Local State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District) offered his views on the status of Michigan’s current budget problems and West Michigan’s pending mental health services changes as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting Monday, July 8, at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Wyoming City Hall.
Other topics of conversation were Kent County’s budgeting process and the status of recycling in Kentwood and throughout the county.
The state budgeting process “is slower than in previous years and slower than I’d like to see,” Sen. MacGregor said, explaining that currently there are three budgets that are yet to be reconciled: budgets offered the State Senate, the House of Representatives, and by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — whose budget he described as “spending money we don’t have.”
Sen. MacGregor also gave a state-level view of the continuing funding uncertainties — some say “funding crisis” — surrounding the state’s mental health services. Citing continued deficits, the state is moving to dissolve West Michigan’s current mental health funding system.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, on June 28, announced that it will not renew Lakeshore Regional Entity’s state contract to manage Medicaid benefits for mental health services after it expires Oct. 1. Sen. MacGregor said MDHHS will establish another regional publicly managed care plan, another so-called PIHP (pre-paid inpatient health plan). The LRE manages Medicaid funding distribution to mental health authorities in Kent County as well as Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason and Lake counties.
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
The next meeting will be Aug. 12 at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents and businesses in the two cities.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org .
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org .
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
While making her rounds feeding the ferals on Dunham off of Fuller on the southeast side of town in May of 2019, a rescuer came across this spayed and four-paw declawed girl who obviously had been abandoned. Without any natural defenses except her teeth, she was a prime candidate for picking up transmissible diseases like Feline Leukemia; sadly, it was too late — by the time she was taken in, the damned virus had already made its presence known, though it wouldn’t show up on her blood test until a recheck exam later in the month.
When we first met this lovely kitty (born in May of 2016, we guesstimate), she had a pretty nasty infection going on in her right eye and needed a tooth pulled; it took a few weeks of recuperating at her rescuer’s home and topical meds to get the conjunctivitis under control, but by the time we had an opening at our sanctuary in mid-June, Sansa’s gorgeous green eye was no longer swollen or inflamed. Although we were upset that she harbored the leukemia virus, the rest of her lab work was normal, and she had put on excellent weight since she was taken off the streets. Regardless of her time spent homeless, she is as sweet as spun sugar, yet solid and sturdy like her namesake. In a word, Sansa is spectacular.
Sansa is such a people-pleaser and meshed with our furry fold at Big Sid’s so easily. Just read what one of our volunteers had to say about her:
“Sansa is a little doll! She spends a good portion of her day watching birds and squirrels outside, but when she gets lonely, she walks around talking until she finds someone to hang out with, as she loves, loves, loves human attention of any kind. She’s quite the talker at times, a congenial little chatterbox with the most darling face, even when it is in motion. She has a very sweet disposition and has already been seen cuddled up twice sound asleep next to our big tough guy, Gibson. I think she’d get along great with other cats and would do well in any home.”
We don’t feel that having the virus is going to label Sansa as a difficult-to-adopt-kitty, as her personality and charm make her absolutely irresistible. Ideally we’d like to find her a catdom of her own to rule, but a house with felines of her own kind would be excellent too, as we all know every queen needs her court!
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In April of 2019, a Freeland resident found this ADORABLE and outrageously outgoing fella (born in the spring of 2017) wandering around her house. He was so stinkin’ sweet that she couldn’t help but bring him in and fall hopelessly in love with him, but when he tested positive for Feline Leukemia, she realized she and her husband weren’t going to be in a position to keep him permanently. She emailed Dr. Jen to inquire about intake, and approximately a month later, Renly made his way to us. He passed his initial exam at the vet clinic with flying colors, with the exception of still retesting positive for FELV, so Dr. Jen sent him on down to Big Sid’s to meet his new roomies—and the volunteers who would be caring for him at our sanctuary.
It honestly takes all of two seconds for anyone who meets him to be enamored by his charm and enthusiasm for life; he is just so darned happy to be indoors, surrounded by people who will stop what they are doing to pet him, lift him up and carry him around. In fact, we’ve been told the following about our gorgeous, gregarious guy:
“Renly is so sweet! He is happiest being held like a baby and often demands to be picked up. He is very active and busy, always seems to be getting in to things and following volunteers around. He doesn’t really care about other cats at all, he really just wants to be around people. His rescuer said he really loves dogs. He would be amazing with kids!
“Renly is a very busy boy! He loves to run up and down the halls looking for anyone willing to play with him. He really enjoys toys, boxes, and anything he can chase. He’s one cat that enjoys being picked up and held. I have seen him be a little possessive of his food while eating with the others, but with time and patience he will do just fine with another cat or two. I’d love to see him in a home with kids that he can run and play with.”
Look at that face. Just look at it.
We have no doubt that if he was virus-free, Renly would be scooped up instantly after posting his bio, but sadly this throws a wrench into things, since he can transmit the disease to others of the feline kind through bodily fluids (sharing dishes and litter boxes, grooming and rough play where biting could occur). However, we are confident that the right person is going to come along, gather him up into their loving arms and make him their very own, virus be damned.
He is such an amazing, adventurous and downright gleeful fella that whomever opts to take him home is going to be one of THE luckiest cat owners in our little corner of the world!
More about Renly:
Domestic Short Hair
Orange & White
Adult
Male
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
FELV+
Good in a home with other cats, dogs, children
Want to adopt Renly? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
The City of Kentwood is updating its long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation, known as the Master Plan, and is seeking public input on proposed changes through “Plan Kentwood,” a community engagement series.
The four community engagement opportunities are as follows:
Concerts and Conceptual Planning: June 27, 6:30-8 p.m. Kentwood City Hall (Breton Ave. SE)
Ice Pops and Planning: July 17, 5-7 p.m. Northeast Park (1900 Middleground Drive SE)
City Planning on the Mall: Aug. 6, 3-5 p.m. Woodland Mall (3195 28th St. SE)
Designing Division: Sept. 12, 4-6 p.m. Brann’s Steakhouse Parking Lot (4157 S. Division Ave.)
The Master Plan is an official public document adopted by the Kentwood Planning and City Commissions. The forward-looking development plan considers residents’ and property owners’ long-range goals and desires, as well as local, regional and market trends.
It consists of goals, policies and recommended actions to guide land use decision-making for Planning Commissioners and City Commissioners during the next 20 years.
The Plan is reviewed at least every five years but is modified and updated as deemed necessary by the City Commission. The most recent update was completed in 2012.
“We look forward to engaging with residents, businesses and property owners for community feedback as we plan for Kentwood’s future development,” said Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer. “The Planning Commission has been reviewing our current plan and identifying leading issues, trends and changes that have affected the community in the past seven years.
“The Master Plan update process is an important step in ensuring thoughtful consideration of our future growth.”
Hosted at City Hall, the first event will be held during the free summer concert featuring Blue Soul Express and include complimentary ice cream for participants. Discussions will focus on a 480-acre area referred to as Section 34, which is located between 52nd and 60th streets, the Princeton Estates Plat and Wing Avenue.
Planning Commissioners and City staff will be in a community booth at the concert from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to facilitate conversations and answer questions about development that has occurred in Section 34 since the last Master Plan update, as well as development that is currently in process and potential opportunities.
The second opportunity for public input, dubbed “Ice Pops and Planning,” will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17 at Northeast Park. Discussions will surround Section 13, which consists of 263 acres of open land between 28th and 36th streets, Patterson Avenue and East Paris Avenue. Residents will have the opportunity to help guide the future uses for the site.
Staff will be inside Woodland Mall at a table during National Night Out festivities from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6 to gather input on the future planning of the 28th and 29th Street commercial corridor. The corridor consists of a wide range of development – from high-end boutiques, major regional malls and local retailers, to many national dining, service and product franchises. Public input gathered will focus on how to improve its effectiveness as a transportation corridor, and as a business and employment center.
The final event, “Designing Division,” will be hosted at Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12. Community members are encouraged to join for an evening of ice cream and discussions on the future of the Division Avenue corridor with the City of Kentwood, the City of Wyoming and the Division Avenue Business Association. Division Avenue is a key gateway corridor to both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, requiring cooperation between the two communities.
The objective of the update process is to plan for new population growth and redevelopment while protecting key environmental features, creating sustainable economic opportunities and providing public services.
“The Master Plan is not a law or ordinance, but rather a guide for decisions to support how growth and conservation will take place in the City,” Schweitzer said. “We welcome all community members to be a part of the conversation.”
More information about the Master Plan update is available at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood. Questions or comments may be directed to Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer at schweitzert@kentwood.us; 616.554.0710, or Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder at golderl@kentwood.us; 616.554.0709.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
On March 2nd and again on March 17th, we had what we believe to be an entire family of terrified cats dumped off in carriers. ‘The Shy Seven’ were the first to arrive, and then three more joined us, rounding things out to ‘The Timid Ten’. Needless to say, it was a huge ordeal for all involved, from the stunned volunteers who kept pulling cat after cat out of cramped carriers, to the traumatized kitties who had no idea what was going on, and finally to Dr. Jen who spent the greater part of two weekends at the clinic getting them program-ready.
The latter was no small feat, as every single cat (yup, all ten of them) were intact, four of the five girls were pregnant, and all ten were clearly out of their element and having major trust issues. Adding various medical issues to the mix—like fleas and a variety of internal parasites, dental disease and chronic herpes virus—we ended up having a heaping handful of kitties who needed a great deal of help, not only physically, but probably more importantly, mentally.
It was clear from the onset that the family had been neglected and lacking human contact for quite some time, given their poor body condition, long nails and a shyness that went beyond anything we have seen before—and we have seen a lot. We have no idea where they came from or why someone thought it was a good idea to displace them as they did without regard for our space or financial capabilities, but our proposed scenario is this: a kindhearted, elderly person owned them and, for whatever reason, let them breed and multiply, running rampant in the house and growing wilder and warier as the days wore on. We suspect this person then passed (or moved away), and the cats were left to fend for themselves until a family member (or landlord) came in and booted the entire lot of them out—and onto our doorstep.
Regardless, we’d like to think they were loved by someone at some point, as this helps us believe in the goodness of people, enough so to offset the stupidity and callousness of others.
Let’s just say that for the most part, the journey we have all been on together is ever evolving—and it is going to be a long road full of bumps, setbacks and, yes, triumphs along the way. It is now over two months since their arrival, and we are just now able to share their stories, as it has taken a great deal of time (and patience) to get to this point.
We have had one shining star, jovial Jenn, who has been trying to pave the way for her siblings/uncles/cousins/aunts to follow, so really, we should have renamed the group as ‘The Timid Ten, Not Including Jenn’. She was the only girl who wasn’t or hadn’t been pregnant, as her reproductive tract was underdeveloped; just 15 months (born in later 2017, we think, along with Dean, Desna, Roller and Quiet Ann), she turned out to be quite the trailblazer, assuming the role of matriarch of her furry family.
Roller and Dean are best buddies
Dean and Roller are really good buddies, as they snuggle together all of the time. While Roller will let people pet him if they approach him slowly, Dean has made very little progress since he’s been with us. He is very comfortable here, though and is exploring more every day, although he typically runs right back into a hiding space as soon as someone enters the room. We think both of these boys will do very well in a home together once they had had ample time to bond with their owners.
At our free-roaming facility, cats like these have all of the time in the world to acclimate and adjust at their own rate—a snail’s pace if that is what is necessary. We have no cages, no time limits, no rules or regulations—each individual cat gets to stretch his legs at their own pace; each kitty gets to spread her furry little wings and fly when she is ready to leave the fold.
We offer a peaceful, secure environment to each and every cat in our care as long as they need it—and us. Slow and steady wins the race, and we firmly believe that with love, all things are possible; we surely can see endless possibilities and bright futures full of promise for this family of ours.
More about Dean:
Domestic Medium Hair
Tabby (tiger-striped)
Adult
Male
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Good in a home with other cats, no children
Want to adopt Dean? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Some of the veterans at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
One of the veterans at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Some of the veterans at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Some of the veterans at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
One of the assistance tables at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
One of the assistance tables at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
One of the assistance tables at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
One of the assistance tables at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
One of the assistance tables at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
One of the assistance tables at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
VFW Post 702 distributed clothing at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Community Rebuilders was distributing a truckload of military surplus equipment at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Community Rebuilders was distributing a truckload of military surplus equipment Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
It was not all serious at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Scenes from the Homeless Veterans Stand Down Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
It was no coincidence that the Community Rebuilders veterans assistance group was distributing a truckload of military surplus equipment suitable for urban camping, nor that the Wyoming-Grandville VFW Post 702 Auxiliary was distributing piles of clothing suitable for life on the street, at the Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Wyoming last week.
While not solely for homeless veterans, it was clear that many of about 200 veterans are currently or have been homeless as they lined up for services Friday, June 14, at Metro Health Park’s Granger Green. The event brought together nearly 50 organizations in an event sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Metro Health/University of Michigan Health.
The services offered ranged from basic food and shelter needs, to physical and mental health, to job and education services — all programs and community partners welcomed by Metro Health.
“This is our third or fourth year hosting it and we have just been honored by so many people in the community who are supporting the event for these veterans who have put their lives on the line many, many times over again for our freedom, and we are so honored to give back in a small way,” Michelle Rademacher, Metro Health community outreach specialist, said to WKTV. Metro Health/UM Health’s involvement “is important because these are members of our community and we are a community-based hospital and we want everyone to feel welcome here.”
Among the groups in attendance were the federal and Michigan based Veterans Affairs representatives as well as the Social Security Administration, the State of Michigan Veterans Employment Services and the Grand Valley State University Upward Bound veterans education assistance program, Trilogy Health Services and the Mental Health Advocacy Council, and veterans community organizations including American Legion posts and Team Red, White and Blue.
“A lot of these veterans don’t even know there is a VFW and that they can join,” Ron Oakes, commander of VFW Post 702, said to WKTV. “We do things like this for exposure, to let veterans know we are out there … (and) … that we are here to help the veterans.”
Coincidentally, Oakes’ VFW post itself is currently without a permanent home.
“We used to have a building, but not now,” Oakes said. “But we are still here and we are still looking for one.”
The veterans seeking goods and services had to produce proof of veterans status via a DD214, or valid state or military identification.
Veterans who were not able to be at the stand down can seek assistance by, among many sources, visiting the Kent County Veterans Services office at accesskent.com .
We all know that companies cross government boundary lines all the time. They are constantly buying and selling goods and services while crossing city, village, township, county, state, and in many cases federal boundaries.
But what many people may not realize is that employees regularly cross city, village and county boundaries for employment. This ebb and flow of employees help companies located in a particular county fill needed positions, which enables them to sell products and services, pay taxes, and support their home county.
Conversely, many residents rely on companies in another county for employment, which enables them to live, raise families, pay taxes, and support schools and community projects in their home county.
The US Census Bureau OnTheMap has created an interesting report called: “Inflow/Outflow Report All Jobs for All Workers.” Search and select the county or city you’d like to analyze, then select “inflow/outflow” and “all jobs” in the dialog box. From the generated report you’ll be able to see how many individuals are employed and living in the area, how many come into the area for employment, and how many leave the area for employment.
The report is based on 2015 data, but the proof that economic development is regional is shown vividly by the movement of residents. View your community data and access the full reports at http://onthemap.ces.census.gov.
“Michigan State University Extension has had a unique relationship with the regional economic development organization Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) for more than 20 years. Recognizing the strength of combining resources, this partnership focuses on economic development, entrepreneurship growth and community infrastructure throughout a four-county region in the northwest Lower Peninsula, specifically Antrim, Charlevoix, and Cheboygan counties. As a result, the NLEA utilizes resources offered through MSU Extension as it provides leadership to state-wide programs sponsored by MSU Extension.”
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
On occasion we have to set up live traps behind our facility on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, as people do have a tendency to drop cats off after (and sometimes during) hours; also we are seated across the street from an apartment complex that has had its fair share of abandonments, so our parking lot is no stranger to strays in need of assistance.
This spring (2019) we noted a few cats hanging around who had proven to be quite elusive, so in early May we set up a live trap in hopes of snagging one or both of them; instead we caught this scraggly yet stunning senior citizen—whom we had never seen before. As it turned out, the eight-year-old (born in April of 2011) was actually microchipped to a person living only a few blocks away, but multiple attempts to contact the owner failed.
Dr. Jen reached out to an old neighbor of hers who still lived nearby, and he told her that the owner had passed away a year ago, and the remaining residents of the household left this poor to fend for herself. The neighbor had been watching out for her and providing food and shelter, but he hadn’t seen her for quite some time before we caught her. He was so relieved she was safe and sound, indoors and being cared for, as his two former Crash Cats screamed bloody murder whenever they caught sight of her traipsing around their yard.
Since this sweet, seasoned girl was getting a second chance at a bright future, Dr. Jen opted to rename her Lenka, which is Slavic in derivation and means ‘light’. Although Lenka was sturdy in frame, she was underweight and thin, eating to her heart’s content and purring up a storm when stroked and spoken to. One thing that was clearly evident was that Lenka was definitely used to being indoors and could not be happier to have that soothing environment envelop her again.
Very shortly after her arrival, however, she developed large ulcerations on her upper lips, so along with treatment for an ear infection, Dr. Jen started antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial invasion of the lesions known as ‘rodent ulcers, an inflammatory condition that can be brought on by stress. The good doctor held off on using steroids to treat this form of Eosinophilic Granulomas, as she was hesitant to use an immunosuppressive drug right off the bat; luckily Dr. Jen’s gamble paid off and within days, Lenka’s lips healed beautifully.
But her medical issues weren’t over yet: when it came time for her four-week recheck at the clinic, Dr. Jen noted an elevated heart rate—and the fact that even though this girl could eat her weight (8#) in canned food, she hadn’t put on more than a few ounces. As Dr. Jen suspected, lab work revealed that Lenka was hyperthyroid. Thankfully, this condition, which is common in geriatric cats and causes a hypermetabolic state, is very easy (and cost-effective) to medically manage; Lenka takes her twice-daily pills like a trouper.
Dr. Jen tells her clients that if their pet is going to have an endocrine disorder, thyroid disease is probably the one that requires the least effort to control, and bi-yearly follow-ups once levels normalize. So, that being said, we asked our cat care team to give a glimpse of Lenka’s personality traits as seen at the shelter:
“Lenka is so sweet but really should be an only cat. She loves one-on-one time with people and can’t get enough attention. She just prefers a little bit of space from the other cats. I have a feeling at one time he was the Queen Bee of a household. She’s not one to be physically aggressive but will let out a serious warning growl to the other residents if they get too close — especially when eating. Considering her almost immediate health issues/setbacks, and hearing a little of her background I really don’t blame her for being a little grumpy. She’s not crazy about being handled but enjoys chin scratches and belly rubs. I would love to see her as an only cat in a home with a retired couple ideally, but as long as she is showered with affection she will be thrilled!”
More about Lenka:
Domestic Short Hair
Tabby (tiger-striped)
Senior
Female
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed
Good in a home with children, no other cats
Want to adopt Lenka? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
On March 2nd and again on March 17th, we had what we believe to be an entire family of terrified cats dumped off in carriers. ‘The Shy Seven’ were the first to arrive, and then three more joined us, rounding things out to ‘The Timid Ten’. Needless to say, it was a huge ordeal for all involved, from the stunned volunteers who kept pulling cat after cat out of cramped carriers, to the traumatized kitties who had no idea what was going on, and finally to Dr. Jen who spent the greater part of two weekends at the clinic getting them program-ready.
The latter was no small feat, as every single cat (yup, all ten of them) were intact, four of the five girls were pregnant, and all ten were clearly out of their element and having major trust issues. Adding various medical issues to the mix—like fleas and a variety of internal parasites, dental disease and chronic herpes virus—we ended up having a heaping handful of kitties who needed a great deal of help, not only physically, but probably more importantly, mentally.
It was clear from the onset that the family had been neglected and lacking human contact for quite some time, given their poor body condition, long nails and a shyness that went beyond anything we have seen before—and we have seen a lot. We have no idea where they came from or why someone thought it was a good idea to displace them as they did without regard for our space or financial capabilities, but our proposed scenario is this: a kindhearted, elderly person owned them and, for whatever reason, let them breed and multiply, running rampant in the house and growing wilder and warier as the days wore on. We suspect this person then passed (or moved away), and the cats were left to fend for themselves until a family member (or landlord) came in and booted the entire lot of them out—and onto our doorstep.
Regardless, we’d like to think they were loved by someone at some point, as this helps us believe in the goodness of people, enough so to offset the stupidity and callousness of others.
Let’s just say that for the most part, the journey we have all been on together is ever evolving—and it is going to be a long road full of bumps, setbacks and, yes, triumphs along the way. It is now over two months since their arrival, and we are just now able to share their stories, as it has taken a great deal of time (and patience) to get to this point.
We have had one shining star, jovial Jenn, who has been trying to pave the way for her siblings/uncles/cousins/aunts to follow, so really, we should have renamed the group as ‘The Timid Ten, Not Including Jenn’. She was the only girl who wasn’t or hadn’t been pregnant, as her reproductive tract was underdeveloped; just 15 months (born in later 2017, we think, along with Dean, Desna, Roller and Quiet Ann), she turned out to be quite the trailblazer, assuming the role of matriarch of her furry family.
Brice, Dr. Ken, Polly, Uncle Daddy and Virginnia—in some way or another—fathered and mothered this group, though we can’t verify their twisted family tree; we believe they were all born in late 2016. In any case, we have learned who is independent, who absolutely needs to be part of a duo (or trio) and who is going to be our most challenging, in need of the most convincing that we are good and will do them no harm.
Who could possibly resist that face?
Desna is part of a trio (the others are Polly and Quiet Ann). Although it is a lot to ask, we can’t imagine splitting the trio up. All three of them will cram themselves into a teepee bed and sleep there, piled on top of each other, for hours contentedly. They prefer to wait for people to approach them and give them attention but relish it when received. They are very bonded with one another; we feel that separating them would be devastating to all three.
At our free-roaming facility, cats like these have all of the time in the world to acclimate and adjust at their own rate—a snail’s pace if that is what is necessary. We have no cages, no time limits, no rules or regulations—each individual cat gets to stretch his legs at their own pace; each kitty gets to spread her furry little wings and fly when she is ready to leave the fold.
We offer a peaceful, secure environment to each and every cat in our care as long as they need it—and us. Slow and steady wins the race, and we firmly believe that with love, all things are possible; we surely can see endless possibilities and bright futures full of promise for this family of ours!
More about Desna:
Domestic Medium Hair
Tortoiseshell
Adult
Female
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed
Good in a home with other cats, no children
Want to adopt Desna? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
The 15th Annual Metro Cruise, hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, is still a summer-full of fun away — the event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24 — but the wheels are already rolling toward the big event.
The chamber hosted the 6th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise Dust Off in early May at the Moose Lodge on Burlingame Avenue SW, when the Miss Metro Cruise contest (formerly the Pin Up Girl contest) was also officially introduced. The next steps in the contest will be the preliminaries set to take place, Sunday, July 13, also at the Moose Lodge, with the finals set for Aug. 24 on the Metro Cruise Main Stage.
“The sixth annual Dust Off is our first event of the Metro Cruise car season,” Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Chamber, said to WKTV at the May event. “We have over 100 cars here. This kinds of kicks off the guys going to all the (local car) events.”
It was also the kick off of the re-engineered Miss Metro Cruise contest.
“The way the girls dress, it is more in eras, not like the old (pin-up) calendar thing you’d see in the past,” O’Callaghan said. “It is really a classy operation, so we thought we’d change the name to reflect the Metro Cruise.”
And while WKTV Journal was at the Dust Off, WKTV Community Media is deep in plans for its production of a 1-hour special live broadcast scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, on WKTV Comcast Channel 25, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, as well as being live-streamed and, later, on-demand on WKTV.org .
“Each Metro Cruise is one of our highlights in covering the hyperlocal stories of Wyoming and Kentwood,” said Tom Norton, general manager of WKTV Community Media. “The Chamber of Commerce does an outstanding job of putting on a true community event that has become a staple of summertime. We’re looking forward to our one-hour, live broadcast on Friday night from Metro Cruise.
“Tune in for all the close-ups before you come out and discover Metro Cruise 2019, ” Norton added. “We encourage residents to come to 28th Street and be part of the fun, but they can also be part of fun by viewing our live show, which will also be available in cable replays and on-demand, as well as following our complete online coverage of the event.”
The Metro Cruise is an annual event that “invites car lovers and enthusiasts to reminisce and commemorate the vehicles that have driven down 28th Street for decades,” according to supplied material. The event brings in more than $3 million in business to the 28th Street corridor over the course of two days, with more that 250,000 attendees at an event staffed solely by volunteers.
Some of the Miss Metro Cruise contestants at the Dust Off. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Miss Metro Cruise contest is an contest that features women dressing in eras from the 1920s, 1960s, to modern-day in full hair, makeup, and costume. Currently there is about 30 participants, with a July 13 preliminary contest to select the top 10 finalists. Each finalist will receive personalized trading cards and a chance to be named Miss Metro Cruise 2019 with the top three finalists set to receive a cash prize.
For those of you who know how much joy Dr. Jen takes from naming our kitties, you realize that she takes her time in getting to know each cat before making a final decision on what to call him or her, and oftentimes the good doctor will make a play on words in homage to a specific attribute (or lack there of). Nothing delights her more than having someone crack up when they discover why she gave a cat the title she has, as a LOT of thought went into it.
So in March of 2019, when spritely little Sandi D. first brought in this newly neutered, fabulously fat-headed, 3-1/2-year-old (born in the fall of 2015), Dr. Jen had to chuckle when this moniker appeared to fall down from the heavens and land solidly in her lap.
As the story goes, he had been hanging around the same southwest Grand Rapids neighborhood that brought us Churro and Burdock, so our red-headed rescue machine set out her live trap in hopes of getting him off the streets. After a successful venture, she carted him off to C-SNIP for long-overdue neutering and then took him back home to get him used to the idea of being an indoor cat.
It took this kitty a few weeks to be brave enough to come out of his wine box cubby, but once he did, he greeted her only with a few hisses that really were more for effect than anything. She coaxed him into her good graces with canned food, and slowly he began to open up to her, but suddenly he fell ill and stopped eating for three days, so he headed back to the clinic.
As it turns out, not only was he suffering from inflammation/infection of the bile ducts within his liver, but the poor guy tested positive for Feline Leukemia (he was negative the month prior). Treatment was undertaken and within a few days he had bounced back completely, ready to head on down to our sanctuary to join our residents.
It is a bit of an understatement to say that people were immediately drawn to his stunning, smashing good looks, but it has taken him quite a bit of time to warm up to the fact that people want to see him—and love on him. Slowly but surely, our volunteers have made excellent progress, to the point that they can now say this about Dunkin No-nuts:
“Dunkin is very quiet and shy, but also very sweet. He has a favorite spot in a cubby and doesn’t really move from that room. He does really like it when people come up to him and give him some love, and I think he would do great in a home where he is able to bond with his owner over time. He needs a quiet home with no kids or loud dogs. He doesn’t seem to really care about the other cats at all, so he could probably live with or without them.”
“Dunkin—in a perfect world, he would be best buddies with Ellston, since they resemble each other and make a handsome duo, but unfortunately, they don’t really care for each other. Dunkin is extremely shy and reserved and is usually found hunkered down low in a cubby just watching from the sidelines. He is super-sweet to us and actually likes to be held but will go right back to his hidey-hole when you put him down. To me, he’s one of those cats that is just too overwhelmed with all the other cats. He’s not aggressive in any way, just prefers to be left alone. He’d do well in a home with older kids, no dogs, and maybe one other cat.”
Since the virus is transmissible, ideally we would like to find him a home where he will be the only cat, and given his gentle personality, we feel this would be greatly beneficial and allow him the security and space he needs to blossom. He is such a LOVELY boy!
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Dr. Jen had waited an awfully long time to find the perfect cat to name Pepe LePew, so when Sandi D. (volunteer and friend to all ferals and homeless cats) brought this spectacular specimen to Dr. Jen in early March, 2019, she knew she had found the cat she had been patiently pining for!
Not only was this 3-year-old (born in March of 2016) a stunning tuxedo, but he was extremely stinky, since he was all boy. We didn’t have an opening yet at Crash’s, but Sandi is well prepared to accommodate the wayward souls she picks up off the streets, so she fostered him in her home until we were able to take him into our program on April 11th.
And there was no question on anyone’s mind as to exactly why Dr. Jen bestowed such a moniker on him, as he was still quite malodorous—though totally adorable—upon arrival into our program.
Once at Crash’s, Pepe made himself at home, quickly winning over the volunteers with his stunning looks and spunky attitude. Here is what two of our cat care team members had to say about our beautiful black-and-white, sharp-dressed man:
“ Pepe—he’s adorable and it’s always tempting to scoop him up but he’s a little on the sassy side, and will squirm/swat until he’s put down. He’s young, playful, and maybe a bit of a stinker, but I think as he gets older he would learn to settle down and actually enjoy human affection. He’s a very handsome guy, and I have a feeling he won’t be with us long. A home with older kids, and maybe a dog to buddy up with would be perfect.”
Courtesy Crash’s Landing
“Pepe is a very social guy. He always has to be the center of attention. He does tend to bite a little when he gets overstimulated or when you are doing something he doesn’t like, such as being combed, so it would be best if he goes to a home without young children—older children though would be great for him. He also probably needs a buddy to play with.”
We find it funny that he has been described as a stinker, inside and out, which makes him all the more endearing in our opinion. As you can clearly see, he can also be inquisitive, laid-back and super social, a fantastic combination of traits to possess!
More about Pepe:
Domestic Medium Hair
Black & White/Tuxedo
Adult
Male
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Good in a home with other cats, older children
Want to adopt Pepe? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
On Jan. 15, 2019, Dr. Jen received an email from a friend of a former volunteer asking for help for a bedraggled male cat who had been hanging around for about three years. The poor guy’s eyes needed attention, and he had a slight cough or hard time swallowing.
Over the years, the kitty had become friendlier to the point where he sat at the back door crying all night and trying to get in when the door opened. He had scratched and bitten the woman before in an attempt to get in, and then suddenly one day climbed into her lap and let her pet him. He then insisted on being in her lap every time she fed him, going so far as to nuzzle into her coat and let her wrap him up in a blanket to sleep.
It took a few days for us to be able to get this poor guy (born in the summer of 2014) off the streets so that Dr. Jen could see what she could do about those eyes. Considering how haggard and tattered-looking this guy was, it was obvious that he had been through some pretty rough spots in his life, including a fractured or dislocated right rear toe, bronzing of the fur on his forepaws from rubbing his eyes, fleas, a notched ear from fighting, a broken upper canine tooth, contracting a severe feline herpes virus infection that was causing his chronic conjunctivitis AND being infected by Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
But, in spite of all of the above, Dr. Jen could clearly see that Chihuly was a diamond in the rough, a precious work of art that had yet to be appreciated.
At the writing of his biography about a month after his arrival, we are happy to report that charming Chihuly is really enjoying indoor life and takes his topical eyes meds like a trouper (he is also on an oral lysine supplement to help with the herpes). We have also learned from our cat care team the following about his likes, dislikes and kitty-quirks:
“Chihuly has a tendency to be a little bit of an attention hog, but once he’s had his fill, he’ll give you a quick swipe of the paw to warn you; I wouldn’t call him aggressive, he just has his personal limits. I’ve never seen him actually start any fights, or intentionally go after another cat, but he will join in on the growling if anything is going down between the others.”
“I have learned that the way to his heart is with endless bowls of canned food — he’s been known to eat four big plates and still follow you around for more. He would eat until he explodes if you let him.”
“He’d do best in a home with adults, and maybe one other cat, but dogs may a bit too much for him. Overall he is incredibly sweet and has gotten much better at not expressing himself by striking out; you can tell the time spent on the streets has made him a bit defensive, but he is learning rather quickly that soaking up the love and attention afforded him is the key to happiness.”
Chihuly will continue to evolve and make positive changes for weeks and months to come, but thus far, we are already impressed by his acclimation into our free-roaming, 50-cat population. He will require long-term medication to keep his eyes comfortable, but overall it is an affordable care plan that he doesn’t mind one bit. Simply stated, if you fill him up with yummy canned food and give him a lap to snooze on, he will be your best friend fur-ever!
More about Chihuly:
Domestic Short Hair
Black & White/Tuxedo
Adult
Male
Large
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Good in a home with other cats, no children
Want to adopt Chihuly? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
It’s not only elite athletes and experienced runners who are preparing for this weekend’s 42nd River Bank Run. For the ninth year, former and current residents of Dégagé Ministries Open Door Women’s Center will participate in the Amway River Bank 5k Walk. Dégagé’s walking group, the ‘Heartside All Stars for Health’, is a group of approximately 12 women who have overcome or are working to overcome things like poverty, addiction and homelessness. With the support of Dégagé’s staff and volunteers, the organization’s walking group totals nearly 30 people.
The Heartside All Stars for Health participate in weekly training sessions lead by a volunteer community nurse at Dégagé. Of course, the walking provides physical benefits, but it also offers emotional, social and spiritual benefits, particularly for women who are facing so much difficulty in their lives and for whom exercise is not always a priority. Training for the walk gives the women an opportunity to support each other as they try to achieve big dreams, like securing safe and permanent housing. One of these women, Linda, says that participating with the walking group helps her “pick up her shoes instead of a bottle”.
On Wednesdays, it is a common sight to see the group gather outside Dégagé’s doors looking bundled up and eager to get moving. One of these eager walkers is Linda, who is a recovered alcoholic. She credits her involvement with Walking Club and Dégagé as one of the things that keeps her sober, motivated, and focused.
Linda’s journey to healing has been a long trek. For thirty years she struggled with addiction. Before finding Dégagé, Linda was homeless for four years, bouncing from shelter to shelter each night. But eight years ago, something changed. Linda made a commitment to get sober. She had heard about Dégagé through a friend and started coming for the services offered on the 1st and 2nd floor. She got an ID, earned vouchers for meals, and got help finding permanent housing.
Linda laces up to get moving with Dégagé’s Walking Club (courtesy Dégagé Ministries)
Along the way, Linda heard about Dégagé’s Walking Club. She began showing up on Wednesdays and soon found walking was one of her true passions. She discovered that lacing up her tennis shoes was a great way to keep her from being tempted to pick up the bottle. Linda loves the challenge and activity as well as the community and conversation. Finding Walking Club and Dégagé meant finally having a place to belong. It is her support and her community.
When Linda was asked what she hopes to achieve through her participation in Walking Club, she contemplated the answer for a moment before breaking into a smile, “Continue in my sobriety and helping others through their journey.”
And with that, she finished tying her shoe and raced off to walk with her friends.
Dan VanderHeide, Michigan Society of Professional Engineers’s “Young Engineer of the Year”, with Cassandra Daller, MSPE’s “Engineer of the Year”. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
By City of Kentwood
City of Kentwood engineer Dan VanderHeide was recently named “Young Engineer of the Year” by the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers. The honor was presented on Friday, May 3, during the MSPE Annual Conference in Lansing.
VanderHeide has been actively involved with the Western Michigan Chapter as chair of the Engineers in Government committee since 2017. Prior to earning the state title, he was also awarded “Young Engineer of the Year” by the local chapter.
“Dan’s leadership at the local and state level has been outstanding,” said Scott Conners, president of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers. “His contribution to the Western Michigan Professional Engineers in Government committee has been valuable to many of our peers.
“Dan’s work with this committee has created a governmental collaboration that is being talked about in engineering circles all across the state.”
VanderHeide first joined the City of Kentwood in 2014 as the assistant city engineer. He was promoted to city engineer in October 2018. In his current role, he provides essential community services related to all development occurring in Kentwood, managing many of the City’s largest infrastructure projects. VanderHeide is also responsible for recommending policies related to roads, water, sewer and storm water to the City Commission.
“Dan has made impressive achievements since joining the Engineering Department, including successfully managing numerous road projects, amounting to more than $10 million in construction value over the last three years,” said Tim Bradshaw, director of Engineering and Inspections. “The City of Kentwood has the best rated municipal road network in West Michigan, and I believe that’s largely due to Dan’s expertise at prescribing the right fix at the right time.”
VanderHeide also currently serves on the Barrier Free Design Board for the State of Michigan and coaches the Tri-Cities Youth Soccer Organization. In the past, he has served as president of the American Society of Civil Engineers – West Michigan Branch and as a member of the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds Storm Water Ordinance Committee.
Prior to becoming employed by the City of Kentwood, VanderHeide gained nine years of experience in engineering consulting. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Calvin College in 2005.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In June of 2015, friend to ferals (and our volunteer) Sandi D. was helping a co-worker TNR (trap-neuter-return) some stray cats living in her southeast side neighborhood when she came across this smashing, dashing boy, whom she initially thought was a girl. CSNIP (Community Spay/Neuter Initiative Program) ‘snipped’ him and sent him back to Sandi with a recommendation to treat an eye infection he had.
Unable to turn him back outside with medical issues, and fully thinking he was a wild child, she asked Gina from Focus on Ferals to help. So Gina took him in and housed him, treating his eye and socializing him; a month later she tested him and he turned up FIV+. Sweet and social, there wasn’t a mean bone in this guy’s big body (over 14#); he was probably just overwhelmed and not feeling too well when he and Sandi first met.
Sandi is in contact with Gina often as they work closely together doing TNR, and when fall turned to winter and her boy was still waiting for a place to call his own, she asked if we would consider taking him into our program. We have a pretty good adoption rate at Big Sid’s, especially for super-handsome, stunners like Harold, and wanted to give Gina a bit more room at her place.
We took this fine fella (born in late 2010) into our sanctuary on Nov. 16, 2018, after a bit of dental work was done at the clinic. Initially Sandi had named her black beauty ‘Mario’, but since we already had a Sid’s Kid with that name and coloring, Dr. Jen asked if she could name him something else; they just happened to be at our annual Whiskers and Wine fundraiser when they chatted, and since Sandi was accompanied by her long-time beau Harold, it seemed like a no-brainer.
From the second Harold stepped foot on the premises, he was comfortable and at ease, eager to meet and greet all newcomers and current residents. Our cat care director immediately fell in love with his gentle ways, his calm demeanor and his mellow vibe. He loves just hanging out with the gang, patiently awaiting the arrival of the volunteers who shower him with love and attention, which he soaks up like a super-silky, raven-haired sponge.
Harold couldn’t be nicer or more well-adjusted, and we honestly couldn’t be happier that he is ours. We hope that Big Sid’s is simply a stepping stone for Harold, who will hop, skip and jump his way to bigger and better things (though our place is paw-some), as a cat this marvelous deserves to be doted upon in a home of his own.
More about Harold:
Domestic Short Hair
Adult
Male
Extra large
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
FIV-positive
Neutered
Not declawed
Want to adopt Harold? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus is the art of business — and the business of art — specifically in Kentwood but also in the region as a whole. First we catch up with the new Kentwood Arts Commission — what it does and does not do. Then, talking about new things, we catch up with Woodland Mall, where there has been a massive rejuvenation during the last couple of years and where exciting change continues.
First In Focus is the City of Kentwood Arts Commission, which was established in late 2017 and became fully active early last year. The Arts Commission is tasked with reviewing proposals for the outside display of art on private property visible from the public right of way and within the guidelines of the City of Kentwood Zoning Ordinance. With us is Terry Schweitzer, City of Kentwood’s Planning and Community Development Director.
Woodland Mall Marketing Director Cecily McCabe on the In Focus set with host Ken Norris. (WKTV)
Then In Focus is the Kentwood’s Woodland Mall, which is the midst of a major rejuvenation with additions large and small — the most high-profile being Von Maur’s first-in-the-region location; in fact there is a whole new wing nearing completion focused on the Von Maur addition. But that is just one aspect of what has been a busy couple of years for the local mall. With us is Woodland Mall Marketing Director Cecily McCabe, and we will talk with her about all the changes at Woodland and local retail climate as a whole. To see the video, (recorded in the middle of April) follow this link.
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 (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
This little lady’s family was being evicted right around Halloween 2018, so one of our volunteers stepped in and asked if she could rehome their two kitties; thankfully they accepted the generous offer. So, the rescuer took the duo home with her and set them up in temporary kitty condos until she could get them out to the clinic to see Dr. Jen for veterinary care. One of the two thought her new surroundings were the bee’s knees but the other, a sourpuss, wasn’t having any of it.
Magnificent Marguerite (born in March of 2012) checked out just fine, but at the time we didn’t have any room at Crash’s for this front-declawed calico cutie. (The sourpuss, unfortunately, didn’t meet our program requirements, attitude-wise.)
On Nov. 26, our lighthearted, lovely lady came in for a recheck (she had tested negative for both FELV and FIV) and received her second round of vaccines and deworming — we had a spot for her at Crash’s that she could claim entirely as her own. From the minute she sauntered into the shelter, Marguerite acted as though she owned the place and settled in immediately, finding her niche and fitting in very nicely.
Marguerite is a confident, yet laid-back cat who loves people sooooo much that she is never scarce when a human is around. She adores snuggling, thrives on attention and gets along famously well with her furry roomies, so finding her a home should be easy, since she will adapt to any surroundings (as long as she’s indoors). It is an understatement to say that this kitty has stolen all of our hearts. She is truly a gem of a cat, a rare find in a world of disposable pets treated like possessions and not the precious creatures they are.
Marguerite is the epitome of purrrrrrfection, and the lucky family who makes her their own will have a real treasure on their hands—and in their laps.
More about Marguerite:
Calico & Domestic Short Hair Mix
Adult
Female
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Marguerite? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Brenner Excavating, Inc. (BEI) works on projects with the Michigan Department of Transportation to create roads and paths in West Michigan. At BEI, everyone is treated like family. Kyle Brenner is the contract and safety manager; his father, Kevin, started the company forty-five years ago
“We’re a great size where you don’t get lost in the shuffle. We treat all employees like family but have perks like larger companies, including great benefits,” Brenner said
All in the family
Kirk Alward, project foreman, has spent his 26-year career with BEI. His dad started at the company in 1979 and still works there. Kirk started as a laborer, learned everything he knows on the job and now leads teams as a foreman
“I like what I do because I like the people I work for. There are days when I don’t like my job (like anyone) but I keep coming back because of the Brenners,” Alward said
Alward’s team is currently working on a bike path along Cottonwood in Jenison
“We get a lot of people from other companies who, shortly after starting here, tell us they wish they’d worked here their whole career,” Alward said
Successful career ahead
Heather Wilkins joined Brenner Excavating in 2017 with some construction experience. Her team is working on a retaining wall in Caledonia. As a laborer, she lays pipe, checks grade of dirt, does traffic control. Each day brings different tasks and challenges
“It’s hard work, but I love it. Everyone is so willing to teach,” Wilkins said.
She plans to take a heavy machine operating class over the winter to learn more skills
“I would love to retire from Brenner. I hope to climb the ladder and become a foreman or operator in the future,” Wilkins said
With construction season gearing up, Brenner Excavating has a full season of work ahead of them. They’re taking applications for positions at all skill levels:
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, who represents Wyoming and Kentwood, talks to a group at a “Coffee with Constituents” visit to Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming April 23. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (Republican-Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District), who represents Wyoming and Kentwood, has spoken loud and often of the positive impact of Republican-led 2017 tax cuts for businesses large and small, and he did so again Tuesday at a “Coffee with Constituents” visit to Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming.
At the April 23 event, donut shop owner Marge Wilson, herself, echoed the congressman as she spoke to WKTV about what the tax cuts have meant for her business and her now-enlarged employee payroll.
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga and Marge Wilson at Marge’s Donut Den. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“I was hoping (that the business tax cut) would help, but I got more value than I definitely expected,” Wilson said to WKTV. “The qualified business tax deduction … for my business, that was significant. I bought a new (commercial) mixer with the amount of taxes that I saved, and our mixer was needed.
“And then the tax bracket was reduced 3 percent, which was another help. … I was able to hire more people and give them a substantial raise in pay.”
Wilson said she hired four full-time employees.
The positive result of the tax cut “is significant,” Rep. Huizenga said to WKTV at the event. “I hear it all the time … it is real and it allows people, like Marge, and others, to hire additional people, to invest in their business.”
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga talks to a group at a “Coffee with Constituents” visit to Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming April 23. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
According to information distributed by Rep. Huizenga’s office recently, since passage of the 2017 Republican tax cuts, economic growth hit nearly 3 percent, with just under 3.4 million new jobs and a 3.2 percent increase in hourly wages.
Rep. Huizenga’s visit to Wyoming was part of a series of “coffee hour” visits where not only the representative but members of his staff were present to assist 2nd District residents who have questions regarding federal policy or are having trouble with a federal agency. So far this year, according to his office, the congressman has held coffee hours in Hart, Baldwin, and Zeeland, and has participated in a town hall forum in Ludington.
The public meetings are “a touch point, having people who have very different perspectives and views, coming in and (my) spending a few minutes with them,” Rep. Huizenga said. “This is a good way for people to have that opportunity.”
Wilson said she appreciates the effort of elected officials such as Rep. Huizenga and local State Rep. Tommy Brann (R-House District 77).
“Both of those men excel at reaching out to people,” Wilson said. “They go where a lot of people go, so they are accessible. … Here they can have a coffee and a donut together, it’s a lot more relaxed. For those guys (Huizenga and Brann) to get out of their comfort zone and come to the people, I think that is huge.”
Tax cuts and donuts were only one (large) part of the discussion at Marge’s, and while many private constituent conversations remain so, Rep. Huizenga did talk to WKTV about how his work in Washington, D.C., has changed in the aftermath of the 2018 elections and the change of House of Representatives control to the Democrats.
“My priorities are the same it is just how do you work towards them,” he said. “It is different. I no longer have the ability as to what bill we are going to be taking up in a subcommittee. It is harder to directly influence (actions) but I still have the same goals and objectives,”
For more information about Rep. Huizenga’s office and how to contact his staff, visit huizenga.house.gov .
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
On Jan. 23, 2019, Dr. Jen’s co-worker, Allie got a text from a friend who had come across this bedraggled but beautiful intact boy near Burton and Division. She promptly got him out of harm’s way and dropped him off at Allie’s so she could bring him in to the clinic the next morning for evaluation.
The fabulous, yet filthy 4-1/2-year-old fella (born in the summer of 2014) was suffering from a nasty skin infection on his back, severe yellowing of his fur from being outside for so long, a puncture wound above his left eye that was causing it to swell, and a smaller one in the inner corner of his right eye. Antibiotics, multiple baths and, of course, long-overdue neutering got him on the right track, but if truth be told, he was still quite smelly (male hormones!), so he hung out at the clinic for a few days before Dr. Jen sent him down to our sanctuary. At that time, given his obvious history of tussling, it wasn’t a surprise that he tested FIV-positive
Over the course of the next four weeks, Hoobastank hunkered down and settled in seamlessly, abandoning whatever tomcat tendencies he may have had:
“This gorgeous guy is a super-friendly and sweet big pile of fluff. When he first came to us, he tended to get picked on a little, but the others seem to have been leaving him alone. He’s a bit docile when it comes to too much action around him, but over time he is getting better.
“He loves napping up by the kitchen window, which is ironic because he really doesn’t care for what we serve in the kitchen—he just prefers his dry kibble and Temptations. Due to his slight timidity, he may do best in a home with no other pets where he doesn’t feel threatened. Kids would be perfect for him, or retired couple or person who would have plenty of time to spend one-on-one with him.”
When Dr. Jen retested him at his one-month recheck at the clinic, he came back FIV-negative. It appears that the bite he received caused his body to produce antibodies to the virus as it was introduced into his bloodstream, but thankfully his immune system was strong enough to fight the infection off. This is fantastic news as adopting out a cat from Crash’s historically has been much easier than from Big Sid’s, though we pride ourselves on just how awesome our Sid’s Kids are and promote the heck out of them.
Regardless of his viral status, Hoobastank is a favorite of ours and we have no doubt that finding him his forever home will not be difficult. Just look at that fabulous face this super friendly guy has—and it can be all yours for loving and snuggling!
More about Hoobastank:
Domestic Short Hair / Black & White / Tuxedo
Adult
Male
Large
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Hoobastank? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To
take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids
area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming,
no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be
found.
“Beer’s intellectual. What a shame so many idiots drink it.”
~ Ray Bradbury
Never fear, here’s more beer
Hopslam behind-the-scenes tour (photo supplied)
Because it’s never enough. Pike 51 Brewing Co. and Hudsonville Winery will host their annual IPA Daze festival at 3768 Chicago Drive, in Hudsonville, on Saturday, April 20. There will be live music and a special “Stogies and Stouts” event with a cigar rolling demonstration. And 25 wine choices, five wine slushy flavors, traditional hard cider as well as “cyser” and mead. Go here for the story. But, wait. There’s more! Watch out for next weekend when New Holland Brewing Company releases Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash (last released in 2017). The bourbon barrel-aged stout will be available—in Michigan only— starting Saturday, April 27.
Apathy gets expensive
Photo by Steven Depolo
Michigan’s U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D) will host a summit at Michigan State University on Earth Day to examine the rising costs to taxpayers from extreme weather and climate change. The event, scheduled for Monday. April 22, at 10:30am, in East Lansing, is open to the public and will be streamed live on Facebook. Read more here.
This will make you itch
Unhatched nit (just what you wanted to see, right?)
Nobody likes ’em, so why do they exist? We’ll leave that for you to ponder, but meanwhile, did you know that head lice are common among children ages 3 to 11? It’s true. They can live on all types of hair—straight, curly, dyed or natural. They are most frequently found on girls and are more prevalent among Caucasian children. YIKES. Here are some tips for getting rid of the little buggers. The lice, that is. Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
7 to 10 days
That’s the time it takes for a nit to hatch after a head louse lays an egg. After hatching, the head louse will require 7 to 10 days before becoming a fully grown louse. Besides the head, they can also be found on eyebrows and eyelashes. So, now you know.
Hello there, handsome! Hey, check out those claws.
Bell’s Brewing Hopslam behind the scenes tour. (Supplied/Bell’s Brewing)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
If you’re into India Pale Ales — and who isn’t on a warm spring day? — Pike 51 Brewing Co. and Hudsonville Winery will host their annual IPA Daze festival at 3768 Chicago Drive, in Hudsonville, on Saturday, April 20, during normal hours of noon to midnight.
And Saturday is (supposed to be) 65 and sunny. Hey, IPAs work just fine in the rain though.
What kinds of brew is for you? (Supplied/GRPM)
This festival is a celebration of all things “hops” and, we are told, will feature the Pike 51 Brewing Co. specialty KUSH IPA and six additional event-specific “hops forward” IPA style beers and more than a dozen other brews for the non-IPA crowd.
Entertainment will include live music and a special “Stogies and Stouts” event with a cigar rolling demonstration. In addition, there will be 25 wine choices, five wine slushy flavors, traditional hard cider as well as “cyser” and mead — I, too, didn’t know what cyser is; Wikipedia says it is an apple mead; so a cider/mead cross?
The live music begins at 2:30 p.m. with Lew Russ and continues at 6 p.m. with Nathan Dill. The Stogies and Stouts in the Quonset Hut, with a cigar rolling demonstration by “The Cigar Roller”, begins at 3 p.m.
Pike 51 Brewing Co. is a locally owned and operated craft brewery that shares space with its sister company, Hudsonville Winery. For more information on the Pike 51, visit its Facebook page here.
New Holland to release Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash
Its been two years in coming, but New Holland Brewing Company has announced the release date of Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash, last released in 2017, and the bourbon barrel-aged stout will be available — in Michigan only — starting Saturday, April 27.
The brew is aged for one year in New Holland Spirits oak bourbon barrels, Triple Mash is, and no typo here, a 17 percent ABV to go with “an intense malt character paired with warm, toasted flavor notes from its time in the wood,” according to supplied material.
“Triple Mash takes what is already an amazing beer and really amplifies all those classic Dragon’s Milk flavors to the moon — the roasted malt, barrel sweetness and bourbon all shine through,” New Holland’s Dominic Bergquist said in the same supplied material.
New Holland will release of the beer on April 27 at its pubs in Grand Rapids and Holland, with “extremely limited” draft and bottle distribution will follow.
Both New Holland’s Grand Rapids and Holland pubs will open early on release day, starting at 10 a.m.
But if you can’t wait until then, a “Tour of Legends: Ultimate Dragon’s Milk Experience” will be held at The Knickerbocker in Grand Rapids on Friday, April 26, where participants will taste samples of Dragon’s Milk, Dragon’s Milk Reserve variants, Dragon’s Milk first- and second-use barrels and Triple Mash. Tickets are $75 and come with one Triple Mash 4-pack, one Triple Mash Teku glass and one Triple Mash sticker.
For more information on Dragon’s Milk and the special release and events, visit dragonsmilk.com . For more information on New Holland Brewing, visit newhollandbrew.com .
Bell’s Brewery tour voted one of country’s best
Bell’s Brewery recently announced that its brewery tour has been named one of the top two in the country. As one of ten breweries nominated for USA Today’s 2019 10 Best Reader’s Choice travel awards, public voting in March landed Bell’s the No. 2 spot on the list.
Bell’s The Eccentric Café and original brewery in downtown Kalamazoo and its main brewery just east in Comstock, have been destinations for craft beer fans for years.
A tour at Bell’s Brewing. (Supplied/Bell’s Brewing)
“Bell’s staff shares the eye-opening statistics, colorful history and scientific advancements of the brewery in a casual and educational presentation,” John Liberty, general manager at West Michigan Beer Tours, said in supplied material. “It should also be noted, while many large breweries around Michigan and country charge a fee for tours, Bell’s makes its tours free, which speaks volumes about the company’s philosophy behind telling its story.”
Free tours (all ages welcome) are held Wednesday through Sunday at Bell’s main brewery in Comstock and on weekends at its original downtown Kalamazoo brewery. Each Comstock tour includes free samples for those 21 and up. Specialty tours are also offered throughout the year. Tours can be reserved at bellsbeerz.com .
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Wyoming resident Brenda R. is no stranger to the strays that populate her neighborhood; in fact over the years we have taken in quite a few wayward souls that thankfully fell under her care. She contacted Dr. Jen right after Valentine’s Day 2019 when an emaciated, darling but dirty intact male (born in late summer of 2017) crossed her path. The poor boy had obtained a bite wound to his tail when he tried to hang out with two feisty females that didn’t take kindly to his intrusion on their food bowls.
Part of the reason Crumbs was so skinny and felt as though he was starving was due to the fact he had internal tapeworms, so Dr. Jen treated him for the nasty little buggers, tended to his wound, got him neutered, tested, vaccinated and all spiffed up. A few days later Dr. Jen sent him on down to Crash’s, where he IMMEDIATELY became a volunteer favorite, so she enlisted the help of his new BFF’s to enlighten everyone on just how awesome he is:
“Crumbs is an adorable little guy that quickly became friends with everyone. He tends to hang back when there’s a lot of commotion but is right there underfoot when he knows there’s food involved. He doesn’t mind being picked up and held, he loves playing with laser toys, and enjoys his naps cuddled up next to his friends. He’d do great in any home, especially one with kids.
“Crumbs is a very happy and social boy. He loves being around people and gets along great with all of his buddies at the shelter. The only thing he likes more than being the center of attention is endless bowls of canned food. I can’t think of a home where he wouldn’t do well, he’s just that perfect.”
About three weeks into his stay with us, our beloved buff-and-white boy fell ill with symptoms of Calici virus, a highly contagious respiratory illness that unvaccinated cats are very susceptible to. He developed an acute fever and painful tongue ulcers that caused excessive drooling, but even in the thick of it all he surprised us all by pounding down bowl after bowl of delicious canned food.
Since he was hospitalized at the clinic again (for narcotics to control his discomfort and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection) Dr. Jen opted to retest him a week earlier than planned, and discovered that the bite wounds he had sustained prior to his arrival had transmitted the FIV virus to him. When it was time to send him back to our facility, he took up residence on the other side of our building, officially becoming a Sid’s Kid.
No worries though, as Crumbs once again made instant furry friends, and even when he was so sick with Calici, he wanted to be in the middle of everything. Although it bummed us all out to learn of his new viral status, we have no doubt that our charming, outgoing little fella is going to get himself adopted, as he hasn’t an ounce of mean coursing through his veins, and he absolutely loves everyone he comes into contact with.
It is no doubt crummy (we couldn’t resist) all that has befallen our buddy here, but in true form he takes whatever comes his way in stride and is absolutely thriving indoors, where he was always meant to be.
More about Crumbs:
Domestic Short Hair / Buff & White
Adult
Male
Medium
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
FIV-positive
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Crumbs? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To
take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids
area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming,
no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be
found.
“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives . . .”
~ Carl Sagan
Painting the town … purple
Because red is just so overrated. Seriously, though, Paint the Town Purple offers an opportunity to check out the artwork of some of the talented and creative students of Wyoming High School. But hurry, because it all goes away this Thursday. Go here for the deets.
“Here am I floating ’round my tin can…”
On Wednesday, April 17, WKTV will be featuring, via the NASA channel, the launch of the newest Northrup Grumman Cygnus Cargo Craft, the S.S. Roger Chaffee, to the International Space Station. For more info, go here.
Looking for a few, good members
Get involved! The Kentwood City Commission has approved a resolution to establish an advisory committee that will review and prioritize improvements to Kentwood’s parks, trails and recreational programming to align with the needs of the community. Here’s your chance to do your part! Go here to learn more.
Fun fact:
$12,000,000
That’s how much an entire NASA suit costs — just ONE suit, mind you — and 70% of that is just for the backpack and control module. And you thought a Birkin bag was expensive.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we spend some time with the director of the City of Kentwood’s important and unique Adaptive Recreation Program. Then we have the video version of a podcast we produced bringing together three guests who are knowledgeable and passionate on the subject of sustainability … a word that means much more than simply recycling.
First up In Focus is the City of Kentwood’s Adaptive Recreation Program, a program with the stated goal “to help people with disabilities live meaningful, healthy and adventurous lives.” With us is the program director Katelyn Bush, who work with Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation Department organizing programs for seniors and adaptive populations.
WKTV Journal In Focus podcast on sustainability, with (from right) Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson, Janay Brower of Public Thread, Kari Bliss of Padnos Recycling and Scrap Management, and In Focus host Ken Norris. (WKTV)
Then In Focus is a special In Focus episode where three guests discuss the multifaceted topic of sustainability — from re-imagining manufacturing to reducing landfill waste to supporting a vibrant equitable workforce. Visiting our studios, each with unique perspectives on the subject, are Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson, Janay Brower of Public Thread and Kari Bliss of Padnos Recycling and Scrap Management.
For a link to the audio podcast, click here; for a link to the WKTV’s Facebook “The Whole Picture Podcasts” interview video, click here. (If you’d like to give us some feedback on our special In Focus podcast, please contact Ken Norris at ken@wktv.org.)
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 (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Holy moly, did it take a long time (and a massive effort) to corral this badly injured boy and convince him (and others) that he needed to be taken in out of harm’s way.
About two years ago, this three-year-old, intact male (born in early 2016) took to wandering around a Wyoming apartment complex, befriending a few of the residents who let him in from time to time. Then in the summer of 2018, he was terribly traumatized, most likely the victim of a nasty cat fight that caused his initial neck wound.
It seems that some of the residents had taken a shine to our boy, but instead of seeking medical care for him, they let nature take its course and went so far as to insist that he needed to stay put as ‘their’ outdoor cat; they would miss him too much if he were gone. Finally, his skin had progressively been damaged over the harsh, horrible winter we had, and he was brought in for long overdue medical attention.
Dr. Jen has smelled a lot of foul things in her career as a veterinarian, but this matted, chronically abscessed and necrotic skin flap was a doozy! Once anesthetized and prepped for surgery, the good doctor gently cut away the nasty, useless chunk of skin that was overlaying a 4-5 cm open wound, with another full-thickness hole present beneath. After flushing and debriding the wound site, Dr. Jen started this kitty on broad-spectrum antibiotics and pain medication, then set about neutering, conducting internal and external parasite control, administering vaccines, bathing (repeatedly to remove layers of grime), and testing.
It was no surprise that Donut tested positive for FIV, a transmissible feline virus acquired from deep puncture/bite wounds, disheartening but not unexpected. By the time he was done being brushed and blow-dried, he looked like a million bucks, albeit one missing a huge section of flesh.
Although his recovery was routine, the next morning Dr. Jen was not greeted by the happy, hungry hunk she left the night before, but a depressed kitty with an elevated respiratory rate who was lying in his feces—and very subdued while she re-bathed him. Dr. Jen was concerned about a reaction to the drugs used to sedate him or, more importantly, an underlying cardiomyopathy, so she ran a specialized test that showed elevated levels of an enzyme we can see in cats with heart disease.
Thankfully, after a course of subcutaneous fluids and the passing of a very large bowel movement laden with roundworms, this guy immediately perked up, his breathing resumed normal, and he was back to filling his face. A few days later, Dr. Jen sent him off to Sid’s with a vial of topical Silvadene cream in tow to be applied to his skin defects twice daily. Although an instant fan of belly rubs, Donut was understandably weary of any sort of human contact involving his head, so there was a bit of a learning curve for everyone involved. However, over the course of the next four weeks, his healing plugged along at a good clip, and although he will sport one heck of a scar, overall he really is none the worse for wear.
The majority of the time Dr. Jen spent with Donut was at the clinic, so she wanted to get a more in depth summary of his personality and observations made by his caretakers for his biography:
“I can’t say enough good things about him,” said one volunteer. “He absolutely loves all the comforts of indoor life. He’s crazy about wet food, treats, and humans. While taking care of his neck wound, he’s been nothing short of a gentleman, just sits and waits patiently for the treats at the end. He really does love people, knows his name already, and is starting to follow us around. He was slow to venture out of his safe place/room, but he knows he’s safe now, and has been strutting around with confidence. He can be a little selfish and push his way through when I’m interacting with him and a few of the other cats, but he’s not aggressive about it; he’s just trying to make upon for lost time.
“Donut has come such a long way since he came in. He has turned into a very sweet boy who absolutely loves his new life of luxury. He can still be pretty reserved and prefers to snuggle up in a cubby, but if you sit and talk to him or offer him a few treats he will come right out for attention. He loves canned food more than anything else and probably will eat until he explodes if you let him! He doesn’t seem to care at all about the other cats, so he could probably live with or without them. He would do great in a quiet home without kids, one where he could be the center of quiet, gentle attention.”
Now that you have read all about this amazing creature, ‘do-nut ya wanna’ take him home and make him your very own?
More about Donut:
Domestic Short Hair / Gray & White
Adult
Male
Large
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
FIV-positive
Good in a home with other cats
Prefers a home without children
Want to adopt Donut? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To
take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids
area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming,
no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be
found.
U.S. veterans return from duty with knowledge, skills and abilities that employers are looking for in their workforce. Here are some transferrable skills that veterans bring to civilian jobs:
TEAMWORK: Most military activities are performed with the help or coordination of others. Veterans have learned to collaborate with others to complete tasks and stay safe. Veterans who have served as team leaders have learned to evaluate situations, make decisions quickly and accept the consequences of those decisions, good or bad.
FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY: Life in the military is ever-changing. Service members learn to adapt to the changing needs of any situation while remaining calm and moving towards the goal.
EDUCATION: All service members are required to have a high school diploma or GED. Many have college degrees as well.
CRITICAL THINKING: Service members are trained to examine the results and consequences of a specific action. They learn to use reason and evidence to make decisions and solve complex problems.
WORK ETHIC: In the military, mission comes first. Service members are recognized for finishing their missions in a timely and effective manner. They learn to take responsibility for their duties and complete them with minimal supervision.
LEADERSHIP: The military’s focus on duty, honor and responsibility give veterans leadership skills that are highly valued by employers. They have been taught to take responsibility for other people, activities and their own behavior and to motivate others to achieve results.
GLOBAL OUTLOOK: Service members are stationed across the globe, exposing them to different cultures, economies and languages. Veterans can bring a diverse outlook and new ideas to the workplace.
Veterans who need help translating their military skills, qualifications and experience to their job search can visit a West Michigan Works! service center to be connected to a veterans representative.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Need to file for unemployment? Looking for a new career? Interested in job-training opportunities? West Michigan Works! can support you throughout the process of searching for, applying for and getting a job. Ready to visit? Here are some recommendations to make the most of your trip!
Bring personal identification. Bring your state ID/drivers’ license and social security cards and with you. Additionally, some employers require state ID/drivers’ license numbers on applications. (Listing wrong numbers can cause a hold-up in receiving unemployment benefits.)
Have access to a detailed work history. If you are seeking unemployment benefits, you will need a list of employers and dates of employment to file a claim. Write it down on a notepad, type it in an email or save it on your phone so you can access it from the service center. This can also help you build a resume, if you don’t already have one.
Have a resume? Bring it with you. One of the first steps in finding new employment is creating a Pure Michigan Talent Connect account and uploading a resume to your profile. You can use a computer at the service center to create a digital version of your resume if you don’t already have one. Uploading your resume is also a part of the unemployment claim process and required to receive benefits.
Be ready to work. Be prepared to answer questions that will assess your interests and skills to match you with a job that is a good fit for you. Expect to search and apply for multiple positions that interest you. Finding a job is like having a job. The more work you put in, the better the results!
Dress like you would for an interview. West Michigan Works! regularly hosts hiring events with local employers who have current openings. You never know when a job opportunity might present itself. Be ready to meet potential employers any time you visit a service center by dressing interview-ready.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Woodland Mall will begin their season of the Bunny (photos) this weekend. (Supplied Graphic)
By Woodland Mall
Woodland Mall is preparing for the arrival of spring by hosting a series of events to help shoppers welcome spring with beautiful displays, special events, fashion, dining and entertainment options for those looking to celebrate with family or friends, and even pets.
The Mad Hatter Tea Party, an Enchanted Spring Party with Mermaids and Unicorns and family pet photos with the bunny are all in store at Woodland Mall in the coming weeks. Shoppers will also find the latest spring fashion trends to freshen their wardrobes.
“After an especially harsh end of winter, the arrival of spring could not be more welcome,” said Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director. “Woodland Mall is pleased to provide fashion trends and family-friendly events that are fitting for the holidays year-round.”
Bunny photos begin Saturday, March 30, with two new fresh photo options and will be available for photos in Macy’s Court through Saturday, April 20. New this year, a second photo backdrop will be available for spring family photos in addition to traditional bunny photos. Pets are welcome to take part in family photos all day Mondays. For photo hours and pricing, please visit shopwoodlandmall.com.
For the more whimsical at heart, families can also attend the Mad Hatter Tea Party on Saturday, March 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event takes a fun and interactive twist on the Lewis Carroll classic story, to make photos with the bunny even more magical.
The Alice in Wonderland-themed tea party will include a special story time event presented by Barnes & Noble, sing-a-long songs, spring-themed crafts and coloring activities. Guests will receive a free gift with purchase of bunny photo. Tickets for the event are free but spots do fill up quickly, so those interested are asked to reserve a ticket online.
Members of the mall’s rewards program, PREIT Perks, receive an exclusive treat during the event: face painting. To sign up for PREIT Perks, find a kiosk in Woodland Mall or visit Woodland Mall online.
Also, for little ones who love mermaids and unicorns, be sure to mark the calendar for the Enchanted Spring Party on Saturday, April 13. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Macy’s Court, children will have the opportunity to meet a real mermaid and pose for an under-the-sea-themed photo, ride a unicorn and create a craft to take home.
The Bunny will also be available for photos during the event. Attendees who purchase a bunny or mermaid photo will receive a free gift. More information can be found online.
People with autism, dementia, PTSD and similar conditions often experience sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation. A big barrier for these folks is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise — the norm for environments at public spaces like the Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo.
What to do?
Well, thanks to passage of the Kent County millage in November 2016, funding was made available for the Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo to help highly sensitive individuals enjoy their experiences. The duo partnered with KultureCity — a nonprofit based in Birmingham, Alabama — to make their organizations, including all of the programs and events hosted, sensory-inclusive. The goal: to promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with a sensory issue.
To obtain sensory-inclusive certification, JBZ and GRPM employees underwent training by leading medical professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads will be available to guests beginning in early April at the GRPM and in May at John Ball Zoo.
Families can prepare for visits to JBZ or the GRPM by downloading the free KultureCity App where one can view what sensory inclusive features are available and where they can be accessed. Also on the app is the Social Story which will provide a preview of what to expect while visiting.
“Having the opportunity to collaborate with KultureCity and the Museum to offer sensory kits to our guests embodies the Zoo’s value of diversity within the culture, talents, and experiences of our communities,” said Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo.
“We strive to be a place where all people feel welcome,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In late October 2018, Dr. Jen received a call from a couple up in Howard City who were desperate to help this poor kitty who had hobbled into their garage with a severely injured foot. Unable to find anyone to assist them over the weekend, they set up shelter for him and tried tending to his left rear foot—it was swollen to three times normal size.
Dr. Jen took the 18-month-old (born around May of 2017) into her care on the 30th with not a day to spare. It appears that something was tied or wrapped around his foot over bones of the tarsus (above the ankle) and since there is no fat to cushion anything that constricts, the binding ate through his flesh and tendons, exposing bone in its traumatic path.
Poor kitty!
By the time this beautiful boy arrived, Dr. Jen was concerned that his foot was damaged beyond repair and that amputation would be in his future. Luckily, when she debrided the wounds the tissue bled; that means a healthy blood flow would hopefully allow for adequate healing over time. Since the metatarsal bones were exposed in several places, Dr. Jen embarked on rounds of creative bandaging, heavy-duty antibiotics and, of course, narcotics and anti-inflammatories to control the swelling and pain.
Note regal bearing
If that weren’t enough, this big-footed fella tested positive for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). It took about a month for his injuries to heal, leaving only the slightest scar behind, which in itself is utterly amazing.
Yeti walks without a limp and appears to have no residual pain or numbness—he is actually quite athletic and graceful. He can best be described as one of our most chill and relaxed residents —we often find him snoozing all day long in one of our cozy cat cubbies. When people come to find him (as they often do), he gently rolls over and asks for belly rubs, which have become his meaning for existence.
This young man has slowly become what we call a ‘big fish in a small pond’, as he is likely to chase away other kitties when they attempt to steal the spotlight from him. Since he may have the propensity to nip to ward off furry space invaders, we feel it would be best if Yeti became the only cat in his household, but we think he wouldn’t mind a dog as long as the canine was a bit on the lazy side like Yeti.
Dr. Jen is quite enamored by this guy—heck we all are —and by spending time with him at the clinic during phases of his recovery, she can attest to the fact that whoever takes him home and makes him one of their own is going to have one of the most affectionate, adorable feline companions on their hands. He is certainly a people pleaser and would love to find himself in a home where he could be the center of attention.
More about Yeti:
Domestic Short Hair
Adult
Male
Medium
Black
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed
Prefers a home without other cats
Good in a home with children
Want to adopt Yeti? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To
take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids
area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming,
no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be
found.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In mid-December 2018, a ‘rescue regular’ came across this stunning black-smoke-and-winter-white tom cat hanging out near one of her feral feeding stations in downtown Grand Rapids. Never one to leave an unneutered male behind, she promptly got him corralled and into CSNIP, then took him home in the hopes of helping him acclimate to indoor living by setting him up in one of her many kitty condos.
Try as she might, the fearful 5-year-old (born in early 2014) just wouldn’t adjust to her gentle touch and soothing voice, and returning him to the not-so-great outdoors was out of the question.
So when she brought him in two months after his rescue for Dr. Jen to evaluate, she agreed to letting us give it a shot at Crash’s, since we have droves of doting volunteers who are pros at working diligently with the most timid of kitties. Maybe with the collective efforts of so many, Burdock would emerge from his cocoon, start to relax and enjoy life a little bit.
A month into his stay with us at Crash’s, he is still a work in progress, just as we expected him to be. Burdock is ever-so-painstakingly slowly starting to feel comfortable at the shelter, but he still terrified and very wary of people. He gets quite nervous when you climb up to the cat walk where he is hiding out, but he will let you pet him if you approach him calmly and quietly. We have caught him out walking around a few times in the middle of the day, but as soon as he sees anyone he is right back up to the cat walk; to try to socialize him we have been carrying him around the shelter with him in our arms.
His metamorphosis is going to require a great deal of patience, but we believe that he does have it in him to come out of the safety of his shell of self-preservation, overcome his fear and evolve into a confident cat. He’s not aggressive in any way, just intimidated by the other cats and his new surroundings, so we will give him all the time in the world and let him set a pace he is comfortable with. We can’t begin to imagine what on earth happened to him before he was rescued, but we have years worth of neglect to make up for, and a slow and steady approach is going to be paramount with Burdock.
We are all going to be by his side, coaxing him every step of the way until one fine day, he realizes the potential he has harbored within himself all along; what a grand day that will be for all of us!
More about Burdock:
Domestic Medium Hair
Adult
Male
Large
Black & White / Tuxedo
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Good in a home with other cats
Prefers a home without dogs, children
Want to adopt Burdock? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To
take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids
area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming,
no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be
found.
Hay más de 43,000 Hispanohablantes que viven en el condado de Kent, de acuerdo con la 2013-2017 Encuesta de la Comunidad Americana. Para cuidar mejor los residentes de la zona, West Michigan Works! recientemente lanzó un sitio web en español: es.westmiworks.org. Hispanohablantes pueden encontrar en su idioma primario cómo comenzar su reclamo para desempleo, registrarse para trabajo, donde encontrar el centro de servicio más cercano, y que tipos de servicios de búsqueda de empleo están disponibles.
Otro recurso disponible en español en el sitio web es la lista anual de los trabajos que están en alta demanda. Este reportaje identifica los 100 empleos con alta tasa de crecimiento, los que pagan más de $13.00/hora, y cuales tienen alta demanda por empleadores locales. Esta lista incluye el pago promedio, y entrenamiento típico o requisitos académicos necesarios para cada trabajo. También identifican las profesiones que están disponibles para recibir becas de entrenamientos. Puede encontrar la lista en español de los trabajos en alta demanda en: es.westmiworks.org/hot-jobs-2/.
West Michigan Works! ofrece servicios gratuitos de búsqueda de trabajo a todos los solicitantes de empleo. La utilización de estos servicios no requiere prueba de ciudadanía y no afecta el proceso de solicitud de ciudadanía.
La experiencia en el empleo es ofrecida por West Michigan Works! Puede obtener más información sobre cómo pueden ayudar visite es.westmiworks.org o venga a su centro de servicio local.
There are nearly 43,000 Spanish speakers living in Kent County according to the 2013-2017 American Community Survey. To better serve all of the area’s residents, West Michigan Works! recently launched a Spanish language website at es.westmiworks.org. Spanish speakers can learn—in their native language—how to begin filing for unemployment and registering for work, where to find the nearest service center and what kinds of job search services are available.
Another Spanish resource included on the site is the annual Hot Jobs List. This report lists the top 100 jobs that have a high growth rate, pay over $13 per hour and are in demand by local employers. The list includes the average wage and typical training or education requirements for each occupation. It also identifies which occupations are eligible for West Michigan Works! training scholarships. You can check out the 2019 Hot Jobs List in Spanish at es.westmiworks.org/hot-jobs-2/.
West Michigan Works! provides free job search services to all job seekers. Utilizing their services does not require proof of citizenship and will not affect the citizenship application process.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley talks about recent business news in the city and also the city’s continuing commitment to the quality of life of its residents. Then we talk with Chief Judge William G. Kelly of Kentwood’s 62-B Kent County District Court, a system celebrating 50 years of existence and often called “the people’s court”.
First up In Focus, Mayor Kepley likes to say that “Kentwood is Open for Business” – a fitting jumping-off point for a discussion about recent industrial growth in the city. But Mayor Kepley is also an advocate for the livability of his city and the quality of life there, so we will also talk about smaller new businesses that make the city a special place to call home.
Then In Focus, Judge Kelly talks about what the district court is, a little of its history, how it is working to help citizens as much as discipline citizens, and succeeding his father, Joseph Kelly, in the position. For a link to his interview video, click here .
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 (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). In Focus is also available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com. All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
