Politics & Government

Around the Mitten This Week: Preps Sports Champs, Film Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade and More

A lot happened in southeast Michigan last week, including schools going green and students helping others, dead fish washing up after a cold winter and a kids learning Spanish at preschool.

Here's a roundup of some of the news and features from around southeast Michigan this week:

Royal Oak Turns Irish for the Day

Royal Oak kicked off St. Patrick’s Day week with its annual parade hosted for the ninth year by the Norman O’Brien Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the festive clash of the clans. Jeff Collick marched with his family, including 8-year-old son, Brendan, and dog, Chloe, as part of the Hennessey Clan. "It's all about who is the loudest, who is the craziest," he said. "It's a nice day."

The Henry Ford to Partner with Pure Michigan on National Ad Campaign

Gov. Rick Snyder stopped by Dearborn's Henry Ford Museum on Thursday to sign legislation guaranteeing $10 million more in funding to the state's Pure Michigan campaign. National ads from the group kick off Monday and will feature Mackinac Island and The Henry Ford, the latter of which Snyder referred to as "one of my favorite places." 

Find out what's happening in Grosse Pointewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jigsaw Jones to Come to Life at Brighton Center for the Performing Arts

The ArtsPower National Touring Theatre at 2 p.m. March 19. The one-hour, one-act musical is geared toward children in grades 1-4. It features Jigsaw Jones, an amateur detective who’s focused on unveiling the school’s practical jokester.

First Uptown Film Festival in Birmingham a Hit

It was a big week for Michigan-made films as Birmingham hosted , partnering with the Detroit Independent Film Festival to showcase dozens of locally made independent films.

Find out what's happening in Grosse Pointewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Blessing of the Bikes Revs Up in New Baltimore

North Shore Church of New Baltimore will hold its sixth annual motorcycle blessing April 23 at Gibraltar Trade Center in Mount Clemens. Anywhere from a couple hundred to 1,000 riders are expected to show this year. They will take their bikes out for spin following the ceremony.

Soaking Up the Sun at Bird School  in Plymouth

Plymouth’s Bird Elementary School, a two-time Michigan Green School recipient, has officially gone “off the meter” – the energy meter that is. Bird is one of just 18 schools in the state ­– and the first in the Plymouth-Canton Community School district – to receive a solar energy grant for renewable energy from Great Lakes Energy Services Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on delivering renewable energy education and technology in the region.

Ferndale Basketball Coach, 2 Players Suspended Prior to Districts Loss

Ferndale boys varsity basketball team for what ended up being the team's last game. The reasons for the suspension are still being investigated. The Ferndale boys lost to Detroit Mumford in districts, ending its season.

Farmington Hills Students Collect More Than 1,000 Items for Neighborhood House

When Farmington Hills’ Beechview Elementary Student Council members put out the call for donations to Neighborhood House, their school community responded – in a big way. The school delivered more than 1,000 items to the nonprofit organization. An extension of the Farmington Area Goodfellows, Neighborhood House helps Farmington and Farmington Hills residents in need year-round.

Dexter Chamber Honors Businesses, Residents at Awards Banquet

The Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce presented several businesses and residents with award of recognition during its annual banquet on Thursday. Dexter Community Schools trustee Richard Lundy was presented the Spirit of Dexter award for his unwavering commitment to the community through volunteer work. The Encore Musical Theatre was presented the Business of the Year award for its ability to draw top notch actors to Washtenaw County. 

Hello, Hola Interchangeable for Spanish Preschool Students

Parents who want to engage their children in another language have an option at the Hunter Community Center in Clawson. The Spanish Immersion Montessori Preschool teaches the language to kids age 2-5 with activities and learning games. Preschool directors say research shows it is easier for a person to pick up a second language before age 5.

Melting ice will likely reveal fish killed by extreme cold temperatures

As warmer temperatures melt the ice, residents who live along Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River will likely start seeing a large number of dead fish that died over the winter due to the extreme cold temperatures.

It was another big week in high school sports. Here are some highlights:

Wyandotte Bears Beat Brother Rice to Become State Hockey Champs for First Time

In the biggest hockey game in school history, the at Compuware Arena in Plymouth to win its first state hockey title in school history. “This is the greatest feeling to win states,” Wyandotte forward Gerald Mayhew said. “I had to wait four years for this. This is great not just for us, but for the city of Wyandotte as well.”

Seaholm Boys Win State Swimming Championship

. The two schools have been facing off all season, taking first and second at meets throughout the year. However, Seaholm had the edge this year. Dexter came in third in the Division 2 state championship Saturday.

OU Basketball Coach Kampe on March Madness and His Favorite Player on the Adams High School team

Oakland University's Coach Kampe already has a basketball tournament victory: his son's team, the Adams High School Highlanders, advanced Friday night to the regional high school basketball competition and the coach was there to see the victory. He took time out to talk about being a college basketball coach and a high school basketball dad.


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