Hey, I’m the “new guy” here at 100.5 The River. We’ll get to hang out for part of your workday and the drive home while you’re listening to Today’s Best Mix without the rap. Some people asked “why would you move HERE?” when I started. I answer that question with disbelief and realize that people in GR simply don’t realize what a great city they have. Grand Rapids is just a fantastic city. The people, the downtown, the festivals, the philanthropy of our ‘famous families’ … the list goes on and on. The VIBE of this city is just incredible. Those who say “why would you move HERE?” clearly don’t realize how crappy most other similar sized cities are compared to GR. We moved here from the vibrant and clean city (#sarcasm) of Toledo, OH where I was the Operations Manager for six radio stations. Before that, I was on-air or programming stations in Philadelphia, New York City, Milwaukee, Madison, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and Waterloo (Iowa). My wife and I met in Madison and were married four days after 9/11. We have two “furry kids” named Ollie (yellow lab/bassett/corgi) and Chester (bassett). I’m also the Program Director for Channel 95-7 and 100.5 The River, so if you have any comments, suggestions or complaints (I welcome compliments, too), just email or call me!
Tom Cook
NASA Awakens New Horizons Spacecraft Ahead of Pluto Encounter [Video]
NASA's doing some crazy things this month.
First, it launched its first spacecraft in three years since the space shuttle.
Now, the U.S. space agency has awakened its New Horizons spacecraft for an encounter with Pluto -- which is still a planet to me.
And the Survey Says: Wine Beats Beer for Christmas
Much has been written about pairing wines with whatever you are serving up for dinner, or whether a stout or an IPA would best accompany that stew on your stove.
But when it comes to alcoholic beverage choices for American adults, how much does when factor into the type of drink one chooses?
Apparently, quite a bit, according to a recent Harris Poll.
President Gerald Ford’s Colorado Ski Home Is For Sale
The Colorado ski home built and owned by President Gerald R. Ford, Jr., and Betty Ford in their retirement is for sale.
The 11,849-square-foot, seven-bedroom, 11-bathroom Beaver Creek neighborhood residence in Avon, Colo., has an asking price of $8.5 million.
NASA’s Back in Space Flight Game with Orion [Video]
NASA reached a major milestone Friday as the Orion spacecraft completed its first voyage to space, traveling farther than any spacecraft designed for astronauts has been in more than 40 years.
Bottom line: NASA's back in the spaceflight game for the first time since the space shuttle program ended three years ago.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Brings Holiday Spectacle to Grand Rapids on Sunday [Video]
If you've never seen the Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform, don't even bother imagining what might unfold.
It is something seemingly beyond the realm of reality that is being brought to Grand Rapids for Trans-Siberian Orchestra's performances at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Van Andel Arena.
These Are Not Your Dad’s Versions of ‘Jingle Bells’ [Video]
We've been playing Christmas music on Greatest Hits 98.7 WFGR's sister station, 100.5 The River, since Nov. 2.
In addition to my gig as mid-day host on 98.7 WFGR, I am also our operations manager. Part of my job is helping schedule the music for WFGR and 100.5 The River.
So, yes, I have gotten to know my Christmas songs well, very well. And I can tell you this: A couple of new videos of "Jing
Ebola, Minecraft, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Flappy Bird top Yahoo Searches, Obsessions
Yahoo has released its top searches for 2014, and Ebola tops the list.
This year’s top searches on Yahoo included a national obsession, an international health crisis and some favorite women stars.
Yes, there are other search engines other than Google.
NASA’s Orion Mission Managers Tap Friday Launch Attempt
For all the space junkies out there: The first flight test of Orion, NASA's next-generation spacecraft capable of sending astronauts on future missions to an asteroid and the journey to Mars, has been rescheduled.
Most Popular Baby Names Are Liam and Charlotte
We can thank entertainment for giving us the most popular baby names of the year, with Liam and Charlotte topping the charts for the third year in a row, BabyNames.com announced today.
‘Peter Pan Live!’ Airs Live on NBC on Thursday Night [Video]
Prepare for some fairy dust to be sprinkled your way on Thursday night.
NBC presents "Peter Pan Live!", which airs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST.
Burt Reynolds To Auction Off A Bunch Of Stuff Because He Needs The Cash
This is truly a sad, sad day in American history: We've allowed Burt Reynolds (and his mustache) to fall so far that he has to sell off all of his stuff to get by. He's auctioning off almost 700 items in Las Vegas next month. And yes, you can bid on them online.
Material Girl: Madonna Tops List of World’s Richest Recording Artists
Pop music icon Madonna was atop a list released today by Wealth-X of the world's top 10 richest recording artists.
The 56-year-old Michigan native, who now lives in the United Kingdom, has a net worth of $800 million to rank ahead of British rock-and-roll legend Paul McCartney.