Resources for Adults Seeking Counseling (Nan Kerr-Mueller, Aug. 21, 2016) Oakland County, MI – Last month I started a quest to find some counseling help for a young adult in my life. They did not currently have health insurance and were having trouble finding someone that would see them. I started with Easter Seals as…
Guest Column: The Value of Street Trees (Robert J. Gibbs, AICP, ASLA, July 15, 2016) Trees are an indispensable component of good neighborhoods. When the right species are planted in the right place and cared for properly, many benefits are realized. Street trees soften hardscapes, buffer pedestrians from moving vehicles, and create “outdoor rooms” that…
Police Chief’s Recommendations for Avoiding Traffic (Auburn Hills Police Chief Doreen Olko, July 2, 2016) We are all looking forward to a fun holiday weekend, I know I am. One concern we share with you is about traffic. Last weekend we heard from folks who got caught up in traffic northbound on I-75 north of…
Stuff to Know When it Snows (C. Proxmire, Feb. 2, 2015) Did you wake up to find your neighborhood covered over with a layer of sparkly white frozen precipitation and a Facebook feed full of various warnings, advisories, and complaints? Though it can be disconcerting, don’t worry. It’s called snow, and it’s something we’ve dealt…
MSU Extension Creates Resource about Lead Exposure (MSU Extension Press Release, Feb. 24, 2016) EAST LANSING, Michigan – The national spotlight is on Flint as it deals with wide-ranging issues related to lead in the water supply, but lead exposure is not just a Flint problem. In fact, hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents, including…
Facts about Carbon Monoxide (C. Proxmire, Feb. 19, 2016, updated Nov. 12, 2017) Each year people die from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. This Carbon Monoxide Safety Fact Sheet can help ensure you have all of the recommended warning, detection, and preventative maintenance measures in place to keep you and your family safe to avoid tragedy. The…
Resources for Food, Shelter & More in Oakland County (Compiled, Jan. 4, 2016) The following resources have been gathered from many sources. If you know of any to add please contact editor@oc115.com. Thank you in particular to The Royal Oak Library for providing the basic list that we have added to. DAYTIME WARMING CENTERS Welcome…
Resources for Adults Seeking Counseling (Nan Kerr-Mueller, Dec. 28, 2015) Oakland County, MI – Last month I started a quest to find some counseling help for a young adult in my life. They did not currently have health insurance and were having trouble finding someone that would see them. I started with Easter Seals as…
Local Lawyer Love: How to Change Your Name in Michigan (Erica Moise, Nov. 15, 2015) I’ve been getting quite a few requests for information regarding how to legally change your name. If you don’t want to hire a lawyer, and you want to do it yourself, I’ve decided to publish the outlined process for…
Things Most People Get Wrong About Trees (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 15, 2015) Trees. Everyone has them or lives near them. Yet there are many mistakes people make in their care. Pleasant Ridge residents were recently treated to a seminar on trees that can help people in any community understand the nature of these beautiful,…
Michigan Laws Pertaining to Bicyclists (John Lindenmayer, Executive Director League of Michigan Bicyclists, Oct 1, 2015) The following is a summary of the Michigan Compiled Law (MCL), Motor Vehicle Code (MVC) and Administrative Rules pertaining to bicyclists. Local ordinances may not supersede the MVC, MCL or Administrative Rules unless explicitly specified in statute. For more…
Health Dept. Gives Tips on Avoiding Insect Bites (Oakland County Blog, Aug. 12, 2015) Ah, the great outdoors! What’s better than exploring? But mosquitoes can put a damper on any camping trip, vacation, or exploration. Oakland County Health Division has some great tips on how to prevent those pesky little bites! To prevent mosquito bites:…
Preventing Drowning Deaths (American Heart Association, July 24, 2015) Warm weather, sunny days, poolside barbeques and trips to the beach. Yes, summer is here, and with it, the dangers of drowning. Over 3,500 people die each year due to drowning. Of those, one in five are children. Drowning is the leading cause of death among…
Stories, Resources and Sadness Shared at Suicide Prevention Forum (Crystal A. Proxmire, May 10, 2015) People cried. And quite possibly that was the point. Opening up about suicide – whether you have lost a loved one, someone who survived an attempt, someone who has thought about it, a teacher, a counselor, a healthcare provider or…
Tips for Working with Home Improvement Contractors (LARA Press Release, April 24, 2015) Spring has sprung and many homeowners will start home improvements or building projects. Before you do, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) offers some important tips that will help you find a good contractor, and avoid common and often…
Domestic Violence in the Workplace: Signs to Watch For (Guest blog by Beth Morrison, HAVEN, Feb. 27, 2015) Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior including emotional, verbal and physical abuse, used by an abuser to gain and maintain power and control over a current or former spouse, intimate partner or dating partner. It knows…
Domestic Violence in the Workplace: Signs to Watch For (Guest blog by Beth Morrison, HAVEN, Feb. 27, 2015) Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior including emotional, verbal and physical abuse, used by an abuser to gain and maintain power and control over a current or former spouse, intimate partner or dating partner. It knows…
Seniors Learn How Not to Get Scammed (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 25, 2015) Over thirty seniors and some other guests enjoyed a lively yet informative presentation from Don Ferguson of the Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette’s Office about how to avoid scams. According to the Attorney General’s data, 30% of senior citizens fall victim to…
Seniors Learn How Not to Get Scammed (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 25, 2015) Over thirty seniors and some other guests enjoyed a lively yet informative presentation from Don Ferguson of the Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette’s Office about how to avoid scams. According to the Attorney General’s data, 30% of senior citizens fall victim to…
Local Churches Doing Drive-Through Ash Wednesday (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 14, 2015) Ash Wednesday is a day for people of some Christian denominations to have a cross of ashes placed on their forehead as a solemn reminder that human bodies return to the earth after passing on. While this generally comes along with a ceremony,…