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Rockford artist competing for world’s largest art prize
July 23, 2009 · Filed Under Top News Stories · Comment
Linda Bassford is pictured with some of her art—classy Rockford postcards (available at the Squire) and a mural she created for CarStar of Rockford.
Local artist among hundreds vying for $250,000
Linda Bassford of Rockford has entered her art in ArtPrize. She’ll compete with artists from all over the world for nearly one-half million dollars in prize money, including $250,000 to the artist who receives the most public votes.
ArtPrize will run from Sept. 23 through Oct. 10 in Grand Rapids. ArtPrize will have no formal jury, curator or judge. The visiting public will register to vote and decide who wins the prizes, using mobile devices and the Internet.
Bassford plans to enter a wall mural of a Michigan landmark, the lighthouse at Grand Haven. She says the mural for Degage Ministries in Grand Rapids was created to inspire patrons of the ministry who often take trips to Grand Haven during the summer.
ArtPrize art works and performances, professional and amateur, will be exhibited at hundreds of venues, all within a three-square-mile area in Grand Rapids’ downtown riverfront district. The city has offered up parks and bridges for outdoor venue displays. Scores of businesses will convert lobbies and public space for displays. The Midwest city of nearly 200,000, and a larger metro area population of more than one million, will become an art gallery.
Grand Rapids is the home of the internationally recognized Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, which showcases one of the world’s foremost collections of modern and contemporary sculptures, including pieces from well-known artists such as Moore, Oldenberg, Goldsworthy, Plensa and many more. In 2006, the city hosted a large-scale exhibit by Tom Otterness, considered one of the premier public artists, which attracted more than 750,000 visitors. The city recently built and opened the world’s first LEED gold certified art museum.
For more information about ArtPrize, go to artprize.org.
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Squire tags along on UP vacation
July 23, 2009 · Filed Under Top News Stories · Comment
The Hanson family recently visited the Upper Peninsula. They brought their local paper along to Greenland, Mich. to tour the Adventure Mines. They also stopped and saw waterfalls along the way (to and from). Pictured are Nick, Andy and Jenna Hansen with cousin Trevor Hansen, all of Rockford. Above the kids are pictured in the Adventure Mines. Pictured below are the kids at Fumee Falls in Norway, Mich.
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Rockford student is top recruit at police academy
July 23, 2009 · Filed Under Top News Stories · Comment
BEST OF THE BEST—Maria Sapp was the guest of honor at Rockford’s City Council meeting on Monday, July 20. Sapp was recognized by Rockford Police Chief Dave Jones for being the top recruit in the 2009 Metro Police Academy.
Rockford Police Chief Dave Jones extolled the achievements of a Rockford High School student during the regular meeting of the city council on Monday, July 20. Maria Sapp was chosen to participate as the representative from Rockford in the week-long 2009 Metro High School Police Academy. According to Jones, the City has been participating in the program for three years.
As Rockford’s choice of representative, Sapp was chosen from applicants to attend. “Our selection to attend this year was Maria,” said Jones. “Not only do they have to be outstanding academic students, they also have to exhibit outstanding character and integrity.” Jones states applicants are thoroughly screened with background checks before being accepted into the academy. Jones said at the academy Sapp underwent firearm training, trained for traffic stops and handcuffing. Of all the recruits, Sapp was identified as the top recruit over all other participants and earned a $500 scholarship toward future college costs. “I was proud of her when we selected her to go. I am very proud when I learned she earned top recruit.”
Jones said Sapp was consistently top in every one of the activities the recruits undertook. “She represented Rockford very well. Sapp was also one of the younger participants, as many are high school graduates.
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Latest, greatest outdoor sport—available at the Squire
July 23, 2009 · Filed Under Top News Stories · 1 Comment
FINDING IS FUN—Geocaching at the Squire are three generations, including visitors from Massachusetts. A mom, dad and three sisters, one with her two children were “caught” geocaching outside the Squire on Thursday, July 16. Beth (“Just Fiddling Around” to geocaching friends) along with son and daughter Andrew and Hillary Baning came a long way to make this find. They were visiting with Beth’s sister Mary “Merry Mountainbiker” from Hudsonville, Nancy “Nine Patch Nancy” from Rockford, and their mom and dad, Edwin and Alma Walhout “EdAlma” of Grand Rapids.
They can be as big as military ammunition canisters hidden in hollow trees or as tiny as a nitroglycerine tube stashed behind a fake screw head. Geocaches in the Rockford area are increasing all the time, including the latest installed at The Rockford Squire office at 331 Northland Drive. This geocache is called “Free Since 1871.”
Geocaching is a fun sport that can be winter-friendly. It can be done as a solitary sport, as a creative family outing, and even as a competition event for groups—church youth groups, this may be for you. With a hand-held global positioning unit (GPS), find the coordinates of local caches at geocaching.com. The caches are usually on park or public land, but on private property only with permission. Find the hidden cache, sign in and log your finds, if you want to.
Our friend Bob at The Cedar Springs Post newspaper—“raffitz” to his geocaching friends—put this in for us last week. We’ve had the fun of watching people look for it during work hours, but have missed some of the after-hours friends. On our logbook are geocaching diehards “RedHeadMary” and “Nanncyan.” Also visiting “Free Since 1871” was “golfdiva,” “Dirty Gordy,” “Dafodil Mom” and more.
Our cache is a simple one-stop, one-stage. In multi-caches, the first coordinate gives you the second coordinates and so on. Caches can be as long and complex as desired. In Maine, the Acadia National Park staff created a multi-cache that covers many miles and is an educational series. One stop leads you to a board explaining how a fjord is created. Others explain the natural phenomenon causing particular rock formations or the history of a geographic oddity.
Here at “Free Since 1871,” some of our visitors have posted their thoughts online. “RonORock” was embarrassed because he “missed the obvious” and said he was glad we weren’t at work to see him make a fool of himself searching for the cache. “NinePatchNancy” came with her family on a perfect day. “Amajo” said she and her spouse don’t really like caches on private property and argued about who would go out to search for it. “Me and Mr. Amajo both went out so we could look like fools together,” she wrote. “Grizz Rider” also found the hidden container.
Our cache is too small to hide goodies in. Larger ones usually have a selection of “prizes” to choose from. They may be trinkets, and are sometimes cash (ours had a nickel in it this morning). Local sites can lead searchers to interesting places you might not know exist, like “Mr. Eko” just north of Rockford’s city limits. Some tell a story or are just an excuse to get outside and enjoy the day. “Dog812” found “The Good Muffin” cache after work the other day along with 27 other caches. In Rockford are dozens more, including “Indian Joes” (several different ones at Indian Joe’s old place), “Double Dog Dare” and “Smells Fishy.” There are at least a couple on the new Cannon trail which begins at Cannon Township Hall, where you can find “How Much Wood” and “Rusty Bucket.”
If you are looking for a way to enjoy your outdoor time, find new and exciting places, and perhaps learn more about your local parks and history, check out geocaching.com and make sure to make “Free Since 1871” your first find.
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Rockford Register – July 23, 2009
Saturday, July 25
Rockford Farm Market—8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through October 31, in the South Squires Street parking lot, off Main St., downtown Rockford, featuring Michigan-grown produce, fresh baked goods, flowers and plants.
Sunday, July 26
Blood Drive—8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 192 Bridge St., Rockford, in the dining room. Register to win a summer “Staycation.” For more information, call the church at (616) 866-2412.
Tuesday, July 28
Huntington Rogue River Blues Series “After the Blues”—7 to 9 p.m. at the Garden Park Stage, along the White Pine Trail near the dam, every Tuesday through August 11. This week features Organissimo (jazz).
Free Legal Assistance for Seniors—half-hour appointments 10 a.m. to noon, with Jason Jansma at the Rockford Ambulance Board Room. Please call Marcia at (616) 863-6322 to schedule your appointment.
Free Concert at Grill One Eleven—See singer-songwriter Dana Cooper at 8 p.m. (after Blues on the River). The Austin, Texas native will play for one night only right here in Rockford. Grill One Eleven is located at 111 Courtland Street in downtown Rockford.
Country Music—9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at Rockford Ambulance Community Center, corner of 10 Mile Road and Shaner Avenue in Rockford. Music by the Rogue River Band. Enjoy free coffee, tea and snacks.
Wed.–Thur., July 29–30
“Christmas in July” Sale—9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wed., and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thur., at Rockford Reformed Church, 4890 Eleven Mile Rd., Rockford. All proceeds to benefit the North Kent Service Center Food Pantry.
Thursday, July 30
Free Child ID Program—10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rockford Christian School, 6060 Belding Rd., Rockford, sponsored by the Rockford Masonic Lodge #246. Each child who enters the program will receive a dental impression and a CD containing a photo, video, digital fingerprints and vital information. Parents or guardians of children who participate must be present and fill out a permission slip for the child. This program is part of the Kent County Sheriff’s Kids’ Day in conjunction with the Rockford Police Department, Greater Grand Rapids Safe Kids, and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The day also includes the Mounted Unit, Bike Patrol, Motorcycle Unit, Parks Unit, Marine Division and a Kids Bike Rodeo (bring your bike and helmet). FREE ADMISSION. To register, call (616) 632-6221. For more information, contact Ron Grew at (616) 874-3182 or visit www.michip.org.
Saturday, August 1
Rockford Farm Market—8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through October 31, in the South Squires Street parking lot, off Main St., downtown Rockford, featuring Michigan-grown produce, fresh baked goods, flowers and plants.
Monday, August 3
Chamber Bi-Monthly Luncheon Series—noon to 1:30 p.m. at Bostwick Lake Inn, 8521 Belding Rd., Rockford. Rockford Public Schools (RPS) Superintendent Dr. Michael Shibler will give updates on what is happening with RPS. Open to the public; please RSVP by noon Friday, July 31 by calling the Chamber office at (616) 866-2000 or e-mailing to membership@rockfordmichamber.com. Cost is $15 for Chamber members; $20 for nonmembers.
Tuesday, August 4
Huntington Rogue River Blues Series “After the Blues”—7 to 9 p.m. at the Garden Park Stage, along the White Pine Trail near the dam, every Tuesday through August 11. This week features The Concussions (surf).
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