Our network

Public Spaces

My Town: Health phone survey in Kent County largest of its kind in the world

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Saturday, July 19th, 2014, 7:00am
My Town: Health phone survey in Kent County largest of its kind in the world

GRAND RAPIDS – Starting this week, people in Kent County will be receiving letters and phone calls asking families to take part in the 2014 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

This health survey is the largest-conducted telephone survey in the world. The survey will help the KCHD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to track critical health issues, as well as creating and evaluating public health programs in Kent County. Issues and Answers, a phone marketing research firm, will be conducting the survey on behalf of the Kent County Health Department (KCHD).

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share:

My Town: Park patch to help fight hunger in West Michigan

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Wednesday, July 16th, 2014, 12:57pm
My Town: Park patch to help fight hunger in West Michigan

WYOMING, Mich.—United Church Outreach Ministry is getting down and dirty to help fight hunger in West Michigan.

As part of their newest project, Growing Green Neighbors, ministry members teamed up with community members, Metro Health employees and other volunteers Tuesday to turn a patch of Wyoming’s Marquette Park into a thriving garden.

The food will be donated to Feeding America West Michigan, increasing the amount of healthy fresh vegetables available to pantry visitors.

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share:

My Town: August voters to decide funding for Kent District Library branches

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Sunday, July 13th, 2014, 8:00am
My Town: August voters to decide funding for Kent District Library branches

-------NEWS RELEASE-------

KENT COUNTY, Mich. (Kent District Library)-- On Tuesday, August 5, 2014, Kent District Library residents will vote on a 1.28 mills ballot proposal to provide funding for KDL for 10 years.

The 1.28 millage rate consists of a renewal of the 0.88 mills levy, which has been in place since 2000 and expires at the end of 2014, and an additional 0.4 mills. The Kent District Library property tax millage provides 90% of the funding for services offered at 18 branch locations and online, including all library materials, technology, staff and programs.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share:

My Town Wyoming: Critters invade public library July 10

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014, 3:39pm
My Town Wyoming: Critters invade public library July 10

WYOMING, Mich.—A little of the farm is coming to the city July 10 as The Critter Barn of Zeeland visits the Wyoming Public Library.

Visitors can meet and pet barnyard animals from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  The family friendly program is open to all ages.

The Kent District Library’s Wyoming branch is located at 3350 Michael Ave. SW.  For more information, visit the KDL website here.

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share:

Caught Being Safe program launches statewide

Submitted by Tyler Lecceadone on Monday, June 30th, 11:04 am

Michigan State Police, local law enforcement and Michigan’s Field Neurosciences Institute have teamed up with McDonald’s of Michigan to once again launch “Caught Being Safe,” a statewide bicycle/scooter helmet safety program. Kids wearing helmets and “caught being safe” by participating law enforcement officials will treated to a free ice cream cone or Apple Dippers at McDonald’s. 

According to the Field Neurosciences Institute (of Michigan): “Caught Being Safe! has shown a significant increase in both helmet utilization and public awareness regarding the critical importance of wearing a bicycle helmet. This program has impacted not only children but adults as well.” 

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share:

My Town: Check out a Book Buddy at your local library

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Saturday, June 21st, 2014, 7:00am
My Town: Check out a Book Buddy at your local library

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Firemen, ballerinas, mascots, sports figures, literary characters and more will be at local library branches on June 21 to get kids reading!

Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Public Library and the Heart of West Michigan United Way are joining forces to present Book Buddies, a program that encourages children to check out a “book buddy” and spend ten minutes reading their favorite book together.

The Book Buddies program is designed to help children meet the goal of reading 400 minutes over the summer, the amount of time it is estimated that kids should spend reading to prevent summer slide and maintain the reading gains they made over the school year.

Seven local library branches will present Book Buddies on June 21. The schedule is as follows:

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share:

My Town: Book Buddy volunteers needed for June 21

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Wednesday, June 18th, 2014, 7:00am
My Town: Book Buddy volunteers needed for June 21

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— Help a kid discover their passon for reading by becoming a “Book Buddy” this weekend.

The United Way, Kent District Library and Grand Rapids Public Library are looking for volunteers to read to children this Saturday, June 21. Volunteers are especially needed in Lowell and Sand Lake.  Volunteer roles include:

Book Buddy- Dress up as a character and listen to kids read. Wear costumes of your profession (police officer, doctor, etc.) or simply put on your best listening ears and be a buddy. Give your attention to a child as they read for 10 minutes.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: