Category Archives: Local Business

Blood supply shortage has one local company hoping to serve as an inspiration to others to host drives

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According to the Kent County Health Department the local blood supply is at a critical low. (pxhere.com)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

For a person with sickle cell disease, a blood transfusion remains one of the most effective and proven treatments, according to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So imagine heading to the hospital and possibly not being able to receive that treatment.

This is what many West Michigan hospitals and blood clinics are facing as blood donations have dropped “to critically levels” since the COVID pandemic, according to Kent County Health Department’s Administrative Health Officer Dr. Adam London.

 

“Donations have been down certainly due to the pandemic,” said Versiti Area Vice President and Director of Donor Services Dawn Kaiser, during a recent interview on A Matter of Public Health podcast, hosted by the Kent County Health Department. “We were down about 40 percent in 2020 and into 2021 because of high schools, colleges, and university not hosting — kids are at home learning — and that is where we get our brand new donors and about 40 percent of our blood.”

The same is true for many businesses, with people working from home, making it difficult for organizations to host mobile drives.

One such Versiti blood drive partner that has faced those struggles has been SpartanNash which has hosted blood drives at its offices and distribution center, both located in Byron Center, since 2015. The grocery company received the Beacon of Hope award in 2019 from Versiti for its blood drives which in had collected 560 donations treating about 1,680 patients that year. In the past six years, SpartanNash employees have donated more than 2,000 pints of blood.

According to Versiti Blood Center, it receives about 60 percent of its blood from mobile blood drives hosted by local businesses and other organizations. (pxhere.com)

“We have been a longtime Versiti blood drive partner,” said SpartanNash Community Engagement Specialist Courtney Carlson. “With COVID, we discovered we just couldn’t do that as our distribution center was overloaded with supply chain issues and the risk of safety, we had to cancel our drives, especially during the COVID time.”

SpartanNash was able to host a drive in March of 2020, just as the state was starting to shutdown. But like many manufacturing and distribution centers, visitors were not allowed in to the SpartanNash distribution center and many of their office workers worked from home.

 

As the world resets itself and more employees return to work, events like blood drives can happen, according to London.

 

“Blood donation sites are a very low risk place in terms of COVID,” London said during the A Matter of Public Health podcast. “I am not aware of any outbreaks associated with a blood draw event and the majority of the blood we have in our blood supply comes from the sort of community events at churches and schools and places of work. We really need those places to step up and allow Versiti and other blood banks to come in and do their important work.”

SpartanNash hosted offsite blood drives over the past several months but next week will be having its first onsite blood drive since the pandemic at its distribution center. While the offsite donation drives helped, Carlson said it is much easier for employees to donate at their work place since they can simply take an hour, donate, and then get back to work versus having to drive to another location.

As for safety, Carlson said they have confidence in Versiti which requires face masks, has temperature checks before donating, cleans between donors, and works at making everyone comfortable.

 

“We are hoping that by letting the community know that we are hosting mobile blood drives at our facilities that it will inspire other work places and organizations to do the same,” she said.

London noted that about one in several people visiting a hospital will need blood and that the shortage is critical.

While O-type is always needed, blood from a diverse pool is very important, Kaiser said.

“Everybody has an A, B, or O blood type. Everybody is pretty familiar with that,” she said. “There is also about an alphabet after that most people don’t know. So a little more specific type.”

For African-Americans, 44 percent of them have a blood type called RO in addition to their A, B, O blood type. According to the Centers for Disease control, one our of 365 African-Americans have sickle cell anemia with the major treatment being blood transfusions. A person with sickle cell anemia may have 10 to 15 units of blood in a month and because of that need, would benefit from blood from someone with the same or similar ethnicity, according to Kaiser.

“That is why we are asking communities of color to roll up their sleeves and give back to their communities,” she said.

To host a blood drive or to donate, visit Versiti’s website, Versiti.org. 

As Wyoming’s own Brann’s Steakhouse turns 50, businessman/legislator Tommy Brann looks back, forward with his ‘family’

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Tommy Brann — small business owner and operator, and current State Representative — talks to WKTV about he and his restaurant family came together at the start of the pandemic shutdown. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Tommy Brann — the small business owner and operator, not the current State Representative and State Senate candidate — remembers his first day of work at Brann’s Steakhouse and Grill like it was yesterday.

But it was 50 years ago, and on Monday, July 5, Brann’s Steakhouse will celebrate 50 years of “serving sizzling steaks” to the West Michigan community with a special appreciation reception for its employees and customers from 5-7 p.m.

And, of course, Tommy will be there all day, wearing his customary blue apron, bussing tables, and talking up the staff and customers.

Tommy Brann in an undated historic photo. (Supplied) See more photos from over the years in slideshow below.

“July 5th, 1971,” Brann said about his first day, when he was just 19 years old, during a recent interview with WKTV. “We served 97 dinners and I remember one customer came in that day … a friend of my dad’s … and he bought the whole restaurant a drink. It was a hard working day for us.”

During the interview, he also stressed that he was a restaurant businessman before he was elected to serve the community in Lansing as a State Representative, and that no matter what happens in the next year or so, he will stay being a restaurant businessman.

(Rep. Brann is running for the open State Senate seat from District 28, with the Republican primary set for Aug. 3; and if he is not elected to the Senate, he will be term-limited out as a State Representative in 2022.)

“I really believe small business in the backbone of our country, of our state,” Brann said. “I really believe small businesses are job creators. … That is what I bring to Lansing.”

Brann also talked about how his restaurant survived the pandemic shutdown and business slowdown — due both to the “family” he has at his steakhouse and to his aversion to debt. (See video clip above for a story on the Brann’s “family.”)
 

And the restaurant survived. And so on Monday, July 5, it will be all about celebrating Tommy the restauranteur and the 50 years of Brann’s Steakhouse and Grill, located on Division Avenue in Wyoming.

Family, and work family, reflect on Tommy

“I am incredibly proud of my brother, Tommy Brann, for his dedication and commitment to being a business owner and restaurateur these 50 years,” Johnny Brann, Sr., owner of Grand Rapids-based, Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille, said in supplied material. “Tommy has made his restaurant a community icon and is known for his service and dedication not just to the business, but more importantly to his employees and customers.”

For most of those 50 years, Tommy opened and closed his restaurant, working from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., 6 days a week, doing what is needed — from cooking to dishwashing to to bussing tables, and other less glamorous jobs.

Tommy has also spent 50 years being more than simply a boss to the employees at the steakhouse.

Tommy Brann, with his restaurant family from June 2021. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“I have been an employee of Brann’s steakhouse for over 40 years,” senior executive waitress Jennie Lehnertz said in supplied material. “It truly is a family business. I work here, my daughter works here and now my grandson works here. It is my second home.”

The family atmosphere is echoed by Jermaine Jennings, executive waiter for about 30 years — “Tommy is not just a boss. He works alongside his employees and instills in us a sense of purpose. He’s always willing to help those in need and considers all of us who work for him and his customers his family.”

Five decades of restaurant ownership has brought ups and downs, especially throughout the past year in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. What has kept Tommy going has been his strong work ethic, his tenacity, and his belief that he can make a difference in the lives of others.

“I care about serving my community and helping others in need,” Tommy Brann said in supplied material. “My wife, Sue, and I are committed to making our employees and customers our family. We have used our restaurant as a way to provide food to the homeless and provide jobs for those who need one, including those with developmental disabilities. There’s no greater joy to me than seeing the smile on the face of someone we’ve helped.”

Ford Airport breaks ground on $7.7 million operations center, with expansion already planned

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A rendering of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s planned $7.7 million operations center. (Supplied/Ford Airport)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport broke ground June 30 on a new $7.7 million operations center that will “streamline and improve efficiencies for day-to-day management,” according to an announcement from the airport management. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of June 2022.

The new facility will consolidate teams such as operations and communications, including dispatch, as well as the new emergency operations center (EOC), which is activated during an emergency at the Ford Airport and can also support public safety agencies throughout Kent County.

A rendering of the runway side of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s planned operations center. (Supplied/Ford Airport)

The 11,600 square-foot facility, located on the east side of the airfield, will be accessible air-side and public-side, “making it ideal to provide daily operations support and reachable during an emergency,” according to the announcement. In a second phase, the Ford Airport plans to expand the center to include its fire department at the site.

“This project represents the culmination of years of efforts to realign and streamline our operations and public safety functions,” Dan Koorndyk, board chair of the Gerald R. Ford Airport Authority, said in supplied material. “By bringing our teams under one roof, we’ll be able to ensure we are providing the best possible service to our guests, tenants and the greater West Michigan community.”

The building will be staffed 24/7, and will be built to withstand extreme weather conditions, including winds up to 250 miles-per-hour. “It will have purposeful redundancies in technologies and communication channels to ensure services continue during an emergency,” according to the announcement.

“The teams who will occupy this space are critical for our daily operations,” Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Ford Airport Authority, said in supplied material. “This new operations center will enhance communication, collaboration and efficiencies for our teams. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to provide the high-quality service and exceptional safety track record the Ford Airport is known for.”

DLZ of Michigan is serving as the project architect with Pioneer Construction of Grand Rapids serving as the general contractor.

The Ford Airport is working with U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer’s office to pursue community project funding for a portion of the project. The Michigan State Police, Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the Grand Rapids Police Department have all voiced their support for the project, highlighting that it will be a critical backup base in case of a county-wide emergency, according to the announcement.

Financial Perspective: Seven Financial Tips to Help you Enjoy Life and Reduce Stress

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Do you want to relax in your retirement, then get serious about it now. (Pxhere.com)

By Dave Stanley
Integrity Financial Service, LLC

“Use these tips to reduce stress and change your focus on life.” Dave Stanley

1. Get serious about your retirement: If your employer matches contributions for your 401(k), you need to take advantage and max out your contribution. Your employer’s share is “house money,” which means using their contribution as part of your 401(k) plan as an employee benefit. Many 401(k) plans allow for conversion to a guaranteed retirement income, which can be used as a lifetime benefit. Ask your benefits manager to see if it is included in your plan. You also need to plan at what age you would like to retire. If you have had a loss in investment returns in your 401(k), ask yourself how I can gain that back? Your asset allocation in your 401(k) can be changed as you get closer to retirement age. Most plans allow you to move the money as a rollover to a self-directed IRA, which provides the option of using an annuity with an “Income Rider” attached to provide desired guarantees. If you have an IRA and are not contributing annually, start this year, contributions made before April can be deducted on the previous year’s income.

2. Even if you do not have a will, you do. You have two choices, either you decide what will happen to your estate OR your state of residence will decide for you after you pass away. If you don’t have a will, see an attorney and create one, and if you have a current will, make sure it is up to date.

3. Name an executor for your estate. Use caution in the selection and make sure you have asked the executor for permission to use them. Based on the valuation of your estate and your state of residence, the use of a trust can assist the executor in their responsibilities. Ask your attorney for ideas and help. Never buy a trust from anyone other than an attorney licensed to practice law. Often life insurance is used to provide funds for any taxes or debts that may be due at your death, have an insurance professional review the policies, and make sure the ownership and beneficiary decisions are up to date.

4. Create an emergency fund for situations that come up, such as a hole in your roof or an unplanned car repair. Only 40 percent of Americans could pay an unexpected $1,000 expense, such as a car repair or emergency room visit, from savings. That figure is consistent with the range of 37 to 41% seen in surveys from 2014 through 2018. More than a third would need to borrow the money in some way – either with a credit card, personal loan or from family or friends. Another 14% would reduce spending on other things, while 10% would either figure out “something else” or don’t know what they would do. www.bankrate.com.

5. Take a close look at your investments and review them for changes. Remember, as we get older, we have less time to make up losses in our investments and as you age, your investment horizon normally shrinks.

6. Start paying down debt. Debt can be a drag on your retirement, and once the debt is retired, stress becomes less, and your options for life increase.

7. Budgeting and following a monthly plan can help. There are numerous studies about budgeting; one thing is for sure, people who have a budget and follow it have less stress. Make a budget and stick to it.

Life should be enjoyed. Use thesesimple seven financial tips as the first step to regaining financial freedom and reducing stress.


Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, Telephone 616-719-1979 or  Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463  or click this link:  Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.com  Dave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.

City of Kentwood gains state certification as ‘Redevelopment Ready Community’

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The City of Kentwood has received the Redevelopment Ready Community certification from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). (City of Kentwood)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood has received the Redevelopment Ready Community certification from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for its “commitment to attracting new investors, businesses and residents through targeted and strategic planning and creating a vibrant community in partnership with residents,” according to a city statement.

The designation, recently announced by the MEDC and announced by the city June 29, recognizes the city’s efforts to establish a “solid planning and economic development foundation” to attract private investment and facilitate community-driven economic development projects in the community.

Certification also means Kentwood will receive support from the MEDC’s Redevelopment Services Team, which will partner with the City to evaluate development sites and produce customized marketing that will promote investment in key areas.

These key areas will include those identified in Kentwood’s 2020 master plan in need of redevelopment, such as Division Avenue, Eastern and 52nd Street, Kalamazoo Avenue corridor, and 28th Street and 29th Street commercial corridor.

“We look forward to working with the MEDC to carry out the master plan’s community-driven vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation in Kentwood,” Terry Schweitzer, city community development director, said in supplied material. “As a Redevelopment Ready Community, we can leverage critical tools and resources as we continue to work to attract and support investment and businesses and engage community members along the way.”

Kentwood’s certification qualifies it for state community development incentives that encourage developers to invest in the city, according to supplied material. This includes small business programs such as Match on Main that provides reimbursable grant funds for new or expanding place-based businesses.

The certification also means Kentwood is “thoroughly prepared” when it comes to removing traditional planning and zoning traditional barriers and transitioning into a streamlined process to promote opportunities for prospective investors, according to the statement.

During the RRC assessment process, the City received a baseline evaluation of the existing planning and economic development processes compared to RRC “best practices.” These best practices including community plans and engagement, zoning, development review, boards and commissions, and economic development and marketing.

“We are proud to have aligned our policies and processes with Redevelopment Ready Community best practices and to have completed the program’s rigorous assessment,” City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material.

For more information about the City’s Redevelopment Ready Community certification visit kentwood.us/RedevelopmentReady.

Local small entertainment venues still waiting on federal ‘Save our Stages’ assistance

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The pandemic shut down Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up and other small music venues in Michigan. The slow rollout of federal assistance is not helping them come back and fill the seats. (Seven Steps Up)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Three West Michigan “small stage” music venues — Listening Room and Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids and Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake — are moving ahead with scheduling a few nights of music in the coming weeks.

Listening Room is hosting concerts outside the “Room” on the Listening Lawn with its first inside stage concert currently set for Aug. 6 with Tobin Sprout, while Pyramid Scheme’s first live show will be Charles The Osprey + Cavalcade + Crooked Heart on July 10, and Seven Steps Up has scheduled Leigh Nash (of Sixpence None the Richer) for a July 22.

But as the venues begin to come back to life — and live shows return to their stages — after the pandemic shutdown, both had hoped to already have received promised federal financial support from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich. District 2), shown on the set of “WKTV Journal In Focus”. (WKTV)

That support has not shown up despite their being qualified and early applicants, WKTV has learned from both venues, and that delay has drawn the ire of local U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga. Last week, Rep. Huizenga, who represents both Wyoming and Kentwood, joined more than 200 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to SBA administrator Isabel Guzman “urging immediate action to stabilize and improve the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant” program.

According to a statement from Rep. Huizenga’s office, the rollout of the SVOG program has been plagued by technical challenges and persistent delays. Since launching the program in April, the SBA has approved roughly 400 grants as of June 14 — despite receiving more than 14,000 applications. In the letter signed by Rep. Huizenga the SBA was urged to “expedite the release of relief funding to struggling venues across the country.”

And that expediting of the relief funding will come none-too-soon for Seven Steps Up and the other venues.

“The portal opened officially on April 26 at noon and we submitted our application at 3:01p.m.,” Michelle Hanks, co-owner of Seven Steps Up, said to WKTV. “To date we have not had a response, although about a week ago it changed from Application Submitted to Pending Final Review. (On June 25, that status was upgraded to ‘Approved”) … But we have no timeline for funding.”

Quinn Mathews, general manager of Listening Room, also is still in the dark about its application — so the venue is moving forward while it waits.

Tami VandenBerg of Pyramid Scheme said they applied for the SVOG grant “in April. We have been in ‘under review’ status for several weeks now… .  Hoping to hear of an approval soon.”

Michelle and Gary Hanks, owners and mangers of Seven Steps Up. (WKTV)

“Yes, we applied and we have yet to hear anything,” Mathews said to WKTV. “But we are producing concerts outside in our Studio Park Piazza all summer and we’ll be adding indoors as well here soon. We have a busy lineup for late summer and into the fall.”

The delay is of particular difficulty for Hanks and Seven Steps Up as it struggled to get back to business.

“We know we are eligible, and we are stuck without it. We can’t move forward,” she said. “We can’t, at this point, decide to quit because if we do we will owe tens of thousands of dollars for grants we have accepted under the condition that we certify we plan to reopen. We can’t hire employees. We can’t start up basic services or purchase basic supplies. Or fix our broken sign. Or deal with the hundreds of other decisions we have to make daily with absolutely no clue what to do.

“It’s a nightmare every day and the money is sitting there while venues go out of business. I don’t think it can be called emergency assistance now that it has been almost seven months since the legislation was passed.”

And for Rep. Huizenga, that delay is just unacceptable.

“It’s been six months since Congress created the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program to help some of the hardest hit small businesses in the nation,” Rep. Huizenga said in supplied material. “The Small Business Administration’s inability to properly administer the funding in a timely manner is completely unacceptable. The more time that passes due to bureaucratic inaction, the more small concert venues will close their doors for good.”

The letter which Rep. Huizenga signed points out “These small businesses not only provide good jobs and contribute economically to our local communities, they contribute to the spirit and local culture as well.”

For an up-to-date schedule at Seven Steps Up concerts, visit sevenstepsup.com.

For an up-to-date schedule of Listening Room concerts, both on the lawn and, soon, inside, visit listeningroomgr.com.

Kentwood’s Fourth of July celebration includes a full day of activities on Saturday, July 3

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Kentwood will celebrate July 4 a day early this year, on Saturday, July 3, with a parade, fireworks and much more. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood has a full day of activities planned Saturday, July 3, for its annual Fourth of July Celebration, including a pancake breakfast, a 5K race, a parade, and a carnival and live music — all leading up to fireworks at dusk, according to an announcement from the city.

Complete information about Kentwood’s Independence Day activities can be found at kentwood.us/july4.

“We are excited about the return of Kentwood’s Fourth of July Celebration with a variety of activities community members of all ages can enjoy,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “We welcome our residents to join us as we celebrate our nation’s independence.”

Mayor Kepley and City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson, both of whom are running to be elected mayor this fall, are expected to be part of the festivities, as will all members of the city commission.

The City is also seeking volunteers for its Fourth of July Celebration. Those interested are encouraged to sign up online or call 616-656-5270.

A full day of activities

The July 3 events will begin with a pancake breakfast at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. The breakfast is $5 per person (free for age 5 and younger), served 7-9:30 a.m., and includes pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee.

Kentwood hosts several community 5k runs (this one fro the fall of 2019) and will do another on July 3. (WKTV)

At 7:30 a.m., racers of all ages will gather next door at the Kentwood City Hall parking lot, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, for registration and packet pickup for the NN Mobile Solutions 5K Race & Fun Walk.

The chip-timed race will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the start and finish in front of City Hall. Participants will loop through nearby neighborhoods before coming back on the paved East West Trail to finish. For the safety of all participants, no baby strollers, roller skates, dogs or bicycles will be allowed on the course. All participants will receive a finisher medal and shirt for this race. Shirts are not guaranteed unless registered before June 21.

Following the race will be a parade at 9:30 a.m.

Kentwood will celebrate July 4th a day early this year, on Saturday, July 3, with a parade, fireworks and more. (WKTV)

The parade route will start at Crestwood Middle School, 2674 44th St. SE, travel south on Walma Avenue SE to Breton Avenue SE, then turn west on 52nd Street SE and end at Challenger Elementary School, 2475 52nd St. SE.

New this year, Kentwood will honor essential workers by having them lead the parade. Spectators are encouraged to physically distance from other households along the route.

From 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., there will be a carnival at City Hall featuring a variety of rides that “will be cleaned between riders” and carnival games for all ages, according to the city statement. Individual tickets will cost $1 each. Wristbands will be available for $20. Tickets and wristbands will only be available at the event. The number of tickets required for each attraction will vary.

City Hall will also be the hub for the evening celebration, scheduled for 4-10 p.m., where there will be community booths, a beer tent and food trucks lining the lawn behind city hall. A variety of bands, including BareNaked 90’s, Asamu Johnson and the Associates of the Blues, and The Adams Family, will take the stage to perform live music leading up to the fireworks show at dusk. The fireworks will be viewable from city hall and surrounding areas.

Some notes about traffic flow

A section of Walma Avenue near City Hall from Fire Station #1, 4775 Walma Ave. SE, to the roundabout will be closed all day to allow pedestrians to safely cross the street and take part in the activities.

Guests who are parked at Kentwood’s Kent District Library can take the roundabout out to Breton Avenue heading north or turn left out of the library’s parking lot onto Breton heading south. The Kentwood Police Department and volunteers will be on-site to help direct traffic.

Soul Syndicate’s sweet ’n’ hot sounds opens City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series this week

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The Soul Syndicate will kick off the Kentwood Summer Concert Series this week. Can you say “Party time!” (Supplied by the band)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Classic soul, R&B and a little ‘funk” for your summer evening will be provided by The Soul Syndicate this week as the City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series’ free concerts return for a summer run beginning Thursday, June 24, at 7 p.m.

The summer series, which will run most Thursday nights through Aug. 5, will also include West Michigan favorites The Accidentals, Bootstrap Boys, Benzing Graves Collective, Dalmatian Stone and David Gerald.

Concerts will be livestreamed by WKTV for those who would prefer to enjoy the performances from home. (Click on the Live Streams link in the upper right of the page.)

All concerts will begin at 7 p.m., and conclude around 8:30 p.m., on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair. Each concert will feature food trucks, which will have food and beverages available for purchase. Guests may also bring their own food and beer or wine.

All are also invited to visit the Kentwood Farmers Market, which overlaps with the concert schedule as the market will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

New this year, Kentwood will offer essential workers and their guests special VIP seating near the stage. Essential workers who are interested can RSVP online prior to each concert.

More information is available at kentwood.us/SummerConcertSeries.

Snapshots: WKTV has two ideas for a fulfilling weekend in Kentwood, Wyoming

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Restaurants, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“I had crossed the line. I was free; but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land.”

— Harriet Tubman (Freed Slave)

A view of a previous City of Kentwood Food Truck Festival. (WKTYV/2018)

Food Truck Rally in Kentwood

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks aren’t waiting until the end of summer to offer the annual Food Truck Festival this year – they’re kicking off the season later this month with the first to two planned food truck events. The “kick-off” of the Summer Food Truck Festival will take place Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Go here for the story.

Juneteenth celebration in Wyoming

In an effort to educate and build a bridge of understanding, the City of Wyoming is hosting its first-ever Juneteenth event Saturday, June 19, from noon to 4p, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Byron Center Ave. SW. The free event will feature an array of programs on such topics as history, hair and the CROWN Act legislation, COVID 19 and the black health disparities, the Black Freedom Struggle and discussion on the Emancipation proclamation and the 13th Amendment. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

800, plus or minus

Kent County has a fair amount of food trucks, but arguably the home of the first food truck culture, Los Angeles, Calif., had a food truck population of more than 800 trucks before the pandemic. Source.

Financial Perspectives: Should you have debt when you retire?

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By Dave Stanley
Integrity Financial Service, LLC

“Obligating yourself with debt is borrowing against your future income, be careful, that obligation can cause big problems when you retire.”  Dave Stanley

Unless your parents made some weird deal with the hospital, you were probably born kicking and crying but debt-free. In a perfect universe, you would have remained that way, spending most of your life as solvent as possible. Then you would skip blissfully into retirement without being shackled to a boatload of debt. You’d have a million in your 401k, maxed out life insurance policies, and guaranteed income from annuities.

The reality, however, is a lot different for most pre-retirees and retirees. Life has its’ own plans, and sometimes it goes off the rails a bit. Even the best-planned people can end up underwater, sideways, and paying lots of unexpected bills. According to financial researchers, more than 41 % of Boomer retirees have credit card debt, and another 35% have car loans with balances over $14,000. Many older retirees also carry debt into retirement, although the number is substantially less.

 

How can debt impact retirement?

You may be thinking, “So, why is having debt so terrible? I have cash flow from my retirement accounts that I can use to pay it. Is it that much of a problem?

The answer to those questions, unfortunately, is “Yes.” Many retirees discover that having a lot of debt when you no longer work means having a more stressful, hand-to-mouth existence that could last 30 or more years after leaving the workplace.

Even worse, debt might be the tipping point that causes some retirees to run out of money long before they die. Having a lot of debt significantly constricts cash flow, making it difficult, if not impossible, to maintain emergency funds, pay for vacations and leisure activities, and pay for out-of-pocket health care costs and preventative medicine.

While many who are planning their retirements believe that having some money in the market will offset some of the problems created by debt, they forget that even historic market gains cannot offset high credit card rates. Often, we forget about the toll that anxiety over finances takes on our health and emotional well-being. Having debt hanging over one’s head can also cause various mental and physical ailments that could reduce life expectancy or require nursing home care. 


How much debt is acceptable?

Those close to retirement are probably wondering how much debt they can bring with them and not feel too impacted. There are rules of thumb in the financial services industry that say you should have no more than 28% of your pre-tax household income servicing principle, insurance, interest, and taxes on a mortgage and no more than 36% of that income to consumer debt payments.

 

That’s while you are still drawing a paycheck.

In my opinion, when you retire, the numbers should be much, much more conservative. If you find yourself rapidly nearing retirement and saddled with debt, you may want to consider other options. To pay off debt and still keep saving for retirement, you might try working a few years past your ideal retirement age, getting a second job or part-time “gig,” selling off things you don’t want or need, or perhaps negotiating lower interest rates on loans.

In most cases, you want to pay the high-interest debts first and not worry as much about the mortgage, especially if you have a reasonable fixed rate and continue to get the mortgage interest tax deduction. If you don’t have an ideal rate, consider refinancing to shorter terms or lower interest rates.


The final word:

Because individual financial situations differ, the amounts of debt that can potentially impact retirements will be different for everyone. In general, though, it’s a good idea to pay off as many debts as possible before you decide to retire. If you are already retired or are about to, consult a competent retirement specialist to find debt reduction strategies that are best for you.


Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or  Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463  or click this link:  Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.com  Dave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management

As national touring concert scene awakens, Meijer Gardens announces complete concert series

Beer, Entertainment, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
How you know its summer … and fall this year … a concert at Meijer Gardens. (Supplied/William Hebert)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

It has been almost two years since Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s summer concert series promoter Chris Mautz last arranged an act on tour to stop in Grand Rapids — if you guessed Calexico and Iron Wine, in September 2019, you were probably there.

But with the national touring band concert season awakening as the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs a little more with every vaccination shot, and concert venue attendance limits are expanded or removed, Meijer Gardens this morning announced the complete lineup for 2021’s late-arriving season.

And despite its late start and abbreviated lineup, the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens’ 28-show lineup, arranged as always by Mautz and his company, delivers a little something for everyone, from the opening night of Preservation Hall Jazz Band with the Grand Rapids Symphony on July 18, to the closing night of Lettuce and Galactic featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph on Sept. 19.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band will play with the Grand Rapids Symphony on July 18 (Supplied/Patrick Melon)

In between are 26 other shows including returning favorites The Beach Boys on Aug. 20,  Pink Martini (featuring China Forbes) with the Grand Rapids Symphony on July 29, and O.A.R. on Sept. 9.

The highlights of the season — from this deprived concertgoer — may well be a great two-night blast from the ‘90s past will be The Verve Pipe on July 24 and Collective Soul on July 25, the pairing of the great Emmylou Harris and Los Lobos on Aug. 8, and the return of the “bring-the-house-down” sounds of St. Paul & The Broken Bones on Aug. 27.

Nobody, though, is more glad to see the business of live concerts returning than Mautz — after all, it is his business.

“This 14-, 15-month pause is certainly not something any of us expected to happen, right? But it sure does feel good to be coming back,” Mautz said to WKTV. “There has been a desire from both sides (music venues and touring acts) to be engaged again.”

And things have been moving, cautiously, in the right direction for opening up the national touring scene for a few months.

“For so many of us, it has been the last three-ish months that we have been on a good positive trend — for the most part — case rates going down, vaccine rates going up, hospitalization rates going gown. … That consistency of heading in the right direction has given a little opportunity, for me personally, to get that engine cranking a little bit.”

Capacity restrictions no longer in place

According to the Meijer Gardens announcement, “Consistent with current COVID-19 guidance, as of July 1 there will be no capacity restrictions and 1,900 general admission tickets will be available for each concert.”

Emily Lou Harris. (Supplied/Kat Villacorta)

And that means there is likely to be full houses for many, if not all, of the aforementioned concerts and well as the rest of the lineup.

Among the other Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens are:



The Grand Rapids Symphony conducted by Bob Bernhardt, Principal Pops Conductor on July 22; Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), Aug. 5; Kansas, Aug. 6; Harry Connick, Jr. and His Band – Time to Play!, Aug. 9; America, Aug. 11; Umphrey’s McGee, Aug. 12; Mat Kearney, Aug. 13; Shakey Graves, Aug. 16; Blues Traveler + JJ Grey & Mofro, Aug. 18; 38 Special, Aug. 19; Squeeze, Aug. 22; Ani DiFranco, Aug. 23; Colin Hay of Men at Work, Aug. 26; Old Crow Medicine Show, Aug. 29; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Sept. 1; Indigo Girls, Sept. 2; Black Violin + Blind Boys of Alabama, Sept. 12; Toad the Wet Sprocket, Sept. 15; and Pat Benetar & Neil Giraldo, Sept. 16.

Some bands back on the road, but not all

While the Meijer Gardens lineup is well represented with different musical genres and acts, and other local venues are beginning to schedule as well, there will be a time lag for the touring bus to get back to full throttle, Mautz believes.

The Verve Pipe (Supplied)

“A lot of people think there will be a flood of activity from the touring world, and the  public will want to get back out there,” he said. “But I think, like many things with this pandemic, it will be different shades of grey. … 

“Certainly a lot of bands are itching to get out there, but some are working and have been working throughout the pandemic, while others have been a little more patient and will stay that way. I would not be surprised to see that have a reflection on the business in general.”

Details of getting the tickets

Tickets for the concerts, via Meijer Gardens’s new new ticketing partner, Etix, will be available online at Etix.com (preferred method) with handling fee of $10 per order, or by phone at 1-800-514-etix (3849), also with a handling fee of $10 per order. There will be no on-site ticket sales at Meijer Gardens.

Gate and show start times vary. Check MeijerGardens.org/concerts for details. All information is subject to change. All shows will take place rain or shine, weather delays are possible. There are no ticket returns or refunds.

Kansas (Supplied/Emily Butler Photography)

Meijer Gardens has created an Insider’s Guide to Buying Tickets to help with ticket purchasing. The Insider’s Guide is available at MeijerGardens.org/concerts.


Members can buy tickets during the members-only presale beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 26, through midnight, July 9. Members save $5 per ticket during the presale. After July 10, members save $2 per ticket. There is a limit of 8 tickets per show, per transaction. To join or renew a membership before June 26, visit MeijerGardens.org/membership or call the membership department at 616-977-7689.


Sales to the public begin at 9 a.m., July 10. There is a limit of 8 tickets per show, per transaction. Again, there will be no on-site ticket sales at Meijer Gardens. Ticket can be purchased online at eTix.com with a handling fee of $5 per order (not per ticket) and convenience fee of $5.25 per ticket applies to all sales, or by phone at 1-800-514-etix (3849), also with a handling fee of $5 per order and convenience fee of $5.25 per ticket applies to all sales.

Woodland Mall’s Fathers Day promotion supports Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry

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One of Woodland Mall’s entrances. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Woodland Mall is celebrating fathers by giving back to the community through a virtual contest with a portion of proceeds going to support local families though the City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.

Currently running and through June 16, Woodland Mall is participating in partner company PREIT’s online giveaway, “Best Dad Ever,” where shoppers can nominate their dad on the mall’s website to win one of three giveaway packages best suited for their personality,” according to a supplied material.

Father’s Day is for the fathers, and the kids who love them. (Supplied)

To enter, nominators share “Why their dad is the best out there.” Three great fathers — “Gadget Dad”, “Grilling Expert”, and “Man of Style” — will be selected with the fathers winning $50 gift cards from Apple and On the Boarder, Macy’s and Red Robin, and J.Crew and Black Rock Bar & Grill, respectively.
  

Woodland Mall will then donate $1 dollar for every giveaway entry to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, up to $1,000.

According to Feeding America, food banks are serving 55 percent more people than before the pandemic, making the Little Free Pantry, which has helped feed thousands in the community since its opening in 2017, even more essential.

“We’re delighted to partner with Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry for this giveaway in honor of all the incredible fathers out there,” Mikia Ross, senior marketing director for PREIT, said in supplied material. “The hallmark of a great dad is his dedication to taking care of his family. We want to give an opportunity for loved ones to give some extra love back to fathers and father figures, while also helping take care of the community.”

Woodland Mall asks all guests to follow federal recommendations by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall and practicing physical distancing. Unvaccinated guests are required to wear a facial covering while visiting the mall.

In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers remain limited. Current mall hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information visit shopwoodlandmall.com.

It’s back to summer fun in Kentwood as the Food Truck Festival returns to library parking lot

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A view of a previous City of Kentwood Food Truck Festival. (WKTYV/2018)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks aren’t waiting until the end of summer to offer the annual Food Truck Festival this year – they’re kicking off the season later this month with the first to two planned food truck events.

The “kick-off” of the Summer Food Truck Festival will take place Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. To wrap up the summer season, another food truck festival is slated for Saturday, Sept. 11.

A variety of for trucks will be at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

“We’re pleased to expand the Food Truck Festival to two dates and double the opportunity for community members to come together for fun, fellowship and fantastic local food and music,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “We’re delighted to again partner with GR8 Food Trucks, vendors and musicians to provide this wonderful all-ages event for our community.”

The free-to-attend community event will feature 16 food trucks, live music and a beer tent, according to supplied material. The food trucks will offer everything from Filipino cuisine to Indian food, as well as barbeque options, hot dogs, fries and a variety of dessert options. While entry to the festival is free, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor.

The event also will have community booths including the Kent County Black Caucus, which will honor the day and educate the public about Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the country. Workforce Employment Specialists, United Healthcare and others will be on-site as well.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with The Boogie Woogie Kid, followed by DJ Snax, Hazy Past and Asamu Johnson and The Associates of the Blues. A beer tent featuring local craft beer favorites will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Among the food trucks expected to participate are Beecher’s Pretzels, Curry in a Hurry, Daddy’s Dough Cookies, Detroit’s Original Coney Island, Kona Ice of Lowell, Kool Breze, Little Mamma’s Ultimate Dessert & Snack Truck, Nick’s Gyros, Patty Matters, Pig Out on the Fly, Pressed in Time, SANSE Filipino Cuisine, Specialty Cheesecake and Dessert Company, Street Frites, Touch O’ Dutch and UCC Dessert.

“Food trucks offer a great way to sample a variety of cuisine in a relaxed and outdoor setting,” Alan Stone, president of GR8 Food Trucks, said in supplied material. “Kentwood’s Food Truck Festival provides an opportunity for residents to have fun while supporting local businesses, which is especially important during the pandemic.”

More information about the Kick-off to Summer Food Truck Festival is available at kentwood.us/SummerFoodTruckFestival.

Volunteers are also needed for the event. Those interested can sign up online.

On Tap: Bell’s mural goes up, Gov. gets down with distilled, GR’s ‘Wine, Beer and Food’ fest returns

3-bottom, Beer, Food, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Restaurants, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, , ,
Bell’s Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo is now sporting a fitting mural by Dream Scene Placemaking, and mural artists Anna Lee Roeder and Erik Vasilauskas. (Dream Scene Placemaking)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The next time you are in Kalamazoo, looking for Bell’s Eccentric Café, and your Siri directions have your running in circles, just stop and look for the wall of hops — the big wall of big hops.

A new outdoor mural at Bell’s Eccentric Café, created and installed by Dream Scene Placemaking, is now one of the largest murals in downtown Kalamazoo and the imagery reflects the brewing process — including a wall of hops — as well as Bell’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The murals are part of the the Café’s celebration of its 28 anniversary, officially set for on June 11. (Fun fact: Did you know that Bell’s was the first Michigan brewery to sell beer by the glass, on site, since Prohibition?)

Anyway, back to the murals …

Even before the Eccentric Café opened in 1993, Bell’s Brewing has “been committed to its community and re-vitalizing its areas in downtown Kalamazoo,” according to supplied material, and the murals are another example of “that commitment to breathe new life into the community.”
 

The Kalamazoo-based Dream Scene Placemaking, and mural artists Anna Lee Roeder and Erik Vasilauskas, began working on the mural on April 19.

Another wall of the Bell’s Eccentric Café mural by Dream Scene Placemaking. (Dream Scene Placemaking)

This mural project had been in the planning stages for a few years. Work was scheduled to begin just before the COVID-19 Pandemic hit in March 2020. It was completed on May 14.

The mural incorporates images and messaging that represent what Bell’s is passionate about, according to supplied material, including the highest quality ingredients (hops), innovation along with high quality and consistent craft beer no matter how much the brewery grows over time (silhouette of our original brewery).

It also features the Brewers Associations’ Independent Seal, which can only be used by breweries who fit the trade group’s definition of small, independent craft brewers. Bell’s is proud to remain 100 percent family-owned and “fiercely independent.”

The company’s commitment to being “Open to All” is also well-represented.

“‘Open to All’ greets everyone who visits any of our buildings, whether that’s our pub, store, or our Comstock Brewery,” Carrie Yunker, Bell’s executive vice president, said in supplied material. “We are firmly committed to an environment that is rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion for our employees and our guests. This mural makes that statement loud and clear.”

For more information visit bellsbeer.com.

Gov. Whitmer signs bills benefitting Michigan Craft Distillers

Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer saddled up to the bar at Grand Rapids’ Long Road Distillers and … wait for it … signed a series of senate bills which “will make it easier for distillers and retailers to distribute and sell mixed spirit drinks, offering consumers more choices and growing our economy,” according to a statement from her office.

Canned cocktails represent a growing part of the spirits industry, and Senate Bills 141-144 will allow for an expanded array of canned cocktails to be sold in Michigan. Previously, canned cocktails were capped at 10 percent alcohol-by-volume. These bills will allow for private wholesalers — often distilleries based in Michigan, such as Long Trail — to distribute canned cocktails up to 13.5 percent alcohol-by-volume.

Jon O’Connor, owner of Long Road Distillers, (middle), and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids, and others at the singing of several state bills supporting the craft distilling industry. (State of Michigan)

“We thank the governor and the bi-partisan efforts in both the House and Senate for recognizing the importance of the craft distilling industry in Michigan as well as the need to make these changes which create new opportunities to get products to market,” Jon O’Connor, co-founder of Long Road Distillers and president of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association (MCDA), said in supplied material. “We believe this is the beginning of continued and expanded support for future efforts related to enhancing opportunities for Michigan small distillers.”

One of the bills was sponsored by state Sen. Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids.

“This is commonsense legislation to allow our small businesses to distribute new products to people all over Michigan,” Sen. Brinks said in supplied material. “Grand Rapids may be known as ‘Beer City,’ but we have many innovative craft distillers who contribute to our economy and culture in West Michigan. Now that many national sellers are pushing seltzers and canned cocktail drinks, it’s only practical that we give our local businesses a fair chance to get their products in front of consumers easily and quickly.”

After a year off, GR International Wine, Beer & Food Festival set for November

The 14th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival has announced its 2021 dates as Nov. 18-20 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. And this year it will “kick off the holiday season with an unprecedented and diverse display of food, beverage and culinary entertainment presented by the area’s finest chefs, restaurants and purveyors of libations from around the globe,” according to supplied material.

Since its inception in 2008, the festival — named in 2019 as one of a dozen “Fall Wine Festivals In North America You Don’t Want to Miss” — has grown to be the largest and of its kind in the Midwest.

“Following the brunt of the pandemic, people will be looking to finally spread their wings and gather with their friends,” Henri Boucher, show producer, said in supplied material. “We are excited to once again welcome our exhibitors, presenters and the public to join us as we celebrate the return of events in a safe and welcoming venue.”

For more information visit here.

Rockford Brewing Co. plans to add pizza pub near its brew pub

When Rockford Brewing Co. first opened its doors patrons could order a beer from the bar and order a pizza from nearby Vitale’s Pizza. Both would magically show up at your table.

Who would have thought beer and pizza would go together? Like everybody!

Malphs Pizza Pub rendering (Rockford Brewing Co.)

Anyway, it was announced last month that Malph’s Pizza Pub, created by the owners of Rockford Brewing Co., will take the place of Vitale’s Pizza of Rockford by spring of 2023 and will contain a new pizzeria, distillery and brewery inside a historic building “following an extensive restoration.”

According to multiple media reports, the remodeled 5,764-square-foot space will offer “substantial seating, including two separate bars and gorgeous views of the historic Rogue River Dam and downtown Rockford. Building plans also feature expansive outdoor seating complete with a large beer garden patio and an elevated deck.”

Malph’s Pizza Pub, we are told, takes its name from Rockford Brewing’s Malph’s Premium Beer, a throwback to the lager styles popular in the post-war era.

New CEO of The Rapid talks mobility spectrum, community development on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

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Deborah Prato, new CEO of The Rapid, on the set of WKTV Journal In Focus. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Deborah Prato is the new CEO of The Rapid, the public transit system for the Grand Rapids metro area — a large area and an equally large transit system. But Prato, who took the position early this year, has leadership experience in what can only be described as huge transit systems, including New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Prato recently visited the set of WKTV Journal In Focus to talk about what drew her to West Michigan, some of the similarities of services and differences of scale she now faces at The Rapid, and what the pubic needs to know about the present and future of the local transit system — including how articulated busses and motorized scooters can and should co-exist on the streets of Kent County.

“We are consistently reviewing, conducting analysis — what do we need, where do we need it, how do we serve the most?” Prato said. “I think it is not just mass transit, there is interest in a transportation network, and that includes personal mobility.”

Among the topics discussed in detail were how two of the special lines provided by The Rapid — the SilverLine and the Laker Line — are really cooperative ventures with The Rapid working with regional entities to satisfy specific transit needs while also working for the general public.

In addition, she discussed personal mobility and how — as pointed out on The Rapid’s website — “Beyond its fixed routes, The Rapid also operates demand response services for people with disabilities, and for those living outside the fixed-route service area.”

Deborah Prato, CEO of The Rapid, with host Ken Norris, in the WKTV studios. (WKTV)

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Responding to community interest, Kentwood’s Thursday Farmers Market returned for summer of food, fun (and music!)

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
Kentwood Farmers Market manager Kristina Colby on opening day 2021. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood community last week welcomed the return of the Kentwood Farmers Market, which began its seventh season of bringing food and fun to town, this year on Thursdays, June 3 through Aug. 26, with 20 local vendors and a variety of special activities.

Young and old found something they liked at the opening of the Kentwood Farmers Market last week. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

And market manager Kristina Colby, also a Kentwood recreation program coordinator, could not have been more happy.

“We at the City of Kentwood are so excited to get back around the community with our masks off and see smiling faces,” Colby said to WKTV. “It is great just to get together again and have a good time together.”

The market will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

The market will provide the community weekly opportunities to buy a variety of goods ranging from fresh produce, baked goods, syrup and cheese, to fresh-cut flowers, coffee and handmade items.

In addition to the range of “farmers market” items for purchase, the market will also offer free classes and special events before or after shopping — on June 10 there will be a meet and greet with animals from John Ball Zoo at 5 p.m.

The Soul Syndicate will kick off the Kentwood concerts on June 24. (Soul Syndicate)

In addition, the just announced City of Kentwood’s Summer Concert Series will occur on several of the market’s Thursday evening nights.

“Six of the markets will actually occur on the same night as the Kentwood Summer Concert Series,” Colby said. “So you come here, get some food, get some snacks, and then stay for a free concert.”

For up-to-date information on special market events and seasonal items, visit  Kentwood Farmers Market on Facebook.

There are also spots available for vendors. Those who are interested can reserve a spot for $10 per day or $50 for the full season. More information about the Kentwood Farmers Market, including vendor applications, is available at KentwoodFarmersMarket.com.

Business Spotlight: Williamson Employment Services, Inc.

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Having been open for almost 30 years, Williamson Employment Services, Inc., has been helping to fill staffing needs for area residents. A member of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization continues to build on its reputation for building endearing relationships with its client companies and its employees in order to find the perfect match.

Name of business: Williamson Employment Services, Inc., 3940 Broadmoor Ave. SE.

What is your business? Full service staffing, recruiting, and human resources.

How long has your business been operating? 29 Years

How did your business get started? Peg Williamson started Williamson in 1992 when she saw a need for a business that assisted people in finding the right job. Since opening the corporate office in St Joseph, Michigan, she opened our office in Kentwood in 1998, and another office in Niles, Michigan, which is now located in Mishawaka, Indiana. Her daughter and son-in-law, Judee and Jeff Hopwood, have owned and operated the company since 2012.

Why did you decide to locate your business in the Wyoming/Kentwood area? The previous owner, Peg, opened an office in Kentwood because she felt it had a good market for employment agencies.

What has been the greatest challenge for your business? In the most recent year, it has been finding candidates for our open positions. The pandemic has definitely played a huge part in that challenge.

What is the most popular product/item at your business/restaurant? Since we don’t offer an actual product, but instead a service, I would say entry level positions are the most sought out position that we assist with.

What is a Wyoming/Kentwood business you like to visit during your free time? Our staff frequently visit local businesses! A few worth mentioning would be The Candied Yam, Shanghai Ichiban, Woodland Mall, and Craig’s Cruisers. I’m sure there are many more worth listing as both cities are full of great businesses!

Hopes for 2021: Our hope for 2021 would be a shift in the candidate market. I know we are not the only business that is experiencing a serious need to fill vacancies, so our hope is that more candidates become available for work and seek employment assistance with our office.

Wyoming Kentwood Chamber gets back to in-person meetings

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Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce members meet in person for the first time at the May Third Friday Networking Luncheon. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

On May 21, the members of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce did something they have not done in more than a year — they met in person.

“It’s exciting to see people sitting next to folks and talking,” said Keith Morgan, owner of All Clean Again and the host of the chamber’s 3rd Friday Networking Luncheon, which took place on May 21 at Kentwood’s Amped Reality.

Morgan said business leaders meeting face-to-face helps demonstrate what the community should do and hopefully help encourage people to move forward.

A chamber member checked out Kentwood’s Amped Reality’s virtual offerings. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

The Chamber’s Friday Networking Luncheons are designed to give local businesses leaders the opportunity to connect with each other and build relationships. For more than a year, the luncheons have been taking place via Zoom.

“It is really great to be able to talk to someone face-to-face,” said Ashlynne Gibert, the office manager to her husband’s (Allen Gilbert) company Blue Frost It, a veteran-owned IT consulting and managed service provider.

Diane Druckenmiller, with Arrowaste, agreed.

“This is one of my first opportunities to be face-to-face with other business people,” Druckenmiller said.

For many of the business people attending the May 21 networking luncheon, they have all been out in the public, meeting with customers, so they have had some contact with people. But as Morgan said, it was nice to be able to meet and talk about the issues they are facing now.

At the five-member table I sat with, the discussion ranged from what people have been doing to the current employment crisis. There was also some discussion about the Whitecaps as Lake Michigan Credit Union Audrey Zapata was at the table handing out schedules. LMCU recently became the field sponsor with the Whitecaps now playing at the LMCU Ballpark.

A3-D printer owned by Amped Reality creates a miniature sculpture. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Every networking luncheon also focuses on a chamber business, this time Amped Reality, 2923 28th St. SE. Amped Reality offers virtual reality experiences as well as summer camps focused on STEM activities.

Wyoming Kentwood Chamber President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan said the chamber is planning for all of its events to be in-person. Next up is the Connected Chamber Women June 4 with the next Third Friday Networking Luncheon June 18.

City of Kentwood’s Thursday Farmers Market returns June 3 with special activities, concerts planned

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects,
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s summer farmers market. (City of Kentwood)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced this week that the Kentwood Farmers Market will return for its seventh season Thursdays, June 3 through Aug. 26, with 20 local vendors and a variety of special activities.

The market will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

Vendors of all types will be active at the City of Kentwood’s Farmers Market. (WKTV)

The market will provide the community weekly opportunities to buy a variety of goods ranging from fresh produce, baked goods, syrup and cheese to fresh-cut flowers, coffee and handmade items, according to the statement.

“We are looking forward to welcoming community members back to the Farmers Market for another season with a great lineup of vendors and special activities,” Kristina Colby, Kentwood’s recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “Please join us this season for fun outdoors connecting with and supporting our local farmers and vendors.”

In addition to the range of “farmers market” items for purchase, the market will also offer free classes and special events before or after shopping.

(In addition, the just announced City of Kentwood’s Summer Concert Series will occur on several of the market’s Thursday evening nights.)

The schedule of free classes, special events and concerts includes:

The Accidentals in private concert. (Special for WKTV)

June 3: Yoga class at 6 p.m.

June 10: Meet and greet with animals from John Ball Zoo at 5 p.m.

June 17: Makers and Crafters Day 4:30-7:30 p.m.

June 24: Concert at 7 p.m. – The Soul Syndicate

July 1: Hip-hop fit class at 6 p.m.

July 8: Herb demonstration 4:30-7:30 p.m.; concert at 7 p.m. – The Bootstrap Boys

July 15: Concert at 7 p.m. – Benzing Graves Collective

July 22: Concert at 7 p.m. – Dalmatian Stone

July 29: Concert at 7 p.m. – David Gerald

Aug. 5: Concert at 7 p.m. – The Accidentals (See a WKTV Journal In Focus on the band.)

Aug. 19: Makers and Crafters Day 4:30-7:30 p.m.

The Kentwood Farmers Market accepts food assistance benefits, including SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks and Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH.

For up-to-date information on special market events and seasonal items, visit  Kentwood Farmers Market on Facebook.

There are also spots available for vendors. Those who are interested can reserve a spot for $10 per day or $50 for the full season. More information about the Kentwood Farmers Market, including vendor applications, is available at KentwoodFarmersMarket.com.

Kentwood’s Spotlight on Seniors Health and Fitness Expo planned out-of-doors at library on May 25

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Kentwood’s annual Senior Expo is coming later this month. (Courtesy/Vista Springs Assisted Living)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Georgetown Seniors, will host the 22nd annual Spotlight on Seniors Health and Fitness Expo on Tuesday, May 25 — this year as an outdoor event.

According to an announcement from the city, the free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. It will feature 40 vendors representing a variety of senior-oriented businesses, free health screenings for balance, blood pressure, stroke risk and more, as well as door prizes and free snacks and lunch.

“Our Spotlight on Seniors Expo offers a great opportunity for seniors and other community members to connect with one another, learn about local resources that can help them live healthy lives and celebrate successful aging,” Lorraine Beloncis, Kentwood Parks and Recreation assistant director, said in supplied material. “We are grateful for Georgetown Seniors and our sponsors in helping us provide this wonderful community event every year.”

Participating vendors include professionals in fields ranging from physical therapy and assisted living to home improvement and health care, according to the city’s statement.

“The challenges we have all faced over the past year during the pandemic make an event that promotes health, fitness and connections that much more important,” Pam Haverdink, director of the Georgetown Senior Center, said in supplied material. “We are pleased to partner with Kentwood Seniors on this expo and we are thankful to our vendors, who help make this fun and popular for residents in both communities.”

Among the sponsors of the Spotlight on Seniors Health & Fitness Expo are Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Health Bridge Post-Acute Rehabilitation, and Rivertown Ridge Senior Living. Other sponsors are Humana MarketPoint Inc., Laurels of Hudsonville, Sheldon Meadows, The Care Team, United Healthcare and We Care 4 U @ Home.
 

For more information visit here.

Unexpected legal impacts of no-fault insurance changes, trail court backlog on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

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WKTV Journal In Focus welcomes back to our studio Thomas Sinas, a partner in West Michigan’s Sinas Dramis Law Firm. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Journal In Focus welcomes back to our studio local lawyer Thomas Sinas, a partner in West Michigan’s Sinas Dramis Law Firm, who has often helped WKTV Journal and our audience understand the state’s legal system, its changes and its intricacies.

During a recent discussion, we asked his opinion on two legal matters in the news currently. First the developing impact of pandemic-caused, trial-court delays on the state’s legal system — see a previous In Focus with Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker in which he discusses the trial delays.

But much of the discussion was on the still-evolving impact of Michigan Legislature’s changes to the state’s no-fault insurance law.

And, Sinas stressed, the confusion over what type of auto insurance coverage people should get is just the beginning of the possible problems with the 2019 changes to the no-fault insurance laws. In the discussion, he points out that unless addressed by the Michigan Legislature soon, changes to medical coverage rules under no-fault insurance will likely cause medical hardship for many injured person currently covered by the law.

Sinas has tried both civil and criminal cases, and has also lectured and authored numerous articles on trial practice and substantive law. Most recently, we talked to him about his work with the Kent County Legal Assistance Center.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Snapshots: WKTV’s ‘back to normal’ entertainment stories you might have missed

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By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again.”

James Earl Jones … Can you guess the movie? (See bottom of this story)

WKTV DreamWheels red carpet show (circa. 2013-15/WKTV)

Dust off those classic cars this weekend

The 28th Street Metro Cruise will be back in full swing this August. And, to start the celebration of cars, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the return of the “dust off” event on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Wyoming Moose Lodge #763, at 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW, in Wyoming. Go here for the story.


A probably sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens Summer Concert series evening. (Supplied Meijer Gardens/Tony Norkus)

Meijer Gardens outdoor concerts to return

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts — including three special Grand Rapids Symphony dates — as well as its Tuesday Evening Music Club and the new Jim & Marie Preston Sunday Strings are tentatively planned to return this summer and into the fall. Go here for the story.


The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at the newly named LMCU Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)

Opening day for the West Michigan Whitecaps

With opening day on May 4 and first home game May 11, the West Michigan Whitecaps are gearing up for a season that is bound to be unlike any they have had in the past due to the pandemic. But the fan experience will still be fun for Whitecaps fans at the now-named LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

‘Field of Dreams’  forever

Field of Dreams is a 1989 American film written and directed by Phil Alden Anderson, adapting W. P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel Shoeless Joe. The cast includes Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster in his final film role. In 2017, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. Source.

Starting May 3, 32nd Street SE between Breton and Shaffer will be completely closed for reconstruction

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Starting May 3, 32nd Street SE between Breton and Shaffer, in Kentwood, will be completely closed for reconstruction. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced today, April 29, that starting Monday, May 3, there will be a full closure of 32nd Street SE between Breton and Shaffer avenues for reconstruction through August.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and seek an alternate route or follow the posted detour that uses 29th Street, according to the announcement to WKTV. Access to homes and businesses within the project area will be maintained with intermittent impacts. Trash and mail service also will be maintained throughout the project.

“This section of 32nd Street has deteriorated to the point that major rehabilitation is necessary,” Kentwood City Engineer Brad Boomstra said in supplied material. “The contractor will work to minimize traffic disruption whenever possible as we improve the roadway.”

This Michigan Department of Transportation project will include new pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk and storm sewer. Local engineering firm Prein&Newhof will oversee the construction on the city’s behalf.

The city reminds residents and commuters that they may sign up to receive biweekly updates on the City of Kentwood’s road construction projects by emailing boomstrab@kentwood.us or calling 616-554-0740.

For more information about upcoming construction projects, visit kentwood.us/construction.

28th Street Metro Cruise Dust Off is a go for May 1

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Historic Metro Cruise photos, from 2013-15. (Courtesy of WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the local community saw what turned out to be a brief interruption to the annual pilgrimage of classic cars to one of the busiest strips in the State of Michigan — 28th Street in Wyoming and Kentwood.

This year, though, the 28th Street Metro Cruise will be in full swing again this August. And, to start the celebration of cars, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce announces the return of the “dust off” event on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Wyoming Moose Lodge #763, at 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW, in Wyoming.
 

At the event, classic car owners will have that first spring opportunity to roll their rides back down the street to be admired and, as the Carly Simon song says, “get a few eyeballs” on them.

And as vaccinations continue to filter through the general population and with CDC further relaxing mask requirements among vaccinated people, the hope among organizers is that turn out will be large and even larger for the return of the 28th Street Metro Cruise, Aug. 27 and 28.  While social distancing will still be respected, the entire event Saturday, May 1, will be out of doors.   For more information, visit the Metro Cruise website at  28thstreetmetrocruise.com.

Community involvement needed to help spur Division Avenue growth

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In the Division United plan, it is proposed to dedicate the current bus lanes 24/7 to only bus traffic and to paint the lanes to bring more awareness to them. The drawing also shows what three-story buildings would look like at the intersection of Clyde Park and Division Avenue.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

From taking a bike ride or walk to creating a cohort of small developers, there are a number of opportunities for residents and local organizations to help spur growth along Division Avenue.

These were some recommendations, along with some specific items for The Rapid and the cities of Wyoming, Kentwood, and Grand Rapids, that were released in the Division United town hall meetings on April 22.

“A lot of the recommendations that we are going to be talking about might seem substantial and quite frankly they are,” said Steven Duong, who is with Los Angeles-based consulting firm AECOM, which oversaw the Division United plan. “In many cases, they have to be lead by the entity of the cities such as City of Wyoming or the City of Kentwood, and some have to be lead by private business partners, land owners or business owners in the corridor, but we also want to make sure that we acknowledge that there are things that community groups or citizens can do to make some of the strategies a reality.”

The recommendations are broken down into five categories, referred as “toolkits”: Connectivity and Mobility, Economic Development, Incremental Development, Equity, and Placemaking. Many of the recommendations are for the cities to consider when looking at zoning or infrastructure. 

In October, Division United hosted the Better Blocks event to show how Division could look with an outdoor market and crosswalks. (WKTV)

For example, Connectivity and Mobility addresses how to make the area friendly for people and cars by painting the bus lane and dedicating the lane for the entire day to help increase public transit speeds to creating better crossings and making the bus stations hub stations with other transit options such as bikes and electric scooters.

While those are most of those recommendations have to be done at the city level through zoning, residents can take a walk or bike through the corridor to see the disconnect between the current transit and offer ideas on where to place crosswalks and other needs to increase mobility, said AECOM Transportation Planner Jeromie Winsor.

Residents can also start to form a cohort of small developers who can network, making connections with bank officials and others in development to start discussions on redeveloping small properties such as suggested in the Incremental Development toolkit.

A Community Connector and local business owner Synia Jordan said another project is creating art murals at the stations which would involve community members and local artists, which falls under the Placemaking toolkit.

The entire Division United proposal is available online with Duong recommending that people start with the executive summary, which is an introduction to the overall plan, and then proceed into the five toolkits.

By following that direction, the different concepts become a roadmap to how the Division Avenue corridor can become a more transit supportive environment, which Duong noted is the reason why the study was initiated.

A transit supportive environment is the utilization of effective and predictable transit that encourages surrounding development, which, in turn, supports transit. It was the goal of The Rapid that by launching the Silver Line in 2014 it would spur economic development along the Division corridor, according to The Rapid Planning Manager Nick Monoyios.

While The Rapid has seen a 40 percent growth in ridership from Division Avenue during the past six years, the economic growth has not come, Monoyios said.

So after six years of operations, The Rapid officials decided it needed to be more intentional on how to instigate the benefits for the corridor, he said, adding that a decision was made to seek a Federal Transportation Administration grant designed to help corridors like Division Avenue. The three cities, Wyoming, Kentwood and Grand Rapids, all of which have portions of Division within their boundaries, each dedicated $25,000 to the study. The student focused on Division from Wealthy Street to 60th Street.
 

After more than a year of gathering public input, meeting with business leaders and residents, and hosting special events to demonstrate the possibilities, The Rapid released the Division United recommendations during two town hall meetings on April 22.

To view the entire Division United project and other items, such as the recorded April 22 town hall meetings, visit divisionunited.org. 

City of Kentwood’s Community Cleanup Day, including old electronics, planned for Saturday, May 1

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In addition to holding its annual Spring Cleanup Day this week, the City of Kentwood will continue yard debris drop-off program this spring. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

In addition to its ongoing yard waste drop-off program, the City of Kentwood is assisting residents with general trash and debris, as well electronics, disposal as it will again offer its annual Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 1 for residents wanting to “spring clean” their homes and yards.

In a Monday, May 26, announcement to WKTV, the city stated this year’s Community Cleanup Day will accept yard waste, trash and general debris for disposal, and electronics for recycling, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE.

Following the cleanup event, the city’s yard debris (including brush and leaf debris) drop-off sites, also located at Kentwood’s DPW facility, will remain open through Saturday, May 29. Hours of operation for the yard debris drop-off sites will be noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“Our Community Cleanup Day offers residents a timely opportunity to dispose or recycle items as part of their spring-cleaning efforts,” John Gorney, Department of Public Works director, said in supplied material. “We encourage residents wanting to declutter their homes and property to take advantage of these free collection services.”

Most electronics can be recycled at local community clean-up days, including one planned for Kentwood residents. (Supplied/Comprenew)

The City of Kentwood’s yard waste drop-off site includes accepting brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs at the brush drop-off site, as well as leaves and grass clippings at the leaf drop-off site. Leaves should be loose when dropped off, not left in bags.

Red Creek Waste Services will be on hand for Kentwood’s Community Cleanup Day to accept general debris and trash for disposal.

Comprenew will be on-site to recycle electronic waste, such as mobile phones, computers and fax machines. Individuals with questions about other electronics that can be accepted are asked to call the toll-free number at 833-266-7736.

Items for donation and household hazardous materials will not be accepted during this year’s cleanup event. Those looking to safely dispose of household hazardous materials may utilize the Kent County Department of Public Works’ SafeChem program, which remains available to residents at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., on Tuesdays.

The cleanup day and drop-off services are available to Kentwood residents only.

Anyone wishing to participate is asked to enter the drive off Breton Avenue where staff will check ID for residency and direct traffic flow to maintain physical distancing. For the safety of City staff and community members, all participants are asked to adhere to CDC guidelines, including staying at least 6 feet from other people and wearing face coverings.

Wyoming-Kentwood chamber urges local restaurants — and breweries — to take advantage of Restaurant Revitalization Fund

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Before the pandemic, and its resulting restrictions, at Wyoming’s Two Guys Brewing. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Much news was made of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan’s federal-government economic stimulus effort resulting from COVID-19’s negative economic impact, which was recently signed into law by President Joe Biden. But a possibly little-known portion is the current roll-out of the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund administrated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

In brief, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) will provide small, independent restaurants — and similar small businesses including breweries and bars —  with funding “equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023,” according to an announcement from the SBA.

As part of the SBA announcement, local business leaders and business groups were urged to disseminate RRF information to their business communities, and the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce was more than happy to do so.

“The new SBA program for restaurants is long overdue,” Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the local chamber, said to WKTV this week. “As we all know, the restaurant industry is one of the hardest hit by COVID-19. I am glad to be able to get this information to our chamber members.”

Jessica Ann Tyson (center) of The Candied Yam, at the Kentwood restaurant with visitors in late 2020. (The Candied Yam’s Facebook)

The RRF plan also is designed to provide assistance to communities and businesses “underserved” by previous stimulus efforts, including Black-owned businesses.

“In addition to historically having less operating liquidity and revenue than almost any other small business demographic, Black-owned restaurants received significantly less stimulus funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening challenges and leading to disproportionate closures,” Ron Busby, Sr., president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., said in supplied material. “The USBC believes this initiative and collaboration with the SBA will bring needed resources and relief to these often underserved businesses to aid in stabilization, recovery and ultimately, strengthen our economy.”

Have a beer while application process is rolled-out

While details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide are now available in English at www.sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at www.sba.gov/restaurantes, program application will be rolled-out in a staggered eligibility process to allow for ease of application and an initial focus on certain businesses.

After the SBA conducts a “pilot period” for the RRF application portal, the application portal will be opened to the public. And, according to the SBA announcement, for the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will “prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.”

Railtown Brewing Citra Warrior IIPA. (Supplied)

Following the 21-day period, all eligible applicants can submit applications.

And local breweries will be among those able to take advantage of the program.

“Small and independent craft breweries are vibrant community gathering places that can be found in nearly every congressional district in the U.S. and contribute to manufacturing, hospitality, retail, tourism, and agricultural industries,” Bob Pease, president and CEO of the national Brewers Association, said in supplied material. “We are pleased to work with the SBA to promote the Restaurant Revitalization Fund … and assist the breweries hit hardest by COVID-19 secure much needed additional relief to help them survive the pandemic and prepare for the restart of the economy.”

Area residents get first look at proposed Division Avenue improvements

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After almost a year of collecting information, The Rapid will release the final report of the Division United project. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It has been months of work but this Thursday, the proposed transportation and development improvements for the Division Avenue corridor will be released to the public.

The Rapid, in partnership with the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming, will host two Virtual Town Hall meetings Thursday, one at 11 a.m. and the second at 6 p.m., to provide residents with an update on the final phase of the Division United project.

“This has been a very unique and an incredible example of the great work our communities can do together with the right partnerships and approach,” said Nick Monoyious, planning manager at The Rapids. “These virtual town hall meetings will provide an informative summary of plans for Division Avenue and will give anyone interested a chance to ask questions and provide feedback.”

In 2014, The Rapid launched the Silver Line, which was looked at as a catalyst for potential economic ground development leading into the downtown area. The Silver Line runs along Division Avenue from 60th Street in Cutlerville to the Medical Mile/Grand Rapids Community college loop.

However, the economic investment did not come, noted Bill Kirk, a business affairs specialist for The Rapid. The Rapid sought and received a Federal Transportation Administration grant that was about $900,000. The cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming, all of which have parts of Division Avenue within their boundaries, contributed about $25,000 each with the grant monies and contributions used to fund a study to find ways to improve affordable housing options, business opportunities, and neighborhood conditions in the corridor without losing much of the diversity that is part of the Division Avenue, Kirk said.

For more than a year, the project has focused on gathering input from community members, business owners, and city officials along with reviewing current building ordinances for the area, and hosting events that showcased possible public improvements.

There are lot of different elements to the final project, said City of Kentwood Economic Development Coordinator Lisa Golder. There are several key elements to the proposal such as incremental improvements, stabilizing the area so those who live and work there benefit from the redevelopment, maintaining the diversity of Division Avenue and providing public improvements to create a more walkable community.

“This is not something that is going to happen over night,” said City of Kentwood Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer.

Golder added that there will be a lot for the cities to review in regards to recommendations to code changes. The cities of Wyoming and Kentwood worked together to create a form-based code for the portion of Division Avenue in the two cities. The code is designed to allow a variety of development from large projects such as the CityLine Apartments project near 52nd Street and Division Avenue to the redevelopment of the property at 4253 S. Division, which will be the home of the new coffeehouse, The Stray Cafe.

“We are excited to welcome The Stray Café to Wyoming and are looking forward to their grand opening this summer,” said Wyoming Director of Planning and Economic Development Nicole Hofert. “Their investment in the corridor exemplifies the type of development we are striving to attract. Business owners and investors will have an easy-to-use set of tools and strategies provided in the Division United Plan as they invest in our community.”

In fact, The Stray Cafe is an example of incremental developments, where one or two lots are redeveloped versus several lots, Schweitzer said. He added that the City of Kentwood has had success with several developers who specialize in redevelopment of small lots and interest is growing for projects along Division Avenue.

“During the process, we have definitely seen more interest on what could be done along the corridor,” Schweitzer said.

It is the hope that Thursday’s virtual meetings will help to spur on that interest by presenting highlights of the improvement plan, which focuses on the section of Division from Wealthy Street to 60th Street. Each session will be live translated into Spanish and Vietnamese. 

In addition to the town hall meetings, draft plans, how-to-videos and a comment form are available on the project at divisionunited.org.

The Virtual Town Hall session will be available via Zoom and The Rapid’s Facebook page.

For the Zoom 11 a.m. meeting, click here.

For the Zoom 6 p.m. meeting, click here. 

Kentwood police, Lacks Enterprises team up again to support local restaurants, community

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The City of Kentwood Police Department and Lacks Enterprises, Inc., last week held another pop-up event, and thanks to a $1,000 donation from Lacks, the pair were able to surprise about 100 customers at two local restaurants by helping to pay for lunch. Here, Off. Jeff Augustyn is with workers and a customer at El Ganadero Mexican Grille. (City of Kentwood)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

In December of last year, the City of Kentwood Police Department and Lacks Enterprises, Inc. — both understanding the importance to the community of small businesses, including local eateries, in this time of COVID-19 dining restrictions — partnered to help both two Kentwood restaurants and their customers.

The two partners, last week held another pop-up event, and thanks to a $1,000 donation from Lacks, the Kentwood Police Department were able to surprise about 100 customers of El Ganadero Mexican Grille and Mr. Burger with $10 toward their lunch orders “as a thank-you for supporting local restaurants,” according to a statement from the city.

El Ganadero Mexican Grille is located at 4208 Division Ave. SE, and Mr. Burger is at 1750 44th St. SE.

Kentwood police Chief Richard Roberts, in the WKTV studios for an interview last week, spoke of the program and it being part of a wider effort by the police and the city to support the residential, workforce and business community.

“We’ve been partnering with some great businesses in our city,” Chief Roberts said to WKTV. “One  of our great partners, Lacks Enterprises, they have so many people who live in our community, work in their manufacturing, they like to give back. And they like to give back though the police department, through a partnership — it is a great way to partner for the community.”

The event was the second in the Police Department’s local business showcase series to “support Kentwood businesses and create positive experiences with the community during these difficult times,” according to the city statement.

“Lacks Enterprises believes you need a lot of different components to make a community a place for people to live and raise their families,” Jim Green, executive director of human resources at Lacks, said to WKTV at one of the pop-up event sites in  December. “But the real backbone of this community is the small businesses. Without that you would not have all the other things that make the community what it is today.”

The series highlights businesses within Kentwood — both those donating to restaurants to create similar pop-up events and the local businesses supported by the donations. Local businesses interested in participating, either by donating or by being possibly involved with the pop-up events, can call Sergeant Tim Wierenga at 616-656-6561.

“We just wanted to give our small businesses a little support,” Sgt. Wierenga said to WKTV at the first pop-up event. “What we’d like to see of this is (to continue) showcasing our business community and showcasing the city that we love. We would love for this to develop into something more. … We’d love to have some more showcase events.”

‘Staycationing’ this Spring Break? Woodland Mall has out-of-the-house events planned

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One of Woodland Mall’s entrances. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Just in time for Spring Break — and those staycationers looking to get out of the house but staying close to home — Woodland Mall will be open for more hours and offering special events for everyone to safely enjoy time off from school and work.

Starting Monday, April 5, the mall will be returning to pre-pandemic operating hours, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m., according to an announcement from the mall. And several events are planned including a Small Business Expo and Pokémon Go opportunities.

“For those families who still aren’t comfortable traveling, Woodland Mall is the perfect spring break destination,” Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director, said in supplied material. “From shopping to games and other creative opportunities, we are eager to help families enjoy a safe and fun staycation experience.”

Woodland Mall will host a Small Business Expo in its Von Maur wing on Saturday, April 10, from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., where business owners will set up booths to showcase their products and engage with the community. Guests will in turn have the opportunity to learn more about these small businesses and support them.

With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to build your own skateboard. Vans and Zumiez have all the gear needed to build a customized board.

Pokémon fans will also be able to collect free stickers and trading cards from GameStop throughout the week. As an added bonus, the mall has two Pokéstops for those playing Pokémon Go.

Families looking for fun can visit the Funshop Arcade located in the Macy’s wing and exploring the games and toys at Toysmark and Barnes & Noble.

And, of course, guests can also “get that beach resort feel without traveling far from home” by getting pampered at Lynny Nails, Tricho Salon or Massage Works.

“Choosing to spend spring break at the mall also benefits the retailers and restaurants and their employees who are still trying to recover from the pandemic,” McCabe said. “Visiting the mall is a great way to give our local economy a boost.”

Even after spring break, guests will continue to see new developments at the mall.

Backstage by Macy’s will celebrate its grand opening as a stand-alone business on the department store’s recently renovated second floor on Saturday, April 17. The shop offers men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories and more at affordable prices. Offering prizes, gift cards and other exciting deals on opening day, shoppers won’t want to miss out on even greater savings.

For more information about Woodland Mall, visit shopwoodlandmall.com.

Snapshots: WKTV has some ‘good news’ stories you might have missed

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Health, Local Business, Local Faces, Restaurants, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life — all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.”

Zig Ziglar


COVID-19 vaccine supplies are increasing and so is local distribution options for expanded age groups, including through the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, Metro Health and SpartanNash pharmacies and special clinics. (SpartanNash)

More vaccines, more availability for more people

The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is immediately expanding vaccine availability to everyone 16 years of age and older, Metro Health will open its vaccine availability to 16 and up on April 5, and SpartanNash will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic April 6 in Hudsonville as part of a larger community roll-out to the public by local pharmacies. Go here for the story.


New Wyoming Deputy City Manager John McCarter sits down with WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma. (WKTV)

There is a new, smiling face in Wyoming City Hall

A native Michigander, John McCarter (who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and moved to Michigan at a young age) was recently named the the City of Wyoming’s new deputy city manager. McCarter, who was the interim financial director for Pearland, Texas, officially took over the position on March 15. Go here for the story.


Jessica Ann Tyson (center) of The Candied Yam, at the Kentwood restaurant with visitors in late 2020. (The Candied Yam’s Facebook)

Kent County gives a good tip to local eateries

The Kent County Board of Commissioners recently voted to waive the 2021 food service licensing fee — $500 and up for most existing food establishments in Kent County — “due to the significant hardship food establishments have experienced with closures and capacity limitations related to COVID‐19.” Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

78.99 years

Despite COVID-19, the current life expectancy for United States in 2021 is 78.99 years, a 0.08 percent increase from 2020. The last year it went down was 2018, and then by 0.03 percent. Source.

Kent County, seeking to help hard-hit restaurants, waives 2021 food service licensing fees

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Jessica Ann Tyson (center) of The Candied Yam, at the Kentwood restaurant with visitors in late 2020. (The Candied Yam’s Facebook)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

For local restaurants struggling to keep the doors open, any financial help is valuable, including the about $500 Kentwood’s The Candied Yam and owner Jessica Ann Tyson will not be spending on a county food service licensing fee this year.

The Kent County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Thursday, March 25, to waive the 2021 food service licensing fee for all existing food establishments in Kent County “due to the significant hardship food establishments have experienced with closures and capacity limitations related to COVID‐19,” according to a statement from the county.

“It will help … its like $500 and up,” Tyson told WKTV when asked about the fee and how much it will save her business.

“Our restaurant owners and employees are hurting — they are among the hardest hit by the pandemic,” Kent County board chair Mandy Bolter said in supplied material. “The Board of Commissioners felt very strongly about waiving this fee as one small way to provide meaningful assistance where possible.”

This one‐time waiver, according to the county statement, will apply to the 2,294 existing food establishments (permanent, fixed, temporary, Special Transitory Food Units, or mobile) in Kent County that would otherwise be required to pay their annual licensing and inspection fee by April 30.

The Kent County action will total to “about $1.1 to $1.2 million” in waived fees, Monica Sparks, county commissioner for Kentwood’s commission District 12, said to WKTV.

“We took that out of the (county) budget,” Sparks said, while also giving credit to Dr. Adam London, Kent County Health Department director, for bringing the idea forward.

“The Health Department has worked tirelessly with our restaurants and bars over the last year to adapt to evolving regulations and occupancy restrictions,” London said in supplied material. “We are keenly aware of the challenges facing these establishments and we appreciate the Board providing this financial relief as they continue to weather the impacts of the pandemic.”

While the licensing and inspection fees are being waived, all restaurants are still required to submit a renewal application by April 30. The application will ensure establishments remain licensed during the 2021-22 operating period.

If an establishment does not intend to renew its license, the application still should be returned but include a signed note requesting its license be cancelled. Food establishments should expect to receive a renewal application from the health department within the next two weeks.

Restaurant owners with questions should contact the Kent County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, at 616‐632‐6900 or KCEHMail@kentcountymi.gov.

Woodland Mall to host local artisans Spring Craft Bash on March 20

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(Courtesy Sunset Succulents)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

More than 30 local artisans will be at Woodland Mall Saturday, March 20, for the mall’s first ever Spring Craft Bash, a 1-day event that will showcase a wide variety of handcrafted and vendor Items for sale.

The event, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., will allow shoppers to browse for such items as books, games, artwork, skincare, home decor items, jewelry, succulents “and more” in the Von Maur wing of the mall.

“We are looking forward to showcasing more than 30 local artisans during our first Spring Craft Bash,” said Cecily McCabe, marketing director for Woodland Mall, said in supplied material. “Whether you’re in the market for a gift for a loved one, or something nice for yourself, there’s sure to be great options for everyone to enjoy while supporting local entrepreneurs.”

The event was organized by Kelly Hume Events LLC.

Participating vendors include Amanda’s Nail Addiction, Andria & Co, Basinski Personal Creations, Beth’s Glass creations, Better Than Urs Designs, Breeches and Bloomers, Bring Your Own Beauty, Deanna Rae’s Designs, Discovery Toys, Foliar Effects LLC, JRK Embroidery, Kel’s Creations, Knotty Jared, Little Arts, Madi Made Jewels, Mick Art Productions, Mud Matters Studio, Mulberry Pines, Paparazzi Jewelry, Pink Zebra, Porch Signs By Patti, Rarity Nails, Roundabout Society, Sheila’s Satchels, Sol E Lua, Still I Stay Designs, Sunset Succulents, Sylvia’s Sudsery, Upcycle Creations, Usborne Books & More, and Whim.

According to a statement from the mall, Woodland Mall asks all guests to follow CDC recommendations by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing.

In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers remain limited as the mall operates on reduced hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

As state restrictions ease, and vaccinations increase, local music venues optimistically eye future

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Alabama in concert concert at Meijer Gardens in 2018. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

It is often said by people in the local live music business that their venues, small and large, were the first to close when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and will likely be the last to fully reopen.

While the stage door was cracked open a little early this month when the state allowed venues to open at a reduced capacity, and the continued decrease in pandemic statistics and the rapidly increasing number of people getting the COVID-19 vaccines give even more hope, a sampling of local venues offer few gigs planned in the short term.

The now quiet and empty Pyramid Scheme concert room. (Pyramid Scheme Facebook)

“We do not plan to book any live music indoors until capacity limits are higher,” Tami VandenBerg, co-owner of Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, said to WKTV.  But she, like many in the industry, holds hope for later in the year — “The shows still booked for spring will very likely be moved to fall.”

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s outdoor amphitheater, and news of its its usual Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens and Tuesday Evening Music Club, are still quiet these days. But they too, are optimistically looking toward later in the year.

“We are working hard behind the scenes to be able to safely present live music at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater during the summer and/or early fall of 2021,” John VanderHaagen, director of communications at Meijer Gardens, said to WKTV. “Current capacity restrictions are 1,000 for outdoor venues and we are hoping that as the numbers of vaccinated folks increases and cases fall, those restrictions will continue to be adjusted.”

The bottomline, VanderHaagen said, is that “guest safety remains our top priority and we will not present a series until that can be done safely in accordance to all local, state and national guidelines.”

State restrictions and guidelines, and local reaction

On March 2, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated two of its epidemic orders, among other things allowing for increased capacity limits at various entertainment venues. The changes went into effect March 5.

Those changes impacting entertainment venues included now allowing indoor entertainment venues to be at 50 percent capacity, up to 300 people; indoor stadiums and arenas are allowed have 375 if seating capacity is under 10,000, and 750 if seating capacity is over 10,000; and outdoor entertainment and recreational facilities have a capacity of 1,000.

“We continue to monitor the data closely, and based on current trends we are taking another step toward normalcy,” Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, said in the March 2 announcement.
 

One state change in restrictions and guidelines which is also impacting local entertainment venues is allowed restaurants and bars to increase to 50 percent capacity up to 100 people and now allowing them to be open to 11 p.m.

For one, the Listening Room live music venue, known as a music-focused club, has opened with an adaptation.

Jazz night at the Listening Room with members of the Robin Connell Trio, from January 2020. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“We currently have live jazz from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, though it’s not as much of a (strictly music) show” as usual, Quinn Mathews, general manager of Listening Room, said to WKTV. “We partnered with our restaurant downstairs to serve dinner up in Listening Room during the live music.”

But, Mathews added, “we’ll do an outdoor concert series this spring and summer as well in the piazza here at Studio Park … (and) touring artists are confirming for the fall, so — fingers crossed — Listening Room will be back doing shows by fall.”

The fact that most venues are, in fact, awaiting national touring groups to begin feeling comfortable touring to set up local fall schedules was echoed by several venue spokespersons.






Kentwood Mayor Kepley visits WKTV to talk new Wi-Fi project, park stewards program, 2nd Little Free Pantry

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced last week that it is seeking community volunteers to join its new Kentwood Park Stewards program, but that is just one of several big things happening in the city as it has also recently announced it will put free public Wi-Fi zones around the city and it has opened a second Little Free Pantry.

With so much happening, WKTV Journal In Focus decided to go to the top to get to the bottom of it all, so we invited Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley into our studio for a little talk.

In a quick 10-minute sit-down, we discussed the city working with the Kent County to provide free internet access to the community after setting up Wi-Fi service available at 13 locations including the city’s main campus as well as in city parks. We also talked about the importance of community involvement, past and future in protecting the city’s parks through the new Kentwood Park Stewards program, as well the launch of the city’s second Little Free Pantry.

WKTV previously also helped the City of Kentwood and Kent Conservation District’s Invasive Species Strike Team produce a video about how to identify and manage oriental bittersweet, an aggressive invasive species causing damage to trees in the Kentwood parks system and other communities. The problem is one of the efforts the new Park Stewards program will assist with.

Details of Kentwood Park Stewards program

The Kentwood Park Stewards is a new environmentally focused program created by the City of Kentwood and designed to engage residents in monthly activities involving invasive species control, native habitat restoration and park beautification to help preserve and maintain neighborhood parks, trails and public spaces.

According to supplied material, as a park steward, community volunteers will participate in hands-on workdays, educational workshops and other activities, such as cutting invasive vines, pulling invasive garlic mustard and planting native plants. The program also encourages neighbor-led cleanups, adopt-a-park projects and other park maintenance efforts.

“The Kentwood Park Stewards program strengthens the relationship between residents and their neighborhood parks while creating lasting benefits to the environment,” Kristina Colby, recreation program coordinator with the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, said in supplied material. “Opportunities for residents to get involved and care for their neighborhood parks helps foster a greater sense of community pride in our park system. The contributions of our Kentwood Park Stewards will support the natural beauty and appeal of our parks today and for future generations.”
 

The new program expands on several invasive species control trainings and workdays the city began offering last fall through a partnership with the Kent Conservation District Invasive Species Strike Team.

Since launching Kentwood Park Stewards earlier this year, Kentwood has joined the West Michigan Conservation Network and collaborated with the Kent County Parks, Rotary Club, Plaster Creek Stewards and gardening clubs, among others.

Those who are interested in signing up to join Kentwood Parks Stewards may complete a volunteer form online or contact the Parks and Recreation Department at eRecreation@kentwood.us or 616-656-5270. More information about the program is available at kentwood.us/ParkStewards.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.