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Boogie Woogie Kid to play senior center
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township Senior Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, will host piano and song man Matthew Ball, known as the Boogie Woogie Kid and who has 5 million views on YouTube, at 10:30 a.m. April 20 for a brunch event. He will be performing favorites from the Great American Songbook such as “In the Mood,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” and “It Had to be You.”
For more information or to register for the brunch meal, which costs $14, call (586) 739-7540.
MiABLE savings accounts available
METRO DETROIT — In celebration of April as National Autism Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Treasury is encouraging people with disabilities and their families to consider opening a MiABLE savings account to achieve greater financial independence.
“Opening a MiABLE account is a great way to help people with disabilities and their families reach financial independence any time of year, but Autism Awareness Month is an ideal occasion to promote awareness of this important program and help Michiganders learn more about all the programs available to them,” said R. Scott de Varona, MiABLE program director, in a press release.
MiABLE, a disability savings program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, stands for Michigan Achieving a Better Life Experience. MiABLE accounts help people with disabilities save for current and future expenses without jeopardizing government assistance like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. MiABLE is not limited to those with autism. For more information or to open a MiABLE account online, go to www.MiABLE.org.
Nature center celebrates Earth Day
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center will have an Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring live bluegrass music with the Balduck Mountain Ramblers, live animal ambassadors, eco-friendly crafts, education stations, story time, face painting and guided hikes. There will be an artisan market and a tree-planting ceremony at noon. Registration is preferred for the free event. Find more at shelbytwp.org.
Watch, then learn about a classic movie
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 1:30 p.m. April 22, the Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke Ave., will show director Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, “Rear Window.” Then at 7 p.m. April 26, the library will host film critic John Monaghan for a discussion of Hitchcock’s camerawork with particular focus on “Rear Window.”
Keep on truckin’
STATEWIDE — A new study reveals that Michigan is the safest state for truck drivers in the U.S.
The Simplex Group, a premier service provider for America’s trucking industry, analyzed 2022 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The study measured the percentage of large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2022 compared to all fatal vehicle crashes per state to declare the state with the least percentage of truck incidents.
The study revealed that Michigan is the safest state for truck drivers on the road, as 4.72% of its fatal crashes involved large trucks. The state recorded 1,567 vehicles involved in life-threatening crashes, and 74 large trucks were recorded by the NHTSA.
“This research offers an interesting insight into which states are nearing the goal of making roads safer for truck drivers. It also highlights the states that might need to consider implementing more truck-safe road systems for drivers,” a Simplex spokesperson said in a prepared statement. “According to the NHTSA, there have been 4,842 large trucks involved in fatal crashes in the past year, so this study could alert truck drivers to better prepare when journeying in these particular states.”
April is the Month of the Military Child
LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed April as the Month of the Military Child, which recognizes the important role military children play in supporting their families during deployments, relocations and other challenging circumstances.
According to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, there are more than 17,000 children of service members in Michigan who are directly affected by military deployment.
Local communities are encouraged to schedule activities in support of military children. That could include promoting the Month of the Military Child on websites along with links to resources for military families, special announcements at spring sporting events, or military-themed projects and observances at home or in schools.
The DMVA synchronizes strategic, legislative and fiscal initiatives designed to build and sustain military readiness, care and advocacy for veterans and cultivate purposeful partnerships. Branch operations include Michigan Veteran Homes, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Army National Guard and Air National Guard which stand in support of the department’s mission to serve every member. For more information, visit michigan.gov/dmva.
