Tucked away Downtown on Harrison St. stands the last icon of the vibrant days of Flint’s Floral Park neighborhood. Opened in 1921 by Magnus Clark as the Maple Leaf, Golden Leaf Club continues to be the city’s premier jazz haunt for enthusiasts, fans and musicians. It is the oldest African-American owned venue in Genesee County, second only to Idlewild (est. 1912) and tied with Detroit’s famous Paradise Valley clubs for Michigan’s earliest African-American jazz venue. Golden Leaf, however, is the only one still in operation and approaching its centennial anniversary. “We are still proud and still standing,” says current Owner/Maitre´d, Lottie Reid. “We’re still here and having a good time with good people. I think we all look good for 100!”

Flint’s Lydia Taylor named semifinalist in the sixth annual Breakthrough Global Challenge.

September is National Recovery Month — a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

YouthQuest, a no-cost after-school enrichment program operated by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, celebrated its tenth anniversary in July. “This is a huge milestone!” exclaims Nefertari Jones, Program Director. “We are a mainstay and still going strong!”

This summer, Flint kindergarten teacher, Jessica Reed, received a makeover of her classroom at Northridge Academy. This fantastic surprise was all due to the generosity of a longtime family friend, Melanie Ralbusky, a former teacher who is now a designer.

Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village (SBEV), 4119 N. Saginaw St., Flint, is hosting a community forum for its upcoming Flint Sports Complex on Thursday, Aug. 13, from 3:30 to 5pm.

Greater Flint college students will return to class soon … what can they expect? Local institutions shared their thoughts with My City Magazine.

This year has been a tough one in our United States. As we are bounced from one tragedy to another, the one true constant has been frustration. Frustration that things aren’t working. Frustration that we feel helpless. Frustration due to cancelled plans, missed friends and loved ones. And, frustration at the lack of answers. If only we had a specific date that we could look forward to, an end to the mayhem, then we might feel relieved. Once we know how things are going to change, we can prepare and adapt.

For the fifth year, the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety (DPS) River Trail Watchers are back patrolling the Flint River. The trail begins near Downtown Flint at the UM-Flint campus and heads north along both sides of the Flint River to Bluebell Beach. In 2010, the trail was extended from the University west into historic Carriage Town, passing by Atwood Stadium, Chevy Commons park at the former Chevy in the Hole site, the Kettering University campus, and the charming neighborhood park and recreation area at Mott Park. “The Trail Watchers are responsible for monitoring the trail from the UM-Flint Campus all the way to the city border at Flint Township,” states DPS Chief, Roy Hall.

Factory Two, a makerspace in Downtown Flint, is reopening, according to Manager Craig Farrington. And the goal is to open it safely and responsibly. “We believe this is achievable if everyone cooperates and commits to following our new safety policies,” Farrington said in a recently released statement.

To encourage youth health and fitness, Financial Plus Credit Union is giving Facebook followers a chance to win one of twenty bikes through the “Financial Plus Kids Bike Giveaway” contest. Starting now and running through August 31, 2020, followers are asked to place a Facebook comment containing the name of the child you are nominating along with their favorite color then use the hashtag #FPCUBikeGiveaway. Winners will be randomly selected on September 1, 2020.

The mission of the Junior League of Flint (JLF) is to promote volunteerism, develop women’s potential and improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. “We focus on anything to help women and children in Genesee County,” explains Jillian Norwood, Outgoing President. The longtime international organization has been in Flint since 1928 and currently has 50 active members from all over Genesee County. They also have a large group of 130 sustaining members who provide assistance and donations when needed.