Those of you who enjoyed a weekend experience at the Mount Clemens Farmers Market may be looking for a way to have that kind of adventure during the week. Well, look no further than the Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace.

Years ago this local legend started by purchasing with several more cases of strawberries that usual. A rather nervous Nino agreed to purchase the strawberry bounty because he thought customers would delight in them as he did and he was right. Nino’s customer service philosophy runs counter to what we are seeing these days. He actually thinks about what the customer would want and not simply about what is convenient for the company. Now, the marketplace sells fresh produce, succulent fruits and all manner of gourmet treats. They can cater your next event, make gift baskets and sell wine, seafood, deli items and have a butcher shop. If you cannot make it over there to view all of the culinary bounty, you can place orders for some items online.

17496 Hall Road
Clinton Township, MI 48038
Phone: 586-412-6000
Website: www.ninosalvaggio.com
Mon.-Sat. 8 am-8 pm
Sun. 8 am-7pm

The modern-day supermarket is the evolution of the farmer’s market, but somehow supermarkets just aren’t as much fun. There is something about being out and about in the fresh air that makes the food shopping experience much richer.

June is all about strawberries at the Mount Clemens Farmers Market. Well, it is not all about strawberries, you can get other things, like cabbage and maple asparagus, but strawberries at the focus. In fact, this Saturday, you can partake of deliciously fresh strawberry shortcake starting at 9 am until they run out. Make sure you get some before it's all gone.

In case you haven't been there yet, the Mount Clemens Farmers Market is on North River Road between I-94 and Northbound Gratiot. This upcoming weekend is a great time to go, but if you can’t make it, any time is a good time. From May until November, the market operates each Friday and Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm. You can pick up fresh produce, chat with your neighbors and maybe pick up a culinary secret or two.

You can learn more about the Mount Clemens Farmers Market at www.mountclemensfarmersmarket.com or by calling 586-493-7600.

The Equilibrium Pilates Studio is having an event to celebrate women-owned businesses in our area that will also serve as a benefit for Camp Casey. Camp Casey is a horse camp for kids with cancer. You know that this will be time (and money) well spent.

You’ll be able to eat, shop and take advantage of spa and meditative services in a calming atmosphere. There will also be a raffle and winners will get fantastic gifts from shops from our neck of the woods and from all over the state.

Don’t worry about having to get someone to watch your kids, this event is for kids and for the family as a whole. You may be able to finish some of that Mother’s Day shopping that you tend to put off until the last minute. Or, if you bring your mom with you, you can treat her to spa services as a pre-Mother’s Day gift.

The Equilibrium Pilates Studio is located at 6405 Telegraph in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. You can go to their website to learn more about what they offer.

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.

If, when you dig yourself out from all of the snow, you find that your Christmas shopping still isn't done, don't panic. Downtown Mount Clemens will be there to help! (Now if you find that some helpful elves have actually gone ahead and done all of that shopping for you, give them our address so they can help us too.)

Men's Night in Mount Clemens is scheduled for this Wednesday, December 19, 2007 from 5pm-9pm. What is Men's Night? Well, this is a night where men can get the help they need in purchasing gifts for friends and loved ones. Family and friends get gifts they'll love and the men who show up get a gift too--the gratitude of those same family and friends.

I once heard a story about a man who gave his wife a mop and bucket for Christmas. Now there is someone who could definitely use a Men's Night.

Besides gratitude and appreciation on Christmas Day, you'll also get right-away freebies to make the evening a real treat: FREE gift wrap (face it fellows, you need some help there), FREE snacks (to keep up your strength), and FREE parking after 6 pm.

Call (586) 469-4168 for more information.

This Friday will be the kickoff of the shopping season. Whether you rise early to hit the stores or make purchases online while wearing pajamas, chances are you’ll be buying something. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about wise ways to manage finances.

One of the best gifts you can give your kids is to teach them how to manage money so when it is time to buy gifts they are prepared. It is never too late to start, however, so you can still give them a crash course before you let them loose in the stores.

Teach comparison shopping. Go through the ads with them and compare what different stores are charging. Look at quantity and quality. The lowest price isn’t always the best. Ask them to think of a reason why you might want to pay more for certain items.

Teach them  compassion. Choose a charitable organization with you child and make a donation. Your children can give a small portion of their allowances, while you can give a larger amount. Of course donations don’t have to be given in dollars. You can also donate time to a group that needs help.

Check out these websites for more thoughts on teaching kids about money:

MoneyInstructor.com

Kidsmoney.org

Sure Willy Wonka had a chocolate factory...but he is a ficitional character, so you can only visit his factory in your imagination.

While you’re out gathering up candy today, don’t forget that our area has its own candy making factory that you can visit any time of the year. Morley Candy has been around since 1919 and they make delicious, high quality chocolate. They stick to the some of the original recipes that Grandma and Grandpa Morley developed years ago. Morley is the largest candy making operation in the state and among the largest in the country.

Morley offers tours Monday-Friday, but you must make arrangements in advance. Just call 800-682-2760 and ask for the tour information line.

The folks at Morley are so friendly that if you want to just come by and look around yourself, you are welcome to do that between 9 am and 3 pm, Monday-Friday. You won’t get to hear a guide tell you all about the history of Morley, but you can watch the process as you stroll down the glass observation hallway. Then you can drop in to the candy store and request a free sample.

If you can’t make it out to the factory, visit the Morley Web site, where you can find a wealth of information. That way, you’ll know how best to choose and enjoy chocolate treats during the holiday season.

Come on down to the Mount Clemens, Michigan Farmers' Market this Saturday, September 22, for the Spudtacular Pork-a-thon. Hurry down to Mount Clemens on Saturday morning. The lip-smacking event starts at 10 a.m. and ends when the tasty grub sells out. The succulent pig and potato roast is just one of the special events that area farmers have sponsored at this year's weekly market.

Browse more than 40 booths filled with fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits, fresh baked goods, homemade jams, eggs, mushrooms, herbs, perennials, shrubs and more. The fresh-picked corn has been particularly sweet and delicious lately. Michigan apples are appearing at the market which means cider and donuts won't be far behind. Late summer squash has a wonderful flavor, and Halloween pumpkins are starting to show up at booths. The Farmers' Market is the place to find fall and Halloween decorations like corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, decorative squash and colorful mums.

The Mount Clemens Farmers' Market is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through November. The market is located at the Park & Ride lot on North River Road between I-94 and northbound Gratiot Avenue in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Click here for a map. For more information about the Farmers' Market, call 586-493-7600.

MACOMB COUNTY MICHIGAN, Mich., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Taubman Centers Inc. (NYSE:TCO) today announced 25 additional retailers signed to open at The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township,Macomb County, Michigan. Most of the just-named tenants will be new to Macomb County.

The open-air shopping center, scheduled to debut Oct. 18, 2007, on the south side of M-59 between Garfield and Romeo Plank, will feature approximately 90 stores and restaurants. Two of its anchors, Nordstrom and Parisian, are Macomb County firsts.

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