Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

Cleaning tips to keeping a healthy homes

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

A lot has happened over the weekend from the governor announcing a shutdown of all bars and restaurants dine-in services until April 6 to many area schools offering to step in and make sure no child goes hungry during this time.

Within only hours of Kent County Health Officer Dr. Adam London signing a Public Health Emergency Order for the county, Governor Gretchen Whitmir announced that as of 3 p.m. today all bars and restaurants will shutdown in-dining services. Carry-out will be available at many locations, so call or text first to check on availability.

Many other businesses must comply with a 50 percent occupancy. So if the building’s occupancy capacity is 100, during the lock-down it may only have 50. This is to encourage social distancing, which means to stay at home as much as possible. If you must go out, it is recommended to be six to 10 feet away from the other person. According to the Centers for Disease Control, social distancing has been one of the key factors to help China and South Korea keep the coronavirus under control or at least curb its spread.

The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan recently sent out a newsletter with tips from the CDC on how to make your home healthy when it comes to the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Those guidelines start with the recommendation to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas. Those surfaces include tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks. How do you do that? Follow these simple guidelines:

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.

If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

For disinfection, you can use diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, or an EPA-registered household disinfectant.

If you have a child with asthma, always separate the child from the room being cleaned to avoid the bleach triggering an asthma attack, and do not over-concentrate your cleaning solution.



Prepare a bleach solution:

  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water, or
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. 

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19.

For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely, or use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces.

Follow these guidelines from the CDC to keep your children and family safe during this time.

5 Questions to ask your potential assisted living facility

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


When it’s time to move into an assisted living facility, everyone involved in the move will have a lot of questions. If you are helping a loved one decide which community is right for them, you should be asking a lot of questions during tours.


Before going in, you’ll probably have a general idea of the things you need to know and the topics you’ll want to cover. You definitely need to cover basic housekeeping questions like:

  • Cost and payment options
  • Insurance coverage
  • Waitlist
  • Discharge policy
  • What services are included and which are extra

But, there are other, more specific questions regarding lifestyle, quality of life and the general feel of the facility that you should be asking. Often, these questions reveal more about the community and are more important than the “housekeeping” questions. If you’re looking for assisted living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, or anywhere, make sure to ask the following questions.

What are the “age in place” options?

If your loved one is thinking about leaving their home for assisted living, it’s probably going to be a big change. Once they make the move, consistency will be important and another move will be the last thing on everyone’s mind. Before you choose an assisted living facility, ask about the level of care they can offer if your loved one experiences any health changes or setbacks? Do they have the services to care for them if they experience dementia or if they lose mobility? What about hospice? Is this a community your loved one can stay in as long as they need to? Make sure the next move they make is as permanent as possible.

How many personal items are allowed?

Personal touches are important when it comes to feeling at home in a new environment. How much of their own furniture, decor and home items can your loved one bring with them to their new home? Will they be able to completely outfit their apartment with their own furniture and favorite rugs? Will there be room for their favorite books, pictures, or wall art? Bringing a touch of home may be an important deciding factor in choosing a place so it’s an important question to ask.

What services are offered on site?

The services offered on site can make a facility feel more like a community than just a place. By offering beauty salons, libraries, cafes, mailboxes and even walking paths, residents can make their own appointments and attend them without leaving the facility. This can add a level of independence and they won’t need to rely on rides or public transportation to enjoy these small pleasures.

What are other residents/families saying?

During your tour, take some time to aim questions not just at the staff, but at other residents. Try to time a visit when other families will be visiting so you can chat with them as well. Ask about the general mood of their loved one, their activity levels and what their favorite things to do are.

What types of activities, either within or outside the facility, are offered?

How will the facility help your loved one remain active, engaged and social? While many residents will want to plan and attend their own activities outside the facility, it may be best for some to stay close. For these residents, it’s comforting knowing that there will be activities for them to participate in whether or not they choose to leave the community daily or stay. Daily activities and an active social life are important to everyone’s well-being and are particularly important within an assisted living facility.


Don’t just ask surface level “housekeeping” questions. To get a feel for what life will look like within a community, dig deeper and ask questions that matter.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



The power of purpose

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Volunteering for community events and helping others are great ways to find purpose in your downtime. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay


Do you feel like you know why you’re here?


The answer to that question could determine how you feel day-to-day.


If you’ve found meaning in your life, you’re more likely to be both physically and mentally healthy, a new study reports.


On the other hand, people restlessly searching for meaning in their life are more likely to have worse mental well-being, with their struggle to find purpose negatively affecting their mood, social relationships, psychological health and ability to think and reason.


“We found presence of meaning was associated with better physical functioning and better mental functioning,” said senior study author Dr. Dilip Jeste. He is senior associate dean for the Center for Healthy Aging at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.


“Many think about the meaning and purpose in life from a philosophical perspective, but meaning in life is associated with better health, wellness and perhaps longevity,” Jeste continued. “Those with meaning in life are happier and healthier than those without it.”


This conclusion comes from a three-year study of more than 1,000 people aged 21 and older living in San Diego County.


All participants were asked to fill out a battery of questionnaires that assessed their physical and mental health, as well as how sharp their brains function.


They also filled out a questionnaire aimed at determining the amount of meaning they’d found in life, as well as their continued search for meaning.


Meaning in life is a very individualized concept, Jeste said. It could be drawn from your faith or from your family, from your work or your community service, or your role in society.


Jeste and his colleagues found that as people get older, they tend to follow along a U-shaped curve in their search for meaning in life.


The search for meaning is high in young adulthood, as people make decisions about career and education and family that will shape the rest of their lives, the study reports.


“That’s a period of considerable anxiety. You are desperately searching for meaning, but you haven’t found it,” Jeste said of people in their 20s.


As people grow older and settle into their lives, they are more and more likely to discover the things that give their lives meaning, the researchers found.


But then, as people enter their old age, the search for life’s meaning again starts to roil within them, results show.


Physical and mental infirmity challenges their notion of themselves—and the increasingly frequent deaths of family and friends force them to contend with grief and their own mortality, Jeste said.


“They start questioning the meaning that they’d found in life at an earlier age and they start searching again,” Jeste said. “The purpose at 75 cannot be the same as that at 35.”


These big questions—and whether you’re still looking for the answers, at whatever age—are associated with your personal health, results show.


Contentment with life was associated with better physical and mental health, while a continuing search for meaning was associated with poorer mental health and less effective brain function, the study showed.


You could imagine that a doctor finds meaning in their life because they help people who are suffering, and that provides them with satisfaction and a solid base for happiness, said Dr. Philip Muskin, a professor of psychiatry with the Columbia University Medical Center, in New York City.


On the other hand, a doctor suffering from burnout who questions whether they’re really helping others isn’t going to be either happy or healthy.


“If you are still searching for meaning as a physician, that is likely to make you unhappy,” Muskin said. “Not necessarily depressed, but if you are still searching for meaning that is likely to make you uncomfortable in life.”


So what can you do to provide yourself with a firmer understanding of your life’s purpose?


Jeste suggests that the Serenity Prayer provides one blueprint—accepting the things in life you can’t change while working to improve the things you can.


“You can find the things that you can do that make you happy and that are useful to others,” Jeste said. “By doing that, you create your own value to society.”


Thoughtful conversation also can help, Muskin said, either with your friends or your family, or a religious figure or a therapist.


“Ask yourself the hard question. What is it I want to get out of this?” Muskin said. “Meaning comes from many different sources, and if you truly feel you don’t have meaning, you should sit with someone and have that conversation. What are we doing?”


Middle-aged people can help maintain the meaning they’ve found in life by making solid plans for what they will do in retirement, Muskin added.


“I see this all the time in my practice—people who retire into nothing,” Muskin said. “They have made no plans. They were professionals for years and decided to retire and their lives are empty. Now they’re searching for meaning in life because what they did and who they were never much separated.”


The new study was published online recently the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



List of closures increases as Gardens, Civic, KDL all close

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

In response to the COVID-19 — more commonly called the coronavirus — several organizations today have announced closures. Remember, if you have an event you are planning to attend, double check by calling or visit the event’s website to confirm the event will be taking place.

The Kent District Library (KDL) Kentwood Branch Library. (WKTV)

Kent District Library

In a statement released today, KDL officials said that in the interest of mitigating the impact of the virus, all branches are closed to the public. Programs, outreach visits, bookmobile visits, and book sales are cancelled. KDL is planning to reopen all its branches when schools are scheduled to reopen on April 6.

The staff is explored alternative ways to continue providing service. For updates, visit the KDL.org/coronavrius and the KDL social media pages. The library does provides many digital services such as:

  • Audiobooks, movies, music and more at kdl.org/downloads
  • Magazines, databases and other online resources at kdl.org/research
  • Online reading clubs: download the Beanstack application for your smartphones (search for “Beanstack” in your online app store).


For assistance or more information visit kdl.org or call 616-784-2007.

Grand Rapids Public Library

The Grand Rapids Public Library also has closed until further notice. For updates on the Grand Rapids Public Museum, visit grpl.org.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

The plan was for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to continue performances but this morning the organization announced it was suspending the rest of the run of “Matilda: The Musical.”

Civic will be offering all patrons who have purchased tickets a voucher for a future show. Officials are asking that patrons not call the box office at this time. All tickets have been recorded and staff will be contacting patrons individually to assist with rain checks. Patrons also will be given the opportunity to donate the cost of their ticket back to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to help offset the company’s lost from the show. For pressing concerns about Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, call 616-222-6650.

Postponed: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Broadway Grand Rapids

Broadway Grand Rapids announced to patrons that due to the governor’s order to cancel or postpone gatherings of 250 persons or more, the organization has postpone the rest of the run for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Patrons with tickets should hang on to those tickets as the BGR is hoping to bring the show back.

Performances of “Ecsape of Margaritaville,” which are May 26-31, are expected to go on as scheduled.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed until further notice. (Supplied)

Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum has closed until further notice. Private events scheduled at the Pubic Museum that are under the 250 persons (guests and staff) threshold will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Earlier this week, the Museum had announced that its Free Day set for March 15 had been postponed.

While there has been no confirmed coronavirus cases connected to the Museum, officials have announced that staff been performing rigorous cleaning routines and there are plans to announce next steps soon.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has closed temporarily. Classes will continue unless otherwise notified. However, anyone signed up for a class through April 12, 2020 may request a full refund. Private events happening at Meijer Gardens during this time will take place if guests and staff are under the 100-person threshold. Event hosts will be contacted by their event coordinator.

To kept up-to-date on Garden activities, visit meijergardens.org.

Grand Rapids Symphony

Yesterday, the Grand Rapids Symphony announced it has cancelled all performances for the next 30 days, until April 10.

Ticket inquiries and requests will be answered by phone on a limited basis. Tickets for cancelled concerts maybe exchanged for upcoming concerts later this season or for the 2020-2021 season. Exchanges may be mailed to: 

Ticket Exchange

Grand Rapids Symphony

300 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 100

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

LowellArts

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and in support of the Governor’s and CDC’s request the LowellArts has decided to cancel/postpone any live events for the next 30 days (including tonight’s LaughFest event). The gallery will remain open with officials stating their plans for future events subject to the conditions at that time. For more information, visit lowellartsmi.org.

Kent County elections leaders discuss busy voting season on WKTV Journal In Focus

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By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Michigan voters are starting a busy election with the just-completed presidential primary, so on the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus we offer a review of how the State of Michigan in general — and Kent County in specific — handle elections so that they provide voter accessibility, ballot security and accurate results.

With us is Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds, who was elected to the position in 2016 after serving three terms as a Republican in the Michigan House of Representatives. Also with us is county elections director Gerrid Uzarski, who was appointed by Ms. Lyons in late 2017 and, previously worked for ElectionSource, a local company which, along with Dominion Voting Systems, is contracted by the state to provide election hardware and software.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Grand Rapids Public Museum to host free day March 15

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Finny, the finback whale skeleton, greats visitors as the enter the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

Editor’s Note: This event has been postpone.

By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that in partnership with Kent County Farm Bureau, they will be offering a Museum Free Day for the third year in a row. On March 15, 2020, the GRPM will open their doors free of charge for visitors to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits. 

“We’re thrilled to offer a Free Day at the Museum to the community for yet another year,” said Kate Kocienski, VP of Marketing and PR for the GRPM. “We truly appreciate our partnership with the Kent County Farm Bureau because it continues to give the gift of curiosity for visitors of all to explore science, history and culture at the Museum without the barrier of an admission fee.”

The Free Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Kent County Farm Bureau will have additional agriculture themed hands-on activities available as part of the day. Visitors can participate in an apple taste test and vote on their favorite apple variety, as well as learn how to milk a cow by interacting with “Casey the Cow” a life-size cow figure. Educational handouts of My Food Plate will be distributed as well as free apples, and other snacks on a first come, first serve basis. For additional information or to reserve your free ticket, please visit grpm.org, click the purchase tickets link and select March 15 for date of visit to receive free admission.

“Kent County Farm Bureau looks forward to once again partnering with the Grand Rapids Public Museum to welcome friends into the Museum free of charge,” said Bill Seif, Kent County Farm Bureau President. “On behalf of more than 1,200 Kent County farmers, we are delighted to work with the GRPM to continue inviting the community to learn more about our agriculture and food production through this experience.” 

The GRPM is a place of never-ending inspiration and discovery, featuring three floors of hands-on fun and educational exhibits for visitors of all ages to explore. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats, an exhibit that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.

Take a trip down memory lane in the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s “TOYS!” exhibit.

Special exhibits TOYS! and Design Zone will be included free of charge for visitors to enjoy on the Museum’s Free Day. TOYS! is an interactive, multi-generational exhibition of toys and games that rekindle childhood memories and spark the creation of new ones. In Design Zone, visitors explore a variety of concepts to learn the processes and tools needed to create a successful design by engaging with interactive games and activities.

 

Additional experiences for visitors include the special traveling exhibit Bodies Revealed and planetarium shows that are available for an additional charge.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is located at 272 Pearl St. SW. For more information, visit grpm.org.

10 tips for a safer home

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An emergency health kit is a must-have component in bolstering home safety. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


Here are 10 suggestions from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  1. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month. Yes, this is an addition to changing the batteries once a year.
  2. Wash your child’s toys just as you do your hands. (Think of how much time they spend on the floor.)
  3. Wipe up spills as soon as they happen to avoid bacteria growth.
  4. Put together a mini health kit and tuck it into your daily tote. Include adhesive bandages, alcohol wipes, pain relief medication, hand sanitizer, a mini tube of sun protection and an instant ice pack.
  5. Make that wellness appointment you’ve been putting off. Ask if you need a tetanus booster. It’s a must every 10 years.
  6. Put the poison control number—800.222.1222—on all phones and make sure all family members know when to call it.
  7. Before leaving the house do a double check for safety. That means putting on sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for a walk and other activities, or a helmet and other gear for bike riding, or looking at the treads of your shoes before a run.
  8. Schedule a radon test for the air in your home. Have your water checked if you get it from a private well.
  9. Change your contact lenses on the right schedule. Don’t risk eye health by trying to extend their life past the prescribed usage, whether they’re dailies, monthlies or anything in between.
  10. Can’t do a full floss after lunch? Use dental picks to get rid of food caught between your teeth and prevent bacteria buildup.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Want to keep sharp? Stay social

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Staying engaged socially and creatively at age 50 and beyond could help you ward off mental decline. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay


The evidence continues to mount that staying socially engaged as you age helps keep dementia at bay.


In a new study, British researchers found that being socially active in your 50s and 60s may reduce the risk of developing dementia.


The findings showed that people in their 60s who interacted with friends nearly every day had a 12% lower risk of developing dementia than people who saw a couple of friends every few months.


“This has important implications for people in middle-age as it suggests that keeping socially active is important for brain health. We know that it has other health benefits in terms of benefiting physical and mental health,” said lead researcher Andrew Sommerlad, a research fellow in the division of psychiatry at University College London.


Social activity during midlife was linked with better memory and reasoning skills, he said.


“We think this may be because social contact gives us a chance to exercise different aspects of thinking, like memory and language, which may make people more resilient against the damage which accumulates in the brain in people who develop dementia,” Sommerlad explained.


For the study, Sommerlad and his colleagues collected data on more than 10,200 people who took part in the Whitehall II study between 1985 and 2013. During that time, the participants were asked about their contact with friends and relatives.


In 1997, the study participants also took tests of their thinking abilities. The group was followed until 2017.


The researchers also found an association between being socially active and dementia risk for those who were 50 and 70, but it wasn’t statistically significant.


Sommerlad said that other studies have shown similar results, but this study followed people for a much longer time.


“This gives us much more confidence in the idea that more social contact may reduce dementia risk, although a study like this can never definitively prove it,” he said, since it can only show an association.


In any case, Sommerlad encouraged people to stay connected.


Dr. Sam Gandy is director of the Mount Sinai Center for Cognitive Health and NFL Neurological Care in New York City. He said, “I tend to believe these findings are correct.”


Many studies have shown that being mentally and physically active affects keeping the mind sharp, he noted.


“Physical activity, mental stimulation and social engagement are popping up in these studies left and right all around the world,” Gandy said.


Some patients in these studies may have the beginnings of mild cognitive impairment, which is an early stage of dementia, he said. But he is confident that this possibility is well known and researchers can take it into account.


The bottom line for Gandy is that keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol low and maintaining a healthy weight along with eating a healthy diet—and staying mentally and socially active—is the best recipe for delaying or preventing dementia.


Some studies have suggested that even people with dementia can benefit from a healthy lifestyle, he added.


Gandy thinks that for those with early signs of dementia, these interventions might have some value.


“But not for those with mid- to late-stage dementia or those who are bed-bound,” he said.


The report was published online recently in PLOS Medicine.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



A Tale of Two Cities: The Truth behind Grand Rapids Brewing in Muskegon

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ,

Jackie Huss
Lakeshore Museum Center

It sounds bizarre to many that a company named Grand Rapids Brewing Co. bottled its product in Muskegon. Hear the story behind it, a bubbly narrative, as uncovered by a man who traced the corporate history of those that once brewed our beer. The one-night Lakeshore Museum Center event “The Curious History of Grand Rapids Brewing in Muskegon” hosts West Michigan author Pat Evans and his research on the surprising history of Muskegon beer. The event coincides well with the museum’s latest exhibit “Cheers! A History of Brewing in Muskegon”.

“Our exhibit content manager, Aaron Mace, came across this book in research. The author now lives in Las Vegas, so it’s a rare opportunity to talk to him while he’s back in town,” said Lakeshore Museum Center Program Manager Jackie Huss. “It’s a little known fact that Grand Rapids Brewing Co. operated out of Muskegon, so it’s a great opportunity to learn more about Muskegon’s unique brewing history.”

Evans, author of Grand Rapids Beer: An Intoxicating History of River City Brewing was a reporter for The Grand Rapids Business Journal for five years. He also regularly contributed to Grand Rapids Magazine as a food and sports writer. His work as a corporate historian allows him to combine his passion for both history and hops to explain just how Grand Rapids Brewing Co. ended up in Muskegon.

Cheers! A history of brewing in Muskegon is currently running at the Lakeshore Museum Center through Aug. 8.



“Not a lot of history books cover beer. I think beer is often forgotten,” Evans said when the book was released in 2015. “I think people will be surprised that there’s that much of a beer history… to know that Grand Rapids Brewing Co. back then was bigger than Founders is now.”

This one-night event on Wednesday, March 18, at 5:30 p.m. is free to all Muskegon County Residents and $5 for non-residents via Eventbrite. Copies of Evan’s book will be available for purchase and signing. To learn more about this event, contact Jackie Huss at jackie@lakeshoremuseum.org​ ​or call 231-724-5526.

Weekend binge? Brace for week-long woes

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A devil-may-care diet on the weekends can wreak long-lasting havoc on your gut microbiome. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


Do you eat healthy during the week, then ease off the brakes on the weekend? You’re not alone.


But such a five days on-two days off eating regimen can erode diet quality, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.


Not only did participants take in more calories on weekends than on weekdays, they were less healthy calories, to boot.


They consumed more alcohol and fat, and ate less of the good stuff, like yogurt, fruits, dark green and orange vegetables, chicken, nuts and seeds, and whole grains.


And if the calories you consume on the weekend exceed the number you take in during the week, that’s a net surplus—read: weight gain.


Besides stalling any weight-loss efforts, weekend junk-food binges can also negatively impact the healthy bacteria in your gut.


A lab study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that cycling on and off junk food was almost as detrimental to the delicate balance of the gut microbiome as eating it all the time.


In particular, a junk-food diet reduces the microbes needed to metabolize flavonoids, a category of micronutrients thought to help with weight loss and brain health.


If you look forward to letting loose on the weekends, find other ways to unwind.


For instance, try a new activity—you’ll burn more calories and boost your weight-loss (or control) efforts.


If going out for a big brunch is your downfall, schedule a trip to the gym instead.


Weekends are also perfect for doing some healthy cooking. Make enough to have for brown-bag lunches so weekday eating is more satisfying.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




How to plan the move to assisted living

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Courtesy of Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Though the decision to move to assisted living may be bittersweet or difficult, making the process of moving easy and fun can help a new resident settle in more quickly and begin the enriching lifestyle that assisted living communities provide. Here is a rough timeline of how to plan the move to assisted living in the coming year. Let’s get started!

6+ Months ahead: 

Six months or more ahead of the move may seem like a long ways away, but it’s never too soon to start decluttering. Start sorting out keepsakes, allowing plenty of time and opportunities to talk about the memories associated with them. Friends and family may feel similarly attached to objects such as childhood artwork or trophies, so it’s great to get everyone involved in this first stage. Giving things full of memories to family is a great way to keep them around while decluttering. If you can, limit sorting to only about one to two hours per day, and keep things light and companionable.


In terms of logistics, gather up important or sensitive documents, and if necessary, go over them with trusted accountants, doctors, and other professionals to determine what needs to be kept.


It’s also time to begin searching for a real estate agent, if necessary. Gather a few options and go with the best fit for you.


Also, start planning creative meals with pantry and frozen food items. Who knows what you’ll come up with?

3 Months ahead: 

Contact your assisted living community and obtain a floor plan for you or your loved one’s future apartment. Start planning what goes where, and don’t be afraid of downsizing. Make lists! Are you giving furniture to friends and family, and if so, who gets what? What are essential medications and toiletries that need to get to the apartment? Start decluttering in earnest, and research moving companies if finances allow.

2 Months ahead: 

Visit the assisted living community and start getting familiar with their facilities. Making a new home is daunting, but the more comfortable you are with the space before you move, the better. Plan a garage sale and start donating any furniture, decorations, clothing, or other items. It’s also important to make plans for any pets – can they come with you, or do they need another home?

1 Month ahead: 

Buy packing materials, such as boxes, tape, and labels, and start packing non-essential items slowly. Be sure to label everything clearly to make unpacking simple. Start donating frozen and canned foods to local food pantries.


This is also a great point to notify the post office, utilities, banks, credit cards, and others about you or your loved one’s change of address. Make a list of everywhere your address needs to be changed and check it off as you go.

2 Weeks ahead: 

Get family and friends together for packing and cleaning. Leave no stone unturned! Coordinate plants and valuables, and consider leaving them in a trusted family member’s care so they don’t get neglected in the action.

1 Week ahead: 

Pack a day-of-the-move kit, including toiletries, clothes, and bedding. Check and double check rooms, and get rid of any remaining food in order to defrost the refrigerator.

Moving day: 

Work with your movers on fragile or special pieces, but most of all, stay relaxed. You’ve done all the legwork, so focus on you and your loved ones today.

After move-in: 

Arrange lots of visits with family, and make a goal to try out one new activity every day. Pretty soon, it’ll feel just like home!


Moving to assisted living in Michigan doesn’t have to be a hassle. By leaving yourself plenty of time and doing things little by little, your 2018 move will be just an exciting next step.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



East Grand Rapids’ free-throw shooting ends East Kentwood upset bid in girls District Championship battle

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The 2019-20 East Kentwood High School girls basketball team. (East Kentwood Falcons)

By Mike Moll, WKTV Sport Director
sports@wktv.org

The East Grand Rapids Pioneers were crowned Division 1 District 10 champions Friday, March 6, after defeating the East Kentwood Falcons for a second time this season, 56-53, at Caledonia High School.

It was a game where the Falcons had visions of bringing the championship trophy back to East Kentwood until they committed three consecutive turnovers inside the last two minutes of the game and East Grand Rapids displayed amazing free throw shooting throughout the game.

East Kentwood finishes the year at 19-4 while East Grand Rapids moves to 21-1 and advances to the Division 1 Regionals at West Ottawa to meet 21-2 Muskegon Reeths-Puffer Tuesday, March 10.

The game started off basket-for-basket until the Pioneers ran off 12 of the final 14 points in the first quarter to take a 16-6 lead. East Grand Rapids was led by Jillian Brown with 5 points in the quarter, while East Kentwood had three scorers with two each, Raven Jemison, Kaybriana Hallman, and Madisyn Tillman.

The theme of the night was turnovers right from the first quarter as the Falcons committed seven compared to just two by the Pioneers.

The second quarter had the Falcons getting their offense rolling as they scored 15 points in the quarter, led by Alexis McCully with four including a triple and a free throw along with a three by Deyonce Thompson. Even with that production, the closest they could cut the deficit to was eight as EGR countered with 13 of their own, led again by Brown with six to maintain the lead at the break, 29-21. Just as in the first quarter, the difference was East Grand Rapids capitalizing on four turnovers compared to just another two of their own.

The Falcons were much more aggressive on both ends of the floor after the break and were able to take advantage as the Pioneers more than doubled their turnover total of the first half in just the third quarter with 5. McCully was the main force as she totaled seven points in the stanza but had support as Hallman and Tillman each had four, cutting the lead to just a pair entering the final quarter 40-38. EGR’s sophomore Alli Carlson was responsible for the difference as she had five points.

The final quarter had two ties and two lead changes, as the Falcons were able to go on a 10-1 run to go from down three to what seemed like a huge lead inside the 2-minute mark, 50-44, as they held the Pioneers to no field goals over a 4-minute window. East Kentwood was led by junior McCully with nine points in the final quarter, but after back to back turnovers by EK, and Jillian Brown converting two free throws and a three by her freshman sister Macy Brown, the lead was cut to just one with 1:27 left.

The turnover issues continued for East Kentwood on a third consecutive trip on offense and after a foul on the defensive end, Jillian Brown made two more free throws to give the lead back to EGR with under a minute to play. That was a lead they would not relinquish as the Falcons could only counter with three free throws over the last minute to fall short in the end compared to near perfect free throw shooting for EGR.

The turnover war was the final enemy in that quarter as EK committed seven compared to just two for EGR.

On the night, the Falcons were led by McCully with 20 points, Jemison with nine, Hallman and Tillman with eight each. EGR only had five field goals in the entire second half but countered that low number by making 14-of-17 free throws in the half, including 10-of-12 for Jillian Brown alone, and Carlson was 3-of-4 in the fourth quarter. As a team, East Grand Rapids was 16-of-19 for the game. They were led by Jillian Brown with 21 points, Carlson 16, and Macy Brown with 10.

Snapshots: Three ‘scenes’ to check out this weekend, next week

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Harry doesn’t mind, if he doesn’t, make the scene. He’s got a daytime job, he’s doing alright.”

Dire Straits, “Sultans of Swing”
Kids of all ages and butterflies mix at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. (WKTV)

The spring butterfly scene

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition — reportedly the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation — is bringing more than 7,000 tropical butterflies to West Michigan. Go here for the story.

Laurie Sears. (Courtesy of the artist)

The jazz club scene

The Listening Room’s jazz series featuring the Robin Connell Trio with guests will continue Saturday, March 7, with singer Mary Rademacher and saxophonist Laurie Sears as guest performers. Go here for the story.

One local resident enjoys his food at a past year’s Taste of Kentwood event.

The foodie scene

The City of Kentwood invites residents and all West Michiganders of all ages to a celebration of food, fun and local business at a community-celebration event, Taste of Kentwood, on Thursday, March 12. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

Who ‘d foodie?

Some say the word “foodie” originated with the “The Official Foodie Handbook” by Ann Barr and Paul Levy, an 1984 British volume that made merciless fun of the food-obsessed. Source.

Adventures in Michigan: Crystal Mountain set for snow, sun, fun throughout March

Citizen Journalism,

By West Michigan Tourist Association

Crystal Mountain is tapping into spring excitement with four themed weekends during the month of March, all of which feature live outdoor entertainment and fun on-hill competitions and lift ticket discounts for those in costume.

As backyards begin to show signs of spring in March, it’s traditionally a much different story “Up North” as a 50-inch packed snow base holds strong for skiing and snowboarding at Crystal Mountain. The resort plans to soak up the sun and bluebird skies, making the most of winter’s last blast with a month-long celebration featuring bands, food and drink right at the base of the slopes.

“We make the most of winter every March,” John Melcher, chief operating officer, said. “There will be lots of activities for guests of all ages, outside and inside. It will be a great time to come out and enjoy Crystal Mountain and make the most of the rest of winter.”

Here’s a list of some of what’s in store for March at the Mountain:

Mardi Gras on the Mountain, March 6-7

“Let the good times roll!” on Crystal Mountain. Mask making, costume contests, slopeside deejay, a Mardi Gras cookout with BBQ and seafood boil, beads for the entire family and more highlight the first weekend of March at the Mountain.

Spring Carnival, March 13-14

The weekend kicks off with the Cardboard Classic and Slush Cup. Enjoy the slopeside deejay and cookout and stay for the after-party in the Vista Lounge with music from Skarcasm.

Celts and Kayaks, March 21

St. Patrick’s Day weekend features plenty of Irish fare, Celtic dancers, family fun activities like the Shamrock Search with the popular on hill Kayak race and second round of the Slush Cup. Look for Leprechauns! Stay afterward for the free slopeside concert featuring the band Typo.

Retro Day, March 28

Take on Thor’s Challenge and race straight up Thor, or join our Rubik’s Cube contest. There will be lots of retro activities and a free concert featuring the band Risqué.

Spring Break = Free Skiing, March 22 to April 4

Stay, play and relax with free skiing and activities for the whole family. At Crystal Mountain, stay with us March 22 through April 4 in hotel-style accommodations, with room rates starting at $129 per night. Stay at least two nights and get free skiing.

For more information about March on the Mountain, visit www.crystalmountain.com/event/march-at-the-mountain/

6 weight loss tips to FIT into your schedule

Citizen Journalism
Walking is free

By Dr. Abha Varma, Adult Medicine Physician at Heart of the City Health Center Adult Medicine


Your doctor tells you to lose weight. And you already know this, but it isn’t easy. The following statements may seem obvious, but they can work for you if you commit to a few:

IF YOU DON’T BUY IT, YOU CAN’T EAT IT

Well, duh. But it’s true. If it is not available in your pantry or your fridge, you cannot drink the soda, eat the bag of chips, or indulge in a dish of ice cream.

STAY IN YOUR LANE

Avoid the interior of the grocery store where the cookies and two liters live. Stay on the perimeter or outer circle where the milk, eggs, produce and healthy meats are. There isn’t frozen pizza on the outer sections. You have to walk the distance to arrive at those salty late-night snack attack boxes, so stay on the outer lane and eat to your health.

WALKING IS FREE

Do not long for that gym membership and put off the exercise when the ground beneath you is free and available. When it’s nice out, you should have tennis shoes and socks on and enjoy that walk through the neighborhood. I tell my patients to take advantage of the sidewalks, downtown attractions and bridges along Grand River by going for a cleansing walk after our downtown visits. No excuses — walking is free!

COUNT YOUR STEPS

10,000 steps a day takes a pound of fat off each week. Check your smart phone and clock your steps. Each 2,200 steps is a mile. Don’t stop after one, keep going, take an hour. For all the hours we spend on our back sleeping (7-9 hours) and sitting (another 4-8 hours), we most definitely have an hour to spend walking for our health.

TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR BEST YOU

Find your best you and achieve that. Celebrate with a photograph of your goal or your best self in your wallet or on your desk. Know that your goals are achievable as long as you make your health a priority. Don’t long for what was, work for what still can be.

YES, YOU CAN!

Find a verse in your text of choice, or affirmations on success.com and keep the positive words flowing.

  • “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu
  • “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” – Florence Nightingale
  • “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Say it, believe it, live it.


Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.


Yoga over 60: It’s not too late to get started

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Starting yoga at or after 60 is extremely beneficial to your joints, muscles, bones and for your flexibility. It also allows you to stay mentally fit even as you experience changes in your body. Instead of focusing on what you do, start by focusing on how you do it. Some poses may require you to use a chair or extra mats for comfort. Prioritize your well-being at all times; get an instructor or studio with experience working with yogis over 60 to help you get started. Speak to your doctor in advance if you have pre-existing condition that may affect your flexibility.


Some of the poses to help you get started with yoga at 60 started include:

Tree pose

The tree pose helps you with your balance.

  • Place your feet together firmly on the ground
  • Slightly lift one leg, with the toes touching the ground and the heel touching the inner part of your ankle. Hold it for up to 30 seconds if possible and repeat with the other leg.

As your balance improves, move your raised foot upward; the goal is to try and get the leg to rest above your knee.

Warrior II

Warrior II is a standing pose that strengthens your lower body, stretches the hip area and improves your bone density.

  • Place your feet firmly on the ground at hip-distance, and your arms resting on your side.
  • Turn right and move your right foot up to 4-feet wide at a 90-degree angle.
  • Take a deep breath, lift your arms to shoulder height, and exhale. As you exhale, lower your right leg, allowing the thigh to stay parallel with the floor and your lift leg straight. Try to hold it for up to 30 seconds and focus your energy on your breathing.
  • Release slowly and repeat with the other leg.

Bridge

The bridge pose is an excellent choice for your hips and lower back, especially if you spent many years working at a desk or if you have not stayed active over the years.

  • Lie flat on your back, allowing your feet to rest flat on the floor, keep them apart at hip distance under the knees with your arms resting straight on your side.
  • Feel the floor, breath in and press your hands to the floor.
  • As you exhale, squeeze your ab muscles, lift your pelvis and spine off the ground and try to get them into the bridge position. Try to hold it for up to 30 seconds, and release slowly starting with the shoulders until you are lying flat on the floor again, with a towel or a blanket under your shoulders for extra support.

Yoga improves lives; it reduces anxiety, stress and depression, it lowers the risk of obesity, cancer, cardiac conditions and diabetes, improves performance and makes you feel good. Start slowly with simple poses and advance gradually to stretch your body further and hold poses longer. You will also enjoy the reflective activities that allow you to focus your energy inwards.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



South Christian opens girls basketball district play with win over Grand River Prep

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
South Christian High School girls basketball, game preview graphic. (From South Christian Facebook page)

By Mike Moll, WKTV Sports Director
sports@wktv.org

The Michigan High School Athletic Association tipped off March Madness girls-style Monday, as district play opened throughout the state. A pair of WKTV’s local teams met at South Christian where the Sailors entertained the Titans from Grand River Prep.


When the final buzzer was heard, the Sailors advanced to Wednesday night’s semi-final matchup after their 49-28 victory.


The game plan for the Titans was to get the ball low and they were able to do that multiple times early, but the shots were simply not falling for center Shaelyn Robinson nor guard Gabby Koon.

The first points were scored on a pair of free throws early in the game by Robinson and, after a tying basket and a made free throw by South Christian, the floor leader for Grand River Prep, senior Shaniah Jones, who would later leave the game with a shoulder injury, scored her only two points on the night to give Grand River Prep a 4–3 lead.

The Sailors then began their dominance and would continue it through the end of the third quarter as they would outscore the Titans 8-0 during the remainder of the first, 13-2 in the second to take a 24-6 lead at the break, and then 14-6 in the third quarter to have the game well in control, 38-12 heading into the final stanza.

Grand River Prep came to life in the final quarter from long distance as Abigail Rivera-Sosa, Jasmyn Koon, Kiara Walter, and Tiarra Weddle all connected to help the Titans outscore the Sailors 16-11 to close the game. Jasmyn Koon led the Titans with 6 points on the night as they had nine different scorers, but the Sailors had 11 players score, including fourth-quarter 3-pointers by both Taylor Newhof and Josie Vink.

The Sailors were consistent the entire game on both ends of the floor, between their rotation of players and how they scored when playing together by putting up between 11 and 14 points in each quarter.

Sophomore Sydney Vis was the game’s leading scorer with 11, all in the first three quarters, followed by Maria Schrotenboer with 8, and Kinsey Brinkert with 6.


Coach Josh Bouma’s Titans finish the season at 10-7, while Kim Legge’s Sailors improve to 11-10, and will face 7-13 West Michigan Aviation in the second game of Wednesday’s double header.


The other side of the district bracket will pit 13-8 Wayland, after their 56-40 win over 12-9 Hopkins on Monday, against O-K Silver champion Kelloggsville and their 16-4 record. The two winners will meet in the championship game Friday at 7 p.m., also at South Christian.

KLD Staff Picks: Celebrating Women’s History Month

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism,

Adult

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive

by Stephanie Land 

If you enjoy nonfiction books that are read like a story then you will love this book! Maid is an incredible story of how the author struggled to make ends meet but still managed to raise a child and get a degree. The author’s story sheds light on poverty, and the many hardships people have to overcome to provide for themselves or their families.

– Hollie at Wyoming


The Dutch House

by Ann Patchett 

“Patchett tells an engrossing story of two siblings who grew up in the most beautiful house in town, a house that becomes almost a character in this novel about family, and how we often spend much of our lives trying to go back to figure out and make right our childhoods.”

– Penni at Cascade


Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights

by Dovey Johnson Roundtree 

Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights by Dovey Johnson Roundtree is the life story of a Black woman born in 1914 whose strength, drive, and ambition were truly awe-inspiring. She prevailed in spite of overt and covert racism to graduate from college, become one of the first female officers in the armed services, go to law school, and answer the call to become a minister.

– Susan at Plainfield

Children’s

You Loves Ewe!

by Cece Bell 

Oh my goodness! This book will win the hearts of elementary students and grammar police of any age. Hilarious twists on our weird English language make for a sweet and memorable story.

– Sara at Nelson Township/Sand Lake



Leyla

by Galia Bernstein

The book Leyla by Galia Bernstein is so sweet. Leyla, a young baboon runs from her large family and comes across a lizard who is busy doing nothing. The lizard teaches her how to seek out moments of peace during chaos. Leyla runs back to her family knowing that wherever she goes she can return to peace any time.

– Ashten at Wyoming

Auditions for Circle Theatre’s 2020 season set for this weekend

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Well it is finally here! Auditions for Circle Theatre’s 2020 Main Stage productions will be this Friday and Saturday. 

Area thespians have until Thursday, March 5, by noon to sign up to audition for any of the five Main Stage productions which include “Disaster!,” May 7 -23; “Moon Over Buffalo,” June 4 – 20; “Always…Patsy Cline,” July 16 – Aug. 1;  “Noises Off,” Aug. 13 – 29; “Hair,” Sept. 10 – 26; and the Magic Circle production “Goldilocks and the Three Pigs,” June 29 – July 1.

On person who is definitely interested in the upcoming auditions is Mike Hull, director of Circle Theatre’s first production, the musical “Disaster!.” Hull and Circle Theatre’s Market and Outreach Specialist Ashlee McGreevy recently visited the WKTV’s “Locally Entertaining” podcast to talk about Circle Theatre’s 68th season which is set to open in June and run through September.

McGreevy said it is an action pack four-months as the theater company hosts the five Main Stage productions, the Magic Circle Theatre show and its popular Concert Series, which will host auditions on March 13 and 14. 

“There really is something for everyone,”McGreevy said, adding that for those who are not interested in being on stage but want to be part of the theater, there are a number of volunteer opportunities including ushering and backstage.

Audition Info

For the Main Stage Musicals (”Disaster!,” “Always…Patsy Cline,” “and “Hair”), all auditions are at one time, in the same room. This means that when auditioning for a musical. attendees will be auditioning for all the musicals at once. Even if they’re only audition for one show, they’ll be auditioning in front of al of the directors of all of the musicals. 

Those who are auditioning should be prepared with 16-32 bars of a prepared song along with sheet music. An accompanist is provided, so singing a cappella or with a music track is not allowed. Those auditioning should note that they may be cut off early while singing if the production team(s) have seen what they needed.

For the Main Stage Plays (“Moon Over Buffalo”  and “Nosies Off”) and Magic Circle (“Goldilocks and the Three Bears”), those auditioning will be asked to read from the script of the show for which they are auditioning and should note that no prepared monologues are necessary. Al plays audition during the same weekend, however; they do audition separately in different rooms. 

If an attendee is auditioning for more than one play, they should sign up for each play and allow enough time to attend each audition. It also helps to let the stage manager or director of each show know that you are auditioning for other shows.

Concert Serie Auditions

Next weekend, March 13 and 14, Circle Theatre will be auditing for its concert series. So even if attendees are auditioning for one show, they will be auditioning for all of the Directors of the concerts. Those auditioning for a concert you will be required to bring two contrasting pieces of music, with 16-32 bars of each, along with sheet music. An accompanist is provided, so singing a cappella or with a music track is not allowed. Those who play an instrument are permitted to accompany themselves. The deadline to sign up for the concert series auditions is Wednesday, March 12.

For more information about auditioning, visit the Circle Theatre website, circletheathre.org. The auditions information is under the “Get Involved” tab. 

Photo of the Week: Big Red

Citizen Journalism

A chance trip to Holland (before the warm weather) allowed one reader the opportunity to catch Holland’s famous lighthouse, Big Red, surrounded by snow and ice. The broken concrete in front is what remains of the Holland State Park pathway which was damaged in a November 2019 storm.

Do you have a photo you would like to considered for photo of the week? Then email it to Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.

When your heart’s on fire

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, Senior Living, , ,
Find yourself in this aisle a bit too often? A doc shares info on when you should be alarmed. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Health Beat staff


The burning discomfort behind your breastbone that moves up toward your neck and throat. The bitter or sour taste of acid in the back of your throat.


Heartburn.


It’s caused when acid from the stomach flows backward, or refluxes, up into the esophagus, irritating the throat, vocal cords and entrance to the lungs.


For most, it’s a minor annoyance. But for some, it’s a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition that could lead to even more serious health problems.


How can you tell?

Give yourself an acid test

Here’s a simple self-test developed by a panel of experts from the American College of Gastroenterology:


1. Do you frequently have one or more of the following:

  • An uncomfortable feeling behind the breastbone that seems to be moving upward from the stomach?
  • A burning sensation in the back of your throat?
  • A bitter acid taste in your mouth?

2. Do you often experience these problems after meals?


3. Do you experience heartburn or acid indigestion two or more times per week?


4. Do you find that antacids only provide temporary relief from your symptoms?


5. Are you taking prescription medications to treat heartburn, but still having symptoms?


If you said yes to two or more of the above, you may have GERD. To know for sure, see your doctor or a gastroenterologist. In most cases, an endoscopy should be performed to evaluate the severity of GERD and identify the possible cause.

Don’t ignore your heartburn

Up to 20 percent of Americans suffer from typical symptoms of GERD, noted Praveen Sateesh, MD, a gastroenterologist with Spectrum Health Medical Group. These symptoms include:

  • Frequent heartburn (two or more times a week)
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Food sticking in the esophagus
  • Dry cough, hoarseness or sore throat
  • Regurgitation of food or sour liquid (acid reflux)
  • Sensation of a lump in the throat

While heartburn is the classic symptom, an estimated 65 percent of people with GERD experience atypical symptoms.


“These lesser-known symptoms are important to note because patients and their doctors may not associate them with reflux disease,” Dr. Sateesh said. “They therefore don’t pursue appropriate treatments.”


Atypical symptoms of GERD include:

  • Chronic cough
  • Persistent sore throat
  • Hoarse voice
  • Persistent postnasal drip
  • Chronic throat clearing
  • Choking
  • Dental erosion
  • Chest pain

Over time, Dr. Sateesh said, inflammation caused by GERD wears away the lining of your esophagus and can cause some serious complications:

  • Asthma, chronic cough and ear, nose and throat problems. These are known as extra-esophageal manifestations and the connection to GERD often goes unrecognized, even by health care providers.
  • Peptic stricture. This is a chronic acid injury and scarring of the lower esophagus. Patients often complain of food sticking in their throat, Dr. Sateesh said.
  • Barrett’s esophagus. This is a precancerous condition where the lining of the esophagus changes to resemble intestinal tissue. Once this happens, patients who initially experience heartburn won’t be able to feel the burning sensation any longer and incorrectly think the problem has gone away. Barrett’s is the No. 1 risk factor for developing esophageal cancer.
  • Esophageal cancer. This cancer is increasing at fast rate in the U.S. and results when GERD or Barrett’s is left untreated for many years.

To learn more about acid reflux and heartburn, including treatment tips, watch Dr. Sateesh on Fox 17 Morning Mix.



Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Open houses focus on building vision for Division Avenue corridor

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , ,
Last week, Rapid and City of Wyoming officials collected input on what residents and business owners would like to see along Division Avenue. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

As a YMCA community collaboration director Aly Rickman often talks to residents along Division Avenue about the importance of living healthier and having an active lifestyle by purchasing more fruits and vegetables and walking their community.

“Many times the residents say it’s too difficult because of the traffic and safety issues along Division,” Rickman said.

It was for that reason that Rickman along with several Division Avenue residents and business owners attended a series of Silver Line Transit Oriented Development Study open houses Thursday and Friday (Feb. 27 and 28) that took place at several Division Avenue business such as Wei Wei Palace, New Beginnings, Brann’s Steakhouse, and Supermercado Mexico.

Javier Olvera, President and Co-Owner of Olvera Enterprises, which owns Supermercado Mexico, looks over a survey about Division Avenue. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

“I think it is very important to get the community together to talk about what their vision is for Division,” sad Javier Olvera, President and Co-Owner of Olvera Enterprises, which owns Supermercado Mexico. For Olvera, he said he would love to see more green space with trees and plants along Division Avenue to help make the area a more welcoming place.

Getting input from the people who live and work along Division Avenue is an important element to the study, said Bill Kirk, a business affairs specialist for The Rapid. When the Silver Line was launched in 2014, it was looked at as a catalyst for potential economic ground development leading into the downtown area. The line runs along Division Avenue from 60th Street in Cutlerville to the Medical Mile/Grand Rapids Community College loop. 

“The economic investment did not come,” Kirk said, adding that the Silver Line concept, which was the first Bus Rapid Transit system in the state of Michigan, was taken from other cities, such a Cleveland, which had seen economic growth along its Bus Rapid Transit system. 

A Federal Transportation Administration grant of about $900,000 along with $25,000 contributions each from the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming, all of which have parts of Division Avenue within their boundaries, are being used to fund a study to find ways to improve affordable housing options, businesses opportunities, and neighborhood conditions in the corridor without losing much of the diversity that is part of Division Avenue, Kirk said. 

The study is utilizing two major components: data on land usage and codes and input from residents and business leaders on what they would like to see along the Division Avenue corridor. The Feb. 27 and 28 meetings were the start of the community conversations, Kirk said.

Community members and officials sit on a Rapid bus in the Supermercado Mexico parking lot discussing the vision for Division Avenue. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Those who came to the open house had the opportunity to take a South Division Corridor Identity Survey to help determine how residents view the corridor. They also could make a Design Workshop Survey which asked a series of questions on what people would like to see along the corridor. 

“It made sense to start looking along the corridor because each of the three cities, Grand Rapids, Wyoming and Kentwood, were in various stages of reviewing their master plans,” said City of Wyoming City Planner Nicole Hofert. “The City of Kentwood is wrapping up theirs, the City of Grand Rapids has its Southtown plan and us, the City of Wyoming, is working on our master plan.”

Hofert said the City of Wyoming has not addressed the Division corridor in its master plan because of the Silver Line study and that the city will most likely adopt what comes from that study. Grand Rapids also has not included it in its Southtown Corridor Improvement District plan.

To give the community an idea of what some of those improvements could be, the Oklahoma City-based private urban consultants company Team Better Block will be staging a couple of “pop ups” or temporary use of space.

A community member looks over a map of Division Avenue. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

“This could be a pop up shop, a pop up bike trail, a painted bike lane,” said Daniel Sperle, the Division Avenue project manager for Team Better Block. “It will be a test of what the community would like to see and how it would look within the environment.”

Kirk said the team hopes to wrap up the study by the end of the year. For now, the goal is to get as much input from area residents to help complete the study, he said.

Those interested in taking the survey for the Silver Line Transit Oriented Development Study or keep updated on the progress of the study can visit the website silverlinetod.org. 

Senior volunteers: 7 ways to get involved in the community

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, Volunteers
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


After retirement, you may find that you have a lot of extra time on your hands that you don’t know exactly what to do with. While having different hobbies and finding social activities can help fill the time, another thing to consider could be volunteering some of your time within your local community.


Senior volunteers are especially great for charitable programs and other organizations because your free time is more flexible than that of many other volunteers. Being able to make a difference no matter what your age is has benefits both for you and for your community. Here are some reasons why you should get involved and some different areas you can volunteer in.

Why is it important to get involved?

There are many societal and moral benefits to volunteering your time which we are all well aware of. However, there are other benefits of volunteer work that can have a  more direct impact on your life and your health.

Volunteering is good for your cognitive health

By being engaged through activities like volunteering, you can lower your risks of memory health issues like dementia. Staying active and keeping your mind busy in healthy ways can significantly decrease your chances of getting memory diseases like dementia or Alzhiemers as you continue to age.

Volunteering prevents senior depression

Senior depression and isolation is a very serious condition that can lead to a degradation of both your mental health and your general physical state. Meeting new people and remaining active in your community can help you avoid feelings of loneliness and isolation that often arise after retirement.

Volunteering encourages physical activity

It can be hard to stay physically active as a senior, but volunteering is a great way to get in some more activity and movement than you might normally get in a day. From walking as you clean up litter, to helping cook food at a soup kitchen, to playing games with kids, there are plenty of opportunities for healthy activities while volunteering.

1. Food drives and soup kitchens

One of the simplest ways to help out in your community as a senior volunteer is helping feed the hungry through food banks, soup kitchens, food drives, and organizations like Meals on Wheels. These kinds of volunteer opportunities have a major impact on those in need.

2. Helping other seniors

Senior volunteers are able to understand other seniors better than younger volunteers, so there are plenty of opportunities to help seniors with dementia and memory care, socialization, and caregiving through programs like Seniors Helping Seniors.

3. Tutoring and teaching

You don’t need to have been a teacher to be able to help kids and younger people learn. Most people looking for tutoring just need someone who is willing to go at their pace and clearly explain, which senior volunteers can provide. Local schools and after-school care programs are often looking for volunteers to help with tutoring.

4. Work with youth and younger generations

Teaching isn’t the only way you can help younger generations. There are many programs where you can work with youths like Foster Grandparents. Foster Grandparents provides role models and mentors for children across America who need help with reading, who have been abused or neglected, or who have disabilities, among other things.

5. Help with animals and animal organizations

Volunteering with animal shelters or local animal rights groups can bring your love for animals into your retirement years. Shelters are always looking for people to help take care of animals and make sure all these lovable creatures get the attention they deserve.

6. Volunteer with your past career

You can use the skills you gained in your previous career in your volunteering efforts. There are plenty of people who would benefit from your expertise in areas like:

7. Clean up the environment

Another big area that is in need of senior volunteers is the environment. Cleaning up litter from parks and streets in your community can make a difference not only on the environment, but in the appearance of your local community, as you are able to see the direct impact of your volunteer work.

Find a cause that matters to you

While these are some of the most popular volunteering opportunities for seniors, there are plenty of other causes that need the help of senior volunteers. Finding a cause that is important to you helps you maintain your dedication, as the motivation behind your volunteer work strongly resonates with you.


Doing some research into your favorite causes and letting that inform which organizations or programs you reach out to can help ensure that your volunteer work is going to the people you are most proud to volunteer with. Your assistance is invaluable to many different groups, and both you and your community will benefit from your volunteer work, no matter where you focus your efforts.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



9 in 10 lose sleep to binges

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, , ,
Americans rank sleep as a top priority—but they still lose out amid binges on TV, video games and other diversions. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Nearly nine in 10 American adults lose sleep to binge watch TV, a new survey finds.


The more than 2,000 U.S. adults who took part in the American Academy of Sleep Medicine poll in September ranked sleep as their second-highest priority, with family being first.


But despite considering sleep important, 88% said they’d stayed up late to watch multiple episodes of a TV show or streaming series.


The rate was highest (95%) among 18- to 44-year-olds. Many also delay bedtime to play video games, read and watch sports, the survey revealed.


“It’s encouraging that Americans rank sleep as one of their highest priorities, but choosing to binge on entertainment at night instead of sleeping has serious ramifications,” AASM president Dr. Kelly Carden said in an academy news release.


Younger adults (aged 18 to 34) were more likely than those 35 and older to have stayed up late to play video games (72% versus 38%), and men were more likely to do so than women (59% versus 42%).


Two-thirds of respondents said they’d lost sleep to read. Women were more likely to do so than men (71% versus 61%), the survey found.


Nearly 60% of adults lost sleep to watch sports, including 75% of men and 45% of women. Adults between 25 and 54 years of age were more likely than those in other age groups to have stayed up late for overtime or extra innings (54% versus 51%).


That lost shut-eye can have serious consequences, Carden said.


“Sleep is essential to health, well-being and safety—and chronic insufficient sleep can lead to an increased risk of health problems, mood disorders and motor vehicle accidents,” she pointed out.


Losing sleep due to streaming, reading or playing video games can also lead to negative feelings. For example, 24% of respondents admitted feeling frustrated after delaying their bedtimes.


Feeling bad was most common for those in Generation Z (born in 1997 or later), who said that staying up late caused frustration (32%), worry (23%) and guilt (19%).


Such feelings can make it harder to drift off, especially if a person tries to make up for the lost sleep, according to the AASM.


The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points and a confidence level of 95%.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Grand Rapids Public Museum opens new ‘Toys that Move’ display this weekend

Citizen Journalism, Local Entertainment,
Vintage Fischer Price Kitty Bell Toy (Supplied)

By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that a new display will open on Saturday, Feb. 29 highlighting its newly acquired collection of toys that move. This display, located just outside the popular TOYS! special exhibition, features the magic of motion in toys.

From the ancient Chinese and Greek automatons to the clockwork marvels of the Renaissance, inventors have always searched for ways to make their creations change and move. In modern times, many German and Japanese companies specialized in making a huge variety of affordable wind-up toys. In the twentieth century, the American firm Fisher-Price became well known for its high quality wooden, and eventually plastic, pull toys, many of which are seen in this new display.

The toys featured in this collection are new to the GRPM’s permanent Collection that contains over 250,000 artifacts and specimens.They come from collector Beth Schwartz, who began toy collecting in the early 1990s when she was traveling the country as an actress/singer working in touring Broadway shows. She loved searching out new pieces for her collection, especially Fisher-Price pull toys and antique wind-ups. 

1960s Roly Poly Chime Ball (Supplied)

“We are so grateful to the family of Beth Schwartz for donating her amazing toy collection to the Museum. Although Beth passed away in 2011, her collection will continue to delight and inspire children of all ages who visit,” said Alex Forist, the GRPM’s Chief Curator.

‘Toys that Move’ is on display on the second floor of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and will be part of the general admission experience. The exhibit is presented in both English and Spanish. 

A little theatre, a little art, and a big music announcement

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment
Blues on the Mall returns to Grand Rapids.

MUSIC

Blues on the Mall returns to Downtown GR


Local Spins announced earlier this week that WLAV 996.9 FM will be bringing the popular Blues not he Mall series back to downtown Grand Rapids. The series, which will be on June 17, July 15, and Aug. 12, will feature two national headliners and a local opening act at Rosa Parks Circle. For more, visit the Local Spins website by clicking here.

Dawn Okora, “Roshi,” Mixed Media, 2018

ART

Ground breaking exhibit at UICA 

This past weekend, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art opened a new Black-History month related exhibit “A Beautiful Struggle: Black Feminist Futurism.”

The exhibit, supported by a $40,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant, is an interdisciplinary contemporary art exhibition that explores the integration of Black feminist and Afrofuturist ideas.

According the UICA website, Afrofuturisum is a creative and cultural genre that examines perspectives of the African diaspora based in a communal reimagining of theist — as well as envisioned futures — while considering themes of identity, escapism, magical realism, and technology. Black feminism focuses on the perspective of those who are both Black and female.

According to UICA, the relevancy of exploring visual representations of Afrofuturism from a Black feminist perspective rests in the understanding of the necessity to lay aside the historically exclusive nature of both Black nationalism and feminism; instead, promoting the intersectionality of Black womanhood.

 

The exhibit will be up through June 14. UICA is located at 2 W Fulton St. , downtown Grand Raids. For more information, visit the UICA website.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is playing at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. (Joan Marcus 2017 / HANDOUT)

THEATRE

Two Roald Dahl stories come to Grand Rapids

This weekend, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre will open “Matilda, the Musical,” the tale of an extraordinary girl who uses her intellect and fantastical ability to change the course of her own destiny. The show, which is recommended for ages 8 and up due to some mature material and mild language, runs Feb. 28 to March 22. For more, visit the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s website.

Join Charlie Bucket, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, and Violet Beauregarde as they get the chance of a lifetime to visit the famous chocolatier Willy Wonka and tour his  chocolate factory in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” March 10- 15. Presented by Broadway Grand Rapids, perhaps the most famous Dahl story will be featured on the DeVos Performance Hall and includes many of the movie’s favorite tunes such as “The Candy Man” and “Pure imagination.” For more information, visit the Broadway Grand Rapids website. 

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , ,

Every new experience is unusual. The rest of life is just sleep and committee meetings.

Author John Twelve Hawks


By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Honoring the Men in Blue

On Feb. 20, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety recognized several of its officers for the work they did in 2019. The 2019 Officer of the Year is Officer Marcus Donker and 2019 Civilian of the Year is Forensic Science Unit Technician Todd Masula. Congratulations to all the officers in both the police and fire departments. For a complete list of who was honored, click here.

Look Who’s Turning 70

City of Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23, named after 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma, is hosting a party to mark its 70th anniversary. The event is set to take place at 4 p.m. at the Post, located at 98 52nd St. SE. A meal will follow prepared by the Blue Star Mothers and is $7 per plate. To learn more about the post or who 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybsema was, click here.


Looking Ahead to August

The City of Kentwood announced this week that it would seek a millage of 0.9 mills on the August ballot. The millage would be for a period of 10 years, which would then be reduced to a perpetual millage of 0.65 mills. The tiered millage would be dedicated solely to construct, operate, maintain and acquire parks, trails and recreation improvements and programs. For more about the millage and how it would be used, click here.

Fun Fact: 48222

If you want to send mail to the those operating the boats on Lake Michigan then the zip code you’ll need is 48222. That is the zip code to the J.W. Westcott II, the only floating post office in the United States. Operating out of Detroit for more than 125 years, the J.W. Westcott delivers mail to the freighters that cross the Great Lakes. It service was so important that after sinking in 2001, it was salvage, refurnished and operates today. The J.W. Westcott, so named after the man who founded the company, has a contract with the postal service through 2021.

Want a fitter ticker? Drop the clicker

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living,
Want to live a long life? Consider breaking up your TV. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By American Heart Association, HealthDay


People who watch less TV and are physically active live more years free of heart disease, according to a new study.


Past research has shown people who are highly physically active tend to live more years free of cardiovascular disease.


But researchers of a study published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association wanted to look specifically at how TV viewing habits fit into the equation.


Using data from 13,534 people ages 45 to 64, investigators studied three factors—how much TV people generally watched, how often they were physically active in their leisure time and how long they lived without having a stroke, heart failure or coronary heart disease.


After an average of 27 years, people who were highly active and watched little or no TV lived about two and a half years longer free of stroke, heart failure and coronary heart disease than those who often watched TV and weren’t active.


TV watching impacted health regardless of physical activity, the study found.


Those who seldom watched or never watched TV lived about a year longer free of each type of cardiovascular disease than those who often watched TV.


“This study suggests that engaging in any physical activity and viewing less TV could help you live more years free of (cardiovascular) disease,” said Carmen Cuthbertson, the study’s lead author.


“Because there’s such a large cardiovascular disease burden in the U.S., we wanted to focus on how to extend the years you live in health,” said Cuthbertson, a postdoctoral fellow in the epidemiology department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.


The study was limited, she said, by the fact that participants were asked only about “leisure time” activity and not about household chores or physical activity during work or commuting.


She said she’d like future studies to incorporate wearable devices to track physical activity and sedentary time.


Bethany Barone Gibbs, a professor of health and physical activity at the University of Pittsburgh who was not involved in the study, applauded the research for focusing not on death, but on how people can live longer lives free of cardiovascular diseases.


While the results don’t prove frequent TV watching causes heart disease, she said, its findings help clarify how physical inactivity affects health.


“Studies have shown that people who sit for hours at a time develop various vascular dysfunctions—blood begins pooling in the legs and circulation gets worse, especially in the extremities, which we think causes vascular damage that can lead to the long-term development of heart disease,” said Gibbs, vice chair of the American Heart Association’s Physical Activity Committee.


“TV watching is just one domain of sedentary behavior, but it’s also a really modifiable behavior,” she said.


The study began in the late 1980s before smartphones and the internet impacted how long people sit in front of screens, Gibbs said. She called for new in-depth research into how cardiovascular health is affected by overall sitting time as well as binge-watching TV.


“Now, we can sit back and not even have to lift a finger to watch the next show on Netflix,” she said. “I think television-watching is becoming an even more important target when it comes to behavior change and reducing our risk of cardiovascular disease.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




KDL Staff Picks: A Journey of Self Discovery

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

Adult

How Not to Die Alone
By Richard Roper

“How Not to Die Alone” by Richard Roper is a darkly comic story of Andrew whose job is to explore the homes of people discovered to have died alone. He is looking for their family and other things of value in their tragically empty lives, an emptiness echoed in his own life. Andrew must decide whether he can face his past and expose the truth of his life to himself and the other people in it, all while maintaining a witty British stiff upper lip.


– Penni at Cascade

A Dream About Lightning Bugs
By Ben Folds

This month I read “A Dream About Lightning Bugs” by Ben Folds. It’s a great read for creative types as it explores the art-making process that any art maker can appreciate and learn from. It’s fun, insightful, and interesting, especially for people who loves Ben Folds music.


– Jenny at Kentwood

High Fidelity
By Nick Hornby

My pick for this month is “High Fidelity” by Nick Hornby. My one line: “Dive into record shop owner Rob’s brain as he comes to understand why it’s ‘what you’re like’ and not ‘what you like’ that matters in life. (And no, I don’t always plug headphones into the books I’m reading.)


– David at the KDL Service Center

Children’s

Because
By Mo Willems

I read the book “Because” by Mo Willems and Amber Ren. It’s such a sweet, simple story about how following your passion can inspire and change the course of someone else’s entire life.


– Ashten at Wyoming

You Are the Light
By Arron Becker

This board book is gorgeous. You’ll find a yellow sun with a halo of bright die-cut circles of all different colors. The author has a reflecting on all the things that are light, including ourselves.


– Ashten at Wyoming

For more KDL Staff Picks, visit the Kent District Library’s website, kdl.org, and click on the “Recommendations” tab on the left side.

Easy ways to prioritize nutrition

Citizen Journalism,

By Emily Armstrong
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

Nutrition is just one of those things…we KNOW how important it is to our overall health, but it is often one of the first priorities we let slide. Sometimes it is so much easier to grab a fast or convenient option than to take the time to prepare a well-balanced meal. According to the National Resource Center for Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Aging, 1 in 4 older Americans have poor nutrition. This occurs partially because as you age, your body’s needs change. Your metabolism tends to slow down, meaning you don’t need to consume as many calories, and your body requires more of certain nutrients than it did before; such as potassium, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, minerals, and dietary fiber, all things we can get from foods. Eating well reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. This means it is more important than ever to choose foods that give you the best nutritional value, here are just a few things you can do to implement healthy eating habits:

  • MyPlate. This national program offers several quick tips to help you make healthy options as you get older. 
    • First and foremost, drink plenty of liquids. As you age you may lose your sense of thirst, and it is important to stay hydrated.
    • Vary your vegetables. Vegetables are a good source of fiber, and they are low on calories, so be sure to include a variety of them in your diet.
    • Use herbs and spices. Sometimes foods can taste like they are losing their flavor as we age from loss of smell/taste or medications that can impact taste. Herbs and spices are a good way to liven up a dish without relying too heavily on salt.
    • Keep food safety in mind. As we get older we are more susceptible to food-borne illnesses, therefore ensure your food is stored properly and cooked thoroughly.
    • Find out more on http://www.choosemyplate.gov

  • Group Meals.Maybe you’re tired of cooking or no longer have the means to do so? Many senior centers offer group meals made up of healthy, well-rounded options for a small donation. If you are looking for information on where these group meals are held in your community, visit the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan’s Services Directory at https://www.aaawm.org/services. Another great option is to start a weekly potluck night with friends, that way you aren’t responsible for all of the items of the meal. You may find your mealtimes more enjoyable overall if you spend them socializing with others.

  • Home-delivered Meals. Home-delivered meals can also be a wonderful option. If you are homebound many organizations offer support through meal drop-offs. Your local Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan would be able to connect you to these resources, visit www.aaawm.org or call (616) 456-5664. If you would rather cook for yourself, there are many online meal kit delivery services that can be a fun option as well. They deliver all the fresh ingredients needed to make the meal along with detailed instructions.

  • Take a Cooking Class. Perhaps part of the problem is that you’ve just never felt confident while cooking. Many community centers offer cooking classes at an affordable rate. Here at the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, we offer classes taught by a registered dietitian through our Healthy Aging Program. You can learn more by visiting www.aaawm.org/haor call 616-456-5664.

Wyoming Department of Public Safety recognizes officers, firefighters during annual event

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,
2019 Civilian of the Year: Forensic Science Unit Technician Todd Masula (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It seems like it only takes a keystroke for a television forensic scientist to determine who left that fingerprint on the wall, but Wyoming Department of Public Safety Forensic Science Unit Technician Todd Masula knows better than that.

He has spent countless hours hours putting in latent prints, manually scanning each useable print and carefully marking as many small details with each print as he can find. The more details Masula’s can isolate, the greater the chance of making an identification. 

“The computer does not find the match for Todd, but instead gives him a list of candidates that most closely match the latent he entered,” said Wyoming Department of Public Safety Lt. Tim Pols. “This means Todd may have to look at 20 or more candidates for each latent print he enters into the system.”

The number of prints Masula looked at last year alone were in the thousands. In 2019, of the 600 latent prints Masula entered into the new Automated Fingerprint System, 348 were identified to an individual. According to Pols, in the previous three years combined, 550 latent prints were entered, resulting in 281 identifications. 

“It is hours of difficult, tedious, and often unnoticed work,” Pols said. “The latent work is in addition to the science work, photography, training and property management still required of Masula.”

It is this reason that the Wyoming Department of Pubic Safety group of civilian employees named Masula as the 2019 Civilian of the Year for the department.

Masula was recognized along with about 60 other Department officers, firefighters, and civilians during the annual Wyoming Department of Public Safety Employees Recognition Ceremony, which was held Feb. 20 at the Wyoming Senior Center. Pols, from police, and Lt. Chris Velzen, from fire, were the master of ceremonies.

Coming in during off hours to help prevent a suicide, returning a teenager safely to her home, noticing a suspicious car that leads to a drug arrest, or even spending countless hours logging latent prints are all part of the job for many of the officers, firefighters, and civilians who work for the department, said Chief Kim Koster.

 

2019 Officer of the Years: Officer Marcus Donker (Supplied)

“None of these officers seek out the accolades for doing any of this,” Koster said, adding this is a time for the department to recognize just what the team at the Wyoming Department of Public Safety does.

Once such officer is Officer Marcus Donker, who was recognized at the beginning of the hour-and-half event with the first two Individual Commendations for his work that lead to the recover of stolen vehicles. He also was recognized at the end of the program as the 2019 Officer of the Year.

“Since joining the Wyoming team, he has quietly earned a reputation as an outstanding police professional with a keen ability to catch criminals and a heart for serving his community,” Pols said during the ceremony.

Donker has been in law enforcement for 14 years coming from the Constantine Police Department three years ago to serve on the Wyoming Department of Public Safety. He has received praise and accolades across the board from his peers, Pols said.

The Unit Commendation went to Shift B Nights (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

A total of 12 awards were given out to about 60 officers, firefighters, and civilians. Those awards and recipients were:

Citation of Valor

Officer Phil Swiercz

Certificate of Merit 

Sgt. Cory Walendzik

Officer Erich Staman

Officer Lee Atkinson

Achievement Medal 

Officer Daniel Patterson

“Unit” Commendation

B Nights Shift

Sgt. Robert Meredith

Officer Aaron Gray

Officer Daniel Patterson

Officer Aaron Brooks

Officer Erich Staman

Officer Michael Nachtegall

Officer Chad Wells

Officer Andrew Koeller

Field training officers who were recognized included Officer Daniel Patterson, Officer Joshua Yancho, Office Antonio Hutchins, Officer Dwayne Holmberg, Firefighter Anthony Bennett, Firefighter Jason Hanlon, Firefighters Jesse May, and Firefighter Mike Updyke. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Life Saving Award

EO Tom Marsman

EO Steven Boetsma

Inspector Brad Dornbos

Firefighter Daniel Royce

Firefighter Brandon Travis

Lt. Brad Deppe

Firefighters Matt Frazee

EO Lacey Koens

LT. Christopher Velzen

EO Brian Ilbrink

Firefighter Zachary Jones 

Firefighter Daniel Rettig

Firefighter Jason Richardson

Firefighter Todd Yonkers

EO Daniel Deppe

Firefighter Jesse May

Firefighter Michele Kelly

Firefighter Matthew Young

Firefighter Jason Hanlon

Officer Ben Hecksel

Individual Commendation

Sgt. Ross Eagan

Officer Marcus Donker

Officer Daniel Patterson

Officer Daniel Sanderson

Officer Chad Wells

Officers Aaron Freeman

Officer Blair Shellenbarger

Officer Antonio Hutchins

Officer Lee Atkinson

Officer Joshua Yancho

Officer Christian Bomer

Officer Jacob Bylsma

Officer Brandon Knowling

Officer Ben Hecksel

2019 Chief’s Award of Professional Excellence: Officer Jennifer Eby (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Field Training Officer

Officer Daniel Patterson

Officer Joshua Yancho

Office Antonio Hutchins

Officer Dwayne Holmberg

Firefighter Anthony Bennett

Firefighter Jason Hanlon

Firefighter Jesse May

Firefighter Mike Updyke

Chief’s Award of Professional Excellence

Officer Jennifer Eby

Outstanding Police Administrative Service Award

Celia Rhodes

Citizen Commendation 

Robert Prelewitz 

Larisa McMartin

Are you a caregiver? Take care of yourself, too

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, , ,
Joining social groups and establishing their own support network is an essential component to a caregiver’s quality of life. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


If you’re a caregiver for a family member, you need to look after your own mental health to provide the best care for others, an expert says.


Caregivers are at increased risk for depression and anxiety.


Clinically significant symptoms of depression occur in 40%-70% of caregivers, and major depression occurs in 25%-50% of these caregivers, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance.


“Taking time to care for yourself is not selfish. In order to have the strength to care for a loved one, it is extremely important that caregivers take care of their own physical and mental health,” said Dr. Vassilios Latoussakis, a psychiatrist at Gracie Square Hospital, a psychiatric facility in New York City.


Latoussakis offered the following advice.


Pay attention to your stress levels, he said in a hospital news release. If you find yourself crying, losing your temper or having fantasies of rescue or flight, seek help.


Stress can affect your physical health, causing problems such as headaches, sleep issues, heart troubles, high blood pressure, and elevated fat and sugar levels.


If you’re feeling the effects of stress, make an appointment with your primary care provider, Latoussakis advised.


There are a number of ways to reduce stress, including regular physical activity, relaxation techniques such as breathing, yoga or mindfulness, making time to see friends and doing activities you enjoy.


It’s important to have a support network of people with whom you can talk, confide and gripe.


Another good idea is to join a support group of caregivers where you can share concerns, practical issues and problems, Latoussakis said.


More than 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult aged 50 or older in the past year, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Is assisted living covered by Medicare?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Senior Living,
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


When it comes to the costs associated with senior living options like an assisted living community, there are a lot of questions that family members ask themselves when finding a home for a loved one. Things may be on your mind like what are the costs associated with increased care needs, how much is the monthly room and board, and if luxuries are an additional charge. 


Finding senior loved ones the best senior living community depends on knowing the answers to all of these questions and more. When thinking about ways to help finance assisted living, another common question is if Medicare, or senior health insurance available to everyone over 65, will help pay for the costs of assisted living.

What is assisted living?

So what is assisted living? How is it different from other types of residential senior living communities, like a nursing home or a senior retirement community? The biggest difference between assisted living and other senior living options is that assisted living, as the name suggests, assists seniors who need help with activities of daily living, or ADLs, while still offering them plenty of independence. 


Nursing homes, which are also an example of a senior living community that offers care services for seniors, have very limited independence due to the high level of care that residents typically need. On the other hand, senior retirement communities are for retirees who do not yet need any help with ADLs. 


Assisted living is a perfect medium between the two. Assisted living offers residents plenty of independence in their lives and the ability to make their own decisions, while still providing care services and ADLs assistance for things like:

  • Medication management
  • Housekeeping and cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Meal preparation
  • Money management
  • Bathing and personal care
  • Appointment and schedule keeping
  • Standing up and other mobility needs

What Medicare covers

To make a long answer short, Medicare does not cover assisted living costs. Medicare, for the most part, does not pay for any type of long-term residential care, including nursing homes and assisted living communities, so if one of these is the best option for your loved one, you will need to find a different way to pay than through their Medicare plan. 


Medicare will sometimes pay for a short-term stay in a skilled nursing facility or for some home health care options, but senior living communities like assisted living are not included in Medicare plans. This can pose a problem for many elders, especially as the senior population often needs some sort of residential care community as they continue to age. 

Other payment options

While Medicare doesn’t help pay for assisted living, there are some other payment options that can give your loved one assistance in covering the costs of a senior living community.

Long-term care insurance

Most long-term care insurance policies will cover the expenses associated with senior living, including assisted living costs. While the popularity of the traditional version of these plans has decreased over time, there are new “hybrid” plans that might be a good investment for your loved one. 

Life insurance policies

Some life insurance policies will cover assisted living costs, but it varies from plan to plan. While most of us might think that life insurance is only paid out after a death, they can offer payouts to seniors still living if they meet the plan’s qualifications. 

Veterans benefits

Often times there are VA benefits that will help pay for assisted living or other residential care options if your loved one served the country. Check with your loved one’s local VA chapter for more information. 

Medicaid

If your loved one doesn’t have any savings, or had a low income while they were working, they might qualify for Medicaid, a government program made to help cover the costs of healthcare for those in dire financial circumstances. Medicaid coverage is determined state by state, so it may or may not help depending on where your loved one lives. 

Out-of-pocket

If your loved one has saved enough money throughout their life, they may be able to afford assisted living costs from their savings. Planning ahead is key for this payment method, and things like waiting lists, community “shopping”, and retirement income plans are important for your loved one. 


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



Gallstones—the post-pregnancy affliction

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, ,
Treatment for gallstones may come in the form of antibiotics or surgery. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Samantha Kauffman, Spectrum Health Beat


I recently heard about two patients who ended up in the hospital with gallstones just a short while after they gave birth to their babies.


They both ended up having their gallbladders removed.


Women who experience gallstones after their child is born will typically experience this within two to four months after delivery.


More than 25 million people suffer from gallstones, but women encounter this at a much greater rate than men—and that’s before pregnancy is factored in.


You are indeed more prone to gallstones when you’re pregnant.


Why? The extra estrogen in your body. Among its various effects, estrogen increases cholesterol.


Progesterone can also lead to gallstones. This hormone relaxes tissue, including within the gallbladder.

Battling blockages

About the size of a pear, the gallbladder is located below the liver.


Though you can live without it, the gallbladder does have its use.


The liver makes bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. When we eat food—especially high-fat food—bile is released from the gallbladder and sent to the intestines to aid in digestion.


In some cases, the bile crystalizes and forms gallstones. These can be as small as sand or as large as a golf ball.


Gallstones are usually composed of calcium bilirubinate, cholesterol and calcium carbonate.


It’s critical to understand that gallstones can cause a problem when they block ducts. They won’t allow the bile to leave, which can cause inflammation, or cholecystitis.


People may have gallstones and not even know it. Symptoms only tend to arise when the stones block or obstruct the body’s natural processes.


Symptoms include:

  • Upper abdomen pain, which can radiate to right shoulder and back
  • Steady pain after eating fatty meals
  • Abdominal pain lasting longer than five hours after eating
  • Fever or chills
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Yellowing of the eyes
  • Dark urine
  • Clay-colored bowel movements

In the past we’ve looked at a condition called cholestasis of pregnancy, which entails symptoms similar to those experienced by gallstones.


Testing for gallstones can involve an ultrasound, which helps doctors visualize what is happening. A blood test can also reveal signs of infection.


Doctors can use CT and MRI imaging to further uncover problems.


Antibiotics may be used if there are signs of infection, but doctors may turn to surgery to remove the gallstones or the gallbladder.

Promoting prevention

There are some steps you can take to help reduce the chances of developing gallstones.


First and foremost: Eat healthy and keep your weight under control. Yes, if you’re pregnant you will be gaining weight—you are growing a human being inside you. But excess weight isn’t helpful.


Other useful tips:

  • Limit bad fats and make sure you’re getting healthy fats, which are monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Eat a high-fiber diet and whole foods.
  • Eat healthy nuts.
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
  • Keep hydrated.
  • Keep fit with exercise.
  • If you have diabetes, keep watch on your numbers. Having diabetes puts you at a greater risk.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.