Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores Announces New Winter Experience
The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House has announced plans for its 2023 winter holiday programming, with “Home for the Holidays at Ford House, presented by Landscape Services Inc.” as its anchor experience.
Ford House is preparing for a new holiday experience where visitors can explore the historic home, grounds, and gardens. “Home for the Holidays at Ford House, presented by Landscape Services Inc.” combines many visitor-favorite experiences from years past to create a new winter holiday experience.
The estate be illuminated by thousands of sparkling lights. Guests also will enjoy a self-guided tour of the historic home’s first floor, where they’ll hear stories about the estate’s history as they take in the holiday décor inspired by Eleanor Ford’s tastes and wishes.
Each ticket also includes a complimentary hot chocolate. “Home for the Holidays at Ford House, presented by Landscape Services Inc.” starts Nov. 24, and continues each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Dec. 30.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children. Ford House members can enjoy the experience for $20 for adults and $10 for children.
Additional holiday experiences include “Cookies with Santa,” where children meet the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus, and share their Christmas wishes with him. Parents are invited to bring a camera. Each child receives a cookie from Santa. “Cookies with Santa” takes place on December 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, and 16 from 2-6 p.m. Tickets are $30 per child. Ford House members pay $20 per child. Parents and guardians are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance as this experience routinely sells out.
“Breakfast with Santa” is available on Dec. 3 and 17, with two entry times at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets are sold by table. A table for three is $165, a table for four is $220, and a table for six is $330.
“Holiday Tea & Tour” takes place Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. This traditional English tea, complete with holiday treats, takes place in the Lake Shore Room at the Visitor Center, overlooking the views of Ford Cove and Lake St. Clair. After tea, guests may take a stroll at their own pace through the historic home and spend time enjoying the Christmas decor. Tickets are sold by table. A table for two is $140, a table for three is $210, and a table for four is $280.
For the 21 and older crowd, Ford House invites guests to the “Mistletoe Mingle” Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Celebrate an evening of music and merriment while enjoying light refreshments and drinks. Each ticket includes a tour, appetizers, and two drink tickets. Tickets are $70 per person, and Ford House members can attend for $55. Guests must be 21 years of age or older on the day of the event.
Tickets for all events are available for purchase here.
Allison Transmission in Auburn Hills Introduces Newest e-Axle at Belgium Bus Show
Indianapolis-based Allison Transmission, which has an e-Axle production assembly line at its electric axle development and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, has launched the eGen Power 85S fully electric axle.
The launch was done in conjunction with bus manufacturer Anadolu Isuzu at Busworld Europe in Brussels, Belgium. The axle is installed on the Isuzu Novo VOLT fully electric bus.
“The introduction of the eGen Power 85S is the latest example of Allison’s commitment to expanding our propulsion solution portfolio to meet the demands of the wide range of applications and market segments we serve,” says Heidi Schutte, vice president of EMEA, APAC, and South America Sales at Allison Transmission “Our family of e-Axles has been developed to support Allison’s customers as they develop electric vehicle capabilities and adopt technologies that will guide them into the future of the commercial vehicle industry.”
Allison’s collaboration with Anadolu Isuzu marks the first time an eGen Power e-Axle will be integrated into a midi bus application, expanding the family of fully electric axles into a new market segment. The eGen Power 85S was specifically developed to address the needs of midi bus and small truck applications requiring a lower 8.5T gross axle weight rating (GAWR), with a narrower track width, smaller spindle, and new stamped axle housing, as compared to existing eGen Power models.
In Related News: Allison Transmission will partner with B-Metro, the public transit system in Brownsville, Texas, to provide the Allison eGen Flex electric hybrid propulsion system for 35-foot GILLIG buses. The city recently received a $4.7 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 2023 Low or No Emission Program. Brownsville named Allison’s eGen Flex electric hybrid technology in its application for the grant. The city is one of 125 communities across the U.S. to be awarded this funding for modernizing bus facilities and purchasing new vehicles that help reduce emissions.
Metro Jobbers, Point Predictive Partner to Combat Auto Loan Fraud in Metro Detroit
Metro Jobbers Inc., a wholesale automotive distributor in Warren, is partnering with Point Predictive, a California AI-powered auto lending fraud solutions provider, to combat automotive lending fraud in metro Detroit.
This partnership is designed to transform the landscape of automotive sales by giving turnkey access to Point Predictive’s BorrowerCheck solution to dealerships across the Detroit area.
Recent statistics from Point Predictive reveal:
- Since January 2020, Point Predictive has thwarted over $176 million in attempted fraud in the Detroit Metro Area.
- This includes the identification of 224 fake employers and the prevention of more than 1,300 fraudulent loan applications, representing $33 million in attempted fraudulent loans.
- Point Predictive also has identified more than 5,800 fake identities used in more than $143 million worth of fraudulent activities in the Detroit metro area.
Metro Jobbers and Point Predictive will bringing their proven solution to 130 car dealers serving approximately 350 stores in the Detroit area. Point Predictive’s BorrowerCheck solution offers instant detection of identity theft, income fraud, and use of fake employment, which have skyrocketed in the last year at dealerships across the country.
This solution enables dealerships to compare the information that the borrower provides on their loan application to Point Predictive’s proprietary data and third-party sources. Leveraging the very same data that auto lenders in the US have used to score more than 150 million auto loan applications from more than 100,000 dealerships, BorrowerCheck demonstrates its capability by accurately identifying over 90 percent of the fraud that eludes current fraud protection measures.
Joe Vicari Restaurant Group to Host Hiring Fair Oct. 18 at Andiamo Warren
The Joe Vicari Restaurant Group (JVRG) will be hosting a hiring fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 18 at Andiamo Warren.
Applicants who are looking to join JVRG are encouraged to bring their resume as there are openings for all positions across all brands. Applicants who may not have a resume, need not worry as there will applications available on-site to complete and submit. All applicants are guaranteed interviews and will be able to enjoy light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres while they meet with onsite managers from each brand including:
- Andiamo
- Andiamo Bistro
- Birmingham Pub
- Bronze Door
- Joe Muer Seafood
- The Country Inn
- The Statler
- Vito’s Italian Bakery
- 2941
Available positions include:
- Servers
- Bartenders
- Hosts
- Line Cooks
- Chefs
- Others
JVRG currently is offering multiple hiring incentives including a new employee bonus (up to $750), scholarship programs for both full and part-time team members (up to $2,000), referral programs (up to $1,000), as well as 401k and health benefits for full-time employees. JVRG actively works to promote their team members from within giving them the opportunity to grow.
For more information, visit vicarirestaurants.com.
City of Farmington Hills Assessor Receives Designation from Assessing Officers Group
The City of Farmington Hills Finance Department City Assessor Matthew Dingman has received the Assessment Administration Specialist (AAS) designation from the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).
Dingman is only the fourth person in the state of Michigan to receive the specialized designation, which recognizes competency and professionalism in administration of various functions for the purpose of property tax assessments. Approximately 350 professionals have received the designation worldwide.
“This designation proves something we already knew to be true, that Matthew is a talented professional committed to thorough and accurate property assessments,” says Thomas Skrobola, finance director/treasurer for the city of Farmington Hills. “We’re proud to have Matthew on our team of dedicated professionals working to ensure the city runs efficiently.”
To be assigned the designation, recipients must complete seven courses and tests in areas of appraisal, tax policy and professional practices, followed by completing a case study and an extensive examination to determine competency.
Injection Molding Equipment Hits the Auction Market
PPL Group, Machinery Network Auctions, and Hilco Commercial Industrial have announced the acquisition of late-model, high-quality assets from West Michigan Molding Inc., which will be put up for auction this month.
West Michigan Molding was a 187,000-square-foot custom injection molder and finisher of quality plastic parts for various industries, which include automotive, consumer goods, construction, health care, and electronics. The auction will feature injection molding equipment as well as a huge assortment of support equipment. The sale is being conducted by PPL Group, LLC in conjunction with Machinery Network Auctions and Hilco Commercial Industrial, LLC.
Featured assets include:
- Dozens of Late Model Plastic Injection Molding Machines (Sodick, Cincinnati, Haitian, Van Dorn and more)
- Large Selection of Late Model Robots
- Dryers
- Granulators
- Complete wet coat plant
- Tool room
- Rolling stock
- Cranes, facility, rolling stock, support equipment
Interested bidders can register and participate in this online-only auction on Oct. 19, starting at 10 a.m. Equipment inspection will be available onsite on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and in advance by appointment.
For inspection details and a complete listing of assets, visit here or call 224-927-5330.
EPA Recognizes Meijer for Smart Refrigerant Management
For the third consecutive year, Grand Rapids-based Meijer has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Program for having the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions rate out of all GreenChill Partners nationwide over the past year.
As an active participant in the EPA’s program since 2012, the Midwest retailer focused on reducing its refrigerant leak rate and is well below the industry average of 25 percent.
“Lessening our impact on the environment through a continued commitment to reduce carbon emissions is important to us and our customers,” says Vik Srinivasan, chief administrative officer for Meijer. “We’ve made significant progress toward our goal of reducing our absolute carbon emissions 50 percent by 2025, thanks in part to our teams’ continued focus on refrigeration management through our partnership with GreenChill.”
In 2022, Meijer also earned the Store Recertification Excellence Award for its store in Marysville, Ohio, achieving five consecutive years of GreenChill Store Certification.
The EPA’s GreenChill program is a voluntary partnership with food retailers, refrigeration system manufacturers, and chemical manufacturers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change.
Acme Abrasives in Warren Acquired by Austrian Grinding Company
Warren-based Acme Abrasives, one of the leading manufacturers of hot-pressed grinding wheels for the steel and specialty steel industry in North America, has been acquired by Austria’s Tyrolit. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Tyrolit says it will integrate Acme wheels into its portfolio of grinding and specialty abrasive solutions for industrial clients.
“With the addition of Acme Abrasives, we are aiming to optimize our customers’ benefit and further utilize our global position,” says Matthias Kuprian, an executive board member at Tyrolit. “Acme has a long-standing commitment to quality and efficiency and therefore perfectly aligns with our values. We are excited about the opportunity to serve our partners even better and offer high-quality products and services for a wide variety of specific needs.”
Corewell Health’s Facilities Top Newsweek’s List of Best Nursing Homes
Newsweek magazine released its 2024 America’s Best Nursing Homes list, and it includes four Corewell Health facilities that were ranked in the top 20.
Spectrum Health Rehab and Nursing Center-Kalamazoo Avenue in Grand Rapids was ranked second by Newsweek. Other facilities in the top 20 include Beaumont Health and Rehabilitation Center, Beaumont Commons in Farmington Hills (No. 5); Spectrum Health Rehab and Nursing Center-Fuller Avenue in Grand Rapids (No. 9); and Beaumont Rehabilitation and Continuing Care – Dearborn (No. 14).
“It’s truly an honor to see the great work of our team members recognized by Newsweek,” says Chad Tuttle, senior vice president of clinical shared services at Corewell Health. “The recognition is a testament to the collaboration, compassion and curiosity they demonstrate daily in improving the lives of those we are so privileged to care for.”
Beyond Juicery + Eatery Celebrates Five Years in Grosse Pointe Woods
Beyond Juicery + Eatery, the Birmingham-based healthy fast casual concept, is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Grosse Pointe Woods location by giving back to the local community and loyal guests.
As part of the celebration, anniversary festivities will include an event on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe Woods location (21110 Mack Ave.). The store will serve free 20-ounce smoothies to all guests who stop by the store. In addition, the first 150 people who attend the event are welcome to participate in a giveaway where limited Beyond Juicery + Eatery tumblers and beanies will be offered, along with coupons for free smoothies, wraps, and salads.
“It’s been an honor to serve the Grosse Pointe Woods community for five years,” says Joe Bonanni, the store’s operator. “This community has embraced us with open arms, and we are looking forward to showing our appreciation.
“Since opening, our Grosse Pointe Woods location has become a hub of activity. From local students to esteemed community members, all are invited to enjoy our diverse menu and inviting atmosphere. We’re here to stay and can’t wait to celebrate with this community.”
DEI Summit at U-M to Explore Critical Race Theory, Hip-Hop
This year’s annual DEI Summit at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and highlight its intersection with critical race theory, celebrating and exploring the power of storytelling as a driving force for social change.
The summit, titled “Truth Telling: The Kinship of Critical Race Theory and Hip-Hop,” will begin today at a community assembly, which will include a roundtable discussion with hip-hop artists and critical race theory experts, and will feature multiple performances.
“Each year, our summit planning team invites and helps develop new ideas and opportunities for community engagement,” said Tabbye Chavous, vice provost for equity and inclusion, and chief diversity officer at U-M.
“A priority is inviting impactful speakers — representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives — who can share expertise and lived experiences that help educate, stimulate our thinking and reflection, and inspire action. I am incredibly proud to mark the launch of our DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan with this year’s community assembly theme.”
Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Michigan Medicine, the event began at 10 a.m. in the Power Center for the Performing Arts and is being livestreamed.
This year’s summit will mark the launch of the university’s second five-year DEI Strategic Plan, DEI 2.0, which represents the university’s continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and builds on the lessons from DEI 1.0.
“We have learned a great deal from our community following DEI 1.0, including areas where we have made considerable progress as well as areas where progress has lagged significantly for certain groups,” says Katrina Wade-Golden, associate vice provost for equity and inclusion and deputy chief diversity officer.
“We will build on these learnings as we move forward. As we embark on DEI 2.0, we will continue to work closely and collaboratively with our university community to support the success of each plan put forth by our schools, colleges and units.”
As part of the DEI 2.0 launch, members of the community also are invited to participate in a DEI 2.0 Plan Information Session at 3 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Michigan League Ballroom.
Separately, a communitywide open house and celebration will take place 4-6 p.m. today at Regents’ Plaza and the LSA Atrium to mark the official launch of the university’s DEI 2.0 plan.
SamRose Entertainment Presents the Funny Women of a Certain Age Tour Oct. 17-20
SamRose Entertainment has partnered with Funny Women of a Certain Age to bring the show to Michigan audiences Oct. 17-20.
The tour will feature creator Carole Montgomery, Julia Scotti, Leighann Lord, and Michigan’s Ann Duke. Special guests at select venues will include some of Michigan’s top Funny Women of a Certain Age including Coco, Connie Ettinger, and Marti Johnson.
The upcoming Michigan tour dates include:
- 17 – The Dow Event Center, Saginaw
- 18 – The Flagstar Strand Theatre, Pontiac
- 19 – Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek
- 20 – City Opera House, Traverse City
Doors open at 7 p.m. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. for all shows. Ticket prices range from $26.50-$75 and can be found at samroseent.com.
A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Pink Fund.
Voices from the Grassroots Officially Launches Website
On Oct. 26, Voices from the Grassroots, an oral history project dedicated to amplifying the voices of grassroots activists and organizers, will host a launch event, Reckoning with Racism, Resistance, and Emergency Management: Voices from the Grassroots Website Launch, while unveiling their highly anticipated website.
The launch event is scheduled to take place on Oct. 26 at Wayne State University Law school in the Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. where there will be an opportunity to learn about the project and participate in workshops with several generations of activists committed to combating systemic racism in Detroit and beyond.
The launch of the Voices from the Grassroots website marks a milestone in the mission to document the stories, visions, strategies, tactics, and lessons of grassroots organizing against systemic racism over the past 20 years. This website will serve as an educational hub for sharing stories, resources and initiatives aimed at driving positive change in our communities. The launch event will foster connections among grassroot activists, community leaders and local residents.
This project has been five years in the making, in order to carefully document, preserve, and amplify the voices of grassroots organizers in Detroit. Voices from the Grassroots mission in providing this website is to make local histories of grassroots organizing for racial equity publicly accessible to educate, inspire, and empower future generations of activists.
