Tag Archives: Virtual Events

Ford Presidential Museum co-hosts virtual events including Gen. Jim Mattis talking ‘Call Sign Chaos’

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Gen. James Mattis, shown in this undated photo, knows the lessons of leading troops into battle. (U.S. Marine Corps/Zachery Dyer)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Grand Rapids’ Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, continue to offer virtual programs this month.

The next program, available via Zoom meeting, will be “Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead”, a virtual book talk with Gen. James M. Mattis (Ret.) —  a retired U.S. Marine officer, U.S. Secretary of State, and now book author — on Wednesday, April 21, starting at 7 p.m.

To register for this free event, including on the day of, visit here.

Following the talk by Gen. Mattis, on Thursday, April 22, Prof. H.W. Brands will offer a virtual talk “John Brown and Abraham Lincoln and the Struggle for Freedom”, based on Brands’ recent book “The Zealot and the Emancipator: John Brown and Abraham Lincoln and the Struggle for Freedom”. The talk will begin at 7 p.m.

To register for this free event, including on the day of, visit here.

A general talks leadership, in war and peace

“Call Sign Chaos”, according to supplied material, is the account of Gen. Mattis’s storied career, from wide­-ranging leadership roles in three wars to ultimately commanding a quarter of a million troops across the Middle East.

James H. Mattis (Ford Presidential Museum)

Along the way, Mattis recounts his “foundational experiences as a leader, extracting the lessons he has learned about the nature of war-fighting and peacemaking,” the importance of allies, and the strategic dilemmas and short-sighted thinking now facing our nation.

“He makes it clear why America must return to a strategic footing so as not to continue winning battles but fighting inconclusive wars,” the supplied material states.

Call Sign Chaos is a memoir of a life of war-fighting and lifelong learning, following along as Mattis rises from Marine recruit to four-star general. It is a journey about learning to lead and a story about how he, through constant study and action, developed a unique leadership philosophy, one relevant to us all.

‘The Zealot and the Emancipator’

“The Zealot and the Emancipator” is acclaimed historian H. W. Brands’s account of “how two American giants shaped the war for freedom,” according to supplied material.

 

John Brown was a charismatic and deeply religious man who heard the God of the Old Testament speaking to him, telling him to destroy slavery by any means. When Congress opened Kansas territory to slavery in 1854, Brown raised a band of followers to wage war. Three years later, Brown and his men assaulted the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, hoping to arm slaves with weapons for a race war that would cleanse the nation of slavery.

Brown’s violence pointed ambitious Illinois lawyer and former officeholder Abraham Lincoln toward a different solution to slavery: politics.

Lincoln spoke cautiously and dreamed big, plotting his path back to Washington and perhaps to the White House. Yet his caution could not protect him from the vortex of violence Brown had set in motion. After Brown’s arrest, his righteous dignity on the way to the gallows led many in the North to see him as a martyr to liberty. Southerners responded with anger and horror to a terrorist being made into a saint.

Lincoln, Brands argues, “shrewdly threaded the needle between the opposing voices of the fractured nation and won election as president. But the time for moderation had passed, and Lincoln’s fervent belief that democracy could resolve its moral crises peacefully faced its ultimate test” — the Civil War.

For more information on the Ford Museum’s scheduled of events, visit here. For more information on the museum, visit here.

Ford Presidential Museum co-hosts virtual events, including Thomas Jefferson talking, in February

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Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Bill Barker of Monticello, speaks during a 2019 event at the U.S. Chamber Foundation in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Chamber Foundation YouTube)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Grand Rapids’ Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, continue to offer virtual programs this month.

The next program, available via Zoom meeting, will be “Bill Barker: President’s Day Celebration — Man and Legacy”, with Barker talking as Thomas Jefferson, on Thursday, Feb. 18, starting at 7:15 p.m.

To register for the free event, including on the day of, visit here.

In a description of Barker/Jefferson event, it is stated:

“In times of great strife, Americans have often looked to our nation’s founding fathers for guidance. In doing so, we inevitably address the paradoxes they posed. The same Thomas Jefferson who penned the idea that ‘all men are created equal’ in our Declaration of Independence, is the same founder who owned hundreds of slaves through the course of his life. How could this be, and what are the lessons to us today?

“To help us unpack these and other historically loaded questions, the Hauenstein Center, along with our partners at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Library, welcomes Monticello’s William Barker back to Grand Rapids. Widely regarded as the nation’s foremost Thomas Jefferson interpreter, Barker joins us for a celebration of Presidents’ Day and for a conversation that plumbs our difficult past.”

Timely topic webinar coming later in February

Next up on the schedule will be a live webinar virtual event — “The Constitution, Elections, and Democracy” on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m.

In a description of this event, it is stated:

“January 6, 2021, served as the culmination of a series of issues left to fester: a global pandemic, racial injustice, and social and political divisions that continue to grow. Across the country, citizens continue to wonder how the world’s leading democracy can move forward and how, as a nation, we can begin to heal the pain and wounds created that fateful afternoon.”

In the first installment of the Presidential Roundtable series, with support from the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and other groups, Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, joins GVSU president Philomena V. Mantella and past GVSU presidents for a discussion that “probes our nation’s most revered document, the Constitution.”

For a list of more events hosted or co-hosted by the Ford Museum, visit here. For more information on the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, visit fordlibrarymuseum.gov.

World Affairs Council’s virtual series continues with rescheduled Korea-focused discussion, two other events this month

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President Donald J. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, shake hands as they meet for the first time, June 12, 2018, at the Capella Hotel in Singapore. (state.gov)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The World Affairs Council of West Michigan (WACWM) continues its virtual series of special discussions and its Great Decisions Global Discussions 2021 series this week, starting with the rescheduling of a special program on the future of Korea and its alliance with the United States.

The program “The Korean — U.S. Alliance”, originally scheduled to take place in mid- January, was rescheduled to Feb. 4. The program will feature the U.S. Department of State’s Dr. Jennifer Brannon, Sung-hoon Park, of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the U.S., and Korea Economic Institute vice president Mark Tortola. A program of the World Affairs Councils of America in partnership with the Korea Economic Institute, this will focus on broadening and deepening public understanding of Korea and the U.S.-Korea relationship.

While the program was available live is is also viewable as an archive on YouTube here.

The WACWM’s Great Decisions Global Discussions series will be live-streamed to YouTube Mondays from 6-7:15 p.m., starting Feb. 8 and running through March 29. The public is invited and the webinars will be viewable live and as archived on-demand. The cost to the public is $10 per discussion, $60 for a series pass, with prior registration required.

The February series dates, topics and guest speaker are as follows:
 

Feb. 8, “North Korea: Getting Diplomacy Back on Track” with Suzanne DiMaggio, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

After a historical summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in 2018, hopes of a change in relations have faded. Now, with a new president in the White House, landslide legislative victories in South Korea, and rumors of an unwell Kim, do new dynamics have the potential to change a perennially thorny situation?

DiMaggio is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Board Chair of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a new think tank she co-founded in 2019, and is currently directing a U.S.-DPRK dialogue that has included several visits to North Korea. As part of that process, she facilitated the first official discussions between the Trump administration and North Korean government representatives in Oslo in May 2017.

Feb. 15, “Have We Learned Anything about this Pandemic?” with Andrew Natsios, director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.

COVID-19 took the world by surprise, but it shouldn’t have been surprising. The question remains how our global health systems can be more responsive and resilient to pandemics. Professor Andrew Natsios will discuss the structural problems in the World Health Organization that have created dysfunctions laid bare by COVID-19; the need for a global pandemic early warning system and how it might be achieved; and next steps in vaccine distribution in the developing world in light of great power competition and larger global health challenges.

Professor Natsios is an executive professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and Director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs. He was previously a Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is also the author of three books: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1997), The Great North Korean Famine (2001), and Sudan, South Sudan, and Darfur: What Everyone Needs to Know.

Feb. 22, “The European Union: The New Agenda Post-Brexit” with Tomas Baert , Head of Trade and Agriculture, European Delegation to the U.S.

Containing 5.8 percent of the world population but accounting for 18 percent of world GDP, the European Union holds enormous influence in the world, driving economic growth, advancing sustainable development, and championing peace and security by promoting democratic norms. While Brexit has been the focus, other key priorities of the Union remain: stabilizing transatlantic relations, continuing response to the COVID crisis, leading in the climate fight, and transforming the digital economy.

Baert, Head of Trade and Agriculture for the European Delegation to the United States focuses on the future of the EU in this presentation. Prior to his work in the U.S., Baert was the Head of Unit for Trade Strategy at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade (DG Trade). From 2014 to 2016, he was an assistant to Director-General for Trade, advising on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and WTO negotiations.

For more information and to register, visit worldmichigan.org/greatdecisions2021.

Snapshots: Fun things to do this weekend

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“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

-Albert Einstein


By Faith Morgan
WKTV Intern




Reflecting back on the 2019 Festival (Supplied)

Listen to Irish Music

Michigan Irish Music Festival will be hosting the annual festival virtually this year. Enjoy online performances and presentations to keep “Irish in your heart”. All events will be viewable on the Festival’s Facebook page Thursday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 20.


Pillows are decorated for Dégagé Ministries display

See a public art exhibit

Sometimes we just need a peaceful break from the long work week. Take a stroll  at Ah-Nab-Awen Park  to see the Pillow Project display. Beautifully decorated pillowcases are displayed along the bridge representing the 4,700 women who have accessed Dégagé Ministries Open Door Women’s Center. The cases tell a story of the growing population of homeless women and are a sight you won’t want to miss. The display, which is part of Bridge GR, will be up throughout this month.


Host a Virtual Game Night

Looking to stay inside in the comfort of sweatpants and avoid traffic? Try a virtual game night. Let’s Roam hosts virtual games nights for you to try with your friends. Classic games like trivia and charades, along with drinking games for us legal gamers. Who said having fun meant going out?


Fun Fact: A whole lot of pie

The apple blossom is Michigan’s state flower. But did you know that Michigan produces more 900 millions pounds of apples a year? An apple pie typically calls for 3-4 pounds of apples. Doing the math approximately 300 million apple pies could be produced a year. Anyone want a slice?

Virtual has been a written success for one of the area’s locally-owned bookstores

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Schuler Books is located Kentwood on 28th Street (WKTV/Faith Morgan)


By Faith Morgan
WKTV Intern



At the start of the pandemic, many business owners had concerns of how they were going to continue bringing in business. It was no different for independently-owned Schuler Books with its owners worrying how they could continue to serve their customers and maintain a sense of community during a shutdown. It required the bookstore to go virtual.

“Keeping our customers and staff safe during this time has been our number one priority and will continue to be,” said Schuler Books Event Coordinator Samantha Hendricks.


Through social media platforms, Zoom, Eventbrite, and personal shopping, Schuler Books was able to serve its customers and allow authors and illustrators to connect with their fanbase while staying safe. Moving events onto virtual platforms has enabled authors to continue to foster their relationship with their fans through Q&As and readings.

The Schuler Books 28th Street location is open to the public (WKTV/Faith Morgan)


Since reopening, the store has made some changes requesting in-store shoppers to wear face masks correctly and practice social distancing. They also have the option for customers to put items they do not want to purchase on designated tables marked throughout the store to be disinfected and then returned to its shelf.



Customers may put items they don’t want to purchase on designated tables (WKTV/Faith Morgan)


Since online shopping has increased during this pandemic, why shop local?

“It’s the personal touch,” Hendricks said. “It goes back to creating and maintaining those relationships with our community.

“Independent bookstores have more flexibility and our main goal is to leave a lasting impression on the customer that feels personal to them.”

Through its personal shopping service, the store has helped its customers in their search and offers suggestions for other similar items. In fact, staff curates lists of book for their customers based on their reading interests.


 

Schuler Books staff can offer suggestions based on a customer’s interest (WKTV/Faith Morgan)


Schuler Books still plans to continue to host virtual events such as author readings and Q&As during this month and Facebook Live readings of scary stories in the month of October.

For more information on future virtual events you can visit the store’s website or follow Schuler Books on Facebook and Instagram.