Home » Archive » August 2009

Former Pointer finds D-I-V-O-R-C-E
doesn't mean the ex plays fair

If you do a Google search for Homer Laffoon you will get 238,000 hits. That’s pretty impressive for a seven-year-old boy who has done nothing more to get the public’s attention than be born to screen and television actress Anne Heche and her ex-husband Coleman (Coley) Laffoon. read more...

Andrew Michels, Nick Bsharah and Cameron Francis, L-R, take care of another satisfied customer at their neighborhood's annual dog wash to benefit the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society.

Kids soak the dogs and raise $1,200 in benefit for GP Animal Adoption

The 4th annual dog wash held in Grosse Pointe Park was a soggy success. Two dozen Defer Elementary School friends and their families got together August 22 for the event, supporting Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society, and raised over $1,200, exceeding their goal. read more...

Far from the sea, Henry Ford Cottage
plans a clambake birthday party

Henry Ford Cottage Hospital's 90th-year celebration promises fun in the sun and sand.

Wiggle your toes in the sand and pop up a clam or two at the Clambake at the Cottage, a fundraising event celebrating nine decades of health care service to the Grosse Pointes and surrounding east-side communities.

The Clambake at the Cottage is set for September 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m., on the hospital grounds in the Farms. The casual outdoor event will include entertainment by Vintage Moments, a clambake-style supper, and a live auction. read more...

George Bay's "Cry and Rejoice" won first prize in the Grosse Pointe Artists Association's annual exhibit, "Our Rivers, Our Lakes."

‘Our Rivers, Our Lakes’ exhibition
honors best of 80 entries

The Grosse Pointe Artists Association’s annual exhibition, "Our Rivers, Our Lakes," runs through September 26 at the Grosse Pointe Art Center, 16900 Kercheval in the Village. Juror John Corbin selected seven award winners from the 80 entries. An opening wine and cheese reception was held Aug. 20.
  read more...

Bledsoe, Richner to host bipartisan
"Community Conversation" on Sept. 21

State Rep. Tim Bledsoe, D-1st District, and chairman of the University of Michigan Board of Regents Andrew Richner, R-Grosse Pointe, will host a "Community Conversation" with the Center for Michigan on September 21 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.

"I encourage those interested in the future of our state to attend and lend your views," Bledsoe said. "This is an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance of working together to look towards Michigan's future. These discussions are the cornerstone of our democracy." read more...

Blue Devils fight hard, but topple
to Chippewa Valley in season opener

Ed and Will Harrah of Pointe Images prepared this highlight reel of Grosse Pointe South's soccer opener Monday (August 24) at Chippewa Valley. This was the first game under the leadership of new head coach Stefan Harris. Although the Blue Devils led 2-0 at one point, they eventually fell to Chippewa Valley, 4-3. read more...

On a multi-generational outing with
the girls, discussing "the girls"

I learned three cool things about Generation X last weekend.

Observation No. 1: Gen Xers (those born in the 1970s and 80s, roughly) are linked to each other by a tough technological connective tissue. It’s stronger than a spider web. But it’s sticky, like a web. It’s wireless and digital. Gen Xers are constantly in touch with their significant others, their children and their extended families. They also communicate frequently with a string of friends and acquaintances. Daily. Hourly.

This is a good thing. read more...

Essay help offered to college-bound
through Neighborhood Club class

Wow Writing Workshop LLC begins offering college essay writing classes entitled “Wow Them with your College Essay” to incoming high school seniors in September in Grosse Pointe and Berkley.

Students will take home a polished college essay after attending the four-week workshop. read more...

Kalamazoo upbringing prepped
Dame for local public service

Editor's note: This week GrossePointeToday.com presents a series of profiles of the chief executives in our municipalities–the city managers.

For many people, figuring out what they want to be when they grow up takes some time. Peter Dame always knew he wanted to enter politics.

“It was ingrained in me at an early age,” said Dame, 43. “It was all I was ever interested in and wanted to do.”

Politics runs in the Dame family. He grew up in Kalamazoo, where his mother was active in local politics. She volunteered in city elections and with the Kalamazoo County GOP for almost 30 years.

“There was a sense of contributing to the community through public service,” said Dame.

Dame studied government at the University of Michigan and earned a bachelor’s degree in history, a field he chose because he thought it was important to study something practical. His first job took him to the nation's capital.

“I was lucky enough to get a job working for a local congressman, Fred Upton, in Washington D.C.,” said Dame. He started out answering phones and fetching mail, but by the end of five and a half years, he was director of legislative projects.

“It was a great job,” said Dame. read more...

Farms job was Reeside's homecoming,
and a chance to help community

Editor's note: This week GrossePointeToday.com presents a series of profiles of the chief executives in our municipalities–the city managers.

When Shane Reeside decided he wanted to work in government, he thought it would be at the federal level, until one internship changed his mind.

“My sister worked in Washington D.C. as a civilian for the military. I thought it was kind of exciting,” said Reeside, 44, city manager of Grosse Pointe Farms.

During summer break from Michigan State University, Reeside worked for the downriver city of Gibraltar, where he got hands-on experience with projects. “I could see my efforts in a visible way. The connection with the city and the people was appealing,” said Reeside.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, he went back to Gibraltar as the assistant manager for the director of public works. After three years on the job, Reeside took a phone call from Rich Solak, then assistant city manager for the Farms.

Solak was in line to become city manager and was looking for an assistant. For Reeside, who was raised in the Farms, it was something more than a job. read more...

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