Craft Beverage Council Announces Application Period for Qualified Small Distiller Program
The Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) announced the opening of the application period for the Qualified Small Distiller program. The online application is open until June 14.
“Supporting diverse economic streams is an agricultural business development priority in Michigan,” says Tim Boring, MCBC chair and director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “As our thriving craft distilling industry continues to grow and encourage homegrown agriculture is a great example of how to maximize small grains for value-added production.”
PA 135 of 2022 aims to assist Michigan’s growing craft distillery industry by lowering mark up costs on bottles of spirits produced with at least 40 percent Michigan-grown grain. This supports Michigan farmers and allows craft distillers to invest back into their companies to help create jobs and strengthen small businesses.
The legislation states Michigan’s small distillers, or an out-of-state entity that is the equivalent of a small distiller, may file an application with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to be certified as a Qualified Small Distiller. Qualified distillers applying for this certification may be eligible for a reduced mark-up beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
To view the online Qualified Small Distiller application and learn more about the program, including fees and frequently asked questions, visit here.
M1 Concourse in Pontiac to Host F1 Monaco-Indy 500 Viewing Party
M1 Concourse in Pontiac is inviting the public to view both the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 26 at its facility.
M1 will have multiple big screens showing the F1 Monaco Grand Prix and 108th annual Indianapolis 500 races as well as on-site activities.
An authentic Indy pace car and a 1973 Cadillac Eldorado, 1978 and 2008 Chevrolet Corvettes, and the Domino’s Hot One, a 1986 Lola race car will be on display. Hear from Indianapolis 500 historians also will be on hand for Q&As trivia contests with prizes.
Tickets include entry to watch both spectacles with fellow race fans, breakfast, lunch, and snacks from Andiamo, premium beer and wine, and access to high-end driving simulators loaded with Circuit de la Sarthe and Le Mans vehicles.
Special discounts are available for M1 Concourse Car Club members, active or retired military, and seniors aged 62 and older. To purchase tickets, visit here.
Metro Consulting Associates Launches Construction Materials Testing Services
Metro Consulting Associates (MCA), an energy, land, and community development firm in Plymouth Township, now offers construction materials testing (CMT) services, including field testing backed by an AASHTO-accredited laboratory.
The firm’s CMT professionals are certified by the Michigan Concrete Association and American Concrete Institute and ensure the quality of construction matches approved designs via concrete, soils, asphalt, and aggregate testing.
The firm’s CMT team promises to deliver accurate and reliable results with high-quality reporting for projects within a 22-county area in Michigan bounded by the cities of Detroit, Monroe, Coldwater, Battle Creek, Lansing, Bay City, and Port Huron. The firm operates one of the only CMT labs in metro Detroit for expedited sample processing and results.
CMT field testing capabilities include:
- Concrete testing
- Soil testing
- Concrete mix design submittals
- Asphalt testing
- Special inspections
- Floor flatness
- Asphalt and concrete coring/sampling
For more information on MCA’s CMT services and capabilities, visit here.
Revela Donates Former Office to Community Organizations
Revela, a Detroit-based property management company, is donating its former office space to the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL), which has invited the Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center to share the space.
Revela will cover the cost of the lease through December 2027, a donation equivalent to more than $275,000. Located at 1401 Vermont St. in the Corktown neighborhood, the office will be a nucleus for the organizations and amplify their impact and ability to serve Detroit.
The Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center will use the space to continue providing free and low-cost legal services to those looking to make a home in the city of Detroit. In partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers, Detroit PAL will use the space to continue its mission of empowering the city’s youth through athletic, youth enrichment, and educational leadership programs.
Olivet Community Schools to Deploy ZeroEyes AI Gun Detection
Philadelphia-based ZeroEyes has deployed its proactive gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution in Olivet Community Schools, north of Marshall, to protect students and faculty against gun-related violence.
The school was approved for the state’s dedicated grant funding, enabling Olivet to implement ZeroEyes.
Olivet Community Schools comprises an elementary school, as well as a middle and high school located at the same complex.
ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine that the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to local law enforcement and the district’s school resource officers as quickly as 3 to 5 seconds from detection.
Detroit Architecture Firm Will Bring Options for Healthy Groceries to Detroit’s North End
A vision of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN) for more than 10 years has come to fruition.
The SDG Associates architectural firm’s project will bring 31,000 square feet of offices, banquet, and event facilities. It also will include licensed shared-use kitchens where local entrepreneurs can cook their delicacies for sale to the public. It will feature an entire first floor of groceries known as the Detroit People’s Food Co-op.
The member-owned cooperative grocery store, open to the public, will bring healthy food selections to the North End. Much of food sold in the store will be Detroit grown and sourced, and accessible to all income levels aimed at reducing food insecurity for the deserving residents of the city.
A complex multi-use design and layout in one of Detroit’s traditional main street overlay districts, the building provides a unique and fresh look to the neighborhood, and spaces supporting and encouraging economic growth, well-being, and community.
The Detroit Food Co-op’s grand opening will take place May 18, and begin an important step toward greater empowerment and well-being of the residents of this neighborhood and the city of Detroit. More information about the project and DBCFSN can be found on the DBCFSN website.
CONNECT Arab America: Empowerment Summit Coming to Dearborn in October
The Arab America Foundation is hosting the CONNECT Arab America: Empowerment Summit Oct. 25-26 at the Dearborn Civic Center (15801 Michigan Ave.) in Dearborn.
This year’s summit is an opportunity to connect with a diverse community of like-minded individuals, visionary leaders, and influential speakers, say the organizers.
For more information, visit here.
Gardner White Hosts Indy NXT Race Driver Nolan Allaer, Students at SAY Detroit Play Center
Gardner White and the Detroit Grand Prix partnered with the SAY Detroit Play Center on Detroit’s east side to provide students with the opportunity to meet Nolan Allaer, driver of the No. 11 HMD Motorsports car in the Indy NXT by Firestone series competing at the Detroit Grand Prix.
Nolan is the only local driver competing in this year’s Grand Prix, May 31-June 2 on the streets of downtown Detroit.
Gardner White provided students with an after-school snack of pizza in the SAY Cafe. Additionally, SAY Detroit received free Detroit Grand Prix tickets for students. Gardner White is powering all Detroit Grand Prix social media channels in 2024.
Mike Morse Law Firm to Host Meet Your Best Friend at the Firm Pet Adoption Event
The Mike Morse Law Firm (24901 Northwestern Hwy.) in Southfield is partnering with Michigan Humane for the fourth annual Meet Your Best Friend at the Firm event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 1.
The Mike Morse parking lot will go to the dogs, as Michigan Humane and about a dozen other rescues from southeast Michigan bring in more than 200 animals in hopes of matching them with the perfect families.
Meet Your Best Friend at the Firm is free and open to the public. For safety reasons, potential adopters are asked to leave current pets at home. Adoption fees and policies vary by participating groups.
For more information, visit here.
Michigan Science Center Offers Reduced Admission via Three Programs
To make science exploration accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation, the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is participating in several programs providing reduced admission to patrons.
The following is a list of programs:
Museums for All – An initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency based in Washington, DC, in partnership with the Association of Children’s Museums. When patrons show their SNAP EBT card and picture ID, general admission tickets are only $3/person for up to four people in their party. The Michigan Science Center includes WIC card holders in our Museums for All participation. Currently, Museums for All admission rates can only be used in person.
Bank of America: Museums on Us – Bank of America cardholders receive free general admission on the first full weekend of every month through the Museums on Us program. Cardholders must present a picture ID. Other members of the party must pay general admission. Discount is available in person only.
Blue Star Museums – The 2024 Blue Star Museums program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18, 2024, and end on Labor Day. This program provides free admission to active U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
While Mi-Sci encourages guests to reserve tickets through its website, some discounts are unavailable with website reservations. To ensure everyone has access, Mi-Sci holds some walk-up tickets in its inventory daily.
Living and Learning Enrichment Center’s Hopes and Dreams Gala Slated for June 7
The Living and Learning Enrichment Center in Northville is staging its Third Annual Hopes and Dreams Gala from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 7 at Saint John’s Resort (44045 Five Mile Road) in Plymouth Township.
Proceeds from the evening will support the nonprofit’s life-programs providing essential services to enhance the lives of teens and adults with disabilities.
The Hopes and Dreams Gala promises an evening of inspiration and hope, featuring a chef-curated dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment by FiftyAmpFuse, a music variety group known for its energetic performances spanning hit music from the ‘60s to the present. Dan Miller, FOX 2 Detroit’s sports anchor and the voice of the Detroit Lions, will serve as guest emcee for the evening.
This year, Living and Learning will introduce five new awards to be presented at the gala, each recognizing the commitment, service, and leadership of individuals, companies, or organizations.
The Michael Moscone Humble Heart Award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment and service to those with disabilities. The award is being given posthumously to Natalie Charac, a noted philanthropist and dedicated supporter of Living and Learning.
The Community Impact Award acknowledges the extraordinary commitment of organizations that positively contribute to the community. This year’s honoree is Masco Corp. in Livonia.
The Heart of Gold Award recognizes an extraordinary individual whose service and dedication as a volunteer help the Living and Learning Enrichment Center fulfill its mission. Marie Lapinski of Northville will receive the award.
The Heart and Soul Award acknowledges an employee who makes exceptional contributions to Living and Learning Enrichment Center. This year’s honoree is Nawal Hamade of Westland.
The Joined Hearts Award is presented to a person or organization that defines the spirit of collaboration. This year’s recipient is the Community Opportunity Center (C.O.C.) based in Livonia.
Proceeds from the event will support the programs and services provided by the Living and Learning Enrichment Center. The funds will help sustain initiatives such as vocational preparation, social skills training, developing independent living skills, and clinical services.
VIP admission tickets are available for $300 per ticket, offering early access to the venue starting at 6 p.m. VIP ticketholders will indulge in an exclusive reception with guest emcee Dan Miller, featuring a champagne toast, and premium seating. General admission tickets are $225 per person with access to the venue beginning at 7 p.m. Semi-formal attire is requested to honor the evening’s elegance.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Dennis Howie, director of development for the Living and Learning Enrichment Center, at 248-308-3592, ext.122 or via email at dhowie@llecmi.org.
