onthetown Magazine Volume 4 Issue 5 by onthetown Magazine

�oyette �echanical BUSINESS INTEGRITY & COMMUNITY PRIDE

�ld �ewsboys "NINETY YEARS"

�en �orward �etwork ENGAGING EMERGING PHILANTHROPISTS

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from the publisher. I hope everyone enjoyed his or her summer, as fall has arrived so quickly!! Yes, that means winter will soon be here, and I am bracing for another very cold one. This issue of onthetown features many non-profits in Genesee County. It takes so much to make a non-profit successful -- most importantly the volunteers who give their time and/or money to help make all they do a success. I want to thank all who give to these wonderful organizations. Without that help, these organizations would not be possible! Readers will also find some great stories about businesses in the community in this issue of the magazine. Some of these businesses are new while others have a longstanding history of service to the area. I always try to support our local businesses, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s through dining out, or purchasing a gift for someone, or buying something for my family. I know that these business owners appreciate our loyalty. As we approach November 4th, do not forget to get out there and vote!! This is one way to help make the change many want to see in the community. This year there is a very important Genesee County millage on the ballot. This millage, if passed, will provide much needed funding to the Genesee County Animal Control Shelter. The mill is 0.20 for every $1000 of taxable valuation of property for a seven-year period â&#x20AC;&#x201C; running from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2020. Unfortunately Animal Control has been underfunded and understaffed for many years. Hence, people do not get the services they were once used to. And I know Flint city residents have, perhaps, suffered the most. This funding can help provide more jobs which means, in turn, more feet on our streets to help with animal neglect and animal abandonment. It will also provide the resources to better care for the animals while they are at the shelter. So at the polls in November, please keep this in mind when voting. I wish all of our readers a happy, healthy, colorful fall. As always, thank you for your loyalty to onthetown. - Kimberly Gray, Publisher

W W W. O N T H E TO W N L I M I T E D. C O M

LAYOUT Archetype Design Studio

CONTRIBUTORS Jon Augenstine Betts Coup Sherry Farney Ilse Hayes Chelsea Mills Tara Moreno Rich Reed Paul Rozycki Amber Sabo-Carpenter Ray Smith

MANAGER Laura Ulman

EVENT SPREADS Chelsea Mills-Behind Your Design

SALES Debby Molina Allison Joslin Chelsea Mills Mark Novak Carrie Taylor Savannah Waldchen

PHOTOGRAPHY Chelsie Cantin-Vivid Imagery Joel Hart Debby Molina Tara Moreno

EDITOR IN CHIEF Michelle Blaisdell COPY EDITOR Martha Hamp MANAGING EDITOR Michael G. Thodoroff

SUBSCRIPTIONS MAIL A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $12.00 FOR SIX ISSUES GENERAL INFORMATION (810) 584-7006

PUBLISHED BY Kimberly Gray Global Network Publishers, LLC P.O. Box 121 Grand Blanc, MI 48480 publisher@onthetownlimited.com Phone: (810) 584-7006 Fax: (810) 584-7013

Staff Highlight. Paul Rozycki // CONTRIBUTOR Paul Rozycki came to teaching somewhat accidentally. He planned a career as a journalist, having worked for a daily newspaper in Illinois. After his undergraduate education at Northern Illinois University, in DeKalb Illinois, and graduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, he taught political science at Ball State University for two years before coming to Mott Community College in 1969. He officially retired in the summer of 2011 but continues to teach a class most semesters. While at Mott he has taught a variety of political science courses, as well as courses in Leadership and Service Learning. He has served as advisor to the student newspaper, the MCC Post, and as editor of the Education Association newsletter, the Forward. He also co-directed the Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) with Dr. Lillie McCain at Mott Community College. Over the years he has been involved in the political life of the community. It is a rare election during which he is not involved in one campaign or another. On a regular basis he has been the “Political Analyst” for ABC TV12 and NBC 25. He has also been a weekly political commentator on the Tom Sumner radio program on WFNT and often moderates candidate panels in the community. And he is a regular columnist for the East Village Magazine in Flint. In addition, he has written several books. Politics and Government in Michigan (with Jim Hanley) is used by many colleges throughout the state as an introduction to state and local government. He also authored the history of Mott Community College in a book titled A Clearer Image: The 75 Year History of Mott Community College, a few years ago. He is currently completing a new chapter to the book which covers the last 15 years of the college’s history. Among his other outside interests are photography and collecting political memorabilia.

Ray Smith // CONTRIBUTOR My name is Ray Smith, and I have lived in Genesee County for 13 years. I was born and raised in Detroit and went to Roman Catholic Schools for six years. Then after two years in Detroit Public schools, my family moved to West Bloomfield where I attended high school in Walled Lake. I moved to Davison in 2001 and began studies in Communications at UM-Flint, and since then have lived in Burton, Flint, and now Grand Blanc. I have worked several jobs, and I left UM-Flint for a while to study Media Arts Entertainment Technology at Mott Community College. After finishing an Associates Degree there, I returned to UM-Flint to finish my Bachelor’s in Communications, which I will have completed in May of 2015. In the past, I was Editor in Chief of The Michigan Times at UM-Flint, wrote for Heritage Newspapers, and also briefly interned and wrote sports articles for The Tri-County Times of Fenton. In addition, I worked for GameStop from 2005 to 2012. I am currently employed at Creative Services at NBC 25 in Clio while finishing my degree at UM-Flint. My passion lies within the creative arts, mostly concerning writing in the realm of film. My goal is to become a screenwriter and director, as well as to finish my novel that I began several years ago. To that end, I love books, movies, music and television and enjoy graphic novels as well. My favorite literary genre is science fiction, and my number one favorite film of all time is The Matrix.

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from the editor. Tis the Season—and there is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by giving. This issue features philanthropy and the many organizations that define what it means to gather and give with intention. Before the season starts echoing previous years of planning holiday parties, shopping, waiting in long lines and enduring ridiculous traffic, there are many ways for those interested to get involved. Whether volunteering some time, making a donation, or even doing something as simple as cooking up some pet-friendly treats with the kids and donating them to a local animal shelter, everyone can be making a difference! Global Network Publishers is proud to announce that onthetown and Flint, Michigan were recently recognized in a national publication. Our photograph featured in onthetown’s Volume 4, Issue 4, covering Hank Graff Chevrolet’s stunning custom car trailer with Hank’s 1954 Corvette, not only graced the cover of Vette Vues Magazine, Volume 43, Issue 1 August 2014, but the verbatim article was the issue’s featured story. Considered “The Corvette Enthusiasts Magazine” for the nation since 1972, they are a monthly publication based out of Orange City Florida, with a nationwide circulation. In addition to their monthly publication, Vette Vues covers every major Corvette-centered event, with thousands of people in attendance along with their own organized and sponsored Corvette Chevy Expo events held in convention centers and featuring world-class Chevrolet show cars and major national vendors in their everpopular Aftermarket Showcase. The bottom-line is that all of this upbeat exposure for Flint serves to underscore the 40-year mission of onthetown. On a side note, I recently had the pleasure of lunching with Sean McVey and his spouse, Kimberly Auker. Sean is the son of Harry McVey, founder of onthetown magazine and as readers are aware, onthetown is celebrating its 40th year of circulation. Sean shared some “behind the scenes” stories of the publication -- along with some of the hilarious situations he encountered during the magazine’s development days with Harry, while Kimberly recounted humorous anecdotes about Harry during her days at the Grand Blanc-based Auker Enterprises. The common thread though was clear: Harry McVey’s passion for Flint and Genesee County. And to that end, Sean and Kimberly are pleased that we are carrying on that legacy, while, at the same time, looking towards continually providing a positive resource for the community as we move into the future. And with our excellent and creative editorial staff aligned with an assertive publisher, all this makes for exciting ingredients for our community…as onthetown continues to highlight the uplifting and inspirational stories people share with us! be seen, be heard, be onthetown, Michelle Blaisdell

ABOUT THE COVER This issue’s cover features five year-old Corvin, model and Lego

builder

extraordinaire.

He showed up to the shoot on time, and after a quick wardrobe change, was ready to go. Chris Hamilton of Old Newsboys of Flint took us on a tour of Santa's Workshop, while Corvin’s mother and talented photographer, Chelsie Cantin, of Vivid Imagery, took some great pictures to share with our readers. Let's just say that Corvin had a few questions for Chris after his tour. And as Chelsie shared talk with me post photo shoot on the drive home, Corvin had one more question for her. He asked, "Did I do good, Mom?” We at onthetown think you’re pretty awesome, Corvin!

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Here for you

Contents //

VOLUME IV ISSUE V

Philanthropy 13 Flint’s Genuine “Chris” Kringle!” 16 Gen Forward Network 18 YWCA: A Valuable Community Resource 20 The Art of Giving 22 These Dividends Go Into People’s Lives 23 The Hundred Club 24 Faithfully Moving Forward In Changing Times 28 AAF-Greater Flint 29 Advocating Awareness While Looking for a Cure 30 Show Us Your Heart!

Be Seen 31-43 Event Photos

Education 44 MCC’s New President Steps Forward 46 Baker College of Flint’s Center for Business

Medical 48 Hot Flash Havoc Comes to Flint 49 Minimally Invasive Heart Repair 50 The Art of Robotic Surgery

Business 52 Goyette Mechanical Aims High 54 Life is a Smorgasbord 58 Built With Integrity-Right From the Start 60 Count Your Blessings

62 Barnett Financial: A Firm People Can Trust 64 Grand Blanc City Manager Builds a Road to the Future 65 Manley Family: A Legacy of Community Service

Culture & Entertainment 66 The Art of Video Games 70 Harvest Home at Mueller's Orchard & Cider Mill

Food & Drink

68 Fenton Winery & Brewery

Retail 72 The Story Behind Bridge Street Exchange

From The Desk Of...

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Philanthropy

12 Photo by Chelsie Cantin-Vivid Imagery

THE OLD NEWSBOYS

// Philanthropy

Photo by Chelsie Cantin-Vivid Imagery

Flint’s Genuine “Chris” Kringle!” BY MICHAEL G. THODOROFF

“Let No Child Be Forgotten” is a very familiar tag line that has

tugged at the heartstrings of area residents for many years, seeming to come to life during the Christmas holiday season in the form of the underlying philosophy of the Old Newsboys of Flint organization. Although this year marks their 90th anniversary of serving almost 800,000 children over the years via their familiar holiday newspaper sale, thousands more have received coats and shoes through their “Warm Hearts Healthy Starts” program, while still hundreds more have been aided through their Emergency Box Program. Current Old Newsboys Executive Director Chris Hamilton explains that once a child qualifies for the Christmas Box Program, he or she receives a sweatsuit, socks and underclothes, along with a hat and pair of warm gloves, dental hygiene products, and a beautiful, new, age- appropriate gift beginning at the newborn stage and extending through that of high school. He points out that the Old Newsboys have always believed Christmas is for children, and he has faith in the fact that celebrating this day might contribute to a child developing into a good citizen. The Emergency Box Program, in cooperation with the Red Cross or Resource Genesee, sponsors families who have suffered a terrible loss due to fire, flood, or some other catastrophe. But Chris is extremely proud of the “Warm Hearts Healthy Starts” program which was initiated many years ago. “Curtis and Erica Thompson of Complete Runner have always helped us out in the past,” Hamilton says. “I asked them if they thought a shoe manufacturer would get on board and help out our community.” Much to his surprise and less than two weeks later, the New Balance shoe company signed on to help. Chris clarified that they provide a voucher so a child may get a brand new pair of athletic shoes, properly fitted, at the Complete Runner store. “These are new shoes that a child otherwise may never have [an] opportunity [to get]. Another [benefit] of this arrangement is that New Balance is the only shoe company still making most of their products in the United States,” he adds.

Although Chris Hamilton has been at the helm since November of 2008, he has been active in the Old Newsboys since the early 70’s while he was first employed at the old AC Spark Plug plant after graduating from Purdue University, where he played lineman on that team's only Rose Bowl victory in 1967. And he looks like he could handle any on-

Philanthropy //

THE OLD NEWSBOYS

“It takes a financial commitment to keep things going here. This community is so giving and generous, it simply amazes me. I can’t imagine a more giving community than that of Flint and Genesee County."

rushing linebacker even today. Chris recollects that Kink Callahan, a family friend and plant general superintendent, encouraged employees to get involved and give back to the community by volunteering. Hamilton recalls, “I soon became a plant chairperson for the United Way Campaign and in the early 80’s, our representative from the Old Newsboys wanted to step aside. Paul Nelson asked me to take over at AC and join the Board of Directors in his place.” Even though Chris retired from Delphi (former AC Spark Plug) in 2007, he remained active with the Old Newsboys. When then Executive Director Laurie Goff decided to retire in 2008, Hamilton was appointed to carry on in that position after previously having served terms as president and secretary-treasurer. His first order of business was to find a larger facility. Old Newsboys had been at their Lapeer Ave. near Dort Hwy. location for over

50 years. “At 4500 square feet, it was very cramped, and we were steadily growing,” Hamilton says. “The main bright spot, though, was the bus stop right in front of the building.” However, when the Board decided to put the building up for sale, they were amazed that another business jumped at the chance to buy the property, quickly closing the deal and requiring the Old Newsboys to vacate within 30 days! “The good thing was that we just were coming off our Christmas program and our inventory was low,” Chris says. “But the Landall family stepped in and really helped us out.” Landall Packaging Systems of Flint offered one of their warehouses to the Old Newsboys, with an open invitation [for the organization] to stay as long as they needed -- along with absolutely no fees attached. “For them to step up and do that for the Old Newsboys was huge,” Chris emphasizes. They worked out of the Landall facility for about seven months and then moved into their current, modern, 9000 square foot location at 6255 Taylor Dr. off of Hill Rd., next to I75.

“One of my objectives is to get our local college students more engaged because it seems to be a challenge to get young people involved.”

Although Chris Hamilton is proud and mindful of the Old Newsboy legacy, he continues to move the organization to address the needs of “his” community. He often speaks to rotary clubs and Chamber’s Visitor Bureaus while also looking at other service clubs in order to perhaps get into similar partnership arrangements. He mentions that they are currently involved with eight Chambers of Commerce in order to get their message out, and look for even more Chamber involvement in the future. He has also reached out to all of the local college student groups wherever they meet as a whole, providing internships along with work studies programs for those interested. “One of my objectives is to get our local college students more engaged because it seems to be a challenge to get young people involved,” he says with conviction. And he goes on to make another point, adding, “It takes a financial commitment to keep things going here. This community is so giving and generous, it simply amazes me. I can’t imagine a more giving community than that of Flint and Genesee County." For more information on the Old Newsboys of Flint and their schedule of events, visit http:// www.onbflint.org/.

Philanthropy //

GEN FORWARD NETWORK

Gen Forward Network Engaging Emerging Philanthropists BY CHELSEA MILLS

n 2013, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Out of that celebration, a committee was formed to engage and involve emerging philanthropists in our community, including such young leaders as Jason Caya, Kyle McCree, Jennifer Weaver, Shannon Polk, Dean Keipert, Sonya LaGore, Brian Larkin, Heidi McAra and Shannon Easter White. The purpose is to interest citizens ages 20 – 49 and encourage them to work together for the greater good of Genesee County. Out of this giving circle, a philanthropic idea wherein people can pool their money and create grants to make a difference in their community, the Gen Forward Network was born. The intention of Gen Forward is not only to engage local citizens but also those who have grown up in Flint but have moved away. In fact, the first two members of the Gen Forward Network were from New York and Cleveland. And Kathi Horton, of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint says, “If our own young people are wanting to form this, why wouldn’t we support it?” To become part of the Network as an individual, the fee is $200, while for a family it is $300, with both levels of membership allowing for one vote towards the grant-giving decision. “The idea that you can turn your $200 into $15,000 or more is exciting for young people,” explains Shannon Easter White. The Network has a very democratic process, and the unique thing about it is that each year, the grant will consist of a different amount, given to a different group or even awarded to several groups, all working on one joint project. The process is started by sending out a general survey to the members with a listing of several community needs and issues collected from various work sessions and narrowed down to a select few focus areas. Once the focus is chosen, all the members are solicited to find organizations that fit the theme or mission of the area. Organizations are then asked to submit a proposal to the Gen Forward Membership, including information on each organization’s history, purpose, financials, projects, and target population, as well as each group’s plan to measure success if awarded the grant. When the proposals are received, there is a review process by the Gen Forward grants committee, which allows the applications to be narrowed down before presentation to the full membership. The 2014 final presentations will be on October 28th, and guests are encouraged to come or even to watch the videos streamed online. “Last year it was really neat to see all the organizations connecting the dots between the services they offer and how the organizations could actually work together to accomplish something,” Heidi McAra explains. “Some of the organizations did not even know the others existed, and by just getting them into the same room, they were able to pool resources, and there were some pretty cool connections made.” adds Shannon. The Network is designed for people aged 20-49, but if interested people are over the age of 50, it does not mean they can’t participate. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to provide a membership as a gift or to contribute to the Gen Forward Endowment Fund which supports the operations of the giving circle.

GEN FORWARD MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: GUIDING PRINCIPLES • To increase the impact of our charitable dollars by learning and working together. • To be involved in addressing the needs of our community. • To continue the community’s legacy of generosity by fostering a new generation of philanthropists. MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA • Share a commitment to working together for the benefit of Genesee County. • Reside anywhere, join at any time. • Be open to people between the ages of 20 and 49. ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION OPTIONS • Individual: $200 minimum annual contribution, 1 vote. • Family: $300 minimum annual contribution, 1 vote. • Epic Fellow: a non-voting designation for members who have made cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS • Join with others committed to the community. • Empower your charitable dollar. Individual contributions are multiplied providing an opportunity for strategic giving and increased impact. • Broaden and deepen your knowledge about community needs and issues. • Expand professional and social connections. • Develop leadership skills. • Meet with CFGF Trustees, major donors and other community leaders. HOW TO JOIN/CONTACT INFORMATION Please contact Jennifer Farrington, Program Officer jfarrington@cfgf.org; 810-767-3508.

Philanthropy //

YWCA

37 2 ,868.

Average number of victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year. 44% are under the age of 18.

80% are under the age of 30.

Every two minutes another American is sexually assaulted.

A VALUABLE

COMMUNITY

RESOURCE

BY AMBER SABO-CARPENTER

YWCA

// Philanthropy

his is why the YWCA, first established in 1858, reaches out to women across the world. YWCA USA was incorporated in 1907, and it is one of the oldest and largest women's groups in the United States. They serve over 25 million women across 125 countries. The downtown Flint location of the YWCA has been in existence since 1908 with a principle objective to help families, and, more directly, women, in need due to abusive situations. The YWCA of Greater Flint offers programs such as Nina's Place, economic advancement, and anti-violence resources in the form of a safe house, as well as domestic violence and sexual assault services, legal advocacy, counseling services, support groups, and domestic violence intervention programs. Nina's Place, unique to Flint, offers young woman safe and secure housing, including a furnished room with on-site laundry, kitchen facilities, and 24-hour staff support. This is a valuable resource to help women get a fresh start in their lives while they help with employment assistance and financial life skills education. To be eligible, young women may enter the program between the ages of 18-20 years of age and remain in it for up to 24 months. During their residential placement, the young women are expected to be employable, attend school and/or volunteer in the community.

ELIMINATING RACISM. EMPOWERING WOMEN. YWCA

here are numerous events the YWCA hosts every year to help meet their budget needs. Last fall, Elizabeth Smart was the guest speaker for the Circle of Women fundraiser. On November 12, 2014, at the 16th annual Circle of Women event, Liz Murray with be the keynote speaker; she is the noted author of Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival and My Journey From Homeless to Harvard. Although this particular event is for women only, primarily due to the subject matter, it is also one of the most successful fundraisers for the YWCA. The “Walk a Mile in her Shoes,” another event, is held every spring when men are asked to actually walk one mile in a pair of women’s shoes. This is derived from the old saying: "You can't really understand another person's experience until you've walked a mile in [his or her] shoes.” Although participation in this event is intended for men only, it is definitely worth the effort to come out and support the guys who take on this challenge. Volunteers and donations are always needed as the YWCA strives to support the Flint Community. Log on to their Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/ywcaflint and help one of the Flint areas best resources for women in need.

Philanthropy //

100 WOMEN IGNITING CHANGE

The Art of Giving BY MARTHA HAMP

omeone once said that “service is the rent we pay for our room here on earth,” and if that’s the case, then the members of 100 Women Igniting Change are certainly paying it forward. This organization represents an “invitation only” group of philanthropic women throughout the Genesee County area who, according to their newsletter, have banded together in order to engage in networking events to “showcase the non-profits/causes that are dear to [the members] hearts, even [raising as much as] $10,000 at each event…” in meetings lasting no more than two hours – for these are all busy and dynamic individuals who want to make a positive impact for good in their community. The motivation for forming this organization originated with Margie Shard who had attended one of these events in another county, and because it impressed her, wanted to initiate one like it in Genesee County. It was then that she asked Kristy Cantleberry, Tonya Acha, and Karen Church to help her spearhead the effort. Though highly engaged and enjoying successful, albeit demanding, careers requiring much of their time and energy, these women looked for a means by which they could accomplish the most good without having to spend excessive time they could not afford and expend energy they could not spare. Thus, systemizing their joint concern for worthy causes has allowed them and other members to achieve maximum impact on the good works each wants to focus on. As they state in their letter promoting their group to potential new initiates, “The passion the ladies have had and heartfelt stories bring tears to your eyes. It has been wonderful learning about all of the good works going on all around.”

the women can present their charity choices by dropping a card into a bowl, thereby qualifying each person’s cause to be awarded a grant. From those cards four are then chosen and the appropriate member/sponsor has five minutes to advocate for her cause, with three minutes to answer any questions that might arise. Afterwards, each member votes for her choice to receive funds by placing a ticket in a box, indicating which cause ought to prevail, and the winner becomes the one with the most tickets cast – a very democratic method of determination, it seems. It is at this juncture that each member present writes her $100 check to the fortunate charity, which can then leave the event with the contribution “in hand,” as it were. In case of a tie, a revote is required, and if the vote remains tied, a coin is then tossed. During the voting process, two sponsoring businesses from the area are granted time to promote their products or services, and the sponsorship funds go to the winning cause. The committee members of the group include Tonya Acha of Referral Institute, Kristy Cantleberry of Remax Grande, Grand Blanc, Karen Church of Elga Credit Union, and Margie Shard, CFP, of Shard Financial Services, Inc. The organization’s most recent event was held on September 9, 2014, where the winning cause was Team Easton Gives Back. As Kristy Cantleberry says of the effort, “I am proud to be a part of this group of women who are making a difference for local charities in our area.” And she is most likely voicing the sentiments of the other members -- as well as the feelings of the very fortunate recipients -- past, present, and future -- who have been, are, or will be blessed enough to find themselves on the receiving end of a generous contribution from the dynamic 100 Women Igniting Change.

ON APRIL 23, 2013 THE FOUR GROUPS CHOSEN TO BE PRESENTED WERE ANIMAL RESCUE/ADOPTION, DIABETES

So just how do these dedicated women go about servicing so many causes so effectively? How are the recipients of their philanthropy identified, and how are funds raised and distributed both quickly and efficiently as their newsletter stresses? Specifically, the women of the league decided early on that they would create events to highlight each one’s “pet” cause at their meetings where those whose choices were drawn from cards in a box would “present” a case for that charity. Of four possible recipients presented, one winner would again be drawn, and that winner could receive up to $10,000 as a reward.

FOUNDATION, SUCCEED TO READ, AND WHALEY

Members of the group have a number of qualifying rules as well as a specific agenda by which they must abide. It is relatively simple, clear and straightforward for any interested person to understand. First, a member must commit to writing a $100 check at each gathering to provide the funds for the winning charity. There is also a $15 cover charge for each event to defray the cost of appetizers and the room at Lucky’s in Fenton where meetings are held – with a cash bar available. During registration

MOTHER’S ANGEL. LEFT BEHIND, FORWARD 4 WEST,

CHILDREN’S CENTER WHICH WAS THE ULTIMATE WINNER, RECEIVING $6,000 TO RE-MODEL CHILDREN’S BEDROOMS. ON FEBRUARY 4, 2014 THE FOUR GROUPS CHOSEN INCLUDED FOR A SENIOR FOOD BOX PROGRAM, AND CAMP KESEM, FOR CHILDREN OF PARENTS SUFFERING WITH CANCER, THE WINNER AND RECEIVING $5,000.

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These Dividends Go Into People’s Lives BY MICHAEL G. THODOROFF

hile our local economy is working at rebounding from the national downturn a few years ago, there is one local, stalwart corporation that has, since its inception in 1932, continually contributed to the well-being of not only its community but its people as well. In 2013 alone, it operated 17 retail stores serving 10 Mid-Michigan counties; recycled more than 8.9 million pounds of material, including 1.3 million pounds of electronic equipment; paid over $9.3 million in wages and benefits to more than 800 Mid-Michigan residents, and provided services for almost 3800 people. While its business demographics point directly to savvy women shoppers, the establishment is oft misconstrued as only a thrift store. We are talking about our own Flint-headquartered Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan which has been providing programs and services - at no cost – that teach marketable job skills to individuals who are 16 years of age or older and who have disabilities, special needs, or other barriers to employment. The organization is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and is a member of Goodwill Industries International, Inc. – the largest non-governmental employer of people with disabilities in the world – as well as a member of the United Way of Genesee County. Goodwill’s philosophy is that work plays a critical role in our lives and forms the cornerstone of a person’s relationship with others. The belief is that through the power and dignity of work, individuals are able to achieve both economic self-sufficiency and thus play a productive role in society. In October of 2006, and, coincidently, just as the economy was falling off, resulting in decreased donations, the Goodwill staff was proactive and designed creative ways to keep their business model viable into the future. They saw value in consulting with local retail businesses regarding recycling products from their “back rooms” that were filled with retail returns, overstocks and discontinued items. It was also during this process that they found great value in their involvement in various community Chambers of Commerce. Since all of their store’s managers are really the face of Goodwill and are always out in the public, they currently attend Chamber meetings, along with arranging events such as fundraiser drives, parades, and expos. They currently belong to 22 Chambers and stay very committed to them. There are so many programs and services offered by Goodwill which are too long and varied to list here. At one time, however, Goodwill’s primary revenue for many years was generated through industrial contracts with businesses such as General Motors and Delphi. But when those contracts were severely scaled down and eventually eliminated, Goodwill had to move forward and further “evolve.” Currently, the stores, a recycling program, and salvage operations fund their services. All of these contribute 22

to keeping people trained and employed. One of Goodwill’s foundation beliefs is that when someone is hired from one of their programs, that person will be the very best and most loyal employee because he or she has known what it’s like not to have a job and that there is much dignity and self- respect in a paycheck. Additionally, Goodwill saw the importance of a holistic approach to helping people seeking employment opportunities. Fundamentally, a person cannot be trained for a job if he or she is hungry, homeless or doesn’t have the proper clothes. To address this, Goodwill partners with other charities -- most recently with Catholic Charities of Flint, as well as a Community Connection program they use with other non-profits. Basically, a partnering agency will host a donation drive for Goodwill and receive Goodwill vouchers in exchange for their donations. The partnering agency will then determine the use of the voucher, redeemable at any Mid-Michigan Goodwill store. Goodwill’s specialized tactic to training is unique and effective because they don’t train in a classroom; this training is not structured and is very individualized. Each person in training has his or her own counselor on a one-on-one basis. This represents a very significant approach as they have noticed that people did not want to train for “typical” jobs. Goodwill also conducts training for budding entrepreneurs, such as creative authors or a sign and t-shirt company, for example. To foster this approach, Goodwill’s Micro Enterprise Development program is for anybody who has an interest, skill or ability that could be turned into income. For those customers who are pressed for time or simply enjoy the convenience of technology, Goodwill offers public access to the second largest online auction website. “Shopgoodwill.com” is a collaborative effort with Goodwill agencies all across the United States providing a variety of products available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And as another valuable service, Goodwill Optical operates out of their Flint Twp. Miller Rd. store providing quality eyecare products and exams by certified opticians. Keeping Goodwill’s dynamic organization finely tuned is the responsibility of their professional staff, all deeply committed to the mission of the agency. Their staff members have college degrees and extensive experience in their fields, along with specialized training and certifications. And they will always be “in-tune” with their service area as they are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors which continually provides feedback from the community on service needs and priorities. Thus, Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan is a valuable resource in this community, due, in part, to the fact that it is one organization that does not put dividends into shareholders pockets but enthusiastically places dividends into people’s lives.

THE HUNDRED CLUB

// Philanthropy

The Hundred Club BY RAY SMITH

n 1950, the first Hundred Club was formed in Detroit as an organization to contribute money each year to the benefit of the families of public servants who had been killed or to those who had been disabled in the line of duty. The concept of the club spread all across the country and initiated the more than 100 active organizations that exist today.

In 1975, Flint formed its own chapter of the Hundred Club which today has now expanded to Genesee, Shiawassee and Lapeer Counties. It stands as an important charitable service to police officers and firefighters of these areas. The club currently has 300 members, led by President Jamie Hresko who joined the club in 2004 as a Vice President for General Motors. “We are a non-profit group that supports officers and their families,” says Hresko. The Hundred Club provides two main functions to public servants and their families. It provides donations for safety equipment to the service agencies, including bulletproof vests, hand radios, personal alert systems, first aid equipment and other important safety gear for preventative purposes, while it also provides families of the public servants with financial assistance after a tragedy. Recently, the club has donated almost one million dollars back to the community in safety equipment. “These are community people [who] care,” says Hresko. “They are great people [who] donate a lot of time and money to the community. When the Hundred Club of Flint was started in October 1975, George Elges, who was General Manager of Buick at the time, along with a dozen others formed it. Elges invited a small group of Flint businessmen to a lunch with Bill Packer Jr., the president of the Detroit Club, who explained to them what the organization was about. Three years later, the Flint club reached 200 members and became the 53rd one nationally to organize. The Hundred Club has annual dinner meetings where it honors and recognizes officers in the surrounding counties for their duties served in the public sector. “They have some really unbelievable stories,” says Hresko. “How they put their lives on the line, beyond the call of duty. It’s very satisfying working with the great people we have here.” When supporting a family of a public servant who has died in the line of duty, the Hundred Club makes it clear that the assistance is not a charitable hand-out, but instead, the repaying of a debt on behalf of the entire community to those who have given their lives while looking out for the municipality. Membership in the Hundred Club of Genesee, Shiawassee and Lapeer Counties is $150 annually for active and retired members of law enforcement, firefighters and EMS, and $300 for annual individual memberships. A lifetime membership is $2,500. Each of these paid memberships includes two dinner meetings per year. In addition to the donations made for safety equipment, the club has also contributed nearly $200,000 in assistance to surviving families. These forms of assistance have included help with mortgage payments until a family can get back on its feet and also college tuition assistance. The club also makes available vocational and career counseling, as well as professional psychiatric assistance for any member of the deceased’s family.

Philanthropy //

THE SALVATION ARMY

Faithfully Moving Forward In Changing Times

BY JON AUGENSTINE, MAJOR GENESEE COUNTY COORDINATOR

ary (not her real name) was distraught over the sudden and unexpected passing of her mother at age 54. It was just nineteen days before her mom’s insurance policy was to take effect, and this mother of three didn’t know how she could come up with the money to help pay over $2,500 to bury her mom. As she worked to scrape the money together she received another blow -- a shutoff notice for her utilities. What was she to do? Where was she to turn? And Alex (not his real name) had just one more mortgage payment and he would be the proud owner of his own home. But three months earlier, his sewer had backed up, and he had to pay to have it repaired. Then, his plumbing also needed repair, and he had to borrow money to fix it. Finally, his water heater stopped working. With his money depleted, Alex now had a choice: either pay his electric bill and replace his water heater or make his final mortgage payment. What was he to do? These are just two examples of real-life situation facing folks in Flint each day. Desperate for help, both of these individuals found their way to The Salvation Army of Genesee County. For Alex we were able to partner with other agencies to pay his electric bill so he could replace the water heater and make his final mortgage payment. He was so appreciative of the help that he was almost in tears. Now he would get out from the hole in which he found himself and own his home for the next month. In addition, after carefully verifying the facts in Mary’s case, we were able to help her pay her utility bill and move on in life. This is what “Doing the Most Good” means; it means meeting people’s basic needs so they can have the opportunity for a better life. HISTORY The Salvation Army has been committed to emergency assistance for basic needs and programs for children and families in Genesee County since July 26, 1893. The organization got its start in London, England, in the mid 1800’s as the Industrial Revolution was sweeping Europe, and people flooded the cities looking for the promise of work -- but often what they found, instead, was addiction, poverty, and suffering. In the midst of this social upheaval, The Salvation Army’s founder, William Booth, a Methodist minister, was drawn to the plight of those forgotten on the streets. His concern was for their physical plight and their spiritual health. But the church of his day had a problem with his methodology. He brought unkempt street people, and drunkards and prostitutes who had responded to his message into the church, but they weren’t accepted. Finally, Booth was forced to choose between the poor on the streets and the established church of the day. But there really was no choice; he opted to minister to the poor, and thus, The Salvation Army was born on July 5, 1865.

William Booth, founder 1865 WHO WE ARE The Salvation Army has continued that ministry around the world for almost 150 years. An international organization, it currently operates in 126 countries in 175 languages with the mission of “preaching the gospel [and] meeting human needs… without discrimination.” In fact, The Salvation Army is the second largest charity in the US, right behind the United Way. Last year the Army served over 30 million in the United States as one of the largest non-governmental providers of social services in the world, having more than one million members worldwide. From the Army’s inception, men and women have served as equals in the organization. Both men and women leaders, called officers, are ordained clergy and share in all aspects of Army ministry, including preaching and leadership at the highest levels. In fact, the just-retired international leader of the Army was a woman, General Linda Bond. But The Salvation Army is more than an average religious organization because its members believe they are to put their faith into action in practical ways by helping people, regardless of who they are or what they may have done. In this sense, they model their ministry after the example of Jesus in that they help everyone, whether they agree with their beliefs and practices or not. WORK The Salvation Army adapts to meet the unique needs of the communities in which they operate. Currently, the Army serves Flint and Genesee County from three locations: The Flint Citadel Corps Community Center and County Administration Center located at 211 West Kearsley in downtown Flint, The Beecher Corps Community Center at 1475 W. Coldwater Road, and the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) located at 2200 N. Dort Highway

THE SALVATION ARMY

// Philanthropy

-- as well as through their network of Family Thrift Stores throughout mid-Michigan. Three of those stores operate in Genesee County. Their combined investment in Genesee County is around $10 million a year with the Adult Rehabilitation Center program and its chain of Thrift Stores scattered about mid-Michigan having a budget of about $7 million. The ARC, a 120 bed residential treatment program helped 320 men last year as they worked through issues associated with substance abuse. The center provides spiritual, social and emotional assistance for men who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and take care of themselves and their families, due to substance abuse, through a program that includes work therapy. Last year the ARC provided over 100,000 meals and 26,000 days of care to the men who entered the program. The center also operates eight Thrift Stores in midMichigan that entirely fund the program while providing low cost clothing and household items to folks in need, and employing well over 200 people in the process.

CURRENT PROGRAMS In addition to these programs, the Army also operates two corps community centers; one in downtown Flint called the Flint Citadel Corps, and one on Coldwater Road called the Beecher Corps. Both sites, besides holding Sunday worship services, offer after-school programs, summer day-camps, characterbuilding programs for youth, as well as music and gym programs that provide for the physical and recreational needs of folks. The Beecher Corps also operates a free weekly supplemental food distribution, while the Citadel Corps runs a summer feeding and recreation program at Memorial park in downtown Flint. And the Army further operates an emergency services canteen. The EDS (Emergency Disaster Services) canteen is a mobile feeding site that can be called out at any hour of the day or night to hand out free food and drink and other supplies to firemen, the police, and those impacted by a disaster. During times of natural or man-made calamities, The Salvation Army is often one of the first on the scene providing assistance and is often the last to leave a site.

The organization also provides emergency social services. Last year alone they helped almost 500 families avoid eviction from their homes and enabled almost 1,200 families keep their utilities on. And the Army was the first in Genesee County with a program to help folks with their water bills, a program which grew into a partnership between The Salvation Army, the United Way, Catholic Charities, and the City of Flint. In addition, due to their red kettles, the Army is perhaps most visible at Christmastime. Last Christmas just under 4,000 individuals were given enough food for a Christmas dinner, while through the Toy Shop over 9,000 items were distributed, including 3,700 toys and over 5,000 pieces of clothing. Furthermore, this last winter the Army distributed almost 2,000 warm coats for kids and gave out over 9,000 school supplies to children in need. CURRENT NEEDS AND FUTURE PLANS Not content to rest on its laurels, The Salvation Army of Flint and Genesee County will complete a community needs assessment this fall to help them target their services 25

Philanthropy //

THE SALVATION ARMY

where that help will make the most difference. This will be followed by a strategic planning process to provide a road map that will help the organization focus on “doing the most good” with the resources entrusted to them. Meeting emergency needs is a necessary service, but The Salvation Army also realizes that this goal often fails to address the root causes of people’s problems. As a result, The Salvation Army has developed a program called the Pathway of Hope (POH). This is an approach to casework that helps families in need find a way out of the cycle of poverty rather than just putting bandages on the symptoms these people exhibit. It is designed to help motivated families break the cycle of poverty, especially focusing on eliminating the generational kind. The Pathway of Hope is a strengths-based case management approach that focuses on solving the root cause of a family’s problems. This approach looks at possibilities rather than just dwelling on problems and works to identify and develop strengths to help each family reach their goals and dreams. In fact, the Pathway of Hope isn’t really a program so much as it is an approach to casework that builds a team to help participating families by assessing their strengths and developing a plan to move them to sufficiency. That team is comprised of the clients, the caseworker, other members of Salvation Army’s programs, and a multitude of community resources.

As an example, Gladys is representative. She is a single mother of two -- a teenage daughter and a newborn. She came to the Army needing help with overdue bills, but it soon became apparent that she wanted more; she wanted to find a way out of poverty for herself and her children. After completing a series of assessments, she entered the Pathway of Hope (POH). A plan was developed that included accountability and follow up. Through the POH, Gladys found new work enabling her to move from her apartment where she never felt safe. The father of her children also found work at the same place as she, increasing the family income six-fold. She still has a long way to go and many challenges to face, but Gladys and her family are on the pathway to a better life. Each day people who have hit bottom walk through Salvation Army doors. They have been beaten up by life, and often they have made poor decisions that have had very real consequences for them and their kids. In short, they have lost hope and have stopped believing that they can live a better life. The Salvation Army offers a place where hope can be restored and needs can be met. To do this work of helping families in desperate need and in transforming lives, the Army depends on the generosity of the people of Genesee County. That generosity comes in the form of people supporting the work of the Army financially through donations and by volunteering, especially during their annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. The passion of the Army is expressed in serving -- serving man and serving God. In his last public address, The Salvation Army’s founder, William Booth, shared his passion for those in need with these words….

while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!”

“While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight;

For over 121 years, The Salvation Army of Genesee County continues the legacy by "DOING THE MOST GOOD" one day at time. "...there is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need." -Evangeline Booth.

THE SALVATION ARMY

// Philanthropy

JOY MARTINBIANCO, CBSP // Development Director

// SERVE While many of our volunteer opportunities take place during the Christmas Season, others are available throughout the year. Our Emergency Disaster Services assist emergency responders as needed. Tutoring opportunities are also available year round. Community members can also support the work of The Salvation Army by joining The Salvation Army of Greater Flint's Women's Auxiliary, or by organizing a drive for food, coats, toys, personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies for distribution through the Toy Shop and Social Services Department. Please call our office at 810-232-2196 to request collection boxes. To view available volunteer opportunities or to register to volunteer with the Genesee County Salvation Army, please call Lydia Sanchez-Roat at 810.600.4497 for additional information or visit our website www. salarmygenesee.orgto make a donation or volunteer online.

Community Service through my volunteering and business partnerships has been a focus for 17 years in Flint and Genesee County. I am truly blessed to serve as Development Director for The Salvation Army of Genesee County. Our programs and services fill multiple needs of our neighbors. I look forward to sharing the mission and opportunities to partner with others. Joy Martinbianco, CBSP, Development Director Office: 810.232.1684. Joy_Martinbianco@usc.salvationarmy.org "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

// DONATE Several opportunities exist for Genesee County residents to donate new items for distribution to children and families in need in our community, including: • Stuff the Bus with School Stuff during the summer •

Coats for Kids during the fall and winter (gently used coats are more than welcome)

•

Christmas Toy Shop during the Holiday Season where we provide toys and clothing for children 14 Years old and younger

Groups and individuals may also organize drives for food, personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies for distribution through our Social Services Department at any time of the year. Please call our office at 810.600.4497 to request collection boxes. If you would like to donate used items such as clothing, toys, kitchen utensils, electronics, books, household furniture, or other household objects, call 1-800-SA-TRUCK to schedule an appointment or visit one of our Thrift Stores.

LYDIA SANCHEZ-ROAT // Volunteer/Event Coordinator Passion is contagious! Daily, I am inspired by the example I see in Genesee County, which just reinforces what I believe and know...that together we can make a difference. I am extremely excited and look forward to becoming part of the community and working together toward our community’s greatest success where “Change will go in and change will go out, and need will know no season.” Lydia Sanchez-Roat Volunteer/Event Coordinator Office: 810.600.4497. Lydia_Sanchez-Roat@usc.salvationarmy.org 27

Philanthropy //

AAF-GREATER FLINT

American Advertising Federation-Greater Flint A Mission of Social Interaction in a World of Social Media BY ILSE HAYES

he definition is clear and precise: “net-work-ing (noun) the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business” – and this expresses what American Advertising Federation of Greater Flint is all about.

There was a time when networking was one of the main ways people stayed connected to what was happening in their communities and industries. They connected, shared ideas, and rejuvenated their creative juices…all over coffee or drinks and appetizers. But in a world where social media seems to dominate communication, the American Advertising Federation-Greater Flint -- or AAF-GF -- although having changed with the modern times, remains unchanged when it comes to their role in the advertising industry . The ad club that began in 1976 as the Flint Area Advertising Federation (FAAF) is still determined, as their mission statement states, “To promote professional interaction and growth, integrity, and creativity, while supporting a vital advertising and marketing community in/around Genesee County, Michigan.” I had the pleasure of sitting down with AAF-GF President, Christine Kerns, as well as Lt. Governor of District ‘B’ and Past President, Dave Perry, for this article. Over coffee I carefully listened as they spoke passionately about the organization they feel has the potential to bring so much to its members. “I really enjoy the people in the organization. Everyone is so passionate [and that], makes it fun. I take joy seeing events that benefit them and the community,” says Kerns.

MEMBERSHIP

››

She is serving her second term as president and has been involved with AAF-GF for almost ten years, first as a member and then as a board member. After working as a marketing director for the Sloan Museum, she started her agency, Kerning, two years ago. One of her goals since becoming AAF-GF President has been to increase membership by holding fresh and meaningful events. One of those, a“Beer BQ,” did just that over the summer. It was a way to thank current AAF-GF members and invite new ones to join. Members enjoyed good food, great drinks, and more importantly, reconnected. With thirty-five current business organizations involved with AAF-GF, including Hurley, McLcaren and others, Kerns is hoping word will spread that one of the oldest running ad groups in Genesee County will continue to grow.

AAF-GF ANNUAL LEVELS: • $30 Students

In a world where it’s easy to get lost solely on Internet communication, AAF-GF seeks to find a place where it’s members are in touch with the latest advertising techniques but still nurture the one resource that never goes out of style: relationships. “The thing that really bothers me is to see these young, talented people graduate [and] then leave the area, so we really try to create relationships with colleges and universities,” says Perry who was past president of the local level and now represents three states, including Michigan, as the Lt. Governor of District ‘B’ with AAF.

• $75 Individual

Kerns and Perry both beam with pride when they talk about one of their youngest board members, Marcus Papin, who became a member while still attending U of M Flint. “To [us] it’s all about being able to see relationships grow [through] meeting great contacts and people,” they tell me.

• Her tz

• $250 Corporate (includes 3 people) SOME AAF-GF MEMBER DISCOUNTS : • Fed Ex • Ad Week

WHY JOIN AAF-GF:

WHO SHOULD JOIN

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Connects ever yone involved in adver tising.

•

Marketing Managers

•

Educates members on latest trends in technology, creativity and marketing.

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Event Planners

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Adver tising Industrie

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Recognizes creative excellence in adver tising through ADDY Awards and other accolades.

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Graphic Designers

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Digital Media Companies

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Sales Industries

Advocating Awareness While Looking for a Cure BY TARA MORENO

ype 1 Juvenile Diabetes (T1D) affects roughly three million people in the United States. One family in Grand Blanc became part of that statistic in 2007. When Melissa Jablonski found out her then 4 year-old daughter, Alli, had this life-threatening disease, she decided to take an active role and advocate for awareness and a cure. Living with the disease is a daily struggle for Alli and her family. “Not a lot of people understand Type 1 Diabetes,” says Melissa Jablonski. “It’s not an easy disease. It doesn’t ever go on vacation.” T1D, which is an autoimmune disease that develops in childhood, is one that can be controlled with management. Alli, who is now 10 years old, tests her blood sugar about ten times a day. She starts 5th grade this year, and in order to be more self-sufficient, Alli and her mom will be able to manage Alli’s sugar levels and insulin without the help of a school nurse by using a cell phone to communicate. Alli says she has missed classtime in the past because of her diabetes and is hopeful this coming school year will be easier. “I check my blood all the time, and it gets annoying. Diabetes is manageable though,” she says, confidently. “I feel really good, but my goal is to get a cure.” Despite the management woes of the disease, Alli does not let it get her down. She currently swims for the Flint Falcons and travels across the state of Michigan, advocating awareness. Alli’s parents have also taken an active role in the fight against T1D. Alli’s dad, Curtis Jablonski, who serves on the Grand Blanc School Board, implemented a model five years ago for a health plan for students with special needs, such as diabetes. “Today in GB Schools, they have a specific plan made to ensure that a diabetic is provided the care and supervision [he or she] needs while in school,” says Melissa Jablonski. Since Alli’s diagnosis, she and her family have raised thousands of dollars for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF. Alli is busy acting as youth ambassador for JDRF and annually participates in the JDRF walk in East Lansing, Michigan. This past summer, the Jablonskis started an annual barbeque fundraiser at Grand Blanc’s Brick Street Bar and Grill. This fall she was nominated for the JDRF 2015 Children's Congress program with JDRF. “Hopefully she will be selected to go to Washington, DC next June and share her story as a lifelong diabetic with our members of congress and help…to preserve the laws… that [are] needed for a cure,” says Melissa Jablonski. Alli will also act as the face of T1D for fundraising in the month of September for Marshalls Department Store. Jablonski says, “If we can put a face to the disease so that when people are [asked] to make donation, they would see what it would mean to our family to find a cure.”

And a cure could be in Alli’s future. Recently, JDRF’s partner ViaCyte announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving forward with a clinical trial of its innovative T1D encapsulated cell replacement therapy called VC-01™. According to a press release, the company plans to immediately initiate the first ever clinical evaluation of a stem cell-derived islet replacement therapy for the treatment of people with T1D. “We are hopeful that beta cell encapsulation therapy could one day virtually eliminate the daily management burden for those living with T1D,” says Derek Rapp, JDRF president and CEO. Until there is a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, Alli and her family will continue to juggle this lifealtering disease and fight for awareness and a cure. Melissa Jablonski said she is confident Alli will see a cure in her lifetime. For more information or to donate, visit the Genesee County JDRF chapter at www2.jdrf. org or visit Alli’s website at http://alliscats.com/.

Philanthropy //

ORGAN DONATION

Show Us Your Heart! BY MICHAEL G. THODOROFF

t is a startling fact: More than 3,000 people in Michigan are waiting for life-saving organ transplants while approximately 18 people die every day without that lifesaving donor. However, it is also an interesting fact that a single donor can save up to eight lives through organ transplants, along with improving the lives of up to 50 more through tissue and corneal gifts.

•

MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE IN MICHIGAN ARE WAITING FOR LIFE-SAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANTS.

On a muggy summer night in Flushing this past July, Genesee County Clerk/Register of Deeds, John Gleason hosted an enjoyable event to heighten the awareness of the need for organ donations. Riverview Park’s band shell provided the setting for the popular “Blue Hawaiians,” a local band promoting the organ donation cause through their music and the ambiance they create. People in attendance were not only entertained but were made aware of an organ donor’s value to life itself. John Gleason knows this firsthand, as in 2001, he received a lifesaving donation from his sister Rita. “Rita donated one of her kidneys to me,” he says with glowing enthusiasm. “And even 13 years later, I feel stronger than ever that I must help others get their “GIFT!”

•

APPROXIMATELY 18 PEOPLE DIE EVERY DAY WITHOUT THAT LIFESAVING DONOR.

•

A SINGLE DONOR CAN SAVE UP TO EIGHT LIVES THROUGH ORGAN TRANSPLANTS, ALONG WITH IMPROVING THE LIVES OF UP TO 50 MORE THROUGH TISSUE AND CORNEAL GIFTS.

•

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE GIFT OF LIFE LICENSE PLATES OR MICHIGAN ORGAN DONOR REGISTRY, VISIT: WWW.MICHIGAN.GOV/SOS.

Gleason’s message this year has been to inform and promote the purchase of Michigan’s newest “Donate Life” license plate which encourages organ donation efforts. The plate carries the Donate Life logo and the message: "Be an Organ, Eye & Tissue Donor." A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the plates will go to the Thomas Daley Gift of Life Fund which promotes organ, tissue and eye donations. The plate itself was formally christened by the Michigan Legislature as the John J. Gleason Gift of Life Plate in honor of John, who sponsored the legislation creating the plate when serving as a state representative. Gleason expounds that another way to support this cause is to sign up with the Michigan Organ Donor Registry when renewing or replacing a driver’s license. This is a database of residents who wish to be organ and tissue donors -- one that is maintained by the Department of State. The registry is confidential and can only be accessed by Gift of Life Michigan to assist hospitals in the recovery and transplantation of organs and tissue. Also known as the “Show Us Your Heart” campaign, a heart sticker is placed on the driver’s license of one who intends to inform medical personnel and emergency responders of a wish to be a donor. Additionally, Gleason’s Bill now requires the teaching of organ donation in drivers’ education classes for Michigan students. 30

Be Seen Angie Oberman, Donna Sarhan, Jim Harrow

// 47TH ANNUAL FLINT ART FAIR The U of M vs MSU Committee

Maryam Muhammad & Tahera Rasool

Lynne Hurand, Karin Warren, Kathy Boles, Janice Harden

47th Annual Flint Art Fair June 21 & 22â&#x20AC;&#x201D;The Flint Art Fair, an Virginia Voight, Emily & Julie Hawes

Good Family & Justine Lanphear

annual fine arts festival held on the grounds of the Flint Institute of Arts (FIA), is located within the historic

Linda Griffin & Betty Campbell

Angie Snider & Julie Pillow-Treatout

cultural center of Flint, Michigan. The Fair is put on entirely by volunteers and coordinated by the Friends of Modern Art (FOMA) with funds raised going towards funding of exhibitions, programs and art acquisition at the FIA. The Flint Art Fair is a juried event with artists participating locally, regionally and from around the country. www.flintartfair.org Scott & Kristin Ball, Antonio Caballero, Erika Ball

Mike Wright & Amy Burtrum

Katherine Davis, Cameron & Dequandra Lewis

YWCA Staff Linda Grimshaw & Susan DeGalan

Paxton Family 31

Be Seen Phil Davis, Barb Olivo, Esther Valdez

// BUCKHAM ALLEY FESTIVAL

The U of M vs MSU Committee

Buckham Alley Festival Committee

Buckham Alley Festival

Jones Family

July 12â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Buckham Alley Fest was a festive night of music and entertainment in downtown Flint. Developed as an Kenya Vinson, Sandra Becoats, Herbert Barbee Jr., Lewis Becoats

open and free event intended to bring

Vicki Welch, Chris Snyder, Alicia Donnelly

attention to Buckham Alley along with the surrounding downtown area, the event featured ten musical performances

Wendy July, Guthrie Family & Jessica July Demris Cornell, Seth Addison, Chelsea Rose, Dylan Grady

throughout the night. Buckham Alley Fest attracted thousands of people with its mix of live music, craft and artisan vendors, and street performers while showcasing local dining options. www.buckhamalleyfest.com

Dan Webster, Holly Hiltz, Robb Anthony Raul Vizcarra, Ida Torres-Haeger, Jessica Walton, Tami & Dakota Balance

Tracey Whelpy, Amy Kelsey 32

YWCA Staff Timothy Goodrich & Cinthia Montague

Jake Grimes, Cassie Swartwood, Andrew Gauthier, Jennifer Christenson

DISTRIBUTED LOCALLY BY:

Be Seen

// THE 22ND ANNUAL CHARITY CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT & PARTY Michelle Buzo, Michelle Reed

The U of M vs MSU Committee

Terry & Linda Blake

Fred & Chris Bergman, Chris Gleason

The 22nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament & Party July 14 & 19 Genesys Health Foundation Vanessa Derwin, Meredith Timm

Betsy Aderhold, Jeff & Sue Tippett

hosted a special event to raise money for

Dave & Laurie Prochazka, Jan & Steve Bingham

the local community. Funds raised through

Mandy & Rob Flagg

this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event will benefit the Genesys Health Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three-year, $300,000 campaign to fund robotic surgery technology for the state-of-the-art Surgery Services at Genesys Regional Medical Center. Since its beginning in 1993, the Genesys Charity Classic has raised more than $2 million to help the uninsured and underinsured in our community, as well as to provide more than Al Seveers, Tracy Sartor Jean Sartor, Karen Johnson, Dr. Meggan Robinson

Dan & Linda Beck 34

$300,000 in scholarships. www.genesys.org

YWCA Staff Kelli Stillwell, Kenn Kurowski, Cheryle Reid, Helena Kurowski

Tina Pelc, Pavlette Adams

Michelle & Greg Leach

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Music present

Nutcracker

Nutcracker and

Flint Institute of Music present

Karen Mills Jennings, Artistic Director

Flint Symphony Orchestra

David Mairs, Guest Conductor and Flint Institute of Music Sponsored by



Nutcracker

iemecke, Conductor Enrique D

Sponsored by

The Whiting Foundation

December 5 – 21 Tickets $12- $18

Best suited for ages 6 and up

Saturday, December 20 ▪ 7pm Flint Institute of Music Media sponsors Michigan Radio and



By CARLO COLLODI Adapted by GREG BANKS Directed by JEREMY WINCHESTER

MLive Media Group/ The Flint Journal With support from

Ruth Mott Foundation

Signature Series is sponsored by

810.237.1530 FlintYouthTheatre.org

Hosted by ABC12’s Angie Hendershot and Matt Franklin

810.237.7333 or 888.8CENTER

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Sunday, December 21 ▪ 3pm The Whiting ▪ Tickets $8 - $32 Children Under 18: Tickets 1/2 Price

With support from Ruth Mott Foundation In collaboration with The Whiting

810.237.7333 or 888.8CENTER

FlintInstituteofMusic.org

Be Seen

// UP WOMEN CIRCLE OF GENESEE COUNTY

DeLores Pressley - Founder Up Women Dian Panter, Christi Pentecost, Jill Stodola, Walethia Aquil Up Women Group

Up Women Circle August 2â&#x20AC;&#x201D;UP Woman Circle of Genesee County hosted Taking Linda M.J. Reese, DeLores Pressley

Business to the Next Level: Intensive Growth Strategies. This value-packed conference is designed to provide women business owners, career professionals, service providers or anyone with a desire to start a business with commercial growth strategies. Participants had the opportunity to network, strategize and collaborate with influential and successful women in business. www.theupwoman.com Lethia Owens

Lula R. Woodard, Sheila Chapman 36

YWCA Staff Kortney Moten, Monta L. Ware

Up Women Packet

VOTE Nov. 4th

MATT

TELLIGA For County Commissioner Republican

Leaders at Heart

For every person, there’s a heart. And for every heart, there’s McLaren Flint—featuring the area’s most comprehensive cardiovascular program and most experienced clinical team. We treat more hearts than anyone in the region. Using the most advanced technology available, our physicians perform a complete range of cardiovascular procedures, including highly complex surgical techniques offered nowhere else in our area. We’ve also earned impressive designations as a Stroke Center of Excellence and a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Blue Distinction Center+ for Cardiac Care. When you want the best—world-class technology, innovative diagnostic and treatment procedures, and care from experienced cardiovascular experts—trust the leaders at heart. Trust McLaren Flint. To learn more, visit mclaren.org/flint.

mclaren.org/flint

Be Seen Erik Perkins, Lisa Corner

// "OPERATION GOLF WAR"

The U of M vs MSU Committee

Landon Corrion, Steve Racine

Grand Blanc Chamber Annual "Operation Golf War" Outing Kirk Heath, Dave Neubaueh

August 8—The Grand Blanc Chamber of

Dan & Donna Gruszka

Commerce hosted its annual golf outing,

Clay Askin, Tim Koinis, Mark Kilmer Shirley Base, Kelly Wagner, Ray McKee

“Operation Golf War”. Funds support our troops by using a portion of the proceeds for the “Soldiers and Family Support Program”

Doug Thomas, David Newbill

for food, clothing, heat, replacing broken appliances, etc. for local soldiers in the HHC 1-125 National Guard. www.grandblancchamber.com

Jill Askin, Judy Webber, Diane Ragnone

Brenden Breil, Kirk Sherman Tom Bryson, Jim King, Larry Ford, John Carpenter

Mark Novak 40

YWCA Staff Ryan Burge, John Mitchell

Mike Crawford, Lue Grady, Julie Gotberg, Eric Duford

Be Seen 1.

// HURLEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL 5TH ANNUAL MIRACLE DINNER

Richard Warmbold, Kristy Cantleberry, Katerin, Isabelle & Ava

The U of M vs MSU Committee

Schaffer Family

Myers Family Butts Family

Riggle Family

5th Annual Miracle Dinner to Benefit Hurley's Children's Hospital

Massey Family

July 29 — The Hurley Foundation celebrated the 5th Annual Miracle Dinner at the Holiday Inn Gateway

Patrick & Lennox Naswell, Kerece Domerese

Centre. This year, the event featured a Summer Picnic with all kinds of family-friendly fun—like face painting, a magician, and carnival games! All proceeds go to the Child Life Program at Hurley Children’s Hospital. Certified Child Life Specialists help reduce anxiety and stress that children experience in hospital and healthcare settings. Dalton Family

www.hurleyfoundation.org Keepes Family

Raymond & Gwen Reyes, Ray & Lillian Gregory

YWCA Staff Annie & John Warmbold

Melany & Maria Gavulic 41

Be Seen Tom Kelly, Legendary Jack Doc Watson

// GRAFF 100TH CELEBRATION EVENT The U of M vs MSU Committee

Bonnie & Hank Graff

Chris & Jennifer Graff, Peggy & David Borchelt Phil & Rosemarie Sullen, Bonnie & Jeff Switzer, Bill Thomas

Graff 100th Celebration On August 13, Hank and Chris Graff hosted nearly 1000 of their closest friends, including Ben Hoover, Amanda Snider

many members from their family tree, for their official 100th anniversary commemoration

Ben & Donna Simms, Barb & Phil Goldman

of their Chevrolet dealership, coincidently founded only a few blocks away. Dignitaries from the State of Michigan, General Motors’

Tom James, Nancy Denne, Kate James, Pam & Jim Trembley

Chevrolet Division and local business leaders, along with a legendary performance specialty car builder from the 1960’s Muscle Car era, all presented the Graffs with milestone keepsakes in honor of the occasion. Chris was sincere and eloquent throughout the evening’s program while saluting his father’s dedication and hard work because it has always served as the cornerstone of the business. And the entire Greater Flint Area thanks the Graff's for Amanda, Troy & Lauren Herndon

being such community stalwarts for so many years. www.graffchevrolet.com Tami Thomas, Kathleen Smith, Paula Stefanko

Marty & Karla Madden 42

YWCA Staff AJ & Demika Johnson, Ken Ramba

Dan & Julia Walden, Mark Vistotsky, Branden Cohen

Be Seen

// HOT RODS & HOT DOGS

Bill White, Ghassan Saab, Joanne & Bob Fuller, Stephen Kidd Joy Martinbianco, Gerry Myers, Steve & Rosanne Heddy Fifth Third Bank Staff

Hot Rods & Hot Dogs

Andy Leavitt, Dan Kildee, Marc Lund Mary Boyce, Linda Moxam, Joanne Herman, Richard Shaink, Sue Borrego, Betsy Aderholdt

August 14â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce invited Chamber members to a members-only cookout featuring outdoor grilled food catered by Blackstoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub and Grill, along with beer and wine, served on the lawn of the Wade Trim Building with great music provided by the entertaining Groove Party Band.

Angelo Reyes, Amanda Garza, Sam & Ray Reyes

www.flintandgenesee.org

Ellen Brothers, Delia Cappel, Heather Nassar, Jonathan Schlinker, Julie Cauley Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Staff

Juan & Heidi Zuniga, Leslie Voiles, Jeff & Margaret Kato, Jennifer Heatwole

YWCA Staff Jet & Mark Kilmer

Carol VanBuren, Lennetta & Craig Con Anthony & Rev. Desiree Laws

Chris & Kara Ebbott, Jenni Merlot 43

Education //

MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MCC’s New President, Beverly Walker-Griffea, Steps Forward BY PAUL ROZYCKI

s Mott Community College’s new president Beverly WalkerGriffea takes the helm at the college, she has some big shoes to fill. Mott’s first female and first African-American president replaces M. Richard “Dick” Shaink, who retired earlier this year after serving 14 years as the college’s president, the longest tenure of any of Mott’s CEO’s. After a nation-wide search, Walker-Griffea was the unanimous choice of the Mott Community College Board of Trustees. She joins Genesee County’s two other newly installed college presidents—Wendy “Wen” Hemingway of Baker College and Susan Borrego, Chancellor of the U of M Flint -- Kettering’s president, Robert McMahan, took over the helm of the engineering school only a few years ago as well, in 2011. In her application for the Mott presidency, Walker-Griffea described her personal style. She says, “I work hard and laugh often. I admit mistakes and apologize. I listen and respond. I value and respect my colleagues, and I have a deep passion for students and community colleges.” Dr. Walker-Griffea’s background is geared towards helping students succeed. She has served as senior vice-president for Student Services at Montgomery College in Maryland. Prior to that she was vicepresident of Student Affairs at Thomas Nelson Community college in Hampton, Virginia, and served as Dean of Student Development at Houston Community College in Texas. The president of Montgomery College describes her as “A true visionary…[who] has been a creative and dynamic force in leading us [through] … important changes and initiatives that all serve to support our mission and vision.” Walker-Griffea defines her approach to education with a quote from the Library of Congress. She says, "A favorite Diogenes quote that appears on the wall of our Library of Congress reads, 'The foundation of every state is the education of our youth.’ I believe that quote stands for today. One thing I would like to achieve is to increase college access and student success opportunities for more members of our community in an effort to sustain our economic viability.” She believes that her years in administration, academic counseling and teaching have prepared her well for the challenges at Mott. Also one who has studied world leaders, she feels ready for her new leadership opportunity. She says “I hope I have the ability to listen carefully and understand clearly, which would allow me to make the right decision when called for.”

“I work hard and laugh often. I admit mistakes and apologize. I listen and respond. I value and respect my colleagues, and I have a deep passion for students and community colleges.”

When she speaks of the challenges she expects to face at Mott, Walker-Griffea says her main goal is to keep the college accessible and affordable, while maintaining the high quality of education. To do that her major goal is to keep the college’s fiscal house strong, as the community faces declining property values and reduced state aid. “We need to keep MCC’s fiscal house in order in a way that still allows access for the whole community,” she states. And Walker-Griffea brings experiences to Mott that go beyond national boundaries. While in the process of getting ready to move to Flint and begin her Mott presidency, she was completing a major research project in Ethiopia. She was part of a Sister City program at the University of Gondar there where she examined former Emperor Haile Selassie’s plans to modernize the educational, economic and social welfare systems of the nation. The program also provided for faculty and student exchanges with the university. In an earlier position, she also helped to create an exchange program with Osaka Colleges of High Technology in Osaka, 44

Japan. She says that, not only does she enjoy travelling, but she finds great rewards in studying the historical writings and leadership techniques of successful world leaders. As Flint continues the transition from a factory town to a college town, Walker-Griffea looks forward to working with the other college presidents. She’s had relatives who have lived in the Flint area and wants Mott Community College to be a part of the rebuilding of the area. She notes that, “Our community cannot afford to waste resources. Collaboration is essential to avoid unneeded duplication and to maximize the ability to provide the specific training and education this community needs. I anticipate meeting with my fellow college leaders on a regular basis to continue and expand our service partnership.” As she begins her presidency, she looks forward to joining the Genesee County community in enjoying the many cultural events at the college, championship basketball in the Ballenger Fieldhouse, and gourmet food at the Applewood Café.

The Time is Now. Mott Community College is the Smart Choice to Prepare for Your Career. Prepare for your future with one of Mott College’s over 90 career programs. Classes are conveniently located at any of our five sites: Flint, Fenton, Clio, Lapeer, and Howell.

Registration for classes start November 1.

Flint • Fenton • Clio • Lapeer • Howell

810-762-0200 • www.mcc.edu

Education //

BAKER COLLEGE

Baker College of Flint’s Center for Business Helping Businesses Succeed while Helping Students Learn

or more than 100 years, Baker College of Flint has been the place to get down to business. Founded in 1911 as Baker Business University, it has grown to provide quality education in a wide range of fields, enabling graduates across diverse disciplines to be successful throughout meaningful careers. However, its roots in business education remain strong.

help drive curriculum and as instructors who provide relevant instruction. Add to this small class sizes—averaging about 25 students—as well as numerous partnerships with companies looking for help on real business issues, and it’s easy to see why the business education programs are so vibrant.

The Flint campus recently opened the Center for Business, a multimillion-dollar renovation of an existing wing of the Undergraduate Studies Building. The Center houses the business administration department’s 10 bachelor’s and associate degree programs—with an enrollment of about 700 students—and is where classes partner with businesses for problem-solving collaboration. “The Center for Business is a place that offers the tools that encourage students to collaborate, solve problems and gain real-world business experience while earning their degrees,” says John Cote, Ph.D., dean of business administration at Baker College of Flint.

The Center’s design and technology are geared toward enabling active learning where students collaborate, solve problems and focus on evaluating data, not simply calculating it. Lightweight, mobile furniture can be quickly reconfigured to meet classroom needs -for example, shifting from large-group to small-group discussions. Technology, such as iPads available to every student and the multiple interactive whiteboards with video conferencing in all classrooms, provides new methods of interaction within the classroom as well as access to global resources.

The college works with a cross-section of professional practitioners as advisors who

•

Students in accounting courses who explored current industry issues with a representative from the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.

•

Economic students who learned about monetary policy from economists at the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

•

Executives involved in a recent bank acquisition who shared their insight with several classes.

Environment matters

Teleconferencing has brought wideranging industry expertise into Baker College classrooms. This includes:

All of this means that the Center for Business is delivering an environment that eschews classroom lectures in favor of students gaining the experience and confidence necessary for them to hit the ground running at their jobs. “The Center has provided benefits that have exceeded our vision,” Cote says. “With new technology comes new opportunity. There are some 200,000 Apple software applications for accounting, marketing and finance. Our students’ access to them has changed the way they learn and the way we teach.” One example is the FaceTime app. It allows

BAKER COLLEGE

// Education

students to use the iPads to connect quickly with the business executives at the assigned companies without using the classroom’s main video conferencing system. This means that several students in a classroom can work with—and simultaneously link with—multiple companies without interrupting classmates.

Helping businesses succeed Students working on real problems for real businesses has long been a staple of Baker College business education. In addition to a required externship as a senior, students start working on real projects in their second year. “Most core business courses are similar to internship experiences,” Cote says. “The projects provided by our partner companies result in win-win outcomes. They are ‘helping businesses succeed while helping students learn,’ a phrase that has been adopted as the Center’s motto.” More than 100 businesses have worked with the college just in the past six years. Cote provides three examples: •

•

The Coffee Beanery turned to students in an international business course for a marketing strategy when it wanted to enter the Tokyo market. Two nuns who founded the medical garment manufacturer St. Luke N.E.W. (North End Women's) Life Center, which provides employment for impoverished women caregivers, received help from students in accounting, marketing and web design courses that improved the company’s position in order to obtain outside funding. And, Koegel Meats asked for help developing a marketing plan.

“Businesses receive this assistance at no charge,” Cote states. “Students approach the projects without preconceived ideas or feasibility constraints, [as well as] with a new

set of eyes that often see something that those working in the trenches haven’t noticed.” Companies either contact the business department directly or are referred by one of several organizations involved in economic development in the state. Each request is matched to a course that creates optimal synergy. The professors and students devise a plan and professionally present the final analysis to company executives in the Baker College boardroom -- all of which extends well beyond traditional textbook learning. The Center for Business is also an asset to the community. Outside organizations are welcome to use the facility and technology for meetings, and free community education events are presented to better the economic lives of attendees.

OPPOSITE PAGE: The Center for Business boardroom. THIS PAGE TOP RIGHT: Teleconference with GM executive. BOTTOM LEFT: Exterior of Center for Business.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR BUSINESS: •

Opened Januar y 2014

•

Located: 1050 W. Bristol Road, Flint

•

Provides the hub for business administration bachelor’s and associate degree programs

•

Includes a 36-seat boardroom and multiple classrooms of var ying sizes, all equipped with state-of-the ar t technology.

•

Makes available meeting space is available to businesses and organizations.

•

Offers upcoming free community event:

•

6-8 p.m., Jan. 22—2015 Economic Forecast presented by Paul Traub, senior economist, and Mar tin Lavelle, business economist, the Federal Reser ve Bank of Chicago’s Detroit branch.

•

Provides information about the Center : cfb@baker.edu or 810.766.4334

•

Gives event information: Flint campus calendar at www.baker.edu

•

Provides admissions information: www.baker.edu or Jodi Cuneaz, 810.766.4000 or jodi.cuneaz@baker.

Bringing business to life “Our cooperative partnership model utilizing 21st century technology brings business to life,” Cote says. “Our students receive much more than textbooks or videos alone could ever provide. They’re connecting with professionals and policy makers at all levels.” This all proves once again, that Baker College of Flint means business.

edu

Medical //

MCLAREN

Hot Flash Havoc Comes to Flint

ight now, 70 million women are going through menopause, and 35 million are on the brink. One woman made a documentary about it. McLaren Flint is presenting a viewing party of the film HOT FLASH HAVOC to tackle this hot issue, on November 11 at the Bower Theater in Flint.

HOT FLASH HAVOC can be described as a crash-course in what you need to know about menopause. It is an entertaining, engaging, and enlightening film about menopause, perimenopause and hormone treatments and has the power to be a life-changing experience for every woman. The full-length film has been shortened into a series of clips for the November 11 event to allow for a 90-minute program, including physician discussion and audience questions. HOT FLASH HAVOC conveys poignant stories shared by real women and in-depth interviews with leading experts in the field. In addition to covering the history and physiology of menopause, this documentary also refutes the U.S. government-sanctioned Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study released in 2002, which claimed that the hormonal replacement therapy being used by millions of women to treat the symptoms of menopause could increase the risk of heart attacks and cancer.

MEET THE PANELISTS

I. Stanley Frye, MD Board Certified Gynecologist Internal Medicine Specialist

Marcy Klein, DO Internal Medicine Specialist

Joseph Metz, MD, a board certified obstetrician/gynecologist, supports the film’s message and will be one of three physician panelists featured at the Flint event. “When the WHI study was released, my patients came in to the office saying, ‘I don’t want to take estrogen that will give me cancer,” says Dr. Metz. “It was a flawed study that frightened many women.” HOT FLASH HAVOC provides compelling information about menopause that will empower women for the “Second Act” of their lives. “We hope to convey that there is no need for women to suffer,” emphasizes Dr. Metz. “It is an opportunity for women to be more informed about their aging body.” Since the physical and emotional changes that occur with menopause affect the health and happiness of women and their relationships, husbands are welcome to attend.

Joseph Metz, MD

The HOT FLASH HAVOC viewing party will begin with a wine and dessert reception, followed by a lively program, featuring selected clips from the documentary, discussion, and an opportunity for guests to ask the panel of physician specialists their 'burning’ questions.

Event Moderator and

Tickets are $7 (includes parking, wine and dessert reception as well as entry to win door prize). To register, visit www.mclaren.org/hotflash.

Board Certified Gynecologist

Stephanie K. Morning Show Host WWCK 105.5 FM

November 11, 2014 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Bower Theater | 1220 East Kearsley Street | Flint, MI Register at www.mclaren.org/hotflash For more information about Women’s Health Services at McLaren Flint and a listing of care providers, visit: mclaren.org/ flint/WomensServicesFlint.aspx 48

MCLAREN

// Medical

Minimally Invasive Heart Repair Now Possible at McLaren Flint BY SHERRY FARNEY

atients with life threatening holes in their hearts now have a minimally invasive treatment option available to them at McLaren Flint. This heart defect is present at birth and is referred to clinically as either a patent foramen oval (PFO) or atrial septal defect (ASD). When a baby is in the womb, there is normally an opening between the upper chambers of the heart to allow blood to flow around the lungs so that the mother can breathe for the baby. This opening usually closes around the time a baby is born. If the opening does not close normally, the defect is called a PFO or ASD, depending upon the physical appearance of the defect. There is an abnormal flow of blood between the upper two heart chambers, called a shunt, which places excessive stress on the heart. If there is significant abnormal flow in the heart, pressure can build up in the right chambers of the organ, causing it to enlarge and eventually leading to heart failure. In some cases, small blood clots can pass through the abnormal defect and cause a stroke. Small PFOs and ASDs often result in very few problems, if any, and may not be discovered until much later in life. Rarely, however, these defects can change overtime or in association with other heart conditions where they start causing problems. That was the case for William Cole, age 80, of Grand Blanc Township. The hole in his heart was not discovered until he was in his late seventies, and he was told not to worry too much about it. But late this spring it was determined that it had started to cause abnormal changes in the heart and needed to be addressed. William became the first McLaren Flint patient to undergo a percutaneous atrial septal defect closure performed on July 3, 2014, by Dr. Ahmad Munir, Board Certified Interventional Cardiologist, who is fellowship-trained in peripheral and structural heart disease.

“I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure last August and then hospitalized this year, in May, when I was not feeling well,” states William. “I thought I was going home when Dr. Amlani, my interventional cardiologist, came to see me and [asked], ‘When did you have a heart attack?’ I told him I was not aware that I had a heart attack. I never had any pain. I was scheduled for a heart catheterization and received three stents. I was also supposed to get an implantable cardiac defibrillator but an echocardiogram showed that I had three holes in my heart which were abnormally shunting blood. He told me those had to be repaired first. That’s when I saw his colleague, Dr. Munir.” The hole repairs are made by placing an ASD closure device into the heart through catheters that are inserted into a small incision in the groin. A small ultrasound camera is inserted through one of the catheters and used in combination with specialized x-ray imaging technology to determine the size of the hole or holes. Based upon the imaging measurements, an appropriate-sized closure device is introduced that plugs both sides of the openings. These closure devices are made of a braided metal (Nitinol) and can be folded and delivered via a small tube across the abnormal opening. Once positioned appropriately under imaging guidance, the device is deployed like an umbrella and released. “As a physician it is always nice to be able to offer a minimally invasive treatment option to patients, especially when they have multiple health issues or are at high risk for an open procedure,” states Dr. Munir. “Mr. Cole was able to go home the next day, and if his health continues to improve, he should be able to get his ICD.” An adult with untreated ASD is at high risk for an enlarged heart, high blood pressure in the lungs, congestive heart failure and stroke. “I feel fine right now, and I am glad that Dr. Munir’s expertise and this technology are available at McLaren Flint,” states William, adding, “I feel lucky and happy. I’m sure not ready to go yet!”

Medical //

HURLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Photo by Aran Kessler Photo Imaging

The Art of Robotic Surgery State-of-the-Ar t da Vinci at Hurley

urley Medical Center is pleased to offer the da Vinci Surgical System, which can be used for a range of minimally invasive procedures in gynecology, urology and cardiac surgery. The da Vinci Surgical System enables highly magnified visualization inside the body and greater precision, making it easier for surgeons to operate using small incisions.

This innovation results in many potential patient benefits, including less risk of infection, blood loss, significantly less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. With smaller incisions, patients recover and are discharged in a fraction of the time required for traditional surgeries. As the premier public teaching hospital in the region, Hurley Medical Center strives to create a healthier community by providing exceptional patient-centered care while using the latest in medical treatment and technology. Hurley Medical Center is pleased to introduce the da Vinci Surgical System to our community. The da Vinci Surgical System has several unique features designed to provide state-of-the-art clinical benefits and efficiency in the operating room. Here are a few features of the da Vinci Surgical System:

•

Enhanced 3D, high-definition vision of operative field with up to 10x magnification.

•

New optimal dual console allows second surgeon to provide assistance.

•

Superior visual clarity of tissue and anatomy.

•

The ability to mimic the surgeon’s hand movements with enhanced dexterity.

THE PRECISION TO PERFORM Technological advancements provide our surgeons with unparalleled precision, dexterity and control that enable a minimally invasive approach for many complex surgical procedures. We believe that the new features of the da Vinci Surgical System will help us provide the best possible outcomes, and is proof of our commitment to provide our community access to the latest advancements in minimally invasive surgery. Da Vinci’s advanced level of technology takes surgery beyond the limits of the human hand. This da Vinci Surgical System compliments our goal of extending minimally invasive surgery to the broadest base of patients. It can be used for a multitude of procedures, including but not limited to: hysterectomy, myomectomy, thoracotomy, breast and colorectal surgery. For more information on surgeons trained on the da Vinci technology, please visit www. hurleymc.com.

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Business //

GOYETTE MECHANICAL

Goyette Mechanical Aims High

with Community Involvement BY TARA MORENO

oyette Mechanical is one of Flint’s premier businesses for HVAC and Electrical services. With continued success for the last 86 years, Goyette has made it a point to give back to their local community. Curt LaLonde, Goyette’s Vice President of the Service Division, has been with the company for 32 years. LaLonde says “The business has been very consistent. We’ve grown because we have incredibly good people who work for us, and people who care deeply about their hometown. We are always there when people need us, and that is what has allowed Goyette to grow.” Giving back has been a “no-brainer” for Goyette Mechanical’s President, Dominic Goyette. With $45 million in annual sales, giving back to the community is an integral part of this family-oriented company. In the past 50 years, Goyette has supported Whaley Children’s House, The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, United Way, the YMCA, Carriage Town Ministries, Powers Catholic High School, and the City of Burton’s annual “ Project Heat’s On.” Goyette says, “We are really committed to Flint and the surrounding community. We are not only giving money, but we also donate services to different organizations in the area.” Project Heat’s On is close to LaLonde’s heart. He has been an instrumental part of the execution of the program which will celebrate its sixth year on October 25th. The project services about 40-50 low income residents who have problems with their furnaces during the winter months. On Saturday, October 25th, as they’ve done for the last five years, Goyette service volunteers, along with members of the Burton Chamber of Commerce, Burton Rotary, Goodwill Industries and Burton

Kiwanis will meet for a pancake breakfast before heading out to service selected homes. LaLonde will give a pep talk to a room full of of technicians and other volunteers about the importance of giving back to the community. Burton Mayor, Paula Zelenko, has watched the program grow over the last six years and says, “Ever since we’ve had this economic downturn, so many people have suffered. This is one area where folks who do not have heat can get help. Without the help of Goyette Mechanical, I don’t think it would have been possible to help these residents. It’s a wonderful program, and it’s needed.” Approximately $15,000 is needed to execute the project. In the past five years, Project Heat’s On has helped over 200 Burton residents. Goyette says, “It’s important for us to give back. We want the community to know that these red vans that people see around are driven by people who are very committed to the community. If we give back, then good things happen.” Goyette Mechanical offers a full range of residential plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical services. For their commercial business customers, they offer HVAC, plumbing, electrical, preventative maintenance and emergency services -- as well as design-built plumbing and HVAC construction services. They also support equipment retrofits, lighting controls and retrofits, energy conservation audits, in-house engineering, turn-key construction and snowmelt systems. Goyette says that what sets the company apart from the competition is its being a true Flint-based, owned and operated business. He also says Goyette is the biggest contractor in the area, with approximately 200 full-time employees. “We offer a variety of services that other companies don’t offer. We have a very dedicated 24 hour, seven day a week dispatch system. People can call on holidays, and we will respond immediately. Many of our competitors don’t have that capacity,” he notes. To contact Goyette for commercial or residential services, please visit www.goyettemechanical.com or call 1-877-GOYETTE (469-3883). You can also visit Goyette Mechanical on Facebook where you will find information about trade shows and public expositions that the company will be participating in.

Business //

SAPPHIRE BLUE

Life is a Smorgasbord BY BETTS COUP

red Hensler’s motto is a quote from Walt Disney: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” Fred sees that on the wall of his office every day, and it drives him. As a husband, father, and the entrepreneur who started all the corporations now under the umbrella title of Sapphire Blue Investment Partners, he is not a man who can be easily stopped. “You can do anything you want to do,” he says. He has managed to achieve his dreams in partnership with his wife, Tracy, along with the practical understanding that partnerships with others who think similarly are the wisest moves he can make. Hensler is a firm believer in making every challenge an opportunity. From supporting his two daughters, Meagan and Lindsay, in the horse world, to organizing a variety of businesses in the wealth management world, Hensler has made the most of every chance he’s had. He has organized companies that are diverse, not because of the types of services they offer, but because of the approach to and quality of those services. He is the kind of man who doesn’t just do something himself; he finds experts in their fields to help him make something happen that becomes the very best it can be. 54

Hensler grew up in Flint, Michigan, where his father introduced him to riding when Fred was young – something he did, in turn, with his own daughters years later. He spent summer vacations at Higgins Lake, visiting a local riding stable, and beginning jumping lessons as a five or six year-old. When his parents realized this activity was something he really loved, they bought him a horse…and his equestrian interests never flagged. Later, he attended Michigan State University with plans to study veterinary medicine, but he soon realized it wasn’t what he wanted to do. “I came out with a degree in Labor Relations. That…was the same as a business degree, just without the accounting background, which would have forced me to start all over,” Fred admits. He accepted a position in the Parts Division of General Motors where his father had also worked. During that time, a friend set him up on a blind date with another employee, named Tracy, who worked with Fred in the division. “We went out that night and ended up at a bar/restaurant when the movie we were going to see was sold out,” he recalls. He sang a song or two on stage that night, and Tracy knew he was an impressive, outgoing young man, marrying him soon thereafter in 1985. The couple had a daughter, Meagan in 1987, and another daughter, Lindsey in 1990. As the girls grew, they involved themselves in riding horses, the thing that had so consumed their father as a youth, and life for the Henslers was productive, active, and enjoyable.

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” So, just how did it get that way? Over the years, Fred and Tracy’s careers have gone through very important changes, leading them to their current place. After only a year as a Floor Manager at GM, Hensler felt he had to escape. “GM [had] provided for my dad, my mom, and [me] a great living, but it wasn’t for me,” he explains. Even as a young man, Fred was always thinking ahead, and he wanted to run something independently, so he opened a small automotive-related company which he built up and then sold in his early 30s. Once again, he wanted a new career, and after a meeting with his financial advisor, he thought he might just know more about investing than the advisor did, so he worked on getting his license, starting out at Dean Witter before moving to Merrill Lynch. While there, he got

SAPPHIRE BLUE

// Business

Left Page: Fred and his jet. Tracy and Fred Hensler on their wedding day. advice critical to the way he runs his business now. The man who hired him told him there were two ways to run a practice -- the first being to do what was in the best interest of clients, ensuring their satisfaction and Fred’s own financial rewards, or the other which involved doing only what was…”in the interest of your own pocketbook. You’ll make a tremendous amount of money, you’ll ignore your clients, and you’ll never have a satisfying career.” Hensler knew which method to choose and states that “I can always look my clients straight in the eye and know that everything I do is in their interest.” He had stayed with Merrill Lynch for about a decade when he decided to leave to start another corporate entity, Hensler & Associates, now a part of Sapphire Blue -- and later adding divisions such as Physicians’ Wealth Management, Hensler Aviation, and Horizon Saddlebreds (those horses again) under the same corporate umbrella.

Right Page clockwise from left: Meagan Hensler and Desert’s Rise ‘N Shine. Lindsay Hensler and Just Watch. Fred and Tracy Hensler.

But Fred didn’t begin his venture alone. Believing that family is deeply important, he and Tracy formed a partnership that worked well on many levels. “She has the administrative mind, and I have the entrepreneurial [one],” he says. Tracy had been working in Human Resources for Delphi Automotive Systems, but she helped Fred work out his plans for the company. “She was like the behind-the-scenes backbone,” Fred expresses. Eventually, she left Delphi and worked with Fred more directly, heading the Human Resources department as Chief Operations Officer. Hensler wanted to create a unique company that could manage and oversee people’s total financial affairs. “No investments should be made independent of each other,” he states. Sapphire Blue Investment Partners brought together the very best minds from different fields and areas of expertise in the financial and wealth management world to create individualized, custom-designed processes for each client. “I serve as the coach. I learned to delegate and surround myself with people who are experts in their areas, whether that’s estate planning, buy-sell agreements, utilizing insurance strategies or asset management. I’m licensed in all those areas of financial management but if you’re going to do it right, you bring on an expert,” Fred contends.

that their plans never waver from the clients’ comfort zones. For the last few years, that’s part of what has kept Fred’s business going so well… and his clients so happy. “Based on the investment process, while some people lost 40-60% in 2008, our clients did very well in most cases, and if they lost money, it was minimal,” Fred states. That means the clients’ investments haven’t been recovering for six years but have simply been growing. “If you preserve what you have, you don’t have to worry about making up what you’ve lost,” he adds.

He has also made sure that the kinds of investments are tailored to the client’s needs and expectations. “We’re more the tortoise in the world of tortoise and the hare. Because of their financial positions, most of our clients are more concerned with preservation first, followed by a respectible growth rate of their investments,” says Fred. Our staff work with their clients to understand each one’s personal views on aggressive versus conservative investments, and they also work diligently to assure

Fred maintains that part of their success relies on the fact that each staff member manages only a small number of clients. “I personally manage 50 relationships. We make sure we don’t take on any new clients unless we are in the position to handle them with the very best resources and service available,” he asserts. By doing that, Fred has been able to grow an incredibly loyal clientele, many of whom have become his closest friends, due to the customized service his company offers. And it’s clear

“If you preserve what you have, you don’t have to worry about making up what you’ve lost.”

Business //

SAPPHIRE BLUE

that developing those relationships is part of what Hensler enjoys most about working in wealth management. This is also true of his clients at Physicians’ Wealth Management as well as Hensler and Associates -- as an anecdote of Fred’s illustrates so well. In a bookstore one day, he happened upon a book series about infectious diseases, which he noticed because one of his clients specializes in that area of medicine. He picked it up, reading the same paragraph three times, trying to comprehend it -- but failing in the end to figure out what it meant. He said to his wife that his client must be a genius to understand, not just the paragraph, but that whole chapter, that whole book, and, [in fact], the whole series, to do what he does. When he next saw the client, he mentioned his newfound respect for what the doctor did and shared that story, whereupon, he says, “The doctor kind of smiled and told me that now I knew how he feels about me.” And that’s the beautiful thing about Sapphire, as he sees it – that there are people who are good at what they do, and Fred’s people are good at what they do, and his company brings them together to work towards a common good. Hensler Aviation presents another example of the diversification of Sapphire Blue Investments for which the company is known in that Fred saw an opening to serve his clients in a way that didn’t just involve managing their funds. With a longstanding love of flying, he became involved with people who were very good at it (again, looking for expertise in others), in order to provide private planes to clients who needed to travel in the quickest and most efficient way to such things as meetings or dinners in other cities, or in other states, perhaps. He organized a pool of owners with a fleet of aircraft and showed interested individuals what they might do by using a plane for an afternoon. He says, “People don’t realize how beneficial it is for a business owner to take a staff of people to a meeting on a private aircraft. There are… no delays or cancelled flights, [and] it’s very efficient as far as operation of business is concerned.” The kind of investment each client chooses to make is different, but he makes sure it’s always smart for the investor. There are tax benefits involved, and Fred recommends people seek advice from tax professionals if interested. Fred and Tracy remain close to their daughters – one of whom decided to join their business after college graduation and who is working right now in New Business Development, “helping people to understand what the business can do, and [getting them] in front of my dad,” Lindsay says. Her eventual goal is to become licensed and have her own

“I can always look my clients straight in the eye and know that everything I do is in their interest.” book with her own clients, helping them on their financial path. Meagan, on the other hand, pursued her equestrian interests in Kentucky, but finally decided horses to be more of a hobby than the basis for a career. Knowing that she wanted to somehow be around animals, however, she trained to become a dog groomer, eventually developing a business plan and opening her own business called Bubbles and Bows. So the entrepreneurial spirit seems alive and well in the offspring of the Henslers. And Fred Hensler knows exactly how lucky he is and works hard to give back to the community. He’s on the Board of Directors for the Whaley Children’s Center which provides a home and help to some 48 children who have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, all of them between the ages of eight to seventeen. “They’re the outcasts from the foster system; they’ve lived more in foster homes than with their parents,” he explains, adding, “They don’t know who to trust.” He has taught his daughters to do the same charitable work with Lindsay having participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer last May. In his efforts, Fred wants to make sure that he tries to help others not as fortunate as he has been. He has a favorite saying, gleaned from the musical Mame (and which he edits a bit), that says, “Life is a smorgasbord, and most poor SOBs are starving to death.” Fred Hensler is a man determined to take a bite out of every bit of life he can and teach his children to do the same. They love to share things as a family, and all four of them, --Fred, Tracy, Meagan, and Lindsay – know how to appreciate each moment with each other. Fred has never been merely a businessman. He has never wanted to be just a husband and father either, but he takes those roles and makes them into something bigger. And those are the things that make him special and such an important figure, not only to his family, but to all those who know him.

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Business //

WINDOW DÉCOR & MORE

Built With Integrity-Right From the Start BY MICHAEL G. THODOROFF

hen Debra Jackson opens the door to Window Décor and More every day, she is ever-mindful and sincerely appreciative of how and why she is able to call this business her own. Specializing in custom draperies and blinds, along with upholstery, embroidery and custom framing, Debra operates her company in a special and unique way when compared to other mainstream retail operations of today. She is driven to succeed, in part, as the result of a last request from her mother before she passed away, but mostly because, doing what she does best is something her grandmother impressed on her at an early age. “My grandmother…Anna Reubel… had a tremendous influence on my life - and still [does] to this day,” Debra mentions in a solemn tone. “I am so much more directly involved here because of her. There is no doubt I would not be here if it wasn’t for her - no possible way.” Anna Reubel was sort of a pioneer in her own day, back in the 1950s and 1960s. Only those who grew up in that era would recall part of the American “culture” then was that “a woman’s place was in the home,” so that it was actually somewhat unusual to see a female in the workplace. But Anna was different; she not only was in the workplace, she started her own business. A talented seamstress in her own right, she opened Anna’s Draperies, on South Saginaw St, near 12th St. in Flint, in the 50’s. She made custom draperies for local businesses and also many individual customers, but as her reputation rapidly grew, more and more businesses and interior designers would bring work to Anna. She employed approximately 20 women, with the workroom set up in an assembly line configuration. Jackson points out that the daycare we know it today was non-existent then, so Anna allowed her employees to bring their children with them to work if necessary. Debra started working at the shop when in her mid-teens and was the last person on the line, sewing weights in the bottom of the drapes. “I was not a ‘good’ teenager,” she says with a wink. “But from my vantage point, I got a great view of what was going on. I saw firsthand how [my grandmother] affected [employees’] lives and empowered them to do well. She taught them a trade which, in reality, helped them to [hold] their heads up high with pride. She taught them how to take care of themselves and even helped abused women get away from their situations by giving them a fresh start.” When Anna Ruebel passed in 1978, Debra’s mother, Thelma Deming, took over the business. Unfortunately (and only five years later), Thelma passed away. Only

in her mid-twenties at the time, Jackson, nevertheless, took over, keeping the company’s original name but moving the business into her home in Flint later that year. “I ran the workroom with only five people,” she recalls. “I knew how to run [it], but I only knew the technical skills Grandma had taught me. I soon decided that things were changing so much I needed to get educated.” In addition to enrolling at University of Michigan/Flint for a business degree, she applied for a job at a local, and highly reputable, interior design studio. Much to Debra’s surprise, she did not get a job but was allowed to work there as a part-time volunteer, due, in part, because the owner was amazed that she “looked so much like her grandmother” whom he had highly respected! Debra was determined to carry on the business but knew she could not keep running things as “business as usual.” Her family moved to the town of Millington in the mid-90s, and she continued to work out of her home. But not long afterward, she came to a stark realization. She explains that “I knew the workroom idea had to slowdown. People were simply not buying drapes. There was a shift to creative paints and various window and trim treatments. I had to change!” She decided to open a storefront in Millington, and it developed into a successful venture once she expanded her product line. It was during this time that she obtained the naming rights to Window Décor and More. “I loved the name, and I knew it was right for what I do,” she says with gusto. Eventually, she came to a turning point where she thought she “did drapes for every home in Millington” and because Debra was the “only game in town,” it was a good time to move. After a short stint in downtown Davison, she moved to her current location at 5515 Davison Rd, Suite 14 in Burton, in 2013.

WINDOW DÉCOR & MORE With a dedicated showroom, a picture/art framing room and a workroom, Window Decor and More’s product line is 95% American-made. “I have two sons serving in the United States Army so I will sell American made,” she says with conviction. The framing room displays three walls of frame samples, but they are very unique as each and every piece of wood is specifically from Michigan lumber only. “And I will always beat anybody’s price on framing,” Jackson affirms. All of the window blinds are from Hunter Douglass and carry a lifetime warranty. “And they back me up 100%!” she adds. Along with personal customer service, all seniors (60 years and over) get free installation and free linings on the back of drapes. Window Décor and More also sells art work from local artists and has prints they offer to sell “as is” or to reframe. Debra makes a point, stating that the company can do “all things interior…” but that, if they cannot, they will recommend who can…as well as who is honest and good to work with. “My business is based on integrity,” Debra articulates. “It is a big word with a big meaning, but I believe in it. I am in a thirdgeneration company, and everything I do must reflect what my grandmother taught me. She believed in the right way to do things and, in essence, I am still working for her.” That is, Jackson continues to operate in the spirit of Anna Ruebel as she has only one rule“… which is 'Always tell the truth.’ There is no gray area here. That is what my grandma stood for,” she says A further example of Anna’s influence can be demonstrated by Debra’s hiring of secretary Katie Kaufmann. She likes to illuminate the fact that she took Katie in like Anna would have done. After working on life skills and with much encouragement, Katie has developed a great rapport with customers and is very knowledgeable about the products. So, when walking into Windows Décor and More, any customer just might imagine the spirit of Anna Ruebel shining through in the persons of Debra Jackson and Katie Kaufmann.

// Business

TEE-UP FOR GOLFING, BANQUETS, CATERING, FOOD AND FUN!

Golfing Enjoy two separate 18 hole courses and our completely renovated Pro-Shop!

(810) 694-5960, ext. 107

Banquets & Outings

Our newly renovated banquet room can facilitate all your party needs. We are here to help you plan your next event, wedding or business gathering.

(810) 694-5960, ext. 5

Food & Fun

Catering

Paddy Mcgee’s, our Irish pub, servies a full breakfast all day, lunch, dinner and drink specials. Enjoy music and fun at our Wild Spurs club and our own L.O.L comedy club.

Full service menu available for your next event. Business and private functions. Minimum 25 people.

(810) 694-5960, ext. 3

5270 Perry Rd. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 (810) 694-5960 www.jewelgolf.com

For more information, call Windows Decor and More at 810-7151199 or visit their website at www.debraswindowdecorandmore. com.

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Business //

BLESSING COMPANY

Full design and construction management from start to finish... what a Blessing!

Blessing Company and our CAPS Certified Design Specialist can customize a bathroom remodel and even personalize your needs for accessibility and safety.

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Visit our newly-remodeled showroom in Grand Blanc. CALL OUR DESIGN SPECIALIST DEBBIE HONEA TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION! Latest technology. Quality Solutions.

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810.694.4861 • blessingco.com 60

Count Your Blessings BY RICH REED

he on-line dictionary of idioms states that "When people count their blessings, they concentrate on all good things in their lives." Customers of Blessing Co. can count their blessings when they make a call to Lou Blessing of the aforementioned company. So let's count the exact number of Blessings we are dealing with here. The company was founded by Frank Blessing (#1) and his brother Al "Ike" Blessing (#2) in Grand Blanc in 1946. Frank's wife, Kathleen, (#3) worked for years managing the office, scheduling appointments, and performing bookkeeping and accounting tasks, retiring in 1972. Eventually, Ike moved up north to start his own business. After graduating from Michigan State University in 1976 with a degree in Construction Management, Lou (#4) went to work with his dad, Frank, who eventually retired in 1986. Of course Lou worked there while growing up and during summers while in college. Besides managing the business now, Lou is a Master Plumber, a certified Mechanical Contractor in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and has a builder's license. And finally, Lou married his high school sweetheart, Debra (#5), now a retired Grand Blanc teacher. They had children, Matthew (#6) and Sarah (#7). We are still counting the Blessings. Matthew became a pediatrician living and practicing in Seattle, Washington, with wife Rebecca (#8). Sarah now works as office manager at Blessing Co., learning all the pipes and fittings, so to speak. In time, she will earn a contractor's license so that, as Lou hopes, she can take over the business. She married her high school sweetheart, Mark Thompson, and had children Max (#9) and Katelyn (#10). Though technically not Blessings in name, we know what their future could be.

"We are really a service company, providing many repair and replacement services for our customers."

BLESSING COMPANY

"There is room for plenty of growth, especially with our new services. However, people will always need furnace, a/c and plumbing work, so that's where the main part of our business will always be." Sarah has dropped in during the interview, and when asked a woman's perspective in a traditionally all-male business, she states, "We have fun in the family business because we try harder." She has become very familiar with the oftenquoted slogan "8 to 8 at the same rate." That ditty explains the Blessing Co.’s advertised pricing formula. Lou explains what Blessing Co. does specifically, saying, "We are really a service company, providing many repair and replacement services for our customers." Besides the obvious plumbing, heating, and air conditioning options, Blessing Co. will clean and seal ductwork, remodel a bathroom, and install generators for our too-frequent power outages. Two other recently added services are home energy audits and remodel services for the aging "boomer" population. Blessing Co. will perform a blower door test using an ifiltrometer to detect energy loss in a home and then insulate and seal it properly. With over 30 years in design services, Debbie Honea was added to the Blessing Co. staff as a certified CAPS designer (Certified Aging in Placement Specialist). Blessing Co. will analyze a home for the aging or disabled and offer to add ramps, grab bars, handrails, widen doorways, and even improve lighting. Furthermore, to prove his Green energy philosophy, Lou drives a Chevrolet Volt, bragging that he hasn't filled the gas tank in over two months. And did I mention Green? The Blessings are diehard MSU fans, with Lou, Debra, Matt, Sarah, and Marc all MSU graduates. We know where Max and Katelyn are going to college.

// Business

When asked to describe their biggest job at Blessing Co., Lou says, "We have [thousands] of little jobs, with 85% being the traditional plumbing, heating, and a/c services, [while another] 15% [of our work] is remodeling and auditing services. We serve all of Genesee county and northern Livingston county." Soon there will be a groundbreaking for a new Fenton location to be open by the summer of 2015. Blessing Co. has a total of 25 employees, with 13 service trucks on the road. All of this is capably run by John Davis, service manager. Like a judge in a high profile legal case, I should have recused myself from writing this article. I know the Blessing family well, our children having attended Grand Blanc schools together, and we have spent quality time with them in northern Michigan, boating and golfing. Over the years we have enjoyed quality service from Blessing Co., installing water heaters, kitchen appliances, R/O water systems, among other services. Always, the office would call with the name of the technician and the time of arrival. And that technician would arrive on time, put on booties, and place drop cloths everywhere while working -- all at a reasonable rate with a written guarantee. So I am certainly one to count my “Blessings.” Where will Blessing Co. be in 20 years? Lou states, "There is room for plenty of growth, especially with our new services. However, people will always need furnace, a/c and plumbing work, so that's where the main part of our business will always be." I can imagine that in 20 years Max and Katelyn will answer the phone and say, "Blessing Co., 8 to 8 at the same rate."

BLESSING SERVICES INCLUDE: •

PLUMBING

•

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

•

CLEAN AND SEAL DUCTWORK

•

BATHROOM REMODEL

•

GENERATOR INSTALLATION

•

HOME ENERGY AUDITS

•

CERTIFIED CAPS DESIGN

Business //

BARNETT FINANCIAL

Barnett Financial: A Firm People Can Trust BY AMBER SABO-CARPENTER

arnett Financial is a different type of financial services firm, one whose unique philosophy and vision are both refreshing and compelling. They are dedicated to providing individuals, families, and businesses with quality financial services, tax preparation, wills and trusts, and much more. When looking for independent, personalized financial advice – with no account minimums or conflicts of interest – clients will know they’ve come to the right place.

The company’s goal is to provide families, individuals and businesses with innovative, yet prudent financial strategies. At Barnett Financial, efforts are focused to provide customers with financial clarity, solutions, and improvement of their quality of life. Utilizing a network of associates committed to serving clients, agents proceed in an almost Christ-like manner, to assist them in the development of financial stewardship in their lives. In fact, making strong commitments to their clients and building life-long relationships is the foundation of success at Barnett Financial & Tax. Education is the number one objective for the Barnett financial team, preferably making sure that clients are knowledgeable about the services, goals and the general financial mapping of their lives. Today a common fear for people is running out of money, but planning appropriately will prevent that from being even a concern. When individuals know their investments, taxes, insurance, estate plans, retirement plans, and all other areas of their financial lives are being monitored and adjusted as needed, they can relax and spend their time pursuing other goals. True Planning & Prudent Investing is a process, not an event, and requires ongoing attention. Throughout this process, agents continue to evaluate any factors that would affect the outcome of clients’ Retirement, Tax and Estate Plans. These factors may include the changing economic environment as well as any changes made to a customer’s goals and objectives. Keeping up with the complexities of the investment world takes time. Ensuring that each investment fulfills its correct function and is appropriate for an individual’s unique situation takes objectivity. No matter where people are in life, financial decisions abound. And when they are busy, overwhelmed by the options, or confused by contradictory advice, it can be hard to be confident that they are making the best decisions. That’s why they need someone they can trust…someone like Rick Barnett who is the founder of Barnett Financial & Tax (BFT) and who began his career in 1990. He is a Certified Estate Planning Professional (CEPP), holds a Masters of Estate Planning (MEP) Designation and is a Certified Christian Consultant and Advisor (CFCA). Rick serves his community in many ways as a board member of Foster Hope and COFY (Community Outreach for Families and Youth), as well as being a current board member of the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce. Also, the firm is currently an accredited member of Better Business Bureau. Rick is also known for his radio show on AM 1570, the “Barnett Financial Hour”. Contact Barnett Financial at their office: (800) 425-7044.

Catering & Banquet Rooms Available 4070 S. Saginaw St. Burton | 810-742-5525

www.tiahelitasmexicancuisine.com

Community //

GRAND BLANC CITY MANAGER

Grand Blanc City Manager Builds a Road to the Future BY PAUL ROZYCKI

hen Paul Brake first came on board as Grand Blanc’s city manager in 2011, there were two questions he faced right away. Residents asked, “What are you going to do about the CSX viaduct?” And they also inquired, “What are you going to do about the Citgo Station?” The Saginaw Street viaduct was considered an ugly entrance to the city, and the vacant Citgo gas station was an eyesore in the downtown area. In a few short years, Brake tackled both problems with impressive results. In particular, the Grand Saginaw Plaza development is well on its way to replacing the vacant gas station. The abandoned station is gone, and several new businesses are now in place. Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill, Firehouse Subs, and Art Van PureSleep make up the centerpiece of the Plaza. For the near future, a pocket park is planned near the pizzeria as is an outside eating area. The three million dollar development not only gives the downtown a new look but will provide as many as 170 new jobs for the area. The CSX viaduct, on the other hand, has presented a more challenging problem. Some suggested that painting the weathered structure would be a way of making it more presentable, but experts warned that the results of any paint project would only last a short time and would require frequent repainting, with all the cost and effort involved. So Brake and Grand Blanc found a unique solution to the problem. The concept “City of Grand Blanc-Arches” has the goal of building a pair of arches across the roadway on either side of the old train viaduct that bridges Saginaw Street. These arches, though they wouldn’t hide the train bridge, would create a more visually appealing entrance to the city of Grand Blanc, a site that more than 40,000 cars pass daily. Brake describes the arches as “beauty in front of brawn.” In addition to a sign welcoming visitors to Grand Blanc, the arch could display banners announcing community events. The idea of arches isn’t unique. Flint had them in its early history and recently added Vehicle City arches to its downtown cityscape. What is unique with the City of Grand Blanc-Arches is the method of funding the project. With a cost of about $175, 000 each, the arches will be partially funded through a Michigan Municipal League program. However, the

rest of the money will come from “crowd funding” wherein individuals and organizations can pledge to match the Municipal Leagues’ support. The City of Grand Blanc-Arches Facebook page invites supporters to join the program. Those two projects are the ones that have captured Paul Brake’s recent attention, and they represent a prime example of why he became a city manager. He was drawn to public service early in his life. He earned his Bachelors degree at Grand Valley State University and his Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. As a Credentialed Manager and a Certified Economic Developer, Brake brings more than 23 years of governmental management experience to the job. In particular, he takes pride in new investments that have come to Grand Blanc and feels those new projects will continue to build a community that people want to live in. In turn, he says, “Future businesses will be attracted to communities people want to live in.” Brake feels that the major advantage of working in a smaller community like Grand Blanc is that it has a nimble organization that can react quickly to problems. Yet he realizes that all change needs to be carefully planned, and most projects can take longer than some people expect. He feels that a good city manager needs both strong communication skills and the ability to avoid being drawn into emotional issues. The major challenges he faces are those that most municipal leaders have faced in the last decade. During what is often called the “lost decade,” most local governments have faced a dramatic decline in property values and tax revenues. Yet, as property values have returned, the revenues from those values have increased much more slowly. Like most municipal leaders, Brake has had to deal with limited revenues and tight budgets. But Brake’s optimism about the future of Grand Blanc rests on the vitality of the community, the willingness of new businesses to invest, and the quality of the Grand Blanc schools. With those things going for it, he sees the road to an even brighter future for Grand Blanc---a road which passes under the City of Grand Blanc Arches and leads to the Grand Saginaw Plaza.

MANLEY'S LAW PRACTICE

The Manley Family:

// Business

A Legacy of Community Ser vice BY TARA MORENO

local family has built an impressive legacy over past century. The Manley family has been responsible for bringing positive changes to the Flint Community since the 1930’s. Frank J. Manley, who was the Executive Director of the Mott Foundation and Assistant Superintendent of Flint Schools, developed a community education concept that incorporated the use of schools for everyone in the community. This innovative idea, which brought educational and physical education programs to people of all ages, is still used to this day – in fact, all over the world. And besides being a prominent educator, Frank J. Manley was also a sporting connoisseur. In 1954, he founded the Flint Olympian Games and also made the partnership with Canada to bring the CANUSA games to the area. Frank J. Manley’s grandsons, Frank J. Manley IV and Mike Manley, have been carrying the torch for the family ever since. Mike Manley says, “[To say that] we are proud of our grandfather and the legacy he established for us would be an understatement.” Mike and Frank Manley, who are both criminal defense attorneys, moved away from the education milieu into law about 30 years ago. “We felt it was an underserved portion of the law...We wanted to make sure there was a fair trial for everyone, to make sure the people get their due process,” says Mike Manley, passionately. The two brothers currently work in the same building but in separate offices. Frank J. Manley IV works with his wife, Jennifer Manley, who is a criminal defense attorney also. This year she is running for judge in the 67th district court in November. Frank J. Manley IV calls the election an exciting experience and a great addition to the Manley legacy. “It will add another layer to [helping] people. It will take the philosophy of helping people to a higher level,” he says. Frank J. Manley IV and Jennifer Manley have been married for three years. They are currently raising their young daughter and son while they both work. Jennifer Manley was a prosecutor for 12 years before leaving to join the Manley law firm three years ago. “I knew my goal would be to be a judge for the people. I wanted to see both sides. I’ve tried every case you can imagine. I’ve handled thousands and thousands of cases as a prosecutor and hundreds of cases working in private practice,” she notes. Jennifer Manley says she is proud to be a part of such an important family. “Public schools and community education have always been important to me,” says Manley. “One of my passions is public schools. It’s something I support, and it’s something I always have. The impact public schools have on society is great. It’s one of the cores of every community.” Jennifer Manley says if she wins the election it would be great for the entire family. “This is a career my family can be proud of, and it puts us in the community more. It also gives my children the opportunity to see the justice system work,” she notes. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE MANLEY’S LAW PRACTICE, VISIT WWW.THEMANLEYFIRM.COM.

MASSEFFECT 2, Casey Hudson, director; Mac Walters, Drew Karpyshyn, writers; Casey Hudson, producer, Microsoft XBox 360, 2010, © 2010 Electronic Arts, Inc. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SUPER MARIO BROTHERS 3, Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka, Hiroshi Yamauchi, directors; Satoru Iwata, executive producer; Konji Kondo, composer, Nintendo Entertainment System, 1990, Nintendo of America, Inc.

EARTHWORM JIM, Doug TenNapel, original concept, character designer and voice actor; Tommy Tallarico, composer; Steve Crow, lead artist; David Luehmann, producer, SEGA Genesis, 1994, © 1994 Interplay Entertainment Corp. Earthworm Jim, the Earthworm Jim logo, Interplay, the Interplay logo, and "By Gamers. For Gamers." are trademarks or registered trademarks of Interplay Entertainment Corp. in the U.S. and other countries. All Rights Reserved.

flOw, Jenova Chen, Nicholas Clark, game design, Modern Windows, 2006, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. 66

FLINT INSTITUTE OF ARTS

// Culture

FLOWER, Jenova Chen, creative director; John Edwards, lead engineer. Developed by thatgamecompany, LLC, Playstation 3, 2009, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.

BIOSHOCK, Ken Levine, creative director and executive producer; Paul Hellquist, lead designer; Dean Tate, senior designer and artist; Scott Sinclair, art director, Microsoft XBox 360, 2007, image courtesy of 2K Games, Inc., and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

The Art of Video Games:

From Pac-Man to Mass Effect // Flint Institute of Ar ts OCTOBER 25, 2014 – JANUARY 18, 2015

he Art of Video Games is one of the first exhibitions to explore the forty-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium, with a focus on striking visual effects and the creative use of new technologies. It features some of the most influential artists and designers during five eras of game technology, from early pioneers to contemporary designers. The exhibition focuses on the interplay of graphics, technology and storytelling through some of the best games for twenty gaming systems ranging from the Atari VCS to the PlayStation 3. Eighty games, selected with the help of the public, demonstrate the evolution of the medium. The games are presented through still images and video footage. In addition, the galleries will include video interviews with twenty developers and artists, large prints of in-game screen shots, and historic game consoles. New technologies allow designers to create increasingly interactive and sophisticated game environments while staying grounded in traditional game types. Five featured games, one from each era, are available in the exhibition galleries for visitors to play for a few minutes, to gain some feel for the interactivity. The playable games – Pac-Man, Super Mario Brothers, The Secret of Monkey Island, Myst and Flower – show how players interact with the virtual worlds, highlighting innovative new techniques that set the standard for many subsequent games. The Art of Video Games is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: Twilight Princess, Shigeru Miyamoto, executive producer; Eiji Aonuma, director; Satoru Takizawa, art director; Eiji Aonuma, Satoru Iwata, producers, Nintendo Wii, 2006, Nintendo of America, Inc.

Food & Drink //

FENTON WINERY & BREWERY

Fenton Winery & Brewery The largest beer garden in Michigan, right in our backyard // BY CHELSEA MILLS

he Fenton Winery & Brewery first opened its doors on January 26, 2008, on North Leroy in Fenton. Starting their business as just a winery, Matt and Ginny Sherrow developed a knack for creating great wines in an atmosphere unique to the greater Fenton area. With their establishment boasting live music, a cozy atmosphere, and great eats, the Sherrow's place grew in popularity, allowing them to expand their interests into the craft beer market the next year. So on July 31st, 2014, the Sherrows celebrated the opening of their new facility on North Long Lake Road in Fenton, featuring an in-brewery tap room, sprawling beer gardens, and a home beer and winemaking store right on the premises. “We love our new place because now we can share our passion with our friends and customers,” explains Ginny. The new FWB in-brewery taproom has a unique environment, deriving from the Sherrow’s travels around the country to see different breweries. One of their favorite locations is a brewery in South Carolina which features an open-air taproom, where patrons can watch the production line of beer bottles go past as they enjoy their beverages. Even though Matt and Ginny do not plan on bottling beer in production at their new facility, they inform me that every quarter they do a limited release of a unique beer, hand-bottling each one for their customers to buy and save to enjoy at a later date. One of the popular limited releases is “Yes Honey Amber,” a beer made with honey from a farm in Michigan’s thumb. An interesting thing about the bees from this farm is that they spend

their summers in Michigan and their winters in California, so that their honey represents a unique blend of the flora from both states, making this beer even more special. Another very popular limited release is the St. Gin’s Imperial Whiskey Stout. This brand is only brewed one or two times per year because the number and kinds of grains needed for it are very expensive. A fun fact is that this beer is named after the owner, Ginny. The next release of this much-anticipated brew will come at the end of November. A nitro tap has been added to the new taproom. “The nitro tap gives the beverage a finer bubble, a creamier feel and changes the flavor,” Ginny explains, adding that “This is a result of the tap pushing beer with a mix of 75% nitrogen and 25% carbon dioxide.” Right now there are 13 beers and three wines on tap. Only one beer at a time is featured on the exclusive nitro tap, and this month it’s the owner’s signature fusion brew, ‘Swingin’ Berries.” Fermenting beer and wine together to create a unique beverage is how the Sherrows develop this beverage, a brew so unique that they are in the midst of developing a couple other fusions of beer and wine to satisfy the tastes of their guests. Most of the wood on site has been repurposed from an old building on the property. The old wood can now be found throughout the brewery in the shape of railings, garden boxes, fencing and trim. Even the new tasting sampler trays are created from the wood on the property. In addition, the gardens at the new FWB are absolutely gorgeous. The sprawling, park-like setting of 1.25 acres is surrounded by grape and hop vines and filled with flowers all of which will eventually be part of the on-site production. Only closed when the weather is not ideal, these gardens are made available for patrons to meet with friends and play yard games or to just sit, relax and enjoy nature. People can also purchase food, bottles of wine and pitchers of beer to take with them into the gardens. There is a unique menu at the FWB featuring Charcuterie boards, consisting of meat and cheese platters served with a delicious fig preserve. This food is available in the taproom and also in the gardens. Furthermore, the store opened in November of 2012, and is truly one of a kind in the area. Home to the Genesee Brewers Club, this store not only sells the supplies customers need but also offers advice and a support group for other home brewers in the area. In addition, the store sells fresh grains, which people can buy in bulk, and employees will mill the grains for them. Sponsored by FWB, The Genesee Brewers Club meets at 12 Noon on the first Saturday of every month in the taproom. The Sherrows helped to start the club after they noticed there was a lack of resources and support for home brewers. “We invite all home brewers to just drop in and ask as many questions as they want,” explains Matt. “Each month the club develops a recipe, sets up their equipment, right in the production area, and brews beer. Once finished, the club beer is then put on tap at FWB.” And Ginny adds, “We encourage people to stop in for free to check it out.”

FENTON WINERY & BREWERY | 1370 N. LONG LAKE ROAD | FENTON, MICHIGAN 48430 | (810) 373-4194 WWW.FENTONBREWERY.COM | @DRINKFWB #FWBJOURNEY 68

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Entertainment //

MUELLER'S ORCHARD & CIDER MILL

Harvest Home

at Mueller's Orchard & Cider Mill

inden, Michigan--Fall is here, and business at one of the oldest orchards in the area is in full swing. Charles Mueller, of Mueller's Orchard & Cider Mill, has been part of the orchard business for the past 70 years. The orchard, which has been operating since the late 1880’s, was purchased in 1941 by Mueller’s father, originally a brewmaster. After Mueller’s father passed away, the orchard passed to his son. Since his childhood, Chuck Mueller says he has devoted his life to growing orchard fruit – currently consisting of about 15 different kinds of apples, sweet and sour cherries, pears, plums, and grapes. Harvest season for much of the apple crop starts at the beginning of September, and Muller says this year’s harvest is plentiful. With 15 acres of land, he cultivates about 6,000 apple trees. According to him, the Macintosh and Jonathan apples will be “a little light” this year, but most of the crops have turned out well. Mueller says the secret to his success is simply time. He also says orchard growing is “a lot like farming. You have to have a good site with a lot of hills and lots of water. This here is a good site,” he notes. Mueller loves his apples, his favorites including the Gala, Golden Delicious, and Northern Spy. Another preferred kind he grows is currently unnamed. He says he is waiting to see if he can patent the apple, so that he can then sell the seed to other orchard owners across the country. Mueller hopes to have the patent for the apple within the next couple of years. He calls the apple the “best” apple, with its draw being both the color and flavor. Technology of orchard life is something Mueller holds dear. He is a traveling man in his time off, visiting orchards and attending seminars where he is constantly learning new ways to cultivate orchard fruit. He 70

// BY TARA MORENO

is currently experimenting with the way he grows his Gala apple trees, using a three-liter system where the trees are planted a few feet from each other. The technology would let him cultivate more apple trees on a concentrated piece of land-- which, in turn, would increase his harvest greatly. In the future, Mueller will hand over the orchard to his son who is a now a police officer for Livingston County. Michael Mueller and his fiancé, Angi Acox, currently help operate the orchard. “My dad and I are family-oriented. It’s smaller and more personal. It’s an orchard, not an amusement park,” Michael laughs, adding that “Our prices are low enough for families to come out. People can enjoy themselves without spending a ton of money.” In a few years, Mueller says he will offer a pick-your-own option but notes that he is focused on keeping the orchard small enough for people to enjoy the experience. Charles Mueller says one of the main draws for the orchard is its familyoriented roots. His wife, Wendy, was an elementary school teacher for years before retiring. “We try to make it (the orchard experience and mill) as friendly and as low key as possible,” he says. Accompanying this year’s harvest, Mueller and his family are offering a variety of events to the public, from wagon rides and a petting zoo to cider with coffee and donuts…and even including car and tractor shows. Mueller says he hopes in the near future that customers will be able to pick their own apples. Mueller’s Orchard and Cider Mill is located at 6036 Lobdell Lake Road, Linden, MI 48451. For more information, visit www.muellersorchard. com or call 810-735-7676.

MUELLER'S ORCHARD & CIDER MILL

// Entertainment

GALA—The Gala apples had a great harvest this year.This is one of Mueller’s favorite type of apples.

NEW TECH—Mueller is experimenting with a three-liter system where the trees are planted a few feet from each other.The technology would let Mueller cultivate more apple trees on a more concentrated piece of land.

CIDERPRESS—Mueller installed a cider mill just a few years ago. Cider is one of the main attractions for Mueller’s Orchard.

Retail //

BRIDGE STREET EXCHANGE

Have you heard about the ‘Buzz’ in Linden?

The Stor y Behind Bridge Street Exchange BY CHELSEA MILLS

evin Begola, proprietor of Bridge Street Exchange in Linden, Michigan, didn’t always live in a small town. Growing up in Waterford, Michigan, Kevin and his wife, Amy, moved to Linden right out of college because they could get more land for their dollar, and they loved the small town feel of the area where they thought they would like to live and start a family. It seems for them, their choice has proven to be a good one.

After working in the insurance business for almost eight years, Kevin made the executive decision that he was not cut out for the corporate world. He happened to have a Titanium wedding band, on which he had received many compliments and realized there was a gap in the market for Titanium jewelry. So at the age of 24, he started the company “Titanium Buzz” as a hobby, in his home office. “I jumped on the phone and started calling manufacturers until I found someone who would produce my prototypes,” Kevin explains. “Once I was able to start manufacturing and selling online, I sold $17,000 in my first year.” Initially, the inspiration for his signature “Camo Rings” came from the reality show, My Big Fat Redneck Wedding (on CMT), and he spent a couple years creating prototypes before launching the first products in his line of these popular rings that are officially licensed with Realtree & Mossy Oak. And for the next four years, Kevin rolled all the profits back into the company, working as an insurance adjuster by day and jewelry designer at night. After four years, he was finally able to quit his day job and work full time on Titanium Buzz. Two years later, Kevin moved to a couple different office spaces in Fenton, only to out-grow each one in only nine months. Online sales continued to increase, tripling and quadrupling each year. The office locations were only open by appointment because the spaces did not accommodate walk-in retail trade. “I knew I was onto something when a couple drove from southern Indiana and spent the night at the Comfort Inn in Fenton, just so they could come to our office and meet us in person to look at the rings,” Kevin says. “I got to the point where I had to ask myself 'Why don’t we have a retail store?’” And he goes on to ponder, “If I [were] going to open a retail location, I knew I wanted to do more than just jewelry,” he explains. “I wanted to have a Gentleman’s Emporium, something that showcased Americana, the things that built our great country. If women can have stores dedicated to the items they like...why can’t men?” Many guests come into the store and inquire about Kevin’s success. He tells me his philosophy is simple, saying, “I just work really hard, and I don’t stop. I don’t

BRIDGE STREET EXCHANGE

// Retail

purchase items in my store for me -- I buy what everyone else likes.” Kevin had wanted to have a storefront that showcased Americana, new and old, and also embraced, wherever he could, many of our Michigan manufacturers and USA-made products. Some of these Michigan products, as well as other USA goods that he carries at his Linden location, include items from •

Stormy Kromer, a popular clothing company in Ironwood, Michigan.

•

Shinola, a watch manufacturer in Detroit, Michigan.

•

Filson, a clothing and luggage manufacturer in Seattle, WA.

•

Iron & Resin manufactured in California.

This showcasing also applies to the décor used in the design of the retail store and the Titanium Buzz corporate office. Kevin researched his design online and studied how to blend old and new pieces together, printing out photos online and creating an inspiration folder for all the styles he liked -- something he fondly refers to as “Pinterest for guys.” I wanted to know how he felt now after having quit his day job as an insurance adjuster, starting a new business, purchasing an historic building and designing a retail storefront. Kevin smiled, saying, “We deal with a lot of happy people now, while before, my job as an insurance adjuster

Retail //

BRIDGE STREET EXCHANGE

“I wanted to have a Gentleman’s Emporium, something that showcased Americana, the things that built our great country.” was filled with stress, with people yelling and expressing sadness over their losses. Now I help people design their wedding bands, purchase great grooming products, and give customers a local place to get access to some of the highest quality products in the country.” Men’s grooming products are making a comeback, including wet shaving with a double-edged safety razor. “People can come in and try different products we have in the store before they buy them,” Kevin explains, adding that this concept came from seeing how the popular women’s stores have everything available for sampling all the time. The Gentleman’s Emporium also attracts a lot of younger guys who want to try out the same razors their grandparents used, and who are looking to make a change. And now, in addition to all the great men’s grooming items, clothing and jewelry, Bridge Street Exchange offers women’s Stormy Kromer hats, as well as women’s wedding bands. Couples can come in and design unique rings for their special day. Some of the popular styles right now are the Deer Tracks (part of the Animal Track Collection), Baseball Stitching (part of the new sports line), Rustic Wedding rings, and, finally, the ever-popular Camo Rings. Those interested can view the entire collection on their website at www.titanium-buzz.com Since gaining such popularity in the hunting world, Titanium Buzz has picked up a couple famous clients who have used Kevin to design their own line of jewelry, available online and at the Linden storefront. He has been featured on reality shows such as Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Teen Mom, and with Ken Block of the XGames…while more recently, the stars of Lizard Lick Towing & Recovery came to Linden to launch their new jewelry line, “Lick Life,” at Bridge Street Exchange on September 27th. “We think outside the box with our designs which results in people calling us all the time and coming from all over the country for custom jewelry,” Kevin states. He tells an illustrative story, saying, “One lady in Minnesota owned a Military Tank Tour company and really wanted a tank tread ring for her husband, so we made her one. That is just one example on how we cater to our clients.” And giving an additional example, he adds, “Another client was going to get married on the back of their pick-up trucks and wanted something unique for their wedding. So we made them custom flasks with their truck silhouettes engraved in the body of the flasks.” At this, Kevin laughs, “There is not much we haven’t been able to do when our clients ask us to get creative.” So those individuals craving things unique and original should stop in and check the place out, for they won’t be disappointed with this hidden gem in downtown Linden, Michigan.

BRIDGE STREET EXCHANGE

// Retail

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We deal with a lot of happy people now, while before, my job as an insurance adjuster was filled with stress, with people yelling and expressing sadness over their losses. Now I help people design their wedding bands, purchase great grooming products, and give customers a local place to get access to some of the highest quality products in the country.â&#x20AC;? 75

From The Desk Of... MICHAEL KELLY Executive Director Public Information // Mott Community College

ven though Flint is home to the legendary leaders and pioneers of the automotive industry, it can also boast the residence of “the most interesting man in the world.” Well, maybe not the world, but certainly of the Greater Flint Area. Michael Kelly, Executive Director Public Information for Mott Community College (MCC; www.mcc.edu), has been a popular figure around our town for decades, in tune with his community through his esteemed work at MCC, his involvement in the local arts scene, and his editorial offerings. Added to these is the fact that he is simply a “character” with a late-night FM radio DJ voice. Onthetown discovered all of this when looking over some of the items on his MCC office desk. Starting with the “technical” side of his desk, covered with the typical office staples of pens, clips, scissors and the like, and sitting adjacent to his computer monitor, is an antique, genuine brass Dutch- style bowl filled with stones from Michigan shorelines – ones he has personally collected over the years. Another prevalent sight in his office is a ledge full of coral and minerals gathered from all over the world. His screensaver portrays a serene Michigan Lighthouse which reminds him of the vast

Michigan shorelines in all their majestic beauty. In addition, a small array of country flags holds a place next to the stones, signifying Kelly’s love for travelling -- as evidenced by the fact that he has set foot in 27 different countries. His latest coffee mug is from the Flint Symphony Orchestra, and the marble statue sitting nearby is a bust of Charles Sumner who was an academic lawyer, a powerful orator, and a United States Senator representing Massachusetts from 1851 through 1874. “I always admired his story and respected his cause,” Kelly says. ”He was a leader who was ahead of his time in a cause [anti-slavery] when it was a dangerous to be a leader.” There is also a serene photograph of his spouse, Kay, taken on the shores of Canada’s Prince Edward Island. Kay is the Artistic Director for the Kearsley Park Players (www. kearsleyparkplayers.com), hosts of the annual Shakespeare in the Park series at the beautiful and historic 57- acre park in the heart of Flint. Next to Kay’s picture sits one of his parents, Ray and Kay Kelly… “The most important and influential people in my life,” he states. A playbill of the Kearsley Park Players’ recently completed show of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic musical “The Pirates of Penzance sits

next to one for their upcoming production of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in which Michael will play the lead part of “Big Daddy.” Interestingly, Kelly reflects on the fact that he played the same role in a school play back in his days at the University of Michigan/ Flint, while the female lead of Big Mama was performed by Laura Friesen. And now, Laura and Michael are set to replicate their lead roles in this play, 37 year later. Next to the playbills is a script of his current film project Hamlet Spies in which Michael portrays King Claudius. He is collaborating with Dan Gerics of Flint City Stage and an MCC professor in this work that takes a very unique approach to the original Hamlet. This onehour version, while shown in modern dress, is completely filmed by security cameras and cell phones! Kelly’s latest “read” is The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers by Paul Kennedy, which presents a vigorous entry into the debate over the extent to which national wealth should be used for military purposes. “I am a historian,” Kelly says. “We are at a very crucial time in our history, and we better start paying attention -- because right now, we are not!”

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