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Story by David Wesley
Photos by Bernie Laframboise

Dave Mesrey is one of the many torches in Detroit helping to keep the city alight and colorful. His work is appreciated but not noted nearly enough to show the gratitude he deserves for his efforts. He’s a great reflection and representative of the city: he’s gone through bleak times and weathered the storms of change to prove things like cities and lives can be destroyed but never defeated. At 47, Dave Mesrey has become something of a local presence in the last few years with his work at Metro Times and at Navin Field. His past is shrouded in mystery, but I managed to pull the curtain back on his persona — with his permission of course.

David confesses to Ferndale Friends on his first run-ins with Metro Times: “I’d been reading it off and on since about 1989. I was a fan of Curt Guyette’s and Michael Jackman’s work, as well as Larry Gabriel, Jack Lessenberry, and the great music writer Brian Smith. I knew I wasn’t in their league, but I thought maybe I could trick ‘em into hiring me as their copy boy. It worked! From 2013-2015, I got to work alongside some ff-jj-dm-papermajor young talent like Ryan Felton and Lee DeVito. Prior to that, I even got to work in their Greektown office for a spell. In the ’90s I studied creative writing at WMU under Jaimy Gordon, who went on to win the National Book Award for Fiction in 2010. I’ve got a story about her, but it’s not for print.

Currently, I’m working on a short story for inclusion in Aaron Foley’s new Detroit neighborhood anthology for the Rust Belt Press. Aaron asked me, and I was honored. I lived for 24 years in Detroit’s Morningside neighborhood on the Far East side. I’ve got a lot of stories from my old neighborhood. I’ve never really had to travel far to find a good story.

When his history in downtown Detroit is mentioned, I ask him about his work at historic Navin Field. “Navin Field​ is the historic name of Tiger Stadium, which opened at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull on April 20, 1912.  Ty Cobb scored the Tigers’ first run by stealing home in the bottom of the first, but it was actually another guy who scored the very first run there in the top of the first inning: none other than Shoeless Joe Jackson. That’s why I like to say Navin Field is the real field of dreams.

“Six years ago, a local mailman named Tom Derry founded the Navin Field Grounds Crew, an all-volunteer group that restored and maintained historic Navin Field after Tiger Stadium was demolished in 2009. I thought Tom had the right idea, and I still do. He’s been a real inspiration for all of us. For six years, Tom led the effort to preserve the Tiger Stadium site and restore it to playing condition. It was really a labor of love.

In addition to my volunteer work with the Navin Field Grounds Crew, I’m a freelance writer and producer, and recently helped produce a segment for Channel 4 about Motown, Marvin Gaye, and his landmark album, WHAT’S GOING ON. I also interviewed former Detroit Lion Lem Barney for a piece in Metro Times. I also throw a birthday party every year for the late, great Mark ‘The Bird’ Fidrych in Corktown. We call it the Bird Bash.”

Dave has the candor and color of a rainbow and our chat pinballs from subject to subject. Ferndale pops into the conversation quickly, between bumpers of beers at Anita’s Kitchen. “I lived in Ferndale for four years, and I loved it. I like shopping at the Food Patch, I always take my bike to the Ferndale Bike Shop, and I love eating here at Anita’s. Joe and Jen Wegryzyn make you feel like family. I also have a penchant for sheltering wayward creatures. I’ve long been something of a wayward creature myself. To that end, I’ve turned my house into a mini animal rescue. It’s still a work in progress. Aren’t we all?

Our mutual writing projects come up, and he tells about a historical piece he’s working on about the history of the Hazel Park Racetrack. In 1980 his father died of a heart attack in the back of the grandstand. “The track has always been a magnet for me. Ever since my father first took me there in 1974. There’s something really spellbinding about the track for me. I’ve never been to Santa Anita or Churchill Downs. Hazel Park is the only track for me.” He says he will have been in the grandstand for opening day. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” he says.

As we wrap up our talk, and Woodward streaks and shines beside us with rush-hour traffic ten feet away, he gives me a parting punchline of good faith, “If you were to ask me what I want to be when I grow up, I’d probably say, ‘Good question. I’m still trying to figure that out.’”

If something happened with our heartiness, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a medicament. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat emasculation and other states connected to erectile disfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What folk talk about “viagra stories“? The most substantial aspect you must look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong heartiness problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this treatment passes into breast milk.

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By Rebecca Hammond

DO YOU WATCH THE TV SERIES, PORTLANDIA? Ferndale is weird in some of the ways that Portland, Oregon is weird. Good weird. Fernlandia has become so dear to us, the five or six years Phil and I intended to live here have stretched to 30 (so far). This weirdness is some of the glue that holds us here, it and a neighborhood that is old-fashioned in its friendliness, with much calling back-and-forth and wandering about. Our town and its ‘hoods are a splendid combination of old and new, traditional but forward-thinking. It doesn’t take deep perusal to notice.

One obvious way is our yards. A couple of years ago I bicycled around this quadrant of Ferndale counting Fernlandia yards. If memory serves, there were then about 18 yards with no visible grass. All had been replaced with ornamentals, natives, vegetables. About 66 had gotten rid of half or more, and maybe 87 had replaced so much grass with other plants they went far beyond a lawn bordered by shrubs or flower beds. This trend has grown, especially on devil’s strips, where our sandy “soil” isn’t just inhospitable to grass, it seems actively opposed to it. Now, though, the Fernlandia approach is countered by more pesticide warning signs every year. Two philosophies on yards, two approaches to gardening.

Well, what’s wrong with pesticides, anyway? No matter which route we take, the point is to surround ourselves with property that pleases our aesthetics. If you want green, velvety turf, you must have to use chemicals, right?

No, not really. Remember TV gardener Jerry Baker? When we moved to Michigan from Germany in the mid-80s, television was a culture shock, and I remember three reasons: Oprah, Miami Vice, and Jerry Baker. Oprah and Miami Vice were the talk of mass media then, unavailable to those of us limited to the Armed Forces Network, as it ran six months behind. But we had heard of both. Jerry Baker, ex-Detroit cop turned garden maverick, was a new name.

Baker’s MO is producing a healthy yard and garden using nothing but grocery-store ingredients. His idea that a healthy lawn can stand up to pests is echoed by Bayer on its lawn-care site, which states that even nine grubs per square foot won’t damage healthy grass. Baker, now retired to Florida, recommends cocktails of odd ingredients like beer, ammonia (basically nitrogen), and liquid dish soap in a hose-end sprayer, powerful enough to need application only once every two weeks. The nicest lawn I ever saw was a Baker lawn, right here in Ferndale. Very Fernlandia.  Jerrybaker.com. Newcomer Tina Towell told me, when I noticed her husband Dick using a reel mower, “We were mow-ing about two acres at our previous home, so a city lot is a breeze by comparison. It doesn’t warrant the existence of yet another noisy, polluting gasoline engine. Our simple push mower not only gets the job done in short order, it also provides a bit of low impact exercise and a surprising sense of accomp-lishment. There is, as well, something very neighborly about it.

“Purveyors of elaborate, chemical-based turf regimens vie for our attention each spring to no avail. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s good enough. ‘Lawn order’ needn’t rule our lives.”

On June 7, 2014, the Washington Post ran an article in their Health & Science section called What To Know Before You Spray Your Lawn With Pesticides. What Philip Landrigan, professor of pediatrics at New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine states may surprise you. Kids play in the grass, put fingers in mouths, and face high levels of exposure simply by that and being smaller. Growing faster, “they take into their bodies more of the pesticides that are in the food, water, and air.” And because of that growth, “These delicate developmental processes are easily disrupted by very small doses of toxic chemicals that would be virtually harmless for adults.”

In the same article, Gary Ginsburg of the Univer-sity of Connecticut points out that there is no scientific standard for the length of time we’re warned to stay off a sprayed lawn. Herbicides can still be detected in the urine of pets 48 hours after spraying. Ginsburg recommends staying off a treated area for at least two days, three being better. The chemicals are also tracked indoors, or blow in windows, and can be found on inside surfaces a week after spraying. They’re are also re-wetted by dew or rain, and it’s not even certain that they’re safer when dry.

Leslie Jones of the Pleasant Ridge Environmental Committee told me, “I think that many people, over time, have been sold on the idea of having perfect lawns at the expense of health, their own as well as the health of the whole ecosystem. I think it takes a very long time for these kind of ideas to sink in. We spend tons of money to keep our lawns perfect and our gardens free of weeds in the easiest way possible, by spraying or dousing everything with pesticides and weed killers. Better living through chemistry! That was an actual chemical industry slogan at one time. We shouldn’t tolerate a polluted, toxic environment whether it comes from carbon pollution, pesticides or industrial and chemical pollution. It’s bad for our health but also the health of our fellow earthly inhabitants. Humans need to respect and honor all life whether plant or animal. We are all connected and need to see and understand that connection on which all life is based.”

LuAnn Linker of Wild Birds Unlimited in Royal Oak said, “Remember, any chemicals that are poisonous to weeds and insects are just as poisonous to birds, pets and children. Opt for environmentally friendly lawn care products.” Fernlandia. We’re the Ann Arbor of Metro Detroit, the Lakewood of SE Michigan, the Portland of the Midwest. Keep Ferndale Weird. Becky Hammond is listening to wrens, orioles, and baby chickadees as she types this.

If something happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a medicament. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat impotency and other states connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What people talk about “viagra stories“? The most substantial aspect you should look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction turn on injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a state called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this curing passes into breast milk.

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By Mary Meldrum
Photo by Bernie LaFramboise

LONG TIME FERNDALE CHAMBER of Commerce member, animal rescue enthusiast and vegan; these are only a couple of the labels that fit Carol Jackson.

I am greeted at her door by a variety of cats. All told, she is fostering five from the Michigan Humane Society. They all have names. Cupid is her giant brindle greyhound from the Motor City Greyhound Rescue. Gentle and calm, he fits right in with all the felines and serves as the centerpiece on the couch in the fuzzy pile of lucky animals.

Originally from Michigan, Carol moved back from California, and she has been a homeowner in Ferndale for 14 years. “I started in the mortgage industry many years ago. I wanted to connect with the people in Ferndale, so I sought out the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce to do that,” shares Carol. That decision sparked the foundation of an accumulation of friends, neighbors and knowledge that has grown and lasted far beyond her aspirations as a mortgage broker. Through her work with the Chamber and through her own business, Bits ‘N Pieces Small Business Solutions, her warmth and ability to connect with the community has blossomed into a network of people who know her and care about her.

Carol had only received her diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma three or four weeks before I interviewed her for this article. The massive shift she has had to make in all aspects of her life to accommodate cancer in that short amount of time is stunning. Carol was a long-time member of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce until just recently. She has been a member for over ten years, and recently served as interim executive director for the Chamber three times over a two-year span.

“Two years ago when we lost our executive director at the Chamber, I was the only one with the flexibility in my schedule to take on the interim role while we looked for a new Executive Director. The person that we hired didn’t last long, so I took it over again. Once again, the newly-hired ED did not last long, so back in October (2015), I took over the Chamber again for six months.”

During the second time that Carol Jackson took over the reins at the Ferndale Chamber, she began to feel that something was “off” in terms of her health. Mostly, she felt tired. “Fortunately, I have two incredible doctors who listened to me and followed through to really figure out what was going on. I give a lot of credit to Dr. Joel Kahn, one of those doctors.” Dr. Kahn is a plant-based cardiologist, and was looking for heart-related issues with Carol’s symptoms, and ended up seeing something unusual in one of the tests that came back that led to her cancer diagnosis.

“Because he listened to me and he ordered these tests – if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t even know I was sick. Listen to your body. If it feels weird, something is going on,” she said adamantly.
“I had my first chemo today,” Carol explains. “Once I got the diagnosis, I started the process of switching every-thing in my life completely around.”
Carol has already gone out and purchased bandanas for the inevitable loss of hair. She is also having a specialized hair replacement piece made by an organization in West Bloomfield called Raydiance for Women.

“I am going to transition that as softly as I can with a sense of humor,” expressed Carol with a smile. Carol understands what a difference it makes in her quality of life to have a full head of hair. “You cannot tell me that people do not treat you differently,” she emphasizes.

She wants people to see her as they have always seen her, but more than that, she wants to see herself. The hair piece will give her the opportunity to look in the mirror and see Carol. She doesn’t have to look at a reflection that only shows her cancer.

One of her biggest challenges is wondering if or when she can ever trust her body again. Other challenges include keeping her energy up, juggling her demanding vitamin schedule, being able to continue to work and earn a living, and of course, paying for all her medical expenses.

One of the most wonderful things that have come out of her diagnosis a few weeks ago is the outpouring of love and support from the community. Neighbors and friends are bringing her food and walking her dog. Upbeat messages and happy memories on her Facebook page lift her spirits.

What does Carol need? Sure, help walk her dog, Cupid; or better yet, go foster an animal from a shelter. She would probably like some meals delivered, but the biggest thing that she is looking for is positive messages and upbeat support. No upsetting words or stories about “incurable” cancer or sad stories of people who have died from cancer.

Carol’s is determined to have a happy ending with cancer, but in the meantime, she is looking for all the happy moments she can muster!

If slightly happened with our heartiness, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a cure. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat impotency and other states coupled to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What folk talk about “viagra stories“? The most vital aspect you must look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong heartiness problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual malfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this treatment passes into breast milk.

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Story by David Stone
Photos by Bernie Laframboise and others

DO NOT CALL MIKE LENNON A POLITICIAN. He much prefers the title “public servant,” because he truly believes a government official is there to serve the will of the people, not their own agenda. This comes across when he describes the characteristics of an ideal councilperson. He mentions things like, “You have to vote with your heart and your conscience…you can’t keep everybody happy…you’re at the will of the people and what they want.”

Public service is in Mike’s blood. His father, Bernie Lennon, was mayor of Ferndale and also an Oakland ff-ml-officialCounty commissioner at the only time that the Commission had a Democratic majority, according to longtime family friend Danny Reedy. Bernie Lennon also served the Blanchard administration as Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, and also ran the Michigan State Fair.

Mike attended the Ferndale Public Schools. He went to Roosevelt Elementary School, Lincoln Junior High, and Ferndale High School. He was a Ferndale Police Officer from 1977 to 2002. And then he served on the Ferndale City Council from 2003 to 2015. He also worked for Garden Fresh Salsa for seven years, until they were bought by Campbell’s. Now, according to Lennon, he is “working on his golf swing.”

Mike Lennon loves Ferndale. He can’t say enough wonderful things about his town. He calls Ferndale a “walkable, bikeable community” full of “nice restaurants, nice bars, nice boutiques, specialty stores.” He says that “if you walk 9 Mile you’ll be fascinated by the different types of stores, what you can buy, and what you can eat.”

He also pointed out that Ferndale hosts many large public events during the summer, and “we just passed a bond last year for our parks and roads.” He also points to the fact that people come here because “they can buy a house at a good, reasonable price.” When asked, point-blank, why a business should locate in Ferndale, he says, “Because you’re going to the customers.”

Acknowledging a problem exists, Lennon says “the current council is working on a parking solution.”

Time spent in city government gives a person a close-up look at government at the state-level, too. So it should not come as a surprise that Mike has opinions about our leaders in Lansing. While he is quick to point out that “we have a good state represen-tative” (Robert Wittenberg), he is highly critical of others in state government for putting their party ahead of Michigan’s needs. He says that revenue-sharing is nonexistent” and that they are “wiping out little cities one by one.”

“They don’t vote with their heart and soul,” observes Mike, “that’s what I did.”

On a much more personal note, I asked our sports-loving beer-drinking former councilman if there was anything no oneml jgknew about him (and would be printable). It took a few moments for Mike to come up with an answer because, as he said, “What you see is what you get.” After some thought, he says, “I like a romantic movie now and then.” Also, besides reading the newspaper regularly, he enjoys the work of such novelists as Tom Clancy, John Grisham, and James Patterson.

 

Craig S. Covey on Mike Lennon
CRAIG COVEY (a candidate for Oakland County sheriff) worked with Mike, both as a fellow councilman and later, when Craig was mayor. Covey mentioned that Mike “took over after his younger brother, David, lost his life in a car accident.” He described the two brothers as “very honest and forthright…they were the original voices to ‘tell it like it is’… both brothers always tried to represent the working people, the average resident, ff-ml-gcwith common sense and no nonsense.” I asked Craig if he had any really good Mike Lennon stories. “There are plenty of good stories I could share, though not all of them in a family newspaper,” Covey replied. Covey said Mike “could use gruff and salty language sometimes, and more than once a four-letter word escaped his mouth with him not always realizing the microphone was picking it up.” Craig’s favorite Mike Lennon story took place at Como’s. The two were sitting at the patio bar and Mike “remarked how great it was that he was there with hundreds of women. He said, ‘Covey, you and I are the only guys in the whole place.’ I had to point out that it was ‘First Wednesday,’ also known as lesbian night at Como’s.

Mayor David Coulter
I WAS NOT SUPRISED WHEN MAYOR COULTER described Mike Lennon as a “pretty blunt guy who overflowed with pride for his children, who doted after his Mom and who teared up on his last night of Council. He’s got ff-ml-mayor-dca huge heart he doesn’t always show, but it’s part of what makes him special.” Coulter “always appreciated Mike’s sense of humor and ability to lighten up serious discussions.” Dave sat beside him on the council, and tells how “many times after I’d get up from the table for some reason I would come back to candy wrappers and other trash in my chair. At first I’d pretend it wasn’t there, but it didn’t take long to learn to always check my chair first.” Most of the things his girlfriend, Sue McCleary, told me were things I had also heard from others. She mentioned that “Mike loved this city (and) everyone loves him,” that “his family lived here forever,” and how it is “their heart.” However, she did mention two things no one else said. She told me that he never spoke from prepared notes, rather, he always spoke off the cuff. He responded to every question from his heart, without notes. And, Sue told me that Mike is so trusted in this city that “everyone (still) calls Mike Lennon when they have issues” they can’t seem to solve. Mike regularly takes calls from Ferndale residents who don’t know where else to turn with their problems.

When asked about the future, Mike just smiles and politely refuses to answer. Sue clarifies this by quoting one of Lennon’s favorite saying, “You never show your line up before game time.”

But whatever is in store, Ferndale will continue to benefit from the presence of Mike and the Lennon family for a long time to come.

Thank you, Mike, for making Ferndale a wonderful place to live and work.

If some happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a preparation. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat emasculation and other states connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What humanity talk about “viagra stories“? The most vital aspect you have to look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual dysfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this treatment passes into breast milk.

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Story by Ingrid Sjostrand

A COMMUNITY THAT LEARNS TOGETHER, builds a stronger and smarter connection; this is the philosophy behind the Ferndale elementary merger that will be fully transitioned by the 2016 – 2017 school year.

Currently, Ferndale runs three separate elementary schools: Roosevelt, Coolidge and JFK. In 2012, the Ferndale School Board developed a strategic plan to eliminate some of the district’s issues, and merging the three is one of the biggest steps. The plan was developed to create a set of long-term goals for the community based on three pillars, which are explained by Ferndale Superintendent Blake Prewitt.

“First was achievement, which means everything in the school district should be about student achieve-ment; second was sustainability – you can’t do anything unless you are financially stable, and the third pillar was equity,” he explains. “This District has a long history of segregation and not necessarily being equitable between Caucasian and African American and upper and lower socio-economics.” The elementary schools will be restructured, with Roosevelt Elementary housing kindergarten through second grade and John F. Kennedy Elementary teaching third through fifth grade starting in the 2016 -2017 school year. The sixth grade will move into the Ferndale High and Middle School building.

Prewitt says there were many reasons for the merger, one of the biggest being that none of the elementaries were anywhere near capacity. “It was pretty easy to figure out that with our population we didn’t need three buildings,” Prewitt says. “We could fit probably 700 to 800 more students into each building than what we had, so we really needed to go down to two buildings.” Jodi Mackley Berger is a Ferndale resident of over 20 years and has two sons at JFK elementary. She sees the merger as wholly positive.

“No longer will there be the total economic discrep-ancy between the two buildings. Many of us who live in Ferndale see equity as a significant factor in life!” Mackley Berger says. “We are now ‘One Ferndale,’ and the kids won’t see one school as the haves and the other as the have-nots.” Community feedback has been a huge factor in the strategic plan and the merger, according to Prewitt.

“We talked to our high school students about their elementary experience being separate, and they pretty much unanimously said that once they got to seventh grade and middle school they learned about these other kids and could create these really good friendships. We thought, ‘Why couldn’t we have done this earlier?’” he says. “We are a small enough community that there’s no reason to keep it separate.” This is the mindset Mackley Berger has taken too –bringing students together earlier will only build better relationships. Many supporters of the merger have cleverly termed it “Team Ferndale.”

“Students will get to know each other before middle school since being in the same buildings K-5, special education services will be more equitable, rather than being focused in one building,” Mackley Berger says. “The best result, I predict, will be kids from all parts ofthe Ferndale district being friends from Pleasant Ridge, Ferndale, Oak Park and Royal Oak Township.”

There has been some negative feedback too, mostly from parents who worry it will disrupt their child’s learning experience. Prewitt ensures parents that the transition will be easy for students and a lot of work has been done during the 2015/16 school year to ensure a smooth change.

“We’ve done concerts together at each building, having students meet the principals; the principals have been going to PTA meetings at both buildings to make sure the parents know them,” Prewitt says. “We will be doing a big event in August in the build-ings for all the new students, kindergarten will do a ‘jump start’ where they come four days early so they can all get to know each other and get to know the teachers.”
He also says not as many students will be moving as some perceive. With Coolidge closing, the fifth and sixth graders are going to the middle school and the third and fourth grades are all going to JFK together. “It’s not like some districts, where kids are leaving their friends,” Prewitt ensures. “This is everyone following so from a kid perspective it’s not going to be that harsh.”

ferndale-superAdditionally, he points out that parents and teachers will all be able to work more closely together now too.
“From the student perspective it’s been good and from the parent perspective, especially from parents that thought one building was looked down upon over another, being able to get rid of that perception is great,” Prewitt says. “For the teachers to be able to work with their colleagues in the same grade level so that they are working on teaching the same curriculum and working on teaching the same kids, it’s very positive.”
Mackley Berger has attended all the Strategic Plan meetings and has an educator’s perspective too. She is currently an English teacher at Avondale schools, and has worked in education for over 20 years.

“I am really happy to have been on the board of CLEAR, a parent activist group, because we spent over one year working to foster transparency and get progressive school board members elected,” she says. “I see this great change as being a precursor to the Team Ferndale merger.”

Cambridge International Curriculum

Another major transition as part of the Strategic Plan is the implementation of the Cambridge International Curriculum in Ferndale schools. There are two major international programs: Cambridge and the International Baccalaureate (IB). The School District chose the Cambridge program due to its flexibility and the ability to mold the program to a district’s needs, according to Prewitt.

“With Cambridge, we can look at what’s a good fit for the district and look at some of the things the M-Step is testing and try to make sure we align properly with the state, as well as looking at what’s already going well achievement wise,” he explains.

Only some of the plan will be incorporated into the elementary; it will play a bigger role in middle school with the Cambridge science, English and math curriculums in place. Ferndale’s current open classroom program will stay a part of the elementary structure as well.

“Being an educator for over 20 years, I can honestly say that Ferndale schools are great!” Mackley Berger says. “The open classroom philosophy in our elementary schools is far more engaging and college-preparatory than traditional classrooms, and many people are excited about the new Cambridge Curriculum being incorporated in all of our buildings too.”

Overall, the implementation of the merger and the Cambridge International curriculum are in place to create a more unified Ferndale and while some have left the district due to the changes, Prewitt says overall enrollment is up.

“It’s the first time it’s been up probably in ten years; both in resident population and in school of choice we saw some level of increase,” he says. “I do think it’s the programming changes in elementary and really focusing on trying to bring us back together as a community school.”

Mackley Berger reiterates that Ferndale is already a strong and progressive community, and these changes will only help embrace and support that.

“My favorite part about living and attending school here in Ferndale, is the Ferndale vibe! It’s just a great, down to earth, open-minded, progressive place to live and raise children! We love it,” she praises. “We have a great public library that supports our kids’ learning, we are surrounded by artists and people who value creativity, so many great neighbors. In the future, I see our district as working even more diligently to support our students living near/below the poverty line, and I intend to be part of that.”

If something happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a preparation. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat impotency and other states united to erectile disfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What men talk about “viagra stories“? The most essential aspect you must look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong heartiness problem such as core trouble. Causes of sexual dysfunction switch on injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a state called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual disfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this treatment passes into breast milk.

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Story by Megan Fleming

Pig & Whiskey — featuring BBQ, whiskey, beer, and music — returns to downtown Ferndale July 15-17.

Co-hosted by Metro Times and Woodward Avenue Brewers, this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever: Nine Mile Road will be closed east of Woodward, providing more room to enjoy the party.

THE FOOD AND DRINK
More than a dozen southeastern Michigan eateries will have their best pork, beef, and barbecue dishes available for purchase. Jay Ray of Jay Ray’s BBQ, is returning to Pig & Whiskey for the second year. Of all the events he does, he said he enjoys this Ferndale bash the most. “It’s a great atmosphere, great music, and all great people that come down,” Ray says. Jay Ray’s will be serving ribs, pulled pork, mac and cheese, a loaded sweet potato (which he says was a huge hit last year), and he’s messing around with a “few cool ideas,” too. Joining Jay Ray’s for the second year at Pig & Whiskey are Zeke’s Rock ‘n’ Roll BBQ, Rub BBQ Pub, Old Carolina Barbecue Company, Woodpile BBQ Shack, Smoke Ring, Rubbed, and the Mac Shack.
Here’s a full list of vendors: Smoke Ring, Jay Ray’s BBQ, Detroit BBQ, Hog Wild, Stonewood Smokehouse, Crooked River, Old Carolina Barbecue Company, Taste ‘n’ Tell, Red Wood Grill, Zeke’s Rock ‘n’ Roll BBQ, Shredderz food truck, Union Joints, Rubbed, Rub BBQ Pub, Alley Taco, Smoke Shack, Woodpile BBQ Shack, and the Mac Shack. There will be plenty to drink, with six kinds of beer and more than 30 whiskeys available. You’ll be able to buy tickets for food and drinks when you arrive. Make sure to bring your appetite!

THE MUSIC
No summer festival would be complete without a packed lineup of bands. You’ll be able to catch the performances on a stage set up on East Troy Street. This year’s set features something for everyone, with a wide variety of musical styles. Friday’s lineup kicks off with Goober & The Peas, followed by Stone Clover, Holy White Hounds, and Le Voyage. Saturday will be a packed set, featuring eight bands: Electric Six, The Handgrenades, Earth Engine, Ohtis, Honebabe, The Blueflowers, American Mars, and Billy Brandt. Mustard Plug, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, the Beggars, Tart, Jill Jack, Mega Wedge: A Ween Tribute Band, and Kevin Thibodeau & the Cast Iron Horns will close out the show on Sunday.

*** The weather will be hot, the food will be good, and the music (and drinks) will keep you dancing. For a look at all the fun from last year’s festival, check out this album on Facebook. Mark your calendars, and for updates or more information, visit pigandwhiskeyferndale.com. Pig & Whiskey is from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, July 15 , 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, July 16, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 17; on East Troy Street in Ferndale; admission is free, but tickets must be purchased for drinks and food; all ages welcome.

If something happened with our heartiness, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a medicament. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat emasculation and other states connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What people talk about “viagra stories“? The most vital aspect you must look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction turn on injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a state called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk.

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Story & photos by Jeff Lilly
Illustration by Gary Bedard.

We hear a lot about humanity’s effect on the natural environment and the creatures that inhabit it. Usually, the story is about how humans alter the landscape to make it more suitable for our needs, destroying habitat in the process. However, there are several species of animals that not only can coexist with humans, but thrive in the habitats we alter and create. Not all of these species make for good roommates, though.

ff1265454NEW_Page_2_Image_0003Meet the rat. Rats have been with humanity since the beginning, when we first started to live together in bands and communities. Where there are humans, there is waste, and thus a food source. Where humans take shelter and build structures, rats can live, too. When humans moved about, by ship and stage and rail, rats hitched a ride with us. These days, they’ve learned to use our roads, railroad tracks, and sewer lines as highways of their own, making travel easier and helping them to spread. They also reproduce quickly; a mature rat can bear a new litter of pups every three to four weeks.

Ferndale has a rat problem. You might have heard about an infestation under a neighbor’s garage. You may have seen them running along the streets at night. Maybe you have some yourself, nesting under that doghouse or in that woodpile.

“We get a lot of calls in the spring,” says Joseph Gacioch, Chief Innovation Officer and Assistant City Manager for the City of Ferndale. Rodent activity can be more noticeable then, with melting snow both providing convenient sources of water for rats, as well as uncovering food sources hidden by snow. But rats are around all year long.

Besides basic health issues — rats have been known since antiquity as harborers and carriers of disease — they can also do quite a bit of damage to home and property. Rats can chew through practically anything; wood, drywall, insulation board, even concrete block, brick, and lead pipes. Rats can gnaw the insulation off of electrical wires, causing shorts and fires. They can tunnel under slabs and foundations. They can chew the bottoms out of plastic garbage cans to get at what’s inside. They’re also hard to keep out; a rat can squeeze itself through a hole the diameter of a half-dollar.

“We’ve seen a large increase in calls about rats,” Says Dale Stepaniak, co-owner of Pest Masters, an exterminator located in Livonia that contracts with the City of Ferndale. “We used to get rat calls once a month. Now, we get them once per day.” Stepaniak also notes that, “We have an issue with rats in most of Metro Detroit.” He’s gotten calls from Redford, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Royal Oak, Livonia, and other local cities, all of which have seen a “significant increase” in rat activity in the last few years. But why? Both Stepaniak and Gacioch point to the last recession as a possible piece in the puzzle. “We had all of these vacant homes, all of these people walking away from their houses.” Stepaniak says. The relatively large number of vacant properties in Detroit, right across 8 Mile Road, also contributes to the problem.

So what can we do about it? One of the biggest things is to eliminate neighborhood food sources. This means cleaning up dog droppings (rats love them) and not throwing out bread or seeds for the squirrels. Make sure you don’t leave pet food outside in bowls overnight, and if you store it outdoors, make sure it’s in a covered night before pick-up, and use metal bins with tight-fitting lids if you can. Unharvested vegetables, left to winter over in garden beds or boxes, can also be an invitation to rats.

But the number one source, Stepaniak says, though it pains many nature-lovers’ hearts to hear it, is bird feeders. “At least half of the jobs we do, we find a bird feeder on the property, or at a property next door.” He explains. This isn’t to say you can’t ever feed the birds, but “If your neighborhood is fighting rats, and you’re (feeding birds,) then you’re a culprit.” The thing to remember is that even if you don’t have a food source, they may still pick your yard to settle in. Stepaniak talks of a recent job where “They were living under a gentleman’s deck.

You could watch the rats go from under his deck, across the back yard next door, down the side of the house to a house across the street. No fault of this guy…they were feeding across the street, but living under his deck.” Another thing we can do is eliminate cover and shelter for rats. This means elevating your woodpile (at least 12 inches above the ground,) clearing away debris from the back of your garage, and eliminating clutter and hiding places, including unused vehicles and old tires. Keep your shrubs and grass trimmed, as well. “We have codes. We have property maintenance guidelines.” Gacioch explains. “If you follow them, you help eliminate the opportunity for rats to move in.”

Meanwhile, the city is doing its part.

“The Building Department now requires an inspection prior to demolition of a property,” Gacioch says. A pest expert now has to sign off on a property, saying there are no rats. If there are, they have to be exterminated and the property re-inspected before demolition can commence. Otherwise, the rats will scatter and move to new locations. New construction now must have rat walls, foundations that extend into the ground to discourage burrowing. Ferndale is also sharing resources and coordinating with neighboring cities on strategies to combat rat infestations. They’re also using modern technology to combat the ancient enemy, including utilizing geo-tracking to keep tabs on infestation sites and their spread.

Ferndale is curently working with Pest Masters on an extermination program along Troy Street. It’s a big challenge, Stepaniak says, because the businesses along 9 Mile, which include grocery stores and restaurants, have a large number of dumpsters in the nearby alley. While the businesses will get tips and suggestions, eliminating the food source entirely may be impossible. On the other hand, Stepaniak cites a successful recent program along the rail line. CN worked with the City to cut brush and eliminate clutter along the wall, and a series of traps has greatly reduced infestation there.

How do you know if you have rats? Besides seeing them in action, look for holes in the ground, under foundations and sheds. Entrances to rat warrens will typically be about the size of a soda can. While a rat or two might be handled by snap-traps or a bit of poison, larger infestations should be handled by an expert. Stepaniak shows me a brochure with an array of modern, scientifically-designed rat poison feeding stations, like the kind used along the rail line. They’re securely locked and inaccessible to pets and children, rain-proof so the poison doesn’t get spread around in the environment, and, most importantly, attractive to rats. Pest Masters will inspect and re-fill the traps on a schedule until the problem is eliminated.

The war against rats will never end. After all, they’re survivors, and have thrived despite thousands of years of efforts to stop them. But using our biggest advantage — our brains — and a bit of care and cunning, we can turn back the current tide.

For more information on how to fight rats, Ferndale has a page up on the city website. Go to www.ferndalemi.gov/Services/Code_Enforcement/Pest_Control

Pest Masters: www.pestmastersmi.com or call 1-800-934-4770.

If something happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a preparation. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat emasculation and other states united to erectile disfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What humanity talk about “viagra stories“? The most substantial aspect you should look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as core trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a status called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this curing passes into breast milk.

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Story and photos by Malissa Martin

The Boston Tea Room has something for everyone, according to owner Heatherleigh Navarre. “We like to say that we are a bookstore, a tea room, and that we sell products for your spiritual journey, no matter what journey that is.” Lee said.

ff12678_Page_1_Image_0001Navarre opened the first Boston Tea Room in Wyandotte and a second store in Ferndale in 2009. She outgrew the space after five years and moved across the street to a bigger store two years ago. “We opened up a second location on this side of town because we had a lot of clients who, honestly, didn’t want to have to drive all the way downriver. So they kept really encouraging and asking for a shop on this side of town,” Navarre said. She says Ferndale’s downtown atmosphere is a good fit and attracts a lot of business. “We have a lot of people who walk in the shop just because they see all the beautiful crystals, jewelry, or candles in the window, and they may not have any idea that we’re doing tarot card readings or psalm readings behind the curtain, but they’re really intrigued by what they see. So we have a lot of clients that just come in to shop or to browse,” Navarre said.

The Boston Tea Room offers over 60 mostly organic loose-leaf teas, and has complimentary tea of the day for patrons. “I have people who come in every day just to see what tea is in the pot and we love doing tea tastings and that kind of thing. So we really have something for everyone. We’ve got the retail and we’ve got the services. We also have the tea cafe area where people will come in and sit and chat with each other,” Navarre said.

ff12678_Page_1_Image_0003The Boston Tea Room aims to provide spiritual support and items such as cards, crystals, books, CDs and DVDs to help nurture people on their spiritual journey, no matter their chosen religion. “So if you come from a Catholic upbringing, we have The Boston Tea Room: Helping Guide People on their Spiritual Journey jewelry with the saints on it or little pocket saints that you can carry with you. If you’re exploring the Buddhist path or Buddhist philosophy we have Buddhist mala beads and statues and that kind of thing. If you’re interested in investigating earthcentered, pagan traditions we have books and items for that,” Navarre explained.

The tea room also offers home and office blessings, meditation classes, tarot classes, tea tastings, mediumship classes, how to read the crystal ball, how to read tea leaves, and much more. “One of my favorites is we’re combining the new trend of adult coloring with the tarot. It’s like an adult coloring tarot session where your coloring a tarot card and you get a little mini reading of what it means,” Navarre said.

Navarre is a big supporter of Michigan artists and has rotating art shows. The Boston Tea Room sells items by Michigan artists such as jewelry, pottery, and embroidered tea towels to name a few.

The Boston Tea Room is located at 224 West 9 Mile Road. Operation hours are Monday to Saturday from 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Sundays from noon to 6:00 P.M. Call (248) 548-1415 or visit them on the web at www.bostontearoom.com

If some happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a medicament. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat impotence and other states united to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What men talk about “viagra stories“? The most substantial aspect you should look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile malfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a state called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this treatment passes into breast milk.

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Providing Trusted Advice in Ferndale for over 13 Years

Story and photo by Jenn Goeddeke

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL WIFE/HUSBAND TEAM of Eric Uzzle (agency owner) and Peggy Uzzle (executive account manager) take the stress out of selecting insurance coverage. During a recent meet at their open-plan office (at 733 E. 9 Mile Rd), I was instantly impressed by their relaxed, upbeat attitude. With many years of joint experience servicing the needs of both local and State-wide customers, Uzzle and Uzzle have consistently offered diverse, competitive insurance and financial options.

Their primary vision is, “…to protect our customers’ assets and to help them build wealth.”

This is not your average agency: they pride themselves on a very personal, family-oriented style. Using a system that incorporates a completely ‘onlinefriendly’ (paperless) approach is what they consider to be one extra key to their success. This gives all customers the flexible option of either face-toface consultations, or doing business remotely via the internet (or both, as preferred.)

An additional component of their winning business approach is, naturally, a high level of customer service. In their words, “…we go the extra mile to give people good service, and the best price for the product.” This often means working long hours to ensure customers have all their questions answered in a timely, accurate manner.

Uzzle and Uzzle both mentioned enjoying the diversity of clients in Ferndale- a City which has both a strong Community feel, and also attracts a growing number of young professionals.

The Uzzle and Uzzle Agency have a wide variety of services to offer, in addition to the traditional auto, home, motorcycle and renters insurance policies. They always have a member of their staff who is dedicated to providing financial advice/options. Services offered include: Mortgage protection; Life insurance; Annuities; Disability insurance, Commercial insurance and coverage for rental properties. Clearly, quite an impressive array of policies to choose from!

For a no-pressure quote, feel free to stop by their office soon- or reach out using the contact information listed below.

Eric & Peggy Uzzle can be reached via phone: 248-544-8100, or by fax: 248-544-1492. Their after-hours number is: 800-255-7828. Customer Service is provided 24 hours a day. For email questions, direct to : ericuzzle@allstate.com or peggyuzzle@allstate.com. The Uzzle and Uzzle Agency office address is: 733 East Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, 48220 (NW Corner of Nine Mile and Hilton). Office hours are: M-F, 8am- 5pm; Sat, by appointment only; Sun,

If some happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a medicament. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat emasculation and other states coupled to erectile malfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What people talk about “viagra stories“? The most substantial aspect you should look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong heartiness problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction turn on injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a state called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this curing passes into breast milk.

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