Rochester Post

Published August 28, 2013

Fundraiser is an ‘enchanting’ evening in an enchanting garden

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.

Published August 28, 2013

Oakland County to pull DIA funding if art is sold

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.

Published July 3, 2013

Let kitchen remodeling show off your style

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.

Published July 3, 2013

Lavender lovers, unite!

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.

Published June 5, 2013

Parents consider options while school’s out for the season

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.

Published May 29, 2013

Find alternatives to familiar flowers

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.”

Published May 22, 2013

Mapping out Michigan fun

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.

Published April 30, 2013

Family’s focus is on cure for diabetes

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.”

Published April 30, 2013

2013 Detroit Jazz Festival creates unity in jazz community

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.

Published April 10, 2013

Luddites’ latest is a ‘Twisted’ take on acoustic music

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.

Published April 10, 2013

The lesser-known benefit of recycling

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.

Published March 27, 2013

Despite cold temperatures and damaging fungus, local nurseries are getting ready for gardening season

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.

Published March 27, 2013

Spring into projects: Seasonal cleaning can include much more

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.

Published August 8, 2012

Capturing summer in a jar

Can do

Eileen Haraminac will teach several upcoming food preservation courses at the Macomb MSU Extension office at 21885 Dunham, Assembly Room A, in Clinton Township:

• Aug. 18: hot water bath jams and jellies.

Published June 7, 2012

Cranberry Lake Park silo roof to be replaced

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — In an ongoing effort to restore the historic buildings at Cranberry Lake Park, a silo roof will be replaced.

“The silo was built in 1930,” said Tammis Donaldson, principal architect for Ekocite Architecture of Royal Oak.

“The pieces of interlocking concrete were pre-cast in a conical shape,” Donaldson said. “They imploded and fell in the silo. We have all the pieces and will use them as a template.”

Published May 23, 2012

Church members lend a hand to help rebuild Oakland County

ROCHESTER HILLS — Approximately 20 people from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Rochester Hills helped forever change the life of a Pontiac family by volunteering their time during a recent Rebuild Day.

The team was among a group of more than 1,400 volunteers organized by Rebuilding Together Oakland County to participate in the nonprofit’s annual Rebuild Day April 28, which treated 50 homes in 11 Oakland County communities to some upgrades.

Published May 2, 2012

Capies Candies drizzle sticks star at the Emmys

ROCHESTER — Approximately 800 TV producers, directors, celebrities and guests brought a small piece of Rochester home from the 33rd annual Sports Emmy Awards in New York City April 30.

Rochester-based gourmet chocolate shop Capies Candies was one of 30 small businesses across the country — and the only one from Michigan — featured in the gift bags that were handed out during the Sports Emmy Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in sports TV coverage.

Published May 2, 2012

Images of Inspiration luncheon to benefit Paint A Miracle

ROCHESTER — If you ask Paint A Miracle Executive Director Shelly Tyshka, the Images of Inspiration luncheon is “one of the most inspirational afternoons of the year.”

Published April 25, 2012

PCCA welcomes two new exhibits through May 25

ROCHESTER — Two new exhibits opened at the Paint Creek Center for the Arts last weekend.

“Works on Paper” and “Robert Tucker: Torn and Painted in the Desert” will be on display at the PCCA, 407 Pine St., through May 25.

Exhibition Director Mary Fortuna said the PCCA’s main gallery upstairs currently houses “Works on Paper,” a four-person group show that features drawings, collages and objects made of paper — selected by the PCCA Exhibition Committee.

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.”