On this weeks episode, we speak with John Gorney, Director of Public Works for the City of Grand Rapids

The City of Grand Rapids has partnered with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), The Recycling Partnership, and Prairie Robotics to launch a six-month pilot project. This innovative initiative utilizes high-tech cameras, global positioning systems, and computers on city recycling trucks. The aim is to revolutionize our recycling process, making it more efficient and effective.

In this project, Grand Rapids will utilize the technology provided by Prairie Robotics to retrofit the city’s recycling collection trucks with camera technology, global positioning systems, and computers to scan material as it is mechanically dumped from each recycling cart into the truck. The technology recognizes unacceptable items, such as plastic bags, polystyrene foam, yard waste, and trash. The truck flags such items in real-time, allowing the City of Grand Rapids to send customized feedback via a postcard or digital notification to individual households with information about how they can recycle properly.

Recycling Fun Facts: The national average recycling rate is 32%. Michigan's current recycling rate is at 21% and the City of Grand Rapids recycling rate is at 30%.

Residents can learn more about the program here

On this week's episode, host Phil Tower(in for Allison Donahue) speaks with Bruce Doll, Vice President of the Fallasburg Historical Society, and Bruce Ling, Musician/Band Leader, a long-time supporter of the Fallasburg Historical Society.

The third annual Fallasburg Village Celebration will be held on Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM in the historic Fallasburg Village. The festival will offer live music from 12 bands, a large artisan village, family fun and games, food vendors, educational opportunities, a tractor show, a classic car show, and more! Santa Claus will also visit on July 27.

Online: Fallasburg Village Celebration

On this week's program, Phil Tower speaks with Veronica Horsley-Pettigrew, the Community Outreach and Marketing Supervisor at Care Resources, and Karen Altom, the office manager with Care Resources Christmas, about their Christmas in July effort for older persons served by their programs.

Care Resources is a West Michigan-based program for people 55 years of age or older that promotes healthy, independent living and helps keep people who wish to live independently out of nursing homes.

Care Resources is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (aka, PACE).

PACE is a federal- and state-funded program throughout the country. The PACE model is centered on the belief that it is better for you and your family to be served in your own community whenever possible. PACE uses Medicare and Medicaid funds to cover all of your medically necessary care and services.

During "Christmas In July," Care Resources is asking people to donate personal hygiene products, activity books and household essentials so they can support the seniors they serve.

You can check out their Amazon wish list and make donations that way online.

Their Christmas in July gift drive will help them stock their Bingo Store and provide other essentials to seniors who rely on Medicaid or Medicare.

Items can be dropped off in person at Care Resources, 4150 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, or at Sabo PR, at 44 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW Suite. 300, Grand Rapids.

Online: Care Resources

This week, host Allison Donahue, program manager at The Rapidian, speaks with Maris Brummel, a Public Health Epidemiologist at the Kent County Health Department.

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) recently completed its latest Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), highlighting the most pressing health concerns as identified by county residents. The 2023 CHNA revealed four top areas of concern:

• Housing

• Health Insurance

• Access to Medical Care

• Access to Healthy Food

The Community Health Needs Assessment is conducted every three years, and is a collaborative effort supported by the KCHD and local health care system partners, including Corewell Health, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Pine Rest, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and University of Michigan Health West.

The 2020 CHNA identified mental health, access to health care, racial inequality, and economic security as the primary issues. This year’s assessment involved a broader and more diverse group of participants, thanks to the engagement efforts of nearly 80 partner organizations and community leaders. Over 5,000 Kent County residents contributed their insights through surveys and focus groups.

Online: The Kent County Health Department's Community Health Needs Assessment

On this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Bob Bernhardt, Pops Conductor, Grand Rapids Symphony and John VanderHaagen, Director of Communications for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Once again the Grand Rapids Symphony Will be appearing on three different evenings at the 5/3 Bank Summer Concert Series at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

We spoke with our guests about this unique partnership.

Online: Grand Rapids Symphony

Online: 5/3 Bank Summer Concerts at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Time: 15:58.

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Jazz McKinney, MA, LLP. Jazz is the executive director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center.

On June 21, 1988, the first Pride Celebration was held at the Monroe Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids. Over the last 35+ years, it has now grown into one of the largest one-day events in Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids Pride Festival is an event that brings 2-SLGBTQ+ community members, 2-SLGBTQ+ businesses, allies, and organizations together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the 2-SLGBTQ+ community!

This year's Grand Rapids Pride Festival is Saturday, June 22? Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids. The event is free and open to the public and will run from noon to 10 PM.

Jazz stressed that PrideFest is all about creating a safe, open, and inclusive environment for Grand Rapids community members to celebrate who they are.

More online: Grand Rapids Pride Center.

On this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes Missy Summers, Executive Director, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids.

Mark your calendars! The Festival of the Arts is back, and it's happening from June 7th to 9th in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Don't miss out on this exciting event that brings together art, music, and food in one vibrant celebration!

This year's Festival is a melting pot of activities, offering something for everyone: live music performances to art exhibitions, from culinary delights to creative workshops!

Festival of the Arts 2024 will showcase Western Michigan artists, live performers, food vendors, sponsors, and Festival goers will see their favorite traditional activities as well as new surprises. There will also be four live performance stages with all types of music and comedy, over 20 cultural food booths, visual art exhibits and activities, and 50+ artisan craftsmen at Artisan Village.

Missy told us it takes literally hundreds of volunteers to make festival happen and volunteers are welcome and needed all the way up to the start of festival. Information on volunteering is on the Festival Website.

Don't miss West Michigan’s unofficial start of summer...Festival of the Arts Grand Rapids!

More Online: Festival of the Arts

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue speaks with Amy Acton, CEO of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and Buses By The Beach President, Beth Smith about the upcoming bus benefit May 24-27 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Bus Benefit is presented by Buses by the Beach at Smiling Acres in Trufant, MI. It is a fundraiser for the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.

Members of Buses By The Beach are a group of VW van lovers. Their events draw VW bus owners and their families from the United States and Canada. Since 2002, Buses By The Beach has combined a love of Volkswagen-style camping with raising money for the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. The Phoenix Society is the world’s largest burn support organization based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Phoenix Society serves burn survivors, loved ones, burn care professionals, researchers, and anyone else committed to empowering the burn community and building a safer world. Phoenix Society is now the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people affected by a burn injury.

Online: Buses By The Beach

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors