Community Corner

Around the Mitten This Week: Students Send Valentines to Troops; TV Personality Writes Books; Praying for Spring

A roundup of news from Michigan Patches, including: School bond issue heats up in Saline, and dates set for Birmingham's upcoming film festival.

Children at in Farmington Hills crafted some of the more than 500 Valentine greeting and letters that were sent this week to Farmington’s military men and women based overseas. With help from the , the students made sure there won’t be one Farmington combatant without a construction paper heart or hand-written note Monday. Click here to read all about it:

Elsewhere, Around the Mitten:

Dates Set for Birmingham's Uptown Film Festival

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Save the date! Birmingham's Uptown Film Festival, which will spotlight Michigan-made films, is slated for March 11-12. Five feature films — starring a variety of well-know celebs such as 50 Cent and Christopher Walken — will premiere during the two-day festival and conclude with the Michigan Films Award Show. Films will be screened at the and the during the two-day festival.

Speaking of films: Local Haunt Goes 'Rabid' For Film

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cast and crew members of the independent film Rabid filled The Town Pump in downtown New Baltimore Thursday to shoot a scene for the upcoming thriller.

The good Rev. Jim Rizer of on Mack Avenue has had his fill of the snow, slush and chill of this long winter. He's changed the sign out front to ask everyone who passes by the church to stop putting icy weather in their prayers.

VIDEO STORY: Bond Proponents Tell Outsiders to "Butt Out"

Saline Area Schools is asking voters to extend a bond for six years so it can pay for $22 million worth of school improvements. And proponents are alleging out-of-district residents from places such Ann Arbor, Chelsea and Ypsilanti, are promoting a campaign against the proposal. 

Tip Leads to Fraud Arrests in Brighton

A Brighton area resident on a routine errand Sunday ended up helping police crack what could be a multi-state credit card fraud ring.

New Train Station on Track for Dearborn

City officials in Dearborn say by next month they expect a grant that will allow them to begin construction on a $30 million train station in town. And they say it will be will be much more than just an Amtrak port into and out of the city – the station is expected to open new economic doors for the city.

Dino Ciccarelli Announces Club 22 Disco Era Over

Former NHL great and current Hockey Hall of Famer, Dino Ciccarelli, threw one last bash Saturday night at his Shelby Township dance club, Club 22, before the doors close. But don't worry, it'll be opening up shortly as a high-tech Vegas-Style sports bar.

Berkley Cuts Benefits, Freezes Pay to Save $702,000

Berkley Councilman Daniel Benton called it "the responsible thing to do" when he and his fellow council members voted Monday to cut benefits and freeze the pay of nonbargaining employees. They said it will save the city thousands by the end of 2012.

Chuck Gaidica Introduces Two New Books

One of the most well-known faces in Detroit media, Northville resident Chuck Gaidica, introduced his two new books last week at a benefit for the Tipping Point Theatre. Gaidica, a weatherman on WDIV's Local 4 TV, has written one book geared toward children and the other, very Valentine's Day appropriate, touts the benefits of cuddling.

Dexter Principals Propose Full-Day Kindergarten Program

Principals at Dexter Community Schools are advocating to switch the district's part-time kindergarten program to a full-day, every-day kindergarten. The program could cost the district between $270,000 to $400,00 to implement and has been met with mixed feelings from parents. Citing the Michigan Department of Education, principals argue that full-day programs increase student comprehension of literacy, math, and general learning skills and better prepare them for first grade.

Black Population in Macomb on the Rise

Within the last decade, the number of African Americans in Macomb has grown quickly. According to the 2005-09 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census, 4.2 percent of the population is black. In 2000, the number was 0.8 percent. Macomb Patch examines the population for Black History Month.

Rochester Cider Mill Owner Fined for Contempt of Court

Dr. Tom Barkham, owner of the Rochester Cider Mill, was ordered to pay $3 by a judge Wednesday after he was found in contempt of court for planting a corn maze, selling Christmas trees and putting out two painted children's slides at the mill last year, violating a 1987 court order.

Tangerine Moon Takes 'Cover Bands to the Extreme'

The Clawson Patch profiles Tangerine Moon, the local mini music factory that produces music for some of Metro Detroit's top freelance pop and jazz musicians. The bands specialize in flashy shows that reproduce original songs by famous musicians.

For you procrastinators: Your Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Need a last-minute gift idea? Head to Rochester, where we have ideas on everything from cupcakes to diamonds.


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