Village Life: the ballet of brick laying
Aug28

Village Life: the ballet of brick laying

By Tom Travis About 11 years ago I moved into a 100-year old house in Flint. The decision was made to remove all the big, heavy radiators that were connected to the old boiler heating system. There were a lot of them. What do you imagine is the heaviest thing ever? Looking at a radiator it seems easy enough to wrap your arms around and hoist out of the house. Wrong! I’ve moved and helped move a fair share of pianos in my life,...

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City council approves Phase 2 of the Buick City Redevelopment Plan – using a complex financing model
Aug25

City council approves Phase 2 of the Buick City Redevelopment Plan – using a complex financing model

By Tom Travis The Flint City Council has approved an embattled resolution for the city to release the 350-acre former Buick City brownfield to developer Ashley Capital. Ashley Capital is under contract to purchase the site from Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response (RACER) Trust. Ashley officials plan to develop a state-of-the-art industrial park expected to bring about 3,000 jobs to the City of Flint — jobs paying...

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“Mr. American Pie” Don McLean to perform at Capitol Aug. 31:  after 50 years, he “still likes the song”
Aug24

“Mr. American Pie” Don McLean to perform at Capitol Aug. 31: after 50 years, he “still likes the song”

By Tom Travis Fifty-two years after his song “American Pie” became a surprise hit and thrust him him into sudden fame, singer/songwriter Don McLean, 77, says he’s still not tired of it. “I’m not tired of the song because it makes people so happy,” he said in a phone interview with East Village Magazine. “My job is to sing the songs that I want to sing and I have enthusiasm about them and...

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Four indictments for “45.” What will it mean for 2024?
Aug24

Four indictments for “45.” What will it mean for 2024?

By Paul Rozycki Donald Trump is running for president next year. He’s also facing 91 felony charges in both federal and state jurisdictions. With the first Republican debate last month behind us, we are about to begin the 2024 presidential election campaign. It may be the most unusual and challenging election we have ever seen. With over a dozen potential Republican candidates vying for the nomination only one name had been dominating...

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Education Beat:  New school year starts with $156 million ESSER funding moves; new backpack policy in place,  administrative changes announced;  Washington demo delayed; MSU partnership renewed
Aug21

Education Beat: New school year starts with $156 million ESSER funding moves; new backpack policy in place, administrative changes announced; Washington demo delayed; MSU partnership renewed

By Harold C. Ford A new academic year at Flint Community Schools (FCS) began Aug. 9, as students reported back to school under a newly-adopted backpack policy. The day before, on Aug. 8, several changes in administration positions were announced by FCS Superintendent Kevelin Jones in a press statement. And at its Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting, also on Aug. 9, the Flint Board of Education (FBOE): gained clarity on the status of...

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