WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

In this episode of Community Closeup , WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower sits down with Lynn Goldberg, a branch librarian and member of the Summer Wonder Workgroup. Lynn shares all the exciting details about KDL’s Summer Wonder program—a seasonal journey designed to keep West Michigan families engaged, inspired, and learning all summer long through outdoor discovery, reading challenges, and STEAM ac...

On this episode of WYCE's Community Closeup , WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Victor Williams , founder and president of the Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator (GR-MiFi) and CEO of Grandstand Pictures. Victor shares how GR-MiFi is empowering the next generation of filmmakers while preserving and amplifying the stories that have shaped Grand Rapids. The conversation exp...

In this episode of WYCE’s Community Closeup , host Janet Zahn sits down with Heather Obrien (Program Manager) and Victor Sultana (Board Member) from Renew Mobility to discuss how their organization transforms lives by providing essential mobility equipment to those who need it most. In This Episode, We Discuss: A Personal Story: Board Member Victor Sultana shares a moving personal experience of ho...

In this episode of Community Closeup , WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower dives into the highlights of the 2026 National Civics Bee . On April 15th, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce hosted the prestigious regional competition at the Ford Presidential Museum, bringing together 20 talented middle school finalists from across the area to showcase their civic knowledge. We are joined by Andy Johnston...

I n this episode of Community Closeup, host Phil Tower sits down with Max Gilles, Strategic Initiatives Manager for Mobile GR , to discuss the future of urban transit in West Michigan.  Max joins the program for a discussion about the city's upcoming long-range framework, major changes to the downtown shuttle system, and transit solutions for the city’s newest entertainment hubs. Key Topics Co...

In this episode, host Phil Tower sits down with Jazz McKinney (they/them) , Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center , to look ahead to one of the city's most vibrant and impactful summer traditions: the 2026 Grand Rapids Pride Festival . Dates & Times: Saturday, June 20 (12:00 PM – 10:00 PM) Sunday, June 21 (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM) Location: Calder Plaza, Downtown Grand Rapids Them...

In this episode of Community Closeup, our weekly public affairs program produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, host Phil Tower sits down with Charles Burke, President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Recently celebrating his third anniversary with the organization, Charles discusses how Meijer Gardens has solidified its reputation as an inte...

In this episode, WYCE’s Janet Zahn welcomes Mariah Malone, Communications coordinator with John Ball Zoo , to talk about upcoming summer events, highlights, and ways you can support their wildlife conservation mission. In this episode, we discuss: The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival : Returning with this year's theme, Realms of Wonder, featuring three new enchanting realms. Running Wednesdays th...

On this week's episode, WYCE's Janet Zahn speaks with Alex Karatkiewicz (Executive Director) and Kelly McCabe (Program Coordinator) from the Creston Neighborhood Association (CNA) to explore the vibrant history and future of Grand Rapids’ largest neighborhood. Since 1979, the CNA has empowered residents to shape their community by preserving local strengths and driving necessary change. In...

In this week’s edition of Community Closeup , WYCE’s Janet Zahn sits down with Stacy Stout, the President & CEO of Blandford Nature Center ⁠ , to explore how this West Michigan staple is connecting people to the natural world. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Blandford Nature Center is more than just a park—it’s an active outdoor environmental lab dedicated to sustainability and education. Stacy sha...

In this episode, we welcome Derek Reed, Vice President with Buses By The Beach , and  Jeremy Czubko, Ambassador with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.   Derek and Jeremy gave us a preview of the  2026 Bus Benefit . For over 20 years, this West Michigan community of VW enthusiasts has turned a love for vintage camping into a powerful mission, raising vital funds for the Grand Rapids-based Pho...

On this week's episode, we welcome John Cox, fashion design teaching artist with WMCAT. WMCAT is the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology. John joined us on the program to talk about WMCAT’s upcoming presentation of "Textured Dreams," WMCAT’s Student Fashion Showcase, happening May 7 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). The fashion show features works by WMCAT teen artists...

In this episode of WYCE's Community Closeup , host Janet Zahn welcomes Taryn Dole and Liz Barnett with the Area Agency on Aging West Michigan. The mission of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is to support older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live independently and with dignity.  AAAWM is The Source  for Seniors in nine West Michigan counties: Allegan, Ionia,...

In this episode, we speak with Hollin De La Cruz, coordinator with  The West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative , and Omar Cuevas, Senior VP of Investor and Corporate Relations with Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. The  West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative (WPC) i s a multi-organizational group made up of 50+ organizations: local school districts, non-profits, government bodies, and business...

In this episode, welcome to our studios Hollin De La Cruz, coordinator with  The West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative , and Omar Cuevas, Senior VP of Investor and Corporate Relations with Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. The  West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative (WPC) i s a multi-organizational group made up of 50+ organizations: local school districts, non-profits, government bodies, and...

In this episode of  Community Closeup , WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower sits down with  Scott Bloem , Executive Director of  The Other Way Ministries , to discuss their 50-plus-year legacy of walking alongside Westside Grand Rapids families. Since 1967,  The Other Way  has been a cornerstone of the Westown neighborhood, fostering spiritual, relational, and economic growth.  Scott shares insights i...

In this episode, we welcome Brooke Clement, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, and Dr. Mirelle Luecke, Supervisory Curator of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum ⁠ 2026 is going to be a busy and exciting year at the museum, including numerous events that will celebrate America's Semiquincentennial. (250th Birthday!) We took the opportunity to discuss sev...

In this episode, we welcome Chris Kotcher, director at The Wealthy Theatre. The Wealthy Theatre was originally built in 1911, and today, it functions as a mixed-use community arts center hosting film, concerts, comedy, magic shows, forums, local arts events, and much more.  The Wealthy Theatre is a program of The Grand Rapids Community Media Center (GRCMC). Wealthy Theatre has the Peter Wege Audit...

On this week's episode, Host Janet Zahn speaks with Guest:  Lori Tennenhouse, Artistic Director with the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus. A highlight of the 30th season for   The Grand Rapids Women's Chorus   is the Michigan premiere of  " Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray"   on March 21, 2026, at Fountain Street Church.  This presentation features a 10-movement dramatic cantata foll...

In this episode of WYCE’s Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes  Ben Swayze, Director of Kent County Parks , for a wide-ranging look at how our local parks serve West Michigan year-round.  While the park system is in “hibernation mode” during winter, Ben highlights four-season opportunities—from plowed and groomed trails and year-round restrooms at Millennium Park to cross-co...

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

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 pri...

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 class...

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, dedi...

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&...