Stories

Feature Story The 27th anniversary Show & Shine Car Cruise & Show is returning to downtown Zeeland.

Things to do in July: Music and fireworks, art shows and car shows, festivals and fairs

As the economy opens and the weather warms, July brings plenty of activities along the Lakeshore. Offerings include a kids’ presentation about park design, a car show, a festival, and — of course — fireworks.

Longform AARP Michigan volunteer Howard Pizzo, AARP Michigan Communications Manager Mark Hornbeck, and AARP Michigan State Director Paula Cunningham on the Lansing River Trail.

Michigan pursues "age-friendly everything" to support growing older adult population

With the coming growth in Michigan's older adult population, the existing movement towards age-friendly health systems has broadened to embrace the concept of "age-friendly everything."

Longform AARP Michigan volunteer Howard Pizzo, AARP Michigan Communications Manager Mark Hornbeck, and AARP Michigan State Director Paula Cunningham on the Lansing River Trail.

Michigan pursues "age-friendly everything" to support growing older adult population

With the coming growth in Michigan's older adult population, the existing movement towards age-friendly health systems has broadened to embrace the concept of "age-friendly everything."

Feature Story Record Player

KDL puts a spin on traditional music library with its Grooves vinyl collection

With the recent resurgence of vinyl, more music lovers are looking to listen to albums the ‘old school way.’ KDL’s Grooves vinyl collection offers patrons the opportunity to borrow turntables and over 1400 vinyl records from eight branches across their network.

Feature Story Paul J. Nawrocki pitches his business idea for The 100 competition at the SURGE Celebration on June 17, 2021.

Entrepreneurs invited to submit ideas for Start Garden competition

The 100 is back. Start Garden’s competition invites aspiring entrepreneurs to submit a video describing their ideas — as many as they like. The 100 finalists chosen in July will need to refine their ideas in preparation for judging at the Demo Day competition in October.  

Partner Content Rachel Bloch, the Marquette-Alger Regional Education Service Agency’s health education consultant and MFF SNAP-Ed program lead.

Innovative program makes CSAs accessible to Michigan families

A program called Michigan Farm to Family: CSA offers families fresh fruits and vegetables through local community supported agriculture shares at a reduced price.

Development News Doug Matthews

Residents get more power in allocating ARPA dollars with participatory budgeting model

City of Grand Rapids is using a new model, the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP), that will give residents more say in how its $2 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be spent in each of the city's three wards.

Feature Story Boston Soul Cafe crew

Boston Soul Café — Helping the community thrive with food for the soul

The Boston Soul Café on Kalamazoo Avenue services the Boston Square community by offering quality breakfast and lunch selections Thursday through Sunday, including an extended soul food dinner menu every Sunday. The Café also specializes in offering ice cream, with a window that is open seasonally. As the business makes its presence known, the common feedback from those who try the Café is that they are happy to have discovered this neighborhood gem.

Longform Family Medical Center Behavioral Health Therapist Alexis Cavins and School Based Services Supervisor Meredith Gilliam at Wagar Middle School in Carleton.

Teletherapy and telepsychiatry visits help Southeast Michigan students improve mental health

The Family Medical Center of Michigan has developed a successful school-based behavioral telehealth program in partnership with 20 schools in Lenawee, Monroe, and Wayne counties.

Innovation News Michigan House Summer 1

Michigan House Summer launches statewide event series for reconnecting and innovating

The Great Lakes gateway to SXSW, Michigan House, launches statewide summer event series, Michigan House Summer, featuring fireside conversions, music performances and local food, drink and merchandise.

Feature Story Isaac Norris

Maintaining spaces of the past while showing dedication to the community

Serving communities and clients with a common interest in building projects that leave a lasting impact on people and the environment, Isaac V. Norris & Associates, P.C architecture firm has maintained a strong presence in the Boston Square community since it was established in 1993. With a focus on architecture, interior and conceptual design and more, the firm, made up of a team of architects, designers and planners, has been successful in serving the needs and best interests of the people, including opening doors for minority-owned businesses to continue the momentum, such as the South East Market.

Longform Plymouth-Canton Community Schools staffers prepare meals for pickup.

COVID reshaped how Michigan schools provide meals. Will the changes stick?

When COVID-19 prompted shifts in how, when, where, and to whom school meals were served, many of Michigan's schools responded with wildly successful meal programs. Now, many education professionals are hoping those shifts inspire permanent changes.

Feature Story Hosted by the Muskegon Downtown Development Authority, the Lakeshore Art Festival is returning after a year off due to the pandemic.

Muskegon welcomes return of popular Lakeshore Art Festival

Hosted by the Muskegon Downtown Development Authority, the Lakeshore Art Festival is returning after a year off due to the pandemic. With nearly 200 exhibitors, children’s activities, food vendors, and an all-new community participation project, LAF is sure to please.

Feature Story Henry and Lindsay Cherry co-founded I AM Academy, which empowers Black students and is behind the 2021 Juneteenth festival in Holland.

Juneteenth returns with fun and a renewed purpose

Holland's Juneteenth celebration will be a day of fun, learning, and healing. Alongside the festival fun will also be a COVID-19 clinic and voter registration drive.

Development News Transport1

Humane Society of West Michigan collaborates in National Shelter Alliance to protect pets

As part of a National Shelter Alliance collaboration with BISSELL Pet Foundation, the Humane Society of West Michigan will further its work of helping shelters nationwide that have been overwhelmed by natural disasters and hoarding incidents. 

Feature Story Greater Ottawa County United Way President Patrick Moran presents County Administrator Al Vanderberg and County Commission Chair Roger Bergman with the the G.W. Haworth Strength of the Community Award.

Ottawa County receives United Way’s top honor for pandemic response

The Greater Ottawa County United Way presented its biggest honor — the G.W. Haworth Strength of the Community Award — to Ottawa County and its staff for going above and beyond in keeping residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Feature Story Barbara Lee VanHorssen talks to members of the Momentum Center in this file photo. The Momentum Center is part of the (Anti) Racism Task Force, which is co-sponsoring a two-part relationship workshop.

Grant will fund research that could expand Momentum Center model across U.S.

The $66,625 Grand Haven Area Community Foundation grant will fund research aimed at determining if the Momentum Center’s community-based model can be replicated in other municipalities across the nation. The center’s program focuses on fostering a sense of community to help disenfranchised people experience healthy relationships.

Feature Story S Division

Pedestrian safety concerns and accidents prompt city planning and infrastructure changes

High automobile speeds and distracted drivers create increased pedestrian safety concerns, prompting infrastructure shifts and conversations about street safety.

Feature Story Vaccines

Growing COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for young people and combatting hesitancy

While COVID-19 has impacted seemingly every facet of daily life, young people’s lives, in particular, have been turned upside-down. With the expanded vaccine eligibility now including individuals 12 years of age and older, many parents and caregivers are weighing options when it comes to determining whether or not to have their children receive the vaccine.

Feature Story KDL1

Kent District Library connects community through resources, programs and more

As part of its mission, the Kent District Library aims to connect the community with resources to aid in personal and professional development. Part of KDL’s community outreach programming focuses on connecting underserved and underrepresented communities with job placement programs and workplace readiness resources.