From left to right, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. Chamber member Kathy Bates and Chamber President Bob O’Callaghan at one of the candidate forums hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce . (Supplied)
By Sheila McGrath WKTV Community Writer
Nine years after taking the helm of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, Bob O’Callaghan is ready to let someone else steer the ship. He plans to retire at the end of this year.
As president and CEO of the chamber, it’s O’Callaghan’s job to help businesses in Kentwood and Wyoming grow stronger.
“I get asked once a week, ‘What do you do? What is your job?’” he said. “I’m a connector. I connect businesses to other businesses to help them grow, and give them a chance to do more business.”
Bob O’Callaghan helping to promote the 28th Street Metro Cruise which expanded to Woodland Mall in 2021. (WKTV)
More than 400 businesses are members of the chamber, and most of them – around 70 percent in recent years – are actively involved. Those businesses have representatives serving on committees and offering volunteers to staff the chamber’s many events.
As he looks back on his years of service, O’Callaghan says the group’s community involvement is his proudest achievement.
“We look at ourselves as a community chamber,” he said. “Some of our events, like the 28th Street Metro Cruise, the Santa parade, and the Government Matters meetings … are really huge because it gives exposure to the chamber and gets information out that’s sometimes not out to the general public.”
O’Callaghan has been involved with the chamber in some capacity for three decades. Prior to leading the group, he served on various committees and on the board of directors. In nearly 30 years with the chamber, he has seen both Kentwood and Wyoming become much more diverse cities. And he witnessed those cities go through bad times and good.
Chef Joseff VanHorn with Bob O’Callaghan who has been a champion to local businesses for 30 years, 9 as the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s president/CEO. (WKTV)
During the Great Recession of 2007-2009, Wyoming saw the General Motors plant on 36th Street, the Studio 28 movie theater and Classic Chevrolet, one of the biggest Chevrolet dealers in Michigan, close within three weeks of each other.
“Everyone was down in the mouth and asking ‘Are we ever going to come back,’” he said. “To see that devastation and to see how we’ve come back – COVID has been a kick in the rear again, but before that, everything was going well. There weren’t a lot of empty buildings available, people had staff, the economy was good. So it was nice to see that come back, and I think it will again. COVID is just a temporary setback on the business community.”
He acknowledges that businesses everywhere are struggling now with lack of staff due to COVID. He hopes some of the biggest businesses in the area, like Metro Health, Lacks and Steelcase, might be on the leading edge of finding new ways to attract and retain employees.
“They are going to have to change the way they operate in regards to employment, and the bigger companies will be leading the way to take us forward,” he said. “Once we get over this shortage of people – however we do that – I think you’ll see some changes in how things are done.”
O’Callaghan said more than 70 people, who are hoping to serve as his replacement, have already been interviewed, and the final candidates will be narrowed down after Thanksgiving.
His last official event will be the chamber’s annual meeting on Jan. 28.
At the Santa Parade, which this year will be Saturday, Dec. 11, Bob O’Callaghan would often ride in the vehicle that pulls Santa. (WKTV)
“It’s kind of a great way to go out,” he said.
But before that, he’ll have one last Santa parade – one of his favorite chamber events – to participate in. The parade is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, and runs down South Division Avenue from 33rd Street to 44th Street.
“I have been fortunate enough to ride in the vehicle that pulls Santa. Nobody sees me, of course, but I would see the kids waving, and mom and dad smiling and taking pictures. That’s a really good feeling when you see that happening. We’re doing something in our community that’s needed,” he said. “There are years I come back and I don’t feel my feet are touching the ground.”
Jonathan Jelks, left and Willie ‘Willie The Kid’ Jackson, right, are throwing a party downtown Grand Rapids on November 13. “The Taste of Black Spirits” will be held at City Flats Hotel, and will feature Black owned beverage based businesses, with plenty of drinks to taste and try. (Courtesy Image)
Looking to break out of the box, or the bottle? The Taste of Black Spirits event that happened this past weekend expanded people’s tasting horizons, while also celebrating minority owned beverage companies. Hosted by two Grand Rapids-based entrepreneurs, this event is just one part of their vision to diversify West Michigan.
“The event is a fantastic way to spotlight, support and celebrate black owned brands in the market that people may not know exist,” said Nayana Ferguson, owner of Anteel Tequila, one of the Black-owned vendors that was at the Taste of Black Spirits which was held at the City Flats Hotel on Saturday.
The event had been put together by Jonathon Jelks and his business partner Willie “Willie the Kid” Jackson. Together with their company GR USA, a merchandising entity, as well as Lazar Favors, a Detroit-based marketing company, they pulled together about two dozen minority-owned beverage businesses for the one-day only event.
Jelks and Jackson participated in a similar event in Detroit, and were inspired to bring the energy and vibe back to their hometown of Grand Rapids.
“I’m from Southeast Grand Rapids, so this area is near and dear to my heart,” said Jelks during an interview. “Being here in the ‘Rust Belt’ as they call it, and I’m proud to be part of the transformation.” The duo founded their own spirits company, Motu Viget, in 2019. They currently have three products in the market: Motu Viget Brut, Eye Candy, and Avani Supreme Vodka, with more than 200 placements in the Michigan market, which includes 70 Meijer stores.
For Jelks, it’s important to pass on both his knowledge and his success. “With us having our own spirits company, and having some traction and some success, we wanted to bring some of that to others,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that the small businesses could make the proper connections, and succeed as well. We are in a unique position to do this”.
Jelks’ background is in ‘serial entrepreneurship’. “Anything where I see there is a niche and we can contribute and service the community, those are the kind of things that float my boat,” he explained.
“We felt that the next thing that is going to help Grand Rapids become a world class community is by creating culture. Bars are a big part of that, live entertainment venues are a part of that.”
In addition to the Nov. 13 event, the duo has a whole host of other developments in the works.
Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge, which will be located in the former Raggs to Riches space, should open by the end of 2021. “Ambiance will have live entertainment, events, and will have a kitchen component to it. We’ll be serving American and Cajun dishes, something unique for the restaurant ecosystem downtown Grand Rapids. We are super excited for Ambiance, everyone has been anticipating it, and we are really ready to share it with the community.”
Sip Coffee and Cocktails in Grand Rapids on Alger and Eastern is yet another place that they’ve invested in, along with other partners. This spot is a coffee shop/bar hybrid, and a spot that will welcome all, no matter the time of day.
The duo’s entrepreneurial spirit isn’t limited to just Grand Rapids, they also have two bars in the works in Muskegon. The Motu Lakeshore Wine Bar, named after their spirits company, and Prohibition, an event space, will both be housed in the same building right downtown on 8th Street and should open in the next year.
With no restaurant experience, it’s been a bit of a learning curve for Jelks. Coming out of the pandemic, he’s getting a baptism by fire into the industry. “Labor costs, hiring the right staff, staffing the kitchen is really brutal right now,” he said. “So many people just don’t want to be in the industry anymore, or feel underwhelmed by the pay, and where things are at. There’s a lot of things the industry has to address, and those of us who are invested in the industry are learning to navigate those things.”
Jelks clearly has a bigger vision than just owning a bar or two. And not that owning and operating those alone aren’t a big deal. He’s thinking all the time about Grand Rapids as a whole, and that is what sets him apart. “I look at how some people in Grand Rapids have built big businesses, being very forward thinking, by diversifying our economy,” he said. “Our city has done a great job in figuring out how to problem solve, and keep people gainfully employed. As small business owners, you just want to continue to add to that DNA, add to that fabric, and create more opportunities. Despite the fact that we have one of the fastest growing cities here in the country, when it comes to black and brown folks, our ratings aren’t so high. There was a Forbes article that came out about 4-5 years ago that rated Grand Rapids as one of the worst cities economically for African Americans. One of the ways we can change these social inequities is through entrepreneurship. That’s very important. We want to not only create businesses where we’ll make money and be successful, but also where we’ll create that pipeline for other entrepreneurs and other folks that can be in leadership in Grand Rapids and Muskegon.”
Anteel Tequila (Courtesy Image)
One of the vendors that was at the Taste of Black Spirits was Anteel Tequila, a Michigan-based spirits company. “Anteel Tequila launched in August of 2018 only in Michigan, our home state and since then Anteel has won over 27 awards, expanded to 8 states, the Caribbean and received global attention for our world’s only Coconut Lime Blanco Tequila,” said owner Ferguson. “We have three additional expressions besides Anteel Coconut Lime that includes a Blanco, Reposado and a limited release Tarocco Blood Orange Blanco Tequila”.
“I think it’s slow, but I’m new to the spirits industry, but I’m having my eyes open to the business,” said Jelks. “It’s like having an epiphany. There are so many different avenues on how to make money in this industry. But also how to have a good time, how to curate. And once you have an internal knowledge of how the spirits industry works, you will find some kind of opportunity. And we just want to encourage people to do so. Knowing what is out there is half the battle.”
“The Black community is not only asking for more Black ownership, but they are also looking for the avenues to gain traction with.” Mainstream following is the key to success, Jelks emphasized. “It’s our job as Black pioneers to make a way to put a magnifying glass on it, so everyone can see clearly that this is happening. That this transformation is on.”
Jelks doesn’t mince words. “Grand Rapids is suffering from a diversity problem,” he said. “Culturally, we need more events downtown that are culturally led. That is what makes you into a diverse, world class city that is a magnet for attraction and retention, in 2021.
What could young entrepreneurs of color do to move their vision forward? According to Jelks, “Utilize the tools and resources you have in front of you, study up on the position that you want to be in. There is a glamor side to having your own alcohol, but there is so much work. This is one of the more archaic businesses that is still around.” He stressed how hands-on this business is, and that it really isn’t too far off from Prohibition with many of the rules and regulations. “Relationships still mean a lot,” he stressed.
“The industry can be difficult to navigate in for emerging brands without immense marketing budgets,” said Ferguson. “Events like [The Taste of Black Spirits] allow brands to get in front of the masses in a fun, educational manner, allowing us to grow our audience.”
Events like this allow all of us to expand our range of what we taste and experience.
“We’re having the time of our lives doing this,” said Jelks. “We’re busy,”
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will continue the 2021 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ Concert series on November 19 and 20 with delightful performances by Brett Valliant.
Brett Valliant is an American organist in demand for his ability to perform various genres of music. He plays annually for several film festivals including the International Film Festival hosted by the American Film Institute, and has been a featured performer at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the American Theatre Organ Society. He has toured extensively as a solo artist, as a featured soloist with orchestras and a film accompanist abroad, throughout the United States. Critics internationally have defined his performances as “exciting,” “refreshing,” “unorthodox,” and “astonishing.”
Travel back in time to the Roaring 20s era to hear popular hits including Ding Dong Ding and Dream Lover. The Museum is happy to be welcoming back guests for in person organ concerts, as well as an option to purchase a recording of the Friday evening show. In person tickets are $15, with the discounted price of $10 for members. Virtual tickets are $10 per household, with the discounted price of $6 for member households. Only one link is needed per household. A recording of the Friday concert will be available to virtual ticket holders on Monday, November 22. Tickets are available by visiting grpm.org/Organ.
In person shows will be held at 7 p.m. on Fridays and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays in the GRPM’s Meijer Theater.
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.
Themed, family-friendly holiday organ concerts will take place in December. Early ticket purchases are recommended as the holiday concerts are expected to sell out early. For more information visit grpm.org/Organ.
Well, with a little snow in the forecast, we can now officially say the Christmas holiday season is right around the corner.
Although two of West Michigan’s best-known events won’t open until Thanksgiving weekend (Christmas and Holiday Traditions at Meijer Gardens and Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ballpark), it’s going to feel like the holidays sooner than later.
Are you ready?
This weekend’s Gonzo’s Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal, includes a sneak peek of night lights at the ballpark, as well as a craft show, tasting event and Cosplay.
Enjoy.
Here we go.
Gonzo’s Top 5
Handcrafted items are always holiday gift worthy, as these from the Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters’ annual craft show at Byron Center High School. (Supplied, from previous year)
5. Byron Center Craft Show
As I said a couple weeks ago, it’s craft show season, and this weekend you can check out the annual Byron Center Craft Show at Byron Center High School, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW. It features 200-plus vendors and plenty of items to jump start your holiday shopping. Hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 13). Admission is $3 at the door. Free admission for those 12 and younger. Parking is free. Additional free parking and shuttle is available at Nickels Intermediate School. The craft show benefits fine arts programming at the school. Oh, and they will have food trucks, too. More info on the event Facebook page.
4. Restaurant Week GR
Have you made it out to Restaurant Week Grand Rapids? This is the last weekend to take advantage of great deals and meals as local chefs show off their skills at 50-plus restaurants. I’ll be out and about this weekend. Say hello if I run into you. Remember, this year you can sign up for Restaurant Week GR’s Digital Pass, and, if you check in to at least three participating restaurants you’ll get foodie-themed gift and a digital coupon for a return visit. For a list of restaurants and more details go to experiencegr.com/restaurant-week.
3. Taste of Black Spirits
A first-year event that hopes to become an annual tradition, Taste of Black Spirits is a cultural tasting experience with a goal of bringing awareness to African American Beer, Wine & Spirits. The event is from 5-10 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 13) at City Flats Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids. According to organizers, “the intention and purpose of the event is to increase support, awareness, and to educate the community at large about African American-owned spirits brands including expanding distribution opportunities.” Patrons will be able to taste whiskey, tequila, vodka, gin, rum, cognac, scotch, beer and wine. The public is invited. The event is curated by GR USA and Taste of Black Spirits, as well as Grand Rapids-based Motu Viget. See the 20-plus spirits brands in attendance, as well as ticket information on the event Facebook page.
2. Winter Wonder Walks at the Christmas Lite Show
Get your tickets now for a walk-thru preview of the annual Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. The annual lights display featuring millions of holiday lights won’t begin until Thanksgiving weekend, but if you want to get pictures and walk the route with friends and family, this is a good time to do so. Hours are 6-8 p.m. Nov. 11-14. Walkers must begin by 7 p.m. to allow time to walk the route. You must purchase your tickets in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-wonder-walk-tickets-189936744917.
1. Grand Rapids Comic-Con
If you’re in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend, don’t be surprised to run into Pikachu or The Mandalorian. It’s Comic-Con weekend (Nov. 12-14) at DeVos Place, which means Cosplay, comic books, panels, celebrity appearances, a car show and more. Hours are noon-midnight Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For a schedule of events, as well as ticket information, go to grcomiccon.com or check out the event Facebook page.
That’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
The Grand Rapids Chapter of the Sweet Adelines performed at the WKTV studio. (WKTV)
By Colleen Pierson WKTV Community Contributor
This December, the Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines will be singing to honor those who lost their lives 80 years ago during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The West Michigan based group, under the direction of Master Director Denise VanDyken, was the only musical singing group from Michigan to be chosen to perform at the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Commemoration Concerts Series in Hawaii set for Dec. 7, 2021.
“We are thrilled to be part of this historic event,” VanDyken said. “A once in a lifetime experience, it will be very emotional and such an honor to perform.”
The performance also helps mark a special anniversary for the 60-member chorus.
Master Director Denise VanDyken gets the chorus ready for its performance. (WKTV)
“Our chorus is one of the longest running barbershop singing groups in the world,” she said. “We just celebrated our 70th anniversary. To be named as the official representatives of the state of Michigan to sing at the Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Commemoration is indeed a true hour.”
The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines is one of 10 nationwide chorus groups to be featured in this historic commemoration to honor America’s heroes who fought on the “date which will live in infamy.,” as so coined by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the base on Dec. 7, 1941 was what pulled America into World War II. Eight American battleships sank at Pearl Harbor with 188 American aircraft destroyed. Around 2,403 Americans died in the attack and another 1,178 were injured.
Of the eight battleships, only two were never repaired or returned to duty: the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma. The USS Arizona still lies in the Pearl Harbor waters. As part of its commemorative activities, the Sweet Adelines will take part in an Official Military Wreath-laying Ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial and an Official Flag-Folding Ceremony at the USS Missouri Memorial. The USS Missouri was the last battleship commissioned by the United States and is best remember as the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan, which ended World War II. The USS Missouri was retired to Pearl Harbor in the late 1990s.
The opportunity to perform at the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Commemoration Concerts Series is just one of many accolades the award-winning group has received in the past few years. In 2019, the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids was named fifth in the world at the Sweet Adelines International’s Harmony Class Competition.
For more about the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids or to join the group, visit their website, www.grsa.net. To see a sneak peek of the group’s performance check out WKTV Channel 25 at 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. and WKTV Channel 26 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., all of which air on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, or head over WKTV’s on-demand.
Area residents will have the opportunity to explore a variety of different cultures during the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Ethnic Heritage Festival. (Supplied)
On All Saints Day, which is Nov. 1, it is a tradition in Poland to visit the cemetery and decorate your loved one’s grave with flowers and candles.
“From what I understand, you can see it for miles and it is very beautiful,” said Marilyn Lignell, who is a member of the Polish Heritage Society. It also sounds very similar to another tradition that is hosted halfway around the world in Mexico when on the same day, Mexicans celebrate Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a time when family and friends honor and remember those who have died.
“I think it is very interesting how the different ethnicities overlap in costumes, food and traditions,” Lignell said.
The similarities and differences of the various cultures that make up the Greater Grand Rapids area is something that residents will be able to explore this weekend as the Grand Rapids Public Museum hosts is annual Fall Cultural Celebration which includes the school-focused Anishinabe Culture Days on Friday and the public event, the Ethnic Heritage Festival, on Saturday.
Many of the local ethnic organizations will have items and other displays to help get conversations started. (Supplied)
“The Museum takes pride in valuing, honoring and celebrating the unique cultures, characteristics and perspectives of our community and beyond through engaging, community-oriented programming, and we are excited for the return of the Fall Cultural Celebration,” said Dr. Stephanie Ogren, the GRPM’s Vice President of Science & Education. “The Museum proudly serves as a central hub, bringing culture to life within our spaces through community members who are deeply connected to their own culture and are eager to share their history, experiences and traditions.”
Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the day-long activities will feature music, art, food, visual presentations, and performances from an array of different organizations such as the Polish Heritage Society, the Grand Rapids Scottish Society, Shimmy USA, Gaelic League/Irish-American Club of West Michigan, Picardo Colours which features Carribean art, Mystic Spirits Art, Les Clay, the Korean Connection, and the Motherland Cultural Connections, which focuses on the history and cultures of the continent of Africa.
“We participate because we want people to know that Africa is here and that we are very much a part of the diverse community that makes up West Michigan,” said Myra Maimoh, founder of the Motherland Cultural Connections.
Maimoh said people tend to not realize that Africa is a continent made up of many different cultures all with their own traditions
“Through the Festival, we have an opportunity to showcase the different cuisines and music,” Maimoh said. “It is so cool because people come asking questions and you see the cultural immersion that happens right there. To be able to explain and share and make a connection and build new friendships is very humbling and fulfilling.”
Costumes will be just some of the items on display during the Ethnic Heritage Festival at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)
Even though Polish people have been interwoven into the history of Grand Rapids since about 1870 when many were trying to escape German rule, Lignell admits that like Maimoh, residents don’t fully understand the history and culture of the county and its people.
“People come up to the tables and it opens up discussions, giving us an opportunity to talk about the country, the history and the culture,” Lignall said, adding that this year she plans to focus on Wigilia or Poland’s Christmas Eve traditions, which will include a take-and-make ornament activity. “The result is you discover a lot about the different cultures and gain a greater appreciation of the people who make up our community.”
For more information about the Ethnic Heritage Festival visitgrpm.org/EHF and for more information on other events and activities taking place at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, visit grpm.org.
“Changes are coming to our banking system and to us, maybe it is time to embrace the future since the future is now.” Dave Stanley
What appears to be foreign will become commonplace, and you might as well get ready 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?
To put it simply, a blockchain is a type of digital database that can be used to catalog all kinds of information (e.g., money, goods, properties, services, and votes). Digital databases are powered by a network of computers that are either part of a centralized or decentralized network. A blockchain database is fundamentally different from a traditional database because instead of organizing data into tables, it creates blocks of data that are then chainedtogether. Each of these blocks is timestamped and is connected to the chain before and after it.
Bitcoin 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 gives users the ability to access, audit, trace, and verify digital assets without having to work through a middleman. By cutting down on intermediaries, blockchain cryptocurrencies put the power to control data back in consumers’ hands.
Why are cryptocurrencies more secure?
The old adage “don’t put all of your eggs in one basket” sums it up. Like banks and universities, many institutions that possess valuable and personal consumer information operate using a central database. This information is stored within a centralized network of computers that are 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
A traditional bank transaction can take 24 hours or more to complete, not including weekends and holidays
Blockchain technology guarantees the integrity of all the data through cryptography and through 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 and it is happening now.
Protecting and maintaining control of data is more critical now than ever. Just in the past few years, we have seen major companies like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Morgan Stanley 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 a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management. 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. Interested in additional information? Register for my FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click my newsletter link: Dave Stanley Newsletter.
LANSING – In the past 11 years, the number of Michigan infants who were abandoned illegally has declined dramatically from 62 in 2010 to just 18 to date in 2021, according to state statistics.
Experts say a 2001 safe haven law is a major contributor to the decrease.
In the late 1990s, increasing media reports of infants found in dumpsters, on church steps, in bathrooms and on the sides of roads prompted lawmakers to pass the Safe Delivery Law. It allows parents to surrender their infant for adoption legally, safely and confidentially within 72 hours of birth.
Since then, the law has rescued 288 children from abandonment, and at times death, in 38 counties, according to the Division of Maternal & Infant Health at the Department of Health and Human Services.
While challenges remain, advocates say overall it has been a success.
The law was developed with the infants’ health and safety in mind, said Heather Boyd, a maternal infant vitality specialist for the division.
“We’re very grateful for all of the hard work and dedication of the hospitals and emergency personnel who have helped provide hundreds of families and Michigan with this safe legal option,” Boyd said.
Infants can be legally surrendered to hospitals, emergency service providers such as police and fire departments and through 911. Hospitals received the vast majority of surrenders – 281 infants. Fire stations received six, and one was left at a police station.
“I think that families just know that their hospitals are a safe place,” Boyd said. “But awareness of the law remains a critical issue.”
Advocates for safe haven laws say they need funding for advertising.
A $10 million proposal to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion was part of a package of pro-life initiatives, vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in this year’s state budget.
The funding would also have been used to advertise safe delivery as an option that leads to adoption, said Genevieve Marnon, the legislative director for Right to Life of Michigan.
And there are plenty of Michigan families waiting to adopt a child.
“For every one infant adoption, there are 36 couples waiting to adopt a baby,” Marnon said.
Bethany Christian Services is a private adoption agency that places surrendered infants in approved adoptive homes.
It has successfully placed 30 surrendered babies in the last four years, 11 in 2020 alone.
“We find, all the time, medical professionals that aren’t familiar with (the law), and do need to be educated about it,” said Dawn Baker, the director of infant adoption. “There is a need for broad education, so that people can be aware of it.”
Bethany Services uses the free educational materials provided by the Division of Maternal Health on its website.
“We talk long and hard about this law to whomever will listen to us. We do education with our hospitals and help to train those medical professionals that are going to encounter these women who come in,” Baker said.
While Safe Delivery was developed with infants in mind, Michigan’s program has evolved to a more inclusive and holistic approach.
“Most of the laws around the country are not built ensuring the safety and health of the entire family,” Boyd said.
“Michigan is very proud that over the last decade, we have moved towards making sure that mom has a safe environment to return to,” said Boyd. “That she is getting the care she needs if she needs any mental or physical health care.”
No one type of family makes use of legal infant surrender, advocates say. And there are other options.
“A number of the moms who choose safe delivery have a closed adoption,” said Nate Bult, the senior vice president of public and government affairs at Bethany. Closed adoption means the birth parent(s) will have no direct contact with the adoptive family.
“But it’s become far more common for many moms, who choose to make an adoption plan for their child, to choose an open adoption,” he said. “Mom still has a relationship with her child and with her child’s adoptive family long into the future.
Right to Life of Michigan supports the recent reintroduction of a law allowing ‘baby boxes’ as another legal surrender option and an alternative to abortion.
A Safe Haven Baby Box includes a silent alarm that notifies staff at the facility that a baby has been placed there. (Saven Baby Boxes)
Baby boxes are equipped with heating and cooling features and notify emergency service providers within 30 seconds. They are installed on the sides of fire stations, hospitals or other public safety buildings, according to the Safe Haven Baby Boxes website.
Former Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a similar bill in 2018, stating the need for interaction between the surrendering parent and fire, police or hospital personnel.
But babies aren’t always born in hospitals, said Marnon. “Sometimes women hide their pregnancies.”
And this can lead to a baby born at home or elsewhere, in secret.
“Many times that’s done when there’s been sexual assault,” said Baker, “where there’s been abusive relationships and there is fear of identifying all the individuals that are involved.
One intent of the ‘baby box’ is to provide women a means of legally surrendering their babies that gives the new mother and baby an extra layer of confidentiality and safety and one that doesn’t involve a dumpster or a trash bag.
The boxes are in use in the United States in Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida and Arizona, where they are called ‘baby drawers.’ Indiana has not had a death by abandonment since it installed its first baby box in April 2016, according to Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
Not every new parent can get to one of the above-mentioned locations, and there is a legal surrender option for them, too, said Marnon.
“Call 911,” said Marnon. “This would bring paramedics to her location and she can legally surrender the baby.” 911 for surrender has never been used in Michigan.
Said Baker, “We just want them to know that we’re here in a nonjudgmental place, that we’re just here to come alongside them, and to share with them and to walk alongside them as they make the decision that they feel is best for their child.”
Kentwood resident Pattee Bender received the Sweet Adeline of the Year Award. (Supplied)
It was an award well deserved. This year’s Sweet Adeline of the Year Award went to Pattee Bender, who has been a contributing member for 24 years. Her strong work ethic, and superior knowledge of the barbershop art form, and the many roles she plays within the group led to the honor.
So, what exactly went through her mind when her name was announced as the winner?
“Whaattttt? They called my name?,” she said. “I didn’t think it would be me. I truly am so surprised, grateful and humbled.”
Bender serves as choreographer, is the showmanship leader and oversees costume and makeup teams for the Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines. In addition, she serves as the coordinator of the singing group’s upcoming travels.
“Almost a year ago, with optimism and excitement, our chorus accepted the invitation to sing at Pearl Harbor for the 80th commemorative anniversary,” Bender said. “I have been the point person with our music tour company, and am responsible for coordinating registrations, hotel information, forms, payment schedules and communicating information to our performers and travelers.”
It may seem a bit overwhelming, but that is one of the reasons why Bender received her award. She goes about every task with unbridled enthusiasm, attention to details and immense talent.
Pattee Bender’s reaction when her name was announced.
Bender receives her award.
Master Director Denise VanDyken agrees.
“I was surprised at the number of candidates that were nominated for this award. They are all so talented,” VanDyken said. “Pattee is very deserving of this prestigious award and we are all very proud of her.”
The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines is an a cappella group that sings in four-part harmony. The group just marked its 70th anniversary, making it one of the longest running barbershop singing groups in the world.
For more about the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids or to join the group, visit their website, www.grsa.net.
Two separate exhibits one in Saugatuck and the other in Muskegon, explore relationships in two different forms, human connection and materialistic.
Saugatuck [Has Heart]
“No Man Left Behind” is one of the logos created through the [Has Heart] program.
The Grand Rapids-based [Has Heart] was born over a cup of coffee between U.S. Veteran Michael Yacinthe and artist and designer Tyler Way in 2010. The two realized the disconnect between their two worlds and in the process created [Has Heart], a non-profit organization that brings veterans and civilian designers together for coffee and to create art. Through the process the duo design a logo that helps shares the veteran’s story.
[Has Heart] has since traveled around the United States with the goal of visit every state in the country and working with veterans to create a badge which visually showcases his or her story. Twelve of these personal and inspiring stories will be on display at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts until Dec. 22. There also will be a free all ages exhibition celebration on Friday, Nov. 12, in honor or Veterans Day (which is the day before). That event starts at 6 p.m. and features Michigan bluegrass performance Mark Lavengood.
Also at the SCA is the mixed media works of Mariah Meawasige in “How 2 cCean Fish.”Measwasige is an Anishinaabe/settler creative, dedicated to sharing the traditions that have built, morphed, and supported her community.
The SCA is located at 400 Culver St., Saugtuck. For more information visit sc4a.org.
Muskegon gets adorned
The work of Detroit artist Tiff Massey will be featured at the Muskegon Museum of Art.
This Thursday the Muskegon Museum of Art opens the 1980s hip-hop fashion-inspired exhibiting “Jewelry Box,” which will run through Feb. 20. The exhibit features the work of Detroit artist Tiff Massey, who will use large-scale jewelry pieces, gold, and mirrors to transform the MMA’s Olthoff Gallery into a flashy display of dynamic exploration, self-identity, and fashion. Massey uses the concept of adornment as an examination of African diaspora and issues of race, class, and popular culture.
Massey was the first black woman to earn a master’s degree in metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academy of Art and maintains her studio space practice in Detroit.
The opening reception will be Thursday form 5 – 6 p.m. followed by an Artist Talk at 7 p.m.
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon For more information, visit muskegonartmuseum.org.
In West Michigan and across the country, supply chain problems have resulted in longer lead times, missed deliveries, higher prices and sometimes exorbitant expediting charges, said Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University.
Long surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of October.
“What seems most worrisome to some of our survey participants is that there is still no end in sight for our supply chain problems. Although these supply chain gremlins are inhibiting the West Michigan economy, modest economic growth continues,” Long said.
Most automotive manufacturers are extremely frustrated by the fact they cannot build or ship most of their cars because of a shortage of $15 worth of computer chips, Long said.
“Throughout the chip crunch, automakers have prioritized output of large pickups, some of the industry’s most profitable vehicles,” he said. “Ford and Ram are among automakers offering zero percent financing for 72 months on large pickups. At the same time, competition in the segment is increasing with a redesigned Toyota Tundra and the industry’s first electric pickup, the Rivian R1T, on the horizon.”
Addressing inflation, Long said the Federal Reserve is still sticking with its theory that the current inflation is “transitory.”
“They won’t say how long before we can expect to ‘transition’ out of the high inflation we are currently experiencing,” he said.
Highlights of Long’s October report:
The Index of Employment remained positive at +24, down from +27.
New orders, or the Index of Business Improvement, rose to +15 from +8.
The Production Index, or output, rebounded sharply to +19, up from -1.
The Index of Purchases eased to +8 from +14.
The Institute for Supply Management survey is a monthly survey of business conditions that includes 45 purchasing managers in the greater Grand Rapids area and 25 in Kalamazoo. The respondents are from the region’s major industrial manufacturers, distributors and industrial service organizations. It is patterned after a nationwide survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. Each month, the respondents are asked to rate eight factors as “same,” “up” or “down.”
James Smither of the GVSU Veterans History Project interviews David “Goldie” Goldsboro and Sid Lenger. (WKTV)
By Anna Johns WKTV Contributing Writer
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 19 million U.S veterans as of this year. In Michigan alone, there are 634,000 veterans, making up 8.8 percent of the state’s population.
In 2006, Professor James Smither founded the Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project. Since the project began, Smither estimates that he has completed more than a thousand interviews. Smither works alongside a team of student interns, research assistants, and community volunteers and partners. Together they have conducted numerous interviews with military veterans of all eras. In addition, they also have interviewed civilians of foreign nations who had experiences with Americans during the wartime.
The program is in partnership with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The team creates videos and archives oral interviews focusing on the experiences of military veterans. Over the years, the team has collected a wide range of interviews with veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. The project has worked to create documentary films, book projects, and live presentations.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m., Smither will be presenting his findings to the public. During the presentation, Smither will describe the project and include excerpts of interviews that have been conducted over the years. Participating in his presentation are veterans Ron Oakes and Bob Huizenga and Rick Jakubczak.
Huizenga served as a marine in Vietnam. He joined the marines shortly after he graduated high school and was deployed to Vietnam. During his time in the Marines, he served as a machine gunner, assistant driver, and helped transport men and supplies during the Tet Offensive in 1986.
Oakes served as a marine in Vietnam as well and with the Army National Guard in Iraq. During his time in the Guard he helped provide security for the 1996 Summer Olympic games in Atlanta and spent eleven months in Iraq in 2005. He served with his unit until March of 2009 when he retired at the age of sixty.
Jakubczak, a retired Navy corpsman, has spoken at a number of veteran events, sharing his stories and perspective of the Vietnam War.
The public is invited to join Dr. Smithers for his presentation on the Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project. The presentation will be held in the Paul Collins Room at Marge’s Donut Den at 1751 28th St. SW. The program is part of the Mr. Sid’s Video Series event that is held at Marge’s Donut Den.
Some community colleges are pushing to offer four-year degrees in nursing. GRCC officials stated they currently have no plans to do so. (pxhere.com)
By Cameryn Cass Capital News Service
Michigan community colleges want to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing to battle a shortage of nurses surging across the state and fueled by the pandemic.
Demand for intensive care and emergency nurses grew by 186% in the past year nationwide, according to a 2021 study by Incredible Health, a nationwide company that helps nurses find jobs.
The Henry Ford Hospital System in Detroit has already arranged a program to soon fly in 500 nurses from the Philippines to meet its needs, said Michael Hansen, the president of the Michigan Community College Association. More are coming from Canada.
“We’ve got students here in Michigan who are willing and able, if we could just let our colleges train them,” Hansen said.
Community colleges have been interested in offering four-year programs since Gov. Jennifer Granholm recommended they do so in the early 2000s, Hansen said. A provision in the Community College Act of 1966 prohibits community colleges from conferring bachelor degrees. It requires legislation for that to be allowed.
The law was amended so now they can offer bachelor degrees in four areas — maritime, culinary, energy production and concrete technology — to meet local demands, Hansen said.
They have wanted to do more than nursing, but that’s being proposed now because of the acute shortage, Hansen said. Community colleges traditionally respond to local workforce needs.
Advocates say allowing community colleges to also offer four-year programs would make access easier for adult students, which would help with the nursing shortage.
Opponents say it’s unnecessary and say there is no unmet need. They worry there might be too many colleges to choose from as it is.
Since COVID-19 has intensified the need for nurses, community colleges want to offer programs to help, Hansen said.
Jackson College, Lake Michigan College, Schoolcraft College and Northwestern Michigan College are among the community colleges interested in offering nursing programs, Hansen said.
Representatives from Grand Rapids Community College stated they have no plans to offer a four-year program and in fact, GRCC does not offer any four-year degrees in any of its programs. GRCC does offer an associate degree in nursing which has been approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Those with an associate degree in nursing can enter a number of fields including hospitals, nursing care facilities, doctor’s offices, outpatient care centers, and specialty hospitals.
However, Rep. John Roth, R-Traverse City said the two-year registered nurse programs and online courses community colleges offer now are insufficient for providing the hands-on experiences nurses need. Roth is working on legislation to allow colleges to offer four-year nursing degrees.
“They offer a very good program, it’s just not enough for what hospitals are requiring now,” Roth said.
An associate degree sufficed in the past, but the baseline hiring requirement in most hospitals is a bachelor of science degree in nursing, Roth said.
Many jobs now require schooling beyond an associate degree, a demand community colleges could help satisfy, Hansen said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, in 2018, 41. 5 percent of registered nurses were required to have a bachelor’s of nursing degree, 31.1 percent were required to have a vocational associate degree, and 20 percent were required to have an associate’s degree. GRCC has a waiting list for its associate in nursing degree program.
But Daniel Hurley, the chief executive officer of the Michigan Association of State Universities, calls the proposal irrational. It does nothing to produce more nurses, he said.
The few four-year degree programs community colleges offer now see little demand, Hurley said.
In 2020, Michigan granted 58 bachelor’s degrees from community colleges; 44 of them were from Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Hurley said. The demand for four-year programs at community colleges isn’t there.
Plus, the high school graduation rate is expected to drop by 15% between 2019 and 2037, which means fewer prospective college students, Hurley said.
“We need more students right now, we don’t need more four-year institutions in the state,” Hurley said.
Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma contributed to this story.
I turned on Christmas music for the first time last night as I was driving down U.S. 131 and seeing the lights at LMCU Ballpark, which is prepping for the annual Christmas Lite Show display. I can’t believe it’s their 24th year this season.
You know, I’m ready for the holidays.
How about you?
This weekend’s Gonzo’s Top 5 includes holiday events, a sports card shop opening, a chili cook-off and great Grand Rapids restaurants.
Enjoy.
Oh, and Winter Wonder Walks at the Christmas Lite Show in Comstock Park are next weekend (Nov. 11-14). For ticket information, click here.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Here we go.
Craft season has started. This week’s featured show is Jenison Christian School. (Photo from Pxhere.com)
5. Craft Show Season
Many craft shows are returning this year, which is exciting for those who love to shop local and get some unique items. If you have a favorite show, please let me know. I plan to include them in our weekly list here on WKTV Journal. This weekend you can check out the annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival at Jenison Christian School. The event is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 6). You will find both original handmade crafts and baked goods. More info on the school’s Facebook page.
A sampling of items available at the Thornapple Sports Cards & Games opening on Saturday. (Thornapple Sports Cards & Games)
4. Thornapple Sports Cards & Games Grand Opening
I’m so nostalgic about sports cards. I collected them as a kid. Got back into the hobby after college. Then I got excited all over again when my kids were kids. Today, I don’t keep up with it like I used to, but I know there is a resurgence in collectibles, especially as NFTs become all the rage. (That’s another topic for another day.) This weekend Thornapple Sports Cards & Games in Hastings has its grand opening with special guest, outfielder/catcher Eric Haase of the Detroit Tigers. He’ll be signing from noon-2 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 6). Autographs are $20. I talked to owner Austin Ball the other day who is so excited to open his store, and bring in one of his favorite Tigers players. Learn more about what specials and deals you can get this weekend on the Thornapple Sports Cards & Games Facebook page. It is located at 107 E State St. Suite B., Hastings. Grand opening is from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dan and Lis Verhil bring back their famous Chili Cook-Off this weekend.
3. Chili Cook-Off at the Ballpark (Sullivan Field)
It’s back! Lisa and Dan Verhil, former owners of the Cottage Bar in Grand Rapids, are excited that Fans of Valley Field wanted to bring back their popular chili cook-off. After a five-year hiatus, it returns Saturday (Nov. 6) at Sullivan Field, 650 Valley Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Proceeds benefit Kids’ Food Basket and Fans of Valley Field to help restore and renovate Sullivan/Valley Field.
“Dan and I are truly excited to bring back the chili cook off, especially when we’re raising money for two great causes, Valley Field and Kids’ Food Basket,” Lisa Verhil told Gonzo’s Top 5. “We’re also excited to see our favorite Chiliheads who have cooked with us during our previous chili cook-offs. Several of them are returning, and it will be great to see them.”
The event is from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday with live entertainment beginning at noon. Chili tasting and judging begins at 3 p.m. Traditional Red & Homestyle categories, with more than 30 teams. Admission is $5 in advance (includes 3 chili tastes), and $10 at the door. Tickets for chili tastes are $1 each. Yes, there will be adult beverages, too. More info, including a schedule of events, at ballparkchili.com.
2. Bridge Street Makers Market + Bar Hop
In the mood for some early holiday shopping? Traverse to the Stock-Bridge Neighborhood of Grand Rapids to shop 35 makers. Locations Include Harmony Hall, One Bourbon and Bridge Street Market. Products will be a wide variety of handmade goods such as jewelry, knit goods, home decor, metal working, prints, soap, paintings, candles, and more. The event is FREE to attend! You only pay for items you purchase, and the drinks, of course. This is designed as a family-friendly event. More info available on the Bridge Street’s Maker’s Market Facebook event page.
1. Restaurant Week GR
This is an event I have supported since it debuted more than 10 years ago. I’ve done many stories, judged events, dined with the Lovely Pam (we just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary) and taken contest winners to some of the best restaurants in Grand Rapids. One thing I’ve learned over all these years: These chefs ALWAYS deliver. Restaurant Week GR begins today and runs through Nov. 13 with more than 50 restaurants offering some incredible meals. This year you can sign up for Restaurant Week GR’s Digital Pass, then use it to check in to at least three participating restaurants for a foodie-themed gift. Plus, you’ll earn a digital coupon for a return visit to each restaurant you visit. For a list of restaurants and more details go to experiencegr.com/restaurant-week.
Please let me know if you make any great restaurant discoveries during Restaurant Week GR.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
During the 2020-2021 school year, whether in school or attending virtually, the students at St. John Vianney Catholic School always wore the school uniform to class.
This was one of the details that Wyoming parent Erika Oliver, who had switched her two sons to the school in the fall of 2020, had noticed as the 2020-2021 school year progressed. A detail that helped her decide to have her sons return to St. John Vianney (SJV) this fall.
“I wanted the smaller numbers and the smaller environment,” Oliver said of her decision to switch from a large public school district to the preschool through eighth-grade facility that is located on the St. John Vianney’s campus at 4101 Clyde Park Ave. SW. “St. John Vianney already had a plan in place on how they were going to handle any sudden announcements of having to go virtual.
Erika Oliver with her sons(from left) Samuel, who is in fifth grade, and Luca, who is in sixth grade. (WKTV)
“It had a good reputation, so we made the jump.”
That planned included St. John Vianney Catholic School, like many of the schools in the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, offering flexible learning by providing both in-person instruction and virtual from the start of school. Many area public schools delayed in-person instruction at the start of the 2020-2021 school year.
Oliver said her family discovered a lot of flexibility along with assistance from staff to help students create a successful learning environment whether that would be in school or at home. A key to that, was having the students “arrive” to school in their uniforms.
“Granted, with the virtual students, we didn’t always know if they were wearing the full uniform,” St. John Vianney Principal Linda Olejnik said with a smile. “But by having that routine, it helps to establish in the student’s mind that this is school and prepares them to be focused and ready for learning.”
Being flexible by offering in-person and virtual learning from the start of the 2020-2021 school year is one of the reasons officials from the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids believes has impacted its growth over the past year. Across its 26 elementary schools and five high schools the Dioceses has, its preschool-12th grade enrollment for 2021-2022 is 6,267 students, an increase of 253 students from last school year.
Much of the growth comes from the number of preschool and kindergarten students. This school year, the Diocese has one of its largest kindergarten classes in the last decade with 527 students. Olejnik noted that St. John Vianney has followed that trend as well.
St. John Vianney also has seen an increase in students in first through sixth grade, In fact 24 out of the 31 schools in the Diocese re-enrolled all of its students or grew its enrollment from last year. Sarah Toepfer, the marketing and communication coordinator for Diocese’s Catholic Schools, said they have seen an increase due to returning families who had left due to COVID and better attendance from baptized children.
St. John Vianney Principal Linda Olejink (WKTV)
“The ability for students to learn in-person with their teachers and peers last school year paid dividends in academic and personal growth,” said Dave Faber, superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. “I am grateful to God for the outstanding efforts of our admissions advocates, families, faculty, staff, principals, and pastors who joined together to intentionally grow the mission and the ministry of Catholic schools.”
Olejnik said aiding in making it easier for SJV students was the school’s platform, Canvas, which allows staff to manage their classrooms by taking attendance, uploading assignments and class files and post grades. The program able the staff to move quickly to virtual learning when necessary but also for in school learning. If a student has to be quarantine, it was a smooth transition as the student’s work already was online, she said.
The 2020-2021 school year was an untaught territory that through partnerships with its staff, families and community St. John Vianney was able to weather well, Olejnik said, adding the staff has added a few new items to its toolbox of education.
And through that storm, Olejnik said she has seen a difference this year among students and staff.
“There is a lot of joyfulness,” Olejnik said. “There is joyfulness in being together when everyone came back. You can see it as students are playing together on the playground or working on assignments. Now if I could just bottle that.”
November is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving. We put a lot of effort into choosing and preparing that traditional Thanksgiving feast, planning family get-togethers, and launching holiday shopping. We can fill our calendars so full of tasks and activities that we don’t have time left over to practice the heart of the holiday, giving thanks.
Did you know that giving thanks, having gratitude, and showing appreciation are good for your health? An article in Healthline reported that practicing gratitude can improve your sleep quality, foster hope for the future, reduce stress and burnout, and relieve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Giving thanks also increases your resilience, that is, your ability to roll with life’s punches.
How does being thankful support your mental and emotional health? It helps you release toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. According to Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, having appreciation can make you happier and more empathetic and less depressed and aggressive. Emmons also found that people who practiced gratitude experienced less fatigue and inflammation, which reduced their risks for heart failure.
A recent Harvard Medical School blog post entitled “Giving thanks can make you happier” states, “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”
And PositivePsychology.com weighs in with, “Gratitude is positively correlated to more vitality, energy, and enthusiasm to work harder.” The physical science behind this statement has to do with brain chemicals that are released when we give thanks—dopamine and serotonin. These “feel-good” neurotransmitters enhance your mood and make you feel happy.
As you know, the brain and the spine are inseparably linked. If you’ve been in to see me for an adjustment, you know that the first thing I ask you is, “What’s your good news for today?” Chiropractic adjustments can also boost those brain chemicals that help you feel happier. A study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research found that 76 percent of chiropractic patients surveyed reported an improvement in their mental and emotional health.
This Thanksgiving season don’t forget to fully give thanks. When you wake up, think of three things you are thankful for. During the day, appreciate the world around you. Thank your friends, family, and coworkers whenever the opportunity presents itself. And when things aren’t going your way, focus on a happy memory or future plans that bring a smile to your face. Don’t just be thankful. Be full of thanks! Practice gratitude every day and your days will be full of more happiness and health.
Sign in front of City Hall (Wyoming Historical Commission)
We are estimating that sometime in the 1950s, the City of Wyoming had its own “weather ball” system of informing residents about the number of traffic deaths. 28th Street was at its height of usage back then with the Wyoming Fraternal Order of Police sponsored this sign to encourage people to be safe on the road. Located on the northeast corner of DeHoop Avenue and 28th Street, red was for a traffic death, yellow was for traffic injury and green was for no death or injury. The goal “Keep the Green Light going.”
The image is supplied by the Wyoming Historical Commission. The commission operates the Wyoming Mich. Historical Room at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The history room is open every Tuesday from 9:30 – noon. For more about the Wyoming Historical Commission, visit the organization’s Facebook page.
LANSING — A staffing crisis at Michigan hospitals has renewed efforts to protect nurses from unmanageable patient loads and too many hours of consecutive work.
The Safe Patient Care Act, first introduced in 2017, has picked up additional cosponsors from both parties in the House and Senate. It seeks to regulate how many patients a nurse can care for and the number of consecutive hours that they can work.
It would also publicize hospital nurse-to-patient ratios.
Nurses are “forced to make painful choices every day,” Jamie Brown, the president of the Michigan Nurses Association, said in a statement.
“The hospital industry has been purposely getting by with inadequate (registered nurse) staffing levels for years,” said Brown, who leads the state’s largest nurses union.
“Nurses have long warned that our communities would suffer the kind of dangerous crisis that nurses and patients are facing now. The pandemic has only worsened and exposed hospitals’ emphasis on money above all else,” Brown said.
The union says that those choices are a result of hospitals trying to protect their bottom line. But Brian Peters, the chief executive officer of the Michigan Hospital Association, argues that government mandates for every hospital would be ineffective and make it harder for hospitals to operate.
“The one-size-fits-all approach inherent in legislatively mandated decisions impacting clinical care typically fails to recognize the complexity of patient care and the diversity of healthcare environments,” Peters said in a statement.
Unlike truck drivers, air-traffic controllers, pilots and rail operators, nurses have no federal limit on how many consecutive hours they can be forced to work, according to the Michigan Nurses Association.
Nurses can be fired and have their licenses stripped for refusing forced overtime even if they don’t feel fit to work because hospitals can claim that they are abandoning their patients.
Medical errors are the leading cause of preventable death, beating out smoking and obesity, according to the Journal of Patient Safety.
Nationally, the Nurses Association estimates that 440,000 people in the United States die every year due to infections and delayed or incorrect medications, problems that proper nursing care could prevent. Studies over the past two decades have linked patient mortality and staffing ratios, according to the union.
In Michigan, even before the pandemic, one in five nurses was aware of when understaffing led to a patient’s death, and half of registered nurses said they are assigned unsafe patient loads at least half the time they are working, according to the union.
Hospitals say that staffing is a collaborative process and fixed ratios “don’t allow for flexibility and innovation,” said John Karasinski, the communications director for the Michigan Hospital Association.
“Every hospital in Michigan has a process in place to ensure that each of their clinical units is appropriately staffed,” Karasinski said. “These processes are based on individual patient needs and the training, experience and capabilities of the entire clinical care team, including nurses.”
However, half of Michigan nurses say hospitals rarely or never adjust their schedules, even when they report unsafe workloads, according to a survey paid for by the Nurses Association. The majority (80%) of Michigan nurses are not protected by a union and face harsh repercussions for speaking out against hospital practices. The Nurses Association reports that multiple nurses have been fired over the last two years for trying to raise the alarm over this issue, worsening staffing shortages that are already at crisis levels.
Staffing shortages are affecting hospitals across the state. The Michigan Hospital Association says 80% of nursing groups nationally have reported an increase in turnover due to the pandemic and that there are nearly 2 million openings for nurses across the country.
“Hospitals want to hire more nurses, and they want to retain the nurses they currently employ, but the current national demand for nurses far exceeds the available supply,” Karasinski said.
The Michigan Nurses Association said that the Safe Patient Care Act will bring nurses back to work. It points to data from the federal Department of Health and Human Services that indicates Michigan was on track to have a more than 5,000 nurse surplus by 2030 as proof that there are plenty of nurses, but that hospitals are causing them to leave their jobs.
Brown, who also works as a critical care nurse at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, said nurses are staying away from hospitals for safety concerns.
“Evidence shows there are enough qualified nurses to fill needed positions,” Brown said. “However, unless there is a serious commitment to safe staffing, fewer and fewer nurses will continue to choose to work in these dangerous settings.”
The Safe Patient Care Act was introduced in March and is a continuation of previous failed efforts. But supporters say they hope the pandemic has refocused attention to safer hospital care.
The legislation dealing with limits on forced overtime has 45 sponsors in the 110-member House. That’s 34 more cosponsors than it did the last time it was introduced in 2017.
The package of legislation was sent to a committee in March and there are currently no meetings scheduled to take up the issue.
Brown said the problem cannot be put off any longer, and she hopes to see movement on the issue before the end of the term.
“We are seeing this downward spiral happen in real time,” Brown said. “Michigan legislators need to address the problem. We don’t need Band-Aids, we need substantive solutions.”
Nicholas Simon is a multimedia reporter from South Haven, Michigan. His areas of interest include international relations, commercial spaceflight, ecology, and globalization. He has covered events for both print and broadcast outlets ranging from protests to presidential debates and currently covers the Grand Ledge community for the Spartan Newsroom.
The author and her daughter with Bert and Ernie at the Henry Ford Museum’s “Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited.” (Photo Courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“I have news and you need to be sitting down” is how I told my daughter, a Muppet fan, that the Grand Rapids Art Museum would be bringing “Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited” to Grand Rapids next fall, with an opening date of Oct. 1, 2022.
This past summer, the two of us made the trek down to Detroit to see the exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum. This was after me stalking the dates for months to determine when I could get there.
Jim Henson (left) and company as Muppets. (Courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“Hey maybe you’ll be able to get your t-shirt.” she said in response.
Yes, my daughter got her love for the Henson creations from me. I grew up on “Sesame Street” with Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, The Count, and of course, the lovable, iconic green frog named Kermit. She and her sister had a tickle-me “Elmo” that they would sit with as they watched the iconic television show. “Sesame Street” is where most of us discovered the Muppets, which is said to be a blend of the word marionette and puppet.
But by the time, Henson and “Sesame Street,” which debuted in 1969, came about, Henson had already made a name for himself, having created Rowlf for the “Jimmy Dean Show” (I never knew Rowlf was that old) and he received an Academy Award-nomination for his nine-minute experimental film “Time Piece.”
TV producer Joan Ganz Cooney and her staff at Children’s Television Workshop were impressed with Henson’s quality and creativity and asked him to be a part of the show. At first, Henson was not that interested because he was afraid of his Muppets being pigeon-holed for only children, but he eventually agreed. “Sesame Street” would help launch Henson into TV stardom.
But it was Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, Fozzie Bear, and Kermit along with the rest of “The Muppet Show” cast that would cement Henson, along with partner Frank Oz, into television history.
“The Muppet Show” ran from 1970 -1978 and produced several Muppet movies, the most famous and loved being the 1979 “The Muppet Movie.” I loved it so much, that I purchased the soundtrack on cassette tape and wore it down on the song “I Am Going to Go Back There Someday,” preformed by Gonzo. Today, it remains part of my regular playlist on my iPhone.
Henson would go on to create such cult classics as “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth,” which starred David Bowie. Some also may remember “Fragile Rock” and the animated “Muppet Babies.” By 1990, Henson had sold his company to The Walt Disney Company and completed a few more projects for Disney before his untimely death in 1990.
Organized by the Museum of Moving Image, the upcoming exhibit explores how Henson and his team of designers, writers, technicians, and performers brought to life his many creations. It will feature more than 170 historical objects including iconic puppets, historic costumes, character sketches, storyboards, photographs, annotated scripts, film and television clips, and behind-the-scenes footage. The focus of it all is, of course, center’s on Henson’s ultimate goal, to spark the creativity in all of us.
“The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited” will be open through Jan. 15, 2023. Currently at the GRAM is “An Art of Changes: Jasper Johns Prints, 1960-2018.” and “An Interwoven Legacy: the Black Ash Basketry of Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish.” For more on current exhibits and activities at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, visit artmuseumgr.org.
The characters of Kira and Jen from Jim Henson’s “The Dark Crystal” at the recent Henry Ford Museum exhibit of Jim Henson’s work. (Courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
The David Bowie’s costume from the film “The Labyrinth.” (Courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Increasing more affordable housing would reduce the need for shelters, according to Family Promise of Grand Rapids officials.(pxhere.com)
By Emerson Wigand Capital News Service
As winter approaches, local officials worry that a reported drop in homelessness is misleading or temporary based on short-term pandemic relief.
Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness recently reported a 19% decrease in those seeking emergency shelter since 2019.
“Those numbers don’t tell you that homelessness is down,” said Cheryl Schuch, the chief executive officer for Family Promise of Grand Rapids. “What they tell you is that the number of people being served by our shelter system is down.”
Family Promise operates the only family shelter in Kent County. There’s been an increase in families facing homelessness here, Schuch said. Collecting data on the issue can be challenging, especially in the case of families.
Despite the reported decrease in homelessness, Family Promise is at capacity, she said.
Full shelters aren’t limited to West Michigan.
“I don’t see that the homeless population is going down,” said Michelle Munn, the case manager at New Hope Center, in Cadillac. “The numbers look good, but it’s only because there’s extra funds right now for COVID.”
New Hope Center is the only shelter provider in Wexford and Missaukee counties. Its shelters are generally full, with vacancies filled quickly by walk-ins or those on a waiting list, Munn said.
While Munn said she thinks this drop is positive, she worries about what will happen when pandemic relief programs end.
COVID impacts were a large part of the statewide decrease, said Eric Hufnagel, the executive director of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness.
The biggest help was the eviction moratorium, which ended in August, Hufnagel said. Another factor was the Covid Emergency Rental Assistance funds that are still available.
“That was the No. 1 reason we saw our numbers decline,” Hufnagel said. “We believe that’s slowing down what could be a flood of evictions.”
Imagine a front door and back door, Hufnagel said: The front door is how people come into homelessness, the back door is how people are rehoused.
“Our hope is that we can put a dent in the flow through the front door,” he said. “The challenge we are seeing now is that back door.”
Michigan’s affordable housing stock is the weakest it’s been in decades, Hufnagel said. That means higher prices and rental rates for the housing that is available.
It’s even harder for people to move to new housing because there are fewer options, and existing options cost more.
“The majority of our families can’t afford housing even though they’re working,” Schuch said. “That has really been magnified in West Michigan.”
Family Hope of Grand Rapids has been working with Eastbrook Homes which is developing more affordable homes for the area. Also, Holland Home sold its former Fulton Manor to Hope Network, which plans to turn the former nursing home into a 120 affordable home. The nonprofit housing corporation ICCF is currently working on several affordable housing projects.
The pandemic has decreased shelter space in part due to fewer volunteers to staff facilities, Hufnagel said. Additionally, distancing recommendations have reduced available space in some shelters.
Rising COVID-19 cases adds to these concerns, said Susan Cancro, the executive director of Lansing-based Advent House Ministries. Increasing positive cases could halt new admittances for areas with limited shelters.
“That’s a problem for those on the street who are homeless,” Cancro said. “Especially as the weather becomes more cold and wet, and there’s nowhere to go.”
Schuch said it’s important to increase access to temporary housing to keep people safe for now.
“We have families staying in cars and other places,” Schuch said. “We have to make sure there’s adequate shelter available.”
Without more affordable housing, those problems will only get worse, Schuch said.
“Only investing in shelter doesn’t make sense. They won’t need our shelter if there’s enough housing.”
As temperatures in Northern Michigan are cooling down, Paddle Antrim warns paddlers to take precautions to protect themselves from heightened dangers of sudden, unexpected cold water immersion while on late season paddling outings.
“Whenever paddlers are out on the water, they should dress with the assumption they may end up in the water,” said Paddle Antrim Executive Director Deana Jerdee. “With the cooler weather, water temperatures have dropped and therefore a wetsuit or a full immersion drysuit with insulating layers is necessary.”
Sudden immersion in cold water can cause gasping and inhalation of water resulting in drowning and time spent in cold water will cause your body to lose, resulting in unconsciousness, and/or swimming failure as muscles become numb. Wearing a life jacket may keep your head above water and support your body should your swimming ability fail or you become unconscious.
In 2020 the US Coast Guard reported 271 canoe/kayak injuries or deaths (2020 Recreational Boating Statistics, US Coast Guard) accidents and of all the casualties that resulted in deaths, 79% of those who died were not wearing a life jacket. Of the casualties that didn’t result in death, hypothermia was the leading cause of injury. “Death and injury in kayaks or canoes are almost completely avoidable if a properly fitting PFD and cold water gear is worn,” said Jerdee. “Paddling is like any other sport – you need to wear the proper gear and have the proper skills to safely participate, especially during the colder months when the lower water temperatures can be extremely dangerous.”
Should you ever find yourself in the water it is recommended that you stay with – and preferably on top of – your boat. Never overestimate your swimming ability. All too often people underestimate the distance to shore or the effects of cold water and unfortunately drown while attempting to make it to safety.
Paddle Antrim makes the following recommendations to paddlers heading out on the water:
Always wear a properly fitted life jacket. Simply stated, life jackets save lives;
Dress for the water temperature;
Avoid boating alone and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Have a cell phone or VHF radio accessible, in a watertight bag, should you need to call for help;
Carry essential safety gear, signaling devices and whistles; and
As a kid, it wasn’t the best day for a birthday. My brothers and sister just wanted to skip over the whole birthday cake thing and go trick or treating. As an adult, my kids were awesome, but, in reality, they just wanted to blow out the candles and meet their neighborhood friends.
A couple of years ago, John Gonzalez was able to celebrate Dia De Muertos in his father’s home state of Jalisco, Mexico. (Photo courtesy of the @Gonzo Digital Media)
I had one memorable birthday. That’s when I was in college. I’ll save that story for another day.
This Halloween? I’ll celebrate with some close friends, have my favorite Michigan craft beer and pass out candy, of course. I wouldn’t mind going to a haunted house. Maybe I’ll organize an outing like I did a few years ago at The Haunt.
What are you doing this Halloween weekend?
I know, It’s all about the big Michigan-Michigan State football game.
And high school football playoffs.
Let’s hope the weather cooperates.
Here are some events taking place this weekend if you’re looking for something to do.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Here we go.
The “candy” offerings at Avron Brewery. (Avron Facebook)
5. Candy Harvest ‘21 at Arvon Brewing Co.
When I was at Arvon Brewing Co. last week, co-owner Brett Bristol told me about a cool event taking place today through Sunday (Oct. 31). He’s calling it “Candy Harvest.” “We like to do crazy things, so we’re actually taking over all of our taps with Halloween beers,” Bristol said on my Podcast. The beers include:
Monster Crunch (11.0%): Imperial Stout with Pretzels and Chocolate.
Mounds of Fun (11.0%): Imperial Stout conditioned on Coconut and Cocoa nibs.
Cloud Cover (7.9%): NEIPA with Citra, Vic Secret and Columbus.
Juice Cannon (8.0%): Double New England with Galaxy, Citra and Idaho 7.
Chronic Distortion (9.0%): Double NEIPA with Mosaic and Simcoe.
Ghost Knife (10.0%): Triple NEIPA with Galaxy, Bru 1, and Idaho 7.
Watermelon Slice (5.0%): Kettle Sour with Watermelon, Watermelon fruit candy and lactose.
Caramel Apple Dream (5.0%): Kettle Sour with Caramel, Green Apple Candy and Lactose.
Sour Punch (5.0%): Kettle Sour with Strawberries, Sour Patch Kids and Lactose.
Get more information online, including details on how to order and zone deliveries, at arvonbrewingco.com. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; noon-9 p.m. Saturday; and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Arvon is located at 1006 Division Ave. South, Grand Rapids.
Joel Murray, Jeff B. Davis, Ryan Stiles, and Greg Proops are live at DeVos Performance Hall Nov. 2.
4. “Whose Live Anyway?,” Grand Rapids East Lansing
If you’ve been missing live entertainment, and you’re ready to see some comedy in person, you can’t go wrong with improv. This show features some of the best, including Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Joel Murray and Jeff Davis. The shows are Nov. 2 at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids (bit.ly/3fAWo5m for more info), and Nov. 3 in the Wharton Center in East Lansing (bit.ly/38gDs7z). Check out the “Whose Live” Facebook page for more info.
It is about to get spicy in Grand Haven. (Wikipedia)
3. Chili Blues, Grand Haven
One of my favorite events on the Lakeshore returns this weekend, the annual Chili Blues cook off. Local chili enthusiasts square off against each other to determine the best. Add a little blues music, drink specials and you have the makings of a great fall event. Plus, “It’s a Gas! Gas! Gas!” The event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 30) at Snug Harbor, 311 S Harbor Dr., Grand Haven. More details on the Facebook event page. Or call 616-846-8400.
2. Grand Rapids Dia De Los Muertos Festival
A couple years ago I traveled to my dad’s home state of Jalisco, Mexico, to visit family. We timed the trip to coincide with my birthday and Dia De Muertos, a celebration with a long history in Mexico. You might have seen the 2017 movie “Coco,” which really brought the tradition alive for many Americans. It was an inspiring trip to see how families honored and remember loved ones who have passed on to the next life. Sugar skulls, home altars, Catrinas, special bread and more make up the holiday tradition. Want to know more? This year check out Dia De Los Muertos Festival in Grand Rapids. It begins at 3 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 31) at 1225 Chicago Dr. SW in Wyoming, and it culminates with a procession in the street of native dances. This is a family friendly event with face painting, activities and more. Check out the festival’s event page on Facebook.
It will be all treats and lights at the John Ball Zoo this Sunday. (Supplied)
1.IllumiZoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo
For just one night, “IllumiZoo” and “Zoo Goes Boo” will unite for a nighttime trick-or-treat trail illuminated with the vibrant colors of IllumiZoo Wild Hues. Organizers promise “No tricks, just treats! Guests are encouraged to dress in costume and bring their trick-or-treat bag to experience IllumiZoo with fun Halloween decorations and music, entertainment, candy, and more.” The Zoo will have treat booths throughout the IllumiZoo trail and LED hula-hoop entertainers putting on a show. IllumiZoo Goes Boo begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 31) and ends at 10:30 p.m. The last entry is at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance to guarantee their preferred entry time. IllumiZoo Goes Boo is $20 for adults, $13 for children (3-12 years old) and seniors (62 years and up). Children 2 years of age and younger are free. Tickets are at jbzoo.org/tickets. John Ball Zoo is located at 1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
That’s it. Have a great, safe weekend.
And Go Blue!
I mean, Go Green!
Good luck either way.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Four candidates are seeking the the 28th District Senate seat in the fall election set for Nov. 2.
The seat was vacated by Peter MacGregor last year when he took over the position of Kent County treasurer. Four candidates have put their names in the ring for the seat: Libertarian Alex Avery, Democrat Keith Courtade, U.S. Taxpayers Theodore Gerrard, and Republican Mark Huizenga.
The 28th District of the State Senate includes the City of Wyoming as well as the cities of Walker, Rockford, and Cedar Springs, For a district map, click here.
The election will be open form 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Nov. 2. Those voting by absent ballot have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to complete the ballot and return it to the clerk’s office.
In its We the People videos, WKTV invites all candidates to share why they decided to run for the 28th District seat and issues the candidate feels are important. Below, are the candidates who participated.
Keith Courtade – Democrat
Occupation: Retired UAW Skills Trades
Why did you decide to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I feel important things are going on and I have a passion for it. I have always had a passion for it and I want to help people. I’ve been a voice for the middle class and have a passion to help people.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
The biggest issue is the right to vote. I believe all people should have the right to vote. The next one, and the one closer to Michigan, is cleaning up and protecting our groundwater. I’ve seen firsthand what happened in Flint as I was working at the GM plant there at the time. More needs to be done to fix the problem not just in the in the Flint area but all of Michigan as contaminated groundwater is a statewide issue.
Theodore Gerrand – US Taxpayers
Occupation: Electrician
Why did you decided to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I watched the two major parties, which are dragging us down, pushing us away from the congressional process and truth. I believe we need to get back to the truth and freedom.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
I believe we need to focus on education and that we need to break free of the U..S. Department of Education and return the course of school to teachers and parents. I think the STEM program is very exciting and we need to be pushing that out more to students. We have a huge group of people who will be retiring from the trades, about a 2 to 1 radio, so we need to be supporting new people to move into the trades.
Mark Huizenga – Republican
Occupation: The current 74th District State Representative, which covers Rockford, Cedar Springs, Algoma Township along with the cities of Walker and Grandville, Huizenga owns Mark Huizenga Systems Consulting, a consulting firm, and is the managing partner for Key Green Solutions, a software company.
Why did you decide to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I have always been involved not because of the campaigns or the politics, but because I have been asked to. My past background includes serving the state and mayoral experience with the City of Walker. I offer transparent accountability and am known to respond to all questions. I also make a point of meeting with people and talking about the issues that impact them.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
Currently there is no formula for state funding of higher education with some institutions receiving more than others. I sit on the Higher Education Committee and have been working toward creating a more equability funding system. Other issues are mental health, especial in our schools and I have worked to help launch a new hotline through the Department of Health and Human Services. Also, we need to look at gun violence.
Well, we knew the warm weather wasn’t going to last.
Welcome to a chilly, Amway River Bank Run weekend, and another “Gonzo’s Top 5” list.
This is my weekly list of the “coolest” things happening in West Michigan. It’s a list I have compiled for about two decades, and I hope you enjoy it.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
The first two people to email me will get a special “treat.” No tricks. I promise.
I’ll share the results next week.
Ready for the weekend?
Here we go.
5. Arvon/City Built/Speciation Tap Takeover
Have you ever wondered about the beers at Arvon Brewing Co., City Built Brewery and Speciation Artisan Ales, but never had a chance to experience them? Here’s a great opportunity as these three Grand Rapids breweries will offer five beers at Horrocks Market Tavern in Kentwood. The event is planned from 5-8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 22).
Here is a list of beers:
Speciation Artisan Ales – “Neontology” Barrel Aged Sour with Passionfruit, Lime, Matcha & Vanilla. “One of our more popular beers of 2021. It’s wild,” said owner Mitch Ermatinger.
Arvon Brewing – “Breakfast Bowl” Kettle Sour with Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Granola, Vanilla and Lactose.
Arvon Brewing – “Double Voyager” Double New England IPA, a “super hazy and super flavor forward” beer, according to co-owner Brett Bristol.
City Built Brewing – “Prague Underground” Czech Pilsner.
City Built Brewing – “TBD IPA” West Coast-ish IPA.
All beers will be available by the glass and to-go in howlers, growlers and crowlers. Click here for my WKTV Journal story about the event.
4. 5th Annual Nightmare on 84th Street: The Haunted Trail
Remembrance Ranch, a program to help troubled teens, is offering its annual The Nightmare on 84th Street haunted trail experience. Dates are Oct. 23and30. All proceeds from the event will help at-risk families receive scholarship funds to attend Remembrance Ranch next year. Hours are 9-11 p.m. A tax-deductible donation for $20 per ticket to Remembrance Ranch will gain you access. A special “no scare” edition is planned from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 30. It is free or by donation. Learn more about the trail on the Facebook event page. Learn more about Remembrance Ranch at Remembranceranch.org. It is located at 12307 84th Street, Allendale.
3. Chrysanthemums & More!
Can you say “Chrysanthemums” five times in a row? It’s not easy. What is easy — and exciting – is the return of Chrysanthemums & More at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. For the past 23 years it’s been a popular show and the largest of its kind in Michigan. Attendees can experience thousands of blossoms across 158 sprawling acres. “Each display is a visual spectacle of flowers and foliage, appearing to glow from within,” according to organizers. The exhibition is open through Oct. 31 at Meijer Gardens, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI, MI 49525. Call 616-957-1580 for more info, including parking and admission fees, or go to meijergardens.org/calendar/chrysanthemums-and-more.
2. “Don Giovanni” at Opera GR
As part of Opera Week, Opera Grand Rapids returns for a new season with “Don Giovanni,” which follows the final day in the life of Don Juan, in an original production of Mozart’s Prague masterpiece. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 22) and 2 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 24) at DeVos Performance Hall. Individual tickets start at $27. For more details, as well as details on COVID protocols (proof of vaccination is required or negative test), go to operagr.org/don-giovanni.
Writers Amy Sherman and John D. Gonzalez at the 40th anniversary of GR’s Amway River Bank Run, which was in 2017. (John D. Gonzalez)
1. River Bank Run
If you’re not running in downtown GR’s Amway River Bank Run, you probably think, “What’s the big deal? I’m avoiding downtown Grand Rapids. Thanks for the reminder.” The truth is, even if you’re not a runner, you probably know a participant or two. And if you’re like me, you need inspiration in life to keep you motivated on your personal goals. Trust me, you WILL be inspired attending the Amway River Bank Run presented by Fifth Third Bank with Spectrum Health. More than 10,000 people are expected to compete Saturday (Oct. 23) in the largest 25K road race in the country. Yes, world class athletes will be on hand, but the bulk are your neighbors, friends, and moms and dads, who have all been training for months. Add special divisions like a 25K Wheelchair race, a 25K Handcycle division and 5K Community Walk, and soon you learn it’s about setting goals and accomplishing them. Come out, cheer, and be inspired. A Finish Fest is planned from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Calder Plaza. The first race (5K) begins at 8 a.m. The big 25K race begins at 9:30 a.m. More info on parking, start times and more at amwayriverbankrun.com.
That’s it. Have a great, safe weekend.
Be sure to email me!
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
MSU Extension drainage specialist Ehsan Ghane
discusses controlled drainage strategies for farms at the Lenawee County Center for Excellence field day in August. Roughly 500 farmers attended. Credit: Jon Adamy, Michigan Farm Bureau.
By Andrea Vera Capital News Service
LANSING — Farmers are set to take on a growing number of challenges in the face of climate change.
Now waiting to be passed in the House, the bill would make it easier for farmers to participate in carbon markets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In a recent study of attitudes of West Michigan fruit growers, Julia Linder, a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Program in the Environment, explored the factors that influence how fruit growers adapt to climate change. She currently works as a research assistant at Michigan Medicine.
The goal of her project was to determine the influence of climate change beliefs and perception of climate risk and adaptive actions on management practices used by tree fruit growers.
The study involved 18 interviewees ranging from first-generation to fifth-generation growers with from 5 to 2,500 acres of fruit trees. It appeared in the journal “Weather, Climate and Society.”
“What we would’ve call ‘normal’ is no longer normal – so everything is becoming the new normal, if you will,” one grower said.
Laura Campbell of the Michigan Farm Bureau also identifies climate change as the biggest challenge faced by farmers because of its far-reaching effects on nearly every aspect of what they do.
Campbell, who manages the organization’s agricultural ecology department, said the public lacks familiarity with the inner workings of the agricultural sector, and that makes it difficult for them to conceptualize just how daunting climate change can be for farmers.
“People who don’t farm don’t understand why,” she said.
Bill Schultz, a fruit grower in Mattawan, has been farming his whole life.
His 250-acre family farm, Schultz Fruitridge Farms, is celebrating 70 years since his grandparents founded it in 1951.
Like many other growers interviewed for the study, Schultz has noticed increasing variability in seasonal weather patterns and says he must adapt accordingly.
“In the last five years, what I see as a grower is that the jet stream is becoming very anemic, and that causes a lot of other events to happen that don’t typically happen that frequently,” Schultz says.
He adds, “We see more extreme events happening more frequently.”
More droughts and flooding, heavier rainfall, higher temperatures and more unpredictable frosts are occurring across the country.
That proves especially difficult for Michigan’s tree fruit growers to handle.
That’s because perennial tree fruit crops are very susceptible to changes in temperature and weather patterns, unlike field crops such as corn, Linder’s study says.
Fruit trees in Michigan and other cold-weather locations in the Midwest and Northeast have adapted to undergo a winter dormancy period in which a tree stops growing to protect itself from frost damage.
Campbell said the growing unpredictability of both temperature and frost is a threat at the beginning of the season: An early spring warmup triggers the growth of blossoms, making them vulnerable to a frost event later in the season.
When blossoms die due to frost, the crop for the entire season is lost.
“Spring frosts are probably one of our biggest challenges,” Schultz said.
He recalled the devastation that followed the unprecedented warm up of March 2012 when temperatures reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit, then plunged back down to below freezing.
“We lost everything. I lost my job that year. I still had work to do, but we had no income. We laid everybody off, we had to take out a loan to pay our bills. It set us back years,” he said.
While frost events like those happened only once before in his life, Schultz has seen three frost events like those in the past 10 years.
Linder says that orchards require a long-term commitment and investment of a couple of decades because they are perennial.
Another study interviewee said, “In the row crop business it’s easier to see change, but in the fruit industry, we raise the same commodity for 25 years.”
That grower made it clear that adaptive behaviors are important to preserve the viability of that and future seasons’ crops when they rely on the same trees for decades.
Schultz primarily uses irrigation, frost fans and crop insurance to mitigate climate risk.
Such methods are used in reaction to weather events, but can have limited effectiveness, he says.
Alternatively, farmers can adopt proactive management practices to prepare for future climate scenarios, Linder wrote in her study.
“The goal is to increase a tree’s resilience to climate change,” she said.
There’s still much climate change research to do about perennial agriculture, she said.
As extreme events began threatening Schultz Fruitridge Farms more frequently, the Schultz family diversified from peaches to also grow asparagus, grapes, apples, sweet corn, pumpkins, blueberries and cherries.
They also opened a farm market and a farm-to-table restaurant where they sell their hard cider, donuts and craft beer.
That provided Schultz with a fallback if one of his crops were damaged for the season, but not all growers have the financial capability for such long-term preparations.
“Because it’s so much longer-term, there’s a large sense of uncertainty as to how climate in five, 10, 15, up to 20 years will look like and how growers can address [changing climate] now on their farms that will help them in those extended time periods,” Linder said.
It doesn’t come down to whether growers attribute climate change to anthropogenic – influenced or caused by human activity – causes, Linder added.
Campbell said of farmers, “They’re like any other population group. There’s no monolithic single opinion on how much of climate change is influenced by people.”
Linder wrote in the study, “Adoption of adaptation behaviors may depend less on belief in climate change than on an individual’s belief that they can adapt in a way that will adequately protect them from perceived risk.”
In other words, if growers aren’t confident that certain adaptive behaviors will be effective in protecting their crops, they won’t adopt them, sticking with methods they’ve traditionally used.
Linder said she noticed a lot of pessimism among growers that she interviewed when discussing their ability to adapt while responding to increasing weather variability. “On the flip side, something that was very clear was that there is a large sense of community between growers.”
Schultz said, “It’s very demoralizing. It doesn’t matter how smart, how good you are at your job. You can’t counteract Mother Nature.”
That’s where Linder suggested that university Extension programs participate in successful grower-led meetings and conferences, while shifting the focus toward the effects of climate change and how to address them.
“Addressing a lot of these climate changes is going to require collaboration – not only between growers and Extension workers, but also between growers themselves,” she said.
D.A. Blodgett-St. Johns Communications Specialist Allyssa Murphy stands with boxes of toys received in last year’s D.A. Blodgett-St. Johns Virtual Toy Drive. This year’s drive is being held through Nov. 22. (Supplied)
By Sheila McGrath WKTV Contributing Writer
With shortages happening now in everything from groceries to computer chips to toys, D.A. Blodgett-St. Johns is hoping donors will get in the holiday spirit a little early this year.
Due to Covid-19-related supply chain issues and shipping delays, the nonprofit agency is closing its annual toy drive on Nov. 22, a few weeks earlier than usual. The drive, which opened on Oct. 1, provides gifts for children receiving services from the agency.
DABSJ, a Grand Rapids-based agency, provides services like foster care, adoption, family preservation, and children’s residential treatment.
“We help around 7,000 kids each year, and about 500 of those are kids we provide holiday gifts for,” said Allyssa Murphy, communications specialist with the agency. “Some of them are in foster homes, so they are not with their biological families. Some are in low-income households. We work with each social worker on our team and figure out who is in need and exactly how we can help.”
Closing the drive early will help ensure the gifts get in the hands of kids before the holidays, Murphy said. The gifts need to be shipped to the organization, then distributed to social workers, who get them to the families they support.
This is the second year the toy drive is being held virtually due to the pandemic. Donors can log onto the Virtual Holiday Gift Drive through a website called Roonga to view the gifts that are needed and decide what they might like to donate.
Toys received in last year’s D.A. Blodgett-St. Johns Virtual Toy Drive await distribution to West Michigan children. (Supplied)
Murphy said the vendor they are working with through Roonga put a limit on the number of certain toys they could request due to item shortages. Also, their contact at Roonga suggested they end the drive early to make up for expected delays due to a shortage of delivery drivers.
The toy drive site features items for all ages and price ranges along with basics like socks, underwear and hygiene kits, which are especially important, Murphy said.
“They’re not necessarily the most fun items, but they are necessary, and the kids we support really do need them,” Murphy said. “Gift cards are probably the highest needed item. That really makes up the difference for some families.”
Through Roonga, DABSJ has partnered with a third-party vendor that provides all the toys at wholesale prices, Murphy said. DABSJ typically gives a $50 gift card and at least three gifts per child, depending on how many gifts are donated.
“Sometimes we get more, sometimes less, but we try to give as much as we can,” Murphy said.
DABSJ President and CEO Mary Muliett said many of the kids they help have experienced some type of trauma, and the pandemic has not made things easier.
“These kids need our help now more than ever,” Muliett said. “They deserve a positive and magical holiday season, just like any other kid. We need help making that happen.”
To donate to the holiday gift drive, visit the drive webpage or dabsj.org. For more information or to discuss donation options for businesses, contact Allyssa Murphy at amurphy@dabsj.org.
Want to learn more about the tap takeover at Horrocks Tavern? John D. Gonzalez’s catches up with those at City Built Brewery and Speciation Artisan Ales and Arvon Beer Co. (John D. Gonzalez)
By John D. Gonzalez WKTV Contributing Writer
KENTWOOD – Take three distinct breweries, a passion for quality beer and a mutual respect of each other’s craft, and you have a tap takeover among friends that feature some of Grand Rapids’ top breweries.
Arvon Beer Co., City Built Brewery and Speciation Artisan Ales will showcase several beers from 5-8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 22) at Horrocks Farm Market in a special event curated by Horrocks Tavern manager Carley Morrison.
“It’s fun to be able to hang out with these guys,” said Edwin Collazo, owner of City Built Brewing Company in Grand Rapids. “These are brewers we look up to and are excited about when we’re drinking beer.”
Brett Bristol of Arvon said, “ironically enough,” City Built is the only beer in my home refrigerator and Speciation is the only beer in his “cellar right now.”
“We enjoy each other’s beer, and company, for sure,” said Bristol, whose brewery is known for its hazy IPAs and pushing the boundaries.
“What’s really cool about the Horrocks event,” he said, is that you “can experience three of the most exciting breweries in Grand Rapids” – all in one place – “and we’re all bringing something different to that event.”
One beer, an IPA, is so new it won’t even have a name.
Avron Beer Co. will be featuring Breakfast Bowl and Double Voyager. (John D. Gonzalez)
“It’s called TBD – To Be Determined because we couldn’t come up with a better name,” said Edwin Collazo, owner of City Built Brewing Company in Grand Rapids. It’s also “To Be Determined if we make it again.”
City Built also will serve Prague Underground, a Czech Pilsner that earned the brewery best label earlier this year by a national publication.
Speciation, which is known internationally for its wild ales, is bringing a sour beer to the party.
Their brewing approach is totally different from most breweries in the country, “if not the world,” said owner Mitch Ermatinger.
“We’re a little more rustic, a little more simple,” he said. “We don’t even have pumps or a brewhouse.”
In fact, most of the brewing takes place using equipment at City Built and Mitten Brewing Company.
“We specialize in mixed culture sour beer, which is traditionally long-aged sour beer.”
The average age of their beers is at least a year or more. “We ferment our fruit out, so all of our fruited beers are very dry. Almost everything is sour.”
But they are getting into lagers, pale ales, IPAs, seltzers and even stouts, which are available in their tap room only.
Taking over are (from left) Edwin Collazo, from City Built Brewing Company; Brett Bristol, from Arvon; and Mitch Ermatinger, from Speciation. (John D. Gonzalez)
Arvon, which is featuring a Candy Harvest of beers from Oct. 27-31 at the brewery, will bring a kettle sour called “Breakfast Bowl” to this weekend’s Horrocks event.
It’s an “intensely fruited sour,” with blueberries, strawberries and even granola, Bristol said.
Does that make it healthy for you?
“We’ll go with that,” Bristol said and laughed.
Here is a list of beers at the Horrocks event:
Speciation Artisan Ales – “Neontology” Barrel Aged Sour with Passionfruit, Lime, Matcha & Vanilla. “One of our more popular beers of 2021. It’s wild,” Ermatinger said.
Arvon Brewing – “Breakfast Bowl” Kettle Sour with Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Granola, Vanilla and Lactose.
Arvon Brewing – “Double Voyager” Double New England IPA, a “super hazy and super flavor forward” beer, according to Bristol.
City Built Brewing – “Prague Underground” Czech Pilsner.
City Built Brewing – “TBD IPA” West Coast-ish IPA.
All beers will be available by the glass and to-go in howlers, growlers and crowlers.
For more about the tap take over, visit the Horrocks Tavern, visit the Tavern’s Facebook page.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Cedar Springs Brewing will open their new Grand Rapids brewery Kusterer Brauhaus sometime this winter. The renovated storefront lies on the busy Bridge Street corridor on the West Side of Grand Rapids. (Photo provided by Cedar Springs Brewing, used with permission)
By Amy Sherman WKTV Contributing Writer
Originally slated to open in 2019, Cedar Springs Brewing Company’s new location on the West Side of Grand Rapids took delivery of its brewing equipment last week. The Küsterer Brauhaus will continue the brewery’s German theme, with a Bavarian style beer hall planned for a winter 2022 opening. The brewery, owned by David Ringler, will join the bustling West Side Bridge Street corridor, which is quickly turning into somewhat of a brewer’s row. The Brauhaus will join nearby Jolly Pumpkin, New Holland Brewing, and Harmony Hall, which resides directly across the street. To track the brewery’s progress, follow the Facebook page.
A long awaited reopening has finally happened last week. Creston Brewery reopened under new ownership on Oct. 14, with a grand opening planned for Tuesday, Oct. 19. Saugatuck Brewing Company will operate it under the Creston name, and the menu will feature both original Creston brews, and longtime Saugatuck favorites. The brewery anchors a prominent corner in the neighborhood, and is a true local gathering place. Saugatuck Brewery has retained most of the original staff, including head brewer Scott Schultz. This week, look for a limited menu being offered, while on Oct. 19, there will be special happy hour prices to take advantage of.
Bell’s Brewery harvests their own hops from the side yard at their Comstock production brewery. The resulting brew, known as Sideyard, is out on the market now. (Amy Sherman | For WKTV Journal, used with permission)
Bell’s Brewery released its seasonal offering Sideyard on Oct. 8, and the last of this three part series of beers featuring hops grown right at the Comstock brewery came out on Oct. 15. “Using fresh, locally grown hops has a long tradition here at the brewery,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s said in a press release. Bell’s harvests its hops, and has them added into the beer within 12 hours of picking. First up was Triumph Sideyard, a single hop varietal brew that was only available at the Bell’s General Store and Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo. Sideyard will be bottled, and can be found throughout Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Sideyard Crystal is up next, and can only be found in Kalamazoo. These beers using very specific, and very local hops are a source of pride for the brewers at Bell’s. “Being able to do fresh hop beers, it’s just great,” said John Mallett, vice president of operations at Bell’s. “We’re bringing hops from hanging on the wire, to putting them in the kettle in a matter of a couple of hours. You just can’t do that with hops from Germany or Washington.”
Osgood Brewing in Grandville released Breitenstein this week. It’s the brewery’s take on an Oktoberfest brew, and it comes in at 6.1% ABV, and is described by the brewery as slightly sweet, with a toasted malt flavor, with light hops. Try it paired with one of their handcrafted pizzas, they even offer a gluten-free crust made with cauliflower. Or, belly up to one of the arcade games they have here to play, maybe during happy hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m.
No matter what the Lions record is, Coppercraft Distillery’s new canned cocktail can help you handle it. Honolulu Blue is made in partnership with the Lions, and features blue raspberry and lemonade with vodka. (Photo provided by Coppercraft Distillery, used with permission)
Arvon Brewing released a special, fruity brew on Oct. 14. Breakfast Bowl is a kettle sour made with a whole bunch of berries and a touch of lactose. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, granola, lactose and vanilla combine into a brightly hued little fruit bomb, balanced out by that nice bright sour punch. You can try it on tap at the bright little brewery located on Division in Grand Rapids, or stop by the brewery to grab a 4-pack of cans.
Coppercraft Distilling just released a special cocktail for all of us who suffer as perennial Detroit Lions fans. Honolulu Blue, a premium canned cocktail brewed up in partnership with our #OnePride friends, pays homage to our Michigan team in both name and color. This limited release is a blue raspberry lemonade cocktail made with Coppercraft’s vodka. You can try the drink at either of Coppercraft’s tasting rooms, in either Holland and Saugatuck. It’s also available in cans at select retailers around the state. Perfect for your next Sunday watch party, and especially great to help drown your sorrows after.
George Doornbos created this piece of a soldier kneeling in front of a grave. (Supplied)
By Sheila McGrath WKTV Contributing Writer
George Doornbos and Dewey Heetderks, two veterans residing at Holland Home’s Breton Woods campus, both took up woodworking in their retirement years and found the art form greatly enriched their lives.
So when an opportunity arose to take part in a veterans-only exhibit designed to bring healing through art, they both signed on.
Doornbos and Heetderks each showed woodworking pieces in Has Heart, an ArtPrize venue at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Grand Rapids. ArtPrize 2021 ran Sept. 16 to Oct. 3.
The 21 works in the Has Heart collection were all created by military veterans, many of whom struggle with homelessness, PTSD, military sexual trauma, and thoughts of suicide.
Doornbos said working with wood helps keep his mind off aging and other unpleasant things. He was eager to participate in the exhibit hoping other veterans might also find peace through making art.
Artist George Doornbos (Supplied)
“I am very glad I went through it,” Doornbos said. “We were hoping to inspire some veterans or older people like myself to see if we could interest them in art or some other hobby to keep their mind off their troubles.”
Doornbos was in the Army from 1953 to 1955, serving as a radio operator. He took up woodworking seven years ago, at the age of 80, in the Holland Home wood shop. He works in a process called intarsia, which involves coloring and combining pieces of wood to form an art piece.
Dewey Heetderks creates hand carved wooden bowls using the grains and natural defects found in the wood to create unique and expressive works. (Supplied)
He typically creates animals, scenery or lighthouses, he said, but for the ArtPrize exhibit he entered a piece depicting a soldier kneeling over the grave of a fallen comrade. It was an idea that came to him about a year and a half ago, after he took part in an Honor Flight.
Honor Flights, funded by a nonprofit organization, transport American veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials honoring those who have served and died for the country.
“We went to the cemetery and the various war monuments, and this impressed me – the number of people who have given their lives so we can live with the freedoms we have. I was moved by that whole experience that whole day,” Doornbos said.
Heetderks worked in the Army medical corps as a urologist from 1963 to 1965, after graduating from the University of Michigan. He began turning wood about 15 years ago, at the age of 75, while spending winters in Florida.
Heetderks hand carves wooden bowls, using the grains and natural defects found in wood to create unique and expressive works.
Artist Dewey Heetderks
“Wood is a beautiful product of our lord,” he said. “If it’s sanded and polished and given the opportunity with a beautiful finish, it’s lovely. I embellished every bowl I made. I made a special effort to create something unique, and that was a lot of fun.”
Neither of them had any plans to enter ArtPrize until a representative from the organization visited Holland Home to tell the residents about the veterans-only exhibit being created this year.
Both artists said the most important thing about the exhibit was giving veterans a creative outlet.
“For those that were involved, art for them was particularly important, particularly those that were suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome,” Heetderks said. “It was obviously a release for them. It’s wonderful.”
Michigan aid organizations are scrambling to provide housing and services for 1,300 Afghan refugees they’ve pledged to resettle, some of whom will be heading to Kent County.
To answer the call, Kent County has created the Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan Steering Committee, which is working to coordinate residents, businesses, organizations and funders to support the hundreds of Afghan refugees who will be arriving in West Michigan. These opportunities will address their essential needs, such as housing, supportive services, mental health care, and volunteers to help them adjust to life in the United States.
“Creating a welcoming community takes all of us coming together in support of our neighbors, whether its our long-time residents or individuals who just arrived,” said representatives from the Kent County Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan Steering Committee. “We are encouraging our community to join together to ensure these families have the resources and support they need to resettle in West Michigan.”
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
“These are really nice, hardworking and kind people,” said Kurt Richter, a Michigan State University associate professor who helped evacuate more than 70 Afghan staff and scholars from the country. “I would welcome them as my neighbors.”
And they also can be strong contributors to the state’s economy, said Richter, who ran the university’s Grain Research and Innovation Project in Afghanistan. The MSU refugees are in Albania where they await transport to the United States.
Also waiting are about 60,000 refugees who were evacuated to U.S. military bases for resettlement following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, said Judi Harris, the director of refugee development in St. Vincent Catholic Charities, a faith-based nonprofit in Lansing that has pledged to resettle 300 Afghan refugees in Ingham County.
About 1.300 Afghan refugees are scheduled to come to Michigan with several hundred expected to be relocated to Kent county. (pxhere.com)
One family was recently settled in West Michigan by Samaritas, according to Rev. Bill Danaher, who is a board member of the faith-based social service agency. Samaritas has pledged to support 350 refugees. The West Michigan location was chosen because of the existing Afghan community there, Danaher said, adding that beyond housing, it is important to find the refugees a welcoming environment, which is why there are efforts to help settle refugees near other Afghan families.
Representatives from Samritas along with representatives from Kent County, City of Grand Rapids, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce comprised The Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan Steering Committee. The committee has worked with local partners to compile a list of prioritized needs and ways the broader community can contribute.
A Place to Call Home
The most immediate need is housing. An Afghan Housing Resource survey was created for Kent County to capture housing resources people can offer, such as access to a rental property or extra rooms in their homes.
Harris said, for future arrivals, permanent options may be limited. They may need temporary housing in hotels.
The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has secured $500,000 to assist in these costs. The funding came from an existing Michigan State Housing Development Authority fund for rent assistance open to non-citizens.
Such support is important as resettlement can be expensive and require lots of work, said the Rev. Bill Danaher, of Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills. It costs about $57,000 a year to support a family of seven. Most of these costs are handled by community organizations.
“The government only does so much,” Danaher said. “We know there will be significant costs despite the government funding we are receiving.”
Other needs that the Kent County The Gateways for Growth Welcome Plan Steering Committee has identified are:
Mental Health – Mental health practitioners are invited to complete the Mental Health Provider survey to learn how they can support the wellness of New Americans, also known as immigrants and refugees.
That’s why D-Birmingham Rep. Mari Manoogian’s resolution, which the House adopted Oct. 14, is important, he said. It can help address apprehension some Michigan residents may have to Afghan refugees.
This welcome should not be limited to communities with Afghan populations. such as Grand Rapids and Lansing, Danaher said. These refugees will be resettled across the state.
“Your voice matters,” Danaher testified during a hearing on the resolution. “The state of Michigan needs to say that these refugees are welcome.”
Despite the intense vetting, some people might have unfounded fears regarding Afghan refugees, Danaher said. Therefore these state level efforts help support work at the community level.
Helping to Build a Better Economy
Welcoming Afghan refugees to the state is not just the right thing to do, but the smart one, Danaher said. Refugees in Michigan have generated about $200 million of new businesses and jobs in the economy.
Three-quarters of refugees are self-sufficient within six months of resettlement, Danaher said. It normally takes 10 volunteers to help host a family for six months, he said.
Samaritas is looking for volunteers to help, he said. Danaher said he hopes support from the state and legislators will help bring attention and energy among Michigan residents.
Michigan has also set up a webpage to gather donations and volunteers for the organizations involved. Local residents are encouraged to visit the Kent County Gateways for Growth website or follow its Facebook page to view the list of ways to support local Afghan refugees and to learn more about the Welcome Plan’s goal and objectives to foster a sense of belonging in Kent County.
This is my weekly list picks for the coolest things happening in West Michigan. I hope you find something interesting, enjoyable, fun and in some cases downright spooky.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for upcoming events. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend.
Here we go.
Gonzo’s Top 5
Pux Tap Takeover and Caramel Apple Bar
A caramel apple bar, Mexican food and cider! Why not? Our friends at Horrocks Farm Market in Kentwood have a Pux Tap Takeover and Caramel Apple Bar from 5-8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 15). The event will take place in the Tavern, which is located on the the westside of the market, and features the Mexcellente Food Truck, caramel apples, as well as several ciders. On tap: Whippersnapper (Pear, Cinnamon, Ginger Hard Cider), Pommander (Orange Liquor Barrel Aged Clove Hard Cider), Harvest (naturally fermented Hard Cider with French Cider Apples) and Pumpkin Pie (spiced Hard Apple Cider. Horrocks Farm Market is located at 4455 Breton Rd. SE, Kentwood, MI 49508. More info on the Tavern Facebook page or horrocksmarket.com.
Flannel Fest with the Muskegon Lumberjacks
Dig out the flannel for a street party as the Muskegon Lumberjacks celebrate the opening of a new season. Activities include axe throwing, games, live music and Lumberjacks hockey at Mercy Health Arena. Performing Friday night (Oct. 15) is the AC/DC tribute band “Let There be Rock.” On Saturday (Oct. 16), a cornhole tournament begins at 11 a.m. with registration beginning at 10 a.m. Other activities include hayrides, live music from Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys (5 p.m.) and craft vendors. Games are at 7:10 p.m. each night. Mercy Health Arena is located at 470 W Western Ave Muskegon, MI 49440. More info at muskegonlumberjacks.com.
“Bold, Black and Beautiful – Onward Together”
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents “Bold, Black and Beautiful – Onward Together,” an historical journey through musical expression. Performances are at 7:30 p.m Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 15-17). According to the show’s producers, the “concert features Black artists from all over West Michigan in a celebration of African and Black music, dance, and spoken word in America.” The show includes songs by Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder and more iconic Black artists throughout American history. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is located at 30 N. Division. More info at grct.org.
Zoo Goes Boo
A popular, longtime favorite West Michigan event – “Zoo Goes Boo” – returns to John Ball Zoo the next two weekends (Oct. 15-17 & Oct. 22-24). It’s a fun Halloween destination for the whole family with decorations, costumes, candy and Zoo animals. The kids can experience spooky treat stations located throughout the Zoo, along with strolling entertainment. Because it is a children’s event, organizers ask “that no masks cover faces and that adults in costume dress appropriately.” Oh, and bring a bag! Zoo Goes Boo presented by Meijer. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. John Ball Zoo is located at 1300 Fulton St. W. More info at jbzoo.org.
AlePrize, presented by Beer City Brewers Guild
You’ve heard of ArtPrize. But what about AlePrize? The city-wide competition pairs local artists with local breweries, who transform their spaces into galleries while patrons enjoy a pint of locally crafted beer. Winners receive $1,000 each for Public Choice Award and Juried Award categories. AlePrize runs from Oct. 15-Nov. 19 and features popular breweries such as Founders, City Built, Harmony, Elk, Brewery Vivant, Perrin, Speciation, Broad Leaf and many more. A full list including the artists can be found at aleprize.com.
That’s it for this weekend. As I said earlier, email me if you have an event you want to promote down the road.
Be safe everyone. Have a great weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Armed with umbrellas in an effort to stay dry from the downpour of rain, about 50 people came out to the dedication and ribbon cutting for the expansion of the KDL Grandville Branch on Oct. 8.
The event, hosted by the City of Grandville and the Kent District Library, celebrated the addition of 6,665 square feet to the library, with the largest part of the addition being a divisible community room for hosting library programs and serving city and community events.
“At the Grandville Branch, we see a number of people from throughout the county,” said KDL Grandville Branch Manager Josh Bernstein, who is a regional manager serving both the Grandville and Byron Center branches. In fact, because the KDL library branches over the years have become more regional sources, KDL has created regional branch managers to work with communities.
“We have a lot of our neighbors from Byron Center and Georgetown, as we have a partnership with them, coming to the Grandville library for resources and meeting space,” he said.
A new feature is the fireplace that separates the community room from the library. (WKTV)
Visitors check out the new children’s play area. (WKTV)
The KDL Grandville branch has more than one million library items. (WKTV)
Space was the original reason that Grandville City Council decided to move the library from the city complex to its own space. The current library facility was built in 1991 and dedicated in 1992. The original library project costs was about $1.8 million.
Space again was the concern for city and community leaders to come together to raise funds for the expansion, according to Grandville Mayor Steve Maas who spoke during the dedication ceremony. Through the additional space, Maas said the library facility was able to expand from one study room to 10 new private study rooms. The expanded and updated Grandville facility also includes:
The new Nelson Foundation Disability Resource Room
More than a million library items
Hundreds of regularly scheduled in-person programs and activities for all ages
Separate and enclosed space for children’s programs and early literacy efforts
Drive-up book drop
Larger space for the Friends of the Grandville Library Book Nook
Fireplace area separating the library from the new community center
New, high-efficiency HVAC system
Additional restrooms, including a family restroom
Area residents and leaders were willing to brave the heavy rains for the KDL Grandville Branch dedication on Oct. 8. (WKTV)
For the new addition, city and community leaders hosted a Building Beyond Books fundraising campaign with the goal of raising about a million dollars. At the time of the dedication, the effort had raised $870,000 with donations still being accepted.
KDL oversees 20 branches that serve the communities around Grand Rapids. (The City of Grand Rapids is served by the Grand Rapids Library.) Locations on the southwest side of the county include, Wyoming, Kentwood, Gaines, Byron Center, Grandville, Caledonia, and Kelloggsville High School. KDL operates the Bookmobilie and the KDL Wyoming branch houses the KDL Talking Book and Braille Center. For more about KDL and its locations, visit kdl.org.
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, will make appearances at two West Michigan parades next month. On Wednesday, Nov. 10, the Clydesdales will march through downtown Fremont, and Thursday, Nov.11, Veteran’s Day, in downtown Muskegon. The parades are part of the Heroes United celebration honoring veterans from Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties and United Way of the Lakeshore.
This will be the first appearance ever by the Budweiser Clydesdales in the City of Fremont and a return visit to the city of Muskegon where they most recently appeared in 2014. The Fremont parade will begin at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10, and the Muskegon parade will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11.
The Clydesdales’ appearances in Fremont and Muskegon are one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.
Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands — or six feet — at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail.
This 1925 photo from the Grand Rapids Museum Collection shows a crash that took place on Nagel Avenue in then Wyoming Township. According to the The Street Railways of Grand Rapids: Horsecars, Cable Cars, Steam Dummies, Electric Streetcars, by Carl Jay Bajema and Tom Maas, Sixteen-year-old Harry Bos drove his auto carrying him and his fifteen-year-old friend Albert Boone onto the Holland interurban track at the Nagel Avenue crossing. At the same time, the interurban train cross Nagel Avenue and hit the car, pushing it almost 200 feet down the track before the interurban train could stop. Both Bos and his friend died from their injuries. The Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and Muskegon Railway Company operated from 1902 to 1928, although much of the line was closed by 1926.
One of the concerns raised in 1997 was pet owners and handlers not controlling their animals. That same concerned was raised in a survey conducted this year. (pxhere.com)
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma joanne@wktv.org
A recent survey on whether the City of Wyoming should have at least one city park be dog-free during the summer came in with very close results, 56 percent opposed and 44 percent in favor.
The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Commission is set to review the dog survey results at its meeting set for Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW.
The results, which can bee seen on the Parks and Recreation page of the City of Wyoming’s website. A total of 628 responses were collected of which 565 were Wyoming residents.
City of Wyoming Community Services Director Rebecca Rynbrandt said during a recent Marquette Park master plan discussing that the results were close especially given the current climate of acceptance of people having pets at events, restaurants, and stores.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission will consider two questions: whether the city should keep one park dog free from May 1 to Oct. 1 and which city park that would be. Rynbrandt noted that the second question of which park will only be considered if the commission moves forward with maintaining one park as dog free.
From the survey results, Pinery Park was the first choice of both Wyoming and area residents to have the dog restriction. For the past 24 years, Pinery Park has been the designated dog-free park for the city. At the time the restriction was put in place, there were concerns over certain breeds being perceived as aggressive, allergies to dogs and dander, pet owners who allow dogs to run off leash and were not controlled by their handlers, and frustration with pet owners who did not pick up after their dogs.
From the survey, those same reasons were given as to why the city should maintain at least one dog free park during the summer months. Many picked Pinery Park for that designation because of its has had the restriction and also because of its one-mile trail and the number of student activities that take place at Pinery Park.
The city does have a designated dog park at Marquette Park. The dog park does have a membership requirement. Also in the master plan for Battjes Park, also located on the northland of the city at at 1655 Blandford SW, there are plans to include a dog park/area.
Engagement is a key component for the Parks and Recreation, Rynbrandt said, adding she encourages people to attend the park and recreation meeting to express their thoughts. The parks department also has had several surveys about program offerings and the future design of Marquette Park.
