As graduation looms and high schoolers begin planning the next phase of their lives, they have important choices to make. What will they do after high school? Where will they go? What will they become and what steps are needed? It is true that anyone can be what they’ve always wanted to be – anyone can aspire to whatever they dream. It is also true that some paths to professional success and financial security are more difficult or riskier than others.
At times, Anthony Kolenic, Director of the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, is in awe as he watches Jack Sustic meticulously care for its extensive bonsai collection.
Screens are everywhere. In every pocket and every hand. On nearly every one of those screens is a Feed with a constant flow of information in real time – what our friends are doing and where, what our favorite celebrities and talking heads have to say. We can see the newest fads, styles, cartoons and jokes. The whole world is constantly at our fingertips and through social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and many others, each of us are free to compare our lives to those of “influencers” and express our thoughts to an audience of billions. It’s a phenomenon that is here to stay in today’s current forms and future variations of them. There’s no question about it: social media has had a profound impact on the world. What we are now beginning to understand is how it affects our inner world – and the result is less than glowing.
The history of Greater Flint is steeped in relevance. We have seen titans of industry, great inventors, triumphs of commerce, heroes, villains, failure and renewal, and through it all stood our castles of time – the historic homes of Greater Flint.
The Michigan summer is so fleeting … Blink and it’s back to school, back to work, back to short days and long nights. So, naturally, if we have the chance, we need to squeeze every last drop of fun out of the season! Not every vacation has to last a week or more. It’s just as nice to get away for only a day or two.
Of course, a great burger enjoyed on a breezy patio is hard to beat, but the warmer air calls for lighter fare. In hot weather, your body works harder to digest heavy meals. And sometimes when you think you’re super hungry, you are actually thirsty. Eating fresh, raw fruits and veggies helps keep you hydrated. So, not only does eating less during the summer feel good, it’s good for you!
The City of Flint and Mayor Sheldon Neeley recently welcomed a new staff member in Emily Doerr, Director of Planning and Development.
The roar of the crowd, the high-fives and fist-bumps, the heckles and jokes, the smiles and praise, the outreach and community all play a large role in Caeden Hunter’s years at Michigan State University, as they do for many who enjoy the academics and camaraderie of a university experience. Hunter’s experience, however, was enjoyed from a unique – and secret – perspective. You could even say he looked at it through a whole different set of eyes, literally. “I was Sparty for all four years,” he explains, “and it was awesome to be able to do all the things that Sparty does for the University and the East Lansing community.”
When the silver medal winner in the Belgian-Style Tripel category was announced this past March at the World Beer Cup in Nashville, Redwood Steakhouse & Brewery Brew Master Rockne Van Meter felt it was all over and he would be leaving the competition empty-handed. “Really, I went in hoping for a bronze or silver award. I didn’t think gold was in the cards for me in any category. Brewing the best beer in the world just doesn’t happen,” he says. Having entered five different beers in the competition, he was down to his last chance to receive an award. “I had four of the five make it to the medal rounds but no further.” He had pinned his best hopes on a Belgian-Style Saison that went down in an earlier medal round. The only beer left was his “Nectar of the Gods” – a Belgian-Style Tripel that he nearly didn’t submit. “My wife really liked it,” he remembers. “I wasn’t sure it was up to par. I thought it had no chance.” He was looking to leave the event before the gold medal winner was announced and wasn’t paying attention when his number was called. “I was speaking to my wife when people around me started clapping,” he recalls. The World Beer Cup judges had chosen his “Nectar of the Gods” as the gold medal winner in the Belgian-Style Tripel category. It was Van Meter’s only medal of the competition, one of only three medal-winners in the entire State of Michigan, and the only gold. “I couldn’t believe it,” he commented.
An affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBMI) is an organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power, influence, diversity and determination to help transform their dreams into reality. MCM sat down with NFB Flint-Genesee Chapter President Sheila Fulmore, Vice President Leo Napier and Chapter Secretary Felecia Bradford to chat about what their volunteer organization does and how they help the blind and visually impaired.
We wait so long for the time when we can enjoy a meal al fresco and in Greater Flint, the options abound! Here is a sampling of the many local eateries that offer outdoor seating to enhance your summer dining experience.
There’s nothing like sunshine, a warm breeze and the smell of delicious food on the grill. If you’ve been anticipating getting back to grilling, wait no longer! According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, now that temperatures are warmer, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate everything you love about outdoor cooking. If you already have a grill, this is a great time to upgrade, so you can cook more dishes for bigger get-togethers, or to try a different kind of grill, letting you experiment with new techniques like using a smoker.
