The Ford Fireworks Presented By Target To Light Up The Sky In Downtown Detr…
Community 06-19-2013 Hits:85 
MIchigan Chronicle
The Ford Fireworks presented by Target will light up the sky of the Detroit River in downtown Detroit on Monday, June 24, at 10:06 p.m. Recognized as one of the world’s largest and most magnificent fireworks displays, this popular event produced by The Parade Company is a jewel to the city, bringing hundreds of thousands of spectators from across the region to attend and experience one of Detroit’s most celebrated summer events. Recently announcing a multi-year partnership, the event’s new name reflects Ford Motor Company’s lead sponsorship of the fireworks and also includes presenting sponsorship of The Parade Company’s Official Rooftop Party – one of the nonprofit organization’s largest fundraisers. Ford Motor Company’s partnership with The Parade Company ensures that this free, world-class event will continue in the city for years to come. “We are excited to continue our 55 year tradition of bringing this highly anticipated event to our community,” said Tony Michaels, President & CEO, The Parade Company. “We are extremely grateful to Ford Motor Company, Target and our many devoted supporters and friends who make it possible to continue to bring this beloved event to the city each year.” “As a proud partner of The Parade Company, Ford Motor Company is honored to support this valued tradition in our community,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford is deeply committed to our city and we look forward to supporting iconic Detroit events like the fireworks for years to come.” The Parade Company, a non-profit organization, raises the funds necessary to make this event possible and selects the musical arrangement to which Zambelli Fireworks Internationale will stage more than 10,000 pyrotechnic effects which will be visible for miles along the Detroit River. The show will be choreographed again this year by the world-renowned Patrick Brault who has...
Read morePreparing Today’s Youth For Tomorrow’s Careers
Community 06-19-2013 Hits:83 Michigan Chronicle
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela The words of Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, are not only true but utterly inspiring. A good education is not only a doorway to something better but a challenge to blaze your own trail, a sentiment that drives Comerica Bank’s core values and commitment to the community. “Educating the generation succeeding ours not only makes sense socially as a way to ensure the continued growth and revitalization of our communities, but it also makes sense from a business standpoint,” said Patricia McCann, national civic affairs manager, Comerica Bank. “Educating the next generation of small businesses owners, engineers, scientists and CEOs is the key to sustaining a healthy economic environment here in Detroit.” Comerica supports education initiatives across Michigan that not only promote the importance of obtaining and furthering one’s education, but also shed light on different career paths that might be less obvious to local students. With the school year coming to a close, let’s take a look back at some of the ways Comerica is helping make the future brighter for students across metro Detroit: Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Throughout May, the city of Detroit was abuzz with Indy Car fever as the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix came to town. Comerica Bank signed on to sponsor Free Prix Day on opening Friday of Grand Prix weekend to allow race fans free admittance to the entire day’s festivities. To celebrate race weekend and explore the different career paths available to women on the Indy Car circuit, a group of students from the robotics team and the pre-college engineering program at the all-girls Detroit International Academy were invited for a behind the scenes look at the racing technology on Belle Isle. John Oreovicz, Indy Car writer for...
Read moreGovernor signs $49.5 billion budget prioritizing education, public safety
Community 06-19-2013 Hits:66 Michigan Chronicle
Gov. Rick Snyder signed House Bills 4228 and 4328 into law, finishing the budget process for the fiscal year set to begin Oct. 1, 2013. For the third year in a row, the state has passed its budget plan four months ahead of the constitutional deadline. The new schedule allows schools and local governments to use definite figures when putting together their own budgets for the coming year. “We should be proud of the financial stability that is now firmly established within the state budget,” Snyder said. “Through strong partnership with the Legislature, we have put the state’s fiscal house in order and we have given our residents, communities and businesses the assurance that Michigan is indeed the comeback state and we’re building upon the strong foundation we have laid and investing in priorities smartly and strategically.” Highlights of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget include: • A 0.8% increase in total spending, well below the rate of inflation. • $449.7 million more in funding for K-12 education. • $65 million more for early childhood education. • $31.9 million more in funding for higher education and community colleges. • $13.2 million more in funding for veterans’ programs. • $20 million set aside for individual tax relief. • $25.3 million more in funding for public safety initiatives. • $46.6 million more for revenue sharing to communities, including an increase to Constitutional revenue sharing. • $75 million deposited into the state’ rainy day fund or what’s known officially as the Budget Stabilization Fund (BSF). • $351 million more for Michigan’s roads from existing revenue sources. • $11.6 million more for the Healthy Kids Dental. “For the past three years, Michigan has been moving in the right direction. There’s still much more work to be done, but we are making positive gains,” said Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe. “We’re investing in our communities, our schools and our infrastructure. This...
Read moreAll Roads Lead To March On Woodward
Community 06-19-2013 Hits:51 Michigan Chronicle
Seen here are Rev, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,(left) and Rev. C.L. Franklin marching toward Cobo Hall in June 1963 at the conclusion of the March on Woodward, which was the prelude to the March on Washington for Jobs and Justice. On Saturday, June 22, a coalition of civil rights leaders, activists, community groups and individuals will be celebrating the anniversary of the march with a second march. – Tony Spina/Detroit Free Press
Read moreThe Barrow Effect Could he possibly be Detroit’s next mayor?
News Briefs 06-19-2013 Hits:62 Bankole Thompson, Chronicle Senior Editor
First I received an email advertising a campaign fundraising event to meet “Detroit’s future first family.” The flyer came from the Tom Barrow campaign, touting the boisterous and audacious mayoral candidate who some say is “crazy.” But he is on a political crusade against his opponents, starting with Mike Duggan. None of the other candidates have sent out a flyer that was so blatant in its intent, and strongly claiming the mayorship of Detroit even before the votes are cast. So is Barrow’s path an example of deranged political narcissism? I don’t think so. Barrow isn’t crazy. He is an intelligent man who knows and understands Detroit very well and has been through difficult times. In 1994, he was convicted by a federal grand jury for bank fraud, tax evasion and filing false tax returns. Barrow spent 18 months in prison despite trying to get the conviction overturned. The number of times I’ve interacted with Barrow on the campaign trail, I’ve found him to be an affable and pleasant political pontificator who seems to have all of the answers to Detroit’s problems. Spending a few minutes talking to Barrow at any political event leaves you wondering and thinking you had just engaged a political science lecturer specializing in Detroit and race politics. That is Tom Barrow. Because he was there during the Coleman A. Young era and challenged the legendary mayor, he brings a wealth of history and knowledge of the time that gave birth to this current political dispensation. But beyond having knowledge and history of the time that produced the current political landscape, lies the vexing question of competence and skills to become Detroit’s next mayor. After running so many times for mayor of Detroit, Barrow has yet to win, leaving doubts about whether he can be trusted with the city’s highest office. He is managing to turn...
Read moreCITY OF DETROIT PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR JUNE 24 FIREWORKS
Community 06-19-2013 Hits:108 
Michigan Chronicle Staff
New Access Restrictions for Belle Isle and Hart Plaza Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the shores of the Detroit River to enjoy the 55th annual Ford Fireworks presented by Target on Monday, June 24. To help make this an enjoyable experience for all, the City of Detroit will enforce new access restrictions to Belle Isle and Hart Plaza. Admittance onto Belle Isle and pedestrian set-up at Hart Plaza will not be permitted before 2 p.m. on June 24. See below for more information about this year’s fireworks. CURFEW ENFORCEMENT The City will actively enforce a citywide curfew requiring that all minors age 17 and under be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (with identification). Minors will be allowed to travel to and from work or organized sports. The curfew is in effect from 6 p.m. on June 24 until 6 a.m. on June 25. Minors in violation of the curfew will be taken to Southwestern District at 4700 W. Fort and issued a ticket. Minors will be held there until picked up by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian also may receive a parental responsibility violation ticket. LOST CHILDREN Parents can find lost children in the following locations: Downtown/Hart Plaza – Cobo Center, Wayne Hall – (313) 877-8777 Belle Isle - Harbormaster on Inselruhe and Riverbank – (313) 628-2061 or 628-2062 Southwest Area – Southwestern Police District – 4700 W. Fort Street - (313) 596-5300 STREET AND FREEWAY CLOSURES The following traffic changes will go into effect at approximately 6 p.m.: No northbound or southbound traffic will be admitted onto Woodward Avenue between Fisher Freeway and Congress except for emergency vehicles, D-DOT and SMART bus coaches. Jefferson Avenue will be closed to eastbound and westbound traffic between the Chrysler Freeway (I-375) and Griswold, except for emergency vehicles. All other eastbound vehicles will be routed north onto the Chrysler...
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