Women's Lifestyle Magazine, March 2019, Positive Living

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MAR 2019

History on the Bench: 17 T H C I R C U I T C O U R T J U D G E

JUDGE CHRISTINA ELMORE WOMENʼS HISTORY MONTH | SOLDADERA COFFEE | LAUGHFEST | EMBODY THE STARS

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Contents PUBLISHER Two Eagles Marcus ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Roxanne O’Neil EXECUTIVE PUBLISHING CONSULTANT Carole Valade EDITOR Elyse Wild editor@womenslifestyle.com PRODUCTION DESIGNER Larissa Espinosa EDITORIAL INTERN Moya Tobey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Amy Gascon Carol Hendershot Elyse Wild Funny Girls Jessica Mcleod Kayla Sosa Megan Stubbs Moya Tobey Peaches McCahill Rene Franklin PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Kelly Two Eagles Marcus ADVERTISING SALES sales@womenslifestyle.com Sarah Anderson Eve Shetterly CALL (616) 458-2121 EMAIL info@womenslifestyle.com MAIL 3500 3 Mile Rd NW, Ste A Grand Rapids, MI 49534 IN MEMORIAM Victoria Ann Upton, Founder 1955 - 2018 To extend an uplifting, inclusive and vibrant invitation to enjoy life, every day, in our community.

March 2019 Edition #252

womenslifestyle.com LIFE 8 Then Ways to Live a Positive Lifestyle in March 10 Cabin Fever Relievers

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Soldadera Coffee

17 The Comedy Project 24 Women Who Serve Kent County 30 Dany Redwine, Comedienne 34 (Cold) Brewing with a Purpose: Soldadera Coffee 44 Funny Girls Guide to Funny Flicks 46 We’re Out There

HEALTH

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History on the Bench: Judge Christina Elmore

28

Building Confidence with Mindfulness

20 Recovering from Depression

FOOD 22 Recipes: Mediterranean Inspired

LEARN & DO 6 Our Community 15 How to Write a Joke 26 Reader’s Lounge 28 Building Confidence with Mindfulness 36 Women’s History Month Events

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The Comedy Project

ABOUT THE COVER:

Photographer: Brian Kelly. Subject: Judge Christina Elmore.

“I was excited about this portrait assignment ever since Two Eagles talked to me about it. Judge Elmore made history, and I was honored to get the call. She’s an incredible role model for the entire community, and to be able to spend some time with her and chat was a fantastic way to start 2019.”

Brian Kelly is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He loves zipper sweaters and funk music. brian@briankellyphoto.net / Studio: 616.439.0083

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12 History on the Bench: Judge Christina Elmore

37 Her Legacy: Frances Armstrong Rutherford 38 Event Spotlight: LaughFest 2019 40 Event Spotlight: LadyFest GR 42 Event Spotlight: Embody the Stars 46 Get Ready: Early Spring Landscaping Tips Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

From the Editor

LaughFest arrives just in time to usher our winterworn spirits into a more care-free season as the city submits itself to the mercy of comedians to at once tickle our funny bones and inspire us. The communitywide festival of all things funny gives us the chance to enjoy national acts but also relish in the thriving local comedy scene.

On page 17, we take you into the Comedy Project, Grand Rapids’ first comedy theatre where patrons can enjoy original productions and step behind the scenes for a crash-course in comedy. Meet Dany Redwine, a comedian and breast cancer survivor who stepped on stage to cross an item off of her bucket list and hasn’t stepped off since (page 30). Funny Girls offers their expertise with “Funny Girls Guide to Funny Flicks” on page 44; and, Amy Gascon, one of our city’s most hysterical hidden treasures, gives you a lesson on how to harness the funny in your life with “How to Write a Joke” (page 15).

Along with LaughFest, March brings with it another cause for celebration: Women’s History Month. We introduce you to several women working at high-levels to make Kent County one in which everyone may thrive (page 24). In “History on the Bench,” we talk to Judge Christina Elmore, the first African American woman and second African American person ever to sit on the 17th Circuit Court. Elmore’s seat on the bench marks a monumental victory for diversity on an all-white, mostly male court (page 12). On page 34, meet the Rodriguez family, owners of Soldadera Coffee, a company dedicated in part to their grandmother. The family works together to bring the enchanting taste of café de olla, a coffee drink invented by women soldiers during the Mexican Revolution, to West Michigan while also raising awareness around issues that impact women.

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ONLINE ONLY CONTENT We have too much great content to fit it in all in the print edition every month.

Please visit womenslifestyle.com for exclusive online content featuring:

Breaking the Silence

LunaFest 2019

Q&A with “Ring of Silence” Writer and Director Nicole Bowers Wallace

A Film Festival for Women, by Women Presented by Girls on the Run Kent & Muskegon Counties

Sowing Hope

Making History

As usual, we bring you the best happenings in West Michigan this month (page 39).

On March 7, head to the Goei Center for a fundraiser with a twist: Embody the Stars brings professional dancers and Grand Rapids’ celebrities together for a lively dance competition. The Pyramid Scheme transforms into LadyFest on March 23 for an evening of stellar music and inspirational presentations for women, by women.

It’s going to be a great month, Grand Rapids. Read on and enjoy!

-Elyse Wild, Editor

Grand Rapids|Holland|Grand Haven

FEB 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

Read previous editions online at WomensLifeStyle.com

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Women’s LifeStyle is a dynamic multi-media platform designed to make beneficial connections in our community. The positive, upbeat, award winning and popular locally owned publication is supported by a dynamic mobile friendly online presence and an interactive website (including an events calendar, embedded video), as well as friendly, helpful and consistent social media interaction with the community. With 490+ distribution locations, Women’s LifeStyle is favored by an active, engaged and progressive audience. You are now looking at the 252nd edition. All content ©Women’s LifeStyle, Inc. 2019.

Grand Rapids-Based Nonprofi t A Look at Women in Grand Rapids Empowers Women Across the Globe Who are Making History Today

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Spotlight on Community Initiatives

Positive Living Sponsored by Grand Rapids Community Foundation

LaughFest

LaughFest, the nation’s largest community-wide festival of laughter attracts 50,000 + attendees and showcases the best in local and national comedy talent. All proceeds from LaughFest benefit Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, a free community resource designed to support those impacted by cancer. The 10-day festival, running from March 7-March 17, has volunteer positions available in a variety of areas to persons 16 years of age or older. Visit laughfestgr.org/ volunteer to sign up.

Frederik Meijer Gardens

Michigan’s premiere sculpture park offers visitors a dynamic art experience encompassing 158-acres of fully accessible indoor and outdoor displays. They frequently have volunteer openings for more than a dozen positions, including docents, Japanese Graden Host, tram narrator and Lena Meijer Children’s Garden Play and Activity Leader. Apply at meijergardens.org/volunteer.

Urban Institute of Contemperary Arts

For 40 years, The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, has been invoking conversation through a wide range innovative art experiences. They are currently in need of administrative support volunteers to work with UICA staff on a variety of program-specific projects and tasks. Fill out an application at uica.org/volunteer.

Grand Rapids Ballet

The Grand Rapids Ballet has been offering a world-class ballet experience to West Michigan for nearly 50 years. The company has a variety of volunteer positions available throughout the year, such as ushering, event planning and managing the boutique. Sign up for their volunteer group, En Pointe, at grballet. com/support-us/volunteer. Once enrolled, En Pointe members will be notified of upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Grand Rapids Art Museum

The GRAM is home to more than 5,000 works of art, a vast reference library, dynamic programming and hosts a number of innovative traveling exhibitions each year. Volunteer opportunities are available in a variety of areas, including administration, communication, guest services and youth and family programming. Applicants must be 16 years or older.

Visit artmuseumgr.org/support/volunteer to learn more.

“I support Grand Rapids Community Foundation so they can grow my gifts and make grants to tackle larger projects affecting the community.”

Linsey Gleason

Ebony Road Players

Ebony Road Players’ mission is to inspire, educate and engage cultures of our community with high-quality theater productions focused on the Black experience. They are uniquely positioned to deliver on this incredibly powerful statement, by being the only theater company to give a voice to the underrepresented stories of the African American community. Under Edye Evans Hyde’s leadership, Ebony Road Players has performed entertaining, educating and challenging productions. Past productions include “The Meeting” a fictional story about a meeting between Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X; and “The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington,” a dark comedy that tells the story First Lady, Martha Washington as she slips into a series of fever dreams, where she is confronted by the unspoken dark truths of her (and America’s) complicity in the horrors of slavery. To get invovled, visit ebonyroad.org.

“ In order for any community to heal, love, and come together, it is imperative that there be a bridge to link the majority to the underrepresented. In the Grand Rapids theater community, that bridge is Ebony Road Players.” — Eddie L. Stephens Jr., CEO Actionable Solutions Consulting

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You don’t need a million dollars to be a philanthropist; you just need heart and an organization to help you move forward.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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10 Ways2 to Live a Positive Lifestyle in

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MARCH

As spring grows ever present on the horizon, we encourage you to embrace a positive, healthy lifestyle to make the most of the season ahead.

BY PEACHES MCCAHILL

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Prepare mason jar salads for a week of lunches.

Try a vitamin IV infusion to strengthen your immunity.

Purchase a foam roller and use it daily.

Stock up on probioticrich fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, tempeh, yogurt and miso.

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Ease your aches with CBD oil.

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Bye-bye kale!

Welcome kelp, which is packed with magnesium, iron and calcium.

Use Epsom salts in your bath to relax your muscles and stiff joints.

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Sip on the latest tea trend: cheese tea.

This delicious latte is green or black tea sipped through a foamy layer of cream cheese and milk.

“To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”

-Buddha

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Hire a personal trainer to customize a workout plan to meet your fitness goals.

8

Try Rebounding,a resurge from the 80s. This is an excellent low impact way to increase bone density and encourage lymphatic drainage.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Peaches McCahill is founder and president of The McCahill Group, a leading provider of health, wellness, beauty and talent solutions, and owner of M Power Studio. She has a passion to inspire others with simplistic lifestyle suggestions.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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CABIN FEVERRelievers

T

his winter has been a doozy, but the end is nigh! With better weather teasing on the horizon, West Michiganders are feeling what can only be felt after a winter of record snow days: cabin fever. Yes, we are all schooled in how to make the best of a snow day (or several), but there is no denying that itch to get out as soon as the calendar starts to turn toward spring. We have compiled a list of local ways to relieve your cabin fever and, for the love of God, get out of the house and start living.

HIT THE ZOO

What better way to shake off the winter doldrums than kicking it with the animals at John Ball Zoo? The zoo re-opens to visitors for the spring season on March 9, seven days a week from 10am-4 pm.

Bundle up and stroll through the 140-acre grounds and enjoy observing nearly 2,000 animals ranging from everyone's favorite red panda, Wyatt, to the mischievous monkeys to the transfixing tigers in the Tigers of the Realm exhibit. Now, visitors can amp their experience by ziplining over the petting zoo coral and testing their agility on the Sky Trail Ropes Course.

TREAT YO'SELF

You know you want to! Grand Rapids offers plenty of ways to show yourself a little extra love after being shut indoors all winter long. Prepare for spring with an afternoon of pampering (think facial, massage, lash extensions, etc. ) at Lex Facial Bar, Design 1 or The

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BY RENEE FRANKLIN

Spa at the JW Marriott. Top off the day with a high-end cocktail experience at New Hotel Mertens, a wine and cheese spread from Apertivo or tapas at San Chez.

West Michiganders are feeling what can only be felt after a winter of record snow days: cabin fever.

TAKE A HIKE

Lace up your hiking boots and let the great outdoors sooth your winter blues as you embark on any one of the abundant trailheads in the Grand Rapids area.

Kent County Parks and Trails encompasses more than 80 miles of paved and unpaved trails throughout the region. If there is still a bit of the white stuff around, strap on your cross country skis and hit one of the county’s cross country trails, such as Provin trails, Seidman Park or Millennium Park.

JUST DANCE

Dancing is an excellent means of releasing endorphins and boosting your mood. You can always hit up one

of the city's many dance nights, but what about taking a class? Hone your skills and learn how to really cut a rug at a specialty dance class available in Grand Rapids. Whatever you like to shake it to, there is something for everyone: the Grand Rapids Ballet offers adult ballet classes from beginner to intermediate; 61Syx Teknique Street Dance Academy teaches a range of hip hop classes; and the Social Dance Studio offers group and individual classes in everything from classic ballroom to salsa to swing.

ENJOY THE SHOW

Put down the remote and walk away slowly. Curling up with Netflix for months on end sounds great (doesn’t it?), but its time to add a pulse to your entertainment by enjoying a live performance in Grand Rapids’ thriving arts and culture scene. Studies have demonstrated time and time again that going to a live performance, whether it is music, theatre or anything in between reduces stress and increases positivity. If you fancy a touch of drama, take in a show at any one of the city's outstanding community theatres, such as the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Dog Story Theatre or Actors Theatre; for a lively jolt to the system, stop in to The Comedy Project any night of the week to witness improv and sketch comedy at its finest; for an intimate live music experience, head to One Trick Pony, Founders Brewing or Billy’s Lounge, to name a few, and keep your eyes peeled for big headliners at Van Andel Arena or 20 Monroe Live.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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History on the Bench: Judge Christina Elmore

BY ELYSE WILD PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN KELLY

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

T

he courtroom buzzed with anticipation as the crowd pressed against the wall, craning their necks and standing on their tip-toes.

A dozen judges sat fully robed in the jury box while camera flashes punctuated the historic scene: Judge Christina Elmore stood before the bench, her left hand resting on a Bible held by her father, her right hand raised as Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss swore her in to serve on Michigan's 17th Circuit Court, making her the first black woman judge and second black person ever to do so in the court’s 180-year history.

SPIRITUALLY LED

“This is where I feel I am supposed to be,” Elmore said when describing her journey to the bench. She speaks with measured composure and carries herself equally with command and grace.

When speaking with Elmore, it doesn’t take long to understand that she is exactly the type of person our community needs behind the gavel.

At Elmore's investiture, her father described her as a fiercely precocious child, often found reading far past her bedtime, performing at the top of her class, and even raising and selling dalmatian mice to her classmates.

As a student at Ottawa Hills High School, Elmore was drawn to law, but was discouraged by her guidance counselors due to an “over-saturated market.”

Elmore earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and was working as an accountant — a career she found uninspiring — when her father called her and said, “Have you ever thought about going to law school? Why don't you take the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)?”

She heeded her father's suggestion, took the LSAT and scored in the 96 percentile.

“I always liked standardized testing,” Elmore laughed.

“As a kid, I loved having my pencil sharpened and filling in those bubbles. For me, the LSAT was very fun.”

Her outstanding score earned her a full ride to Tulane Law School in New Orleans. While attending Tulane, Elmore felt as if she found her calling. During her three years working as an accountant, she describes feeling as if she was in a rut.

THE BENCH

Elmore was first drawn to the circuit court in 2014 when she applied for an appointment, for which she was turned down. She was appointed to the 61st District County by Governor Rick Snyder in 2016.

She ran a successful campaign that same year to retain her seat. The 61st District Court seats six judges who handle cases that arise within the City of Grand Rapids. During her time there, Elmore dealt with misdemeanor cases, civil lawsuits and landlord-tenant disputes.

Elmore decided to run for an open 17th Circuit Court seat in 2018. The Circuit Court is a trial court that handles civil cases seeking damages of more than $25,000; all felony criminal matters; personal protection order matters; and all family matters (custody, divorce, paternity and child support cases).

Additionally, it sits 14 judges three of which are currently women. According to an annual report, the 17th Circuit Court handled more than 15,000 cases in 2017.

If someone comes into court, and if the judge sitting there looks like them, whatever the outcome may be, it makes a difference in their experience.

It matters.”

“When I went to law school, it was as though a light went off,” Elmore expressed. “I thought, ‘This is what I am supposed to be doing.’ I really loved it.”

While campaigning door-to-door, Elmore felt the sheer mass of Kent County, which has nearly half a million voters.

Elmore characterizes the law as a “living thing” that grows and evolves in time.

“It was very humbling,” she said. “In some neighborhoods where I was canvassing, I didn’t look I like belonged.”

“There are so many areas of law, I found just about every area intriguing,” she said. “I enjoyed reading case logs and studying.”

Upon graduating, she went into the U.S. Air Force to work as a judge advocate general. Her interest in military law was elicited by a brochure in the student lounge at Tulane.

“That is how I do a lot of things I end up doing,” Elmore explained. “I do things as I feel spiritually led to do them. Something will generally prompt me in that direction, much like running for the circuit court.”

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

“Different people had different reasons for supporting me,” she commented. “Some people voted for me because I am a woman; others because I am a veteran; and others because I am black. I felt that I was the most qualified person.”

Currently, Elmore is a judge in the family division, handling divorces, personal protection orders, paternity suits and more. In the future, she would like to handle criminal and civil cases. She notes that all of the women on the 17th Circuit Court currently serve in the family division.

Elmore’s election to the bench is historic, and she brings representation of African Americans onto a court that has had virtually none. The issue is not unique to Kent County; on gavelgap.com, a website by the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy that measures state’s representation on the bench against population demographics, Michigan received a D on an A-F ranking system.

“The bench that is deciding so many important issues should reflect the county that it serves,” she said.

Elmore has experienced discrimination typical to that of any black American; her son was once stopped and searched by police while walking toward home in a predominantly white neighborhood. In several interviews, she describes having racial slurs hurled at her as a teenager.

“I can share some of my experiences with my colleagues, who have not been exposed to them,” Elmore expressed. “If someone comes into court, and if the judge sitting there looks like them, whatever the outcome may be, it makes a difference in their experience. It matters.”

Of her place in history, Elmore said, “I don't know why it hasn't happened until now, but I am glad it is happening, and I am proud to be a part of it.”

MAKING HISTORY

Elmore’s experience with the law is extensive, along with working as a JAG for 13 years, she worked as the assistant attorney general at the Kent County Prosecutor's office. She was an Assistant Attorney General for the Michigan Department of Attorney General and an adjunct professor of military law at Cooley Law School. On Nov. 6, 2018, an election day during which Kent County saw the highest voter turn out in two decades, Elmore garnered 26 percent of the vote, besting the closest runner up by more than 10,000. She was the only judge in the running.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

How to Write a

Joke

BY AMY GASCON

I

“The greatest comedic tool you already possess is your own set of personal experiences.

used to be a funny office lady. Actually, I still am, but now I get hired to be funny outside of my cubicle, too. What started as a secret dream turned into a hobby turned into a budding career. Maybe you have similar comedy aspirations or maybe you just simply want to add some levity to your Facebook timeline. Either way, the best place to start is getting your pen to paper or Calibri font to Google doc and writing your ideas down. It can feel daunting at first, but I am here to help! The following is a step-by-step guide to get you started on your joke writing journey.

Step 3: Find the Funny. Humor comes from the

Step 1: Sharpen your observation skills. Comedic

Unsubscribing: No more emails. Am I hurting a Marketer’s feelings? What if I want to come back?

Ending a relationship. Breaking up. Breaking up with a computer.

material is all around you, whether it be personal anecdotes, news stories or awkward social situations.

So put down the Candy Crush and start paying attention to the little things as much as the big things.

Try It Out: Make a list of everything you did today.

Do not worry if the topics are not funny, we will get there. A few things on my list might include:

O Woke up late.

O Drove to work.

O Checked emails.

Step 2: Embrace your point of view. Your point of

view includes everything from the opinions you hold to simply how you experience the world. The greatest comedic tool you already possess is your own set of personal experiences.

Try It Out: Get more specific about how you experienced each item on your list. Specificity often yields comedy nuggets. Using my list, I’ve added the following: O Woke up late. Showered in the dark to a night light.

O Drove to work: Listened to a mixed CD. O Checked Emails: Unsubscribed from three email lists.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

My West Michigan niceness makes breaking up hard to do. It took me three years to click unsubscribe from Dunkin’ Donuts’ email list.

unexpected. We laugh when our expectations are met with a delightful or shrewd surprise. When searching for the funny, look for a clever recognition of a universal experience.

Step 5: Edit your joke. Conciseness is crucial and

Try It Out: Create a stream of consciousness for one of the items on your list. Write down all the associations, thoughts and comparisons you have about that experience. I chose the topic of unsubscribing for my stream of consciousness.

Try It Out: After you write your joke, take another look to see if any unnecessary words can be removed or rearranged. Generally, the funniest words should go at the very end. I edited my joke down to:

Step 4: Craft your joke. Basic joke structure leads

the reader to assume one thing (this is called the “Set Up”) then through a reveal, offers a different surprise ending (this is the “Punchline.”).

Crafting the joke is often the hardest part of the writing process, so I want to give you a bonus example of solid joke structure from Comedian Kaira Williams.

Williams writes, “I’m gonna start a diet, but first I need to go through all the junk food they still have at stores and restaurants.”

Notice how she uses a universal experience to set the joke up then offers a delightful surprise at the end.

Try It Out: Select a thought from your stream of consciousness that amuses you and start working your joke premise.

Going back to my example, I begin to play around with comparing unsubscribing to hurting someone’s feelings, and after a dozen premises I come up with:

will maximize the punchiness of your joke.

I’m so West Michigan nice, I can’t break up with anybody. It took me three years to click unsubscribe from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Step 6: Add a tag. A tag is optional and is any joke you put after the punchline. It is a way to heighten the joke.

Try It Out: If you keep your stream of thinking going after your punchline, can you think of any other jokes to tag on? In my example I wanted to play with Dunkin Donuts so I added: I’m so West Michigan nice, I can’t break up with anybody. It took me three years to click unsubscribe from Dunkin’ Donuts. And I’m gluten free.

So there you have it. Of course there is not just one way to write a joke and not every joke will be a winner, but this is a good place to start. I hope to retweet or see you at an open mic soon.

Amy Gascon is a local comedy performer and sketch writer. She is a founding member of The Comedy Project and a graduate of the Second City Conservatory.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

AMY GASCON, EIRANN BETKA-POPE, BEN WILKE, STEVIE SAHUTSKE, CARA POWELL AND JOE ANDERSON.

The Comedy Project:

Grand Rapidsʼ First Comedy Theatre Opens this Month

G

rand Rapids is about to get a whole lot funnier when The Comedy Project (540 Leonard St NW) opens its doors this month.

The comedy theatre is the first of its kind in the area and will feature improv, sketch and comedy variety shows, a comedy training center, private event hosting and, of course, cocktails.

For founders Amy Gascon, training center director; Stevie Sahutske, technical director; Ben Wilke, marketing director; Joe Anderson, artistic director; Cara Powell, house/bar manager; and Eirann BetkaPope, theatre manager; the Comedy Project has been a labor of true love. Each have deep roots within the local comedy scene, which itself has flourished over the past few years with the advent of new comedy groups, open mic nights, LaughFest, and improv jam nights. The group notes that until now, the scene has operated out of bars, in black box theatres and anywhere else they could fit it in. Now, comedy in Grand Rapids will have a permanent home.

“I am looking forward to putting comedy into a space where it is meant to be, instead of trying to retrofit it into a space that already exists,” Sahutske said.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

BY ELYSE WILD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS Like many great ideas, The Comedy Project started years ago with the purchase of a domain name obtained

by Anderson. Then, in 2016 as the concept developed, Wilke and Anderson launched a Kickstarter to raise funds. If the crowdfunding campaign was a means of asking Grand Rapids, “Is this something you want?” the city answered with a resounding, “Yes!”; they exceeded their funding goal and raised nearly $30,000.

“Yes, it is being goofy and making people laugh and everything like that, but good comedy does that by talking about the hard things.

Giving people those tools and how to use them helps the community out in more ways than just people laughing at you.

—Stevie Sahutkse, technical director for The Comedy Project

While most of us tend to think “stand-up” when it comes to comedy, the group emphasizes that “comedy” is an umbrella term that encompasses many art forms.

“Comedy is an understanding,” Betka-Pope expressed.

“It’s a way of communicating; it’s its own language.”

When you attend a show at The Comedy Project, you won't find stand-up comedians, but full theatrical productions, whether they be pre-written or improvised by the in-house cast or students of the theatre's training center. Shows will run seven days a week.

“In terms of one of the types of shows that could happen...there is literally nothing like it,” Anderson said. “It's going to be all comedy, all of the time.”

Gascon is a graduate of the conservatory program at Second City, one of the world's most renowned comedy theatres, in Chicago. She, along with BetkaPope, have a background teaching improv at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts.

As the training center director for The Comedy Project, Gascon has developed a comprehensive program that includes comedy acting, comedy writing and improvisation.

(Continued on page 19)

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

(Continued from page 17) Each pathway has four levels that lead to the stage.

The beginner classes are designed for anyone, even those with no degree of experience, to dip their toes into the world of comedy.

She emphasizes that comedy is a learned skill, one that, with practice, anyone can learn.

“Learning to find humor in yourself is a valuable skill,” Gascon expressed. "As a teacher, I get to help students see things in themselves that might not be acknowledged in other areas of their life."

Registration for The Comedy Project first term classes closes on March 3, with classes kicking off on March 6.

BEN WILKE

STEVIE SAHUTSKE

Gascon, Anderson, Bettka and Sahutske all emphasize that the communal aspect of theatrical comedy is what makes The Comedy Project available for everyone.

“The communal, familial elements, particularly with improv and more so with sketch— it's all about taking care of each other and that all ideas are usable,” Anderson said. “I'm so excited for people to see what really good sketch writing and improv can do in terms of storytelling, commentary and satire.”

Sahutske added that comedy can be a means of communicating about difficult subjects and hard truths.

that, but good comedy does that by talking about the hard things. Giving people those tools and how to use them helps the community out in more ways than just people laughing at you.”

Visit the thecomedyproject.com for information on events and classes.

When she is not editing for WLM, Elyse enjoys traveling to far off lands, taking photos, listening to live music and spinning records.

“Comedy helps with that,” she said. “Yes, it is being goofy and making people laugh and everything like

AMY GASCON

JOE ANDERSON

EIRANN BETKA-POPE

CARA POWELL

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19

A

Tips for Recovering From Depression

s we advance our understanding of depression and suicide, it's important to understand the difference between when you are suffering from a bad day (or even a bad week) and depression.

While there are many different types of depression, major depressive disorder is the most common type of depression, impacting more than 16.1 million people each year. It's twice as prevalent in women than in men and is characterized by loss of interest or pleasure in activities, weight gain or loss, insomnia, fatigue, agitation, feelings of overwhelming sadness and/or guilt, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of suicide.

These symptoms persist for at least two weeks.

The World Health Organization notes that depression is a byproduct of a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. Exposure to adverse life events, such as unemployment, the death of a loved one or psychological trauma, can increase peoples’ risk of developing depression. Depression also may be caused by physical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. While the time it takes to recover from depression varies for each, 80 percent of people who follow a treatment plan report an alleviation of symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms of major depressive disorder, there are steps you can take to get on the road to recovery.

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See Your Doctor

Despite vast rates of recovery, fewer than half of all people with depression receive treatment. It’s important to see your health care provider as soon as you or a loved one recognizes symptoms of depression.

Develop a treatment plan with your doctor, whether it includes talk therapy, inpatient services, medication or lifestyle adjustments.

Journal

Keep a daily journal. You don't have to write a reflection on your entire day if you are not feeling up for it; you can simply log if you had a "bad day" or a "good day." This is a valuable tool to help you recognize how persistent your depression is and how much it is impacting your daily life. Having this quantitive measure of symptoms will gauge success as you go through treatment.

Eat Well

Take care of your body by eating nutrient dense foods such as dark leafy greens (think kale, spinach and Swiss chard); healthy fats such as avocados and nuts; fermented foods like sauerkraut and miso past; and foods in which Vitamin D naturally occurs, like salmon, mushrooms and egg yolks. Avoid overly processed foods and sugar; in a 2017 study by the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health,

BY RENEE FRANKLIN

University College London, London, higher sugar intake was related to higher rates of depression.

Move

While exercise releases feel-good endorphins that can help alleviate symptoms of depression, fatigue can prevent one from having the energy to workout.

If that is the case, start small by committing to taking one walk a day, whether it be on your lunch break, in the morning or after dinner. A recent study out of Australia showed that depressed middle-aged women who averaged 150-200 minutes a week of moderate exercise experienced an alleviation of their symptoms.

Socialize and Share

Depression often makes isolation seem much more appealing than socializing, and it's important to work against the urge to stay in day after day. Reach out to your friends and family — make coffee dates, ask them to join you for dinner, a movie, a walk— anything. Be honest and share what you are going through. Shame is a significant component of depression, and by sharing with those you love and trust, it loses its impact on your emotions.

If you are someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online asuicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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Mediterranean Inspiration COURTESY OF FAMILY FEATURES

Tomato, Feta and Basil Salad Courtesy of Beth Vlasich Pav of Cooking by Design, LLC, on behalf of Les Dames d'Escoffier International Makes 15-20 servings 8 medium size tomatoes, sliced into 1/8-inch strips 1 block (8 ounces) feta cheese, sliced into 1/8-inch pieces 2 small packages fresh basil, leaves picked off stems 3 teaspoons sea salt 2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper 1/4 cup olive oil

On large platter, arrange slices of tomato and feta so they overlap.

Place basil leaf between each tomato and feta slice. Repeat.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Drizzle with olive oil. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Hummus

Courtesy of Beth Vlasich Pav of Cooking by Design, LLC, on behalf of Les Dames d’Escoffier International Makes 2 cups 2 cans (15 ounces each) garbanzo beans 1 medium garlic clove, peeled 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons sea salt 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

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Drain garbanzo beans reserving 1/2 cup liquid.

In food processor, process garbanzo beans, garlic, sesame oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper until incorporated. Stop and scrape down sides of bowl. Add garbanzo liquid and process until smooth.

Scoop mixture into medium bowl, add black sesame seeds and mix gently. Serve with drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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23

AMY ROLLSTON, HILARY CURTIS ARTHUR, TERESA BRANSON AND HELEN GUTIERREZ.

Women Who Serve Kent County

T

BY KAYLA SOSA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS

he county of Kent is made up of 21 townships, five villages and nine cities. From Caledonia all the way up to Sand Lake, and Kent City down to Lowell, more than 600,000 people reside in the area. While many hands make this government function, there are a few key women working to make Kent County a successful place where all may thrive.

AMY ROLLSTON

Human Resources Director Kent County As a human resource director, Amy Rollston doesn’t so much work directly in the community of Kent County, but her work supports those who do. From pay and compensation, to contracts, to retirement plans, Rollston leads the charge in all of the-behind-the -scenes paperwork that needs to happen for everyone to be able to do their job.

Under the umbrella of HR, Rollston oversees retirement plans, compensation and benefit plans, hiring (and firing), diversity, equity and inclusion, learning and development and labor relations.

“We hire anyone from public health nurses, to corrections officers, to janitors and custodians, to executives,” Rollston explained. “Actually, one of the things that I like most about working at the county is the diversity of talent that we get to source and work with. It’s pretty cool.”

Labor relations is probably one of the biggest tasks Rollston manages, because the county works with nine labor unions. That means that employees are represented by a union and the county has to work with that union regarding employee contracts, pay and more.

24

“We’re helping to make sure that we have the best people to serve the community and that those people are well taken care of,” Rollston said.

Rollston said she decided to work for the county because she really cares about the work the local government does.

“I have a heart for public service and want to make sure my career is aligned with my personal values and making a difference in the community,” she said. “The county is probably one of this area’s best-kept secrets.”

HILARY CURTIS ARTHUR

Court Administrator and Magistrate 63rd District Court At the 63rd District Court, Hilary Curtis Arthur is passionate about all of her responsibilities as a court administrator and magistrate. A magistrate is someone who can perform judge duties for small claims cases, traffic cases or an arraignment. They are appointed by the chief judge, an elected official. As an administrator, Arthur ensures that the court facilities are working and running efficiently while overseeing human resources and legal compliance.

I take great pride in serving the community. I come to work every day ready to serve and support staff.”

Even with a lot of responsibilities on her plate, she is happy to show up to the courthouse every day for work.

— Teresa Branson, Deputy Administrative Health Officer, Kent County Health Department

One way that the court is doing that is moving to an “e-filing” process; essentially going paperless. Through this process, Arthur wants to empower people even when they are struggling.

“We have a great team here at 63rd,” she said. “I have a super team of coworkers to work with, and that’s invigorating.”

The 63rd district court specifically serves all of Kent County except the cities of Walker, Grandville, Grand Rapids, Wyoming and Kentwood. Arthur’s primary passion is justice and bringing it to the public in the most accessible of ways.

“If we can look at our processes and how we deal with people and make it the most efficient and, really, the kindest process, that is our goal,” Arthur said.

“My hope is that as we make our decisions one-by-one under that umbrella, we are always looking at what

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

is the best way to serve the population that our court serves and how we can ease the access to justice to empower people,” Arthur said. “Because in this court, the vast majority of people are unrepresented, they don’t have attorneys.”

Arthur said attorneys can cost, at a minimum, $150 per hour. Most people cannot afford a service that expensive, and as a result, they become unrepresented in court. Without literacy and cooperation from the court, these people can be left lost and underserved.

“About 15 percent of the population is functionally illiterate, which means they’re reading at a fourthgrade level or below,” Arthur explained. “We do see that people struggle with reading and writing, and expressing themselves in the written form … (We are focusing on) how to support them so that the technology is an assistant, not a barrier.”

For Arthur, justice and the community will always remain the anchor for her dedication to her work.

“Our culture, our society and our community is bigger than one person, and so sometimes I’m going to do things that are not beneficial to myself, personally,” Arthur said. “Like, currently I don’t have any children in school, but I am so happy to pay those school taxes because it’s benefitting our whole community.”

HELEN GUTIERREZ

Administrator Kent/MSU Extension

Twenty-six years ago, Helen Gutierrez made the move from California to Michigan and started working as the administrator of the Kent County-Michigan State University Extension.

The Kent-MSU Extension is an organization with employees from both the county and the university and provides educational programs within the community.

There are 83 of these extension offices in Michigan — one in each county. Gutierrez said Kent County is the third largest office in the state. The idea of creating these extension offices began more than a hundred years ago.

“Back then, youth weren’t always afforded the opportunity to go to a university because a lot of them had to stay home and maybe help with farming, or helping to contribute to the economy of the family … and then people couldn’t travel to the university,” Gutierrez explained. “The whole concept of the MSU extension is that we would bring the university into the communities.”

The programs began as educational —and there still are plenty of educational classes offered — but many life skills are taught as well. These classes range from court-mandated classes for parenting and anger management to workshops for first-time home buyers; from certification for commercial landscaping to teaching nutrition to kids in schools. Most classes are free.

As the administrator, Gutierrez oversees 30 staff members and, because her office has employees from two different organizations, she manages two separate financial systems, two sets of employees, two sets of policy procedures, and more.

She said the main goal of the classes is to provide an opportunity for growth.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

“Our program’s whole emphasis is that there is a change in their behavior,” she said. “For example, with nutrition, that they know how to eat more healthy.”

TERESA BRANSON

Looking at the county as a whole, Gutierrez said health and nutrition is one of the top concerns for the population.

“You have a lot of the health industry in Grand Rapids,” Gutierrez said. “But you still have issues where there are families that are not eating healthy, and they’re facing these medical issues.”

With all the work she has put in over the past two and a half decades, and the work she continues to do, Gutierrez just hopes to leave the extension office “a better place.”

TERESA BRANSON

Deputy Administrative Health Officer Kent County Health Department

HELEN GUTIERREZ

As the Deputy Administrative Health Officer for the Kent County Health Department, Teresa Branson views herself as a “servant leader.”

“I take great pride in serving the community,” Branson said. “I come to work every day ready to serve and support staff.”

Branson started out as a public health educator. On just her second day, she was going door-to-door in the Campau Commons Neighborhood and listening to the needs and concerns of the moms living in the housing complex.

“I found out really quick that we could have a program to deliver to the community, but they could have very much have other needs,” Branson said. “If you can’t get to what those needs are, it’s hard to get people to receive what you’re there to deliver.”

AMY ROLLSTON

While the health department is technically considered part of the Kent County Government, Branson wants county residents to know that it is the “community’s health department.”

“Maybe there’s a service that people need that we don’t provide, but we’ll find it for you,” Branson said.

Key focuses at the health department include in-home health, community clinics, the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program, personal health programs (i.e., HIV testing), environmental health and health equity.

Around 270 employees make up the staff that Branson and Health Officer Adam London oversee.

Branson said some of the top initiatives at the health department include a Task Force on Health Care for People of Color, the Immunization Program, restaurant health inspections and the Health Connect program, which helped Grand Rapids' “Hope Zone Neighborhoods” create smoke-free parks and gave residents more access to healthy and affordable food.

HILARY CURTIS ARTHUR

Moving forward, Branson said the department is challenged by “emerging public health issues” in Michigan, such as opioids, PFAS in Northern Kent County and lead in water and paint. Branson said the department has had a quick response to the issues and monitors them daily.

“We want to make sure that’s something that we can look back on and say, 'We listened,'” Branson expressed.

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READER’S

BY JESSICA MCLEOD We may not yet have sunshine to brighten our days as we emerge from hibernation, but we can certainly use some laughter.

These books are all laugh-out-loud funny, and I highly recommend checking out the audiobook versions!

So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y’all Don’t Even Know

by Retta

Fans of Parks and Recreation will want to treat themselves and their bookshelves to this honest and hilarious memoir.

You will feel as though you’ve made a new best friend after reading this book.

Retta’s down to earth writing style takes on a feverish excitement as she tells readers about her addictions to coffee, designer handbags, hockey and Hamilton.

My Squirrel Days

by Ellie Kempe

What I enjoyed most about Kemper’s book is that while she does write about her time on The Office and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, she doesn’t focus solely on those shows.

Rather, she writes at length about how her love of performance and willingness to “pay her dues” got her onto these now iconic series. I enjoyed reading about her improv years and the numerous comedy groups of which she was a member. Kemper reminds readers to keep a positive outlook and never give up on their dreams.

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman Formatted as a conversation between one of social media’s favorite couples, this book reveals the challenges they have overcome, the lessons they’ve learned, and the many jigsaw puzzles they’ve completed. I may be a little biased in my opinion of this book because I’ve enjoyed their TV comedy work immensely (Mullally in Will and Grace and Offerman in Parks and Recreation).

However, listening to these two banter back and forth is a true treat for anyone seeking a drama-free Hollywood love story.

The Last Black Unicorn

by Tiffany Haddish

Disclaimer: This book is not for everyone. Haddish’s frequent use of profanity and detailed descriptions of adult encounters often took me out of my reading groove. That being said: her determination and drive to succeed makes for an incredibly inspiring story. Growing up in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Haddish used comedy to manage even the worst circumstances.

Now, she’s making millions laugh and taking the Smiths (Will and Jada) out on Groupon-sponsored swamp tours!

Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay

by Phoebe Robinson

Robinson peppers her essays with hashtags and “abbrevs aka abbreviations,” a practice that I would generally frown at. However, for her, it works. Robinson addresses such issues as body image, feminism, race and dating, finances, and the single life. She interweaves stark cultural criticism with hilarious personal anecdotes and reminds us that no matter what, everything will be okay.

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Jessica McLeod is an Adult Services Paraprofessional at the Englehardt (Lowell) branch of Kent District Library. She wishes she was as funny as each of these authors but will settle for telling jokes that no human being would laugh at to her two-year old Australian Shepherd.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH March is Women's History Month! Celebrate the contributions and achievements of women across the world with these great books and more!

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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T

Building Confidence with Mindfulness

he practice of mindfulness is on the rise, as our distracted, overworked culture belatedly embraces the value of careful focus and of slowing down. Teachers are using mindfulness to increase focus in their classrooms.

Business owners are using it to help reduce stress in their workplaces. Individuals are using it to relieve anxiety, improve eating habits, and defeat self-doubt.

Mindfulness isn’t a cure-all—it’s not a way to solve all of our problems, change the world or even repair our own defects. Mindfulness builds our confidence by allowing us to see our problems from a fresh perspective.

Mindfulness asks us to meet each moment of our lives with clarity, curiosity and openness. When we live with clarity, we view our experiences as they are, not as we expect, desire or fear they will be. With curiosity, we approach our days with an attitude of wonder.

With openness, we refrain from judgment—and don’t immediately assign an emotion or outcome to a situation.

The practice of mindfulness means learning to live within that mindset, as well as maintaining a careful focus on our present moment.

With mindfulness we can quiet the chatter in our heads: the meddling voice that tells us we are not capable, or that replays an awkward encounter over and over again, or that suggests we aren’t worthy.

28

Our internal critic, sometimes called the monkey mind, can be pretty harsh.

Mindfulness also can help us manage negative, fearbased thoughts. Meditation expert Sharon Salzberg put it this way: “Mindfulness is being aware of our direct experience and the stories we tell ourselves about our experience and the ability to know the difference.”

There is incredible freedom in realizing that these thoughts are not facts but simply stories—and it’s in this freedom that confidence can naturally emerge.

The confidence we are talking about is the certainty we have in our abilities, our value and in our social correctness. It’s a feeling of being at peace with who we are in every interaction, in every experience, and in every moment. Our happiness and prosperity often hinge on it.

Seem worthwhile? Here are five tips for training your mind for mindfulness and confidence.

START SMALL

Begin with a five-minute meditation. Set a timer so that you won’t have to worry about keeping track of time.

Slowly increase the time as you feel more comfortable in the practice.

BE CONSISTENT

It’s much better to meditate for even one minute every day than sixty minutes once a week or once a month.

BY CAROL HENDERSHOT

PICK YOUR SPOT

Find a pleasant place where you feel at ease and will want to return. Place your body in a comfortable position either sitting or lying down. You can sit on the floor (using a pillow or cushion for support) or sit upright in a chair with your feet resting firmly on the floor.

FIND YOUR AWARENESS

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Take a moment to feel where your body makes contact with the floor or chair. When you feel settled, shift your attention to your breath and feel the sensations of your breath flowing in and flowing out.

BRING IT BACK

Your mind will wander to thoughts of the past and future—that’s what the mind does naturally and you aren’t doing anything wrong. Simply notice where your mind has gone and gently bring your attention back to feeling the sensations of your breath.

Carol is a co-founder of Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness. She has been teaching the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course in the Greater Grand Rapids Area since 2008.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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Dany Redwine, Comedienne

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BY KAYLA SOSA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS

hen Dany Redwine did stand up comedy for the first time, it was something she needed to do. Once she was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, she took a look at her life and felt an urgency to do something she had saved for her bucket list: comedy.

While Redwine can handle any audience she’s in front of, being a black women in comedy has not made it any easier.

“I grew up in a comedic family,” Redwine said.

“We loved all the greats like everyone else, and we watched all the comedic family shows growing up, so I was endeared to comedy.”

“We don’t get the respect that we should get,” she said. “It’s a male-dominated field. There are people that don’t know you personally and turn around things that you’ve said... and that goes like wildfire. They don’t really allow you to showcase who you actually are, a lot of times they want to ridicule you because they don’t want to find you funny.”

In 2012, Redwine said one of the most talked about comedy venues in Grand Rapids was the Sunday Night Funnies at Mulligan’s Pub. So that’s where she went.

Redwine said this is an issue many female comics face in the industry, and it’s something she’s had to rise above and ignore.

“It felt like something I needed to do,” she said. “I guess it felt like time was ticking.”

“The good thing about being a black female comedian is that a lot of people are happy to see us,” she smiled. “We get up on stage and the audience is like, ‘Yes! A woman!’”

Redwine went on stage for the first time with three to four minutes of jokes on paper in her hand and left with a standing ovation. She said she’s been hooked ever since.

“Comedy kind of saved my life at that time.

“I was like, 'This is it,'” she expressed. “I’m going to do this, even if I’m doing it just to get me through the treatment— to laugh. Not only laugh for myself, but to make other people laugh.”

Looking to the future, Redwine hopes to have more personal relationships with female comics in the area. She also said she would like to do more paid shows in Grand Rapids.

“I could probably count on one hand how many places have paid me to do comedy in Grand Rapids,” she said. “It’s just not a thing here.”

She does get booked a lot out of town, though, and recently toured nationally with a headliner from Detroit.

No matter what life throws her way, Redwine said audiences can count on her to be on stage.

And it turns out, Redwine did need the comedy to get her through that time. Not only was she battling cancer, but she was in the midst of a divorce while parenting three children.

“I’m definitely going to be around for a while,” she said. “It’s my outlet, it’s my everything, pretty much. It keeps me going.”

“Comedy kind of saved my life at that time,” she said. “Because I could have cracked. I had a lot of things on my shoulders that a lot of women can’t really handle at once. It’s a lot to take on.”

You can find Redwine every Sunday night at Mulligan’s for her open mic night that she hosts called “Make it Spicy.” Doors open at 8 pm and the show starts at 8:30 pm.

Today, Redwine is cancer free and still making people laugh. She jokes about getting cancer, dating after divorce, raising teenagers, her name, and so much more. As a comedian, Redwine said she’s “all over the place.”

To see Redwine’s upcoming shows and performances, follow her on Facebook at Dany Lyn Redwine or on Instagram and Twitter at @Dany_Redwine.

“I’ve done it all,” she said. “I’ve done the raunchy stuff, I’ve done the clean stuff, I’ve done diverse crowds, I’ve done all white crowds, I’ve done all black crowds...I am more comfortable in a diverse room because I feel like I’m more relatable.”

30

Kayla Sosa is a multimedia journalism student at GVSU. She’s a local freelance writer and enjoys spending time with her husband, her kitty and her family. When she’s not writing, she likes to go on nature walks, do yoga and paint. .

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

Bedroom Bloopers:

1.855.GYM.GUYZ |

| gymguyz.com

Why Laughter In The Bedroom isn’t a Bad Thing

L

isten, I may be a sexologist, but that doesn’t mean that I've never had awkward sex. If anything, I’ve had more than my fair share of bedroom bloopers.

Everyone has experienced some kind of awkward moments during intimacy and let me tell you— it is completely normal.

When you first start becoming intimate with someone, there is going to be some awkwardness. Their body is new to you, and you’re trying to figure out what it likes and dislikes. Sure you may know the basics, but no two people are alike.

The discovery process can lend itself to some pretty memorable incidences.

Fortunately, after a while, you’ll be able to better know what pleases your partner. Making mistakes or mishaps are all part of the process.

BY MEGAN STUBBS will translate seamlessly into your own bedroom life is an illusion.

There will be missteps, weird sounds, poorly timed bodily functions and a whole host of other things that are less than ideal and that's OK. When you and your partner can laugh at these happenings, you have surpassed the basic relationship level as you revel in the funny moments of your journey together.

Vulnerability can be scary, but it can also be a vehicle to increase intimacy and trust in your relationship. Healthy couples should be able to take it on the chin, ahem, with silly moments and feel safe enough to laugh about any sort of bedroom mishap. Bottom line, if you haven’t laughed during sex, you might be doing it wrong.

Sex can get real strange real fast. What is often seen as effortless on screen can come to a screeching halt when someone takes a foot to the head while switching positions. It’s important to note that the intimate scenes portrayed in media are great acting and made for entertainment.

To think that what you see on screen

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

Dr. Megan Stubbs is a Sexologist, the job you never saw on career day. For insightful tips or a good laugh, find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and SexologistMegan.com

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Recipes COURTESY OF FAMILY FEATURES

Farro and Fig Salad with Arugula and Feta Makes 6 servings

1 cup semi-pearled farro

2 cups water

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium shallot, minced

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon dried turmeric 3/4 cup dried golden stemmed and chopped

2 cups arugula

2 ounces crumbled feta cheese

bring farro and water to boil. Lower heat to simmer, cover with lid and cook until farro is tender, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, 10 minutes.

In large bowl, whisk lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, shallot, mustard, salt, pepper and turmeric.

Add farro, figs and arugula; toss well. Crumble feta over top and toss again. Serve warm or at room temperature.

In medium saucepan over high heat,

Pasta and Chicken in Garlic Cream Sauce Makes 8 servings

4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide pieces 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces 10 ounces (about 4 cups) farfalle (bow tie) pasta 2 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

4 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 cups baby spinach leaves

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, for garnish

Using saute function, stir-fry chicken 2-3 minutes, or until

Place removable pan inside a programmable pressure cooker.

Using saute function, cook bacon, uncovered, until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon from pan.

Drain bacon on paper towels. Leave 1 tablespoon drippings in pan; discard remaining.

Stir cream into pasta mixture.

Using saute function, cook and stir, uncovered, until boiling. Boil, uncovered, about 4 minutes, or until sauce generously coats pasta, stirring frequently. Press cancel. Stir in chicken and Parmesan cheese.

Add chicken to bacon drippings in pan in two batches.

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cooked through. Use slotted spoon to remove chicken from pan.

Repeat until all chicken is cooked.

Press cancel.

Stir pasta, broth, garlic, Italian seasoning and pepper into drippings in pan. Secure lid and set pressure release to sealing function. Select high-pressure setting and cook 5 minutes. Press cancel.

Allow pressure to release naturally 5 minutes. Move pressure release to venting function to release any remaining steam. Remove lid.

Place spinach and bacon in large bowl. Pour pasta mixture over top.

Toss until combined. Ladle into serving bowls. Top each serving with tomatoes.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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here are lots of reasons to skip the gym in the winter. Your car takes forever to warm up. So much bundling up just to strip down again. We asked GYMGUYZ, the first in-home mobile personal training and fitness franchise company, to share tips for overcoming these common excuses—after all, spring will be here before you know it.

sunrise. Plus, GYMGUYZ personal trainers will visit you in your own home—no braving the arctic tundra required.

If I’m going to leave the house, I’d rather be socializing!

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You’re not training for results today.

How do you want to feel when the world starts thawing out—empowered and fit, or guilty and disappointed?

Psst: You actually don’t have to bundle up to go anywhere. GYMGUYZ brings workouts to you.

I skipped working out, and now I want to eat everything!

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Grab an accountability partner—you’ll keep each other on track and burn extra calories laughing. Prefer to work out with a professional? GYMGUYZ will help keep you accountable for your routines.

If you know you won’t get to the gym, make sure you’re drinking enough water, your nutrition is on point and get a full night’s rest. Don’t let one mistake snowball.

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Prioritizing fitness will make any day sunnier. Exercise is proven to increase endorphins and make you feel happier.

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Winter will end soon enough. Will you be ready? Snow excuses.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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MARIO RODRIGUEZ, GABBY RODRIGUEZ, ERINNA ESPINOSA AND CESAR RODRIGUEZ

(Cold) Brewing with a Purpose:

M

Soldadera Coffee

BY ELYSE WILD | PHOTOGRAPHY TWO EAGLES MARCUS

ost West Michiganders will be unfamiliar but no less enchanted with café de olla, a traditional Mexican coffee brewed with an exhilarating blend of star anise, sugar cane and cinnamon. The Rodriguez family— Gabby, Mario, their father Cesar, and Mario's partner Erinna Espinosa— brings the delicious drink to West Michigan with Soldadera Coffee while raising awareness around issues affecting women.

kindness that are tinged with the distinct flavors of cafe de olla. On the company’s website, Mario recalls finding inspiration as a child on the mornings he accompanied his grandmother by bus to serve the homemade coffee to the community.

Espinosa heads Soldadera’s ongoing campaign to bring awareness to women’s issues by inviting people to participate in the evolving story of the brand.

The Rodriguez family, who immigrated to Grand Rapids from Mexico City more than two decades ago, launched Soldadera three years ago after longcontemplating opening a coffee shop. In 2016, Mario returned from a trip to Mexico with the idea to bring the flavor of café de olla to West Michigan; and so it began.

“Our mission is to share the stories of women in the community,” Espinosa expressed. “We prompt people, whether on social media or at events, to think about the women in their lives and share their stories.”

Soldadera participates in a number of community events, and in January served café de olla at the Women’s March in downtown Grand Rapids.

“Our future goal is to hopefully open up a place in Grand Rapids to serve coffee and host women’s events,” Epsinosa said.

“I never imagined my life building something from the ground up,” Gabby commented as she recalls the early days of the company. She describes the various roles each family member plays on different days, oscillating between sales, events, production and marketing.

It was Gabby who represented Soldadera at numerous idea pitch competitions across West Michigan: she won three Start Garden 5x5 competitions and landed the company a spot in the top 10 of Start Garden’s 100 Ideas competition in 2018, an achievement that earned them $20,000.

Soldadera Coffee is a cold brewed version of café de olla, traditionally served warm. The recipe the Rodriguez’s use is inspired by their grandmother who they hold in such regard that the company is in part dedicated to her memory. Their grandmother, Christina, raised her nine children on her own in addition to being a dedicated social activist and a figure of strength in her community in Mexico City.

The family shares memories of Christina’s fierce

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movement’s success. The company’s logo is striking in its inspiring depiction of an adelita against a rising sun.

When sampling the rich flavor of Soldadera Coffee, it's almost thrilling to know that more than one hundred years ago, the very same blend of coffee and spices permeated the revolution that changed Mexico forever.

She goes on to say that nurturing a dialogue between Soldedara and the community in which their products are available is important.

“She wasn’t afraid to speak up, which is one of the reasons we decided to dedicate Soldadera to her,” Gabby expressed. “The way she spoke up and was a part of the community and went out of her way to help others is something we want to emulate.”

The name Soldadera itself honors the origins of café de olla and draws attention to their mission of spotlighting women's issues. The drink was invented in 1910 by women soldiers, called “soldaderas” or “adelitas,” during the Mexican Revolution. While women long had a presence in the Mexican military, their numbers increased significantly with the outbreak of the revolution, and they were fundamental to the

“Since we are a family business, we want people to feel like family with us,” she said. “We want to talk to people, not just give them their coffee. We want to talk with them and get to know their experiences.” t Currently, Soldadera Coffee is available for purchase online at soldaderacoffee.com, in the Bridge Street Market and Tacos El Cunado in Grand Rapids, and Colin’s Market in Holland. As the company grows, they plan to develop other flavors to add to their line up.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

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35

Women’s Celebrating

History Month 2019

Women Only Open Forge - Blacksmithing

Rising which features the stories of young girls living in the developing world, striving to achieve their dreams in insurmountable circumstances.

Join Blandford Nature Center for a women’s only open forge and learn the art and craft of metalsmithing.

Drop-In Tour: Women in Art

Saturday, March 2, 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave NW

Sunday Classical Concert Series: A Decade of Celebrating Women Composers Sunday, March 3, 2 pm - 3 pm. Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center St NW

Celebrate accomplished women composers throughout the years at the Sunday Classical Concert Series at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Friday, March 8, 1 pm - 2 pm. Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center St NW Celebrate International Women’s Day with a special tour exploring female representation in Grand Rapids Art Museum’s art collection.

Drop-In Sketching Tour: Women in Art Saturday, March 9, 1 pm - 2 pm.

Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center St NW

MORE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EVENTS ONLINE AT:

womenslifestyle.com/womens-history-month-2019 An Army of Women

Monday, March 4 - Saturday, March 30. Ferris State University, Fine Art Gallery, University Center 205, 805 Campus Drive, University Center Building These works of art entitled, “An Army of Women” portrays women as the strong, intelligent and courageous beings they are. These paintings are meant to call out the visibility and enormous value of capable women everywhere.

Girl Rising

Friday, March 8, 7:00 pm. Celebration!

Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Dr NE In celebration of International Women’s Day 2019, Sow Hope is hosting a screening of the documentary Girl

Celebrate International Women’s Day with a special tour exploring female representation in Grand Rapids Art Museum’s art collection.

International Women’s Day

Friday, March 8, 8:30 am- 4pm. DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave NW. West Michigan women are coming together to celebrate our region as a great place to have a career and be supported by companies that support women. This year’s hosts are Amway, Inforum, Meijer and Wolverine Worldwide with three guest speakers and four breakout sessions.

Registration is $150 at inforummichigan.org.

LUNA FEST, MARCH 14

LunaFest

Thursday, March 14, 6:00 pm. Peter Wege Auditorium, 341 Ellsworth Ave SW Celebrate women behind the camera in LunaFest 2019, a film festival for women, by women.

Feminism Today with Jessica Valenti, Renowned Feminist Author and Journalist

Wednesday, March 20, 7 pm. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE Jessica Valenti has led the national conversation on modern feminism for more than a decade. A New York Times best-selling author of five books and a columnist at the Guardian US, she has also been widely credited with sparking the online wave of the women’s movement. Valenti’s “The Purity Myth” was made into a documentary by the Media Education Foundation, and “Yes Means Yes” inspired sexual assault legislation of the same name across the country and on campuses.

LadyFest

Saturday, March 23, 7:00 pm, Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave SW Enjoy inspiring speakers and stellar musicians at this annual celebration of women.

Celebrating Women Awards

Wednesday, March 27, 3 pm. Grand River Room at Kirkhoff, 10670 S Campus Dr, Allendale Each year the Women’s Commission in conjunction with The Gayle R. Davis Center for Women & Gender Equity, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Positive Black Women recognizes men and women from the Grand Valley State University community who have made an impact on the lives of women.

Women’s Conference

Sunday, March 31, 11 am - 2 pm.

University Center 202A, 805 Campus Dr, Big Rapids Hear from keynote speakers, attend a luncheon and learn more about Women’s History month.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

HerLegacy

MARCH EVENTS

AT THE LIBRARY

Meet the Women of West Michigan Who Made History

Dr. Frances Rutherford (1842-1922) Grand Rapidsʼ First Woman Physician

DIY G RPL

ALCOHOL INK ART Saturday, March 9 1:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE Create a unique piece of art using alcohol ink.

Participants will practice different techniques on paper and ceramic tile. Supplies are provided.

For ages 18 and up. Space is limited.

S r a o i a n v e S rning Ser y Lea

ies

Aging in Place

G

Dr. Frances Rutherford, HS737, Bertha Eugenia Loveland Selmon paper, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

rand Rapids had more women physicians in the 1890s than in the 1950s, when trails had to blazed for a second time. A beneficiary of early women pioneers in medicine, Frances Armstrong Rutherford became our city’s first female physician. Before moving to Michigan, she had graduated from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1868 and trained at Elizabeth Blackwell’s New York Infirmary in the first class to receive instruction in operative surgery.

Once here, Rutherford was elected city physician by the 1870 Grand Rapids city council and, so far, it has not been disproven that she was the first woman in the U.S. to hold that office.

As city physician in a rapidly growing city of 16,000, she was responsible for providing medical services to indigent residents, controlling the spread of contagious diseases, and attempting improvements in sanitation. She remained in the post for three years before resigning in protest over low pay and, purportedly, her inability to vote on the position to which she had been elected.

After leaving the city office, Rutherford became a staff member in gynecology and pediatrics at the Union Benevolent Association, later Blodgett Hospital.

Rutherford also opened paths for women in professional medical organizations. In 1872, she became one of the first three women physicians admitted to the Michigan State Medical Society, which she served as vice president in 1873.

Representing her local medical organization at a Chicago meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA), she probably became the first woman ever elected as a regular delegate.

She had a long and rewarding career in Grand Rapids, both in medicine (where she also oversaw early nursing programs) and in community institutions (she was a founding member of many, like the YWCA). But in their public lives nineteenth-century professional women were sometimes considered not far removed from women “of the streets.” Physician Frances Armstrong Rutherford became a model negotiator of this especially tricky terrain.

The Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council is dedicated to educating the community and celebrating the legacies of local women, preserving knowledge of their past and inspiring visions for their future. For more information or to get involved, visit ggrwhc.org

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

Thursday, March 14 1:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE Learn effective strategies and resources to assist you in living safely in your home as your needs change. Discover smart home modifications, repair resources, and the many options to help you stay sharp, healthy, and happy.

WiFi Basics: Get the Most Out of Your Home Network

Monday, March 25 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE In this class, we will discuss home WiFi networks and how you can increase the speed and security of your system. Learn about the latest technologies and equip yourself to make informed decisions about your WiFi network and devices.

EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 616.988.5400 WWW.GRPL.ORG Many of these programs are funded by the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation.

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LaughFest Returns Matt Bellassai

Jo Koy

C

Ali Wong

Brad Upton

elebrating its ninth year, the nation’s firstever community-wide festival of laughter, Gilda’s LaughFest returns to Grand Rapids this month with a stellar line-up of talent and shows from March 7-17.

Headliners announced include Brian Regan, performing during Gilda’s LaughFest Signature Event; Ed Asner; Ali Wong; Loni Love; Brad Upton; Jo Koy; Nate Bargatze; and Matt Bellassai. In addition to headliners, LaughFest officials also announced artists performing during the Best of the Midwest competition, the National Stand-up Comedy Showcase, and the Clean Comedy Showcase.

Other shows announced include Pop Scholars, River City Improv, LaughFest’s Best and the Rockin’ Homegrown Jam, and some of Michigan’s best comedians.

This year’s Signature Event will be held Tuesday, March 12 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, features Regan, an award-winning, touring stand-up comedian. Regan’s 30-year career has included theater tours; seven hour-long comedy releases, an appearance on “Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” “The David Letterman Show” and even made a cameo in Chris Rock’s film, “Top Five.”

Ed Asner will perform, “A Man and His Prostate” on Sunday, March 10, at Wealthy Theatre. Known for his presence in television, film and stage, Asner has appeared in roles on “The Mary Tylor Moore show,” “The Outer Limits,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Wild Wild West,” “Mission Impossible,” and more. “A Man and His Prostate” was created and written by awardwinning Ed Weinberger, and is based on his true life experience while vacationing in Italy and being rushed to a hospital for prostate cancer surgery.

Ali Wong, of Los Angeles, will perform at DeVos Performance Hall. Wong has appeared on her own Netflix Stand-Up Specials “Baby Cobra” and “Hard Knock Wife.” Currently, her movie “Always Be My Maybe,” is set to debut on Netflix next year. Wong will take the stage Sunday, March 17.

Loni Love is returning after her previously sold out LaughFest shows in 2013. Love is known for her stand-up and movie roles. Recently, Love starred in the film “Mothers Day.” Love currently co-hosts talk show

38

Ed Asner

Loni Love

Nate Bargatze

“The Real”, the Café Mocha radio show with rapper MC Lyte and is the subject of a documentary about her life. Love will be performing on Friday, March 15 at Wealthy Theatre.

Artists announced for Clean Comedy Showcases include Emmy Blotnick, Rob Haze, John Novosad, Kira Soltanovich, Corey Rodrigues, Dusty Slay, Andrew Sleighter and Taylor Tomlinson.

Brad Upton, a winner of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival and stand-up comic, will be performing Thursday, March 14 at Gun Lake Casino and Friday, March 15 at Larkin’s in Lowell. Upton has been an opening act for the legendary Johnny Mathis and has done multiple shows with the late Joan Rivers.

Currently his new CD, “Brad Uptonogood” is available and he just released his first DVD called “Brad Upton, Live from the 509.”

The National Stand-Up Comedy Showcase will be held, March 15–16, featuring Kate Willett, a comedian actress and writer who has starred in her own Netflix special; and Andy Sandford, who has performed on “Conan,” his TV special “Shameful Information” and made Splitsider’s “9 Best Standup Specials of The Year”. Six other nationally known comics featured are Marcella Arguello, Langston Kerman, Matteo Lane, Caitlin Peluffo, Jessa Reed and Ron Taylor.

Also taking the stage is Jo Koy, performing on Sunday, March 10 at DeVos Performance Hall. Koy has sold out clubs across the nation throughout the years and has had two Comedy Central specials called, “Don’t Make Him Angry” and “Lights Out.” He has appeared in over 100 episodes of “Chelsea Lately” and has made appearances with Jimmy Kimmel, Carson Daly, Jamie Foxx, and more. Koy recently started his own podcast, “The Koy Pond with Jo Koy,” and is a weekly guest on “The Adam Carolla Show” podcast.

The Best of the Midwest competition will feature eight Midwestern comics battling to be crowned as the region’s best comic in 2019. Competitors are Vince Carone, Greg Coleman, Kelly Collette, DJ Dangler, Adam Degi, Chelsea Hood, T. Murph and Sam Rager.

Nate Bargatze will perform March 9 at Vander Mill Grand Rapids. Bargatze has toured with Chris Rock and appeared in multiple TV specials including his own Netflix special, “The Standups.” He has appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and currently has a deal with 20th Century Fox to develop his own TV show.

Finally, Matt Bellassai a comedian, writer and social media personality will take the stage Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9 at the Pyramid Scheme.

Bellassai currently is the host of the weekly show, “To Be Honest” on Facebook, which has over 500 thousand followers. He also just wrapped up his soldout nationwide comedy tour, “The Drunk and Alone Tour.” Previously, Bellassai has won the fan-voted Peoples Choice Award for “Social Media Star” and has attended multiple award shows serving as a social media correspondent.

“We’re thrilled to bring such diverse talent to LaughFest 2019,” said Joanne Roehm, director of strategic initiatives at Gilda’s Club and LaughFest.

The 10-day festival will feature the Clean Comedy Showcase, March 7–9, with two showcases.

Other seriously funny shows announced include Pop Scholars, River City Improv, the Rockin’ Homegrown Jam, LaughFest’s Best and the Dirty Show.

During the 10-day festival, LaughFest 2019 will include more than 200 free and ticketed shows featuring over 100 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Wayland’s Gun Lake Casino.

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is again seeking to raise funds to support its programs through the High Five campaign. Money raised during LaughFest through this campaign will support the free cancer, grief and emotional health support programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. DTE Energy will be providing a $50-thousand community match for all “High Five” donations. Individuals interested in donating to the “High Five” campaign may do so by purchasing a button for a $5 donation at LaughFest events or through laughfestgr.org.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with DTE Energy to increase individuals’ donations to the High Five campaign,” said Wendy Wigger, president of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and LaughFest.

“The High Five campaign during LaughFest has allowed us to help raise awareness and funds for people in our community navigating some of life’s toughest chapters.”

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

March Events Ongoing

Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies are Blooming. Frederik Meijer Gardens.

March 1- April 30. Meijergardens.org

Mondays

Baby & Me Storytimes. Enjoy a 15 minute storytime followed by relaxed playtime. Grand Rapids Public Library.

6:30 pm - 7 pm. Grpl.org Bachelor Viewing Parties. Enjoy friends, food, drinks, and the never disappointing drama of the Bachelor with friends. CityFlatsHotel, Holland.

8 pm - 10 pm. Holland.org

Thursdays

Getting Started in Genealogy. Take part in this six-week series that will provide instruction on basic and advanced research strategies.

Grand Rapids Public Library. 7 pm 8:30 pm. Grpl.org

Saturdays

Drop-in Studio: Pixel Pictures. Create a gridded masterpiece filled with

vibrant colors and shading. Grand Rapids Art Museum. 1 pm - 4 pm.

Artmuseumgr.org

DeVos Performance Hall. 8 pm.

Devosperformancehall.com

Curiosity Labs. Experience fun handson activities centered around science for all ages. Grand Rapids Public Museum. 10 am - 2 pm. Grpm.org

It’s Just a Play by Terrence McNall.

It’s the opening night of Peter Austin’s new play as he anxiously awaits to see if his show is a hit. Come see how the story unfolds! Dog Story Theatre. Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 3 pm and 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm.

Dogstorytheater.com

Mindstorm Saturdays. Kids ages 10 and up can explore robotics every Saturday. Grand Rapids Public Library.

10 am - 12 pm. Grpl.org

March 1-3

Sunday Classical Concert Series.

Grand Rapids Art Museum. 2 pm - 3 pm. Artmuseumgr.org

Girlfriends Weekend. You’re invited to spend three days shopping, dining and indulging in all Downtown Holland has to offer. Downtown Holland.

Downtownholland.com

March 1

March 1-3, 6-10, 13-17

Sundays

Beer Dinner. A great way to meet fellow beer-lovers and have a great night out in downtown Grand Rapids. CityFlatsHotel. 7 pm - 10 pm.

Eventbrite.com

March 1-2

GR Symphony Presents David Lockington Conducts Elgar.

Mama Mia! On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

Wednesdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees at 2 pm.

Grct.org

Compiled by editorial staff.

We do our best to ensure the accuracy of each listing. Time, date and location of events are subject to change.

March 2

Women Only | Open Forge Blacksmithing. Ladies join us for a women’s only open forge! Learn the art and craft of metalsmithing.

Blandford Nature Center.

1 - 3 pm. Blandfordnaturecenter.org Henna Workshop Series: Part II. In this workshop, participants will learn about the henna plant, dye making, the history, heritage, and significance of Henna design. 10:30 am - 12 pm.

Blandfordnaturecenter.org Maple Moon. Join us for a Native American tale of a young boy who helps his people survive a difficult and learn how people from long ago gathered, cooked, and enjoyed maple syrup. Blandford Nature Center.

2 - 3:30 pm. Blandfordnaturecenter.org How the Pokagon Potawatomi Avoided Removal. Learn how the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Native Americans

(Continued on page 41)

EXTREMELY CLOSE presented by

Cerrudo’s Extremely Close, Caniparoli’s Ibsen’s House, and a world premiere from Artistic Director James Sofranko

Alejandro Cerrudo’s Extremely Close, photo by Todd Rosenberg courtesy Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

April 12-14 | Peter Martin Wege Theatre | grballet.com/extremelyclose Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

39

Ooh La La Ladies, please join us and bring your mother, daughter, sisters, and friends to our

Piccadilly Auction Benefiting Safe Harbor Christian Communities The Weekend after Mother’s Day Saturday, May 18, 2019, 10 am to 1 pm @ the Holiday Inn 939 3rd St, Muskegon, MI 49440

Enjoy a fun and fast-paced style auction, with many fabulous items available! Tickets are $25/person and include brunch, coffee service, and chair massages. A mimosa cash bar will be onsite.

This popular event sells out fast!

Reserve your spot now by contacting Lynn Stroven @ 231.225.2758, Adonica Kunnen @ 231.557.2334, or emailing adonica.kunnen@gmail.com

How a Piccadilly Auction Works

A Piccadilly auction takes on a live, interactive format that gives everyone an opportunity to win big prizes for just a handful of quarters. Each item is priced in 25-cent increments, ranging from $.50 to $10.00. If you would like to bid on an item, you toss the designated amount of quarters into a bucket, with a winner drawn at random. Rolled quarters are available for purchase during the event, or you are welcome to bring quarters and paper bills with you.

LadyFest

GR

P

BY MOYA TOBEY

assion burns brightest when it’s shared with others.

A movement is more than a single person claiming change must occur; it’s a group of people who know the world needs that change.

What better way to effect change and kindle burning passions for equality than attending an event for women, by women?

night bearing thoughts on various topics that impact women.

LadyFest returns to Grand Rapids on March 23 at The Pyramid Scheme. This event has been empowering women all over the world for 19 years with workshops, inspirational speakers and music.

The event starts at 7 pm, advance tickets are $10 and at the door is $15.

Anyone is welcome to come and share in a community experience raising up the women of Grand Rapids.

In the eight years since LadyFest has taken place in Grand Rapids, the event has taken many forms, occurring at multiple venues with a variety of workshops, speakers and vendors. Today, the LadyFest experience is streamlined with a stellar line up of bands and performers, four gifted speakers, a phenomenal DJ and some excellent vendors, all under one roof.

Headlining this year is La Luz along with performers like spoken word poet Kyd Kane, Rebecca Rodriguez, Kissin Kate and DJ Sun*Rise. Inspirational speakers will go on stage throughout the

40

“[I hope attendees will] realize that women can do anything we want—we can create, we can own businesses, we can run for office, we can make music, we can support each other and cheer each other on,” said Tami VandenBerg, one of the events organizers.

What: LadyFest GR When: March 23, 7 pm Where: Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave SW Cost: $10 advance tickets/ $15 at the door

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

(Continued from page 39) avoided the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Grand Rapids Public Library.

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm. Grpl.org The Conductor’s Spellbook. DeVos Performance Hall. 3 pm - 4 pm.

Grsymphony.org

March 2, 9, & 30

Drop In: Sugarbush. Enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of the sugarhouse!

Blandford Nature Center. 10:30 am 12 pm. Blandfordnaturecenter.org

March 3

Classic NOLA Cocktails. Join us as we create two New Orleans cocktails that will give you the Mardi Gras vibe.

Downtown Market. 4 pm - 5:30 pm.

Downtownmarketgr.com Sunday Classical Concert Series: A Decade of Celebrating Women Composers. Grand Rapids Art Museum. 2 pm - 3 pm.

Artmuseumgr.org Grand Rapids Youth Symphony Spring Concert. DeVos Performance Hall.

3 pm - 5 pm. Grsymphony.org

March 4

Fat Tuesday Paczki Workshop. In this hands-on class you’ll learn how to make your own raspberry filled paczki from scratch. Downtown Market.

6 pm - 8 pm. Downtownmarketgr.com

March 4, 10, 11, 17 and 25

Members Only: Night of the Butterflies Frederik Meijer Gardens.

6 pm - 8 pm. Meijergardens.org

March 5

Drop-in Tour: Made in the Mitten.

Discover and discuss artists from past, present and future that call Michigan home. Grand Rapids Art Museum.

1 pm - 2 pm. Artmuseumgr.org

St.Cecilia Music Center PRESENTS

March 6

Funny Girls Presents: Get Lucky!

Join the Funny Girls for lucky episode number 33. Dog Story Theater. 8 pm.

Facebook.com/WeRFunnyGirls

March 8

Girl Rising. In celebration of International Women’s Day 2019, SowHope is hosting a screening of the documentary Girl Rising. Celebration!

Cinema North. 7 pm. Sowhope.org

JAZZ BENNY GREEN TRIO + VERONICA SWIFT MARCH 7, 2019

Drop-In Tour: Women in Art. Celebrate International Women’s Day with a special tour exploring female representation in Grand Rapids Art Museum’s art collection. Grand Rapids Art Museum. 1 pm - 2 pm.

Artmuseumgr.org

Incredible jazz vocals and swinging musicianship

CHAMBER RUSSIAN MASTERY MARCH 14, 2019

An elegant evening of vastly expressive Russian selections

March 13

LaughFest - Laughter Yoga. This is not your typical yoga class, expect to stretch your laugh muscles. Gilda’s Club. 4 pm. Discoverlowell.org

March 8-10

GR Symphony Presents Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.

DeVos Performance Hall. Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm.

Devosperformancehall.com

CHAMBERJAZZFOLK SCMC-ONLINE.ORG

616.459.2224

2019 HONOREES

(Continued on page 43)

Axios HR Consumers Energy

Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies are Blooming opens on March 1 at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

Management Business Solutions National Heritage Academies

THURSDAY, MARCH 14TH 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM JW MARRIOTT GRAND RAPIDS

TICKETS: $ 75

RESERVED TABLE FOR 10: $850

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIP INFO: grwrc.org

Underwriter Sponsor:

Video Sponsor: Champion Sponsor: Advocate Sponsors:

Media Sponsor:

Print Sponsor:

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

41

MARCH 26 JW MARRIOTT MARCH 26 MARCH MARCH 2626 MARCH 26 JW MARRIOTT JW JW MARRIOTT MARRIOTT

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COME AND SEE

WHAT’S NEW KIDS’ GIFTS TOYS, GAMES AND MORE! • Unique kids’ books • Baby shower/ birthday gifts • Lots of locally made items FOLLOW US >>

909 Cherry St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 hopscotchstore.com • 616.233.4008

embers - available purchase EventBrite.com. mbers - available forfor purchase onon EventBrite.com.

Embody the Stars

F

BY MOYA TOBEY

eel the beat beneath your feet and your pulse pound in time with the percussion. Leave behind lingering worries of everyday life and join the Grand Rapids community for a night of dancing for a cause.

Embody the Stars is a local celebrity dance competition and fundraiser hosted by EmbodyGR, a local nonprofit dedicated to building community, enhancing physical and mental welfare and designing meaningful volunteer opportunities. Their goal is to make the practices of yoga and meditation available to all. EmbodyGR serves those with addictions, depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, health issues, loneliness and isolation. They aim to serve the underserved and give them a place to heal and feel safe. They are a true embodiment of their motto, “feel better, do good”.

For Embody the Stars, local professional dancers will partner with Grand Rapids celebrities, such as Chef and Owner of Amore Trattoria Italiana, Jenna Arcidiacono and Radio Host Jackie Blankenship, to perform an original dance routine.

42

Shelley Irwin, the host of WGVU Morning Show and Bridget Clark Whitney, the Executive Director of Kids’ Food Basket will emcee.

EmbodyGR wants attendees to feel part of something larger than themselves.

Founder of EmbodyGR, Dana Christian Lee explains, “I always want any person who leaves an event, class, gathering or service put on by Embody to feel better even in the smallest way.

And inspired to do good in their family, community and world.”

What: Embody the Stars When: March 7, 7:30 – 10:30 pm Where: Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St SW Cost:$50

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

(Continued from page 41)

Shipshewana Quilt Festival Quilt Gardens of Amish Country

Learn how to make your own raspberry filled paczki from scratch at the Downtown Market on March 4 from 6 pm - 8 pm.

March 14

LunaFest. Join us in celebrating women behind the camera in LunaFest 2019. Peter Wege Auditorium. 6 pm.

Grcmc.org

March 14-16

Forest Hills Central Presents: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. March 14 and 15 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm and March 16 at 3 pm - 5 pm. Fhfineartscenter.com

March 19-24

Broadway Grand Rapids Presents The Book of Mormon. The 19-21 at 7:30 pm, the 22 and 23 at 8 pm, the 23 at 2 pm and the 24 at 1 pm and 6:30 pm.

March 21

Concerts Under the Stars: Pink Sky. Grand Rapids Public Museum.

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm. Grpm.org

March 22

GR Symphony Presents Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich. DeVos Performance Hall. 8 pm. Devosperformancehall.com

Art in Bloom Opening Reception.

Members and the public are invited to the opening of Art in Bloom. Grand Rapids Art Museum. 6 pm - 9 pm.

Artmuseumgr.org

March 16

March 23

March 15-16

Warm Up the Irish Way. Learn to make classic brown butter soda rolls and Irish sausage. Then, experience the traditional Irish colcannon—a medley of softened cabbage, leeks, and potatoes. End the night by warming up with irish coffee. Downtown Market.

6 pm - 8:30 pm.

Downtownmarketgr.com

March 17 and 24

Bach in Sacred Spaces. Musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony will incorporate the music of Bach into Sunday services in places of worship across the city. 9:15 am - 10:15 am.

Grsymphony.org

March 19

Yoga Under the Whale. Grand Rapids Public Museum. 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm.

Grpm.org

June 21, 2019

Your Tour Includes:

(Friday)

• Transportation via deluxe highway motorcoach

• Three meals: Breakfast snacks & coffee, lunch, and a family-style dinner in an Amish home • Time to explore the hundreds of quilts on display along with the quilt vendors at the Shipshewana Quilt & Vendor Show

• A Quilt Gardens & “Pieces, Pies & Posies” Tour which includes; time for shopping at quilt fabric shops, a chance to see gardens planted in the shape of quilt patterns, and much, much more!

• Tax and tips for all inclusions (driver’s tip appreciated) • Services of a Countryside Tour Director

Your Price: $159.00 per person Call our office for a detailed brochure or sign up online!

616.636.4628 | www.countrysidetours.net |PO Box 48, Sand Lake, MI 49343

Sugarbush Festival. Join us for the 49th annual Sugarbush Festival and celebrate the arrival of Spring!

Blandford Nature Center. 10 am 4 pm. Blandfordnaturecenter.org

March 23 & 24

Adult Workshop: Crepe Paper Flowers.

Learn how to make posies through the art of paper flower making.

Grand Rapids Art Museum.

12:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Artmuseumgr.org

NEW

YEAR

NEW

YOU

March 26-28

ACTion Art Exhibit. Support adult artists with disabilities by attending this art exhibit and buying their artwork! Grand Rapids Art Museum Education Center. 10 am - 5 pm.

Artistscreatingtogether.org

March 30 - April 7

Free Admission During Spring Break.

Enjoy all GRAM has to offer with the family over spring break. Children 17 and under get in free. Grand Rapids Art Museum. Artmuseumgr.org

t n e v e e r o For m listings,visit . m o c . e l y t s e womenslif Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

For information on nutrition, wellness and fitness classes and events visit hollandhospital.org/healthylife

43

Funny Girls Guide

to Funny Flicks F

10 8 6 4 2 44

The Heat

Any time you strap Sandy Bullock with a gun, we’re in. Throwing the ever-hilarious Melissa McCarthy in the buddy-cop mix (and a New Kid on the Block as a supporting character) makes this movie a winner.

Little Shop of Horrors

A lot of us are nerds in almost every way. So a flick about a dork with flowers trying to find love is right up our alley. Plus, watching a giant, maneating plant do its work is never not funny. This movie has given us the gift of laughter and the gift of “Suddenly Seymour” as a karaoke option.

Girlsʼ Trip

Girls’ Trip is exactly what it sounds like. A story of friendship, fiasco and fun in one of the most filmable cities in the US: New Orleans. And, it contains what one Funny Girl believes to be the single greatest piece of physical comedy: Tiffany Haddish demonstrating “grapefruiting.”

Heathers

Heathers is as dark as comedies come.

But the sociopathical commentary on high school cliques is something to which we can all relate. Winona Ryder is a revelation next to the crazy-eyed Christian Slater, and together they made the 80s immortal.

Mean Girls

Written first by Rosalind Wiseman and adapted for film by our collective mother, Tina Fey, Mean Girls is the most quotable movie there is. It also gives a voice and a story to what would otherwise be vapid, onedimensional characters. We laugh because we all see ourselves in that burn book.

unny Girls is a collective of comedians who have all shared the female experience. With fifteen active members, it can be hard to agree on much more than smashing the patriarchy, but we did it with this list. Here are the Funny Girls top ten comedy movie must sees (in loosely specific order).

9 7 5 3 1

Clue

Clue turns the classic murder mystery formula into a parade of witty one-liners, incredible character performances by Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn, and to top it off, it has multiple hilarious endings. It’s a true vintage treasure.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Never have so many of us felt so seen about our body hair woes.

This crowded romp, written by Nia Vardalos, takes us on a journey of awkward love, embarrassing families and ultimately to self-acceptance. But like, in a funny way.

Anchorman

With Will Ferrell and Steve Carell, the laughs per minute are on point.

Sure, the jokes are dumb, but we all deserve a brain break once in a while.

Christina Applegate notches up the feminism in this boy-heavy film by fiercely climbing the news ranks and, uh, “domesticating” the great Ron Burgundy.

Clueless

The 90s were the formative years for most Funny Girls, so this seminal film was a must. Casting aside the odd “step-brother love,” Clueless is an iconic teen comedy. If you don’t laugh along with Cher, Dion, Thai and their misfires and misunderstandings, you’re probably “a virgin who can’t drive.”

Indian Mounds Rock and Mineral Club will be at Forge n’ Gorge at The Hot Spot GR on Jan. 15.

Bridesmaids

A movie about a wedding that doesn’t make a joke about the “unenthusiastic groom” is a breath of fresh air. It’s a wedding movie, but underneath it’s about powerful female friendships and women who are not afraid to be ugly.

The spectrum of femininity is widely represented and none are greater than the others. Except Carol, who needs to get her life together.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Get Ready:

Early Spring Landscaping Tips

D

COURTESY OF MCC

uring the cold months of winter, many people stare longingly out of the window dreaming of spring and time spent outdoors. For those with green thumbs, images of tending to the garden and other aspects of their landscapes no doubt dominate such daydreams.

Draw inspiration from those budding crocuses and daffodils pushing through the last remnants of snow and employ these tips to prepare for the upcoming gardening season.

One of the first steps is to apply a preemergent weed killer to get a head start knocking out weeds that can plague the lawn during the growing season. Killing weeds at the roots early on can mean far fewer hassles in spring and summer, and may prevent new generations of weeds from cropping up each year.

While it may be tempting to take a prematurely warm day as a sign that spring is in full force and purchase a bunch of annuals, it’s better to know the last of the possible frost dates (check The Farmer’s Almanac); otherwise, you may waste time and money planting flowers or vegetables only to have them zapped by another frosty day.

Amend the soil so that it is the right consistency — should crumble when lifting it. Soil that is too muddy after spring thaw can harden, making it difficult for plants to flourish later on.

Speak with representatives at a local

lawn and garden center about which types of amendments you can add to the soil in your particular area to enrich it.

PRESENTED BY

GIRLS ON THE RUN

OF KENT AND MUSKEGON COUNTIES

THURS. MARCH 14, 2019

5:00 PM HAPPY HOUR 6:00 PM SCREENING WEALTHY THEATRE 1130 WEALTHY ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI

Advance tickets start at only $18

For ticket information, visit www.gotrkmc.org

Fill in bare patches of lawn by mixing a few shovelfuls of soil with grass seed.

Then apply this patch to the bare areas, water, and continue to care for the area until the spot fills in.

Spend a day in the garage or shed tending to the lawn mower and other gardening equipment. Clean all tools and ensure that everything works, repairing parts as needed.

Give outdoor entertaining spaces a good scrubbing, clearing away dirt and grime that may have accumulated over the winter. Use a leaf blower to blow away any leftover leaves.

Check if the front porch, railings or decking need painting and/or staining.

Tackle these projects when the weather is cooler so everything will be ready for those peak spring days.

Think about any annuals you might want to plant in the landscape this year that will complement any existing shrubbery or perennials. Come up with a theme so that the entire yard is cohesive.

Before you know it, winter is gone and it is time to once again enjoy long days spent outdoors. Get a jump start on spring lawn prep as soon as you can.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

45

See more photos at womenslifestyle.com/party-pics American Heart Association West Michigan • GoRed for Women Luncheon • February 13, 2019 • 20 Monroe Live

Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery • Grand Opening • Wednesday, February 13th, 2019

Grand Rapids Symphony • Celebration of Soul • Saturday, February 16th, 2019 • JW Marriott

Grand Rapids Public Library • Taste of Soul Sunday • Sunday, February 17th, 2019

Submit your event coverage request at womenslifestyle.com/photos 46

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

CODE 330585 Expires 12/4/16.

Backwater Cafe

Lowell in the Fur Trade New exhibit: October 2016-August 2018 Lowell played an active role in the international fur trade. Learn why the Lowell area was important, who traded here and visit a recreated trade cabin.

Saturday – Wednesday 5:00am–3:00pm Thursday – Friday 5:00am–7:30pm

Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 1:00pm-4:00pm 616-897-7688 www.lowellmuseum.org history@lowellmuseum.org

Best Food by a Dam Site!

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(located behind Springrove Variety)

Full Service BBQ Restaurant & Bar

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2019

47

Support Locally Owned Business

FOOD, BEVERAGES & RESTAURANTS

n Aperitivo n Beltline Bar n Bistro Bella Vita n Brewery Vivant n Byron Center Meats n Daddy Pete’s BBQ, LLC n Erb Thai n Essence Group n Ferris Coffee & Nut n Field & Fire n Grand Central Market n Grand Rapids Brewing Company n Grand Rapids Cheesecake Company n Grove n HopCat n Malamiah Juice Bar n Matchbox n Nutcase Vegan Meats n One Trick Pony n Ottawa Beach Inn n Railside Golf Club n Reserve Wine & Food n Rockwell / Republic n 6eight Coffee n Stella’s Lounge n The B.O.B. n The Cheese Lady n The Cottage Bar n Terra GR n Twisted Rooster n The Green Well n The Waldron Public House n Wheelhouse

FLORAL & GARDEN n Ball Park Floral & Gifts n Eastern Floral n Flowerland n Romence Gardens

SHOPPING & RETAIL

n Art of the Table n Better Way Designs n Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus n Family Sewing n Frames Unlimited n Gazelle Sports n Iris Boutique n Rylee’s Ace Hardware n Spirit Dreams n Shakedown Street n Stonesthrow n Supermercado Mexico n Switchback Gear Exchange n The Shade Shop n Two Dutch Hens

PET PRODUCTS & SERVICES n Chow Hound Pet Supplies n Fido & Stitch

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES

n 616 Lofts n A-1 Locksmith n EPS Security n Gerrit’s Appliance n Gordon Water n HBA of Greater Grand Rapids n Morris Builders n Rockford Construction n Standale Interiors n Tazzia Lawn Care n Verhey Carpets n William’s Kitchen + Bath

BUSINESS SERVICES

n Clark Communications n CompuCraft Technology Services n Danielle Rowland, State Farm n Innereactive n Local First n The Image Shoppe n Women’s LifeStyle Magazine

AUTOMOTIVE

n Arie Nol Auto Center n CARSTAR Collision Centers n Community Automotive Repair n Harvey Automotive, Cadillac, Lexus, Auto Outlet n Pfeiffer Lincoln

TRAVEL & LODGING n Breton Travel n City Flats Hotel n Countryside Tours n Witte Travel

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

n Grand Rapids Community Media Center (GRCMC) n Grand Rapids Public Library n Grand Rapids Public Schools n Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) n Neighbors Development n Slow Food West Michigan n The Rapid n The Rapidian n West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC)

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS

n Design 1 Salon Spa n Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness n Grand Rapids Natural Health n Grand Rapids Wellness n Grand Ridge Orthodontics n Harvest Health Foods n Manic Muse Salon n Renew Mama Studio n The Hairport n The Village Doula GR

FINANCIAL & LEGAL n Adventure Credit Union n United Bank

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT n ArtPrize n Celebration Cinema n Community Circle Theatre n Grand Rapids Art Museum n Grand Rapids Civic Theatre n Grand Rapids Public Museum n GRandJazzFest n GRTV n LaFontsee Galleries n LowellArts n River City Improv n Sanctuary Folk Arts n Showspan n The Ruse Escape Room n Triumph Music Academy n UICA n Wax Poetic n Wealthy Theatre n West Michigan Whitecaps n WYCE 88.1 FM

Local First •345 Fuller Avenue NE • GR, MI 49503 • (616) 808-3788 • www.localfirst.com