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
The Grinch Tries Yoga [Video]
I saw this video floating around today and got a good laugh.
The yoga instructor says: "All of the sounds that are trapped in your mind ... " just before the Grinch ... .
Well, just watch as the Grinch tries doing yoga!
Muskegon Parking Ban Goes Into Effect Monday
Drivers in Muskegon will no longer be allowed to park on city streets in order to allow more room for snow plows.
The ban starts Monday and will be in effect through the end of February. Drivers are not allowed to park on streets in the city of Muskegon between the hours of 2- 6 a.m.
It’s Not Always the Thought That Counts with Gift Giving
'Tis the season to be gift giving.
Right?
Well, maybe not.
Spending Time with Family Matters Most to Us
Before Thanksgiving, I shared about how I thought the perfect gift for your family was to give them your undivided attention.
Well, with Christmas less than two weeks away, that has me thinking about family even more so these days.
As it turns out, spending time with family is what matters most to us. At least according to The Matter More Project.
Where Do Millennials Still Mostly Shop? Well, the Mall, Of Course
We constantly hear about how online shopping is making things simpler for everyone, and how shopping local is almost passe.
For those uber shoppers -- young women -- that is definitely not so.
How do I know this? Well, I only need to ask the experts at Teen Vogue.
Are Any of These Books on Your Shelves or Wish Lists?
Amazon today announced its best-selling books of 2014, just in time for you last-minute Christmas shoppers.
What luck!
"The Invention of Wings," by Sue Monk Kidd, is the best-selling book overall; and John Grisham’s latest novel, "Gray Mountain," is No. 2.
"The Heroes of Olympus Book Five: The Blood of Olympus," by Rick Riordan, is the best-selling kids' and teen-ager
Tom Cook’s Workday Dog Break – Shelter Dogs Melt Your Heart in ‘Puppy for Christmas’ [Video]
I don't know about you, but I love puppies.
And shelter puppies coupled with a Christmas song? C'mon!
Three Largest Charities Are United Way, The Salvation Army and Feeding America, According to Forbes
Forbes magazine does plenty of lists tied to money, the economy and wealth.
This week, it released its list of the top 50 charities in the U.S.
The top three (based on the amount of donations received):
United Way.
The Salvation Army.
Feeding America.
Device Addiction Grows with Mobile Internet of Things [Video]
Well, this is interesting. Maybe not the reality of it, but its depth, breadth and reach.
According to a new Deloitte survey on mobile consumer trends, we -- as in us U.S. consumers -- are becoming more and more obsessed with our electronic devices. Just call it device addiction.
Some of the facts: Nearly 90 percent check their phones in the first hour of being awake and 23 percent look at their d
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, J. Geils Band Rock Grand Rapids!
Rock icons Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band shaked down a sold-out Van Andel Arena on Tuesday night, on the road in support of Seger’s first new studio album in eight years, “Ride Out.”
Also appearing was The J. Geils Band.
One Direction Named Billboard’s 2014 Artist of the Year [Video]
With the top grossing tour of the year and a No. 1 Billboard 200 album ("Midnight Memories"), One Direction claimed honors as Billboard's 2014 Artist of the Year.
One Direction's "Midnight Memories" included the hit "Story of My Life." The English-Irish group includes Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson.
‘Frozen’ Soundtrack No. 1 Top-Selling Album On Billboard’s 2014 Chart [Video]
No surprise here, but the "Frozen" soundtrack from Walt Disney Records was ranked the No. 1 best-selling album on the 2014 year-end Billboard 200 chart.
It is the first movie soundtrack to reach No. 1 on the year-end chart since "Titanic" in 1998 and is the first Disney soundtrack to top the chart since "Mary Poppins" in 1965, according to Billboard.