Bart Hawley Show Guests

A partnership between the city of Jackson and the University of Michigan School of Information aims to develop information tools such as mobile apps and social media sites designed to help citizens interact with their local government in new ways.  City Manager Patrick Burtch explained the three year project, Citizen Interaction Design, takes lessons learned in the business sector—namely that social media and technology can help people communicate and work together effectively—and applies them to local civic life.  Other guests:  Jackson County Undersheriff Chris Kuhl;  Carrie Stadelman, Freeland Photography;  Kim Conant, Director of Development for the Salvation Army;  Pet of the Week with Kathy Brafford.  Our visit to St. Joseph continues with the St. Joseph River Yacht Club's 100th anniversary.

The Jackson Community College Board of Trustees voted unanimously at last night's meeting to change the name of Jackson Community College to Jackson College.  Today, President Dr. Dan Phelan explained some of reasons for the board's decision.  They include the college's ability to offer four year degrees and becoming more attractive to international students.  Other guests today:  Jeff Noel, Vice President of Whirlpool Corporation as we continue our road trip to St. Joseph, MI;  Vacuum Cleaner Hospital's Rex Hall;  Freedom Fest Jackson 2013 with Ed Peterson, Christine Peterson, Farris Coppage and Leonard Saxton.  Among the events on the festival schedule:  Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday at the Riverwalk Amphitheatre at 6:30 pm.  The complete schedule online here.

Center Stage Jackson presents "Hairspray the Musical" this weekend and next at the Baughman Theatre at Jackson Community College.  Today, Sam Hickson (in character as "Edna") along with choreographer Mahalia Greenway promoted the show.  Performances are June 14-16 and June 21-23, Friday and Saturday shows at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm.  Tickets available online at centerstagejackson.org.  Other guests:  Jackson Public Schools Food Services Director Brant Russell;  Michael Bannasch on his Highpointing experiences;  Kelly Burroughs, National Scoliosis Month;  Andrew Sargeant, Jackson Recreation Department.  We continue our visit to St. Joseph, MI and Harbor Shores Golf Course and Community.

The Bart Hawley Show begins a week of shows featuring St. Joseph, Michigan today.  Julia Gourley, Executive Director of The Krasl Art Center offers a tour of the grounds and gallery located on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.  In-studio guests include:  64th District State Representative Earl Poleski;  Lee Hampton with JCC's Juneteenth Celebration, June 15th at 6:30 pm at the Riverwalk Amphitheatre;  The Green Market at Allegiance Health's Travis Fojtasek;  Movie reviews with Dave DeBaker and weekend plans with Ric Walton.

The owner of Grand River Marketplace, John Burtka, along with manager Jennifer Kennedy update viewers on the plans for opening the new brewery, winery and deli in downtown Jackson.  While a date has not been announced, the grand opening is still targeted for late June.  The Grand River Marketplace will include a craft brewery, winery, lunch deli and restaurant.  Entertainment will be featured both inside and outside during evening hours.  Watch Facebook for further updates.  Other guests:  Monica Moser, President and CEO of the Jackson Community Foundation;  Melissa Peters from the Jackson District Library, with the Summer Reading Kick-off Saturday, June 15 at the Carnegie branch;  Assistant Athletic Director Ryan Frost from Spring Arbor University's summer sports camps;  American 1 Credit Union's "Kids Fest" with Jessica Lutz.

The Legs for Legacy fundraising walk and run returns for the second year at Cascades Falls.  The event, organized by JAYO members Jacob Inosencio, Preston Christoff and Lexi Shupbach is a fundraiser for the Legacy Scholarship Program.  It will be held on Saturday, June 15 starting at 8:30 am.  Registration information available here.  Other guests today include:  Brad Hamilton, Superintendent of Grass Lake Community Schools;  JCC Now with Tina Matz and Debbie Johnson;  Ann Green, Arts & Cultural Alliance of Jackson County and local artist Jane Robinson;  Shop Rat Foundation's Kelly Burr;  Pet of the Week with Kathy Brafford, Cascades Humane Society.

The Northwest Kiwanis Club Flowering Tree Project kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony and the planting of the first tree at Sparks Foundation County Park.  The club is taking on the initiative of beautifying the local park system through the planting of hundreds of flowering trees.  Film coverage of the ceremony on today's show.  Studio guests include:  Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Dan Evans;  Ella Sharp Museum Executive Director Amy Reimann with Kyle Liechty, Art, Beer and Wine Festival (Saturday, June 8, Noon to 5pm);  Chad Kennedy, Jackson Friendly Home board trustee, Polka Dance Fundraiser (Friday, June 7, Bone Island Grill, 6 to 11pm, tickets: 812-7526);  Steven Briggs, Sylvan Learning Center Director;  Jackson Symphony Orchestra Community String Ensemble members Clyde McKaney, Linda Rockwell and Matthew Polson with the Spring Concert, Saturday, June 8, 7pm, JSO Performing Arts Center;  Jackson Coffee Company Drawings of the Month with Brian Surgener.

"Arts in the Park" begins this Friday, June 7 at Swains Park in Brooklyn.  "The Village Square Acoustics", Bob Elrod, Frank Helton and Ralph Mullins performed on the show today as a preview of their August concert.  Mallard Brothers and a movie kick off the season this Friday.  Other show guests:  Shawn Dowling, Program Coordinator, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System;  a tour of  Auto-Lab of Jackson;  Tony Krupa, Addison Awning;  Susan Vandercook and Dave Geisen, Big Brothers Big Sisters "Golf for Kids Sake;  Stan Mazur and Jeff Mazur, Jackson Northwest Kiwanis tree planting project.

Interim East Jackson Community Schools Superintendent Rich Ames will be retiring at the end of June, to be replaced by current East Jackson High School Principal Pat Little.  Today, a look back at the past school year and end of year activities.  Other guests:  Jeff Matzen, Matzen Financial with "Money Matters";  Rick Collett and Zania Payne, JCISD Astronomy Camp;  Former Miss Jackson County Outstanding Teen Shannon Watts;  Jackson YMCA Executive Director Rick Wilson and Camp Director Joe Finley;  Pet of the Week with Kathy Brafford. UPDATE:  Today's show will replay on Thursday, May 30.

The annual Wendy's Charity Classic golf tournament to benefit adoption charities hopes to reach $2,000,000 in total dollars raised with this year's event.  Stanton & Associates partners Al LeCrone and Mark Behm announced the tournament will return to the Country Club of Jackson August 11-12, 2013.  The event is part of the LPGA Legends tour.  Other guests:  Congressman Tim Walberg;  BuilderWalk with Andy Woell from General Materials;  Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Shelly Hendrick with board member Gene Trombley;  Cascades Humane Society Interim Executive Director Melissa Woodhurst and Programs Coordinator Kelly Sharrar with Paws in the Park (Saturday, June 1 at Cascades Falls);  Jackson Area Association of Realtors Executive Vice President Melissa Tee and Jacque Austin, Thinking Real Estate, with the Housing Expo Saturday from 10am to 2pm at Jackson Crossing. UPDATE:  Today's show will replay on Friday, May 31.