Category Archives: Non-Profits

Get Ready to Grin – LaughFest 2015 Kicks off Thursday!

by Michael Zalewski

LaughFestAs Gilda Radner would say, “It’s always something!” In this case, that “something” is the weather. As a result, the LaughFest Community Kickoff presented by Feyen Zylstra will be relocated from Rosa Parks Circle to the Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St. NE).

Fountain Street Church is not a stranger to LaughFest, as it will also be hosting a number of events throughout the 10-day festival, including Lavell Crawford on March 11, Jim Jefferies on March 12 and Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood on March 15.

“We are more than happy to host the Community Kickoff event,” said Senior Minister Fred Wooden. “We have plenty of space, and hope everyone will still plan to come out and help LaughFest break a world record, despite the weather.”

The nation’s first ever community-wide festival of laughter will still carry on as planned, with intentions to set a Guinness World Record for the most people wearing paper crowns. Baudville Inc. will provide all participants with a paper crown as well as an exclusive LaughFest button to the first 1,500 people. An official, limited edition LaughFest World Record t-shirt will be available for purchase.

The world record attempt will be followed with opening night events at downtown restaurants, Clean Comedy Showcases, and a free comedy preview show, at the Pyramid Scheme (68 Commerce Ave.) at 10 p.m. This show will include a sneak peak of local, regional and national comedians who will be featured during the 10-day festival. A suggested $5 donation to Gilda’s Club will be collected at the door. Fast passes are available for these shows at LaughFest Central (located in the GRAM, 101 Monroe Center St. NW), which will guarantee the holder a seat at the show as long as they are seated 15 minutes prior to start time.

When:             March 5 – LaughFest Kickoff

· 5:30 p.m. – opening to the church, pre activities start

· 6:00 p.m. – witnesses, time keepers and presenters arrive

· 6:30 p.m. – program starts

· 6:45 p.m. – official attempt to break the existing record

Where:          Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Gilda’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Since inception, LaughFest has averaged 55,000 attendees per year. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer, grief and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Visit www.laughfestgr.org, or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.

Media Room Makeover Contest for Local Schools

by Allison Kaufman and Deb Havens

media center furnitureIf your school media room needs a makeover, the Grand Rapids Griffins and Farm Bureau Insurance Company want to hear from you. Your elementary or middle school in Kent County or the Thornapple-Kellogg district could be a big winner. Simply answer the question “Why does your school need a media room makeover?” Provide an optional photo of your existing media room, computer lab or library. Applications may be submitted by anyone interested, including school principals, administrators or teachers. Applications are due online between now and April 1, 2015 at griffinshockey.com/mediaroommakeover

The media room makeover could consist of a variety of new resources such as computer hardware, software, books, furniture, paint, carpet and light construction, with a value ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to as much as $10,000-$15,000.media center computers

Following the application deadline on April 1, all entries will be reviewed by the Griffins and Farm Bureau Insurance and narrowed to a pool of three finalist schools, each of which will receive a site visit as part of the final selection. The Griffins and Farm Bureau will choose the winning school by April 30, assist school officials in the makeover of the school’s media room this summer, then host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the start of the new school year in August or September.

Several partners have signed on to provide assistance with the makeover as needed, including Comprenew and Mike Case of Case Construction. In addition, the Kent Intermediate School District and the Diocese of Grand Rapids Office of Catholic Schools are supporting the contest by communicating the opportunity to every elementary and middle school principal in Kent County, as well as the Thornapple-Kellogg district in Barry County (which is served by KISD). All eligible schools with a need are encouraged to apply.

Official rules and regulations of the contest are available here .

media center furniture 2

How Hunger Hurts Learning: Schools Seek to Feed Students’ Tummies and Minds

Part of the Series ‘The Burden of Poverty: A Backpack of Heartache’

by Linda Odette, School News Network

Bags of apples donated to the pantry.
Bags of apples donated to the pantry.

The list of ways hunger can affect a child’s health is a long one. Chronic health issues like asthma, behavioral issues like anxiety and social issues like bullying are just a part of that list.

Nan Evans has seen children sneak food in their pockets and fight over a piece of breakfast food.

“When they’re hungry, they’re fidgety,” said Evans, principal of Kent Hills Elementary School in Grand Rapids. “They can’t focus. Getting mad and making trouble from being hungry can be how they express anger in inappropriate ways.”

Kent Hills is far from alone in dealing with the problem of hungry and undernourished children. According to Kids Food Basket, an agency that provides students with meals, more than 30,000 area children — that’s about 20 percent of the children in West Michigan — are at risk of hunger.

Studies have shown hungry children living in poverty are at high risk for chronic health conditions such as asthma and frequent oral health problems; more likely to require hospitalization than children who eat regular meals; and more prone to behavioral issues and social difficulties such as aggression, hyperactivity and irritability. They are six times more likely “to be in less than optimal health, experiencing a wide variety of illnesses and injuries” compared with children from higher income families, according to the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice.

When it comes to schooling, hunger and malnutrition can hurt students’ achievement in a number of ways, educators and health officials say.

“It is important that they ingest important nutrients for optimal functioning in school,” said Stephanie Painter, director of Spectrum Health’s School Health Advocacy Program.

“We know nutrition is important because research has demonstrated that if children lack food, they are more likely to be in special education, have behavior or conduct disorders, be obese because of food insecurity, be at risk for psychiatric problems, be unable to focus or pay attention, and also are at risk for disease because they are anemic.”

A Pantry at School

Principal Nan Evans at Kent Hills Elementary’s monthly mobile food pantry.
Principal Nan Evans at Kent Hills Elementary’s monthly mobile food pantry.

Kent Hills is one of several area schools taking a direct approach to student hunger. It works with Feeding America West Michigan to hold a mobile pantry the third Wednesday of every month.

A semitrailer full of donated food backed up to one of the school’s double doors on a pantry day earlier this year. Volunteers unloaded the food onto rectangular tables filling the hallway. Soon, the tables were packed with potatoes, apples, bread, crackers, desserts, yogurt and sausage to be distributed to the 90-plus people in line.

One of the people in line was Rhonda Hawkins. Her grandson attends the school, and she lives with him, her dad and daughter. The food she picks up at the mobile pantry will help them a lot, she said.

“We can go a few weeks with potatoes and stuff,” Hawkins said. What they can’t do is go to the cupboard and wolf down as many Pop Tarts as they want. The food they get is managed carefully to go as far as it can.

Hawkins’ daughter, Keli, was standing in line with her. The food they pick up at the mobile pantry is used “pretty much with every meal or snack,” Keli said. “If we have extra potatoes, we give it to the elderly couple across the street.”

Cassandra Butler was in line with two teenagers who didn’t want to be named. “This is good when people are low-income and trying to make ends meet,” Butler said. “I got cut off my food stamps after Christmas. You do what you have to do when it comes down to eating.”

Feeding America West Michigan is working on expanding mobile pantries like these, which have also visited Dickinson Elementary, three Grand Rapids high schools and North and West Godwin elementaries this year. The agency supplies nearly 1,200 food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters in 40 counties in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

How Food Can Change Things

Kids Food Basket is another local organization seeking to help with children’s hunger. It sends sack suppers home with more than 6,000 children in the greater Grand Rapids and Muskegon area.

When children do get enough food, the results can be wonderful. Julie VanGessel, program manager for the Kids Food Basket Kids Helping Kids program in Grand Rapids, has seen it happen.

She remembers watching a class once and complimenting the teacher on what a great group of students she had. The teacher told her the class used to be difficult before they realized the students were hungry from lack of nutritious food. When a way was found to provide them with more food, their behavior, attendance and test scores all improved.

“It’s because they’re not hungry,” VanGessel said.

Rhonda Hawkins and her daughter, Keli, in line for donated food.
Rhonda Hawkins and her daughter, Keli, in line for donated food.

Families faced with hunger often skip meals and buy cheaper, less nourishing food because that’s all they can afford, said Emma Garcia, hunger response director for Access of West Michigan, a network of food pantries and anti-poverty programs.

Eating the empty calories of cheap foods like macaroni and cheese can lead to health problems including obesity and diabetes, Garcia said. That’s why organizations like hers work to make sure the food they give out is nutritious and includes the five food groups. Providing families with food that is “just calories doesn’t do them justice,” she said.

VanGessel agreed, saying, “It robs kids of their energy and their health.”

Inside the sack supper Kids Food Basket sends home with students is a meat or cheese sandwich or a tortilla roll-up for protein; one serving each of a fresh fruit and vegetable; a fruit juice box; and two healthy snacks like a granola bar or string cheese. Providing such balanced meals “helps kids stay focused, get their homework done, and stay on track with other children,” asserts the agency’s website.

Too Long Between Meals

Another issue agencies are trying to solve is the time gap some children face between meals. VanGessel tells of a mother working two part-time jobs, raising two daughters on a fixed income and going to college. When the mother noticed her kindergartner was coming home daily with headaches and struggling with homework, she thought it was a medical problem. Her child’s health issues actually stemmed from the many hours without food between getting her free lunch at school and eating dinner at home.

“They get breakfast and lunch at school, but if mom works until 7 p.m. and the meal comes at 8 p.m, and the last food they had was lunch at 10:30 a.m., it’s a huge gap of time,” VanGessel said.

“Sack suppers became a saving grace for this family,” she added. “Not only did the young student’s hunger headaches disappear, but she was back to her playful self, with energy to complete her homework assignments.”

American Cancer Society Seeks Volunteer Drivers

ACS R to RBeing diagnosed with cancer is daunting enough for a person to deal with but many cancer patients face an additional hardship: transportation to and from medical treatments. They either have no transportation or do not feel well enough to drive.

janice_limbaughAccording to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the need for transportation is second only to direct financial assistance. That’s why the ACS began the Road to Recovery program, connecting patients with specially trained volunteer drivers who donate their time and personal vehicle to transport them. The service is free and thanks to the generosity of the drivers, it’s a lifesaver for the cancer patients to get the treatment they need.

“It’s just one less thing they have to worry about,” says Mindy Klein, West Michigan’s ACS program manager.

Unfortunately right now, Klein says the need for more volunteer drivers in Kent County is critical.

“We’re actually getting more requests than we have drivers to accommodate,” Klein states. “We have to turn them away or find another resource for them and we don’t want to have to do that.”

Currently, the active number of volunteer drivers is between 15 and 20 people she says. “We need many more drivers to accommodate the number cancer patients who need this service. Any amount of time a volunteer can give to transporting a patient is greatly appreciated – not only by the American Cancer Society but by the patients themselves.”

Klein goes on to explain that the ACS considers the volunteer’s availability and weekly schedule before matching them with a patient. It goes without saying that treatment appointments are usually Monday through Friday during working hours.  Some cancer patients need treatment daily while others may need treatment every other week. “It varies according the patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan,” says Klein.

To be eligible for the Road to Recovery services, Klein says all one needs is a cancer diagnosis and a phone call to the local American Cancer Society. To be a volunteer driver, participants are required to complete a short online training program, a background check and a motor vehicle check. It’s an easy and flexible way to make a positive impact on someone’s life.

“Many of our current volunteers have developed close relationships with their patients and often tell us that while the patient is extremely grateful, they too are greatly rewarded,” Klein says.

To find out how you can volunteer to be a Road to Recovery driver or to find out more information about this program or many other Soceity programs, contact the local office of the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Black History Month from Food to Food for Thought

West Michigan honors the contributions of African Americans to the rich tapestry of our nation’s history. Organizations including local universities, social clubs, and institutions such as public libraries will feature special displays, exhibits, and events dedicated to recognizing the unique stories and achievements of Black Americans.

GVSU Office of Multicultural Affairs Events

GVSU will host several events to honor Black History Month. For dates and locations, click on the link for details.

Grand Valley State University Events & Information Calendar

Sunday, February 15 – 1:00 – 4:30 pm

Taste of Soul Sunday at Grand Rapids Public Library

Join the GRPL as they celebrate African American history and

Imani Singers of Grand Rapids
Imani Singers of Grand Rapids

culture at the tenth annual FREE Taste of Soul Sunday. Parking is always free on Sunday in the library lot. The parking ramp at GRCC (north of our building) and metered spots on the street  are free on Sunday as well.

Click here for more information

Tuesday, February 24 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Greater Grand Rapids Racial Equity Network

Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, 655 Seward, Grand Race to EquityRapids, MI, (4th Tuesday of every Month). FREE and open to the community with free parking in the lot and on the side streets. Build relationships, your knowledge of racial equity, and learn about advocacy to create ideas for action, recruit the help of others, and implement work that can help eliminate racialized outcomes in our community.  Email Colin Smith with questions.

Saturday, February 28 –5:00 – 11:00 pm

Celebration of Soul

Vanessa WilliamsFor 14 years, the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Symphony with Soul concert has moved diverse audiences with jazz, opera, gospel and R&B. On February 28th, Vanessa Williams will perform her greatest pop hits alongside the Grand Rapids Symphony orchestra. The Grand Rapids Symphony is proud to collaborate with the Community Inclusion Group to bring the NAACP Image Award-winner and Grammy-nominated artist to DeVos Performance Hall.

The concert is part of the evening’s Celebration of Soul gala, which is celebrating its 10th year. DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI  49503

Tickets:  $150.00

Celebration of Soul Symphony Information

Search for Wyoming-Kentwood homeless

by Deb Havens

Last week 27 people from the Kent County area bundled up on one of the coldest nights of the year to check under bridges, overpasses, and parks. They were looking for their fellow citizens, people technically classified as “homeless.”  Jim Talen, coordinator for Kent County’s 2015 Point in Time Count of homeless residents, says total numbers of homeless in Kent County are expected to range somewhere between 650 to 800. “Last year we counted a little over 790 and we expect to be close to that this year,” says Talen.  Numbers are not broken out by community.

Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Wyoming, says that communities in Kent County work together to care for the homeless, so services are centralized. “We want everyone to know that calling 2-1-1 is the way to access services for people who fear they will become homeless or those who already are.” The City of Wyoming publishes a pamphlet on homeless issues available at this link: Community_Outreach_Trifold.pdf

 

How to Look Good and Feel Better in the Face of Cancer

janice_limbaughIt’s the start of February in Michigan which means endless days of cloudy gray skies, brisk biting winds and a case of the winter blahs. For me it’s all that and more as I enter into the second phase of my breast cancer treatment, radiation.

Grateful to be done with the chemo, I am left tired, pale and hairless in the dead of winter. “From here on out, it’s growing season!” I tell myself even though looking my best and feeling better about myself is a daily challenge. From deciding what to wear on my head (for warmth and comfort rather than sex appeal), to avoiding clown makeup, getting ready to go out for the day has been less than inspiring for my social confidence and kicking cancer’s butt!

So it was indeed a godsend when I discovered a brochure for the Look Good Feel Better program at the Resource Library in Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion. Thanks to the Personal Care Products Foundation, American Cancer Society, and Professional Beauty Association,  I, or anyone with cancer, could attend a FREE two-hour makeover workshop to guide me in dealing with appearance changes during my cancer treatment. Wow! And when I signed up and was told I would also be getting a FREE makeup kit filled with quality products to take home – it was like a little ray of sunshine broke through my gloom to give me hope! Ahhh!

Cosmetology professional, Ronna Kilts has been driving from Newaygo every week for over a year to volunteer her time and talents to helping women like me feel empowered and beautiful in the face of cancer treatment. Kilts says her inspiration to do this came from her aunt, also a cancer survivor, who went through the program herself.

“The day I graduated from cosmetology school I signed up to do this,” Kilts says. “It was something I knew I had to be involved in. It’s a great program, it’s fun and it’s super rewarding!”

The Look Good Feel Better program is a step by step guide to teach women about makeup, skin, nail care, wigs and other head coverings used during cancer treatment. It is a free, non-medical workshop and does not promote any one brand. Products in the kits have been generously donated for the cause and come in light, medium, dark, and extra dark to match your skin tone.

We started our session with brief introductions before turning our attention to the contents of the Look Good Feel Better makeup kits. You’d think it was Christmas morning for the three of us who participated as we examined each item individually, impressed by the brand names at our disposal. Although no two kits are alike, they all contain the essentials such as concealer, foundation, powder, blush, etc. With ooohs and aaahs and giggles of delight, (because we were all anxious to look good and feel better!) we were eager to get underway. Kilts took us step by step through the how-to booklet provided to graciously and patiently transform our appearance and our spirits.

“It’s amazing how a few subtle make-up tips can work miracles!” one women remarked, adding, “I wish I did this at the start of my chemo. I would have saved myself a lot of frustration!”

And that’s the whole initiative behind the Look Good Feel Better program – to give women, and men too, the opportunity to look in the mirror and see themselves again! Since 1989 the program has helped well over a million patients worldwide. To find a session near you go to http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/ and search your zip code. While you’re there, spend some time browsing their helpful website. It’s bound to inspire, inform and lift spirits during the cancer journey. It certainly did mine!

For more in-depth information about cancer programs, resources and questions go to cancer.org or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. Representatives are available  24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions, provide information, or offer referrals to programs.

LaughFest Comedians Return to Perform Together at Gilda’s Club Signature Event

Sinbad will be one of the headliners for LaughFest 2015
Sinbad will be one of the headliners for LaughFest 2015

by Tyler Lecceadone

 

Gilda’’s LaughFest today announced that this year’s Signature Event will celebrate the festival’s fifth year, and five years of smiles in West Michigan, with a lineup of returning LaughFest comedians coming together for the first time ever. Additionally, LaughFest has announced the remaining acts for the 2015 Festival, which runs from March 5 to 15.

 

The Signature Event will take place on Tuesday, March 10 at DeVos place and will be hosted by Michael Kosta, the winner of LaughFest’’s 2011 stand-up competition. The event will feature headlining acts from LaughFest’’s past years including Jim Breuer, Kathleen Madigan, Sinbad and Justin Willman. Additional LaughFest acts announced today include Cristela Alonzo, Orny Adams, Hen Sapp, Improv Cinema and Don’t We Boys with Dubalicous.

 

““This is our fifth festival and Signature Event, so to celebrate those five years of smiles and Gilda Radner’’s legacy of laughter, along with the fifteen year anniversary of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, we’re bringing back some of LaughFest’s most talked about acts to our Signature Event,”” said Wendy Wigger, president of Gilda’’s Club Grand Rapids and LaughFest.

 

“”These performers will come together for an amazing evening of laughter and entertainment while supporting the mission of Gilda’s Club.””

 

Breuer was named one of Comedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time, and is known for his charismatic stage antics, dead-on impressions, and family-friendly stand-up. Following three years on Saturday Night Live, Breuer also appeared in several television shows and movies, including Zookeeper, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He currently hosts, Friends with Breuer, a weekly Sirius/XM Radio show.

 

“”I’’ve always been aware of the way that Gilda paved the way for female comics”, ”said Breuer.  “”She left such a lasting impression on the comedy industry and SNL fans. While she left us way too soon, her legacy lives on through the incredible work of Gilda’s Club.  I had a great time at LaughFest in 2013 and can’t wait to get back to Grand Rapids to be a part of this amazing event.””

LaughFest

 

Winner of the American Comedy and Phyllis Diller awards for Best Female Comedian, Madigan has a successful comedy career that spans 25 years. She’ has appeared with late night performers Jay Leno, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Craig Ferguson. Her third hour-long special, Madigan Again, was named one of the best comedy albums of 2013 by iTunes.

 

“I was really happy to hear that I was invited back to Gilda’s LaughFest in Grand Rapids,”” said Madigan. “I did it in 2011 and was blown away with this relatively small city that just blew the doors off of how to do a festival. I’ve been correctly quoted that’s it’s the best festival in the country right now. No politics, just all funny people. I was a big Gilda Radner fan and paying tribute to her with a great festival is perfect. And, from performing in Michigan for 25 years, it’s hard to find better crowds. I’m coming early to watch other comics. Can’t wait!”

 

A two-time LaughFest veteran and Michigan native, Sinbad is also internationally known for his movie roles including Planes, Jingle All the Way, Houseguest and Necessary Roughness. He also appeared in five of his own HBO comedy specials, his annual HBO music concert series, and has found great success with his two Comedy Central specials, 2010’s Where U Been and 2014’s Make Me Wanna Holla.

 

Willman is a magician, comedian and TV personality. He is a frequent guest on the Tonight Show, Ellen and Chelsea Lately. He also hosts hits shows Cupcake Wars, and Win, Lose or Draw. The Los Angeles Times dubbed him, “a new breed of magician who’s making magic cool again for grown-ups.” Time Out says his live show “has to be seen to be disbelieved.”

 

Kosta, a Michigan native, is currently the resident clown on Fox Sports 1’s flagship series Crowd Goes Wild. There, Kosta and Regis Philbin lead a panel of sports experts in a lighthearted look at the world of sports. He has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Chelsea Lately and Conan. He also starred in his own special on Comedy Central, and can currently be seen as a correspondent for E!’s The Soup Investigates.

 

“”What Gilda’’s Club Grand Rapids has done is truly amazing,”” said Kosta. ““To have a festival of this caliber in my home state makes me so proud, and I was honored to be the winner of the inaugural year’’s stand-up comedy competition.

 

“When I was here for LaughFest, I had the opportunity to tour Gilda’’s Club and learn more about the important work they are doing for people living with cancer and grief, and I’’m so proud to be associated with it. I’’ve been trying to get back to the festival for years. –I’’m glad they finally invited me back to be part of such a special event!””

 

Signature Event tickets are currently available for purchase. Table sponsorships are available for $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 for tables of 10. Individual tickets are available for $250. $100 of the individual ticket cost is tax deductible.

 

In addition to the Signature Event performers, LaughFest also announced the final five shows for the 2015 festival. Tickets for these shows are on sale now.

  • Cristela Alonzo will perform on March 7 at Wealthy Theater. She has topped several comedy lists in the past year, including Variety’’s Top 10 Comics to Watch, Top 10 Comedy Acts to Watch in 2014 by L.A. Weekly, Cosmo Latina’s 8 Women You Should be Following on Twitter, Time Out’’s Comics to Watch, Cosmo’s 13 Female Comedians to Watch For in 2014, and One of the 50 Comedians You Should and WILL Know by Vulture.com
  • On March 11, Orny Adams will perform at GVSU’s Kirkhof Center in conjunction with Spotlight Productions. Adams rose to prominence after co-starring in Jerry Seinfeld’s documentary Comedian. Named by The Hollywood Reporter as a favorite comedian to watch, he has made several appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman.
  • On March 13, Grand Rapids native and comedian Hen Sapp will host A Night of Skittles at Kentwood Community Church. This event will feature Sapp and his special guests, Vyck Cooley, Gilbert Esquivel, Tyreece Guyton and Lisa Mills, for a night of comedy, music, and more!
  • On March 13, Compass College will host Improv at the Movies with special guests Lethal Action Force. Improv at the Movies features a team of comedic artists, from West Michigan, “updating” a famously bad film in the style of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Comics will improvise new dialog and sound effects as films are projected live on the screen, playing off the sometimes bad plot lines and poor acting. Following the movie, improv group Lethal Action Force will perform an improv show influenced by action movies from the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Don’t We Boys with Dubalicous will perform on March 14 at Compass College. Don’t We Boys is a fast-paced sketch comedy show that has received positive reviews at comedy festivals across the country. This show is similar in tone to Comedy Central’s Key & Peele. Dubalicous combines the thrill of long form improv with hilarity of dubbing. Troupe members Lauren Bickers and Cara Trautman met during their first term at Second City Detroit many, many years ago.

Entertainers previously announced for LaughFest 2015 include: George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Billy Gardell, Patton Oswalt, Bo Burnham, Pete Holmes, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Lavell Crawford, Jerrod Carmichael, Brian Posehn, Costaki Economopoulos, Big Jay Oakerson with Ben Roy, Jim Jefferies, Ryan Hamilton, and Nick Thune and Brody Stevens.

 

LaughFest 2015 will include more than 200 free and ticketed shows featuring over 100 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Holland during the 10 days of the festival.

 

Individual tickets are priced from $7 to $70, excluding the Signature Event. All shows are on-sale now, and tickets can be purchased at the Van Andel Arena Box Office or at Ticketmaster outlets, or LaughFest Central, when it opens in mid-February, through the closing day of LaughFest.

 

Gilda’’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Since inception, LaughFest has averaged 55,000 attendees per year. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer, grief and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’’s Club Grand Rapids. Visit laughfestgr.org or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’’s LaughFest.

Trash Bag Tabby

michele_smith-aversaWe’ve all seen plastic garbage bags on the shoulder of the road and in ditches.  We ignore them because we assume they contain someone’s garbage, right?

 

Not always.

A Gruesome Discovery

The Saturday before Thanksgiving, Pat*, a longtime Cedar Springs resident, walked out to her mailbox as she does each day.  But this day was different.  She noticed a garbage bag in the ditch by the edge of the road.  Initially irritated that someone had treated her property as their personal garbage dump, she walked over to the bag.  But there was something odd about this particular bag.  Pat saw that while the top was securely tied, the bottom of the bag was shredded and partially open.  When she took an even closer look, she was sickened to see that inside the garbage bag was the body of a brown tabby cat.   It must have shredded the bottom of the bag trying to escape its plastic prison.  Pat reached down toward the cat and made a truly gruesome discovery: the cat was still alive.

Once left for dead in a plastic bag in a ditch, Mister (kitty) is healthy and needing a home.
Once left for dead in a plastic bag in a ditch, Mister (kitty) is healthy and needing a home.

 

Somebody had literally thrown away a live animal!

 

At this point, there was no telling how much damage the cat had sustained after being tossed into a ditch and then left to freeze in the unseasonably cold weather. From its condition, Pat assumed the cat was dying. It was not moving, showed no sign of having any energy and when it looked at her to meow, scarcely a sound came out.

 

Worried for its health, she scooped up the cat, bag and all, and brought both into her house.  Pat wrapped the cat in a blanket and held it, consoling the tabby while it was shivering with cold and fear. She then set up a pet carrier with blankets, leaving the door open. Next to that, she set out  food and water.  After several hours, the cat was able to walk over and drink the water.  “He was surprisingly thirsty,” Pat says.

 

She left him alone for a while to eat and rest, checking on him periodically.  The victimized animal sprang back quickly.  Pat guessed that the cat could not have been in the bag in the ditch longer than 24 hours. “I know that bag wasn’t there when I got the mail on Friday but it was there on Saturday.”  Luckily for the brown tabby, Pat did not ignore someone else’s “trash.”

 

Two days after finding it, Pat, spent money out of her own pocket and took the cat to the Sparta Animal Hospital for a checkup, “…because you gotta do the right thing,” she explained.  She was surprised that even after his ordeal, he went into the carrier easily.  She was more relieved when the vet reported that the tabby was a neutered male, only around a year old and was in good condition.  Fortunately, Mister (as Pat later named him) there were no broken bones or other injuries.

 

“Who does that?” Pat’s brow furrows in anger now.  “Who raises an animal, spends the time and money to neuter it and then does something awful like this?”

 

After spending a few more days together following the vet visit, Pat says Mister allowed her to get close and pet him, adding, “Once he knew I wasn’t going to hurt him.”

 

Over the holidays, Pat had many visitors which included her grandchildren.  Mister welcomed them, neither fearful nor annoyed.  Being such a friendly and gentle cat, Pat is still puzzled why someone wouldn’t want him – to the point they would go to such ghastly lengths to get rid of him.

 

Sadly for Mister, Pat’s four dogs refuse to accept him into the family.  Mister tries to play with the canine crew, but they don’t want to play with Mister.

Mister is a nuetered male tabby about a year old.
Mister is a nuetered male tabby about a year old.

 

Thus, Pat began her search for someone that could take him.  Two of Pat’s friends had recently adopted their cats from Focus on Ferals Cat Shelter and Adoption Center in Byron Center MI.   Founder Gina Marvin immediately agreed to take Mister into the adoption program, where he currently resides.

 

Says Marvin, “Tragically for animals, we still live in a society where people think it is a good idea to literally toss them out like trash. Only God knows how many are never found. The lucky ones get rescued by some kind-hearted person who just happens upon them. It goes without saying that the discarded animals deserve to be rescued. But also, those everyday people like Pat, who do not have resources to place an animal, and who still go out of their way to save an animal, deserve to get help.”

 

Like Marvin, Pat is no stranger to rescuing animals.  Back in 1979, she recalls stopping a man in a pickup truck from deliberately driving over a snapping turtle.  And she has been protecting animals ever since.  From “traveling cats” who stop by her property from time to time, to litters of unwanted kittens that get dropped off in her barn, she spends money out of her own pocket to ensure that they have veterinary care, are fixed and stay safe.

 

“Because you gotta do the right thing.”

 

If you are interested in Mister, or any of the other cats in the Focus on Ferals adoption program, or would like to make a donation on behalf of one of the cats, visit www.focusonferals.org.

 

*Pat wants to share her story for the sake of all victimized animals, but prefers to remain an anonymous hero.

Laughfest adds shows to 2015 Festival

laughfest logoIndividual tickets on sale now!

by Tyler Lecceadone

 

Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s only community-wide festival of laughter, announced additional performances and shows for the 2015 Festival, which takes place March 5 to 15, 2015. Individual tickets for all events will be available for purchase on Friday, January 9 at 10 a.m.

Jim Jefferies is added to the LaughFest lineup.
Jim Jefferies is added to the Laughfest lineup.

 

New performances and shows added include Nick Thune and Brody Stevens, Costaki Economopoulos, Blackout Diaries, Big Jay Oakerson with Ben Roy, Jim Jefferies, the Homegrown Show, and Ryan Hamilton. Additionally, following the sell out of her two previously announced shows, Iliza Shlesinger has added new shows on March 7 to her LaughFest appearance.

 

On March 6 and 7, Thune and Stevens will perform at the Pyramid Scheme. Thune has appeared on the Tonight Show eight times, as well as Conan, The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon, and he has his own Comedy Central Show. Stevens is the executive producer and star of Comedy Central’s Brody Stevens: Enjoy It!, and the host of two popular podcasts, The Steven Brody Stevens Festival of Friendship and Brode and Esther.

 

Economopoulos has been a stand-up comedian for 20 years, and has written for the likes of Bette Midler, Jay Leno, MTV and BET. He is best known for his regular appearances on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show, and his weekly Quick Snaps radio segment parodying the National Football League. Economopoulos will perform on March 7 at Grand Volute in Lowell, Mich.

 

Blackout Diaries is an interactive show featuring standup comedians and regular people telling true drinking stories, while the audience asks questions. Described as being a “bit like adding tequila to the Socratic Method,” this show was created by its host Sean Flannery (Comedy Central, NPR and more) and routinely sells out in the home city of Chicago. Blackout Diaries takes place on March 8 at Perrin Brewing Company.

 

Oakerson and Roy will perform a free, ticketed show on March 12 at the Orbit Room as part of the Blue & Late Night Series presented by Bud Light. Oakerson performs a story-based style of stand-up comedy, and has appeared on Comedy Underground with Dave Attell, FX’s Louie, Inside Amy Schumer and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Roy is a fast rising star in the comedy world, with a set showing on HBO Canada and his own one-hour show at the New York Comedy Festival.

 

Also, on March 12, Jefferies will perform at Fountain Street Church. An Australian stand-up comedian, Jefferies first established himself as one of the outstanding comedians of his generation in Europe, and has since found success in the U.S. following his HBO special I Swear to God.

 

The Homegrown Show will be hosted by local West Michigan comedian Matt Lauria. Taking place on March 12 at the BOB, this show will feature professional touring comedians that reside in the Grand Rapids area. These comics have credits that include Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Bob & Tom Show, and comedy festivals from San Francisco to Atlanta.

 

Named one of Rolling Stone’s five comics to watch, Ryan Hamilton is known for performing to a variety of audiences while making each show an individual experience. He has performed on Conan, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, and Showtime, and has won The Great American Comedy Festival and Sierra Mist’s America’s Next Great Comic Search. His performance will take place on March 14 at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland, Mich.

 

Entertainers previously announced for LaughFest 2015 include: George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Billy Gardell, Patton Oswalt, Bo Burnham, Pete Holmes, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Lavell Crawford, Jerrod Carmichael and Brian Posehn.

 

LaughFest 2015 will include more than 200 free and ticketed shows featuring over 100 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Holland during the 10 days of the festival.

 

Individual tickets are priced from $7 to $70, excluding the Signature Event. These will be available beginning Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at the Van Andel Arena Box Office or at Ticketmaster outlets, or LaughFest Central, when it opens in mid-February, through the closing day of the festival.

 

Gilda’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Since inception, LaughFest has averaged over 50,000 attendees per year. Proceeds from the festival support the free cancer, grief and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Visit laughfestgr.org or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.

 

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids provides free emotional healthcare to children adults, families and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving the death of someone in their life due to any cause. The comprehensive program, delivered by licensed healthcare professionals includes education, structured sharing times, networking, lectures, workshops and social activities. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is one of the largest and busiest of the 52 affiliates in North America. The organization runs entirely on charitable donations and currently serves more than 10,000 individuals each year at its clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Mich., in various schools and in five community centers. For more information, visit www.gildasclubgr.org.

Donate to Goodwill for “Annie” Ticket Discount from Broadway Grand Rapids

Hurry – Now is the time to clean out your closets! Broadway Grand Rapids is partnering with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids to offer discounted tickets to Annie at DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday, January 13.

GoodwillSmilingG_GreaterGR

 

Make a donation of gently used clothing or household items to any Goodwill retail location and in return receive a coupon for $20 off tickets to select seats during the performance of Annie at DeVos Peformance Hall on opening night, Tuesday, January 13, 2015.  There will also an opportunity to donate gently used coats at DeVos Hall on opening night.

 

Annie runs January 13 through the 18th for 8 performances. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin, this Annie is a brand new incarnation of the iconic original. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie is determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago at an orphanage run by the embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other orphans, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of New York. In a series of adventures, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and finds a new home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Featuring book and score by Tony Award® winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie includes such unforgettable songs as It’s the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, and the eternal anthem of optimism, Tomorrow.

 

This is the perfect opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the world’s best-loved musical while doing good for the community. Since 1966, the non-profit Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids has been dedicated to changing lives through the power of work by offering a wide range of employment and training programs to assist those with disabilities and other barriers to employment by developing marketable skills. In addition to monetary donations, revenues from nineteen retail stores in an eight-county area support the organization’s efforts.

 

For more information, visit www.goodwillgr.org. Follow on Twitter: @goodwillgr or on Facebook: Facebook.com/goodwillgr

 

Broadway Grand Rapids is also a non-profit bringing the highest quality touring Broadway productions to West Michigan, enriching the diversity and artistic integrity of our community through professional performing arts.

 

Visit www.broadwaygrandrapids.com for more information.

Some driving fines may be erased by community service

LANSING, Mich. ‒ Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and State Treasurer Kevin Clinton today announced that select motorists are being sent letters this month stating they are eligible to perform community service in place of paying certain Driver Responsibility fees.

About 168,000 residents meet the criteria for the Driver Responsibility Fee Community Service program. The new law, which was passed in 2014, requires individuals to complete 10 hours of community service for each qualifying Driver Responsibility assessment.

“This new law allows eligible residents to perform a service for their community while easing the burden of paying the Driver Responsibility fee,” Johnson said. “It provides a benefit to the individual and the community.”

“The elimination of fees for lesser driving violations removes some unintended consequences of the original law,” Treasurer Clinton said. “Additionally, allowing qualifying individuals to perform community service is a win for everyone involved.”

It will take a couple of weeks to complete the mailing to the 168,000 recipients. Motorists with questions are asked to refrain from calling Treasury until after the information arrives and they have had a chance to read it.

Under the program, community service is defined as engaging in a useful and productive activity for someone other than a family member without receiving any compensation (money or gifts). Volunteer work at local nonprofits (organizations classified as a 501c(3)), churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other places of worship, schools, or city and state agencies can count.

The Driver Responsibility fees that can be erased by community service are for no proof of insurance, no insurance, driving without proper license/endorsement/vehicle group designator, driving while license is expired and driving while unlicensed or with an invalid license.


Grand Rapids All-Star Team Eyeing National Tournament in Dallas

The Grand City All-Stars after winning The Battle of Spartan Nation
The Grand City All-Stars after winning The Battle of Spartan Nation

mike_dewittA weekend filled with the thwack of shoulder pads and the smack of helmets culminated towards this, the end. The time when one team would rise from the gridiron as champions while the other stayed on the floor with the taste of defeat still fresh in their mouths.

 

The Grand City All-Stars rose to the challenge.

 

On this day, 35 young men from Grand Rapids stood united at the Battle of Spartan Nation. 35 young men who worked hard throughout the Rocket Football season and chose to come back for more. 35 young men who wanted to play more football and ended up playing their way into the National Tournament.

 

The Grand City All-Stars came together under the direction of Head Coach Uriel Tyler. It was an idea that’s been kicked around in his head for over 2 years.

 

“The season is so short for these guys with only 6 weeks of games. Practice starts just a couple weeks before games begin,” states Coach Tyler, “With these boys playing a High School season next year, I wanted to give them an opportunity to play a longer season. One that started after Rocket Football ended.”

GCAS Handshake line

 

The Grand City All-Stars play in the 14u bracket of the Football Championship Series, a club league that extends beyond the normal season for youth players. They only planned on playing in one tournament – The Battle of Spartan Nation – but after winning the championship, the Grand City All-Stars qualified for the national tournament on December 27-30 in Dallas, Texas!

 

“This is a special group of kids. They play so hard! We didn’t give up one point the entire tournament,” describes Coach Tyler with emotion swelling in his voice, “That shows how hard these kids play. They don’t give up!”

 

While winning is nice, the team has been a great way to bring kids together within the City League.

 

There is a lot of animosity between players and parents of different city league teams. When those teams play each other during the season, emotions run high. Players can build up ill-will towards players of other teams who will end up being their teammates at the high school level. Those issues have dissolved by playing together with the Grand City All-Stars.

“I coached at a High School where guys came together from different city league teams and still had hatred because of the city youth league,” explained Coach Tyler, “This All-Star team has been a great way for these kids to get to know each other and build friendships.”

 

Coach Tyler isn’t alone, offensive line coach Anthony McNeal also mentioned the positives the team has had off the gridiron, “These boys are spending time together, hanging out and posting pictures on Facebook with each other. They’re from all different backgrounds and coming together playing football and fundraising. It’s a great story!”

GCAS Trophy

 

In order to play in the National Tournament, the team needs to raise $20,000 by December 21. They’ve been selling cookies and popcorn, running pop can drives, and holding bowling and skating parties to raise the money! Right now they’re halfway there.

 

They have a bowling party this Saturday and would love for you to stop by! Bowling is at East Brook Lanes from 7-9pm and the cost is only $12 for unlimited bowling! The proceeds go towards the Grand City All-Stars trip to Dallas.

 

There are many ways to donate to the Grand City All-Stars. You can donate online at www.grandcitysports.com (just click the donate button!) or by going to their Facebook page, just type in “Grand City All-Stars” into the Facebook search bar.

 

If going on-line doesn’t work for you, send donations to P.O Box 68316 Grand Rapids, MI 49516.

 

Going to Dallas would be a dream come true for the players and their coaches. The Grand City All-Stars have yet to give give up a point, let’s see that streak continue down in Texas!

Mel Trotter: A Haven for Hope

Mel TrotterOn February 24th, Mel Trotter started Mel Trotter Ministries on Canal Street in Grand Rapids after a decade of struggling with gambling and alcohol himself. After over a century of service, Mel Trotter Ministries is committed to helping those in need with wide ranging services available to the community. The main goal of the ministry is to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ to the hungry, homeless, and hurting.

 

Mel Trotter provides nourishing evening meals every night. They have separate dining halls for men and women. The men eat every night from 4:30-5:45 while the women and children eat in their own dining hall starting at 5pm. Over 129,000 hot meals have been served in 2014.

Mel Trotter food pantry
Mel Trotter food pantry

 

Not only does Mel Trotter provide nightly meals, but they have their own food pantry where needy families can “shop” at twice per month. The food pantry is stocked with healthy food options and is a very helpful resource!

 

Food isn’t where the mission starts and ends. No, Mel Trotter is a haven for those in need. There are shelter centers for the men and the women and children. These shelters provide a night in a warm bed, showers, clothes, and toiletries. There have been over 71,000 bed nights for men, women, and children this year alone!

 

Mel Trotter also offers a place where public inebriates can be brought for safe shelter and medical support. Since public intoxication is no longer a crime, if a police officer finds a public inebriate they have a couple choices they can make. The officer can leave them where they found them, bring the inebriated individual to the ER, or bring them to Mel Trotter. The cost of paying for an individual in the Public Inebriation Shelter at Mel Trotter costs $146 instead of the $700+ it would cost at the ER.

Mel Trotter dining room. Over 129,000 hot meals served in 2014!
Mel Trotter dining room. Over 129,000 hot meals served in 2014!

 

While Mel Trotter offers safe food and shelter for the homeless, it also sets people up for success and getting their life on track. In 2014, Mel Trotter has assisted with 162 families finding permanent housing, 99 individuals securing jobs, and provided low-cost transportation for 286 people through their vehicle donation and resale program.

 

The hungry, hurting, and homeless are all thankful for what Mel Trotter offers, but without volunteers and donations, Mel Trotter would struggle to offer its services. This Christmas season, give back to those who are less fortunate. Volunteer your time or see what donations you can make to help! Visit http://www.meltrotter.org to find more information!

Paws with a Cause enhances the independence for people with disabilities

Paws with a Cause 2There’s a non-profit in Wayland, Michigan that makes a difference in the lives of so many people through four-legged friends.

 

Paws With A Cause enhances the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities nationally through custom-trained Assistance Dogs.

 

They increases awareness of the rights and roles of Assistance Dog Teams through education and advocacy.

 

PAWS provides services in 30 states and has placed more than 2,500 Assistance Dogs throughout the country. There are more than 180 volunteer Foster Puppy Raisers and hundreds of people volunteering for PAWS as either breeding host families, community presenters or volunteers at special events.

 

PAWS trains several types of Assistance Dogs:

 

•Service Dogs for people with physical disabilities

•Hearing Dogs for people who are Hearing Impaired/Deaf

•Seizure Response Dogs for people with seizure disorders

•Service Dogs for Children with Autism

 

RAISE A PUPPY CHANGE A LIFE

 

A Foster Puppy Raiser helps a person living with a disability by raising a dog that will enhance their independence and quality of life. Foster Puppy Raisers volunteer to raise a PAWS Puppy for 14-18 months, until it’s old enough to begin formal Assistance Dog training. During that time, the puppy lives in a raiser’s home while they teach basic obedience and expose the dog to public environments it may experience with a client. Here’s a few things a prospective raiser should know:

 

•We do not require dog training experience, just a willingness to learn

•You must be committed to teaching basic obedience and attending obedience classes

•You’ll need to expose Foster Puppy to public environments at least three times a week

•We’ll provide you with a team of support to raise the best dog possible for a client

•Must live in the areas of: Grand Rapids, Lansing, Saginaw, Southwest or Southeast Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; or Tallahassee, FL.

 

If you are interested in helping out this non-profit–please contact:

 

SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN REGIONAL OFFICE

 

Email: paws@pawswithacause.org
Address: 1328 Wheaton, Troy, MI 48083
Phone: 248-619-9201 Fax: 248-619-9204
Hours: By appointment

New Technology Keeps WKTV Looking Young

Two of WKTV's six editing bays available for community use.
Two of WKTV’s six editing bays available for community use.

mike_dewittAfter 40 years of serving as Wyoming and Kentwood’s community TV station, WKTV is finally over-the-hill. While some may see a 40th birthday as getting old, the technology available here at WKTV says otherwise. It’s what keeps the stations young, fresh, fast and…well… new!

 

The mission at WKTV is to connect the community through media and create media literacy. That’s a fancy way of saying “You have a story to tell that we want to hear, and we have equipment that you can use to tell that story… for free!”

A look inside WKTV's Cinema Suite
A look inside WKTV’s Cinema Suite

 

WKTV boasts six Cannon field cameras that are available for checkout. Each camera has its own tripod and set of microphones – with or without cords – for anyone to use for an event or a project.

 

After you’re done capturing your footage, stay a little while at the station and finish off your work in one of WKTV’s six editing bays fully equipped with Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premier Pro. Each editing bay is its own room with two large monitors to work on and sound units available for voiceovers.

 

Maybe you’re looking to film your own movie and want something with better resolution that what the Cannon cameras can offer. Well, WKTV recently purchased a state-of-the-art BlackMagic Camera that films at double the resolution of HD! Pair that with the station’s digital cinema program – an editing bay with three full monitors and audio tuning – and WKTV has everything a storyteller needs to bring that story to life.

Studio A and its control room.
Studio A and its control room.

 

If checking out cameras isn’t your thing, and you’d rather run your own show in a TV Studio, WKTV has a full studio open to the community. Cameras, teleprompters, lights, and a control room are all available to make your show run smoothly, and look good too.

 

There is no fee to rent out any of the equipment either. The only stipulation is that you must create a project WKTV can air on one of its three channels.

The inside of WKTV's Mobile Unit
The inside of WKTV’s Mobile Unit

 

On top of all that, WKTV is able to offer the community a chance to participate in the production of a live sports broadcast. The station is home to a 35-foot mobile unit that is one of the largest in Michigan. The truck is used to broadcast high school sports in full HD multiple nights a week. Volunteers are used for the entire production from filming and announcing in the stadium to directing and cutting replays from inside the truck during the game.

 

There’s something at WKTV for everyone. If you have a story, we want to hear it. Over 400 volunteers come through the station every year, so the question is, why not you?

 

Stop by WKTV at 5261 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming.

Master Control Diner
The diner that acts as the master control room!

Got a Buck save a Duck

For ever plate bought, $25 goes to Ducks Unlimited
For every plate bought, $25 goes to Ducks Unlimited

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is encouraging motorists to purchase the new Ducks Unlimited fundraising plate, adding that the revenue generated from the sales will profit more than just ducks.

 

“The new Ducks Unlimited license plate supports conservation and outreach activities that highlight the importance of wetlands,” Johnson said. “Wetlands are essential not only to waterfowl but to the millions of Michigan residents who depend on them for clean drinking water, recreation and more.”

 

Motorists purchasing a Ducks Unlimited plate will pay $35 in addition to any regular registration fees that are due; $25 of the $35 will go to Ducks Unlimited. When the plate is renewed, an additional $10 is collected and sent to the cause. The Ducks Unlimited plates may also be personalized for a fee, giving motorists another opportunity to showcase their support.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson promotes new Ducks Unlimited plate as beneficial to entire state
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson promotes new Ducks Unlimited plate as beneficial to entire state

 

“We’re really pleased to see the license plates available for sale,” said Pete Albrecht, state chair of Michigan Ducks Unlimited. “Michiganders have real pride in their waterfowl heritage and the habitat in which waterfowl flourish. This is another way to express that pride and put money back into Michigan wetland habitat conservation at the same time.”

 

The Ducks Unlimited plates went on sale last month. Plates may be purchased at any Secretary of State office, or by mail using the online fillable form on the Secretary of State website.

 

Michigan’s marshes and wetlands provide food and shelter to hundreds of species of ducks, geese and swans. Wetlands play an important role for waterfowl, but they also are beneficial to humans by reducing floods, filtering pollutants out of the water, recharging underground water supplies, and providing great commercial and recreational value to the economy.

 

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Visit its website at www.ducks.org for more information.

José Jimenez interview on Feel Like You Belong

Ethnic clashes.  The Black Panthers.  Urban renewal.  The Daley Machine.  Chicago, Illinois was a turbulent town in the 1960s and 70s.  Join us as we talk to Puerto Rican-born civil rights activist José “Cha-Cha” Jimenez.  He shares with Alan his personal experience with drugs, street gangs, and the social and political forces that shaped a major U.S. city.

 

Feel Like You Belong air on WKTV. You can find their webpage here.

Successful Write Michigan Short Story Contest Back for 3rd Year

KidsBookSigning Kent District Library, Schuler Books & Music, and Herrick District Library announce the third annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest, the competition that drew nearly 900 Michigan writers in its second year.

 

Stories can be submitted at www.writemichigan.org through November 30. Writers of all ages can enter, with separate categories for Youth (11 and under), Teens (12-17) and Adults (18 and up). Details include a 3,000-word maximum length; $10 entry fee for ages 18 and above, free for 17 and under; Michigan residents only; all entries must be submitted online. Winners are chosen by public vote for the Readers’ Choice award and by a panel of judges for the Judges’ Choice award. Voters and judges choose winners from the top ten semi-finalists.

 

The top honor in each category receives a $250 cash prize. Winning entries will also be published by Chapbook Press. “Write Michigan is a wonderful opportunity for authors of all ages to get published,” said Heidi Nagel, Communications Manager at Kent District Library. “The young winners are especially excited to see their stories in print.” Winners will be honored during an Awards Ceremony taking place on Saturday, March 21 at Schuler Books & Music. Susan Dennard, author of the young adult Something Strange and Deadly series, will present the keynote. The ceremony is sponsored by Meijer. Participating libraries are offering writing workshops for adults, teens and children.

 

Details can be found at www.writemichigan.org/events.html. For more information, visit www.writemichigan.org.

 

Kent District Library is a public library system comprised of 18 branch libraries in 27 governmental units throughout Kent County, Michigan. It is supported by millage dollars and private donations. KDL serves 395,660 people in all areas of Kent County except the cities of Grand Rapids and Cedar Springs, the village of Sparta, and Solon and Sparta townships.    

Time is Running Out to Preserve Wyoming’s Oldest Residence

Find out how you can help save the 1834 property for future generations!

 

The Dewey-Wedgwood House at Beckmaze - Wyoming's oldest secret.

“If the planning commission refuses our request to be sanctioned a community center, we are done,” says Simon-Tibbe. “All the hard work of volunteers, board members and our benefactor will be a missed opportunity to preserve a piece of Wyoming’s history. We could lose it forever.”

by Dorothy Simon-Tibbe and Janice Limbaugh

The original log house from 1834 remains a part of the house after several renovations and additions through the years.
The original log house from 1834 remains a part of the house after several renovations and additions through the years.

 

It is perhaps the oldest secret in the city of Wyoming. Hidden in the woods near busy Byron Center Avenue, a gem of local history sits quietly in the shadows of aging hardwoods. The two-story home on three acres along Buck Creek goes back to the 1830’s, when it was the site of a sawmill that provided lumber used to build the village at Grandville, the area’s first homes, and the city of Chicago. The Dewey-Wedgwood Home at Beckmaze holds over 180 years of forgotten stories and undiscovered treasures that one local woman is bound and determined to bring to light.

 

“I was born to do this,” says Kelly Hogan, a life-time Wyoming resident. “There’s more than what is in plain view around you. There’s rich history here that you wouldn’t see if you didn’t know what to look for.”

Between the house and Buck Creek is a clearing where deer like to visit on a regular basis.
Between the house and Buck Creek is a clearing where deer like to visit on a regular basis.

 

Ever since Hogan stumbled across the property, she’s grown more and more passionate about preserving it and establishing the house as a local landmark and educational center. It is not an easy task. Working alongside her is Wyoming historian Dorothy Simon-Tibbe who wrote the following narrative describing the uniqueness and importance of this endeavor:

Adjacent to the house is Buck Creek where remnants of a bridge are still visible. A stagecoach traveled a two-track road that stopped at the house.
Adjacent to the house is Buck Creek where remnants of a bridge are still visible. The road over the stone bridge was the original Byron Center Avenue.

 

Imagine standing in a dense forest of virgin white pine towering over the clear flowing waters of Buck Creek in 1832! You have followed a survey just completed by Lucius Lyon and Sylvester Sibley in 1831, and will claim this land in the Michigan Territory by registering with the U.S. government to gain patent at White Pigeon.

 

In 2014, the Dewey-Wedgewood Home at Beckmaze (2551 Oaklane S.W. in Wyoming) stands proud on this very spot 180 years later. Beckmaze Historical Society has been given this beautiful historic home on three acres of land contiguous to Buck Creek. The original log cabin, built in 1834, is within the walls of the existing building, albeit many additions have been made.

 

Beckmaze Historical Society was established purposely to preserve what remains of a historic estate that once contained over 1100 acres of land and played a significant role in local history from the very beginning of settlement in the Grand River Valley. The Society claims that this is the oldest surviving residence on an original foundation, and no other is as important to preserve as this one.

The home in 1970.
A side view of the home in 1970.
A side view of the home today.
A side view of the home today.

 

The effort to preserve the property began in 2008 when Hogan and Simon-Tibbe first inspected the property and since then the two have been joined by several others. Now that the home has been secured, the community has the opportunity of a lifetime!

 

The Beckmaze Historical Society is a 501-c-3 designated non-profit and needs volunteers and donations to sustain the restoration. The first order of business is to restore the home to its former glory so that it will survive into the future. The plan is to use it to educate the public about Wyoming’s true place in history and to one day host classes for crafts that hearken back to the age before electronics. The Society is at a crucial point right now. The full support of the surrounding community is essential to the success of the cause.

Here are a few of the key points regarding the property’s history:

1834: One of the first 3 sawmills was built on the site, as well as the Jenison cabin and several other buildings

 

1835: From this mill, the first ever load of white pine lumber was shipped to Chicago that April

 

1840-1865: Known as “Dewey’s Station”, it is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad

The foundation of the original sawmill is still visible today.
The foundation of the original sawmill is still visible today.

 

1855: The original mill was replaced by a steam saw mill capable of cutting 2-million board feet of lumber each year. The foundation of this mill and the dam is still visible today. Also visible is the original stone base for the bridge that was once a part of the original route of Byron Center Avenue.

 

1869: Dewey negotiated with The Lake Shore and Southern Michigan Railroad to have that line directed across the original estate in exchange for a station being built nearby, which was especially significant at the turn of the century.

The front porch in 1906.
The front porch in 1906.

 

1890: The home was discovered by an artist named George H. Ford, who soon turned it into a showcase and then used it as the main “lodge” of his artist colony. The famed Grand Rapids artist Mathias Alten frequented the colony while others such as photographer Fedora E.D. Brown and English artist Octar Copson commissioned homes of Ford’s design to be built adjacent to the property. He donned the colony with the name “Beckmaze” which meaning is interpreted to be “sweeter than the sweetest thing”. Current plans are to restore the home to its appearance under Ford’s ownership when it represented the best that Grand Rapids had to offer in the way of design and decoration.

Ford added architectural renovations that were state-of-the-art for the day.
Ford added architectural renovations that were state-of-the-art for the day.

 

1925: Dr. Llewelyn Wedgwood purchased the property and maintained its beauty until his death in 1949. After several years, it passed into the hands of the Braun family who spent three years restoring the property again.

The home in the winter of 1940.
The home in the winter of 1940.

 

1959: Wedgwood Christian Acres Home for Boys was organized by members of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Over the next 49 years the home underwent many necessary changes as the organization strove to continue its function as a residence for trouble youth.

 

2008: The property was sold into private ownership and suffered severely due to lack of maintenance. In the meantime, efforts had begun to bring attention to its historic value resulting in the formation of the Beckmaze Historical Society in 2010.

 

2011: The home was purchased by the society’s main benefactor and held in trust until it was able to receive it as a donation.

 

Thankfully now in 2014, the title has been transferred to the Society but still it faces uncertainty as it must appeal to the Wyoming Planning Commission for special use of the property as a community center in order to move forward. This meeting is set to take place October 21st at 7 p.m. at Wyoming’s City Hall.

 

“If the planning commission refuses our request to be sanctioned a community center, we are done,” says Simon-Tibbe. “All the hard work of volunteers, board members and our benefactor will be a missed opportunity to preserve a piece of Wyoming’s history. We could lose it forever.”

 

This approval and the funds to carry out the preservation effort are sorely needed. The Society is hoping that the entire community will recognize the importance of this site and lend whatever support they can to the cause. To make a tax deductible contribution or to find out how you can help, contact the Beckmaze Historical Society at 616-258-8617 or find us on Facebook. Donations and inquiries can also be made by addressing correspondence to Beckmaze Historical Society at 2551 Oaklane S.W., Wyoming, Michigan, 49519.

Gilmore Car Museum Continues to Grow with Grand Opening of The Cadillac-LaSalle Club Museum on Sunday, September 28th

 The Gilmore Car Museum will once again make history as it celebrates the Grand Opening of the new Cadillac-LaSalle Club Museum and Research Center on Sunday, September 28, 2014.

Located on the grounds of the Gilmore Car Museum, this 10,000 square-foot building is dedicated to maintaining and exhibiting collectible Cadillacs and LaSalles, with the focus of the new museum and research center being to protect, promote and share the exciting history of these premier automobiles as well as their impact in the United States and worldwide over the past 100-plus years.

Throughout history, Cadillac has set the standard for automotive excellence since 1902, when Henry Leland persuaded the owners of a failing Detroit car company to reorganize and build cars using his precision-designed and manufactured engine.

In the beginning, Henry Leland had worked as a precision machinist for Colt firearms in Connecticut before moving to Detroit and starting his own machine shop. His precision and demand for accuracy led Cadillac to become one of the most prestigious American autos and is referred to as “The Standard of the World.”

LaSalle was introduced in 1927 to fill the price gap between Buick and Cadillac, and was produced through 1940. The marque is credited with moving General Motors’ styling away from engineering and creating its own department: the “Art and Colour Design Studio” headed by Harley Earl.

The Cadillac & LaSalle Club was established in 1958 to encourage the preservation of early Cadillacs and LaSalles. Then in 1995, determined to preserve the Cadillac legacy, several members of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club founded the Cadillac-LaSalle Club Museum and Research Center (CLCMRC) and the process of site selection, building designs, and fundraising began.

“After an exhaustive survey of potential museum partners across the Country, we are pleased to be joining the Gilmore Car Museum,” said Paul Ayres, President of the CLCMRC. “The Gilmore is rapidly becoming the nation’s premier auto museum,” he said.

The all-new 10,000 square foot museum structure is modeled after a 1948 dealership design from the pages of General Motors book “Planning Automobile Dealer Properties” of that year.

The grand opening of the Cadillac-LaSalle Museum will contain the excitement and anticipation reminiscent of how the new model year cars were unveiled each September at local dealerships. Prior to the opening, the showroom windows will be completely covered with a banner announcing “See the New Standard of the World – Cadillac for 1948.”

On Sunday September 28th, starting at 2:00pm as part of the Museum’s Dedication Ceremony, the covering will be removed to unveil the new Museum and welcome the public inside for the first time.

Michael Spezia, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum, expressed, “With the addition of the Cadillac-LaSalle Museum to the Gilmore campus we now become one of the more unique historic destinations, not just within the car collecting hobby but with the general public as well.”

Within the new Museum, guests will find nearly two-dozen automobiles within, including a very rare 1903 example from of Cadillac’s first year of production; a 1937 LaSalle Convertible Sedan, 1957 Cadillac Brougham used in the film “Driving Miss Daisy,” as well as a 1992 Indy 500 Pace car and the 2003 Cadillac Sixteen show car.

Prominent in the showroom on opening day and paying homage to the vintage dealership’s facade will be two 1948 Cadillacs – a 60 Special Sedan and a 75 Series Limousine.

Besides the fantastic automobiles displayed within the new museum structure visitors will also find an array of artifacts, memorabilia and educational exhibits that tell the entire story of Cadillac and LaSalle. There will be tributes to Cadillac’s founder Henry Leland, to the firm’s production history, its support of the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II and its history of providing Presidential limousines.

Hundreds of Cadillac & LaSalle automobiles, owners, enthusiasts and Club members are expected to attend the event, which is open to the public. Special guests will include Dave Leone, Cadillac Brand Lead Executive Chief Engineer, Margaret Dunning, who at 104 is a renowned philanthropist and auto enthusiast, as well as many other Cadillac design and engineering retirees. Cadillac & LaSalle owners who are members of the national Cadillac-LaSalle Club can also take part in the weekend-long Cadillac Fall Festival.

The Gilmore Car Museum, located in Hickory Corners, near Kalamazoo in Michigan, is renowned for its collection of over 375 extraordinary vehicles, as well as its 90-acre park-like campus made up of historic buildings. A small town train depot, 1930s gas station, 1941 diner, and a re-created auto dealerships including 1918 Franklin, 1928 Ford Model A, 1930s Lincoln are just a few of the buildings currently on the ever-expanding grounds.

The Gilmore Car Museum also serves as home to the Classic Car Club of America Museum, the Pierce-Arrow Museum, the H.H. Franklin Club Museum, the Model A Ford Foundation Museum and Lincoln Motorcar Foundation Museum, which also opened on the Gilmore campus earlier this year.

To learn more about the Gilmore Car Museum and the Cadillac & LaSalle Club please visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org and cadillaclasalleclub.org.

Sept 15-24–Get Involved with Wyoming Food Drive!

For 1 in 6 Americans, hunger is a very real struggle. These are often hard-working adults, children and senior citizens who simply cannot always make ends meet and may be forced to go without food. Feeding America is at the heart of efforts to fight hunger and promote health…
…and you can help!
Please help us collect nutritious food,
personal care and baby items for
Feeding America Food Bank of West Michigan. 
Most needed items include:

  • Canned fruit or vegetables
  • Canned tuna, chicken, fish or meat
  • Beans & grains (all types)
  • Baby products
    • Diapers
    • Wipes
  • Personal care items
    • Shampoo
    • Soap
    • Toothpaste/brush
Donations can be dropped off at:
Family Fare Supermarket
Metro Health Village
2275 Health Drive SW
Wyoming, MI
Metro Health
Hospital

Metro Café
5900 Byron Center Avenue SW
Wyoming, MI

From Ashes to Living Stones: A Journey of Faith

An aerial view of St. Mary Magdalen after the fire. Photo courtesy of Hovercams.
An aerial view of St. Mary Magdalen after the fire. Photo courtesy of Hovercams.

kathy_grayLandmarks are local symbols, points of reference, or monuments that are assumed to be unchanging, long-term structures. On July 1, 2012, a Kentwood landmark, St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, was destroyed by fire. The grief and heartbreak experienced by the parish was felt in a ripple effect throughout the neighborhood , including the generations of family members who had participated in the Kentwood Baseball League (KBL), located behind the church.

Rededicated on June 8, 2014, the new church signifies new beginnings.
Rededicated on June 8, 2014, the new church signifies new beginnings.

 

On June 8, 2014, after a two-year journey of rebuilding, St. Mary Magdalen, Shrine of the Penitent, was dedicated by The Most Reverend David Wolkowiak with the pastor, Fr. Godfrey Onyewere. A new Kentwood landmark has been established.

 

Once the shock and grief dissipated, the parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen’s banded together to launch a capital campaign, “Ashes to Living Stones,” to begin the process of raising the $1.7 million not covered by insurance.

 

As of the date of the dedication, $1,594,504 has been raised toward this goal.

 

I had the privilege of attending an open house and tour on July 20.  Renewed and grateful church members served as docents for the many significant features of the new church building.  Major points of interest include:

Carved wooden doors depicting the life of Mary Magdalen lead into the worship space.
Carved wooden doors depicting the life of Mary Magdalen lead into the worship space.

 

The light and airy Gathering Area upon entering the church.  From the ceiling hang three banners that represent church time.  Wooden doors beautifully carved and accentuated by gold paint show images of St. Mary Magdalen’s life and words from the four Gospel writers. These great doors lead into the worship space with seating for approximately 600 people.  Ornate stained glass designed by resident artist, Maria Orr, is positioned above the doors. The glass art depicts the waters of baptism  flowing from heaven to the church’s baptismal font.

 

Inside the sanctuary hosts an altar of solid marble acquired from a church which had closed in Euclid, Ohio. The large marble altar was cut into 3 pieces; one piece is used as part of the ambo where cantors sing psalms of praise and lead parishioners in song, another marble piece is part of the tabernacle base, and the largest marble piece is the mensa or altar itself.

 

Although the original altar was lost in the fire, miraculously the relics of  two martyred saints that were encased in the altar were not harmed. These relics now reside in the floor near the foot of the altar, visible through a glass tile on the floor as a reminder to future generations of the destructive fire of 2012.

IMG_07631
The stained glass work throughout the church is by Maria Orr, a local artist and parishioner. The massive pipe organ is comprised of repurposed organ pieces.

 

The church’s organ with its magnificent flue pipes is an ecumenical creation in itself. Parts for the organ were gathered from churches of various denominations including Lutheran, Methodist, Reform, and Church of Christ.

 

The baptismal area is a stone pool recessed into the floor with water flowing in from either end signifying Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan.  A smaller baptismal font for infants is secured above the stone pool.

 

The Candle Wall is both solemn and inviting for devotions.  This prayer site features statues from different countries of  the Blessed Mother Mary representing India, Mexico, Poland, Vietnam and the United States.  The collection signifies the diversity of the parish as well as the universal Catholic Church.

 

The Resurrection Chapel displays another work of stained glass by Maria Orr. This window depicts the moment Mary Magdalene recognizes the gardener at the tomb to be the resurrected Christ. Also hung in the chapel is one of the only recovered items from the fire:  the processional crucifix.  It was carried out of the destroyed building the morning after the fire, cradled in the arms of Fr. Godfrey Onyekwere, St. Mary Magdalen’s pastor.  The partially charred cross remains a symbol of hope and rebirth.

IMG_07951
This is the “baldachino” or a permanent ornamental canopy set above the tabernacle. It depicts the night sky and constellations from the night of June 7, 2014, the eve of the dedication.

 

The tabernacle is perhaps the most striking area of the new church.  Brilliant gold, it is housed in a gilded cage-like lattice that, when back-lit, projects onto the surrounding walls the crown of thorns worn by Jesus in his last hours.   Elizabeth Richer, an Aquinas student and the docent assigned to this area of the church, explained the design of the“baldachino” or a permanent ornamental canopy set above the tabernacle.  It depicts the night sky and constellations from the night of June 7, 2014, the eve of the dedication.  It is inscribed with a Bible verse from Daniel 3:36:

 

…to whom you promised
to multiply their descendants like the stars of heaven
and like the sand on the shore of the sea.

 

“I had the privilege of unknowingly attending the last mass held before the fire,” Richer shared, explaining that for some reason, she attended that Saturday evening mass instead of  going on Sunday morning as is her custom.

 

The loss of the original St. Mary Magdalene’s structure was heartbreaking and disorienting.  Indeed several families did not find solace worshipping at the local high school or the Kentwood Village Mall during the rebuilding process and have moved on to other parishes.  For the most part, however, the St. Mary Magdalen family has remained strong and grown closer on this journey.

 

“I have learned more about my faith and the church history because of the fire,” explains Leslie Jeruzal. Prior to the fire she had been unaware of the relics of saints housed in the church.

 

Reflecting on the journey, parish secretary Nancy Baum states, “It takes a lot of prayer…a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.

 

“I think some see how different it looks on the outside, then they come in and are really blown away.”

 

In speaking with Fr. Godfrey he reinforced the capriciousness of nature and of putting your faith in a building. Late Sunday, July 6, several tornadoes touched down in Kentwood, one of which was only a block from the church property. “It was too close for comfort!” affirms Fr. Godfrey.

 

Churches burn down, tornadoes destroy homes and businesses, unexpected tragedies occur.  Today a beautiful new landmark sits at 1213 52nd Street in Kentwood. Perhaps the lesson learned is that it is not the landmarks or physical structures of a community that define it.  It is the concept of family. It is the sense of belonging to a community of people who have overcome adversity and emerged stronger than before.

 

In the words of songwriter Matt Maher,

 

You are not alone if you are lonely
When you’re feeling frail, you’re not the only
We are all the same in need of mercy
To be forgiven and be free
It’s all you got to lean on
But thank God it’s all you need

 

And all the people said “Amen.”

Wyoming Holds Resource Meeting for Ideal Park Residents

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Day 4: Roads are clear of trees and debris and residents are focusing on repairing their homes.

janice_limbaughVolunteer on-call firefighters went door-to-door Wednesday evening to distribute informational flyers to Ideal Park residents inviting them to attend a meeting Thursday night for recovery assistance.

 

City officials were expecting about 15 residents to attend the meeting held in the Community Building at Ideal Park Christian Reformed Church but were pleasantly surprised when the room filled up with over 60 people.

 

“First I have to say I am so impressed with all of you,” began Chief Carmody, Wyoming’s director of police and fire safety. “Your hard work and tireless efforts to recover from this disaster is to be commended.”

 

The chief went on to encourage residents to call the city with any concerns, complaints or questions in the weeks to come. “We’re going to stand shoulder to shoulder with you – that is our promise to you,” he said.

Jenny Miller, a resident on Haughey attended the meeting. "I think the city is doing an incredible job clearing the trees and getting power back on by Tuesday! That was amazing."
Jenny Miller, a resident on Haughey attended the meeting. “I think the city is doing an incredible job clearing the trees and getting power back on by Tuesday! That was amazing.”

 

The meeting brought together representatives from the City of Wyoming, Wyoming Public Safety, Public Works and Community Service administrators to talk to the Wyoming residents hardest hit by Sunday’s tornado. The city brought in representatives from a number of trusted volunteer organizations that will provide residents assistance with removal of debris, home repairs and other challenges.

 

On Friday, July 11 from 2 p.m.until 6 p.m. Ideal Park residents are invited to meet individually with these representatives back in the Community Building to present their needs for assistance.  The Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Team Rubicon and the National Relief Network are just a few of the organizations that will be on hand to answer questions and offer assistance.

 

Should residents need assistance at any time over the next several weeks, they are encouraged to call 762-333-1534. A relief service volunteer will direct them to the proper organization for help.

 

Officials stressed that these services are free to the residents of Ideal Park. If, in the weeks to come, someone comes to their door to collect payment for any service, residents are to call the police department.  “We call these people predators,” Chief Carmody said. “Call us. We’ll take care of them.”

Storm-weary residents from Ideal Park get the latest news on clean-up efforts and what to expect next.
Storm-weary residents from Ideal Park get the latest news on clean-up efforts and what to expect next.

 

Other topics on the meeting’s agenda included public safety in and around Ideal Park. According to Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt, a damage survey of the park showed many of the trees still standing are damaged in the treetops posing risk of falling limbs.

 

“Do not go walking through the woods. Don’t let your children walk or play in the woods. Trees are still coming down, even today,” stressed Rynbrandt. “Please stay out of the park until we can get the proper machinery back there to clear the downed trees and trim the broken limbs.”

 

Residents were relieved to learn that the city  is providing brush removal assistance to Crippen Avenue, Averill Avenue, Haughey Avenue, Buchanan Avenue south of 54th Street and 56th Street west of Division Avenue to Crippen Avenue.

 

“Removal of debris is of no cost to you,” Mayor Jack Poll told the crowd. “We have it in our budget for emergency situations like this.”

 

In addition, building permit fees for storm damaged homes will be waived for one month. Residents will still need to have all appropriate inspections and any subsequent repairs will have to be up to current code.

 

Starting this weekend, city building inspectors will be going through the neighborhood to identify problem structures. They can be identified by wearing white hard hats and driving city vehicles.

Kids Helping Kids Through Creative Writing

michele_smith-aversaLisa McNeilley, Ph.D, owner of Writer’s Alley, has come up with a ‘novel’ idea – Publish an anthology of short stories and poems written by kids, then donate the proceeds of the book sales to the Kids’ Food Basket. Kids helping kids!

 

And where will McNeilley get the stories for the anthology? She has a plan for that too! Writer’s Alley is offering the “Creative Writing and Publishing Workshop for Kids’ Food Basket,” a program for kids ages 12 and up.

 

The goal of the workshop is:
• expose the students to various aspects of the writing and publishing process
• enhance their skills
• and the students will receive and provide feedback on their writing
• students will develop a story and a poem to be included in the anthology

 

The culmination of the course is where the rubber meets the road, or rather where the ink meets the page. The stories and poems will be compiled into an anthology. From there, the students will learn about the publication process firsthand, including book design, editing, publishing and promoting the book that carries their very own written work. kfb LOGO

 

Another bonus to seeing their name in print is knowing that the proceeds from the book sales will go directly to help the Kids’ Food Basket. Students who participate will get a fun and creative learning experience, as well as learn about the importance of giving back to the community.

 

Workshop Information:
• Will run July and August
• Available to students 12 and older who are interested in writing and publishing careers.
• Class size is between 20 – 30 participants
• Includes 20 hours of workshop time.
• Varied schedule to accommodate vacations and summer jobs of the participants.
• Tuition is $200, which breaks down to only $10 an hour. Tuition applies in order to cover teachers, software and other expenses.
• Writer’s Alley will provide payment options, reduced or waived tuition for those who desire but cannot afford to participate.

 

“The main goal here is to reach those students who aspire to be part of the writing and publishing industries,” says McNeilly. “We don’t want lack of funds to prevent a child from experiencing this program if they are truly interested.”

 

This is not the first time McNeilley has taken on such an aggressive project. In 2013, the Cascade Writers’ Group (which was founded and is led by McNeilley), held a national writing competition. The winners of the competition were then published in Imagine This! An Artprize Anthology. McNeilley was the editor of the book, which was sold during Artprize last October. The success of that project spawned her idea for the Kids’ Food Basket workshop.

lisa
Dr. Lisa McNeilly

 

Time is Running Out

 

The deadline to join the Creative Writing and Publishing Workshop for Kids’ Food Basket program is June 30! It is an incredible opportunity for the budding authors and future publishers in our community to learn writing skills and see the entire publishing process from creating a story to developing and printing a book.

 

For more information, visit Writers Alley at www.thewritersalley.com/workshops.

 

Lisa H. McNeilley, PH.D

 

McNeilley earned her degree in English from Wayne State University, has a business degree (BBA Marketing) from the University of Michigan and has taught college courses from basic writing to business and technical writing for over 15 years. She is the owner of Writer’s Alley, which offers tutorials and workshops for writers.

Knights of Columbus Repair Headstones of Veterans

Knights of C

 

The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus assembly 2210 is the patriotic degree of the Knights of Columbus and they are working on a project to repair Veteran’s headstones that have fallen into disrepair. If you know of a veteran’s headstone that is in disrepair contact Alvin Lee Matkovich at: almco@ix.netcom.com.

 

One Wyoming 1 on 1 Celebrates 7500 Hours of Connecting with Area School Kids

janice_limbaugh

Jack Ponstine (right) honors volunteer mentors for putting in the most time mentoring.
Jack Ponstine (right) honors volunteer mentors for putting in the most time mentoring Wyoming kids this year.

The first Mentor Celebration for One Wyoming 1 on 1 not only showed appreciation to volunteers but revealed some undeniable facts about this grassroots effort – it’s actually working!

 

According to mentee surveys taken in the spring of this year that include students from Godfrey-Lee, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville and Wyoming schools, over 84 percent say they enjoy being a part of the Mentoring program. The majority of students went on to state that having a mentor helped them in school, helped them learn new things, and makes them feel comfortable talking about things, both good and bad.

 

Jack Ponstine, executive director, asked the mentors, “Do you appreciate this as a pat on the back? You should. We’re making something work here!”

 

The One Wyoming 1 on 1 Mentoring Initiative was launched on February 2, 2012 through a collaborative effort of city, school, church, and business leaders of Wyoming at Grace Bible College. Their goal is to train 1100 mentors to serve 10 percent of the students in the city to help them develop an affirming vision of themselves and their future. To date, the organization has approximately 492 mentors in place to finish out the 2013-2014 school year.

One Wyoming 1 on 1 currently has over 400 volunteers for their first year of service.
One Wyoming 1 on 1 currently has over 400 volunteers for their first year of service.

 

“I’m a ‘glass is half full’ kind of guy,” says Ponstine. “I think that’s awesome!”

 

Ponstine admits the group is actually glad they didn’t meet their goal this year. “It’s given us time to get more organized and work out the processes for mentoring. We have a good solid foundation now to build on and are more prepared to take on an additional 500 to 800 new mentors.”

 

The number of additional mentors is expected to climb before the start of school next fall as both Gordon Foods and Spartan Foods announced their participation in the program. Exciting news for the 40 or more mentors attending this first celebration as they unanimously agree that more children need their help. The one hour per week for one year commitment has some saying, it may not be enough. Many are ready to volunteer more of their time to their kids.

 

“Think of the loss these kids have had,” one mentor suggested. “With the school year ending, do they think they are losing us too? We need to assure them we are there for them.”

 

“I can already see changes in my mentee as the school year winds down. School provides him a steady routine. Without the school routine, he only has an unstable home life. I think we need to show up for these kids during the summer and show them we are their one constant,” added another volunteer.

A volunteer reviews feedback from student surveys about the program.
A volunteer reviews feedback from student surveys about the program.

 

Although the number of volunteers in attendance was roughly 10 percent of the entire group, they unanimously agreed to continue their mentoring efforts at various times throughout the summer months. The vested interest in the youth and future of Wyoming is clear.

 

“Of course you think the mentee is going to experience the greatest impact from this but the mentor changes too. These kids have an impact on their lives just as much as we do on theirs,” says Randy Weener, one of the organizers of the program.

 

“Back when we first discussed a mentoring program, we narrowed down our focus from six topics to one. Our biggest concern for the future of Wyoming is poverty, ” he explains. “We determined that a lack of employment is due to a lack of education. If we can change the course of history to get kids to feel more affirmed in elementary or middle school, they have a stronger sense and aspiration of who they can become.”

 

One mentor shared her story of making a Valentine’s Day card for her 8-year old mentee writing in it that she had potential. “It was the first time any one ever told her that or had given her a Valentine’s card, ” she says. It’s that kind of influence the organization hopes makes a life-changing difference in the lives of these children.

 

What’s also impressive is that One Wyoming 1 on 1 is not modeled after any other program in the state or in the country. Weener says that it’s a collaborative effort of volunteers representing a broad part of the community. “We’re intentionally keeping it grassroots,” he says. “It has more power as a volunteer movement rather than a hierarchical organization.”

Susan Lamos, life engagement director at Vista Springs Living Center (back center) takes these resident volunteers to read to three- and four-year olds. She says it makes their day when they here the kids say, "The grandmas are here to read to us!"
Susan Lamos, life engagement director at Vista Springs Living Center (back center) takes these resident volunteers to read to three- and four-year olds. She says it makes their day when they hear the kids say, “The grandmas are here to read to us!”

 

Focused, determined and committed, the volunteers openly discuss challenges and triumphs of mentoring. The group is divided up into the four schools they serve to address concerns or offer suggestions for improvement. Once reunited as the whole group, the topics are shared. Input is welcomed and steps toward improving the experience are noted and acted on. Volunteer mentoring is work but not without its rewards. As much time that is spent on discussing obstacles or improvements, equal time is spent sharing touching and heartwarming testimonies of positive results for their efforts.

 

“They get you don’t they?” Ponstine says to the group after hearing several volunteers share their successes.

 

“It’s awesome,” answers a mentor.

 

Ponstine adds, “It’s proof that in some way, shape or form, you are going to have a positive impact on these kids. And keep telling these stories everywhere you go!”

 

To find out more about becoming a mentor or how to nominate a mentee, visit the website of One Wyoming 1 on 1.

First “Give On to Live On” Event Proves More Michigan Organ Donors Needed to Save Lives

janice_limbaughWe can transcend our life by giving an organ to someone else.

Dr. Luis Tomatis, MD, FACS, FACC, Director of Medical Affairs for the Richard M. DeVos Family

Rick Herlacher is a man of many triumphs – a “self-made success” some would say. At 54, he claims professional achievement that spans 29 years in the distribution industry as a highly efficient operations consultant – improving processes, building customer support, managing data, and proposing solutions.  Rick is a team-player type of guy, perhaps instilled in him from his five year service in the US Air Force. His competitive nature and desire to achieve the utmost success has placed him “In the money” three years running in the World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas. Last year he endured a 13 hour day of play in this tournament – an amazing accomplishment considering that at the time, his health was declining into renal failure.

Jeanine and Rick Herlacher use their situation as a call to action for more Michigan residents to become organ donors.
Jeanine and Rick Herlacher use their situation as a call to action for more Michigan residents to become organ donors.

 

Today Rick focuses his energy on maintaining a full-time job while receiving kidney dialysis four hours a day, three days a week while he waits for a kidney donor. He needs a transplant in order to live a healthy life that he shares with his wife of 30 years, Jeanine Herlacher.

 

Rick is one of thousands of Michigan residents waiting to live on. Their names are on lists to receive a donated organ either from a live donor or a deceased donor. Kidney, lung, heart, eye, tissue, stem cell/bone marrow – the list is long and so is the wait. In Michigan, the wait is four to five years for a kidney – Too long for many of those sustaining their lives on dialysis for several hours a day, several days each week.

 

“Rick’s Event came about because we wanted to increase public awareness that people are waiting to live and dying while they wait,” says Karla Huitsing, the event’s Mc.  “Only 38% of Kent county citizens are signed up to be an organ donor when their life has ended. That number is the average in West Michigan overall – we want this event to start increasing those numbers. It matters to everyone.”

The distinguished presenters: Dr. Luis Tomatis, Director of Medical Affairs for the Richard M. DeVos family (left foreground), Dr. Asghar Khaghini, Co-Director of the Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support at Spectrum Health (second on left front), Dr. Aly Abdel-Mageed, Division Director of Pediatric Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital(center front), Dr. Daniel Borresson, Surgical Director of Kidney Transplant at Mercy Health (front right), Chef Oliver Hale (Chef O), two-time kidney transplant recipient and organ donation activist (back left), and Bill Ryan, President and CEO of the Transplant Games of America (back right).
The distinguished presenters: Dr. Luis Tomatis (left foreground), Dr. Asghar Khaghini (second on left front), Dr. Aly Abdel-Mageed (center front), Dr. Daniel Borresson (front right), Chef Oliver Hale (back left), and Bill Ryan (back right).

 

“I’ve only had one person come forward to be my donor since I was diagnosed. We had the same blood type and it looked hopeful. But after further testing, that donor was denied due to having high blood pressure – that donor was my wife. She was devastated,” says Rick. “And so was I. But I got on the donor list as soon as I could.”

 

The Herlachers were stunned to learn the wait time for a kidney donor in Michigan is up to five years. Determined to stay proactive in the process, the Herlachers learned that the waiting list for a kidney in Wisconsin is only two years as opposed to 4 or 5.  The difference: more Wisconsin residents are signed up to be organ donors.

 

Why should it be any different in Michigan?

 

Huitsing, along with Rick’s wife, Jeanine, and several friends and colleagues formed the nonprofit “Give On to Live On” as a vehicle to create organ donation awareness and increase the number of donors in West Michigan. Rick’s Eventin honor of Rick Herlacher, was the first gathering for the cause.

 

“We had about 300 people show up,” an elated Huitsing says. “It’s amazing and it’s only or first event! It’s just proof of how organ donation touches the lives of so many people.”

Attendees at "Rick's Event: Give On To Live On" came from all over West Michigan to learn more about organ donation.
Attendees at “Rick’s Event: Give On To Live On” came from all over West Michigan to learn more about organ donation.

 

The crowd gathered in a banquet room at Noto’s Restaurant on 28th Street and included transplant recipients, organ donors, waiting patients, supportive families and medical professionals from around West Michigan. Also in attendance were representatives of the Gift of Life of Michigan, the Kidney Foundation and the Eye Bank of Michigan. And while the event was not a fundraiser, but an awareness raiser, all proceeds in excess of the event production went to Gift of Life of Michigan.  Perhaps more important than the proceeds was the fact that a majority of the people attending signed up to be an organ donor before the night was over.

 

A panel of renowned presenters spoke of the urgent need for organ donors as well as the benefits for being a living donor.

 

“It’s an incredible power and God’s will to give a piece of ourselves to another in order that they may survive,” says Dr. Aly Abdel-Mageed, Division Director of Pediatric Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

 

Supporting him on the panel was Dr. Luis Tomatis, Director of Medical Affairs for the Richard M. DeVos family, Dr. Asghar Khaghini, Co-Director of the Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support at Spectrum Health, Dr. Daniel Borresson, Surgical Director of Kidney Transplant at Mercy Health, Oliver Hale (Chef O), two-time kidney transplant recipient and organ donation activist, and Bill Ryan, President and CEO of the Transplant Games of America.

 

Together their experience and testimonies painted a clear picture of the state-wide need for more organ donors of every ethnic background.

 

The event was success in more ways than one. By the end of the night, a woman came forward as a possible donor for Rick. “We’re in the process now of taking the first steps,” says Jeanine Herlacher. “She has the right blood type for starters, but there are many tests to go through from here before we’ll know of sure. But I’d say that’s awesome!”

 

What a difference one person can make. That one person can be you.

 

 Here are some additional facts to know about organ donation in Michigan. Source Gift of Life of Michigan.

 

 • On average, 17 Michigan residents have organ transplants every week.

 

• The supply of organs available doesn’t come close to meeting the demand. Michigan has more than 3,100 people on the waiting list. The number is about 120,000 nationwide.

 

• Organ donors can save up to eight lives and tissue donors can substantially improve life for up to 50 sick or injured people.

 

• Of the state’s 10 million residents, about 3.3 million are registered organ donors.

Childhood Cancer Research gets Boost from Volunteer Charity

Chubby's Bar and Grill was packed with supporters for childhood cancer research.
Chubby’s Bar and Grill was packed with supporters for childhood cancer research.

by Janice Limbaugh

 

On a typical Sunday, you won’t find Chubby’s Bar and Grill off Byron Center in Wyoming open for business. It’s the one day of the week they’re closed. On one Sunday recently, they weren’t open so much for business but for hosting a great charity – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation and their annual fundraiser for childhood cancer research.

The answer to this question was unanimous: To show support for kids with cancer.
The answer to this question was unanimous: To show support for kids with cancer.

 

Over 60 volunteers stepped up to have their heads shaved in solidarity with kids with cancer,  17 of them deciding on the spot that afternoon. “This feels weird,” was the common phrase heard among newly sheared participants milling throughout the crowd.  “What the heck – it’ll grow back,” was the other general consensus.

Heads, eyebrows, mustaches and beards were fair game for fundraiser.
Heads, eyebrows, mustaches and beards were fair game for fundraiser.

 

According to Patrick Schrager, the foundation’s volunteer event organizer, the day’s activities “went way beyond expectations!”

 

“So far, we’ve raised over 35,000 dollars and the money is still coming in,” says a jubilant Schrager.

Patrick Schrager, volunteer event coordinator for St. Balderick's Foundation relocated the fundraiser to Wyoming after moving to Byron Center from Indiana. As with past events elsewhere, the afternoon was a huge success for the organization.
Volunteer event coordinator for St. Balderick’s Foundation, Pat Schrager. Kendall Electric, his employer, matched and donated a total of $4570.

 

Having relocated to Byron Center with his family last fall from Indiana, this was Schrager’s first coordinated St. Balderick’s fundraiser in the greater Grand Rapids area. Although he didn’t know what type of turnout to expect, Schrager said he knew the community was supportive of the pediatric oncology program at DeVos Children’s Hospital, and hoped the two organizations together would make a positive impact. The hospital  has received two grants from the St. Balderick’s Foundation in recent years to help support the Innovative Therapeutics Clinic in pediatric oncology, helping children with cancer find new therapies.

Cathy Wells (center) set a sponsorship goal of $1000 to shave her head but ended up raising over $2300!
Cathy Wells (center) set a sponsorship goal of $1000 to shave her head but ended up raising over $2300!

 

St. Balderick’s signature head-shaving fundraiser is held once a year in conjunction with a silent auction and raffle.

 

Cathy Wells of Zeeland said her passion for children with cancer prompted her to shave her head. “My hair grows really fast. I’ll do anything I can to help a child!”

 

Originally Wells set of goal of raising $1000 for childhood cancer research but exceeded that amount by over $500. It seemed that every freshly shaven head in the room had similar success stories.

 

Meanwhile, when they could spare a moment from serving the crowd, Chubby’s owners, Audrey Houseman and Vicki Terry, watched in amazement as the whole effort unfolded.

Chubby's Bar and Grill owners, Audrey Houseman (Left) and Vicki Terry, decided to open their doors on Sunday to host the special event.
Chubby’s Bar and Grill owners, Audrey Houseman (Left) and Vicki Terry, decided to open their doors on Sunday to host the special event.

 

“We were a little bit leery at first when a customer approached us about hosting it,” says Houseman. “We don’t want the public to think that we’re open on Sunday because we aren’t!”

 

“But we decided ‘Let’s do it!’ and we are quite impressed and glad to be a part of it,” Terry added.

 

Since 2005, St. Balderick’s Foundation has committed more than $125 million to lifesaving research, $22 million in funding childhood cancer research in 2013. The foundation funds local institutions as well as cooperative research on a national scale to help doctors work together to develop the best treatments for all children with cancer. Anyone interested in becoming involved as a volunteer, can contact Pat Schrager through email:  pat.schrager@kendalelectric.com

 

For more information about St. Baldrick’s Foundation go to: www.stbaldricks.org/

Kent District Library presents the April calendar of events

Kent District Library

April 2014 Calendar of Events • 784-2007

Visit www.kdl.org for more programs and information.

This calendar contains program highlights. Most KDL branches offer additional programs including Book Discussions, Storytimes and a variety of computer classes. Please visit www.kdl.org for more information.

 

For Children and Families

Create a Gift: Kids’ Crafting
Kids, create a springtime gift for Mom, Dad or for another loved one’s special day. Add a card you made yourself and even wrap your gift! For all ages.
Saturday, April 5, 2:00 PM – Gaines Township Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 1:30 PM – Alto Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 1:30 PM – Cascade Township Branch
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM – Krause Memorial Branch

 

Superheroes Away!
Shining a spotlight on all things super! Come dressed as your favorite caped crusader and get ready to have fun playing games and writing your own comic book. For all ages.
Monday, April 7, 2:00 PM – Grandville Branch
Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids Branch

 

Eco-Friendly Garden Projects
Craft earth-friendly spring garden projects using upcycled household containers and supplies from nature’s bounty. For all ages.
Monday, April 7, 6:30 PM – Byron Township Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 1:00 PM – Englehardt Branch
Thursday, April 10, 1:30 PM – Alto Branch
Saturday, April 26, 10:30 AM – Alpine Township Branch
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

 

Spring Brings Very Hungry Caterpillars!
Enjoy stories and crafts featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other familiar characters from the works of Eric Carle. For ages 6 and younger.
Monday, April 7, 7:00 PM – Walker Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 10:00 AM – Cascade Township Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 PM – Wyoming Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 10:00 AM – Cascade Township Branch
Thursday, April 10, 10:00 AM – Walker Branch
Tuesday, April 22, 10:00 AM – Alpine Township Branch
Wednesday, April 23, 10:00 AM – Tyrone Township Branch
Tuesday, April 29, 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Wednesday, April 30, 10:00 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

 

There’s a Mouse in the House
What could be more exciting than a mouse in your house? Celebrate all things “mousy” with stories, crafts, rhymes, fingerplays and puppets. For ages 6 and younger.
Tuesday, April 8, 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM – Grandville Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 1:00 PM – Byron Township Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Monday, April 21, 10:00 AM – Plainfield Township Branch

 

Rainbow Loom Creativity
Bring your Rainbow Loom and some friends to socialize and create. Rainbow Loom jewelry is fun, unique and great to give as gifts. The library will provide bands in a variety of colors. Don’t forget your loom! For ages 6 and older.
Tuesday, April 8, 1:00 PM – Englehardt Branch
Tuesday, April 8, 1:30 PM – Cascade Township Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 2:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 2:00 PM – Byron Township Branch
Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – Comstock Park Branch
Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township Branch

 

Tom Plunkard: Beyond Magic – Show and Workshop
Prepare to be astounded! Stick around after the show for a short workshop on how to perform some of his tricks. For all ages.
Wednesday, April 9, 10:00 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 12:30 PM – Wyoming Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 3:00 PM – Comstock Park Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 6:30 PM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch
Thursday, April 10, 2:00 PM – Byron Township Branch
Thursday, April 10, 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township Branch

 

Discover and Create Board Games
Explore a variety of simple international board games and get inspired to create your own. For ages 6 and older.
Thursday, April 10, 3:00 PM – Cascade Township Branch
Saturday, April 12, 10:30 AM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch

 

Mario Kart Tournament for Kids
Many will enter, but only one will be crowned champion! Join us for a Wii gaming tournament for school-age kids featuring Mario Kart, prizes and more. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. For grades K-5.
Saturday, April 12, 12:00 PM – Cascade Township Branch

For Adults

 

Early Childhood Essentials: A Little More Math
Learn what children are now expected to know before entering kindergarten. Please bring a paper grocery bag for a “make-and-take” math activity. Session offers one hour of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Thursday, April 3, 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township Branch

 

Family Stories and Secrets
Personal historian Deb Moore will speak about the importance of preserving your family stories — good and bad — and offer tips on writing your own life stories or family history.
Monday, April 14, 6:30 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

 

Meet the Author: Mardi Jo Link
Mardi Jo will speak about her book, Bootstrapper, as part of “Our Community Reads.” Books will be available for purchase. Sponsored by the Friends of the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library.
Wednesday, April 16, 6:30 PM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch

 

Navigating Kent County’s Mental Health System
Recent tragic news events have brought national attention to the need to know how to navigate the mental health system, which can be difficult. Learn what services are available for mental health both at Pine Rest and within Kent County, discover what insurance companies typically pay for and how to seek emergency mental health care.
Thursday, April 17, 6:00 PM – Gaines Township Branch

 

Early Childhood Essentials: Let’s Go Outside!
Learn the benefits of and tips for taking children outside from Kathie Hoffmann of Kent Regional 4C. Session offers one hour of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Thursday, April 17, 6:30 PM – Byron Township Branch

 

 

Early Childhood Essentials: Kindergarten Readiness
Kindergarten is just around the corner! Learn what you can do to support your little one as their exciting journey draws near. Session offers one and a half hours of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM – Cascade Township Branch

 

Game On!
Join the West Michigan Tabletop Gamers the third Saturday of each month to play some fun-filled board games. Assorted “gateway” games will be on hand, along with someone to teach them. For teens and adults. Gaming. Guys Read Approved.
Saturday, April 19, 12:30 PM – Grandville Branch

 

Gardening from Soil to Bloom
Love of gardening is a seed that, once sown, never dies. Jeanne Hawkins of The Secret Ingredient will teach gardening fundamentals, including the basics of soil, plants, planting, weeds and how to tell good bugs from bad.
Saturday, April 19, 1:00 PM – East Grand Rapids Branch
Monday, April 28, 6:30 PM – Byron Township Branch

 

Create Paper Flowers
Turn old books and papers into colorful paper flowers! Learn how with hands-on instruction and take your creations home with you. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited.
Saturday, April 19, 2:00 PM – Wyoming Branch

 

Invasive Species in Your Neighborhood
What is the impact of alien plants in Kent County? Local naturalists will help you learn how to identify and eradicate invasive plant species.
Tuesday, April 22, 6:30 PM – Grandville Branch

 

Book Bash Giant Warehouse Book Sale
KDL’s third annual Book Bash Giant Warehouse Book Sale features more than 20,000 gently-used books and other items that will be available for just 50 cents to $1 each. Sunday is Bag Day — $5 buys as many items as you can fit in a bag. All proceeds support Summer Reading @ KDL and other branch programs. Held at the KDL Service Center, 814 West River Center Dr. NE in Comstock Park. (NOTE: Spcial teacher time from 3:00 – 5:00 PM). For all ages.
Friday, April 25, 5:00 – 8:00 PM – KDL Service Center
Saturday, April 26, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – KDL Service Center
Sunday, April 27, 1:00 – 4:00 PM – KDL Service Center

 

Early Childhood Essentials: Teaching Science with Toys
Help children learn science on their own with fun activities for school readiness. Use storybooks, toys and other simple items to teach science concepts. Session offers 1.5 hours of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Saturday, April 26, 10:00 AM – East Grand Rapids Branch

 

Meet the Author: Gail Marie Snow
Gail will speak about her recently published book “Remarkable Ramona Park,” sharing details of the history of the park located on Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. Book is part of “Our Community Reads.” Books will be available for purchase. Sponsored by the Friends of the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library.
Saturday, April 26, 1:30 PM – Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch

 

Early Childhood Essentials: Developing Phonological Awareness
Explore ways to integrate speech sound play activities throughout the day at home, in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Session offers one hour of professional development. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Adults only please; child care is not provided. Sponsored by Great Start CONNECT.
Monday, April 28, 6:30 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Cats in Crisis Need Your Help!

This feral kitten was saved by Marvin.
This feral kitten was saved by Marvin.

by Michele Aversa

 

In February, we brought you Invisible Hero Rescues Invisible Population a story about local no-kill cat shelter Focus on Ferals (FOF). Due to the success of the shelter, they are bursting at the seams! Unfortunately, this success has put them at capacity and they’ve recently been forced to turn people away. There just isn’t enough space to house all the cats in need.

 

When Gina Marvin started FOF in 2005, she had no idea how desperate the community was for help. She began doing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR consists of the humane trapping, sterilization, and return of feral cats to their familiar habitat) and then agreed to house in her garage some friendly stray cats for possible adoption. Before long, she had to find a new facility. Marvin found what is now the shelter’s adoption center on Knapp in Grand Rapids. But the desperate requests just kept coming. Recently, she received a call from someone who witnessed a kitten being thrown from a moving car. The witness saved the kitten and contacted Marvin for medical help and shelter.

Loki claims her place to stretch out. More space is needed to save the feral cat population.
Loki claims her place to stretch out. More space is needed to save the feral cat population.

 

FOF is currently a multi-location facility. The Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is done out of Lowell, the adoption center is in Grand Rapids, and there are foster families throughout West Michigan. Managing an organization spread throughout the community is a difficult task.

 

They have an chance to change that. A local businessman presented FOF with a fantastic opportunity to rent space in his building in the Byron Center area. Marvin explains, “This building is 2,600 plus square feet and would allow us to consolidate our TNR program (spay/neuter, rehab, and new intake services), along with our Adoption Center, into one amazing facility. We would have plenty of space for adoptables, a bathroom, a washer/dryer, office, heat/air, everything we need to be self-sufficient! We have long since outgrown our current Adoption Center. It only houses 25 cats comfortably. Yet we consistently have 50-100 cats in the program. And my home has served well as the TNR center.”

Clara's Colony turned to FOF for help.
Clara’s Colony turned to FOF for help.

 

Trap-Neuter-Return is the “less glamorous” aspect of the program, but just as vital. Marvin states, “we do the greatest good for the greatest number of ferals by stopping the cycle of reproduction.” One example is “Clara’s Colony.” Clara, who lives in the county, constantly had cats dumped on her property. The cats eventually started breeding, many were sick. She contacted FOF for help. In time 13 cats were fixed and returned to colony and 23 kittens were pulled for adoption.

 

But Marvin can’t do it alone. She is asking for help from the community – the community that wants and needs the services that FOF provides. Being a no-kill shelter, the cats that are in FOF’s program stay in the program for as long as it takes to get adopted –months or years if necessary. But this means Marvin cannot continue to accept cats in need unless she can secure this new facility.

 

With a deadline of April 15 looming, FOF is still under 50% of the goal and the clock is ticking.

 

“We are asking for your help in the form of on-going monthly donations. Even a small amount such as $10-20 each month will make this possible, if we have enough people to get on board.” The agency even has donation options of $2 and $5!

 

For as little as the price of one gourmet coffee a month, a tank of gas or a hamburger at McDonalds, you too could become a hero by helping out a hero. If you want like to help Marvin and the hundreds of cats each year that live safer and healthier lives because of her program, please go to this link: http://www.focusonferals.org/donate/monthly-donations-focus-ferals-no-kill-shelter/

 

For more information, visit their website: http://www.focusonferals.org

 

Or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FocusOnFerals

Students’ Hard Work at Food Pantry Nets Request for More

by Erin Albanese, School News Network at Kent ISD

Students Wesley Sheller and Gregory Brink work together
Students Wesley Sheller and Gregory Brink work together Photos from School News Network

Kelloggsville Public Schools, MI — After an hour-long Monday afternoon session volunteering at The Family Network of Wyoming, eighth-graders Wesley Sheller and Gregory Brink got a request from food pantry staff members.

Come more often, they said. Because students from the Kelloggsville Regional Center work so efficiently, Family Network staff members hoped they could start volunteering up to three times a week.

Gregory and Wesley had just been working nonstop stocking toilet paper and bagging potatoes. The food and items will go to the approximately 120 families who use the pantry each week.

“We love them to come. We always have something for them to do and they are good workers,” said pantry coordinator Sheryl Haveman.

The Kelloggsville Regional Center, 977 44th St. SW, is located just a couple buildings away from Family Network, 1029 44th St. SW. The center houses the kindergarten through eighth-grade emotionally impaired program and serves multiple school districts,including Byron Center, Godfrey-Lee, Godwin Heights, Grandville, Kelloggsville and Wyoming.

Eighth-grade student Wesley Sheller bags potatoes
Eighth-grade student Wesley Sheller bags potatoes
Teacher Kellie Phillips and eighth-grade student Gregory Brink get bags ready for produce
Teacher Kellie Phillips and eighth-grade student Gregory Brink get bags ready for produce

Teacher Kellie Phillips said two students are chosen to volunteer each week based on good behavior. The opportunity has become an incentive for students who like to walk over from school and lend a hand. Often Wesley, Gregory and eighth-grader Raven Cowles earn the privilege, she said.

“It’s just good for them to get out in the community and helping. It’s good for their self-esteem. They love coming,” Phillips said.

It also helps them learn how to work in a real volunteer job, she said.

The Family Network gets some of its produce from the Kelloggsville Community Garden, located outside of the Regional Center. The garden will be planted this spring for another year’s harvest. Students work to maintain the vegetables, planting, sowing and weeding the raised garden beds.

The Family Network of Wyoming serves about 120 families per week
The Family Network of Wyoming serves about 120 families per week

Gregory and Wesley said they like the opportunity to spend time at the pantry. Their favorite task is stocking the produce.

“I can help people and help things get done around here,” Gregory said.

 Visit The Family Network for more information

For more stories on schools in Kent county visit School News Network

Finding Local Help for the Homeless

By Patricia Riley

People live paycheck to paycheck these days. It is safe to say that some individuals are one paycheck away from being homeless. This is sad, but true and can be backed by
national statistics.

The Los Angeles Times reveals in a Dec 11, 2013 article that homelessness and hunger are climbing in U.S. cities according to the latest U.S. Conference of Mayors survey of 25 large and midsized metro areas. The article stated that according to U.S. Census figures, “last year’s national poverty rate of 15% is still near the Great Depression’s high of 15.1 percent.”

The 25 cities surveyed for the Annual Hunger & Homelessness report of the U.S. Conference of Mayors revealed a 3% increase in overall homelessness, and half of those cities expected the number of homeless families to increase this year. Cities that participated in the survey stretched across the country, including such Midwestern cities as Chicago, Cleveland, Louisville, Philadelphia, St. Paul, and Nashville.

In the greater Grand Rapids area, several ministries are dedicated to addressing the issues of the homeless. Besides being homeless, issues include hunger, child care, personal hygiene, short-term housing, and employment programs to name a few. Among the many ministries in our community that are helping to fight homelessness, this article will highlight two: South End Community Outreach Ministries and Guiding Light Mission. Although these ministries offer different types of programs, each one has dynamically empowered the community with their outstanding service.

Started in 1971, the ministry began when four Methodist churches gathered together to address the needs of the community. Once affiliated with the Methodist Church, SECOM is now a non-profit organization serving many Grand Rapidians, according to Katherine Brower, executive director of SECOM.

”The number of people we serve has increased tremendously over the past years,” Brower says. Today the ministry serves a little over 10,000 people. Brower relies on past and present reports of South End Community Outreach Ministries(SECOM) as a means of determining the services they now offer the community.

Stefanie Hosford, development director of SECOM believes that downtown Grand Rapids has a higher homeless population. “A lot of SECOM clients are people struggling to make ends meet. They struggle to pay rent or purchase food,” she says.

South End offers such services as:

• Food Distribution on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. They are closed on Thursday.

• Infant and Child Pantry open the first and third Monday each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Free Pre-school Childcare

• Health Program

• Pride for Parents Program where clients can earn $75 in credit for Christmas gifts by volunteering 10 hours per child.

South End Ministry is open for donations whether it’s food, money, household goods or clothing. By making a donation, anyone can play a part in helping the homeless and hungry in their area. SECOM is located at 1545 Buchanan Ave, SW, Grand Rapids, MI. Contact number is (616) 452-7684. Office hours are from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Closer to the heart of downtown is Guiding Light Mission on South Division. The organization was started in 1929 by John Vande Water, a man who had compassion for the hungry in the community. Originally it was called West Fulton Mission that assisted people in urgent need of food. Years later, the mission extended services to help treat people with drug and alcohol addiction. That led to offering transitional housing and a substance recovery program called The New Life in Christ. Today the mission is more determined than ever to be that guiding light to the homeless in the area.

“We believe that God gave everyone talents,” says Stuart Ray, the mission’s executive director for the last five years. “We want people to use those gifts. The people housed here must be alcohol and drug free. In the last two years, we have put over 310 men back to work. We hold people accountable for what they say they are going to do. Here at Guiding Light, you must work and save your money.”

Ray explains that the mission manages two transitional houses and does not use money from HUD. It is a faith-based 501C organization that is privately funded. The staff consists of two care managers who create action plans, licensed counselors, social workers, mentors, fund development specialists, a pastor and many volunteers. The ministry is open 24/7 and works with males over the age of 18.

“Men come in all day long. We serve three meals a day, hold chapel every night and Bible study every afternoon. We also provide training for GED completion,” Ray says.

Keeping the hungry fed is the responsibility of Food Service Manager Josh VanOveren. “We work with other agencies to get food out into the community. We have a special relationship with Gordon Food Service, our largest donor, and Feeding America of West Michigan. We also receive individual donations,” Van Overin explains. Between July of 2012 and June of 2013, 46,850 free meals were served.

Other mission accomplishments for that year included providing 312 chapel services, 600 Bible Study classes, 18 thousand overnight stays, and 1300 small group and individual counseling sessions. The New Live for Christ program served 51 individuals who benefited from the rigorous drug and alcohol rehab and workforce readiness programs. Guiding Light also helped 78% of the men in rescue to obtain full-time jobs, establish savings accounts and move into independent housing.

To support and further these accomplishments, monetary and clothing donations are welcomed between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. To Guiding Light Mission, SEMCO and other organizations helping the homeless and hungry in our community, our gratitude  is with you.

Jay Leno, Lily Tomlin and Chris Tucker will highlight 2014 Gilda’s Laughfest

LaughFest veterans return:

Mike Birbiglia, Jim Gaffigan and Sinbad

by Tyler Lecceadone

The nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, Gilda’s LaughFest, has announced its line up of talent and shows for the festival’s fourth year to be held March 6 to 16, 2014. The headliners announced include: Lily Tomlin, making a special appearance in partnership with Broadway Grand Rapids; Chris Tucker; and LaughFest veterans, Mike Birbiglia, Jim Gaffigan and Sinbad. This year’s Signature Event will feature Emmy award winning comedian, longtime TV personality and late-night talk show host Jay Leno. Several other acts were also announced for LaughFest, along with a “$50,000 Challenge” by five local companies to raise funds specifically for Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids Children’s cancer, grief and emotional health programs. laughfest logo

 “As we enter our fourth year, we are thrilled to continue building upon such a great community festival,” said Joanne Roehm, festival director of LaughFest. “The first three years have given us a solid foundation and we’re continuing this tradition of laughter by featuring stand-up comedy, improv, music, dance, speakers, pets, children’s shows, free professional and amateur showcases and a variety of other acts to give everyone the opportunity to laugh together.” Roehm also noted that more announcements of talent and details will be made as the festival draws closer.

In addition to the headliners, who were announced, other acts coming to LaughFest 2014 include Netflix’s Arrested Development actress, Maria Bamford; YouTube sensation Miranda Sings with special guest Colleen Ballinger; comedy trio Todd Barry, Rory Scovel and Nick Thune; and stars of TruTV’s Impractical Jokers, The Tenderloins, made up of Sal Vulcano, Joe Gatto, James Murray and Brian Quinn.

Officials also detailed the Gun Lake Casino Presents National Stand-Up Comedy Showcase, which features two showcases with 10 seriously funny comics: Cameron Esposito, Aparna Nancherla, Johnny Pemberton, Baron Vaughn, Joe Zimmerman, Tone Bell, Kurt Braunohler, Carmen Lynch, Barry Rothbart, and Hampton Yount.

The Best of the Midwest Competition, underwritten by Wolverine Worldwide, will feature 10 Midwestern comics duking it out for the $2,500 cash prize. Competitors are Johnny Beehner, Kevin Bozeman, John Conroy, Maggie Faris, AJ Finney, Drew Frees, Mike Lebovitz, Matt McClowry, Bryan Morris and Ms. Pat.

Bissell Presents the Clean Comedy Showcase, underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield, features two showcases with eight comedians who specialize in bringing serious laughs without vulgarity. Performers include James P. Connolly, Tony Deyo, Robert Mac, Pat McGann, Andy Hendrickson, Michael Palascak, Louis Ramey, and Rik Roberts.

The Family Friendly Series, presented by Meijer, includes performances by Milkshake, a band on a mission to create great rock music for kids; Super Saturday Kids Zone, a themed carnival for all ages; and Saturday Nite Teen Zone, a 13 and up hangout for teens.

The Bud Light Presents Blue & Late Night Comedy Series features two great performers, 30 Rock’s Judah Friedlander, and author and Chelsea Lately writer and round table guest, Jen Kirkman.

 LaughFest’s Best will feature late night shows with little sampling of comedians from across the festival. And local comedy troupe River City Improv, representing Calvin College, will put on a show that weaves skits, games and songs with audience suggestions to create a unique entertainment experience.

 

Blackout Diaries is an interactive show featuring standup comedians and regular people telling true drinking stories, while the audience asks questions.

 

Carly Aquilino, Chris Distefano, and Andrew Schulz, of MTV’s hit reality comedy series, Guy Code, will focus in on the different codes that exist between girls and guys in a snappy and entertaining fashion.

 

New and returning activities include FUNderwear 5K presented by Universal Forest Products, Seriously Funny Family Adventure Challenge, and People and Pets.

Additionally LaughFest is expanding its presence in the West Michigan community, by bringing shows to Holland and Lowell, Mich. Holland shows will include Christian comic Jeff Allen, Kids Joke Night, Holland Chorale, Klompen Comedy, Laughter Yoga and community showcases. Shows in Lowell include PJ Walsh, Kids Joke Night, Laughter Yoga and community showcases.

As a way to raise funds specifically to support programs at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, five community sponsors have come forward to match funds raised through the “High Five” campaign. This year the campaign aims to raise $100,000 for children living with cancer or grief, and for in-school emotional health programs. Local companies Terryberry, Feyen Zylstra, Pioneer Construction, Eenhoorn, and American International Foods will match each $5 donation, up to $50,000. Individuals interested in donating to the “High Five” campaign may do so by purchasing a button at a participating restaurant or business in West Michigan, or by donating at www.laughfestgr.org.

“Last year we saw phenomenal success with our ‘High Five’ campaign,” said Wendy Wigger, president of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and LaughFest. “This year a stellar group of local companies has generously given us another matching grant for this campaign. Our goal is to secure $50,000 worth of five dollar gifts from the community and then these companies will match each gift, up to $50,000 worth of matching funds. The money generated from this campaign will directly benefit our children’s programs.

LaughFest 2014 will include 200 plus free and ticketed shows that feature over 60 artists at 40-plus venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell, and Holland during the 10 days of the festival. Festival ticket packages range from $60 to $175 and will be available to the public beginning Friday, November 15, 2013 at 9 a.m. online at www.laughfestgr.org or by phone at (616) 735-HAHA (4242).

Individual tickets are priced from $7 to $60, excluding the Signature Event. These will be available beginning Friday, January 10, 2014 at the VanAndel Arena Box Office or at Ticketmaster outlets through closing day of the Festival.

Make History for Gilda’s LaughFest!

 West Michigan invited to set

New World Record Opening Night

SMILE LARGE

We’re fortunate enough to live in the nation’s first ever community-wide festival of laughter with Gilda’s LaughFest.  As in years past, you – the community – are invited to help kick off this year’s festival by attempting to set another Guinness World Record for the most people wearing sunglasses in the dark at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. All whacky world-record participants will receive official LaughFest sunglasses supplied by Baudville. The hysterical record-setting event will also include giveaways and a photo booth for individual fun. The Guinness World Record attempt will be followed by opening night events at downtown restaurants and a free comedy preview show at the Pyramid Scheme (68 Commerce Ave.) at 10 p.m. The show includes a sneak peak of local, regional, and national comedians who will be featured during the 10-day festival. Meanwhile, back to the community contest…

 

The current Guinness World Record for largest number of people wearing sunglasses in the dark was achieved in July 2012 by 1,642 participants at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill. C’mon West Michigan – WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!

THURSDAY, MARCH 6

Laughfest Kickoff at Rosa Parks Circle, downtown GR

5:30/6 p.m. – Pre-kickoff activities, line-up 

7  p.m. – World record practice and preliminary instructions 

7:15 p.m. – Official attempt to break the existing record

 

“This is going to be seriously fun,” says Wendy Wigger, president of Gilda’s LaughFest and Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. “This free event will help set the stage for ten days of laughter for the health of it. And what better way to shun the winter blues than with the optimistic donning of bright yellow sunglasses!”

 

During last year’s kick off, 1,532 individuals put on false mustaches to set the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people wearing fake mustaches at a single venue. In 2012, 607 people wore chicken beaks and performed the chicken dance to set the record for the greatest number of people wearing animal noses. In 2011, 925 rubber chickens were tossed in downtown Grand Rapids, shattering the previous record of 265 set near Boston, Mass.

 

For the preview show, a suggested $5 donation to Gilda’s Club will be collected at the door. Fast passes are available for these shows at LaughFest Central, which will guarantee the holder a seat at the show as long as they are seated 15 minutes prior to start time. Tickets are also available for the Clean Comedy Showcase at The BOB at 8pm that night – tickets are $17.50 and $32.50 (includes dinner.)

 

LaughFest 2014 will be held in Grand Rapids, Lowell, and Holland from March 6 through March 16. LaughFest headliners include: Jay Leno, Jim Gaffigan, Lily Tomlin, Sinbad, Mike Birbiglia, and Chris Tucker. Other acts announced include: Maria Bamford, Miranda Sings, Todd Barry, Rory Scovel, and Nick Thune, The Tenderloins, Judah Friedlander, Jen Kirkman, Blackout Diaries, and the stars of MTV’s Guy Code. New and returning activities include FUNderwear 5K, Seriously Funny Family Adventure Challenge, and People and Pets. Showcases and competitions include: Best of the Midwest, National Stand-up Comedy Showcase, and Clean Comedy Showcase.

 

Gilda’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Since inception, LaughFest has averaged 55,000 attendees per year. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer, grief, and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Visit www.laughfestgr.org, or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.

 

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids provides free emotional healthcare to children adults, families and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving the death of someone in their life due to any cause. The comprehensive program, delivered by licensed healthcare professionals includes education, structured sharing times, networking, lectures, workshops and social activities. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is one of the largest and busiest of the 52 affiliates in North America. The organization runs entirely on charitable donations and currently serves more than 10,000 individuals each year at its clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Mich., in various schools and in five community centers. For more information, visit www.gildasclubgr.org.