We're incredibly thankful for our partnership with Attorney Shon Cook in Whitehall and her support of our work here and on Positively Muskegon and the other properties we publish.  She's been with us since almost the beginning and today, she's dropping by to share some thoughts on the legal world as well as what's happening with the courts in the jurisdictions she practices in.  

We have shared several posts about our work and how it gets to you through Comcast/Xfinity.  We are an all digital based media company and without the ability to get our message to you without using the infrastructure that they have in place, we've got nothing.  We've always been treated like a top priority when it comes to making sure what we need is as good as it gets, especially when it comes to some of the growth we've gone through like the world wide broadcast of the Mona Shores Singing Christmas Tree and our live shows.

Xfinity is on the forefront of making sure that in a time when communication is essential, their customers and those who might need some connection via mobile hot spots have what they need.  Mobile Hot Spots from Xfinity are free to anyone at the time and no one is going to be shut off from service for a while until all of this blows over and we're back to what's normal. Learn More about Xfinity Mobile Hot Spots

Comcast/Xfinity has also gone where others have not even dreamed in the wake of everything going on.  Setting up a HALF A BILLION dollar fund to help their employees who are effected by the virus.  Other media companies are furloughing people but those under the umbrella of this media giant have some relief coming.  What a refreshing way to do business.  Putting their people and communities first.

Friday, we invited Rob Ponto from Comcast/Xfinity to come on and talk about not only what Comcast/Xfinity is doing for customers and communities, but some of the staggering statistics they are finding in usage.  Everything from peak times when people are online, what they are looking for, how the system is holding up and what you can find FREE right now is you are a subscriber to the Comcast/Xfinity platforms.  There are some pretty interesting statistics here.  Take a listen.  

So much info and so many ways you can stay connected and entertained with Comcast/Xfinity.  We are paying customers too with Comcast/Xfinity.  As mentioned at the beginning of this article, we have found nothing but stellar service from Comcast/Xfinity and they have helped us grow to what we've become.  We're thankful for their help in getting us to where we are!  To find out what you can watch free on Xfinity right now, click below!

We're all living day to day at the moment for the most part and our immediate needs...ya, they are pretty much all we're thinking about.  It's a time when there are no a whole lot of answers and there are more questions piling up than can even be addressed.  Nothing seems "normal", but, there are some things that are very stable, there are people who are steadfast in their commitment to what they do and there are ways they can reach out to you and help even though you can't stop in for a visit.

Back in February, on our blog, Positively Muskegon we introduced you to Gavin and Kamden Cross who were out to help our area pet shelters out with some of the things that newly adopted pets need when they finally find their forever home.  Things like a nice new collar, a new leash, maybe some toys and treats to make that transition from the shelter to their forever home a little easier for their new start.

 As I was scrolling through Facebook one night as many of us do. I came across a post from Shannon Glass about her amazingly thoughtful daughter Danica. you see this year Danica started the sixth grade this year. Most girls around this age start their cycle, Shannon wanted her daughter to be prepared, confidant and know how to handle it when it happens.

As we hear over and over, "we're in this together".  Yes, it's a snappy slug line and probably something we outta be better at anyway.  We've all got our areas that we can add to the relief of our current times and we also too could do a little better job of following instructions on staying home and letting the worst of all this pass without helping to spread the virus. 

Virus or no virus, our aging population is a point of concern as we get a little older ourselves and start to see the first signs of the "golden years" start to show in our parents.  Very fortunately, for me, mine are both still quite healthy, agile, social and able to manage the day to day.  But, like anyone who's approaching 50 the relentless march of time has taken its toll on those who I once saw as invincible. 

Hackley Public Library wants to show us what they are up to during the temporarily closure and sends their regards. The library is temporarily closed due to Executive Order 2020-09 to minimize transmission of the COVID-19 and it's scheduled to re-open April 6^th . See bottom of article on how to to apply for a temporarily library card online.

Muskegon Restaurants improvise during COVID-19 outbreak. Many of them begin to Offer curbside, walk-up, take-out and delivery services during Governor Gretchen Whitmer shut down of dine-in services at all bars and restaurants in Michigan amid the COVID-19 outbreak to slow down transmission of the virus.

Do You know if you have a Muskegon Area District Library card, you can access to Multiple online services for free ebooks, movies and music through services such as CloudLibrary, Freegal, Hoopla, Kanopy, OverDrive, Libby, rb Digital and Scola?

The Mercy Health Project in Muskegon County has been a partner with The Muskegon Channel since day one, and even before with Positively Muskegon.  We've been very proud to bring you stories and support the work they do in their community outreach in Muskegon which is extensive, although you may not exactly know their work by name.  While "The Health Project" itself may not stand out, the groups and programs they stand behind certainly will and without their support, might not even exist.

It was an event long cherished and often duplicated in West Michigan and the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury rolled out the red carpet for the competitors and spectators for the return of Build Your Own Bobsled on February 29th 2020.  Leap Day had it's own event and the Double JJ had perfectly groomed hills to play on and their resort was buzzing with bobsleds, sno-cross, pre-parties, water park lovers and people coming to enjoy the last few drops that Winter in West Michigan had to offer.

Britta Cleveland Reports - My absolute favorite event of the year is West Michigan Student Showcase! West Michigan Student Showcase 2020 will showcase the achievements and talents of students from 33 different high schools in Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa and Kent Counties. March 18th - 19th at The Frauenthal Center.

With locations all around the United States Boys and Girls Club now has a home at Orchard View Schools. Boys and Girls club is meant to inspire the youth today. They help children reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens in today's society.

On Wednesday at the Sturrus Center in Downtown Muskegon, a presentation was made to talk about the different options for the future of the Muskegon Area Transit System and how it can be better shaped to work within the budget it's has, which currently, it tends to go over with some regularity. 

It's an event that's been going on as long as most can remember.  It's the signature fundraising annual event for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore and it happens over a couple of months at a few different locations.  It involves a little fundraising, a LOT of bowling and a great time for any individual or team that wants to make a difference in the lives of the kids in the community and a group who's work is synonymous with the betterment of the next generation. 

The Disability Network of West Michigan is an agency in Muskegon that provides independent living resources for people with disabilities in Muskegon, Oceana, Lake, Newaygo, and Mason counties.  Their website goes on to say that "Disability Network West Michigan is committed to inclusion and diversity while being consumer directed and accountable.  Our mission is to advocate, educate, empower and provide resources for persons with disabilities.  We promote accessible communities, fulfilling our vision of accessibility is an accepted civil right."

Britta Cleveland reports. Recently I sat down with some of my favorite people in West Michigan about one of our favorite annual events in West Michigan. Dancing with the Local Stars to help raise funds and awareness for our local area food banks that help to feed our areas needy. Clarence Colegrove of Trensyd Realty, Bob Szymoniak - Superintendent of Fruitport Public Schools, the Honorable Judge Brenda Sprader of Muskegon County Court System and Larry Romanelli of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians with the Little River Casino in Manistee, MI.

If you are into the arts then City Center Arts Muskegon is the place for you. The new gallery was formally known as The Red Lotus and is located at 356 W. Western Avenue in the lower level of the historic Century Club building. City Center Art is a place Art lovers of all kinds from performance events, art classes, concerts, art receptions, locally created art and gifts for purchase.

Developers of an old restaurant formerly known as Johnny Carinos on Harvey Street kindly donated the building to the Norton Shores Fire Department. They used this Building to perform ventilation exercises on a clay tile roof which is uncommon to the area.

We grow up with what we know.  Most of us also grew up in a time that was a little different when we stayed in touch in ways that were not quite so digital.  We heard things like bells and horns that told us to get home...of course, there was always the "street light" rule about being home before dark.  Getting the "what for" from your friends mom generally meant double was coming at home and things like a "phone tree" were the way word got around town to let you know what was going on.  We grow up...we move away...life evolves and then we look back and wonder "what happened" when we go back and see what was and what's become. 

The Muskegon Area District Libraries (MADL) has committed to increase literacy skills for every age and are actively involved with this effort, one way to achieve this is through a new early literacy initiative called the Muskegon Storyville. The Storyville Villages are located in their Montague, Muskegon Heights, and Norton Shores branches. They are created to inspire children age zero to five.

Do you have or know of someone with a child? Chances are that that child LOVES macaroni in some form. That is exactly what the founders of Macaroni thought of when they named the very first Macaroni Kid website.

Community Economic Development Association of Michigan is hosting the event "Show Me The Money Day Muskegon" - an event designed to promote our community’s free and low-cost financial services, resources for financial literacy, and provides workshops on methods to better save and spend money with the intent of financially empowering the community as a whole.

I recently visited with my dear friend Kris Collee, Executive Director of Age Well Services of West Michigan with Meals on Wheels. We sat in their newly renovated Driftwood Cafe at Tanglewood Park Senior Service Center in Norton Shores which is truly beautiful and the food is amazing! We chatted about the wonderful Holiday Meal that the Agewell Service’s Chefs are busily preparing for this Thursday, December 19th DTE Energy Foundation FREE Holiday Meal.

Seven and a half years ago the pool at Muskegon Heights Academy was ordered to be closed due to budget. Lots of effort put into place in the recent years and now the pool is officially re-opened.

Carmel McKentry is a long-time friend of mine, but we lost touch. Busy lives, growing kids, but when we get a chance to connect, the conversation is easy. Her smile lights up a room. She recently posted on social media that she was working at The Hideout, a bar and grill in downtown Muskegon Heights. I was intrigued.