West Michigan Armed Forces Thanksgiving Luncheon to Pay Tribute to United Sates Military Members

Submitted by Megan Susterich on Friday, March 24th, 1:52 pm

Students from across West Michigan are joining area business leaders to celebrate local members of the Armed Forces – past, present and future – during the 2nd Annual West Michigan Armed Forces Thanksgiving Appreciation Luncheon at the JW Marriott in Downtown Grand Rapids on Friday, May 5th. Military members will be in attendance for this event aimed at strengthening awareness and dialogue on the contributions our military personnel have made and continue to make on behalf of their families, their friends and their country.

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Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Monday, February 20th, 2017, 3:32pm

Special Event on March 1 – The Solar Eclipse of 2017

The public is invited to this special presentation to prepare for the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017.

Across a wide area of the United States, there has not been a total eclipse of the sun, since 1970. This summer, we will experience total darkness for possibly 2 minutes and 40 seconds within a 70 mile radius on August 21, 2017.

Dave DeBruyn and George Lessens will give a presentation on Wednesday March 1, 2017 from 7:30pm – 9:00pm called “Where to Go and What to See” taking place at the Grand Rapids Public Museum located at 272 Pearl Street NW in Grand Rapids. This presentation will give the public useful knowledge during this special August event.

Visit www.graaa.org for more information.

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Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Thursday, February 16th, 2017, 5:09pm

The Grand Rapids Public Library invites the public to celebrate African American month with a fun-filled Sunday afternoon.

This celebration showcases African American history, art, music and FOOD from 1:00pm - 4:30pm. Bring your family for this free popular event at on Sunday, February 19 at the Main Library located at 111 Library Street NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Call: (616)988-5400 or visit: www.grpl.org/tasteofsoul for more information.

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Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Friday, February 3rd, 2017, 5:24pm

Catholic Charities of West Michigan welcome your presence to Pietro’s through February 2017 for this Fundraiser!

For a fresh, homemade and local lunch or dinner, patrons have the opportunity to enjoy a delightful trip to Pietro’s Soup Bar. Chef Jevon Reno’s, 3 Signature Soups made from scratch daily are a tasty break you won’t want to miss!

Throughout the month of February, a donation of $1.00 from each soup bar purchase ($2.99 each) will benefit Catholic Charities. Give Catholic Charities a helping hand with the enjoyment of the “Best Soup in Town”

Pietro’s is located at 2780 Birchcrest, SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan, off 28th Street, one block West of Breton Avenue.

Call: (616)452-3228 or visit www.pietrosGR.com for more information.

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Humane Society of West Michigan Places Record-Setting Number of Pets in Forever Homes in 2016

Submitted by Megan Susterich on Thursday, January 19th, 2:56 pm

With a new year underway, the Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) is looking back and celebrating another successful year. In 2016, HSWM helped more than 3,700 animals find their forever homes – a record-setting number for the organization.

The new record surpasses the more than 3,000 adoptions that took place in 2015. The increase in adoptions can be attributed to community support of adopting shelter animals, families embracing multiple shelter animals, and the variety of ages and breeds of animals up for adoption at HSWM.

“We cannot thank our team of staff and volunteers, as well as our generous donors, enough for another successful year,” said Trudy Jeffers, Executive Director of HSWM. “They are the backbone of our organization and we are blessed to have them assist HSWM with saving lives, raising awareness and educating the community.”

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Submitted by Kal Kamyszek, Blogger, receptionist and cook

Friday, January 13th, 2017, 2:31pm

North American International Auto Show and Auto 1910

I recently got an e-mail from one of my friends and it really rang a bell with me being the North American International Auto Show begins tomorrow, Saturday, January 14, 2017 in Detroit.

The auto featured above looks quite different from the auto posted below this article. The auto featured above sold for $950.00 in 1910 but the average wage at that time was 22 cents an hour. The average man earned between $200 and $400 per year. By comparison, the averge houly rate today is $13.33 and the high weekly wages $1644.00. These are jobs in manufacturing, building, etc.

There were 8000 automobiles total in the USA at that time and only 144 miles of paved roads. Can you even imagine what that ride was like?

Gas for automobiles could only be purchased at Drug Stores. Top speed was 10 miles an hour.

In doing a little research I found the average price of a new automobile today for the average family is too expensive for them to own at $34,000.00.

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3 Things to Consider Before Gifting a Pet this Holiday Season

Submitted by Megan Susterich on Monday, December 12th, 5:17 pm

For many people, young and old alike, a pet for Christmas is the top desire for the season. For a long time, it was assumed that pets as gifts were a really bad idea, increasing adopted animals being returned to the shelter after the excitement of the holidays is over. Data supports just the opposite.

“It’s a myth,” states Trudy Jeffers, Executive Director of HSWM, “that giving a pet as a gift is a bad idea. In fact, with the right research, identifying the needs of the new pet, and knowing the person you are gifting to, helps make the right decision for both the pet and the person.”

A 2013 study by Dr. Emily Weiss says, “There is no increased risk of relinquishment for dogs and cats received as a gift.” In her research, Dr. Weiss found that over 87% of the pet owners in the study still had their pet in their home or had kept the pet in their home for the pet’s lifetime, even when the pet was given as a surprise or a gift, according to the ASPCA.