Public Spaces

My Town Grand Haven: Coast Guard festival underway

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Friday, July 25th, 2014, 3:37pm

GRAND HAVEN, Mich.—One of the most anticipated events of the summer is underway on the lakeshore.

The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival kicked off Friday. Over the next nine days, the city will be home to parades, contests, carnivals, fireworks and much more.

For festival chair Jeff Bradbury, the event holds personal meaning.

“I am a Coast Guard brat. My dad was Coast Guard and I spent 28 years in the Coast Guard. What these people do for festival is something I wanted to get involved in,” he explains. “These people are nothing short of outstanding.”

Bradbury says Coast Guard members fight to come to Grand Haven, also known as Coast Guard City USA. The Coast Guard ships will arrive Monday. For more information, visit the event website here.

The parade of ships will take place Monday, July 28.

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Submitted by Larry Halverson, Contributing Writer

Monday, July 21st, 2014, 4:45pm

GRAND HAVEN/SPRING LAKE, Mich. -- Outdoor Discovery Center naturalist Jamie Krupka will bring a hands-on program to the Spring Lake and Grand Haven area for two library performances on Tuesday, July 22 as part of its summer reading club.

The Outdoor Discovery Center’s program focuses on introducing children to Michigan wildlife. Live animals including reptiles, amphibians and birds will be used during the presentation. Kids will learn unique characteristics of animals and how they fit into our diverse ecosystems. Hands-on artifacts include skins, skulls, wings, feathers and talons of several species native to Michigan.

Krupka will present at the Spring Lake District Library, 123 E. Exchange Street, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The program will be repeated at the Loutit District Library, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Thursday, July 3rd, 2014, 9:22am

My Town: Grand Haven offering free financial counseling through grant

GRAND HAVEN, Mich.—Residents of Grand Haven have a new place to go for free financial counseling.

The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan has awarded the city a $25,000 grant to provide one-on-one financial counseling by creating a Financial Empowerment Center.

“CEDAM is excited to work with the City of Grand Haven, the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office and the City of Taylor to help residents create better financial stability through the assistance of free financial counseling,” said Megan Kursik, coordinator of the Michigan Communities for Financial Empowerment network at CEDAM. “The Financial Empowerment Centers in each community will target residents facing challenging financial times, helping consumers to reduce debt, improve credit and plan and save for their futures.”

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Caught Being Safe program launches statewide

Submitted by Tyler Lecceadone on Monday, June 30th, 11:04 am

Michigan State Police, local law enforcement and Michigan’s Field Neurosciences Institute have teamed up with McDonald’s of Michigan to once again launch “Caught Being Safe,” a statewide bicycle/scooter helmet safety program. Kids wearing helmets and “caught being safe” by participating law enforcement officials will treated to a free ice cream cone or Apple Dippers at McDonald’s.

According to the Field Neurosciences Institute (of Michigan): “Caught Being Safe! has shown a significant increase in both helmet utilization and public awareness regarding the critical importance of wearing a bicycle helmet. This program has impacted not only children but adults as well.”

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Tuesday, June 24th, 2014, 2:13pm

My Town: Turning sand into art in Grand Haven

GRAND HAVEN, Mich.—Dozens of artists transformed sand into art this past weekend for the 33rd annual Chamber Sand Sculpture Contest.

A panel of business and group leaders from across the community judged the entries, which were created by 26 teams. The winners were:

Individual Child (under 12 years old)

1st Place: Beach Monkeys with their sculpture of turtles

Group of Children (2-7 participants, under 12 years old)

1st Place: Lil’ Sand Carvers with their sculpture of Olaf
2nd Place: Barnes with “Kittens”

Individual (12 years or older)

The Schamback Family was awarded the North Ottawa Community Health System award for their sculpture “Noch A Sketch”.

The Melted team were awarded the judge’s honorable mention with “Olaf”.

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Submitted by Larry Halverson, Contributing Writer

Tuesday, June 10th, 2014, 7:00am

My Town Grand Haven: Centennial programs continue at LDL with sports historian

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. - What were the sports in, around and beyond Grand Haven more than a century ago?

Michigan High School Athletic Association sports historian Ron Pesch will answer that question with a special centennial presentation at Loutit District Library. Pesch will explain how athletics at local high schools, community sports leagues and national events like Harvard's crushing defeat of Yale in the historic Blue "bowl" in 1914, all helped pave the way for the multi-billion dollar industry we have today.

This free presentation is Thursday, June 12 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Program Room A. For more information, visit www.loutitlibrary.org or call (616) 842-5560, ext. 232.

Pesch is also a member of the board of directors of the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame, and is on the board of directors of the International Buster Keaton Society Inc.

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Submitted by Larry Halverson, Contributing Writer

Monday, June 9th, 2014, 7:00am

My Town: Library summer reading programs begin June 10 with Truck Petting Zoo

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – Loutit District Library staff will kick off their list of summer reading programs with a Truck Petting Zoo on June 10 from 10 a.m. until noon for kids of all ages.

This program is free and held in the LDL's Fourth Street parking lot. Kids will have a chance to take an up-close look at the trucks and other vehicles used to help keep Grand Haven in good shape.

Some of the vehicles available include: an alternative fuel bus (LP gas) from Harbor Transit; a Tool Cat from Grand Haven Township; a long ladder truck - with ladder extended - and a police car from Grand Haven Dept. of Public Safety; an ambulance from North Ottawa Community Hospital; a dump truck from Ottawa County Road Commission; a motorcycle officer from Michigan State Police; and an air boat or some other type of boat from the Coast Guard.

Workers will be available to answer questions about their vehicle.

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