Category Archives: Weather

Tornado forever changes Wyoming’s Ideal Park

November 26, 2014Upcoming Events, WeatherIdeal Park, Tornado, Tornado damage Ideal ParkJoanne

The City of Wyoming has owned & operated Ideal Park, 5843 Crippen Avenue SW, since 1938. On July 6, 2014, the park was significantly changed when a tornado destroyed the playgrounds and most of the trees, changing the character of the park so that a new development plan is necessary to guide investment priorities.

The tornado’s destruction, coupled with regular flooding from Buck Creek has also resulted in the need to renovate the parking lot, basketball and tennis courts. All combined, this requires us to evaluate the park’s design, facilities, and functional relationships related to your family’s interests, community programming needs, and general public uses.

Your input is actively sought and greatly desired.

Please join the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department and our consultant P.M. Blough, Inc. to share your ideas and opinions on the park and its future redevelopment:

When: TUESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2014 6:30 pm

Where: IDEAL PARK CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH ACTIVITY CENTER 320 56TH ST SW Wyoming, MI 49548

Residents, business owners, school representatives – everyone who has an interest in Ideal Park’s use and development is strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. If you are unable to attend, written comments may be submitted to the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at P.O. Box 905, 1155 – 28th St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 or may be emailed to parks_info@wyomingmi.gov.

On behalf of the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission, thank you for helping make our community a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Snow Days on the Horizon for Pure Michigan

November 14, 2014Our Cities, Recreation, Reviews, WeatherMichigan Winter, Pure Michigan, Snow DaysJoanne

Michigan has a lot to offer in the winter

As fall colors fade and temperatures drop, Pure Michigan is ushering in winter weather fun with the release of the 2014 Pure Michigan Winter Guide. The michigan.org website and social channels, including Facebook and Twitter, are also switching into winter gear for the season.

“Michigan offers residents and visitors alike a perfect opportunity to take a snow day and enjoy all the winter season has to offer,” said Leslie Hornung, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “This travel guide inspires people to embrace the beauty and unique events found in Michigan all winter long, while providing valuable tips and information to help plan a wide variety of getaways throughout the season.”

Individuals can request a copy of the 2014 Pure Michigan Winter Travel Guide at michigan.org or by calling toll-free (888) 784-7328. The guide will also be available at the 14 Michigan Welcome Centers across the state as well as in a free, universally accessible digital edition, which will allow users to access the guide from their desktop and laptop computers, smartphones and tablets.

Feature stories in this year’s winter guide include Into the Woods, a look at ways to explore Michigan’s backcountry – from snowmobiling to fat-tire biking; Winter Weekend Escapes, highlighting ski resorts around the state; and Cool Catch showcasing Michigan’s ice fishing assets. Those who prefer the indoors will want to check out The Art of Pie, with information on hands-on classes for the perfect pie, and Indoor Explorers to find kid-focused museums that entertain and educate.

The publication also includes a guide to Michigan state parks and trails and a winter events calendar. Once again, 100,000 copies of the winter guides have been printed at Quad Graphics in Midland, Michigan.

Last month, Pure Michigan teamed up with Lands’ End to offer fans across the nation the chance to win an ultimate winter getaway at Boyne Highlands Resort. There is still time to sign up to win, with the sweepstakes running through November 14, 2014. The prize package features a five day/four night trip for five to Boyne Highlands Resort including skiing, snowshoeing, winter zip-lining, spa services and access to the indoor water park at nearby Boyne Mountain. Additionally the winner will receive a $1,000 gift card from Lands’ End to outfit their Michigan adventure.

Michigan is home to 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, 3,000 miles of cross country skiing trails and is second in the nation for the number of ski areas found across the state. Offering activities as diverse as tubing, ice fishing dog sledding and snowboarding Michigan winter vacations has something for everyone from outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers to families – much of which can be found in the 2014 winter guide.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.

Protect Yourself and Loved Ones When Tornadoes hit!

August 10, 2014WeatherJoanne

On July 5, an EF1 tornado hit the Southern Metro area that caused millions of dollars in damage to properties. Residents in Wyoming and Kentwood continue to work on fixing all of the destruction. About 400 of our residents were effected. The tornado stripped floors and ceilings of businesses and homes. Parks were demolished and vehicles and residences destroyed.

The Michigan Disaster Center states, “Compared with other states Michigan ranks number 20 for frequency of tornadoes, 5 for numbers of death, 8 for injuries and 22 for cost of damages.”

What is the best way to protect our neighbors and loved ones from a disaster such as this? The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes suggestion on some safety precautions:

-Keep at least a 3-day water supply per person and don’t forget about your pets.

-Get a refrigerator thermometer to be sure of safe storage temperatures if you lose electricity. Freeze extra containers of water ahead of time. use ice chests in case power is out for more than 4 hours.

The National Weather Service Office gives some more important tips on how to recognize signs of a tornado:

-Strong persistent rotation in cloud base.

-Whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base

-Hail or heavy rain followed by either dead, calm, or fast, intense wind shift.

-A loud, continuous roar or rumble that also has a whistling sound.

If you are in a house with a basement: Avoid windows! Get in the basement and under some kind of heavy table or work bench. Cover yourself with a mattress or sleeping bag. Never go under pianos, refrigerators, or water beds. Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding mattress.

Go to the lowest floor, small center room–like a bathroom or closet–under a stair well or in an interior hallway with no windows for more safety.

You should not try to outrun a tornado in your car. An EF-1 tornado can push a moving car off the road and an EF-2 tornado can pick a car off the ground.

Never hide under an overpass. Try to get to a nearby building and go inside to the lowest level without windows.

If there are not any buildings nearby, though, you can still protect yourself. If you spot a tornado, stop your car. If you can safely get lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie as low as possible. Be sure to cover your head with your hands or an object. Move away from your vehicle. Do not hide underneath it, debris could fall on top of it and smash you.

For more tips on how to protect yourself in a car, truck, shopping mall, church, office building, or mobile home go to www.disastercenter.com. In order to find out how to apply for financial assistance, check out: www.fema.gov. If you would like information about current severe weather check out the Storm Prediction Center at www.weather.gov.