Category Archives: Upcoming Events

Take an ‘awesomely autumn’ class at the Downtown Market this October

September 14, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Eventsautumn, autumn nights, Beer, classes, cocktails, Cooking, Downtown Market, Fall, foodJoanne

Fall is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Time to celebrate the season with classes at the Downtown Market!

For the complete fall schedule, go here. To download a pdf of classes and events, go here. (There are classes for everyone — family, kids and adults.) Meanwhile, here are just a few highlights:

AUTUMN NIGHTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Fri, October 14, 6p-8:30p • $65

The Mediterranean always offers bright flavors and healthy meals. You’ll master an olive tapenade, herb-fresh tabouli, chicken souvlaki, and a citrus semolina cake. Learn how to select authentic ingredients and how the right olive oil can add the finishing touches to your meal. Register here.

STEWS & BREWS
Tue, October 18, 6p-8:30p • $65 (21+)

Pair some great beers while snacking on Beer Nuts and make a classic gumbo, a hearty meat and bean chili, sweet cornbread and chocolate stout brownies. Register here.

PUMPKIN PATCH COOKING

Fri, October 21, 6p-8:30p • $55

Celebrate pumpkins in the most delicious ways! You will enjoy some fresh-roasted pumpkin hummus while creating pumpkin sage soup, roasted herb chicken with pumpkin polenta and festive pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Register here.

BOOOOOOOZY HALLOWEEN COCKTAIL PARTY

Tue, October 25, 6p-8:30p • $55

In this class, you will learn how to make cocktails along with an appetizer and dessert to host the spookiest Halloween cocktail party. Learn how to make Pumpkin Cauldron Rhum Punch, Apple Cider and Bourbon Spritzers, mini pumpkin cream soup, and a fall tiramisu. Register here.

Brewery Vivant’s 6th Annual Wood-Aged Beer Festival celebrates art of craft brewing

September 13, 20163-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Upcoming EventsBeer, Brewery Vivant, entertainment, food, West Michigan Tourist Association, Wood-aged beer festivalJoanne

Brewery Vivant presents its 6th annual Wood-Aged Beer Festival (WABF) on Saturday, September 17th, 2016. Showcasing over 20 wood and wild beers, Brewery Vivant will take over its parking lot once again with tents, taps and two sessions. Beers range from light to dark, sweet to sour, and rest in wood from bourbon barrels, wine barrels, scotch barrels, cognac foeders and more.

This year’s annual autumn event not only celebrates the art of wood-aging beer but also serves to celebrate this past summer’s launch of the brewery’s Plein de Vie series.

“It’s been so exciting to bring some of these wood-aged beers out into the Michigan and Chicagoland markets,” said Kate Avery, Abbess of Beer and Director of Sales & Marketing. “This festival is like a capstone to our launch and also it serves as a testing ground for what is to come in the series. Get your first sips here. Maybe get your only sips here!”

Several Plein de Vie beers got their start at WABFs of yore: Angelina, Habanango and most recently, Paris.

Brewery Vivant’s farmhouse tradition lends itself to exploring the complexities wood-aging beer. Since its very first year of production, the brewery siphoned off a few gallons here and there from batches of beer to experiment with wood aging. As the brewery grew in volume, so did the barrel program. Now in its sixth year, three 40-barrel wooden foeders, 240+ barrels, and three stainless wild fermentation tanks, the creativity brewing for this festival is boundless.

“Thinking up flavor profiles and the guiding the recipe from beer to barrel is part of the fun,” says Master of Wood, Brian Kuszynski, “Of course, drinking these wood-aged beers is the other part of the fun.”

brewery vivant fun Of all the beer festivals in Michigan, WABF resonates with taste trippers, explorers and fans of community building. Recently voted “3rd Best Beer Festival” in West Michigan in a reader’s choice poll, Wood-Aged Beer Festival not only offers the unique beer tasting experience but also festival foods from the acclaimed Brewery Vivant kitchen.

The brewery will offer two identical sessions: Afternoon 12pm-3pm and Evening 5pm-8pm. Tickets are $35 and include 10 tasting tokens (good for food as well) and a collector’s tasting glass. Space is limited due to physical parking lot size and small-batch, rareness of beer. Get tickets at www.breweryvivant.com or WABF16.BrownPaperTickets.com.

Brewery Vivant is located in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, in a renovated funeral chapel built in the early 1900s. Its staff of around 60 employees specialize in Belgian/French-inspired beers and fare in a unique setting.

Husband and wife partners Jason and Kris Spaulding opened the doors for business in December of 2010. Vivant beers are distributed throughout Michigan and the greater Chicago area. It’s the first commercial brewery in the nation to receive Silver LEED Certification from the USGBC. Additionally they are 100% renewable powered, a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business, and are a certified B Corporation.

Beer the Change®!

Latin Grammy nominee, Mariachi Flor de Toloache performs Sept. 15 in Holland, Mich.

September 12, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Eventsentertainment, Grammy nominated, hope college, jack h. miller center for musical arts, latino music, mariachi flor de toloacheJoanne

On September 15 at 7 pm, Tulipanes presents Latin Grammy Nominee, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, the first and only established female mariachi band founded in New York in 2008.

When: Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7 pm

Where: Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave., Holland, Mich.

BUY TICKETS NOW: http://bit.ly/2bjVPJu
$15 Adult / $5 Student

Members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States. The result of this cultural bouquet is an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music. They coalesce as would a band of sisters, with a grace and vibrant beauty that casts a spell over their audiences not unlike the legendary Toloache flower still being used in Mexico as a love potion.

While working to preserve centuries-old traditions of Mariachi, their mélange of the traditional and the modern pushes the boundaries of the genre and brings Mariachi music to new audiences. Sponsored by Hope College.

See more about Mariachi Flor de Toloache: http://www.mariachinyc.com/

El 15 de Septiembre, 2016 en la noche, Tulipanes presenta el grupo nominado por un Grammy Latino, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, el primer y único conjunto Mariachi de mujeres exclusivamente fundado en Nueva York, EU, en 2008. Miembros vienen de culturas diversas como México, Puerto Rico, Republica Dominicana, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Alemania, Italia, y los Estados Unidos. El resulto de este ramo cultural es una versión de música tradicional de México con un sonido nuevo y fresco. Se fusionan como una banda de hermanas con una belleza graciosa y vibrante que embruja sus audiencias como la legendaria Flor de Toloache que se usa hasta este día para ser una poción de amor. Mientras preservan las tradiciones Mariachi de cienes de años, sus mezclas de estilos tradicionales y modernos amplían los límites del género y lleva música Mariachi a nuevas audiencias.

SCA’s Intriguing Conversation focuses on childhood hunger in Allegan County

September 12, 20163-bottom, Upcoming EventsAllegan County, Allegan County Community Foundation, childhood hunger, Hunger, Kids Food Basket, Saugatuck Center for the ArtsJoanne

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ Intriguing Conversation Series kicks off Thursday, Sept. 15 with a discussion about childhood hunger in Allegan County. The free program begins at 7 p.m.

Studies show there are more than 25,000 children in Allegan County and one in five are going hungry each day. Theresa Bray, executive director at the Allegan County Community Foundation, and Troy Vos from the non-profit Kids Food Basket, will unpack this number, talking about what we mean when we say that kids are hungry and how we know that children in Allegan County are struggling with hunger.

“I suspect most of us don’t know that our region struggles with childhood hunger,” said SCA Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “But we hear fairly startling statistics about the numbers of children in Allegan County eligible for free or reduced school lunches, so we know there are issues very close to home. We hope this Intriguing Conversation provides facts about what’s happening and how people can impact the problem.”

Bray and Vos will discuss how programs like food banks, free school lunches, and nonprofits like Kids Food Basket impact hunger for our youngest citizens, and what else people can do to impact this serious issue.

For more information, visit sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399. The Saugatuck Center for the Arts is located at 400 Culver St., Saugatuck.

You don’t have to be Jewish to love Jewish Theatre

September 9, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Eventsbrill, entertainment, irena's vow, jewish theatre, seniors of the saharaJoanne

Founded in 1992, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids (JTGR) is dedicated to presenting quality theatrical productions with Jewish themes that are universal in appeal.

In doing so, JTGR hopes to enrich the Jewish experience in West Michigan, and inform, educate and engage both the Jewish and non-Jewish community with stage productions that will entertain, engage and enrich people of all faiths.

BRILL

September 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 2016 @ 8 pm

September 11, 18, 2016 @ 3 pm

Written by David Wells
Directed by Jason Marlett

Brill is based on a building in New York that was a factory of popular music in the early ’60s. Carol King, Paul Simon, Burt Bacharach and even Elvis, had offices and studios in that building. This play, with musical elements, is a fictionalized story of a 16-year-old girl who shares a studio with an older songwriter from the Tin Pan Alley days.

IRENA’S VOW

January 12, 14, 19, 21, 2017 @ 8 pm

January 15, 22, 2017 @ 3 pm

Written by Dan Gordon
Directed by Jason Marlett

Irena’s Vow is the true story of a young Polish woman who is the housekeeper of a Nazi officer. She risks her life by hiding a couple of Jewish families in the basement of the Major’s house.

SENIORS OF THE SAHARA

May 18, 20, 25, 27, 2017 @ 8 pm

May 21, 28, 2017 @ 3 pm

Written by Barbara Pease Weber
Directed by TBA

Seniors of the Sahara is a raucous comedy about an arthritic genie encountering the residents of a New Jersey senior’s apartment complex. What could go wrong? It’s a sort of “Golden Girls” meets “I Dream of Jeannie.”

You don’t have to be Jewish to love Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids!

Though the productions may have Jewish themes, they are always universal in appeal. The goal is to enrich the Jewish experience in West Michigan, while informing, educating and engaging patrons. It’s live theatre to learn, love and laugh with.

PERFORMANCES are on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm. Due to the smaller venue, BRILL will also include 8 pm. Wednesday evening performances.

Tickets generally go on sale 2 weeks prior to a production. Call the Box Office at 616.234.3946. If the BUY TICKETS NOW button is enabled on the sidebar you may purchase tickets online for the current show.

Season Subscribers should always book through the Box Office in order to redeem their passes.

Season Brochure Purchase a Season Pass

Box Office: 616.234.3946
Mon- Fri 1-5 pm.

JTGR accepts VISA and MasterCard

Reserve your seats now for the 2016-2017 Van Singel Fine Arts Center season

September 8, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events2016-2017 season, Byron Center, Cool Jazz, Mallory Skilling, Miracle on 34th Street, One Man Star Wars Trilogy, Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Freddy Cole Quartet, The Hit Men, Van Singel Fine Arts Center, WKTV StaffJoanne

Van Singel Fine Arts Center, at 84th and Burlingame SW in Byron Center, has an impressive line-up of performances for its 2016-2017 season. For more information or buy tickets, go to the website at vsfac.com. Reserve your seats now: 616.878.6800.

the_hit_men_for_homepagerevised — The Hit Men

Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, at 7 pm: The Hit Men Time Travel Tour

Experience a fun evening of classic rock ‘n roll featuring legendary musicians who performed with Frankie Valli, Carole King, Jim Croce, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens and more.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, at 2 pm and 7 pm: Miracle on 34th Street

Celebrate the Christmas season with this time-honored crowd-pleaser — a fun, family musical based on a favorite holiday tale made famous by the 1947 movie of the same name.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at 7:30 pm: Pump Boys and Dinettes

Get ready for some high-octane fun with an evening of country western songs that received unanimous raves on- and off-Broadway. With heartbreak and hilarity, the group performs on guitars, piano, bass and kitchen utensils.

Thursday, March 2, 2017, at 7:30 pm: The Freddy Cole Quartet

It’s an unforgettable evening when Freddy Cole (piano/vocals), Elias Bailey (Bass), Quentin Baxter (Drums), and Randy Napoleon (Guitar) continues the legacy of Nat “King” Cole and niece, Natalie, with musical memories that will always be remembered. Now in his 55th year of performing, this great singer and pianist has developed a huge following of his own. The instantly recognizable Cole voice and his veteran quartet play the classics as well as new compositions and interpretations from a huge repertoire for one performance only.

Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 7:30 pm: One-Man Star Wars Trilogy

May the farce be with you… From the producer that brought you Potted Potter comes the only Star Wars parody permitted by Lucasfilm Ltd. Come see Star Wars fanatic, Charles Ross, single-handedly condense the plots from the films into one hilarious show.

Friday, April 28 at 7:30 pm: Cool Jazz

It’s a hot night of cool jazz featuring the nationally recognized Byron Center Jazz Ensembles performing alongside international jazz musicians.

Thursday, May 18, 2017, at 7:30 pm: Mallory Skilling: Back Home Again

The Van Singel Fine Arts Foundation presents homegrown singer/songwriter, Mallory Skilling in a benefit concert Thursday, May 18 at 7:30 pm. Mallory attended Byron Center Public Schools as a young girl and is a graduate of Cornerstone University. She is currently living in Nashville where she is pursuing her musical career. malloryskilling.com.

To reserve your seats call the Van Singel Fine Arts Center box office at 616.878.6800 or download the ticket order form and fax it to 616.878.6820.

Or you can mail the form to: Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Season Subscriber Ticket Discounts:
Purchase 3 shows – receive a 5% discount
Purchase 4-5 shows – receive a 10% discount
Purchase 6 shows – receive a 15% discount

Group Ticket Discounts:
Purchase 10-19 seats – receive a 5% discount
Purchase 20-49 seats – receive a 10% discount
Purchase 50+ seats – receive a 15% discount

Seven Wyoming and Kentwood artists featured in ArtPrize Eight

September 6, 20163-bottom, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Our Cities, Recreation, Travel, Upcoming EventsArtPrize Education Days, artprize eight, eric hartfield, malie rae, mark minier, matthew piechocki, mitchell eilers, nicole burkholder bluekamp, nona bushman, wyoming artistsJoanne

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

ArtPrize Eight will take place in downtown Grand Rapids from September 21-October 9, 2016 — when everyone is invited to voice their opinions on contemporary art and select the winners of $500,000 in cash prizes.

Seven artists with ties to Wyoming and Kentwood, Michigan have artwork in this year’s ArtPrize Eight. Here is some information about the artists, their work and where to see their entries.

Nicole Burkholder Bluekamp

Wyoming, Michigan

Nicole is a self taught artist born and raised in Wyoming, Michigan. Painting and drawing always having been a love and main interest since childhood.

Further education was not an option for Nicole, leading to much experimentation and use of available materials for painting.

Being introverted and an empath, Nicole loves to hide out at home with her family.

Her entry, ‘Watcher’, may be seen at Georgio’s Gourmet Pizza, 15 Ionia Ave SW Suite 150 in downtown Grand Rapids.

Malie Rae

Austin, Texas

Malia Rae was born and raised in Wyoming, Michigan and spent her childhood creating memories by exploring nature. she first picked up a camera 20 years ago. She received her BFA in Advertising Photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. She spent 10 years post-graduation living in Chicago and about a year ago, moved to Austin, Texas for a new perspective.

Her ArtPrize entry, ‘SoulTribe‘ is the next step of her photographic journey and in many ways the journey of her life. She is inspired to bring the spirit of her everyday self exploration into her images.

“The love of human transformation, the will of spirit, and the growth that takes place when you embark on the journey of finding your truth in life… is the passion that drives me to create,” she said.

Her entry may be seen at Homewood Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown & Jam’n Bean Coffee Company at the Waters Center, 161 Ottawa NW in downtown Grand Rapids.

Nona Bushman

Wyoming, Michigan

Nona (Voss) Bushman is a graduate of Wyoming Park H.S. and Western Michigan University. Her degree is in Art Education with an emphasis in jewelry. She has been making jewelry from silver, gold, copper, brass, precious & semi- precious stones for the past 47 years.

Nona was in Art Education for 34 years with 33 years at East Kentwood H.S. specializing in the 3-dimensional areas of Jewelry, Sculpture and Ceramics. Bushman makes one-of-a-kind custom designed jewelry pieces.

Her entry, ‘Diversity by Nona‘, is a series of pendant neck pieces, bracelets, pins and earrings and may be seen at Homewood Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown & Jam’n Bean Coffee Company at the Waters Center, 161 Ottawa NW in downtown Grand Rapids.

river and vine — ‘River and Vine’, by Mark Minier

Mark Minier

Plymouth, Michigan

Growing up just south of Grand Rapids in Wyoming, Mark Minier went to school at Godwin Heights High School. He is an alumni of Eastern Michigan Universities School of Technology and has been painting oil on canvas since 1998.

“I love the self expression aspect of painting,” Minier said. “The best explanation I can give here is to quote Paul Klee, ‘art does not reproduce the visible, it makes visible.’ When I look at groups of my paintings, I see them autobiographical pages. For many of my paintings I can still recall the song I was listening to during the rendering.”

Minier’s ArtPrize entry, ‘River and Vine‘, may be seen at the city water building by the richard app gallery, 1101 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids.

the soul's shadows — ‘The Soul’s Shadows’, by Mitchell Eilers

Mitchell Eilers

Wyoming, Michigan

Current resident of the Wyoming area, Mitchell Eilers was born and raised in the small town of Shelby, Mich. and has been involved in the arts from a very young age, from sketching to photography. He graduated from Central Michigan University where he completed his Bachelor of Science graduating in May of 2014.

Eilers described his entry, ‘The Soul’s Shadows’ thus: “An entrancing stare and a beautiful face; but who really knows what demons hide behind her beautiful mask.”

His entry may be seen at the bitter end coffeehouse, 752 West Fulton St. in Grand Rapids.

panel from the seasons — Panel from Matthew Piechocki’s ‘The Seasons’

Matthew Piechocki

Grand Rapids, Michigan

“I’ve always found beauty by taking the time to just look around and I love the symbolism of an image that describes or conveys a feeling better than words ever could,” said Matthew Piechocki.

Piechocki was born in Muskegon in 1970 and grew up in Wyoming where he attended school in Grand Rapids. Art has been part of his life from the earliest days of drawing unicorns for classmates to working in the art room in high school, then on to doing private portraits or other paintings as commissioned sales as an adult.

“My influences range from the Great Masters of the Renaissance, Classical and the Baroque and simply can’t get enough of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau Styles,” Piechocki said.

See his entry, ‘The Seasons‘ at Grand Rapids Brewing Company, 1 Ionia Ave. SW, Apt. 1 in Grand Rapids.

Eric J. Hartfield

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Eric J. Hartfield was born in Benton Harbor Michigan in 1962, where the influence of his older brother took hold. With only one art class under his belt in the ninth grade, he drew pencil sketches of racing cars. After leaving Benton Harbor in the tenth grade, he attended East Kentwood High School, where he took a few more art classes.

His medium of choice is oil paint, but he has shown promise in oil pastel, color pencil, watercolors, acrylic, chalk (pastels) and a variety of mixed media. Eric is presently known as a Neo-mannerist/Surrealist which he calls ‘Mann realism’. He has developed a mixed-media technique that involves yarn, hair, string and calking placed on canvas and with the use of oils or acrylics, his works tell a story with imagery.

See his entry, ‘Gift at Guff Creek‘ at Grand Rapids City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave NW, Apt 4 in Grand Rapids.

IMPORTANT DATES
ArtPrize Eight Preview Week: September 14-20
ArtPrize Eight: September 21-October 9
Jurors’ Short List Announcement: September 26
Public Vote Final 20 Announcement: October 2
2016 ArtPrize Awards: October 7

The ArtPrize website and mobile app provide an interactive map feature to help visitors navigate to various Neighborhood HUB locations, including:

Center City HUB @ GRAM — located on Monroe Center, in the heart of one of West Michigan’s largest communities, outside of the Grand Rapids Art Museum gift shop as well as inside the museum lobby;
Heartside HUB @ UICA — close to many galleries, studios and architecturally significant buildings;
Hillside HUB @ Women’s City Club — one of the nation’s oldest and grandest neighborhoods with a collection of preserved 19th and 20th century homes;
Rumsey Street HUB @ SiTE:LAB — located at the three-acre public project in partnership with Habitat for Humanity;
Monroe North HUB @ DeVos Place — just steps away from many new Venues along the Grand River;
Westside HUB @ Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum — placed near Featured Public Projects, Artist Seed Grant and Venue Grant Winners;
Meijer Gardens HUB — featuring ArtPrize Artists as well as their permanent sculpture collection that blends art and nature; and
ArtPrize HUB/HQ @ 41 Sheldon

The ArtPrize HUB/HQ will open to the public on September 14, at the start of ArtPrize Preview Week — and will remain open throughout the event from 11 am-8 pm Monday through Saturday, and 11 am-6 pm on Sundays.

The ArtPrize Clubhouse will be open from 11 am-7 pm throughout the event, including ArtPrize Preview Week.

West Michigan celebrates and honors Labor Day

September 2, 2016Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Eventsah-nab-awen park, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Labor Day, Mike DeWitt, West Michigan Labor FestJoanne

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

Recently, the meaning behind Labor Day has faded into the background with the passing of each year. While some still honor and observe the holiday’s significance, a national holiday since 1894, most see it solely as a day off and an end to the summer. Since 2009, the West Michigan Labor Fest has kept the celebration alive and at the forefront with a festival surrounding the Spirit of Solidarity Monument in downtown Grand Rapids.

“The festival takes place around the Spirit of Solidarity Monument out at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum because of what it represents,” said Committee Chair, and Grand Rapids Employees Independent Union member, Tracey Roerig. “The monument represents the furniture factory workers in Grand Rapids and the fight they endured for workers rights.”

The West Michigan Labor Fest celebrates the rights of all workers and unions with a local focus. The Spirit of Solidarity Monument was completed in 2007 to honor the bravery of the striking immigrant workers in 1911. The strike lasted four months, from April to August, and demanded a nine-hour day, a 10 percent raise to offset the rising cost of living, the abolition of pay based on piece work, and the right to have unions to bargain with factory owners. The strike ended on August 19 when strikers voted to end the walkout without reaching their demands. While the strike didn’t yield its stated goals, the will of the worker lives on.

During West Michigan Labor Fest – which takes place from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park (located in front of the Ford Museum) – families can enjoy free admission to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, free live entertainment, rides and games for children, arts and crafts, food vendors and a beer tent.

“If the weather is nice, we expect about three to four-thousand to attend the festival,” said Roerig.

While beautiful weather, live music, fun and games can lead to a wonderful day to spend with family and friends, it’s important to remember the serious nature behind Labor Day.

Labor Day and its inclusion as a national holiday stems from stressed worker-owner relations, a national strike, and a President looking to appease working-class owners during an election year. In the later part of the 19th century, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, labor unions utilized strikes to fight for higher pay and better working conditions.

Such was the case in 1893 when the Pullman railroad company was caught in the nationwide economic depression and was forced to lay off hundreds of employees while levying wage cuts on the employees that remained. In May of 1894, the employees went on strike and it immediately became a national issue. Then President Grover Cleveland declared the strike a federal crime and sent 12,000 troops to break it up. Violence and riots ensured resulting in deaths of more than a dozen workers. The strike ended on August 3, 1894 with the mid-term election on the horizon. Cleveland and the Democratic held Congress worried about a fallout in the polls due to a weakened economy and stressed worker relations. So Congress quickly, and unanimously, passed a bill declaring Labor Day a national holiday.

However, the conciliation effort failed miserably. The Republicans took back both the Senate and the House, with the House of Representatives seeing the largest swing in history with the Republicans gaining 130 seats and the Democrats losing 127.

West Michigan Labor Fest looks to keep those who attend educated on the importance of labor unions.

“Ten local unions will have booths set up to help educate those regarding the unions and why Labor Day is important,” said Eric Vandersteel, a member of the G.R. Federation of Musicians and on the committee for the West Michigan Labor Fest. “They tell stories about organized labor. Everyone from retirees to current working union members are there to share their stories.”

“The different labor booths around the festival help keep the spirit of Labor Day alive. One year we had a test with Labor Day information on it!” added Roerig.

The history is heavy and important, but ultimately Labor Day is a celebration, and Roerig and the rest of the West Michigan Labor Fest committee wants to make sure everyone has a great time.

“Kids and families come down and dance with the band in the grass. It’s a nice family atmosphere and is free for everyone to attend.”

Labor Day in West Michigan offers myriad activities

September 2, 2016Beer, Citizen Journalism, Food, Recreation, Travel, Upcoming Eventsactivities, Labor Day, Pure Michigan, TravelJoanne

Labor Day this year is Monday, September 5th, and West Michigan is ready to celebrate. The extended weekend is considered the unofficial end of summer as we make our way into the fall. It is also a day dedicated to workers across the country. In honor of this national holiday, many businesses are planning big events all weekend or special offers for guests.

South

Round Barn Winery in Baroda is hosting their Fruits of Labor event on Labor Day Weekend. Stop by with your whole family from September 3rd to 5th to take a well-deserved break from work. There will be a bounce house, inflatable slide, live music and yard games. And of course there will be specialty cocktails, wine and craft brews for the adults.

Crane Orchards in Fennville is having their Centennial Celebration on September 3rd. With two bands, food and fun things for kids, this is shaping up to be a great time for the whole family. There will also be hayrides, tasting bar, hard cider, and the hard-to-beat U-Pick apples. Enjoy what Crane Orchards is dubbing the “Party of the Century.”

Head to Coldwater Country for something different this Labor Day weekend. Check out the railroad where you can climb aboard for a 45-minute, push-pull ride. Sit back and relax on this peaceful steam engine ride. Bring your own picnic snacks or purchase refreshments at the snack bar. Tickets are only $10 for this unique and fun experience.

Central

Grab your walking shoes and join the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for their 10th Annual Labor Day Community Walk on September 5th. This is the perfect alternative if you’re unable to make it out to Mackinac for the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk. Join your friends and neighbors in this active event. The Community Walk recently received the Pure Michigan FITness Endorsement.

The River Country Chamber of Commerce’s Logging Festival is Labor Day Weekend from September 2nd to 4th. Check out the arts and crafts show and chainsaw carving demonstrations all weekend. The farmers market will be Friday only and is perfect for celebrating the harvest.

The Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau has two Labor Day Weekend events for you to check out during your time off.

The Polish Festival is from September 2nd to 4th. This three-day festival will offer Polish food, polka music, dancing, cultural activities, a children’s tent, a Catholic mass and much more. Everyone is invited for an authentic Polish experience in the heart of Muskegon.
The West Michigan United Labor Day Parade is September 5th from 11 am to 12:30 pm with a post-parade celebration until 4 pm. This is an all-inclusive community parade through the streets of downtown Muskegon. The free post parade celebration following the parade will have food, refreshments, cotton candy, games, prizes, face painting, bounce houses, arts and crafts and more.

September is the month of cooler weather and colors changing in the foliage. One thing that doesn’t change is the level of fun at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury. Whether you’re commemorating the end of summer with a Labor Day weekend stay or planning to see the colors turn later in the month, this 1200-acre, four-season getaway offers excitement and relaxation.

michigan maritime museum — Photo courtesy of the Michigan Maritime Museum

South Haven/Van Buren County is getting crafty this Labor Day weekend with the South Haven All Crafts Fair on September 3rd and 4th. The 2016 South Haven All Crafts Fair will feature over 150 local, regional and national artists. There will be jewelry, sculptures, pottery, paintings, needlework and more! The fair sets up the perfect opportunity to expand art collections, shop for unique jewelry or just view the beautiful arts provided. Grab a seat and enjoy the shaded beauty of Stanley Johnson Park or take the time to walk a block further in either direction to enjoy the sandy shores of Lake Michigan or visit the historical Michigan Maritime Museum. The annual art fair creates a relaxed, inviting environment with artwork the whole family will appreciate.

Labor Day is coming quickly and in Mecosta County, that means the 48th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival is coming up. Hosted on September 5th, the Arts and Crafts Festival starts at 10 am and runs until 4 pm. There will be a lot of talented local artists presenting their wares for you to check out.

HotelWalloon_Ext_177_72ppi-400x400 — Photo courtesy of Hotel Walloon

North

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville has several additional activities and specials going on during Labor Day Weekend.

On September 3rd, kick back and relax under the stars while watching Angry Birds on the outdoor deck pool. Tubes will be available so you can float in the pool while watching the film.
The Last Splash Pool Party will be on September 4th. Enjoy the last splash of summer at the Labor Day pool party! Party includes live DJ, contests and games including a limbo contest, giant volleyball game, hula hoop contest and giveaways!
Celebrate the unofficial last day of summer on September 5th with a variety of 2-for-1 discounts on the following: Alpine Slide Rides (single or all day), Park at Water’s Edge (day pass), climbing wall (single pass), adventure course (single pass), bike rentals, paintball, laser tag and disc golf.

Hotel Walloon situated on Walloon Lake is the perfect Labor Day weekend getaway. Guests of the Village of Walloon can enjoy the beach, rent kayaks, pontoon boats and paddleboards, dine at many of the area restaurants and more. Plus, during Labor Day weekend, there will be a Boat in Movie showing of Field of Dreams in the Village Green Park, playing approximately 20 minutes after sunset. Movies in the open air are a great way to celebrate the end of summer.

Labor Day in Charlevoix is the perfect time to enjoy a long weekend up north. It’s a great time to explore Charlevoix’s waterways and spend the weekend cruising on Lake Michigan, Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not check out Wildwood Rush and their fast paced zip lining canopy tours? After a day on the water or zip ling, grab dinner and dessert downtown Charlevoix to top off an incredible Labor Day weekend.

If you’re in Charlevoix, why not head out to Beaver Island over Labor Day? Hitch a ride with the Beaver Island Boat Company over to the island on Friday, September 2nd and catch the morning half marathon on September 3rd. The Beaver Island half marathon will cover 13.1 miles over a various surfaces and beautifully changing scenery. They promise that it will be one of the most beautiful runs most people will ever do with wonderful variety, good shape, excellent surfaces and only a few gentle hills.

beaver island stargazing — Beaver Island

The long holiday weekend is the perfect time to squeeze in one last getaway to Northern Michigan’s Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. With boating, biking, golf and more, Shanty Creek Resorts offers the perfect balance of relaxation and recreation. Take this opportunity to make one last summer splash and tons of family memories.

Labor Day weekend is your last chance to see some of the amazing exhibits at Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City. The following exhibits will no longer be at the museum after Labor Day so visit soon to see them!

Looking Back to the Beginning: Paintings of Clif McChesney and Glassworks of Dale Chihuly
Exhibited and Acquired: 25 Years of Exhibitions
Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds
Soo Sunny Park: Unwoven Light
lhwa Kim: ‘Seed Universe 天下圖’

kim-seed-universe-dennos museum photo — lhwa Kim: ‘Seed Universe 天下圖’ at Dennos Museum

Coyote Crossing Resort in Cadillac is hosting the 9th Annual Hoxeyville Classic Car Show on September 4th. The event kicks off with a pancake breakfast followed by a day of checking out all of the classic cars across the lawn of Coyote Crossing. The event benefits diabetes research. Hang out with fellow car enthusiasts during this extended weekend.

The Petoskey Area is kicking off their Fall Color Tour collaboration with Stafford’s Bay View Inn over Labor Day Weekend. From September 4th to October 27th, you can enjoy Mother Nature’s picturesque show of colors with a two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, $50 in Stafford’s Dining Dollars and a narrated CD that takes you on a self guided color tour through the “Tunnel of Trees.”

If you’re looking for lodging when you are up north for the Labor Day Bridge Walk, pay a visit to the Holiday Inn Express at the Bridge in Mackinaw City. The event is always a great time and it’s a unique experience walking on the historic bridge. This is the one time a year that the Mackinac Bridge is open to foot traffic.

You can also visit St. Ignace to participate in the 59th Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. Take advantage of free parking and shuttle services to return you back to St. Ignace after the walk. You’ll even have a numbered certificate in hand to show your holiday accomplishment! The Walk is the culmination of a weekend packed with family-friendly activities in St. Ignace, starting with Arts Dockside on September 3rd and 4th. This extensive show features more than 100 exhibitors in the St. Ignace Marina parking lot, and the quality and variety of items found are second to none. Evenings are a blast too, with fireworks in the skies over Moran Bay on Saturday night and outdoor Movies by the Bay on Sunday evening at the American Legion Park.

Robinette’s to host ‘Peanuts’-themed maze during fall season

August 31, 20163-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Local Business, Travel, Upcoming Eventscharlie brown, corn maze, fun for all, Peanuts, Robinette'sJoanne

robinettes

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of one of the most beloved, quotable, and unforgettable Peanuts television specials of all time, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Peanuts Worldwide and Robinette’s are preparing a once-in-a-lifetime celebration: the creation of a unique corn maze, custom-designed to feature Peanuts themes.

The maze, which will feature The Red Baron Scene, will cover 6.5 acres on the farm’s lot. It will be open from September 8 to November 5th, 10 am to 5:30 pm. In addition to the maze, Robinette’s will host a special screening of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on September 8th at 5 pm. Snoopy will also be paying a visit on Saturday, September 24th from 12 pm to 4 pm.

2016 robinettes maze The venue will also incorporate Great Pumpkin artwork into other areas of its venue, providing the perfect setting for visitor photo ops with the Peanuts characters.

Robinette’s is one of more than 80 farms in North America selected by Peanuts Worldwide to create a Great Pumpkin maze this year. Collectively, the farms—which are part of The MAiZE network and span North America in two countries and 32 states, from California to New York, Canada to Florida—will reach more than 2 million visitors during the fall season.

“The Great Pumpkin and cornfield mazes are two of the world’s greatest fall traditions, eagerly anticipated by fans every single year, and we’re so excited to bring them together for this landmark anniversary,” said Jill Schulz, daughter of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. “As we prepare to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, it’s only fitting that we should find a tribute that’s both joyful and visually compelling, just as my father’s characters have been for more than 65 years.”

pumpkin patch “We’re thrilled to work with Peanuts Worldwide and The MAiZE, Inc. as we customize our corn maze to celebrate It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” said Ed/Allan Robinette, Owner of Robinette’s. “Corn mazes are all about providing a fun and interactive experience for our visitors—even the adults feel like kids again! And that’s exactly what Peanuts does: Aren’t we all kids again when we see Snoopy and Charlie Brown? This is the perfect match of holiday traditions.”

“It’s been a huge pleasure for us to collaborate with Peanuts Worldwide and corn farms across North America to design these unique, custom corn mazes,” said founder Brett Herbst, The MAiZE, Inc. “We’re all fans of Peanuts and the Great Pumpkin, and we’re delighted to honor the 50th Anniversary by having the Great Pumpkin, this one time only, rise out of a corn maze!”

Admission to the maze is $7 per person (groups of 15 more with one person paying is $6 per person). For more information, visit www.Robinettes.com.

Public Q&A on landfill gas leak is Aug. 31 at Kentwood City Hall

August 29, 2016Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Education, Hard News, Our Cities, Recycling, Upcoming Eventsdar baas, kent county department of public works, kentwood city hall, Q&A, south kent landfill, United Methodist Community HouseJoanne

Landfill1 — Aerial view of the old South Kent Landfill — Kent County oversees cleanup activities at this site (photo courtesy of accessKent.com)

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

The old South Kent Landfill — formerly known as the Paris Township Dump — has been closed since 1976 but 40 years on, the community is still dealing with the consequences of waste disposition during an era with no environmental protection standards in place. The 72-acre landfill is one of 65 sites in 30 Michigan counties that are designated as Superfund sites — sites that were polluted decades ago and are now eligible for federal funding for cleanup.

The closed Kentwood Landfill is under regular monitoring by the Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) with oversight by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (The City of Kentwood owns the property; Kent County manages it pursuant to a consent agreement between Kent County and the EPA.)

Recently, testing at the site at 4900 Walma SE in Kentwood — off Breton Road north of 52nd Street — found methane gas underground at several depths to the west of the landfill site; it has spread farther beyond the landfill boundary. Eleven monitoring wells detected methane in the ground at depths of 5 feet to 50 feet. Concentrations of the gas are high above flammability levels and could cause an explosion if not vented and flared.

It’s important to note that residents don’t face any higher risk than they have been in the past, according to Kristi Zakrzewski, the DEQ’s project manager for the landfill.

If you are one of the 150 households located within 1500 feet of the west edge of the old South Kent Landfill, you should receive — or have already received — a letter from Kent County about arranging testing for methane gas. You’ll be able to request quick, on-site testing for methane through the Kent County Department of Public Works at no cost to you.

“Safety is our priority as we move forward with this investigation,” said Dar Baas, Director of the Kent County Department of Public Works.

garbagetrucklandfill — Action shot of trash disposal at the current South Kent Landfill

“We are hiring an engineering consultant and have already started investigating methods to resolve the gas migration. We also have been in contact with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the EPA.”

Methane, caused by the natural breakdown of organic materials — such as paper, cardboard, branches and wood — normally forms in landfills. Escaping methane is flared (burned) at gas stand wells on the site to prevent the gas from reaching the atmosphere, where it is detrimental to the ozone layer. An alternative to burning it is to convert it to electricity, and Kent County is looking into the feasibility of doing so, but there is no way of knowing how much methane is trapped under the landfill and whether it would be economical to build an electrical facility there.

Although the migration of methane beyond the landfill boundary is concerning, the DPW did not detect methane inside any neighboring buildings. They are working with the Kent County Health Department; if methane is found at the outer edge of the landfill, they will expand the gas stand wells.

Methane gas likes to spread upward. When it can’t, it seeks alternative ways to travel — horizontally — which is why it may be found outside the perimeters of the dump site. Any leaks are most likely to occur in crawl spaces and cracks in a building’s foundation, any place where methane gas can get through.

We’ve come a long way since the 1800s when people simply opened their back doors and threw their trash out. The Pantlind Hotel once had a piggery where people dumped their organic matter to feed the pigs.

Baas said that the South Kent Landfill dates back to the late 1940s when dumps had no environmental standards for the waste that was deposited there.

“The Baby Boomers started these dumps after World War II,” Baas said. “There’s a little bit of everything here.”

In the early 1950s, the area was the town dump, then became a licensed solid waste facility in 1966. The City of Kentwood operated the landfill from 1968 to 1970; Kent County operated it from 1971 to 1975. It was closed in early 1976 and capped in 1995 with several layers of clay — 6-inch layers creating a 2-foot cap — after which it was covered with topsoil and seeded with grass seed to keep the methane gas trapped. The site is mowed regularly to keep plants and trees from taking root and contributing to the methane problem.

In addition to organic materials, the site contains industrial waste.

“We used to have to treat the leachate waste water after the dump closed in 1976,” said Baas. “Forty years later, we are still dealing with the ramifications of this landfill, but we no longer have to treat the leachate as it’s a lot cleaner.”

compactor — Business as usual at current South Kent Landfill

Cleanup, operation and maintenance activities and groundwater monitoring are ongoing.

“We will always have to watch over it,” Baas said. “Today, it looks like a meadow, but we have no way of knowing how long it will be before it can be used for other purposes.”

The public is invited to attend a Q&A session presented by the Kent County Department of Public Works on Wednesday, August 31 at 7 pm at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Officials from the City of Kentwood will also be at the meeting to answer questions.

If you have questions, contact the Kent County Department of Public Works at 616.632.7920.

Cruising through DreamWheels!

August 26, 2016Entertainment, Local Business, Local Faces, Local History, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV ProjectsArt Cruise, Dom Federico, DreamWheels!, engine house 9, History of Metro Cruise, lowrider, Metro Cruise, Pal's Diner, Pin-up girls, SoCal Speed Shop, Steve's Antique Auto Repair, WKTVJoanne

With Metro Cruise upon us and WKTV’s DreamWheels! set to film on Saturday, we take a look back on the stories of the people and cars who make the cruise such a large attraction. From the history surrounding the inception of Metro Cruise to the shops and talents it takes to rejuvenate the beauty of a classic car, and everything in between, our full coverage is below:

DreamWheels! comes to the red carpet

History of Metro Cruise

Art Cruise

Engine House No. 9

Steve’s Antique Auto Repair

Pal’s Diner

The ‘artwork’ of Dom Federico

Lowriders come to DreamWheels!

Metro Cruise Pin-Up Girls

SoCal Speed Shop comes to Metro Cruise

Don’t miss Yassou! Grand Rapids Greek Cultural Festival Aug. 26-28

August 26, 2016Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Eventsdancing, drink, Festival, food, holy trinity greek orthodox church, Music, Victoria Mullen, yassouJoanne

Food. Dance. Opa!

The smell of lemon, oregano and garlic fill the air as fresh meats are grilled over open flames and the sight of the pastry table proves to be more than anyone’s willpower could bear. From a great live band and dance demonstrations, to wine tastings and cooking classes, there is something for everyone at Yassou!

salad

The food

An assortment of freshly prepared authentic Greek food and pastries will tempt even the most stubborn palate. Great effort has been put into obtaining fresh, local ingredients wherever possible, from the eggplant in the Moussaka, to the tomatoes that go on your Gyros and in your salad.

Choose from appetizers, full meals, sandwiches and side items. And do not forget dessert — baklava is only the beginning. Menu items are available as complete meals or a la carte. Prices range from $5 for most a la carte items to $14 for most complete meals.

The dance

Besides irresistible Greek food, there will be plenty of Greek dancing, a very old tradition that has been documented by Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. Traditional Greek dancing has a primarily social function, bringing the community together at key points of the year, such as Easter, the grape harvest or patronal festivals; and at key points in the lives of individuals and families, like weddings.

Holy Trinity’s youth dancers will don traditional Grecian dress and perform some of these spectacular dances. Then, when the time is right, join hands with members of the dancing circle and join in. Beginners are always welcome.

The wine (and beer)

Greece is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world — evidence of wine production dates back more than 6,500 years. Since that time, wines have been shared and enjoyed not only in households, but in communal celebrations. And what cultural celebration would be complete without access to the local libations?

Here’s what’s happening and when

Friday, August 26, 2016: 3 -10 pm

Live music from open to close, The Levendes.
4 pm: Greek cooking class.
5 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).
6 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).
7 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17+).
8:15 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (18+).
8:35 pm: Dance lessons and open dancing for all!
8:00 pm: Children’s play area closes.

Saturday, August 27, 2016: 11 am – 10 pm

Live music from open to close, The Levendes.
1:00 pm: Greek cooking class.
2:30 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).
4:00 pm: Wine tasting.
5:00 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).
6:00 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).
6:00 pm: Greek cooking class.
7:15 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17+).
8:15 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (18+).
8:35 pm: Dance lessons and open dancing for all!
8:00 pm: Children’s play area closes.

Sunday, August 28, 2016: 12-4 pm

No live band. DJ playing modern Greek music.
2:00 Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).
3:00 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

OK, so you’ve been warned. The Yassou! Grand Rapids Greek Cultural Festival is always a crowd pleaser, and this year it’s happening Friday, Aug. 26 through Sunday, Aug. 28 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr. NE between Fulton and Michigan.

Amy Heckerling, award-winning writer and director, to present at WMFVA’s 2016 Visiting Film Artist Series

August 26, 20163-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Movie Review, Non-Profits, Upcoming Eventsamy heckerling, Celebration!Cinema North, Deb Havens, Emily Loeks, vfas, Victoria Mullen, visiting film artist series, west michigan film video alliance, wmfvaJoanne

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

The West Michigan Film Video Alliance (WMFVA) is bringing award-winning writer and director Amy Heckerling (Clueless, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Johnny Dangerously and Look Who’s Talking) to Grand Rapids for WMFVA’s 2016 Visiting Film Artist Series (VFAS).

Heckerling will lead the two-day event with a film screening, Q&A and reception 7-10 pm, September 9 and workshop/lunch 11:30 am-3:30 pm, September 10.

“We are thrilled to welcome such an accomplished artist to West Michigan and introduce her to the thriving film and digital media community here,” said WMFVA Chair Deb Havens.

“We think she’ll be impressed with the talent and tenacity of our creative community and we are excited to make the connection.”

Heckerling has been recognized for her talent and contribution to the industry with several awards: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay; Writer’s Guild of America Best Screenplay Written Directly for Screen; Women in Film Crystal Awards; and the American Film Institute Franklin J. Schaffner Award.

“Amy Heckerling has made a significant mark in the film industry, creating films with humor and heart that stand the test of time,” said Havens. “She has successfully navigated a notoriously difficult industry and the knowledge and experience she can share with the WMFVA members and others in our community is extremely relevant to today’s challenges.”

Celebration! Cinema North at 2121 Celebration Drive NE, Grand Rapids, is the VFAS venue partner for the event, and viewers may expect a state-of-the-art film viewing experience for the Friday evening screening. Saturday’s workshop and luncheon will be held in the venue’s versatile and spacious Wave Room.

“We’ve been presenting movies for more than 70 years in West Michigan,” said Emily Loeks, Director of Community Affairs for Celebration! Cinema. “We get to be part of the magic that happens when people laugh and cry and connect with each other through the viewing of a movie. We love to take opportunities to encourage local filmmakers and are glad to support the WMFVA’s efforts to bring inspiration and resources to students.”

“Her films … are uncommonly intelligent mainstream comedies that are endlessly rewatchable.”
~Metrograph, New York City

The Visiting Film Artist Series debuted in 2015 with accomplished screenwriter Paul Schrader (Raging Bull, Taxi Driver) to a sold-out audience. The event is dedicated to exploring the unique perspectives, experiences and knowledge of professionals who have made a significant contribution to the art and craft of film.

WMFVA developed the VFAS as an integral part of professional development opportunities for its members and others who live and work in West Michigan and contribute to its thriving film and digital media community and culture. The series is open to the public; WMFVA members receive a discount and early registration privileges. New members are eligible for the benefits immediately upon joining.

The VFAS appeals to the many area universities that offer distinguished film-related programs and provides an important opportunity for aspiring filmmakers and content creators to connect directly with industry veterans.

Also instrumental in supporting the WMFVA Visiting Film Artist Series are community partners Meijer, Inc., Grand Valley State University, West Michigan Film Office and Michigan Film Digital Media Office. University partners include Grand Valley State University Film and Video Program in the School of Communications.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.wmfva.org. Cost for the film screening, Q&A and reception on Friday evening is $10 for WMFVA members and $15 for non-members. The Saturday afternoon seminar/workshop and luncheon is $75 for members, and $85 for non-members. Space is limited. Free parking is available at the venue location.

Explore a Hop Farm, Sample Michigan Beers Made with Michigan Hops

August 25, 20163-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming EventsJoanne

Late August and early September mark the peak of summer and the peak of the hop harvest season.

Of the four main ingredients in craft beer, none of them boast the rabid following of humulus lupulus, or hops. West Michigan Beer Tours, in collaboration with Hop Head Farms, of Hickory Corners, will offer two unique tours into the exciting season with the Hop Harvest Beer Tour, to be held August 27th and September 3rd.

The Hop Harvest Beer Tour on August 27th will be based out of Grand Rapids, while the September 3rd tour will be based out of Kalamazoo. The tours will escort groups to Hop Head Farms, a 30-acre farm in Hickory Corners outside of Kalamazoo that provides hops for breweries all over the country, as well as internationally. Several Michigan breweries will provide samples of their beer using hops from Hop Head Farms to be tasted as part of the unique tour of the hop fields and processing equipment.

“This is a rare opportunity to get a look into what happens to bring our hops to harvest,” Hop Head Farms co-founder Bonnie Steinman said. “We do not offer public tours during harvest because of the sheer busyness of the time. We have only a few short weeks to get all of the hops down, picked and dried at their peak maturity. Our facility is the only of its kind in the United States — German-engineered and chosen to handle our hops to result in the best end product.”

timthumb

After the farm visit, the bus will visit breweries that work closely with Hop Head Farms — Founders Brewing Co. and Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro (August 27th) and Territorial Brewing Co. and Tibbs Brewing Co. (September 3rd), respectively.

JW Marriott Grand Rapids is also offering a terrific Beer City USA package for those considering the August 27th tour.

Tickets for the tour are on sale now. They start at $75 and includes samples or a pint at each location. Premium tickets are also available for both tours. For more information, please click on the preferred date below:

August 27th Itinerary (Grand Rapids)

Origination: JW Marriott Grand Rapids, noon 1pm
Stop 1: Hop Head Farms, samples, tour, 2pm to 3:30pm
Stop 2: Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro, pint/samples, tour, 4pm to 5pm
Stop 3: Founders Brewing Co., tour, pint, 6pm to 7:30pm
Termination: JW Marriott, 7:45pm

September 3rd Itinerary (Kalamazoo)

Origination: Shakespeare’s Pub, noon 1pm
Stop 1: Hop Head Farms, samples, tour, 1:30pm to 3pm
Stop 2: Territorial Brewing Co., meet-and-greet, samples,
3:30pm to 4:30pm
Stop 3: Tibbs Brewing Co., tour, samples or pint, 5pm to 6pm
Termination: Shakespeare’s Pub, 6:15pm

For more info, contact john@westmibeertours.com or call 269.205.4894.

DreamWheels! Lowriders make a special appearance in this year’s show

August 25, 20163-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Upcoming EventsAnbrocio Ledesma, Chevy Deluxe, DreamWheels!, hydraulics, Impala, lowriders, Metro Cruise, Pablo Lopez, WKTV DreamWheels!Joanne

Wyoming resident Anbrocio Ledesma remembers as a young boy going down to the local party store and getting the latest copy of “Lowrider” magazine.

“I would flip through the pages, looking at the cars and think to myself, ‘One day, I am going to have one of those cars,’” he said.

Anbrocio Ledesma with his 1951 Chevy Deluxe

Not an uncommon dream for a young Mexician-American boy from a family of six living in the Grand Rapids area. In fact, the time that Ledesma was growing up, the popularity of lowriders — a car that sits low to the ground and often has hydraulics to raise and lower the car — in the late 1970s and early 1980s, lowriders had become part of the mainstream car culture thanks in part to “Lowrider” magazine.

“It’s a dream to have one of these, to have a lowrider,” said Holland resident Pablo Lopez, who is considered the founder of the West Michigan lowrider movement. Lopez owns a 1963 Impala SS that has taken him about 30 years to get “where I can say it is done.”

Lowriders came out of post World War II with the Mexican-American Barrios of East Los Angeles credited with creating this unique take on an automobile. It was the mid-1940s, Detroit had moved back into production of cars with a lot of used cars available on the market. Returning Mexican-American veterans applied their mechanic skills to build lowriders, filling the trunks with sandbags and cutting the spring coils to make the cars go as low to the ground as possible. “They are low and slow,” Lopez said.

There was backlash to the new style and in 1958 California lawmakers passed a vehicle code making it illegal to drive a car with any part lower than the bottom of the wheel’s rims. That combined with the fact that lowriders would scrap the ground lead to customizer Ron Aquirre to develop new hydraulic techniques to lower and raise a car with a flip of a switch. Salvage yards became popular as young lowrider enthusiasts looked for hydraulic pumps from lift gates and aircrafts.

“In order for it to be a lowrider, it has to have hydraulics,” Lopez said. “At least according to me.”

Pablo Lopez with his 1963 Impala SS. — Pablo Lopez with his 1963 Chevy Impala SS.

Lopez’s car, built in the L.A style, is what one would expect a Lowrider to be. It features wire rims, 13-inch wheels, with a 327 V8 engine. Custom paint by his son Manny Lopez tells the story of Lopez’s heritage and life including the loss of his daughter Rosa Linda Lopez at age 37 to cancer. Even the inside is customized from the poke-dotted red suede seats to a 1940s microphone as the gearshift. The car also includes a record player that plays 45s, brass skulls on the door locks, and fringe on the mirrors.

Ledesma never gave up on his goal of owning a lowrider and while in the process of searching for a 1964 Chevy Impala — ideal for lowering because of its x-frame — he was given the opportunity to purchase a 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe. Called a Bombita, It took Ledesma “a good 10 years” to get the car to where it is now. It is a light metallic purple, paint done by Ted Aguliar, with silver accents and white interior. It has a 327 engine out of 1967 Corvette.

To create a smoother ride, Ledesma did take out his hydraulics for air bags. “That and when the line breaks with air bags, it’s just air coming out,” Ledesma said. “With hydraulics, when the line breaks, you have a mess to clean up.”

Both Ledesma and Lopez said that while there are still lowriders around, the interest has waned.

“It is a real expensive hobby to get into,” Lopez said, adding it is the reason why it can take several years for a person to get a car completely transformed. “Many of those I worked with have gotten married, gone off to college, started families and they just can’t financially keep it up.”

Even for Lopez, he didn’t get involved in the hobby until after his children were grown.

“I saw these antennas at a show in Lansing,” Lopez said pointing to an antenna from a 1956 Oldsmobile. “They were $90 at the time. I had enough money to either get the antennas or a hotel room for the night. I bought the antennas, drove all the way home and then came back to the show the next day.”

Lowriders are also associated with bad behavior which Lopez said those who own them are not interested in working with “bad kids.” “I’m not interested in helping bad kids,” said Lopez whose family owned Familia Lopez Slow & Low. “This isn’t about that. It’s about tradition, It’s about family. It’s about talking to people and having them sit in the car and connecting with each other.”

Make sure to check out the “DreamWheels” show which will be broadcasting live Saturday, Aug. 27 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Pal’s Diner, 6503 28th St. SE, and Rogers Plaza, 972 28th St. SW. The show will air Saturday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. on WKTV Channel 25.

DreamWheels!: Pin Up Girl Contest set to take place at Rogers Plaza

August 25, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Events28th Street Metro Cruise, DreamWheels!, Metro Cruise, Pin up girl, Rogers Plaza, Stacey Davis, WKTVJoanne

Pin ups — The preliminary round for this year’s 28th Street Metro Cruise Pin Up Girls Contest featured 14 young ladies who were narrowed down to 10 finalist. Those finalists will compete for the title this Saturday.

A few years ago, Stacey Davis was walking through the 28th Street Metro Cruise when she happened upon the Pin Up Girl contest at Rogers Plaza.

“My dad restores classic cars so I grew up going to car shows like the Metro Cruise every summer,” said Davis, whose stage name is Ginger Snaps. “I grew up seeing the girls in the poodle skirts, the Marilyn Monroe impersonators and I saw the Metro Cruise contest and decided to sign up.”

Last year, the former Grand Rapids resident, who recently moved to Midland, was crowned Miss Metro Cruise 2015.

“It definitely helped with my confidence to know that I had won that title,” Davis said, adding that it has been a fun time visiting with little girls and meeting new people. “It was a great experience.”

This year Davis is joined by Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Jeremiah White, owner of Reflections Salon, to judge the 2016 Pin Up Girl Contest which is part of the Metro Cruise fun. The even takes place Saturday, Aug. 27, from 1 – 3 p.m. at Rogers Plaza.

ginger snaps — The 2015 28th Street Metro Cruise Pin Up is Stacey Davis a.k.a. Ginger Snaps.

The Pin Up Girl Contest has been a longstanding tradition at Metro Cruise, said Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce Bob O’Callaghan. And it makes sense. Flip through any car magazine and within the first few pages you will see a very pretty girl next to a candid apple red street racer or a bright green hotrod.

The pin up girl is an interesting American phenomenon which was born in the 1800s through magazines like Life, boomed in the 1930s due to the calendars of Brown and Bigelow, and peaked during World War II. Today, pin up girls remain a fabric of the American cultural and an ode to what many have called “a simpler time.”

For the 28th Street Metro Cruise Pin Up Girl Contest, there was a preliminary contest in July where the number of girls were narrowed down to 10 finalist who will compete for the title on Saturday. The girls come from all over to compete in the contest, which this year is being organized by JA PR Group.

Spectators are welcomed to watch and cheer for their favorite.

Rogers Plaza serves as the central spot for the Metro Cruise with a host of activities taking place all around the mall. The “DreamWheels!” television program will be broadcasting live from Rogers Plaza as well Cascade’s Pal’s Diner from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Pete Chapouris from So-Cal Speed Shop will be signing autographs at the Rogers Plaza tent for Steve’s Antique Auto Repair.

For more, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.

DreamWheels!: The artwork of Dom Federico

August 24, 20163-bottom, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projectsartwork, Classic Cars, Dom Federico, Metro Cruise, WKTV DreamWheels!Joanne

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

At its base, a car is a machine built of metal with an ability to transport people from point A to point B. However, cars — especially classic cars — are never seen at their base level. For some, cars are an expression of individuality. A way to make a statement on their own personality and interests. For others, cars are a model of engineering at its finest and how far that engineering can be pushed.

For Dom Federico, cars are works of art.

“I just love them, and when I got this car and I looked at that fin,” said Dom with his finger pointed towards a fin on a beautiful teal 1961 Cadillac Convertible, “All of a sudden I realized that what I really was doing wasn’t collecting cars, but collecting art. Each one of these is an art form, if you look at the faces of each one of these cars, each one is completely different.”

Dom and his wife have been collecting art since 1973 with the goal focused on every car as an individual. Their private garage houses more than 30 unique and classic cars, but simply filling the garage was never the focus. Instead of seeking out cars one by one, Dom waits until the cars “find him.”

His approach stems from Saturdays in August during his childhood where he would take his bike from one car dealership to another in hopes of seeing the new cars set to be unveiled and introduced in September. Throughout August, the new cars would be in the back with high canvas coverings on the chain link fences to conceal the cars. Dom would climb the fences just to get a look at what was in store for the next year, and when the right car came along, it left an impact.

“When the ’63 Corvette came out, I stayed in the showroom for hours. I couldn’t stop looking at it because of the artwork of it,” he said.

Those late summer Saturdays led to an infatuation that couldn’t be quelled with a single car. What started as one car eventually became two, and then three, until one day Dom finally came to the realization — thanks to his daughter — that what he owned was a little more than an extension of a normal garage.

“When I got to 10 cars, my daughter who was 8 at the time, said to me, ‘Dad, we’re in double-digits.’ And it hit me.”

Dom’s interest and passion had become a collection, something worthy of sharing with others around him. His garage has hosted parties and charity events with the cars as the main attraction, but one of his favorite showcases is the 28th Street Metro Cruise and on the red carpet at DreamWheels!. Since the inception of Metro Cruise in 2005, Dom has only missed one year and loves sharing his artwork with people who truly appreciate cars.

Lately, Dom’s participation in Metro Cruise has shifted towards being an annual member on the red carpet at WKTV’s DreamWheels!. This year he plans on bringing his ’79 Ferrari.

“We had been to Metro Cruise multiple times in the past and actually stopped going because it became too crowded to even drive cars. With DreamWheels!, we can still drive our cars and show them off. It’s kind of like a tradition now.”

Make sure to check out the “DreamWheels!” show which will broadcast live Saturday, Aug. 27 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Pal’s Diner, 6503 28th St. SE, and Rogers Plaza, 972 28th St. SW. The show will air Saturday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. on WKTV Channel 25.

53rd Annual Marshall Historic Home Tour is September 10 & 11

August 24, 20163-bottom, Entertainment, Upcoming Eventshonolulu house museum, marshall civil war ball, Marshall Historical Society, marshall home tour, TravelJoanne

Wax nostalgic as you walk the Midwest’s longest-running home tour Saturday, Sept. 10 (9 am-5 pm) and Sunday, Sept. 11 (10 am-5 pm). The 53rd annual Marshall Historic Home Tour will offer more than 20 sites, including six private residences. In addition to showing various architectural styles, the tour homes present antique and modern furnishings and a variety of decorative items and interesting personal collections. All six homes are within easy walking distance of the Honolulu House Museum, 107 N. Kalamazoo Ave., the focal point for home tour activities.

The tour homes include an extensively renovated 1838 Greek Revival structure, an 1853 Gothic Revival home listed on the Historic American Buildings Survey (along with its carriage house), a rare 1856 Octagon house (on tour for the second year as under renovation), an 1850s home updated to Queen Anne-style in 1891, an 1899 modified Queen Anne with a distinctive sloped flowered lawn, and a dual apartment suite above a downtown business.

Also featured is the city’s two-building, historic power plant that has been producing electricity since the 1890s. The Marshall Power House was constructed at a cost of $14,000 in 1893 on South Marshall Avenue and originally contained two waterwheel generators and two streetlight arc machines. The city also built a new dam on the Kalamazoo River that year. The city says Marshall has the third-oldest municipal hydroelectric system operating under its original ownership in the country.

Bonus offerings include access to the three museums operated by the Marshall Historical Society — the Honolulu House, the Marshall Historical Museum at the GAR Hall, and the Capitol Hill School. Other museums open to tour visitors will be the American Museum of Magic and its separate Research Center, the Governor’s Mansion, Marshall’s U.S. Postal Service Museum and the Walter’s Gasoline Museum. Franke Center for the Arts, Trinity Episcopal Church, East End Studio & Gallery with its upper floors under renovation, and five historic buildings at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds round out the tour.

Save $3 and get your advance tickets for $17 through Sept. 5 here or by calling 269.781.8544. (Tickets will be $20 after Sept. 5.) Tickets are good for both days. Parking is free downtown and at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. Free shuttle buses will run to the tour sites.

There are also a variety of related activities sure to appeal to home tour visitors. Art at the Museum is a juried fine arts and crafts fair held on the Honolulu House lawn. The 15th annual Marshall Civil War Ball is Saturday evening in front of the Honolulu House. Local churches are expected to offer lunches on Saturday and Sunday.

On display this year at the Honolulu House Museum is the full set of china presented to Marshall resident Charles Gorham by the Dutch government when he ended his service there as U.S. ambassador in the 1870s. There are more than 200 pieces in the set.

The tour is a community-wide event involving hundreds of volunteers as well as churches, civic organizations, and downtown stores and restaurants.

This year Marshall is celebrating the 25^th anniversary of its National Historic Landmark District that includes 850 structures.

The Marshall Historic Home Tour began in 1964 as a kitchen tour and has grown into the longest-running home tour in the Midwest. The Marshall Historical Society uses the home tour proceeds to maintain and enhance its three museums and to support community efforts to preserve, protect and promote Marshall’s historic heritage.

DreamWheels!: Rev up for Metro Cruise by taking in some local art

August 22, 20163-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Events28th Street, Art Cruise, City of Wyoming, Marge's Donut Den, Metro Cruise, West End Business GroupJoanne

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It seems logical that an artist like David Reinbold would be interested in participating in Wyoming’s Art Cruise. After all Reinbold has built a reputation out of creating stained glass sculpture replicas of peoples’ cars and Art Cruise is part of West Michigan’s biggest car event, Metro Cruise.

Art Cruise is an annual art event similar to Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize in that several Wyoming businesses feature the work of various local artists during August, the same month as Metro Cruise, which is Aug. 26 and 27. In a way, Art Cruise helps people get revved up for the big event, said Art Cruise Coordinator Donna Kuba, who runs Instant Cash Advance and is part of the West End Business Group that founded Art Cruise.

This year, more than 25 artists will display their work in 17 Wyoming businesses with a list of business locations available at 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.

“It’s really just a way to support the community,” said Jerry DeGood, who owns Auto Finance/J’s Motor Sales, at 2939 Division Ave. DeGood said his place has a nice open space for an artist and is excited about featuring the work of former General Motors employee David Townsend.

“I’ve always painted as a hobby,” Townsend said. After the 36th Street GM plant shutdown, Townsend said he decided to paint on a more regular basis. This is Townsend’s first year participating with his work showing at two locations, Auto Finance/J’s Motor Sales and The Chiropractic Doctors at 4415 Byron Center Ave. SW.

Outsider Artist Dirk W. Hughes said he loves the grassroots feel of the event. “It’s just people coming together with no alternative motive other than to support each other,” said Hughes, whose work will be at Edward Jones, 185 44th St. SW.

This also is why artist and Grand Rapids Public Schools fourth-grade teacher Holly Peterman decided to participate as well.

“I grew up in Grandville and I saw the flyer for Art Cruise where you could display for a whole month and thought, ‘I want to do that,’” said Peterman who’s prints and etchings will be at El Informador, 2000 28th St. SW and Maya Mexican Grill, 1020 28th St. SW.

“It’s an opportunity where people can see a lot of art,” Peterman said. “It’s a great opportunity for both the artist and the business owner. The business owner has people coming in to view the work and the artist is able to get the word out about what they do.”

And that is the main reason Reinbold has been participating in Art Cruise since almost its inception.

“I really got to know and meet a lot of different people last year,” Reinbold said. During the event, “I pretty much show what I can do. People can give me a picture of their car or motorcycle – I can even do an airplane – and I create 3-D sculpture out of glass.”

It’s also not about making money either, but about the experience as Hopkins High School student Madalyn Hatfield can attest. Three years ago, Art Cruise gave her the opportunity to get her “feet wet” in the art world and now she is looking to pursue a career in animation. She once again will be showing at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW.

For details about the artists and businesses participating in this year’s Art Cruise, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ comes to DeVos Hall Sept. 27-Oct. 2

August 19, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming EventsJoanne

cinderella-tall Get your tickets NOW!

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, the 2013 Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The King & I and The Sound of Music, will play at DeVos Performance Hall for a limited engagement from September 27th through October 2nd.

Tickets for Cinderella are available now at the Broadway Grand Rapids box office at 122 Lyon St NW or at the DeVos Performance Hall box office located at 303 Monroe Ave NW. Tickets can also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, by visiting www.broadwaygrandrapids.com, or by calling 1.800.745.3000. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 616.235.6285.

With its fresh, new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella combines the story’s classic elements — glass slippers, pumpkin and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists.

More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairy tale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn’t let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too.

Performances:

Tuesday, September 27, 2016 – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 – 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 29, 2016 – 7:30 pm
Friday, September 30, 2016 – 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 1, 2016 – 2:00 pm
Saturday, October 1, 2016 – 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 2, 2016 – 1:00 pm
Sunday, October 2, 2016 – 6:30 pm

For more info, contact:

Meghan Distel
Broadway Grand Rapids
616.235.6285
mdistel@bwaygr.org

Local charity ‘plays dirty’ with their annual Mud Run

August 16, 20163-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Non-Profits, Recreation, Upcoming EventsGrand Rapids Mud Run, Mike DeWitt, Never the Same, Obstacle Course RelayJoanne

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

The new millennium ushered in a stark rise in the use of technology with the internet, cell phones, and social media allowing us to know the intricate details of each others lives. However, the new millennium also brought us another unforeseen phenomenon, obstacle course racing (OCR).

Be it a Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, Warrior Dash, or a BattleFrog, these obstacle courses have latched onto the fitness phenomenon sweeping the country. These races can be done individually or in teams and include fitness (obviously), usually their fair share of mud and grime, and obstacles to make your workout feel fun and exciting.

For the Grand Rapids Mud Run, the excitement and popularity of an OCR is harnessed into an act of charity. The race is an extreme 5K mud run to raise money for a worthy cause. This year, the benefits will help Never The Same, a local faith-based non-profit focused on peer-to-peer youth ministry that organizes the Grand Rapids Mud Run, as they change locations due to a fire last year.

In June 2015, a devastating fire hit the Never The Same headquarters at Eastern and 44th Street in Grand Rapids. The headquarters have since been moved to a new location at 2725 29th Street. Staff moved into the office late last year, just in time to begin preparing for its largest annual fundraiser.

“We were not going to be discouraged,” says Jeff Eckart, CEO and Founder, Never the Same. “We actually became even more motivated to continue our cause, move forward in a new, permanent space and create an even more exciting Grand Rapids Mud Run in 2016.”

Back in 2009, Jeff Eckart came up with the idea for the mud run. Since the first run on August 28, 2010, the Grand Rapids Mud Run has seen a steady increase in participation. Over 1,000 participants are expected to run the brand new course, filled with mud pits, a 60-foot mudslide, tunnel crawls, walls, and slippery hill climbs. With spectators, over 3,000 are expected to attend this year.

The 2016 Grand Rapids Mud Run will be held on August 27 at 1200 60th Street in Kentwood, next to Celebration Cinemas South. Both adults and kids are able to participate. For more information, visit GrandRapidsMudRun.com.

Quilt exhibition and workshop hit the bull’s-eye for quilting aficionados

August 12, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, design, Education, Entertainment, Upcoming EventsCircular Abstractions: Bull's Eye Quilts, improvisational exercises, Nancy Crow, quiltingJoanne

By Muskegon Museum of Art

The Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA), in partnership with Guest Curator Nancy Crow, presents Circular Abstractions: Bull’s Eye Quilts, a touring exhibition that showcases some of the best machine-piecing and quilting being created today. The exhibition runs from August 25 through November 6, 2016.

The juried, invitational exhibition features 50 quilts by an array of artists that improvise around the Bull’s Eye pattern: a four-quadrant design with a bull’s eye at the center of each quarter. Color and design become the focus of a dazzling array of quilts inspired by the innovations of legendary fine art quilt-maker Nancy Crow.

The artists were challenged to create artworks that stretched the possibilities of the machine-pieced quilt and conveyed a sense of energy and excitement. Participating artists come from across the U.S. and abroad, with represented countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Switzerland.

Cost
$8 adult; $5 college student with ID; free for 17 and under; free for MMA members; free 4-8pm Thursday

MMA is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. in Muskegon
P: 231.720.2570 F: 231.720.2585

Nancy Crow five-day workshop, Improvisational Exercises

In tandem with the Circular Abstractions: Bull’s Eye Quilts exhibition, Nancy Crow is offering a five-day workshop called Improvisational Exercises from August 22-26 for intermediate to advanced quilters. Participants must be good machine piecers and able to cut freehand.

The workshop has been specifically developed for students who want to become far more experimental using machine-piecing techniques. Students will be expected to work spontaneously and intuitively with nontraditional quilt-making techniques as they explore design exercises that promote improvisational approaches to composition without benefit of “pre-planning” and “intellectualizing.”

Students will learn construction and engineering techniques. Color, and the values of color, from light to dark, will be emphasized in all exercises so a great selection of fabrics must be brought to this workshop. Students will be working in solid colors the entire five days so there is no need to bring any printed or marbled fabrics, only solids whether commercial or hand-dyed.

Students are urged to come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking.

Class Fee: $675 ($500 is non-refundable)

Location: Century Club Ballroom (downtown Muskegon), 356 W. Western Ave.

To register and secure a spot, full payment of $675 (credit card or check payment) is required. To register please call 231.720.2587 or contact Catherine Mott at cmott@mpsk12.net.

Connect virtually with employers across Michigan on Aug. 10 at the MiVirtualCareerFair!

August 9, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Upcoming EventsJobs, MiVirtualCareerFairs, now hiring, Pure Michigan, Talent ConnectJoanne

Michigan employers and job-seekers can connect through a state-sponsored virtual career fair on Wednesday, August 10 from 10 am to 4 pm. Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s MiVirtualCareerFairs brings together Michigan employers and talent from across the state and the globe in an online, virtual event.

Since 2012 more than 318 employers and 38,254 job seekers have been connected through the state’s 19 sponsored events.

For this month’s MiVirtualCareerFair, 38 Michigan employers in varying industries will be highlighted and featured. There’s no cost for job seekers to participate.

Registration information can be found at www.mitalent.org/virtualcareerfair. During virtual events, job-seekers can explore employer booths, interact one-on-one with participating employers and search and apply for job opportunities. In addition, job-seekers can access information about career development programs and resources in the event Media Center and Resource Lounge.

“Virtual Career Fairs are a convenient, cutting-edge way to bring employers and job-seekers together,” said Wanda Stokes, Director of the Michigan Talent Investment Agency. “This event allows job-seekers to apply for several jobs at once as well as engage in virtual chats with representatives from many of the participating companies. Whether you’re an employer seeking the right talent or a job-seeker looking for the right job, Virtual Career Fairs are a great way to reach your goals.”

The Michigan Nonprofit Association will be participating as a resource to assist job seekers interested in finding opportunities in the nonprofit sector.

MiVirtualCareerFair is the next greatest trend of networking and communication with employers. It’s convenient for employers and job-seekers alike because you only need to have a computer and internet connection to participate. No need to travel across state or prepare for an entire day’s event at a career fair.

Interviews are not guaranteed during or after the event. All job openings posted during the events are accessible to participants for 30 days after event. Post-event, job-seekers can return to the environment and apply for more job opportunities during the 30-day post event reporting period. Employers receive in-depth analytics, including candidate resumes, applications, chat transcripts, and booth visit data, which further solidify connections made during the event.

Adrenaline junkies will find plenty of adventure in West Michigan

August 5, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation, Senior Living, Travel, Upcoming Eventsadventure, Kayaking, skydiving, thrills, Travel, West Michigan, zip liningJoanne

Attention all adrenaline junkies: West Michigan offers endless opportunities to stimulate all five senses. With zip lining, kayaking, skydiving and more, travelers can get their fill of active fun all within the breathtaking natural beauty that is West Michigan.

Southern Region

If you are a thrill seeker, come to Marshall and take to the skies! Go for a Glider Ride and release 3,000 feet about Marshall lasting 20 to 30 minutes. Or, for an even bigger thrill, skydiving is also available in the area. And if something a little calmer is more your speed, take a ride and see the skies in a hot air balloon. In Marshall, the sky’s the limit… literally.

There’s no feeling like the excitement of experiencing beautiful West Michigan while enjoying live outdoor music. This September, Allegan County Fair has a series of fun concerts lined up:

Friday, September 9th at 6:00 pm — “ROCK THE GRANDSTAND” — with Bret Michaels, RATT, Warrant, FireHouse & LA Guns.
Saturday, September 10th at 5:00 pm — BREW ROCK — With Wayland, Royal Bliss & Mutual Live.
Sunday, September 11th at 7:00 pm — CHRIS STAPLETON with Aubrie Sellers
Monday, September 12th at 7:00 pm is the PARADE (Free)
Tuesday, September 13th at 7:00 pm — X AMBASSADORS, Rachel Platten & A Great Big World
Wednesday, September 14th at 7:00 pm — TRACTOR PULLS
Thursday, September 15th at 7:00 pm — RODEO (Grandstand is Free for this event)
Friday, September 16th at 7:00 pm — RASCAL FLATTS , Kelsea Ballerini, & Chris Lane
Saturday, September 17th at 6:30 pm — DEMOLITION DERBY

more south haven

South Haven is the ideal location for action water sports during the summer months. Rental shops supply everything from jet skis to stand up paddle boards, so all your water adventure needs are covered. The Van Buren State Park has an abundance of dunes and scenic nature trails for travelers to hike or bike through. The state park is located just minutes outside of downtown, making it convenient to travel to.

Additional thrills in South West Michigan:

Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn
Waldo Wright’s Flying Service, Portage

Central Region

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Amtrak may have the solution for you. Something Michiganders and Chicagoans alike have grown to appreciate, the Pere Marquette is the perfect way to travel West Michigan’s breathtaking coastline. Plus, up to two kids ages 2–12 can ride free with each adult rail fare for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday travel between Grand Rapids and Chicago. Leave the traffic and the city behind and have yourself an unforgettable West Michigan adventure.

Take in 10,000 years of Michigan History as you walk along a trail through the woods at Michigan’s Heritage Park in Whitehall. Visit a Native American Wigwam Village, learn about the art of the trade at the Fur Trader’s Post, explore a Civil War Camp and stretch out on a bunk in the lumbering shanty. Park admission is charged: $10 for adults, $8 for 65 and older, and $5 for 2–12. For more information including hours and directions, contact Lakeshore Museum Center.

Muskegon County is graced with 26 miles of unspoiled Lake Michigan beachfront and many beautiful smaller lakes, which allows for many opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, paddle boarding, and more! There are numerous kayak, boat and more water adventure rentals available to make the most of your time on the water. And, after you’ve had your fill of natural adventures (if that’s possible!), travelers can still get their adrenaline fix at Michigan’s Adventure Amusement and Water Park and take on over 60 rides and attractions featuring roller coasters, wave pools, rafting rides, and more! Or, head over to Muskegon Winter Sports Complex and check out their new fiberglass luge, the only wheeled luge in North America.

Life is more fun in the trees! Just outside the booming city of Grand Rapids lies Grand Rapids Treetop Adventure Park. For those adrenaline junkies, they offer more than just zip lines, but an aerial high tops adventure course where visitors are taught how to use their gear, full body harness and belay system. With a three-hour climbing experience at heights of 10-40 feet, this is truly a one-of-a-kind adventure opportunity in central West Michigan.

Additional thrills in Central West Michigan:

Benz Aviation, Ionia
Cannonsburg Ski Area, Belmont
Cran-Hill Ranch, Rodney
Double JJ Resort, Rothbury
John Ball Zoological Garden, Grand Rapids
West Michigan Skydiving, Holland

Northern Region

Traverse City is a top destination for “silent sports” – the kind of outdoor actives where the only sound you make is the rustle of footprints, the swish of skis, or the splash of a paddle cleaving the water. No matter the season, the Grand Traverse area commits itself to that concept, and much of summer recreation is centered on Grand Traverse Bay attracting fishermen, yachtsmen, and more. Hikers and mountain bikers can tackle backwood trails, forests, and dunes, while cyclists can enjoy miles of lightly traveled country roads along the Lake Michigan shoreline. For those who don’t mind getting a little wet, paddlers are drawn to the many rivers, lakes and bays each with their own difficulty. Plus, within an hour of the city limits, anglers can find miles of blue ribbon trout streams and prime areas for lake trout, steelhead, perch, walleye, and more.

Charlevoix offers thrill seekers amazing opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping. Try skydiving over Charlevoix and enjoy a free fall at 120mph and fantastic views of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Charlevoix, Mackinac Island and Beaver Island — truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Or, enjoy a canopy tour at Michigan’s largest outdoor zip line adventure. With 9 zip lines and 5 sky bridges, an average speed of 40mph and a grand finale of a 1200 feet triple racing zip line, this is one adventure we’re positive you’ll never forget.

Northern Michigan is blessed with umpteen opportunities to enjoy the Great Lakes. Here, you’re invited to turn off your cell phone, set your email on auto-reply and set sail on the inland seas for one of the multi-day excursions aboard the tall ship schooner Manitou. The Traverse City Tall Ship Company is offering a series of educational and entertaining cruises throughout September and October. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Northern Michigan shoreline while reaching ultimate relaxation levels.

In Bellaire, each day a new adventure awaits! Stop at one of their local wineries to enjoy some wine while you hit golf balls at their 130 yard driving range. Plus, get a hole-in-one and win a bottle! Or, experience Torch Lake and its surrounding chain of lakes aboard a beautiful Bennington or Premier tritoon or the day and enjoy the “Caribbean of the North!” And, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay to get the most out of your trip, Shanty Creek Resorts is the ideal place for your family after a day of sunshine and water adventure.

Do you want to be a water sports enthusiast, but need a little help? Now’s your chance. Check out Hotel Walloon:

Take lessons from Tommy’s Ski and Wake School, just next door to Hotel Walloon! Try your hand at wake boarding, waterskiing, wake surfing, kneeboarding, tubing, and more! Schedule your lesson today. Or, for a different water experience, Tommy’s has boat rentals including speed boats and pontoons.
Classes featuring yoga on paddle boards will be offered at different times throughout the summer from Thrive, the new wellness center that Vogue Salon and Spa has opened.
Visit Walloon’s new shop: Wookiee’s Place, specializing in kayak rentals, lake-lifestyle goodies, doggie accessories, and fun!

Additional thrills in Northern West Michigan:

Adventure Mining Company, Greenland
Big Bear Adventures, Indian River
Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs
Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls
Crystalaire Adventures, Frankfort
Leelanau Adventures, Glen Arbor
Wildwood Rush Canopy Tours, Boyne City

Stelma wins Sheriff race in Primary

August 2, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Election, Hard News, Politics, Upcoming Eventsaugust 2 primary elections, Election Results, Kent County SheriffJoanne

WKTV takes seriously its role as a communications provider. We want our community to be well informed and more involved in local matters.

KentCountySheriff5

With more than a 20,000-vote lead, current Kent County Sheriff Lawrence Stelma secured his spot yesterday as the Republican candidate for the sheriff position in the November general election.

Stelma beat out three Republican challengers in yesterday’s primary election. He received 27,382 votes with the next closest candidates being Timothy Lewis with 6,539 and John Stedman with 6,464. Stacey Browe received 3,830 votes.

Stelma will face off against Democrat challenger Michael B. Scruggs in the Nov. 8 general election.

The remaining Kent County offices had uncontested races for both Republicans and Democrats. Those vying for spots in the November general election are Republican Chris Beck and Democrat Alida Bryant for prosecuting attorney; Republican Lisa Posthumus Lyons and Democrat Chris Reader for clerk/register of deeds; Republican Ken Parrish and Democrat Jody Betten for Treasurer and Republican Ken Yonker and Democrat Rachel Hood for Drain Commissioner.

For the 17th Circuit Court Judge, Curt Benson had the largest number of votes with 18,867. Joe Rossi had 16,923 and Thomas Murray, Jr. had 12,107. The two top vote getters, Benson and Rossi, will face off in the general election.

‘Studio Brew: The Colors of Beer’ celebrates the art of brewing

August 1, 20163-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Food, Upcoming EventsBeer, Muskegon Museum of Art, studio brew, the colors of beer, visual artsJoanne

richard aardsma still life with beer glass digital 2016 — Richard Aardsma, ‘Still Life with Beer Glass’, Digital, 2016

The Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) will present Studio Brew: The Colors of Beer to celebrate the art of brewing through the visual arts, drawing its inspiration from an integral quality of beer: its color. Studio Brew will run August 11 through October 30, 2016.

The MMA invited 26 Michigan artists to produce artworks in their choice of media that replicate a single hue from the SRM scale for measuring the color of beer (SRM is a scale for measuring the color intensity of a beer). From pale amber ales to dark stouts, the SRM encompasses a range of rich oranges, yellows, reds, and browns. The result is an exhibition of paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, and sculpture that lead the viewer through the colors of beer.

SRM_Beer_Color_Chart For the viewer, the exhibition is an experiment in fun, an opportunity to experience art through the lens of the familiar and popular act of drinking a finely crafted beer. For fans of Michigan art, the show allows viewers to see how artists solve the creative challenge of making an artwork that must, when viewed from a distance, communicate a single color. The show is, in the end, a reminder of the joy of creating, be it art or a microbrew.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, August 11, from 5:30-7 pm. After the reception, brew masters Chad Doane and Ryan “Rhino” Wasson from Muskegon’s Pigeon Hill Brewing Company, will discuss their craft as part of the opening event.

beer colors large file

Studio Brew participating artists are: Richard Aardsma, Lisa Ambrose, Nick Antonakis, Douglas Baker, Diann Marie Bartnick, Sue Boehme, Robyn Bomhof, Bill Chardon, Patricia Constantine, Topher Crowder, Adam Dahlstrom, Thomas A. Depree, Erin Hoffmann, Lori Hough, Sue Line, Billy Mayer, Cara O’Brien, Patricia Opel, Michael Peoples, the late T.L. Pfliger, Frederic A. Reinecke, J. Arthur Sanders, Tom Tomasek, Paul Van Heest, Kathleen VanDeMark, and David Warmenhoven.

The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave., between 2nd & 3rd Streets in downtown Muskegon. Visit www.muskegonartmuseum.org or call 231.720.2570 for visitor information. The MMA is closed on Mondays.

Sign up now for the 3rd Annual Buck Creek Cleanup on Aug. 13

July 30, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Our Cities, Recreation, Recycling, Upcoming Events, VolunteersBuck Creek, cleanup, cold water resource, VolunteerJoanne

Time to give the creek some love!

Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Buck Creek Cleanup, which will be held this year on Saturday, August 13 from 8 am to noon and includes a free lunch. Check in at Lemery Park (4212 Byron Center Ave. SW in Wyoming) at 8 am.

Spend the morning cleaning up trash along and in Buck Creek while meeting new friends. Start with a Biggby coffee and Marge’s Donut Den breakfast, meet your team leader to get directions and a super cool t-shirt, then head out to various sites along the creek.

Car pool with your neighbors and wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty, comfortable shoes, waders, or boots are great. (Flip-flops are poison ivy-friendly.) Bring bug spray and a reusable water bottle (stainless steel is eco-friendly.) Gloves will be provided unless you have a favorite pair. Supervised children are welcome.

All volunteers are invited to an Osgood Brewing lunch, compliments of Grandville Mayor Steve Maas.

Contact Pete Miller 517.420.4003 for more information or to sign up, or go here to register. For more info, go here.

This event is being organized by Schrems Trout Unlimited and the newly formed Friends of Buck Creek. Friends of Buck Creek is a group of concerned residents, businesses and governmental units that are interested in improving Buck Creek. Buck Creek is more than 20 miles long,and has an approximate watershed area of 50 square miles. Currently Buck Creek is a cold water resource that is highly threatened because of its urban nature.

District 9 tops Southwest to move on in Big League World Series

July 29, 20163-bottom, City of Wyoming, Local Faces, Sports, Upcoming EventsBig League Baseball, Big League World Series, District 9Joanne

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

After staying dormant in a tournament open loss to West, District 9’s offense came alive against Southwest, producing five runs in the first three innings to coast to a 5-1 victory. Bruce Buurstra went 3-3 at the plate with an RBI.

Pitching stayed a strength for District 9 as Bennett Norry allowed only two hits and no earned runs while striking out four batters during his 4 2/3 innings of work. Bruce Buurstra and Mark Primus finished out the rest of the game with an inning each. Southwest only managed one run due to an error.

District 9 scored one run on a groundout by Brendan Oosse in the first inning. Two more runners were brought home in the second when a sacrifice fly by Jarod Nickel brought home Buurstra. In the third, Buurstra singled to bring home Isaiah House to start the inning.

With the win, District 9 moves on in the double-elimination tournament to play South Carolina on Friday night at 7:30pm.

District 9 falls in the first round at the Big League World Series

July 28, 2016Local Faces, Sports, Upcoming EventsBig League World Series, District 9, First RoundJoanne

After shutting out four straight opponents in the Regional Tournament last week, Wyoming District 9 looked to keep their pitching hot throughout the Big League World Series. In their first game against West on Wednesday afternoon, the pitching showed up but the offense didn’t follow suit as District 9 fell 3-0.

The game was a pitchers duel on both sides with scoreless innings littering the box score. District 9 pitcher Christian Falicki pitched a gem for six innings, striking out eight batters and giving up only three runs in the fourth inning due to a two-run blast by Shadd Santos. Falicki kept his team within striking distance all game but the District 9 offense couldn’t capitalize.

District 9 managed only four hits, all of them singles, and couldn’t connect on seven different at bats to drive home runners who were in scoring position.

With the loss, District 9 will have to work their way up from the bottom of the bracket. One more loss and the curtains will close on their bid for a World Series Championship. Their next game is tonight, Thursday, July 28 at 7:30pm.

Call to Makers Extended to August 10 for the Grand Rapids Maker Faire

July 25, 20163-bottom, Area Education, Entertainment, Upcoming EventsGrand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Valley State, Kate Moore, Maker Faire, Mini Maker FaireJoanne

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By: Kate Moore

Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire announced today that the Call to Makers for the 3rd annual Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire has been an extended! Makers now have until Wednesday, August 10 to sign up to showcase what they have invented or are making. This year’s Maker Faire will be August 20 & 21 held at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and nearby Grand Valley State University’s John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering.

Maker Faire is looking for participants who enjoy tinkering, hacking, building and designing new technology based inventions. Any groups or individuals interested in participating in the Maker Faire should complete the application at makerfairegr.com. Spots are first come, first serve basis with openings inside both the GRPM and GVSU as well as outside on the GRPM’s lawn. This year’s Maker Faire expects to see over 7,000 visitors throughout the two-day event.

Featuring both established and emerging local “makers,” the Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is a family-friendly celebration featuring tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, hobbyists, engineers, artists, students and commercial exhibitors. Visitors will see installations from local West Michigan inventors, innovators and tinkerer, as well as makers traveling greater distances to showcase.

The Faire will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 20 and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, August 21. Tickets are available for purchase at makerfairegr.org with $2 off per ticket through Friday, August 12.

Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned.

The Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is being organized by the GR Makers, The Geek Group, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Follow the development of the Grand Rapids Maker Faire on Twitter @makerfaireGR, as well as on its Facebook page.

MOPAR enthusiasts… rev your engines July 30

July 23, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Local History, Upcoming Eventscharger, chrysler, dodge, dukes of hazzard, Gilmore Car Museum, hemi, mopar, nascar, plymouth, West Michigan Mopar ClubJoanne

orange at gilmore car museum

The resounding answer will be “YEAH, it’s got a Hemi!” during the 28^th annual MOPARS at the Red Barns Show and Swap Meet that takes place at the Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, Mich. on Saturday, July 30 from 9 am to 3 pm.

Presented by the West Michigan Mopar Club, this family-friendly car show and swap meet is the region’s largest all-Chrysler products event of its type. More than 350 Mopars—Chrysler Corporation’s name for its product lines that include Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, DeSoto and Imperial—will take over the Gilmore Car Museum historic campus. The show is open to all Chrysler-powered vehicles of all eras, including muscle cars, antiques, street rods and trucks.

This year’s event honors the 50th Anniversary of the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler Street Hemi, as well as the 40th Anniversary of the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare.

The iconic Charger, introduced in 1966 as a two-door, fastback hardtop, dominated NASCAR in 1969. Ten years later, the orange “General Lee” sped onto TV screens in the CBS hit Dukes of Hazzard.

When it comes to muscle cars, the 426-HEMI has obtained legendary status. It was 50 years ago that it first became available on civilian production cars and went on to help define an era and set the question, “That thing got a Hemi?” into our memories.

In 1976, the all-new models Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare were designed to be more upscale than their predecessors, Dart and Valiant. Motor Trend magazine named them the “Best Buy of the Day” and followed that up with awarding both as “Car of the Year.”

Saturday’s event promises to be the largest Mopar gathering in the Midwest as it fills the show fields at the Gilmore Car Museum. Whether your dream machine is a Dodge Charger, Plymouth Barracuda, or a vintage DeSoto or Imperial, you’re sure to find it—or that hard to find part needed to finish your project car—at MOPARS at the RED BARNS car show and swap meet on Saturday, July 30.

Mopars-at-the-Red-Barns-300x200

Participants can show their Mopar powdered vehicles for $20 each, while the general public will be admitted for only $12.00 per person. That includes visiting the entire Gilmore Car Museum campus and all exhibits at no extra charge, and those under 11 are FREE!

The Gilmore Car Museum—North America’s Largest Auto Museum—is located just 20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo on M-43 and Hickory Road. You can learn more about the Museum and its events at www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org or call 269.671.5089 for more information.

The 28^th annual MOPARS at the Red Barns Show and Swap Meet will be sure to please as West Michigan’s largest all-Chrysler products car show, featuring over 350 muscle cars, plus antiques and special interest vehicles!

chargers

For those on the show field, there will be a chance for 84 trophies in 28 classes, covering virtually ALL MOPARS! Plus, special awards will also be given for Best of Show, Class of 1966 in honor of the Gilmore Car Museum’s 50^th Anniversary, Best Club Participation, Longest Distance, Dodge Charger & Street Hemi 50th Anniversary, and Aspen/Volare 40th Anniversary. The car show will also include a large swap meet, food vendors, a beverage tent, and live music! For more information please contact the West Michigan Mopar Club at wmmccommander@aol.com.

Exhibitor Admission: $20.00 per vehicle w/two persons

24/7 Information Line: 269.664.5595

New Mini Exhibit ‘An Olympic View’ Opening at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

July 21, 20163-bottom, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local History, Upcoming EventsAn Olympic View, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Museum ExhibitJoanne

rio 2016

By: Kate Moore

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today the new mini exhibit An Olympic View will open July 23rd. With the Summer Olympics arriving soon, this exhibit celebrates the history of the Games, athletes from Grand Rapids, as well as the Brazil, the 2016 host.

This year is the first year the Olympics will take place in a South American country. An Olympic View allows visitors to learn more about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil leading up to and during the 2016 Summer Olympics. Visitors will learn about Ancient Greek history and see Ancient Greek artifacts that are part of the GRPM’s Collections. Other artifacts include insect jewelry, Brazilian coins, ancient Greek Lekythos as well as much more.

Grand Rapids Public Museum opens a new exhibit tomorrow. — Grand Rapids Public Museum readies for An Olympic View

In the modern era, 12 athletes from Grand Rapids have competed in Olympic Games. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about each of these 12 athletes, their sport and if they were Olympic medalists. In An Olympic View visitors will explore the locations of the modern Olympic Games. Visitors will pose as a gold medalist in this year’s Olympics in an interactive photo opportunity.

Admission to the mini exhibit An Olympic View will be included with general admission to GRPM. This exhibit will be on display from July 23 – August 21, 2016, coinciding with the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil.

The Museum plans to showcase several mini-exhibitions, or pop-up exhibits, each year. They are modeled after pop-up stores, and are intended to be shorter in duration, showcase something new, tie into national and current events and showcase the GRPM’s Collections on a routine basis to the community. For further details visit grpm.org.

Summer West Michigan teens shine at the Civic

July 19, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Recreation, Upcoming EventsCivic Theater, Into the Woods Jr, Wayside SchoolJoanne

Civic Theater This summer, West Michigan teens are learning theatre through a whole new light. Under the keen guidance of Civic Theatre professionals, students are learning the art of performance through specialized dancing, singing, and acting (Intensive) classes. Those with an interest in the technical aspect of theatre are participating in hands on classes in set and costume design, lights and sound, and backstage crewing. Students will showcase their deepening talents with community performances of Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Into the Woods Jr.

“The Intensive is a six week program that opens possibilities for our students. Some will journey to college in this field, while others will flourish in other career choices” stated Allyson Paris, Associate Director, “this program awakens confidence and creativity in each child, and strengthens their life skills for today and as future leaders.” Students meet and learn from theatre professionals from across the nation. Each week a Friday master class is held and led by renowned artists from the likes of Purple Rose Theatre, Looking Glass Theatre, Broadway cast of Book of Mormon and many Collegiate Theatre Programs including Hope College, Columbia College and Western Michigan University.

Paris noted, “We are proud to be one of the only theatres in Michigan to provide this type of Intensive programming for young people. It is filling a void in our community and is just the tipping point of more exciting educational programming taking center stage beginning this fall.”

The performances run from July 29 – August 7 with tickets costing between $10 -$16.

About the Productions

Sideways Stories from Wayside School is an adaption from the book series by Louis Sachar by the same name. Wayside school is many things, not one of them is anywhere near normal. The school is a thirty-story building with one classroom on each floor. The teachers range from being kind and caring to turning kids into apples for giving a wrong answer, some may or may not even exist. As if grade school wasn’t tough enough these zany characters, they must embark on the bizarre classroom journey that is sure to delight audiences.

Into The Woods Jr is James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s collaborative adaptation of many intertwined classic fairytales by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. This production first hit Broadway in 1987, where it won several Tony Awards. Since then the musical has been produced many times as well as earning itself a Disney film adaptation. This story follows familiar family favorites like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, the beanstalk climbing Jack, as well as countless other memorable characters in this enchanted tale through a magic wood.

Acclaimed author Linda Castillo at Schuler Books July 20

July 19, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Eventsbook signing, Linda Castillo, Schuler BooksJoanne

Linda Castillo, the acclaimed author of the internationally bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery series, will hold a talk and signing at Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 20. Castillo has published 30 books throughout her career and has received numerous industry awards. Her book Sworn to Silence was adapted as the motion picture An Amish Murder, starring Neve Campbell. Castillo is currently touring to promote the release of her newest Kate Burkholder novel, Among the Wicked.

About the Book

In this electrifying thriller, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called upon by the sheriff’s department in rural, upstate New York to assist on a developing situation that involves a reclusive Amish settlement and the death of a young girl. Unable to penetrate the wall of silence between the Amish and “English” communities, the sheriff asks Kate to travel to New York, pose as an Amish woman, and infiltrate the community.

Kate’s long-time love interest, State Agent John Tomasetti, is dead-set against her taking on such an unorthodox assignment, knowing she’ll have limited communication — and even less in the way of backup. But Kate can’t turn her back, especially when she hears there are children in this cult and they may be in danger. She travels to New York where she’s briefed and assumes her new identity as a lone widow seeking a new life.

Kate infiltrates the community and goes deep under cover. In the coming days, she unearths a world built on secrets, a series of shocking crimes and herself, alone… trapped in a fight for her life.