Now that summer is quickly winding to a close, it is time for Macomb County residents to prepare for another fun school year for the kiddies. Preparing involves more than buying bookbags, supplies and lunchboxes.

Parents who have children entering Kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year are encouraged to call the Macomb County Health Department office, which is located in Mt. Clemens, to receive their free vision and hearing tests for their children.  Keep in mind that these tests are required for all children that are entering school for the first time.  It is important to identify any problems that your child may have with vision or hearing at an early age so that they can have every educational advantage available at their fingertips.

Macomb County Health Department will also be willing to test any child from the ages of 3 – 18 when parents or guardians have concerns about their vision and hearing issues.  Testing is simple and painless.

All exams must be scheduled in advance by calling (586) 412-5945.  All vision and hearing tests are conducted at the Mount Clemens Health Department office only.  The address is:  4325 Elizabeth Road in Mount Clemens.

Each year about this time we are treated to lots of fireworks shows. Some are to celebrate the Fourth of July, others are just because it is summer.

The first documented fireworks displays took place in China in the 12th century. At this time it was thought that fireworks could scare evil spirits. They were also used as a sort of prayer for good fortune. In ancient China, people who were skilled with fireworks commanded great respect.

Fireworks should really be handled by experts and you need to check with your jurisdiction for rules regarding fireworks in your area.

Here are some rules for being safe while using fireworks:

Fireworks should be handled by adults only.
Only buy fireworks from reputable establishments.
Only use fireworks outside.
Don't carry fireworks in your pockets.
Read the label and follow the instructions.
Don't aim fireworks at other people.
Keep pets at a safe distance from fireworks.

Whether you take in fireworks outside or watch them at home on television, stay safe this Fourth of July.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, Macomb County!

The St. Helen Bluegill Festival has been going strong for 59 years, providing great entertainment and joy to the area and this year will be no exception.

What exactly is a bluegill? It is a freshwater game fish that people catch with live bait. People enjoy catching this flavoful fish at dawn and at dusk. They also sometimes called panfish.

Bluegills are a little mischevious. They are known to take the bait off of a hook (without getting caught!). Males and females have distinct colors. But sometimes a male fish who is guarding a nest will take on female colors to fool other male fish. 

The festival starts with the kickoff ceremony tomorrow at 6 pm until they give the final award at Sunday’s award ceremony, it will be nonstop fun.

There will be: a parade, a carnival, vendors, DJs spinning tunes, tournaments, live bands, crafters, medallion hunt, raffles, fishing contests, kids parade, games, airplane exhibit, an auto show , car cruise and much more! Visit www.bluegillfestival.org/ for complete details.

Here are some highlights-

THURSDAY
Sloppy Joe Dinner
Midnight Live Band

FRIDAY
Senior Day
Horseshow Tournament

SATURDAY
Softball Tournament’
Talent Show

SUNDAY
Car show
Annual Bluegill parade

Get ready all you scrapbooking enthusiasts—this weekend is all about you!

A Macomb County MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group will be your hosts for a Macomb County scrapbooking marathon on Saturday, April 12. And marathon is indeed the right word to describe this event—it  is a 12 Hour Scrapbook Crop. It will be at Trinity Lutheran Church on Harper from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm. (If you don’t think you have half a day’s worth of stamina, you can choose to participate for 6 hours instead.)

If you have been gathering supplies because you intend to scrapbook and haven’t had the time, why not join will others to get the job done. Many hands make light work, as they say. Sometimes it is hard to get to it alone, but when you have company and camaraderie, you’ll find it much easier to finish.

For you scrapbooking novices, there is room for you as well. You’ll benefit from being able to watch and observe other people making scrapbooks.

Early registration is $30; e-mail Dawn at Gracie8098@aim.com to get the registration form.

Perhaps you’ve seen those photos of stars looking glamorous at fashion shows and wondered if you would ever get to attend such an event. Not only do the stars get great seats, they also get to go backstage and schmooze with the designers. But you should know that great design is not just for the stars and it is not just being created in New York, Paris or Milan—there are talented designers who are hard at work all over the U.S. Still, we know that fashion shows and such seem like the belong to people who live in another world.

This is your chance to live a bit of the star lifestlyle. On Friday, April 11 you can meet Joelle Arondonski, the designer or lucy apparel. You’ll see and have the opportunity to buy some of her great designers before they are available to the general public.

Joelle is originally from Clinton Township and she is also an alum of Chippewa Valley. Her design roots were formed right here in our area!

You can talk style with Joelle and other fashion-forward types as you enjoy complimentary appetizers, courtesy of Brio Tuscan Grille.

This great event will start at noon on April 11 at 17420 Hall Rd, Clinton Township, MS. Please RSVP by calling 586-263-3093.

Sometimes we get the idea that art is something that is way out of our reach. We think of it as paintings hanging in fancy museums and figure that it isn’t for us. This is why it is so important to support local artists. Seeing art created by people from the area makes art more real and accessible to us. It also gives them the encouragement they need to keep at it. There is great art being created right here in Macomb County.

The opportunity to talk with an artist about their work makes it that more enjoyable. You will have the chance to do just that tonight at the Borders in Utica from 7-9 pm. John Meaghan, a Senior Biological Illustrator at the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology, will discuss his children’s book W is for Waves. He will also bring some of his original paintings. So come out with your kids to show them that art is within their grasp. Kids love animals, so Megahan’s illustrations are sure to please them.

Borders
45290 Utica Park Blvd.
586-726-8555

If you’ve seen The Biggest Loser on television or are aware of other weight loss challenges, you know that a little competition can go a long way towards motivating people to shed pounds.

That is why Sprint Hill Apartments in Shelby Township will spend the next 12 weeks sponsoring a Pro Weight Loss Challenge. Each Thursday from 6:30-7:30 pm, you can get together with other contenders for assistance and some encouragement, For just $29 you get a free metabolic test, free coaching and contestants will be weighed each week. That’s $29 total, not $29 per session. The three top “losers” will win prizes. But don’t do it for the prizes: do it to get healthy and to get in shape. Do it for the bragging rights.

No matter your reason, this is a great opportunity. Most work is easier when it is share and losing weight is no exception. You’ll have fun and you’ve got nothing to lose (except weight).

The Spring Hill Apartments are located at 45710 Spring Lane. Call Madeline (586-254-1956) or Sue (810-794-5879) to learn more.

If you own a business in Macomb County and are not yet a member of the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce—what are you waiting for?

Member organization that invest in the Chamber are really investing in each other and in the people they serve. A strong tie among local businesses creates a stronger community and this benefits everyone. By coming together local business owners are able to do so much more as group than each operation could do on its own.

In addition to being a part of an organization that is doing continuously works to improve conditions in the community where you operate your business, there are a whole host of benefits and discounts that come with Chamber membership.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of Chamber membership:

Advertising discounts with the Macomb Daily and MichiganMall.com

Banking discounts at LaSalle Bank

Office supply discount at Office Depot

Telephone service discount with Verizon Wireless

Visit the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce website or call 586.493.7600.

You can also visit the Chamber is person at 28 First Street, Suite B in Mount Clemens.

Philosophy isn’t jfor the high-falutin’ . Any and everyone can benefit from an engaging dialogue about life. It is even better when there is a springboard for discussion, such as a movie, to give everyone a point from which to begin.

The Eastern Michigan University Philosophy Club and the Women’s and Gender Studies Association wants to make philosophy fun. Tonight at their Philosophy/WGST Swim-In Movie Night, the will be showing The Princess Bride starting at 7pm. When the movie ends you can stay to not only recite your favorite lines, but to dig a little deeper and talk about what they really mean in light of our culture.  This will be an informal discussion, so don’t feel pressured. After all, it is in a pool, so how serious can it call be?

You get to watch the movie in a very relaxing atmosphere: a pool. The event is free. Snacks and flotation devices will be provided.
This fractured fairy tale is a cult favorite, but I’m sure you’ve never experienced it like this!

EMU Rec/Im ClubPool
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) will have a forum to examine the lives of women who work outside of the home. The term “glass ceiling” was coined to describe some of the difficulties women face in the workplace. They can see what is it like at the top, but it can be a daunting and painful process to get there. Even with increasing numbers of women in the workplace, it is not easy.

Members of the EMU faculty will talk about this at an event entitled “Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling: How Women Get and Keep Power Positions”. Joine them on Thursday, March 27 at 5pm for a thought-provoking conversation. The panelists will talk about women’s ability to get into positions of power in various professional arenas, as well as discuss what happens to women who reach certain heights in an organization.

EMU
Halle Library G03 Auditorium
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti

March is Women’s History Month, and this is a great time to honor women in all walks of life—whether they work inside or outside of the home, or both.