Published August 28, 2013
DETROIT — With its exotic blooms and tranquil atmosphere, stepping inside the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle is like stepping into a world of natural wonder.
There, visitors will find an acre of cacti, blooming plants, tropical trees, ferns and unusual orchids in the World of Horticulture alone, along with the elegant formal perennial garden and lily pond gardens.
Read MorePublished August 28, 2013
OAKLAND COUNTY — The Oakland County Art Authority has sent a strong statement to those handling the city of Detroit’s bankruptcy: hands off the DIA.
During the most recent meeting of the Oakland County Art Authority Aug. 20, the five-member board voted unanimously to pass a resolution that would cancel their existing contract to financially support the Detroit Institute of Arts if the museum’s collection is affected by the city’s bankruptcy process.
Read MorePublished July 3, 2013
For many homeowners, remodeling their kitchen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“People are really thinking it through,” said Barb Baker, of Elder Living Construction in Farmington Hills. “They are investing in a little higher quality. They are taking the time to understand the different wood qualities, and they are spending the money to make upgrades.”
Baker said her customers want new cabinets that will look good and last for a long time. They are also looking at new ways of hiding electrical outlets for a smooth, uninterrupted backsplash.
Read MorePublished July 3, 2013
METRO DETROIT — Next weekend, metro Detroiters will follow their noses to Romeo for the 11th annual Michigan Lavender Festival July 12-14 at Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill.
There’s just something about the sight and scent of lavender that can evoke the excitement of summer and instill a feeling of serenity. And like so many seasons before, many Michiganders are once again on the hunt for the herb to use for cooking, cleaning or just plain sniffing.
Read MorePublished June 5, 2013
As kids anxiously await the arrival of summer, parents are weighing their summer child care options. From day camps to sitters, there’s a lot to consider when choosing who your youngster will spend their summer break with.
Read MorePublished May 29, 2013
Impatiens, a top choice for homeowners planting colorful annual flower displays, will not be available at most nurseries this year.
“There is a downy mildew problem with impatiens,” said Carl Eckert, owner of Eckert’s Greenhouse on Ryan in Sterling Heights. “We didn’t grow them this year, and most other nurseries also didn’t.”
Read MorePublished May 22, 2013
Michigan Week is in full swing, giving residents just one more excuse to revel in all the wonderful things there are to do and see in the Mitten State.
Whether you’re a beer buff or a beach babe, there’s a place for you in Michigan. But with so many regional specialties, it’s hard to choose which area of the state is best for the stay- or play-cation of your choice.
Read MorePublished April 30, 2013
ROCHESTER HILLS — When a doctor first told Sheri Navetta that her 22-month-old son Andrew had type 1 diabetes, the young mother of twin boys was confused and in shock.
“The doctor said Andrew had to go to Royal Oak Beaumont for three days,” Navetta said. “Separating the twins for three days — I couldn’t imagine it.
“It was pretty scary at first,” she said about the diagnosis. “But once you get into it, it becomes routine and it is not so bad.”
Read MorePublished April 30, 2013
DETROIT — The Labor Day weekend is still a few months away, but already it’s promising to be another great one for jazz lovers and the city of Detroit.
Read MorePublished April 10, 2013
After almost 21 years together, the Luddites still haven’t suffered the ubiquitous “creative differences” that have shattered bands less than half their age.
The 11-piece acoustic group will celebrate the release of their fourth CD, “Twisted In,” with a concert starting at 9 p.m. April 13 at PJ’s Lager House. Bass player David Giovannucci, one of the original Luddites from those early days in August 1992 when they started as a five-piece acoustic act, said friendship and mutual respect have kept them going all these years.
Read MorePublished April 10, 2013
In the bin
Come garbage day, most curbside recycling bins are stuffed with paper, plastic and glass bottles, cans, and cardboard, but there’s a whole lot more that can be added to the heap. Read MorePublished March 27, 2013 Though spring seems to have lost its way en route to Michigan, it won’t be long before temperatures finally rise and the ground thaws to welcome new plants and flowers into eagerly awaited gardens around metro Detroit. Just like in fashion boutiques, there will be lots of trends that customers will be clamoring for at their local nursery this year as they plan their landscape design. According to Erma Rhadigan, co-owner of Ray Wiegand’s Nursery in Macomb Township, this year’s most popular bloom choices are going to be bright, warm colors. Read MorePublished March 27, 2013 With spring here — at least according to the calendar — many homeowners look to the state of their houses after the long, dirty winter and aren’t happy with what they see. Carpets are soiled by salty boots; driveways start cracking from the months-long freeze/thaw cycle; and muddy messes are exposed in backyards that will be used for entertaining, come summer. Now is the time to fix those problems, according to local contractors, before warm-weather fun beckons and the summer home- improvement rush begins. Read MorePublished August 8, 2012
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