by Becky Andrus | Apr 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
Orion Parks and Recreation Virtual Programming
Orion Parks and Recreation is dedicated to supporting all of Orion Township during this unprecedented time. In collaboration with our instructors, colleagues, and other area businesses, we’re generating virtual programming that can be done in the safety of your home, but are still FUN, cost-effective, and will keep everyone active and mentally fit.
Do you have any virtual programming ideas or any ideas that you would be willing to teach? Please fill out this form and we will work on making your ideas a reality!
Programs
Snapology of Troy-Macomb
Snapology helps children grow up with a thirst for knowledge. Snapology engages children in STEM activities using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex and technology. They are offering daily building challenges that are sure to get your kid’s creativity flowing! Also check out their virtual playdates and birthday parties.
Snapology of Troy-Macomb Facebook Page
Snapology Website
Zumba Gold Zoom Class
Need some exercise and want to try something new? Give Zumba Gold a try. Class is held in the privacy of your home with our qualified instructor, Cyndy DuVal. Register by downloading the Zoom app and email [email protected]. Easy Piesy, what have you got to lose? Zumba Gold is geared for those 40+ or with limited mobility, but everyone is welcome! Zumba Gold Zoom Facebook Event– April 24
Hatha Yoga Gentle
Want to try some new fitness moves? Always wanted to try Yoga? Here’s your chance to give it a try in the comfort and privacy of your own home! Sue Albert with Heartfelt Yoga and Message shows you some basic Yoga moves Facebook Video
50+ Virtual Spanish Club (Members Only)
Orion Center members join in for a virtual Spanish club meeting very Tuesday at 3:30 pm to learn how to speak Spanish. Please register and you will receive a link to the Zoom class in your email.
Register Here for Virtual Spanish Club
Virtual 5K Your Race at Your Pace
Anywhere |Sep 1-30 | Anytime | $33R/NR This is a great way to get healthy & fit in your own way, on your schedule. Run, walk, hike, bike, paddle, or even stroller your way through 3.1 miles or 5K in your neighborhood, local park or even in your house! Register now to get started on your way to good health and prepare for the upcoming Dragon Dash 5K. Registration fee includes a commemorative shirt, medal, and healthy new you. Let’s get started!
Register Here
Virtual Italian Cooking Class (1 day class): Gnocchi
Anywhere | Wed, May 6 | 4-5 pm | $5R/NR
Learn how to make Gnocchi from the comfort of your own home through the app Zoom. A list of ingredients will be on your receipt. Once registered you will receive a link through email to open the class through Zoom.
Register Here
Virtual Italian Cooking Class (2 day class): Pizza Dough
Anywhere | Wed, May 13 & Fri, May 15 | 4-5 pm | $5R/NR
Learn how to make pizza dough from the comfort of your own home through the app Zoom. A list of ingredients will be on your receipt. Once registered you will receive a link through email to open the class through Zoom.
Register Here
DevYou Software Development
DevYou LLC is a metro Detroit based training company that focuses on teaching the fundamentals of software development. Classes are geared towards those who have never coded or are looking to learn a new programming language and are open to all ages.
C# Foundations 1:
Introduction into the C# language. Students will learn to:
- Declare and intialize variables
- Use arithmetic operators to perform calculations
- Control the flow of an application
- Use loop statements to repeat blocks of coded
- At the end of the training, the learner will have created a complete Console application that can determine a budget when planning a trip to Mexico or Jamaica
More Coming Soon!
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by Becky Andrus | Apr 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
Coulter Partners with U.S. Rep. Lawrence to Begin COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing in Southfield on Thursday
PONTIAC, Mich. – April 27, 2020 – Residents in southern Oakland County who have coronavirus symptoms can get drive-thru testing beginning Thursday at the Health Division’s South Oakland Health Center by appointment only, County Executive David Coulter said today.
The county collaborated with U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, to offer testing for first responders, essential or critical infrastructure employees, adults age 65 or older, those with underlying conditions, or residents experiencing symptoms. Testing is Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. To make an appointment, call the Health Division’s Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533. The South Oakland Health Center is located at 27725 Greenfield Road.
“In our efforts to broaden our understanding of COVID-19, we believe it is prudent to open more drive-thru testing accessible to residents in areas with a higher number of cases,” Coulter said. “I’m so proud of our residents who have taken the necessary steps to keep themselves and others safe. I applaud Congresswoman Lawrence for her leadership. The residents are the true beneficiaries of this effort.”
Beginning Monday, May 4, testing will be conducted at South Oakland Health Center on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; at the Oakland County government campus in Pontiac, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The county is currently in the process of selecting a third site for Friday testing.
Rep. Lawrence said she worked closely with Coulter and his administration to ensure people who live or work in the southern part of the county have access to the site for much-needed testing.
“Cooperation and coordination are so important when addressing a health care emergency unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes,” Rep. Lawrence said. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with the county executive and his team to bring this essential service to our residents and workers. I encourage those who need it to get tested.”
The Health Division and Honor Community Health currently offer drive-thru testing at the Oakland County Complex, 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac. Testing this week is today and Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., by appointment only. A prescription or doctor’s note is not needed to get tested. Contact the Health Division’s Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533. Results are expected in 24-48 hours.
by Becky Andrus | Apr 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020
CONTACT: Mary McGuire, Michigan Fitness Foundation communications manager,
[email protected]
Move More in the Month of May
April 28, 2020 — The Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) is providing fun resources for families to stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MFF and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are launching Walk and Wheel Wednesdays to give Michigan families opportunities for healthy and fun outdoor activity.
Beginning May 6, families are invited to be active by spending at least 20 minutes outside every Wednesday. This includes walking, bicycling, hiking or other outdoor activities with individuals from the same household.
While being active, families are reminded to practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from other members of the public, avoid all shared outdoor equipment, cover coughs and sneezes, and wash hands immediately upon returning home.
Families are encouraged to post photos of their Walk and Wheel Wednesdays activities to social media by tagging @MichiganFitness and @MichiganDOT with the hashtag #WalkandWheelMI.
The initiative is spearheaded by MFF through their Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program with support from MDOT. SRTS collaborates with schools throughout the school year to improve students’ ability to safely walk and bike to school by providing students with bicycling and pedestrian education and activities, such as Walk and Bike to School Day. Visit saferoutestoschool.org for additional information.
For tips to make your outing safe and enjoyable, MDOT offers the following pedestrian/bicyclist safety tips:
- Plan your route.
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bike.
- Stay visible. Wear light and bright colored clothing. If you must be out at night, wear reflective clothing.
- Stay alert. Enjoy time away from the phone.
- Walk on sidewalks. If no sidewalks are available, ensure that there is safe distance between yourself and passing vehicles and walk facing traffic.
- Children can ride their bicycle on the sidewalk. If riding in the street, please ride with traffic, obey all traffic laws, and use proper hand signals.
- When possible, cross at a crosswalk. Only cross when safe to do so. Make eye contact with drivers and make sure all cars have stopped before crossing.
Physical activity at an early age, such as walking or bicycling, helps reduce stress, heart disease, diabetes, and other obesity-related illnesses. With many families staying home to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Walk and Wheel Wednesdays offer families the opportunity to be healthy while learning about safe bicycling, walking and ways to connect as a family through physical activity.
About
Michigan Fitness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to inspire active lifestyles and healthy food choices thru education, environmental change, community events and policy leadership.
by Becky Andrus | Apr 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
Update: Restore M-24 (Lapeer Road) project begins in northern Oakland County
Contact: Diane Cross, MDOT Office of Communications, 313-375-2454
Agency: Transportation
COUNTY:
Oakland
COMMUNITIES:
Orion Township
Oxford Township
Village of Lake Orion
Village of Oxford
ROADWAY:
M-24 (Lapeer Road)
START DATE:
Thursday, April 23, 2020
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE:
Late Fall 2020
PROJECT DETAILS:
MDOT will invest $33 million to reconstruct and resurface parts of M-24 in Oakland County. The project limits along M-24 are between Goldengate Street in Orion Township to Harriet Street in Oxford Township, with the villages of Oxford and Lake Orion also being affected.
Project map
Beginning Thursday, signal work will be performed at the right and center left-turn lanes at the M-24/Drahner Road intersection in preparation of reconstruction at the intersection. Next week, work will move to two locations for approximately four weeks: northbound and southbound M-24 at Drahner Road will have one lane open and northbound M-24 from Indianwood Road to Goldengate Road will have two lanes open while southbound M-24 will have one lane open.
Drahner Road will be closed at the M-24 intersection for approximately four weeks.
Westbound Drahner Road traffic will be detoured to northbound Oxford Lake Drive, then northbound Glaspie Street and westbound Broadway Street to southbound M-24.
Eastbound Drahner Road traffic will be detoured to northbound M-24, then eastbound Broadway Street to southbound Glaspie Street, then southbound Oxford Lake Drive to Drahner Road.
Northbound M-24 traffic will not be allowed to turn onto westbound Drahner Road and will be detoured to westbound Burdick Road, then southbound Pontiac Street back to Drahner Road.
This spring and last fall, multiple utility companies performed needed relocation work in anticipation of this project, which required closures through downtown Oxford with other intermittent lane closures.
The public will be kept informed on this project via the project website at www.RestoreM24.info and e-mail updates can be requested at the website.
SAFETY BENEFIT:
Extending the center left-turn lanes, improving the pavement surface, adjusting lane widths, and consolidating driveways will increase motorist safety by reducing the number of crashes in this area.
ESSENTIAL WORK:
This road construction project is an essential function. Transportation workers in the field follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to limit their risk of getting sick.
by Becky Andrus | Apr 27, 2020 | Uncategorized
Small Businesses Impacted By COVID-19 Get Boost As Coulter Seeks Increase In Small Business Stabilization Fund Over 700 Small Businesses Awarded In Round One
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic will receive $2.3 million in grants from the county’s small business stabilization fund, County Executive David Coulter said today.
More than 700 small businesses received grants, which would provide an immediate infusion of capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. Coulter said the overwhelming response has prompted him to ask the Board of Commissioners for additional funding to support Oakland County businesses.
Information regarding the grant program and first round awardees may be found here.
“We know our small businesses are suffering,” Coulter said. “The Board of Commissioners and I took swift action to help these businesses. But there is an urgent need to help more businesses and that’s why I’m asking the board to approve additional funding to help these businesses. We always believed this was the first phase of assistance. We need to help them keep their doors open.”
Board Chairman David Woodward said the board would consider the request for additional funding promptly. The board is scheduled to meet on April 29.
“The board also understands this is an unprecedented time for our small businesses and realize they don’t have the luxury of time – their need is immediate,” Woodward said. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to help.”
The stabilization fund was comprised of a $1.15 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and a matching grant from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. The board also appropriated an additional $700,000 for the “Saving Business, Saving Lives’ grants for companies able to pivot from normal productions to manufacture personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders.
“This fund was created in the early stages of this crisis when we knew small businesses would need immediate financial help to stabilize,” Coulter said. “They are the life blood of our economy and we wanted to get these grants into their hands as quickly as possible.”
Grant consideration was highly competitive as 7,372 small businesses requested assistance. Applications were sorted by 12 geographic districts and evaluated by a team of local economic leaders from each district. Recommendations were based on their reviews and made in compliance with strict MEDC guidelines. The maximum award was $10,000 although the average grant ranged from about $2,500 to $5,359, depending on district.
“We think it’s important that funding decisions were made by community business leaders who know these businesses and see the pain this crisis has caused in their communities,” Woodward said.
Coulter said the county received good news late Thursday when it received additional funding from the federal CARES Act, which will allow the county to offer grants to small businesses. Businesses initially approved for grants were notified electronically today. The second-round
grants could be awarded as early next week. Small businesses who applied for the first round do
not need to file a second application.
To qualify for grant consideration, businesses met the following criteria:
- The company was in an industry outlined in Executive Order 2020-9 , or any subsequent Executive Order of similar intent, or demonstrates it was otherwise affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as meeting additional criteria.
- The company had 50 employees or fewer.
- The company needed working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business.
- The company demonstrated an income loss as a result of the EO, or the COVID-19 outbreak.
