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.
Oakland County Parks Golf Courses Open for Play Friday
Oakland County Parks has set the date for the opening of its five golf courses for Friday, March 29, weather permitting.
Glen Oaks in Farmington Hills, Lyon Oaks in Wixom, Springfield Oaks in Davisburg, and White Lake Oaks in White Lake Township golf are 18-hole courses that feature scenic views and challenging play. All four offer clubhouses with pro shops and food and beverage service while Lyon Oaks also has a driving range.
In addition to a nine-hole executive course, Red Oaks Golf Course in Madison Heights is home to FootGolf, which combines the popularity of golf with soccer.
“The opening of the golf courses always generate excitement,” says Tom Hughes, chief of park operations and maintenance for the county’s North District. “Golf is a great way for people of all ages and abilities to socialize, get outdoors in the fresh air and squeeze some exercise into their busy schedules. Golf rates will remain the same as 2023, keeping play affordable and available to everyone looking to golf close to home or experience a new golf destination.”
New this year at White Lake Oaks are four electric golf bikes available for rent. These individual rentals are an alternative to a larger golf cart, providing riders with the ability to go directly to their ball. Golf bags are mounted in the center of the bike, which has wide wheels for a balanced and controlled ride. Currently the bikes are limited to 18-hole rentals due to the limited fleet available and expected demand since White Lake Oaks is one of the first golf courses in the area to make the electric bikes available.
Junior rates will continue this year at the golf courses. Individuals ages 17 and younger can play nice holes for $10 and 18 holes for $15 Monday-Friday and weekend afternoons. Specific hours are posted at each golf course. Juniors ride free with a paid adult during those times.
“We’ve seen many junior golfers developing a love for the game thanks to these affordable rates,” Hughes says. “It’s great to see increased family participation.”
Discounted rates also are available for seniors ages 62 and older, individuals with disabilities, veterans and active military personnel. Twilight golf offers special rates during the evening hours.
Single rider Americans with Disabilities golf carts are available for golfers with physical disabilities or limited mobility. Some carts feature a swivel seat that moves to a standing position and pivots left and right for maximum range of motion during play.
For more information, visit OaklandCountyParks.com.
Comstock’s Bell’s Brewery Launches Oberon Ale Today
Bell’s Brewery, in Comstock, east of Kalamazoo, launched its highly anticipated seasonal Oberon Ale today.
A wheat ale with a 5.8 alcohol percentage and citrusy, smooth flavor profile, Oberon has become one of Bell’s most popular beers. Thousands of fans typically travel to Kalamazoo each year to celebrate its release on Oberon Day.
Despite being a seasonal brew, Oberon makes up one-third of Bell’s business and plays a vital role in driving Bell’s continued success with retailers and distributor partners, the brewer says. Continuing its legacy of innovation in the craft space, Bell’s will launch a brand-new Oberon Sunshine shandy variety pack in May featuring Lemonade, Tropical, and Cherry Limeade flavored shandies, each with an ABV of 4.2 percent. Oberon Sunshine will be available to distributors in 12-can packs.
“Due to its late-March release every year, Oberon fans have led the evolution of Oberon Day as the unofficial end to winter and the celebration of warmer days to come,” says Scott Powell, senior director of marketing at Bell’s. “What makes Oberon so successful is that it embodies everything we love about craft – quality beer, engaging with our community, and celebrating with friends and loved ones. We’re thrilled it inspires so many people to explore craft and gives us the creative space to expand brand offerings.”
Oberon was first brewed in 1992 and introduced a whole generation of beer drinkers to craft and has since grown into a Midwest phenomenon.
“No other beer is launched successfully year-over-year like Oberon, and it’s been remarkable to see its growth and how our dedicated fans created a celebration that is completely their own,” says Carrie K. Yunker, executive vice president of Bell’s. “For me, Oberon Day symbolizes the hard work of Bell’s industry-leading team who are integral to the brand’s continued success.”
Oberon will be available nationally from March to September while supplies last in six packs of 12-ounce bottles and cans, four packs of 16-ounce bottles and cans.
For more information on Bell’s Brewery, visit bellsbeer.com.
Lawrence Tech to Launch Major Ad Campaign for NFL Draft, NCAA Tournament
Lawrence Technological University in Southfield and its digital marketing agency, Yellow Flag Productions, are planning an intensive advertising campaign centered around the NFL Draft, through a partnership with WXYZ-TV Channel 7, which will carry draft programming from April 18 through April 27.
NFL and Detroit Sports Commission officials expect 500,000 visitors to Detroit during the draft, and more than 10 million viewers around the country.
The campaign will kick off with an interview with LTU President Tarek Sobh during “Countdown to the Draft,” a one-hour special to air on Channel 7 at 7 p.m. April 18. More than 100 LTU television advertisements will continue to air during draft programming over the ensuing 10 days.
Beyond the NFL Draft, LTU also is airing ads during the NCAA college basketball tournament, which started Thursday on CBS and several cable networks. LTU ads will also air in the weeks ahead in Detroit area movie theaters.
In addition, LTU will have a presence on billboards outside Detroit Metro Airport for NFL Draft visitors. They’ll talk about what LTU graduates do, with messages like “Our Draft Picks Design Stadiums.” “Our Draft Picks Engineer Stadiums,” and “Our Draft Picks Build Stadiums.”
“We need to reach Michigan and the Great Lakes area with the message that an LTU education is a fantastic investment, leading to high-paying jobs in careers that are in great demand among employers with bright futures,” Sobh says. “By the time this campaign is over, our message—that students can ‘Be Curious, Make Magic’ here at LTU—will reach more than 2 million people.”
In related news: Lawrence Tech is hosting its inaugural Scholarship Gala to celebrate the outstanding contributions of students and alumni.
The event is designed unite alumni, students, and friends of LTU to raise scholarship funding for individuals who aspire to earn a world-class technological education. The event will celebrate the spirit of scholarship, honor deserving students, and recognize outstanding alumni with a cocktail reception, a formal dinner, and a program.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Communicare Michigan Issued Three-year CARF Accreditation
Communicare Michigan, which has facilities in Utica, Troy, and Grand Rapids, has been issued the recertification of the Three-Year CARF Accreditation, the highest level of accreditation given to a rehabilitation facility.
CARF, an acronym for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services.
The accreditation applies to every service and program that CMI provides, including, but not limited to:
- Outpatient medical rehabilitation
- Residential program
- Day program
- Cognitive, vocational, physical, and occupational therapies
Virginia Roofing Distributor Beacon Announces New Location in Saginaw
Virginia-based Beacon, the only publicly traded specialty roofing distributor, has opened a new location in Saginaw to serve residential and commercial roofing contractors.
The new branch in Saginaw is the company’s 12th in Michigan.
“We are pleased to begin serving roofing contractors in the Saginaw area,” says Jason Martin, Great Lakes regional vice president for Beacon. “Our product range and the opportunity to use Beacon PRO+, our industry leading app, will help busy customers who are on the go,”
Focus: HOPE to Host March Madness Career Fair for Job Seekers
Focus: HOPE in Detroit is hosting a March Madness Career Fair from noon-2 p.m. March 27 at 1400 Oakman Blvd. Attendees have the chance to network with employers, learn about programming and hear about upcoming opportunities through Focus: HOPE.
“We are proud to have opportunities made available to our trained graduates and community job seekers,” says Tiffany Graydon, director of workforce development at Focus: HOPE. “By meeting employers and fellow jobseekers, they are gaining essential career development skills while also meeting others in a similar career stage.”
The career fair will offer opportunities to meet with employers and hear about upcoming job opportunities. Positions including but not limited to:
- Help desk analyst
- Field technicians
- Forklift operators
- CNC operators
- General labor
- Quality inspectors
To register for the career fair, visit here.
Spring and Summer enrollment for Focus: HOPE’s Job Training program, which begins April 22, is now open. To explore the classes and to register, visit here.
Washtenaw Community College to Host Summer Youth Camps
Registration is open for Washtenaw Community College’s (WCC) hands-on summer camps for area youth ages 5-18 in Ann Arbor.
Seven camps are designed to motivate participants with fun activities ranging from NASA-affiliated space exploration and STEM-based problem-solving to archeological discoveries and Lego building projects.
Each camp is conducted by instructors connected to organizations steeped in the subject matter. For example, the space exploration event is a collaboration among WCC, Mad Science Detroit and NASA. All camps occur on the WCC campus (4800 E. Huron River Drive).
Summer camps include:
- Future Space Explorers (ages 5-12)
- Esports for Kids (ages12-17)
- Brixology (ages 7-12)
- 3D at WCC (ages 14-18)
- Eureka STEM Maker (ages 5-12)
- Underground Explorers (ages 5-12)
- Health Care Career Exploration (ages 11-14)
For details and registration, visit here.
Actor and Comedian to Headline May 11 MiSide Community Impact Network Fundraiser
MiSide Community Impact Network is hosting its upcoming Funny A$$ Fundraiser spring comedy show at 6 p.m. on May 11 at The Garden Theater on Woodward Ave.
Comedian and actor Al Madrigal, known for his time on the “Daily Show,” will headline the evening, while local comedian Tam White will serve as its opener.
Proceeds raised during the show will support MiSide’s community initiatives like:
- Essential services for children aged 0-5
- Affordable housing initiatives for Detroiters
- Behavioral health services to those in need
- Workforce development programs and employment opportunities
For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Spring Invasive Species Summit Set for March 30 in Waterford Township
Seeking to reduce the risks that invasive species pose to the environment, Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), Oakland County Parks, and their partners are hosting a Spring Invasive Species Summit from 9 a.m.-noon March 30 at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Rooms (2100 Pontiac Lake Road) in Waterford Township. The event is free.
“Locally, it can be difficult to know where to start to learn more about invasive species, so we are putting on this summit with our partners as both an entry point for the public to gain resources on what an invasive species is and what they can do about them, and for land managers to learn more about countywide priorities,” says Patrick Canniff, outreach coordinator with Oakland County Parks and Oakland County CISMA. “Information will be presented on what work is being done on common invasives, new introductions and species that people can report before they can cause impacts.”
A panel of local professionals will speak on the following topics:
- Alien Encounters: The Quest to Combat Invasive Species, Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Michigan Tech University
- Backyard Battles: Confronting Invasive Species Close to Home, Emily DuThinh, Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy
- Go Beyond Beauty & Horticultural Escapes, Brooke Hiller, Friends of the St. Clair River
- Don’t Be Our Guests: Uninviting Oakland’s Next Potential Invaders, Patrick Canniff, Oakland County CISMA
- Shoreline Saboteurs and Superheroes: Common Shoreline Invasives and What to Replace Them With, Kaleigh Snoddy, Clinton River Watershed Council
- A Homeowner’s Guide: Safely Using Pesticides for Invasive Species Management, Amanda Ruffini, Lake St. Clair CISMA
- Natural Area Management at Oakland County Parks: Plants, People and Place, Kegan Schildberg and Eric Diesing, Oakland County Parks
Visit here to preregister online.
Michigan State University to Connect More Students to Postsecondary Education
The Michigan State University Office of Admissions and MSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program in East Lansing are partnering to further expand MSU’s reach into rural communities across the state and create a pipeline of future Spartans.
Michigan 4-H is one of the largest program areas in MSU Extension. This outreach arm of the university has a presence in all 83 Michigan counties and has worked for more than a century to help improve lives by bringing MSU’s expansive knowledge and resources to people, communities, schools, and businesses. 4-H, the largest youth development organization in Michigan, provides thousands of young people ages 5 to 19 with experiential learning opportunities — from science and technology to clothing and textiles.
The partnership between 4-H and the Office of Admissions is part of a concerted effort to reach more students from Michigan’s rural communities and build a pipeline to help children and their families navigate a future that could include postsecondary education at MSU.
“As a university with land-grant roots, we continue to prioritize recruitment activities in rural areas,” says Tania Kurzawa, senior admissions counselor and manager of recruitment in the Upper Peninsula and northeast lower Michigan. “MSU offers numerous resources that can help students enroll and succeed, one of which is the Spartan Tuition Advantage program which offers free tuition for qualifying in-state students.”
