Education

Coverage of schools from pre-k and kindergarten through higher education, including trade and online classes.

JABS Gym brings BoYo to Birmingham

By Newsroom

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June 6, 2013

A new gym that combines yoga and boxing into one workout has moved into Birmingham's burgeoning Rail District. JABS Gym opened last month at 2285 Cole with a boxing ring inside and an intimate workout studio, where BoYo is taught and combines the stretch, strength and inner calming of yoga with the high-impact cardio of boxing. Besides BoYo, owners Willie "Fortune 500" Fortune, a pro boxer, David Tessler, a yoga expert, and his wife Meagan Tessler offer kickboxing and boot camps with group and individual classes and workouts. There is also a weigh room and workout equipment. The opening is filling out the Rail District, a mixed use development just east of downtown Birmingham off Maple Road, where there are townhouses, successful retailers and service-oriented businesses such as the Robot Garage and Goldfish Swim School and soon-to-open restaurants such as Griffin Claw Brewing Co. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Meagan Tessler, co-owner, JABS Gym

Latest in Education

Blackstone LaunchPad pushes new thinking at Make It Better

By Newsroom

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Education

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June 6, 2013

The cliche, "Get 'em while they're young" applies when it comes to the Walsh College Blackstone LaunchPad's Make It Better competition. The event challenges Michigan-based high school students to think outside of the proverbial box and redesign an existing product or service or develop a new one. The end goal is to create something that helps improve the quality of life and improves their community or the Great Lakes State. The competition's goal is to foster critical thinking skills and encourage more young people to consider a life in entrepreneurship. "They have no barriers in their thinking," says Carol Glynn, director of Blackstone LaunchPad at Walsh College in Troy. "We want them to start down a path of innovation. The older we get the more barriers we put for ourselves." Among the winners are Kirsten Gendron, who took first place ($500) for her idea of a chewing gum that filters harmful toxins of second-hand smoke. Second place ($250) went to Rebecca List for her entry of a Wi-Fi Lifesaver Wristband. Hannah Beller won third place ($250) for her "Wake Me Up Blanket", an electric blanket that gradually circulates chilling temperatures as encouragement to get sleepy owners out of bed. A grant from the Charles M. Bauervic Foundation funded the competition. It is open to all high school and college students in Michigan. This year's Make It Better competition was the second. Glynn says plans are in the making for a third installment next year. "We definitely intend on doing it again next year," Glynn says. "We will probably do it earlier." Source: Carol Glynn, director of Blackstone LaunchPad at Walsh College Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Is “community solar” next frontier in alternative energy?

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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May 23, 2013

Research into ways of opening up opportunities to ordinary citizens and businesses interested in building solar energy generators is underway, thanks to a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Think of it as the community garden of alternative energy. It lets shareholders or investors participate in a shared generation or renewable energy site in exchange for some benefit based on their investment, possibly savings on utility costs or profit. The concept is not a new one in cities such as Seattle and other parts of the Northwest. “Renewable energy resources, such as community solar, offer many potential community, economic, environmental, national security, and societal benefits for the state,” MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney says in an announcement of the grant. “Through this study, we can identify ways to make community solar a growing solution for locally-owned clean energy.” The $33,304 grant to the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association will be used to perform a Community Solar PV Garden Feasibility Study that will help the MEDC's Renewable Energy Demonstration Program determine what the barriers are to forming community solar projects. Barriers include high up-front costs and lack of optimal places to install solar gardens. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Kathy Fagan, spokesperson, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Michigan-based MJR building $16M theater in Troy

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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May 23, 2013

Oak Park-based MJR Digital Cinemas is opening its next theater in Troy, creating jobs and drawing an estimated 800,000 visitors annually to the spot that will also introduce a new concept in movie-watching. The MJR Troy Grand Digital Cinema 16 will be located at the corner of Maple and Livernois roads and house 16 screens and 3,200 seats. Ground will be broken on the 74,000-square-foot facility in September, and opening day is expected by late April 2014. The $16-million project will also dedicate one of its theaters to the MJR Epic Experience, a new concept that focuses on designing a theater around extra comfort and a higher level of customer service. The 460-seat theater will have a larger screen and larger, overstuffed leather seats with more space between seats. The Epic Experience Theater will also come with the MJR Studio Bar & Lounge. “Troy has great demographics and is the perfect community in which to build a brand new and truly state of the art facility,” MJR CEO and founder Michael Mihalich says. The Troy Grand will be MJR's ninth theater in southeast Michigan. “The city of Troy is so proud to partner with MJR in transforming the Maple Road-Livernois corner into a first-class entertainment destination,” Mayor Dane Slater says. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Cindy Stewart, city of Troy; Dane Slater, Troy mayor; Michael Mihalich, CEO, MJR Theaters

Car Condo proposal in Pontiac could restart vacant GM property

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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May 23, 2013

A vacant brownfield in Pontiac where General Motors once operated could be the site of an auto-related business trend -- car condos. Basically storage sites and gathering places for car lovers, car condos not only provide a place to safely keep a car but also to service it. The proposal for M1 Concourse calls for a complex of four to six buildings, each one with 14-16 garages that can be tricked out by owners. Other possibilities for the 89.5-acre property include entertainment aspects such as an amphitheater and restaurants for visitors who bring may come for car shows or special events. The initial part of the plan to re-use the site at Woodward Avenue and South Boulevard has been OK'd by city officials but still has other approvals to clear as developers work to re-use the property. At an announcement of the project Wednesday, city and county officials expressed support for the M1 Concourse and RACER Trust. RACER, Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust, was created by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court settlement to help clean up and redevelop former General Motors properties in 14 states. The car condo concept has taken off in other cities around the country, especially developments known for high-priced cars kept by deep-pocketed owners who want a club of like-minded car lovers. Woodward Warehouse, a much smaller version of what the M1 Concourse could be, opened last summer in Royal Oak not far from the avenue that carries the Woodward Dream Cruise. It is finding a market in storage, detailing, rebuilding, event hosting and member socializing. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Bill Callen, RACER Trust

Hamlin Corner mega sports bar opening in Royal Oak

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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May 23, 2013

Hamlin's Pubs, a metro Detroit restaurant and sports bar chain, is opening what it describes as a sophisticated sports bar with live entertainment on the ground floor of the Wooodward North Lofts in Royal Oak. Hamlin Corner, named after its corner spot in the loft and retail development, opens May 23 in the renovated 6,700-square-foot space at 386 N. Main near 11 Mile Road, a location that's been disappointedly vacant for six years. Besides a redone interior with rich colors and dark woods, there will be sidewalk seating with restaurant windows opening to the patio. The restaurant capacity is about 300 customers, and a DJ stand and dance floor are part of the design by the owners who have years of experience in restaurants. The menu will be "locally inspired," manager Anthony Mancini says, and offer burgers, sandwiches, soups, heartier entrees and specials like mussels and 50 beers on tap. It'll also give the ambitious Woodward North Lofts project more life and activity. Giancarlo DeAngelis, majority owner of Hungry Howie's pizza restaurants, and Anthony Mancini co-own Hamlin Corner. Mancini will be the operating manager, continuing the growth of Hamlin Pubs, which has six other locations: Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, Troy, Clarkston, Chesterfield and two in Shelby Township. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Anthony Mancini, owner/manager, Hamlin Pub Royal Oak

Where’s the Beef in Metro Detroit? (& Lamb, Pork, & Duck)

By NICOLE RUPERSBURG

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Arts & Culture

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May 23, 2013

Man does not live by gluten-free vegan cuisine alone. Some might argue that's not living at all. For all the love that's given to the how-green-is-my-garden folks, Metromode's Nicole Rupersburg feels it's time to give a big bloody hug to locals who want to put their incisors to good use.

Driving Urban Vibrancy Forward

By Nina Ignaczak

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Arts & Culture

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May 23, 2013

The first step in creating a regional transit authority for metro Detroit is done. Now the work begins to create a shared vision and a comprehensive plan to make it all happen. Nina Ignaczak talks to the people already rolling up their sleeves.

Lakeshore Express adds Oakland County-Northern Mich. flight

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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May 23, 2013

More flying options are coming to Metro Detroit now that Lakeshore Express Aviation plans to add a weekend flight option between Oakland County and northern Michigan. The Chicago-based airline recently announced the addition of the route between Oakland County International Airport and Pellston Regional Airport near Mackinaw. The flight will leave for northern Michigan Thursday and Friday afternoons and then return to Oakland County on Sunday and Monday mornings. "People want the ease and comfort of not heading up I-75 and dealing with the traffic," says Greg Stallkamp, CEO of Lakeshore Express Aviation. The 2-year-old private airline announced its expansion to Metro Detroit earlier this year, providing flights between the Oakland County International Airport and Chicago's Midway Airport. Both those flights and the northern Michigan route are set to begin service on June 6th. Lakeshore Express Aviation currently employs 20 people, including 10 recent hires at Oakland County International Airport. The company is looking at further expanding its Michigan flight options, including some puddle-jumping routes between Pellston Regional Airport and some of the islands near the Mackinaw Bridge, such as Mackinac Island and Beaver Island. "We continue to look at additional routes throughout the Midwest," Stallkamp says. Source: Greg Stallkamp, CEO of Lakeshore Express Aviation Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Deck Art celebrates skateboards as art in downtown Rochester

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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May 16, 2013

Skateboarders and downtown shops have had a rocky relationship through the years, but downtown Rochester is celebrating skateboarding -- and art -- with Deck Art 2013. Deck Art invites anyone to buy a blank board -- the canvas -- for $20, decorate it and have it displayed in local businesses for special public exhibitions. Deck Art is May 16 and 17 and starts with an art crawl beginning at the South Street Skateshop. It takes visitors in and out of businesses, which will offer special promotions. They can see more than 200 pieces of skateboard art spread throughout downtown. The South Street Skateshop is the host. The city and the Rochester Downtown Development Authority supports and helps promote it as Deck Art nights are a way to fill downtown, bring in business and give the community something to do just as the weather turns nice. There will be food trucks each day, and entertainment. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Rochester Downtown Development Authority