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.
Once again, the Flint DDA coordinated flower-planting in the pots along Saginaw Street area to brighten up your Downtown Flint! Many hands made short work of the annual beautification project held on the morning of Saturday, June 4.
One of Flint’s automotive pioneers, Charles Stewart Mott was an original partner of General Motors, which was founded in Flint in 1908. Mott created his Foundation in 1926 to respond to the increasing needs of Flint’s growing population.
Jameshia Shepherd, 23, has many of the same qualities she had at age 13 – studious, curious, obedient and determined. Those attributes helped her evolve from a young participant at Motherly Intercession – a non-profit organization which helps children who have an incarcerated parent – into a staff member at the very place that nurtured her in her formative years.
We’ve compiled a list of some of Greater Flint’s fun summertime events. With festivals and performances, to carnivals and fairs, you, your friends, and your family will never be bored this summer season.
