Category Archives: Upcoming Events

Tornado forever changes Wyoming’s Ideal Park

November 26, 2014Upcoming Events, WeatherIdeal Park, Tornado, Tornado damage Ideal ParkJoanne

The City of Wyoming has owned & operated Ideal Park, 5843 Crippen Avenue SW, since 1938. On July 6, 2014, the park was significantly changed when a tornado destroyed the playgrounds and most of the trees, changing the character of the park so that a new development plan is necessary to guide investment priorities.

The tornado’s destruction, coupled with regular flooding from Buck Creek has also resulted in the need to renovate the parking lot, basketball and tennis courts. All combined, this requires us to evaluate the park’s design, facilities, and functional relationships related to your family’s interests, community programming needs, and general public uses.

Your input is actively sought and greatly desired.

Please join the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and our consultant P.M. Blough, Inc. to share your ideas and opinions on the park and its future redevelopment:

When: TUESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2014 6:30 pm

Where: IDEAL PARK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH ACTIVITY CENTER 320 56TH ST SW Wyoming, MI 49548

Residents, business owners, school representatives – everyone who has an interest in Ideal Park’s use and development is strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. If you are unable to attend, written comments may be submitted to the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at P.O. Box 905, 1155 – 28th St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 or may be emailed to parks_info@wyomingmi.gov.

On behalf of the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission, thank you for helping make our community a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Caring Claus–For Children with Special Needs–Holiday Events

November 14, 2014Our Cities, Upcoming EventsCaring Claus, RiverTown Crossings MallJoanne

Don’t miss these holiday events close to you.

CARING CLAUS – For Children with Special Needs

Sundays, November 23rd & December 7^th

10am – Noon, RiverTown Crossings Mall

This is a special time to visit Santa at RiverTown Crossings mall. It’s an opportunity for children with special needs to visit Santa in a more soothing and sensory-friendly environment.

Taking place before stores open on Sunday, November 23 & Sunday, December 7, families will have the opportunity to visit Jolly Old Saint Nick with dimmed lighting, no overhead mall music, and lower shopper traffic.

Each child will receive a Rudolph coloring book from Santa, and each family will receive a free 5 x 7 photo. Additional photos will be available for purchase.

To reduce the challenges associated with waiting in a long line, we are limiting the number of families for each event. Please reserve your space with RiverTown Crossings mall by calling 616-257-7600 during normal business hours.

Quick and convenient parking is located on the South side of the mall underneath the movie theater or on the North side on the upper level of the parking deck. Santa is located in the Food Court on the Upper Level.

Students can Experience the Grand Rapids Symphony concerts for just $5!

Students are eligible to attend most GR Symphony concerts for just $5 through the Student Passport Program. Student Passport tickets are available for the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series, the Fox Motors Pops Series, Crowe-Horwath Great Eras and MusicNow Series, and select Nestle Gerber SymphonicBoom concerts. For more information, go to GRSymphony.org/studentpassport.

Everything you need to know about riding the Silver Line!

August 26, 2014Our Cities, Upcoming EventsJoanne

The Silver Line & Designated Lanes: 4 Questions Answered

The opening of the Silver Line on August 25 is coming up very soon. As we get closer to the maiden voyage of Michigan’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) line, here’s what you need to know about the designated lanes that will be in place along much of the route.

1. Where will the designated lanes be located?

The Silver Line will run between 60th Street and Division and Rapid Central Station. The route is primarily along Division, but will loop through downtown to serve key employment centers, educational institutions, health care facilities, and entertainment venues. On August 25, about two-thirds of the 9.6-mile route will be reserved for buses only during peak periods of travel, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Bus-only lanes will be signed and marked running both directions of Division from Maplelawn Street, just north of 44th Street to Wealthy. The only exception regarding these designated lanes is about 500 feet north and south of the intersections at 36th, 28th, and Burton streets. There also will be a bus-only lane on Monroe Avenue NW between Michigan and Fulton streets.

2. When will the designated lanes be in use?

The designated lanes will be reserved for buses from 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. weekdays. All other traffic — excluding emergency and public service vehicles — will be prohibited from right lanes during rush hours. During reserved times, individual motorists will only the lane to make a right turn.

3. How will the designated lanes impact traffic?

“Engineering models suggest the bus-only lanes will have a “minimal” effect on traffic flow,” said Conrad Venema, strategic planning manager for The Rapid. “In most cases, we were not downgrading the traffic. It’s also important to note that the bus-only lanes will not exist at many intersections. While the stretches of the route in between these intersections may have delays.

4. Who will enforce the use of these designated lanes?

City police would enforce the use bus-only lanes, issuing civil infraction tickets. Ordinances for lane restriction enforcement are currently being reviewed by Wyoming and Kentwood.

We’re excited to see the Silver Line come to life in our community. If you’re seeking to travel within this corridor, the Silver Line is a low-cost, convenient, and easy option for getting you where you need to go!

Do you have any other questions about the designated bus-only lanes? Please share them in our comment section!

Written by The Rapid

The Rapid (Interurban Transit Partnership) is the authority that provides a variety of public transportation services for the Grand Rapids metro area and beyond. It is organized and operates under Michigan Public Act 196 of 1986. For more information go to: http://blog.ridetherapid.org/silver-line-designated-lanes/

Win Your Own Pace Car in WKTV’s The Great American Muscle Car Giveaway!

July 30, 2014Upcoming Events, WKTV ProjectsJoanne

If you’ve dreamed of cruising in style down 28th Street, imagine cruising in your own perfectly restored 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Indy Pace Car. Sound good?

Enter to win THIS car! (Photo by Tom Costello)

Take the first step in making that dream a reality by purchasing raffle tickets for WKTV’s Great American Muscle Car Giveaway!

Purchase three raffle tickets for $20 for a chance to win a $75 thousand restored Indy 500 pace car as part of the station’s fundraising effort for Metro Cruise production. Tickets can be purchased at WKTV, 5261 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, MI. 49509, or go online via Pay Pal for your opportunity to win.

“This is a great opportunity for funding some of WKTV community media projects,” says Tom Norton, General Manager of WKTV, “And to be able to connect with the extremely popular classical car event called Metro Cruise.

“At the same time we will reach out to children through the fire safety component through our partnership with 1 Fire Safety—a 501 C3 Charity for Kids,” he adds. “We are proud to be the hub of all of that.”

Winners will be announced live during programming at the Corvette Nationals in Chicago on Nov.23, 2014. Swing by the station Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. to buy your raffle tickets and show your support for your community media center – WKTV!

Wyoming Public Safety to Hold Fire Expo This Saturday

May 12, 2014Our Cities, Upcoming EventsWyoming Department of Public Safety Fire DivisionJoanne

by Erin Nemastil

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety Fire Service Division will hold a Fire Expo on Saturday, May 17, to showcase fire fighting tools, activities and opportunities. The public is encourage to attend this free event.

The Expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wyoming Fire Station #3 at 2300 Gezon Parkway SW. The event will feature displays, demonstrations and interactive participation opportunities. Displays will include overviews of firefighters’ tools, hazardous materials education and public safety and EMS response within the City of Wyoming. Vehicle extrication demonstrations will be performed every half hour. Other demonstrations will include CPR and the use of automatic external defibrillators, or AEDs.

Participants will be able to take part in hands-on learning with Wyoming firefighters. These interactive activities will introduce personal firefighting turnout gear, apparatus and education in fire prevention and fire safety.

Children’s activities including fingerprinting service will also be provided for families by the Wyoming Department of Public Safety Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, or RSVP. RSVP volunteers are community members who participate in public safety operations including performing vacation checks on homes in Wyoming and other community outreach activities.

Firefighters don’t just fight fires. They really do so much more to serve the community. – Frank Verburg, Deputy Director of Public Safety Fire Services

The department will also be recruiting firefighters for their paid-on-call staff, in order to advance its goal to reach a contingent of 60 paid-on-call firefighters. The paid-on-call firefighters will support the fire stations on South Division Avenue, Burton Street, Gezon Parkway and the central station on 36th Street. To further attract and encourage response, City administrators have created an incentive system for paid-on-call staff who respond to fire calls.

“This is an opportunity for the public to see all that the firefighters do,” said Deputy Director of Public Safety Fire Services Frank Verburg.

“It is also an opportunity for those who live and work in Wyoming to have a chance to meet the firefighters, and possibly to join the Wyoming Department of Public Safety as a paid-on-call firefighter. Firefighters don’t just fight fires. They really do so much more to serve the community. That includes medical and vehicle accident response, rescues and hazardous materials management, as well as public education and fire prevention. We need people who are looking for a real challenge and want to be a part of something much bigger than one person.”

The recruitment expo is a next step in implementing the City’s innovative public safety model. Other sustainable and efficient changes in public safety service delivery in the City of Wyoming include:

· Establishing a peak-load staffing and deployment model for the Wyoming Fire Service Bureau

· Cross-training City of Wyoming Public Works employees as certified firefighters.

· Further developing in-house crime lab capabilities

· Outfitting all police patrol vehicles with AEDs to quickly respond to the most serious medical emergencies

· An agreement with AMR to stage an ambulance at Gezon Station to provide faster medical response times

· Purchasing a quick response vehicle for medical and fire emergencies during peak load

· Working towards building a staff of 60 paid on-call firefighters

Training opportunities are available for paid on-call firefighters. Applicants must pass a physical ability test and will be subject to a full physical with a drug test, as well as a criminal background and driving record check. Fire fighters are required to be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. Wyoming firefighters will be performing blood pressure checks on-site.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for local businesses. For more information, contact Lt. Chris Velzen at velzenc@wyomingmi.gov.

Cool Brews. Hot Eats.

February 11, 2014Local Business, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Upcoming EventsCool Brews. Hot Eats.Joanne

By Emily Richett

Beer City USA will once again host foodies and beer lovers from all over Michigan and the country to celebrate Cool Brews. Hot Eats. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The second annual event runs from February 17 to March 1 at more than 50 restaurants and breweries in the Grand Rapids area. Cool Brews. Hot Eats. encourages talented local chefs and master brewers to collaborate, creating beer-infused dishes using beer as an ingredient, or meals with complementary beer pairings. The event returns after a successful launch in 2013 with participating businesses reporting a 20-60 percent sales increase during the event.

“While the inaugural event in 2013 was a very successful venture for us and those who participated, we expect an even better outcome in 2014,” says Doug Small, president and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene has thrived over the past year and with that, our ever popular dining scene continues to tempt foodies from throughout the region; together, these two cultures collide to give even the most experienced beer aficionado and most discriminating culinary fans a wonderful experience.”

Cool Brews. Hot Eats. blends craft beer and fantastic food- two things that make Grand Rapids a popular destination. Thousands of visitors are expected to travel to Grand Rapids during the two-week long event and many will celebrate at Beer Week and the sold-out 9th Annual Winter Beer Festival on February 22. Visitors can also plan a self-guided craft beer tour on the Experience GR website’s “Beer Page” to experience why Grand Rapids was named one of the Top 10 Best Vacation Cities for Beer Lovers.

“Grand Rapids continues to evolve as a city that is being recognized as a destination that caters to a wide range of visitor interests,” says Doug Small, president and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “Events such as ArtPrize attract nearly half a million visitors annually. In addition, we have a celebrated earth-to-table restaurant scene, an award-winning craft beer culture, vibrant art and cultural communities and easy access to the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. This gives our destination a vibe that is usually reserved for much larger cities.”

For a list of all the participating restaurants and menus:

http://www.experiencegr.com/events/brews-eats/

Craft beer tour map:

http://www.experiencegr.com/things-to-do/tours/beer/

Event Discusses the Latest Technology and Privacy Rights

January 9, 2014Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming EventsACLU, Privacy rightsJoanne

Upcoming Eyes in the Sky event focuses on your rights

Join the Western Branch of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan for a discussion on privacy rights. From drones to NSA hacking, the ACLU is dedicated to ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. The ACLU’s mission is to expand the right to privacy and increase the control that individuals have over their personal information.

Don’t miss Eyes in the Sky on Monday, January 13 at 7:00p.m. at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts– 2 Fulton West, Grand Rapids, MI. 49503.

Joe Marogil, coordinator of the event, stresses the importance of the public’s right to know. “Specifically, we hope that people will come away more informed on what their privacy rights are, and what is being done to undermine those rights. We want people to learn what options they have available to protect their rights, and we want to provide a forum for them to learn. We want them to know that the ACLU is working on a local and national level to protect the right to privacy, he explained.”

Panelists Include:

Mary Wheeler, a journalist specializing in national security and civil liberties who regularly contributes to The Guardian, Daily Kos, The Huffington Post and Michigan Liberal as well as her own website Empty Wheel.

Ronald G. DeWaard, an attorney with vast experience in civil liberties. DeWaard is a partner at the law firm Varnum, LLP and previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami as well as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Shelli Weisberg, the legislative director of the ACLU of Michigan. Weisberg has worked to persuade policy makers to enact or amend legislation consistent with civil liberties principles and educate the public on the importance of legislative processes in the protection of our rights and liberties.

“We chose the panelists because they are all specialists in different aspects of privacy rights. Marcy Wheeler has extensive experience following the national security aspects of privacy rights. Ron DeWaard worked as a prosecutor and can speak to the local level, and police protection issues. Additionally, he can speak to the question of whether corporations like google and facebook are too invasive in their collection of data, and where the line is draw. Shelli Weisberg is one of our resident experts on all aspects of ACLU policy, and we are hoping she can help formally address the ACLU position on the issues, while also explaining how to best help create change through legislative and other means to help protect our privacy interests,” Marogil concluded.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, check: www.aclumich.org/westernspeakers

The Grand Rapids Ballet presents The Nutcracker–An Event for the Entire Family

December 6, 2013Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Upcoming EventsJoanne

Join The Grand Rapids Ballet for the ever-adored holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece presents a dramatic score performed by the Grand Rapids Symphony and brought to life by astonishing choreography, costumes, and sets. Bring the whole family and be a part of an American tradition!

Friday, Dec 13 – 7:30pm

Saturday, Dec 14 – 2:00pm

Saturday, Dec 14 – 7:30pm

Sunday, Dec 15 – 2:00pm

Friday, Dec 20 – 7:30pm

Saturday, Dec 21 – 2:00pm

Saturday, Dec 21 – 7:30pm

Sunday, Dec 22 – 2:00pm

Tickets: Ticket prices from $20-$54. $12 tickets available for college students with ID at the door the day of the performance. To order tickets, call the Ballet Box Office (616) 454-4771 (open M-F 9am-5pm) or visit Ticketmaster.com.