Monthly Archives: June 2014

Jackson College Director of Multicultural Relations Lee Hampton discussed details of this Saturday's "Juneteenth Celebration" presented by Jackson College.  The free festival will be held at the Riverwalk Amphitheatre from 6:30 to 9:30 pm and features entertainment by Motown tribute band "Serieux" and local entertainers Code Blu Steel.  Other guests:  CP Federal Credit Union President and CEO John Crist and Vice President of Marketing Sarah Ermatinger;  Brant Russell, JPS Food Service Director;  Nic Pangborn, Executive Director, Fitness Council of Jackson;  Center Stage Jackson "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" actors Michael Cicirelli, Jacob Jabkiewicz and Serenity Sanders;  Bill Blakemore, Salvation Army Golf Outing.

Charlie and Beth Kuntzleman, founders of "Fitness Finders" announced their retirement from the school fitness program they started in 1969 with a mission to improve the health and fitness of school children.  The program will continue under the management of the next generation of Kuntzlemans.  Other guests:  Waterskiing with Ric Walton and Tony Krupa;  Gary Sternaman and John Garfield, "Wheels of Thunder"; movie previews with Dave DeBaker.

The First Annual Dahlem Nature Film, Music and Art Festival will be held next weekend, June 20-22,  at various venues around the community celebrating nature. Dahlem Executive Director Rod Malloy will be offering more than 10 music acts, several dozen films and more than 20 local artists at the festival.  Event passes and details here.  Other guests;  BuilderWalk with General Materials;  City Councilmember Andrew Frounfelker;  Money Matters with Jeff Matzen, Matzen Financial;  Jackson District Library Parma and Springport Branch Manager Jackie Merritt; Russ Jennings and Sarah Jennings, McThirsty's Pub.

Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Jerry Jarzynka reported on a new law that requires Michigan hospitals  to provide new parents with information about the risk of infant death due to unsafe sleep practices under legislation signed into law   by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.  Jarzynka recently prosecuted a case where an infant died due to unsafe sleep practices and is happy to see the new requirements.  Other guests:  Ken Toll, Executive Director and Beth Shafer, Director of Resource Development, United Way of Jackson County;  Travis Fojtasek, Green Market at Allegiance Health;  Melissa Peters and Calvin Battles, Jackson District Library;  Donna Lippens, President, Stockbridge Area Chamber of Commerce.

65th District State Representative Mike Shirkey is optimistic the State Senate will adopt the house-passed road funding legislation and return it to the House with minimal changes.  The legislature is scurrying to provide significant funding for Michigan's road repair needs before the summer break.  Other guests:  Acupuncturist Patricia Karnowski;  Jackson County Parks Director Scott Robbins;  Jack Travioli, Cork N Cap;  AMEN 4 Youth Founder Hakim Crampton with JPS students Logan Taylor and Jameya Armstrong.