C&G Newspapers

Published April 17, 2015

C & G Newspapers staff writer wins prestigious fellowship

C & G Newspapers Staff Writer Kevin Bunch is one of 10 journalists nationwide selected for the University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting’s 17th annual Science Immersion Workshop for Journalists. Bunch writes about Eastpointe and Roseville for the Eastsider, and he has carved out a niche as C & G Newspapers’ science writer.

Published April 17, 2015

C & G Newspapers staff wins seven awards

Five members of the C & G Newspapers team took home awards at the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit Chapter’s annual Excellence in Journalism competition at the San Marino Club in Troy on April 15. The awards recognized work from 2014.

Published April 15, 2015

As Earth Day nears, experts discuss new trends in camping technology and conservation

METRO DETROIT — Ain’t progress grand? Our phones rarely keep us tethered to the wall anymore. Thanks to email, our messages are as fast as lightning and don’t require a stamp. With MP3 players, we don’t have to wait for the radio disc jockey to play our favorite tune.

With so many changes in our everyday lives, it only makes sense that other activities we’re used to — like camping — would evolve with the times, too.

Published April 15, 2015

Experts discuss new trends in camping technology and conservation

With so many changes in our everyday lives, it only makes sense that other activities we’re used to — like camping — would evolve with the times, too.

Published April 15, 2015

New water heater efficiency standard might drive up price tag and size

METRO DETROIT — Starting April 16, water heater manufacturers must comply with mandatory new standards issued by the U.S. Department of Energy geared toward conserving energy.

The new water heaters will be larger in size, due to increased insulation, and will have more expensive price tags, but they will save more energy.

Published April 15, 2015

Children’s productions take center stage

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Children who enjoy live theater are invited to check out two productions coming to the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts this month.

“My Heart in a Suitcase” is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. April 21.

Published April 13, 2015

Turn an auto rental experience into a reward

Whether it’s for planning a long road trip or to have some backup wheels while their main ride is in the shop, securing a rental car will likely become a favorable option for most drivers sooner or later.

However, businesses that loan vehicles to drivers often have their own requirements and guidelines for renting vehicles and taking care of those vehicles.

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Published April 13, 2015

In the spotlight: Motor City Comic Con

NOVI — While some actors might regret being typecast due to a certain role, that is not the case for Robert Englund.

The California native — probably best known for scaring filmgoers as Freddy Krueger in several “A Nightmare on Elm Street” movies — said the frightening character he played actually opened many more doors for him in the U.S., Canada, Israel, Africa and Europe, where he has found steady work.

Published April 8, 2015

Container gardens: A unique horticultural alternative

METRO DETROIT — For people with space challenges and unfavorable soil conditions, container gardens may be a simple, colorful solution.

Mary Gerstenberger, Macomb County Michigan State University Extension consumer horticulture coordinator, and Karen McCuen, president of the Shelby Gardeners Club, agree that whether people are planting vegetables or flowers, the first step is to select the right container.

Published April 8, 2015

Awnings offer shady alternatives

METRO DETROIT — Most people don’t notice awnings until they decide to buy one.

The main reason most homeowners decide to purchase an awning is for shade. Also, they wish to cut the cost of cooling their home and keep the patio cool in the summer, said Lorraine Strachan, office manager for Signature Awning in Livonia, which serves all of metro Detroit.

“The biggest reason is shade,” Strachan said.

Published April 8, 2015

Improv comedy performers revisit their roots with downtown Detroit shows

DETROIT — Go Comedy! Improv Theater is packing up the laughs and taking them down the road.

The Ferndale-based improvisational comedy group will be bringing its award-winning All-Star Showdown to Detroit’s Elizabeth Theater for special performances April 18 and May 16.

Published April 8, 2015

Oakland County urges residents to prepare for severe weather

OAKLAND COUNTY — Waving goodbye to the snow and ice of winter isn’t hard for most people to do come spring, but county officials want residents to know that as the temperatures increase, so do the chances for severe weather.

Last year, there were 112 storm-based warnings issued in southeast Michigan, three of which were recorded tornadoes. County officials said the recent tornado that touched down in Rochester Hills serves as a reminder of how destructive tornadoes can be and why it is vital to have a severe weather plan.

Published April 6, 2015

Driving issues change with the seasons

A greener, warmer Michigan might signal the end of winter driving, but the end of winter advisory alerts doesn’t mean that drivers can let down their guard.

According to AAA Public Affairs Director Susan Hiltz, many people take road trips around this time of year. But she said some vehicles may need to prepare for a transition between local cold winter driving and driving over the next couple of months.

Road trips also require careful attention to surrounding traffic, she said.

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Published April 1, 2015

Home design awards honor excellence

METRO DETROIT — Elegance and simplicity are essential elements of award-winning home design.

“Our clients want quality architectural details,” said John VanBrouck, of Luxe Homes, one of the winners of the Detroit Home Design Awards, held March 24 at The Fillmore Detroit. “They are looking for something that is different, unique and creative with classic styling.”

Published April 1, 2015

Frankenfoods: Are GMOs as scary as people think?

METRO DETROIT — With spring right around the corner, it won’t be long before farmers markets open up, ready to bring shoppers the locally grown produce that may not have all the chemicals that larger grocers might sell.

Published March 30, 2015

Maintenance can keep high-mileage cars humming

Most auto owners want their cars to go the distance on durability, but it often requires driver diligence to succeed, according to some auto repair businesses.

According to Hal Collins, owner of Hal’s Auto Clinic in Farmington Hills, his business sees lots of cars with around 200,000 miles on their odometers.

“The manufacturers have done a great job of making the cars more durable,” he said.

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Published March 27, 2015

Regina will ‘Step into Fashion’

WARREN — It has become a tradition flanked with its own Paris-like runway.

Every year, Regina High School parents, students, alumni and friends gather for the school’s annual fashion show that the Regina Mothers Guild sponsors. The goal is to raise money for the school.

Published March 26, 2015

Stories sought for end-of-war feature

Did you, a parent or grandparent fight in World War II, work in a factory to support the war effort, or plant a “victory garden” to feed the family when wartime rationing made things scarce?

If the answer is yes, then we want you, or them.

World War II ended 70 years ago this year with the formal surrender of Japan on Sept. 2, 1945. On May 8, the world will recognize the 70th anniversary of V-E Day, which marked the end of the war in Europe.

Published March 26, 2015

‘To love and equality’

METRO DETROIT — For more than 300 same-sex couples across the state of Michigan, March 22, 2015, was a very special day, for it marked the one-year anniversary of their weddings.

Their marriages took place in the brief window of time last year after a federal district court judge struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban, but before the state appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court and had that decision put on hold.

Published March 25, 2015

Setting the stage: Why details are important when selling a home

METRO DETROIT — In William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” the revered poet and playwright said that “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

More than 400 years later, that quote can be attributed to something more traditional and commonplace: interior design and real estate.

Home staging is arguably more popular than it’s ever been before. The process of preparing a home to make it more appealing to potential buyers has become vital to those who sell homes.