Mega Garage Sale This Weekend

Warren is hosting a mega garage sale this Memorial Day weekend!  Last year the sale drew 11,000 people hunting for treasures such as jewelry, antiques, household items, clothing, toys and more!

When? 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday-Monday

Where? City Square Parking Structure on Van Dyke Avenue north of 12 Mile Road

Need More Info? 586-258-2004

Shred Day set for May 26

Last summer, as I was in the heart of nesting, I tackled one of the most daunting projects ever: organizing our filing cabinet. When I was done, I had a trash bag full of documents and a teeny, tiny shredder. I sort of wished I never started the project. I was either going to burn up the motor of the shredder or die of bordem putting the papers in three of a time.

But then I saw a report on WDIV-TV Local 4 for Shred Day at three Comerica Bank locations. We had a half hour to spare to get there, but we grabbed the bag of documents and set out. We got there about a half hour before the free service ended and there was a small line. It went quickly and before we knew it, we were watching our documents be shredded to bits.

Those who have taken on the task of cleaning out their filing cabinets lately will be happy to know WDIV-TV Local 4, Comerica Bank and Iron Mountain are at it again. They are offering another Shred Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26 at three Comerica locations:

• Van Dyke and 13 Mile banking center, 30500 Van Dyke, Warren, MI 48093
• Northland banking center, 22000 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48075
• Livonia Operations Center, 39200 6 Mile, Livonia, MI 48152

Each vehicle is allowed up to four boxes or bags of documents and Iron Mountain will shred them on the spot. All shredded materials will be recycled.

For more information, call Comerica at 888-266-3742 or visit www.clickondetroit.com.

Metro Detroiters Being Challenged to Do Good

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is challenging metro Detroiters to join them in “doing the most good” as the organization celebrates its fifth annual Doing the Most Good Week, May 10-16, 2010.

DMG Week is unique to metro Detroit, and is designed to call attention to individuals and groups, who through their actions and donations are “Doing the Most Good” to help the communities in which they live and work. New this year, individuals may pledge to “Do the Most Good” at www.salmich.org and post how they’re doing the most good on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/salmich.org.

The goal of the week is to build awareness of The Salvation Army’s services within the community. To participate, all it takes is doing something positive to help someone in your community.  “Doing the Most Good” is as easy as opening the door for someone, greeting people you encounter with a smile or saying something nice to everyone you meet during the course of the day.

The campaign coincides with the 56^th Annual National Salvation Army Week May 10-16, which was created by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1954.

The Salvation Army is once again partnering with the Detroit Tigers to help raise awareness of Doing the Most Good Week. Throughout the week, WJBK-TV (Fox 2) will air a public service announcement about Doing the Most Good starring short stop Adam Everett. The PSA will also be played before all home games at Comerica Park. Everett volunteered on The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread Truck during the Detroit Tigers Annual Winter Caravan earlier this year. The truck is a mobile feeding unit that delivers food to Detroit’s most depressed areas 365 days a year.

The PSA was crafted to help educate viewers about the programs and services offered by The Salvation Army and how donations are used to help those in need.

“Doing the Most Good Week is a time for everyone to make a stronger commitment to helping those in need, an important sentiment for those struggling in metro Detroit,” said Major John Turner, general secretary of The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division.  “The Salvation Army has chosen the phrase ‘Doing the Most Good’ because it is our promise to do the most good with contributions of money, time and resources. Eighty-three cents of every dollar donated is directly allocated to services that assist people in need,” Turner said.

Each day of DMG week, The Salvation Army is focusing on a different way to do the most good. A schedule of the week’s activities is outlined below:

• Monday, May 10 is Doing the Most Good for Your Neighbor Day

The Salvation Army couldn’t continue Doing the Most Good without a dedicated team of volunteers. The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division will recognize husband and wife volunteers Wayne and Marge Cooper of Plymouth as Family Volunteers of the Year; and Colonial Plymouth Kiwanis as Organization Volunteers of Year with a special recognition ceremony at The Salvation Army Plymouth Corps Community Center, 9451 S. Main St., Plymouth, at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 13. The couple is truly Doing the Most Good in their community.

The Salvation Army also kicks off Doing the Most Good Week with a special food and toiletries drive at Hiller’s Markets in metro Detroit Monday, May 10 through Friday, May 14.

Individuals are also encouraged to visit www.salmich.org and pledge to Do the Most Good via an interactive share button on the Web site. Additionally, do-gooders can also post how they’re doing the most good on The Salvation Army’s Facebook wall.

Also, anyone who donates clothing, furniture or household goods to a participating Salvation Army Thrift and Family Stores through May 31 will earn a $10 gift certificate good for use at any Van Heusen, IZOD or Bass retail location.

• Tuesday, May 11 is Doing the Most Good for children day.

Livonia nonprofit ConnectUS will deliver 75 hand-made puppets to The Salvation Army’s Booth Shelter for Women and Families at 1:30 p.m. on May 11 during a visit with the shelter’s young children. ConnectUS was established to fill a need for quality day programming for severely multiply impaired (SXI) wheelchair-bound adults. The program is designed to provide stimulating activity for members, including puppet assembly. Shelter staff will use the puppets as an available play activity for the shelter’s children.

In addition to its regular food and shelter programming, The Salvation Army also provides summer day camps and after-school services to metro Detroit children throughout the year. Children are also some of the charity’s most prolific volunteer fundraisers. To learn how your children can help by hosting their own fundraiser, call (248) 443-5500 or visit www.salmich.org

• Wednesday, May 12 is Doing the Most Good in the face of disaster day.

The Salvation Army has disaster response teams on call to serve at many disasters, from the recent tornados in Mississippi to ongoing relief in Haiti and Chile. Locally, mobile canteens in metro Detroit provide food, vouchers for temporary shelter, blankets, communications, emergency lighting and clean-up kits to victims of fire and other disasters. To find out how you can volunteer to help with these efforts, call 248-443-2242 ext. 347.

• Thursday, May 13 is Doing the Most Good for your mind, body and soul day.

The Plymouth Wellness Center, located at 1075 W. Ann Arbor Road, will host a personal care items drive from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to benefit The Salvation Army’s Plymouth Corps Community Center. Guests who bring a personal care item (deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) will receive a free 10-minute chair massage or 10-minute sinus release treatment and will be entered into a drawing for a detox package, including a 30-minute infrared sauna session, 30-minute ionic footbath session and a one-hour massage, plus a drawing for a couples massage. Those who donate will also learn tips and techniques on how to take care of (and even pamper) themselves, so they can focus Doing the Most good every day.

The Salvation Army also hosts many character building activities for children through their Salvation Army Outdoors programming and at its Camp Echo Grove in Leonard, Mich. Now is the perfect time to find out how you can get your child involved in upcoming summer activities. Call (248) 443-5500 for more information.

• Friday, May 14 is Doing the Most Good for the hungry day.

The Salvation Army wraps up Doing the Most Good Week with the final day to donate food and toiletries at Hiller’s Markets, which the business has generously offered to host at its six metro Detroit locations, including Berkley, Plymouth, Northville, West Bloomfield and its two locations in Commerce Township. Hiller’s Markets will encourage guests to ‘Do the Most Good’ and purchase extra nonperishable food items and toiletries for their neighbors in need, then drop them into designated shopping carts in the stores. The proceeds benefit The Salvation Army Corps Community Centers in Plymouth, Royal Oak and Pontiac.

• Saturday, May 15 (Armed Forces Day) is Doing the WRITE thing day.

The Salvation Army celebrates Armed Forces Day by continuing the legacy of The Salvation Army Lassie. Community members can show their appreciation to a soldier currently serving our country by going to www.salmich.org, Facebook and on Twitter @Salmich and writing a short note that The Salvation Army will send to a designated unit in the Armed Forces.

“Each one of us can make “doing the most good” our personal mission; to do the most good with the time and resources that we have. None of us can truly know the value of a good deed and therefore we should never miss an opportunity to do some good by considering the act too small,” Turner said.

To find out how you can join The Salvation Army in “Doing the Most Good,” visit www.salmich.org for a listing of some quick and easy ways to make an impact on the lives of those around you.

Founded by William Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination.  In 2009, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit was involved in providing 3,181,865 million meals and 724,134 nights of shelter for the homeless. The Salvation Army uses $.83 of every dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need each and every day of the year. For more information about The Salvation Army, please call 877-SAL-MICH, or visit us at www.salmich.org.

Panera Bread of Roseville Hosts Free Family Fun Day

On Saturday, May 8, Panera Bread of Roseville and United Way for Southeastern Michigan will host a free family fun day from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event is open to all ages.

United Way will share information with parents about the free resources available through its Early Learning Communities – a program that helps ensure children start school prepared and ready to learn.

Children will have the opportunity to participate in reading activities and craft projects.

Panera Bread of Roseville is located at 31960 Gratiot Ave.

To learn more about United Way for Southeastern Michigan, visit www.liveunitedsem.org.

Local Optometrists Provide No-Cost Vision Care For Low-Income Families This Saturday

Local optometrists with the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) will provide no-cost eye and vision care to area low income residents during Volunteers In Service In Our Nation (VISION USA) Day this Saturday, May 8.

VISION USA is a program that provides basic eye health and vision services free of charge to low-income, uninsured individuals and their families. The program is provided by participating MOA member optometrists who donate their services.

The no-cost VISION USA Day exams will take place at the following offices in southeast Michigan:

• Family Eye Care Associates of Clinton Township: 42550 Garfield Rd. Clinton Township, Mich. 48038. Call (586) 263-9708 to schedule an appointment.

• Family Eye Care Associates of Eastpointe: 21701 Kelly Rd., Eastpointe, Mich. 48021. Call (586) 779-4200 to schedule an appointment.

• Shelby EyeCare Associates: 48187 Van Dyke, Shelby Township, Mich. 48317. Call (586) 739-9550 to schedule an appointment.

• Marston Optometry PC of Livonia: 32037 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, Mich. 48150. Call (734) 421-5454 to schedule an appointment.

Appointments and pre-qualification are required to receive the exam. Individuals may obtain an application online at www.aoa.org/visionusa.xml.

To be eligible for a VISION USA eye exam, residents must meet the following criteria:

1. Have no vision insurance (this may include Medicare/Medicaid)

2. Have income below an established level based on household size

3. Not have had an eye exam within two years

4. Have a job or live in a house where there is one working member

“We know that area residents have been hit especially hard by the economic downturn,” said event organizer and MOA member, Michael Wallace, O.D. We hope that providing free vision care and eyeglasses can help individuals as they look for new jobs, provide for their families and weather this difficult time.”

To locate a Michigan Optometric Association doctor, visit the MOA website at www.themoa.org and click on the Find an Optometrist link at the upper right of the homepage.

Mom 2 Mom sale at Warren Salvation Army

The Salvation Army will host a Mom 2 Mom Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at its Warren Corps Community Center, 24140 Mound Road Warren, MI 48091.  Admission is $2 at 9:30 a.m.; $1 at 10 a.m. or after.  

Table rental is also available for $15 per table from The Salvation Army.  All proceeds benefit The Salvation Army. For more information, call (586) 754-7400.

Founded by William Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination.  In 2008, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit was involved in providing more than 3 million meals and 776,973 nights of shelter for the homeless. The Salvation Army uses $.83 of every dollar raised to provide direct services to people in need each and every day of the year. For more information about The Salvation Army, please call 877-SAL-MICH, or visit us at www.salmich.org.

Metro Beach welcomes pets this season

Metro Beach Metropark is opening its gates to pets this summer on a trial basis.

“Pets have only been allowed in the park while on board boats at the marina,” said Jim Pershing, park superintendent, Metro Beach Metropark. “And even then, the pets could only leave their boat to be taken to the pet relief area.” Metro Beach Metropark has been the only park of the 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks to not allow pets.

Leashed pets are allowed in the picnic areas and at the marina but are not allowed in the nature area, Squirt Zone, swimming portion of the beach, tot lot, the par-3 golf course and the adventure golf course.

“Over the years, we’ve received many requests from visitors to allow dogs in the park. We’re responding to those requests, and will permit pets in specific areas of the park on a trial basis. This is a compact area, with a high volume of people using the picnic areas and other facilities. We will evaluate the program at the end of the year, taking into account comments from the public as well as an evaluation from staff,” said Pershing.   “In addition to boaters, I expect people walking their dogs along Metro Parkway will especially like our new rule, as they will no longer have to turn back at our park entrance.”

Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. To assist, Metro Beach is installing pet waste stations throughout the park.

For more information, contact Metro Beach Metropark at 1-800-477-3172 or 810-463-4581 or visit the Huron-Clinton Metroparks web site.

Lifetime Fitness offers summer camps

Lifetime Fitness offers summer camps at each of its six metro Detroit locations and prospective campers can learn more during an open house this Saturday, March 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The summer camps at Lifetime are open to members ($175) and non-members ($220) ages 3-13. The half-day or full-day camps run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with before care available at 7 a.m. The camp features weekly field trips, activities including rock climbing, swimming and sports. Sports and specialty camps are available and vary by location.

Parents and campers interested in learning more about the camps can visit the free Camp Fair Open House on Saturday, March 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and save 10 percent if they register for a camp at that time.

Want to try out the camp? Lifetime offers a spring break camp April 5-9.

For more information, call the Lifetime Fitness in your area.

Canton- (734) 858-1319
Commerce – (248) 668-7319
Novi – (248) 735-5318
Rochester Hills – (248) 841-9819
Shelby – (586) 226-5419
Troy – (248) 267-6607

Mom 2 Mom Sales: Clinton Township and Shelby

125 tables of clothing, toys, strollers, books, shoes, baby bedding and so much more!

9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
$2/admission
St. Thecla
20762 Nunneley Road

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9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
$1/admission
Shelby Township Community Center
51670 Van Dyke Road
586-731-0030

Salvation Army helps buy Easter clothes for kids

Do you know a child 11 of younger who could use a new Easter outfit? The Salvation Army can help. As part of the 14th annual Dress an Angel program, eligible children can choose a dress, skirt or pant outfit for the Easter holiday. Applications are now being accepted for low-income Macomb County residents who would like to take advantage of this program.

The Salvation Army Warren Corps Community Center is accepting applications through March 11 for residents of southern Macomb County, including Warren, Roseville, Eastpointe and additional areas.  The clothing will be distributed on Friday,  April 2.

Children whose parents meet the income requirements will shop for a brand-new outfit with the assistance of a volunteer. In addition to the outfit, the Dress an Angel program will also provide children with socks, underwear, t-shirts, bras, belts, tights and other items.

Families in need of assistance should contact The Salvation Army’s Warren Corps Community Center located on 24140 Mound Rd. at (586) 754-7400. Applicants need to provide picture ID for all household adults, birth certificates for household children and proof of household income and expenses.

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