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.
Michigan Wine Collaborative Unveils Governor’s Cup Competition
The Traverse City-based Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is planning its inaugural Michigan Governor’s Cup, a competition to find the best Michigan-made wines.
MWC is partnering with the Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago, which will conduct a series of professional blind tastings to rank a set of Michigan-produced wines, meads, and ciders. The final tasting results with all the wines’ scores, medal ranks, constructive criticism, Best of Category, Governor’s Case Winners, and Governor’s Cup Winner will be provided to MWC in May. The deadline to enter is March 3.
The competition will have the following award categories and corresponding “Best of” awards:
- Vinifera Red
- Vinifera White
- Hybrid Red
- Hybrid White
- Fortified (Port)
- Mead
- Sparkling
- Fruit
- Sweet/Dessert
- Cider
- Specialty Wines
Best of Show awards will be presented in each category. Governor’s Case Winners will be the five highest ranking whites, reds, and the top two sparkling wines. The Governor’s Cup will be presented to the wine with the highest overall score.
For detailed rules and entry information, visit here.
Technical questions or issues with the submissions process can be addressed by emailing support@bevtest.com. Michigan Wine Collaborative members will receive a promo code for a $15 discount of all entries.
Neighborhood Service Organization Completes Detroit Healthy Housing Center
City and state leaders gathered Feb. 9 to recognize the completion of the Neighborhood Service Organization’s (NSO) new Detroit Healthy Housing Center (DHCC) on the city’s east side, marking a key step in the fight to ending chronic homelessness in southeast Michigan.
The DHCC, located at 3426 Mack Ave., is a 56-bed, low-barrier facility that pairs emergency shelter with wraparound health care and support services. The 22,000-square-foot facility is the second and final phase of NSO’s Healthy Housing Campus, a $22 million comprehensive site that offers an innovative approach to stop homelessness.
NSO is one of the largest providers in metro Detroit working to address the chronic issues of homelessness.
“Sixty percent of chronically unhoused people in the Detroit area have underlying mental illnesses or substance abuse issues,” says Linda Little, president and CEO of the NSO. “The lack of access to high-quality primary and behavioral health care preventive and wellness services adds significant cost to the entire healthcare system.
“We will relieve stress on the system of care in Detroit by taking a holistic, first-of-its-kind approach to pair access to healthcare with our efforts to end homelessness. Equity is about meeting people where they are to address their needs. Our healthy housing approach is created to do just that.”
The DHHC focuses on those experiencing homelessness, including those that are medically at risk and offers health and social services for its residents and community. It will help these unhoused individuals transition into permanent housing, with a 17-bed medical respite program for post-hospitalization in Detroit. The continuity of services for unhoused individuals who have complex medical needs will create access to health and wellness. It will also reduce gaps that contribute to the unhoused population’s hospitalizations and emergency room visits by offering on-site medical respite and shelter services.
For more information, visit NSO-MI.org.
Salvation Army, WJR Prepare for 36th Bed & Bread Club Radiothon
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit, the Ford Motor Co. Fund and WJR Radio are continuing their fight against hunger and homelessness with the 36th annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon starting at 4 p.m. Feb. 23 and concluding at 7 p.m. Feb. 24.
The Salvation Army’s $1.8 million fundraising goal is targeted to help the nonprofit continue serving nearly 1.3 million meals and providing more than 72,000 nights of shelter annually through its Bed & Bread program.
“For the past 35 years, the Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has been a primary source of funding the Bed & Bread program, allowing The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit to feed and shelter Detroit’s hungry and homeless,” says Maj. Bob Mueller, metro Detroit area commander for The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division. “The Salvation Army is grateful for the partnership with WJR and the generous supporters who join in on our mission of doing the most good.”
The Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has been broadcasting live on 760 WJR since 2011. In its 35-year history, the fundraiser has raised more than $41.3 million.
“It is an honor to work with The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit for the 12th year in a row to bring hope to families in need across Detroit,” says Steve Finateri, market manager of 760 WJR. “There is an urgent need for assistance in feeding the hungry and homeless throughout Detroit, and it is incredible to see how our combined efforts are assisting people in need.”
Listeners can donate $120 to feed five people for nearly a month. Those who donate $240 will provide meals to 10 people for nearly a month and receive a limited-edition Bed & Bread Club Radiothon umbrella as a thank you. Those contributing $255 or more can donate an extra umbrella to a Bed & Bread client.
The on-air lineup will feature:
- Paul W. Smith, Sean Baligian, and Marie Osborne, 6-10 a.m.
- Tom Jordan, Chris Renwick, and Lloyd Jackson, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Mitch Albom (live from Haiti), Ken Brown, and Steve Courtney, 2-4 p.m.
- Guy Gordon and Dick Purtan and family, 4-7 p.m.
Local and national celebrities, along with civic and business leaders, also will join the conversation throughout the radiothon, encouraging listeners to make a difference for the hungry and homeless in metro Detroit.
For more information about The Salvation Army’s Bed & Bread Club Radiothon, including event volunteer opportunities, visit here.
Michigan Science Center Teams with Girl Scouts to Sell Cookies
Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) and the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) are teaming up starting March 4 to celebrate cookie-selling season with a series of scientific demonstrations.
Mi-Sci educators, edibleWOW, and GSSEM representatives will explore the science behind baking cookies and lead hands-on activities for visitors.
The program begins at 10 a.m. on March 4 on Mi-Sci’s Science Stage with a special cooking demonstration called “The Color of Butter,” with edibleWOW and chef Amanda Saab. Saab will prepare salted brown butter chocolate chip cookies and demonstrate the science of what happens to flavor profiles in baked goods when the color of butter changes with heat.
“We are thrilled to partner with GSSEM and showcase the fun and fascinating science behind baking cookies,” says Christian Greer, president and CEO of the Michigan Science Center. “This is an entertaining and educational way to celebrate the annual Girl Scout cookie sale tradition.”
Monica Woodson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, says: “We are enjoying working with the Michigan Science Center to bring the Science of the Cookie program to children and families. This unique educational experience blends the excitement of Girl Scout cookies with the wonders of baking, science, and creating a memorable experience for everyone who loves cookies.”
Additional science demonstrations will take place on weekends from March 4 to April 9 and include activities such as “Cookie Nightmares,” a guessing game using “cookie fails” to learn about the importance of each ingredient in a classic chocolate chip cookie, and “Cookie Excavation,” during which visitors can try out their archaeological skills and practice using tools as they carefully “excavate” chocolate chips from a cookie and map their location on a grid.
In addition to the science demonstrations, Girl Scout troops will sell cookies in the Michigan Science Center lobby every weekend through April 9.
GSSEM also will host an online voting contest for visitors to select their favorite Girl Scout cookie. The grand prize includes a one-year family membership to the Michigan Science Center, a STEM-related learning gift basket from the Mi-Sci gift store, a $25 gift card to A Serendipity Cakery, and 20 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, two of each variety available this cookie season.
Ten runners-up will win a family day pass for four to the Michigan Science Center and 10 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, one of each variety available this cookie season.
