While limitations on in-person group experiences continue due to the pandemic, The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies knows there has been no break in the need for supporting veterans recovering from the sometimes hidden wounds of war.
So Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center and its partners, including the Kent County Veterans Services office, will go virtual this year as the Hidden Wounds of War Conference — this year with the conference theme of “Moral Injury” — will be held Thursday, May 6, and will be delivered online using Zoom.
“The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies hosts the Hidden Wounds of War Conference as a community service effort to build awareness and educate the community about treatments and resources available to our veterans,” Brent Holmes, acting director of the center, said to WKTV. “The Hidden Wounds of War Conference stems from a Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies event that has held in June 2008. Through the years, the Hauenstein Center has partnered with veteran organizations to be able to host this impactful conference.”
U.S. Marines with Task Force Southwest depart a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter prior to an advisory meeting with Afghan National Army soldiers at Camp Hanson, Afghanistan, June 13, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)
And one reason for a presidential studies center to be focused on support of war veterans? It is presidents who send them to war.
“We desire to be more effective in serving those who serve and have served our communities and nation,” Holmes said. “Veterans, first responders, families, and communities struggle with the aftereffects of this service. Too often suffered in silence, the psychological trauma experienced by our men and women in uniform brings the hardship home. By embracing honest discussion and strong networks of support, winning the battle against these challenges is possible.”
The schedule of events for the day begins with opening remarks at 8:30 a.m., then moves into general session at 9 a.m., with Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock discussing “Moral Injury.”
Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock is Senior Vice President for Moral Injury Programs at Volunteers of America and a Commissioned Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). (Courtesy/GVSU)
Moral injury refers to suffering due to moral emotions such as shame, guilt, remorse, outrage, despair, mistrust, and self-isolation, according to supplied material. It emerged as a concept among Veterans Affairs clinicians working with military combat veterans beginning in 1994.
This session will offer some of the factors in human beings that can lead to moral injury by examining how conscience is shaped; presenting several definitions of moral injury, both clinical and cultural/religious; identifying the range of morally injurious experiences that disrupt moral identity; and explaining the relationship of moral injury to other trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
After a short break, there will be morning break-out sessions between 10:30 a.m. and noon, including sessions titled “Military Sexual Trauma”; “Military Culture, Families, and Relationships”; and “Suicide Prevention” — where participants “will gain an understanding of the scope of suicide with the United States and within the Veteran population and will know how to better identify a veteran who may be at risk for suicide.”
After a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m., there will be another general session with Dr. Nakashima Brock. The lecture will, among other topics, explain what constitutes recovery from moral injury and discuss validated programs for supporting recovery from moral injury. In addition, it will discuss strategies as yet to be validated but that seem promising, including the role of congregations and community organizations.
After another short break, there will be more afternoon break-out sessions from 2:30-4 p.m., including sessions titled “Community Resources”; another session on “Suicide Prevention”; and one on the local “Kent County Veteran Treatment Courts”, which will discuss trends and policies of such courts, and the courts’ mission — “Participants will leave with an understanding of the methodologies used in program development and operations and how KCVTC enhances public safety and enhances the community’s return on investment.”
“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again.”
James Earl Jones … Can you guess the movie? (See bottom of this story)
WKTV DreamWheels red carpet show (circa. 2013-15/WKTV)
Dust off those classic cars this weekend
The 28th Street Metro Cruise will be back in full swing this August. And, to start the celebration of cars, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the return of the “dust off” event on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Wyoming Moose Lodge #763, at 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW, in Wyoming. Go here for the story.
A probably sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens Summer Concert series evening. (Supplied Meijer Gardens/Tony Norkus)
Meijer Gardens outdoor concerts to return
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts — including three special Grand Rapids Symphony dates — as well as its Tuesday Evening Music Club and the new Jim & Marie Preston Sunday Strings are tentatively planned to return this summer and into the fall. Go here for the story.
The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at the newly named LMCU Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)
Opening day for the West Michigan Whitecaps
With opening day on May 4 and first home game May 11, the West Michigan Whitecaps are gearing up for a season that is bound to be unlike any they have had in the past due to the pandemic. But the fan experience will still be fun for Whitecaps fans at the now-named LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark. Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
‘Field of Dreams’ forever
Field of Dreams is a 1989 American film written and directed by Phil Alden Anderson, adapting W. P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel Shoeless Joe. The cast includes Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster in his final film role. In 2017, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. Source.
The Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education will hold second interviews for the now-two finalists — Nkenge Bergan of Kalamazoo Public Schools and Kevin Polston of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools — on May 5, as the district moves to hire a new superintendent after Michael Zoerhoff leaves the position at the end of this school year.
The Board of Education, and the Michigan Association of School Boards, which is assisting the search, announced today, April 30, that after six first-round interviews this week the Board of Education has selected the two candidates for second-round interviews this coming week.
Scheduled to be interviewed on Wednesday, May 5, are Bergan, director of student services, Kalamazoo Public Schools (6 p.m.), and Polston, Ed.S., superintendent, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools (7:15 p.m.).
According to the announcement, interviews will be held in person, with appropriate social distancing, at the Kentwood Administration Building, 5820 Eastern Ave., in Kentwood. Community members, staff and students are encouraged to watch the interviews online as they take place. The district website (kentwoodps.org) will have viewing instructions and more information.
There will also be an option for limited in-person seating and viewing opportunities at the administration building during the interviews. To accommodate proper social distancing, the Board of Education asks that interested persons RSVP to attend the interviews in person by emailing: interviews@kentwoodps.org.
A probably sold-out crowd at a pre-pandemic Meijer Gardens Summer Concert series evening. Crowd sizes may be limited this season. (Supplied Meijer Gardens/Tony Norkus)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announced today that the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts — including three special Grand Rapids Symphony dates — as well as its Tuesday Evening Music Club and the new Jim & Marie Preston Sunday Strings, also featuring musicians from the Grand Rapids Symphony, are tentatively planned to return this summer and into the fall.
All scheduled dates, performers and concert information are subject to changed based on COVID-19 restrictions, according to the announcement, and “under current restrictions, capacity will be restricted to 1,000 people. If rules allow, capacity will be increased.”
The Decemberists in concert in 2018. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
But the news that there might actually be musicians on stage and concertgoers on the grass of the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater stage is sweet sounds for West Michigan music lovers.
“We look forward to the return of music at Meijer Gardens and are pleased to be able to continue our support of Meijer Gardens and the popular summer concert series which now includes the Grand Rapids Symphony,” Tom Welch, Fifth Third Bank regional president, said in supplied material. “We are delighted that two Grand Rapids treasured cultural organizations are teaming up to further the arts in our community.”
While most local concertgoers will be looking forward to a complete lineup and ticket details of the featured Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts series — including the great St. Paul & The Broken Bones returning to town — two free-with-admission concert series, one new and one well established, will also bring much need musical relief to local audiences.
Tuesday night and Sunday days
The Tuesday Evening Music Club, with local and regional musicians, will be on stage in July and August starting at 7 p.m.
Ralston Bowles in concert. (By Jamie Geysbeek/Supplied)
This year’s lineup includes Welcome Back Tuesday with Ralston Bowles & Very Special Guests on July 6 — with Bowles in encore as Ralston & Friends on Aug. 24 — as well as Franklin Park on July 13, Political Lizard with Molly on July 20, Via Mardot with Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish on July 27, Samuel Nalangira with The Moxie Strings on Aug. 3, Cameron Blake with Patty PerShayla on Aug. 10, Pajamas with Charlie Millard Band on Aug. 17), and the return of a special Grand Rapids Ballet show on Aug. 31.
The Jim & Marie Preston Sunday Strings series expands on an idea that was trialed during the summer of 2020, according to the announcement. “Led by violinist Haijin Choi, these chamber music performances happen throughout the Gardens & Sculpture Park and will feature combinations of violin, harp, marimba, mandolin, cello and more.”
Five planned Sunday performances will take place on June 6, June 20, July 18, Aug. 29 and September 12. The Sunday, July 18 performance will include a special opportunity for audience participation within the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden (with more information to be announced closer to the date).
“We love both Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and the Grand Rapids Symphony and couldn’t think of a better way to help bring these wonderful assets of our community together for a formal series,” the Prestons said in supplied material. “We were thrilled at the diversity of the audience for last summer’s events and look forward to this series growing!”
Tuesday Evening Music Club and Jim & Marie Preston Sunday Strings performances are free for members and included in admission for other guests.
Headline concerts include symphony shows
As part of the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts, Meijer Gardens and the Grand Rapids Symphony will partner for three ticketed shows including a solo Grand Rapids Symphony performance conducted by Bob Bernhardt, Principal Pops Conductor, as well as the Grand Rapids Symphony playing with Pink Martini, and another show yet to be announced.
“We are very excited to bring the Grand Rapids Symphony back to Meijer Gardens for these special concerts,” Mary Tuuk Kuras, symphony president & CEO, said in supplied material. “Our shared mission of promoting the arts and bringing our community together makes this partnership a wonderful fit.”
The Grand Rapids Symphony will be in concert at Meijer Gardens later this year. (Supplied/Grand Rapids Symphony)
The three symphony shows are part of the officially titled 2021 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens concert series, scheduled to take place in July, August and September — “if regulations allow” — and featuring an initial lineup including The Verve Pipe, O.A.R., Kansas and Black Violin + Blind Boys of Alabama.
“The complete lineup of 30 shows and ticket on sale dates will be announced as soon as possible,” according to the announcement.
Members of Meijer Gardens will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the 2021 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens series during a two-week members-only pre-sale, with dates to be announced. During the pre-sale, members also receive a $5 discount per ticket. To become a member or renew a membership, visit MeijerGardens.org/Membership.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public immediately following the members-only pre-sale, with information on prices and purchasing locations available following the release of the full lineup.
For more information on all concert plans for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, visit meijergardens.org.
The City of Kentwood announced today, April 29, that starting Monday, May 3, there will be a full closure of 32nd Street SE between Breton and Shaffer avenues for reconstruction through August.
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and seek an alternate route or follow the posted detour that uses 29th Street, according to the announcement to WKTV. Access to homes and businesses within the project area will be maintained with intermittent impacts. Trash and mail service also will be maintained throughout the project.
“This section of 32nd Street has deteriorated to the point that major rehabilitation is necessary,” Kentwood City Engineer Brad Boomstra said in supplied material. “The contractor will work to minimize traffic disruption whenever possible as we improve the roadway.”
This Michigan Department of Transportation project will include new pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk and storm sewer. Local engineering firm Prein&Newhof will oversee the construction on the city’s behalf.
The city reminds residents and commuters that they may sign up to receive biweekly updates on the City of Kentwood’s road construction projects by emailing boomstrab@kentwood.us or calling 616-554-0740.
Historic Metro Cruise photos, from 2013-15. (Courtesy of WKTV)
By WKTV Staff
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the local community saw what turned out to be a brief interruption to the annual pilgrimage of classic cars to one of the busiest strips in the State of Michigan — 28th Street in Wyoming and Kentwood.
This year, though, the 28th Street Metro Cruise will be in full swing again this August. And, to start the celebration of cars, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce announces the return of the “dust off” event on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Wyoming Moose Lodge #763, at 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW, in Wyoming.
At the event, classic car owners will have that first spring opportunity to roll their rides back down the street to be admired and, as the Carly Simon song says, “get a few eyeballs” on them.
And as vaccinations continue to filter through the general population and with CDC further relaxing mask requirements among vaccinated people, the hope among organizers is that turn out will be large and even larger for the return of the 28th Street Metro Cruise, Aug. 27 and 28. While social distancing will still be respected, the entire event Saturday, May 1, will be out of doors. For more information, visit the Metro Cruise website at 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.
This last weekend, reacting to Michigan’s Clean Slate Act coming into initial effect on April 11, two expungement resource fairs were held in West Michigan — “expungement” is the setting aside of a person’s record of criminal convictions for certain “lower level” crimes including older marijuana possessions offenses no longer even considered crimes.
The expungement resources fairs, held in Grand Rapids and Benton Harbor, are part of a wide-ranging series of actions being taken as part of the state’s criminal justice reform, specifically the Clean Slate Act, with actions by groups ranging from the office of Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, to Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School, to the Black & Brown Cannabis Guild.
A photo from a previous Clean Slate Act expungement resource event promotional material. (Black & Brown Cannabis Guild)
“At both (expungement resource) events, volunteer attorneys and law students will assist registrants who appear to be eligible with filling out their expungement applications and give them general instructions on the expungement process,” Kamau Sandiford, a Kentwood based lawyer serving as WMU-Cooley’s Access to Justice staff attorney, said to WKTV before the events.
The resource fairs were co-hosted by the Black & Brown Cannabis Guild, a group which, among on other advocacy efforts, seeks to gain cleared criminal records for persons imprisoned for crimes related to outdated cannabis laws.
“As the United States moves away from the criminalization of cannabis … there remains the fundamental injustice inflicted upon those who have suffered criminal convictions and the consequences of those convictions,” as the guild states on its Last Prisoner Project webpage.
Even before the expungement resource fairs, Sandiford and WMU-Cooley Law School associate dean Tracey Brame have been hosting training sessions for attorneys on the new law including for the the Grand Rapids Bar Association and Legal Aid’s Spring Training Session early this year.
During the presentation, according to the WMU-Cooley website, Sandiford explained that under the new law, the state will be required to have an automated expungement program in place by April 2023.
That “automated expungement” system is, however, a cause of some concern from Kent County’s top criminal prosecutor.
“The Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan was generally supportive of the Clean Slate bills,” Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said to WKTV. “If someone has truly reformed their life and are doing well after past criminal convictions we did not see a problem in giving them a chance to have a clear record.
“If anything is wrong with it, I think the idea that we are going to have a computer system that is going to be able to ‘automatically’ clean convictions off records in two years is highly unlikely,” Becker continued. “The state is littered with computer programs/systems that were supposed to be developed and operational in a certain time, that took much longer than anticipated and never worked as promised. I fear something similar will happen here.”
Despite such concerns, the law will came into effect and the state is already working on a pilot program to aid people who have been hampered in their employment opportunities due to their past convictions and employers being able to gain access to such records.
Law’s history and state interim action
While Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the “Clean Slate” bill package into law in October of 2020, the efforts to move it forward started much earlier, driven in part by studies that showed not only the individuals involved but society as a whole benefits from such actions.
According to the state’s Michigan Courts website expungement “can help more people have the opportunity to find good jobs and secure safe and affordable housing. A ‘clean slate’ can help strengthen families, communities, local economies across the state, and promote public safety.”
Also, a 2020 study by two University of Michigan Law School professors found that those whose criminal records are set aside experience “a sharp upturn in their wage and employment trajectories.” The study stated that job seekers obtained employment at an increase of 11 percent and their income rose by 25 percent in two years.
And the state is not waiting for 2023, for the automated process to come into effect, to start aiding those persons with criminal records to better gain employment.
Last week, the state announced the launch of a $4 million investment in a “Clean Slate Pilot” program to assist “returning citizens” — convicted persons returning to the community and the workforce — with setting aside a conviction, through which the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will awards funds to Michigan Works! Agencies to support local workforce efforts until the expungement system is in place.
“My goal since day one of taking office has been to build fundamental reforms to make our communities safer and improve the people’s outcomes going through our criminal justice system,” Lt. Gov. Gilchrist said in supplied material. “The bipartisan Clean Slate legislation fundamentally changed Michigan’s criminal history expungement laws, for the better … (and) the Clean Slate Pilot program offers a stop-gap for expungement services until the Clean Slate law goes into effect.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing “Clean Slate” bill package into law on October 12, 2020. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II is in b background. (Office of the Governor)
As part of the pilot program, returning citizens can get an order setting aside their conviction and, according to the state announcement, “can legally state on any job or school application that they have never been convicted of or arrested for that crime.”
They will also be able to state that they have not been convicted of that crime on applications for public benefits, housing or employment.
“Before this legislation and this pilot program, there were many barriers in place for returning citizens,” Susan Corbin, LEO director, said in supplied material. “These barriers to seeking criminal record expungement include a lack of information, time constraints, cost of retaining a private attorney and fear of the criminal justice system. With the Clean Slate Pilot program, Michigan Works! Agencies will help these citizens overcome many of these barriers and guide them on a path to success.”
The Clean Slate Pilot Program funding will be awarded to all 16 Michigan Works! Agencies throughout the state with each of the agencies providing localized efforts.
For more information on the Clean Slate pilot program, visit here. To contact the local Michigan Works! office visit westmiworks.org.
Details of Clean Slate Act eligibility
Setting aside a conviction is the process that clears a public criminal record. In Michigan, there is one process to set aside a conviction on an adult record — often called expungement — and a different process to set aside a juvenile conviction, called an adjudication.
In WMU-Cooley promotional material for the recent expungement fairs, it was explained that individuals will be eligible for expungement after a waiting period of 10 years for certain felonies, or seven years for certain misdemeanors. Most traffic offenses will be available for expungement except DUIs, offenses causing injury or death, and offenses while operating a commercial vehicle.
Additionally, those who qualify for automatic expungement can have no more than two felonies and four 93-day misdemeanors expunged during their lifetime.
The Clean Slate Act also specifically allows individuals convicted of low-level misdemeanor marijuana offenses to apply for expungement, as “the law creates a presumption that these offenses were based on activities that would not have been considered crimes on or after Dec. 6, 2018.”
Crimes that will not be considered for automatic expungement include, according to supplied material, “assaultive crimes; serious misdemeanors; crimes of dishonesty; offenses punishable by 10 or more years imprisonment; violations related to human trafficking; and crimes committed against minors, vulnerable adults, injury or serious impairment, or death.”
With the much-anticipated Christian McBride’s jazzy WinterFest Music Festival back on the schedule, St. Cecilia Music Center announced today an initial 2021-22 concert schedule — beginning with the Sam Bush Band bringing their folk-rock sounds to town in October — as the music center “fully intends to bring live-audience concerts back to Royce Auditorium.”
Christian McBride (Supplied/SCMC)
Live in-person concerts have been suspended since March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions but initial plans have St. Cecilia featuring more than a dozen evenings of performances by jazz, folk and chamber music artists in what will be the music center’s 138th season.
But St. Cecilia executive and artistic director Cathy Holbrook said she is not only looking for live acts on the stage but live people in the audience.
“We are thrilled and thankful to begin again in 2021-2022 with live concerts featuring most of the artists who were scheduled to appear this past season and had to be sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Holbrook said in supplied material. “We so missed seeing our loyal supporters and music lovers in person and we’re looking forward to hosting a year of celebration with live music again.”
The St. Cecilia folk series kicks off the season, but chamber and jazz will not be far behind.
The Acoustic Café Folk Series will feature six concerts including the Sam Bush Band on Oct. 6, Rodney Crowell on Nov. 12, Leo Kottke on Nov. 19, the Milk Carton Kids on Dec. 2, 2021 and Watkins Family Hour on December 16. In the new year, singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin will perform in the spring on May 12, 2022 — and more Acoustic Cafe Folk concerts may be announced later.
Marc Cohn (Supplied/SCMC)
However, one summer 2021 Acoustic Cafe Folk Series concert is currently planned as a stand-alone concert and will feature Marc Cohn appearing on Aug. 21 — with tickets currently available.
SCMC and The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will celebrate its 10th anniversary season of partnership CMS players will perform three concerts: “From Prague to Vienna” on Nov. 18 (in a program planned for April 2020 but cancelled due to COVID-19) with CMS co-artistic directors David Finckel and Wu Han on stage. The program also featured two 2022 concerts, “Romantic Perspectives” on Jan. 27, and “The Jazz Effect” on March 31.
The jazz series’ headline event will be WinterFest, featuring seven-time Grammy-winning jazz bassist McBride “with some of his most talented musical collaborators for a three-evening festival in Royce Auditorium,” Feb. 24 -26, 2022.
Other artists scheduled for 2022 as part of the jazz series will include saxophonist Joshua Redman on Jan. 20, Grammy and Tony Award-winning jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater together with phenomenal jazz pianist Bill Charlap on March 10, and acclaimed trombonist, composer and producer Delfeayo Marsalis with his Uptown Jazz Orchestra on April 14.
“These great artists are looking forward to getting back out on tour to perform in front of live audiences and to bring music back to concert stages in the U.S. and worldwide,” Holbrook said. “We are looking forward to this new season, especially in light of the inability to host live audiences within our beautiful hall last season.”
Subscription tickets for the 2021-22 series are now on sale, with individual concert tickets to go on sale June 1. For more information visit scmc-online.org.
In addition to its ongoing yard waste drop-off program, the City of Kentwood is assisting residents with general trash and debris, as well electronics, disposal as it will again offer its annual Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 1 for residents wanting to “spring clean” their homes and yards.
In a Monday, May 26, announcement to WKTV, the city stated this year’s Community Cleanup Day will accept yard waste, trash and general debris for disposal, and electronics for recycling, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE.
Following the cleanup event, the city’s yard debris (including brush and leaf debris) drop-off sites, also located at Kentwood’s DPW facility, will remain open through Saturday, May 29. Hours of operation for the yard debris drop-off sites will be noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
“Our Community Cleanup Day offers residents a timely opportunity to dispose or recycle items as part of their spring-cleaning efforts,” John Gorney, Department of Public Works director, said in supplied material. “We encourage residents wanting to declutter their homes and property to take advantage of these free collection services.”
Most electronics can be recycled at local community clean-up days, including one planned for Kentwood residents. (Supplied/Comprenew)
The City of Kentwood’s yard waste drop-off site includes accepting brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs at the brush drop-off site, as well as leaves and grass clippings at the leaf drop-off site. Leaves should be loose when dropped off, not left in bags.
Red Creek Waste Services will be on hand for Kentwood’s Community Cleanup Day to accept general debris and trash for disposal.
Comprenew will be on-site to recycle electronic waste, such as mobile phones, computers and fax machines. Individuals with questions about other electronics that can be accepted are asked to call the toll-free number at 833-266-7736.
Items for donation and household hazardous materials will not be accepted during this year’s cleanup event. Those looking to safely dispose of household hazardous materials may utilize the Kent County Department of Public Works’ SafeChem program, which remains available to residents at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., on Tuesdays.
The cleanup day and drop-off services are available to Kentwood residents only.
Anyone wishing to participate is asked to enter the drive off Breton Avenue where staff will check ID for residency and direct traffic flow to maintain physical distancing. For the safety of City staff and community members, all participants are asked to adhere to CDC guidelines, including staying at least 6 feet from other people and wearing face coverings.
With the passing of a filing deadline this week, the Kent County election office reports that there will be at least six candidates running for the open 28th District State Senate seat — including local state Rep. Tommy Brand — and there will be five contested elections in the City of Kentwood, including for mayor, city commissioners and the city clerk.
According to the Kent County Elections website, the 2021 elections cycle will include an Aug. 3 special election primary for the state senate seat, where there will be three Republicans and two Democrats running for a spot on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
On August primary ballot to compete the term of ex-state Sen. Peter MacGregor in the state Senate’s 28th District are Democrats Keith Courtade of Wyoming and Gidget Groendyk of Rockford; and Republicans Kevin Green of Cedar Springs, Mark Huizenga of Walker and Rep. Brann of Wyoming.
The winners of the Republican and Democratic primaries will face off in November, with at least one independent candidate, US Taxpayers Party candidate Theodore Gerrard, of Kentwood, and possibly others.
“Candidates with no party affiliation, or minor party candidates who are nominated at county conventions rather than via a primary, (can) file by 4 p.m. on August 20,” according to a spokesperson for the Kent County Clerk’s office.
The winner of the state senate special election will finish out the remaining term and will need to run again in 2022.
City of Kentwood primary, general elections
The City of Kentwood will have just one seat up for vote in the August primary, the City Commissioner Ward 2 where incumbent Tom McKelvey has two challengers: Jessica A. Tyson and Dan VanderMolen. The top two vote-getters will move on to the November general election (unless one of the primary candidates get 50 percent plus 1 vote in the primary, in which case they will win the seat).
Races already on the November non-partisan ballot for City of Kentwood have incumbent Mayor Stephen Kepley challenged by current City Commissioner Emily Bridson, incumbent Commissioner-At Large Betsy Artz challenged by Leonica Riley Erwin, and two candidates will look to fill the Ward 1 seat vacated by Bridson, Clarkston Morgan and Meochia Thompson.
Also, there will be a race for City Clerk as incumbent Dan Kasunic will be challenged by Taylor VanderLaan.
Running uncontested in the City of Kentwood is incumbent Treasurer Laurie Sheldon.
All City of Kentwood seats are for 4-year terms.
WKTV’s We The People available to candidates
As always, WKTV Community Media’s election season candidate coverage will include our We The People candidate videos. We The People gives all candidates the opportunity to record up-to-5-minute videos using their own scripts and unedited by WKTV.
Then-Kent County Commissioner Harold Voorhees during a previous election season’s We The People video series. (WKTV)
For the August primary special election, all of the candidates on the ballot will be invited to record the videos in late June and early July, and they will be run on our cable channels, Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel, and will be posted on YouTube at WKTVvideos about a month before the August election day. The videos are also provided to the candidates for their use.
For the November election all candidates (including unopposed candidates) will be invited to record videos in late September and early October for run and posting in early October.
With opening day a little less than a month away — with their first game May 4 and first home game May 11 — the West Michigan Whitecaps are gearing up for a season that is bound to be unlike any they have had in the past.
Due to the pandemic, the fan experience will still be fun, but will be slightly different, according to Steve VanWagoner, director of marketing, for the Whitecaps and the now-named LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark.
The current capacity for the stadium is at 2,000, which is 20 percent of their normal capacity. Initially, the organization sold multi-game ticket plans to make it easier to comply with health and safety guidelines such as seating groups in pods at the stadium. But a “very limited” number of single game tickets for May and June games are on sale starting Wednesday, April 21.)
“The Whitecaps will be fun and entertaining and be a great experience this summer,” VanWagoner recently said to WKTV. “In the meantime go to our website (milb.com/west-michigan), find the safety and information page, and know that when you come to the ballpark we are serious about being family friendly and safe.”
After the Whitecaps open the season May 4 at the Fort Wayne Tin Cups, then open the home season on May 11 with a six-game homestead starting with the Great Lakes Loons.
VanWagoner said ticketed fans should be expecting an email outlining the team’s plan for how to administer all the necessary safety protocols, such as social distancing, wearing masks, continuing checking bags as in the past, and regulations regarding concession and where you are allowed to eat. Fans will be “recommended” to get tested prior to coming to a game, but it is not a requirement.
However safety precautions are not the only thing that is new for the Whitecaps this upcoming season as they were officially named a High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
This decision came during December 2020 and VanWagoner spoke to how this will change the overall fan experience.
“For the fans, (it will be) a better experience, because the players that they are watching are higher caliber with more experience and higher skill level then West Michigan fans are used to seeing, so we expect to see plays that fans haven’t seen before from the Whitecaps, and just a better experience overall,” he said.
Another change for the team came in February when the stadium name was changed from Fifth Third Ballpark to LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark in a new 10-year deal. Van Wagoner went into further detail about what this change actually means for the Whitecaps organization and the fans.
“Many huge signs and things inside the ballpark will look different, but to be clear it is a name change and not an ownership change” VanWagoner said. “We are family owned and privately held, as we always have been.”
The Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education will interview six finalists — including two in-house candidates and the current superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools — on April 28-29, to replace Michael Zoerhoff as superintendent, who will leave the position at the end of the school year.
The Board of Education, and the Michigan Association of School Boards, which is assisting the search, announced today, April 20, that the Kentwood Public Schools superintendent posting closed on April 6, “with considerable interest and 31 applicants,” and Board of Education has selected the six candidates for first-round interviews.
Scheduled to be interviewed on Wednesday, April 28, are Tracy Reed, chief academic officer at Fort Wayne (Indiana) Community Schools (at 6 p.m.); Marcus Davenport, Ph.D., superintendent of Beecher Community Schools (7 p.m.), and Kevin Polston, Ed.S., superintendent, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools (8 p.m.)
Scheduled to be interviewed on Thursday, April 29, are Evan Hordyk, executive director of secondary education, Kentwood Public Schools (6 p.m.); Nkenge Bergan, director of student services, Kalamazoo Public Schools (7 p.m.); and Jamie Gordon, executive director of human resources, Kentwood Public Schools (8 p.m.).
According to the announcement, interviews will be held in person, with appropriate social distancing, at the Kentwood Administration Building, 5820 Eastern Ave., in Kentwood. Community members, staff and students are encouraged to watch the interviews online as they take place. The district website (kentwoodps.org) will have viewing instructions and more information.
There will also be an option for limited in-person seating and viewing opportunities at the administration building during the interviews. To accommodate proper social distancing, the Board of Education asks that interested persons RSVP to attend the interviews in person by emailing: interviews@kentwoodps.org.
In honor of Arbor Day and Kentwood’s new designation as a Tree City USA, the city will give away 300 tree seedlings to residents throughout the week leading up to its Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 30 — a celebration which will include a tree planting.
Kentwood residents are invited to the city’s Arbor Day Celebration, planned to begin at noon on Friday, April 30, at Veterans Memorial Park, 355 48th St SE. The event will begin with an Arbor Day proclamation, followed by a tree planting in the park.
Arbor Day is an annual day of observance typically held in the spring to celebrate trees and encourage tree planting.
“The Arbor Day Celebration is an exciting opportunity to engage residents in improving the city’s tree canopy,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “Celebrating and planting trees in Kentwood will help generations to come enjoy a better quality of life with a healthier and more beautiful environment.”
Kentwood’s Arbor Day Celebration is also part of city’s participation in the Tree City USA program. Kentwood was recently recognized with the 2020 Tree City USA honor for promoting and caring for trees within the community, according to supplied material, and this is the first time Kentwood has received the designation.
In order to become a Tree City USA, cities must have an annual Arbor Day observance, a community tree ordinance, a tree board or department, and spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry activities.
“The (Tree City USA) program provides the necessary framework for communities to manage and expand their public trees, celebrate the importance of an urban tree canopy and improve care of vital city trees,” according to supplied material.
The city’s Arbor Day event will include free hot dogs and slushies, available at the concession stand. Attendees are reminded to wear face coverings, except when eating or drinking, and to follow physical distancing guidelines.
For more information on the City of Kentwood’s Arbor Day Celebration, visit kentwood.us/events.
Tree seedlings, park steward volunteer opportunities
Leading up to the Arbor Day celebration, city residents can receive free red maple or white pine tree seedlings at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, and at City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. The seedlings will be available during business hours Tuesday, April 27, through Friday, April 30, or until they are gone.
Residents are also invited to post a picture of their planted seedling on social media using the hashtag #GreeningKentwood.
The Kentwood Activities Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. City Hall opens weekdays at 7:30 a.m., and closes at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. City Hall closes at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and at noon Fridays. Face coverings are required for anyone who enters either building.
During Arbor Day week, residents can check on tree seedling availability by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5270.
Additionally, residents can also get involved beyond Arbor Day by joining the Kentwood Park Stewards, a new environmentally focused program to help preserve and maintain neighborhood parks, trails and public spaces.
Kentwood Park Stewards will participate in a hands-on workshop to remove invasive garlic mustard at Paris Park, 3213 60th St. SE, at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24, in collaboration with Kent County Parks. An online “lunch and learn” on the importance of trees will also be offered at noon Wednesday, April 28.
More information and registration details for both events are available at kentwood.us/ParkStewards.
With a recent history of voter support for local school millage funding, the Kelloggsville Public Schools district will be seeking an extension of its existing non-residential (non-homestead) property millage and well as an additional temporary 2-year 0.5 mill increase on the May 4 ballot.
The district received voter support on the millage two years ago, and the current and the proposed extension would allow that millage to “be renewed by 18.0181 mills ($18.0181 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 2 years, 2022 and 2023, and also be increased by 0.5 mill ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 2 years, 2022 and 2023,” according to the official Kent County elections ballot proposal information.
According to information supplied by the district, the proposal “is a renewal to be levied against non-homestead property. Resident properties are exempt from being taxed by this proposal (no cost to the homeowner). This is a renewal on business properties and not homes. The renewal will notcost the homeowner any additional taxes.”
“This millage is all student programming and activities. Many of the programs and activities we currently have in place are tied to it,” Eric Alcorn, Director of Human Resources for Kelloggsville Public Schools, said to WKTV. “Again this is a renewal of a millage that we approved two years ago. The support that we receive from our community is and has been tremendous. The continued support would be greatly appreciated.”
If approved, the 0.5 mill increase will also be for a period of 2 years, 2022 and 2023, and will “provide funds for operating purposes,” according to the official ballot statement, “the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2022 is approximately $3,463,580 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2021 levy and the addition of millage which will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the ‘Headlee’ amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963.”
For more information about Kelloggsville Public Schools millage extension proposal contact the administration office at 616-538-7460.
How and when to vote
The Michigan Secretary of State recommends that to register to vote by mail for the May 4 ballot voters should do so as soon as possible. Individuals may also register to vote online at Michigan.gov/vote, or in-person at the City of Kentwood and City of Wyoming city clerk’s office through May 4, with the required documentation.
According to state supplied material, due to COVID-19, the Secretary of State will continue mailing absentee voter ballot applications to all registered voters. Registered voters must complete and submit the application to receive their absentee voter ballot. To vote by mail, fill out the application and sign it, and then mail or email it to the city clerk. (When filling out the application, if you check the box to be added to the permanent absentee voter list, you will get an application mailed to you before every election.)
If you registered to vote after absentee voter ballot applications were mailed, applications may be obtained online at Michigan.gov/vote. Absentee voter ballots are available by through May 4, 2021.
David J. Beeke was a Kalamazoo-area Foxbody Mustang restoration expert who died of cancer a few years ago. A memorial event at the Gilmore Car Museum will benefit a local cancer center. (Supplied/Gilmore)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.com
The Gilmore Car Museum’s car show season will begin a little earlier than expected this year as the museum has added the David J. Beeke Mustang & Ford Show to its 2021 event season.
The early season car show, according to a statement from the museum, “will feature Ford Mustangs, with special emphasis on 80s/90s Foxbody Mustangs and other Ford vehicles, but is open to all classic car makes and models.”
The memorial car show will celebrate classic cars while it also honors the life of passionate car enthusiast David J. Beeke, a Kalamazoo-area Foxbody Mustang restoration expert died of cancer a few years ago.
Beeke’s family and friends started the annual event as a tribute to him, and this year will bring the event — and Beeke’s Mustangs — to the Gilmore. A portion of event proceeds will be donated to the West Michigan Cancer Center (wmcc.org), a 501c3 nonprofit based in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
“Bringing a Mustang & Ford Show to the Gilmore Car Museum for our community is exactly the kind of thing that David would have wanted to be a part of,” Matt Sturdy, close friend of Beeke and co-coordinator of the show. “It will be special to have David’s Mustangs there on the grounds, and to have him there with us in spirit.”
Beeke family members and friends will assist with car judging and selection for awards, including presentation of the “Beeke Best In Show” award.
One (little) part of the Gilmore Car Museum. (Supplied)
Food and beverage will be available onsite, as the Gilmore Bar and vintage 1941 George & Sally’s Blue Moon Diner will both be open for business. The show will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Showcar/Participant pre-registration is $20, can be handled in advance online at GilmoreCarMuseum.org, and includes admission for two people (driver + guest). Or, registration can be handled onsite on the morning of the event, once the show car gate opens at 8 a.m.
Registration also includes access to all museum indoor buildings and galleries.
More early season events at the Gilmore
Several more early season events are scheduled for the weeks following the David J. Beeke Mustang & Ford Show, including: Boats at The Barns, May 8, for classic wooden, fiberglass, and aluminum boats; Vintage Travel Trailer Rally, May 15, for vintage campers and RVs; Corks & Crafts Wine and Beer Festival , also on May 15, for beer and wine enthusiasts; and Vintage Motorcycle Weekend, June 12-13, for pre-1996 motorcycles and scooters.
By order of Michigan’s governor, all museum visitors age 5 and over are required to wear a face mask in all indoor spaces, and in outside venues at any posted “mask required” areas or any time social distancing of 6’ cannot be maintained at any area of the museum.
The Gilmore Car Museum is located 20 minutes north of Kalamazoo and 45 minutes south of Grand Rapids. For questions or more information, visit www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org.
A sure sign that this spring and summer will be different than last (we can hope) is the return of the Starkbierfest — “strong beer festival” — to Cedar Springs Brewing Company, scheduled for Saturday, April 17, from 3-9 p.m., in downtown Cedar Springs.
The rain-or-shine event will feature a heated tent — you know those Michigan Aprils, right? — with live music, limited beer release, and all the sausage you can eat.
“Besides the famous Oktoberfest, Starkbierfest … or Frühlingsfest, are the second big German beer festival times during the year,” according to promotional material of the event. “Historically, monks brewed strong beer or Bockbier which was higher in calories and a bit stronger to substitute for food during Lenten fasting. This “Liquid Bread” and annual brewing specialties have survived the times.”
The event is open to aged 21+ (w/valid ID) and $10 cover includes 2 hospitality tickets, valid for food or beverage. Tickets are available for pre-purchase and will also available for purchase at the door on the day of the event.
Among the beers to be released are a Küsterer Pale Weizenbock — one of my favorites — and a Wilderness Trail Barrel Aged Dunkel Lager (both in limited quantities), as well as eight other beers.
The live music scheduled includes Rudi Tegethoff, who we are told plays “energetic German polka” music, from about 2-4 p.m.; then Tony Halchak Music’s “Craft Brewed Americana”, from about 4:15-6:15 p.m.; and Hazy Past’s “vintage rock” from about 6:30-9 p.m.
A little Dutch heritage with Knickerbocker Gin at Tulip Time
Holland’s Tulip Time is just around the corner — scheduled to return May 1-9 — and we are told that means over 37,000 tulips will be in bloom in Holland. And New Holland Brewing is getting into the spirit, literally!
To celebrate New Holland’s Dutch heritage, and the return of the Tulip Time Festival for 2021 after being canceled last year, New Holland’s distillery is set to release a collectible Knickerbocker Gin bottle featuring delftware artwork.
New Holland Knickerbocker gin in special bottle. (Supplied)
This commemorative bottle will be available for preorder through Sunday, April 25 (or as long as supplies last.) It will be sold as a single 750mL bottle for $29.99 (plus tax). Pickups will take place at our Holland or Grand Rapids store locations from Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 9.
New Holland promotional material notes that all preorders must be placed through their online store, however, the bottles will not be available for shipping. And every person picking up orders must present a valid ID showing proof of age of 21+.
For more information on Holland’s Tulip Time 2021 visit tuliptime.com. For more information on the special Knickerbocker Gin bottles, visit here, or visit newhollandbrew.com and click on Shop/Online Store.
When you feed Dragon’s Milk to a Wolverine …
New Holland Brewing’s joint project with Wolverine — a limited edition Dragon’s Milk x 1000 Mile boot that also serves to support the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program — is on the verge of being sold out, according to the wolverine.com website.
Wolverine’s New Holland Dragon’s Milk boots, and some reason to walk 1,000 miles. (Supplied/Wolverine)
The “Deliciously Dark” Stout-colored leather boot is “inspired by the rich hues and notes of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and oak found in Dragon’s Milk,” according to promotional material.
The boot also includes the iconic Dragon’s Milk logo transformed into a metal fob and heat-embossed onto the boot, just like the burnishing on the barrels the stout is aged in. And we are told “Just as Dragon’s Milk develops its unmistakable taste through its aging process, this timeless handcrafted boot will gain character with every wear.”
Wolverine will be donating 10 percent of all sales of this limited edition collaboration to the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program. For more information visit here.
And if you are heading up the Traverse Road
Northern Latitudes Distillery recently announced it is opening its complementary tasting room in Lake Leelanau, with three new spirits — including, we are told, a Horseradish Vodka that a taste of can serve as the “world’s smallest Bloody Mary.”
“We have our tasting room set up to keep you and our spirit guides as safe as possible with plexiglass dividers, disposable tasting glasses, cleaning between customers, and strictly limited numbers to assure social distancing,” according to promotional material.
And after a tasting, you can settle in on their deck for, among other cocktails, a Plum Rum Mule, which features both their Whaleback Spiced Rum and Visions of Sugar Plums Liqueur. (Ps. The Plum Rum Mule recipe is 1 oz. Visions of Sugar Plums Liqueur, 1 oz. Whaleback Spiced Rum, squeeze of half a lime, and ginger beer — squeeze lime into a copper mug or rocks glass with ice. Drop squeezed half into cup as garnish. Add spirits. Top with ginger beer and stir.)
Note, the indoor cocktail bar remains temporarily closed due to COVID safety cautions.
Northern Latitudes Distillery is located at 112 E Philip St (M-204), Lake Leelanau. For more information visit their Facebook page here.
City of Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts, as part of a discussion on WKTV Journal In Focus, talked about the changes in police vehicle camera technology — which at one point was dashboard cameras and VCRs in the trunk. (WKTV)
The City of Kentwood Police Department prides itself on not only its transparency and accountably but also its community interaction and involvement. So, when Kentwood’s top police official, Chief Richard Roberts, visited WKTV Journal In Focus recently the conversation ranged from plans for expanded officer body camera use to working with local employees to help local restaurants and patrons.
In early March, the City of Kentwood announced its police department would equip its entire force with body cameras in an effort to enhance both accountably and transparency during community interactions. Chief Roberts detailed the program, its needs and goals, training and department protocol for use, and how body cameras are equally good for the community as they are for police officers.
(For a previous WKTV Journal In Focus interviews with Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker and Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young which included discussion of the use of law enforcement body cameras, visit Becker’s discussion here and LaJoye-Young’s discussion here.)
Additionally, in our interview with Chief Roberts, he discussed programs such as pop-up events in support of local restaurants and customers, as well as the planned Kentwood Police Youth Academy.
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 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
Grand Rapids’ Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, continue to offer virtual programs this month.
The next program, available via Zoom meeting, will be “Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead”, a virtual book talk with Gen. James M. Mattis (Ret.) — a retired U.S. Marine officer, U.S. Secretary of State, and now book author — on Wednesday, April 21, starting at 7 p.m.
To register for this free event, including on the day of, visit here.
Following the talk by Gen. Mattis, on Thursday, April 22, Prof. H.W. Brands will offer a virtual talk “John Brown and Abraham Lincoln and the Struggle for Freedom”, based on Brands’ recent book “The Zealot and the Emancipator: John Brown and Abraham Lincoln and the Struggle for Freedom”. The talk will begin at 7 p.m.
To register for this free event, including on the day of, visit here.
A general talks leadership, in war and peace
“Call Sign Chaos”, according to supplied material, is the account of Gen. Mattis’s storied career, from wide-ranging leadership roles in three wars to ultimately commanding a quarter of a million troops across the Middle East.
James H. Mattis (Ford Presidential Museum)
Along the way, Mattis recounts his “foundational experiences as a leader, extracting the lessons he has learned about the nature of war-fighting and peacemaking,” the importance of allies, and the strategic dilemmas and short-sighted thinking now facing our nation.
“He makes it clear why America must return to a strategic footing so as not to continue winning battles but fighting inconclusive wars,” the supplied material states.
Call Sign Chaos is a memoir of a life of war-fighting and lifelong learning, following along as Mattis rises from Marine recruit to four-star general. It is a journey about learning to lead and a story about how he, through constant study and action, developed a unique leadership philosophy, one relevant to us all.
‘The Zealot and the Emancipator’
“The Zealot and the Emancipator” is acclaimed historian H. W. Brands’s account of “how two American giants shaped the war for freedom,” according to supplied material.
John Brown was a charismatic and deeply religious man who heard the God of the Old Testament speaking to him, telling him to destroy slavery by any means. When Congress opened Kansas territory to slavery in 1854, Brown raised a band of followers to wage war. Three years later, Brown and his men assaulted the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, hoping to arm slaves with weapons for a race war that would cleanse the nation of slavery.
Brown’s violence pointed ambitious Illinois lawyer and former officeholder Abraham Lincoln toward a different solution to slavery: politics.
Lincoln spoke cautiously and dreamed big, plotting his path back to Washington and perhaps to the White House. Yet his caution could not protect him from the vortex of violence Brown had set in motion. After Brown’s arrest, his righteous dignity on the way to the gallows led many in the North to see him as a martyr to liberty. Southerners responded with anger and horror to a terrorist being made into a saint.
Lincoln, Brands argues, “shrewdly threaded the needle between the opposing voices of the fractured nation and won election as president. But the time for moderation had passed, and Lincoln’s fervent belief that democracy could resolve its moral crises peacefully faced its ultimate test” — the Civil War.
For more information on the Ford Museum’s scheduled of events, visit here. For more information on the museum, visit here.
Singer/songwriter Josh Rose, who once prowled the football sidelines as a coach, is a person who found music to be his life’s playbook. (Supplied/SCMC)
St. Cecilia Music Center, like most live music venues in Wet Michigan, are looking toward the fall of this year with hopeful ears open for a return to filled seats for its chamber, jazz and acoustic folk series. But in the meantime, the center is offering three more virtual concerts in April — two of them “live” from the Royce Auditorium stage.
The first of the three concerts will be this week, Thursday, April 8, starting at 7 p.m., when Jen Sygit and Josh Rose will perform from the Royce Auditorium stage in a performance streaming free of charge on St. Cecilia’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and accessed through scmc-online.org.
Also on the free-streaming concert schedule are Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, on Thursday, April 15, as well as jazz-plus pianist Rufus Ferguson, Wednesday, April 21, with the Ferguson concert again ‘Live” from the Royce Auditorium stage. Both concerts will begin streaming at 7 p.m.
For a complete list of all virtual concerts offered by St. Cecilia for home viewing, see scmc-online.org/virtual/.
Jen Sygit and Josh Rose
Well-known local musicians Sygit and Rose will share the stage, swapping stories and songs “for an hour of fantastic folk,” according to supplied material.
Sometimes traditional, sometimes contemporary, when it comes to her “folk”, singer/songwriter Jen Sygit has released four solo albums with her latest, “It’s About Time”. (Supplied/SCMC)
Sometimes traditional, sometimes contemporary, when it comes to her “folk”, singer/songwriter Sygit has released four solo albums. Her latest, “It’s About Time”, was produced by long-time friend and collaborator Dominic John Davis (bassist to Jack White and Buddy Miller) and features guest performances from Luther Dickinson, Colin Linden, The McCrary Sisters and Rachael Davis.
The album’s title track won “Best Americana Song” at the 2019 Independent Music Awards in New York City and her music video for the tune “Love is Wild” won the “Vox Pop Fan Favorite- Best Director of a Short Form Music Video” the same year.
In addition to her solo career, Sygit co-fronts the roots rock Lincoln County Process with Ann Arbor-based songwriter Sam Corbin, is a founding member of the all-female string band Stella! and is also a veteran session vocalist appearing on over 50 albums nationwide.
Singer/songwriter Rose, who once prowled the football sidelines as a coach, is a person who found music to be his life’s playbook. With his guitar in hand, he has played shows throughout the Midwest for 16 years and has recorded three studio albums — with another on the way, according to supplied material.
“Rose’s wistful songs allow all curious listeners to extract what they can from the cloud, to open the floodgates, and to share in the beauty of music, earth, humanity and air,” we are told.
Delfeayo Marsalis and his Uptown Jazz Orchestra
Delfeayo Marsalis and his Uptown Jazz Orchestra were scheduled to appear as part of the St. Cecilia Jazz Series in the Royce Auditorium on April 15, but were not able to be in-person this year — however, St. Cecilia is working on a reschedule date for the 2021-22 season!
However, local audiences can enjoy the music virtually with a recorded show — on April 15.
Over the course of his prolific music career, acclaimed trombonist, composer and producer Delfeayo Marsalis has been praised for his “technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor,” and heralded as hailed as one of “the best, most imaginative and musical of the trombonists of his generation,” according to supplied material.
The latest Uptown Jazz Orchestra release, “Jazz Party”, pays tribute to the soulful and funky sounds of celebration in music, with a jazz sensibility. But the band’s repertoire consists of material that spans the 100+ years of American music with a contemporary flare, with influences from Louis Armstrong to Count Basie, James Brown to J Cole.
Rufus Ferguson
Pianist Rufus Ferguson is into jazz and so much more. He is an educator who earned degrees from Western Michigan University under the mentorship of Jeremy Siskind and Matthew Fries. And he has shared the stage with artists such as Dwight Adams, Bob Hurst, Rodney Whitaker, Ali Jackson, The Temptations and many more.
Rufus Ferguson (Supplied/SCMC)
Rufus is equally well-versed in multiple genres of music which has made him a fixture in the regional jazz, R&B and gospel music scenes. His jazz arrangements have most recently been presented by his 9-piece ensemble at the 2018 Gilmore Keyboard Festival and his orchestral arrangements have been performed by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.
Rufus has performed at several festivals such as the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival in Lansing, Michigan, Notre Dame Jazz Festival, Elmhurst Jazz Festival, Flint Jazz Festival and the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference in Louisville, KY.
Matt Diener, State Director of the Michigan Fellowship of Christian Athletes, believes that if 2020 and the pandemic have “taught nothing else, it’s that the human spirit is more capable and enduring than we ever imagined.” And he has many stories to prove his point.
And one of the stories that has and continues to encourage and grow hope in others is that of Major League Baseball legend — and one of life’s ‘overcomers’ — Darryl Strawberry.
So it is fitting that the Kent County Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ annual FCA Pro Athlete Event (formerly known as the Pro Athlete Breakfast), scheduled for Saturday, April 10, at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, will include a talk by Strawberry.
This event, free and open to all members of the community, will be used to create awareness of ministry outreach and to raise funds to support programs and activities associated with the Kent County FCA, according to a FCA statement.
“We are excited for attendees to hear the powerful story of how God has worked in Darryl’s life, and to highlight the ministry of FCA that has been serving the local sports community for over 65 years,” Diener said in supplied material.
Strawberry is a former 8-time MLB National League All-Star status, with four World Series Titles, a National League home run leader, and was 1983 National League Rookie of the Year.
While incredibly successful in his career, Strawberry’s personal life was plagued with addictions, abuse, divorces, cancer, jail-time, and other issues. Strawberry, however, is widely known to have found redemption and restoration in Jesus Christ, and “lives to share the wisdom and grace of his experience with others,” according to the statement.
This event will also feature several local leaders within the Michigan FCA organization to share their experience with the ministry, as well as their vision and hope for future growth.
FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America and focuses on serving local communities by engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ.
Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.
The Rev. Billy Graham once said, “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in an entire lifetime.”
The FCA and Calvary Church “have worked hard to ensure proper distancing and a safe environment” under current COVID protocols. Since seating is limited, online registration is highly encouraged. To register online visit michiganfca.org/proathlete.
A City of Kentwood Police Department officer shows police car controls and features to participants during a lesson about traffic stops, from the Kentwood Police Department’s 2019 Youth Academy. (City of Kentwood)
The City of Kentwood Police Department knows that local youth often consider the field of law enforcement to be something they might want to pursue after graduation, but they also know that those same youth might not really know what the career field is all about.
The Kentwood Police Department’s Youth Academy, currently accepting applications for this year’s academy scheduled for July, gives those youth that “first-hand” knowledge.
The academy allows “them to just come in and see what it is like to be a police officer, to be involved with some of the training, some of the scenarios,” Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts said to WKTV during a recent visit to our studios. “We think that is important to offer that to individuals who might be considering law enforcement.”
Chief Roberts also pointed out that “we are offering (the academy) to any high schooler — they don’t have to be a Kentwood high schooler — as long as they are graduating this year, or they will be (a returning high school student next year) …, if they are interested in law enforcement.”
This year’s four-day program will take place Monday to Thursday, July 26-29, and is open to all graduating seniors and students who will be a sophomore, junior or senior in the 2021-22 school year. Applications are due May 14.
The free program will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place, according to a statement from the City of Kentwood.
Students will experience a wide-range of police training activities including traffic stops, drunken driving enforcement, building searches, subject control and handcuffing, as well as tactics of the Special Response Team.
Eligible participants “must possess good moral character and pass a background check,” according to the statement. They will be interviewed before being accepted into the program and will be required to attend a pre-academy informational meeting with a parent or guardian. Each participant will be provided a uniform and daily lunch.
To participate, students must contact Sgt. Tim Wierenga for an initial screening and application at wierengat@kentwood.us or 616-656-6561. Applications may be delivered in person at the Kentwood Police Department or by mail to Sgt. Wierenga at 4742 Walma Ave. SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. Applications are available online here.
Just in time for Spring Break — and those staycationers looking to get out of the house but staying close to home — Woodland Mall will be open for more hours and offering special events for everyone to safely enjoy time off from school and work.
Starting Monday, April 5, the mall will be returning to pre-pandemic operating hours, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m., according to an announcement from the mall. And several events are planned including a Small Business Expo and Pokémon Go opportunities.
“For those families who still aren’t comfortable traveling, Woodland Mall is the perfect spring break destination,” Cecily McCabe, Woodland Mall marketing director, said in supplied material. “From shopping to games and other creative opportunities, we are eager to help families enjoy a safe and fun staycation experience.”
Woodland Mall will host a Small Business Expo in its Von Maur wing on Saturday, April 10, from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., where business owners will set up booths to showcase their products and engage with the community. Guests will in turn have the opportunity to learn more about these small businesses and support them.
With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to build your own skateboard. Vans and Zumiez have all the gear needed to build a customized board.
Pokémon fans will also be able to collect free stickers and trading cards from GameStop throughout the week. As an added bonus, the mall has two Pokéstops for those playing Pokémon Go.
Families looking for fun can visit the Funshop Arcade located in the Macy’s wing and exploring the games and toys at Toysmark and Barnes & Noble.
And, of course, guests can also “get that beach resort feel without traveling far from home” by getting pampered at Lynny Nails, Tricho Salon or Massage Works.
“Choosing to spend spring break at the mall also benefits the retailers and restaurants and their employees who are still trying to recover from the pandemic,” McCabe said. “Visiting the mall is a great way to give our local economy a boost.”
Even after spring break, guests will continue to see new developments at the mall.
Backstage by Macy’s will celebrate its grand opening as a stand-alone business on the department store’s recently renovated second floor on Saturday, April 17. The shop offers men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories and more at affordable prices. Offering prizes, gift cards and other exciting deals on opening day, shoppers won’t want to miss out on even greater savings.
“Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life — all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.”
Zig Ziglar
COVID-19 vaccine supplies are increasing and so is local distribution options for expanded age groups, including through the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, Metro Health and SpartanNash pharmacies and special clinics. (SpartanNash)
More vaccines, more availability for more people
The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is immediately expanding vaccine availability to everyone 16 years of age and older, Metro Health will open its vaccine availability to 16 and up on April 5, and SpartanNash will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic April 6 in Hudsonville as part of a larger community roll-out to the public by local pharmacies. Go here for the story.
New Wyoming Deputy City Manager John McCarter sits down with WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma. (WKTV)
There is a new, smiling face in Wyoming City Hall
A native Michigander, John McCarter (who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and moved to Michigan at a young age) was recently named the the City of Wyoming’s new deputy city manager. McCarter, who was the interim financial director for Pearland, Texas, officially took over the position on March 15. Go here for the story.
Jessica Ann Tyson (center) of The Candied Yam, at the Kentwood restaurant with visitors in late 2020. (The Candied Yam’s Facebook)
Kent County gives a good tip to local eateries
The Kent County Board of Commissioners recently voted to waive the 2021 food service licensing fee — $500 and up for most existing food establishments in Kent County — “due to the significant hardship food establishments have experienced with closures and capacity limitations related to COVID‐19.” Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
78.99 years
Despite COVID-19, the current life expectancy for United States in 2021 is 78.99 years, a 0.08 percent increase from 2020. The last year it went down was 2018, and then by 0.03 percent. Source.
COVID-19 vaccine supplies are increasing and so is local distribution options for expanded age groups, including through the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, Metro Health and SpartanNash pharmacies and special clinics. (SpartanNash)
This week, as the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place announced it had given a one-day record of 12,532 first vaccine doses on March 29, the State of Michigan announced next week’s shipment of federally supplied doses of vaccine would increase to a total of 620,040 vaccines, which would be a weekly record high for the state.
And those are just the start of the good news for COVID-19 distribution, as Kent County announced this week that the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is immediately expanding vaccine availability to everyone 16 years of age and older, Metro Health will open its vaccine availability to 16 and up on April 5, and SpartanNash will be hosting pair of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, April 2 and April 6, in Hudsonville as part of a larger community roll-out to the public.
“Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to help stop this virus and pandemic,” Lori Raya, SpartanNash executive vice president, said in supplied material. “Getting vaccinated adds one more layer of protection for you, your coworkers, your family and your loved ones … we look forward to administering more than 2,200 total vaccines in the next week and beyond.”
West Michigan Vaccine Clinic
The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place — operated by Kent County, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health in collaboration with Vaccinate West Michigan — is available by appointment only. Patients can self-schedule at wmvaccineclinic.org.
Persons were waiting for their appointment times at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place on Monday, March 29. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
To set up an appointment at the clinic for someone ages 16 or 17, or for people who need special assistance, persons are asked to call 833-755-0696. A parent or guardian must accompany minors.
Additionally, non-clinical volunteers are needed with greeting clinic attendees, providing directional assistance, escorting attendees who need help, sanitizing and organizing supplies, performing temperature checks and more. Volunteers need not have prior healthcare experience.
While the clinic has special capacity to provide 20,000 vaccinations, it has been limited by vaccine supplies.
SpartanNash clinics
The SpartanNash clinics on April 2 and April 6 will be held at 5221 Cherry St., in Hudsonville, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Appointments are available to schedule three days prior to each clinic and are based on Michigan’s expanded vaccination eligibility. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit shopfamilyfare.com/covid19vaccine.
To ensure the safety of both patients and pharmacists, customers must have an existing appointment and complete a health screening prior to receiving the vaccination. The vaccine will be administered at no cost to patients.
For those unable to attend the clinics, COVID-19 vaccines are also available to store guests at SpartanNash pharmacies throughout Michigan. Participating pharmacies include Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Martin’s Super Markets and Forest Hills Foods.
More federal supplies; higher state goals
On March 31, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer raised Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccination goal from 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day.
The new goal is “based on the state’s successful efforts to expand equitable and efficient vaccine administration by partnering with private and public organizations in communities across the state, and is made possible by continuous week-over-week increases in the number of vaccines allocated to the state of Michigan,” according to a statement from the state.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, at a January news conference. (State of Michigan)
For 38 days, the state has met or exceeded its original goal of administering 50,000 vaccinations per day. As of March 31, Michigan has administered 4,207,102 vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of “equitably vaccinating at least 70 percent of Michiganders ages 16 and older” as soon as possible.
“Michigan is making great strides as our rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines continues ramping up,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “These new, higher vaccine targets are a testament to what we can do together … I urge everyone to continue doing their part with masks, social distancing, and hand washing, and when you are eligible, get your vaccine.”
In next week’s shipment, according to the statement, the federal government will increase the state’s direct allocation by 66,020 doses and the total allocation includes 147,800 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
In addition to the state’s direct allocation, the governor also applauded “the millions of additional doses being sent to federally partnered retail pharmacies across the country, including numerous locations in Michigan,” such as SpartanNash.
“The state is working hand-in-hand with health care systems, local health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, primary care providers and others to get Michiganders vaccinated with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health,” said in supplied material. “Providers have administered more than four million doses in just four months and we praise and appreciate their willingness to serve their communities, and are confident they will meet and exceed the new 100,000 shots per day goal.”
Grand Rapids South Christian High School hosted a boys basketball district final on March 27 between the host Sailors and the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles. (WKTV/Ellington Smith)
Despite an unfilled gymnasium at Grand Rapids South Christian High School, due to pandemic restrictions, the atmosphere and energy was high with fans on both sides in a district final March 27 between two consensus top 30 teams in the state, the host Sailors and the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles.
In the end, the Sailors weathered a hectic fourth quarter and sent their fans home happy with a 62-54 win and a Division 2, District 44 championship. Christian ends the year at 9-3.
South Christian head Coach Jeff Meengs was proud of the team’s composure in the tight game, especially in the fourth quarter, and was specifically proud of his seniors.
“They weathered a lot, (against an athletic Eagles team), and dealt with the pressure,” Meengs said to WKTV. They “kept their composure, and kept making plays.”
The Sailors (17-2) now have a tall task ahead of them as they advance to the Division 2 Region 11 tournament — also on South Christian’s home floor — starting on Tuesday, March 30, at 5 p.m., against rival Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
South Christian only two losses on the year were to Catholic Central by a combined margin of five points.
The fans on both sides were limited (due to COVID-19 restrictions) but loud as Grand Rapids South Christian hosted a boys basketball district final on March 27 between the Sailors and the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles. (WKTV/Ellington Smith)
District final was back and forth game
In the District final game, both teams set out to be evenly matched, with both only having two losses going into this contest, but the Eagles were without their star, University of Michigan commit Kobe Bufkin, which completely changed the outlook of their team.
Despite Bufkin’s absence, early on both teams were consistently trading baskets back and forth with offensive rebounds and getting out in transition being two early keys to success that saw South Chrisitan jump out to an early lead due to the height advantage they possessed with senior forwards Elliot Grashiuis and Connor Dykema.
As a result, the first quarter ended with South Christian leading 18-13 in a very high action game with the refs letting them play. It was not all positive for the Sailors as their lead guard Isaac Northouse picked up an early knee injury, and was out for the remainder of the game.
In the second quarter, South Christian was able to gain separation jumping out to a double-digit lead due to stifling defense that left Christian’s offense stagnant.
Much of the Eagles’ offense has been singularly isolation focused as they are used to McDonald’s All American Bufkin leading them. Due to Bufkin’s absence, senior Donovan Brown Boyd carried much of the load of the offense, scoring and making plays for his teammates. The half ended with South Christian up 34-23, dominating on both ends of the floor creating turnovers and generating good looks with Dykema leading all scorers with nine points.
The third quarter began with much of the same as the Sailors are able to jump out to an 18-point lead, their biggest of the game. However, the game was clearly not over as Christian was able to cut the lead to nine later in the quarter due to timely buckets from Brown Boyd leading his team with 21 points. Brown Boyd picked it up defensively as well with 2 blocks in one possession.
But the Sailors were still comfortably in the lead with a score of 47-36 at the conclusion of the third quarter.
For much of the fourth quarter the score stayed at about a 10-point spread in a sequence dominated by fouls and turnovers on both sides.
The game’s momentum then picked up when the Eagles came out in a press that generated turnovers in consecutive possessions and were able to cut the lead to five.
However, Sailors were able to regain their composure and take command of the game as with about 40 seconds to go South Christian went to the line repeatedly to keep its separation and successfully closing out the game with free throws and offensive rebounds resulting in a final score of 62-54.
For the game, the Sailors had a very balanced attack with three players in double figures, as guard Jacob Dehaan led the team in scoring with 18 points, followed by Dykema and Sam Meengs, each with 12 points.
After the game coach Meengs spoke on the fluidity of the Sailors’ offense.
“We had an inside presence with Connor, especially in the first half, that forces (the defense) to worry about that, and that set up some nice outside shooting,” he said. “And we hit them.”
Persons were waiting for their appointment times at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place on Monday, March 29, where clinic operators hoped to be vaccinating as many as 12,000 on that day. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
With access to more vaccine supplies becoming available, and the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place ramped up and ready to deliver, the operators of the clinic announced Monday, March 29, that they would be vaccinating as many as 12,000 persons on that day.
That total would not only be a single-day record for the local clinic but, to put that number into perspective, anybody who has been to a sold-out concert at the Van Andel Arena was part of a crowd of about that same number of people.
And according to two local persons in line to get their shots on Monday, one from Wyoming and one from Kentwood, the process was not only welcome news but a fairly easy process.
Persons entering the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place on Monday, March 29. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“My daughter and I were talking … and she mentioned that she had signed up through the website, and so I signed up my husband and I,” Julie Hall, of Wyoming, said to WKTV as she waited her time to enter the clinic. “Then yesterday (Sunday, March 28), we both got texts … They set me up for this morning and my husband this afternoon. He is working today.”
The system used by the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic — operated by Kent County, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health in collaboration with Vaccinate West Michigan —was not only easy-in but also fairly quick out.
“It was a very easy process, they ask a few questions and it moves quickly,” Sonya Oliver, of Kentwood, said to WKTV as she exited after getting her shot. “I was in there about 15, 20 minutes. It was very easy.”
Brian Brasser, chief operating officer of Spectrum Health Grand Rapids, one of the partners in the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
And according to Brian Brasser, chief operating officer of Spectrum Health Grand Rapids, the clinic is expecting to vaccinate about 40,000 persons this week and is capable of handling as many as 20,000 in a single day.
“We are only limited by the supply of vaccine available,” Brasser said to WKTV.
Supply, demand lead to expanded parking options downtown
According to the Monday announcement from the clinic operators, people 65-plus or who require mobility assistance can park directly at DeVos Place, entering the north parking entrance from the west on Michigan Street or the south parking entrance from the east on Lyon Street.
Drivers also can use the drop off zone in front of DeVos Place on Monroe Avenue and proceed to the cell phone lot within the Gerald Ford Museum parking lots to wait until pick-up notification. (There was a steady stream of persons being dropped off in front of DeVos Place as WKTV was present on-site Monday morning.)
Another parking option is the Government Center Ramp across the street from DeVos Place, at 300 Monroe. The ramp can be accessed off Ottawa or one of the two Monroe entrances. And the parking ticket will be validated at the clinic.
Also, there is free parking at the Gerald Ford Museum north and south lots, and Rapid Shuttle’s Park at the Museum lots, located off Scribner Avenue and Bridge Street/Michigan Avenue, with a shuttle from The Rapid will run every eight minutes to and from DeVos Place.
More information about the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic visit wmvaccineclinic.org.
The shortened 2020-21 boys high school basketball season came to an end this week for several local teams in state district tournaments, but the Grand Rapids South Christian Sailors are in the finals of their Division 2 tournament, and the Wyoming Tri-unity Christian Defenders are in the finals of their Division 4 tournament.
Both teams will be on their home floors for games Saturday, March 27.
South Christian (16-2, with two wins in the district tournament) will take on Grand Rapids Christian (9-2) at 6 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 2 Region 11 tournament — also on the Sailors’ home floor — starting on March 30.
Tri-unity Christian (9-2, with one win in the district tournament) will take on Martin (6-6-1) at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 4 Region 29 tournament at Niles starting on March 30.
South Christian, in early district play, defeated Kelloggsville (2-8 to end the season), by a score of 66-20, in opening round action March 23. The Sailors then handed Godwin Heights (10-1) its only loss of the season, by the score of 79-49, in the semifinals March 25.
Tri-unity, in early district play, defeated West Michigan Lutheran, 83-22, in semifinals play on March 25.
Other local district results
In the Division 1 tournament at East Grand Rapids, Wyoming high won an opening round game March 23 against Byron Center, 54-53, but then lost in the semifinals March 25 to host East Grand Rapids, 54-52. The Wolves finished the season at 7-9 overall.
In other Division 1 tournament action, East Kentwood lost to Caledonia, 53-49, on March 23, to end the season at 3-12. (WKTV was there and a report is available here.)
In other Division 2 action at South Christian, West Michigan Aviation Academy lost to Grand Rapids Christian, 74-48, on March 25, to end their season at 12-6.
In Division 3 action at Fennville, Wyoming Potters House Christian lost to Calvin Christian, 38-37, on March 23, and ended their season at 5-5.
After a hectic week of local teams battling in state girls basketball district tournaments, the East Kentwood Falcons are in the finals of the Division 1 tournament at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg High School, while the South Christian Sailors are in the finals of the Division 2 tournament in Wayland. Both finals will be Friday, March 26.
East Kentwood (13-3, with two wins in the tournament) will face off against East Grand Rapids (12-2) at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 1 Region 3 tournament at Holland West Ottawa starting on Monday, March 29.
South Christian (11-4, with one win in the tournament) will take on host Wayland (9-2) at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 2 Region 12 tournament at Edwardsburg, also starting on March 29.
In this week’s early district play, East Kentwood defeated host Middleville, 69-44, on Monday, March 22, and then defeated Byron Center, 41-34, in semifinal action Wednesday, March 24.
South Christian, also in early district play, had a bye and then defeated Kentwood Grand River Preparatory Academy, 71-15, in the semifinals March 24.
Other local district results
In the Division 1 tournament at Middleville, Wyoming high lost an opening round game to Byron Center, 63-41, as the Wolves ended their season at 10-7.
In the Division 2 tournament at Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville defeated the host Wolverines (5-6 overall) in opening round action by the score of 41-39. The Rockets then lost in the semifinals to Grand Rapids Catholic, 44-36, to finish their season with a 5-8 record.
In the Division 2 tournament at Wayland, West Michigan Aviation Academy defeated Hopkins, 53-42, before falling to Wayland, 57-22, in the semifinals to finish their season at 12-6.
In the Division 3 tournament at Covenant Christian High School, Wyoming Potter’s House lost to Grandville Calvin Christian, 49-39, in semifinal action and ended the season at 9-5 overall.
In the Division 4 tournament at Martin, Tri-unity Christian lost to host Martin, 49-41 in semifinal action and ended their season at 5-10.
More than 30 local artisans will be at Woodland Mall Saturday, March 20, for the mall’s first ever Spring Craft Bash, a 1-day event that will showcase a wide variety of handcrafted and vendor Items for sale.
The event, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., will allow shoppers to browse for such items as books, games, artwork, skincare, home decor items, jewelry, succulents “and more” in the Von Maur wing of the mall.
“We are looking forward to showcasing more than 30 local artisans during our first Spring Craft Bash,” said Cecily McCabe, marketing director for Woodland Mall, said in supplied material. “Whether you’re in the market for a gift for a loved one, or something nice for yourself, there’s sure to be great options for everyone to enjoy while supporting local entrepreneurs.”
The event was organized by Kelly Hume Events LLC.
Participating vendors include Amanda’s Nail Addiction, Andria & Co, Basinski Personal Creations, Beth’s Glass creations, Better Than Urs Designs, Breeches and Bloomers, Bring Your Own Beauty, Deanna Rae’s Designs, Discovery Toys, Foliar Effects LLC, JRK Embroidery, Kel’s Creations, Knotty Jared, Little Arts, Madi Made Jewels, Mick Art Productions, Mud Matters Studio, Mulberry Pines, Paparazzi Jewelry, Pink Zebra, Porch Signs By Patti, Rarity Nails, Roundabout Society, Sheila’s Satchels, Sol E Lua, Still I Stay Designs, Sunset Succulents, Sylvia’s Sudsery, Upcycle Creations, Usborne Books & More, and Whim.
According to a statement from the mall, Woodland Mall asks all guests to follow CDC recommendations by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall, wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing.
In order to comply with Michigan requirements, occupancy numbers remain limited as the mall operates on reduced hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 a.m., Friday through Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
It is often said by people in the local live music business that their venues, small and large, were the first to close when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and will likely be the last to fully reopen.
While the stage door was cracked open a little early this month when the state allowed venues to open at a reduced capacity, and the continued decrease in pandemic statistics and the rapidly increasing number of people getting the COVID-19 vaccines give even more hope, a sampling of local venues offer few gigs planned in the short term.
The now quiet and empty Pyramid Scheme concert room. (Pyramid Scheme Facebook)
“We do not plan to book any live music indoors until capacity limits are higher,” Tami VandenBerg, co-owner of Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, said to WKTV. But she, like many in the industry, holds hope for later in the year — “The shows still booked for spring will very likely be moved to fall.”
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s outdoor amphitheater, and news of its its usual Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens and Tuesday Evening Music Club, are still quiet these days. But they too, are optimistically looking toward later in the year.
“We are working hard behind the scenes to be able to safely present live music at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater during the summer and/or early fall of 2021,” John VanderHaagen, director of communications at Meijer Gardens, said to WKTV. “Current capacity restrictions are 1,000 for outdoor venues and we are hoping that as the numbers of vaccinated folks increases and cases fall, those restrictions will continue to be adjusted.”
The bottomline, VanderHaagen said, is that “guest safety remains our top priority and we will not present a series until that can be done safely in accordance to all local, state and national guidelines.”
State restrictions and guidelines, and local reaction
On March 2, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated two of its epidemic orders, among other things allowing for increased capacity limits at various entertainment venues. The changes went into effect March 5.
Those changes impacting entertainment venues included now allowing indoor entertainment venues to be at 50 percent capacity, up to 300 people; indoor stadiums and arenas are allowed have 375 if seating capacity is under 10,000, and 750 if seating capacity is over 10,000; and outdoor entertainment and recreational facilities have a capacity of 1,000.
“We continue to monitor the data closely, and based on current trends we are taking another step toward normalcy,” Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, said in the March 2 announcement.
One state change in restrictions and guidelines which is also impacting local entertainment venues is allowed restaurants and bars to increase to 50 percent capacity up to 100 people and now allowing them to be open to 11 p.m.
For one, the Listening Room live music venue, known as a music-focused club, has opened with an adaptation.
Jazz night at the Listening Room with members of the Robin Connell Trio, from January 2020. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“We currently have live jazz from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, though it’s not as much of a (strictly music) show” as usual, Quinn Mathews, general manager of Listening Room, said to WKTV. “We partnered with our restaurant downstairs to serve dinner up in Listening Room during the live music.”
But, Mathews added, “we’ll do an outdoor concert series this spring and summer as well in the piazza here at Studio Park … (and) touring artists are confirming for the fall, so — fingers crossed — Listening Room will be back doing shows by fall.”
The fact that most venues are, in fact, awaiting national touring groups to begin feeling comfortable touring to set up local fall schedules was echoed by several venue spokespersons.
The City of Kentwood announced last week that it is seeking community volunteers to join its new Kentwood Park Stewards program, but that is just one of several big things happening in the city as it has also recently announced it will put free public Wi-Fi zones around the city and it has opened a second Little Free Pantry.
With so much happening, WKTV Journal In Focus decided to go to the top to get to the bottom of it all, so we invited Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley into our studio for a little talk.
In a quick 10-minute sit-down, we discussed the city working with the Kent County to provide free internet access to the community after setting up Wi-Fi service available at 13 locations including the city’s main campus as well as in city parks. We also talked about the importance of community involvement, past and future in protecting the city’s parks through the new Kentwood Park Stewards program, as well the launch of the city’s second Little Free Pantry.
WKTV previously also helped the City of Kentwood and Kent Conservation District’s Invasive Species Strike Team produce a video about how to identify and manage oriental bittersweet, an aggressive invasive species causing damage to trees in the Kentwood parks system and other communities. The problem is one of the efforts the new Park Stewards program will assist with.
Details of Kentwood Park Stewards program
The Kentwood Park Stewards is a new environmentally focused program created by the City of Kentwood and designed to engage residents in monthly activities involving invasive species control, native habitat restoration and park beautification to help preserve and maintain neighborhood parks, trails and public spaces.
According to supplied material, as a park steward, community volunteers will participate in hands-on workdays, educational workshops and other activities, such as cutting invasive vines, pulling invasive garlic mustard and planting native plants. The program also encourages neighbor-led cleanups, adopt-a-park projects and other park maintenance efforts.
“The Kentwood Park Stewards program strengthens the relationship between residents and their neighborhood parks while creating lasting benefits to the environment,” Kristina Colby, recreation program coordinator with the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, said in supplied material. “Opportunities for residents to get involved and care for their neighborhood parks helps foster a greater sense of community pride in our park system. The contributions of our Kentwood Park Stewards will support the natural beauty and appeal of our parks today and for future generations.”
The new program expands on several invasive species control trainings and workdays the city began offering last fall through a partnership with the Kent Conservation District Invasive Species Strike Team.
Since launching Kentwood Park Stewards earlier this year, Kentwood has joined the West Michigan Conservation Network and collaborated with the Kent County Parks, Rotary Club, Plaster Creek Stewards and gardening clubs, among others.
Those who are interested in signing up to join Kentwood Parks Stewards may complete a volunteer form online or contact the Parks and Recreation Department at eRecreation@kentwood.us or 616-656-5270. More information about the program is available at kentwood.us/ParkStewards.
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 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule. For dates and times on Channel 99, visit here). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
This week WKTV Sports will record two featured games, a girls basketball game at Kelloggsville High School and a hockey match from Kentwood’s Ice Arena.
Starting off, Sparta will visit Kelloggsville for an OK Conference Silver girls basketball contest on Tuesday, March 9. The Spartans enter the game with a 6-3 overall record (4-2 in conference) and coming off a home win against Godwin Heights. The Rockets enter at 3-6 (3-5 in conference) but coming off a tight, 27-26, loss to conference leader and undefeated Comstock Park (8-0, 5-0).
WKTV will cover high school hockey this week. (WKTV)
Later in the week, on Friday, March 12, the WKTV crew will be at the hockey game between Kenowa Hills and East Kentwood. The Falcons enter the week with a 1-10 overall record (0-6 in OK Red), but coming off their first win of the season, at home (8-5, over Northview) followed by a tough, 3-2, loss to Jenison on the road. Kenowa Hills is 8-2, and 1-0 in a 3-team OK Conference Gold.
The Tuesday contest will tip off at 6 p.m., and WKTV will record the game and replay it later Tuesday night, at 11 p.m.; then Wednesday, March 10, at 11 a.m., with more replays to be scheduled, and it will available on-demand later. (See details at bottom of story.)
The Thursday hockey match will have the puck drop at 4:40 p.m., and WKTV will record the game and replay it later Friday night, at 11 p.m., then Saturday, March 13, at 11 a.m., with more replays to be scheduled, and it will available on-demand later.
To see both featured games on WKTV on-demand visit WKTVlive.com.
Additionally, the remainder of the WKTV featured game tentative schedule has the WKTV truck and team covering the Tuesday, March 16, girls and boys basketball games when Zion Christian visits Grand River Preparatory (at 5:30 and 7 p.m.), and then the Thursday, March 18, girls basketball game when Zeeland East visits Wyoming high (at 7 p.m.).
We are also tentatively scheduled to cover the girls district Division 2 tournament at Godwin Heights, with Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville and Lee all set to participate.
WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, on various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of winter high school sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
Treetops Collective is hosting a four-part speaker series, “Women are Resilient,” beginning today, on International Women’s Day, March 8, and continuing throughout the month of March.
One of Treetops Collective’s core values is a “posture of listening” that recognizes that “each person is an expert of their own experience,” according to supplied material. As a practice of this value, the Women are Resilient speaker series is “an invitation to learn from the strength, creativity, and leadership displayed by women throughout West Michigan who are engaged in transformative work and relationships.”
All four events will take place online and are free to the public.
According to the Treetops Collective website the group’s focus is making West Michigan a place “where refugee women can sink their roots down and flourish with their families for generations to come.”
Also, the March program includes a special opportunity to support local businesses and the work of Treetops Collective by purchasing a cocktail kit for our final celebration of women entrepreneurs.
This series is supported by the partnership of Eastern Kille Distillery and Emme’s Plantain Chips.
The West Michigan Jazz Society will host a Facebook live “Speaking of Jazz with WMJS” discussion, “Women in Jazz Roundtable”, Wednesday, March 3, starting at 8 p.m.
The conversation will be hosted by guest moderator Crystal Rebone, and will feature Lisa Sung, Robin Connell, Kaleigh Wilder, Sharon Cho and Cristina Smith.
“Speaking of Jazz with WMJS”, according to supplied materials is “focused on providing insights into the lives and careers of jazz musicians in our region, and also nationally.”
(Additionally, pianist Connell, with guest Paul Brewer, will live stream a special piano jazz concert at St Cecilia Music Center on March 11, starting at 8 p.m. Visit here for more information.)
St. Patrick’s Day runs were a common-place thing in March before 2020 … and COVID-19. Hopefully things will change in 2021, including having a local Shamrock run. (Creative Commons/from a Baltimore run in 2019)
The local running club RunGR has had to cancel many events over the last year, but they are planning to keep their St. Patrick’s Day tradition “running” with a 5K run this year as part of the RunGR Shamrock Shenanigans 5K on March 20.
With the safety of participants in mind, the RunGR Shamrock Shenanigans 5K will be using both Millennium and Meadows Parks in Grand Rapids to spread the course and participants out. They also have created registration by 5-minute time blocks, with each block having a registration cap to limit the number of people gather before and after the race, as well on the course itself.
There is also created a virtual participation option for those who may not able to join be present at the starting line.
According to the group’s website, RunGR’s mission is to “bring running to the Grand Rapids community in a way that enables our members to live healthier and happier lives by providing the structure, organization, support, training, guidance, and friendships necessary to push themselves to new limits and achieve their running goals.”
This year’s run will also be a benefit for Riding for Ryan, a program which promotes the safety of young bike riders through visibility and awareness.
“Riding for Ryan’s goal is to provide free bicycle safety flags to kids to help keep them safe as they enjoy one of the most cherished and memorable activities,” according to the RunGR promotional material. “As the temperatures warm-up, it is a good time to make sure kids are visible to cars and other cyclists while enjoying their bikes.”
RunGR’s goal is to raise more than $1,000, and A+ Family Medicine has committed to matching the first $350 of donations.
