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Health Department offers free HIV/AIDS testing

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Wednesday, November 27th, 2013, 10:50am
Health Department offers free HIV/AIDS testing

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--  More than one million Americans are living with HIV, and many may not even know it.

In honor of World AIDS Day, the Kent County Health Department is offering free AIDS testing at four of its facilities, no appointment needed.  The finger poke test takes about 20 minutes for results, which are confidential.  Those who get tested will receive a gift card (while supplies last) and additional information about HIV.

Testing times and locations:

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East Grand Rapids to join group setting ambulance standards

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Tuesday, November 19th, 2013, 3:00pm
East Grand Rapids to join group setting ambulance standards

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The standards for ambulances running in East Grand Rapids may soon change.

During its regular meeting Monday night, the city commission approved joining an ambulance consortium with other Kent County communities.  The consortium would establish across-the-board ambulance service standards for all communities involved, through contracts. East Grand Rapids currently works with AMR Ambulance, but the city does not have a contract with the company. 

City Manager Brian Donovan says communities that are part of the consortium will create an oversight group which will make sure all ambulance companies are abiding by contractual standards. By consolidating regulation, each community will save staff time and money.

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Fall Classes at Kentwood Parks & Recreational Center

Submitted by Kal Kamyszek, Part-time Blogger, Part-time Receptionist & Cook on "In the Kitchen w/Kal"
Wednesday, October 30th, 2013, 9:39am
Fall Classes at Kentwood Parks & Recreational Center

Kentwood Parks & Recreation Fall Classes are about to get underway beginning November 1, 2013. This is a listing of the classes:

Fridays, November 1st thru December 13th: (Skip 11/29) from 6-7pm, Dog Obedience classes will be held. This class is for dogs 5 months and older who have never had formal obedience training or as a refresher course for others. The cost is $60.00.

Mondays, November 4th through the 18th from 6:30-8:00pm, Ballroom Dance will be taught to beginner couples and those who may need a tune-up. Cost: $99.00 per couple.

Mondays, November 4th through December 9th, from 7-8:30pm, Introduction to Pottery will be taught with a variety of techniques working with clay in this fun, hands-on class.

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Meijer partners with Priority Health to help as open enrollment for health insurance begins

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Tuesday, October 1st, 2013, 3:25pm
Meijer partners with Priority Health to help as open enrollment for health insurance begins

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Meijer) – Meijer, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based supercenter chain, announced today that it is partnering with Priority Health, Michigan's leading health plan, to raise awareness and help customers obtain information regarding their options as open enrollment for health insurance begins under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The Michigan-based entities have unveiled a Health Reform and You! website at http://www.meijer.com/aca and are also providing informational brochures for customers at 203 Meijer pharmacy locations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

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Learn about and help prevent hunger during free film showing Sept. 25

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013, 1:25pm
Learn about and help prevent hunger during free film showing Sept. 25

WYOMING, Mich.—One in four children in the U.S. do not know where their next meal is coming from.

It’s an issue addressed in the documentary “A Place at the Table,” which will be shown for free a during “Movie Night at Metro” Wednesday night.  “A Place at the Table” focuses on why children are going hungry and how it threatens our nation’s economy and society.

Wednesday night’s viewing begins at 6 p.m. inside the Metro Health Conference Center, located at 2225 Main St. SW in Wyoming.  While the movie is free, visitors are encouraged to bring donations for a food drive by Metro Health Hospital.  For more information and to register, visit Metro Health’s website here.

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Preparing for flu season: Health department now offering shots

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Monday, September 23rd, 2013, 11:57am
Preparing for flu season: Health department now offering shots

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Flu season is approaching and now is the time to get immunized.

The Kent County Health Department is administering its first flu shots of the season beginning Monday, September 23.  Adults and children six months and older are eligible for the vaccine.  Prices are $33 for the preservative free FluMist nasal spray, $20 for a preservative free four strain shot, $29 for the preservative free three strain vaccine and $25 for the three strain shot.   Parents of children who have no insurance or who have insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines will only be asked to pay for administering the shot, which costs up to $15.

Although no cases of flu have been reported to the county so far this season, health officers say Kent County experienced a substantial increase in confirmed flu cases last season, leading to dozens of calls for vaccinations late in the season.

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Three-county campaign to Take the Stairs kicks off September 3

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013, 6:00am
Three-county campaign to Take the Stairs kicks off September 3

Organizations in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties are teaming up this week to encourage people to take the stairs.

Take the Stairs Week runs September 3 through September 6.  The three-day campaign is meant to encourage people to become more physically active while saving energy.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, graphic designs promoting healthy behavior have been shown to motivate stair users; that’s why Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University created images for this campaign.  Free color signs are available at the Heart of West Michigan United Way for businesses and organizations with escalators or elevators.

Participating agencies include:

The American Institute of Architects, Grand Rapids Chapter 

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