Category Archives: Upcoming Events

WKTV’s girls basketball district coverage begins at East Kentwood, moves to South Christian

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection
East Kentwood High School girls basketball in January 2020 District action. (WKTV)

By WKTV Sports Staff
ken@wktv.org

With the local high school girls basketball regular season completed, WKTV has jumped into our prep March Madness featured game coverage this week as the state playoffs begin with girls District tournaments across the state.

WKTV’s Featured Game crew will be following the Division 2 District tournament at South Christian High School starting Wednesday, March 4, and continuing with that districts final on Friday, March 6. To read about the Monday game at South Christian featuring the Sailors, see Mike Moll’s story here.

But the best Monday, March 2, opening-round game involving area teams was the Division 1 clash with Byron Center at East Kentwood, so WKTV was there.

Byron Center entered the game at 19-1 overall and 12-0 in OK-conference Green with a title in hand. East Kentwood was 17-3, 11-1 in OK Red with a shared title with Hudsonville, and on a 10-game winning streak. The two teams met to open the season; EK won on the road 48-43.

In the Monday game between the two, the Falcons (now 18-3) won by almost the same score — this time winning 50-43 — as three East Kentwood players scored in double figures: sophomore Deyonce Thompson led with 15 points including three 3-pointers, while juniors Alexis McCully and Kabriana Hallman each added 12.

“That was one of the better high school basketball games we’ve seen in a long time,” WKTV Featured Game announcers Ron Schultz said after the game. “These teams … match up really well and the played really well. … Kentwood dropped some threes when they had to have them.”

The East Kentwood game will be available on WKTV Community Television Channel 26 (for complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule) and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

WKTV also has a special video discussion on local teams playing in District tournaments with WKTV Sports Director Mike Moll and WKTV sports announcer Cory Dalton on the inaugural WKTVJournal Sports Connection program. See the YouTube video here.

As East Kentwood game will now travel to Caledonia for the District semifinals, starting March 4, the WKTV Featured Game crew will move to cover a doubleheader at South Christian.

In one game at South Christian, Wayland (13-8, 5-7 OK Gold and the winner of Monday’s game Hopkins) will play Kelloggsville (16-4, 10-2 and a shared title in OK Silver).

In the other game at South Christian, the Sailors (11-10, 7-5 OK Gold and the winner of a Monday game against Kentwood Grand River will play West Michigan Aviation (7-13, 1-6 Alliance).

Other local teams playing in District tournaments

In Division 1, Wyoming (7-14, 3-9 OK Gold) won a Monday opening round game against tournament host Caledonia and now will challenge the tournament top seed, East Grand Rapids (19-1, 12-0 and a title in OK Gold), on Wednesday.

In another Division 2 tournament involving local teams, Godwin Heights (10-11, 4-8 in OK Silver) played Monday at the Forest Hills Eastern District tournament but lost to Grand Rapids Christian (18-3, 9-3 in OK Gold) to end the Wolverines season. On the other side of the same tournament bracket, Wyoming Lee (0-19, 0-12 OK Silver) will open play on Wednesday against Catholic Central (7-14, 4-8 in OK Blue) and the winner of a Monday game with Wellsprings Prep.

In a Division 4 tournament hosted by Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, Wednesday games will have Tri-unity (6-14, 2-5 in Alliance) playing Martin (19-1, 9-1 and a title in Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore), and Wyoming Potter’s House Christian (8-12, 5-2 Alliance) against Byron Center Zion Christian (9-11, 3-4 Alliance). The winners will play for the district title Friday at Tri-unity.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast March 14 to feature baseball great Darryl Strawberry

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Darryl Strawberry (Supplied/FCA)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Former Major League Baseball player Darryl Stawberry has four World Series Titles, was the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year, was an 8-time All-Star, and hit home runs like few players before or since.

But he also struggled with substance abuse and colon cancer that ultimately ended his career but, according to supplied material, “it was through these challenges that Strawberry became a Christian and his become passionate about sharing his story of hope, redemption and restoration.”

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will feature Strawberry and his story as the West Michigan Pro Athlete Breakfast on Saturday, March 14, from 8-10 a.m., at Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids.

The breakfast is open to the general community, sports teams, FCA huddles, churches and youth groups. Seats and tables are still available but seating is limited.

“The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is excited to welcome former MLB All-Star Darryl Strawberry to West Michigan,” is states in supplied material. “He has an inspiring story of redemption and grace in a world of temptation and high pressures.”

And Strawberry’s story fits in perfectly with the “Core Values” of the FCA, according to its website, which states that “Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.”

Among other activities of the FCA are Huddles, a certified small group bible study/devotion for coaches and athletes; camps, certified ministry events that use the annual theme and scripture for athletes and coaches to develop athletic skills, create influential relationships and encounter Jesus Christ; the FCA Coaches Ministry, which is the ministry program to coaches through huddles, events, training and resources; and a variety of international trips with FCA staff and other partner organizations around the globe.

To register for a individual seats, at $50 per seat, or for table and sponsor opportunities, visit here. For more information on the Michigan Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visit here.

Author Shanika Carter, library inclusion conversation, at KDL Kentwood on March 5

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Shanika Carter’ will discuss her new book “To Lead or Not to Lead” and will sign books Thursday, March 5, at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch Kent District Library. (Supplied by the Author)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Author Shanika Carter’s new book “To Lead or Not to Lead” has the appropriate subtitle of “Breaking the Glass Ceiling Using Lessons from Your Past Experiences”.

In the book — which she will be speaking on and signing copies of at the Kentwood KDL Branch Library March 5 — Carter makes the case that while people can be helped on their personal and career journeys by other people, the best help may well be understanding and learning from one’s own positive and negative experiences.

Shanika Carter. (Supplied)

“I share not only my experiences, but those of others who have emphasized a lack of mentorship and encouragement to move up the ladder in their fields,” Carter said to WKTV. “For me, though, although I did experience a lack of the mentorship along the way, I learned quite a bit about myself and how to overcome obstacles I encountered.”

Carter’s discussion and book signing will take place Thursday, March 5, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch Kent District Library, 4950 Breton SE, Kentwood. The event is free and open to the public.

Carter’s talk, and book signing with snacks, will be followed at 6:30 p.m. by a library equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) community conversation. And while the author will not be directly involved in the discussion, she strongly supports the inclusion efforts.

“I plan to support and participate in (the EDI conversation) on the 5th,” Carter said. “When I lived in Grand Rapids, before starting my writing/editing business … and getting back into teaching, I was employed part time in KDL’s circulation pool, rotating to the various locations to assist.

“That was over five years ago, so my relationship with KDL began then, and continued as I got my writing up off the ground, having participated as a guest speaker for one of KDL’s annual writing conferences … I appreciate everything that they have done with me on this journey.”

Carter’s journey includes graduating from Muskegon Heights High School, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising from Michigan State University and her Master of Science degree in communications from Grand Valley State University.

Carter has worked as an adjunct instructor at ITT Technical Institute and Jackson College’s Prison Education Initiative program. She currently works in the writing center at Muskegon Community College, also teaching for the Communications and College Success Center departments, and is also an adjunct instructor at Montcalm Community College, where she teaches interpersonal communications and speech.

Carter is also a big supporter of the need for all persons — students, reformed prisoners, everybody — have the ability to communicate to be successful in life and careers.

“It is highly important to be able to communicate both verbally and in written form, particularly in a time where we, and so many of our youth, are in a social media world where even the communication is so different,” Carter said. “I’ve heard from teachers (and) parents over the years about how basic handwriting was no longer a requirement, like it was when I was growing up. Also, with social media, we find more people communicating in other ways outside of face-to-face contact and even using a more condensed language to exchange messages.

“As an instructor at this level of education, I am amazed at how many students I do encounter who do have difficulties with basic writing and grammar, let alone social and interpersonal skills. With the combination of losing some of the basic writing and communication requirements that were available in the past, and then dealing with those who allow their social media interactions to lapse over into their regular, face-to-face or written communications, the importance of communications and writing is just as relevant and important to continue in education.”

For more information on Shanika P. Carter’s book “To Lead or Not to Lead: Breaking the Glass Ceiling Using Lessons from Your past Experiences”, visit here. For more information on her The Write Flow and Vibe project, visit here.

For more information on the KDL Kentwood event, visit here. Follow the Kent District Library on various social media platforms — Facebook: facebook.com/KentDistrictLibrary and Instagram: @kentdistrictlibrary and Twitter: @KDLNews.

Meijer Gardens to open annual Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition on March 1

Area Education, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, Volunteers,
Kids of all ages and butterflies mix at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition — reportedly the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation — will bring more than 7,000 tropical butterflies to West Michigan beginning Sunday, March 1.

This year’s exhibition highlights Nathaniel Ward and the invention of the Wardian Case.

In 1827, Ward accidentally invented terrariums while studying caterpillars and moths by placing them in jars. He noticed that plants were flourishing in these sealed jars and discovered that plants and insects better survived the harsh conditions in London, a city known for heavy pollution at the time, if they were enclosed in sealed containers. This discovery led to horticulturists being able to transport items around the globe and these early “fern cases” paved the way for modern terrariums, greenhouses and conservatories.

“Step Into the glass house during this year’s Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition and discover how the invention of the Wardian case changed the world,” Lisa Roo, project manager, said in supplied material. “This year’s theme offers our community a sense of wonder with magical glass houses from four feet tall to our iconic fifty-foot-tall Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory.

“We offer our guests the unique experience of stepping into glass houses to see butterflies soaring, caterpillars munching, and learn how the Wardian case paved the way for modern terrariums and greenhouses.”

A new Wardian case will be located in the adjacent Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor.

Approximately 60 colorful species of butterflies and moths journey from butterfly-rich regions of Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Philippines and Kenya to fly freely in the five-story tall, 15,000 square-foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. At 85 degrees and 70 percent humidity, this balmy environment mimics the tropical regions that the butterflies call home.

Butterflies and flowers will be on display at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)

Species of butterflies expected to arrive include the blue common morpho, whose iridescence impresses in flight, as well as brushfoot varieties such as the Clearwing, Lacewing and Zebra Mosaic. Likewise, the longwings captivate with distinctive wing patterns as seen on the Small Blue Grecian, Doris, Postman and Tiger butterflies. Gliders like the Emperor, Ruby-Spotted and Orchard Swallowtails will also add to the diverse assortment.

More than 1,000 pupae arrive at Meijer Gardens weekly from around the world. Guests can watch as delicate chrysalides and cocoons are placed in the Observation Station, where these unique and fascinating creatures then transform and spread their wings for the first time.

The Caterpillar Room, located within the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, features monarch caterpillars. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)

The Caterpillar Room, located within the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, features monarch caterpillars. Here guests will have the opportunity to learn more about how plants, butterflies and moths live in and under glass. Caterpillars hungrily feed on milkweed host plants mixed in with the flowering spring plantings and ferns that encompass the perimeter of the seasonal display greenhouse.

A docent will be present to help guide guests and enhance the experience. Volunteers are also “Wanted. Needed. Appreciated.” with various jobs and shifts. Contact Valerie Maciejewski at vmaciejewski@meijergardens.org or 616-974-5221.

There will be extended hours during Spring Break (Monday to Friday, April 6-10, 9 a.m. top 9 p.m.) and There are several special exhibition activities also set for the show. For more information visit meijergardens.org.

Jazz vocalist Luciana Souza makes stop at St. Cecilia on March 5

Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
Luciana Souza (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

St. Cecilia Music Center Jazz series continues Thursday, March 5, when Grammy Award winning jazz vocalist Luciana Souza comes to the Royce Auditorium Stage with a program called “The Book of Longing”, performing alongside Chico Pinheiro and Scott Colley for “a night of sultry Brazilian jazz.”

Souza according to supplied information, “transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music, and an enlightened approach to new music.”

“We are thrilled to have the multi-talented Luciana Souza on stage at St. Cecilia Music Center ,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “To quote Billboard Magazine, ‘Her music soulfully reflects, wistfully regrets, romantically woos, joyfully celebrates …’ All of us are looking forward to hearing her amazing voice and discovering her joyful, soulful and heartfelt music.”
 

As a jazz vocal leader, Souza has been releasing acclaimed recordings since 2002, including her six Grammy nominated records Brazilian Duos, North and South, Duos II, Tide, Duos III, and The Book of Chet. Her debut recording for Universal, The New Bossa Nova, was produced by her husband, Larry Klein, and was met with widespread critical acclaim.

Souza’s recordings also include two works based on poetry — The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop And Other Songs, and Neruda.

From 2005 to 2010, she was the Jazz Artist in Residence with the prestigious San Francisco Performances. In 2005 and 2013 Luciana was awarded Best Female Jazz Singer by the Jazz Journalists Association.

For more information about Luciana Souza visit her website at lucianasouza.com.


Concert tickets for Luciana Souza are $40 and $45 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.
 

A pre-concert reception for $15 at 6:30 pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres, is available by reservation in advance (reserve by Friday, February 28). A post-concert party with dessert, coffee and wine is open to all ticket-holders to meet the artists, obtain autographs and CD purchases.

 

‘First four’ Meijer Gardens summer concerts includes series usual spectrum of music

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events,
The Australian Pink Floyd Show (supplied/Ben Donoghue)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Ah, another sign of spring coming — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park giving us a little taste of the 2020 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts series line-up, with the first four acts announced recently.

Meijer Gardens’ annual concert series features “an eclectic mix of alternative, indie, blues and classic rock,” according to the announcement, and the first four cover that spectrum: Gregory Alan Isakov on June 7, Squeeze on July 9, Michael Franti & Spearhead on Aug. 16 and The Australian Pink Floyd Show on Aug. 30.

The complete lineup will be announced in mid-April.

Members of Meijer Gardens will have the first opportunity to purchase discounted tickets during an exclusive members-only pre-sale, April 25 through May 8. During the pre-sale, members receive a $5 discount per ticket.

To become a member or renew a membership before April 25, visit MeijerGardens.org/Membership.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on May 9. More information on prices and purchasing options will be available following the release of the full lineup in mid-April.

Michael Franti & Spearhead. (Supplied)

Brief, supplied information on the four concerts is as follows:

Gregory Alan Isakov was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and now calls Colorado home. He is a horticulturist-turned-musician and “has cast an impressive presence on the indie-rock and folk worlds.” Isakov has toured internationally with his band and has performed with several symphony orchestras across the United States. He also manages a small farm which provides produce to over a dozen local restaurants.For more information on Gregory Alan Isakov, visit gregoryalanisakov.com.

Squeeze first formed in 1973, shortly after Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook had begun their songwriting partnership, brought together by an ad in a sweetshop window. By 1977 they had made their recording debut and enjoyed a string of hits which lasted until 1982 on the back of New Wave. Over the years there have been solo careers and occasional separations, but the Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriting duo reunited in 2007 to relaunch Squeeze and have been touring, writing and recording together since.For more information on Squeeze, visit squeezeofficial.com.

Leading Michael Franti & Spearhead, Franti is a musician, humanitarian, filmmaker, and activist who is recognized as a pioneering force in the music industry. He believes that there is a great battle taking place in the world today between cynicism and optimism, so he made his most recent album, Stay Human Vol. II, to remind himself — and anyone who’s listening — that there is still good in the world and that is worth fighting for.For more information on Michael Franti & Spearhead, visit michaelfranti.com.

The Australian Pink Floyd Show performs the music of Pink Floyd “with note for note perfection” and “this critically acclaimed show has been astonishing audiences worldwide for more than three decades.” Always striving to reproduce the complete Pink Floyd experience and bring the music to new audiences, the show continues to include a stunning light and laser show, video animations, state of the art, high resolution LED screen technology and other special effects. In addition, and in true Pink Floyd fashion, there are several huge inflatables including a giant pig and their own unique Pink Kangaroo.For more information on The Australian Pink Floyd Show, visit aussiefloyd.com.

Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23 turns 70, will host dignitaries for ceremony Saturday, Feb. 29

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Local Faces, Local History, Recreation, Upcoming Events, Veterans
The City of Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23, named in honor of 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma, will turn 70 this year and is being honored by a special State of Michigan proclamation. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23 — named in honor of 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma — will turn 70 this year and is being honored by a special State of Michigan proclamation. The public is invited to the celebration.

The official reading of the proclamation will take place a special dedication ceremony Saturday, Feb. 29, with a long list of state and local public officials, as well as veterans organization leaders.

The dedication ceremony will begin at 4 p.m., with guest speakers and a POW/MIA Ceremony. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., with the meal prepared by the Blue Star Mothers and a per-plate cost of $7. The Frank Eimer Band (with full brass) will provide music starting at 8 p.m.

Government leaders expected to be in attendance include City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, State Sen. Aric Nesbitt and State Representatives Steven Johnson and Tommy Brann.

The City of Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23, named in honor of 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma — will turn 70 this year and is being honored by a special State of Michigan proclamation. (WKTV)

Local and state veterans organizations expected to be represented include, according to supplied material: Chuck Petch, state AMVETS Commander; Lenny Hogan, past state AMVETS Commander; Donald Torr state Sons of AMVETS President; Bertha Lema state Auxiliary President; Richard DeVoe, state AMVETS 1st Vice Commander; Lora DeVoe, state AMVETS District 5 Commander; Eric Nelson, United Veterans Council of Kent County Commander; Bob Green, AMVETS State Man of the Year; and
Denny Gillem, Frontlines of Freedom.


 
The AMVETS organization (American Veterans Organization) was started in 1947, by action of the Congress and President Harry Truman, and is open for all veterans who served between 1940 and current day without regard to specific wartime assignment.

AMVETS Post 23 was chartered in 1950, and is dedicated to 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma, who attended Kelloggsville High School and was killed in action as part of a crew of a B-29 Superfortress which crashed while on mission in Manchuria in 1944.

AMVETS Post 23 “was started by World War II veterans who didn’t feel that some organizations met some of their needs,” according to a statement from the Post. “So they started their own group, and it’s for all veterans … we are very, very inclusive.”

To find out more about AMVETS Post 23, located at 98 SE 52nd St., visit AMVETSPost23.org, check out the AMVETS Post 23 Facebook page, or call 616-531-5438.

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of February includes Tuesday, Feb. 25, with girls and boys basketball featuring Tri-unity Christian High School at Grand River Prep; and Friday, Feb. 28, with girls/boys basketball with Tri-unity Christian again on the road at Wyoming Potter’s House.

WKTV’s girls and boys basketball District Tournament coverage to be begin March is still being determined, but should be announced by the end of this week.

Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Feb. 24
Girls Basketball
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys Basketball
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House

Tuesday, Feb. 25
Boys Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand River Prep — WKTV Featured Event
Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep
Zion Christian @ Muskegon Catholic Central
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ Holland
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand River Prep — WKTV Featured Event
Zion Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran
Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ Holland
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

Wednesday, Feb. 26 — no events

Thursday, Feb. 27
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Holland Black River
Zion Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Grand River Prep
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Holland Black River
Grand Rapids Adventist @ Grand River Prep
Boys Diving
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Conference Prelims
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ West Ottawa – MHSAA Regionals

Friday, Feb. 28
Boys/Girls Bowling
Tri-Unity Christian @ TBA – MHSAA State Team Regionals – Boys
Wyoming Lee – MHSAA State Team Regionals @ Park Center Lanes
Godwin Heights – MHSAA State Team Regionals
South Christian – MHSAA State Team Regionals @ M-66 Bowl
Wyoming- MHSAA State Team Regionals
East Kentwood – MHSAA State Team Regionals
Boys Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Event
Kalamazoo Phoenix @ West Michigan Lutheran
Covenant Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Christian @ South Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Event
West Michigan Aviation @ West Michigan Lutheran
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Christian @ South Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hastings
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Conference Prelims
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA Team State Finals

Saturday, Feb. 29
Boys/Girls Bowling
Tri-Unity Christian @ TBA – MHSAA State Individual Regionals – Boys
Wyoming Lee – MHSAA State Individual Regionals- @ Park Center Lanes
Godwin Heights – MHSAA State Individual Regionals
South Christian – MHSAA State Individual Regionals @ M-66 Bowl
East Kentwood – MHSAA Individual Regionals
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hastings
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Conference Finals
Girls Cheer
Wyoming – State Regionals

Snapshots: Three fun things to do this weekend, inside and out

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Time flies whether you are having fun or not. Your choice.”

Anonymous
(Supplied/Grand Rapids Symphony)

Inside in GR, with a wizard

The Harry Potter Film Concerts Series returns to DeVos Performance Hall with “Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince” on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21-22, with the Grand Rapids Symphony performing the live score while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen. Go here for the story.

The start of the 2019 Freeze Fest disc golf event. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

Inside and outside in Kentwood

The City of Kentwood will have two community events this Saturday, including the Annual Freeze Fest Disc Golf Tournament, and a Hawaiian Luau-Themed Family Dance, both on Feb. 22. Go here for the story.

Outside in Grand Haven

On Saturday, Feb. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m., downtown Grand Haven businesses  will be showcasing their favorite Nursery Rhymes during the tenth annual Frozen in Time. Frozen in Time is a window display competition, complete with live mannequins and an Oscar-style awards ceremony. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

It will not be -13 (we hope)

That record low temperature in Grand Rapids was set in 1966 with a low of -13 degrees, which we tied Feb. 19, 2015.

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Midón brings genre-blurring sound to St. Cecilia folk series

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events, ,
Raul Midón brings stunning guitar work and hypnotic vocals to his music, but he politely declines to step into any musical-genre box. (Courtesy of the artist)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Raul Midón, according to no-less a critic than the New York Times, is “a one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus.” So while stunning guitar work and hypnotic vocals are the focal point of the singer-songwriter’s music, he politely declines to step into any musical-genre box.

So, he just happens to be scheduled as part of the St. Cecilia Music Center’s Acoustic Café folk series of concerts, with a debut appearance scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27. Tickets are still available.

Raul Midón. (Courtesy of the artist)

“My only link to the folk genre is acoustic guitar,” Midón said to WKTV in a recent email conversation. “I’m a jazz trained singer songwriter guitarist with a black and Latin heritage. But I write and sing songs accompanied by acoustic guitar.”

His unclassifiable versatility is evidenced by his having released 10 studio albums as a solo artist, being dubbed “an eclectic adventurist” by People magazine, having collaborated with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Queen Latifah and Snoop Dogg, and contributed to the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s film “She Hate Me.”


And now, on his latest album, If You Really Want, released in September 2019 and arranged by Vince Mendoza, Midón’s voice and guitar blend with an actual orchestra — the equally diverse Metropole Orkest, a multiple Grammy winning ensemble orchestra based in the Netherlands often called a “hybrid orchestra” due to its ability to float between jazz, big band and symphony orchestra music.

But, Midón said to WKTV about the recording — and re-recording — of If You Really Want, the artist is a bit of a musical perfectionist and tinkerer.

“Once the ensemble parts were tracked, I took the recordings home, taking my time to re-cut the vocals and guitar so that they were as nuanced as possible,” he said in supplied material.

“In today’s climate, time is money, more than ever, unless it’s in the comfort of your own home studio,” Midón said to WKTV. “The budget did not allow for me to sing with the orchestra in the studio. But it’s a nice compromise, plus I have the skills to achieve that.”

Musical talent, musical editing skills and musical confidence, are clearly in abundance with Midón, despite the fact that he is blind — evidenced by the title of Midón’s 2017 release: Bad Ass and Blind.

And that blindness also does not stop him from being at home with a live audience, feeding off the unseen audience, in fact.

“Energy isn’t visible, so what would blindness matter,” he said to WKTV. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years or so, I can read an audience in my own way. Applause is just one way. But if you are in Japan, silence and attentiveness would be another.”

For more information on Raul Midón — and his new album, The Mirror, due out March 13 — visit his website at raulmidon.com.

Two other St. Cecilia Acoustic Café concerts remain for this season, both with tickets available, include Grammy-award winning folk/Americana singer and songwriter Marc Cohn — he of “Walking in Memphis” but so much more — returns to St. Cecilia on March 19.

Then Shawn Colvin returns for her second appearance at St. Cecilia, on May 19, performing her newly released album Steady On Acoustic in its entirety. Her original 1989 album Steady On became her first Grammy Award winning album.

Tickets for Raul Midón on Feb. 27 are $40 and $45 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.  A post-concert “Meet-the-artist” party with a cash bar will be offered to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to possibly meet Midón and obtain signed autographs of his CDs.

Woodland Mall, New Hope Baptist Church partner for Black History Month ‘Live Museum’

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Education, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, Woodland Mall,
African-American legends will “appear” at Woodland Mall during Black History Month thanks to reinactors from New Hope Baptist Church. (Supplied/Woodland Mall)

By Woodland Mall

African-American legends will “appear” at Woodland Mall during Black History Month thanks to reinactors from New Hope Baptist Church. (Supplied/Woodland Mall)

Jay Z, Tina Turner,  Coco Gauff and Congressman John Lewis will be among the African-American legends “appearing” at Woodland Mall during Black History Month — thanks to a special partnership with New Hope Baptist Church.


 
Woodland Mall and New Hope Baptist Church are partnering to bring a “live museum” to the mall on Saturday, Feb. 29, from 2 to 5 p.m.  The one-day only exhibit will feature actors portraying notable and important African-American figures in politics, sports, science, arts, entertainment and other areas.


 
Ranging in age from 10 to 72, the actors are all volunteers from New Hope Baptist Church in Grand Rapids.


 
“We are proud to partner with New Hope Baptist Church for the eighth year of this great event,” said Cecily McCabe, marketing director for the Woodland Mall. “The live museum gives our guests the opportunity to learn through personal connections. We look forward to the talents of the volunteers who work so hard to create a memorable event.”


 
During the live museum, actors and volunteers will portray African-American figures in history and current culture. The performers bring their persona to life by adopting mannerisms and speaking from a script. Interaction will be limited to the script so performers can fully immerse themselves as the people they are portraying.


 
“The performers work hard for the weeks leading up to the event each year,” said Rev. Dr. Howard Earle, Jr., senior pastor at New Hope Baptist Church and visionary of the African-American live museum. “The community looks forward to this event as an opportunity to help educate our community and to share the wonderful talents of our volunteers.”


 
The event, Earle said, impacts everyone in the community, generating a sense of pride that spans generations.

 
 
“Events like the live museum demonstrate the importance of diversity in our country,” Earle explained. “African-Americans are an integral part of all professions and have made significant contributions to our cultural identity – from science to politics to entertainment. We’re confident everyone will not only learn something at this event, but enjoy it as well.”


 
The live museum is free inside the Woodland Mall, and everyone is welcome to attend. Throughout the history of the event, no figures have been repeated, with one exception. Former President Barack Obama was first seen early in his administration and again in 2017 as he exited office.

For more information visit shopwoodlandmall.com.

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week.

The Featured Game coverage schedule for the remainder of February includes the following:

Tuesday, Feb. 18 — Boys Basketball Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee

Friday, Feb. 21 — Girls/Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House

Tuesday, Feb. 25 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Grand River Prep

Friday, Feb. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Potter’s House

Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Feb. 17
Boys/Girls Bowling
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park

Tuesday, Feb. 18
Boys Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville
Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran
West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian
Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Potter’s House
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee — WKTV Featured Event
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming @ Hudsonville
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville
Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran
West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian
Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Potter’s House @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Middleville T-K @ South Christian
Hudsonville @ Wyoming
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Comstock Park

Wednesday, Feb. 19
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wayland @ South Christian
Byron Center @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Boys Wrestling
East Kentwood – MHSAA Team Regionals

Thursday, Feb. 20
Boys/Girls Bowling
Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Kalamazoo Phoenix
West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian
Girls Basketball
Barry County Christian @ Grand River Prep
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Ottawa Hills

Friday, Feb. 21
Boys Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River
West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Event
Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep
Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
South Christian @ Wayland
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River
West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Event
Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
South Christian @ Wayland
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ TBA — O-K Silver Post Season Tourney
Boys Hockey
South Christian @ Christian
Girls Cheer
Wyoming – TBA – MHSAA State Districts

Saturday, Feb. 22
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
South Christian – OK Green-Gold Tournament @ Park Center Lanes
Wyoming @ Christian
East Kentwood – Post Season Conference Tournament
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – Districts
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Boys Hockey
Catholic Central @ South Christian
Boys Wrestling
East Kentwood – MHSAA Individual Regionals

Monday, Feb. 24
Girls Basketball
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys Basketball
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House

Grand Rapids Boat Show runs Feb. 19-23 at Grand Rapids’ DeVos Place

3-bottom, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events,
A sea of boats will be on display at the Grand Rapids Boat Show. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The Grand Rapids Boat Show not only turns 75 this year but is also Michigan’s longest running show. And it will return to DeVos Place in Grand Rapids this week, running Wednesday, Feb. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 23.

The Grand Rapids Boat Show started in 1946 as the West Michigan Sportland Boat Show in the Welsh Auditorium, with less than 25,000 square feet of space, according to supplied material. It is now 250,000 square feet (5.74 acres) of display space throughout the main exhibition halls, Steelcase Ballroom, Grand Gallery and Grand River Overlook where more than 400 boats from over 100 manufacturers and 35 dealers are displayed side-by-side.

Classic and antique boats are also part of the Grand Rapids Boat Show. (Supplied)

“The boaters of the Great Lakes State have embraced this grand tradition every winter for 75 years and this year they’ll find everything from aluminum fishing boats and personal watercrafts, to pro style ski and bass boats, luxury pontoon boats, runabouts, deck boats and big boats like yachts and cruisers … including the 42’ Regal Grande Coupe, recognized as this year’s ‘Queen of the Show’,” event promotional material states.


Other special features at the boat show include:

Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel, performing daily.

Appearances by Pro Wakeboarders & Wakesurfers.

Vintage & wooden boats from Water Wonderland Chapter of Antique & Classic Boat Society.

The pop-up Lake Life Boutique featuring specialized food, drinks, live music and kids’ activities.

An opportunity to suit up and try out the SCUBA Dive Tank presented by Great Lakes Dive Locker.

A Boater Safety Certification (Saturday only) presented by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division.

Gizmo D. Robot as he strolls the show, visiting with kids of all ages.

 
DeVos Place is located at 303 Monroe St. NE, Grand Rapids. Ticket are $12 adults, $5 children aged 6 to 14. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.

There is close-by parking beneath DeVos Place, across the street and connected by skywalk. There is also a complimentary trolley available; park in the Dash Lot Area 9 on Seward ($2 total) and hop aboard the trolley which will be making runs on an 8-minute loop for an hour before the show opens to an hour after the show closes each day.

For more information visit here.

GR’s Listening Room’s intimate sound space attracting talent local and national

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events,
The Listening Room is attracting artists, plugged-in and unplugged, to Grand Rapids. (Supplied/Listening Room)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Its almost universal: music fans, and artists, love an intimate sound space, one where the audience truly becomes part of the music and the artist can make a visceral connection with the audience. Listening Room, one of Grand Rapids newest music houses, is rapidly becoming known as one of those music venues.

Listening Room, which opened late last year and is located at Studio Park at 123 Ionia Ave SW, has already build a reputation with local audiences as a “jazz club” in the classic style, a folk stage where an un-amplified guitar and voice can be heard and appreciated, a place where up-and-coming bands can fill the house as they hone their sonic skills.

The “Room” is also getting known by national touring acts as a place to unwind if not unplug from the impersonal stadium and festival stages, and get back in contact with the audience — Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Los Lobos and Loudon Wainwright III are only three scheduled examples.

The reasons for the venue’s buzz — with national acts and local audiences — are several fold, according to Quinn Mathews, general manager and talent buyer for the Listening Room.

Los Lobos an their acoustic tour line-up. (Supplied)

“We’re lucky to not only be situated between the cities of Detroit and Chicago, but situated between very well known venues on the east side of Michigan and in Chicago, for instance The Ark in Ann Arbor and City Winery in Chicago,” Mathews said to WKTV about his booking national acts.

“The artists agencies in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles have been sending talent around here for years. … Grand Rapids, as a city, is really growing and making national news. People are here, music fans are here, the artists and agents know it.”

While having national acts stopping by is great, Matthews is just as happy with the steady bookings of local acts … such as The Crane Wives on Feb. 28 and Mid Life Crisis on March 23, to name only two.

The Crane Wives (Facebook)

“This was extremely important to me, to have local, regional, national, and international talent. To have music 4 to 5 if not 6 to 7 nights a week,” he said. “Some nights are free or $5 or $10, some nights have international touring acts with tickets $40-$50. I wanted everyone to feel welcome, not to just book one style for one type of audience.

 

“There was a weekend a few weeks ago where Friday night was Hip Hop, Saturday night was Jazz, and Sunday night was local songwriters. … It was so great to see the place packed out each night with different people in our community.”

And, after all, a 200-seat venue known for as a music “listening room” is clearly focused on the audience experience.

“I think we’re in an interesting time with music in so many ways,” Matthews said. “The industry really changed in the early 2000’s, music became so easily accessible.  Everyone listens to music all the time, it’s easy. You can listen for free within seconds. I always laugh in the grocery store walking around, there will be a kid, 12-years-old, with earbuds in listening to music on one aisle. The next aisle, a 85-year-old with earbuds in.

“Everyone is listening. The trick is do they attend concerts? Many more people are downloading and streaming music, but does that translate to ticket sales for live music?  Sure Elton John and Bruce Springsteen sell out arenas, but who attends concerts in rock clubs, coffee shops, breweries, etc?

“I think whether I agree with it or not there seems to need to be another factor for folks to attend a concert. … We wanted to build a place that was comfortable, seated, nice atmosphere, like the old jazz clubs, servers bringing you bourbon, etc., a place that feels really great even before the music starts.”

For more information on all concerts at Listening Room, visit listeningroomGR.com or call 616-900-9500.

Wyoming high hosts Hall of Fame night, key OK-Gold boys basketball game, WKTV Featured Games

City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team, from an early season game. (Curtis Holt)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming High School will be hosting its annual Hall of Fame Basketball Community Night Friday, Feb. 14, with the Hall of Fame Class of 2020 honored, special coverage by ESPN radio and the WKTV video crew, and two special performances by Wyoming’s Dance Team.

Oh, and ya, there will be also be what will likely be the OK-Conference Gold’s boys basketball game of the season as Wolves boys team hosts Grand Rapids Christian for the conference lead.

The Wolves boys (13-1 overall, 7-1 in OK Gold) will seek to tie for the conference lead and avenge their only loss of the season as they host the Eagles (14-0 and 7-0) in an 8 p.m. game. On the girls side, Wyoming (5-10 and 2-6) will try to spoil the conference title chances of Christian (13-2 and 5-2) in a 6 p.m. game.

Both games will be WKTV Sports Featured Games, which will be available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

“These are great games for the team and the community,” Wyoming boys coach Thom Vander Klay said to WKTV. “Wyoming has always had tremendous support for our kids and respecting the countless hours of training and practice it takes to develop their skills.

“The boys been working since elementary school to play in games like this one … and next Tuesday at Hudsonville, etc.,” he said. “Our kids will battle.”

This pack of Wolves led by seniors

One of those kids who will battle is senior Menalito McGee, who will be honored between the two games for scoring his 1,000th point in a Wolves uniform during a game in January.

The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball fans were into this Dec. 13 home game; this week’s game will be even more exciting. (Curtis Holt)

“Menalito is a great leader and is one of the best communicators we have ever coached,” Vander Klay said. “He leads the team in assists and rarely turns the ball over, particularly given the amount of time he has the ball in his hands.”

McGee is averaging an impressive 26.4 point per game this season, including shooting 47-of-82 from 3-point distance and 45-of-54 from the free-throw line, with 61 assists and only 15 turnovers.

“He has one agenda,” Vander Klay said. “ … to help us win. In his case that means he may have to score.”

But the Wolves are not a one-man team, as their record indicates, and have gotten great play from fellow seniors Marion Parks, Diego Ledesma, Monte Parks and Quincy Williams.

Marion Parks was a honorable mention All-Conference player last year and this season is averaging 12 points and nearly six rebounds a game.

“He had 27 against GR Christian in the first game to lead all scorers,” Vander Klay said. “He is a great athlete and competitor.”

Ledesma is second on the team in scoring, averaging 15 points per game, while Monte Parks is averaging eight points and five rebounds per game.

Wyoming High School basketball coach Thom Vander Klay, coaching. (Supplied)

“Ledesma is a very skilled player that continually works on his game to improve and loves the big games,” Vander Klay said. “Monte Parks is a great athlete and is fearless regarding competition. He can board, defend and score.

“Quincy Williams (leading the team in rebounds per game with just under seven per) is our role player that will continually battle and emerge with big plays on both ends of the floor even though he is perpetually undersized,” Vander Klay added.

Other players on the team include seniors TJ Chandler, Carlo Bass and Deion Parks, and juniors Jeremy Barber, Payton Lee, Joshua Anstey, Sam DeYoung, Mahki Matthews and Seth DeYoung.

Big night of basketball and ceremony

And, it if playing at home on a special night is not motivation enough, there is that matter of the Wolves only loss coming at Christian.

“Obviously, we believe we can improve one possession since the January 17 game,” Vander Klay said. “Certainly motivation is high for both teams to play well and we have been working on things for a long time.

“We emphasize our pace including making sure our opponent plays fast for as close to 32 minutes as possible. The faster the pace, overall, the better opportunity we have to win games. We hope Grand Rapids (Christian) will have to play 32 minutes at our pace to give us the best opportunity for victory.”

The planned Hall of Fame Ceremony — the induction of Joslyn Narber, Micah Bell, Craig Chappell, Rich Friberg, Sue Peterson, Paul Agema — is also set for between the two games.

The night will also be Wyoming Dance Senior Night, with performances at halftime of both games. There will also be a performance by the school’s honors choir and pep band, special student section t-shirts and an effort to set a student section attendance record, and the Wyoming Wolf Mascot bounding around.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

Winter Meijer State Games registration still open for local weekend events beginning Friday

Community Health, Health, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events
The Meijer State Game of Michigan will have local events this weekend; snow will be involved and registration is still available. (Supplied/Meijer State Game of Michigan)

WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The main weekend of the Meijer State Games of Michigan’s Winter Games will take place this weekend, Feb. 14-16, with local sports including indoor archery, ninja, fencing, cross country skiing (freestyle and nordic), karate, disc golf, shooting sports and wrestling.

Online registration as well as onsite registration is still available for some main weekend sports, according to supplied material. For more information about onsite registration, times, locations and entry fees for events, please visit stategamesofmichigan.com. Registration information is located on each sport’s page.

The main weekend will begin with an athlete celebration hosted by the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday, Feb. 14, at the Van Andel Arena. A special in-game recognition of all Meijer State Games athletes will take place during the first period.

Prior to the Griffins game, the Meijer State Games will present the 2019 Athletes of the Year awards, including to Catherine Vandergriff of Spring Lake (speed skating), Noah Zomberg of Grand Rapids (rugby) and Anastasia Schutte of Holland (archery 3D).

The Meijer State Games of Michigan held the first sporting event of the Winter Games, fatbike, on Feb. 1. Results for all the Winter Games sporting events are now available here.

The Meijer State Games of Michigan, according to supplied material, is an Olympic-style, multi-sport event(s) that welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability level. “The games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship, and healthy living among the residents of Michigan.”

Since 2010, Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted more than 65,000 athletes. The Meijer State Games of Michigan has also contributed over $25 million in estimated economic impact to cities throughout Michigan, according to supplied material.

Alternatives in Motion’s holds mobility drive, plans 2020 GVSU ‘Wheel Run’ 5K

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Health, Kids Activities, Non-Profits, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, Volunteers,
AIM also invites the public to run, walk or hand cycle your way through Grand Valley State University’s campus in Allendale this Saturday, April 4, for its Wheel Run Together 5K Run/Walk fundraiser. (Supplied/AIM)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The local non-profit Alternatives in Motion — whose stated mission is to “enhance independence through access to mobility equipment” — recently announced a successful mobility device collection drive put on by one of AIM’s board members.

AIM will also be the benefactor of the Wheel Run Together 5K Run/Walk fundraiser, held at Gran Valley State University’s Allendale campus in April. And it is not too early to sign up.

Throughout December 2019, AIM board member Leigh Chick hosted a Mobility Drive at Ionia Intermediate School District’s Freedom Acres School.

Throughout December 2019, AIM board member Leigh Chick hosted a Mobility Drive at Ionia Intermediate School District’s Freedom Acres School. (Supplied/AIM)

“I was inspired to host a mobility drive to support AIM because they have given so much to the students and families of Ionia County and directly to Freedom Acres School,” Chick said in supplied material. “I knew there were families and community members holding onto old equipment that their child had outgrown and they didn’t know what to do with it. I wanted to give them a place to pay it forward. I also wanted to spread the word about how amazing of an organization AIM is.”

Chick thanked several people for help with the drive, including Jim VanBeek of Triangle Construction, who loaned an enclosed trailer to house and collect the equipment in until it could be delivered to Alternatives in Motion’s warehouse, as well as, at the school, Principal Angela Miller, maintenance supervisor Jeff Duell, and Brenda Brown, the school’s physical therapist.

Wheels, run, walk, whatever — for a good cause

AIM also invites the public to run, walk or hand cycle your way through Grand Valley State University’s campus in Allendale this Saturday, April 4, for its Wheel Run Together 5K Run/Walk fundraiser.

All proceeds go directly to support the organization, which aids in donating and refurbishing wheelchairs to individuals and families in need.

The event will take place at 1110 Kirkhof Center, 1 Campus Drive, on GVSU’s Allendale campus. In addition to the run, there will be raffles, prizes, music, snacks, drinks, and more. The cost is $25 per person with events starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m.

Registration and additional race information can be found at the following Facebook link.

For more information on Alternatives in Motion, visit their website here.

Kent County recycling center to temporarily close for paper recycling separation upgrades

3-bottom, Hard News, Local Business, Our Cities, Upcoming Events,
Recycling Education also occurs at the Kent County Recycling & Education Center. (Kent County)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Kent County announced this week that Kent County Recycling & Education Center at 977 Wealthy St. SW will be closed and unable to accept recyclable materials from both curbside and public drop-off locations for processing while new equipment is installed.

The equipment upgrades will “improve efficiency and quality by replacing the mechanical screens used to sort paper,” according to supplied material. Renovations will take place starting Monday, Feb. 24 and last until approximately Friday, March 13, according to the county.

During that period, there will be no recycling accepted by the county — from citizens at the downtown and north county transfer facilities, or by contract trash haulers who also collect recycling — a county spokesperson confirmed to WKTV.

(WKTV)

“We are giving advance notice to ensure residents can get as much of their existing recycling picked up and recycled before the February 24 temporary closure,” Dar Baas, director of Kent County Department of Public Works, said in supplied material. “We understand this is inconvenient but it’s necessary to ensure we can continue to be a reliable processor of recyclables for the region.”

According to the county, paper accounts for 70 percent of the processed material at the recycling center. In 2019, the center processed 16,692 tons of paper product, the equivalent of 283,764 trees, according to the county. The facility sorts out at least a truckload of paper every day. The screens used to sort paper are original equipment from when the center opened in 2010 and have run for over 30,000 operational hours.

Recycling is an ever-changing technology. And Kent County’s recycling system is changing. (Supplied)

“Periodic upgrades and renovations, like the replacement of our paper screens, ensure the recycling facility is up-to-date and can efficiently and reliably process clean materials for recycling markets,” Nic VanderVinne, Resource Recovery & Recycling Manager for the Kent County Department of Public Works, said in supplied material. “The Kent County Recycling & Education Center allows residents to conveniently recycle materials with a single-stream sorting process, that requires we have screens to automate the sorting process for materials like glass, metal, plastic and paper.”

The Kent County Recycling & Education Center is approaching its 10th year of single-stream recycling. Over the past decade, the center has undergone periodic maintenance and upgrades to adapt to changes in community recycling habits and packaging trends. In 2017, Kent County added equipment to accept paper cartons and improve automation.

“The recycling industry has changed significantly in the past few years due to increased global import restrictions,” Baas said in supplied material. “It’s imperative we make improvements to keep producing a high-quality product in a very competitive domestic market.”

For any updates and more information on the temporary closure visit reimaginetrash.org or call 616-632-7945.

Snapshots: Three ways to get involved in the Kentwood, Wyoming community

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Kids Activities, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.”

George Bernard Shaw

Community programs in Wyoming

There are a number of spring programs available through the Wyoming Department of Parks and Recreation Registration is now open for these programs. Go here for the story.

Run and dance in Kentwood

The City of Kentwood has community-focused events all year round but February may be a little more busy than most months with its annual Valentine’s Dash 5K on Saturday, Feb. 8, and two more events later in the month, including the Annual Freeze Fest Disc Golf Tournament, and a Hawaiian Luau-Themed Family Dance, both on Feb. 22. Go here for the story.

Summer sunny job in Wyoming

Whether a college student just home for the summer or an older adult looking to do something different, the City of Wyoming has a number of seasonal job opportunities available. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

$3,910 … or so

If you will reach full retirement age in 2019, you may earn up to $3,910 per month without losing any of your Social Security benefits. Source.

Local World Affairs Council’s 2020 Great Decisions discussion series begins Feb. 10-11

3-bottom, Community Health, Hard News, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Politics, Tech Trends, Upcoming Events, ,
Marisa O. Ensor, center, has worked in in countries around the world and will talk on “Green Peacebuilding: Justice in the face of Climate Change”. (Courtesy)

WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan’s 2020 Great Decisions series of local discussions will again tackle this year’s “issues of national an international importance” — the India and Pakistan powder keg, China’s power in the Americas, the present and future of American immigration policy, and the human impact of climate change, to name just a few.

The line-up of discussions, to be held Monday evenings at Aquinas College and Tuesday noontimes at Calvin University, will begin Feb. 10-11 with a discussion titled “Kashmir: Flashpoint between India and Pakistan” and will continue through the week of March 30.

All discussions are open to the public, with a $10 admission fee for non-Council members and collegiate partners, but free parking on each campus. No reservations are needed, and discounted series passes are available.

With the 2020 Great Decisions series, the World Affairs Council “continues its mission to empower the people and organizations of West Michigan to engage thoughtfully with the world,” according to supplied material. “Our largest community event, which we have been hosting since the mid-1950s. Diplomats, policy makers and practitioners, think tank specialists and journalists lead the conversation on some of the most pressing global issues of our time.”

The Monday lectures will run from 6 to 7:15 p.m., at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center. The Tuesday lectures will run from Noon to 1 p.m., at the Recital Hall in the Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin University.

Raza Ahmad Rumi (Supplied)

The opening lecture, “Kashmir: Flashpoint between India and Pakistan” will be led by Raza Ahmad Rumi, Director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca (N.Y.) College. Rumi has been living in the United States since 2014, and is editor of Daily Times and founder of the Nayadaur Media digital platform. He is also a visiting faculty at Cornell Institute for Public Affairs.

Drawing on his deep background as a journalist and policy analyst, Rumi will “contextualize the factors that play into India and Pakistan’s actions and the U.S. response to these countries,” according to supplied material. Asking and discussing the questions “How do we de-escalate conflict between these two nuclear powers? India and Pakistan have a long history of conflict. How has escalation within the Kashmir region changed the stakes for the U.S. and the world?”

The other lecture dates, titles and speakers are:

February 17-18, “Mirror to the World: The Philippines under Duterte”, with Julie McCarthy, international correspondent with Manila Bureau of NPR.

February 24-25, “Regional Security in the Red Sea”, with Steve Dalzell, senior defense policy researcher at RAND Corporation.

March 2-3, “Green Peacebuilding: Justice in the face of Climate Change”, with Marisa O. Ensor, Justice and Peace Studies Program & Institute for the Study of International Migration, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.

March 9-10, “Human Trafficking: Global and Local Perspectives”, a panel discussion moderated by Rachel VerWys, co-creator of Solutions to End Exploitation (SEE).

March 16-17, “The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and National Security”, with Lindsey Sheppard, fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).

March 23-24, “China’s Road into Latin America”, with Margaret Myers, director of Asia & Latin America at Inter-American Dialogue.

March 30-31, “Central American Immigration and U.S. Foreign Policy”, with Sonia Nazario, Pulitzer-winning journalist and author of “Enrique’s Journey”.

Of particular interest, for many, will be Ensor’s discussion on world justice in time of climate change. She describes herself, on her website, as “a gender and youth specialist with a background in forced displacement, environmental peacebuilding, humanitarian intervention, and post-conflict justice.”

Marisa Ensor (Courtesy)
Marisa O. Ensor (Courtesy)

She holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Florida, a Master’s in Law in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex (UK), and a certificate in Forced Migration Studies from the University of Oxford (UK). She has over a decade of international experience in “the design and implementation of gender- and youth-inclusive projects in conflict-affected and fragile states, and those confronting forced migration and environmental insecurity” in 19 countries so far in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Europe.

In her discussion, Ensor “maps the relationship between climate change, conflict and fragile states and the lessons we can learn from those fighting for human rights and peace within their communities,” according to supplied material. Specifically she will discuss “What can young activists teach us about peace and climate change? … Climate change has become one of the defining issues of our time.”

For more information on the Great Decisions 2020 series visit here.

Kelloggsville boys basketball hosts Comstock Park in non-conference WKTV Featured Game

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The Kelloggsville High School boys basketball team will take a break from its OK-Conference Silver schedule to host Comstock Park out of the OK Blue Tuesday, Feb. 4, as both teams look to get back in the win column.

The Kelloggsville Rockets (4-6 overall, 2-4 in league) are coming off a road loss to OK Silver foe Godwin Heights on Jan. 31. Comstock Park (2-8 and 1-5) will be out to break a six-game skid including a home loss to Central Catholic also on Jan. 31.

The WKTV Sports Featured Game will be available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

February a busy month for Kentwood community events, community-support activities

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Kids Activities, Non-Profits, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, , ,
From a previous year’s City of Kentwood Daddy-Daughter Dance, which this year will be expanded to be an “all family” dance. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood has community-focused events all year round but February may be a little more busy than most months with its annual Valentine’s Dash 5K on Saturday, Feb. 8, and two more events later in the month, including the Annual Freeze Fest Disc Golf Tournament, and a Hawaiian Luau-Themed Family Dance, both on Feb. 22.

Many of the city’s community events also support local persons in need. This week’s run/walk will benefit Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, while the disc golf tournament also serves as a food drive for the pantry.

This week’s 5K run/walk will start and end at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, located at 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Check-in, on-site registration and packet pick-up will all take place at 9:30 a.m. The race will begin at 11 a.m.

Some of the runners at a previous Kentwood Valentine’s Dash 5K. (WKTV)

The 5K route will include a combination of trails and roads with mile markers and Valentine’s Day candy stations. Valentine’s-themed costumes are encouraged for the occasion. Fellow participants will vote to determine who is the “best dressed” and awards will also be presented to the fastest runners. While the 5K is intended to be a fun run, it will be chip-timed.

Following the race, participates will be invited into the library’s community room for a party that will include music, snacks, a photo booth, the award ceremony and more. If participants bring a non-perishable item or additional monetary donation for the pantry, they will be entered to win a special door prize.

Online registration costs $30 until Feb. 7, and $35 for day-of registration. Participant packets include a long-sleeve shirt “and other goodies.” Runners who sign up as a couple will save $5 each.

A full day of fun on Saturday, Feb. 22

The late-month events are filled with family fun at the library and outdoor adventure, with the Hawaiian Luau-Themed Family Dance particularly unique.

“This dance is such a great opportunity for kids to get dressed up, have fun and dance with the adults in their lives,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “Whether they choose to attend with their parents or grandparents, primary caregivers, guardians or other relatives, the event is open for children to enjoy an evening making memories with their family, whoever that is to them.”

Formerly known as the Daddy-Daughter Dance, this family event will run 6 to 8 p.m. in the community room at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch and include refreshments, crafts, a photo area with props and a DJ. The evening will also include a short hula performance by Pacific Island Dancers.


Tickets cost $10 per person, and pre-registration is required. To purchase tickets go online at kentwood.us/familyluau or call 616-656-5270.

Earlier that day, the Freeze Fest doubles as a disc golf tournament and food drive as the City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc have once again partnered to host the competition.

The start of the 2019 Freeze Fest disc golf event. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

Disc golfers of all levels are invited to partake in the best-shot doubles competition at Jaycee Park, located at 1088 Gentian Dr. SE. Funds raised this year will benefit City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation youth programs and all food donations will help stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.

On-site registration begins at 9 a.m., and the first round of the tournament starts at 10 a.m. The cost is $40 and one canned food donation per team.

“We look forward to this event every year not only because disc golf and a little competition is exciting by nature, but because it’s incredible to watch community members come together in support of Kentwood initiatives,” Lori Gresnick, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “Last year, we collected an entire car load of groceries and supplies for the Little Free Pantry, which really goes a long way.”

Pre-registration and more event information is available online at: kentwood.us/freezefest.


Located in the Kentwood Activities Center at 355 48th St. SE, Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is a year-round resource for area residents to take or donate food and personal care items. No applications necessary, and no questions asked. More information about Kentwood Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, is available online at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.

After sellout opening, jazzy Robin Connell Trio and guest returns to Listening Room on Feb. 6

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events, ,
Jazz night at the Listening Room with members of the Robin Connell Trio, from January 2020. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

After an opening-night sellout of local jazz with the Robin Connell Trio at the Listening Room, one of Grand Rapids newest music venues, Quinn Mathews, general manager of the venue, reportedly said “It looks like the Listening Room will be booking more jazz.”

Sweet music to local jazz fans, indeed.
 

The next date with the Robin Connell Trio — this time with guest multi-instrumentalist Ivan Akansiima — at Listening Room, a 200-seat venue located at Studio Park at 123 Ionia Ave SW, will be Thursday, Feb. 6.

“I’ve enjoyed all the opportunities I’ve had to play music with this marvelous person/musician,” Connell said of Akansiima, in supplied material. The “night of music that will include original tunes, jazz standards, Stevie Wonder, John Lennon, and African gems such as ‘Pata Pata’.”

Multi-instrumentalist Ivan Akansiima. (Supplied by the artist)

Akansiima, according to his website, is a mutt-instrumentalist, Christian faith worship leader, jazz musician, composer, arranger, producer, instructor, and researcher from Uganda East Africa. He holds a bachelors degree in music from Hope College and a masters degree in jazz studies from Western Michigan University. He has performed professionally for more than 15 years in 40 countries, but continues to actively play and participate in the local Michigan music scene.

My “music is rooted in Ugandan folk music traditions, Jazz, Gospel, classical, Caribbean, Afro fusion music, etc.,” he says in his website.

The jazz nights start at 7:30 p.m., with doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12, with open seating, drinks available for purchase, and a parking garage attached — “So no outdoor hassle (park on 2nd floor to walk right in),” we are told.

We are also told the January jazz night turned away people at the door, so buy your tickets early or at-least arrive early.

Connell’s “house trio” will usually include Rob Hartman on bass and Keith Hall on the drums. Future guest artists include vocalist Mary Rademacher on March 7, Carl Cafagna on woodwinds on April 1, and the Paul Brewer septet on May 31.

For more information on the jazz series and all concerts at The Listening Room, visit listeningroomGR.com or call 616-900-9500. For more information on the show, visit here. For more info on Ivan Akansiima, visit ivanskansiima.com. For more information on Robin Connell, visit robinconnell.com.

WKTV will be busy in February with local high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

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

February already brings the final full month of the high school winter sports schedules to the area. The opening rounds of MHSAA State tournaments are near the end of the month in several sports and others, such as girls’ basketball, close out the regular season to begin their state tournament to open up March.

With the change in basketball districts this year having the teams be seeded and matchups announced fifteen days before the opening games, updated schedules will be posted here as they are announced.

Once again, WKTV and its crews will be at two events each week throughout the month but show your support in person to your local schools whenever you can and then join the rebroadcast or watch on-line within a few days of the event.

The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of February includes the following:

Tuesday, Feb. 4 — Boys Basketball Comstock Park at Kelloggsville

Saturday, Feb. 8 — Boys Hockey Lowell/Caledonia at East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation

Tuesday, Feb. 11 — Girls Basketball East Grand Rapids at South Christian

Friday, Feb. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Christian @ Wyoming

Tuesday, Feb. 18 — Boys Basketball Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee

Friday, Feb. 21 — Girls/Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House

Tuesday, Feb. 25 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Grand River Prep

Friday, Feb. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Potter’s House

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.


 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Feb. 3
Boys/Girls Bowling
Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Boys
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Byron Center @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Kelloggsville @ Hilcrest Lanes
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
Lansing Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Tuesday, Feb. 4
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Libertas Christian
Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation
Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Zion Christian
Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights
Hudsonville @ South Christian
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Libertas Christian
Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation
Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House
Potter’s House @ Tri-County
South Christian @ Calvin Christian
FH Central @ Wyoming
Comstock Park @ Kelloggsville — WKTV Featured Event
Northview @ East Kentwood

Wednesday, Feb. 5
Boys/Girls Bowling
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Belding @ Godwin Heights
South Christian @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Wyoming @ Wayland
Boys Wrestling
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Godwin Heights

Thursday, Feb. 6
Boys/Girls Bowling
Tri-Unity Christian @ West Catholic – Boys
Boys Swimming
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

Friday, Feb. 7
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Lutheran
Kalamazoo Heritage Christian @ Grand River Prep
Creative Tech @ Zion Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ South Christian
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Lutheran
Creative Tech @ Zion Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ South Christian
Boys Hockey
South Christian vs Plymouth
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hudsonville
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Saturday, Feb. 8
Boys Hockey
Lowell/Caledonia @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation — WKTV Featured Event
South Christian vs Powers Catholic
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Hudsonville
Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores
Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ FH Northern
Wyoming @ FH Northern
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hudsonville

Monday, Feb. 10
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Zeeland East/Zeeland West @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Unity Christian
Rockford @ East Kentwood

Whitney — Forever Turned Around — brings sweet sounds, set list to acoustic Heaven of Fountain Street Church

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events, ,
Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek, the heart and soul of Whitney, in support of their late 2019 release Forever Turned Around, will visit Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street Church’s sanctuary for a concert Sunday, Feb. 16. (Supplied/Olivia Bee)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

You have to appreciate musicians who understand the power of falsetto, the right blend of songs to create and to cover, and the perfection of a venue with superb acoustics.

So there will be a lot to appreciate when Whitney, busy on the road in support of their late 2019 release Forever Turned Around, visit Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street Church’s sanctuary for a concert Sunday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m., with CHAI opening.

At the end of the busy tour schedule to end 2019 and begin 2020, bouncing from their Chicago home to the United Kingdom, and then from Miami to Montreal, the duo to could not have picked a more perfect place to end their current sojourn that the renown acoustic setting of Fountain Street.

The cover of Whitney’s late 2019 release Forever Turned Around.

Restlessness, in fact, is “at the heart of Whitney’s resonant and stunning sophomore album Forever Turned Around,” according to supplied material. “As Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek realized over the past three years, life can change drastically. Priorities shift, relationships evolve, home can become far away, and even when luck momentarily works out, there’s still that underlying search for something better.”

Following the success of their 2016 debut release, Light Upon The Lake, the pair have relied on their partnership as they hit the road for what, at times, seems like an endless tours across the world.

“Our friendship has kept us going even though so much has happened in the years since we started the band,” Ehrlich said in supplied material.

Whitney has long been a full-fledged band with keyboardist Malcolm Brown, rhythm guitarist Ziyad Asrar, guitarist Print Choteau, bassist Josiah Marshall, and trumpeter Will Miller backing them live.

But Ehrlich and Kakacek are the heart and soul of Whitney.


Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek, the heart and soul of Whitney, in support of their late 2019 release Forever Turned Around, will visit Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street Church’s sanctuary for a concert Sunday, Feb. 16. (Supplied/Olivia Bee)

Both in their mid-twenties, living through the usual life’s ups and downs, “they’ve found home through themselves, their romantic relationships, and their friends, (but) there’s an uneasiness that comes from stability — as evidenced by Ehrlich’s vocals on “Valleys (My Love)”: “There’s fire burning in the trees / Maybe life is the way it seems”.

In its 10 songs, Forever Turned Around allows Ehrlich and Kakacek to “skeptically yet masterfully navigate questions of mortality, doubt, love, and friendship in a grander scope than they’ve attempted before. It’s an album about partnership — romantic, familial and communal, but most importantly a love in friendship: the bonds between two best friends and creative partners and the joy and stress that comes with it.”

On “Used To Be Lonely”, Ehrlich sings: ‘Well it made no sense at all / Until you came along.”

Forever Turned Around came together over several sessions across the country and the world tour, with its earliest material written during tour dates in Lisbon, Portugal. Though Ehrlich is Whitney’s lead singing drummer while Kakacek is the lead guitarist, when writing, both transcend their roles to piece together each offering lyrically and compositionally, they state.

“The way it ends up working is one of us comes up with a basic idea for a song and the other person serves as the foil to complicate that idea. We ask, ‘What can we change to make it more interesting?’,” says Kakacek. “A big thing for us is our ability to take criticism. We’re always open to new ideas.”

After a session with producers Bradley Cook (Bon Iver, Hand Habits) and Jonathan Rado (Weyes Blood, Father John Misty) helped color in the arrangements, the album came together when they reunited with original rhythm guitarist Asrar in his basement Chicago studio — the same place where they hashed out much of Light Upon The Lake. With Asrar’s help, songs like “Song For Ty” and “Forever Turned Around” effortlessly came together. There, the band enlisted Chicago musicians Lia Kohl and OHMME’s Macie Stewart to provide strings throughout the record.

While you and I can make our own judgement on the band’s sound and soundness, the New York Times rather appropriately says of the music on Forever Turned Around: “In writing and arranging, they favor natural imagery and sun-dappled brass; their frontman, Julien Ehrlich, applies his weightless falsetto to musings on human connection, often sounding melancholy but never morose.”

You, as I did, can make our own connection by viewing and hearing their music online: A sweet (visually and audibly) video of “Used To Be Lonely”, from the latest release, is available here. A sound only version of the cover of “Far, Far Away” is available on YouTube here.

But seeing them, hearing them, at Fountain Street Church will undoubtedly exceed all expectations.

Tickets are $30 ($35 at the door on the night of the concert). For more information on the show, produced in partnership with WYCE and The Pyramid Scheme, visit here.

Wyoming Wolves to ‘Howl for Hollern’ at Coaches vs. Cancer night Friday, Jan. 31

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events,
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team, from an early season game. (Curtis Holt)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming and Forest Hills Eastern high schools are friendly rivals, and one of the reasons is that Wolves athletic director Ted Hollern’s brother Tim is the assistant principal at Forest Hills Eastern.

And when Wyoming hosts its annual Coaches vs. Cancer Community Basketball night on Friday, Jan. 31, with the girls game first at 6 p.m, the night’s cancer awareness events and celebration of cancer survivors will also have a “Hollern” connection.

Set to be called the “Wolf Pack Howl for the Hollern Night”, one of the cancer survivors will be Tim Hollern.

“My brother Tim Hollern has colon cancer,” Ted Hollern said to WKTV. “So we are celebrating him along with all survivors.”

The community basketball night will have some great basketball played — the Wolves boys team (4-1 and 9-1 overall) will be fighting to stay with the leaders of the OK-Conference Gold as they host the Hawks (3-2 and 8-3) at 7:45 p.m. The girls game will have the Wolves (1-4 and 4-8) hosting the Hawks (1-4 and 2-10).

But there will be so much more than just basketball.

There will be an American Cancer Society table set up for information.

The members of the boys varsity squads will be autographing items during the first quarter of the girls game. And the girls team players will be autographing at the end of the girls game. And there will be “Howl for Hollern” t-shirts available for fund-raising, which will be perfect for autographs.

Game-time activities will include all elementary, intermediate and junior high principals, and their students, being honored at the halftime of the boys game. The Wolves Dance team, Pep Band and Honored Choir will also be honored.

There will also be a free raffle, souvenirs, free Wyoming Wolves water bottles, and other door prizes.

Finally, elementary, intermediate and junior high students will gain free entry to the game when accompanied by an adult.

For more information, visit the Wyoming Wolves Facebook page.

Innovation, old and new, at heart of this weekend’s 2020 Michigan International Auto Show

3-bottom, design, Dream Wheels, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recycling, Reviews, Upcoming Events
Sports cars, along with SUVs and trucks, are expected to be the big draw at the 2020 Michigan International Auto Show , as they were last year in this photo. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

People attend the annual Michigan International Auto Show, running this week at the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, for many reasons, including to find their next new car or just to get a glimpse of the muscle car or luxury car they’ve always dreamed about.

Many people, however, go to see what’s next in automobile technology or innovation — from space-age rear-view camera systems, to self-driving and self-parking features that almost make the driver a passenger.

But when it comes to innovation and new technology, it could be argued that one must understand, and appreciate, the past to fully embrace the future.

And so it is only logical that the Gilmore Car Museum will be on-hand with a display called “The History of Station Wagons”, which showcases vehicles which may be out of vogue today but were often considered innovative if not technological marvels of their time.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s 1950 Skyline Deluxe Station Wagon at the Michigan International Auto Show. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“I always think it is very important for people to appreciate the new but also to look back and go ‘Mmmm? How did we get here?’,” Jay Follis, Gilmore Car Museum marketing director, said to WKTV on Jan. 29 at a media preview. “Today we have SUVs and crossovers. We do not think of station wagons. The auto industry has actually said ‘We are not going to produce sedans any more.’ So we decided we are going to bring station wagons to the auto show to tell people where we have been and how we got here.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Jay Follis, marketing director. (WLTV/K.D. Norris)

“We’ve got a 1919, one of the first station wagons. It was nothing more than to pick you up at the train station. … all the way up to a muscle car that is actually a station wagon (and an Indy 500 pace car). … A lot of the cars we have on display here, and a lot more at the museum, have their own unique innovations.”

The presence of the Gilmore Care Museum is nothing new for the auto show, too.

“We come down to the car show every year, 15 years now,” Follis said. “Our mission is to evoke memories and tell great stories … We are only 50 miles south of Grand Rapids and we are North America’s largest auto museum. So this is a perfect place to introduce people to auto history and the car museum.”

The new cars on display by the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association will include spectrum of sedans, vans, hybrids and sports cars, but the field will be dominated by Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and trucks, the two biggest sellers, according to the association.

One of the Million Dollar Motorway cars on display at the 2020 Michigan International Auto Show. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

Among the highlights of this year’s auto show is the latest in automotive technology by Gentex, a Michigan based company which develops and manufactures “custom high-tech electronic products for the automotive, aerospace, and commercial fire protection industries.” Also returning, and always worth drooling over, is the Million Dollar Motorway, featuring luxury brand cars this year valued at $4.5 million collectively.

And, as shown during the media preview, some of the new technologies — and all the luxury brand cars — are nothing short of amazing.

The 22nd Annual Michigan International Auto Show will open to the pubic Thursday, Jan. 30 and run through Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2 — 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday (to be over in time for the big game, of course).

Thursday, Jan. 30 is also a special First Responders Day, with free admission for active EMS, fire, police, public safety, U.S. Coast Guard and other active military and retired veterans who can show valid I.D., badge or other verification.

Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children 6-14. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.

There is parking beneath DeVos Place, across the street and nearby but connected by the skywalk. Be aware, though, of “Hamilton: An American Musical” also playing at DeVos. For more information on parking and directions visit here. You can also take the complimentary trolley by parking in the Dash Lot Area 9 (on Seward Avenue) for $2 and hop aboard the Trolley which will be making runs on an 8-minute loop for an hour before the show opens to an hour after the show closes each day.

For more information about the 22nd Annual Michigan International Auto Show visit here.

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of January includes the following:

Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian

Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.


 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Jan. 27
Boys/Girls Bowling
@ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
FH Eastern@ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Christian @ South Christian

Tuesday, Jan. 28
Girls Basketball

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Western Michigan Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Kelloggsville @ Tri-County
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Galesburg-Augusta @ Potter’s House
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event
West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Boys Basketball
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Lansing Martin Luther @ West Michigan Lutheran
West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Boys Wrestling
Kelloggsville @ Kent City
Girls Cheer
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Wednesday, Jan. 29
Boys/Girls Bowling
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ Christian
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Boys Wrestling
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Godwin Heights @ Shelby
Wyoming @ Hamilton
Wyoming Lee @ Lakeview
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Holland Black River

Thursday, Jan. 30
Boys Swimming/Diving
@ East Kentwood
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Boys Bowling
Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Girls Basketball
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian
Boys Basketball
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian

Friday, Jan. 31
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ Chelsea
Girls Basketball
Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
FH Eastern @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
South Christian @ Christian
Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran
Boys Basketball
Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
FH Eastern @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
South Christian @ Christian
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Potter’s House
Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran
Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation

Saturday, Feb. 1
Boys Hockey
Anchor Bay vs East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ Chelsea
South Christian vs Northville
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ Kalamazoo Central
Kelloggsville @ Northview
East Kentwood @ Northview
Boys Wrestling
@ Kelloggsville – Rocket Individual Tourney
East Kentwood @ Lakewood
Boys/Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Girls Dance
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Boys Swimming
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Boys Basketball
TBA @ East Kentwood

Monday, Feb. 3
Boys/Girls Bowling
Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Boys
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Byron Center @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Kelloggsville @ Hilcrest Lanes
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
Lansing Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Snapshots: WKTV offers three things to do this weekend

3-bottom, Going Local, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“All paths are seen, through the prism of fate.”

Mladen Đorđević

‘A new state of matter’

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) opens its exhibition, A New State of Matter: Contemporary Glass Saturday, Jan. 25. The exhibition is on view until April 26 and features the work of 19 artists working in glass including Grand Rapids artist Norwood Viviano. Go here for the story.

Fruition is Jay Cobb Anderson, Kellen Asebroek, Jeff Leonard, Mimi Naja and Tyler Thompson (drums). (Supplied by the band)

Coming to Fruition

Portland, Oregon’s roots/rock band Fruition will be in town Sunday, Jan. 26, as the band, with opener The Mighty Pines, visit Grand Rapids’ Pyramid Scheme, with doors open at 6 p.m. show. Tickets are still available. Go here for the story.

British installation artist Rebecca Louise Law working on a previous work. (Supplied by the artist)

But time is running short

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s amazing exhibit, “Rebecca Louise Law: The Womb” — a site-specific exhibition that includes about 10,000 flowers and plants gathered from the Gardens’ massive gardens and strung together in delicate wire strings by local volunteers and staff, and then added to Law’s existing collection of approximately 1 million flowers and plant material — will close March 1. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

1,000 … and on and on

The biggest named number that we know is googolplex, ten to the googol power, or (10)^(10^100). That’s written as a one followed by googol zeroes. Source.

Oregon-based roots/rock band Fruition to make stop at Pyramid Scheme Jan. 26

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events, ,
Fruition photographed in Lisbon, Portugal, in October 2019. Fruition is Jay Cobb Anderson, Kellen Asebroek, Jeff Leonard, Mimi Naja and Tyler Thompson (drums). (Supplied/Jay Blakesberg)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Fruition, the seemingly always busy Portland, Oregon band traversing the country and making a local stop this weekend, is clearly also busy recording new material — including songs which showcase why they are selling out so many of their shows.

After releasing Wild As The Night in late 2019, the band this last week announced is new 7-song EP titled Broken at the Break of Day, recorded in between tour dates in Fruition drummer Tyler Thompson’s newly constructed home studio.

Songs from both releases will undoubtedly be on the set list Sunday, Jan. 26, as the band, with opener The Mighty Pines, visit Grand Rapids’ Pyramid Scheme, with doors open at 6 p.m. show. Tickets are still available, visit here for more information.

About the new release, the band says that, as with its other music, “this collection of songs won’t fit into one box.”

Broken At The Break Of Day’s lead single, “Dawn” is already climbing on the Billboard Americana Tracks chart as is the collection on the Americana Album chart. For a video of “Dawn” visit here.

Broken at the Break of Day shines a light on all five members of the band — Jay Cobb Anderson (electric guitar, vocals), Kellen Asebroek (piano, acoustic guitar vocals), Jeff Leonard (bass), Mimi Naja (mandolin, electric guitar, vocals) and Thompson (drums). But “the songwriting and the harmonies tie their diverse influences together,” the band says in promotional material.

“This process was the quickest the band had ever written and recorded the songs,” Thompson said in supplied material. “All the songs obviously fit either a ‘day’ or ‘night’ theme, but the whole rehearsing and recording process had to be done in about half the amount of time we were used to. That time limitation leant to us not overthinking things, playing instinctually — and all live — in the studio with very minimal overdubs. All the songs are very different, but I think the speedy process naturally created some sonic congruency.”

“From a visibility standpoint, being able to release more music more often — even if it is in smaller doses — is ideal in the new frontier of digital music that we have found ourselves smack dab in the middle of,” Asebroek said, also in supplied material. “It’s nice to be able to stay on people’s radar, in an age where people have instant access to the whole of music history at their fingertips. It’s also nice to put these out together on vinyl as a nod to the way things once were.”

The band’s history, so the supplied story goes, starts in 2008 when Anderson tagged along with Asebroek and Naja for an afternoon of busking in Portland. Drawing on their string-band influences early on, they released their debut album Hawthorne Hoedown that same year. Thompson joined the band in 2011, shortly after hearing the band members singing together in a friend’s attic. Leonard came on board in 2015.

Broken at the Break of Day is the band’s tenth release, including EPs and LPs.

Fruition has opened shows for the Wood Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, and Jack Johnson, and appeared at festivals like Telluride Bluegrass, Bonnaroo, and DelFest.

Godwin Heights boys basketball seeks to continue OK Silver streak in WKTV Featured Game

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
Godwin Heights boys basketball (shown from a 2019 game) is on the WKTV Featured Game schedule this week . (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

After a tough season-opening stretch of tough non-conference games, the Godwin Heights High School boys basketball team has started its OK-conference Silver schedule with wins over Belding and Wyoming Lee and a tight road loss at Hopkins.

The Wolverines (3-6 overall, 2–1 in conference) will seek to continue its conference roll as the team hosts NorthPointe Christian (3-5, 1-1) Tuesday, Jan. 21, in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which will be available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

So far this season, Godwin head coach Tyler Whittemore’s team has been led by seniors Cleveland (CJ) Baskin (6.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game) and Milton Brown (5 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg). But the team’s leading scorers are both freshmen, Jakhary Towns (17 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) and Demarie Thompson (8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3 rpg).

“Baskin is a versatile player. He will handle the ball for us to initiate the offense, but is also good at slashing to the basket off the ball,” Whittemore said to WKTV. “He … is the only player with stats from last year. The other guys have very little to no varsity experience.”

Of his two freshman starters, Whittemore said Townes is an “explosive scorer from outside … (and) he is a very good shooter from the 3-point line.” While Thompson is “a tough and talented point guard. He has very good court-vision.”

Whittemore praised his other senior starter, Brown, as a “very tough player. He is a smart player that will help everyone around him be more efficient. He can guard multiple positions and will end up on the opposing team’s best player down the stretch.”

And the team other usual starter, junior Martine Bickety (3 ppg, 3rpg) is the “toughest defender we have,” his coach said.

First off the Godwin bench are junior Jamontae Burrell (4 ppg) and sophomore Jordan Norman (4.5 ppg), while junior Ru’Quan Buckley will return from injury in the Tuesday game.

Other players on the team (according to the team’s school webpage) include senior Sa’Viance Morris-Miller and juniors Jacob Horrell, Kyeshaun Hunnicutt and Jadyn Rodriguez.

Last season, the Wolverines were 15-6 overall and won the OK Silver with a 12-0 mark before falling to Grand Rapids South Christian in an opening round playoff game.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for January includes the following:

Tuesday, Jan. 21 — Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights

Friday, Jan. 24 — Boys Basketball Zion Christian at Tri-Unity Christian

Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian

Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.


 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, January 20
Boys/Girls Bowling
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Tri-Unity Christian @ Muskegon Orchard View
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
South Christian @ Wayland

Tuesday, Jan. 21
Girls Basketball
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Kelloggsville @ Belding
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Zion Christian @ Holland Black River
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood @ Rockford
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Tri-Unity Christian @ Martin
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Middleville T-K @ South Christian
Potter’s House @ Holland Calvary
West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian
Zion Christian @ Holland Black River
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming @ Byron Center
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Christian

Wednesday, Jan. 22
Boys/Girls Bowling
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Wyoming @ Wayland
NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville
Middleville T-K @ South Christian
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Wyoming @ Hamilton
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Boys Wrestling
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Orchard View
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Orchard View
Wyoming @ Christian
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ Lowell/Caledonia

Thursday, Jan. 23
Boys Swimming/Diving
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores
Boys Bowling
Potter’s House @ Tri-Unity Christian
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian
Boys Basketball
Barry County Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

Friday, Jan. 24
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation – OK Red Tourney @ Georgetown
Pauda @ South Christian
Girls Basketball
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Wayland @ South Christian
Potter’s House @ Holland Black River
WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran
West Michigan Aviation @ Algoma Christian
Boys Basketball
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Zion Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Wayland @ South Christian
Potter’s House @ Holland Black River
WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran

Saturday, Jan. 25
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation – OK Red Tourney @ Georgetown
Walsh Jesuit @ South Christian
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Wyoming @ Hamilton
Kelloggsville @ Hamilton
Boys/Girls Bowling
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Wyoming @ Rockford
South Christian @ Rockford
Boys Wrestling
Godwin Heights @ Northview
Kelloggsville @ Northview
Wyoming @ Montague
Wyoming Lee @ Reed City

Monday, Jan. 27
Boys/Girls Bowling
@ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
FH Eastern@ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Christian @ South Christian

St. Cecilia’s chamber music series brings ‘French Enchantment’ to Grand Rapids stage

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, ,
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center artists visiting for the concert will be pianist and co-artistic director Wu Han, violinist Paul Huang, violist Matthew Lipman, and cellist Clive Greensmith. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org


The classic French music of Saint-Saëns, Fauré and Ravel. The masterful musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The exquisite acoustics of the Royce Auditorium Performance Hall.

Sounds like a perfect night of “French Enchantment”.

St. Cecilia Music Center’s second chamber music series concert if the season, set for Thursday, Jan. 23, will begin and end with early works by Saint-Saëns and Fauré that “recreate the elegant atmosphere of 19-century Parisian salons,” according to supplied material. In between will be Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello, “written soon after World War I, where he used just two string instruments to produce a composition of unique, austere beauty.”

Lipman Matthew (Supplied/Jiyang Chen)

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center artists visiting for the concert will be pianist and co-artistic director Wu Han, violinist Paul Huang, violist Matthew Lipman, and cellist Clive Greensmith.


“We are truly excited about this unique concert, ‘French Enchantment’, with the Chamber Music Society, as they communicate, through music, the beauty of French history and culture,” St Cecilia executive director Cathy Holbrook said in supplied material. “The audience will experience four amazing artists performing French music within our intimate world-class Royce Auditorium Performance Hall.”

“French Enchantment” selections will include: Trio No. 1 in F major for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 18 (written 1863-1864) and composed by Camille Saint-Saëns; Sonata for Violin and Cello (written 1920-1922) and composed by Maurice Ravel; and Quartet No. 1 in C minor for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 15 (written 1876-1879; Revised in 1883) and composed by Gabriel Fauré.

Ravel’s work, The Sonata for Violin and Cello, remains one of the most challenging, enigmatic, least-known, and fascinating of Ravel’s compositions.

“I believe that the sonata marks a turning point in my career,” Ravel said of the work. “Bareness is here driven to the extreme: restraint from harmonic charm; more and more emphatic reversion to the spirit of melody.”

The final Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center concert of the season will take place on April 30, with Wu Han and cellist David Finckel both returning to Grand Rapids to perform with violinist Arnaud Sussman and violist Paul Neubauer on a program titled “From Prague to Vienna” and featuring three composers who mentored and inspired each other: Brahms, Dvořák and Suk.

 
Tickets for the Jan. 23 chamber music concert are $45 and $40 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.  Ticket-holders are invited to a pre-concert artist talk at 7 p.m. prior to the 7:30 p.m. concert.

A post-concert “Meet-the-artist” party, with complimentary wine will also be offered to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to meet the artists in person and to obtain signed CDs of their releases.

 

Valentine’s Dash 5K offer winter fun, benefits Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Health, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, ,
Some of the runners at a previous Kentwood Valentine’s Dash 5K. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood will host its third annual Valentine’s Dash 5K on Saturday, Feb. 8, to benefit Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which provides food and personal care items to community members in need, no questions asked.

The city announced today that the 5K run/walk will start and end at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, located at 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Check-in, on-site registration and packet pick-up will all take place at 9:30 a.m. The race will begin at 11 a.m.

The 5K route will include a combination of trails and roads with mile markers and Valentine’s Day candy stations. Valentine’s-themed costumes are encouraged for the occasion. Fellow participants will vote to determine who is the “best dressed” and awards will also be presented to the fastest runners. While the 5K is intended to be a fun run, it will be chip-timed.

Following the race, participates will be invited into the library’s community room for a party that will include music, snacks, a photo booth, the award ceremony and more.

“We’ve found this race route to be enjoyable for everyone from avid race participants to casual walkers,” Spencer McKellar, race organizer, said in supplied material. “Whether this is your first race or one of many you’ve completed, we think you’ll find our Valentine’s Dash 5K offers enough of a challenge and a lot of fun for a brisk Saturday morning.

“Invite your sweetie, family and friends to dress up and take on the course with you, then stick around for more activities at the after-party.”

Online registration costs $30 until Feb. 7, after which the price will increase to $35 for day-of registration. Participant packets include a long-sleeve shirt “and other goodies.” Runners who sign up as a couple will save $5 each.

If participants bring a non-perishable item or additional monetary donation for the pantry, they will be entered to win a special door prize.

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Those interested can sign up online.

More information about Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry can be found at: kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.

Snapshots: Weekend reads — something fun, good news, and in case you missed it

3-bottom, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Signs, Signs, Everywhere there’s signs. Blocking out the scenery. Breaking my mind. Do this! Don’t do that! Can’t you read the signs?”

Five Man Electrical Band
Can you see this scene from “Rocky” and not hear the music in your head? Didn’t think so. (Promotional)

Fun music on a cold night

Stop and think about one of your favorite movies – it won’t be long before you start humming a few bars from the musical score. That’s the power of music in movies. Grand Rapids Pops says a big “Hooray for Hollywood” with Hollywood Hits with music from blockbuster films as Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, Dr. Zhivago, The Way We Were and Rocky on Friday  Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17-19, in DeVos Performance Hall. Go here for the story.

No longer a death sentence

Currently, thanks to better screening and treatment, more than 17 million Americans who had cancer remain alive, the American Cancer Society says in a report. While this is good news, more good news may be coming. Go here for the story.

WKTV Journal In Focus’s audio only podcast of a Community Conversation on Homelessness featured Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson moderating along with Marshall Kilgore and, from left, panelists Hillary Scholten and Bo Torres. (WKTV)

Local immigration discussion

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, immigration is the topic of speakers including City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson; Marshall Kilgore, Western Michigan Director for United Precinct Delegates; Hillary Scholten, candidate for the U.S. 3rd Congressional District; and Bo Torres, a Hispanic community leader. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

7 percent and 1-in-12

Nearly 7 percent of Michigan residents are immigrants, while almost 1 in 12 residents is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent. Source.