A Vibrant ‘Busy Place’ Emerges
The buzz at Affirmations isn’t just about the electric bill. There is a palpable increase in warmth and energy from the volunteers, staff and members who make it a true community center.
The Last Night at AJs Cafe
“I want to spend the next chapter of my life validating Detroit’s hard work through our coffee. That’s been that conduit, and I think that’s a real important aspect. I did exactly what I signed up for. I signed up for five years… and I’m very honored to be able to be a part of Ferndale’s living room for these five years. The people of this city have really embraced me, and what this has meant as a wonderful ambassador for Main Streets all across the USA.”
Entrepreneurial Spirit: The Green Thumb Guy, Kris Lieber
It’s hard to picture Green Thumb Garden Center owner Kris Lieber donning a suit and punching a corporate clock every day, but that’s what life was like before he opened the budding garden supply business at 22963 Woodward. The 33-year-old entrepreneur used to be a clinical engineer responsible managing the Biomedical Engineering department at several hospitals for a large corporate health system.
Photographers Descend on Downtown Ferndale
It was one of those rare warm days this March that over 50 professional photographers from around Michigan descended on the alley of the Withington Parking Lot for a very special seminar. Blair Phillips, a nationally-recognized photographer for seniors and weddings was in town for the day-long lesson in urban photography.
The SOCRRA Tour
The tour starts out in the education center, where youngsters hear a presentation about recycling, and watch a video about the process. Karen Bever, from SOCRRA explained that the more kids recycle, the more money the cities get back from the program. “It costs cities $26 a ton to take away garbage, but for every ton of recycling the city brings in they get a $37.50 credit,” Bever said.
Kelly Bennett Goes to Philly
A broken bell, a wall of skulls, a market full of gastronomic delights and 8500 librarians. A snapshot of Philadelphia during the semi-annual Public Library Association Conference (March 13-17); my personal snapshot. My primary concern before heading to the City of Brotherly Love was being prepared for my presentation…
Ferndale State of the City Address
You know, to me Ferndale isn’t just a city, it’s a community in the truest sense of the word, a place where strangers feel welcome and neighbors feel like family. When I moved here 21 years ago, I lived on West Cambourne near Woodward and I remember …
Crowd Chows Down at Street Eats Wednesday
Street Eats Wednesday was an experimental event held on March 21, 2012 in the alley behind Rust Belt Market. Mobile vendors such as Jacques Tacos, Treat Dreams, and El Guapo Grill came out to serve the thousands of people who came out to the food truck rally.
Mom Pulls Strings for Celebrity Reading
Judy Smith’s third grade class got a special visit vis Skype on March 22, 2012. Corey Reynolds, who plays Sgt. David Gabriel in the TNT Series The Closer, did his part to help encourage reading by introducing the youngsters to the Choose Your Own Adventure series.
Reading Day at Roosevelt
“I love doing this. It’s one of my favorite things I get to do as an elected official. I don’t have any children but I love seeing their bright little minds at work,” Covey said.
Other readers included Superintendent Gary Meier, Rachael Hunter from WYCD radio, Children’s Librarian Joe Miller, Police Chief Timothy Collins and various school administrators and school board members.
Interview With David Petersen
David Petersen is the award winning creator of the Mouse Guard series out with Archaia Entertainment. In 2007 David won the Russ Manning Award For Most Promising Newcomer and since then has continued to revitalize the fantasy genre in comics. As both the writer and artist for Mouse Guard, David approaches creating comics from every possible direction.
Hailey Zureich, Future Mayor of Ferndale?
You might also recognize Zureich from seeing her on stage. One of her passions is improvisational comedy, and she’s part of the family at Go! Comedy at 261 9 Mile. “I think everybody should do improv. The principles it teaches work in other areas of life. The relationships you build with people on stage will be like none you will ever have again. It’s nice to just fully trust someone to have your back.”
Route 2 Recovery: Metastatic Breast Cancer Group
While Cathy was at a follow-up doctor’s appointment, she noticed a Sharing & Caring brochure with information about a new support group. Despite her husband and children’s support, finding women to talk to who truly understand the diagnosis and treatment plan was proving to be difficult. Cathy decided to attend, hoping to meet others who may have comparable experiences.
Police Report: 13 Cars Broken into on SE Side of Ferndale
It appears that none of the vehicles targeted were locked. The thief (thieves) merely opened unlocked doors and stole loose items from inside the cars.
There are no suspects at this time.
Anybody with information should phone Ferndale Police (248-541-3650)
A regular reminder: People should not leave their parked vehicles left unlocked. Most often, thieves pass by locked vehicles and steal only from vehicles with easy access.
Ferndale Gets Oakland County’s First Planned Parenthood
On April 2, 2012, Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan (PPMSM) will open a new health center in Ferndale, Michigan. Located at 23338 Woodward, the new facility is Planned Parenthood’s first in Oakland County.
DDA Wants Your Thoughts on Food Carts
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has been asked by City Council to give their input on having mobile food vendors in the city….The DDA is asking folks on Linked In to give their input…
Extra Special Street Signs
Observant Ferndale residents and visitors may have noticed the new street sign at Allen and W. Troy and wondered just how it got the name “Cupples Corner.” The white sign with blue lettering is affixed above the traditional green street signs that are standard throughout the city. Only in a few locations can the special white and blue ones be found.
Original Tuskegee Airmen Honored by Oakland County
Hatchett did some research and found that many of the original Tuskegee Airmen are from the Metro Detroit Area. She then teamed up with Oakland County Commissioners Liaison Julia Ruffin to prepare a resolution in their honor and to host a reception for the heroes before the March 7, 2012 County Commission meeting.
TIF Extension Fuels 20 More Years of Development Downtown
“The City is making an investment in our Downtown…and the results have spoken for themselves,” said Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter when he and members of City Council voted 4-0 to lengthen the term of the TIF [Tax Increment Financing] District which allocates tax revenue to the DDA [Downtown Development Authority] for another 20 years.
UHS Info Session Announced, Friends of UHS Forming
Among their many accomplishments since UHS opened in 2004, students have won Robotics competition trophies, participated in an award-winning Innovative Vehicle Design (IVD) competitions through the Convergence Education Foundation, and recently received state and national recognition for DECA marketing club competitions.