Vol. III No. Iv
One Man
Bobby Crim Changed the lives of thousands
tanzania
safari travel story
growing up
artfully 2013
flint's fabric of enrichment
cultural center
Dear on the town Magazine Reader: It’s hard to believe that the summer is almost over. Being Michiganders, we’ve experienced the high temperatures in the 90s and as I write this, the
8469 s. saginaw st. ste. 3 grand blanc, mi 48439
lows in the 60s. Nevertheless, Michigan to me has the most beautiful scenery in at least three of the seasons. (I am not a winter lover) I hope all of you have
VOLUME III
NO. IV
been enjoying all that this season has to offer, from the festivals to the farm fresh produce.
PUBLISHED BY: Global Network Publishers LLC EDITOR: Marcia McGee DIRECTOR: Michelle Blaisdell OFFICE MANAGER: Laura Ulman SALES ASSOCIATES: Karen Smith Debby Molina CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sherry Farney Cindy Ficorelli Jerry Johnson Dale Keipart Sue Lauber Therese Leyton Marcia McGee Dr. Carlo A. Dall'Olmo, M.D. Dick Ramsdell Amber L. Sabo Yvonne Sova Michael Thodoroff Vagios Young DESIGNED BY: The Office Place PHOTOGRAPHY: Giordano Carlini Debby Molina Stacia Morrison Zackary Scott The Spencer Agency MISSION STATEMENT
“on the town” Magazine captures the positive way our community lives and breathes. Dynamic in scope and editorially eclectic, it reflects the people, community and lifestyle of Genesee County and its’ surrounding areas on a grand scale. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without expressed written consent of the publisher. General Information: 810-771-3131
On the town continues to bring you great stories about great people, events, and businesses from around the county. This issue we are featuring the Flint Cultural Center Corporation and all that makes the cultural center one of Flint’s greatest jewels. Flint is often solely credited with our great hospitals and universities. However, Flint is also thriving with culture. What other community the size of Flint has such a wonderful cultural center? Greg Fiedler of the Greater Flint Arts Council, who we featured last year, is one of many who still continues to contribute tremendously to the cultural scene in Flint. Another “gem” in Flint’s crown is the Flint River. Although it has been speculated that over time industry has killed the river, our article on The Flint Watershed Coalition sheds the light on the hardworking men and women that fight to keep the watershed clean and enjoyable for residents. We also celebrate the work that is being done by the YWCA and the indefatigable Harmony Langford. Nina’s Place and the SafeHouse are two programs at the YWCA that are doing a great job in helping girls aging out of the foster care system and victims of domestic violence. The GISD is also doing great work for young children and families. They are facilitating changes in early education, health care, remedial education, and family stability programs. Tom Weadock, Bob Bois, Joe Byrd and Bobby Crim have all contributed to the young people in this area. Tom through golf, Bob through his work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Joe through boxing, and Bobby through his legendary work with Special Olympics, the Crim and the promotion of healthy lifestyles for children and adults. Another celebration is taking place at Gaines Jewelry: their 50th anniversary. They are to be congratulated for their high standards and customer loyalty. A change is taking place in two of our downtown businesses. The Brown Sugar Café is changing its name to Café Rhema. While it is still a coffee shop and a place to enjoy conversations, the ambience and name will change. Secondly, the Flint Farmers’ Market will be moving downtown, changing and benefiting the ladscape. On the medical front, two of our institutions have recently been recognized for their high standards: McLaren’s Heart Program and the Michigan Vascular Center. A little farther out of town, long time bar owner, Yannis Mavrikos, has bought the Autumn Lounge on Fenton Road in Burton. If you're a karaoke fanatic, Autumn Lounge is the place to go. Even farther down the road, is a trip Dr. Paul and Sue Lauber took to Tanzania. I wish we could publish all of her pictures, but take a look at the few we can and read her account of her photo safari to the Serengeti Plains. And, of course, we hope you continue to enjoy our columns by Therese Leyton and Dale Keipart. Each issue, they impart some new and useful information on nutrition and marketing. So, enjoy our issue, and as, always, thanks for your loyalty. Marcia McGee Editor Correction: In our last issue, we incorrectly spelled several names. We have since made a course correction in our system for pictures and names to prevent this from happening again. To those of you were incorrectly identified, and to the FIM, we are very sorry. Please accept our apologies.
To subscribe to “on the town” Magazine: Mail a check or money order for $24.99 for six issues to 8469 S. Saginaw St. Ste. 3 Grand Blanc, MI 48439. Make checks payable to Global Network Publishers.
on the town
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Volume three issue four
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34 21
05
06
44
editorial
event spreads
05 06 12 14 16 21 24 30 34 36 40 44 48 50 54 57 58 62 64 68 72
18 29 37 46 56 66 69 70 74
Fun Downtown! Flint's Fabric of Enrichment Real Estate Now YWCA of geater flint: nina's place and safe house tom weadock: don jarrard award the flint river: a natural jewel bob bois: the legacy becomes a legend how one man changed the lives of thousands: bobby crim the flint farmer's market: change is a good thing
30
64 growing up artfully flint art fair buckham alley fest
golf scramble fore! the animals 100 club heroes night mott, mowtown and more taste of flint charity classic golf tournament over the moon
hello, cafe rhema! flint's new vintage coffee lounge we're off to a great start! joe byrd, sr.: a boxing legend karaoke anyone? try the autumn lounge gaines jewelry: 50 years of service mclaren's heart program recognized for quality and efficiency genesys downtown flint health centr now open michigan vascular center raises the "quality bar" for vascular care from soldier to civilian: a musical transition on safari in tanzania times change summer squeeze with vitamin c with lemons and limes
on the town
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FunDowntown! Back to the Bricks August 16-17
A week-long celebration of classic cars culminating in a fantastic show downtown. Events include a tune-up week in several communities, a pinewood derby, a free drive-in movie, a rolling cruise, and many more automotive themed celebrations. For the complete schedule, go to www.backtothebricks.org. In addition, the Flint Institute of Music is presenting The Motown Experience, joined by the Flint Symphony Orchestra, on the bricks downtown.
Crim Festival of Races August 23-24
An internationally attended celebration of runners and good health. Includes the Michigan Mile on Friday night, and a 10 mile, 8k, 5k, and Teddy Bear Trot on Saturday. The Crim continues to enjoy record-setting participation and attendance, with over 60,000 race attendees and an annual economic impact of more than $10 million. It is the fourth largest 10-mile race in the country and has brought national recognition to Flint.
Music in the Parks September 10, 7:00 p.m. Flint Institute of Music Enjoy swing and big band music? Just prior to the concert, take some dancing lessons, and don’t forget your lawn chair.
Flint Festival of Quilts September 12-14
Quilts from all over the country are displayed throughout Flint. Enjoy themed quilts, raffles, demonstrations, quilt sales, classes, and more at several locations around town. For more information, go to www.geneseefun.com
Bikes on the Bricks September 13-15
Love motor cycles? Then this event is for you. Events include awards for a variety of categories, a police escorted ride, a tattoo competition, a fashion show, and after parties. The police escorted ride is a 40 mile ride though Genesee County. Last year, it was estimated the event drew between six and seven thousand people and nearly 70 police officers from several states to participate in the police training. More than 1,100 bikes participated in the police escorted ride.
Art on Tap Beer Tasting
Flint Institute of Arts | September 14 Enjoy a large sampling of craft and import beers. Guests can also enjoy artisan beer cuisine provided by Redwood Steakhouse and musical entertainment by local artist Jeremy St. John – all under a large tented area on the FIA south parking lot. Over 100 guests attended last year’s beer tasting.
Flint Institute of Music September 22
Begin the 2013-2014 FSO season and enjoy world class cuisine in the atrium of the FIM before heading over to The Whiting to hear the opening concert of the new classical concert season. on the town
5
Flint’s Fabric of
Enrichment By Michael G. Thodoroff
Municipal master planners long assert that in order for a city
campus. The combined college and cultural center facilities spread
to become “great” it needs certain basic elements. Fundamentally,
over approximately 30 acres and was constructed over a twenty-year
it must have access to major interstate thoroughfares, an airport
period primarily through contributions from local businesses and
with passenger and freight service, a rail system, extensive hospital
individuals as it reflected Flint’s tremendous vitality as the birthplace
and health care systems, institutions of higher learning, and the key
and main manufacturing center of General Motors.
ingredient that molds the fabric of a community - a cultural center. According to that theory, the city of Flint is poised to move towards greatness with the renowned and well respected Flint
By the mid 1980’s however, the Flint College operations (Mott Community College) were made independent and the name was changed to The Flint Cultural Center.
Cultural Center serving as the framework to make this happen. The
The Center’s original facilities, many named as tributes for those
campus has strategically evolved over the years, but by creating
who made the Cultural Center possible, included the Enos A. and
efficient and productive internal systems for accomplishing specific
Sarah DeWaters Art Center, F.A. Bower Theater, Robert T. Longway
goals, the vision has remained consistent. However, each campus
Planetarium, James H. Whiting Auditorium, Alfred P. Sloan Museum,
institution is able to effectively pursue it's individual mission and
Sarvis Conference Center, and the J. Dallas Dort Music Center.
vision. The ultimate goal is achieving recognition as a leader and
In subsequent years, the Cultural Center expanded to include
a destination point for innovative cultural, entertainment, and
WFBE, the Flint Board of Education’s (FBOE) public radio station and
educational programs, and activities. Its early formative years are as
the Flint Youth Theatre in residence at the Bower Theater.
eminent as the history of Flint itself.
Organizationally, the FBOE operated Bower Theater, Sloan
Originally christened as The Flint College and Cultural Center,
Museum, Whiting Auditorium, Longway Planetarium, the Public
it was created in the early 1950’s by a group of dedicated and
Library, WFBE, the Flint Youth Theatre and the Sarvis Center. The Flint
visionary community leaders determined that Flint should provide
Institute of Arts and the Flint Institute of Music were independent
for a wide variety of cultural and educational activities on one
as they leasing board-owned facilities while establishing their own
6 on the town
continued on page 9
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Board of Directors and self-financing their respective operations – a key ingredient that has seamlessly sustained to this day! Then in 1992, the FBOE and the center’s fundraising apparatus, known as the Committee of Sponsors for the Cultural Center, undertook a strategic planning process with extensive community input, culminating in the adoption of a new long-range plan for the Center. As a result of this plan, the Flint Cultural Center Corporation (FCCC) was created in late 1992. Originally serving as the governing body for Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum and The Whiting, it administered the entire physical campus under a long-term lease management agreement with the FBOE. The evolution continued
relationship that we see continuing.”
in July of 2003 when the Flint Youth Theatre, up until that time a
John B. Henry, III, director of the FIA echoes Clark’s assessment
program of the FBOE, became a member of the Flint Cultural Center
and adds “We work together on collaborative events along with
Corporation and remained so until January of 2009 when they
maintenance and improvements to the campus.” He cites the
joined the Flint Institute of Music to take advantage of programmatic
recently completed “streetscapes” that include new walkways,
synergies.
street resurfacing, lighting, and signage as just one example of how
In the fall of 2004, the FBOE transferred the Cultural Center campus and it's properties (with the exception of the Sarvis Center,
they work together to make the Cultural Center an overall attractive destination.
the FBOE Food Service buildings and the Flint Public Library) to the
Paul Torre, president and CEO of the FIM adds, “Relationships
FCCC. Now as the property owner, the FCCC has the responsibility
are a hallmark of FIM’s success today. That focus on relationships
to take care of and maintain all campus common areas along with
has remained at the core of our strategic plans for nearly the past 15
the buildings in which its member organizations are housed. The
years.”
Flint Public Library, Sarvis and Applwood are campus partners. All
Since its inception, the FCCC has been consistent in bringing the
together, the FCCC governs 33 acres and, with partners, the campus
entities of the Cultural Center together through cooperative efforts and
has over 60 acres.
joint communications, basically making the whole stronger and more
Marsha Clark, interim president and CEO of the FCCC,
significant than the sum of the parts with a vision of positioning the
acknowledges the respectful and concerted relationship among the
Flint Cultural Center as the premier regional destination, educational
FCCC, the FIA and the FIM. “While the FCCC owns the property,
resource, and entertainment venue for history, science and the arts.
the FIA and FIM are their own private non-profit corporations,”
Even through the recent economic downturn, the Cultural Center has
she explained. “Each of us is a specific organization with specific
survived and is positioned to thrive in the foreseeable future thanks in
governing boards and a defined purpose. We have very workable
part to their leadership and support from the community. on the town
9
Clark makes a key point by expressing sincere appreciation to the community’s philanthropic foundations that collectively created an environment of stability spearheaded by the involvement of the C.S. Mott Foundation. Henry agrees, “This community has been remarkable in their support of our institutions and so in return, we work very hard to provide the very highest quality experiences we can while still operating within our means.” Not resting on their laurels, the Cultural Center campus institutions are focused on strategically moving forward for the benefit of the thousands of people who visit year-round, every year. Torre insightfully added, “I’m confident all of us envision the Cultural Center Campus as an integral part of the efforts helping revitalize the city as well as continuing to be a vibrant, and diverse gathering place where all people who wish have the opportunity to experience the value and potential growth from quality art, music, dance, theatre, science and history education and performances in our everyday lives.” Over the past few years, Clark has witnessed an increase in people coming from outside the Genesee County area due to a few key observances.
She senses people are becoming more aware
through the classic word of mouth but another factor is due to the quality programming and marketing efforts each institution is conducting. She gives an example by announcing the return of the ever popular dinosaur exhibit to the Sloan Museum this fall. “We listened to our patrons!” she said with emphasis. Like all visionary CEO’s, Marsha Clark has exuberant visions of an ideal cultural center, but is obviously restricted by financial concerns. On the other hand without funding constraints, she would love to see many more programmatic projects. “We would expand education and outreach programs to all Flint Schools and schools in the surrounding areas by providing additional bussing subsidies and educational programming in history, science, and the performing arts. We would expand all of the programs that I just mentioned while taking that programming directly to the schools.’ “Additionally, we would expand our exhibits at Sloan Museum and create specific exhibits in science and history while making performances at The Whiting available to school-age children and underserved adults at reduced or no cost. We would also take a variety of diverse performances directly to schools.” J.B Henry makes an intuitive thought when he asks, “Imagine this city if there were no museum, symphony or theater. Would we be able to create these institutions now? Probably not.” And D. J. Trela, chairperson of the FCCC Board, mentioned in his annual report that “…these valued [Cultural Center] institutions remain vital and continue to prosper through the hard work and support of donors, patrons, volunteers and staff members who help to make them unique places that enrich our lives and strengthen our community.” “I think the work of museums, science centers, and performing
10 on the town
The Flint Cultural Center
www.flintculturalcenter.org Flint Institute of Arts
(810) 234-1695 FlintArts.org Flint School of Performing Arts*
(810) 238-1350 Flint Instituteo f Music
Flint Symphony Orchestra* (810) 237-7333 FlintInstituteofMusic.org Flint Youth Theatre*
(810) 237-1530 FlintYouthTheatre.org Sloan*Longway**
• Museum (810) 237-3450 SloanLongway.org • Planetarium (810) 237-3400 SloanLongway.org • Buick Gallery & Research Center (810) 237-3440 SloanLongway.org The Whiting**
(810) 237-7333 TheWhiting.com * Member organizations of the Flint Institute of Music arts venues are to expand the thinking
** Member organizations of the
of patrons and to excite their curiosity,”
Flint Cultural Center Corporation
Marsha Clark contemplated. “The more contact we are able to have with people, the more we will be able to achieve this outcome.” Now, according to the theories of
The Flint Cultural Center partners: • Flint Public Library • Applewood Estate • Sarvis Center
municipal planners, the city of Flint can be great - again!
on the town
11
Advertorial
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YWCA of Greater Flint
Nina's Place and SafeHouse By Marcia Mcgee
A young woman wanders the streets of Flint, lonely, hungry, tired
are without family support. Located at the YWCA, it provides safe and
and afraid. She’s been sleeping in one of Flint's many abandoned
secure housing, 24 hour staff support, education and employment
houses, but last night, she was sexually assaulted in the house and
assistance, counseling and mentoring, financial assistance and life
she's afraid to go back. This young woman isn't a drug addict, she
skills education. In other words, Nina’s Place provides young women
isn't a prostitute, she isn't a criminal; she is one of the 800 kids a year
an opportunity to be successful in life.
who “age out” of the foster care system in Michigan.
“One of the most important things we do,” said Langford “is to
Aging out is the term used to describe the process of children
create hope. We teach them that it is possible to finish school and
turning 18 and being forced to leave the care of the state. While
have a career and create a life for themselves. Like many teenagers,
Michigan has recently changed some of its policies to assist these
they often want to try to do it on their own, but so often, without any
young people, many of them still fall through the cracks.
support, they stumble and fail. That’s where we come in – to provide
Chief Program and Development Officer of the YWCA of Greater
the guidance they are lacking from family.”
Flint Harmony Langford explains, “There are many requirements to
Nina’s Place offers support services in a communal living
qualify for the state stipend after kids in foster care turn 18. The system
environment. A life coach helps create independence plans for
is better than it was, but there is still a long way to go in ensuring that
the girls. “Staff and volunteers will teach them budgeting, grocery
we are protecting these vulnerable young people.”
shopping, cooking, and many other skills, all those things that you
Statistically, children who have been in foster care face enormous
and I might have counted on our families to teach us," said Langford.
challenges when they leave the system. They are at high risk for
However there are also guidelines the residents must follow to
homelessness, unemployment, and dependence on government
participate in the program. They must complete weekly goal sheets,
assistance. Young women are particularly at-risk as studies show that
do chores, have a curfew and be in school and working a total of
up to 50% become pregnant within 18 months of leaving foster care.
40 hours a week. The YWCA hopes these rules bring structure and
“These young women are searching for someone to love and
balance between being a young adult and someone trying to make
protect them. Oftentimes, they end up in an unhealthy relationship
it in this world.
that results in domestic violence and/or pregnancy. Sometimes, they
Langford explained, “So many of these girls only know a limited
are just looking for somewhere to sleep and are forced to trade sexual
view of the world. They’ve never gone beyond the two or three
favors for basic necessities, like food and shelter,” says Langford.
blocks outside of their neighborhood. Often these neighborhoods
To assist these young women, Nina’s Place at the YWCA of Greater Flint was opened in 2011 to provide a bridge to independence for young women ages 18 to 20 who were formerly in foster care and 14 on the town
suffer from pervasive violence, lack of educational and employment opportunities and homelessness.” The YWCA also takes the girls on field trips to museums, plays,
horseback riding and other fun and educational activities. “It’s important for them to know that there is a big world out there and it’s theirs for the taking,” Langford points out. When the program first was funded in 2010, the fourth floor of the building was renovated to provide a home for 11 girls. Each young woman has her own furnished room and they share common living and dining areas. They also have a computer lab and study
NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY
lounge that was funded by the Anna Paulina Foundation. Nina’s Place depends on grants from foundations, including the C.S. Mott Foundation, the Ruth Mott Foundation, the A.G. Bishop Trust, the
ADULT DEGREE PROGRAM
Nartel Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and
FLINT
many other private individuals and funders. In addition to the Nina’s Place program, the YWCA operates a 32-bed SafeHouse emergency shelter for women and children who are homeless as a result of domestic violence and sexual assault. SafeHouse is part of the larger Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services program at the YWCA that includes a 24-hour crisis hotline, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, support groups, teen outreach programs and an emergency response team. The YWCA operates the only state-certified domestic violence
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program in Genesee County. Last year, the Domestic Violence program provided services to over 3,800 women and children who
Located at 3487 S. Linden Road in Flint
were escaping abusive situations, including almost 400 women and children who stayed in the SafeHouse. “Violence against women is a huge issue in our community and around the country. One in three women will be abused by her partner at least one time in her life and one in six women will be sexually assaulted. These statistics show the poignant need for strong domestic violence programs in every county,” said Langford. Women and their children share a room while in SafeHouse. Food is provided, but the residents do their own cooking. There is
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a playroom and library for children, a teen recreation room and a “quiet room" for the moms. The staff at the YWCA helps develop safety plans for the residents to keep them safe once they leave and also work to help find them housing and other resources. The SafeHouse program costs about $340,000 a year to operate. Funding comes from government grants, fundraisers and private donations. “The YWCA’s mission is to empower women and eliminate racism. In Genesee County, the YWCA does that by creating a place where women can go to access the help they need. Whether a young woman is homeless without a family, or has children and is fleeing an abusive situation, we make sure they have a safe place to go, but we cannot do this without the support of the community,” said Langford. The next major fundraiser for the YWCA of Greater Flint is November 13. The Circle of Women event supports all of the programs of the YWCA, including Nina’sPlace and SafeHouse. The keynote speaker at this year’s Circle of Women will be Elizabeth Smart, former abduction victim from Salt Lake City. This annual event sells out quickly, so put it on your calendar now.
www.northwood.edu/proven 800.622.9000 on the town
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Tom Weadock:
Don Jarrard Award This year’s prestigious Don Jarrard award recipient is a familiar man around Flint area golf courses. Since 1968, Tom Weadock has been involved with golf in and around Genesee County. The Don Jarrard award is given annually for contributions to Flint area golf. The Lima, Ohio native’s first passion was for basketball, not golf, and that passion helped him in making the University of Michigan basketball team as a walk on. He finished his basketball career at Wake Forest University before returning and graduating from Michigan in 1962. Realizing his basketball career was over, Tom’s passion transitioned to golf. Tom has had a long career as a Caddie Master and golf coach. He has served as the Caddie Master at Flint Golf Club and Warwick Hills for many years. He also held that position for 12 Buick Opens. One of the highlights of his career was assigning a caddie to Arnold Palmer during one of these Buick Opens (and it just happened to be his wife Mary). As well as the Buick Open, Tom was the Caddie Master for another pro event in the Genesee County area. For four years, Tom took on
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these same duties at Davison Country Club for the State PGA. One other proud highlight Tom had as Caddie Master was having eight Chick Evans Scholarship Award winners. The Chick Evans
The Genesee All-Star Classic Committee would like to thank Tom for his dedication to golf around Genesee County and congratulate him on being this year’s recipient of the Don Jarrard Award.
Caddy Scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship for golf caddies that is renewable for up to four years. Each year more than 800 deserving caddies across the country attend college on a four year scholarship from the Evans Scholars Foundation. Selected applicants must have a strong caddie record, excellent grades, outstanding character, and demonstrated financial need. Between 1973-1978, Tom ruled over the Grand Blanc Parks and Recreation Golf program. He served as both, varsity boys and varsity girls, golf coach at Davison High school. In 1991, Tom was voted as the Michigan High School Golf Coach of the Year. Upon his retirement from coaching in 1997, Tom was inducted into the Michigan High School Golf Coaches Hall of Fame. Tom is in high demand to serve on various golf rules committees. Since 1988, Tom has served on the rules committee for every Boys and Girls State Finals. He has served on the rules committees for the Boys and Girls Golf Regionals since 1997 as well as the Boys District events, Genesee County tournaments, Big 9, and Metro League championships. From 1995-2008, Tom worked on the rules committee for the American Junior Golf Association tournament held
Live Music
Every Thursday 8pm-11pm
in Genesee County. He has given rules seminars at the State High School Coaches clinics since 2002 and has conducted rules seminars for different high school programs for the last 20 years. Tom’s dedication to the rules is also seen in the seven different USGA rules schools he has attended all over the United States. Tom retired as a teacher from Davison Community Schools in 1997. Outside of golf, Tom enjoys traveling with his wife of 48 years, Mary. He also enjoys attending University of Michigan athletic events and spending time with eight grandchildren.
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Growing Up Artfully June 6, 2013
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1. Sue Clark & Lisa Graham 2. Mrs. Lynne Ransom & Judge Ransom 3. Mary Ann Kiser & Jeff Wilson 4. Bob Landaal, Matt Ream, John MacDonald 5. Chet Cosby, Jake Emerick, Michelle & Rob Bennett 6. Marsha Barber Clark, Guy & 7. Kim Berg, Brent Severn, Curtis Yapchai, Kevin Zettek 8. Shelly McFarlane, Khalil Saab, Dr. Amin 9. Pete Bade, Jane Landaal, Kip Darcy 10. Lisa & James Anderson 11. Sarah Dunne, Cory Thompson, Cathy Gentry, Greg Fiedler 12. Veronica Artis & Rhonda Broussard
Linda Moxam Dakdouk
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13. Chris Lackey, Mrs. Penny & Dr. Brandon Tripp 14. Joshua Spencer, Barbara & Albert Koegel, Dr. Frederick Armenti 15. Susan Steiner Bolhouse, Bill Ballenger, Rosanne & Steve Heddy 16. Colleen Sproul, Louis Hawkins, Debbe Capmbell 17. Susan & Eric Wright 18. Gerard & Heather Burnash, Matt Norwood 19. Laura McKellar, Kathryn Koegel , Renee Goss, 20. Dr. Christopher & Shannon Ash, Domicella & Antonia 21. Keith Kline, Tinsi Olds 22. Kosta Popoff & Andy Serrels 23. Christine Landaal & Jennifer Chenett 24. Kate Waxweiler, NeelyThompson, Melissa Wyrwicki, Amy Piper Rebecca Boyer
on the town
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You don’t have to go up north to enjoy a beautiful river. The Flint River: A Natural Jewel By Marcia MCGEE
Most people don’t realize what a wonderful resource we have in
the Flint River and its tributaries are a vital resource we all need to
Genesee County. The Flint River Watershed is 1,400 square miles of
protect. Fedewa emphasized that her organization sees partnerships
pretty special territory.
"as a very effective way of accomplishing our mission.”
Rebecca Fedewa, director of the Flint River Watershed Coalition
It is important to protect, preserve, and improve this vital resource.
(FRWC) said, “The Flint River is in great condition. People seem
In addition to providing economic benefits to the community, the
to think they have to go up north to canoe, hike, fish or kayak in a
river provides a backup water supply for thousands. The river is also
beautiful natural area. They don’t. It’s right here.”
teeming with recreation opportunities. Talk about Pure Michigan!
The Flint River Watershed Coalition is a membership organization
A lot of people don’t know that the Flint River is the backup
that promotes citizen stewardship of our natural resources by
water supply for Flint. State law requires that each community has a
providing members with the resources, knowledge and capacity
backup. The water would be filtered in the water filtering facility and
necessary to protect local water quality and watershed habitat. “You
would be the same quality as the water we are currently receiving
need to have a strong robust water source to have a strong robust
from Detroit. Our water source will change when the Karegnondi
community,” said Fedewa.
Water Pipeline is completed.
The coalition was formed in 1997 and is a collaboration
A healthy watershed benefits the community by providing a
between educational institutions, local government, local business,
nice living space with clean water. It also brings money into the
environmental groups, and concerned citizens who feel strongly that
community by providing recreational activities. on the town
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Recreational activities abound in the watershed. From hiking to kayaking to fishing, it is a real treat to be around the river. The coalition holds an annual Flint River and Community Clean
need for a reservation, just show up and ride. The FFRT also schedules Saturday rides along other mid-Michigan trails within an hour’s drive from Flint.
up Day each spring, usually in April. This year some 350 people
The Flint River Trail begins downtown at the UM-Flint campus
volunteered their time to help clean up the river. Each year, some
and goes north along the Flint River to Bluebell Beach on Mott Lake.
unusual items are found. Among these items have been a pay phone,
Much of the trail is on both sides of the river. Another segment takes
empty box of cremains, a safe and a hot tub.
you to Stepping Stones Falls. From there, you can take sidewalks
In addition, the FRWC spends two weeks each spring and fall
and roads to pick up the trail again at East Coldwater Road, going
doing water quality monitoring at 34 sites around the watershed.
north to the village of Genesee. Along the way, you will pass through
Samples are collected and analyzed to determine how healthy the
older neighborhoods and a few city parks. At Gilkey Creek, a path
local streams are and to identify problem areas. This program has
leads easterly through Dayton and Kearsley Park and on to the Mott
been expanded to study the impact of road salting on our streams
College Campus. There also is an extension of the trail that runs from
and how it is affecting the local ecology.
downtown through Kettering to McLaren Hospital.
According to Fedewa, the river is very healthy. Still, the river
Kayaking or canoeing along the river offers many views, from
does have some enemies, the worst being runoff from driveways,
small rapids to lazy streams to calm lakes surrounded by birds. If
lawns, roofs, dirt, and salt. However, she said, the silver lining in
you are lucky you will spot bald eagles, turkeys and many other
losing so much of Flint’s industrial base has meant that our natural
natural wonders. Kayak and canoe rentals can be arranged through
resources are bouncing back.
the FRWC and the Flint River Paddlers. The organization holds two
Fedewa also noted that a collaborative effort is being conducted
“paddles” a month and will arrange rental and shuttles.
at the old Chevy in the Hole site to address contamination. City of
Fishing is another great source of pleasure for residents and
Flint, Genesee County Land Bank, EPA, other members of the Flint
visitors. The river has great walleye fishing, small bass, and, of course,
River Corridor Alliance are the collaborators.
carp. In Lapeer County, the southernmost part of the watershed, some
During bike riding season, the Friends of the Flint River Trail
trout stock in the cooler waters.
(FFRT) host regular Sunday rides. They leave at 2 p.m. every Sunday
Another important activity is participation in the Global River
through October from the Flint Farmers’ Market. These are leisurely
Environmental Education Network (GREEN). This is a program for
rides of about 10-12 miles in length along the Flint River Trail. No
teachers, mentors and students to learn about water quality and
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actually take part in water testing when they measure water quality at the river and then present their findings to their peers and community members. Fedewa, a Michigan State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife management and a master’s degree from Indiana University in non-profit management, first came to Flint to work at the C.S. Mott Foundation. Her work at the FRWC combines her passions: working with nature and people and getting to make a difference.
For more information Friends of the Flint River Trail: Jack Minore at jacksonminore@aol.com Bruce Nieuwenhuis at bnbaton@gmail.com Flint River Paddlers Jaime Welch at jwelch@flintriver.org or 810-767-7140 Water Monitoring Volunteers Jaime Welch at jwelch@flintriver.org or 810-767-7140 GREEN 810-767-6490 or info@flintriver.org
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Bob Bois The Legacy
Becomes a Legend By Yvonne Sova
A legacy is something, usually valuable, that is handed down from an ancestor. A legend is the worthwhile history of what the man to whom it is given does with it. Bob Bois received a legacy of dedication and responsibility along with the opportunity to work in the family insurance business. In the early 1900s few people realized the impact the City of Flint would have on the world. Through dedication and perseverance, the men with a vision suddenly weren't so crazy. As a builder and real estate developer, Thomas Bois, Bob’s grandfather, knew that any wise person would realize the importance of having insurance to replace the valuables they owned in case of loss. With that knowledge in mind, in 1919, Thomas started an insurance business. Only the beginning of a legacy that continues to hold true today. Flint played an important part in the founding of companies and organizations which developed into worldwide enterprises and became the model for others to follow. The birthplace of General Motors, the concept of a community education program, the school to train engineers who would develop and improve industry to provide for the needs and comforts of everyday life, medical facilities, all brought national attention and an increase in population.
“Mentors, male and female, are desperately needed in every area. Time is more valuable than anything else." - Bob Bois
Companies have come and gone in this area but men of vision remain: men of integrity, of respect, who value education, service to the people in the community and the importance of a family legacy. Those values were imbedded in Thomas Bois who instilled them in his son, Robert, who passed them on to his sons, Bob and Greg who gave them to the next generation. Bois Insurance Agency achieved a history unmatched by any other business in this area and few in the United States. That is: being an independent business owned and operated by four generations of the same family for almost 100 years. The future may include five generations! Bob was born in Flint, grew to love the area and remained when many others had left. Family roots were deep and strong. He progressed from Civic Park elementary school to Longfellow Junior High and graduated from Northern High School. Typing was an elective class back when Bob chose it, not even realizing the importance it would be in the future, especially when computers would become a necessity. The skill in mastering the keyboard is one that can be useful for an entire lifetime. He was anxious to work with his father and grandfather so started working in the family business while in high school, but continual learning is also a necessity in this world. The more you learn the more you are capable of learning and Bob has never stopped. He availed himself of the opportunity to attend Mott College here in Flint plus Western Michigan University, one of the top 100 public universities in the USA. 24 on the town
continued on page 26
Downtown Fenton
115 West Shiawassee Ave.
810-629-3332 www.beholzjewelers.com
Mediocrity is not in Bob’s DNA and when only the best will do you - GO Blue! His need for learning continues today. Bob loves this quote from Jonathan Livingston Seagull: “It’s good to be a seeker, but sooner or later you have to be a finder.And then it is well to give what you have found, a gift into the world." For over 42 years, Bob has shared his insurance expertise with clients, many who have been with him for 20 years or more and include multi-generations. Individuals, small businesses and large corporations with many employees, all have received his personal attention. His expertise and sense of civic responsibility in the community is shared with numerous organizations, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, Genesee County Historical Society, Sloan Museum are a few. Not content with just attending meetings or making a cash donation, he sits on the boards of many, helping to guide in making decisions. His contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2009, Bois Insurance Agency was honored as Flushing Business of the Year. Gov. Snyder publicly recognized Bob with the Support of Community Award. He has also received the George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award for Civic Activities. As a Big Brother participant, it is the personal, one-on-one, individual contributions that have given him the most satisfaction. Serving as a friend, counselor, role model, his influence has changed young lives under his guidance. Talking about the children with special needs in our community brings out the passion he feels about helping them, especially the forgotten ones living in poverty or with people who may not care much about them or know that help is available. He believes paths are crossed for a reason and we must rise to meet the need. Mentors, male and female, are desperately needed in every area. Time is more valuable than anything else. A few minutes, a hug, a smile is enough to make a child happy and feel that someone cares. Some schools offer a program called ‘Lunch Buddy’ where a person can visit during the lunch period and sit with a child who seems lonely or with a small group to listen to their experiences. They will feel better and you will feel blessed just by listening to what goes on in their minds. Check it out, be a person of vision, the whole world can be changed by changing one person’s world. In the rushed business world with pressures and demands on time, everyone needs an activity that is done just for pure pleasure and relaxation. Music soothes the soul and Bob has been known to sit down to play the piano for a few minutes, melt into the melody and lose track of time. That may also happen when spending time in the garden, which some may call work, but to him it is communing with nature. Bob is one of those rare individuals who purely enjoys life, whatever he is doing. Don’t be envious, follow his example. We should all live that way!
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flint art fair fia | June 8-9, 2013
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1. Alyssa, Alaina, Alexandria & Melissa Warburton 2. Nicholas Family 3. Marilyn Kubek & Melissa Sudol 4. Diane Perry, Valerie & Beckham Fears, Chandra Cleaves 5. Sue Bolt, Therese Leyton, Lori Bolt 6. Sherwood & Lula Pea
7. Walker Family 8. Andrea Thomas & Alejandro De Jesus 9. Alisha McCabe & Natasha Jones 10. Beverly Shomsky & Sixto Olivo 11. Tom & Jennifer Spaniola 12. Nate & Lou Bruce on the town
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How One Man Changed the lives of thousands:
Bobby Crim By Amber L. Sabo
After that inspiring day, and with the help of his assistant, Lois Craig, the Crim was born. The very first Crim Road Race in 1977, tried to mirror the Boston Marathon by setting the race time at high noon. However, Bobby's first attempt didn't go according We have all had an experience that has touched our hearts so deeply; our minds begin to put into motion how we will change the world. Maybe it’s a movie, or driving by a person holding a sign saying they will work for food.
In that
moment the thoughts run wild of how to start a nonprofit or help feed the hungry. The emotions are so intense we might actually consider it for a few minutes. How often are we so inspired that we actually pursue our rescue mission? Invited to attend a Special Olympics race in the Kearsley area in 1976, Bobby Crim knew after that experience he wanted to be a part of helping these kids feel the freedom they could only get from running. 30 on the town
to plan. The Crim was set in August as opposed to April when the Boston marathon was set. With temperatures spiking into the 90's the big day of the race, Bobby Crim never imagined he would see his dream become a nationally ranked race almost 36 years later. This iconic festival has evolved from one marathon to a series of races, attracting world class runners from all over the globe. More than that, it has become a respected 501(c)3 non-profit with a full staff that strives to impact the lives of Flint area children and adults by promoting healthy lifestyles. Crim attributes most of the Crim Festival of Races success to the volunteers. From registration to handing out water, thousands of people volunteer each year to make this event possible. Last year’s Crim Volunteers of the Year, Bill and Elaine Stratton, have been with the Crim for 27 years, running registration and awarding the 10 mile winners with their medals. Bill says his most memorable Crim was around 2009 when the usual facilities at the hotel were not available, forcing them to juggle two separate locations. On Friday night they found themselves tearing everything down at The Great Lakes Tech Center to set up for Saturday’s race day at the University Pavilion. “The next continued on page 32
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thing you know we lost power and volunteers worked past one in the morning using their headlights to sort through the boxes.” said Bill Stratton. Like the dedication his volunteers show, Bobby Crim has run almost every single Crim 10 mile race. He even ran one year blind folded. It poured that year and Bobby was stumbling and running into curbs. Bobby’s first reaction after the race “was to rip the blind fold off.” Still competitive in his age group, Crim still runs half marathons, as well as various 10 mile races, and has only missed out on a couple of Crim 10 mile races due to extenuating circumstances. Running since 1968, Bobby Crim is an excellent role model for the Crim Fitness Foundation. He was inducted into the Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1990, and is a Vern Seefeldt Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. This award, given by the governor, recognizes an individual who has made landmark contributions to the health of Michigan residents through research, teaching, professional practice, policy of volunteer involvement related to physical activity of fitness. These are just a couple of Crim’s numerous awards and recognitions. Originally from Missouri, Bobby was drawn to Flint in the 1950’s to work at General Motors. He passed up a partial athletic scholarship because he didn’t have the money to pay for the rest of his tuition. Instead, he worked at GM, joined the service, and used his GI bill money to complete his education. Eventually, Bobby earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan, where he recently received an honorary Doctorate of Law. Bobby’s passion led him to a career in the state legislature, where he served eight of his twenty plus years as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Not only is Crim an exemplary model of physical fitness himself, he has continued to help the Flint community come together every August and show amazing support for the handful of charities the Crim Foundation assists. People flock by the thousands to participate in something that years ago was one man’s dream to help the Special Olympics. Through determination and what he knew best, physical fitness, Crim has changed lives across the world. 32 on the town
420 S Saginaw Street • Entrance off Kearsley Street Monday - Thursday: 8 am to 4:30 pm • Friday: 8 am to 3 pm
Now Open! Services include: • • • • • •
Internal medicine Obstetrics and gynecology General surgery Podiatry Diabetes education Behavioral health
Easy access, free parking in secure parking structure behind building First 1,000 patients receive a certificate for a free hot drink and crepe from Flint Crepe Company To schedule an appointment with a Genesys physician at the new facility, facilit call 810-232-3522
Genesys Downtown Flint Health Center is the new home for Genesys West Flint Health Center
The Flint Farmer’s Market:
Change is a Good Thing By Marcia McGee and Dick Ramsdell
Ten years ago, the Flint Farmers’ Market was going to be closed, due to the city spending too much money to keep it operating. The Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC) saw an opportunity and took
"The market
over the management of the market, saving the city money, and rescuing one of Flint’s historic jewels. Last year, Uptown was presented with another unexpected opportunity. The Flint Journal had
is one of the
undergone a major transition and in the process it's $35 million downtown print facility became available.
most beloved
could not be maintained at the current site. The decision was made to move the market to 300 E. First
The availability coincided with the recognition by Uptown that its market successes of the past 10 years
and most
Street. The move allows the market to undergo significant updates and expansion, and marks its return to
successful
The market has added new vendors, successfully piloted wireless bridge card incentives, created a
places in the City of Flint."
the downtown area after more than 70 years. number of partnerships, made significant building and infrastructure improvements, and created a great amount of good will and support among the area residents. Today, nearly 300,000 visitors patronize the market every year. “Many people have memories of the market at its current location. There is history, ambiance, and a country-like quietness at the location alongside the river, all of which hold great attraction. However, we are hopeful that the public will embrace the fact that moving into a newer and much larger facility offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for the market and its vendors to take a significant step into the future,” said Dick Ramsdell, Flint Farmers’ Market manager. The market is one of the most beloved and most successful places in the City of Flint. However, the
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current building, now 73 years old, suffers from a multitude of ailments ranging from a leaking roof to an insufficient plumbing and sewer system, and inadequate parking. In addition, the facility is not ADA handicap accessible and does not have an elevator. The effects of the building deterioration coupled with the growth of the market vendor and customer base have created challenges that the market is hard pressed to address at its current site. According to Tim Herman, president of Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC) and CEO of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, it’s the right time to relocate the market. “The current market is bursting at the seams,” said Herman. “We have the perfect opportunity to move the market and fix some of the problems that stifled the market’s expansion and growth. Once the renovations are complete, the new Flint Farmers' Market will occupy more than double its current footprint to 32,000 sq. ft., more people will be exposed to fresh, locally grown foods, and educational opportunities that will encourage nutritious options as a central part of their diets. The new market will rival our nation’s leading small city markets.” In addition to diversifying and adding more unique vendors, the new 32,000 sq. ft. site will have a commercial kitchen designed to serve as an incubator and test kitchen for entrepreneurs and current market vendors alike. It will offer a large meeting room which seats 200 people and can be used for community meetings and private events all year round. The room will also feature a demonstration kitchen where cooking demonstrations and culinary classes will be held. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2014, the new site is about a half mile south of the current market. It is easily accessible off the I-475 access road, Chavez Drive, across First Street from the University of Michigan-Flint campus and the beautiful Wilson Park. The new location will allow the market to become an active participant in the increasing number of downtown events that draw close to one million visitors a year. It will also make the market more accessible to people who use public transportation, and provide fresh food options to over 5,000 people who work and live downtown as well as the over 30,000 students attending nearby colleges and universities. The management team of the market has been working with the vendors and many are in agreement that now is the right time to move it back downtown where it began 108 years ago. "Ziehm Greenhouse & Produce is optimistic that the move will bring new customers to the market because of its proximity to public transit--people who might otherwise not be able to get to the current location. We strive to grow wholesome produce and offer it at a reasonable price to all our customers, especially those who might not otherwise have access to farm-fresh local fruits and vegetables. The Flint Farmers' Market is our favorite market, not because of its location, but because of its people--they are the best customers and vendors around. The spirit of the market is not tied to a place, and that spirit will follow wherever the market is situated. Plus, we're hoping that current market patrons will follow the market downtown, which could offer an increase in customer base for those businesses in the vicinity of the new location. Ultimately, it makes sense to put the heart of Flint, in the heart of Flint!"
Advantages of the move include:
•
The new downtown market will still hold the same, familiar vendors. Although it won’t border the river, the green space provided by Willson Park will still allow a feeling that the market is not completely surrounded by cement.
•
There will be plenty of nearby parking – more than at the current site.
•
The outside pavilion will be replicated.
•
The new market’s location close to the bus station will mean that patrons who ride the bus will no longer have to transfer in order to reach the market.
•
The 5,000 workers downtown will now be within walking distance of the market, as will the 1,000 residents and the 8,300 students.
•
Expressway access will still be easy.
In short, the market will remain a destination. Think of all the customers the new market can serve. This opportunity represents a win for the market vendors (they get new facilities and more space), a win for customers who won’t have to shop on crowded hot Saturdays in the summer, a win for downtown, and a win for Flint and Genesee County. on the town
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Hello, Café Rhema!
Flint's NEW Vintage coffee lounge By Therese Leyton
Photography Provided by The Spencer Agency.
It’s new and exciting and at the forefront of Flint’s revitalization. This beautiful brick walled building was the first building renovated by Uptown Developments. Located across from the flat lot on Saginaw Street near First Street in the old Economy Shoes Building, Cafe Rhema is reborn from the old Brown Sugar Café. Joshua Spencer recently purchased the café from Julie Prince and is renaming it Café Rhema. Rhema means spoken word in Greek and that is exactly what Spencer hopes to generate. The literal [not really] translation of this new name means "A coffee shop where conversations start," Spencer says. Spencer has transformed this space into a vintage lounge with paintings and cozy furniture that invites students and young professionals to come and relax or have a business meeting. Cafe Rhema is way more than a dinky coffee shop, it's a place to regroup, start conversations, work, eat, and enjoy. Director of the nonprofit organization Ichthus Flint and CEO of The Spencer Agency, Joshua Spencer, now adds one more notch on his entrepreneurial belt by reinventing the coffee experience in Flint and Genesee County. Café Rhema is the result of lots of travel and research by traveling to many cities nationwide, interviewing coffee shop owners and gaining insight. Café Rhema celebrates community and mixes together people and conversation to make it a landmark coffee shop in Genesee County. “I’m extremely excited to be able to buy the shop. We have a great customer base as Brown Sugar Cafe, and I now hope to reach a whole new customer base of students and young professionals,” said Spencer. Spencer has many years of business experience. The café will be managed by Michael Thibodeau, who has much experience in restaurants and is an experienced coffee roaster. Café Rhema joins other restaurants in Downtown Flint and participates in all of Flint’s events including, The Art Walk every second Friday, and will to feature light live music whenever possible. Café Rhema offers a wide variety of coffee drinks: espresso-based drinks, French press and pour over coffee, fruit smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and a variety of daily fresh baked pastries. Bubble teas and many tea varieties are also served. It’s WiFi friendly and is now open to 10 p.m. The Café celebrates community and invites everyone to stop in and make it part of your day. Spencer is hosting a ribbon cutting event on August 12th, and later a grand opening celebration, of which a date has not yet been set. Both of which, are open to the public. Stop in and say hello. Contact Café Rhema at 810 342-0511 or visit them at Facebook.com/CafeRhemaFlint to stay connected. 36 on the town
Downtown Flint
Buckham alley Fest July 13, 2013
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1. Tonya Speakes & Lorraine Reischling 2. Sophia Reischling & Cassidy Young 3. Buckham Alley Festival Committee 4. Savannah Young, Debbie & Brent Mozingo 5. Annie Vizanko, Drew Gauthier, Ed Fletcher, Jenny Christenson, Marcus Papin 6. Courtney Dahl, Allie Magnus, Lia Volpe 7. Lisa Metropoulos, Michele Vincent, Melissa Emke, Cathy Lancaster, Kristina Lau 8. DeWayne Younger, Shirley Ulmer, Sheena & Johnny Manuel 9. Emory Russel, Hannah Federline, Matt Ramos, Brian Cummings 10. Leteia Hughley, Joseph Lattimore, Jeidyn Nelson, Laquindra Oden 11. Amy Burtrum & Greg Cleaver 12. Jayson Caya, Brittany & Dan Tyrrell, Janet Vandewinkle
on the town
37
No more weight-related Type 2 diabetes
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We’re Off to a
Great Start! By Jerry Johnson
Genesee County’s youngest residents are benefiting from the
middle income families at age five and continues to widen without
local, state, and national attention focused on improving the quality
extraordinary efforts to help disadvantaged children catch up to their
of services for families with young children. The shift in priorities
peers who have had more enriching opportunities to learn.
are a result of experts from business, economics, education, health
Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) was one of the first
care, and mental health all urging American’s to improve services for
ISDs in the state to become a Great Start Collaborative site in 2006.
young children.
The Great Start Collaborative included education, medical, public
Each of these community sectors can show compounded savings
health, mental health, child welfare, business, and philanthropic
in future costs for job training, remedial education programs, public
partners. Together, these partners worked to build a system of
assistance, health care costs, and criminal justice. In addition, the
services to improve the likelihood of success for all children. The
quality of life and family stability improves as children are secure,
Collaborative received a Children’s Champion award from Priority
confident, and successful in their journey to adulthood. Local
Children in February 2013.
businesses, foundations, the United Way and Chambers of Commerce
The work of the collaborative partners has strengthened the
are supporting the improvements in the early childhood services.
capacity within the community to provide infant mental health
Genesee Intermediate School District is a leader in facilitating these
services and a trauma informed response model for young children.
changes within the region.
The development of the brain is strongly influenced by the child’s
Dr. Elizabeth Hackett, director of GISD Head Start, says “current
emotional response to experiences. Children who receive loving,
scientific evidence shows that a child’s foundation for success in
calm, and fun interactions will experience optimum development.
school and life begins prior to kindergarten. The brain development,
Conversely, children exposed to family and neighborhood violence
driven by both physical maturation and social experiences occurs
react through a shutting down of neuronal connections in the
most rapidly in children from pre-natal to age five. This critical
brain those results in reduced learning and difficulty in regulating
learning period has been largely disconnected from the American
emotions. These children often appear to misbehave or have learning
system of education.”
difficulties as a reaction to the chronic stress of their environment.
The model that was used for the past 100 years invites children
New programs are emerging from within the foster care, Head
to start school at kindergarten. The data on children’s achievement
Start, and maternal-infant home visiting programs to assist children
indicates that children who have not experienced high quality
affected by the trauma. Early intervention can stop and reverse the
interactions and learning opportunities prior to school are already
effects of the trauma.
at a disadvantage when they enter the kindergarten door. The
The GISD Successful Kids = Involved Parents (SKIP) parent
achievement gap is present between children from low and
education programs using the Parents as Teachers curriculum have
40 on the town
continued on page 42
continued for the past 13 years and added the important nutrition and physical fitness components through the Michigan Fitness Foundation grants, serving 750 children annually. Evaluation of the success of children who participated in the SKIP program with parents indicates that the children scored higher on MEAP tests consistently each grade level through eighth grade (most recent grade level available). The quality of the parent and child interaction is an important component of children’s educational success. The pediatric workgroup of the Great Start Collaborative is developing a new model to provide school-based health services in conjunction with the area health systems in preparation for the Affordable Care Act’s changes in health delivery. Genesee County schools have only 10 school nurses serving 75,000 children in school. This ratio is dangerous in light of the nationally recommended ratio of one nurse per every 450 students. New technologies including telemedicine to assist in the management of asthma, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions are in the planning phase for health supports in schools. School practices are changing to support the primary medical and dental homes to coordinate comprehensive care. The Early Care and Education component of building the Great Start infrastructure has experienced the greatest growth due to tireless advocacy to increase funding for preschool education and improve quality. Parents of young children can now visit the state-wide Great Start to Quality website (www.greatstartforkids.org) and view the quality rating of their child care and preschool program as well as search for information on all licensed child care and preschools in their community. As the Michigan Department of Education sought to improve quality of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), the Intermediate School Districts became the fiduciaries for the program in each county or region within Michigan. Genesee Intermediate School District worked with the local school districts to restructure the state funded preschool program, provide training and coaching to improve quality. In June, the Michigan legislature voted to increase the half-day slots available to serve low income children in the GSRP program from 1,800 slots the 2012-2013 school year to 3,100 slots for the 2013-2014 school year. This is an $11 42 on the town
million dollar investment of state funds in high quality preschool for Genesee County’s disadvantaged children. The funding will be maximized by blending the GSRP and Head Start program funds to provide additional full day options for children living in poverty and the opportunity for greater learning. The federally funded Head Start program has changed the grant award cycle from what have historically been indefinite periods, to new 5-year cycles. In April 2013, GISD and Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD) were notified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families that both agencies would now serve children and families with the comprehensive Head Start Program. Disadvantaged children, ages three to five years old, will receive a high quality preschool education, health support, and a parent engagement program. GISD will serve children residing in the Beecher, CarmanAinsworth and Flint school district service areas beginning in the fall. Dr. Hackett indicates “we are very excited about the opportunity to improve the program in the districts that we will serve by using a new parent engagement model and using student data to customize classroom activities to help students grow in all developmental areas.” The GCCARD Head Start program, operated by Genesee County, will also offer the Head Start program in the remaining school districts. The Early Head Start program serving pregnant women, infants and toddlers throughout Genesee County will also be provided by GCCARD and Carman-Ainsworth Schools. The growth of the early childhood system and expansion of services within the Genesee County region will result in higher quality programs for area families and create jobs. The economies of scale that have been demonstrated in many areas of GISD’s service delivery will be achieved in the area of early childhood care by centralizing administrative, purchasing, and training functions while providing services to families in the local communities. The children enrolled in these programs who receive high quality care and learning experiences, will be off to a great start as they enter school. However there are many others who will see an impact, also. Businesses will see improvements over time as the future workforce demonstrates higher skill levels and more stability to offer their employers. For more information about the early childhood system of programs and services in Genesee County, call 810-591-5437.
When planning for college, don’t overlook the powerful higher education options available right in your own community. For a solid foundation of college learning and tremendous cost savings, taking your first year or two of college at Mott Community College is a smart idea. Save on room and board costs, take advantage of small class size and professors who teach their own classes, and save with MCC’s lower tuition rates. Most MCC students are able to work while attending college and MCC college credits transfer to any university in Michigan and most in America.
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Joe Byrd, Sr.
A Boxing Legend By Amber L. Sabo
Life doesn’t always hand you what you want. Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations we couldn't have even dreamt of. Those types of situations sometimes change lives. Originally from Mississippi, Joe Byrd, Sr. came to Flint at only fourteen years of age searching for work. After finding a job at a local car wash, he hung on until he could go to work for General Motors when he turned eighteen. At the ripe age of 19, Joe Byrd found himself in a boxing ring with little training and no desire to fight. Showing up that day only to collect Golden Glove tickets, Byrd was recognized by an older couple who told him to get in the ring and fight when the announcer started calling his name. Scared to death, Byrd stuck out his right fist at his charging opponent and knocked him out in one punch. “I didn’t know you could knock someone out with gloves on” stated Byrd. That just shows how unfamiliar with boxing Byrd actually was at the time. The next big break Byrd would receive was also an unexpected situation. Heading to Grand Rapids as a coach, he found himself again in the ring filling a spot of an absentee boxer. After winning four fights, Byrd was now the state champion, and moved on to his next fight in Chicago. When asked about the most memorable moment in his career, Byrd speaks of an exhibition fight against Sugar Ray Robinson at IMA in Flint. He then went on to fight professionally, and even fought Muhammad Ali’s brother. Not only did Byrd box professionally, he also raised eight children, over half of whom had successful boxing careers. His wife, Rose, deserves tremendous credit for their children’s achievements. When Byrd was first starting out, Rose helped him get in prime boxing condition. According to Byrd, women boxers don’t cut corners. They give one hundred percent in and out of the ring. So, there was no cutting corners with Rose. The family is thankful for her persistence in conditioning them to be great fighters. 44 on the town
In 1992, Joe Byrd Sr. was selected as a U.S. Olympic coach for boxing. His youngest child, Chris, was on the 1991 U.S. National Boxing Team and ended up winning the silver medal the following summer in Barcelona, with his father as a coach. Chris Byrd is a former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion, and earned his International Boxing Federation world heavyweight title by beating the legendary Evander Holyfield. Chris’ sister, Tracy Byrd, became the International Female Boxers Association world lightweight champion in 1997, and in 2003 won the world junior welterweight title. Building a family of boxers and coaching kids at his academy through the years, Joe Byrd Sr. has earned much respect. He, still in his eighties, coaches and runs Byrd’s Boxing Academy on N. Saginaw Street in Flint. When asked about another Flint native, Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields, Byrd says he is surprised she is going back to the Olympics a second time. Most medalists turn professional after their Olympic debut, but Claressa is choosing to stay an amateur until after the 2016 Olympics. “If anyone can do it, she can,” says Joe Byrd. He speaks very highly of Claressa and her accomplishments. With a few of his children by his side, Joe Byrd Sr. wants to help every kid that comes in his gym. If they move out of the area, Byrd uses his contacts to help them stay in boxing. He was to be an example and give them a reason to stay off the streets. Teaching dedication and responsibility keeps them motivated. “Today kids don’t always have a good home life and people in their life to guide them,” states Byrd. The best thing I can do is give back to the sport that gave so much to me and my family.” on the town
45
8th AnnuAl
Golf Scramble
Fore! The AnimAls
46 on the town
The Golf Scramble was organized by Kim Gray to raise funds for Adopt-A-Pet which is a non-profit animal organization based in Fenton, MI. Adopt-A-Pet helps find loving homes for needy cats and dogs as an alternative to euthanasia. They found new families for over 850 animals last year and provided medical care for many very sick animals.
A well-feathered nest begins with Two Birds.
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810.487.2089
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NOW OPEN
Celebrating 50 Years of Quality and Service
~ Jewelry Repair on Premises ~ 810-230-2727 | G-3310 Beecher Rd. | Flint (Next to Diplomat Pharmacy)
www.GainesJewelry.com
Karaoke Anyone? Try the
Autumn Lounge
3473 Fenton Rd. | Burton | 810-232-8811 Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Sunday Noon to 2:30 a.m.
By Vagios Young
Yannis Mavrikos seems to be collecting landmark bars of old Flint. He has followed his purchase and refurbishing of the Thrift City Bar on Davison Road with a rejuvenation of the Autumn Lounge on Fenton Road, the former Old Well Inn. Yanni started his career as a young Greek immigrant in1980, learning the
one visit. That’s the way Yanni trains them. Tonight is no
Coney Island business from the bottom up. He didn't stay at the bottom long.
exception, she screams." Keep your pants on Slug, I'll be
With his energy, enthusiastic personality and the thriftiness of all pursuers of
right with you."
the American Dream he saved enough money and bought a partnership in the
Yanni, once again has jumped in and bought a Flint
Colonial Coney Island. His entrepreneurial instincts and ambition soon had him
landmark. He should be commended and supported. In
acquiring the Thrift City and turning it around as Yanni's Opa Bar.
today’s shrinking market he'll need it, but Yanni loves a
He continues to show his belief and confidence in Flint by purchasing the
challenge. His whole life has been a challenge; starting
Autumn and sinking his toil and treasure into remodeling and maintaining this
with his birth on the beautiful Aegean island of Skiros. He
well known watering hole as the quintessential neighborhood bar filled with fun
remembers, as a boy, selling lemonade up and down the
and instant friendships for which he seems to be getting known.
beach to foreign tourists for one drachma. At the time the
We decided to go in and check it out. I was with two Flint rascals of some
exchange was 30 drachmas to the dollar. He also used to
renown, Chino Juarez and Slug Varner. Their "Fun Meter" can not be questioned.
carry luggage at one drachma per bag and at night he was
We went in the back door and were met by Burt and Penny, the Autumn
a waiter at the disco. Yanni is one of the nicest and hardest
welcome wagon. Penny is the de facto social director. She is a sometime waitress
working guys I know. Check him out; The place is fun and
and has all the dish. Burt Nestonhowsky (or, as it's pronounced by everyone,
full of Flint characters.
"who stole my house keys") is respected by one and all for his degrees of patience
The lounge has karaoke seven nights a week from
and suffering. At the bar were Huey and "Swede," the historians and heads of
7:00 p.m. til close. Beers are $1.75 Monday through
quality control. They make sure everyone acts right and the beer is cold.
Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Don’t expect food,
Maggie Baker and Joann (Killa) Bolligar are in charge of service this night. Killa doesn't want the origin of her nickname published, but she will tell if you come in. Killa, always hollers good naturedly at the regulars and you are one after 48 on the town
though. It’s a friendly neighborhood hangout and great for people watching.
Gaines Jewelry
50 Years of Service
By Marcia McGee
Gaines Jewelry has been the place to buy jewelry for first, second, and now a third generation of folks who appreciate the personalized
Ballenger Highway and opened his business in 1963.
service and high quality for which Bob Gaines has become known.
Gaines explained, “I had
As a matter of fact, in the three years that MiLive and The Flint Journal
the ability and the desire to
did a “best of” survey, they were voted the best place to buy jewelry.
make more money.” He joked,
This year, the store is celebrating it's golden anniversary. Gaines
“I wanted to be able to make
founded his store in 1963 as one of several independently operated
more than $125 a week and I
jewelers in the area. None of them remain. He attributes his success,
wanted to be able to play golf
in part, to treating customers like family.
without getting my feet wet.” He
Gaines began life in a small Missouri town as a sharecropper picking cotton. He served in World War II and, under the GI Bill, was
explained that he had to play early in the morning while the dew was still on the ground.
afforded the opportunity to learn a trade. His choices were welding,
Gaines and his wife worked hard to make the store a success.
plumbing, or watchmaking. We know what he chose and we’re
Etheleen worked in the store until their children were born. From then
glad he did. He was called up during the Korean War and repaired
on she sometimes worked during the holidays, their busiest season.
watches for the ordinance at Fort Leonard Wood.
Bob’s son, David, worked in the store throughout high school
After the war, he returned to his home town of Gideon, Missouri
and while he was attending UM-Flint. “I never thought I wanted to
and opened his own jewelry store in 1952. Business wasn’t great,
go into the jewelry business because when I was younger all I did
so he and his wife, Etheleen, moved to Michigan to look for new
was get lunches and polish countertops.” During his college years
opportunities and to be nearer her family.
he started developing relationships with the customers and really
“I thought I would work for someone else for about three years while I was developing suppliers,” Gaines said. That turned out to be five years. In 1962, he bought a wheelchair and watchmaker shop on 50 on the town
learning the business. That changed his mind. Bob said, “When David came into the business, it really lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders. “What I really love about this business,” David said, “is helping continued on page 52
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“What I really love about this business,” David said, “is helping people celebrate milestones. We interact with customers during some of the happiest times of their lives.”
people celebrate milestones in their lives. We interact with customers during some of the happiest times.” Repeat business is at the core of their continued success. David is now selling wedding sets to the children of couples who bought their rings from Bob. “We are almost to the point where we are selling sets to the third generation.” David said. When asked about the recession, David explained that they never really saw a downturn. “We were fortunate. Maybe people weren’t
wear department store jewelry.” Part of the fun and process in picking out jewelry or
spending as much, but they were still celebrating
gifts, is the sharing experience with a friend and a jeweler who really desires to help
milestones.”
you pick out the right gift.
Another part of their success has been their
That said, the store carries a really wide variety of products: Bulova and Citizen
employees and their dedication to customer
watches, Pandora products, pearls, rings, bracelets and, of course, they do custom work.
service. Mic Goulet, store manager and partner,
“Custom work is more affordable than ever,” David said. Most custom work is
has been with the business for more than 37 years
done by computer aided design so our customers can look at a design by email and
and echoes that sentiment. “It’s fun to work here
make changes. We go back and forth until the customer is satisfied, and then we make
and our customers are like family,” he said. “There
the piece.”
are customers who have been coming in longer than I’ve been working here.” The philosophy of the store is that to be successful for a long time, you must be profitable,
Gaines Jewelry works to innovate and stay relevant. While technology has improved some things like computer aided design, in other ways, it has made business more challenging, like making sales on the internet. David says they have been successful because they have been able to change with the times.
yes, but to last 50 years, you have to have the
One thing that hasn’t changed is the quality of the service offered. The store offers
loyalty of your customers and employees. “We
watch and jewelry repair all done on the premises: no one’s stones leave the store. They
believe that what has afforded us this luxury is the
also offer re-styling services and replacement value appraisals of jewelry.
unique approach, in every phase of the business, is seeing people as just that…people,” Bob said. A sign in the store reads “Life is too short to 52 on the town
Gaines Jewelry is open Monday through Thursday and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The store is located at G-3310 Beecher Road in Flint Township.
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McLaren's Heart Program Recognized for Quality and Efficiency By Sherry Farney
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has named McLaren Flint as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Cardiac Care SM. The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care® program is a national designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality specialty care – and has recently been expanded to include more robust quality measures focused on improved patient health and safety as well as new cost-efficiency measures. “McLaren Flint is proud once again to have met the rigorous selection criteria that has been set by the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care® program,” states Donald Kooy, president and CEO of McLaren Flint. “Receiving the cardiac designation, which is now a third area of Blue Distinction Center+ recognition at our medical center, once again reinforces that we continue to stay on course in our commitment to provide high quality and cost effective care to our patients.” Research confirms that the newly designated Blue Distinction Centers+ demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications and readmissions than their peers. Blue Distinction Centers+ are also 20 percent more cost efficient. McLaren Welcomes Experienced Surgeons to High Performing Heart Program The cardiothoracic program at McLaren Flint continues to incorporate the latest technology, equipment and clinical staff needed to diagnose, prevent and treat heart diseases. This leading program offers advanced diagnostic and treatment options, including minimally invasive cardiac procedures, robotic-assisted cardiac surgery, as well as research. This year, three additional board certified cardiothoracic surgeons Fouad Azoury, M.D., Sanjay Batra, M.D. and James Martin, M.D. joined the medical staff. They are caring for patients at the Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery/ Michigan Heart Valve Institute
Fouad Azoury, M.D. Cardiothoracic Surgeon-Board Certified
located at McLaren Flint. The addition of these surgeons to the heart team at McLaren
Dr. Azoury completed a Fellowship in Minimally
continues to ensure that patients with complex cardiac needs do not have to travel out
Invasive Cardiac Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic
of the area for care. Their surgical expertise includes repair of aortic aneurysms and
Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed
dissections as well as minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery.
his Residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
54 on the town
Sanjay Batra, M.D. Cardiothoracic Surgeon-Board Certified Dr. Batra completed a Fellowship in Research at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit.
MCLAREN'S Cardiothoracic Surgeons Perform the Following Procedures:
He completed his Residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Case Western Reserve University/ University Hospitals of Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio.
On the Heart • Mitral & Aortic Valve Repairs & Replacement • Ascending Aortic Aneurysms & Dissections • CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery) On & Off Pump/Midcab (Minimally invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass)/Total Arterial Grafting • Numerous Robotic-assisted cardiac and lung procedures
On the Lungs • Lobectomies • Pneumonectomies
James Martin, M.D. Cardiothoracic Surgeon-Board Certified
To contact the Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery/Michigan Heart Valve Institute at McLaren
Dr. Martin completed Residencies in Thoracic
Flint, call 810-342-2590.
and General Surgery at State University of New York at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. He also performs numerous robotic-assisted procedures. on the town
55
the 100 club
heroes' night dinner meeting June 25, 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1. Helen Philpott, David Gaines, Roxanne Caine, Timothy Knecht 2. Ron Lammy ll, Gregory Waller, Thomas Shade, Nadim Saab 3. Larry Ford, Michael Kelly, Dan Maynard 4. Robert Cairnduff, Asst. Chief Charlie Koan, James Harmes 5. John Miller & Mike James 6. Steve Beatty & Judge Byron Konschuh
7. Timothy Purman, John Gleason, Howard Downing 8. Andy Suski & Dan 9. Judge Duncan Beagle & Judge Mac Conover 10. John Anderson, Jamie Hresko, Roxanne Caine 11. Shelly Masters, Mellissa Galloway, Mark Eniex 12. Julie Kenrick, Bill Harris, Wayne G. Scheaffer Maynard
56 on the town
Now open
On Monday, August 12, the Genesys Downtown Flint Health Center opened for business in a brand new facility located at 420 S. Saginaw Street. by Cindy Ficorelli
The Genesys West Flint Health Center (located at Beecher and Ballenger Road in Flint) relocated to the Genesys Downtown Flint Health Center. "The Genesys Downtown Flint Health Center is our promise to the residents of
The center provides the following services:
Flint that we are here, not only to keep you healthy, but to share in a vital partnership to revitalize this community, and to help it grow and flourish ‌ today, tomorrow and for future generations," announces Elizabeth Aderholdt, president and CEO of Genesys. Genesys is making a $3 million investment over seven years to open this new health center. "Genesys is bringing the right level of medical care to the right population in
Internal medicine Obstetrics and gynecology General surgery Podiatry
the right location," Aderholdt adds. "As the revitalization of the Flint area continues,
Diabetes education
the need for community-based, ambulatory medical care facilities like the Genesys
Behavioral health
Downtown Flint Health Center will continue to increase." The new facility provides easy access for students, those who use public transportation and those who live and work nearby. Free parking is available near the center's entrance on Kearsley, and MTA buses stop at the facility's entrance on Kearsley. Genesys partnered with Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, Uptown Reinvestment Corporation and Uptown Developments to open the health center. "As a major employer in Genesee County, it is our duty to step forward and work side by side with our community partners to help shape the future of this area," Aderholdt reports. "Genesys looks forward to exploring more opportunities with our
Hours: Monday -Thursday 8 am - 4:30 pm Friday
8 am - 3 pm
partners to help revitalize this community." on the town
57
Michigan Vascular Center Raises the “Quality Bar” for Vascular Care by Dr. Carlo A. Dall'Olmo, M.D. The word “quality” is often heard during healthcare discussions; however, it loses any significance if the parameters defining quality are not described. Other than using the word, what does “quality” mean in health care? What are the parameters that indicate quality in a practice? How will a consumer or patient know that those metrics have been achieved, be assured that a given institution is safe, and that true quality care is being delivered?
That question was asked of the CEO of Flint Township based Michigan Vascular Center, Gary Paavola. He replied that, “The pursuit of quality in delivering the best possible patient care has been an everyday commitment at the Michigan Vascular Center (MVC) since its founding in 1963.” He added that “the Center’s core values and mission statement reflect the pursuit of quality in the care rendered to every
Sherry L. Cavanagh, M.D.
patient, every visit, everyday.” Michigan Vascular Center has undertaken a number of quality initiatives to compare itself with the nation’s best academic vascular centers. These include the introduction of a new vascular fellowship training program, participation in a national vascular quality initiative (VQI), maintaining a vascular registry, creation of a vascular research center, the voluntary participation with three national accrediting agencies for vascular care, the recent addition of a specially trained vascular surgeon to the practice and more. New Vascular Fellowship Training Program
On July 1st 2013, MVC welcomed the addition of two vascular fellows, Sherry L. Cavanagh, M.D. and Mohammad Sarhan, M.D. Both physicians are already board certified general surgeons. They will train under the direction of MVC surgeons for two years. Once the fellows complete their program, they will be eligible to sit for their Vascular Surgery Board Certification exams. The MVC fellowship program, in
Mohammad
conjunction with Michigan State University, McLaren-Flint, Genesys and Hurley
Sarhan, M.D .
medical centers, is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Four years in the making, the MVC Vascular Fellowship program is one of only 141 throughout the country. Training the vascular surgeons for tomorrow is a great honor for MVC surgeons, but also a great responsibility. All of the MVC physicians are committed to this fellowship and to developing the finest future vascular surgeons. For the patient, it means exceptional care. Introducing “SAMI
One of the “givens” in the medical profession is the unending search for better methods, materials and medications to improve the quality of care rendered along with outcomes. It has been most evident in the field of vascular surgery, a discipline which has undergone a tremendous technological revolution in the past 10-15 years. Thanks to the generosity of the McLaren Foundation which provided the funds for “SAMI,” the MVC vascular fellowship is one of only 11 programs in the country to have a vascular simulator. SAMI stands for “Simulation for Advanced Medical Interventions.” Like the flight simulators used to train pilots, SAMI is designed to train vascular specialists by having much of the technical learning done prior to entering the surgical suite. The procedure can be performed over and over again until the user is 58 on the town
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satisfied with the entire planning and execution of the procedure. SAMI is the creation of Mentice, a world leader in vascular simulation. It is the quintessential endovascular training tool! Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) and Vascular Registry
The VQI and vascular registry are voluntary, ongoing quality reporting systems MVC has been enrolled in for several years. They involve reporting results of vascular procedures to a national data bank and comparing results with those for other large academic vascular practices. Only in this manner can we know if MVC results compare or exceed the national standards. Voluntary Accreditation
SAMI
In addition to ACGME accreditation for the vascular fellowship program, MVC is also accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The MVC vascular laboratory was one of the first IAC certified
research, MVC has been the first in the state to
in the nation and has recertified every three years for over twenty years. In addition, all
enroll patients in several FDA approved trials.
of the vascular ultrasound technologists are also certified (Registered). The technologists correlate each of their patient studies with the surgical outcomes of the physicians. These safeguards have made the MVC lab a “high reliability organization” for quality and outcomes. MVC is also proud to report that all outpatient services (arterial, venous/ VeinSolutions, prosthetics/mobility center and hemodialysis access) are accredited by AAAHC. Accreditation is a rigorous two day process, not counting the days spent in preparation. During the process, every step in every system involving the care of the patient in the outpatient setting is investigated and evaluated by the inspectors. There is no stone left unturned and when accreditation is granted, the patient can feel confident that every possible step has been taken to ensure his/her safety. Michigan Vascular Research
Specially trained vascular surgeon
MVC welcomes the addition of Cherie R. Phillips, M.D. to the staff. A native of Cleveland Ohio, Dr Phillips received a Master’s degree in Bioethics prior to entering medical school. She received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. After completing her general surgery residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, she entered her Vascular Surgery Fellowship at University Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Phillips
The MVC Research department is one of the country’s most experienced sites for
is the recipient of several awards and honors
carotid stenting and AAA endovascular repair. MVC specialists have participated in
including the Howard University Department of
over 50 clinical trials, in many different phases of research, from Phase I to Phase IV.
Surgery Chief Resident of the Year 2010. She comes
Because of the research department’s dedication and commitment toward conducting
highly trained in both open and cutting-edge, minimally invasive endovascular procedures. Eds and Meds
"Raising the bar"
If you google “Eds and Meds,” what you find are the words “Urban Revival” and “Urban
Dr. Phillips comes highly
Redevelopment.” While experts caution that “Eds
trained in both open and
Services”
and Meds” or “Higher Education and Medical alone cannot sustain a community
cutting-edge, minimally
indefinitely, there is no question regarding
invasive endovascular
Genesee County, particularly in the wake of the
procedures.
the vital role “Eds and Meds” have played in 72,000 lost General Motors jobs. The Michigan Vascular Center is proud of its 50 year history, its contribution to higher education, its advancement of medical services and its overall mission to “Raise the Quality Bar.”
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810-235-3263
Rob Veenhuis, Mark Eneix, and Doug Graham
810-239-5000
Patrick Hodge
From Soldier to Civilian:
A Musical Transition by amber l. sabo
In 1994 at Grand Blanc Community High School, Will
added the lyrics and melody, and they completed what would be
was a senior who wanted to follow in the footsteps
their band's first single.
of his father and grandfather. He wanted to join the Army. Flash forward to 2013, and Sergeant First
Will and Nicole began auditioning musicians to form a band. On their quest they found Ervin Suarez, a drummer/guitarist, and Chris Lowell, a bassist/guitarist. These four musicians all shared the
Class William Stratton has completed the last
same passion and determination. 'Butterfly on a Bullet' was their first
of his six combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.
orignal song, and became their band name, and they continued to
Life as a paratrooper over these tours has caused
write until they had enough original material to make an album.
him to medically retire with back injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Approaching his 20 year retirement date, Will does not want an elaborate party or an extravagant vacation. He wants to end his service with the release of Butterfly on a Bullet's original music and
During his 20 years of service, Will has never been without
music he recorded during and between his six tours. This is not
a laptop and his guitar. He considers music the only constant in
possible without support as the independent release of an album is
his life. Every tour, music was his escape from a place of death
thousands of dollars. He is returning to Michigan to run the Crim 10-
and destruction. He wrote songs, recorded guitar parts using the
mile race. He will carry his Army backpack, the Army flag, and give
production software on his laptop, and then collaborated with
CDs to onlookers – hoping to garner support from his hometown.
vocalists and other musicians through email to complete each song.
Butterfly on a Bullet has launched a project through Kickstarter,
A bass player would add a track or a singer would add lyrics, and that
a website that allows the community to be a part of an artist's journey
is how Will created hundreds of songs despite being at war halfway
by offering product in exchange for contributions. If you would
across the world.
like to contribute, please visit Butterfly on a Bullet's website www.
After his return home, Will decided to try to make his dream of
butterflyonabullet.com, or their facebook page www.facebook.com/
releasing an album a reality. Wanting to give back to the military, he
butterflyonabullet to read more about their goals and your rewards as
created Project 2.8, symbolizing the 2.8 million veterans who have
a donor. If you cannot donate financially, you can still support this
served since 9/11/2001. Will placed an ad on Craigslist asking for a
cause by sharing the link to their Kickstarter and encouraging your
singer to help write a military-themed song. Will emailed his guitar
friends and family to donate.
part to one of the responders, singer-songwriter, Nicole Eaddy. She 62 on the town
There’s No Place Like The Neighborhoodsm
All the taste. None of the trade-offs. Try the Unbelievable Great Tasting & Under 550 Calories Menu! TM
On Safari in Tanzania By Sue Lauber
As we began our approach to the airport, our plane banked hard to
creatures. Nothing can be as still as a wild animal.
the right and skirted around the snow-capped top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The chattering baboon troops greeted us at the entrance to the
Wheels down. The Land Rovers were waiting. Expectations began
thick jungles of Lake Manyara National Park and the forest hornbills
to run rampant: exhilaration, fear and excitement! To go on a photo
honked in the trees to warn of our arrival. Ernest Hemingway loved
safari was a dream of a lifetime. We chose Tanzania because it
this park most of all. The abundance of wildlife were seemingly used
defined our perception of Africa – the Serengeti Plains, the “big five’
to the paparazzi, and created the impression that they were posing
-lion, rhino, cape buffalo, elephant and leopard, that were long ago
for our cameras as we traveled through the park often being led by a
hunted and bagged for their ferocity.
large troop of baboons.
Games drives are an adventure in themselves. It’s what our
The next morning we departed for the Serengeti National Park via
driver calls “a Tanzania massage”, or riding a roller coaster without
the Oldupai Gorge, the cradle of early African Man. Along the way,
the harness. For eight hours each day, we would ramble toward the
we noticed and admired the indigenous Maasai people. They are tall,
unknown, on bone-crunching, dusty, rocky roads bobbing to and
thin, handsome people. The men wrap themselves in crimson red
fro, side to side, up and down. Bariki, our guide, would shout out
cloth, and women in blue, both adorning themselves with colorful
important information and unforgettable stories, we eagerly hung on
handmade jewelry. Their footwear is made from discarded tire tread.
to every entrancing word.
The Maasai are herders of cattle and their wealth is measured by the
Animals are free to roam wherever they want and unlike in
number of cattle they own. The tribal villages are built in a circular
the movies, they did not break into song, make wise cracks, and
design with huts on the outside and cattle on the inside for protection
the hippos didn’t dance. To track our game, we looked for animal
against predators.
droppings (dung beetles never go hungry), camouflaged silhouettes,
Countless wildlife defines the vast plains of the Serengeti. Bariki
moving grasses, shapes that didn’t fit into the landscape, and we
spotted a pride of female lions with their cubs lying close to our Land
would watch where other creatures were looking. We listened for
Rover, camouflaged by the tall grass. We noticed one of the female
alarm calls, splashing water, and changes in the activity of other
lions was wearing a collar around her neck.
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crocodiles and hippos, arriving at our tented camp in Kirawira, built with colonial opulence replicating the legendary hunting camps of Victorian England. In all of the Serena Lodges, there is infinite freedom for the wandering wildlife. It was necessary from dusk till dawn to have armed escorts to and from our rooms. Our days were filled with activity. We arose at daybreak, shook out our shoes for any spiders or critters that may have found their way in during the night, dressed and started our action packed game drive for another day. Our final destination was the Ngorongoro Crater. En route, we came upon a fresh zebra kill.The lions were nearby, so close I could see flies on a nose, battle scars on a hide and dried blood from the kill. Bariki noticed we had a flat tire. “Oh great – a flat tire at a lion kill,” everyone said in unison. I was beginning to feel a little bit like “meals on wheels.” Bariki decided to move the car away from the pride, about 100 yards or so, where the lions couldn’t see Bariki noted that rangers like to track the lions with the most kills. We moved on and stopped at a local watering hole where a herd of zebras were taking a drink. Zebras are very skittish animals that jump and run at the slightest noise. They make a strange sound of barking like a dog and braying like a donkey in one breath. In the afternoon, when the sun is at its hottest, zebras rest by standing aside one other in opposite directions and rest their heads on each others back seeming to say: “I’ve got your back”. As we continued down the road, we found a giant flat-topped
him, then jump out and quickly changed the tire. We stood vigilant guard as he nervously performed the task in record time. The Ngorongoro Crater was once a large volcano that exploded and collapsed on itself some three million years ago. A rich grassy pasture now covers the bottom of this soup bowl and provides a natural sanctuary for over 25,000 animals including the endangered black rhino, all living in a balance of predator and prey. Picnic lunch was served by the hippo pool. Tanzania is a world of endless savannas as far as the eye can
Acacia tree filled with four female lions sprawled nonchalantly on the sturdy, crooked branches, yawning with an occasional lick of the paw seeming to say, “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille”. Lions occasionally climb trees to get a better view of the Savannas and to get away from the biting and stinging bugs of the tall grasses. These lions with paws dangling and bodies flopping, totally damaged their
“I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up I wasn’t happy” –Ernest Hemingway
fierce and noble image. The Serengeti is the main stage for the "Wildest Show on Earth,"
see, or jungle so thick one can not see what dangers await ten feet
the annual Wildebeest Migration, an awesome, massive spectacle
in front. After the hunt, after the fall, after the taste of the last blood,
involving millions of animals plodding relentlessly across the grassy
the lions cover up the remains of their kill, the leopards hang their
plains heading north toward Kenya and eventually returning back to
prey to dry in a tree, the crocodiles rest on the banks of the river,
Tanzania in a clockwise rotation. It’s a never-ending journey searching
the discarded carcasses are picked clean by the vultures. Suddenly
for food and water in a quest for survival. Along the way they give
a peaceful stillness settles over Africa. We have traveled the tales of
birth and receive death, often plunging into crocodile infested waters
Tanzania, and have left our footprints on its endless plains. How rich
and the vultures are never very far away.
and beautiful life is here. “I never knew of a morning in Africa when
We headed west to the great Grumeti River, famous for its giant
I woke up I wasn’t happy” –Ernest Hemingway on the town
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Mott, Motown and More
Celebrity lip SynC Show May 31, 2013
Mott, Motown and More featured PSY/M.C. Hammer “Gangnam Style” Remix performed by Mott College Faculty Larry Gawthrop Chief Financial Officer, Cutis Mitchell Faculty & Staff Support Technician, Abby Gawthrop student, Rebecca Martz HR Coordinator, Trisha Miller Grant Development Administrative and Dolores Sharpe Interim Dean Business Division.
Mott, Motown and More featured Diana Ross “I’m coming out” performed by Karen Church, CEO/ President ELGA Credit Union. Mott, Motown and More featured Diana Ross “I’m coming out” performed by Karen Church, CEO/ President ELGA Credit Union.
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Mott, Motown and More featured Van Halen “Hot for the Teacher” performed by Mott faculty Chris Bolla Manager, Educational Medai Services/ITS, Ann-Marie Christman Disability Services Specialists, Michael Tews Marketing & Public Relations and Tom Saelens Site Director Northern Tier Campus.
Mott, Motown and More featured Tina Turner “What’s love got to do with it” performed by Linda Glasper El Rice CEO Loving Hands Inc., Shakya Pea Intake Coordinator Supervisor Loving Hnads Inc., and Pamela Reid Medical Billing Supervisor Loving Hands Inc. Mott, Motown and More featured The Miracles “The Tracks of My Tears” performed by Terry Turner General Motor’s retiree, Robert Matthews Executive Director workforce development- WEC for Mott Community College, Sam Wells Senior Director of Sales Inteva Products and Anthony Alexander Owner Anthony Alexander * Associates Insurance Agency.
Mott, Motown and More featured The Velvelettes “Lonely Girl AM I” performed by Shelia Miller Graham Founder of Creative Expressions Dance Studio Choreographer Teacher, Millie Arbor Registered Nurse McClaren Surgery and Original Motown Velvelette, Takiyah Jackson Dance Instructor and Choreographer Creative Expressions Dance Studio and Ciara Terry Creative Expressions Dance Studio.
Mott, Motown and More featured Captain & Tennille “Love will keep us together” performed by Chris Hamilton Executive Director Old News Boys and wife Joyce Hamilton retired Dental Office manager.
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Times Change By Dale Keipert
57% of businesses have acquired a customer through their company blog. How does a company develop and implement a fruitful marketing plan for attracting, obtaining, and keeping customers via the countless online opportunities available? Marketing on the internet should be geared toward a straight-forward and simplistic, but not bland, presentation of information and offerings to let a potential customer know "right now" that you've got what they want. Online customer acquisition efforts, when successful, are worth every investment you make, whether those investments are people, time, or money. So, where do you begin? The first step is to identify what type of customer you
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
When your site is properly optimized for the search engines, you will receive more visibility to users interested in your product, service, or
want. There are many ways that you can define them; gender, age, income, geography,
company.
or probably the most important, you can define your customer by where they are
about clever keyword selection on your web pages.
positioned within their buying cycle.
It also includes factors such as back-links to your
The Cycle
Where a prospective customer is in the buying cycle will have a direct impact on your acquisition strategy because the information that they are in search of changes as they progress through their buying process. As an example, people early in the buying
Search engine optimization isn't just
site, potential duplication of site content (which will hurt you), and how mobile-friendly your site's content is for smart phone users. DISPLAY CHANNELS
cycle are typically online for the purpose of researching a product or a solution to a
Display advertising means exactly what
problem. As the prospective customer moves from one decision to another, they move
it says - using photographs, images, or other
through the buying cycle getting closer to making a purchase with each decision.
visual marketing methods to attract and acquire
The reason it is important to identify where in the buying cycle you want to start
customers. This can be incorporated into social
talking to these perspective customers is that the channel that you use will change with
media and other types of marketing channels
their position within the cycle. People early in the cycle will be more available through
through the use of interesting, engaging, or eye-
the social media channels, while people in the final stages will be more accessible
catching visual advertising that stands out among
through paid search advertising.
the thousands of advertisements seen and generally
The Channels
40% of mature multi-channel marketers reported increases of more than 15% in revenue that are attributed to marketing programs. – Forrester (May 2012) The different ways you can use the internet to acquire customers and generate leads are many and varied, ranging from using social media, to display advertising, to using the search channel for both organic optimization and paid advertising. Each method has its own pros and cons which have to be considered when deciding which channel to use for getting new customers. The method you choose also has its own impact on conversion rates. SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING
One of the key factors to success in customer acquisition through social media advertising is to stand out from the crowd. Social media users see thousands of advertisements every day, so don't let yours get lost in the shuffle. Use images to capture attention and promote your services or products, and use engaging and unique text. Contests and promotional offers are also a great way to attract attention via social media; people love to win, receive discounts, or get something for free! 68 on the town
ignored by internet users every day. You want your display content to be different, and you want it to entice your potential customers to click the display ad and explore the landing page. note:
Information in this article is an excerpt from a white paper written on using three main online marketing channels to acquire more customers from the web. For a free copy of the full paper just visit 3Sixtyinteractive.com/ AcquireMore/ About 3Sixty Interactive
3Sixty Interactive is a professional online marketing agency with over ten years of experience in the digital world. They offer a variety of digital marketing solutions that include search engine optimization, digital advertising, email marketing, social media, customized strategy reports, analytics and maintenance of your marketing plan. Learn more about 3Sixty Interactive at www.3sixtyinteractive.com or by calling us at 1-877-43Sixty.
Downtown flint | June 21, 2013
Taste of Flint
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genesys
Charity Classic Golf Tournament & Party july 15, 2013
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1. Ron Sears &
Betsy Aderholdt
7. Michelle & Greg Leach 8. Jonathan & Jennifer Hartman 9. Jeff & Sue Tippett 10. Fred & Christine Bergman, Connie Larsen, Bob Bergman 11. Doug Brody & Jim Zimbo 12. Meygan Sementilli, Shannon Ash, Joyce & Steve Cook
Michele Strocel 70 on the town
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13. Pan Sanborn, Kim Owen, Lisa Ballard 14. Dave Isbell, Mandi Pemberton, Troy Slivka Jr. 15. Al & Sally Rohde, Patti & Don Ballentine 16. Marilyn & Jim Truesdell 17. Vince Dibattista & Art Devaux 18. Anita Abrol & Monika Kapoor
19. Chefs: Anthony Guiette & Lloyd Cunningham 20. Town Square Media: Kristin & Kelly Quinn, Jenny Butynski, Aaron Geisert, Kristine & Dale Sikkema 21. Mike & Kelly Briggs, Joe & Roxanne Caine 22. Kim & John Anderson 23. Boogie Dynomite 24. Sandra Walker & Vernica Artis
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Summer Squeeze of Vitamin C with By Therese Leyton
Lemons and Limes
Bring on the lemons and limes and their zest and let the fun begin. The vibrant flavors of these fruits blend well in almost any balsamic dressing or vinaigrette. Kabobs on the grill look pretty with a slice of lemon or lime and fresh squeezed lime juice over barbecued veggies is really tasty as well as over a summer salad. Iced tea tastes delicious with lemons and fresh mint. Lemons and limes floating in a pitcher of water add flavor for a refreshing taste and it is very healthy. Who doesn’t like to look at lemons and limes? Lemons are the fruits from crossing limes and citrons. It is thought to have been discovered in India or China and Christopher Columbus brought the fruit to the Americas. Today, most lemons are grown in Florida. I always liked the song sung by Trini Lopez, “Lemon Tree,” written by Will Holt based on a Brazilian folk song: “Lemon tree very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.” Limes have a similar story. They came from Southeast Asia and were in North Africa in the 10th Century. Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. Limes were first grown in Florida beginning in the 16th Century and came to Spain in the 13th Century. The health benefits of lemons and limes are plentiful. They contain special flavonoids and high levels of Vitamin C. Limes contain flavonol “glycosides,” and according to research, this flavonol interferes with cancer cell growth and acts as an antibiotic. Boost your immune system with Vitamin C. Vitamin C should be ingested on a daily basis. Our immune system needs Vitamin C. Enjoy the citrus squeeze and make a delicious lime dressing which may be added to many salads for a citrus taste.
Lime Dressing Makes ½ cup
This dressing can be mixed into any pasta salad. For a Mediterranean salad add feta and orzo to the pasta along with Kalamata olives or mix 2 Tbsp.
¼ cup olive oil 1 tsp. lime zest ¼ cup lime juice 2 Tbs. chopped cilantro 1 Tbs. water 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. ground cumin ¼ ground cardamom
lemon juice freshly squeezed instead of the lime juice into the recipe and substitute lemon zest for lime zest. It’s delicious and loaded with Vitamin C. Also lime juice, vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper blended together is a sweet tart taste of flavor. Add to shredded cabbage for a light summer taste on coleslaw or cooked couscous. There are so many ways to use lemons and limes. Add fresh squeezed lime juice to chopped avocado dip for a boost of Vitamin C or to a lentil salad with chopped onions and peppers. Add lime juice or lemon juice to baked or broiled fish or chicken. Squeeze lemons and limes over any mixed greens and add lemons and limes to any salsa. Barbecue sauce tastes great when lemon juice is added to homemade sauce or steak sauce. I make my own barbecue sauce with ketchup, vinegar, honey, lemon juice, and seasonings to taste.
Combine and shake well.
I heat the ingredients together in a sauce pot and brush it frequently over my chicken. Delicious! Summer is a time to enjoy family and friends. Enjoy this summer with a squeeze of lemons and limes. Bon appetit.
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Riverfront Banquet Center Thursday, September 26th 5:30-9:30pm Not your traditional bridal show! Townsquare Media and Brady Events are proud to present “Cocktails and Veils” Thursday, September 26, at the Riverfront Banquet Center in downtown Flint. This premiere Bridal event will uniquely feature area vendors in a night club setting complete with Martini Bar, live wedding entertainment, as well as a “Wedding Cake Wars” competition. Your business can take advantage of this great opportunity to market directly to brides and gain exposure on Cars 108, Banana 101.5, and Club 93.7!
Booth Sponsorship Booth Sponsorship Includes:
•Mention in a minimum of 10 recorded on-air promotional mentions between Cars 108, Banana 101.5, and Club 93.7 •Mention in a minimum of 10 online radio mentions between wcrz.com, banana1015.com, and club937.com • 10x10 booth space at Expo includes clothed tables and chairs •Listing on the event page on wcrz.com, banana1015.com, and club937.com
Total Value $1,000+ Standard Booth Investment: $500 ($450 if by 7/31 with 50% deposit down) Premium Placement Corner Booth Investment: $550 Book 2 for the same company and save $100 *Any vendors providing food or beverage samples must provide a copy of liability insurance naming, Townsquare Live Events, LLC, Brady Events and Marketing and Riverfront Banquet and Conference Center as additional insureds.
Business Name Client Signature
Client Name
Date
Yes, my company would like to provide a giveaway for additional emcee mentions at the event. (Value may also include on-line and on-air exposure prior to show) Giveaway(s) to include
*Townsquare Media does not discriminate in advertising sales based on race or ethnicity. Any provision in any order or agreement for advertising that
purports to discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, even if hand-written, typed or otherwise made a part of a particular contract, will be rejected.
The CommuniTy FoundaTion
Over the mOOn 25Th anniversary
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