Category Archives: Recreation

With more state assistance possible, independent music venues hanging on and hoping for better 2021

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COVID-19’s impact in 2020 have led to things being pretty quiet — really quiet — at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up and other independent music venues in Michigan. But there is optimism for 2021. (Seven Steps Up)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

In the spring of 2020, WKTV visited Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up, one of more than a dozen West Michigan and more than 3,000 nationwide “independent” music venues, asking them how they could survive the crippling impact of COVID-19 and related government restrictions.

At the time, Michelle Hanks, who with husband Gary Hanks, own and manger Seven Steps Up, was cautiously optimist despite a total stoppage of the nation’s independent venue musical artist tours, not to mention restrictions that either limited venue attendance or shut them down completely.
 

“Out of crises, good things can sprout up,” she said, referring to a planned national independent venue advocacy group, to possible governmental support, and to fans of small music venues simply stepping and giving what they could give.

So, now more than six months — six hard months — later, with a new State of Michigan funded Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program now taking applications, following up on a successful GOFundMe campaign for Seven Steps Up and other support from various sources, Hanks remains optimistic despite the venue’s currently dark stage.

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

“As of now, we are still closed with no known opening date. Our employees are permanently furloughed. Our calendar is bare,” Hanks said this week to WKTV. But “we are cautiously optimistic that we will have regular concerts in the fall. We have many dates held and rescheduled, and the conversations are definitely increasing.”

Hanks credits the venue’s survival so far to several sources, both local and national.

“Seven Steps Up received GoFundme support in the second quarter of 2020,” she said. “We are extremely grateful for the support we received when we received it and we hope that every venue in Michigan that is eligible applies for this (Michigan Stages Survival) grant, as well as the federal Save our Stages grants.”

Seven Steps Up also received a grant through Live Music Society (livemusicsociety.org) in November 2020.

“We were one of only 20 venues in the U.S. and the only one in Michigan to receive the first round of grants,” she said. “Between the GoFundMe and this grant, we’ve been able to survive. (But) we really need the federal funding to get us past this and help us as we open our doors.”

Governmental grants and touring acts needed

The Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program will provide a total of $3.5 million in one-time grants of up to $40,000 to eligible entertainment and live music venues throughout Michigan “that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and emergency declarations.”

The application window open Thursday, Jan. 21, and will close at noon on Thursday, Jan. 28. For more information on the grant, visit michiganbusiness.org/stages/. The Michigan Independent Venue and Promoter Association (MIVPA) will be responsible for accepting, reviewing and approving applications. The state will then distribute the grant funds based on the recommendation of the MIVPA.

The MIVPA is one of those small venue organizations which formed in the aftermath of the early 2020 industry shutdown. On a national level, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) was first formed to advocate for the industry in Washington, D.C.

“The MI Stages Survival Grant Program is the result of a lot of hard work on the part of many venues involved in the Michigan Independent Venue & Promoter Association (MIVPA), a new trade association here in Michigan that came about through relationships developed through NIVA (National Independent Venue Association),” Hanks said. “These grants can be a lifeline to Michigan venues as we await for the Federal relief grant program.”

Seven Steps Up is a member of both NIVA and the MIVPA, and Hanks is one of the co-founders of the MIVPA.

But in addition to simply keeping the bills paid and awaiting the opening of venue doors, Seven Steps Up and other venues still need a regular schedule of touring acts.

A full house at an undated concert at Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake. (Seven Steps Up)

“One of the things that is a challenge for us, and for other small venues like us, is we can’t just bring our employees back for one show,” she said in the initial interview last year. “We have to be able to get up and do a regular number os shows for it to make any kinds of sense for anyone.”

Seven Steps Up usually has 7-to-9 part-time employees for 132-seat sold-out shows.

“I think we may get an opportunity for some sporadic shows earlier in the year, but don’t think we will see regular concerts and tours before (fall),” Hanks said. “So much depends upon what is happening with the roll out of the vaccine, COVID cases, etc. I feel really good about the fall, and am hopeful for anything earlier.

“I think the entire industry is simply waiting to feel safe. If we open our doors and people don’t feel safe to come inside to enjoy the concert or artists don’t feel safe to travel, we won’t see this industry restart. … Hopefully, the vaccine will allow this to happen within the next few months.”

For more information on the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) visit their FaceBook page here. For more information on Michigan Independent Venue & Promoter Association (MIVPA), visit its Facebook page here. For more information on Seven Steps Up, located at 116 S. Jackson., Spring Lake, visit sevenstepsup.com.

Registration open as IRONMAN Triathlon plans return to Traverse City area in 2021

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Registration is now open for Michigan’s 2021 IRONMAN Triathlon. (Ironman Group 2018 Media Guide)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Registration is now open for the IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan Triathlon scheduled for Sept. 21 in Frankfort, Michigan. In December 2020, it was announced that the Traverse City area location will serve as a multi-year host venue for the 70.3-mile swim, bike and run event.

Traverse City hosted the 70.3 triathlon in 2019 and, according to the announcement, relocating the race to nearby Frankfort — on the coast of Lake Michigan — offered “the perfect setting” for 2021.

“Following in the success of the event in Traverse City a couple years ago, we’ve seen an incredible interest from athletes to visit and race in northern Michigan,” Keats McGonigal, of The IRONMAN Group., said in supplied material. “We are excited to continue to host an event in this beautiful region and … we feel that Frankfort and the surrounding areas will deliver an unparalleled race week experience while being the perfect destination for both athletes and their families alike.”

The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan triathlon will consist of a 1.2-mile swim in the protected water of the Frankfort Harbor. Once out of the water, athletes will transition to the bike for a 56-mile ride on sections of the M-22 scenic highway. Concluding their IRONMAN 70.3 journey, athletes will run 13.1 miles in Frankfort and surrounding areas. (Additional course details will be shared as soon as they are available at ironman.com/im703-michigan.)

General registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan opened in December 2020. And athletes and spectators can find lodging opportunities at traversecity.com/ironman. For more information on Traverse City area attractions, visit traversecity.com, as well as ironman.com for details on the global event series.

“We can’t wait to welcome IRONMAN 70.3 back to northern Michigan,” Trevor Tkach, of Traverse City Tourism, which also represents Frankfort, said is supplied material. “Our organization is honored to continue to support the race and the athletes who train for this incredible feat. The new course will be an exciting change for athletes, and spectators will be able to enjoy exploring the beautiful town of Frankfort in addition to the surrounding Traverse City region.”

With expansion fundraising complete, Meijer Gardens opens new Welcome Center as final phase of work begins

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David Hooker, president and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, talked to WKTV at the Welcome Center opening Monday, Jan. 11. (WKTV video)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

With the 2017 launch of the Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love $115 million capital campaign, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was honoring the legacy of Fred and Lena Meijer’s past community vision and well as initial and continuing financial support.

But Meijer Gardens — a bedrock cultural and artistic landmark in West Michigan — was also acknowledging that for it to move boldly into the future, for it to “Welcome the World”, it needed to get buy-in from the West Michigan community, including businesses large and small, and civic-minded individuals.

That buy-in — the fact that the capital campaign had attained it fundraising goal, and thus stayed on-track with its massive and near-complete 4-year facility expansion — was clearly evidenced by a wall of donors in its just-opened expanded Welcome Center.

Also evident was the intent of the leadership of the Meijer Gardens to make sure the community and tourism focal point of the region stayed vital and vigorous for generations to come.

“This is not monument to one person or one family, the community is making this happen and that is critically important,” David Hooker, president and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, said to WKTV at the Welcome Center opening Monday, Jan. 11. “We, as an organization, have no time horizon. Our goal is to be here until the very end of time. For that to happen, everybody has to rally around, to own the place. (To be) stewards of it. This generation, the next, and the next.”

While the opening of the Welcome Center is not the end of construction at Meijer Gardens supported by the capital campaign, it will allow the end of use of a temporary entrance and work to be completed on a new Garden Pavilion and a veranda to expanded Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall English Perennial Garden — one of the final pieces of the multi-year effort.

An August 2020 aerial view of the new Welcome Center at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (at right and lower right, still under construction). The Welcome Center had a “soft” opened this week that will allow the closure the temporary entrance (center) and a final phased of work to be done. (Meijer Gardens Website)

In all, the highlights of the expansion and renovation effort included the 69,000 square foot Welcome Center, the 20,000 square foot Covenant Learning Center, the Peter C. and Emajean Cook Transportation Center, the expanded and upgraded Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater, and the Padnos Families Rooftop Sculpture Garden.

The need for expansion was evidenced by a 2016 economic impact study, conducted by Grand Valley State University, that estimated that Meijer Gardens supports or contributes more than $75 million to the Kent County economy each year. More than 12 million people from around the world have visited since it opened in 1995, according to supplied material.

The project also addresses facility needs that include expanded annual horticulture exhibitions, more galleries for sculpture exhibitions, additional parking capacity and improved vehicle flow.

The Welcome Center’s architect is Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects/Partners, with local partners Progressive AE and Owen-Ames-Kimball, Co.

One area of the Welcome Center not yet complete is the Garden Pavilion, a central room where Jaume Plensa’s “Utopia” will be located. For the four walls of the Garden Pavilion, Plensa created a sculpture using one female face on each wall representing different ethnic backgrounds, according to supplied material. The faces “represent universal symbols of the beauty inherent in humanity,” and was specifically commissioned for the Garden Pavilion and is scheduled to open later this year.

Snapshots: WKTV stories to get you into the 2021 swing of things this month

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By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”

Sam Ewing

MLK Day is coming and local service goes online

Yamiche Alcindor, award-winning journalist and White House correspondent for PBS Newshour, will give the keynote address during West Michigan’s Jan. 18 commemoration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Go here for the story.


Jonathan Thunder, “Quarantine at Gramma’s House”. (Supplied)

Muskegon Art Museum offers Native American art exhibits

The MMA’ is currently offering three exhibits with more than a dozen Native American artists — and as many artistic styles — including “The Art of the People: Contemporary Anishinaabe Artists”,“Jim Denomie: Challenging the Narrative” and “Levi Rickert: Standing Rock — Photographs of an Indigenous Movement”. Go here for the story.


President Donald J. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, shake hands as they meet for the first time, June 12, 2018, at the Capella Hotel in Singapore. (state.gov)

World Affairs Council of West Michigan begins Great Decisions series

The World Affairs Council of West Michigan (WACWM) will begin its “Great Decisions Global Discussions” in February, but a prelude to the series will be presented Thursday, Jan. 14, with a free special mid-day event, “The Korean-U.S. Alliance”. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

12 percent and 24 weeks

That post-festive period when you start out full of good intentions often never last. In fact, around 12 per cent of gym members sign up in January, and according to the Fitness Industry Association, most people have quit or stop going after 24 weeks. Source.

Looking to the future, Michigan Sen. Peters leads effort to protect NASA’s Apollo landing sites

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Edgar Mitchell sets up an Apollo lunar surface experiments package made up of a set of scientific instruments placed at the landing site. (NASA/Alan Shepard)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

With all the overpowering noise of the recent presidential election cycle, the good and bad news of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the mixed-reaction to Wonder Woman 1984, it was easy to miss the news that our children’s children may well be visiting a “Moon park”, of sorts, in the future.
   

In a late December, the office of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan), announced that The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill introduced by Sen. Peters and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to permanently protect the Apollo landing sites on the moon.

The One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act would enact first-of-its-kind legal protections for the Apollo sites by making NASA’s preservation recommendations a requirement for future activities on the Moon. After passing both the house and senate, it was signed by outgoing President Donald Trump on Dec. 31 and is now law.

Apollo 17 mission commander Eugene A. Cernan makes a short checkout of the Lunar Roving Vehicle during the early part of the first Apollo 17 extravehicular activity at the Taurus-Littrow landing site. This view of the lunar rover prior to loadup was taken by Harrison H. Schmitt, Lunar Module pilot. The mountain in the right background is the east end of South Massif. (NASA/

The legislation directs NASA to require future moon activities to follow its preservation recommendations, and honors the over 400,000 scientists, designers, and researchers who contributed to the Apollo programs, including NASA’s “Hidden Figures” like Katherine Johnson — an African American mathematician who worked at NASA for 35 years and calculated the trajectory of the Apollo 11 flight to the moon as well the trajectories for the spaceflights of astronauts John Glenn and Alan Shepard.

“As a former astronaut in the Apollo program, it is fitting that one of humanities’ greatest collective achievements should be preserved for future generations to learn about and be inspired by,” A.W. “Tony” England, an astronaut during the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs and now a professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, said in supplied material. The act “will honor Apollo’s invaluable legacy of innovation, collaboration, and determination and preserve it for future generations.”

Congressional support for protections

Sen. Peters has long been an advocate for NASA and America’s space technology programs.

“As a child, I watched the achievements of the Apollo missions with excitement about what is possible when we come together with a common goal,” Sen. Peters said in supplied material. “I was proud to author this bipartisan legislation to preserve for all of humanity the incredible achievements of the Apollo astronauts on the Moon.”

Sen. Peters has also led other efforts in Congress to support American space exploration. In September 2020, Peters’ bipartisan bill to strengthen the nation’s ability to predict and mitigate severe space weather events and mitigate their harmful impacts on Earth wa signed by President Trump. In addition, Peters’ bipartisan bill to help authorize and set priorities for NASA and the nation’s space exploration mission was signed into law in 2017.

One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act also had bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The Apollo landing sites mark one of humanity’s greatest achievements: the first time we were able to do more than look up at the sky, but actually leave our planet and visit another world,” said Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Oklahoma), of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. “The One Small Step Act maintains these historic sites while encouraging the spirit of exploration that got us to the Moon. I’m proud to sponsor this bill to honor our historical achievements, and I look forward to the time when we can return humans to the Moon and continue the mission of discovery and learning that the Apollo astronauts began.”

International support for protections

Sen. Peters and the other bill authors worked closely with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who negotiated similar provision in the Artemis Accords and expressed his support for protecting the historic lunar sites in a 2019 Senate hearing, just before the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing.

Lunar module pilot James Irwin works at the Lunar Roving Vehicle during the first Apollo 15 lunar surface extravehicular activity at the Hadley-Apennine landing site. The shadow of the Lunar Module “Falcon” is in the foreground. This view is looking northeast, with Mount Hadley in the background. This photograph was taken by mission commander David Scott. (NASA)

According to the NASA website, NASA’s Artemis program has a goal to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024, “heralding in a new era for space exploration and utilization.” While NASA is leading the Artemis program, international partnerships formalized with the Artemis Accords “will play a key role in achieving a sustainable and robust presence on the Moon while preparing to conduct a historic human mission to Mars.

“With numerous countries and private sector players conducting missions and operations in cislunar space, it’s critical to establish a common set of principles to govern the civil exploration and use of outer space,” NASA states.

The Artemis Accords will “describe a shared vision for principles,” grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, to create a safe and transparent environment which facilitates exploration, science, and commercial activities for all of humanity to enjoy.

“As we go forward to the Moon with the Artemis Program, NASA has been clear that we must do so sustainably,” said Bridenstine in supplied material. “As part of the Artemis Accords agreements signed with partner nations, NASA has emphasized that protecting historically significant sites is critical, and I applaud the leaders of this legislation for their commitment to ensuring that future lunar science and exploration is done in a safe and transparent manner.”

The nations that have signed the Artemis Accords include, in alphabetical order, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Noticeably absent in the initial list of signatories are Israel, Russia, China and India — all with working space programs.
 

Among the principles of the Artemis Accords are focusing on peaceful exploration, conducting activities in a transparent fashion to avoid confusion and conflicts, rendering assistance to personnel in distress, public release of scientific information, extracting and utilizing space resources in safe and sustainable exploration, planning for the safe disposal of debris.

“Fundamentally, the Artemis Accords will help to avoid conflict in space and on Earth by strengthening mutual understanding and reducing misperceptions,” Mike Gold, NASA acting associate administrator for international and interagency relations, said in supplied material. “Transparency, public registration, deconflicting operations – these are the principles that will preserve peace … The Artemis journey is to the Moon, but the destination of the Accords is a peaceful and prosperous future.”

Winter is moving in, time to hit the slopes

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West Michigan ski resorts are now open, but make sure to call ahead or check websites before heading out. (Supplied/Crystal Mountain)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The snow finally came to Michigan which means the ski season has officially started.

Many of the West Michigan ski slopes opened in mid-December and it may be hard to snag a lift ticket at some due to limited capacity. Also because of COVID guidelines, these resorts have social distancing guidelines to help those suiting up and heading down the slopes.

For most of the West Michigan ski resorts, face coverings will be required in the base area, lift lines, on chairlifts and indoors, except when seated at a table in a restaurant. (when in-dining is allowed again.) Note, there are limits to indoor capacities, so people’s base camp may become their cars to warm up. Some ski resorts have added fire pits and heaters.

Before heading to any ski resort, remember to check the resort’s website or social media page for up-to-date operating information and snow conditions.

Cannonsburg Ski Area

6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Grand Rapids

616-874-6711

www.cannonsburg.com

Hill action starts at 10 a.m. for most days, but check the resort’s website for specific operating hours. Tubing is not currently open.

The resort is working to assure everyone is having a fun, outdoor experience while staying safe. Staff receives health checks daily and wear a clean mask at all times. Centers for Disease Control guidelines are being followed for cleaning and sanitizing all public surfaces. Doors will be left open as much as possible to allow fresh air and food and drinks will be served from The Sweet Spot and Burgie’s Food Truck.

Michigan Luge Adventure Sports Park

462 Scenic Dr., Musekgon

1-877-879-5843

www.msports.org

The luge track, designed by three-time Olympian Frank Masley, is one of only four in the United States. Of course if going 30 mph down a luge track is not your thing, the park also has two acres of natural ice and a skating trail through the trees. There is also cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

Echo Valley

Tubing also is available at a number of the ski resorts.

8495 East H Ave., Kalamazoo

269-349-3291

www.echovalleyfun.com

Echo Valley will be open Saturdays and Sundays in January, February, and March when weather permits. The winter sports park features tobogganing and tubing. There is no age, height, or weight restrictions and tubes and toboggans are provided. The park only accepts cash and it is highly recommended that you call before coming out.

Shanty Creek Resort

5780 Shanty Creek Rd., Bellaire

231-533-3000

www.shantycreek.com

Shanty Creek already been busy with lift tickets sold out through Jan. 2. Of course the resort offers other options such as tubing, snowshoeing and dog sled rides. It is recommended that guests pre-purchase rentals and lift tickets which will provide for contactless interaction with staff.

Mt. Holiday Ski and Recreation Area

3100 Holiday Rd., Traverse City

231-938-2500

www.mt-holiday.com

Started in 1949, Mt. Holiday is a community nonprofit recreation area for skiers and snowboarders in the Traverse City area. Mt. Holiday is scheduled to open this weekend if weather permits. It offers tubing and skiing and its dining, which is carryout for now, is open.

Boyne Highlands

600 Highland Rd., Harbor Springs

888-436-2296

www.boynehighlands.com

Boyne Mountain Resort

1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne

855-688-7024

www.boynemountain.com

Both the Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain offer day and designated night skiing. Boyne Highlands is open daily, usually form 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The resort also offers tubing, snow-go bikes, biplane adventures, and winter horseback rides. For both, it is highly recommended that guests purchase tickets online as window tickets will be limited.

Crystal Mountain Resort recommends getting your ski pass early and online. (Supplied/Crystal Mountain)

Crystal Mountain Resort

12500 Crystal Mountain Dr., Thompsonville

855-995-5146

www.crystalmountain.com

Crystal Mountain also has been busy with most of its lift tickets sold-out through this weekend. Due to how fast passes are selling, Crystal Mountain does recommend that guests purchase tickets early and online as window tickets may not be available the day of.

Treetops Resort

3962 Wilkinson Rd., Gaylord

989-732-6711

www.treetops.com

Gaylord averages about 140 inches of snow and four months of skiing each season, which means there is a good chance the hills at Treetops will be open. The resort also has dog sledding tours along with a host of summer activities. 

WKTV Sports Connection checks in with East Kentwood wrestling, hockey teams waiting for action

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East Kentwood High School wresting co-head coach Eric Foster visits the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (Falcons’ hockey head coach Phil Sweeney’s interview is later in this story.)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection, as part of our continuing series of shows focused on different local high schools’ sports departments, we check in with the East Kentwood wrestling and hockey teams — both of which are dealing with pandemic-related restrictions and continued uncertainty.

Visiting the WKTV studios earlier this month were Falcon’s wresting co-head coach Eric Foster, and then hockey head coach Phil Sweeney. We talk with coach Foster and coach Sweeney about how their Falcon coaching staffs and teams are coping with the current pause in high school athletics, and about coaching in these unprecedented times.

But we also look ahead with hope, for lower COVID-19 numbers and the continuation of the current resumption of high school athletics — see a story on fall sports returning here — and we also get a peek from the coaches at their teams’ outlook for the 2020-21 season.

WKTV Journal Sports Connection, with this latest episode hosted by WKTV volunteer Cory Dalton, brings its audience interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports, both on cable television and on our on-demand and YouTube channels. Readers can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting wktvjournal.com/sports.

WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTVlive.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Jazz pianist Bob James’ St. Cecilia virtual concert brings his holiday home into yours

Entertainment, Holidays, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,
Bob James, jamming’. (SCMC)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan holiday home of Bob James, pianist and composer of jazz and much more, is always filled with music and filled with family. It will be the same this year, in this age of pandemic and self-seclusion.

But later this month, James will be inviting St. Cecilia Music Center’s virtual concert audience into his house for what St. Cecilia calls a “holiday performance from his Traverse City home including surprise guests” on Thursday, Dec. 17.

The virtual concert is free and available via the internet on a computer or smart television. For more information about the St. Cecilia virtual concerts see scmc-online.org/virtual/.

Bob James’ family will gather again for Christmas In Michigan this year. (Undated photo supplied by Mr. James)

“Since all the members of my family are musicians, the Christmas season always involves lots of music, both live around the fireplace and permeating through the house,” James said recently to WKTV. So, the concert “will be a family affair.”

And what kind of music might be performed at the Dec. 17 concert?
 

“I tend to prefer the traditional over the novelty,” James said. “I have released two Christmas albums, ‘Christmas Eyes’ with my daughter Hilary, and ‘Snowbound’ with Fourplay. I have performed music from those, and something from each will most likely be on the new set list.”

And, along with many musicians forced to record and perform in isolation these days, James’ Michigan home is no stranger to performance and recording.

Bob James (BobJames.com)

“In recent years I’ve had a home studio where I do most of my composing, and have even produced some final mixes here,” James said. But “my time in this studio has escalated dramatically during this year’s forced isolation.”

A Grammy-award winner, James has long, varied career in music. Discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963, James recorded his first solo album, “Bold Conceptions”, that year. Dozens of albums followed through five decades. His composition, “Angela,” the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is possibly James’ best known work. But that is only only the beginning.

James set the standard for the smooth jazz sound in the late 1970s. “One On One”, the first in three collaborations with Earl Klugh, was awarded a Grammy in 1980 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Also about that time, “Double Vision”, a collaboration with David Sanborn, was another Grammy winner. His long-standing group Fourplay, with Lee Ritenour and Nathan East and later Larry Carlton, has also produced numerous albums.

Make a (private) party night of it

While the concert is free, Martha’s Vineyard concert packages, including a wine and cheese “goodie bag” of treats, can be purchased — and those purchases support St. Cecilia.

The special Martha’s Vineyard concert packages are available by pre-order and will be delivered on the concert date. All proceeds from these purchases benefit SCMC. Priced at $65, each package includes one bottle of wine — a red, white or bubbly — and a block of aged Gouda cheese, nuts, fig spread, crackers, veggie chips and gourmet chocolate. For more information visit here.

Gilmore museum to offer active military, veterans free admission through Nov. 15

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1941 Bantam BRC-40 Reconnaissance Car. (Supplied/Gilmore Car Museum)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

In recognition of Veterans Day this week and in honor of all veterans, the Gilmore Car Museum is offering free admission to the museum this week through Sunday, Nov. 15.
 

The Gilmore, located at Hickory Corners just outside of Kalamazoo, will allow all active, inactive and veteran U.S. military personnel to take advantage of their free admission to the the museum, its car collection, and its 90-acre historic campus.

The Gilmore Car Museum is North America’s largest auto museum with more than 400 vehicles on display, according to supplied material. Its mission is to tell the history of America through the automobile.

“At the Gilmore Car Museum, we take great pride in honoring our country’s servicemen and women, who for generations have sacrificed to protect our freedoms, and protect the American way of life,” Josh Russell, executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum, said in supplied material. “Welcoming these veterans and active duty service people into our museum is just a small way to thank them for their service and dedication to our great country.”
 

The Gilmore points out that attending veterans and military personnel should be sure to take special notice of the 1941 Bantam BRC-40 Reconnaissance Car, which is currently on feature display in the museum’s Campania barn.

According to supplied material, prior to Ford and Willys production of “General Purpose” vehicles that would become known worldwide as the “Jeep,” these early BRC-40s were prototypes produced for the U.S. Army by American Bantam Car Company, in Butler, PA. Two additional prototypes were produced through a partnership between Bantam and Checker Car Company in Kalamazoo.
 

During Veterans Week at the museum, veterans and service-people are also entitled to a 10 percent discount on purchases from the Gilmore Car Museum store.

There will also be special hours for Veterans Week, 10 a.m., to 5 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 12-15.

Upon arrival, service-people and veterans can present their Military ID, VA cards, veteran organization membership cards, or discharge papers at the entrance for free admission. For other attending family members or friends, tickets can be purchased either upon entry at the museum, or in advance at GilmoreCarMuseum.org.

For more information, visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org or call 269-671-5089.

Kentwood inviting community review of, input on update to park and recreation plan

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City of Kentwood Veterans Park, at 331 48th St. SE. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced Nov. 11 that it is inviting community members to share their feedback on a proposed update to its 5-year Community Park and Recreation Plan online or in person at an open house Monday, Nov. 16.

Residents may review and provide their thoughts on the Community Park and Recreation Plan between 5:15 and 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

The start of a City of Kentwood disc golf event, from 2019. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

According to the city announcement, a community park and recreation plan is required by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to be grant eligible. The update builds on previous parks master planning and engagement efforts to align with the community’s needs. It creates an inventory of existing facilities and resources, identifies community recreation and open space needs and sets an action plan for the next five years.

“An approved plan will allow us to seek state and federal grant funding that will help us make improvements we have identified and prioritized in partnership with our community over the past few years,” Val Romeo, Kentwood parks and recreation director, said in supplied material. “Additional public input on this plan brings us a step closer to accessing funding to make necessary enhancements to our parks, trails, recreational programming and facilities as our community grows.”

Community members who attend the open house are asked to follow COVID-19 precautionary measures, including wearing a face covering and practicing physical distancing.

The draft plan and a form to submit feedback online is available on the City’s website at kentwood.us/5-year-park-plan.

 

Trotin’ with turkeys: A quick look at 5k runs in Grand Rapids this month

City of Kentwood, Community Health, Health, Holidays, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events,
This year’s Turkey Trot opportunities will be fewer and will look a little different due to COVID-19 safety. But there are still some to be run. (WKTV)

By Zachary Cantalice, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

November is known for not only Thanksgiving but also for its Turkey Trot 5k runs. In a normal year, millions of Americans would participate in a seasonal 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) run. But this is the year of COVID-19 pandemic, public runs are few, some planned ones were cancelled, and there now is such a thing as a virtual run.

A quick cruise of the web found that the greater Grand Rapids area found this news.

On Nov. 14, Grand Rapids will host the Dirty Duel Trail Race. The Dirty Duel will take place on trails surrounding Robinette’s Apple House and Winery, 3142 4 Mile Road NE, with two tough trail courses to choose from. One trail is described as “a short and brutal 5k” and the other a “long and difficult 6k.” Pick your pain. One running magazine describes Dirty Duel as a “Top 15 fall race under 15 miles.”
 

For more information on the Dirty Duel Trail Race, visit dirtyduel.com/.

Nov. 15 was supposed to be day of the Grand Rapids Comic Con 5k. Unfortunately the comic con and its race had to be cancelled this year due to safety concerns surrounding the pandemic. This would have been the annual event’s first ever race.

For more information on the future Grand Rapids Comic Con 5k, visit here.
 

The 28th annual Grand Rapids Turkey Trot will be virtual this year! The race will take place between Nov. 19 and Nov. 26. Instead of running a set course, this year participants will make their own course for the run. Proceeds from the race still help to offset the cost of Grand Rapids Public Schools athletics “so that all students have the opportunity to participate,” we are told.

For more information on the virtual Grand Rapids Turkey Trot, visit here.

The final race in Grand Rapids this November will be the Twisted Turkey runs on Friday, Nov. 27. The race will offer 5k, 10k and 15k distances (with a 5k loop run either once, twice or three times). Each event will be limited top 90 people per run. Each event group will start 15 minutes apart as well to keep in line with social distancing restrictions. The race will take place at Ken-O-Sha Park in Kentwood, 1353 Van Auken St. SE, “across the beautiful hidden trails of the Plaster Creek” area.

For more information on the Twisted Turkey runs, visit here.

Goalkeeper Schepers’ clutch stops key South Christian semi-final shoot-out victory over Elk Rapids

Education, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection,
South Christian High School boys soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over Elk Rapids Nov. 4, in a MHSAA Division 3 state semifinal match. (WKTV/Luke Schrock)

By Luke Schrock, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

South Christian High School boys soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over Elk Rapids Tuesday, Nov. 4, in a hard-fought MHSAA Division 3 state semifinal match at Cedar Springs high that was decided by a shootout.

The victory over the Elks (19-3-4) sends the Sailors (18-0-1) back to the state championship game for a rematch with Grosse Ile (19-1-1), the reigning state champions, set for noon Saturday at Novi. Last season, South Christian fell to the Red Devils in the finals, 2-1, in shootout.

In the game against Elk Rapids, both sides had chances early with two missed crosses for South Christian and a near headed goal by the Elks eventually leading to a foul in the box. Sailors senior Thom DeVries finally got his team on the board with a goal on a penalty kick in the 11th minute to put give the Sailors the early lead.

The South Christian fans also roared in the 14th minute as the injured senior Jeff Herrema entered the match with his first action since the district tournament final, where he created two penalty kicks but was eventually diagnosed with a separated shoulder.

The Elks had no answer in a back-and-forth affair until Elks senior Preston Ball found a pass wide open over the middle to tie the match in the 58th minute.

The first overtime almost gave Elk Rapids the lead when the stadium went quiet after a foul was called on South Christian in the box, giving Elk Rapid’s Mason Travis a penalty kick. The kick, however, was saved by South Christian keeper Nik Schepers.

Both sides worked, but at the end of overtime the score was tied at 1-1 and the shootout was set.

The shootout was back and forth in goals with the first pairing, Herrema and Elk Rapids Kadin Patterson, but the Elks couldn’t answer Thom DeVries’ make as Schepers saved his first ball and then shutdown Elk Rapids to secure the game. The Sailors won the shootout 3-1, to make the final score 2-1.
 

Head coach Jason Boersma loved the performance from his keeper, but poked him none-the-less after the game for giving up the regulation-time goal.

“Our keeper, I think he made up for it,” Boersma said WKTV. “He made three PK saves, which is just outlandish, and it’s what Nik does. He did it last year in this semi-final game against Ludington.”

And how did Scheper “do it”?

“I don’t even know how to describe how I guess penalties,” Schepers said, “I knew he was a right footer and he was shooting a lot from his right.”

Going back to the state championship also brings many emotions to Schepers — “I knew we were going to be back, it’s surreal,” he said.

Fall Fling: Kentwood to host annual disc golf tournament, food pantry collection

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Food, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, ,
A disc golf player in action from the 2019 Fall Fling event. (City of Kentwood)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced this week that the city and Great Lakes Disc will again partner to offer the annual Fall Fling, a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive on Saturday, Nov. 14. Canned food donations at Fall Fling will restock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.

Community disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to participate in the event at Old Farm Park, 2350 Embro Drive SE. Participants will be required to wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing throughout the event as part of COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

On-site registration will begin at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is available online at kentwood.us/fallflingdiscgolf. The cost is $40 per team, plus one canned food donation for the Little Free Pantry. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m. to begin the first round of the “best shot” doubles tournament. Patty Matters food truck will be on-site with food available for purchase.

“Fall Fling is a wonderful event for our community to come together to play disc golf for a great cause,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “This tournament has restocked our community pantry with dozens of canned goods each year. We are grateful to local disc golfers for their ongoing generosity and participation.”

The City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is in the Kentwood Activities Center. (City of Kentwood)

The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The small food pantry is open year-round and designed to fill an immediate and local need. It offers non-perishable food and personal care items to anyone in need.

Great Lakes Disc is a big supporter of the pantry.

“When I first heard about the Little Free Pantry, I knew I wanted to find a way Great Lakes Disc could support it,” Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc, said in supplied material. “The Old Farm Fall Fling was what we came up with to connect the disc golf community with the Pantry.”

The demand for the Little Free Pantry has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the city announcement.

“Long before COVID-19, the demand for our pantry goods was growing steadily and the shelves were becoming empty on a weekly basis,” Romeo said. “We continue to need year-round support from individuals and organizations who are able to give financially or provide tangible donations, such as prepackaged non-perishable food and personal hygiene items.”

Located at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. No application is required and no questions are asked.

Those who want to donate food items to the pantry are reminded to check the expiration date on them.

For more information about the pantry, including a suggested list of donations, visit kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.

MHSAA confirms on-time start of prep basketball practice and season, but with restrictions on scrimmages

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team, from 2019-20 season. (Curtis Holt)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) recently confirmed that 2020-21 winter sports will begin on time, including boys and girls basketball being able to start conditioning sessions the first week of November, practices shortly thereafter, and games as early as late in the month.

But they also set out a series of “guidelines” for winter sports that schools must follow, including possibly preventing any basketball scrimmages prior to full-game action.

“A number of precautions have been put in place addressing competition limits, numbers of spectators allowed and wearing of face coverings, among a variety of topics,” according to an Oct. 23 statement from the MHSAA. “As with fall sports, scrimmages will not be allowed for winter sports.”

While there may be something gained by not allowing scrimmages, Wyoming High School boys basketball coach Thom Vander Klay said there is something lost.

Wyoming High School basketball coach Thom Vander Klay, coaching during the 2016-17 season. (WKTV)

“We are disappointed in the no scrimmage rule particularly with the fact that we are inexperienced and didn’t get our summer schedule in,” Vander Klay said about the impact on his Wolves program. “We have a lot to figure out regarding cuts and then roles on the team. … A lot of question marks that we can often have answered after scrimmages, and summer and fall games.”

For the Wolves, after-school conditioning will begin Nov. 2, with full practices starting Nov. 16, and its game schedule currently set to start Dec. 8 with a home game against Grand Rapids South Christian.

MHSAA guidelines for all sports, and a cautionary tale

The Representative Council of the MHSAA, during an Oct. 22 meeting, voted to have 2020-21 winter sports begin on time but stressed as series of guidelines “that schools must follow as they continue to work toward limiting the spread of COVID-19 while still providing opportunities for athletes to compete.”

There are sport-specific guidelines (posted on the MHSAA Website at mhsaa.com/sports), and a number of precautions put in place “addressing competition limits, numbers of spectators allowed and wearing of face coverings, among a variety of topics. The guidance also specifically addresses equipment and facilities” for each sport.

In general, according the MHSAA statement, scrimmages will not be allowed for winter sports to “limit mixing of communities outside of official competitions.” And the number of teams at regular-season competitions also will be limited, with a maximum of four schools/teams allowed in competitive cheer, gymnastics, swimming & diving and wrestling. Bowling and skiing competitions will be restricted to a maximum of 72 competitors at one event.

There are no school/team limits for basketball and ice hockey, according to the statement, “as only two teams are able to play each other at one time and those sports may play only one game per day — with fans leaving after their game is complete.”

Host sites must enforce spectator capacity limits on a game-by-game basis, and currently MHSAA guidelines allow two spectators per participant at all contests to begin the regular season. The guideline “could be reconsidered by the Council later in the winter season,” with a possibility of allowing more spectators later while still staying within possible Emergency Orders from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

As per MDHHS requirements, face coverings must be worn by athletes practicing and competing in basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling. But masks are not required for athletes practicing and competing in bowling, gymnastics, skiing and swimming & diving, which all allow for appropriate social distancing, but face coverings are required for those athletes when not involved in active participation.

“The Council believes it is safer to begin Winter practices on time, and keep athletes in school programs where safety precautions are always in effect,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in supplied material. “With the vastly different circumstances faced by schools in different regions all over the state, an on-time start still allows schools to decide when they feel most comfortable beginning activity — and allows all of them to slowly ramp up their frequency of activity and numbers of spectators attending competitions.

“But let’s be clear,” Uyl said. “Our statewide COVID-19 numbers have to get better. In order for our schools to continue playing sports this winter, and in order for fans to be there to cheer them on, we must continue working to slow down this virus.”

After three years of work, Kentwood City Commission approves update of city’s land-use master plan

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The City of Kentwood held numerous community information gathering events over the three years of the Master Plan update. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

After more than three years of planning and community engagement, the City of Kentwood announced this week that it has adopted an updated Master Plan which will serve as the City’s long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation.

The Master Plan, according to the announcement, “features goals, policies and recommended actions to guide land-use decisions over the next 20 years. The forward-looking development plan considers the long-range goals and desires of residents and property owners as well as local, regional and market trends.”

The plan was adopted by the Planning Commission in September and then accepted by the City Commission on Oct. 20.

“The Master Plan update process is key to ensuring the detailed visionary planning for Kentwood’s future development in all sectors as our community grows,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “Many people have spent countless hours to ensure Kentwood’s Master Plan is a comprehensive guide for growth and conservation decisions while preserving and improving Kentwood’s excellent quality of life.”

The Master Plan is reviewed at least every five years, and can be modified after review by the Planning Commission. The City’s efforts for the latest Master Plan update began in October 2017. Prior to that, the last update was in 2012.

In general, the update’s goal was to “plan for new population growth and redevelopment while protecting key environmental features, creating sustainable economic opportunities and providing public services,” according to the city statement.

Among the major updates was the  implementation of the Form-Based Code land development regulatory tool, specifically along Division Avenue and incorporation of the Silver Line bus rapid transit service along Division Avenue.

The current Master Plan update also focused on “changes related to a few areas that required particular attention,” including Section 13, 263 acres of open land between 28th and 36th streets, Patterson Avenue and East Paris Avenue; Section 34, a 480-acre area between 52nd and 60th streets, the Princeton Estates plat and Wing Avenue; the 28th and 29th Street commercial corridor; and the Division Avenue corridor.

The update process also included plans for the Eastern Avenue and 52nd Street, the city campus, and Kalamazoo Avenue corridor subareas.

“Significant time and valuable engagement with residents, businesses and property owners has led to this plan’s adoption,” Terry Schweitzer, Kentwood community development director, said in supplied material. “We are grateful to all those who shared input and contributed to this critical review process.”

The updated plan and its associated documents are available on the City’s website at kentwood.us/PlanKentwood.

Through the eyes of Meijer Gardens sculpture curator, WKTV takes a second look at ‘George Segal: Body Language’

Area Education, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Reviews, WKTV Projects, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Visual artist George Segal was a sculptor, yes. But the current multi-medium exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, “George Segal: Body Language”, is clear evidence he was as interested in the human condition as he was in human representation.

The exhibit had a COVID-19 delayed opening this summer, and will continue on display at Meijer Gardens through January 2021.

After having lived with the exhibit for several months, WKTV caught up with Jochen Wierich, Meijer Gardens’ Curator of Sculpture & Sculpture Exhibitions, to talk about the reasons one visit with Segal’s works is probably not enough to understand and fully appreciate the artist and his art.

While Segal (1924-2000) was often, and in Wierich’s opinion unfittingly, lumped into the Pop Art era of the late 1950s and ‘60s — along with artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein — Segal was much more an observer of human nature, an explorer of human emotion.

That exploration of human nature and emotion is singularly clear in “Woman in Arm Chair”, already on permanent display at Meijer Gardens. But particularly telling to Wierich is “Street Crossing”, a 1992 work with several ambiguous figures moving through a fictional crossroads, seemingly  blind to one another and to their surroundings, and on display as part of the current exhibition.
 

Jochen Wierich, Meijer Gardens’ Curator of Sculpture & Sculpture Exhibitions. (WKTV)

“Street Crossing is a very different piece because it shows Segal working with a large group of people, the scene he observed in New York, crossing the street and seeing people intersecting but not really interacting,” Wierich said. “It is a wonderful example of how he observed life, how he looked at people in everyday life.

“You might say, in today’s world of COVID-19, it already shows a bit of awareness of how people share space and how they navigate their physical distance. Or not.”

In WKTV’s video interview with Wierich, the art expert and educator also touched on how the current exhibit explores Segal’s works in many mediums, not just in sculpture, as well as why he did not always fit in neatly with his Pop Art peers.

“George Segal: Body Language” spans the career of Segal and focuses on his “creative vision in representing body language across a variety of materials,” as stated in supplied material. This is the first exhibition of Segal’s work at Meijer Gardens since 2004 and is the first time that a selection of the gift of 32 prints, one sculpture and three wall reliefs from the Segal Foundation and Rena Segal will be on display.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located at 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids. For more information visit meijergardens.org.

WKTV college interns Rachel Weber and Matt Main contributed to this story.

Kentwood volunteers battle strangling vines that endanger city parks

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Environment, Going Local, Local Faces, Recreation,

By Tom Norton

tom@wktv.org

What’s in a weed? While for many of us our notion of weeds are the pesky and unwanted plants that compete for light and nutrients in our gardens, but a forest or the wooded section of a park has a much broader and even more sinister experience with weeds.

 

The Bittersweet vine is a problem across the nation and in Michigan. And Kentwood’s park trees are not immune. (WKTV)

These are the invasive species — species of plants that include certain types of vines that grow so aggressively so as to literally kill not only surrounding plants but even large trees.

For Jessica Schulte, district manager for Kent Conservation District, it all starts innocently enough; an attractive wreath sheathed in golden and red berries is purchased by a homeowner who enjoys the wreath and some point will discard it.

If the wreath has the attractive red and gold berries, chances are this is one of the versions of Bittersweet vine that has been dubbed one of the most invasive plants species in North America. The plant is capable of killing large trees and, with its aggressive growth, it will completely envelope a forest habitat, choking off all other growth and changing the forest forever.

And this is the challenge for Schulte.

Every summer and fall, Schulte and a group called the “Invasive Species Strike Team” fan out to West Michigan forests and residences to yank, cut and remove the vines of the Bittersweet and other invasive species.

Kentwood vs. a ‘Godzilla’ of a plant

With the Bittersweet growing to more than 66 feet in height, it might somewhat be likened to confronting a Godzilla in the forest. In a very short period of time, the Bittersweet will completely envelope a tree’s canopy, blocking sunlight while the vines have a remarkable ability to choke off the flow of nutrients by literally strangling the trunk.

Jessica Schulte, district manager for Kent Conservation District, inspecting one of Kentwood’s parks. (WKTV)

“There are no insects, molds or fungus growth to keep the Bittersweet vine in check,” Schulte said in a recent telephone interview with WKTV, as she was busily preparing another team for a site visit that would determine the extent of Bittersweet vine damage.

“We have a huge infestation in the Ada and Cascade region,” she added also pointing out that Michigan currently lacks formal regulation of invasive species.

But now Schulte seems to have attracted a significant ally.

City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley attacks some of the Bittersweet vines in a city park. (WKTV)

Mayor Stephen Kepley of the City of Kentwood was on a walk this spring in one of the city’s parks and noticed large canopies of vine growth covering some of the trees along with vines literally strangling the trunks of trees.

Mayor Kepley reached out to the Kent Conservation District and further investigation found that there was more than just one area in Kentwood that the Bittersweet vine was invading.

“I’m actually surprised that more cities, like Kentwood are not taking action against the Bittersweet,” Schulte said, “because the damage they cause can be prevented.”

Formation of Kentwood’s ‘strike team’

Like horticultural super hero figures, the Kent Conservation District has created “strike teams” of volunteers to fan out into urban wooded areas and forest to identify and remove the problem vines and weeds.

Bittersweet vines will choke out trees. (WKTV)

While our gardening grandfathers and grandmothers might have reminded us that regular weeding was the equivalent of an ounce of prevention being worth more than a pound of cure, that prevention/cure from the strike team is underway in Kentwood.

In early October, Mayor Kepley joined with community volunteers in training for the task of ridding Kentwood parks of aggressive weeds, like the Bittersweet, that threaten the parks.

Now there are more training sessions available through the winter and into the spring. And given the speed at which the vine grows and its capability of ruining the appearance of city parks, Schulte points out that the more volunteers the better.

To assist with awareness and sign-ups, Kentwood has set up a page within the city’s website that allows residents to learn more about the invasive vine and how they can join to stop the spread.

You can find more at: kentwood.us/vinevolunteers.

Good vines and bad vines

Schulte hastens to add that the Bittersweet is not like the wild grape vines or other indigenous vines like the Virginia Creeper. She points out that even poison ivy in the forest is good because the berries it produces have a high fat content which help birds survive the long winter.

Oriental Bittersweet in winter. (Wikipedia Commons)

While birds also feast on Bittersweet berries, they also spread the seeds which only contributes to forest damage.

 

At the same time, Schulte states that while beneficial vines and trees are falling victim to the spread of the Bittersweet, it is also affecting wildlife.

“Migrating birds are down by 40 percent because often these city parks serve as stopovers for food, but the Bittersweet is enveloping and destroying the wooded canopy and eliminating the food supply,” she said.

At the training sessions, volunteers learn how to recognize invasive weeds and vines from the beneficial ones and how to effectively remove them. Schulte points out that volunteers will also need to be trained on how to effectively remove enough of a vine to prevent it from growing back.

“If homeowners would like they can reach out to us with pictures and we can help identify if they have problem vines,” said Schulte.

For more information on the Kentwood vine volunteer program, visit the kentwood.us/vinevolunteers. To sign-up as a volunteer, contact Public Works Supervisor Jim Wolford at wolfordj@kentwood.us or call him at 616-554-0817.

To contact Jessica Schulte, email her at KCD@macd.org and to join the strike team, email kentstriketeam@gmail.com.

Woodland Mall to host family-friendly outdoor ‘Pop-up Fall Festival’ Oct. 17

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, Woodland Mall,
A Pop-up Fall Festival is coming to Woodland Mall this weekend. (Public Domain)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Woodland Mall announced this week that it will celebrate the fall season — the beautiful leaves, crisp air and, of course, caramel apples — this weekend when it hosts a Pop-Up Fall Festival in the Von Maur parking lot.

The outdoor event, which the entire family can enjoy while remaining safe and healthy, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in collaboration with ACP Entertainment.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating the season and all the great activities and goodies it brings,” Woodland Mall Marketing Director Cecily McCabe said in supplied material. “Despite the limitations of COVID, we’ve been working hard to offer some fall fun that will allow us to gather and enjoy autumn safely. We’ll certainly be using Michigan’s beautiful fall weather to our advantage.”

According to the announcement, the festival will offer treats such as elephant ears, caramel apples, caramel corn, donuts and cider all day for participants to enjoy. Those interested may choose to either drive through or walk up to booths to purchase these treats, which can be purchased with cash or card. Seating will not be provided — participants are asked to enjoy the fall treats in their vehicles.

Festival activities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. and will include a bounce house, corn maze, spinning strawberry, train rides and more. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Only those planning to participate in activities need tickets.

Per state and Kent County Health Department guidance, the attraction area will be limited to 100 guests or fewer at a time and all participants will be required to wear a mask. There will be plenty of hand sanitizing stations and room for physical distancing.
 

Deep cleaning and sanitization of all attractions will take place throughout the day, according to the announcement.

Kentwood’s newest park set to host a ‘Halloween’ cross country 5K on Oct. 17

City of Kentwood, Going Local, Kids Activities, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, , ,
A old sign, seen from 36th Street, at the area once called the Christian Athletic Complex but now a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By Zachary Cantalice, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood will host ‘socially distant’ cross country running/walking race, the NN Mobile Solutions Halloween 5k, on Saturday, Oct. 17. The run will take place at Covenant Park and will be a fundraiser for improvements at the park.

Covenant Park is one of the newest parks in Kentwood and, according to race organizer Spencer McKellar, lead recreation program coordinator of the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, the event not only gives an opportunity to show off the new park but also creates a fun community event.

 “With Covid-19, we wanted to provide an outdoor event and with a cross country event that would provide a safe place for people to participate in while showcasing the new park,” McKellar said to WKTV.

Covenant Park is located at 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE, and was previously known as the Christian Athletic Complex. The park encompasses nearly 110 acres purchased early this year after an anonymous donor gave a substantial gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation for the purchase of the land, with the conditions it will be used by the City of Kentwood for park and recreational purposes, and be named Covenant Park.
 

The race will have guidelines to accompany the challenges Covid-19 has created. Sign up and waivers are all online so there will be no paperwork to fill out or for multiple people to come in contact with.

While during the race you will not have to wear a face mask, prior to and after the race a mask is required. The race will also have staggered starting times to separate groups. Groups will also be limited to a certain number of participants according to McKellar.

For more information and to sign up, visit runsignup.com.

Woodland Mall to host Employment Expo on Oct. 15 with ‘hundreds’ of jobs available

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Local Business, Recreation, Upcoming Events, Woodland Mall,
A scene from a 2019 job fair at Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Woodland Mall will host an Employment Expo on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 1-7 p.m., with nearly 30 West Michigan employers seeking to fill hundreds of positions in the mall and around the community, according to an announcement this week from management.

Job seekers will have the opportunity to learn about full-time, part-time and seasonal positions with Allied Universal and Peoplemark, the two title sponsors of the event. Other area employers in the cleaning and maintenance, quick food service and health care industries will also be on-site.

Many retailers at the mall are also hiring for both full-time and seasonal positions. A variety of Woodland Mall clothing, shoe and jewelry retailers as well as restaurants will participate in the expo with a variety of employment opportunities including full-time management roles. A full list of retailers can be viewed at shopwoodlandmall.com.

“With rising unemployment, it is more important than ever to help our community’s job seekers connect with West Michigan employers and support our local economy,” Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director, said in supplied material. “Woodland Mall is delighted to host this employment expo, which also allows several of our own retailers who are gearing up for the holiday season to participate.

“We offer a variety of career options with competitive wages in both sales and management for anyone interested in retail,” she said.

Hourly wages for entry-level sales associate positions at the mall range from $12 to $14. The average salary for management positions is $55,000. Job seekers are encouraged to explore the list of Woodland Mall openings.

Woodland Mall asks all guests, including employers and job seekers, to follow CDC recommendation by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, wearing facial coverings and practicing physical distancing.

In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers remain limited as the mall operates on reduced hours Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Some stores modify those hours further.

Visit shopwoodlandmall.com/recovery for regular updates from mall management company PREIT and Woodland Mall.

Local reaction to MHSAA’s new fan capacity at indoor, outdoor athletic events

Community Health, Education, Recreation, Sports
There has not been many fans in the stands local high school football games this season. But more will be allowed starting this week. (WKTV)

By Luke Schrock, WKTV intern

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association last week updated its guidelines for athletic event attendance and gatherings sizes, approving an increase to 30 percent capacity for outdoor events and 20 percent capacity for indoor events, for football games it will be in effect for Friday, Oct. 9, games.

South Christian High School Athletic Director David Kool told WKTV this week that he is in support of the gradual increase in spectators at events.

“We are very excited that the MHSAA has outlined new spectator capacities for both indoor and outdoor sporting events starting on October 9,” Kool said. “Our community continues to follow all the guidelines in place as best as we can, and we look forward to having more spectators in attendance supporting our student athletes.

“We appreciate all of the work the MHSAA continues to put in to ensure the safety of all involved in athletic contests and this is a big step forward for all of us,” he said.

For outdoor events with no fixed seating, such as cross country or golf, the guideline is to have no more than 30 spectators per 1,000 square feet.
 

Despite the recent Michigan Supreme Court decision, guidelines for mask wearing and social distancing remains unchanged and is still highly encouraged at indoor and outdoor events.

For more information on other Wyoming and Kentwood high school athletic events, contact specific high school athletic departments.

WKTV football Week 3 wrap for Wyoming, Kentwood games Oct. 2

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection,
Godwin Heights goes for a two-point extra point conversion after junior quarterback Jeremiah Drake (1) punched in an early Wolverine touchdown in their Oct. 2 home game against Belding. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

While Grand Rapids South Christian High School ran their record to 3-0, with a win over  Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (0-3), 41-24, both East Kentwood and Wyoming high’s offense kicked into high gear with the playoffs looming and three games remaining on the shortened 2020 regular-season schedule.

East Kentwood (1-2) rolled up 42 points in an easy road win at Grand Haven (0-3) as the Falcons defense held the Buccaneers to just 12 first-half points and running back Jeffery Perry rushed for 143 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.

 

Also standing out on offense for East Kentwood was senior quarterback Brandon Miller, who passed for 146 yards on a 13-of-24 night, with one touchdown, while also adding 55 yards on the ground. Senior running back Drapher Cribb scored a rushing touchdown and senior Evan Milliken caught Miller’s touchdown pass. Senior Jaylen Smith added a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery.

“We overcame some early mistakes on both sides of the ball,” East Kentwood head football coach Tony Kimbrough said to WKTV. “We played well in all phases of the game, especially in the second half. Jeffrey Perry was a big part of our success.”

East Kentwood’s next game is Oct. 9 at home against Jenison (2-1). And in a change to the WKTV Featured Game schedule, we will be covering the Falcons game live on cable television and live-streamed at WKTV.org (click on the Live button).

Wyoming Wolves score 57 points in heartbreaking loss

Wyoming high’s offensive was in high gear for the second straight week with a dominating ground game totaling more than 500 yards and six touchdowns. But the Wolves (0-3) fell just short in a shoot-out on the road at Grand Rapids Union (1-2), 59-57.

Wyoming high coaches talk to their Wolves team from an early season game. (WKTV)

Wyoming had two players go over 200 yards rushing, with senior Cameron Simon totaling 264 yards on 18 carries, and senior Jeremy Barber totaling 209 on 27 carries with four touchdowns. Junior Mateo Ledesma added 42 yards and two touchdowns. But Wyoming head coach Irvin Sigler said the key to his explosive offense is his senior laden offensive line.

“We had two backs over 200 yards rushing, and that is an amazing feat,” Sigler said to WKTV. “Our offensive line had a tremendous game … lineman Anthony Alvarado, Seth DeYoung, Sam DeYoung, Ronald Divers, Sawyer VanDyke, as well as fullbacks Guizzippi Jobse and Collin St. John, were stellar.”

Senior quarterback Matthew Berg was 11-of-19 passing with one touchdown, and senior Mahki Matthews led the receivers with three catches.

The Wolves will be at home, this week, Oct. 9, against defending state Class A champions Muskegon Mona Shores (3-0). And Sigler said his defense will need to be better this week and continue to get better as the playoffs approach.

“Defensively we struggled all night and did not tackle well,” Sigler said. “Our kids will work to improve and get better at all types of tackling this week.”

The rest of the local action

Grand Rapids South Christian (3-0) at home (playing at East Kentwood) defeated Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (0-3), 41-24. The Sailors’ next game is Oct. 9 at Cedar Springs (2-1).

At Godwin Heights, after an early touchdown by junior quarterback Jeremiah Drake and two-point extra point conversion, the Wolverines (1-2) lost at home to Belding (3-0), 26-8, in what was the Oct. 2 WKTV Featured Game. The game was broadcast on cable live and live-streamed, and will be available on-demand at WKTVlive.org later this week. The Wolverines next scheduled game, at Grandville Calvin Christian on Oct. 9, has been cancelled, so its next game is Oct. 16 at Hopkins (currently 3-0).

Kelloggsville (0-3) lost at home to Comstock Park (10-2), 56-14. The Rockets next game is Oct. 9 at Sparta (1-2).

Lee (1-2 with forfeit win) lost at home to Comstock (2-1), 58-8. In that game, Legends quarterback Imiliano Valdez connected with Takayon Smith for a 68-yard touchdown strike, as well as a 2-point conversion. The Legends next game, scheduled for Oct. 9 against Muskegon Orchard View (0-3), has been cancelled by Lee.

Kentwood’s pop-up farmers market to help community greet the fall season on Oct. 1

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

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood’s Pop-up Farmers Market returns this week with a fall event that not only brings the seasons’s bountiful agricultural harvest and beautiful colors to town but also allows the public to reconnect with the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department and its various actives and efforts.

Following its successful summer pop-up farmers market, another free and open-to-the-public market is planned for Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, located at 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

While there will be a host of local vendors offering fresh and locally produced food and other items, as well as a meal available from Street Chef Shaw, the city’s parks and recreation department will deliver something of its own.

“The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department not only organizes Farmers Market events, but also participates,” Kristina Colby, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said to WKTV. “With our own booth set up at the Kentwood Farmers Market, we’re able to talk with residents about upcoming events and programs. We love any opportunity to engage with our community about the wide variety of enriching experiences we offer for people of all ages and abilities.”

But, of course, there are all those other great reasons to pay the farmers market a visit.

The outdoor event will feature a variety of seasonal items from nearly 20 vendors, including pumpkins, gourds, produce, microgreens, cheese, jams, honey, mushrooms, baked goods and more. Street Chef Shaw will be serving tacos and quesadillas.

Marketgoers will be required to wear masks when walking through the market and interacting with vendors. There will also be a counterclockwise traffic flow, according to the statement from the city. The Kentwood Farmers Market accepts Bridge cards and P-EBT, as well as SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks and Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH.

“Our Pop-Up Farmers Market offers community members an opportunity to get outside to enjoy the nice, fall weather and have fun exploring a variety of fresh and locally produced food,” Colby said. “We welcome everyone to step outside and join us to shop for great seasonal products from a safe distance to support local farmers, food producers and vendors.”

For more information on the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department and it activities, visit here.

Local college player finds baseball season in Traverse City amidst COVID-19

Local Faces, Recreation, Sports,
Game action from a Traverse City Pit Spitters game earlier this summer. (Supplied)

By Luke Schrock, WKTV intern 

ken@wktv.org

Many local college baseball players where hoping to play some summer league baseball, but then there was COVID-19. But for one local college player, Davenport University’s Gaetano Vallone, a summer at Traverse City was just the pitch he’d been hoping for.

The Northwoods League was one of the few summer baseball leagues that had the chance to play this summer, due to north Lower Peninsula Michigan and the Upper Peninsula being allowed to be exempt from many state-mandated restrictions.

“It was huge for me to find a team like the Pit Spitters to play for during this pandemic,” Vallone, a pitcher for Davenport, said to WKTV, “Being able to play for such a high caliber baseball team definitely helps me prepare for our upcoming season” in spring 2021.

The Northwoods League split its league into seven different “pods” including the ‘Michigan North’ (Traverse City) pod that also included the Great Lakes Resorters and the Northern Michigan Dune Bears (before the Dune Bears was disbanded after the first suspension of the season back on July 4).

Like most of the country, working out and staying in shape was a hard task, especially for players like Vallone, who were training for their upcoming collegiate season.

“I was forced to do at home workouts with limited supplies and run,” he said. “The transition from workouts at school to workouts at home was difficult but I managed to stay motivated.”

The Pit Spitters ended the season with a regular season record of 33-8 and lost in the finals of the Michigan bracket to the Kalamazoo Mac Daddies, 4-1.

Mums — and more — on exhibition as fall flowers, colors come to Meijer Gardens

Community Health, Entertainment, Going Local, Health, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
Mums and more (like giant pumpkins) are now on view at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. (Meijer Gardens/Peter McDaniel)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The first day of fall is here, on Sept. 22, and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has opened its annual fall horticulture exhibition, Chrysanthemums & More!

The exhibition, which opened Sept. 18, reportedly the largest of its kind in Michigan, features expansive displays of chrysanthemums, fall foliage and family-friendly activities. The exhibition will be on display through Nov. 1.

“This year’s theme for Chrysanthemums & More! is ‘Naturally’,” Steve LaWarre, Meijer gardens director of horticulture, said in supplied material. “Our goal is that guests can experience the more natural and untamed side of the autumn season through the various displays of color, texture and patterns that are carefully designed to play upon the natural beauty of the changing fall landscape.”

Aware of the need for social distancing, even outdoors, plant displays throughout Meijer Gardens will intentionally be open and airy, “highlighting movement in contrast to a more traditional tight and manicured aesthetic of years past.”

The tower of mums at Meijer Gardens. (Supplied/Peter McDaniel)

The focal point of the inside display will be entering the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse and witnessing a floor-to-ceiling chrysanthemum display. Presentations of large disbuds and beds of colorful plantings will complement this feature in the nearby Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor.

Outdoors, expansive beds of lush chrysanthemums will be arranged in stunning sweeps of color and will be balanced by a variety of ornamental plantings that highlight nature’s beauty.

Other activities coming this fall at Meijer Gardens include the Fall Bonsai Show, giant pumpkins and “Hallowee-Ones”.

Fall Bonsai Show, sponsored by the West Michigan Bonsai Club, will take place Oct. 3–4, and is open with regular admission. A variety of bonsai will be on display, from trees in early stages of training to lovely older trees. Also, visitors can watch bonsai artists at work and shop for bonsai trees as well as bonsai tools and supplies.

Dress up is encouraged but there will be no tricks or treats. (Supplied)

Also on that weekend will be Fall Family Day, on Oct. 3, 1-4 p.m., which will be focused on the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Activities include fall-inspired tunes and autumn-themed stories, a fiber arts demonstration and a naturalist walk.

Finally, Hallowee-Ones, for the “wee ones,” will occur Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon, with parades at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. This special event is designed for the youngest visitors, and children are encouraged to dress as a sculpture, mammal, fish, insect, bird, tree, flower, geologist or in any other way that highlights something about the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. “No tricks, no treats, just fun!” according to supplied material.

For more information visit MeijerGardens.org.

West Michigan Jazz Society’s ‘Jazz in the Park(ing) Lot’ fundraiser at Noto’s Sept. 22

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Restaurants, Upcoming Events, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The West Michigan Jazz Society continues its “Jazz in the Park(ing Lot)” dinner and music fundraising series Tuesday, Sept, 22, from 5-7:30 p.m., at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining and featuring the Mary Rademacher Quartet starting at 5:30 p.m.

The quartet features Mary Rademacher on vocals, John Gist on saxes, Tom Hagen on piano, Elgin Vines pop bass and Cherie Lynn on drums and vocals.

Jazz fans will be able to order special jazz picnic meals from Noto’s with on-line ordering pricing of $15 for pre-orders received by noon on Monday, Sept. 21. (On-line orders received after noon on Sept. 21 will be at $18.) Place your order from Noto’s here. (Select “choose a menu.” Then select “Jazz in the Parking Lot”. Then place your order. You can also call to make your order at 616-493-6686.)

Alcoholic Beverages will be available at Noto’s and may be consumed in special designated areas. But you may not bring your own alcohol on the premises including the parking lot.

“Since we cannot host our traditional Monday night summer series, “Jazz in the Park”, we will be sponsoring local musicians and jazz venues in West Michigan to host safe and socially distant outdoor concerts,” according to a previous WMJS statement.

The event will also be live streamed from the WMJS Facebook page, if you are not comfortable with attending in person, according to the statement. A digital donation jar to show your support for WMJS is also available here securely through PayPal.

For more information on the West Michigan Jazz Society, visit here.

On Tap: A virtual Michigan Irish Music Fest, Bell’s fall lineup

3-bottom, Beer, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
There will not be this such crowds at this year’s Michigan Irish Music Festival. But there will still be fun and music and beer, we assume. (Supplied/previous year)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Over the weekend originally slated for their 2020 festival, Sept. 17-20, the Michigan Irish Music Festival will host “Keeping Irish In Your Heart … Six Feet Apart,” a virtual event featuring musical performances, cultural presentations, and “other ways to engage in one of the lakeshore’s most beloved fall traditions,” according to a supplied statement.
 

There will be both songs and swag available.

Tune in beginning Thursday, Sept. 17 (through Saturday, Sept. 20) to Michigan Irish Music Festival’s Facebook page for special online performances and cultural presentations to celebrate the “weekend that would have been.” There will be a “Live Takeover” by the folk group Scythian and other mini-concerts throughout the weekend.

Other musical guests expected include Runa, Friel Sisters, Shane Hennessy, Dave Curley, Seamus Kennedy, Conklin Ceili band, Crossbow, Peat in the Creel, Uneven Ground, Ruth & Max Bloomquist, Selkies, Kennedy’s Kitchen, Doolin, One for the Foxes. Blackthorn, Irish Music All Stars, The Kreellers, and more. Cultural presentations include Songwriters Circle with Ashley Davis and Baking with Babies, a kid-friendly cooking presentation by Shannon of Runa.

And even if you can’t make it live, you can pretend in future years. The official “Irish There Were a Festival” t-shirt can be purchased for $20 (shipping included).  But the cotton tees will be on sale for a limited time.

For complete event information visit michiganirish.org.

Bell’s welcomes fall with brew familiar and new

Bell’s Brewery always seems to have something special on tap for fall, but this year Best Brown lovers will need to take notice of a new label on the familiar brew as the fall seasonal will have a brand new look when it arrives on store shelves and in coolers over the next couple of weeks.

The new label is a mix of the old and the new,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery, said recently in supplied material. “It hearkens back to our original labels while paying homage to the heritage of the brand, a modernized nod to the history of Best Brown.”

Best Brown (5.8 ABV) — a smooth, toasty beer that offers hints of cocoa and caramel — has a long history with Bell’s fans. It was first released in 1988 packaged in 22 oz. bottle, and featured a plain type label and then a winter pine cone. The owl first appeared in 1993 and has been on the label ever sense, represented in different styles throughout the years.

Other fall brews already available from Bell’s include, of course, its Octoberfest, a Special Double Cream Stout, Expedition Stout (including a very limited special edition version celebrating Bell’s 35th Anniversary. Third Coast Old Ale will be available in mid-September, Sideyard at the end of September, and a Cherry Stout — perfect for those crisp Michigan fall nights — in mid-October.

For more information, visit bellsbeer.com.

Zach Cantalice, WKTV Intern

Family friendly ‘Moovies’ coming to Fifth-Third Ballpark in September

3-bottom, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

By Luke Schrock, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

The West Michigan Whitecaps and Milk Means More are bringing fans family friendly fun from Fifth-Third Ballpark once again, this time with a month full of ‘Moovies from the Mound” — all with safety at the forefront.

“Once our baseball season was cancelled on June 30th, we began working on ways to energize the event side of our business,” and came up with the idea of showing movies, Steve VanWagoner, Whitecaps director of marketing and media relations, said to WKTV.

Movies from the Mound will continue throughout September starting Friday, Sept. 11, with the first of two films starting at 6 p.m. There will also be films continuing on select Fridays and Saturdays, at various times. Fifth Third Ballpark is located at 4500 West River Dr., Comstock Park.

“We put together a safety plan and got advice from local health officials,” he said. “The plan included painted 120 12-foot by 12-foot plots in the outfield, distanced and will hold six people with lots of room. We check temperatures of everyone entering the ballpark and everyone (even children) wear masks when around in the park and take them off when in their plots.”

During the month of September showings will include “Pets 2”, “Remember the Titans”, “Frozen 2”, “Onward”, “The Mighty Ducks”, “Incredibles 2”, “Aladdin”, “The Greatest Showman”, “Harry Potter”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Each screening will begin with a 10-minute presentation from Milk Means More to educate viewers on the importance of dairy farmers and dairy products.

Plots are $35 per plot, but to see both movies in a night a plot must be purchased for each movie. Each plot is socially distanced and includes six tickets per plot in the outfield.

Outfield restrooms will be open. Standard Fifth Third Ballpark Policy for prohibited items will apply — no outside food and beverage, glass bottles/containers, coolers, alcoholic drinks, smoking including E-Cigs, backpacks, bug spray, pets/animals (except certified assistance dogs) or weapons.
 

To reserve a plot and to learn more visit fifththirdballpark.com or check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Facebook page.

Can’t be in stands? WKTV to live broadcast, livestream featured prep football games

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Community Media each year broadcasts fall football games as part of its extensive coverage of Wyoming and Kentwood high school athletic teams. But with in-stadium crowds limited in this shortened prep football season due to COVID-19 restrictions, WKTV’s sports coverage will expand to provide fans with live coverage of games.

Starting with the Week 4 contest featuring Zeeland West at Wyoming High on Friday, Sept. 18, WKTV will livestream our Featured Game broadcast on WKTV.org (click on Watch Live), as well as on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel.

WKTV’s Feature Game coverage crew is ready for a little football. (WKTV)

“WKTV prides itself on being the community connection for the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, so we wanted to step up and be the weekly football source for fans with live coverage of games,” Tom Norton, general manager for WKTV Community Media, said. “We thank the MHSAA for allowing us to bring these games live to our community.”

At this time, our schedule will include the Week 5 Sept. 25 game of Grandville at East Kentwood, and the Week 6 Oct. 2 game of Belding at Godwin Heights. (East Kentwood’s home game will be live-streamed on a different platform, and WKTV will provide that information.) WKTV also plans to cover local games in Week 8 and 9, and possibly into opening round of the now-expanded playoffs.

“We’re relaxing our live video rules during the pandemic to allow games to get out to fans who can’t get to the events,” John Johnson, director of broadcast properties for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), said.

For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

Coaches ready as local high school sports shift into high gear following Gov. Whitmer, MHSAA action

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
Friday night lights could be returning to local fields. (Shown is Lee High School’s football team celebrating a win over Galesburg-Augusta in 2019.) (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

In 2020, this year of pandemic, Wyoming and Kentwood high school athletic teams — especially football teams — have, in the opinion of Wyoming high head football coach Irv Sigler, “learned to adjust and adapt to whatever happens.”

So on Thursday, Sept. 2, when Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office announced competitive sports would be allowed and the Michigan High School Athletic Association give its approval, with restrictions and with pages of state health department and MHSAA guidance, local teams hit the ground running.

The result of state and MHSAA action is some fall sports that had been in limbo, including boys soccer and volleyball, can begin competitive action against other schools as early as the week of Sept. 7. And high school football can begin be under the Friday-night lights beginning Sept. 18.

The final approval for beginning of competitive action will be left to the discretion of individual school districts and athletic departments, according to a MHSAA statement.

But with the news, local football teams are chomping at the bit and ready to get into pads for the first time next week, and will be ready to begin action in two weeks.

East Kentwood football coach Anthony Kimbrough working with a previous year team at practice. (WKTV)

“Our players, especially our seniors, are extremely excited about playing on Friday nights thIs fall,” East Kentwood head football coach Tony Kimbrough said to WKTV. “Most teams have never stopped practicing, therefore adding pads and actually hitting one another won’t be an issue. We will hit the ground running on Tuesday, and we cannot wait.”

Coach Sigler echoed his fellow coach when it comes to his Wolves team being ready to play in two weeks.

“Our kids have worked hard and are ready for the opportunity,” Sigler said to WKTV. “All high school football players deserve to have their season — and everyone is very excited.  As for the time it takes to prepare — we are all essentially in the same boat, so there’s a sense of equal footing there.”

And there is a sense that school communities and football fans alike need the opportunity to have a degree of normality with a however-shortened football season.

“I truly believe that the return of high school football is what our state needs,” Kimbrough said. “COVID-19 has had a traumatic impact on many lives. I believe football will give everyone a much needed dose of hope and joy, and assurance that normal times are soon to return. This will certainly have a positive effect on the mental health of our student athletes. … (And) hopefully this will generate a lot excitement for our student body and the community.”
 

And while all high school athletic teams are expected to resume their approved fall 2020 schedules once competition starts, with football beginning with Week 4 games, there will be changes to the regular schedule of the football playoff system, the MHSAA also said.

“All football teams in 11 and 8-player football will qualify for the playoffs during this fall’s shortened season, and then advance through their usual postseason progression with 8-Player Finals the weekend of Nov. 27-28 and 11-Player Finals the weekend of Dec. 4-5,” according to the MHSAA statement.

All other fall 2020 tournaments will be conducted as previously scheduled.

Approvals, restrictions and health warnings

The fall 2020 football season was reinstated by the Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association after Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Order 176 this week lifted restrictions that previously did not allow football — as well as soccer, volleyball and competitive swimming — to be played.

But according to the MHSAA, “schools are not required to play any of those sports this fall, and may postpone until the spring. However, the MHSAA will conduct its postseason events in those four sports only for the Fall 2020 season.”

But the current order also sets spectator limits for outdoor and indoor events in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan, which Wyoming and Kentwood schools fall under. The details of this implementation of those limits are to be finalized by the individual school districts and high schools.

But general state restrictions on spectators of high school events were detailed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHSS).

“Spectators for indoor organized sports are limited to the guests of the athletes with each athlete designating up to two guests. For outdoor sports competitions, the organizer of the competitions must either limit the audience to the guests of the participants with each athlete designating up to two guests, or limit total attendance to 100 people or fewer, including all participants like athletes, coaches, and staff.”
  

The MHSAA, too, has health guidance for the on-field athletes and teams.

“We share the Governor’s priorities of putting health and safety first, and the COVID-19 guidance and protocols designed by the MHSAA at her request have led to the safe starts in all sports across the state,” MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl said in the MHSAA statement. “Thirty three other states are currently participating in all fall sports, and the MHSAA and its member schools are committed to doing this as safely as possible.”

While the Governor’s new order allowed the MHSAA to go ahead with fall competitive sports, the state health department at the same time issued a warning to schools which decide to participate.

“Individuals can now choose whether or not to play organized sports, and if they do choose to play, this order requires strict safety measures to reduce risk,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHSS chief medical executive, said in the Governor’s statement. “However, we know of 30 reported outbreaks involving athletic teams and facilities in August. Based on current data, contact sports create a high risk of COVID-19 transmission and MDHHS strongly recommends against participating in them at this time. We are not out of the woods yet. COVID-19 is still a very real threat to our families.”

With the high school football season now planned to begin Friday, Sept. 18, WKTV expects to resume its coverage of high school football action on that day.



Despite COVID-19’s impact, Kent County reports progress on 2019-23 Strategic Plan implementation

3-bottom, Community Health, Recreation,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic hitting, and Kent County taking a leadership role in local response and recovery through its health department and its allocations of federal CARES Act funds, the county is moving ahead with it 2019-23 Strategic Plan — and it has the stats to prove it.

Kent County announced this week that it had launched its 2019-2023 Strategic Plan Performance Dashboard, designed to track progress made toward achieving the priorities and goals of the County’s Strategic Plan, which was approved by the Board of Commissioners in June 2019.

“Families and businesses are struggling with their own budgets, so we have a responsibility to make their government more accountable and transparent than ever,” Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Mandy Bolter said in supplied material. “Moving more County data online will help taxpayers know what we are focused on and empower them to hold our feet to the fire when we aren’t getting the job done.”

While there have been major disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, County leadership continues to review the plan and “adjust as necessary to ensure the priorities and goals reflect the changing economic conditions and community needs,” according to the county statement.

The Strategic Plan Performance Dashboard gives more insight into where specific priorities have been disrupted due to COVID-19 and how far along they are to completion.

The dashboard uses seven measures — status pending, on track, some disruption, major disruption, upcoming, discontinued and complete — to track progress toward five priorities: economic prosperity, quality of life, service delivery, inclusive participation and effective communications.


“This is all about effectively and efficiently using our resources to meet community needs,” Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt said in supplied material. “This plan acts as a guide when deciding how to prioritize activities, allocate resources and fund initiatives — and it’s been an invaluable tool during this pandemic.”

Visit Kent County’s Strategic Plan Performance Dashboard here. See the entire strategic plan here. And see here a WKTV Journal In Focus interview with Kent County leadership after they approved the plan.


Heavy metal fishin’ — locals land the strangest things, sometimes get police involved

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Going Local, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, WKTV Journal In Focus, ,
If you fish out a gun, or something like this old grenade, the Grand Rapids Police Department recommend you call your local police and let the experts handle it. (WKTV/Matt Kavaluskis)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Fishing on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids is nothing new. You can see anglers on the banks almost every day, year around.

But a not-so-new version of fishing for fish with the usual bait, fishing for anything metal with magnets, is turning up some unusual catches. From the usual odds and ends, to guns and even an unwisely disposed of military grenade, to — and we have the photograph to prove it — an antique metal toilet, one local magnet fisherman has stories to tell.

Magnet fishermen find the strangest things — like an antique toliet. (WKTV/Matt Kavaluskis)

“Me and my buddy have pulled up all sorts of stuff, including five guns and a World War II grenade,” Matt Kavaluskis, a lifelong Grand Rapidian and a community volunteer at WKTV Community Media, said recently. “And for that iron toilet, we used three magnets and fourth rope to haul it up.”

Kavaluskis said that while the usual finds — metal odds and ends, large and small — are usually just turned in for scrap. But we are not taking about a little scrap here and there. He points out that in addition to the toilet, they recovered a metal cross beam for a sign that weighed nearly 200 pounds.

His favorite magnet fishing spot, he says, is on either side of the river at the Sixth Street Bridge — “That’s were we have found the most stuff.”

Most guns fished out of the Grand River of of no value to the police, except for getting the off the streets. (WKTV/Matt Kavaluskis)

And those guns? That grande? They turned them over to the police, as a Grand Rapids Police Department spokesperson said they should do so.

“With the popularity of magnet fishing, things like this are going to happen,” Sgt. John Wittkowski said to WKTV. “… for the most part we just take them and melt them down. They are really just paperweights, but for obvious reasons we do not return them.”

Unlike in the movie or on television crime dramas, the guns are rarely of any real value to the police.

“Typically, they are in such poor condition, they are of no evidentiary value,” Wittkowski said. “We may check the serial number if that is visible, but usually they are not much use to police.”

But about that World War II antique which Kavaluskis and his buddy turned in …

“If we are taking about a grenade, that is more of a safety issue,” Wittkowski said. “That is very unusual. People occasionally will occasionally bring us things … say they found something when there were going through their father’s belongings. … They are usually inert, but you never know.”

But the bottom line advise from the police department is simple: if you find something like guns or things that could be explosives, call your local police and let the experts handle it.

Back to fishing for the everyday stuff: What might be the beginners tackle box look like for a magnet fisherman?

The usual haul from magnet fishing — odds and ends.(WKTV/Matt Kavaluskis)

“Magnets start at $29, go up to $300, depending on what pull weight you want,” Kavaluskis said. “Each magnet comes with 70 feet of rope, a carry box, set of gloves and a carabiner clip. There is like four or five really good magnet companies.”

And what is next on Kavaluskis’ magnet fishing to-do list? He says there is the motorcycle he and his buddy think they know the whereabouts of.

Calling all chalk artists: Kentwood to host ‘Chalk the Lot’ family fun weekend Aug. 28-30

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The City of Kentwood’s “Chalk the Lot” will allow families to create their own art projects. (WKTV historic photo)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood’s Park and Recreation Department has come up with an artistically colorful way to show off the Veterans Memorial Park’s new playground, splash pad and concession stand.

Can you say ‘chalk art fun’ for all?

The city will host a free family event the weekend of Aug. 28-30 appropriately titled “Chalk the Lot”, when families can gain supplied chalk, get assigned blocks in the park’s parking lot, and go to town with their own art projects.

The Kentwood Activities Center and Veterans Memorial Park is located at 355 48th St SE. Registration for chalk art blocks are available, and the public is invited to view the artwork even if they did not create it — practicing proper social distancing, of course.
 

“We’re excited to host our first ever Chalk the Lot,” Spencer McKellar, lead recreation program coordinator for the Park and Recreation Department, said to WKTV. “It’s a great opportunity for families to take part in a free event, enjoy the summer weather, and check out the amenities at Veterans Memorial Park.”

McKellar came up with the idea, shared it with the staff, and the first-ever such event came together, according to Laura Barbrick, marketing and events coordinator for the parks department.

There are not set specific times for art creation, so that families can come whenever it is convenient for them, according to the city. The event will begin on Friday, Aug. 29, at noon and will end on Sunday evening.

The city asks families to register in advance so they can get an assigned spot and pick up the chalk for the event. Chalk must be picked up at the Kentwood Activities Center the week leading up to the event during business hours (Monday through Thursday, Aug. 24-27, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or Friday, Aug. 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Ring bell at the front door or call 616-656-5270 and a staff member will assist, Barbrick said.

For more information and to gain assignment of chalk pickup and parking lot blocks, visit the parks department Facebook page here.

MHSAA approves regular practices for certain ‘low risk’ sports but restricts full football, soccer and volleyball activities

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East Kentwood High School’s football team (shown at practice from the 2019-20 season) and other local football programs will have restrictions on how they practice in August due to the COVOD-19 situation. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Representative Council announced July 29 a continuation of its “phased-in practice and competition” schedule for traditional fall high school sports “in hopes of continuing to deter the spread of COVID-19.”

The Council affirmed that lower-risk sports — including Wyoming and Kentwood area high school girls golf, boys tennis, cross country, and girls swimming & diving — may begin practice on Aug. 12 and begin competition on their traditional start dates of Aug. 19 and 21.

However, moderate and high-risk sports — football, girls volleyball and boys soccer – may begin practice, with limitations, but not competitions until additional decisions by the MHSAA, expected to be made by Aug. 20.

In addition, recommendations on spectator attendance will follow before the start of competition, according to the MHSAA statement, and it is possible “spectators will be limited in accordance with Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer’s executive orders on large gatherings.”

According to the July 29 statement, practice for boys soccer and girls volleyball may begin on Aug. 12, but football will delay the start of practice with full player pads and equipment until Monday, Aug. 17. The week of Aug. 10 “may include football practice sessions consisting of conditioning, physical training and skill work with no other player equipment except helmets. This week of acclimatization is similar to allowed summer football activities that have been ongoing for schools since June.”

David Kool, the new South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)

David Kool, athletic director at South Christian High School, told WKTV he welcomed the expanded clarity as to what his school’s teams and student athletes can and cannot do — “All in all, this was a very positive step for high school athletics in Michigan.”

“It is great to know that all fall sports will be able to begin practicing on time to a certain extent,” Kool said. “We are thrilled that golf, tennis, cross country and swimming can begin practice and competitions without delay. Soccer and volleyball are also able to begin practice without delay which is great news.

“Football, being in a helmet-only (practice restriction) for an extra week, is a great decision and made sense for our student athletes. The next step is getting encouraging news on August 20 that soccer, volleyball and football may begin competitions and we are hopeful that will happen.”

Limits also placed on scrimmages, tournaments and invitationals

Among the other actions announced by the Representative Council, the MHSAA’s 19-member legislative body, was the cancelations of scrimmages in all fall sports for this school year, and limitations on numbers of teams that may compete together at regular-season tournaments, invitationals and other multi-team events.

“The Council believed eliminating scrimmages emphasized the importance of keeping teams from mixing before the first date of competition, and the regular-season limitations may lessen opportunities for viral spread while still allowing meets to be conducted,” according to the MHSAA statement.

The expected Aug. 20 decision on competition for football, girls volleyball and boys soccer is “dependent on how the spread of the virus is trending statewide”, including  “sustained metrics measuring virus spread and/or progression by schools and regions across the state according to Gov. Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan,” according to the statement.

“The Council, reflecting on the positive impact on their athletes this summer from taking part in offseason training, feels it’s of utmost importance to continue athletic activity moving forward,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in supplied material. “If we take a month off, our students will find opportunities to compete through non-school entities that may not be as focused on safety. Our athletic directors and coaches can provide the safest-possible environment to return to sports, and this phased-in approach to competition will help schools continue building on progress already made”

The MHSAA also has posted sport-by-sport guidance documents outlining increased precautions designed to limit the viral spread, plus a four-page overview with precautions that apply generally for all sports.

Specific sport guidelines and the overview are available on the respective sport pages of the MHSAA website, at mhsaa.com/sports.

 

WKTV Journal Sports Connection debuts with past, present, future of South Christian athletics

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Sports has debuted a new sports show focused on local high school sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection. On its inaugural episode, WKTV volunteer sports announcer Cory Dalton is joined by fellow announcers Greg Yoder and Mike Moll, and together they catch us up on the past, present and future of Grand Rapids South Christian athletics.

ON the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection, WKTV’s Greg Yoder talks with Curt Copeland, left, currently a teacher and coach at South Christian but, prior to that, he was the school’s athletic director for seven years. (WKTV)

First up, Yoder talks with Curt Copeland, currently a teacher and coach at South Christian but, prior to that, as the school’s athletic director for seven years, he guided the Sailors athletic program to on-field success as well the challenges of change — including moving into a new high school building and athletic facilities.

David Kool, the new South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)

Then Moll, WKTV’s volunteer sports director, talks with David Kool, the new South Christian athletic director, about his history at the school — and the 2006 graduate has quite a history, having led the Sailors to two state championships on the basketball court.

On the WKTV set, Kool talked his goals, the challenges of high school sports in time of COVID-19, and when the Sailors football team might be playing on their own home field.

The inaugural episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection is hosted by WKTV volunteer sports announcer Cory Dalton. (WKTV)

“This fall, we’ll be bringing you interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports,” Dalton said about being one of the hosts and interviewers on WKTV Journal Sports Connection. “And remember, you can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting WKTVjournal.com/sports.”

WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTV.viebit.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 (For dates and times on Channel 25, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also usually available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.