No More Sidelines - 10th Annual Set the Stage Gala Saturday Night!

Imagine a day, when your child asks you "Mom, why don't I have any friends like the rest of my brothers and sister?"

A tough question, which gets tougher because the child asking has autism and cerebral palsy.  This was faced by Cyndi Blair who took that very question to the extreme and decided it was time to do something about that, so she formed No More Sidelines.

No More Sidelines on Facebook

With the beginnings in Muskegon, No More Sidelines has grown to serve kids and families all around the state of Michigan with the commitment to Friendship, Community and Team.  The feeling of being left out has been done away with.  Kids who participate in No More Sidelines have found that encouragement, a sense of belonging and "A chance to feel like I live in a normal world" were some of the thoughts, but to go a little deeper, parents found a reason to cheer for their kids, a way to connect with each other for support in a challenging life situation and most of all...."normal kids" get to see that what looks different on the outside....is really not as readily visible when everyone gets to play.

I had a chance to sit down and talk with Cyndi Blair as the preparation for their 10th Annual "Set the Stage" Gala that is happening at the Folkert Community Hub Saturday night.  Take a listen to her thoughts on the first 10 years and where she thinks things are headed in the next 10.  It's a Western theme this year so saddle up get your fancy duds on and mosey on down to the Folkert Community Hub at 640 Seminole Road.  There will be great food from Teddy Spaghetti's, a live and silent auction, games, raffles and prizes!

You can click on the picture of the No More Sidelines Kids below to visit their website and learn a little more.

No More Sidelines Online

Time To Talk About Teen Drinking - Muskegon ALI

With Spring in the air and the school year not too far off from coming to a close, a lot of people are turning their attention to thoughts of graduation parties, open houses, bonfires, cook outs and all the fin things Muskegon has going in the Summer.  It's also time where people are a little more aware of the chances that teens will take the ultimate risk and get behind the wheel after they may have been drinking.  Graduating high school makes teens feel "grown up" but the reality is....they need some more time!

Face the Book on Facebook

In Muskegon, we have a program called "The ALI" which stands for Alcohol Liability Initiative.  The goal of the ALI is to educate youth about the dangers of underage drinking.  March 25th they will be hosting an online billboard contest where teens themselves will have a chance to design a billboard sharing their thoughts about underage drinking and hopefully, connecting with peers on their own level sharing some reasons that anyone under 21 should stay away from alcohol.

The idea is to give students a reason to participate with some gift cards and grand prizes and all, the underlying dialogue is really where the pay off should come,  Talk to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking.  Tell them the risks associated with that kind of behavior and let them know from your past experiences just how much risk they are taking on should they elect to drink.

Rachel McCoy, Sarah De La Rosa and Michael Poulan stopped by Positively Muskegon today to talk a little about the contest, some pointers about speaking to your child about the dangers of underage drinking.   Have a listen to our chat below!

Here's an entry template!  Check out the Muskegon ALI Facebook page linked above to get the specific rules of the contest!

Girls On The Run - Building Confidence In Young Women

It's a tough subject.  Building confidence in young people, especially girls.  Life today is inundated with messaging that says you have to be "this" to look good and to feel good.   It's also pretty common to hear "unless you have that....you're behind".  To impressionable young minds, a standard gets built to live up to expectations and quite often if and when those "standards" can't be met....there is somehow something wrong.  Well, there's a better way.  Girls on the Run!

Girls on the Run Muskegon Online

Girls on the Run of Muskegon works with girls from 3rd-8th grade inspiring them to be joyful, confident and healthy using a fun, experience based curriculum which creatively integrates running!  It's a 24 lesson program that meets twice a week in small groups and the focus is on girls becoming independent thinkers, enhance their problem solving skills and making healthy decisions.  It's a very powerful experience.  Their core values are -

• Recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision making
• Embrace our differences and find strength in our connectedness
• Express joy, optimism and gratitude through our words, thoughts and actions
• Nurture our physical, emotional and spiritual health
• Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent
• Stand up for ourselves and other.

I had a chance to speak with GOTR Muskegon County Director Sue Gifford and board member Jennifer Schultz and they shared a little about the organization and their work.  Take a listen below!

Would you like to lend a hand with sponsorship for the event coming up in May? They could use your support!!  You can call Sue Gifford a 231-759-7909 ext 256 or CLICK HERE to email her!

You can connect with Girls on the Run of Muskegon's Facebook Page by clicking on the three smiling faces below .

Girls on the Run Muskegon Facebook

And finally!  If you have some spare time and would like to volunteer CLICK HERE for the registration sheet!

Welcome to Halfshell Graphics!

Positively Muskegon is a small business.  Trust me...as we grow, we see more and more what being a small business is!  It's late nights, it's belief in your product, it's customer service and most of all, it's dedication to an idea that you believe in and a commitment to making it the best product and service you can possibly come up with!  Muskegon is beginning to see more and more of these and when one business can help another business grow...you begin a trend!

A sample of Halfshell Graphics handiwork 

Nick Leisenring is the owner of Halfshell Graphics here in town and asked if we could use a hand in promoting Positively Muskegon the other night.  As we talked, we came to the agreement that we could both probably get a little something out of working together, so Nick said he'd take care of some stickers for us to share and we'd take care of spreading the word about his business, how it began and what he does!

Follow Halfshell Graphics on Facebook

We talk a little about the nuts and bolts of the promotional end of the work he does, but take a listen too to the thoughts he has about Muskegon.  Nick has a few other things going around town too, like a mobile DJ service, a paintball playing field and more!  Mostly tho, the thought of young people seeing opportunity here in Muskegon and being willing to go to the mat to make them work is what impressed me!  Take a listen to our chat below!

If you need promotional items, apparel, vehicle wraps, custom wall decals and more, give Halfshell Graphics a call at 231-638-2032 or visit their website linked below and get started!

Here's the link to Halfshell Graphics!!  We welcome them to Positively Muskegon an are glad to have the opportunity to work with others who see the best is yet to come in Muskegon!

Visit Halfshell Graphics Website

Cheers and Chocolate Turns 15!! Celebrate Saturday Night at The Culinary Institute!

What's a better way to celebrate 15 years of making sure that the great work done by Every Woman's Place and The Webster House than fine food and drink, a wonderful open atmosphere at the Culinary Institute of Michigan, some fun raffles, prizes and more?

Truth be told, there isn't a much better way than Cheers and Chocolate and it's happening tomorrow night Saturday March 5th Downtown Muskegon.

Click here for Cheers and Chocolate Tickets

Jenny McNeill came by today, not with her attorney or sponsor hat on, but with her role as a board member for Every Woman's Place and The Webster House to talk about the work that goes on with Every Woman's Place and The Webster House.  Let's face it, domestic violence and troubled teens are not easy subjects to discuss.  They are often buried in shame, fear and most of all silence.  The work at Every Woman's Place focuses on helping women get out of those situations.  Maybe a teen has problems at home, problems with bullies...The Webster House is a safe place for them to begin to make a change for the better.  Have a listen to our chat below for the details!

Every Woman's Place and The Webster House are essentials in Muskegon.  Every community wishes that they didn't need a place that offers services like they do, but they are here to help the toughest situations and offer hope to those who don't know where else to turn.  Click on the link below for the Every Woman's Place and Webster House.  Learn a little more or help if you can, if you you are in need of help, take that first step.  There is also a 24 hour crisis line 231-722-3333 if you need help immediately.

Visit Every Woman's Place Online

Thank You Muskegon! What a Day!! Editorial

Ok, so I stumbled upon a couple gift cards from Celebration Cinema and I kinda thought... "I wonder???  If I gave those away on the Positively Muskegon Facebook page, I wonder if anyone would help us get a few more to follow the page." Hey, why not right?

I figured if 50 people or so came along and gave us a like, that's well worth $20.  Would have considered it money well spent and been happy with a few new readers.

Well, things got a little out of hand.  Where I had hoped for 50, that turned into over 6000 in under 24 hours and has almost tripled the reach of that Facebook page.  I was pleasantly caught off guard and very grateful for the enthusiasm but I think I got the message LOUD and clear!  I think that I am not the only one that's preaching that message anymore either.

The message I got was "We want more of this!!""

You know what?  You deserve more of this!

What we have going on in our town is nearly a media vacuum and to be blunt about it, it sucks!  We worked hard from 1998-the end to build a radio station that cared about it's town and let the money follow.  It will come.  We did what no one else could do.  Now, you get one guy on in the morning and the rest of the day is some schmuck from out of town.  Enough.  News consists of how many clicks can some article get so there are higher number to tell advertisers.  I count them too, but I don't load every story with bait for clicks either.

Where are the human interest stories?   Why are our neighborhoods sold to us as war zones?  Why do people outside of Muskegon all think "oooohh......better not go there".  It's wrong.  It's not what media should be doing in a community.  They should be a vital heartbeat of activity...a center to focus around and a trusted partner to develop business.  I look at it today and I see the "Walking Dead" version of a craft I love and what should be an essential part of the local economy.

So, to all the readers here old and new - We're planted!  We're going to change the way we talk about ourselves and we're going to change the way the rest of the world sees us...because we are all way over due!

In closing....I'm damn glad you're in!

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Lakeshore - Making a Difference In the Lives Of Many

Imagine being a kid in today's day and age.  It's a big, scary world out there and kids need a positive and assuring role model to help them navigate their way thru it.  Some kids have one parent....some kids have parents working 3 jobs to make ends meet and all kids deserve a chance to have a mentor that is there for them.  Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Lakeshore works hard to make sure that if a child or parent asks, the find a match for them and get them that voice of wisdom, reason and companionship.

Follow BBBS Lakeshore on Facebook

Lisa Hegenbart heads up the BBBS of The Lakeshore in Muskegon and stopped by today to talk a little about being a Big Brother or Big Sister and how many kids are seeking a hand frm a willing adult who wants to put a little time and a little belief into the future and change a persons life for the better!  We talked a little about "Bowl for Kids Sake" coming up in April if you care to be a part of some fun fund raising.

It might seem like a "big" commitment to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, but the reality is you'll change more than one life by being a part of a younger persons.  It's not expensive, it's not impossible and that life you change along with the younger persons.....well, it's yours.  You can click on the logo below and connect with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Lakeshore!

BBBS Lakeshore's Website