WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

On this week's program, WYCE station manager Phil Tower speaks with Bill Kirk, Communications Director with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) is the organization responsible for city building and place management in the urban core of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Established in 2013, DGRI serves as the singular management entity for the combined operations of the Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Improvement District , and the Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority.

Bill spoke with us about the World of Winter Festival is a free, outdoor celebration in Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, celebrating winter through art, events, and activities for all ages.

The festival is from January 10 - March 2, 2025, and is presented by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

World of Winter transforms the city into a winter wonderland each year.

Now in its 6th year, World of Winter features stunning art installations, interactive exhibits, and live performances, offering a unique way to embrace the season and enjoy the beauty of winter.

 Online: The World of Winter Festival

 Online: Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

On this week's program, WYCE station manager Phil Tower speaks with Emilio Zamarippa, Executive Director of Steepletown Neighborhood Services.

Emilio started at Steepletown 11 years ago as a GVSU undergraduate intern, was hired as a youth case manager, and is now the Workforce Development Director.

Emilio's personal mission is to empower youth and young adults to pursue their academic and professional goals.

Steepletown strives to promote the idea of neighbors helping neighbors live with dignity and hope.

In the 25 years since, Steepletown has grown from modest beginnings with a part-time director, to sixteen full-time and ten part-time staff members.

Steepletown also welcomes donations and volunteer help through its website.

Learn More Online: ⁠Steepletown Neighborhood Services⁠

On this week's program, host Phil Tower (* sitting in for Allison Donahue) speaks with Andy McIntyre, chief operating officer at John Ball Zoo.

Andy gave us an overview of the recently approved 10-year master plan for John Ball Zoo. 

The plan which was passed in early December after a 16 to 3 vote before the Kent County Commission, includes additional language that protects green space and trees.

Andy discussed some of the particular elements of the recently approved 10-year master plan, including expanding the Africa exhibit at the zoo to include a giraffe habitat, reviving a sea lion habitat, and adding a large South American forest habitat featuring native animals, free-flying birds and a waterfall that reaches 30 feet.

He also discussed the care and maintenance of the zoo and its animals during the winter season, the upcoming third year of the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival, and the benefits of John Ball Zoo memberships for individuals and families.

Online resources: PDF: See the master plan

John Ball Zoo  

On this week's episode, we welcome Keith Elder, President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Keith Elder joined the Grand Rapids Symphony as its President & CEO on July 1, 2023. Before that, he served as president of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

He’s also had roles with the Aspen Music Festival and School, Eastman School of Music, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, and Tanglewood Music Center.

On this episode, Keith Elder joined us to discuss his background and the significant cultural impact that the Grand Rapids Symphony has on the West Michigan region and he highlighted the numerous partnerships the symphony has developed to strengthen its ties to the community. 

He also discussed some of the highlights of the remaining symphony season, including the annual Symphony Holiday Pops concerts, membership opportunities with the Grand Rapids Symphony, and a major event to be revealed in February 2025.

Since its founding in 1930, the Grand Rapids Symphony has been nationally recognized for the quality of its concerts, the breadth of its educational programs, and the innovation of its initiatives to support diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as to serve the wider community in non-traditional settings. 

Online: The Grand Rapids Symphony

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue, program manager at The Rapidian, speaks with Stephanie Sheler, Executive Director of CASA of Kent County

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kent County organizes and empowers community members to provide best-interest advocacy for children in Kent County’s child welfare system.

Their program connects concerned citizens with the family court to make a lasting impact on the lives of children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Stephanie also spoke about CASA volunteer opportunities.

She noted that CASA volunteers come from different backgrounds and experiences. Some are students, some are working, some are retired, and some are stay-at-home parents.

CASA volunteers are essential advocates in the family court system, they do not need any special legal or social work training. They also do not need to be licensed foster parents because they do not provide care or housing for children. Instead, CASA volunteers come as they are, with open minds and open hearts.

Online: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kent County

This week's episode welcomes Brooke Clement, director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. 

Brooke Clement began her career with the National Archives as an archives technician at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She then held archival and supervisory positions with the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and the Barack Obama Presidential Library.

Brooke joined us to discuss their current major exhibit, “Ford at 50,”… Decisions That Defined a Presidency. The exhibit features artifacts, documents, photographs, and much more to help tell the story of the Ford Presidency.

We also discussed the Betty Ford “mini-exhibit” profiling the “Betty Blip.” The exhibit gives visitors a chance to learn about Betty Ford’s breast cancer diagnosis just six weeks into her husband’s presidency. 

Finally, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express display returns for the holiday season. It's a model train exhibit with Ford-related pieces built by talented volunteers. The train is in the museum lobby and free to check out!

Learn more: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. 

On this week's episode, Phil Tower speaks with Carol Kendra, COO of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

Carol shares how she became Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park's first Chief Operating Officer.  

Before joining Frederik Meijer Gardens, Kendra was Vice President of Business Development, Strategic Growth, and Engagement at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.

 Carole also gave us a preview of the upcoming ENLIGHTEN Experience at Meijer Gardens – a new epic winter light spectacle happening November 27 through January 4th.

Carol also told us that Meijer Gardens achieved a new record attendance of over 780,000 visitors in the most recent fiscal year, and she expects that to be a calendar-year record as well.

At the same time as the Enlighten winter light spec spectacle, Meijer Gardens will also have its annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition… a top-rated attraction during the holiday season.

Online: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, Executive Director and Counselor at The Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell, MI.

The mission of The Franciscan Life Process Center is topromote relationships with God that bring dignity and hope to the sacred process of all life through programs that assist, educate, enrich and inform, especiallyutilizing Music therapy, visual arts workshops, classes, galleries, counseling services, spiritual integration, and other opportunities.

Online:The Franciscan Life Process Center

On this week's program, host Allison Donahue speaks with Veronica Horsley-Pettigrew, Community Outreach/Marketing Supervisor · Care Resources (PACE). Veronica joined Allison to discuss the community open house for Care Resources’ new location in Lowell, Michigan.

Care Resources is a community-based program for people 55 or older that promotes healthy, independent living and helps prevent nursing home placement. Our team of healthcare professionals works with you and your family to develop a comprehensive care plan — helping you make medical decisions every step of the way.

Online: Care Resources

In the second half of our program this week, WYCE station manager spoke with Tiffany Carr, the Community Engagement Coordinator for Michigan Veteran Homes and The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, and Kristen Aidif, Director for the Veterans Day Five benefit run for The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

The fifth annual Veterans Day 5 starts and finishes at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids on Saturday, November 9!  

The event features a timed 5 mile and 5K runs, along with a no charge, untimed .5 mile Remembrance Walk; the Veterans Day 5 will benefit the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids. 

The SpartanNash Community Pancake Breakfast will occur in the Michigan Veteran Homes and runs from 8:30a-11:30a.

Veterans Day 5

On this week's program, host Allison Donahue speaks with Becky Mercier, Trinity Health Breast Imaging Supervisor on the importance of mobile mammography in the battle against breast cancer.

In just one year, the mobile mammography unit at Trinity Health Grand Rapids has completed over 2,000 breast screenings and diagnosed 13 patients. The 40-foot bus, equipped with top-quality 3-D imaging capability, provides increased access to care in our community by visiting neighborhoods, partnering with organizations, and making breast care convenient.

In 2020, nearly half of eligible women in Grand Rapids’ racial and ethnically diverse neighborhoods didn’t have access to mammograms. The unit is committed to combatting this lack of reach, and they’ve begun to work towards it in the first year.

More info: Trinity Health Mobile Mammography