Kids need Great Start

The group of incomers features three pitchers, five outfielders, three infielders and a catcher.

Carlos Zambrano pitched seven solid innings and the Chicago Cubs snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Florida Marlins with a 6-3 victory Thursday night.

For years, America has been enchanted by a crime-fighting crusader dressed like a bat in comic books, TV cartoons, and on the silver screen. Many men have donned the cape and mask: Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and, most recently, Christian Bale in “The Dark Knight.”

Lately, movie heroes are ambiguous — they exist on the border between good and evil, weakness and strength, violence and peace. They still shoot and swagger, but the new films also ask if they can love, if they are happy and how much good they can realistically do in a flawed world.

Recent blockbusters such as “Batman: The Dark Knight,” “Batman Begins,” “James Bond: Casino Royale,” and “Beowulf” show the vulnerabilities of manly heroes who are usually beloved more for their hand-to-hand combat skills than for their emotional or moral triumphs. In these new films, however, the heroes must navigate personal struggles and temptations and resist despair in order to keep fighting for good

Letters regarding the Aug. 5 primary election must be submitted to The Sentinel by July 25 to be considered for publication.

Park Township voters have many choices in the Aug. 5 primary, as well they should.  The township will soon join Holland, Zeeland and Holland and Laketown Townships in hiring a manager to oversee its day-to-day operations.

In guiding the township board through this important decision and the transition to full-time management, Amanda Price is well-equipped to provide experienced, thoughtful leadership. 

The man who allegedly hit and killed a motorcyclist in a crash on Butternut Drive at Riley Street Wednesday night, July 23, has been charged with failing to stop at a crash scene resulting in death. He is also an illegal immigrant.

Right now, there’s no guarantee that every family in the Holland area will get access to some kind of preschool for their children.

An area coalition wants to bring an end to that — and they want parents and business leaders to help.

Great Start Collaborative of Ottawa County unveiled a three-year plan at a breakfast event in Holland Township Thursday, July 24, to develop a universal system of early care and education.

Federal and state programs provide free or subsidized preschool and daycare for  families who qualify, but many parents either pay for preschool or ignore it. The Great Start Collaborative is a group of organizations looking to promote early childhood education in hope of reaping long-term benefits.

Wendi Jo Meyer and David Michael Kapenga are engaged and planning to marry on Aug. 8, 2008.

Paul and Nancy Blauw- kamp of Zeeland announce the engagement of their daughter, Lindsay Marie Blauwkamp, to Roger James Van Loo, son of Roger and Ruth Van Loo of Hudsonville.

Rebekah Ellen Palmbos and Travis Wayne Kirk exchanged wedding vows on June 6, 2008,

Sarah Elizabeth Gardner and Eric James De Boer exchanged wedding vows on April 12, 2008, in Horsham, PA.