Explore every episode of the podcast Ottawa Out Loud
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: OCCAA and Walk for Warmth 2025 | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:40:04 | |
Thanks for listening to the very first episode of Ottawa Out Loud, the Official Podcast of Ottawa County! Jen Brozowski, Program Director of OCCAA (like mocha) and international icon, teaches us about OCCAA’s mission and the life-changing services they offer. We discuss how the department is organized and funded, and we spill all the details about the free, family-friendly, and overall incredible Walk for Warmth event on March 7th at 6pm at EV Construction in Holland. Learn more about OCCAA: Department Page: https://miottawa.org/caa/ Sign up to volunteer: https://miottawa.org/caa/volunteer/ Walk for Warmth 2025 Event Details: https://miottawa.org/caa/walk-for-warmth/ Buy a shirt: https://www.bonfire.com/store/ottawa-county-community-action-agency/ Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Holland/WalkforWarmthOttawa Donate: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/MI/Holland/WalkforWarmthOttawa Click Here to Submit Fan Mail! Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms | |||
| 4: Ballots and Banter Returns! | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:46:05 | |
On today's episode, we revisit the award-winning Ballots and Banter series as Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck and Elections Supervisor Katie Bard guest star to talk allllllllll about the upcoming May 6th Special Election. Plus, a special appearance from some unexpected guests, and a very entertaining game show! Click Here to Submit Fan Mail! Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms | |||
| 3: Small Homes, Big Impact | 03 Apr 2025 | 00:48:36 | |
It's undeniable: Ottawa County is an incredible place to live. For decades, the dream of owning a home here has been attainable, but as the nationwide housing challenges persist and the county continues to grow, affordability is becoming a struggle for many. The Department of Strategic Impact (DSI), alongside multiple community partners, has developed a concept that could alleviate the need for more attainable homeownership options: A series of open source small-footprint home designs that can be shared with local units of government and developers. Scott is joined by DSI's Project Support Specialist Rich Lakeberg and Design Consultant Nick Rolinski to shed some light on this unique idea and clear up some common misconceptions. ----------------------------------------------------- Main Segment Links: More info on Nick Rolinski: https://architecture.nd.edu/about/directory/rolinski/ Small-Footprint Home Design Concept Main Page: https://miottawa.org/dsi-project/small-footprint-homes/ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): https://miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/MicroHome-Development-Concept-FAQ.pdf Announcement Links: Avoid Financial Scams Seminars [NOTE: APRIL 15 EVENT RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 22]: https://miottawa.org/sheriff/events/financial-scams/ Veterans Services Coffee & Donuts: https://miottawa.org/events/veterans-services-coffee-donuts-with-university-of-michigan-health-04-22-2025/ Art for the Parks: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/2025-art-for-the-parks/ Grand Explorers Trail Race: https://grandexplorerstrailrace.com/ Click Here to Submit Fan Mail! Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms | |||
| 2: Parks Are SO Back! | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:45:12 | |
Thanks SO much for listening to Ottawa Out Loud. We hope you learned and laughed. New episodes release every few weeks. Today, Jessica and Rylie join me to discuss the incredible Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission! Ottawa County is known for its expansive, accessible, and biodiverse natural spaces, and it's the perfect time to start planning your next visit to a park. In this podcast, we talk about the Parks dept, its funding sources, Jess & Rylie's favorite parks, programs, rules & reminders, and an update on the newest park: Ottawa Sands! Make sure to stay tuned all the way to the end to see if Jess & Rylie can pass the Name That Park Challenge! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcements Links: Water Quality Forum Info and Registration: https://miottawa.org/wrc/ Veterans Services Event Calendar: https://miottawa.org/veterans-services/events/ Avoid Financial Scams Classes: https://miottawa.org/sheriff/events/financial-scams/ Farming Forward: https://bit.ly/FFAlpine2025 Main Segment Links: Ottawa County Parks Foundation Website: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org Art For the Parks: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/2025-art-for-the-parks/ Volunteer Opportunities: https://miottawa.org/parks/volunteer/ Parks Foundation Volunteer Interest Form: https://ottawacountyparksfoundation.org/volunteer-interest-form/ Parks Events Calendar: https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?module=AR&Type=HealthWellness,Nature,Recreation,SpecialEvent,Volunteer Parks Challenge!: https://miottawa.org/parks/parks-challenge/ The Ottawa Sands Project Documentary: https://youtu.be/uHniF2QdFtY?si=Am3GyMSVaAOUKxMc Get your motor vehicle permit online: https://ottawacounty.cmrpay.com/dashboard/landing Click Here to Submit Fan Mail! Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms | |||
| 7: Stars, Stripes, and Service with Veterans Services | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:43:23 | |
Jason and Caleb join us to chat about the philosophy driving the Ottawa County Veterans Services Department, the ways the team works to provide resources and community for local Veterans, and info about some big community events coming up! For more information about OCVS and everything we talked about: 1. visit https://miottawa.org/veterans-services/ 2. get in contact with the department by calling (616) 393-8387 or send an email to veteranservices@miottawa.org. 3. Subscribe to the Veterans Services Newsletter here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIOTTAWA_63 Keep an eye on the Community Events Calendar for events from every department: https://miottawa.org/event-calendar/ Attend a Parks Program (it's good for your health & wellbeing): https://miottawacountyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?display=Calendar&module=Event Keep up to date with boards & committees: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/ Subscribe to the Ottawa Out Loud Newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIOTTAWA_582 Click Here to Submit Fan Mail! Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms | |||
| 6: Getting Street Smart with Ottawa County Road Commission | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:47:54 | |
It's construction season, y'all-- the time of year where we all regret asking "when are they gonna fix this road????". Despite our grumbling, road maintenance is a necessary inconvenience and an essential part of our county's infrastructure. The Ottawa County Road Commission is hard at work making sure the roadways all across the county are maintained to a high standard, and Communications Administrator Alex Doty is here to teach us a bit about the OCRC's past, present, and future, give us a sneak peek into some of the major projects happening this summer, and clear up some frequent misconceptions about how stuff works. At the end of the episode, I test Alex's knowledge of the county's roads in a segment called Street Smarts. Big thanks to the OCRC and Alex for taking the time to come onto the podcast to help get this important information out! Have a question that wasn't answered in the episode? Leave a comment or send us a DM on social media! Subscribe to the Ottawa Out Loud email list to make sure you don't miss an episode: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIOTTAWA_582 ------------Announcement Links------------ Housing Issues + Supply Data Updates Presentation by Housing Next: https://miottawa.org/events/housing-issues-supply-data-updates-06-17-2025/ (Free, Registration Required) Veterans Services Coffee + Donuts @ Herrick District Library: https://miottawa.org/events/coffee-donuts-at-herrick-district-library-06-11-2025/ (Free, No Registration Required) 8th Annual Ottawa County Art Trust: https://miottawa.org/administrator/art-trust/ Parks Motor Vehicle Permits (Discounts Available!): https://miottawa.org/parks/fees/ Public Meeting Calendar: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/ ------------Main Segment Links------------ Ottawa County Road Commission: https://ottawacorc.com/ Interactive Construction/Closure Maps: https://ottawacorc.com/resources/maps/ Strategic Plans and Reports: https://ottawacorc.com/planning-reports/ Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter and Other Updates: https://ottawacorc.com/contact/subscribe-to-updates/ OCRC Social Media: Facebook: ht Click Here to Submit Fan Mail! Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms | |||
| 5: Keeping it Clean with Food Safety | 15 May 2025 | 00:47:04 | |
Adam and Bekah from the Food Safety team join the pod to talk all about how restaurants, cafeterias, and food trucks in Ottawa County are inspected to keep YOUR dining experience safe! ---------------Announcement Links--------------- Veterans Services Coffee & Donuts Event (May 16): https://miottawa.org/events/coffee-donuts-at-renew-therapeutic-riding-center-05-16-2025/ Idema Explorers Camp Reservations ARE NOW OPEN: https://miottawa.org/parks/iec/ Volunteer with OCCAA: https://miottawa.org/caa/volunteer/ Public Meeting Calendar: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/ ---------------Main Segment Links--------------- Weekly food inspection reports: https://miottawa.org/health/environmental/food-services/restaurant-inspection-reports/ Subscribe to weekly food inspection reports: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new
Four simple steps for food safety at home: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety
Food news, alerts, tips, and recalls: https://www.foodsafety.gov/ Click Here to Submit Fan Mail! Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms | |||
| 8: No Farms, No Food: Protecting Ottawa County's Farmland | 24 Jul 2025 | 00:41:58 | |
Newsflash--Ottawa County is one of the top agricultural powerhouses in the state. That means farming is literally (okay, figuratively) in our DNA. Julie Lamer and Becky Huttenga from the Department of Strategic Impact join the podcast to discuss how strategic, data-driven land planning is essential to the county's economic future, and how preserving and protecting farmland from being overdeveloped is at the center of that effort. We discuss the philosophy and data behind Farmland Protection Program, its impact thus far, and how DSI is able to secure funding without using county general funds. Also, details on Farms Are The Tapas, a beloved annual small-dish chef competition and silent auction event coming up in September. Question of the day: What's one business you'd like to see open a location in West Michigan? ----------Links----------- Learn more about Farmland Preservation: https://miottawa.org/dsi/economic-development/farmland/ Get tickets to Farms Are The Tapas (act quickly-- tickets are selling fast!): https://event.gives/tapas2025 Cops and Bobbers: https://miottawa.org/events/cops-and-bobbers-08-07-2025/ Visit the Idema Explorers Camp: https://miottawa.org/parks/iec/ Back-To-School Parent Resources: https://miottawa.org/health/parents/ Public Meeting Calendar: https://boards.miottawa.org/calendar/ Click Here to Submit Fan Mail! Connect with us! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OttawaCounty/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawacountymi/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miOttawa?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for County email updates: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/subscribers/new Make your voice heard! Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/OttawaOutLoud Fan Mail: https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445724/open_sms | |||