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Benefit for Gabriel's Journey to a Miracle

Submitted by Kal Kamyszek, Blogger, receptionist and cook
Wednesday, April 15th, 2015, 10:51am
Benefit for Gabriel's Journey to a Miracle

Gabriel Isaac Dehen, born October 16, 2014 at Metro Hospital, came into this world fighting and has a long journey ahead of him and his parents, David & Christina Dehen.

Gabriel was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around one of his arms that was completely limp. After ineffective respiratory efforts, he was placed on oxygen but then doctors noticed unusual movement of his arms that appeared to be symptoms of seizure activity. He was then transferred to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for the next 42 days.

Gabriel was diagnosed with Severe Epilepsy & Neuro-Degenerative Disease, meaning his brain cells were diminished from his brain as well as his brain stem. He is now on 3 different seizure medicines.

Both David and Christina never planned to have her off from work for so long; her job granted her 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid leave for baby bonding time. Since that time she is only able to work a few hours a week due to Gabriel’s needs and care.

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Cherry Health & Grand Rapids Public Library Observe Successes in Early Childhood Development Class

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger
Thursday, April 2nd, 2015, 4:35pm
Cherry Health & Grand Rapids Public Library Observe Successes in Early Childhood Development Class

News Release:

Cherry Health continues its collaboration with the Grand Rapids Public Library, offering free family activity classes for children ages 2-5. EatPlayGrow™ is an initiative to help families develop healthy habits from an early age.

Jacklyn Chandler, EatPlayGrow™ Coordinator, noted: “We have had a wonderful community response to class activities and lessons. Families enjoy this dedicated time with their children – from story time to amusing experiments with glue. We witness a lot of laughter in our classes.”

April classes focus on healthy food choices while referencing a familiar image – the traffic light!

The classes also feature art-making, storytelling, music, and movement activities to encourage knowledge attainment and to learn through play!

The following is the class schedule for the month of April:

Wednesday, April 8, 1:30 p.m.
West Leonard Branch
1017 Leonard NW 49504

 

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WMU-Cooley Law School students read and donate books to Sibley Elementary School students

Submitted by Tyler Lecceadone on Tuesday, March 31st, 7:00 am
WMU-Cooley Law School students read and donate books to Sibley Elementary School students

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- As part of March is Reading Month, the leaders of WMU-Cooley Law School’s Children’s Law Society took time recently to read to three Sibley Elementary School kindergarten classes in Grand Rapids.

Besides reading to the children, WMU-Cooley students Demar L. Sheffey and Anthony Courtney gave each child their own book to take home, along with a notebook and pencil to practice their writing.

Sheffey recently helped revive the Children’s Law Society at WMU-Cooley because he was angry about the state of literacy in Grand Rapids public schools. He remembered when he couldn’t move to the fourth grade because his reading skills needed improvement. Like his third grade teacher who helped him, Sheffey wanted to help current school children.

“No one gave me a book at that age,” Sheffey said. “But if I take the time to show these kids that reading is fun and help provide the tools they need to learn, then hopefully they will keep up in school.”

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My Town: 7 tips to protect your home from spring break predators

Submitted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 28th, 7:00 am
My Town: 7 tips to protect your home from spring break predators

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—With spring break fast approaching, many West Michigan families are fine-tuning their travel plans—and so are thieves.

Most West Michigan schools will be out of session April 3-10, so families can take a vacation.  East Grand Rapids Public Safety Director Mark Herald says this is the time homeowners need to step up safety measures.  Herald shares seven ways to make your home less attractive to thieves:

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My Town: 3 ways to inspire your online learner

Submitted by Megan Susterich on Saturday, March 21st, 7:00 am
My Town: 3 ways to inspire your online learner

Whether learning online or in a traditional classroom, keeping your student motivated is important—it offers the opportunity for innovation and powerful learning experiences.

Alexandra Negrete, a teacher at statewide virtual public high school Great Lakes Cyber Academy, shares three tips to help challenge students to reach their highest potential.

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Jezebel Sauce with Corned Beef - The Best

Submitted by Kal Kamyszek, Blogger, receptionist and cook
Tuesday, March 17th, 2015, 9:15am
Jezebel Sauce with Corned Beef - The Best

Last St. Patrick's Day I made Jezebel Sauce for the first time, as recommended by Penzy's Spices. Everyone loved it and I found out later that it is good on several meat and cheese sandwiches. Easy to make and it keeps for a long time in the refrigerator. Give it a try!                 

Jezebel Sauce

  1. 8oz. jar of Pineapple Preserves
  2. 6 oz.  Dijon Mustard
  3. 6oz.   Horseradish
  4. ½ teaspoon Ginger (optional)

 

Mix all the above together in a jar. Shake until well mixed and store in the fridge.

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The Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan raises awareness through random acts of kindness

Submitted by Down Syndrome A... on Tuesday, March 17th, 7:00 am
The Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan raises awareness through random acts of kindness

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that is officially observed by the United Nations and will be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2015. WDSD was established to help raise awareness of exactly what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how those with Down syndrome are an important part of our communities.

To celebrate, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan will be committing random acts of kindness on March 21 in three West Michigan communities:  Grand Rapids, Holland and Kalamazoo.  Random acts of kindness are selfless actions performed with the intention of assisting or lifting the spirits of a stranger.  Some examples include paying for someone’s fuel at a gas station, baking cookies for a local fire station, or handing out bubble gum in a public park. 

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