Tension has been high between the United States and Iran with the recent announcement of a nuclear arms deal. Many people were hopeful that the agreement would spur the release of three Americans who have been detained and imprisoned in Iran, including Flint native, Amir Hekmati. However, so far these prisoners have not been released. Luckily, Amir has a friend in Congressman Dan Kildee. Kildee, who has for years fought for Amir’s release, shared with My City Magazine what he and his staff have been doing to make sure Amir knows that he is not – and will not be – forgotten.
In 1966, a time when civil rights proponents and racially segregated neighborhoods were clashing across the country, Floyd J. McCree was selected by his fellow commissioners to be the next mayor of Flint. He had served on the city commission since 1958, but from 1966 onward, his name would be recognized as one of the country’s first black mayors.
There are many students in the Greater Flint Area who contribute to the College Town atmosphere. This year, there were 8,937 students who enrolled to attend Mott Community College. Overall, there were 30,000 students pursuing higher education at University of Michigan-Flint, 9,000 at Baker College and 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students attending Kettering University. Adding to the College Town experience are several satellite campuses in the Greater Flint Area that offer training and opportunities to traditional and nontraditional students. My City Magazine will explore the economic impact these institutions have on the area.
Patriot Ambulance Service of Flint is one of the most technologically advanced ambulance services in the country. From digital dispatches to call prediction software, Patriot has created a new standard for emergency response organizations. With an average response time of six minutes – 2.59 minutes lower than the national average – Patriot’s technology recently shifted into a higher gear – a Chevy Camaro, called an “Echo Unit,” can now be dispatched to life-threatening situations.
Last month, in his final act as a high school athlete, Grant Fisher donned a resplendent tuxedo, shiny black dress shoes and his trademark smile for a walk down the ESPY Awards Red Carpet.
Leo’s Coney Island is a diner that originated in the Detroit area in 1972. It was started by the Stassinopoulos brothers, Leo and Pete. Its famous Greek Salad dressing (a family recipe), chili, and other homemade dishes have helped the restaurant make a name for itself. Building on a reputation of quality food and great service, Leo’s began to open more restaurants around the Detroit area, and soon became a popular chain. There are currently 62 Leo’s Coney Islands, four of which are located in Genesee County: Grand Blanc, Fenton, on Miller Road in Flint Township, in Lapeer and the newest location in Davison. What you will find at all five of these area locations is clean and comfortable dining spaces, attentive service and an expansive menu of American comfort food and Greek specialties at reasonable prices.
Carol Fechik has seen it all. As a Registered Nurse at Hurley Medical Center, she has worked in the Emergency Room for 37 years. Born and raised in Flint, Carol began her career with Hurley in 1969 and has seen the hospital change and grow over the years – from hand-writing patient charts to using state-of-the-art technology. Why did she choose to be a nurse? “It was something I always wanted to do, even as a child,” Carol says. “I like to take care of people.” Her favorite part of the job is bedside nursing. “You get to interact with the patient and help improve the quality of their life.”
Would you consider renting a beautiful piece of art to display in your home or business? The Art Sales & Rental Gallery located at the Flint Institute of Arts offers a great opportunity for local art lovers to rent paintings and prints for just that purpose – and at a low cost.
Thousands of runners will hit the bricks of Downtown Flint on the third Saturday in August – to run, walk or wheel in the 39th Annual HealthPlus Crim Festival of Races. While runners from all over the world participate, the heart and soul of this event are the dedicated competitors from the Greater Flint area, who return year after year, and are proud to call Flint home. According to Race Director, Andy Younger, some Michigan runners will be recognized this year with a special “Made in Michigan” award. “And there is so much talent right here in Flint,” Younger says. Runners registered in the 39th annual race have a chance for a guaranteed spot next year in the 40th annual milestone, at which they are expecting a record-breaking number of participants. My City Magazine caught up with some of the local runners to talk about their dedication to the Crim and their hometown.03
From the moment a General Motors worker named Tony Kleiber drove the first Chevrolet Corvette off a Flint assembly line in 1953, owners of the vehicle seemed destined to have a different kind of relationship with what has become one of history’s most iconic automobile brands.
It was a place where rival high school football teams fought for victory in front of thousands of screaming fans, where high-profile boxing matches and concerts were held, and where presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered powerful speeches. Yes, Atwood Stadium is a place where memories were made and champions were born.
In June, one of the Flint Institute of Arts’ most adored and valued paintings was painstakingly inspected, packed and cautiously trucked to the highly esteemed Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The painting is titled Garden Study of the Vickers Children by John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) and it joined the MET exhibition Sargent: Portraits of Artists & Friends, which runs through October 4.
