Adam Bragenzer

Diane Cerquiera, Jackson County Friends of the Animals, announced the launch of the "Pets for Vets" program.  Veterans are able to adopt dogs and cats from the Jackson County Animal Shelter at no cost from July 1 to July 17.  Veterans need only to visit the shelter on Spring Arbor Road at Robinson for enrollment.  Other guests:  Jerome Colwell, Director, Michigan Department of Human Services, Jackson County with Deb Faust, Foster Care Licensing Supervisor and Jessica Deering, Community Resource Coordinator;  Jackson County Sheriff's Marine Deputy Walt Luck;  FolkGalore promoter and singer-songwriter John Voelz;  Candidate for Jackson City Council Fifth Ward Susan Murdie.

Phil Wrzesinski from The Toy House showcased a selection of travel toys and activities on today's "Toys of the Month" segment.  Phil suggests stopping in and browsing the hundreds of items selected to make summer vacation more enjoyable on the road.  Other guests:  State Representative Earl Poleski;  Center for Family Health CEO Molly Kaser with client Felicia Parris (read Felicia's story at the Center for Family Health website);  Andy Woell, General Materials;  Brenda Pilgrim, Development Director at the Dahlem Conservancy.

The June Smart Commute event, "Paddle to Work Day" was held this morning and we have video highlights on today's show.  The JTV crew of Bart Hawley, Ric Walton, Larry Jacobson and Noah Baker were among the 40 paddlers cruising the Grand River from High Street to the Riverwalk.  Guests today:  State Senator Mike Nofs;  Kim Hastings, Executive Director of Jackson School of the Arts;  Coffee Talk with Jackson Coffee Company's Robert Ernst;  Music Therapist Jaime Merritt;  Ric Walton, The Walton Agency.

The Fifth Annual "Mick Webster Memorial Bicycle Tour" is planned for Saturday, June 29, starting at P&T Fitness in Downtown Jackson.  George Webster, founder of the ride, is honoring his late wife, Mick Webster in this fundraiser for the Relay for Life.  There are a variety of routes riders can choose, including an 18 mile family ride on The Falling Waters Trail and a metric century throughout the rolling hills of southern Jackson County.  This is a fully supported ride, with a lunch at the conclusion.  Registration is open at www.pandtfitness.com.  Other guests:  Cameron McCollum, Jackson Area Transportation Authority Manager;  International trainer and author Gerry Grinold, along with BPW's Stefanie Riggs promoting a luncheon Tuesday, June 25 at Cascades Manor House.  Reservations can be made by emailing margaret.cunningham@comcast.net;  BuilderWalk with Andy Woell, General Materials;  Michigan Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Janice Blixt;  Earl Scott and Steve Wellman, Experimental Aircraft Association's Pancake Breakfast Fly-In, this Saturday at the Jackson County Airport.  The breakfast runs from 7 am to 12 noon.

Michelle White, Coordinator of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative with the Jackson County Health Department and United Way Director of Communication Jim Brian delivered  an update on the community's TPPI progress.  Since forming in 2006, teen pregnancy has declined by more than 40% and more than 100 presentations have been made to school and teen groups.  The Initiative is supported by the United Way, which is gearing up for the 2013-14 campaign kickoff on September 6.  Other guests:  Paragon Charter Academy Principal Zach Perfitt;  American Red Cross Executive Director LeeAnn Kendall and volunteer Jim Ducey;  "Money Matters" with Jeff Matzen from Matzen Financial;  Moose Family Center's Bertha Curl, Linda Reasoner and Linda Ritter;  Pet of the Week with Kathy Brafford, Cascades Humane Society.

Governor Rick Snyder appointed Jackson County Sheriff Dan Heyns as Director of Corrections for the State of Michigan in June of 2011.  Today, Dan Heyns looked back at some of his accomplishments in office, including reducing the department budget by $250 million, improving care for mentally ill convicts and privatizing food service.  Other guests:  Toby Jones from Jones Construction Solutions;  Fitness Council of Jackson Executive Director Scott TenBrink;  Musical guests "The Locklear Sisters"  (Summer Locklear and Amber Locklear) from Clark Lake with guitarist Robert Costa;  Waterloo Recreation Park Manager Gary Jones and Hayes State Park Manager Jim O'Brien.

Dani Meier, founder of the Real Men Project discusses the growth of the organization and the impact on the community.  Meier is also the new Director at Jackson College's Center for Student Success and is planning an event on the campus this Thursday.  The film, "The Invisible War" will be screened at 7 pm at McDevitt Hall followed by a discussion.  The film deals with the topic of sexual assault in the military and has received several awards.  Other guests today:  Village of Brooklyn Manager Jennifer Coe;  Jackie Merritt, branch manager of the Springport and Parma branches of the Jackson District Library;  Phil Fischmeister, manager of the Cascades Golf Course;  Public Art Kick-off from our visit to St. Joseph, MI.

The Michigan House voted to expand Medicaid to 400,000 state residents Thursday.  65th District State Representative Mike Shirkey said the legislation will make residents healthier and save the state money.  Rep. Shirkey chaired the committee that moved the bill through the House, said he switched from a "hard no" to a "difficult yes" in supporting the bill, changing his mind after extensive study.  Other guests today:  Lily Missions Center Pastor Rev. James Hines;  "BuilderWalk" with Andy Woell;  Singer-Guitarist Sam Pepper;  Movies with Dave DeBaker;  Father's Day with Ric Walton;  Our trip to St. Joseph's downtown district;  The Kiwanis Flagpole Dedication Ceremony.

The Ladies Legacy Golf Outing still has openings for teams and individuals for this year's event benefiting the Jackson Legacy Scholarship Program.  Organizers Cathy Sykes and Kathy Swihart are hosting lady golfers at three courses for breakfast and golf, followed by a luncheon at Cascades Manor House.  To register, call Cathy at 783-3963.  Other guests:  Ishwar Laxminarayan, Director of the Jackson District Library;  Master Gardeners Kathryn Ring and Laurie Eberts-Carson with the Master Gardeners Tour, June 22.  Tickets available at Eye Services, 800 South Brown Street;  Jeff Kruse, RSVP Putt Putt Tournament fundraiser;  our visit to St. Joseph continues with Don Alsbro of "Lest We Forget".