Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Published December 14, 2011

After Shelby Township crafter Margie Conn waged a successful battle against breast cancer, she decided to use her skills to help others.

“I had to give back,” she said. “I got involved with Relay for Life. I am always looking for a way to contribute.”

The winner of the first C & G Newspapers Holiday Craft Contest, Conn received 245 votes for her repurposed cigar box, decorated with keys and memorabilia. Crafting the decorative storage boxes involves weeks of work layering paints and resin.

Published December 7, 2011

Have yourself a merry Michigan Christmas

Looking for a few more gifts on your holiday shopping list? Choosing a Michigan-made item or purchasing from a small, local business can be a win-win — recipients get to unwrap something unique, while shoppers help boost Michigan’s economy.

“If we’re going to make an impact with our dollars, this is the biggest impact we can have — at this time of the year,” said Lisa Diggs, founder of Buy Michigan Now.

Published December 7, 2011

The happy houseguest: How to have — and be — one over the holidays

This holiday season, the population of Casey and Tara Colussi’s household tripled.

For five days over Thanksgiving, the Troy couple, who has two children, hosted Casey’s parents, sister, brother-in-law, two nephews and two family friends.

It was the second installment of what’s become a holiday tradition for the Colussis, and though their recent move to a larger home eased the congestion somewhat, “even with the extra space, it’s a pleasant chaos, is always the best way to describe it,” laughed Casey.

Published October 26, 2011

Macabre, creepy and just plain scary books and movies are ‘in’ local libraries

In Stephen King’s horror novel “The Shining,” a small, dysfunctional family moves into an old and insidious hotel for the winter after the family patriarch, Jack Torrance, is hired as the caretaker during the off-season.

No spoilers here, but anyone who has read the book or seen the Stanley Kubrick movie knows the disturbing and tragic things that occur during the course of the family’s stay.

It’s a perfect story for anyone who likes a good scare.

Published October 13, 2011

Michigan apples: What’s not to love?

What’s your favorite apple?

“The last one I ate.”

Ed Robinette doesn’t even hesitate to give that cheeky yet appropriate reply to what is surely one of his favorite questions. He is, after all, raising 23 varieties of apples on his family farm in Grand Rapids. That’s a lot of options. But it barely breaks the surface.

“There’s so much diversity in the apple crop in Michigan — there are literally thousands of varieties,” Robinette said.

Published September 14, 2011

Experts shed light on common sleep disorders, solutions

Everyone needs it. Most don’t get enough of it. And for those it eludes, it may become an obsession.

With the end of summer, students back in school and shorter days, people’s routines may be a little light on a valuable commodity: sleep.

Less than half of people get it in the quantity and quality their bodies need, said Dr. Gary Trock, and disorders minor and severe can hinder what should be an act that occurs effortlessly and in abundance.

Published September 13, 2011

Oakland County gathers to honor 9/11, first responders

PONTIAC — Franklin-Bingham Fire Chief Tony Averbuch was overcome with emotion during his speech at the Oakland County Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony Sept. 11.

Averbuch, who’s been in the fire service for two decades, was a part of a disaster response unit that deployed to ground zero in New York City in the days immediately following the terrorist attacks.

Only a few words into his keynote address during the ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks, Averbuch broke down.

Published August 24, 2011

Broadway bound for Detroit

DETROIT — There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing a show on Broadway in New York, but for the last five decades, the Fisher Theatre has come awfully close to replicating that experience.

Published July 20, 2011

Birmingham man takes national prize for green invention

BIRMINGHAM — It’s cool. It’s green. And it may not be long before consumers can find Birmingham resident Virgil Heil’s machine on store shelves.

At the 26th annual four-day Invention & New Product Exposition’s Invention Show, Heil, 39, took the first-runner-up Grand Prix Award of $3,000 for his Cool Green Machine.

But more valuable than Heil’s award, perhaps, is the attention his invention has received since the show.

Published July 13, 2011

Green Breeze, Day On The Town to take over Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM — July 23 should be a pretty busy day for downtown Birmingham.

For the second year in a row, The Community House’s Green Breeze eco-friendly vendor expo will jump on the coattails of the Principal Shopping District’s Day On The Town sales event, bringing both green education and bargain shopping to the streets of downtown.

Published July 6, 2011

Out with the old, in with the used

Some people collect baseball cards as a hobby. Some people knit. And some people visit garage sales.

Some would say that Eastpointe resident Joy Yaklin has perfected her garage sale hobby. She uses Craigslist to search for specific items and her GPS to map out routes, and she’ll spend the day perusing sales to fulfill orders from her friends, family and co-workers.

“I’ve got everything I need at home,” she said. Yaklin no longer shops for herself. She now hunts bargains for others.

Published July 1, 2011

Bloomfield Township supervisor retires

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Supervisor Dave Payne announced his plans to retire Aug. 1 after 41 years of working for the township.

Payne, 60, has been the supervisor since January 2001. He announced his plans during the June 27 Board of Trustees meeting.

Published June 27, 2011

Local parents launch Robot Garage

BIRMINGHAM — Building robots and Lego submarines doesn’t have to be reserved for competitions anymore.

Beginning June 1, The Robot Garage is opening for dexterous and creative builders of all ages.

The 4,000-square-foot warehouse — completely renovated into a colorful retail shop and lab of classrooms — can also serve as a venue for a kiddie birthday bash.

Published June 1, 2011

Sights and sounds of summer

Combine talented artisans, good food, live entertainment and a little sunshine, and you have the makings of a great summer festival.

Beginning in June, such events are plentiful in metro Detroit. Here’s a sampling of just a few popular festivals that residents won’t want to miss this summer.

June 11-12
Clay, Glass and Metal Festival — downtown Royal Oak
In Royal Oak, one of the first big events of the season is the Clay, Glass and Metal Festival June 11-12.

Published May 24, 2011

Student charged with ethnic intimidation for racist threat

BIRMINGHAM — A Seaholm High School student could face two years behind bars for allegedly writing a racially charged message on a bathroom wall at his school last month, suggesting a handful of fellow black students be lynched.

Courtney Thomas, a Birmingham resident, was arraigned in 48th District Court in Bloomfield Township May 18 on charges of ethnic intimidation, a two-year felony.

Thomas, 18, supposedly admitted to the racist graffiti May 11, after an investigation pointed to him as being responsible

Published May 18, 2011

Pride swells during ‘Michigan Week’

Yes, Michigan.

This week is for celebrating, for embracing all the state has to offer. It’s Michigan Week, held annually since 1954. So raise your hand, point to your favorite spots in the state, and reflect. Whether it’s taking a fall color tour, hitting the links, lounging on the beach, crossing the Mackinac Bridge or heading downtown to catch a Red Wings game, there’s much to love about Michigan.

For many, it’s the lakes that cause residents to swell with pride.

Published May 11, 2011

Seniors defy stereotypes

Picture a typical senior residence and images of bingo, arts and crafts, and green Jell-O might come to mind.

Walk into a modern retirement community, though, and you may be more likely to see seniors playing video games, heading out with a travel group or performing a sun salutation in yoga class.

Today’s senior living communities are not the stale, dreary places stereotypes make them out to be.

Published April 6, 2011

Few businesses close, dozens open in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM — Roughly 30 new businesses opening within a year’s time in a lively downtown such as Birmingham isn’t too much of a surprise.

But in this economy, officials are heralding that figure.

Not to mention, said John Heiney, director of the Principal Shopping District, that while the city normally sees almost as many businesses moving or closing as it sees opening or expanding in a year, over the course of the past year, fewer than 10 have closed or moved out.

Published March 9, 2011

Bookworms building bonds

Sticking your nose in a book doesn’t have to be a solitary activity, as more and more avid readers are banding together to share in their common interest.

Book clubs are ever present in today’s society, with readers young and old joining groups offered in their communities and forming their own tight-knit circles.

Published March 9, 2011

Dogs thrill at annual Cobo shows

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.