A demolition crew took down the water tower at the St. Clair Shores Golf Club a little after 11 a.m. on July 17, despite a months-long effort to save it. Citing concerns about its structural integrity, members of the St. Clair Shores City Council voted 5-2 on Feb. 21 to bring the tower down.
Tower that stood since the 1920s demolished on July 17
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
A demolition crew brought down the water tower at the St. Clair Shores Golf Club on July 17, despite
a months-long effort to save it. As a crowd of people watched, the tower came crashing to the ground shortly after 11 a.m. after workers sawed through the tower’s support beams. Residents stood at
the fence around the golf course near Masonic Boulevard and Harper Avenue, and at Masonic Heights Elementary School across the street, with their phones out to record the
Marine City is a charming town located at the confuence of the St. Clair and Belle rivers. Te land had been Ojibwa territory for centuries before European contact. Initially, founded by the French and their “Ribbon farms,” Te French heritage is still evident in the names of many people and places here. Te land was deeded to settlers by the Chippewa Indians in the 1780’s. Te American’s deemed the town “Yankee Point” because most of the settlers arrived there from New England. Marine City was platted as “Newport” in 1835 by Sam Ward. In 1865, it was incorporated as the Village of Marine City and was reincorporated as a city in 1887 after signifcant growth as a result of the booming lumber and commodity trade.
Te Shipbuilding industry made Marine City one of the largest Shipbuilding towns on the Great Lakes. It was also home to four other very important local industries of the 19th Century. Tese were the production of Sugar, Salt, Logging and Barrel making industries.
Marine City today has retained much of its original charm and is now a vibrant tourist town along the banks of the St. Clair River. It is becoming a hub for local theater productions, hotel, museums, antique shops, art galleries, small specialty shops, a growing number of great restaurants and specialty foods (candy, popcorn, cofee, bakeries). Many of our local businesses have been deemed destinations for the Detroit Metro Area.
Many parks dot the waterfront and have many fne examples of marine artifacts. Tese comprise the Marine City Outdoor Maritime Museum. A sand beach on the St Clair River, a transient marina and a kayak/canoe launch are all within walking distance of the downtown district.
Marine City is in close proximity to the metropolitan Detroit area, yet far enough away to retain our rural, small town atmosphere.
The Nine Mile boat launch will be closed starting Aug. 1 until August 2025 to expand the canal at the Chapaton Retention Basin as part of an effort to reduce combined sewer overflows.
Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said the project will include expanding the storage canal and replacing the outfall gates.
“We have about 3 million gallons of storage in that canal. When we’re done, it will be 13 million,” Miller said. “So a significant improvement.”
This new canal will reduce combined sewer overflows by about 30% or more, Miller said. Another project that will reportedly be online by the end of the year will see another 10% to 15% reduction of CSOs. All of this is in addition to operational and process changes that reduced CSOs by 30%, according to Miller.
CSOs occur when combined sewer systems become overwhelmed with rainwater and sewage, and the untreated water flows
See CANAL on page 8A
South Lake Schools is asking voters to approve a bond proposal in the amount of $49,750,000 on Aug. 8.
According to the South Lake Schools website, the district is asking voters to maintain the bond already in place, but not increase the current level of taxes voters are paying.
Ted Von Hiltmayer reiterated they will not ask for a tax increase, and he explained a bit more.
“We have to levy mills in order to pay the bond back,” Von Hiltmayer said. “So we’re to the point now where we’ve paid
enough of the bond back to the previous bond that we can go back and ask the voters to approve another bond.”
Michael Damiani, president of the South Lake Schools Board of Education,
See BOND on page 16A
The St. Clair Shores Cool City Committee is hosting a citywide garage sale, and the number of registered participants is growing every day.
At press time, there were more than 300 garage sales signed up for the sale, said John Cilluffo, trustee of the Cool City Committee. With the help of a few members and others who have shared information about the garage sale on sites such as Facebook, they’ve gained a lot of publicity.
“When I first initially took on the lead for this, I thought 50 would have been the number since it’s our first year doing it,” Cilluffo said.
Residents can still apply to be a part of the garage sale, Cilluffo said, and they can register by going to the Cool City CommitteeSt. Clair Shores Facebook page or by visiting the Civic Center.
“Then we’re going to have to shut it down due to the fact that we still have to cre-
ate a list, a map, stuff like that for the residents or for the buyers to actually participate in it so we’re going to need some time,” Cilluffo said. The registration cut-off date is the week of Aug. 7. The garage sale is going to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 19 and Aug. 20.
When the maps come out, they can be found online and at the Civic Center as well. Jason Miller, chairperson of the Cool City Committee, said they were able to create a map using Google and pin everyone’s address to it.
“For those that are pretty good with phones and stuff, you’ll be able to just select a pin and even with Google you can get directions right to it, the location,” Miller said. “That’ll be extremely helpful.”
Cilluffo had a meeting with the city, and he said for that weekend only the permit fee has been waived.
“We’ve had some people calling going, ‘Well, it says it’s waiving the permit fee. Do I still have to get a permit?’” Cilluffo said. “No.
See SALE on page 19A
from page 1A
tower fall. Many golfers stopped to watch as well.
Members of the Save the St. Clair Shores Water Tower group were there, including Donna Kalis and Michael McCain, who were both saddened to see the water tower go. The group put in an effort to save the tower by fundraising and raising awareness. As of July 17, it had raised $1,010 through a GoFundMe effort.
“It’s very, very sad,” McCain said after the tower fell. “I feel it’s a part of history that can no longer be saved.”
Kalis said she has fond memories of the water tower, of seeing it when she came home from traveling for her late husband’s medical appointments and other things.
“It’s a loss,” Kalis said. “To me, when I would come home from somewhere, that would tell me it’s home.”
During public comment at the St. Clair Shores City Council meeting on July 17, Kalis said there were discrepancies in what water tower bids for rehabilitation were online.
“When I clicked on that link, the specs (were) for a 1-million-gallon water tower in Northfield, Minnesota,” Kalis said.
She also said the water tower’s neighbors on Masonic Boulevard and Robeson Street were not notified about the demolition. She stated a few of the neighbors asked about the tower, including a woman who lives on Masonic, and that they said they were never told about it.
“We told her, and she says, ‘I never got anything, not even a flyer on my door,’ and that was wrong,” Kalis said.
Resident and City Council candidate Bryan Owens also spoke during the public comment section of the council meeting. He said his family is connected to the water tower and that he’s just one person that has memories of the structure. He said what the council had in front of them was a failure.
“You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. You were unable to keep one of our city structures up,” Owens said. “The lies that were told, the misuse of money, the wool pulled over people’s eyes in this water tower (situation). You all should be ashamed of yourself for it.”
Mayor Kip Walby later declined to comment on the meeting and said he doesn’t respond to public comments from the residents.
Citing concerns about its structural integrity, members of the St. Clair Shores City Council voted 5-2 on Feb. 21 to demolish the tower that has stood on the property since the 1920s.
Councilman John Caron voted in favor of the demolition in February and called the tower’s collapse “a matter of time.”
Vin-Con was awarded the demolition bid at a cost of $53,809 with a 10% contingency fee, bringing the total amount to $59,189.
Councilmen Dave Rubello and Chris Vitale voted against the demolition.
Vitale later said in an interview the tower was something they did not have the money for considering all the other projects the city has.
“The tower has had multiple reprieves and we didn’t get any interest from anyone, the cost to make it structurally sound,” Vitale said. “It was not something we could spend money (on).”
It was previously pointed out that federally protected birds of prey were nesting in the tower. Drone footage later showed the birds to be great horned owls and it delayed the demolition plans until the owl and its young were out of the nest.
Walby later reiterated the upkeep cost of the tower, which he said was around $500,000. At the Feb. 21 meeting, there were no bids for rehabilitation of the water tower.
“At the end of the day, we made a financial decision in regards to the water tower,” Walby said.
Rubello said on July 17 that he wanted to find the safest solution possible for the people and the environment. He said in a phone call that’s one of his jobs as a city councilman.
“That’s what we’ve been after all along,” Rubello said. “And we wanted a chance to have a nice community project raise funds to fix it without using the city’s money.”
He later said he did not fault the city’s administration, stating they get their “marching orders” from the City Council.
“I just wanted to have a community project with the schools and fundraisers and people,” Rubello said. “Because, as you saw, the water tower wasn’t going anywhere for a really long time. You could have ran a train through it.”
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
In 1926, an 18-hole golf course for the Detroit Masonic Country Club was started on the north side of Masonic Boulevard. It would be the club’s second course and would open in August 1929.
Later in 1929, severe storms damaged the DMCC buildings and grounds. The stock market crash toward the end of that same year meant that the finances of both the club and its members were severely eroded. The club dissolved in 1932, and by 1944, the Village of St. Clair Shores had received the land in lieu of back taxes. However, both of the DMCC golf courses continued to operate until 1945.
From 1947 to 1961, the Lakepointe Country Club operated what had been the second DMCC golf course. The original course was allowed to go to seed and eventually a school was built on the property. The development of Interstate 94 cut into the golf course land and the course was supposed to be redesigned. But by 1967, the course had closed.
The property remained vacant until 1973, when the city of St. Clair Shores purchased it. In 1976, the St. Clair Shores Country Club opened on the site. It is now known as the St. Clair Shores Golf Club. This photo shows work being done on the course in 1975. The pond is at the 15th green.
To view this image and other historic photographs, please visit the Digital Media Archive at www.scslibrary.org.
— Submitted by Heidi Christein, archivist, St. Clair Shores Public Library
by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).).
8A/ ST. CLAIR SHORES SENTINEL • JULY 26, 2023
AUG. 5
Garden Tour: Presented by Yardeners of St. Clair Shores, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., registration and maps at Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum behind St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 11 Mile Road, (586) 415-7110, scsyardeners@gmail.com
AUG. 12
40-year reunion: Eisenhower High School Class of 1983, 6 p.m., Mr B’s Shelby, 48550 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, no RSVP required, Ike83 on Facebook, mj4msu@hotmail.com
AUG. 17-20
GreekFest: Authentic food, music, dancing, taverna, kids activities and more, 4-10 p.m. Aug. 17, 4-11 p.m. Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 19 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 20, Assumption Cultural Center, 21800 Marter Road in St. Clair Shores/Grosse Pointe Woods, www. assumptiongreekfestival.com
Downtown Social District: Live music, food trucks, street games, vendors, dancing and more, 5 p.m.midnight Aug. 12 and 26, Sept. 9 and 23, and Oct. 14 and 28, along Greater Mack Avenue between Nine Mile Road and Nine Mack/Cavalier drives in St. Clair Shores, scsmi.net/social-district
Music on the Lake: 7-8:30 p.m., July 26 (Captain
Fantastic, Elton John tribute), Aug. 2 (Joey Vee Band), Aug. 9 (Air Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet tribute) and Aug. 16 (Sunset Blvd.), Veterans Memorial Park, 32400 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, scsmi. net/307/Events
St. Clair Shores Farmers Market: 5-9 p.m. select Thursdays (Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12) and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. select Sundays (Aug. 27 and Sept. 24), Blossom Heath Park, south of 10 Mile Road on Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores, scsmi.net/877/ Farmers-Market
Car shows: 4-8 p.m. Fridays until Aug. 25, VFW Bruce Post #1146, 28404 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, also DJ, BBQ and 50-50 drawings with some money helping local organizations and veterans, no pets allowed, call Duane at (586) 707-3615
• 4 p.m.-dusk every Thursday until Sept. 28, St. Margaret of Scotland, 21201 13 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores, (586) 909-4700
Sweet Mountain Strings: Dulcimer music group for all levels, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Big Family of Michigan, Suite 1, 23500 Pare St. in St. Clair Shores, (586) 777-4602
Lakeshore Ukulele Strummers: Jam sessions for all levels, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Lakeshore
the community generationally.
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
Presbyterian Church, 27801 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, (586) 321-9535
Lakeside Palette Club of St. Clair Shores: Open studio events, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Clair Shores Adult Education Center inside North Lake High School, 23340 Elmira, (586) 944-8253, LPCofSCS@gmail. com, lakesidepaletteclub.org
Book Discussion Group: Meets 1 p.m. every second Wednesday of month, St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 11 Mile Road, scslibrary.org/bookdiscussion. html
Overeaters Anonymous meetings: 10 a.m. Saturdays, St. Margaret of Scotland (room 302), 21201 E. 13 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores, (586) 293-0814
St. Gertrude Senior’s Club: Meets 11 a.m.-noon Mondays, St. Margaret of Scotland, 21201 E. 13 Mile Road in St. Clair Shores, stmargaret-scsmi.org/events, (586) 777-4674
Diaper drive: Hosted by Right to Life of Michigan’s Macomb Educational Resource Center, all sizes (especially 4-6) needed, drop off all month at 27417 Harper Ave. in St. Clair Shores, (586) 774-6050
C & G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:
Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle • Farmington Press • Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle • Grosse Pointe Times • Macomb Township Chronicle Madison-Park News • Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Township Journal • Novi Note • Rochester Post Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider Royal Oak Review • Shelby-Utica News • Southfield Sun • St. Clair Shores Sentinel • Sterling Heights Sentry Troy Times • Warren Weekly West Bloomfield Beacon • Woodward Talk • C & G Special Edition (Grosse Pointe/Macomb Co.) • C & G Special Edition (Oakland Co.)
Main Office: 13650 E. 11 Mile Road • Warren, MI 48089 (586) 498-8000 facebook.com/stclairshoressentinel @candgnews candgnews.com
Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com
Reporter: Alyssa Ochss | (586) 498-1103 | aochss@candgnews.com
Sports: Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
For retail ad rates:
Dave Rubello| (586) 498-8117 | drubello@candgnews.com
from page 3A
into nearby lakes and rivers.
The cost of the project will reportedly be about $27 million. Miller also said all of the products used in the project will be American made.
“Of which I’ve received all that money from several sources,” Miller said. “The state and also Macomb County. That’s mostly ARPA money, American Rescue Plan money.”
She said this is good news for the rate payers because they don’t have to raise the rates for the projects.
The three main reasons they are planning this project are to replace old infrastructure, to reduce CSOs and to protect basements from flooding by building it at a higher flood elevation. Miller recalled a large rain event that occurred two years ago that flooded all of the Grosse Pointe communities and many other areas.
“That’s the kind of rain events we’re having anymore, right,” Miller said. “Whether it’s climate change or whatever’s happening, we have to make sure that we are protecting basements from flooding here.”
She went on to say that this will help
Miller said she understands the inconvenience for boaters with the boat launch closed during the next couple of seasons.
“I feel bad that some of the boaters, you know, that are trying to launch their boat will be inconvenienced for a couple years. I get it,” Miller said. “It’s that or are we going to protect our water quality for generations?”
Officials don’t think there will be a delay for the project. The occupants of most of the surrounding businesses and apartments were reportedly contacted about the project and the noise it may produce.
“We’re trying to be a good neighbor,” Miller said. “But this is our property and we’re a pump station and we have a mission here.”
The neighbors they spoke to recently understood the importance of the project and what it does to protect the water quality in the lake, Miller said. Flyers have been handed out to residents about the project and there are signs posted around the pump station notifying people about the project and the subsequent boat launch closure.
The closure was brought up at the July 17 St. Clair Shores City Council meeting when City Manager Dustin Lent mentioned it during his report.
See CANAL on page 22A
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1034 | kboz@candgnews.com
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100
Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
August 2023
Automotive Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com
Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
City Council Meetings
Monday, August 21, 2023
7:00 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers
27600 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores
August 2023
Scan QR code or visit www.scsmi.net/councilagendas to view agendas online.
City Council Meetings
Agendas are posted, by the end of business day, two Fridays before each meeting.
Monday, August 21, 2023
7:00 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers 27600 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores
Scan QR code or visit www.scsmi.net/councilagendas to view agendas online.
Scan QR code or visit www.scsmi.net/councilagendas to view agendas online. Agendas are posted, by the end of business day, two Fridays before each meeting. 0157-2330
Agendas are posted, by the end of business day, two Fridays before each meeting.
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Kirk Gibson’s legacy as a player is prestigious across the baseball world.
Through memorable World Series home runs with both the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers that cause adults to reflect with an “I remember when” type of nostalgia, Gibson’s MVP season in 1988, two World Series titles, and even a 2005 Wheaties breakfast cereal box commemorating Gibson’s walk-off home run in the 1988 World Series illustrate the impact he’s had on the sport.
Now, he is forging his legacy in a different area with another team that Gibson will undoubtedly leave his mark on.
“He played baseball for so long, and then he just moved from one team to another — the Parkinson’s team,” Cameron Gibson, Kirk’s son, said. “He’s their fearless leader.”
Gibson’s inspiring journey with Parkinson’s disease since his diagnosis in 2015 has been paved with every ounce of work and dedication that the Kirk Gibson Foundation
has put forth toward Parkinson’s, and the efforts and its volunteers are only growing each year.
The foundation, which was founded in 1996, originally provided college scholarships to a male and female student at both Waterford Kettering, where Gibson graduated and his father worked as a math teacher, and Clarkston High School, where his mother taught theater and speech. After his diagnosis, the foundation, which still provides scholarships, switched gears to focus on funding and supporting the Parkinson’s community, establishing the name of Team23 in honor of Gibson’s jersey number.
“What helps us is more help, more contributions from others, and more donations and time and resources so we can lift more people up and keep it going,” Gibson said.
Because it’s 2023, the foundation is motivated to complete a set of goals for this year as it continues to grow into its new office in Birmingham.
See PARKINSON’S on page 11A
At 4:48 p.m. on July 18, a report was made about a burglary/forced entry that occurred on the same day at 9:30 a.m. in the 19000 block of California Street.
Two officers were dispatched and upon arrival, one of them spoke to the victim, a 41-year-old man, who stated that his home was broken into sometime overnight or in the morning. He reportedly went to work at around 6 p.m. on July 17 and did not return home until around 4 p.m. on July 18. He said he lives alone and that no one else should know where he lives.
When he got home, he said he sat on the couch but noticed the freeway noise was louder than usual. When he walked into the kitchen, he saw the back window open and that items were thrown around. He said he believes this is how the home was entered and that the window must have been unlocked. An officer spoke with a neighbor across the street to check her cameras.
The officer spoke to another neighbor, a 27-year-old man, whose cameras picked up a vehicle parked in front of the victim’s house at around 9:38 a.m. and then reversed a few houses at 9:41 a.m. Another officer spoke with another neighbor, a 64-year-old woman, whose cameras observed the same vehicle and another vehicle on the side of the house. Neither video shows any occupants entering or exiting the vehicles.
The victim listed an Xbox, PlayStation 5, MacBook Pro, gold chain charm, 26 pairs of Rock Revival Jeans, four sets of Gator shoes and over 20 pairs of sneakers missing.
An evidence technician reportedly came out later and found partial fingerprints and pry marks on the window.
At 7:23 p.m. on July 12, a report was made about fraud that occurred on the same day at noon in the 22000 block of Edmunton Street.
The victim, a 62-year-old woman, came into the police station and stated that she was defrauded out of $1,305. She said she received a phone call from a person who stated they were a supervisor from DTE Energy and that she was behind on her bills. The caller stated the victim would have to pay the bills immediately or her power would be shut off. The caller advised her to go to Dollar General and purchase three separate gift cards totaling $1,305.
The victim purchased the gift cards and
gave the caller the numbers on the cards. The victim later contacted DTE directly and they said she was not behind on her bill.
At 7:04 a.m. on July 11, a report was made of a burglary/forced entry that occurred between July 10 and July 11 in the 22000 block of Raymond Court.
Upon arrival. an officer met with the victim, a 57-year-old man, who stated that when he let his dogs out, he noticed that his garage was open and the straps holding his ATV on his trailer were cut. He found pruners from his garage on the trailer for the ATV, and the lock on his fence to his back yard had also been removed. The window on his garage had been removed, and the motion light on the corner of the garage had been knocked down.
The window had been placed on the side of the garage. The motion lights that were taken out were on the ground and it appeared the lock for the gate had been unscrewed and placed on the ground.
An evidence technician took photos at the scene. The victim said he last saw everything intact at 11:45 p.m. on July 10.
He stated he had listed a dirt bike for sale on Facebook Marketplace four days prior. The dirt bike was chained to another motorcycle in the garage. Another house just west had a camera and their gate was ajar as well. The officer made contact with the neighbor, a 26-year-old man, who stated he did not have access to the cameras but that his uncle might.
— Alyssa Ochss
from page 9A
Steve Annear, the managing director and board member for the foundation, said there are two main goals this year that the foundation is focused on accomplishing.
“We want to grow out our membership of Team23 to 2,300 people this year, and the aim is to raise 2.3 million dollars this year,” Annear said. “I think we’ll achieve both of those things, and we also want to move all of the major initiatives of the foundation forward. As we’re doing that, more people are joining us at Team23 as donors, joining as volunteers, joining as people who work dayto-day in the foundation and helping us all moving forward.”
Originally from Australia, Annear famously ran the Detroit Free Press Marathon in October of last year on one leg and two crutches, finishing the 26.2-mile race and raising more than $100,000 for the Kirk Gibson Foundation.
Annear had his left leg amputated at age 11 because of circulatory problems, and he became an immediate inspiration for Gibson when he met Annear while they were both playing golf.
“My friends that I was playing golf with were very excited about him, and he came over and said hello to us, and I had no idea
who he was,” Annear said. “I had to go home and look him up. For you or everybody that knows Kirk, I’ve never had that baseball hero background with him. I’ve always known him as a friend who has Parkinson’s and is spending his life looking after others. That’s the hero I see everyday.”
Annear and Gibson have been a dynamic duo ever since Annear joined the foundation as the managing director in January of 2022, and there’s been one area that the foundation has strongly supported.
With the help of fundraising events and donations, the foundation has made major contributions to various activity-based programs that improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.
Programs include exercise support groups (weekly classes at Corewell Health); respite care programs, which is in partnership with the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation to help caregivers; adaptive yoga programs; and cognitive training programs.
If the stars align, the foundation hopes to develop a medical center where caregivers and people going through Parkinson’s feel at home in a positive environment while also having various programs, and Parkinson’s research organizations can work together.
“It’s more than a dream,” Gibson said. “We’re working towards it and we’re chipping away at it. We work on it daily, visit-
See PARKINSON’S on page 15A
METRO DETROIT — Michigan is well on its way to becoming the fifth state in the nation to provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students this school year.
Michigan’s House and Senate have approved the state’s fiscal year 2024 budget, which includes the allocation of $160 million to provide students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with a free daily school breakfast and lunch for the 2023-24 school year.
The program will take immediate effect once the budget is signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Some states have either implemented universal free meals or are considering it following last June’s expiration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture waivers that allowed schools across the nation to offer free meals to students during the height of the pandemic.
Michigan’s new universal free meal program is only budgeted for this year, so to keep it going, state lawmakers would have to provide additional funding.
The Michigan initiative, called “Healthy School Meals for All,” aims to address food insecurity and improve student concentration and performance, state officials said.
“This is something we have wanted to see for the kids of Michigan for years,” said Diane Golzynski, the deputy superintendent for finance and operations for the Michigan Department of Education, which will oversee the program. “It’s going to be a huge win for
kids all over the state to be able to go to school and know that there will be meals there if they want to eat them.”
Schools will have to opt in if they want to participate.
“The important message for families is, as long as your school opts in, then you will be able to have free breakfast and lunch at school,” Golzynski added.
Critics of the program say that free and reduced school meals were already offered to students who need them.
State Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, objected to the “expansion of the school meal program, a previously needs-based program that will instead provide free food even for kids from the wealthiest families when fully phased in,” according to a press release.
Advocates said the Healthy School Meals for All program will eliminate the stigma associated with receiving free and reduced lunch by providing reimbursement from the state for meals served to students who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Previously, just over half of all students in the state qualified for free or reduced meals through federal programs, based on their family’s income or whether they qualified for SNAP benefits or Medicaid. In 2022, 53.3% of Michigan students qualified for free or reduced-cost lunches.
“The federal reimbursement will come in first, and then (the MDE) will calculate the state reimbursement and provide those resources to the schools that opt in,” Golzynski explained.
e U.S. Geological Survey recently reported that “forever chemicals” — elements used to make products greaseproof, waterproof, nonstick and stain-resistant — are present in 45% of the nation’s tap water.
Given that water is essential for survival, chemical pollutants in drinking water can pose signi cant health risks.
Business partners Mike Shock and Adam Reed
safer alternative to traditional tap and bottled water, the duo recently launched Current Water Company, specializing in reverse osmosis (RO) and alkaline water.
RO is a nine-step process that uses signi cant ltration to remove contaminates from water. Alkaline has a higher pH of 10.5 and involves a 12-step process that mixes calcium, magnesium and trace minerals, which are mined domestically, back into the water with no additives.
“What you’re left with is a very pure product,” Mike said. “ is has been a nine-year passionate journey for us because our fundamental belief is that everyone should be able to get clean, pure drinking water at an a ordable price.“
“What makes us unique is that no matter your preference we will bottle your water for you right here,” said Adam. “ ere are very few stores like ours in metro Detroit.”
without introducing salt via a softener or discharging any chemicals into the sewer system.
eir product also contributes to a healthier environment by reducing plastic waste and minimizing carbon footprint.
Customers may bring in their own clean container or purchase 5-gallon, 3-gallon, 2-gallon or 1-gallon containers that will be lled on-site.
imported waters from springs and aquifers in Spain, Italy, France and Germany,” Adam said.
“Most of these cannot be found in other stores in the area.”
had longstanding concerns about tap water and the presence of phthalates in prepackaged bottled water.
Striving to o er a healthier and environmentally
eir system is handmade right here in the United States and utilizes Toray membranes fabricated from strictly regulated Japanese materials, which are water tested before leaving the factory in Poway, Calif. e best membranes on the market, they e ectively eliminate major toxins such as PFAS, arsenic, lead, chlorine and nitrate
“Our product costs less than buying bottled water or setting up a ltration system in your home,” Mike added. “If you’re buying organic produce because you’re concerned about the food you’re consuming, you should also be concerned about the water you’re consuming.”
As one of the few authorized Corkcicle dealers in metro Detroit — and the only dealer in St. Clair Shores — they o er a selection of stylish and sustainable tumblers, canteens and coolers from which to choose.
“For water connoisseurs, we also have a variety of
eir growing customer base includes not only environmentally conscious individuals but also businesses such as restaurants, bars, stores, halls, gyms and organizers of private and public events.
Current Water Co. is located at 22430 Greater Mack Ave. in St. Clair Shores. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Secure indoor self-serve stations are accessible after hours via personal assigned PIN.
Please call (586) 285-5461 or email drink@ currentwaterco.com for pricing. Connect with Current Water Company on Facebook and @ current_water_company on Instagram.
from page 12A
The governor’s office said the program will help feed 1.4 million children across the state, which they estimate will save a family $850 over the year. A 2012 study of school lunch costs found that homemade lunches ranged in cost from around $1.55 to $2.12, and the NSLP lunches came in around $2.15, without giving a dollar amount to the time involved in preparing either, according to schoolnutrition. org, which also found that parents tend to pack more sugary items.
Collin McDonough, director of Michigan government relations at the American Heart Association, said he applauds Whitmer, the state Legislature, the Michigan Department of Education and the AHA’s partner organizations No Kid Hungry Michigan, the School Nutrition Association of Michigan, and the Michigan School Meals Coalition for “their tireless work to take this program from an idea to reality.”
He said Healthy School Meals for All will be “transformational” for Michigan’s students and families.
“Not only will it help students learn — no one can focus on an empty stomach — it will help reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes,” McDonough said in a statement.
Parent Jessica Kalef, of Rochester, has concerns about the quality of food served.
“While this sounds like a good idea, during COVID, when they were offered free lunch, there was a big difference in the quality of free food, versus paid. During the free period, we had gotten expired milk and yogurts … and upset stomachs, and were told stuff smelled or wasn’t cooked right,” said Kalef.
Food standards, she stressed, need to be upheld for the universal free food program as well.
“We, as parents, can’t be there for lunch, so it was upsetting that they were served this on several occasions,” Kalef added. “I would rather pay for the lunch to be sure it’s hot, fresh and not expired. However, I know that not all families can do that — so then who is responsible for upholding the standards and checking our kids safety?”
The meals offered through the state and federal programs, Golzynski said, are required to meet the dietary guidelines for Americans, which are set at the federal level.
“In order to get the federal reimbursement, those meals have to meet those nutritional values, but the beautiful part of having the additional state reimbursement is the schools will actually now have more money to spend on their food products, so they can get even higher quality food than what they had before,” she said.
Federal requirements include minimum
servings for vegetables, fruits, milk, grains and meat or meat-alternate components. Schools must also adhere to requirements for calories, trans fat, saturated fat and sodium content.
While meal pattern requirements are set at the federal level, MDE officials said school menus are set at the local school or school district level.
“If there is a food allergy situation, where it is life or death, then the family gets a note from the child’s doctor, and the food service department has to make those accommodations; no matter what those accommodations are, they have to meet that child’s requirement based on what the doctor says,” said Golzynski. “In the case of dietary preference, like for religious reasons, or oftentimes a family eats vegetarian or vegan, then the food service department will do everything they can to meet those but they aren’t required to.”
Rochester Community Schools, along with many other local school districts, works with Chartwells for its food service.
“Universal free meals in Michigan offer a great opportunity for students to eat together in the cafeteria and hopefully make it easier for students and families to confidently check breakfast and lunch off their list. We’re excited to serve even more students in Rochester Community Schools this year, helping to fuel their busy days with favorite menu items and a variety of delicious new recipes,” Marsha Dziewit, the director of dining services for Rochester
Community Schools, said in an email.
Rochester parent Cristina Poma feels the universal free meal program is “a move in the right direction” and said it can always be tweaked in the future to address concerns.
“I’m sure the quality of the food and whatever other gripes people may have can be adjusted as the program grows, but for the children of Michigan, I couldn’t be prouder to be in a state that is taking care of their kids in this manner,” she said.
MDE officials said parents or students can advocate for improved meal quality by first contacting their school’s food service director with concerns.
“Not every family will choose to eat the meals — and that’s always been the case, even during the pandemic, when the meals were free. … But we do expect there to be more children who choose to eat because they are free,” Golzynski stated.
She also encouraged parents to fill out income information, specifically a form called the “educational benefits form,” which will allow schools to continue to get federal funding for education.
“No matter what your income level is, return it, because it’s important to the school for additional education funding that they can get,” she said.
Those with additional questions or concerns can email MDE’s School Nutrition Programs at mde-schoolnutrition@michi gan.gov.
from page 11A
ing other places that pulled it off on smaller scales. I don’t want it to be like a medical field. I want it to be more like, ‘This is where we try and kick Parky’s ass field.’”
A major win against Parkinson’s disease came earlier this year when the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research announced that it had developed a test that can reveal abnormal alpha-synuclein, which is known as the “Parkinson’s protein,” in brain and body cells.
The breakthrough with the test is the idea that people can be diagnosed much quicker, before showing numerous symptoms such as rigidity of muscles, tremors, speech changes, slowed movement and more.
“They were able to develop a biomarker test for Parkinson’s, which means you can detect it in spinal fluid,” Annear said. “That means that before the symptoms are prevalent, people will be able to find out that they have Parkinson’s through this test. It’s big, big news. We’re still a long way from a cure, but organizations like MJ Fox will find a cure. That will happen, and this is a great step along the way.”
As the foundation continues to mobi-
lize in the fight against Parkinson’s, Gibson said he has been able to improve physically through various exercises that stimulate his nervous system and joints, as exercise is one of the primary ways to maintain one’s quality of life with Parkinson’s. He works in some golf, table tennis and bowling as well.
Most importantly, and Gibson will be the first to say it, a support system is everything for someone going through something like Parkinson’s. Gibson has more than he ever could’ve asked for in that department.
“They’re great,” Gibson said. “Cam donates his time to the foundation and works with the team, and he’s taken on some responsibility there. He helps his old man, and all my boys really do it. My daughter Colleen and my wife, she’s over the top. I’m grateful for that. Look at the Gabe Kapler footage (from their Bally Sports Detroit piece on YouTube), and he talks about watching his dad dissipate; that’s me. That’s what they’re watching. If you look at my tapes from year to year to year, you can see it. It’s not something that’s going to be great for them to deal with, but it’s going to happen, but not if I can help it.”
For more information on the Kirk Gibson Foundation, visit kirkgibsonfoundation. org.
Call Staff Writer Jonathan Szczepaniak at (586) 498-1090.
According to the office of Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, the following language for the South Lake Schools bond proposition will appear on the ballot for the Aug. 8 election:
Shall the South Lake Schools, County of Macomb, State of Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Forty-Nine Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($49,750,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds, in one or more series, for the purpose of paying for the cost of the following projects:
• Remodeling, equipping, re-equipping, furnishing, re-furnishing school buildings, athletic facilities, playgrounds and other facilities and the construction of an addition to the existing high school building to create a modern learning environment for students and enhancing health, safety, security and energy conservation;
• Acquiring and installing technology equipment and technology infrastructure in school buildings and other facilities; and
• Preparing, developing and improving sites at school buildings, athletic facilities, playgrounds and other facilities and the purchase of school buses?
The estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year is 2.07 mills (which is equal to $2.07 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a -0- mill net increase over the annual debt millage levied in 2023; the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire each series of bonds is 3.78 mills annually ($3.78 per $1,000 of taxable value); and the maximum number of years any series of bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is not more than 30 years.
If approved by the voters, the repayment of the bonds will be guaranteed by the State under the School Bond Qualification and Loan Program (the “Program”). The School District currently has $21,095,000 of qualified bonds outstanding and approximately $0 of qualified loans outstanding under the Program. The School District does not expect to borrow from the Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated computed millage rate required to be levied to pay the proposed bonds may change in the future based on changes in certain circumstances.
(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for teacher, administrator or employee salaries, repair or maintenance costs or other operating expenses.)
from page 3A
said the district came up with the amount based on what the current bond level was at.
“We didn’t want to go into a situation where we were increasing the current load on the district,” Damiani said. “So we settled on a number that kept the current level the same plus gave us funding to accomplish some of the work we wanted to do at the buildings and for the district.”
The bond will be used to buy new equipment such as boilers, fix some of the school parking lots, add an addition to the high school, replace some school roofs and other improvements. Von Hiltmayer likened the schools to homes and said there will always be things that need to be replaced.
“Knowing that all of these things were basically coming due, coming to the end of their life, we knew that it was important for us to go back out and ask the voters to support another bond so that we can continue to maintain our facilities and keep them nice,” Von Hiltmayer said.
He added that the bond cannot be used for staffing purposes and can only be used for building improvements.
The work would be divided into three
phases if the bond passes, Von Hiltmayer said.
The first phase includes the elementary school building projects, and they would start with the parking lots, and the heating and cooling systems, which includes boilers.
Not everything can realistically get done during the summer, Von Hiltmayer said. During the middle school’s project, they secured the area being worked on to seclude it during the school year. Similar procedures could be used for this bond proposal for work during the school year.
“Obviously, we would get as much work done as we can in the summer, but we would know that in order to do this in a timely manner. It would take many, many, many years if you could only get work done in the summer,” Von Hiltmayer said.
No disruptions are anticipated for student drop off and pick up due to the projects, Von Hiltmayer said.
“We’d be deliberate in how we coordinate when those things happen,” Von Hiltmayer said. “If we’re going to redo parking lots, then we know that would be something that we have to do in the summer. Because we couldn’t have the parking lot torn up during the school year. It would be very inconvenient.”
17A/ ST. CLAIR SHORES SENTINEL • JULY 26, 2023
According to their newsletter, the St. Clair Shores Library will have a new lending partner to offer a wider range of e-books and e-audiobooks.
The library partner is called Woodlands Library Cooperative, and it joins other libraries including the Lakeland Cooperative, the Great Lakes Digital Libraries, the MCLS Overdrive groups, the White Pine Cooperative, the Up North Digital Consortium and The Library Network.
In an email, Stephaine Fair, the assistant director of the St. Clair Shores Public Library, said the Woodlands Library Cooperative provides a wide variety of e-books and e-audiobooks. It has 23,312 titles that are shared with other OverDrive groups, Fair said.
“All kinds of them from fiction to nonfiction, from adult through youth,” Fair said.
SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN — On July 10, the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan announced its new D2A2 Frequent Rider Passbook Program.
The discounted pass program offers savings for commuters traveling between Detroit and Ann Arbor on the D2A2 bus route. D2A2 is a pilot commuter bus service connecting Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Starting immediately, passengers can purchase a passbook containing 50 one-way trips for the price of $100, offering bus rides as low as $2 each way. The program offers a 60 percent decrease in cost per ride compared to purchasing each ticket individually.
In addition to the new 50-ride passbook, the RTA will continue to offer a book of 10 oneway trips between Detroit’s Grand Circus Park and Ann Arbor’s Blake Transit Center for $50. All passes are valid for one year, starting from the selected date. They are nonrefundable and must be utilized by the person named in the transaction.
To purchase a travel passbook, commuters are required to create an account or log into their existing account on the D2A2 website. It is recommended that passengers always log into their account to make travel pass reservations, where they can manage bookings seamlessly. To purchase a travel passbook, commuters are required to create an account or log into their existing account on the D2A2 website at d2a2.com. For any inquiries or assistance, call (517) 333-0400 or send an email at info@michiganflyer.com.
The city of St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation Department is looking for public input about its 2024-2028 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
St. Clair Shores City Planner Liz Koto said in an email it is a requirement by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to update the master plan to qualify for grant funding but that it is not required by the state of Michigan.
“We want to continue to be eligible to apply for grants,” Koto said in the email.
METRO DETROIT — Applications to participate in the Detroit Institute of Art’s 2024 Inside|Out program are now available.
The popular DIA program brings high-quality reproductions of artwork in the museum’s collection to communities in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Over a period of time, the art pieces are displayed in prominent areas of participating cities.
The St. Clair Shores Yardeners are hosting their 30th annual garden tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5.
In an email, Laurel Fowler, a member of the Yardeners, said the tour will feature eight gardens including the St. Clair Shores Community Garden, the St. Clair Shores Senior Activity Center’s raised garden beds, a business and the gardens of five private residents. Yardeners and master gardeners will be available in their gardens to answer questions.
This is a self-guided driving tour with some walking, the email said. The cost for the tour is $5 for each adult and free for children younger than 12. Maps are available for purchase at the Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum on the day of the tour and are included in the ticket price. There are no advanced ticket sales.
Fowler said in an interview there is no group meeting and people can visit the gardens at their leisure.
Registration, ticket sales and map distribution start at 9 a.m. at the Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum behind the library at 22500 E. 11 Mile Road.
“We promise lots of great ideas and just a lovely way to spend the day visiting with the gardeners and their gardens,” according to the email.
A public meeting will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 at the St. Clair Shores Civic Center, at 20000 Stephens Road.
There is no agenda for the public meeting, Koto said, and city staff and consultants will be available to answer questions. They are also there to listen to public feedback about parks and recreation programs. Residents should bring their ideas and opinions about improving the city’s parks and recreation programs and operations, Koto said in the email.
Residents can ask questions before the meeting by contacting Koto at liz@scsmi.net or Rob Spinazzola at spinazzolar@scsmi.net.
Those interested in applying can find the application on the museum’s website at www. dia.org/insideout. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 8.
Priority will be given to first-time communities and those who have not participated in Inside|Out in the past three years. Selected locations will be notified in August.
The 2023 installations are currently on view in 21 communities in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties through November 2023. Over the course of the program, the museum has partnered with more than 100 communities.
Our next edition will come to homes Aug. 9Shutterstock image
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — “Tidy,” “refreshed” and “exciting” are some of the words to describe a home whose owners have increased its curb appeal.
It has been said that first impressions are everlasting. Curb appeal is the first encounter that homebuyers have with a property. So whether prospective buyers are cruising the neighborhood on a nice sunny afternoon or viewing the listing on their phones, real estate agents agree: make it a good first impression.
Some leading metro Detroit real estate agents recently shared tips to increase curb appeal.
“The first image in the marketing is typically the front exterior of the home,” said Alan Jay, of Century 21 Curran & Oberski.
“First impressions go a long way. I always advise my sellers, if they have the physical and financial ability to dress up their curb appeal to either match or supersede their neighborhood’s curb appeal, that that would be ideal,” he said.
Part of the matching or superseding process begins with cleaning.
“Do a good spring and fall cleanup,” said Nancy Robinson, of Century 21 Curran & Oberski.
Power-wash the driveway to remove grease stains. Power-wash the exterior of the house to remove dust or mold. Clean the gutters, particularly after a storm or windy weather.
Remove all debris. Cut the grass and edge the lawn. Trim the shrubs, plant flowers and lay fresh mulch. Remove all the weeds from cracks in the driveway. Fill in cracks in the driveway or cement so it is flat.
According to real estate agents, these projects pay off exponentially.
“Clean the windows and open the blinds,” said
Robinson. “Your house looks a lot more inviting when the windows are clean and the blinds are open. It doesn’t look quite as closed up.”
Make the property tidy by removing lawn items.
“They want to at least put it in the backyard where it cannot be seen from the street,” said Caron Koteles Riha, of Real Estate One/Max Broock.
Refresh by painting the front door and adding a new doorknob. Sand and paint any rusty banisters. Remove and replace torn screens.
“Replacing the front porch light — make sure it is new and modern,” Robinson said. “They are pretty inexpensive and it’s a lot of bang for your buck.”
Robinson also suggests making the house number more noticeable from the street.
A mat at the front door that evokes excitement can be a plus when showing the house.
“If you have a doormat, (have) something that has enthusiasm. It sets the tone of the showing,” Jay said.
Part of a refreshed look includes landscaping.
According to Koteles Riha, flowers and shrubs show a pride of ownership that is very appealing to a buyer.
“If (buyers) are looking at several different homes and there’s one that has nice shrubs and fresh flowers, it just makes them feel happier,” Koteles Riha said. “Landscaping is proven to increase the value of a home. It doesn’t necessarily have to be professional. It just has to look good.”
According to Koteles Riha, shrubs and flowers that look good and are hearty — and economical — are boxwood shrubs, impatiens and begonias.
“I like begonias because you really can’t kill them,” Koteles Riha said.
Some are finding microclover to be a good replacement for grass.
ABOVE: Maximize curb appeal by cutting the grass, edging the lawn, trimming shrubs and planting flowers that add a pop of color.
LEFT: Fresh mulch, plants free of dead leaves and stems, and bright flowers enhance the appearance of the home.
BELOW: An outdoor living area can be a beautiful respite when it is tidy and refreshed.
from page 4A
Everything is waived for that weekend as long as you register.”
All the normal city rules for garage sales still apply, Cilluffo said. One of the key rules people have to remember is that garage sale signs must stay off city property. He said if there are multiple garage sales on one street, someone could step up and make a sign that says, “block sale.”
“You’ve got to be nice with your neighbors because you can’t assume that your corner neighbor is going to want all these signs on (their property). You’re going to have to ask them,” Cilluffo said.
Miller said the idea of the citywide garage sale came from other cities that host them. Miller credits Cilluffo with bringing the idea up and residents have also asked about the idea.
“In about March, the idea was started and it’s just grown exponentially,” Miller said. “If we see this type of growth and this excitement and this has gone together very quickly, it’s already been suggested we’ll make this an annual event from now on.”
Cilluffo said the Cool City Committee is not responsible for the items sold. Miller said they’re creating the event and generating
enthusiasm from the community.
“We’ve got great feedback on this already, a lot of excitement, but it goes back to the individuals that want to set up their garage sale,” Miller said.
This event will help bring people to sellers who might not get a lot of traffic, Miller said.
“Now there is a general awareness of marketing, so this is a great date for those that maybe have never traditionally sold many things but still want to do a garage sale,” Miller said. “This will help bring people to it.”
Both Cilluffo and Miller expressed their shock and surprise at the number of people who had signed up already. They also want to credit Matthew Wisotsky, treasurer and trustee of the Cool City Committee, who created the graphics for the garage sale.
“We have not heavily marketed this event,” Miller said. “It’s been actually naturally grown by word of mouth or through just the Facebook pages, it’s actually taken on a growth of its own. So that’s what kind of surprised us initially, how much of a response and excitement that this has generated already.”
Cilluffo said one of the goals in terms of the number of garage sales is 500.
“But we’re shooting big. Why not? It’s our first time doing (it). Let’s blow it up and see what we can do with it,” Cilluffo said.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
from page 16A
Von Hiltmayer said the improvements that would cost the most money are heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
“We estimate that would be roughly about half of what we’re asking for,” Von Hiltmayer said.
Damiani said HVAC was one of the things that definitely had to get done as well as the school roofs and renovation projects.
The addition to the high school would create a commons area for the students, Von Hiltmayer said, and it would have the biggest visual impact.
“It allows kids to have a place where they can be in the morning,” Von Hiltmayer said. “So if it’s raining, if it’s cold, they can be in the building.”
He went on to say it gives kids an area to charge devices and work on homework safely. It would also be the entrance for people coming to the high school for plays, performances, athletics and other things.
Damiani said it was a unanimous decision by the school board to approve placing the bond on the ballot.
“Every upgrade we make to facilities as far as lighting and security and what not benefits the district and there wasn’t a single dissenting vote on the board for moving forward with this,” Damiani said.
Both Damiani and Von Hiltmayer said the people they’ve talked to have not been objectionable to the bond and have had a good response. Von Hiltmayer said the families recognize that the school buildings need to be upkept like a home. He said the staff and students are excited for the upgrades.
“I know they’re excited about the idea or the possibility of this passing and my interactions with the community have been positive,” Von Hiltmayer said.
For more information on the bond, visit the South Lakes School website at solake.org.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
$200* cash bonus on auto loans of $10,000+
You’re shopping for a car that gives you more — more features, more safety, and more power. Why not choose an auto lender that gives you more, too?
MSGCU auto loans ofer great rates, personalized guidance, and a $200 cash bonus. Apply today.
Open to all Michiganders. There’s a branch near you.
msgcu.org/loanofer
*$200 loan ofer available June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. Eligible loans must be closed by October 24, 2023. Subject to credit approval. APR may be higher, based on term of loan, credit score, collateral, and loan to value. Eligible loans include new or used purchase, refinance from another lender, and refinance existing MSGCU loans with an increased balance of $10,000 or more. Applies to loans originated at an MSGCU branch, call center, or online.
1 APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Ofer requires Automatic Loan Payment transfer. Loan terms up to 84 months, depending on model year. APR may be higher, based on term of loan, credit score, collateral, and loan to value. New money only. Rates are subject to change at any time. Same-day approval on most vehicle applications. Contact Member Service Representative for more details. Insured by NCUA.
from page 18A
“There is a new trend coming in to replace grass with microclover,” Robinson said. “It will be very interesting to see where that goes.”
Jay has had microclover for about a year.
“The reason I did it is, it’s less maintenance than grass. Microclover requires less water, so it is more environmentally friendly. It grows slower,” Jay said.
According to Robinson, in the summer, the grass in metro Detroit goes dormant and can be seen turning brown. Microclover may be a remedy for that.
“It is very vivid, beautiful, electric green that I have right now,” Jay said.
Sellers should keep pets out of sight when showing their homes.
“Buyers can stigmatize a property as having potential issues due to their odor and their behavior,” Jay said.
Call Staff Writer Gena Johnson at (586) 498-1069.
from page 8A
Councilman John Caron said there is a group that gets together whenever they have to shut down the dog park at a smaller park beyond the public works building. He questioned if that would be closed as well due to the project and Mayor Kip Walby said it would.
Councilman Chris Vitale later said he was not happy about the boat launch closing but he is happy about keeping the sewer water out of the lake.
Chairperson of the Waterfront Environmental Committee Heidi McInnes said the committee is very excited about the project. She said she thinks community leaders are doing a great job and that it has been a long time coming.
“I think it’s great for the city, great for the county, great for Macomb County,” McInnes said.
The MET prepaid tuition savings program enables grandparents to ensure the legacy of their grandchildren’s future education. It is a safe, secure and fexible way to pay today’s prices for future tuition at any qualifed college or trade school in the U.S.
Shores Yoga studio brings a natural lifestyle boost to the Shores with classes for all ages, abilities and body types. Shores Yoga provides fun and light teaching methods in a supportive and encouraging environment for both the beginner and the seasoned yogi. The goal is to bring together like-minded people to foster growth spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.
Shores Yoga is located at 23517 Nine Mack Drive in the downtown social district of St. Clair Shores. For more information and class schedules, go to shoresyogastudio.com or call (586) 275-7648.
100% Highly Qualified teaching staff
Full Day Kindergarten Programs
College Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Advanced Placement Courses and Programs
Award-Winning Fine Arts Programs
Cutting-Edge Career and Technical Education Programs
Student progress is continually assessed and individualized instruction is provided
Updated Facilities and Technology
Kindergarten - 11thGrade Apply February 1 - August 10, 2023 at 3 P.M.
Applications are being accepted for the 2023-2024 Schools of Choice Program for Macomb Countyresidents.Warren Woods offers an array of unique learningopportunities for students. For more about Warren Woods educationalcommunityor to obtain an applicationandenrollmentguidelines, visit our website at: www.mywwps.org orbycontacting the Pupil Services Office at (586) 439-4443.
It is the policy of the Warren Woods Public Schools no person shall on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender/sex, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination during any program or activity or employment.
References/Insured. 248-252-5331
Brick Work ABOVE&BEYOND CONTRACTINGLLC. -MasonrySpecialist20%OffAnyJob $2,000orMore! BrickPavers, Roofs&Concrete, All-Brick-Repairs/&-Stone Chimneys/Porches, Tuck-Pointing, Fully-Insured 10%-Senior/Veteran-Disc 586-443-3362
586-944-3669
AAABROOKSIDE Porches,Steps, Chimney's,Tuck-pointing CulturedStone,PreventativeMaintenance, Concrete,Custom MortarMatching, Free-Estimates,Senior Discounts,37yearsexp.
Brick Work 586-241-9541 LOVELLMASONRY Affordable/Professional Specializesin Brick-Work, Custom-Brick-Steps, Concrete,Brick-Mailboxes,Porch/ChimneyRepairs,Tuck-pointing, PaverMaintenance, Basement-Waterproofing, Carpet Cleaning CARPET WAVY-n-LOOSE? WePower Re-stretch and Steam-clean ForOneLowPrice Next-Day-Service MultipleRoomDiscount CallNow 586-754-9222 ccarpetrepair.com Cement
Cement ALLEN CEMENT a.k.a "TheDrivewayGuy" Established1999 Driveways/Garage Floors/Patios,etc. Licensed/Insured Checkout AllenCementon Facebook! VernAllen 586-457-1300 586-781-4868 M&MCEMENT CONTRACTING "AllTypesof ConcreteWork" ExposedAggregate Concrete DrivewaySpecialists Patios/Sidewalks, NoJobTooSmall Lic/Ins.FreeQuotes!
CAVALLO CONSTRUCTION Concrete,Driveways, Patios,sidewalks, Decorativeconcrete. Qualityworkmanship. Affordablepricing. Paul586-557-9945 Bill586-751-9332
FullyInsured 586-323-0755
ELIMINATE gutter cleaningforever!LeafFilter,themostadvanced debris-blockinggutterprotection.ScheduleaFREE LeafFilterestimatetoday. 20%offEntirePurchase. Plus10%Senior&MilitaryDiscounts.Call 1-866-495-1709
Gutters
GUTTER, POWERWASHING, &WINDOW CLEANING
Veteran/Firefighter Owned/Operated championwindow cleaning.net 248-881-5093
GB GOLDENBUILT SeamlessGutters andDownspouts Remove/Replace GutterGuards FreeEstimates Licensed/Insured Over30Years inBusiness 586-948-4764
SHORES METALWORKS SeamlessGutters Installed, FreeEstimates. Licensed&Insured. License#2101209190 586-343-2315
GUTTERS &WINDOW CLEANING INSURED TOMMICOLI 313-656-9402
Handyman Services A#1REPAIRSERVICES: GUTTERS Clean/Repair InstallGuards SIDING
·CUSTOM KITCHENS
·COUNTERTOPS
*Granite*Quartz*
·LVTFLOORING
·FIREPLACETILE
*FREEESTIMATES*
586-552-5416 mrbacksplash.com
Landscaping & Water Gardens
DOLL'S
LANDSCAPING
SodInstallation, Shrub&Tree-Trimming Planting,Removal. Mulch,Garden RetainerWalls, PorchSteps,Raise Backyards/DrainTiles, Pavers,Powerwashing Sealing,Powerrake, Aeration,Seeding, DebrisRemoval
586-634-0033
ALLTIMATE OUTDOOR SERVICES
DrainageSystem
Professionals
New-Construction, Yard-Drainage,Grading, Sod/Seed,Retaining Walls/Walkways/Patios, Senior/Military-Discounts
Credit-Cards-Accepted
Free-Estimates
586-719-1202
TOTALBRICKPAVING LANDSCAPINGPROS
586-420-3531 Brickpaving,Patio, Walkways,Driveways, Porches,Repairs, Powerwash,Rock Installation,Mulch,Sod, CompleteLandscape Design.
Lawn Maintenance
2023SPRING
586-260-5218
Commercial/Residential
*Landscaping
*Decks
*SpringClean-Ups
*LawnCutting
*LicensedFertilization
*Aerating&Thatching
VisitFacebook: BrightHorizonServicesInc.
586-489-9226 Don s
LawnService
-LawnCutting -Edging
-Aerating
-PowerRaking -Bush&Tree Trimming -Sod Since1979!
ACORNLANDSCAPING
586-770-5030
WeeklyLawnCutting IncludesCutting, Trimming&Edging. AveragePrice-$30.00 ShrubTrimming FreeEstimates
Kathy-586-770-5030
SUPREMEOUTDOOR SPECIALISTS
LawnMaintenance, Landscaping, Paver,Patios, RetainingWalls, CementWork, Shrub/TreeTrimming &Removal, Mulching,Sprinklers, 35YearsinBusiness
Free-Estimates 586-727-3924
586-463-8394
TerryʼsLawn Service
•ShrubTrimming
•HedgeTrimming
PEAKPAINTING
Painting PAINTING by-GPC MASTER-PAINTER DRYWALL/PLASTER
•Restoration/Repairs
•Painting!•Painting!
•Interior/Exterior
•WallpaperHanging
•WallpaperRemoval Senior-Rates We-Do-It-All! B.B.B/A+Rating 30-yrs,Licensed/Insured Free-Estimates Owner-Robert 586.899.3555(Direct) 248.566.6460(Office)
(586)229-4267 American Painting
•Residential
•Commercial.
•Interior& Exterior
•PowerWashing •Insurance,•Drywall, •PlasterRepair, •Senior-discounts. •Guaranteed-work. •25-yrsexperience.
(586)795-8122
ChrisCronin Painting& StainingInc. Professionalquality Interior-exterior. Power-washing, decksealing.Insured, References. Freeestimates. MC/VI/DC/AX accepted
Plumbing MASTER PLUMBER Sewer&Drain Service. Remodeling,repairs, newinstallations. Freeestimates, seniorrates. 35+yrsexp. CallPaul 248-904-5822 Lic.#8109852
586.421.5520 586.524.6752 ANDY'S PLUMBING 25-YearsExperience Licensed/Insured CallUsToday ForAllYour PlumbingNeeds!! ServingThe Tri-County-Area
CITYROOFING
Roofing SILVERSMITHROOF MAINTENANCE $225•MinorShingle ReplacementSpecial $88*GutterCleaning Tear-offs,Re-Roofs, FlatRoofs Residential/Commercial 30-yrsexp. FamilyOwned 248-707-4851 Tree Service BERGBROS.LLC. “Fullyinsured, highlyreferred.” Seniordiscounts. Tree-removal,stump grinding,tree-trimming, hedging,shaping, Emergency-Service Residential/Commercial Freeestimates! (586)262-3060
BESTprice! Bestservice!
M.D.L.TreeService Removals/Trimming andStumps. "Freestumpgrinding withalltreeremovals!" Seniordiscounts &fullyinsured. 586-775-4404
586-260-5218 TreeRemoval, StumpGrinding, StormDamage,Tree Trimming/Shaping, DebrisRemoval, InsuredandBonded.
SeniorDiscounts.
Custom-Painting, Commercial/Residential, interior/exterior. Drywall-repair,paper removal,carpentry. 30-yr.-exp.Free estimates,senior discounts,insured. Credit-cardsaccepted 586-722-8381 NowHiring!!!
586-822-5100
ary,healthworkers&1st responders.)CallErie MetalRoofs: 1-866-718-3124
METRO DETROIT — Drivers and law enforcement departments across Michigan are reacting to a new law that went into effect June 30 that prohibits using cellphones and other devices while driving.
According to a press release issued on behalf of Insurance Alliance of Michigan, data from the Michigan State Police showed that in 2021, more than 16,000 motor vehicle crashes involved a distracted driver, with 59 of those crashes resulting in a fatality.
The use of a mobile electronic device means using a mobile electronic device to do any task, such as sending or receiving a call; sending, receiving or reading a text message; viewing, recording or transmitting a video; and accessing, reading or posting to a social networking site. An exception is allowed if the driver is contacting emergency services. Michigan is now the 26th state to adopt a hands-free driving law.
DETROIT — At press time, swimmers and volunteers were preparing for the fifth annual Swim Across America-Motor City Mile scheduled for July 7 on Belle Isle in the Detroit River. A 2-mile swim, a 1-mile swim and a half-mile swim were scheduled. SAA-Motor City Mile benefits cancer research at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, where roughly 500 researchers are working to prevent cancer, improve outcomes for patients, and improve quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. One participant, Julie Brabbs — pictured right with her husband, Steve — is the chief administrative officer at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. Brabbs also is a cancer patient and currently has raised $14,232 for cancer research, with more donations expected. Brabbs, 56, of Ann Arbor, is currently being treated with Keytruda, which is an immunotherapy cancer treatment that was funded and created in a Swim Across America lab at Johns Hopkins University. For more information about Swim Across America, visit swimacrossamerica.org.
According to the release from MDOT, texting while driving has been illegal in Michigan since 2010, but increasing the parameters of the law to prohibit the use of phones “without hands-free technology is expected to further improve safety for all road users, including passengers, pedestrians and road workers.”
“Everyone who spends time on our roadways has a story or a negative experience that involves a distracted driver. The latest legislation is another tool to help encourage safer driving habits and ultimately save lives,” Capt. Joshua Jones of the Troy Police Department said in an email. “Our officers have been briefed on the new law and will be out there helping educate the public on its importance. The more buyin we can get from drivers, of all age groups, the safer our roads will become. I like the simple message we put out on our social media: ‘Just Drive.’ Put the phone down, and just drive.”
METRO DETROIT — The office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is alerting Michigan residents about a new scam in which fraudulent letters are directed to workers and businesses.
The letters attempt to collect an outstanding debt and are part of a scam that fraudulently identifies the sender as the State of Michigan, seeking to unlawfully collect a debt that is owed to the Unemployment Insurance Agency or the Michigan Department of Treasury, which functions as the state’s debt collection agency.
The recipients are threatened with seizure of their bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, real estate, refunds and cash if past due debts are not paid. The letters use personal information that can be
gleaned from internet records to make their sources sound legitimate and make the threats more likely to result in payment.
Workers and businesses should note that any legitimate letters from the Department of Treasury will be printed on Treasury Department letterhead and will also provide options for paying the debt, as well as outline taxpayer rights. Letters from the UIA will contain information about how to protest and appeal payment determinations. Letters from the treasury or the UIA will always include the names of departmental leadership at the top.
Anyone with questions about their state debts should call the Treasury Collections Service Center at (517) 636-5265. Anyone with a consumer complaint or who believes they have been the victim of a scam can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team by calling (517) 335-7599.
Lululemon reports multiple larcenies
GROSSE POINTE CITY — A Lululemon store that recently opened in The Village at 17101 Kercheval Ave. has been targeted by thieves multiple times this month. Police said that at around 6:30 p.m. July 7, two young men wearing masks are said to have collected “armfuls of clothing” and exited without paying, fleeing northbound on St. Clair Avenue in a red Dodge Avenger.
At around 2:20 p.m. July 6, a woman and two men are said to have worked as a team to steal what police said was a “large amount” of clothing from the store before exiting and fleeing northbound on St. Clair in a black Ford Escape.
At 1:20 p.m. July 6, two young men are said to have collected an estimated $2,400 worth of clothing and left without paying, fleeing the scene in a waiting Jeep, possibly a Cherokee model.
Trailer taken
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — An unknown suspect or suspects reportedly stole a 6-by-10-foot white enclosed trailer from the driveway of a home in the 1800 block of Prestwick Road July 8. The trailer and its contents — which included three bikes — is valued at more than $100,000. A police report states the trailer was last seen at 10 a.m. July 7. A person who was driving a small black car is believed to have been involved in this incident, police said.
Tips stolen from dock box
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 3:21 p.m. on June 18, a report was made about a larceny that occurred on the same day in the 24000 block of Jefferson Avenue.
When an officer arrived at the scene, the victim, an 18-year-old woman who works for a boat club, stated she put $90 worth of tips in the dock box. Approximately two minutes later, she was helping a customer when she looked over and saw the suspect closing the top of the box.
She looked in the box and the tips were gone.
She stated she asked the man if he took the money and he denied it. She followed him as he walked away, and he got into a black vehicle with tinted windows. She gave the officer the plate number. There were cameras in the area.
Boat electronics stolen ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 6:29 p.m. on June 19, a report was made about a larceny that occurred on the same day in the 22000 block of Kramer Street.
Upon arrival at the scene, an officer came into contact with the victim, a 53-year-old man, who stated he and his wife were cleaning the boat that morning and around 1 p.m. they left to get lunch. They returned about 30 minutes later to find the boat’s electronics missing. The missing electronics
ROYAL OAK — The Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial is looking for volunteers for a dedication event later this summer.
The organization will hold a dedication ceremony in celebration of completing phase 1 of the memorial at 4 p.m. Aug. 10 in Memorial Park, 31100 Woodward Ave. The group is looking for volunteers to help with the event.
Volunteer efforts will include helping to coordinate volunteers at the event, helping with setup from noon to 3:30 p.m., helping during the ceremony from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., helping during cleanup from 5 to 6:30 p.m., or assisting with tasks the day prior to the event.
For more information, visit michiganww2memorial.org/ dedicationceremonyvolunteer.
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27, the memorial is looking for volunteers to help Team Depot as it lays sod, spreads mulch and plants bushes at the memorial’s site. Also on the agenda that day is to rebuild the flower box at the corner of 13 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue.
Volunteers need to be 18 years old. Volunteers should wear comfortable shoes and bring work gloves, sunscreen and water. Sign up for a time slot at michiganww2memorial.org/ home-depot-grounds-project.
ACROSS
1. More down in the dumps
Will Ferrell’s 2003
included two Lowrance HDS GPS systems valued at around $1,600 each; a remote control for the autopilot system, valued at around $3,000; a shipto-shore radio, valued at around $400; and a Minn Kota motor remote of unknown value.
The victim indicated he did not know who would have done this. The man had been all over the boat throughout the day and for several hours after the theft and the officer was unable to check for fingerprints. The man was advised to contact the police if he could find any more information.
Woman steals trimmers, plants from Home Depot
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police were called to the Home Depot at 37000 Van Dyke Ave. June 10 after staff detained a woman for retail fraud.
The woman allegedly put a five-pack of Ryobi trimmers in her purse, then put several plants in her cart, then went into the garden center to remove the trimmers from the packaging before putting the merchandise back in her purse. She then allegedly left the business without paying for the merchandise, collectively worth $202.76.
Police searched the woman’s purse and reportedly found white pills inside. They were later deemed to be narcotics. Police arrested the woman for first-degree retail fraud and possession of synthetic narcotics.
Vehicles do burnouts in parking lot
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police went to the Lakeside Mall parking lot, 14600 Lakeside Circle, the night of June 18 upon hearing that the drivers of 15-20 vehicles were loitering and doing burnouts between the former Lord & Taylor store and JCPenney, while the mall was closed. Police then said the vehicles left.
Driver arrested for drinking,child endangerment
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 10:50 p.m. June 16, an officer was on patrol in the area of M-59 and Ryan Road when he initiated a traffic stop for a traffic violation. Upon talking to the driver, the officer observed her to be slurring her words and having difficulty speaking. Further, her eyes were red and glossy, and the smell of alcohol was on her.
The officer then had the driver exit her vehicle so she could be placed through field sobriety tests. After completing the tests, the driver was offered a preliminary breath test, and the results were 0.108% blood alcohol content. The driver was then placed under arrest for operating while intoxicated. Police were requesting additional charges of child endangerment, as the driver reportedly had her young child in the vehicle.
*Yellow Brick Road
9. Porto____, Italy
10. Got this!
11. Sodium hydroxide
12. Like Tim of “A
Christmas Carol”
15. Foray
20. Giraffe’s stripedlegged cousin
22. Like one of the Testaments
24. Fine-toothed metal cutter
25. *Famous road from Beatles crossing
works, e.g.
73. *Major road, abbr.
74. *Certain number of cylinders
DOWN
1. Cold War’s Warsaw Pact, e.g.
2. Turkish money
3. One on drugs
4. Run off to Vegas?
5. Sold on eBay, usually
6. Short for “and elsewhere”
7. Hammurabi’s code,
e.g.
8. Plural of fundus
26. Actress Watts
27. Minute parasite
29. *Spare one
31. “If all ____ fails”
32. Sarpa ____, coral reef fish
33. Tiny purses
34. Olden day phlebotomy instrument
36. Waterproof canvas
38. Clothing line
42. UAE’s most populous city
45. Close the fastener, e.g.
49. Epoch
51.
