News & Notes - 7/26/23 Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle

Local fourth grader wins pageant, seeks volunteer opportunities
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Maliya James, 9, of Clinton Township, will represent Michigan at a top-level pageant this fall after winning the National American Miss Michigan Jr. Pre-Teen pageant on July 8.

“We just went with positive energy,” said Shantinique James, Maliya’s mother. “We went with smiles. Even if there were pageant moms not smiling at us, we just said go and spread positive energy and that’s what she does. I’ve never met a soul that was so positive and so loving.”

Taking place in Columbus, Ohio, alongside the Ohio pageant, Maliya’s crowning of Miss Michigan Jr. Pre-Teen qualifies her to compete at the National American Miss pageant in Orlando, Florida in November. Along with winning the main crown, Maliya took first place in the “Miss Personality,” best resume and art contest categories. It is her first year competing in pageants.

Outside of pageants, Maliya has been active in dancing, originally receiving lessons in ballet before taking up jazz dancing. She placed second in High Point Virtual Academy’s spelling bee and is a Girl Scout. She loves animals and volunteers with Rejoyceful Animal Rescue when her schedule allows.

Maliya is looking for additional ways to volunteer around the area. Please email shantiniquejames@gmail.com about any volunteering opportunities.

 

Watershed council, politicians to clean up Clinton River in August
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Politicians and officials will come together with the public for a morning of cleaning on the Clinton River on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Organized by the Clinton River Watershed Council, participants will meet at Budd Park in Clinton Township and be broken up into three groups: one to clean up Shadyside Park in Mount Clemens, one to clean up the Don Green Trail between Budd and Canal Parks, and one to clean up along the river itself between Shadyside and MacArthur parks.

A bipartisan group of officials will take part in the cleanup including state Reps. Joe Aragona and Denise Mentzer, state Sens. Kevin Hertel and Veronica Klinefelt, and members of the Mount Clemens City Commission and the Clinton Township Board of Trustees.

Gloves, bags and trash grabbers will be provided for volunteers. For more information visit www.crwc.org or call (248) 601-0606.

 

Inclusive playground gets state budget funds
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The fundraising campaign for Clinton Township’s inclusive playground received a big boost in the recently passed state budget, receiving $1 million.

“The appropriation was initially requested by state Representative Denise Mentzer, who took the time to meet with our Inclusive Committee chair and vice chair,” said Paul Gieleghem, Clinton Township’s treasurer and a member of the Inclusive Playground Committee. “Following that meeting, Rep. Mentzer doubled down on her efforts to shepherd the bill through the process.”

According to a statement by Township Supervisor Robert Cannon, the project can now move beyond its initial fundraising activities.

“The passage of the bill is a real shot in the arm to quicken the pace of progress to build the inclusive playground,” Cannon said.

Work on building an inclusive playground began in 2019 with the formation of the Clinton Township Inclusive Playground Committee. The playground will serve the 4,600 individuals living in Clinton Township with intellectual and physical disabilities and it will be located outside of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library Main Branch.

For more information about the Inclusive Playground, call 586-286-9366 or email inclusiveplayground@clintontownship.com.

 

Gift shop artists get spotlight at Anton Center Art Market show
MOUNT CLEMENS — Artists whose work graces the Anton Art Center’s gift shop will have their works on full display until Aug. 26 during the Art Market Art Show.

“This show is our first exhibition and competition for our participating Art Market artists,” said Stephanie Hazard, the Anton Art Center’s exhibitions manager. “The artists that participate in the gift shop were invited to participate in a juried show.”

A total of 21 Art Market artists represented across 40 works were juried by Janet Almstadt-Davison, an artist and former art teacher with degrees from Olivet College, Oakland University and Wayne State University. She is also a member of numerous art societies. Artists come from around Michigan and range from working artists to people involved in various Anton Art Center classes. The Anton Art Center is open for regular business hours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public, and the center is accessible for those in need of mobility assistance.