They grow up so fast. One day they are taking their first wobbly, little steps and before you can even blink, they are heading out the door to start their own life. As your child grows, matures and begins to think about who they are, who they want to be and what they want to do with their life, it is a parent’s duty to help guide them through and that includes creating a plan for life beyond high school – whether that means attending college, beginning a trade career, or taking time off to backpack through Europe. As your child ages, it is up to you to plant the seeds to get them thinking about the next steps in their life. What will that be? If your student has expressed interest in a profession that requires a college degree, then helping them plan for it is one of the best ways to set them up for success.
There was a time when people aspired to make a living in a skilled trade. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters and others provided for their families successfully and looked forward to training their successors. Today, the skilled trades are a forgotten art practiced by an older generation now shifting out of the workforce without anyone to “hand the wrench” to before they leave. The shortage of skilled trade workers is becoming a significant problem as it is estimated that for every three who retire, only one takes their place. Over a million skilled trade positions in the United States remain vacant despite high unemployment and the shortage is beginning to affect the government (building projects, road work, etc.) and consumers. For example, it is not uncommon to have to wait nearly six months to get a new roof installed or begin building a house. Skilled trades will always be needed by society and civilization. So, what happened? Where are all the tradesmen and tradeswomen?
Click play and the music begins – a calming folk melody with a country feel, sometimes a little more bluesy or upbeat – it brings you back home. Back to warm days in the sun, walking the bricks of Saginaw Street in the heyday of Flint past. “Hello,” greets the soft voice of the host, “You are listening to Radio Free Flint. Thanks for joining us. Today, my guest is …” Settle in as the Radio Free Flint podcast rolls on through the past, present and future of Greater Flint.
By the mid-1880s, the road cart and buggy were dominating the realm of transportation and the City of Flint jumped into the industry feet-first. Between 1885 and 1893, six companies were busy in the city producing high-end vehicles. They were: Flint Road Cart Co. (Durant & Dort), Flint Buggy Co. (the Mallery brothers), Webster Vehicle Co. (T. P. Webster), Flint Wagon Works (James H. Whiting), Randall Carriage Co. (the Randall brothers) and the W. A. Paterson Co. Manufacturing had finally taken over from the mills and logging industries of the pioneers. The mayors of this time period were mostly shrewd business owners who had an eye for city expansion and growth.
In the middle of a New Orleans spring night in 2019, Ava Michelle Cota stood alone on stage preparing for a dramatic scene near the conclusion of “Tall Girl,” a Netflix movie chronicling the struggles of a female high school student who, like Cota, stands nearly 6 feet, 2 inches. The Linden native with a then-sparse acting resume had landed the lead role over hundreds of others who auditioned during a worldwide casting call.
When it closed its doors in 2010, longtime patrons were heartbroken. But former owner Rachel Medore (who owned Frank’s from 2005-2010 and worked there for many years) and her husband Shayne, have brought the famous eatery back to life – at a new location and with a modern twist.
The youngest of three concert bands in Greater Flint, the Genesee Wind Symphony will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a stand-out performance on May 2. “We are a year behind,” explains Music Director, Doug Burtch. “Because of the pandemic, we have not been together for 18 months, so this year will be our big anniversary performance.”
An Elder Law Attorney is an advocate for the elderly and their loved ones. Most lawyers specializing in elder law handle a wide range of legal matters affecting an older or disabled person, including issues related to health care, long-term care planning, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid and other important matters.
On April 9, the Flint Symphony Orchestra will continue the 2021-2022 season’s Classical Concert Series, “RENEWAL The Timeless Healing Power of Music Inspired by Nature.” The FSO and Maestro Enrique Diemecke will be joined by multi-award-winning Flutist and FSPA Instructor, Brandon LePage.
A familiar face at the Humane Society of Genesee County (HSGC), Carl Liepmann has held a seat on the Board of Directors for 48 years. But even more impressive is that he has been an American Kennel Club (AKC) Dog Show Judge for 42 years, a dog handler for 12 years prior to that and a breeder, as well! His role as a judge has led him to travel the world, initially showing dogs for other people and becoming a judge in 1980. “It takes a lot of study,” he shares, adding that every breed is judged on its own set of standards.
Ladel Lewis has seen it all. Born and raised in Flint’s Sarvis Park neighborhood, she has seen the community at its best and returning to the area in 2019 to care for her ailing father, found it most troubling. “The community was in a tough place. There were bullets in the streets and many residents felt like they were living in prison,” she explained. “Many of them were on a fixed income, invested in their homes, and didn’t want to leave. There were a lot of problems. They deserved better. I said to myself, ‘no more’.”
For Sandra Jones, CEO of R. L. Jones Community Outreach Center, it all starts with being a good neighbor and caring for the community. “I remember a time when neighbors helped each other,” she says. “At R. L. Jones, we work hard to meet the needs of those who need help and we are strong advocates for the city and its people.”
