Hey, I’m the “new guy” here at 100.5 The River. We’ll get to hang out for part of your workday and the drive home while you’re listening to Today’s Best Mix without the rap. Some people asked “why would you move HERE?” when I started. I answer that question with disbelief and realize that people in GR simply don’t realize what a great city they have. Grand Rapids is just a fantastic city. The people, the downtown, the festivals, the philanthropy of our ‘famous families’ … the list goes on and on. The VIBE of this city is just incredible. Those who say “why would you move HERE?” clearly don’t realize how crappy most other similar sized cities are compared to GR. We moved here from the vibrant and clean city (#sarcasm) of Toledo, OH where I was the Operations Manager for six radio stations. Before that, I was on-air or programming stations in Philadelphia, New York City, Milwaukee, Madison, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and Waterloo (Iowa). My wife and I met in Madison and were married four days after 9/11. We have two “furry kids” named Ollie (yellow lab/bassett/corgi) and Chester (bassett). I’m also the Program Director for Channel 95-7 and 100.5 The River, so if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints (I welcome compliments, too), just email or call me!
Tom Cook
The Actress Who Voiced Teen Elsa In ‘Frozen’ Got Paid Less Than One Thousand Dollars
The movie "Frozen" has made a lot of money for a lot of different people - Disney, toymakers, Elsa-impersonators. But there's one person who didn't collect a big paycheck and that's the teen who voiced young Queen Elsa. She was paid only $926.20.
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break: Puppies vs. Water Bottles [Video]
Well, this video is probably going to make your whole entire week.
It's Thursday, and that means that you've endured four days of work so far this week and deserve a bit of a break. And what a break I have for you! A video full of puppies doing what puppies do best - being absolutely adorable and fighting with a water bottle. You can't beat that!
Specialty Food Association Unveils Top Picks for Holiday Gifts for Foodies [Infographic]
The Specialty Food Association has released its top picks for the 2014 holiday shopping season of tempting selections of sweet and savory treats for the foodie on your list.
No. 1: Chocolate.
Perfect Holiday Gift for Your Family: Your Undivided Attention
For many families and individuals across the U.S., the holidays will be spent with the ones they love.
However, a new study that looked at the impact of technology on Americans' lives suggests digital devices are impacting quality family time together.
Watch This Guy’s Fantastic Reaction To Finding Out He’s Going To Be A Dad [VIDEO]
Erika Jackson had been planning how she would tell her husband he was going to be a dad long before she ever got pregnant. Her husband, Jacob, clearly appreciated the way in which she went about it and was thrilled with the news.
Mary J. Blige to Perform on CBS’ ‘A Very Grammy Christmas’
Nine-time Grammy Award winner Mary J. Blige is the latest performer announced for "A Very Grammy Christmas."
Two-time Grammy Award winner LL Cool J is hosting the one-hour special, which includes performances of holiday songs and current pop hits along with holiday and Grammy memories. The show airs 9 p.m. EST on CBS.
Bomb Threat Called Into Rockford High School
Rockford High School was put on "shelter-in-place" for a short time Tuesday afternoon due to a bomb threat.
Superintendent Mike Shibler told the folks at WZZM-13 that the school received a call shortly before noon saying there was a bomb in the building. The caller then hung up.
John Balyo Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Young Boy
The former host of a Grand Rapids Christian radio show was sentenced Monday in Calhoun County Circuit Court for sexually assaulting a young boy.
John Balyo was sentenced to 25 to 50 years behind bars for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – Baby & Dog Practice Jumping Together [VIDEO]
Dogs. They really love helping their tiny human friends with stuff. We've seen dogs helping babies learn to crawl, dogs congratulating babies for learning to walk, and now we see a dog who is seemingly learning about jumping right along with his tiny human.
New Survey Shows That The Person Your Kids Think Of As Their Hero Is YOU
You spend some of the best years of your life in the (sometimes) thankless job of being a parent. Then your kids just grow up and say that they are striving not to be like you, but maybe this will keep you going.
According to a new survey, the person your kids are most likely to see as being their personal "hero" is you.
Over Half of Parents Plan to Go Over Their Christmas Budget This Year
If you already know you're going to blow right past your Christmas budget, should you even bother to make a budget at all?
A new survey asked more than 500 parents if they plan on sticking to their budget for Christmas and more than half of them said no.
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – Puppy Cuddle Session [Video]
It's been a while since I came across a good "Workday Dog Break" video, but as soon as I saw this one, I knew that I had to share it.
Puppies are cute. Put multiple puppies in one video, and it ups the cute factor. THEN, have those puppies cuddle with each other and it's pretty much cuteness overload.