Oldest Toastmasters Club in Michigan Still Talk of the Town on its 70th Birthday

Submitted by Megan Susterich on Friday, October 28th, 3:47 pm

Often listed among the top 10 fears people have, public speaking is a skill that can help anyone regardless of their age or background. Whether it’s at school, work or among friends and family, the ability to speak in front of an audience – even if it’s an audience of one – can be the key to future success. Thus, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the oldest Toastmasters International organization in Michigan – located here in Grand Rapids – continues to thrive as it celebrates its 70th birthday.

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. With more than 345,000 members around the world, Toastmasters empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders by providing a safe, supportive and structured setting for its members to acquire and practice meaningful communications and leadership skills on a regular basis to promote and enhance career and personal growth.

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

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

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

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

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Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

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

Public Night at the Observatory on Saturday

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

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

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

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

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Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

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

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

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

Admission is $5.00, 12 & under are free.

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

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Virtual Education Offers Frequent Opportunities for Parent Engagement

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

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

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

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Grand Rapids School Receives High Marks From Local Parents

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

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

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

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Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

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

Public Night at Veen Observatory on August 13

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

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

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

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

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

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