With the dead of summer comes hot, humid days — and the need to get plenty of water in you. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
In anticipation of several days of possible temperatures in the 90 degree plus range and high humidity, of Kent County on Tuesday released a statement from the county’s emergency manager including some advise.
Some predictions have daytime temperatures near and surpassing 90 degrees on Wednesday, July 17, with predicted highs of 95 degrees Thursday through Saturday.
“We collectively waited much of the year in anticipation of warm weather, but this week may be a little too warm for comfort,” Lt. Lou Hunt, Kent County Emergency Manager, said in supplied material. “It will also be very humid, which will increase the discomfort. It is important to be aware of the dangers heat can present to residents, and pets, so we can stay safe and remain as comfortable as possible.”
In the county’s statement, residents are encouraged to follow several simple tips:
Spend as much time as possible in a temperature-controlled cool environment.
Stay in the shade with a good breeze/air flow to decrease felt temperatures.
Remain well hydrated by drinking water (more than usual) which can help the body’s natural process for adapting to higher temperatures, as opposed to alcohol drinks that can be counter-productive and dehydrate the body.
Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion (which can include weakness, cold and clammy skin, darker than normal urine, significant sweating, cramps, dizziness, headache and nausea, among others) is a strong indicator it is time to get to a cooler environment, drink some cold water, and rest, according to county health officials.
Heat stroke, on the other hand, is a medical emergency with signs such as confusion, disorientation, the absence of sweating, high body temperature, rapid pulse/heart rate, and others.
Cooling centers will be open throughout this event for residents to go and rest from the heat. Most cooling centers will be open during the day while the temperatures are hottest (nighttime temperatures this week will be much more tolerable, in the mid 70’s). For locations and hours of cooling centers, please call 211 and a United Way representative will assist you in locating the closest cooling center.
“Remember, this week is a good time to slow things down a little, stay out of the sun, and make sure the people around you (and yourself) are coping during this heat event,” Lt. Hunt said. “Also, please remember your family pets! Pets that live outside will require shade and lots of cool water, but residents are encouraged to bring their pets inside for cooler temperatures.”
The family pet doesn’t have to miss out on the family vacation. Here are a few ideas of places to stay and fun things to do with your furry friend in West Michigan. Find more pet-friendly travel information in the Carefree Travel Guide.
Pet-friendly travel in the south region
No need to leave Fido at home during your nextColdwater Country getaway. Several local hotels, including the Coldwater Inn, are pet-friendly.
South Haven has become an extremely popular destination for pets, so many businesses cater to pet owners and their furry friends. For lodging, check into theSun ‘n Sand Resort or theKal-Haven Outpostfor unique lodging experiences.Comfort Suites is also accommodating to pets.
Looking for a vacation rental home? Check out Lakeshore Lodging for their select pet-friendly properties. Once you arrive, treat your dog to a beach day on one of South Haven’s pet-friendly beaches. Outdoor seating is also available at select restaurants downtown.
Your four-legged friend is welcome on Journeyman Distillery’s outdoor deck, overlooking the 18-hole Welter’s Folly putting green in Three Oaks.
Lakeshore Lodging has pet-friendly vacation rental townhomes, condos, cottages, and cabins near the gorgeous Lake Michigan lakeshore in the Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville area.
Pet-friendly travels in central region
Historic White Pine Village is open to dogs and people alike. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am until 5pm (last tour tickets at 3:30pm), the Village is situated on 12 acres with 30 buildings and/or exhibits to see. It generally takes about two hours to walk through. Dogs must be on a leash and owners are expected to clean up any messes. For more information please visit the Mason County Historical Society website.
Holland is a very pet-friendly town. The walkable downtown area is perfect for taking a stroll and grabbing a brew while enjoying the atmosphere of a bustling downtown on an outdoor patio with your pup. There are also many local pet-friendly parks for walking, running, hiking, and playing, such as Windmill Island Gardens. Pet-friendly Holland Hotels include Best Western Plus, Microtel Inn & Suites,Residence Inn, and more. Contact the Holland Visitors Bureau for your Guide to Dog-friendly Holland.
Traveling in Mecosta County?The Country Inn and Suites in Big Rapids allows pets to stay overnight for a fee of $10 per night, per pet. More lodging accommodations in Mecosta County can be found under the “Lodging” tab on Mecosta County’s website. If you’re looking to pamper your pet, there are multiple venues throughout Mecosta County offering things from homemade treats to pet grooming. For a more detailed list of places in Mecosta County that allow pets, visit the “Pet Friendly Amenities” page.
Muskegon County also loves pets. With one of Michigan’s best dog beaches and a new downtown Muskegon dog park — plus an assortment of pet-friendly accommodations — your pet is welcome to Visit Muskegon too! Information on pet-friendly dining in Muskegon can be found at the Visit Muskegon site.
Find pet-travel tips or your new travel companion at Pet.A.Pawlooza, July 27th in Grand Rapids. Hosted by Michele’s Rescue, Pet.A.Pawlooza is a collaborative community event promoting education, resources and adoptions with vendors that are made up of shelters, rescues, wildlife rehabs, veterinarians, boarders, groomers and pet-related products.
Pet-friendly travel north/UP region
From canine-approved lodging that includes the newest all-suite hotel to water bowls at sidewalk seating and a park that begs for a game of fetch, leaving your best friend behind doesn’t have to be a part of the vacation plan inMarquette.
Your pooch is welcome to bring you along to the Petoskey Area where you’ll both be welcome to stay in specified rooms throughout the area, including full-service resorts Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls and Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs. The Terrace Inn & 1911 Restaurant in Bay View offers a pet-friendly apartment unit. Chain facilities such as Holiday Inn Express & Suites Petoskey as well as locally owned hotels with indoor pools like Apple Tree Inn in Petoskey, Odawa Hotel of Petoskey, and Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge & Suites in Alanson. Stop by Ruff Life Pet Outfitters in downtown Petoskey for everything to keep your pup happy. Zoll Street Beach in Harbor Springs is a great place to cool off and play. And most parks and trails in the Petoskey Area offer a terrific place to sniff and stroll (while leashed, please).
At the Terrace Inn in Bay View, Petoskey, the former downstairs ice cream parlor has been converted to a pet-friendly apartment. It has a queen bedroom, living room with wicker chairs, comfy red leatherette sofa, furnished kitchen, full bath, and private entrance that opens to the garden. There is an outdoor pet-friendly patio too, with a gate so you can tie up your pet at the table (or not if the gate is closed). The apartment can be rented year round by the weekend, for a week, or a month.
Shanty Creek Resort recommends bringing your precious pup with and stopping into nearby Meadowpond Pet Resort. Just a few minutes down the road from Shanty Creek in Bellaire, Meadowpond is a full-service resort for dogs offering indoor/outdoor suites. In addition to being open 24/7, Meadowpond guests can enjoy the in-and-out privileges allowing Fido to join the family on day trips to nearby Torch Lake and other fun area destinations.
Bring the entire family to Mackinac Island this season with the Mission Point Pooch at the Point package, which offers accommodations in their newly renovated guest rooms, a welcome amenity for your pet, round-trip ferry tickets, and much more. Resting on the sunrise side of Mackinac Island, Mission Point is a great pet-friendly summertime retreat located just a short stroll from historic downtown. Boasting 18 acres of lakefront property on the sprawling shores of Lake Huron, Mission Point offers genuine hospitality and relaxed elegance with on-site dining and recreation experiences.
Drummond Island Resortis pet-friendly and has large, open green spaces for dogs to roam free.
The Traverse City Econo Lodge loves canine guests. Call in advance to ensure the availability of a dog-friendly room. Pet-friendly accommodations keep you in ground-floor rooms near the exits, so it is easier to go out for a walk. And don’t forget to get your dog a treat when you check in.
S’mores, campfires, sky-lit nights, and the sounds of nature… what’s not to love about camping in West Michigan! Whether you are looking for a spot to pitch the tent or planning where to hook up the RV, we’ve got some great ideas to help with your next camping adventure.
Glamping (i.e., glamorous camping)
On June 15th, The Fields was unveiled as the Midwest’s first luxury glamping experience. Nestled within a lush working blueberry farm in South Haven, The Fields is a 30-acre site that offer guests a deluxe outdoor experience complete with luxurious tents, chef-prepared meals, and access to a variety of exciting on-site and local activities. Located only 3.5 miles from the glistening beaches of Lake Michigan, the property features 10 rooms that each come complete with wood-burning stove, king-size bed, luxury linens, en-suite bathrooms, and luxury bathroom amenities and towels, along with stylized fixtures and seating, providing guests with five-star resort conveniences combined with effortless comfort. Reservations are available through the last weekend in October. Click here to book your luxury camping experience at The Fields.
In addition to tent sites, RV sites, and cabins, the Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday unveiled four new Luxury Glamping Tents this season, and they’ll make you want to stay all summer. Perfect for a romantic weekend away, the tents offer both heating and cooling, plus rocking chairs on the porch to enjoy summer evenings. They also come with refrigerators to keep your food fresh until it’s time to grill up dinner.
Love to experience the outdoors but don’t want to completely be in the elements? When you visit Bellaire, try glamping in tents and Yurts outfitted with high-end mattresses, chairs and linens to make your stay a little more comfortable.
Plan time on the water during your camp-out
Muskegon Countyoffers 16 campgrounds, with many located in state and local parks along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Others are conveniently located near the many attractions Muskegon has to offer. You’ll find relaxation on the banks of beautiful Big Blue Lake at the YMCA Camp Pendalouan Family Camp in Muskegon. Paddle clear waters in a kayak or canoe, enjoy wooded paths on horseback, or nap with the sounds of nature in the hammocks and swings. Ziplines, hikes and more round out the possibilities.
Looking for a quiet, peaceful night under the starry skies? At the Pine River Paddlesports Center in Wellston, you have the opportunity for a quiet camping experience in a clean and quiet campground, where the ‘quiet hours’ are 24/7. All sites are private, hedged around on three sides with woods, and all come with a picnic table, lantern hook, locking garbage can, and a fire pit with an adjustable grate. The sites are rustic, with a clean, central bathroom facility complete with flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and hot running water.
You’re invited to camp, relax, play, and enjoy this summer at En Gedi Campground River Resort in Leonidas. This family friendly campground offers activities for all ages. Kids will love the bounce house on Saturdays and water-lovers will appreciate the on-site livery with canoes, kayaks, and tubes.
Little Switzerland Resort and Campground is a peaceful and friendly place located just two miles north of Newaygo. The campground is nestled off of Pickerel Lake where you can enjoy 300 ft. of lake frontage with a private beach and swimming area. There is a playground, basketball court, and volleyball area to use during your stay. Fishing, sunbathing, and water sports are excellent. Public golf courses are a short drive away.
There are many beautiful spots for camping in Holland. The Holland State Park campground welcomes visitors to either wooded or beach-adjacent lots, while the Oak Grove Resort offers spots for travel trailers or brand-new camping cabins. Farther from the beach, Drew’s Country Campground or the Dutch Treat Campground offer affordable campsites with great amenities.
Mecosta County has quite a selection of public campgrounds for visitors to choose from when they visit. The Mecosta County Parks all have camping amenities to fit your lifestyle, whether you’re interested in swimming, fishing, or hunting. There are seven wonderful county parks, such as School Section Lake, Haymarsh Lake, or Merrill-Gorrell Park.
Fisherman’s Island State Park boasts over six miles of unspoiled Lake Michigan shoreline near Charlevoix with 80 rustic campsites, 15 of which are nestled in the dune area shore.
Covert Park Beach & Campground, with one quarter mile of beach on the shore of Lake Michigan, offers day passes as well as campsites available between mid-May and mid-October.
Campgrounds with family entertainment
No matter how you like to camp, Cran-Hill Ranch in Rodney has a spot for you. Their campgrounds can accommodate anything from a tent to the largest of RVs. All of their sites have 30-amp electric and water, with an on-site dump station. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. They have four different camping areas to choose from.
Pitch a tent, pull up in an RV, or stay in a cabin at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday Campground. Kids enjoy the Jumping Pillow, trampoline basketball, rock climbing wall, gem mining sluice, carpetball, gaga ball, craft time, movie nights, and two fishing ponds. Order pizza, nachos, or a panini from the cafe, and have it delivered to your site. Try some hand-dipped ice cream too.
The Kal-Haven Outpost is a new campground and general store located on the Kal-Haven Trail, just 4 miles from downtown South Haven. The Outpost offers three vacation homes; six spacious family cabins; four roomy couple’s cabins; twenty 70-ft., pull-through RV sites; wooded primitive sites; and a bathhouse. All lodging options are pet-friendly.
Yogi Bear’s Camp-Resort is South Haven’s family resort, located just five miles from Lake Michigan. Take advantage of outdoor fun for the whole family with resort amenities, complete with cable and Wi-Fi. The campground is located only 1/2 mile from the scenic Kal-Haven Trail. Cabins and cottages are pet friendly and offer ADA accessibility.
Located just minutes from downtown Marquetteand at the heart of the area’s vast trail network is the Rippling River Resort and Campground. Nestled along the shores of the Carp River and set on nearly 40 acres, the resort offers rustic tent sites, RV hook-ups, and even luxury cabins.
Enjoy a cabin rental on the shores of beautiful Lake Huron at Mackinac Lakefront Cabin Rentals, a family friendly resort just outside of Mackinaw City. Featuring 16 modern cabins and shaded RV sites, this quiet country setting will provide you with many hours of enjoyment. It’s located just three minutes from downtown Mackinaw City, the Mackinac Bridge, and the ferries to Mackinac Island.
RV parks
Offering over 200 full hook-ups, three pools, a recreation hall, game room, playground, firepits, and fishing pond, Poncho’s Pond RV Park in Ludington has grown to be one of the top-rated privately owned parks in Michigan. Open April-October, Poncho’s Pond RV Park has plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.
Sunny Brook RV Resort is a 65-acre luxury RV resort located in South Haven, three miles from Lake Michigan, offering nightly, monthly, and seasonal rental.
Enjoy free weekend events, homemade ice cream at the ice cream parlor, dinner theater, and homemade turkey dinners at Turkeyville Restaurant when you stay at Camp Turkeyville RV Resort in Marshall.
More campground and RV parks to visit in the Upper Peninsula:
Kick up your heels. Better yet, leave the heels at home.
The Grand Rapids Symphony celebrates the 25th anniversary of the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops by recreating its inaugural Picnic Pops concert July 11 and 12. Go here for the scoop on dates, music, and ticket options.
Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer at Downtown Market
Yippee! It’s Yappy Hour!
Join fellow dog lovers at the Downtown Market for Yappy Hour, on July 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 11am-1pm, to enjoy lunch outside with pups! Go here for more info.
A woman of her words
After teaching English and Journalism, Elizabeth Meyette retired and began a full-time writing career. An Amazon best-selling author, she has published six novels, her latest being 2018’s The Last Crossing. She has also published poetry and writes a blog called Meyette’s Musings. Read about Meyette here.
Fun fact:
189,819
The number of letters in the longest English word, the name of a protein. Go here to read it for yourself because honestly, we just don’t have the time and space. Its nickname is ‘titin’. Isn’t that cute?
How disappointing. Somehow we were expecting something a bit more grandiose.
The winter winds have come and gone. Spring has brought new life to the world and summer is finally here. That means a whole new array of safer activities for aging adults is beckoning.
From playing board games in the park to catching a sporting event, the sky is the limit for fun, activities for assisted living community members.
Don’t be stuck indoors during the summer months. Take the opportunity to get out and enjoy the warmer weather; it is good for the soul, mind, and body. The following seven activities will have you wishing that it was summertime all year round.
1. Head to a sporting event
Summer is the perfect time to watch a sporting event. It could be
something as exciting as attending a grandchild’s first soccer game or
watching your favorite professional sporting team in action.
2. Go fishing
Fishing is a low-impact and safe activity for aging adults. The hours will melt away as you spend time with friends and family fishing off the dock at your favorite lake or pond.
3. Play a board game at the park
Did you know that many cities and state parks have designated areas for board games? Some parks even have chest boards built directly into their park tables. Round up a group of your friends and head to the park for a day spent outside playing your favorite board games.
4. Become a local tourist
Are you tired of being indoors? Do you like seeing new sights? If so, take a boat or bus tour of your city. You’ll be amazed to discover your city through a new pair of eyes. The best part about this fun summer time activity is that you can enjoy it with your fellow assisted living community members, family, friends, or on your own.
5. Volunteer at the library
The library is the perfect excursion for an aging adult. It provides the unique opportunity to read to the next generation of little scholars. Volunteering at a local library will also give you the opportunity to spend your day both inside and out, as you enjoy reading your favorite childhood stories to an eager audience.
6. Enjoy some pool time
Feeling adventurous for the day? Don your favorite swimming trunks and head to the pool. Spending time at the pool can be both relaxing and therapeutic. Whether you decide only to sit on the edge with your feet hanging in the water or choose to participate in low-impact water aerobics, your day at the pool will certainly leave you with a smile on your face.
7. Have a picnic
Pack a picnic for an afternoon spent enjoying the company of your friends and family. Picnics are a timeless summer tradition. Aging adults will feel young again when they feel the grass between their toes and ward off any ants from the chocolate dessert. This fun summer activity is the perfect way to spend an afternoon enjoying the company of your loved ones.
Are you ready to make 2019 your best summer yet? Keep these seven fun activities in mind, call your family and friends, and prepare to enjoy the summer months like never before.
WKTV Journal host Donna Kidner-Smith, left, and author Elizabeth Meyette. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
There are no shortage of Grand Rapids area authors with the dream of writing the next Great American Novel and it being a New York Time bestseller, or at the very least taking a shot at Amazon-like or self publishing. But where to start?
WKTV Journal invited into our studio a local author who started writing as a new career after an old-career retirement.
After teaching English and Journalism, Elizabeth Meyette retired and began a full-time writing career. An Amazon best-selling author, she has published six novels, her latest being 2018’s “The Last Crossing”. She has also published poetry and writes a blog called Meyette’s Musings.
As part of WKTV Journal’s June Newscast, she talks WKTV Journal host Donna Kidner-Smith about what is possible by joining local writing groups and other local writers’ resources, including a writers’ conference coming locally later this summer put on by the Grand Rapids Regional Writer’s Group.
(Shameless plug and full disclosure: I am a member of group.)
As far as the upcoming writer’s conference is concerned, “Finish and publish your book this year!” will be held Saturday, Aug. 10, at Byron Township Community Center, 2120 76th St. SW, Byron Center.
The event is designed to help authors both finish and publish their novels, short stories, poetry, and/or whatever.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park may have had to cancel its July 2 Tuesday Eventing Music Club’s show featuring Roosevelt Diggs and Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish due to pending storms, but the club will be back at it Tuesday, July 9, with Big Sherb and Paddlebots to begin a run of eight straight Tuesdays of concerts.
(We are told that Roosevelt Diggs and Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish show will be rescheduled for next summer.)
The Tuesday Evening Music Club brings local and regional musicians to the Amphitheater stage starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings throughout July and August.
The concerts are free to Meijer Gardens members and included with gardens regular admission, and they will feature with a diverse schedule of live bands and programming ranging from jazz to indie, rock to folk, and even ballet.
And, if you haven’t bee there yet, there is more to like off the stage as well.
The amphitheater has undergone significant expansion and improvement over the past two seasons, while maintaining the intimacy of the 1,900-seat venue. But a new concessions building has been added this season, with increased capacity for quicker food and beverage service, an improved point-of-sale system with quick chip technology to speed up purchases, as well as new restrooms.
The 2019 Tuesday Evening Music Club lineup includes:
Big Sherb and Paddlebots, July 9 at 7 p.m.
Matt Gabriel and Kari Lynch Band, July 16 at 7 p.m.
Boy From School and Manhattan, July 23 at 7 p.m.
Franklin Park and 6-Pak, July 30 at 7 p.m.
The Hip Pocket and Soul Syndicate, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.
The River Rogues Jazz Band and Sam’s Swing Band, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.
Grand Rapids Ballet, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. This program will employ a full company of dancers performing works by some of today’s most in-demand choreographers. A mix of classical and contemporary ballets, including Trey McIntyre’s Wild Sweet Love, featuring the music of Queen, Lou Reed, Felix Mendelssohn and many more.
Ralston & Friends, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. Local favorite Ralston Bowles shares the stage with friends and collaborators from the community and beyond.
For more information on concerts at Meijer Gardens, visit meijergardens.org.
When you think of Great Britain you might envision uniformed Bobbies, double decker buses and bagpipers — all of which will take part in this Sunday’s British Car Faire. (Gilmore Car Museum)
By Gilmore Car Museum
After celebrating America’s independence and uniqueness, the Gilmore Car Museum will welcome a friendly invasion of sorts by our European friends as the museum, located just north of Kalamazoo, plans special events on the weekend of July 6-7.
Saturday, July 6, will mark the eighth annual all-German car show at the museum followed on Sunday, July 7, by the 29th annual British Auto Faire.
Saturday is “Deutsche Marques”, which translates to German Makes, is a true all-German auto event — featuring cars such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes–Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche and others.
When Karl Benz applied for a patent in 1886 for his “vehicle with a gas engine,” little did he know that his invention — recognized as the world’s first automobile — would change world history. It wasn’t until 1893, seven years after Benz unveiled his invention to the world, that the Duryea brothers produced the first American built automobile. The Museum displays a Mercedes–Benz built recreation of that first auto in their main Pioneering Automotive Exhibit.
Sunday the arrival of European automobiles continues when the Gilmore Car Museum welcomes the ever-popular Mad Dogs and Englishmen British Auto Faire. Spectators can explore an authentic London Double Decker bus, ride in a 1935 London Taxi, and watch a uniformed British bobby direct traffic all before the afternoon tea and bagpipe music. This has long been the largest gathering of British-built vehicles, of all eras, from luxury models to sports cars and motorcycles, in the Midwest.
Guests will also be able to find their own British car to purchase in the For Sale Car Park, vote for their favorite show car, watch car games and discover the missing link needed to complete their restoration project in the large parts swap meet.
The featured brand of this year’s British show will be pre-1956 MGs, plus many fine examples from Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Austin, Aston-Martin, and Lotus, as well as Triumph, Singer and Land Rover will be displayed. Over 400 British-built cars and motorcycles are expected to take over the museum’s manicured show grounds.
The weekend’s events offer a unique opportunity to taste a bit of the automobiles and culture of Germany and Great Britain without a passport or the expense of traveling “across the pond.”
Spectator admission to either show is only $14 per person and includes visiting the entire Gilmore Car Museum campus and all exhibits — including the all-new truck exhibit at no extra charge, with those under 11 are free.
The Gilmore Car Museum — North America’s Largest Auto Museum — is located just 20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo on M-43 and Hickory Road. You can learn more about the Museum and its events at GilmoreCarMuseum.org or call 269-671-5089 for more information.
There are many sights to see from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s just opened Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden, sights both artistic and natural.
The flora of the rooftop gardens itself and the view of a wetland area from its heights are impressive. But the sculpture — four works on loan from the famed Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., including three by artists already in Meijer Garden’s collection — each offer their own unique story.
Works by Alexander Calder, Henry Moore and Marino Marini, while unique, will be familiar to visitors of the garden.
David Smith Cubi XII 1963 (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden/Lee Stalsworth)
One of the sculptures, however, David Smith’s 1963 work titled “Cubi XII”, is not only new to the garden but was of particular interest to Laurene Grunwald, Director of Sculpture, Art Collections, Exhibitions & Installations.
“David Smith was an abstract expressionist,” Grunwald said to WKTV. “He died quite young in a car accident, (so) his work is not widely available. … (Cubi XII) is an abstract piece. It is stainless steal. And it is very iconic of his work.”
In a recent WKTV Journal newscast segment, we talked with Grunwald about Smith’s work, about the history of Meijer Garden’s relationship with the Hirshhorn, now and (hopefully) in the future, as well as how size and weight of the artwork plays into the discussion and decisions on which artwork came to Grand Rapids.
Leaving the things that are real behind … Toys, toys, toys in the attic.
Aerosmith
Take a trip to toy land
The Grand Rapids Public Museum TOYS! exhibit, with interactive experiences and games, is available throughout the Museum this summer. For the complete story, visit here.
Bre McCarthy, Lakeshore Art Festival marketing/entertainment coordinator, is clearly head over heels in love with artist Kelsey Montague’a mural. (Lakeshore Art Festival)
Be the butterfly
Muralist fans — actually art fans of any genre — have a new sight to see as the Lakeshore Art Festival recently unveil of a mural by internationally known “street artist” Kelsey Montague in downtown Muskegon. The mural will be permanently displayed on the east side of the Frauenthal Center building. The Lakeshore Art Festival will take place July 5-6. For the complete story, visit here.
A date with The Beths
Local explorers of what’s possibly next new on their alt/pop satellite radio channel of choice will get a chance to listen and check out New Zeeland’s The Beths when the band stops at Grand Rapids’ The Pyramid Scheme on Tuesday, July 2. For the complete story, visit here.
Fun fact:
Lorde
Who was the most listened New Zeeland musical artist (in 2017). (Source)
You got to love a blues/soul band whose lead singer has the nickname of ‘Sookie” and hits the stage with a self-described “rock solid rhythm section.”
And anybody who has heard and seen Blue Soul Express, — stopping by the Kentwood Summer Concert series Thursday, June 27, at 7 p.m. — knows there is a lot to love here.
Blue Soul Express, based out of Grand Rapids, “will take you on a journey through classic soul, R&B, funk and blues,” the band says on their Facebook page. Oh, and remember to “Bring your dancing shoes!”
The band is led by vocalist of Brenda “Sookie” Harris, guitarist Darryl Matthews, Mike Phelps on keyboards and vocals, and “a rock solid rhythm section” of bassist Mark Hicks and drummer Mark Jilbert.
WKTV will not be covering this concert due to a scheduling conflict but will be covering the remainder of Kentwood’s concerts, replaying it on our community television Channel 25 — check out the complete WKTV schedule here — and also available on-demand. The replay schedule for this concert is: Tuesday, June 25, at 9 p.m., and Saturday, June, 29, at about 12:30 p.m. (after a Wyoming community concert).
Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair, and may also bring their own beer or wine. And while you can bring your own picnic dinner, food trucks will be at each concert.
The series runs on select Thursday nights through August.
The remaining lineup for Kentwood’s Summer Concert Series is as follows:
July 18 — Hannah Rose and the GravesTones, serving up some funk, blues and rock n’ roll. If you’ve never seen them, let’s just say Hannah can wail. For more information visit here.
July 25 — The Crane Wives, described by someone as “female-fronted, harmony-driven folk-rock”; lets just say West Michigan is lucky they are taking a local break from their busy summer tour schedule. For more information visit here.
Aug. 1 — Brena, offering up oldies, top 40 hits, classic rock, R&B and country. For more information visit here.
Aug. 8 — Melophobix, with “Cage Free” being not only the title of their latest release but also their funky musical outlook. For more information visit here.
All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude around 8:30 p.m. on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, located at 4900 Breton Ave. SE.
Random gestures of kindness and thoughtfulness are the surest, simplest ways to bring happiness back into your own life. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
A sure-fire antidote to the blues is to focus on others, a new study suggests.
“Walking around and offering kindness to others in the world reduces anxiety and increases happiness and feelings of social connection,” said study author Douglas Gentile, a professor of psychology at Iowa State University.
“It’s a simple strategy that doesn’t take a lot of time that you can incorporate into your daily activities,” he said in a university news release.
For the study, Gentile and colleagues had students walk around a building for 12 minutes and use one of three approaches.
Loving-kindness: This is where you look at others and think, “I wish for this person to be happy.”
Interconnectedness: In this approach, you look at others and consider how they are connected to one another.
Downward social comparison: This is considering how you may be better off than each of the people you encounter.
The study also included a control group of students who were told to look at people and focus on what they see on the outside, such as clothing, makeup and accessories.
Before and after going for their walk, all students were assessed for levels of anxiety, happiness, stress, empathy and connectedness.
Compared to the control group, those who practiced loving-kindness or wished others well felt happier, more connected, caring and empathic, as well as less anxious. The interconnectedness group was more empathic and connected.
Students who compared themselves to others felt less empathic, caring and connected than those who extended good wishes to others.
There was no benefit with downward social comparison, according to the study published online recently in the Journal of Happiness Studies.
“At its core, downward social comparison is a competitive strategy,” said study co-author Dawn Sweet, an Iowa State senior lecturer in psychology. “That’s not to say it can’t have some benefit, but competitive mindsets have been linked to stress, anxiety and depression.”
Every car, and driver, has a story: What’s your’s? (Courtesy Bruce Carlson)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
WKTV Community Media has big plans for the 15th Annual Metro Cruise, hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24, and we need the public’s help for one aspect of our coverage.
We all have a great car story. At least it’s great to us and for our live coverage of the 28th Street MetroCruise this August, we would like to hear your story of growing up with cars; funny stories, sentimental stories; stories of great barn finds, restoration efforts that didn’t quite pan out and those that did.
Share a little bit of your story with us by sending us a selfie video of you telling you story, with the car in question either in the video or a separate photograph of the car. Please use our Dropbox site for the video. For more information on what we are looking for, see the samples later in this story or email Ken@wktv.org .
This is only one part of WKTV Community Media’s DreamWheels Metro Cruise coverage plans, highlighted by production of a 1-hour special live broadcast scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23.
“We encourage residents to come to 28th Street and be part of the fun,” said Tom Norton, general manager of WKTV Community Media. “But they can also be part of fun by viewing our live show, which will also be available in cable replays and on-demand, as well as following our complete online coverage of the event.”
The Metro Cruise is an annual event that “invites car lovers and enthusiasts to reminisce and commemorate the vehicles that have driven down 28th Street for decades,” according to supplied material. The event brings in more than $3 million in business to the 28th Street corridor over the course of two days, with more that 250,000 attendees at an event staffed solely by volunteers.
While they do not need to be this length or subject matter, here are three examples of stories we’d love to get from community contributors
Gene’s story:
1964 Ford Fairlane
My first car was a black 1964 Ford Fairlane 3-speed manual with a front seat that literally rusted away from the floorboard leaving it free to move at my command. This small fact was one I neglected to tell passengers for a very good reason. I was one of the first to own a car in high school, which meant classmates often looked to me for rides to and from school. At any given time during the commute I would take advantage of stop signs and have a little fun at their expense. Once the car had stopped, I would slowly put it in neutral and in with one quick push on the floor cause the seat to roll back ninety degrees. In that single, wonderfully comedic moment, we would find ourselves staring up at the car’s roof with our feet pointed out the front window. The reactions were worth the effort. Most of the women would scream while most men would utter an expletive not fit to print. Eventually all would break out in laughter making the effort a complete success. Of course, once you’ve done this to someone it was difficult to catch them a second time. After a month or so word had gotten out about my rolling front seat, so the stop-sign mischief soon came to an end. I had that car for two years and never fixed the problem and would occasionally get a new victim to have a little fun with.
Victoria’s story:
2001 Hyundai Elantra
Up until my current car, a 2006 Chevy Malibu, I had a preference for stick shifts. Something about feeling more like a participant in my daily travels, or some such nonsense. My car immediately prior was a 2001 Hyundai Elantra which, soon after purchase, lost all of its plastic hubcaps. I have long forgiven my current car for being an automatic — she has spiffy wheel rims that don’t fall off. But, I digress. On one trip to Ann Arbor for a 24-hour film competition, I had been alerted in advance that everyone’s car had to be parked a couple of blocks away because of the scarcity of parking. Upon arriving, I headed into the house to hand off my car key to one of the students for ‘valet parking.’ He disappeared, then quickly reappeared. “Uh, it’s a stick,” said he. The power of observation is especially strong in the young. “Yes,” replied I. “It is, indeed.” There were 10 of us. Not one of the nine younglings knew how to drive a stick.
Ken’s story:
1950s era Willys Jeep
Learning to drive a stick shift in 1969. When I was, like, 14 years old, my 20-something soon-to- be brother-in-law, probably trying to curry favor with my 18-year-old sister, invited me to go down to the Spokane River and ride dirt bikes with he and his buddies. My being totally uncoordinated with motorized machines of any kind, including how to use a clutch and gear shifter, he quickly realized the only thing I would do on a dirt bike was kill myself. So, he decided to hand over his 1950s era Willys Jeep pickup truck. He must have thought the slightly rusted military vehicle with a battled-tested 3-speed transmission, operated in flat dirt closed course, was the perfect place for me to learn how to drive a stick shift. I remember a lot of engines killed by improper cultch use and then a lot of grinding of gears, all ending with my driving around like a banshee and all the bikers desperately but successfully trying to stay out of my way.
Football bowling will be available in Kentwood after a grand opening this week.
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The City of Kentwood will unveil four competition-grade beach volleyball courts and outdoor football bowling lanes with a special ribbon cutting and community event Friday, June 21, at 6 p.m., with with music, a food truck and Mayor Stephen Kepley marking the official opening.
The courts are located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, near the Kentwood Department of Public Works.
“We have experienced a growing need for additional beach volleyball courts within the community and are excited to grow our recreational offerings,” Val Romeo, director of Kentwood Parks and Recreation, previously said in supplied material. “We are proud to offer new high-quality sand courts right here in Kentwood. We are also excited to include football bowling — an activity that’s growing in popularity.”
Football blowing is a hybrid game that combines the equipment of American football and bowling into one sport with a similar layout as horseshoes and cornhole. The object is for teams to be the first to knock down all opponent’s pins by throwing a full-size, regulation football at 10 bowling pins positioned in a traditional bowling layout.
Following the new facility’s ribbon-cutting, volleyball teams of four will compete in a co-ed volleyball tournament. A variety of competitive and recreational beach volleyball leagues is set to begin July 15, and residents can sign up at kentwoodvolleyball or by calling 616-656-5270.
The city’s parks department plans to have the football bowling lanes available for open play during volleyball league games on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
For more information on the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department and its many programs, visit kentwood.us .
First comes the meet-and-greet with council members and city officials. And then, the grand affair — the meeting proper — at 7pm. This past Monday marked the Wyoming City Council’s first summer outdoor meeting. Read all about it here.
The council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7pm. The July “on the road” meeting will be July 15 at St. John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park Ave. SW, and the August meeting is Aug. 19 at Aurora Pond Senior Living & Retirement Community, 2380 Aurora Pond Dr. SW. Beats being cooped up indoors.
You’re only young once
Hello West Michigan, West Michigan’s regional talent attraction and retention organization, will host its 6thannual Intern Connect conference on Wednesday, June 19, in Grand Rapids. The organization hopes to impart “essential skills” such as interpreting dress codes, navigating networking events, creating positive workplace communication and how to #adult to the more than 350 summer interns participating in the conference. More info here.
‘I could be a contender’
Recently, students and teachers gathered in the Kelloggsville High School auditorium for a time-honored tradition: signing day. The tables on the stage had logoed caps and contracts just waiting for signatures from high school seniors, ready to commit to a team for the coming year. Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
142.18
The number of licks it takes to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop. You’re welcome.
Bre McCarthy, Lakeshore Art Festival marketing/entertainment coordinator, is clearly head over heels in love with artist Kelsey Montague’a mural. (Lakeshore Art Festival)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Muralist fans — actually art fans of any genre — have a new sight to see as the Lakeshore Art Festival, in conjunction with the JCI Greater Muskegon, held a public unveiling of a mural by internationally known “street artist” Kelsey Montague in downtown Muskegon.
The artist, known for her winged murals, has about 77 similar works on display around the world, including one piece commissioned by singer/songwriter Taylor Swift and two pieces located in Michigan, one in Ann Arbor and another Detroit.
The mural will be permanently displayed on the east side of the Frauenthal Center building. The Lakeshore Art Festival will take place July 5-6.
Artist Kelsey Montague, middle, with to the right is Carla Flanders, Lakeshore Art Festival director, on right, and Danielle Conley, Lakeshore Art Festival Children’s Lane coordinator. (Lakeshore Art Festival)
Montague’s “pieces are inspirational, inclusive and uplifting,” Carla Flanders, Lakeshore Art Festival director, said in supplied material. “It’s a great message and a perfect fit for the Lakeshore Art Festival and for the Muskegon Lakeshore area … The Frauenthal Center stands as a symbol of a community that is deeply dedicated to the arts.”
According to supplied material, the transformation of the Muskegon Lakeshore community served as inspiration for this project. The visual elements inside the butterfly wings, a blue heron, black-eyed susan, water, lighthouse, and music notes bring attention to aspects of the Muskegon lakeshore.
The new mural by Kelsey Montague on the outside wall of Muskegon’s Frauenthal Center. (Lakeshore Art Festival)
“We are inspired by this uplifting project and the community collaboration behind it,” Eric Messing, Frauenthal Center executive director, said in supplied material. “This piece highlights and celebrates the vibrant transformation happening in our area, and the Frauenthal Center is thrilled to serve as home to a work of art that will spark conversation for our community and visitors alike.”
The Lakeshore Art Festival is always the first Friday and Saturday in July, and this year will feature more than 350 fine art and craft exhibitors, street performers, specialty food booths, interactive art stations, children’s activities and so much more in beautiful Downtown Muskegon, Michigan.
BASE Hologram, the leading content developer, producer and distributor of concerts, theatricals and spectacles that combine holographic cinema and mixed reality with live entertainment, has announced North American tour dates for Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly: The Rock ’N’ Roll Dream Tour, a groundbreaking tour featuring the award-winning rock and roll legends, including a stop in Grand Rapids on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, at 7:30pm in SMG-managed DeVos Performance Hall.
Stemming from the success of BASE Hologram’s In Dreams: Roy Orbison in Concert tour that broke records across the globe in 2018, the company will bring Orbison and Holly together for an enthralling event that will see concurrent dates across North America, Europe, and UK. Eric Schaeffer (Million Dollar Quartet), who shepherded the In Dreams event, will return as the director.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, June 21 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability.
“When you look at the architects of the Rock and Roll era, the names that come to mind are Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly,” said Brian Becker, Chairman and CEO of BASE Hologram. “Both of these men weren’t just gifted musicians, but skillful innovators who helped influence others in game-changing ways.”
Accompanied by a live band and back-up singers, this cutting-edge, multi-media holographic performance and remastered audio will transport audiences back in time for an evening of Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly’s greatest hits on stage. “These men weren’t just one thing – they were artists in every sense of the word,” said BASE Hologram CEO of Production Marty Tudor.
“Like Roy, Buddy has a truly impressive songbook, and in many cases, audiences may not have realized he was the one behind so many hits. Part of the beauty of these productions is we get to share the legacy of these performers and remind people the full range of their talent.”
Even though many moisturizers now contain sunscreens, people may not put them on their faces as carefully as they do sunscreen lotions, new research suggests.
“Moisturizer is not as well applied as sunscreen,” said lead author Kevin Hamill, a lecturer in eye and vision science at the University of Liverpool in England.
“Therefore, if planning prolonged sun exposure, we advise sunscreen be used,” he added. “If using moisturizer, we advise one with SPF (sun protection factor): any SPF is better than none but it should not be considered the equal of sunscreen.”
For this study, researchers exposed 84 volunteers to ultraviolet radiation and photographed them using a UV-sensitive camera on two separate visits. The photos were taken before and after participants applied SPF30 sunscreen to their face on one visit or moisturizer on the other visit.
Coverage was worse for the moisturizer (nearly 17% missed) than the sunscreen (11% missed), the findings showed. This difference was mostly due to less coverage of the eyelid regions—21% missed with moisturizer and 14% missed with sunscreen.
Most participants were unaware they had worse coverage with moisturizer than with sunscreen, according to the study published online April 3 in the journal PLoS One.
The study authors noted that particular attention should be paid to the eyelid area when applying any SPF cream.
In addition, other methods of protecting eyelids, such as UV filter sunglasses, should be considered, they suggested in a journal news release.
The Beatles’ classics, played by four local guys who “love these songs,” will be featured as That Beatles Thing take the stage to open to the City of Kentwood’s Summer Concert Series of free concerts on Thursday, June 20.
“Most like the Beatles; some have That Beatles Thing,” the band says of themselves. “That Beatles Thing plays the music of the Beatles. … Faithfully reproducing 150 songs from the Beatles catalog.”
WKTV will be covering the concert, and almost all of Kentwood’s concerts, replaying it on our community television Channel 25 — check out the complete WKTV schedule here — and also available on-demand. The replay schedule for this concert is: Tuesday, June 25, at 9 p.m., and Saturday, June, 29, at about 12:30 p.m. (after a Wyoming community concert).
That Beatles Thing. (Facebook)
According to the band’s website, “James Murphy started the band a couple of years ago. What it has evolved to now is really just about 4 guys who love these songs. We’re all passionate about the songs of the Fab 4, we’ve got ‘That Beatles Thing’.”
The band is Murphy singing most of the songs and playing guitar, Bill Van Ess singing and playing bass, Pete Bardolph singing and playing lead guitar and Fritz von Valtier singing, playing drums, and “shaking things.”
Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair, and may also bring their own beer or wine. And while you can bring your own picnic dinner, food trucks will be at each concert.
The series runs on select Thursday nights through August.
The remaining lineup for Kentwood’s Summer Concert Series is as follows:
June 27 — Blue Soul Express, delivering classic soul, R&B, funk and blues. If this is not perfect for a summer boogie party, nothing is. For more information visit here. (Note: due to a scheduling conflict, WKTV will not cover this concert.)
July 18 — Hannah Rose and the GravesTones, serving up some funk, blues and rock n’ roll. If you’ve never seen them, let’s just say Hannah can wail. For more information visit here.
July 25 — The Crane Wives, described by someone as “female-fronted, harmony-driven folk-rock”; lets just say West Michigan is lucky they are taking a local break from their busy summer tour schedule. For more information visit here.
Aug. 8 — Melophobix, with “Cage Free” being not only the title of their latest release but also their funky musical outlook. For more information visit here.
All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude around 8:30 p.m. on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, located at 4900 Breton Ave. SE.
Work this summer is either underway or will be shortly at City of Kentwood’s Veterans Memorial Park, the Kentwood Activities Center and at Old Farm Park. But the city is also looking even farther into the future with recent the formation of the Kentwood Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee.
“We are growing the parks and rec opportunities for our residents,” said Ed Kape, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, and now chairman of the new advisory committee, which held its first meeting June 3.
“We are expanding and exploring other opportunities of what we can do to enhance the quality of life of our residents here in Kentwood,” Kape said to WKTV. “And it is not necessarily by games and things like that, it is by services we offer. It is by programs we offer them in the parks and rec building.”
Kape talked with WKTV in May about this season’s work and the new committee when he sat down for a WKTV Journal In Focus interview.
“Kentwood’s park system is near and dear to my heart,” Kape said, later, in supplied material. “Now we need to plan for the next 50 years and determine how we can continue to provide quality parks amenities for our community.”
The 21-member advisory committee includes broad community representation and is comprised of parks and recreation commissioners, City Commission’s AD HOC Strategic Planning Committee members, planning commissioners, residents and business owners.
The advisory committee was established to review and prioritize improvements to Kentwood’s parks, trails and recreational programming “to align with the needs of the community,” according to supplied material.
“The City Commission has asked residents to perform a needed and exciting review process,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “This level of community input is paramount to ensure detailed visionary planning is performed today to preserve Kentwood’s excellent quality of life over the next 50 years.”
The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department oversees the city’s 14 parks and 6.5 miles of trails.
Major work at parks underway
At the Kentwood Activities Center work is underway to make the facility entrance more accessible and protective for the city’s seniors and others. (WKTV)
Summer 2019 improvements include work at the Veterans Memorial Park, where the city received a grant to “grow community engagement” for the park’s neighborhood and the city as a whole.
At the Kentwood Activities Center, a facility much used by seniors and residents of all ages, work is underway to make the facility entrance more accessible and protective for the city’s seniors.
One of the largest projects is at the Old Farm Park, where an entirely new building is being constructed with the aim for providing more amenities for family and group activities.
For more detailed information on the Kentwood Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee, see the story here.
More information about Kentwood’s 14 parks and 6.5 miles of trails is available online at kentwood.us/parks.
Members of the City of Kentwood’s community-based Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood has assembled a community-based Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee to plan for the City’s future.
“The City Commission has asked residents to perform a needed and exciting review process,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “This level of community input is paramount to ensure detailed visionary planning is performed today to preserve Kentwood’s excellent quality of life over the next 50 years.”
The advisory committee, which held its first meeting on Monday, June 3, with 21 members, was established to review and prioritize improvements to Kentwood’s parks, trails and recreational programming to align with the needs of the community.
The advisory committee provides broad community representation and is comprised of Parks and Recreation commissioners, City Commission’s AD HOC Strategic Planning Committee members, Planning commissioners, residents and business owners.
During the group’s first meeting, Ed Kape, who currently serves on Planning Commission and as chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, was named chair of the new advisory committee. Dustin Moseley, a Parks and Recreation commissioner, was named vice chair.
“Kentwood’s park system is near and dear to my heart. Having been a part of the community for 28 years, I’ve seen how we have grown,” Kape said. “Now we need to plan for the next 50 years and determine how we can continue to provide quality parks amenities for our community. I’m excited to be involved in this process.”
Following are all advisory committee members:
Robert Coughlin, City commissioner (Strategic Planning Committee), Parks and Recreation commissioner Jessica Dennis, Tiffin University, community member Christopher Furner, Worksighted Inc., community member Mark Giles, Steelcase, community member Jill Gorkowski, Spectrum Health, community member Maurice Groce, City commissioner (Strategic Planning Committee) Olivia Jenison-Bailey, Parks and Recreation commissioner Karmen Johnson, Fifth Third Bank, community member Ed Kape, Parks and Recreation commissioner, Planning commissioner Stephen Kepley, City of Kentwood mayor, Strategic Planning Committee member Mimi Madden, Parks and Recreation commissioner Wallace Massie, Parks and Recreation commissioner Trent Meyer, Parks and Recreation commissioner David Moore, Parks and Recreation commissioner Dustin Moseley, Parks and Recreation commissioner Darius Quinn, Planning commissioner Laurie Sheldon, City of Kentwood treasurer Adam Shilling, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, community member Kevin Small, Parks and Recreation commissioner Billy Smith, retired, community member Travis Tate, Dan Vos Construction Company, community member
The committee will hold approximately nine meetings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of every month. Over the course of those meetings, the group will review the Parks and Recreation Business Plan, Parks Master Plan and Non-Motorized Trail Plan and recommend an implementation and sustainable funding plan to the City Commission by December 2019.
Please contact Deputy City Administrator Mark Rambo at 616-554-0770 or via email at rambom@kentwood.us for more information about the advisory committee.
Research suggests yoga may impart a multitude of health benefits, including reduced blood pressure and lower stress levels. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
For years, aerobic exercise has been touted for its numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, better mood, increased energy and stronger bones and muscles.
But there’s another form of physical activity that’s grabbing headlines—yoga.
Some studies suggest the mind-body practice may be good for heart health, from reducing blood pressure and cholesterol to lowering stress and body mass index.
While yoga often is associated with images of limber practitioners, it is more than just stretching and handstands.
Originated in India, yoga includes physical poses (asana), breathwork (pranayama) and meditation. There are many yoga styles, including Hatha, Iyengar, restorative and hot yoga, each with a specific emphasis such as alignment or relaxation.
Recently, more Americans are stepping onto the mat.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14.3 percent of U.S. adults—or 35.2 million—practiced yoga in 2017, up from 9.5 percent in 2012.
Many take up the practice as a holistic approach to health and wellness and for its stress-busting effect.
“There’s a huge body of literature that says psychosocial stressors such as work and marital stress, as well as anxiety and depression, are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Puja Mehta, an assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
“With chronic stress, the sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive,” which can lead to inflammation and increased blood pressure, Mehta said.
Yoga may help put the brakes on the body’s stress response by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, or the “rest and digest” system, through deep breathing and relaxation, Mehta said.
Cultivating mindfulness also may encourage participants to engage in other habits that boost cardiovascular health by promoting self-awareness and self-care behaviors.
“(This) can have a profound effect on supporting the engagement of healthy behaviors of diet and physical activity,” said Dr. Gloria Yeh, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of mind-body research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Research also shows yoga may lower cardiovascular risk factors.
Yeh coauthored a 2014 review of clinical research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology that found yoga had a significant impact on cardiometabolic risk factors compared to doing no exercise at all.
For example, yoga decreased total cholesterol by 18.48 mg/dl and triglycerides by 25.89 mg/dl more than the change seen in the control group. Blood pressure improved too. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased 5.21 mmHg and 4.98 mmHg, respectively.
The benefits also extend to people with heart disease.
Among people with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, in which symptoms come and go, doing 12 weeks of yoga combined with deep breathing resulted in a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure and higher mental health scores compared to those who didn’t do yoga, according to a 2016 study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
Mehta said although these and other scientific studies show promising results, there are some limitations, such as a small number of participants.
In addition, because yoga encompasses a variety of elements, there isn’t a standard dose of yoga, which makes comparisons across studies difficult, she said.
Both Yeh and Mehta said more research is needed, including more randomized clinical trials and a better understanding of the exact mechanism behind yoga’s cardiovascular benefits.
“We need to better understand for whom yoga may be more beneficial and how,” Yeh said. “Because yoga is so heterogeneous with many different styles and emphases, we’d like to be able to match the right exercises with the right people at the right time. We need to understand how best to integrate yoga with other lifestyle measures.”
And the biggest research question remains, Mehta said: “Are you going to live longer and not have cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke?”
For older adults and people new to yoga, Mehta recommends looking for gentle, restorative or chair-based classes.
People with heart disease or high blood pressure may need to modify some poses and avoid postures that place the head below the heart, she said. Experts also suggest pregnant women in particular steer clear of “hot yoga,” or yoga classes that take place in a heated room, because of the risk of overheating and dehydration.
The bottom line, Yeh said, is that yoga is exercise and “any exercise is better than no exercise, so the activity that someone will do—and enjoy doing—will be the one that provides the most benefit.”
Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.
The City of Kentwood has a full day of activities planned for its annual Fourth of July Celebration, including a pancake breakfast, 5K race, parade, carnival and live music, leading up to fireworks at dusk.
“Kentwood’s Fourth of July celebration seems to grow and improve every year providing a great variety of activities the entire family can enjoy,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We welcome our friends and neighbors to join us in Kentwood as we celebrate our nation’s independence.”
To start the day off right, a pancake breakfast will be offered at Kentwood Fire Station 1, 4775 Walma Ave. SE, a new location this year. The $5 breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and include pancakes and sausage. Kids who are five years old or younger may enjoy breakfast for free.
Also beginning at 7:30 a.m., racers of all ages will gather across from Fire Station 1 for registration and packet pick-up for the NN Mobile Solutions 5K Race & Fun Walk. The chip-timed race will begin 8:30 a.m., with the start and finish line on Walma Avenue SE near Kentwood City Hall at 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Using the same course route as last year, which can be viewed online, runners will loop through neighborhoods before coming back on the East West Trail to finish.
Hundreds of spectators along the race route are anticipated. For the safety of all participants, no baby strollers, roller skates, dogs or bicycles will be allowed on the course. Awards will be given for the overall fastest male and female racers; medals will be distributed at the finish line after results are posted.
Following the race will be the annual parade at 9:30 a.m. The parade route also remains the same as last year, starting at Crestwood Middle School, 2674 44th St. SE. The parade will travel south on Walma Avenue SE to Breton Road SE, turn west on 52nd Street SE and end at Challenger Elementary School.
Kentwood will host its best carnival yet with bigger rides than before from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at City Hall, another new location from years past. In addition to a variety of rides, the carnival will feature giant inflatables, games and other fun activities for kids. Individual tickets will cost $1 each. Wristbands will be available for $20. The number of tickets required for each attraction will vary.
City Hall will also host the evening celebration from 4 to 10 p.m. Community booths, a beer tent and food trucks will line the lawn behind City Hall. A variety of bands, including the BareNaked 90’s, Asamu Johnson and the Associates of the Blues and Main Street Dueling Pianos, will take the stage to perform live music leading up to the fireworks show at dusk. The fireworks will be viewable from City Hall and surrounding areas.
Shortly before the fireworks go off, sections of Breton Avenue and Walma Avenue near City Hall will be temporarily closed to allow pedestrians to safely cross the street and view the show. Those sections will then be reopened about 30 minutes after the finale. If guests who are parked at City Hall or the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch need to leave while the road closures are in effect, they can either turn left onto Walma and take the roundabout out to Breton heading north, or turn left out of the library’s parking lot onto Breton heading south. The Kentwood Police Department and volunteers will be on hand to help direct traffic.
Kentwood Parks and Recreation is seeking volunteers for the Fourth of July Celebration. Those interested are encouraged to visit here or call 616-656-5270 to sign up. More information about Independence Day activities in Kentwood can be found at kentwood.us/july4.
“There are three possible parts to a date, of which at least two must be offered: entertainment, food, and affection.”
~Judith Martin
Zach Borichevsky (Supplied/Opera Grand Rapids)
Opera, June 14-15
Opera Grand Rapids presents tenor Zach Borichevsky in the role of Alfredo in the June 14 & 15 production of Italian composer, Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, at St. Cecilia Music Center. The heartbreaking true story of Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis, La Traviata is one of the greatest operas of all time. The classic novella inspired the films, Camille, Pretty Woman and Moulin Rouge. For the complete story visit here.
Matt Brewer
Jazz, June 19
Matt Brewer — a big-time jazz bassist who has played with the likes of Terence Blanchard, to name just one — will be featured in the upcoming Aquinas Jazz Camp faculty concert on June 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Aquinas College’s Kretchmer Recital Hall in the Art & Music Building. Admission to the concert is free.. For the complete story visit here.
Guitar master, June 14
Laurence Juber, who played with Paul McCartney’s Wings, will be at the Muskegon Museum of Art in concert at the museum’s Frey Auditorium starting at 7 p.m., with a pre-concert reception at 5:30 p.m. For the complete story visit here.
Fun fact:
$75
Pop and Rock and Roll Concert tickets are expensive, but not always so. Ticket prices have spiked since the mid-’80s, from a 1985 average of $15.13 to a whopping $74.25 in 2015.
Fowling is a hybrid game that combines the equipment of American football and bowling into one sport with a similar layout as horseshoes and cornhole. (Wikipedia Commons)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Reacting to increased public demand as well as the latest community recreation trends, the City of Kentwood will unveil four competition-grade beach volleyball courts and outdoor fowling lanes at a community event later this month.
Located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, near the Kentwood Department of Public Works, the new facility will officially open with a grand opening on Friday, June 21, at 6 p.m., with with music, a food truck and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We have experienced a growing need for additional beach volleyball courts within the community and are excited to grow our recreational offerings,” Val Romeo, director of Kentwood Parks and Recreation, said in supplied material. “We are proud to offer new high-quality sand courts right here in Kentwood. We are also excited to include fowling — an activity that’s growing in popularity.”
Fowling is a hybrid game that combines the equipment of American football and bowling into one sport with a similar layout as horseshoes and cornhole. It is maybe best known as a pastime at football and concert tailgate parties. According to Wikipedia, fowling was founded in 2001 in Detroit. The object of fowling is for teams to be the first to knock down all opponent’s pins by throwing a full-size, regulation football at 10 bowling pins positioned in a traditional bowling layout.
Following the new facility’s ribbon-cutting, volleyball teams of four will compete in a co-ed volleyball tournament. Those interested in signing up for the tournament, or a variety of competitive and recreational beach volleyball leagues set to begin July 15, can sign up at kentwoodvolleyball or by calling 616-656-5270.
For the opening day tournament at the volleyball courts, participating teams can pre-register online for $25. Day-of-event registration will cost $35. All teams are also encouraged to bring a donation of canned goods to benefit Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
The city’s parks department plans to have the fowling lanes available for open play during volleyball league games on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
For more information on the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department and its many programs, visit kentwood.us .
“I go to Costco every weekend. It’s my favorite part of the week.”
~ Jimmy Kimmel
Kicking off so you can kick up your heels
Circle June 4th on your calendar. That’s the date Concerts in the Park kicks off with local favorite Midlife Crisis, a classic rock band that was formed in 2001. The free, nine-week summer concert series held at 7pm Tuesdays at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW, features a wide variety of musical styles, interactive themes, and local food vendors. More info here.
Summer reads make me feel fine
Summer reading at KDL starts Monday, June 3 this year and runs through Saturday, Aug. 10. Sign up online at READsquared or pick up a paper form at your nearest KDL branch. Log your summer reading activity and earn prizes! Get more info here.
More active souls ought to check out the third annual Liquid Force Field Day on Saturday, June 1 at Action Wake Park, 3320 Hudson Trails Dr., Hudsonville, MI 49426. It’s a great opportunity to try Action Wake Park completely free of cost. Here is more info.
Fun fact:
25 years
Up to 25 years is the jail sentence you’ll get if you cut down a cactus in Arizona. Talk about harsh.
The end of the school year is fast approaching. The warm-weather days are finally here. You’ve penciled in your must-see, must-do events for the summer.
Boating. Amusement parks. Local festivals. Pretty much anything that gives you an excuse to soak up the sunshine.
But few things rival the all-time summer classic: picnics and potlucks.
And while those grand gatherings of food and friends may seem like they’re free of worry and strife, they’re actually a golden opportunity to contract foodborne illness—particularly if you don’t pay attention to food preparation and handling.
How many people really stop to think about the safety of the food that has been sitting in the sun all day? Foodborne illnesses happen more often than you’d expect.
You can smarten up your food safety by following these sensible tips on preparation, handling and storage.
Keep it cold
Place cold items into a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs. The temperature should remain below 40 degrees. Frozen meats should also be placed into a cooler to ensure they stay cold longer.
Once the cold food is served, it should not be left out for more than two hours. If the outdoor temperature exceeds 90 degrees, this time frame drops to one hour. If your cold food has been out longer than this, you need to throw it away. To help cool food when it’s out, you can place dishes such as chicken salad or potato salad directly onto a bowl of ice.
Rule the cooler
Your cooler should be in tip-top order, with everything organized
according to accessibility, use and safety. This avoids spillage,
contamination and overexposure to the warm temperature.
If you place an in-demand food item at the bottom of the cooler, for example, you will repeatedly expose other top-level, lesser-used items to the outdoor temperature. This is unwise.
For starters, consider placing beverages into a separate cooler, so your food cooler doesn’t need to be opened as frequently. This will keep the temperature down on your cold foods. And place your lesser-used items toward the bottom of the cooler.
The trick is to limit the number of times the coolers are opened, so you keep your food cold as long as possible.
Avoid cross-contamination
Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood securely wrapped to prevent any
juices from contaminating prepared dishes and raw foods. Consider using a
separate meat cooler, in fact, or placing raw meat below the prepared
dishes.
Prep your produce
When you’re packing things up at home, take time to rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water. Scrub any firm-skinned produce with a vegetable brush, and make sure you cut and prep all your servings so that you’re not messing with it at the picnic.
Grill it right
If you want to use a marinade, do it while the meat is in the refrigerator at home. Don’t re-use the marinade after the meat is cooked!
Also, if you are partially cooking the meat before grilling, do so immediately before leaving the house. Meat should be cooked thoroughly and kept hot until served.
Hot foods should be kept above 140 degrees when holding for serving and they should not be left out for more than two hours.
Avoid re-using platters or utensils that were used with raw meats.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers a handy chart that details safe cooking temperatures. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers seven tips for safe picnics, including this time-tested truth: “When in doubt, throw it out.”
From The Beatles’ classics to “cage-free funk” — Got to love that description! — there will be something for just about everyone as the City of Kentwood’s Summer Concert Series returns with free concerts at 7 p.m. on select Thursday nights from June to August.
This year’s series features West Michigan favorites such as The Crane Wives, Brena and Melophobix. And while you can bring your own picnic dinner, food trucks will be at each concert.
“Our summer concert series is a great way to celebrate summer in Kentwood with family and friends,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “This year’s lineup again includes a great mix of genres. We welcome all to enjoy the variety of live outdoor music and local eats we’ll have on the lawn behind City Hall.”
Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair, and may also bring their own beer or wine.
The lineup for Kentwood’s Summer Concert Series is as follows:
June 20 — That Beatles Thing offering hits from The Beatles classic catalogue. No more need be said. For more information visit here.
June 27 — Blue Soul Express, delivering classic soul, R&B, funk and blues. If this is not perfect for a summer boogie party, nothing is. For more information visit here.
July 18 — Hannah Rose and the GravesTones, serving up some funk, blues and rock n’ roll. If you’ve never seen them, let’s just say Hannah can wail. For more information visit here.
July 25 — The Crane Wives, described by someone as “female-fronted, harmony-driven folk-rock”; lets just say West Michigan is lucky they are taking a local break from their busy summer tour schedule. For more information visit here.
Aug. 8 — Melophobix, with “Cage Free” being not only the title of their latest release but also their funky musical outlook. For more information visit here.
All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude around 8:30 p.m. on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, located at 4900 Breton Ave. SE.
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain”
~Bob Marley
Tons of talent in one colorful exhibition
Dreaming, thinking ready for my happy day*
‘Livin’ Is Easy’ summertime exhibition opens June 1st at LowellArts. Feast your senses on depictions of beautifully weathered objects; local Michigan waterways; animal and aquatic life forms; and whimsical figurative work. More details here. *Lyrics from Uriah Heep’s Easy Livin’.
Ready for some summertime fun?
Don’t settle for the summertime blues
Soon the bell will ring on the end of the year and children will be home for the summer. Follow these handy-dandy tips to avoid the summertime blues. More here.
Look! It’s the International Space Station!
We are all made of stars
A gentle reminder that on Wednesday, May 29 (Hey! That’s tomorrow!), WKTV Government 26 will be featuring live coverage of the International Space Station Russian Spacewalk. Read all about it right here. Don’t miss it!
Fun fact:
3%
That’s how much more milk cows produce when they listen to relaxing music. Just ask the researchers at the University of Leicester. And then there is 2% milk, which is generally available at your local grocer’s. Has nothing to do with music, though.
(Do these look like Guernsey cows to you?)
The Ingenues, an all-girl band and vaudeville act, serenade the cows in the University of Wisconsin, Madison’s dairy barn in 1930. The show was apparently part of an experiment to see whether the soothing strains of music boosted the cows’ milk production. Go here to read the NPR story about it. Angus B. McVicar/Wisconsin Historical Society
Warm weather activities seem custom-made for flip-flops.
But even Jimmy Buffett sings about how he blew out his flip-flop when he stepped on a pop top and cut his heel, then cruised on back home.
John Harris, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group, certainly agrees with Buffett’s iconic lyrics. He would tell you not to wear the flip-flops in the first place. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about cutting your heel.
That’s not all Dr. Harris said about flip-flops, which he considers the scourge of the footwear world.
Top 3 reasons to throw out the flip-flops:
1. Ouch! Heel pain.
The lack of suitable, or any, arch support in flip-flops can cause plantar fasciitis—heel pain or pain across the bottom of the foot.
Anyone with this lingering condition will tell you to avoid it at all costs.
2. Pain in the … ball of the foot
Not having adequate cushioning and arch support can cause soreness on the bottom of the foot.
Treatment requires more supportive shoes with effective arch support.
3. Avoid ‘flip-flop heel’
This condition is caused by walking around barefoot or wearing shoes that don’t have a back.
A thick callus rim forms around the edge of the heel when wearing shoes like flip-flops that don’t have backs to act as heel counters. This creates a situation in which your heel is constantly being exfoliated while walking. That creates a callus.
Aside from being unsightly, the cracked rim of the callus is painful.
Other flip-flip concerns
Less common, Dr. Harris said, but equally concerning are injuries from activities while wearing flip-flops.
Doctors often see ankle sprains from someone playing basketball or other sports in flip-flops, skin abrasions from a child riding a bike while wearing flip-flops, or cuts on a foot when a person wears flip-flops into a river and they slip off and float, exposing the barefoot to sharp rocks and river debris.
In addition, a study by Auburn University points out that wearing flip-flops causes you to take shorter steps and changes the way you walk compared to your gait while wearing sneakers. This can cause muscle strain.
“Instead of flip-flops, wear activity-specific shoe gear,” Dr. Harris suggested.
He pointed out that the child riding a bike should wear sneakers, the basketball player should wear basketball shoes or sneakers, and the person in the river should wear something like Keen shoes for walking in a lake or river, unless it is a sandy-bottomed lake.
“For daily wear in the summer, I’ll wear a pair of shoes similar to flip-flops,” Dr. Harris conceded. “But, I choose a shoe or sandal that has a more substantial sole and significant arch support compared to the inexpensive and flimsy flip-flops you find at stores all over town.”
There are many brands that fit this category, he said, suggesting people look for something like Chaco, Keen, Teva or Vionic.
“They’re designed to protect your foot while allowing you to engage in activities,” he said.
All in all, Dr. Harris encourages everyone to look for summer sandals that have a more substantial sole compared to those that feature a couple millimeters of foam, often found in common flip-flops, and to look for sandals with arch support rather than just a flat surface for the foot bed.
“No matter what brand you select, you still should never play basketball or mow your lawn in flip-flops,” Dr. Harris warned. “It’s just too risky.”
The family friendly Tuesday Evening Music Club is always an excuse to dance a little. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park recently announced its 10-show lineup for the Tuesday Evening Music Club, which brings local and regional musicians to the Amphitheater stage starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings throughout July and August, with a special “dress rehearsal” concert set for June 4 with the amphitheater plaza gates open at 5 p.m. and the show beginning at 7 p.m.
May Erlewine and The Motivations, June 4 at 7 p.m. (Supplied)
Concert goers who are not members of the Gardens will need a regular admission ticket but they can purchase that at the new box office at the amphitheater. But for that one night only, the venue will feature 50 percent off all food at the new concessions building as the Gardens unveils the amphitheater expansion and upgrades.
The Tuesday-night concerts — free to Meijer Gardens members and included with gardens admission for other guests — feature with a diverse schedule of live bands and programming ranging from jazz to indie, rock to folk, and even ballet. And there will be more to like off the stage as well.
The amphitheater has undergone significant expansion and improvement over the past two seasons, while maintaining the intimacy of the 1,900-seat venue.
A new concessions building has been added this season, with increased capacity for quicker food and beverage service, an improved point-of-sale system with quick chip technology to speed up purchases. and new restrooms outside of the entry gates for guests waiting in line. An expanded plaza area with additional entry gates will help shorten lines and wait times.
Meijer Gardens also announced two new series sponsors for the Tuesday Evening Music Club: Meyer Music and Michigan Radio 104.1 FM join WYCE and Corporate Live as partners for the series. Meyer Music will be bringing various instruments each week for guests to enjoy in a hands-on, “instrument petting zoo” at each concert.
The 2019 Tuesday Evening Music Club lineup includes:
May Erlewine and The Motivations, June 4 at 7 p.m.
Roosevelt Diggs and Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, July 2 at 7 p.m.
Big Sherb and Paddlebots, July 9 at 7 p.m.
Matt Gabriel and Kari Lynch Band, July 16 at 7 p.m.
Boy From School and Manhattan, July 23 at 7 p.m.
Franklin Park and 6-Pak, July 30 at 7 p.m.
The Hip Pocket and Soul Syndicate, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.
The River Rogues Jazz Band and Sam’s Swing Band, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.
Grand Rapids Ballet, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. This program will employ a full company of dancers performing works by some of today’s most in-demand choreographers. A mix of classical and contemporary ballets, including Trey McIntyre’s Wild Sweet Love, featuring the music of Queen, Lou Reed, Felix Mendelssohn and many more.
Local favorite Ralston Bowles likes to share the stage. (Supplied)
Ralston & Friends, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. Local favorite Ralston Bowles shares the stage with friends and collaborators from the community and beyond.
For more information on concerts at Meijer Gardens, visit meijergardens.org.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV’s spring baseball and softball schedule is nearing its end but this week as our coverage crew will be on the road twice this week, with baseball games featuring Wyoming high and Kelloggsville.
But there is high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can.
The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game’s remaining this month are as follows:
Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming, at Lamar Park Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville, at Kellogg Woods Park
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, May 20 Boys Golf South Christian @ Middleville T-K Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Maple Hill Wyoming @ Christian – Thornapple Pointe Boys Baseball Wyoming @ South Christian – DH East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Girls Softball Wyoming @ South Christian – DH East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian – DH Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee – DH Girls Soccer FH Eastern @ South Christian Hudsonville@ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian
Tuesday, May 21 Boys Golf East Kentwood – OK Red Post Season Tournament @ Thornapple Pointe Girls Softball Belding @ Kelloggsville Boys Baseball Zion Christian @ Ottawa Hills – DH Holland Black River vs West Michigan Aviation – DH @ Zion Christian Girls Soccer West Michigan Aviation @ Calvin Christian
Wednesday, May 22 Boys Baseball South Christian @ Wyoming – Lamar Park – WKTV Featured Event West Ottawa @ East Kentwood NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Girls Softball South Christian @ Covenant Christian – DH East Kentwood @ Byron Center – DH NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Boys Golf Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep – The Mines Girls Soccer Wyoming – MHSAA Districts @ Hamilton
Thursday May 23, 2019 Girls Soccer Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Districts @ Wellsprings Prep Boys Baseball Grand Rapids Crusaders @ Wyoming Lee Potter’s House @ Holland Black River – DH
Friday, May 24 Boys Baseball Godwin Heights vs Saugatuck – @ Hope College Zion Christian @ Kelloggsville – DH Wyoming @ Zeeland East West Michigan Aviation @ Belding – DH Girls Soccer TBA – @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep – MHSAA Districts Girls Softball Wyoming @ Zeeland East – DH
Saturday, May 25 Boys /Girls Track MITCA State Meet Boys Baseball Wyoming @ West Ottawa – DH
Monday, May 27 Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28 Boys Baseball @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts Godwin Heights @ Christian – MHSAA Districts Kelloggsville @ Holland Christian – MHSAA Districts Wyoming Lee @ Christian – MHSAA Districts Zion Christian @ Holton Girls Softball @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts Kelloggsville @ Christian – MHSAA Districts Wyoming Lee @ Christian – MHSAA Districts Wyoming @ Ottawa Hills – MHSAA Districts Girls Soccer Tri-Unity Christian vs Zion Christian – MHSAA Districts @ NorthPointe Christian
Wednesday, May 29 Boys Golf East Kentwood — MHSAA Regionals Kelloggsville — MHSAA Regionals @ Diamond Springs Wyoming – MHSAA Regionals Girls Soccer TBA @ South Christian — MHSAA Districts
Thursday, May 30 Girls Soccer East Kentwood @ TBA — MHSAA Districts Boys Golf East Kentwood @ TBA — MHSAA Regionals
“My artist's statement explains, my work is utterly incomprehensible and is therefore fun of deep significance.”
― Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes)
Maya Lin, Blue Lake Pass, 2006. Duraflake particleboard (Courtesy Pace Gallery)
New show at the GRAM
The Kent County Parks and the Kent County Parks Foundation invites all county residents to DISCOVER! Millennium Park, a free, fun, and educational program for all ages Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hansen Nature Trail at Millennium Park (at the corner of Riverbend Drive and Butterworth). For the complete story, visit here.
Supplied (Kent County Parks)
County’s Millennium Park event
The Kent County Parks and the Kent County Parks Foundation invites all county residents to DISCOVER! Millennium Park, a free, fun, and educational program for all ages Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hansen Nature Trail at Millennium Park (at the corner of Riverbend Drive and Butterworth). For the compete story, visit here.
Local high school baseball and softball action is on the schedule for the WKTV sports coverage team. (Supplied)
High School Sports in the sun
There is plenty of spring baseball and softball games as part of the weekend’s high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can. For the complete story, visit here.
Fun fact:
158 days
On average, there are 158 sunny days per year in Grand Rapids. The US average is 205 sunny days. Don’t waste one. (Source)
“The Sixties are now considered a historical period, just like the Roman Empire.“
~Dave Barry
The Vibe keynote speaker Josh George, a six-time Paralympic world champion and world record holder. (Courtesy/Josh George’s website)
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
Get your tickets TODAY if you plan to attend The Vibe, a gala benefiting Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s adaptive recreation programs, on Friday, May 17. The Vibe will highlight the City’s adaptive water sports programs, which include kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, wake boarding and water skiing for all ages and abilities. Tickets for the semi-formal event are $100 per person and can be purchased online at kentwoodvibe.com or by calling 616-656-5270. More on the story here.
Tickets must be purchased in advance by Friday, May 10.
These boots are made for walkin’ (well…)
It’s not only elite athletes and experienced runners who are preparing for this weekend’s 42nd River Bank Run. For the ninth year, former and current residents of Dégagé Ministries Open Door Women’s Center will participate in the Amway River Bank 5k Walk. Dégagé’s walking group, the ‘Heartside All Stars for Health’, is a group of approximately 12 women who have overcome or are working to overcome things like poverty, addiction and homelessness. With the support of Dégagé’s staff and volunteers, the organization’s walking group totals nearly 30 people. For more information, go here.
Courtesy Air Zoo
Can’t get no satisfaction? Check out these six destinations
Bored? Don’t be. The Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) Bird Sanctuary and Manor House are partnering for the sixth year of the Southwest Michigan Cultural Membership Exchange. Guests presenting a valid membership card and photo ID from any of these organizations can enjoy free admission at any of the six destinations May 1–31. More here.
Fun fact:
$4,743
That’s what the average salary was in the U.S. in the 1960s. But then, a loaf of bread was 45 cents, the average new car cost $2,752, and gas was about 31 cents a gallon. Ah, yes. The good, old days.
A banner donated by Grandville High School for the 2016 event. (Supplied)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend, and if you are into high school sports there will be two special Wyoming events — Wolves softball and baseball, and Rebel girls soccer — that will be both be great for viewers but also great for the community.
Wyoming High School will host Grandville High School in the Annual Christy Paganelli baseball/softball game Friday, May 10, at Pinery Park. The annual benefit games between teams from the neighboring high schools “celebrate life while bringing awareness to the importance of fighting cancer.”
The Christy Paganelli Softball Player Introduction Ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m., with baseball introduction at 5:45 p.m.
The annual Christy’s Cause Scholarship Baseball and Softball Games honors “the person and the spirit” of Christy Paganelli, who lost a courageous 18-month battle with melanoma.
The event recognizes all cancer awareness and prevention, and is committed to making sure everyone is aware that melanoma skin cancer can happen to anyone and how to prevent it.
All funds will be directed towards cancer research and the Christy Paganelli Scholarship Fund, which funds one or two scholarships each year at Aquinas College, where Christy played softball after playing and graduating from Wyoming’s Rogers High School.
The events will begin with a junior varsity baseball game at 3:15 p.m., followed by twin varsity softball and baseball games at 6 p.m.
Pinery Park is located at 2301 De Hoop Ave, Wyoming.
Cope Rebelde soccer tournament at Lee
The Lee Rebel “Copa Rebelde Soccer Invite” will be held Saturday, May 11, at the Lee Athletic Fields.
The girls soccer tournament is a three-match event starting with West Michigan Aeronautics Academy vs. Lee at 9:30 a.m.; Wyoming Potter’s House vs. WMAA at 11 a.m. (or 15 minutes after end of game 1); Lee vs Potter’s House at 12:30 p.m. (or 15 minutes after end of game #2). Each game will be 60 minutes in length, with 30 minute halves, 10 minute halftimes, and 15 minutes between games.
There will be no overtime so tie games decided by penalty shoot-outs —which are always exciting — and the champion will be determined by record then point differential.
And while the event should feature some great tournament soccer action, it will also be a Latino community celebration of sorts.
“We are lucky to have a team and community that can embrace their cultural heritage as much as they do,” the Lee soccer coach said to WKTV last year. “Copa is ultimately just a word but that word represents more than a tournament cup. It represents our small community’s strong ties with Latin America.”
The Lee Athletic Fields are located at 1824 Godfrey Ave. SW, Wyoming.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
