dec. 1, 6:30pm Cocktail Hour | 7:30pm Performance
(ADULT CONTENT: For mature elves only). THE SANTALAND DIARIES is the story of a Macy’s elf during the holiday crunch. At first, the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa’s workshop, he becomes battle-weary and bitter. When a new Santa is ushered into the workshop, one who seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, our hero experiences an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill, just before his employment runs out. Arranged by Joe Mantello
Ticket includes cocktail hour with a complimentary drink and refreshments in the Festival of Trees galleries. $12 adult, $10 MMA Member, $15 at the door.
Call 231.720.2580 to order advance tickets.
Santa at Festival of Trees
Santa will be at the museum on Family Day and on Saturdays during Festival of Trees:
Family Day Friday, Nov. 23, 2–4pm
Saturday, Nov. 24, 12–2pm
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2–4pm
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. in downtown Muskegon. Visitor information at www.muskegonartmuseum.org or 231.720.2570. Membership information: 231.720.2571. Museum Store and Event Ticket Sales: 231.720.2580.
With thrilling acrobatics, classic films and timeless music, the sublime sounds of the holidays from the Grand Rapids Pops are sure to make spirits bright.
Carrying on tradition, the Grand Rapids Symphony once again presents its Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops on Dec. 6-9 and Old National Bank Cirque de Noël on Dec. 19-20 in DeVos Performance Hall.
Also coming to the DeVos Performance Hall are two full-length feature holiday film concerts, The Snowman on Nov. 17 and Home Alone Nov. 29.
Principal Pops conductor Bob Bernhardt will lead the Symphony in the old, familiar carols and other timeless holiday melodies in this year’s Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops.
Joining the Symphony in favorites such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah and music from the 1990 filmHome Aloneare the joyful voices of the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, led by director Pearl Shangkuan, and the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, directed by Sean Ivory.
Bass-baritone Justin Hopkins, who was a special guest for the Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016 Holiday Pops, will return to DeVos Performance Hall to perform You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch among other holiday hits. Hopkins’ appearance is sponsored by Jim & Ginger Jurries.
West Michigan’s own Embellish handbell ensemble, directed by Stephanie Wiltse, will return to the Holiday Pops to ring holiday favorites including Sing We Now of Christmas and the Coventry Carol.
Five performances of the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, and at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8. Matinees will be at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-9, in DeVos Performance Hall. Tickets for this Fox Motors Pops concert start at $18 adults, $5 students.
Cirque de la Symphonie
Since 2009, Cirque de la Symphonie has spent part of each Christmas season in Grand Rapids. This year, for the 10th annual Old National Bank Cirque de Noël with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Cirque de la Symphonie will once again bring the magic and thrill of the holiday season to DeVos Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19-20.
The company of acrobats, jugglers, contortionists and aerial artists will make merry with amazing feats of agility and strength, accompanied by beloved Christmas songs and classical favorites. Acts include aerial artists Vitalii Buza and Ekaterina Borzikova performing above the DeVos Hall stage while the Grand Rapids Symphony plays the “Waltz of the Flowers” from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
Associate Conductor John Varineau leads the orchestra in familiar melodies such as Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival, Franz Schubert’s Ava Maria, and Duke Ellington’s “Peanut Brittle Brigade” from The Nutcracker Suite.
Kicking off the Grand Rapids Symphony’s holiday season in November are two full-length feature film concerts.
The Snowman returns once more to inspire children of all ages with the story of a boy who builds a snowman who comes to life and leads him on a wide-eyed and wondrous adventure to meet Father Christmas.
The hour-long DTE Energy Foundation Family series concert, which has sold-out past performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony, features the popular animated short, projected onto a 40-foot screen, accompanied by a live performance of Howard Blake’s musical score at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children.
Full of clever antics and comical wit, the 1990 film Home Alone is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29, part of the Gerber SymphonicBoom series.
A modern holiday classic starring Macaulay Culkin, Home Alone is the story of an 8-year-old troublemaker, accidentally left behind by his family on Christmas vacation, who must protect his home from a pair of inept burglars.
See the full-length film with the Grand Rapids Pops performing John Williams’ delightfully sentimental and sweet score, full of hummable melodies that evoke a child’s view of family and Christmas. Tickets start at $32.
Tickets
Tickets for Grand Rapids Symphony concerts and are available at the Symphony box office, weekdays 9 am – 5 pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across the street from Calder Plaza). Call (616) 454-9451 x 4 to order by phone. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum).
Tickets are available at the DeVos Place ticket office, weekdays 10am-6pm or on the day of the concert beginning two hours before the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.
Special Offers
For the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops concert on Thursday, Dec. 6 or the matinee on Saturday, Dec. 8, full-time students of any age can purchase tickets for $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Calvin College.
Discounts also are available for the Holiday Pops to members of MySymphony360, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s organization for young professionals ages 21-35.
Students age 7-18 are able to attend for some concerts for free when accompanied by an adult. Free for Kids tickets must be purchased in advance at the GRS Ticket office. Up to two free tickets are available with the purchase of a regular-price adult ticket for the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops on Thursday, Dec. 6 or for The Snowman on Saturday, Nov. 17. Go online for more details.
Symphony Scorecard provides members up to four free tickets for many Grand Rapids Symphony concerts. Members of the community receiving financial assistance from the State of Michigan and members of the U.S. Armed Forces, whether on active or reserve duty or serving in the National Guard, are eligible. All concerts in the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops and DTE Energy Foundation Family Series are available to Scorecard members. Go online for information on signing up with a Symphony Scorecard Partner Agency.
"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing."
~ Dale Carnegie
Don’t forget your roots
Searching for the perfect Christmas tree? You might want to check out Downtown Market’s Christmas Tree & Decor Lot, beginning Saturday, Nov. 17th. The market also has lots of other treasures and events coming up. Go here for more info.
Must open before Christmas
Bring the kids! The Grand Rapids Symphony Pops has quite the lineup this holiday season, from thrilling acrobatics, classic films and timeless music, to the the sublime sounds of the holidays, sure to make spirits bright. Go here for info.
It’s OK to wax nostalgic
This holiday season, you’re in for an extra-special treat! From Saturday, Nov. 17 through Jan. 18, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will have a community favorite on display — the Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train. While you’re there, enjoy the Museum’s holiday decorations. Go here for more info.
Fun fact:
It was a simpler time.
Between 1887-1933 a fishing schooner called the "Christmas Ship" would tie up at the Clark Street bridge and sell spruce trees from Michigan to Chicagoans.
Having a TV or movie day once in a while won’t kill you, but frequent binge-watching ups your chances of developing serious health conditions. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
You’ve just settled in to your well-worn spot on the couch, big bowl of popcorn, chips or other savory snacks and soda by your side, ready for an all-day, TV-watching extravaganza.
But you might want to push pause—according to a new study, your health might be Breaking Bad, too.
In a recent study of people at higher risk of developing diabetes, researchers found every hour spent sitting can increase that risk by 3.4 percent. So sitting through the last season of Mad Men can lead to a 30 percent increased risk, according to studies published in the journal Diabetologia and elsewhere.
“I would echo the beliefs, simply because the information is known,” Dr. Selfe said. “We know that individuals at risk, whether it’s a family genetic component, a history of gestational diabetes, metabolic syndrome, are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
“In my mind, this echoes the things we already know, but it puts a focus on our American lifestyle. Sitting on the couch multiple hours a day, I would suspect, whether it’s reading a book, watching television or what have you, all of those things are going to contribute to further risk of diabetes.”
The risk is very real for a growing number of Americans.
According to 2018 statistics from the American Diabetes Association, one in 11 Americans have diabetes. About a quarter don’t know they have the condition, and the majority of them have Type 2 diabetes.
But a day-long The Big Bang Theory marathon probably isn’t a one-way trip to Type 2 by itself, Dr. Selfe said.
“If you’re talking about one day, I’d take (the study) with a grain of salt,” he said. “So this weekend, you binge-watch Breaking Bad for 12 hours, that means, theoretically, in the next five years, you’re going to get diabetes. I think that’s an overstatement of what they’re trying to get at, but it’s kind of for shock value.”
What the study does underscore, Dr. Selfe said, is that our increasingly sedentary lifestyles are taking their toll on our long-term health.
“From my perspective, (the study) confirms what we already know,” he said. “Engaging in regular exercise, being active on a daily basis—which has become more difficult in American society because we have computers, smart phones, the internet and machines to do a lot of the regular work we used to do even 50 or 100 years ago—really has increased that risk.”
But unlike, say, Dexter, this story doesn’t have to have an unhappy ending. The key is all about balance, Dr. Selfe explained.
“You definitely shouldn’t binge-watch and drink soda and eat Cheetos and all these other things that are prolific in American society,” he said. “I think this study, and studies done in the past, all beg toward moderation, and we are not a society of moderation. We super-size all of our foods, and we binge-watch TV at times. The reality is we continue to do less and less on a daily basis. Some of that is out of choice, and some of that is out of our situation. A lot of us sit behind a desk eight to 12 hours a day.
“The bottom line is, people need to engage in moderation, and they need to realize that incorporating activity on a daily basis is markedly impactful across the board, whether we’re talking about heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, cholesterol … across the gamut, activity has been shown to be beneficial for everybody.”
So don’t forget to mix in some actual walking, before you settle in to watch the last season of The Walking Dead.
Know your numbers. Get your annual physical, including all of the blood and urine labs your doctor deems necessary. Need help finding a doctor? Call 877.362.8362 to get connected with a provider who will suit your needs.
Michigan State University Extension is committed to helping people improve their lives by extending research-based knowledge about a variety of topics. One issue of great concern is the increase of those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is not a specific disease, but is referred to as a group of symptoms which show up as a general decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia and is considered a degenerative brain disease.
Data from the 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report states that in the United States, as of 2018, over 5 million people of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. Due to people living longer because of better health interventions and the aging baby boomer generation, the number of people age 65 and older is expected to increase to 22 percent in 2050. The number of people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will increase. In Michigan alone, the number of those aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase from 180,000 in 2018, to 220,000 in 2025, with additional projections of 13.8 million in 2050.
Dementia can also be a symptom of other underlying health issues and your doctor has the tools to help sort that out. The following is a list of the ten early warning signs. Each one of these can be explored more by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.alz.org.
Ten Early Signs of Alzheimer’s:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
Challenges in planning or solving problems.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure.
Confusion with time or place.
Trouble with visual images and spatial relationships.
New problems with words or writing.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
Decreased or poor judgement.
Withdrawal from work or social activities.
Change in mood or personality.
Early warning signs listed above are different from the normal age-related memory changes. Typically as we age, we all misplace things, search for the right word to use and even forget what day it is. One way to explain it is if I just can’t find my keys, I may be experiencing a typical age-related memory issue, but if I don’t know what keys are for or what they are called, I may be experiencing an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. One thing you can do is to know the ten early warning signs. If you think they apply to you or a loved one, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss further testing.
If you are a caregiver of someone who is living with dementia or Alzheimer’s consider signing up for a Powerful Tools for Caregivers series through Michigan State University Extension.
Mike Epps is generating an extraordinary amount of buzz among his peers for being not only one of the funniest comic actors in town, but also for his burgeoning dramatic talent. Now Epps will bring his talents to Grand Rapids for one show at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 8pm. The show will also feature Rickey Smiley, DC Young Fly, Earthquake, and Lavell Crawford.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 16 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena box offices, online atTicketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.
Epps steadily climbed his way up the stand-up comedy ranks when he was recognized by a national audience in 1995 for appearing on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam (which, years later, he would go on to host). During a performance at LA’s Comedy Store, Epps caught the attention of Ice Cube. This led to the first of three feature films they would do together: the cult hits “Next Friday,” “Friday after Next,” and “All About the Benjamins.”
In 2011, he was awarded an NAACP Image Award for “Best Supporting Actor” for his role in the Sony Pictures film, “Jumping the Broom.” He continued to receive critical praise for his dramatic turn in 2012 with “Sparkle,” opposite Whitney Houston and Jordan Sparks. In 2016, he further pursued his dramatic side with two important roles: starring opposite Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie in the Lionsgate thriller, “Repentance,” being released through Lionsgate/Codeblack Entertainment, followed by the independent Nina Simone biopic, “Nina,” starring Zoe Saldana.
Mike was seen in three seasons of the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” produced by LeBron James and Mike O’Malley, and he won a 2016 NAACP Image award for “Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” for his portrayal as Uncle Julius. On TV he can be seen opposite Queen Latifah in Fox’s “Star,” and he produced the first BET Social Media Awards which aired February 11. On March 28, Harper Collins released his autobiography called Unsuccessful Thug, written by Mike about his life and childhood.
It can be very difficult to be health conscious this time of year as food and festivity will always be a major part of the holiday season. It’s an especially challenging time for those who have diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends planning ahead and provides the following tips and guidelines to help those with diabetes enjoy the foods associated with the holidays, while still staying healthy:
Think about the timing of your meal. Holiday meals, such as Thanksgiving, are often served at times that don’t align with our regular meal schedule. Take this into consideration if you are taking medication such as insulin injections or pills that lower blood glucose. Talk to your health care professional about having snacks available if low blood glucose is a concern.
Be physically active. Consider incorporating more exercise, such as walking, riding a bike or visiting the gym when you know you’ll be eating more than usual. Encourage family members to join you in starting new traditions that involve physical activity such as playing a game of Frisbee, soccer or touch football.
Try healthier versions of your favorite holiday foods. Try using fat-free or light ingredients when preparing your favorite holiday dishes. Add less sugar to dishes that already provide natural sweetness such as winter squash casseroles and fruit pies. Check out the American Diabetes Association website as well as other diabetes friendly recipes available online.
Have low calorie foods such as raw vegetables with low-fat dip or cheese on hand while you’re cooking or waiting to eat. Avoid high-calorie and/or fried foods that are often served as appetizers during the holidays.
Be selective. High carbohydrate foods are a staple when it comes to many traditional holiday foods. Choose reasonable portions of your favorite high carb foods and allow yourself to pass on the rest.
Eat smaller portions. Don’t forget to use portion control when selecting foods that are higher in carbohydrates. Be mindful of keeping your total carbohydrate intake within a recommended range.
Eat your vegetables. Incorporate more color and nutrition to the holiday table by providing non-starchy vegetables dishes such as green salads and steamed vegetables to the menu. Vegetables not only fill you up, they can also help prevent you from overeating other foods that are loaded with calories and fat.
Michigan State University Extension recommends that people with diabetes always work with your health care team and offers diabetes programs that educate on proper eating and self-management, such as Dining with Diabetes.
Take a walk through each festively decorated room of the W.K. Kellogg Manor House, and complete your holiday shopping with treasures from local vendors.
On Friday, November 23 (Black Friday) and the five following Saturdays (Nov. 24, and Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22), visit the Holiday Walk & Market for tours and shopping from 12–5pm. Docents will share the history of W.K.’s philanthropy and life at his former summer estate. End your tour with hot spiced tea and cookies, and time to browse items from local artists. Admission is $5 (free for members, students, and children under 5 years old).
General shopping hours and self-guided tours are also available Monday–Friday, from 9am to 3pm at no charge; donations to the Manor House are appreciated.
On Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 6:30–8:30pm, attend the Meet the Artist event to meet the local artists and vendors selling gifts throughout the home. Complimentary samples of MSU Wine and Cheese will be offered with options to purchase both, and a cash bar will be available. There is no charge for the Meet the Artist event.
Dec. 1 is Family Fun Day at the Manor House! From 12–5pm (during the Holiday Walk and Market), we welcome families to the Manor House for free crafts and winter fun! Bring out your snow shoes and other winter gear to enjoy the trails and lakeside views.
The W.K. Kellogg Manor House is located at 3700 E. Gull Lake Dr., in Hickory Corners. To learn more, visit conference.kbs.msu.edu, call 269-671-2400 or email conference@kbs.msu.edu.
The W.K. Kellogg Manor House is part of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. As MSU’s largest off-campus educational complex, land-grant values have been put into practice for nearly a hundred years with groundbreaking scientific research and education, community engagement, and historic preservation. Looking forward, 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 kbs.msu.edu.
Our Westside Service Center is one of three places job seekers can visit in Kent County. We’d like to introduce you to the service center manager, Juan Rosario.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is our intentionality with being part of the community. We are more than just workshops; we are a helping hand and a friendly face. We try to be the neighborhood know-it-all so we can always connect job seekers to resources.
Insider tip: when’s the best time for job seekers to come to the service center?
The best time for job seekers to come to the service center may sometimes be their worst time. We will help guide and alleviate frustrations that come with struggling to navigate through systems on their own.
But if you think the “best time” means when we are the least busy, I would say early morning and late in the day.
What is something we offer that you wish more job seekers knew about?
I wish more job seekers attended our Career Exploration and Employability Skills workshops. These two workshops set the framework for identifying interests and skills and how to align them with a high demand career. These workshops are helpful for everyone, regardless of industry or position.
What energizes you?
My family, and hope for humanity. Among the chaos and conflict all over the world there are acts of kindness being performed but not by people of different races, not by people of different religions, and not by people of different countries, but by one being the Human Being.
What skill would you like to master?
I would like to master carpentry; the ability to build your own home or “tiny” home would be extremely gratifying. That, or speaking every language in the world.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on without any preparation?
How my 9 year old son’s obsession with FORTNITE (video game) affects his ability to do chores, or I could present on TACOS but who can’t talk about tacos for 40 minutes.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
By Karen L. Pace, Michigan State University Extension
A growing body of reliable, scientific research shows the benefits of social and emotional learning for both youth and adults. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), efforts that promote social and emotional learning improve young people’s academic success and overall health and well-being, while reducing negative behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, violence and bullying.
Learning to navigate distressing emotions and stress are important aspects of emotional growth and development. Kids, like adults, experience daily stressors in their lives that can take an emotional and physical toll. In a national KidsHealth® KidsPoll, young people said the things that caused them stress included grades, school and homework (36 percent); family (32 percent); and friends, peers, gossip and teasing (21 percent). Too often, kids’ reactions to stress are seen as inappropriate negative behaviors that need to be stopped rather than opportunities to teach new skills that help young people learn to calm their minds and bodies.
One way for children and adults to develop self-awareness and the ability to navigate stress is through the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is a process of active, open, nonjudgmental awareness. It is paying attention in the present moment with openness, curiosity and flexibility. Neuroscience and psychological research suggests that the intentional practice of mindfulness improves the immune system as well as increases gray matter in the brain involved with learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, empathy and perspective taking.
Parents, educators, youth workers and others can provide opportunities to practice everyday mindfulness with the young people in their lives. Everyday mindfulness involves paying attention to our experiences in the moment rather than being caught up in our fearful, angry, anxious or worried thoughts. When we are caught up in these distressing thoughts, we often lose perspective about the best way to respond in a painful, difficult or stressful moment.
Simply notice the sights, smells and things that surround you. Focus on what’s there for you in the moment, right here, right now. If you find your mind starts to wander, that’s okay. Find something in your surroundings to focus on that will bring you back to the here and now.
Count your breaths either aloud or in your head. This is helpful if you’re feeling stressed, nervous or overwhelmed. Breathe in for five seconds, counting 1-2-3-4-5. Breathe out for five seconds, counting 1-2-3-4-5. Simply be aware of your stressed or nervous feelings. Don’t judge those feelings or try to push them away. They will pass as you count and breathe.
Release tension in your body. Sit, stand or lie down in a comfortable position. Simply notice where you feel tense or stress in your body. When you breathe in, picture yourself gathering the stress or worry into a cloud. When you breathe out, picture yourself releasing that stress or blowing the cloud away.
Research shows that practicing everyday mindfulness is good for our physical, social and emotional health and well-being. Even if our experience in a moment is painful or challenging, we can remain open, aware and curious about it instead of running from it or fighting with it. When we remain mindful and in the present moment, we are better able to tap our deepest, wisest self and respond to hard situations in ways that reflect our core values and who we want to be in the world.
By Stephanie M. White, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch
A good ghost story never hurt anyone, and this ghost story is up there with the best of them. Henry James’s famous tale of a governess, her charges, and a big, scary house is wrought with mystery and suspense. Even after you’ve finished the last sentence, you’ll still be wondering on whose side you should be.
James weaves the story from the point of view of a young governess whose first position is in a large, country house with only two children and a few servants. She is given strict instructions never to bother the master of the house, who lives in town. When the governess begins seeing strangers around the house, she quickly learns that they are the ghosts of the children’s last governess and the master’s valet, who may have been involved in a scandalous pregnancy. As the governess determines a plan of action for keeping the children safe, the plot thickens.
James’s readers, on a first reading, are likely to trust the governess when she tells us of the apparitions. As the story continues, though, it becomes more and more difficult to understand whether she is really seeing ghosts, whether the children are trying to trick her, or whether she is trying to trick them. The less their governess trusts the sweet children, the less readers trust the governess.
While this short novel will leave you wondering about who’s seeing ghosts, it will also leave you amazed at James’s talent for weaving a tale with such ambiguity and suspense.
“I’m a Michigan State graduate, so when I took this job I knew there would be a lot of wearing of blue and gold,” said Strategic Relations Manager Chelsea Dubey as she walked through the halls of the Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Professional Building.
Blue and gold are not only the colors of Dubey’s place of employment but of the civic organization that she is very passionate about and recently was named president of — the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids.
“I guess you can say I am a Rotary junkie,” said Dubey, who is the youngest female to take the helm of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, which has been a part of the city for 105 years.
Yes, we said Rotary Club
“I think people have an image of what Rotary is,” Dubey said. “They think of a group of older, white men and it is very diverse, with members ranging from ages 21 to 92.”
And the professions represented are quite varied as well from small business owners to executives of large corporations with many being like Dubey, mid-level leaders representing their particular company or organization, she said.
“There are people early in their careers, those who have advanced, and those who are retiring or entering a different phase of their career,” Dubey said, adding that one of the reasons she has enjoyed being a part of Rotary is because of the diversity of professions, ages and career levels.
Chelsea Dubey is the Strategic Relations Manager for Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
Original from Michigan’s thumb area, Dubey and her husband were living and working in Memphis, Tenn., but always knew they wanted to return to Michigan, she said.
“We had heard a lot of great things about West Michigan and basically looked exclusive here to make it our home,” she said.
Six years ago, the couple moved back, settling into the Ada area. While she knew of Rotary due to her father-in-law’s involvement, it was not until Dubey started working for WGVU that she became a member.
“Basically my predecessor Phil Catlett (who is the current president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan) had been a Rotarian,” Dubey said. “My boss said, ‘You have to be a Rotarian.’”
It made sense to Dubey since her job at WGVU was about philanthropy and making connections within the community. So Dubey joined the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and quickly discovered how much she loved being a part of it.
“Rotary gives me so much joy,” Dubey said. “No matter what my mood is, those Thursday meetings just really make my day.”
Like many civic organizations, the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids has seen a decrease in membership over the years. At its peek in the 1990s, according to Dubey, the club had around 400 members. Today that number is around 220. Dubey said there are a number of reasons for the decline, one being that there are just so many more opportunities for professionals.
“There are organizations more tailored to your profession,” She said. “For example, if you are in fundraising, there is a fundraising professionals group along with the other possible civic organizations like Rotary,” Dubey said. The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids has partnered with many young professional groups to make those members aware that once they age out that Rotary is an option, she said.
People of action, not accolades
Another reason for the decline, is that Rotary Clubs and Rotarians do not “toot their own horn” so to speak.
“People are not really aware of what Rotary has done because we tend to want to do something but are not interested in being acknowledged for what we have done,” Dubey said, adding that Rotarians have been involved in much of the development of Grand Rapids, from its parks to its buildings and many area businesses, with the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids having included such members as Fred Meijer and Gerald R. Ford.
Following the lead of Rotary International, the Grand Rapids club has focused on the eradication of polio and clean water supplies with Rotarians traveling to countries to help install club-purchased water filtration systems.
Dubey said the group is also at the beginning of doing an iconic project for the city of Grand Rapids. What it will be, Dubey said she is not certain yet, but it will be a pretty significant investment into the city.
For now, Dubey is looking at her one-year term, focused on strengthening a couple of the clubs’ committees and inspiring members to volunteer locally and contribute to both the local and Rotary International foundations.
“I believe the reason why the Rotary has been around so long and that people have been able to be in it for 40 years or so is because it ebbs and follows according to your career,” Dubey said. “You can be as involved as you want or you can step back and just come to the luncheons. It’s what you want to do.
“Rotary has done a lot for me. I have grown as a leader from running a board meeting to presenting to about 100 people a week. It is the best professional development I could every have had.”
To learn more about Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, visit grrotary.org.
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).
What are the chances that this saucy, spicy kitty that is unable to hear would be discovered and ultimately rescued by an interpreter for the deaf? We couldn’t believe it either, but when former volunteer Kathy relayed the story of how this two-year-old (born around October of 2016) came to be, we were convinced more than ever that fate plays a huge part in our everyday lives.
This wispy little waif was literally starving out in Sandy Pines, taking up residence outside of a pizza joint and running after golf carts in hopes of scoring dinner; after spending far too many days chasing after humans for handouts that never came, and countless cold nights huddled in the rain in hopes of someone taking her in, she was literally begging for a second chance. So kindhearted Kathy took it upon herself to insure kitty had a safe place to go (Crash’s) and armed with cat food and a carrier, headed out to find, feed and cart this hungry kitty off to warmth and safety—and all before an early morning work meeting on Oct. 1, 2018.
Thankfully, adorable, outgoing Aoili had already been spayed before she was carelessly tossed out like the trash, but she was still quite defenseless given the fact she wouldn’t be able to hear danger presenting itself until it could have been far too late. She was filthy, flea-ridden and later developed an ear infection and nasty respiratory virus that caused oral ulceration and a high fever—as if the poor girl hadn’t been through enough already.
However, true to her spunky nature, she rebounded with ease and put much-needed weight back on her undernourished frame. Those first few days at Crash’s were spent filling her belly, sleeping and getting acclimated to her new surroundings, all the while letting her roomies and caretakers get to know what an independent and incredibly intriguing girl she is; suffice it to say she certainly made her presence known!
While she’s not one to physically pick a fight, she sure is one to let out a heck of a growl to let the other kitties know her personal space is important to her. It is safe to assume that because she’s deaf, she easily gets overwhelmed with all the other cats, and tends to be a bit hissy. She’s getting better about being picked up, gets excited when she smells treats or sees the food tray coming, and could spend all day on the window ledge watching the birds and squirrels. She really is an adorable, gorgeous girl with her baby blues and snow-white fur, but she would definitely need a home that understands she is special needs and will need some time adjusting to everything in her new environment that she can only see and smell.
Aioli can run very hot and cold: she can be incredibly sweet when it pleases her, but when she’s done with snuggles and loving she isn’t afraid to slap you. She also gets irritated if she is woken up suddenly as she can’t hear you coming, so it simply scares her. She prefers the other cats to keep their distance but is fine with them if they respect the spatial boundaries she has set up for herself. She would do best in a home without young kids since she does spook easily.
We would love to see her in a place where she could spend the afternoons dozing in the sun, then have her humans come home to spoil her with tasty little tidbits, a few pets here and there and some comfy couch time.
Aioli is going to be a bit more challenging to adopt out given her attitude, but it is her tenacity and take-charge demeanor that got her noticed in the first place, so we don’t fault her for being a bit demanding. Considering everything she has been through and how hard she fought to get to where she is today, everyone who meets her is instantly in awe of her survival instincts and enamored by her charm and beauty. We sure do love our saucy, sassy spitfire—and you will, too!
More about Aoili :
Medium
Domestic short hair
Adult
Female
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Special needs: deaf, spooks easily
Spayed
Not declawed
Prefers a home without children
Want to adopt Aoili? 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.
By Tyler Becker, Michigan State University Extension
Due to the importance of exercise, there are physical activity guidelines for both youth and adults. Overall, physically active youth have stronger muscles and bones, lower body fat and lower risk for depression and anxiety than physically inactive youth. Physically active youth are usually healthier adults with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and numerous other chronic diseases. The current guidelines for children 6 to 17 years of age include being physically active for at least 60 minutes or more each day with aerobic, muscle and bone strengthening activities.
Aerobic Activity
Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise is defined as activity in which an individual is rhythmically moving large muscle groups thereby increasing one’s heart rate and use of oxygen. In turn, this increases an individual’s cardiorespiratory fitness. Examples of aerobic activity include biking, running, jogging, swimming, jumping rope, etc. Majority of a child’s daily physical activity should be either moderately or vigorously intense aerobic activity, with the latter included in at least three days of the week. Examples of moderately intense aerobic activity includes hiking, biking and brisk walking and examples of vigorous-intense aerobic activity include running, active games with a running component like tag, some sports like basketball or tennis and martial arts.
Muscle Strengthening Activity
Muscle strengthening activity is movement in which the body’s muscles perform more work than is usually done in daily life. When we think of muscle-strengthening activity, we commonly think of lifting weights, however, this is not necessarily the case. Examples of other muscle-strengthening activities for children include bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats or curl-ups, resistance exercises with bands, games such as tug-of-war and playing on playground equipment. Muscle-strengthening activities should be included as part of the 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity at least three days per week. For further information related to muscle-strengthening activity in younger male and female children, refer to the Updated Youth Resistance Training Position Statement from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Bone Strengthening Activity
Bone strengthening activity is primarily designed to increase bone strength and growth by providing an impact or tension force on the bones. Bone strengthening activities can also be muscle strengthening or aerobic activities as well. Examples of these include jumping rope, running, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, etc. Bone strengthening activities should also be performed as part of the 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity at least three days per week.
What about children under 6 years of age?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that physical activity in children less than 6 years of age, including infants, is important, however, there currently are not any recommended guidelines. The recommendations emphasize that physical activity be performed to promote health-related fitness and movement skills that are age appropriate. For further information, refer to Physical Activity from Birth – 5 years.
Overall, youth aged 6 to 17 years of age should be performing at least 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day, consisting of primarily aerobic activity, but also muscle and bone strengthening activities at least three days per week. Michigan State University Extension recommends gradually increasing the number of days and time spent being active to help reduce chances of injury.
