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

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Austin McWilliams, Choir Director at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids. Austin also serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Aquinas College and is the conductor of an upcoming performance at Fountain Street Church: The Bernstein Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers. The Bernstein Mass is being presented by the Fountain St. Church Oratorio Choir on April 27, 2024.

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue speaks with Monk Mattheus, culture and training coordinator with The Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation and organizer with the 1st annual Music Econ Summit takes place on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation to support entrepreneurship and wealth generation for hard-working music creatives.

The Music Econ Summit brings together music industry experts, copyright lawyers, successful independent artists, entrepreneurs, and other professionals for a day of education, discussion, and networking focused on sustainable income strategies and upward economic mobility.

The Music Econ Summit is all about guiding Michigan's local independent musicians and producers into a sustainable career or side hustle that provides economic freedom and autonomy. The summit is organized to help aspiring musicians and creatives gain valuable knowledge to move their careers forward.

The Music Econ Summit is organized and hosted by the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, Push the City Cypher, the Michigan Music Alliance, and Triumph Music Academy.

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue speaks with Gairen Tembreull, Director of Albatross Aviary in Grand Rapids.

Albatross Aviary is a unique avian rescue and sanctuary dedicated to providing permanent care, shelter, and rehabilitation for companion parrots and other exotic birds when rehoming options are scarce. 

Albatross Aviary is a bird refuge mainly focusing on exotic companion birds like parrots, including parakeets, cockatoos, macaws, and other Psittacine species. They typically accept most companion or exotic birds and other captive avian species.

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue, program manager at The Rapidian, speaks with Guest Amy Thomas-Mellema, Executive Director of Revive & Thrive Project.

Revive & Thrive Project was founded by nutritionist and cancer survivor Wendy Borden. After learning about the Ceres Community Project, Wendy made a heartfelt commitment to model the program in Grand Rapids.

Revive & Thrive’s first nutritious meals were home-delivered to 12 individuals with cancer on May 15, 2015.

Key elements of Revive & Thrive Project programs include:

On this week's show, host Allison Donahue welcomes Guests: Meghan Distel, Broadway GR President and CEO, and Jennifer Pascua, Broadway GR Marketing Director.

Broadway Grand Rapids was established in September of 1988 and opened the first season with South Pacific

The mission of Broadway Grand Rapids is to bring the very best of national touring Broadway productions to Grand Rapids.

The audiences attracted by this top-notch programming become an economic catalyst for the community, not just at the theater but at area restaurants, hotels, and other cultural venues. BGR leverages access to performances and performers to create educational opportunities for students at schools and colleges and unique backstage opportunities for service clubs and other area organizations.

All Broadway Grand Rapids presentations take place in DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids.

On this week's program, host. Allison Donahue welcomes John Vanderhaagen, communications director at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

John spoke with Allison about the featured art exhibit at the gardens, as well as the always popular upcoming butterflies exhibition, the summer concert series, and the number of volunteer opportunities at Frederik Meijer Gardens

On this week's program, host. Allison Donahue speaks with Zack Berends, the festival and events manager for Laughfest and Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids sponsors the 14th annual LaughFest from March 6 to 10.

This year's event features comedians such as Tammy Pescatelli, Josh Johnson, Piff the Magic Dragon, and Demetri Martin. Comedian, actor, and author Tom Papa is set to headline the Gilda’s Club annual Red Door Gala on March 14 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Other Laughfest events include LaughFest: Night at the Museum,  LaughFest Trivia Night of Stars, KaraJOKEe, Pop Scholars, River City Improv, and The Dirty Show. Proceeds from LaughFest, presented by Gun Lake Casino, and LaughFest’s High Five Campaign benefit the free cancer and grief emotional health support program offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

In this week's *program, host Allison Donahue (Program Manager for The Rapidian) continues her conversation with Rodney Brown, the founder of GRMIFI. (*The Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator). During the program, Allison and Rodney discussed the utilization of film and media as a means to tell the untold stories of Grand Rapids and GRMIFI's role in cultivating the next generation of local filmmakers. They explored the themes in Todd E. Robinson's book "A City within a City" and the concept of narrative justice that helps guide GRMIFI's work.  

The work of the GRMIFI (The Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator) supports dynamic storytellers, capturing diverse Grand Rapids narratives from past and present about strategizing, organizing and building to thrive amidst the zero-sum mentalities, misdirections and/or niceties about issues of race and power in this region.

*This is part two of a two-part conversation.

In this week's *program, host Allison Donahue (Program Manager for The Rapidian) welcomes Rodney Brown, the founder of GRMIFI. (*The Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator)

 During the program, Allison and Rodney discussed the utilization of film and media as a means to tell the untold stories of Grand Rapids, GRMIFI's role in cultivating the next generation of local filmmakers, and they explored the themes in Todd E. Robinson's book "A City within a City" and the concept of narrative justice that helps guide GRMIFI's work.

The work of the GRMIFI (The Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator) supports dynamic storytellers, capturing diverse Grand Rapids narratives from past and present about strategizing, organizing and building to thrive amidst the zero-sum mentalities, misdirections and/or niceties about issues of race and power in this region.

*This is part one of a two-part conversation.

In this week's episode, host Alison Donohue speaks with Pattijean McCahill, director of marketing and development, at Feeding America West Michigan.

Feeding America West Michigan is at the center of a united community effort driven by the core belief that hunger is unacceptable and meals can change lives.

Feeding America West Michigan works to gather and distribute food to relieve hunger and increase food security in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

On the program this week, Allison Donahue speaks with Janay Brower, Founder and CEO of Public Thread

Public Thread is a West Michigan-based manufacturer and retailer that works with with upcycled textiles and materials.

Public Thread moved last week into a 10,000-square-foot space at 446 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW, the start of a new chapter for the fashion accessories company following an extensive search for a new facility.

Public Thread sources waste materials from other companies like billboard companies and transforms their discarded products into consumer goods

Marcial Benavidez  - Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative Communications Specialist Podcast descriptions:English: In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Marcial Benavidez, Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative Communications Specialist.The Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative is a multi-organizational group that represents over 50 organizations including local school districts, non-profits, government bodies, and businesses. The WPC is tasked with implementing and advancing Welcome Plan priority areas to help new Americans, immigrants, and refugees get acclimated in West Michigan. 

Spanish: En el episodio de esta semana, la presentadora Allison Donahue da la bienvenida a Marcial Benavidez, especialista en comunicaciones del Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative.

El Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative es un grupo multiorganizacional que representa a más de 50 organizaciones, incluidos distritos escolares locales, organizaciones sin fines de lucro, organismos gubernamentales y negocios. El WPC tiene la tarea de implementar y promover las áreas prioritarias del Plan de Bienvenida para ayudar a los nuevos estadounidenses, inmigrantes y refugiados a aclimatarse en el oeste de Michigan.

In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Kendsie Channing, Manager of Neighbor Experience for Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Downtown Neighbor Network. 

The Downtown Neighbor Network (DNN)'s purpose is to provide a forum to socialize, organize, and ultimately deepen citizen engagement in building/promoting a high-quality residential life in Downtown GR

Kendsie spoke about the importance of building community when living in urban areas, like the downtown neighborhood, Building community to combat isolation and loneliness post-pandemic, and ways to get involved with community events through the DNN.

In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Roger Plaxton, treasurer of the Grand River Folk Arts Society & Roger Kohlenberger, president of the Grand River Folk Arts Society.

The Grand River Folk Arts Society is a nonprofit volunteer organization whose mission is to enrich people’s lives and foster community through traditional music, dance, and song. From folk concerts to contra dances, several options of musical entertainment are available through the organization.

In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Marie Orttenburger, Advancement Manager, with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan.

The organization's history began in 1976 when four volunteers met to lay out a plan to identify, protect, and care for West Michigan’s natural areas. 

They created an organization called the Natural Areas Conservancy of West Michigan (NACOWMI). Early projects included several conservation easements, Saul Lake Bog, Lake Breeze natural area, and an addition to the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. In 1997, the organization’s name was changed to The Land Conservancy of West Michigan, and the projects have continued to grow. 

Today, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan is an accredited land trust with an office in Grand Rapids, governed by a board of directors and operated by a professional staff. The mission of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan is to help people protect, enjoy, and care for natural land in West Michigan.

In this weeks program, host Allison Donahue welcomes Fridah Kanini, the founder and CEO of A Glimpse of Africa.

 A Glimpse of Africa works in the West Michigan region to ensure that African immigrants and refugees are visible through advocacy, creating a sense of belonging,  and breaking language, cultural, and systemic barriers.

A Glimpse of Africa seeks to bring people together for a stronger, united community with shared interests and showcase Africa and her people in a brighter, positive light to educate and change the negative media narratives and also to place African immigrants and Refugees on the map in West Michigan through promoting their culture, businesses, and talents.

You can learn more about their organization here:

In this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Monica Hall, the Executive Director, and crime Prevention Organizer with John Ball Area Neighbors in Grand Rapids.

John Ball Area Neighbors Seeks to spread a message of hope and compassion. They believe a single action can make a difference in the community and that collective action can significantly impact the world. Through advocacy and outreach activities, their team works tirelessly each day to contribute their part to the greater good.

In this week's episode, host. Allison Donahue welcomes Gregg Hampshire, the executive director of The Creston Neighborhood Association.

The Creston Neighborhood Association serves the residents of Creston, the largest neighborhood in Grand Rapids.

Since the Creston Neighborhood Association was incorporated in 1979, neighbors have rallied to shape their home community by preserving what is good and changing what needs improvement.

Through CNA, Creston neighbors helped to keep a Grand Rapids Public Library branch in the heart of Creston, Supported strong neighborhood schools by organizing parents and safe routes to school, Collaborated with partners to create Catherine’s Health Center, Organized business owners to revive Creston’s business district, Collaborated with artists & students on public art projects, building bioretention islands along Plainfield Ave-– the first of their kind in Grand Rapids.

In this week's episode, we welcome Jacqueline Scherer, founder and executive director, of The Playground GR. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is a local nonprofit, that is committed to bridging the disparities of the racial, gender, cultural, and socioeconomic gaps often found in caregivers/educational institutions and community based programing around the world of play. Play-based support, therapy and awareness continues to be an evidenced tool that sharpens and supports, emotional health, mental health, trauma, grief, and attachment.

The mission of Playground GR is to raise awareness around the emotional and mental health benefits of play.

In this week's episode, host, Allison Donahue speaks with Karen Carpenter, Manager of the first-ever Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt, happening at the Grand Rapids downtown market from November 17 through December 23.

The Christkindl Markt is a Christmas Village lined with artisan gift and food vendors, live holiday entertainment, and festive family fun. Inspired by traditional European Markets, Christkindl Markt is Best described as a winter wonderland filled with unique Christmas experiences with an international flair.

In this week's program, host Allison Donahue welcomes Cindy Foley, Director and CEO of the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum sees itself as a beacon of the arts in an art-loving city.

GRAM's exhibitions, events, and educational programming span topics, mediums, and genres to connect with and invite a wide variety of audiences. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is an arts venue, resource, and educational institution for the entire Grand Rapids community, the State of Michigan, and beyond.

In this episode of WYCE's Community Connection, host Allison Donahue speaks with Hanna Moulds, a Bookmobile Operator with the Kent District Library.

About KDL:

Kent District Library seeks to challenge the traditional concept of a library. Beyond books to check out, KDL also offers board games, video game consoles, Wi-Fi hotspots, and GoPro cameras. 

KDL cardholders have access to one of the largest digital collections in the country, featuring eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming or downloadable movies, music, games, and even a digital comic book collection.

We spoke with Tracey McKnight, CEO of Care Resources, on independent living for older adults, In-home care,  affordable health services, rehabilitation/therapy gym, and socialization support.

Care Resources is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®), a national healthcare program funded by Medicare/Medicaid. They are a community-based program for adults 55 years or older that promotes healthy, independent living and helps prevent nursing home placement.

Their program is all-inclusive concierge care led by skilled primary care providers and an interdisciplinary team with 11 specialties represented. Care Resources embraces physical, mental, and social health, making healthcare accessible and affordable.

We spoke with Laurel Conrad, Program Director with Lowell Arts, about supporting the arts, community arts support, and support of grassroots artists and artisans.

LowellArts connects artists and audiences through the visual and performing arts. Their organization has been growing since its inception in 1977 and is made up of committed arts enthusiasts.

The Lowell Area Arts Council (DBA LowellArts) is a resource for the greater Lowell community, connecting artists and audiences through the visual and performing arts. For over 40 years, LowellArts has promoted and supported artists through exhibitions, performances, and events. LowellArts continues to be a welcoming, vibrant organization, and serves both as a catalyst for local economic development and a source of valuable art experiences for the community.

We spoke with Cathy Holbrook, Executive and Artistic Director of St. Cecilia Music Center, about performing arts, music education, and music appreciation. 

St. Cecilia Music Center was established in 1883 by nine Grand Rapids women, the organization was named for the legendary patron saint of music. During the earliest days, members met in each other’s homes and performed for one another. By 1890, the society was sponsoring performances by world-renowned musicians.

We spoke with Allison Donahue, Program Manager of The Rapidian, about media literacy, media ownership, citizen, journalism, hyper local news operations, and news deserts.

The Rapidian launched on Sept. 15, 2009 and is a department of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center with funding and support from local businesses and citizens. They are a community journalism news source intended to increase the flow of local news and information in the Grand Rapids community and its neighborhoods.

By providing tools, training, platforms and support, they empower neighborhood residents to report the news from the inside out. They are an outlet for Grand Rapidians to become more than just content consumers but also providers by becoming citizen journalists.

We spoke with Ben Swayze, Director at Kent County Parks and Recreation, about green spaces, trails and trail systems, development, community outreach, funding of county parks, and accessible recreation for all.

The Kent County Parks Department enriches lives in Kent County by providing outstanding parks, natural areas and trails that are accessible and inclusive for all County residents. The Department achieves this vision through efficient operations, sound stewardship of resources, active community partnerships, and by preparing for the needs of future generations.

We spoke with Carla Ludwig, Founder and Executive Director of Hope For Single Moms Grand Rapids, and Taryn Taplin, Event Coordinator, about support systems for single mothers, education, aid for families in poverty, and the resources Hope For Single Moms provides mothers with.

Hope for Single Moms is on a mission to ensure children in single mom families thrive. Their program is for single parents who are full-time students in college or trade school. Their goal is to help parents and their young children develop the educational and family life skills needed to achieve self-sufficiency.

The Hope for Single Moms program uses a teach-a-woman-to-fish approach. It is modeled after what support services would have helped Carla Ludwigs daughter, who was the inspiration for Hope For Single Moms.

We spoke with Olivia J. Bailey, Development Director at Hope Unexpected, about support for single mothers, unplanned pregnancy, affordable housing and rent, poverty, and access to child care.

Hope Unexpected's mission is achieved by showing mercy, love and grace through hospitality and support through multiple services offered to their clients. Their goal is to bridge the gap and offer support to make success and self-sufficiency possible.

We spoke with Jessica Young, Director of the East Hills Council of Neighbors, about neighborhood crime, LGBTQ+ engagement, affordable housing, and historical homes and preservation.

East Hills has always reached beyond the status quo to address the needs of their community. With the collaboration of passionate neighbors they have worked to build and maintain a beautiful, diverse, friendly and safe place to live, work and play.

We spoke with Jason Wheeler and Bruce Ling from Great Lakes music camp about performing arts, music, education, the history of stringed instruments, and bluegrass music, square dancing.

Great Lakes Music Camp provides a unique opportunity to study in intimate small groups under award winning musicians and spend the weekend on Michigan’s unbeatable shoreline.

We spoke with Sara Simmonds, Director of Environmental Health, and Joann Hoganson, Director of Community Wellness, at Kent County Health Department on lead poisoning in children, lead abatement in homes in Kent County, safe drinking water, and providing clean water to at risk families.

The Kent County Health Department is responsible for continually assessing the health of the community and ensuring that certain services are available and accessible for its citizens. To this end, the Health Department investigates the causes of disease, epidemics, morbidity and mortality, and environmental health hazards using vital and health statistics for epidemiological studies. KCHD also plans and implements public education and enforces public health laws.

We spoke with Derek Reed, Co-Founder of Rockford’s Rotary Rocks for ShelterBox, about this years music festival that was held in downtown Rockford.

Rotary Rocks held their 2nd annual event on August 22, 2023 at Garden Club Park. The evening featured music from Jack Droppers and the Best Intentions, Low Phase, and Roosevelt Diggs. Fan favorite Roosevelt Diggs won the band competition by garnering the highest number of "votes" via donations for the night. But the big winner was ShelterBox, an international disaster-relief organization.  The event raised over $3,100.

We spoke with Chana Edmond-Verley, Executive Director of Vibrant Futures MI, about how Vibrant Futures MI helps people in West Michigan gain access to childcare, affordable childcare, and funding for childcare.

Vibrant Futures creates cradle-to-career opportunities and experiences that hold sacred the vibrant promise and potential in every child, youth, family, and caregiver to ensure more vibrant futures for all. Vibrant Futures aims to ensure more children and families from all walks of life achieve their full potential.

We spoke with John McNaughton, Executive Director at Grand Rapids Public Library, about resources the library offers for residents of Grand Rapids, whether that be through checking out books and media or through the plethora of events they host.

The library is our community’s source of accessible information, resources, and programs. They offer a wide selection of books, movies, music, that can be checked out physically and/or downloaded digitally. The library also offers a wide range of programming for people of all ages and interests. 

We spoke with Evelyn-Esparza-Gonzalez, Executive Director, and Gabriella Cordova, Communications & Development Director, of the West Michigan Hispanic Center about their goals of empowering West Michigans Hispanic community.

Located in the heart of the Roosevelt Park, the largest Latino neighborhood in Grand Rapids, the Hispanic Center directly serves more than 30,000 individuals annually. Not limited to Grand Rapids, they seek to address the needs of Latinos in West Michigan. The staff is largely bilingual and multi-cultural. Their staff understands the needs of their Latino neighbors, working to connect with them, and to achieve self-sufficiency together.

The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is a non-profit 501(c) (3) community-based organization.

We spoke with professor and author Dr. Randal Jelks about institutional racism, impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., race, relations, black owned businesses, black history and more.

Randal Maurice Jelks is an award-winning author, documentary film producer, and professor. He is the author of four books. His writings have appeared in the Boston Review, the Los Angeles Review of Books, blogs, journals, and periodicals.Randal Maurice Jelks is represented by Crichton & Associates Inc. 

We spoke with professor and author Dr. Randal Jelks about institutional racism, impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., race, relations, black owned businesses, black history and more.

Randal Maurice Jelks is an award-winning author, documentary film producer, and professor. He is the author of four books. His writings have appeared in the Boston Review, the Los Angeles Review of Books, blogs, journals, and periodicals.Randal Maurice Jelks is represented by Crichton & Associates Inc. 

We spoke with Dave Bulkowski, Executive Director of Disability Advocates of Kent County, about serving people of West Michigan who live with disabilities, the history of Disability Advocates and more.

Disability Advocates strives to eliminate systemic barriers and enhance programs so that people with disabilities can live the self-directed life they choose. They look to aid in community benefits by becoming more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all. They have become recognized locally and across the state, specifically for their transit advocacy, education, technical assistance on accessibility, and Universal Design through our Absolutely Accessible Kent program. 

We spoke with Noemi Gonzalez, Girls Rock GR's Community Engagement Coordinator at the Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities about opportunities for girls in the music scene in Grand Rapids.

Girls Rock! Grand Rapids (GR!GR) is a week long summer camp that exists to empower girls and gender-expansive youth through music. Each year, kids and teens at camp get to participate in instrument exploration, workshops, band forming, song writing, and logo and album art creation. They also get to record their new songs in a professional recording studio and then perform them live in front of an audience.

We spoke with the League of Women Voters Greater Grand Rapids Chapter President Courtney Winell and Board Secretary Kristin Brace about voter rights, voting rules, and regulations, election safety, voting laws in Michigan, and their get out the vote efforts.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. They empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.

We spoke with Paul Soltysiak, Vice President and Co-Founder, and Steve Tibbe, Chief Officer, about historical preservation, arts funding, neighborhood improvement, baseball funding at Valley Field.

Fans of Valley Field exists to preserve the heritage and promote the usage of Sullivan (Valley) Field. They intend to create a year-round community space for the surrounding neighborhoods and all of Grand Rapids. They seek to expand their offerings to include numerous events. Fans of Valley Field works closely with the City of Grand Rapids to rebuild, expand and maintain this community gem. They seek to restore the park to its former grandeur while making it the premier community gathering space in our city.

We spoke with Jazz McKinney, Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center, about pride month, LGBTQ+ equality, gender, equity, transgender education, housing challenges and equal employment opportunities.

The Grand Rapids Pride Center works to create positive change for the 2-SLGBTQ+ community by breaking down barriers, creating awareness, providing inclusive services, and bridging relationships.

We spoke with Steve Salter, President of The Killer Blues Headstone Project, about blues music, blues culture and musicians, and headstones for blues musicians in unmarked graves.

The Killer Blues Headstone Project exists to provide headstones 
for blues musicians lying in unmarked graves. They have placed over 150 headstones in 14 years.

In 2009, The Killer Blues Headstone Project became a non-profit 501(c)(3).

We spoke with Missy Summers, Executive Director of Festival Grand Rapids, about the arts and culture appreciation, performing arts and music appreciation, community outreach, and food and beverage culture.

Festival began in 1970 – as a celebration of the arts in West Michigan, inspired by the 1969 installation of Alexander Calder’s “La Grande Vitesse” (“The Great Swiftness”). From the beginning, the vibrant red stabile served as the backdrop to Festival, as well as a symbol of the City of Grand Rapids.

Festival looks to offer West Michigan an opportunity to experience the best local performers, artists and craftspeople in an environment that is free, accessible and welcoming to all.

We spoke with Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss about city funding, affordable housing funding, public safety, Homelessness, Mental health co- response in policing.

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss became the City of Grand Rapids’ first female Mayor when she took office on January 1, 2016. She was re-elected for a second term in November 2019.  She previously served as a Second Ward City Commissioner for 10 years.

As Mayor, she is committed to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, working to create a cleaner, healthier and safer community and has a commitment to addressing disparities in our community to make sure that Grand Rapids is a great place for everyone.

In this episode we welcome Brianna Shahly, Communications and Marketing Coordinator of the Humane Society of West Michigan.

Brianna touches on animal welfare, pet adoption, spaying and neutering of pets, pet rescue, and feral cats.

The Humane Society of West Michigans mission is to promote the humane treatment and responsible care of animals in West Michigan through education, example, placement & protection. Humane Society of West Michigan serves Kent County, other counties in Michigan, and other states overpopulated with companion animals in need of homes. They are the area’s leading animal welfare organization, with a vision to build a healthy, safe, and compassionate community where all animals receive the care they deserve.

In this episode, we welcome Mariah Malone, Communication Specialist with John Ball Zoo.

Mariah spoke with us about the Zoo's Lantern Festival is a one-mile light tour through John Ball Zoo. The festival features handcrafted Asian lantern displays that will illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.

John Ball Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation committed to the advancement of public education on the need for wildlife conservation and preservation. On January 1, 2014, Kent County, the owner of the Zoo, and the John Ball Zoo Society unified their respective operations at the Zoo to create John Ball Zoo. 

In this week's program, we welcome two members of the Grand Rapids Prime Time Brewers Association: Jeremy Gavin and Mies Martin, President of the GR Prime Time Brewers.

According to the team of club historians, GR PrimeTime Brewers goes back to the late 70's.  Originally, this loosely associated group of homebrewers would sporadically meet to share beers and generally try to get others to drink their garbage. 

By 1994 the club registered with the AHA(American Home Brewers Association) as an official club.  This was the first officially registered club in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area. 

Today, GR PrimeTime Brewers maintains more connections and alumni in the Michigan professional beer scene than any other club. 

The group meets at 7 p.m. every 3rd Wednesday at a rotating location throughout the year, and you do not need to be a member to attend any of our meetings or outings.