Pride in the Park Gives Transgender People a Chance to Share their Stories

Pride in the Park Gives Transgender People a Chance to Share their Stories (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 10, 2015) Transgender people from around Michigan and beyond were welcomed to Ferndale’s Geary Park on Saturday for the Annual Transgender Pride in the Park celebration. In the midst of the community potluck, surrounded by vendor and agency…

Final Four Announced in MML Community Excellence Awards Competition

Final Four Announced in MML Community Excellence Awards Competition (MML Press Release, July 27, 2015)   Community Excellence Awards Competition Down to Final Four Projects Involving Westland, Jackson, Auburn Hills, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Rochester Hills, Pontiac, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Berkley, Orion Township, Oakland County in Final Round The final four projects in the statewide Community…

Cities Competing for MML Awards, Public Asked to Vote

Cities Competing for MML Awards, Public Asked to Vote (MML Press Release, July 4, 2015)   Sixteen projects, programs, and initiatives involving more than 20 Michigan communities are vying for the statewide Community Excellence Award (CEA)—the most prestigious Michigan Municipal League honor. The communities involved in this year’s competition are Allegan, Auburn Hills, Battle Creek,…

“No Air, Not Fair,” Ferndale Housing Residents and Advocates Chant (video)

“No Air, Not Fair,” Ferndale Housing Residents and Advocates Chant (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 19, 2015 Assistant City Manager Joe Gacioch seemed surprised when a group of senior citizens and activists came into City Hall on Tuesday with signs chanting “No air, not fair.” The group was a blend of folks from Detroit Eviction…

Oakland County Residents Among Finalists for 2015 Governor’s Service Awards

Oakland County Residents Among Finalists for 2015 Governor’s Service Awards (Adapted from press release, May 26, 2015) Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the 40 finalists for the 2015 Governor’s Service Awards. The finalists have been selected from more than 160 individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations statewide for their commitment to volunteer service. Among them are…

Downtown Ferndale and Director Cristina Sheppard-Decius Part Ways

Downtown Ferndale and Director Cristina Sheppard-Decius Part Ways (Crystal A. Proxmire, May 14, 2015)   The Ferndale Downtown Development Authority (DDA) announced that a change in leadership is coming, and that Cristina Sheppard-Decius will be leaving the position May 27. According to a press release: “The Ferndale DDA Board of Directors and Executive Director Cristina…

Transgender Expression Reigns with Successful Day of Visibility

Transgender Expression Reigns with Successful Day of Visibility (Crystal A. Proxmire, April 1, 2015) “Expression is a human right,” said Rachel Weisserman who hosted the Transgender Day of Visibility at Five15 Royal Oak on Tuesday night. About 50 transgender people and allies joined together to celebrate expression and camaraderie for Transgender Day of Visibility. With…

Transgender Expression Reigns with Successful Day of Visibility

Transgender Expression Reigns with Successful Day of Visibility (Crystal A. Proxmire, April 1, 2015) “Expression is a human right,” said Rachel Weisserman who hosted the Transgender Day of Visibility at Five15 Royal Oak on Tuesday night. About 50 transgender people and allies joined together to celebrate expression and camaraderie for Transgender Day of Visibility. With…

Berkley Mayor Explains April Fool’s Day, and Other City Updates

Berkley Mayor Explains April Fool’s Day, and Other City Updates (Berkley Mayor Phil O’Dwyer, April 1, 2015) Message From the Mayor Change is difficult for many of us to embrace, and accepting innovative ideas sometimes disturbs the tranquility and peace of simply continuing with the familiar. When the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582, many…

Berkley Mayor Explains April Fool’s Day, and Other City Updates

Berkley Mayor Explains April Fool’s Day, and Other City Updates (Berkley Mayor Phil O’Dwyer, April 1, 2015) Message From the Mayor Change is difficult for many of us to embrace, and accepting innovative ideas sometimes disturbs the tranquility and peace of simply continuing with the familiar. When the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582, many…

NCRC#1: Diversity and Prosperity Integrate Well in Oak Park, Illinois

NCRC#1: Diversity and Prosperity Integrate Well in Oak Park, Illinois (Crystal A. Proxmire, March 24, 2015) This is part of our series of stories from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition Conference in Washington DC from March 25-28, 2015. Learn more at www.ncrc.org. As part of the National Coalition Reinvestment Coalitions Annual Conference in Washington DC,…

Divorce and Families pt 2 of 4: How do Elementary Age Children React to Divorce?

Divorce and Families pt 2 of 4:  How do Elementary Age Children React to Divorce? (Guest Series Part 1 of 4, Lisa Schmidt, Schmidt Law Services, March 25, 2015)   Divorce can be hard on children at any age. But for elementary age children, the process can cause developmental delays and significant emotional distress. This…