A mobile medical clinic designed to take high quality mental health services on the road directly to the residents of Flint, was delivered to the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, September 16, 2016. The mobile clinic will provide the expanded resources and essential tools needed to help area children and families respond to effects of the city’s water crisis. This was in response to increased demand for mental health services, and through the leadership support of the Council for Michigan Foundations, a Children’s Health Fund.

Flint native W. David Tarver, founder and president of the Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative, has announced details of two new business challenge competitions that will be held in conjunction with the third annual Urban Entrepreneurship Symposium in Flint, October 19 through 21. According to a press statement, the symposium brings entrepreneurs and leaders in business, academia, community organizations and government, together to come up with business solutions that bring economic opportunity and quality of life improvements to urban communities.

Job seekers: gather ‘round! Local employers are looking to fill permanent positions during the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Job Fair on Friday, September 23 at Baker College of Flint.

The Hurley Foundation has received a $125,000 grant from the Metabolic Studio. Led by artist Lauren Bon, The Metabolic Studio works in the development of new tools for urban living and city planning by inventing new social practices for political and environmental justice. The Metabolic Studio has supported non-profits and major initiatives in the arts, public education, environmental stewardship, social justice and animal welfare.

Last month, Flint’s Cultural Center welcomed Rodney Lontine to the Flint Institute of Music as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Al Hatch was born and raised in Flint. He has always loved classic cars and has eight of his own, a collection he describes as “a little bit of everything.” The idea to have a car cruise in Flint came about in response to the Woodward Dream Cruise, during which local merchants charged attendees exorbitant prices. He said to some of his friends, “Let’s do something here in Flint, on the same day.” And what better place than Flint to host a car cruise? “Flint was the epicenter that gave birth to the automotive industry,” says Al.

The Flint Cultural Center Corporation is hosting a fundraiser that will help fund the Campus Wide Wi-Fi Project, allowing for all of the center’s green space to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The Tailgate fundraiser is set for Friday, September 16, from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Flint Cultural Center Corporation headquarters, 601 E. Second Street. Tickets can be purchased for $50, which will be used to help fund the project.

Studies have shown that the industries of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are primarily male-dominated. According to Sam Grathoff, who works in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at the University of Michigan-Flint, there are many girls in the local community and around the nation who are interested in learning STEM subjects, too. So, a couple of women in the area got together – Monique Wilhem, who works in the Chemistry Department at the University of Michigan and Laurie Bone, Senior Curator at Longway Planetarium, to explore ideas for developing a STEM project for girls that would allow them to be around others who share the same interests.

This past year, there were more than 700 international students attending UM-Flint – the most they have ever hosted.

Early in life, John Matonich watched his mother give her time to the community through civic involvement. He fondly remembers how she served on the local school board and was active in the Business and Professional Women’s Club and other organizations. “My mother was a big believer in joining things,” he says. “She believed in belonging to various groups and helping people.”

On June 4, nearly 1,500 people gathered at Kearsley Park for the Ryan Bellows Bluegrass Bazaar for Bluegrass music, dancing, children’s activities, vendors, games and more. This year’s event included 9 bands, and the first Bluegrass Fun Run. The community focused, free festival was established in 2014 by Ryan Bellows, who passed away that year. Visit bluegrassbazaar.org.