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Dec 2014 / Jan 2015

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by Jeannie Davis

AH, THE CHRISTMAS SEASON! Everything is a little bit shinier, more sparkly. The entire world is viewed through a gauzy lens, softening our perception of images of perfect families gathered with love to celebrate the season. Lights twinkle on the tree, all within the house is in order, and the dining room table is a feast for the eyes. Holiday turkey and all the trimmings are laid out with the best china, with a precision that would make a marine sergeant proud.

Family members gaze upon each other with love, and a spirit of giving is overwhelming. Well-behaved, well-groomed children open gifts of toys and pajama, and their little faces light up. Neighbors exchange cookies, and well wishes. Adults who haven’t seen each other since last year (unless somebody has died) hug and sit with cocktails to catch up. Grandpa is given the best chair, and pampered. Uncle Harry is the bartender, topping off everybody’s drinks. Aunts Muriel and Hortense sit quietly and share pictures of grandchildren. Mom’s face, shiny with perspiration, bustles about the kitchen puttering with the finishing touches. Christmas carols chime out from the radio.

Ah yes, a perfect holiday!

Seriously? Really? Please don’t tell me you think this is reality. Here is what really happens:

The house is in total chaos. The tree is leaning dangerously, the floor is strewn with wrappers and toys that the little urchins are already bored with. The lights are about to short out and set fire to the curtains. And….. the table…… Well, the china is made by Dixie, the gravy boat has spilled unto the plastic tablecloth, and Mom’s stuffing is from a package. The gravy is from a jar (Dan Martin says this is fine), the turkey is either underdone, or burnt.

Grandpa? He is given the best chair because that is the one with the plastic cover, and we all know why. Aunts Muriel and Hortense resume their running battle. Nobody can remember what their fight is about, but, hopefully it doesn’t get physical this year. Uncle Harry is the bartender for a reason. It keeps him close to the booze. Unfortunately, he gets very combative when he is in his cups. The entire family holds their breath, hoping the police aren’t involved this year. Hard rock blares from a teen’s player.

And Mom? Well, Mom is in the kitchen quietly crying and wondering why somebody else can’t host this darn free-for-all. The neighbors, contributing to the scene, have just directed their snow blower at the front steps, creating a four-foot tower of snow.

I will close on the happy scene before Muriel tells Hortense to shove Rudolph up her nose, and Grandpa swats the hell out of one of the urchins.

This was just a nudge not to take the holidays too seriously. Personally, I think Norman Rockwell was just a little too sweet, and I would never have trusted him around my kids.

What will be picture-perfect this year is the Historic Holiday Home Tour, put on by the Historic Commission. We have some great homes this year, including Keith Weber’s house, and the stone house, as well as some other beauties. The event starts at the Historic Museum on Livernois, and ends at Blumz, with a special surprise there, on Saturday, De- cember 13, from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tickets are $15, and all proceeds go to support the Historic museum. You can enjoy the downtown ice festival, and follow it up with this event. Tickets are available either from me, or Garry Taylor at the museum.

Now, go enjoy a realistic holiday.

If something happened with our soundness, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a cure. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat emasculation and other states connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What folk talk about “viagra stories“? The most vital aspect you have to look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual dysfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a status called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this treatment passes into breast milk.

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By: Ann Heler

IT WAS SOME TIME THIS MONTH in 2007 that five members of Citizens for a Fair Ferndale sat around drinking coffee and be- gan talking about the idea of creating a free medical clinic. This was just the “looking around at each other and nodding yes” moment. Who would have thought that the clinic would be up and running, seeing patients and doing well, seven short years later. Many of you know the members of that first group: Dick and Joann Willcock, John Sterritt, Bob Babut and myself.

Next April, during our eighth anniversary month, I will list the members of our very first Board….the really “official” Board that dotted the “i”s and crossed the “t”s and made the dream a reality.

FOUR THINGS TO DO DAILY THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH!

  • Laugh out loud
  • Tell someone you are mighty glad they are in your world
  • Drink at least 3 glasses of water
  • Take a moment to be thankful and smile privately

Clinic Appointments and Information – 248-677-2273

We have NO waiting list. You will definitely have an appointment within the month. We can help you sign up for the Insurance Exchange or Healthy Michigan. The only criteria we require is that you have no health insurance and no primary care provider. CALL if you do not have health care!

Thank you everyone who got over to Leon & Lulu on November 2. The fund raiser went very well. Amanda Wahl once again chose wonderful fall red wines for the tasting and Dino’s provided the super good “noshes” to chew on while shopping. We are going to do it again next year. I will make sure the information gets into next September’s column.

John Sterritt, Steele Lindbloom, Judy Jones and Brian Wahl pitched in and assisted with this fund raiser…thank you all.

The clinic will not close in the foreseeable future. Michigan has a long way to go before a significant number of people have health care they can count on. Also, even if the new programs are an unqualified success, there will still be people who do not qualify for either plan and there are a number of services that we will be able to provide to enhance health care programs. Call if you do not have healthcare.

MEDICATION/MEDICAL EQUIPMENT COLLECTION

Bring medications and medical equip- ment to the clinic on either the first or third Saturday of each month, anytime between 9:00 A.M. and 12:00 noon.

We take everything EXCEPT:

  • wooden crutches (can’t be sterilized),
  • oxygen tanks****,
  • hospital beds,
  • stretchers,
  • motorized wheelchairs.

Take controlled substances, psychotropic medications or muscle relaxants to the Royal Oak Police Station medication drop box at 221 E. 3rd St. in Royal Oak.

****Oxygen tanks have to be returned to the name on the tank. Tank distributors ONLY take tanks that they distributed.

Any very heavy equipment, such as hospital beds and motorized wheelchairs, for example, can be picked up at no cost to you by World Medical Relief. Call 313- 866-5333.

If some happened with our soundness, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a preparation. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat impotency and other states coupled to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What people talk about “viagra stories“? The most vital aspect you must look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong heartiness problem such as soul trouble. Causes of sexual disfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a status called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual disfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this treatment passes into breast milk.

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by Jeff Milo

No more clichés, no more cynicism. Rock’s not dead. Never was. The Beggars are here to save the day. Rock’s redeemers, Steven Tuthill, Jim Faulkner, Pookie Grech and Chris Krez, each understand that rock n’ roll can be more than just music, it can be something to live for…

And don’t you dare doubt their powers. Attendees of Beggars concerts are often quickly converted by their charms: a combination of the wild and the raucous with the wholesome and the nostalgic; it’s head-banging, fist-pumping, guitar-shredding, ballad-belting music, but it’s done with this charismatic grin and studded with a classy (if half-crazed) showmanship that conjures the most glorious of rock’s glory days.

Last month, the Ferndale quartet released their second full-length record, a self-titled album produced by a powerhouse team, Eddie Spaghetti (of Arizona garage rock legends The Supersuckers,) Andy Patalan (guitarist of Detroit-bred alt-rock group Sponge) and local producer Tony Maisano.

The album is their most definitive work to date, with the versatile Faulkner’s driving backbeats, the dynamics of Krez’s cascading riffs, and Grech’s subtle coiling bass licks. It’s a rock that has a lot of heart and gets a floor shaking, rattles windows and brings bodies to move, dance or jump, spurred on by Tuthill’s trilling baritone lead vocal.

“Genuine rock and roll,” Tuthill calls it; “…the Good-Time Rock.”

That means drums that get you moving, blurring guitars bellowing those electric growls and bass that sweetens with a soulful crest. Tuthill, meanwhile, a former football player and wrestler, is keen to throw his whole body into his performance and that’s key to the infectious energy of the Beggars, assuming a larger-than-life presence on stage, ready to back flip off of turnbuckles, if they could. When rock n’ roll can seem heroic, like its participants, the performers on the stage evidently appreciate that certain kind of caution-to- the-wind sacredness that rock deserves. That’s when you know you’re at a Beggars show.

“We’re normal guys, most of the time,” Tuthill says, as he digs a Frisbee out of the bed of his truck. “But, when you get on that stage,” he stops to set his coffee down at the foot of an oak tree, “then it’s no time to be normal. At that point it’s like…” he tosses the Frisbee over to me, “…like you’re from a different planet, ya’ know?”

He nods, his long curled hair blown back by the late autumn breeze. “Not a better planet! Just…a different planet. It is a lot of fun.”

Tuthill meets me on the last beautiful day of the season, strolling through Geary Park in Ferndale on a weekday morning. “I couldn’t find my football,” he admits. “That’s like a low point, for me. I have to use my Frisbee…”

The Beggars have been a Ferndale band for a long time now. Tuthill’s second show with the band was performed at Club Bart’s (where John D now operates.) “I always love bringing up Club Bart’s cuz I have such fond memories of that bar, so many great shows, particularly with Duende.”

Indeed, Tuthill, and the entire Beggars alumni go way back… The band was started in the early 00’s by Jonny Wilkins, Jim Hansard, Joe Senac, Jon Epstein and Keith Thompson. That’s right, the current line-up of the Beggars technically has no original members. To his credit, though, Tuthill, the longest-serving Beggar, joined the band ten years ago. The album’s liner notes give respectful shout-outs to all former members, including Johnny Miller, Jim Hansard, Jeremy Cybulski and Rod “Pool Party” Jones.

“Awesome dudes all across the board,” says Tuthill with his characteristically easygoing exuberance. “And everyone still gets along great. All classy dudes, from start to finish Everybody’s still a family, it’s good. And that’s rare (for bands).” I can see a glint of contented nostalgia in his eyes as he pauses, “Man,” he says, “it’s been nuts, all of the great venues we’ve played at through the years. The Majestic, The Magic Stick, The Magic Bag…aWoodwardDreamCruisePartybackin2002, aHomecomingDanceorona Pontoon boat, or the Pig & Whiskey and DIY…”

“We plan to rock from here to eternity,” Tuthill assures us.

The Beggars perform on New Year’s Eve at The Loving Touch with Broadzilla and White Shag. Doors 8pm – more info at: http://beggarsrock.com/ / http://thelovingtouchferndale.com/

If something happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a cure. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat impotence and other states connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What men talk about “viagra stories“? The most essential aspect you must look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as core trouble. Causes of sexual malfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a state called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual dysfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this treatment passes into breast milk.

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By Robin Hawley Crumrine and Jeff Lilly; Painting by Pamela Hawley

IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE REPORT THE passing of Pamela Hawley; Ferndale resident, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, life partner, talented artist, and writer for Ferndale Friends back in the formative days of this paper, after a sudden illness while visiting a friend in Naples, Florida. She was 71.

She was born Pamela Irene Thompson, and grew up in Royal Oak with her mom, dad and sister, Megan Raphael. After spending time in Muskegon and later Oregon, she moved back to Michigan in 1987 with her high school sweetheart, Tim Butts, who grew up in Ferndale. They lived together in, and loved, Ferndale for 25 years.

Pam was a professional artist, specializing in acrylic painting, furniture art, jewelry, sculpture repair and refurbishing. She created fairy houses and taught all of the children in the northern woods how to build fairy rings. She loved to dance around the campfire with ferns in her hair. She was a small-framed person with a big heart, a big personality, a passion for life, strong convictions, infectious laughter, and a big smile for everyone.

Pam wrote for Ferndale Friends from April 2006 to March 2008. Ferndale Friends publisher Stephanie Loveless said, “Pam was there for me at a particularly challenging time, and I am blessed and grateful to have known her.”

Jeff Fontana, of Jeff Fontana Designs in Royal Oak, for whom Pam worked for many years, remembers, “She was beautiful, inside and out. She just laughed. I’d come into work in a mood, and she’d say some- thing (silly) and wed just laugh for hours!”

A Memorial Service will be held in Michigan the weekend of January 17-18, 2015 at a time and location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name to the Grass River Natural Area will be appreciated.

If something happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a medicament. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat emasculation and other states connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What men talk about “viagra stories“? The most vital aspect you should look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual malfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual disfunction. Even though this medicine is not for use in women, it is not known whether this curing passes into breast milk.

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by David Wesley

On the night of July 29, 2006, Ferndale High School student David Michael Smith, 16, was tragically struck by a speeding train on the railroad tracks near Hilton and Saratoga. Ever since that horrific night, once every year, his parents Dianna and Lloyd Smith hold a fundraiser in their son’s honor to help benefit Ferndale Youth Assistance. They chose this local organization because it works with children who face challenges, and FYA hands out scholarships to those who just not only get straight As but who have also overcome great challenges in their lives. Hundreds of children attend the Ferndale Youth Assistance award ceremonies each spring.

In addition to the scholarship awards they fund, the Smiths also ask the children to stay off the railroad tracks. “The kids get to hear David’s story,” Dianna Smith said. “A lot of them really don’t realize the dangers.”

I recently had an opportunity to talk to Dianna Smith about their efforts to turn a great tragedy into an opportunity to help others.

Ferndale Friends: Dianna, I want to preface my questions with a quick back story of how I knew David. He was two years younger than me, and we were classmates in Mrs. Hysni’s history course and Ms. Matthew’s biology course. He was always the color of the classes. We talked often about hockey and magic, two mutual interests and passions. We respected each other and got along exceptionally well. He was seen as a remarkable person in everyone’s eyes. When he passed I was distraught like everyone else, and I am very glad to help proliferate his memory in my own way.

Dianna Smith: It’s always nice to hear from people that actually knew David and what a fun guy he was. His birthday is coming up on October 26. His favorite time of the year was Halloween.

FF: Were you and your husband involved in charity work prior to David’s accident, or was his passing the catalyst?

DS: No, we have always been involved in the community. Lloyd was a soccer, baseball and roller hockey coach, and assistant coach for ice hockey and manager. He was one of the original members for the Dream Field committee that turned into the Dream Cruise. I was on the bond committee and PTA for the schools back when we had Washington Elementary before it turned into the Kulick Center.

FF: How has the reception been from the Ferndale community regarding the annual memorial event in David’s honor?

DS: The reception has always been great. The Buffalo Wild Wings event is always a huge success. This event brings in people from Saint Clair Shores and surrounding areas where David played hockey, teachers and classmates from Ferndale, along with our many friends from work and the dog shows that Lloyd and I show our dogs at.

FF: Do you have any inspiring stories or people you would like to give credit to who you and your husband have helped through the memorial fund?

DS: This year the Memorial fund had presented its tenth $500 scholarship to two well-deserving Ferndale High School Senior graduates. We have helped out with funding for Anti bullying programs for the Elementary and High School levels. And we have helped support the FYA Camp programs, and other programs.

For more information on the David Michael Smith memorial event, you can contact Dianna Smith on Facebook.

If something happened with our health, we believe there is a solution to any maladies in a cure. What medicines do patients purchase online? Viagra which is used to treat impotence and other states connected to erectile dysfunction. Learn more about “sildenafil“. What men talk about “viagra stories“? The most substantial aspect you should look for is “sildenafil citrate“. Such problems commonly signal other problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong heartiness problem such as heart trouble. Causes of sexual dysfunction include injury to the penis. Chronic disease, several medicaments, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease can also cause sexual malfunction. Even though this physic is not for use in women, it is not known whether this curing passes into breast milk.

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