The City of Kentwood announced July 1 that beginning Tuesday, July 7, Breton Avenue will be closed for at least two days between 29th and 32nd streets while CSX Railroad repairs a railroad crossing.
Drivers are asked to plan ahead as the work will require a full closure with a posted detour from 29th Street to Shaffer Avenue to 32nd Street and back, according to the city’s statement.
Due to the deterioration of the crossing, CSX will be replacing the entire concrete crossing, ties and repaving the asphalt at that intersection.
The work is expected to be completed within two days with the road reopening on the evening of Thursday, July 9, but a third day of work may be necessary for unforeseen circumstances, according to the city.
The City of Kentwood on Monday, June 1, released a tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer, including a map of varied levels of work and possible impact on commuters. (See map at end of story.)
The City Commission has approved a resurfacing and maintenance program which includes improvements to 40 miles of major and local roads, at a cost of $695,982.
The projects are funded through the Michigan Transportation Fund, which is supported by taxes on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel as well as fees collected by the Secretary of State for vehicle registrations.
“We appreciate the patience of residents and businesses as we work to maintain and improve this important infrastructure, which is critical for a safe and functioning community,” Brad Boomstra, Kentwood city engineer, said in supplied material. “While we understand the short-term inconvenience of road construction can be frustrating, quality roads offer many benefits in the long run. Crews will work as quickly as possible to minimize impacts on commuters.”
Pavement management decisions are made in accordance with industry principles based on hard data, such as the PASER ratings obtained each year. According to the statement from the city, Kentwood maintains one of the highest-rated major street networks in Kent County according to data compiled by the Grand Valley Metro Council.
Major streets scheduled for maintenance include: East Paris Avenue from 52nd Street to 60th Street, 52nd Street from Division Avenue to Kellogg Woods Drive, and 29th Street from west City limits near Breton Avenue to 28th Street.
Street resurfacing and maintenance projects currently underway include: 44th Street from Breton Avenue to Shaffer Avenue, reconstruction of Roger B. Chaffee Memorial Boulevard, and other preventative street maintenance work throughout the city, including routine street marking, crack sealing and patching.
A number of neighborhood roads will receive cape seal treatments in June and July. According to the statement, a cape seal is a multiple component treatment designed to create a smooth surface with increased durability. Cape seal projects will take two non-consecutive days on each segment of road, and no street parking will be available while the work occurs. Affected homeowners will be informed via direct mailing.
The City aims to have its resurfacing and routine maintenance completed by the end of September. Message boards on major streets will give commuters advance notice of when closures will begin. Commuters can also receive updates via the city’s social media channels Facebook and Twitter. For more information, including another version of the map, visit www.kentwood.us.
The City of Kentwood and its Public Works Department has an annual tradition during National Public Works Week of inviting the pubic into its buildings to see all the impressive equipment and big trucks that serve the community.
But, in this time of social distancing, and in lieu of a traditional open house for National Public Works Week, the city announced May 20 the the Department of Public Works is, instead, bringing the big trucks to the community on Friday, May 22.
Friday morning, from 9 to 11 a.m., a fleet of vehicles will parade through the western portion of the city from Division Avenue east to the Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail, beginning at Division and Maplelawn Street. From 1 to 3 p.m. in the afternoon, the trucks will take a route through neighborhoods east of the Paul Henry Trail. (See the map of streets to be covered below.)
“We invite residents to enjoy the parade from their porch, yard or driveway and wave as we pass by to allow for safe physical distancing outdoors,” the city stated in supplied material.
Also on May 22, the Department of Public Works will be giving away free Red Maple tree seedlings. Native to Michigan, Red Maple trees are known for their beautiful fall coloration. Those interested in the seedlings may pull up to the front of the Public Works building, located at 5068 Breton Ave., between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
To ensure physical distancing guidelines are followed, the city asks that upon arrival, residents stay in their vehicles, and a staff member will bring up to two seedlings and tree care instructions to the vehicle for safe loading. For more information, call 616-554-0817.
In Jerusalem, at the Aqsa Mosque — Islam’s third holiest site, where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven — Muslim worshipers have been kept out of the religious compound throughout the entire month of Ramadan for the first time since the dark days of the Middle Ages when crusaders controlled Jerusalem.
In Dearborn, Mich., home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States, gone are the community gatherings for evening prayers and nightly feasts to break Ramadan fasts with friends and family. But this year, something that could be done while still abiding by social distancing guidelines, there has been a blossoming of a modern Ramadan lights tradition to spread joy and offer some of the holiday spirit similar to the hanging Christmas lights.
In Kentwood, At-Tawheed Islamic Center and masjid (mosque) has been empty since March 13, and local Ramadan traditions including Friday prayers followed by the breaking of fasts, and its annual Eid Al Fitr congregation or community celebration, scheduled for Saturday, have been cancelled.
Imam Morsy Salem. (At-Tawheed website)
While At-Tawheed’s religious leader, Imam Morsy Salem, still offers online virtual teachings, he has been unable to lead prayer services as he would normally as such prayer services can only be done in person in the masjid.
Prayers, however, go on. Privately. Mostly at family homes, but also at places of essential work and even in outdoors — when Michigan’s infamous spring weather allows. But it is not the same …
“Our five daily prayers, including Friday congregation and sermon, are cancelled and are not held at the masjid for now,” Tareq Saleh, a member of the At-Tawheed management team, said to WKTV. “While muslims can still pray pretty much anywhere, praying at the masjid has always been one of our daily to-dos, and it bears bigger reward. The houses of Allah (masjids) are our refuge from the world to connect with him almighty.”
At-Tawheed is only one of at least five Muslim religious centers in the Greater Grand Rapids area serving congregations representing dozens of national and ethnic backgrounds ranging from Egyptian to Kashmirian to Bosnian to Somalian.
The Kentwood family of Hamid Elmorabeti, at prayer at home. (Supplied)
“We can still pray at home, either individually or in groups with family members, i.e. husband with his wife and kids. But no mass congregation prayer can be held through online services or anything of that nature,” Saleh said. “What our imam has been doing is broadcasting his lectures online and holding Quran recitation groups through Zoom service.”
While Ramadan fasting, during daylight hours for most healthy people, has remained the same, the change has come in the breaking of fasts daily and particularly at the end of the month of Ramadan.
“The biggest challenge we are facing with this situation is the congregation part … performing prayers at the masjid, the Friday prayer and sermon, breaking fast with the community, the night prayers in Ramadan, and coming soon the Eid prayer and celebration, Saleh said. “All of our acts of worship can be done at home or while a person is in isolation with the exception of Friday prayer and sermon and Eid prayer.
“While the Friday prayer requires a group of people, some big families with enough adults maybe able to hold a Friday congregation at home or wherever they are isolated.”
Tradition of fasting, supporting those in need
“Fasting is an obligation upon every adult Muslim,” he said. “There are certain conditions to permit breaking someone’s fasting, such as traveling or being sick. (But) Muslims fast wherever they are. The place, in its self, is not a condition to break fasting. So, yes, muslims are fasting at homes this year with their families.”
For a separate WKTV Journal story on Ramadan, and its religious customs and traditions, see a story here.
The At-Tawheed masjid has actually been closed since March 13, “when all the places of worship in town started closing their doors in response to the stay home and social distancing recommendations by the government,” Saleh said. “There will not be an Eid Alfitr congregation or community celebration this year due to the pandemic and the extension the governor put in place until May 28.”
The month of Ramadan, based on the lunar cycle, this year began on April 23 and last until Saturday, May 23.
“There isn’t any activities that are still taking place in the masjid other than the food pantry,” Saleh said. “The team has been able to support those of need through distributing food while taking all precautions to keep both community members and volunteers safe. Actually (a few) weeks ago an entire semi-truck full of potatoes was donated and distributed to the community through our food pantry program.”
For more information on the At-Tawheed Islamic Center, visit their website here.
Crews in Kentwood are working to repair a water main break in front of Crestwood Middle School that has closed both eastbound lanes of 44th Street between Walnut Hills and Walma Avenue.
Traffic is being shifted to maintain one lane in each direction on the westbound side between Walnut Hills and Walma Avenue only. All traffic heading west on 44th Street approaching the site is being detoured north on Shaffer, west on 32nd and then back south on Breton. Traffic heading south on Shaffer will only be able to turn east onto 44th Street.
All drivers, but especially large trucks, are asked to avoid the area if possible.
Though unrelated, the water main break is within a construction zone for a street resurfacing project for 44th Street from Breton to Shaffer. While that project is underway, traffic had been shifted one lane in each direction on the eastbound side. Outside of the area impacted by the water main break, traffic continues one way each direction on the eastbound side only.
The water main break repair is expected to be completed this evening. Crews anticipate they will be able to reopen the lanes by 5 p.m. Thursday, May 14.
An athlete working out on one of the fields at the currently called Christian Athletic Complex, which will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The City of Kentwood’s parks and recreation system is set to expand greatly as the City Commission last week approved the acquisition of nearly 109 acres of the property known as the Christian Athletic Complex .
Accord to a statement from the city, an anonymous donor gave a “substantial” gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation for the purchase of a parcel, located at 3402 36th St. SE, with the conditions it will be used by the city for park and recreational purposes.
Previously owned by the Christian Reformed Recreation Center, the property contains a golf course, softball fields, soccer fields and a clubhouse, as well as picnic pavilions and other outbuildings. The property will now be named Covenant Park and feature a dedication plaque from the anonymous donor’s family.
“In our ongoing planning for the next 50 years, we are always exploring ways we can improve the quality of life and expand both recreational and economic opportunities for our residents, visitors and our region,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “The strategic location and size of this property lend itself to our goals of continuously meeting the needs of our community and West Michigan. We are humbled by the opportunity this donation presents for us, underscoring that even in these trying times, good things are still happening.
“Our park and trail system is one of the true gems of our community. We are very grateful to the donor, the donor’s family and the Kentwood Community Foundation for this generous donation of the Christian Athletic Complex, which will allow the city to preserve the property as a valued recreational destination in Kentwood for generations to come.”
The property has frontage and access points both off Shaffer Avenue SE and 36th Street SE. It is bordered by industrially zoned property to the east and a mix of residentially zoned properties to the north, west and south.
Plans for development of the property and how it will be incorporated within the current park system will begin soon, according to the city statement. The city will include the property and its development in the master planning process. The City has updated its Parks and Recreation Business Plan and completed master planning all of its existing community parks in 2018.
Parcel split; soccer club gains home
As part of the agreement, the CAC property, which was originally one parcel of nearly 120 acres, was split into two. While the city will receive the 109-acre parcel, the remaining approximately 11-acre parcel will be donated to and owned by nonprofit soccer organization Midwest United Football Club for its continued operations for the next 30 years.
A sign seen from 36th Street at the currently called Christian Athletic Complex, which will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
According to the city’s statement, Midwest United FC’s mission is “to provide a quality soccer program that promotes the growth of, and the appreciation for, the game of soccer to kids in West Michigan.” The organization strives to promote the highest levels of sportsmanship, develop soccer skills and increase the understanding of the sport of soccer for their pleasure, with the possibility to play the game at the college level or beyond.
“Today, we are thankful for the generosity and faith a donor had in our organization and mission,” Midwest United FC General Manager Kristie Hollingsworth said in supplied material. “This faith and generosity provided an opportunity for Midwest United FC to call the property our true home and will allow new partnerships to form.”
History of Christian Athletic Complex
The Christian Athletic Complex has served a wide area of community needs over the years, including recreational activities for people of all ages and venue space for corporate events, meetings and open houses.
The currently called Christian Athletic Complex will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
According to supplied material, the organization was founded as the Christian Reformed Recreation Center shortly after World War II to provide an opportunity for Christian Reformed youth to participate in sports camps and summer sports leagues. Over time, it grew and developed into a larger Christ-centered organization providing outdoor space for youth and family recreation with more than 240 softball teams at its height and an 18-hole golf course.
“The CAC Board could not be happier placing this beautiful piece of land into the care of the City of Kentwood and Midwest United FC,” CAC Board President James Oppenhuizen said in supplied material. “As it became clear we were unable financially to continue to further our mission, we searched for someone who would continue using the land for outdoor youth and family recreation.
“Through the diligent efforts of an enormously generous donor, the City of Kentwood will be able to perpetually use the land for exactly that reason. Midwest United FC will also be able to continue and expand its top-notch youth soccer program.”
Among the announcements of cancellations and/or delays in programming comes some good news: many area farmers markets such as the Metro Health Farm Market and the City of Kentwood Farmers Market will open as scheduled.
“We’re very excited,” said Metro Health Farm Market Manager Michelle Rademacher. The Metro Health Farm Market is scheduled to open May 14 and run until Oct. 8 at the Metro Health Village, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW. The market is on Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., rain or shine.
“There has been a lot of planning for this to take place so as to follow all of the stipulations for COVID-19,” Rademacher said.
Farmers markets have been deemed essential by the state but even with this classification comes limitations with only food vendors able to sell at the markets. Like many of the area farmers markets, the Metro Health Farm Market and the Kentwood Farmers Market will be following Center for Disease Control and Michigan Farmers Market Association COVID-19 guidelines.
Along with only essential items such as food being offered, vendors will be six feet apart and required to wear masks. Patrons will be encouraged to wear masks and to leave their personal shopping bags at home.
“There is going to be less out with vendors restocking,” Rademacher said. “Hopefully customers will say, ‘I would like three corn, one lettuce,’ and the vendor will pick and bag the items so as to reduce the amount of touching the items.”
“Everybody loves to pick up a tomato to see if it is the perfect one for their meal,” said Fulton Street Farmers Market Assistant Manager Dana Eardley. Being open year around, the Fulton Street Farmers Market, 1145 Fulton St. SE, was able to gradually institute procedures for social distancing and reduction in contact. This included a policy that only the the vendors are allowed to touch food and produce.
The Fulton Street Farmers Market had its official main (summer) season opening this past weekend, where the hours were increased to 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday through October. From November to April the market is only open for a few hours on Saturday.
Area farmers markets have been deemed essential by the state with vendors only able to offer food items such as diary, meat, and produce. (Free Domain)
Kentwood Farmers Market
To encourage vendors to follow the guidelines, the Kentwood Farmers Market is offering a Vendor Scholarship, which will cover 100 percent of the vendor fees. To qualify for the scholarship, a vendor who sells food products, needs to demonstrate a commitment to customer safety such as offering pre-packaged items or pick-up.
The Kentwood Farmers Market returns for its sixth season, June 4 and running through Aug. 27. The market will take place on Thursdays from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. in front of Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. For more information on the Kentwood Farmers Market or the Vendor Scholarship, visit the market’s website.
Get It and Go
The implementation of customer counts with the Fulton Street Farmers Market only being able to allow 66 customers in the market at onetime did prove to be a challenge. The market was required to close off all its side entrances and increase its volunteers to get the customer counts along with help at the handicap entrance, Eardley said.
“The market is a place that people come to stroll or have a family outing, letting the smells and produce call to them as to what they might want to add to their meals,” Eardley said. “We have had to really make a shift in having people get in and get their food and leave.”
Advance planning is encouraged with the Fulton Street Farmers Market instituting a “roll call” on its Facebook of vendors planning to be at the market so shoppers could plan.
The Metro Health Farm Market also will have traffic arrows to direct the market flow and some of its entrance points will be closed but there are no plans to track the number of people in the market.
“There is some fear that a farmers market can turn into a social gathering, “Rademacher said. “Hopefully people will follow social distancing guidelines and only send one person from a family to help with the crowd control.
Rademacher added staff will be keeping an eye on the first day to see if adjustments need to be made.
Making Their Dollars Count
Eardley remarked that attendance for opening weekend was lower than usually, but she did have good news for other farmers markets.
“Some of our vendors have told us that they have had record-breaking sales,” she said. “So while the volume was down, those who were coming are very serious about making their dollars count toward the local food farmers and not the big box stores.”
Rademacher concurred with Eardley, saying “I think people are acknowledging that farmers are small businesses and spending local wherever they can.”
What About Non-Food Items?
Most markets usually have a mix of food and non-food items. Fulton Street Farmers Market also has an artist market on Sundays starting in June. Because crafters and non-food vendors do not fall under the essential category, for now they will not be at the markets. Both Radamacher and Eardley said they remain hopeful that as guidelines change, non-essential vendors will be able to be added.
A sign at the City of Wyoming City Hall informs people intending to drop off absentee ballots for the May 5 local school district funding votes. (WKTV)
Michigan’s, and so both Wyoming’s and Kentwood’s, voting process for the upcoming May 5 local school funding proposals may — or may not — be foreshadowing how the hugely important 2020 election cycle will play out in August if not also in November.
But one thing for sure, the Kent County voting process, put in place in the aftermath of current COVID-19 restrictions and Michigan Secretary of State directives, will be unlike any the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood city clerk’s offices have ever seen.
The bottom line, according to the Kent County Elections Office, is that registered voters within the precinct boundaries of two local school districts with funding measure requests — Kelloggsville Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools — should have automatically received absentee ballot applications.
While applying for absentee ballots, and using them, is the “preferred” voting means May 5, “each jurisdiction is required to have one polling place open where individuals can vote in-person,” Robert J. Macomber, Kent County Chief Deputy County Clerk, said to WKTV. “It won’t be a typical polling place as it would operate on election day normally.
“Anyone who walk-in on election day will be given a ballot and an envelope to put it in and it will be grouped in for counting with those that voted absentee prior to election day. It’s essentially in-person absentee voting.”
And it is up to local clerks, such as the city clerks of Wyoming and Kentwood, to receive and county the absentee ballots on election day — including the ones dropped off at or walked into the clerk’s on that day.
A voting day unlike any other
This voting process “is certainly different, because all ballots will be processed as an absentee ballot,” Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic said to WKTV, whose office has posted specific May 5 voting process information on the city’s website.
And while both Wyoming City Clerk Kelli A. VandenBerg and Kasunic will be busy on that day counting ballots, VandenBerg also hopes to have few people actually needing to walk in to register and/or vote.
“We have seen a steady stream of ballot requests and a return of voted ballots,” VandenBerg said to WKTV. “While ‘day of’ voting is an option, we are strongly encouraging voters use the absentee process as much as possible.
And extension of the existing City of Wyoming drop off (and usually drive-up) city business customer convenience, the city clerk will now collect absentee ballots via a drop box. (WKTV)
“We have received guidance from the (state) Bureau of Elections and we continue to working closely with both county and city staff to ensure we have a safe election for voters and workers. … Anyone entering a public building will need to have a mask, so we will be prepared to address that. One feature we look forward to is a new drop box that will allow voters to drop off ballots without having to leave their vehicle.”
VandenBerg also pointed out that “While some voters have experience with absentee voting, this concept is new to many others. I often hear concerns from voters about whether absentee ballots are counted. And absentee ballots are absolutely counted. They are not held in case there is a tie, they are counted each and every time.
For Spanish language voters, a sign at the City of Wyoming City Hall. (WKTV)
“Also, I would ask that voters have patience if they do need to visit city hall on election day. My staff and I want to help any and all voters who wish to vote, but we also want to do so while maintaining safety for everyone.”
She also urged voters to check their registration status at mi.gov/vote, where they can verify registration, view a sample ballot and check the status of their absentee request.
Highlights of Kentwood’s voting process includes confirming that “All registered voters in Precincts 1-4-5 (Kelloggsville Schools) have been mailed an application for an absentee ballot,” according to the city website page.
Also, the registration process, if absentee ballot requests were not received, include the person wishing to register prior to the May 5 election day should make an appointment at the city clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.
In person voting — dropping off absentee ballots — and voter registration on May 5 will be at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave SE, with the office open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After registration, voters will be given absentee ballots to fill out and hand back — but “in person interaction will be conducted in adherence to social distancing and health safety measures,” according to the city website page.
A Michigan Department of Transportation project has begun that will reduce 44th Street to one-lane traffic each way between Breton Avenue and Shaffer Avenue until late July.
The $1,553,000 project, according to the City of Kentwood Public Works Department webpage, is scheduled to last from mid-April to late July.
The beginning of roadwork in early April on 44th Street in the City of Kentwood, headed west just before Shaffer Avenue. (WKTV)
The scope of work includes replacing the top four inches of asphalt on 44th Street from Breton to Shaffer, and replacing the intersection of Shaffer with full depth concrete, according to information provided to WKTV. Traffic will be maintained with a single lane in each direction throughout the project.
A construction notice was mailed to all residents that live adjacent to that section of 44th Street.
On Feb. 20, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety recognized several of its officers for the work they did in 2019. The 2019 Officer of the Year is Officer Marcus Donker and 2019 Civilian of the Year is Forensic Science Unit Technician Todd Masula. Congratulations to all the officers in both the police and fire departments. For a complete list of who was honored, click here.
Look Who’s Turning 70
City of Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23, named after 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma, is hosting a party to mark its 70th anniversary. The event is set to take place at 4 p.m. at the Post, located at 98 52nd St. SE. A meal will follow prepared by the Blue Star Mothers and is $7 per plate. To learn more about the post or who 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybsema was, click here.
Looking Ahead to August
The City of Kentwood announced this week that it would seek a millage of 0.9 mills on the August ballot. The millage would be for a period of 10 years, which would then be reduced to a perpetual millage of 0.65 mills. The tiered millage would be dedicated solely to construct, operate, maintain and acquire parks, trails and recreation improvements and programs. For more about the millage and how it would be used, click here.
Fun Fact: 48222
If you want to send mail to the those operating the boats on Lake Michigan then the zip code you’ll need is 48222. That is the zip code to the J.W. Westcott II, the only floating post office in the United States. Operating out of Detroit for more than 125 years, the J.W. Westcott delivers mail to the freighters that cross the Great Lakes. It service was so important that after sinking in 2001, it was salvage, refurnished and operates today. The J.W. Westcott, so named after the man who founded the company, has a contract with the postal service through 2021.
Hand2Hand, a local children’s food program, will host an informational meeting Thursday, Feb. 27, for area business, church, and school leaders in the Wyoming/Kentwood area.
According to Hand2Hand, there are about 6,619 students in the Wyoming/Kentwood area in need of weekend food. Weekends are the most vulnerable time for child whose home lacks food resources.
Hand2Hand delivers a bag of food to children for that weekend time. The program parnters with local churches and schools and also engages businesses and individuals to help provide that food.
The informational meeting for the Wyoming/Kentwood area will be Feb. 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cornerstone Church’s Wyoming campus, 2730 56th St. SW. During the meeting, participants will learn about Hand2Hand and its purpose, hear from Wyoming and Kentwood superintendents about the program, and receive a complimentary lunch.
Those interested in attending the program should RSVP by Feb. 18 to jodi@h2hkids.org or call 616-209-2779.
From a previous year’s City of Kentwood Daddy-Daughter Dance, which this year will be expanded to be an “all family” dance. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The City of Kentwood has community-focused events all year round but February may be a little more busy than most months with its annual Valentine’s Dash 5K on Saturday, Feb. 8, and two more events later in the month, including the Annual Freeze Fest Disc Golf Tournament, and a Hawaiian Luau-Themed Family Dance, both on Feb. 22.
Many of the city’s community events also support local persons in need. This week’s run/walk will benefit Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, while the disc golf tournament also serves as a food drive for the pantry.
This week’s 5K run/walk will start and end at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, located at 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Check-in, on-site registration and packet pick-up will all take place at 9:30 a.m. The race will begin at 11 a.m.
Some of the runners at a previous Kentwood Valentine’s Dash 5K. (WKTV)
The 5K route will include a combination of trails and roads with mile markers and Valentine’s Day candy stations. Valentine’s-themed costumes are encouraged for the occasion. Fellow participants will vote to determine who is the “best dressed” and awards will also be presented to the fastest runners. While the 5K is intended to be a fun run, it will be chip-timed.
Following the race, participates will be invited into the library’s community room for a party that will include music, snacks, a photo booth, the award ceremony and more. If participants bring a non-perishable item or additional monetary donation for the pantry, they will be entered to win a special door prize.
Online registration costs $30 until Feb. 7, and $35 for day-of registration. Participant packets include a long-sleeve shirt “and other goodies.” Runners who sign up as a couple will save $5 each.
A full day of fun on Saturday, Feb. 22
The late-month events are filled with family fun at the library and outdoor adventure, with the Hawaiian Luau-Themed Family Dance particularly unique.
“This dance is such a great opportunity for kids to get dressed up, have fun and dance with the adults in their lives,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “Whether they choose to attend with their parents or grandparents, primary caregivers, guardians or other relatives, the event is open for children to enjoy an evening making memories with their family, whoever that is to them.”
Formerly known as the Daddy-Daughter Dance, this family event will run 6 to 8 p.m. in the community room at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch and include refreshments, crafts, a photo area with props and a DJ. The evening will also include a short hula performance by Pacific Island Dancers.
Tickets cost $10 per person, and pre-registration is required. To purchase tickets go online at kentwood.us/familyluau or call 616-656-5270.
Earlier that day, the Freeze Fest doubles as a disc golf tournament and food drive as the City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc have once again partnered to host the competition.
The start of the 2019 Freeze Fest disc golf event. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
Disc golfers of all levels are invited to partake in the best-shot doubles competition at Jaycee Park, located at 1088 Gentian Dr. SE. Funds raised this year will benefit City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation youth programs and all food donations will help stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
On-site registration begins at 9 a.m., and the first round of the tournament starts at 10 a.m. The cost is $40 and one canned food donation per team.
“We look forward to this event every year not only because disc golf and a little competition is exciting by nature, but because it’s incredible to watch community members come together in support of Kentwood initiatives,” Lori Gresnick, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “Last year, we collected an entire car load of groceries and supplies for the Little Free Pantry, which really goes a long way.”
Pre-registration and more event information is available online at: kentwood.us/freezefest.
Located in the Kentwood Activities Center at 355 48th St. SE, Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is a year-round resource for area residents to take or donate food and personal care items. No applications necessary, and no questions asked. More information about Kentwood Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, is available online at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.
Kenwood resident Gerald DeMaagd treated us to another photo, this time of the City of Kentwood’s Northeast Park, 1900 Middleground SE. During the winter, the park is a popular place for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even some sledding. DeMaagd said residents have reported seeing deer there but the day he was out, all he saw was a sparrow in the woods.
Do you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week? Then email it to Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
Some of the runners at a previous Kentwood Valentine’s Dash 5K. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The City of Kentwood will host its third annual Valentine’s Dash 5K on Saturday, Feb. 8, to benefit Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which provides food and personal care items to community members in need, no questions asked.
The city announced today that the 5K run/walk will start and end at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, located at 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Check-in, on-site registration and packet pick-up will all take place at 9:30 a.m. The race will begin at 11 a.m.
The 5K route will include a combination of trails and roads with mile markers and Valentine’s Day candy stations. Valentine’s-themed costumes are encouraged for the occasion. Fellow participants will vote to determine who is the “best dressed” and awards will also be presented to the fastest runners. While the 5K is intended to be a fun run, it will be chip-timed.
Following the race, participates will be invited into the library’s community room for a party that will include music, snacks, a photo booth, the award ceremony and more.
“We’ve found this race route to be enjoyable for everyone from avid race participants to casual walkers,” Spencer McKellar, race organizer, said in supplied material. “Whether this is your first race or one of many you’ve completed, we think you’ll find our Valentine’s Dash 5K offers enough of a challenge and a lot of fun for a brisk Saturday morning.
“Invite your sweetie, family and friends to dress up and take on the course with you, then stick around for more activities at the after-party.”
Online registration costs $30 until Feb. 7, after which the price will increase to $35 for day-of registration. Participant packets include a long-sleeve shirt “and other goodies.” Runners who sign up as a couple will save $5 each.
If participants bring a non-perishable item or additional monetary donation for the pantry, they will be entered to win a special door prize.
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Those interested can sign up online.
Kentwood resident Sagar Dangal understands people’s hesitation about filling out the U.S. Census. When he saw his first census in 2010, his reaction was much the same.
“I remember when I first saw it, I was like what is the census?” said Kentwood resident Sagar Dangal. “I’m not going to fill this out.”
Flash forward 10 years to 2020, he is not only filling out his own census questionnaire but working within the Bhutanese community to build a bridge of understanding about the U.S .Census and its importance.
This is not an easy task. Concerned over the Nepali minority in Bhutan, the Bhutanese government conducted a census targeting the Nepali community within the country. Due to persecution, many of the Bhutanese Nepali fled the country with a large population, 85 percent of the refugees, eventually settling in the United States.
“The issue of illegal immigrants and the concern of deportation is not something of a concert with the Bhutanese community,” Dangal said, adding most are U.S. citizens having come to the United States in 2007/2008. The older generation still remembers what happened in Bhutan, Dangal said, and that is where the education of what the census is becomes important.
“Once you explain what it is, that it is a count of the people, and not about ethnicity, but rather to assure that your community is getting the funding it needs, then people are more open to it,” Dangal said.
https://youtu.be/WVyfvMdEtsE
A U.S. Census ad designed for the Hispanic community. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Daniela Rojas, fund development and communication manager of the West Michigan Hispanic Center of Commerce said she has found the same with the Hispanic community.
“Response has been pretty positive,” Rojas said. “People may not understand what it is or how it impacts their daily lives, but they are not seeing it as a negative.”
Rojas admitted that the true test will come if people respond by filling out the census in March and April.
A hurdle for the Hispanic community has been concern that census would be use to find illegal citizens even though the question of U.S. citizenship has been removed from the census.
“Of course, we are living in a time of fear and distrust, but I believe we have done well in helping people understand that this is how federal money will impact the next 10 years,” Rojas said.
The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is one of many agencies that has received grant funding from the Heart of West Michigan United Way to help with the U.S. Census. The Chamber has been canvassing communities, giving out materials in Spanish and English and “I Count” buttons at various events, and does work on social media. The organization handed out more than 3,000 flyers at August’s Hispanic Festival.
“We are making sure that people know that the information gathered is helpful not hurtful,” Rojas said, adding that the biggest hurdle has been the lack of smartphones, WiFi and other electronic devices where people could go on their own to learn more about the census. The other challenge has been reaching people who have “thrown up their hands on the census and the government because they really don’t see where it matters.”
https://youtu.be/811HtcnaiM0
A U.S. Census ad focused on the Vietnamese community. (U.S. Census Bureau)
The census does matter, according to Kerry Ebersole, executive director at 202 Census, State of Michigan.
“Every person is profoundly impacted by the the U.S. Census as it is the gold standard in how the federal government distributes its funding,” Ebersole said.
For the State of Michigan, it is about $30 billion from the federal government that is distributed to the state. This covers funding for a number of items such as health care, school lunches, Meals on Wheel, transportation, along with determining representation in the U.S. House and the Michigan House and Senate.
Flyers like this one at Wyoming’s Marge’s Donut Den are being put up to help inform people of the upcoming census. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Helping to spread the word about what the census, the U.S. Census Bureau recently announced an extensive advertising campaign that features ads focused on several minority groups such as the Hispanic population. The 2020census.gov site also includes content and guides in 59 languages, such as Nepali, Dutch, Greek, Spanish, and Swahili, with residents able to respond to the nine census questions online and by phone in 13 languages. The entire 2020census.gov site includes information in both English and Spanish.
To help make sure Michigan citizens are counted, the State of Michigan has established its own website, michigan.gov/census2020 and on social media can be found by searching for Mi Census.
This photo came from Kentwood resident and former city commissioner Jerry DeMaagd. After this weekend’s ice storm, DeMaagd said he saw the cardinal feeding on frozen trees berries in his front yard.
Do you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week? Then send it to Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
I would really be doing something right, perhaps even important, if I was bringing even a little more compassion into the world through Big Bird.
Caroll Spinney, the man who brought Big Bird to life
By WKTV Staff joanne@wktv.org
The Weekend List
The Grand Rapids Symphony’s first 2020 concert of the year is Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10 and 11, at DeVos Performance Hall. (Supplied)
There is s storm coming? Well strap on those chains because there is lots to do this weekend! The Grand Rapids Symphony performs a classical concert Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10 and 11, at DeVos Performance Hall. Also the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has opened its latest production, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which runs through Jan. 26 at the theater, 30 N. Division Ave. And LowellArts opened its exhibition “The Art of Change,” at its gallery, 223 E. Main St., Lowell. Click here for more information and tickets.
Now Hiring
If you are interested in working for the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 Census, well you only have a few more weeks to apply. Since the bureau has not received enough applicants for census positions, it has increased the pay for Michigan, which is now between $14 – $25. In Kent County, it is $25 per hour. For more information about how to apply and the positions available, click here.
For Free?
The holidays are over and so is the excitement of the new family pet you got. Well before you decide to get rid of Fido or Felicity for free, there are a few things you should know, such as do not give any animal away for free and investigate the person who is interest in taking your pet. For more information, click here.
Fun Fact: All Buttoned Up
So if you have every ventured down to Ah-Nab-Awen- Park (you know the park next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum), you might have noticed a large red button with parents either encouraging or discouraging their children to play on it. Well, “Lorie’s Button,” as it is called, was part of a design competition to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial year. It was designed by Hy Zelkowitz and installed during the 1976 Festival of the Arts. The piece is one of the most expensive artworks for the city to maintain because, yes, it was designed for form and function, meaning children can play on it and families are encouraged to take photos. Glad we finally were able to settle that debate.
The world is what you make it. And it all starts with what you make of yourself.
From the movie “Fred Claus”
By WKTV Staff joanne@wktv.org
A last minute gift idea
Steven Hopstake and Melissa Prusi. (Supplied Photo)
Answer: Stoker’s Wilde
Question: What is the new book written by Wyoming Park High graduate Steven Hopstaken and former WKTV employee Melissa Prusi? The book, which is now available, brings “Dracula” author Bram Stoker and “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” author Oscar Wilde together in a vampire-chasing story that will keep you flipping through the holidays. For more about the authors and the book, click here.
While on the subject of reading…
Randy Otterbridge (right) with Locally Entertaining host Joanne Bailey-Boorsma (Photo by WKTV)
Randy Otterbridge, chief writing officer for Randy Austin Publishing and Media, will host the free event “Men Who Write…And Win” this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center, 2500 S. Division Ave. While open to everyone, the event will focus on male authors who have written on a variety of topics from finances to children’s books. Authors who participate have the opportunity to win cash prizes by sharing their work. For more on the event or to listen to the Locally Entertaining podcast that Otterbridge was on, click here.
A Community Christmas Gift
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley signing a Kentwood City Commission resolution on Tuesday, Dec. 17, which stated support of the continued resettlement of refugees within city limits. (City of Kentwood)
The City of Kentwood recently adopted a resolution in support of the continued resettlement of refugees within City limits. The resolution affirms resources and capacities are available within the City of Kentwood to devote to sustainable resettlement, which maximizes the likelihood refugees placed in the area will become self-sufficient and free from long-term dependence on public assistance. Kentwood is one of the first communities in West Michigan to publicly affirm its support of Executive Order 13888. “Kentwood has long been able to welcome refugees facing persecution thanks to numerous corporations, faith-based organizations, schools and families with the resources available to support the arrival and integration of refugee families,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “As the current home of resettled refugees from more than 90 countries, Kentwood City Commission is committed to ensuring refugees not only feel welcome to come to our City, but to truly feel a sense of belonging within our community.” For more on the story, click here.
You Need an Escort for That
While anyone can walk up to the tomb of Oscar Wilde, which is located in Paris’s Père Lachaise Cemetery, to visit Bram Stoker’s ashes at London’s Golders Green Creamatorian you need an escort to enter the room where the ashes are housed. The reason? Fear of vandalism.
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley is congratulted after the signing of a Kentwood City Commission resolution on Tuesday, Dec. 17, which stated support of the continued resettlement of refugees within city limits. (City of Kentwood)
By City of Kentwood
In response to an executive order on Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement, the Kentwood City Commission adopted a resolution in support of the continued resettlement of refugees within City limits.
City Commission unanimously approved the resolution, which affirms resources and capacities are available within the City of Kentwood to devote to sustainable resettlement, which maximizes the likelihood refugees placed in the area will become self-sufficient and free from long-term dependence on public assistance. Kentwood is one of the first communities in West Michigan to publicly affirm its support of Executive Order 13888.
“Kentwood has long been able to welcome refugees facing persecution thanks to numerous corporations, faith-based organizations, schools and families with the resources available to support the arrival and integration of refugee families,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “As the current home of resettled refugees from more than 90 countries, Kentwood City Commission is committed to ensuring refugees not only feel welcome to come to our City, but to truly feel a sense of belonging within our community.
“Kentwood’s quality of life has been enriched by the friendships and contributions of our neighbors from all over the world. We look forward to embracing those who seek to find refuge in our City for many years to come.”
In a heartfelt commission meeting, numerous community members, many refugees themselves, shared comments in support of the resolution. These included representatives from Kent County Board of Commissioners, At-Tawheed Islamic Center, the Vietnamese-American Community of Grand Rapids, Bethany Christian Services, Samaritas and Gateways for Growth.
“The approval of this resolution demonstrates the city’s character and commitment to all New Americans and says loud and clear what type of community Kentwood leaders want to create for all people who want to call this place home,” said Joel Lautenbach, executive director of Development at Samaritas and leadership team member of Greater Grand Rapids/Kent County Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan. “We want new residents from all over the world, including refugees, to be able to find a place to live here — to raise their families, to contribute economically and be successful, contributing members of our community.”
Project Coordinator Elvira Kovachevich of the Greater Grand Rapids/Kent County Gateways for Growth, whose objective is to develop and implement a welcome plan to address different sectors of obstacles for immigrants and refugees in Kent County, also spoke to the importance of the resolution.
“Seeing the City of Kentwood unanimously approve a resolution to welcome refugees to our community is more than a statement; it is a commitment to welcome everyone with open arms and promote belonging, no matter where you come from,” Kovachevich said. “As a child of refugees who works to welcome other New Americans to our community, the City of Kentwood’s affirmation of the value of refugees is inspiring; the City is truly serving as an example to others.”
Issued on Sept. 26, Executive Order 13888 requires official consent from state and local governments within 90 days in order for the federal government to resettle refugees in a given area, impacting all refugees coming through the U.S. Department of State.
David and Dwell Moore, City of Kentwood volunteers. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
There are a multitude of reasons City of Kentwood residents volunteer to serve on its various boards, committees and commissions — from wanting to give back to their community to enjoying interacting with other citizens with common interests, just to name two.
And while the city appreciates its volunteers year-around, it toasted them with a special volunteer reception Nov. 21 at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch community room as city leaders mixed with volunteers “that make the City of Kentwood special” at a night of celebration, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
Two examples of fairly-new residents of Kentwood serving the city are husband and wife David and Dwell Moore.
“I joined the parks and rec committee a little over a year ago, just to be part of the community,” David said to WKTV at the event. “We have seven kids and we thought it would be interesting to be part of the community and actually contribute to making the city a better place for recreation.”
Dwell, who is on the Historic Preservation Commission, said “I love history and, so, I enjoy learning more about Kentwood and the town I live in. We’ve been here three years and it has been really interesting to learn about this community we moved to.”
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, at the event, said he sees community involvement as essential to the city.
“For a city of function properly, it has to be a community effort,” Mayor Kepley said to WKTV. “It has to be a community that volunteers, that gets involved in all levels of government, all levels of service. … a successful city will have a strong volunteer group.”
Other examples of citizen involvement are Gerry Noorman, who volunteers at the city’s Heritage Room in the library, as well as Kevin Small, who has a long history on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Kevin Small, center, was one of the City of Kentwood volunteer recently hosted at a reception. (WKTV)
“I got on it because my backyard is right on Jaycee Park,” Small said. “The city has some great parks, its got some fantastic programs. … It is just a good feeling (to serve), I guess.”
The City of Kentwood welcomes residents to participate in a variety of boards and committees as, according to its website, “community involvement is the key to keeping Kentwood a great community.”
Among the current openings are positions on Historic Preservation Commission, the Parks & Recreation Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. For more information and to apply, visit kentwood.us.
Kentwood city officials accompanied by carolers previously conduct the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. (WKTV)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood invites the community to begin the holidays with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade on Thursday, Dec. 5.
Centered around the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, the event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will be filled with festive activities, including live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookie decorating stations, carriage rides and pictures with Santa.
“ ‘Tis the season for peace and joy as our community comes together to celebrate the holidays,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We encourage Kentwood families to join the festivities including Kentwood’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade where memories and traditions are delightfully made.”
The Holiday Light Parade will start at 6 p.m., at the Kentwood Public Works, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, and travel north to the Kentwood Justice Center at 4740 Walma Ave. SE. Sections of both Breton and Walma will be closed from 5:50 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. for the procession.
City officials will conduct the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m., followed by caroling. After the ceremony, community members will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa, go on carriage rides and enjoy live holiday music. There will also be activities for kids and refreshments available for purchase inside the library for the entirety of the event.
As with any large community event, the City relies on volunteers to ensure a safe and successful event. Individuals interested in helping with the evening festivities may sign up online.
There are also openings for the parade. Groups interested in participating can submit a parade entry form online. The cost to participate is $15.
More information about Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade is available online at kentwood.us/treelighting.
To make nitro coffee is not an easy task. You have to know the right combination of coffee and nitrogen to create the thick, velvety drink.
“It is similar to that of a Guinness,” said executive Chef Joseph VanHorn. Similar in that from a distance a freshly pored Guinness and a nitro coffee might look the same as the nitrogen bubbles add a frothy, milky layer that moves from top to bottom. That, and like its stout counterpart, nitro is kept in kegs.
All City Nitro Coffee and Tea is just one of the feature items at VanHorn’s newly opened YoChef’s Cafe, 34 44th St. SE, Kentwood.
The new restaurant will feature the All City Beverage Company’s Nitro Coffee and Tea. (Photo by WKTV)
About two years ago, when VanHorn relocated his catering business, YoChef Catering Co., to the 44th Street location, he knew the space was too big for just an office with his goal set on opening a restaurant. This was not an endeavor that VanHorn was unfamiliar with as he owned and operated a restaurant in Wyoming and another at the Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design. Along with the 10-year-old catering business, VanHorn currently operates a food truck in the summer.
So when preparing to open his newest venture, YoChef’s Catering, VanHorn decided he wanted to elevate the dining experience.
“We are using the freshest ingredients possible,” VanHorn said as he walked around the space that features about a dozen tables, a counter with a coffee bar, and menu board.
“We spent two days in a coffee brewing lab to learn the intricate techniques in making coffee,” VanHorn said, adding that through a partnership with Ferris Coffee, he will be purchasing smaller quantities of beans that will be ground on site to ensure the freshest coffee possible.
The menu itself features a mix of popular items from the YoChef’s former restaurants as well as favorites from the company’s food truck such as the Chicken Basil Pesto and the Asian BBQ pork.
Items will be made fresh daily. (Photo by WKTV)
“People would ask, where can I get this when the truck was not out,” VanHorn said. “Now they have a place to go to get their favorite items.”
The menu features a variety of breakfast items, fresh salads, and grilled sandwiches such as the new Frank’s Westside Kielbasa with a special sausage being made by Frank’s Market for the sandwich, VanHorn said. The soups will be made-from-scratch daily with patrons able to check the website www.YoChefsCatering.com for the day’s soups.
“I also have a pastry chef on staff,” VanHorn said. “The pastry case will have a limited selection of bake goods available each day. We want to keep it as fresh as possible.”
VanHorn said he is excited to show off the talents of his team through the new venture, which for now will be open for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant will be open 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday – Saturday. As demand increases, VanHorn said he will consider expanding the hours.
“Our primary focus is the business community,” said VanHorn, who noted that the location is surround by offices and businesses. And since business workers do not always have a lot of time for lunch, patrons can order through the website, www.YoChefsCafe.com, scheduling a time for pick up. The YoChef’s Cafe is also partnering with UberEats and can be reached by phone at 616-214-7736.
Ron Draayer, who was elected to Kentwood City Commission as a second ward commissioner during the Nov. 5 election, took the oath of office on Nov. 13 for the four-year term, filling the seat of former commissioner Michael Brown, who served four consecutive terms.
“We are pleased to welcome Ron Draayer to the Commission and look forward to working with him,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We anticipate that his professional insight – especially with respect to technology and cybersecurity – will be a benefit to the City Commission and our community.
“We also want to thank Commissioner Michael Brown for his service to the City of Kentwood and its residents for these past 16 years on City Commission. We deeply appreciate his dedication to our mission and his professionalism in which he represented himself and our City. We will miss our time with him and his expertise that he consistently brought to the Commission.”
A resident of Kentwood since 2016, Draayer brings 40 years of knowledge in education, technology and cybersecurity to the role. He recently retired as a classroom professor at Davenport University.
Draayer previously served as a board member of Michigan InfraGard, an FBI organization that works with law enforcement, business leaders and academic professionals to help protect electrical, water, transportation and other infrastructure assets.
He has also been a local and state advisor for Business Professionals of America, or BPA, a national organization that promotes student growth and achievement through academic competitions. Draayer served on the National Board of BPA and has established a middle-level BPA program in Michigan designed for middle-level and junior-high students.
“I am truly honored to be able to serve the City of Kentwood and the residents of Ward 2,” Draayer said. “Kentwood is a very special City with people whose origins are from all over the world.
“I pledge to work hard and ensure Kentwood continues to be a community where people can raise their families in good neighborhoods.”
Draayer holds a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, a master’s in management from Aquinas College and a Master of Science from Ferris State University.
The City of Kentwood has its cheesecake and is eating it too with the opening of The Cheesecake Factory at Woodland Mall.
The popular restaurant, which features more than 30 cheesecakes along with 250 menu items, officially opened this week, however; several West Michigan residents were able to check out the restaurant during a special preview to help staff prepare and work out the kinks.
The Brick Chicken at The Cheesecake Factory. (Photo by WKTV)
My daughter, Maggie, and I were among those dinners. Both of us have been to The Cheesecake Factory in Chicago, so we knew what to expect. And while we did not go in, we did drive past the first Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills, California. According to the company’s Senior Director of Public Relations Alethea Rowe, David Overton opened the first Cheesecake Factory in 1978 to highlight his mother’s cheesecake.
“Our story started back in Detroit, Michigan in the 1940s,” Rowe said. “(Overton’s mother) Everlyn Overton found a cheesecake recipe in a Detroit newspaper. She changed it a little bit to make her own and started making delicious cheesecakes for friends and family.”
Our server, Nia Duncan, of Kentwood, told us her cheesecakes are the current seasonal specialities, a Pumpkin Cheesecake and Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, which is a layer of pumpkin cheesecake on top of a pecan pie. She also said she liked another seasonal favorite, the Upside Down Pineapple Cheesecake which is cheesecake between two layers of pineapple upside down cake.
California Guacamole Salad (Photo by WKTV)
Rowe noted the company has a number of seasonal specialties with its Peppermint Bark Cheese being released on Black Friday.
And while Maggie and I are known for having our dessert first, both my daughter and I decided it might be better for each of us to order some lunch. Maggie ordered a new item called the Brick Chicken. This entrée had roasted chicken with crisp potatoes and sauteed onions and green peppers. I ordered from the “Super Foods” Menu getting the California Guacamole Salad that had mixed greens, avocado, tomato, corn, black beans, onion, radish, crispy tortillas, feta cheese and cilantro with a mildy spicy avocado dressing.
We were both extremely happy with our choices with neither one of us able to finish our meals as we had eaten a good portion of two appetizers, one of which was the guacamole and chips. If you like fresh guacamole, then The Cheesecake Factory is definitely the place to visit. It was fresh, with large pieces of avocado.
So with our appetizers and meals bagged, we had a piece of cheesecake. Being the chocolate lovers we are, we went with the Hershey’s Chocolate Bar Cheesecake, a Hershey’s chocolate cheesecake between two layers of chocolate cake with chocolate chips. We are true dessert lovers to the end because while we could not finish our entrées, we made sure to polish off the cheesecake.
The guacamole and chips appetizer. (Photo by WKTV)
The Kentwood location is only the second Cheesecake Factory in the state of Michigan. The other is located in Novi at the Twelve Oaks Mall. So why, put one in Kentwood’s Woodland Mall? According to Rowe, there were a number of factors.
“Everything from the local amount of foot traffic, local demographics, population density and of course all the wonderful renovations they have done here at the Woodland Mall made for the perfect formula of what we think will make a perfect restaurant for us,” she said.
The Cheesecake Factory is open from 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – midnight Friday, 10 a.m. – midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Take out is available from the restaurant and the cheesecake counter is located at the front for those who just want to snag a slice to go.
Whatever the weather, disc golf is in season; and donating to the Kentwood food bank is also always in season. (Wikimedia Commons)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc Golf have partnered to offer the third Fall Fling event, a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive, on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Community disc golfers of all levels are invited to participate in the event at Old Farm Park, which is located at 2350 Embro Dr. SE. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m. to begin the first round of the “best shot” doubles tournament.
The cost to register is $40, along with one canned food donation per team. Proceeds raised will go towards maintaining the course and food donations will go to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, where area residents are encouraged to take or donate food and household supplies for community members in need.
“Not only is the Fall Fling a fun event for our area disc golfers to come together to soak up the mild fall weather before winter comes, it is also for a good cause,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “Each fall disc golf tournament we’ve held has been successful in bringing a great turnout and, ultimately, restocking the pantry for our community with dozens of canned goods.”
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. in 2017. The small food pantry is open year-round and designed to fill an immediate and local need. The premise is similar to that of the Little Free Library movement: Take an item (or items) when needed and leave an item when you can. No applications necessary. No questions are asked.
Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen, from a city event this summer. (Photo credit: WKTV)
By City of Kentwood
After a distinguished law enforcement career spanning more than four decades, Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen announced his retirement, effective Nov. 1.
Hillen began his 10-plus years of service to the City of Kentwood in 2009 after serving 32 years with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. During his tenure with the Kentwood Police Department, Hillen has led a team of nearly 95 personnel, including 70 sworn police officers, to serve and protect the community with excellence, focusing on reducing serious crime and increasing traffic safety.
“Chief Hillen has been an invaluable asset to our community for more than a decade,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “His effective leadership and dedication to the City have been demonstrated by the department’s accomplishments. Today, Kentwood’s violent crime and property crime is at a five-year low under his leadership. For that and so much more, we are truly grateful for his service.
“While we are sad to see him go, we wish him the best as he moves into retirement and thank him for his service throughout the years.”
During his tenure in Kentwood, Hillen instituted innovative programs to address key issues in the community, such as the department’s Data-Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety, or DDACTS, program, Operation PRICE to reduce retail theft, leadership development for supervisory staff and school resource officers for area middle schools.
He also placed an officer on the FBI Joint Terrorist Task Force and appointed the first female captain in the department’s history.
“I have been fortunate to have had two great law enforcement careers, both at the Sheriff’s Office and here at the City,” Hillen said. “It has been a pure joy to spend these past 10 years with the Kentwood Police Department and I will greatly miss the family atmosphere.
“I’m humbled by the department’s achievements and feel grateful to have had the opportunity to work here and serve alongside the team. The officers care for the community, and the community cares for the officers. That is what makes it special to be an officer in the City of Kentwood; it’s just different here.
“Our success is attributed to our combined efforts, and I can proudly say this has been the perfect capstone experience of a profession I have loved.”
In addition to his work with the department, Hillen has served in numerous leadership roles for the profession. He has served as president of the Kent County Chiefs of Police, chairman of Kent County’s Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Team and has been on the advisory boards for the police academies at Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Kent Career Technical Center.
He is also a member of the Law Enforcement Action Forum, also known as LEAF, assisting with the development of law enforcement model policies and related materials. Over the years, LEAF has grown to be a valuable resource for the Michigan Municipal League and other agencies in the state when addressing law enforcement public policy issues.
Hillen was KCSO’s chief deputy before coming to Kentwood to serve as captain of the Patrol Division. Hillen stepped into the role of police chief from deputy chief in November 2012 following the retirement of former Police Chief Richard Mattice.
“Chief Hillen worked hard every day for the community. He constantly ensured his whole team fought around a problem and worked to innovate and get the best out of the resources available,” said Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, who worked with Hillen for more than 20 years. “He was a mentor for me and helped me be better at my job in the jobs I would hold in the future. I wish him the best of times in his well-earned retirement.”
Mayor Kepley intends to appoint Deputy Chief Richard Roberts to fill the police chief position. City Commission will be asked to confirm the appointment.
Roberts first joined the Kentwood Police Department in 1987, initially as a police paramedic. During his more than 30 years with the City of Kentwood, including 24 years of supervisory and management experience, Roberts has served in many different roles, giving him a diverse knowledge of police operations.
In addition to his paramedic experience, he also served as a detective, field training officer, field training officer supervisor, road patrol supervisor, Staff Services Bureau supervisor and Detective Bureau supervisor. He also served on the crisis negotiating team. Roberts was promoted to captain of the Patrol Division in December 2012, where he implemented the DDACTS program, and was appointed deputy police chief in August 2017.
Roberts recently attended the prestigious FBI National Academy, an executive school for law enforcement, which has some of the best training a law enforcement executive can obtain. Participation is by invitation only, through a nomination process. Participants are drawn from every U.S. state and territory and from international partner nations.
“We have made it a priority to focus on internal leadership development, and Deputy Chief Roberts has been an integral part of our leadership team since I became police chief,” Hillen said. “With his three decades of service to the City of Kentwood, there is no doubt in my mind he is dedicated to this profession, the City and our department.
“He knows our culture and has a passion for overcoming our challenges. His service to the community has been unquestionable and I have the utmost faith he will continue to provide exemplary leadership as police chief.”
Hillen and his wife, Sueann, plan to spend the winter in Florida and see where life takes them next.
This Labor Day weekend will be filled with music on WKTV 25 as the station runs two marathon events featuring the summer outdoor concerts from both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.
A tradition for many years, WKTV has features the City of Wyoming’s Concerts int the Park series on Labor Day, Sept. 2. This year, the station has included a marathon of the City of Kentwood Summer Concert series on Saturday, Aug. 31, giving residents from both communities away to enjoy the past summer before the school year starts.
The Crane Wives were a featured group at the City of Kentwood’s Summer Concert series. (WKTV)
Kick off the Labor Day holiday with the Saturday special of the Kentwood Summer Concerts. The concerts will be shown in the following order:
1:30 p.m. The Cranes Wives, a popular West Michigan band
2:50 pm. That Beatles Thing, hits from The Beatles’ catalog
4:20 p.m. Brena, oldies, top 40 hits, classic rock, R&B and country
5:55 pm. Melophobix, an alternative band with a funky musical outlook
7:05 p.m. Hannah Rose and the Gravetones, funk, blues and rock n’ roll
Brena performed at both the City of Kentwood and the City of Wyoming summer concerts series. (Supplied)
On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, the station will air the City of Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park series. The concerts will be shown in the following order:
9:30 a.m. Midlife Crisis, oldies, classic rock band
11:05 a.m. Brena, oldies, top 40 hits, classic rock, R&B and country
12:40 p.m. Ray Watkoski and Family, polka music
2:10 p.m. Paradise Outlaw, Americana with Motown and Southern rock
3:40 p.m. Jared Knox, country music
5 p.m Jack and The Spare Tires, sixties, seventies, and eighties covers
6:35 p.m. Broadman Brown, country music
8:05 p.m. Daddyz Breakdown, classic rock
9:45 p.m. Shadows of the Night, music from the women of rock ‘n’ roll
11:10 p.m Brena, oldies, top 40 hits, classic rock, R&B and country
For more program information, visit wktv.org or go to the tab WKTV Schedule at the wktvjournal.org.
Business owners and employers do no have to permit marijuana use or possession on their property was the main takeaway for a recent Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce meeting.
The program, which was this past spring at the Express Employment Professional offices in Wyoming, was focused on helping local business owners understand the impact of the November-approved marijuana act. The act, which allows for the use of recreational marijuana, went into effect in December.
The reason business owners can restrict marijuana is that federal law still deems it as an illegal drug.
“The federal law does supersede the state law,” said Heather Merrick, a professional/technical recruiter for Express Employment Professionals. “From an employer standpoint, we can stick to the federal guidelines. We can still have a drug enforcement policy within our organization and say we are 100 percent drug free and marijuana can be included in that even though it is legal under state law.”
Kent County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Becker talks to local business owners about the Michigan Marijuana Act. (WKTV)
The bigger challenge is proving that a person is under the influence of marijuana when running equipment or at the job site, according to Kent County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Becker.
“Proponents were like lets treat this like alcohol and we can, but there is no per se limit for marijuana,” Becker said. For alcohol that limit is .08. The other issue is that alcohol has a bell curve where as marijuana does not, he said.
“You have five beers at eight o’clock in the morning…you are going to have a high alcohol content in your blood stream and that is going to go down by four or five o’clock and you are going to be fine, probably,” Becker said.
“Marijuana stays in for days. So one of your employees can go out on a Friday and smoke marijuana, come to work on Monday and still have marijuana in their system. Now is he impaired? Depends on the person and how it is impacting him.”
For an employer, they need to be able to show that marijuana is affecting the employee’s ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner, not that it is just in the person’s system.
“Legally, you can not operate, navigate or be in physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, snowmobile, off-road vehicle or motherboard while under the influence of marijuana,” Becker said. “We can do a blood test to say marijuana is in their system but just because marijuana is in their system does not mean they are operating under the influence.”
The prosecutor’s office may not be able to charge criminally because it can not show the person is under the influence but civil liability may attach because a company has got an employee driving a motor vehicle or a hi-low while having marijuana in his/her system, Becker said, adding that some of these issues may have to be litigated in the courts.
Heather Merrick, from Express Employment Professionals, talks to local businesses about updating their drug testing policies. (WKTV)
With these gray areas on what is considered “under the influence,” now is the time for employers to take a look at any existing drug testing policies or create new ones, Merrick said.
There are three options that employers have. The first is to maintain a drug-free workplace. Those who are federally contracted or under specific federal guidelines must maintain a drug-free workplace because the federal government views marijuana as illegal, she said.
Those who are not under federal rules have some factors to consider such as employment in Kent County is low, around 2.9 percent. Also, it is estimated that about 33 percent of workers will use marijuana in 2019. Statistics show that about 20 percent of people who are 26 or older are or will use marijuana, which could greatly reduce the possible pool of candidates for a business with a drug-free policy, Merrick said.
Option two would be to continue doing pre-employment drug screening, continue doing accident injury drug screening but take marijuana out of that mix. Merrick said that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, recommends that employers do not conduct any test if an accident would have happened regardless if the employee had taken drugs or alcohol.
“Say someone gets stung by a bee and they go to the med center and they are under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or whatever it is, they would have been stung by that bee whether they have it in their system or not,” Merrick said. “But you test them, they come up positive and now you are terminating the employee. So OSHA says not to test in that scenario because it discourages people from reporting accidents and injuries if they know they are going to get terminated because they are going to come up positive on the drug screen.”
Now if the accident involves a hi-low and it was caused by an employee who potentially was impaired, then do the testing, she said, adding “OSHA wants people to report accidents, so that is how they are looking at it.”
The last option is to completely stop drug testing. This move could save money on drug testing but could cause some safety issues, Merrick said.
Merrick did agree with Becker that until it is determined “what is under the influence” and how that is tested, businesses will be operating in somewhat of a gray area on the marijuana issue which makes it even more important for businesses to make sure that the company’s drug policy is in place and specifies what you will be testing for.
“Whether you have a policy or not, it is a good time for employers to look at what they have, revamp or put one together,” she said.
You sometimes hear it said that America’s love affair with cars peaked in the 1960s and has since started to fade. Anyone who believes that has probably not ventured a trip down 28th Street during the annual Metro Cruise, because if they had, they would be quick to discover that America’s love affair with cars is stronger than ever.
Started 15 years ago by the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce to encourage businesses and patrons to travel the “Sunset Strip of Grand Rapids,” the annual event has become a two-day car extravaganza with more than 100,000 people attending. This year’s Metro Cruise is Friday and Saturday Aug. 23 and 24, and it’s packed with more to do and see, according to organizers.
New this year will be a 4 p.m. Official Cruise along 28th Street. (WKTV)
“The stars are the cars,” as Chamber President /CEO Bob O’Callaghan likes to say. There will definitely be plenty of cars with the Main Event, located at Rogers Plaza, 972 28th St. SW, featuring nearly 400 stationary collector cars, which does not count the cars that will be cursing 28th Street or featured at other business along the road such as Berger Chevrolet.
Berger Chevrolet, 2525 28th St. SE, again will be hosting its All GM Show on Saturday, Aug. 24. The free event, which is open to the public, will feature NHRA drag racer and 2017 NHRA Drag Racing Series Top Fuel dragster champion Brittany Force and her father, drag racer John Force.
WKTV Community Media will produce a one-hour special live broadcast at Metro Cruise scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, on WKTVLive.org as well as on WKTV Comcast Cable Channel 25 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, and, later on demand at WKTV.org.
There are a host of activities taking place at The Main Event located at Rogers Plaza: Those activities include:
A Blind Donut TasteTest is at 10 a. m. Saturday. The first 100 people will get the opportunity to blind taste test donuts from Wyoming’s Marge’s Donut Den and Kentwood’s Cindy’s Donuts and Ice Cream and then tell judges which donut they felt was the best.
Dynamometer, or Dyno, will return, allowing cars to rev up to more than 160 mph. There is a fee to participate in the Dynamometer. Visit 28thStreetMetroCruise.com for more information.
Metro Cruise Tours is new this year. Five different times at the Main Event at Rogers Plaza, an expert in the car world will be leading walking tours down Collector Car Row. The tour, which is free, is an opportunity to see some very special cars, meet the owners, and hear their stories.
Official Cruise Time is another new addition. Any collector car owner participating in the 2019 Metro Cruise is invited to participate in the official Cruise, which is at 4 p.m Saturday. Cars may enter or exit anywhere along 28th Street as there is no lead car. The goal, according to organizers, is to create a one- to two-hour concentration of collector cars along 28th Street.
The final round for the Miss Metro Cruise contest will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Main Event stage. The field of contestants was whittled down at the June preliminaries to 10 finalists who will compete on Saturday for the title of 2019 Miss Metro Cruise.
The final round of the Miss Metro Cruise contest takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday. (WKTV)
Also at the Main Event will be 26 food vendors, including 16 food trucks, 35 local vendors, and official Metro Cruise souvenirs. There also will be music featuring five area bands. On Friday will be Flexadecibel (funk soul, rock) and Onager (rock, pop, country), and on Saturday will be Stolen Horses (country), La Aria del Ritmo (Latin) and Azz Izz (pop, R&M, Top 40). Activities at the Main Event at Rogers Plaza are from 4 – 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24.
Through a partnership with The Rapids, there will be a free shuttle service. The shuttle will pick up and drop off attendees at the Wyoming High School, 1350 Prairie Parkway, and the Wyoming library, 3350 Michael every 20 to 30 minutes during the peak times on Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24.
There are other Metro Cruise-related activities happening on Thursday, Aug. 22, as well. The Cascade Metro Cruise Warm Up, Cascade Road and 28th Street, will feature more than 200 cars, a live DJ, food vendors, and activities for the children. This event runs from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also, the Blessing of the Cars, at Wesley Park United Methodist Church, 1150 32nd St. SE. The event runs from 6-7 p.m. More than 100 show cars are expected. No registration is required.
As part of the next phase of work to rebuild the intersection of Forest Hill Avenue SE and Burton Street SE, the north half of the Forest Hill and Burton intersection will be closed beginning Friday, Aug. 9.
The closure, which will remain until the completion of the project in August, means commuters will not have access to Forest Hill Avenue from the south end of the street. Instead, commuters will need to take a detour from East Paris Avenue to Cascade Road. Traffic delays should be anticipated.
“We recognize this closure is an inconvenience, but it is necessary in order for the contractor to be able to complete the work prior to when area schools are back in session,” said City Engineer Dan VanderHeide. “In addition, the upgrades at the intersection of Burton and Forest Hill, including new right turn lanes for Forest Hill and a new traffic signal, will reduce congestion and new pavement will mean major work to the intersection will not be necessary for many years.”
Detours will be posted and electronic sign boards are in place to give commuters of the major change in traffic. Commuters can also receive updates via the City’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter) and website. For more information, including a map of 2019 street resurfacing and repairs, visit www.kentwood.us.
Today is National Night Out, a time set aside for residents to turn their porch lights on and get out and meet their neighbors.
Both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will have a number of National Night Out events and activities taking place throughout the day. Below is a list of just some of those activities.
Consumer’s Energy Kick-Off Event
Consumer’s Energy will host its early morning event from 5:30 – 8 a.m. at its Wyoming headquarters, 4000 Clay Ave. SW. Mayors from several cities including Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will participate in a joint reading of the proclamation in recognition of National Night Out.
Employees will be handing out light bulbs along Clay Avenue along with area police cruisers on display with lights on.
City of Kentwood
The Kentwood Police Department has partnered with Woodland Mall to offer community members an up-close look at emergency vehicles both outside and throughout the mall from 3 to 5 p.m. Large emergency vehicles will be on display outside by Celebration! Cinema, while other vehicles will be placed throughout the mall for shoppers to learn about and explore. A table featuring Kentwood Police Department giveaways will be located in the Barnes and Nobles wing.
Pentecostals Church, 2627 44th St. SE, will host a party featuring a bounce house, free meal, face painting, music, carnival games and other kids’ activities.
South United Methodist Church, 4500 S. Division Ave., will have free ice cream and hot dogs, a live band, door prizes and a small water slide for young children.
Faith Church, 1412 44th St. SE, will have food trucks and a live band.
More information about National Night Out events in Kentwood is available at kentwood.us/NNO.
Various activities will be offered at several neighborhood National Night Out events. (WKTV)
The Wyoming Concerts in the Park series hosts its last concert tonight with Shadows of the Night, music of the women of rock from 7 – 9 p.m. The evening is centered around National Night Out with a variety of activities taking place along with a visit from a couple of representatives from the city’s most popular police unit, the K-9 Unit.
Other National Night Out events, which will take place between 5 – 9 p.m., taking place are:
The South Godwin Neighborhood Association at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE. This is one of the biggest National Night Out events with lots of activities.
Grace University, 1011 Aldon St. SW, will have activities and food.
Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Byron Center Ave. SW, will have activities and food.
Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW, will have activities including a children’s parade.
South Kent National Night Out
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department and the Kentwood Community Church have teamed up to host the South Kent National Night Out set for 4 – 8 p.m. at Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St. SW.
The free event will feature food, games, splash pads, AeroMed Helicopter, KCSO Mounted Unit, and much more! For more information on the South Kent National Night Out, click here.
Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that Roskam Baking Company will be expanding its operations at 5565 Broadmoor Ave SE in Kentwood. This expansion will result in the creation of 238 new jobs and a capital investment of $85.2 million.
Roskam is headquartered in Kentwood and was founded in 1923 as a family-owned bakery in Grand Rapids. Today, the company is still owned and operated by the Roskam family, employs over 2,000 in West Michigan, and is a manufacturer for major food companies and brands around the country. The expanded facility will house two new product lines for the company as a result of contracts earned in 2018.
The Right Place worked in collaboration with Roskam Baking Company and the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region. The Right Place also connected Roskam Baking Company to workforce development resources at West Michigan Works! to assist with worker training.
The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $1,000,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
One of the products made at Roskam Baking Company is croutons. (Public Domain)
“This project is an excellent win for our region in terms of jobs, investment, and overall economic impact,” said Eric Icard, Senior Business Development Manager and project lead, “West Michigan’s food processing industry is a national leader, and Roskam Baking Company’s decision to continue its growth here is a testament to our region’s strength.”
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley
The City of Kentwood is supportive of Roskam’s decision to expand in the city, which will bring new jobs to the community. The city is considering the approval of a local PA 198 Property Tax Abatement.
“We appreciate Roskam Baking Company’s further investment in the City of Kentwood,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are proud to see a world-leading food processing company have continued success and bring new jobs to the community.”
“People leave traces of themselves where they feel most comfortable, most worthwhile.”
Haruki Murakami
This is not Kentwood
Road trip!
The City of Kentwood has released its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer. Go here for the details.
Audacious Hoops performs July 24 at the KDL Kentwood Branch
How audacious!
“Hooping” has become its own art form and perhaps no one has done more for it than Grand Rapids’s own Audria Larsen, the founder of Audacious Hoops. Here’s the story.
Courtesy Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show
Get your tickets now!
Tickets now on sale at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability. Here’s the story.
Fun fact:
Only once
Seems hard to believe — especially with millions of albums sold — but the original Fleetwood Mac band had only one song top the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #1 — Dreams, from their 1977 album, Rumours. Thanks, Stevie.
When Maggie headed out to visit EAD in Kentwood last spring it had been a rough week for the 18-year-old. The emotional roller coaster of school coupled with her college plans not falling into place had all been challenges.
So the opportunity to escape from it for a few hours by helping to film a documentary about Kentwood’s EAD, the Equine Assisted Development located at 3224 32nd St. SE, seemed like a nice reprieve.
EAD Founder and Executive Director Deb VanderBand handed Maggie a brush and introduced her to several of the horses, including Noel, EAD’s only miniature horse, and a friendship was formed.
One of the EAD horses in the outside ring. (EAD)
“You could really see a change in her,” said Gary VandeVelde, the producer and director of the EAD program which airs Wednesday, July 10 at 4 p.m. and Friday, July 12, at noon on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99.
A change that showed her confidence and leadership as she became the natural leader in a group exercise, giving everyone the support they needed to complete the task.
VanderBand that is what EAD is all about. Helping anyone get through the hurt they are facing.
“Hurting is basically circumstances that you were not aware that you were going to come into,” VanderBand said. “Situations that often times have us go sideways.”
This could be a divorce, loss of a loved one, being bullied or being the bully and sometimes life just not going the direction you expected.
According to EAD Founder Deb VanderBand, when you are leading a 1,200 pound horse, you totally focused on the task and are more likely to answer open-ended questions freely. (EAD)
In the upcoming program, VanderBand demonstrates how the non-riding experience works.
“So when you come into the arena, I ask you to walk a 1,200 pound animal around,” VanderBand said, “You are moving constantly. You are concerned that your foot is going to get stepped on. So when I ask you an open ended question, you are not filtering through how to answer my question, you are concentrating on the process you are in.
“Horses mirror our emotions. They have a six-second memory and are absolutely incapable of being manipulated because they live moment-by-moment. So they are giving you the most authentic piece of information that you could ask for because they do not and are not capable of judging you the way you think you are. They bring out the best in people.”
The upcoming EAD documentary will air Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Friday at noon and throughout the summer, so check the WKTV schedule. The EAD website is eadgl.org.
The nation celebrates its 243rd birthday this Thursday and you can bet the City of Kentwood is not holding back. The day is packed with activities from a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Fire Station No. 1; a 5K at 8:30 a.m., followed by a parade at 9:30 a.m. Then there is the carnival, this year located behind city hall, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. From 4 – 10 p.m. will be a community event with a beer tent, food trucks, and bands, followed by the fireworks. Remember, those attending the Kentwood fireworks, sparkles, personal fireworks and Chinese lanterns are not permitted. For a detailed map and more, click here.
And Bombs Bursting In Air
Several other local communities also will be hosting July 4th celebrations. The City of Grandville kicks off its Fourth of July celebration with a pancake breakfast. There is also a parade (11 a.m.) and activities throughout the day. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. Other communities hosting July 4th parades and fireworks: East Grand Rapids, Ada, and Cascade Township. The City of Grand Rapids will have its July 4th fireworks on Saturday, July 6.
Free picture () from https://torange.biz/fx/new-bottle-years-fireworks-effect-78192
Now for the Rules
By now, you should have heard of the state’s new rules about fireworks. For the July 4th holiday, consumer fireworks are allowed from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. through July 5 (since July 5 falls on a Friday.) According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was an estimated 9,100 fireworks-related injuries treated in the United States in 2018, of which more than half were around July 4. So here are a few safety tips provided by local firefighters: only use fireworks outdoors in clear areas away from buildings, vehicles, and flammable substances; never relight a “dud” firework, but after 20 minutes soak it in a buck of water; fireworks should be suprivsied by a responsible adult; and have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
Some Patriotic Trivia
As you are waiting for the fireworks to start, here’s a few pieces of July 4 trivia to wow your friends and family. Of all the signers of the Declaration of Independence, only John Hancock actually signed the document on July 4, 1776. Fifty-six men from the 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. Of the original signers, only Thomas Jefferson and John Adams became President of the United States. Both men died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826.
Lastly: The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia. The following year, on July 4, 1777, the city adjourned Congress and celebrated Independence Day with bonfires, bells, and fireworks. In honor of that, the Liberty Bell is tapped 13 times on July 4 in remembrance of the 13 colonies.
