FLINT
Our Community Our Voice FLINT NEIGHBORHOODS UNITED: Standing Together For Positive Change
Volume 7, Issue 3 April 2017
Love your City all Summer Long!
April 3: Curbside Yard Waste Pick-up Resumes April 22-23: GKH (Generational Knowledge House) Contact Sara McPearson 840-8574 April 29: 4th Ward Community Clean-up. Contact Michael Doan (313) 585-8878 May 1: Land Bank resumes picking up blight at specific addresses. 2 week notice-call 257-3088 May 1: Curbside pick-up from vacant properties. Notify Joel Arnold 237-2090 May 1-5: Unlimited large item pick-up. No refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, cast iron tubs, tires, building materials, countertops, eviction/moving clean-outs. Items must be placed curbside by 7am on regular collection day. May 8-12: Unlimited bagged trash pick-up. All trash must be bagged and curbside by 7am on regular collection day. May 12-13: Mott Park Blight Squad Clean-up. Contact Steven Major 953-9478 May 13: Genesee County Recycle Day (see flyer below) May 13: YMCA Camp Copneconic Clean-up. Contact Pam Bailey 232-9622 June 10: Free Tire Disposal. Residents may drop off tires from 10am-2pm @ Environmental Rubber Recycling 6515 N. Dort. Payment by tire, or load. $1ea. up to 25 tires, or $25 per load of 25+ tires Auto and light truck tires only! Residents only! No commercial vehicles. Clean-up supplies for public spaces available at Keep Genesee County Beautiful. Free waste bags, garbage bags, work gloves and litter grabbers. Contact KGCB 10 days in advance of clean-up. 767-9696 Neighborhood Clean-ups. Call Blight Elimination 2 weeks in advance for dumpsters & support crews. 237-9090 Tools and equipment available for clean-ups and maintenance at Neighborhood Engagement Hub Tool Shed. 2 weeks notice. Call Hurb Pitts @ 620-1299 Need help? Contacts for volunteer workers: Kettering Community Service Office 762-9743 UM-Flint University Outreach M-F 8a-5p 424-5486 United Way of Genesee County 232-8121 Be the Church M-F 8:30a-2p 732-0480
[email protected]
FLINT Editorial Board Donna Calvin, Bill Hammond, Jane Richardson, Sandra E. Robinson, Carma Lewis, Chris Frye, Kathy McGaughey
L a yo u t an d D e si gn Christopher Frye
[email protected]
Letters, Email & Telephone FLINT Our Community Our Voice 3216 M.L. King Ave. Flint, MI 48505 (810) 348-5332
[email protected] FOCOV Published bi-monthly the first week of the month
Subscription Rates $10 year (6 issues) contact: 810-348-5332 PDF available by request at
[email protected]
Follow Flint Neighborhoods United on the web at www.flintneighborhoodsunited.org/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ FlintNeighborhoodsUnited Editorial Policy This newspaper is the voice of our neighborhoods. We will share the views of our neighbors, groups and leaders for your evaluation and edification. We welcome articles from any community member. We also reserve the right to refuse articles. While we welcome your contributions, we ask that they be constructive. All articles should contribute positively to the welfare of our community and its residents. We will accept a thoughtful discussion of all related issues and reserve the right to reply to those that seem to reflect a misunderstanding of our views of Our Community. We look forward to hearing from you. FLINT Our Community Our Voice You may also email your information to
[email protected] Thank You in Advance FOCOV Staff of Volunteers
The placement of any political or other advertisement in FOCOV does not indicate nor imply an endorsement of any candidate, service or product whatsoever.
What I learned while studying Flint’s Municipal Takeover: Final Thoughts By Ashley E. Nickels Assistant Professor of Political Science Kent State University I have been warned by numerous scholars, and prac-
titioners alike, to keep an open mind about the use of municipal takeovers. These policies are not designed, they have argued, with malicious intent. Instead, they offer, these policies are intended to help fiscally distressed municipalities deal with the reality that they are facing municipal bankruptcy or dissolution. In other words, would I rather see these cities go bankrupt? Would it be better that the state did nothing and watched the city grow poorer and poorer? No! That does not, however, mean that municipal takeover policies should go unquestioned. The impact of these policies are real—and deserve scrutiny. While I argue that the burdens placed on residents through the implementation of municipal takeover policies outweigh the benefits of fiscal stability, the crux of my research centers on the political impact of municipal takeovers: How local government— and governance—was restructured, how communities responded, and why? As noted in my previous article, my research examines who had access to decision making and who was left out under emergency management. I look at how the policy allocated both benefits and burdens and how people interpreted policy directives. Ultimately, my research offers an explanation for why Flint residents did not “back down” or “shut up,” when the state intervened to ostensibly fix Flint’s finances and instead sought alternative ways of engaging in local politics. I find that the differential allocation of benefits and burdens was interpreted by many as rewarding the “powerful,” while further marginalizing residents who are disproportionately poor and people of color. I argue that policies aimed at addressing municipal fiscal emergencies can be improved by placing greater emphasis on social equity. In the words of public administration scholar H. G. Frederickson, it is not just about “whether an existing public program or proposed program is effective or good. The second question is more important. For whom is the program effective or good?” Let’s start by examining the tools—or policy instruments—available to local governments. These tools affect both the content and the process of policy implementation. In the context of municipal takeover, the policy tools, such as the ability to cut services, increase fees, eliminate or renegotiate contracts, or appoint an emergency manager shape how, by whom, and what decisions are made. In Michigan, municipal takeover policy emphasizes efficiency over equity, budgets over democracy . This is not to say that the people carrying out the policy are inherently bad. Instead, the policy, 2
by design, incentivizes that draconian cuts to services, which come at an increased cost, be carried out by top-down directives, absent democratic deliberation. To address this: first, eliminate the use of stateappointed managers. Giving sole authority to an unelected, state-appointed manager has two important consequences. First, it isolates the manager from the community and frees them from traditional modes of accountability. As Jessica Trounstine notes, “…When rulers are not accountable to their subjects, they have an easier time making decisions that defy the preferences and even best interests of those people.” Additionally, cuts to services and increased fees were implemented by an un-elected state-appointed official under the auspices of fiscal austerity, undermining our strongly held beliefs regarding democracy, popular sovereignty, and local control. Thus, using state-appointed emergency managers as a policy tool fosters resentment, anger, and distrust among members of the community. While municipal takeover policies are ostensibly designed to address fiscal crises, these crises are not simply fiscal in nature. As Thomas Sugrue has pointed out, urban crises are rooted in policies of racial discrimination and economic disinvestment. You cannot resolve these structural problems by cutting services and increasing fees to an already marginalized population. Moreover, policies should be designed to foster democracy, not undermine it. Even if our focus remains on budgets, community representatives should have an active role in addressing the fiscal concerns of the city. There are existing models— adopted in other cities, including post-bankruptcy Vallejo, CA— that are founded on the principle of what Archon Fung calls “empowered participation”; programs such as participatory budgeting, which give citizens the power to identify community needs and allocate government funds accordingly. Such programs, though in their infancy in the United States, provide a model for fiscal decision making that seeks to increase trust in local government and foster, what Hollie Russon Gilman identifies as, a “renewed political culture in which citizens… serve as democratic agents.” While it can be challenging to fully incorporate all voices during a fiscal crisis, such programs provide evidence that there are ways in which local budgeting could be improved. As Deborah Stone once wrote, “we may never see eye to eye, yet there is a huge difference between a political process in which people honestly try to see the world from different vantage points, and one in which they claim from the start their vantage point is the right one.” Municipal takeover policy preferences the latter. Democracy is messy, but shortsighted municipal takeover policies have long-term political consequences. Reducing democratic access creates opportunities for unrepresentative local elites to influence the takeover agenda for their own purposes, undermining possibilities for effective governance. See: Takeover, page 3
Takeover
Fiscal crises must be addressed, but community members should have an active role in understanding the problems and devising solutions. Democratic deliberation and inclusion are essential to enable troubled cities, with state support, to find ways to address fiscal crises in socially equitable and sustainable ways. I want to thank Flint Neighborhoods United for inviting me to write this series of articles for Our Community, Our Voice. It is an honor to share some of my thoughts with you through this newsletter. If you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding my research, I encourage you to contact me at
[email protected] or reach me through my website: www.aenickels.com. It has also been a distinct pleasure to have Professor Nickels thoughts on a subject that citizens of Flint have had to live through for a good many years. We would like to thank Ashley for her thoughts and her contributions to Flint: Our Community, Our Voice. Please feel free to share your thoughts with Professor Nickels at the above email address or web page. Ed. * * *
Riverdance, Whiting, Fri., April 7, 8 pm/ Sat., April 8, 2 pm & 8 pm
Connect the Blocks, IINN Bldg, 4800 So. Sag., Sat., April 8, 11 am - 3 pm, Community Foundation grant information, share celebrate, access community change.
Flint Youth Symphony, Whiting, young musicians from Flint and Paris , Thurs. April 13, 7 pm
edibleFlint Garden Starter Kit, Final day for pre-order, April 17, 605 N. Saginaw, (810) 244-8530
Jack & The Beanstalk, FYT First Stage, Sat., April 15, 2 pm & 7 pm, for age 3 & up
Thirteen, FYT Main Stage, Fri., April 28, young people age 12 and up
FSPA Showcase Concert, Whiting, April 30, 3 pm, youth performing Bernstein's dide Overture
42nd Street, Whiting, Classic Musical Comedy, Fri., April 28 8 pm - Sat., April 29, 2pm & 8 pm
William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play, (abridged), Whiting, May 5, 7:30 pm, Comical
The Cat In the Hat, FYT First Stage, Fri., May 12, 2 pm & May 13, 7 pm
edibleFlint Garden Starter Kit Distribution Day, NEH, 3216 M L King Ave., May 17, 11am – 6 pm
Bloomin’ & Growin’ in the Neighborhoods, 3216 M L King Ave., May 17, 11 am – 6 pm
Brennan Park Renovation Phase II By: Sandra E
City Representatives and residents, interested in the future of Brennan Park, met March 21 at Brennan Center to plan Phase 2 of the park renovation. A review of previous accomplishments reminded participants of the transformative changes in the park to date. Then maps were used to help envision the affects of their suggested l ocat ions for wal ki ng paths; a second pavilion; more playground equipment; seating; and landscaping. Because community input is so important the request for more participation was emphasized. To successfully complete this next phases South Side organizations are looking to obtain necessary funding by working with city and community representatives along with knowledgeable and willing supporters. We need to write grant proposals and secure donations. We need information about available resource and information about ways to raise funds.
Can-
Block Club, Neighborhood Association and Crime Watch Meetings
Neighborhood Restoration Coalition, Tuesdays – alternate 10 a.m. & 6:00 pm, Mini-station Circle Drive Neighborhood Association, First Thursday, every month. April 13 this month. Friends of Max Brandon Park, 5:00pm (first Thursday), Neighborhood Engagement Hub Flint Neighborhoods United, 9 a.m. to 11, first Saturday, Woodside Church, 1509 E. Court Street King Avenue Plus, 6:00 pm, (second Tuesday), Neighborhood Engagement Hub Metawanenee Hills Neighborhood Association, third Tuesday, 5:45 p.. Salem Lutheran Church, 2610 M. L. King April 15, Flint Our Community Our Voice articles and ads due to:
[email protected] Glendale Hills Neighborhood Association, third Thursday, 6:30pm, @ Court Street Church of God, 2920 W. Court Ballenger Square Community Assoc., First Saturday, Noon, New Baptist Church New Community Block Club, 2nd & 4th Thursday, 12-2pm, New Community Baptist Civic Park Neighborhood Association, 2nd Tuesday, 5:30pm, Haskell Community Center Ballenger Highway Association, 2nd Thursday, 6pm Potter-Longway Neighborhood Association, 3rd Monday, 7pm, Eastwood Church
Many participants remember the sense of community and connectedness Brennan Park encouraged during their youth. They encourage everyone with similar memories to help in their own way to make sure these opportunities are there for today’s families and youth. Send suggestions or contact information to
[email protected]., Sandra E. Robinson at (810) 275-4007, and Doris Keels (810) 874-9911 You will be informed of our progress and can find out how and when you can donate your time, suggestions and/or money. 3
Flint International Friends Association By: Kate Cole
The Flint International Friends Association is a non-profit organization. The group hosts conversational English and American culture classes for international students, immigrants and their families. Meeting regularly at the UM-Flint, the group also assists students with transportation and help them navigate the legal and health care systems. Recently, we asked the students to write their first impressions of America. Their responses were heartwarming and we would like to share them with the broader community.
It’s the care from a stranger and it made me feel very warm-hearted and it also increased my confidence to live in a country I have never visited before. And I look forward to my future life here very much. Americans are friendly! From a male Taiwanese student: When I came to American, it was at midnight. Flint is a quiet town, and there was dark everywhere. After a few days, I tasted the pizza, and from that day, I ate the nothing but the pizza for about five days. It made me see why Americans like pizzas!
American is beautiful! A man from Ecuador wrote: I noticed that we drove in the car so fast, it felt like a race track. There was so much green -- grass and trees everywhere. The air was fresh and it felt so spacious. The big yards made me just want to run. Everything felt so clean and pure. Americans are well-informed! A woman from Taiwan wrote: I thought lots of Americans don’t know where Taiwan is, but you all know where Taiwan is and that Taiwan is different from China. I’m so surprised. I thought I just be here for school because I am in a place where I’m really not familiar. However, I’m so happy that I can meet lots of people at Flint International Friends. Americans love to share! A young-man from Taiwan wrote: Pizza, French fries, and hamburger are things that I thought of when I thought about America. It seemed a little shallow, but I changed my mind when I am really here! I like the freedom that people can do everything they want--for example, their education and jobs. I like the feeling of union, like Thanksgiving Day. People like to get together. The most important part is “Sharing!” People like to share all they have, like food, drinks, daily supplies or even happiness and love! America at its best! A woman from China wrote: I first arrived at US in 2014. My friend picked up me at Detroit Airport, greeted us with a Chinese feast. I slept very well that night and got up very early at 5 a.m. the next day. The harmonious nature was my first impression of this county. Blue sky, white cloud and the most beautiful sunshine of the mid-fall season. There were mushrooms growing in the lawn, squirrels jumped up and down the tree, they even interacted with people with curiosity. Very adorable. And the people are very nice too. When I walked around the UM-Flint campus and ran into the Farmer’s Market, it was a Wednesday--the market was closed. Someone saw me peeking into the window and he stopped to tell me it was closed and where I can get my breakfast in other places.
An Invitation to Build By: Charles Tutt
Martin Luther King PLUS, a local group of citizens interested in creating a real sense of neighborhood has embarked on a project that it feels will move a neighborhood in that direction. It is believed after the project is completed – perhaps 2 years - it will be a point of pride for the neighborhood and the city. M LK Pl us ha s leased and is proposing to lease several Land Bank properties on the west side of Martin Luther King Avenue from McClellan to Genesee. We plan to build and care for a Martin Luther King style “Peace Garden”. The garden will be inviting to all. It will be a place of tranquility. It will be a place to sit and reflect. It will bring people together to enjoy the change in the neighborhood. People of the neighborhood and the city will be able to enjoy this space. We are meeting and planning the changes we hope will bring pride to the neighborhood. We would love to have you join jus. All ideas are welcome and treated equally. It is our hope you are willing to bring your ideas to the table.
Pain Might Not Be Complicated By: Sandra E.
Increased pain inversely affects critical thinking. As the pain increases lucid thinking decreases to a simple, “Make it stop!” The ability to stay aware of the things that affect the pain can often lead the sufferer to research causes and find remedies. This is one good reason to limit the use of pain pills. Pain is usually related to certain causes. Back pain is often considered a kidney problem or the result of muscle strain. Stomach pain is usually considered a digestive or ulcers problem. Chest pains send people to the doctor expecting heart or digestion issues. After suffering all of these symptoms along with leg and foot pains and tingling, a victim visited her physician for tests that provided no explanation. When this individual searched the Internet she was surprised to find numerous articles relating her symptoms to adhesions resulting from surgical and wound repair. In the articles a well known natural product was suggested as a safe and effective relief. Since her surgeries had occurred many years before she was skeptical about a positive outcome. Due, however, to the intensity of her continual pain and lack of concerns about negative side effects, she decided to give it a try. To her amazement and pleasant surprise, the relief was almost immediate. 4
Continued next column
We spend a great deal of time finding fault and complaining, and very little time looking for the good and trying to make changes. This is an opportunity to change our perspective and find a way to improve our neighborhood and our city. We sincerely would like you to come out and help us in this work. And to look for other things we can do to make a difference. Meet us and help plan this work. Contact: Charles Tutt 516-0878, Renee’ Ervin 789-5972, Barbara Culp 919-4007, Jane Richardson 348-5332 or drop in at The Neighborhood Engagement Hub. * * * I won't keep you in suspense any longer; this miraculous treatment is Castor Oil Packs. This treatment is suggested for arthritis, diabetes and other ailments related to inflammation. My suggestions are, if you suffer any of these symptoms, go to the links below, read and discuss it with your doctor. Based on your understanding and research, decide if you will try any suggested treatments. If you decide to try, know a positive response may require more time. Since it is releasing toxins, be sure to drink the recommended amount of water. Then, please share the results with those around you and send a review so I can share in the next edition of the paper. When I told my daughter about my experience she said some of acquaintances had benefitted from this regimen. Some said they used castor oil to encourage hair growth on their head along with growing their eyebrow and eye lashes. See: Pain, page 9
Latinos United for Flint By: Aurora Sauceda, Community Coordinator
Latinos United for Flint is a local organization that was started on May 3, 2016, after concerns were voiced regarding not receiving information on the water crisis in Spanish. Six organizations that serve the Latino community met and decided we would work together to get the information out to the community. Those organizations comprised of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the Eastside, La Familia MC3, Hispanic Technology Community Center, El Ballet Folklorico Estudiantil, and American GI Form. As a group we have been able to reach out to many community members that, otherwise, would not have been able to have access to the information needed to keep their family safe from the effects of the water. We are proud to say that we have developed alliances with many organizations and nonprofits that we had never had contact with, before the crisis. Currently we are working very closely with local, state and federal agencies who are keeping abreast to the latest updates. This has shown to have increased the trust in our community. They feel confident that the information we take to them is helpful for them to know and has caused them to become more active in the community. Most recently, Latinos United has been holding information meetings on Saturdays regarding the immigration issues faced by our undocumented community. The meetings have been very productive in that we have been very fortunate in having volunteer speakers with expertise on immigration come and speak to the group. So far ACLU and MIRC have spoken at these meetings. Latinos Unidos de Flint es una organización local que se inició el 03 de mayo de 2016, después de que se habia expresado preocupaciones en cuanto que no se estaba recibiendo información en español sobre la crisis del agua. Seis organizaciones que sirven la comunidad Latina se reunieron y decidieron que trabajaríamos juntos para llevar la información a la comunidad. Las organizaciones consisten de la Iglesia Católica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Iglesia Católica de St. Mary del Eastside, La Familia MC3, Centro de Tecnología de la comunidad hispana, El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil y el American GI Forum. Como grupo, hemos podido llegar a muchos miembros de la comunidad que, de lo contrario, no habrían podido tener acceso a la información necesaria para mantener su familia a salvo de los efectos del agua. Estamos orgullosos de decir que hemos desarrollado alianzas y muchas organizaciones sin fines de lucro con que nunca habíamos tenido contacto antes de la crisis.
Actualmente estamos trabajando muy de cerca con agencias locales, estatales y federales que nos están informando con lo mas corriente de las actualizaciones más recientes. Esto ha demostrado que han aumentado la confianza en nuestra comunidad. Se sienten seguros de que la información que tomamos de ellos es útil para conocer y ha provocado que se conviertan en ser más activos en la comunidad. Más recientemente, Latinos Unidos ha estado teniendo reuniones informativas los sábados sobre los temas de inmigración que enfrenta nuestra comunidad indocumentada. Las reuniones han sido muy productivas en que hemos sido muy afortunados en tener oradores voluntarios con experiencia en inmigración que viene y hablan con el grupo. Hasta ahora han hablado ACLU y MIRC en estas reuniones. Por último, me gustaría mencionar las siguientes agencias y grupos que han sido tan amables por apoyar nuestros esfuerzos: United Way of Genesee county, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Genesee Health Systems, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Nursing Students, McLaren Hospital Medical Students, Genesee County Free Medical Clinic, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Michigan Commission of Law Enforcement, EPA, y DHHS.
workers 50 years before. It was a memorable occasion as it brought to life many of the stories told by actual participants in, perhaps, the most seminal event in the history of Flint. On February 10 of this year, the UAW and the Sloan Museum celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the end of the strike with an invitation only event at the Sloan Museum in the automotive exhibit. Speakers from the UAW, the Sloan Museum and GISD were on hand to deliver message of support and remembrance of the historic event. The purpose was 2-fold on this day. A co mme mor a tion and remembrance of what these brave men and women achieved those 80 years before as well as a major announcement of the creation of an endowment fund to honor and preserve the memory of these Flint heroes and develop a permanent exhibit of the strike at the soon to be enlarged Sloan for posterity. Health Alliance Plan has made the first major endowment to the fund entitled Preserving Our History.
White Shirt Day By: Christopher Frye
30 years ago, on February 11, 1987, I had the distinct honor and privilege of sitting down with veterans and surviving members of AFL-UAW Local 156 (Fisher Body Plant #1) to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the end of the famous SitDown Strike that cemented the UAW as the official bargaining unit at General Motors. The strike began in 1936 at the Fisher Body plant on S. Saginaw. UAW Local 581 was chartered independently in 1938 to represent the workers at Fisher 1. National White Shirt Day, as it is known, was initiated in 1948 by UAW Local 581 member Bert Christianson on February 11th of that year. On that occasion in 1987 original members of the Emergency Brigade served bread and bean soup to commemorate what they served to the striking 5
Members of the public who wish to make a donation to this fund are welcome to do so by visiting the Go Fund Me website at: https://www.gofundme.com/ PreservingOurHistoryFund. A goal of $10,000 has been initiated in the Go Fund Me campaign. Please consider visiting and being a part of this worthy cause.
Contact us at:
Neighborhood Engagement Hub 3216 MLK, Flint Charles Tutt 516-0878
[email protected]
Renee’ Ervin 789-5972
Jane Richardson 348-5332
[email protected]
Come meet us to explore other areas we can work together to improve the neighborhood.
6
Latinos United for Flint Building a foundation for our future MTA Joins Flint Jewish Federation & WIC to Provide Transportation From: Press Release
Latinos United for Flint (LUF) was formed on June 3, 2016. It is comprised of several organizations, agencies, non-profits, and faith based institutions that work together to assist the Hispanics/Latinos, documented and undocumented, in Flint during the current water crisis. The goal of this group is to assist in areas of health services, immigration issues, employment, education, nutrition, housing issues, and cultural awareness through the arts. Latinos United for Flint has established a strong working relationship with EPA, DHHS, MDCR, GHS, law enforcement, immigration attorneys, doctors, nurses, and many other supporting organizations. For more information, please contact: Aurora Sauceda at (810)471-5431. *
*
*
Latinos Unidos por Flint (LUF) se formó el 03 de junio de 2016. La organización está compuesta de distintas organizaciónes, agencias sin fines de lucro, e instituciones religiosas que trabajan juntos para ayudar a los hispanos y Latinos, documentados e indocumentados, que radican en Flint durante la actual crisis del agua. La meta de LUF es ayudar en las áreas de servicios de salud, temas de inmigración, empleo, educación, nutrición, problemas de vivienda y conciencia cultural a través del lenguaje, el arte, la música y la danza. Latinos Unidos por Flint ha establecido una fuerte relación de trabajo con *EPA, *DHHS, *MDCR, *GHS, oficiales de la ley, abogados de inmigración, médicos, enfermeras y muchas otras organizaciones de apoyo. Para más información, favor de llamarle a: Aurora Sauceda al (810)471-5431. *EPA (Agencia de protección ambiental) *DHHS (Departamento de salud y servicios humanos) *DHHS (Departamento de Michigan de las derechas civiles) GHS (Sistemas de salud de Genesee) Paid for by funds from/ Pagado por fondos de
The Flint Mass Transportation Authority is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Genesee County Health Department’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Funded by a $40,000 grant from the Flint Jewish Federation, MTA Flint will begin providing transportation to Flint residents who have been affected by the water crisis and are receiving WIC services, including nutrition education, supplemental nutritional foods, and referrals to community resources. The pilot project will operate until funds in the grant are expended. “Transportation is often a major barrier for those seeking medical care or water-related community services. Flint Jewish Federation’s generous grant will remove that barrier and provide funding through MTA’s Rides to Wellness program to ensure pregnant and nursing women and young children in the WIC program have access to the care they need,” said MTA General Manager Ed Benning. * * *
Salmon-Pasta Bake Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat penne pasta 2 medium green onions 1 (14½-ounce) can pink salmon in water 1 cup frozen peas 1 cup nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt 2 teaspoons dried dill or dried parsley ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated Materials: 9-inch square baking dish Can opener Colander Cutting board Large bowl Large pot Measuring cups Measuring spoons Mixing spoon Sharp knife
7
Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander. Run under water until cool to the touch, to keep noodles from sticking together. 3. Rinse and finely chop green onions. 4. Drain canned salmon. In a large bowl, mix salmon, pasta, green onions, peas, yogurt, dill or
Old Prescription Drop-Off Locations By Christopher Frye Medicines play an important role in treating many
conditions and diseases and when they are no longer needed it is important to dispose of them properly to help reduce harm from accidental exposure or intentional misuse. For many years unused and outdated medications were routinely flushed down the drain or thrown in the trash. We now know that of these options are also potentially dangerous to both humans and the environment. There is a better way. Simply take them to a certified disposal location where they will be properly disposed of in a safe and responsible way. There are many such locations in the Flint Area.
The Great Lakes Clean Water Organization developed the Yellow Jug Old Drugs program to collect and dispose of medications to protect the environment and residents. The following area pharmacies participate in the Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program: Genesee County
Free Medical Clinic-2437 Welch Blvd, Flint (810) 235-4211Town Center Pharmacy-1201 Flushing Road, Flint (810) 232-9100 Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy-G-3320 Beecher Road, Flint (810) 732-8720 Valley Medical Pharmacy-5142 Miller Road, Flint (810) 230-8252 Linden Pharmacy-1260 South Linden Road, Flint (810) 230-8300 Union Prescription Center -11830 North Saginaw Street, Mt. Morris (810) 686-2900
10 Ways to Spring Into a Safer Neighborhood
Mott Community College Public Safety 1401 East Court Street Flint. 24 hours
By: WOW Outreach
Set up a Neighborhood Watch, or a Community Patrol, working with Police. Make sure your streets and homes are well lit Build a partnership with police, focused on solving problems instead of reacting to crisis. Make it possible for neighbors to report suspicious activities or crimes without fear of retaliation. Clean up the neighborhood! Involve everyone – teens, children, senior citizens. Litter, abandoned cars and run-down buildings tell crim-
inals that you don’t care about where you l live, or each other. Call the city Public Works Department and ask for help in cleaning up. Work with schools to establish drug-free, gunfree zones; work with recreation officials to do the same for parks. Develop and share a phone list of local organizations that can provide counseling, job training, guidance and other services that neighbors may need. Report a crime if you witness it, or something you may suspect might be a crime. Agree to testify if needed. Adopt a school. Help students, faculty and staff to promote a sense of community in the school and with the larger community through involvement in a wide range of programs and activities. Offer your professional skills in educating students on costs and effects of violence in the community (including their school). Public health personnel, trauma specialists, defense and prosecuting attorneys and judges are among those with important messages to deliver. Help to strengthen links between school services and the network of community services that can help students and families facing problems. Attend Community Action Monthly The next meeting will be held on April 8, 2017 at Christ Enrichment Center at Noon – 2:00pm
Keeping Genesee County Healthy for 70 years 4290 Miller Road-Flint 810.230.8008
You Can Get Up To 3, Absolutely FREE!
8
South Flint Community Plan Picking up Speed By Kristen Stevenson
Students of Brownell-Holmes Academy share their stories of Dealing With A Bully I will show the Bully how to be a good and nice and show the bully people who have friends and be good. I once saw a bully trying to play football I had thought don’t he needed help. So I asked him but he said no and then I said ok. But I asked him do he know how to play football and then he said why do I care? And then I said cause I am a nosey guy. So I asked again do you need help and then he said yes and then I said do you know how to catch? He said yes, do you know how to run? He said yes. Do you know how to tackle? He said yes and then I said you are Randle. You know how to play football. The End. DeMarkus McLaurin So when I was outside somebody hit pulled my hair and ran away before I could play again. Honesty Johnson Show them how to be a nice person. Show them how to stop bullying people. Ask the bully to stop bullying people or ask them to calm down. We can stop bullies by teaching them to be friends with each other. Show them how to be nice. Ask others for help. Stop and tell a teacher. If a bully messes with you tell your teacher to stop bothering other people. Sakai Adams Me and my friends we was playing outside and she seen the bully and she started bullying me and the new girl who was playing with me. One day me and Courtney was playing hide and seek. We played the whole morning we played outside together. When we saw the Bully who wanted to fight us. Saniya Pea Once there was a little rabbit and each day he only grew 1 centimeter. All the other rabbits grew 1 inch. When the little rabbit went to school all the other rabbits were big except for one other little rabbit Turner. Turner always got picked on by the big rabbits. The little rabbit seen Turner getting bullied by the big rabbits and walked to them. Then the little rabbit asked the bully to stop. Turner had a big brother. The little rabbit told Turner to tell his big brother to help stop the bullies. Then Turner’s big brother Jaylen stopped the bullies. Talim Adams
The final South Flint Community plan may be complete but work on its implementation is only in the beginning stages. Over the next several months, and more significantly next several years, the groundwork that was laid out by the Choice Neighborhoods planning process will become more and more realistic. The planning process was community driven and so too must be implementation of the plan. Housing, People, and Neighborhood changes will only be successful with the voices and commitment of residents, partners, and stakeholders alike leading them. The City and Flint Housing Commission are looking to host a community implementation meeting in April to discuss progress and seek further engagement. There will also be various meetings with partners to develop action steps and timelines for implementation of specific priority projects over the next month. The South Flint plan outlines a large amount of projects and it is important to set a clear goal and action steps in order to tackle any of them. Finally, the next few months will consist of continued pre-development planning for FHC, Norstar, community partners, and residents. As mentioned above, the City and FHC will be seeking strong community partners to ensure the projects and housing redevelopment are completed in collaboration with neighborhood residents. Please continue to join us on the journey for a better and equitable Flint. Contact Kristin Stevenson if you have any questions about implementation or meetings or the plan in general. She can be reached via email at
[email protected] or phone at (810) 766-7426 x2065.
Show them how to be nice and I would pass them a pencil that they need. Invite them over to eat ice cream. They could pick their favorite flavor. We could go somewhere fun, we could go to Chuck E Cheese and play games and win tokens. Tyler Armstrong
Bloomin’ and Growin’ in the Neighborhoods! Flowers, herbs, vegetables & garden equipment for sale May 17, 11-6 This sale joins the edible flint pick-up of garden kits and dozens of demonstrations. Build a rain barrel? Learn about drying herbs? Take a look at raised beds and kitchen garden ideas… and more! Advance orders – forms at 3216 M L King or call 348-5332. The Neighborhood Engagement Hub and its partner, edible flint, support the Community Tool Shed on May 17th with your garden needs.
Info? Call 348-5332 9
Please check the South Flint Community Plan Facebook page to confirm the date and other details for upcoming events. Pain
Full disclosure, I am the sufferer identified at the beginning of this article. I am sharing because I want others to experience the same relief. I am comfortable sharing because of the limited fear of side effects and the resulting enhanced quality of life. Useful links: http://laracatone.com/sticky-situation-what-scarsyou-cant-see-are-doing-to-your-body/ http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/pain-articles/ castor-oil-relieve-joint-pain https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/03/07/ castor-oil-helped-prevent-knee-surgery/ https://draxe.com/castor-oil/
Explore Technology through Fun and Games By: Julie Hordyk
Technology is here to stay, and it’s becoming more and more pervasive in our society. The Library guides patrons in their knowledge journey, by helping them explore and experience new technologies in a safe and friendly way. We have programs for kids as well as adults. You never know when you might find a fun new hobby, or ignite a passion for technology that leads to a career (or second career!). We are very excited about some exciting new technology opportunities coming in April:
Book an Expert. Got a new gadget you’re not sure how to use? Sometimes all you need is a little initial guidance, and then you’re on your way! Call 259-2569 to schedule a 30-minute appointment with one of our experts. We’ll answer your questions and get you started with your technology. Digital Story Time. Give a kid a phone or tablet, and they’re entranced for hours. Why not use that interest to get them excited about reading? Come to our Digital Story Time, and learn about the technology-based ways you can engage your kids in reading. eNable Hand Challenge. Children all over the world suffer from deformed limbs. Many times their parents cannot afford the expense of a lifelike prosthetic arm. We invite adults and teens to this event, in which you will see how 3D digital printing plus design skills and passion can be used to create an inexpensive working hand for a child. You’ll be assembling hands and learning about the power of 3D printing all at the same time! Minecraft events. Minecraft is one of the most popular computer games in the world right now for kids of all ages (including adult kids!). The game is set in a virtual land where users can create their own worlds and experiences, using building blocks, resources discovered on the site and their own creativity. It's also a fun introduction to programming concepts. We invite students in 3 rd grade or older to come learn what it's about at our 101 class, or take on yo u r f r i e n d s a n d n ei gh b o r s i n o n e o f our friendly challenges. Circuits & Gadgets. We offer fun and informative ways for kids to explore science and technology concepts. Our Circuits & Gadgets programs expose kids to math and science ideas in the guise of a good time!
We inspire children and adults to explore new ideas, tap new interests, discover new skills, and take on new challenges. Come explore at your Library! For more information about Library activities, please visit our website at www.fpl.info.
All events are free and open to the public.
April 4: 6:30-7:30pm Bookie Babies Story Time April 8: 12:00pm Digital Story Time April 8: 2:00-5:00pm eNable Hand Challenge: Help assemble prosthetic hands using parts from a 3D printer April 11: 6:30-7:30pm Bookie Babies Story Time April 12: 4:30-6:00pm Minecraft Creative Challenge April 12: 5:00pm Spoken Word Program with Dr. Traci Currie April 19: 12:00pm Fiction Only Book Club, discussing Women in the Shadows by Jane Thynne April 18: 6:30-7:30pm Bookie Babies Story Time April 19: 12:00-7:30pm Friends of the Library Used Book Sale April 20: 12:00-7:30pm Friends of the Library Used Book Sale April 21: 10:00am-5:-00pm Friends of the Library Used Book Sale April 22: 10:00am-5:-00pm Friends of the Library Used Book Sale April 22: 2:00-3:30pm Circuits & Gadgets April 22: 3:30-5:00pm Minecraft 101 April 29: 2:00-3:30pm Circuits & Gadgets April 29: 2:00pm Friends Annual Event: Glen Holcomb Project (music from the Civil Rights era) April 22: 3:30-5:00pm Minecraft Survival Challenge
Regular Features Every Saturday in April is packed with activities! Every Tuesday in April at 12:15pm: Armchair Traveler Every Saturday in April at 11:00am: Every Child Ready to Read Super Saturday Story Time (except April 15) Online Calendar Our website calendar features the most current information about library programs. Please visit www.fpl.info for more information and a complete event listing.
Flint Bike Share System Now OPEN By: Amy McMillan Parks Director
The County Parks’ Zagster station, part of the Flint Bike Share system, is open! Our station is directly behind the Parks Administration Building (5045 Stanley Rd, Flint, MI, 48506). Since June of 2016, when Genesee County parks installed the very first Zagtser bike share station in Genesee County, the Flint Bike Share program has grown to include four stations in our area. You can now easily bike to and from, and everywhere in between, the Parks Administration Office to any one of the other Zagster stations within the city of Flint. Find stations at the Flint Cultural Center, the University Pavilion and the University of Michigan-Flint Recreation Center. Take advantage of our great area trails including the Flint River Trail which is part of the statewide Iron Belle Trail system. Be sure to check out our website before your ride to download trail maps. A simple registration, with a credit card, on the Zagster website or mobile app- Zagster.com/Flint – will get you rolling. You must be 18 or older to ride and the first half-hour is always free, 10
with each additional hour costing $2. A day pass can be purchased for $10 or a three day pass for $20. If you have any trouble getting started, you can come ask our front desk staff for help between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday – Friday Get ready to get out and get pedaling and explore the more than 11,000 acres of recreational opportunities, right around the corner in your Genesee County Parks.
Need a job? Want a Job? Employment Opportunities
Visit www.mitalent.org for more information on all these available job opportunities!
Other opportunities available:
Other skills required and available by visiting: http://bit.ly/2boU0Q8 or contact Troopers Steve Kramer at
[email protected], or Amy Belanger at
[email protected], or call the Flint State Police Post at (810) 732-1111. Job Opportunities at non-profits. Visit: www.mnaonline.org/jobs-list
11
12
