Preschool Students Decorate 1,400 Brown Paper Bags to Support Children Experiencing Food Insecurity

Submitted by Megan Susterich on Wednesday, October 12th, 4:37 pm

Rainbow Child Care Center locations throughout West Michigan teamed up with Kids’ Food Basket, a local nonprofit organization attacking childhood hunger, to support children experiencing food insecurity. The preschool students decorated brown paper bags for children aided by Kids’ Food Basket’s Sack Supper program, which serves 7,500 kids each weekday in West Michigan.

All eight West Michigan Rainbow Child Care Center locations decorated 1,400 bags with positive images using crayons and markers. Each decorated sack not only provides a well-rounded nutritious meal critical to the development of the brain and body, but also helps brighten each recipient’s day.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Community Sponsors

East Ottawa Mechanical

Simply the Best Service in Town

Public Night at the Observatory on Saturday

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Tuesday, September 20th, 2016, 2:36pm

Public Night at the Observatory on Saturday

The public is invited to experience sky objects above, 2 Saturdays a month through October at the James C. Veen Observatory.

Visitors have the opportunity to experience the night skies on Saturday, September 24 from 8:30pm to midnight with Veen Observatory telescopes and member’s equipment. The night sky will feature Saturn and Neptune, along with deep Sky Objects such as nebulas, galaxies & various star clusters.This is also a chance to tour the facility & check out the audio visual presentation about the Observatory & the GRAAA.

This Public Night takes place only if the sky is clear. Starting times vary with the sunset. It is a quarter mile walk from the parking area to the top of the hill. If need, ask the lot attendant about assistance to the Observatory.

James C. Veen Observatory is located at 3308 Kissing Rock Ave. SE in Lowell Twp., MI 49331.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Tuesday, September 20th, 2016, 9:43am

New Invasive Species found in Reeds & Fisk Lake

European Frog-bit, was discovered in the channel between Fisk & Reed’s Lake during a routine study by PLM, the Cities water treatment & management group. It appears as a water lily with a single white flower emerging from the middle.

This plant species is native to Europe, parts of Asia & Africa and grows rapidly. It crowds out & prevents sunlight from reaching plants with its fast-growing thick mats. In the fall season, oxygen decreases from the water when large colonies of plants die & decompose, in turn affecting fish and aquatic life.

City Manager, Brian Donovan says the European frog-bit was located early and the DNR is creating a plan to treat the invasive species.

Reminder to the community: Do not dispose of aquarium or water garden vegetation into lakes, ponds or streams. They may not be native to the area, causing issues.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Friday, September 16th, 2016, 12:05pm

For the fifth year, the Sanctuary Folk Art Gallery invite community guests to experience art, fashion, music all in one venue.

Visit Mangiamo located at 1033 Lake Dr. SE in Grand Rapids on Saturday, September 17 from 9:00am – 7:00pm to see local talent at its best.

Admission is $5.00, 12 & under are free.

Call: (616)454-0401 for more information or visit www.experiencegr.com for more events.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Community Sponsors

East Ottawa Mechanical

Simply the Best Service in Town

Virtual Education Offers Frequent Opportunities for Parent Engagement

Submitted by Megan Susterich on Wednesday, August 17th, 11:47 am

Parents want the best education for their children. Increased engagement with their child’s school gives them an opportunity to see that through. School choices continue to emerge, with online education thriving amongst families in the United States with a 58 percent increase in enrollment since 2010.

Great Lakes Cyber Academy is a tuition free school serving students in grades 6-12. As an online school, Great Lakes Cyber Academy allows local families from communities like city to learn from the comfort of their own homes, or wherever there is an internet connection. Enrollment numbers continue to increase with this learning model because of satisfaction with virtual education, the level of expertise through online institutions and the rigorous curriculum of the offered programs. One of the primary benefits of Great Lakes Cyber Academy is the level of parent engagement across all grade levels.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Grand Rapids School Receives High Marks From Local Parents

Submitted by Megan Susterich on Wednesday, August 17th, 11:43 am

Approximately 94 percent of parents whose children are enrolled at Nexus Academy of Grand Rapids would recommend the school, according to a recent parent satisfaction survey. The blended learning school delivers a combination of online and face-to-face instruction in an engaging and flexible educational setting committed to making each student’s success a priority, .

The 2015-16 survey was administered by an independent market research company, which created the questionnaire, collected the data, and tabulated the results. High marks were achieved with 89 percent of Nexus Academy of Grand Rapids parents giving the school an A or B grade.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Wednesday, August 10th, 2016, 1:37pm

Public Night at Veen Observatory on August 13

The Grand Rapid Amateur Astronomical Association invite the sky enthusiast to this Saturday’s observing night, as long as the sky is clear.

This is an opportunity to experience the moon, Mars, the rings of the planet, Saturn, along with deep sky objects through the Observatory & member’s telescopes. Guests can also tour the facility & check out the audio visual GRAAA & Observatory presentation.

Visit the Veen Observatory located at 3308 Kissing Rock Avenue SE in Lowell on Saturday, August 13 from 9:30pm to midnight. Keep in mind that the Observatory is located at the top of a hill. Visitors park below & walk up to the Observatory. Ask the parking attendant for assistance, if needed

Admission: $3 for Adults, $2 for 17 years & younger, free for children under 5 years of age.

Call the Starwatch number: (616)897-7065 for weather condition or sky updates. Visit www.graaa.org for more information.

View Comments | Post a Comment