Saturday is the day — the day that the City of Wyoming will host its once-a-year curbside yard waste pick up.
The City of Wyoming’s yearly curbside leaf pick-up is this Saturday, Dec. 3. (Pxhere.com)
Every year on the first Saturday in December, the City of Wyoming hosts a free curbside yard waste pick up for its residents. This year, that falls on Saturday, Dec. 3.
To participate, residents should have all yard waste out on the curb by 6 a.m. Leaves should be in paper bags. Brush should be tied in bundles and not more than four feet long.
Yard Waste site still open
The City of Wyoming’s yard waste site, located at 2600 Burlingame Ave. SW., is currently open from 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday. Starting Dec. 12, the hours will change to 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday.
At the site, there is a leave and grass pile and a brush pile. Residents are asked to sort items accordingly. To use the area, residents are required to show proof of residency, such as a photo ID or a utility bill, to the guard shack. Residents should enter the site off of Burlingame Avenue.
Currently, undocumented workers cannot get a driver’s license because the State Attorney General Office has determined an unauthorized immigrant cannot be a citizen of Michigan. (Pxhere.com)
LANSING – Undocumented Michiganders are fighting for the right to obtain a driver’s license, an action supporters say could generate $100 million for the state.
An initiative called Drive SAFE could pave the way.
Some advocates say they hope Michigan becomes the 19th state to pass similar legislation. Supporters range from teacher and nurse associations to religious groups and business owners.
SAFE stands for Safety, Access, Freedom and Economy, all of which would be improved by the passage of the bills, said Simon Marshall-Shah, a policy analyst for the Michigan League for Public Policy, a nonpartisan policy institute.
“This is a case of people being able to freely get where they need to go,” Marshall-Shah said. “This often can involve supporting their families, taking a child to school or the doctor’s office, getting other health care services for themselves or their families, going to church.”
Concerns about undocumented workers driving
A passionate supporter of the legislation is Rob Steffens, the owner of Steffens Orchards in Sparta, 15 miles north of Grand Rapids, who says he is worried about undocumented workers who have been driving to and from work in Michigan for years.
“They want to follow the law, and they can’t,” Steffens said. “And they are not going anywhere. There isn’t a plant in Michigan – and I don’t care if you are talking about turkey, chicken, apple, cherry or asparagus – that doesn’t have undocumented workers.”
The package contains two bills in the House and two in the Senate. They were all introduced in 2021.
So far the bills are stalled in committee.
“We did have a hearing that was scheduled back in 2021 that was under the (House) Rules and Competitiveness Committee,” Marshall-Shah said. “The hearing was pulled at the last minute.”
Hope for the future
But as 2022 ends and a new legislative session is set to begin, the League for Public Policy says it hopes the bills may be finally heard in committee, Marshall-Shah said. If not, momentum is building to take it up again in the new session.
“In terms of the Drive SAFE bills being able to move forward in both chambers, I do see a possibility for that in this upcoming session,” Marshall-Shah said. “I think that the Drive Michigan Forward Coalition overall has really built up a lot of support among legislators and among advocates.”
Drive Michigan Forward is a coalition of organizations run by immigrants and their allies who believe in the restoration of driver’s licenses for all people, according to the group’s website.
In 2008, the Secretary of State implemented an opinion of former Attorney Gen. Mike Cox that said an unauthorized immigrant cannot be a Michigan resident. Since then, undocumented people in Michigan have been unable to receive a driver’s license.
Not everyone in favor of the Drive SAFE legislation sounds as confident as Marshall-Shah.
“The committee process is clearly controlled by the Republicans, and they have been uninterested in moving this forward in the past,” said Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, a cosponsor of the Senate bills. “My expectation is that it is not going to be moving, especially now that it has gotten so late in the legislative calendar, but I don’t really know.”
Improved public safety and reduced insurance costs are key attributes of the legislation, Irwin said.
“Right now, we have a number of drivers who, because of the law, cannot get properly licensed,” he said. “We have a lot of drivers in Michigan who are not paying into the insurance system.”
A potential revenue source
Money is a big selling point, Marshall-Shah said. Undocumented people in Michigan in total hold almost $2.5 billion in spending power.
That money can’t be spent in areas around the state and in local economies if undocumented Michiganders are denied access to a driver’s license, said Marshall-Shah.
On top of that, Michigan would bring in over $100 million over a decade because of these laws, according to the League for Public Policy. The money would come from license fees and revenue from registering vehicles and sales and gas taxes.
Opposition to this legislation has not come from any specific person or group, said Marshall-Shah.
“I would say the pushback in general has come from people who are really unaware of the benefits of the bills,” he said. “Certainly we’ve seen a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment at-large over the last few years, particularly at the federal level and under the Trump administration.”
Liam Jackson is a journalist from Trenton, Michigan. He enrolled at Michigan State in 2018. His journalistic interests include feature stories and sports journalism. In addition to writing for Spartan Newsroom, Liam has also served as the News Editor and Sports Editor at Impact 89FM.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will be concluding its 2022 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ Concert Series with special themed Holiday Classics organ concerts performed by John Lauter Dec. 9, and Dec. 10.
John Lauter (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Deck the halls this season by enjoying cheerful holiday songs on the GRPM’s 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ and classics such as Jingle Bells, Silent Night, The First Noel, and more.
Detroit native John Lauter has been presenting theater organ concerts for more than 20 years and made his public debut at the Redford Theater at age 16. Since those early days, Lauter was a featured performer at the American Theatre Organ Society’s 2009 convention in Cleveland. Lauter spent three years playing at “Theatre Organ Pizza and Pipes” in Pontiac. At home in Detroit, Lauter has presented nine concerts at the Detroit Theater Organ Society and many concerts and silent film programs at the Redford Theater.
The Museum is offering two options for guests to experience the concerts: in-person as well as a live-streaming option for those who wish to enjoy the concert from the comfort of their home. The Holiday Classics organ concerts will be Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. in the GRPM’s Meijer Theater, which is located in the Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. Early ticket purchases are recommended as the holiday concerts are expected to sell out. For more information visit grpm.org/Organ.
In-person tickets are $15, with the discounted price of $10 for Museum members. Virtual tickets are $10 per household, with the discounted price of $6 for member households. Only one link is needed per household. Links to the live-streams will be sent to ticket purchasers before the concerts.
Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ
The 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ is an impressive icon of Grand Rapids and an artifact preserved in the GRPM’s Collections used to entertain and educate all ages through the annual concert series and annual programming.
The Wurlitzer Company of North Tonawanda, New York, manufactured and shipped Opus #1836, a “3 manual special”, to the Stanley Theater of Jersey City, New Jersey, on February 9, 1928. The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ spent two decades entertaining customers at the Roaring 20’s Pizza Parlor on 28th Street in Grand Rapids, before it was moved to its current location at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
GR-MiFi and Grand Stand Pictures will be presenting at the Grand Rapids Art Museum Thursday, Dec. 1. (Courtesy, GRAM)
Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator (GR-MiFi) together with Grand Stand Pictures is presenting stories about their upcoming documentary film and other projects centered on Narrative Justice Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Art Museum at 101 Monroe Center St. (Breonna Taylor Way)
The group is currently in the process of producing a full-length documentary film based upon the book, “A City Within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan” by Dr. Todd E. Robinson. The film project has enabled the producers to uplift and engage local BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) content creators by establishing apprenticeships directly related to the film and has blossomed into various creative endeavors. The work of GR-MiFi, Grand Stand Pictures and the “Creators” have attracted the attention of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, who will be showcasing this dynamic group as part of the museum’s Visionnaires Series, which attracts creative young adults into lifelong engagement with the arts.
The evening’s activities
The evening’s program will include a panel discussion with the film’s producers and key Creators.
“Over the last year, this initiative has grown into an ecosystem that is vibrant, diverse, and innovative,” said Shayna Haynes Heard, GR-MiFi project manager/Creator. “Our work uplifting Narrative Justice and equipping local talent with opportunities for growth and development is transformative, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for us.”
Following a Mashup Video highlighting the many projects the Creators have initiated and undertaken together, Creators will share their stories and what inspires them as they hone each other’s skills at the Incubator headquarters every week. Also featured will be their community partner projects such as the Black History Cemetery Tours and the South High School Oral History Project and digital history mapping with HistoryPin.org.
The event concludes with some power networking, podcast interviews and photo booth opportunities. This Visionnaire’s event at the GRAM is free and includes a cash bar.
Creating a hub
Building a community-driven creative media hub is a priority focus area for GR-MiFi, where local talent can pool resources and networks, learn the process of producing media, and shore up their demo reels and skills to develop a viable client base. Industry leaders across the spectrum of entertainment businesses and movie making are exploring how to create sustainable incubator programs for marginalized groups. The Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator (GR-MiFi) is on the front end of these developments and looks forward to providing ground-breaking strategy, design, programs and efforts in the media and film incubation space.
“We are building a very supportive ecosystem for BIPOC creators and videographers and are helping them to build their capacity to tell their own stories and to grow their skillsets and gain valuable resources and networks. When businesses, organizations and institutions are looking for quality work done in anything art or film related, from perspectives and individuals that may have been set aside before, GRMiFi is the place to come and ideate and let us create something for you,” says GR-MiFi President Rodney Brown.
When it comes to house repairs, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member to help. (Pxhere.com)
Fall is in full swing and with that comes cooler weather. As the seasons change, you are more inclined to stay indoors and pass on events you used to enjoy in the warmer months–it happens to the best of us. Yet this lack of socialization, movement, and engagement in the winter can have a negative impact on your health and well-being. Winter can be an especially difficult season for older adults. You may not have the means to drive or keep up with home maintenance and repairs, and you could start feeling a bit defeated during this time. Trying to combat these things can be overwhelming, but just because you aren’t able to get out as much doesn’t mean there aren’t a variety of things you can do to have a winter of wellness.
Here are just a few tips:
Take advantage of open enrollment. Now is a good time to review your healthcare needs. Medicare/Medicaid Open Enrollment is underway, and you can make changes to your plan through Dec. 7. The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program can be a great support in navigating this, offering unbiased help at 1-800-803-7174.
Catch a ride. Several transportation resources are available specifically for older adults, and it is great to be able to take advantage of these in winter months when there is inclement weather. In Kent County, RideLink provides seniors 60+ with affordable rides throughout the county.
You can learn more about RideLink at https://www.aaawm.org/ridelink, or feel free to call 616-774-1288 to schedule a ride. If you are outside Kent County, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan can connect you to other transportation resources in our nine-county region.
Move your body. An important aspect of aging well is prioritizing both your physical and emotional health. Many community options are available to meet individuals where they are, including the newly renamed Engaging Wellness. All Engaging Wellness programs are designed specifically for older adults, offering evidence-based classes that are safe and effective. Community partners within the nine-county network are dedicated to helping seniors stay active and independent, bringing a holistic, full-circle approach to aging with education on nutrition, diabetes prevention, and fitness classes.
Use your resources. It can be tough to keep up with the maintenance of your home in the winter. When this happens, don’t be afraid to ask for help. A family member or friend was probably always willing but perhaps unsure of what help you need. Or if this isn’t an option, through the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, a number of home chores and repair services are available from yard cleanup, snow removal, lawn mowing, and minor home maintenance.
Connect to your community. Whether it is joining a senior center, a book club at your local library or volunteering for a cause that matters, being involved can help your mood immensely. You get a healthy dose of regular socialization with others, and when you join a group initiative, you are more likely to stick to it as other people can help keep you accountable.
So, what’s your next step? Reach out to us at the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan; it is a knowledge hub for services available to seniors. Often we will offer information on local senior centers to join, available exercise programming, and home and transportation resources to help you maintain your independence over the more challenging winter months and throughout the year. Visit www.aaawm.org/services or call 616-456-5664 to get started.
Emmanuel Hospice’s grief support services are open to anyone in the community on a grief journey regardless of whether they have a prior connection with the nonprofit organization or hospice care. (Emmanuel Hospice/Adobe Stock)
It can be hard handling the holidays – especially if you’re trying to process grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one.
But there are ways to make it through this season.
That’s not to say there’s a magic wand available to make your sadness vanish. But strategies and coping mechanisms do exist that can be put into place to make the holidays a little less stressful, even though you’re recovering from a loss.
“One of the first things to realize is that grief is a continuum,” says Ashley Huisman, bereavement coordinator for Emmanuel Hospice. “So, while one person might react very stoically and without a lot of tears, another might be extremely emotional.
“The important thing is not to judge; we don’t know what anyone is dealing with internally in that moment.”
Another thing to consider, says Huisman, is that not everyone processes grief according to the so-called five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, despair and acceptance.
“Grief isn’t a standard, cookie-cutter type of thing,” she says, noting it’s just as common to bounce between these stages or even skip one as it is to follow them in a linear way.
Huisman offers the following tips on how to cope with grief at the holidays:
Manage expectations. Just because you’ve always been relied upon to bake that fancy dessert, the grief you’re feeling might compel you to pass this year. Even at the risk of thinking you’re letting someone down, take care of yourself first. “Pick out the tasks or customs,” says Huisman, “that have the most meaning for you.”
Make time for yourself. “Take a nap,” says Huisman. “Listen to music. Try to be reflective. Or even try to not remember for a while what you’re dealing with. The important thing is to check in with yourself and be sure you’re getting what you need.”
Give to get. When grief overwhelms, make a conscious effort to support others. It can help you create perspective and focus on another’s needs. Says Huisman, “It’s giving your heart a break.”
Memorialize your loss. Create a special ornament that honors the person gone. Continue to hang a stocking in their name, and slip a note inside telling them the ways they’re missed. Light a candle. Write a poem. Buy a gift they would have loved and donate it in their name to a cause.
Reach out for help. Emmanuel Hospice, for example, offers workshops and support groups to help anyone in the community manage grief, regardless of whether they have a prior connection with the nonprofit organization or hospice care.
The nonprofit is offering free “Handling the Holidays” grief support sessions at various locations in the greater Grand Rapids area:
Monday, Dec. 5 from 1-2 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 2-3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 19 from 10-11 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 10-11 a.m.
Those interested in joining are asked to contact Emmanuel Hospice if they plan to attend and get more information at 616-719-0919 or EHBereavement@emmanuelhospice.org. RSVPs are welcome up until the day of the event.
In addition to leading support groups, Emmanuel Hospice provides support through counseling, education and referrals to community resources to help individuals cope with all stages of grief before, during and even after the holidays. More information is available at EmmanuelHospice.org/grief-support.
Though it sounds simplistic, Huisman encourages people grieving through the holidays to “take them one day at a time. Try not to be anxious.
“Most of all,” she says, “look for things that will give you comfort. And let the rest be.”
If you are like many pre-retirees or retirees, you may be hesitant to purchase annuities because you worry you will enter the market at the wrong time and won’t maximize your returns. An increasingly popular technique known as “annuity laddering” may help guard against this situation and make the transition to annuities much easier and less stressful for you.
Building an annuity ladder means that you purchase a series of annuities over time instead of dumping a lump sum into one annuity that locks you into one rate. With a ladder, you split your premium across multiple smaller annuities. For instance, maybe you decide to buy one annuity every two years for the next ten years. Or you buy one annuity per year for the next five years.
The annuity ladder strategy has several advantages
The first advantage is that you don’t have all your eggs in one basket. By diversifying your annuities, you are less susceptible to the fluctuations of the market.
The second advantage is that you can take advantage of changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, you can purchase annuities that have not yet been affected by the market change.
The third advantage is that you can ladder annuities with different payouts. For example, you could buy an annuity with a term period of 5 years, the next year buy another 5-year term period, and up the ladder, you go. When you use the annuity as income, when one matures, simply start converting them to an income stream. Income periods can be any length you wish, even a lifetime. This way, you would have a stream of income that would last for the rest of your life.
Diversifying to reduce risk
Laddering annuities can be a great way to secure your financial future. By diversifying your annuities, you can protect yourself from market fluctuations and take advantage of changes in interest rates. By laddering annuities with different payouts, you can ensure that you have a stream of income that lasts for the rest of your life.
Annuity laddering can help you manage risk. By laddering annuities with different maturity dates, you create a “spread” that can protect you against interest rate risk.
Since predictions of whether interest rates will go up or down are, at best-educated guesses, an annuity ladder lets you bet on both scenarios. A ladder may increase your chances of earning more when rates go up or smooth out losses if rates go down.
Always review to see what’s right for you
There are many different ways to build annuity ladders for yield, including fixed-rate ladders using multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs). You can also use a “mixed-fix” approach combining MYGAs and fixed–index annuities. Deferred multi-year ladders work in a somewhat similar fashion to certificates of deposit (CDs).
Another approach is the deferred multi-year annuity ladder. You take a lump sum to purchase several small annuities in a deferred multi-year annuity ladder, each with a different maturity date. As each annuity matures, you either roll it over into a new annuity or convert it to income.
Creating an annuity ladder may not work for everyone. Still, it is worth bringing up with your retirement advisor, especially if you find yourself considering adding Safe Money products to your portfolio.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma with GRAM Director of Art Chris Bruce. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
It was by chance that Chris Bruce was introduced to the world of Jim Henson.
“As a family, we would go to these auctions,” Bruce said. “At one, there was a box of kids toys that we got. At the bottom of the box, there was a VHS (tape) which was the ‘Dark Crystal.’”
It was love at first viewing.
“I just love how he understood the need for kids to face fear,” Bruce said. “That they needed to be able to recognize it and know what it is.”
Fast forward several years and Bruce, who is now working for the Grand Rapids Art Museum, is in New York. A friend tells him about an exhibit of Jim Henson’s work at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI).
Bruce arrived at the MoMI, only to find it closed. But all was not lost as he managed to convince someone to let him in to see “The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited.”
“After seeing it, I knew immediately that the Museum needed to bring this exhibit in,” Brue said, adding that staff had been considering it. “It has everything that we were seeking for an installation. It is entertaining. It is diverse. It is vibrant and it is relatable.
“I saw it as something that would speak to everyone.”
It would take a few more years for the Museum to get the exhibit on its schedule and during that time Bruce was named the GRAM’s director of art and is the curator for the exhibit.
And as Bruce moves a small group through the exhibit, you can quickly tell that the GRAM picked the best person to curate this particular exhibit.
Life’s like a movie
Opened at the beginning of October, the exhibit features a broad range of artifacts related to Henson’s career. This includes more than 20 puppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, film and television clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and iconic costumes. There are also interactive experiences that allow visitors to try their hand at puppeteering on camera and designing a puppet character.
As the group moves through the exhibit, Bruce tells of of the layout and story behind the exhibit.
Visitors travel through a timeline of Henson’s career with the different sections color-coated. Greeted by a 1978 Kermit the Frog, the exhibit starts with Henson’s early life when he was first introduced to television and puppetry. It weaves through his first television show, “Sam and Friends” leading into his years with “Sesame Street.”
Characters from “Fraggle Rock”The stuff animals from “The “Labyrinth”
“The Muppet Show,” which ran from 1976-1981, is featured prominently with all the episodes being run at the sametime on a screen. Continue to follow the path through the hall to discover such iconic shows “Muppet Babies” and “Fraggle Rock” which leads to Henson’s groundbreaking “Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth,” which starred David Bowie. The exhibit ends looking at some of the projects Henson was working on before his untimely death in 1990.
“And if you watch the closing monitor, you can even see Jim Henson saying ‘good-bye,” Bruce said.
Joining Kermit are such familiar characters as Grover, Ernie, Bert, and Count von Count from “Sesame Street”; Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, and Scooter from “The Muppets”; and Jen and Kira puppets from “The Dark Crystal.” Also on display are the costumes from “The Labyrinth.”
Making a connection
Grand Rapids Art Museum Director of Art Chris Bruce in front of the Jen and Kira puppets from “The Dark Crystal.” (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“It has been an incredible opportunity to be the curator while this exhibit is here,” Bruce said.
As for a favorite section, Bruce said he couldn’t pick one. Each has its place and, while all were made for children, there meanings and theme reach out to what is going on today.
“‘Fraggle Rock’ was about race relations and how people need to work together,” Bruce said, adding that making connections was another them that ran through Henson’s work.
“I think the takeaway from all of this is being together,” Bruce said. “We are all different but we are all in this together.”
The “Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited” runs through Jan. 14 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. Throughout the months of December and January, there are several drop-in and adult workshops centered around puppetry in celebration of the exhibit. For more information, visit artmuseumgr.org.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is pleased to announce a new show titled: Big Astronomy: People, Paces, Discoveries, is coming to the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium which features three observatories located in Chile, in some of the world’s most extreme and remote places. The show will be part of the schedule of programmatic offerings at the Chaffee Planetarium beginning Friday, Nov. 25.
“Big Astronomy: People, Paces, Discoveries” showcases the people needed to run an observatory. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Through stunning visualizations, Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries shows examples of the multitude of STEM careers needed to keep these great observatories working. The show is narrated by Barbara Rojas-Ayala, a Chilean astronomer. This new show will be featured in the Chaffee Planetarium’s winter schedule among audience favorites such as Ice Worlds and Let it Snow!
“What I love about Big Astronomy is that it shows visitors, especially students and children, the real people who work on these world-class observatories. We get to meet not just the astronomers, but the engineers, technicians, and teachers who contribute to the work of astronomy,” said Jack Daleske, the GRPM’s Planetarium and Theater Manager. “We want audiences to see themselves in the people they see in our shows, and Big Astronomy will help make that connection for viewers.”
Big Astronomy: People, Paces, Discoveries will be part of the regular show schedule at the GRPM’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, beginning on Friday, Nov. 25. Tickets are $4 with general admission, $5 for planetarium-only access, and $2 for Museum members. Capacity is limited and advance ticketing is recommended. Tickets to Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries are available by visiting grpm.org/planetarium. Showtimes can also be reserved for school groups in English or Spanish by visiting grpm.org/schools.
Big Astronomy is a multifaceted research and outreach project supported by several partners and funded by the National Science Foundation.
Journeè Evans’ passion for Grand Rapids art, poetry and community gained new perspective in January 2022, when she relocated downtown from the city’s southeast side.
“I wanted to know my surroundings more, to expand,” she told ArtRat. “That’s why I love living in Grand Rapids: You’re always going to run into a different crowd and new culture that you can explore and bring in knowledge and connections. We have something special, something a lot of people are searching for.”
At ArtRat, she has sourced West Michigan artists and artisans for ArtRat’s Holiday ArtMart, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3 and noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Also during ArtRat’s Third Thursday event Dec. 15, she will host a poetry paint-and-pour as part of her new Sol’s Sessions performance series.
“I met some of the most loving, caring and amazing people” at Pass the Mic, Journeè said. “It was one of those opportunities that you don’t get unless you know that this is something you’re supposed to bring to the world. There’s so many amazing things that come through Grand Rapids, and a lot of people don’t get to see them.”
Journeè has also become an ambassador for C4 (the Community Collaboration on Climate Change),a grassroots organization that is working to make Grand Rapids a model city for climate-change mitigation, adaptation and climate justice for its residents.
In her role with C4, Journeè will work closely with the residents of Grand Rapids to learn the specifics of what our community needs to move forward. (You can download more information on C4 here and here.)
Sol’s Sessions
Her experience at Grand Rapids’ art venues inspired Journeè’s latest project: Sol’s Sessions, a collaborative forum for the city’s emerging artists, poets, singers and dancers that she plans to host throughout the city. “The idea was actually born out of the idea for a dance group,” she said, “but I fell back in love with writing poetry. So it became a space for everything: You can come and speak, listen, cry, dance, even paint or sketch!
“Creativity doesn’t take from anything, or anyone — it simply gives. When you gain creativity, you gain freedom and independence. It gives you the courage to live on without fear.”
Mama Sol’Ja will host a “Sunflower World” edition of Sol’s Sessions on Nov. 18 at the Wealthy Theatre Community Media Center. The event begins at 6pm with performances by six West Michigan poets, leading into an open mic. “I want anybody who has a talent to come and show it so they can get their flowers and that love,” she said. “That’s what the Sunflower World is about.” To keep the flame lit as we head into dark winter months, you’re invited to dress in yellow and join the celebration.
Bringing it all to ArtRat
In December, Journeè will apply her community-building talents to ArtRat, introducing new vendors to the gallery at the Holiday ArtMart, then hosting a Sol’s Session that features poetry alongside participatory painting. “I get to bring in this great community of people who became entrepreneurs in their own right,” she said. “They went out and they actually did something! It’s so amazing to me to see that grit.
“COVID really just stopped a lot of things. Now that people are up and running, I want to really encourage us to gain as much as we can gain because we all went through so much. I was thrilled to be able to give people that opportunity, whether it’s local artists, or younger people who want to pursue creative endeavors.
“I’m thrilled that I get to be able to bring people a new, positive way,” Journeè said, “just to show themselves and be able to express whatever thoughts they have on their mind. We’re definitely going to change it over here. It’s important to give voice to change — and that’s what we’re doing here.”
This article provided by ArtRat, located at 46 Division Ave. S. For more about ArtRat, visit the gallery’s website at www.artrat.us. To join ArtRat Gallery’s mailing list of events and exhibits, email matthew@artrat.us.
South Christian QB Jake DeHaan highlights the MHSFCA All-Region selections in the Kentwood-Wyoming area. (Courtesy, Eric Walstra)
By Zach Fanko
WKTV Contributor
The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association released their All-Region teams for the 2022 season as voted on by members of the MHSFCA.
Here are the following selections for players in the Kentwood-Wyoming area:
Division 1, Region 1
Stellan Bowman, JR, LB, East Kentwood
Division 4, Region 1
Camerson VanSolkema, JR, OL, South Christian
Carson Vis, SO, WR, South Christian
Seth Ritsema, SR, WR/TE, South Christian
Jake DeHaan, SR, QB, South Christian
Cam Post, SR, LB, South Christian
Nate Brinks, SR, Specialist, South Christian
Division 5, Region 2
Will Howard II, SR, DL, Wyoming-Kelloggsville
As you can see, South Christian was well represented in Division 4 with six total selections. The undefeated Sailors are preparing for their state semifinal matchup with Edwardsburg on Saturday.
East Kentwood’s Stellan Bowman, who played both halfback and linebacker this season, represented the Falcons on the All-Region team. (WKTV/Nathan Piers)
Stellan Bowman had a standout season at linebacker for the Falcons as East Kentwood made a return to the playoffs. Coach Tony Kimbrough mentioned Bowman as one of the returning players that the Falcons will rely on in 2023.
In Division 5, Kelloggsville senior Will Howard II was named to the All-Region team as a defensive lineman.
LANSING – A chalk mural by Grand Valley State University student Jacob Yingling depicts what he studies: yellow perch in drowned river mouth systems.
Jacob Yingling’s chalk mural took him two hours to create and many more hours to plan. It reads, “Yellow Perch Condition in Drowned Rivermouth System.” Credit: Jacob Yingling
Through the data Yingling collected for the university’s Annis Water Resources Institute, he discovered that the average weight and health of fish captured at Lake Macatawa is significantly below standard levels.
His artwork was part of a recent Grand Valley Chalk Art Symposium, where dozens of students showcased their work on the Pew Library plaza.
“This was my first time doing something like this,” Yingling said. He said he loves drawing landscapes in his free time and was excited to be a part of the event.
Combining science with artwork allowed people who wouldn’t have otherwise seen his research to see it, said Yingling. “I believe science is really for everyone.”
Attendees approached Yingling throughout the day to find out more about his research.
“A lot of people thought it was cool, and they stopped to ask what it meant and how it was impacting them,” he said.
Great Lakes river mouths are home to ports and cities that have lots of human interaction, according to a 2013 article in the Journal of Great Lakes Research.
The activity can harm marine health through factors such as runoff and improper waste disposal.
Sharing scientific research through artwork is a growing trend, said Michigan State University Museum Creative Director Mark Sullivan.
“Science gives artists opportunities for an approach they have never taken before,” he said. Artistic expression and interpretation can improve the observational skills of scientists, too.
Science and art have come together all over the scientific community, according to another Annis researcher, Michael Hassett.
Institutions nationwide promote seminars through colorful posters, feature artwork in their studies and have even spread water awareness through interpretive dance.
You don’t have to be an activist to take action.
According to Yingling, the people viewing his mural often asked how they could help preserve yellow trout along Michigan’s west coast.
“The best way for us to generate funding is to get the public interested in what we’re doing,” he said.
Just like Yingling, Sullivan’s team gets out into the community with artistic exhibits and performances based on research subjects like climate change, immigration and technology.
“We’re not about sitting on the shelf, but taking action,” Sullivan said.
Sounds of music, song, and poetry rang out for close to three hours in the cozy, art-filled space known as ArtRat.
The event, known as “Saturday Musicians Co-op,” showcased local artists, giving them a chance to practice their craft in front of a live audience and on this fall day, about two dozen people came out to watch singers, musicians and poets all take their turn at the mic.
It is only a sample of the array of activities that has been taking place at Division Avenue’s newest tenant, all of which are designed to highlight just what a hidden gem the Heartside District is.
Heartside’s Renaissance
The Heartside neighborhood has gone through a transformation in recent years. Prices for retail space is very reasonable making it attractive for unique specialty shops and eateries that now dot the landscape of the Division corridor. Once such place is ArtRat.
ArtRat owners Nancy Tobin and Matthew Rothenberg. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
Owned by Matthew Rothenberg and his wife, Nancy Tobin, ArtRat, 46 Division Ave., opened up to the public a little over a year ago. Rothenberg said Tobin, a painter, had already been using the space when the couple saw its potential to build community.
“So Nancy first started using this as her studio in 2018,” Rothernberg said. “And then we realized what a beautiful space this would be to have a gallery. So last year, we renovated the space and opened just before ArtPrize 2021.”
Tobin is a Grand Rapids native and graduated from Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design in 1981. She eventually made her way out West, where she met Rothenberg. Years later, the couple moved back to be closer to Tobin’s family.
Having spent several years living in bigger cities, like New York and San Francisco, Rothenberg said Grand Rapids has its own unique vibe. One he digs.
“It’s got the kind of intensity and vibrancy that we look for in cities,” Rothenberg said. “Nancy and I are city people. Our kids are too. This feels like that.”
Building the Community
But it’s not just art and artists’ performances taking center stage at ArtRat. To get people more engaged in the community, ArtRat is hosting more civic minded events. The gallery held a voter registration event in the fall and partnered up with PROACTIVE Project to try to get more citizens registered for the recent midterm election.
ArtRat audience enjoys an evening of music and poetry during the Saturday Musicians Co-op. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
ArtRat was also one of four sites picked to host a voting event for Participatory Budgeting GR. Participatory Budgeting GR was an initiative that allowed citizens to vote on proposals created by residents in order to spend the $2 million that the City was allocated to get because of the American Rescue Plan Act. Residents were asked to come up with ideas on how to spend the federal funds and then they got to vote on their favorites.
ArtRat has also been mixing art with song, music, poetry, and other live performances in an effort to bring in patrons and local artists alike. They’ve hosted ‘The Hai-Cuu Experience’ at the gallery about once a month. The Hip-Hop poetry experience is a collaboration with Cuu JoSama and Kenneth Cortez Productions.
It’s just the cool place to be
Starting in November, a new monthly event, ‘Americana Sundays’ will showcase individual singer-songwriters and bands performing in American roots music styles.
Rothenberg said he hopes events like this will help make people aware that this hip, cool scene is happening in the Heartside neighborhood. A vibrant and diverse area that’s starting to attract younger artists and people who enjoy the arts. Rothenberg said he’s confident once people see the potential this neighborhood has, they’ll be back.
“People may not be aware that it has a thriving retail scene with lots of unique things for people to do,” said Rothenberg. “There’s plenty of parking, cool businesses, cool people. Just a cool community to be a part of.”
Building a community through the Arts
Madyson Visscher, a local artist, works for the gallery as its social media manager. The 22-year-old moved to the neighborhood a year ago and like the owners she works for, she fell in love with the area and what it has to offer. She said Heartside has seen an explosion in the art scene, making the gallery a perfect hub for the community and herself.
ArtRat is located at 46 S. Division Ave. in the hear to the Heartside District. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
“I feel at home here for sure,” said Visscher. “There’s even this strip now. With all of the new retail and like resources that are here. Whether it’s a little space, so someone like me, an artist, I can go work in there. It’s a co-working space, plenty of cafés. We got the new vintage stores that are up and I’ve been spending way too much money in those.”
Visscher has been writing features on behalf of the ArtRat gallery showcasing some of the businesses in the area. The stories are published via email once or twice a week. She’s also been talking and getting feedback from residents in the neighborhood. Visscher said the gallery hopes it can break the stereotype that it only caters to people of a certain status.
“I think some art galleries can be a little uppity or sophisticated,” said Visscher. “But we’re definitely trying to change that narrative and be a space not only for artists, but just for the community too.”
Open Mic Night a Success
Rothenberg, a musician, said he wanted to give artists a place to hone their skills thus that is how the “Saturday Musicians Co-op” came to be.
Eli Winkelman, on drums, was excited to showcase his talent during a recent SaturdayMusicians Co-op. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
That opportunity to showcase his craft is why 18-year-old drummer Eli Winkelman came. The recent high school graduate of Grand Rapids has played a few times in front of people but mainly for school related events. He said the owners are a friend of his dad’s. He said he was happy for the opportunity to jam.
“It was actually really fun,” Winkelman said. “Because like, we actually got like, a lot of people, and it was pretty cool. Made me feel good.”
Some more seasoned performers took part as well. Journeé Evans, 23, is no stranger to performing. Evans is an artist and poet. The audience sat in silence, drinking in the words falling from her lips. She was met with the roar of applause afterwards. Evans said she was happy to be a part of the experiment.
“I feel like it is very unique”, Evans said. “And it’s very innovative, bringing in two genres that aren’t usually together, and then making an experience that everybody can enjoy. I feel like that’s a very balanced and awesome way of bringing attraction to any place.”
Journeé Evans, receives around of applause after her poetry reading. (WKTV/Jodi Miesen)
And that for Rothenberg was the whole point.
“Something I can do is create opportunities for people to come here”, Rothenberg said. “And perform here and interact here. You know, just get them down here and they can see the opportunities for themselves.”
The return of the annual Wyoming Gives Back event will include a new venue and a tree lighting ceremony.
Every year, the City of Wyoming has been able to collect more than a 1,000 toys at its annual Wyoming Gives Back. (WKTV)
City organizers recently announced that this year’s event, which is from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 1, will be at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The reason for the move, according to Jennifer Stowell, assistant to the city manager, is for the tree lighting ceremony, which will close out the event.
“Our City Manager, Curtis Holt, wanted to have the tree lighting ceremony,” Stowell said, adding that it has been about 10 years since the city has such an event.
“So none of the city lights will come on until after the tree lighting ceremony,” she said.
It will be the first in-person Wyoming Gives Back in two years. Last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID and in 2020, it was a virtual program that was filmed and produced at the WKTV Community Center.
Wyoming Gives Back is Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
“It’s the season for joy as our community comes together once again to celebrate the holidays,” Wyoming Mayor Elect Kent Vanderwood said. “We encourage Wyoming residents and community members to join the festivities, which will include a great lineup of local school choirs and bands, gift giving, a tree lighting and more.”
The Wyoming Gives Back will be similar to those in the past. Residents will bring toys to the Wyoming City Hall. The toys are donated to the Salvation Army Angel Tree. For each toy donated, a resident receives a raffle ticket for a chance to win gifts donated by Wyoming businesses.
The jazz band from the Wyoming High School will perform at this year’s Wyoming Gives Back. (WKTV)
There will be additional prizes this year as several businesses who donated to last year’s event had the city keep their donation for this year, Stowell said.
During the two-hour event, there will be music from the Salvation Army Band, Godwin Heights High School Choir, Lee Varsity Voices Choir, and Wyoming Public Schools Jazz Band. All the groups will be performing in the Council Chambers. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be there checking in with area children on their Christmas wishes. Also members of the Wyoming Police and Fire departments will be there as well. WKTV also will be there recording holiday greetings.
The City of Wyoming has been hosting the annual Wyoming Gives Back event for 12 years, partnering with local businesses and the community to celebrate the holiday season by helping those in need. For more information about Wyoming Gives Back, visit www.wyomingmi.gov/givesback or call 616-530-7372.
Snowy weather is here which means making sure you have checked that your car has all your survival essentials. (WKTV/Maggie Carey)
With the colder months approaching quickly, it is important to stock your car with items that will help you through the winter. Winter weather can leave you stranded and having a kit of essentials can get you back on the road faster or make your time waiting for assistance more comfortable in the frigid temperatures.
Winter essentials for the car can include:
Ice scraper. This is an essential that can be found almost everywhere. Car scrapers with a brush end and scraper end are best (see image right) as they help remove both snow and ice from your car. Not only is it safe for you to clear your car of snow, it is also safe for those around you as snow falling off your car can impair their vision while driving.
A car scraper with a brush and scraper end is recommended.
Portable Shovel. Small portable shovels can be helpful when digging a car out from snow or when trying to leave a snowy street in the morning. If you have a big enough trunk, consider keeping a full-sized shovel on hand to make the process smoother.
Cat litter or salt. Did you know that cat litter can help budge a stuck car more than salt? Cat litter absorbs all the moisture around the tire and makes the surface dry to drive on. If you are stuck in snow or ice, pour small amounts around your wheels and slowly accelerate to dislodge your car. This can also be an affordable alternative to keeping salt in your car. Or if you want to keep it classic, salt does the job too. Be sure to have one on hand though as we enter the Michigan winter.
Extra warm clothes. Having extra clothes on hand can be helpful if your car has died and you are waiting for assistance on the side of the road. Put together a tote with a coat, gloves, hat, scarf, socks and if you have the room, a blanket. These items can help regulate your temperature while waiting for assistance and could potentially save your life.
Food and water. Some types of food, like non-perishables, can stay in your car for the winter months and come in handy for those unpredictable winter weather emergencies. Trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, and canned foods can be kept in cold temperatures in your car. You should also keep water in your car. Stainless steel bottles are the best method of storing water, just remember to only fill them ¾ of the way as the colder temperatures can make the bottle burst if too full.
Take the time now to think about what you need and stock up your car essentials to keep you and your family safe during your winter travels.
Albert Einstein was ahead of his time. He revolutionized physics thinking, and his theory beginning with the breakout year of 1905, is still the basics of quantum physics today, more than 100 years later. When Einstein is remembered for his work, it is almost always E = mc², the theory of relativity. However, I think a more interesting part of Einstein’s life was his view on compound interest.
Albert Einstein called compound interest “the greatest mathematical discovery of all time.”
The power of tax deferral
Compound interest allows the account to grow by earning interest on the original investment and any accumulated interest. Here is a generally accepted definition of compound interest.
The interest is calculated on the initial principal and the accumulated interest of prior periods. Compound interest differs from simple interest in that simple interest is calculated solely as a percentage of the principal sum.
Compound interest is offered by banks and savings institutions and is also referred to as “double compounding.” The interest is credited, but it is taxable. The downside is when the interest is credited to your account and comes with tax liability.
Insurance companies offer products that allow for tax deferral and compounding but, under certain situations, can also defer the tax liability. These products are called annuities and life insurance. If the accumulated funds are left untouched, the tax liability is deferred.
This concept is referred to as “triple compounding.”
If some of your savings are placed in an annuity, the benefit of tax deferral provides for:
Interest on your principal
Interest on your interest and
Interest on your tax saving, because your interest is free from current income tax in an annuity, can all continue to compound instead of being withdrawn for tax payments.
And there is more
Is that all there is? No! There is also “quantum compounding.”
Quantum Compounding is building on Triple Compounding by adding features only found on certain insurance company annuities.
· A bonus of 5% to 10% may be available on funds deposited immediately and guaranteed
· Long-term care benefit riders may be available
· Lifetime income provisions
· Annual moveable minimum guarantees
· Full guarantees against loss and risk based on the insurance company’s ability to pay.
· Probate avoidance using a named beneficiary
Consider the use of quantum annuities for added benefits and added value for yourself and your heirs.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
Our WKTV truck has been busy all season long covering exciting high school football Games of the Week in the Wyoming/Kentwood viewing area.
If you missed a GOTW, or would like to watch one for a second time, be sure to see our 22nd Annual Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving Day.
The 15-Hour Special, which starts at 9 a.m. Nov. 24, highlights most of our high school football Games of the Week. The Turkey Bowl is streamed live on the WKTV website at wktv.org or using this link: https://www.wktv.org/live25.html
WKTV has spent the last week getting decked out for the holidays. Pictured is WKTV Volunteer Tyler Bronsink as he puts the finishing touches on some holiday lights. Make sure to stop by and check out the festival display!
Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope (Courtesy Aesculap, Inc.)
University of Michigan Health-West (UMH-W) recently announced that the medical facility have obtained an Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope to aid its neurosurgery team and further UM Health-West as an Innovative Healthcare Destination. University of Michigan Health-West serves the Grand Rapids metropolitan area with 18 outpatient centers and more than 500 physicians on staff.
Funding for this new microscope came from The University of Michigan Health-West Foundation. This foundation strives to make care more accessible, support professional development, improve patient experiences, and serve the people of West Michigan.
What is an Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope?
An Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope is a next generation, high resolution microscope that will be used in the operating room to assist doctors. It will aid with robotic-guided positioning of surgical tools, 3D imaging, and provide doctors with a microscopic view of the body during surgery. Another feature of this microscope is the fluorescence capabilities will help guide doctors by lighting up tumors, aneurysms, and tissues.
Aid for those in the operating room
The Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope will provide ergonomic relief in the operating room for doctors. Due to the positioning of the microscope, surgeons will no longer have to hunch over microscopes for hours on end while twisting their bodies in uncomfortable positions in order to reach the brain, spinal cord, and nerves of patients during surgery. Procedures can last from six to eight hours long and having technology to help relieve some of the physical pain for doctors is a great advancement for the hospital and patient outcomes.
Dr. Ronald Grifka, Chief Medical Officer, said that this microscope will be a huge support for the surgical team.
“In traditional microsurgery, the surgeon might have to keep their head tilted at a 60-degree angle for hours at a time,” Grifka said. “We know they can perform better for their patients – and have greater job satisfaction – if they are comfortable and relaxed when performing these intricate neurosurgeries.”
Another advantage of the Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope is its application in education. University of Michigan Health-West is a teaching hospital with eight residency programs. Residents now have the opportunity to view exactly what the surgeon sees and learn from them during surgeries.
Looking towards the future
The Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope has future applications in the world of microsurgeries.
“This is really the next generation of microsurgery,” Neurosurgeon Bryan Figueroa, MD said. “When we all can anticipate what needs to happen next, response time is faster, and we can stay perfectly in sync to optimize patient care.”
There is hope for its application in other surgeries in the future as well. Plastic surgery, ophthalmology (eye surgery), and even reconstructive surgery are areas where this kind of technology has potential.
If you are still interested in this new technology, you can view a video demonstration here!
LANSING – As warmer-than-average growing seasons caused by climate change become more common, they bring new invasive species to Michigan.
Tar spot is a fungus that attacks corn and causes production losses. Credit: Michigan State University
“Insects that like warm weather are finding that Michigan is becoming more and more life-sustaining than ever before,” said Bruno Basso, a professor in Michigan State University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
And that requires new ways to fight them.
“These invasive species to Michigan are resistant to pesticides that farmers previously relied upon,” Basso said. “So farmers are looking for new ways to improve the ecology of their crops and improve their resistance.”
Identifying the threats
Two new threats are “tar spots,” in corn, and spotted wing drosophila, said Laura Campbell, a senior conservation and regulatory relations specialist at the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Tar spots are raised black dots on the ears of corn caused by a fungus called “phyllachora maydis,” Campbell said. An outbreak in a corn field causes production losses and economic disaster for the farmers.
Spotted wing drosophila is an insect that attacks soft fruits, a big problem for Michigan’s cherry orchards, Campbell said.
The female insects lay eggs inside the fruit, causing brown, sunken spots. As the larva eats the fruit it becomes rotten and non-consumable.
Using technology in the fight
Farmers attack new insects with technology, Basso said. Drones can pinpoint where an insect or weed is on their farms. Then they spray the specific area before it worsens.
Another example of emerging technology is the advancement of Enviroweather, a Michigan State -based weather service that can help farmers anticipate threats to their crops, Campbell said. The site tracks invasion trends, warning farmers ahead of time if pests are headed their way.
“Preventative pesticide spraying is best, because it will deter the invasive insects and weeds from being able to attack the crops,” Campbell said. “This greatly reduces the amount of pesticides needed, which is good for the farmer and the surrounding land and water.”
Scientists are also making advances in the kinds of products used on farms, Basso said. Biodegradable plastic mulch is replacing synthetic mulch that does not decompose. More plant-based pesticides and herbicides are becoming available.
A local perspective from Ada
Heather Anderson, the owner of Green Wagon Farm, in Ada, uses all-natural products to combat insects and weeds on her certified organic farm.
Spotted wing drosophila is an insect that lays its eggs on the inside of fruit, like this raspberry, causing it to rot. Credit: University of Minnesota Extension
“We are constantly vigilant for new threats to our crops,” Anderson said. “We don’t do preventative spraying, instead we scout the farm ourselves, and pick weeds by hand.”
At 18 acres, Green Wagon Farm is much smaller than the average U.S. farm size of 211 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Removing weeds by hand becomes more difficult on large farms.
“It’d be nice if all farms could be fully biodegradable and have no waste, but sometimes synthetic products are unavoidable,” Basso said.
This is not to say that farmers aren’t looking for more sustainable methods.
“Pesticides are incredibly expensive, and it would be more cost-effective to spray one small area than to have to spray an entire field,” Campbell said. “There’s a notion that farmers want to spray pesticides everywhere, and don’t care about the impacts on the land and water. But the land and water is their livelihood.”
Keeping the lines of communication open
A challenge is the communication between farmers and scientists, Campbell said.
Scientists lack the hands-on experience of being a farmer, and this makes it difficult for farmers to trust that their advice is best.
Money is also a big factor, according to Basso.
“Farmers have historically been more conservative when it comes to implementing new practices,” Basso said. “They have a financial risk, because if they change a way of doing something and it doesn’t work out, they lose that money that they would’ve made before.”
But as the weather gets warmer, farmers understand that their practices have to change or they will not be able to survive, Campbell said.
“Farmers want to do the right thing,” Campbell said. “I’ve never met a farmer who said they don’t care when it comes to the environment.”
Sarah is a junior at Michigan State University double majoring in Social Relations & Policy and Journalism. She is interested in writing about how politics affects local communities and making information accessible for everyone. In her free time, she likes boxing, yoga, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog.
West Michigan’s economy took an expected turn into a “shallow recession” in October. (Photo from Pxhere.com)
West Michigan’s economy took an expected turn into a “shallow recession” as area manufacturers are reporting inflation-related headwinds and a slow-down in demand, according to an October survey of purchasing managers by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.
Brian Long, director of supply chain management research at Seidman, said the downturn came as no surprise, with local results mirroring national ones.
“If we compare our statistics with those being collected at the national level, we see a pattern of economic erosion with higher interest rates around the world and the ongoing war in Ukraine,” Long said. “We can probably expect both our local and national statistics at the industrial level will probably continue to soften.”
The key new orders index made a turn into double-digit negative territory for the first time in 30 months, amid inflationary pressures, softening demand and uncertainty in the market.
Employment and purchasing indices also were in negative territory, with an increasing number of companies reporting investments in those areas were down versus the previous month.
Meanwhile, production, or gross output, grew during October as some manufacturers continue scrambling to meet demand in sectors like the auto industry, where supply chain issues have hampered business growth.
“Just like last month, the market for office furniture has continued to soften, but pent-up demand for new cars will most likely keep our West Michigan auto parts suppliers and the assembly lines running for the foreseeable future,” Long said. “The comments from our survey participants have now turned increasingly tenuous, and some firms are openly bracing for an impending recession.”
More information about this month’s survey results and an archive of previous survey data is available at the Seidman College of Business website.
Alynn Guerra’s mural for the 49507 Project adorns the side of Cisneros Tire Service located along Division Avenue. (WKTV)
On a pleasant day in September, the smell of warm tortillas and the music playing at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Division Avenue probably left some drivers and pedestrians wondering what is being celebrated at the parking lot of Cisneros Tire Service. Then again, one look at the shop’s wall along Division Avenue and it did not taking much to figure out the reason for the celebration.
Sept. 3 was the unveiling of one of the newest pieces in The 49507 Project, which is a public art project coordinated by the non-profit The Diatribe. The 49507 Project is designed to bring together Black, brown, and LGBTQ+ artists to paint murals and emulate how underserved residents in the 49507 area are.
Redlining, the practice of denying a person a loan because the area they live in is deemed poor, is one of the issues reflected in Alynn Guerra’s piece, “Flight,” which is featured at Cisneros Tire Service, 800 Division Ave. S.
According to Guerra, the mural has a literal and metaphoric meaning. The red on the far left represents redlining, a practiced started in 1933 when the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation began redlining in major American cities. On the far right is a shade of green to represent green lining, an advocacy that seeks to advance and empower communities with people of color. In the center of the background is a sunny yellow tone with a grinning skeleton swinging forward on a swing as white birds fly the opposite direction over the red paint in the background. The birds represent white supremacy reversed as Guerra describes it. The skeleton is a traditional Mexican symbol of rebirth.
“We don’t need to glorify our struggles,” said as she presented her mural to the public. “We can look into the mural and be hopeful.”
Taking on this dynamic form of activism through art, Guerra is a believer her art can create change. Whether you are on the stuck in traffic on the busy street of Division or a customer who needs a tire changed at Cisneros Tire Service, you cannot escape curiosity when studying her mural. This vivid, humorous, and truthful work of art shows immense hope for Grand Rapids to think outside our redlines and educate ourselves on social injustice. What Guerra believes about public art is it communicates a message in a constant way in the present day and future generations to come.
The 49507 Project was launched in 2021 with seven artists completing pieces. For 2022, the project had eight artists complete murals in and throughout the area. Those locations are:
Samaria J’s Salon Suite, 701 Grandville Ave SW
Load A Spud, 1721 Madison Ave SE
Farmers Insurance, 2435 Eastern Ave SE
Mr. B’s Party Store, 1216 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Aleman Auto Repair, 1801 Division Ave S.
Cisneros Tires, 800 Division Ave S.
1956 Eastern Ave.
1935 Eastern Ave.
The project has been well received. In fact, as part of it, Peterson Research Consultants conducted a survey of the community attitudes both before and after starting to assess whether perceptions of the neighborhood might change. After the first year, that survey showed residents felt the art represented how “we see things – colorful, vibrant, and a beautiful side of our culture.”
Funded by a coalition of nearly a dozen businesses, foundations, neighborhood groups and city organizations, The 49507 Project is scheduled to go through 2023.
WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma contributed to this article.
From Nov. 15 through March 15, parking is not allowed on any public street from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. in Kentwood. Additionally, parking is not allowed during times when street parking could make it difficult for, or prevent snow removal.
To file a complaint about a parking violation, residents can submit the complaint online, by phone 616-656-6574 or in person at the Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE.
Clear fire hydrants
Kentwood is asking residents to help keep fire hydrants near their homes or businesses clear of snow. It is recommended keeping snow and ice at least three feet away from hydrants on all sides. Keeping hydrants clear of snow and ice saves firefighters time when dealing with a fire.
Keep sidewalks clear
In Kentwood, it is the property owners responsibility to clear the sidewalk when there are two or more inches of snow.
LANSING — Michigan saw a dramatic increase in funding for school board races for the Nov. 8 elections, election watchers say.
Michigan saw quite a bit of money spent on local school board elections this year. (Pxhere.com)
“Normally school board races fly under the radar,” said Jennifer Smith, the director of government relations at the Michigan Association of School Boards. “This amount of attention is unheard of.”
One reason: Nationwide, conservative groups have called for more “parental rights” over what schools are teaching their children, Smith said. These same groups donated thousands of dollars to Michigan school board races. These groups, or political action committees, do not normally pay that much attention to school board races.
For example, this is the first year that the Great Lakes Education Project has spent money on school board races, Beth DeShone, executive director of GLEP, told the Detroit News. The group spent about $100,000 this year across 20 races.
The group, formed by Betsy DeVos, a former U.S. Secretary of Education and prominent Republican donor, usually donates to statewide races, but is now involved in local races to “‘empower these citizens’ voices and take a chance to engage on these races to create a more transparent system,” according to DeShone.
GLEP could not be reached for additional comment.
More attention could be a good thing
“Previously, these races were community funded,” Smith said. “A candidate would fund themselves, or fundraise with other community members.”
More attention to school board races can be a good thing, said Thomas Morgan, a spokesperson for the Michigan Education Association.
“But this election, the attention we saw was largely spreading conspiracies and misinformation,” Morgan said. “Luckily, these candidates largely were not successful, and voters chose candidates who would be best for improving children’s education and collaborating with teachers.”
One of the biggest polarizing issues was the belief that schools indoctrinate children by teaching critical race theory and gender theory, he said.
Such beliefs can drive attention in local campaigns.
“Some parents are scared that schools are teaching their children things that they themselves do not believe in,” said John Lindstrom, a former publisher at Gongwer News Service Michigan, a news organization focusing on state politics.
Candidates are nonpartisan, causes are not
“More money than ever before is going towards supporting these candidates,” said Lindstrom, a board member of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. “Now that people know these races matter, I don’t see an end to the increase in money.”
School boards have little authority over curriculum which is set at the state level. (Pxhere.com)
Although school board candidates are nonpartisan, the causes they may champion are not.
But school board members lack the power to do a lot of things candidates ran on, Smith and Morgan both said. Their main duty is to select a superintendent.
Curriculum standards are set at the state level, and enforced by curriculum directors at schools.
It’s unclear if political action committees funding school board candidates were aware that school board members have little authority over what schools teach children, Morgan said.
“These groups may have just been trying to get attention on fake issues in order to distract from real ones,” Morgan said. “However, the large majority of voters are focused on the truth and what’s best for their children, and that’s what we saw in this election.”
Tracking finances not easy
Tracking who finances a school board candidate can be difficult, according to Morgan.
While some county clerks post the information on their websites, that is less common in areas with fewer resources to do so.
“It comes down to how well-staffed a county clerk’s office is and what their IT department can do if these records can be searchable online,” Morgan said.
Improvements in finance tracking might be necessary if the trend of spending a lot of money on school board races continues, Morgan said.
But Smith says that this attention might not continue into the future, especially after how so few candidates funded by political action committees won. She argues that since these races are so local, local community members should be the ones financing them.
“I hope the attention goes away soon,” Smith said. “It’s a distraction and the hyper-politicization of schools is not what we need.”
Sarah is a junior at Michigan State University double majoring in Social Relations & Policy and Journalism. She is interested in writing about how politics affects local communities and making information accessible for everyone. In her free time, she likes boxing, yoga, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog.
LANSING – Paramedics and emergency personnel are sharply divided over a plan that addresses the shortage of Michigan paramedics by creating a statewide certification program that would deviate from the national accreditation program.
Michigan looks at creating a statewide certification program for paramedics. (Photo from Pxhere.com)
A bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond, would allow the state to make its own requirements to be certified as a paramedic.
Yaroch previously spent 25 years as a firefighter and paramedic in Clinton Township. The bill recently passed the House, 102-6, and now goes to the state Senate, where it is likely to pass with bipartisan support.
To become licensed as a paramedic in Michigan, a person must be nationally accredited. The cost of becoming a licensed paramedic in Michigan can range from $1,400 to $12,000, according to Paramedic Training Spot, an online resource for those looking to become licensed paramedics.
With its own accreditation program, the state would no longer need to adhere to the national standards.
Trying to balance cost with need
Paramedics would still need to pass an examination proctored by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
That agency estimates $2 million would be required to establish a training program, with yearly costs of $1.6 million. Michigan now spends $2.3 million per year on EMS funding.
“Right now, a person needs national accreditation to be a paramedic,” said Angela Madden, the executive director of the Michigan Association of EMTs, which supports the bill. “That costs a lot of money, and needing national accreditation makes it harder for small paramedic departments to pay for certification.
“This means that these small departments won’t have paramedics and will have to shut down, leaving the people in that area without that care,” Madden said.
Shoring up the paramedic shortage
There are more than 1,000 open positions for paramedics in Michigan, and two paramedic departments have had to shut down, Madden said.
One is in Mason, in rural Ingham County. The other is in Pickford Township, in Chippewa County. The people living in these communities now have to wait longer for emergency care, which could be a life or death problem, she said.
“There’s no real difference between what this bill would do and the national accreditation program,” Madden said. “Students will still need to pass the Michigan test to be accredited.”
“The goal of this bill is to get more people to become paramedics,” Madden said. “I believe that this bill will enable more people to become paramedics and benefit communities across Michigan.”
But not everyone agrees.
Cost not the only issue
“I don’t think that, if passed, this bill will do much in terms of recruitment,” said Anthony Cerroni, a paramedic instructor coordinator in Dearborn Heights.
“It’s not an issue of money. It’s a generational issue. Kids aren’t choosing to become paramedics, just like they’re not choosing to become police officers or other public safety officials,” he said.
Cerroni said he is unsure if much can be done to encourage more people to become paramedics. Benefits have increased over the past five years, but not even the better pay is enough, he said.
“Another concern I have about the state having its own accreditation board is that a paramedic’s license might not be transferable to other states. A national requirement makes it so anyone can practice in any state without this concern,” he said.
Bryan Harmer, a full-time professor of emergency medical services at Lansing Community College who spent nearly 20 years as a paramedic, testified in a House committee hearing that the bill does not address the real causes of the paramedic shortage.
“This bill fails to address the root causes of our workforce shortage: low wages, bad working conditions and lack of professional advancement,” said Harmer. “It isn’t uncommon for EMS providers to work multiple jobs and well over 60 hours a week to make ends meet and feed their families.”
Making sure standards are met
It would be a waste of taxpayer money to create a state accreditation program when a national one exists, he told the committee last May. A state accreditation program could put lives at risk if it fails to adequately train paramedics.
“The most egregious error I ever encountered in EMS resulted from a paramedic who had recently graduated from a paramedic program in Michigan, back when unaccredited programs were permitted in Michigan,” Harmer testified. “This error resulted in the death of a young mother with two children.”
The bill does not mean paramedics could practice without a license from an accredited program, Madden said. She disagreed that paramedics would receive subpar training.
“Paramedics will be held to high standards through the Michigan state accreditation program,” Madden said. “My agency would never support a bill that could put patient lives in danger.”
Bill cosponsors are Reps. Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon, Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, Gregory Markkanen, R-Hancock and Kelly Breen, D-Novi.
Supporters include Lake Michigan College and the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union. Opponents include the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians and Michigan Health and Hospital Association.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety recently stated that detectives were able to locate and take into custody two suspects for a Nov. 1 robbery at a Division Street store.
The two suspects are allegedly involved in the 7:15 p.m. Nov. 1 robbery at 3530 Division Ave. Three suspects were involved in the robbery with one being shot during the incident by an employee at the store. The 15-year-old suspect who was shot was funday’s short distance from the business and transported to a local hospital for treatment. He currently remains under medical care at this time.
Police noted that the suspects arrived at the store in a Ford Fusion that had been reported stolen earlier that day. The vehicle was recovered at the robbery scene. In the original police report it stated that information found in that recovered vehicle provided leads regarding to the other two suspects who had fled the scene.
Both suspects were juvenile males ages 14 and 17. they were taken into custody without incident by investigators.
Once the investigation is complete, the Kent Count Prosecutor’s Office will review the circumstances in this case, including a review of the employee’s action in shooting the individual who was robbing the store.
Update on Indian Mounds Drive shooting
Earlier on Nov. 1, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a shooting along Indian Mounds Drive that resulted in an 18-year-old male being struck by gunfire. The victim died at the scene.
At this time, the department spokesperson said the department does not have an update on the case.
The department continues to appeal to the public to provide information regarding this case. Anyone who was in the area of Indian Mounds Drive on Nov. 1 between the hours of 2 and 3 p.m. is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or 1-866-774-2345.
A new University of Michigan study aims to understand how environmental exposures in Michigan contribute to cancer.
Sara Snyder is project director of the Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study, or MI-CARES. (Credit: University of Michigan)
The Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study, or MI-CARES, is largely motivated by Michigan’s history of toxic environmental exposures and environmental injustice, said Sara Snyder, the project director.
Researchers are recruiting 100,000 ethnically diverse, cancer-free Michiganders ages 25 to 44. It’s a statewide survey, but they’ll focus enrollment on what they’ve identified as six major environmental injustice hotspots: the Detroit metropolitan area, Saginaw, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Flint, Snyder said.
Environmental injustice refers to people who belong to groups that are discriminated against and are disproportionately exposed to contaminants and other health hazards.
June 1 marked the soft launch to test the website used to recruit candidates. People enroll every day, but the study’s full launch was earlier this fall.
A first in Michigan
“Nothing like this has been done in the state of Michigan before, which is almost shocking if you know about the levels of environmental injustice that have taken place,” said Lilah Khoja, a doctoral student at the University of Michigan on the MI-CARES team.
“There isn’t a community in Michigan that hasn’t been impacted in some way by environmental injustice,” she said.
It dates back decades: the PBB contamination of dairy products in the 1970s, the Flint water crisis, industrial pollution in Detroit and now PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment, Snyder said.
The project, funded by the National Cancer Institute and the University of Michigan, will track participants through annual questionnaires for at least six years, Snyder said.
They’ll be asked about employment and residential histories,race, ethnicity, major health and life events and overall lifestyle to gauge participant health and previous exposures to industrial chemicals or other contaminants, Snyder said.
Beyond cancer, the surveys might also shed light on how exposures to chemicals in the environment cause heart disease, asthma or even Alzheimer’s disease, said Dana Dolinoy, the principal investigator of biomarker evaluations for MI-CARES.
Compiling the data needed for change
Such surveys have a proven track record. For instance, cancer rates are significantly higher in Flint compared to the rest of Genesee County and the state after lead contaminated the city’s water supply.
“My cousin, my aunt, my friend have all died of cancer,” said Arthur Woodson, a Flint resident and community activist. “People are dying in high numbers here of cancer.”
Community activists at the Pittsfield Farmers Market offer information about MI-CARES. Credit: MI-CARES.
Such anecdotal reports can be reinforced by hard data produced by health studies from the Genesee County Health Department proving elevated cancer levels in the area.
A study recently published in JAMA Network Open found that 1 in 5 Flint residents have presumptive major depression and another 1 in 4 have presumptive post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“They fixed the water, but they didn’t fix the people,” Woodson said.
Providing people with the data they need
A large goal of MI-CARES is to give people access to data that will help them advocate for a cleaner environment and a healthier life, Khoja said.
“You can’t advocate for change if you don’t have the numbers to show that this is why it needs to change,” she said.
Cancer-centric studies like this one, whether linking it to smoking, a lack of physical activity or poor diet, played a role in a 29% drop in cancer death rates between 1991 and 2017, according to the American Cancer Society.
MI-CARES’ data will help improve Michiganders’ health while informing policy to reduce environmental injustices and harmful exposures, Snyder said.
Researchers looked at what was going on in the state and narrowed the study’s focus to the most prominent of the 80,000 chemicals in the environment: exposure to metals, like lead, chemicals in personal care products, air pollution and PFAS, Dolinoy said.
Addressing the issues
Michigan has the highest known PFAS levels of any state.
To measure some contaminants like lead, participants from the six environmental injustice hotspots will send in blood and saliva. These measurements, called intermediate biomarkers, show if a past environmental exposure changed the epigenome – the instruction book telling genes how to behave – to make them more susceptible to cancer and other diseases, Dolinoy said.
The study focuses on a younger population so that researchers might recognize any diseases before they manifest, Dolinoy said.
“This gives us time to intervene and treat individuals, because when the disease is already on board, it’s really hard to reverse it,” she said.
There’s evidence, though, that relatively easier things like changes in lifestyle and diet might reverse changes to that epigenetic instruction book, especially early in life, Dolinoy said.
Building a better tomorrow
The hope is to inspire policy intervention with MI-CARES findings, forcing industry and other institutions responsible for poisoning the environment to change. That is a challenge that the health survey hopes to meet.
“It’s very difficult to translate some of this science in a way that will directly change the economics of a company,” Dolinoy said. “But studies like MI-CARES can provide a weight of evidence that shows our environment can negatively contribute to disease status.”
To apply to be part of the survey, visit https://micares.health and click “Join the Movement!” Applicants must be 25 to 44 years old and cancer-free.
While Michigan law does not prohibit dogs from being left outside in the cold, state law requires that all dogs who spend time outside have access to adequate shelter, fresh water, and dry bedding. (Photo from Pxhere.com)
The weather is turning colder and before it does, the Kent County Animal Shelter is reminding residents to make sure their pets have appropriate shelter.
While Michigan law does not prohibit dogs from being left outside in the cold, state law does require that all dogs who spend time outside have access to adequate shelter, fresh water, and dry bedding. The statute also stipulates separate shelter requirements for livestock.
“The best place for our pets is in our home but we know that is now always possible,” said KCAS Director Angela Hollinshead. KCAS is working in collaboration with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division to remind residents of the special care their pet needs during the cold weather. “We encourage all pet owners to take appropriate steps to protect those animals that may be left outside for long stretches of time.
“Many pets are not equipment to handle the effects of cold temperatures so we want to remind pet owners of their responsibilities to care for them during the winter.”
A few of the cold weather requirements in state statute include:
Maintain adequate shelter, which can be one or more of the following:
Inside the owners’ home
An enclosure or shelter with at least three sides and a roof that is appropriate for the size and breed of the dog.
A structure, including a garage, barn or shed, that is sufficiently insulated and ventilated to protect the dog from exposure to extreme temperatures, or if not sufficiently insulated and ventilated, contains a doghouse inside the structure.
Structures or natural features such as trees or topography for livestock
Provide dry bedding, such as straw when the temperature is or predicated to be below freezing. Avoid using blankets or cloth bedding as these materials will likely get wet and freeze.
Provide water that is safe to drink and suitable for age and species of the animal. Owners are encouraged to check every few hours to ensure the water is not frozen.
Although Michigan law does not directly address free-roaming cats, the KCAS encourages residents to also be mindful of their needs. Cats are typically well adapted for living in colder climates but they greatly benefit from having access to a shelter. Simple cat shelters made from a storage tote lined with foam and stuffed with straw make great places for cats to escape from the cold.
“It someone suspects an animal is being neglected or is in danger due to cold weather, we encourage them to contact Animal Control,” said KCSO Lt. John DeGroot. “The KCSO is prepared to investigate all reports of animal neglected throughout the winter.”
All reports of animals being kept outside for an extended period without adequate shelter, water, and bedding should be reported to Animal Control at 616-632-7310.
“Michigan winters are certainly beautiful but an be dangerous fo some animals if they do not have appropriate resources,” Hollinshead said. “If you cannot keep your pet indoors and need resources, please call the KCAS to see how e can help.”
A WKTV staffer couldn’t get his Coachmen motor home started a few days ago and then popped the hood to see what was going on. Apparently, a lot had been going on. An ambitious squirrel had stored dozens and dozens of black walnuts in every crevice of the engine. All he could do was smile.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, WKTV will be featuring live coverage of the U.S. Spacewalk to install an IROSA (ISS Rollout Solar Array) modification kit on the starboard truss on the International Space Station.
The Artemis 1 mission will be televised Nov. 15 by NASA. It will air on WKTV 26 Governement Channel on Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99. (Courtesy, NASA)
Coverage begins at 6:30 a.m. with the actual spacewalk scheduled to start at 8 a.m.
Following the spacewalk at 4 p.m., there will be live coverage of the cryogenic fueling of the Space Launch System for launch on the Artemis 1 mission.
Artemis 1 is the first integrated flight test of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket, an un-crewed Orion spacecraft, and the ground systems at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida that will pave the way for a crewed test flight and future human lunar exploration.
The live coverage continues at 11 p.m. with the launch of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis 1 mission. The actual launch is scheduled 1:04 a.m. with the post launch news conference tentatively scheduled for 4 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Stay tuned for the Artemis/Orion outbound trajectory correction burn scheduled at 7:51 a.m., with the first imagery coverage starting at 10 a.m.
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov.
NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.
What appears foreign will become commonplace, and you might as well prepare for it. Cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance are all the rage right now, and you’ve probably heard of things like Bitcoin or Ethereum. However, the real story lies in the mechanism that drives these new technologies and forever changes the digital landscape. This is where blockchain enters the picture, the novel technology that enables things like cryptocurrency to exist in the way they do.
What is a blockchain, and what is with all the hype?
Blockchain is a digital database used to catalog all kinds of information (e.g., money, goods, properties, and services). The power behind these databases lies in their ability to create blocks of data which are then chained together with timestamps attached for easier tracking purposes. This makes an unbreakable audit trail documenting every action taken on the platform – from transfer payments between users to how many calories were burned during your morning run! Digital databases are powered by a computer network that is either part of a centralized or decentralized network.
Bitcoin, for example, uses blockchain to record peer-to-peer transactions through a distributed database. This distributed database exists between the computers of all users of the cryptocurrency. The idea is that having the database distributed amongst all the users allows for greater transparency and enhanced security. It enables users to access, audit, trace, and verify digital assets without working through an intermediary. By cutting down on intermediaries, blockchain cryptocurrencies put the power to control data back into consumers’ hands.
Why are cryptocurrencies more secure?
The adage “don’t put all of your eggs in one basket” sums it up. Like banks and universities, many institutions with valuable and personal consumer information operate using a central database. This information is stored within a centralized computer network housed in one location. All that data is controlled by one entity and is more vulnerable to hacks because it would require only a single point of failure to gain access. For a potential attacker to compromise a distributed database like Bitcoin, they would have to gain control of at least 50% of the computers within that network. Even then, the other 50% can fact-check and sniff out discrepancies, making it very unlikely that a hack would ever occur.
Why is this important when it comes to managing digital assets?
· No third-party involvement
· Transactions of authenticated digital assets made via blockchain are typically available in 10 minutes, versus a traditional bank transaction that may take 24 hours or more to complete, not including weekends and holidays
· Blockchain technology guarantees the data’s integrity through cryptography and a distributed database.
Why is this important to us now?
This is the evolution of our data future, and the future of all banks is being reshaped by new technology. Protecting and maintaining control of data is more critical now than ever. In the past few years, major companies like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Morgan Stanley have been impacted by massive data breaches affecting millions of users. Blockchain technology is making waves in the digital world by providing much-needed security measures and by giving them the power to control data back to consumers.
Digital?
Yes, your bank is now 100% digital; it is now our future. Be informed.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Journal Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
University of Michigan Health-West celebrates veterans by participating in Operation Green Light. (Courtesy, University of Michigan Health-West)
In observance of upcoming Veterans Day, the University of Michigan Health-West has joined Kent County by changing its illumination of its hospital tower to green for this week.
The project is part of Operation Green Light, which runs through Nov. 13 residents, business and organizations are encouraged to change their exterior lighting to green. The new national initiative of the National Association of Counties is to show support of military veterans and to raise awareness about the resources available to them through the Kent County Veterans Services.
“There are nearly 40 thousand veterans in Kent County who deserve to be recognized and honored for their sacrifices and services to our country and community,” says Martha Burkett, manager of Kent County Veterans Services. “We want our veterans to know that their service mattered, and there are available resources to assist them and their families.”
There is a connection University of Michigan Health-West to veterans as it shares its hospital campus with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Wyoming outpatient clinic. The VA clinic provides primary care and specialty health services, including mental health services, treatment for hearing loss, cardiology, dental care, gastroenterology, pain management, physical therapy, podiatry, women’s health services, and more.
“We are proud to show our support for the many veterans we serve as patients — and those we work with as colleagues,” said Steve Polega, chief nursing officer at University of Michigan Health-West and a military veteran. “Respect for veterans runs deep in our culture.
“Our hope is that Operation Green Light helps raise awareness about services from the VA and others, including Kent County Veterans Services, just as we send a message of respect to all veterans.”
Many veterans struggle with the transition from military life to becoming a civilian. Kent County Veterans Services serves as a connector to programs and services that can help address everything from housing insecurity to applying for benefits to providing financial assistance in times of crisis. While every program has different qualification requirements, many veterans who honorably served qualify for programs after the completion of their service. Unfortunately, many veterans and their families do not know that the programs exist, or they have never inquired about them. Operation Green Light hopes to illuminate this issue and encourage more veterans to use the programs that best their needs. Green was chosen for the initiative because green is the color of hope, renewal, and well-being. The term “greenlight” is also commonly used to activate forward movement. The simple act of changing one light bulb signifies that movement.
Many of us realize that hospices are there to serve us.
It’s never too early to inquire about hospice care. With just a click or a call, you can learn about services available, eligibility, costs and more to find a good fit. (Adobe Stock)
But sometimes, it’s difficult to break the ice. How do you reach out – with a call or a click? And how do you express the need? With whom do you ask to speak? And what exactly do you say?
In a perfect world, there are protocols in place to accommodate all the above and more. And you should be able to reach out anytime – day or night, weekday or weekends, even on a holiday.
“At Emmanuel Hospice, we understand that life doesn’t stop when you have a need for hospice,” says Elizabeth Mangiapane, a patient access specialist there. “That’s why any time you call our main line, it’s going to be answered on a 24/7 basis. Easter Sunday? Middle of the night? It doesn’t matter. You will connect with someone who can help.”
Mangiapane emphasizes that a referral to Emmanuel can originate in more than one way. Often, a physician will make the connection. But sometimes, family members serving as caregivers become involved at the outset, and naturally they have questions about eligibility, timing and more.
While a physician’s order is required to perform a formal assessment, a representative from Emmanuel will welcome the opportunity to meet with a patient and/or their loved ones if they simply have questions.
In either case, “we do all the legwork,” Mangiapane says. If it’s determined someone qualifies, the hospice care provider will integrate the patient’s physician and medical history into the equation as needed.
“We’ll set up meetings. We’ll work with the doctors. We are glad to serve in any capacity that lessens the burden on that patient, on that family.”
Mangiapane notes that there’s never a “wrong time” to inquire about hospice. Too often, people will act on the misconception that hospice is only “for the last few days a patient has.”
On the contrary, “We’re trying more than ever to educate the community on how it can be for a much longer time period, so that we might focus earlier not on the quantity of life someone has left, but the quality of life that remains.”
For someone who lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, that institution may have a working relationship with a preferred provider. But Mangiapane explains that a patient and their family have the right to choose any hospice, and shouldn’t feel pressured.
Mangiapane says it’s important you come away with a full understanding of the services a hospice provides. At Emmanuel, for example, a full slate of complementary services is available – pet visitors, massage therapy, music therapy, virtual reality and more.
Location of care is important to ask about, too. A common misconception is that hospice is a place you go to, but for most providers, hospice care can be provided anywhere. With Emmanuel, it can be in the hospital, a care facility or wherever a person calls home.
Cost is another consideration. Medicare and most commercial insurances will cover 100% of virtually everything provided by hospice – medications and visits, personal care, counseling and other services – but there are some limitations. A phone call can help you discover where you stand.
“Make your choices based on the needs of the patient and family,” says Mangiapane. “You want what’s right for you, and that can look different from person to person.”
With Wyoming City Councilmember John Fitzgerald securing a state House of Representatives seat in the 2022 elections, it means there will be three new faces on the Wyoming City Council.
Fitzgerald, the Democratic candidate for the 83rd District, received 15,318 votes with Republican candidate Lisa DeKryger receiving 12,963 votes. He will be vacating his seat on the Wyoming City Council in order to fulfill his role as the 83rd District House Representative.
One of the tasks for the new Wyoming City Council, which will take office later this year, will be appointing a person to fill Fitzgerald’s seat.
At the November 2022 elections, residents did fill two vacant council member at-large seats and the first ward seat on the Wyoming City Council. Councilmember Sheldon DeKruger ran unopposed for the first ward seat. Three candidates sought the two council at-large seats. The top two vote getters for the race were Dr. Renee Hill, 12,045 votes, and Rob Arnoys, 10,462 votes. The third candidate, Robert Kilgo, received 8,600 votes.
US House of Representatives 3rd District
As predicted by many, Kent County flipped blue as Democratic candidate Hilary Scholten was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives Third District seat. She was about 40,000 votes ahead of the next candidate, which was Republican John Gibbs. For full election results, click here.
State House and Senate races
John Fitzgerald and who wife Kellie after voting in Tuesday’s midterms. (Courtesy, John Fitzgerald)
For the 29th State Senate Senate, which included both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Democratic incumbent Winnie Brinks secured she would be returning to Lansing with 59,400 votes. Republican candidate Tommy Brann received 39,115 votes.
In the state House of Representative races, Democratic candidate Phil Skaggs with 23,762 votes secured the 80th District seat over Republican Jeff Johnson, who received 18,441. The district includes all of the City of Kentwood.
In the 82nd District, which includes an eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, Democratic candidate Kristin Grant took the seat with 23,972 votes to Republican candidate Ryan Malinoski’s 7,945 votes.
As mentioned earlier in this article, Fitzgerald won the 83rd District seat, which covers most of Wyoming, with 15,318 votes to Republican candidate Lisa DeKryger’s 12,963 votes.
Kent County races
In the Kent County Commission races, all of the incumbents took back their seats:
7th District, which covers most of the City of Grandville and a portion of the City of Wyoming: Republican incumbent Stan Ponstein received 7,312 to Democratic challenger Sue Merrell’s 6,053.
8th District, which covers a portion of the City of Wyoming: Republican incumbent Dan Burrill received 7,383 votes to Democratic challenger Jennie Chatman’s 5,994.
9th District, which includes a southern portion of the City of Wyoming: Republican incumbent Matt Kallman received 9,801 votes to Democratic challenger Chip LaFleur’s 4,664.
10th District, which includes a southern portion of the City of Kentwood: Republican incumbent Emily Post Brieve received 7,977 votes to Democratic challenger Julie Humphrey’s 5,230.
12th District, which includes both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood: Democratic incumbent Moncia Sparks received 6,037 votes to Republican challenger Lee White’s 4,034.
13th District, which covers a large portion of the City of Kentood: Democratic incumbent Michelle McCloud received 7,054 votes to Republican challenger Tom McKelvy’s 4,769.
In the newly created 20th District which includes the northern portion of the City of Wyoming (mostly the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district), Democratic candidate Ivan Diaz will be the first to hold the seat as he received 3,565 votes to Republican candidate Elisa Rodriguez’s 1,977 votes.
School Boards of Education
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools: Josephine Coleman and Lynn D. Velthouse ran unopposed for two six-year terms on the school board.
Godwin Heights Public Schools: There were four candidates seeking two six-year terms on the board. The top vote getters were Kathy Crow DeYoung, 1,367 votes, and Megan Erskine, 1,048 votes. Colleen Anderson was the only candidate seeking one of the two partial terms that will end on Dec. 31, 2024. The board will fill the remaining position.
Grandville Public Schools: There were five candidates seeking two six-year terms. The top vote getters were Bob Wondergem, 6,203 votes, and Trent Joseph Taylor, 5884 votes.
Kelloggsville Public Schools: Crystal Reidzas and Gladys Townsend ran unopposed for two six-year term seats.
Kentwood Public Schools: There were four candidates seeking three four-year term seats. The top vote getters were Sylvia A. James, 12,917 votes; Kim Taboada-Arzate, 9,505 votes; and Pete Battey, 9,404 votes. Tanya Powell-May was running unopposed for the two-year term seat.
Wyoming Public Schools: Jeff Norton and Audrey L. Zapata. Norton ran unopposed for the two six-year term seats. Two candidates were running for the four-year seat ending in 2026 with Lisa Manley taking the seat with 6,330 votes.
After getting a third-straight district championship last week with a 35-20 win over Unity Christian, South Christian faces undefeated Whitehall in a regional final Friday night at East Kentwood.
Both teams enter the contest with perfect 11-0 records and will have to perform at their best levels to advance to the state semifinals. Last Friday, Whitehall beat Fruitport 51-26.
“We expect when you get to this point in the season you gotta play good teams,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown, after their win over Unity Christian. “If you’re chasing a state championship you want to beat good teams to get there.
“I know they have some athletes and are pretty big up front. It should be fun.”
Senior quarterback Jake DeHaan had five touchdowns against Unity, including 209 yards passing and 155 on the ground.
“You need your best players to shine in these moments,” Brown said. “Any big game we’ve had, he’s done it.”
Last year, the Sailors lost 28-14 to Edwardsburg in a regional final.
Look for our story after the game
Check out our story right after the Sailors’ big game, including highlight videos and pictures on late Friday night on the WKTV Journal.
South Christian Quarterback Jake DeHaan earlier this season. (Courtesy, Eric Walstra)
