Woodward Talk

Published December 17, 2014

Experts offer holiday-design tips to make guest rooms glow

With Christmas just days away, design experts want you to make the most out of your guest bedroom for visitors to enjoy this holiday season.

Christine Jackson, owner of Birmingham-based bedding store Scandia Home, who designs and makes decorations, said making guests feel pampered is one of many great ways to welcome them in holiday style.

“If you have people coming in and they’ve been traveling, by the time your guests get to you, it is nice to have a room that will facilitate a good night’s sleep,” she said.

Published December 17, 2014

Celebrate the holidays with miniature memories

Whether it’s festive food or tree trimming traditions, many families practice their own holiday habits — the sure-fire signs that yuletide greetings are right around the corner.

For some people, these memories come in the form of Christmas villages — pint-sized portrayals of peaceful villages, complete with residents, stores and homes.

The Christmas village tradition is something Cindy Roback understands well.

Published December 10, 2014

Don’t take a holiday vacation from safe driving

’Tis the season for travel and merriment, but road safety experts are spreading the word that drivers need to be responsible during the holidays.

Susan Hiltz, public affairs director for AAA Michigan, said lower gas prices, which have hovered below $3 per gallon recently, could affect people’s driving decisions in the coming weeks.

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Published December 10, 2014

Local charitable organizations have your gift-giving needs covered

METRO DETROIT — Sometimes when you give a little, you can even get a little in return.

This holiday season, lots of nonprofit organizations around town are selling gift items — from cozy wool socks to teddy bears, stationery and more — with proceeds going to benefit the work they do throughout the year to make our communities a better place.

Published December 10, 2014

The holidays may be a time for reverence, but there’s room for revelry, too

METRO DETROIT — Somewhere among the glittering ornaments, the elegant tapers and the crystal champagne flutes, there’s a place for holiday revelry that’s a bit less — formal.

Published December 3, 2014

Carbon monoxide: a silent danger that can be stopped

METRO DETROIT — Many things can go wrong inside a house.

One of the scarier potential problems is carbon monoxide. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, and is also known as CO.

Carbon monoxide causes fear because people don’t know it’s around in the first place. It is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that poses toxic effects when it goes undetected. The gas becomes prevalent in areas when fuel doesn’t burn as intended.

Published December 3, 2014

Local experts offer advice on Christmas tree safety

SOUTHFIELD — For those who celebrate Christmas, December is a magical month when we haul out the holly and carefully unwrap each ornament, painstakingly untangle our Christmas lights and, if we decide on a live tree, spend hours in the cold to find the perfect one.

A Christmas tree may be the symbol of the season, but if you forget to take proper care of it, you could be cleaning that symbol’s needles out of your carpet for months.

Published December 3, 2014

Festive holiday shows take audiences to a winter wonderland

Sure, you can hear holiday tunes at the mall or on your car stereo, but if you really want to relax, unwind and get caught up in the holiday spirit, there’s nothing like a live show to chase seasonal stresses away.

From concerts to plays, audiences have plenty of options locally that are sure to dazzle little tykes and seniors alike.

Published November 25, 2014

Tricks of the turkey trade

Fresh Cranberry Chutney
By chef Jim Oppat

• 1/2 cup dried apricots, or other dried fruit
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1 cup water
• 3 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 diced fresh apple
• 1 teaspoon lemon rind
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Published November 19, 2014

Families wrap up their holiday celebrations with a tried-and-true tradition

Tips for a perfect pie

From the culinary experts at Achatz Pie Co. and Crust Baking Co.

Published November 19, 2014

Small Business Saturday keeps big bucks in Oakland County

OAKLAND COUNTY — After the scraps of leftover turkey and mashed potatoes have been tucked into the fridge, it’s like you can feel the seasons instantly shift: Thanksgiving is over, and the time for holiday shopping has begun.

Published November 12, 2014

Local cooks talk about warmth, simplicity of soups during holidays

METRO DETROIT — The chill of the season is in the air, but we’re still a few weeks off from the feasting frenzy of the holidays. It’s a culinary condition that calls for something comforting, quick and still nutritious — you guessed it, soup.

Published November 12, 2014

Add woodland magic to your holiday décor

METRO DETROIT — A natural woodland holiday theme brings the outdoors inside for a cozy, charming and modern effect.

“Each year, when we go to the buyers shows, we look for new trends,” said Casey Thomas, vice president of Sherwood Forest Garden Center in Oakland Township. “New this year are more natural looks with a woodland theme.”

The popular movie “Frozen” has also become a decorating trend, Thomas said.

Published November 5, 2014

Don’t be left in the dark

METRO DETROIT — Feel like you haven’t been getting enough Zs lately?

It’s not just you.

According to experts, the shift in seasons can change more than the color of leaves — it can change our sleep patterns.

Published April 30, 2014

Pleasant Ridge picks new city manager after extensive search

PLEASANT RIDGE — Eventually becoming a city manager seemed like a reasonable next step for James Breuckman.

The 36-year-old Pleasant Ridge resident began working with municipal governments as a consultant before moving to work in municipal government as the manager of planning for Rochester Hills for the past three years.

Published March 5, 2014

Seedlings deliver the promise of spring

Starting plants like marigolds and tomatoes indoors from seeds helps beat the winter blues.

“It is nice to see things grow,” said Joni Makowski, store manager of Allemon’s Landscape Center in Detroit. “It is a good activity for the family. The longer the winter, everybody thinks about it. I have four kids. We always plant different seeds in eggshells.”

Published February 26, 2014

Ferndale to handle 911 calls for Royal Oak Township

FERNDALE — The Ferndale City Council unanimously approved Feb. 10 to have the Ferndale Police Department serve as the public safety answering point for the 911 dispatch calls that come in from Royal Oak Township, taking over for Oakland County.

Published February 19, 2014

A dash of this, a pinch of that…

The old saying goes that a little sugar and spice make everything nice. Well, there’s no doubt we’ve got the sugar thing down pat; but are we really taking advantage of the amazing flavors that spices can add to our cooking?

Published February 13, 2014

MSU Extension offers lakefront property restoration workshop

OAKLAND COUNTY — The Michigan State University Extension is sponsoring a workshop for Oakland County lakefront property owners to create, restore and manage natural shorelines at the Cranbrook Institute of Science 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. March 8.

“This is an educational program to help homeowners that live along lakes … to understand the importance of a natural shoreline,” said Bindu Bhakta, extension educator with the MSU Extension.

Published January 20, 2014

Huntington Woods commission picks next city manager

HUNTINGTON WOODS — Returning to Huntington Woods won’t be a completely new experience for Amy Sullivan. The current Franklin village administrator served as assistant city manager in Huntington Woods from 1985-1989.

This time around, Sullivan will be taking on full city-manager responsibilities as the City Commission selected Sullivan from among five candidates they interviewed to succeed current City Manager Alex Allie starting next month.