Info
Host Phil Tower brings you the latest news and developments from area non-profit organizations and their leaders, plus issues of importance nationally and globally with experts and authors. Tune in...
show more
Host Phil Tower brings you the latest news and developments from area non-profit organizations and their leaders, plus issues of importance nationally and globally with experts and authors.
Tune in weekly for thoughtful conversation, inspiration and enlightenment.
show less
Tune in weekly for thoughtful conversation, inspiration and enlightenment.
West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)
West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)
WOOD RadioEpisodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
Transcribed
4 MAY 2025 · In this episode, we speak with Alicia Mathieu, president and founder of Down to Defend. Alicia is the mother of three children, one of those children is living with Down syndrome.
When Alicia received her son Levi’s diagnosis, she said she was empowered to change the gut-wrenching statistics that she unveiled during her research. We spoke with her about her journey to this role as president and founder of Down To Defend.The mission of Down to Defend is to educate and equip those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing safety classes and resources to lead a more fulfilling life.
Onlinehttps://www.downtodefend.org/
Transcribed
4 MAY 2025 · In this segment, host Phil Tower, welcomes Katie Tucker, a personal injury attorney with Sinas Dramis Law Firm. Katie specializes in advocating for the rights of people who have been seriously injured or killed in Michigan auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents, etc. She's also an expert on child safety seat laws in Michigan.
Katie joined us to breakdown Michigan’s new child passenger safety laws which took effect on April 2, 2025. Some of the key changes with the new child safety seat laws involve extending the rear-facing car seat requirement until the age of 2 or the child exceeds the maximum height or weight limit specified by the manufacturer. Changes with a forward, facing car seats, changes with children, who use booster seats, and no guidance on property use of adult seatbelts for older children. We also learned that any child under the age of 13 in the state of Michigan is still required to sit in the back of a vehicle.
Katie also spoke about the upcoming Sinas Dramis Bicycle helmet giveaway, known as “Lids For Kids” coming up on May 25 here in Grand Rapids. Lids for Kids is West Michigan’s Biggest FREE Bike Helmet Giveaway” and also offers free bicycle helmet fitting along with giveaways.
The Grand Rapids event is Saturday, May 31, from 10 AM – 12 PM at Garfield Park.
Read More: Nhttps://sinasdramis.com/new-laws-seek-to-protect-michigan-children-involved-in-car-accidents/
Online: https://lidsforkidsmi.org/
Transcribed
28 APR 2025 · In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with automotive experts Al Schwinkendorf, and John Puhek. Al and John are both ASE certified automotive technicians with Verburg’s Automotive in Grand Rapids.
Al and John are also hosts with Michigan's Auto Talk Podcast …a Grand Rapids-based podcast for car and truck lovers, backyard mechanics, and automotive enthusiasts.
They joined Phil on this program to talk about the five most common mistakes that car owners make, and how to avoid them.
More: https://wittnapa.com/blog/troubleshooting-common-car-problems-nith-napa-auto-parts/
More: https://www.verburgauto.com/
Transcribed
19 APR 2025 · In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Charles Burke, the President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
Charles joined us on the program to discuss his unique and inspired journey to his current position as President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.
Since becoming president and CEO in February 2023, Charles has led the wildly popular destinations to new heights, including achieving the highest annual attendance in the organization’s 30-year history and welcoming its 15 millionth visitor.
Meijer Gardens has been recognized as the Best Sculpture Park in the United States by USA Today’s "10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards" in 2023 and 2024 and consecutively named one of the Best Places to Work in West Michigan, further solidifying its reputation as a cultural landmark of international acclaim.
Charles brings a strong vision of accessibility, transparency, and creativity to every aspect of Meijer Gardens and he was a has a very compelling personal and professional journey to this position.
We talked about his background and passion for music, and the arts.
We also talked a year-long celebration recognizing 30 years of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and the powerful legacy created by Fred and Lena Meijer.
Online: https://www.meijergardens.org/
Transcribed
13 APR 2025 · In this episode, Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Allen Hunt … “The Fourth Quarter Guy”. He helps people discover how to become the best version of themselves in the Fourth Quarter of life.
A four-time #1 Amazon best-selling author, Allen collaborated with Matthew Kelly to write No Regrets: A Fable about Living Your Fourth Quarter Intentionally. In that fable, they share the ground-breaking secrets of the Fourth Quarter: the 5 Keys to Living and Dying with No Regrets.
Those 5 keys then led them to create The Fourth Quarter of Your Life: Embracing What Matters Most, a workbook to help people do just that: Discover and plan how to intentionally live their fourth quarters with confidence, boldness, and passion.
You can experience his life-changing discoveries and coaching for yourself. Learn more about Allen:
Online: https://fourthquarterguy.com/
Transcribed
13 APR 2025 · On this episode host Phil Tower speaks with Michelle Parkkonen, Managing Director of technical assistance programs at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation MEDC.
Michele spoke with us about the exciting new collaboration between the City of Grand Rapids and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is unveiling resources that will streamline the process for communities to add housing in existing neighborhoods. Permit-Ready Plans, a collaborative partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, MEDC, Michigan Municipal League (MML), and Driven Design, LLC, lowers the barrier for infill housing development by decreasing construction costs and shortening permit processing timelines.
Infill housing is the process of putting additional housing units into an already-approved subdivision or neighborhood.
They can be provided as additional units built on the same lot, by dividing existing homes into multiple units, or by creating new residential lots by further subdivision or lot line adjustments.
Housing plans include single-family, two-family and multi-family housing types, providing communities and prospective developers with options that will work best for each property. Plans for the three housing types can be found here.
The target audiences are small- to medium-sized developers trying to enter the housing market and local municipalities seeking to line up pre-reviewed plans with fewer barriers to building more homes.”
The City of Grand Rapids Planning Department will be hosting a Lunch & Learn at the Development Center, which will provide a comprehensive review of the Permit-Ready Plans Program, how to participate, and what to expect on May 20th.
Online: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Planning/Permit-Ready-Plans-Program
Resource Links
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.miplace.org%2Fdevelopers%2F&data=05%7C02%7CPHILTOWER%40iheartmedia.com%7Cf4c582e1e4c44251c90808dd795627a3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638800133122581026%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QsQUdKy%2FfP7lMjst6r%2Bnt15rCoLqKkW9K3BEsfZ03TE%3D&reserved=0https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.miplace.org%2Fdevelopers%2F&data=05%7C02%7CPHILTOWER%40iheartmedia.com%7Cf4c582e1e4c44251c90808dd795627a3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638800133122595341%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LmLyOv%2FZ0y%2BXlVihVlJhmLLoBS40%2BCewCed8Mhp5ZW4%3D&reserved=0
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grandrapidsmi.gov%2FGovernment%2FDepartments%2FPlanning%2FPermit-Ready-Plans-Program&data=05%7C02%7CPHILTOWER%40iheartmedia.com%7Cf4c582e1e4c44251c90808dd795627a3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638800133122607908%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EkwZ1W21R%2B8Slt%2FsawBdbKVLus91eoObJTk5D%2FyqvKg%3D&reserved=0https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grandrapidsmi.gov%2FGovernment%2FDepartments%2FPlanning%2FPermit-Ready-Plans-Program&data=05%7C02%7CPHILTOWER%40iheartmedia.com%7Cf4c582e1e4c44251c90808dd795627a3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638800133122621425%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Z4XXIPVAtSzECeW1pYbF7Vu9G8wCjSCK3OW%2B59eUWZo%3D&reserved=0
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgrowgr.grandrapidsmi.gov%2FIncentives%2FEmerging-Developer-Grants&data=05%7C02%7CPHILTOWER%40iheartmedia.com%7Cf4c582e1e4c44251c90808dd795627a3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638800133122634860%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mC0sxkk77PC%2Bchhd0c7soOevQAi8Qi8a%2B9wC7UY9cb8%3D&reserved=0
https://mml.org/resources-research/publications/pattern-book-homes-for-21st-century-michigan/
Transcribed
6 APR 2025 · In this episode, host, Phil Tower, welcomes Kelly Alcock, a Client Program Coordinator with the Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding.
Kelly joined us on the program to talk about the power of equine therapy and the hundreds of clients who benefit from it who are served by the Equest Center.
April 19th is the date that the Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding will be holding their annual Easter with the Equest Bunny event and all are invited!
Kelly told us that every dollar raised at this event goes directly towards scholarship funds to ensure that all special needs riders are able to continue participating in our programs.
The Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding is a year-round facility located in Rockford, Michigan. They offer equine-based therapy programs to those with physical, mental, and social/emotional disabilities and they serve over 200 individuals ages 2-100 each week.
Online: https://equestcenter.org/
Topics Addressed: recreation therapy, Post traumatic stress disorder, military veterans, special needs children, disability awareness, equine therapy.
Transcribed
5 APR 2025 · In this episode, host, Phil Tower, welcomes Erin Skene-Pratt, Executive Director at The Michigan Afterschool Partnership.
The Michigan Afterschool Partnership advocates for equitable systems that support and expand quality out-of-school time experiences for all youth in the state. Out-of-School Time (OST) refers to youth development programs that occur before and after the school day, as well as programs that occur during school breaks.
Comprehensive OST programs ideally include both expanded learning opportunities to support the school day and school-age care to support working families.
Online: https://www.miafterschool.org
Transcribed
29 MAR 2025 · In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Dianna Higgs Stampfler, author of Kalamazoo County Characters.
Dianna's book Kalamazoo County Characters, is from the History Press.
Since its founding in the early 1800s, Kalamazoo has welcomed a variety of notable characters who have shaped the community’s legacy in their own special way. Some, like Orville Gibson and Derek Jeter, are nationally recognized, while others, such as Sue Hubbell are lesser known. Abraham Lincoln and Flora Temple briefly passed through town, and Mary Jackson and Gwen Frostic were among those who came here to attend college.
From founding fathers to early innovators, groundbreakers to entrepreneurs, artists to authors and athletes to entertainers, author Dianna Higgs Stampfler celebrates fifty fascinating figures in Kalamazoo-area history. And the final figure profiled in Dianna's book happens to be a highly successful DJ in the area named Jim Higgs. Higgs is Dianna’s father, and while not famous himself, Jim Higgs has a wonderful connection to fame in the world of rock 'n' roll and you'll learn about that story in her book, Kalamazoo County Characters.
Get the Book:https://promotemichigan.com/product/kalamazoo-county-characters
Transcribed
21 MAR 2025 · On this week's program, host Phil Tower speaks with Richard Anderson, co-founder and co-owner of Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville, MI.
On this week's program, we feature a CEO You Should Know, Richard Anderson, with Iron Fish Distillery.
Iron Fish Distillery was founded in 2016 as Michigan’s first farm distillery. It grows grain, distills spirits, and barrel-finishes sourced whiskey.
Richard shared his story of how he and his brothers-in-law became co-owners of the unique distillery located in rural Northwestern, Michigan.
To say that Iron Fish Distillery has had a significant positive economic impact on Benzie County would be an understatement as it has become a true tourism destination for 125,000 guests annually to the agricultural destination, reborn on a long-time abandoned 120-acre farm located in rural Springdale Township in Manistee County.
Richard also shared with us that Iron Fish Distillery was named for the Steelhead that journeys up the nearby Betsie River, every step of the Iron Fish soil-to-spirit process occurs onsite.
Their multistep process of milling, mashing, fermenting, distilling, and barrel aging is on display for visitors daily.
Online: Ihttps://ironfishdistillery.com/
Host Phil Tower brings you the latest news and developments from area non-profit organizations and their leaders, plus issues of importance nationally and globally with experts and authors. Tune in...
show more
Host Phil Tower brings you the latest news and developments from area non-profit organizations and their leaders, plus issues of importance nationally and globally with experts and authors.
Tune in weekly for thoughtful conversation, inspiration and enlightenment.
show less
Tune in weekly for thoughtful conversation, inspiration and enlightenment.
Information
| Author | WOOD Radio |
| Organization | iHeartRadio |
| Categories | News |
| Website | - |
| - |
Copyright 2025 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
