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
Expect Mother Nature to Play Some Tricks with Halloween Weather on Friday
Mother Nature may have tricks of her own to play, with high winds, rain and snow being forecast by the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids Office for Friday.
That's going to make for some possibly challenging conditions for trick-or-treating on Halloween.
West Michigan Preschoolers Set World Record
How exactly did preschoolers set a world record? Through vocabulary.
More specifically, they did it by learning the words "magnificent," "patience," "stripes" and "wilderness" through the story "Mr Tiger Goes Wild."
Grand Rapids’ Odd/Even Parking Enforcement to Begin November 1
The City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Police Department announced Thursday that they will begin enforcing Odd/Even Parking rules on November 1. The enforcement will last until April 1, 2015.
This enforcement does not apply to all streets in Grand Rapids.
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – Dog Discovers How Fun Bouncing On A Bed Is [Video]
This dog has just discovered something that we humans have known since we were kids - bouncing on a bed is AWESOME!
Sure, it looks like this is one of those memory foam beds, so there isn't a whole lot of "bounce" to the mattress, but frankly, just jumping up and down on the bed is pretty fun, right?
Meijer Announces Dates for the 2015 Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft
After a successful inaugural tournament that generated $600,000 for Midwest food pantries, the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft will return to Grand Rapids in 2015 for another week of community events and the best women golfers in the world.
The tournament is slated July 20-26, 2015, at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, and will again benefit the Walker-based retailer Meijer's Simply Give
RECALL ALERT: Chrysler Recalls 503,000 Vehicles For Two Different Issues
Chrysler is recalling Jeep and Dodge SUVs because their stability controls might not work, and heavy-duty and commercial vehicles because their diesel-fuel heaters might get too hot.
Chrysler, a unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, says it knows of know accidents or injuries caused by either problem.
RECALL ALERT: Meijer Recalls Halloween Projector Flashlights
Meijer has issued a recall for a novelty Halloween projector flashlight because it poses a burn hazard.
This recall involves a Signature Designs Halloween image projector. The projector is a flashlight with cap that holds special lenses to project messages and images onto a wall or other surfaces.
Check Out This Timelapse Of Braces Straightening Teeth [Video]
As a person who has had braces, I am a firm believer in their ability to straighten teeth. But, I guess I've never really thought about what was going on in my mouth over those months and years that I had the braces.
Well, thanks to this video I came across on YouTube, now I know!
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – Dog Isn’t Quite Sure About Fake Rat Halloween Decoration [Video]
I've often said that dogs are smarter than a lot of people. This dog seems to prove my case.
He's pretty leery of this fake rat Halloween decoration. Is it a friend? Is it a foe? Can I eat it?
RECALL ALERT: Baby Wipes Recalled For Possible Bacteria
Baby wipes sold at popular retail stores like Walgreens and Sam's Club have been recalled due to potential bacteria.
This is a related to an advisory on the wipes that was released by Sam's Club earlier this month.
Austrian Town Makes Lip-Dub Video After Being Inspired By Grand Rapids [Video]
The mayor of an Austrian city credits Grand Rapids for inspiring his city's lip-dub video.
The Austrian video is 14 minutes long, which is a new world record. More than 6,000 people danced for 10 hours to make it happen.
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – Puppy Goes For A Swim With A Hedgehog [Video]
Are you kidding me?!? A puppy AND a hedgehog?!? This might be the best "workday dog break" video I've come across yet.
Meet Hazel and her friend Prickle. An unlikely duo who really enjoy swimming together.