MEAP Scores Released, Improvement in Reading Celebrated (Michigan Dept. of Education Press Release, Feb. 28, 2014) Reading test scores for Michigan fourth graders improved for the fourth consecutive year, the Michigan Department of Education reported today. Results from the Fall 2013 Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) are reflective of what children had learned the previous…
Running Home Author Visits Berkley Third Graders (Berkley Schools, Feb. 14, 2014) Jennifer Charron Ward, a local Berkley author, visited Angell third graders this week to talk about her book, Running Home. The book is a work of fiction loosely based on two separate events in her life that she has woven together in her…
Pappageorge Talks Term Limits and More with Berkley Rotary (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 11, 2014) With one year left in office, State Senator John Pappageorge (R, Troy) is planning on giving term limit reform one last shot. The 82-year-old Republican met with members of the Berkley Rotary Club on Monday to talk about a…
Bridge Magazine Ranks Michigan School Districts (Crystal Proxmire, Feb. 9, 2014) Bridge Magazine looked at public school districts and public charters and compared them based on performance weighted by economics to determine how schools are performing compared to expectations. The publication used three years’ worth of data and ranked the schools. A score of 100…
Computer Classes for Seniors a Popular Berkley Service (Berkley Press Release, Feb. 6, 2014) The Berkley Parks and Recreation Senior Center is proud to announce the continuation of computer classes. These classes feature: Laptop 101 Don’t let that new laptop scare you. Laptop 101 Class is designed with beginners in mind. Learn everything from the…
Computer Classes for Seniors a Popular Berkley Service (Berkley Press Release, Feb. 6, 2014) The Berkley Parks and Recreation Senior Center is proud to announce the continuation of computer classes. These classes feature: Laptop 101 Don’t let that new laptop scare you. Laptop 101 Class is designed with beginners in mind. Learn everything from the…
Computer Classes for Seniors a Popular Berkley Service (Berkley Press Release, Feb. 6, 2014) The Berkley Parks and Recreation Senior Center is proud to announce the continuation of computer classes. These classes feature: Laptop 101 Don’t let that new laptop scare you. Laptop 101 Class is designed with beginners in mind. Learn everything from the…
Berkley Rotary Welcomes Senator Pappageorge Feb. 10 (Rotary Press Release, Feb. 3, 2014) The Rotary Club of Berkley is pleased to announce they’ll be hosting Senator Pappageorge at their meeting on Monday, February 10 at 12:15 pm. Lunch will be served for $5. Senator John Pappageorge represents Michigan’s 13th District and will be giving a…
Mode Shift’s Road Map To Understanding SEMCOG (David Sands, Mode Shift, Feb. 2, 2014, orig. wearemodeshift.org/mode-shifts-road-map-understanding-semcog) It was a noteworthy 2013 for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. The organization not only helped jumpstart the new Regional Transit Authority, but it’s been busy developing a regional non-motorized transportation plan and conducting an analysis of rapid transit…
Solomon Northrup Talk and Other February Programs at the Berkley Public Library (Berkley Library Press Release, Jan. 29, 2014) Here are four great programs are scheduled at the Berkley Public Library in February. Solomon Northrup’s America Tuesday, February 11 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a talk on Solomon Northrup, a free black man from upstate New…
Cold Prompts School Closings for Tuesday (C. Proxmire, Jan. 27, 2014) School administrators across SE Michigan have declared Tuesday a “snow day” due to temperatures and wind chills below zero. Classes and events will be cancelled in many districts, including Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Public Schools, Pontiac, Rochester Schools, Royal Oak,…
40 Under 40 Announced, Public to Pick Top Winner (Oakland County Press Release, Jan. 27, 2014) Starting Jan. 27 the public can cast an online vote to choose the winner of the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 under 40 Class of 2014. More than 500 applications and nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges,…
Oakland Chamber Network Learns From National Trends (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 27, 2014) Collaborating to improve the environment for business success is the core strength of Chambers of Commerce in general, and the Oakland Chamber Network doubles up on that principle by bringing 27 local Chambers together. At their annual meeting on Jan. 22, OCN…
Group Seeks Ballot Measure to Increase Minimum Wage (Mothering Justice Press Release, Jan. 27, 2014) Community organizing, social justice and labor groups today formed a committee to explore a ballot campaign to raise the minimum wage in Michigan. The minimum wage in Michigan –currently $7.40 an hour – hasn’t been raised since 2008, leaving many…
The Return on Investment from Michigan Passenger Rail (Dan Sommerville, Michigan Environmental Council, Jan. 26, 2014, orig. Michigan by Rail Blog) Passenger rail has been booming nationwide and in Michigan. Record-breaking ridership was recorded in 10 of the last 11 years (1) (2), and there has been a whopping 78% growth in Michigan ridership since…
Grant Funds Purchase Large Print Books at Berkley Public Library The City of Berkley successfully secured Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for use throughout the City for designated projects. A portion of the money from the grant was allocated to purchase new large print books for the Berkley Public Library’s collection. “The City of…
Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors (Troy Police Dept. Press Release, Jan. 8, 2014) Health Insurance Frauds Medical Equipment Fraud: Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered. “Rolling Lab” Schemes: Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals…
Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors (Troy Police Dept. Press Release, Jan. 8, 2014) Health Insurance Frauds Medical Equipment Fraud: Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered. “Rolling Lab” Schemes: Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals…
Tips to Avoid Crimes Targeting Seniors (Troy Police Dept. Press Release, Jan. 8, 2014) Health Insurance Frauds Medical Equipment Fraud: Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered. “Rolling Lab” Schemes: Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals…
Shelters for Homeless in Oakland County (City of Oak Park, Jan. 5, 2014) The City of Oak Park released the following information via email to help those in need of shelter during the cold. For a printable pdf. go to http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1113800372963-61/OC+Warming+Centers.pdf. Please also call the Housing Resource Center at 248-928-0111 for additional specific information related…