Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Published March 9, 2011

DETROIT — A 209-pound Newfoundland rolled onto his back in the middle of an aisle at the Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows, held at Cobo Center March 5-6. He milked every pat he got from passers-by charmed by his gentle demeanor and fluffy brown coat.

He was among thousands of dogs of countless breeds that were also doing their very best to woo the public — in between competitions, that is.

Published March 8, 2011

Thanks a million

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — This month the Friends of the Bloomfield Township Public Library will celebrate their $1 million milestone of giving.

For the entire month of March, the Friends are also holding a membership drive in hopes of growing their support base.

“Our Friends are worth a million bucks,” said Library Director Karen Kotulis-Carter. She said that in the 23 years she’s worked for the library, she’s noticed that each new “Friend” has given his or her weight in gold toward enhancing the library’s services.

Published March 2, 2011

Film festival celebrates Michigan-made movies

BIRMINGHAM — Celebrities, local actors and movie buffs will come together during the first annual Uptown Film Festival to celebrate an event organizers say will showcase the best films made in Michigan over the past year.

Established this year by leaders in the Michigan film industry, the Uptown Film Festival is a two-night celebration of productions created entirely or in part in the state to recognize the Michigan film industry.

Published February 23, 2011

Help for a furry friend

Although spring is nearly a month away, “kitten season” is gearing up this month, meaning that local shelters may soon be filled to the brim with fuzzy faces needing good homes?.

But until they can find their forever family, help is needed to nurture the babies in their first few weeks, making sure they get the care they need to become good pets.

Published February 21, 2011

Two new exhibits open at BBAC

BIRMINGHAM — The work of award-winning abstract expressionist painter James Adley and a juried show of art created by adult students are on display at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center as part of two new exhibits.

“The great thing between the gallery missions is that most every time you come in to see an exhibition, you get to see the full range of what art can mean in someone’s life — whether it’s a pastime or whether it’s a full-time profession,” said BBAC President and CEO Addie Langford.

Published February 16, 2011

Putting the ‘heart’ in community theater

It’s a special group, the Heart of the Hills Players. There is one major qualification for taking part: You’ve got to love making people smile.

You also have to be over the age of 50. The organization is the largest community theater group in the region comprised solely of seniors.

Melanie Lee of Warren, who said she’s a “very vigorous 78-year-old,” feels that joining the group over a decade ago was one of the best decisions she’s ever made.

Published February 16, 2011

Franklin’s outdoor ice rink: cool place for winter fun

FRANKLIN — People have been turning out in droves this winter to glide across the ice on Franklin’s new outdoor community ice rink.

Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream owners and Franklin residents Mark and Angela Hanke donated the rink, which has been open for more than a month now on the Village Green, behind the Franklin Library, at Franklin Road and Wellington.

Published February 16, 2011

Autorama to feature locally owned ‘Green Hornet’ car

Whether it’s an Oldsmobile or a Batmobile, every car junkie has an automotive preference.

But regardless of what they fancy, local enthusiasts will once again come together at this year’s Meguiar’s Autorama, presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, at Cobo Center Feb. 25-27. 2011 marks the event’s 59th year.

This year’s show will feature a Hollywood Legends area showcasing the famous rides of old TV characters from classic shows like “The Green Hornet” and “The Monkees.”

Published February 2, 2011

BBSO continues to hit high notes, despite economic constraints

BIRMINGHAM — With the dramatic downturn of the economy, the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra had to cut its concert season from six shows to four, a move that BBSO board Chairman Richard Tropea said had to be made.

Published February 1, 2011

Love and learn

Asked to reveal words of wisdom after 50 years of marriage, Ed Lewandowski was quick to reply in exactly the way his wife, Sharon, predicted.

“I don’t have any wisdom,” he quipped. “I’m married.”

But contrary to his claims, the St. Clair Shores resident and his wife, along with other local couples, recently shared some of what they’ve learned along the way as they’ve faced life’s challenges —together.

Published February 1, 2011

Good buy … or money pit?

The right neighborhood. The right price. The right layout, lot and size. It’s the perfect home — or not.

There are a number of major issues that could be lurking under the cosmetically pleasing surface of a home, many of which can be very costly.

That — and liability issues on the seller’s end — is why getting a home inspection has become an essential part of the home-buying process since the late 1970s nationally and the early ‘80s in Michigan, according to Jon Ormiston, president of All Points Inspection in Rochester.

Published January 19, 2011

Michigan hotspots provide cold-weather fun

Hibernating is for the bears.

Winter weather doesn’t have to force us to stay indoors and under the covers, counting the minutes until spring. As the flakes fall, Michigan offers healthy opportunities statewide to get out and enjoy the season, with activities from cross-country skiing and snowmobiling to ice fishing.

Published January 5, 2011

Housing market trending toward recovery

“Tough” is an understatement when describing the local housing market since 2005.

The ripple effect that unemployment and the ensuing foreclosure crisis has left — and is expected to continue leaving — an unprecedented number of homes on the market, crippling home values and sales across the state.