On this episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Lisa Knight, board chair for the Grand Rapids African American Arts and Music Festival and a city commissioner for Grand Rapids’ 2nd Ward.

The festival will be held on Saturday, September 14, from noon to 10 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids African American Arts and Music Festival is an annual festival celebrating African-American art, live music, dance, culture, and people.

More information can be found online:

The Grand Rapids African American Arts and Music Festival

On the program this week, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Julie Brunson, executive director of HOPE Gardens, a local nonprofit based in Wyoming, MI.

HOPE Gardens was established nine years ago with the mission of teaching nature-based gardening, a sustainable, cost-effective, and organic method.

Their main focus is establishing educational gardens in schools, which not only teach about nature-based gardening but also provide engaging and interactive learning experiences for students from kindergarten through high school.

Their staff spends significant time in schools, fostering in students a passion for growing their own food.

To date, they have 13 gardens in the Wyoming area and hope to add more in the future.

Online: HOPE Gardens

On the program this week, host Allison Donahue spoke with Ruben Ramos, president of the Mexican Heritage Association.

The Mexican Heritage Association exists to promote and educate the public about Mexican culture, customs, history, traditions, and the contributions of Americans with Mexican Heritage through promoting and participating in community events and services.

Ruben joined Allison to preview Fiesta Mexicana, happening September 13-15th on Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.

Fiesta Mexicana is the annual, vibrant celebration of Mexican culture in West Michigan.

Festivities include the popular "Grito de Independencia" ceremony, where the festival leaders honor the heroes of the Mexican community.

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Online:

Fiesta Mexicana

Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan

On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower spoke with Jason Wheeler, co-founder of The Great Lakes Music Camp, a talented musician and founder of The Round Creek String Band.

Jason told us that the 7th year of The Great Lakes Music Camp is honored to return to the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan at Camp Blodgett, October 3-6, 2024

GLMC features some of the finest music and vocal instructors in the nation.

Jason stressed that The Great Lakes Music Camp is meant for all skill levels and all walks of life and offers a wide curriculum, several hosted jams, small group picking sessions, Q&A time with instructors, and live performances.

For campers who attend, it is created to be a one-of-a-kind experience for all. By design, classes are small so all campers have personal time with the instructors.

Jason urged that the camp has very limited availability.

More info online: The Great Lakes Music Camp

On this week's episode episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Janet Zahn, co-chair, of Grand Rapids Climate Coalition.

The Grand Rapids Climate Coalition is a growing alliance of individuals, community groups, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, faith groups, businesses, and educational institutions.

The Grand Rapids Climate Coalition's focus is mobilizing collective power to ensure equitable access to a clean, healthy, just, and livable community and climate.

Janet reminded us that climate change impacts everyone and almost everything: food, health care, air and water quality, transportation, housing, jobs, and the economy.

Climate change can make groceries, utilities, and housing cost more and force out our lower-income neighbors as rich folks flee here from climate disaster locations.

Much of this is already happening in the United States. It will happen more and more in Michigan. All of us will be affected; many of us already are.

GR Climate Coalition's Top 5 Priorities

Right now, our work is centered on these priorities:

1) Implement a Climate Voter Campaign.

2) Advocate for increased recycling and municipal composting. ​

3) Mobilize around Community Solar Legislation.

4) Promote electrification of homes through IRA funding.

5) Support efforts to influence food policy and improve green transportation.

Online: Grand Rapids Climate Coalition

On this week's program, WYCE station manager Phil Tower welcomes Daryl Reece, co-founder, along with his wife, Debra Reece, of the Pieces of Reeces Foundation.

Pieces of Reeces Foundation is again presenting the annual Piecing Together Unity Festival on Saturday, August 17, at Rosa Parks Circle and downtown Grand Rapids.

The festival runs from 1 to 8 p.m. It will feature several vendors and community organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids. There will also be kids' and family activities, live music, several food trucks, and much more.

Pieces of Reeces Foundation has three basic tenets:

Providing Basic Support through essential resources such as food, clothing, and shelter to ensure that every child's basic needs are met, allowing them to focus on their education and personal growth.

Pieces of Reeces also enhances community engagement. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, we help youth build meaningful relationships and social connections that can positively impact their lives.

Daryl said the foundation also believes in supporting young people on their entrepreneurial journey, especially in the skilled trades, whether it's being a cosmetologist, a welder, a plumber, an electrician, a building contractor, or many other skilled trades.

The Pieces of Reeces Foundation strongly believes in supporting these efforts. Daryl transitioned from a factory job to owning a successful barber shop. He later launched the craft spirit brand Stock Da Bar vodka, emphasizing community support and philanthropy.

More info: Piecing Together Unity Festival

On this week's program, host Phil Tower speaks with Noemi Gonzalez, Community Engagement Coordinator with Grandville Avenue for Arts and Humanities(GAAH).

Grandville Avenue for Arts and Humanities is once again sponsoring Girls Rock! Grand Rapids.

2024 marks the 11th year of Girls Rock! Grand Rapids camp and the staff at GAAH are excited to continue the joy of creating music and empowering young musicians!

Noemi Gonzalez told us there are still some critical volunteer needs and opportunities to meet amazing people and youth.

Girls Rock! Grand Rapids is also looking for a business or individual to underwrite the cost of lunch for all 50 campers and staff on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

If you know of someone or a business interested in helping to cover the cost of lunch on Tuesday during camp or by volunteering, visit https://pointapp.org/orgs/2332 to sign up, or contact Noemi at ngonzalez@gaah.org for more information.

Online: Girls Rock Grand Rapids

In this week's program, Phil Tower speaks with Jennifer Kasper, assistant director with MobileGR.

We covered a number of issues in our conversation, including some soon to happen. Parking increases at meters and city own parking ramps for the city of grand Rapids, we also discussed the use of bikes and electric scooters, as well as DAH Routes, riding the Rapid and the cities effort at creating calmer neighborhoods, using transportation solutions.

Mobile GR is a City of Grand Rapids department that works to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and diverse transportation options.

Mobile GR operates city-owned parking systems and maintains many aspects of transportation and safety infrastructure within the City of Grand Rapids and Kent County.

Online: Mobile GR