Michigan’s Primary Election is two weeks from today
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Online registration deadline for Primary Election is July 22
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Women, Infants, and Children program marks 50 years
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 18, 2024 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected] Women, Infants, and Children program marks 50 years of LANSING, Mich. – For the last 50 years, the Michigan Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program has worked to positively affect pregnancy outcomes, child growth and development. The U.S. Congress began the federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children in 1974 under the administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WIC began operating in Michigan that year, with the first clinic opening in the Delta-Menominee region of the Upper Peninsula, followed soon by one in Kalamazoo. Administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), WIC serves low and moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. As part of the anniversary celebration, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a special tribute commemorating 50 years of distinguished service and support to WIC families in Michigan. Past and present Michigan WIC staff also recently gathered to share memories and celebrate the enormous strides made in the program over the past five decades. The mission of WIC is to improve the health of pregnant and postpartum people, infants and children by providing client-centered services, nutritious foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding and chestfeeding education and support, health screenings and referrals to health care providers and other community resources. “WIC has positively impacted the health and well-being of millions of Michigan families over the past five decades,” said Elizaeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Each month, more than 200,000 moms, babies and children under age five receive nutritious foods from the Michigan WIC program, providing them with a healthy start.” WIC has been shown to lessen the number of fetal deaths, reduce infant mortality, decrease low birth weight deliveries, lower the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and increase immunization rates. It has also provided positive economic impacts to local communities as WIC food benefits are redeemed at local retail stores.
Pictured (l. to r.) at the MDHHS WIC 50th anniversary celebration with a tribute issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are Brenda Jegede, director, MDHHS Bureau of Health and Wellness; Christina Herring, Michigan WIC director; Sarah Lyon-Callo, senior deputy director, MDHHS Public Health Administration; and Kristi Fox, branch chief, Supplemental Food Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
Michigan was one of the first adopters of Electronic Benefit Transfer issued benefits, moving away from paper coupons in 2007. While only a few options existed at the start of the program, WIC clients can now choose from around 2,200 products when shopping for their families. Vendors accepting WIC have grown to more than 1,400 locations, providing options and promoting a dignified shopping experience. “We are so proud of the ways in which we have improved the WIC program in Michigan since its inception and look forward to continued modernization to make WIC even more accessible for those in need,” said Michigan WIC Director Christina Herring. Learn more about the WIC program and its benefits at Michigan.gov/WIC. |
‘Fifty Amp Fuse’ Perform Pop and Rock Hits at Wildwood Amphitheatre Show
ORION TWP, Mich. – On Thursday, July 11, 2024, the tribute band Fifty Amp Fuse performed classic pop and rock hits at Orion Township’s Wildwood Amphitheatre. The set included classic songs such as “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl),” by Looking Glass, “How long” by Ace, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor and “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls. The last two songs, were accompanied by one of the bands three lead vocalists, Barb “Barbie” Alent.
Alent’s vocal range is impressive for a cover band, there’s no doubt she is talented when she is slinging out beautiful melodies on rock-tinged covers of “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele and “One Way Or Another” by Blondie.
Alent is not the only talented vocalist in the six-person band, lead vocalist Ethan “Chef” Phoenix brings the heat as his soulful and impactful vocals kick off more pop-heavy cuts that the band played. Songs like Cee-lo Green’s “Forget You,” Bruno Mars’s “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Roxanne” by The Police, all demonstrate Phoenix’s unique vocal style and talent on the big stage.
Alent and Phoenix occasionally performed duets, like on the bands cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N Roses.
Other members of the band include band leader and guitarist, Remy Lambert, drummer Steve Cooley and bassist Chris Smith.
Lambert in particular was a joy to see on stage. His stage presence along with the audience interaction – always encouraging dancing and having fun – was a welcome feature of that night’s performance.
Alent and the other band members played “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC and closed off the set with everyone on stage – Alent, Phoenix and Lambert took charge with vocals – and played the decadent “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen.
All of the members played and performed their hearts out on stage, delivering quality covers to residents, families and music lovers of the Orion area.
The next Wildwood event will be a concert performance by Cast Iron Cornbread, covering pop, rock and blues Thursday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Next week a free screening on the 2023 movie “Barbie” will be held at the Amphitheatre on Thursday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m.
For more information about free events like these put on by the township, visit orionparks.com.
‘Adrian and Meredith’ Kick Off LO Live Concert Series at 20 Front Street
LAKE ORION, Mich. – On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, residents of Lake Orion and the Orion area gathered inside the intimate concert venue, 20 Front Street, in order to not only get away from the rain caused by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, but to listen to the first performance of the 2024 “LO Live” concert series by the Americana band, Adrian and Meredith.
The Nashville-based but Michigan-born duo of Adrian and Meredith have been touring all across the country for several years now, playing original music that fits the Americana genre.
The LO Live concert series is held Wednesdays in July and August, in the outdoor gazebo in Children’s park. However, due to the excess rain caused by Beryl on Wednesday, the concert was moved indoors. Nevertheless, the show goes on.
ONTV spoke with the duo about their music and what it is like to play such an intimate venue like 20 Front Street.
“The small towns and the small venues that’s our favorite place, the stories and the people and everyone that gathers – that’s why we love to be here,” Meredith said. “A lot of storytelling here tonight,” Adrian added.
20 Front Street has a seating capacity of around 100 people, so the venue was packed with folks looking to be taken away by soulful yet twangy instrumentation and lovely vocal performances.
“At the end of the day we call it, ‘American Roots’ music, we like to take the audience on a bit of a journey,” Meredith said.
ONTV’s Joe Johnson spoke with Lisa Sokol, a community outreach and events manager at 20 Front Street about the LO Live concert series.
“We’re really lucky that [20 Front Street] is available to us for rain-out days,” Sokol said. “It’s just this wonderful thing, this collaboration that happens that’s really unique to Lake Orion.”
Additionally, ONTV spoke to Janet Bloom, a member of the Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority about LO Live’s opening night.
“To be able to come to one of Michigan’s premiere listening rooms is really a great opportunity, first of all, to showcase a great band… but also for those that maybe haven’t had the opportunity to come to 20 Front Street,” Bloom said.
Despite the hardships faced due to inclement weather, the concert was a success, bringing light not only to a great band but to a wonderful music venue located in downtown Lake Orion.
The next concerts in the LO Live series will be taking place (weather-permitting) at Children’s park, Wednesdays at 6:30 until 8:00 p.m.
Jill Jack will be playing Wednesday, July 17 with a soulful singer-songwriter performance. Then country popstar Grace West will be swinging by Lake Orion July 24, then to round off the month, South For Winter, a folk-blues band from New Zealand will be performing at the park.
For more information about 20 Front Street and their upcoming events, visit 20frontstreet.com, and for more information about the Lake Orion DDA and their events, visit downtownlakeorion.org.