Education

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

Bozeman Watch Company coming to downtown Birmingham

By Newsroom

●

April 25, 2013

The Bozeman Watch Company's speciality, limited edition watches and accessories will soon fill a downtown Birmingham store, importing a Michigan native's high-end goods from the Montana and Wyoming showrooms where they're now sold. Its handmade time pieces are known for their rugged styling -- the B1 Hellcat, Smokejumper GMT and Sidewinder are a few styles that convey manly man adventure. The company is also known for its hand-tooled leather luggage and handbags. Christopher Wardle, a former Michigan resident started the company in Montana and is expanding from three stores in Bozeman and Whitefish, Montana and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Birmingham store opens May 1 on Pierce Street in the spot formerly occupied by Stacy Leuliette home accessories, says Ed Nakfoor, spokesman for the Birmingham Principal Shopping District. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Ed Nakfoor, spokesman, Birmingham Principal Shopping District

Latest in Education

Oakland County adds fresh foods market to downtown Pontiac

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

April 25, 2013

An effort to increase Pontiac residents' access to fresh, healthy foods is spreading in Oakland County with the opening of a third goverment-run market. The newest market will operate one day a week on Tuesdays and sell fresh fruits and vegetables at a low cost. The markets are a project of the Healthy Pontiac We Can! Coalition and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency. Two other markets sell on Fridays and Saturdays, and all three share recipes for meals using fresh foods, lead cooking demonstrations and offer free samples. "This market is a part of Oakland County's strategy to improve the quality of life of our residents through healthier lifestyles," says Kathy Forzley, Oakland County Health Division manager and health officer. "Consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables decreases the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers." Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Kathy Forzley, Oakland County Health Division

Local 212 spotlights local foods options in downtown Royal Oak

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

April 25, 2013

The menu at a new restaurant in Royal Oak is striving to show that what it serves can come from close to home and not from a box. Local 212 -- the 212 comes from its address on Fifth Avenue in downtown Royal Oak -- opened just over a week ago and the reception to the shrimp from Okemos (there's a farm there), the Northern Michigan boar, Michigan chestnuts on a baby spinach salad and grilled cheese on Detroit Avalon bread has been hearty. When the Royal Oak Farmers Market opens veggies will come from there and other farmers. All the sausage and bacon is made in house at Local 212 and the slider patties are ground in the kitchen too. The meats served at Local 212 come from local farmers through Sparrow's Market in Ann Arbor. Local 212 also serves beer and wine, many made locally and around the state, as well as from places around the world. While there are plenty of ingredients not from Michigan, none are processed. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Jenna Goudrea, general manager, Local 212

Macomb Children’s Hands-On Museum moves forward

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

April 25, 2013

With architectural plans drawn up and the first round of fundraising done, the Macomb Children's Hands-On Museum is closer to opening its doors. The target date for opening what would be Macomb County's first children's museum -- and a metro Detroit region tourist attraction -- is early 2015, in Mount Clemens. The project was announced in 2010 and has the support of benefactors Gebran and Suzanne Anton, who donated a two-story downtown building with a rooftop garden and parking. During a fundraising phase that lasted a little more than a year, nearly $60,000 was raised, almost $20,000 more than the target. As much as $14 million will be needed to build and open it. Virginia Beach Architects iN Design completed a proposed design. The project leader is William Greaves, who brings a record of designing children's museums and creative art centers around the U.S. "As Macomb County looks to educate its children, attract and retain an educated workforce, and promote travel and tourism," says Monika Rittner, a board member for the proposed museum, "the establishment of the Macomb Children’s Hands-On Museum is a must for the region to remain competitive in the 21st century." Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Arthur Mullen, spokesperson, and Monika Rittner, board member, Macomb Children's Hands-On Museum

500-plus student housing complex coming to OU

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

April 18, 2013

Oakland University broke ground today on a $30-million student housing complex that is expected to open by August 2014 and sleep more than 500 students, a development that will further the school's move away from commuter-based to full-time campus life experience. The freshmen and sophomore living spaces will come with a cafe, meeting rooms and study areas as well as be home to OU's Honors College. "By investing in our students' academic and campus experience with projects like the new housing complex, we are creating a total campus community," OU president Gary Russi says, "a community that our students will remember as their home and their foundation for success." The complex, which will be built to LEED energy efficiency standards, is the most significant of several developments changing the Auburn Hills campus, which has seen a 37-percent increase in enrollment during the last 15 years and an increasing demand for on-campus housing. Also this week, ground will be broken for construction of a 151-foot carillon tower that's being paid for by longtime benefactors of the school, Hugh and Nancy Elliott. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: David Groves, spokesperson, Oakland University and OU president Gary Russi

Stefana Boutique opening in downtown Northville

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

April 18, 2013

The owner of the new Stefana Boutique in downtown Northville is basing her business on offering something different than mall-based stores, selling at prices that won't induce buyers' remorse and in stocking styles that are age-appropriate but still with it. Stephanie Fermanis Stojanovski opened the boutique at 122 W. Main Street this week and is excited to be selling clothing, jewelry and other accessories she picked up at Fashion Week in Las Vegas. "I have clothes from New York, California, sunglasses from Texas," she says. "There things that you won't find in just any store." She chose Northville, where she moved to 13 years ago, simply because she loves the city. "This is a really beautiful location on Main Street. There's a lot of traffic and and the historic downtown is very beautiful, very quaint," she says. She also says Northville's events such as First Fridays, where galleries and shops stay open later and bring more visitors downtown, are expected to be good for business and good for getting to know customers, something she's already seeing as the best part of being a business owner. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Stephanie Fermanis Stojanovski, owner, Stefana Boutique

Metro Detroit towns, groups get grants for tree plantings

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

April 18, 2013

About 15 metro Detroit cities, schools and community groups are sharing in tree-planting grants awarded by DTE and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. A total of 34 grants were awarded statewide. The amount of grants totaled $75,610 and will lead to the planting of more than 1,000 trees. Locally, communities such as Lincoln Park, Warren, Grosse Pointe Park and Pleasant Ridge will plant trees in the fall and spring. Schools such as Commerce Elementary in Oakland County and Romeo Community Schools in Macomb County, as well as community groups such as the International Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson East Business Association and Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education, all in Wayne County, are also receiving grants. The program is intended to increase the number of proper tree species and encourage properly planted trees and to also help reverse the loss of tree canopy in urban areas. In the 15 years since the Michigan program began more than 20 million trees have been planted throughout the state, according to the DNR. “The trees planted through this program will help to improve public areas in communities throughout the state,” said Kevin Sayers, coordinator of the DNR’s Urban Forestry Program. “This program also helps raise awareness about the importance of planting the right tree in the right location to avoid utility and tree conflicts.” Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Scott Simons, DTE Energy and Madhu Oberoi, executive director, Lincoln Park Downtown Development Authority

Downtown Rochester wins 2013 National Main Street award

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

April 18, 2013

Downtown Rochester is one of three cities in America to be named a Great American Main Street. The 2013 Great American Main Street Award given by the National Trust For Historic Preservation recognized the Oakland County city for its success at preserving history while promoting economic revitalization and a strong relationship with the community. The announcement of the award, which was given in New Orleans April 11, described the Trust's reasoning for picking Rochester out of hundreds of historic Main Streets across the country. "The Rochester DDA has succeeded in transforming a mill town that had fallen on hard times into a thriving suburb of Detroit built around a strong sense of place and community. A robust mix of public events, creative use of social media and a broad spectrum of volunteer involvement has attracted a loyal following to downtown Rochester," it says. "The DDA's Big Bright Light Show, for example draws 1 million visitors each holiday season to enjoy 1.5 million lights-lighting up merchants' cash registers in the process" Other winners were H Street Main Street in Washington, D.C. and Ocean Springs Main Street in Mississippi. In picking Rochester, Valecia Crisafulli, acting director at the National Main Street Center, says, "The Rochester DDA is a true innovator in marketing and small business assistance, and has the vibrant downtown to prove it. At a time when many municipalities are losing population, Rochester has experienced a 20-percent increase in population. With a 4-percent vacancy rate downtown and 132 new businesses since adopting the Main Street Approach, the DDA can take great pride in creating an inviting place for people to live, shop and open businesses." Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, says it goes without saying that it's an honor and recognition of much hard work and devotion from volunteers, business owners and city and county officials. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Kristi Trevarrow, executive director, Rochester Downtown Development Authority and Erica Steward, spokesperson, National Trust For Historic Preservation

Q’vive one-man operation grapples with managing growth

By Newsroom

●

Education

●

April 11, 2013

Step one for Eric van der Meulen after his layoff from corporate America a few years ago: create his own job by starting Q'vive. Done. Step two: how best to grow beyond a one-man operation. That's one of those good problems he is still trying to figure out. "I have been thinking about how to multiply myself," van der Meulen says. "At some point I will be bringing someone on." The mechanical engineer launched his Wixom-based consulting business four years ago and has turned it into his full-time job and then some. The firm specializes in everything from consulting and training companies to new product development. Q'vive has recently taken on teaching work at Schoolcraft College’s Continuing Education and Professional Development department. The company is offering, through Schoolcraft College, two new shorter courses to prepare students for the exams to get certification in Project Management Profession and Certified Associate in Project Management. "This is a real exciting development," van der Meulen says. He adds that he expects to add his first employee later this year to deal with the increasing workload. Source: Eric van der Meulen, president & owner of Q'vive Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Video Daylighting the Clinton River

By Matthew Lewis and Oren Goldenberg

●

Arts & Culture

●

April 11, 2013

A river runs through it. Or once did. Forced below ground (and concrete), folks in downtown Pontiac haven't seen the Clinton River since 1963. Now, there's talk of daylighting the river, which is seen by some as a too-costly proposition and by others as a necessary step toward revitalizing the city's core.