WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan) – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Bill Kirk, Director of Communications, DGRI.

Bill joins us in this episode to give us a preview of the 7th annual World of Winter Festival.

World of Winter dates are January 9 - March 1, 2026.

World of Winter is a celebration of art and community designed to remind us that there is fun to be had and connections to be made in the wintertime in Michigan.

In essence, Downtown Grand Rapids becomes part outdoor art gallery, part all-ages playground, part outdoor theater, and much more.

New this year for World of Winter: 

• Food trucks every Friday night at 555 Monroe
• A walking tour of 40+ Downtown window displays
• Interactive artist talks with the creators behind Emergence
• A recurring projection show on the Civic Auditorium façade
• A Luminary Bike Ride
• An incredible projection drumming performance on the side of the arena featuring Brett Bolten.
• Live DJ sets 
• And of course, numerous Art Installations.

Online:

World Of Winter

In this episode, host Janet Zahn welcomes Veronica Horsley-Pettigrew, Community Outreach and Marketing Supervisor with Care Resources PACE.

Care Resources is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). 

‘PACE ‘is a Medicare and Medicaid-funded option that gives community-based care and services to people 55 years or older, helping to prevent nursing home placement.

PACE provides coverage for prescription drugs, doctor visits, transportation, home care, checkups, hospital visits, and nursing home stays when necessary. 

PACE has been around for over 50 years, but unfortunately remains a well-kept secret.

ONLINE: Care Resources PACE⁠

In this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Mary Jennings, Executive Director with The Grand Rapids Ballet, and James Sofranko, the Artistic Director with the Grand Rapids Ballet.

Mary and James joined us on the program for a preview of the 2025–2026 season.

The season kicks off with the world premiere production of “Sherlock"--October 24-26, 2025, at Peter Martin Wege Theatre. Next up is the timeless holiday classic, “The Nutcracker", December 12-14 & 19-21 at DeVos Performance Hall, and three other dynamic productions throughout the remainder of the Ballet’s 2025-2026 season.

Tickets for all shows, as well as more information, are available at grballet.com

Online: The Grand Rapids Ballet

On the program this week, Allison Donahue speaks with Janay Brower, Founder and CEO of Public Thread

Public Thread is a West Michigan-based manufacturer and retailer that works with with upcycled textiles and materials.

Public Thread moved last week into a 10,000-square-foot space at 446 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW, the start of a new chapter for the fashion accessories company following an extensive search for a new facility.

Public Thread sources waste materials from other companies like billboard companies and transforms their discarded products into consumer goods

Online: Public Thread

Marcial Benavidez  - Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative Communications Specialist Podcast descriptions:English: In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Marcial Benavidez, Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative Communications Specialist.The Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative is a multi-organizational group that represents over 50 organizations including local school districts, non-profits, government bodies, and businesses. The WPC is tasked with implementing and advancing Welcome Plan priority areas to help new Americans, immigrants, and refugees get acclimated in West Michigan. 

Spanish: En el episodio de esta semana, la presentadora Allison Donahue da la bienvenida a Marcial Benavidez, especialista en comunicaciones del Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative.

El Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative es un grupo multiorganizacional que representa a más de 50 organizaciones, incluidos distritos escolares locales, organizaciones sin fines de lucro, organismos gubernamentales y negocios. El WPC tiene la tarea de implementar y promover las áreas prioritarias del Plan de Bienvenida para ayudar a los nuevos estadounidenses, inmigrantes y refugiados a aclimatarse en el oeste de Michigan.

Connect online: Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative

In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Kendsie Channing, Manager of Neighbor Experience for Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Downtown Neighbor Network. 

The Downtown Neighbor Network (DNN)'s purpose is to provide a forum to socialize, organize, and ultimately deepen citizen engagement in building/promoting a high-quality residential life in Downtown GR

Kendsie spoke about the importance of building community when living in urban areas, like the downtown neighborhood, Building community to combat isolation and loneliness post-pandemic, and ways to get involved with community events through the DNN.

Online: Downtown Neighbor Network.

In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Roger Plaxton, treasurer of the Grand River Folk Arts Society & Roger Kohlenberger, president of the Grand River Folk Arts Society.

The Grand River Folk Arts Society is a nonprofit volunteer organization whose mission is to enrich people’s lives and foster community through traditional music, dance, and song. From folk concerts to contra dances, several options of musical entertainment are available through the organization.

Online: The Grand River Folk Arts Society  ⁠

In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Marie Orttenburger, Advancement Manager, with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan.

The organization's history began in 1976 when four volunteers met to lay out a plan to identify, protect, and care for West Michigan’s natural areas. 

They created an organization called the Natural Areas Conservancy of West Michigan (NACOWMI). Early projects included several conservation easements, Saul Lake Bog, Lake Breeze natural area, and an addition to the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. In 1997, the organization’s name was changed to The Land Conservancy of West Michigan, and the projects have continued to grow. 

Today, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan is an accredited land trust with an office in Grand Rapids, governed by a board of directors and operated by a professional staff. The mission of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan is to help people protect, enjoy, and care for natural land in West Michigan.

Online:  The Land Conservancy of West Michigan

In this weeks program, host Allison Donahue welcomes Fridah Kanini, the founder and CEO of A Glimpse of Africa.

 A Glimpse of Africa works in the West Michigan region to ensure that African immigrants and refugees are visible through advocacy, creating a sense of belonging,  and breaking language, cultural, and systemic barriers.

A Glimpse of Africa seeks to bring people together for a stronger, united community with shared interests and showcase Africa and her people in a brighter, positive light to educate and change the negative media narratives and also to place African immigrants and Refugees on the map in West Michigan through promoting their culture, businesses, and talents.

You can learn more about their organization here:

A Glimpse of Africa

In this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Monica Hall, the Executive Director, and crime Prevention Organizer with John Ball Area Neighbors in Grand Rapids.

John Ball Area Neighbors Seeks to spread a message of hope and compassion. They believe a single action can make a difference in the community and that collective action can significantly impact the world. Through advocacy and outreach activities, their team works tirelessly each day to contribute their part to the greater good.

 Online: John Ball Area Neighbors