West Bloomfield Beacon

Published February 20, 2019

Couples include pets in their walk down the aisle

METRO DETROIT — Something old, something new, something borrowed — and a good boy, too. That’s not quite how the old adage goes, but it certainly applies to the brides and grooms of 2019. Couples are creating new traditions for their nuptials, and including their furry child in the ceremony is non-negotiable.

Published February 14, 2019

Nurture the imagination with fairy gardens

METRO DETROIT — For the young at heart, fairy gardens are a way to bring a sense of wonder to green spaces, evoking mystery with environmental details that make the imagination run wild.

Published February 14, 2019

Input needed on Keego Harbor parks plan

KEEGO HARBOR — The Keego Harbor Parks and Recreation Commission will be collecting public input over the next several months to see what changes might be made to public parks and recreational offerings.

Published February 14, 2019

The Friday 5 — Feb. 15-17

Your guide to this weekend's events

Published February 13, 2019

How seniors are clearing clutter to make room for living

METRO DETROIT — As we age, many come to realize that what’s truly valuable in life is stored within our hearts, not within our walls.So when the kids fly the coop and the exciting and restful days of retirement approach, who wants to spend that well-deserved free time dusting a big ol’ house full of stuff that’s been acquired over the years?

Published February 12, 2019

Patterson: Oakland County drives the Michigan economy

OAKLAND COUNTY — Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson touted the robust Oakland County economy and slammed “factions” in government that he said tear at the fabric of government during his 2019 State of the County address Feb. 7.

Published February 11, 2019

Bill aims to protect abuse survivors’ pets

OAKLAND COUNTY — Mike Palmer, the owner of Premier Pet Supply stores around metro Detroit, knows everything there is to know about pets. It’s his business. Well, there’s one thing he didn’t know until recently.

Published February 11, 2019

State lawmakers make water their priority

LANSING — Michigan legislators can, for the most part, agree on a few things. Making sure residents have safe, accessible water is likely one of them.

Published February 11, 2019

C & G writers earn MPA honors

A pair of C & G Newspapers staff writers were honored recently for their reporting.

Published February 7, 2019

Lakes safety officials discuss ice activity, advise caution

OAKLAND COUNTY — West Bloomfield Fire Marshal Byron Turnquist wants you to have fun on the ice, but there are parameters, he said.

Published February 6, 2019

The Friday 5 — Feb. 8-10

Your guide to this weekend's events

Published February 6, 2019

Budgeting on the ‘other side of the Great Recession’

METRO DETROIT — When they started out, it was all about advocating for low-income housing during the Great Recession. But as the economy grew, so did the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, said Brian Rakovitis, the manager of financial empowerment initiatives at the Lansing-based CEDAM.

Published February 6, 2019

‘Tidying Up’ is not only easy on the eyes, but on the mind

METRO DETROIT — Does that old T-shirt from high school in the back of your drawer bring you joy? What about the box of receipts from 2015 lurking in your basement? There’s a new method of organization sweeping the nation called KonMari, and it’s all about focusing on keeping what brings you joy and getting rid of what doesn’t. The method was developed by Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo, who has written four books on the subject.

A September 2018 photo from inside a Macomb County shows the fatberg. Now, researchers at Wayne State University are utilizing a state grant to further study such phenomena.

Published February 4, 2019

Wayne State University researchers to study fatbergs

METRO DETROIT — Macomb County residents may recall how a “fatberg” was discovered and was subsequently removed at the Clintondale Pump Station in September 2018. Now, local college professors are studying how to prevent such entities from backing up drains in the future.

Girl Scouts’ Brownie members from Southfield’s Adler Elementary School participated in an etiquette class in 2018 with Stacy Amey.

Published January 31, 2019

Etiquette class to teach young people manners

SYLVAN LAKE — Chin up, back straight, look ‘em in the eyes and give a firm handshake.

A new class in Sylvan Lake will teach young people a thing or two about being polite.

Published January 31, 2019

Police: Combat scams with caution, common sense

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Some recent phone scam reports in the township highlight current scams that residents should be aware of, according to West Bloomfield Police Deputy Chief Curt Lawson.

Published January 31, 2019

The Friday 5 — Feb. 1-3

Your guide to this weekend's events

Published January 30, 2019

Home exercise space can be bare bones or high tech

METRO DETROIT — Cold, wet weather and icy streets can kill one’s motivation to stay physically active.

Published January 30, 2019

Organizations share plant-based lifestyle experiences, benefits

METRO DETROIT — At the age of 55, Paul Chatlin could not walk more than seven steps without having to stop and take several breaths. He also found out he had three blocked coronary arteries and was a candidate for bypass surgery.