Erin Caudell, Owner of The Local Grocer in Flint, has discovered the root of what people want – locally-grown, fresh produce to feed their families. Not only is she a successful small business owner, Caudell and her partner, Franklin Pleasant, also own and operate Flint Ingredient Co. (FIC) and the Weekly Greens CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).
Master Gardeners are known for their passion for gardening and volunteering through community garden education. Founded in 1978, the Master Gardener Association of Genesee County (MGAGC) is organized exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes, specifically to instruct adults and youth in horticulture science, to educate communities about environmentally sound practices through horticulture-based activities, to promote food security and to improve the aesthetic of our community.
For most homeowners, springtime awakens the motivation to make their living spaces fresh and new. While it may not be a great time to make significant monetary investments in interior renovations, there are many affordable and DIY-able updates to consider.
In a couple’s life together, their wedding is typically one of the most joyous occasions. The day is filled with sheer happiness and excitement, celebrating with friends and family, and the promise of building a life of countless, wonderful years together. So happy are they that the few short words of their marriage vows, “‘til death do us part” are spoken, but very quickly overlooked and forgotten – that is, until that parting actually happens.
In November 2022, Kent Key, MPH, PhD and his academy students stepped off the plane in Boston, MA into a world full of open possibilities. The Flint Public Health Youth Academy (FPHYA) was there on big-time business. They were invited to give a series of presentations at the annual American Public Health Association (APHA) Meeting & Expo – an honor usually reserved for distinguished health professionals and graduate students. The FPHYA members were an anomaly at the convention – something new and different in the realm of public health. The students were young, most still in high school, and they were there to deliver a youth perspective on racism as a public health crisis to public health advocates across the country. They made an instant splash! They were rock stars and the impact of the moment wasn’t lost on Dr. Key. “For many of our students, it was the first time they had ever left Michigan or even the city of Flint,” he relates. “They were new to the situation. I was nervous for them but, as always, they blew me away! It was a great opportunity and what they have accomplished is something that not very many people in the world are able to do at any level.”
In Genesee County, there are nearly 15,000 young people ages 16-to-24 who are not enrolled in school and are unemployed, also known as Opportunity Youth (OY). It is estimated that the pandemic lockdown increased these numbers by a minimum of 25%.
What if I told you that there is one simple thing every community can do to increase the mental health, positive social interactions, feelings of safety, empathy, and good nature of its members? Would you believe me? It’s true. All it takes is a little bit of time, effort, trust and participation. All anyone has to do is install a Little Free Library®.
Looking for a fun and interesting way to supplement a child’s education? The Sloan Museum of Discovery stands ready to take kids through a vast array of challenging workshops and programs.
Your best friend is getting married! You’ve known this person nearly their whole life. You’ve been together through ups-and-downs, good times and bad. You’ve laughed with them and cried with them. You know that you’ll always be there no matter what and they know it, too. As evidence, they’ve just done you the significant honor of choosing you to be best man/maid of honor. It’s a title that should not be taken lightly and you are ready to fulfill your duty to the best of your ability. Your friend has taken a big step in their life, choosing to spend it with someone they love, and it should be celebrated both with a proper wedding ceremony and the celebration of friendship that is the bachelor/bachelorette party. You’ve been called on to help make both days special, so where do you start?
We think the Hawaiians say it best: you are not your pet’s “owner.” You are their “kahu.”
As we get older, our bodies are continually changing the way they function. When it comes to our diets, no longer can we eat how we used to. The days of scarfing whole pizzas or an entire plate of greasy nachos while downing more than a couple of beers are all but over. We simply cannot eat the way we have in the past and still maintain our health. Sure, we can, if we want to – but each unhealthy meal comes with a future price tag. What do you value most? A year of poor dietary choices or a few more healthy years in the future?
