The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) has released its annual Spring Recycling Guide. The Guide informs residents on what they can dispose of and recycle as they begin spring cleaning.
(Courtesy, Kent County DPW)
The Spring Recycling Guide shares valuable tips on recycling and properly disposing of waste, including everything from cartons and cans to bulky plastic containers to chemicals and cleaners and propane tanks. Properly disposing of these household items can help Kent County reach its goal to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Multiple options are available for disposal
“So many items that get placed in residents’ trash bins can be disposed of in a better way, and the DPW’s Spring Recycling Guide offers helpful information to help protect our environment,” said Katelyn Kikstra, Waste Reduction Educator at the DPW.
“We encourage residents to use the guide and our online Recycling & Waste directory to help reduce landfill waste.”
(Courtesy, Kent County DPW)
The guide details what can be recycled in Kent County including paper folders and shredded documents, corrugated plastic yard signs, aluminum trays and foil.
If items cannot go in residents’ recycling bins, there are additional options that help avoid items being sent to a landfill. Many household items may not be recyclable but can still be safely disposed of including paints and stains, garden hoses and electronics.
Resources
The DPW also offers a newly updated and user-friendly online directory in which residents can search virtually any item and find out how to dispose of or recycle it.
The Bridge of Arbor Circle is a safe, no cost shelter program for youth, ages 10-17, who are facing homelessness or considering running away (Courtesy, Arbor Circle)
This work is a continuation of a 2017 initiative in conjunction with True Colors United (formerly The True Colors Fund), led in collaboration with Arbor Circle and other community organizations. The goal is to create responsive strategies that will advance the health and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ youth and young adults.
Meeting a significant need
(Courtesy photo)
The need for this ongoing focus on the health and wellness of LGBTQI+ youth is significant, as risks for these youth continue to be elevated both nationally and locally.
The Trevor Project reports that nationally, LGBTQ youth are three times more likely to attempt suicide as their non-LGBTQ peers. Locally, a January 2023 Trevor Project study found that 45% of LGBTQ Michigan youth considered suicide in the past year.
Additionally, local data from the Kent County Continuum of Care (2022) shows that nearly 27% of all Runaway and Homeless Youth in Kent County identify within the LGBTQ community.
With these funds, Arbor Circle will engage LGBTQI+ youth and their families and caregivers in counseling and support programs aimed to reduce behavioral health risks.
“We are humbled by the opportunity to continue seeking the answer to the question first posed by our work with True Colors United,” shared Susan Sheppard, Arbor Circle’s Vice President & COO. “How might we ensure all LGBTQ+ youth in West Michigan live in a safe, secure community?”
Arbor Circle’s community-based building on Leonard Street NE in Grand Rapids (Courtesy, Arbor Circle)
Community partnerships
This project will also bring together systems and community organizations that engage with youth and families to support increased acceptance and understanding. Training on successful interventions and awareness of available services will also be offered.
“We are pleased to partner with Arbor Circle on this work to support the mental health and wellness of LGBTQ+ youth in our community,” shared Jennie Knight, Executive Director of Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium. “Mental health is a crucial, but often overlooked, component of healthcare, and this grant will help us to address this need.”
Michigan residents in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties with property damage from the Aug. 24-26, 2023 tornadoes, severe storms and flooding may now call or go online to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA.
To start the application process, contact FEMA by going online to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. When calling the FEMA Helpline, multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).
Federal assistance may include temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-related expenses.
Have the following information ready when you apply with FEMA:
A current phone number where you can be contacted.
Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
Your social security number (or the social security number of a minor child in your household, if you’re applying on their behalf).
A general list of damage and losses.
Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
Those who already made repairs or started their recovery should still apply.
FEMA inspectors are trained to recognize damage caused by a disaster even after recovery has started, and they will discuss that damage with you when they come to your home. Be prepared to show repair receipts, photos and any other disaster-related documentation as well.
FEMA offers tips on how to be prepared for the assistance process (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Important reminders after applying:
Keep important steps in mind when navigating your FEMA assistance process after the August severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.
Next, comes a call. Typically, after you apply, you will be contacted by a FEMA inspector to schedule an appointment. Be sure to answer the phone. The inspector’s phone number may be from out of state or show up on caller ID as “unavailable.”
Then, inspection day. The inspection includes looking at disaster-damaged areas of your home and reviewing your records. FEMA inspectors will carry an official photo ID and will never ask for bank information. They will also never ask for money and never require payment in any form.
The inspector will ask to verify the applicant’s name, address, contact information, occupancy, ownership status, household occupants and insurance coverage. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and ASL interpreters, are available to ensure effective communication with survivors.
Don’t forget to fill out and submit your U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application. After applying for disaster assistance, applicants may be referred to the SBA. There’s no obligation to accept a loan, but you may miss out on the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds if you don’t apply. If you don’t qualify for an SBA disaster loan, you may be referred back to FEMA for other types of grant assistance.
Finally, a decision will be sent to you. You will receive a letter explaining FEMA’s eligibility decision within 10 days after the inspector’s visit. Be sure to read it closely; it may explain additional steps needed to continue with the process. If you are eligible for assistance, you may receive a U.S. Treasury check or direct deposit based on what you selected during your application.
Getting help to those who need it most is FEMA’s priority. Recovery teams will be out soon in the neighborhoods affected by the disaster to provide one-on-one support to individuals. Recovery centers will also be opening for individuals to get additional in-person help.
For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4757.
Food insecurity impacts over 261,000 people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula alone. Wyoming High School (WHS) has teamed up with Feeding America West Michigan to provide free nourishing food for those in need.
There are a variety of reasons food insecurity exists, and anyone can experience a period of that insecurity and need.
“We are seeing the need for food amongst our families increase,” said Joy Pratt, Wyoming School Community Coordinator. “This past fall, we were able to feed 110-120 families monthly, but sadly, had to turn families away as we ran out of food.”
Working together to eradicate hunger
Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) has partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry for several years, rotating locations between elementary school buildings.
For the last few months, WHS has become a consistent host site, and will continue to host the Mobile Pantry once a month.
*WHS January Mobile Food Pantry will be held Monday, Jan. 22 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
WPS is working to help meet a basic need in the community (FeedWM)
“Moving the Mobile Food Pantry to the high school has allowed us to serve more families, cause less disruption to neighborhood traffic, as well as sort and package food inside the building versus outside in the elements,” said Pratt.
With some families financially stretched to the breaking point, picking up 40-50 lbs. of food for free has a far-reaching impact. WPS has seen that impact firsthand.
“What we know to be true is that if we want our kids to learn, their basic needs have to be met first,” said Pratt. “Kids who are worried about not having enough food at home typically don’t learn as well as kids who don’t have that worry.
If something as simple as WPS/WHS hosting a monthly Mobile Food Pantry can alleviate that worry, even a little bit, it’s a no-brainer.”
What to expect
Though the selection of food varies each month, there are always a variety of fresh and frozen items available at the Mobile Pantry. Some examples include: yogurt, cheese, milk, almonds, grapes, bananas, potatoes, rice, beans, macaroni, baked goods, apples, onions, carrots, ham, bread, bagels, cereal, granola, strawberries, and cream cheese.
The Mobile Pantry is drive-thru style, and families are asked to remain in their vehicles for safety.
WHS Mobile Food Pantry Map (Courtesy, WPS)
Cars enter at the main entrance to WHS (1350 Prairie Parkway). Volunteers will direct traffic in the parking lot to help with efficiency.
Once in line, a volunteer will approach each car to record the name, address, number of people in the household, and the reason the food is needed for each family. Once a car has reached the front of the line, volunteers will load a box of food into the trunk.
Make an impact – volunteer!
Just a few hours of time can make a substantial impact (FeedWM)
Community volunteers are always welcome and can sign up for January and February Mobile Pantries using the following links: January 2024 / February 2024
“Just giving three hours a month of their time has a significant impact on 170 families in their community,” said Pratt. “When you consider the time you give, and weigh it against the impact you make, volunteering to help at the Mobile Food Pantry is a worthwhile endeavor.
“If we all give a little, we can make big things happen.”
Resources – learn more!
To learn more about Feeding America West Michigan and the services they offer, click here.
For the Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry schedule, click here.
Respiratory viruses are on the rise in Michigan and in Kent County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors flu activity across the U.S. and now categorizes Michigan’s flu activity level as high. Local hospitals are seeing an increase in upper respiratory illnesses including influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID.
(Courtesy, Kent County Health Department)
The rise in the three illnesses has many of us feeling the symptoms which may include runny nose, congestion, and coughing. But how can you tell if what you have is a common cold or something more severe?
COVID has changed
For people who are up to date on vaccination the symptoms are much less severe and can easily be confused with a cold. At first, one of the telltale signs of COVID was the loss of taste and smell. Health officials say that isn’t happening as much anymore because of the level of immunity people have acquired from having the illness, getting vaccinated, or both.
If it is COVID, you may have stomach issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The flu and RSV do not usually have these symptoms. If you are having gastrointestinal issues with your other symptoms, you should consider a COVID test.
Symptoms for respiratory illnesses can vary (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
RSV symptoms
RSV can be fairly mild, but for people over 65 and children the illness can become very severe. Medical professionals say RSV patients will typically have wheezing or symptoms that look like asthma flare ups. RSV symptoms usually in stages over the course of 4 to 6 days.
Flu symptoms
The flu generally comes all at once. Sudden onset of symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, body aches and a sore throat can seem to strike out of the blue. COVID, colds and RSV do not do behave that way, instead a person may have new symptoms for several days when they have become infected with those illnesses.
This chart can help you interpret your symptoms:
Respiratory Illness Symptoms (Courtesy, KCHD)
I have some of these symptoms, now what?
When you are feeling symptoms, medical professionals say that getting tested for COVID should be the first thing on the list. If that is negative, it is wise to get a flu test. After a positive flu test, you may be prescribed antiviral drugs like Tamiflu that can dramatically shorten the number of days you suffer.
When to seek medical attention
You should seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing severe flu symptoms like difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness, seizures or severe weakness or muscle pain.
Vaccine resources
Fortunately vaccines exist for COVID, RSV and influenza and there is still time to protect yourself if you have not received yours yet. Other simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others include staying home if you are sick and washing your hands correctly and often.
Call KCHD today to make your vaccine appointment at 616-632-7200.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Estimates suggest radon kills 21,000 people from lung cancer each year in the United States.
Radon is an odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas formed by the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It seeps into homes through foundation cracks, floor drains, and sump crocks. Radon gas can accumulate in basements or lower levels of homes, especially during winter months when houses are kept closed.
This makes January the perfect time to test your home.
How to detect radon
The only way to determine if elevated levels of radon exist in your home is to test for it.
(Courtesy, KCHD)
Kits are easy to use and testing can be completed in less than a week. Testing for radon is recommended every few years or after completion of certain household construction projects.
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is offering free radon test kits to residents throughout January, coinciding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s designation of January as National Radon Action Month.
The radon kits are available to Kent County residents and must be picked up in person at any one of four clinic locations during regular business hours in January while supplies last. Click here for a list of clinic locations and hours.
Results and action options
Residents using the kits and the State of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will receive the results. Residents can use the information when deciding on how best to pursue remediation, and EGLE gains a better understanding of the locations and prevalence of radon in Michigan.
EGLE Michigan Indoor Radon Results Map – see link below (Courtesy, KCHD)
For help understanding the test results, residents should the KCHD Environmental Health Division at 616-632-6900.
If elevated radon levels, above 4 pCi/L, are detected in your home, there are options to help reduce exposure. Radon mitigation systems are often installed to help vent radon gas collecting under a home to the outside atmosphere. Additional mitigation options include sealing cracks, gaps, and sump pits in a basement or installing vapor barriers.
Resource links
EGLE has developed a map of radon risk zones for Michigan. Kent County is typically categorized as having a moderate to high levels of radon.
Additional information about radon testing and how to remediate it can be found in these two KCHD podcasts:
Human traffickers prey on vulnerability – bringing them closer to home than most people realize.
Wedgwood Christian Services (WCS) is dedicated to preventing human trafficking by bringing awareness to the community and urging people to educate themselves on the dangers and signs of human trafficking.
Part of that education is recognizing the myths and truths surrounding human trafficking.
Not like the movies
Kali Jackson, Cook Claus Residential Therapist, Wedgwood Christian Services (Courtesy, WCS)
“One of the biggest myths that I see is that all human trafficking involves crossing of state lines,” said Kali Jackson, Cook Claus Residential Therapist, WCS. “A lot of times human trafficking is local, the community trafficking them within the city the individual lives in.”
Trafficking is not like movies often portray, with an individual smuggled or kidnapped by a stranger.
“A lot of times, an individual is groomed into willingly going into a relationship, but then they are manipulated to stay with physical tactics later on,” said Jackson.
Traffickers create relationships with their victims first.
“They become friends with them online, or it may even be a loved one or family member – but they have some sort of connection with that client.”
Jackson went on to say that the predator has to know about the victim’s needs in order to offer a solution, making the perpetrator appear safe. The predator then isolates the victim, causing the victim to feel that only the perpetrator can meet their needs.
“That’s how they get those clients to stay for so long,” Jackson said.
The bottom line?
“A perpetrator is looking for someone who’s vulnerable,” said Jackson.
As the therapist for Wedgwood’s residential home that serves human trafficking victims ages 12-17, Jackson is no stranger to seeing that vulnerability firsthand.
Predators look for vulnerabilities to exploit (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“I’ve been in this position for four years, and every story is so unique,” said Jackson. “But the one thing always in common is that vulnerability.
“Every single one of my clients, when they talk about why they got into human trafficking, [say] they felt unloved, they felt vulnerable enough to allow anyone to give them that love and attention.”
Many times, that vulnerability is found in younger children.
“Frequently their first experience with someone grooming them or attempting to get them into the life of human trafficking, it’s very young,” said Jackson. “We typically see individuals getting into trafficking between ages 12 and 16.”
A perpetrator is looking to provide them with something they can’t provide themselves. An older individual who has maintained employment, housing, or a stable relationship doesn’t have enough vulnerabilities for the trafficker to easily sustain.
A dysfunctional home life is one of the main catalysts for involvement in human trafficking.
“Maybe they’re running away from home, or they’re displaying images or messages online suggesting that they’re not happy at home,” said Jackson. “They’re looking to try to fill that void of the relationship they don’t have with their parents with anyone out there willing to give it to them.
Predators look for ways they can provide what victims feel they lack (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“[Predators] look for an individual who has some of those adverse childhood experiences, those traumas, and those vulnerabilities to feed off of.”
Once that relationship is built, the predator begins to abuse their power by making that client do sexual favors for them. That client often feels like they have to stay with them because their needs have been met by that perpetrator for so long, they don’t know how they will have shelter or food if they leave.
Fear of that perpetrator going after the victim’s parents, or doubt that their parents will believe them, can also cause the victim to stay.
Human trafficking on the rise
“There’s definitely been an increase in the amount of [trafficking] incidents that have happened over the past several years,” said Jackson. “The big thing that’s coming into play is technology.
“A lot of individuals are experiencing their first grooming incidents online. Displaying vulnerabilities on social media, having someone reach out to them, asking them to build that relationship…that may turn into human trafficking later.”
Not all chains trapping a victim are physical (Courtesy photo)
Jackson went on to say that a growing awareness of human trafficking has also caused an increase in incidents.
The knowledge that there is such a thing as receiving money, clothing, or shelter in exchange for services has caused victims to willingly enter trafficking situations while on the run from their family.
Psychological chains
Though many victims are physically locked down and unable to leave their situation, many times the chains are psychological.
“That is a myth in itself, that sometimes these victims physically are unable to leave, like they are chained up or behind locked doors,” said Jackson. “With a lot of my clients, they are forced to be in hotel rooms where they could walk out, but they’re fearful of what might happen [if they leave].
“Although the door isn’t physically locked, they have emotional chains on them.”
Trafficking stereotype
Though many people think traffickers are male, Jackson said that it is important to realize that women can also be perpetrators. Some traffickers work in groups consisting of both men and women.
“A lot of times we actually see women being the trafficker because they know that another woman would build trust with [the victim] easier than a male would,” said Jackson.
Stopping the cycle
Open conversations and a safe home environment are important (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Prevention of human trafficking, Jackson believes, begins in the home.
“It first starts with having, and modeling, positive relationships in the home,” said Jackson. “A lot of times when we see youth seek out that negative attention, it’s because they’re looking to fill that void they’re not getting in the home.”
Creating a safe space at home for children to give voice to their feelings is crucial.
Having open conversations with children about warning signs they should look for online is also essential.
“A lot of times when clients come to us, they have a lack of education growing up,” said Jackson. “So when they get trafficked, they don’t necessarily know what they are getting into.
“They really thought they were getting into a safe relationship, but no one ever taught them what to look for, what is healthy and unhealthy, and those dos and don’ts when talking to someone online or in the community.”
Jackson urges parents to be aware of current street language, their children’s social media use, and who their children talk to.
Educate yourself and others to help prevent this crime (Courtesy photo)
Red flags to watch for can include changes in a youth’s personal hygiene, the amount of cash they have on them, and evidence of sexual activity.
Continual education regarding human trafficking is encouraged.
“This is a topic that continues to grow, and there’s more information on it all the time,” Jackson said.
Arbor Circle is inviting the community to a conversation about the impact of incarceration on our community, barriers and challenges faced by returning citizens, and ways to support returning citizens.
As our community commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, join Arbor Circle at their third annual Growing Together event from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 11 for a free panel discussion on the impact of incarceration in our community.
Honoring a legacy, impacting the community
Arbor Circle event panelists (Courtesy, Arbor Circle)
The panel discussion, presented in partnership with Civic Theatre, will take place at Wealthy Theatre with the option for guests to join in-person or virtually. While the event is free to attend, please register to help us plan: Event Registration.
Event panelists include Dee Dee Taylor, Founder and President of Taylor Made Re-Entry; West Michigan Works! Project Manager Wes Selent; Director of Cure Violence Grand Rapids and Member of City of Grand Rapids SAFE Taskforce Richard Griffin, and Mike Cole, Arbor Circle Clinical Manager.
“Bringing this important conversation to our community honors the legacy of Dr. King,” said Enid Gaddis, Director of Equity & Inclusion at Arbor Circle. “The impact of incarceration is felt by individuals, families, communities, and across systems.
“Our panelists will be exploring this impact from diverse perspectives, which include their lived experience and roles as service providers. I am excited to be part of the conversation.”
Don’t leave yet – there’s more!
As an extension of our Growing Together event, Arbor Circle is partnering with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre as they launch their production of Clyde’s, running Jan. 19-28.
(Courtesy photo)
This modern play explores the tremendous hurdles formerly incarcerated folks experience in life outside prison walls. Themes include safe housing, employment, specific support for women of color, and more.
Learn more about the show, Community Resource Night on Jan. 25, and the “pay what you want” opportunity here: https://www.grct.org/clydes/.
The panel discussion is sponsored by Veneklasen Construction, Fifth Third Bank, Grand Valley State University, Horizon Bank, Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors, Mika Meyers PLC, PCE Systems, Sytsma Wealth Strategies – Raymond James, and Urban League of West Michigan.
Kent District Library (KDL) is encouraging adults to get “On the Same Page” with reading. KDL is introducing a new initiative to bring people together around one book, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.
“At KDL, we love reading and we love people, and On the Same Page will bring two of our favorite things together,” said Hennie Vaandrager, Programming and Outreach Manager at KDL. “Many people feel lonely, and this program is designed to provide connection and enjoyment.”
On the Same Page will include numerous events around Kent County. There will be book discussions, programs featuring themes in the book, and a Meet the Author event at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, April 24 at the Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin University.
Free registration for the Author Event will be required and will open on March 15. To sign up for updates and reminders, visit kdl.org/samepage.
Compelling storytelling and rich characters
Ann Patchett is a celebrated American author. Known for her compelling storytelling and rich character development, Patchett has received critical acclaim for novels such as Bel Canto and Commonwealth. With numerous literary awards and a reputation for thought-provoking narratives, she has made a significant impact on contemporary fiction.
Tom Lake has been described as both “quiet and reassuring” (New York Times) and “poignant and reflective” (Kirkus Reviews). It is a beautiful and moving novel about family, love and growing up that takes place on a cherry farm in Traverse City, MI during 2020.
How you can read Tom Lake
Because Tom Lake is now the book that everyone is reading, KDL has purchased many copies to keep the hold times as short as possible.
KDL has 670 regular print copies, 50 large print, 76 eBooks and 61 audiobooks in its collection. Tom Lake and Now is Not the Time to Panic are also available through KDL’s Talking Book and Braille Center in both audio and Braille formats.
On the Same Page participants should also sign up for KDL’s Let It Snow Winter Reading Club, which runs from Dec. 1 – Feb. 29.
(Courtesy, KDL)
Adults and teens (grades 6 and up) who read six books in various categories will receive a collectible mug. One of the categories is “Ann Patchett Title.” Those who read an additional four books will be entered to win a Kindle Scribe. Learn more at kdl.org/snow.
On the Same Page is offered in partnership with Calvin University’s January Series. To learn more, visit kdl.org/samepage.
Local nonprofit is determined to bring Christmas to thousands of Kent County children despite the fire at their storage facility (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
A recent fire destroyed over 5,000 of gifts intended for families in need this Christmas. But Santa Claus Girls (SCG) of Kent County is determined to keep Christmas alive for the 8,500 children registered this year.
At 9 p.m. on Nov. 24, multiple agencies responded to a fire at the DeltaPlex Arena in Walker that began in a west wall of the building.
Over 5,000 gifts were damaged by smoke (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
An event center for many years, the Arena closed in summer of 2022, but remained the donation drop-off site for SCG.
Though flames did not reach the area where SCG operates, smoke infiltrated the area for hours, causing damage to thousands of gifts.
SCG Vice President Nancy Ditta said they have not been able to go through the gifts yet, and therefore are not sure if anything is salvageable. SCG will go through their storage area after the first of the year, and will know more then.
Right now, SCG’s focus is on making sure all registered children in need receive a gift in time for Christmas.
A Christmas pivot
“We have 8,500 kids, with 3,500 families, registered to receive gifts,” said Ditta. “We were able to purchase gift cards through Meijer, so we will be delivering gift cards instead of gifts to all of our recipients.”
Santa Claus Girls wants every child to receive a gift on Christmas morning (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
The number of registered children is a decrease from the 13,000 children serviced in 2022 due to an unexpected registration cutoff.
“With the fire, we had to stop registrations early,” said Ditta.
With a delivery date of Dec. 9, monetary donations to help purchase gift cards are needed.
While toys, books, and other physical gifts are accepted, Ditta said monetary donations are best since SCG volunteers are not at the DeltaPlex location to accept donations.
Monetary donations can be made via credit card, PayPal or check. Detailed instructions on how to complete donations can be found on the SCG website.
Children and families in need will receive gift cards personally delivered to their door by one of 300 volunteer drivers on Saturday, Dec. 9.
A century of giving
SCG was founded in 1908 by Arianna VanDoorn of Park Congregational Church.
Sponsored by the late Arthur H. VandenBerg, then editor of the Grand Rapids Herald, VanDoorn collected $85 to provide gifts for 150 children who, due to unfortunate circumstances, would not receive gifts at Christmas.
The goal of SCG is to ensure all children in Kent County receives a gift on Christmas morning. Each child receives one new piece of clothing, one new toy, a new book, and hats and mittens.
(Courtesy photo)
For over a century, SCG has helped thousands of Kent County children between the ages of one and twelve years of age – yet many people don’t know the group exists.
“This is our 115th year, [and] a lot of people aren’t familiar with Santa Claus Girls,” said Ditta, adding that the tragedy of the DeltaPlex fire has made more people aware of SCG and their mission.
How you can give
SCG accepts donations at any time throughout the year. Because every person associated with SCG is a non-paid volunteer, 100% of collected funds go directly to the program.
Kent County shelters are filled to capacity, risking leaving hundreds without access to shelter services during winter (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
Homelessess is on the rise (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Homelessness is on the rise, and there is an overwhelming demand for shelter and other services as winter approaches.
According to the latest data, the number of individuals and families needing shelter far exceeds the supply of shelter beds in Kent County. Based on trends and current bed capacity in our community, an estimated 100 to 300 people could be without access to shelter services on the coldest winter nights.
According to the Point in Time count, there were 723 individuals experiencing homelessness in Kent County in 2018. In 2023, that number sharply increased to 1,239 individuals experiencing homelessness.
Current shelters cannot sustain increase in need
Non-profit leaders of Dégagé Ministries, along with Mel Trotter Ministries, Family Promise and AYA Youth Collective fear they will not have enough shelter and provisions to accommodate the increased demand for shelter during the winter months.
Even with the new bunks at Dégagé, they are unable to meet the current need for beds (Courtesy, Dégagé Ministries)
Dégagé provides the only emergency shelter for women in the area. They are seeing up to 125 women a night in the shelter, many experiencing homelessness for the first time.
They are doing all they can to make arrangements to accommodate 150 women per night. Funding limitations, however, will make it difficult to sustain that figure during the winter.
The leaders of Mel Trotter Ministries, Dégagé Ministries, Family Promise of West Michigan, and AYA Youth Collective, alongside the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, are releasing an open letter to the West Michigan community.
The letter below outlines the need for this community and its leaders to identify both near and long-term solutions to address the homelessness crisis.
A plea to the public for support
To the West Michigan community:
We present this message to our community with a sense of great concern and urgency as our region’s coldest winter months are fast approaching.
Economic hardships, the loss of supportive resources from COVID, and a shortage of affordable housing have combined to worsen the already difficult situation facing men, women, youth, and families experiencing homelessness in West Michigan. The shifting landscape is presenting an increasingly dire situation for people living on the street and an overwhelming demand for the non-profit service agencies that provide compassionate care, meals, services, and shelter to those in need.
Unable to meet the demand
Shortages include location, space and staffing (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Making matters even more challenging is that just like other employers, some non-profit agencies are facing a worker shortage and a funding shortfall. Adding temporary shelter beds this winter, as has happened in the past, is a significant challenge because there are simply not enough workers to ensure a safe environment for overflow guests.
What’s more, the funding needed to provide additional staffing and a location for overflow shelter space is not presently available. Therefore, non-profits simply cannot meet the demand.
We are committed to providing compassionate support to as many of our neighbors in need as possible, while maintaining a safe environment for all. However, when the population growth of individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in our community far exceeds the limited amount of shelter space, we are faced with difficult decisions and risk loss of life.
Our collective community efforts to address the homelessness crisis must include both near and long-term solutions. Of immediate concern is the urgent need to find shelter workers and shelter bed space. At the same time, we remain focused on initiatives to increase affordable housing, create more access to mental health resources, strengthen workforce development and employment opportunities, and more.
The rising issue of homelessness is one facing our entire country, and an issue that is of paramount importance in West Michigan. Collaborative work between agencies, governmental partners, and community leaders is happening to create a long-term cohesive strategy. As non-profits, we are doing great work, but we can do even more with increased funding, more staff, and more shelter rooms to meet this growing need.
Limited shelter space increases risk of loss of life (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
How you can help save lives
With your help, we can save lives this winter by protecting unhoused individuals, youth, children, and families from extreme, life-threatening temperatures. To learn more or join us in our efforts to combat homelessness, visit us at our websites below.
We remain resolute in our commitment to serve those in need in our community, and we stand ready to continue partnering with our community leaders in taking steps toward finding a sustainable solution that benefits the entire region.
Kent County Health Department encourages residents to support local restaurants across Kent County through Nov. 11. (Courtesy, MSBDC)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
Supporting local restaurants benefits the entire community (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is encouraging residents participating in Restaurant Week GR, taking place from Nov. 3-11, to broaden their dining experiences and support restaurants across Kent County.
To assist residents in finding and selecting a restaurant, an interactive map was created featuring local restaurants across Kent County.
“Restaurants hold a unique place in our community,” said KCHD Director Dr. Adam London. “They are often where memories are made, and life’s milestones are celebrated. Supporting these establishments not only preserve our local flavors but also strengthen the bonds that hold our community together.”
Community support and benefits
Though the restaurant industry has rebounded, the workforce remains low (Courtesy photo)
Spending at local restaurants benefits the community by supporting jobs and businesses. Whether dining in, ordering take-out, or buying gift cards, consumers contribute to local employment and business growth.
In the United States, the restaurant industry has rebounded to employ a record 12.37 million people as of September 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. However, Michigan’s restaurant workforce remains about 6% below its peak, underscoring the importance of supporting local restaurants.
The Health Department works with a diverse range of food establishments, spanning from restaurants to mobile food trucks to healthcare facilities, as part of their annual licensing renewal and inspection process. Consequently, they are uniquely positioned to comprehend the challenges that restaurants have faced over the years.
Interactive maps make exploring easy
Clickable icons provide establishment details (Courtesy photo)
“We created an interactive map to encourage residents to explore our local eateries during restaurant week and beyond,” said Environmental Health Division Director Sara Simmonds. “Whether it’s an old favorite, someplace you have heard about and haven’t tried yet, or an out-of-the-way spot with a unique menu, they all help make up the fabric of Kent County.”
The map can be found on the KCHD social media site and website, and allows residents to search within a specified distance of their location. Each restaurant has a clickable icon and provides residents more details about the establishment.
Residents are also encouraged to follow our social media to learn how our team partners with local restaurants.
According to preliminary results, nearly 100,000 voters submitted ballots in the special election, supporting the ballot measure 77% to 23%. Voters approved the new, lower rate of 1.1 mills, which reflects a reduction of 10.9% off KDL’s current millage rate of 1.2355 mills.
“My team and I want to thank all those who came out to show their support for KDL,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner. “The community already shows how much it values the library every day, with record-setting attendance at programs and total circulation of materials. We’re thrilled to see validation of this in the approval by voters.
“This millage will simultaneously save taxpayers money while securing our future and allowing us to continue serving our wonderful community.”
How taxpayers will save
The KDL board approved Jan. 1, 2024 as the start date, even though the current millage is not set to expire until Dec. 31, 2024. This will provide taxpayers with immediate savings.
Taxpayers will see immediate savings (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
The millage will generate $26.6 million in its first year, covering the expense of physical and digital collections, employees, programs and events, tech tutoring and other library services, rent and other expenses.
With the new lower rate, taxpayers will save $3.1 million annually or $46.5 million over its life, with the average homeowner paying $145.75 annually for access to library services – or $2.80 per week.
About KDL services
The award-winning library system serves residents in 27 municipalities through 20 branches, an Express Library, a bookmobile, its main service center, 5,000-plus annual in-person programs and a host of patron-focused services.
KDL’s collection is extensive, with more than 700,000 physical items and 15.6 million digital items. Known for its family-friendly programs, KDL offers more than 5,600 programs and outreach events each year.
The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) has launched its fall recycling guide to help residents ensure recyclable and hard to dispose of materials don’t end up in a landfill this fall.
The 2023 Fall Recycling Guide is part of the DPW’s efforts to familiarize Kent County residents with items that can be placed in their recycling bins to move toward the goal of reducing landfill waste by 90 percent by 2030. The guide also includes tips for properly recycling or disposing of material that can’t go in a recycling bin, but can still be kept out of a landfill like leaves, pool chemicals and clothing.
“The fall season and fall holidays can bring about a lot of waste, from food containers to costumes to decorations, so it’s important Kent County residents are knowledgeable about what can be recycled and put to better use than sitting in a landfill,” said Micah Herrboldt, waste reduction educator at the DPW. “We’re proud of our community’s commitment to recycling and reducing waste all year-round.”
In the fall, the DPW tends to see items like cider jugs, paper cups and cartons, certain plastics and cardboard boxes end up in the trash when they could be placed in curbside recycling bins and eventually repurposed. Items like soup and broth cartons, rigid plastics and metal cans and tins for pie filling, also can be recycled.
If an item can’t be recycled, there are other options for residents to avoid contributing to the landfill. The DPW offers tips for what to do with Halloween costumes and wigs, sweaters and coats, as well as clothing that’s been outgrown by children.
If a garage clean-out is on your fall to do list, household hazardous waste can be brought to any of the DPW’s SafeChem locations throughout the county for free responsible disposal. Organic waste like branches, leaves and garden plants can be provided through a local waste hauler.
The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station and South Kent Landfill.
Financial advisor and money mindset coach Dinorah Caro Livingston welcomes participants to a local financial wellness workshop (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
deborah@wktv.org
Attorney Rose Coonen engages community members in coversation (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Dinorah Caro Livingston, Regional Vice-President of Primerica Advisors, recently hosted a financial wellness education workshop to help unravel the mystery surrounding financial wellness.
“It’s about providing education,” Livingston said. “The more that people know, the better they can make informed decisions for what they need.”
Education you won’t get in schools
With 20 years operating in the financial arena, Livingston is dedicated to helping people take control of their finances and their future.
“If you want something different in the future, you have to do something different today,” said Livingston.
Dinorah Caro Livingston talks about life moments that create our “WHYs” (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
But Livingston also understands that taking the reins can seem overwhelming.
“Unfortunately, people get scared, and they are scared to ask for the information,” said Livingston. “[But] there are no dumb questions. People can take baby steps to become financially stable,” Livingston added.
Livingston urges people to begin taking those baby steps to avoid a situation where they run out of time or it is too late to put plans in place.
“If you drop them little seeds of education along the way, sometimes it spurs them on to stop dragging their feet,” said Livingston. “And depending on where they are in their lives, the message is heard differently.”
Livingston provides quarterly workshops to the public but also presents workshops for specific groups such as employers, schools and churches.
“We have multiple investment partners who will help us with these,” said Livingston, “We believe education should be free.”
When Livingston met personal family lawyer Rose Coonen of Coonen Law, PLLC, she found that Coonen also focused on educating her clients via relationships and informational workshops.
A partnership was born
With 20 years of estate planning experience, Coonen believes financial planning goes hand in hand with estate planning. Like Livingston, however, Coonen has found that most people are reluctant to take that first step.
Attorney Rose Coonen talks about gaining and maintaining control of your estate and assets (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“Especially from an estate planning standpoint, it’s important, but not urgent,” said Coonen. “And no one wants to think about it.”
The solution?
Coonen says that she encourages people to think about who they are setting plans in place for, and offers to come alongside them to help.
“We do education pieces to say why it’s important, here is what could happen, let us be of service to you and help you,” Coonen said.
Communication and empathy are key
Both Livingston and Coonen have noticed that the success ratio for businesses is higher when the focus is partnership with families rather than transactional.
Rose Coonen answers questions about estate planning from the audience (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“Every family is different,” said Coonen. “Every family has different family dynamics.”
She believes the community has chosen to nominate her firm because she is not the “typical” attorney.
“I do not consider myself a traditional estate planning attorney,” said Coonen. “We are more holistic. We tell clients right from the start that they are not a number, that we come alongside them, not just to get a plan set up, but we stay in contact with them. They hear from us regularly.”
Coonen said her goal is to give families peace of mind.
“We guide families,” said Coonen. “We spend a lot of [time] building those relationships with our clients.”
Coonen has spent hours during the day calling clients to check in and see how they are doing, if anything has changed, and how life is going.
“Estate planning is an on-going process,” said Coonen, adding that the law firm does reviews every two years to make sure a client’s established plan is still current to their needs.
Get rich – slowly
Mark Everswick talks about the importance of long-term investments (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Franklin Templeton Investments Regional Director Mark Everswick has also joined forces with Livingston and Coonen to bring the component of long-term investments to the table.
With an ever-evolving economy, investing can be a puzzle. Everswick provides strategies to help people invest confidently at every age.
Everswick said that patience is key in long-term investing.
“This investing thing is [about] getting rich slowly,” said Everswick, adding that the benefits are seen over a period of time.
The goal, Everswick continued, is not to simply acquire financial stability and retire, but to pass that stability on to family, preserving it for the future.
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Consistency is key in financial planning (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
Livingston recited an old saying to help convey the value of consistency.
“That consistency is so important, whether on the legal side or the financial side,” said Livingston. “Sometimes you need a coach to stay on track. It’s never ‘if’ you’ll fall down on the financial mat, it’s a matter of ‘when.’ And when that happens, we are going to be with you.”
The Wyoming Police Department prepare to educate the community on the dangers of distracted and impaired driving with a new driving simulator (Courtesy, WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
A significant increase in traffic violations, crashes, and fatal traffic crashes in Wyoming prompts the Wyoming Police Department to acquire a new driving simulator to educate young drivers.
Through a generous donation made by General Motors, the Wyoming PD recently took possession of a distracted and impaired driving simulator to educate young drivers on the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.
Educating the community
A volunteer tries the simulator under the instruction of a WPD officer (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“The goal of the simulator is to let young drivers – any driver – get into it and see what those dangers are,” said Captain Eric Wiler of the Wyoming Police Department. “At the same time hopefully reducing some of our crashes, reducing our fatal crashes, and making our community more safe.”
Wiler added that the Wyoming PD has made it their goal to reduce the number of crashes they have recently seen.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that approximately 3,000 people die each year in crashes involving distracted drivers, and approximately 11,000 people die each year in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.
Among distracted driving crashes, a higher percentage of drivers between the ages of 15-20 were distracted than those drivers over the age of 21.
A survey conducted by the CDC found that 4 in 10 high school drivers reported that they had texted and/or emailed while driving at least once in the previous 30 days. Another CDC study showed that 5% of high school students surveyed reported that they drove after drinking alcohol within the previous 30 days.
General Motors partnership with Wyoming PD
The idea of a distracted driving simulator is appealing to the Wyoming PD because of the ability to transport it to schools and community events. They also like that it is a way to interact with younger drivers.
General Motors provided an opportunity for volunteers to experience the new simulator at their Grand Rapids operations plant (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“We’ve had a partnership with GM for several years where they give us a generous donation for traffic safety,” said Wiler. “This year, we were trying to think of something that we could interact more with the community, especially young drivers in our community, because distracted driving seems to be focused more around the younger drivers. They just don’t understand a lot of the dangers that are associated with it.
“They can look, touch, feel, have it be more interactive than just a classroom environment,” Wiler continued.
How the simulator works
The driving simulator engages two cell phones – an instructor cell phone and a student cell phone.
“As the student starts the driving simulation, the instructor can send them text messages,” said Wiler.
The messages can be pre-populated or freeform text messages.
There is also a component that allows simulation of impaired driving. Goggles worn by the simulator driver mimic being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The importance of removing distractions
Wyoming City Manager John Shay tries out Wyoming PD’s new distracted and impaired driving simulator (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
With the combination of the simulator and the hands-free law that went into effect June 30th, Wiler hopes people will see “why it’s such an important law, and why it’s so important that we put down our phones, [and] limit the distractions we have in the car.
“There is research that shows that when we are distracted, we don’t see 50% of what’s out in front of us,” Wiler continued. “Even if it’s a cell phone, looking down at your navigation, looking at your radio – anything you’re doing that is distracting is reducing what you are seeing out in front of you, which increases the likelihood of being involved in a crash.”
The Wyoming Police Department will use the driving simulator during school and community events, such as National Night Out, Metro Cruise, Concerts in the Park, and Police in the Parks.
“I am hoping it will have a really strong impact,” said Wiler.
Maria Goosen, CTRS leads seniors in a Tai Chi class at Care Resources (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
Care Resources in Grand Rapids recently offered a tai chi class to Day Center visitors ages 55 and older as a way to promote healthy living.
“Tai chi is a form of exercise that originated in China and has become extremely popular throughout the world,” said Maria Goosen, a certified therapeutic recreational specialist (CTRS) who led the tai chi class. “It incorporates slow, simple, repetitive and low-impact movements that can be easily modified so that anyone can participate.”
A tranquil environment
Maria Goosen, CTRS, leads a Tai Chi class (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The small exercise class took place in a room that featured a screen portraying peaceful nature scenes, low lighting, and soft music.
“Tai chi is often referred to as ‘meditation in motion’ because it focuses on your breath as well which helps to clear your mind,” said Goosen. “This allows for a multitude of emotional benefits such as decreased stress, anxiety and depression and enhanced well-being.”
Slow stretches gradually progressed into a sequence of tai chi movements that participants were able to complete sitting or standing, whichever was most comfortable to them.
Goosen says the benefits of tai chi are lengthy: improved balance, improved strength, improved hand-eye coordination, improved sleep quality, increased blood circulation and decreased risk of high blood pressure.
“It is a research-based intervention that has the capability to improve health in older adults,” said Goosen.
That is critically important to Care Resources, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE®, which is funded by Medicare and Medicaid. The innovative community-based program for people 55 years and older promotes healthy and independent living while working to prevent nursing home placement.
The tai chi class is one of dozens of programs offered each month to participants.
Seniors warm up their muscles before a Tai Chi class at Care Resources (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Goosen helped physically guide participants’ movements if asked, but urged them not to do any tai chi moves that would cause pain. “Listen to what your body is telling you,” said Goosen.
The tranquil atmosphere of the class was sporadically broken by soft laughter over participants’ self-proclaimed “creaking bones” and lack of coordination.
“Your bodies appreciate when you move them,” Goosen told the participants. “Be thankful and grateful for all that your body does.”
Bingo…and good friends
Pamela Miller, a tai chi class participant, has been coming to Care Resources five days a week for the past four years.
“I’ve got a lot of pluses about this place,” said Miller with a firm nod when asked if she enjoyed coming to the Day Center.
Playing Bingo, singing with “Diane the Shower Lady,” shopping in the Bingo Room, spending time with friends, and singing karaoke are only a few things Miller enjoys while at the Day Center.
Pamela Miller, a regular at the Care Resources day center, has made close friends during her visits (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
And Miller’s definition of enjoyment is simple: “All I want is a good card to play Bingo.”
Miller has also forged lasting relationships and good friends at the Day Center, one being a gentleman who recently passed away.
Miller and her friend sat beside each other for years, looked out for each other, and went to events together before he died. Miller was thankful that her friend’s wife contacted Miller so she could go to his room and say goodbye before he passed.
“I know I’m not the only one who misses him,” said Miller.
Another good friend loves to paint, and Miller enjoys watching her create works of art.
Comfort and encouragement
Also very important to Miller is talking to the military veterans who come to the Day Center and offering comfort when she can.
“I’m there for them,” said Miller. “I see how they suffer. And they have suffered a lot.”
When asked what Miller’s favorite thing to do is at the Day Center, she answered without hesitation: “Encourage other people.”
Care Resources offers a day center, clinic and pharmacy in its 36,000-square-foot building at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave SE that provide a wide range of health care services as well as opportunities that promote socialization, build community and offer respite to caregivers.
Monarch butterflies play an important role in supporting our natural environment (Courtesy, John Ball Zoo)
By John Ball Zoo
deborah@wktv.org
Monarch butterflies will be released into the wild at John Ball Zoo on Saturday, Sept. 9 as part of a wildlife conservation celebration.
During Monarch Day at the Zoo, butterflies will be released at one hour intervals amid family-friendly events designed to teach participants why the butterflies are so important. Butterfly releases will take place at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Monarch Day at the Zoo will feature several family-friendly activities and opportunities to learn about the butterflies (Courtesy, John Ball Zoo)
“We are so excited to welcome guests to experience the wonder of releasing monarch butterflies into the wild so their population can improve, and they can migrate to wintering grounds in Mexico,” said Dan Hemmann, area curator at John Ball Zoo. “People of all ages can enjoy the events of Monarch Day while learning about why this species is so important.”
From 9 a.m.-6 p.m., John Ball Zoo is offering fun, family-friendly activities and opportunities to learn about monarch butterflies and how pollinators help support our natural environment. Characters including Mirabelle, Rapunzel, Tinkerbell and Fawn will be present throughout the day to help spread the message on conservation efforts everyone can take to contribute to a healthy environment for pollinators.
Events also include story time with Circle Theatre at 11 a.m., as well as an aerial performance provided by Gemini Circus from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monarch Day will also feature live music by Kohns from 4-6 p.m., face painting, and animal activities throughout the day.
Arbor Circle teams up with Steelcase Foundation in a common goal to help West Michigan communities (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
Arbor Circle works to remove barriers and meet the mental health needs of children, their parents, and their caregivers (Courtesy, Arbor Circle)
Arbor Circle is celebrating a recent $100,000 grant from Steelcase Foundation in support of a 2-year project focused on mental health support for children and families.
As communities continue to recover from the ongoing effects of the pandemic, isolation and lack of consistency has had a significant impact on the social and emotional development of children. The last few years have spotlighted several inequities.
The impact of the pandemic on social determinants of health paired with access to resources such as housing, employment, healthcare, and education have created major challenges and disruptions in the lives of families – specifically communities of color and those in poverty.
Help is on the way
One of Michigan’s most comprehensive providers of mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and family services, Arbor Circle serves thousands of individuals and families each year. With deep roots in West Michigan, Arbor Circle collaborates with local resources to address needs in the community.
Steelcase Foundation connects resources with people by providing grants to nonprofit organizations focused on cultivating thriving communities through education and quality learning experiences.
Together, these two organizations have a common goal.
Removing barriers for a healthier life
Arbor Circle works to remove barriers and meet the mental health needs of children, their parents and caregivers where they are.
A variety of support services will be delivered to the community through the grant (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com
The Steelcase Foundation funds will support services throughout the community, including skill building for parents and caregivers, support for children in meeting both developmental and educational milestones, and specialized mental health support.
“We are deeply grateful to partner with The Steelcase Foundation in this way, and are honored to work together in ensuring that children and families have the tools they need to thrive,” said Kristin Gietzen, President and CEO of Arbor Circle. “We are energized by this support and see great potential in the multi-generational and community-focused approach woven into this project.”
Utility companies work to restore power to over 374K customers after severe storms sweep through Michigan (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
Widespread damage extends over Michigan after severe storms and suspected tornados tear across the state on Aug. 25.
75-mph winds left 374,000 Michigan utility customers without power on Friday, Aug. 25, from Grand Rapids to the southeast side of the state.
The storm damaged structures, took down trees and power lines, and resulted in closed roads for several hours.
The Grand Rapids National Weather Service reported that officials will be in the field Friday to conduct damage surveys on tornadoes suspected in central Kent County and northeast Ingham County.
Storms took down trees, power lines, and damaged structures (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
Power outages can cause food spoilage, water contamination, disrupt communication and transportation, and prevent use of medical devices. Loss of power can also restrict consumer access to ATMs, banks, grocery stores, and other services.
Here are some safety tips provided by ready.gov in case of power outage:
Check with local officials about heating and cooling locations open near you, and go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed to prevent food spoilage.
Donot use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges – power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage.
Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows.
Generators can be helpful when the power goes out, but it is important to know how to use them safely to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and other hazards.
Generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages.
Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, your family and pets.
Keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
Always connect the generator to appliances with heavy-duty extension cords.
Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
GRB is delighted to welcome the West Michigan community to the Summer Dance Festival. Individuals can enjoy two evenings of world-class dance, tasty food and beer tents outside Peter Martin Wege Theatre.
“Last year, our Summer Dance Festival was such a success that we knew we wanted to bring it back again this year,” said James Sofranko, Artistic Director at Grand Rapids Ballet. “This community-focused event showcases the art and talent that lives right here in Michigan, on one stage, celebrating our dance community.”
Performances in a variety of styles
The Summer Dance Festival features a variety of dance styles (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Ballet)
Audiences will enjoy performances in several styles each evening. Dance styles range from classical to contemporary, and ballroom to hip-hop. This specially curated, one-of-a-kind event begins at 5:30 p.m.
In addition to Grand Rapids Ballet dancers and Grand Rapids Ballet School students, attendees can enjoy performances by professional companies and dance ensembles from across Michigan.
A dancer performs onstage during Summer Dance Festival (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Ballet)
“This event is so special to me because it brings together dance enthusiasts, art lovers and people from all over Michigan to celebrate dance together,” said Sofranko. “There’s nothing else like it.”
A new addition to GRB’s Festival this year is a children’s tent featuring games, crafts, face painting, and Gracie the Clown. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends, family and a chair, and enjoy an evening of outdoor performance.
Frederik Meijer Gardens Performance
On Aug. 29, Grand Rapids Ballet returns to the outside amphitheater at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Performance tickets are free for Meijer Gardens members and included in general admission on performance day for guests.
A large crowd gathers to watch an outdoor ballet performance (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Ballet)
Featured works at Frederik Meijer Gardens include Elemental Brubeck with choreography by Lar Lubovitch, music by renowned jazz composer Dave Brubeck, and the return of Who Cares? from their 2022-23 season. With choreography by George Balanchine featuring the entire company and romantic pas de deux set to Gershwin tunes such as “I’ve Got Rhythm” and “The Man I Love,” the performance will surely be entertaining for attendees of all ages.
“I love providing new and unique experiences for our audiences by stepping outside the traditional theater, hopefully reaching new audiences along the way,” said Sofranko. “These events present the perfect opportunity for any member of our community to experience the ballet, and dance, in a new light.”
For a complete list of dance festival performers, performance times, and more information about the ballet’s Summer Series, visit grballet.com.
The Business Diversity Council is part of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
With a combined 130K residents, Wyoming and Kentwood are the two largest neighboring communities to Grand Rapids, and represent one of the most diverse areas of West Michigan.
Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber’s Business Diversity Council continually works to uncover issues and concerns for those in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities of Wyoming, Kentwood, and surrounding south Kent County areas.
The Business Diversity Council met Aug. 9 to discuss how to prepare for an international workforce and new American neighbors (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Council recently met to discuss how local companies can best receive and support international employees and new American neighbors.
The meeting included presentations of cross-cultural training by Laura Cronin, Director of West Michigan Friendship Center, and Natasha Mueller, Community Engagement Director, that worked to give businesses ideas and tools that would help them navigate language barriers, religious considerations, transportation, cultural differences, and much more.
Also touched on during the meeting was the importance of continuous efforts to understand and learn about those in our communities.
In a supplied statement, Mueller said that she believes “curiosity is key to cultural understanding.”
Mueller has put that belief into action over the years as she worked with leadership from various Latin American countries, the Cuban and Haitian refugee communities at Bethany Christian Services, and now as part of a multicultural team that represents each continent and more than 5 countries.
Cronin’s time teaching in under-resourced neighborhoods and directing international mission work has taught her that “valuing the individual is good for cross-cultural relationships and good for business.”
The Kent County Welcome Plan website states that “Grand Rapids and Kent County are home to everyone who lives here, and it should feel like it too.”
The site went on to say that creating a “welcoming and inclusive environment for new Americans, immigrants, and refugees in Kent County is not only the right thing to do, it also contributes economically to the area’s well-being.”
Beacon Hill Residents at Summer Celebration (Courtesy, Beacon Hill)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
Beacon Hill at Eastgate is inviting members of the community to enjoy live music and curated food during its Summer Celebration, an annual culinary showcase and appreciation event featuring hand-held bites prepared by the retirement community’s award-winning chefs.
The annual event, which has been a tradition for more than 50 years, will take place 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 on the front lawn at Beacon Hill at Eastgate, 1919 Boston St. SE. Booths will line the parking lot, inviting foodies to enjoy cuisine from the retirement community’s kitchens and gardens that includes everything from global fusion and plant-based delights to bold flavors and gourmet comfort food.
The Moonrays, a Grand Rapids-based band that has opened for B.B. King and other prominent artists, will play a blend of instrumental surf, rock and blues with incredible vintage tone.
Beacon Hill’s food truck, The Traveling Plate, will also be on-site serving dishes from its rotating menu as a part of several dining stations. The Traveling Plate is serving up a culinary adventure this summer 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday outside Beacon Hill.
“The Summer Celebration is one of our favorite ways of thanking our residents, their loved ones and the surrounding community for their support,” Beacon Hill at Eastgate Marketing Director Ashley Edwards said. “Our culinary team has prepared an incredible selection of dishes for this year’s event – and what better way to come together with our neighbors than through carefully curated dishes made using ingredients grown in our own backyard.”
Beacon Hill Summer Celebration (Courtesy, Beacon Hill)
Last year’s event welcomed over 800 attendees. The event is open to the community, and food and beverages are free. Limited on-site parking is available; street parking is available and carpooling is encouraged.
This year’s showcase will feature over a dozen handpicked dishes made from scratch by Beacon Hill’s award-winning chefs and will include a variety of flavors and locally sourced ingredients. Menu items will include homemade mac and cheese bites, freshly prepared smoked sausages, Thai noodle salad, panzanella salad, meatballs, watermelon and berries, a full dessert station and much more.
Beacon Hill has a strong commitment to local ingredients, relying on its half-acre community garden to supply produce for its imaginative and appetizing meals that are acclaimed by guests and visitors alike. When the Beacon Hill chefs can’t produce ingredients themselves, they source from local purveyors, such as AP Baked Goods, Field and Fire, Louise Earl Butcher and Rowsters.
Nestled in the heart of the vibrant Eastgate neighborhood, Beacon Hill at Eastgate is home to four restaurants, which include an upscale Dining Room, Club Room, Garden Café and Bistro – all featuring world-class cuisine made using ingredients grown on-site. Each one has favorite dishes that are always available, as well as ever-changing daily and seasonal specials. Beacon Hill’s Garden Café and Bistro are open to the public.
Beacon Hill Residents at Summer Celebration (Courtesy, Beacon Hill)
Beacon Hill’s Summer Celebration started in the 1970s as the Strawberry Festival, a fundraising event organized by the Women’s Auxiliary of Michigan Christian Home, the name under which Beacon Hill at Eastgate was originally established. The Strawberry Festival raised thousands of dollars for the retirement community through the sale of homemade strawberry shortcake, sundaes and other treats. Since then, the Strawberry Festival has shifted to a culinary showcase paid for by Beacon Hill to thank its residents, their loved ones and the community for their support.
“What started as a fundraiser organized by a small group of volunteers has blossomed into a community-favorite tradition that has brought together thousands of new and old friends for evenings full of great food and entertainment,” Edwards said. “Decades later, the Summer Celebration upholds the original event’s mission of using exceptional, homemade food to build community and enrich the lives of our residents and neighbors.”
To learn more about Beacon Hill’s Summer Celebration, click here.
About Beacon Hill at Eastgate
Beacon Hill at Eastgate is home, family and security, dedicated to engaging seniors in an active and fulfilling retirement. Its state-of-the-art campus is a life plan retirement community that offers the complete continuum of care on one campus, including independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Beacon Hill integrates a more highly defined service model characterized by best practices in the areas of social and clinical services with excellence in hospitality.
Families are getting ready for the start of a new school year (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
Woodland Mall and The Salvation Army in Kent County are helping local students get ready to go back to school with a fun event and food drive 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19.
The event will serve as a fundraiser for The Salvation Army’s emergency food pantry. It will also feature a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy in Woodland Mall’s Macy’s Court.
On a monthly basis, The Salvation Army feeds 550 people, including 145 children, and that number is increasing daily.
“We used to provide people with enough food to last three to five days,” said Victoria Arnold, director of Kent County Social Services. “Due to increased demand, we now provide enough food for six days. And we predict we will need another $10,000 alone to stay at that level, just for the next year.”
An increasing number of families are in need food during the school year (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
Attendees are encouraged to bring shelf-stable food donations to the event or make a monetary donation online to support Salvation Army Kent County Social Services, which provides food pantries, warm meals and sack lunches for community members in need. Personal care items, household products, clothing and baby essentials are also accepted.
“Countless families struggle to access nutritious food, and most affected are children,” said Mikia Ross, interim Senior Marketing Director for Woodland Mall. “To help address this issue, we’re focusing on promoting nutrition for children and families during this year’s back-to-school season and encouraging the community to participate by donating to our charitable partner, Salvation Army. Together, we can help students get the fuel they need to start their academic year out strong!”
Suggested items for donation include:
Canned goods, including meats, fruits and vegetables, with a pop top.
Pasta and pasta sauces.
Ramen noodles.
Macaroni and cheese.
While supporting the nonprofit, event attendees will be able to meet special characters like Princess Tiana and Captain America, enjoy DJ music and games, get their faces painted, make friendship bracelets, view back-to-school fashion displays and get makeover consultations. Those who make a monetary or food donation will also be able to capture memories with a photo booth.
Family resource organization Great Start Collaborative of Kent County is hosting a free in-person event to help parents learn more about the importance of play and developmental screening in children.
Taking place Saturday, Aug. 12 at Alger Head Start in Grand Rapids, the 4th annual “Books, Blocks and Balls” event will offer fun activities for the entire family from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..
Participants will receive a goodie bag filled with items proven to help with child development. Every child that attends, regardless of age, will receive a free book.
Families will also have the opportunity to complete a developmental screening onsite, which can help parents know what to look for at certain ages and stages in their children.
(Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
There will be a variety of activities, food options and family fun onsite, including: raffles for free prizes every 30 minutes, food trucks offering free food to participants, games and movement activities with The Zumba Lady, face painting and balloon twisting, interactive activities at each vendor table, and more.
Participating alongside Great Start Collaborative will be dozens of community organizations providing additional giveaways and resources to families in attendance.
One such organization is First Steps Kent, an independent non-profit that works to strengthen and coordinate the system of early childhood services through research and innovation.
First Steps Kent is leading a community-wide effort to develop a system of support for children ages 0-5 (and their families) that ensures every young child in Kent County will enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and in life.
This event was made possible because of the generosity of Kent County taxpayers and the voter-approved Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage that provides dedicated and sustainable funding for programs that improve the health, school readiness, and well-being of children under age five in Kent County.
Carol R. Dodge with her book, The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion (WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion by Carol R. Dodge (Courtesy Photo)
Carol Dodge, lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, recently published a book that closes a large gap in the history of the area and its development.
The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion was published May 13, 2023 and is lauded as a “welcome addition to publications chronicling the history of Grand Rapids, Michigan,” according to the Sweet House Foundation website.
Dodge has a long history with what is now called the Sweet House, remembering how, as a young girl of 8-years-old, she would walk past the Sweet House – then called the Women’s City Club – on her way to choir practice at church.
“I was really impressed with the building and hoped that someday I could have lunch there,” said Dodge.
A dream come true
Dodge’s dream of entering the City Club came true when, as a senior in high school, she received the Daughters of the American Revolution Merit Award. Recipients of the award were honored with a tea held at the Club.
“I was able to go inside and was so impressed with the beautiful house,” said Dodge. “I always hoped that someday I would be a member of the City Club.”
Dodge’s wish became reality in 1985 when she joined the WCC. Her love of early American history and early Grand Rapids history was immediately utilized when the WCC appointed her Chairman of the History Committee.
That interest and her appointment as Chairman prompted Dodge to delve deeply into the history of the mansion that was home to the WCC.
Rare pieces of history
Dodge quickly realized there were two men who had lived at the mansion who played an integral role in the growth and development of Grand Rapids – but were rarely talked about.
Grand Rapids Mayor Martin L. Sweet built the mansion in 1860 soon after he took office. Sweet was an entrepreneur who greatly contributed to the economic and political development of the area before he died in 1905.
“He was a very prominent man,” said Dodge. “Even as far as Kansas City and Colorado, they would talk about Sweet and all that he was doing.”
Concert pianist Ottokar Malek operated the Malek School of Music from the mansion during the years 1914-1919. In 1919, St. Cecilia Music Center approached Malek about expanding their orchestra of 20 musicians.
“He accepted the position and increased the orchestra to 65 outstanding musicians,” said Dodge.
Carol Dodge (right) with Pamela Keim of Grand Tap Media (WKTV, Deborah Reed)
“I was just fascinated with finding out about the two men who lived there and all that they contributed to the city of Grand Rapids,” said Dodge. “And there is no book, no gathering of information about them or about the Sweet House.”
Dodge began giving presentations and writing articles so members of the WCC would know about Sweet and Malek.
“I did that for about 15 years, and then I thought: ‘What’s going to happen to the information when I’m no longer around? I think I should write a book,’” said Dodge.
Putting it all together
Dodge began by taking scripts from her oral presentations and converting them to written form. She then dove into further research, finding the majority of pertinent information at the Grand Rapids Public Library.
“I really have to credit the history section of the library,” said Dodge. “Those people were so helpful to me.”
Between verbal interviews, online research, history books and biographies of previous residents of Grand Rapids, and old newspaper articles from the 1800s, Dodge was able to create a clearer picture of Sweet, Malek, and the Sweet House.
“I just kept piecing information together until I had enough to complete [Sweet’s] story,” said Dodge. “It took two and a half years to diligently gather everything.”
A team of two editors helped Dodge, meeting weekly with her during those two and a half years.
“It was quite a journey,” said Dodge. “The book is what it is today because of their help.”
Dodge said she hopes the book will raise awareness in the community about the significance of the Sweet House and the importance of preserving it, as well as “close the gap and fill in the history so that people will recognize the impact [Sweet and Malek] had on the city, the development and the culture.”
What’s next?
Carol Dodge during interview with Pamela Keim, Grand Tap Media (WKTV, Deborah Reed)
At 88-years-old, Dodge shows no sign of slowing down. She continues in the role of historian for the WCC and the Sweet House Foundation, conducts tours of the Sweet House, writes articles, and actively promotes The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion with speaking engagements.
When asked if she was always this active and project-oriented, Dodge replied without hesitation: “Yes.”
Copies of The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion can be reserved by contacting the Sweet House at sweethousegr@gmail.com or 616-459-5484. A donation to the Sweet House Foundation is requested in exchange for the book.
Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps: Patty, guitarist Lucas Powell, and original drummer Alec Klinefelter. (Courtesy of the band)
By K.D. Norris
WKTV Contributor
Listening to Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps’ latest EP release, it is clear why they called it Perpetual Motion Machine. The five-song release is all about power pop, with a fair amount of rockin’ blues blasting through, and continues the band’s drive to its own sound and popularity.
“Not slowing down in 2023, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps are stepping hard on the gas pedal and touring more cities and music festivals than years prior,” the band states on its website. “The trio have plans to record their next full-length album within the year.”
So expect a fast ride on a summer night when the band hits the stage Tuesday, Aug. 8.
The Tuesday evening Concerts in the Park are free of charge and open to the public at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. Performances start at 6 p.m. and conclude around 8 p.m.
A wild ride for Patty and her music
Michigan native Patty PerShayla hit the scene as a singer, songwriter, and multi- instrumentalist after winning the 2019 WYCE Jammie Award for Best Rock/Pop Album for her solo EP, Oracle Bones, according to a bio on her website.
But later in 2019, she joined forces with guitarist Lucas Powell and drummer Alec Klinefelter to form Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps. After road-testing their music, they released their “blues-infused, riff-driven debut album,” Cheap Diction, in 2021. (Current band drummer is Chris Thomas.)
A music video from that album went on to win Best Music Video at the 2022 Grand Rapids Film Festival, and another was featured at the 2023 Michigan Music Video Awards.
When Patty is not touring with the Mayhaps, she plays solo gigs and even toured with the equally great local band of multi-instrumentalists, The Accidentals, in 2021. For more information on Patty’s musical journey, visit: Patty PerShayla at home in Nashville.
For more information about Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps and a video of the song “Spill” from the new EP, visit pattypershayla.com.
About the concert and venue
The Tuesday evening concerts feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.
“Concerts in the park are a highlight of summertime in Wyoming. We hope you will grab your blankets, chairs and friends and join us for some fun in the parks!” Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation director, said earlier in introducing the concert series.
Officer Willshire of Kentwood PD (left), Officer Klaassen of Wyoming PD (center), and Officer Quintard of Wyoming PD (right) talk with families at Celebration Cinema (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
City of Wyoming’s first responders and leaders teamed up with several departments across Kent County as they joined residents at multiple gatherings to celebrate National Night Out on Aug. 1.
Wyoming National Night Out 2023 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“National Night Out is something staff and our community look forward to each year,” Wyoming Mayor Pro Tem Rob Postema said.
An annual event celebrated across the country, National Night Out began in 1984 to promote safety in communities and build relationships under positive circumstances. Participating cities encourage residents to turn on their porch lights and gather with their neighbors, community leaders, and police and fire personnel.
Deputy Melissa Gokey with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department said a personal highlight of National Night Out is photographing all the events. “I get to go to every single location,” said Gokey. “I get to see a little piece of everything.”
Wyoming National Night Out 2023 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Residents were also able to see a variety of first responder vehicles, including fire trucks, ambulances, motorcycles, marine units, mobile command centers, and even horses.
Kent County encouraged participating local businesses to set up a booth with children’s activities.
“The whole point is to educate kids on safety and to build that partnership with them and other businesses within the community,” said Gokey. “It just helps them to feel safe and comfortable around us.”
Wyoming National Night Out 2023 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Gokey went on to say that all first responders join in during National Night Out, including the Road Commission and Army National Guard, in order to make the event a memorable experience for the kids.
“Setting up an event like this is going to be a much different way for children to feel comfortable approaching us, talking to us, and asking questions,” said Gokey.
Wyoming Director of Public Safety Kimberly Koster said, “Spending time and having fun with residents is important for all of our officers and firefighters as we work to build and strengthen relationships in our community. National Night Out allows us to connect with residents in a positive and meaningful way.”
Wyoming resident Megan Washburn agreed. “It’s nice to see them out, having fun, eating hot dogs, and being regular people,” said Washburn.
Award-winning Kent District Library (KDL) will ask Kent County voters to consider a millage renewal at a reduced rate on Nov. 7.
If approved, the lower millage rate of 1.1 mills will fund KDL’s operations for 15 years, and taxpayers will see immediate savings as the KDL Board has committed to lowering the millage rate effective Jan. 1, 2024, even though the current millage doesn’t expire until Dec. 31, 2024.
“We recognized that if we were to stay with a straight renewal, we would end up with income we don’t need,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner. “We feel that we should only ask for money that we need and that we can use, and let the public keep more of their own money.”
The ability to offer a lower millage is partly due to a growing community where new taxable real estate has produced more revenue.
“As good stewards of taxpayer dollars, we want to lock in savings for residents now,” said KDL Board Chair Andy Erlewein.
(Courtesy, Kent District Library)
KDL serves residents in 27 municipalities through 20 branches with its extensive collection of more than 700,000 physical items, 15.6 digital items, a bookmobile, its main service center, 5,000-plus annual in-person programs, and a host of patron-focused services from in-branch printer/Wi-Fi access and loanable mobile hotspots, to early literacy initiatives and a large assortment of talking books and Braille resources.
These resources ensure the average KDL patron receives over $1,300 worth of service each year.
“The return on investment that we provide the public is unsurpassed,” said Werner.
Approximately 90% of KDL’s operating funds come from the millage with the remaining 10% funded through a series of Friends of the Library groups, dedicated volunteers who support their branches through book sales, and other fundraising activities.
In 2022, KDL saw an increase of more than 61% in program and outreach attendance, a 6% rise in total circulation, and a 26% rise in computer and Wi-Fi usage.
Werner attributes the increase in community use of KDL resources to dedicated staff and quality programming and outreach.
“One of the things we practice here is a constant environmental scan and a refusal to become complacent,” said Werner. “We are proud to represent everyone in the county…we are committed to helping them all. That is the spirit of what we do.”
Werner would like to remind residents that Summer Wonder is still in full swing.
“It’s not too late to sign up!” said Werner, adding that nothing makes KDL staff happier than seeing community members come in and utilize their services.
“At the end of the day, libraries are not about books, libraries are about people and transforming lives,” said Werner. “We are really excited to deliver [the millage] to Kent County residents and continue our tradition of excellence.”
The state of Michigan has allocated another $5 million to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to help with the development of the Sustainable Business Park in Kent County that will create jobs and increase recycling.
The budget allocation will support site infrastructure at the Sustainable Business Park and follows an initial $4 million state investment for the project in 2022. Last month, the Michigan Public Service Commission also granted a $5 million Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure Enhancement and Development grant for the Kent County Bioenergy Facility, the anchor tenant at the Sustainable Business Park.
The Kent County Bioenergy Facility represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for West Michigan and the state to drastically increase recycling, reduce dependence on landfills, and create local jobs. The facility is a public-private partnership between the Department of Public Works and Anaergia. The Sustainable Business Park, planned for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center pending approval by the Kent County Board of Commissioners, will be built on land that was initially purchased by Kent County to create a new landfill.
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“For too long, Michigan has been a dumping ground for trash and the Sustainable Business Park will help change that by increasing recycling and boosting our energy independence starting right here in Kent County,” said Dar Baas, director of the Kent County DPW. “We are thankful the state of Michigan recognizes the importance of reducing our dependence on landfilling so we can help protect our land, air and water, including our Great Lakes.”
The Kent County Bioenergy Facility is a mixed waste processing facility that will process up to 600,000 tons per year of municipal solid waste and 175,000 tons per year of organic waste to produce natural gas and fertilizer. The facility and greater Sustainable Business Park will help Kent County achieve its goal of diverting 90% of trash from landfills by 2030.
“Sustainable materials management is essential to Michigan growing a vibrant circular economy that puts Michiganders to work making new products from the materials residents take to their curb each week,” said EGLE Public Information Officer Jeff Johnston. “EGLE is eager to support projects that align with the State of Michigan’s new materials management plan to increase recycling, conserve natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
State Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) said, “Kent County’s Sustainable Business Park will define the future for waste management in Michigan and boost the viability of circular economy concepts.”
The new facility will also reduce Kent County’s reliance on landfilling municipal solid waste, meaning resources will not be spent constructing, maintaining, and monitoring additional landfills.
“Building the facility in Kent County will put West Michigan on the map as a national leader in recycling and reducing waste, as well as create jobs and investment from companies that can join the Sustainable Business Park and convert waste into usable products,” Bass said.
The Kent County Development of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station, and South Kent Landfill.
Kent County residents will be chosen at random for the Behavior Risk Facto Surveillance Systems survey. (Pxhere.com)
Starting in mid April, Kent County residents will be receiving phone calls asking for participation in the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) survey. The University of Missouri’s Health and Behavioral Risk Research Center will be conducting the survey and phone calls on behalf of the Kent County Health Department (KCHD).
The Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) survey is used to track the health of Kent County’s population and is conducted every three years at a local level. It is one of the nation’s largest telephone health-related surveys.
The Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) survey is run by the county to collect data on health conditions, various behaviors, and preventative health care practices. A behavior risk factor is an unhealthy behavior that can be changed or prevented for an individual or community. Some common examples include tobacco use, excessive alcohol intake, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition.
The survey contains a set of core questions that are asked to all participants and if needed, additional questions are added to obtain more localized data on health-related behaviors and risks directly in Kent County. This year, additional questions on mental health, economic stability, health care access, racism, firearm safety, and marijuana use were added to the survey.
Residents living in Kent County over the age of 18 are randomly chosen and reached via landline or cell phone. The survey is anonymous and no information collected can be traced back to the participant.
The county will then take the data received and analyze it by race, ethnicity, gender, education, income, and location to be used in the Kent County Community Health Needs Assessment and the Community Health Improvement Plan to help improve the health and well-being of Kent County residents.
To learn more about the survey visit www.accesskent.com/Health/BRFS, and if you have any questions feel free to reach out to CHNACHIP@kentcountymi.gov.
The DPW offers a variety of educational opportunities year-round so the entire community can learn how they can help the DPW achieve its ambitious goal of reducing landfilled waste by 90% by 2030.
“A great way to celebrate Earth Day is to learn how to reduce waste and create a cleaner environment for all, and our educational programming is perfect for people of all ages,” said Katelyn Kikstra, waste reduction educator at the DPW. “We’re proud to offer programming year-round so our community can be informed about where local waste goes and to generate excitement about recycling and renewable energy.”
Members of the public can tour the Kent County Recycling and Education Center and other DPW facilities and learn how Kent County’s recycling program works and what can be recycled. Guided group tours are available for groups larger than five participants to learn the ins and outs of recycling and watch machines and workers sort recyclables. For individuals or groups smaller than five, self-guided tours are available during recycling center open hours along with museum-style exhibits that explain the recycling process. The Recycling and Education Center offers open hours each Monday from 9 a.m.-noon.
“Earth Day serves as a great reminder to take advantage of our self-guided tours during open hours, or to reach out and schedule a guided tour in the coming months,” Kikstra said.
Residents can also learn about renewable energy and natural resources through a visit to the Kent County Waste-to-Energy facility, which processes up to 625 tons of municipal solid waste per day and converts it into steam through incineration in specially designed furnaces. The steam then goes through a generator to create electricity, which is used in-house or sold to an electricity supplier to be used in Kent County’s homes and businesses.
A bus tour of the South Kent landfill will educate attendees on personal decision-making regarding waste, landfill basics and renewable energy. Attendees will learn what everyone can do differently to help reduce landfill waste and create a better environment.
A full list of the DPW’s educational offerings can be found online. The DPW also released a spring-cleaning guide to help identify common household materials accepted at its facilities.
The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station and South Kent Landfill.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
The Kent County Recycling and Education Center is temporarily closed due to structural damage. (Courtesy, Kent County)
UPDATE: The Kent County Recycling and Education Center will reopen on Friday, March 24.
TheKent County Recycling and Education Center (REC), located at 977 Wealthy St. SW, is temporarily closed after an incident caused structural damage to the building on Monday afternoon. The damage occurred when bales of cardboard recycling built up and pushed through the building’s sidewall, damaging the exterior wall and a roof support beam. No one was injured and the incident is under administrative review to further understand the cause.
According to Steve Faber, public relations for the Kent County Department of Public Works, there have been structural engineers out looking at the facility last night and today. The engineers are assessing the extent of the damage and putting a plan in place for repairs.
“They will give us the plan on how things can be shored up and hopefully we will be back in operation soon,” Faber said, adding the ultimate goal is to have the facility up and running again as soon as possible..
For today, items coming to the recycling facility will be sent to the county’s Waste-to-Energy Facility, which serves as a back-up when the recycling has to close, Faber said. All tours and education programming at the REC are postponed indefinitely.
Residents wishing to make sure their recyclables head to the recycling facility are encouraged to hang on to items until next week, Faber said.
“The health and safety of our employees and customers is our number one priority,” said Dar Baas, director of the Kent County Department of Public Works. “We’re gathering a full assessment of the damage and will only reopen once repairs are made, and we know it’s safe for workers and visitors to enter.”
Kent County’s REC serves as the primary materials recovery facility for residential recyclables generated throughout West Michigan.
Business cards features Kent County’s new branding. (Courtesy, Kent County)
Kent County has revealed a new brand, including a primary logo, sub-brand logos for several departments and offices, and a tagline—Your Partner, Your Place—that will serve as a short-hand vision statement for Michigan’s second fastest growing County.
“We set out to align the Kent County brand with the County’s vision, mission and the work we do in and for the communities we serve,” said Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg. “A brand is really a communications tool. With this new brand, we aim to help residents better understand what County services are available to them and, more importantly, help them take full advantage of the services they pay for with their tax dollars. With one of the fastest growing economies in the United States, nearly eight percent population growth in under 10 years, and the youngest, most diverse and most highly educated population in its history, we wanted to develop a brand as dynamic as the community it represents.”
A Window Into County Life
The new logo features a rectangular frame that reflects the County’s shape and serves as a window into life within the County—a place where people live, work, and visit and the entity that serves those people. The organic wave element is representative of the county’s rivers, streams, rolling agricultural land and green spaces that are so important to the region.
The updated brand also features a fresh, vibrant color palette to allow greater versatility in designing signage, collateral and other branded materials.
While the primary logo will be used organization-wide, several departments and offices with a high level of public engagement—including the Health Department, Animal Shelter, Community Action, Veteran’s Services, Prosecutor’s Office and others—will use unique logos that will serve as important tools to help increase awareness of the vital services they provide. The organization will continue to use the County seal on official documents.
“We’re excited to provide residents a clearer picture of the breadth of services we offer,” said Vanderberg. “This brand is foundational to that understanding.”
Your Partner, Your Place
The new tagline—Your Partner, Your Place—reflects what the branding team learned in the research and serves as an aspirational statement about what Kent County strives to be.
Advertising featuring the country’s new branding. (Courtesy, Kent County)
“First and foremost, people think of—and love—Kent County as a place. It’s home. It’s a place for economic opportunity. And it’s a great place to visit and explore,” said Vanderberg. “But research also told us that when people think of Kent County government, they think of vital services, a responsive staff and a ready partner that both leads and collaborates on transformational change.”
The brand was approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 27, 2022, following a comprehensive brand development process led by Well Design Studio and Truscott Rossman in collaboration with the County Administration communications team. The process included 17 county department, office and agency meetings; a community survey that drew nearly 4,700 responses; multiple meetings with an internal branding committee and members of the Board of Commissioners; and resident focus group sessions in five communities throughout the County.
“We’re very proud of the process,” said Vanderberg. “It was thorough, thoughtful, professional, and inclusive of staff, elected officials and the community.”
The branding project was initiated in 2019 but was put on hold in early 2020 to allow the County to focus on its pandemic response. It restarted in May 2021. With this launch, branded assets will be rolled out gradually with respect for budget to ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
The Kent County Health Department has rung in the New Year with a partnership with the Grand Rapids Red Project to provide free access to life-saving Narcan in a vending machine at its main clinic in Grand Rapids.
The Grand Rapids Red Project is a nonprofit that provides health resources to prevent the spread of disease and save lives. They have partnered with the Kent County Health Department and Cherry Health to provide Narcan vending machines in four locations around Kent County.
What is Narcan and how does it work?
Naloxone, sold and marketed under the brand name Narcan, is a life-saving medication that reverses or reduces the effects of opioids. When a drug overdose occurs, Narcan can be given to reverse the effects of decreased breathing and help the patient regain consciousness. For a more scientific explanation from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Narcan is an opioid receptor antagonist which means it binds to opioid receptors and reverses or blocks the effects of other opioids.
Why is Narcan needed?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 92,000 people in the United States died from a drug-involved overdose in 2020. The State of Michigan reported in 2018, there were 2,809 deaths from drug overdoses in Michigan alone.
In Kent County, Rachel Jantz from the Kent County Opioid Task Force, said there is an increased need for Narcan due to the synthetic opioid Fentanyl becoming more pervasive in the community.
The opioid epidemic is one of the largest public health crises in United States history and Narcan is an available resource to help mitigate drug overdose deaths.
How do you administer Narcan?
The vending machines available in Kent County are stocked with intranasal Narcan, a spray that can only be applied into the nose to produce its desired effect. The Nasal Spray contains only 1 dose of medicine and cannot be reused. The steps of Narcan administration are as follows and cited by the official Narcan website:
Narcan vending machine located at Kent County Health Department, 700 Fuller Ave NE (WKTV/Maggie Carey)
Step 1: Lay the person on their back and support their neck.
Step 2: Remove Narcan Nasal Spray from the box. Peel back the tab with the circle to open the Narcan Nasal Spray.
Step 3: Hold the Narcan Nasal Spray with your thumb on the bottom of the red plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
Step 4: Tilt the person’s head back and provide support under the neck with your hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into one nostril until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose.
Step 5: Press the red plunger firmly to give the dose of Narcan Nasal Spray. Remove from the nostril after giving the dose.
Step 6: Call 911 for emergency medical help.
Where can Narcan be found?
Narcan is now available for free to residents of Kent County at four locations thanks to the Grand Rapids Red Project and its partnership with the Kent County Health Department and Cherry Health. These machines have 24-hour access and to use them, just type in the slot that has an available pack and the vending machine will distribute the pack cost-free.
