Features

Feature Story Alive in Detroit, film, Shiraz Ahmed

"Alive in Detroit": Health care documentary to shed light on a complex system, through storytelling

“A lot of people don’t know how to tell their stories, they don’t know what to ask for," says filmmaker Shiraz Ahmed of the current Detroit health care system. "I want to show people that it can be broken down, in a way that relates to your actual life.”

Development News Historic downtown Franklin.

Street party in historic Franklin to celebrate recent downtown development

“This year, we celebrate a downtown with no vacant storefronts, a completed construction effort, and a walkable downtown, with sidewalks extending from 13 Mile Road to 14 Mile Road,” says Lisa Dunn, Main Street Franklin board chair.

Development News Velocity Center in Sterling Heights.

Underutilized tax credit is topic of the day at this upcoming Lunch & Learn in Sterling Heights

“The Research Tax Credit is a very underutilized asset that not many businesses make use of, either because they’re unaware of the tax credit altogether or they don’t think that they’ll qualify,” says Dan Osterland, business development manager for DST Advisory Group. “We’re trying to educate these businesses that they are very likely to be eligible.”

Longform Detroit Area Agency on Aging staff recently accepted two awards from USAging.

Detroit Area Agency on Aging receives national awards for work to stop Detroiters dying prematurely

In July 2020, a report from the Detroit Area Agency on Aging found that Detroit's older adults were dying earlier than others. Two years later, the agency's work to reverse that trend has won two national awards.

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New immersive exhibit: Detroit to bathe in the golden glow of Gustav Klimt's work

Hot off the heels of the popular immersive Vincent Van Gogh exhibit, Detroit will host an elaborate Gustav Klimt show in September and October. Music and animation will be used to augment projected displays to bring the viewer into the artist's world of water lilies, vibrant blooms, mermaids, and (of course) his famous golden phase that produced "The Kiss".

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Why Macomb County’s inner-ring suburbs have a lot to offer

Macomb County is home to two inner-ring suburbs that border Detroit. Warren and Eastpointe offer a span of job opportunities, affordable housing, and rich communities to their residents.

Development News Miguel Williams, owner-operator of Apothecary Coffee & Espresso.

Apothecary Coffee & Espresso officially opens its doors in downtown Farmington

“There are so many reasons to keep you downtown and I would just love to give one more,” says Miguel Williams, the owner of Apothecary Coffee & Espresso.

Development News “We are excited to continue the success of our Social District,” says Lori Ward, Director of the Northville Downtown Development Authority.

Downtown Northville permanently closes city streets in favor of social district

“We are excited to continue the success of our Social District,” says Lori Ward, Director of the Northville Downtown Development Authority.

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Food trucks and outdoor movie screening to highlight Forgotten Harvest fundraiser at Beacon Park

"We can't wait for Harvest Heatwave at Beacon Park, a first-of-its-kind family-friendly event in the heart of downtown Detroit," says Christopher Ivey, director of marketing and communications at Forgotten Harvest.

Partner Content A farm stand at Butzel Family Recreation Center in Detroit, sponsored by Henry Ford Health, Come Play Detroit, and Eastern Market.

Henry Ford Health SNAP-Ed collaborations creating healthy change

From creating free farm stands in Detroit to promoting healthier drinking water in the Jackson area, the Henry Ford Health initiative Generation with Promise is supporting healthier families and communities across Michigan.

Feature Story Pinckney Recreation Area

Top swimming spots: Places to take a dip in Metro Detroit's natural waters

Metro Detroit is home to lots of great natural waters to paddle in and enjoy our state's lakeside beauty. Where is your favorite spot to swim?

Feature Story Hans and Patricia Dengler kayak the Clinrton River.

Kayaking in Macomb County? Here's what to do before, during, and after a paddle trip

Macomb County is full of fun places to explore on kayak and canoe. Here's a look at some, and a few tips to keep in mind when you're feeling ready for an adventure on the water.

Feature Story "The BOX" world premiere at Z Space (San Francisco) in 2016.

Lifting the lid on solitary confinement: 'The Box' brings transformative theater to Detroit

Written and directed by Sarah Shourd, who was once held as a political prisoner in Iran, and with many of its cast and crew survivors of solitary confinement, "The Box" sheds light on a concerning corner of incarceration in the U.S.

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With the completion of latest mural, a public art district takes shape in east downtown Dearborn

“It’s an attraction. Anytime you have an attraction, you bring people in, and people support the businesses, the restaurants, and the shops and so on. And that's the whole idea behind an arts district,” says EmmaJean Woodyard, executive director of the Dearborn Community Fund. “The arts can be a tool in helping the economic development and growth of a community.”

Longform Katherine Rosenblum, co-director of the University of Michigan's Zero to Thrive program.

Michigan programs aim to prevent preschool expulsions, reducing lifelong harmful effects

Some early childhood professionals use the term "preschool to prison pipeline" to describe the way preschool and daycare expulsions and suspensions rock children's lives.

Feature Story "Our Domestic Resurrection Circus", by Bread and Puppet Theater, offers the chance for residents to take part in the show.

Free summer theater series to bring giant puppets to town, have residents participate

The outdoor summer series of the newly rebranded Detroit Puppet Company is underway, with a free family-friendly lineup running until late September. The series showcases new works by Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, Flying Cardboard Theater, and the larger-than-life puppets by Vermont-based Bread and Puppet Theater.

Feature Story Mike's on the Water, St. Clair Shores

Waterfront dining: 4 favorite eateries in Macomb County

From the Clinton River to Lake St. Clair, Macomb County offers both new and well-established waterfront destinations. Here are four shoreside dining spots to check out this summer. 

Development News The Centennial Tile Mural was unveiled at Thelma G. Spencer Park.

Ceramic tiled mural unveiled in Rochester Hills

“This project allowed the public to physically and safely leave a piece of themselves in their community,” says Nicole Bush, art education manager at Paint Creek Center for the Arts.

Development News The Farmington Concert Band performs at Riley Park on Monday, July 25.

Out of the concert hall and back downtown: Farmington Concert Band to close out season at Riley Park

“It’s important to have that connection to Farmington and it’s an ideal setting and venue. It’s a marvelous spot and so intimate, and we always have a huge crowd come out with lots of families and children,” says Jim Liska, clarinetist and Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the FCB.

Longform PLANE program creator Dr. Leah Ketcheson with program participants Martin Paige-Fowlkes and Amanda Paige.

Kids on autism spectrum get physical activity, nutrition support through Detroit program

PLANE, short for Physical Literacy and Nutrition Education, offers adaptive strategies to get kids moving, as well as a nutrition curriculum that shares ways to introduce kids to healthier foods. 

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.