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
Mobile Exhibit Honoring 9/11 Victims Arrives At Ford Museum In Grand Rapids
A special memorial honoring those who died during the September 11, 2001, attacks arrived in Grand Rapids on Tuesday evening.
A group of Patriot Riders escorted the mobile "9/11 Never Forget" exhibit to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. The exhibit will be a part of the annual remembrance ceremonies scheduled for Thursday at the museum. The memorial provides interactive education;
Grand Rapids Leaders Approve Penalties For Parking In Bike Lanes
On Tuesday, the Grand Rapids City Commission approved a new ordinance that is designed to keep bike lanes clear and open for use.
The city has received complaints that people are parking their cars in the lanes making them unusable for bicyclists.
Man Back Out Of His Garage Right Before A Tornado Destroys It [Video]
This is crazy! Late last month, a guy in southwestern Russia saw a tornado coming straight for his house. Not wanting to be in the path of a tornado, he got in his car, and backed out of his garage to try to get away. Then the unexpected happened.
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – Toddler & Basset Hound Are Best Friends [Video]
It's no big secret that I'm a big fan of furry creatures, especially ones with wagging tails.
If you share my enthusiasm for dogs, I hope you enjoy the occasional "Workday Dog Break" videos that I post.
Today, I came across this great video of a little girl and a Basset Hound that are the very best of friends.
WZZM-13: Haz-Mat Situation Unfolds at Haviland in Grand Rapids
Several emergency crews are being dispatched to a hazardous-materials situation on Grand Rapids' west side.
Public safety scanner traffic indicates a chlorine spill or leak at Haviland in the 400 block of Ann Street NW.
You Could Design The Poster For Tulip Time 2015
Tulip Time and the Holland Area Arts Council have teamed up to announce the fifth annual competition to determine the image for the festival’s 2015 poster.
Baby Elephant Playing With Ribbon
After watching this video, I believe everyone needs to have a pet elephant. No, seriously. It would be pretty cool, wouldn't it?
Meet 5-year old elephant "Faa Mai." She was rescued and now calls Thailand's Elephant Nature Park home...
Shopped At Home Depot? Check Your Bank Account and Credit Cards
Seems like there have a lot of what they call a "data breach" lately, doesn't it? First it was the high-profile breach at Target stores, then another one at smaller retailers. Now? It's Home Depot!
Banks are reporting that Home Depot experiences a credit card breach that could be BIGGER than the Target problem last year...
Meijer Hiring For the Holiday Season
Perhaps you're looking for work or know someone who is. Well, I saw this announcement from Meijer and wanted to be sure you're aware of it!
Meijer is prepping for Fall and the holidays and will be hiring a lot of new seasonal personnel. Open positions will be different depending on the store, but there will be positions available at every store...
RECALL: HP and Compaq Laptop Cords
There's another recall to tell you about. This one applies if you own an HP or Compaq laptop/notebook computer.
HP is recalling over 5 million power cords because of a risk of overheating and melting or charring. The power cord is the LS-15 AC model...
Back-to-School 2014: Check Out #BTSWMI, #BTSWestMI Photos from Twitter, Instagram Right Here
Summer vacation and the three-day Labor Day weekend are over as students head back to school across Michigan today.
Use the hashtags #btswmi or #btswestmi on Twitter or Instagram with your back-to-school pictures from greater Grand Rapids and West Michigan. Let's show our pride pictorially about our students, children and kids.
Dog Gets The Mail From the Postal Delivery Man
You've heard the stories that dogs hate any type of service worker that comes to their house, or even NEAR their house, right? Sometimes, it's true. And sometimes, well...
Meet a sweet Golden Retriever who meets the mailman at the fence...