In 1970, during a large, national teachers’ strike, a few college grads saw a need for a new kind of education in Flint. They saw the need for an alternative to the private and public schools in the area, so they established The Valley School as Flint’s only independent, secular K-12 school. Since its beginning, Valley has welcomed students of all nationalities, races, religious and economic backgrounds. They strive to provide a safe place for students to learn and prepare for the next step. They are strictly a college preparatory school and it is something they do well. “Our kids attend colleges all over the United States and at home, from Mott to the University of Michigan to the Ivy League,” says Nancy Brandt, Counselor. “We are so proud of all of them.”
Teaching courage, confidence and character for more than 100 years, Girl Scouts is on a mission to change the world one girl at a time and they’re doing it in ways you may not realize.
Under the Radar Michigan, a popular PBS show is coming to the Flint Public Library tomorrow, August 28, at 6pm. The show’s hosts, Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman, will be on hand to give a presentation about how two “regular guys” ended up with a PBS show and book that feature cool people and places and things that make Michigan a great place to be. The duo will talk about how and why they make their show, and share stories about their Michigan travels. Be sure to bring your questions, your sense of adventure, and your sense of humor, because when Tom and Jim start talking, it’s a wild and crazy ride!
Honor, dignity, humility, service, respect. These are a few words that come to mind after meeting with Rico Phillips, a longtime Flint firefighter who recently brought home the NHL Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. The award recognizes an individual who, through the game of hockey, has positively inspired his or her community, culture or society. Willie O’Ree is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, known best for being the first black player in the National Hockey League and for his community service. “He broke the color barrier,” says Phillips. “Today, he is known as the Jackie Robinson of hockey.”
Health Alliance Plan (HAP) invites Flint-area residents to the HAP Health & Fun Fair on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 10am-2pm. The fair will take place at the HAP Flint Grounds, 2050 S. Linden Road (the southwest corner of Linden and Corunna roads). More than 40 mid-Michigan community partners will be onsite to share information about available resources for kids, families and seniors.
Blood donations are at an all-time low with so many people traveling and vacationing during the summer months. In order to fill the need for more donors, Financial Plus Credit Union is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a community blood drive event. The blood drive will take place Friday, July 26 from 10am-3:45pm at the Financial Plus Main office at G-3381 Van Slyke Road in Flint.
The Flint Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was chartered in 1918 by the National NAACP Board of Directors and since then, has been a positive force for the advancement of civil rights in our county. Past presidents of the organization include: Dr. Jesse Leonidas Leach (who went on to head the State Branch), Henry Gipson (publisher of “The Bronze Reporter”), Harold Hayden, Edgar Holt and John Harvey. A pioneer in the advancement of Civil Rights, C. Frederick Robinson, was one of its many esteemed members. The branch positively affected race relations in Flint and beyond since its inception and continues to do so today. It has sent representatives to march in Selma, AL, organized protests to secure open housing and Civil Rights for minorities in Flint, and has sent representatives throughout the U.S. in the push to vote after the Civil Rights act of 1957.
