Category Archives: Upcoming Events

Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan is ‘Thirty & Thriving’ — come celebrate!

September 30, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Local Business, Non-Profits, Upcoming EventsDispute Resolution Center of West Michigan, DRCWM, restorative justice, thirty & thriving, Victoria MullenJoanne

Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan (DRCWM) is commemorating its 30th year with a soirée called Thirty & Thriving — Celebrating the Vision, and the community is invited to attend October 20 at 6:30 pm at The B.O.B.-Eve, 20 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

DRCWM’s celebration will be hosted by local luminary, the Honorable Sara Smolenski, whose brother Hon. Michael Smolenski served as the first board president of DRCWM. Three individuals, responsible for transforming the idea of a center for conflict resolution into reality, will be honored with Local Peacemaker Awards: Rev. Vernon Hoffman, Calvin College Professor Emeritus, Dr. Henry J. Holstege, Jr. and Dr. Robert Riekse.

judgesmolenski-1-209x300 — Judge Sara Smolenski (photo courtesy of feedwm.org/)

The DRCWM is a non-profit community dispute resolution center serving seven counties in West Michigan. The organization provides mediation services on a sliding scale, mediation training, restorative practitioners, and restorative practices training.

Last year, the DRCWM served 1,302 individuals and mediated 429 cases in a wide variety of areas, 74% of which mediated to full or partial agreement. Mediation helps participants to resolve conflicts on their own timeline, in a private setting, on their own terms. The mediators are volunteers trained pursuant to the Michigan State Court Administrator’s guidelines.

Spearheaded by its executive director, Christine Gilman, DRCWM began its restorative justice program at Lee Middle School in the fall of 2013. The services target students, staff and the community. A recent $50,000 from the Steelcase Foundation enabled the organization to expand its restorative justice program to Lee Middle School in Wyoming, Kelloggsville Middle School and Wyoming High School over the next two years.

Some of the students that have participated in the restorative circles process at Wyoming Public Schools will share their experiences at the celebration, and guests will hear firsthand how effective the program really is.

Noel Webley and his Jazz Friends will keep toes tapping as guests enjoy a scrumptious dinner catered by the B.O.B., a cash bar, an opportunity to mingle and network, and have an opportunity to win exciting prizes in a raffle.

Tickets are available for $45 at drcwm.org. Proceeds will support the organization’s restorative justice school programs which have helped students to avoid hundreds of suspension days through restorative circles.

For more information contact: Christine Gilman, Executive Director DRCWM at 616.774.0121 x 101 or 616.581.3582. Or email her at cgilman@drcwm.org.

Fall foliage and spooktacular Halloween fun highlight October at Crystal Mountain

September 30, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming EventsBicycling, bike classic, Color Tour, Fall, foliage, Halloween, TravelJoanne

Crystal Mountain has a number of events and unique activities for you to enjoy the fall color season, plus the beautiful views of the Betsie Valley and nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore make it one of Fodor’s Travel’s 15 Best US Resorts for Fall Getaways (2015). Michigan’s Gold Coast along M-22 (just 20 minutes from the resort) was the first mention in Travel + Leisure’s list of ‘America’s Best Fall Color Drives.’

And there are plenty of ways to take in the scenery on-mountain, like chairlift rides each Saturday from 11am to 1pm and…

Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Festival, Oct. 15

Now in its 11th year, the Founders Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic features a 10.5-mile course through and around the single tracks and slopes of Crystal Mountain with three waves — beginner (1 lap), intermediate (2 laps) and professional/expert (3 laps). Chairlift rides, live entertainment, family fun activities and games, food and Founders beer will be available in the festival area at the base of the slopes throughout the day — admission is free to spectators. Register for the race at endomanpromotions.com.

Crystal Spa Days, Oct. 1– Nov. 6

October is not only a wonderful time to enjoy the crisp autumn air and vibrant colors but special pricing on a menu of 50-minute services at the award-winning Crystal Spa. Nearly a dozen services are available from $69 (Sunday through Friday) and $79 on Saturday.

Spooktacular Saturdays offer a haunted trail and family fun Oct. 15, 22, 29

The last three Saturdays in October you can ride the Loki quad chairlift up the mountain and follow the lanterns back down a Spooky (but family friendly) Trail from 7 pm to 9 pm ($7 per person, kids 6-and-under free). Spooktacular Saturday (2 pm to 6 pm) will lead up to the evening’s haunted hike featuring wagon rides, a petting zoo, caramel apples, pumpkin carving and more.

The Weekend Edition: Things to do for Sept. 29 – Oct. 2

September 29, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming EventsArtPrize, Broadway Grand Rapids, cinderella, circus, clowns, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, South Kent Community Expo, The SimpsonsJoanne

Community Finds

South Kent Community Expo takes place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at the East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. More than 80 vendors are expected to be at featuring an array of services and products available in Kentwood, Wyoming, Gaines Township and Cutlerville. There will be fire and rescue demonstrations along with cultural events hosted by the Kentwood Public Schools. The event is free to the public. For more information, click here.

ArtPrizing

The Round 1 voting for Artprize ends at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, with the top five entries in each of the four categories – two-dimensional, three-dimensional, time-based, and installation – moving on to the Round 2 voting which starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, which is the day the top twenty will be announced. Those interested in learning more about the juror’s selections can do so through the Critical Discourse program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at the ArtPrize HUB, 41 Sheldon Blvd. SE. The ArtPrize Eight Grand Prize Jurors—including Michelle Grabner, artist and professor at School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Paul Ha, director at the MIT List Visual Arts Center; and Eric Shiner, senior vice president at Sotheby’s—also will discus the current and future state of contemporary art exhibitions.

The Burns Edition

Actor’s Theatre gets its season underway with Ann Washubrn’s play “Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play.” After the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors share a campfire and being to piece together the plot of The Simpsons’ episode “Cape Feare.” Explore how pop culture becomes the myths and legends from which new forms of performance are created. The show runs this weekend and next at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. All shows are 8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday. Tickets are $22 – $28. For more information, visit actorstheatregrandrapids.org.

The Greatest Show on Earth

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus returns to the Van Andel Arena with a show that promises to be “extreme.” Performances includes the Human Cannoball, high wire act The Daring Danguir Troupe, Taba and his Exotic Big Cats, The Mighty Ibarra and the Wheel of Steel and amazing trampoline and bicycle feats from The Incredible Concrete Jungle. Oh, and of course there will be plenty of clowns. Shows are 7 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1; 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. Tickets start at $12. For more information, visit, vanandelarena.com.

If the shoe fits

Broadway Grand Rapids currently presents Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” through Sunday at DeVos Performance Hall. The timeless classic features some of the most recognizable Broadway tunes such as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1; 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. For more information, visit broadwaygrandrapids.com.

Ease on down Wyoming’s Pumpkin Path for all kinds of goodies, fun

September 28, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Eventscostumes, Halloween, Kostume Room, Lamar Park, Pumpkin Path, WyomingJoanne

Believe it or not it is almost time for every ghost, goblin, and superhero — big or small — to ready their favorite attire in preparation for one of the City of Wyoming’s most popular events: the Pumpkin Path.

Yes, the annual activity that pretty much kicks of the haunting season in the city is set for Saturday, Oct. 8, at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter SW. The event is from 4 to 6 p.m.

“We have about 70 to 80 businesses attending who hand out a variety of items, candy, trinkets, coupons,” said Wyoming Recreation Programer Valarie Mester. “We encourage them to bring something for the kids as well as the adults because adults like things too.”

Because this event is free and does not require any registration, Mester said the department can only estimate on the number of people in attendance, which in the past has been around 7,000 people with about 2,000 – 3,000 being children.

“Most people do come in costume,” Mester said. “It is not required, but it is an opportunity to wear them earlier in the season.”

And perhaps no one knows costumes better than Gayle Vaartjes of Wyoming’s Kostume Room, 835 36th St. SW.

“Star Wars is going to be big this year,” Vaartjes said, adding that this is because of last Christmas’s release of Star Wars:The Force Awakens. “When there is a movie involved, it usually indicates if the costume is going to be popular.”

Another hit is the recently released Suicide Squad, with Harley Quinn, The Joker, and Deadshot being the most popular, she said.

“I have the Batman from the other moves and the other Jokers from the other movies as well,” Vaartjes said. “We have everything.”

For children, Vaartjes said Star Wars will be big along with the princesses and ninjas as well as the classics such as witches and ghosts.

“There are people who love Halloween,” Vaartjes said. “Just like there are some people who love Christmas and it’s their holiday and it’s a time to be someone else and just be creative.”

With the growth of the Pumpkin Path over the years, it is pretty apparent people do love the Halloween season. The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department has been hosting the Pumpkin Path for about 13 years. “They used to host a Halloween party and that started to have a decline in attendance, so staff began to think about what else they could do,” Mester said. “Something that was out-of-the-box.”

Or at least down the path as patrons travel a paved loop through Lamar Park lined with various businesses stocked with treats to handout. Participating businesses can compete for such awards as most spirited, best costume, and best decorated pumpkin, which are judged by members of the teen council.

“It’s pretty neat,” Mester said. “We have had some pretty cool costumes over the years.”

A few tips Mester offered for those planning to attend:

The entrance to the free event parking is located on Byron Center Ave near where it intersects with Chicago Drive.

You do not need to arrive at 4 p.m. to participate. Actually, Mester said they have the first group that comes around 4 p.m. and they go through with usually a couple of more waves who come through after that. “So arriving around 5 p.m. is fine.”

The Pumpkin Path opens at 4 p.m. and not a second sooner.

For more information on this and other events hosted by the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, visit their website.

‘Bird’ is the word for fall events fun at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

September 28, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming Eventsbirds, kellogg bird sanctuary, october, things to doJoanne

birds-of-prey-at-wk-kellogg — Photo courtesy of W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary website

October is a special month at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, with three events designed to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages who want to learn more about birds.

Get to know the Sanctuary’s ambassador birds of prey at Birds of Prey Live on October 1st from 1-2:30 pm. The Sanctuary is home to a number of birds of prey, including owls, hawks, and bald eagles, who are injured and cannot survive in the wild. Visitors of all ages can participate in a variety of games and activities. Admission for members is $5/adult, $4/senior or student and $3/child, and for non-members it is $7/adult, $6/senior or student and $5/child.

On October 12th, from 9-10:30 am, join experts on an autumn morning bird walk to see the birds of the Sanctuary at the monthly Birds and Coffee Walk. Following the walk, participants can enjoy a cup of bird-friendly coffee during a discussion of the morning’s finds. These Birds & Coffee Walks are held every second Wednesday of the month (Upcoming: October 12th, November 9th and December 14th). Admission is free for members, and is $5/adult, $4/senior or student and $3/child for non-members.

As part of the regional Arts & Eats tour, visit the Bird Sanctuary to see beautiful local art on October 15th and 16th. This is a great opportunity to get to know artists in the area, as well as explore the grounds of the Bird Sanctuary. The Sanctuary will be open on October 15th from 9 am to 5 pm, and on October 16th from 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is free.

All of these events will be held at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, located at 12685 East C Ave, in Augusta, Mich. To learn more, visit birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, call 269.671.2510 or email birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu.

Sensory Friendly Museum Night Oct. 4 at the GRPM

September 28, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Eventsautism, entertainment, Grand Rapids Public Museum, kids activities, sensory friendly museum nightJoanne

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will open its doors free of charge to families affected by autism and other sensory-processing challenges on Tuesday, October 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission on this night to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits at no cost.

Visitors will enjoy a sensory-friendly museum environment, special ArtPrize-themed activities and a free planetarium show. The Museum and the Chaffee Planetarium will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for all.

“We are excited to be able to offer a night at the Museum to those with autism and family members to experience our exhibits in an environment comfortable for them. This allows more community members that wouldn’t usually be able to visit the Museum an experience to create lifetime memories from our sensory-friendly exhibits and artifacts,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM.

The Museum is able to host this Sensory Friendly Museum Night thanks to a sponsorship from Behavioral Health.

The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids; and West Michigan Habitats that showcase the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.

This all-feline band is the cat’s meow! See them purrform Oct. 16 & 17 in GR

September 27, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Eventsacro-cats, Cats, felines, kitties, tuna and the rock catsJoanne

aacircus — The Amazing Acro-Cats are coming to Grand Rapids (photo courtesy of the Acro-Cats website)

By Victoria Mullen

WKTV

Coming to Grand Rapids October 16 and 17 are the Amazing Acro-Cats, a Chicago-based troupe of real rescued house cats. These fabulous felines perform a plethora of feats with their fancy footwork: they jump through hoops, ride on skateboards, ring bells, rolling barrels, walk the high wire, climb on ropes and more. Anyone who has tried herding cats will appreciate the time, love and patience that goes into training these kitty athletes.

But wait! There’s more. The only all-cat band in the entire world — Tuna and the Rock Cats — purrforms as the finale. You don’t want to miss this.

One of the four “cat shows” in the U.S., the Amazing Acro-Cats and their human staff are devoted to promoting cat-training awareness and supporting feline adoption and rescue across the country. Their mission and goal are to show cat lovers how to improve their relationship with their furrever friends through positive reinforcements that yield long-lasting and beneficial behaviors.

See their performance on Animal Planet:

The troupe of former orphans and strays travel from city to city in a custom cat bus and form partnerships that encourage fostering and finding homes for cats and kittens.

Tickets are $22-$32. Get your tickets here.

When: 1 pm & 5 pm Sunday, Oct. 16; 7 pm Monday, Oct. 17

Where: Peter Wege Auditorium, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Photos courtesy of The Acro-Cats website.

Community organizations come together for first South Kent Expo

September 26, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Upcoming EventsBob O'Callaghan, Cutlerville-Gaines Area Chamber of Commerce, South Kent Community Expo, Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of CommerceJoanne

Several community organizations — covering four municipalities — have come together to host the first South Kent Community Expo, which is set for this Saturday, Oct. 1.

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, Kentwood Public Schools, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cutlerville-Gaines Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting the expo which runs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The event is free.

“The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department hosted a health expo and they were running out of space at the location they were at along with the fact that we at the chamber and Cutlerville-Gaines have hosted expos in the past,”said Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, as he talked about how the idea for the South Kent Community Expo came about. “Coming together, we felt that we had more options and a better opportunity to reach a broader range of residents.”

The expo is designed to bring in a representation of businesses and organizations in the Wyoming, Kentwood, Gaines and Cutlerville areas. About 80 different vendors are expected to be at the event representing a variety of groups from health care to financial.

“We do not have a lot of duplicate businesses,” O’Callaghan said. “We have a variety of services along with organizations that provide products. It’s a nice representation and should meet about anyone’s tastes or needs.”

Mixed in will be several local restaurants and food stores that will be providing tastings of some of the items they offer. There also will be outside activities that include demonstrations from fire and rescue.

Kentwood Public Schools will be providing a variety of cultural activities, which O’Callaghan said organizers hope will help draw people to the expo.

Being the first year, O’Callaghan said it is hard to predict how many people will attend. A lot depends on the weather, however; being that the event is free, organizers are expecting somewhere between 2,000 – 3,000 participants.

‘Big Lebowski’ Beer Tour rolls back into Kalamazoo Oct. 1

September 26, 20163-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Travel, Upcoming EventsBeer, brewski, the big lebowskiJoanne

In honor of one of the finest and most oft-quoted films of all time, West Michigan Beer Tours is proud to present the return of the Big Lebowski Beer Tour.

In collaboration with Greenbush Brewing Co., Latitude 42 Brewing Co., Airway Fun Center and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the Big Lebowski Beer Tour is yours to enjoy on Saturday, October 1st.

The tour includes a trio of specialty beers that reference the film from Greenbush brewer Jake Demski — a unique, tie-dye-laden tour of Latitude 42 Brewing Co.; bowling at Airway Fun Center; and a quote-along of the cult film starring Jeff Bridges. The tour will begin with registration at 3 pm at Central City Tap House and officially conclude with a movie party/screening of The Big Lebowski at 7:30pm at the Alamo Drafthouse.

Garb referencing the film is highly encouraged (and may be rewarded). Hotel discounts are also available on request. Greenbush Brewing Co. will provide these small batch beers as part of the event:

“Obviously You’re Not A Golfer” – 5% ABV Arnold Palmer Ale (available at Central City Tap House; ale with lemonade and ice tea in secondary fermentation)
“The Brew Abides” – 9% ABV White Russian Imperial Stout (available at the Airway Fun Center)
“Who’s Woo?” – 7% ABV Rice IPA (available at Alamo Drafthouse)

Ticket prices are: “The Donny” ($55, ride only, pay rest as you go); “The Walter” ($79, samples, tour and logo pint glass at Latitude 42; one game of bowling and movie ticket); “The Dude” ($99, samples, tour and logo pint glass at Latitude 42; unlimited bowling; West Michigan Beer Tours T-shirt and movie ticket).

Itinerary

Origination: Central City Tap House, registration at 3 pm with 4 pm departure.

Stop 1: Latitude 42 Brewing Co., samples, tour, logo pint glass, 4:15- 5:15 pm.

Stop 2: Airway Fun Center, bowling, full pour, 5:30-6:45 pm.

Termination: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Kalamazoo, The Big Lebowski QuoteAlong, 7 pm with 7:30 pm screening (Central City Tap House is about a block away from Alamo). For more information, go here.

For more details on upcoming tours, click on the “Tours” tab on their website, westmichiganbeertours.com. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and TripAdvisor.

Art.Write.Now.Tour. showcases best student work through Oct. 14 at KCAD

September 23, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Upcoming Eventsart.write.now.tour., KCAD, kendall college of art and design, scholastic art & writing awardsJoanne

shirakarni_portrait-1 — “Portrait 1” by Shira Karni, a high school student from Grandville, Mich. is featured in the Art.Write.Now.Tour. Exhibition

Now through October 14, you can see work from some of the most talented young writers and artists in America at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD). The traveling exhibition will feature the work of three students from Michigan: Shira Karni of Grandville; Scott Hanna of Beverly Hills; and Abe Cone of Chelsea.

The Art.Write.Now.Tour. traveling exhibition showcases innovative and inspiring works from national winners in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and it’s on display in the Helen Miller Kendall Gallery (HMK Gallery) on the first floor of KCAD’s 17 Fountain St. NW building.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — recognized as the nation’s preeminent and longest-running scholarship and recognition program for students in grades 7-12 — spotlights outstanding original work in a variety of different creative mediums, including writing, illustration, photography, drawing, sculpture and more. Works were first adjudicated regionally, then again on the national level by leading creative professionals. KCAD has played host to the Awards’ West Central Michigan region for a number of years, with support from Howard Miller.

“This selection of teen work is truly remarkable,” said Virginia McEnerney, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. “The visual art and the written pieces delve into themes ranging from the most intimate of human emotions to the current political climate. It’s a privilege to glance into the minds of some of our country’s most talented teens and an honor to have their work on display nationwide in our traveling Tour and in the DC exhibit.”

Approximately 50 visual art works selected from the Art.Write.Now. 2016 National Exhibition which took place in New York City at Parsons School of Design and the Pratt Institute this past June will be on display, as well as The Best Teen Writing of 2016, an annual anthology of selected Gold Medal writing, which will be displayed in the exhibition on iPads.

After Grand Rapids, the exhibition will visit Houston, TX; Bozeman, MT; and Jackson, MS.

For more information on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit artandwriting.org.

KCAD students and Goodwill to launch ‘Pop-Up Shop’ of handmade goods during ArtPrize Eight

September 20, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming EventsArt, artprize eight, gallery, goodwill, KCAD, reclaimed materialsJoanne

In a perfect world, we would all recycle and reuse what we give or throw away. That’s the message — Rethink, Reshape, Revitalize — that Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) partnership with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (Goodwill) for ArtPrize Eight strives to get across with its Pop-Up Shop Sept. 23-25.

Visitors to the RE- exhibition inside Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) The Fed Galleries @ KCAD during the opening weekend of ArtPrize Eight will have the chance to leave with more than just their impressions of the art.

Organized as part of KCAD’s partnership with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (Goodwill) for ArtPrize Eight, a ‘Pop-Up Shop’ of handmade goods will be open for ArtPrize visitors to shop from September 23-25. The shop will primarily feature one-of-a-kind artwork, clothing, jewelry, furniture and other goods created by KCAD students and staff from The Fed Galleries @ KCAD using reclaimed materials from local Goodwill stores. The goal is to engage visitors in a conversation about the opportunities for more sustainable living in places and everyday things that exist all around us.

Many of the included artists use reclaimed materials to create work that confronts the ways in which humanity produces and consumes, so Goodwill stepped up and provided free access to donated materials from area stores.

programs_5_1-610x290 — Photo courtesy of KCAD

“The Pop-Up Shop extends our exhibition’s exploration of environmental and social responsibility because it gives both ArtPrize visitors and those who created the goods another way to confront the way we produce and consume,” said Curator of Exhibitions Michele Bosak. “By working with Goodwill to showcase the tremendous versatility and value of reclaimed materials, we can help further the conversation around ways to work toward a more sustainable future.”

A number of unaltered items specially curated from Goodwill stores will also be available for purchase, as will t-shirts commemorating the partnership between Goodwill and KCAD. Silkscreened t-shirts, pillows, and washcloths featuring designs by artists Michael Peoples and Heather Joy Puskarich, both featured in the RE· exhibition, will also be for sale.

All proceeds from the sale of goods created by KCAD students will go to the student organizations they represent — the student fashion alliance Bodies of Art, the KCAD Green Council, the KCAD Game Club, the student chapter of the Interior Designers Society of America, and the student chapter of the International Interior Design Association — while Goodwill will retain the profits for all other goods sold.

The Pop-Up Shop’s retail space was designed by a KCAD Collaborative Design class taught by KCAD instructor and Goodwill Director of Friends and Corporate Relations David Abbott. The space will be located outside The Fed Galleries @ KCAD, in the Woodbridge N. Ferris building at 17 Pearl Street NW.

The Pop-Up Shop will only be open on the following days/times:

September 23                       11:00am-8:00pm
September 24                       11:00am-8:00pm
September 25                       12:00pm-6:00pm

For more information on the RE· exhibition, visit kcad.edu/artprize.

Celebrate the Harvest in West Michigan — there’s plenty to see and do

September 19, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Travel, Upcoming EventsFarmers Market, harvest, Travel, West MichiganJoanne

Fall is here and there are plenty of things to see and do. Indeed, September is the beginning of the harvest season in West Michigan, and we’re fortunate to have a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at our fingertips. Visit one of the many farmers’ markets that pop up all over the state featuring fresh and local produce. Or visit a farm or orchard and gather fruits and vegetables yourself. Businesses are hosting harvest-themed events to kick off the season, so it’s the perfect time to stop by for some food and fun. Many fresh fruits and vegetables await you throughout this fall in West Michigan.

South

St. Joseph will host its Fall Festival in Downtown St. Joseph on September 23rd and 24th. There is fun for all ages with events like The Great Pumpkin Festival, Day on the Farm, Farmers Market and more. There is also a Wine Festival Stage where you can sample Michigan wines, try local cuisine and listen to live music while bidding on your favorite piece of public art.

The Greater Lansing Area has plenty of farmers markets. If you’ve ever wondered where to find fresh, local and organic produce this season, look no further — there are 20 different markets across 14 towns. Each farmers market has its own unique vendors, so make sure to visit more than one so you can try all the fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods that we have right here in West Michigan.

The Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance is celebrating the harvest with a variety of events. Enjoy locally grown produce, flowers and homemade treats at one of Marshall’s farmers markets and visit a farm to create the perfect day trip for the whole family. Here’s another idea: Go for a hayride or get a pumpkin as your prepare for Halloween.

Historic Charlton Park in Hastings will host the city’s Fall Harvest Festival from September 23rd to 25th. Demonstrations and events include steamed apples, a tractor pull, corn shelling and more. For a fee, you can even camp at the park to have the ultimate fall harvest experience.

Since September is the beginning of harvest season, Mecosta County has plenty for you to enjoy. You can get fresh fruit and vegetables, and there are events throughout the harvest season where you can stop by and enjoy a little harvest of your own. The farmers’ markets in this area offer wonderful produce displays, which change as the seasons do.

When it’s officially fall, it’s officially time for the Virtue Cider‘s inaugural Apple Fest! This four-day celebratory cider-filled affair is from September 29th to October 2nd at their farm in Fennville. Each day has a variety of activities centered around apples, the harvest season, and the release of Percheron, their cider named for the traditional draft horses of Normandy that pulled carts of apples for cidermakers. Activities include their Thursday Night Market, Barbecue Night, long-distance bicycle ride and more.

Central

You can’t have a great meal without great ingredients. Reserve Wine & Food in Grand Rapids considers themselves fortunate to have an abundance of area farms who grow and raise responsibly, and they do their best to honor and respect that hard work in their kitchen. They have a long list of local suppliers. Check out some of them below.

Blis Gourmet Products, Grand Rapids
Field and Fire, Grand Rapids
Hasselman’s Honey, Fremont
Michigan Mushroom Market, Petoskey
Vertical Paradise, Caledonia

Rockford’s 40th Annual Harvest Festival is September 24th to 26th. There will be a car show, beer tents, crafters and more. There’s plenty for children as well, with an outdoor movie, kid’s tractor pull and other family-centric offerings. All of the festival’s activities are spread out across downtown Rockford as they celebrate the harvest in style.

The Fremont Harvest Festival hosted by the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce is September 22nd to 24th. More information will be available soon for this harvest-filled event so keep an eye out.

Celebrate the harvest in Grand Rapids with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual celebration of autumn, Chrysanthemums and More! from now until October 30th. The event is the largest of its kind, and features an expansive chrysanthemum display, fall foliage and family activities. Vertical columns of colorful chrysanthemums, a vibrant wall of chrysanthemums, chrysanthemum spheres and beds of colorful plants await to delight visitors from all over.

The River Country Chamber of Commerce invites you to their Inaugural Harvest Moon Celebration in Newaygo from October 7th to 9th. This event celebrates the rich farming history of the area. There will be plenty of local food, scarecrow and pumpkin decorating and kids activities. The area has been celebrating the harvest for decades and this year they’re inviting you to celebrate with them.

The Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau has classes and events featuring freshly harvested local produce.

Learn how to preserve foods by canning and freezing at the Preserving the Harvest class on September 20th. Share recipes, techniques and stories while making new memories of your own.
Halloween is right around the corner and the Halloween Harvest Weekend will get you in the mood. Hosted at Pioneer County Park from September 30th to October 2nd, enjoy a weekend filled with games, pumpkin decorating, a costume parade and more. Why not prepare for Halloween early with this spooky event?

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery in Grand Rapids is planning a very special Corn Maze this year. Opening September 8th with a special viewing of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” the maze is designed to look like Snoopy as the Red Baron on his dog house. Over 80 farms across the country will be celebrating Peanuts this year. Make sure to stop by on September 24th from noon to 4pm for a special guest appearance by Snoopy himself.

The harvest season is very important to SE4SONS Gastropub. Located within Muskegon Country Club, SE4SONS focuses on its name: the four season. Changing the menu seasonally is part of the excitement surrounding this restaurant. Their new menu features beets (red, gold and candy stripe) and Roasted Spaghetti Squash. Come hungry.

And be sure to save room for dessert. In an effort to celebrate this noteworthy harvest, Chocolates by Grimaldi, a Grand Haven-based chocolate factory, is offering a special chocolate caramel apple for a limited time. They’ll also have chocolate-covered blueberries, cherries and an assortment of nuts. Chocolates by Grimaldi is committed to using local products whenever possible so what you’re enjoying will come from the Grand Haven, Traverse City and other nearby farms and orchards.

North

Traverse City has several big events to help you celebrate the harvest.

On September 24th, the Acme Fall Festival takes over Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg. There will be a farmers market, bake sale, craft show and more fall fun for the entire family.
Scarecrows, art, local brews and tunes help celebrate the harvest time at Bellaire’s 18th Annual Harvest Festival on September 24th. This event will have local businesses competing to win the “Best Scarecrow” award. These scarecrows will take over the streets of Bellaire so you’re guaranteed to see some of these zany creations. Additionally, there will be the “craft & flea” market with over 40 vendors, the Boy Scouts’ Pancake Breakfast, kids’ bounce houses, educational hands-on booth and local food vendors.
The Harvest at the Commons is October 8th in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. This culinary event is perfect for any foodie looking to get together with friends, neighbors, farmers and community leaders to celebrate everything Northern Michigan has to offer.

Let Chateau Chantal share their excitement of the harvest with their 17th Annual Harvest Day on October 1st. There are plenty of ways to experience this fantastic event, including overnight packages at their Bed & Breakfast, special pricing on full case orders, wine and cooking seminars and more. Chateau Chantal will even be opening its doors so that you can smell their wines, stomp grapes and tour their cellar.

Harvest season has arrived in Charlevoix. Explore one of the many farms or farmers markets, each with their different harvest activities throughout September and October. There are plenty of “U-Pick” farms where you and your family can pick your own bushel of apples or find the perfect pumpkin in preparation of Halloween.

Also in Charlevoix, the 38th Annual Charlevoix Apple Festival is from October 14th to 16th. Celebrate nature’s harvest at this fun festival which highlights seasonal fruits and vegetables, freshly made products and, of course, apples. There’s plenty of kids activities so this is the perfect time to get the whole family together for some autumn fun.

The Petoskey Area celebrates fall with two harvest festivals.

The Fall Harvest Festival in Downtown Boyne City is September 24th. Fall means one more reason to have fun in Boyne City with music, crafts and fall produce available at this celebration. The farm market booths sell a variety of apples and other harvest items including pumpkins, squash, apple butter, jam, honey and cider.
Located in Downtown Petoskey, the Hemingway Harvest Festival is from October 14th to 16th. The festival pays tribute to the many years that Ernest Hemingway spent growing up in Petoskey with fall activities modeled around the late writer’s hobbies. From the artisan and farmers market to Hemingway Movies in the park, this promises to be a weekend that Hemingway would love.

A Unique Harvest

When you think about the harvest season, fruits and vegetables are usually the first things to come to mind, but one harvest that you should think about is honey. Honey is harvested in the late summer months and into the middle of September. Different types of honey are made in different parts of the world, so what is made in Michigan might not be available elsewhere. With this honey, some Michigan businesses have been making mead. Mead, sometimes called Honey Wine, is fermented honey and is the original alcoholic beverage, predating both beer and wine. All that mead contains is honey, but sometimes fruit, herbs or spices are added to make different flavors.

White Lake Area has their own meadery. Meads go by different names based on how they are created. Meads with only honey are called Traditional Mead, Fruit meads are called Melomels and Metheglins are meads with spices or herbs added. The world of mead is available at your fingertips when you visit the White Lake Area.

Almost 32 years ago, St. Ambrose Cellars in Beulah started keeping bees and quickly became full time beekeepers. As beekeepers having access to an almost unlimited supply of honey, mead was a natural course to follow. Over the years, with the help of local winemakers in our region, a knowledge of good wine-making technique was acquired and applied to mead making. In 2010, an accident in mixing of of their creamed honey spreads pushed them into action to create St. Ambrose Cellars. In 2010, they built their tasting room and increased their production. Over the years St. Ambrose Cellars has increased their scope, but their quality mead has stayed consistent the entire time.

‘Rhapsody in Blue’ opens Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016-17 season

September 15, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Eventsentertainment, george gershwin, Grand Rapids Symphony, rhapsody in blueJoanne

Rhapsody in Blue, which launched composer George Gershwin’s career, inaugurates the Grand Rapids Symphony’s 2016/17 season, which welcomes to town Marcelo Lehninger as the new music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony. The Brazilian-born conductor will be on the podium later this season.

Associate conductor John Varineau will lead the opening concerts of the 2016-17 Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series at 8 pm Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16th and 17th, in DeVos Performance Hall (303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). Spectrum Health is the Concert Sponsor.

In its earliest days, jazz was the music of brothels and bars in the “red-light” districts of cities such as New Orleans. But in the Roaring 20s, bandleader Paul Whiteman commissioned songwriter George Gershwin to write a piece merging classical music with elements of the newly emerging sounds of jazz.

The sensational premiere of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in 1924 in New York City brought jazz from the streets and the speakeasies into the symphonic concert hall and elevated the song plugger from Tin Pan Alley into the ranks of serious composers.

That same year, George Antheil, the original “Bad Boy of Music,” caused a minor scandal when his propulsive A Jazz Symphony was premiered at Carnegie Hall. Hear for yourself what caused all the fuss in New York City in 1927.

Americana continues with Aaron Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring Suite, drawn from his music for the ballet that celebrates the simple life of pioneers in the 19th century as they build a house, witness a wedding and treasure the gift to be simple.

Rounding out the program is the Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloe by French composer Maurice Ravel, who later became a great admirer of jazz himself. Unlike Copland’s setting in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania, Ravel’s musical tale is set in a country side in ancient Greece where the shepherd, Daphnis, woos his beloved Chloe with the help of the mythological god, Pan.

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the GRS box office, weekdays 9am to 5pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

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

Full-time students of any age may purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Passport program. This is a MySymphony360-eligible concert.

Get your ‘boo’ on at Niles Scream Park

September 15, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming EventsBoo, entertainment, Halloween, Niles Scream ParkJoanne

The nationally renowned Niles Scream Park is ready to officially start autumn by scaring the “yell” out of you with six different haunted attractions. This year marks the 43rd consecutive year of their annual fright festival. The gates will squeak open on Friday, Sept. 16. Beginning in October, the Park will be open all weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) plus Monday, October 31st.

Celebrity guest, Eileen Dietz, will visit the Park on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1. Ms Dietz played the demon in the thriller classic The Exorcist. She will appear on the midway to sign autographs and be available for pictures. For full details on her visit, please go to the website.

The Niles Scream Park is not just scary, it is considered by many to be one of the top haunted attractions in the country. Certainly one of the largest, the Niles Scream Park offers 44 acres of blood-curdling fear! Unlike other haunted houses, Niles rebuilds each room of all three interior haunted houses each year to provide participants with completely new and unique shows. The professionally designed sets and ingenious scare-tactics led the Niles Scream Park to be recognized by Haunted Attraction Magazine as one of the “Top 31 Must-See Haunted Attractions” nationwide for the last three years running.

For those with the courage to tour all six attractions, here is the line-up for 2016:

Niles Haunted House — This season the main attraction features classic horror films from the 1930s. With over 100 possible routes, there is no telling just how final the final the act will be.
Krampus: A Christmas Curse — From German folklore comes Krampus, the evil horned helper of St. Nicholas. Naughty or nice, you may be on Krampus’ list this year as you tour this new attraction.
Cabin 13 — In 1962, the bodies of a group of friends staying in Cabin 13 were found scattered across the back woods. Every year courageous (or foolhardy) students attempt to stay a night in the same woods. Some never return to tell the tale of the Cabin 13 killer.
The Field of Screams — Considered one of the most popular attractions, even a GPS won’t help you find your way of out this outdoor maze.
The Dark Terror-tory Haunted Hayride — With a new route and new sets, this Fall ride through the woods will have puzzling mysteries, intense action and unimaginable creatures.
Zendor Presents: Murphy’s Law — A stage show where if something can go wrong, it will.

An improved midway will feature old favorites like “Fry Freddy” and the “X-terminator.” Back by popular demand, the “Scream Machine,” where you get to pick the next victim, and the popular buried alive simulator–the “Last Ride.” The midway also features several food concessions that provide enough variety to satisfy everyone’s cravings. The Gore Store will let you shop till you drop for the latest Halloween paraphernalia.

The Niles Scream Park is located on Mayflower Road, south of Niles-Buchanan Road just off Exit 5 of the US 31 Bypass. More information on prices, times and dates of operation can be obtained by visiting the Niles Scream Park website here or calling 269.687.FEAR.

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.”

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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: