We're no strangers to Girls on the Run!  Girls on the Run is a program for girls ages 8-13 years old.  It's focused on life skills through conversational learning lessons and running.  It's all based on showing the participants know, and activate their limitless potential and gives them the freedom to pursue their dreams!  It's simply a fantastic thing to be a part of and their commitment to the young women of Muskegon is hard to beat.  Click Here for Lunafest Tickets

Being a part of the run itself for a couple years now, and seeing first hand the sense of accomplishment of the girls as the event ramps up and the start takes off, and the first to the last complete the 5k has been an amazing experience.  The race is the "reward" for completing the program leading up to the day and to have an idea of what's taught along with the dedicated people who help guide the students celebrate a victory in more ways than one.  Steps have been taken to show these young people their value beyond what they see or hear in the "mainstream" and when they cross that finish line, they know first hand that they can accomplish something as difficult as a 5k run!  

One of the benefits held to help support the program is called Lunafest.  It's a short film festival of, by and for women.  This year, it will be held at The Block in Downtown Muskegon on March 7th at 5:30.  It's recommended for high school age and older and along with the film, you'll find some great food from The Hearthstone, a cash bar, plenty of information about Girls on the Run and chances are, you'll find more people just like you who believe in the future of our youth.  

We've welcomed Molly Barker, the founder of Girls on the Run in to Muskegon.  We've talked plenty with Sue Gifford locally too about the events happening here in town.  Today, meet Beth McEwen with Girls on the Run who's going to talk about Lunafest a little more and how you can be a part of the film festival and help benefit such a terrific program.  Take a listen.

It's a great program. If you have a daughter or granddaughter between 8 and 13, it's worth exploring what Girls on the Run is all about.  If you'd like to know more click on the photo below.  It's a pretty great thing and my thanks to GOTR for having us out again to help spread the word!

It's hard to believe, but what was once a grocery store in Norton Shores has become a vibrant center for so many incredible things for our senior citizen community.  The site that was D&W is now known as Tanglewood Park and within the walls you'll find Senior Resources, who help older folks navigate their way through the vast amounts of benefits that are there for them and resources they might not even know about.  You'll find AgeWell Services who handle things like Meals on Wheels, nutrition education, fitness, yoga and more.  You'll find a delicious cafe that's open to the public and, you'll find Life Circles PACE, who are the focus of our story today.

Life Circles PACE is a comprehensive medical program for senior citizens designed to help keep people in their home as long as possible.  The offer primary medical care, day center activities, in home care, medical transportation ans so much more.  A visit to Life Circle PACE and the first thing you see that they truly offer is a place where people don't have to feel alone.  To suffer the isolation that so often comes with aging, and the rest of the world carrying on at a bullets speed when it's time for the elderly person to slow down a little.  With isolation quite often comes fear.  What if I fall?  What if I am forgotten?  What if I run out of food?  All of those "what if's" are answered by fellowship and caring and truly good people who devote themselves to the care of our older generation. Follow Life Circles PACE on Facebook

Is it a sad sack of a place?  Not in the least!  People are interacting, talking, playing games, doing some physical activity and really, making the most of what they have.  The care is top notch and as mentioned, the staff takes a great deal of pride in knowing that they are fulfilling to the best of their ability the days of those in their advanced years.  

It's a milestone for Life Circles PACE this year aw well!  It's the 10 year anniversary of their service in Muskegon and to celebrate, they are working to bridge the gap a little between ages and, some people that might share a touch of the same things the senior citizens face, the "what if's".  The focus will be on building bags for kids who for one reason or another have to go into foster care.  Sometimes, when the situation comes up, the child has only a short time to grab their belongings and put them in a garbage bag to head to their foster home.  It's a sad a scary reality, but...Life Circles PACE has a plan to help it easier.  They are building backpacks to provide to the kids to take with them and have as their own.  

I met with Barb Dekker and Pam O'Brien from Life Circles Pace to talk a little more about their program as well as the incredible give back for the foster kids.  Take a listen.

It's an amazing program, and an amazing give back. It crosses some generations and the fact that a little love is coming from someone, to someone they will never meet...that's a pretty great thing too.  After our visit, Barb took me out on a tour of the campus and I was able to meet and talk with a lot of really remarkable people who were just grateful to have someone to talk with.  Smiles, handshakes, kindness....I'm here to tell ya, the world needs more places like Life Circles PACE, and it's right here!  To learn more click on the photo below to visit their website.

Ready for something delicious?  Chef Char is at it in Kitchen 242 and rockin' some awesome home made ravioli.  Let's start with an editorial note.  Someone has to be there at the completion of the dish to make sure it's good right?  Not being overly exposed to ravioli growing up, outside of the occasional canned Chef Boy Ar Dee, this post shoot sampling REALLY hit the spot. Follow Chef Char on Facebook

This recipe is as much of an art as it is a cooking class.  The care that went in to the hand made noodles and the patience involved was meticulous.  The good thing about this...practice makes perfect, so as you hone your culinary arts, those involved in the end result will be happy with your bew found dedication.

You're going to see the entire process minus the gluttony at the end.  From the home made noodles to the gentle frying and then topped off with the sauce... SO good!  Let's get down to Kitchen 242 and watch Chef Char work her magic!

Delicious!  We should be filming with Chef Char every day!  Want to learn how to learn how to cook like Char?  She'll teach ya!  She's got all kinds of fun and informative cooking classes for adults, and kids at Kitchen 242!  You can visit her website for a list of times and class themes!  Click on Chef Char's photo to visit her website and the recipe for the ravioli...right below that!

Cheese and Herb Stuffed Tomato Ravioli with Chef Char
Tomato Pasta Recipe
6 oz. can tomato paste
1 cup semolina flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs
Pinch of sea salt
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Pasta directions: Add all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Using a dough hook on an electric mixer, combine the pasta ingredients until a large ball of dough forms. Remove the ball of pasta dough from the bowl, cover the dough and allow it to rest about 10 minutes before rolling into pasta sheets. Note: If pasta comes out sticky, add small amounts of all-purpose flour until the pasta dough forms a tight ball. If the pasta feels a little dry, it is okay to add a small amount of water.

Cheese Herb Filling Recipe
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup Greek yogurt
6 ounces feta cheese
2 eggs
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Herb Cheese Filling Directions:
Add all cheese filling ingredients in a bowl and stir until well-combined.
To Assemble Ravioli:
Place two freshly rolled pasta sheets on a lightly floured surface. Using a small scoop, form small piles of filling along one of the sheets of pasta. Coat the edges of the pasta sheets with egg wash. Place the second pasta sheet over the cheese piles and press the dough onto the areas where there is egg wash and seal ravioli.

Dip sealed ravioli pillows into egg wash, then into Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Fry in a 350 degree pot of vegetable oil for 5 minutes or bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Serve with roasted tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese.

It was the premiere episode of Muskegon Tonight at Smash Wine Bar and Bistro.  The "polar vortex" was on everyone's mind, but it sure didn't stop a great crowd from turning out to be a part of the launch!

The show, hosted by Andy O'Riley and Jeremy DeWitt welcomed Muskegon Mayor Steve Gawron to talk about all things Muskegon, Jim Rudicil of the Muskegon Luge and Winter Sports Complex and Comedian Ricarlo Williams-Winston entertained the crowd at the end of the night with a short set of his great material.

The atmosphere was warm, the food was delicious and as far as the launch of a new shw goes, it was pretty dog gone good!  If you missed it live or would just like to see it again... here you are, it's the premiere if Muskegon Tonight on The Muskegon Channel.

Our thanks to everyone who braved the cold to come out and to out very gracoius hosts at Smash Wine Bar and Bistro for the awesome venue to hold the premiere show! If you're looking for a great place to have a night out in an intimate setting, may we invite you to check out Smash! in the lower level of the Frauenthal Theater in Downtown Muskegon. You can have a look at their menu by clicking on their photo below.

We're trying something new.  Normally, The Muskegon Channel is more about the people and places in and around our area that are doing great things and making a positive impact on the community.  We have certainly talked about things that are not "flowery" in the past, but we also believe that when something of importance comes up, it should be discussed with a solution based approach and both sides of the argument should get a chance to state their case in a fashion that isn't all sound bytes and shortened clips for a 30 second clip on the news.

Today, we're bringing you "Both Sides" of an important issue going on in Muskegon County.  There is a group of people who have formed to recall County Drain Commissioner Brenda Moore.  It's become a heated battle at times and it's understandable from both points of view.

The Drain Commissioner has pretty broad powers given by the State.  The job in Michigan is to plan, maintain and develop surface water drainage systems.  This includes the ability to levy fees associated with these duties.  In Muskegon, we have plenty to protect when it comes to what gets drained and where.  We are the access point to Lake Michigan, our rivers and lakes are for the most part all tied into it and we've fought so hard for so long to clean up and protect our beautiful natural resources. 

As you can imagine, "levy fees", is the trigger in the last paragraph.  In Muskegon, some drain work is underway or has been proposed that area residents have been hit with.  Some to the degree of $12,000-$20,000.  It's a lot of money.  It's enough to cause those effected by it to start looking for answers from independent engineers, reaching out to their County Commissioners, State Representatives and more!

I spent a couple days talking to the involved parties. I met with Brenda Moore and heard from her about the job and how it came to be for her.  Then I met with Jeremy Hooker and Tammy Barnhard of the Kuis Drain Neighbors in Fruitport Township.  We're offering you the chance to hear both sides of the story.  To pretend that we have any understanding of the intricacies of Brenda's office is the last thing we're trying to do likewise the independent engineers that have been brought in and the angry people involved....we're not trying to fan the flames.  We're not traditional investigative reporters and we're not trying to sensationalize anything.  Take a few minutes and listen to the conversation as we present "Both Sides of the Story". 

Some weeks, it's a few simple exercises with a mat and dumbbell.  Others, it might be some sound advise. Once in a while Becky goes all out with the TRX equipment and balance balls and everything.  Point is, some work out's are simple and some are complicated and designed to push you to your limit.  This is one of those weeks where you're gonna get pushed to your limits.  Follow Becky on Facebook

She's breaking out the "Dirty Dozen".  12 exercises designed to tour that body of yours and make it a machine.  Can't say this is one for the beginner, but...if you're joining us for the first time, nothing wrong with jumpin' off the high dive. :)

Like any other exercise program, please consult a doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to exercise.  Make sure you warm up and stretch out and drink plenty of water!

Here comes the "Dirty Dozen" on episode 84 of Fit and Healthy With Becky on The Muskegon Channel.

Becky is a Certified Personal Trainer and works in both one on one and group settings.  We film at The Gym in North Muskegon and if you'd like to go a little further with a healthy lifestyle, a quick stop into The Gym or a call to Becky is a great first step.  At The Gym, you'll find a great atmosphere designed for adults and a friendly staff committed to helping you in your fitness quest!  You can learn more about The Gym by visiting their Facebook page, click on the link below to go there!