We’ve got perfect weekend weather heading our way for Friday, Saturday and Sunday so pack up the car and head out to Grand Haven.  There will be giant kites, stunt kites, new state of the art kites, old fashioned paper kites, plastic kites and kites of all kind that will be flying high in the skies of Grand Haven.

It will be especially fun for the kids too.  Mackinaw Kites and Toys will host this annual event on the beaches of Grand Haven State Park.  There will be lots of activities aimed at kids of all ages and there will even be an inflatable obstacle course for kids to navigate.  General Admission is free!

Pick a day and see what’s going on.  Here’s a List of Events and Times.

angela pierce/flickr.com

Dr. Jen Petrovich and her volunteers know each and every kitty in Crash’s Landing and Sid’s Sanctuary.  They    can even help match you up with the kind of kitty purrrsonality    you’re looking for; be it a lap cat, a senior cat for a senior citizen,   or  maybe you’re  looking for a playful family feline, one that gets   along  with other cats, dogs and even kids!   The volunteers work with   them  day  in and day out and know what each and every cat is all about.

Each Friday, on 100.5 The River, is a ”Purrrfect Friday,” A   Crash’s Landing kitty is featured and I share that kitty’s story or I   share how he/she might be adopted into a loving and caring home.

This week’s kitty we’re spotlighting from Crash’s Landing is  ”Cela.”  Dr. Jen Petrovich from Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic shares “Cela’s Story.”

For more Crash Kitties looking for a loving, furrrever home, please visit Crash’s Landing.

ps And remember when you adopt from Crash’s Landing if   your circumstances change and you can no longer keep your kitty you   can ALWAYS give them back to Crash’s Landing…No Questions Asked! (we   hope you don’t do that but they can be surrendered back into the   program)

If you see any form of animal abuse or have concerns about any   animal PLEASE CARE and please call.  All Reports Of Animal Abuse Will   Remain Confidential. REALLY!   Simply say I wish to remain anonymous,   and it’s done!

Kent Country Animal Services: 616-632-7300

Humane Society 616-453-7757

Animals have no voice.  You can be their voice, anonymously.  Please   care enough to do that.  You know deep down inside when   something is wrong, don’t question your gut.

Adopt Cela NOW at www.CrashsLanding.org

Getty Images

It’s Friday, and that means our trivia game, “Friday 5 The Hard Way.”

Here are the questions.  Have fun!

FRIDAY 5 THE HARD WAY

May 18, 2012

1. Name three rooms in the White house named after colors?

GREEN ROOM / BLUE ROOM / RED ROOM

2.     In this 1993 film, this actor played the role of both the President of the United States, and a presidential look-alike.  Name the actor and film.

KEVIN KLINE / “DAVE”

3.     This country has the largest per-capita chocolate consumption. What is it?

SWITZERLAND

4.     Who has the most at-bat strikeouts in baseball?

Babe Ruth (Ruth struck out 1,330 times in his career (1914-1935), during the regular season. He struck out another 30 times during World Series games. 24% of his outs were strikeouts.)

5.     What was the original Barbie’s full name?

Barbara Milicient Roberts

For centuries John Russo and his family has been dedicated to providing customers with authentic specialty foods and wines.  Carrettino, their signature Sicilian donkey cart is what John’s forefathers used to transport their products.  John’s family from the old country were fishermen, farmers and merchants in Sicily.  They began to immigrate to Michigan in the late 1800′s.  Today John’s fourth, fifth and sixth generations continue the tradition in their quaint, little shop in the Towne and Country Plaza Shopping Center, located at 4301 Kalamazoo SE at 44th street, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

John’s place specializes in Italian groceries.  The deli is filled with authentic Italian meats and cheeses.  The kitchen produces quality Italian sausage, meatballs, pasta sauces, antipasto party trays and more.  And of course there is a wide variety of wines from all over the world!

Carrettino Italian Market and Wine is John Russo’s only store and is independently owned by John and his wife Maha, Gina, Mike and Greg Russo.

Visit Carrettino’s online and reach out to John at RussoBrands@hotmail.com  Or better yet, stop in personally and say hello to John and congratulate him on his new place!

carretinosicily/flickr.com

Summer is just around the corner.  Ahhh, Summer!  We’ll be outside more, at the beach, on the golf course, tennis court, camping, bike riding, boating…..so many things to do in West Michigan.

One other thing to do?  Put on the Sunscreen, and, lots of it.  You, your kids, all need protection. 

Something you’ll begin to notice on your Sunscreen is the claim of ‘waterproof’ or ‘sweatproof’ will begin disappearing from products, because, quite honestly, they’re not.  It’s just marketing

Last year, the FDA mandated that sunscreen manufacturers had to stop using the descriptions because no product is truly waterproof or sweatproof, and even the best sunscreens don’t completely block harmful rays. And although the ban was supposed to be in place this summer, makers now have until this winter to comply.

Actually, products that still claim to be ‘waterproof’ or ‘sweatproof’ will have to prove it with standard testing and state exactly how long a product will stay on the skin after being exposed to water or perspiration.

In addition, terms like ‘sunblock’ will be replaced with ‘broad spectrum’ as long as a product has an SPF rating of at least 15 and protects the user from both UVA rays (associated with skin cancer) and UVB rays (which can cause sunburn).

That said, sunscreens out there now are still effective and the FDA encourages their use, saying, “The ingredients in FDA-approved sunscreens marketed today have been used for many years, and FDA has no reason to believe these products are not safe.”

Come on, lather up.  You don’t want a dangerous burn this year.

flickr/campdarby

Do you love to cook?  Do you consider yourself an amateur chef but really need some help.  Do I have a fun, and delicious event for you.

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is beginning their newest event next Thursday, May 24, called Chef’s Table.

There is always great fun in the kitchen, usually, and cooking with friends and a professional chef, makes it more fun.

You’ll get to meet, and cook with, one of the area’s finest chefs, pick up some new cooking techniques and enjoy some delicious food. So, grab a friend or two, roll up your sleeves, and join the Chamber for a great event that pairs food and fun together! Space is limited at each kitchen, so make sure to register right away.

Here are the kitchens and Chefs to select from.

Uptown Kitchen: 12 Participants
Menu: Local Springtime Feast - This class will features the technique of making fettucine from scratch and beautiful, local, seasonal flavors. Vegetarian class
Molly & Chris of the Grand Rapids Cooking School
423 Norwood Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Kitchen Sinc: 8 Participants
Menu: Take a world tour of Spain and learn to cook Chicken and Chorizo Paella with garlic aioli; the national dish of Spain!
Chef Kathleen Schiefler
40 Monroe Center NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Williams Kitchen & Bath, Kentwood showroom: 12 participants
Menu: Learn to cook a four course Italian meal with items you probably have in your ktichen! The main dish will be Chicken Florentine and for dessert, a Balsamic Rasberry Sundae!
Sarah Kallio of The Stocked Kitchen
3850 29th Street SE
Kentwood, MI 49512

YoChef Catering: 12 participants
Chef Joseff VanHorn
733 Bridge Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

It’s one-night only, Thursday, May 24.  It will be from 6 to 8:30 at each location, you can only pick one, of course.  It costs $45 per person, but should be well worth the cost.

To register, just call the Chamber hot-line at 616.771.0303, or, click the link I’ve attached here.

I had the honor of being emcee for the event, and help honor successful businesses in the Greater Grand Rapids Area.

The EPIC Awards (which stands for Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative) recognizes businesses and individuals that support the community, demonstrate growth, are innovative, and have worked with others as mentors and collaborators.

The crowd of nearly 450 guests was on the edge of their seats as the recipients were revealed!  And, the winners were…..

Woman-Owned Business of the Year
Busy Bea’s Services

Small Business of the Year
SecurAlarm Systems, Inc.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Ryan Cook, Snap Fitness

Minority-Owned Business of the Year
Achievement Resources, LLC

Non-Profit of the Year Award
YWCA of West Central Michigan

Excellence in Business Award
Michigan Blood

Congratulations to all the Finalists and 2012 Award Recipients!

I saw Van Halen in concert back when DTE Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan was known as Pine Knob.  To say they “rocked the place out” would be an understatement!

Rolling Stone magazine reports the band “abruptly postponed all tour dates after their June 26th show in New Orleans with no explanation.  The band pulled out of more than 30 dates, including shows in Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Salt Lake City and El Paso.  Sources close to the band report the members hate each other and are arguing like mad.  Maybe they should be traveling with a shrink or something that can talk them through these shows, make lots of money, and go their separate ways.  Fans want to see them, shows were selling out like mad!  If you purchased tickets return them for a full refund.

Members of the 126th Cavalry out of Wyoming Armory serving in Afghanistan have lost their bedding quarters and supplies after a fire.

So American Legion Post 459 is seeking donations for 35 soldiers.

The American Legion is collecting:

• Flip-flops
• Tan T-shirts
• Towels
• Pillows
• Single sheets
• Snacks
• Vitamins
• Razors and non-aerosol shaving cream

Donations can be dropped off at 658 Michigan Avenue NE in Grand Rapids.

According to CNBC, the cost of raising a child to age 17 has gone up 25% since 2002, mainly because of the high cost of groceries and medical care.  The report from the USDA shows that a middle-income family with a child born in 2010 will spend just about $227,000 on expenses to raise that child.  That number goes to $287,000 when you factor in projected inflation.

Oh yeah, that bill doesn’t include college or anything before the baby is delivered.

If you’re planning on kids, their advice is simple:

• Plan early.  Think it through.
• Do a test run on your finances and try living on less.
• Plan for child care; family or day care.
• Think about college.  Will you save money to help?  Will you invest in a 529 plan?

Read the full column from CNBC here.

Volunteers are planning “Pancakes for Anya,” a pancake breakfast at the Standale/Walker Applebee’s, 4475 Lake Michigan Drive NW, on Saturday June 2 from 8-10 a.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door at $7 per person and $4 per child ages 4-10. Children 3 and under are free. Breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, bacon, juice, pop and coffee.

You can also donate online HERE at the Transplants.Org website if you’re not into pancakes (and if you’re not, what’s wrong with you?!).

Anya’s Story:

When she was 2, doctors discovered a brain tumor, which required chemotherapy. The following year, she underwent radiation to her head and spine. At ages 11 and 12, she successfully completed treatments for two more brain tumors.

In 2010, Maciulewski, now 27, was unable to breathe, and her parents rushed her to the ER, where she was put into a drug-induced coma. After eight weeks, she was able to return home, but later that year was hospitalized again for seven weeks, four of which she required life support. Sadly, the chemotherapy and radiation caused severe scarring of her lungs, leading to pulmonary fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and interstitial lung disease. Doctors say a double-lung transplant is critical to her survival.

The average double-lung transplant costs nearly $800,000. And that’s only the beginning. Although her health insurance will cover the transplant itself, she’ll still face expenses for follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Disco and pop music icon Donna Summer has died, according to gossip site TMZ.  According to TMZ, she passed away after a battle with cancer and died in Florida.  She was 63 years old.

She was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, and later changed her name, won 5 Grammy’s and became known as the Queen Of Disco. Donna revolutionized dance music with songs “Love to Love You Baby” and “I Feel Love.”

During the 80′s, Summer put out such hits as “She Works Hard For The Money” and “This Time I Know It’s For Real”. She also became the first woman and the first African-American Artist ever to win a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance for “Hot Stuff”. While Summer has been mentioned as a candidate for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she has yet to be inducted.

1) Answer Or Talk On Our Cell Phones

There is nothing more annoying and disrespectful than answering a phone call while your vet is delivering her state-of-your-pet’s-health address?

2) Bringing The Kids Along

Very young or badly behaved children are an unnecessary liability in a veterinary environment. It’s hard enough to keep pets safe let alone kids.  Vets say there is one exception to this rule, and that is if it is an emergency situation.

3) Let Their Dogs Run Around

A vet office is not a dog park.  Retractable leashes should remain in the shortest, locked position for the duration of your visit.

4) Carry Their Cat In To The Office

Why some owners insist upon bringing their cats to the vet hospital without carriers, is another thing that irks any number of vets.  Carriers are for the animals safety.   Cats are more comfortable in uncertain environments when they’re enclosed.

5) Deny, Deny, Deny

It drives vets crazy.  No, my pet is not fat. No, my pet’s teeth are not rotting. No, he’s too old for surgery. No, her claws are not too long. It’s exasperating!  You came there for medical advice, to get it from someone you trust.  If you don’t trust them and don’t want to listen, it’s time to change vets.

6) Refuse To Pay

It happens more often than you’d think. Pet owners agree to hospitalization and procedures  and later they refuse to pay. Sometimes they say that they forgot their checkbooks. Other times they claim to have misunderstood the payment policy, even though there’s a sign in almost every veterinary hospital in the United States explaining that payment is expected when services are rendered. One client  canceled her American Express payment after they saved her anemic cat’s life with a blood transfusion.

7) Don’t Follow Through

There’s no shame in admitting that you can’t medicate your difficult cat or trim your dog’s toenails. Veterinarians are pet owners, too.  They understand why you might not be able to manage these not so simple tasks.

But you’ve got to let the vet know if you can’t, don’t or won’t do what they say.

Make your next visit an easier one for everyone involved and follow these simple suggestions.

Jacy80/flickr.com

One woman claimed that she felt pressure when she sought out the services of this agency.  She claims they play on peoples emotions and vulnerabilities.  Elizabeth Labine, decided she would turn to Two Of Us dating service.  Labine paid close to $3,000 and was promised that she would be introduced to at least 6 bachelors considered “high caliber.” Six months later and she had only been introduced to three people.  Labine now calls the whole thing a scam!

When WoodTV8 investigated it they found that Elizabeth Labine is not the only dissatisfied customer.  They found that court records in Kent County alone show three people have sued the agency.

A man in Muskegon say that he paid close to $2,500 and never received the ”service he paid for.”   He got his money back.  Then there was another woman who says she paid close to $7,500 and was only introduced to two men  over an 8 month period of time.

When Target 8 spoke to Ethan Baker, VP of Operation for Two Of Us, he says, “A couple of small claims lawsuits are filed and all of a sudden the accusation is that we’re a fraudulent company or a scam company. And what’s not being told is the other side of it, where there are hundreds of people who are actively using our service today who are happy with what’s going on.”

One of the men who sued this company said he wasn’t introduced to any suitable companions, calling one rather plain.

So what do you think?  Do dating services work?  Have you ever used them?  Did you receive what you wanted from them?  Do you know anyone who has had success?  Do some work more than others?  Would you pay a few thousand dollars to find love?

I know someone, late 50′s early 60′s, who recently used Match.com.  She posted her photo, what she really looks like, talked about what she was looking for and received tons of responses for a variety of different gentlemen.  She disregarded the ones wearing sport team shirts, the ones posing with dead animals and rifles, and a few other types she was not interested in.

As a whole she told me she met some very nice men, gentlemen, who were willing to drive over from the other side of the state, take her out to dinner, with no expectations besides getting to know her better.  There were attorneys, business owners, entrepreneurs, each one intelligent and having something worthwhile going on in his life.  So there goes my theory!

But, still for me, knowing all of that, I would not look for love on the internet or from a dating service.  I believe that if things are meant to be, they will be.  I do think some of the best people, quality people, real people, do what I do each day.  We live quiet lives, work, go home, eat and play at our houses, socialize with friends, and we don’t  have much of an opportunity to meet each other.  But still, knowing all of that, I believe that if things are meant to be they will be.  But what do you think?

Paying too much for a chance at love: woodtv.com

americanuniversity, YouTube

Sarah Cooper was at her college graduation ceremony, all excited about her future.  She was getting that much needed diploma and ready to tackle the world.

What she didn’t know was that she was about to be asked to share her future with someone, her boyfriend.  Yes, he proposed.  But it wasn’t after the ceremony and at a quiet, romantic place, it was during the ceremony.  Take a look.

Now Sarah, the new college grad will have a job right away,  planning her wedding because Sam Miller, her boyfriend, decided that Cooper’s walk across the stage as she gets her diploma was the perfect time to pop the question.

Very exciting.  Congrats to Sarah and Sam!

She was one of the lucky ones.  She was adopted into a loving home.

I had Ashley on “Mornings with Andy” this morning and she told her powerful and compelling story of abuse and neglect.  Ashley, through school, and finally, her adoptive parents, excelled and has become a dynamic advocate for foster-children everywhere.

If you missed hearing Ashley, here is the interview.      Ashley Rhoads-Courter Interview

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

She has written a book about her struggles, “Three Little Words,” and it has become a New York Times best seller.

You have a chance to meet Ashley, and to hear her unbelievable story at 7 pm, this coming Monday, May 21st, at the Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s Peter Martin Wege Theater, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW here in Grand Rapids.

Ashley’s talk is FREE, no charge!  It’s sponsored by the Friends of CASA, a volunteer organization created to provide support to Kent County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates and the children they serve.  It is underwritten by Varnum LLP and Law Weathers.

For complete information regarding CASA and all of the wonderful work they do for foster-children in Kent County, follow this link to CASA of Kent County.

So imagine my surprise when I saw that a Craigslist scammer was arrested right here in GR!  Yay!

Admittedly, he wasn’t scamming in the home section where it would affect me, but the fact he was scamming people is what really upsets me.  To you, Mr. Scammer, HAHAHAHA.  I hope you get sent to prison for a long time.

From the story on WOODTV.COM:

In 2009, Hatter allegedly put an ad on craigslist for a babysitter. He would then get personal information and money from potential candidates for a background check. Then he would disappear.

Police said in 2009 that Hatter may have been involved in similar crimes in a half dozen states.

In an interesting – and refreshing – twist, he is sharing his story in an effort to keep others from making the same stupid mistake!

Apparently there were several students suspended from the school over drinking at prom.  Nick Aranowski is one of the students serving a nine-day suspension for drinking Rum & Coke at prom.

From WZZM13:

But Aranowski was the only one ticketed by police for being a minor in possession of alcohol. He was arrested when he left the prom after teachers demanded he take a breathalyzer test.

“I refused because they don’t have probable cause to do that,” he says. “I went outside.”

Police were called to round him up.

“The next thing I know the police officer is right there, puts me in hand cuffs and puts me in the car.”

Now the teenager and his mother are hoping others will learn from his mistake.

“He thought he could change a negative into a positive and let kids know when you drink, even though you think nothing is going to happen, it can spiral and go out of control,” says Nick’s mother.

Army Specialist Joshua Turner has been in Afghanistan for the last eight months.  He returned home to surprise his 5-year-old son, Elijah, in class during story time.  Spc. Turner and his wife hid in an office while the kids were at recess, then he walked into the classroom at the end of a story.

What did the little guy miss the most?  “Him doing push-ups with me!”

From the MyFoxAlabama website:

“He’s been crying in the morning, waking up, asking for daddy,” Stephene Turner said. “When is he going to see him again? Is he going to see him play T-ball? Will he make it to his preschool graduation? Little events that are important to a 5-year-old.”

It’s a little girl in New Jersey taking her new bulldog, Matilda, outside to use the bathroom. The little girl is coaching Matilda on pooping.  She even tries to demonstrate the proper body position and form. Then she tells Matilda that “mommy” will come clean it up. Actually, her dad wanted the dog, so it’ll be “daddy” who cleans up!

Enjoy…