Troy – October 31, 2018

by Eric | Oct 31, 2018 | Troy News

Meet Troy’s New Police Chief

Captain Frank Nastasi will become Troy’s new Police Chief upon the Nov. 1 retirement of Police Chief Gary Mayer. Nastasi has served the City of Troy since 1996 as Police Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain.

In his years of service his Troy Police Department areas of supervision have included the Operations Division and currently the Investigations & Administrative Services Division. While over the Operations Division he commanded two separate patrol shifts, a Field Training Program for new recruits, the Traffic Safety Division, Evidence Technicians, K-9 Program, Community Services Section, and the Directed Patrol Unit. Currently commanding the Investigations & Administrative Services Division, he oversees the Lock-up, Communications/Dispatch, Records, Property, and Research & Technology Sections, as well as assisting with the Police Department annual budget and contract negotiations.

He has also served as a Tactical Support Team Commander, Detective Bureau Investigator, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and volunteered as an Oakland County Crisis Response Organization member.

Nastasi has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Colorado State University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Michigan Association of Police Chiefs, the Police Executives and New Chiefs School and the Northwestern University School of Staff and Command.

Honoring Our Veterans on November 11

The Troy Veterans Memorial Committee will honor and remember the service of all United States Military Veterans at their annual Troy Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony will take place at Troy Veterans Plaza, in front of City Hall on Sun., Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The program will include raising of colors, rifle salute and Taps by the Troy Police Honor Guard as well and laying the memorial wreath at the Veterans Monument. The Heritage Concert Band of Troy will provide music. And Cub Scout Pack 1707 from Troy Union Elementary School will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

The keynote speaker will be Michael Paletta, MD, FAAHPM, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for NorthStar Care Community. Dr. Paletta is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. He completed his residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, and is board certified in Internal Medicine. He oversees a team of licensed providers providing care to more than 1,700 patients each day through Arbor Hospice and Hospice of Michigan.

Concurrently with his civilian medical career, Dr. Paletta served in the air reserve forces for 30 years. He trained at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and earned an aeronautical rating of Chief Flight Surgeon. He has logged operational flying hours in a variety of fighter and attack aircraft and has commanded military medical detachments in Europe and Central America. He served for 12 years as Surgeon General for the Michigan Air National Guard. He has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Achievement Award, the Iraq Campaign Ribbon with combat device, and the National Defense Ribbon. He is a graduate of the USAF Air War College. In 2007, he served a tour of active duty in Iraq as the Chief of Flight Medicine for coalition forces in Baghdad.

The public is invited to honor a loved one or all veterans by placing flowers, bouquets, small flags and other appropriate mementos on the walk of honor or at the base of the Veterans Memorial.

There will also be a silent auction with over 250 items, a 52 card raffle to win a large outdoor item such as a kayak or camping gear, a $20 Wine Pull featuring over 60 bottles of wine ranging in value from $20 – $100 and “Spin the Bottle” where $10 buys you a spin of a wine bottle to win fabulous prizes.

Guests who purchase a VIP ticket are invited to attend a pre-glow reception inside the ballroom with full-sized craft cocktails, premium appetizers, a first-look at the silent auction and a chance to mingle with Joey Radio.

The VIP reception will be 5:30-6 p.m. and the main stage will open at 6 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.

Daddy Daughter Mermaid Swim

Get out your trunks and tail. The Troy Recreation Department is sponsoring a Daddy Daughter Mermaid Swim at the Community Center Indoor Pool on Fri., Nov. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a magical evening under the sea with your special girl, age 3 to 16. Photos are included, so dress in your mermaid best. Don’t forget swim attire. Tickets are $10 for a couples ($12 for non-residents) and $5 for additional daughters $5 ($7 for non-residents). There is no registration the day of the event, so get your tickets by Nov. 8 at troymi.gov/recreation or call 248.524.3484.

Was it Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Wrench?

It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well . . . dead. So whodunnit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up. Based on the cult classic film and the popular board game, Clue is a madcap comedy that will keep you guessing until the final twist.

Come see the Troy Theatre Ensemble’s production of the wacky cult murder mystery, Nov. 1 – 3, 7 pm. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $10 for students and seniors at http://troytheatreensemble.seatyourself.biz.

Got a Question about the Non-Homestead Millage

On November 6, 2018, voters in Troy vote on a proposal to replace and restore the current non-homestead operating millage. The millage will not affect homeowners, only businesses and non-homestead properties. It will generate 22.6 million dollars for school operations. And it will not increase the voter-approved 18 mill tax rate for businesses. For more information, see this list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

Constitution Cafe

Did you know? Thomas Jefferson believed that Americans should examine and rewrite the U.S. Constitution to fit their needs every two decades. If you could redraft the text, what elements would you include, amend or leave out entirely? Utilizing the Socratic Method of inquiry and discussion, the Oakland Bar Association provides participants with the chance to be like the country’s founding fathers each month and look at the Constitution, from the preamble to the articles to the amendments, engaging in civil discourse to ‘create’ a new Constitution. Constitution Cafés are free. Students, adults and seniors are welcome. On Nov. 11 at 2 p.m., the group will discuss “The Establishment and Free Exercise of Religion.”

Royal Oak – October 31, 2018

by Eric | Oct 31, 2018 | Royal Oak News

March to Benefit Veterans

Ferndale, Hazel Park and Royal Oak are joining together for a 5K ruck march through the three communities. A ruck march is a fast walk with a weighted backpack or ruck. In the Armed Forces, participants carry at least 45 pounds in their rucks. Event participants will carry at least 22 pounds or 22 items. This number represents the average number of veterans who commit suicide each day in the United States. By carrying at least 22 pounds of food or 22 personal items, participants will show support for veterans, metaphorically helping to shoulder their burden.

Funds raised from the $22 entry fee will be donated to the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial. Food and other items collected at the event will go to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154. Registration includes a t-shirt. Registration is free for active and retired military and children under 10 without a t-shirt or $5 with a t-shirt. The event will march through Green Acres Park Hazel Park, Martin Road Park Ferndale and VFW Park Royal Oak on Sat., Nov. 10, starting at 10 a.m. Register. Learn more at 22ruck.com.

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Motor City Gas Named Top Distillery

Travel and Leisure magazine named Royal Oak’s Motor City Gas one of the country’s top 25 distilleries. Open since 2015, Motor City Gas is Royal Oak’s first liquor distillery since prohibition, manufacturing a variety of hand-crafted whiskies from grain to bottle. They fuse traditional and new age micro-distilled whiskies that include bourbons, single malts, exotic grain whiskies and even a bit of moonshine. Flights, craft cocktails and bottles are available in their on-site tasting room.

According to the folks at The Royal Oak Animal Shelter, Cammie greets everyone as soon as they walk into the shelter with her loveable personality. She is a sweetheart looking for her forever home. They invite you to come meet her and fall in love.

The Royal Oak Animal Shelter is a city service managed by the Royal Oak Police Department. They work to provide a safe haven for lost animals or animals given up by their owners, to reunite lost animals with their human companions and to provide the best possible adoptions of available animals into the homes best suited to their personalities.

Visit their website to find out how to adopt, volunteer or apply to be a foster home.

ROSES Seeking Top Talent

The Royal Oak Senior Essential Services, or ROSES is looking for reliable, dependent self-motivators to assist with fall yard clean-up and snow removal for Royal Oak seniors. Qualified individuals will be paid for their labor. Please contact Pam Steinmetz at 248-246-3918 or Dorothy LaSure at 248-246-3919. Applicants must be able to pass a background check. For more information about the ROSES Program, contact the Mahany/Meininger Senior Community Center.

New Entrance at the Farmer’s Market

The Farmers Market will be open for all scheduled activities throughout construction, including second Wednesday food trucks and other events. A new entrance off of 11 Mile Road to the west parking lot (P10) is available to market-goers during market hours. The 11 Mile Road entrance, shown in the photo, is just east of Troy Street. Market hours are:

Friday: 7 a.m. – 1pm until Thanksgiving
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. all year long
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. all year long

Eat Smart, Live Strong

East Smart, Live Strong is a program presented by the Michigan State University Extension. It is aimed at helping older adults eat more fruits and vegetables and get more active. With social and interactive sessions for adults age 55 and older, it helps participants gain the skills to make healthy behavior changes. Sessions are about one hour. There is no fee. It includes six sessions at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 13, Dec. 13, Jan. 8, Feb. 12 and Mar. 12. Attendance at four sessions is required to graduate. Call 248-246-3900 for more information.

Birmingham – October 31, 2018

by Eric | Oct 31, 2018 | Birmingham News

Find Out How Different Learners Can Stay Safe in a Violent Situation

In an active shooter incident, it’s hard to know what to do, so the ALICE Training Institute has developed a protocol they teach to schools, businesses and community organizations. At their November meeting, Friends of Different Learners will learn how to adapt these teachings with “ALICE for Different Learners: Trends in Safety & How Different Learners May Be Affected.” The meeting will focus on best practices in school safety for violent critical incidents and how those practices apply in a classroom of students with unique needs. Friends of Different Learners is made up of parents, staff and community members who work to maximize the potential of Birmingham Public School students with different abilities. The meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7:00 p.m. at Birmingham Covington School. Learn more at www.friendsofdifferentlearners.org.

Groves Welcomes you to the Sixties with “Hairspray”

It’s 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, and quirky, plus-sized, teenage Tracy Turnblad has one dream: to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When she gets detention with the school’s African-American students, they teach her some of their dance moves, and her new-found groove wins her a spot on Corny’s show. Overnight, Tracy transforms from a nobody into a star, and uses her newfound influence to advocate for racial integration on the television show. With the help of the teenage heartthrob Link, host Corny Collins, and Motormouth Maybelle (the host of ‘Negro Day’), Tracy overcomes the odds and succeeds in her mission to integrate The Corny Collins Show in Groves Performing Arts Center’s presentation of “Hairspray.”

Nov. 2, 3, 9 and 10, at 7 p.m. and Nov. 4 and 11, at 2:30 p.m. at the Groves High School Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 18.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Buy a book to support the library at the annual book sale. The friends of the Birmingham Public Library member preview will be November 2, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. and the sale will be open to the public on November 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Baldwin Public Library.

Win a Chance to Light Up the Town with Santa

Birmingham families have a chance to help Santa light up Birmingham’s beautiful tree on Friday, November 30 during the Birmingham Tree Lighting event in Shain Park at 6 p.m. The winning family will enjoy hot cocoa and cookies with Santa at The Community House, ride in a horse-drawn carriage to the Birmingham Tree Lighting event. They will help Santa and Birmingham’s Mayor with the tree lighting ceremony. And they will receive a special gift. Enter online by Wednesday, November 21.

Meet a Turkey at the Library

Meet a real live turkey and learn about some smaller feathered friends at the Library. A Bowers School Farm turkey will visit the Baldwin Public Library on Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Registration required for the children by Nov. 10.

Clawson – October 31, 2018

by Eric | Oct 31, 2018 | Clawson News

If You Need or Can Give

The Community Food Bank distributes food bags on the third Monday of each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 700 E. Elmwood Ave., in the Grace Apostolic Church building. Distribution is completely confidential. To support the food bank, bring items to donation boxes in city buildings and local businesses. The following items are needed: boxed dinners, cereal, canned fruits and veggies, canned soup, pasta and sauce, tuna, instant oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, rice and stuffing, crackers, juice boxes. Call 248-435-4500 or 248-736-6320 for more information.

Tickets on Sale for Lunch with Santa

Continuing an over 30-year tradition, the Clawson Women’s Club, part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, will again host this festive event at the Hunter Community Center on Sat., Dec. 8 at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $6 per person and must be purchased in advance at Hunter Community Center. They include lunch, a visit with Santa and a small gift. Tickets are available beginning on Thursday, Nov. 1

Do You Have a White Elephant?

The Senior Center’s White Elephant Sale fundraiser will be Sat., Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hunter Community Center. There will also be a lunch counter, raffle and bake sale. They need gently-used household items and volunteers. Please do not bring clothes or large furniture. Setup will be on Friday, Nov. 9 starting at 9 a.m. Lunch is provided for volunteers. Call (248) 583-6700 for more information.

Paws to Read

Do you love dogs and books? Come to the library and read to a dog on Wed, Nov. 14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Clawson’s favorite certified therapy dogs love to be read to, so pick out a book and read to a furry friend. Sign up for a 10-minute time slot at the library or by phone (248) 588-5500.

Christmas in Clawson Craft Show

Are you ready for some early holiday shopping? Over 200 artists and crafters will be at Clawson High School for the annual craft show on Sat., Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be lunch, raffles, baked goods and a chance to visit with Santa. The Clawson Middle School robotics team, “The Robostangs,” and Clawson High School robotics team, “Turbo Trojans,” will run the free coat check. You can pick up the annual t-shirt with artwork by a Clawson Public Schools student. And the Clawson Rotary Club will do a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Clawson Public Schools. Admission is $3 per person. For more information, visit christmasinclawson.com.

‘Tis the Season to Shop Local

by Eric | Oct 31, 2018 | LBN Community Series, Small Business

’Tis the Season to
Shop Local

31

OCTOBER 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE: Local Business News Executive Editor Glenn Gilbert discussed LBN’s ’Tis the Season to Shop Local campaign with LBN Publisher Guy Williams. Here is an account of their conversation.

GLENN GILBERT
LBN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

LBN PUBLISHER GUY WILLIAMS WITH VICTORIA KNIGHT, GENERAL MANGER FROM THE ST. CROIX SHOP

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GLENN: You have suggested that people shop local for Christmas — meaning patronize locally owned, Main Street retailers as opposed to big box or online retailers. Why do you feel this way? GUY: Small local businesses have struggled to compete with corporate chains for decades. Hardest hit have been independent retailers. Now the Internet has created even more competition for them. Local stores with one or two locations can’t compete on price with Amazon or Walmart. However, mom-and-pop businesses survive and thrive because the owners are so passionate about what they do and consumers embrace that. Studies show that, 96 percent of consumers think local businesses beat national chains on personalizing service. In fact, a study last year stated that “local businesses should compete on service/quality, not price; 72 percent of consumers are willing to pay a local business more for better quality work.”

GLENN: Do you feel LBN’s campaign will benefit local communities and their residents more than would shopping wherever one pleases? GUY: It’s more than a feeling, there are statistics to back it up. When we interviewed Constance Logan, the district director of the Michigan Small Business Administration, back in May, she shared some interesting facts, such as: “when you shop local, each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns three times more money to the local economy than one dollar spent at a chain.” As we launch the ’Tis the Season to Shop Local campaign, those numbers really add up when you consider that if each household simply redirected just $100 of planned holiday spending from chain stores to locally owned merchants, the local economic impact would reach approximately $10 million.

“It’s as simple as this: including neighborhood businesses in your everyday shopping helps the community. A larger percentage of those dollars stay local when you spend locally.”

GLENN: Do you have statistics to back up local retailers impact on the community? If it is true that patronizing local retailers benefits the local community, why would this not also be true of shopping at the so-called big-box stores located in one’s community? GUY: It’s as simple as this: including neighborhood businesses in your everyday shopping helps the community. A larger percentage of those dollars stay local when you spend locally. To quote Ms. Logan again, “We have 870,301 small businesses in Michigan. Those small businesses employ 1.8 million and created 66,240 net new jobs.” More information can be found at https://www.amiba.net/resources/localhero/.

GLENN: Is it really realistic to suggest that all shopping needs can be met by local, mom-and-pop businesses?

GUY: No, that isn’t the point. We don’t need to completely abandon corporate shopping or chain restaurants to improve things for local businesses. It’s more an issue of balance. I think more people would patronize more of their local businesses if they were more aware of them. The biggest disadvantage mom-and-pop business owners have is their lack of marketing funds along with a lack of marketing know-how. The majority of the business owners that I know are razor focused on creating the product or service that they offer. Most are not becoming millionaires, the truth is that, 86.3 percent of small business owners said they take a yearly salary of less than $100k. 30.07 percent of small business owners don’t take a salary. (Source: Fundera 2017.)

As our lives become more global, our focus is becoming more local. Many studies suggest that consumers who have said that they would like to buy local, also said that it’s difficult sometimes finding a local business that can meet their needs. Of the many hats that small business owners wear, marketing is most often the most difficult one to master. Marketing is only expensive when it doesn’t work, and when you don’t know what you’re doing it doesn’t work most times, regardless of your budget.

GLENN: Do you feel that locally owned retailers can turn the clock back and regain their previous ascendancy? GUY: America is very different than it was 50 or 75 years ago and so is retailing. The only time in history when civilization went backwards was during the Dark Ages. We are constantly moving forward, so hoping that retail will suddenly move back to what it was is not very realistic. This forward movement results in change, which often causes fear of the unknown. Retailing has always changed; it’s typically entrepreneurs that embrace technology and use it to separate themselves from their competitors. Retailing icons like Macy, Kresge, Walton and now Bezos have changed the face of retail in their times. each of these retailers have faced experts warning of dire consequences that never seems to materialize.

I read an article the other day about Amazon’s new stores, Amazon Go (https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/10/03/tech/amazon-go/index.html). These stores have no checkout line, cashiers or waiting. The technology allows you to shop and then walk out with your items that are automatically scanned and you’re billed to your phone after leaving the store. Today I can understand how some people could see this as the nail in the coffin of small retailers. However, once the technology is available and affordable to mom-and-pop businesses, it could be just the thing they need to compete.

GLENN: What is the future of retailing? GUY: When I look into my crystal ball, I see a very vibrant retail industry that includes many small local businesses. I believe that mom-and-pop store owners are embracing technology like never before and that will continue and accelerate with the next generation of shop owners. Today, 51 percent of owners of small businesses are 50 to 88 years old, 33 percent are 35 to 49 and only 16 percent are 35 years old and under. As the next generations of local business owners emerge, their understanding and comfort with technology will help them better succeed.

SEE OUR PREVIOUS ARTICLE ON SMALL BUSINESS

Seeing 2020: Business Cheerleader’s Advice For Success in New Year

by Eric | Jan 15, 2020 | Farmington, From Launch To Ascent, LBN Community Series, Small Business

Every business needs a cheerleader, and Tisha Hammond has been one for small businesses for the last five years. Her Farmington Hills-based Ascent Small Business Promotion LLC, popularly known as From Launch to Ascent, offers consulting services, online training, inspirational talks, business retreats and more.
While Hammond calls her blog Pep Talk, she’s by no means just a pompom-brandishing cheerleader. She was a badge-and-gun-carrying police officer for 10 years. She spent 21 years working for the government, the last part of that service conducting equal employment opportunity investigations.

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