CLOSE
Page 97

0 2991

Remember to VOTE on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2015! The ballot this year is small, but the issues are as important as ever. Voting takes only a few minutes, and on an off-year election like this, turnout is usually dismal…all the more reason to get out and vote, because your choices will carry more weight!

We’ve gathered candidate statements and information on the city proposal and Ferndale schools millage proposal. This guide is non-partisan and for informational purposes only.


So, what’s on the ballot?

• Mayor: Dave Coulter is running for re-election unopposed, though voters may choose to write in another candidate.

• City Council: Three candidates are vying for two City Council seats. Incumbent Dan Martin, Raylon Leaks-May, and William S. White are in the race.

• City Proposal- Charter Amendment 15-01: Here’s where things get a bit cryptic. The text of the proposal reads as follows:

“This Charter amendment would modify the nominating petition deadline and process for counting nominating petitions where a voter signs more petitions than the number of candidates to be elected.
Shall the City of Ferndale, Charter, Chapter IV, Section 3, be amended to so provide?”

Council Member Greg Pawlica explains: “Voters are being asked to support a change to the charter regarding how a voter’s signature is counted when a candidate’s petition is submitted to the city. State law dictates that a registered voter can only sign the number of candidate petitions equal to the number of seats available. For example, if there are two council seats open and there are five candidates interested in running for those two seats, a registered voter can only sign two of the five candidate petitions. State of Michigan law dictates that if a registered voter (in this instance) signs three or more candidate petitions, then the first two signatures (based on date signed) are valid signatures and any signatures after the first two are invalid. However, according to Ferndale’s City Charter, using the same scenario, all three signatures of the registered voter are invalid. A YES vote in November will align the City’s charter with the State and allow that registered voter’s first two signatures to remain valid.” A NO vote will leave the City Charter’s language the way it is.

Ferndale Public Schools Millage Proposal: The text of the proposal reads as follows:

“This proposal would (a) reauthorize and restore the authority of the Ferndale Public Schools to levy mills previously authorized and levied for general operating purposes on non-homestead property (such as industrial and commercial property and rental properties) which have been reduced by application of the Headlee Amendment and expired with the 2015 levy and (b) increase the limitation to 20 mills, to allow the District to continue to receive revenues at the full foundation allowance permitted by the State in the event of future Headlee rollbacks of up to two mills. Under existing law, the District may levy no more than 18 mills on non- homestead property. Owner-occupied homes, certain personal property and qualified agricultural property are exempt from this levy.

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable non-homestead property in the Ferndale Public Schools, Oakland County, Michigan be increased by 20.00 mills ($20.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for twenty (20) years, the years 2016 to 2035, inclusive, to provide funds for operating expenses of the District? If approved, this millage would raise an estimated $4,073,000 for the District in 2016.”

An explanation from ferndalevotinginfo.org:

“If you are a homeowner, the passage of this millage will NOT impact your property taxes. This tax ONLY applies to Non-homestead property owners (such as industrial and commercial property and rental properties).This millage would continue to charge these owners at the rate which they are currently paying. This millage does allow the District to raise the amount we levy but only in the event of a Headlee rollback. The maximum rate Ferndale Schools would ever be able to levy is 18 Mills. This millage brings in approx. $4 million each year. If it is voted down, it will result in a 14 per cent reduction in the total budget for Ferndale Schools.”

• For information on registering to vote or receiving an absentee ballot, visit www.ferndalemi.gov/Services/Elections

• For information on polling locations, visit www.ferndalemi.gov/Services/Elections/Polling_Locations

• If you are interested in working as a precinct inspector on election day, visit:

www.ferndalemi.gov/Services/Elections/ Election_Workers

For general questions or information, contact the City Clerk’s office at: 300 E. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220

If slightly 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 impotence and other states connected to erectile malfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What men 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 dysfunction switch on 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.

0 2666

Screen Shot 2015-10-20 at 1.50.49 PMA COMMUNITY CAN ONLY GROW AND FLOURISH if residents are willing and enthusiastic about its success. Ferndale has no shortage of dedicated individuals contributing their talents and time to building a caring, tight-knit neighborhood, but sometimes matching those skills with organizations in need can be a challenge.
In an effort to bring those willing to help together with the nonprofits making a difference, the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) combined efforts to connect the two for a night.

On Tuesday, September 22, eleven nonprofits from the Ferndale area gathered at Blumz by JR Designs, located at 503 East 9 Mile Road, for a Volunteer Open House. About 50 people attended.

“Knowing that Ferndale is a very giving community, and many people have been inquiring on social media about volunteer opportunities, we thought it would be a good time to offer residents the opportunity to easily meet with a variety of organizations to find out where they fit,” Cindy Willcock, Interim Executive Director of the DDA, says of the event.

Screen Shot 2015-10-20 at 1.50.42 PMThe hardest part of building a volunteer relationship might be deciding what cause is right for you. For two hours, attendees had the chance to learn about the various groups making a difference in metro Detroit and how they could get involved.

Some of the participating organizations include Camp Casey, a 501C3 nonprofit horseback riding program for kids with cancer and their families, and Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, where residents help build homes for their neighbors.

Modeled after a similar DDA event held in 2010, Willcock and Ferndale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ashleigh Laabs decided to host the open house after the DDA and Chamber began collaborating on multiple events this year.

“We realized that we both sometimes struggle with not having enough volunteers to help us achieve our goals,” Willcock adds.Organizations chosen for the open house were a combination of those from the 2010 event and prominent organizations in the Ferndale community. Willcock says they strived to represent a diversity of nonprofits and cover a range of needs.

The DDA is actually one of the groups constantly in need of volunteers. According to their website, volunteers worked over 5000 hours in 2014 helping with events, engaging in committees and serving on their boards.

“I don’t think that many people realize that the Ferndale DDA is a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization that is overseen by staff,” Willcock says. “We couldn’t accomplish everything we do; events, programming, advocacy, promotion, business assistance, etc. without our outstanding group of volunteers.”

For those that missed the event this year, you can see the full list of participating nonprofits below and should expect this event to return next year, if not sooner.

“I think we’d definitely like to do it on a yearly basis, although based on the feedback from groups that want to participate, we might consider doing something more often,” Willcock anticipates.

Whether you attend the open house or not, volunteers are essential to a community and volunteering means much more than the efforts you put in. It builds community, creates new relationships and can make a lasting impression on those in need.

“One of my favorite quotes about volunteers is, ‘Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless’,” Willcock says.

More information about volunteering can be found here on the Chamber website: www.ferndaleareachamber.com/volunteer.html

The form for nonprofits submitting volunteer opportunities can be found here: http://bit.ly/FACnonprofitvolunteerform

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 connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What people talk about “viagra stories“? The most essential 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 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 dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk.

0 2507

“IT’S BEEN A GOOD RUN,” says John, who has been producing and selling glass artworks at 23426 Woodward Ave. since 1984. “I’ve been in Ferndale through a lot of changes – the revitalization of the downtown area, the beginning of the Dream Cruise here in Ferndale, the city growing into an incredibly diverse and vibrant community. Thirty-one years ago, Ferndale was a totally different place, sleepier and not so much going on.”

John has done it all in blown glass – producing a wide variety of work from his modest storefront right on Woodward, selling from his gallery, wholesaling to galleries around the country, traveling to art fairs, developing custom work, and providing classes to the public.

“A group of Chinese high school exchange students, arranged by a customer of mine, came in and blew some bubbles,” Fitzpatrick recalls, “and I later learned that one of those students actually went back to China and pursued glass-blowing, as a result of this experience.” Some students in his classes advanced to the point where they put their own work into galleries. “I worked with a couple different high school students in my classes with making some work for their art college entrance portfolios, and yes, they got accepted,” he says. “I had student exhibitions and sales in my gallery.”

Over the years, Fitzpatrick has won numerous awards, including a Best in Show for glass at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. He has been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles. He has displayed work in many churches and institutions, including the University of Detroit chapel, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Oak- wood Hospital. He has demonstrated glassblowing for all sorts of groups, giving even children a chance to blow a bubble. Volunteers at the Detroit Institute of Arts were among the studio visitors over the years who got demonstrations in glass processes.

“I actually ran into my Boy Scout Troop assistant scoutmaster and his wife, who I had not seen in over
30 years,” Fitzpatrick recalls. “He remembered me because my patrol were always the best cooks. The
adults always rotated through the patrols, on camping trips for their meals.”

John had a circuitous route to glass, starting his career in the family boat business (Jim Robbins Marine & Sport, also in Ferndale) at age 15 working summers for his dad. He graduated in 1974 from Aquinas College with a degree in business and economics, with the hope that he would eventually take over the family business. He became a certified outboard motor mechanic and got a private pilot’s license.

But in 1977, he told his father he was leaving the business and enrolled at the Detroit Waldorf Institute. There he began to study arts and crafts, including painting, sculpting, music, spinning, weaving and pup- petry. He also had his first class in stained glass.

The following year, he attended the Center for Creative Studies (now the College for Creative Studies) and blew glass for the first time. Soon he took off for Europe, eventually starting glass work at Bergdala Glasbruk in southern Sweden.

He spent five years in Europe learning to blow glass, primarily in Sweden and Denmark, including at the famed Orrefors Glass School. He also worked in Germany and Holland and visited glassworks throughout Eu- rope, spending time on Murano in Italy.

“I had a business on the Danish island of Bornholm, where myself, another American, a Danish woman and an English woman designed and produced glass for a season.”

After having blown glass for 37 years as a livelihood, Fitzpatrick says it’s time for a change.
“I’m grateful to all the great folks who have supported me and my art through all these years.”

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 impotency and other states united to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What people 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 malfunction switch on injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual malfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk.

0 1979

By Jeannie Davis

Ferndale has come a long way. I have lived here since the mid-’60s. Then, it was a big family town, with a thriving downtown which was principally a daytime retail area. People outfitted their kids at Federals, and took them for ice cream sundaes at Sanders. While moms gossiped, the kids cruised Kresge’s or Woolworths or Neisners; all dime stores, the forerunners of today’s dollar stores. Women had their choice of Winkleman’s or Fields for fashion. We boasted a magic store, and even a bowling alley.

Then, sadly, the kids grew up and moved away. People didn’t have four or six children anymore…heck, many peo- ple didn’t even have children at all. In- door shopping malls and K-Mart came along, and within a couple of short years, small town shopping districts were abandoned.

Our downtown was at least 50 per cent vacant. Then, in the late ‘90s, our city planners went to work. Ferndale re-invented itself. We welcomed new bars and restaurants. Not just any bars and restaurants, either. The early Rosie’s was amazing, Howe’s gave us variety. Our City Council worked with a few non-profits on events such as the Pub Crawl and the Blues Festival, and beefed up our participation in the Dream Cruise. Our DDA created smaller events, like Fido Does Ferndale and special shopping nights. All of this served to bring back our business district, and certainly put Ferndale on the map. Our housing market boomed, and suddenly everybody wanted to live in Ferndale.

We still have bugs to work out of our system. Parking is a big bug, and we are just starting to tackle our parks, and some of the other minor not so shiny areas of the city.

WHY AM I GOING THROUGH all this history? Because I want to remind some of you where we have been and
what we have done to come as far as f we have come.

Recently on Facebook I watched a discussion on paying to use the new dog park. People were making outrageous statements about “greedy Ferndale.” They said this city was lousy to live in. Their primary gripe was having to pay $40/year to use the new park.

Seriously, folks? A $40 fee erases all the good and all the planning done over the past 20 years? Our DPW worked hard to make the new dog park friendly and inviting. Did you note the dog-bone shaped bench, or the fire hydrant waterer? Have you noticed new playscapes in the other parks? Have you paid attention to all the hard m work our DDA does to bring you free movies, doggy events, festivals, and an x art fair? Are you aware that we have warming and cooling centers for when the power goes out, and our Rec.Dept. employees work overtime to staff these centers? Have you noticed the free outdoor concerts our all-volunteer Art Commission brings you? (I know some of you came to these because you complained about paying for the hot dogs we grilled for you.) Or maybe you have seen the art hanging in city hall, again brought to you by our volunteers.

I am proud of my city, and I count myself lucky to be living here and knowing our fine leaders are on the job, working r to make it even better. I love knowing that my neighbors and friends come out happily to volunteer whenever they a are needed. I also love that the people who are involved do not complain. They know that the city is doing the best it can do, and they are doing what they ’ can to help.

So, stop griping about parking and B dog park fees. Look around. See how i wonderful Ferndale is. If you are still unhappy about something, volunteer and try to fix it.

If some happened with our soundness, 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 connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What humanity 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 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.

0 1972

By: Ann Heler, President, Bd. of Directors

WE HAVE BEEN AT 459 E. Nine Mile since September 24, 2011… four years! Another anniversary celebration.

Our next scheduled fund raiser is on Sunday, November 1, 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. This is a Fall wine-tasting and noshings at Leon & Lulu, 96 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson 48017, just west of Main Street. $15.00 at the door. Ten per cent of all purchases will be donated to FernCare. This will be our fourth fundraiser with Leon & Lulu.

Prices of all medications, including generic medications we dispense, are going up monthly. I just look at those bills and cannot believe the price hikes; 20 per cent, 40 per cent, and more. We get a little discount because of the free clinic and non-profit status but only if the drug companies so wish.

The Little Free Library is still active, a great exchange of books! We have more people than ever now that there’s a bus stop directly in front of the clinic.

HEALTHY MICHIGAN ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE EXPANSION: Any Tuesday or Wednesday evening 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. THIS IS OPEN TO ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY. Call the appointment line and tell them you want a health insurance appointment. Even if all you have is questions, call 248-677-2273.

FOUR THINGS TO DO DAILY THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH!
• Eat two pieces of fruit or just a big bunch of wonderful Michigan cherries
• Get up, do a one-two punch and shout “This is going to be a great day!”
• Park at least 20 spaces away from the store….walk a little.
• Eat at least one ear of Michigan sweet, sweet corn.

CLINIC APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATION: 248-677-2273. You will have an appointment definitely within the month. The only criteria we require is . that you have no health insurance and no primary care provider to become a patient. Call us if you do not have health care!

OTHER LOCAL FREE MEDICAL CLINICS: The Free Clinics of Michigan website is www.fcomi.org. It lists all the free clinics with phone numbers for information.

The closest clinics to Ferndale are:
• Burnstein Community Clinic in Pontiac . 248-758-1690.
• Mercy Primary Care Clinic in Detroit 313-692-8400 Open Monday thru Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
• Every clinic offers different services and has different patient criteria. Make sure to call before you waste precious gas.

SLIDING FEE SCALE CLINIC: Covenant Care Clinic: 27776 Woodward, Royal Oak, MI 48067 248-556-4900. Located across the street from the Westborn Market. If you work at all this is the clinic for you. This is a sliding fee clinic based on income. It is a full-service clinic and a open 40 hours a week. They also take Healthy Michigan insured patients.

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 dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What folk 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 soundness problem such as core 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 physic is not for use in women, it is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk.

0 1904

By Rudy Serra

Q: I have an old felony conviction for fraud and I was recently warned that the law about felons possessing guns has changed? Are there any changes I should know about?

A: Yes. As a general rule, a person who is convicted of a felony cannot possess a firearm in Michigan.

In May 2014, the law was changed. People who are less than three years past the completion of all terms of their sentence, parole or probation can no longer possess “ammunition” in Michigan. Previously the ban only applied to a firearm. For certain “specified felonies” the ban extends for five years.

“Ammunition” is defined as “any projectile that, in its current state, may be propelled from a firearm by an explo- sive.” The “purchase” of ammunition is not forbidden to a convicted felon under the law. Under the amended law, a convicted felon could theoretically place and pay for an order of ammunition, but it would have to be intended for the use of another, and sent or delivered to that third party rather than the purchaser. Home delivery of a box of buckshot to a convicted felon would be a crime for that convicted felon. The person making delivery could also face charges.

In addition, people with felony records need to know that the prosecutor does not have to prove that a gun operates in order to convict a felon of being in possession. The judge decides if the prior conviction was really a felony but the jury decides if the accused person was actually convicted of that felony.

Other changes in the law allowing restoration of the right to have a weapon take effect December 1, 2015. A person who has passed more than five years after successful completion of their n sentence can apply to get their right to carry a weapon restored under section 28.424 of Michigan’s compiled laws.

The application is made to the Circuit Court. The judge has to decide by clear a and convincing evidence that the applicant’s “record and are such that the person is not likely to act in a manner dangerous to the safety of other persons.” The judge also has to find that the person had paid all fines, completed all imprisonment and all terms of probation or parole. Failure to meet any condition requires denial of the application. A person cannot apply again until a year has passed from the denial of any application.

Judge Rudy Reports” is a regular feature in Ferndale Friends. This “ask the lawyer” format column welcomes questions from readers. If you have a legal question or concern, send your question e by email to rudy.serra@sbcglobal.net.

Advice about specific cases or individuals cannot be provided, but general legal questions and topics are welcome.

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 connected 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 disfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as core trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction switch on injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a state called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this physic is not for use in women, it is not known whether this curing passes into breast milk.

0 1718

By: Sgt. Baron Brown, Ferndale Police

TODAY’S POLICE OFFICERS FACE an unprecedented amount of scrutiny. Criticism and second guessing is rampant on both sides of the political spectrum. Calls for reform of police use- of-force policies and training are com- ing from the legislature, the President, civil rights leaders, and social media users across the Internet. Some of the discourse is appropriate and meaning- ful. Some of it is calculated and agenda driven. Some of it is dangerous at best and deadly at worst.

What does all this mean for the citi- zens of Ferndale? How are we affected in this small corner of southeast Oak- land County that we call home? As a twenty-year veteran who has worked the street my entire career, I can tell you that injuries to officers and citizens as a result of physical altercations have never been more infrequent. I honestly can’t remember the last time a prisoner suf- fered an injury in an arrest situation.

There are a couple reasons for this. First and foremost, I believe that the offi- cers who work for the citizens of Fern- dale conduct themselves with profes- sionalism and temperance. Secondly, the marked decrease in officer and citi- zen injuries coincides with the introduc- tion of the Taser as a less lethal use of force option for Ferndale police officers. I remember having fights with mentally ill and intoxicated people in the pre-Taser days that we just don’t have anymore. Thirdly, crime rates are down in almost all areas. That means that there are fewer arrests and fewer interactions be- tween the police and bad guys.

I can also tell you this: Never before have I felt that I cannot ever let my guard down as it relates to my own personal safety while in uniform. From year to year police officer deaths are down, but according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police Ambush Fact Sheet, unprovoked ambush attacks on police officers are on the increase. The reality is that while there is a national accusation of an increase in “police violence,” there are really no numbers to support that accusation. Use of force numbers are hard to analyze because they are not kept in a standardized fashion at any level of government. The numbers used to both support and defend police use of force incidents are anecdotal and subject to interpretation.

So, regardless of whether the police – your police – deserve this criticism, we feel it on a daily basis. Recently I’ve had officers tell me they’ve been subjected to some pretty outrageous comments. A citizen, who wasn’t happy with the result of a complain she made about a child custody issue told the responding officer, “Now I understand why officers are getting killed.”

Another person, a business owner, asked that our officers not enter onto his property unless invited. While this police department is proud and appreciative of the support we receive from the vast majority of Ferndale citizens and visitors, some people are definitely more vocal and hateful when they are not happy with the service we provide.

So why do we all still come to work and give you one hundred percent? It’s i simple…and corny. It’s because we care. We care about this city, its citizens and visitors, and each other. We understand that in many cases we deal with people in the worst moment on the worst day of their lives. We are used to being called on for assistance and then being yelled at for showing up. We want to be there when you need us. We want to deal with the nastiness and ugliness of life so that you don’t have to.

Our collective spirit is not broken yet. We aren’t asking for your pity, or not to be scrutinized, nor do we get paid to suffer injury or death at the hands of anyone. We never wake up in the morning intending on hurting anyone, but we also make a solemn pledge to our loved ones that we will come home at the end of our day.

We are your guardians prepared to defend you when called upon and to help you ignite the pilot light on your furnace when you don’t know who else to call. We just want you to remember that we are like you in many ways. We have kids, spouses, parents, mortgages, good days, and bad days just like you I am a police officer for eighty-four hours every two weeks. The other two hundred fifty-two hours, I’m just Dad.

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 emasculation and other states coupled to erectile disfunction. 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 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.

0 2008

Story and photos by Rebecca Hammond

FRACKING: THERE IS A PETITION DRIVE to ban fracking that’s partly headquartered right here in Ferndale. One of two monthly meetings occurs at Renaissance Vineyard Church, a church with a focus on “Creation Care.” Former resident Todd Bazzett spoke to me about the issue. Todd found himself “horrified at the injustice of the DEQ not watching out for state land.” Land very near our rivers and lakes can end up being used as fracking sites. Fracking uses a huge amount of water, which ends up toxic and needing stored basically forever. It also requires large amounts of sand. Todd provided this statement:

“The Committee to Ban Fracking is working feverishly in the last few weeks of the campaign to collect signatures to get an initiative on the November 2016 ballot. The initiative will allow voters to ban hydraulic fracking, acidization of horizontal well bores and disposal of toxic frack wastes in the state. While Michigan has not been as heavily fracked as other states, oil and natural gas developers continue to seek mineral rights leases throughout the state and currently have enough leased land to install hundreds of wells. Michigan continues to receive shipments of frack waste from out of state and the application for a permit to expand the US Ecology frack waste storage and processing site in Hamtramck indicates that the trend is expected to continue. Signature gathering for the campaign ends November 11th 2015. Please go to letsbanfracking.org for more information about the campaign and local events in your area where you can sign the petition.”

RAPTORS: FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS OR SO, hawks have been a common sight in Ferndale. So when we hear a chorus of bluejays joined by a smaller, cuter chorus of nuthatches, chickadees, and titmice, we assume they’ve zeroed in on a hawk, attempting to annoy it into leaving. A month ago, though, I took a series of photos of a tall, dark shape in a tree across the street, and only when I zeroed in on the computer did I see the huge feet, eyes, and “horns” of a great horned owl, here in Ferndale. It’s my first sighting of one, but not my first encounter, which happened on a cold walk home from the WAB in January 2011. The 17 degree temps kept me focused and hurrying, vaguely thinking I kept hearing a train. At the moment when I finally stopped for a good listen, a woman taking out her garbage said, “You hear that owl?” Yes, I did.

FERNDALE MONARCH PROJECT: Want milkweed seeds? Look for our box in the atrium of the Ferndale Library (and thanks, FADL, for letting us put it there). Our project’s first summer is over, and with 283 milkweeds and 28 caterpillars handed out, and 244 butterflies released by page members, it’s a success. Some of what we learned:

• Milkweed seeds aren’t like radish seeds, sprouting quickly and mostly at once.
They’re like maple seeds,
sprouting all summer long,

usually after a rain.

• Maybe 10% of monarch eggs survive in the wild. Raising them indoors increases that to over 90%.

• When a caterpillar molts, it seems dead. It’s not. Wait.

• Each caterpillar forms a chrysalis at a different pace. Same with butterflies. Some hang motionless for a day, others are flapping around within hours.

There are plenty of places to scatter seeds besides your e own yard. I’ve tossed them along rail trails and dirt roads up north; along the Mason Tract Pathway and the Michi- gan Shore-to-Shore Trail.

“LEAVE YOUR LEAVES” was the title of my first column for Ferndale Friends years ago. A new reason to

leave leaves was brought to my attention at a native plants presentation at the Pleasant Ridge Community Center. If you want a healthy garden, begin with healthy soil, and provide the microbes in the soil the specific food they need to thrive. Mulch from Florida can’t feed them the way Michigan leaves or bark can. It would be nice to have immediate sources for Michigan mulch, but Eagle Landscaping & Supply, on Lahser in Southfield, has two types. We were told in PR that nature never strips down to bare soil. Better to leave it covered. In our small but tree-filled yard, we are well past ten years of raking leaves into flower beds. By June, they’re gone and the sandy soil continues to improve.

The Detroit Zoo has phased out the sale of bottled water. Go to their web site and read why, and you’ll wonder why we ever started buying it at all. For starters, it’s the number one con- a tributor to plastic waste in the US. I’ve often wondered what, had I been able to travel forward in time as a child, I’d be most surprised by. And although the variety of athletic shoes we each are pressured to “need” would certainly have been amazing, watching humans of the future pay as much for water as we do for pop would have been baffling. Maybe we just like having things to do with our hands. The caps alone provide a type of busy work akin to knit- ting (but with nothing use- ful at the end.)

More than 60 thousand plastic bottles will be kept out of the waste streameach year because of the Zoo’s effort. From their website:

“. . . it takes five liters of water to make one liter of bottled water, and . . .about a quarter of a water bottle of oil to produce, transport and dispose of a single bottle of water. Americans throw away 38 B billion water bottles each year.” Eighty percent of them end up in landfills. Follow the Zoo’s lead.

Becky Hammond oversees an urban milkweed e farm in Ferndale, MI.

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 impotence and other states connected to erectile malfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What folk talk about “viagra stories“? The most vital 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 soundness problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction turn on 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 medication passes into breast milk.

0 2859

FROM ELABORATE MARKETING PROJECTS to smaller business PR campaigns, mo marketing + pr can help create measurable results. At the helm of the team is a ‘powerhouse’ entrepreneurial duo: Julia Gillespie and Blake Moore. Formed in 2009, the innovative mo business model is the result of combining decades of Gillespie’s and Moore’s joint experience in marketing, public relations, advertising and design. They describe their uniquely blended approach to promotions as “integrated marketing,” and each campaign is tailored specifically for the individual client.

Originally based in Brooklyn, NY, mo has now moved into an open-plan, welcoming space (located at 3025 Hilton, nestled between Pole Addiction and BeHave Gym). Both Gillespie and Moore recognized Ferndale to be an eclectic, creative hub; therefore, a perfect new location for growth. They spent two years waiting for the right space to become available and are looking forward to setting up many new projects, both locally and nationally.

The office has a definite ‘high energy’ feel: campaign graphics are arranged on display boards around the walls, and desks are stacked with var- ious research materials. As I sat talking with Gillespie and Moore on the stylish couches near the center of the office, two of the team members continued working hard at their computers: Eliza- beth Arnott (PR, social and content development), and Justin Dunn (digital marketing). Clearly, the mo team are driven to create an impact!

The focus at mo is on clear, thoughtful, intelligent messaging. Clients are encouraged to ‘tell their story’ through a variety of strategic methods. As they described to me, “…everyone is aconsumer…and people buy the brands they be- th lieve in. Creating brand awareness is key!” Utilizing various analytical tools, including digital in reports, clients can clearly see what works and what doesn’t.

A strong emphasis at mo is to unify and streamline all aspects of promotion. Perhaps a business has a certain goal to build its brand recognition and sales; Gillespie and Moore will spend considerable time researching this company (often, a week-long process!) During this time, an ‘a la carte’ style proposal is developed for the client’s final approval. During our conversation, Moore described the interaction with clients as…”brutally honest!”

It is important to both Gillespie and Moore that clients are directed to what actually works, not to what might just seem to be effective, in a superficial way. Unlike some marketing groups, who delegate accounts entirely to other members of staff, mo takes pride in keeping the two owners involved- no matter how large or small the campaign might be. Overall, mo maintains an impressive, cutting-edge work ethic- and plenty of creative ‘mojo’!

Reach out to Julia Gillespie at: 248.556.5799, or email: Julia@lessismo.com; and Blake Moore at: 248.953.5564, or email: blake@lessismo.com. Also, check out their website/social media sites: www.lessismo.com; facebook.com/moMarketingPR; twitter.com/mo_lessismo.

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 impotence and other states united to erectile disfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What people 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 soul trouble. Causes of sexual dysfunction turn on injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual disfunction. Even though this physic is not for use in women, it is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk.

Prev1...969798...126Next Page 97 of 126
© 2025 - Ferndale Friends | webmaster Loudbaby