Every summer, without fail, it begins: the highly unpublicized, fiercely uncompetitive and proudly unproductive event known as The Lawn Chair Olympics.
President Trump made a campaign promise that if elected, he would support legislation exempting tipped income from the federal income tax. On May 20, 2025, the Senate unanimously passed the “No Tax on Tips Act” with the House narrowly passing the “Big Beautiful Bill” on May 22 that also exempted tipped income from taxation. “No Tax on Tips” might make for a good political slogan, but it is lousy economic policy.
I was 13 in July of 1966, when Richard Speck committed the “Crime of the Century” – raping and murdering eight student nurses after breaking into their Chicago townhome.
The best part of a new season – and yes, by July, summer is in its prime – is that style locks in for the weather, which in Michigan is sunny and gorgeous!
Sometimes, I need an inspiration boost to write this column, usually when my mind is in whirling dervish mode. It happens occasionally and when it does, I take a look at the National Day Calendar website, nationaldaycalendar.com. I am forever amazed by the things we find it necessary to celebrate!
Very soon, the classic cars will reappear on the roads after a long winter. Our area has plenty of car shows and events lasting throughout the summer and into fall, weather permitting. I am not a big car enthusiast like so many people in Michigan, but I have owned my share of beautiful vehicles.
For me, June is the month of love and happiness. The weather is warm, the flowers are in full bloom and the days are bright and sunny. Not only is June my birth month, it is the month in which three of my grandchildren were born. Believe me, that’s a lot of birthday cake and joyful celebrations! My grandson Elijah and my granddaughter were both born on June 6 and my oldest grandson Brennan was born on June 19.
We recently found ourselves back on the road to New Orleans – a long weekend trip was just what two burned-out adults and one six-year-old, who couldn’t believe school was still going on, needed. Five hours in the car passed a little quicker with good conversation, great podcasts and our favorite tunes. And just like that, we were back in the Big Easy.
Ellie May Toldo graced our lives in June of 2020. I am not sure what came over me the day our eyes first met at the Humane Society of Genesee County. I have always liked cats. I love all animals; but I have historically been a dog person. I cannot explain it, but my heart simply melted when I laid eyes on sweet Ellie.
June is the official start of summer and as soon as Memorial Day passes, there’s always so much going on! SHIFT is here to style you for graduation parties, Summer Solstice celebrations, end-of-school-year events, backyard BBQs, summer weddings and of course, the ramp-up to July Fourth and all the related festivities! Let’s dive into the trends …
