Woodward Talk | Published August 24, 2023
Ferndale Fire Department awarded grant
FERNDALE — The Ferndale Fire Department announced that it has been awarded an emergency medical services workforce grant through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
A press release states that the grant will fund education and training for prospective Michigan EMS personnel and that the grant program was created to “continue and expand the development of people employed in EMS — addressing the critical shortage of paramedics statewide and increasing accessibility to EMS education and programming, specifically paramedic programs, in Michigan.”
“Barriers to education are real; this grant can remove them for those individuals who are interested in becoming paramedics but have been unable to do so,” Ferndale Fire Chief Teresa Robinson said in a prepared statement. “We’re proud to have received this funding and excited about the awesome opportunity that Ferndale is now able to provide.”
The release states that the Ferndale Fire Department will provide selected candidates with sponsorships to a paramedic school. This includes payment of tuition and fees for the program and an hourly wage for hours spent in the program’s scheduled components, such as classes, clinicals and internships.
Clawson Fest to take place Saturday
CLAWSON — The third annual Clawson Fest will be held 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, on Main Street between 14 Mile and Tacoma Street.
The event will feature a food and art festival from Sean Nasrey, Sean Dunlop and the Clawson Downtown Development Authority. There also will be live music from Caleb Ford, Drew Schultz & The Broken Habits, Oak City Roots, and Barelyon. For more information, visit clawsonfest.com.
Decorate a pillar in Huntington Woods
HUNTINGTON WOODS — Residents have the opportunity to create an art pillar for the city.
A news posting states that participants can fill out a $15 application at the Department of Public Works, 12795 W. 11 Mile Road, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays and then pick up a 4-by-4-by-8-inch wood pillar to decorate. Pillars must be returned to the DPW by Sept. 15. Completed pillars will be placed at Huntington Woods’ Statue Park in September.
Book signing
ROYAL OAK — The Royal Oak Public Library will be hosting author Paul Vachon for a signing of his book “Detroit: An Illustrated Timeline, 2nd Edition.”
The signing will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at the library, 222 E. 11 Mile Road. A news release states that Vachon’s book holds more than “300 years of Detroit history, facts and photos together in a collection that will enlighten even longtime residents of the city.” For more information, call the library at (248) 246-3700.
Event to support Maui after wildfires
OAKLAND COUNTY — The Polynesian Arts Advocacy Council of Michigan will be hosting a fundraiser, Luau for Lahaina, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road. Held in partnership with the city of Novi, the event is a fundraiser for Maui and the town of Lahaina, which has suffered from wildfires.
“The Luau for Lahaina will be an afternoon of family friendly fun and celebration of Hawaiian arts and culture,” a press release states. “Guests will enjoy hands on activities and demonstrations of cultural arts such as lei making, food available from Junk Food & Friends Food Truck and D’Litefull Eats Food Truck, and a Kids Zone featuring glitter tattoos, bubbles, and hula lessons with Michigan Moana.”
The highlight of the event will be an authentic Polynesian dance performance by the Polynesian Dancers of Michigan, with special guest Tiffanie Zuttermeister, of Las Vegas’ Halau Kaleihoku Kuikanani, and students from the Novi-based hula school Halau O’ Ku’ukamali’i Kuikanani.
“I am very proud of my Michigan students for working hard to give back to Hawaii and to Maui right now,” Kumu Hula Kaui Dalire, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, who oversees Halau O’ Ku’ukamali’i Kuikanani, said in a prepared statement. “Last year, I was Novi’s Artist in Residence and lived there for six weeks. I have a lot of love for the people there, and it’s nice to see that love and respect coming back to the islands when it’s so needed.”
Tickets must be purchased in advance at PAACOM.org/Maui. For more information on PAACOM, visit PAACOM.org.