Muskegon Unites to Help the Flint Water Crisis

No matter where you stand on the political battle over the Flint water crisis, the simplest of thoughts is this.  The people of Flint need the entire state to rally around them and we all need to come together to make sure the people in Flint have the water they need for the most basic ability to survive.  We are all water based organisms...and we are all part of the brotherhood of man. 

Muskegon Heights fire fighter Terry Sabo and Marianne Darnell who is the President of the Black Women's Political Caucus have teamed up to put together an opportunity for you to do what you can to help.  A bottle of water, a case....totally up to you.  Just do SOMETHING so we can show the people of Flint that they are not standing alone and that the West Coast sees that they are important and we're here for them.

Flint's Water

Photo courtesy neogaf

The water can be dropped off Saturday January 30th beginning at 9 am at the Greater Harvest Baptist Church Located at 2435 Riordan Street.







Take a listen to the interview.  You'll see that this isn't a competition but a request to help any water drive you can.

We share a lot in common with Flint in the eyes of many.  It's always bothered me that these two cities seem to be the butt of jokes or something to be ashamed of.  They are not.  There are good people in both and there is much to be proud of.

The Changing Face of Muskegon's Veterans

It's kind of hard to stop and think about how our US Veterans are changing in Muskegon these days.  We've only a few left of the "Greatest Generation" who went toe to toe with a world gone mad at the hands of Adolph Hitler.  Most of our parents that saw combat came after with Vietnam and as difficult as it is to be able to admit...the Vietnam generation isn't far behind them when it comes to an aging population.  They are getting older and time continues to march on for all of us!

With that thought, Chapter 31 of the Vietnam Veterans of America is extending an invitation to all Vietnam Veterans as well as Afghanistan and Iraq era veterans to join them at the V.F.W. Hall on Old Grand Haven Road and Porter out by the Muskegon County Airport for their monthly meeting.  The meeting begins with a pot luck at 6:30 and some time for fellowship and then the meeting commences and wraps up by 8.  The meetings are held the last Thursday of every month.

Final Approach Memorial

I had a chance today to sit down and talk with Michael Sutton who served in the Air Force and some other duties in the Vietnam Era.  Mike stays busy now with the Final Approach Memorial as well as spending some time down on the USS Silversides doing what he can to keep the memory alive for soldiers of every conflict you can think of.  Mike talked a little about the generations passing....why you don't hear very much from Vets when it comes to the job they have done as well as the need for some younger Veterans to find a group, a purpose and something even more important.  The fact that they are not alone.  Take a listen to the interview for the story!

Sliversides Memorial

We're proud of our military in Muskegon.  Our gratitude will always be there for those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and if you are a younger Veteran, here's your invitation to be a part of something bigger as well as maybe find someone who you can identify with who have walked the same path as you.

Muskegon's Memory Lane - Our Digital Archive

Positively Muskegon is the new kid in town.  The goal is simple, to provide a side of the news and the people who don't expect thanks, don't think what they do is anything extraordinary but are the fiber that keep us together with their quiet work, steadfast approach and their belief in a better way... and better image of Muskegon.

A big part of everything that makes Muskegon what it is is the rich history this city has.  We have seen change.  From the lumber years to the industrial years and now, a time of transition as we look to the next 100 years.  All of that history is what one site is out to showcase in a way that really kind of gives everyone a chance to tell their story of what makes Muskegon so special!  What stood out from one persons memories, how did another see their neighborhood and what made growing up here in Muskegon so awesome. 

Muskegon's Memory Lane is a Facebook group run by Gayle Weesies and as time has gone on she's picked up quite a following of nostalgia fans, people who want to remember the "good old days" or just those who find some pictures in a box in an attic and want to share them to let everyone see.

The memories are great, but if you stop and think about it, Gayle has created an open source to all to build an online museum of memories.  Muskegon's Memory Lane is a living record of everything in Muskegon and it's updated in real time, all the time with things you may or may not remember.  There are photos and stories there that show the good times, and the bad.  You can see everything from thousands gathered to welcome home the 1954 Class A basketball champs, to coins that were redeemable for merchandise at L.H. Fink's Cigar Stores.

Our history in Muskegon....is something to be proud of.  To hold your head high about and if you are so inclined....be a part of it with Muskegon's Memory Lane.  Take a minute and find Muskegon's Memory Lane on Facebook and follow the page.  Join the group and let your memories of Muskegon be heard.  Thanks to Gayle for taking the time to remember and give everyone a chance to share their memories of our great home. Click on the picture below to find Muskegon's Memory Lane on Facebook!

Follow Muskegon's Memory Lane on Facebook

Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven of Muskegon Gets $25,000 from Petco!

It's a daily struggle to take care of the animals that find themselves homeless or maybe they find their way in to a shelter because a family just can't take care of them either financially or personally.  These pets either end up on the street, out in a barn or worse yet....destroyed because no one could take care of them.

In Muskegon, the Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven works to make sure that the life of an animal is respected and a home is found for them where they can be part of a grateful family who may have missed out on the opportunity to know how much fun a cat can be as a pet.  Sparked by Diane Valk who had been to the Animal Control Center in her youth on a day they were putting down animals, the memory stuck with her and she's taken the steps necessary to do her part to stop the destruction of pets through her foster work.

Follow Heaven Can Wait on Facebook

Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven will find a foster home for a cat, or cats and in those foster homes they take care of everything that cat needs until an adoptive family is found.  It's a huge commitment, a huge cost and was recognized in a HUGE way from the Petco Foundation recently.

Petco Online!

The Petco Foundation recognized the work being done by Diane and her volunteers, and for their commitment to making sure animals have a fair chance, they awarded Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven $25,000 for their work in saving the lives of so many cats!

I had a chance to meet up with Diane at The Brew House to learn a little more about Heaven Can Wait and how that $25k grant will help them continue their work.  Take a listen to the story.

Petco has adoptions every weekend and you'll find Diane there, doing what she can to make sure that no lives are destroyed, people can find out just how wonderful a pet a cat can be.  Stop in and see her and say congrats on the grant, and if you've got a pet, remember Petco and their genuine commitment to making sure our pets have the best lives possible.   You can follow the link above to find Heaven Can Wait on Facebook and if you'd like to donate, you'll find a link there to do so.  If you'd like to volunteer 231-737-5644

Another Welcome! Eagle Eye Photography of Muskegon

It's shaping up to be quite a week!  We'd very much like to welcome Randy and Tina Claypool of Eagle Eye Photography as a sponsor of Positively Muskegon!  Having worked personally on more than one occasion with Randy and Tina, I can assure you....you are in for a remarkable experience with them and the fine work they do!  Eagle Eye Photography also shares the Positively Muskegon vision of showing the better side of things in Muskegon.  You'll find great beauty in what you see and hear from Eagle Eye!

Drone photography has become all the rage and Eagle Eye Photography of Muskegon is a step ahead of everyone with their stunning 4k video capabilities and artistic touch to achieve perfection in their work.  They have made serious investments in equipment and talent and have a wide range of territory to cover.  Muskegon is home, but as you'll see their work has taken them to points all over the state.  Here are a few of their videos from 2015.

  

Eagle Eye Photography is now accepting bookings for 2016.  You can contact them through Facebook at the link below or call 231-740-5113

Professional Premium Areal Photography from Eagle Eye Photography

Party In Your Parka At The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex January 23rd!!

Click for the Party in Your Parks Facebook Page

January 23rd is the date and the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex is the place to be for an all day celebration of all things Michigan as Michigan celebrates it's 179th birthday!!  The biggest celebration of all is held right here in Muskegon!  Well, actually the official date of Michigan's induction into the United States is January 26th.....but who wants to party on a Tuesday? 

It's an all day affair and a great chance to get out and enjoy the beauty and splendor of Muskegon Michigan in the winter!  They have every winter activity you can imagine from ice skating to snow shoeing, cross country skiing and don't forget the luge!  There will be great live music food and refreshments available all day.  Watermark 920 has done an outstanding job lining up great musical entertainment and they too have been a staple in making Party In Your Parka a success since the beginning!

Click here to visit the Winter Sports Complex Website

Jim Rudicil is the Director of the WSC and he spent a couple minutes talking a little about the party and the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex which is now open for the season and ready for you to join them for some great family fun!! 

If you've ever wondered what the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex looks like from above?  Take a look at the footage Eagle Eye Photography got a couple weeks ago!  Beautiful view of one of our most prized possessions in Muskegon!

 

Welcome! The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex!

We were out tonight covering the story of Party in your Parka coming up January 23rd at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex when Director Jim Rudicil said "Who do I make the check out to" to which my reply was "Oh, no....you don't have to pay for a story with us"  Jim replied...."No we want a sponsorship on the blog" and I replied...."Um...Wow!  Really" and that was that.

Welcome to the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex who are the latest in line to say yes to Positively Muskegon!!  We are proud to have you with us!

You can find their page in the link above and so you know...they are open and ready to roll for the season!!  Stay tuned for the Party in Your Parka story tomorrow!

Here's a peek at some areal footage taken a couple short weeks ago by Eagle Eye Photography.  Enjoy!