Power Outage Update

Half of the City remains without power as DTE works to repair the overworked, aging electrical system. Attempts to do shift electricity from some neighborhoods to others in two-hour stints have been causing transformers to blow. The DTE Website now says: “Based on crew availability, the number of customers out and current weather conditions, we anticipate that your power should be restored between Fri Jul 22 2011 09:30 PM , and Fri Jul 22 2011 11:30 PM. “

City seeks CERT volunteers to help in emergencies

The Ferndale Fire Department is working on putting together a CERT Team to help in the event of natural disasters, downed power lines, and other emergency situations. The Citizens Emergency Response Team can also be used in other situations to help with injuries, searches, having a presence at events in case help is needed, and possibly training other residents about safety and emergency preparedness.

Power Outage Could Last Until Thursday Night

Power is out for over 5,000 area residents as heat and over-use has overloaded the electrical grid in the area. Outages have been reported in patches throughtout Metro Detroit, with areas along Woodward Ave. being most affected in our city. According to the DTE Website: “Based on crew availability, the number of customers out and current weather conditions, we anticipate that your power should be restored between Thu Jul 21 2011 09:30 PM , and Thu Jul 21 2011 11:30 PM. ”

Go to Kulick to Keep Cool

The City of Fendale has declared the Kulick Community Center at 1201 Livernois as a “Cooling Center.”

When a “Heat Advisory” or “Action Ozone Day” has been declared, Ferndale residents may come to the Community Center to cool off.

The Cooling Center hours will be Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Participants will have access to specific rooms at the Center. Tables and chairs, board games and TV will be available for use. Lunch is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for $3 for individuals 55 years and older. All others are $6.

Volunteers Needed ASAP for Food Pantry on Tuesday

The Zion Lutheran Church (143 Albany at Woodward) is seeking volunteers – teens or adults – to carry loaded grocery bags from the basement of the church out to people’s cars. A notice put out by volunteer coordinator Carol Wunderlich states “We really could use/would appreciate some volunteers to carry loaded grocery bags (2-3 /ea) for Tuesday, July 19-9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. !! The Food Pantry is supplying food for 52 households this month. MANY folks are elderly & struggle just to walk, let alone carry heavy bags up stairs to their vehicles.”

Robbery at 711

On 07/18/2011 at approximately 12:30 a.m. Ferndale officers responded to 1040 W 9 Mile (711) for an armed robbery. A man armed with a handgun entered the store and then victimized two women. When the clerk tried to run, he struck the her in the head with his gun. This knocked her to the ground and disabled her. The robber then threatened a woman customer at gunpoint and stole her purse.

Hazel Park Author’s “Band Fags” Among Queer for Books Selections

The quickly growing Queer for Books Book Club has announced their book picks for July and August. On Saturday, July 23, the group will be discussing Band Fags! By Frank Anthony Polito, a book following Jack, a boy discovering the complicated nature of sexuality, through 1980s Hazel Park, Mich., as he grows up amidst Atari, Dallas and life in the school band…

Bond Committee Gets Tour of FHS Troubles

Troubles lurk above and below at Ferndale High School, as multiple repairs and projects have the School District exploring the possibility of asking voters to approve a 7 mil bond extension. The public vote is expected to be in February 2012. If approved it would extend the taxpayers’ obligation from 2023 through 2033, and would generate approximately $26.5 million for the District to use on multiple infrastructure projects.