Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

Tickets for Aziz Ansari’s April 26th performance at DeVos Hall go on sale Nov. 30

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,
Aziz Ansari (photo supplied)

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG

 

Comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director Aziz Ansari is bringing his “Road to Nowhere” Tour to Grand Rapids! The MASTER OF NONE star will take the stage at SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall on Friday, April 26, 2019, at 7:30pm*.

 

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 30 at 12pm. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of four (4) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.

 

Fans who register as a Ticketmaster Verified Fan by Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 10pm will receive a personal presale code to gain presale access to tickets with a 10% discount on Friday, Nov. 30 at 10am.

 

*No late seating. No cellphones, cameras or recording devices will be allowed at this show. Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches will be secured in Yondr pouches that will be unlocked at the end of the show. Guests maintain possession of their phones throughout the night, and if needed, may access their phones at designated Yondr unlocking stations in the lobby. All guests are encouraged to print their tickets in advance to ensure a smooth entry process. Anyone caught with a cellphone in the venue will be immediately ejected. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free viewing experience.

 

Oh Brudder Productions own all rights in the content and materials delivered during his performance (the “Materials”). Any use of the Materials without the express prior written consent of Oh Brudder Productions is strictly prohibited and is punishable to the full extent of the law.

 

About Aziz Ansari

 

Aziz Ansari is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer and director. Ansari stars in his Emmy Award-winning Netflix hit MASTER OF NONE, which he also writes and directs. Among several other awards and nominations, the show has earned him a 2017 Golden Globe Award for “Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy” as well as nominations for “Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy” in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, Ansari was honored with the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award of Excellence in Comedy, a SAG nomination for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series,” and the WGAW Evan Somers Award for outstanding writing featuring characters with disabilities, for the MASTER OF NONE episode “New York, I Love You.”

 

In 2015, Aziz became one of the only headlining comedians ever to sell out Madison Square Garden in New York. His two sold-out performances at the legendary arena were filmed for his fourth comedy special, AZIZ ANSARI: LIVE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, which was released on Netflix in March 2015. In 2013, his hour-long stand-up special BURIED ALIVE premiered on Netflix to rave reviews. Aziz’s other comedy specials include DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS and INTIMATE MOMENTS FOR A SENSUAL EVENING. He continues to perform stand-up for tens of thousands of people all around the world.

 

Aziz co-starred opposite Amy Poehler in the beloved NBC series Parks and Recreation for the show’s entire seven season run. Aziz’s portrayal of government employee ‘Tom Haverford’ earned him critical praise as one of the show’s breakout stars and garnered him nominations for an American Comedy Award for “Best Comedy Supporting Actor – TV” and a NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” in 2014.

 

Aziz has also appeared on the big screen in THIS IS THE END, FUNNY PEOPLE, 30 MINUTES OR LESS, GET HIM TO THE GREEK, I LOVE YOU, MAN, and OBSERVE AND REPORT, and lent his voice to animated projects in both film and television; the FOX animated series BOB’S BURGERS as ‘Deryl’ and in Twentieth Century Fox’s animated features EPIC and ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT, which grossed $268 million and $877 million worldwide, respectively.

 

For his career in comedy, Aziz received VARIETY’s “Power of Comedy” Award in 2014. Aziz got his start in entertainment performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and with the sketch comedy group HUMAN GIANT.

Low-cost or no-cost gift-giving ideas with a healthy twist

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, Holidays, How-To's, , ,
Courtesy MSU Extension

By Shannon Lindquist, Michigan State University Extension

 

Gift-giving adds up fast, both financially and emotionally, during the holiday season. The stress of finding just the right thing may be easier than you think and you can keep your loved ones health in mind at the same time.

 

Michigan State University Extension suggests these healthy ideas to be used for any age group and they promote physical activity and healthy eating along the way.

  • Health related magazine – Give a recipe magazine or one related to overall health. There are magazines for children, women or men as well as magazines specific to physical activity.
  • Healthy recipe and ingredients – Do you have a favorite healthy recipe that everyone always asks you to make? Copy the recipe and purchase the ingredients and you have a great gift.
  • Meals for someone home bound – Prepare a meal for someone who has just had a baby or surgery, to an elderly person no longer able to get out or anyone else you feel is in need. As you cook for yourself or your family, simply take out one serving. These meals could also be frozen and used as needed by the person receiving them.
  • Coupon to host a sledding party – Sledding is a great way to promote physical activity during winter months. After sledding, serve healthy snacks like cheese sticks and apples with low-fat hot chocolate.
  • Physical activity items – Purchase exercise equipment either new or used that can be found at second-hand stores. If kids are on your list, look for soccer balls, bats, skates, scooters, snowshoes, sleds, exercise bands or helmets to keep kids thinking of physical activity all year long.
  • Gift certificate to swim at a local hotel – Swimming is appropriate for any age group and could be used for those older adults who have everything. Many hotels have designated public swimming hours with daily or monthly passes available.
  • Gardening supplies – Gardening supplies might not be as easily found in large stores this time of year, but local hardware and farm supply stores will have a rake, shovel, hand tools, gloves or knee pads, many items to make a gardener happy and ready to plan for next year’s garden.
  • Coupons to walk with a friend – Have you been meaning to join friends on a daily walk? This gift benefits the giver and the receiver. Keep yourself and your friends motivated to take that healthy walk each day, create a coupon in the shape of your favorite walking shoes. On your way out the door grab a can of soup for each hand and work those arm muscles while walking.
  • Gift certificate for roller-skate rental – When is the last time you went roller-skating? Roller rinks are still available and are a great way to spend time participating in physical activity as a family.

These gifts don’t take a lot of time, are low or no cost and send a strong message of caring because they promote health and well-being to those you care about, great reasons to choose from this list when finishing up your holiday gift-giving.

 

Not sure you’re crafty enough to create all these great gift certificate ideas? Pinterest can help! Simply fill in the information and print the certificates at home. For family nutrition information, Choose My Plate online has a wealth of information to stay healthy all year long. To find out more about physical activity and healthy eating for the whole family try the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

 

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).

Kids as caregivers

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, Senior Living, , ,
Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Shannon Lindquist, Michigan State University Extension

 

Research conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving estimates over 1.4 million youth ages 8–18 are taking care of ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members. They are taking care of parents, grandparents and siblings as well as dealing with the most prevalent conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, heart, lung or kidney diseases, arthritis and diabetes.

 

What kind of care are they providing?

 

Kids are not just performing day-to-day household chores such as laundry, dishes, vacuuming and fixing simple meals, they are handing out medications, bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding family members. Some are even responsible for communicating with health care providers.

 

While it may seem inappropriate for kids to take on caregiving duties, changes in family structures, such as kids being raised in single parent homes or by their grandparents, increase the number of older people and multi-generations in households. Healthcare delivery has also changed so that home visits have decreased and an increase of care is becoming the responsibility of families instead of hospitals and doctor offices.

 

Why are kids in the role of caregiver?

 

Not everyone agrees that a child should be in the role of a family caregiver, however, changes in family structure and how healthcare is delivered impacts children. Economic hardships also play a part in multi-generation households, with married adults returning home with children. Regarding healthcare, medical facilities are no longer providing complex care, instead, it is being done at home by family members. Adults may be identified as the primary caregiver, however due to job obligations, children end up providing care.

 

How do caregiving responsibilities affect these kids?

 

Roger Olson, a clinical child psychologist at St. Luke’s Children’s Center for Neurobehavioral Medicine in Boise, Idaho, states that low level caregiving (helping with chores, running errands or spending time together) helps youth with character development. This type of caregiving fosters kindness, generosity, compassion and nurturance.  The other, more personal side to caregiving including feeding, bathing or changing adult diapers, can take a toll and may be traumatizing to a child. Children have the coping skills of children and are not equipped to handle these stressful roles.

 

What can we do to help youth caregivers?

 

We can help young caregivers by knowing behaviors that may be signals of concern:

  • School: tardiness, missed days, incomplete assignments, lower participation in after-school programming, poor behavior and dropping-out
  • Emotionally: anxiety, depression, grief and feelings of being overwhelmed
  • Socially: difficulties getting along with others, loss of social activities and friendships
  • Physically: exhausted, lethargic and lack of interest in appearance

We can also bring awareness to our communities that kids are in this role. We can help by providing resource information for kids in our local schools, religious organizations and public libraries. Starting a local coalition can bring more attention and support for these families. Every caregiver needs and deserves support.

 

For information on youth caregivers visit the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) at www.aacy.org or call 800-508-9618 or 561-391-7401 for direct assistance. The AACY website has suggestions and links that can help families, professionals and school-based staff to assist caregiving kids. Visit the Michigan State University Extension website for additional information related to caregiving.

 

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

 

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you want to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , ,

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished…it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.”
                                        - Actor Denzel Washington

 

Wyoming Gives Back

 

Mayor Jack Poll near the truck during a previous Wyoming Gives Back event.

You have just over a week to purchase a toy and help the City of Wyoming stuff a truck with donations for the Salvation Army Angel Tree. The 8th annual Wyoming Gives Back is set for Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Rogers Plaza Mall. Residents are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event and every person who does, will receive raffle tickets for prizes provided by local businesses. There will be holiday cookies, music and the biggest gift-giver, Santa, is planning to attend.

 

Pretty Lights

The Christmas Lite Show returns for its 21st year at Fifth/Third Ballpark, 4500 W. River Drive, Comstock Park. Billed as West Michigan’s largest, animated, drive-through light show, the attraction maintains almost two miles of lights, tunnels, and animated displays and entertained more than 70,000 visitors last year. The popular Memory Lane Train will returns this year giving visitors a choice to drive through the display or ride the train. The display is open every day from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. through Dec. 31.

 

And in case you haven’t heard…

NASA’s Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport — or InSight for short — landed on Mars yesterday. It took seven months for InSight to travel the 300-million miles to reach the Red Planet. InSight’s two-year mission will be to study the deep interior of Mars to learn how all celestial bodies with rocky surfaces, including Earth and the Moon, formed.  You can always check out the latest on NASA on WKTV’s Channel 26 or visit  Grand Valley State University’s “Mars: Astronomy and Culture.”

 

Fun Fact:

The 48th Tuesday

Today is actually the 48th Tuesday of 2018. It is the 48th Tuesday of the 48th week. There are only 34 days left to 2018 and, despite yesterday's storm, 24 days until winter, which officially begins on the Winter Solstice, which is Dec. 21. (Source)

Service work can make a difference in your community and career

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, How-To's, Non-Profits, Volunteers, , , ,

By Katherine Jamieson, Michigan State University Extension

 

Are you looking for help to pay off student loans or save money for college? Do you need to add relevant work experience to your resume? Are you trying to enter or re-enter the workforce? Do you want to make a difference in your community? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider becoming a member of AmeriCorps or Senior Corps. If you answered yes to any of those questions and would like to accomplish that feat within Michigan 4-H, consider joining 4-H STEAM Corps.

 

Michigan State University Extension will be expanding its 4-H programming impact through 4-H STEAM Corps, an AmeriCorps program that will place 30 full-time members in MSU Extension 4-H offices across the state to provide science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) enrichment programming via 4-H SPIN Clubs and 4-H Tech Wizards. Through this program, MSU Extension will expand 4-H SPIN clubs by potentially creating 600 new SPIN clubs in 30 counties across the state reaching over 3,200 youth. Members will serve from September 2018 through July 2019. The program is contingent upon funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service and Michigan Community Service Commission. Contact Rachel Puckett at pucket21@msu.edu for more information.

 

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs are operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency established in 1993 whose mission is “to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.” The Corporation for National and Community Service employs 75,000 individuals across the United States in a variety of public service assignments aimed to meet critical needs in the community. At 21,000 locations nationwide, national service members are making a difference in their community through projects focused on disaster preparedness and relief, the opioid epidemic, youth mentoring, college access and readiness, conserving our environment and improving the economic opportunity of our veterans and limited income families.

 

In addition to making a positive impact on others and serving your country, there are many other benefits to becoming a national service member. Full-time members typically receive:

  • Modest living allowance or volunteer stipend
  • Limited health benefit option
  • Student loan deferment
  • Educational award to pay for college, technical school or repay student loans
  • Skills and training

Furthermore, the Corporation for National and Community Service found service work also spurred personal and professional growth. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service Office of Research and Evaluation 2013 study, volunteering is a positive pathway to employment. They found volunteers in general were “27 percent more likely to find a job after being out of work, and that number jumped to 51 percent for volunteers without a high school diploma” and 55 percent increase for those in rural America. The Corporation for National and Community Service 2017 State of the Evidence Annual Report also found:

  • 9 out of 10 alumni reported their experience increased their problem-solving abilities.
  • 8 out 10 alumni indicated their experienced benefitted their career path.
  • 79 percent are, or plan to become, actively involved in their community after service, compared to 47 percent prior to service.

According to the National Service 2018 Impact Report, locally Michigan has 1,710 service locations with 9,360 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members hard at work improving lives and communities, with the Corporation for National and Community Service contributing 63.1 million in program funding.

 

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).

On the shelf: Great reads for grandkids

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment,

By Talullah Stievers

 

Wild Ride: A Graphic Guide Adventure
Written by Liam O’Donnell and illustrated by Mike Deas

 

On a flight to visit their environmentalist parents who are working to stop a logging company from clear-cutting a remote valley, a plane crash strands Devin, Nadia, and Marcus. Soon the trio discover that they are stranded with the enemy and must rely on their survival skills.

 

 

The Willoughbys
Written by Lois Lowry

 

Abandoned by their parents, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good old-fashioned children. Then an unquestionably ruthless act sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings. This hilarious parody pays homage to classic works of children’s literature.

 

The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums
Written and illustrated by Edward Miller

 

Taking good care of your teeth and gums is an important part of maintaining overall health. After all, you need your pearly whites to eat, smile, and talk. But what should you expect when you go to the dentist? What should you do if you lose a tooth? Full of straightforward advice and animated, colorful art, as well as some bite-sized bits of history and lore, this guide provides accessible information about taking care of your teeth.

 

Canned
Written by Alex Shearer

 

Fergal Bamfield is an oddball and his tin can collection is as strange as everything else about him. One day he finds a can without a label. What could be in it? Peaches, soup, perhaps spam? But instead it’s something gruesome: a human finger. Then Fergal finds another can, this time containing a one-word message, HELP! Now Fergal and his friend Charlotte are knee-deep in an adventure, and they’re about to learn something horrible: Everybody has an expiration date.

 

Arabella Miller’s Tiny Caterpillar
Written and illustrated by Clare Jarrett

 

Arabella Miller finds a tiny caterpillar, brings him home and feeds till the caterpillar sheds his skin and disappears inside his chrysalis. Arabella misses her friend until he emerges and she is filled with wonder at the beautiful creature he has become. Clare Jarrett’s sweet story and vibrant illustrations weave details about a caterpillar’s transformation into this elaboration on the song Little Arabella Miller.

 

Don’t get scammed this holiday season

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Crime Prevention, Education, Holidays, How-To's, Senior Living, , , ,

By Katherine Jamieson, Michigan State University Extension

 

The biggest shopping days of the season are fast approaching. According to “Consumers and retailers win big over Thanksgiving holiday” from the National Retail Federation, from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, more than 174 million Americans shopped in stores or online in 2017. According to the 2018 Consumer Holiday Spending report by OpenX and Harris Poll, predictions show that holiday spending is going to be even greater.

 

With more spending comes more opportunities to get swindled. Michigan State University Extension recommends these tips and suggestions to avoid being scammed.

 

Only give to charities you trust and know. Holidays are a time for giving and some people can take advantage of your good will. Give smarter by learning about the charities you plan to give to, making sure they are legitimate. Look them up on the Charity Navigator who rates charities based on financial health, accountability, transparency and other factors.

 

Be cautious of contests. Many scammers use telemarketing to tempt consumers with prizes from fake contests. Be skeptical if you get a call out of the blue about winning a big ticket item like the newest iPhone or luxury vacation. Don’t put down a deposit or provide the caller with your personal information.

 

Beware of bait and switch. Peddlers of fake merchandise items do a booming business during the holidays as people shop for the most popular, high ticket items like watches, designer handbags and electronics. The rule of thumb here is one you’ve heard before: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

 

Check the authenticity of purchased gift cards. Gift cards have been increasingly popular, so make sure your gift card has not been tampered with. Check the scratch-off personal identification numbers to ensure it is still intake. The Better Business Bureau also urges caution if you buy your cards from an auction or third-party website (a site that doesn’t belong to the retailer offering the cards). The card may have already expired, has no value or was obtained illegally.

 

Limit your chances of identity theft. While identity theft is an issue throughout the year, it happens even more often during the holidays. You’re probably giving out your personal information more often and freely than you even realize. Many retailers are now asking for your zip code, phone number and email address at checkout. None of this is necessary to complete a retail transaction. You can politely decline to give this information. It is best to keep sensitive information private.

 

Secure your online shopping. When you are buying online, make sure to shop on your home or other secure Wi-Fi network. You will also want to stick to secure web pages when making your purchases. Be careful of giving personal information when clicking on email links. It is better to type the company’s URL into your browser instead. This way you can see if it is a secure web page (it would have a padlock symbol and “https:” at the beginning of the URL). Make your computer is safe by using firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Keep all software and browsers updated.

 

Unfortunately, there are new scams each year and it’s hard to keep up on all of them. Protect your wallet, purchases and identity by shopping safer and smarter this holiday season.

 

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).

15 ways to keep your glow

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , ,
Get the glow with these skin-healthy tips. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Marie Havenga, Spectrum Health Beat

 

Winter may be harsh on the spirit, but it’s also rough on the skin.

 

From getting pelted by blowing snow to being cooped up inside without the benefit of outdoor activity, our skin takes a beating.

 

Kim Delafuente, ACSM-PD, a Spectrum Health community health educator, offers up some tips on how to get through this cold weather season looking (and feeling) a whole lot better.

15 surefire ways to get your glow back:

1. Exercise saves your skin

“There are a lot of small blood vessels on the surface of the skin,” Delafuente said. “As you exercise, the blood flow rises to that level. With the blood comes oxygen. It’s actually the oxygen that helps rejuvenate the skin and helps to get rid of toxins.”

2. Sweat often

Sweating is often viewed as a negative thing, especially for women.

 

Delafuente suggests we wipe away this perception.

 

“As we sweat, we’re able to release unwanted impurities from our skin,” she said. “In some people, those impurities can lead to acne or other skin-related conditions. Sweating is a good thing. It’s a natural thing. It’s really the way our body cools itself off. This is an added benefit of exercise that helps to clean out pores.”

3. Wash after exercising

Sweating is great, but don’t forget to wash after exercising.

 

“The idea is to get the sweat and salt off,” she said. “If you don’t, you’re kind of defeating the purpose. You’re releasing impurities from your pores, but if they just sit on your face, you’re not getting the complete cleansing effect of exercise.”

4. Elevate your heart rate

Anything that boosts your heart rate is a skin-pleaser.

 

“Walking, running, any type of cardio activity is good for your skin,” Delafuente said. “Dancing is great. As your heart rate goes up, more blood is circulated. With lower level activity, there’s less blood circulating. It’s the aerobic type exercise that’s going to have the most impact.”

5. Sleep is good for the skin

Don’t use this as an excuse to sleep the day away, but the more we exercise, the better we sleep.

 

“Sleep is a time when our body repairs itself,” Delafuente said.

6. Reduce stress

Exercise reduces stress hormones like cortisol, according to Delafuente.

 

“As those levels decrease, it can have a positive effect on the skin,” she said. “Stress releases cortisol, which can be damaging to our bodies. It can cause weight gain and is responsible for belly fat. In the case of skin, it can lead to acne and eczema. There have been studies that show exercise can actually help reduce the incidents of those types of skin conditions.”

7. What is “the glow?”

Exercise not only keeps your body fit, it does wonders for your skin. As you exercise, blood flow intensifies and moves toward the surface of your skin, which is known for giving that infamous “glow” to your skin.

 

“You work out and your skin gets a little more reddish,” Delafuente said. “That’s how your body is cooling itself. As your blood comes to the surface, it helps to keep your body cooler. After a workout, when you cool down, that blood flow is still going to be intensified.”

 

And that look, for some people, is a motivator to exercise more.

 

“It’s an added benefit of exercise that sometimes people don’t think of,” Delafuente said. “For some people, this might be a draw. It seems regular exercise has the potential to keep the skin at its best.”

8. If you feel good, you’ll likely look good

Exercise provides mental as well as physical health benefits, according to Delafuente.

 

“Some of that glow comes with a positive attitude and feeling good,” she said. “The other thing is, exercise does improve immunity. When we have less chronic disease or colds and flu, our skin will naturally look better because of that as well.”

9. Remember that your skin is an organ

You may exercise to keep your heart healthy, but remember your skin is an organ that directly benefits from a workout, too.

 

“I think people are conscious of their skin, but they don’t think of it as an organ,” she said. “I think when we think of organs, we think of internal organs, but we don’t think externally.”

1o. Remove makeup before exercising

Leave your foundation and blush on, and you risk clogging your pores when you sweat.

 

Instead, remove all traces of makeup before you begin.

11. Wear proper sunscreen

If you’re exercising and sweating, make sure you wear sunscreen that is sweat resistant or that you are reapplying often.

 

“I think we all know it’s important to wear sunscreen,” Delafuente said. “But I don’t know that people always think about it when they’re exercising. They’ll say, ‘Oh, I’m going to to walk for an hour,’ but they may not think of that as a time they need to use sunscreen. People can also wear a hat to shield their face from the sun.”

12. Forget about tanning booths and spray tan products

“Never a good idea,” Delafuente said.

 

Enough said.

13. Treat your skin kindly in the face of cold weather

“Make sure you’re covered up appropriately,” she said. “If you have really sensitive skin, you may want to wear a scarf over your face.”

14. Stay hydrated

“Make sure you’re drinking enough water,” Delafuente said. “If we’re dehydrated then our skin isn’t going to be as healthy. We should drink to our thirst. In the winter, especially, we may not be as thirsty.”

15. Wear proper clothing when you exercise

Loose fitting clothing is the best choice.

 

“Make sure you wear clothing that wicks away the sweat and moisture,” she said.

 

If your clothing traps sweat in, it may clog your pores, leading to unhealthy skin conditions.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Wyoming hosts annual ‘give back’ event on Thursday, Dec. 6

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , , , , ,
City staff help to fill a truck with donated toys from residents at the 2017 Wyoming Gives Back.

By Joann Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The City of Wyoming will be encouraging everyone to get into the holiday spirit by hosting its 8th annual Wyoming Gives Back event Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6-8 p.m. 

 

“We look forward to a great night as we celebrate the Christmas season with this Christmas kick off here in the City of Wyoming,” said Mayor Jack Poll.

 

“It’s exciting for The Salvation Army Kroc Center to be part of great collaborative efforts like Wyoming Gives Back,” said Senior Krox Officer Captain Bill Brutto. “It’s one of the reasons we were also proud to help launch the Wyoming Winterfest event a couple of years ago. I think that, as a community, we understand that no one person or group can create positive change on their own — but that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Seeing local government, businesses, school districts, and other organizations all working together to fight for good says so much about the city of Wyoming.”

 

The annual event encourages residents to bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation to the Salvation Army Tree. Every person who donates receives a raffle ticket for a chance to win prize packs that contain hundreds of dollars of gifts donated by Wyoming businesses. 

 

“We have a city truck here where local people from our community can fill that truck up,” Wyoming City Council member Dan Burrill said. “It is a great time to support our community.”

 

The City of Wyoming partners with a number of local businesses who provide the prizes. Last year, more than 400 toys were collected for donation with nearly $5,000 in prizes raffled.

 

“I think it is important for businesses to say thank you to all the people who have supported us all year long,” said Marge Wilson, of Marge’s Donut Den, a longtime sponsor of the event.

 

With Lillian VanderVeen from Lenger Travel Center, Inc, stating that “It’s a nice start to the holiday season.”

 

More than 20 businesses are hosting tables this year. WKTV will be there again this year to record Christmas greetings for the community to air on channels 25 and 26 and on WKTV’s YouTube channel, WKTVVideos.

 

 

The Salvation Army will be providing cookies and hot chocolate to event attendees. Residents are encouraged to bring their children to meet and visit with the Wyoming Police Department, the Wyoming Fire Department and, of course, Santa Claus!

 

A lineup of local choirs and bands is scheduled to share the sounds of the season. The lineup includes the Salvation Army Band, Godwin Heights High School Choir, San Juan Diego Choir and the Wyoming Public Schools Jazz Band.

 

For more information on the event, visit www.wyomingmi.gov or call  616-530-7272 or check out the Wyoming Gives Back event page on Facebook.

Dental Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

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

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

Q: One of my teeth hurts when I drink ice tea. Do I need to see a dentist?

 

A: As a dentist practicing in Grand Rapids, I can tell you that pain in your mouth is not a feeling to ignore. While it doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, you should contact your dental office if you are experiencing any of the following five symptoms:

  1. Mouth pain could be caused by a cavity, gum disease, an abscess or impacted tooth. If not treated by a dentist, your tooth could die, causing an even bigger problem.
  2. Experiencing pain in your teeth when you drink hot or cold beverages could indicate tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel, or an exposed tooth root due to gum recession. Treatment options depend on the source of the sensitivity as determined by your dentist.
  3. Bleeding or sore gums could simply be caused by brushing too hard or overzealous flossing; however, this could also be a sign of gum disease that only an oral health professional can address.
  4. Mouth sores could indicate an infection, virus, fungus, or simply an irritation from dentures or a sharp edge of a broken tooth or filling. Consult your dentist if you’ve had a mouth sore for longer than one week.
  5. Bad breath can indicate poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, gum disease, or a medication’s side effects. If you brush your teeth and tongue twice a day and floss daily, but still experience bad breath, consult your dentist to rule out an underlying medical condition.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues or have other concerns, please contact us today. We’re here to help!

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

School News Network: Godfrey-Lee celebrates uniqueness

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First-grader Aylin Mendoza receives a treat at Supermercado Mexico

By Bridie Bereza

School News Network

 

Carlos Urbina and Josephine Shindano sat next to each other in Kara Jones’ classroom at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center. The second-graders colored on worksheets that asked them to create a picture of a tradition their family observes. Carlos peeked over at Josephine’s drawing, which showed an Easter egg hunt she participates in each year.

 

Students eye the baked goods at Supermercado Mexico on Division Avenue

“They have Easter in Africa?” he asked.

 

“Yes,” replied Josephine, an African immigrant who has been in West Michigan for three years. She and her classmates have spent time each week since school began working on a project called “Who AM I?” It encourages students to explore and share their culture, language and family traditions.

 

The project was devised by Jones and first-grade teacher Nancy Stefano, following a weeklong summer course on thematic learning. They created “Who AM I?” to address a phenomenon they had both observed among students: they weren’t proud of their heritage.

 

Josephine Shindano, a second-grader at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, works on her family tree

Fostering Pride

 

“One thing I noticed in the classroom was that during conferences, parents would frequently tell me that kids didn’t want to speak their native language.  They wanted to blend in to the U.S. culture with how they look and speak,” said Stefano. “We want kids to be proud of who they are, where they come from, and the wonderful differences we can share.”

 

Jones noticed similar sentiments among her students: When asked about their culture and customs, she said, many students would just copy whatever the person next to them said, saying, ‘Oh, I do that, too!’

 

The teachers have built in time throughout the week to work on projects surrounding family, culture and traditions.

 

Second-grader Nevah Sivins looks at photos depicting different traditions

Students are creating their own portfolios that contain family trees they created, and other drawings and writings about their families and cultures.

 

Seventy-five percent of students in the district are Hispanic. While the lessons in “Who AM I?” emphasize students’ individual identities, the teachers have incorporated some elements specific to Hispanic culture into the project, such as taking students to Supermercado Mexico, and having them prepare a song, poem and a dance for a school assembly during Hispanic Heritage Month.

 

Getting to Know You

 

“Who AM I?” will culminate around Thanksgiving, with a party for students and their families, who will be invited to bring a dish to pass that is specific to their family or culture.

First-graders from the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center had many questions for Yeli Romero of Supermercado Mexico

Students throughout the school will get a chance to walk around and see portfolios created by those who participated in the project.

 

Besides instilling some pride and a sense of who they are and where they come from, the project has served another purpose: to help the teachers get to know students and their families a bit better. That has been a major focus at the school this year, said Jones.

 

“We wanted to find out what makes (students) unique,” said Jones. “Through these different projects, we’ve learned a lot about different people. We’ve learned about their families, we’ve learned about their traditions. It’s been really fun.”

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

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Employment Expertise: The thank you note: a post-interview essential

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By West Michigan Works!

 

You submitted your resume, got an interview and left the interview feeling great. Before you celebrate, there’s one last step to your job search:

 

A thank you note.

 

One in three employers think less of a candidate who doesn’t send a thank you note. One in ten wouldn’t hire someone if they don’t send a thank you note, according to Career Builder.

 

Here are some tips to help you write a memorable thank you note:

  • Keep it short, professional and sincere.
  • Send the note within 24 hours of your interview.
    • Hiring managers are busy. If they receive your note a day or two after your interview, it shows them you are organized. And, it helps them remember you as they make hiring decisions.
  • A hand-written note is best.
    • The average hiring manager receives 100+ emails a day. Make your thank you note stand out by sending it through the postal service instead of their clogged inbox.
  • Choose a thank you note that is simple and professional.
    • Avoid cartoons, silly sayings and bright colors.
  • Use the three sentence rule:
    • #1: thank them for the interview.
      • “Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday.”
    • #2: Add something personal from your interview.
      • Reference a specific conversation or a question they asked. Or, talk about something you liked from the interview.
      • “I really enjoyed hearing more about your company culture.”
    • #3: Repeat your interest in the job.
      • Remind them you’ll be a great addition to their organization.
      • “I look forward to working with you in the future. My background will help [name of organization] continue to grow.”
    • Don’t forget to add “Dear [their name]” and the beginning, and “Sincerely, [your name]” at the end.

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

The role of fat in your everyday diet

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Fish provides a great source of healthy fat. (Courtesy MSU Extension)

By Dawn Earnesty, Michigan State University Extension

 

Common perceptions about fats are often not true and avoiding all fats is not healthy because it is important to have healthy fats in our diet. There are fats that contain essential fatty acids that are necessary for good health and fats that help the body to use certain vitamins.

 

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes the following recommendations in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:

  • Keep trans-fatty acid consumption as low as possible, especially by limiting foods that contain synthetic sources of trans-fats, such as partially hydrogenated oils, and by limiting other solid fats.
  • Reduce the intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars. Such as:
    • Butters, stick margarines, and animal fats from beef and pork. These are all solid at room temperature.
    • Soft drinks, candy, cakes, cookies, fruit drinks and ice cream. These are all processed foods that have added sugars and syrups.

Here are some actions you can take every day to keep your consumption of saturated fats, trans-fats and cholesterol low while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.

  • Check the Nutrition Facts label to compare foods. Our interactive label can help you find what to look at on the label.
  • Choose alternative fats. Replace saturated and trans-fats in your diet with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Sources of monounsaturated fats include olive and canola oils. Sources of polyunsaturated fats include soybean, corn, sunflower oils and foods like nuts.
  • Consider consuming fish and cuts of lean meat. Examples include:
    • Poultry: chicken or turkey white meat or ground meat
    • Beef: flank steak, top loin, sirloin, lean ground beef
    • Pork: pork tenderloin
    • Seafood: salmon, trout, cod, flounder, mackerel, mussels and clams
  • Choose foods such as dairy products, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods and fruit and vegetables.
  • Beware of diets that tell you to eliminate a nutrient, such as fat.

Daily essential fatty acid consumption contributes to our overall daily health in moderation. For more information please contact your local MSU Extension office or visit the MSU Extension Health and Nutrition site.

 

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).

Is your office chair trying to kill you?

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Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutrition Educator, is shown using the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)

 

By Diane Benson, Spectrum Health Beat

 

The desk job. Some aspire to it. Others avoid it like the plague.

 

As the perils of sitting all day become more widely known, the latter is probably the smarter path to take (I think as I sit at my desk, for hour number eight, typing this story).

 

According to the latest research, prolonged sedentary time—think eight to 10 hours a day sitting at that desk job—can take years off your life by putting you at an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

 

What’s more, even if you do have a regular exercise routine, it doesn’t protect you enough to offset the detrimental effects of hours and hours of sitting.

 

If, like me, you add on a commute to and from your desk job, well, don’t be surprised to see the grim reaper in the rear-view mirror.

Move it or lose it

Federal guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week. Indeed, it’s widely known that getting 30 minutes of exercise every day can lower your risk for disease and premature death.

 

But with health experts now saying that staying active throughout the day is more important than hitting the gym, the challenge becomes finding the time to move. And work. At the same time.

 

Luckily for us office drones, there are creative ways to reap some of the health benefits of movement throughout our day, even with a desk job.

1. Stand up at your desk
Stand up to get healthy! (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

Instead of sitting at your desk and working on your computer, grab your laptop and stand up while you work. Granted, this may require you to walk around your office to find a table upon which to place your laptop. That’s good.

 

Better yet, get an actual stand-up desk.

 

That’s what one local business did to get employees out of their chairs. Life EMS Ambulance dispatchers got new desks, which are motorized so they can adjust the height to sit and stand as they please.

 

“The sit-to-stand desk is becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace,” said Leah Konwinski, an ergonomic specialist with Spectrum Health. “It’s a great option to promote a little more movement at work without sacrificing comfort, safety or ability to focus and still be productive.”

 

Standing is still a ‘static’ activity, though, and our bodies are not made to be static. Even when standing, take breaks and move about, Konwinski suggested.

2. Hop on a treadmill (desk, that is)

For someone who has a tough time sitting still, a treadmill desk may be the ideal form of multitasking.

 

Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN, a community nutrition educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, is a frequent user and offers a few observations.

 

“Lots of days, especially in the winter, I’m stuck at my desk,” she said. “And since I’m typically multitasking and am one who does not experience motion sickness, using a treadmill desk is quite fitting. It’s an awesome way to squeeze in a little exercise or at the very least, spend time standing instead of sitting.”

 

She typically uses it first thing in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

 

“It’s ideal for getting caught up on e-mail, doing a little research or reviewing a presentation,” said Corwin. “It also helps me hone my reading comprehension and retention, and makes my time more efficient—I walk, learn and forgo the need to read things twice.”

 

On the con side, she can’t spread out the things she’s working on or pull files out as needed. For that kind of work, she said, it’s still nice to be at her regular desk.

 

And, your pace really can’t approach anything too speedy, which leads some to question whether there’s really any health benefit at all.

 

A recent NPR report looked at treadmill desks and cited several small studies that found they do potentially hold health benefits, depending on how often, how much and how vigorously they’re used.

 

First, treadmill desks can help increase the number of steps taken per day, and that accumulation of physical activity is better than nothing or sitting all day. Second, it’s not about working out or working up a sweat. It’s about not sitting.

 

So, if you have a treadmill desk—use it. But don’t forget, you still have to fit about 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise into your weekly routine as well.

 

If you don’t have a treadmill desk, but want one (and you have some semblance of creativity and mechanical ability), you can join the folks opting for a DIY approach.

3. Swap out your desk chair for a stability ball

Many of us remember bouncing around the yard on a ‘hippity hop’ ball when we were kids. Similar concept, but no handle. And no bouncing down the halls.

 

Sitting on a stability ball can improve posture and strengthen your core abdominal and back muscles, said Kim DeLaFuente, MA, ACSM-PD, an community exercise educator with Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.

 

“A stability ball forces your core muscles to work harder to keep you balanced so you don’t fall off,” she said. “You’re also forced to sit up straight and upright.”

 

So, good posture. Strong core. But for those of us who aren’t so coordinated, possible concussion. (Remember, no handle.)

4. Workout at work

There are other ways—calisthenics for example—to get in a bit more movement at work.

 

Jessica Corwin, a Spectrum Health Community Nutricion Educator, is shown near the treadmill desk on her office floor. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)

The Washington Post actually tested 12 exercises for a week to see which ones real people could incorporate into a workday. See how to do each one and rate them yourself.

 

DeLaFuente offers these additional ideas:

  • Practice yoga poses at your desk to re-energize you throughout the day
  • Keep resistance bands in your desk drawer and use them to work in a little strength training
  • Hold a walking meeting

“Just find ways to incorporate short bits of activity throughout the day,” she said. “Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park farther away and walk. It all adds up.”

Setting up the traditional office set-up

Even if you wish to simply remain seated at your desk, it’s important to make sure your workstation is structured to properly support your body.

 

“Maintaining neutral postures and proper body alignment allows you to feel comfortable much longer,” Konwisnski said. “Most workstations nowadays have sufficient adjustability between the chair and other small items like a footrest or keyboard tray.”

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Gifting family caregivers over the holidays

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By Regina Salmi, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

Over 40 million people provide unpaid caregiving for a family member in the United States. The daily routine of caring for another often means caregivers are not taking care of themselves. The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for caregivers due to the break in daily routines, the additional planning necessary to join in celebrations, travel or to receive visitors. Some caregivers may choose to isolate rather than to burden themselves with making these plans.

 

The holidays are a wonderful time for other family members to express their gratitude and appreciation for their family member’s caregiving and help them enjoy the holiday season. Caregivers often put their needs second, third or last to other people in their lives. Offering the caregiver some relief would be a marvelous gift for the holidays.

 

Sarah Sobel, AAAWM Caregiver Services & Contract Administrator says, “Caregiving is stressful and the holidays can add to that stress. It is important for caregivers to do self-care.”

 

How can family help with this? Having a friend or family member stay with a loved one would offer the caregiver the freedom to get away for some rest and time for themselves. Stepping into the caregiver’s shoes for a weekend or a day can be eye-opening as to what the caregiver experiences regularly.

 

Julie Alicki, Certified Dementia Practitioner, points out, “This clues the rest of the family in on what the caregiver is going through — it keeps them in the loop.” If family members providing relief isn’t feasible, arranging for professional in-home care or respite services would be a great way to provide relief for a caregiver.

 

Relieving some of the daily tasks of a caregiver can also make a thoughtful gift. A membership to a grocery delivery service like Shipt or a meal delivery service like Hello Fresh would offer the caregiver one less task to manage. With winter coming on, arranging for a snow clearing service would provide some stress relief as well as additional safety for the caregiver.

 

Gifts they can use during some precious time off, like a spa day, tickets to a sporting event or the theatre, gift certificates to favorite restaurants, a round of golf, movie tickets or a weekend get-away make wonderful stocking stuffers for caregivers. If you’re a little more on the creative side, putting together a book of IOU coupons to be used throughout the year would not only help provide support, but would also assist the caregiver in being able to ask for much needed help more easily.

 

The greatest gift a caregiver can receive is time — time for themselves. Being given the ability to be worry-free and able to choose how they want to spend a few hours, a day, a weekend or even a week to themselves is a precious gift to a caregiver. It is also a tremendous acknowledgement on the behalf of family members of the gift the caregiver gives to another all year around.

 

Whatever we can do to though to demonstrate our gratitude and appreciation during this holiday season to the caregivers in our lives will reverberate throughout their year.

 

If you need help making in-home care or respite arrangements, contact Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (888) 456-5664 or aaainfo@aaawm.org.

Don’t get scammed this holiday season

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By Katherine Jamieson, Michigan State University Extension

 

According to “Consumers and retailers win big over Thanksgiving holiday” from the National Retail Federation, from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, more than 174 million Americans shopped in stores or online in 2017. According to the 2018 Consumer Holiday Spending report by OpenX and Harris Poll, predictions show that holiday spending is going to be even greater.

 

With more spending comes more opportunities to get swindled. Michigan State University Extension recommends these tips and suggestions to avoid being scammed.

 

Only give to charities you trust and know. Holidays are a time for giving and some people can take advantage of your good will. Give smarter by learning about the charities you plan to give to, making sure they are legitimate. Look them up on the Charity Navigator who rates charities based on financial health, accountability, transparency and other factors.

 

Be cautious of contests. Many scammers use telemarketing to tempt consumers with prizes from fake contests. Be skeptical if you get a call out of the blue about winning a big ticket item like the newest iPhone or luxury vacation. Don’t put down a deposit or provide the caller with your personal information.

 

Beware of bait and switch. Peddlers of fake merchandise items do a booming business during the holidays as people shop for the most popular, high ticket items like watches, designer handbags and electronics. The rule of thumb here is one you’ve heard before: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

 

Check the authenticity of purchased gift cards. Gift cards have been increasingly popular, so make sure your gift card has not been tampered with. Check the scratch-off personal identification numbers to ensure it is still intake. The Better Business Bureau also urges caution if you buy your cards from an auction or third-party website (a site that doesn’t belong to the retailer offering the cards). The card may have already expired, has no value or was obtained illegally.

 

Limit your chances of identity theft. While identity theft is an issue throughout the year, it happens even more often during the holidays. You’re probably giving out your personal information more often and freely than you even realize. Many retailers are now asking for your zip code, phone number and email address at checkout. None of this is necessary to complete a retail transaction. You can politely decline to give this information. It is best to keep sensitive information private.

 

Secure your online shopping. When you are buying online, make sure to shop on your home or other secure Wi-Fi network. You will also want to stick to secure web pages when making your purchases. Be careful of giving personal information when clicking on email links. It is better to type the company’s URL into your browser instead. This way you can see if it is a secure web page (it would have a padlock symbol and “https:” at the beginning of the URL). Make your computer is safe by using firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Keep all software and browsers updated.

 

Unfortunately, there are new scams each year and it’s hard to keep up on all of them. Protect your wallet, purchases and identity by shopping safer and smarter this holiday season.

 

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).

Does human life span really have a limit?

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There are few people who make it to extreme old ages—the influence of good genes and healthy life choices are key. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay

 

The limits of human existence might not be as limited as we have long thought.

 

A person’s risk of death slows and even plateaus above age 105, a new study reports, challenging previous research saying there’s a cutoff point past which the human life span cannot extend.

 

Longevity pioneers lucky enough to make it past the perilous 70s, 80s and 90s could potentially live well into their 110s, if fortune remains on their side, said senior author Kenneth Wachter, a professor of demography and statistics at the University of California, Berkeley.

 

“Our data tell us that there is no fixed limit to the human life span yet in sight,” Wachter said. “Very few of us are going to reach those kinds of ages, but the fact that mortality rates are not getting worse forever and ever tells us there may well be more progress to be made improving survival past the ages of 80 to 90. This is a valuable, encouraging discovery.”

 

Specifically, the study showed that people at age 110 had the same continued chances of survival as those between the ages of 105 and 109—a 50/50 chance of dying within the year and an expected further life span of 1.5 years.

 

This plateau runs counter to the way death risk relentlessly rises as we age from age 40 onward, Wachter said.

 

“If mortality rates kept rising at the rates they rise from age 40 to age 90, then there would be a strong barrier to progress at extreme ages — great diminishing returns to behavioral change or to new medical advances,” Wachter said. “The fact these rates ultimately level out gives hope there’s more leeway for those advances.”

 

The oldest known human on record is Jeanne Calment of France, who died in 1997 at age 122.

Different findings

There’s been ongoing debate about whether there’s a maximum human life span.

 

Last year, researchers at McGill University in Montreal issued a report challenging earlier assertions that human life span peaks at about 115 years.

 

“The statistics aren’t good enough to be able to say you can’t live much longer than that, based on the data we have,” said report author Siegfried Hekimi, chairman of developmental biology at McGill. “It’s simply not good enough to make that claim.”

 

To investigate this further, Wachter and his colleagues tracked the death trajectories of nearly 4,000 residents of Italy who reached age 105 between 2009 and 2015.

 

The investigators found that the odds of survival inexorably decline as a person enters middle and old age.

 

For example, Italian women who reached age 90 had a 15 percent of chance of dying within the year and an expected further life span of six years on average, results showed.

 

But if they made it to 95, their odds of dying within a year increased to 24 percent and their life expectancy dropped to 3.7 years.

 

One might think these odds would continue to increase indefinitely, as people age toward an undefined vanishing point.

 

That’s not what happened, though. The chances of survival instead plateaued once people made it past 105.

 

“The risk of death is very high at 105 years, but next year it’s not higher,” Hekimi said of the new study. “Every year you have the same chance of dying, and every year you can be the one who wins the coin toss.”

 

This plateau likely occurs due to evolutionary selection and the influence of good genes and healthy life choices, Wachter said.

 

“When you look at a group of older people who are all the same age, some are already quite frail and some are robust. There’s a big difference in the level of frailty,” Wachter said.

 

“People who go to college 50th reunions, you just look around you and some people are climbing mountains while some people are walking with canes. Now go 15 to 20 years later, the people who were already frail are the ones who are likely to have died,” he said.

Not enough study participants

So far, looking at the genetics of long-lived people has provided maddeningly few clues for extending overall human life span, Hekimi said.

 

There are just too few people who make it to these extreme old ages, and the genes that seem to be working in their favor vary from place to place, Hekimi said. For example, genes that seem to be supporting extended life span on Okinawa are not the same ones found in England.

 

But this study shows there’s a good chance of extending the survival plateau earlier into the average human life span, making it increasingly likely that more people will survive into their 100s, Wachter said.

 

“It gives us a good piece of hope, because there is now lots of opportunity to look at these bad variants as they are in populations today and to try to understand the interaction of those genetic variants with potential medicines and different health challenges,” Wachter said.

 

“This basic theory could help us inform medical progress and public health progress 10 to 15 years from now as genetic research continues,” he said.

 

Hekimi agreed.

 

“Given that our life span keeps increasing, maybe the plateauing is going to start earlier and earlier,” he said.

 

The new study is published in the June 29 issue of the journal Science.

 

Live your best life for longevity. Browse Spectrum Health’s classes and events to find nutrition and exercise programs that fit your schedule.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

On the shelf: ‘The Hot Flash Club’ by Nancy Thayer

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By Laura Nawrot, Grand Rapids Public Library, Ottawa Hills Branch

 

When I picked up this book, I was looking for something light to read that involved characters that I could relate to—and I was not disappointed. In The Hot Flash Club, Nancy Thayer introduces the reader to four very diverse women ranging in age from fifty-two to sixty-two. The only things they have in common are a mutual acquaintance and the process of menopause. I found my self quickly drawn into the world of Faye, Alice, Shirley and Marilyn, characters who give the term “aging gracefully” a whole new meaning.

 

As the four women plunge into an unexpected relationship with each other, they explore many current women’s issues with gentle humor, honesty, and nerve. Rather than viewing menopause as the end of childbearing years, Thayer suggests it is the launching point into late middle-age. Her characters are far too busy living their lives and following their dreams to focus on things that might hold them back, like arthritis, divorce, retirement and widowhood. Those topics are simply a part of their lives, not the main focus, and this positive approach works well within the framework of the story.

 

While the story holds a lighter tone than works by authors such as Elizabeth Berg, it is an entertaining and positive look at women and aging, as well as being a gentle reminder that life is a journey, not a destination, and our perception of the process is vital to how much we enjoy the ride.

Proper storage of home preserved foods and equipment

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Courtesy MSU Extension

By Joyce McGarry, Michigan State University Extension

 

As our natural growing season comes to an end, it is important to properly store all of your home preserved foods correctly to maintain safety and quality over winter. Find a cool place between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is dry and has some circulation to keep your jars filled with your home preserved foods. If contents are exposed to direct sunlight or stored in a warm place, the food may lose quality in a shorter amount of time.

 

Wash the outside of lids and jars to remove any residue that may have leaked out. Remove ring bands and wash and dry the outside of lids, jars and the band to remove any residue that may have leaked out in order to prevent rusting. It is recommended that jars be stored without ring bands to allow for easier detection of broken vacuum seals.

 

Label and date each jar with the name of the contents and the date is was preserved. This practice will help ensure you are eating foods that have been preserved safely in a timely matter. For the best quality of food, preserve only the amount of food that you can use in one year. It is important to not taste food from jars with lids that have become unsealed or show signs of spoilage. As each jar is taken off the shelf for use, examine its lid for tightness and that the lid is still vacuumed.

 

Canning equipment should also be stored properly. For safe operation of your pressure canner for the next year, Michigan State University Extension recommends cleaning the vent and safety valve by drawing a clean string or narrow strip of cloth through the opening, remove the valve and follow the manufacturer’s directions. The rubber gasket that helps the edges of the canner and lid prevent steam from escaping should be cleaned or replaced if needed. Clean the equipment with hot soapy water and then rinse and dry.

 

If your pressure canner has a dial gauge, be careful not to immerse the gauge when cleaning. If the inside of your aluminum canner has darkened, it can be cleaned by filling the canner with a mixture of one tablespoon cream of tartar to a quart of water and boil until the dark deposits disappear.

 

Store the canner with crumpled clean paper towels in the bottom to help absorb moisture and odors. Place the lid upside down on the canner, remembering not to seal it. These same directions apply to a weighted gauge canner, except that the lid can be submerged in water for cleaning.

 

Following proper storage of your home preserved foods will help ensure the quality and safety of your canned food to be enjoyed all year. Giving your canning equipment special attention in cleaning and maintenance will make you ready for the next growing season of preserving.

 

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).

Seven West Michigan service workers recognized for going ‘above and beyond’

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

 

By West Michigan Works!

 

Seven area service workers received a 2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Award for integrity, commitment and passion in their jobs. The Essential Service Awards honor non-managerial employees who provide critical services that often go unnoticed and unrewarded.

 

“The business community often overlooks the significant contributions that service workers make in our region and economy,” said Dave Smith, chair of the West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board. “The Essential Service Awards recognize exceptionally hardworking individuals who perform these crucial jobs.”

 

2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Services Award Winners

  • Gordy Bacheller, custom furniture assembler, Bold Furniture (20 years)
  • Kelle Bergers, housekeeper, Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan (28 years)
  • Nicholas Borgman, customer service representative, Quality Car Wash (4 years)
  • Riley Frens, nurse technician, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (3 years)
  • Andrea Gafford, customer service/scheduling, Anderson Technologies, Inc. (20 years)
  • Sam Sandee, employment training program specialists, Wedgwood Christian Services (22 years)
  • Laurie Trestrail, dietary aide, SKLD (39 years)

Employers, co-workers and the community can submit Essential Service Award nominations in a variety of industries including housekeeping, hospitality, retail, healthcare, transportation, administrative, food service, general labor, childcare, nonprofit and custodial, or government.

 

2018 honoree Kelle Bergers is known for going above and beyond. Each day, Bergers ensures that the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan is sanitary for families of children traveling to Grand Rapid for their child’s medical or mental health treatment.

 

“I’m honored to receive this award, but I don’t need the recognition. I am just doing my part to make sure our guests’ experience is the best it can be,” Bergers said.

 

Kelle was nominated by her manager Megan Priester, services director at Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.

 

“To explain every way that Kelle has impacted our organization would take hours; she is a shining light,” said Priester.  “Our families love seeing her so much that they often come back years later to visit her.  There is not another human being like Kelle.”

 

Priester recalled a time when a guest room was left in an extremely less than desirable state.

 

“Other staff looked at the room and turned around, but not Kelle. She methodically cleaned the room section by section until it was finished,” said Priester. “After Kelle was finished, she simply let the front office know it was ready, never looking for praise.”

 

You can see photos and learn more about this year’s winners at westmiworks.org/esa.

 

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

Mindfulness and our aging brain

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, ,
An aging brain has a higher tendency to remember positive aspects of past events, rather than negative. (Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension)

By Holly Tiret, Michigan State University Extension

 

As we age, our cognitive control declines. In recent years, many programs have been developed and promoted to help stimulate our brains with the goal of delaying cognitive decline. However, the research on whether or not these brain-enhancing activities actually helps is not conclusive. These results are because a part of the brain that is affected by aging, has to do with our ability to focus on a task without getting distracted by internal and external stimulus.

 

At the same time, as we age, the emotion processing and regulation part of our brain is increasing. Therefore, our brains are a paradox — as we age, starting at about 30 years, our cognitive abilities decline and social-emotional abilities increase.

 

Another interesting aspect of our aging brain is that we tend to remember the positive aspects of past events, even if those events were overwhelmingly negative. Researchers Mather and Carsten (2005) call this the positivity effect. The tendency to focus on the positive, rather than the negative, may have to do with our realization that we have a limited lifetime. Our goals switch from future-oriented to emotional satisfaction and well-being.

 

Some researchers are now looking at the benefits of mindfulness as a way to tap into that increase in social-emotional abilities in order to enhance our brain functioning and overall well-being as we age. As defined by John Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, without judgement.

 

Mindfulness has shown to increase our capacity for sustained attention, a cognitive capability. By focusing on the present moment, in particular without judgement, we are tapping into our aging brains’ tendency to focus on our own emotional satisfaction and well-being, rather than plan for the future or dwell on negative past experiences.

 

There are many ways to learn about mindfulness and begin your own practice. You can look up resources online regarding mindfulness or visit your local library and check out some books. You may also consider contacting your local Michigan State University Extension and signing up for one of our Stress Less for Mindfulness classes. Any way you choose, expanding your knowledge and developing your own mindfulness practice could improve your cognitive, emotional processing and overall well-being as you age.

 

In conclusion, mindfulness may be a way to improve our cognitive control as we age by teaching us to improve our ability to focus our attention on a particular task, such as our breath, (in the moment) and reduce our attention (on purpose) to external and internal thoughts or events (without judgement).

 

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).

Remember food safety when transporting food for the holidays

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

By Lisa Treiber, Michigan State University Extension

 

Traditions are a wonderful part of the holiday season. It’s common that at gatherings, rather than one person bearing the burden of preparing the entire meal, several people divide the duties prior to getting together. Then, on the day, one person will then bring the veggies, another rolls, another salad, another dessert, etc.

 

When dividing the tasks, keep in mind food safety and consider two important factors: the type of food being transported and the length of time involved. Michigan State University Extension (MSU) recommends applying the two-hour rule – do not leave perishable foods at room temperature for longer than two hours. Remember the two-hour rule includes the time involved prepping foods from their raw state to the finished state, as well as the time the food will spend on the table being served.

 

Family members traveling long distances should be assigned foods that may not need refrigeration, like fruit pies, rolls, etc. Local relatives (within a half hour travel distance or less) should be in charge of more perishable items such as meat, poultry, fish, cut produce or cooked casseroles.

 

Keep in mind, hot foods must be kept hot (140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) and cold foods, kept cold (40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder). To keep the hot foods hot, consider using an insulated bag designed to keep foods warm. Remember, these bags are temporary and not designed for long-term hot holding. Keep your cold food cold by utilizing a cooler packed with ice or freezer gel packs. Do not rely on the outside temperature to keep food cold even during freezing winters. Cars and garages can take on a “greenhouse effect” and actually become warm, defeating the purpose of attempting to store cold foods outside.

 

If you are the host house, plan ahead for your feast by clearing your refrigerator out ahead of time and creating room to store the food that will be arriving. Have extra coolers on hand with ice or freezer packs for cold foods and borrow roasters or slow cookers to help keep all the arriving hot food heated. Don’t forget to have plenty of refrigerator containers or plastic food grade bags on hand for the leftovers after the meal. Putting large quantities of food into smaller containers will allow the food to cool quickly and remain safe by preventing any bacteria from growing. Also, ensure leftovers are not left out at room temperature or in the temperature danger zone (40 degrees – 140 degrees Fahrenheit).

 

Michigan State University Extension recommends planning your larger meals out ahead of time, be prepared and make room in your kitchen for storage before and after the meal to prevent foodborne illness from ruining your family gatherings.

 

Michigan State University Extension offers programs related to food preservation, food safety, food health and more. To find a program near you visit http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events.

 

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).

Therapy cat’s adoption story beats odds, hits jackpot

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

 

By Victoria Mullen, WKTV

victoria@wktv.org

 

Lynn Hopkins’s bond with her rescue cat, Jack B. Nimble, is rewarding on myriad levels. Besides the close companionship the two enjoy, Hopkins and Jack share their time with seniors in assisted living environments, as well as students who are in dire need of de-stressing before exams.

 

And then, there is the little matter of a certain, er, jackpot that recently paid off big-time, thanks to Petco Foundation and Hopkins’s unwavering faith in Jack. Each year, Petco invites people across the U.S. to share the story of how their adopted pet changed their lives during Petco’s annual Holiday Wishes campaign, giving the organization that they adopted from a chance to receive a grant award.

 

Hopkins knows a sure bet when she sees it. First, she spotted Jack at Crash’s Landing a few years ago and couldn’t resist adopting him. Second, she identified in Jack certain personality traits that catapulted him into the pet therapy field. Third, this past fall, she came across Petco Foundation’s application for the Holiday Wishes campaign and knew Jack had a winning story.

 

“Petco’s application said they would only guarantee full review of the ‘first 10,000’ entries so it was pretty long odds,” said Hopkins. “The application materials said the winners would be announced in November, so the first week of November, I checked the website and found out the winners were being announced on the 16th. I didn’t tell anybody when the announcement was scheduled in case we didn’t win anything.”

 

But when it came time for the live video feed on Petco’s website, you can bet Hopkins was glued to the screen.

 

Photo courtesy Lynn Hopkins

“Other than the first prize, they did not announce the winners in any particular order,” she said. “Out of more than 10,000 entries, there were 51 winners. They were like 3/4 of the way through before our prize was announced and I was losing hope, then the picture of me with Jack in his stroller popped up and then the grant amount—$25,000. I was totally thrilled—I had fantasies about winning a big grant but didn’t really expect it.”

 

Next, it was time to share the great news with Dr. Jen Denyes, veterinarian and founder of Crash’s Landing. The timing couldn’t have been better—the organization’s annual fundraiser, Whiskers and Wine Gala, took place Nov. 17th, and this was an exceptionally welcome announcement.

 

“When I learned of the award, I was rendered temporarily speechless, and that never happens to me,” said Denyes.

 

Depending on the grant’s restrictions and requirements, the funds could go toward renovating the organization’s kitchen, a long-overdue project. The kitchen is central to the organization; it’s a hub of activity, where food is prepped, dishes washed, sundries stored, and litter boxes cleaned.

 

Keeping Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary humming along good and strong—and the cats healthy, safe, and well-fed—requires a budget of $14,500 per month. And that just covers the basics, such as rent, utilities, medical expenses, food (wet and dry), litter, and cleaning supplies (including paper towels, cleansers, and detergent). The organization relies on donations; monthly cat sponsorships; grants; and its largest fundraiser, Whiskers & Wine, to remain open.

 

Once the Petco funds are disbursed to Crash’s Landing on Dec. 18th, Denyes will know better how the money will be spent.

 

You may remember Jack’s story published here on wktvjournal.org this past September (Jack, the therapy cat puts a spark in the spirit). As we accompanied Hopkins and Jack on their rounds, it was clear that the bond between feline and human was strong.

 

So, the short version of the backstory: Jack B. Nimble is a shelter rescue who grew up to be a therapy cat.

 

“Jack’s visits bring joy to seniors and hospice patients who have had to give up pets they can no longer care for,” Hopkins wrote on the Petco application.

 

“Patients who barely respond to the people around them will respond to Jack, drawing comfort from his snuggles and purrs. Faces light up when they see him, and agitated patients become calmer while petting him. Many of the nursing home residents look forward to Jack’s visits all week. And he has given me a new purpose and mission now that I’m retired. I never would have volunteered with the Hospice program or visited the nursing homes on my own, but I cherish the opportunities I have now to share Jack with people who take so much comfort from his presence.”

 

Hopkins and Jack also participate in end-of-semester student de-stress days at a local college. The college provides activities to give students some relief from the stress of upcoming final exams, including bringing in several therapy dogs for the students to interact with—and as of last year, one very special therapy cat for students to pet and hold.

 

Crash’s Landing welcomes donations in the form of sponsorships, food, and cash. Go here to learn how to donate.

 

To learn more about Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary, go here.

 

 

Harriett the eagle lays an egg with the world gathering to watch what shall unfold next

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Harriet works on building her nest.

By Catherine Kooyers

Community Contributor

 

On the afternoon of Nov. 16, around 2:37 p.m., the famous (and loved by thousands across the globe) bald eagle named Harriet, at the Pritchett Nest in Southwest Florida, laid the first egg of this new season and a next generation looks promising. Other than working extra hard on her nest, she hardly showed she was laying that egg.  Of course, eagle watchers across the globe are celebrating and waiting to see if she lays a second and/or third egg. So…with possibility of one or two more eggs coming, eggs getting ready to hatch, new lives to watch, untold drama and joy to unfold…right now is the time to start eagle watching or get back to the computer screen. Be forewarned:  eagles have multiple personalities that change without much warning…so, eagle watching is not for the faint of heart, young or squeamish.

 

Many people in Wyoming, Grand Haven and countless places in Michigan only need to look up to see an eagle flying or living in a tree overhead. They like pines. They like our ponds and rivers with fish and small animals. I recall one subadult eagle landed feet behind my car as a rabbit ran past, then caught the rabbit. As it clutched the rabbit, it gave me that “don’t even think about touching this rabbit” look, then had lunch as I very calmly backed away.

 

People have seen eagles at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

If you go to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, carefully check out the trees.   Eagles have been seen by the  river and pond at the Home for several years.  In fact, because eagles are seriously protected by law and cherished by many, intense discussions were held during the planning stages of the upcoming rebuild for the Grand Rapids Home to make sure the eagles’ site and wetlands were protected as well.  In fact, there will be eagles living on the grounds of the former Sebille Manor when the  new State Veterans’ Home there is finished. A local who lives by the new Chesterfield Township site teased that he watches a very active nest of eagles from his deck while drinking his morning cup of coffee. We agree the veterans will enjoy watching the eagles there.

 

Meanwhile, people across the globe, especially in  Michigan and in Florida, are obsessed with watching eagles live out life under the eye of cameras that have been carefully mounted and maintained during the “off season.”  Harriet is super special.  Eagles mate for life, typically. Harriet’s mate died a short time ago and another male eagle stepped in. He is known as M15. Since then, we have watched them build and rebuild nests after the hurricanes, bond, prepare their nests with grasses, rails and food, then lay eggs, watched the eggs pip then hatch. But the best part and total amazement lies in watching them tirelessly, regardless of weather or threat, care for and raise their young…only for the eaglets to leave the nest, not to return.  Somehow, M15 knows to bring an air plant or sticks to get in Harriet’s good graces, that she likes certain types of fish and he literally lays in the nest over the young to give her a break while she goes to the pond for her bath and preening. The differences between their delicate, loving moments and their savage raptor side intrigue many. They pose an internal knowledge that leaves us all questioning “Where does that come from and how?”

 

Some of the questions are: How do they do what they do? How did their nest survive in an open tree with minimal damage during the hurricanes — which took down homes built by people? How do they know what to do for their young? How do they find each other and stay together for life? What makes them so protective?  They eat or use everything they bring to the nest, nothing is wasted.  (Now, in fairness, that may not be for faint hearted viewers.)

 

2017-2018 was a very unusually intense period for eagles and nonstop nail biting for eagle watchers. The Southwest Florida nest ended up with ever fascinating eaglets that grew into majestic creatures.  But even they had their moments such as protecting the nest from the evil owl or when the eaglet fell out of the nest too early.  (Spoiler:  it did make it back ok.)

 

Other nests did not fare as well.  For instance,

  • Eaglets in Iowa,  which seemed to be thriving and growing, died suddenly due to a plague of small flies. (Spoiler:  clogged their airways and they suffocated).
  • Others ate rodents that had eaten poison and died of poisoning.
  • And who can forget the brave tree climber who climbed into an active nest to save an eaglet that was trapped in nest rails, dying — with mother eagle watching, crying after many desperate tries to free it failed???   Somehow, she knew he was a hero  there to help her young and did not attack him. (Spoiler:  that bird grew into a beauty!)
  • Seeing a full grown man standing in that nest really brought home to the global network of watchers just how large these raptors and nests are.  What a brave, unique hero!
  • In another state, one sibling killed, then ate another sibling…often the result of too many birds in one nest competing for basics or dominance.
  • A patriotic eagle in Washington, DC, which flew over monuments and enchanted visitors, died of West Nile very suddenly. The food in the nest attracted insects, which carried the disease, which spread to the bird.
  • Elsewhere, we watched for days as the Decorah, Iowa, mother eagle literally cried, screamed and called for her mate. Eagle watchers cried with her and supported each other via internet. That dad eagle left to get fish and disappeared…leaving three baby eaglets behind, not something he would do willingly. Then, that mother regained strength and, to everyone’s sheer amazement, raised all three babies alone  while fighting off suitors which posed a threat to her young. (Spoiler: Somehow, rather than show the degree of sibling rivalry a.k.a. bonking  seen in other nests, those three eaglets seemed to comprehend the situation, worked  with their mom, and they were an unbelievable team which grew into gorgeous creatures.) This year, she has a new mate and we wait to see if they will produce another generation.  It looks promising as they have been working very hard on this year’s nest and appear to respect each other a great deal. Meanwhile, we still struggle to accept we may never know the fate of the devoted father, which never was found.
  • Yet, if you look closely, one must laugh to see some nests are also inhabited by little mice…who should be a food source, but are tolerated by some eagles. How is that?
  • Then there was a weird one, with many watching the eagle cam high in the tree, some unseen person  cut the tree down at the base — nest and all. Did not see that one coming!

 

Visit http://archive.hancockwildlife.org/index.php?topic=cam-sites it check out several of the top eagle cams. (The links to those cams are near the end of the link.) Some sites just watch the nest, others have people doing reports as well, others have forums, online classes, resources…as much or as little as one wants. Like many, I favor the Pritchett site which covers Harriet and the nest on their land, along with forums, reports, classes….  Also, the Decorah, Iowa nest has been amazing and is quite popular.

 

Check it out — you will find it amazing and inspirational. Be careful, it is hard not to fall in love with these majestic yet deadly raptors.

GR Civic goes under the sea this holiday with Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , , ,
In front, Angelique Ferrante as the mersister Atina in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

By Elizabeth Voltz

WKTV Intern

 

Whether your Ariel or not, being a part of the cast of the Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is “a magical, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” according to Angelique Ferrante, who portray’s the mersister Atina in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s current production which runs through Dec. 16.

 

“I’m 29-years-old, so the idea that I’d be able to play in a Disney show meant for kids, I was just excited to play a tapping seagull, a mermaid or a fish. It was all very exciting to me to be able to play out this child fantasy for myself,” Ferrante said.

 

The show is a rendition of the familiar 1989 animated film with Disney using some of its magic for the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairytale. Princess Ariel and her undersea companions are in for a whirlwind of adventure as Ariel falls for the human Prince Eric. She cuts a deal with the sea witch Ursula, trading her singing voice for a pair of human legs. All she has to do is get Eric to “kiss the girl.” The production includes many of the award-winning songs by Alan Menken such as “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Under the Sea.”

 

“Some of the songs are a bit different but all the things you know and love from the movie are there,” she said. “‘Under the Sea’ is so magical. I get excited looking around when I’m on stage with my fellow castmates. I can only imagine what it looks like for the audience looking in because when I look up, left and right, I’m usually in awe.”

 

Residing in Grand Rapids, Ferrante grew up on Long Beach in Long Island, New York. Her latest role was Reno in a production of “Anything Goes,” put together by the Long Beach Theatre Guild. She was brought to West Michigan this year when her fiancé accepted a position as a doctor at Mary Free Bed.

 

Angelique Ferrante as the mersister Atina performs the song “Daughters of Triton.”

“Moving to Michigan this summer, I knew I was going to do some homework, not just for a new job or a place to live, but to perform,” she said. “Civic Theatre had an amazing reputation and auditions at the same time I knew I’d be able to get my life in order and audition.”

 

Ironically, the actress said working with a company and organization like the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has been a game changer compared to acting in New York.

 

“It’s like the further I’ve gotten away from New York, the closer I’ve gotten to Broadway in a sense,” said Ferrante. “It’s been far more professional the further I’ve gotten away from New York City. It’s just kind of crazy to imagine that’s a reality. This is a whole other league. It’s so impressive to me not only the amount of talent that’s in the cast but the production, the crew, the entire behind the scenes corporate business model that Civic has.

 

“To my surprise, we were doing costume fittings before our first rehearsal even before the first read through. That’s when I knew I was in a unique place that was going to really take any performing I’ve done to the next level.”

 

 

She estimated there’s about 25 cast members for the production, relatively small for a Civic holiday performance, but it’s a “tech-heavy” show, recalling the director mentioning the crew easily outnumbers the cast. Audiences will feel like they are under the sea with huge set designs, lighting and sound arrangements and special effects.

 

“I don’t know what it is, I think it’s that every single moving part is so prepared that the nerves have left, and at this point, it’s just buzzing excitement,” said Ferrante. “We are all really excited to just be in front of a crowd that’s going to give new moments and real time, laughing at the same lines we’ve been saying for weeks and sharing that magic with a live audience. I think every night is going to be so electric.”

 

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” runs through Dec. 16 at Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $17 – $39. For more information, visit grct.org or call 616-222-6650.

On the shelf: ‘Dead Wrong’ by Mariah Stewart

Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

By Megan Andres, Grand Rapids Public Library, Seymour Branch

 

In February, 2004, three criminals sit together at a courthouse. They decide to play an innocent game: name three people you would kill if you knew you couldn’t be caught. Then the twist: they exchange lists.

 

Mariah Stewart’s Dead Wrong is the beginning of a four-book series which tells the tale of this horrid game and the lives threatened by it. In this first book, Mara Douglas is a child advocate for the Lyndon courthouse. She stands for those who have no voice: the abused, the neglected, and the lost. One of her cases has earned her a place in the game. The prize: her death.

 

When someone begins killing women in Lyndon, the police and the FBI get involved. What truly haunts them is that all the women so far have one similarity: their name is M. Douglas. Mara finds herself saddled with a former FBI agent as a bodyguard because her own sister, another FBI agent, fears something bigger.

 

As events unfold and two more die, Mara makes the connection. Once upon a time Mara advocated in court on behalf of the Giordino children. She helped their mother Diana take them away from their father Vincent. Vincent didn’t like that idea and decided that if he couldn’t have them no one would. In jail for murdering his family, Vinnie also happens to have played that game in the courthouse. And the man who took his list is after Mara.

 

Dead Wrong is full of twists and turns. It is both romance and thriller, genres that Mariah Stewart blends convincingly. But what may be the Dead Wrong‘s best promise is that there are still two more lists out there with two more killers waiting.

Meijer Gardens celebrates the holidays with 42 international traditions

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Holidays, Kids Activities, Senior Living, Upcoming Events,
Photo courtesy Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

 

By Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

 

Experience the joy of the holidays at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with the annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition on display from Nov. 20 through Jan. 6, 2019. Guests from all over the world visit Meijer Gardens to experience 42 Christmas and holiday trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe. The always favorite and enchanting Railway Garden and the holiday wonderland that encompasses it will once again wind its way through three lush indoor garden spaces, including the recently renovated Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse.

 

Guests are invited to ring in the holiday season with our most beloved winter exhibition. It’s the season of joy! This year Meijer Gardens celebrates how our community and communities around the world joyfully commemorate the diverse and generations-old traditions that remain vibrant today. Visitors will experience a world of cultural celebrations, represented across 42 different displays that explore folklore and fact, past and present.

 

In many cultures, the holidays bring people together in distinct and memorable ways that are difficult to capture in a display. New this year, Meijer Gardens is presenting a wondrous original film, joy, that explores the diverse festive fabric that is holiday life across our local communities. This film will be shown continuously in the Hoffman Family Auditorium and is available on the Meijer Gardens YouTube channel as well. “This year we take note of how our community joyfully commemorates the diverse, generations-old traditions that remain vibrant today though joy, a new film exploring the festive fabric that is holiday life across our local community,” said Maureen Nollette, Annual Exhibitions Assistant Designer.

 

Each winter, Meijer Gardens transforms into a botanic wonderland with fresh poinsettias, orchids, and amaryllis. The smell of evergreens as visitors enter the building and the sounds of carolers make it a place to reflect and enjoy the holiday season. Indoors and out, trees sparkle with 300,000 colorful lights. More than 500 volunteers lovingly decorate the trees and displays.

 

Photo courtesy Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

The unique horticultural artistry of the beloved Railway Garden complements the model trolleys, trains and handcrafted buildings replicating 30 Grand Rapids landmarks. Visitors will find familiarity in the Fifth Third Ballpark replica building with its light posts made of willow, as well as striking hydrangea petals that make up the iconic glass tower of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Five landmarks from Grand Rapids sister cities around the world are also represented in the Railway Garden.

 

“This holiday season, guests have a special opportunity to see how our community joyfully celebrates a variety of traditions from centuries ago that remain vibrant today,” said Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture. “These traditions are wonderful, celebratory aspects of West Michigan’s diversity and community.”

 

Mainstays of the exhibition include the Germany tree, adorned with handmade glass ornaments and homemade springerle cookies, the England tree—with antique Christmas cards and mistletoe—and the beautiful Eid ul-Fitr display, which celebrates the end of Ramadan.

 

A variety of family-friendly activities are offered throughout the exhibition.

 

Exhibition Activities

  • Extended Holiday Hours: Open until 9 pm on Dec. 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29. (PLEASE NOTE: Meijer Gardens is CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
  • The Original Dickens Carolers: Tuesdays: Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 6-8 pm
  • Santa Visits: Tuesdays: Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, 5-8 pm
  • Rooftop Reindeer: Saturdays: Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 1-4 pm
  • Christmas Cabaret Gala: Thursday, Dec. 6, 6 pm (RSVP required)
  • Winter-Time Walks: (Nov. 20-Jan. 5, 2019)
    Tuesdays 10:15am and 11:15am, Saturdays 11:15am
    Fee: Included with admission
    Winter in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden can be chilly, but fun! Bundle up and join us on an outdoor interactive discovery walk to investigate the Children’s Garden in new ways. We’ll explore different winter themes and gather in a cozy spot to learn about winter with stories, kid-friendly conversation, and other activities.
  • Christmas and Holiday Themed Classes: Enjoy festive learning opportunities for adults and families. Fees apply. Visit MeijerGardens.org/calendar for more information.

Go here for more information.

 

Deer carcass safety

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

By Karen Fifield, Michigan State University Extension

 

With opening day behind us, deer season is here and the excitement is just beginning. After shooting a big buck though, taking the first pictures, and dressing the deer, the work begins. If you have an extended time before you leave camp to head home, there are a few things that need to be considered to keep your carcass safe for consumption.

 

Hanging the deer can assist in cooling the carcass quickly. When cleaning a carcass, Michigan State University Extension recommends using sanitary utensils to lower the risk of cross contamination. It is important to thoroughly cut away any visible contamination and then rinse the cavity of the deer with cold potable water before storing. These practices will also help clean away debris and bacterial contamination.

 

To safely store the carcass, it must be kept at a temperature below 41 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bacterial growth. It is advised to transport your carcass to a processor as soon as possible. Packing the cavity with ice is another way to help cool the venison carcass quickly or for long distance transport.

 

Aging the meat is a method of enhancing and tenderizing the meat while dispelling the gamey taste of venison. It is important for a safe method of aging to be used. A safe temperature for aging a carcass is 40 degrees F or lower for two to three days. This will safely assist in allowing the natural aging process take place.

 

Carcass safety will assist you in bringing safe food to the table for everyone to enjoy. Have a safe hunting season!

 

This 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).

Thanksgiving turkey – to stuff or not to stuff?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, Holidays, How-To's, Senior Living, , , ,
Courtesy MSU Extension

By Laurie Messing, Michigan State University Extension

 

November is here, and with it, the holiday season begins. As you begin to plan and shop for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, including the turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a critical step for preparing your great holiday meal is to safely prepare your stuffing.

 

When it comes to both the turkey and stuffing there are food safety practices that must be considered in order to ensure a great tasting and safe holiday meal. Cooking a home-stuffed turkey is riskier than cooking the stuffing separate from the turkey. Even if the turkey has reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, the stuffing may not have reached a temperature high enough to destroy potential bacteria.

 

Michigan State University Extension recommends the following food safety tips for your Thanksgiving stuffing:

  • Purchase a food thermometer if you don’t have one, or if you do have one, find it and calibrate the thermometer in your kitchen
  • When planning for your stuffing, it is recommended to bake your stuffing outside of the turkey in a separate baking dish, until the stuffing reaches a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • If you choose to stuff your turkey, follow these tips:
    • Precook any raw items like meat, fish or poultry that is an ingredient in the stuffing.
    • Do not mix wet and dry stuffing ingredients until you are ready to stuff the turkey.
    • Stuff the turkey loosely with the moist stuffing.
    • Use a food thermometer to ensure that the center of the stuffing reaches the temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria that could cause food-borne illness can survive if the temperature does not reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • If the turkey has not reached a minimum internal cooking temperature of 165 degrees, continue roasting the turkey until it reaches the minimum temperature.
    • Let the turkey and stuffing rest for 20 minutes before carving and removing the stuffing.
    • Refrigerate any leftover stuffing within two hours of removing it from the oven.
    • Reheat stuffing to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating the leftovers.

Enjoy your safe and tasty stuffing for this year’s turkey day.

 

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).

 

Christmas Lite Show returns with new experiences

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , ,
Courtesy Christmas Lite Show

By Amy Bajema, Christmas Lite Show

 

This year marks the twenty-first anniversary of celebrating the holidays for Christmas Lite Show — a Grand Rapids-area holiday attraction. Christmas Lite Show is West Michigan’s largest, animated, drive-through light show. Located at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, the attraction maintains almost two miles of lights, tunnels, and animated displays and entertained over 70,000 visitors last year.

 

Founder, Bill Schrader hopes to continue “Making Lifetime Memories” for other West Michigan families like his own, who helped him open and grow the attraction throughout its twenty-one years.

 

The popular Memory Lane Train will return for a second season. Guests can experience maximum views under the sky on this open-air train ride. Also new this year is the 2018 Season Pass Giveaway. The Lite Show will be giving away 21 Season Passes, announced Saturday, Dec. 1st. Santa will visit the Christmas Lite Show on select dates in November and December. To find these dates and more information, please visit christmasliteshow.com.

 

This year, the Lite Show will open Wednesday, Nov. 21st and run until Monday, Dec. 31st, including all holidays, from 5:30pm until 9:30pm. The Bicycle Blast family bike ride through the lights will take place Friday, Nov. 16th from 6pm until 8:30pm and the Red Nose Run will take place Saturday, Nov. 17th from 6pm until 8:30pm New this year is the Winter Wonder Walk, which lets guests walk through the show at their own pace and take close-up photos. The walk will begin at 7pm on Saturday, Nov. 17th, just after the Red Nose Run.

 

Tickets for these events can be found at www.christmasliteshow.com.

Yes, you can lose weight during the holiday season

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, Holidays, How-To's, Senior Living, , , , ,
Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Pamela Daniels, Michigan State University Extension

 

With food temptations at their greatest, it may seem impossible to lose any weight during the holiday season, but if you pay close attention to detail, losing or maintaining a healthy weight can be done during the holidays. Most of us would agree that holidays are healthier when we can maintain a healthy weight.

 

Here are some tips from Michigan State University Extension:

  • Be recipe ready. As you search and shop for holiday recipes, search for those already incorporating low or reduced fat. Other substitutions include:
    • Replace high fat oil(s) — Applesauce and canned pumpkin are good substitutes in most baked good recipes. Look for trans-fat-free oils, spreads and butter. Instead of oil, use low-fat or non-fat cooking sprays to coat and cook meat, sauté vegetables or prepare omelets.
    • Cut down on sugar — Keeping tabs on how much sugar you’re swallowing is an important part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Explore using sugar substitutes like stevia which can be used in drinks and for baking. The good news, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) is that cutting down on sugar may be easier than you think. Read food labels to identify sugar and hidden sugars.
    • Garnish not! — Skip the added butter, whip cream, gravy & cream sauces. Going plain allows you to enjoy 100 percent of the foods natural flavor.
    • Explore your menu options — The internet, the library and most newspapers include articles that offer step by step tips for healthier baking, shopping and cooking.
  • You bite it, you write it — What if just by making one change in your habits you could double your weight loss? It may sound too good to be true, but many experts say that the simple act of keeping a food diary can encourage you to eat fewer calories — and thus lose weight. Don’t deny yourself of your favorite holiday foods, instead watch your portion size and track what you eat. Food tracking reveals:
    • What’s missing — Food tracking or food journaling allows you to see how much and what you are eating. You also see what you’re not eating (good carbs vs. bad carbs, fiber and hidden sugars) and perhaps your diet is lacking fruits or vegetables.
    • Food triggers — Food tracking can also reveal and identify triggers to avoid, such as not eating enough throughout the day and then overeating at night, or overeating when drinking alcohol.
  • Track your physical activity — In almost all plans to lose or maintain a healthy weight, you have to stay active. As a start, the CDC recommends that adults need to do two hours and 30 minutes of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities weekly.

Set your goal to lose or at least maintain your weight during this upcoming holiday season.  There is a tendency to gain weight in adulthood, but being overweight increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain types of cancer, arthritis, breathing problems and other illness. Therefore, most adults should not gain weight. If you are uncertain about your risk of developing a problem associated with being overweight, you should consult a health professional.

 

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).

Getting Married? 8 Tips for Newlyweds on Combining Finances

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By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension

 

Getting married? 83 percent of couples fight about money, according to Debt Reduction Services. Making household finances work is one way newlyweds can help make their marriage work.  Both should agree on how to coordinate household accounts and debt by having constructive conversations. Even though this is not the most romantic topic, it will contribute to a happier marriage.

 

Once the honeymoon is over, focus some attention on your shared financial lives. The Building MI Financial Future Financial Toolkit from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services offers these tips:

  • Request a free copy of your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com. This information tells you about your use, management and payment history of loans and financial obligations. You might also get credit score estimates from FICO. Then you can objectively analyze the strengths and any weaknesses in the reports, including high debt amounts or discipline about making timely payments.
  • List all sources of income and expenses. Using all pay stubs, account statements, monthly bills and debt obligations, disclose everything financial to each other. Then you can make a monthly spending plan for handling monthly expenses and establish a debt prevention and/or elimination plan.
  • Open a joint checking account to pay for household expenses. Pay for all marriage-related bills, including housing, food, necessary clothing, vacation, transportation, cell phones, etc. If neither of you had credit-related problems, both names can be on the account. If one person has poor credit, you may choose to have your account in only one name. Consider automating your household bills payments, plus setting up separate accounts for each of your savings goals.
  • Decide who is going to pay for what.
    • Option 1: Combine incomes and consider all expenses and debts as one.
    • Option 2: Assign certain payments to one or the other. This might depend on who had loan obligations prior to the marriage.
    • Option 3: Pay ongoing expenses based on the percentage of income contributed.
  • Discuss the relationship each of you has with money. Is one of you a saver and one a spender? Talk about the potential consequences and agree on a workable solution.
  • Consider opening a savings account for an “emergency or rainy day fund”. Unplanned emergencies happen.  As a couple, you should have a goal about how much is enough for unexpected expenses or emergencies. In addition, the recommendation is to set aside several months of earned income to prepare for an unplanned loss of future income. Decide together on a monthly amount to save which fits into your budget and is sustainable.
    • Tip: While many couples choose to pursue a joint checking account, this method may not work for all couples. Whether you have a joint account or separate accounts to pay household expenses, the key is to communicate, have a bill payment plan, and pay bills on time.
  • Update your beneficiaries. Check any employer-sponsored retirement plan, IRAs, annuities, and life insurance policies to update the beneficiary information.
  • Take care of your future selves now. Contribute to your employer-sponsored retirement plan and/or IRA. The recommendation is 15 percent of your combined gross pay or the maximum amount allowed by the IRS. This is a great time to talk about your retirement goals that will require financial planning and strategies.  Further, decide on a homeownership plan including thinking about if, where and when to buy a home and its cost. Discuss any education and professional training plans.

The first year of marriage typically includes many lifestyle adjustments. Setting goals and planning to save are best practices to help make your financial hopes and dreams come true. Having a spending plan shows your sense of control and willingness to set aside now for the future.  Discussing and agreeing on financial adjustments should make your financial lives go smoother. Financial planning takes time, patience, and discipline.  Find more information about spending plans, reasons for and ways to save, credit and debt, homeownership, and many other topics at MIMoneyHealth.org.

 

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://bit.ly/MSUENews. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

A ‘Fantastical Holiday Adventure’ at the Muskegon Museum of Art, Nov. 21-Dec. 2

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Holidays, Kids Activities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,
Muskegon Museum of Art (Courtesy photo)

By Marguerite Curran, Muskegon Museum of Art

 

The Muskegon Museum of Art’s 14th Festival of Trees runs Nov. 21 through Dec. 2, 2018. Each year, MMA volunteers and staff transform gallery spaces with festively designed Christmas trees and decorations, many of which can be purchased through the silent auction during the Festival. The Festival has become a local community holiday tradition that offers special events, holiday music, visits with Santa, Money Tree and special gift raffles, and holiday shopping. Festival of Trees looks different every year; this year’s theme is “A Fantastical Holiday Adventure.”

 

Funds raised through tree and decoration sales, raffles, sponsorships, and ticket sales benefit the museum. For information on sponsoring an event or tree in 2019, call 231.720.2573.

 

Hours

The Festival will be open Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 2 and will be closed on Thanksgiving. Open daily 10am to 5pm and Sundays noon to 5pm.

 

Admission
Purchase tickets at the door: $10 Adult, $5 MMA Member, $3 child 3-17 years (under 3 free); $15 Every-Day Festival Pass. To purchase gift passes, call 231.720.2580 or purchase at the Museum Store.

Special Festival of Trees Events

First Day Food Drive — Wednesday, Nov. 21

 

Special half-off adult admission: $5 with a food donation for Loaves and Fishes food pantry, just in time for the holidays. Regular adult admission: $10.

 

Family Day — Friday, Nov. 23, 10am-5pm

 

Santa will stop in for a visit from 2-4pm and the fun will include a kids’ craft activity, scavenger hunt, and performances from The Nutcracker by the Michigan Youth Ballet Theatre from 1-3pm. Call 231.720.2571 for group bookings. Special Family Day half-off adult ticket price: $5.

 

Teddy Bear Breakfast — Saturday, Nov. 24, 8:30–10:30am

 

Teddy Bear Breakfast is especially fun for kids ages 3 to 8 years old, with a full family breakfast; visit with Santa, teddy bear checkup (by a certified teddy bear nurse), Teddy Bear Parade, and more.

 

Tickets: Adults $15, Kids 12 and younger $8. Tickets include breakfast, all activities, and Festival of Trees admission. Tickets are limited and sell out early. Call 231.720.2580 to purchase tickets in advance.

 

Deck Your Halls: DIY Holiday Project Demo — Sunday, Nov. 25, 1–3pm

 

Floral designers Deb Moon from Lefleur Shoppe and Skeeter Parkhouse from Wasserman’s Flowers and Gifts will demo how to create unique holiday décor during this event. Ticket includes a take-home DIY kit, refreshments, and Festival of Trees admission. Items created during the demo will be raffled to the audience. Holiday Cheer, from 1:00 to 1:30 pm, will include a light snack, coffee, and cash bar.

 

Space is limited.

 

Advance Tickets: $35 per person/$30 MMA member. Call 231.720.2580 to purchase. Purchase tickets by Nov. 18.

 

Senior Day — Tuesday, Nov. 27, 10am-5pm

 

Special Senior Day half-off ticket price: $5 for ages 65+. Free coffee and cookies, vendor samples, door prizes, and more. For large groups, call 231.720.2571.

 

THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris, Presented by Andrew Zahrt
Friday, Nov. 30 & Saturday, Dec. 1, 6:30pm Cocktail Hour | 7:30pm Performance

 

(ADULT CONTENT: For mature elves only). THE SANTALAND DIARIES is the story of a Macy’s elf during the holiday crunch. At first, the job is simply humiliating, but once the thousands of visitors start pouring through Santa’s workshop, he becomes battle-weary and bitter. When a new Santa is ushered into the workshop, one who seems to care about and love the children who come to see him, our hero experiences an uncharacteristic moment of goodwill, just before his employment runs out. Arranged by Joe Mantello

 

Ticket includes cocktail hour with a complimentary drink and refreshments in the Festival of Trees galleries. $12 adult, $10 MMA Member, $15 at the door.

 

Call 231.720.2580 to order advance tickets.

 

Santa at Festival of Trees
Santa will be at the museum on Family Day and on Saturdays during Festival of Trees:

  • Family Day Friday, Nov. 23, 2–4pm
  • Saturday, Nov. 24, 12–2pm
  • Saturday, Dec. 1, 2–4pm

The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. in downtown Muskegon. Visitor information at www.muskegonartmuseum.org or 231.720.2570. Membership information: 231.720.2571. Museum Store and Event Ticket Sales: 231.720.2580.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unwrap the holidays with the Grand Rapids Pops

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events,
Home Alone

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids Symphony

 

With thrilling acrobatics, classic films and timeless music, the sublime sounds of the holidays from the Grand Rapids Pops are sure to make spirits bright.

 

Carrying on tradition, the Grand Rapids Symphony once again presents its Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops on Dec. 6-9 and Old National Bank Cirque de Noël on Dec. 19-20 in DeVos Performance Hall.

 

Also coming to the DeVos Performance Hall are two full-length feature holiday film concerts, The Snowman on Nov. 17 and Home Alone Nov. 29.

 

Principal Pops conductor Bob Bernhardt will lead the Symphony in the old, familiar carols and other timeless holiday melodies in this year’s Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops.

 

Joining the Symphony in favorites such as the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah and music from the 1990 film Home Alone are the joyful voices of the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, led by director Pearl Shangkuan, and the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, directed by Sean Ivory.

 

Bass-baritone Justin Hopkins, who was a special guest for the Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016 Holiday Pops, will return to DeVos Performance Hall to perform You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch among other holiday hits. Hopkins’ appearance is sponsored by Jim & Ginger Jurries.

 

West Michigan’s own Embellish handbell ensemble, directed by Stephanie Wiltse, will return to the Holiday Pops to ring holiday favorites including Sing We Now of Christmas and the Coventry Carol.

 

Five performances of the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, and at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8. Matinees will be at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-9, in DeVos Performance Hall. Tickets for this Fox Motors Pops concert start at $18 adults, $5 students.

 

Cirque de la Symphonie

Since 2009, Cirque de la Symphonie has spent part of each Christmas season in Grand Rapids. This year, for the 10th annual Old National Bank Cirque de Noël with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Cirque de la Symphonie will once again bring the magic and thrill of the holiday season to DeVos Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19-20.

 

The company of acrobats, jugglers, contortionists and aerial artists will make merry with amazing feats of agility and strength, accompanied by beloved Christmas songs and classical favorites. Acts include aerial artists Vitalii Buza and Ekaterina Borzikova performing above the DeVos Hall stage while the Grand Rapids Symphony plays the “Waltz of the Flowers” from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

 

Associate Conductor John Varineau leads the orchestra in familiar melodies such as Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival, Franz Schubert’s Ava Maria, and Duke Ellington’s “Peanut Brittle Brigade” from The Nutcracker Suite.

 

Tickets for concerts in the Gerber Symphonic Boom series concert start at $32.

 

Kicking off the Grand Rapids Symphony’s holiday season in November are two full-length feature film concerts.

 

The Snowman returns once more to inspire children of all ages with the story of a boy who builds a snowman who comes to life and leads him on a wide-eyed and wondrous adventure to meet Father Christmas.

 

The hour-long DTE Energy Foundation Family series concert, which has sold-out past performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony, features the popular animated short, projected onto a 40-foot screen, accompanied by a live performance of Howard Blake’s musical score at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children.

 

Full of clever antics and comical wit, the 1990 film Home Alone is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29, part of the Gerber SymphonicBoom series.

 

A modern holiday classic starring Macaulay Culkin, Home Alone is the story of an 8-year-old troublemaker, accidentally left behind by his family on Christmas vacation, who must protect his home from a pair of inept burglars.

 

See the full-length film with the Grand Rapids Pops performing John Williams’ delightfully sentimental and sweet score, full of hummable melodies that evoke a child’s view of family and Christmas. Tickets start at $32.

Tickets

Tickets for Grand Rapids Symphony concerts and are available at the Symphony box office, weekdays 9 am – 5 pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across the street from Calder Plaza). Call (616) 454-9451 x 4 to order by phone. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum).

 

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

Special Offers

For the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops concert on Thursday, Dec. 6 or the matinee on Saturday, Dec. 8, full-time students of any age can purchase tickets for $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Calvin College.

 

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

 

Students age 7-18 are able to attend for some concerts for free when accompanied by an adult. Free for Kids tickets must be purchased in advance at the GRS Ticket office. Up to two free tickets are available with the purchase of a regular-price adult ticket for the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops on Thursday, Dec. 6 or for The Snowman on Saturday, Nov. 17.  Go online for more details.

 

Symphony Scorecard provides members up to four free tickets for many Grand Rapids Symphony concerts. Members of the community receiving financial assistance from the State of Michigan and members of the U.S. Armed Forces, whether on active or reserve duty or serving in the National Guard, are eligible. All concerts in the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops and DTE Energy Foundation Family Series are available to Scorecard members. Go online for information on signing up with a Symphony Scorecard Partner Agency.