Court’s ruling on wages, sick time reverberates across region
Workers, businesses and associations react to divided Michigan Supreme Court decision
BY NICK POWERS AND TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN npowers@candgnews.com
tchristensen@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A recent 4-3 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court affecting the state’s laws governing minimum wage and sick time is sending shockwaves through many businesses, including the restaurant industry.
All workers will receive a pay bump to more than $12 an hour in 2025 with tipped workers gradually reaching $12 in 2029. The final amounts will be determined by the state’s treasurer. The current minimum wage is $10.33 and $3.93 for tipped workers.
All employees, including part-time and temporary workers, are entitled to paid sick leave. Every 30 hours an employee works generates one hour of paid sick leave. Employees get 72 hours paid sick time a year at large companies. However, employers with fewer than 10 employees need to only pay for 40 hours of sick leave a year.
These sweeping changes will go into effect Feb. 21, 2025. For some, it’s a step toward a living wage for workers. For others, it’s a hit to businesses across the state and possibly tipped workers.
See WAGES on page 14A
BANDIA THE GORILLA FLOURISHING AS A FIRST-TIME MOTHER AT DETROIT ZOO
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — For the first time in the Detroit Zoo’s 96-year history, a baby gorilla has been born at it, and according to the zoo’s experts, the first few weeks of the baby gorilla’s life have been ideal.
On Aug. 26, the Detroit Zoological Society announced that the baby gorilla is a girl, and the public will help choose her name.
On the morning of Aug. 8, the baby girl was born to 26-year-old Bandia, a first-time mother. The father is 36-year-old Mshindi, and both are doing well as parents, according to Detroit Zoological Society mammal and primate teams.
Aaron Jesue, a member of the animal care staff specializing in great apes, said that the coming of this new baby was fast and surprising, being that it took a little less than a year for Bandia to get pregnant and have a baby.
Bandia, Mshindi, 11-year-old Nayembi and 20-year-old Tulivu, all arrived in August of 2023. Jesue said that the group has been acclimating well to the new addition.
“As soon as we saw that first pregnancy test — then we got another confirmation a couple weeks later, or maybe a month later
See ZOO on page 15A
Photo by Erin Sanchez Bandia, 26, gave birth to her baby at the Detroit Zoo on the morning of Aug. 8. Bandia and her baby, seen here Aug. 23, can now be seen in the gorilla habitat at the Detroit Zoo.
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SECOND FRONT PAGE
3A/ ROYAL OAK REVIEW • AUGUST 28, 2024
ROMS welcomes new seventh grade assistant principal
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — Angela Mallory has been appointed to the position of seventh grade assistant principal at Royal Oak Middle School and said she looks forward to sharing her knowledge and skills with teachers and students.
As seventh grade assistant principal, Mallory will be working closely with the seventh graders at Royal Oak Middle School and with the other assistant principals to make sure the school is providing well-rounded education in each grade.
Mallory’s most recent position was the International Baccalaureate coordinator at Royal Oak Schools for two years, where she helped to guide teachers and students through the IB education process. She also has more than a decade of IB experience from other school districts.
“It is focusing on approaches to learning and teaching, making sure that the units that the students are learning are internationally minded and are connected to the real world,” she said.
With her experience as an IB coordinator, Mallory believes that she will be able to continue to build the teachers’ capacity for teaching and learning. She said she looks forward to working with the teachers and creating an environment where students can learn lessons relevant to today’s world.
Royal Oak woman builds ‘little free dog library’ with supplies for dog walkers
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
supplies a dog walker might need during a daily walk.
ROYAL OAK — A resident has come up with a way to help dog walkers who might find themselves needing supplies while out for a stroll.
Katie Mezwa lives near the corner of Lincoln Avenue and South Pleasant street, and outside her house stands a “free dog library” that contains all the
Mezwa moved to Royal Oak around a year ago and has noticed the abundance of community care that her neighbors show on a daily basis.
“It didn’t really take too long to see really powerful signs of community here. The city’s really full of it. You know, there’s always neighbors looking
Photo provided by Royal Oak Schools
Angela Mallory recently was appointed as Royal Oak Middle School’s new seventh grade assistant principal and is looking forward to connecting with students and teachers.
Katie Mezwa, pictured, said she wanted to give back to the community by providing this “free dog library.” She encourages neighbors to take any and all supplies they need.
Photos provided by Katie Mezwa
See LIBRARY on page 19A
See PRINCIPAL on page 7A
Woodward Dream Cruise rolls to a close for the 29th year
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — The Woodward Dream Cruise brought nearly a million people to Woodward Avenue to enjoy thousands of classic cars and hot rods Aug. 17.
The Dream Cruise began in 1995 as a fundraiser for a children’s soccer field in Ferndale. It is now in its 29th year and has grown into the car show that it is today, being credited as the biggest in the world.
Over 40,000 classic cars, hot rods and customized vehicles gather to cruise down Woodward Avenue through nine participating communities: Pontiac, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale.
Many of the participants in the cruise have brought their favorite cars to showcase since the start in 1995, including Tim Hopkinson, the owner of a 1967 Chevy Impala that has a deep and touching backstory.
Hopkinson set up his Impala at the Performance Park Classic Car Show at Memorial Park in Royal Oak with a few artifacts explaining the story of the car.
Hopkinson calls himself the “caretak-
See more photos on page 8A and at candgnews.com/galleries
er” of the Impala, which once belonged to a young man named Billy Sohns, who was paraplegic.
At age 15, Sohns created greeting cards to purchase the Impala. According to a memorial document on unitedstreetmachines. com, Sohns became interested in lowriders in the 1980s and chose to buy the Impala.
Following the purchase of the car, Sohns called up a few people to install hydraulics, do some mechanical work, paint the car and make it a cruiser.
“He made greeting cards with a pen and pencil in his teeth,” Hopkinson said. “In ’87, Billy passed away and his mom and dad kept the car in storage for, I don’t know, around eight or 10 years.”
The parents of Sohns gifted the car to Ralph Haney, a member of the United Street Machine Association, a club for custom car lovers. Later, he passed the car onto Hopkinson, who was someone that he trusted to take great care of Sohns’ car.
Hopkinson said that a group of 10 peo-
ple worked together on Sohns’ car to modify it to exactly what Sohns would have wanted.
“Everybody had their own little part that they did and contributed to it, to redo it just the way Billy wanted himself to do it,” Hopkinson said. “And now we just take it around wherever and display it in Billy’s name.” Hopkinson did not personally know Sohns, but when he became involved with the United Street Machine Association in 1988, he was told Sohns’ story, and after See CRUISE on page 13A
Photo by Taylor Christensen
Tim Hopkinson sits next to his 1967 Chevy Impala lowrider, which was owned by Billy Sohns, a talented artist who was paraplegic and died in 1987. Hopkinson carries on Sohns’ legacy by sharing Sohns’ story, preserving the car and showing it at car shows.
McMorrow reflects on speaking at Democratic National Convention
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, had the opportunity to speak at the Democratic National Convention last week and said it is a memory she will never forget.
McMorrow spoke on Aug. 19 and was on stage for around five minutes. She spoke about Project 2025, which is the Heritage Foundation’s presidential transition plan of action if Donald Trump were to be elected. Trump has said he is not connected to the plan.
“Whatever you think it might be, it is so much worse,” she said in her speech Aug. 19.
McMorrow said she got a call from Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the campaign manager for Kamala Harris, a few weeks before the convention.
“It was a pretty quick call and she asked
if I would be willing to consider speaking at the convention, and I don’t think I’ve ever said yes to anything quicker,” she said.
McMorrow said that this was the first time she had spoken to such a large group on a national stage.
“It was surreal. I’ve never spoken to an arena,” she said. “I’ve given speeches here in the state and to groups around the state, but never at an arena. So it was definitely a crazy experience.”
The turnaround from the call from Rodriguez to standing in front of an arena filled with Democratic Party supporters was really fast, according to McMorrow, who said that preparing for the five-minute speech was both exciting and educational.
“The DNC paired me with a speechwriter that was helping all of the speakers on this topic throughout the convention,” she said. “I wanted to make sure it sounded like me and address the issue that I wanted to talk about. But it was really helpful to get that feedback and put the speech together.”
Along the way, McMorrow had the
See DNC on page 19A
McMorrow
NEWS & NOTES
6A/ ROYAL OAK REVIEW • AUGUST 28, 2024
West Nile virus found in Oakland County mosquitoes
ROYAL OAK — Residents in Oakland County are being warned to protect themselves from mosquito bites after three birds and the county’s first mosquito pool of 2024 have tested positive for West Nile virus.
According to a press release sent out by Oakland County, there have been no confirmed human cases of the disease in the county this year.
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus, and most people who are infected will experience no symptoms or a mild illness such as a fever, headache and body aches.
Some individuals who contract the virus experience more serious problems like inflammation and swelling of the brain. According to the press release, people over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious or life threatening symptoms if infected.
“These test results mean that West Nile Virus is present in Oakland County and the best way to prevent getting diseases spread by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, Oakland County’s director of Health & Human Services. “As we enjoy outdoor events in summer and fall, it’s important to protect ourselves against mosquito bites.”
Using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent is a way to prevent contracting the virus. EPA-registered repellents are evaluated for safety and effectiveness and contain all the necessary components that best protect against insect bites.
Oakland County has also suggested getting rid of mosquito breeding sites by removing the standing water around your home. If there is standing water that cannot be eliminated, such as retention ponds or drainage ditches, the homeowner should treat the water with mosquito larvicide, which can be purchased at most home improvement stores.
Wearing protective clothing and limiting outdoor activity is another way to prevent bites, as is ensuring all doors and windows are protected by screens or closed.
For more information, visit oakgov.com/health or contact Nurse on Call at (800) 848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. The Nurse on Call is available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
For more up-to-date information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and X.
Corewell Health Beaumont University Hospital Royal Oak recognized for stroke care
ROYAL OAK — Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Royal Oak, and Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital received the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Award for their efforts to provide the best care to stroke patients.
The award is given to a hospital that “provides all stroke patients with lifesaving care and treatment, according to nationally recognized, research based guidelines,” according to a press release.
To learn more about Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Royal Oak, and Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, visit, beaumont.org.
CALENDAR
AUG. 28-30
Glass52: Featuring 400 pieces of glass art from around world, on display 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Habatat Galleries, 4400 Fernlee Ave. in Royal Oak, habatat.com
AUG. 29 & 31
Automotive concept art exhibit: Works on display 1-4 p.m., Royal Oak Historical Society Museum, 1411 Webster Road, curator@royaloakhistoricalsociety.org, (248) 439-1501, royaloakhistoricalsociety.com
SEPT. 6
Euchre tournament fundraiser: Benefit for Royal Oak
Community Wellness Expo Sept. 11
ROYAL OAK — The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities will host an evening of wellness from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Royal Oak Farmers Market at 316 E. 11 Mile Road.
The Community Wellness Expo will center around a night of health and wellness activities that include interactive stations, resources, a kids corner, and Narcan training.
A food truck rally will also be going on during the same time as the expo, so attendees are welcome to indulge while learning about health and wellness.
For more information, visit achcmi.org or call (248) 221-7101.
East Oakland County football preview
To read about Clawson, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Shrine Catholic and other nearby schools as the prep season gets underway, visit candgnews.com/ news/sports.
Arts, Beats & Eats is this weekend
ROYAL OAK — The Arts, Beats & Eats festival will be returning to downtown Royal Oak Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. Cheap Trick, Gin Blossoms and Keith Sweat are some of the headlining musical acts. For more information, visit artsbeatseats.com or candgnews.com/newspaper/royaloakreview to read the Review’s preview of the event from the Aug. 14 issue.
Historical Society Museum, includes light appetizers, cash bar and prizes, 7 p.m. (6:15 p.m. registration), Pronto!, 608 S. Washington Ave. in Royal Oak, (248) 318-8357, royaloakhistoricalsociety.com
SEPT. 8
Arboretum walk: Led by Royal Oak Nature Society, 2 p.m., meet at north end of Mahany/Meininger Senior Community Center lot, 3500 Marais Ave., romi. gov/411/Nature-Walks
SEPT. 12
Unmentionables: Interactive and expert-led panel discussion about incontinence, pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction, 6-8:30 p.m., Corewell Health William
Beaumont University Hospital, 3711 W. 13 Mile Road in Royal Oak, corewellhealth.org/unmentionables
SEPT. 20
Oakland Elementary School’s Centennial Celebration: Food, history demonstrations, tours, performances, alumni meetups, proclamations and more, 6-8 p.m., 2415 Brockton Ave. in Royal Oak, oakland. royaloakschools.org
SEPT. 28
Clawson Fall Festival: Hayrides, live music, artisan market, food trucks, kids activities, nonprofit booths, cider and doughnut tent, bake sale, and Clawson Fire Department’s bonfire event, 3-7 p.m., Clawson
Petitioner asks Planning Commission to postpone apartment site plan discussion
ROYAL OAK — At a Planning Commission meeting Aug. 13, a proposed apartment complex site plan was not discussed due to the petitioner asking to postpone the presentation to a later date.
The petitioner is Champion Development Group, and the building is designed by Krieger Klatt Architects.
At the meeting there was also supposed to be a public hearing about the site plan, which no one showed up to discuss.
The proposal concerns an apartment complex called “Lincoln Place,” which would be located at 211 E. Lincoln Ave. and 204 to 220 E. Seventh St.
In the initial proposal, it was stated that the five-story building would have 158 multiple-family dwellings and take up a total area of 84,739.49 square feet, or 1.95 acres.
Within the site plan, it was stated that the petitioner was proposing to demolish all existing structures to construct a “four to five” story building with frontage along all three adjacent streets: Seventh Street, Troy Street and Lincoln Avenue.
The site plan also indicated that there would be 214 parking spaces, which would account for 1.35 spaces per dwelling. The parking would be divided into two sections, with the north having 29 spaces for “guests, and short term parking,” and the south section having 185 secured spaces for tenants.
The north side showed access to and from Seventh Street, while the south section provided access to and from Troy Street.
It was not yet confirmed at press time when the petitioner will be presenting the site plan for Lincoln Place to the Planning Commission.
City Park, 1080 N. Custer Ave., (248) 589-0334, parksrec@cityofclawson.com
Mushroom walk: Led by Royal Oak Nature Society, 10 a.m., Cummingston Park, park and meet at intersection of Torquay and Leafdale, romi.gov/411/ Nature-Walks
SEPT. 29
‘No Balls’ Comedy Ball: Fundraiser for Michigan Animal Adoption Network and Canine Companions Rescue Center, featuring comedian Dave Dyer and emcee Jay Towers, cash bar, buffet dinner, raffles and auctions, and adoptable puppies, 12:30-5 p.m., Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St. in Royal Oak, (586) 914-1623, nbcb.weebly.com
File photo by Erin Sanchez
CRIME WATCH
Motorcyclist reportedly hits 130 mph before arrest in Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK — A motorcyclist was arrested in Royal Oak Aug. 8 after allegedly speeding at more than 130 mph on Interstate 94 and 100 mph on Interstate 75. The Michigan State Police had tried to stop the motorcyclist and reportedly tracked the motorcyclist from the sky in a helicopter and took a video of the whole incident. The incident began on I-94 in Dearborn near the Wyoming Avenue exit and ended when the driver pulled into downtown Royal Oak and Royal Oak police were able to pull him over.
Car stolen from driveway
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 10 p.m. Aug. 12 and 8 a.m. Aug. 13, an unknown person stole the complainant’s Chevy Colorado from the complainant’s driveway near Mohawk Avenue and Dondero Avenue.
Cash register theft
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, an unknown person stole money from a cash
register at Ahan Thai restaurant at 200 W. Fourth St.
Car tires slashed
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 6 p.m. Aug 19 and 7:30 a.m. Aug. 20, an unknown person slashed the complainant’s car tires near Crooks Road and West 13 Mile Road.
Customer damages inside of Mobil gas station
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 13, a customer became irate and damaged multiple shelving units at the Mobil gas station on Woodward Avenue.
Two separate catalytic converters stolen
ROYAL OAK — Two complainants reported that between noon Aug. 10 and 7:30 a.m. Aug. 12, unknown persons stole the catalytic converters from their vehicles. One incident happened on Woodward Avenue near 12 Mile Road, and the other occurred on Clawson Avenue near Northwood Boulevard.
— Taylor Christensen
Principal
from page 3A
In the past, Mallory has been an instructional coach to provide feedback on how teachers can improve their abilities.
Mallory also spent time as a fill-in assistant principal for about a year in the Southfield Public School District, where she was able to develop her leadership skills.
“In my time there, I was able to work to build my capacity as a leader, and I think that now the opportunity to serve as assistant principal allows me to connect even more closely with the students and faculty at the middle school,” Mallory said.
Principal Kristin Meldrum said that Mallory will be a welcome addition to the ROMS family.
“We are confident that Angela’s enthusiasm and dedication will have a positive impact on our students, staff, and families,” Meldrum said in a press release. “She is eager to get started and is looking forward to working with all of you to continue making Royal Oak Middle School an exceptional place for learning and growth.”
Before taking on her role in the education system, Mallory graduated from Alabama State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and media. Shortly
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after, she worked as a news producer and reporter for a National Public Radio station in Montgomery.
“I have always wanted to work in the background, and I have always been curious about how things work and how we can make things better,” she said.
When Mallory was offered the chance to take free classes, she did, and she ended up getting her master’s degree in education. She began teaching in Alabama as an English teacher, speech teacher and yearbook teacher.
When she moved to Detroit, she became the lead teacher at a charter school and said that is where her leadership development truly started to take off.
Mallory has also earned an education specialist degree in leadership from Oakland University.
Beginning her position as the seventh grade assistant principal, Mallory is looking forward to encouraging a positive learning environment for all.
“I am committed to creating an environment where every student feels supported, every student feels challenged and encouraged to reach their full potential,” she said. “And not just with the students, because as the assistant principal, we work closely with adults. We work closely to support the professional growth of the teachers as well.”
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Dream cruising in Royal Oak
Royal
The Woodward Dream Cruise showcases more than 40,000 vehicles Aug. 17, including this hippie-style bright yellow Volkswagen van, right, and vintage bus, below. An estimated 1 million people attend the event each year.
Photos by Donna Dalziel
Hot rods were a major category. Each had their own unique flare and customizations, including this Camaro, above.
William Gordon, of Royal Oak, above, checks out a deckedout golf cart at the Performance Park Classic Car Show at Memorial Park in Royal Oak. There were a plethora of newer vehicles in the cruise, including this three-wheeled ride with a colorful lightup addition, right.
Allison Raymoure and her dad, Bob Raymoure, of Royal Oak, above, admire a 1945 Ford truck on display.
Swim lessons, life jackets and situational awareness can prevent drownings
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — Drowning is fast and silent, and it can take less than 30 seconds for someone to drown. In Oakland County, there have been 11 drowning deaths in 2024 alone.
The number of drownings in 2024 is a significant increase compared to 2023, which had three drownings. A “Vital Signs” study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May found that an increase in drownings could be seen across America in recent years.
The study found that over 4,500 people died due to drowning each year from 2020 to 2022, which was 500 more per year compared to 2019.
Oakland County is home to 358 lakes, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, making it the county with the highest number of lakes in all of Michigan. This easy access to lakes, boats and beaches increases the danger of drowning in the Oakland County area.
“Even if someone is a good swimmer, this can still happen to them,” National Drowning Prevention Alliance President Michele Long said. “No one should swim alone at any age, because no one is completely drown-proof.”
Many factors can lead to a drowning incident. According to ndpa.org, most teenage and adult drownings happen in natural and open waters such as lakes, rivers, ponds and oceans.
Drownings in Oakland County were caused by various dangers, including boating incidents, assisting someone else who
was drowning, or in some cases, individuals drowned because of their limited swimming ability.
In one drowning case that took place on Taylor Lake the morning of July 20, a 20-year-old Detroit man, Marsalis Quintin Carter, lost his life while trying to save two of his coworkers who were struggling to stay above water.
Carter’s mother, Daileen Carter, was presented with a citizen citation honoring the heroism of her son, who was able to save his two coworkers from drowning.
Going in to save multiple people from drowning is something that takes a lot of strength, especially if the individual involved does not have lifesaving training, according to Long.
Witnesses validated that Carter was probably exhausted while trying to save the two individuals and went underwater and never came back up, according to a press release.
Long said that, more often than not, the person trying to save an individual from drowning will end up drowning.
“Emotions play into that very strongly; the thing to do is, unless you’re trained in lifesaving, throw something to them that they can use as a flotation device. We have a lot of people, unfortunately, that have drowned trying to save someone else and do the right thing,” Long said. “So, getting someone and yelling to the people around you to call for help and then throwing something out is the best thing to do.”
The first step to preventing a potential drowning incident is to take swim lessons. According to the CDC, over 40 million adults in the U.S. do not know how to swim,
and nearly half, 54.7%, have never taken a swim lesson.
“It is important that you start out with basic swimming, because swim lessons, no matter what, are going to be important,” Long said. “Swimming lessons in general can save a life and can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.”
Swimming lessons are not only for kids, and often swim lesson facilities or recreational centers offer children and adult swim classes. Some swim lesson organizations offering adult lessons in Oakland County include Royal Swim School, the YMCA, SafeSplash and more.
“No one should have to lose a loved one to drowning. Improving access to effective prevention strategies, like basic swimming and water safety skills training, can reduce drowning risk,” Tessa Clemens, a health sci-
entist in the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention, said in a press release.
To find the best option for swim lessons, it is recommended to look online. There are a wide variety of options available across Oakland County.
Oakland County offers educational programs dedicated to lake safety throughout the year. Boating safety courses are offered by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at no charge. More information on these courses can be found at oakgov.com.
Long also said that it is important for people to be aware of the environment they are going to be swimming in, especially when that environment is a lake.
“In pools you have your fences, your locked doors, but also in open water you need to understand what you’re swimming
See DROWNINGS on page 13A
Once
Photo by Taylor Christensen
Drowning can be prevented if people learn the dangers of a lake environment and prepare with swim lessons, wearing a life jacket and being aware of the surroundings. Sylvan Lake, pictured, was the site of Oakland County’s 11th drowning this year.
Fall Showcase
Featuring Women’s and Men’s Fall Fashions & Accessories!
Sunday, September 15, 2024**
PUBLIC SHOPPING HOURS: 12:30PM - 5PM
$25 VIP Early Entry Fee 11AM-12:30PM
Pleasepre-registerwithpaymentatthestore,orbyusingtheQRcode
Other Ways to Shop Pre-Showcase
Monday & Tuesday, 9/9 & 9/10:
90% O Entire Store in celebration of our 90th Anniversary
Wednesday, 9/11: $25 Fill-A-Bag Sale*
Thursday-Saturday, 9/12 - 9/14: Closed to prepare for Fall Showcase
**EXCLUDING:HomeDécorandJewelry
**CouncilCashandotherstorediscountsdonotapplyatFallShowcase
Council Re|Sale in Berkley celebrates 90 years with expansion, continued program
HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM, Sunday CLOSED This September at council re|sale
The National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan does great things through the generosity of its patrons at the council re|sale store in Berkley. The proceeds from all sales there enable the historic grassroots nonprofit organization to help families, women and children in need across the region.
Now celebrating the 90th anniversary of the resale shop, the NCJW|MI will be able to o er even more, thanks to a 4,400-square-foot expansion in adjacent space, set to open later this Fall. In the meantime, the store, located at 3297 12 Mile Road, will host its annual Fall Showcase from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., VIP early entry shopping - $25 ticket, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 15. Pre-showcase sales start as early as Monday Sep. 9.
“We’ll have lots of designer wear, home decor, men’s and women’s wear. All the items have been generously donated by the community,” said Amy Zeskind, president of the NCJW|MI. “There’s also jewelry and accessories as well.”
Funds raised at the store make a variety of programs possible. The NCJW|MI hosts an
annual Back 2 School Store benefiting children from Detroit who get to pick new items free of charge. They also provide backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies for 1,500 children in Oakland County each year. A Kosher Meals on Wheels program, and a nonpartisan advocacy e ort aimed at inspiring fellow citizens to vote are supported by council re|sale proceeds.
“Our mission to improve the lives of women, children and families is largely helped by what we make in profits at the store. All of that money goes directly into our community impact projects,” Zeskind said.
On Sept. 26, NCJW|MI will welcome Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory as the keynote speaker at the 2024 Women of Vision Benefit Luncheon at Adat Shalom Synagogue. Two prestigious community impact awards will be presented to Linda Schlesinger-Wagner and Bookstock. For more information about the benefit luncheon, the council re|sale store or NCJW|MI, go to ncjwmi.org, and follow them on social media for more frequent updates.
0020-2435
Looking for a home church for your family focused on worship and the Word, not entertainment?
Please join us Sunday mornings at 11:30 at 700 E. Elmwood in Clawson located at Grace Apostolic Church (in the chapel next to the sanctuary). Sunday, September 8th at 11:30 AM
Amy Zeskind NCJW, MI President
Finding a fresh, satisfying meal a er hours can be challenging, but Joe’s Grill in Troy and Royal Oak is here to change that. Open late— until 1 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends—Joe’s Grill serves some of the best Mediterranean cuisine in Michigan, all prepared fresh daily with the finest ingredients.
Owner and chef Maher Shakarna, who has been passionate about cooking since childhood, brings his love for the kitchen to Joe’s Grill. “I grew up watching my mom cook and tasting everything she made,” Shakarna shared. This early interest led him to work in restaurants from the age of 15, study culinary arts with a focus on international cuisine, and work as a hotel chef before briefly exploring other career paths. The idea for Joe’s Grill took shape in 2018, driven by Shakarna’s diverse dining experiences and a conversation with his wife, Manal, who now manages the restaurant. “As a chef, I love trying new places, but I was o en disappointed by frozen ingredients and lackluster flavors,” Shakarna explained. “I told
my wife I wanted to open a small place where everything is made to order, using all halal meat and real cooking techniques.”
At Joe’s Grill, every dish is prepared fresh and to order. “It’s like the home cooking you’d get from your mom,” Shakarna said. “We don’t use processed ingredients—just fresh vegetables and proteins cooked right in front of you. It’s a Mediterranean twist on fast food, with a focus on health and incredible taste.”
Joe’s Grill also o ers catering services that aren’t limited to any particular style of food. To order online or for more information about Joe’s Grill, go to joesgrillmichigan. com or call (248) 688-9181.
Spotlighting Clawson
ABOVE:
RIGHT:
Photos by Liz Carnegie
Drownings
from page 9A
in, looking at the weather, or you should be in a U.S. Coast Guard life vest if you are not a proficient swimmer,” she said.
Wearing a life vest is a major key to provide a sense of safety and reassurance.
Lakes have unseen dangers that can cause drownings. Water currents can sweep swimmers away and tire them out, water depth can suddenly change, and underwater hazards can trap swimmers, keeping them from swimming back to shore or up from the bottom, according to the National Park Service at nps.gov.
Wearing a life vest is a reliable way to prevent these hazards from turning a fun day into a tragic one. The main purpose of a life
Cruise
from page 4A
helping modify the vehicle, he was able to take it home and care for it.
“It’s always going to be Billy’s car, of course; I am just the caretaker. No matter whose name is on the papers, it’s always Billy’s car,” Hopkinson said.
Another longtime supporter and attendee of the Woodward Dream Cruise is Charles Turner, who also happened to be working at the Performance Park Classic Car show at Memorial Park in Royal Oak, helping direct car owners where to park.
Turner said that he was glad to see so many people show up to the show, especially since it was predicted to rain most of the day. He said there were more cars in the Performance Park Classic Car Show than last year.
“Certain cars won’t come out in the rain, and then you get the people that live on dirt roads — they aren’t going to be able to get out to the pavement,” he said.
vest is to prevent drowning, keep a swimmer afloat if they get tired and give the person time while awaiting rescue.
According to the National Park Service, there are three basic kinds of life jackets that can be chosen based on activity or swim level.
Inherently buoyant life jackets are made of primarily foam and are low maintenance, making them both comfortable and reliable. They are designed for both swimmers and nonswimmers. They come in adult, youth, child and infant sizes.
Inflatable jackets are lightweight and comfortable, and they are only available in adult sizes. According to NPS, these should not be worn by weak swimmers or nonswimmers.
Hybrid life jackets are reliable and available in adult, youth, child and infant sizes. They are recommended for both swimmers
Turner is also a member of the Michigan Hot Rod Association, which is a group with around six clubs. Turner said he has also judged the Detroit Autorama for over 44 years and plans to judge again during the next Autorama Feb. 28-March 2, 2025.
Because Turner was on the job, he did not bring a vehicle to the Dream Cruise this year, but if he had, he said he would bring one of his Camaros.
Alongside Turner was Mark Laskosky, another person helping to organize car owners in Memorial Park. Laskosky said he had also attended the show since 1995, and he had even brought his own customized vintage Ford shop truck to display in Memorial Park.
“I have had that forever. It was so rusty that the hood flew open on my nephew on the freeway, so it ended up being I either scrap it or fix it,” Laskosky said. “It’s got over 300,000 miles on it. And I redid the interior, redid the motor, and just drove it to Louisville for the (National Street Rod Association) Nationals down there.”
But the work did not stop there. Las-
and nonswimmers, and some are designed specifically for different water sports.
When choosing a life jacket, it is important to remember that the vest must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved. This can be found on the label of the life jacket. It is also recommended to choose a brightly colored life jacket that can be easily spotted.
To be sure that the life jacket fits, the individual should test if it fits comfortably, and snugly, by fastening and securing the straps and raising their arms. If the vest slides up, it is too big. This can also be tested by someone else pulling the jacket up at the shoulders, and it should not go above the ears.
“It is kind of like having a seat belt; you have to be wearing it for it to work,” Long said. “Even if you don’t think you’re going in the water, you have got to have that life vest on.”
kosky also personally painted the car, creating a super detailed design on the hood and sides of the truck, which he said was tedious work.
Laskosky said he has also worked with the Michigan Hot Rod Association Rod Repair Shop, where he repairs cars if someone goes to a show and breaks down.
The Woodward Dream Cruise is one of
In a press release regarding one of the drowning incidents, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard emphasized the importance of safety precautions.
“A source of great fun and joy can become a location of tragedy as we have seen far too often in our lakes this summer,” he said. “I encourage people to have emergency capabilities nearby including floatation devices and watch each other while in the water. If you are not a strong swimmer, it’s a good idea to wear a floatation device.”
For more educational resources on water safety, and programs to learn CPR and first aid, visit oakgov.com, the Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project at glsrp.org, the American Red Cross at redcross.org, or the CDC at cdc.gov.
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen (586) 498-1081.
a kind, according to Laskosky, and entices people to come back each year for the variety and shared love of cars.
“The car culture keeps me coming back, and you can see everything: the Jeeps, the custom cars, the muscle cars and trucks,” he said.
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR UPCOMING
YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS
Please join Michelle O’Hara, Director of Advance Planning at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, for a thoughtful discussion about the many benefits of early funeral and cremation planning.
Please join Michelle O’Hara, Director of Advance Planning at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, for a thoughtful discussion about the many benefits of early funeral and cremation planning.
Please join Michelle O’Hara, Director of Advance Planning at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, for a thoughtful discussion about the many benefits of early funeral and cremation planning.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH | 6:30 P.M.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH | 6:30 P.M.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH | 6:30 P.M.
Sterling Heights Senior Center, 40200 Utica Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Sterling Heights Senior Center, 40200 Utica Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Sterling Heights Senior Center, 40200 Utica Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH | 12:OO P.M.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH | 12:OO P.M.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH | 12:OO P.M.
Ike’s Restaurant, 38550 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Ike’s Restaurant, 38550 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Ike’s Restaurant, 38550 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights, MI 48312
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10TH | 12:OO P.M.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10TH | 12:OO P.M.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10TH | 12:OO P.M.
Green Burial Seminar @ Loui’s Pizza, 23141 Dequindre, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Green Burial Seminar @ Loui’s Pizza, 23141 Dequindre, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Green Burial Seminar @ Loui’s Pizza, 23141 Dequindre, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Please RSVP to 586-731-2411 as seating is limited and meals will be served.
Please RSVP to 586-731-2411 as seating is limited and meals will be served.
Please RSVP to 586-731-2411 as seating is limited and meals will be served.
Visit sullivanfuneraldirectors.com and like us on Facebook to get up-to-date information on events!
How this happened
This ruling was years in the making. It’s the result of wrangling to keep the issue off the ballot in Michigan by legislators against the changes.
It started with two petitions in 2018 that received the required number of signatures to potentially appear on the ballot.
One petition would have given workers gradual wage increases until the minimum wage became $12 in 2022. After 2022, the wage would be increased each year, as determined by the state, according to inflation. The minimum-wage gap between tipped workers and all other workers, 38% in 2018, would be eventually closed by 2024.
The other petition required employers to give employees one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked per week.
The Legislature adopted the unaltered initiatives in September 2018. This kept them off the ballot and allowed lawmakers to alter them.
They did this in two bills. One caused the minimum wage increases to not exceed $12 until 2030 and removed the increases for tipped workers. It also removed increases to the wage based on inflation. The second made changes to sick time. It exempted employers with under 50 employees from providing paid sick time. It reduced the amount of paid sick time hours for larger businesses from 72 hours to 40.
The changes, led by Republicans, were approved along party lines by margins of 6048 in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26-12 in the state Senate in a lame duck session in December 2018. They were signed by then-Gov. Rick Snyder and went into effect March 29, 2019.
In the Michigan Court of Claims, it was determined that the Amended Wage Act and the Amended Earned Sick Time Act were unconstitutional on July 19, 2022. This was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, but was ultimately upheld by Michigan Supreme Court’s July 31, 2024, ruling.
“We hold that this decision to adopt the initiatives and then later amend them in the same legislative session (what has been referred to as ‘adopt-and-amend’) violated the people’s constitutionally guaranteed right to propose and enact laws through the initiative process,” the majority opinion states.
Business owners, associations react
Many business owners and associations have decried the decision.
The Michigan Retailers Association released a statement in the wake of the news.
“Bedrock principles of capitalism and a competitive labor market are thwarted by extending the paid leave law to employers with only one employee, dramatically altering the paid leave requirements for those with 50 or more employees, and mandating substantial changes to the minimum wage,” the association stated in a press release.
Other organizations including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association of Michigan struck a similar tone in press releases.
Joe Vicari, founder and CEO of the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group, spoke out against the changes. The Vicari Group, which includes mostly Michigan businesses under the Andiamo brand, has over 20 restaurants.
“This ruling will devastate the restaurant industry,” Vicari said in an emailed statement. “Many hard-working people will lose their jobs. Eighty-three percent of the restaurant industry did not want this law to pass!”
Bob Morton, owner of Lily’s Seafood Grill & Brewery at 410 S. Washington Ave. in Royal Oak, believes that the tipped wage elimination is going to drastically change the restaurant industry, and not in a good way.
“I think that it is going to have a negative impact for the people that, in theory, it is trying to help,” Morton said. “If you look at that employee base as a whole, I think you can expect fewer jobs overall, lower wages, because that money is going to have to come from someone to make up for the tip credit.”
Morton said that the elimination of tipped wage will create a ripple effect ruining both the restaurant business and customer satisfaction, resulting in restaurants closing and more.
“I would project that many restaurants like us would not be able to continue on; just there’s no sense being in business if you can’t, if you can’t make money, and that’s going to result in closures, which is bad enough, because now you’ve lost those employees,” he said. “We have quite a few vacancies throughout Royal Oak right now, and I don’t think it’s a unique-to-Royal Oak problem, but I think economically, that’s going to impact real estate, which impacts tax revenue.”
The understanding of what exactly is happening is something that Morton was very passionate about emphasizing. He said that the common misconception is that tipped workers do not get paid the minimum wage, which according to him, is not true.
“Well, I think this is where there’s a lot of confusion. And to be totally honest, I think that this is how, when they were collecting signatures to get this on the ballot, how it was really sold, some misunderstand-
ing that there’s different minimum wages,” he said.
Morton explained it like this: the tipped employee minimum wage is $3.93, and if that employee did not have any customers giving them tips that day, the owner of the restaurant would still be obligated to make up the difference, so that the employee takes home $10.33 an hour.
“My hope is that there can be a compromise,” he said. “I’m hoping that people that do have the ability to come up with a compromise at the state level can take a serious look at it before February, but we’ll see.”
A ‘landmark victory’
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the ruling.
“This is a landmark victory for Michigan voters and a resounding affirmation of the power of direct democracy,” Nessel is quoted as saying in a press release. “The Legislature cannot manipulate its power to undermine the will of the people. This ruling sends a clear message that elected officials cannot disregard the voices of their constituents. I am glad to see the Court recognize and respect that the people reserved for themselves the power of initiative, a crucial tool meant to shape the laws that govern them.”
The Restaurant Opportunities Center
called the day of the ruling “an important day to remember,” calling the decision a win for working families and democracy.
“This ruling is the answer to economic opportunities and job protections that every worker, every voter and every person—Black, white, Latino, Asian, gay and straight, binary and non-binary, Democrat and Republican, immigrants and Native Americans, young and senior—deserves,” Chris White, director, ROC Michigan, is quoted as saying in a statement. “Together with our coalition partners and allies, I am proud of what we have accomplished!”
The Michigan AFL-CIO also commended the ruling.
“We commend the Court for ruling what we all clearly witnessed back in 2018,” Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber said in a press release. “The Republican-controlled legislature’s flagrant disregard for the citizen initiative process has robbed Michigan workers of wages and sick leave for the past five years. Republicans in the legislature quite literally stole out of the pockets of Michigan workers and today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is the first step in righting this wrong and making workers whole.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059. Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
from page 1A
— everything kicked into high gear,” Jesue said. “We were enjoying it along the way, but it was a really good and fast turnaround from the point that they got here, the group was all together, doing great, and then boom, pregnant.”
For around 20 years, the Detroit Zoo took on the role of housing male apes, which they called a bachelor group. According to Jesue, the Detroit Zoological Society had one of the longest-running bachelor groups in the entire country.
The goal with bringing in the female apes was to ultimately mate Mshindi and have a baby born.
“It’s just such a cool, full-circle moment in only a year’s time, to where we were so used to working with the bachelor boys, we knew what to expect with them on any given day, and everything just completely changed a year ago, and it’s continuing to change,” Jesue said.
Tami Brightrall, associate curator of mammals for the Detroit Zoological Society, said that planning a gorilla pregnancy is a tedious and serious process.
Brightrall said there are around 350 gorillas in about 49 zoos in North America, and those gorillas are managed by a committee of people with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. She said the committee works together to figure out the best pairings for gorillas for a genetically diverse gorilla population in zoos.
“Here at the Detroit Zoo, the recommendation was for Bandia to breed with Mshindi. It worked,” she said. “They like each other, and they have been together for years, not only at this zoo, but at another zoo as well, so it worked well.”
Having a gorilla family within the zoo is a positive and enriching experience for all the gorillas in the enclosure, according to Brightrall, and a big development for Bandia.
“The mother gorilla having a baby and caring for it is a really big part of their life. It’s a goal for them to breed and reproduce, so for them to fulfill that, it makes their whole life fulfilled,” she said. “It also makes Bandia experienced, so if she has another baby, we are going to know that this mother is really good, she pats the baby, she looks after the baby.”
As Brightrall said, Bandia is an excellent mother, which is backed up by Jesue, who said that this could have turned out to be very different. In some cases, the mother gorilla might not want to look after the baby, which would then be handed over to a surrogate mother to take care of it.
“When Bandia was born at the Pittsburgh Zoo, her mom was not a great mom. She didn’t take care of her the way that Bandia is taking care of her baby now, holding her and stuff,” he said. “We were worried that with her background and being in other groups where she did not really see a ton of other success-
ful moms, that it wouldn’t click for her, she wouldn’t know.”
To help prevent this, the mammal team tried to train Bandia as best as possible before she gave birth, and helped to shape her into the mother she is today.
“Because of her background, we wanted to make sure that there were other options where we could encourage and help train her to know what she needed to do in certain situations,” he said. “So, what we would do for the maternal training is that I would carry a stuffed gorilla and show her how to hold it correctly, where it’s facing her body, so the baby could be the one to figure out if it needed a nurse.”
The team would also desensitize Bandia to the various ways a baby gorilla might touch her, pull her hair, mimicking the movements of a newborn baby.
The tests and training proved to be successful, as Bandia is a very protective and loving mother. She has shown no signs of wanting to disown the baby, and is seemingly content with her new role as a mother.
Brightrall said that the outcome of Bandia’s pregnancy is a testament to the commitment and care that the Detroit Zoological Society team has for its primates.
“They are willing to take risks and chances, appropriate risks and chances, but that is a very big deal that these primate keepers are so good at their jobs,” she said. “They were like, it might be scary, but let’s do it. It might be fast; let’s do it.”
The next phase in this process is for the baby gorilla to be named.
According to a press release, it will be up to the public to figure out what the baby girl will be called, in the form of a vote.
Voting opened Aug. 26, and each vote requires a minimum of a $10 donation. People can choose from one of the following names: Usala, Amateka, Mbere, Lobeke, and Motema.
Each name has a unique story behind it, Usala comes from the conservation corridor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and also means “forest” in Kikumu.
Amateka means “history” in Kinyarwanda. Mbere means “first” in Kinyarwanda. The name Lobeke comes from the national park in Cameroon, which is home to the highest density of western lowland gorillas in the world. Finally, Motema means “heart” in Lingala.
The winner will be determined by the name that receives the highest donation amount. All donations will be going to the Saving Animals from Extinction Program. The program helps wild gorilla populations through on-the-ground protection of gorillas, research and monitoring, according to the zoo.
Voting will be open through Sept. 9, and members of the public can vote as many times as they want, with a $10 donation for each vote. The zoo will announce the winning name shortly after the contest concludes.
People can find more information on the baby and voting at detroitzoo.org.
Photo by Erin Sanchez
Detroit Zoo visitors are in awe checking out the new baby gorilla Aug. 23. The baby is the first gorilla born at the zoo in its 96-year-history.
Do you own a vehicle with an interesting history?
Contact Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045, and you could be featured in an upcoming Behind the Wheel. For more stories, visit candgnews.com/news/auto or use the QR code.
16A/ ROYAL OAK REVIEW • AUGUST 28, 2024
CAMPING TRAILS FROM THE DUSTY ROADS OF THE SOUTHWEST TO THE ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK
In
Behind the Wheel, Staff Writer Maria Allard shares memories of the camping trips across the country she took with her family as a kid. The photos were taken in slide form in 1979 when the family traveled out West.
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — It was my first road trip, but I was a baby and don’t remember it.
At 6:15 a.m. on July 26, 1970, my family left our Warren home for a camping trip. The odometer read 40,313 miles and my parents had $497 in cash, plus a credit card. Destination: the California coast.
The cash, credit
Every summer my parents, two older brothers and I camped. We’d load up, pile into our Plymouth station wagon and head for the open road with an atlas and state maps guiding us. This was before GPS. Altogether, we camped in 48 states — never made it to Alaska or Hawaii — and parts of Canada.
My dad would have lived in a campground all year if he could. Me, ugh, I hated camping. It was torture: the bugs, no room for my bike, and I missed my friends back home. But the worst part was no TV. That would be equivalent to being without an iPad or cellphone in today’s world.
Each vacation was planned out. We’d go out West, down
TOP: One of our stops on our way to California. ABOVE LEFT: The 1972 Apache pop-up trailer was how we saw the country many times.
ABOVE RIGHT: I believe this is Newport Beach, California. I loved the beach and still do.
LEFT: My family spent a day in Tijuana, Mexico. We drove from our camping site in southern California. Photos provided by Maria Allard
this week’s
Camping
South or just eastbound and down. We’d drive everywhere: big cities, the country, back roads, major highways. To pass the time, I read Mad Magazine and stayed on the lookout for Volkswagen Beetles.
I might have liked camping if we traveled in a cozy motorhome or shiny Airstream trailer. The first family trailer was basically a box on wheels. By the mid-1970s, my parents purchased a 1972 Apache pop-up trailer. It wasn’t one of those easy ones you crank and all the work is done. This trailer required all five of us to put it up and take it down. We’d all hold different poles and pieces of canvas until it was up. It always took forever.
My least favorite campgrounds were the primitive ones. But there were plenty of campgrounds we stayed at that had it all: a pool, game room, movie night, snack bar, laundromat, and gift shop. The KOA’s were always nice. Sometimes we’d end up at a state park.
With each camping trip — from the mid-1960s through the late 1980s — my parents kept a journal, which I still have. They jotted down the date, mileage, which city and state we were in, the weather, what time we awoke, and people we met. My parents also wrote brief paragraphs about the places we visited. For instance, during our 1974 trip to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, we ran
into boxing legend Joe Louis at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
“He said ‘I want to shake hands with these little ones,’” Mom wrote. “When we told him we were from Detroit, he said, ‘Say hello to Detroit for me.’ He looks good.”
Even though camping wasn’t my thing, I loved traveling. The trips that really came alive for me were California in ’77 and ’79, Virginia Beach in ’78, and our 1980 journey through Toronto, Montreal, upstate New York, New York City and Atlantic City.
On off-road days we’d go somewhere: a museum, a tour, a hall of fame, a historic site, a landmark, a cathedral or a ballpark. My parents made sure to have one amusement park on the itinerary.
Another great thing was meeting kids from all over. We’d visit each other’s campsites, swim or play pool in the game room. If I had to pick a favorite spot or two, it would be the eastern and western shorelines. There was nothing like being on a Pacific Ocean or Atlantic Ocean beach. I still long for swimming with the waves while smelling saltwater in the air.
The Virginia Beach, Virginia, campground stands out. It was huge with so much activity. Every morning a man drove through yelling “Doughnuts, fresh doughnuts!” from a truck, and every time I went into the game room, Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler would belt out “It’s a Heartache” on the jukebox.
When we experienced car trouble in a small West Virginia town, the only mechanic was out for the day. Stuck, we set up camp somewhere. As dusk fell, the mechanic found
FINANCIAL CHAMPION
Around The Corner
out about us and invited my brothers and me back to his house to stay overnight with his wife and kids. His large family reminded me of “The Waltons.” They were so kind. We sat around the kitchen table, had snacks and talked. It was the first time I ever had Country Time lemonade.
I always remember where I was Aug. 16, 1977, when news broke that Elvis Presley died at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. We were getting ready to go to the San Diego Zoo while Dad sat at the picnic table listening to his handheld Panasonic radio.
“Elvis died,” he said, looking up at us.
On our way home, we stopped in Memphis. Fans mourning the singer’s death gathered on Elvis Presley Boulevard. Dad picked me up so I could see Graceland. This was before it was open to the public. The house looked big and so far away in the distance.
My parents are no longer living. I am so glad they took us on all those trips. We saw so much: the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Redwood National Parks, Dealey Plaza in Dallas where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, the prairie dogs in Montana, Fisherman’s Wharf, Dollywood, Bob Evans’ original farm in Ohio and more.
A neighbor with two kids bought the trailer at my parents’ estate sale. I hope they got out of it as much as I did. I would not trade the experience for anything. I wish I could do it all over again.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
out for neighbors,” she said. “So, I thought that this little free dog library could be a cool and unique way that I could give back to the community and the neighborhood and sort of pay it forward.”
The free dog library resembles a Little Free Library, which usually contains books. Little Free Libraries can be found scattered in different places around Royal Oak. Instead of books, Mezwa’s little free dog library includes bags, treats, wipes and water.
Mezwa said that each morning she refills a reusable water bottle that is put into the dog library and can be used to fill up a retractable bowl for dogs who need a drink.
Mezwa said that she and her family have been pet people for as long as she can remember, and they also foster dogs who are in need. She works with the organization Peace, Love and Paws Rescue.
Currently they have two dogs who were both originally fostered. The dogs fit in with her family so well that they just ended up keeping them as their own.
One of their dogs, Rosie, was a foster from Detroit who grew up in what Mezwa said was an overcrowded shelter. Mezwa said Rosie started out in pretty rough shape, but Mezwa was able to bring her back to her “spunky, fun, young, healthy self.”
“I’ve always been an animal lover, and five years ago my husband and I rescued our first dog named Rio, who
was about 13. We rescued him when we were living out in California,” she said. “He really catalyzed our love for animals and my desire to help those that are in shelters and be a foster for dogs.”
Rio moved to Royal Oak with the Mezwa family and loves to look out the window at all the neighbors and their dogs who utilize the free dog library.
“They’re both small, little dogs that had really rough starts to life, but we were able to show them a new life, and they both are living the dream here with us,” she said.
Mezwa got the free dog library project approved by Royal Oak Code Enforcement and said that the process to get it approved was easy.
“They said the library was fine as long as it stays on my property,” she said. “It was quick, clear and easy to communicate.”
Rihana Yenpanya walks her dog, a cavalier King Charles spaniel named Robin, through Mezwa’s neighborhood and said that the dog library idea has been interesting and helpful.
“It is pretty nice that she would do that,” Yenpanya said. “Sometimes when you take a dog for a walk, you obviously think you have everything, but it turns out you didn’t. It’s got to be pretty nice for people sometimes.”
Yenpanya said that she has used the dog library a few times when she has forgotten supplies.
“I think people walking around here really appreciate the little treat they can give their dog on the way home,” she said.
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 4981081.
from page 5A
chance to learn from a speech coach how to read a teleprompter, and how to emphasize certain words to catch the attention of the audience.
Connecting with the people of Michigan is one of the main reasons why McMorrow said she loves her position as state senator, and being able to amplify that connection to the national level was a dream that she was glad to live out.
“As a lifelong Royal Oaker, I couldn’t be prouder. I was really moved to see every single night there was a woman from Michigan on stage,” she said. “And I think that says a lot about our state and our leaders. It was just really humbling to be a small part of it for sure.”
McMorrow said that on Aug. 26, in the Trader Joe’s in Royal Oak, she had an interaction with an employee that she felt reinforced her role as a leader in Michigan.
“He just stopped me and said how proud he was of me and that I represented him and everybody,” she said. “It’s really moving. Just in voting for me, the first time I got elected, and kind of watching the speech I gave a few years ago and now at one of the largest stages in the country, he just said that it really meant a lot to him as a dad with daughters.”
McMorrow said that in the future she hopes to move up in the political world but does not yet have official plans to do so.
“I’m always somebody who believes in keeping doors open, so that’s what I’m doing right now. I don’t know exactly what is next,” she said.
McMorrow’s speech can be viewed at cspan.org.
September 7, 2024, Noon - 6 p.m.
Homes For Sale
HOMEFORSALE
BYOWNER
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SUPREMEOUTDOOR SPECIALISTS
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Painting
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ANYONE'S PAINTER
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Painting
PEAKPAINTING
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2BROTHERS PAINTING
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Roofng
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Tree Service
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APEX
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TREESERVICE
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Plumbing
