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H e a lt h y H o m e C o o k i n g ! Support community journalism! Donations to East Village Magazine are tax deductible. 810-235-1968 Go to eastvillagemagazine.org for easy giving. Flint Farmers’ Market 2 Commentary What’s ahead for Flint and Michigan politics in 2018? By Paul Rozycki EastMagazine Village After a year that gave us Donald Trump’s and president of the Christian Medical Vol. LVI No. 1 January 2018 tweet-of-the-day reality show, a revolving and Dental associations. Other Founder Gary P. Custer door at the White House, nuclear war threats Republicans who have filed include, against “the rocket man,” daily celebrity dis - Joseph DeRose of Williamston, Mark Editor Jan Worth-Nelson missals for sexual harassment, pawned City McFarlin of Pinconning, and Evan Space Managing Editor Meghan Christian Council laptops, and an 18-candidate recall of Grand Rapids. Copy Editor Danielle Ward election in Flint, it’s certainly a risk to make For the Democrats, there are also a num - Reporters Dylan Doherty up a list of what we ought to expect in 2018. ber of candidates, but Gretchen Whitmer of Harold C. Ford But for better or worse, here are a few things Lansing, former minority leader of the state Patsy Isenberg to look forward to this year. Senate, seems to be the clear front runner, Columnists Jan Worth-Nelson Teddy Robertson though she’s not without challengers. Paul Rozycki It’s a big election year She will face Bill Cobbs of Farmington Business Manager Casey Custer We commonly think of the presidential Hills, a retired Xerox executive and Navy Éminence Grise Ted Nelson election year as our biggest election. It cer - veteran; Abdul El-Sayed of Detroit, former Photographer Edwin D. Custer tainly gets the most attention, but in director of the Detroit Department of Health Poet Grayce Scholt Michigan we actually elect more state and and Wellness Promotion; and Shri local officials in the non-presidential years, Thanedar, an Ann Arbor business executive. like 2018. This year we’ll be electing a gov - Other Democrats in the race include Justin Distribution Staff ernor, a U.S. senator, U.S. representatives, a D. Giroux of Wayland and Kentiel D. White Director: Edwin D. Custer. Staff: Kim Bargy, Jane Bingham, Helen & Jacob Blumner, Connor Coyne secretary of state, an attorney general, state of Detroit. & Ruby Coyne, Casey & Nic Custer, Marabeth senators, state representatives as well as Predictions about who is most likely to Foreman, Andrea Garrett, Charlie & Linda & judges, county commissioners, some school win either the nomination or the gover - Patrick & Terrance & Christan & Jillianne Goldsberry, Ingrid Halling & Bob Thomas, Robert boards, and many local officials. norship are at best very premature. In a Jewell, Andrew Keast, Carol Larzelere Kellermann, time of anti-establishment voting, it’s Stephen Kellermann, Jo Larzelere, Bill & Carol The governor’s race worth remembering that a year before the Leix, James & Lillian & Livia Londrigan, Mary LeRoy, Alan & Julie Lynch, Aron McCormick, Ron For Republicans, the contest to replace 2016 election it appeared that Jeb Bush & Mary Meeker, Robert & Nancy Meszko, Mary & Gov. Snyder seems to be between Attorney was the likely Republican nominee for Jeff Mintline, John Moliassa, Mike Neithercut, Ted General Bill Schuette of Midland and Lt. president, and Hillary Clinton appeared to Nelson, Edith & John Pendell, Dave & Becky Pettengill, Lucia Rodriques, Julian Rodriquez, Mike Gov. Brian Calley of Dearborn. By most be on her way to becoming the first Spleet, and Karen Wilkinson. measures Schuette should be the odds-on female president of the U.S. Board of Trustees favorite. He’s built up strong name recogni - • Jane M. Bingham • Edwin D. Custer tion with his very visible actions as attorney The U.S. Senate • Jack D. Minore • Paul Rozycki general, and he seems to have been running Debbie Stabenow, first elected in 2000, • Robert R. Thomas for governor since he was born. is running for her fourth term as U.S. sena - • Jan Worth-Nelson, ex officio Calley is challenging him with his pro - tor. She will certainly face serious opposi - 720 E. Second St. posal to create a part-time legislature in tion from the Republicans and a number of Flint, Mich. 48503 Michigan. But, having served as Gov. possible candidates have stepped forward, (810) 233-7459 Snyder’s lieutenant governor, Calley is tied though Stabenow does have solid ties with Website: eastvillagemagazine.org to the governor and his declining popularity some traditional Republican groups, such E-mail: [email protected] as a result of the Flint water crisis. as the Farm Bureau—an unusual area of Layout by Ted Nelson. Printing by Riegle Press Bill Ballenger, in The Ballenger Report, support for a Democrat. Inc., 1282 N. Gale Rd., Davison, Mich. 48423. sees the contest as a face-off between the Republicans Bob Carr, past congressional East Village Magazine is a program of the Village Trump supporters, who back Schuette, and candidate; John James, president of the Information Center Inc., a nonprofit corpo ration. We the Gov. Snyder supporters, who support James Group International; Sandy Pensler, welcome material from readers, but all submissions become the property of the publication and if published Calley. Trump has endorsed Schuette, and investment fund founder; and former will be edited to conform to the editorial style and poli - Calley withdrew his support for Trump after Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bob Young cies of the publication. All inquiries about the publica - the Access Hollywood tapes were released are running for the nomination to challenge tion should be mailed to East Village Magazine , Village during the 2016 campaign. Stabenow. Information Cen ter, 720 E. Second St., Flint, Mich. Other Republicans seeking the guber - 48503. Distribution is the first Thursday of each month. Display advertising rates are $34 a column-inch plus natorial nomination are: Patrick Colbeck The U.S. House any other costs. Unclassified ads are $2.50 a printed of Canton, a state senator and former There will be at least three new faces in line or part of a printed line. Rates subject to change aerospace engineer and Jim Hines of Michigan’s U.S. House of Representative’s without notice. The deadline for advertising is 10 days Saginaw, an obstetrician and gynecologist (Continued on Page 11.) before each pub li cation date. © 2018 East Village Magazine Cover: Eagle on the old Market Fire Station, Grand Traverse Street at the Flint River

3 Photograph by Edwin D. Custer Photo of the Month: Farmers’ Market “What kids need ... what kids deserve” Educare Flint a model for education reform By Harold C. Ford A broad coalition of public and private Brick and mortar features: doors leading to both classroom wings, and organizations — led by the Flint-based Charles • Heated sidewalks provide a snowmelt fenced playgrounds. Stewart Mott Foundation — publicly launched system that more safely enables the exit and • Outdoor space includes age-designated a dazzling new state-of-the-art school that will entry of parents and children. playgrounds, trike and running paths, water provide early childhood education for 220 Flint • ThermaWrap Insulation provides more cost- features, specially designed reading spaces, children from birth to age five. Educare Flint effective climate control within the building. and canopied areas to provide protection opened its doors to students on Dec. 4, less than • Large windows throughout the facility from inclement weather. a year after construction began on the almost bathe the interior in natural light while provid - • Public spaces include a large multi-purpose 36,000-square-foot school. ing a generous view of the outside world. room, adult learning rooms, a STEAM “The facility, combined with the Cummings • Specially-designed bathrooms in every (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Great Expectations facility, will serve as cen - classroom allow Educare Flint staff the room, basketball courts, and a walking trail. ters for learning in our community,” said C.S. opportunity to monitor their children. Mott Foundation President Ridgway White at • Each classroom wing is equipped with a “Design matters, the quality of the building the public launch on Dec. 11. washer, dryer, and dishwasher. matters, not just in terms of its obvious design White added, “Our hope is that the chil - • Security is enhanced by strategically around the interests and needs of the kids it dren and that the child care providers from located offices for administration and secu - will serve,” said U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, “but licensed daycare centers to home providers, rity personnel, security cameras, locked because it sends such a powerful message of grandparents, families … will participate in the commitment that our community collec - teaching and learning opportunities provided tively has to these precious young lives.” here and at Cummings so that the benefits of these facilities will spread beyond the four Wraparound services: walls and into the entire community.” Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley told the The Educare Flint project seems to touch all approximately 200 persons assembled at the the bases suggested by modern education public launch that health care services, nutri - reformers including: modernistic brick and tional services, daycare services, different mortar features; wraparound services for fami - funding sources, and different application lies and children; instruction and care informed Photo by Harold C. Ford processes are now blended into “a place by research and delivered by a highly qualified Educare building where people could go in the front door and staff; and community partnerships. (Continued on Page 5.) 4 District (GISD), which will operate the facili - great American promise of equal opportunity ... Educare ty; Flint Community Schools; and the and ensure that every child can grow up healthy, (Continued from Page 4.) University of Michigan-Flint. happy, and ready to compete in school.” the government would just work out all the • Private partners include the C.S. Mott That “great American promise” of educa - details in bringing those funding streams Foundation, the Community Foundation of tion as a gateway to success has ebbed in recent together so that it’s a seamless process …” Greater Flint, and The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. decades. In his 2008 book The Global Foundation. Achievement Gap , author Tony Wagner noted: Instruction and care: • Nine partners helped with construction and • Full-day and full-year services are offered. financing of the building including: Uptown • Special needs students are serviced in an Reinvestment Corporation, Flint Community inclusive setting. Schools, Consortium Group, DW Lurvey • Small class sizes and low child-teacher- Construction, Flint Kids Learn, IFF, Local ratios allow teachers more opportunity to Initiatives Support Corporation, PNC Bank, provide individualized instruction. and RDG Planning & Design. • Children stay with the same teachers for • The building is owned by Flint Kids several years to foster strong relationships. Learn, a supporting organization of the • Continuous data collection and analysis Community Foundation of Greater Flint. informs classroom instruction. • Professional development of Educare Educare Flint is the largest of 23 facilities in Flint staff is continuous. the coast-to-coast Educare Learning Network, • Master teachers serve as curriculum according to Jackson. “When I drove up today Photo by Harold C. Ford coaches for classroom teachers. I went, ‘Wow! It is humongous! It is truly phe - Educare students and staff nomenal,’” Jackson said. “I know how important it is for young C.S. Mott Foundation provided $11 mil - • The high school graduation rate in the U.S. children to start off with the very best educa - lion in grants to support the construction. (about 70 percent) is now well behind that of tional opportunities,” state Sen. Jim Ananich According to a press statement, Educare Flint countries such as Denmark (96 percent), said to those gathered at the public launch. was “launched in the wake of the Flint water Japan (93 percent), Poland (92 percent), and During a tour of the facility, he described “the crisis as part of an urgent effort to increase Italy (79 percent). pure joy that it brought to my heart to see access to early childhood education …” Mott • Only about a third of U.S. high school stu - these kids that were loved, to see these kids has pledged $100 million to help amend the dents graduate “ready for college.” that were cared for …” Ananich is a former adverse effects of Flint’s water crisis upon its • The U.S. now ranks tenth among indus - teacher, husband of a current teacher, and par - population, especially children. trial nations in the rate of college comple - ent of a young child in Flint. According to Jackson, Educare facilities tion by 25- to 44-year-olds. typically take four to five years to develop. She noted that the Educare Flint project In their 2008 book The Race Between coalesced in less than two years. Education and Technology , Claudia Goldin Jackson described herself as the kind of and Lawrence F. Katz, economists at Harvard, person the Educare Network sends in to make noted two distinct periods in the economic sure that the local community has everything history of the U.S. in the last century: ready it needs to be successful. • An increase in the high school graduation rate “I must say that my visit here … blew me from 9 percent in 1910 to 77 percent in 1970 away to the point where I just stood up and helped flatten the class structure as the U.S. gave them (the Educare Flint partners) a became the wealthiest nation on the planet. standing ovation,” Jackson said. • The nation’s graduation rate flatlined at about 75 percent while inequality began rising sharply A local, state, national model? in the 1970s and 1980s. And poverty increased, Photo by Harold C. Ford “As we continue to build on these collabo - especially among the nation’s urban poor. Educare parent Breyanna Chism rations,” GISD superintendent Lisa Hagel said, “using Educare Flint as a model, chil - Goldin and Katz reasoned that increasing Community partnerships: dren across our entire community will benefit the educational success rate of children in • Parents and families were elevated by most for years to come.” poverty is essential to the nation’s future suc - speakers at the public launch as key partners Calley, who launched his bid for the cess. Flint’s higher-than-average poverty rate in determining the success of the project. Republican nomination for governor in is accompanied by its children’s abysmal Cynthia Jackson, senior vice-president of November, touted Educare Flint as a model that scores on standardized tests. Chicago-based Educare Learning Network, will be copied all over Michigan. “As I look for - Flint needs new models for success and informed those gathered that, “We are doing ward to where education goes from here and Educare Flint may prove to be one of those some cutting-edge work to define authentic how we get kids ready, this is it,” he said. models. Many education reformers (this and effective parent engagement … to authen - Informed by a more national perspective, author included) believe that the models for tically partner with families.” Jackson said Flint is “a model for the nation of shaking this American nation from its educa - • Public partners include the State of how, when a community makes smart, early tional doldrums begs a quadrupedal solution Michigan; the Genesee Intermediate School childhood investments, it can deliver on the (Continued on Page 8.) 5 Re-opened Capitol Theater draws rave reviews, praise for city’s “momentum” By Jan Worth-Nelson On a chilly, windy Thursday “The importance of the Capitol night, downtown Flint celebrated restoration extends far beyond as a cherished 90-year-old land - this building itself. This theater mark, the Capitol Theater, once is a symbol of the resurgence of almost given up for dead, lit up downtown and is part of the into a brilliant new life. Hundreds epicenter that is humming with of bundled-up Flint folks, savoring commercial, residential and nostalgia and curiosity, poured into public space.” the theater for an official opening In addition to the theater, ceremony and a chance to see the Herman noted the restored results of a $37 million, 18-month building includes 25,000 square top-to-bottom restoration. feet of attached business space Many were there for the first and created 82 jobs. He predict - time, many for the first time in ed the theater will play a major decades. role in continuing to make From both officials on the downtown Flint, “a place where Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson stage and regular people wan - people want to work, live, and dering from the balcony to the Capitol Theater restored marquee lights up definitely, play.” basement after the formal pro - Phil Hagerman, CEO of Flint- gram, superlatives flew. pening in Flint?” Mayor Karen Weaver exult - based Diplomat Pharmacy, “I truly think that we are among the most ed from the stage, where she and four other which employs 1,500 at its Grand Blanc head - fortunate cities, because how many even leaders of the renovation effort delivered cel - quarters, said the Capitol brought back many bigger cities have a movie house like this ebratory brief remarks before the 1,600-seat memories. “When I was in this theater the first that has been restored? I love it so much,” venue opened up for tours. Relating that she time, I was less than 10 years old ... in my said Elizabeth Perkins-Harbin, a Flint native used to feel sad when she went by the theater, teens I sat in the balcony if I was lucky and daughter of a Sitdown Striker. which had been unused for decades, she said, enough to get a date, which wasn’t that often,” Her husband, Don, also Flint born and “To see this transformation — we should be he joked. bred, said, “It takes me back to the days when proud.” Like Herman, Hagerman said the Capitol things were booming, of prosperity, that nos - “Momentum” was a recurring theme of the reopening represents more than just one talgia of the great old theaters — just a fantas - opening ceremony remarks — all the speak - Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson tic job of restoring it, just fantastic.” ers praising the results of partnership for the project between the primary partners — the nonprofit Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC), and the Whiting Auditorium/Flint Cultural Center, which will manage the venue. Other partners and funders in various relationships to the project include the C.S. Mott Foundation, the Hagerman Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the State of Michigan and the Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson City of Flint. “Flint is worth the investment and we The stars are back at Capitol Theater are open for business,” Weaver said. “My favorite part is they kept the stars — “If you walk downtown you can really it was what I remember most — it was so feel the momentum,” Tim Herman, presi - mystical,” said Edythe Peake of Flint, who dent of the URC, stated. In the last 10 years grew up in Civic Park. “And now it’s mysti - alone, he noted, $100 million has been cal again,” she said. invested in downtown by “pioneers who Her husband, Walt Peake, added seeing have done great for downtown”: Ghassan New seats at Capitol Theater balcony the theater come back to life triggered many Saab, Phil Shaltz, Troy Farah, and Gary happy memories. “When we were kids Hurand — investors of URC in the “pri - building. “To see the momentum come back we’d come down here, our folks would vate” side of the private-public arrange - has been unbelievable. As a businessman, drop us off, and we’d stay downtown the ment. I’m so excited about what this will bring whole day,” he said. Affectionately referring to the 90-year- back.” Hagerman and his wife Jocelyn start - “Who says that good things aren’t hap - old structure as “this old gal,” Herman said, (Continued on Page 8.) 6 Citywide youth basketball league launches this month By Harold Ford A boost for basketball in Flint is arriving in According to a press release from Kristin As documented in the June 2017 issue 2018, with the launch of a new citywide youth Moore, the Flint ReCAST Program “is of East Village Magazine , the glory days basketball league starting Jan. 6. For some, designed to promote resilience in the Flint for Flint public high school sports are the announcement sets off hopes for a return community by supporting youth and fami - clearly in the rearview mirror. From 1930 of Flint’s faded reputation as a formidable lies, mitigating the impact of trauma, reduc - to 1995, Flint’s four public high schools basketball town. But for those involved in the ing behavioral health disparities, and produced athletic teams that captured 47 planning, what matters most is providing pos - increasing the opportunities and training for state championships. In the 22 years since itive, healthy activities for Flint youth in a safe Flint youth through strong community 1995, the tally is zero. environment. engagement strategies. The target popula - Many area sports aficionados point to Photo by Harold C. Ford the loss of critical feeder programs as a pri - mary reason for the diminishment of cham - pionship caliber athletic teams. Flint Community Schools’ Athletic Director, Jamie Foster, told EVM , the championship teams “were all products of the community school programs (remember the Flintstones) when they were coming up through school — elementary, junior high, and high school.” Flint’s nationally renowned after-school programs, created in the mid-1900s, largely disappeared by the end of the century. “There’s a direct correlation,” accord - ing to McLavish, between the loss of feeder programs and the recent dearth of state championships for Flint schools. “It all starts with fundamentals, and you learn fundamentals when you’re at a very, very young age,” he said. “You can’t wait and Mayor Weaver announcing new league start playing basketball at the eighth and ninth grade levels … and think you’re “The league is the first of its kind in over tion addressed by this project includes youth going to compete at a statewide or nation - 15 years,” Mayor Karen Weaver said at a Dec. and their families impacted by various al level.” 19 press conference announcing the launch. sources of distress, including the Flint Water McLavish starred on the hardwood for “It’s been long overdue,” she added. Emergency.” Flint Northwestern, graduating in 2002. Funds for the program are an outgrowth Sean Croudy, director of community recre - He went on to play basketball at the of the Flint water crisis — coming from a ation for the city of Flint, said the league will University of South Alabama. five-year, $4.8 million grant provided by the target youth from ages eight (third grade) to Photo by Harold C. Ford Substance Abuse and Mental Health 17. Participants will be divided into four divi - Services Administration (SAMHSA) and sions: third and fourth graders; fifth graders; Center for Mental Health Services for the sixth graders; and 13- to 17-year-olds. There Flint Resiliency in Communities After Stress is no fee charged for participation. and Trauma (ReCAST) program. Games for the three younger divisions will take place at the Eagle’s Nest (formerly Selby School), 5101 Cloverlawn Dr. Games for the oldest division will be played at Cathedral of Faith (formerly Gundry School), 6301 Dupont Ready for league: (l-r) Chris Martin, Lauren St. Games are played on Saturdays. Martin, Xakera Garland, & Kerry Garland “I actually remember growing up and playing in this gym when it was Gundry Broader goals: Elementary,” Chris McLavish, founder and Program organizers are interested in director of Chris McLavish Basketball more than rebuilding the city’s basketball (CMB), said. McLavish will assist Croudy cred. “The overall goal was to offer Flint in the operation of the league. “It’s a phe - youth some activities to participate in that nomenal opportunity for these kids to be are positive, and to be in a safe environment, Photo by Harold C. Ford able to come together … and build lifetime and to have some fun,” Croudy said. friendships and relationships,” he said. “They’ll learn more than basketball: healthy Sean Croudy describing league plans Feeder program: (Continued on Page 8.) 7 ... Capitol ... Educare ... League (Continued from Page 6.) (Continued from Page 5.) (Continued from Page 7.) ed the Hagerman Foundation in 2014 and involving government, nonprofits, higher living; friendly competition; building located it in the restored Dryden Building education, and business and industry. friendships with kids across the city; and just around the corner from the Capitol. Educare Flint is such a model. friendships with kids outside the city.” The challenge for Flint schools moving for - The program has no geographic restric - ward will be to summon additional resources, tions for participation. League organizers assemble additional partnerships, and replicate encouraged youth throughout Genesee some semblance of the Educare model for County and beyond to join. The league is other Flint children. Flint superintendent Bilal also open to girls and expects to expand to Tawaab agreed. “I think the key as we move include additional sports. “We have a bigger forward is making sure that all of our kids are vision — not just to focus on basketball, but receiving this quality of instruction,” he said. other sports as well,” McLavish said. The definition of “all of our kids” may prove problematic. Tawaab told EVM in March that Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson only one of three school-age children in the city, about 5,000, attend Flint’s public schools. Some Restored ceiling fixture 5,000 others attend charter and private schools “This is kind of a ‘pinch me’ moment,” Mott while about 5,000 others opt for Schools of Foundation President Ridgway White said, “to Choice and attend other public schools. see this many people in this great Capitol Theater.” Noting he had been involved for 16 of the 17 years of the renovation project’s history, he said, “Our city struggled recently, and this project is part of that recovery and rising — part of investing in our city’s future, part of investing Photo by Harold C. Ford in people — the great people that make this city. Pastor Chris Martin That’s what this institution is about.” The Whiting, at the heart of the city’s Cultural Chris Martin, Cathedral of Faith pastor, envi - Center, will manage operations and program - sions the project as one important piece of an ming. Whiting Executive Director Jarret emerging renaissance in the city of Flint. Haynes, who emceed the opening celebration, “This is one of the major pieces,” Martin said, now that the restoration is complete, the Photo by Harold C. Ford said. “Your city is only as strong as the neigh - joys of live performance will again be available borhoods and once we continue to revitalize downtown. “We’re returning this to you, the Lead teacher Kelly Skutt with Harmon the neighborhoods, no matter how commer - community,” he said. “This is your home.” cially strong downtown becomes, our neigh - What kids need and deserve: borhoods have to be strong.” EVM Editor Jan Worth-Nelson can be Kildee found reason for optimism. “You will see Flint come back with the start reached at [email protected]. “When you see people who don’t always of initiatives like this,” Martin predicted. agree on everything set those differences Interested participants and volunteers aside and put our energies from the feder - can contact Sean Croudy at 810-449-6380 al government, the state government, or Chris McLavish at 810-553-8079. Pipes replaced so far in Flint: local government, public and private, put - 6,200+ ting all the differences aside and saying, EVM staff writer Harold C. Ford can be Source: Dec. 12 press conference by Mayor ‘Look, the highest priority for all of us is reached at [email protected]. Karen Weaver the future of these kids’” he said. “That’s a pretty powerful statement … a powerful children in Educare Flint should call (810) Lead-tainted service lines at 5,565 statement about the kind of community 591-KIDS. homes have been replaced so far in we are.” Phase 4 of the city’s FAST Start pro - “This is what my child deserves, a won - Editor’s Note : EVM staff writer Harold gram, which aimed to replace pipes at derful building like this with great staff mem - C. Ford is retired from a 44-year career in 6,000 homes in 2017. That brings the bers,” Breyanna Chism, an Educare Flint par - public education that included: one year total of residential pipe replacements ent and staff member, said. “Every child in as a substitute teacher in Flint; 30 years above the goal for 2017 to more than Flint should be able to experience something as a classroom teacher in Beecher; 10 6,200, with numbers changing every like this.” years as director of the Beecher day. Flint mayor Karen Weaver, still buoyant Scholarship Incentive Program funded by The city aims to have all of Flint’s from the recent reopening of Flint’s Capitol the Ruth Mott Foundation; and three lead-tainted service lines — nearly Theater, agreed: “This is not only what kids years as supervisor of Beecher’s Ninth 20,000 — replaced by 2020. need, this is what kids deserve.” Grade Academy. He can be reached at Parents interested in enrolling their [email protected]. 8 Flint sixth graders hold health in their hands By Harold C. Ford More than 200 sixth graders from six borhood to help prevent or reduce dia - projects: Flint Community Schools shared results of betes,” Bayer said. • Potter: The classes of Tom Lafferty and their “community action projects” with “Each class chose a different inquiry Karen Christian “investigated how mar - peers, parents, press, and others in question to research and used a variety of keting strategies can encourage healthier December at Flint’s Riverfront Banquet data collection methods to draw conclu - eating and less food waste in school.” Center. The students had been studying sions and develop suggestions for com - • Eisenhower: Darlene McClendon’s Type 2 diabetes in their science classes as munity health improvement, often collab - class “examined how raising awareness to part of a new project-based curriculum titled orating with researchers to conduct the consequences of unhealthy foods “Health in Our Hands: What Controls My cutting-edge research.” affects students’ eating habits.” Health?” • Durant-Turri-Mott: David Sutton’s “These kids have been … figuring out Freeman Elementary: classes “measured processed and diabetes, how it occurs, why it occurs in Kathy Savoie’s science class at unprocessed food in their diets.” children their age and in their family Freeman Elementary collaborated with • Doyle-Ryder: Robyn Seelye’s class members, and how to fix it in themselves Rick Sadler, professor of public health at “studied reasons for food waste in the and in their community,” project manager MSU, to answer the question, “How does cafeteria.” Renee Bayer said. my neighborhood affect my exercise and • Holmes: Annette Sparks’ class “investi - “They’re not being told what to do but walking habits?” gated the effect of exercise on student they’re actually figuring things out. “Our claim was kids didn’t feel safe well-being.” That’s the new way of teaching science,” anymore to walk to school, to play in the Bayer said. neighborhoods like we used to,” Savoie Final presentations: The program, a research project led by said. “At the final presentations, students the CREATE for STEM Institute at “We backed that up with data; we gave presented their results to their peers and to Michigan State University, has many part - surveys to the kids. It showed in our data judges from university and community ners: the Flint Community Schools, the that … 85 percent of the kids said they groups,” Bayer reported. “Judges com - University of Michigan School of Public would like to walk more. The data showed mented about how knowledgeable, enthu - Health, Community-based Organization that kids wanted to feel safe in their siastic, and well-prepared the students Partners of Flint, the Sloan Museum, the neighborhoods and would walk more if were.” Flint Public Library, Concord Consortium they felt safe,” Savoie said. One of the judges, Sharon Saddler, a in Massachusetts and multiple partners in Savoie said additional data generated community volunteer, was impressed Detroit. Funding comes from the National by her students showed “that only 5 per - with how the project extended learning Institutes of Health through their Science cent of the kids were walking to school, beyond the classroom walls and into the Education Partnership Awards (SEPA). and only 16 percent of the places they homes and community. “I truly believe “Through their studies, students dis - were visiting (was) by foot.” Nearly 56 that the education process is not just from covered how genetic risk factors, such as percent of the Freeman students said they 8:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the after - poor diet, or lack of exercise, put them at avoided walking because of “stranger noon,” she said. “I think a very important risk for disease,” reported Bayer, an danger.” part of education begins at 3:00 in the administrator at CREATE for STEM The Freeman students involved in the afternoon and goes to 8:00 the next morn - Institute at Michigan State University project wore GPS devices for 24-hour ing.” (MSU). periods at a time to gather data. The “So what we do with our children out - The starting point for the project was devices reported where they went, their side of school, how we involve the parents a virtual introduction to Monique, a mode of transportation, and distances. and the community in the education of our pre-teen African American girl who Family interviews conducted by her children is essential,” Saddler said. actually suffers from Type 2 diabetes. students revealed previous generations “That’s where essential learning comes “They read her story and were able to “walked everywhere; the neighbors knew from.” Saddler is a product of Flint follow her daily life, what she goes everyone,” reported Savoie. “The families schools and a University of Michigan through, what it’s doing to her, and how said this is what we would like to see to graduate. it affects the family,” Ella Greene- improve our neighborhoods.” Moton, community activities manager “The kids drew their ideal neighbor - Editor’s Note: EVM Staff writer Harold for the project, said. hood,” said Savoie, “and suggested things C. Ford is retired from a 44-year career in “They were able to identify with the like neighborhood watch groups, parent public education that included: one year things she (Monique) was dealing with groups, kids walking together in walking as a substitute teacher in Flint; 30 years day-to-day,” Moton said.“Why is this groups … community gardens, clean as a classroom teacher in Beecher; 10 happening? How is this happening? Can it parks, and clean neighborhoods.” years as director of the Beecher be controlled? What does healthy eating Scholarship Incentive Program funded by have to do with that? Do people die from Other projects: the Ruth Mott Foundation; and three this?” Approximately 340 students — nearly years as supervisor of Beecher’s Ninth “Students conducted an action research all of Flint’s sixth graders — were Grade Academy. He can be reached at project to improve their school or neigh - involved in the project. Some of the other [email protected]. 9 THIS MONTH IN THE VILLAGE “This Month” highlights a selection of interesting events available to our readers — beginning after our publication date of Jan. 4. It is not an exhaustive list, rather a sampling of opportunities in the city. To submit events for our February issue, email your event to Managing Editor Meghan Christian at [email protected] by Jan. 23.

Michigan Glass Artists Exhibition An Evening with LaKisha Jones feat. Baloonacy Flint Symphony Orchestra Jan. 2 - 5 Jan. 26, 7 p.m. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Jan. 13 Greater Flint Arts Council, 8 p.m. Jan. 27, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 816 S. Saginaw St. The Whiting, Jan. 28, 2 p.m. 810-238 -2787 1241 E. Kearsley St. Elgood Theater, (Flint Youth Theater) Admission: Free 810-237-7333 1025 E. Kearsley St. Admission: $20 - 50 See an array of glass works such as 810-237-7333 Admission: $8 - 10 mosaics, cast and blown glass, and more. See Flint native and “American Idol” finalist LaKisha perform some original Sierra Club Presents: “My Journey to A great show for children ages 3 and up, Reduced Carbon Use” scores and covers of current hits with the Flint Symphony Orchestra. this fun play explores the power of Jan. 10 friendship and acceptance through some 7:30 - 9 p.m. MLK Day of Service 2018 puppetry and physical comedy. Mott Community College; Prahl Center, 1401 E. Court Street Jan. 15 810-230-0704, Robert Simpson for details 9 a.m. - Noon The Fantasticks Admission: Free Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center, 3501 Lapeer Rd. Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. Listen to Mike Buza discuss various Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m. options for solar panels, pros and cons, Volunteer with United Way of Genesee Jan. 28, 2 p.m. installation costs, efficiency, and ways to County to pack 40,000 meals that will go UM-Flint Theater, accomplish improvements. Mike has no to local families as a part of the MLK affiliation with any solar company so the Day of Service. For more information on 303 E. Kearsley St. information will be unbiased. Carbon the event and on how to register, go to Admission: $8 - 15 use reduction outside the home will be http://www.geneseeserves.org/_landing/mlk briefly discussed. Presented by the UM-Flint Department African American Film Series: “I Am of Theatre and Dance, this funny and Community Gala Not Your Negro” romantic musical tells the story of a boy and a girl in love, and their families that Jan. 11 Jan. 20 5:30 - 10 p.m. 6 - 9:30 p.m. try to keep them apart. Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley St. 1120 E. Kearsley St. 810-422-5358 Admission: FIA Members - $40 - 55 Erik Van Heyningan Admission: Minimum donation of $2 Non-Members - $60 - 75 An evening with live entertainment, food, Beginning with a lecture and followed Jan. 28 and a flim followed by a panel dicussion. with a gallery opening, dinner, and live 3:30 p.m. The film is based on “Remember This music, this event is a part of a diversity Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church House” by James Baldwin, which docu - initiative. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and 810-569-1545 ments race in America through the lens the event is cocktail attire. For more Admission: $10 of the assassinations of Martin Luther information, call 810-422-5358. King Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X. Flint Symphony Orchestra Concert Opera singer Erik Van Heyningan from Every Child Ready to Read Super the Michigan Opera Theater performs. Saturday Storytime Jan. 20 Jan. 13 7:30 - 9 p.m. 1 - 2 p.m. The Whiting, Flint Public Library, 1241 E. Kearsley St. 1026 E. Kearsley St. 810-237-7333 Admission: Free Admission: $10 - 60 Happy For younger audiences, enjoy story time A night of classical music featuring at the Flint Public Library. guest Ray Chen. New Year!

10 makes. In addition to pushing the part-time leg - ... Politics islature, he hopes it will give some traction to his (Continued from Page 3.) gubernatorial campaign. Whether either the bal - delegation this year. Republican David lot proposal or Lt. Gov. Calley make it to the Trott (11th District) and Democrats Sander November ballot remains to be seen. From Michigan Hands to Michigan Homes Levin (9th District) and John Conyers (13th It’s also likely that at least one proposal to 601 M.L. King Avenue District) have decided not to run (or in legalize recreational marijuana will be voted on Conyers’ case, resigned from Congress fol - this year as well. The proposal would allow the lowing sexual harassment charges). While state to regulate and tax the marijuana business. new candidates will be chosen, the current In addition, there are several other potential party balance of nine Republicans and five ballot issues. One would support a “prevailing Democrats is unlikely to change. wage,” or union-based wages, for those doing work for the state. Another would protect the The state Legislature Great Lakes from an Enbridge Pipeline failure. Michigan’s term limits, six years in the A third would guarantee workers the right to House and eight in the Senate, guarantee a paid sick leave, and a fourth proposal would regular turnover in the state legislature. This increase the minimum wage in Michigan to year, 24 of the 110 members of the state $12/ hour by 2020. Most of these still need to House will be forced out, and 26 of the 38 get the required signatures to make it to the bal - state Senate members will be leaving. lot and that is often a major challenge. In Genesee County that should lead to several competitive races. Can the Flint City Council and mayor Republican State Senator Dave finally get along? Robertson, (14th District, southern Genesee, On the local scene, it will be worth watch - northern Oakland counties) is term limited ing to see how well the new city council can and there should be a strong contest in that work with each other and the mayor. With traditionally Republican district. five new members elected last November it In the state House, Democrat Pam Faris has the potential to be a very different coun - (48th District, northern and eastern Genesee cil. Though there have been more than a few County) is term limited, and one can expect a flare-ups between some council members, competitive race to succeed her in the district. there does seem to be a desire to actually Democrat Phil Phelps is also ending his work together to deal with the water crisis term (49th District, southwest Flint city, Flint and the city’s many other problems in a Township, Mt. Morris Township) and the rational manner. We’ll also see how the new contest for his seat is already heating up, in charter is put in place and carried out. what should be one of the major contests to watch in the county. Both former Flint Mayor Will we see the beginning of the end of Dayne Walling, and John Cherry, vice chair the “water crisis?” of the Flint Charter Commission, have indi - As the tests for Flint’s water come back with cated that they intend to run for the seat. more promising results, and as more pipes are Others are likely to join the fray in the tradi - replaced, will we begin to see the water crisis tionally Democratic district. receding? More importantly, how long will it take to rebuild the trust that has been broken by What proposals will be on the ballot? the many officials and many levels of govern - Like many election years we should see ment over the last three-plus years? Will Mayor several proposals on the ballot in 2018. Weaver and the city council be able to begin the Perhaps the most significant is the proposal process of restoring trust as the water crisis put forward by the Voters Not Politicians enters its fourth year? Committee, which would amend the state con - If 2017 is any guide, 2018 will look very dif - stitution to create a non-partisan commission ferent in December than it does in January. to draw non-gerrymandered election districts that wouldn’t favor one party over another. Political columnist Paul Rozycki can be Though it will probably face court challenges, reached at [email protected] it could be the most significant ballot issue. (Past issues of EVM have discussed gerryman - dering and the proposal in detail.) Unclassified ads Gubernatorial candidate Brian Calley is pro - moting another ballot proposal that would cre - For Rent. Studio apartment and two-bedroom apartment. Clean, partially furnished, all bills paid ate a part-time legislature, limiting their time in except electricity. Walking distance to UM-F & session to 90 days a year and cutting their pay to MCC. Call 810-235-0021. Leave message. Donations to EVM are tax deductible! approximately half of what the average teacher

11 Village Life How new life in Flint made a doggie dream come true By Meghan Christian This is about a dream of puppy love com - sation with the landlord, all those worries In the next 30 minutes, that blond puppy ing true, right on the east side of Flint. evaporated. We just knew that this home stole my heart. It was a girl. As soon as I got About a year into our relationship, my would be a great fit for us, as long as he was to hold her and she cuddled in my arms boyfriend, Chad, and I started talking about okay with us adopting a dog. With his instead of trying to play, I knew I was in getting a dog. We would sit on the futon in approval, we could finally start making our trouble. She went back and forth between our cramped, one-bedroom apartment and dream become a reality. Chad and me, taking turns in our laps and dream about what kind of dog we would get A month later, we seriously started the then occasionally playing with her sister. We and the adventures we would go on together. search for the next addition to our little family. were enthralled. When the volunteer came But since our lease wasn’t going to be up for We scoured adoption websites and we went to back in to ask if we wanted applications, another six months, all we had were those the Humane Society of Genesee County at none of us hesitated to say yes. conversations about our dream dog. least once a week for a month. Every time, we Photo by Meghan Christian Then one day in the midst of apartment walked in with the hope that we would meet hunting, Chad came home from work with a our dog, but every time, we would leave lead on a three-bedroom house on the east empty handed and disappointed. side of Flint with a fenced-in backyard: the All that changed at a Humane Society perfect yard for a dog. Not only was the house adoption event Dec. 2. close to work, but it seemed to be the next log - We pulled into the parking lot at 9:45 a.m., ical step for us. Part of me worried it was 15 minutes before the event was supposed to going to be too good to be true, that the other start. We were surprised the parking lot was shoe was going to drop and we weren’t going mostly full. We had been watching the web - to be able to have everything we wanted. site for a few weeks and we knew we were After our first walk through and conver - there for the same reason as most of the oth - ers: three Labrador retriever/husky puppies were finally old enough to be adopted. We had to be some of the first people in or there JANUARY was no way we would even get the chance to By Grayce Scholt take one home. DEMPSEY Five minutes before the event, we Janus, a two-faced Roman coin watched as a Humane Society volunteer It has been about a month now since we unlocked the front door and we did not wait. brought home our puppy, We named her looked backward, forward We nearly sprinted inside and right back to Dempsey, after an American soccer player. signifying a doorway from there the dog area like we worked there — we In her first days with us, our dream of having to here, like the passing knew it so well from our past visits. a traveling companion already came true. from one place to another We looked into each cage, remembering She has gone to family holiday parties, on or one day to the next some faces and seeing some new. The cacoph - walks with new dogs, and has made friends or week or month or year; ony of dogs barking echoed off the walls as we wherever she went. and yet this ancient coin checked each cage to try to find those puppies. But owning a puppy isn’t always a dream. evolved into our word In front of us, a mother and daughter were It’s a lot of responsibility and we have had to doing the same thing. I hoped they were the adjust nearly every aspect of our lives — from signifying the passing only other ones in front of us. little things like making sure controllers are out through a doorway Then we turned the last corner and saw of her reach to big things like making sure we of days, weeks, months three little puppies in the first cage, all cower - can afford to take her to the vet when she needs that we called January 2017 ing a little as the big dogs barked around them. it. It is knowing that after-work drinks with co- only to recognize our backward glance Two were reddish-brown; one was blond. As workers or staying late at a party are no longer of hatreds, grudges, malice, soon as I saw the blond puppy, I knew it was options since we have to be home to take her blood, vials of blood the one we needed to take home. Maybe it outside. that Janus, once a simple doorway, was because it was different from the others But while it has taken some sacrifice and that caught my eye, but there was just some - adjustment, the reward is well worth it. Now would’ve abhored thing about it that said, “Take me home!” when I come home from a long City Council since it celebrated the hope A volunteer came by and asked the four of meeting, I am greeted by the sounds of little that love might be waiting us now gathered in front of the puppies if we paws on hardwood floors and a wagging tail. for us there. were interested. We all said yes and the vol - When my anxiety and depression make me unteer opened the gate. “Go ahead and grab feel worthless, she will climb in my lap, give which one you want,” she said, swinging the me a kiss, and remind me in her own way Grayce Scholt is a retired English professor from gate open and stepping out of the way. The that I am loved. Mott Community College who wrote art reviews for daughter stepped in and grabbed one of the One month down and Chad and I are still the Flint Journal and has authored several poetry brown puppies. My heart quit pounding. excited to see how our dream dog continues collections and memoirs. Her newest collection is Chad reached down and picked up the blond to make our reality a little brighter. East of Everywhere , drawn in part from work pub - puppy and we were taken to a small office lished in East Village Magazine . The book is avail - space where we could play with the animals EVM Managing Editor Meghan Christian can able from Friesen Press, www.friensenpress.com and see if we wanted to take them home. be reached at [email protected]. and Amazon. LVI: 1 (656 issues, 6,595 pages) 12