“Kute Kids”…THIS “KUTE KID” is… Jocelyn Andrews giving Watervliet’s football coach Jeremy Andrews a surprise halftime kiss during a game in September. She is the daughter of Watervliet Public Schools teachers, Jeremy and Lauren Andrews of Lawrence. Jocelyn has a baby brother, Cedric. This photo was submitted by Gail Perna, Jocelyn’s grandma and Jeremy’s mother-in-law.

Parking lot closures begin at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph

 Site preparations for the new Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph Pavilion are underway resulting in parking lot closures to accommodate the new building site and construction crews. Effective December 12, sections of the Napier and laboratory lots will be closed. Effective December 19, access to the facility from Morton Avenue (near the emergency department) will be closed. A temporary entrance to the emergency department will remain open off of Langley Avenue.

Throughout the duration of the project, the main parking garage on the St. Joseph campus will be reserved for patients, visitors, and volunteers. Lakeland team members are being encouraged to park offsite with shuttle service available to and from the facility beginning January 3, 2017. Lakeland security will be onsite to help ensure limited disruptions for community members.

“We understand that parking will be tight during construction and our primary concern is providing ease of access to our facilities for all patients and visitors,” said Loren B. Hamel, MD, President and CEO, Lakeland Health. “We appreciate our community’s understanding and cooperation as we look forward to this new addition.”

Based on research of parking patterns during peak times at the hospital, a total of 900 spaces are in use at any one time. After construction is complete 1,300 parking spots will remain available on campus. To view a detailed parking map, and for continued updates as construction on the project progresses, visit www.lakelandhealth.org/pavilion.

Michigan closes loophole; bans fetal organ trafficking

 Recently Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley signed into law the Fetal Organ Trafficking Ban. Right to Life of Michigan applauds Lt. Gov. Calley and the Michigan Legislature for taking action to prevent abortion clinics profiteering from the sale of babies’ body parts.

Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, “The undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood haggling over the broken bodies of developed babies rightly disgusted our nation. Trafficking in human body parts has no place in the state of Michigan.”

Federal and Michigan law bans tissue trafficking, but a loophole allows tissue traffickers to compensate abortion clinics. Vague language together with federal officials friendly to abortion meant that abortion clinics could successfully evade the law.

The Center for Medical Progress first began releasing their undercover footage in July of 2015. Throughout the process Planned Parenthood has denied all accusations, despite incriminating statements caught on video. Their staff repeatedly engaged in sales discussions, discussed ways to disguise the profiteering, and indicated a willingness to change abortion procedures to procure fresher organs.

Michigan’s new ban is comprised of two bills. S.B. 564 prohibits the exchange of any form of compensation for fetal tissue or organs. S.B. 565 describes the legal penalties for engaging in the trade of fetal tissue or organs.

The bills received bi-partisan support, including some legislators in the Michigan House who generally support abortion.

Listing said, “We welcome the opportunity to work with anyone who can agree with us on a particular issue. Most people broadly agree that buying and selling human body parts is beyond the pale.”

Michigan’s new ban will still allow organ and tissue donations to proceed, but no longer can abortion businesses abuse the spirit of the law by profiting from such donations.

Listing said, “For years Planned Parenthood successfully kept their organ trafficking behind closed doors, but now it’s coming to an end thanks to the public hearing them talk about it in their own words.”

The Fetal Organ Trafficking Ban ends another successful prolife legislative session in Michigan. Earlier in 2016 the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act and the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act were also signed into law. No pro-abortion legislation received any serious consideration in the Legislature in 2015-2016.

Listing said, “In January we’re looking forward to starting another successful legislative session for advancing the protection of all human life.”

Links to the Center for Medical Progress undercover video series are available on the Right to Life of Michigan website.

Lakeland offers new weight management program

 Beginning January 10, Lakeland Outpatient Nutrition Services will offer a new year round weight management program “myWeigh to Health” that provides support, accountability, information, and tools to successfully build healthy habits that promote long-term weight management.

Held in an interactive supportive group environment, myWeigh to Health features weekly weigh-ins, expertise from certified health professionals, and a weekly challenge to practice new skills. Classes will be held every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph.

“Instead of providing rules for weight loss, rigid calorie and fat gram counting, we focus on the key information needed to improve nutrition and enjoy a healthier lifestyle,” said Danielle Fiskars, registered dietitian, Lakeland Health. “This unique lifestyle approach focuses on helping participants achieve their goals – whether it’s weight loss, weight maintenance, or simply optimizing their health.”

Cost is $320 semi-annually which includes two individual consultations with a registered dietitian; $165 per quarter which includes one individual consultation with a registered dietitian; $50 per month; or $15 per week. For more information, call (269) 556-7171 or emaillivewell@lakelandhealth.org.

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2:00 p.m. “CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS” at Sarett Nature Center for adults. The fee is $10 for the lesson and $5 for equipment rental. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.

Saturday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m. “MISS AND MR. COLOMA PAGEANT” at Coloma High School. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance for $20 each, please call Doreen Hess at 269-468-4020 or Barb Stroder at 269-468-3731. Tickets are $25 each at the door.

Saturday, Jan. 14, 6:00 p.m. “2017 MISS WATERVLIET PAGEANT” at the Watervliet High School Auditorium. For more information, go to the WPO Facebook page or call pageant chairperson, Angela Widdis at 269-449-0790.

Saturday, Jan. 15, 2:00 p.m. “SNOWSHOE WITH A NATURALIST” at Sarett Nature Center for adults. The fee is $3 per person. Snowshoes available for rent.

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7:00 p.m. “EXPLORING THE GRAND GALAPAGOS” at North Berrien Historical Museum with Sarett Nature Center Director Dianne Braybrook. The museum is located at 300 Coloma Ave., Coloma. For questions, contact the museum at 269-468-3330 or email to kristen@northberrienhistory.org.

Sundays, 8 a.m. to noon “BREAKFAST” at the Coloma Rod & Gun Club.

Tuesday and Thursdays, 7 – 9 p.m. “PICKLEBALL” at St. Joseph Catholic School gymnasium on Lucinda Lane, Watervliet. Extra paddles are available, beginners are welcome.

Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. “STORY HOUR” at Coloma Public Library for preschool aged children accompanied by an adult. No sign-up or fee required. For questions, call 468-3431.

Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. “STORY HOUR” at Watervliet District Library for 3-5 year olds. Sign-up required, call 463-6382 for information.

Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. “TINY TOTS LEGO STORYTIME” at Hartford Public Library for children four and younger. Every week during the school year.

Thursdays 6 p.m.–10 p.m. “Trap shooting” at the Coloma Rod & Gun Club.

Third Monday of every month, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. “FOOD BANK” at Central Assembly of God, 6801 Ryno Rd., Coloma, 468-8422.