Metro

Published December 19, 2020

Always home? Reduce energy usage to save money

METRO DETROIT — In the early months of 2020, most children spent their weekdays at school and most adults spent their weekdays at a job, both of which likely meant that the energy needed to heat or cool the air around them, and to power computers, tablets and phones, might have been paid for by someone else.

The Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter planned to host a virtual luminaire lighting ceremony Dec. 21, which is the winter solstice. The event honors those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Published December 18, 2020

Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter hosts winter solstice event

METRO DETROIT — With the COVID-19 pandemic still sweeping across the nation, the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter plans to host a virtual event to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Published December 18, 2020

New year, new booze

METRO DETROIT — Is it just us, or has it been cocktail hour for the past… oh, nine months or so?

Published December 18, 2020

COVID pushes ‘The Nutcracker’ and Shakespeare to the web

METRO DETROIT — On a blustery cold afternoon in December, 17-year-old Jenna Altman braved the freezing elements in a tiara and pointe shoes to perform the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Published December 14, 2020

Oakland County installs 10 freezers after FDA clears Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

OAKLAND COUNTY — The Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use Dec. 11, paving the way for an initial shipment of about 2.9 million doses of the vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. over the next week.

Published December 8, 2020

Less money, more time helps make the season bright during COVID-19

METRO DETROIT — Families are being asked to celebrate the holiday season in a more intimate way as they stay at home amid COVID-19, making this the perfect year to start new traditions and make lasting memories together.

Published December 8, 2020

Holiday light shows make season bright amid COVID-19

METRO DETROIT — Families across the country are being asked to stay home to help curb COVID-19. But as we’ve all experienced by now, too much together time can easily dampen the Christmas spirit.

Published December 8, 2020

Avoid getting scammed when shopping from home this season

METRO DETROIT — With Michiganders following state guidelines to stay home, wear masks and limit social interactions, online shopping is perhaps more popular than ever this holiday season.

Published December 7, 2020

Music venues, musicians try to get by during pandemic

METRO DETROIT — Kicking back with a cold brew while watching live music at your favorite watering hole basically has been put on hold since March.

Published December 4, 2020

Schools face substitute teacher, support staff shortage amid COVID-19

METRO DETROIT — Educating students in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an ongoing challenge.

A Suburban Collection Farmington Hills Nissan employee makes a donation to the Drive Away Hunger campaign.

Published November 20, 2020

Drive Away Hunger campaign hopes to donate 1 million meals

METRO DETROIT — Food is a basic need, but for some families, it’s become their biggest challenge.

State rolls out COVID-19 exposure notification app

Published November 19, 2020

Michigan rolls out COVID-19 exposure notification app

LANSING — MI COVID Alert is a new statewide COVID-19 exposure notification app that lets users know whether they might recently have been exposed to COVID-19. It uses randomly generated phone codes and low energy Bluetooth technology instead of GPS location to protect privacy.

Published November 18, 2020

‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ at home with your favorite holiday music

METRO DETROIT — This holiday season will be different for many because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a “Blue Christmas.”

Published November 18, 2020

Veterans group celebrates Veterans Day remotely

METRO DETROIT — Recognizing Veterans Day Nov. 11 was a challenge for most people given the COVID-19 quarantine, but the Metro Detroit Veterans Coalition forged ahead with a virtual alternative to its annual parade.

Published November 18, 2020

It’s beginning to look — kinda — like Christmas

METRO DETROIT — COVID-19 has taken a lot of celebrations away from us this season. Will it take out the season of giving, too? Not if retailers have a say in the matter.

Signs like this one, seen at the splash pad at Kensington Metropark, helped visitors know how far they should social distance while using Huron-Clinton Metroparks in 2020.

Published November 17, 2020

Huron-Clinton Metroparks see 2020 attendance surge

METRO DETROIT — With outdoors seemingly safer places to have distanced gatherings than inside, Huron-Clinton Metroparks saw attendance increase this year as metro Detroit residents looked for a place to safely get out of the house.

Published November 10, 2020

Families alter Thanksgiving plans amid pandemic

METRO DETROIT — Thanksgiving has always been a big deal for Elyse Van Houzen, of Franklin, who has been hosting large turkey day celebrations for friends and family for over 25 years.

Published November 10, 2020

Women talk about how passion drives their business

METRO DETROIT — In a society constantly working to bring equality to women in the workplace, consider for a moment an alternative point of view: Women might not always be equal to men because, sometimes, they can do the job better.

Published November 10, 2020

Preserve and display military memorabilia in the home

METRO DETROIT — For veterans and their families, memorabilia represent an individual’s service and can bring back memories of one’s time in the military.

Pictured is Dakota Bread Co. co-founder Bassie Shemtov. Employers and job seekers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways.

Published November 7, 2020

Employers, job seekers feel the sting of the pandemic

METRO DETROIT — In a year that has challenged so many in profound ways, both employers and job seekers are among those who have had their lives altered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.