Monthly Archives: October 2021

Atwater Springs Ribbon Cutting Event

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening Celebration Announcement

Atwater Springs, the new community on the lake previously known as Lake Fran, is celebrating its Grand Opening of the model home.

The partnership between Livingstone Development LLC, David C Bos Homes and the City of Norton Shores has proven to be a success.

The celebration will commence on Oct 14th from 4pm-6pm with the Ribbon Cutting at 4:30pm.

The mayor of Norton Shores, Gary Nelund, will be in attendance.

The 53-unit development is well underway and the representatives of all involved are excited to share and display what the community has to offer.

“Celebrating Muskegon” Artists’ Lecture – October 14

MUSKEGON MI – John Littleton and Kate Vogel, the artists who created CELEBRATING MUSKEGON, the outstanding sculpture in the roundabout at Lakeshore and Beach Street at Pere Marquette Beach installed this past April, are coming back to Muskegon to talk about their sculpture and about their more than thirty years of working together and creating art.

John and Kate will present a program in the Muskegon Museum of Art Frey Foundation Auditorium at 6:00pm on October 14. A reception with light refreshments and a cash bar will follow the talk. The program is free and open to the public. The MMA recommends masks for those who choose to attend.

Celebrating Muskegon, standing at 22-foot 6-inch high, is a dramatic combination of stainless steel rods and elevated steel bands enclosing thick hand-cast glass, and was designed as a tribute to the strength of the Muskegon community. In colors of blue and green, the sculpture represents Muskegon’s parks and forested dunes and the waters that make Muskegon special.

More than 100 donors raised over $50,000 to fund CELEBRATING MUSKEGON, triggering the additional matching funds from the Muskegon Economic Development Corp. Public Place, Community Spaces for the public art project of the City of Muskegon and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County’s MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative.

CELEBRATING MUSKEGON is the third commission of a planned 10 works of public art by the MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative.

Many Find Hope in Christ as Will Graham Holds Pair of Celebrations

from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

With Celebrations on back-to-back weekends, evangelist Will Graham shared Gospel-focused messages of hope with crowds in Rapid City, South Dakota (Sept. 24-26), and Des Moines, Iowa (Oct. 1-3). Graham was joined by award-winning Christian musicians at both locations, including; Skillet, CeCe Winans, Kari Jobe, FLAME, The Afters, Aaron Shust, Lacey Sturm and Cochren & Co.

Approximately 350 people responded to Graham’s invitation to begin a relationship with Christ in the Black Hills of South Dakota over the course of the weekend. In addition to those in attendance, the Celebration services were broadcast online, with thousands of views around the world. More than 180 indicated a decision for Christ through the livestream of the Black Hills Paha Sapa Celebration.

Nearly 500 people indicated making a decision for Christ at the Iowa Celebration with Will Graham. In addition to the thousands in attendance, more than 20,000 people from 55 countries watched the Celebration online.

In October, Graham will travel to Canada for a pair of three-day outreaches in Sudbury, Ontario, and London, Ontario.

Visit the BGEA website to learn more about the ministry’s evangelism and outreach plans.

Ask Dr. Universe – Sleep

Dr. Universe: Why does sleep feel so short? – Brooklyn, 12

Dear Brooklyn,

That’s a great observation. When my friend Ashley Ingiosi was a kid, she remembers how napping in the car during a four-hour drive to her grandparents’ house seemed to make the time fly by. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience.

As a researcher at Washington State University, Ingiosi is really curious about what goes on within the human brain during sleep. She was happy to help with your question.

“Sometimes sleep feels so short because we become less aware of our surroundings,” she said.

As you go about your day, you rely on certain signals from your senses—or stimuli— to know if you are awake and aware. This awareness is what sleep scientists call consciousness.

But when you are sleeping, you don’t really sense the world in the same way. You can’t use your sense of touch to feel your bedsheets. You often can’t use your sense of hearing to pick up on the sounds around you. You might not feel it, but during certain stages of sleep, your eyes are darting around under your eyelids.

Even though you have a lower level of awareness, your brain and body are still very active.

“Brains are still very busy during sleep and doing a lot of different things,” Ingiosi said. “But the reason why we can stay asleep is that we are less aware of what’s going on around us.”

When you are awake and aware, you can use clues from your environment to sense all kinds of things, including how time is passing. But when you sleep, it makes it harder to track all those seconds, minutes and hours ticking by.

“If we were aware of things in the way that we are when we are awake, we’d have a really hard time staying asleep,” Ingiosi said.

The amount of time humans spend sleeping is also important, she adds. As children and teenagers grow up, they need to sleep even longer than adults need to sleep.

According to our friends at the National Institutes of Health, school-age children and teenagers need about 9 hours of sleep each day. After the teenage years, you can do with a little less sleep. Most adults need about 7 to 8 hours of sleep each day.

While scientists are still unraveling many of the mysteries around how and why humans sleep, we do know sleep gives the body and mind a chance to recharge. It helps you stay healthy.

Sleep can also help strengthen the memories that you form throughout the day. It helps keep your brain working well, so you can do everything from finishing your homework to playing sports to asking big questions about our world.

Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be a scientist who helps us understand more about the fascinating experience of sleep. As for me, after investigating this great science question, I think it’s prime time for a cat nap.

Sincerely,
Dr. Universe

AgeWell Services’ Free Lunch & Learn – October 12, 2021

City of Roosevelt Park and SafeSeniors Present Free Lunch & Learn: Not Everyone is A Friend!

Muskegon, Mich. – Every year, an estimated 1 in 10 older Americans experience abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, with billions of dollars lost from savings meant to see them through their golden years. Whether the perpetrator is a family member, friend, or a stranger, there are red flags to watch out for to stay safe and financially whole.

Join us on Wednesday, October 13, from 12 pm to 2 pm at the Roosevelt Park Community Center, 3106 Roosevelt, for a free lunch sponsored by the City of Roosevelt Park and funded through the Muskegon County Senior Millage. In addition to the free lunch, frozen and shelf-stable meals will also be provided for all attendees.

After lunch, the SafeSeniors team will share information on how to spot scammers and others who would have you think they are a friend, but are not! SafeSeniors, a program of AgeWell Services of West Michigan, works with community partners to identify, advocate, and seek justice for older adult victims of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. They provide education and awareness to help prevent and expose abuse, neglect and financial exploitation; advocate for policies and programs that ensure the safety of our older adult population; and investigate and prosecute perpetrators of these crimes to seek justice and restitution for victims.

If you are unable to join us in-person, you can grab a meal to-go with some SafeSeniors information.

Reservations are required by Tuesday, October 12 and space is limited. Please state whether in-person or to-go when reserving. Call 231-733-8634 to register.

About AgeWell Services
AgeWell Services of West Michigan was founded in 1973. AgeWell Services invites adults 60 and over to redefine their age. We provide vital connections to keep our most vulnerable population nourished, active, learning, and living independently. AgeWell Services is a private nonprofit. With support of a 3-county Board of Directors, a programming advisory committee, 90 staff members and 300 volunteers, we provide 6 different services to adults 60 and over in Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties – Meals on Wheels, Lunch & Activity Centers, Wellness (55 and over), Senior Medical Transportation, Discount Dining Program, and SafeSeniors. For more information on AgeWell Services visit: www.agewellservices.org or follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter: @AgeWellServices

231 River Run Registration and Shirts

Register

Time is running out to secure your personalized bib and the shirt size you prefer. Shirt details are below and have changed recently.

If you haven’t already, register now for the 231 River Run on October 30. The 10K run and 4 mile run/walk make the event attainable for every fitness level. Space is limited.

If you don’t recall if you registered, you can check that here.

The purposes of the 231 River Run are to raise funds for and promote Ottawa County paved trails; advocate for wellness; build community; and showcase West Michigan as a healthy, active, growing and thriving region.

Shirts

While it is true that real men wear pink, the dreaded supply chain has forced us to alter our shirt color. It will still be a long sleeve, soft combed and ring spun 52/48 cotton/poly unisex tee from Bella + Canvas. It just might not be mauve. We’re rolling with it and have the shirt pictured in b/w until we know more. We apologize if you had your heart set on mauve like we did.

Choosing the correct shirt size is always a conundrum. To help, the size chart from the manufacturer is below. To keep the budget on track and more money going to the cause (trails), we do not over order shirts or have any to exchange for an alternate size.

Get Social

While you are training, use the hashtag #231RiverRun. You can also tag Ottawa County – we’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Be sure to also mark “going” on our Facebook Event and share it with your friends.

Shirt & Bib Pick Up

You can pick up your race shirt and bib on Thursday, October 28 from 3 to 7PM at the Ottawa County Administration Building or before the run on October 30 in the Connor Bayou Lodge Garage no earlier than 7AM.

Please thank our sponsors with your business!

This event would not happen without these amazing and generous businesses. Their gifts speak volumes about how much they care about the people in West Michigan.

Please make an effort to thank a few of them personally or with some love on social media. Use the hashtag #231RiverRun or tag Ottawa County so we can participate in your post and share it.

THANK YOU TO:

Enterprise Fleet Management | United Dairy Industry of Michigan | Nichols | Consumers Energy | Delta Dental | Priority Health | GCSI

Every Woman’s Place Power of the Purse Events – Oct. 9-14

Get Ready for Glamour and Doing Good!

It’s time for Power of the Purse….and this year we have so many ways you can join our community in supporting services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Every donated purse or accessory, every auction package bid, and every luxury purse win helps us keep doing the work of responding to and restoring the lives of those affected by violence. Participate in our:

PRE-SALE
Deals and Steals for early-birds on OCT 9!

ONLINE SILENT AUCTION
Begins October 10 at 4pm

SELECT LUXURY BAGS FOR BID ONLINE
Five special purses auctioned live and online!

OCT 14 EVENT TICKETS REMAIN!

Thank you for changing purses to change lives.

Sincerely,
Kim Dimmett, Executive Director
Every Woman’s Place

FCS – Student Affairs Committee Meeting Agenda – 10/13/21

Student Affairs
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Central Office
12:00 p.m.

MEETING AGENDA

Muskegon County Virtual Academy Collaborative Agreement
Middle and High School Course Catalogues
Other
Public Comment
Adjournment

FCS Personnel Committee Meeting Agenda – 10/11/21

Personnel
Monday, October 11, 2021
5:00 p.m. ~ Superintendent’s Office
MEETING AGENDA

Negotiations Update
Other
Public Comment
Adjournment

FCS – Business and Finance Committee Meeting Agenda – 10/11/21

Business and Finance
Monday, October 11, 2021
11:30 a.m. ~ Central Office

MEETING AGENDA

Audit
Negotiations Update
Agreement for Law Enforcement Services
Superintendent Mentoring Agreements
Property Discussion
Performing Arts Center Rental
Count Update
Marketing Proposal – Chamber of Commerce
Other
Public Comment
Adjournment

Fruitport Township Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda – 10/11/21

AGENDA
FRUITPORT CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP HALL
5865 AIRLINE ROAD, FRUITPORT, MI 49415

OCTOBER 11, 2021

6:30 P.M. WORK SESSION
7:00 P.M. BOARD MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States
Roll call
Approval of board minutes: 9/27/21
Approve / amend agenda
Correspondence / reports
Public comments regarding agenda items
Unfinished Business
A. Second Reading: Ordinance for Adoption of the 2021 Downtown Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan of the Downtown Development Authority for the Charter Township of Fruitport, Michigan
New Business
A. Auditor presentation of 2020/2021 fiscal year audit
B. IIAF Collective Bargaining Agreement
Approval of Bills
Reports
Public Comments
Adjournment

The Township will provide necessary reasonable aids and services for this meeting to individuals with disabilities by writing or telephoning the following Township Clerk: Andrea Anderson, Fruitport Township Hall, 5865 Airline Road, Fruitport, MI 49415 (231) 865-3151

Community Foundation Scholarship Program Accepting Applications

Muskegon, Mich. — The Community Foundation for Muskegon County is now accepting scholarship applications for students planning to attend college in the 2022-2023 academic year.

THE ONLINE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2022

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County manages one of the largest scholarship programs in West Michigan, awarding over $1.3 million annually to both graduating high school seniors and current college students across Muskegon County.

The Community Foundation manages over 220 scholarship funds started by donors who wish to support students in continuing their education. There are awards based on a variety of factors including academic achievement, community involvement, extracurricular activities, field of study, and financial need. Scholarships are not just for college; there are awards for technical and trade school, as well as for adult students starting college or completing a degree after a break from high school. All students planning to continue their education should apply!

Applications are submitted electronically through the Community Foundation’s website, www.muskegonfoundation.org/scholarships. The application process has been streamlined into three easy steps for students and families. Scholarship applications are managed through a “single application” method. Each application is reviewed and matched with the best-fitting scholarship source. Students will be notified of scholarship awards in April and will be recognized at their school awards assembly. Current college students will be notified by mail in June.

In order to maximize scholarship support for all students in Muskegon County, the Community Foundation concentrates scholarship dollars on students who are not eligible for the Muskegon Promise.

“We are excited that we’re able to offer more Muskegon County students access to higher education,” said Janelle Mair, CFMC vice president of community investment. “This is a significant investment in our community, and we hope that many of these young adults return to Muskegon to live, work, and give back to the community that invested in them.”

All Community Foundation scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis.

Taste of Muskegon Announces Taste Plate Award Winners

Muskegon, MI – Taste of Muskegon wrapped up its 15th festival on Saturday with the annual Taste Plate Awards ceremony. Nearly 30 local restaurants and food trucks competed for both judged and a public-vote honors.

The 2021 Taste Plate Award winners are:

People’s Choice

Tiki Boiz
Hamburger Mikey

Best Taste

Tiki Boiz: Karate Kid Burger
Hamburger Mikey: Jamaican Elvis Slider

Best New Bite

Burl & Sprig: Honey Soy Brussel Sprouts
Soul Filled Eatery: Deep Fried Shrimp and Grits

Best Dessert

Occidental Eats: Bob Harvey Special
Yodels Frozen Yogurt: Strawberry Cheesecake Deluxe

Best Beer and Bacon presented by Tyler Sales

Bone Ends: Beer Bread BLT & Beercheese Potato Soup
Rolling Stone Woodfire Pizza Co.: Oktoberfest

Best Lite Bite

Burl & Sprig: Shrimp Ceviche
Tiki Boiz: Woke Bowl

Best Booth

Hearthstone Bistro
Hamburger Mikey

Sustainability

Tiki Boiz
Honorable Mention: Rolling Stone Woodfire Pizza Co.
Honorable Mention: Burl & Sprig

“It was wonderful to be back in Hackley Park. All the chefs came to play with some terrific Tastes,” said Lisa Kraus, Marketing Director of Taste of Muskegon. “The atmosphere of this event is so special. There’s nothing like having dinner with the whole community.”

Taste of Muskegon, produced by the Downtown Development Authority, will return to its usual weekend, June 17 and 18, for 2022. To stay up to date on all future events for Taste of Muskegon, follow them on Facebook and visit their website tasteofmuskegon.org

Events Happening in Muskegon County – October 6 – 11, 2021

Please check our website for a complete listing of events
www.visitmuskegon.org/events

Wednesday October 6:

Spookley Weesies Brothers Garden Center Fall Events
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Visit Weesies located at 3365 W Fruitvale Rd., Montague. For just $8 per person enjoy all their activities and pick a pumpkin! You-Pick-Pumpkins – Ride the Pumpkin Express and more!

Book Reading: Born Under A Lucky Moon written by Dana Precious
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
The Book Nook and Java Shop 8744 Ferry Street, Montague, MI
THE BOOK NOOK AND JAVA SHOP hosts an evening with Muskegon native author, DANA PRECIOUS. She will read from her novel, BORN UNDER A LUCKY MOON, and hold a Q&A time.

Edward S. Curtis: Unpublished Alaska, The Lost Photographs
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Muskegon Museum of Art located at 296 W. Webster presents “Edward S. Curtis: Unpublished Alaska, the Lost Photographs”. This first-time public showing features images made from recently discovered forgotten original negatives by Edward Sherriff Curtis. “Unpublished Alaska” features over 100 images along with excerpts from the personal journals of Curtis www.muskegonartmuseum.org

Movie Time with Ravenna Branch Library
3:00 pm
Watch a family friendly movie every Wednesday at the MADL Ravenna Branch located at 12278 Stafford St., Ravenna. This is a FREE event for all ages and snacks are provided by the Friends of the Ravenna Library.

Open Studio
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Middle and High School students are invited to the Art Council of White Lake-Nuveen located at 106 E. Colby St., Whitehall for Open Studio sessions on Wednesdays between 2:00 and 5:00, p.m. Staff will be available to help students with both art and music projects. Art students are welcome to bring in projects. Register: https://www.artswhitelake.org/upcoming-classes

Muskegon Flea Market
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Every Wednesday May – October 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Comedy Night at Burl and Sprig
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Fresh Ghost Comedy presents live, FREE admission comedy show at Burl & Sprig Distillery located at 500 W. Western Ave. in downtown Muskegon.

Movies at the Getty Drive-In Theatre
8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The Getty Drive-In Theatre located at 920 E. Summit Ave. offers a double feature on 4 outdoor screens. Tune your car radio to the cinematic sounds coming from the big screen. Movies begin at dusk. Tickets a can be pre-ordered here bit.ly/GettyDriveInWebsite Adult $11.00 Child (6-12) $6.50 Senior Citizen (60+) $7.00 College Student $7.00 TACO Tuesday Adult $7.50 231-798-2608

Youth Take and Make Craft
Hackley Public Library
Check out what Take and Make Craft Hackley Public Library has planned. They are located at 316 W. Webster Ave. Kits are available at Hackley Library while supplies last. Free. www.hackleylibrary.org and askus@hackleylibrary.org

Thursday October 7:

Legends and Lore Downtown Walking Tour
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
It begins at the Union Depot 610 W. Western Ave. Join us for a walking tour that will feature Muskegon lore, legends, and scandals. We will share stories of allegedly haunted downtown landmarks, an assassinated mayor and more! Tickets are $13 for Museum members and $15 for non-members. Register at the Lakeshore Museum Center Store or Eventbrite at legendsandlorewalkingtour.eventbrite.com.

Death of a Gangster – A 1920s Mafia Marriage Murder Mystery
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Muskegon Area District Library – Muskegon Township Branch 1910 East Apple Ave. This is a free event. Register at www.madl.org or 231-760-4329 Will you be the life of the party? The partygoer to catch the murderer? Join us for an interactive Murder Mystery Party presented by The Murder Mystery Company

Trivia Night
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Pub One Eleven 111 W. Colby St., Whitehall, General knowledge trivia along with music, fun, great food and beverages. It’s a team thing, so even if your knowledge is limited to specific things, you can still help contribute! This is a free event

Muskegon Farmers Market
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Muskegon Farmers Market located at 242 W. Western Ave. will be open outside Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday until November.

Muskegon Museum of Art: Free Thursdays
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Free museum admission all day every Thursdays at the Muskegon Art museum located at 296 W. Webster Ave., compliments of The Meijer Foundation. Please remember your mask.

Cardio Drumming!
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
A fun workout for all ages, sizes and fitness levels! First timers can rent the needed equipment for $1. Their new location is the Sports Complex at Folkert Hub located at 640 Seminole Rd. The class is just $2 per person. Required equipment: Water bottle, available to rent for $1 each are: 17 gallon bucket, 65-75cm yoga ball, Drumsticks. Keep up to date with the Muskegon Drum Crew Facebook Group . Classes are Monday & Thursday.

Friday October 8:

Preschool Story Time with Hackley Library
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Join Hackley Library located at 316 W. Webster for stories, songs, and movement activities as we teach early literacy skills! When the weather permits, we will meet outside on the lawn of the Torrent House. Otherwise, we will meet inside, with masks preferred. Free for everyone!

Hackley Attic Escape Room
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Experience the Hackley House located at 484 W. Webster as you never have before! For many years, the Hackley Attic has been a mysterious place for visitors. Now it is up to you and your closest friends to escape a Victorian storage room filled with puzzles, locks, and riddles. Brush up on your Muskegon history and escape the attic in 80 minutes! $20 for members & $25 for non-members Purchase tickets via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hackley-attic-escape-room-tickets-136840424393

Aquastar Oktorbefest with Odd Side Ales Sunset Cruise
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Celebrate Oktoberfest! Get your camera ready and enjoy the evening breeze while cruising the lake during our sunset cruise. www.aquastarcruises.com

Steel Magnolias
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Beardsley Theater 425 W. Western Ave. Tickets are just $28 and can be purchased at the Frauenthal. Truvy Jones runs a successful beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies in the neighborhood have a standing Saturday appointment. www.muskegoncivictheatre.org

Live Music at Smash Wine Bar Bistro
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Live Music Fridays & Saturdays located at 415 W. Western Ave. 8pm-10pm. Check their website www.smashwinebar.com or FB page for the schedule.

Saturday October 9:

October Saturdays: Robots!
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Lakeshore Museum Center 430 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon, MI
There’s a new robot at the Lakeshore Museum Center! Stop into the STEM Center to test out this newest part of the exhibit. There will also be robots, code-a-pillars and more. www.lakeshoremuseum.org

Pumpkinfest
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Downtown Montague Ferry St., Montague
25th Annual Pumpkinfest featuring the celebrated PUMPKIN ROLL down Dowling St. along with arts and crafts, food vendors and more!

Depot to Depot: Self -Guided Fall Color Tour and Contest
October 1 – October 23
This October we invite you to celebrate the vibrant colors of our woods, dunes and water…and win prizes! Take your car or bike on this self-guided color tour; stretching from the Muskegon South Pierhead Light to the White River Light Station. See the scenic roads of Muskegon County in all their autumn glory. Soar over a canopy of fall colors, see the sites, snap some “selfies” and discover our local shops, restaurants, attractions and more! Contest entries will be gathered by social media photo check-ins at the designated stops. Stop in to the Muskegon Union Depot and White Lake Train Depot to pick up a map. Maps will also be available to download from our website. Instructions to win prizes: Snap a photo or selfie at designated stops on the map. Share the photo with a check-in on Facebook and/or Instagram. Include the hashtag #D2D21. Make sure the setting is “public” so we can find your photo entry. The more stops and check-in photos you share, the more entries you receive. Send one Facebook message to Visit Muskegon; simply say “D2D 21” (this way we can contact you if you are a winner!)

South Pierhead Light Autumn Tours
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Post-Labor Day Autumn Tours at the Muskegon South Pierhead Light located at 1431 Beach St., Saturdays in September and October, 2-5 p.m. Parking is available in Margaret Drake Elliot Park behind the US Coast Guard Station or travel into Pere Marquette Park and park along the beach to walk to the lighthouses

Muskegon Farmers Market
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Muskegon Farmers Market located at 242 W. Western Ave. will be open outside Saturdays until November.

Boomtown Market Craft Beer & Wine Tastings
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Boomtown Market located at 351 W. Western Ave. in Downtown Muskegon invites you to free Draft, Craft Beer & Wine Tastings every Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Sample unique Craft Beers on Tap from all around Michigan!

Live Music at Smash Wine Bar Bistro
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Live Music Fridays & Saturdays located at 415 W. Western Ave. 8pm-10pm. Check their website www.smashwinebar.com or FB page for the schedule.

Movies at the Getty Drive-In Theatre
8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
and one is found here in Muskegon! The Getty Drive-In Theatre located at 920 E. Summit Ave. offers a double feature on 4 outdoor screens. Tune your car radio to the cinematic sounds coming from the big screen. Movies begin at dusk. Tickets a can be pre-ordered here bit.ly/GettyDriveInWebsite Adult $11.00 Child (6-12) $6.50 Senior Citizen (60+) $7.00 College Student $7.00 TACO Tuesday Adult $7.50 231-798-2608

Sweetwater Local Foods Market
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Sweetwater Local Foods Market located at 6401 Harvey St. will be offering a PREORDER ONLY market, out in the parking lot, from 10:00am to 11:00am. Get your order in here: https://tinyletter.com/SweetwaterLocalFoodsMkt or get the list from the website here: sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.org Sweetwater Local Foods Market offers healthy, humane, homegrown, local food you can trust!

Sunday October 10:

Aquastar Sunset Cruise
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Get your camera ready and enjoy the evening breeze while cruising the lake during our sunset cruise. www.aquastarcruises.com

Monday October 11:

Roll On Muskegon Community Cruise
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Grab your bicycle for an 8 mph bike ride for the purpose of waving to our neighbors and smiling at community members. We meet at the Muskegon Farmers Market every Monday. Wheels turn at 6:30! Helmets are strongly encouraged. You’ll bike through neighborhoods you don’t usually visit, and see public art that can’t be appreciated from an automobile. Additionally, you’ll hear local history.

92nd Michigan Contemporary Exhibition Awards

Muskegon, MI –The Muskegon Museum of Art’s 92nd Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition opened Thursday, September 23, 2021, with a public reception and awards program. The 92nd Michigan Contemporary Exhibition runs through November 10, 2021.

About the Exhibition
The Michigan Contemporary continues the museum’s well-established legacy of showcasing the work of Michigan artists, from talented beginners to accomplished professionals in the longest running juried show of its kind in Michigan. According to Art Martin, MMA Director of Collections and Exhibitions/Senior Curator, “The exhibition presents a look at the issues, themes, and materials inspiring today’s Michigan artists. The artwork is meant to engage, challenge, and inspire conversation.”

About the Juror
Juror Karen Hampton selected the works in the exhibition. Karen Hampton is an internationally recognized conceptual artist whose work addresses issues of colorism and kinship within the African American community. She is a weaver, dyer, painter, embroiderer, storyteller, and teacher whose work exhibits nationally and internationally. Hampton taught at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 2007-2011 and in 2017 was an assistant professor and Critical Race Issues Resident Artist at Michigan State University. Learn more at https://www.kdhampton.com/.

Sponsorship
The 92nd Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition is underwritten by Warner Norcross + Judd, LLP. Additional programming support is provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Michigan Humanities Council with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located in downtown Muskegon at 296 W. Webster Ave. Visitor information is available at www.muskegonartmuseum.org or by calling 231-720-2570. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and closed Mondays.

2021 AWARDS

Best of Show | $1,500
Bryan Hoffman, Saugatuck
Kellie Looks Left
Painting, 2019

2nd Place | $1,000
David Feingold, Freeland
Under Siege
Digital composition, 2020

3rd Place | $750
Hal Gould, Pinckney
Squatters Camp Mexico
Photography, 2020

Honorable Mention | $150
Ralph “Nunzi” Annunziata, Grand Rapids
silenceINsojourn
Painting, 2021

Honorable Mention | $150
Henry Droski, Grand Rapids
Ebb and Flow
Photography, 2019

Director’s Choice | $500
Peter Blackburn, Whitehall
Dream Lake Sunset
Photography, 2021

Curator’s Choice | $500
Lee Ann Frame, Fruitport
The Waters Began at Home
Intaglio print, 2021

Friends of Art Award | $250
Carolyn Sowa, Caledonia
Rain After Dark
Painting, 2021

Phil Chmura Memorial Award | $200
Helen Hierta, Greenbush
Meditation
Ceramics, 2019

West Michigan Potters Guild Eleanore Smith Memorial Ceramics Award | $150
Jamey Limbers, Lowell
Untitled #2
Ceramics, 2021

Robert and Veronica Youngman Memorial Award for Graphic Arts | $150
Nobuko Yamasaki, Grosse Pointe Shores
Big Catch
Woodblock print, 2019

Docent’s Choice Award | $100
Nathan Margoni, Benton Harbor
Desperate Times
Painting, 2020

United Way School Supply Drive Aids Over 600 Individuals Through Community Donations

submitted by United Way of the Lakeshore

The School Supply Drive has officially ended! This tri-county effort supported just over 650 students and teachers across Muskegon, Newaygo, & Oceana Counties. With 33 local business and agency partners that helped host boxes, we collected an estimated total of $15,000 in supplies. This number is calculated by counting each donated item and using the sales cost from a local vendor.

Overview of Distribution:
Muskegon County: Over 106 teachers were nominated by the community, with a total of 160 nominations submitted. A volunteer committee read through the nominations to select one teacher from each public school district to receive a box full of supplies. Each supply box’s estimated value is $550! Those teachers who did not get a supply box did receive a small gift of appreciation for their impact.

Teachers selected anonymously by volunteers:

Fruitport – Jamie Gustin, Beach Elementary
Holton – Mrs. Green, Holton Elementary
Mona Shores – Mr. Bronsema, Ross Park Elementary
Montague – Janelle Flynn, MACC
Muskegon – Kristen Emmons, Oakview Elementary
North Muskegon – Chalie VanderWall, North Muskegon Elementary
Oakridge – Jenn Fairweather, Oakridge Upper Elementary
Orchard View – Mrs. DeCheney, Orchard View Early Elementary
Ravenna – Wendi DeJonge, Beechnau Elementary
Reeths Puffer – Mrs. Bradford, Twin Lake Elementary
Whitehall – Mrs. Throne, Whitehall Shoreline Elementary

Newaygo County: Newaygo County partnered with the TrueNorth Community Services School Supply Drive in August. This drive was called “Tools For Schools” and it provided the resources kids need to achieve success by providing backpacks filled with age-appropriate supplies to kids from qualifying families.

Oceana County: Worked with their local school districts to distribute collected school supplies to classrooms that expressed need & support.

Muskegon Museum of Art’s Annual Appraisal Fair Returns October 16th

Muskegon, MI—The Muskegon Museum of Art will host an Appraisal Fair on Saturday, October 16 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the museum. Appraisers from DuMouchelles Art Galleries in Detroit will be at the event to evaluate collectibles, jewelry, art, and antiques. DuMouchelles appraisers combine decades of professional experience in many areas and have regularly appeared on Antiques Roadshow.

The event provides an opportunity to help participants decide if a formal appraisal (apart from this event) should be sought for high-value items.

Tickets

· Appraisals will be available by advance ticket reservations only. (Advance ticket sales should decrease wait times and crowding. )
· Cost: $30 per item | MMA Member: $20 per item
· Purchase tickets at the Museum Store counter or call 231.720.2580 to order by phone.

Each ticket includes:

· 10-minute verbal evaluation for ONE item
· ONE museum admission (Additional admissions may be purchased in the Museum Store)
· Free coffee and cookies will be provided

Ticket holders must check in at Museum Store upon arrival. Customers will receive notification of their turn with a text message from museum staff.

All proceeds benefit the Muskegon Museum of Art.

Blue Lake Public Radio is the media sponsor for this event.

The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. Parking is free and located at the MMA’s rear entrance off Clay Ave. Go to muskegonartmuseum.org for more information.

Six West Michigan Attractions Offer Free Admission in October to Members

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Southwest Michigan Cultural Membership Exchange returns this fall. The exchange offers free admission to members of six cultural attractions in the Kalamazoo area during the month of October. Current members of The Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) Bird Sanctuary can visit each destination free of admission charge when they present a valid membership card and photo ID.

For the eighth year, the exchange offers visitors the chance to explore exciting area destinations to discover art, history, nature, science, wildlife and much more. At the same time, it highlights the great value and benefits that membership to these organizations provides. Postponed from May for the second year, the exchange partners are certain that visitors and especially families, will enjoy and appreciate this special opportunity. “Fall colors and cooler temperatures make for delightful visits to the outdoor venues and the bonus of an in-person educational experience is especially attractive for those who are learning virtually or learning in hybrid situations. Each organization continues to stress safe visits, and visitors are encouraged to plan their visit by reviewing the information posted on each website. Guests can also track their visits with a punch card that when fully completed can be submitted for a drawing to win a membership to all six destinations. Members can get their punch cards at any one of the six participating destination locations. The winner will be drawn and notified on November 5.

Highlights Include:

The Air Zoo is a Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace & science experience with over 100 rare aircraft and space artifacts, immersive and interactive hands-on exhibits, amusement park-style rides, science-based virtual education programs and more! New to the exhibit floor – Women in Air & Space timeline, and We Did It, the Riveting Real Rosies of WWII both explore an engaging panorama of stories, images, graphics, videos, and hands-on activities as you explore more than 100 years of contributions made by more than 50 accomplished women in the fields of aviation and space exploration. Make sure to visit the Flight Discovery Center on your next visit. Guests will be amazed at the progress the nationally renowned Air Zoo’s restoration team has made on the Douglas SBD-2P Dauntless and the F-117 Nighthawk – truly something to marvel at. Finally, those looking for some inspiration and social engagement should check out the Air Zoo’s events calendar for upcoming events and programs! Learn more at www.airzoo.org.

Binder Park Zoo is home to a diverse array of exotic and native animal species. Natural and spacious habitat design blends animal habitats into the surrounding landscape -a hallmark of the zoo that respects animals and delights guests. The Conservation Carousel, vintage Z.O.& O. train and trip to the 50-acre Wild Africa exhibit aboard the Wilderness Tram are several zoo adventures that entertain while making meaningful connections to nature. See the new Mexican wolf habitat and the dinosaurs of Zoorassic Park which opens September 23. The zoo is open daily 10am-4pm through Oct. 24. Plan your visit at www.binderparkzoo.org.

Gilmore Car Museum is North America’s largest auto museum, with more than 400 exceptional cars, trucks and motorcycles on display, presented in world-class galleries. It’s located on a beautiful 90-acre historic campus in the Michigan countryside, with towering red barns, vintage car dealerships, and an operating 1941 roadside diner. Current special exhibits include The Greatest Generation: Corvettes From C1 (1953) to C8 (2021) and Born to Perform: The Era of the Muscle Car. The museum is open seven days a week, year-round. Learn more at www.gilmorecarmuseum.org.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is one of the leading arts organizations in the Midwest, where art is for everyone. Visitors can pre-book tickets or stop in to enjoy the Museum, the Collection, the Fine Arts Library, Kirk Newman Art School, programs, events, and the Gallery Shop. World-class exhibitions currently on view include Unveiling American Genius, the reimagining of the KIA’s permanent collection. Ginny Ruffner: Reforestation of the Imagination, Todd Gray: Crossing the Waters of Space, Time, and History, and It’s a David Small World in the children’s gallery. Learn more at www.kiarts.org or call 269-349-7775 for more information.

Kalamazoo Nature Center invites visitors to enjoy the beautiful fall colors while exploring 1,100+ acres of varied habitats. With 16 nature trails to choose from, there is always something new to see at KNC. The Visitor Center is open Saturdays 9-5, Sundays 1-5, and closed weekdays for renovations. For the October calendar of featured programs, please visit www.naturecenter.org.

KBS Bird Sanctuary is open Wednesday through Sunday offering over 3 miles of trails, including a lakeside trail to see waterfowl, raptors, and game birds up close. October is the start of peak migration! Over 100 birds can been seen on their journey south before the winter months. Visit our Pollinator Garden and Rain Garden to get inspiration for your gardens! Learn more at www.birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu.

Six cultural gems; The Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) Bird Sanctuary are located in southwest Michigan, and each destination is committed to providing an exceptional experience for visitors. Guests who aren’t members can purchase the membership(s) of their choice at the websites listed above. Memberships make great gifts, too. The value of admission for a family of four to visit all six organizations is over $200.

For more information, visit www.swmimemberexchange.com or any of the websites listed above.

Lakeshore Art Festival Releases National Recognition, Economic Impact and Sustainability Report

MUSKEGON, MI – After the Lakeshore Art Festival cancellation in 2020 due to Covid-19, the fine art and craft show is happy to announce overall successful results from the 2021 event that took place June 26 and 27.

National Recognition:
The Lakeshore Art Festival is being celebrated by Sunshine Artist magazine, www.sunshineartist.com, in their annual 200 Best shows in the country. This year’s issue celebrates the best shows of the past 10 years: 2010 to 2020.

The Lakeshore Art Festival ranked # 89 in the Classic and Contemporary Craft Category. The Sunshine Artist 200 Best is split into two categories: Fine Art and Design for events that focus on unique fine-art pieces, and Classic and Contemporary Craft for events that focus on traditional or modern craft and production work.

Artists and craftspeople are typically asked to cast their votes each spring for the 200 Best shows list. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the industry, Sunshine Artist decided to tabulate the best shows of the last decade. Sunshine Artist’s annual 200 Best focuses solely on artist show revenue, because that is the most objective indicator of a show’s future success.

Carla Flanders, Lakeshore Art Festival Director commented, “The festival has come a long way in the 9 years since its re-birth and launch into our revitalized downtown. The Sunshine Artist 200 Best recognition for the last decade is extra special since we were not able to hold the Lakeshore Art Festival in 2020 and the festival is less than 10 years old. That is quite an accomplishment! Plus, this award is voted on by the artists and craftspeople that attend our show, demonstrating that not only are the exhibitors happy, but that our guests are happily buying handmade goods!”

Economic Impact:
Each year the Lakeshore Art Festival works with Visit Muskegon, the county’s convention and visitors bureau, to generate economic impact estimates for the event. These estimates are based on number of attendees, exhibitors, food booths, hotel stays, sales generated, etc. Data is gathered through surveys, heat maps, income feedback and industry indicators, then tabulated through a series of formulas. The 2021 economic impact generated by the Lakeshore Art Festival is estimated at $448,769, bringing the total economic impact since the festival’s inception in 2013 to $7.5 million dollars.*

“While these economic impact estimates tend to be conservative, the Lakeshore Art Festival continues to make a significant impact on the greater Muskegon area,” said Bob Lukens, director of Visit Muskegon. “Not only does the Lakeshore Art Festival boost local tourism, but it leaves a lasting impression on visitors who return to our community time and time again for this exceptional event.”

Sustainability Report:
While the Lakeshore Art Festival is proud of its economic impact numbers, the event tends to look at more than just dollars when it looks at the success of the event. In collaboration with Schupan Recycling, the Lakeshore Art Festival has created a Sustainability Report that recognizes the building blocks for a stronger Muskegon, including benefits to community, environment and local economy. This year’s report was made possible through a grant from the DTE Foundation and can be found here.

Jessica Loding, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships at Schupan stated, “The Lakeshore Art Festival does one of the best jobs in the State of Michigan at incorporating sustainability, in its entirety, [environmentally, socially and economically] – throughout its operation.”

More About the Lakeshore Art Festival:
The 2022 dates are June 25 and 26. The annual art festival brings thousands of guests, hundreds of fine art and craft exhibitors, a multitude of food vendors, children’s activities, street performers and art installations to Downtown Muskegon. The festival ranks as one of the Top 200 Best in the Country by Sunshine Artist Magazine, has been recognized as People’s Choice Award: #1 Art Festival in West Michigan and as one of the Best Art Fairs in America by ArtFairCalendar.com. Since 2013, the Lakeshore Art Festival has brought in over $7.5 million dollars to the Muskegon Lakeshore area and supported a number of local non-profits.

Learn more about the Lakeshore Art Festival sponsorship or volunteer opportunities at www.lakeshoreartfestival.org or by emailing director@lakeshoreartfestival.org. Follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.

*Economic impact multi-year total does not include 2020, when festival was canceled due to the pandemic.

Harbor Hospice Named as Prestigious 2021 Hospice Honors ELITE Recipient

[West Michigan] — Harbor Hospice has been named a 2021 Hospice Honors Elite recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, a leading provider of billing and coding services, CAHPS surveys, and advanced analytics. This prestigious annual review recognizes agencies that continuously provide the highest level of quality care as measured from the caregiver’s point of view. It acknowledges the highest performing agencies by analyzing the performance of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) hospice survey satisfaction measures.

“Hospice Honors Elite recipients are industry leaders in providing quality care and constantly seeking ways to improve,” said Ronda Howard, Vice President Revenue Cycle and CAHPS at HEALTHCAREfirst. “We are honored to be aligned with such high performing agencies like Harbor Hospice and we congratulate them on their success.”

Award criteria were based on Hospice CAHPS survey results for an evaluation period of October 2019 through September 2020. Award recipients were identified by evaluating performance on a set of 24 quality indicator measures. Performance scores were aggregated from all completed surveys and were compared on a question-by-question basis to a National Performance Score calculated from all hospices contained in the HEALTHCAREfirst’s Hospice CAHPS database. Hospice Honors recipients include those hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on 20 of the evaluated questions. HEALTHCAREfirst holds a special recognition, Hospice Honors Elite, to honor hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on all 24 of the evaluated questions. Please visit HEALTHCAREfirst’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com to learn more about HEALTHCAREfirst’s Hospice CAHPS survey program as well as the Hospice Honors awards.

“Our dedicated staff and volunteers of Harbor Hospice have achieved this special designation in demonstrating unwavering excellence in end of life care in the most challenging of circumstances during a global pandemic. It is our privilege to be able to offer essential and valuable care and services to the communities we serve. We thank patients and families for trusting us with their care and for providing feedback that validates that we are making a difference,” said Susan Houseman, President CEO.

For more information about Harbor Hospice and Harbor Palliative Care please call 231.728.3442 or visit www.HarborHospiceMI.org.

For more information about HEALTHCAREfirst, please call 800.841.6095 or visit www.healthcarefirst.com.

Ask Dr. Universe – Bee Stings

Dr. Universe: What happens when you get stung by a bee? And what happens to the bee? – Fatima, age 9, Nigeria

Dear Fatima,

A few different things happen when a bee stings you, and a few things happen to the bee, too.

When I got your question, I called up my friend Brandon Hopkins, who works as a honeybee researcher at Washington State University

Just as bees have a defense system that helps them survive in the world, humans have a defense system of their own.

If you get a bee sting, it’s likely that your body’s immune system—which works to protect you—will kick into gear. The body will detect unusual invaders, or the molecules in the bee venom. As the immune system responds to these invaders, you might experience some redness, itchiness, swelling or rarely, a severe allergic reaction.

When Hopkins was first working with honeybees and got stung, he would swell up and itch a lot. But now when he gets stung it just looks like a little bug bite. The sting still hurts though. Over time his body’s immune system has recognized the venom in his body isn’t really going to do any harm.

Of course, everyone’s body is a little different. The reaction from a bee sting in one person might be quite different from a reaction in another person.

Now, for the bee’s perspective. Hopkins reminded me honeybees, wasps, bumblebees and yellow jackets sting in different ways. Wasps, bumblebees and yellow jackets can sting you multiple times. They don’t lose their stinger when they fly away. But honeybees can only sting once.

Part of the reason for this has to do with the body parts the honeybee uses to sting. First, there is the honeybee’s stinger. It isn’t exactly like a needle, but rather a pair of saws that work side by side.

Then, there are the muscles. A honeybee uses its muscles to slide those saw-like parts back and forth. Meanwhile, the muscles help pump venom from the bee’s venom sack into the animal it wants to sting. All of these parts work together to help the honeybee defend itself.

After the honeybee flies away, it leaves behind this little packet of stinger, venom, and muscles in your skin. This causes so much damage to the bee that it can no longer live. But the stinger packet can keep on stinging. As Hopkins put it, it’s a kind of “self-operating stinging machine.”

Before they fly off and die, honeybees will also release some chemicals called pheromones into the air. The pheromones set off a kind of alarm to let other honeybees nearby know what’s up. If another honeybee picks up on the chemicals, it might also go into stinging mode.

But for the most part, bees don’t really want to sting you, Hopkins said. Usually, they are busy taking care of their family or moving pollen around which helps us produce everything from flowers to fruits to vegetables. For the honeybee, a sting is truly the last resort.

Sincerely,
Dr. Universe

Muskegon Civic Theatre Presents Steel Magnolias

October 8-23, 2021

MCT’s Steel Magnolias

7:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. | Beardsley Theater
Tickets: $28.00 / $13 Student Rush

Truvy Jones runs a successful beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies in the neighborhood have a standing Saturday appointment. As the women of Chinquapin make their way over life’s many hurdles together, they find comfort (and a fair amount of verbal ribbing) in one another.

Click here to purchase your tickets today!