In this episode, we welcome Francisco Martinez, Event and Public Relations Officer, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan.

The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is a non-profit organization serving the Latino and broader West Michigan community. The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is sponsoring the 2026 LatinX Youth Conference, which takes place on March 5, 2026, at the GRCC Ford Fieldhouse.

The focus of this year’s LatinX Youth Conference is to support eighth-grade students as they transition into high school…a critical time when students are exploring who they are, identifying their skills, and building confidence in their knowledge.

The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan’s goal is to support them during this transition, so they feel empowered and prepared to become successful leaders for the future.

This year’s LatinX Youth Conference will include panels on career pathways as well as an interactive expo where students can engage in hands-on activities.

Learn More: Hispanic Center of Western Michigan

In this episode, we welcome Marie Orttenberger, advancement manager with The Land Conservancy of West Michigan

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan works to keep nature nearby and conserve West Michigan’s ecologically critical land.

Marie told us they do this work by creating public nature preserves, providing support to communities and local governments in creating natural areas, and helping private landowners protect their own land.

Their focus is on three areas:

Protected Land: Working with families & communities to protect ecologically critical land.

Healthy Habitats: Maintaining and restoring health to the landscapes we work together to protect.

Inspired People: Offering inclusive opportunities for people to connect with nature and each other.

In this episode, we spoke about these topics:

*The finish of a 25-year project at Saul Lake Bog Preserve…in Rockford, MI. Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve is one of West Michigan’s flagship natural areas. Visitors can appreciate the bog, prairie, forests, and fields—and the diversity of wildlife they support—in all seasons.

*The Land Conservancy of West Michigan is celebrating 50 years of keeping nature nearby. Marie promised that this year will offer several action-packed events for friends and supporters to be a part of.

Online: The Land Conservancy of West Michigan

In this episode of Community Closeup, we sit down with Ted Diedrich, station manager of GRTV, to discuss what a vital community resource GRTV is and why public access television remains an important civic institution, even in the digital age.

Ted shares about how you can become an All-Access member of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, and he also talks about the wide variety of classes offered through GRTV and professional, audio, and video equipment available for you to check out as a member.

By creating the media and your own video programming, GRTV offers numerous opportunities for community involvement for anyone who is interested.

Episode Notes

• What is GRTV? An overview of the GRTV's mission and history.
• Membership & Access: How ⁠Grand Rapids Community Media Center members can unlock classes, equipment access, and media literacy training.
• Hands-On Learning: Details on GRTV’s hands-on classes in video production, podcasting, editing, and video production for all skill levels.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Discover how to support live events covered by GRTV, and how you can be part of the production team that shoots all five hours of The WYCE Jammie Awards.

Learn More Online: GRTV

On this episode, we welcome Brian Elve, Executive Director of Guiding Light, and David Madiol, Director of Development & Communications.

Guiding Light specializes in innovative Recovery for Men & Women.

Guiding Light’s four-month residential experience creates a culture of community, peer support, and accountability.

Their faith-based long-term rehab provides a structured environment, dedicated staff, and comprehensive programming with life-coaching, spiritual direction, therapy, support groups, psycho-social education, and exercise.

We spoke with Brian and Dave about Guiding Light Live! A Benefit Concert to Fight Addiction: Saturday, February 21, 4-6:30 PM at St. Cecilia Music Center

The concert is presented by Eastern Avenue Church, and all proceeds benefit Guiding Light’s addiction recovery programs.

Learn more and get tickets here: Guiding Light Live!

In this episode, we welcome Carol Moore, a historical preservationist and the founder of Hermitage at Diamond. Mary Reagan -Shapton, Hermitage at Diamond Board Chair.

Hermitage at Diamond is a space that blends historic preservation with contemporary art.

Built in 1875 as the Third Reformed Church, since 2017, it has been home to Hermitage at Diamond, a 150+-year-old former church in Grand Rapids' East Hills neighborhood.

Hermitage at Diamond has launched a $150,000 fundraiser to complete the exterior restoration and install the final rose windows before winter.

The estimated cost for these improvements is $5 million.

Carol told us that donors are needed and donations are always encouraged.

To learn more about this special space ,visit: Hermitage at Diamond

In this episode, we have a conversation with Sister Gabriella Pettirossi, the Executive Director for the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell, MI.

In May 2025, Sister Gabriella Pettirossi was appointed to serve as the executive Director for the Franciscan Life Process Center. Sister Gabriella succeeded Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, the foundress and executive director of the Franciscan Life Process Center. •     

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist serve West Michigan through programs offered at their campus near Lowell and the city campus in Grand Rapids.

Sister Gabriella spoke with us about the many programs and opportunities offered through the Franciscan Life Process Center, including counseling services, music therapy, cooking classes, land experiences, nature trails, and much more.

Their mission, based in Franciscan spirituality, is to promote a relationship with God that brings dignity and hope to the sacred process of all life through programs that assist, educate, enrich, and inform.

They have carried out this mission since 1974.

Online: The Franciscan Life Process Center

In this week's episode, we welcome Bill Kirk, the Director ofCommunications at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI)

Bill joined us for a preview of the 7th annual World of Winter Festival, happening January 9 through 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!

World of Winter At A Glance:

o Downtown Grand Rapids becomes partoutdoor art gallery, part all-ages playground, part outdoor theater, etc., etc.

o Enjoy incredible interactive works of art, electricity, and sound as the foundation of the festival

o World of Winter is complemented with two months of free events, activations, walking tours, storefront window displays, etc.

o World of Winter 2026 includes crowd favorite events like Ice Breaker (a giant, live-carved ice sculpture chosen by public vote, Paint the Park, Human Hungry Hippo Tournament, Snowga, Silent Disco, Love on Ice, Circus Wonderland, the Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition, Ice Piano performances, Winter’s a DRAG, and Noodle Fest.

Bill encourages folks to follow DGRI and @WorldofWinterGR on social media.

Learn more here: World of Winter

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