Environment & Sustainability

Coverage of green innovations, and climate and environment issues and developments, especially those told by local voices and that offer solutions for community concerns.

Dynasty Media Network opens office in downtown Ferndale

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Arts & Culture

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November 7, 2013

Dynasty Media Network has turned a closed storefront located in downtown Ferndale into an office, sound stage, production area and all-around workspace for digital designers, marketers and technological engineers to design all manner of promotions and communications. Owner and Founder Michael Rott has a long list of well-known clients and promising start-ups and plans to add to it from the new space and with staff that builds websites, develops apps, produces videos, TV commercials and digital business presentations. DMN plans to add six full-time positions in 2014 and is also partnering with the College for Creative Studies to offer paid internship opportunities that can nuture a future generation of digital designers. DMN also offers technology consulting, business strategy, audio visual systems, motion graphics and 3D animation, live streaming, corporate webinars, social media management and Apple computer education as a certified member of the Apple Consultants Network. Rott previously served as one of Michigan's lead creatives for Apple Inc. for several years prior to forming Dynasty Media Network. "My passion for business, special event production and cutting-edge technology has led me to this point in my career," Rott said when he announced plans to open the new office for Dynasty Media Network last year. "At DMN we support individuals and businesses through creative design, effective marketing strategies and innovative technology solutions." Source: Michael Rott, owner and founder, Dynasty Media Network Writer: Kim North Shine

Latest in Environment & Sustainability

Treat Dreams ice creamery expands into specially-flavored donuts

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November 7, 2013

Treat Dreams, the Ferndale ice creamery that opened three years ago and expanded its space earlier this year, is diving into another sweet endeavor: donuts. Wicked Donuts will open inside the Treat Dreams store at 22965 Woodward Avenue on Nov. 16. Diners can wash down the creatively flavored dough with Detroit-based Great Lakes Coffee. Like the ice cream, the donuts will come in unusual flavors -- at least 12 to start with -- and some classics. Initially customers will have 12 flavors to choose from: Kooky Monster, Chocolate Covered Coffee Bean, Classic Chocolate Frosted, Pumpkin Bourbon Gingersnap, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip. German Chocolate, Chocolate Candy Pieces, Boston Cream Pie, Peanut Butter Cup, Coconut Lemon Curd, Creme Brulee, Maple Bacon and Pumpkin Pie. Owner Scott Moloney, who calls himself the chief dreamologist, says the donuts have been in the research phase for awhile. "We have wanted to bring unique donuts to the Detroit market for quite some time, and with our recent expansion and the beginning of fall this seems like the perfect time," Moloney says in announcement of the launch of Wicked Donuts. "Along with the addition of Great Lakes Coffee and espresso drinks, free WiFi and ample guest seating, we hope that Treat Dreams becomes a destination for remote offices and off-site business meetings." Source: Scott Moloney, owner, Treat Dreams and Wicked Donuts Writer: Kim North Shine

New diner steps in for closed one in downtown Clawson

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November 7, 2013

RJ's Diner is soon to open in the downtown Clawson spot long occupied by Grumpy's. RJ's will be a 50's era diner and serve comfort foods like meat loaf and mac & cheese, according to the Clawson Downtown Development Authority. Opening day at the new restaurant at 230 S. Main Street is expected before winter, after recipes are perfected, renovations are complete and employees are hired. It's "always sad to see one business leave but so nice when another relocates and finds their new home here," says Joan Horton, executive director of the Clawson DDA. Source: Joan Horton, Clawson Downtown Development Authority Writer: Kim North Shine

Stayin Alive Novi revives nightclub scene

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November 7, 2013

After months of renovations that involved a gigantic disco ball, '70s and '80s era decor, lava lamp tables and a massive LED dance floor, Stayin Alive Novi's owners are looking to be filled with dancers and fun-seekers on weekends and event planners and private parties other nights of the week. The vision for Stayin Alive, which opened last week in the Fountain Walk of Novi at 44325 Twelve Mile Road, is to bring back disco -- and '80s and '90s music -- in a big, memorable space for all sorts of get-togethers. The dance club, which also has a patio and serves signature disco ball drinks, the Saturday Night Fever and Super Freak, from a 50-foot-long bar with iconic '70s and '80s logos on the walls and TV screens, will seek out corporate planners, party hosts, bachelorettes and even divorcees looking for a loud and crazy night out. Events are already booking, including time in the VIP Shag Room, and last week's opening weekend was packed. Vladimir Mirkovich, J. Kyle Hagerty and Brian DJ Godfather Jeffries, all metro Detroiters, are teaming up on the venture with Lucky Strike Entertainment. Source: Vladimir Mirkovich, managing member, Stayin Alive Novi LLC Writer: Kim North Shine

Former NFL’ers son inspires sporty Kute Kids Boutique

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October 31, 2013

Kute Kids Boutique, an online store that customizes sports-themed clothes and accessories for kids -- and even dogs -- is carving out an online niche of customers, from Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons players to the everyday sports fan watching teams at home. "Lions' players' wives have ordered things," says co-owner and marketer Sherrie Handrinos, who is also the president of Boost One Marketing. "Pistons staff cleared out our gear in like 10 minutes." Michigan and Michigan State fans are plentiful, as are orders for teams from out-of-state. The mother-daughter-run online store went live several weeks ago and quickly got a following of people wanting to dress up their kids on game days -- or any day. Handrinos, a Royal Oak resident, and her mom, Mary Anne Pacheco, a seamstress from Plymouth, have worked together since Handrinos was 19 and "we work together so well," she says. They also collaborate on Boost One Marketing, a marketing and public relations business. "When I was little my mom would make my clothes…She's the one who knows how to do that stuff," says Handrinos. "I'm the creative one. I come up with the crazy ideas and make it happen…It's not really our main business, it's just something we love so much." Kute Kids was inspired by Handrinos's godson, Kingston Williams, son of Derrick Williams, a third-round draft pick from Penn State who played for the Detroit Lions before moving to the Pittsburgh Steelers. "Over the past two years I would call my mom and say could you make Kingston this…every time he'd change his jersey number…We'd make bibs, blankets, outfits to match." Kingston is now two and his dad has left football, but the clothes and other kids' stuff he inspired carry on. Kute Kids will add detail -- names, numbers, etc. -- to items made by Pacheco and to other products: blankets, diaper covers, onesies, bibs, etc. Social media, especially Instagram, has been a sales driver. After Handrinos posted a photo of her and Pacheco's Maltese dogs dressed as footballs, inquiries from pet owners wanting outfits for their animals "were coming in within five minutes," says Handrinos. "I can't say enough about the power of social media," she says. "We may some day want a store or to put our merchandise in a store, but for now with people being so comfortable with online shopping...the online store is working out great." Source: Sherrie Handrinos, co-owner Kute Kids Boutique and president Boost One Marketing Writer: Kim North Shine

Build your own pie at Royal Oak’s Blaze Pizza

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October 31, 2013

A California pizza chain known for its quick-fired, watch your pizza being made concept opened its first Michigan location in Royal Oak last week. Blaze Pizza, a fast casual restaurant concept that's in heated expansion mode, franchised a 3,900-square-foot, 80-seat store with an outside patio at 112 Main Street. The eatery introduced locals to its concept of an assembly-line system that lets customers choose from more than 40 toppings -- many gourmet or unusual -- and watch as a ball of dough made from scratch and left to ferment and develop flavor for 24 hours is pressed and topped before going into a high-heat oven that bakes the thin-crust pizzas in 120 seconds. The franchise is owned by Blaze Midwest out of Houghton Lake, which plans to open 10 Blaze Pizzas in Michigan. Source: Blaze Pizza Writer: Kim North Shine

Ferndale gets new streetscape with extra bells and whistles

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October 31, 2013

A six-month-long rebuild of West 9 Mile Road in downtown Ferndale is complete and showing off what it has to offer to people who drive, walk or bike the stretch of road that was redone in an effort to unify and promote the business district, create public art and gathering spaces, and update and maintain the city infrastructure. The $1.8-million project paid for the replacement of 2,600 feet of outdated water main and also remade the roadway and sidewalks from Livernois to Pinecrest with a new streetscape. The project, dubbed How the West was One, was paid for by the city of Ferndale, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority, which has long wanted the west part of 9 Mile to be more connected to the east side across Woodward Avenue. You'll know the new western half by the bright yellow park benches, recycling bins, bike parking loops, new street lighting, plants, trees and shrubbery. In addition, the road was narrowed and designed with on-street parking, better crosswalks and bike lane arrows that give cyclists a designated, ideally safer place to ride. In addition, the new Kenton Pocket Park was carved out of the project and while the construction was disruptive, a new business opened, as did a new public art gallery. Source: Chris Hughes, spokesperson, Ferndale Downtown Development Authority Writer: Kim North Shine

Ford and U-M team up to open battery lab

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Community Development

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October 24, 2013

Developing the next generation of hybrid and electric battery for autos is tricky business. Innovations don't always square with nusiness needs. Ford and U-M are hoping to close that gap by joining forces. Excerpt: "The center, on the university's campus in Ann Arbor, will bring together battery makers, car companies and researchers who will test new batteries for prototype vehicles. Ted Miller, who manages battery research at Ford, said the lab will be unique in the U.S. He said that labs currently testing new battery chemistries can't produce them in the amounts or formats needed for automotive research. And battery companies aren't always sure that what they're developing could be useful to the automotive industry." Read the rest here.

Schramms Mead sweetens Ferndale’s bar scene

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October 24, 2013

The Metro Times (Ferndale's newest media resident) has a terrific profile of mead connoisseur Ken Schramm and his newly open tasting room. Excerpt: "Now, at 54, Schramm is finally getting into the production game. With laughing candor, he says, “I’ve had the books out for 10 years, and now I’m finally getting into the business when other people have had a five-year head start — and I’ve told them all my tricks! What kind of a businessman goes out and teaches everybody everything they need to know to be more successful than you are? Apparently that’s me.”" Read the rest here.

Age-friendly, plug-in ready neighborhood planned for Auburn Hills

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October 24, 2013

A residential development in Auburn Hills is planned to be much more than another new subdivision. The Parkways, a project of The Moceri Companies, is meant to create public use spaces, become an entry into the city's emerging downtown district, promote alternative electric vehicle usage and offer specially-designed multi-generational housing in one neighborhood. City officials say the mix of housing styles and design of the neighborhood keep in mind the city's goals of offering more "age-friendly" and senior living options and promoting the inclusion of alternative energy technology in new construction. The Parkways is also believed to be the largest residential development in Michigan to wire all property with electric vehicle plug-ins. "This project was intentionally designed to meet Auburn Hills’ formal commitment to become an Age-Friendly Community with a variety of housing opportunities, parks, sidewalks and complete street considerations,” says Steven Cohen, director of community development for the city of Auburn Hills. “This private investment by The Moceri Companies to build a multi-generational development is a huge victory for the city. It’s a game changer for Downtown Auburn Hills.” As for electric vehicle wiring, Cohen says, "If considered when a project is first built, preparing for electric vehicles is very easy and inexpensive. By prepping these garages with proper wiring, new residents within this development will only need to add a charging station on the wall if they buy or lease an electric vehicle. It’s like adding a garage door opener and the costs are now very similar. Having proper infrastructure in place will help this technology succeed. It just takes forward thinking.” The Parkways will be made up of 76 townhouse, 72 stacked, flat units and a three-story 160-unit senior care complex. The market value of The Parkways, which will be built on 21.5 acres of property west of Adams road and north of the Clinton River Trail, is expected to be $75 million. Previous plans for a major housing development by another company foundered during the recession, and the property went into foreclosure and then back into the city's hands. A partnership with the city and Moceri means part of the land will become a two-acre public park and the major road through the property will be designed as a boulevard an eastern gateway into downtown Auburn Hills, where major projects such as student housing, will be completed soon. Construction on the first of five phases is scheduled to being in the spring of 2014 and be completed by the end of 2017. Source: City of Auburn Hills Writer: Kim North Shine