1/23/25 Southfield Sun by C & G Newspapers

Southfield and Farmington Hills schedule events in recognition of MLK

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

SOUTHFIELD/FARMINGTON HILLS — On Jan. 20, marchers braved the cold to walk one mile from Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway, to the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, for the 40th annual “Peace Walk” in Southfield, honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. The walk was followed by a program, with remarks from Fumi Johns Stewart of May Peace Prevail

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

OAKLAND COUNTY — On March 1, the third and final phase of the “Restore the Reuther” project will commence, as eastbound and westbound Interstate 696 between Lahser Road and Interstate 75 will be rebuilt in 2025-2026.

In 2027, I-696 between I-75 and Dequindre Road will see improvements such as the rebuilding of the roadway, bridge work and drainage structures.

Additionally, 60 bridges will be repaired, including the rebuilding of the Church Street Plaza bridge that contains Victoria Park. During that construction, a walkway detour will be available.

On Earth International, who was slated to bring 130 flags for marchers to carry and place in the Southfield Pavillion.

The MLK Task Force also held the MLK Youth Service Awards on Jan. 14 to honor youth for their community service, and was set to hold a food giveaway, in collaboration with Forgotten Harvest, a nonprofit that assists families facing food insecurity, on Jan. 17.

Every year since 1986, on the third Monday of January, the city of Southfield has attracted crowds to bring

See MLK on page 16A

ABOVE: Southfield marchers braved the cold to walk from Hope United Methodist Church to the Southfield Pavilion Jan. 20 for the 40th Annual MLK Peace Walk. For more photos, visit candgnews.com.

The project is expected to be completed by fall 2027.

Diane Cross, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Transportation, clarified that westbound traffic will be maintained while eastbound and westbound I-696 will be rebuilt between Lahser Road and I-75.

“We’re reconstructing all of the freeway, but one year we will reconstruct the eastbound side and one year the westbound See ROAD CLOSURE on page 7A

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Library to host presentation on making maple syrup

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

SOUTHFIELD — According to Antonio Cosme, who is the land stewardship manager with the Friends of Rouge Park, “Any maple tree can be tapped.”

“Anybody can tap a tree right on their front lawn,” Cosme said. “You could easily learn how to do it safely. Anyone can make maple syrup. All

they need is (a) spile, a corollary size drill bit, a bucket and a maple tree.”

Cosme has been tapping trees for about seven years and will host a presentation from 6:30 p.m.8 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Southfield Public Library, located at 26300 Evergreen Road.

As part of his presentation, he will demonstrate how to tap a tree and discuss the sugar bush in Detroit and the challenges they’ve faced, as well

FILM STUDIO

SET

TO

COME TO SOUTHFIELD

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

SOUTHFIELD — This February, a 12,000-square-foot film studio will open its doors in Southfield.

The Collective Studios will open at 4 p.m. Feb. 1 with a ribbon cutting. The studio offers 44 diverse set spaces for local filmmakers, photographers, television producers and commercial directors.

The set spaces include a police station, jail cells, courtroom, doctor’s office, hospital, church, airplane and more.

The Collective Studios is a collaboration between a group of 13 Detroitbased filmmakers, including Rockey Black and Tonja Ayers, “The Shoe Lady.”

Black and his wife, Janaya, have been in the independent Detroit filmmaking industry for 23 years and have been a part of 27 films.

“I got my first shot in the movie, ‘8 Mile’. Got a small role in there, and that gave me the acting bug,” Black said. “Me and my wife … got married at

Photo provided by Antonio Cosme

Antonio Cosme leads a maple syrup making presentation at Rouge Park.

See SYRUP on page 8A

Photo by Liz Carnegie

Two of the 13 filmmakers who own Collective Studios, Tonja “Tee-tee” Brown and Rockey Black, sit inside a chapel set. Black said that he focuses on creating thrillers and faith-based films.

See FILM STUDIO on page 14A

and Oak Park partner

Rosedale Community Players presents ‘Knock The Ball Loose’

SOUTHFIELD — The Rosedale Community Players is set to present “Knock The Ball Loose” by local playwright Sean Paraventi.

The production is scheduled to run Jan. 24 - Feb. 8 on the RCP home stage at Peace Lutheran Church in Southfield, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road.

The production is directed by James Howland, with Ann Marie Payne serving as the assistant director. It features local actors Dave Fedewa, Lisa Jesswein, Laura Heikkinen and Maureen Paraventi.

The plot centers around a “couple of middle-aged empty nesters,” John and Becky, who are keeping secrets from one another.

John is having an affair and Becky has turned to shoplifting to help her cope with her depression.

“This story deals with serious subject matter, and I certainly am not trying to suggest any solutions,” Paraventi stated in a press release. “I’m just trying to tell a tale that uses humor, and, in the end, leaves Becky (and us) with a little bit of hope. Sometimes humor and hope are the best things we can offer someone.”

Patrons are welcome to bring food and drink to enjoy while viewing the show.

Tickets can be purchased on RCP’s website, www.rosedalecommunityplayers.com, or by calling (313) 532-4010.

SOUTHFIELD — The Southfield Business Development and the Southfield Downtown Development Authority will host Zingtrain: The Art of Giving Great Service, 8 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Detroit Marriott Southfield, 27033 Northwestern Highway.

The workshop will include a presentation by Jenni Yim, who is a ZingTrain trainer at Zingerman’s, on providing great customer service. Yim will explain how Zingerman’s approaches customer service and how their methods can be adapted to work for other businesses or organizations. The workshop will also use new tools and techniques, such as role-plays, to reinforce in-house customer service improvement initiatives and will call upon a network of peers to help get past roadblocks.

The workshop is presented by Main Street Oakland County, Oakland Thrive and Southfield, Oak Park and Lathrup Village. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at https://anc. apm.activecommunities.com/southfieldparks/ by searching ‘ZingTrain’.

For more information, contact Shelly Freeman at rfreeman@cityofsouthfield.com.

GESHER HUMAN SERVICES CONTINUES HARMONEY FINANCIAL REPAIR PROGRAM IN 2025

SOUTHFIELD — Thanks to a $75,000 grant from Huntington Bank, struggling metro Detroit residents could receive $2,500 through Gesher Human Service’s HarMoney program.

HarMoney offers interactive virtual financial education programming through a six-week program, which will run noon-1 p.m., and a new time slot will be offered at 6 p.m. as well beginning Feb. 2.

HarMoney is geared towards low- to moderate-income — as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development — families who have a credit score of 620 or lower. The program focuses on improving financial health through budgeting, credit, money management and savings advice.

“This year we are so thrilled to be able to expand our program thanks to the generosity of Huntington Bank,” Laltsha Cunningham, who is the financial education manager for Gesher Human Services, stated in a press release. “In the last four years we have seen how beneficial the financial training aspect is for people who are struggling with debt, and this year we will be able to help even more families attain financial stability and a brighter economic future.”

Registration for the program is preferred by Jan. 24. To register for the program, which has limited space, visit www.geshermi.org/harmoney.

Participants must meet all program requirements and claim their grant within six months of the final session to be eligible for the $2,500 payment. Gesher Human Services also provides one-on-one financial counseling to the community, which can be scheduled by calling (248) 233-4299 or emailing financialhelp@geshermi.org.

History in a Box: The Shoebox Legacy

Until 1965, Jim Crow laws made travel extremely di cult and dangerous for Black Americans in the south. Blacks were refused service in restaurants, rest areas and public transportation such as buses and trains.

In order to nourish themselves and loved ones while traveling in the south, women prepared meals packed in old shoeboxes.

As a way of commemorating the resolve and resourcefulness of black travel-

ers during segregated times, we created a modern-day lunch shoebox adorned with inspirational stories of trailblazing Americans.

If you’re planning an event for your company, communtiy or classroom, our shoeboxes make the perfect lunch and learn.

Please contact 248-208-1680 to order your History in a Box today!

Photo provided

Consider de-icing methods, their impacts during the winter season

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — As the winter season continues in Michigan, residents will likely have multiple different preferences for removing ice from sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and roads.

During the winter, snow or ice storms and colder temperatures can cause issues to certain driving and walking areas.

“Each year, 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement and 15 percent happen during snowfall or sleet,” an excerpt from the Federal Highway Administration’s ‘Snow & Ice’ page states. “Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually. Every year, nearly 900 people are killed and nearly 76,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet.”

Many people might prefer using salt, as (sodium chloride) is often used to address these issues by melting current ice patches or prevent-

ing potential ice issues. According to “Pros & Cons of Road Salt in Winter” from Bridgstone Tire, road salt can lower the freezing temperature of water and sprinkling salt on icy patches can melt them.

“The effectiveness of road salt in winter depends on the amount of salt used. Since road salt crystals are larger than regular table salt, the pressure from vehicles driving over salted roadways can also increase road salt’s effectiveness,” the Bridgestone Tire webpage states. “More salt is needed to manage ice as temperatures drop further below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.”

A lot of residents may prefer salt because it’s a cheaper and effective option, though the environmental impact of salt can be a concern.

“The most common deicing agent used in Michigan is a compound called sodium chloride. Sodium chloride causes severe decline in plant and tree health,” the city of Bloomfield Hills’ “Deicing Alternatives” webpage states. “Salt runoff can wash into the soil, thus increasing salt levels. As a result, the root systems grow (weak), which reduces the ability of foliage to

See DE-ICING on page 9A

SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M., LOCAL TIME, 26000 EVERGREEN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.

PRESENT: Councilmembers: Nancy Banks, Daniel Brightwell, Yolanda C. Haynes, Charles Hicks, Coretta Houge, and Michael Ari Mandelbaum. EXCUSED: Councilmember Lloyd Crews. ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Kenson Siver, Administrator Fred Zorn, Clerk Janet Jackson, Attorney Dawn King, and Planner Terry Croad.

Approve Purchase of Asset Management Software.

The meeting adjourned at 10:00p.m.

Approved minutes are available on the City’s website at www.cityofsouthfeld.com

Janet Jackson City Clerk

Published: Southfeld Sun 01/23/2025

• Emergencies Welcome (same day by appointment) • Attractive Partials/Dentures

• Removable/Fixed Implant Dentures Single/multiple teeth (Day of extraction in most cases)

HOMES

6A/ SOUTHFIELD SUN • JANUARY 23, 2025

COLORS OF THE YEAR DESIGNED TO ADD WARMTH, LUXURY TO YOUR HOME IN 2025

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

Anew year is a great time to update the spaces in your home with fresh color. Trend forecasters from global color authorities, like Pantone, along with various major paint brands, have announced their colors of the year — which industry leaders predict will dominate interiors in 2025.

Whether you decide to add hints of trending colors in home decor or update the paint on your walls for a bolder look, experts say these are the colors to select.

Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, is a warm, rich brown “infused with subtle elegance and earthy refinement,” according to the company’s website.

“Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a prepared statement.

The soft brown is a versatile shade that “evokes the feeling of comfort in a home,” according to Pantone — whether on flooring, a painted wall, within home decor, or in more natural materials like wood and stone, rattan and wicker or leather and linen.

Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year is Cinnamon Slate, “a delicate mix of heathered plum and velvety brown,” according to Arianna Barone, color marketing manager at Benjamin Moore. The hue, she continued, offers “enduring style and modern sensibility.”

“Adaptable, yet distinct, it brings a soothing familiarity and balance to any design,” Barone noted. “The nuances in its undertones are what make it unique, but still versatile.”

For the past couple of years, Pantone officials said, they have seen a reach for more saturated and colorful hues.

“We also continue to notice a growing sentiment of creating unique and personalized spaces that also have a sense of ease,” Barone shared. “As people gain a better understanding and overall appreciation for color and how it’s used in design, we now see them opting for more nuanced hues that are adaptable, yet distinct. Certainly not neutral, but not quite primary, these colors encourage curiosity and invite you to think of all ends of the color spectrum.”

When designing a room with Cinnamon Slate, Pantone officials said bringing in warmer accents in golds and ambers can make the violet undertone more distinguishable. On the other hand, by using cooler colors and lighting, and plum hues, Cinnamon Slate can take on more of a neutral look.

“We love it color-drenched in a living room, especially when paired with leather, warm woods and brushed gold metallic accents for a moody vibe,” Barone said. “It is also beautiful in a bedroom with layered neutrals for a truly enveloping respite.”

Behr announced Rumors, a deep ruby red, as its Color of the Year for 2025. The color, Behr officials say, is poised to add warmth and a touch of luxury throughout the home. “Rumors is a universal color that transcends design styles and embraces self-expression,” the company’s website says, “from eye-catching curb appeal on a front door to a four-wall drench in a bedroom.”

“We’re seeing people embrace color like never before,” Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Co., said in a prepared statement. “Rumors is a modern take on the timeless red that creates an energetic appeal to make a lasting statement in a stunning way.”

After a decade and a half of annual Color of the Year announcements, Sherwin-Williams decided to celebrate color in a new way — combining its collections to curate the Sherwin-Williams 2025 Color Capsule of the Year.

“It’s very special to commemorate our 15th Color of the Year anniversary by expanding to an entire capsule that is a modern, fresh take on color, with a balanced and usable assortment of shades,” Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, said in a prepared statement. “Together — as a complete palette or in expertly picked pairings — the capsule’s alchemy creates something to be treasured in any style or setting.”

The 2025 Color Capsule of the Year, the company says, includes “a mix of forever favorites, beautiful hues of the moment and future classics that encapsulate a variety of eras and aesthetics,” comprising the following shades: Grounded, a “versatile and captivating brown”; Sunbleached, “an adaptable and airy light neutral that is somewhere deeper than white, not quite gray, and ventures beyond a basic beige or taupe”; Chartreuse, a “vibrant yellow-green”; Rain Cloud, a “stormy and deep gray-blue hue”; Clove, an “entrancing brown”; Malabar, a “sandy beige neutral”; Bosc Pear, a “cinnamon-dusted golden hue”; White Snow, a beautiful, pure white; and Mauve Finery, a “sophisticated” true mauve.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

TOP: Benjamin Moore selected Cinnamon Slate, a mix of heathered plum and velvety brown, as its 2025 Color of the Year.

Photo provided by Benjamin Moore

ABOVE: Rumors, a deep ruby red, is Behr’s Color of the Year for 2025.

Photo provided by Behr

LEFT: Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year is Mocha Mousse.

Photo provided by Pantone

Road closure

side, but we’re going to always let westbound traffic use the freeway, and we’ll just move them around. We’ll either keep them on the original west while we rebuild east, or we’ll move them to the eastbound side while we rebuild west. West will always have two lanes open,” she explained.

Eastbound traffic will be detoured via southbound M-10 (Lodge Freeway/Northwestern Highway), eastbound M-8 (Davison Highway) and northbound I-75 back to eastbound I-696.

“But of course, not everybody’s going to use that detour. So therefore, a side effect, unfortunately, for the project, is we’re going to have a lot of eastbound, heavier traffic on the mile roads,” Cross said. “If somebody’s only going to Royal Oak, they are not going to take that detour, they’re going to just jump on a mile road, whether it’s Eight Mile, anywhere up to M-59, depending on where they’re going. Eastbound is going to be the one that’s going to see heavier traffic on local roads for two years and will be detoured for two years,” Cross said.

She added that this is the first time since the highway was constructed nearly 40 years ago that it has seen a total rehab, and with the exception of Interstate 94, it will be another 20 years before this part of the state has another major freeway reconstruction project.

“It’s a huge investment for Oakland County,” Cross said. “Yeah, it’s a pain in the neck; we totally get that. We all drive the same roads. We drive them, our families drive them, and we hear about it all the time, but what an investment to Oakland County — another $250 million into the local economy of jobs and services, and that kind of

thing says what we value, I think, as a state.”

The total investment for I-696’s three phases of construction is $655 million, with this last phase totaling $250 million, which MDOT is funding through the “Rebuilding Michigan” bond program and the federal “Reconnecting Communities” grant program.

This last stretch of the project supports 2,385 jobs, directly or indirectly, according to an MDOT press release.

The communities of Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Southfield and Warren will be directly impacted by the project.

Southfield, known as the “center of it all,” drew roughly 150,000 commuters to the city before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the city’s mayor, Kenson Siver.

“It’s going to be a major inconvenience for our businesspeople and our residents, but it’s beyond our control and some needed repairs are necessary for the highway,” Silver said. “Road construction is always inconvenient, but we have to live with the reality of it because we need safe roads, and we need roads that are in good repair.”

Siver added that as a Southfield resident for more than 50 years, he remembers using the mile roads before I-696 was constructed.

“We went east to west on mile roads, and that’s what we’ll be doing again,” he said. “And I remember after 696 opened, that the amount of traffic, particularly on 10 and 11 Mile roads, decreased significantly because people switched to the freeway. And so I would expect that they’ll all continue to get around, and it’ll just take us longer and be less convenient.”

Pleasant Ridge City Manager James Breuckman said the closure is going to “definitely” change the regional travel patterns for the city’s residents.

The last phase of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s “Restore the Reuther”

begin on March 1. Eastbound and westbound I-696 between Lahser Road and I-75 is set to be rebuilt in 2025-2026.

“Obviously, you close down 696 eastbound and it’s going to have a major impact,” he said. “We don’t know what the exact local impact on us is going to be. … We’re going to wait and see how travel patterns change because, beforehand, we can predict but we don’t know what the actual impact on traffic is going to be. And if we find that we have problems, we’ll address them and we’ll react and do all those as best we can. But it’s going to be an inconvenience to everybody.”

Aside from the traffic disruption and the inconveniences it will cause, Breuckman does see positives in the construction with the investment and improvement in infrastructure.

As for how the project will affect local businesses, Breuckman stated that Pleasant Ridge has a business mix of professional offices and services, but not many retail stores.

“I believe that our businesses will likely See ROAD CLOSURE on page 13A

PUBLISHED LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS & SITE PLAN REVIEWS PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF SOUTHFIELD

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 6:30 P.M., Local Time, in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfeld, Michigan, at which time and place the Southfeld Planning Commission will consider the following requests pursuant to Title V, Zoning and Planning, Chapter 45, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Southfeld, to wit:

PSLU25-0001 (SPECIAL USE) is a request of Athir Gappy, 27050 Lahser LLC, to demolish an existing gasoline service station and construct a new gasoline service station/convenience store with alcohol sales and a carryout restaurant at 27050 Lahser Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-15-353-004).

PSP24-0021 (SITE PLAN REVIEW) is a request of Athir Gappy, 27050 Lahser LLC, to demolish an existing gasoline service station and construct a new gasoline service station/convenience store with alcohol sales and a carryout restaurant at 27050 Lahser Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-15-353-004).

PSLU24-0023 (SPECIAL USE) is a request of David Oh, Barkside Dog Bar, to renovate the building and site for use as a bar/dog park at 15640 W 11 Mile Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcels 24-13-479-025).

PSP24-0022 (SITE PLAN REVIEW) is a request of David Oh, Barkside Dog Bar, to renovate the building and site for use as a bar/dog park at 15640 W 11 Mile Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcels 24-13-479-025).

PSP24-0023 (SITE PLAN REVIEW) is a request of Karen Butler, Verizon Wireless, to renovate the building and site for use as a Verizon store at 28117 Telegraph Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcels 24-17-201-071).

PSP24-0024 (SITE PLAN REVIEW) is a request of William Guerra, Southfeld Christian School, to construct soccer felds as part of the Southfeld Christian School campus at 28600 Lahser Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcels 24-15-101-007).

Written comments may be mailed to the Planning Department, 26000 Evergreen Road, P.O. Box 2055, Southfeld, MI 48037-2055, prior to the meeting.

Questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Planning Department at (248) 796-4150 or tpaison@cityofsouthfeld.com

JANET JACKSON – CITY CLERK

Individuals with special needs who plan to attend this meeting should contact the City Clerk’s Offce at 248-796-5150 (voice) or 248-354-4831 (TDD). If auxiliary aids or services are needed, reasonable advance notice is required.

Published: Southfeld Sun 01/23/2025

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

project is slated to

Syrup

as the history of the Native American tradition of making maple syrup.

Colonialism and the displacement of Indigenous people is also set to be part of the presentation. Cosme explained that maple syrup is made in Rouge Park in collaboration with the Detroit Indigenous Peoples Alliance, the Black to the Land Coalition and Friends of Rouge Park.

The next maple syrup tapping will take place the morning of Feb. 2 at Rouge Park, located at 21860 Joy Road.

“This is a Black and Indigenous-led project, and the values of our sugar bush are definitely rooted in decolonization and abolition,” Cosme said. “Anybody can come and volunteer. It’s very open, but in terms of, like, who the leadership is, we’re just very clear about it.”

Cosme said that the season for maple syrup tapping differs from northern Michigan’s, which is typically in February, March, and into April.

In southern Michigan, the season is January and February, with the trees typically tapped out by March.

According to Cosme, the majority of the trees in Rouge Park are around 50-70 years old and some of the maple trees are hundreds of years old.

He said that some of the “really, really” old ones are probably going to get some sort of old growth designation this year.

This year, Rouge Park celebrates its 100th anniversary, with celebrations happening all year to mark the centennial.

Cosme added that Rouge Park will kick off the year-long celebration with Winterfest 2025 from noon-4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Rouge Park Amphitheater.

The free, annual tradition includes outdoor activities, live music and food.

Cosme’s presentation at the library is part of the Gardening Guru series hosted by retired Southfield Librarian Barb Klimkowski.

As a nature and garden lover, Klimkowski puts together the Gardening Guru programming to bring unique, interactive education to other garden enthusiasts in the community.

She connected with Cosme after attending a maple sugar-making workshop.

“So I showed up at that program and Antonio was the one leading the workshop. And it turns out that he was talking about how they were able to tap maple syrup over at Rouge Park,” Klimkowski said. “And I thought, ‘What a great idea.’ What we’re going to do is have Antonio come and talk about it in January, and then if anyone wants to go and participate in February, I was kind of trying to piggyback my program with what they’re already doing in the park.”

Klimkowski explained that the Gardening Guru series has invited speakers who have covered everything from Native American farming practices to endangered warblers in the northern Lower Peninsula.

According to her, she draws inspiration from being out in the community and seeing what others are doing in nature.

“When I run into people or I go to talks or whatever, and I think it’s going to be interesting, I get in touch with them and we set up a presentation,” Klimkowski said. “That’s basically it. That’s kind of what I feel like I’m doing in the community. My calling, you might say.”

Klimkowski said that in addition to

Editor: Mark Vest | (586) 498-1052 | mvest@candgnews.com

Reporter: Kathryn Pentiuk| (586) 498-1070 | kpentiuk@candgnews.com

Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com

Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100

Cosme’s presentation this month, interested attendees can look forward to a presentation on raising backyard chickens in March by Sarah Vermiglio, who is the chair for the city of Southfield’s Wildlife Advisory Commission.

A gardening basics presentation is set to follow in April.

For more information on the Southfield Public Library, visit southfieldlibrary.org.

To learn more about making maple syrup and other happenings in Rouge Park, visit www.rougepark.org.

Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.

and Obits: (586) 498-1099

| (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com

| (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com

Main Office: 13650 E. 11 Mile Road Warren, MI 48089 (586) 498-8000

De-icing

page 5A

fight disease. Salt that is applied near your home can enter streams directly from the road or from surrounding melting snow (runoff). A sudden or extreme change in salinity (or “saltiness”) can be harmful to aquatic life as well. Aquatic organisms require a certain amount of salt in the water. If the amount of salt is too great it will affect an organism’s ability to regulate the amount of fluids in and out of its cells.”

EGLE, when it was named the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, put out an FAQ on de-icers that described salt having negative effects on roads, plant life and bodies of water.

“Like any deicing substance, use of road salt has some negative consequences such as corrosivity related to both vehicles and building structures (i.e. bridges, overpasses and highway ramps), it is harmful to both ornamental and agricultural vegetation, and in certain areas salt runoff has potential to lead to unacceptable chloride concentrations in lakes and rivers,” the FAQ states.

“The Impact of Salts on Plants and How to Reduce Plant Injury from Winter Salt Applications,” from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, suggests that people carefully spread salt or other de-icing products to avoid plant

life; place salt-tolerant plants in areas close to sidewalks and roadways; protect plants with physical barriers like burlap, plastic or wood; and reduce salt use by combining it with sand, sawdust or cinders for traction.

“De-icing materials that use salts other than sodium chloride, including calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, or calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) are more expensive but can reduce injury to plants,” the University of Massachusetts Amherst article states.

Ace Hardware has its own calcium magnesium chloride ice melt product that, according to the owner of the Trevarrow Ace Hardware store in Troy, Dennis Garbarz, performs better and doesn’t harm the concrete.

“It works better without a lot of traffic and doesn’t track inside,” Garbarz said. “It won’t damage surfaces and won’t kill the lawn or hurt the environment if used correctly.”

Garbarz also notes that sand can be useful for cars and trucks if they get stuck in other areas.

Jessie Buchholz, a sales associate at the Menards at 32501 Van Dyke Ave. in Warren, said that calcium chloride is better for cement, though a lot of customers prefer salt due to it being more popular and cost effective.

“Typically, people should make sure they store products inside and some products shouldn’t be around pets,” Buchholz said.

•

You may qualify if you are:

• Ages 18 and older

• Diagnosed with Type II Diabetes

• Not yet on a medication for weight loss

MSGCU accepting scholarship program applications

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. The credit union will award over $130,000 in scholarships, including 43 scholarships of $2,500 each to help students and educators reach career goals, and 14 scholarships of $2,000 each to support future first responders.

According to a press release, 10 additional scholarships will be awarded in 2025, representing an increase of $25,000.

MSGCU will award scholarships in various categories to teachers and administrators.

Nonmembers are welcome to apply for an MSGCU scholarship and must become a member if selected as a scholarship recipient.

“Earning a degree or certification requires a great deal of determination and hard work, along with a significant financial investment,” said Steve Brewer, president and CEO of MSGCU, in a release announcing

the 2025 scholarship program. “MSGCU is increasing our scholarship awards this year to support more students in the communities we serve. We have provided over $1.25 million in scholarships since our program started 20 years ago, helping more than 600 recipients complete their education.”

The MSGCU High School Excellence Scholarship, formerly the Educational Solutions Scholarship, helps high school seniors who attend college. There are 18 scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each.

The Rudolph Heino People Helping People Scholarship supports college-bound high school seniors with a commitment to helping others. A total of 15 scholarships of $2,500 are being offered.

With four $2,500 scholarships, the Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarship benefits high school seniors and current college students planning to become teachers. The Milo Perreault Educator Advancement Scholarship helps certified teachers and administrators continue their education. Four $2,500 scholarships will be offered.

William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship supports students pursuing certification in electrical, heating/air conditioning, automotive, or other industrial and advanced technologies or skilled trades programs. Two $2,500 awards are offered to current skilled trades students or graduating high school seniors pursuing a skilled trades certificate.

The credit union also funds the Stephen Thomas First Responder Scholarship, which supports first responders enrolled in

MSGCU will award scholarships in various categories to teachers and administrators. Nonmembers are welcome to apply for an MSGCU scholarship and must become a member if selected as a scholarship recipient.

police and/or fire academies at local colleges with 14 scholarships of $2,000 each. Applications occur directly with Macomb Community College, Oakland Community College, Washtenaw Community College, and Schoolcraft College.

Scholarship applications can be submitted online at msgcu.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is Feb. 25.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

Photo provided by Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union

CASA in Oak Park : Where College Prep Meets Diversity

Discover a place where learning thrives: e Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts (CASA) o ers 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a diverse curriculum tailored for high schools.

Established four decades ago, CASA was born from an ambitious idea: pool together advanced students from seven districts to form classes that might not otherwise exist in a single school.

“We are the only school in Michigan that has students from di erent districts enrolled in our school,” said CASA Director Catherine “CJ” Jasionowicz. “ e Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Lamphere, Madison, Oak

Park and Pontiac districts send us students for classes in the a ernoon. is setup allows the kids to choose unique classes and interact with students outside of their regular environments—essentially, it’s like being part of an independent school district with the ability to o er students opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year starts on January 30. Prospective students can register on the CASA website, provided they are from one of the seven designated sending schools.

what is typically available in high schools.

“ ese unique electives are taught by instructors with diverse backgrounds, which give our students a deeper understanding of complex subjects,” explained Jasionowicz, who currently teaches astronomy at CASA a er retiring from her position at Rochester College. “We also have the privilege of engaging retired college professors.”

look ahead, we’re excited to continue expanding programming at CASA to provide our students with the best opportunities possible. e increase in enrollment at CASA is a direct re ection of the outstanding culture, dedication, and success of our sta and students.”, said Angel Abdulahad, Superintendent, Oak Park Schools.

e electives available at CASA, some of which are the biology of food, plagues and pandemics and forensics, cater to specialized interests that require more expert instruction than

Peter Haun, a current teacher at Oak Park High School, commented, “I like coming here because of the unique perspectives that are a result of embracing all seven sending communities, their diverse populations and individual beliefs and habits.” Additionally, Alison Maes, from Ferndale, said, “I appreciate the diverse selection of classes. It’s rewarding to o er options that are unavailable at their home schools.”

CASA’s alumni are living proof of the program’s success, with countless stories that highlight what this unique educational opportunity can achieve. “Our graduates make significant impacts across various elds,” noted Jasionowicz. “Several former

students have become in uential arts educators, while others have contributed to the eld of law and major scienti c advancements, including work on the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Jasionowicz nds it rewarding to see students from various districts and backgrounds connecting with each other. “I just love CASA because we are all about opportunity,” she said. “Everybody is excited to be here, and the teachers are passionate about what they’re bringing to the classroom.”

e Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts (CASA) is located at 22180 Parklawn St. in Oak Park. For more information, visit casa-online. org or call (248) 586-8860. Follow “CASA (Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts)” on Facebook.

CASA Dance in action

Peter Haun likes CASA’s unique perspectives

CASA students achieve a deeper understanding

Learn from instructors with diverse backgrounds

CRIME WATCH

Single Ugg boot stolen from vehicle

SOUTHFIELD — At 7:14 a.m. Jan. 1, a resident had one Ugg boot taken from her vehicle in the 23000 block of Laura Lane.

Ring camera stolen during an attempted vehicle break-in

SOUTHFIELD — A resident’s security camera was taken by suspects who were seen trying to get into her vehicle at around 4:24 a.m. Jan. 4 in the 25000 block of Greenbrooke Drive.

Valuables taken from home

SOUTHFIELD — At 4:38 p.m. Jan. 7, a resident reported to the Southfield Police that she had company in her home in the 20000 block of Woodburn Drive to remove an item from her home that was damaged by a storm in 2023.

After they left, she noticed that her wedding ring and some personal documents were missing from the home.

Elderly Man Brings Stun Gun to Court

SOUTHFIELD — According to a report, at 8:05 a.m. Jan. 9, an elderly man brought a stun gun to the 46th District Court.

— Kathryn Pentiuk

ORDINANCE NO. 1802

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD BY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PARCELS OF PROPERTY:

THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD ORDAINS:

1. The offcial Zoning Map of the City of Southfeld is hereby amended by changing the zoning classifcation of the following described parcel of property:

Rezone three parcels on the east side of Bush Street north of W. 9 Mile Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcels 24-28301-072, -072, -073 & -074) from R-1 Single Family to R-T Attached Single Family.

2. Should any section, clause or paragraph of the ordinance be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the same will not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid.

3. All ordinances in confict with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such confict, hereby repealed.

4. This ordinance shall become effective upon passage and publication.

(PZR24-0012 – Harpo Chain Construction)

Introduced: 12/16/2024

Enacted: 01/13/2025

Published: 01/23/2025

Published: Southfeld Sun 01/23/2025

KENSON J. SIVER, Mayor JANET JACKSON, City Clerk

Road closure

from page 7A

be OK,” he said. “They’re serving, generally, a clientele who is either already close by and won’t be coming from regional destinations, or they’re service providers whose clients may not even need to come to their offices because they can do things remotely. So, I think our business community should be relatively unaffected by this other than that baseline level of inconvenience that we’ll all be living through.”

Ryan Ringold, the chief marketing officer at Bionicc Body Screening, said that the two-year closure is going to be an inconvenience to the clients visiting the MRI clinic, which is located at the northeast corner of Northwestern Highway and Lahser Road in Southfield.

“The thought for a lot of people of going into an MRI machine is already overwhelming and can make them feel anxious, some a lot more than others. But when they’re com-

ing and already feeling a little anxious about having the service done, adding to that by taking longer, fighting traffic, I mean, that itself can be overwhelming for people, so I think it’s kind of a double whammy for them,” Ringold said.

Cross highlighted the importance of drivers staying alert to ensure the safety of construction workers.

“We are working on the side of the road in a hard hat, a vest, a cone, a barrel, maybe a barrier wall, trying to get home to our families the same way you’re trying to get home to your family,” she said. “You got to slow down. You can’t be distracted. Whatever it is that you think is more important is not more important than killing someone or killing yourself in order to get somewhere or read a text or something.”

MDOT is planning a public meeting for early February, with the date expected to be announced soon.

To stay updated on MDOT’s Oakland County projects, visit drivingoakland.com.

Staff Writer Mike Koury contributed to this report.

ORDINANCE NO. 1803

THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD ORDAINS:

1. The offcial Zoning Map of the City of Southfeld is hereby amended by changing the zoning classifcation of the following described parcel of property: Amend the approved Overlay Development District (PZRODD24-0001) at 29777 Telegraph Road, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-08-402-009) to permit construction of a Culver’s Restaurant on the northeastern outlot.

3. All ordinances in confict with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such confict, hereby repealed.

4. This ordinance shall become effective upon passage and publication.

(PZRODD24-0003 – Rosetta Building Company)

Introduced: 12/16/2024

Enacted: 01/13/2025

Published: 01/23/2025

Published: Southfeld Sun 01/23/2025

KENSON J. SIVER, Mayor JANET JACKSON, City Clerk

Film studio

from page 3A

the age of 20 and 18, so it was like we wasn’t planning on being no movie actors, producers, directors. It’s just the way God led and where it fell, and we fell in love with it. And 23 years later, now we’re about to open a movie studio.”

Black acts, directs, produces and distributes, and his wife writes, directs, produces and edits.

The couple owns a distribution company called Silver Line Entertainment and a production company called Black-Smith Enterprises. Together, they create thrillers and faith-based films such as “Turn of the Cheek” and “Bigger than the Game.”

“We might be No. 2 in the country with making films now, behind Hollywood, and that’s of course, independent films,” Black said. “But we’re definitely in the top five.”

He explained that he and his wife never had plans of moving to Hollywood because the film industry is booming in Detroit.

“We probably have over 100 films now in the last three years,” Black said. “It’s grown tremendously, and that’s with the help of

social media and the streaming platforms. We have a lot of connections, relationships, with Tubi, Peacock, YouTube, (and) Crackle. … People can make a living off this, so it’s grown tremendously.”

Black connected with Ayers through their late mutual friend, Melissa Talbot, who was also in the local film industry.

“She connected a lot of people with each other and she had been in the film business a long time, too,” Black said. “She passed away two years ago, but she connected a lot of us together.”

Before getting into the film industry, Ayers sold shoes.

She went from shoes to the screen after a friend suggested that she develop one of her books, “Stay in Your Place,” into a stage play.

It was eventually adapted into a movie.

According to Ayers, collectively, her and Black have been a part of seven movies in the last year.

Her personal office is located in the same building as the film studio, and the connection to Southfield means something to her.

“I love that the studio is there,” Ayers said. “I was already familiar with the area. I love how accessible it is because we’re right

SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M., LOCAL TIME, 26000 EVERGREEN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.

Approve Resolution for Oakland County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

Approve entering into an Interlocal agreement between Oakland County and City of Southfeld regarding the MIDC Standard 7 review and qualifcation requirements for MIDC grant contract compliance

Approve Receipt and Filing of Public Act 202 of 2017, Protecting Local Government Retirement and Benefts Act, Annual Report 2024

Approve City of Southfeld Neighborhood and Information Center Branded Community Promotional Merchandise and Giveaways

Approve Public Hearing Date for February 24, 2025 to Consider El Car Way Redevelopment 28810, 28830, and 28844 Northwestern Highway Brownfeld Redevelopment Plan & Tax Increment Financing Plan and Development & Reimbursement Agreement

Approve Acceptance of Grant Funding of the 2024-25 DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grant

Approve Acceptance of 2024-25 Detroit Institute of Arts Partners in Public Art (PIPA) Project

Approve Proposed Lot Split at 29355 Northwestern Highway (Parcel# 24-07-351-117)

Approve Request for a 12-month extension to commence construction on the Northland Storage ODD project (16025 Northland Drive / Parcel# 24-36-452-004/PZRODD23-0001)

Enact Ordinance No. 1802, PZR24-0012, the request to rezone 1.10 acres of land at the north end Bush Street on the eastern side of the street, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel# 24-28-301-072; -073; -074) from R1 Single Family to RT Attached Single Family

Enact Ordinance No. 1803, PZRODD24-0003, the request to amend the approved ODD rezoning for 29777 Telegraph - Onyx Overlay Development District (PZRODD24-0001) to update the Master Development Plan to permit the development of the northeastern out lot for a Culver’s Restaurant

Enact Ordinance No. 1804, PZRRUDD24-0002, the request of John Grace Arms LDHA LLC, to amend the approved Residential Unit Development District rezoning and agreement for the 21030 Indian St (Parcel 24-31-376-033) – John Grace Arms (PZRRUDD22-0001) to update the Master Development Plan to modify the provision related to the public park, building confguration and elevations, stormwater management, parking and landscaping

Approve Travel Expense Report of Daniel Brightwell, 2024 NLC Convention, Tampa, FL, November 11-17, 2024. The meeting adjourned at 7:05p.m.

Approved minutes are available on the City’s website at www.cityofsouthfeld.com Janet Jackson City Clerk

at Southfield Road, (with) Greenfield right up the street. Everything is there. And one of my movies I filmed in Southfield.”

For more information about Collective Studios, which is located at 18000 W. Nine Mile Road, suite 450 in Southfield, visit thecollectivestudios248.com.

To learn more about Rockey and Janaya Black’s work, visit black-smithenterprises. com or www.silverline-ent.com.

To learn more about Ayers’ films, visit www.theshoeladyproductions.com.

Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.

ORDINANCE NO. 1804

THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD ORDAINS:

1. The offcial Zoning Map of the City of Southfeld is hereby amended by changing the zoning classifcation of the following described parcel of property: Amend the approve Residential Unit Development District (PZRRUDD22-0001) at 21030 Indian St, Southfeld, Michigan (Parcel 24-31-376-033).

3. All ordinances in confict with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such confict, hereby repealed.

4. This ordinance shall become effective upon passage and publication.

(PZRRUDD24-0002 – John Grace Arms)

Introduced: 12/16/2024

Enacted: 01/13/2025

Published: 01/23/2025

Published: Southfeld Sun 01/23/2025

KENSON J. SIVER, Mayor JANET JACKSON, City Clerk

Detroitbased actor and film producer Rockey Black discusses the construction of a jail cell set inside the new Collective Studios in Southfield.

Photo by Liz Carnegie

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

JAN. 23

Bach’s Coffeehouse: Concert series featuring Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians, 7:30 p.m., Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Road in Southfield, (313) 576-5111, dso.org

JAN. 26

Winterfest 2025: Featuring free horse-and-carriage rides, reindeer petting, ice carving, skating, crafts, face painting, and chili, hot cocoa and s’mores, 1-4 p.m., Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., (248) 691-7555, oakparkmi.gov

JAN. 29-FEB. 1

MARVAC RV & Camping Show: Find hundreds of folding campers, motorhomes, travel trailers, toy haulers, fifth-wheel travel trailers and more, also meet with dealers and exhibitors, 1-8 p.m. Jan. 29-31, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 1 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb, 2, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, suburbancollectionshowplace.com

JAN. 31-FEB. 2

Winter Blast: Free festival featuring charity broomball game, ice sculptures and carving contest, ice skating, karaoke competition, medieval village, zip line, live music, food trucks, kids adventure zone, ninja ropes course, family activities, and more, 4-11 p.m. Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Feb. 1 and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 2, Centennial Commons, 221 E. Third St. in Royal Oak, and Royal Oak City Center, 219 S Main St., winterblast.com

FEB. 1

Black History Month Celebration: Kick-off event from 4-8 p.m., Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road, cityofsouthfield.com/residents/events

FEB. 5

‘The Art of Giving Great Service’: Workshop by ZingTrain team from Zingerman’s, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Detroit Marriott Southfield, 27033 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, registration required, (248) 796-4161, rfreeman@cityofsouthfield.com

ONGOING

‘Indulgence: Inspired Images:’ Exhibit featuring 11 Michigan artists, on display until Jan. 31, Southfield City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road, cityofsouthfield.com

Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup Village: Meets 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday (Mars Corporate Center, 2500 Telegraph Road in Southfield) and every fourth Tuesday (virtually), slvoptimist@gmail.com, southfield-lathrupvillageoptimists.org

Real estate exam study group: Free classes from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, (734) 644-3947

Jazzy Mondays: Ballroom and hustle lessons, dinner buffet, bid whist and spades, 50-50, and more, 5-9 p.m. Mondays (except holidays), Bell Events Studio, 24624 W. 10 Mile Road in Southfield, (313) 3785825, belleventsstudiollc@gmail, belleventsstudio. com

‘Black Innovation, Invention, and Leadership in the Automotive Industry’: Traveling exhibit, 1-5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays until Jan. 30, discussion at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28, Oak Park Public Library, 14200 Oak Park Blvd., (248) 691-7480

‘The Underground Railroad in Oakland County’: Traveling exhibit on display through February, also separate exhibit “A Tangled Web: Stories About African Americans in 19th Century Royal Oak” on site through May, Royal Oak Historical Society and Museum, 1411 W. Webster Road, curator@royaloakhistoricalsociety. org, (248) 439-1501, royaloakhistoricalsociety.org

Winter Park: Glow tubing, bonfires, animal experiences and more, 4-10 p.m. Fridays, noon-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-9 p.m. Sundays until Feb. 23, Bowers School Farm, 1219 E. Square Lake Road in Bloomfield Township, (248) 341-6475, bowersfarm@ bloomfield.org, schoolfarm.org/winter-activities

Ice skating: Noon-8 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until March 2, The Rink at Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, downtowndetroit.org/ experience-downtown/things-to-do/the-rink

honor King’s legacy with the annual walk for peace.

The tradition, which was started by the “mother of Southfield,” Barbara Talley, began on Jan. 20, 1986.

Talley also founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “commemorating the holiday symbolizing brotherhood among all men, reminding us of the ongoing struggle to keep the dream alive for human rights in our community, and for peace throughout the world.”

Talley was the first African American elected to the Southfield City Council and served from 1983 until 1989. The Peace Walk was born out of Talley’s desire to hold an event to honor MLK’s legacy in Southfield, after being encouraged by a state official.

She began discussing ideas with people, and after a Southfield High School assistant principal suggested a peace walk, she got to work organizing with community leaders to hold the first Peace Walk event.

Now, 40 years later, Talley said the walk is “very much thought about, especially by me. I just hope that I’ll be here for it next year.”

Southfield Mayor Ken Siver has been a friend of Talley’s since the 1970s when she first moved to the city and he knocked on her door to welcome her to Southfield.

Siver was a founding member of the task force and one of the first people that Talley enlisted to help plan the first Peace Walk event.

“I’ve been friends with Barbara for 50 years, and so when she started the Martin Luther King Task Force, she called me and asked me to help her,” Siver said.

At 93 years old, Talley remains active in the MLK Task Force, with the planning for the annual Peace Walk event beginning in March.

“We at least get one month off,” she joked.

Talley added that in addition to being known as the “mother of Southfield,” she also earned the nickname “mother of civil rights in Southfield.”

Talley said that this year’s theme is “Social Justice Through Equality, Inclusion and Diversity.”

“Equality stands for being equal in everything that we do and inclusion is to include everybody that is in the group,” Talley said. “Martin Luther King talked about diversity, and he was a man that we put the name on, and we want to do the same thing that he stood for, and that was diversity and bringing people together. He lost his life for all of that, and that’s why we stand for diversity and Dr. Martin Luther King.”

According to Talley, there were about 1,000 people who attended the first Peace Walk event, which took place from North Congregational Church, which is now Hope United Methodist Church, to the Southfield Pavilion.

Although Southfield was the first city in Michigan to hold a walk in honor of MLK’s birthday, soon after more communities followed suit, with walks taking place all across metro Detroit.

The Farmington Community Library was scheduled to host the MLK Annual Legacy March Jan. 20 at its Farmington Hills location.

Kristel Sexton, who is the head of children’s services at the FCL, described the legacy march as a “mainstay” of the library’s festivities for the holiday.

“We’ve been doing this event for decades, and it’s just gotten bigger and better and more inclusive, which I think is really in keeping with what Dr. King would want for a library event in his honor,” Sexton said. “It’s also given us the confidence and the ability to add in more cultural celebrations throughout the year, so we have a really large Asian American Pacific Islander Fest that happens the first Saturday in May every year now, and a lot of the lessons learned from planning this event we’ve taken to create that event and other ones throughout the year, and so I just think that is also a great testament to Dr. King’s legacy of reaching out to

every single member of the community as much as possible.”

Jillian Baker, the assistant director at the FCL, also shared some thoughts on the library’s role in recognizing King’s legacy.

“All of us connect differently with MLK’s story and values based on our own personal lives and experiences, so the library’s celebration has always been a way to bring the community together so that they, the members of the community, can reflect on those values, no matter how they may define them,” Baker said. “So we are very happy to be able to provide programs and experiences where people can reflect on those values and what they might mean to them.”

Prior to the march, according to Sexton, the library was also set to have an MLK Day art contest and a presentation featuring a collection of protest buttons from the

Henry Ford Museum.

One of her favorite aspects of the celebration has been engaging youth to be part of it.

“What we’re really proud of is, in the last few years, since the pandemic, we really worked hard to partner closely with the Farmington Public Schools and get the middle schoolers and high schoolers deeply involved with the day so that students’ voices are really centered,” Sexton said. “We feel like that’s the future of our community and something that kind of honors the legacy of Dr. King and his activism.”

For more information on the MLK Task Force, visit www.mlktaskforcemi.org.

To learn more about what’s going on at the Farmington Community Library, visit www.farmlib.org.

Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Barbara Talley, Founder of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force, took to the stage at the 40th Annual MLK Peace Walk.

Martha Reeves sang “Dancing In the Streets.”

AROUND MICHIGAN

AUCTION

Live Public Auction Wednesday Jan 29, 12pm at Knoblock’s Hardware, 2118 Lewis Street Flint, Michigan 48506. Tools, woodworking, electrical, archery, plumbing, collectibles, huge warehouse full for decades! ColesAuctionService. com. Call 1-810-397-3199.

Carr Online Estate Auction. Bidding though Feb. 4. Large assortment of long guns, Mauser, Ruger, Remington, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, shooting supplies. To bid, see entire catalog visit Bid. SherwoodAuctionServiceLLC. com. Call 1-800-835-0495.

onPremisesandWi-Fi. *NoPets/PartiesPlease* Call/Text 313-461-8485

Stover Retirement Online Auction. Bidding open. Enclosed trailers, aluminum flatbed, contractor tools, Coleman lanterns, sporting goods, knives, ammo. Bid Anywhere, anytime @ JohnPeckAuctions.com Shipping available. Need an auction? Call John Peck 989-426-8061..

BUSINESS SERVICES

METAL ROOFING regular and shingle style, HALF OFF SPECIAL COLORS! Lifetime hail asphalt shingles. Vinyl siding. Licensed and insured builders for 40 years.

517-575-3695.

Published: January 22, 2025

plastic, with warranty. Retail Cost

$3,995.00 sacrifice for $875.00 Call for showing or delivery: DanDanTheMattressMan.com. 989-923-1278

MISCELLANEOUS

Amish-built mini-cabins starting at $5,295. Made in Michigan! We deliver statewide. Call 989-8321866. MyNextBarn.com.

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855-922-0420 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material – steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer – 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-888-718-1856

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Afordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 1-844-587-8518

SAFE Step.NorthAmerica's#1Walk-InTub. Comprehensivelifetime warranty.Top-of-the-line installationandservice. NowfeaturingourFREE showerpackageand $1600Offforalimited time!Calltoday!Financingavailable.CallSafe Step1-855-861-4501

Eaton Corporation – Southfeld, MI – EMC Specialist – Start to fnish ownership of Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance – from specifcation, to design, prototype, testing & manufacturing. Telecommuting permitted. To apply: Send resume to: https://career41.sapsf. com/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt? jobId=37594&company= eatoncorpo&st= 5716C47961F05D836B 3654867CAEFBA7FB5FA81B

Sr. Technical Engineer - Android Framework Engineer Thundersoft America Corp, Southfeld, MI. Dvlp & maint Android-based vehicle infotainment frameworks (BT, Wi-Fi, AM, AA, CP, OS, etc.). Bachelor’s deg in CS, Electronics Engg, or Electrical Engg + 5 yrs exp. Resume: talent.na@thundersoft.com 0302-2504

Adult Home Care/ Adult Day Care

RELIABLE homehelp

forseniorsandthedisabled.Companioncare, housekeeping,medicationreminders,transportation,andADLassistance.ContactKT'sCare Angels 800-957-5922

Brick Work

MOUTON'S MASONRY Any&allmasonryrepairs. Brick,block,steps, chimneys,porches-tuckpointing,Cementwork, mortar-matching. 25-yrsexperience Free-estimates. References/Insured. 248-252-5331

Cleaning Service

CLEANINGLADY with10-yrexperienceis lookingforwork.Weekly, bi-weekly,monthly Excellentreferences. Flexiblehours. Bonded&insured. 248-890-8830

Handyman Services

AA4DABLE HANDYMAN HomeImprovement, Tile,Hardwood-Floors, Kitchen/Bath-Remodeling, Plumbing,Electrical, Painting,Hauling,Cleanouts,AnyHomeRepairs, FreeEst.30%Disc. AllMajorCC'sAccepted. 586-822-5100

TRI-STATE CARPENTRYINC. SmallandLargeRepairs, Drywall,Painting, Carpentry,Masonry, Storm/Entry/Patio Doors&Windows. 586-751-0150

Hauling & Waste Removal

***AAA HAULING*** JUNKREMOVAL

Electrical

BEST-Price-Period Licensed/Insured. Additions,Remodels, Basements,Kitchens, CarChargerInstalled, 30-yrs.-experience. Callforfree-estimates. 24/7Service HotchkissElectric 586-291-3143 Lic.#6211028

586-755-3636

Dr.Electric AffordablePrices! Father&Son MasterElectricians Same-Day-Service! All-Residential-Wiring, ChangeFuseBoxto CircuitBreakerPanel, Troubleshooting,Backup GeneratorTransfer Switch,License#6109094 SenDisc.V/MC/Lic./Ins.

Electrical

PREPARE forpower outagestodaywithaGeneracHomeStandbyGenerator.Actnowtoreceive aFREE7-Yearwarranty withqualifyingpurchase. Call1-855-773-8191 todaytoscheduleafree quote.Itʼsnotjustagenerator.Itʼsapowermove.

Gutters GUTTERS &WINDOW CLEANING INSURED TOMMICOLI 313-656-9402

Wehaulitall!Demolition Big&Small,Residential/ Commercial,Rubber WheelDumpsters-10,15, 20-Yards,Clean-outs, ConstructionMaterial, Small-Moving,Appliances,Furniture&More! Free-Est.Sen/Mil/Disc. 586-360-0681 ucallwehauljunk.com

Home Improvement

CLASSIC REMODELINGLLC. -AllHomeRenovationsInterior/Exterior Residential/Commercial, Insured,QualityWork FreeEstimates Painting,Tiles,EpoxyFloors,DrywallRepairs, Carpentry 586-909-2078

ROZE REMODELINGLLC. •InteriorRenovations •Kitchens•Bathrooms •TileWork•Basements •Painting•VinylFloors •Fireplaces •CustomDesigns Free-Estimates Andre-586-354-7791

Home Repairs

EXTERIOR REPAIRSLLC. Since1999 Roofing,Siding, Gutters,LEAFGUARDS, HandymanRepairs& More!Reliable Ask,WeMightDoIt! FREEESTIMATES 248-242-1511

Kitchens/ Cabinets/ Countertops

MR.BACKSPLASH ·CUSTOM BACKSPLASHES ·CUSTOMKITCHENS ·COUNTERTOPS *Granite*Quartz* ·CustomBathrooms ·TILEREPAIRS *FREEESTIMATES* 586-552-5416 mrbacksplash.com

Restoration/Insurance Projects, Wallpaper Removal/Carpentry, 30-yrsLicensed SeniorDisc/FreeEst. 586.899.3555(Cell) 248.566.6460(Office)

PEAKPAINTING Custom-Painting, Commercial/Residential, Interior/Exterior. Drywall-Repair,Paper Removal,Carpentry. *WillBeatAnyOther ReasonableEstimate! 35yrsexp.Sen.Disc.Ins. CC-Accepted/References. 586-722-8381 ANDERSON Painting&Carpentry CompleteInterior/Exterior Services.Plaster/Drywall &WaterDamageRepairs. Wood-Staining.Wallpaper Removal.Kitchen/Cabinet Refinishing,Insured/References.Free-Estimates 586-354-3032 248-974-4012

THE GRAMMYS

Plumbing

ACROSS

1. 43,560 square feet

5. Undergarment

8. “She ____ a Yellow Ribbon”

12. Ocean Spray ____-Apple juice

13. #5 Across, pl.

14. Concentration of solution, in chemistry

15. CISC alternative

16. Swearing-in words

17. Goodwill branch

18. *Artist with most Grammy nominations

20. ALCS counterpart

21. Winter Olympics participant

Painting

DʼAchillePainting &Decorating 3-generationsof comprehensive-service. Extremely-neat, meticulous-prep. Wallpaper/removal/installation.Interior/Exterior. Free-Est.&consultation

Licensed/Ins. Nathan 586-855-9766

FARR'SPAINTING

Interior/Exterior

Wood&DrywallRepairs MoldRemediation FreeEstimates CertifiedMoldInspector 248-345-3308 farrsmoldremoval.com

Plumbing

MASTER PLUMBER

Sewer&DrainService. Remodeling,Repairs, NewInstallations. FreeEstimates SeniorRates. 35+yrsexp.CallPaul 248-904-5822 Lic.#8109852

586.421.5520 586.524.6752

ANDY'SPLUMBING

25-YearsExp.Lic/Ins. CallUsToday ForAllYour PlumbingNeeds!! ServingThe Tri-County-Area 10%/Senior/Military/ Discounts Lic#-8004254

Plumbing

APEX PLUMBERSCORP 586-210-0903

35-YearsExp.Seniors/ Military/Multi-TaskDisc. Free-Est.•DrainCleaning •PlumbingRepairs/ Fixtures•SumpPumps/ WaterHeaters.Lic/Ins. apexplumbers corporation.com Lic#8111771

DRAINWIZARDS

248-953-1874

FamilyOwned PlumbingCompany Senior/MilitaryDiscount CameraInspections, DrainCleaning, Toilets,SumpPumps, Excavations. Lic/Ins.Free-Estimates Lic#8113785

WATERWORK Plumbing.com

•DrainCleaning •SewerCamera •WaterHeaters •SumpPumps •BackflowTesting 248-542-8022

SameDayEmergency ServiceAvailable Reliable/Experienced License#8003885

EAPLUMBING ANDDRAIN

FullServicePlumbing. DrainCleaning,Sump Pumps,WaterHeaters, Leaks,Disposals, CameraInspections, BackflowTesting andMore. 586-477-7777 License#803020312

Professional Services

CONSUMER Cellularthesamereliable,nationwidecoverageasthe largestcarriers.Nolongtermcontract,nohidden feesandactivationisfree. Allplansfeatureunlimitedtalkandtext,starting atjust$20/month.For moreinformation,call 1-866-306-6243

Roofng

AA4DABLEROOFING

Hurry&SaveBig-$$$! WINTER-SPECIALS Upto30%-Off!!!

Roofing/Siding/Gutters, All-Leaks/Repairs, Residential/Shingles/ Commercial-FlatRoofs/Torch-downs 30yrs-exp.CC'saccepted. 586-822-5100

DAVE'STREE&SHRUB

40%-WinterDisc.Insured, SnowRemoval, EmergencyStorm Damage,LeafClean-up, Large-TreeRemovals, Trimming,Stump-Grinding,Gutters,SeasonFirewood(100acord) (586)216-0904 davestreeandshrub.com

ELITETREE SERVICE

"Bringing30yearsof experiencetoyourdoor!" Treetrimming, removals&stump grinding.Insured&FREE estimateswithfairprices! FirewoodForSale 586-756-0757

22. IX minus II

23. Drum roll sound

26. Front of building, pl.

30. Get it wrong

31. Upholstery choice

34. Refect deeply

35. Raccoon’s cousin

37. “____ the felds we go”

38. Binary digits code

39. Capital on a fjord