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
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.
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.
Cannonsburg Ski Area Opening Today for Remainder of Thanksgiving Weekend
It's time to strap them on and hit the slopes for skiing and snowboarding!
Cannonsburg Ski Area is opening to the public this today at 10 a.m.
Jeff Musial The Animal Guy’s Wildlife Show Hits East Grand Rapids November 23 [Video]
Sure. Now he's known as Jeff Musial The Animal Guy.
He's been on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and, before that, "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." He's also been on NBC's "The Today Show," VH1's "The Big Morning Buzz," "The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet," "The Martha Stewart Sh
ArtPrize To Expand To Dallas In 2016
ArtPrize is expanding!
A local nonprofit called ArtPrize Dallas was created to bring the art competition to Texas. They have a three-year agreement to exclusive rights to hold ArtPrize in Texas.
Lake Effect Snows Continue Through Friday with Rainy Weekend Forecast
Another round of lake-effect snow is being forecast through midday Friday and a messy weekend is ahead, according to the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids Office.
Cannonsburg Ski Area Announces Earliest Opening Date Ever
All of you skiing and snowboarding fans will be happy to hear this! It's almost time to strap them on and hit the slopes!
In fact, Cannonsburg Ski Area is opening to the public this Saturday, at 10 a.m. This will be the earliest date that Cannonsburg has ever opened for a season.
University of Michigan Football Player Dismissed From Team After Domestic Violence Arrest
University of Michigan defensive end Frank Clark has been dismissed from the Michigan football team after being accused of domestic violence in Ohio over the weekend.
Coach Brady Hoke has called the situation "tragic".
John Balyo Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Young Boy
The former host of a Grand Rapids Christian radio show was sentenced Monday in Calhoun County Circuit Court for sexually assaulting a young boy.
John Balyo was sentenced to 25 to 50 years behind bars for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Expect Mother Nature to Play Some Tricks with Halloween Weather on Friday
Mother Nature may have tricks of her own to play, with high winds, rain and snow being forecast by the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids Office for Friday.
That's going to make for some possibly challenging conditions for trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Meijer Announces Dates for the 2015 Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft
After a successful inaugural tournament that generated $600,000 for Midwest food pantries, the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft will return to Grand Rapids in 2015 for another week of community events and the best women golfers in the world.
The tournament is slated July 20-26, 2015, at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, and will again benefit the Walker-based retailer Meijer's Simply Give