St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Published February 29, 2012

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 February 17, 2012

Locals gear up for Autorama

It’s a love of all things cars that drives them to work for hours to improve and restore classic vehicles.

And it’s that love that draws spectators from near and far to check out Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama, “America’s Greatest Hot Rod Show.” This is the 60th anniversary of the annual event, which will be held Feb. 24-26 at Cobo Center in Detroit.

The more than 1,000 exhibits of hot rods, custom cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles include those improved by St. Clair Shores gearheads like Jeff Lonskey.

Published February 13, 2012

A love for a lifetime

One year ago, Mary Tampakes’ world changed.

To begin with, Mary Perzyk became Mary Tampakes in a wedding ceremony Feb. 13, 2011, that meant so much more than a name change.

Three days later, she lost her father, Edward “Skip” Perzyk.

“That anniversary’s coming up too,” said 25-year-old Mary. “It doesn’t seem to be getting easier. A lot of people have said, ‘You made the right decision; he was really happy to be there.’

Published February 3, 2012

Newest K-9 now on the streets of St. Clair Shores

He’s spent three months in intensive training sessions, learning how to become a human-tracking, drug-sniffing machine.

But even with all that work, he’s still just a young dog.

The newest member of the St. Clair Shores K-9 unit is Chase, a wiggly, hyper, sweet, curious black-faced German shepherd handled by officer Gerald Chomos.

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 January 6, 2012

Family tradition spans generations

The fans were few, but passionate.

In the 10th annual Maynard Cup, there were bragging rights at stake as the visitors struggled to beat the home team, which had triumphed for seven of the last nine games.

But try as they might, experience triumphed once more over youth, and the Maynard Cup, a family tradition for a local family and their friends, was awarded once more to the “old timers,” who don’t mind the moniker much when it comes with a win.

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

Belgian American Association Band celebrating 80 years

Its first tunes were played under the auspices of the Belgian American Business Men’s Association.

Formed in November 1931, its members first performed a concert in January 1932.

But unlike most of its contemporaries, this band has had staying power.

Now called the Belgian American Association Band — and open to members who aren’t Belgian immigrants or of Belgian descent — the community band is still going strong 80 years later.

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 October 12, 2011

CIA gives out landscaping awards

Have you driven Harper Avenue this summer?

If so, shoppers likely noticed retailers and stores taking more care with their properties — or at least that’s what the Harper Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority hoped would happen when it began its first Landscape Improvement Awards contest this year.

Duane Michno said the Harper CIA began awarding businesses for their holiday light displays a few years ago.

“It was quite successful,” he said.

Published October 5, 2011

Huskies volleyball works on limiting errors, closing out tight games

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Despite struggling through the early portion of the volleyball season, St. Clair Shores Lakeview coach Abbey Gough is pleased with her team’s effort.

“We have wonderful team chemistry,” Gough said. “Everyone has a really positive attitude, and these girls get along really well. Now it’s just about finding our balance on the court. We know we can do it.”

Published October 5, 2011

Residents concerned with street condition

Jon Watts said he’s been concerned about the situation on Bayview for years.

“The … condition of that street has to be, now, the worst street in St. Clair Shores,” he told City Council Sept. 19.

He said he has tried for years to get on a list of streets to be repaired because of the potholes, ruts and other problems.

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 29, 2011

Another record store to close its doors

The customers came not just from Macomb County, but also from downtown and downriver.

But when Car City Records closes its doors Sept. 30, the devoted will have to find another way to get their vinyl records, CDs, and other music memorabilia and accessories.

The store is “pretty heavily focused” on used records, both LPs and 45s, said manager Dion Fischer, who has been running the store with owner Robert Setlik since about the time Setlik moved to Valparaiso, Ind., four years ago.

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.