Detroit: Workshops on preserving cultural artifacts Nov. 20
DETROIT (AP) — Sessions and workshops on how families can preserve African American items of historical and cultural significance will be held at the Detroit Public Library’s main branch.
The daylong program is Nov. 20.
The free event is the eighth in the “Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative of Discovery and Preservation” series.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture says Detroit’s “significance to the history of African Americans cannot be overlooked.”
Family photographs, military uniforms, farm tools and wedding dresses are among items expected to be discussed.
Experts will meet individually with participants on caring for items, but won’t determine monetary values.
Battle Creek: Former Rep. Schwarz again endorses Schauer
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — Former Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz is again endorsing the Democrat running for the seat he once held.
U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer’s campaign said Tuesday that a group calling itself “Republicans for Schauer” is announcing its support for the Battle Creek incumbent.
The group includes Gary Reed, a former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party. It’s co-chaired by former Kellogg Co. Vice President Joe Stewart and former GOP state Sen. Hal Ziegler.
Schwarz represented the south-central Michigan district from 2005-06, but lost the GOP primary to Tim Walberg. Schauer beat Walberg in 2008, and the pair are locked in a tight rematch this year.
Schwarz also endorsed Schauer in 2008. He now considers himself an independent.
Grand Rapids: Meijer Gardens attendance and membership climb
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is reporting all-time high attendance and membership during the year of its 15th anniversary.
The Grand Rapids attraction said Wednesday that it attracted a record 643,031 visitors during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The park says its members membership base grew to a record 20,653 households.
The 132-acre Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park says the number of visitors is 17 percent higher than its previous best year of 2005. It says attendance previously has averaged about 500,000 visitors annually.
Meijer Gardens in May celebrated reaching the 6 million visitor mark. It previously had about 17,000 member households.
Auburn Hills: Teen charged as juvenile in outlet mall shooting
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — A 16-year-old has been charged with assault with intent to commit murder in the shooting of another teenager outside a popular Oakland County shopping mall.
The Pontiac youth faces a preliminary examination Friday.
Defense lawyer Robert Zivian says if tried in juvenile court, his client will have the same rights as an adult in a jury trial. If convicted, he could get an adult, juvenile or blended sentence.
The youth is being held at the county’s Children’s Village.
Police say a 17-year-old Pontiac boy was shot in the stomach Sunday outside Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, about 20 miles north-northwest of Detroit. The shooting followed an argument over a girl.
The victim’s father restrained the suspect until police arrived.
Detroit: DIA gets $440K in grants to improve American Wing
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Institute of Arts is getting about $440,000 to help pay for improvements to its American Wing galleries and support a future exhibition of works by the American artist Frederic Edwin Church.
The museum says it recently was awarded $190,000 for repair and maintenance of the American Wing galleries from The Henry Luce Foundation. It also is getting $250,000 from the Terra Foundation for American Art for the Church exhibition.
Museum Director Graham W.J. Beal says in a statement that the grants come “during a difficult economic time.”
The Henry Luce Foundation grant mostly will be used to support replacement of the DIA’s perimeter heating system in the American Wing. The museum began work on the project in June and completed it earlier this month.
Lansing: Volunteers sought to restore Mich. state parks
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State wildlife officials are seeking volunteers to help restore and protect natural areas in southeast Michigan.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment on Tuesday announced the schedule of work sessions in which volunteers will collect native plant seeds and cut invasive shrubs in natural areas.
Sessions will run Nov. 6-14 at state parks and recreation areas in Oakland, Washtenaw and St. Clair counties. Sites include the Highland Recreation Area, Waterloo Recreation Area and Algonac State Park.
Volunteers should bring appropriate clothes for outdoor work and a clean, empty jug for seed collecting. They also should bring drinking water and sunscreen.
Detroit: Schools seek more parental involvement
DETROIT (AP) — Discount retail cards will be offered by Detroit Public Schools to increase parental contact and involvement in the 77,000-student district.
The district said Wednesday that 30,000 “I’m In” scan cards will be given to parents visiting seven Parent Resource Centers scattered in schools across Detroit. Parental training, workshops and other services are offered at the centers. The cards will be available by mid-November.
Each visit to the centers will be recorded on the cards. Incentives and special offers increase with visits.
