We filled the room with Adrianna, Zoe, Braeden, & Tiffany Horne, of the TRHS Kindness Club & Yearbook Committee:

-Kindness Club supports Students and community members

-Why people join & some of their favorite projects:

Supporting band

Feeding families at Thanksgiving

Providing good peer pressure

Making impact on classmates & community

Help families for Christmas

-Teacher Sponsor (Tiffany Horne) role:

Cheerleader

Mother

Supporter

Meeting guidance ...& more

-Community Action Partnership/Walk for Warmth

Ways to donate/support

Walk through TR Feb 29

-Quadruple growth

-BE KIND

-Future Plans (besides Walk for Warmth):

Currently looking for opportunity! Open to suggestions!

Call Three Rivers High School 269.279.1120 if you know of a need, ask for Tiffany Horne

-Donations welcomed

-YEARBOOK SALE:

1994-2018 ONLY $10 (get yours, or a gift for someone)

2019 $40

Contact Tiffany Horne at TRHS 269.279.1120

-SHARE THE KINDNESS

In the second episode of our NEWEST Mini Podcast Series, FOODIE FRIDAY, Nathan and Clayton are still learning new things about Restaurants provided by Social Media Influencer, The Kalamazoo Foodie. In this episode we talk about a restaurant in the Portage area called BraVo! Restaurant & Cafe. We also find out that Clayton has been for brunch and loves it, including their Mimosa’s. Mimosa’s ? Really Clayton? No Judgement there. But is it really brunch without a mimosa?

In this episode we talk about everything BraVo! Restaurant & Cafe has to offer. First and foremost, their award-winning Brunch every Sunday. A huge spread of BraVo favorites, Omelet station, Beef, Chicken, waffles, their famous white chocolate mousse and so much more. Adults are $20, Children are $10 and Seniors are $17. They make all of their breads, salad dressings, and desserts in house, to include some of their pasta. Their Ravioli is made in house and the rest is provided by a local pasta chef/business called West Michigan Pasta Provisions. BraVo! Also has a huge wood fired oven for making pizzas and their salmon! They offer steak, seafood, the best duck in town, and handcraft small-batch beer!

BraVo’s offers a cozy casual atmosphere, with many rooms too sit in including a fireplace. Also great for corporate events, rehearsal dinners, birthday, or any special occasion. Every so often BraVo’s will offer ‘Thank You Thursday’s’ to say thank you to their customers by offering them ½ off ALL Pizza, Pasta Dishes, and Pints of Beer. Date Night anyone? Last but not least, this location is privately owned and not a part of the BraVo Chain, but owned by 2 Brothers who are very talented chefs that have worked in many restaurants across the country before settling here in Portage!

In this episode Nathan and Clayton stuff their faces with burgers, pizza, and information about how much 'The LOCAL' is investing in our community, with Dan Thomas:

-A great place to Eat, Drink, Karaoke...and get engaged?

-5 years of investing...so far, by husband and wife team

-From Bar to Restaurant/Bar/Pizza Shop with hundreds of beer options (including 20+ on tap)

-Why Centreville?

-Must see Burgers & Pizza on FB (link to images below)

-Burger of the Month & Pizza of the Week! Winners & Losers!!

-Food sampling by Nathan & Clayton

-Drink Specials...and why they are so special

-Options from Gourmet to $1 Burgers

-Bar Scene Friday & Saturday nights (Karaoke & Live Music)/Restaurant & Pizza Shop all others

-Hours

Monday:Closed

Tuesday: 11AM-10PM (Trivia starts at 7PM)

Wednesday: 11AM-10PM (Build your own burger ; starting at $1)

Thursday: 11AM-10PM (1/2 off Craft Beer Drafts)

Friday: 11AM-12/1AM (Karaoke starts at 9PM)

Saturday: 11AM-11PM/12AM (Live Music)

-Upcoming Event: Tap Take Over

-Future Plan: EXPAND this Spring! Plus, additional take out & deliveries possible.

In this episode Nathan sits down and talks to 3 promoters of TRCP and 'CLUE on Stage' (one of which is Clayton):

-Promotions Chair*

-Our Guest Patrick Nugent & Roger Myers

-What is TRCP & what do they do???

-The pole barn, in the field, in front of Walmart (more than meets the eyes)

-The Value

-Blackmail

-GET TICKETS NOW (Only 84 seats available per show, link below)

-Something to do in TR

-CLUE on Stage (Tickets on Sale NOW):

Similar to the movie

Nostalgic of the Game

Exciting-Lots of Energy-Lots of Physical Comedy

Opens Feb.21 - March 1st (see link below)

The perfect Valentine's Day gift!!!

-Our experiences with acting & TRCP

-TRCP teaching (Improv/Kids Shows) ALL WELCOME

-Improv Showcase

-Jr Program

-"Break a leg"...what does that even mean???

-Games that changes lives...or ends them

-GO SEE 'CLUE on Stage', then go watch 'Clue the Movie'

-Go above & Beyond this Valentine's Day with Flowers from Ridgeway Floral and Gift and tickets to LIVE theatre

-Upcoming shows

-Support local theatre

-CCPodcast now on Facebook...Connecting the Community

*Clayton has served on the promotion team but not been the Promotions Chair, but has been Community Liaison Chair at TRCP.

In this episode Nathan and Clayton take a nonpolitical look at City Elections, Community Foundation, Armstrong Park, and Scholarships; with Melissa Bliss (City Clerk/TRACF Administrative Director) and Jared Hoffmaster (TRACF President/River Country Sports Commission VP):

-Elections:Absentee Ballots, Party Affiliated, Registering, Glen Oaks Millage, timelines

-Partnership:City, TRACP, County, RCSC & the Community!

-Armstrong Park: Ribbon Cutting/Opening Day for Little League on April 25th

--5.5 million raised (including $850,000+ from Armstrong International, $500,000+ Metal Technologies, Fibre Converters and Stuck family, Kline's Resort and Kline family, Taylor Family and many more)

--Community Park, Rocket Football, Little League, AYSO Soccer, Pickleball, 9-hole disc golf, 1-mile trail, Concessions, Smiling Faces, and so much more (something for every age and ability).

--Future Potential/"Wish List": Basketball, Volleyball, Splash Pad???

--Mo Money, Mo Problems (or opportunities and hurtles)

-TRACF Scholarships & Grants (over 20)

--Scholarship available: TR Grads, Howardsville, Cass County, Trades, CTE Students and more

--DEADLINE March 1st

--Rotary Club Honors Night: 1st Wednesday in May (scholarships announced)

--Apply, Donate, learn more???

On this episode of The Community Connection, we sit down with local real estate pro Rob Martell to discuss:

-The current Three Rivers area real estate market

-Tips for first time home buyers

-Investing in real estate

-VA (Veterans) home loans

-Foreclosures

-Getting your real estate license

Nathan & Clayton take an exciting, caffeinated, visit to L.A.Coffee Cafe and sit down with Leslie Ann & Aimee:

-L.A. = Leslie Ann, Leslie & Aimee, or Los Angeles???

- Pooch Patio w/ Menu (Bring you little buddy with you)

-"Clayton doesn't like dogs"...The Controversy, The Truth

-Nathan Martell...SWM, must love dogs

-Late January 20th Anniversary (& 13th at current location)!!!

-Cool location with a relaxing, comfortable vibe

-VIP Room Available for a tea party, business meeting, planning session, and...podcast recordings

-LOCATION:Directly behind Martell Realty, across from Preferred Insurance Services

-Outdoor seating (for humans also), either up by the road or outback between the rivers

-Nathan the (Coffee Snob) says, "L.A.'s Espresso is the best around!"

-Try L.A.'s signature drink: L.A.'s Latte (real chocolate, real caramel, espresso, steamed milk, and whip topping)

-Nitro Brew on tap: cuts down down the acidity...one of Michigan's first to introduce the product

-Homemade, Family Recipe Desserts: Scones are Cake-like, not dry

-Breakfast & Lunch Menus: Everything from Turkey Cranberry Melts, BLTs, Veggie Pita, to Belgium Waffles (fruit covered, Reese's, Butter Finger...etc), Breakfast Skillets (and maybe Crepes:coming soon).

- "#1 Coolest Coffee Shop in Michigan"

-"Best Coffee" 20years in a a row (Reader's Choice)

-What is a POUR OVER???

-French...Strong? No Apologizes, except one

-Movie made onsite

-Death Wish Coffee:Smooth with 3X the caffeine

-Ricky's Ride and our community

-MTV used to play music videos

-Hours of Operation: M-F 6AM-4PM, Sat. 8AM-2PM, Closed Sundays

-LOCAL GIVEAWAYS

-20th Anniversary...follow on Facebook!!

In this episode Nathan flatters and then excites Clayton about what the new year has coming for the Chamber & the Podcast in 2020 (GUEST- Christy Trammell: President of the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce):

-Onsite Podcast, potential at Ribbon Cuttings in 2020

-Most "Chamber Events" open to the public!

-Annual Legislative update with Aaron Miller & Kim LaSata (Detail link in notes) Please RSVP with the Chamber (Light breakfast included)

-18th Annual IceBreaker Chamber-Fundraiser Auction (Detail link in notes). Hundreds of items for auction, including: Trip to Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Trip to Grand Traverse in Traverse City, Grill, Sports Equipment, Gift Card, Golfing Certificates, Bundle Packages, Oil Changes, Food Certificates, and so much more...Tickets available through Chamber, Ambassadors, and Board Members.

-Businesses looking to donate, please contact Chamber, Ambassadors, or Board Members.

-Leadership St. Joe County 2020 is a 9 classes over 9 months leadership program starting Jan 22nd and is open to the public (Detail link in notes). Leadership includes: DISC Assessment, Motivator Assessment, in Education, in Government, in Manufacturing, in Community (Project), rules for running board meetings (Robert's Rules). OPEN TO PUBLIC. This includes potential credits with Glen Oaks Community College, helping set you apart from the pack.

-"Building A Winning Team" Half-Day Leadership training March 11th 8am-noon OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVP with the Chamber. Perfect for teams and leaders.

-State of the Area (Area Chamber includes T.R., Centreville, Constantine, & Mendon) Friday Feb 14th 8am -9:30am at Commission On Aging Building on Broadway. RSVP required

In this episode Nathan steps back (for medical reasons) and has Clayton take the lead, interviewing Paul Lippen (McKenna Associates) & Tricia Meyer (DDA/Mainstreet) while introducing the public to the 'Three Rivers Master Plan'...as well as:

-Public Conversation Starts here...

-Introduce Tricia Meyer (Executive Director of DDA/Main Street)

-Introduce Paul Lippens (Director of Urban Design of McKenna Associates)

-What is a Master Plan, what is in it, and why?

-TR looking for collaborated vision

-McKenna/City of TR/Community connected by Committee Chairs

-Engaging the Community, giving a voice, and incorporating ideas and plans

-Focus Groups (PUBLIC WELCOMED-share your ideas)

-How to plug-in during this multi-month process

-4 phases to expect

1) Research & Evaluation

2) Establishment of Goals & Objectives

3) Future land Use & Transportation

4) Public Involvement

-Tricia's Passion for connecting the natural resources (namely the Three Rivers) to the downtown and sharing them with the surrounding communities. Connecting our Community... LIVE/WORK/PLAY and meeting our potential

-Paul's excitement to b working with a passionate community to highlight our natural resources and character, while bringing people together

-Clayton shares his expectations to open the eyes to what TR has to offer, while creating action items that turn into change & development.