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
Labor Fest 2014 Today in Grand Rapids’ Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Hard to believe September is here, isn't it? Seems like the summer went awfully fast.
But here it is, Labor Day. And if you're looking for something to do today, I'd like to point you toward Ah-Nab-Awen Park in Grand Rapids for Labor Fest 2014...
Re/Max of Grand Rapids’ Grand Rapids Balloon Festival Gets Aloft Friday, Saturday in Wyoming
The first annual Grand Rapids Balloon Festival launches on Friday and Saturday.
Twenty-one hot air balloons from across the midwestern U.S., including the iconic Re/Max balloon, are taking part, according to festival organizer Re/Max of Grand Rapids.
The festival includes goings-on starting at 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday on the grounds of the corporate headquarters of Gordon Food Service, 13
RECALL: Various Model In-Wall Air Conditioner/Heat Pumps
Here's another recall to tell you about. This will likely not apply if you're a homeowner, but may be more important if you're in a condo, apartment or own residential or commercial property.
A recall has been issued for certain Amana, Century, Comfort-Aire, Goodman and York International "Terminal Air Conditioner/Heat Pump" units...
Grand Rapids’ Grand Crossings Bridge Walk on Labor Day
The yearly Grand Crossings Bridge Walk is set for Monday morning in downtown Grand Rapids.
The walk will start at 8 a.m. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and will be led by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell.
Rare Blond Penguin Spotted In Antarctica (Click Through To See It)
All of us here at The River love furry and feathered animals. Usually that means dogs or cats. But what about penguins?
You probably saw the "March Of the Penguins" movie narrated by Morgan Freeman. Maybe you know "Opus" the penguin from the cartoon pages...
Motorcyclist Crashes And Lands On Car’s Roof
Have you seen this video? This was floating around the "interwebs" late last week.
The is from a dashcam in a car. It's uneventful, until a car in the right lane signals and merges left - just about the time a motorcycle is attempting to speed through the rolling traffic jam...
Workday Pig Break: Tiny Pig Frolicking In The Grass [Video]
I know that usually I give you a workday dog break, but today I decided to change it up a bit. Mostly because I came across this Vine video of an adorable tiny pig frolicking through the grass.
Golf Ball Hits Man In Head and Leaves Huge Welt
I saw this story while clicking around last week. Well, I didn't see the story so much as the picture. It shows a man's forehead after being hit by a golf ball that was driven by another player.
It was posted on Twitter by @StinaSternberg, who is Golf Digest's Global Golf Director and columnist...
15-Year-Old Makes History At The U.S. Open
Happened to catch this earlier today on TV and the on social media.
A girl from California became the youngest girl to win a US Open match in nearly 20 years. She won her set 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 over an opponent from Slovakia. Her name is Catherine "CiCi" Bellis...
Woman Texts Person Who Stole Van, Van Is Returned
File this in the "wow, you don't hear that every day" category.
A single mom's van was stolen from a store in Missouri. She remember that her husband's cell was still in the car, so she sent it a text and asked that the van be returned...
Ice Bucket Challenge Being Used By Scammers
No doubt you've seen a lot of videos on social media of friends and celebrities taking the "Ice Bucket Challenge" to raise money for ALS.
As with any phenomenon, the low-lifes and dregs of society ruin it for their own gain.
Scammers are sending emails that attempt to entice people to click a link or watch a video of an "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge," but they're actually installin
Adrian College Spends $500k On Security Upgrades
Students went back to class yesterday at Adrian College. This year, Adrian College students will be even safer thanks to an investment made in the security system.
The school's Board of Trustees spent $500,000 in upgrades and added 100 video cameras around campus...