Wyoming Police Department (Courtesy, Deborah Reed, WKTV Staff)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
One person is dead after a crash in the 2500 block of South Division Avenue.
At approximately 12:55 a.m. on August 4, 2023, officers from the Wyoming Police Department responded to the 2500 block of South Division Avenue SW on a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist.
The bicyclist, a 39-year-old female resident of Grand Rapids, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The female later died at the hospital.
Initial investigation indicates the bicyclist was struck by a southbound vehicle. The driver remained at the scene to speak with investigators. Speed and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in this incident.
The Wyoming Police Accident Investigation and Forensic Science Units are continuing to investigate this crash. Wyoming Police were assisted by officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530- 7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345; 1-866-774-2345; or https://www.silentobserver.org.
Nigel Tau (left) and Rowan Allegra of the Grand Rapids Ballet (Courtesy, Ray Nard Imagemaker)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB), Michigan’s only classical ballet company, announces their first partnership event with Trail.Club, a nonprofit focused on propelling fun on West Michigan trails through grants that support unexpected events and experiences on community assets.
See Grand Rapids Ballet in a new light as it presents a unique outdoor performance at Millennium Park in Walker, Michigan, on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The performances will be held on one of West Michigan’s most pristine walking trails – the Hansen Nature Trail – and will feature three different duets ranging in length from three to five minutes. The entire outdoor experience will last for just under an hour.
GRB dancers will move through the trails and trees, giving the audience the feeling of being part of the performance.
“You’re going on a journey down this path, but you’re going on a journey with the man and woman who are dancing the duets as well,” said Sofranko. “The dancers are different for each duet, but they represent the same couple at a different point in their relationship and their journey together.”
With the beauty of nature surrounding them, audience members can walk alongside the dancers and experience the ballet up close from a perspective like never before.
A new experience for everyone
While audience members will be gaining a new experience and perspective, so will GRB dancers.
“Usually we have a stage, and usually we are in ballet shoes or pointe shoes or jazz shoes, but we are going to be in sneakers now,” said Sofranko. “That will be a different challenge for us.”
Sofranko said that dealing with the limited space has been fun for him as a choreographer.
Rowan Allegra and Nigel Tau of the Grand Rapids Ballet (Courtesy, Ray Nard Imagemaker)
“It’s unusual and different,” said Sofranko. “In some ways, it’s fun for us as choreographers to try to fit an idea to a limitation. When you have a blank slate, you can do anything you want. That’s almost harder because there are so many ideas. But when you’re forced into a specific boundary like the trail itself or the terrain, you can’t do certain things. It gives you problems to solve which sometimes makes it easier in the creative process.”
Sofranko engaged two other GRB dancers to choreograph the other two pieces, something he does regularly so they can become attuned to what it means to be a choreographer.
“We need the next generation of artists to experience and to practice,” said Sofranko. “I try to give opportunities throughout the year for them to choreograph. I feel really proud of the talent that has been cultivated throughout the ranks of our dancers.”
Family-friendly and free
This event is great for adults and children alike. Attendees can plan to bring family and friends along to enjoy this free performance, sponsored by Trail.Club. The three performances will take place at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday morning.
“We are excited to bring this unique, one-of-a-kind performance to Millennium Park and the people of West Michigan,” said Sofranko. “Ballet is a living and breathing art form, which this community event aims to capture. We hope those who are able will come out to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors in a new and engaging way.”
Officer Willshire of Kentwood PD (left), Officer Klaassen of Wyoming PD (center), and Officer Quintard of Wyoming PD (right) talk with families at Celebration Cinema (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
City of Wyoming’s first responders and leaders teamed up with several departments across Kent County as they joined residents at multiple gatherings to celebrate National Night Out on Aug. 1.
Wyoming National Night Out 2023 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“National Night Out is something staff and our community look forward to each year,” Wyoming Mayor Pro Tem Rob Postema said.
An annual event celebrated across the country, National Night Out began in 1984 to promote safety in communities and build relationships under positive circumstances. Participating cities encourage residents to turn on their porch lights and gather with their neighbors, community leaders, and police and fire personnel.
Deputy Melissa Gokey with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department said a personal highlight of National Night Out is photographing all the events. “I get to go to every single location,” said Gokey. “I get to see a little piece of everything.”
Wyoming National Night Out 2023 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Residents were also able to see a variety of first responder vehicles, including fire trucks, ambulances, motorcycles, marine units, mobile command centers, and even horses.
Kent County encouraged participating local businesses to set up a booth with children’s activities.
“The whole point is to educate kids on safety and to build that partnership with them and other businesses within the community,” said Gokey. “It just helps them to feel safe and comfortable around us.”
Wyoming National Night Out 2023 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Gokey went on to say that all first responders join in during National Night Out, including the Road Commission and Army National Guard, in order to make the event a memorable experience for the kids.
“Setting up an event like this is going to be a much different way for children to feel comfortable approaching us, talking to us, and asking questions,” said Gokey.
Wyoming Director of Public Safety Kimberly Koster said, “Spending time and having fun with residents is important for all of our officers and firefighters as we work to build and strengthen relationships in our community. National Night Out allows us to connect with residents in a positive and meaningful way.”
Wyoming resident Megan Washburn agreed. “It’s nice to see them out, having fun, eating hot dogs, and being regular people,” said Washburn.
The Black Experience (Courtesy, Black Impact Collaborative)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
The Black Experience is a family-friendly three-day event put on by the Black Impact Collaborative (BIC) that will focus on spreading Black Joy and cultivating healing in the Black community by providing influential information in several key impact areas. Taking place on the campus of Calvin University, The Black Experience runs Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 13.
“We know that it is essential that we elevate Black Joy–things that inspire, support and uplift Black culture. This is an event that will do that,” said Lesa Hardiman, Program Director for BIC.
The Black Experience will promote intellectual, cultural, and thoughtful leadership and innovation in the areas of education, economics, health and well-being, serving elders, and ensuring protection in an environment that is empowering, entertaining, and exciting.
“We will be celebrating rich culture and wonderful things that are happening with our BIC partners in so many other ways here in the city,” said Dallas Lenear, BIC Board Chair. “We wanted to highlight and celebrate the joy of what it means to be Black in Grand Rapids and Black in America.”
Lenear also commented that The Black Experience is not just for the Black community.
“We invite any and all people who would want to attend, to do so,” said Lenear. “We believe it will be fruitful for the entire community.”
What to expect at The Black Experience
The Black Experience will kick-off with a 70s Party at Calvin University’s Prince Conference Center on Friday, Aug. 11 and will feature the live band Entyce: featuring Bedrock, activities, prizes, and more.
“[The 70s] are such a great microcosm of the Black experience in America,” said Lenear. “It was right at the height of the civil rights movement. You have all this vibrant culture and art and expression, even in the clothing, that demonstrates this new era of blossoming out of this painful past and dealing with the struggles then. There was a reclamation of identity that was eminent in the styles and in the music.”
The Black Experience keynote speakers (Courtesy, Black Impact Collaborative)
Saturday, Aug. 12 will bring workshops with keynote speakers Melody Shari, Dr. Steve Perry, Chris Sain Jr., and Dee Dee Taylor. The day will also feature local speakers, Kids’ Corner, Vendor Expo, COVID Memorial Walk, food, and more.
The event concludes Sunday, Aug. 13 with The Black Experience Jazz Brunch Invasion where people are encouraged to patronize one of three participating Black restaurants and partake in delicious food.
Evolution of the Black Impact Collaborative
The genesis of the Black Impact Collaborative stemmed from negative aspects of the Black experience in the world during the pandemic.
“We wanted to identify, to illuminate, and even to change the disparate outcomes that Black people were experiencing related to COVID-19,” said Lenear.
BIC began meeting daily in April 2020 to develop an immediate response to the pandemic.
Partnering with Cherry Health, BIC undertook several endeavors to help the Black community, including hosting multiple COVID-19 testing sites and vaccination events, and organizing a livestream interview with health professionals to discuss facts pertaining to COVID.
BIC also instigated an online tutoring program for students.
“We developed a program that continues to support students regardless of their learning format,” said Lenear.
While BIC no longer believes there is a need to meet daily, Lenear said, “We still have a vibrant board and active partners, and are still seeking to make a long-term impact in the city.”
To learn more about the Black Impact Collaborative, visit: https://bicgr.com/
Award-winning Kent District Library (KDL) will ask Kent County voters to consider a millage renewal at a reduced rate on Nov. 7.
If approved, the lower millage rate of 1.1 mills will fund KDL’s operations for 15 years, and taxpayers will see immediate savings as the KDL Board has committed to lowering the millage rate effective Jan. 1, 2024, even though the current millage doesn’t expire until Dec. 31, 2024.
“We recognized that if we were to stay with a straight renewal, we would end up with income we don’t need,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner. “We feel that we should only ask for money that we need and that we can use, and let the public keep more of their own money.”
The ability to offer a lower millage is partly due to a growing community where new taxable real estate has produced more revenue.
“As good stewards of taxpayer dollars, we want to lock in savings for residents now,” said KDL Board Chair Andy Erlewein.
(Courtesy, Kent District Library)
KDL serves residents in 27 municipalities through 20 branches with its extensive collection of more than 700,000 physical items, 15.6 digital items, a bookmobile, its main service center, 5,000-plus annual in-person programs, and a host of patron-focused services from in-branch printer/Wi-Fi access and loanable mobile hotspots, to early literacy initiatives and a large assortment of talking books and Braille resources.
These resources ensure the average KDL patron receives over $1,300 worth of service each year.
“The return on investment that we provide the public is unsurpassed,” said Werner.
Approximately 90% of KDL’s operating funds come from the millage with the remaining 10% funded through a series of Friends of the Library groups, dedicated volunteers who support their branches through book sales, and other fundraising activities.
In 2022, KDL saw an increase of more than 61% in program and outreach attendance, a 6% rise in total circulation, and a 26% rise in computer and Wi-Fi usage.
Werner attributes the increase in community use of KDL resources to dedicated staff and quality programming and outreach.
“One of the things we practice here is a constant environmental scan and a refusal to become complacent,” said Werner. “We are proud to represent everyone in the county…we are committed to helping them all. That is the spirit of what we do.”
Werner would like to remind residents that Summer Wonder is still in full swing.
“It’s not too late to sign up!” said Werner, adding that nothing makes KDL staff happier than seeing community members come in and utilize their services.
“At the end of the day, libraries are not about books, libraries are about people and transforming lives,” said Werner. “We are really excited to deliver [the millage] to Kent County residents and continue our tradition of excellence.”
The state of Michigan has allocated another $5 million to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to help with the development of the Sustainable Business Park in Kent County that will create jobs and increase recycling.
The budget allocation will support site infrastructure at the Sustainable Business Park and follows an initial $4 million state investment for the project in 2022. Last month, the Michigan Public Service Commission also granted a $5 million Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure Enhancement and Development grant for the Kent County Bioenergy Facility, the anchor tenant at the Sustainable Business Park.
The Kent County Bioenergy Facility represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for West Michigan and the state to drastically increase recycling, reduce dependence on landfills, and create local jobs. The facility is a public-private partnership between the Department of Public Works and Anaergia. The Sustainable Business Park, planned for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center pending approval by the Kent County Board of Commissioners, will be built on land that was initially purchased by Kent County to create a new landfill.
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“For too long, Michigan has been a dumping ground for trash and the Sustainable Business Park will help change that by increasing recycling and boosting our energy independence starting right here in Kent County,” said Dar Baas, director of the Kent County DPW. “We are thankful the state of Michigan recognizes the importance of reducing our dependence on landfilling so we can help protect our land, air and water, including our Great Lakes.”
The Kent County Bioenergy Facility is a mixed waste processing facility that will process up to 600,000 tons per year of municipal solid waste and 175,000 tons per year of organic waste to produce natural gas and fertilizer. The facility and greater Sustainable Business Park will help Kent County achieve its goal of diverting 90% of trash from landfills by 2030.
“Sustainable materials management is essential to Michigan growing a vibrant circular economy that puts Michiganders to work making new products from the materials residents take to their curb each week,” said EGLE Public Information Officer Jeff Johnston. “EGLE is eager to support projects that align with the State of Michigan’s new materials management plan to increase recycling, conserve natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
State Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) said, “Kent County’s Sustainable Business Park will define the future for waste management in Michigan and boost the viability of circular economy concepts.”
The new facility will also reduce Kent County’s reliance on landfilling municipal solid waste, meaning resources will not be spent constructing, maintaining, and monitoring additional landfills.
“Building the facility in Kent County will put West Michigan on the map as a national leader in recycling and reducing waste, as well as create jobs and investment from companies that can join the Sustainable Business Park and convert waste into usable products,” Bass said.
The Kent County Development of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station, and South Kent Landfill.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
The City Center project includes the construction of a pedestrian bridge over 28th Street. (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)
The City of Wyoming’s City Center project got a boost this week with a $20 million public infrastructure grant from the state of Michigan that will accelerate the project to be completed in two years.
The public infrastructure grants are part of the state’s “Make It In Michigan” $82 billion budget, which was recently passed by the state House and Senate and expected to be signed by the governor soon.
“The investment from the state allows us to expedite the City Center project and complete most of the phased project immediately,” said City Manager John Shay. “Watching this project come to fruition is a success for our entire community and we are deeply thankful to Senator Winnie Brinks and State Representative John Fitzgerald for putting a spotlight on our community infrastructure project.”
In January, the city received $6 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) contribution from Kent County. That coupled with the city’s investment of $10 million of its own ARPA funds allowed the for the completion of the first phase of the City Center project, which includes a pedestrian bridge across 28th street and 3.1 miles of non-motorized trails.
The City Center project is located near the 28 West site and adjacent to Hom Flats. (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)
The additional $20 million from the state will allow the city to complete the second phase which is an additional 1.5 miles of non-motorized trails, with a total of 4.6 new non-motorized trails that will connect the City Center to the trails in Pinery Park and the Kent Trails system in Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker, and Byron Township.
The second phase also included the burying of overhead power lines along 28th Street between Burlingame and Clyde Park avenues. The lines needed to be buried to prevent them from having contact with the bridge, said Nicole Hofert, the city’s community and economic development director. Burying the lines also accommodates the city’s form-based code, which designs a more walkable experience within the city, and it improves the aesthetics along the corridor with less visual clutter, Hofert said.
Construction on the pedestrian bridge is expected to kick off at the end of July. The bridge, which will provide a safe crossing for 28th Street, also referred to as M-11, will be located near Hook Avenue on the north side of 28th Street and will serve as the entryway to the city’s future downtown center and provide a direct connection to the city’s park system. The bridge is estimated to be completed in spring of 2024, Hofert said.
On the south side, the bridge, will anchor on to the city’s 28 West project and the future City Center site. Adjacent to the City Center site, Magnus Capital has invested $62.9 million into Hom Flats, a mixed-income housing project that incudes class A commercial space and office space.
The burying of the utility lines will improve aesthetics along the corridor by reducing visual clutter. (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)
This summer, residents also will begin to see work done on burying the utility lines underground, Hofert said. Work on the non-motorized trail project will begin in the spring of 2024 and continue through the spring of 2025, she said, adding that the original 3.1 miles is about 90% completed in the design phase with the other 1.5 miles scheduled to be prioritized over the next month for design.
“For months, my colleagues and I listened to our constituents about their priorities, and this budget reflects those priorities and works for all people across Michigan,” said State Representative John Fitzgerald. “I am grateful to have brought home more than $30 million to the 83rd House District. Notably, $20 million has been awarded to the City of Wyoming for a transformational infrastructure project that will create economic opportunity for the people of this community and put Wyoming on the map as the preeminent suburb in metro Grand Rapids.“
The City of Wyoming’s master plan, which was adopted in 2021, includes an updated 28th Street sub area plan with recommendations for the City Center project. In September, the city will host an open house for residents and community members to learn more about Wyoming’s City Center.
Assisted living is a type of housing option for seniors or disabled individuals who need help with daily activities but still want to maintain some level of independence. It’s a middle ground between independent living (such as in a private home or senior apartments) and more intensive care services like those found in a nursing home.
Assisted living facilities typically offer a range of services to support residents, including:
Personal Care: Staff members are available to help with personal needs like bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility.
Medication Management: Assistance with taking the correct medications at the right times.
Meals: Facilities typically provide three meals a day tailored to the dietary needs of their residents.
Housekeeping and Laundry: Regular cleaning and laundry services are often included.
Social Activities and Recreation: Assisted living facilities often have a full schedule of activities and events to keep residents active and engaged. These might include fitness classes, arts and crafts, games, movie nights, and outings.
Transportation: Scheduled transportation services may be provided for shopping, appointments, and outings.
Healthcare Services: While not a replacement for a full-time medical facility, assisted living communities often have healthcare professionals on-site or on-call.
Security: To ensure residents’ safety, assisted living facilities typically have security features such as 24-hour staff, emergency call systems, and safe, walkable areas.
In an assisted living facility, each resident typically has their own apartment or room, and common areas are shared. The goal of assisted living is to provide a supportive living environment where seniors can maintain a level of independence, while also receiving the personal care and support they need.
Please note that rules, regulations, and services provided can vary widely from one facility to another and from state to state. Some facilities may offer more advanced medical care, while others may focus more on providing a social and community environment. It’s important to research and visit facilities in person to determine the best fit for individual needs and preferences.
Finding the right assisted living facility for yourself or a loved one involves careful research and planning. Here are some steps to guide you through the process.
First, evaluate the level of care that you or your loved one requires. This could be based on a variety of needs such as medical conditions, mobility, dietary needs, and personal care needs.
Next, begin doing online research to find assisted living facilities in the desired location. There are many websites and online directories where you can find information about different facilities. You can usually filter by location, services provided, cost, and more.
In addition to online research, contacting local health departments or agencies on aging could prove useful. These organizations often have resources that can help you navigate the process of finding an assisted living facility. They may also have knowledge of financial assistance programs.
After you have identified potential facilities, the next step is to schedule a visit. During your visit, pay attention to the environment, the staff, and the residents. This can give you an idea of what daily life is like at the facility.
Checking the facility’s safety and quality standards is another important step. This might involve looking into state inspection records, any violation histories, or any complaints made against the facility.
Lastly, cost is a significant consideration when choosing an assisted living facility. Make sure to understand what is included in the cost, and if there might be any additional charges for specific services.
Remember, choosing an assisted living facility is a big decision. Take your time to research and visit multiple facilities, and always ask any questions you may have to make sure you’re making the best choice for you or your loved one’s needs.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
In May, Faith Hospice, Holland Home’s hospice division, opened the doors to the Van Andel Hope & Healing Pavilion, which is located in the lower lever of Trillium Woods, in Byron Center.
The Van Andel Hope & Healing Pavilion opened in May. (Courtesy, Faith Hospice)
The project was completed due to the support of the Van Andel family with leadership of Amy Van Andel, a former Faith Hospice nurse.
The project allows all Faith Hospice staff and volunteers to work together under one roof and meets the growing needs for bereavement services for the families Faith Hospice serves across West Michigan.
Key features of the new facility include:
Grief Support Center
This new center will provide private and individual grief counseling as well as comfortable group and family counseling and gatherings. The center will allow space for comforting those struggling with the trauma of loss as well as space for community seminars and education.
Hospice Training & Education Lab
This training facility will create a Hospice Patient Care space to train staff and volunteers through role playing and skills testing, allowing for an enhanced care experience for patients and their loved ones.
Consolidated Office Space & Staff Renewal Area
Bringing all Faith Hospice staff under one roof will allow for better collaboration when caring for patients, whether they are inpatient at Trillium Woods or living in the community. The space includes an area for staff and volunteer respite and renewal.
“The Van Andel family are great friends of the organization, starting with Jay and Betty,” said Holland Home President and Chief Executive Officer Troy Vugteveen. “The Van Andel Hope and Healing Pavilion will continue to honor their parents and carry on the tradition to provide shelter to the hearts of those grieving. We are so grateful for Steve and Amy Van Andel and the blessing they continue to be.”
Built in 2006, Trillium Woods, 8214 Pfeiffer Farms Drive S.W, offers 20 private rooms and a peaceful, family-centered atmosphere with 24/7 medical care. The organization had only utilized the upper floor of the two-level walkout building for its inpatient care with the intent of using the lower level for additional education and administrative use.
The Inspiration
The inspiration for the center came from Faith Hospice Bereavement Manager Janet Jaymin and NFL official and West Michigan resident Carl Paganelli. After Janet walked with Carl on his grief journey following the death of his wife, Cathy, in 2016. Carl’s and Janet’s mission was to create a peaceful, private environment for those grieving as they seek grief counseling. Amy Van Andel, Nancy Erhardt and the late Dan Pfeiffer joined as campaign co-chairs and successfully completed a $2 million fundraising campaign to create this much-needed grief support and bereavement center.
A counseling room in the new Van Andel Hope & Healing (Courtesy, Faith Hospice)
“Walking alongside loved ones after they’ve experienced loss is such an important part of the hospice experience,” said Amy Van Andel. “We hope that having a facility dedicated to those who are grieving that offers resources to guide them on their journey will help families begin to heal and feel hope for the future.”
The Van Andel name is a continuation of the family’s involvement with Holland Home, which dates back to 1998 when the Van Andel Pavilion was constructed at Holland Home’s former Fulton Manor location. Funds for that facility were donated in honor of the late Betty Van Andel. Transferring the name from the former Fulton location was a natural fit for the family, allowing them to continue to honor their parents’ legacy.
Area residents are encouraged to bike, walk or share rides ruing Active Commute Week. (Pxhere.com)
Active Commute Week is underway in the Grand Rapids area with commuters having the opportunity to set up an account to log all “green” trips for a chance to win prizes.
Running through Thursday, June 15, Active Commute Week is hosted by The Rapid’s West Michigan Rideshare in partnership with the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. The week-long event aims to promote positive changes in individual commuting habits within the community. Through friendly competition, participants are encouraged to embrace greener methods of transportation, such as taking the bus, walking, running and cycling to improve the environment and support a healthy lifestyle.
Commuters may set up an account with the option to join a team or register as an individual to log all “green” trips throughout the week for a chance to win prizes. These trips can be anything from biking to work, riding the bus to the grocery store, or carpooling to lunch. From the account portal, commuters will be able to monitor their reduction in carbon footprint to watch their real-time environmental impact.
The Rapid will host a variety of events from food trucks to free bike repairs with it all culminating in a community celebration set for Friday, June 16 from 4 – 4 p.m. The community celebration will be on the second floor of the Rapid Central Station and include a reward ceremony for the top commuters. There also will be a chance to win raffle prizes, enjoy beer from Brewery Vivant, pizza from Peppino’s, mingle with the active commuters, and enjoy artwork from students around the community.
All activities will be held around the Rapid Central station, 250 Ceasar E. Chavez Ave. SW.
Members of Trinity Health Michigan and Universal Health Services along with community leaders helped to break ground on the new Southridge Behavioral Hospital. (courtesy, Trinity Health Grand Rapids)
On Monday, Trinity Health Michigan and University Health Services (Ny’SE: UHS) broke ground for a new behavioral health hospital that will be located just south of the City of Wyoming in Byron Center.
Southridge Behavioral Hospital, which a joint venture partnership between NYSE: UHS and Trinity Health, will be located right near the Trinity Health Medical Center at 2145 64th St. SW in Byron Center.
“Southridge Behavioral Hospital, which will open in 2025, will help address the growing need for high quality mental and behavioral health care services for people struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use and other issues, and who need hospitalization and intensive individualized care,” said Dr. Matt Biersack, president of Trinity Health Grand Rapids. “Southridge represents a sustainable, long-term solution and it will be a key piece of the behavioral health care continuum in West Michigan.”
Kelly Smith, chief strategy officer for Trinity Health Michigan, said the new behavioral hospital will accommodate up to 96 beds, serving adult and geriatric patients. The facility is estimated to employ approximately 170 full-time and part-time staff including physicians, nurses, therapists, mental health technicians, administration, dietary and housekeeping personnel. Programming will be tailored to individual patient needs, with core psychiatric services and counseling supplemented with art therapy, music therapy and outdoor activities.
“Right here, where we gather today, you will see a new beautiful state-of-the-art facility,” said Sheila Adams, vice president of corporate development for Universal Health Services. “It will feature design elements that will create an optimal therapeutic environment with serene decor and furnished with warm and inviting finishes. We will create a space that enhances safety and promotes healing resembling a hospitality environment rather than an institutional type setting.”
The Southridge Behavioral Hospital is designed to tie into the growing network of behavioral health services in the area, including UHS-operated Forest View Hospital and Trinity Health Michigan’s new partnership with Network 180 to open a Behavioral Health Crisis Center for the rapid availability of assessment services on a walk-in basis.
For more about Southridge Behavioral Hospital, including what the hospital’s interior will look like, visit www.southridgebh.com.
Michigan grows more than 755 of the nation’s tart cherries with an annual crop valued at $280 million. (Pxhere.com)
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) recently announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission will begin tracking foreign imports of certified organic and conventionally produced tart cherry juice and tart cherry juice concentrate, and all other varieties of cherry juice, in order to more accurately measure the impact of trade on Michigan’s tart cherry industry.
In March, Stabenow and Peters urged the Commission to track this information in the wake of unfair and rising import competition of tart cherry juice harming Michigan producers. Michigan grows more than 75% of the nation’s tart cherries with an annual crop valued at $280 million, supporting hundreds of processing and retail jobs and a vibrant tourism industry in Northwest Michigan.
“Michigan’s world-famous tart cherries are a central piece of our ag economy,” Stabenow said. “But this industry cannot continue to flourish in the face of unfair and unaccountable competition from foreign producers. Today’s announcement is a welcome step toward ensuring an even playing field for our Michigan growers.”
In 2020, Stabenow and Peters similarly urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to collect statistical information on dried cherry imports after Turkish exporters continued to dump low-quality dried cherries into U.S. markets, creating a trade imbalance that hurt Michigan growers. The Senators’ request was approved and went into effect in July 2020.
“For years, Michigan cherry growers have been harmed by unfair trade practices that threaten their livelihoods and hurt workers. They deserve a level playing field. After pushing for this needed change, I’m pleased the ITC will now collect all available information on these imports so that our growers have a fair shot at competing on the world stage,” Peters said.
“The new categories for tracking imported cherry juice/concentrate are very important for the U.S. tart cherry industry,” said Julie gordon, president and managing director of the Cherry Marketing Institute. The new reporting will provide us specific information that was not previously available and will help us develop strategies for dealing with the influx of imports. We are grateful that the 484(f) Committee granted our request for the new codes and for the continued support from Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters.”
At a recent Michigan State University-hosted food trade show and networking conference, two Grand Rapids-based vendors were recognized for their food and beverage industry achievements.
The annual Make It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show, which takes places in April in Lansing, presented Fat Baby Hot Sauce, LLC, co-owned by Nate Mehren and Terry Wolter, with the Value-Added Agricultural Product Award and its Young Innovator Award was presented to Grand Rapids’ Last Mile Cafe, co-founded by Arick Davis and Sarah Laman.
Value-Added Agricultural Product Award
Image 1: Dr. Tim Boring presents the “Value-Added Agricultural Product Award” to Nate Mehren and Terry Wolter, Co-Founders of Fat Baby Hot Sauce, based in Ada, MI. (source: Kendra Wills)
“Fat Baby Hot Sauce is a great example of what happens when entrepreneurship and Michigan diverse agriculture options combine,” said Dr. Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and who presented Fat Baby its award. “Expanding opportunities for value-added products like Fat Baby Hot Sauce to get on store shelves helps make Michigan food and ag companies become a household name both here and around the nation.”
The Agricultural Product Award is presented to a product produced in Michigan using ingredients grown and sourced in the state. Launching in January 2022, Fat Baby Hot Sauce is made with peppers grown on Mehren’s family farm. For those who may be shy about anything too hot, Mehren and Wolter offer their hot sauce in various heat levels.
Those wishing to learn more about Fat Baby’s products and services may visit their website.
Young Innovator Award
Recently established “young” businesses with an owner or founder under the age of 45 are eligible for the Young Innovator Award.
Natalie Chmiko presents the “Young Innovator Award” to Sarah Laman, Co-Founder and Chief Impact & Sustainability Officer for Last Mile Cafe based in Grand Rapids, MI. (source: Kendra Wills)
Davis and Laman founded Last Mile Cafe in December 2022. Their black-owned and woman-owned business seeks to redefine how coffee can be inclusive of marginalized communities.
Located in Grand Rapids’ 49507 zip code, a historically underserved business district, Last Mile is unique with its charitable giving model. The cafe donates 10% of the revenue from every purchase to one of four philanthropic causes, with the customer selecting to which of the four they wish to donate. The charitable causes include advocacy for environmental justice, criminal justice reform, at-risk youth, and clean drinking water. In 2023, Last Mile hopes to obtain its B Corporation certification, which recognizes for-profit companies that give back to society and the environment.
“Arick and Sarah’s team at Last Mile Café exemplify the innovative spirit that defines us all as Michiganders by seeing challenges as opportunities and turning their passion into positive impact,” said Natalie Chmiko, senior vice president of small business solutions for Michigan Economic development Corporation and who awarded Last Mile its award. Chmiko underscored how important Last Mile’s mission is by adding, “We’re proud to celebrate Last Mile Café’s commitment to sustainability and accessibility, while demonstrating what it means to be the change they want to see in their own community. We look forward to supporting their future success and impact in the Grand Rapids community and throughout the entire region over the years to come.”
What is The Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show?
The 14th Annual Making It in Michigan event was hosted by the Michigan State University Product Center and Michigan State University Extension in partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Featuring booths from 165 food and beverage vendors across the state, the show offered a chance for businesses to expand their customer base and pick up tricks of the trade. In addition, retailers from prominent Michigan industries such as Meijer, Kroger, Busch’s Market, and Westborn Market were on hand to connect with distributors amid the shared goal of expanding Michigan’s food supply chain.
MSU Product Center Innovation Counselor Kendra Wills said the Making It In Michigan event is unique because it is believed to be the only event of its type with exclusively Michigan-made products. The conference and trade show features several distinct events designed to cater to a variety of producers and developers.
If a vendor is new to the world of trade shows, Making It In Michigan assists with setting up booths, staffing logistics, how to best offer samples, etc. For those vendors with ideas still in the development phase, the event’s conference portion provides guidance from various industry professionals. These include co-packers/co-manufacturers, entrepreneurs, distributors, and banking and finance industry members.
Left, Cyndi Tied, GRPM collections manager with Dr. David Pilgrim, founder and director of the Jim Crow Museum. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) has partnered with the Jim Crow Museum (JCM) at Ferris State University to host the premiere of the JCM’s traveling exhibit, Overcoming Hateful Things: Stories from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery, beginning June 3.
“We recognized that not everyone was going to come to the metropolis of Big Rapids, so we began creating traveling exhibits,” said Dr. David Pilgrim, founder and director of the Jim Crow Museum. “This is a taste of the stories we are trying to tell.”
Pilgrim hopes GRPM visitors will acquire an intelligent understanding of what the Jim Crow period was. He also hopes the exhibit will stimulate conversations. “This is one of the most successful ways that I have found to lead people to have meaningful, insightful discussions about race,” Pilgrim said.
When Pilgrim arrived at FSU in 1990, he brought approximately 3,200 Jim Crow pieces from his own private collection and donated them to the university with the understanding that they would be preserved and displayed. FSU agreed and now hosts the permanent JCM exhibit that has grown to more than 20,000 pieces.
Pilgrim went on to say that while many people believe the JCM is simply a large collection of racially insensitive objects, it is his intent to place those objects in their proper historical context in order to show people how they were created, why they were created, and what the consequences were of that creation.
“It is an opportunity to show people how you can use contemptible objects as teaching tools and how you can use them to facilitate intelligent discussions about race, race relations, and racism,” said Pilgrim. “We believe in the triumph of dialogue.”
What GRPM visitors can expect
Visitors to the JCM exhibit at GRPM will experience a variety of objects, pictures, and informational articles in both tangible and digital form.
A five-minute Roots of Racism film orients visitors to the content they will see at the Overcoming Hateful Things exhibit, and interactive tablets are available with video and audio content about the Jim Crow period.
An interactive Map of Terror allows visitors to see where Jim Crow violence occurred throughout the United States, while another multimedia piece displays portraits of African Americans living their daily lives.
An interactive station allows visitors to listen to Coon Song, a genre of music that presents a derogatory stereotype of African Americans, while reading along with the lyrics via sheet music. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
“We see all these negative caricatures and imagery and stereotypes, (but) African Americans didn’t see themselves that way,” said Franklin Hughes, multimedia specialist of the JCM. “We want to show the pushback of regular, everyday people.”
Another interactive station allows visitors to listen to Coon Song, a genre of music that presents a derogatory stereotype of African Americans, while reading along with the lyrics via sheet music.
“It gives people an opportunity to see the songs in their full context,” Hughes said. “People still have those thoughts and ideas because it’s ingrained and embedded into our culture.”
Pilgrim believes that part of education is about history. “A mature nation will look at its past and be objective,” said the JCM director. “The purpose of the past is not to feel good or bad, it’s to have a better, deeper, more nuanced understanding of the past with the hope that we are better in the present and the future.”
Moving Forward
Left, Franklin Hughes talks with David Pilgrim, the founder and director of the Jim Crow Museum. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
The JCM is currently in the early stages of a campaign to move into a two-story standalone facility that will allow them to contextualize the museum’s pieces.
“Each one of those 20,000 pieces,” said Pilgrim, “is currently being made, sometimes as reproductions, but sometimes the image has morphed into a modern manifestation. I believe that one of the most powerful parts of the new museum we are going to build will be a section of objects made in the last five to ten years.”
Pilgrim urges people to take a critical look at things currently produced in popular and in material culture and to remain vigilant.
“We are all on a racial journey in this country, whether we know it or not,” said Pilgrim. “(The museum) allows us to tell the story of how to make the world better as individuals, as communities, as states, and as a nation.”
To learn more about GRPM’s Overcoming Hateful Things: Stories from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery, visit Grand Rapids Public Museum.
To learn more about the JCM Expansion and/or to donate toward the expansion, visit JCM Expansion
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood/All photos taken by Ingrid Campos)
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By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
While making the rounds at the Kentwood Public Works Open House last Thursday, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said it best, “Little kids love big equipment.”
That was part of the appeal of the Open House, which was co-sponsored by the Kentwood Department of Public Works and the Kent County Road Commission. The event was held at the Kentwood Public Works facility at 5068 Breton Ave.
It was not only kids taking part, but community members of all ages taking a look behind the scenes at how Public Works serves residents.
“We’re here to celebrate the Department of Public Works and the staff who run it,” said Mayor Kepley, of the third annual event. “Kids light up when they see a big piece of equipment, and to be able to climb inside, feel the steering wheel and honk the horn. When I was a kid I was fascinated with excavators and bull dozers and I never got a chance to climb in one.
(WKTV/Vini Marconcin and Hayden Passig)
“It’s an opportunity for kids to see some big equipment, but also to educate the kids and the parents of what we do here in Public Works. People primarily focus in on police and fire, but they take for granted so many different things, for instance, our roads, our water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and also the Parks, and who maintains it all. When the Department of Public Works does its great job, it really goes unnoticed, because everything is working properly.
“When you turn on your water, do you get dirty water? No, you get clean water and that’s thanks to the Department of Public Works and their staff doing an excellent job.”
Mayor Kepley said he loves talking to students and classrooms about the different divisions at Public Works and how great the department operates, and jokingly apologizes to them about the lack of snow days.
“When I talk about roads and road maintenance (to students), I do apologize for us cleaning the roads really quickly and efficiently during the winter because chances are if you live in the City of Kentwood you have very few snow days because we do an excellent job of cleaning the road,” said Kepley with a grin. “If someone hits a deer who cleans that up? The Department of Public Works. They do so many different things.”
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Kentwood Director of Public Works Chad Griffin talked about the opportunity the Open House provides for his staff to mingle with residents.
“We really love to have the community come out and see what we do,” said Griffin, who leads a staff of 37 full-time workers and 10 seasonal. “It’s a great chance for residents and employees to interact, meet one another and talk about the work that we do.
“We had many families and kids attend the event … we are considering it a success. We counted nearly 300 in attendance.”
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Griffin said complimentary grilled hotdogs, chips, freezer pops and bottled water was served and kids of all ages received coloring books, construction themed snap bracelets and construction equipment temporary tattoos.
The Kentwood Department of Public Works has five divisions that work together to maintain the City’s infrastructure, which includes more than 150 miles of pipes underground and more than 155 miles of streets above ground, as well as parks and grounds, buildings and vehicles. The five divisions are building maintenance, fleet services, grounds maintenance, streets maintenance and utilities (water and wastewater) services. To learn more about Kentwood DPW, visit kentwood.us/DPW.
By KatelynKikstra Kent County Department of Public Works
While batteries of any type should never go in your recycling cart or any recycling drop-off station, but what you should do with them instead oftentimes is not clear. Batteries can really trip folks up because the type of battery ultimately determines what we need to do with them. Read below to match what kind of battery/batteries you have to figure out your next actions.
Alkaline batteries
Alkaline batteries are typically the cell batteries (EX: AA, AAA, etc.) that are commonly used in a lot of household items, like toys, flash lights, radios, etc. Alkaline batteries are cell batteries that ARE NOT rechargeable.
Alkaline batteries should be taped on the ends and then placed into the trash. (Pxhere.com)
Alkaline batteries used to contain mercury, qualifying them as hazardous waste, so they would have been accepted through a household hazardous waste program for a really long time. However, around the mid- to late-90s, manufacturers changed how they made alkaline batteries (to no longer contain mercury) so these types of batteries no longer qualify as hazardous waste and cannot go to a hazardous waste program. Once taped on the ends/terminals, these batteries are OK to go in the trash because they are no longer hazardous.
Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of places that recycle them as the process is tedious and expensive. We do not know of any alkaline battery recyclers in Kent County. Instead, we encourage folks to use up their supply of alkaline batteries and make the transition to a rechargeable/reusable type of battery if possible.
These batteries should do contain hazardous materials and should be taken to a SafeChem location. (Pxhere.com)
All other batteries
“All other batteries” is a broad category but it includes (from left to right): button batteries, laptop/cellphone/electronics batteries, drill/weed trimmer/leaf blower batteries, lithium ion/cadmium batteries, auto/marine/ATV batteries, and RECHARGEABLE cell batteries (EX: AA, AAA, etc).
All of these batteries should never go in your trash, recycling bin or into any of our single-stream/mixed recycling drop-off stations as they contain hazardous materials and could easily start a fire at the recycling center, landfill or a garbage truck.
Paul Vander Laan grew up on a flashlight farm—his dad had a day job and worked the farm at night.
Dave Kamps Showing his 11-year-old granddaughter Libby Kleyn how to drive his team of Percherons. (Janet Vormittag)
“Mom wouldn’t let him get a tractor with headlights. She didn’t want him working all night,” said Vander Laan who lives in Walker.
When Vander Laan was 8-years-old, he recalls the last horse leaving the farm. Nostalgia of those long-gone days has turned into a hobby for him. Vander Laan owns two Percherons, a breed of draft horse that originated in France, and he is a member of the West Michigan Draft Horse Club, which has about 40 members.
One of the club’s activities is plow days where members bring their teams to a local farm and put them to work. Plow days are open to the public and signs are placed by nearby streets pointing the way for anyone interested in seeing draft horses pulling plows.
On May 13, the club met at a Christmas tree farm in Ottawa County and worked a field that will be planted with seedlings. A light drizzle didn’t stop club members from attending. By 9 a.m. several pickup trucks hauling horse trailers were already parked side by side, teams were unloading, hitched up and bring starting to plow. Both walk-behind and riding plows were used.
Owning Draft horses is An Expensive Hobby
Vander Laan estimated he spends $2,500 per horse annually and that doesn’t include a truck and trailer for hauling the animals. To offset the pricy pastime, he built a horse-drawn funeral coach. Last year, he was hired 21 times to be part of funeral processions, transporting the casket from church to cemetery. He handled the team and the minister or one family member can ride by his side.
Business card with a photo of Paul Vander Laan and his Percherons pulling a funeral coach. (Janet Vormittag)
Club member Dave Kamps compared the expense of owning a draft horse to not smoking. “If you don’t buy cigarettes, you can afford the feed for one of these guys,” Kamps said, adding that a pack of smokes is about $7 and that’s what it costs to feed one horse for one day—but it’s cheaper in the summer when the horses are pastured.
Kamps spent part of the plow day teaching his young grandchildren how to handle his Percheron team, Jasper and Sweet Pea. His daughter, Betsy Kleyn, said her kids enjoy helping with the horses.
“He’s always doing horse stuff and they always want to help him,” she said.
Besides spring plow days, the club offers wagon rides at special events and compete in draft horse shows including one at Michigan State University.
This year the Michigan Great Lakes International Draft Horse Show and Pull (www.mgli.org) is Oct. 12-15 and will be held at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. Included are competitions in halter, hitching, plowing, pulling and riding. The four-day event features 330 vendors, and 1,200 horses from 30 states and three Canadian provinces. More than 35,000 people attend the show.
Family Tradition
Martin Daling, one of the original members in the West Michigan Draft Horse Club, said he won the plowing competition last year at MSU. The year before he took second place. He explained that the dirt is judged, not the horses. Criteria include the depth and the straightness of the furrows.
Carrie Dalling plowing with her dad’s team of blond Belgians. (Janet Vormittag)
Daling owns a centennial farm in Tallmadge Township near Leonard Street and 8th Avenue and is the third generation to farm the land. Daling and his Belgian draft horse team work the fields and in the fall they harvest the hay, oats and corn that provide feed for the horses.
Daling’s daughter, Carrie Daling, said she’s been attending plow days with her dad for at least 30 years.
“Everyone is always here,” said Carrie Daling. “People I’ve known since I was a kid.”
When the plowing is complete, club members have a potluck.
Carrie Daling said she occasionally drives her dad’s team of blonde Belgians, Roy and Roger.
“Dad’s teams listens very well,” she said explaining that one horse always walks in the furrow. “You point him in the direction and he knows where to go.”
Janet Vormittag started Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animalsin 2006 as a monthly publication. It’s geared towards West Michigan readers and features pet-related advertisers, animals available for adoption, and articles about animal rescues and pets. In 2018, Cats and Dogs transitioned to a quarterly publication. The print edition is free and can be found at local libraries and businesses.
A memory wall in LaFontsee Galleries shares its story. (WKTV/McKenna Peariso)
For the first time in nearly four decades, new leadership is taking hold at LaFontsee Galleries.
This month, founders Linda and Scott LaFontsee announced that Jason and Kate Meyer have bought the business. Artist Kate Meyer will take the lead on running the gallery, with Linda LaFontsee assisting her with the transition over the next six months.
“We found the right people,” said Linda LaFontsee. “We started thinking about it several years ago and I finally got to the point where I could entertain the idea of letting go of my baby.”
The LaFontsees have overseen growth of the art-hub enterprise for more than 36 years. From humble beginnings in 1987 as a small framing business to the award-winning 24,000 square foot gallery now located at 833 Lake Dr. SE.
In that time, LaFontsee Galleries has received many state and national recognitions. In 2022, the American Art Awards named it one of the top 20 galleries in America. The gallery also received the ArtServe Michigan Governor’s Award for Arts and Culture in 2004.
“Initially when the gallery started, there was not really much of an art scene in Grand Rapids,” said new owner Kate Meyer. “It really just started with a small framing shop and Linda and Scott showing a couple of pieces on the walls where they had a little bit of space from local artists and it grew from there.”
Growing its Grand Rapids
The tiny framing operation run out of Scott LaFontsee’s basement was fittingly named Underground Studio. As the area’s art scene began to take shape, the business moved downtown into the North Monroe Business District and rebranded to LaFontsee Galleries in 1994. Then in 2012, the founders reopened the gallery in its current home on Lake Drive.
LaFontsee Galleries started a a framing operation. During the May 24 open house, visitors will be a behind-the-scenes look at the business’s iconic framing department. (WKTV/McKenna Peariso)
“We have grown with the city for sure,” LaFontsee said. “It’s wonderful to be able to not only show their work but create a community with the artists as well.”
It’s estimated more than 60,000 works of art are stored at LaFontsee Galleries, with only a quarter currently decorating the walls. LaFontsee says the depth of the work the space holds for each of the artists is rather unusual, thanks to the building’s generous square footage.
The gallery’s entire collection including the current portfolio of more than 70 artists will be retained under the new leadership. Fifteen team members will also remain on staff.
An artist herself, Meyer has had her work displayed across Grand Rapids and has been featured at ArtPrize several times. She admires the gallery for its balance of a warm, welcoming environment with a professional caliber of fine art.
“It’s more than just a gallery,” said Meyer, “it really is a community space that has so many different facets to it.”
Just the Right Match
LaFontsee Galleries has a long history of involvement in local nonprofits and community events. Its list of collaborators include Frey Foundation, Gilda’s Club, Artists Creating Together and more.
LaFontsee Galleries has been an art-hub in Grand Rapids for 36 years. (WKTV/McKenna Peariso)
Connecting through non-profits is what originally brought the LaFontsees and Meyers together; Jason and Linda met while working with the Blandford Nature Center. Along with his advisory role with the gallery, Jason Meyer currently serves as executive director for the White Oak Initiative, a coalition addressing the decline of America’s white oak population.
Kate Meyer also has over a decade of experience in fundraising, event planning and leadership in environmental nonprofits and conservation. Her most recent role was associate director of development for the state’s chapter of the world’s largest conservation organization, The Nature Conservancy. She also previously served as the Kent County Parks Foundation’s executive director.
“They really hand-picked us and I think they see a lot of themselves in us and vice versa,” Meyer said.
Celebrating a New Era
Terms of the gallery’s transaction were not disclosed. The LaFontsees were advised by Calder Capital LLC on the deal. The Meyers used financial consultant DWH LLC as their advisors.
The gallery will host an open house on May 24 from 4 to 5 p.m. where the public can meet and greet with owners old and new. Attendees will also have the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at the business’s iconic framing department and learn more about the process of preserving art.
“Ice Age: Michgian’s Frozen Secrets” features how Michigan landscapes looked thousands of years ago. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)
By Adam Brown WKTV Contributor
Have you ever wished to go back in time to the dawn of the Ice Age? Or look at the impacts of snow on a global scale? Now you can, with the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s new exhibits Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets and Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact.
What Are the New Exhibits?
Set to run May 20 through Sept. 3, the new exhibits put a unique Michigan spin on global events. In addition, they continue the GRPM’s mission of educating the public through immersive and enriching displays. Of the GRPM’s new additions, Public Museum’s Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Dustin Tyler noted, “Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets and Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact are two incredibly unique and exciting exhibits that we are thrilled to bring to our community. We believe both exhibits will provide visitors with unforgettable educational experiences and inspire curiosity about Michigan’s history and the impact of snow on our environment.”
Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets
Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets localizes the historical period, focusing on modern-day West Michigan when prehistoric animals dominated the Earth. The exhibit depicts how the landscape looked thousands of years ago, with a chance to interact with some of the area’s native creatures. In addition, patrons can enjoy tactile experiences where they can handle actual fossilized bones and teeth from the era. The available bones come from a selection of a recently discovered mastodon in the Grand Rapids area.
Visitors will be able touch mastodon bones that were found in Grand Rapids. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)
In August 2022, mastodon bones were uncovered during a construction dig at the Grand Rapids property of Michael and Courtney Clapp. Wanting to keep the artifacts local and accessible to the public, the Clapps donated their namesake Clapp Family Mastodon to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The recovered bones form the basis of the Ice Age exhibit. In this fully immersive experience, visitors are encouraged to touch and observe the bones and teeth, connecting them to the life of early humans in the area.
Though designed to supplement material learned in the classroom, Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets is geared toward all ages, per GRPM Marketing Manager Sara Olsen. People naturally question what their home state might have looked like in the prehistoric era. This exhibit is designed to answer those burning questions by allowing museumgoers to physically interact with what came before.
Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact
Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact takes the opposite route, looking at snow globally and how it impacts worldwide climate systems. No matter where we live, snow impacts us all. In this exhibit, patrons can examine all the ways this natural weather phenomenon affects the globe.
“Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact” will look at how snow impacts worldwide climate systems. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)
While new to the GRPM, Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact was initially developed by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, Oregon. Like the GRPM, the OMSI is devoted to fostering learning and curiosity in its visitors through interactive experiments, exhibits, and demonstrations for a younger, school-age demographic.
In Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact, guests answer one fundamental question. What is snow? An immersive digital snowstorm enables visitors to interact with snow crystals, examining how each is truly unique. While all ages may enjoy the exhibit, the tactile games make the experience especially rewarding for the younger crowd by allowing them to take an interactive role in the process, per Olson. Guests can also listen to oral histories about snow from elders and culture leaders of the Inupiaq tribes to supplement the interactive game. These elements seek to educate the public about the importance of snow in the worldwide climate system and how each tiny crystal has a global impact.
Despite differing scopes and content, the GRPM designed Ice Age: Michigan’s Frozen Secrets and Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact to work in tandem with one another. Both offer glimpses into climate and weather patterns over time and allow patrons to interact with those patterns while building an understanding of the world around them.
Guests who purchase general admission tickets to the GRPM between May 20 and Sept. 3 can participate in the new exhibits, with free admission for those 17 and under. In addition, members can receive early access to the exhibits through an exclusive members only preview. Those interested may find information on museum hours and ticket prices at the GRPM’s official website.
On May 9, at approximately 7:30 a.m., police and fire personnel from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and Grandville Police responded to the area of 28th Street near Clydon Avenue on a report of a head-on collision involving two vehicles.
When officers arrived they located two patients, an unresponsive 7-year-old female and a 31-year-old male both with serious injuries. The uninjured driver remained at the scene to speak with police. the injuries driver and child were both transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s Accident Investigation and Forensic Services Units are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
Kent County Sheriff’s Department
At 2:30 a.m. this morning, a homeowner called 911 stating three suspects were checking car doors in the neighborhood along South Park Drive SW. Deputies arrived in the area and located the vehicle described by the homeowner and attempted to stop it. The vehicle fled from deputies but ran over spike strips just down the road. A pursuit continued up Kalamazoo Avenue nail the driver lost control and came to a stop along Kalamazoo Avenue near 52nd Street.
One occupant ran away and a second was arrested in the vehicle. The vehicle itself was stolen form Plainfield Township on May 3. Inside the deputies located two pistols along with cash and other items stolen from vehicles. An 18-year-old Grand Rapids man was arrested on charges related to the case. The other suspect remains outstanding.
This follow a similar incident Monday morning in Byron Township. At 6 a.m., KCSO dispatch received multiple calls of suspects breaking int o cars in the area of Marshwood Court SW. Two vehicles fled from deputies, which were later found at 68th Street and Clyde Park Avenue. As deputies closed in they located four suspects running form the cars, who were all apprehended (ages 15, 16, and two 17-year-old males from Grand Rapids). Three stolen vehicles in total were recovered.
According to a statement released by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department “We continue to see the brazen action of these suspects continue. Please keep your firearms, keys, and cash out of your vehicles. All areas of Kent County are being targeted.”
The DPW offers a variety of educational opportunities year-round so the entire community can learn how they can help the DPW achieve its ambitious goal of reducing landfilled waste by 90% by 2030.
“A great way to celebrate Earth Day is to learn how to reduce waste and create a cleaner environment for all, and our educational programming is perfect for people of all ages,” said Katelyn Kikstra, waste reduction educator at the DPW. “We’re proud to offer programming year-round so our community can be informed about where local waste goes and to generate excitement about recycling and renewable energy.”
Members of the public can tour the Kent County Recycling and Education Center and other DPW facilities and learn how Kent County’s recycling program works and what can be recycled. Guided group tours are available for groups larger than five participants to learn the ins and outs of recycling and watch machines and workers sort recyclables. For individuals or groups smaller than five, self-guided tours are available during recycling center open hours along with museum-style exhibits that explain the recycling process. The Recycling and Education Center offers open hours each Monday from 9 a.m.-noon.
“Earth Day serves as a great reminder to take advantage of our self-guided tours during open hours, or to reach out and schedule a guided tour in the coming months,” Kikstra said.
Residents can also learn about renewable energy and natural resources through a visit to the Kent County Waste-to-Energy facility, which processes up to 625 tons of municipal solid waste per day and converts it into steam through incineration in specially designed furnaces. The steam then goes through a generator to create electricity, which is used in-house or sold to an electricity supplier to be used in Kent County’s homes and businesses.
A bus tour of the South Kent landfill will educate attendees on personal decision-making regarding waste, landfill basics and renewable energy. Attendees will learn what everyone can do differently to help reduce landfill waste and create a better environment.
A full list of the DPW’s educational offerings can be found online. The DPW also released a spring-cleaning guide to help identify common household materials accepted at its facilities.
The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station and South Kent Landfill.
On Tuesday, April 18, between 5 and 6 p.m., three suspects broke into vehicles at Planet Fitness parking lots in Alpine and Byron Townships. According to witnesses at both fitness centers, the suspects were three younger males with hooded sweatshirts pulled around the face and all three were wearing surgical masks. The suspects fled in an SUV after breaking into one vehicle along Alpine Avenue and two vehicles along 68th Street.
The common theme was the victims left their purses and other property behind in the vehicles while inside Planet Fitness. The suspects smashed out the rear passenger side windows in each vehicle. Credit cards, cash, and wedding rings were among some of the items stolen and used at area stores in an attempt to make purchases. Some property and a laptop were recovered along US-131 near 44th Street and appeared to have been thrown out of a car window.
The KCSO has investigated different rashes of vehicle break-ins that occur throughout the community during the night and daytime hours. As a reminder to the public, remove personal belongings from vehicles or at least lock them in the trunk to hide the items out of sight.
Any with information about the break-ins are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 616-632-6125 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 to report information safely and anonymously.
Teens arrested after chase
On April 10 just after 9 p.m., deputies spotted a stolen Kia sedan in the area of 60th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue, in the Gaines Township area.
The vehicle fled from officers and due to traffic conditions at the time the pursuit was ended. Around 1:15 a.m. this morning, another deputy spotted the vehicle traveling along Woodfield Drive SE (Eastern Avenue and 60th Street). The vehicle again fled, however, due to traffic conditions at the time, the pursuit continued west along 60th Street. The vehicle ran over spike strips and turned south on Division Avenue.
The vehicle continued to flee along Division and drove behind and around a business. Eventually, the vehicle stopped on Regal Ave, and five teenagers were taken into custody. In the car were two 15-year-old males, two 17-year-old males, and one 16-year-old female all from the Grand Rapids area. The Kia was recently stolen out of Jenison.
This pursuit is an example of what deputies encounter on a regular basis. The Kent County Sheriff has continued to report a significant uptick in stolen cars over the past few years. Dangerous driving, stolen vehicles used in additional crimes, and the young age of the individuals involved are common factors.
This incident remains open and will be reviewed by the prosecutor’s office.
As of February 2023, the Biden Administration, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have plans to end the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 by May of 2023.
This will impact Kent County and its residents and the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is continuing to learn more about the extent of these new measures but this is what is known so far:
How is COVID viewed now?
Even though the Public Health Emergency is being lifted, that does not mean that COVID-19 is no longer a health risk to you or your family. But, COVID-19 is not dramatically impacting the lives of millions each day as were reported in the months of 2020 and 2021. This is due to most of the population having some form of protection from the virus either from vaccinations or prior infections giving immunity.
Home COVID tests may no longer be covered under insurance. (WKTV/Maggie Carey)
Preventative measures such as at-home COVID-19 tests may no longer be covered by insurance. Under the Public Health Emergency, insurance companies were required to reimburse up to eight at-home tests per month for residents. Once the Public Health Emergency ends, insurers will be able to choose if they will reimburse those costs or not. For those on Medicaid, at-home tests and PCR tests ordered by a physician, will remain free until September 2024.
It is not recommended that individuals stock up on multiple tests due to the short shelf life of at-home tests. Rather the recommendation is to pick up one or two tests before the month of May.
What happens if you test positive for COVID?
As of March 9, 2023, if you have a confirmed positive test for COVID-19 is it recommended that you isolate yourself and stay home to rest, stay away from others, and recover. According to the CDC, Isolation should last for at least five days and then another test is recommended and if it comes back negative you may end isolation and if positive continue to isolate until a negative test is produced.
It is recommended that if you test positive for COVID, you should quranrinte for five days. (Pxhere.com)
Access to vaccines and treatments like Paxlovid will still be available but may no longer be free. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters will still be available at no out-of-pocket cost for those with private insurance as long as they receive those entities from an in-network provider. Medicare and Medicaid will continue to provide vaccine coverage.
Paxlovid, an oral treatment by Pfizer for COVID-19, will continue to be available and covered for people who have private health insurance. Paxlovid will be available for those on Medicaid until supplies last and there may be a change in out-of-pocket costs.
Telemedicine care
If an individual utilizes telemedicine (virtual visits with a doctor or healthcare provider) and receives written prescriptions via telemedicine appointments, those services will no longer be available after May 11, 2023. Individuals will be required to make in-person appointments for prescriptions after May 11, 2023.
For those on Medicare, recipients will still have access to extended telehealth services until the end of 2024.
How the pandemic has impacted health systems in Grand Rapids
A report from Grand Valley State University found that close to 40% of individuals delayed care in the United States during the pandemic. Erkmen Aslim, an assistant professor of economics for the Seidman College of Business and co-author of the report states that “delaying care not only increases morbidity and mortality risk associated with treatable and preventable disease, but it can also contribute to excess deaths directly or indirectly related to the pandemic.”
This report also found an unusual increase in outpatient visits to Grand Rapids hospitals while other regions had a decrease in outpatient visits during the pandemic. Daniel Montanera, another co-author of Health Check and assistant professor of economics at Seidman, theorized that Grand Rapids became a magnet for people from the Detroit area who couldn’t or wouldn’t visit hospitals that were grappling with spikes in COVID-19.
The Public Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has created change for our American healthcare systems and even though it is coming to an end, new information and updates related to COVID-19 will be available for residents through the Kent County Health Department for the foreseeable future.
Additional information and updates related to COVID-19 will also be readily available through the CDC’s COVID information website.
On the anniversary of its inception, the Metro Pattern Crimes Task Force (MPACT) announced today that it has arrested 12 individuals believed to be involved with 22 burglaries throughout Kent County including the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.
Since Jan. 30, MPACT has been investigating numerous business break-ins throughout Kent County. The suspects targeted marijuana dispensaries, liquor stores, and convenience stores that sold vape pens similar to the rash of break-ins that took place on Jan. 27 that included Wyoming’s D. Schuler. Officers did not state if the arrests was related to the Jan. 27 break-ins.
The investigation conducted three residential search warrants and recovered four stolen handguns and 12 stolen cars. It is believed that along with the cities of Wyomig and Kentwood, the cities of Grand Rapids, Walker Lowell and Cedar Springs and the townships of Solon, Cascade, Gaines, Plainfield and Byron has all been affected by these incidents.
“By having a unit like this that is under one roof representing several different areas, officers are able to identify developing behaviors and patterns and working together to solve significant crimes that stretch across Kent County,” said Lt. Andrew Koeller, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety public relations officer.
Focus on violent and serial crimes
The task force was created in February of 2022 to address not only violet crime, but also significant pattern crimes such as burglaries, purse snatchings and other incidents that often occur across multiple jurisdictions, within the county.
“The team runs under the radar but has helped with making a number of arrests in violent crimes such as homicides and shootings and serial crimes such as the stolen vehicles,” Koeller said.
Arrests for the business break-ins took place over the last several weeks with the last one on March 14. The adult and juvenile suspects have been arrested on charges ranging from Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Felony Firearms, Breaking and Entering with Intent, to Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Several cases are still open as MPACT investigates and is exploring charges of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony.
Case still under investigation
The suspects range from 16 to 21 years old spanning rom the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Walker, Coopersville and Alpine Township. According to a press release, it is believed that the group could be responsible for burglaries outside of Kent County. The task force is coordinating with area law enforcement partners as the case unfolds.
“This investigation unit is the Swiss Army knife of the county for crime,” Koeller said. “These guys are amazing and extremely dedicated, working long hours to solve significant crime that is committed in our county.”
The task force consists of personnel form the Wyomig Department of Public Safety, Kentwood Police department, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 16-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or at https://www.silentobserver.org.
Nathan Hannum (standing) with his donor, Kyle Hess. (Courtesy, Trinity Health)
Some years ago, Nathan Hannum received the diagnosis that he had IgA nephropathy, also sometimes called Berger’s disease, that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in the kidney resulting in inflammation that can hamper the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from your blood.
It was a slow decline of kidney function, taking about 18 years for Hannum to drop to about 80% function and then in 2020, the decline started to take a steep dive, with him losing about 20% of functionality.
“So it was a pretty steep deal, but at the end of the year I was in a better position than a lot of other patients in that even though my function had gone down so far, I didn’t have to have dialysis,” he said.
When Hannum and his family moved to Grand Rapids about 15 years ago, he discovered there was only one renal kidney doctor’s office in Grand Rapids at that time, which was associated with the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center.
“I had been told I would probably want to get it done there just because it’s close to home,” Hannum said. “There are other options. We could have gone to the University of Michigan or Detroit or Chicago, but the ability to have the facility close to home was a big part of the decision.”
Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center marks its 50th anniversary this year. (Courtesy, Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center)
Marking a golden anniversary
The Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center in Grand Rapids marks its 50th anniversary this year. There are six such centers in the state of Michigan with Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center (formerly theMercy Health Saint Mary’s Kidney Transplant Center) being the only adult kidney transplant center on the west side of the state.
Since its opening in 1973, more than 2,800 kidney transplants have occurred, improving the lives not only of the patients but of their loved ones and caregivers.
“Our team takes great pride in reaching this 50-year milestone,” said Jill McNamara, MSN RN, Transplant services liaison for the Kidney Transplant Center. “One of the ways we are celebrating is to reflect on the patient stories that show our team just how many people have been touched by their care.”
Hannum admits he was one of those patients who benefitted from that expert care.
“You know sometimes you go in for procedures and they just start working on it and don’t really tell you what is going on. They might ask you what your name is to make sure they’re working on the right person,” Hannum said. “(The Trinity) nurses were fantastic at explaining ahead of time what was going to happen and why they were poking me for this and why they were asking me about that and the doctors were the same way.”
Hannum’s story
Hannum’s process started a couple of years before his surgery with doctors encouraging him to start compiling a list of potential donors. Having been a pastor for the past 25 years, Hannum, who is currently serving at Jenison Christian Church, has a network of contacts.
Left, Nathan Hannum with his donor, Kyle Hess. (Courtesy, Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center)
In 2022, the Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center became the only adult transplant center in Michigan to partner with the National Kidney Register (NKR), the largest paired donation program in the world. The NKR has the largest living donor pool, making the likelihood of finding a match potentially faster than other paired programs.
“I sent a big ask to my friends and family and said if you are still interested, here’s the number to call and I was fortunate that a lot of them did,” Hannum said. “There were at least two matches and I think there were probably more than that for me.”
Once a donor was found, the next step was a series of tests, blood and others, to assure there were no underlying issues. It was through those tests, Hannum learned he had prostate cancer. While appreciative that it was discovered, especially since Hannum had no cancer symptoms, the diagnosis was a setback for Hannum, but only a couple months.
Finally cleared for the transplant surgery, Hannum said the next biggest hurdle was scheduling. The surgery took place in December of 2021.
Utilizing technological innovations
Robotic live donor nephrectomy has created even more opportunities for live kidney donation. (Courtesy, Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center)
For patients like Hannum, Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center offer one of the latest technological innovations, robotic live donor nephrectomy. This process has created even more opportunities for live kidney donation. A live kidney donation is when a kidney is removed from one healthy patient and donated to a patient who has renal/kidney failure. Previously, these nephrectomies were performed laparoscopically, using small incisions, with the surgeon using his hands during the procedure.
“With a robotic procedure, we still make incisions into the abdomen, but instead of using two hands, a surgeon has four robotic arms available at one time to also control the instruments and camera,” said Joel Stracke, DO, surgical director of the Kidney Transplant Center. “The nice thing about this approach is that we are able to make the large incision needed to remove the kidney much lower on the patient’s abdomen – under the pant line.”
The robot not only offers remarkable precision during surgery, but studies have shown that following a robotic donor nephrectomy, patients experience less pain and less need for narcotics.
Feeling like your 15 years younger
Every person responds differently to their transplant, Hannum said, adding that in his case, aftercare was mostly routine.
“The moment I woke up from my surgery, I felt better and my wife even told me even before I said anything. She said ‘Your eyes are brighter, and your skin color is different and it’s just amazing,’” he said. “ I can’t describe what it was like to be out of the ‘kidney fog’ just when you wake up.”
While there have been bumps along the way, a year later, Hannum said he feels 100% better, adding that he has felt 15 years younger this past year, “which is pretty fantastic.”
“Our main priority is to provide our patients with individualized, compassionate and expert care,” McNamara said. “Over the last 50 years, our program has become one of the largest and most successful community hospital-based transplant programs in the country. As we look forward to the next 50 years and beyond, we will continue to focus on our patients and their families, offering advanced surgical techniques and innovative donor options that offer more hope to our patients.”
The Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Center currently has six surgeons and five nephrologists. In 2022, it completed 102 transplant surgeries: 37 living donor recipients and 65 deceased donor recipients. There are approximately 300 patients at the center currently on the waiting list, 155 which were added last year.
By Brandon Beck Contract Administrator Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
When a person retires, they may lose their dental insurance making it difficult to keep up on oral health care. (Pxhere.com)
Oral Health is an integral component of overall health. Diseases of the mouth are closely linked to other serious health conditions in the body. Yet access to dental services can be a serious barrier for older adults to maintain their oral health. Dental coverage is a benefit often linked to an employer, so coverage can change significantly after retiring. Advocacy at the national, state, and local levels are working to reform oral health and increase access for older adults.
Locally, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) supports oral health in a variety of ways. In Kent county, the Kent County Senior Millage (KCSM) network provides low-cost dental services to Kent County residents 60 years or older in partnership with Cherry Health and Exalta Health. AAAWM is also a member of the Kent County Oral Health Coalition, a group focused on advocacy and outreach in the West Michigan. Each year, AAAWM partners with Grand Rapids Community College to host Senior Dental Day; an event that helps older adults engage their oral health and find a new dental provider. For more information on Senior Dental Day 2023, taking place on March 20, email brandonb@aaawm.org
Within the rest of the AAAWM region, made up of nine counties: Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola the recently created Oral Health Plan applies. At the state level, Michigan has created the 2025 Michigan State Oral Health Plan that consists of three goals to improve the oral health of Michigan residents. Each goal is supported by implementation strategies and activities for healthcare providers and advocates to utilize. The three goals are as follows:
Michiganders understand the value of daily oral health care and preventative dental care and have the tools to care for their mouth every day.
Michigan citizens, dental professionals, and medical providers understand the connection between oral health and overall health.
Michiganders have access to preventative and restorative oral health care because the state has developed the necessary infrastructure to effectively serve everyone.
Nationally, the 2021 report Oral Health in America by The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) calls for a policy that mandates dental coverage in Medicare, stating it would reduce health inequities by assuring older adults have access to preventative and other oral health services. Most individuals lose their employee provided dental insurance after retirement, putting their oral health at risk. Additionally, adults are living longer than ever before, increasing their risk for chronic health conditions. Accessing dental services can be especially challenging for older adults who are disabled, homebound, or cognitively impaired as services cannot be provided in the home.
There is much work to be done in oral healthcare reform, and there are numerous ways you can show your support and advocate for these important issues. For more information about local efforts, visit the Kent County Oral Health Coalition’s website or follow them on Facebook. For more information about oral health advocacy in our region, contact AAAWM Advocacy Coordinator Sherri Harris at sherrih@aaawm.org
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
The Kent County Community Action’s 2023 Walk for Warmth will take place March 4. (Pxhere.com)
On average, households will pay 12.7 percent more for home heating this winter, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA), which means more people may struggle to pay their heating bills.
With that in mind, the Kent County Community Action will bring back its Walk for Warmth event, designed to raise awareness and funds for heating fuel assistance programs.
“All of the money raised from this event will go straight to people who need help in keeping their utilities on,” said Gustavo Perez, the director of the Kent County Community Action.
The Walk for Warmth is a statewide event with local communities usually hosting the walk in February. The Ottawa County Community Action Agency hosted its event at the beginning of February. The Kent County Walk for Warmth is set for March 4. Participants will meat at 8:30 a.m. at the Kent County Community Action (KCCA) offices, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. St., Suite 110. The walk starts at 9 a.m. and will travel the block around the KCCA offices, which is Martin Luther king Jr. Street to Sheldon Avenue to Sycamore Street to Jefferson Avenue.
According to a recent report from NEADA, the national rate of utility arrearages (the amount of money families are behind on their electric and gas bills) is at about $16.6 billion since the end of the last winter season. About 20.8 million households, that is about one out of six, owed an average of $791. This is up slightly from June 2022 when the total arrearage place stood at about $16.3 billion and the average amount owed was about $783.
Closer to home, Perez said he is still compiling the 2022 numbers however, in 2021, Kent County Community Action helped more than 4,000 houses with gas, electric and water.
The Kent County Community Action provides a number of programs to Kent County residents, one of which is the Utility Assistance Program. Residents do need to qualify for the assistance.
In the past, when people did no qualify, Walk for Warmth funds were used, however; due to the COVID pandemic, KCCA was not able to host the walk for the past two years with the Walk for Warmth fund currently unavailable to assist homeowners.
“What this allows is for raised funds to help close the gap for those who cannot keep the utilities on in their homes,” Perez said.
The goal for this year’s event is to assistant more than 20 households, which means the 2023 Walk for Warmth would need to raise around $10,000.
“We are working with people who are facing shut-off, so we are only helping them get caught up so they can keep the heat on,” Perez said. “We are not paying for a single home’s heat for a year, but only the amount to make sure the heat does not get turned off.”
Kent County’s Waste-to-Energy facility. (Courtesy, Kent County Department of Public Works)
Vicinity Energy, a decarbonization leader with the nation’s most extensive portfolio of district energy systems, will partner with Kent County Department of Public Works to operate the Waste-to-Energy facility in Grand Rapids.
Vicinity and Kent County have entered into a long-term service agreement that ensures the facility will operate safely and efficiently. The partnership will save Kent County in operating costs annually while reinforcing its commitment to quality service, the environment, and the local workforce.
“For more than 30 years, Waste-to-Energy has been a key part of Kent County’s integrated waste management system, and it allows our community to responsibly and reliably dispose of solid waste while producing local energy and reducing the amount of waste going into landfills,” said Dar Baas, director of the Kent County Department of Public Works. “We’re continuing to invest in the Waste-to-Energy facility, and this new partnership with Vicinity will ensure it operates safely and efficiently for years to come.”
Vicinity has welcomed the existing plant employees to its team and will hire more team members to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable services are delivered to the residents and businesses served by the facility. This partnership marks a critical milestone in Vicinity’s commitment to sustainability and bringing new jobs and services to West Michigan.
“We are proud to serve as the new operator of this critical piece of Kent County’s waste management system and look forward to continuing to work with the community well into the future,” said Kevin Hagerty, deputy CEO and chief operating officer of Vicinity Energy. “In addition to ensuring a smooth transition from the prior operator, our team has been hard at work on providing the most reliable, resilient, and sustainable services possible.”
The Waste-to-Energy facility incinerates non-hazardous solid waste from municipal and commercial operations in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming. Each year, the facility prevents 190,000 tons of waste from going to landfill, generates enough energy to power 11,000 homes, and recovers enough steel to make 3,000 cars.
The Waste-to-Energy facility upholds the highest environmental standards, achieving Michigan’s Clean Corporate Citizen (C3) designation each year since 2006. The facility also meets or exceeds the strictest federal standards set forth by the EPA and other regulatory bodies and employs sophisticated clean-air technologies to achieve superior environmental performance. The plant operates, on average, 90% below permit limits.
“We are thrilled to partner with Kent County and welcome the new members to the Vicinity team in Grand Rapids,” said Jesse Douglas, vice president and general manager of Vicinity’s Grand Rapids operations. “This transition of operations is an exciting step for both the County and Vicinity to bring innovative solutions to the communities we mutually serve.”
Vicinity also owns and operates the heating and cooling facility that provides clean steam to about 10 million square feet of space in downtown Grand Rapids. Vicinity’s district energy system maintains between 90-95% efficiency year-round. All Grand Rapids customers connected to district energy have a 38% lower annual carbon footprint than if they were to self-generate heat, with future improvements intended to offer renewable, carbon-free energy solutions as part of Vicinity’s Clean Energy Future plan.
Business cards features Kent County’s new branding. (Courtesy, Kent County)
Kent County has revealed a new brand, including a primary logo, sub-brand logos for several departments and offices, and a tagline—Your Partner, Your Place—that will serve as a short-hand vision statement for Michigan’s second fastest growing County.
“We set out to align the Kent County brand with the County’s vision, mission and the work we do in and for the communities we serve,” said Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg. “A brand is really a communications tool. With this new brand, we aim to help residents better understand what County services are available to them and, more importantly, help them take full advantage of the services they pay for with their tax dollars. With one of the fastest growing economies in the United States, nearly eight percent population growth in under 10 years, and the youngest, most diverse and most highly educated population in its history, we wanted to develop a brand as dynamic as the community it represents.”
A Window Into County Life
The new logo features a rectangular frame that reflects the County’s shape and serves as a window into life within the County—a place where people live, work, and visit and the entity that serves those people. The organic wave element is representative of the county’s rivers, streams, rolling agricultural land and green spaces that are so important to the region.
The updated brand also features a fresh, vibrant color palette to allow greater versatility in designing signage, collateral and other branded materials.
While the primary logo will be used organization-wide, several departments and offices with a high level of public engagement—including the Health Department, Animal Shelter, Community Action, Veteran’s Services, Prosecutor’s Office and others—will use unique logos that will serve as important tools to help increase awareness of the vital services they provide. The organization will continue to use the County seal on official documents.
“We’re excited to provide residents a clearer picture of the breadth of services we offer,” said Vanderberg. “This brand is foundational to that understanding.”
Your Partner, Your Place
The new tagline—Your Partner, Your Place—reflects what the branding team learned in the research and serves as an aspirational statement about what Kent County strives to be.
Advertising featuring the country’s new branding. (Courtesy, Kent County)
“First and foremost, people think of—and love—Kent County as a place. It’s home. It’s a place for economic opportunity. And it’s a great place to visit and explore,” said Vanderberg. “But research also told us that when people think of Kent County government, they think of vital services, a responsive staff and a ready partner that both leads and collaborates on transformational change.”
The brand was approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 27, 2022, following a comprehensive brand development process led by Well Design Studio and Truscott Rossman in collaboration with the County Administration communications team. The process included 17 county department, office and agency meetings; a community survey that drew nearly 4,700 responses; multiple meetings with an internal branding committee and members of the Board of Commissioners; and resident focus group sessions in five communities throughout the County.
“We’re very proud of the process,” said Vanderberg. “It was thorough, thoughtful, professional, and inclusive of staff, elected officials and the community.”
The branding project was initiated in 2019 but was put on hold in early 2020 to allow the County to focus on its pandemic response. It restarted in May 2021. With this launch, branded assets will be rolled out gradually with respect for budget to ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
Angeline Boulley’s debut novel, “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” skyrocketed to the top upon release earning several awards including a Printz Medal Winner, William C. Morris Award, American Indian Youth Literature Award Best Young Adult Honor, and was a Reese Witherspoon x Hllo Sunshine Book Club YA Pick.
Set in Sault Ste. Marie, the story follows Daunis Fontaine, a half-native, half-white young adult who witnesses her best friend’s murder by the hand of her friend’s boyfriend. She decides to protect her family and her culture by becoming involved an FBI investigation revolving around a new drug that mixes meth with Ojibwa herbs.
Boulley, who is enrolled member of the Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was born in Sault Ste. Marie. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and has worked in Indian education at the tribal, state and national levels including becoming the director fo the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education.
Boulley’s book is just one of the many recommendations on the KDL Let It Snow Local Indie/Michigan Authors. Other books on the list are Jenison author Tobin T. Buhk’s “Cold Case Michigan,” a look at several unsolved Michigan murders, and Shona Buchana’s “Black Indian,” a memoir of being African American with American Indian roots and how her family dealt with not just society’s ostracization but the consequences of this dual inheritance.
Adults and teens (11+) who participate in the Let It Snow and read a minimum of six books in different categories between Jan. 3 and March 31 will receive a collectible Let It Snow 2023 ceramic mug. Participants who finish an additional four titles will be entered into a Power Reader drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Scribe with stylus pen or other prizes.
KCHD is offering free radon test kits to residents while supplies last. (Courtesy, KCHD)
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can silently seep up from the soil and enter a building, or home, through its foundation. You cannot smell or see radon and testing is the only way to know the level of exposure in homes or any building. The age of the home/building, type of foundation, and type of soil around the area can impact the level of radon exposure.
That is why in recognition of January being Radon Action Month, the Kent County Health Department, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Great Lakes and Energy, will be giving away free test kits (while supplies last) at the Health Department’s main clinic, 700 Fuller NE.
Radon has a large impact on indoor air quality and it is often referred to as a ‘silent killer.’ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
“Every home has some level of radon so it’s not a matter of if its present, it’s a matter of what are the concentrations, what are the levels, and are they high enough that we should do something about it,” said Aaron Berndt, the indoor radon specialist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, during a discussion about radon in the home. He added that homes that test at a level of four or above should begin the process of mitigation.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, along with the Kent County Health Department (KCHD), found that 1 out of 15 homes in Michigan have elevated levels of radon. The EPA and the United States Geological Survey developed a risk zone map and Kent County is labeled as a moderate to high-risk zone.
So how can it be detected?
Radon is simple to detect and fairly inexpensive to remove from properties through mitigation techniques. But due to radon’s ability to be undetectable by sight or smell, it is easily ignored by homeowners and therefore leads to a lack of testing even though it is recommended to test every two to three years. January is Radon Action Month and organizations have resources available for residents to help test for radon and mitigate radon exposure.
The free test kits will be available (while supplies last) at KCHD, 700 Fuller NE, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. One test kit per home is allowed for residents.
Courtesy, CDC
The test kits will include instructions for use, but, according to officials, are very user-friendly. Just hang the filter inside your home for a few days and mail it in a self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope for testing. If radon is found, residents will be informed and have the choice to contact the Health Department to begin the mitigation process.
For additional help or information on the at-home test kits or results, reach out to the KCHD Environmental Health Division at 616-632-6900. The EPA also offers a support line for help with radon questions or concerns at 1-800-55RADON (557-2366) *.
Health officials are warning residents with the potential of a holiday tripledemic. (Pxhere.com)
Health officials are warning residents with the potential of a holiday tripledemic. Cases of the flu, COVID-19, and RSV are rising to an extent of overwhelming hospital emergency departments, creating a ‘tripledemic’ for the community.
The flu, COVID-19, and RSV are all respiratory viruses but they differ in how they spread. The flu can be spread by respiratory droplets (coughing/sneezing) and on surfaces. COVID-19 can also spread by respiratory droplets and aerosols but does not spread on surfaces. RSV spreads heavily through contaminated surfaces, so washing your hands and surface cleaning is very important to mitigate the spread of RSV.
While symptoms may indicate what you have, it is hard to make an official diagnosis without being tested for RSV, flu, or COVID.
RSV is one of the more unknown viruses that can spread during the holidays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported high levels of RSV related emergency room visits in Michigan. This has prompted the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and the Kent County Health Department to advise residents to take action to prevent the spread and protect your loved ones as we approach the holiday season.
What is RSV?
RSV is a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection with mild or no symptoms for adults and older children, but can be very harmful to small children and the elderly who do not have a built up or strong immune system. There is also no vaccine for RSV at this time. Early symptoms of RSV can include runny nose, decrease in appetite, and cough that can progress into wheezing or difficulty breathing.
What is the flu?
Influenza or the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lung. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 8% on average of the United States population get sick from the flu. The CDC reports that children are most likely to get sick from the flu with those over the age of 65, less likely.
What is COVID?
COVID-19 is a new strain of the coronavirus that was identified in 2019. It causes a respiratory illness. Adults 65 years and older and people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.
How to prevent the spread:
The spread of the flu, COVID-19, and RSV could get worse as people begin to travel more for the holidays to see family, especially if they are seeing very young children or elderly family members. One of the simplest tricks to protect very young children from RSV is to not kiss them or be in close contact with their faces. According to the Kent County Health Department, hand washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of infection.
Other strategies to mitigate the spread include:
Staying home when you are sick
Avoid close contact with others if you have cold or flu like symptoms
Always cough/sneeze into your arm, never your bare hands
Frequently clean your phone when you get home from a long day as well as surfaces heavily touched like door knobs and countertops
While there is no vaccine for RSV, there are flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available. There are no costs for most vaccines. To learn more about vaccines, check with your local pharmacy or doctor’s office about what vaccines you may need this winter.
Currently, undocumented workers cannot get a driver’s license because the State Attorney General Office has determined an unauthorized immigrant cannot be a citizen of Michigan. (Pxhere.com)
LANSING – Undocumented Michiganders are fighting for the right to obtain a driver’s license, an action supporters say could generate $100 million for the state.
An initiative called Drive SAFE could pave the way.
Some advocates say they hope Michigan becomes the 19th state to pass similar legislation. Supporters range from teacher and nurse associations to religious groups and business owners.
SAFE stands for Safety, Access, Freedom and Economy, all of which would be improved by the passage of the bills, said Simon Marshall-Shah, a policy analyst for the Michigan League for Public Policy, a nonpartisan policy institute.
“This is a case of people being able to freely get where they need to go,” Marshall-Shah said. “This often can involve supporting their families, taking a child to school or the doctor’s office, getting other health care services for themselves or their families, going to church.”
Concerns about undocumented workers driving
A passionate supporter of the legislation is Rob Steffens, the owner of Steffens Orchards in Sparta, 15 miles north of Grand Rapids, who says he is worried about undocumented workers who have been driving to and from work in Michigan for years.
“They want to follow the law, and they can’t,” Steffens said. “And they are not going anywhere. There isn’t a plant in Michigan – and I don’t care if you are talking about turkey, chicken, apple, cherry or asparagus – that doesn’t have undocumented workers.”
The package contains two bills in the House and two in the Senate. They were all introduced in 2021.
So far the bills are stalled in committee.
“We did have a hearing that was scheduled back in 2021 that was under the (House) Rules and Competitiveness Committee,” Marshall-Shah said. “The hearing was pulled at the last minute.”
Hope for the future
But as 2022 ends and a new legislative session is set to begin, the League for Public Policy says it hopes the bills may be finally heard in committee, Marshall-Shah said. If not, momentum is building to take it up again in the new session.
“In terms of the Drive SAFE bills being able to move forward in both chambers, I do see a possibility for that in this upcoming session,” Marshall-Shah said. “I think that the Drive Michigan Forward Coalition overall has really built up a lot of support among legislators and among advocates.”
Drive Michigan Forward is a coalition of organizations run by immigrants and their allies who believe in the restoration of driver’s licenses for all people, according to the group’s website.
In 2008, the Secretary of State implemented an opinion of former Attorney Gen. Mike Cox that said an unauthorized immigrant cannot be a Michigan resident. Since then, undocumented people in Michigan have been unable to receive a driver’s license.
Not everyone in favor of the Drive SAFE legislation sounds as confident as Marshall-Shah.
“The committee process is clearly controlled by the Republicans, and they have been uninterested in moving this forward in the past,” said Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, a cosponsor of the Senate bills. “My expectation is that it is not going to be moving, especially now that it has gotten so late in the legislative calendar, but I don’t really know.”
Improved public safety and reduced insurance costs are key attributes of the legislation, Irwin said.
“Right now, we have a number of drivers who, because of the law, cannot get properly licensed,” he said. “We have a lot of drivers in Michigan who are not paying into the insurance system.”
A potential revenue source
Money is a big selling point, Marshall-Shah said. Undocumented people in Michigan in total hold almost $2.5 billion in spending power.
That money can’t be spent in areas around the state and in local economies if undocumented Michiganders are denied access to a driver’s license, said Marshall-Shah.
On top of that, Michigan would bring in over $100 million over a decade because of these laws, according to the League for Public Policy. The money would come from license fees and revenue from registering vehicles and sales and gas taxes.
Opposition to this legislation has not come from any specific person or group, said Marshall-Shah.
“I would say the pushback in general has come from people who are really unaware of the benefits of the bills,” he said. “Certainly we’ve seen a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment at-large over the last few years, particularly at the federal level and under the Trump administration.”
Liam Jackson is a journalist from Trenton, Michigan. He enrolled at Michigan State in 2018. His journalistic interests include feature stories and sports journalism. In addition to writing for Spartan Newsroom, Liam has also served as the News Editor and Sports Editor at Impact 89FM.
Emmanuel Hospice’s grief support services are open to anyone in the community on a grief journey regardless of whether they have a prior connection with the nonprofit organization or hospice care. (Emmanuel Hospice/Adobe Stock)
It can be hard handling the holidays – especially if you’re trying to process grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one.
But there are ways to make it through this season.
That’s not to say there’s a magic wand available to make your sadness vanish. But strategies and coping mechanisms do exist that can be put into place to make the holidays a little less stressful, even though you’re recovering from a loss.
“One of the first things to realize is that grief is a continuum,” says Ashley Huisman, bereavement coordinator for Emmanuel Hospice. “So, while one person might react very stoically and without a lot of tears, another might be extremely emotional.
“The important thing is not to judge; we don’t know what anyone is dealing with internally in that moment.”
Another thing to consider, says Huisman, is that not everyone processes grief according to the so-called five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, despair and acceptance.
“Grief isn’t a standard, cookie-cutter type of thing,” she says, noting it’s just as common to bounce between these stages or even skip one as it is to follow them in a linear way.
Huisman offers the following tips on how to cope with grief at the holidays:
Manage expectations. Just because you’ve always been relied upon to bake that fancy dessert, the grief you’re feeling might compel you to pass this year. Even at the risk of thinking you’re letting someone down, take care of yourself first. “Pick out the tasks or customs,” says Huisman, “that have the most meaning for you.”
Make time for yourself. “Take a nap,” says Huisman. “Listen to music. Try to be reflective. Or even try to not remember for a while what you’re dealing with. The important thing is to check in with yourself and be sure you’re getting what you need.”
Give to get. When grief overwhelms, make a conscious effort to support others. It can help you create perspective and focus on another’s needs. Says Huisman, “It’s giving your heart a break.”
Memorialize your loss. Create a special ornament that honors the person gone. Continue to hang a stocking in their name, and slip a note inside telling them the ways they’re missed. Light a candle. Write a poem. Buy a gift they would have loved and donate it in their name to a cause.
Reach out for help. Emmanuel Hospice, for example, offers workshops and support groups to help anyone in the community manage grief, regardless of whether they have a prior connection with the nonprofit organization or hospice care.
The nonprofit is offering free “Handling the Holidays” grief support sessions at various locations in the greater Grand Rapids area:
Monday, Dec. 5 from 1-2 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 2-3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 19 from 10-11 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 10-11 a.m.
Those interested in joining are asked to contact Emmanuel Hospice if they plan to attend and get more information at 616-719-0919 or EHBereavement@emmanuelhospice.org. RSVPs are welcome up until the day of the event.
In addition to leading support groups, Emmanuel Hospice provides support through counseling, education and referrals to community resources to help individuals cope with all stages of grief before, during and even after the holidays. More information is available at EmmanuelHospice.org/grief-support.
Though it sounds simplistic, Huisman encourages people grieving through the holidays to “take them one day at a time. Try not to be anxious.
“Most of all,” she says, “look for things that will give you comfort. And let the rest be.”
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma WKTV Managing Editor joanne@wktv.org
WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma with GRAM Director of Art Chris Bruce. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
It was by chance that Chris Bruce was introduced to the world of Jim Henson.
“As a family, we would go to these auctions,” Bruce said. “At one, there was a box of kids toys that we got. At the bottom of the box, there was a VHS (tape) which was the ‘Dark Crystal.’”
It was love at first viewing.
“I just love how he understood the need for kids to face fear,” Bruce said. “That they needed to be able to recognize it and know what it is.”
Fast forward several years and Bruce, who is now working for the Grand Rapids Art Museum, is in New York. A friend tells him about an exhibit of Jim Henson’s work at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI).
Bruce arrived at the MoMI, only to find it closed. But all was not lost as he managed to convince someone to let him in to see “The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited.”
“After seeing it, I knew immediately that the Museum needed to bring this exhibit in,” Brue said, adding that staff had been considering it. “It has everything that we were seeking for an installation. It is entertaining. It is diverse. It is vibrant and it is relatable.
“I saw it as something that would speak to everyone.”
It would take a few more years for the Museum to get the exhibit on its schedule and during that time Bruce was named the GRAM’s director of art and is the curator for the exhibit.
And as Bruce moves a small group through the exhibit, you can quickly tell that the GRAM picked the best person to curate this particular exhibit.
Life’s like a movie
Opened at the beginning of October, the exhibit features a broad range of artifacts related to Henson’s career. This includes more than 20 puppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, film and television clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and iconic costumes. There are also interactive experiences that allow visitors to try their hand at puppeteering on camera and designing a puppet character.
As the group moves through the exhibit, Bruce tells of of the layout and story behind the exhibit.
Visitors travel through a timeline of Henson’s career with the different sections color-coated. Greeted by a 1978 Kermit the Frog, the exhibit starts with Henson’s early life when he was first introduced to television and puppetry. It weaves through his first television show, “Sam and Friends” leading into his years with “Sesame Street.”
Characters from “Fraggle Rock”The stuff animals from “The “Labyrinth”
“The Muppet Show,” which ran from 1976-1981, is featured prominently with all the episodes being run at the sametime on a screen. Continue to follow the path through the hall to discover such iconic shows “Muppet Babies” and “Fraggle Rock” which leads to Henson’s groundbreaking “Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth,” which starred David Bowie. The exhibit ends looking at some of the projects Henson was working on before his untimely death in 1990.
“And if you watch the closing monitor, you can even see Jim Henson saying ‘good-bye,” Bruce said.
Joining Kermit are such familiar characters as Grover, Ernie, Bert, and Count von Count from “Sesame Street”; Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, and Scooter from “The Muppets”; and Jen and Kira puppets from “The Dark Crystal.” Also on display are the costumes from “The Labyrinth.”
Making a connection
Grand Rapids Art Museum Director of Art Chris Bruce in front of the Jen and Kira puppets from “The Dark Crystal.” (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“It has been an incredible opportunity to be the curator while this exhibit is here,” Bruce said.
As for a favorite section, Bruce said he couldn’t pick one. Each has its place and, while all were made for children, there meanings and theme reach out to what is going on today.
“‘Fraggle Rock’ was about race relations and how people need to work together,” Bruce said, adding that making connections was another them that ran through Henson’s work.
“I think the takeaway from all of this is being together,” Bruce said. “We are all different but we are all in this together.”
The “Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited” runs through Jan. 14 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. Throughout the months of December and January, there are several drop-in and adult workshops centered around puppetry in celebration of the exhibit. For more information, visit artmuseumgr.org.
