Category Archives: Reviews

On the shelf: ‘Sensible Shoes…’ by Sharon Garlough Brown

August 1, 2017Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ReviewsGrand Rapids Public Library, Karen Thoms, on the shelf, sensible shoes, Sharon Garlough BrownJoanne

By Karen Thoms, Main Library

Can a novel deliver entertainment and promise spiritual enlightenment? It can when served up by West Michigan pastor and spiritual director Sharon Garlough Brown. Packed inside her engaging story, Sensible Shoes, is a small non-fiction work on incorporating ancient spiritual disciplines into life. This 2013 Midwest Publishing Awards Show Honorable Mention book chronicles the friendship between four women who meet at a spiritual disciplines class, a class none of them initially wanted to attend.

The back cover of the book describes the women this way:

Hannah, a pastor who doesn’t realize how exhausted she is
Meg, a widow and recent empty-nester who is haunted by her past
Mara, a woman who has bounced from relationship to relationship and who is trying to navigate a difficult marriage
Charissa, a hard-working graduate student who wants to get things right

The book is structured around the development of the friendships, how the women are responding to the Saturday morning lessons given over three months, and what the practice of each discipline is dredging up from their pasts. Key to the development of the story and spiritual growth of the women is the seminar leader, Katherine Rhodes, and Charissa’s professor, Dr. Nathan Allen. The reader is set up to understand the conflict in the story by Brown’s effective use of short flashbacks.

Most chapters begin with the handout the women received at the start of a session, followed by the leader walking the women through the new discipline. Brown makes smooth transitions from the seminar to the lives of each woman, which she separates within the chapters. The story flows just like a typical novel.

Do not be deceived. Even if you skip reading the handout page or the explanation of the discipline you will not be able to escape the spirituality because the women share it with you, with either the personal reflection going on in their heads or in dialogue with each other.

At times, the dialogue itself will make the reader feel as if they are sitting with their own spiritual director. Take these examples:

“He (professor) placed his elbows on his desk, still clasping his hands together. ‘Your desire for control is keeping you from entrusting yourself to Christ, Charissa. And your desire for perfection is preventing you from receiving grace. You’re stumbling over the cross by trying to be good, by trying so hard to be perfect.’”

In the session on praying with imagination, the leader, Katherine refers back to the story of Bartimaeus asking for sight: “That’s a courageous thing to ask for, isn’t it? Sometimes it’s easier to remain in our darkness and blindness. But Bartimaeus wants to see.”

In the session about establishing a rule of life, Katherine gives an analogy: “Rules of life are like trellises … helping branches grow in the right direction and providing support and structure.”

Other practices Brown successfully weaves into her story include: Walking a Labyrinth as a Journey of Prayer, Lectio Divina, Praying the Examen, Wilderness Prayer, and Self-Examination and Confession.

Although I believe this book will find only a small audience in readers from West Michigan, readers of Christian fiction, and readers of Christian spiritual growth books, my hope is that others will pick up this gem and be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

On the shelf: ‘Nothing to Envy’ by Barbara Demick

July 28, 2017Books, Entertainment, ReviewsBarbara Demick, Grand Rapids Public Library, GRPL, Jen Andrews, Nothing to Envy, on the shelfJoanne

By Jen Andrews, Grand Rapids Public Library-Main

Nothing to Envy follows the lives of six North Koreans over fifteen years — a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung, the unchallenged rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il, and the devastation of a far-ranging famine that killed one-fifth of the population. Taking us into a landscape most of us have never before seen, Barbara Demick brings to life what it means to be living under the most repressive totalitarian regime today — an Orwellian world that is by choice not connected to the Internet, in which radio and television dials are welded to the one government station, and where displays of affection are punished; a police state where informants are rewarded and where an offhand remark can send a person to the gulag for life.

Demick takes us deep inside the country, beyond the reach of government censors. Through meticulous and sensitive reporting, we see her six subjects — average North Korean citizens — fall in love, raise families, nurture ambitions, and struggle for survival. One by one, we experience the moments when they realize that their government has betrayed them.

This is an outstanding work of narrative nonfiction that offers a never-before-seen view of a country and society largely unknown to the rest of the world. With remarkable detail and through a deeply personal look at the lives of six defectors from the repressive totalitarian regime of the Republic of North Korea, Demick brings to life what it means to be living under the most repressive totalitarian regime in the world today.

The reader will find it heartbreaking, pitiful and with every page turn wish it not true.

On the shelf: ‘Making Room’ by Christine Pohl

July 25, 2017Books, Entertainment, ReviewsChristine Pohl, Grand Rapids Public Library, GRPL, Karen Thoms, Making Room, on the shelfJoanne

By Karen Thoms, Grand Rapids Public Library-West Side Branch

The word ‘hospitality’ brings to mind dinners or parties with friends and family. Almost always being hospitable includes food and drink shared with people you know. If this description of hospitality resonates, you may find Christine Pohl’s discussion of the evolution of hospitality in Making Room an interesting read.

Weaving together Biblical texts and ancient philosophical writings, Pohl discusses the roots of hospitality. Initially people, especially members of the church, were hospitable to strangers in need. Gradually, the magnitude of these genuine needs caused people to think in new ways about meeting those needs. Hotels, hospitals and even our current mental health care system sprung up. As these agencies, businesses and non-profits became part of the social landscape, fewer individuals stepped up to aid the poor and outcasts of society.

Today professionals attend to those who need lodging and healing, making face-to-face encounters with people in need more difficult and less frequent. Pohl argues that the long-term effects of professionalizing hospitality contributes to those helped being disconnected from the community and feeling invisible. Her honest assessment includes how to engage with the disenfranchised instead of sending them to professionals or, if need be, to stand with them as they seek professional help.

Throughout this excellent work, which comes with a companion study guide, Pohl will guide you from abstract commitments of loving your neighbor to concrete expressions of hospitality to the marginalized. Read as a history you will be enlightened, read as a commentary on society and the church you will be challenged to think differently about what true hospitality is and provoked to actions that contribute toward community healing.

Review: Elvis’ mostly ‘nothing new’ tour stop at Meijer Gardens embraces power-pop years

July 20, 20173-bottom, Local Entertainment, ReviewsElvis Costello, Meijer Gardens concertsJoanne

Elvis Costello’s appearance at Meijer Gardens this week dug deep into his late 1970s and early ’80s New Wave/Power Pop years. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Elvis Costello and the Imposters, July 17, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Mi.

60-second Review

It is not unusual for musical artists with the long history of Elvis Costello to always trudge out a select few of their radio hits from bygone days, to play just enough of the “oldies but goodies” expected — demanded — by an audience paying dearly for the opportunity to “remember when.”

What is unusual, in the case of Costello’s appearance at Meijer Gardens this week, was that with the tight backing of his lean, mean band of Imposters, especially pianist Steve Nieve and vocalists Kitten Kuroi and Brianna Lee, Elvis dug deep into his late 1970s and early ’80s New Wave/Power Pop years, his “… and the Attractions” band years.

He embraced that place and time in his past, and that music. But that also meant he offered up songs known and relatively unknown to the audience during a 2-hour 30-minute, 31-song set.

Drawing heavily from his 1982 classic Imperial Bedroom release, such an approach to his past made the first half of the concert a little slow for an often nonchalant audience. The second half — after what seemed more a planned set break than a pause before encore — had an much different feel, leading off with a sparse, memorable version of “Alison” with Kuroi and Lee sharing his single mic proved Costello’s aim is still true.

Prior to the set break, my favorites songs were the slow, soulful “Tears Before Bedtime” and Elvis’ fine lead guitar work on “Shabby Doll” (both from Imperial Bedroom), and a surreal version of “Watching the Detectives” complete with pulp fiction video stills and vocals through a bullhorn. After the break, with the audience fully engaged, my highlights were the new “Blood and Hot Sauce”, a politically/socially-charged song written for planned staged musical “A Face in the Crowd”; my all-time favorite Costello song, “Man Out of Time”; and a rousing, set-closing run including “Radio Radio”, “Pump it Up”, and a cover of “(What’s so Funny ’bout) Peace, Love and Understanding”.

In the end, we all know Elvis has moved on from his “… Attractions” years. He mostly makes his home in New York City with wife/singer Diana Krall and family; he has explored Americana music with collaborations with Bill Frisell, Allen Toussaint and T Bone Burnett; and has recently worked with new artists the likes of Marcus Mumford (Mumford and Sons), Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and Rhiannon Giddens.

But in the end, a flashback to the Imperial Bedroom and other remembered rooms is probably good for him and certainly good for the Meijer Gardens audience.

May I have more, please?

Talking about revisiting the past, I could not help but revisit the urban legend of Elvis and his famous/infamous December 1977 visit to Saturday Night Life (as a late replacement for the Sex Pistols, no less). Still in his punk rock early years, Costello was reportedly forbidden by NBC and SNL’s Loren Michael from performing “Radio Radio” — which basically trashed the commercialism of music of which SNL played its part in. But after starting to play “Less Than Zero”, Costello reportedly stopped the band and kicked into “Radio Radio”.

Legend has it that he was banned from NBC and SNL for years afterword — and more than one wiki refuses to debunk the legend — and it also established his British bad-boy status in America.

And, having been born with the name Declan Patrick MacManus, and hailing from a still emerging British punk rock scene, a geekish-looking, skinny young man who renamed himself “Elvis” needed something to, as they say now, establish his “street cred”.

On the shelf: ‘Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love’ by Larry Levin

July 11, 2017Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ReviewsBook review, Grand Rapids Public Library, Larry Levin, Lisa Boss, on the shelf, OogyJoanne

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

How did an upper middle-class family who went to the vet to euthanize their beloved elderly cat, end up taking home one of the newer “super-pit” breeds cropping up? Well- you’ll have to read the book to find out, and it makes for a fairly unusual tale, as Eli (Oogy) returns from an almost Biblical destruction to prove that ultimately “living well is the best revenge”.

Caution: dog lovers will not be able to resist this dog or this book.

On the shelf: ‘The Last American Man’ by Elizabeth Gilbert

June 30, 2017Books, Entertainment, ReviewsElizabeth Gilbert, Grand Rapids Public Library, Melissa Fox, on the shelf, The Last American ManJoanne

By Melissa Fox, Grand Rapids Public Library-Main

For those who have dreamed of true adventure, of exploring and of attempting perilous journeys and of living as a pioneer, The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert is a book you will not want to miss. Comparable to admired adventure books such as Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer and Wild by Cheryl Strayed, The Last American Man follows the life of Eustace Conway, who at the age of seventeen left his family’s home to live in a teepee in the woods and wear skins from animals he trapped. He hiked the Appalachian Trail and set the world record for crossing the United States on horseback. Conway eventually purchased land in North Carolina and started the Turtle Island Preserve, which he built with his own two hands in the traditional way, and where he continues to hold camps and classes in survival and living off the land.

The Last American Man takes readers on Conway’s lifelong adventure in pursuit of his ultimate goal — to convince Americans to give up their materialistic lifestyles and return with him back to nature. Because Elizabeth Gilbert does an excellent job of writing his story, The Last American Man was a finalist for the National Book Award, and because Eustace Conway is a compelling character, it’s easy get lost in the adventure and feel oneself called toward the woods, to living a simpler life.

On the shelf — ‘Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids’

June 20, 2017Books, Entertainment, ReviewsGrand Rapids Public Library, M. Christine Byron, on the shelf, Thomas R. DilleyJoanne

By M. Christine Byron, Grand Rapids Main Library and Thomas R. Dilley

This wonderful anthology brings together twenty-eight reflections on coming of age in Grand Rapids. These personal histories of young people who were seldom “seen or heard” document the social history of Grand Rapids from a fresh perspective. The earliest pieces date back to the 1830s and 1850s and the most recent describe coming of age in the 1960s through the 1980s. Half of the narratives in this volume are culled from existing books, journals and magazines; the other half are new pieces specifically written for this collection.

Gordon Olson, City Historian Emeritus, has gathered accounts of young people from historical sources. Reinder Van Til, an editor for William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, collected writings of living authors. As Van Til says in the preface, this volume represents “not only sharp personal writing by some of the best writers that Grand Rapids has produced but also a kind of impressionistic historical portrait of a community during a century and a half of its own coming of age.”

Albert Baxter and Charles Belknap write of past times when Grand Rapids could hardly be called even a one-horse town. Essays by Arnold Gringrich, Gerald and Betty Ford, John Hockenberry and Paul Schrader recount formative years and experienced here before they each would leave their hometown to make their ways in the world. Roger Wilkins, Levi Rickert, Al Green and Bich Minh Nguyen share their experiences growing up in a white community, and the racial inequities that are an indelible part of their memories. Edward Gillis and Max Apple write fondly of the strong ties to their ethnic communities. Poignant and memorable essays by Hank Meijer, Tom Rademacher and Kaye Longberg recall teenage years in the 1960s and 1970s, before the weight of adulthood had settled upon them.

Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids speaks to the remarkable diversity of experience that has made the city what it is today. This collection of voices gives each of us the opportunity to pause, look back and reflect on each of our personal histories.

On the shelf: ‘The History of Michigan Law’

June 16, 2017Books, Entertainment, ReviewsBook review, Grand Rapids Public Library, Marcie Beck, on the shelfJoanne

By Marcie Beck, Grand Rapids Main Library

Don’t judge this book by its cover! It might be cliché, but in this case, fitting. The outward appearance of The History of Michigan Law belies the interesting content inside. Editors Finkelman and Hershock have organized a series of essays by twelve different authors surveying Michigan’s rich legal past. Readers can pick and choose a topic of particular interest or read chronologically from ‘Michigan’s Territorial Heritage’, to ‘The Struggle Against Sex Discrimination in the 1970s’.

In each essay, the author describes how the law in this area has developed over time. The dynamic nature of the law becomes clear as the authors discuss how the people of the state have shaped the law, carrying their traditions and values through changing economic and social circumstances.

In ‘Blood on the Tracks: Law, Railroad Accidents, the Economy and the Michigan Frontier’, Hershock reviews an important legal controversy of the 19th century: Who was responsible for keeping livestock off the railroad tracks? The new economy and its emerging technology were running headlong into traditional agricultural practices and the result was literally blood on the tracks. Hershock explains that developing stock laws, which required the fencing in of animals was an important step towards a modern economy.

In ‘The Promise of Equality and the Limits of the Law: From the Civil War to World War II’, Finkelman discusses some of the most significant legal developments of the 20th century. One of the functions of the law is to reflect the aspirations of a society, to hold up an ideal as a goal to be achieved. And yet it is important to remember that the law has limits.

Finkelman concludes, “Racism in Michigan could not be eradicated easily or immediately through legislation, prosecution or civil lawsuits. On the other hand, the persistent efforts of the Michigan legislature led to greater equality and greater opportunity for African Americans than they had in most other states.”

This important volume provides excellent background and worthwhile reading for both scholars and citizens as we face the legal challenges of the 21st century.

Review: Saints and soul singers at Meijer Garden

June 13, 2017Entertainment, Local Entertainment, ReviewsSt. Paul and the Broken BonesJoanne

Paul Janeway, lead singer of St. Paul and the Broken Bones, put on a show at Meijer Gardens. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

60-second Review

St. Paul and the Broken Bones, with Durand Jones & the Indications opening, June 9, at Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, Mi.

Having only briefly touched on the music of St. Paul and the Broken Bones, via the song “Call Me” while cruising through my SiriusXM spectrum, I had little knowledge and less expectations when vocalist Paul Janeway and his band hit the stage.

What I got was a tight, often spectacular, set of modern soul — new soul? — during a 19-song, 1-hour and 45-minute set cut a little short, Janeway pointed out, by the Garden’s usual concert curfew.

The band may only have two albums to choose its set from, but the Broken Bones seemed like they had plenty of great songs to offer up: my favorites were “Waves” and “Sanctify”, both off their most recent release, Sea of Noise, while “Call Me” is from their 2014 release Half the City. But the attractiveness of songs such as “Is it Me?”, “Tears in the Diamond” and the encore-closing “Burning Rome” cannot be denied.

To be perfectly honest, however, it is Janeway that makes the Broken Bones unique and may make them a really big band. With all due respects to stellar guitarist Browan Lollar and keyboardist Al Gamble, and the rest of the high-energy band, the night was all about Janeway.

Paul Janeway, of St. Paul and the Broken Bones, waded into the audience at one point the show. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

He pranced around the stage like the love-child of Elton John and Tina Turner. He dove in the audience with the longest mic cord I’ve ever seen — and nobody got strangled. With his deep south accent giving it color, his voice is as soft and soulful, or as rip-it-up soulful, as needed.

After the concert, I can’t wait to see what the band’s third album bring us.

The soulfulness of the night was set up perfectly with Durand Jones & the Indications’ 9-song set, with “Make a Change” being my favorite but maybe the best part of the set being watching Jones channelling James Brown.

May I have more, please?

Short and sweet here: How did the band get their name?

In a 2014 interview with the University of North Carolina Charlotte News, Janeway was asked.

“The ‘St. Paul’ part is kind of a joke on me, I don’t drink or smoke,” he answered. “The ‘Broken Bones’ is a lyric from probably the first song me and Jess (Jess Phillips, bassist with the band) wrote. ‘…broken bones and pocket change is all she left me with.’ So all she left me with was no money and this band.”

Know nothing about the break-up he’s talking about, but she got the short end of that split.

On the shelf: ‘Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale…’ by Gwen Cooper

May 26, 2017Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ReviewsBook reviews, Gwen Cooper, Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, on the shelfJoanne

By WKTV Contributor

I’m often resistant to books billed as being “inspirational”, “heartwarming”, or providing “life lessons”, but when I finally gave in and read Cooper’s book, Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat, I loved it. I figured that with her last book being, Diary of a South Beach Party Girl, which People Magazine touted as a “seedily thrilling world of mid-90’s Miami”, the cat book couldn’t be too sentimental…

In fact, Homer is anything but a poor, pitiful animal; his character is very bold and resourceful, drawing from a deep place of awareness without physical sight, since Homer is completely blind. Abandoned as a very young kitten, an infection took his eyes, and a veterinarian sewed the lids shut. When Gwen Cooper adopted him at 4 weeks, she realized that he was special, and others did too. Her (cat adverse) parents offer to take him in, if, “God forbid, anything should happen to you”. Her ex-boyfriend and his pals love to cat-sit Homer, explaining, “For he is El Mocho, the cat without fear!”

In one chilling chapter, Homer saves Gwen from an intruder in her house in the middle of the night. Living in the Manhattan financial district, the cats also survive the terrible days of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, where their apartment was only 5 blocks away.

The book works so well because the writing is crisp and funny, and the cat is so unusual and appealing, plus it’s a definite page-turner, and ok, it’s probably inspirational too.

On the shelf: ‘Half Broke Horses’ by Jeannette Walls

May 23, 2017Books, Entertainment, ReviewsBook review, Elaine Bosch, Grand Rapids Public Library, GRPL, Half Broke Horses, Jeannette Walls, on the shelfJoanne

By Elaine Bosch, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

Jeannette Walls, best-selling author of the compelling memoir, The Glass Castle, follows up with a “true life” novel — Half Broke Horses. Going back another generation in her family tree, Walls expounds, with insight and energy, on the life of her grandmother Lily.

The spirit of the family so memorably captured in The Glass Castle has its roots in Lily. Raised on hardscrabble horse ranches in Texas and Arizona at the turn of the 20th century, tough, outspoken Lily does not want an ordinary life as a wife and mother. She wants education, freedom and independence. She begins breaking horses at age 6. At 15, she rides 500 miles alone on horseback through the desert to take her first job. She furthers her search for education and excitement by moving to Chicago in her early twenties. Eventually, heartbreak and family obligations send her back to her roots in the west.

This wonderful book reads like a historical adventure. The people, places, and events of the times are well researched and accurate in spirit. The characters are colorful and the narrative is rollicking. Lily faces life’s tribulations and tragedies with style and determination. She builds a legacy, both philosophical and financial, that will sustain her family long after she has gone.

While Half Broke Horses stands on its own merits, it will be best appreciated if read in tandem with The Glass Castle. If you are already a fan of the memoir, you will be captivated by the prequel.

On the shelf: ‘Asleep: The Forgotten Epidemic …’ by Molly Caldwell Crosby

May 19, 2017Books, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ReviewsAsleep, Book review, Grand Rapids Public Library, Lisa Boss, Molly Caldwell Crosby, on the shelfJoanne

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

The uncanny illness seemed to arise out of the WWI battlefields. In 1916, soldiers were evacuated from the trenches at Verdun, and in the field hospitals some were stricken with flu like symptoms just before they fell into a deep sleep. Some would eventually wake, and some would not. Those that did not die often awoke to a living nightmare of disability and/or psychosis.

As the “Sleeping Sickness” entered the general population, an increasingly frantic medical community strove to find a cause or a treatment. Five million people are estimated to have contracted it, and over nine thousand articles were published in the medical literature during its reign. But then the pandemic suddenly disappeared in the late 1920s, and it was forgotten. Encephalitis Lethargica had vanished into history again.

Crosby’s book, Asleep: The Forgotten Epidemic that Remains One of Medicine’s Greatest Mysteries, is a multi-layered medical mystery that re-creates the people, the times, and the newly developing science of neurology. It’s written in an engrossing lyrical style, as we trace the epidemic’s stages.

Dr. Oliver Sacks wrote his fascinating book Awakenings, (also a movie), about a group of patients that he treated in the sixties, who were all victims of that twenties epidemic, and he highly recommends Crosby’s work, calling it “A brilliant, deeply moving account.”

Review: Outlaw alt-country woman? Margo Price defies expectations

April 8, 20173-bottom, Beer, Local Entertainment, ReviewsJoanne

Margo Price and band were at St. Cecilia Music Center on April 6. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

60-second Review

Margo Price and band, April 6, at St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids, Mi.

Diving blind into the deep end of Margo Price’s music, as myself and many in the audience did Thursday night at the St. Cecilia Music Center’s Acoustic Café concert, there were expectations, uncertainty and, ultimately, satisfaction — an experience not unlike first dates.

The expectations? That comes from pre-concert research revealing Price has not only played with Jack White (White Stripes) — and is the only country act on his Third Man Records label — but just last month was a prominent presence at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion alt/outlaw country concert in Austin during SXSW (South by Southwest). … Is there two more diverse musical mentors that White and Nelson?

The uncertainty? At St. Cecilia, Price comes onto the stage wearing a pretty pink little dress perfect for the stage of the Grand Ole Opry but with her exposed shoulders showing off a big ole tattoo. Then she kicks off the night with three songs off her newest recording, 2016’s “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter”: the beautifully modern sound of “Hands of Time”, the classic country sound of “About to Find Out” and the definitely oldie sound of “Tennessee Song”.

The satisfaction? Just watching Price and her five-piece band breeze through an 18-song, 90-minute set with a setlist equally leaning on her 2016 debut solo recording — a rough-edged if not intentionally alt-country collection of often introspective, intimate songs — and covers of the who’s who of classic and outlaw country.

The songs off the new recording were clearly the focus of her music, including my favorite, “Since You Put Me Down” — “I killed the angel on my shoulder with a bottle of the Bulleit, So I wouldn’t have to hear him bitch and moan, moan, moan” … Dylanesque lyrics and my favorite bourbon; what’s not to like?

But she also paid tribute and high compliment to classics such as Loretta Lynn’s “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven”, Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” and even Waylon Jennings’ honky tonk anthem “Ain’t Living long Like This”.

Price, clearly, is not backing down from her past or her future.

May I have more, please?

Price, coming up to her 34th birthday on April 15, is one of those classic country music tweeners, immersed and comfortable in the past but bringing a fresh sound to the genre — sort of a female version of Jason Isbell, whom I also really like. And, if there is any justice in the world, Price will be following Isbell into the world of bigger audiences and sales.

She was also greatly aided at St. Cecilia by the solid sounds of her band; especially deserving note were Luke Schneider’s work on pedal steel and dobro and Micah Hulscher’s keyboard sounds — especially perfect was the honky-tonk piano sounds on several numbers.

The only complaint I have with Price’s concert was that I did not have a beer in my hand. There is something about a great country music concert that just begs for a hot summer day, a impending farmer’s tan line, and a cold one in one’s hand. But considering it was snowing earlier in the day in Grand Rapids, I was glad for what I did have on hand.

St. Cecilia’s Royce Auditorium was not full, but as evidenced by a show of hands asked for by music center director Cathy Holbrook, there was a large contingent of fans who had never been in the theater. Already known as an outstanding chamber music venue and a fine jazz stage, the Acoustic Café may have the makings of a up-and-coming country music destination.

Price certainly liked it: she pointed out at one point at the concert that her current small venue tour has seen a lot of big drinking establishments and it was nice to play to a little more focused audience.

Of course, I reiterate, the next time I see her I want it to be 80 degrees and a beer in my hand, maybe with Isbell.

Review: GR Symphony, Lehninger offers perfect ‘Pictures’, alluring Barber adagio

March 6, 2017Entertainment, ReviewsGrand Rapids Symphony, Marcelo Lehninger, Stefan JackiwJoanne

Marcelo Lehninger, the musical director of the Grand Rapids Symphony, on stage from a previous concert. (Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Symphony)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

60-second Review

Grand Rapids Symphony, March 3, at DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids, Mi.

First, of course, Maurice Ravel’s orchestration of “Pictures at an Exhibition” was suburb with Marcelo Lehninger conducting the Grand Rapids Symphony. But then I am biased, owning three recordings of the work: Mussorgsky’s initial, almost haunting piano solo; Ravel’s lush full symphony orchestration; and even Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s mesmerizing progressive-rock, synthesizer-driven version.

But the highlights of Lehninger’s final concert of the 2016-17 season, for me, may have been discovery of the guest soloist Stefan Jackiw on violin, who was brilliant both as musical and showman, as well as the conductor leading the symphony string section in an offering of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings.

This being my first time seeing Lehninger leading the symphony, he more than lived up to his billing as a fiery young lion with baton in hand — a reputation he gained with the Boston Symphony, among others, and now brings to West Michigan as musical director.

Jackiw, too, demanded being center of attention on Erich Korngold’s Concerto for Violin in D Major, not only due to his shining guest soloist work but for his being an almost emotional force of nature. He is young, modern in style and artistic expression, and in the words of modern music, he and his violin shreds. His solo encore of the Largo from Bach’s Unaccompanied Violin Sonata in C was just musical icing on the evening’s cake.

Despite the age of the compositions presented at this concert, youth was served.

May I have more, please?

Lehninger prefaced the performance of Barber’s adagio by saying, from the stage, that it may be “the most melancholy and sad piece ever written” but adding that it was also “such a special piece.” And special it was. Given the dominating of much anticipated big, bold sections of Korngold’s concerto and “Pictures”, the haunting and, indeed, very sad Barber piece was a welcome introduction to a great evening.

Of course, I am also a fan of Barber’s works in general and, again, admit a bias.

Also, the Brazilian-born Lehninger hinted at the musical world of is home country he will bring to Grand Rapids next season when he will lead the orchestra in several pieces by Brazil’s best-known composer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, including Momoprecóce featuring Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire.

Can’t wait.

On the shelf: ‘Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Meth Addiction’ by David Sheff

February 13, 2017Entertainment, ReviewsBeautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Meth Addiction, Book review, David Sheff, Grand Rapids Public Library, GRPL, Lisa Boss, Meth, Nic Sheff, on the shelfJoanne

By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main

“Before Nic Sheff became addicted to crystal meth, he was a charming boy, joyous and funny, a varsity athlete and honor student adored by his two younger siblings. After meth, he was a trembling wraith who lied repeatedly, stole money from his eight-year-old brother, and lived on the streets.” (Book jacket)

What’s different about Meth? Why is it worse than, say, cocaine or heroin? Why did all the drug recovery experts sigh so deeply when they heard that the “drug of choice” was Meth? David Sheff found his answers to these and many other questions concerning one of the latest drug scourges to reappear. Like a medical thriller, the story weaves many plot and research lines into a complex tapestry. And like a horror story, the drug takes on a persona: a vampire feeding on its willing victim, who seeks out the source that is draining them of life.

Drug addiction of any kind can bring families to their knees, leaving wreckage far beyond the principal player. Al-Anon has their 3 C’s: You didn’t cause it, you can’t control it, and you can’t cure it. The author, resistant at first, finds the family support groups an unbelievable source of comfort. Who else will understand when a parent says that they are happy that their child is in jail?

Sheff’s work grew out of a piece that he wrote for the New York Times Magazine, “My Addicted Son”, which won the American Psychological Association’s award for “Outstanding Contribution to Advancing the Understanding of Addiction”.

To tell the truth, I didn’t know if I’d like it so much — it sounded like a real downer. Once I started, though, I found it an extremely compelling book. It’s not just about one family’s tragedy, but it connects to every aspect of our own lives. Sheff constantly involves all of us in his Dantesque journey — seeming to ask, without putting it so bluntly, “so you think this does not, will not, ever touch you?”

As an example, while the author is staying at yet another hotel, waiting for yet another rehab visit with his son, he begins reading the epigraph from Where Angels Fear to Tread by E.M. Forster, “Every little trifle, for some reason, does seem incalculably important and when you say of a thing that ‘nothing hangs on it’ it sounds like blasphemy. There’s never any knowing–how am I to put it–which of our actions, which of our idlenesses won’t have things hanging on it for ever.”

The author ponders this late at night, “I read it and read it again…. I am almost shaking. I think, ‘How innocent we are of our mistakes and how responsible we are for them.’”

The narrative alternates with his research into every aspect of drug addiction: the rehab industry, support groups, crime statistics, environmental damage and the neuroscience of the brain physiology. And the history — Meth was synthesized from amphetamine in 1919 by a Japanese pharmacologist. It was commercially available and marketed as a bronchodilator for asthma or an appetite suppressant, among other things. Ads featured slogans like, “Never again feel dreary or suffer the blues.” Used by the military in World War II, mild formulations were still sold over the counter until 1951, when it was finally upgraded to a controlled substance. Well, who knew…?

If you ever buy “Sudefed” for allergies, you’ve experienced how diligent the selling, signing for, and tracking of, this product has become — due to its main ingredient, pseudoephedrine. Here’s a real surprise though. According to the author, while he is laying out how the mom and pop labs have been essentially preempted by international drug cartels, operating their own “super labs”: “Only nine factories manufacture the bulk of the world’s supply of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, but pharmaceutical companies — and legislators influenced by them — have stopped every move that would have effectively controlled the distribution of the chemical so they could not be diverted to meth super labs.”

Meth seems to be a particularly unfortunate drug, since while all the drugs of abuse affect the dopamine reward circuit; Meth quickly causes more serious harm to the brain. The dopamine system becomes so ravaged that it takes months for partial recovery, and a full two years for an almost normal brain PET scan. In the meantime, in the first weeks of recovery attempts, when a Meth user is without the drug, the areas of the brain that light up are the ones that are active when people experience intense pain.

At one completely chilling point in the story (and there are many of these) another parent tells him that the only thing that will get him through is God; and the author says he’d like to believe, but he’s just never been able to. “Before this is over,” they reply to him softly, “you will.”

The cover quote by Anne Lamott says, “This book will save a lot of lives and heal a lot of hearts.”

If any book could discourage a person from trying drugs, this would do it.

On the shelf: ‘At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream’ by Wade Rouse

February 10, 2017Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Reviewsbooks, GR Main, Grand Rapids Public Library, Marie Mulder, on the shelfJoanne

After chronicling his escape from rural life growing up gay in the Ozarks with his memoir, America’s Boy, Wade Rouse finds himself on three acres in the middle of the woods just outside of Saugatuck, Michigan. While vacationing in Michigan, Wade and his partner, Gary, decide on the spot to leave their hectic urban life in St. Louis, build a home and create “Wade’s Walden.”

Wade faces raccoons (literally head-on), wild turkeys (which he comes to adore), his addiction to tanning, cable and lip gloss and his real relationship with Gary. In the end, he finds himself disgusted with the tourists who act . . . exactly like he did when he first arrived in the country. Reading and re-reading Thoreau, Wade sets out to learn ten life lessons along the same path as Walden.

At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream is a funny, heartfelt, sincere memoir that will appeal to anyone, gay or straight, who finds themselves outside of their comfort-zone.

Review: Cécile McLorin Salvant brings big jazz voice to St. Cecilia

December 9, 20163-bottom, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, ReviewsCécile McLorin Salvant, jazz, St. Cecilia Music CenterJoanne

Cécile McLorin Salvant. (Supplied/Mark Fitton)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

60-second Review

Cécile McLorin Salvant, Dec. 8, at St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids, Mi.

Cécile McLorin Salvant, the season opening performer for the St. Cecilia Music Center’s 2016-17 Jazz Series, brought a spectacular voice and mesmerizing presence to the stage Thursday for a 90-minute set.

Accompanied by the very tight Aaron Diehl Trio — with Diehl on piano, Paul Sikivie on bass and Lawrence Leathers on drums — McLorin Salvant opened her set with just Diehl’s piano and singing “Lucky to be Me.” From that moment on, you were lucky to be in the audience.

The singer showed her versatility — heartbreaking to humorous; booming to a whisper — throughout the night, with her set including a trio of Cole Porter songs, both well-known and little-known, and a hauntingly theatric song from the 1946 jazz-opera “Street Scene”, with lyrics by Langston Hughes.

My favorite song of the night was a stark, stripped-down version of the classic folk song “John Henry”, with special note given to Sikivie’s unique work on the base. My only disappointment was that all the songs were in English, which the native French speaker sings perfectly — S’il vous plaît, Cécile, un peu de Français.

McLorin Salvant ended the night as mesmerizingly as she started it, with “Tell Me What They are Saying Can’t be True.” It left you wanting more.

May I have more, please?

Having never heard McLorin Salvant before, I suspected a little hyperbole when some reviewers compared her to Ella Fitzgerald. But, listing to a local public radio jazz program before the concert, my wife, TJ — who knows her jazz — remarked “I wonder who that is? She sounds like Ella.” Sure enough, the DJ confirmed the song was by the songstress we would see shortly.

Good enough recommendation for me.

It may still be a little early to compare the 27-year-old to Ella, but she does have an impressive resume: youngest winner the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2010, her debut recording, “WomanChild”, nominated for a Grammy in 2014, and her follow-up recording, “For One to Love”, winning the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album this year.

And did I mention that she has a set of pipes? (Her singing voice is astounding.)

On the shelf: ‘Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness’, by Alexandra Fuller

November 22, 20163-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Reviewsalexandra fuller, cocktail hour under the tree of forgetfulness, Grand Rapids Public Library, GRPL, lisa book, on the shelfJoanne

On the Shelf Book Review

By Lisa Book, Main Library

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness completes a cycle that the author began with Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood, and Scribbling the Cat: Travels with an African Soldier, spanning a time from the last throes of white-rule Rhodesia, to majority-rule Zimbabwe.

Cocktail Hour comes full circle, and instead of a child’s point of view of the family’s struggles, it’s the author as an adult, looking back on her parent’s long journey. How and why did they come to Africa? Did they really think that there was a place for them there?

“…[T]hose who shed our ancestry the way a snake sheds skin in winter… We white Africans of shrugged-off English, Scottish, Dutch origin…”

There were accidents, assaults, near death and actual death, all against the backdrop of the implacable African landscape, and laced with an extraordinary amount of alcohol.

If you like memoirs like The Glass Castle, Angela’s Ashes or All Over But the Shoutin’, this is another one of those rare tales of family hardship and pain, but also of love and courage, with a generous amount of black humor.

Fate and Free Will cross at Civic Theatre’s ‘Good People’

September 19, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, ReviewsCivic Theater, Civic Theatre, Good People, Review, Susanne AlbaitisJoanne

Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram — Courtesy of instagram: @grcivictheatre

There’s the age-old debate, fate vs. free will. Margie has made choices in her life, or was it really just her fate?

Good People, running September 9 – 25 at Civic Theater, takes a look into the life of Margie, a single mother who loses her job in the first scene. Her boss Stevie is no tyrant, rather the son of a friend who is only trying to keep “corporate” happy. Margie is chronically late to work, leaving the young man no choice but to let her go. When Margie pleads with Stevie to keep her, we begin to see a glimpse of how Margie’s life has reached this point.

Margie grew up in South Boston, a working class neighborhood where getting out was more the exception than the norm. Like many of her friends, Margie remained in South Boston after she got pregnant in high school. Her baby, Joyce, was born with special needs. This made finding and keeping a job difficult for Margie because there were days where she was unable to leave on time if Joyce was upset. She often relied on friends, who proved to be inconsistent, for daycare. And college? Forget about it. Margie’s parents did not encourage her to try in high school, college was never an option.

But there was someone who made it out of South Boston, Mike. Mike became a doctor, a fertility specialist and he moved to a big house in Chestnut Hill. He married a younger woman, Kate, and together they had a daughter. Margie knew Mike in high school, they even dated for a few months before Mike left for college.

Margie and Mike’s past begins to unfold when Margie seeks out Mike for a possible job in his office. Margie takes it one step further when she shows up at his home for a party that he had explained was cancelled. Part heart-felt reunion, part awkward culture clash, the evening revealed and kept many secrets. It also made you wonder, was Margie’s, or anyone’s, station in life the result of their decisions, or just their fate?

This small cast delivered a huge performance. From the accents to emotions, the cast had it covered. There were a lot of laughs too. The three ladies, Margie, Jean and Dottie are South Boston’s version of Monica, Rachel and Phoebe. They bicker, go to bingo and you can tell there’s a lot of love for each other in there too. Kate’s tenderness balanced Mike’s tough, but understandable attitude toward Margie. She is the voice of reason when the evening of the party takes an uncomfortable trip down memory lane.

Good People, a thought provoking, dramedy, is a must see start to Civic Theater’s amazing 2016-2017 season. Visit the Civic Theater website for more information.

Going Local: Le Kabob

July 15, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Food, Going Local, Local Business, Local Food, ReviewsGoing Local, Joanne Bailey-Boorsma, Kentwood, Le Kabob, Mediterranean, Mike DeWitt, ShawarmaJoanne

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By: Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Joanne@wktv.org

When Mike pulled Le Kabob out of the hat, I was happier than a freed canary. I love Mediterranean food. Tabouli, hommous, shawarmas…bring it on!

That enthusiasm probably showed on the way over. “Should I start looking?” “No, we have three miles.” “Should I start looking?” “We have about a mile.”

Located in a strip mall near the corner of 28th Street and Shaffer Avenue, we finally got there and the place was humming with activity. Upon entering, the aromas immediately made me smile — these are the smells I know from Dearborn when visiting the restaurants there.

Le Kabob has only been at its current location for about two years — before that it was located on Alpine — but the owner has made it feel like home with some Mediterranean touches.

We were seated at a booth and Mike immediately spotted the $6.99 lunch special that included a soda, any sandwich and soup or salad. Our server informed us the salad was a traditional side salad but for a dollar more you could select any of the other salads such as tabouli, fattoush, or Greek. I was sold and went for the fattoush salad paired with the falafel, hommous, tabouli wrap cause a girl has got to have her falafel! For those who do not know, a falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. I prefer my falafel with a little hommous, so this wrap was screaming my name.

Expecting half portions, I was surprised that the salad was full size. What really makes a fattoush salad is the cumin and baked pita bread and Le Kabob’s had a nice mixture of both along with lettuce, onion, tomato, and cucumber. I was loving it. In fact, I was loving it long after Mike had finished his soup and moved on to his first shawarma wrap. Finally moving on to my sandwich, I was delighted to find the bread was slightly toasted with the wrap getting a thumbs up for freshness and uniqueness.

One of the servers thanked us for being patient as they were short-staffed that day. I actually thought for the good-size lunch crowd they had the staff did pretty well on serving everyone and handling take-outs. There was a wait for us to be seated, but the food certainly made it well worth it.

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

We’re only three weeks into Going Local, but it has already been a massive success in my opinion. Granted, that opinion is based solely on my own selfish joy of eating lunch at local havens and being able to call it “work”.

Seriously though, I had absolutely no idea the quality of food that exists right in our backyard. Sure, everyone talks about Grand Rapids being beer capital and the food that comes with it, but Kentwood and Wyoming has knocked it out of the park three weeks in a row. The best part is that all of our lunches have been very reasonably priced. So much so that I might even call it generously priced, and Le Kabob was no exception.

I’ll admit, I was never big on Mediterranean food until my girlfriend brought me to a place in Detroit last year for some chicken shawarmas. It’s not that I didn’t like Mediterranean food, more that I had never really given it a chance, and I quickly realized what I had been missing. I had a new love, her name was Mediterranean and I can’t thank my girlfriend enough for introducing us.

When we walked into Le Kabob, I was caught off guard by the size of the restaurant. The last two places we had been to were small and we were the only people there for lunch. Le Kabob was not only much bigger, but it was packed with people there for lunch. Apparently we weren’t the only ones Going Local. We had a slight wait before we were seated and the $6.99 lunch special immediately caught my eye. The picture of the shawarma looked small, so I decided I needed to order two, a chicken and a lamb, on top of my lamb chili. I did not need to order a second one. I repeat, I did NOT need to order a second one.

Fresh toasted flatbread was brought out to the table as a starter along with a crush garlic paste to spread. The paste was 98 percent garlic and had some other spices and jalapenos thrown in for good measure. It was crushed up to spread like butter across the bread. It was phenomenal and a second basket of bread was quickly brought to the table after the first was engulfed almost immediately.

The lamb chili was good, not exceptional, but it had a little bit of heat and was a great size as a precursor to my two shawarmas. When the shawarmas were set down in front of me, I knew my eyes were bigger than my stomach. However, in my defense, they didn’t look THAT BIG in the picture on the menu. That is my excuse and I will stick with it. But I ordered my meal and I needed to finish the whole thing… my job depends on it.

Both shawarmas were exceptional. The meat was tender and the pita was baked with the right amount of crisp. The lamb shawarma comes rolled with onions, tomatoes, pickles, parsley and tahini sauce. It went down smoothly as the chicken starred me right in the face. The chicken shawarma is rolled with pickles, lettuce, and garlic sauce – I think I hit my yearly garlic intake during the meal. The second shawarma was just as good, but my stomach said no more! Fortunately, I was able to take half the sandwich home in a box and have it for another Going Local lunch the next day.

If you even remotely like Mediterranean food, you need to stop in to Le Kabob. The food is prepared daily and the lunch special is very fairly priced. The entrees are a little more expensive ($11.99 – $26.99), but I would imagine they’re every bit as tasty as the lunch.

Le Kabob is located at 3122 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512. Their phone number is 616-272-4135.

The ‘Imperial March’ storms through Grand Rapids

May 23, 20163-bottom, Entertainment, Recreation, ReviewsGrand Rapids Choir, Grand Rapids Symphony, John Williams, Katelyn Kohane, Star WarsJoanne

By: Katelyn Kohane

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a performance of music of the great John Williams by the Grand Rapids Symphony and the Grand Rapids Choir. As one of my favorite composers, it was magical to hear his work.

The performance centered around his great songs over the years from many different films. In between songs, the conductor mentioned some interesting facts about John Williams. Did you know that John Williams has received the Olympic Order? The Olympic Order is the highest award at the Olympics. Or another one, did you know that John Williams will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award this year and that it will be the first time a composer has won the award?

While the newfound knowledge about my favorite composer added to his legacy, it was the performance of his music that solidified why he’s my favorite.

The first act included “March” from Superman, “Anakin’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, “Theme from Schindler’s List”, and “Flight to Neverland” from Hook. Towards the end of “Anakin’s Theme”, Darth Vadar and the Stormtroopers came out and interrupted the show. The conductor followed suit and played the “Imperial March” at the request of the ruler of the galaxy.

Then came the first intermission.

After the break, the Grand Rapids Choir joined in on the fun and performed “Duel of the Fates” from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace – one of my favorites! I could just picture Obi-Want, Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul engaged in a life-or-death lightsaber battle on Naboo.

Following “Fuel of the Fates” came “Somewhere in My Memory” from Home Alone, “Dry Your Tears Afrika” from Amistad (one I did not know but loved it.), “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan, and the main theme from the Olympics, “Call of the Champions.”

After a second intermission, the performances kept on coming! “Harry’s Wondrous World” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, “Sayuri’s Theme” from Memoirs of a Geisha, Selections from Fiddler on the Roof, and for the first time since Star Wars: The Force Awakens hit theaters, “Rey’s Theme” and “March of the Resistance.”

While listening to all the works of music was special, I was personally hoping to hear Indiana Jones. However, the last song was played and I was left wanting more! Fortunately, the conductor came back out for an encore and satisfied my appetite with a playing of Indiana Jones.

It was an epic performance by the Grand Rapids Symphony and Grand Rapids Choir.

Katie works in the film industry as a camera operator and has worked on films like ‘All You Can Dream’, ‘Set Up’ and a TV show called ‘American Fallen Soldier.’ She loves helping WKTV with the Citizen Journalism team and working as a tech at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Katie loves working in the film industry and loves watching movies just as much!

On the Shelf: French Milk by Lucy Knisley

May 9, 20163-bottom, Entertainment, ReviewsBook reviews, French Milk, Grand Rapids Public Library, Lucy KnisleyJoanne

French Milk

By Lucy Knisley

In the throes of becoming an adult, Lucy has an idea: she and her mother shall move to Paris. For a month. For both of their birthdays. Through some planning and words lost in translation, the mother-daughter trio start their adventure.

Lucy gives the reader a look into what it would be like for an American to uproot their life for a month and travel to a foreign country. Visiting museums and visiting the Eiffel Tower are obvious places they visited, but buying gourmet cheeses and delicacies only found in Europe are also highlights. Filled with intricate drawings and photographs, Knisley creates a unique story that will make the reader want to move to a foreign country themselves.

– Karen Herringa, Grand Rapids Main Library

On the Shelf book reviews are provided by the Grand Rapids Public Library. For a list of locations, programs and other good reads, visit grpl.org.

On the Shelf: a few spring break offerings

April 7, 20163-bottom, Local Entertainment, ReviewsBook reviews, C.J. Box, Grand Rapids Public Library, Kristina Riggle, WinterkillJoanne

By Kayne Ferrier

Grand Rapids Yankee Clipper Branch

Blue Heaven is the latest action packed book from C.J. Box. It tells the story of several retired, corrupt cops from Los Angeles and how they almost successfully cover up two major felonies, including a murder. But several factors contribute to their undoing: two little kids, a retired good cop from L.A. and an honest older rancher. The story has a lot of verisimilitude and a great ending. I recommend this book.

Another of Box’s book, Winterkill is one of the game warden Joe Pickett books. Box’s books always start off with a bang (no pun intended) and you’re off and running. Corrupt bureaucracy and good hearted, honest people butt heads in this tale of tracking down a murderer and blaming it on the most convenient suspect. Joe works to catch the real murderer and makes some new friends and enemies along the way. It all comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Real Life and Liars, by Kristina Riggle, is truly a book for adults, the older ones of us, that is. It takes place in Charlevoix, Michigan, over one weekend. Mira’s children are all in town to help her celebrate her 35th wedding anniversary. However, she has learned that she has breast cancer and Mira uses this time to review what her life has meant and what will come of it in the future. Philosophical questions that begin to nag at us as we enter middle age are the meat of this novel.

Batman v Superman: From Hall H to the big screen

April 6, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Movie Review, ReviewsBatman, Batman v Superman, Comic-Con, Hall H, Katelyn Kohane, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Review, Superman, Wonder WomanJoanne

By: Katelyn Kohane

“The greatest gladiator match in the history of the world. God vs Man. Day versus night! Son of Krypton versus Bat of Gotham!”

First two rows: Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill. Bottom left: Gal Gadot, bottom center: Jesse Eisenberg, and bottom right: Amy Adams.

Last year, I was lucky enough to get into Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con for a first look at Batman v Superman. The preview was amazing and the whole cast was there! I had the privilege to see Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot and Zach Snyder.

Let’s take a quick glance back at some of the actors and actresses who have portrayed some of these great characters: Batman, Superman, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane and Wonder Woman.

Lois Lane has been portrayed by Noel Neill, Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, Erica Durance, and now Amy Adams.

Lex Luthor has been portrayed by Kevin Spacey, Gene Hackman, Lyle Talbot, Michael Rosenbaum (who is my favorite Lex Luthor uptil now.) and now Jesse Eisenberg.

Wonder Woman has been portrayed by Lynda Carter and now Gal Gladot (she is awesome. Loved her in Fast and the Furious).

Superman has been portrayed by Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Tom Welling (my favorite Superman), Brandon Routh and now Henry Cavill.

Last but not least, of course, is Batman who has been portrayed by Adam West, George Clooney, Val Kilmer (one of my favorite actors), Christian Bale (my favorite Batman) and now Ben Affleck.

It certainly was humbling being in Hall H to see the new characters in person. Many people, including myself, were worried about Ben Affleck playing Batman. However, that worry is no longer there. I think he has proved that he can tackle the role.

I personally enjoyed this take on Batman v Superman, and while I loved parts of the cast, there is certainly room for improvement. Superman is overshadowed by Batman, and I am team Batman all the way. This Batman is a little darker than normal with Batman utilizing more guns. Hey, desperate times call for darker measures.

Within the first two days of release, I had already made it to the theater twice to soak in all the action. In fact, I liked it so much that I even bought the sound track composed by Hans Zimmer.

As the movie opens you see separate sides of both Batman and Superman. We catch up with Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent and Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) at a party hosted by Lex Luthor. Bruce Wayne comes to investigate Lex Luthor and Diana Prince is at the party to see if she can get a picture back from Lex that he stole from her. Diana ends up stealing the hard drive from Bruce, but since she can’t unlock it, she ends up giving it back to Bruce.

Bruce becomes more of a detective and unlocks the hard drive to find a picture of Diana. He also notices that Lex has found others like her including the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg.

Superman gets into some trouble and the Senate holds a hearing. Lex blows up the hearing and starts even more trouble. Lex kidnaps Lois Lane and Martha Kent. Superman saves Lois Lane but Martha is still held by Lex. Lex threatens Superman that he has to fight Batman in order to save Martha. Superman and Lois attempt to convince Batman to save Martha. Batman obliges. Then Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman fight Doomsday. Two are victorious, while one scarifies himself to save the day.

(And breath!)

I condensed the movie down considerably, but you get the gist. If you haven’t seen it yet, the epic fight is worth the price of admission.

The first night I saw the film I went with a group of friends. I have to admit the first time was better than the second because you didn’t know what to expect. On second viewing, this time with a few friends from the West Michigan Film and Video Alliance, I noticed that the dream sequences were a little long and so was the fight with Doomsday. Overall, I’d give it an A-.

Don’t forget that Captain America: Civic War is coming to theaters of May 6. Suicide Squad will premier on August 5. The superhero movies never stop coming.

“It may be the Gotham city and me… we just have a bad history with freaks dressed like clowns.”

Spring into these book selections from locally owned Schuler Books & Music

April 6, 20163-bottom, ReviewsBook reviews, Lovecraft, Matt Ruff, Schuler Books, Wade RouseJoanne

The staff of Schuler Books & Music offer a few book selections that are certain to add some color and fun to your spring.

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Reviewed by Jim Tremlett, Schuler Books, Lansing

It’s the 1950s in America, and horror is everywhere — especially if you’re Black. But there are mystical threats afoot, too: the kind that pit family against family in a race for the hidden truths of existence. Winners take all, losers serve forever.

When Atticus Turner’s unpleasant father goes missing, he and his family must trek to a mysterious, New England town to find him. What they encounter there sets the entire Turner family down a weird path, indeed. For the magical clan that awaits there once owned their ancestor, and still has macabre plans for “their” family.

But these are the Turners, and this is Jim Crow America. They’ve handled worse threats in their everyday lives than sorcerers’ schemes and otherworldly beings. These modern-day magicians are in big trouble — they just don’t know it yet…

Spooky, heartfelt, and subtly sinister, Lovecraft Country deftly accomplishes Ruff’s primary mission of turning sci-fi tropes on their head. Some of the book’s vignettes are better than others, but they all succeed in maintaining a pulp noir feel — echoing H. P. Lovecraft’s brand of cosmic horror without stealing from him outright.

More importantly, it brings the real horrors of relatively-recent American history home to a generation that might otherwise believe recent attempts to whitewash that era. Given Lovecraft’s own considerable racism, and recent controversies concerning his place in the horror canon, this is a victory all in itself.

The Charm Bracelet by Viola Shipman

Reviewed by Aubrey Dolinski, Schuler Books, Lansing

The Charm Bracelet by Viola Shipman – the pen name of popular Michigan memoirist Wade Rouse, in honor of his grandmother — was inspired by the author’s grandmother and her charm bracelet. The novel’s grandmother is sassy, one-of-a-kind Lolly, whose daughter and granddaughter come for an unexpected stay at her cabin in a small northern Michigan resort town. They are all at turning points in their lives and find inspiration in the stories behind the charms on Lolly’s bracelet. They gain a new appreciation for each other and the simple things in life. With its vivid depictions of Lake Michigan, this is the perfect book for a weekend getaway and also great for Mother’s Day.

Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss

Reviewed by Pierre Camy, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids

It will be very difficult to find a book this year as vividly descriptive and deeply moving as Tuesday Nights in 1980. A successful art critic whose talent is due to a singular disability, a painter who selflessly left his sister in Argentina, and a young woman from Idaho eager to prove herself, meet, fall in love and clash in 1980 New York. Their worlds collide in an explosion of colors, smells, lies and betrayals. Molly Prentiss offers a breathtaking portrait of a city and of the freedom its artists enjoyed compared to the events that were unfolding in Argentina and all the people who were disappearing at that time. This is a superb novel that I will not soon forget.

Thirst by Benjamin Warner

Reviewed by Pierre Camy, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids

At the risk of sounding silly, reading Thirst is going to make you very thirsty. This is a compliment to author Benjamin Warner’s descriptive talents. Imagine a time in the near future when all means of communication, electricity and especially water are no longer available. How long will you survive and how long before the world erupts into total chaos? Although this is speculative fiction, the lack of water is a highly relevant topic — as exemplified in last year’s excellent novels The Water Knives by Paolo Bacigalupi and Gold, Fame, Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins — and this novel is as scary as scary can be.

Run by Kody Keplinger

Reviewed by Holly Frakes, Schuler Books, Okemos

Agnes and Bo are the most unlikely friends. Agnes is partially blind and lives with loving, yet overprotective parents. Bo is a wild child whose parents are either absentee or outside the law.

But these two girls form a strong friendship, filling in the gaps for each other in their respective lives. Bo brings adventure and freedom to Agnes, and Agnes gives Bo a sense of belonging and trust. Set in a small town where both girls dream of nothing but escaping, they will test their loyalty to the limits.

This beautiful teen novel explores the depths of female relationships, and celebrates that special bond you have with that one person who gives you unquestionable acceptance. I highly recommend it.

On the Shelf: A selection of gardening guides just for Michigan

April 4, 20163-bottom, Food, How-To's, Local Entertainment, Reviewsgardener's guide, gardening, Michigan, perennialsJoanne

By Laura Nawrot

Grand Rapids Main Library

The growing season can start just about anytime in Michigan, so if you haven’t planted yet, it’s probably not too late. There are plenty of bargain plants and pots galore at the usual places, and several books are available to help you get growing.

If you have a small space on a patio or deck, just want to plant a few tomatoes or start a salad garden, McGee & Stuckey’s Bountiful Container by Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey will walk you through all the steps to an abundant container garden in no time.

If you have a larger area and want to make the most of your plantings, Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte is the book for you. Louise tells you what to plant where to make the most of beneficial relationships between plants. As the title suggests, carrots love tomatoes and grow very well when planted beside each other. This book also includes which plants naturally repel pests to help keep your garden chemical free. Find out more about which plants get along and which ones don’t in this easy to read selection.

Not sure what you should be doing in the garden in Michigan? Not to worry. There are several books available that focus just on growing in this area. Month-by-Month Gardening in Michigan by James A. Fizzle is packed with beautiful photos and illustrations, offering specific advice for every month of the year designed to make your gardening successful year round.

Michigan Gardener’s Guide by Marty Hair, Laura Coit, and Tim Boland is written by popular gardening experts who offer easy to use advice on how to grow and care for specific varieties of Michigan’s best plants. This book is divided into sections for each of the different types of plants; annuals, perennials, trees, etc. complete with full color illustrations. Best of all, chapter two tells you how to use the book without insulting your intelligence.

Perennials for Michigan by Nancy Szerlag & Alison Beck garners rave reviews from customers on Amazon.com who insist the authors definitely know what they are talking about. This book is very well organized and easy to use, contains beautiful photos and practical advice on which plants to select for your gardening interests and growing zone; low maintenance, fine-textured, color variations and native plants. Included in this selection is a quick reference guide to the plants plus a chapter on recommended gardens to visit in Michigan. For color that returns year after year, this is the guide to choose.

On the Shelf book reviews are provided by Grand Rapids Public Library. For more suggestions, activities and programs, click here.

On the shelf: Book review of “Empty Mansions”

April 1, 20163-bottom, Entertainment, ReviewsBill Dedman, Book reviews, Empty Mansions, Grand Rapids Main Library, Huguette ClarkJoanne

Empty Mansions:

The Mysterious Life of Hugette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune

by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr.

Review by Mary Knudstrup

Grand Rapids Main Library

The rich really are different and nothing proves it as much as Empty Mansions, the story of Huguette Clark, heir to the riches of her millionaire father, W.A. Clark , a savvy and ambitious businessman and politician, who made his money in copper mines and founded a town that later became Las Vegas.

Authored by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell Jr., a cousin to Huguette, Empty Mansions tells the story of a woman so wealthy she owned paintings by Renoir and Degas, Stradivarius violins, and several remarkable homes, including an estate in Santa Barbara, California, and three apartments totaling more than 40 rooms at a posh Fifth Avenue address.

Despite her vast wealth, however, she chose to spend a large part of her life as a recluse, collecting dolls and abandoning her many opulent homes to live in a small and rather spartan hospital room even though she was not ill. A complex and mysterious individual, she was extraordinarily generous to people she hardly knew but avoided most of her family.

Upon her death her secluded life was thrust into the public venue as a legal battle over her $300 million dollar ensued. Meticulously researched and filled with illustrations of her homes and possessions, Empty Mansions is an intimate look at an eccentric life.

On the shelf: A book review of Dan Harris’s “10% Happier”

March 28, 20163-bottom, Entertainment, Reviews10% Happier, ABC News, Book reviews, Dan Harris, Grand Rapids Public Library, NightlineJoanne

Anchor Dan Harris and his new book. — ABC News “Nightline” Dan Harris and his new book.

10% Happier:

How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story

by Dan Harris

Review by Karen Thoms

Grand Rapids Main Library

“I just want you to be happy.”

Parents say this to their children because they know how quickly day-to-day stresses can sap life of happiness. If declining happiness is a fact of most lives, maybe becoming 10% happier is a worthy goal.

Harris is a climb-the-ladder faster kind of guy. He made a rapid ascent at ABC News, but not without occasional kicks from his mentor, Peter Jennings. According to Harris, “Working for Peter was like sticking your head in a lion’s mouth: thrilling, but not particularly safe.”

Harris’ rise had a lot to do with his upbringing. Son of an oncologist father and pathologist mother, he absorbs his father’s “wisdom” from an early age: “The price of security is insecurity.”

He acts on it brilliantly in his career by over-thinking and volunteering to cover stories putting him in harm’s way–anything to gain more air time.

By the time he’s in his early thirties, Harris is covering breaking news stories from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the West Bank.

However, the light from his rising star is almost extinguished in 2004 when he has an on-air meltdown, fueled by years of drug abuse. Harris tells millions that cholesterol-lowering drugs have “cancer production” effects. Before the cameraman has time to cut away, Harris has implied to millions that cholesterol-lowering drugs cause cancer! Not long after this on-air blunder, Jennings gives him a new beat to cover. Religion. His rise, his fall, and his new assignment all happen in the first chapter of the book.

The remainder of the book alternates between Harris’s visits to his psychiatrist to try to get his mental health stabilized and the evolution of his religion stories for ABC News.

At the beginning of this religion beat he covers only sensational stories that make Christians look like lunatics. He might have kept filing stories filled with caricatures had he not met mega-church evangelical pastor, Ted Haggard.

His developing friendship with Haggard causes him to lower his defenses and piques interest in his own spiritual life. He chooses the kinds of stories he will pitch to his superiors based on his growing spiritual interests. His personal reading begins to inform whom he will interview, and he frequently chooses advocates of a more Eastern approach to religion. In time, he starts his own mindfulness and meditation practices, including going to weekend retreats.

As these experiences begin to shape a less driven, less anxious life, Harris finds himself wanting to share what he is learning with others. He is dismayed to find that people aren’t interested and sometimes even chide him. Late in the book he accidentally stumbles upon a winsome way to open discussions with others.

10% Happier is not a how-to book. It is a chronicle of the highest and lowest points to date in the life of Dan Harris. He believes that if he was able to tame the voice in his head and reduce stress while not losing his edge, you can, too. You can be 10% happier.

On the Shelf book reviews are provided by the Grand Rapids Public Library. For a list of locations, programs and other good reads, visit grpl.org.

“And The Oscar Goes To…”

March 3, 2016Citizen Journalism, Reviews88th academy awards, Academy awards, Chris Rock, Katelyn Kohane, Leonardo Di Caprio, OscarsJoanne

By: Katelyn Kohane

“Quellek, by Grabthar’s hammer, by the Suns of Worvan, you shall be avenged.” – Alan Rickman in Galaxy Quest.

The Academy hosted the 88th award ceremony at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles this past Sunday. Before we dive into this year’s ceremony, let’s go back to the first ever presentation.

The very first year the Awards were held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel right across the street from the Award’s present location. That first night, a ticket to the Awards cost $5 a piece, had only 270 people in attendance, and ended its ceremony in only 15 minutes.

Today, tickets are acquired by the movie studios and can cost up to $750, the Dolby Theater seats 3,400 people, and the ceremony lasts a whopping three hours. The Academy Awards has become a huge event not only in America, but around the world. The Oscar itself stands 13.5 inches tall and weighs 8.5 pounds.

I love watching the Academy Awards, but host Chris Rock was a little too outspoken about the lack of nominations for black actors and actresses. We all knew the commentary was coming, but it was mentioned too many times throughout the ceremony and felt like the beating of a dead horse.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do love Chris Rock as an actor and a comedian. I loved him in the movie Grown Ups.

The attendance of the Girls Scouts came across as odd to me. It’s nice that many of the celebrities supported the Girl Scouts, but strange that they were at this caliber of an event. It had the same out-of-place feeling as the selfies and pizza from last year. Personally, I feel they should bring The Academy Awards back to its original grace with a more dignified evening.

The Awards had a few great performances from the category of Best Original Song. Sam Smith preformed his piece “Writing’s on the Wall” from James Bond Spectre. The Weeknd performed second and Lady Gaga put a final cap on the performances from Best Original Song.

Every year, the In Memorium segment is a nice touch on the evening. Many great people were lost in the past year including Christopher Lee, Alan Rickman, Gene Alan, and Leonard Nimoy.

While some presenters can leave you wanting more, I loved the inclusion of R2-D2. C-3PO, and BB-8 from Star Wars. The Minions, Buzz and Woody, Kevin Hart, and Whoopi Goldberg made for a good show as well. One I personally found funny was the presentation from Margot Robbie and Jared Leto because of their upcoming roles as Harley Quinn and the Joker in Suicide Squad.

It’s impossible to talk about the awards without congratulating Leonardo DiCaprio on finally getting his Oscar! Personally, I thought he should have had one long ago because of all of his great films. I had thought he would have received one last year either for The Great Gatsby or the Wolf of Wall Street, but he finally got one this year for The Revenant.

Upon receiving his award he was very proud, and I thought his speech was exceptional. He made mention to climate change, which was encouraging to hear him speak about because he has been working to support that cause.

Another year has come and gone for the Academy Awards. I can’t wait to see what this new year has in store for in regards to films, performances, and preparations for the 89th Academy Awards.

In Honor of Leonard Nimoy; “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life forms and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.”

Congratulations to all the Oscar winners!

In case you missed it, the full list of categories and winners of the 88th Academy Awards are as follows:

Best Picture: Spotlight
Actor in a Leading Role: Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant
Actress in a Leading Role: Brie for Room
Actor in a Supporting Role: Mark Rylance for Bridge of Spies
Actress in a Supporting Role: Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl
Animated Feature Film: Inside Out
Cinematography: The Revenant
Costume Design: Mad Max: Fury Road
Directing: The Revenant
Documentary (Feature): Amy
Documentary (Short Film): A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
Film Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road
Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul
Makeup and Hairstyling: Mad Max: Fury Road
Music (Original Score): The Hateful Eight
Music (Original Song): “Writing’s On The Wall” from Spectre
Production Design: Mad Max: Fury Road
Short Film (Animated): Bear Story
Short Film (live Action): Stutterer
Sound Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road
Sound Mixing: Mad Max: Fury Road
Visual Effects: Ex Machina
Writing (Adapted Screenplay): The Big Short
Writing (Original Screenplay): Spotlight

This nun is fun: Sister Act premiers at the Civic Theater

February 29, 2016Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Reviews, Upcoming EventsCivic Theater, Grand Rapids Civic Theater, Julianne Howe-Bouwens, Sister Act, Susanne AlbaitisJoanne

Civic Theater has done it again. They have assembled amazing Grand Rapid’s talent, chosen the perfect actors, created a fabulous set, and put it all together with incredible music for Sister Act.

Julianne Howe-Bouwens has established herself as a powerhouse of talent and continues to amaze, this time in the lead role as Deloris Van Cartier. With comedic timing and that voice (that voice!) she leads the cast through this very entertaining rendition.

Deloris Van Cartier witnesses murder and is sent into hiding in a convent. No one would think to look for this outgoing, sequin-wearing showgirl under the same roof as nuns. Deloris’s zest for performing soon takes hold of the nuns, and before they know it, they are packing the pews of the nearly closed church. It seems that the church has caught “Sunday Morning Fever”.

Deloris stays with the sisters until it is safe for her to leave. Once free, she returns to the convent for one last performance, realizing that she needs the nuns’ friendship as much as they need her voice. They are sisters.

Julianne Howe-Bouwens shines in Sister Act (Courtesy of GRCT.org)

Civic Theater was awarded the right to perform Sister Act along with playing Alan Menken’s original music from the Broadway show. The singing and choreography are perfectly matched with the music’s disco beat. Deloris and her back-up singers perform “Fabulous, Baby” in the beginning of the play. The song is then reprised later in the show with Deloris and the nuns. The music, directed by Wright McCarger, weaves in and out of the story line seamlessly.

Sister Act is directed by Allyson Paris who is the Associate Director of Grand Rapids Civic Theater. She also recently directed the travelling troupe production of The Hundred Dresses. You may remember her as the mean nanny from Mary Poppins.

Much of the glitz and glamour of the show is emphasized by the ensemble dance numbers. Choreographer, Torrey Thomas worked with the groups nightly to perfect the routines. Whether in sequins or pajamas, the nuns put on quite a show.

If you like to laugh, enjoy great music, and are amazed by talented singers, then make sure to catch Sister Act at the Civic. The show runs through March 20 with ticket available online at GRCT.org.

Taking Flight: Gerald R. Ford International Airport Sets New Passenger Record

January 25, 2016Local Business, Reviews, TravelGerald R. Ford International Airport, passenger numbers, Plane flights, Record Setting NumbersJoanne

The Gerald R. Ford International (GFIA) Airport continued to reach new heights by setting a new all-time passenger record for 2015, surpassing the previous record in 2014 by more than 215,000 passengers.

In 2015, 2,550,193 passengers flew in and out of GFIA, an increase of 9.2% from the previous record of 2,335,105 passengers set in 2014.

Not only did GFIA shatter the end of the year numbers, but it saw steady increase throughout the year with each month in 2015 seeing a substantial increase in passengers. In July 2015, 234,282 total passengers passed through GFIA, the best month in Airport history. November 2015 was also a historic month as GFIA saw 205,088 passengers enplaned and deplaned – a 14.16% increase, and the first year that the Airport served more than 200,000 passengers in November.

Over the past three years, the Airport has recorded its strongest growth in its 52-year history, serving over 7.1 million passengers over the three-year time period.

“The past few years have been tremendous for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, and we could not be more thrilled by the support received from our area business and leisure travelers who are choosing to fly to and from the Ford Airport,” said GFIA Executive Director Brian Ryks.

“The strong growth is also drawing the attention of our airline partners as we work with them to add seats and flights to both existing and new destinations, and also further justifies the need for our Gateway Transformation Project to accommodate the increasing passenger demand.”

Construction on the Gateway Transformation Project began in December 2015 and is slated to continue through summer 2017. The project’s main feature is the consolidated passenger security checkpoint which will centralize and combine security screening to one main checkpoint in the Airport, eliminating separate screening for passengers traveling through either Concourse A or B. Construction also includes new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, restroom & lactation stations, family restrooms, pre and post security business centers, new retail and food & beverage space, and much more.

“As we continue to grow in traffic it is important that our facilities keep up with our passenger demand,” said Ryks. “Our investment in this project represents our commitment to improve amenities, infrastructure, technology, and customer service from our growing passenger base.”

Barefoot’s Small Cast Gives a Large Performance

January 21, 2016Local Faces, Non-Profits, Reviews, Upcoming EventsBarefoot in the Park, Civic Theater, David Hatter, Grand Rapids Civic Theater, Lexee Longwell, Susanne AlbaitisJoanne

Barefoot in the Park’s small cast gives a large performance in Civic Theater’s rendition of Neil Simon’s 1963 hit. As a Civic regular I have grown accustomed to the big ensembles, choruses, and multi-set-change performances. With this cast you grow to know and love the six performers throughout Barefoot’s two act play.

The story follows newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter as they begin their life together in a small and drafty, but charming, New York apartment. Corie, played by Civic newcomer Lexee Longwell, sees only the good in everything. No furniture? No problem, it will arrive soon. No heat? No problem, the super will fix it when he has time. Her zest for life puts a positive spin on the five flight climb, snowing skylight and unsavory neighbors.

Corie’s new husband Paul, played by David Hatter, has a differing view on their new surroundings. While Corie lives each moment to the fullest Paul would rather focus on his budding law career.

Life for the Bratters gets a little more complicated when they go on a double date. Corie fixes her prim and proper mother (Nancy Wagner) up with the worldly neighbor Victor Valasco (Don Vanden Heuvel). Victor introduces the group to a number of delicacies including brown salad and Ouzo. And when her mother goes missing, Corie takes the situation more seriously than previous events. Conversely, Paul surprises Corie by coming home drunk and barefoot, shedding his stuffed shirt image, for that day anyway.

It was refreshing to watch Corie and Paul figure out that compromise and listening to your partner will strengthen a relationship. Their differences provide a balance that will make their love last.

Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park ran on Broadway from 1963 – 1967. It was Simon’s longest running play. Come enjoy Civic Theater’s performance from January 15 through January 31. Please visit the GRCT website for all of the details.

UICA’s ‘Coming Home’ Showcases Works by Emerging and Established Michigan Artists

January 13, 2016Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming EventsComing Home Exhibitions, UICAJoanne

By UICA

Spice up your winter with a trip or three to the UICA and check out Coming Home, a series of exhibitions featuring works by emerging and established Michigan artists. Following SENSE and the international spotlight of ArtPrize, Coming Home returns the viewer’s focus inward, celebrating Michigan’s role as a platform for inspiration, exploration, and creative development by highlighting a diverse group of working artists.

Coinciding with the calendar year’s passing of the seasons, and the broader homecoming of travelers, Coming Home celebrates both departures and reunions. Coming Home features work by artists who are from Michigan, are currently based in Michigan, or have spent a considerable amount of time in Michigan during the course of their careers. Here are the current and upcoming works:

Through 6 pm, Sun, Jan 17, 2016: Sandra Wilcoxon

Wilcoxon’s Embellished Bones explore the themes of memento-mori and macabre while honoring the spirit of the animals used in her work. Sandra Wilcoxon served as the first Executive Director at UICA.

Through 6 pm, Sun, Jan 17, 2016: Jacob Wiseheart

Jacob Wiseheart is a Michigan based artist who currently resides in Grand Rapids. Wiseheart’s paintings vary between landscapes, figurative process, as well as conceptual abstraction.

Through 6 pm, Sun, Feb 7, 2016: Living with Myself by Lisa Walcott

Walcott says, “Living with Myself is spirited, thin as air, and uncanny—ready to haunt or strike fancy. Vignettes that are inviting and safe as well as lazy and bored portray the allures and the threats of domesticity. Moods, fears, mystery, sensations, monotony, accumulation and change are given bodies in objects and movement. There is a sense of balance that is on the verge of being lost as joints are precarious and elements within the pieces are codependent—everything has a place for now. Eventually the absurd attempt to manifest shapeless experience or formless sensations will fail, but something energetic and visual remains.”

Through 6 pm, Sun, Feb 28, 2016: Matt Schenk

Matt Schenk is the recipient of UICA’s annual solo show awarded to an artist from the Festival of the Arts Regional Arts exhibition competition. Schenk is an accomplished artist who has illustrated coloring books and album covers and worked on productions for Sony Pictures including the animated version of Jackie Chan Adventures, Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights, Men in Black, and Jumanji. Schenk is currently an Assistant Professor of Illustration and Medical Illustration at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.

Through 6 pm, Sun, Feb 28, 2016: Jerry Gretzinger

Jerry Gretzinger is a Michigan artist whose works embody themes of mapping and making real the imagined. Gretzinger uses a variety of mediums to complete his works including acrylic marker, colored pencil, ink, and collage. Gretzinger’s work is dictated by the interplay between an elaborate set of rules and randomly generated instructions.

From 12 pm, Fri, Jan 29, through 6 pm, Mar 20, 2016: Lydia Boda, UICA Fresh Pick

Lydia Boda, a 2015 BFA graduate from the KCAD Functional Sculpture department, won the inaugural UICA Fresh Pick award. Boda’s work is rooted in memory and ritual. Her meditative practice, itself a ritual, is paired with a deliberately complex and rigorous systematic process. This process includes a strict set of rules for every material she uses: paper, clay, wood, metal, and found objects. The resulting works are both a record of balance between practice and process, and a collection of meticulous, ethereal sculptures and installations.

The UICA Fresh Pick is a distinction awarded annually to one student in the graduating class at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, and recognizes an emerging artist of exceptional promise. The recipient of the Fresh Pick award receives a solo exhibition at UICA within the following calendar year, and is designated during the annual student exhibition at KCAD with a seal of achievement.

From 12 pm, Fri, Jan 29, through 6 pm, Sun, Mar 13: Sticks & Squares

Visually we can break up grids and deconstruct their forms. The organic way in which our eyes create movement within the woven elements is shown through the repositioning of these pieces. Hand drawn lines create visual weight as well as guide us through a piece. Sticks & Squares is an exhibition of these principles. Featuring works by: Monica Lloyd, Mandy Cano Villalobos, Christine Mauersberg and Ann Cole.

From 12 pm, Fri, Jan 29, through 6 pm, Sun, Mar 20: The Third Age of Bashan by Eric German

Eric German creates drawings, 3D prints, installations, and other works filled with rainbow-colored creatures, shapes, and forms. German’s “tiny worlds,” and the characters that inhabit them, function as stage and props within pieces that are both technological and whimsical.

From 12 pm, Fri, Jan 29, through 6 pm, Sun, Mar 27: U080715-315 by Aj Cooke

Aj Cooke earned her Master of Fine Arts from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, and has exhibited locally and nationally. Cooke’s work concentrates on the basic connections of biology, and specifically focuses on the cognitive function of perception. Cooke explores the construction of a postmodern sense of variance, unity, and order from chaos.

For more info, go here.

UICA Members Free
Non-Members $5

2 Fulton West
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616.454.7000

Socks That Really Sock It To You (In a Very Good Way)

December 17, 2015Beer, Local Business, ReviewsBeer, big cheese, boldly go, boldsocks, lots of socks, mr. mean, sock it to meJoanne

By Victoria Mullen

Sure you’ve had it up to “there” with clever wordplay, but sometimes it can’t be helped. It’s been a really rough morning, and from time to time, cliches have a calming effect. Such is the case today.

Aside from that, did you know there’s a hot, new shop on South Division? It’s called boldSOCKS, and that’s not false advertising. If you’re a man, you’ll be in sock heaven. They have women’s socks, too, but the selection isn’t nearly as large or as bold as the men’s. I have already brought this to the establishment’s attention, and they have assured me that they will get right on it.

The creators of this long-overdue niche store say that the idea was sparked by some good-natured competition between the founders about who wore the coolest socks. It didn’t take long before they came to an impasse because there just weren’t any retailers with the cojones to carry a bold line of socks. The rest is a basement-to-Internet to brick-and-mortar story that warms the cockles of any heart. Other local companies also had humble beginnings in a founder’s basement and they grew to be incredibly profitable, so this thing could be HUGE.

Out of the original competition came the realization that men in conservative work environments need a way to express themselves. I mean, if you have to wear a monkey suit day after day after boring day, I guess you could express individuality with a tie, but even that might be too risky in ultra-conservative places like banks and such. Socks? That’s a whole ‘nother story.

Bold socks enable men in any field of employment and at any income level to rock just about any pattern, any color they like. Yessiree, a man can now control how much personality he feels is appropriate to reveal to the Big Cheese. Cross legs for just a peep of personality. For those particularly awful bosses, one need only refrain from crossing legs, and Mr. Mean is none the wiser.

As an aside, how can anyone live that way? I’m not judging; I honestly wanted to know. After pondering the dilemma for some time, it became clear to me that these socks are saving the world, one man at a time. By allowing some freedom of expression, these socks prevent men from going off the deep end. On a collective level, this is a huge feat. These socks deserve recognition for their contribution to the well-being of all of humanity.

On a more local level, men just want to have fun. Trends include mustache socks, airplane socks, penguin socks, and video game controller socks. If you’re not up to speed on the style of the moment, don’t despair; there’s a blog on the website that dishes on the color of the month, pairing ideas, trending patterns and more. Even the geekiest guy can rock a cool style and people will have absolutely no clue that he’s clueless.

The brick-and-mortar shop at 17 S. Division (near Fulton) has 600 square feet designed to mock an art gallery. Maybe “mock” isn’t the right word. How about “mimic?” No. That doesn’t feel right either. Resemble? Stop in the shop and let us know what you think.

So, guys, if you feel like letting some of your personality quirks peep out in a way that is socially acceptable, check out this shop. There are more than 200 styles and colors from which to choose.

Makes a great gift, by the way.

Still waiting on women’s socks.

Yep.

Waiting…

Traverse City Companies Design & Publish Commemorative Book Highlighting the Super Bowl’s 50 Historic Years

November 29, 2015Citizen Journalism, Reviews, Upcoming EventsDianna Higgs Stampfler, Promote Michigan, Super Bowl 50, Traverse City BooksJoanne

“As a player, it says everything about you if you made the Hall of Fame.
But, then again, boy… there’s something about winning a Super Bowl.” – Terry Bradshaw

By: Dianna Higgs-Stampfler

The Super Bowl will reach a milestone on February 7, 2016 with the observance of its 50th “Golden Jubilee” game to be held at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California—home of the San Francisco 49ers. In celebration of this milestone, Traverse City-based JKR Ventures has released a commemorative book focused on the long-standing history of “The World’s Greatest Entertainment Event.”

Super Bowl 50: Celebrating Fifty Years of America’s Greatest Game is written by acclaimed sportswriter Bethany Bradsher, with a foreword written by Super Bowl Champion and retired San Francisco 49er Dwight Clark. With 344 action-packed full-color pages, including more than 650 photographs, the book is bound to score with football fans around the world. This must-have book unveils the whole Super Bowl experience, one that most fans could never access.

Jerry Jenkins, founder and CEO of the publishing services firm Jenkins Group, and colleagues Brett Karis and Ron Harris, are investment partners for the book, under the JKR Ventures brand. They in turn partnered with Greenlight Marketing in Traverse City to create the book layout and design.

“I’ve seen a fair number of Super Bowl books over the years, and most of them were written for the football enthusiast,” shares Jenkins. “Not many images, too many statistics, and somewhat bland design and content. We wanted to create a book that not only covers the games, but also captures the cultural celebration that the Super Bowl has become.”

Through never before released anecdotes, photos and facts, Super Bowl 50: Celebrating Fifty Years of America’s Greatest Game brings readers behind the curtain to experience this spectacle in an unprecedented manner. It highlights the games, players and coaches, as well as the diverse activities and fun beyond the gridiron.

Story headlines like “The Clydesdales,” “Super Bowl Party Food,” “Media Frenzy” and “The Evolution of Halftime” illustrate how this book showcases elements of the Super Bowl to which even non-sports fans gravitate. Every page in Super Bowl 50 is guaranteed to bring back a Super Bowl memory (heartwarming or heartbreaking).

“What I first envisioned was a book not just for a sports nut, but for every person who watches the Super Bowl for the halftime shows, commercials, and the ceremony of it all,” says Jenkins.

With over 500 images, “Fun Facts,” a multi-page timeline of all 50 halftime acts, and even a salute to the beloved Detroit Lions (a no-show at the Super Bowl, if you’ve been keeping track), the book content will stand out against any other of its kind on bookshelves.

“We typically collaborate with clients who need marketing assistance – advertising, websites, branding, and the like,” says Kevin Gillespie, owner and creative director of Greenlight Marketing in Traverse City. “But this was a once-in-a-lifetime project, and our entire team of designers and project managers were on board.”

The Super Bowl is much more than just a game, and Super Bowl 50: Celebrating Fifty Years of America’s Greatest Game covers them all:

The Games
◦ Super Bowl I (actually called “The AFL-NFL World Championship”)
◦ Last season’s breathtaking game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots

The Players
◦ The stars (Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers)
◦ The ones who never made it to a Super Bowl (Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions)

The Coaches
◦ Vince Lombardi (Green Bay Packers)
◦ Bill Parcells (New York Giants)

The Halftime Show
◦ Michael Jackson
◦ Janet Jackson’s “Wardrobe malfunction”

The Commercials
◦ Apple’s debut in 1984
◦ Mean Joe Greene for Coca Cola: “Hey, kid, catch!”

The “oddities”
◦ The Chicago Bears’ “Super Bowl Shuffle”
◦ The “Blackout” game at the Super Dome

The Audience
◦ The international appeal, making the Super Bowl the #1 sporting event in the world
◦ Super Bowl Parties

Author Bradsher comprehensively narrates details about the Super Bowl and all the festivities and pomp around it, offering all fans unparalleled access. In Super Bowl 50: Celebrating Fifty Years of America’s Greatest Game, she’s analyzed the unforgettable plays, players and coaches; even researching how much beer, chips and dips are consumed (and what the consensus is for “Favorite Super Bowl Snack.”)

Two editions of Super Bowl 50: Celebrating Fifty Years of America’s Greatest Game are available: a commemorative hardcover edition, with football grain textured cover material, gold foil, and laces embossed on the spine ($49.95), and a softcover edition ($29.95). Both editions are timeless keepsakes, and were released in September to coincide with the kickoff of the 2015 NFL season. They are available in bookstores nationwide and at www.SuperBowl50Book.com.

This article was republished with permission from Dianna at Promote Michigan. We do our best to help with the promotion of the great State of Michigan!