Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

‘Jazz in the Sanctuary’ concert series returns Nov. 4

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events,

By Fountain Street Church

 

The fifth season of Fountain Street Church’s ‘Jazz in the Sanctuary’ concert series will begin on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3pm. The series pairs the spontaneous wonder of jazz with the acoustic and architectural beauty of the century-old sanctuary in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Robin Connell, series host and staple of the West Michigan jazz scene, will welcome trombonists Paul Brewer and Altin Sencalar for over an hour of exciting music and light conversation. Connell received West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 “Musician of the Year” award for her widespread collaboration with area jazz artists and her continuing work on the Jazz in the Sanctuary series.

 

Brewer, a prolific trombonist and singer, is the Director of Instrumental Music at Aquinas College and the Director of Aquinas Jazz Camp. He has performed with more than 50 nationally touring artists, including Mel Torme, Lena Horne, and The Temptations. His latest project, “J & K — Trombone Tribute”, is an homage to legendary jazz trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding.

 

Altin Sencalar

Sencalar is an internationally recognized trombonist, music educator, and composer who has opened for the O’Jays and Chaka Khan. He has received prizes for competitions such as the American Trombone Workshop, the International Trombone Association, and Downbeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards. He currently serves as a graduate assistant at Michigan State University.

 

The second and third concerts of this season will take place on Feb. 10, 2019, featuring pianist Xavier Davis, and May 4, 2019, featuring saxophonist Alain Sullivan and bassist Elgin Vines.

 

Jazz in the Sanctuary is made possible by the Music Committee of Fountain Street Church, Aquinas College Music Department, Blue Lake Public Radio, West Michigan Jazz Society, WGVU Radio, WOOD-TV, and WYCE 88.1fm.

 

General admission to each Jazz in the Sanctuary concert is $15 online or at the door. College students may show ID for $10 off. Tickets and additional information are available at fountainstreet.org/jazz.

Snapshots: Kentwood, Wyoming weekend news you need to know

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WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"There are three things I've learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin."
          - Linus from "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

 

Here’s the Trick

 

A peek into the Vox Sanitarium

It’s the last weekend before Halloween, which makes it a perfect time to visit Wyoming’s newest business, The Haunt. Now located at 1256 28th St. SW in the former Showplace/JoAnn Fabrics location of 28 West Place (formerly the Wyoming Village Mall), The Haunt has a number of special events coming up as the attraction wraps up its season.

 

On Saturday, Oct. 27, there will be a Trunk or Treat from 3 – 5 p.m. and a Kids Haunt from 4 – 6 p.m. Also organizers noted that the last two days of The Haunt’s season, Nov. 2 and 3, all be very special and definitely not for scaredy cats. The Haunt is open through Nov. 3. Sundays and weekday hours are 7 – 10 p.m. (note it is not open on Mondays and Nov. 1.) and Friday and Saturday hours are 7 – 11 p.m. Because of long lines, The Haunt has been opening a half hour earlier. Check the website, https://www.the-haunt.com/ for specific details and ticket information.

 

And Here Are the Treats

 

South Kent Community Expo is this week.

Also this weekend is the South Kent Expo hosted by Cutlerville-Gaines Chamber of Commerce, the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce and the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is this Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.

 

The event is an opportunity to learn about the businesses in the community and what services they have to offer including home improvement, home financing, home services, senior services, library services, colleges, fitness, health and wellness, pet care, banks, retail, hospitality, transportation, volunteer opportunities and employment services.

 

Or get an early start on your Christmas shopping as Holland Home’s Breton Woods will be hosting its annual holiday market this Saturday, Oct. 27, at its Breton Ridge facility, 2772 Pfieffer Woods Dr. SE. The event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature more than 20 vendors. Homemade cookies made by residents also will be on sale.

 

Some ‘Great Pumpkin’ Picks

 

Henderson Castle hosts a murder mystery on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Looking to have a Halloween adventure this weekend? Then the West Michigan Tourist Association has a few ideas for you. There is a murder mystery event at Kalamazoo’s Henderson Castle to the Michigan Heritage Park (in Whitehall) becoming The Haunted Trail.

 

There are number of family activities as well, such as the Monsterfest 3 film festival at the Tibbits Opera House, the second oldest opera house in the state. By the way, the Monster 3 event is free.

 

For more ideas, visit WMTA.org.

 

 

Fun Fact:

6.2 million

That is the number of Americans who misuse controlled prescription drugs, according to the Drug Administration Enforcement (DEA). The study also stated that the majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. It is why the DEA created the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is this Saturday, Oct. 27. Both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are participating in the program, accepting all drugs with no questions asked at local law enforcement offices and at Metro Health-University of Michigan Health facility.

Meet the Employer: Davidson Plyforms

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

 

By West Michigan Works!

 

Davidson Plyforms is the largest curved plywood manufacturer in North America. They make wood furniture pieces for customers like Haworth, Steelcase and Herman Miller. Their products are used daily around the world in offices, hospitals, schools and homes.

 

There is no typical day at Davidson Plyforms because their jobs are small volume orders.

 

“Each order requires different finishes and pieces to make,” said Joe Wiersma, press operator and cell leader. “I might work on chair backs, then switch to stool seats and then chair arms. I like that my job changes a lot.”

 

Craftsman-type work

 

The manufacturing process begins with thin sheets of veneer stacked together. Then they’re pressed to create the curve and finished to the customer’s specifications. Large machines do the actual curving and cutting, but the machine operator’s attention to detail makes a difference between a good or great final product.

 

“The work we do is so intricate; you can see the impact of each operator’s touch on the piece. These jobs are very craftsmen-like positions,” said Mark Walkington, plant manager.

 

When a new employee joins the Davidson Plyforms team, they’re paired with a trainer-mentor who guides them through the onboarding process for this unique job.

 

One team

 

A strong team is integral to the success of the company. Team members are valued for the strengths they bring to Davidson Plyforms.

 

“We can tell you a lot about the people who work for us; what they do, how they do it and what their strengths and weaknesses are. We try to utilize everyone’s strengths to build a strong team,” said Sicilio Puente, finishing department lead.

 

Seven years ago, Devin Marcinowski was hired as a second shift press operator.

 

“Some coworkers encouraged me to apply for a CNC Programmer position. I’m glad they kept nudging me to do it. Now I’m a first shift CNC programmer and I’m going to school to finish my degree,” Marcinowski said.

 

Davidson Plyforms’ tuition reimbursement program helps pay for tuition and books for employees pursuing a degree or certification.

 

Davidson Plyforms is hiring for machine operators! Click here to see the job posting.

 

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

Severe stress may send immune system into overdrive

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Stress disorders are tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay

 

Trauma or intense stress may up your odds of developing an autoimmune disease, a new study suggests.

 

Comparing more than 106,000 people who had stress disorders with more than 1 million people without them, researchers found that stress was tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.

 

“Patients suffering from severe emotional reactions after trauma or other life stressors should seek medical treatment due to the risk of chronicity of these symptoms and thereby further health decline, such as the increased risk of autoimmune disease,” said lead researcher Dr. Huan Song, from the University of Iceland in Reykjavik.

 

The body’s immune system protects you from disease and infection. But autoimmune diseases turn the body’s natural protection against itself by attacking healthy cells.

 

In comparing people who had stress disorders with more than 1 million people without them, researchers found that stress was tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. It’s not clear what causes autoimmune diseases, but they tend to run in families. Women, particularly black, Hispanic and Native-American women, have a higher risk for some autoimmune diseases, the researchers said.

 

Song added that treating stress-related disorders may help reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

 

“There are now several treatments, both medications and cognitive behavioral approaches, with documented effectiveness,” she said.

 

For example, treating patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may help lower the risk for autoimmune disease, especially when taken in the first year after diagnosis, Song said.

 

But she cautioned that because this is an observational study, it’s not possible to prove stress causes autoimmune diseases, only that the two are linked.

 

In the study, Song’s team looked at patients in Sweden diagnosed with stress disorders such as PTSD, acute stress reaction, adjustment disorder and other stress reactions from 1981 to 2013. The researchers compared these individuals with siblings and people in the general population not suffering from a stress disorder.

 

The effects of severe stress have been associated with a variety of health problems, one PTSD expert said.

 

“Many studies have linked stress conditions as well as adverse childhood events, such as trauma and neglect, to future medical problems, including immune problems,” said Mayer Bellehsen. He directs the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military Veterans and Their Families at Northwell Health in Bay Shore, N.Y.

 

“It is also notable that when people received effective treatment, their risk was lessened,” he added.

 

Although it isn’t known why stress can increase the chances of developing an autoimmune disease, Bellehsen suggested several possible explanations.

 

These include the impact of stress on lifestyle—for example, getting less sleep or increased drug or alcohol use. Stress might also directly affect the immune system, he said.

 

“Regardless of cause, this study adds to the evidence of the link between stress conditions and physical well-being, warranting further attention to the reduction of trauma and other causes of stress conditions, as well as improving treatment of these conditions,” Bellehsen said.

 

The report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Have questions about your health or autoimmune diseases? Contact the Spectrum Health Neurology team or the Spectrum Health Allergy/Immunology team for more information or to make an appointment.

 

 

Is stress or PTSD so common in your life that it feels normal? Do you experience stress or PTSD without even realizing it? For additional information, call 616.447.5820 or schedule an appointment with the Spectrum Health Medical Group Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine Program today.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Tips for making a memorable and healthy school lunch

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Kids are more likely to eat lunches that they pack, or help pack. (Courtesy Michigan State University Extension)

By Sarah Eichberger, Leah Bennett, Michigan State University Extension

 

Healthy students are better learners. As a parent or caregiver, you can help your child make smarter decisions by providing them with a colorful and healthy school lunch that will fuel their body and brain. When children skip lunch or consume a low-nutrient lunch, they may have problems concentrating in class and lack energy. Consider the following suggestions when planning your next packed lunch:

  1. Involve your child. Ask your child to help with planning and packaging of lunches. Not only is this an opportunity for you to discuss healthy food options, but you can help include nutritious foods that will appeal to your child. Kids are more likely to eat lunches that they pack, or help pack. Make a packed lunch a positive experience for your child by incorporating colorful packaging, leaving little notes in their lunch, and allowing your child to pick out their own lunch box.
  1. Seek balance and color. Create a balanced lunch that is nutrient-rich and includes a variety of foods from all food groups: grain, dairy, protein, fruit and vegetables. Reference the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) MyPlate to find more information on recommended foods and information on appropriate serving sizes for your child.
  1. Stay away from pre-packaged lunches. Although they are appealing due to the convenience factor, they are relatively more expensive than packing a lunch, lower in nutritional value, include processed ingredients and typically are higher in sodium, fat and calories. If this style of lunch appeals to your child, be creative and use healthier ingredients to create your own look-a-like lunch by buying plastic containers that have compartments where you can divide different foods. Come up with fun options with your child that will allow them to assemble their own food and give ownership over their meal without the added sodium, fat or sugar.
  1. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Keep hot foods hot in a thermos or cold foods cold in an insulated lunch box with an ice pack. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has a great tip sheet on keeping lunches safe. The transition from class to lunch may not allow for your child to have easy access to wash their hands. Pack wipes or hand sanitizer in their lunch box to help remind your child to wash their hands before eating.

Healthy eating is about what works for you. As a parent you can help implement small changes to build healthier eating styles with your child as the new school year is beginning. Michigan State University Extension  encourages small changes that work for your lifestyle such as allowing your child to pack their own lunch with healthy items that appeal to them.

 

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

All hormone medications are not the same

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Think any hormone supplement will do? Think again. Get an expert’s opinion. (For Spectrum Health Beat)

By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum Health Beat

 

A patient I’ll call Bev recently came to see me for her annual physical, and she had just a few complaints: rare hot flashes, occasional night sweats and irregular spotting.

 

So far, so good.

 

At age 54, her last regular period was approximately 16 months ago. Since that time, she had started using hormone creams prescribed by her chiropractor.

 

Bev brought the creams in to show me, boasting that they were all natural. She told me she had been feeling great since starting the hormone cream.

 

Her hot flashes were rare, and her once-thinning hair was now getting thicker. I continued to listen with an open mind as we discussed the rest of Bev’s health.

 

She happily reported that her hypertension was being controlled with low-dose medications from her primary care physician, and she had no other risk factors for heart disease, stroke, blood clots or diabetes. Furthermore, Bev was a healthy weight.

 

For the most part, I liked what I was hearing.

 

Finally, we confirmed that her health screening was up to date, including lab work, mammogram and colonoscopy. As a final step, I performed a breast exam, Pap smear and pelvic exam. Her pelvic and breast exams were normal, and I had no reason to expect any issues with her Pap results.

 

Now that we had all the background information and physical exam taken care of, I could address her concerns of lingering hot flashes. We were able to relate them to days when she was not drinking enough water, had increased stressed or drank an extra glass of wine.

 

I then felt obligated to voice my concerns about the natural hormone creams she was taking and the possible relationship to her irregular spotting.

 

As a result of my concerns, I asked Bev to have a pelvic ultrasound to measure the lining thickness of her uterus. Post-menopause bleeding can be a sign of uterine lining pre-cancer or cancer.

 

When women take FDA-approved estrogen replacement therapy and progesterone, their risk of uterine cancer is lower than women who take nothing. Estrogen stimulates the lining to grow, and progesterone keeps it in check.

 

However, the non-FDA-approved hormones Bev used are not shown to protect the uterine lining and can actually increase the risk of uterine cancer.

 

Bev’s ultrasound of her uterus did show a thick lining, and her endometrial biopsy showed benign thickening. We reversed the thickening first with synthetic progesterone and then switched her to two FDA-approved products: a bio-identical estrogen patch and an oral bio-identical progesterone.

 

Today, Bev feels great—hair and skin included—and I feel good that we are keeping her safe and healthy.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

GR Symphony celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday in musical salute, Nov. 2-3

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
Leonard Bernstein in 1955

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids Symphony

 

The music of Leonard Bernstein, who composed the music for West Side Story, has graced concert halls and theaters, radios and televisions in homes all across America. This year, the centennial of his birth, the world remembers the life and legacy of the great American composer, conductor, pianist, and educator.

 

The Grand Rapids Symphony joins in the worldwide celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with a concert featuring his Overture to Candide, his Symphony No. 2 “Age of Anxiety,” and selections from his Broadway hit, West Side Story among others.

 

Guest conductor Carl St. Clair will lead the Grand Rapids Symphony in Bernstein’s 100th  on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 at 8 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall. The performance in the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical series concert will feature pianist Benjamin Pasternack in “Age of Anxiety” and soprano Celena Shafer in selections from West Side Story and other vocal works. Guest artist sponsor is the Edith I. Blodgett Guest Artist Fund.

 

Leonard Bernstein first came to the world’s attention with his impromptu conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943. Bruno Walter was meant to lead the orchestra in a radio-broadcasted performance, but came down with the flu. The 25-year-old assistant conductor was called upon to conduct in his stead.

 

Bernstein remembers that fateful day in a 1991 interview with his brother, Burton Bernstein: “When it came to the time – that very day – all I can remember is standing there in the wings shaking and being so scared. There was no rehearsal. I had just come from seeing Bruno Walter, who very sweetly and very quickly – wrapped up in blankets because he had the flu – went over the score of Don Quixote with me.”

 

With few hours to prepare and no rehearsal, Leonard Bernstein stepped up to the podium in Carnegie Hall to conduct a successful performance, broadcast to the entire nation, launching him into stardom.

 

Bernstein wrote several orchestral, choral, chamber, and operatic works over the course of his lifetime, but his music also ventured into the realms of theater, ballet, and musicals. The line between the classical and theatrical in Bernstein’s music was often blurred. He once said, “If the charge of ‘theatricality’ in a symphonic work is a valid one, I am willing to plead guilty. I have a deep suspicion that every work I write, for whatever medium, is really theater music in some way.”

 

Bernstein’s enthusiasm for music was contagious, and it spread across the country with his starring role in the memorable CBS television program, Young People’s Concerts, with the New York Philharmonic.

 

Carl St. Clair, music director of the Pacific Symphony and guest conductor for the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Bernstein’s 100th, was one of many who benefitted from Bernstein’s mentorship.

 

Leonard Bernstein in 1973

St. Clair first saw Bernstein on his television set at his childhood home in Texas. He was waiting for friends to pick him up to go to a country and western dance when Bernstein appeared on the TV, leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. St. Clair was mesmerized both by the music and Bernstein. Needless to say, he missed the dance.

 

Bernstein and St. Clair didn’t cross paths until the summer of 1985 while Clair was studying under Gustav Meier at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in western Massachusetts.

 

“I was very nervous,” St. Clair recalled. “He comes into the room, and there’s a big double door and we’re all standing in total respect. He greeted Gustav, of course they had known one another… But almost immediately he said, in this kind of Texas accent, or, in a Bostonian/Texas accent, ‘Where’s that cowboy from Texas? I’ve never met a cowboy from Texas who’s also a conductor.’”

 

During rehearsals for a concert at Tanglewood in 1990, complications with his health left Bernstein unable to conduct his new version of his Arias and Barcarolles, which was to be premiered the next day. The suggestion was made that St. Clair could conduct that piece, allowing Bernstein enough energy to lead the rest of the program.

 

“I’ll never forget,” St. Clair says. “He looked over at me, and even as sick as he was and as disappointed as he was, it just shows how quick he was — he looked over at me and in a mock Texas accent said, ‘Cowboy, you got it in ya? You got it in ya?”

 

St. Clair agreed to conduct Bernstein’s piece in what was Bernstein’s last concert appearance. He retired from conducting and passed away nearly two months later at the age of 72.

 

Bernstein no longer is with us, but his music lives on in performances such as the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Bernstein’s 100th on Nov. 2-3.

  • Inside the Music, a free, pre-concert, multi-media presentation sponsored by BDO USA, will be held before each performance at 7 p.m. in the DeVos Place Recital Hall
  • The complete Bernstein’s 100th program will be rebroadcast on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at 1 p.m. on Blue Lake Public Radio 88.9 FM or 90.3 FM.

Tickets

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the Grand Rapids 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 may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place ticket office, weekdays 10 am – 6 pm or on the day of the concert beginning two hours before the performance.

 

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 are available to members of MySymphony360, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s organization for young professionals ages 21-35.

West Michigan packs in ‘Hallo-Fun’ in the last weekend of October

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Henderson Castle hosts a murder mystery on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It’s the last weekend to get your Halloween on and the West Michigan Tourist Association has a few suggestions on just how to do that.

 

Round Barn Winery hosts a HalloWine Party on Oct. 27.

For Those ‘Wine-ers: Round Barn Winery in Baroda, which is south of South Haven, will be hosting its HalloWine Party from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The event features all the treats of food and wine along with some rockin’ local bands such as Steve Foresman and the JGJ Band. The HalloWine Party is part of a series that goes for 26 weekends with 68 bands and 108 live performances. Dress in your best Halloween costume and vote for “best costume.” Admission to the event is $5. For more information, visit https://www.drinkmichigan.com/round-up.

 

The Party Ain’t Over Until the Monster Sings: Coldwater is home to the state’s second oldest opera house, Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett St. The Tibbits will host its annual sppoktacular film festival, Monsterfest 3, Saturday, Oct. 27, starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature B-movie monster classics such as “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” “Monster on the Campus,” and “The Mole People.” The Monsterfest 3 is part of a 10-part month double feature showcasing Hollywood classics and it’s free. For more information, visit tibbits.org.

 

The Whodunnit: Here is a twist for Halloween, head over to Kalamazoo’s Henderson Castle and be part of a murder mystery on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The story goes, there is a towering Castle located in the heart of Scotland. Spend the days walking the Scottish Moors and the evenings in the front of our large and spacious fire place as we’ll assail you with days of valor in a time when Knights walked the land protecting the weak and the innocent. Fair warning: everything is not as it seems.

 

The evening is $142 and includes the dinner game, a three-course dinner with a special Halloween Spirit Drink for each course. Also, the event is Halloween themed so dress in the  costume of your choice or best match your given character. For more information, visit hendersoncastle.com.

 

Saugatuck has a lot of Halloween fun planned for Oct. 27.

The Big Blowout: One area that really knows how to celebrate Halloween is Saugatuck, which hosts two events for all ages on Saturday, Oct. 27. Activities start at 3:30 p.m. with the annual Halloween family and pet parade. Judges will determine the winners and will distribute cash prizes at the end. After the parade, stay for an array of activities that include music, a puppet experience, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.

 

Hit the Trail: The Lakeshore Museum’s Michigan Heritage Park turns into the Haunted Trail Friday and Saturday, Oct,. 26 and 27, from 7:30 – 10 p.m. The park partners will the Muskegon Civic Theatre with actors telling legends, myths and tales from the 1600s to 1900s as participants walk through 10,000 years of horror. Due to scary elements, this event is recommended for ages 13 and older. Tickets are $15 per person.

 

For more ideas, check out the West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide that is available at the WKTV station, 5261 Clyde Park SW, or visit WMTA.org, There is also still plenty of time to follow the 2018 Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map and Circle Tour, also available at the station.

Tulip Time ‘Art In Bloom’ top 20 finalists announced

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

 

By West Michigan Tourist Association

 

Tulip Time and the Holland Area Arts Council have announced the 2019 Art In Bloom Festival Artwork Competition Top 20 finalists.

 

Each year a work of art is selected for the official Tulip Time Festival Artwork Competition. Area artists create and submit their images which are then judged by a local art expert. This year’s submissions were reviewed by Kristin Jass Armstrong, Executive Director of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. This year, a total of 75 submissions were received from 44 area artists. The artists and artwork listed below were selected as this year’s Top 20:

  • Cindy Bender: Orange Outburst
  • Betsy Buurma Morton: Folk Dance
  • Betsy Buurma Morton: Sun Kissed
  • Katie Church: Shades of Legacy
  • Lucy Collins: A Perfect Reflection
  • Beth De Jong: Balloon Bouquet
  • Jean Flower: Creation’s Song: Composition
  • Lorma Freestone and Thea Grigsby: Gellukig 90 Jaar
  • Michelle Fuller: Dancing Beneath De Zwaan
  • Karen Johnson: Celebrate
  • Marsha Marier: Holland Sunrise
  • Susan Day Martell: Garden Dance
  • Mary McCarthy: Shoe Cobbler Dance
  • Sri Soekarmoen McCarthy: Maxima Dances the Skotse Trije
  • Randall Nyhof: Impressionistic Dutch Tulips
  • Delaney Ann Prins: Orange is Best in Holland
  • Ken Rogers: Orange Tulip Dance
  • Kathleen Sligh: After the Rain
  • Andrew Snyder: Red and Yellow Dance into Orange
  • Carolyn Stich: Enduring Delft

The winner of the 2019 Tulip Time Festival Artwork Competition will be selected by representatives from both Tulip Time and the Holland Area Arts Council. The Top 20 artists and their works will be featured at First Bloom, a special unveiling reception held in February where the winner will be announced. The remaining 19 finalists’ original works will be placed on display at the Holland Area Arts Council from May 4 through May 12, inviting the public to participate in the Viewers’ Choice Awards by voting for their favorite image. Cash prizes will be awarded on May 11 to the top three works of art with the most public votes.

 

View the Top 20 works on Tulip Time’s website or on the Holland Area Arts Council website.

 

The Tulip Time Festival will be held May 4–12, 2019. A Festival Preview offering highlights of the 2019 program will be available in November. Full festival details will be available in the Spring Festival Guide published in March 2019.

We the People: City of Wyoming Council Candidates

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WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

For the Wyoming City Council, there is only one seat contested out of the four seats on the Nov. 6 ballot.

 

Mayor Jack Poll is seeking his third term as the city’s mayor. He is running unopposed for the seat. Also running unopposed are Sam Bolt and Kent Vanderwood, both who are seeking re-election as council members at large.

 

For the city’s 1st Ward Councilor seat, incumbent Sheldon DeKryger will face candidate Pete Rickertson. DeKryger was appointed in March to fill the 1st Ward seat when longtime council member Bill VerHulst announced he would not be seeking re-election and stepped down from the council due to health concerns.

 

The city’s 1st Ward Wyoming’s encompasses Precincts 1 – 9. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.

 

https://youtu.be/AxFQDq_eOis

 

Sheldon DeKryger – Incumbent

 

Occupation: Residential home builder

 

Why did you decide to run for the Wyoming City Council Ward 1 seat?

 

My wife and I believe in servant leadership, that is why our family has spent the last 20 years serving others in our community, school, and church. I believe the next step in serving my community is being the people’s voice on the Wyoming City Council. That is why when Bill Verhulst retired I applied for the position and was appointed last March. I would like to continue the great work the City is doing now.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

 

Public Safety- I believe the Police and Fire departments need the tools and equipment necessary to do their jobs. The city needs to maintain the current funding levels to keep our community safe and protected.

 

Pro Business- I want to work on getting good manufacturing businesses in the Site 36 property. It would bring in hundreds of well paying jobs and be great for our city.

 

Financial Sustainability – I believe the city needs to live within its means. We also need to keep taxes low and bring funds back to our city from Lansing.

 

https://youtu.be/PpBNGO-QqGk

 

Pete Ricketson – Candidate

 

Occupation: Bus Driver

 

Why did decide to seek election to the Wyoming City Council Ward 1 seat?

 

Well for one thing, I saw how the city council influenced things with The Rapids. I see how things could be for public transportation and how as I looked into the city, I was appalled to see thousands of dollars being wasted. The majority are putting there own interested above the people who elected them. For that reason, I believe there is a huge disconnect between the actions of the city council and the will of the people. 

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

 

I think we need to overhaul how we use our resources as a city, stopping unnecessary spending. I would like to see us bring back things for our community such as the Fourth of July parade or perhaps, create a Taste of Wyoming at Lamar Park.

We the People: Public School Candidates

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

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

All five public school districts in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas have school board elections on Nov. 6. Of those districts, only two have contested races, Godwin Heights and Wyoming. School board elections will be towards the end of the ballot.

 

 

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools

There are two candidates seeking six-year terms, which are incumbents Eric Mockerman and Jacklyn Hernandez. Josephine Coleman was appointed by the board in May to fill a seat vacated by Rebecca Kibbe until the election. Coleman is seeking to fill the remainder of that seat’s term, which ends in 2022. All of these candidates are running unopposed.

 

 

Godwin Heights Public Schools

There are four candidates seeking to fill three seats on the Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education. These seats are all six-year terms. Two of the candidates are incumbents, David Drake, who was elected in 2013, and Richard Hamilton, Jr., who was elected in 2017. There are two challengers, Joseph Januska and David Rodriguez. All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.

 

https://youtu.be/WanUWhge64c

 

Joseph Januszka – Candidate

 

Occupation: Retired

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education?

My interest in the schools and what I have been seeing has been growing the past 11 years. I owned and ran a small business which I believe gave me great insight into financial aspects of doing this. I believe this strong financial background will help me analyze and make decisions on the budgeting and spending that the school board oversees in the district.  

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

I am a father and grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren. The youth of today is the future of our country. Education can not be wasted. Students today – leaders tomorrow. Our children need to learn the true history of our country, both the good and the bad, while also learning to respect it as well as everyone they encounter throughout their lives. They need to learn to live by rules and laws everyone of us are required to. I believe all this will help our students to learn and live side by side with their peers.

 

 

Kelloggsville Public Schools

For Kelloggsville Public Schools, incumbents Jane Ward and Donald Scott are seeking re-election to the board. The two spots each are for six-years. The candidates are running unopposed.

 

The district is also seeking a $19.2 million bond issue. The bond would be a continuation of the current bond. The current millage rate is 7.32. The issue will appear at the bottom of the ballot and is part of a long-term plan to update and modernize the district’s elementary schools, according to school officials. The bond cannot exceed 30 years.

 

 

Kentwood Public Schools

There are three seats, all four-year terms, up for the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education. Three incumbents, all running unopposed, are seeking re-election to those seats: Pete Battey, Sylvia A. James, and James Lewis Jr.

 

 

Wyoming Public Schools

For the Wyoming Public Schools, there are two six-year board seats with three candidates running, non of whom are incumbents. The candidates are Adriana Almanza, Brian D. Jirous, and Jennifer Lewis. All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.

 

https://youtu.be/K-IyscCHQSE

 

Brian Jirous – Candidate

 

Occupation: AT&T Mobility Technician

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education?
I decided to run for the school board to be able to help involve the community as a whole.  I would like to be a voice for the community on the school board by bringing their issues to the board so they can be addressed.  I would like to see more people attend the school board meetings and I think by having an open line of communication we can involve more people.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
The main issue I will focus on is community involvement.  I believe community involvement is the one thing that can help this district grow to be even better then it is now.  The more people we can communicate with whether it is simply answering questions timely or getting them volunteer opportunities to connect with other families it will build a stronger district.  I have started working on thie already by developing the Wyoming Public Schools Community facebook page but I would also like to set up round table discussions to help resolve other issues that may come up as well.

 

https://youtu.be/yt8PtTMVXJo

 

Jennifer Lewis – Candidate

Occupation: AT&T Mobility Technician

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education?
I’ve wanted to run for many years. The timing is just right. I have the time to focus on our Wyoming kids.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

Many residents may remember me from when I was campaigning for the dedicated millage for our schools. The community invested in our schools and children by passing that millage. That dedicated millage plan is a good plan and I want to make sure that the plan is well executed. I also want our kids to be successful and I want to be a part of helping them to achieve that. 

On the shelf: ‘The Last Summer (of You and Me)’ by Ann Brashares

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Laura Nawrot, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

In her first novel written for adults, Ann Brashares chose the beach town of Waterby, on Fire Island as her setting. I have to admit, I was expecting a book more along the line of Brashares’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants young adult novel, but found something totally different. After reading this book, I found many mixed reviews of the story, probably because of the same expectations I had.

 

Unlike the Traveling Pants with its fast pace and emotional roller coaster rocketing between the main characters, The Last Summer (of You and Me) seemed to start much more slowly and deliberately. I found out, however, that the roller coaster was simply disguised as a ferryboat from the mainland. Alice, the main character, paints a picture of the summers she spent on the island that she shared with her sister, Riley and neighbor, Paul. She tells her story through a blend of memories and current events, and it doesn’t take much for the reader to figure out who the star-crossed lovers are.

 

Although it was apparent to me immediately that something needed to happen between Alice and Paul, it took an awfully long time for the author to bring them to that point. In fact, I found myself getting angry at the main characters, which is usually a good indicator to me of my own emotional involvement in the story.

 

I found myself thinking about the characters and the story long after I had finished the book. Certain parts kept returning to my mind, almost bothering me, kind of like the way sand does when it gets in your shoe; a memory of the day that was.

We the People 2018: Kent County Commission Candidates

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

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Kent County Board of Commissioners has 19 districts of which six represent portions of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. Of those six districts, two have unopposed candidates. Here are those seeking to represent Wyoming and Kentwood residents at the county level.

 

7th District Kent County Commissioner

 

In the 7th District Kent County Commissioner race Republican incumbent Stan Ponstein, of Grandville, will be facing off against Democrat challenger Mike Johnson, of Wyoming. The 7th District covers most of the City of Grandville and the northern portion of the City of Wyoming, most of which is in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district. For specific borders, visit accesskent.com.

 

https://youtu.be/95Z2c70vH8o

 

Mike Johnson – Candidate (D)

 

Occupation: Pharmacist tech in-patient at Mercy Health Hospital

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the 7th District Kent County Commission Seat? 

 

I decided to run because of President Donald Trump’s attacks on the Hispanic community, how local hispanics are treated, and because of my experiences in Arizona with ADOT in that every citizen was required to have a state ID so law enforcement could verify identity, but it was mostly being used against minorities. I also noticed there was no LGBTQ representatives sitting on any of your local boards.

 

If elected what issues would you want to take a look at?

 

I would like to center focus on schools in financial need. Godfrey Lee being one of them. I would like to bring back a second Kent County Health Department because our population needs it or expand on our current health department. Obviously putting pressure on to end the contract with ICE and work with local law enforcement to develop ongoing cultural sensitivity trainings. Also, if it should pass, to fairly regulate district facilities in regards to marijuana distribution. 

 

https://youtu.be/gvaHqfxgxh8

 

Stan Ponstein – Incumbent (R)

 

Occupation: Works for Costco Wholesale

 

Why did you decide to run for re-election to the 7th District Kent County Commission Seat?

 

Since being re-elected last year, I was elected to the Michigan Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. I believe it is so important for Kent County to have a voice on the state level since so much of our money is funded through the federal and the state. 

 

What are the issues you see for the county in the next couple of years? 

 

It is the things that occur everyday. Money is always a concern and there is never enough but it is how we use it and the priorities we set. Since I was elected the opioid epidemic has exploded and in the last year, the PFAS issue exploded. West Nile has also reappeared. To clean up the PFAS will probably take a lot of resources and the one thing we have discovered is we are not alone in that there are counties across the country dealing with the PFAS issue. So it is the day-to-day issues that you have to be prepared to deal with. The sheriff department and the health department make up most of our budget. So having placed the right people in the right place with the right support is something we need to focus on.

 

 

8th District Kent County Commissioner

 

The 8th District Kent County Commission covers the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, including the pan handle.  For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

Harold Voorhees – Incumbent (R)

 

Harold Voorhees is the incumbent for the 8th District and he is running unopposed for the Nov. 6 election.

 

 

9th District Kent County Commissioner

 

In the 9th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican incumbent Matt Kallman is being challenged by Democrat candidate Bob Smith. Both are from Byron Center. The 9th District is all of Byron Center and a southern portion of the City of Wyoming east of Burlingame Avenue and west of Clyde Park Avenue to 36th Street and a portion that goes from north of 40th Street to Division Avenue. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

https://youtu.be/1HYzq1LoPNM

Bob Smith – Candidate (D)

 

Occupation: Factory Worker

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the 9th District Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

I was getting more involved with local politics, through the UAW CAP (Citizenship and Legislative Committee, most often referred to as the Community Action Program, or CAP), and started to take part in the Kent County Democratic Party meetings. … People started suggesting to me that I should run for something. … I starting thinking what would I do with that office should I get it.

 

If elected, what issue(s) would you immediately want to focus on and why?

 

I would want to get First Steps (Kent) expanded.(The program deals with early childhood services.) I think that is a great program. We also need to expand veterans services. Kent County is a pretty big county with a lot of rural area that our busing system does not reach out to. So we have one place where all the veterans services are centered, downtown, which isn’t very helpful. … I would definitely want to invest more in that.

 

Matt Kallman – Incumbent (R)

 

Occupation: Software

 

Why did decide to run of re-election for the 9th District Kent County Commissioner seat?

I love representing the people of my part of Wyoming and Byron Center on the Board.  Kent County is a well run organization and I enjoy being able to learn and work with my colleagues to make sure it stays that way.  I also think having someone with a technical background on the Board is important as we make numerous significant IT investments to better serve the people of Kent County.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

I want to continue to ensure that Kent County makes good budget decisions.   We are in good financial shape due to a long history of wise management of our resources.   Generally, I want to bring my perspective from a younger, more tech-savvy generation to the Board to make sure we are considering long term decisions with a good mix of perspectives.

 

10th District Kent County Commissioner

 

The 10th District Kent County Commissioner seat covers Gaines Township and the southern half of Caledonia Township. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

Emily P. Brieve – Incumbent

 

Emily P. Brieve, of Caledonia, is the incumbent for the 10th District and she is running unopposed in the Nov. 6 election.

 

 

12th District Kent County Commissioner

 

With the announcement that incumbent Harold Mast would not be seeking another term, the 12th District Kent County Commissioner race features three new faces, Republican Jill Martinez, Democrat Monica Sparks, and Green Party Charlotte Aikens. The District 12 Kent County Commissioner seat covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the city of Wyoming. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.

 

https://youtu.be/ZdF6wxLDoBk

 

Charlotte Aikens – Candidate (G)

 

Occupation: Register Nurse for nine years, in the health care field for 12 years.

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the 12th District Kent County Commission seat? 

 

I got interested more than a year ago and the issues that got me to enter were deciding where the money goes and health care.

 

If elected what issues would you want to take a look at?

 

The ICE contact is a big deal. I know a lot of immigrant families, so I know the process and how hard it is to try and bring family members into the country. It can take years. Most families don’t understand the process to get their families. They live in fear. they just want to be a family, to live, to work, and to pay their taxes like the rest of us. I am not certain what the solutions are but I want to be part of the solution.

 

https://youtu.be/xgJMjDVvkOo

 

Jill Martinez

 

Occupation: Healthcare Management

 

Why did you decided to seek election to the 12th District Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

This community has so much to offer, community and sporting events, local businesses and great people, and it continues to flourish. I love my community and want to play my part in seeing that we continue to thrive. Growing up, my family emphasized a strong work ethic and service to others and those lessons have stayed with me.  

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

 

As I meet with residents, it is clear that they want a county that protects its seniors and veterans, safeguards essential services, keeps our community safe and supports all taxpayers.  Our seniors and veterans have given a lot to our community and we need to give back to them. By safeguarding essential services, we can secure the care and central resources they need to survive. A successful county is a safe county. I will support officers and give them the funding they need to protect you and your families. I will also support new measures that will contribute to our safe community. 

 

https://youtu.be/vwCbB_5CDTA

 

Monica Sparks

 

Occupation: Small Business Owner and Real Estate Broker

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the 12the District Kent County Commissioner seat?

 

I am running to be an advocate to help protect the services of families, individuals, children and those with special needs, and especially our seniors and veterans living in Kent County.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

 

There are many isssues that affect citizens in Kent County. I will start with Mental Health Services, if we do not have strong healthy minds we cannot have strong  healthy communities! Also our Veteran’s Services and Senior Services are a priority. Kent County Seniors or Veterans should never be abandoned. Everyone deserves to have an address, so fair affordable housing is an important issue to tackle. Quality of life in Kent County is important to me.

 

13th District Kent County Commissioner

 

For the 13th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican candidate Jessica Ann Tyson is challenging Democrat incumbent Betsy Melton. Both are from Kentwood. The Kent County Commission District 13 covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood. For specific boarders, visit.accesskent.com.

 

Betsy Melton – Incumbent (D)

 

Occupation: Retired registered nurse

 

Why did you decide to seek re-election to the 13th District Kent Count Commissioner seat?

 

During my first two years, I have learned a lot about what is to be on the Board of Commissioners and there was a lot more to it then I knew. I decided to run again because I wanted to provide my community with the experience I have gained during those two years. Also there are some items that I would have been working on that I would like to see through. That and I am very, very passionate about my City of Kentwood and feel very honored to be be able to represent the city at the county level.

 

If re-elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

 

Certainly one of them is the PFAS problem in Kent County. Also the opioid crisis is something that we have been addressing and will need to continue to address. Farmland preservation is another area that we certainly have been talking about. Lastly, if I have two  more years, I would like to somehow affect a positive wave in how we look at issues that is much more unified and much less partisan.

 

https://youtu.be/gZfHKVgeoNE

 

Jessica Ann Tyson – Candidate (R)

 

Occupation: Business Owner

 

Why did you decide to run for the 13th District Kent County Commission seat?

 

Because I believe a good representative of the community has to be immersed and very engaged in the community. I believe in giving back to the community that has given me so much.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

 

I feel we need to work on our roads and I will work with county and state officials to invest in our infrastructure. Also I want to focus on the health care crisis. We need to find ways to help with such issues as mental health and the opioid crisis.

 

 

All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.

 

Cat of the week: Remington

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

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

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

 

August of 2018 sure brought us our (un)fair share of cats that needed our assistance, and our sanctuary head count grew quite a bit due to the number of cats with either Feline Leukemia or FIV that were helpless and homeless. A Grand Rapids resident stumbled across this bedraggled boy, took him in to be checked out only to discover he had FELV AND an owner — who refused to contact her or the microchip company. Sadly the rescuer wasn’t in a position to keep him, and he badly needed further medical attention, so she asked for our help in getting her 6-year-old rescue (born in the summer of 2012) off the streets and into someplace safe.

 

It would be nice to say that Dr. Jen’s first meeting with this guy was love at sight — but it wasn’t. This scruffy orange and white fella wanted NOTHING to do with Dr. Jen and expressed his disdain for the situation he was in by lashing out and lacerating her with his dagger-like nails; what a little pistol he proved to be! Dr. Jen chalked up his less-than-desirable attitude to the fact his teeth were rotting out of his head and considered the fact that he was underweight (probably had tremendous difficulty eating) and had been shaved prior to his arrival in hopes of removing some of the skin-tight mats that caused focal areas of inflammation  scabbing and scaling.

 

So Dr. Jen forgave the ‘hot mess’ his momentary lapse in judgment and let it be known that if he dropped the tough guy act once and for all, life would treat him better than he could possibly imagine.

 

Needless to say, it took Remington several days to simmer down in his new surroundings and realize that not everyone was out to get him, but he took to shelter life much better than we anticipated. He still tends to growl when overwhelmed or if you come near him wielding a brush, but besides his initial attack on the good doc, he is not one to raise a paw to another cat or human to express his uneasiness. He has shown us that the way to his heart is through his stomach via endless bowls of yummy canned food; you can do no wrong when you fill his belly!

 

Remington has calmed down significantly in the month after his arrival, and secretly we think has developed a fondness for his caretakers, as he has been caught sneaking down the hallway after lights out at night to watch his humans as they depart; he may feign disinterest, but deep down we have grown on him. Besides stuffing his cheeks, Remington is most happy when he can perch on a sunny windowsill and watch the birds at the feeder. And although he doesn’t chum around with other cats, he doesn’t go out of his way to pester them, as he believes in keeping to his own space and respecting that of the others.

 

He has slowly learned to trust his food sources and is finding us to provide good company, though we feel that the type of home life that would be suit him is one where he can get comfortable at his own pace. Patience will definitely be the key to a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship between him and his person, but the rewards to be reaped will be worth the wait. We can see the potential in our Remi and want him to be able to find a place in this world that will provide him a gentle place for his soul to claim peace and his body and mind to finally flourish.

More about Remington:

  • Medium
  • Domestic Medium Hair
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Prefers a home without children

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

 

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you need to know

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

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer."
          - Abraham Lincoln

 

A Side of Facts with that Beer

 

Harmony House might not be that harmonious this Wednesday, Oct. 24, as the Westside brewery will be hosting a segment of Michigan Radio’s “Issues & Ale.”

 

According to supplied material, “Issues & Ale” is an ongoing event series designed to get the public talking about issues in Michigan in an informal environment. The events take place throughout Michigan Radio’s listening area and are always free to attend.

 

Michigan Radio’s “It’s Just Politics” co-host Zoe Clark will host the panel of Grand Rapids political experts. The program is from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the brewery located at 401 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.

 

 

And the Wolverines win!

 

It wasn’t just the University of Michigan Wolverines who scored big this weekend but also the Wolverines of Godwin Heights, which defeated Wyoming Lee to secure a spot in the MHSSA’s playoffs for the fourth time.

 

“Hearing the kids scream right now is just a good feeling, especially in my first season as head coach,” said Coach Brandan Kimble after Friday’s game.

 

Godwin Heights is set to play their first playoff game against South Christian at East Kentwood High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, which will be the WKTV featured game of the week.

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game (which on Oct. 19 was East Kentwood’s home win against Rockford) and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

 

 

It’s a Monster Mash

 

And it has been such a graveyard smash that The Salvation Army Kroc Center will once again be hosting its annual “Monster Mash” Friday, Oct. 26.

 

The event, which is from 5 – 7 p.m., is free and will feature “trunk-or-treating” in the Kroc’s east parking lot, among other activities. More than 2,000 people attended last year’s event with organizers expecting at least that many this year.

 

Since little monsters are not that fond of the rain, the event will be cancelled if there is heavy rain or lightening.

 

 

Fun Fact:

Name that Sound 

In Hollywood movies, it is often the shrill cry of a red-tail hawk that is used as a stand in for an eagle's high-pitched whistle. Fortunately in Blandfold Nature Center's Birds of Prey Photography class, you will not have to worry about the sound as you snap photos of these beautiful animals. The event takes place on Friday, Oct. 27, and there is a registration fee.

Tickets on sale Oct. 26th for Disturbed’s EVOLUTION world tour with March 7 Van Andel Arena concert date

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,
Photo supplied

 

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG

 

Two-time Grammy nominees Disturbed have announced the Evolution World Tour, an extensive international arena tour that kicks off Jan. 9 in San Diego, CA, and will see the multi-platinum-selling rock band headlining SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 7:30 PM with Three Days Grace.

That run will be followed by an overseas trek that’ll see the band bringing their incendiary live show to Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the UK.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Oct. 26 at 10am.Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order.
Disturbed (vocalist David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren and bassist John Moyer) is touring in support of much-buzzed-about new album Evolution—which arrives tomorrow(!)—and lead single “Are You Ready,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart and has maintained that position for 4 consecutive weeks. The song, which is the band’s 12th No. 1 single and the fastest chart-climber of their career, has over 5 million Spotify streams and a companion video with more than 5 million YouTube views.
Evolution has been early drawing rave reviews from fans and critics alike, with Billboard declaring it, “their most diverse album ever and one of their best, on par with their 2002 hit album Believe.”
Classic Rock wrote, “the title says it all…the band have embraced their own instincts, and as a result their credibility has soared on arguably their most convincing album since 2000’s The Sickness.”
The Chicago Sun-Times said, “Evolution takes some of the biggest leaps of Disturbed’s career, with the unpredictability in David Draiman’s vocals, Mike Wengren’s drumming patterns, Dan Donegan’s dimensional guitar work and John Moyer’s low-down bass lines fully embodying the album’s title.”
Music Week proclaimed, “Disturbed are ready to go stratospheric on their new album Evolution,” Metal Hammer wrote, “without a doubt the most diverse record in Disturbed’s catalogue,” and Power Play gave it a 10-star review, gushing, “Disturbed have evolved into a superbly mature rock act, who, with this album, fully transcend from pure metal into pure greatness. This is a career-defining release. Nothing less.”
The Evolution World Tour will see the band playing an exhilarating mix of classic hits like “Down With The Sickness,” Inside The Fire” and “The Sound Of Silence” along with new tracks such as “Are You Ready” and the recently released “A Reason To Fight.”
The tour announcement follows last week’s intimate hometown show at Chicago’s Vic Theatre (a special performance that airs today on SiriusXM’s Octane and Turbo Channels) and this past weekend’s set at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on a bill that featured Metallica, Lil Wayne, Justice and more.
On Oct. 23 and 24, Disturbed will partner with the USO to perform for the Airmen at Creech and Nellis Air Force Bases in Indian Springs and Las Vegas, respectively.In addition to the performances, the band will take part in USO morale engagements to visit Airmen where they work and learn more about the important missions at each base.
Disturbed recorded Evolution in Vegas with Kevin Churko, who produced their previous release, 2015’s Immortalized. That album became the band’s fifth consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard Top 200, earned a platinum certification, and yielded the triple-platinum crossover smash “The Sound of Silence.” The latter earned a GRAMMY® nod for “Best Rock Performance.” Additionally, the band took home “Best Rock Artist” at the iHeartRadioMusic Awards and received acclaim from The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, and more.
About Disturbed
Simply put, Disturbed are one of the most successful rock bands in modern history. The multiplatinum-selling quartet accomplished the rare feat of achieving five consecutive number one debuts on the Billboard Top 200. That accolade historically elevated them to rarified air alongside Metallica, the only other hard rock group to do so in the history of the chart.
Immortalized (2015) received a platinum certification and spawned the triple-platinum crossover smash “The Sound of Silence,” which garnered a nomination at the 2017 GRAMMY® Awards in the category of “Best Rock Performance.” Since their formation in 1996, the band has sold 16 million albums globally and scored twelve No. 1 singles at Active Rock Radio.
Their quadruple-platinum 2000 debut, The Sickness, formally announced their arrival as hard rock leaders, with that status solidified by subsequent  GRAMMY® Award nominations as well as gold-, platinum- and double platinum-certified records, as well as countless sold-out shows around the globe.  Named “Best Rock Artist” during the 2017 iHeartRadioMusic Awards, Disturbed continue to boldly forge ahead with the release of their aptly titled seventh offering, Evolution.

 

 

 

How to stay healthy during flu season

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

By Kelli DeYoung, Heart of the City Pharmacy

 

Are you one of many people missing out on fall activities because of cold or flu symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, cough and tiredness? When do you ‘push through the pain,’ and when do give up and get help?

 

Both the common cold and flu are caused by a virus, not bacteria, so running to the doctor at the first sniffle isn’t going to make the flu go away. In general, the flu has worse symptoms than the common cold, meaning fever above 100°, more joint pain, intense cough and extreme exhaustion. The flu is achier and colds are leakier. The common cold usually lasts for two weeks, whereas the flu can leave you flat in bed for up to three weeks, so it is best to do everything you can to prevent getting the flu.

  • Get the flu vaccine: This not only protects you, but prevents you from carrying it to others. You can get your flu shot at any Cherry Health medical site or by going to Heart of the City Pharmacy (walk-ins welcome!).
  • Get rest and nutrition: If you are battling flu or cold symptoms your body needs all the rest it can get to fight off the virus that’s ruining your weekend fun. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family to ‘make you chicken soup.’ Studies show those who have people helping them get well actually recover faster, so if you know someone who is sick, a card or meal really does help them recover faster.
  • Zinc supplements: These can help your immune system even more than high doses of vitamin C. Eat fruits or using a juicer can also get you the fresh effect of enzymes in foods. If you’re interested in how the foods you eat can build a healthier you, come to Heart of the City Pharmacy any Thursday or Friday for the latest science on diet and supplement information. Enjoy the season!

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

On the shelf: ‘Sailing Grace’ by John Otterbacher

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By M. Christine Byron, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch

 

John Otterbacher’s memoir is his account of  “drowning in heart disease, fighting back to the surface, and sailing on.” It is an engrossing story that I couldn’t put down. John and his wife, Barbara, decide to pursue of dream of sailing across the Atlantic and come up with a plan to pare down their lifestyle. But then John is surprised with a series of heart troubles.

 

The book recounts John’s dealing with his physical struggles, his connections with family and friends, while keeping sight of his dreams. Thus gritty account is well written and inspiring. The reader is drawn into John’s world and feels the pain and fear that he has so clearly portrayed, but also the joy with each small recovery and each sailing success.

 

John’s cardiologist, Richard McNamara, MD, has said of the book, “When hope and heart disease collide, hope sometimes wins.” The book tells the story of one man’s unwillingness to allow his medical condition to restrain him from pursuing his dreams and living the life he wants.

 

Since earning his degree in clinical psychology, John has taught college, served as a State Representative and Senator, and worked as a psychotherapist. Local residents might recognize his name from his years in public service. The book makes several references to places in Grand Rapids, as well as to other familiar Michigan towns. As an advocate of “living out beyond your fears,” John has served as a role model of strength, perseverance and hope.

 

Employment Expertise: A positive first impression

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By West Michigan Works!

Workshop Spotlight on Introduction to Interviewing

West Michigan Works! talent development instructor, Robin, shared with us some insight into her favorite workshop for job seekers: Introduction to Interviewing. Robin has been with Michigan Works! for 20 years and began teaching workshops last year. This is what she told us about her favorite workshop:

 

What is Introduction to Interviewing?

Intro to Interviewing is a free, one-hour workshop open to the public. This workshop provides job seekers with up-to-date interviewing techniques so they can put their best foot forward with a potential employer.

 

Why is this such an important workshop for job seekers?

There are certain aspects of interviewing that job seekers don’t always think about. In this workshop, we don’t take anything for granted. We cover everything from common-sense dos and don’ts to less obvious aspects, like making eye-contact and speaking confidently. Participants will leave the workshop with a good understanding of how to conduct themselves throughout the interview process, including how to:

  • research the employer and job to prepare for the interview
  • practice answering common interview questions as well as difficult ones
  • dress appropriately
  • ask meaningful questions about the business and position
  • practice active listening and clear, assertive communication

What is something job seekers tell you they were surprised to learn in the workshop?

Job seekers are sometimes surprised to learn about the importance of a professional email address and voicemail message. This includes keeping your voicemail cleaned out so you can accept new messages from potential employers. Preparing for an interview can be stressful and it’s easy for things to get overlooked. Spending a little time on details like these can go a long way toward making a good first impression!

 

Visit jobs.westmiworks.org/calendar/ to find and register for Introduction to Interviewing or another workshop near you!

 

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

Tackling Alzheimer’s disease

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By Diana Bitner, Spectrum Health Beat

 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia—a condition that causes sufferers to forget short-term events and names. It also causes changes in behavior.

When talking about Alzheimer’s, it’s important to look at the risk factors:
  • Age—This is the strongest risk factor, with most people being diagnosed after age 65.
  • Genetics—There are genetic links associated with the disease, meaning it can run in families.
  • Environment—The most studied environmental factors include aluminum, zinc, food-borne poisons, and viruses, but there has been no clear evidence of cause and effect.
  • Related medical conditions—These include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

It’s also important to note that having many family members with Alzheimer’s does increase an individual’s risk, but it’s not necessarily tied to genes per se. Instead, it can be tied to a genetic mutation or other medical conditions (such as diabetes and obesity) that may run in the family.

 

As doctors, we are learning more and more about how diabetes, heart disease, obesity and dementia are all tied together.

 

These medical conditions all involve blood vessels—specifically how healthy or unhealthy the vessels are.

 

A healthy blood vessel has a smooth inside lining, flexible walls and no plaque build-up. In contrast, an unhealthy blood vessel has a sticky lining, stiff walls and plaque build-up, possibly even buried in the vessel wall. This can result in decreased blood flow to important cells in brain tissue, impacting function and clearance of certain proteins.

 

This build-up is associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

 

We also know that Alzheimer’s disease is associated with certain acquired risk factors—especially when they start in midlife. The greatest risk factors include smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Taking control of your future self

What’s the bottom line? Midlife is the time to consider life goals and make important choices.

 

When I talk about Alzheimer’s and risk factors, I think about a patient of mine I’ll call Tania who came into the menopause clinic with some serious concerns.

 

Tania, 53, complained of forgetting things, feeling anxious, having night sweats and simply not feeling like herself. She was worried she had dementia—and for good reason.

 

Tania’s grandmother moved from Mexico to live with Tania’s family when Tania was 12. By the time Tania entered high school, her grandmother suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Concerned she had the same thing, Tania needed answers.

 

We began by talking about her current stage in life—early perimenopause. This was clear because of her irregular periods, and symptoms of hot flashes and mood changes around the time of her period. Next, we went over her medical history, which included diabetes during pregnancy and lifelong issues with mild obesity.

 

Tania’s family history revealed some real concerns: Her mom, aunts and grandmother suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity; and her father had high blood pressure. When I took Tania’s vitals that day, her blood pressure was 150/75 and her BMI was 31. Both of those numbers were too high.

 

After gathering this information, I asked Tania what she wanted, and she said she wanted to be healthy—without diabetes or high blood pressure. She also wanted to maintain a healthy weight, be active, and not have to take all the meds her family did. And, most importantly, Tania did not want to get Alzheimer’s disease.

 

When I explained to her that diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity in midlife were all significant risk factors for Alzheimer’s, she wanted to know what she needed to do. We ran her labs, and the results showed she had pre-diabetes and mildly elevated cholesterol.

 

We then put together a plan. And our plan paid off.

 

After three months, Tania walked for 45 minutes every day and had changed her diet. She had lost 8 pounds and, even better, her blood pressure was down to 140/70 and her blood sugar was lower—almost in the normal range. Her periods were regular again and she slept better.

 

Tania felt great and addressed her health issues in time to meet her goals and make a difference.

Worried about your health or brain function? Make an appointment to specifically discuss your health concerns with your doctor. Need help choosing your physician? No worries. Call Spectrum Health at 877.362.8362 day or night to receive assistance and advice about selecting a physician who is right for you.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Haunted attractions in West Michigan

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

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

Scary movies have swept the mainstream, and while you may be safe watching from your couch with popcorn in hand, there’s always an opportunity to come face to face with a ghost, mutant, ghoul, or zombie this time of year. Not only does West Michigan have stellar haunted houses, but there are also ghost tours, haunted corn mazes, and real ghost sightings around every corner. You may not want to visit these haunted attractions alone, so bring some friends and see if you can survive.

Actually Haunted Locales

Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo is said to have a handful of ghostly guests. Among these spirits are the castle’s original owners, Frank and Mary Henderson, a Spanish-American War veteran, a little girl, and even a dog. These ghostly figures often interact with guests, speaking to them, opening cabinet doors, even appearing as apparitions.

 

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s also the time of the year when unseen things go bump in the night. Visit Coldwater for the Historical Paranormal Penlight Tour on Saturday, October 20th. Following a presentation by local paranormal experts, the Paranormal Penlight Tour will kick off on the south side of Oak Grove Cemetery.

 

“Jack” is the nickname given to the legendary ghost of a lumberjack who was killed in a barroom knife fight in 1847 at what is now the Grill House in Allegan. Occasionally, lights, radios, and television go on and off at odd times. Doors unexpectedly open and close. Faucets turn on by themselves. Sometimes, you can hear footsteps at night. His blurry presence has even shown up in photos taken at the restaurant. Jack’s legacy lives on over 170 years later.

 

Shadowy figures, strange noises, and mysteriously shifted objects have all been witnessed at the Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids. One night during the second week of operation, owner Chris Andrus was the last person to leave the Engine House, heading home at 2am after mopping the facility. He was also the first one to arrive early the next morning. As he prepared the taproom for opening, he checked the front lobby and noticed a few footprints left from the wet mop water the night before.

 

At first, Chris thought nothing of it, but after a few minutes, he realized no one else had been in the building between his leaving and return, and that the prints were made by bare feet. He returned to the footprints and made a perplexing discovery: they were the footprints of a child. More footprints would show up over the following years, along with shadows, silhouettes, and noises.

Spooky Attractions & Haunted Houses

The Zombie Escape Room in Mt. Pleasant is great fun with friends and family. The escape room is open on Oct. 19th and 20th, so get a group together and test your skills.

 

Now in its fourth year, the Michigan Maritime Museum is transforming into a maze of terrifying thrills and chills that are not for the faint of heart. This event is part of South Haven’s annual Haven Harvest Festival and will be open on October 19th and 20th.

 

The Tri-Cities Museum in Grand Haven is hosting their haunted museum event on Saturday, Oct. 20th. This free event focuses on education and fun while visitors learn about how Halloween was celebrated in the past. The Victorian House exhibit in the museum will remain decorated for Halloween through Oct. 31st.

 

Every fall, the SS City of Milwaukee is transformed into the Manistee Ghost Ship. Explore this enormous ship, but look out for the ghosts and ghouls that lurk around every corner. This experience is available every Friday and Saturday in October.

 

The Haunt in Grand Rapids has been West Michigan’s choice for fear since 2001, and they’re bringing new scares to a new location in 2018. Make your way through dark hallways and zombified nightmares inside the 50,000 square feet indoor facility. Your ticket gets you into each of the four terrifying attractions. The Haunt is open from now until the end of October.

 

The largest haunted attraction in southwest Michigan, Niles Scream Park, continues their mission to terrify everybody that enters the grounds. Visit all five of their main attractions, each of which is uniquely themed and professionally redesigned each year to scare you and your friends. Almost as popular as the Niles Haunted House is the outdoor Field of Screams attraction. It is full of mazes to disorient you and special effects that will dazzle and confuse your senses. Once they have you where they want you, the characters in the field will make sure to maximize the scare effect. Parking and entry to the midway are both free.

Haunted Events & Exhibits

The Haunted Hall in Muskegon, open Fridays and Saturdays in October, is a fun haunted event to check out with your friends and family.

 

It may not be as scary as a ghost or ghoul, but the Hotel Frankfort’s Murder Mystery nights will get your blood pumping. Join them on either Oct. 26th or 27th for an interactive murder mystery dinner, and see if you can solve who shot the sheriff. This elaborate evening can only be solved by you, so put on your thinking cap and see if you can figure out who the murderer is.

 

Promote Michigan’s president Dianna Stampfler is hosting a series of free programs at libraries around the state to promote her upcoming book Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses. The state has more than 120 historic beacons and nearly three dozen are rumored to be haunted. Lighthouse keepers were known to be extremely dedicated to their profession and it seems that many were never able to give it up, even after death. More than 30 lights in Michigan are rumored to be haunted.

 

Discover the magic of Victorian Halloween traditions and superstitions this fall at the Cappon House Museum, part of the Holland Museum. Tour the dimly lit rooms of this historic home to learn how Halloween was celebrated 100 years ago. Then, partake in spooky parlor games and broom races, listen to classic ghost stories, have your fortune told, and carve a mini pumpkin to take home. This is a family-friendly event great for families with kids and costumes are encouraged!

Scary Trails & Hayrides

October is a month full of scares and family fun in Mecosta County. The area offers corn mazes and haunted trails all month long. The Haunted Corn Maze is open every Friday and Saturday in October, while the Haunted Fish Hatchery is open on Oct. 19th, 20th, 26th, and 27th.

 

Don’t miss an eerie night of history’s most terrifying and gruesome moments as Michigan’s Heritage Park hosts their Annual Haunted Trail in Whitehall on October 26th and 27th. This after-hours event will examine the bone-chilling legends, myths, and tales from the 1600s through the early 1900s. With 10,000 years of horror, nothing is off the table during this two-night event.

 

Get scared and help a local charity with the Forest of Fear in Grayling. The forest is open every Friday and Saturday in October. This event has grown over the past 13 years, and this year is no different.

 

Located in Belmont, Cannonsburg’s take on a haunted hayride includes zombies and paintball. Zombie Paintball is an interactive spooky, action-packed experience designed for all ages. Ride through the Cannonsburg woods blasting zombies with paintballs along the way.

 

Cornwell’s Turkeyville in Marshall has haunted activities for the entire family. A scary barn will keep you guessing around every corner and the hayride through an alien trail is not as quiet as it may seem. See if you can make it through the corn maze, but beware of the signs that you may find along the way! When you’re done, stop by the Turkeyville restaurant and ice cream parlor for a bite to eat.

 

MyNorth is selling tickets for a terrifying haunted house in L’Anse. Teens and adults wander aimlessly through a maze of terrifying rooms and hallways with a scare at every turn.

 

The Michigan City LaPorte area in Indiana is hosting the Hesston Ghost Train every weekend from now until Oct. 28th. The train will take you through a haunted woods, where you may see a ghost or two.

GVSU’s Fall Arts Celebration spotlights the arts during multiple free events

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,
Kariamu and Company: Traditions — A Celebration of African Dance (photo supplied)

By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University

 

For the past 15 years, West Michigan audiences have enjoyed a series of six free events every fall at Grand Valley that celebrate the positive impact of the arts. President Thomas J. Haas said these events are offered as gifts to the local community that has supported the evolution of the university.

 

“Each year, these six diverse and free events provide us with the opportunity to thank the West Michigan community for its continued support of the performing arts at Grand Valley, and the university as a whole,” said Haas. “The arts lift us up, make us think and provide an endless variety of entertainment and enrichment, and we hope others will join us in celebrating the richness of the worlds of poetry, dance, art, music and more this fall.”

 

Here are the upcoming Fall Arts Celebration events for November and December. For more event details, go here.

 

Kariamu and Company: Traditions — A Celebration of African Dance

  • Nov. 12, at 7:30 pm
  • Location: Louis Armstrong Theatre, Haas Center for Performing Arts, Allendale Campus

Kariamu Welsh is a Guggenheim award–winning dance scholar, choreographer, educator and the founder of the Umfundalai technique. For the past 40 years, Welsh has developed Umfundalai as a contemporary dance technique that seeks to articulate the essence of African-oriented movement while highlighting the cultural and aesthetic continuity found in the rhythm and artistic sensibilities that cover the full range of African dance. As an “artivist,” Welsh feels that one of her responsibilities is to tell the stories, myths, legends and histories of the marginalized, invisible, forgotten and oppressed. Welsh is currently a professor of dance in the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University.

 

Photo supplied

Celebrating Holiday Splendor: Craig Jessop Conducts “The Many Moods of Christmas”

  • Dec. 3, at 7:30 pm
  • Location: Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids

Robert Shaw’s “The Many Moods of Christmas” meshes pieces of 18 of the most traditional carols combined with music from composers such as Handel, Bizet and Bach. Renowned choral conductor Craig Jessop will lead the GVSU Arts Chorale and local high school students for this special holiday celebration concert. Jessop, professor of music and founding dean of the Cain College of the Arts at Utah State University, is the former director of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He led the ensemble as a featured conductor during the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The sitting epidemic

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Prolonged periods of sitting could lead to serious health problems. Could an anti-sitting campaign gain traction? (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Kim Delafuente, Spectrum Health Beat

 

Here’s a question for the youngsters: Did you know that, up until recent years, most corners of society considered smoking to be socially acceptable?

 

Just 10 years ago, in fact, restaurants in many states still offered smoking sections. It’s truly a silly concept, given that cigarette smoke travels throughout the restaurant anyway.

 

Opposition to smoking began to emerge in the late 1960s and ’70s, but there had been little in the way of enforcements or taboos up until the 1980s, ’90s and ’00s.

 

These days, the smoking rate in the U.S. is at its lowest point in decades, with about 15.5 percent of adults identifying as smokers. (That’s down from a high of about 42 percent in the 1960s.)

 

America’s anti-smoking campaign may come to exemplify how society approaches another topic: sitting.

 

That’s right, sitting.

 

At work, at home, in our cars, watching events and so on, we spend a lot of time sitting. We sit an average of nine to 10 hours each day, not to mention the time we spend sleeping.

 

But just as it was with smoking, sitting has a negative impact on our health.

 

Within an hour of sitting, we see declines in our fat metabolism and our HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).

 

So how did we get here?

 

Technology has eliminated the need to manually open our garage doors, get up and sharpen our pencils, play board games, scrapbook or even get up and talk to coworkers. Instant messaging apps and emails make it all too easy to send a quick question to someone just down the hall.

 

We don’t have to make our own meals or go to the store as often—or at all.

 

Throughout this evolution, movement has been minimized from our daily lives. In many cases, movement has become optional and unnecessary.

 

Sitting has, by all measures, become the norm.

 

But sitting too much is not the same as not getting enough exercise.

 

When we hear the recommendations to get up and move every hour, to spend less time watching TV, to take the stairs, etc., remember that even the smallest movements have health benefits.

 

As your muscles contract, fat begins to shift from your blood stream to the moving muscles. This reactivates your fat metabolism.

 

Can you prevent the negative health effects of sitting too much when you’re someone who exercises regularly?

 

Maybe not.

 

Even people who exercise regularly—those who meet the physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes or more a week—may undo some of the positive health benefits of exercise if they simply spend the rest of the day sitting.

 

Add small movements into your day.

 

Find activities that you can do standing instead of sitting: talking on the phone, folding the laundry, reading email.

 

Do you fidget? That’s great! Tap your foot, twirl your hair and stand up to stretch.

 

At its peak, 42 percent of the adult population in the U.S. smoked.

 

Is sitting the new smoking?

 

From a numbers standpoint, it could be worse. A significant portion of the population spends the day sitting, which means this particular problem is systemic.

 

The good news is that poor health is preventable through public health campaigns, personal action and societal awareness.

 

Big corporations are starting to lead the way. In the construction of its state-of-the-art tech campus, Apple installed adjustable desks that allow all employees to choose if they want to sit or stand while working at their computers.

 

If you don’t have an adjustable desk, try to find creative solutions that let you stand during some of the workday. At a minimum, get up and take a break to stand and stretch every once in a while.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Hackley Historic Site hosts Obituary Tour to explore deaths, autopsies, and funerals

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Upcoming Events, , , ,
Hackley House

By Aaron Mace, Lakeshore Museum Center

 

How much do you know about the deaths that happened in the Hackley and Hume Houses?

 

The Hackley and Hume Historic Site (484 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, MI 49440) will host an Obituary Tour event on Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 with two sessions each night running from 7-8pm and 8:30-9:30 pm. Visitors are invited to travel back in time as they tour the houses by candlelight and explore the funerals, autopsies, and deaths that occurred on site during the Victorian Era.

 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience a reenactment of Julia Hackley’s funeral service and become immersed in the practices and traditions of death and dying spanning from 1949-1994.

 

Erin Schmitz, the Historic Site’s Program Manager, explains, “With all the excitement of Halloween just around the corner, we’re looking forward to having the community come out and enjoy this event! It was a huge success last year, and we know our visitors will love learning more about the history surrounding the Hackley and Hume Houses.”

 

The candlelit tours are given twice each night, the first session running from 7-8pm and the second from 8:30-9:30 pm. Due to the elements involved, the event is recommended for adults only.

 

The Obituary Tour takes place inside the Hackley and Hume Houses. Admission to the event is $20 for non-members and $15 for members. Registration is required. To RSVP, contact Aaron Mace at aaron@lakeshoremuseum.org or call 231-724-5534.

Saugatuck/Douglas ‘Kids and Pets Costume Contest & Parade’ Oct. 27 at Wicks Park

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Events,

By Saugatuck/Douglas

 

Boolieve it or not, Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to get creative! The Saugatuck/Douglas “Kids and Pets Costume Contest & Parade” event is happening on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Wicks Park.

 

Judges will determine the winners and will distribute cash prizes at the end. There will be four costume categories for both kids and pets:

  • Cute
  • Funny
  • Scary
  • Most creative

Here’s the lineup:

  • 3:30pm – Costume judging and parade lineup @ Wicks Park
  • 4pm – Parade begins

Stick around after the parade at Wick’s Pick for the awarding of cash prizes, goodies from Doughrunts Doughnut Truck, horse-drawn wagon rides through town, a puppet show and more!

 

For more information go here or email staff@saugatuck.com.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood weekend news you want to know

Citizen Journalism, , , , , , ,

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"Even the southeast side of Grand Rapids must bow to the beauty of a Michigan fall."*
          -Daniel Abbott, The Concrete

 

Trunks Full of Treats

 

Kentwood’s Fall Festival includes Trunk or Treat. (WKTV)

The City of Kentwood will host its annual Fall Festival this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

 

Among the activities will be the annual Trunk or Treat when city and community organizations decorate their trunks and hand out candy to area children. Participants will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite decorated trunk. Also taking place will be face painting, hayrides, a bounce house, and games.

 

 

 

Go Hike, Get a Prize

 

Urban-thru-hiker Liz Thomas

If you head out on the trails this weekend, you might be lucky enough to score a surprise from Merrell, the shoe company. Merrell team members will be handing out swag bags and gift cards along The Ales Trail starting at Outside Coffee Co., 734 Wealthy St. SE, and making its way to several area breweries, ending at the New Holland Knickerbocker. The event is lead by urban-thru-hiker Liz Thomas who has been making her way through the local trails to help encourage residents to get out and hike.

 

 

Brewed Spirits

 

The phantom footprint preserved in the upstairs bar.

The Mitten Brewing Co. creates some of the area’s best brews and apparently those from the afterworld agree as they are still hanging around the former firehouse.  Since opening, staff and guests have reported paranormal activity in the building located at 527 Leonard St. NE. 

 

Co-owner Christ Andrus said he believes that whatever is haunting the former Engine House No. 9 is just playing pranks on people. Regardless if you believe or not, it makes for some great tall tales over some award-winning brew. (The Mitten’s West Coast Swing Amber took a Gold Medal at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival.)

 

 

Fun Fact:

5,062 Years

That is how old a bristlecone in California is, making it the oldest individual living tree. (For reference, wooly mamnoths died about 4,000 years. Want to learn more about trees? Then snatch up a copy of "The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben, and then join the book discussion on Nov. 8 at the KDL Kelloggsville. The program will be lead by the City of Wyoming Tree Commission starting at 6:30 p.m..

KDL Book Talks: Courtney Summers’ ‘Sadie’ is a real page-turner

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

 

“And it begins, as so many stories do, with a dead girl.” – The opening of “Sadie.”

 

Nineteen-year-old Sadie Hunter lives in one of those small, decaying little towns. Life has not been easy for her as she tries a normal life for her 13-year-old sister Mattie. However, when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s world begins to crumble and she sets out to bring Mattie’s killer to justice and disappears.

 

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie’s story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl, starting a podcast to track the Sadie.

 

“Part of the book is told like a script from a podcast, like you are reading his narration and his interviews with the people Sadie has come in contact with, with his news producer, and things like that,” said KDL Youth Library Courtnei Moyses. “The other chapters are Sadie, what is actually happening in Sadie’s life.

 

“This was a book that I just couldn’t but down because it was written so well and it was such a thriller it kept me turning the page.”

 

Warning: the book does deal with very adult topics including sexual abuse and drugs.

 

For more great reads, visit kdl.org.

 

Explore the secret life of trees in KDL Kelloggsville upcoming book discussion

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

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Trees will be the focus of the KDL Kelloggsville branch’s first-ever book talk Nov. 8 as the Wyoming Tree Commission will help lead the discussion on Peter Wohlleben’s groundbreaking book “The Hidden Life of Trees.”

 

“As we worked on increasing the tree cover in Wyoming, I came across this book and it is an amazing book,” said Tree Commissioner Jim Ward who will be leading the talk with KDL Kelloggsville’s Mike Zurgable.

 

Released in 2016, “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate, Discoveries from a Secret World” is the first book in The Mysteries of Nature Trilogy by Wohlleben, a German forest ranger. The second book, “The Inner Life of Animals” was released last year and the third book, “The Secret Wisdom of Nature” has just been released.

 

In “Hidden Life of Trees,” Wohlleben shares his love of the woods and forests, discussing the process of life and death. He gives the trees human qualities as parents with children, communicating to each other, and supporting each other. Wohlleben draws from new discoveries, presenting the science behind the secret and previously unknown life of trees and their communication abilities. 

 

“He talks about things about the trees that no one ever knew,” Ward said. “How the trees take care of each other. That they actually make noises and they actually make a smell to identify who they are to other trees and to defend themselves against critters chewing or invading them.”

 

So impressed with Wohlleben’s book that when approached about hosting a book talk at the KDL Kelloggsvile branch, it was the book on the top of Ward’s list.

 

“We are so honored to be able to participate in the book talk,” Ward said. “It is an opportunity for us to promote what we are doing in the City of Wyoming and our efforts to increase the tree canopy.”

 

Ward said the talk will generate discussion on the value of trees and what they offer a city beyond just beautifying it, serving as a launch pad in the city’s continuing efforts of being a Tree City U.S.A.

 

Copies of “The Hidden Life of Trees” are available at the KDL Kelloggsville branch, located in the Kelloggsville High School, 4787 S. Division Ave.  The book discussion will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the KDL Kelloggsvile branch.

 

For more on the Tree Commission activities, click here. For more on KDL programs, visit kdl.org.

Special Halloween-themed organ concerts at the GRPM Oct. 19 & 20

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is hosting Halloween-themed Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concerts with the silent film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligarion Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20.

 

Internationally known silent film organist, Dennis Scott, will be playing the GRPM’s 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ accompanied to the silent film, for a thrilling, family friendly event.

 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a 1920 German thriller silent film. The plot twists when a group of friends visit the carnival and watch showman Dr. Caligari who uses hypnotism to control to his victims. When Dr. Caligari brings hypnotized Cesare out of a sarcophagus, Cesare predicts Alan will be dead by morning. When this predication comes true, Francis and Jane are left to find out answers. Considered one of the first chilling silent films, it has been praised by modern film critics and historians alike.

 

Dennis Scott first began accompanying silent films in the 1970s, when he started playing theatre pipe organs installed in pizza parlors in the Midwest and on the West Coast where he would accompany a couple of “two-reel” comedies every evening. His style has been compared to that of his legendary mentor, the late John Muri, who recorded numerous silent film scores for Blackhawk Films.

 

Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of the comic genius Harold Lloyd, dubbed Dennis the “Master of Magic Notes.” Scott is the house organist at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre, playing weekend intermissions, the annual Sing-Along Sound of Music, the annual Music Box Christmas Sing-Along, as well as several themed film festivals and special events.

 

Shows are being held at 7pm on Friday, Oct. 19 and at 2pm on Saturday, Oct. 20 in the Meijer Theater at the GRPM.

 

Tickets for individual concerts are $8 for Museum member adults, $4 for Museum member children, $10 for non-member adults and $5 for non-member children. Tickets are available by visiting the website here or by calling 616.929.1700.

 

The second concert of the series will feature Brett Valliant playing classic “pizza parlor” organ music including Maple Leaf Rag, In the Mood, Phantom of the Opera andRock Around the Clock on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7pm and Saturday, Nov. 17 at 2pm.

 

The third and final concert of the series will feature Lance Luce performing holiday songs, which includes favorites such as White Christmas, Silver Bells, and Let it Snow, on Friday, Dec. 21 at 7pm and Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2pm.

 

The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ

The Wurlitzer Company of North Tonawanda, New York, manufactured and shipped Opus #1836, a “3 manual special”, to the Stanley Theater of Jersey City, New Jersey, on Feb. 9, 1928. The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ spent two decades entertaining customers at the Roaring 20’s Pizza Parlor on 28th Street in Grand Rapids, before it was moved to its current location at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Tickets on sale TODAY for Weezer and the Pixies, March 20th at Van Andel Arena

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events,

 

By Hilaire Carpenter, SMG

Weezer to Hit the Road Again with the Pixies This Spring

Following a rapturously received summer tour, Weezer will be returning to the road with Pixies this spring for a run of highly anticipated North American arena dates. Produced by Live Nation, the 21-city tour will kick off March 8th in Louisville, KY and make stops in Montreal, St. Louis, Portland, and more, before wrapping April 12th in Las Vegas, NV. The tour comes to Grand Rapids at SMG-managed Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 7pm.

 

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, October 19 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to all orders and prices can be found on Ticketmaster.com.

 

Today, Weezer revealed the first song from their forthcoming, long-anticipated record, The Black Album, set for release in 2019 via Crush Music/Atlantic Records. The song — entitled ‘Can’t Knock The Hustle’ — was produced by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, with whom the band worked for the first time. The song premiered this morning via iHeartRadio at 8am EST, and follows the band’s smash hit cover of ‘Africa’ by Toto.

 

A video for the song, starring Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz as a rideshare driver taking the longest drive of his life, and produced by Jerry Media, is also up now. Click HERE to watch it. Also, check out HastaLuegoAdios.com for some classic Weezer fun.

 

Weezer are: Brian Bell (guitar/vocals), Rivers Cuomo (vocals/guitar), Scott Shriner (bass/vocals) and Pat Wilson (drums). For more information, connect with Weezer: Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram.

 

 

Diabetes and your mouth

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

By Nicole Kooiker, DDS, Heart of the City Health Center

 

Q: Does diabetes really affect my teeth?

 

A: If you are one of the nearly 30 million people living in the U.S. with diabetes, you have special oral health needs. As a dentist practicing in Grand Rapids, I see first-hand how diabetes affects the mouth. It can lead to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, and it can cause periodontitis, the most severe and common dental disease affecting those with diabetes. If left untreated, periodontitis may cause you to lose your teeth or have them pulled. It also reduces your body’s ability to regulate the level of sugar in the blood. High blood sugar can make diabetes harder to control and contribute to worsening gum disease.

 

Below are tips for keeping your mouth healthy while living with diabetes.

  • Control your blood sugar level.
  • Brush and floss daily.
  • If you wear dentures, remove and clean them daily.
  • Visit your dentist regularly; in fact, deep cleanings can help lower your HbA1c.
  • Watch for signs of gum disease, including red, swollen, tender, and /or bleeding gums when you brush or floss; bad breath; permanent teeth that are loose or moving away from each other; and gums that have pulled away from teeth.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Tell your dentist and hygienist any time there is a change in your medication or the severity of your diabetes.
  • Postpone any non-emergency dental procedures if your blood sugar is not in control.

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Arts & Eats 2018 is this weekend in Southwest Michigan

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Events,
Photo supplied

By Michelle Frank, Arts and Eats

 

Learn about locally owned businesses and rural life as part of this weekend’s Arts and Eats fall tour.

 

More than 60 new and returning West Michigan artist studios, galleries, locally-owned eateries, farms, and farmers markets are participating in the 8th Annual Arts and Eats. This free, self-driving, back-roads tour is Saturday, Oct. 20th and Sunday, Oct. 21st throughout rural portions of Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties. The tour map is online at ARTSandEATS.org.

 

Visit with local artisans in their studios, and see working farms featuring specialty food crops, fiber, and heritage animals. Should hunger strike, stop at one of the area’s local gems which serve food made with ingredients from area farms and producers.

 

Sites are generally open both days from 10am to 5pm. Food and drink places are open during normal business hours, and many will kick-off the tour the night before on Friday, Oct. 19th.

 

Photo supplied

Arts and Eats also hosts a “Best Drinks” contest. Patrons may taste and vote for their favorites in the categories of “Best Hot,” “Best Cold,” and “Most Unique” Drink at ARTSandEATS.org.

 

Arts and Eats raises awareness and appreciation of the region’s human and natural resources. The tour reminds us about the benefits of buying and consuming locally-grown foods and supporting Michigan artists as entrepreneurs. The tour is an opportunity to contribute to a sense of place and to support local economies.

The 22nd — and FINAL — Annual Grand Awards to honor theater excellence Oct. 21st at Fountain Street Church

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

By WKTV Staff

 

A lot of talent has been fêted over the past two decades as the Annual Grand Awards have celebrated and rewarded inspired performances from top productions of a given year, from children’s theater to community and college musicals and plays. This event, comparable to the Tony Awards, is complete with performances, awards, and most importantly the handing out of scholarships to young students pursuing a career in theater.

 

After reveling 22 theater seasons with the Grand Awards, this will be the last year that it continues under its current format. Stay tuned in the coming years because something new and revamped will take its place highlighting the scholarship recipients.

 

The night will celebrate the scholarship recipients, enjoy some repeat performances from the 2017-2018 theater season, acknowledge stand-out performances from the year with awards and enjoy the company of some of Grand Rapids’ MOST talented all under one roof. 

 

This year’s Grand Awards ceremony will be held at Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) in downtown Grand Rapids on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 6pm. Following the ceremony, there will be an after party in the fellowship hall of Fountain Street Church complete with a DJ, food, drinks, and fun going until 11pm.

 

Tickets for the 22nd Annual Grand Awards can be purchased here using credit cards for $40 (general admission and seating). General admission tickets at the door will be cash only. All ticketing for students (with proper ID), nominees, and Grand Awards event performers will be handled at the door the night of the event (cash only):

  • Grand Awards event performer: $30
  • Students: $20
  • Nominees: $10 (must be an individual nominee)

And, the nominees are…

Outstanding Play

  • The Whale at Actors’ Theatre
  • A Few Good Men at Circle Theatre
  • Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • All the Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
  • Fool for Love at Heritage Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play

  • Jason Stamp as ‘Charlie’ in The Whale at Actors’ Theatre
  • Todd Lewis as ‘Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep’ in A Few Good Men at Circle Theatre
  • Spencer Tomlin as ‘Leo’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • Jon March as ‘Lyndon Baines Johnson’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Shane German as ‘Arnold Beckoff’ in Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play

  • Isaac Thornson as ‘David’ in Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
  • David Houseman as ‘Butch’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • Jason Stamp as ‘Florence’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • GM (Bud) Thompson as ‘Senator Richard Russel’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Eddie Stephens as ‘Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play

  • Chelsea Pummill as ‘Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men at Circle Theatre
  • Liz Brand as ‘Meg’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • Brooke Bruce as ‘May’ in Fool for Love at Heritage Theatre
  • Lori Jacobs as ‘Olive’ in Olive and The Bitter Herbs at Jewish Theatre
  • Mary Brown as ‘Toinette’ in The Imaginary Invalid at Master Arts Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play

  • Madeline Jones as ‘Ellie’ in The Whale at Actors’ Theatre
  • Emily Wetzel as ‘Audrey’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • Margi Hankins as ‘Ladybird Johnson’ in All the Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Shavonne T. Coleman as ‘Wendy’ in Olive and The Bitter Herbs at Jewish Theatre
  • Bernice Houseward as ‘Mrs. Beckoff’ in Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play

  • Isaac Thornson as ‘David’ as Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
  • David Houseman as ‘Butch’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • Jason Stamp as ‘Florence’ in Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • GM (Bud) Thompson as ‘Senator Richard Russel’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Eddie Stephens as ‘Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’ in All The Way at Grand Rapids Civc Theatre

Outstanding Direction of a Play

  • Fred Sebulske for The Whale at Actors’ Theatre
  • Tom Kaechele for Leading Ladies at Circle Theatre
  • Bruce Tinker for All the Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Rachel Finan for Fool for Love at Heritage Theatre
  • Michelle Urbane for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Musical

  • If/Then at Actors’ Theatre
  • Fun Home at Circle Theatre
  • Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • On the Town at Circle Theatre

Outstanding Actor in a Musical

  • Nathaniel Beals as ‘Narrator’ in Passing Strange at Actors’ Theatre
  • Jason Morrison as ‘Bruce’ in Fun Home at Circle Theatre
  • Matt Tepper as ‘The Baker’ in Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
  • Scott Mellema as ‘Shrek’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Jason Morrison as ‘Daddy Warbucks’ in Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical

  • David Houseman as ‘Lucas’ in If/Then at Actors’ Theatre
  • Darius Tq Colquitt as ‘Mr. Franklin’/’Joop’/’Mr. Venus’ in Passing Strange at Actors’ Theatre
  • Charles Hutchins as ‘Alfred P Doolittle’ in My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Titus Hankins as ‘Donkey’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Kyle Cain as ‘Lord Farquaad’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Cullen Dyk as ‘Pinocchio’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical

  • Molly Jones as ‘Elizabeth’ in If/Then at Actors’ Theatre
  • Evangelie Vander Ark as ‘Small Alison’ in Fun Home at Circle Theatre
  • Kelly Carey as ‘The Witch’ in Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
  • Carly Uthoff as ‘Princess Fiona’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Alyssa Bauer as ‘Eliza Doolittle’ in My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical

  • Caitlin Cusack as ‘Helen’ in Fun Home at Circle Theatre
  • Madeline Jones as ‘Medium Alison’ in Fun Home at Circle Theatre
  • Morgan Anding as ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’/’Gingy’ in Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Kira Alsum as ‘Grace’ in Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Darla Carrier as ‘Madame Dilly’/’Little Old Lady’/’Club Singer’ in On the Town at Circle Theatre

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

  • Jolene Frankey for Fun Home at Circle Theatre
  • Todd Avery for Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
  • Bruce Tinker for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Allyson Paris for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Penelope Notter for On the Town at Circle Theatre

Outstanding Choreography

  • Torrey Thomas for Passing Strange at Actors’ Theatre
  • Torrey Thomas for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Melissa Sefton for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Erin Kacos for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • William Schutte for On the Town at Circle Theatre

Outstanding Musical Direction

  • Scott Patrick Bell for If/Then at Actors’ Theatre
  • Brendan Hollins for Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
  • Charles Hutchins for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civc Theatre
  • Charles Hutchins for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Wright McCargar for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding Sound Design

  • Sam Johnson for Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
  • Sam Johnson for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Sam Johnson for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Steven Nardin for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
  • Sam Johnson for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding Lighting Design

  • Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Fun Home at Circle Theatre
  • Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Into the Woods at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
  • Catherine Marlett-Dreher for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design

  • Bill Dunckel & Kelly Lucas for On the Town at Circle Theatre
  • Robert Fowle for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Robert Fowle for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Karen Larabel for The Book of Job at Master Arts Theatre
  • Robert Fowle for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding Scenic Design

  • Don Wilson for Into the Woods at Circle Theatre
  • David Len for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Christian Poquette for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre
  • David Len for All the Way at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • David Len for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • David Len for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

For Outstanding Properties Design

  • Michael Wilson for Shrek at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Jennifer Smith for A Few Good Men at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Michael Wilson for Annie at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Michael Wilson for My Fair Lady at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Camille Hickade for Torch Song Trilogy Act III: Widows and Children First at Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Theatre for Young Audiences

  • Seussical The Musical at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • Akeelah and the Bee at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
  • School of Rock at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Outstanding College Production

  • Equivocation at Aquinas
  • Rhinoceros at Aquinas
  • A Year with Frog & Toad at Aquinas
  • Detroit ’67 at GRCC
  • Oklahoma at GVSU

Outstanding Lead Actor in a College Production

  • Casey Huls as ‘Curly’ in Oklahoma at Grand Valley State University
  • Brock Gabbert as ‘Berenger’ in Rhinoceros at Aquinas
  • Kaeleb Cogswell as ‘Toad’ in A Year with Frog & Toad at Aquinas
  • Michael Francis as ‘Lank’ in Detroit ’67 at GRCC
  • David Dekens as ‘Warren’ in This is Our Youth at GRCC

Outstanding Lead Actress in a College Production

  • Bryanna Lee as ‘Minnie’ in The Terrible Girls at Aquinas
  • Trisha Bond as ‘Penelope Sycamore’ in You Can’t Take it With You at Cornerstone University
  • Marqea Lee as ‘Chelle’ in Detroit ’67 at GRCC
  • Lindsey Normington as ‘Sally Bowles’ in Cabaret at GVSU
  • Alyssa Veldman as ‘Ado Annie Carnes’ in Oklahoma at GVSU

For Outstanding Direction of a College Production

  • Randy Wyatt for Rhinoceros, at Aquinas
  • Kathy Gibson for A Year with Frog & Toad, at Aquinas
  • Sammy A. Publes for Detroit ’67, at GRCC
  • Carrie McNulty for This is Our Youth, at GRCC
  • Christopher Carter for Oklahoma, at GVSU

One weekend: Three amazing women authors! Oct. 20-22

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By Anne Stanton, National Writers Series

 

The National Writers Series of Traverse City, a pre-eminent year-round book festival, is excited to announce its Amazing Women’s Weekend, Oct. 20-22. Coming up are:

  • Amy Goldstein, whose book Janesville: An American Story tells the tale of a Wisconsin town’s resiliency at a time of cataclysmic economic stress. It hit the 2017 best book lists of the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Business Insider, and The Economist.
  • Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage, an instant New York Times bestselling novel and a top book pick by both Oprah and former President Barack Obama.
  • Alice Walker, the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, The Color Purple. This legendary author will be here to talk about her new book of poetry.

Interlochen Public Radio is producing the show.

 

SEASON TICKETS

  • All events take place at the City Opera House, downtown Traverse City
  • 6pm – Reception with cash bar, live music, and Morsels
  • 7pm – The author/guest host interview is followed by a Q and A and book signing.
  • Purchase tickets online at cityoperahouse.org, calling 231-941-8082, ext. 201, or in-person at The City Opera House. Ticket fees vary by method of purchase.

An Evening with Amy Goldstein  

Janesville: An American Story  

Oct. 20, 2018

Amy Goldstein

TICKETS

  • $15 – Reserved
  • $25 – Premium Reserved
  • $5 – Students (K-12 and College)

How does a heartland city pick itself up after the oldest General Motors plant in the country is shuttered during the Great Recession of 2008?

 

The plant, located in Janesville, Wisconsin, is also home to U.S. Representative Paul Ryan. Using the city as a microcosm of a larger national struggle, Goldstein brings fresh insights and possibilities to the discouraging story of the struggles of the working classes.

 

Goldstein has been a staff writer for 30 years at The Washington Post, where much of her work has focused on social policy. Among her many awards, she shared the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. She has been a fellow at Harvard University at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Janesville: An American Story is her first book. She lives in Washington, DC.

 

Guest host: Shannon Henry Kleiber, a producer for To the Best of Our Knowledge, a public radio show from Wisconsin Public Radio and PRX. She is a seven-year veteran of The Washington Post, where she wrote for just about every section of the paper. Shannon is the author of The Dinner Club: How the Masters of the Internet Universe Rode the Rise and Fall of the Greatest Boom in History and On My Honor: Real Life Lessons From America’s First Girl Scout.  Shannon lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

An Evening with Tayari Jones  

An American Marriage  

Oct. 21, 2018

Tayari Jones

TICKETS

  • $15 – Reserved
  • $25 – Premium Reserved
  • $5 – Students (K-12 and College)

Tayari Jones’s new novel, An American Marriage, tells the compelling story of a couple at the crossroads of love and injustice. An instant New York Times bestseller and a 2018 Oprah’s Book Club selection, it tells of newlyweds Celestial and Roy arriving in Atlanta to start their lives together. They appear to be on a straight track to success in their respective careers and domestic bliss. But all their hard work and right decisions are put on hold when Roy, a young executive, is found guilty of rape, a crime both he and Celeste know he did not commit. He is sentenced to twelve years of prison, forcing the couple to reconcile their relationship with a broken criminal justice system.

 

The author of four novels including The Silver Sparrow, Jones’s books exhibit a deep understanding of human struggles large and small. Her powers of observation will make this a night of insight and inspiration that is not to be missed.

 

Guest host, Aaron Stander has worked in the literary vineyards for more than five decades. He has been a college English professor, educational consultant, and teacher trainer. He has published numerous articles, stories, reviews, and ten crime novels. Aaron is also the host/producer of Interlochen Public Radio’s longstanding program, Michigan Writers on the Air.

An Evening with Alice Walker  

Arrow Out of the Heart  

Oct. 22, 2018

TICKETS

  • $30 – Reserved
  • $40 – Premium Reserved
  • $5 – Students (K-12 and College)

While Walker hardly requires an introduction, her genius bears repeating. One of America’s most cherished writers, she has brought us novels, poems, and nonfiction works of the utmost artistic and social importance. In 1983 Walker received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Color Purple, becoming the first African-American woman to receive the honor. The book has since been adapted into an Academy-Award nominated film and a Broadway musical.

 

Her staggering capacity for truth and warmth feature centrally in her work. Her latest book of collected poetry, Arrow Out of the Heart, is no exception. Presented in both English and Spanish and comprising almost 70 poems, each lush and lucid word brims with passion and power. The collection proves, once again, the tendency of Walker’s wisdom to sear into readers’ hearts, leaving its mark far beyond the last page.

 

Guest host Rochelle Riley, who always works with two phones, is a columnist for the Detroit Free Press, where she has been a leading voice for children, education, competent government and race since 2000. She is the author of The Burden: African Americans and the Enduring Impact of Slavery (Wayne State University Press, 2018). She makes frequent television and radio appearances, including on National Public Radio and local television. She has won numerous national, state and local honors, including a National Headliner Award for local column writing.

About the National Writers Series

The Writers Series of Traverse City (NWS) is a nonprofit dedicated to holding great conversations with today’s best authors and building the writing and reading skills of youth. NWS believes in the power of storytelling to enrich and transform lives and whole communities.  NWS is made possible by our generous donors, as well as our major sponsors Cordia and West Shore Bank. We are also generously supported by grantors Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

Each NWS event is taped and broadcast to a wide and enthusiastic audience by Land Information Access Association’s Community Media Center and Interlochen Public Radio.

 

For more information on the National Writers Series, visit www.nationalwritersseries.org, contact NWS Executive Director Anne Stanton, or call the National Writers Series at (231) 631-1551.