BROWSING:  Community

The sensation of culture shock, by definition, is a feeling of disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar social environment. Communities First, Inc. of Flint enhances that definition by provoking, stimulating, and inspiring new perspectives within community families through this nationally recognized program. Culture Shock provides families with the opportunity to experience different aspects of local culture, with pop-up performances, workshops, and other events.

Flint & Genesee shoppers are encouraged to start the holiday shopping season by patronizing some of the region’s small businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28. From food to fashion, there are a variety of shops and businesses from which to choose.

Fashion WeekThe 4th Annual Vehicle City Fashion Week has included a Creative Meetup, a Workshop and a Fashion & Style Brunch, and will culminate in a Runway & Trunk Show on Friday, November 20. This year, the show has moved to an all new location: Signature Chophouse in Flushing. For $30 ($40 VIP), guests can enjoy a remarkable runway fashion show, a red-carpet pre-party, a gift bag and tasty food. The event will be hosted by celebrity stylist, GooGoo Atkins.

If there’s one thing Flint City Police Chief James Tolbert is sure of, it’s his philosophy that a police department must strive for positive interaction with the community it serves. “Our goal and mission is to let the community know we’re here for them,” says Chief Tolbert, who was appointed to his position in the fall of 2013. “I think we’re fortunate in Flint, because we don’t have the strain other cities have.”

City of Flint residents looking for answers about their stolen purse or wallet, home break-in, lawn or vehicle damage might get a telephone call from Tracy Austin, a Flint Blue Badge volunteer, who works on the second floor of the Flint Police Department several days per week. There, she assists Sergeant Tanya Meeks, Blue Badge Volunteer Corps Coordinator. “Today, I have to call 40 residents who filed a complaint or reported a crime,” says Tracy, who wears a polo-style shirt with the Blue Badge shield embroidered on it.

On Saturday, September 26 from 11am to 3pm, families met up at Flint’s White Building parking lot to get a fun and informative front-row seat with about 40 different types of safety vehicles. Some of the vehicles included ambulances, a helicopter, police vehicles, and semi-trucks. This 4th annual, free event is designed to build relationships between the police, students, and the Flint community, but it is also a truck-load of fun for children and their families! Those who attended were able to sit in the driver’s seat of safety vehicles and see how they work, in hopes of showing law enforcement and other emergency workers in a positive light.

It’s not every day that you get the chance to check out some truly classic cars. Sponsored by Friends of Sloan*Longway, The Golden Memories Automobile Gathering is happening at the Sloan Museum from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm this Sunday. And, it’s free!

If you or your business is interested in sponsoring this event, sponsorship opportunities are available and encouraged.

firebirds-01What do Hockey Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan all have in common?

The new Genesys PACE facility is now open, having accepted its first three participants on August 1. Annette Sivertson, Executive Director, and Dr. Amol Ekhande, Medical Director, took My City Magazine on a tour of the new facility.