The Cascade Township Branch brings concerts inside for ‘Sunday Afternoon Live’, eight concerts from October 2018 through April 2019 featuring your favorite local artists. Sponsored by Cascade Charter Township, Cascade Downtown Development Authority, Cascade Community Foundation, Friends of the Cascade Township Library and Kingsland Ace Hardware.
Sundays, 2pm at Kent District Library, Cascade-Wisner Center, 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE, Cascade, MI 49546.
A string of record-breaking sold-out comedy appearances, a new top-ranked show on SiriusXM, “The Pete & Sebastian Show,” and inclusion onForbes’2017’s “The World’s Highest Paid Comedians” who praised, “thanks to his enthusiasm and willingness to work, Maniscalco will likely continue to be onForbes’list for years to come,” comedianSebastian Maniscalcois having an incredible year.People Magazine’s“the people’s comedian” is hitting the road after he was dubbed “Stand Up Comedian of the Year” at Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada.
He will make a stop in Grand Rapids at SMG-managedDeVos Performance Hallon Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 7pm.
Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online atTicketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. SeeTicketmaster.comfor all pricing and availability.
The tour title is appropriate as not only is “Stay Hungry” the name of his forthcoming 2018 book for Simon & Schuster, but it is also his personal motto.
“TheStay Hungrytour marks the release of my bookwhileI also venture into this new chapter of my life: being a dad. Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting on my path and all of the hard work it has taken to get to this point in my career. I hope to one day pass these values on to my daughter and encourage her to stay hungry for more,” shares Maniscalco, who has expanded his major motion picture portfolio to include a voice-over for character Johnny the Groundhog in the animated feature Nut Job 2 and appearances in films including the Will Ferrell-starring New Line Feature comedy The House and a role in 2018’s TAG, starring alongside Ed Helms and Jeremy Renner.
Dubbed “one of the hottest comics” byNewsdayand “one of the funniest comics working stand-up today” byEsquire, Sebastian’s live performance has become a critically-acclaimed event, with theLos Angeles Timesraving, “onstage, there’s an impatience to Maniscalco’s delivery as well, a hair-trigger exasperation with people and modern life, punctuated with baffled expressions, percussive thumps on the microphone and wide-swung leg kicks more associated with an Olympic speed-skater than a stand-up comic.”
Instead of asking questions – a theme that has served as the foundation of his previous comedy specials and shows likeAren’t You Embarrassed?andWhy Would You Do That?– Maniscalco’s new tour has the affable performer instead encouraging fans to follow in his footsteps and “stay hungry.”
Shares the manThe New York Timesraved for his “own kind of panache,” “Even though I’ve achieved some success, I will always stay hungry for more.”
Raising young children can be stressful and from time to time it can take its toll on parents and other caregivers. Self-care is a crucial way to ensure adults caring for young children are prepared to invest the time and energy they need to be the best caregivers they can be. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you may not have much left to give your children.
Make sure your basic needs are met. In the hustle of trying to take care of young children, the needs of parents and caregivers often get overlooked. Think about the energy you invest in making sure your child’s needs are met. You make sure they get enough to drink and eat, provide enough time for them to get the restful sleep they need as well as the exercise and time to play—do you do the same for yourself?
Make it a routine. Just like you develop routines for your child, make self-care part of your daily routine. Come up with simple routines you can do to help you relax and unwind and take care of yourself. Maybe it’s taking a quick walk by yourself a few days a week or making time to bake if that’s a hobby you enjoy.
Start small. Big changes can seem intimidating, so don’t think of increasing your self-care as something big you have to do overnight. Break up the task into small pieces and find something small to start with, like challenging yourself to drinking less caffeine to help you sleep better at night. Try writing down your goals and keeping track of your efforts—this can help motivate you to keep going and is a great way to see your progress. Once you have incorporated that change, try making another small change.
Model self-care for your child. Let your child know what you’re doing and why self-care is so important. You can tell them, “This is Daddy’s time to himself. When I go for a walk alone it gives me time to think and helps me feel calm and relaxed.” Children learn from watching us and when we show them we value self-care, they learn to value it too.
Investing in your own well-being is a way to invest in your child’s well-being. Take the time to nurture yourself so you have the energy and motivation to nurture your child.
For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, please visit the Michigan State University Extension website.
To learn about the positive impact children and families experience due to MSU Extension programs, read our 2017 impact report. Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension positively impacted individuals and communities in 2017, can be downloaded from the Michigan 4-H website.
Vernon “Chip” Wienke III as Detective Murray and Ms. Michigan Brittany Styles as Murray’s partner Detective McMaster
By WKTV Staff
It was a simple question from one of his students that helped Clayton Veltkamp rekindle his passion to become a filmmaker.
Veltkamp graduated from Western Michigan University with a broadcasting degree and then earned a master’s in Film and TV Production from the academy of Art in San Francisco all with the goal of becoming a filmmaker. He would embark on a freelance career that has spanned a decade.
Returning to Michigan for family reasons, Veltkamp continued to do freelance client work, and took a summer job teaching Digital Movie Making to teenage students as part of Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design’s Continuing Studies Program.
Clayton Veltkamp
In the summer of 2017, one of his students asked him “Have you ever made a movie? No? How come?” And, that was all the inspiration Veltkamp needed. Veltkamp’s one time dream of becoming a filmmaker became an overnight obsession.
The result is the film “Dark Justice,” set to kick off WKTV’s Midnite Movies on Friday. The movie airs at midnight on Nov. 9.
The story is of a detective investigating a series of vigilante murders that threaten a shaky truce between rival criminal gang leaders. The detective must solve the case before the outlaw plunges the city into chaos. But, when confronted by the corruption and injustice that motivates the killer, the detective joins their righteous quest seeking revenge of his own.
Working within a strict budget of $7,000 and drawing off his love for comic books and fantasy, Veltkamp spent the next few months developing his feature film script, scouting locations, and networking with potential actors. On March 26, 2018, principal photography began.
Investigating the crime scene Detectives Murray and McMaster (Vernon Wienke & Brittany Styles).
With a skeleton crew of eager helpers, a 4k cinema camera borrowed from local public access station WKTV, and a single building from the 1800s that he managed to gain free range of; Clayton spent the next month and a half getting all the shots, wrapping up production on May 12, 2018.
Drawing on his years as a freelance editor, he locked in the picture within a month and enlisted the help of a local sound designer and recording studio Trulogic Media to handle the final sound mix. The goal was to have the film finished by July so he could begin the process of entering film festivals and preparing for AFM where he will seek distribution and networking opportunities.
The film features Vernon “Chip” Wienke III as Detective Murray and Ms. Michigan Brittany Styles as Murray’s partner Detective McMaster. Also in the cast are Michael Gordon as Morretti, Dirk Hughes as Savator, Tom Black as Chief Pickett, and Laine Fleszar as Marry.
The film is currently available through Amazon Prime. For more on the film, visit www.cultivationcinema.com.
Season tickets and mini ticket plans for the 2019 West Michigan Whitecaps baseball season are now on sale!
The Whitecaps have several different season ticket packages available, starting as low as $67.50. These include a full-season 70-game plan, half-season, 10-game plans, a 5-game, Tigers Wednesdays plans and flexbooks. Season ticket holders receive special perks ranging from a free luxury suite, discounted hot dog/soda vouchers, discounted preferred parking plans, souvenir shop discounts, a ticket buy-back and exchange program, early entry into the ballpark, guaranteed giveaway items and more (not all perks are included in all ticket packages). For complete season ticket plan information including a list of perks for each plan, please visit www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
Box Office Manager Shaun Pynnonen said the 10-game plans and the Tigers Wednesdays plans are sure to be favorites.
“The Tigers Wednesdays plans are always popular. This year fans can choose from five or ten games. Those that purchase one will receive guaranteed giveaway items as well as hot dog/soda vouchers” Pynnonen said. “10-game plans will also be popular this year. These are for the more casual fans that value the great entertainment. They get a few games a month which works out great when planning summer schedules.”
Fans can purchase season tickets and mini plans online here or by calling the Whitecaps front office at (616) 784-4131. Current season ticket holders have until Friday, December 14 to renew their season ticket locations; after that new season ticket holder seat locations will be selected.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more, including private party areas, will go on sale on Friday, November 16. Individual game tickets will go on sale in early 2019.
By Terry Clark-Jones, Michigan State University Extension
Is there a way to fight fairly? Yes, there is! Resolving conflicts with positive communication can bring people closer together and make relationships stronger. Below is one way you can begin to learn how to deal with conflict fairly, as well as teach those close to you how to fight fair. This works best in close relationships, such as those involving parents, partners, spouses, children, other family members or roommates. Begin by setting some time to explain conflict resolution to everyone in the household. Each person needs to be willing to follow the steps and a chance to practice.
Start with an agreement –Agree that conflicts exist in order to reach common ground at the end of the disagreement. Therefore, trust, love, respect, caring and kindness are key elements in every disagreement.
Stop and think — The next time you find yourself arguing with someone close to you, stop and think about your anger threshold, that point at which you know you are losing it. This is the point at which you can most effectively make changes. At lower levels of frustration, we are all capable of some self-control.
Code word — Choose a code word for anger thresholds. All household members must agree to respect the code word. You can call the code word yourself, if your own anger has reached your threshold or somebody else can call the code word, if they see anger rising in you or in someone else. Give everyone a chance to practice using the code word. For example, “I am calling a time out”.
Calm down — When someone calls the code, everyone must stop talking and moving for one minute. During that one minute, everyone should try to relax physically and think calming thoughts. Be a model of calm.
Come back and try again — Once everyone is calm, discuss the problem using “I statements”. At the end of one minute, someone can ask, “Are we calm enough to talk?” If everyone answers “yes,” you can start to work on a solution together. You may decide that more time is needed to calm down. If that is the case, each person needs to go to a separate place for some quiet time.
Be specific — Individuals need to be specific about what is bothering you. Accept statements and try to understand them for what they mean.
Keep the issue in the present — Do not bring up previous incidences, previous fights, actions, inactions or behavior which have nothing to do with the topic of the current fight. No one can fix an always or never situation such as, “you have always been stubborn” or “you never listen to me.”
Use respectful language — No name calling, swearing, insults, threats or intimidation. This creates an atmosphere of distrust, more anger and vulnerability.
Use calm voice — No raising your voice and dominating the conversation. Do not attempt to control by out-shouting or making more noise to drive home a point.
Name it to tame it — Always acknowledge the other’s basic feelings. For example, “I understand you are feeling frustrated right now, and I am glad you shared that.”
In the end of a fight or conflict, the ultimate goals is for individuals involved to come away feeling respected, understood and committed to change some behavior that may be irritating or difficult for another to accept. Compromise is always a win-win resolution to conflict.
With some or all of these guidelines in place, conflicts will become less destructive and with more constructive expression of anger.
What should I do about all the webs in my trees? A caller to the Michigan State University Extension Lawn and Garden Hotline was concerned that caterpillars within the webbing were still causing damage to her trees. Should I spray? Should I trim it out of the tree? Can I burn it out of the tree? If I leave the web, will the insects return to it next season?
Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea, is a moth that is better known for its caterpillar stage that creates large webbing at the ends of branches. Webs up to 2 to 3 feet in length can be seen at ends of branches from mid-summer and into fall. When active in the summer, they may contain a colony of hundreds of webworm caterpillars.
This native species feeds on at least 80 species of trees, though most commonly seen on walnut, birch, black cherry, elms and maples. Young larvae begin to feed in early July in southern Michigan, and at the start of August in northern Michigan. Protected within the webs, newly hatched caterpillars first feed on the upper surface of the leaves, and after several molts the larger caterpillars consume whole leaves.
Explaining that it is not a serious threat to the tree is often not the answer expected. Since the colony of caterpillars feed from mid- to late summer, it causes less damage than insects that feed in the spring. By late summer, plants have had time for their leaves to produce energy reserves for the following season. Trimming out the web is an option, but often it is not feasible as it is high up in the canopy and cannot be reached.
Fall webworm caterpillars feed on leaves for about six weeks. Once done feeding, the 1-inch long caterpillars move from the webbing to bark crevices or move down into the soil where they form a cocoon. Within this cocoon, they survive the winter to emerge as a moth the following spring.
This late in the season, most of the caterpillars have left the nest and a close inspection of branches within the webs reveals developing buds for next season. Webs will deteriorate over the winter and webworm caterpillars will not return to these webs next spring.
Photo by Jean Persely
Never burn the webbed branch while it is in the tree. This extreme measure damages the plant more than the insect would. Trimmed out branches can be burned or buried. Although feeding by the webworms strips leaves within the webs, it likely will not kill the branch.
Control measures work best when webs are still small. The webbing makes it difficult to spray with pesticides since the caterpillars are protected within the web. Pesticides will work if nests are torn by a high pressure spray. Even a garden hose set to a high pressure can tear into a nest and kill many caterpillars.
Fall webworm can be managed with lower toxicity pesticides, but a smart gardener will first consider if pesticides are even needed. There are times when a number of webs in one smaller tree would create a situation where management options need to be considered. See this Fall Webworm tip sheet from the University of Minnesota for management options.
Will a nest left in the tree result in caterpillars returning to the nest in the spring? No, they do not return to these nests, but it is possible the insects that survive within cocoons on the bark or in the soil emerge as moths to lay eggs on leaves on the same tree or nearby trees. The good news is that for the most part, fall webworm nests are rarely a stress on the tree and fortunately nature has provided dozens of parasitoids and predators to help keep it in check.
Sutton, a novel about the famous bank robber from the Great Depression grabs you and keeps you enthralled in his life of crime. Sutton educates, entertains, and delights the reader. It will appeal to a crossover audience of lovers of historical fiction, true-crime narratives and mystery novels. This poignant, comic, fast-paced and fact-studded story by Pulitzer Prize winner, J.R. Moehringer, tells the story of economic pain that feels eerily modern, while still unfolding a story of doomed love.
Willie Sutton came of age at a time when banks were out of control. If the banks weren’t taking brazen risks, causing millions to lose their jobs and homes, they were shamelessly seeking government bailouts. Sound familiar?
Trapped in a cycle of panics, depressions and soaring unemployment, Willie Sutton saw only one way out, and only one way to win the girl of his dreams. So he began a 30-year career of robbing banks, becoming one of America’s most successful bank robbers. Willie Sutton became so good at breaking into banks and such a master at breaking out of prisons, police called him one of the most dangerous men in New York, and the FBI put him on its first-ever Most Wanted List.
But the public rooted for Sutton. He never fired a shot and after all, his victims were merely those bloodsucking banks. When he was finally caught for good in 1952, crowds surrounded the jail and chanted his name.
Willie, the Actor, Sutton was released from Attica prison on Christmas Eve 1969, after serving 17 years. The irony that Gov. Rockefeller, a former banker, signed the order was not lost on Sutton. His lawyer made a deal with a newspaper for an exclusive, so Sutton spent his first night and the next day with a newspaper reporter and a photographer going on a chronological tour together of the scenes of Sutton’s exploits in and around New York City during his long life of crime. As they visit the sites of Sutton’s childhood, life and crimes, the old thief regales the reporter with stories and, more significantly, remembers the events for the reader in flashback narration.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Social butterfly Smudgee was initially a Belmont rescue back in February of 2018 (we think she was four years old, born in early 2014) who was taken in by Focus on Ferals (FOF). They did their typical top-notch stray work-up, discovered she was FIV+, and was told she had already been spayed due to a scar on her ventral abdomen. So imagine their surprise when April rolled around and their sweet little calico-tiger girl popped out a litter of kittens!
Unable to house a mom and brand-spanking newborns at their facility, FOF enlisted the help of a dual volunteer who took in the beautiful brood and provided a cozy, comfy foster home for Smudgee and her three offspring until the kittens could be weaned and placed into their adoption program. Mama then went back to FOF and awaited her turn to find a home, but as the months rolled on by and she was overlooked time and time again, FOF enlisted our help; on Aug. 6th, Big Sid’s welcomed this darling, playful little lady as our newest member of a very elite group of kitties.
From the get-go, Smudgee has been extremely outgoing, always seeming to be around no matter where you are or where your gaze falls. She adores attention from the volunteers and is exceptionally tolerant of her surrogate son, Just Jack, who tackles her on a regular basis in hopes of getting her to chase him around. She mingles and mixes well with the older crowd too, and honestly is so laid-back that we feel she would thrive in pretty much any type of family situation—kids, cats and perhaps even a gentle companion of the canine persuasion.
Soon after her arrival, she discovered the joys of what we call our ‘feeding frenzy’ and since then has been a very enthusiastic participant; in fact, we are watching her dainty waistline so that she doesn’t eat so much as to appear pregnant—again! Interestingly enough, before Smudgee came down to our sanctuary, Dr. Jen had to extract all of the teeth behind her canines as her mouth was on fire due to an inflammatory condition known as stomatitis, a condition that is fairly common in FIV+ kitties.
And until Smudgee had partaken in the tempting tray feeding—get this—she was consuming kibble like a boss (even though yummy canned food was offered pre- and post-op at the clinic). Also on a positive note, since she doesn’t have a mean bone in her ever-expanding lil’ body AND she has only a few teeth to claim as her own, the risk of transmission to another household cat is negligible. Plus, will ya look at that ADORABLE FACE?! How anyone can resist that is beyond us.
More about Smudgee:
Medium
Calico
Adult
Female
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed
Not declawed
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Smudgee? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
Opening Nov. 2nd and running for three weekends through Nov. 18th, Farmers Alley Theatre (221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo, MI) is proud to present the West Michigan area premiere of A Doll’s House, Part 2. Called “smart, funny and utterly engrossing” by The New York Times, this whip-smart new play by Lucas Hnath (author of last season’s hit The Christians) is THE play of the moment that delivers explosive laughs while also posing insightful questions about marriage, gender inequality, and human rights.
In the final scene of Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking masterwork of 1879, A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer makes the shocking decision to leave her husband and children, and begin a life on her own. This climactic event — when Nora slams the door on everything in her life — instantly propelled world drama into the modern age. In A Doll’s House, Part 2, many years have passed since Nora’s exit. Now, there a knock on that same door. Nora has returned. But why? And what will it mean for those she left behind? A timely work filled with powerful women who struggle against a society that has defined gender roles, A Doll’s House, Part 2 is the rare sequel that stands perfectly well on its own.
Farmers Alley Theatre welcomes back director D. Terry Williams to helm this modern classic. Mr. Williams is known for tackling vibrant new works at Farmers Alley having directed Hnath’s The Christians last season along with his previous credits Disgraced, The Whipping Man, Other Desert Cities and the Wilde Award Winning production of Old Wicked Songs.
Elizabeth Terrel will bring life to the classic character of Nora Helmer. An associate professor of voice and movement in Western Michigan University’s Theatre Department, Ms. Terrel was last seen on our stage as the beautiful, self-obsessed movie star, Masha in our 2015 production of Vanya + Sonia + Masha + Spike.
Chicago actor Paul Stroili plays Nora’s estranged husband, Torvald. A resident artist at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, Mr. Stroili has an impressive list of credits on stage (God of Carnage, August: Osage County) and screen (“Empire”, “Chicago PD”, “Malcolm in the Middle”). Zoe Vonder Haar returns to Farmers Alley Theatre to play the Helmer’s housekeeper Anne Marie, after lighting up our stage the past two summers in It Shoulda Been You and The Bridges of Madison County. WMU Theatre Major Arizsia Staton portrays Nora’s daughter, Emmy, whom she abandoned all those years ago.
A Doll’s House, Part 2 runs Nov. 2nd through the 18th at 221 Farmers Alley in Downtown Kalamazoo. Tickets are $32 on Fri/Sat/Sun and $27 on Thursdays. Seniors 65 and above receive $2 off per ticket and student tickets are $15. Reservations can be made by calling our Box Office at (269) 343-2727 or visiting the website here.
Friday, Nov. 2nd at 8 pm
Saturday, Nov. 3rd at 2 pm
Saturday, Nov. 3rd at 8 pm
Sunday, Nov. 4th at 2 pm
Thursday, Nov. 8th at7:30 pm
Friday, Nov. 9th at 8 pm
Saturday, Nov. 10th at 8 pm
Sunday, Nov. 11th at2 pm
Thursday, Nov. 15th at 7:30 pm
Friday, Nov. 16th at 8 pm
Saturday, Nov. 17th at 8 pm
Sunday, Nov. 18th at 2 pm
We will be holding post-show talkbacks after performances on Nov. 3rd (2pm show), Nov. 9th and Nov. 16th.
Since 2015, Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found in deer in several of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula counties including Clinton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, and Montcalm, as well as most recently in October 2018 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Dickenson county. Deer hunters should be aware of how easily CWD can be transferred to in cervids such as deer, elk or moose.
CWD is a neurological disease that affects cervid animals. It can be transmitted through direct animal to animal contact or contact with saliva, urine, feces, blood, and/or certain carcass parts such as brain tissue and spinal cord of an infected animal.
Hunters need to be aware that the disease can also be spread via infected plants and soil. Prions, which are single proteins that cause the infections, are not easily killed by traditional strategies such as heat. Research from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has shown prions have been able to bind to the roots and leaves of wheat grass plants when incubated with contaminated material, even in highly diluted amounts. They also found that plants grown in infected soil can transport the deadly prions. Hamsters fed the contaminated plants contracted CWD in the research project.
Although current research has found no direct link from CWD to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend not consuming venison from infected deer. Michigan State University Extension highly recommends that venison from a positively infected CWD deer not be consumed. When in doubt, do not consume the venison and properly dispose of the entire carcass. This brief background is meant to emphasize that CWD is a serious emerging disease in Michigan and hunters can take steps to prevent the spread of it.
Several pairs of tight-fitting, disposable gloves — these not only can protect hunters from disease but also assist in keeping the deer carcass clean during the dressing process.
Clean, sharp knife to make cuts and split carcass. Use separate knives from your household knives.
Pre-moistened wipes and/or container of clean water to maintain sanitation of knife and saw.
Strings about six to eight inches long to tie off the anus and assist in other dressing procedures.
Large resealable food grade plastic bag to place the heart and/or liver.
Clean, dry towels or paper towels to dry the carcass with after washing.
Rope to tie legs apart or drag deer.
Kill tag attached to a string.
Multiple non-porous disposable trash bags if hunting in the CWD core management zones to dispose of all carcass parts, including guts, and remove them from the environment.
All deer harvested in the Michigan CWD Core Area (Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Newaygo counties) and Management Zone (Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Newaygo counties), cannot be moved out of those areas unless:
It is deboned meat, quarters or other parts of a cervid that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, antlers attached to a skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue, hides, upper canine teeth, or a finished taxidermist mount; or
The head is submitted at a designated DNR drop off locations within 24 hours after killing the deer. Drop-off locations include DNR check points, drop boxes and some venison processors.
Carcasses can be moved into the CWD Core Area from a CWD Management Zone county with no restrictions. Hunters may not take a deer from the CWD Core Area into the CWD Management Zone for processing unless the conditions above are met.
They called him the “Chairman of the Board of Music.”
Frank Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century as well as one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.
Twenty years before fans screamed themselves hoarse at the sight of The Beatles, bobbysoxers worked themselves into a frenzy at the sight of a skinny, 20-something kid who sang with Tommy Dorsey’s Big Band.
Sinatra, though he didn’t sing rock music, was the music’s first rock star.
Grand Rapids Pops welcomes singer and pianist Tony DeSare back to Grand Rapids for a salute to the music of Frank Sinatra titled Sinatra and Beyond.
DeSare, who starred in the Off-Broadway show, Our Sinatra, will perform songs made famous by “The Sultan of Swoon.” Enjoy such “ring-a-ding-ding” tunes as Come Fly With Me, I’ve Got the World on a String, My Way and many more.
Associate Conductor John Varineau leads the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Fox Motors Pops series concerts at 8pm Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10 and at 3pm Sunday, Nov. 11 in DeVos Performance Hall. Guest Artist Sponsor: Holland Home.
Described in the New York Times in 2012 as “two parts young Sinatra to one part Billy Joel,” DeSare channels the best of the Great American Songbook.’
Generally when someone mentions the music of Ol’ Blue Eyes, they think of an older Sinatra, sporting a tuxedo, singing such songs as “New York, New York.” But DeSare, age 42, prefers Sinatra’s music from the 1950s, when he recorded such albums as “In the Wee Small Hours” and “Songs for Only the Lonely” for Capitol Records.
“Frank’s voice was dead-on perfect, and he was such a great interpreter,” DeSare said. “Plus, he was working with those classic Nelson Riddle arrangements.”
Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist by Downbeat magazine in 2009, DeSare has appeared in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to jazz clubs. He’s headlined in Las Vegas with comedian Don Rickles, and he’s appeared with major symphony orchestras.
DeSare’s first appearance with the Grand Rapids Symphony was for its Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops in 2012. Earlier that year, he was in West Michigan to perform Our Sinatra at Mason Street Warehouse in Saugatuck.
Frank Sinatra by Gottlieb, c 1947
Tony DeSare’s first instrument, which he took up at age 8, was violin. Two years later, he began playing on a little Casio keyboard from Radio Shack. That’s what stuck.
“I’m not sure exactly what it is,” he told the South Bend Tribune in August. “I know one of the big things is that it’s the only instrument that lets you be your own orchestra.”
At age 11, he became obsessed with learning George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Mining his parents’ record collection, he soon developed a fondness for such classic pop singers as Sinatra and Nat King Cole.
Music remained a hobby, and he was pre-law at Ithaca College until he attended a Billy Joel concert, and the singer/songwriter shared some advice from the stage for the audience of 20,000.
“What Billy said is that we did not have to become recording stars or follow in his footsteps,” DeSare recalled in an interview with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in September 2017. “He basically said, ‘If you feel you can pay your bills by playing music, that alone is reason enough to follow your dream,’”
“I just sat back, thinking to myself, ‘Wow, when you put it that way,’” he added. “I was much too far along for me to switch and begin pursuing a music degree,” he said. “But I dropped my law courses the next Monday and became a business major.”
Tickets
Single tickets for the Fox Motors Pops series start at $18 and are available at the Grand Rapids Symphony box office, weekdays 9am-5pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum).
Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.
Special Offers
Full-time students of any age can purchase tickets for $5 at the door on the day of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Calvin College. Discounts also are available to members of MySymphony360, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s organization for young professionals ages 21-35.
Students age 7-18 also are able to attend 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. Go online for more details.
Symphony Scorecard provides up to four free tickets for members of the community receiving financial assistance from the State of Michigan and for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, whether on active or reserve duty or serving in the National Guard. Go online for information to sign up with a Symphony Scorecard Partner Agency.
Hungry families and individuals who use community emergency food pantries receive several canned foods, like fruits and vegetables, as well as other non-perishable foods.
While fresh foods are always recommended for meal preparation, studies show canned foods are comparable to cooked, fresh and frozen varieties in providing major vitamins to the American diet.
According to the Canned Food Alliance, using canned foods in your meal planning has an array of benefits:
Canned foods add a variety of food types to your meal planning. Adding canned beans or chickpeas and canned tuna to a fresh garden salad instantly makes the meal more interesting and adds important nutrients, just from opening up a can.
Using canned foods and other forms of food (fresh, frozen, canned and dried) in your cooking can add more flavors to your meals and save on your food budget.
If you are crunched for time to prepare meals like many busy families, especially during the week, using canned foods will help you to get food on the table quickly.
Fresh food, while undoubtedly delicious and nutritious, can spoil if not used a short time after purchase.
Michigan State University Extension recommends that canned vegetables and beans first be rinsed to decrease salt content. Be sure to always read food labels and when possible, choose the low sodium varieties of canned foods.
There are still consumer questions about whether or not canned foods are healthy for you. The Canned Food Alliance says that despite the fact canned foods are getting a “bad rap”, they are actually nutritious, accessible, convenient, affordable and flavorful.
Keep food safety in mind when visiting and choosing canned food at your community food pantries. Never choose canned foods that are past their expiration dates or having any flaw such as dented or bulging.
Families who are on a tight food budget often use community food pantries and want to know how to flavor and spice up canned foods when preparing meals.
Ask your community food pantry if they have recipes for their participants, most community food pantries offer low-cost recipes. For additional recipes, you can also checkout Feeding America’s cookbook for a cause for tasty snacks and entree ideas.
There are several ways you can add pizazz to your meal preparation by using canned foods the following ways:
Canned chili beans, green chilies, mushrooms to casseroles, salads, etc.
Canned vegetables to soups, stews, salads and casseroles
Canned beans to soups, stews, nachos and casseroles
Canned tomatoes and tomato products to one-pot and skillet meals, casseroles, soups and stews
Canned cream soups to casseroles
Canned fruit to fruit salads, fruit parfaits and other desserts
Using canned foods are an economical way of saving money and provide satisfying and favorable homemade meals for your family. Using the above simple tips for preparing meals, entrée, desserts, etc. can be pleasing and provide a sense of well-being to those who are cash strapped.
Growing up in Mexico, Mónica Robles pestered her father to give her things he said were “only for boys.” Persistence paid off, and she did learn to ride motorcycles and pilot private planes. Today, Mónica takes that same feisty mindset to every endeavor she takes on, from community leadership to international marketing. Don’t miss this personal story of pluck and charm: from Mexico with love!
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."
~ Henry David Thoreau
Where are they coming from?
Where are they all going?
September marks the ninth record-breaking month in a row for 2018 at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which has seen growth in 62 of the last 69 months. September 2018 was the busiest September ever, and this quarter marks the busiest third quarter ever — beating out September 2017 for that title.
Through September 2018, GFIA has already surpassed its annual totals reached in all years through 2014 with 2,432,413 passengers served in 2018. Folks, that’s a LOT of people. Read all about it here.
There are no second chances
You either get the shot, or you don’t.
Organized by the Brooklyn Museum, “Who Shot Sports” highlights the “aesthetic, cultural and historical significance of the images and artists in the history of sports since the invention of photography in the 19th century. Visitors will see how the evolution of photographic technology enabled its practitioners to capture the human body in motion as it had never been seen before,” according to supplied information. Go here to read more.
Not to add to your stress level, but …
One increasingly common cause for dementia symptoms is stress. And those overwhelmed by caring for others are particularly at risk.
“So-called ‘caregiver dementia’—cognitive and memory issues brought on by the stress of caring for a loved one—is a very real phenomenon,” Dr. Hatfield said.
Fortunately, caregiver dementia is reversible. Symptoms go away when the stress and depression are resolved, which can be particularly reassuring for those immersed in primary caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Go here to learn more.
Fun Fact:
Dogs sniff good smells with their left nostril
Dogs normally start sniffing with their right nostril, then keep it there if the smell could signal danger, but they’ll shift to the left side for something pleasant, like food or a mating partner. This also applies to dogs living in Kentwood and Wyoming. You know you always wondered.
As you are passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters, WKTV will be featuring a line-up of locally produced horror and Halloween films, with a special premiere showing from a familiar filmmaker.
Director and Producer Moe McCoy’s “Angel Horror Movie” will air at 10 p.m. It is a film that according toMcCoy, had its own “horror” backstory that the team from his Fireproof Film company managed to overcome.
“This was a film that I originally started shooting in Grand Rapids,” McCoy said. “I had the house lined up and everyone there and then there was a drive-by and I everyone just left, the cast, the crew, everybody.”
Not to be deterred, McCoy took the concept with him, reshooting in Houston, Texas with a Red camera, only to discover that the film was so large only a few places could handle the editing, one of which is WKTV.
“So I came back to my roots,” said McCoy, who got his start in film by volunteering at WKTV. “It has been so much fun being back here in Michigan and at the WKTV studio. I am excited about the premiere.”
WKTV’s Halloween specials start at 7 p.m. with the Rosehill Cemetery Tour followed by a family film, “We Are the Dead,” produced by a group of Grand Valley State University students utilizing WKTV equipment. “We Are the Dead” follows the story of three men as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse. This film will air at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30; 8:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31; and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2.
At 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31, will be “The Basement,” an indie film produced by another volunteer and local producer Chris Penny of Dogbyte Films. After that is McCoy’s “Angel Horror Film.”
The rest of the line-up includes:
11 p.m. Transitions
11:30 p.m. Return of the Curse
1 a.m. Grand Rapids Paranormal Alliance Ghost Documentary
Cheryl Corpus is the new Gladiola Elementary School principal. SNN gets to know her in this edition of Meet Your Principal.
What and where was your previous job? I was associate director at the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning with The Education Trust-Midwest.
Degrees: I am a National Board Certified Teacher in English as a New Language. I have a bachelor of arts in English and a bachelor of arts in education; a master’s in TESOL/Applied Linguistics; and a master’s in Education Leadership. I’ve attended Central Michigan University, Cornerstone University and University of Colorado.
“Outstanding! You rocked today!” points out new Gladiola Elementary Principal Cheryl Corpus to kindergartners
Other positions you have held in education: I have worked as an adjunct instructor for Aquinas College, an instructional specialist with Godwin Heights Public Schools, a K-8 EL coordinator/assistant principal in Colorado, and a high school and adult education teacher in Flint.
How about jobs outside education? I’ve worked in retail, waitressing, and even worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken when I was young.
What kind of kid were you at the age of students at this new school? In elementary school, I was focused on reading, reading and more reading. I was also into the outdoors and animals. All three things are still true today.
Hobbies/Interests: I like being outdoors, advocating for education and being with my family.
What inspires you, both in your educational role and in your own life? People in general inspire me. You never know their story and I believe in the power of community and that education can create real change. I am driven to close achievement and opportunity gaps for students and to advocate for students and families.
What makes you laugh? A good meme and a good movie analogy to capture situations.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? That I just learned how to play Gaga ball on the playground with students, and plan on being the recess champion by the end of the year.
Tell us about a non-professional book you recommend and why: “Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult. It challenges us to examine our assumptions/biases and explore the dynamic of race and prejudice.
Finish this sentence: If I could go back to school I would go to 11th grade, because I think it’s such an important year to make decisions about what you want to do after high school. I would sign up for more AP classes and push myself harder.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
New Principal Cheryl Corpus is getting to know her staff, including (from left) Katherine Henry, Restorative Practices practitioner; Amy Hendrickson, social worker; and Fritz Bowerman, behavioral interventionist
This holiday season, the Holland Area Arts Council is reprising their partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet in two special performances for children ages 4 to 10 and their adult guests on Sunday, Nov. 18th. The gallery will be filled with the enchanting giggles of children as they experience the magic of music, dance, and storytelling. Performances will be held at 1pm and 3:30pm.
The Nutcracker Ballet Tea is a story time brunch in a winter fairy-tale land of ballerinas, nutcrackers and toy soldiers. Members of Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company will dance vignettes from The Nutcracker as Attila Mosolygo, Junior Company Artistic Director reads The Nutcracker story. The performance includes high tea, delicious snacks and a box of treats for each child to enjoy.
Children live in a world of imagination and play. The line between reality and pretend has not yet been drawn. They involve themselves in performance physically, mentally and emotionally, and so the Arts Council is excited to expose the very young to live performance featuring other young performers.
Photo supplied
Partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet, who provides the dancers in costume, make this event truly special.
Tickets for the Nutcracker Ballet Tea are on sale now. Admission is $35 per ticket. Children 10 and under get in for $15 each.
Tickets to Grand Rapids Ballet’s The Nutcracker Dec. 14-16 and 21-23 at DeVos Performance Hall may be purchased online at grballet.com or by calling 616.454.4771 x10.
Call the Holland Area Arts Council at (616) 396-3278, email helpdesk@hollandarts.org, visit hollandarts.org/nutcracker-ballet-tea.html or stop by 150 East 8th Street to learn more about this and other events and reserve your family’s spots! Advance reservations are required.
By Amy Cochran, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch
Fact merges with fiction in this mesmerizing tale of a Lost Boy of Sudan. Valentino Achak Deng tells us in the preface that this is the “soulful account of his life,” of his flight from his destroyed village in Southern Sudan to years living in various refugee camps and eventual struggle to build a new life in the United States. The first-person voice and many of the events are based on Valentino’s personal experiences as told to Dave Eggers over a period of several years. Rather than helping Valentino pen a memoir, Eggers novelized his story, changing timelines and people slightly and adding dialogue while keeping many major events and feelings untouched.
Eggers presents Valentino’s story as if told silently to people he has encountered both past and present. The long and horrifying trek as a young boy from his shattered village of Murial Bai to the Pinyudo and Kakuma refugee camps is interspersed with Valentino’s more recent difficulty in adapting to life in America. As Valentino grows up, he goes to school while narrowly escaping being recruited as a boy soldier into the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army. He also relates several thrilling romantic experiences that would have been impossible in the stricter social structure of his village, contrasting these with the more sobering reality of living for years in a location designed to be merely a temporary home.
Once Valentino arrives in the United States, he and the other Lost Boys find the transition more difficult than they ever imagined. Minimum wage jobs, high rent, and unfamiliarity with basic elements of modernized life such as thermostats and refrigerators combine to make Valentino’s dream of getting into college seem like an impossible goal.
I found myself constantly wondering which aspects of the story actually happened to Valentino alone, rather than being pulled from the stories of other Lost Boys. Such is the power of Valentino’s story and Egger’s writing talent that, in spite of the fictionalizing aspect, Valentino’s voice still rings perfectly true and authentic. This book is an intense and eye-opening journey into the Sudanese refugee experience through the eyes of a man who keeps his faith in future stability and happiness despite obstacles at every turn.
The bulls of thePBR (Professional Bull Riders)are headed back to Michigan and ready to buckSaturday, February 2, 2019 at 7:00 PM atVan Andel Arenafor theVelocity Tour Grand Rapids Classic.
As the 11th stop on the Velocity Tour, the Grand Rapids Classic will give fans a front row seat for exhilarating rides, and spectacular wrecks throughout the night as the rising talent in bull riding faces off against the rankest bucking bulls in the business.
In 2018, Michigan fans saw Colten Jesse (Konawa, Oklahoma) win amidst tough competition. Riders like Jesse, from all over the country and as far away as Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand, will be competing head-to-head to win the event buckle as the 2019 season begins.
Each rider will face one bull during Round 1 before the 10 riders with the highest scores advance to the championship round. The overall event winner will be the rider who has earned the most points over two rides.
Tickets for this action-packed event are on sale nowand start at just $17.50! Tickets are available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place® box offices, online atTicketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prices are subject to change. SeeTicketmaster.comfor all pricing and availability.
Winners of each Velocity event will be guaranteed at least one opportunity to compete at a PBR: Unleash the Beast regular-season event where they can attempt to win enough points to join the Top 35 bull riders in the world and earn a spot competing at the sport’s premier level.
The 2019 tour will culminate with the Velocity Tour Finals at South Point Arena in Las Vegas, leading into the PBR’s 2019 World Finals at T-Mobile Arena. The winner of the Velocity Finals, the second- and third-place finishers, the top international performer, and the 2019 Velocity Tour Champion, will each qualify to compete at the PBR World Finals and a chance to be the 2019 PBR World Finals Event Champion.
About the Velocity Tour
The PBR’s Velocity Tour began in 2014 as the premier expansion tour for the PBR. The Velocity Tour, the sport’s fastest-growing tour, brings the excitement and top-levels of cowboy and bovine talent that fans have come to expect from the sport’s leader to cities across the U.S. The tour, which is fully produced and operated by PBR, will visit 33 cities in the 2018 season.
About the PBR (Professional Bull Riders)
The world’s premier bull riding organization began as a dream of 20 bull riders 25 years ago and now operates in five countries. On its elite tour, the organization features the top 35 bull riders in the world and the top bulls in the business. The televised 25th PBR: Unleash The Beast, along with the PBR Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour (RVT), the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD) and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico have paid nearly $184 million in earnings to its athletes.
Thirty bull riders have earned more than $1 million, including two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney who is the top-earning athlete in Western sports history with more than $7.2 million in career earnings. PBR is part of the Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG) network. For more information on the PBR, go toPBR.com, or follow on Facebook atFacebook.com/PBR, Instagram atInstagram.com/PBR, and YouTube atYouTube.com/PBR
Is your memory failing you? Don’t assume the worst. You may have a reversible condition. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Diane Benson, Spectrum Health Beat
Brain fog … Can’t clear the cobwebs … I know I know this … Wait, wait, don’t tell me … Really, it’s on the tip of my tongue.
What did I do yesterday? (Hmmm. Good question).
If this sounds like your state of mind (or lack thereof), you may have dementia.
Hold on. Don’t panic.
Dementia, defined as problems with memory or thinking and changes in personality or behavior, can be reversible.
In fact, more than 50 conditions can cause or mimic the symptoms of dementia.
“Short-term memory loss, like difficulty remembering recent events, is often the most pronounced symptom of both reversible and non-reversible dementias,” said Maegan Hatfield-Eldred, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist with Spectrum Health Medical Group.
Common causes of reversible dementia include depression, vitamin B12 deficiency, drug or alcohol abuse and under-active thyroid.
“We associate the word ‘dementia’ with permanence, something that’s going to get worse or is incurable,” Dr. Hatfield said. “But with these conditions, symptoms subside, or are reversed, when the underlying problem is treated.”
Many medications can also cause dementia-like symptoms.
As we age, the liver and kidneys don’t work as efficiently so drugs tend to accumulate in the body, become toxic and cause problems. Elderly people in poor health and those taking several different medications are especially vulnerable.
Stressed-out caregivers beware
Another increasingly common cause for scary dementia symptoms is stress. And those overwhelmed by caring for others are particularly at risk.
“So-called ‘caregiver dementia’—cognitive and memory issues brought on by the stress of caring for a loved one—is a very real phenomenon,” Dr. Hatfield said.
Fortunately, caregiver dementia is reversible. Symptoms go away when the stress and depression are resolved, which can be particularly reassuring for those immersed in primary caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
“These folks start to notice similar symptoms in themselves and think, ‘I have this, too,’” Dr. Hatfield said. “But it’s because they see and experience (the dementia) day in and day out. And that’s extremely stressful. It’s tough managing their own lives and caring for someone else, too.”
What’s typically at work here is the stress hormone, cortisol, she said. Chronic stress can affect the ways in which our brains function in the present, and may seriously alter our brain health in the years to come.
Chronic anxiety and depression also affect brain function and behavior.
“It’s so important to get help, to be proactive in overcoming these feelings and address any issues,” Dr. Hatfield said. “Don’t let things go or build up. Stress reduction is something to take very seriously.”
Younger people are not immune either, she said. Pronounced and dramatic memory issues due to extreme stress can happen to people in their 20s and 30s.
Is it dementia or something else?
Some reversible dementias are easier to diagnose than irreversible dementias because they can be identified by medical tests. Others are more difficult to pin down.
To tell for certain, Dr. Hatfield advises seeing a neuropsychologist for testing. She suggests using age to help determine when, or if, testing is necessary.
“If you’re under age 50, we tend to be less concerned about a non-reversible dementia like Alzheimer’s disease because they’re incredibly uncommon in younger adults,” she said. “Instead, we look at stress, depression or other medical conditions first.”
But if you’re over age 65 and notice memory problems it’s a good idea to get it checked out with a full neuropsychological evaluation.
“Everyone has challenges with memory and thinking at one time or another,” Dr. Hatfield said. “Neuropsychological assessment measures how your brain is functioning compared to others your same age. It’s also very good at differentiating cognitive problems caused by stress or depression from problems caused by a non-reversible dementia.”
If your test scores fall outside the normal range, she said, doctors have key information to help identify a cause.
To make an appointment with a neuropsychologist at the Spectrum Health Memory Disorders Clinic, call 616.267.7104.
Ferris State University has received a $1.2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to establish Project S3OAR, a 4-year program that seeks to recruit, retain and graduate low-income, academically talented students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Starting in fall 2019, FerrisState Universitywill be able to provide up to $10,000 in scholarships for low-income STEM degree students.Thegrant aimsto help boost STEM degrees in order to accommodate local and national demand in science, technology, engineering and math industries. FSU officials are available for interviews on the topic.
Project S3OAR, short for Sustainable, Scalable Scholarships, Opportunities, Achievements and Results (pronounced SOAR-three), is a partnership with Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and builds upon the lessons NKU learned from previous successful STEM grants awarded by the NSF. The total amount awarded to both universities for this collaborative project is $2.3 million.
Starting in fall 2019, both universities will enroll 36 students each year for four years. With the help of the grant, 288 scholars will receive up to $10,000 in scholarship funding toward their degree.
S3OAR Scholars will participate in an orientation, a freshman seminar, a learning community, entrepreneurship education and a variety of co-curricular and enrichment opportunities, in addition to being assigned a mentor.
Dr. Hengli Jiao (photo supplied)
All S3OAR Scholars will also have access to an extensive array of support services available to all STEM students at their university.
Dr. Hengli Jiao, Ph.D., mathematics professor at Ferris, is the principal investigator. Dr. Kristi Haik, Ph.D., dean of Ferris’ College of Arts and Sciences, and Brent Williams, a Ferris State welding engineering technology associate professor, serve as a co-principal investigators. Dr. Haik formerly worked at NKU and was instrumental in developing the original program.
“Ferris State University is thrilled to be awarded this NSF grant alongside our counterparts at Northern Kentucky,” said Dr. Haik. “There is a national need for skilled, technically-trained employees, so we are eager to help this underserved population of students find success in these fields.”
Both Michigan and Kentucky are below the national average of persons ages 25 and over with at least a baccalaureate degree (27.4 percent for Michigan and 22.7 percent for Kentucky; 30.3 percent nationally). Conversely, the regions served by the universities rank in the top 20 for regions with the most professional opportunities for STEM graduates.
This news should be well received by West Michigan employers who are looking for STEM graduates. Both universities have already engaged with employers to provide job shadow experiences for the S3OAR Scholars.
“There are more than 100 employers who regularly work with Ferris and Northern Kentucky students in co-op, internship and shadowing situations,” said Dr. Jiao. “Many employers have already given verbal commitment to provide job shadowing opportunities, but we are always looking for more, so of all the students can benefit from the experience.”
Brent Williams (photo supplied)
Interested employers can contact the Ferris State University College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office for more information.
Project S3OAR Objectives
Increase the STEM enrollment of low-income, academically-talented undergraduates, particularly those from underrepresented groups in STEM, by 10 percent.
Achieve a 90 percent retention rate during the transition from first to second year.
Increase the retention and graduation rates of S3OAR Scholars compared to similar populations in both the STEM disciplines and the university.
Document the program’s sustainability and scalability.
Determine the effectiveness of job shadowing STEM professionals on the first- to second-year retention rate of S3OAR Scholars.
By Dr. Meghan Condit, Dentist at Heart of the City Health Center
1. Eat healthy snacks: Fruits, vegetables, yogurt and cheese are good choices. Stay away from sweet foods that can stick to teeth, like fruit snacks, raisins and candy.
2. Avoid sweet drinks: Pop, sports drinks (like Gatorade), Kool-Aid, juice and even milk have sugar that can cause cavities! Make sure your child has only 4-6 ounces of juice per day and only during meal times. It is especially important to avoid milk and juice before bed, and your child should never sleep with a bottle or cup!
3. Drink lots of tap water: It has fluoride added to it, which protects teeth from cavities, and washes away all the food your child eats during the day.
4. Brush your child’s teeth: At least 2 times per day as soon as you see a tooth! Children should always be supervised, and an adult should brush until children turn about 8 years old. Use fluoride toothpaste or one that says “cavity protection.” Children 0-2 should use a “grain of rice-size” amount of toothpaste, and children 3-6 should use a “pea-sized” amount of toothpaste.
5. Take your child to a dentist: The first dental visit should be before their first birthday. A dental home will provide information about what to expect as your child grows. A fun and caring dental experience early in your child’s life will help them to feel comfortable and enjoy going to the dentist.
The Muskegon Museum of Art will present the sculptures of Michigan artist Nat Rosales in a one-person show from Oct. 18, 2018 through Jan. 13, 2019.
FantasMenagerie: The Art of Nat Rosales features the fantastical vehicles and creatures Rosales creates from scrap metal, found and manipulated objects, and mechanical parts. Rosales assembles his sculptures using cast bronze and brass animal sculptures, door and drawer knobs, decorative lamp bodies, gears and drives, various housings, and a host of decorative metal, plastic, and ceramic bric-a-brac.
According to MMA Senior Curator Art Martin, “The resulting combinations are a blend of Alice in Wonderland and H.G. Wells, an amalgam of whimsy, fantasy, and mechanics.”
FantasMenagerie features over a dozen of Rosales’ recent works, a menagerie of vehicles, contraptions, and mechanical-animal hybrids. Formed from found objects and scrap, and inspired by Rosales’ life and culture, these fantastical creations invite the viewer along on a journey of magic and exploration.
By Nat Rosales (Photo supplied)
Rosales has been drawn to sculpture since childhood, an ideal expression for his fascination with taking things apart and exploring how the resulting pieces might be reconfigured and assembled. His current body of work began in 2004, with one of his earliest creations, Hog I, appearing in the Muskegon Museum of Art’s annual juried Regional Exhibition in 2005. His Mexican and Catholic heritage combine with a life-long interest in Cubist and Modern sculpture to form the foundation of his artistic expression.
Nat Rosales will make a second appearance at the MMA in a gallery “Crash Course” on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 6-7pm. He will point out features of his works in the show and discuss his techniques at this free public event.
FantasMenagerie is underwritten by the Van Kampen Boyer Molinari Foundation. The Michigan Artist Series Media Sponsor is Blue Lake Public Radio. Additional support is provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located in downtown Muskegon at 296 W. Webster Ave. Visit www.muskegonartmuseum.org or call 231-720-2570 for more information.
After an epic and storied 45 year career that launched an era of rock n roll legends,KISS has announced that they will launch their final tour ever in 2019, appropriately namedEND OF THE ROAD. The initial announcement was made a month ago on NBC’sAmerica’s Got Talentwhich sent the internet into overdrive with fans hoping their city would get one final KISS show.
The band has announced the first set of dates and cities in North America, produced by Live Nation. The tour will stop at SMG-managedVan Andel Arenain Grand Rapids onSaturday, March 9, 2019 at 7:30pm. KISS will be offering VIP experiences and special KISS Army fan presales.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 2 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, online atTicketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. SeeTicketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.
KISS Meet & Greet Experiences will be available beginning Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 10am local time throughkissonline.com. KISS Army fan club presales will begin Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 10am local time also through kissonline.com. Citi is the official presale credit card for the End of the Road World Tour. As such, Citi card members will have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets beginning Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 12pm local time until Thursday, November 1 at 10:00 PM local time through Citi’s Private Pass program. For complete presale details visitcitiprivatepass.com.
The venue presale will run on Thursday, Nov., from 10am-10pm. The presale will be offered online atTicketmaster.comonly while supplies last. To receive the presale code, be sure to sign up to the Van Andel Arena e-mail list atVanAndelArena.comby Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Known for their trademark larger-than-life blistering performances, KISS has proven for decades why they are hands down the most iconic live show in rock n roll. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide have said this tour is devoted to the millions of KISS Army fans.
“All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who’ve filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years. This will be the ultimate celebration for those who’ve seen us and a last chance for those who haven’t. KISS Army, we’re saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we’ll go out the same way we came in… Unapologetic and Unstoppable,” said KISS.
The groundbreaking of the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on Grand Valley State University’s Health Camps in downtown Grand Rapids.
More than 300 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony October 23 for the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on Grand Valley State University’s expanding Health Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.
The new center, under construction at 333 Michigan St. on the Medical Mile, will be the third and flagship building on the Health Campus, joining the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences and Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall.
President Thomas J. Haas thanked donors and elected officials for their “continuing transformative support” of Grand Valley and its students. Haas said the naming of the building for Dan and Pamella DeVos reflects the genuine care and concern they have for the community and its future.
Rendering for Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health
“We will generate a great return on your investment by continuing to provide top talent for our region and our state,” Haas said. “I’m often told by employers across the state that our health sciences graduates are exceptional caregivers.”
The DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health will include 15 classrooms and 14 interactive laboratories, and help accommodate expanding programs in growing fields at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who earned an MBA from Grand Valley in 2000, said the university is a significant talent pipeline for the state.
“Talent is the new currency of economic development and Grand Valley is playing an important and pivotal role in developing that pipeline,” Calley said. “Education is everything — education is freedom and connection to all the things that are important in life, and right in the middle of it is Grand Valley State University.”
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who earned an MBA from Grand Valley in 2000
The new five-story, 160,000-square-foot center will allow Grand Valley to significantly expand and update its simulation center and space available for collaborative work.
Dan DeVos said the groundbreaking ceremony was also a celebration of his late parents, Rich and Helen DeVos, who had an early vision for the Medical Mile and matched the generosity of their son and daughter-in-law as leadership donors for the building.
“I’ve heard my dad and others say, ‘What would West Michigan be like without Grand Valley?’ It is hard to imagine,” DeVos said. “Grand Valley faculty, staff members and students will give the building life and students will use it to change lives.”
Maria Cimitile, GVSU provost, said the new health building will advance health education with the newest technology. “It will double our simulation space, giving us more room for interprofessional collaboration,” Cimitile said.
The Kirkhof College of Nursing will be housed in the center, bringing faculty and students together in collaborative spaces to accommodate interactive learning.
Nursing student Doug Chambers said Grand Valley’s professionalism and caring faculty drew him from the east side of the state. “I learned how important it is to choose a school in close proximity to clinical opportunities and I’ve taken advantage of my rotations in psychiatry, oncology and other areas right here in Grand Rapids,” Chambers said.
Grand Valley is the region’s leading provider of health care professionals with more than 20 health sciences programs.
The State of Michigan is providing $29 million for the $70 million project; the remaining funds will come from private donors and university bonds. Construction is expected to be completed in May 2021.
As committed advocates to sustainability in the kitchen, the team at Reserve Wine & Foodis thrilled to announce a special dinner with author Lindsay Jean-Hard, whose new book Cooking With Scraps will be released Oct. 30th, and is the #1 new release in the Budget Cooking section on Amazon.
“We make every effort we can in the kitchen to reduce waste, and through this dinner hope to share ideas and tips on how the home cook can do the same,” says executive chef Luke VerHulst.
The six-course paired dinner begins at 6:30pm on Thursday, Nov. 15th with a book signing and reception; seating is limited and the cost for the dinner is $75 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity) and signed books will be available for a special price of $15.95 plus tax for purchase.
Call 616.855.9463 to reserve, or go here to purchase tickets.
The kitchen statistics are startling: roughly one-third of the food produced globally for human consumption gets lost or wasted, and Americans waste about a pound of food per person each day, with 40 percent of food in this country going uneaten. Lindsay-Jean Hard’s Cooking With Scraps provides 80 creative, delicious, and inspired recipes to help home cooks make use of their scraps.
By learning the basics behind transforming food waste into treasure, readers can take advantage of ingredients such as aging produce, cheese rinds, stale bread, and other oft-discarded foods to create budget-conscious, sustainable, and highly satisfying meals.
The menu, inspired by recipes in the book and prepared by chef Luke VerHulst follows:
Roasted Prime Rib, dill pickle brine potato salad*, wilted greens, roasted bone marrow demi
Fennel Panna Cotta, preserved lemon rind
Fennel tops and lemon rinds used
Cauliflower mac and cheese
*indicates item made from recipe in book
Lindsay-Jean Hard received her Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. Her education and passion for sustainability went on to inform and inspire her work in the garden, home, and community. The seeds of this book were planted in her Food52 column of the same name. Today she works to share her passion for great food and great communities as a marketer at Zingerman’s Bakehouse. She lives, writes, loves, and creates in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
After returning this summer with their first extensive North American tour since 1981, Jeff Lynne’s ELO is set to bring their outstanding live show to even more audiences with a 20-date summer 2019 tour. The trek, produced by Live Nation, will travel to SMG-managed Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 8pm.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Monday, Oct. 29 at 10am. 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 six (6) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all pricing and availability.
Anticipation was at an all-time high surrounding their 10+ date North American tour this summer, with fan and critical acclaim pouring in:
“Jeff Lynne’s ELO revives ‘70s symph-pop greatness… a brilliant catalog returns to U.S. stages and gives the strings-starved people what they want. The ELO catalog speaks for itself… and it was a glorious thing to behold… in a 19-song set that reprised the closest thing to truly Beatle-level pop the 1970s had to offer.” – Variety
“Jeff Lynne’s ELO proves timeless & spectacular… When Lynne came out with the group, the crowd went wild. The show was loaded with virtually every top hit the band recorded. Every musician on stage was fantastic while the arrangements and sound quality almost made the audience forget they were watching a live performance and not listening to their old LP records.” – Glide Magazine
“Jeff Lynne, ELO deliver night of magic memories… the band’s 20-song set proved to be well worth the long wait… Lynne led his band through some 90 minutes of glorious Electric Light Orchestra classics in front of a sold-out crowd. ELO’s music still sounds light years ahead of most of the bands heard on pop music radio today.” – San Jose Mercury News
“Jeff Lynne’s ELO prove that spacy pop rock is still a livin’ thing… one of the most flawless and visually stunning arena shows I’ve seen in a long time. Complete with monstrous lights, lasers and the mandatory ELO spaceship hovering behind the band on video screens, the show was as grand and engrossing as a blockbuster movie — a ’70s blockbuster movie, that is.” – LA Weekly
“Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra put on a dazzling display chronicling a war chest of classic rock hits for a sold out crowd.” – Martinez Tribune
“Jeff Lynne’s ELO is practically a religious experience for rock ‘n’ roll disciples.” – Houston Press
“For all the gifted musicians that helped achieve Lynne’s perfectionist vision, ELO was always his creation, a neon-hued Frankenstein’s monster built from bits of early rock-and-roll, symphonic themes, Beatles harmonies, and disco beats. All of those pieces came together flawlessly… played to perfection.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer
Known as one of the most iconic forces in music history, Jeff Lynne’s ELO has spent the last two years with a critically acclaimed and chart-topping album, a sold out run of UK and European shows, as well as an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band has always been known for their epic live shows and with a distinct style that seamlessly and innovatively blends rock, pop and classical, ELO has had more than 20 Top 40 Hits across the U.S. and the U.K., making Lynne’s sweeping productions some of the most recognizable music of the last forty years and helping sell over 50 million records worldwide.
Widely agreed upon as one of the greatest record producers in music history, Lynne was a co-founder and member of The Travelling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, as well as a producer and collaborator with some of the biggest names in music including The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, and most recently, Bryan Adams.
The fifth season of Fountain Street Church’s ‘Jazz in the Sanctuary’ concert series will begin on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3pm. The series pairs the spontaneous wonder of jazz with the acoustic and architectural beauty of the century-old sanctuary in downtown Grand Rapids.
Robin Connell, series host and staple of the West Michigan jazz scene, will welcome trombonists Paul Brewer and Altin Sencalar for over an hour of exciting music and light conversation. Connell received West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 “Musician of the Year” award for her widespread collaboration with area jazz artists and her continuing work on the Jazz in the Sanctuary series.
Brewer, a prolific trombonist and singer, is the Director of Instrumental Music at Aquinas College and the Director of Aquinas Jazz Camp. He has performed with more than 50 nationally touring artists, including Mel Torme, Lena Horne, and The Temptations. His latest project, “J & K — Trombone Tribute”, is an homage to legendary jazz trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding.
Altin Sencalar
Sencalar is an internationally recognized trombonist, music educator, and composer who has opened for the O’Jays and Chaka Khan. He has received prizes for competitions such as the American Trombone Workshop, the International Trombone Association, and Downbeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards. He currently serves as a graduate assistant at Michigan State University.
The second and third concerts of this season will take place on Feb. 10, 2019, featuring pianist Xavier Davis, and May 4, 2019, featuring saxophonist Alain Sullivan and bassist Elgin Vines.
Jazz in the Sanctuary is made possible by the Music Committee of Fountain Street Church, Aquinas College Music Department, Blue Lake Public Radio, West Michigan Jazz Society, WGVU Radio, WOOD-TV, and WYCE 88.1fm.
General admission to each Jazz in the Sanctuary concert is $15 online or at the door. College students may show ID for $10 off. Tickets and additional information are available at fountainstreet.org/jazz.
"There are three things I've learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin."
- Linus from "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
Here’s the Trick
A peek into the Vox Sanitarium
It’s the last weekend before Halloween, which makes it a perfect time to visit Wyoming’s newest business, The Haunt. Now located at 1256 28th St. SW in the former Showplace/JoAnn Fabrics location of 28 West Place (formerly the Wyoming Village Mall), The Haunt has a number of special events coming up as the attraction wraps up its season.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, there will be a Trunk or Treat from 3 – 5 p.m. and a Kids Haunt from 4 – 6 p.m. Also organizers noted that the last two days of The Haunt’s season, Nov. 2 and 3, all be very special and definitely not for scaredy cats. The Haunt is open through Nov. 3. Sundays and weekday hours are 7 – 10 p.m. (note it is not open on Mondays and Nov. 1.) and Friday and Saturday hours are 7 – 11 p.m. Because of long lines, The Haunt has been opening a half hour earlier. Check the website, https://www.the-haunt.com/ for specific details and ticket information.
And Here Are the Treats
South Kent Community Expo is this week.
Also this weekend is the South Kent Expo hosted by Cutlerville-Gaines Chamber of Commerce, the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce and the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is this Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
The event is an opportunity to learn about the businesses in the community and what services they have to offer including home improvement, home financing, home services, senior services, library services, colleges, fitness, health and wellness, pet care, banks, retail, hospitality, transportation, volunteer opportunities and employment services.
There are number of family activities as well, such as the Monsterfest 3 film festival at the Tibbits Opera House, the second oldest opera house in the state. By the way, the Monster 3 event is free.
That is the number of Americans who misuse controlled prescription drugs, according to the Drug Administration Enforcement (DEA). The study also stated that the majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. It is why the DEA created the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is this Saturday, Oct. 27. Both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are participating in the program, accepting all drugs with no questions asked at local law enforcement offices and at Metro Health-University of Michigan Health facility.
Davidson Plyforms is the largest curved plywood manufacturer in North America. They make wood furniture pieces for customers like Haworth, Steelcase and Herman Miller. Their products are used daily around the world in offices, hospitals, schools and homes.
There is no typical day at Davidson Plyforms because their jobs are small volume orders.
“Each order requires different finishes and pieces to make,” said Joe Wiersma, press operator and cell leader. “I might work on chair backs, then switch to stool seats and then chair arms. I like that my job changes a lot.”
Craftsman-type work
The manufacturing process begins with thin sheets of veneer stacked together. Then they’re pressed to create the curve and finished to the customer’s specifications. Large machines do the actual curving and cutting, but the machine operator’s attention to detail makes a difference between a good or great final product.
“The work we do is so intricate; you can see the impact of each operator’s touch on the piece. These jobs are very craftsmen-like positions,” said Mark Walkington, plant manager.
When a new employee joins the Davidson Plyforms team, they’re paired with a trainer-mentor who guides them through the onboarding process for this unique job.
One team
A strong team is integral to the success of the company. Team members are valued for the strengths they bring to Davidson Plyforms.
“We can tell you a lot about the people who work for us; what they do, how they do it and what their strengths and weaknesses are. We try to utilize everyone’s strengths to build a strong team,” said Sicilio Puente, finishing department lead.
Seven years ago, Devin Marcinowski was hired as a second shift press operator.
“Some coworkers encouraged me to apply for a CNC Programmer position. I’m glad they kept nudging me to do it. Now I’m a first shift CNC programmer and I’m going to school to finish my degree,” Marcinowski said.
Davidson Plyforms’ tuition reimbursement program helps pay for tuition and books for employees pursuing a degree or certification.
Stress disorders are tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Trauma or intense stress may up your odds of developing an autoimmune disease, a new study suggests.
Comparing more than 106,000 people who had stress disorders with more than 1 million people without them, researchers found that stress was tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.
“Patients suffering from severe emotional reactions after trauma or other life stressors should seek medical treatment due to the risk of chronicity of these symptoms and thereby further health decline, such as the increased risk of autoimmune disease,” said lead researcher Dr. Huan Song, from the University of Iceland in Reykjavik.
The body’s immune system protects you from disease and infection. But autoimmune diseases turn the body’s natural protection against itself by attacking healthy cells.
In comparing people who had stress disorders with more than 1 million people without them, researchers found that stress was tied to a 36 percent greater risk of developing 41 autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. It’s not clear what causes autoimmune diseases, but they tend to run in families. Women, particularly black, Hispanic and Native-American women, have a higher risk for some autoimmune diseases, the researchers said.
Song added that treating stress-related disorders may help reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
“There are now several treatments, both medications and cognitive behavioral approaches, with documented effectiveness,” she said.
For example, treating patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may help lower the risk for autoimmune disease, especially when taken in the first year after diagnosis, Song said.
But she cautioned that because this is an observational study, it’s not possible to prove stress causes autoimmune diseases, only that the two are linked.
In the study, Song’s team looked at patients in Sweden diagnosed with stress disorders such as PTSD, acute stress reaction, adjustment disorder and other stress reactions from 1981 to 2013. The researchers compared these individuals with siblings and people in the general population not suffering from a stress disorder.
The effects of severe stress have been associated with a variety of health problems, one PTSD expert said.
“Many studies have linked stress conditions as well as adverse childhood events, such as trauma and neglect, to future medical problems, including immune problems,” said Mayer Bellehsen. He directs the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military Veterans and Their Families at Northwell Health in Bay Shore, N.Y.
“It is also notable that when people received effective treatment, their risk was lessened,” he added.
Although it isn’t known why stress can increase the chances of developing an autoimmune disease, Bellehsen suggested several possible explanations.
These include the impact of stress on lifestyle—for example, getting less sleep or increased drug or alcohol use. Stress might also directly affect the immune system, he said.
“Regardless of cause, this study adds to the evidence of the link between stress conditions and physical well-being, warranting further attention to the reduction of trauma and other causes of stress conditions, as well as improving treatment of these conditions,” Bellehsen said.
The report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Kids are more likely to eat lunches that they pack, or help pack. (Courtesy Michigan State University Extension)
By Sarah Eichberger, Leah Bennett, Michigan State University Extension
Healthy students are better learners. As a parent or caregiver, you can help your child make smarter decisions by providing them with a colorful and healthy school lunch that will fuel their body and brain. When children skip lunch or consume a low-nutrient lunch, they may have problems concentrating in class and lack energy. Consider the following suggestions when planning your next packed lunch:
Involve your child. Ask your child to help with planning and packaging of lunches. Not only is this an opportunity for you to discuss healthy food options, but you can help include nutritious foods that will appeal to your child. Kids are more likely to eat lunches that they pack, or help pack. Make a packed lunch a positive experience for your child by incorporating colorful packaging, leaving little notes in their lunch, and allowing your child to pick out their own lunch box.
Seek balance and color. Create a balanced lunch that is nutrient-rich and includes a variety of foods from all food groups: grain, dairy, protein, fruit and vegetables. Reference the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) MyPlate to find more information on recommended foods and information on appropriate serving sizes for your child.
Stay away from pre-packaged lunches. Although they are appealing due to the convenience factor, they are relatively more expensive than packing a lunch, lower in nutritional value, include processed ingredients and typically are higher in sodium, fat and calories. If this style of lunch appeals to your child, be creative and use healthier ingredients to create your own look-a-like lunch by buying plastic containers that have compartments where you can divide different foods. Come up with fun options with your child that will allow them to assemble their own food and give ownership over their meal without the added sodium, fat or sugar.
Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Keep hot foods hot in a thermos or cold foods cold in an insulated lunch box with an ice pack. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has a great tip sheet on keeping lunches safe. The transition from class to lunch may not allow for your child to have easy access to wash their hands. Pack wipes or hand sanitizer in their lunch box to help remind your child to wash their hands before eating.
Healthy eating is about what works for you. As a parent you can help implement small changes to build healthier eating styles with your child as the new school year is beginning. Michigan State University Extension encourages small changes that work for your lifestyle such as allowing your child to pack their own lunch with healthy items that appeal to them.
Think any hormone supplement will do? Think again. Get an expert’s opinion. (For Spectrum Health Beat)
By Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum Health Beat
A patient I’ll call Bev recently came to see me for her annual physical, and she had just a few complaints: rare hot flashes, occasional night sweats and irregular spotting.
So far, so good.
At age 54, her last regular period was approximately 16 months ago. Since that time, she had started using hormone creams prescribed by her chiropractor.
Bev brought the creams in to show me, boasting that they were all natural. She told me she had been feeling great since starting the hormone cream.
Her hot flashes were rare, and her once-thinning hair was now getting thicker. I continued to listen with an open mind as we discussed the rest of Bev’s health.
She happily reported that her hypertension was being controlled with low-dose medications from her primary care physician, and she had no other risk factors for heart disease, stroke, blood clots or diabetes. Furthermore, Bev was a healthy weight.
For the most part, I liked what I was hearing.
Finally, we confirmed that her health screening was up to date, including lab work, mammogram and colonoscopy. As a final step, I performed a breast exam, Pap smear and pelvic exam. Her pelvic and breast exams were normal, and I had no reason to expect any issues with her Pap results.
Now that we had all the background information and physical exam taken care of, I could address her concerns of lingering hot flashes. We were able to relate them to days when she was not drinking enough water, had increased stressed or drank an extra glass of wine.
I then felt obligated to voice my concerns about the natural hormone creams she was taking and the possible relationship to her irregular spotting.
As a result of my concerns, I asked Bev to have a pelvic ultrasound to measure the lining thickness of her uterus. Post-menopause bleeding can be a sign of uterine lining pre-cancer or cancer.
When women take FDA-approved estrogen replacement therapy and progesterone, their risk of uterine cancer is lower than women who take nothing. Estrogen stimulates the lining to grow, and progesterone keeps it in check.
However, the non-FDA-approved hormones Bev used are not shown to protect the uterine lining and can actually increase the risk of uterine cancer.
Bev’s ultrasound of her uterus did show a thick lining, and her endometrial biopsy showed benign thickening. We reversed the thickening first with synthetic progesterone and then switched her to two FDA-approved products: a bio-identical estrogen patch and an oral bio-identical progesterone.
Today, Bev feels great—hair and skin included—and I feel good that we are keeping her safe and healthy.
The music of Leonard Bernstein, who composed the music for West Side Story, has graced concert halls and theaters, radios and televisions in homes all across America. This year, the centennial of his birth, the world remembers the life and legacy of the great American composer, conductor, pianist, and educator.
The Grand Rapids Symphony joins in the worldwide celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with a concert featuring his Overture to Candide, his Symphony No. 2 “Age of Anxiety,” and selections from his Broadway hit, West Side Story among others.
Guest conductor Carl St. Clair will lead the Grand Rapids Symphony in Bernstein’s 100th on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 at 8 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall. The performance in the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical series concert will feature pianist Benjamin Pasternack in “Age of Anxiety” and soprano Celena Shafer in selections from West Side Story and other vocal works. Guest artist sponsor is the Edith I. Blodgett Guest Artist Fund.
Leonard Bernstein first came to the world’s attention with his impromptu conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943. Bruno Walter was meant to lead the orchestra in a radio-broadcasted performance, but came down with the flu. The 25-year-old assistant conductor was called upon to conduct in his stead.
Bernstein remembers that fateful day in a 1991 interview with his brother, Burton Bernstein: “When it came to the time – that very day – all I can remember is standing there in the wings shaking and being so scared. There was no rehearsal. I had just come from seeing Bruno Walter, who very sweetly and very quickly – wrapped up in blankets because he had the flu – went over the score of Don Quixote with me.”
With few hours to prepare and no rehearsal, Leonard Bernstein stepped up to the podium in Carnegie Hall to conduct a successful performance, broadcast to the entire nation, launching him into stardom.
Bernstein wrote several orchestral, choral, chamber, and operatic works over the course of his lifetime, but his music also ventured into the realms of theater, ballet, and musicals. The line between the classical and theatrical in Bernstein’s music was often blurred. He once said, “If the charge of ‘theatricality’ in a symphonic work is a valid one, I am willing to plead guilty. I have a deep suspicion that every work I write, for whatever medium, is really theater music in some way.”
Bernstein’s enthusiasm for music was contagious, and it spread across the country with his starring role in the memorable CBS television program, Young People’s Concerts, with the New York Philharmonic.
Carl St. Clair, music director of the Pacific Symphony and guest conductor for the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Bernstein’s 100th, was one of many who benefitted from Bernstein’s mentorship.
Leonard Bernstein in 1973
St. Clair first saw Bernstein on his television set at his childhood home in Texas. He was waiting for friends to pick him up to go to a country and western dance when Bernstein appeared on the TV, leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. St. Clair was mesmerized both by the music and Bernstein. Needless to say, he missed the dance.
Bernstein and St. Clair didn’t cross paths until the summer of 1985 while Clair was studying under Gustav Meier at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in western Massachusetts.
“I was very nervous,” St. Clair recalled. “He comes into the room, and there’s a big double door and we’re all standing in total respect. He greeted Gustav, of course they had known one another… But almost immediately he said, in this kind of Texas accent, or, in a Bostonian/Texas accent, ‘Where’s that cowboy from Texas? I’ve never met a cowboy from Texas who’s also a conductor.’”
During rehearsals for a concert at Tanglewood in 1990, complications with his health left Bernstein unable to conduct his new version of his Arias and Barcarolles, which was to be premiered the next day. The suggestion was made that St. Clair could conduct that piece, allowing Bernstein enough energy to lead the rest of the program.
“I’ll never forget,” St. Clair says. “He looked over at me, and even as sick as he was and as disappointed as he was, it just shows how quick he was — he looked over at me and in a mock Texas accent said, ‘Cowboy, you got it in ya? You got it in ya?”
St. Clair agreed to conduct Bernstein’s piece in what was Bernstein’s last concert appearance. He retired from conducting and passed away nearly two months later at the age of 72.
Bernstein no longer is with us, but his music lives on in performances such as the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Bernstein’s 100th on Nov. 2-3.
Inside the Music, a free, pre-concert, multi-media presentation sponsored by BDO USA, will be held before each performance at 7 p.m. in the DeVos Place Recital Hall
Tickets start at $18 and are available at the Grand Rapids Symphony box office, weekdays 9 am – 5 pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across the street from Calder Plaza). Call (616) 454-9451 x 4 to order by phone. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)
Tickets are available at the DeVos Place ticket office, weekdays 10 am – 6 pm or on the day of the concert beginning two hours before the performance.
Full-time students of any age can purchase tickets for $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Calvin College. Discounts are available to members of MySymphony360, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s organization for young professionals ages 21-35.
By KDL Kent District Library
