Rochester Post

Published April 11, 2012

Students to share green ideas through statewide art contest

METRO DETROIT — Last year, more than 450 Michigan students shared what their school was doing to be green as part of the first annual My Green School Art Contest offered by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Detroit Regional Chapter of the Green Schools Committee.

“Last year we had a great response, so we are excited to do it again,” said Connie Lilley, a member of the Green Schools Committee and owner of ecoSTORE USA. “The kids were very enthusiastic about it, and the winners were very excited.”

Published April 11, 2012

Crittenton tower construction soars

ROCHESTER HILLS — Work on the fifth floor of the Crittenton Hospital Medical Center south tower project is currently under way, with sights set on a fall 2013 project completion date.

“It is pretty much on schedule,” said Brian Birney, director of marketing and communications at Crittenton Hospital. “Especially with the unseasonably warm weather we have had this winter.”

Published April 11, 2012

Bridge planned to connect trail to cider mill

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — A grant could pave the way for a pedestrian bridge from the Paint Creek Trail to the Paint Creek Cider Mill, near Gallagher and Orion roads.

“It is not just a pedestrian bridge,” Oakland Township Parks and Trails Planner Mindy Milos-Dale said. “There are a number of items wrapped together in one grant, including a set of outdoor restrooms, drinking fountains, a fishing platform and connecting walkways.”

Published March 21, 2012

Lawmakers, animal advocates seek legislation to stop puppy mills

As pet lovers snuggle up with their furry friends, many may not think about where their animals came from before they found them listed online or at a pet store. But the Michigan Humane Society estimates that 99 percent of pet store puppies are bred by large-scale breeders, or puppy mills, some of which are known for their cruel and inhumane treatment of animals to maximize profit.

Published March 14, 2012

A whiskey slamming, beer guzzling good time

An electronic sign on the wall reads “10 days, 14 hours, 15 minutes and 4.32 seconds.”

“That’s the countdown until the end of my life,” laughed Melisa Valentine, 25, of Ferndale, a bartender at the Blarney Stone Pub in Berkley.

She’s kidding of course. The countdown marks the time left before St. Patrick’s Day, the annual holiday many celebrate by bellying up to the bar. But for those tasked with handling the crowds and their beverage orders from behind the bar, it’s a far different experience.

Published March 7, 2012

Self-esteem is critical for today’s youth

Bullying hurts.

It can make someone feel small, rejected, disrespected, stupid, ugly, unloved and unimportant.

While not a new concept — the bullies and bullied have been around for years — it seems to have entered a new realm as an alarming number of youth have responded to bullying in more dramatic ways than society has been accustomed to. Suicide. Violence. Murder.

Published February 29, 2012

Dog heaven

DETROIT — Prep your paws for a whole lot of petting as the annual two-day celebration of all things dog arrives March 3 and 4 with the annual Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows at Cobo Center.

More than 2,000 dogs representing 167 breeds will be on hand to interact with the public, demonstrate their skills and compete for top prizes.

Published January 25, 2012

Keeping the faith in school

Public schools keep religion out of the forefront of education, but many parents want to see religious education, traditions and beliefs at the center of their child’s learning environment.

Those parents can choose schools that keep faith the focus.

Religious schools take several steps to ensure faith ideals are conveyed inside and outside the classroom, including daily religious services.

Published December 14, 2011

Crafter gives back after health crisis

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 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 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

New book celebrates local history

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS — A new book gives readers a pictorial history of the Rochester area.

The book, “Rochester and Rochester Hills,” tells the tale of progress on land once considered uninhabitable.

Authors Meredith Long and Madelyn Rzadkowolski worked for six months on the new book, which includes 200 pictures.

“It appeals to people who think they don’t like history,” Long said. “They are drawn in by the images and then find out that history is interesting.”

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.