In addition to it tutoring program, Streams of Hope offers a variety of programs to their community including a food pantry, after-school activities for middle and high school students, a community garden, and health & wellness programs. (Supplied)
The Streams of Hope community center in Kentwood has received a $25,000 grant from HarperCollins Christian Publishing to support the center’s elementary student tutoring program.
Since the tutoring program begin in 2010, it has steadily grown to provide more than 100 hours of free tutoring each week by 10 certified teachers to 80 students, according to the center.
Kurtis Kaechele (Supplied)
“It’s a joy and a privilege to have HarperCollins Christian Publishing come alongside this tutoring initiative once again,” Kurtis Kaechele, Streams of Hope executive director, said in supplied material. “They have been a wonderful partner over the past six years, and their support empowers the students in this neighborhood to overcome barriers and succeed in school.”
During the COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions, Streams of Hope has sent virtual tutoring resources to their students and provided printed versions to families that utilize the center’s food center drive-thru supplemental grocery system.
The combined population of three public elementary schools, each less than half a mile from the center, located at 280 60th St, SE, is over 90-percent eligible for federal assistance, according to Streams of Hope.
“Educational success is a significant factor for reducing poverty, and our prayer is that by impacting students we would see our neighborhood transformed for the better,” Kaechele said. “In 2018, 91 percent of students being tutored in reading achieved one grade level or more of growth. During the same period, 84 percent of math students raised their assessment scores.”
Kentwood’s Streams of Hope ministry serves children and families in several ways. (Supplied)
In addition to tutoring, Streams of Hope offers a variety of programs to their community including a food pantry, after-school activities for middle and high school students, a community garden, and health & wellness programs. It also serves as a campus for SpringGR entrepreneurial training.
The HarperCollins grant will also support the center’s summer soccer and reading camp in addition to their Nutrition, Education & Wellness program for diabetic clients.
“Year after year, HarperCollins Christian Publishing continues to be in awe of what Streams of Hope can accomplish for the Kentwood community, and greater Grand Rapids,” Casey Harrell, senior director of corporate communications at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, said in supplied material. “Not only have we built a relationship through monetary investment, but with their leadership, staff, and the children involved in their tutoring program.”
Streams of Hope is a community-based ministry in the Townline neighborhood of Kentwood that “exists to demonstrate God’s love and foster sustainable change through services that build relationships, meet family needs, and promote a healthier community,” according to the group. Its programs focus on creating healthier schools, neighborhoods, and families by utilizing local resources.
The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.
We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from April 3-4 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.
State takes action to protect quarantined workers rights
Governor Gretchen Whitmer last week signed an executive order prohibiting all employers from “discharging, disciplining, or otherwise retaliating against an employee for staying home from work if they or one of their close contacts tests positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms of the disease,” the order states.
“People who are prioritizing the health and safety of their families, neighbors, and loved ones during this crisis should not be punished by their workplace,” Gov. Whitmer said. “Staying home and staying safe is one of the most important things we can do to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, and this executive order will ensure more people can do so without facing discrimination from their workplace.”
Most state parks are open, but there are restrictions
A vast majority of State of Michigan parks and recreation areas, state-managed trails and boating access sites remain open to provide local opportunities to get outdoors, but most locations have modified services or closed amenities. And the situation could change if there are abuses of social distancing and crowd avoidance requirements.
Recently, according to a state press release, Tippy Dam Recreation Area in Manistee County was closed until further notice due to high numbers of visitors, lack of improper social distancing and people traveling long distances to reach the park.
“In order to continue to keep state parks and trails open, we expect everyone to follow effective social distancing practices, to not litter and not travel long distances to enjoy the outdoors,” Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said in supplied material. “If concerns continue to build, the DNR will have to look at closing or further limiting access to our state-designated trails, state parks, boating access sites and other outdoor locations.”
“The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”
Voltaire
Meijer Gardens horticulturist Laura Worth leads a virtual tour of the back greenhouses at the Gardens. (Meijer Gardens)
Let’s meet at The Gardens when all this is over
Can’t wait for working in the garden? Meijer Gardens works the year around. Take a tour with horticulturist Laura Worth as she leads a tour of the back greenhouses, where the horticulture team stores and grows many of the plants that make Meijer Gardens beautiful. Go here for the video.
National Museum of Natural History. (Supplied)
Look at the tusks on that elephant!
One of the world’s most visited museums for good reason, the National Museum of Natural History branch of the Smithsonian is magic at keeping kids of all ages entertained and learning. Go here for the virtual tour.
“All the Small Things” video remix 2020 by MDs vs COVID (YouTube) 2020
A little music, just for the fun of it …
In late March, a group of students at Harvard Medical School created “FutureMDs vs. COVID” and, as young people are want to do, created a video with an update of Blink 182’s “All The Small Things”. A little silly, a little good advice, a little heart. Go here for the music video.
Fun fact(s):
Winning at Go Fish
Playing a lot of card games with your kids? Tired of letting them win or, worse, them accidentally winning? Here is how to reach your kids how to beat you at Go Fish. Winning at Go Fish.
Kent County Health Department’s Guiding Light building has 24 private rooms and a bunk area able to serve as an isolation facility for homeless persons. (Kent County Health Department)
Following last week’s action by homeless community advocate Guiding Light Works to temporarily turn over the keys to its facility at 255 S. Division in Grand Rapids to the Kent County Health Department, the health department announced today that it was ready to start accepting and isolating homeless persons.
In an afternoon announcement Friday, March 3, the Health Department confirmed completion of its work to prepare the facility as an isolation center for those experiencing homelessness who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting test results. The facility today began accepting patients who are referred from community hospitals.
“Guiding Light has always been a valued partner, but now more than ever, we appreciate their collaboration, sacrifice, and generosity,” Dr. Adam London, Kent County Health Department Director, said in supplied material. “Our goal is to provide a safe place for people who are experiencing homelessness to recover from the coronavirus and to minimize the transmission of the virus.”
The facility has 24 private rooms, a bunk area, six bathrooms, and a full-service kitchen that can accommodate up to 60 individuals when fully staffed.
“Our staff has done a tremendous job transitioning this facility into an isolation center,” London said. “They have worked tirelessly to assess the medical and operational needs to ensure individuals using this facility are well cared for during their recovery.”
A sign on the door of the Kent County Health Department’s Guiding Light designed to serve as an isolation facility for homeless persons. (Kent County Health Department)
The development of this facility would not have been possible without the partnership of the City of Grand Rapids and the non-profit community, as well as the generosity of Amway Corporation and Meijer Inc. who donated household and hygiene items, according to the health department statement.
“This is a very strategic and important public health intervention which will save lives,” London said.
Guiding Light’s offering use the building was key to the effort.
“As we have watched the spread of COVID-19 through our community, we have been increasingly alarmed to realize there was no announced coordinated plan to care for the men and women struggling with addiction, mental health issues and homelessness in the Heartside community,” Stuart Ray, Guiding Light executive director, said in supplied material announcing the use agreement last week.
“So Guiding Light stepped up, much as we have done every day for the past 90 years of caring for the most vulnerable in our society. We felt it was our God-given responsibility to step forward to make available a safe, clean and secure isolation space in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in our Heartside community. Without access to proper sanitation or the ability to physically distance, an outbreak in Heartside would ravage this group of souls.”
Guiding Light is maintaining its rescue, recovery, and re-engagement programs at its Iron House facility.
For more information on Guiding Light Works visit their website at guidinglightworks.org.
The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.
We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from Thursday, April 2 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.
https://www.wktvjournal.org/after-gov-whitmer-cancels-in-school-education-kent-isd-and-local-schools-exploring-options/For a special WKTV story on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer April 2 Executive Order 2020-35, which orders all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year, follow this link.
Heath Department sets fines, other actions to enforce COVID-19 actions
In the wake of Thursday, April 2, reports that Michigan had recorded more than 10,000 cases of COVID-19 — with 417 deaths — the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued an Emergency Order setting a civil penalty of up to $1,000 and a process for referral to licensing agencies for violations of Executive Orders 2020-11, 2020-20 and 2020-21. Criminal penalties for violation will remain an option for prosecutors.
“A person can have coronavirus without knowing it,” Robert Gordon, MDHHS director, said in the release. “They can spread the disease to others who can spread it to others. The only way to stop the spread is social distancing. A civil penalty and potential licensing actions send a strong message to Michiganders that social distancing is essential to saving lives.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-35, which orders all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year but urges the continuation of education through remote learning.
Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-35, issued Thursday, April 2, also guarantees school staff and teachers will be paid for the remainder of the school year, allows the sue of public school facilities to be used by public school employees and contractors for the “purposes of facilitating learning at a distance”, and assures that 2020 seniors will graduate this year.
As far as school-based standardized tests, the governor’s statement said that those previously scheduled for the remainder of the school year, including the M-STEP and the SAT, will be canceled. There will be a date in October for rising high school seniors to take the SAT and for other high school students to take the PSAT.
It also states that guidelines for “remote learning” for the remainder of the 2019020 school year will be issued, Friday, April 3.
While Wyoming and Kentwood school districts are looking to what those guidelines may be and how they may handle remote learning, the Kent ISD issued a statement detailing their actions.
“The Governor asked each school district and its staff provide instructional materials and opportunities for students to continue their education during this crisis,” Ron Caniff, superintendent of Kent ISD, said in a supplied statement following the governor’s order. “We are working with our schools, their superintendents and staff to respond to the governor’s request as quickly as possible.
“Our team is reviewing instructional plans from states across the country to create the best possible experience for students and their families, who will be essential in helping their children learn during this difficult time. Local districts are doing the same and have been actively designing plans since the school closure went into effect.”
Kent ISD school districts are working together to develop distance learning programming for all students, according to the Kent ISD statement. Some will be served online, while others will receive packets of educational materials delivered much as food is being provided for students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals while schools are closed.
“While all of the details have yet to be worked out, parents should check their district websites and wait for communication from their individual school district to learn the details for their students,” according to the statement.
Districts have also een working to verify students’ ability to access the internet and to marshal the technology necessary to reach as many students as possible, Caniff said.
During this crisis, many of the necessary elements – internet hotspots and inexpensive laptop computers – are in short supply as employees in all fields work from home. To help member districts, Caniff said the Kent ISD this week purchased 1,000 Chromebooks “and will continue to monitor district needs and resources available to ensure schools can reach all students to the extent possible.”
Governor continues action to blunt virus spread
Gov. Whitmer said the decision was forced by the current need to extend COVIF-19 restrictions into June, which she has called for legislative leaders to approve quickly.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a 2019 event. (Air National Guard).
“For the sake of our students, their families, and the more than 100,000 teachers and staff in our state, I have made the difficult decision to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year,” Gov. Whitmer said in a statement accompanying her executive order. “As a parent, I understand the challenge closing schools creates for parents and guardians across the state, which is why we are setting guidelines for schools to continue remote learning and ensuring parents have resources to continue their children’s education from the safety of their homes.”
The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers will develop “a Continuity of Learning Plan template application for schools to utilize in order to create their localized plan,” according to the announcement of the governor’s action.
“District plans will need to detail how districts will provide opportunities for students to learn remotely and how schools will manage and monitor their progress,” the statement continues. “It will also provide information on how parents and guardians can learn more about the local plan. Each district must have its plan approved by their regional Intermediate school district (ISD) before being implemented. Public school academies must have their plans approved by their authorizer.”
Districts can also partner with one another to create joint plans.
“There is no video chat or homework packet that can replace the value of a highly trained, experienced teacher working with students in a classroom,” Gov. Whitmer said. “But we must continue to provide equitable educational opportunities for students during this public health crisis.”
If the plan relies on some online instruction, the district should ensure every student who needs it has access to an appropriate device with an ability to connect to the internet. “Students and families will not be penalized if they are unable to participate in their alternate learning plan,” the announcement states.
Governor’s action also allows other public school action
Gov. Whitmer also announced that schools should continue to provide mental health care services for students “to the extent possible,” and should be ready and willing to help efforts to establish disaster relief childcare centers. School districts will also continue to provide meals for families who need them during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools systems, and other local school districts, have already been providing meals to students during the school closures.
Also, if any schools have unused personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies or other materials, they are allowed and encouraged to donate them to organizations that could put them to use.
Additionally, school districts will have the flexibility to adopt a balanced calendar for the 2019-2020 school year and/or to begin the 2020-2021 school year before Labor Day without having to seek additional approval. Student teachers will still be able to get a temporary certification and current teachers will still be able to get their certifications renewed, even if they can’t meet all the requirements due to COVID-19.
The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.
We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly with COVID-19 related news. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from Wednesday, April 1 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.
Despite rumors, medical professionals are allowed to cross into U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with numerous other law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Michigan, are reporting that they are getting calls from concerned travelers that the border is shut down to medical professionals.
“These rumors that are currently circulating are false,” a state press release states. “The border remains open to all essential travel which includes medical professionals who are vital during these difficult times.”
Michigan National Guard on the job, helping FEMA in Detroit
Approximately 20 members of the Michigan National Guard assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with logistics support to establish a Federal Medical Station in Detroit this week.
“The Michigan National Guard stands ready to support Detroit in its fight against COVID-19,” Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said in the release.
Serita’s Black Rose comes to local stages in two styles — a big, brassy full band fronted by Serita Crowley and an acoustic duo when her beautiful voice really fills the sound-space. Both are perfect in their place, but there is no denying Crowley’s beautiful, soulful voice was made to be heard clearly.
WKTV caught up with Serita’s Black Rose, the stripped down version with only Crowley accompanied by Jon Hayes on guitar, on Feb. 20 of this year as part of our coverage of the City of Kentwood Winter Concert Series. And she did not disappoint.
If you’re feeling a little cooped-up by the COVID-19 restrictions — and who isn’t? — and longing for a community concert featuring local talent, catch Serita’s Black Rose’s concert on demand here as part of WKTV’s “From Your Couch” concert series.
Crowley proudly calls herself a “Funkateer”, and her big band does bring a “raucous mix of funk, rock, neo-soul and Americana,” she states on her website. But “as an acoustic duo, they play much of the timeless ‘feel good music’ from the 60’s and 70’s.”
We couldn’t agree more, as evidenced by the set WKTV has available.
Maybe it was just the crowd at Kentwood’s library, but she leaned heavily on her classic soft rock catalogue — Cat Stevens “Wild World”, for example — which does fit her “duo acoustic” voice perfectly.
Serita Crowley (WKTV)
But when she breaks out her harmonica and a little growl — on songs like the classic “Johnny b Goode” and The Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Running (Without Love)” — things really get moving. And near the end of the set, she really shines on a great cover of one of my all-time favorites, the Steve Winwood (with Blind Faith) classic “Can’t Find My Way Home” … Oh, ya. It’s worth the wait.
For a great interview with Crowley and taste of her big band sound, check out a 2018 YouTube video created by Tracy Evans and Founders Brewery as part of a series called Founders Presents.
If your looking for more great “From Your Couch” concerts, WKTV has a bunch of recent concerts covered by WKTV Community Media and available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.
We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from Tuesday, March 31 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.
More than 2,000 Michigan companies hiring now
There is a lot of businesses shutting down temporary and laying off workers. But, according to the state, Michigan companies need to fill thousands of critical, immediate vacancies to support work during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those in logistics, healthcare, manufacturing and agribusiness industries.
“Michiganders are tough and hardworking, especially in times of crisis,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in the release. “Tens of thousands of open jobs are available right now with more than 2,000 Michigan companies and organizations hiring to continue providing critical services.”
State denies craft store in-store operations are essential
What is essential business and what is not in these times of COVID-19 restrictions? You would probably get some argument from crafters, but Michigan’s Attorney General says craft stores are not an essential business, which allows them to be open and people to visit.
Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office on Monday sent a letter to JoAnn Fabrics indicating the business’s storefront operations should be temporarily suspended while Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order remains in place for non-essential businesses to close.
“I can appreciate the desire of businesses that want to remain open and provide their customers with the same products and services they have come to expect from these retailers, but there must be common sense protections in place during this global health emergency,” Nessel said in the release.
WKTV Community Media is all about the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood, as well as our community volunteers who live all over West Michigan — community people who bring life to our building and to our work. So in these days of social distancing we at WKTV wanted to keep us a little more connected.
So, we asked people to “Tell us how are spending your time?” How has your life and work changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions? What has stayed the same in your life. What advice would you give to the other WKTV community members, and the public at large?
Bill Rinderknecht, volunteer cameraman and content contributor
“Thanks for asking about us in the midst of these life altering circumstances. Like all extroverts —and now many introverts — I’m a little stir crazy because of the stay-at-home restrictions during this COVID-19 season. However, spending time with my wife, Charlotte, has been wonderful.
Bill Rinderknecht. (WKTV)
“Also, we work from home at C Grace Productions (cgraceproductions.com) so not a lot has changed in our ‘day-job’ routine. Thankfully we have captured a lot of video, which needs to be edited so we can start providing content to WKTV. On the other hand, editing requires a lot of time sitting in front of the workstation, which requires a lot of mental gymnastics, concentration, etc. I’d frankly rather be in the field (with horses) and let someone else do the editing.
“One blessing we had was filming the Michigan Horse Expo March 6-8 in Lansing with (WKTV volunteer) Riley Zoet, just before social distancing was directed. It was a great learning and networking experience for us, and Riley proved his worth as a videographer! Speaking of teammates, I miss the regular interaction with other volunteers at sports events, concerts, and other WKTV filming opportunities.”
And his words of wisdom:
“To my teammates, fellow volunteers, now is a great time to go virtual with projects you may have initiated. If you started editing at WKTV but have no such software at home, you can download free, robust editing software called DaVinci Resolve (https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/). Black Magic also has a $300+ version, but the free version doesn’t lack much. I already have an Adobe account and am not inclined to learn a new GUI, but testimonials I have heard speak very highly of even the free version capabilities.”
Thank you Bill (and Charlotte), for all you do.
Interested in learning more about WKTV Community Media, maybe getting involved with our volunteer community? Visit https://wktv.org.
While all Wyoming and Kentwood area school district leaders are in a “wait and see” mode this week awaiting an expected order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district business continues.
At a remotely attended Godfrey-Lee Board of Education meeting Monday, March 30, a brief update by Superintendent Kevin Polston on the status of the school year was followed by the approval by the board of the rebranding of the high school sports teams to become the Lee Legends.
On March 27, Governor Whitmer said in a radio interview that it was “very unlikely” students would be allowed to return to school this school year. But Polston, on Monday, March 30, said to WKTV that his school district is waiting on final word — and guidance from the state — on the details of school cancelling the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
“By all accounts it looks like the remainder of the school year will be canceled,” Polston said to WKTV on Tuesday, March 31. “This is heart breaking news for our students, staff, and families. Our core values include community and relationships, both are predicated on interactions between individuals. Our team has been preparing for this possibility and when we receive official guidance from the Governor, we will have a plan ready for our students to continue learning during the school shutdown.”
A possible design for the Lee Legends football helmets. (Supplied)
At the Monday night meeting, however, district business continued as the board approved the months-long rebranding of the school district and its sports teams and extracurricular programs such as band. The name change from The Rebels to The Legends was known, but the images be used in a wide-range of ways was finalized. At the meeting the board was shown several possible versions of the the images.
“The Legends name will inspire the district and unify our community behind the aspirational goal to #BeLegendary,” Polston said in a March 31 supplied statement. “Students were at the heart of the decision making process, and the spirit of their artwork serves as the inspiration for the mascot design.”
Dragon and Crest in Spanish (possible design). (Supplied)
All athletic uniforms, district signage, murals, and the district’s digital footprint will represent the Godfrey-Lee Legends name beginning in August of this year 2020, according to the statement. The district also included the Spanish version of Legends, “Leyendas”, in the presentation for the potential to be used with apparel to “represent the rich Latinx cultural influence” of the district.
“We are thankful for our donors for supporting the district so that general fund dollars targeted for the classroom aren’t spent on this project,” Polston said. “In particular, we wish to thank the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Frey Foundation, and the Native American Heritage Fund for their generous support. We look forward to full implementation in the fall with the start of the new school year, and the start of a new era in Godfrey-Lee.”
That new era will likely be the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.
On March 23, after the governor announced the “Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Alive” order which called for everyone in non-essential businesses and organizations to stay home through April 13. Schools such as Godfrey-Lee Public Schools promptly temporarily closed. But that temporary closure was extended and schools are awaiting expected direction to stay closed for the remainder of the current school year.
“We are working diligently to come up with a plan to meet the needs of our kids,” Gov. Whitmer said in a public statement late last week. “Anyone who is watching what is happening globally with this pandemic knows it’s probably very unlikely they’re going to get back in school before the end of this year.”
The governor said the state is working on a plan for the cancelation of the remainder of the school year.
“It’s not something you develop overnight because we’ve got an inequitable system across the state of Michigan,” Gov. Whitmer said.
Whitmer’s orders apply to all public, private and boarding school buildings in Michigan.
Local school districts, however, are staying active and engaged with their students and their communities. Godfrey-Lee schools, for example, are encouraging remote learning and making food service for students available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with meals expected to be served throughout the duration of the closure, according to an earlier statement from the school district.
At this point, according the earlier statement, a waiver has been granted by the federal government to cancel state assessments for the 2019-20 school year. But final resolution of the issues of graduation and end-of-year events such as proms are unknown.
All district personnel with the exception of food service and limited maintenance and grounds staff are working remotely for the duration of the closure.
With the March 30 meeting, the Godfrey-Lee Board of Education began hosting Board Meetings remotely but live-streamed and accessible to the community.
The State of Michigan has changed the rules for unemployment benefits to not only increase and expand benefits forWKTVworkers now unemployed by COVID-19’s economic impact but to expand benefits to self-employed and low-wage workers.
According to a March 30 statement from the state government, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, acting as provided by the new federal CARES Act, signed an agreement between Michigan and the U.S. Dept. of Labor to implement Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Compensation programs that grant benefits to workers who do not already qualify for state unemployment benefits.
According to the statement, workers include self-employed, 1099-independent contractors, gig, and low-wage workers who can no longer work because of the pandemic. The agreement also increases weekly benefits for all unemployed workers by $600 a week for up to four months and extends benefit payments from 26 to 39 weeks.
“This increase and expansion of unemployment benefits will provide a measure of security for Michigan working families who lost their income due to the pandemic,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “We are committed to ensuring emergency financial relief for unemployed residents who continue to stay home and stay safe.”
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters also issued a statement on March 30 detailing the expanded benefits, saying that the federal act put into effect by the the governor will “ensure workers – including those who are self-employed and work in the gig economy – have the resources to get through this crisis.”
According to Sen. Peter’s office, “the program will be particularly helpful for those workers who are self-employed or without sufficient work history to qualify for regular unemployment insurance. … (and) it will eliminate the typical weeklong waiting period between applying for and receiving unemployment assistance.”
In addition to individuals whose employers closed due to COVID-19’s economic impact, workers who qualify for assistance under the program include:
Individuals who have the virus, need to self-quarantine to protect themselves and cannot reach their place of employment, or are caring for someone with the disease.
Individuals who must care for a child because of a school closure.
Individuals who are working reduced hours due to the virus.
Rules and suggestions for applying
The following summary of the new rules and information is drawn from both state and federal supplied material:
Under the CARES Act, weekly benefits for all unemployed workers will be increased by a set amount of $600 a week for up to four months.
The additional benefit amount applies to workers already in the unemployment system and eligible employees about to apply. These workers do not need to reapply and those about to apply do not need to take additional steps and should file as usual. If a worker’s application has previously been denied by the UIA in the past three weeks there is no need for them to reapply at this time. They will be notified by the agency with any additional action that may need to be taken.
Workers should apply online at Michigan.gov/UIA and utilize a new filing schedule based on their last name. Workers are encouraged to go online during off-peak times between 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The day or time of day in which a claim is filed will not impact whether a worker receives benefits or their benefit amount. Additionally, claims will be back-dated to reflect the date in which a claimant was laid-off or let go from their job due to COVID-19. The eligibility window to apply has also been increased from 14 to 28 days from the date of their work stoppage.
The state asks workers to file on-line or via the phone — at 866-500-0017 — on set days.
For on-line filing, last names beginning with letters A-L are asked to file claims on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. Last names beginning with letters M-Z are asked to file claims on Sundays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays. Saturdays will be available for anyone to accommodate those who could not file during their allotted window.
For state call center filing, last names beginning with letters A-L are asked to call on Mondays and Wednesdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Last names beginning with letters M-Z are asked to call on Tuesdays and Thursdays also 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays (8 a.m.– 5 p.m.) will be available for anyone to accommodate those who could not file during their allotted window.
Benefits and administrative costs associated with this program are federally funded through the federal unemployment insurance trust fund. The program is administered by state unemployment offices.
“A virtual exhibition was our solution to Michigan’s shelter in place directive by Governor Whitmer,” said Michelle Stempien, KIA Director of Museum Education, adding that opening weekend for the annual exhibition would typically draw thousands of visitors.
“We are approaching 40 years for this exhibition, and of course this is the first time we have shared it online. But we weren’t going to miss the opportunity to offer something so positive to the community — and to honor the hundreds of young artists showing work on the walls,” she said.
She added that education curators turned into videographers early this week, after installing the hundreds of artworks in two of the museum’s first floor galleries. Art teachers from more than 50 public and private elementary and middle schools chose and submitted artwork by their K-8th grade students.
“We hope everyone is inspired by the color and expressiveness of these young artists to bring more art into their own lives,” Stempien said, adding her thanks for the exhibition’s lead sponsor The Tyler-Little Family Foundation, and co-sponsor PLAZACORP.
“We always love seeing the student artwork come in each year; it puts a smile on the faces of everyone who is involved in producing this exhibition,” Stempien said, adding “and we look forward to welcoming the community back to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts very soon.”
The KIA is planning to present a virtual exhibition for upcoming spring exhibitions as needed. This will likely include the juried West Michigan Area Show (April 10) and High School Area Show (April 24).
If you’re feeling a little cooped-up — and who isn’t? — and longing for a community concert featuring local talent, we have good news and good news.
First, WKTV has been told that the people behind Cutlerville’s Sounds of Summer July concert series are already looking past the current COVID-19 restrictions and planning for 2020 summer series.
The Brena Band. (Supplied)
And if you can’t wait that long for a community concert, WKTV has a bunch of recent concerts in Wyoming and Kentwood covered by WKTV Community Media and available on-demand at WKTVlive.org. For example, check out the great August 2019 City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series concert by Brena. Don’t know the band? Check here for a 2019 WKTV story.
Patty Williams and crew. (Supplied)
“It’s a go,” Patty Williams, of P. Williams Productions, said to WKTV on March 26. Sounds of Summer series “music will fill the park … A variety of bands from country, rock, jazz, and Bluegrass, will be setting the stage to entertain the community.”
Williams, who is a longtime WKTV Community Media volunteer, said the concert series, at Cutlerville’s Cutler Park, has gotten the go-ahead to schedule concerts every Thursday night in July, starting July 2, with concerts starting at 7 p.m.
This popular concert series by P. Williams Productions, and LW Studios, has been entertaining the local community for more than five years at Cutler Park, located at 6701 Cutler Park Drive, just off 68th St., near Division Avenue.
To keep up on news of Sounds of Summer, visit their Facebook page @soundsofsummerculterville, or call P. Williams Productions at 616-818-9874.
The Kent County Recycling Center in Grand Rapids will close to all inbound loads of recyclables at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, to limit exposures to COVID-19 to Kent County staff and workers, the Kent County Department of Public Works announced March 26.
“The recycling center employs 40 people who handle the recyclables throughout the sorting process,” the announcement stated. “Due to the proximity of workstations on the processing line, maintaining six feet of separation between workers isn’t possible to maintain operations and minimize worker exposure to the COVID-19 virus. As other manufacturing processors shut down their facilities, Kent County’s ability to transport recyclables to processors and end-users has constricted.”
Beginning 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27, the recycling center will temporarily close to all inbound loads and to all recycling activities. The residential recycling drop-off station at North Kent Recycling & Waste Center will also temporarily close, also beginning at 5 p.m. on March 27. All recyclables normally delivered to these facilities must either be held until the recycling center reopens or placed in a bag for disposal in the trash.
“Kent County’s South Kent Landfill, Waste-to-Energy Facility and North Kent Transfer Station remain open to provide critical solid waste disposal services that sustain and protect public health in our community, as determined by the Department of Homeland Security and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency,” according to the county announcement. “Residents are reminded to bag all trash before placing it at the curb for pickup by a waste hauler to reduce the risk of exposure to waste workers from items like used tissues and other personal hygiene products.”
The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste. Additionally, Public Works operates the Kent County Waste-to-Energy Facility, an electrical generation facility. More information about service changes at Kent County Department of Public Works facilities is available at reimaginetrash.org.
WKTV Community Media is all about the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood, as well as our community volunteers who live all over West Michigan — community people who bring life to our building and to our work. So in these days of social distancing we at WKTV wanted to keep us a little more connected.
So, we asked people to “Tell us how are spending your time?” How has your life and work changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions? What has stayed the same in your life. What advice would you give to the other WKTV community members, and the public at large?
Paul Kabelman, long-time high school sports announcer
“Being retired, not much has changed other than lack of flexibility of going somewhere and not having church on Sunday,” Paul said in an email. “Obviously one change is being more cautious about what you touch and constantly washing your hands, as well as avoiding getting close to someone.”
And his words of wisdom:
“My advise would be to continue to lift our country and its populace in prayer, especially those affected by the virus and those service personnel that are trying to help see us through this time.”
Thank you Paul, for all you do.
Interested in learning more about WKTV Community Media, maybe getting involved with volunteer community? Visit https://wktv.org.
It may not exactly be business as usual for the Kent County Board of Commissioners during the COVID-19 emergency, but the work of conducting the public’s business, in public, continues — and the community is invited to attend and offer comment while maintaining their social distance.
“Pursuant to Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-15, the Kent County Board of Commissioners in order to protect the public health will conduct its (March 26) meeting via electronic communications,” according to a statement from the county administration. “Any member of the public wishing to listen to the proceedings or provide public comment” can do so.
While the March agenda is fairly short, it does — rather appropriately, given the current social restrictions — offer action on Kent County outdoor recreation issues and future projects, including Dwight Lydell Park and Thornapple River Trail Landing. For a complete agenda, visit here.
“It is critically important, especially during this public health crisis, that government maintains its ability to conduct essential business in an open, accessible, and transparent manner while protecting the health and safety of all residents,” Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Mandy Bolter said to WKTV. “With the use of technology, residents will be able to participate remotely in our meeting to nearly the same extent as if they were present.”
The means to provide the public comment include an internet connection and phone access with pass code, as follows:
The Muskegon Museum of Art may be closed to visitors due to the COVID-19 restrictions, but it doesn’t mean lovers of art can’t have some fun with art projects sponsored by the museum.
For adults — or tech-savvy children — with a love of cell-phone selfies, the museum is offering the MMA Selfie Challenge. For children — or children-at-heart — with crayons (or whatever is used these days) in hand, the museum is offering “Color our Collection” coloring book pages.
“Calling all selfie snappers! The MMA is hosting a “Selfies of the Best Kind” challenge,” the museum states in supplied material. “Every other day in March, we are posting a work of art from our collection on Facebook that we encourage you to replicate at home with a selfie.”
The remaining Selfie Challenge Dates are March 25, 27, 29 and 31.
Also, the museum is offering Color our Collection coloring book pages available for download and printing. In all there are seven images from the Muskegon Museum of Art’s permanent collection available, with information about the artist on the second page of the pdf files.
Among the paintings available for coloring are John Steuart Curry “Tornado Over Kansas”, Edward Hopper’s “New York Restaurant”, Dale Nichols’s “Footsteps in the Snow”, Roger Brown’s “Painter of a Birds Eye View”, Jacob Lawrence’s “The Builders: The Family”, Hughie Lee-Smith,’s “Apres-Midi” and Severin Roesen’s “Tabletop Still Life”
For more information and its many activities during and after the COVID-19 restrictions, visit muskegonartmuseum.org.
The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan’s 2020 Great Decisions series of local discussions has already tackled issues such as the current political unrest in “The Philippines under Duterte”, the unfolding idea of “Green Peacebuilding” and “Human Trafficking: Global and Local Perspectives”.
But over the next few weeks, the series will continue it global issue informational efforts with more “issues of national an international importance,” including the India and Pakistan powder keg, China’s power in the Americas, and the present and future of American immigration policy.
The discussions are held Monday evenings and Tuesday noontimes, and will continue through the week of March 30. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these presentations will be available live on YouTube, with the typical World Affairs Council ability to send in a question of the speaker-experts. Presentations will be archived as well. Go to World Affairs Council YouTube channel link at one of the two times listed above to participate: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz_-CQkZ3VwjGkysvMu-P3g.
Coming lecture dates, titles and speakers are:
March 16-17, “The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and National Security”, with Lindsey Sheppard, fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).
March 23-24, “China’s Road into Latin America”, with Margaret Myers, director of Asia & Latin America at Inter-American Dialogue.
March 30-31, “Central American Immigration and U.S. Foreign Policy”, with Sonia Nazario, Pulitzer-winning journalist and author of “Enrique’s Journey”.
For more information on the Great Decisions 2020 series visit here.
Editor’s Note: This concert has been rescheduled for Sept. 11.
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The last time Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Marc Cohn took to St. Cecilia Music Center stage, in early 2017, he “received a resounding standing ovation after totally captivating the audience with his powerful voice and emotional lyrics,” according to one in the audience.
On March 19, Cohn will return with new music and, of course, his classics including the timeless “Walking in Memphis”, and tickets remain available.
“Since he was last here in Spring 2017, Marc has spent time on the road with legendary Michael McDonald, worked closely with David Crosby and other American music greats including soul survivor William Bell, who won his first Grammy at age 78 with Marc’s help in creating Bell’s celebrated album, “This is Where I Live”, Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia Music Center Executive Director, said in supplied material. “With his latest work with the gospel legends Blind Boys of Alabama, we can’t wait to hear his new concert repertoire.”
In August 2019, Cohn released a soul/gospel/pop album “Work to Do”, along with Grammy Award winners Blind Boys of Alabama. The album’s collection “combined Cohn’s unique vocal and songwriting talents with the sanctified genius of these veteran gospel stars,” according to supplied material.
Cohn originally rose to musical fame when he won the Grammy for his soulful ballad “Walking in Memphis,” and since that time he has solidified his place as one of this generation’s “most compelling singer-songwriters, combining the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man.”
No less of a singer/songwriter than Bonnie Raitt reportedly said, “Marc is one of the most soulful, talented artists I know. I love his songs, he’s an incredible singer, and I marvel at his ability to mesmerize every audience he plays for.”
The final St. Cecilia Music Center Acoustic Cafe Folk Series for the 2019-20 season is Shawn Colvin, who also returns returns for her second appearance at St. Cecilia Music Center, on May 19, when she will be performing her newly released album Steady On Acoustic in its entirety. Her original 1989 album Steady On became her first Grammy Award winning album and brought her significant acclaim and a large devoted fan base.
Marc Cohn concert tickets are $40 and $45 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.
A post-concert “Meet-the-artist” reception with a cash bar will be offered to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to possibly meet Marc Cohn and obtain signed CDs of his many releases.
Dr. Adam London, Administrative Health Officer for Kent County, right, and Brian Hartl, county epidemiologist. (Supplied/Kent County)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
There is a lot of information flying around the internet and the airwaves — if not in your household — about the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), so the Kent County Health Department, led by Dr. Adam London, Administrative Health Officer for the county, continues to offer videos with up-to-date information.
In today’s video — travel. London and Brian Hartl, county epidemiologist, discuss what you need to know and how COVID-19 may impact your travel plans. To view the latest video, visit here.
For complete information from the Kent County Health Department on the local news dealing with the COVID 19 virus, and to view all the videos visit here.
According to the health department, public information will be distributed “as the situation warrants it.”
According to the county, here are some basic facts:
COVID-19 is caused by a new respiratory virus. In December 2019, the virus began circulating in humans. Health experts are concerned because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia.
State level information is updated daily at Michigan.gov/coronavirus. Also available are the total number of people who may have been exposed to the virus who are referred to local public health for monitoring or assessment.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus, and they include: fever, cough and shortness of breath Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death.
Health experts are still learning about how this new coronavirus spreads. Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing; close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
The same steps you would take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold twill also help prevent coronavirus disease, including: wash your hands with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing, avoid contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you are sick and contact your healthcare provider.
Angie Morthland-Timan as “Rosie the Riveter”. (Supplied)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
This month’s meeting of the Kentwood Women’s Club, set for Wednesday, March 18, will host an evening with Angie Morthland-Timan as “Rosie the Riveter” as part of Women’s History Month. The meetings, open to the general public, are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at the Kentwood Public Library, 4950 Breton SE in Kentwood.
Morhtland-Timan is a native of Grand Rapids, now lives in Mackinaw City part of the year, and attended Central Michigan University. She has taught physical education and home economics in five different states and two countries. She “has a real passion for the World War II stories and the Rosie The Riveter women who kept the factories going during the war,” according to supplied material. She is currently the Indiana State representative for the American Rosie the Riveter group.
“Morthland-Timan will give us great insight into this important time in history,” according to the Kentwood Women’s Club announcement. “She will provide a framework showing the enormous part women made during the war effort and their contributions to our economy during that time in history.”
The KWC event will begin with a 6:45 p.m. social time with the group meeting starting at 7:15 p.m. and the discussion to follow shortly.
The purpose of KWC is to enhance the cultural, civic, educational, and social opportunities of Kentwood area women. KWC encompasses women in Kentwood and the surrounding area.
This week’s photo of the week celebrates our amazing volunteers. WKTV Volunteer Dan xStevensxx made this cake especially for our recently Volunteer Appreciation Event which was at the WKTV station. Photos provided by WKTV Volunteer Mike Boorsma.
There are lots of volunteer opportunities at WKTV. If you are interested in learning more, call 616-261-5700.
Do you have a photo you would like considered for the photo of the week? Then email it to WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
Chuck and Stella Royce. (St. Cecilia Music Center)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
The term “patron of the arts” is name-dropped often, but there are few people who it more aptly applies to than the late Stella Royce. With her late husband, Chuck, Stella spent decades generously advocating for and directly supporting arts and culture in West Michigan.
One of those arts organizations to benefit from the couple’s patronage was St. Cecilia Music Center — as evidenced by the beautiful renovated Royce Auditorium at the center, to name only the most obvious contribution.
So it is appropriate that St. Cecilia’s 2020 Helen DeVos Legacy Award will honor Stella at its 2nd annual gala, a sold-out event to be held at the music center Saturday, March 7, during Women’s History Month — also appropriate as St. Cecilia came into being in 1883 under the leadership of several local women.
Chuck and Stella Royce. (St. Cecilia Music Center)
“Stella was a vital force in the leadership and vision of St. Cecilia Music Center for over 60 years, and she and her husband, Chuck Royce, consistently promoted and supported St. Cecilia Music Center,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in announcing the award. “Stella and Chuck Royce also generously supported other arts organizations including the Grand Rapids Symphony, Opera Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Ballet, as well as many others. … Stella was truly one of the great patron saints of St. Cecilia Music Center and led a life of service to the arts.”
St. Cecilia held the first annual Helen DeVos Legacy Award Gala in 2019, honoring the first recipient and namesake of the award, the late Helen DeVos. The award is now presented each year during Women’s History Month “to a woman who has helped expand the cultural life of our community and has shown exemplary service to the arts.”
Hearing stories of Stella, both from Holbrook and Charlie Royce, one of several relatives of Chuck and Stella who will be in attendance at the gala, it is clear the woman appreciated the arts and enjoyed life.
“I believe that Stella immediately fell in love with St Cecilia from the first day she visited,” Charlie Royce said to WKTV. “Since she passed away, I have spent a lot of time discovering how Stella became an artist in the first place. Because of her childhood I do not believe music or art was even an option for her. Only in high school did she become exposed to music through singing in the choir at Greenville High School.
“I tend to think this opportunity was perhaps her first place to escape to from a turbulent past into something beautiful. By the time she got to St. Cecilia, she knew that music could provide this same beauty to others that maybe struggled like she did. Thus all the programs for children and support for anyone that wanted to pursue their talent. And to have the means to provide it at a place like SCMC made for a perfect match.”
Royces’ long history with St. Cecilia
Chuck’s history with St. Cecilia actually predates Stella’s.
“Chuck’s mother and grandmother had been involved at SCMC since 1913,” Holbrook said to WKTV. “Chuck grew up roaming the halls of the building while his mother and grandmother performed, went to committee meetings and helped organize various events. So, you could say that SCMC was in Chuck’s blood.
Chuck and Stella Royce, with Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, and visiting musician Frederica von Stade. (St. Cecilia Music Center)
“When Stella met Chuck, her own love of music naturally drew her to the organization that his family had been so involved in for so many years and she took up the cause as wholeheartedly as his mother and grandmother had done. Chuck and Stella were at all events and concerts (at St. Cecilia). In fact, as their health declined and they were not attending events at SCMC regularly any longer, it definitely felt like something was ‘missing’. … We all wished that she could be here to receive it herself but, both Charlie and Maria are musicians themselves and recognize the impact that their parents had on this organization.”
And Chuck and Stella’s “impact” on St. Cecilia goes far behind the perfect acoustics of the renovated auditorium.
“During the renovation in the (19)70’s, the decision was made to make the auditorium handicap accessible,” Charlie said. “My folks turned this into an opportunity by suggesting the Great Artist Series. The series featured world renowned artists and opened with Izsak Perlman, who was at the time the most recognized violinist in the world who also happened to be handicapped.
“Also, after my folks retired and moved to downtown, they became a kind of welcoming committee of two for whomever just moved to Grand Rapids to head a corporation or take over as a president of a bank or college,” he said. “Through casual conversation my folks would learn of their interests, be it in architecture, the arts, cultural history, education … (and) every tour involved a stop at St Cecilia … Chuck and Stella totally recognized the importance of connecting people with something they could participate in and since they were new in town, St. Cecilia became the first place they connected with”
Proceeds from the Helen DeVos Award Gala honoring Stella Royce will help support St. Cecilia Music Center’s artistic performances, its varied music education programs for youth and adults, as well as preservation of the center’s historical building.
St. Cecilia Music Center is the oldest performing arts organization in West Michigan, according to supplied material, began in 1883. Nine women, led be Ella Matthews Pierce, gathered that year to form a society to promote the study and appreciation of music in all of its branches, and to encourage the development of music within the community. They chose to name the new organization after Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music.
In the late 1880’s the members began planning for a building of their own, designed by prominent Chicago architect Henry Ives Cobb, who was a protégé of Carnegie Hall’s architect, William Burnet Tuthill. The building, which currently stands at 24 Ransom Ave., in downtown Grand Rapids, opened to the public in 1894, and is the only building in the United States built by women and has operated solely for the purpose of music.
For more information about St. Cecilia Music Center visit scmc-online.org.
The Listening Room’s jazz series featuring the Robin Connell Trio with guests will continue Saturday, March 7, with singer Mary Rademacher and saxophonist Laurie Sears as guest performers.
The venue is located at Studio Park at 123 Ionia Ave SW. The jazz nights start at 7:30 p.m., with doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12, with open seating, drinks available for purchase, and a parking garage attached.
Pianist and singer Connell’s “house trio” will usually have with Rob Hartman on bass and Keith Hall on the drums. For a video of “Taking a Chance on Love” from last month’s gig, with Hartman on bass and Ethan Bouwsma on drums, visit here.
Robin Connell
“If you’re from west Michigan you know Mary,” Connell said in supplied material. “I know she’s looking forward to performing in an intimate setting without all the talk and clatter, where she is able to connect with listeners and perform tunes she doesn’t often get to sing.”
But audiences “might not know the fabulous Laurie Sears. She makes her home in Traverse City but travels all over for performances, often at DeVos concert hall when touring artists perform there and hire top pros to back them up,’ Connell said. “Laurie and I have played together for several years, mostly up north.”
For more information on the jazz series and all concerts at Listening Room, visit listeningroomGR.com or call 616-900-9500.
For more information on Robin Connell, visit robinconnell.com. Next month playing with Robin Connell Trio at Listening Room is Carl Cafagna, on April 1.
Online ticket sales are available but with a handling fee. The movie box office downstairs has tickets for all shows, available in advance. Parking is available in attached garage and is free if patrons purchase drink or food in the restaurant downstairs before or after the show.
Kelly Baldwin, retired Kentwood Police Officer. (Kentwood Police Department)
By Kentwood Police Department
The Kentwood Police Department and the local community are mourning the loss of retired Officer Kelly Baldwin who passed away on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Her engaging smile and energetic laugh were well known throughout the local law enforcement community and Kelly’s difficult fight inspired many. She will truly be missed.
Kelly retired from the department Dec. 20, 2019, after serving the Department and community for 20 years.
Kelly’s assignments during her career at the Kentwood Police Department include Patrol Officer and Detective. She quickly developed into an incredible investigator, and her talents and expertise in this area benefited not only the Kentwood Police Department but other agencies over the last 13 years of her career. She also demonstrated an incredible drive to solve cases and was always a seeker of justice for the victims.
Her true character was evident by her daily display of thoughtfulness and generosity to everyone she came in contact with. A few examples include the purchase of a memorial headstone for a family of a dog that was killed during a home invasion, hiring an exterminator to treat for bed bugs at a sexual assault victim’s home, and collecting money to purchase Christmas gifts for two young boys whose mother was murdered by their father just before Christmas.
Kelly leaves behind her husband and four children. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 4, from 3–5 p.m., and 7–9 p.m., at Cook Funeral Home, 4235 Prairie St SW, Grandville. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, at Grand Rapids First, 2100 44th St SW, Wyoming. There will be visitation from 10–11 a.m., prior to the service.
Federal CDC-privided Coronavirus test kit. (Kent County Health)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
There is a lot of information flying around the internet and the airwaves — if not in your household — about the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), so the Kent County Health Department late last week began series of videos with Dr. Adam London, Administrative Health Officer for the county.
“I certainly don’t think this is time to panic,” Adam London, Kent County’s Administrative Health Officer, said in the first video. “However, I do think it is responsible to think about thing we can do.”
To view the first video, which includes basic safety tips, in its entirety, visit here.
According to the health department, public information will be distributed “as the situation warrants it,” but “we anticipate 2 to 3 (videos) per week for the foreseeable future … following our daily COVID 19 briefings.”
To view the latest video, in which London discuses both the use of the term “COVID-19” virus instead of “coronavirus,” visit here.
According to the county website, here are some of the latest news and developments:
COVID-19 is caused by a new respiratory virus. In December 2019, the virus began circulating in humans. Health experts are concerned because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia.
At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan. Information about the number of persons under investigation (PUIs) and specimens tested is updated daily at Michigan.gov/coronavirus. Also available are the total number of people who may have been exposed to the virus who are referred to local public health for monitoring or assessment.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus, and they include: fever, cough and shortness of breath Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death.
Health experts are still learning about how this new coronavirus spreads. Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing; close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
The same steps you would take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold twill also help prevent coronavirus disease, including: wash your hands with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing, avoid contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you are sick and contact your healthcare provider.
This CDC’s laboratory test kit for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is being shipped to laboratories which the CDC has designated as qualified, including U.S. state and local public health laboratories, Department of Defense (DOD) laboratories and select international laboratories.
For complete information from the Kent County Health Department on the local news dealing with the COVID 19 virus, visit here.
Former Major League Baseball player Darryl Stawberry has four World Series Titles, was the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year, was an 8-time All-Star, and hit home runs like few players before or since.
But he also struggled with substance abuse and colon cancer that ultimately ended his career but, according to supplied material, “it was through these challenges that Strawberry became a Christian and his become passionate about sharing his story of hope, redemption and restoration.”
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will feature Strawberry and his story as the West Michigan Pro Athlete Breakfast on Saturday, March 14, from 8-10 a.m., at Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids.
The breakfast is open to the general community, sports teams, FCA huddles, churches and youth groups. Seats and tables are still available but seating is limited.
“The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is excited to welcome former MLB All-Star Darryl Strawberry to West Michigan,” is states in supplied material. “He has an inspiring story of redemption and grace in a world of temptation and high pressures.”
And Strawberry’s story fits in perfectly with the “Core Values” of the FCA, according to its website, which states that “Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.”
Among other activities of the FCA are Huddles, a certified small group bible study/devotion for coaches and athletes; camps, certified ministry events that use the annual theme and scripture for athletes and coaches to develop athletic skills, create influential relationships and encounter Jesus Christ; the FCA Coaches Ministry, which is the ministry program to coaches through huddles, events, training and resources; and a variety of international trips with FCA staff and other partner organizations around the globe.
To register for a individual seats, at $50 per seat, or for table and sponsor opportunities, visit here. For more information on the Michigan Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visit here.
Shanika Carter’ will discuss her new book “To Lead or Not to Lead” and will sign books Thursday, March 5, at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch Kent District Library. (Supplied by the Author)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Author Shanika Carter’s new book “To Lead or Not to Lead” has the appropriate subtitle of “Breaking the Glass Ceiling Using Lessons from Your Past Experiences”.
In the book — which she will be speaking on and signing copies of at the Kentwood KDL Branch Library March 5 — Carter makes the case that while people can be helped on their personal and career journeys by other people, the best help may well be understanding and learning from one’s own positive and negative experiences.
Shanika Carter. (Supplied)
“I share not only my experiences, but those of others who have emphasized a lack of mentorship and encouragement to move up the ladder in their fields,” Carter said to WKTV. “For me, though, although I did experience a lack of the mentorship along the way, I learned quite a bit about myself and how to overcome obstacles I encountered.”
Carter’s discussion and book signing will take place Thursday, March 5, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch Kent District Library, 4950 Breton SE, Kentwood. The event is free and open to the public.
Carter’s talk, and book signing with snacks, will be followed at 6:30 p.m. by a library equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) community conversation. And while the author will not be directly involved in the discussion, she strongly supports the inclusion efforts.
“I plan to support and participate in (the EDI conversation) on the 5th,” Carter said. “When I lived in Grand Rapids, before starting my writing/editing business … and getting back into teaching, I was employed part time in KDL’s circulation pool, rotating to the various locations to assist.
“That was over five years ago, so my relationship with KDL began then, and continued as I got my writing up off the ground, having participated as a guest speaker for one of KDL’s annual writing conferences … I appreciate everything that they have done with me on this journey.”
Carter’s journey includes graduating from Muskegon Heights High School, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising from Michigan State University and her Master of Science degree in communications from Grand Valley State University.
Carter has worked as an adjunct instructor at ITT Technical Institute and Jackson College’s Prison Education Initiative program. She currently works in the writing center at Muskegon Community College, also teaching for the Communications and College Success Center departments, and is also an adjunct instructor at Montcalm Community College, where she teaches interpersonal communications and speech.
Carter is also a big supporter of the need for all persons — students, reformed prisoners, everybody — have the ability to communicate to be successful in life and careers.
“It is highly important to be able to communicate both verbally and in written form, particularly in a time where we, and so many of our youth, are in a social media world where even the communication is so different,” Carter said. “I’ve heard from teachers (and) parents over the years about how basic handwriting was no longer a requirement, like it was when I was growing up. Also, with social media, we find more people communicating in other ways outside of face-to-face contact and even using a more condensed language to exchange messages.
“As an instructor at this level of education, I am amazed at how many students I do encounter who do have difficulties with basic writing and grammar, let alone social and interpersonal skills. With the combination of losing some of the basic writing and communication requirements that were available in the past, and then dealing with those who allow their social media interactions to lapse over into their regular, face-to-face or written communications, the importance of communications and writing is just as relevant and important to continue in education.”
For more information on Shanika P. Carter’s book “To Lead or Not to Lead: Breaking the Glass Ceiling Using Lessons from Your past Experiences”, visit here. For more information on her The Write Flow and Vibe project, visit here.
For more information on the KDL Kentwood event, visit here. Follow the Kent District Library on various social media platforms — Facebook: facebook.com/KentDistrictLibrary and Instagram: @kentdistrictlibrary and Twitter: @KDLNews.
Kids of all ages and butterflies mix at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition — reportedly the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation — will bring more than 7,000 tropical butterflies to West Michigan beginning Sunday, March 1.
This year’s exhibition highlights Nathaniel Ward and the invention of the Wardian Case.
In 1827, Ward accidentally invented terrariums while studying caterpillars and moths by placing them in jars. He noticed that plants were flourishing in these sealed jars and discovered that plants and insects better survived the harsh conditions in London, a city known for heavy pollution at the time, if they were enclosed in sealed containers. This discovery led to horticulturists being able to transport items around the globe and these early “fern cases” paved the way for modern terrariums, greenhouses and conservatories.
“Step Into the glass house during this year’s Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition and discover how the invention of the Wardian case changed the world,” Lisa Roo, project manager, said in supplied material. “This year’s theme offers our community a sense of wonder with magical glass houses from four feet tall to our iconic fifty-foot-tall Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory.
“We offer our guests the unique experience of stepping into glass houses to see butterflies soaring, caterpillars munching, and learn how the Wardian case paved the way for modern terrariums and greenhouses.”
A new Wardian case will be located in the adjacent Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor.
Approximately 60 colorful species of butterflies and moths journey from butterfly-rich regions of Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Philippines and Kenya to fly freely in the five-story tall, 15,000 square-foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. At 85 degrees and 70 percent humidity, this balmy environment mimics the tropical regions that the butterflies call home.
Butterflies and flowers will be on display at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)
Species of butterflies expected to arrive include the blue common morpho, whose iridescence impresses in flight, as well as brushfoot varieties such as the Clearwing, Lacewing and Zebra Mosaic. Likewise, the longwings captivate with distinctive wing patterns as seen on the Small Blue Grecian, Doris, Postman and Tiger butterflies. Gliders like the Emperor, Ruby-Spotted and Orchard Swallowtails will also add to the diverse assortment.
More than 1,000 pupae arrive at Meijer Gardens weekly from around the world. Guests can watch as delicate chrysalides and cocoons are placed in the Observation Station, where these unique and fascinating creatures then transform and spread their wings for the first time.
The Caterpillar Room, located within the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, features monarch caterpillars. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)
The Caterpillar Room, located within the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, features monarch caterpillars. Here guests will have the opportunity to learn more about how plants, butterflies and moths live in and under glass. Caterpillars hungrily feed on milkweed host plants mixed in with the flowering spring plantings and ferns that encompass the perimeter of the seasonal display greenhouse.
A docent will be present to help guide guests and enhance the experience. Volunteers are also “Wanted. Needed. Appreciated.” with various jobs and shifts. Contact Valerie Maciejewski at vmaciejewski@meijergardens.org or 616-974-5221.
There will be extended hours during Spring Break (Monday to Friday, April 6-10, 9 a.m. top 9 p.m.) and There are several special exhibition activities also set for the show. For more information visit meijergardens.org.
The crowd at the 2019 Taste of Kentwood. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The City of Kentwood invites residents and all West Michiganders of all ages to a celebration of food, fun and local business at a community-celebration event, Taste of Kentwood, on Thursday, March 12.
Now in its 19th year, Taste of Kentwood will be held at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE. The event will feature a variety of local restaurants offering samples of appetizers, entrées, sides and desserts during two sessions: 4:30-6 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m.
One of the eateries at the 2019 Taste of Kentwood. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
“Kentwood is known for its incredible diversity which is demonstrated in our ranging dining options,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “From ethnic to American, high-end to casual, Taste of Kentwood is the ideal opportunity to try new foods, meet neighbors and make the most of what the city has to offer, all in one spot.”
In addition to tasting the local cuisine, there will be live music from the band Just Cuz, an acoustic duo that performs an eclectic mix of cover tunes from an array of genres.
The restaurants and food venders elected to be present include old favorites as well as eateries new to the city, including: Broad Leaf Beer, Café Boba, City Barbeque, Dave & Buster’s, Jet’s Pizza, Peppino’s Sports Grille & Pizzeria, PJ’s Pizza, Coffee & Ice Cream, Red Robin, Tim Hortons, Uccello’s Ristorante, Underground Cookie Club, YoChef’s Catering Company and Zason Latino.
For more information and for tickets for either session, visit here. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 on the day of the event. Children, 5 and younger, are free.
St. Cecilia Music Center Jazz series continues Thursday, March 5, when Grammy Award winning jazz vocalist Luciana Souza comes to the Royce Auditorium Stage with a program called “The Book of Longing”, performing alongside Chico Pinheiro and Scott Colley for “a night of sultry Brazilian jazz.”
Souza according to supplied information, “transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music, and an enlightened approach to new music.”
“We are thrilled to have the multi-talented Luciana Souza on stage at St. Cecilia Music Center ,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia executive director, said in supplied material. “To quote Billboard Magazine, ‘Her music soulfully reflects, wistfully regrets, romantically woos, joyfully celebrates …’ All of us are looking forward to hearing her amazing voice and discovering her joyful, soulful and heartfelt music.”
As a jazz vocal leader, Souza has been releasing acclaimed recordings since 2002, including her six Grammy nominated records Brazilian Duos, North and South, Duos II, Tide, Duos III, and The Book of Chet. Her debut recording for Universal, The New Bossa Nova, was produced by her husband, Larry Klein, and was met with widespread critical acclaim.
Souza’s recordings also include two works based on poetry — The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop And Other Songs, and Neruda.
From 2005 to 2010, she was the Jazz Artist in Residence with the prestigious San Francisco Performances. In 2005 and 2013 Luciana was awarded Best Female Jazz Singer by the Jazz Journalists Association.
For more information about Luciana Souza visit her website at lucianasouza.com.
Concert tickets for Luciana Souza are $40 and $45 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.
A pre-concert reception for $15 at 6:30 pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres, is available by reservation in advance (reserve by Friday, February 28). A post-concert party with dessert, coffee and wine is open to all ticket-holders to meet the artists, obtain autographs and CD purchases.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show (supplied/Ben Donoghue)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Ah, another sign of spring coming — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park giving us a little taste of the 2020 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts series line-up, with the first four acts announced recently.
Meijer Gardens’ annual concert series features “an eclectic mix of alternative, indie, blues and classic rock,” according to the announcement, and the first four cover that spectrum: Gregory Alan Isakov on June 7, Squeeze on July 9, Michael Franti & Spearhead on Aug. 16 and The Australian Pink Floyd Show on Aug. 30.
The complete lineup will be announced in mid-April.
Members of Meijer Gardens will have the first opportunity to purchase discounted tickets during an exclusive members-only pre-sale, April 25 through May 8. During the pre-sale, members receive a $5 discount per ticket.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on May 9. More information on prices and purchasing options will be available following the release of the full lineup in mid-April.
Michael Franti & Spearhead. (Supplied)
Brief, supplied information on the four concerts is as follows:
Gregory Alan Isakov was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and now calls Colorado home. He is a horticulturist-turned-musician and “has cast an impressive presence on the indie-rock and folk worlds.” Isakov has toured internationally with his band and has performed with several symphony orchestras across the United States. He also manages a small farm which provides produce to over a dozen local restaurants.For more information on Gregory Alan Isakov, visit gregoryalanisakov.com.
Squeeze first formed in 1973, shortly after Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook had begun their songwriting partnership, brought together by an ad in a sweetshop window. By 1977 they had made their recording debut and enjoyed a string of hits which lasted until 1982 on the back of New Wave. Over the years there have been solo careers and occasional separations, but the Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriting duo reunited in 2007 to relaunch Squeeze and have been touring, writing and recording together since.For more information on Squeeze, visit squeezeofficial.com.
Leading Michael Franti & Spearhead, Franti is a musician, humanitarian, filmmaker, and activist who is recognized as a pioneering force in the music industry. He believes that there is a great battle taking place in the world today between cynicism and optimism, so he made his most recent album, Stay Human Vol. II, to remind himself — and anyone who’s listening — that there is still good in the world and that is worth fighting for.For more information on Michael Franti & Spearhead, visit michaelfranti.com.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show performs the music of Pink Floyd “with note for note perfection” and “this critically acclaimed show has been astonishing audiences worldwide for more than three decades.” Always striving to reproduce the complete Pink Floyd experience and bring the music to new audiences, the show continues to include a stunning light and laser show, video animations, state of the art, high resolution LED screen technology and other special effects. In addition, and in true Pink Floyd fashion, there are several huge inflatables including a giant pig and their own unique Pink Kangaroo.For more information on The Australian Pink Floyd Show, visit aussiefloyd.com.
Kentwood’s Veterans Memorial Park would be one of the many parks and recreation areas to see improvement from a proposed millage. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Kentwood City Commission recently gave unanimous approval of a millage question to be put on the August ballot “to improve Kentwood parks, trails and recreational facilities and programming,” according to a Feb. 24 city statement.
The ballot question will ask voters to consider authorizing a millage of 0.9 mills for a period of 10 years, which would then be reduced to a perpetual millage of 0.65 mills. The tiered millage would be dedicated solely to construct, operate, maintain and acquire parks, trails and recreation improvements and programs.
If approved, the millage would fund improvements to the City Campus, a new community center, improvements to all parks and allow for trail improvements, as well as support enhanced programming.
“Since celebrating the city’s 50th anniversary in 2017, considerable time and effort has been dedicated to developing plans for the next 50 years of community growth,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “With clear direction from Kentwood residents, the plans would improve all the parks and enhance the trail systems, while providing for a central community gathering place, which is a frequent request from our residents.”
Kentwood has more than 13 miles of non-motorized trails, which are used year-round by residents and visitors, as well as parks that cover more than 300 acres. More than 700 recreational programs and numerous community events for people of all ages and abilities are offered through the Parks and Recreation Department in the Kentwood Activities Center, on the City Campus and at other locations.
Millage details
A mill is 1/1000th of a dollar or .001 cents. If a tax rate, or millage rate, is a 0.9 mill, a resident would be taxed .009 cents for every dollar, or $0.90 per $1,000 of the taxable value of his or her property. For a 0.65 mill, that would equate to $0.65 per $1,000 of taxable value, according to city information.
For example, a residential home with a taxable value of $100,000, the cost of 0.9 mills would be $90 per year for 10 years. After 10 years, the millage would reduce to 0.65, which would equate to $65 per year.
Projects millage would fund
The proposed millage would support the following improvements:
Bowen Station Park: New restroom, new playground components, gateway signage, site amenities, landscaping.
Burgis Park: Trail and sidewalk improvements, drinking fountain.
City Campus: Splashpad, playground, plaza, shelters, stage, event lawn, parking, restrooms, site amenities.
Community center: Approximate 40,000-square-foot community center (to be designed).
East Paris Nature Park: Trail improvements, signage, site amenities.
Home Acres Park: Skate park improvements, shade shelters, lighting, signage, site amenities, landscaping.
Rondo Street Station Park: Playground, site amenities, landscaping.
Stanaback Park: Playground, ADA improvements, parking improvements, signage, pickleball courts, site amenities, landscaping.
Stauffer Station Park: Kiosk, lighting, signage, site amenities, landscaping.
Summerwood Park: Playground, landscaping.
Trails: Repair, replacement or the creation of new connections.
Veterans Memorial Park: New soccer field and playground expansion (to be completed in FY 2021 via Community Development Block Grant funding).
“The improvements identified through our extensive community engagement and planning process demonstrated our community needs have grown beyond our current budget,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “The Parks and Recreation Department has exhausted current general funds, including a parks millage that expired in 2013.
“We have only been able to achieve improvements through various grant opportunities which are becoming more and more difficult to acquire,” she said. “To keep pace with our growing community needs, new funding is critical.”
Work of community-led advisory committee
The City Commission decision comes on the heels of a recommendation made by the City of Kentwood Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee. The City Commission worked with the committee to refine the plan.
The plan objectives are to begin improvements to City Campus in year two, address the most immediate needs at every park within the first five years, start construction on a new community center in year five and complete all remaining improvements within 10 years.
In addition to the potential permanent dedicated millage, the City would contribute up to $3.6 million from other funding sources and a future loan of up to $5 million, which would come from the City’s Special Assessment Revolving Fund. An internal loan would eliminate the need to issue a bond and associated interest, according to the city.
The 19-member advisory committee included a broad cross-section of Kentwood residents to ensure the diverse needs of the community would be represented in the review of the proposed improvements. Ed Kape, who currently serves on the Planning Commission and as chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, served as chair of the advisory committee. Dustin Moseley, a Parks and Recreation commissioner, served as vice chair.
“At the charge of City Commission, Kentwood residents from all over the community pulled together to create this plan,” Kape said in supplied material. “As residents, we unanimously concluded that a millage was necessary to create a sustainable funding plan for the future of our parks, trails and recreational programming.
“We are pleased the City Commission has approved putting the millage question on the August ballot so residents can weigh in on this opportunity to support our parks in a new and meaningful way.”
In developing its recommendation, the advisory committee reviewed, and prioritized improvements identified in the Parks and Recreation Business Plan, Parks Master Plan, Non-Motorized Trail Plan and findings from the Plan Our Parks – POP! Public Engagement Series.
“We are thankful for the residents’ involvement in the committee and its holistic review process,” Mayor Kepley said. “The detailed visionary planning they’ve contributed to will increase Kentwood’s excellent quality of life for many years to come.”
Kentwood’s Sylvia James, right, is sworn in to serve on the the Kent ISD School Board. James is also serving as Trustee on the Board of Education for Kentwood Public Schools. (Supplied/Kent ISD)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Kent ISD School Board recently announced the appointment of Sylvia James to fill the opening on the board created when Bill Joseph retired. James is also serving as Trustee on the Board of Education for Kentwood Public Schools.
According to the ISD statement, in addition to her service in Kentwood’s public school system, she has extensive professional experience in operational and strategic human resources practices and management at Pridgeon & Clay, Inc., and previously with Steelcase, Spectrum Health and Robert Bosch, LLC.
“We are pleased to welcome Sylvia to the Kent ISD School Board and look forward to enlisting her experience, passion and dedication to serve all students in the Kent County area,” Ron Caniff, Superintendent, Kent ISD, said in supplied material. “The board is grateful to Bill Joseph for his 18 years of service, countless insights and many contributions throughout the years. We look forward to continuing this important work with Sylvia’s leadership and commitment to public education.”
James has lived in the Kentwood area for more than 25 years and is interested in expanding her reach to help meet the needs of students throughout the region, according to the ISD.
“I love how Kent ISD works collaboratively with all of the districts to provide programs and services to the residents of 23 public and non-public school districts.” James said in supplied material. “I am committed to ensuring that our students are well educated, as we provide for their safety and welfare.”
James was sworn in at the February Kent ISD School Board meeting. She will serve until the June 2021 election, at which time she can run to serve the remainder of Joseph’s term, through 2025.
Kent ISD is a regional educational service agency “devoted to achievement for all students,” and provides instructional and administrative services to more than 300 schools, 20 public districts, three non-public districts, and many public school academies and non-public schools.
For more information on the Kent ISD, see kentisd.org.
