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Detroit’s Riverfront Conservancy hosts annual ‘Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront’

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As of 2021, 39,809 students between the ages of five and nine were enrolled in school in the city of Detroit. Moreover, according to Data Driven Detroit (D3), only 12% of third grade students met the English Language Arts standards. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of students in fourth grade in Detroit who performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level was 7% in 2019. 

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy with the help from General Motors and the Detroit Public Library have conducted “Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront” which takes place from July 6 through Aug 11 every Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to noon. At Gabriel Richard Park on the Detroit Riverfront, this event holds live interactive family-friendly entertainment such as a live performance from Gincy Hartin, a reading led by a community leader, and a free book for each participant. 

Mark Wallace, President and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy said just how special this yearly event is to him. “I’ve brought my children here for the past four years now and it’s always an adventure,” Wallace said.

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Grosse Pointe faces concerns about teacher exodus, delayed contracts

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Grosse Pointe faces concerns as teacher exodus and contracts are delayed within the Grosse Pointe Public School System

With the imminent school year approaching and negotiations for a new contract at a standstill, the Grosse Pointe Public School System is grappling with a significant departure of teachers and administrators. During a Grosse Pointe Board of Education meeting held on July 25 at Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe Farms, a gathering of teachers, parents and students voiced their worries about the ongoing teacher attrition and the absence of a new contract. This issue emerges at a time when the region is facing a shortage of educators, with many GPPSS teachers opting for positions in neighboring districts that offer improved compensation and a stronger sense of appreciation. Taryn Loughlin, co-president of the Grosse Pointe Education Association, the teachers’ representative body, expressed concern over the situation. 

“We’re at a point where neighboring districts are settling contracts with substantial pay increases, and we have teachers that are jumping ship,” Loughlin said. “The offers are too good to pass up, in addition to the instability within the GPPSS.”

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Grosse Pointe Woods City Council considers proposal for two social districts, city planner shares her insight

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Grosse Pointe City Council member Thomas Vaughn sharing his insight on the proposal. Photo: Jenna Hummel

The Grosse Pointe Woods City Council convened on July 10 to discuss a proposal that could potentially transform the city’s social scene on the main road, Mack Avenue. The proposal, put forward by city planner Brigitte Smith, suggested the establishment of two designated social districts within GPW. 

The council had a lively discussion with residents, officials and Mayor Arthur W. Bryant. Brigitte Smith, the city planner responsible for the idea, began her presentation by outlining the concept of social districts and highlighting their benefits for the community and businesses around. Assistant City Planner, Brigitte Smith, proposes her idea to the board members.

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Grosse Pointe air quality deteriorates as Canadian wildfires continue

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Grosse Pointe residents are grappling with deteriorating air quality as the impact of the devastating Canadian wildfires reaches the region. The massive wildfires, raging across several provinces in Canada for weeks, have unleashed plumes of smoke and hazardous pollutants, causing widespread concern for public health and safety. Freighter through a strong haze on Lake St. Clair Photo: Jenna Hummel

“You know, these are unusual and unfortunate circumstances that haven’t been an issue for me before as the director of public safety, but that doesn’t stop us from forming a procedure in which citizens should follow as long as the air is deemed unhealthy,” said Grosse Pointe Director of Public Safety John Alcorn. “It’s crucial to take this seriously.”

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Fifth annual 5k brings in record donations for children hospital’s palliative care team

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“Run, Walk n Roll” receives a huge turn out this year with over 800 people and close to $200,000 raised


Runners take off on Grosse Pointe South High School’s track before they begin their way around the neighborhoodVideo: Jenna Hummel

Nearly 1,000 people showed up in support of children living with serious or chronic illnesses who are treated at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The annual Run, Walk n Roll 5k takes place in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, at Grosse Pointe South High School every summer. 

All proceeds, which go to the palliative care department at Mott, are used to foster a sense of comfort for the patients who stay, come, or go, as well as their families who’re watching their loved one battle a complex, chronic, or terminal disease. Palliative care helps patients who live with complex or chronic conditions lead a better quality of life. Photo: Ryan Waggoner

Claire Sheeren, 21, started this fundraiser in 2019 in honor of her sister, Elizabeth, who spent more than seven months in 2018 at Mott battling an incurable autoimmune disease. She was moved by the care her sister got while at Mott so much so that she was driven to begin raising money to give back to the hospital and the palliative care team that had done so much for her and her family. 

“They care about the whole person … their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs … and to help support the entire family,” Sheeren said while giving her opening statement before the 5k began.

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Hail hits hard in Southeast Michigan, delays construction project

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A June 16 notice informed Grosse Pointe residents on Cranford Lane that there would be a delay in ongoing water main replacement and pavement reconstruction due to a hail storm on June 13. Construction was put off for two days while the workplace was drying from the storm. This delay also revealed a sanitary concern. https://youtu.be/58esA33_tUw
Heavy hail shown flowing down the sidewalk and piling up on front lawn. Video by: Jenna Hummel

“This project was written off to be done by mid-July,” said project manager Ryan Kern of V.I.L. Construction Inc. “But there may now be a delay to the finish line due to sanitary service lead repairs that were just recently found under the road.”

The storm runoff water had caused a disruption to the existing infrastructure that is planned to be removed next week.