Detroit Children's Choir and Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Civic Youth Ensem…
Community 05-21-2013 Hits:72 
The Detroit Children's Choir (DCC), in partnership with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Civic Youth Ensembles (CYE), is excited to announce the creation of the Detroit Children's Choir's Concert Chorale, a groundbreaking choral program for metro Detroit children. The Concert Chorale will be a unique education and performance experience led by DCC artistic director Lauri Hogle. The program's opening season will begin in the fall of 2013. "We are thrilled to be joining with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Civic Youth Ensembles to offer this incredible new experience to the children of southeast Michigan," said Hogle. "The kids involved with this program will be surrounded by excellence, rigorous training, and focused, positive development of musical skill and musicianship. Choral music has the power to shape a life, develop a leader, and instill confidence with successful creation of something beautiful, positive, and uplifting." Concert Chorale members will receive music literacy and sight-reading training as well as learn healthy vocal technique. Repertoire will vary across musical genres including pieces from American culture heritage, classical choral repertoire, and texts in foreign languages. In partnership with CYE, chorale members will be immersed in a number of extraordinary performance opportunities with access to the state of the art facilities of the Max M. Fisher Music Center - including historic Orchestra Hall. "As a community supported orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is committed to partnering with wonderful organizations such as the Detroit Children's Choir," said Charles Burke, CYE Artistic Director. "The Concert Chorale will allow children from all across metro Detroit to come together and create a community of choral singing that will transform the lives of all involved. The DSO's Civic Youth Ensembles is happy to be committed partners in this valuable and important effort." The Concert Chorale is open to all children ages 8-14 who have unchanged treble voices and are...
Read moreSouthfield Civic Center Pool Opening and Free Swim Lesson Day June 15
Community 05-20-2013 Hits:80
The Southfield Parks & Recreation Department invites residents to celebrate the beginning of summer with the opening of the Southfield Sports Arena Pool and Free Swim Lesson Day on Saturday, June 15. The Pool Opening Celebration will take place from 1-8 p.m. at the Southfield Sports Arena located within the Southfield Municipal Complex at 26000 Evergreen Road. The event will feature free admission and entertainment throughout the day. Free swim lessons will also be offered for children ages 2-12 who are interested in taking lessons through the summer. Lessons will be available for Parent/Tot (ages 2-4, parent works with child in water) and Preschool (ages 3-5) from 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Children ages 6-12 can try either the Level 1 Sea Horses class or Level 2 Minnows class from 12-12:30 p.m. to see what level is appropriate for them. Pre-registration is required by calling (248) 796-4640. Each class is limited to the first 15 to register. For more information, call the Southfield Sports Arena at (248) 796-4640.
Read moreMichigan Vets Foundation and 313 Project are Two of 10 Aprons in Action Fin…
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The Michigan Vets Foundation and the 313 Project, each a monthly winner in The Home Depot Foundation’s year-long Facebook voting program called Aprons in Action, are competing this month against eight other finalists for the $250,000 grand prize. Voting begins May 1 and runs through May 31 at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation. The organization with the most votes at the end of the month will win the top prize of $250,000. Organizations with the second and third most votes will receive $150,000 and $100,000 from The Home Depot Foundation, respectively. Each month since the Aprons in Actions contest began in June 2012, The Home Depot Foundation’s Facebook fans helped one of the 11 finalists win $25,000 to better the communities they serve. This month, the Michigan Vets Foundation and the 313 Project are competing against the following nonprofit organizations from across the country: · June 2012 Winner: Volunteers of America Greater Ohio (Columbus, OH) · July 2012 Winner: Stiggy’s Dogs (Howell, MI) · September 2012 Winner: AMVETS Post 44 (Struthers, OH) · November 2012 Winner: Low Income Housing Institute (Seattle, WA) · December 2012 Winner: VFW Post 2777 (Burton, MI) · February 2013 Winner: Grand Rapids Home for Veterans (Grand Rapids, MI) · March 2013 Winner: Active Heroes (Louisville, KY) · April 2013 Winner: Saratoga County RPC-VETHELP (Ballston Spa, NY) “We are excited about this final round of competition to win $250,000,” said Tyrone Chatman, executive director of the Michigan Veterans Foundation. “We need all boots on the ground to win the grand prize to help us strengthen our service for veterans. So we encourage everyone to go on Facebook and vote for us!” Since receiving the $25,000 grant from winning the October competition, the Michigan Veterans Foundation revamped its resident...
Read moreDisaster Safety and Mitigation Tips Featured During Building Safety Month
Community 05-20-2013 Hits:112
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ Bureau of Construction Codes offers important information on disaster safety and mitigation to protect you and your property from water and wind damage due to flooding, tornadoes and severe storms. Just a few inches of water from flooding can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to your home and contents. During times of heavy rainfall, the most common catastrophe in many Michigan homes is sump pump failure causing basements to flood. First, know the different types of sump pumps and purchase a pump that is best for protecting your home. Primary sump pumps, standard in most homes, pump up to several thousand gallons an hour of seepage water out of basements to prevent flooding. The two types of primary sump pumps are submersible pumps (put under water in the sump pump basin or pit); and pedestal pumps that are not submerged but rather sit above the sump pit. Battery backup pumps and generators provide added insurance. In the case of a power outage; sump pumps will be useless as they are electric powered. If the power goes out, the backup system or generator will take over to rid the sump basin of water and keep your basement dry. Water-powered backup sump pump systems that do not rely on electrical power to operate are also available. Homeowners can do regular maintenance to help avoid future sump pump problems or failure. The average lifespan of a sump pump is about 10 years and they eventually wear out. Here are a few maintenance tips: · Unplug any electrical power leading to the unit before doing any sump pump maintenance. · Clean out the sump pit and keep it free of any debris or stray items in the pit that may hinder the float mechanism causing it to fail. Test the float itself as...
Read moreSAFE'S 7th Year Anniversary Celebrating Self-Sufficiency for more survivors…
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On Friday, June 21, 2013 Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE) will celebrate seven years of assisting victims of domestic violence become self sufficient. Tracey McCaskill, News Director/On Air Host - FM 98 WJLB & WMXD Mix 92.3 will emcee the event. "I am so honored --and just sheer excited to take part in SAFE's Annual Appreciation Event. In spearheading this organization -- Kalyn Risker has been a staunch agent for CHANGE within this community --and beyond.” - Tracey McCaskill, News Director/On Air Host - FM 98 WJLB & WMXD Mix 92.3 SAFE is dedicated to the financial empowerment of victims of domestic violence by providing training, workshops and resources to equip program participants with the tools necessary to become self-sufficient. The organization’s success is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of its volunteers and supporters. Since its inception SAFE has assisted over 730 victims of domestic violence and this event will serve as an opportunity to celebrate the growth of the organization and the strides it has made in the community. "I am so proud of SAFE and that within six years developed into an organization that is being recognized on a national and now global level for its track record of effectively helping survivors of domestic violence to be free from abuse while obtaining the skills and resources they need to obtain a new job, return to school and become entrepreneurs.” – Kalyn Risker, Founder and Executive Director, Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE) SAFE’s 7th Annual Appreciation Event Fundraiser will be held on Friday, June 21, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the beautiful Detroit Historical Museum with a special Afterglow Event immediately following. Tickets are $45 which includes a tour of the Detroit Historical Museum, hor d’oeuvres, live entertainment, Awards Ceremony and admission into the Afterglow. For tickets visit newsafestart.org or for additional information, contact Sisters Acquiring Financial...
Read moreAmber Alert Cancelled for missing 3-year-old girl from Detroit
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Update: According to Detroit Police, Stacey Anderson, the child’s father, released 3-year-old Alonna Anderson to her relatives. She is safe and was not harmed. Both suspects are still wanted for kidnapping. DETROIT — The Detroit Police Department has issued an Amber Alert for a missing 3-year-old girl who reportedly was last seen Sunday.Alonna Anderson is described as a 3-year-old black female, 3 feet tall and 48 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen in the area of Northfield Avenue and I-96 in Detroit wearing a floral shirt and skirt with white, pink, green, yellow and orange flowers on the shirt. For Full Story Click Here.
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