Tag Archives: Molly Klimas

GRandJazzFest ready for 7th festival this weekend, Aug. 18 & 19

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment,

 

By Molly Klimas

 

The seventh annual GRandJazzFest presented by the DTE Energy Foundation brings 10 diverse jazz performance acts to the Rosa Parks Circle stage Aug. 18 and 19 in downtown Grand Rapids at West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival. GRandJazzFest 2018 also includes free face painting for the kids (and kids at heart), plus a beverage and V.I.P. area provided by the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

 

The complete performance lineup for the event in order of appearance:

 

SATURDAY, Aug. 18                                                                                        

  1. Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde, 12:30 p.m.
  2. John Gist, 2 p.m.
  3. Kevin Jones and Tenth World, 3:30 p.m.
  4. Oli Silk, 5 p.m.
  5. Lin Rountree, 6:30 p.m.
  6. HEADLINER: Euge Groove, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, Aug. 19

  1. Student Jazz Band: Lushh, 1 p.m.
  2. Grupo Ayé, 2:30 p.m.
  3. Marcus Anderson, 4 p.m.
  4. Nelson Rangell and Steve Oliver, 5:30 p.m.

The DTE Energy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, is helping festivalgoers care for the environment through its greening program and encouraging them to reduce, reuse and recycle. Through last year’s program, the festival recycled 525 pounds of waste, and refused more than 720 pounds.

 

The two-day GRandJazzFest is free for the seventh year in a row thanks to presenting sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, along with the City of Grand Rapids, GR and Jazz, IntentPR, Mobile GR and Parking Services, Corporate Live, GRAM and many others (see the full list at http://grandjazzfest.org/sponsors/). The festival also is grateful to the many volunteers who contribute to the successful execution and experience of GRandJazzFest.

Tips for festivalgoers:

Location

GRandJazzFest will be held at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rosa Parks Circle is located at 135 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, MI  49503. You can find Rosa Parks Circle on Google Maps.

 

Mobile GR encourages attendees to walk, bike or ride the bus to the festival

A new festival partner this year is the City of Grand Rapids’ Mobile GR and Parking Services department. Mobile GR encourages festivalgoers to consider walking, biking, riding the bus, or sharing a ride with a friend to the festival. There are bike racks installed by the City of Grand Rapids around the Rosa Parks Circle venue for stowing and self-locking bikes.

 

Learn more about getting around Grand Rapids, and parking options for those who drive, https://grandjazzfest.org/plan-your-visit/.

 

Get there early — especially if you love big band music. Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra with Edye Evans Hyde kicks off the festival, which starts at noon on Saturday, Aug. 18. The fest goes until 10 p.m. that night and continues Sunday, Aug. 19, starting at 1 p.m. and going until approximately 8 p.m.

 

WHAT TO BRING

Bring lawn chairs, mini-coolers and sunscreen. The event takes place in a sunny, open area with some shady areas around the perimeter. The fest’s main tent will have bottled water for sale, the adjacent Grand Rapids Art Museum will be featuring a special refreshment area, and there are plenty of places surrounding Rosa Parks Circle to grab a quick bite and beverage. Plus, it’s Restaurant Week during GRandJazzFest! Learn more here: http://www.experiencegr.com/restaurants/restaurant-week/.

 

Also: There’s free Wi-Fi at Rosa Parks Circle via iserv, compliments of The City of Grand Rapids. GRandJazzFest’s website is mobile-optimized, which makes it easy to find the fest schedule and more. Plus, take photos while you’re at the fest and share on social media. Got feedback? Take our online survey (www.grandjazzfest.org/2018-survey/) with your phone to help us keep producing great fests.

 

For local hotel information, please visit experienceGR.com. Hotels within walking distance of Rosa Parks Circle include:

  • Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
  • City Flats Hotel
  • Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
  • Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown

7th annual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation announces 2018 dates

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Upcoming Events, ,

Lineup of this year’s performers to be revealed at H.O.M.E. at The B.O.B. on April 30, part of International Jazz Day celebrations

By Molly Klimas

 

GRandJazzFest, presented by the DTE Energy Foundation, returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, this Aug. 18 and 19, for the seventh annual festival. The popular family friendly festival is West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival.

 

The two-day festival typically draws thousands to the heart of downtown Grand Rapids for the two-day, outdoor event always held the third weekend in August. In 2017, the event drew more than 10,000 people.

 

“We’re so excited to have the DTE Energy Foundation back for the seventh consecutive year as our presenting sponsor,” festival founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “We could not put on this festival without its support, and the support of all of our generous sponsors and volunteers. Jazz is really about bringing people together. It’s about community. And we’re grateful to the people and organizations that show their love of community by supporting GRandJazzFest,”

 

Holding the festival in the center city allows festivalgoers to enjoy all that downtown offers including restaurants, clubs, museums, microbreweries and shops. The festival typically occurs during Restaurant Week in Grand Rapids. The festival’s location is easily accessible to those who ride the bus, walk or bike, and is close to parking.

 

 “We believe art and cultural events have a direct correlation to a city’s ability to attract new visitors, define a sense of place and community, and contribute to the development of local skills and industries,” said Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Energy Foundation. “The Grand Rapids community is extremely important to us and we’re proud to be presenting sponsor again. By investing in this hallmark event, the DTE Energy Foundation is helping to boost the local economy and strengthen the vitality of the region.”

 

The 2018 festival lineup will be revealed on April 30 at the House of Entertainment and Music (H.O.M.E.) at The B.O.B. in Grand Rapids. Doors open at 6 pm. The Steve Hilger Jazz Quintet will perform during the evening’s event, which will announce the 10 diverse jazz artists and bands — including a student jazz band and two major headline acts — slated for the 2018 GRandJazzFest. Hilger’s band has performed at past GRandJazzFests, and he also serves as a board member of GR and Jazz.

 

“Jazz is a year-round passion here in West Michigan. We’re excited about a fun evening and a great way to reveal our 2018 lineup to jazz fans on April 30,” Hilger said.

 

Festival organizers have coordinated with International Jazz Day leaders to include the 2018 GRandJazzFest announcement as a sanctioned International Jazz Day event. Grand Rapids city commissioners announced GRandJazzFest as one of the city’s 2018 signature events, a distinction only given to local events proven to be successful and that enrich the community. Previously, GRandJazzFest 2016 received distinction as a Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Signature Event along with two other festivals, ArtPrize and LaughFest.

 

GR and Jazz, the nonprofit, all-volunteer-run producer of GRandJazzFest, is pleased to once again announce a special collaboration with the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). The 2018 festival’s V.I.P. area, which is open to sponsors, will be located on the GRAM front terrace where refreshments and snacks will be provided. Additionally, an outdoor bar will be set up at the base of the GRAM’s front steps adjoining Rosa Parks Circle to offer refreshments for attendees to enjoy during the festival.

 

People can get a taste of past GRandJazzFests by viewing the recap videos at http://grandjazzfest.org/newsroom/video/. More information on the 7thannual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation can be found at www.grandjazzfest.org. Connect on social media on the festival’s Facebook and Twitter sites, www.facebook.com/grandjazzfest and www.twitter.com/grandjazzfest.

Removing dangerous lead paint now free for qualifying homeowners

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Non-Profits, Our Cities, , , ,

By Molly Klimas

 

People who live in the City of Grand Rapids — particularly those who live in homes built before 1978 — probably have lead in the paint inside and outside their homes. Lead is bad — especially for kids, babies and pregnant women. It causes brain damage and learning disabilities.

 

Some key points:

  • Lead poisons people — especially kids — and can cause lifelong problems.
  • Grand Rapids zip code 49507 continues to lead state for most lead-poisoned kids.
  • Prevention is key.

Lead poisoning can be prevented. There’s HUD funding to remove lead paint SAFELY through a program known locally as Get the Lead Out!The program is led by the city of Grand Rapids in collaboration with the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, the Kent County Health Department and the Rental Property Owners Association.

 

Recently, the program was simplified, making participation free for eligible homeowners. The program is available to renters, homeowners and landlords who meet certain eligibility requirements. Repairs typically include new windows and siding.

 

“This is a great opportunity to improve your home and make it healthier,” says Doug Stek, housing rehabilitation supervisor with the City of Grand Rapids. “Sometimes people will attempt to remove lead paint by themselves – scraping and removing the paint – but that can be dangerous and make a bad situation worse. Highly trained contractors work to make homes lead-safe through the Get the Lead Out! program. Think about it: just a week or two to improve your home and, most important, to help the people who live in it.”

 

“I would encourage the community to take advantage of these funds for the sake of our children,” says Kent County Commissioner Robert S. Womack. “When I ran for office, this was my No. 1 issue. Keeping our kids healthy is crucial — they are our future.”

 

It doesn’t take much lead to create a toxic situation. One gram of lead dust is enough to make 25,000 square feet of flooring hazardous for young children, according to research jointly conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA).

 

“We’re talking an amount as small as the equivalent of a packet of Sweet’N Low — just that small amount is enough to contaminate the floors of a dozen homes in Grand Rapids,” says Paul Haan, executive director of the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan.

 

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has made tackling the lead problem a priority. She spoke at length about the issue during her annual State of the City address earlier this year.

 

The Kent County Lead Task Force published its Ending Childhood Lead Exposure in Kent County report in January.

 

“More and more people are learning that lead is bad, but a lot of people still don’t know what lurks in their home and how it can harm children. And many don’t know that there’s funding to help safely remove lead paint. That’s why we are relentless about spreading the word about this critical issue,” Haan said.

 

The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan has a five-point plan that spans discussions at state, county and local levels. Healthy Homes recommends that

  1. All children under age 6 must be tested, especially at ages 1 and 2. When a child is lead poisoned, the source of poisoning needs to be discovered.
  2. Homes must be tested before more children are poisoned.
  3. Homes must be fixed before more children are poisoned.
  4. Contractors must work lead-safe.
  5. The community must be engaged and listened to every step of the way.

RENTERS, HOMEOWNERS, LANDLORDS: If you live in and / or own a home in the city of Grand Rapids, contact the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan at (616) 241-3300 or go to gettheleadoutgr.org to learn more. Or, contact the city of Grand Rapids Community Development Department at 616-456-3030. The HUD funding, and the time frame to participate, is limited.

City of Grand Rapids and community partners aim to make 50 homes lead-safe this summer

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Health, Our Cities, , , ,

 

By Molly Klimas

 

People wearing bright red t-shirts are canvasing some of the neighborhoods and festivals in Grand Rapids starting this June – but they’re not stumping for a political candidate: They’re hoping that homes in the city will Get the Lead Out!

Armed with free lead-testing kits and brochures, these team members from the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan are letting people know about federal funds available to make lead abatement possible.

“Lead lurks in the paint of homes built before 1978 – and most houses in the City of Grand Rapids were built before that year. Paint flakes and peels, and when improperly scraped or sanded off, dangerous lead dust can be kicked up,” said Paul Haan, executive director of the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan and gubernatorial appointee to the State of Michigan’s Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission.

That flaking, peeling lead paint and dust — ingested or breathed in — can be dangerous to anyone. But lead is especially toxic to babies, children and pregnant women. Lead poisoning can cause permanent brain damage and other health issues. (See GTLO 2017 Fact Sheet for more information on the dangers of lead.)

It doesn’t take much lead to create a toxic situation. One gram of lead dust is enough to make 25,000 square feet of flooring hazardous for young children, according to Haan.

“We’re talking an amount as small as the equivalent of a packet of Sweet’N Low — just that small amount is enough to contaminate a dozen homes in Grand Rapids,” said  Haan. “The good news is that lead poisoning can be prevented, and there’s funding to help people get the lead out safely with professionals trained in lead abatement.”

The funding is through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Grand Rapids administers the grant locally and partners with the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, the Kent County Health Department, LINC, and the Rental Property Owners Association to facilitate the Get the Lead out! program. June has been designated “Healthy Homes Month” by HUD but team members will be encouraging applications as long as funding lasts.

The most common types of work done to remove lead hazards from homes are repairing or replacing windows, and re-painting or replacing siding.

Funding is available for eligible homeowners and landlords. Anyone living in the City of Grand Rapids in a home built before 1978 is encouraged to contact the Healthy Homes Coalition to learn about eligibility. For more information, please call the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan at 616.241.3300 or visit www.GetTheLeadOutGR.org. Or, contact the City of Grand Rapids Community Development Department at 616.456.3030 or Doug Stek, Housing Rehabilitation Supervisor, 616.456.3672.