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Story by Sara E. Teller
Photo Bernie LaFramboise

Ferncare is a nonprofit, free clinic located in the heart of Ferndale. The clinic treats persons without medical insurance or a primary care physician, ages 19 to 64.

Ferncare provides primarily non-emergency care of chronic illnesses, performs routine check-ups, dispenses generic prescriptions and provides lab testing as needed. The clinic also offers benefits counseling, can enroll patients in the Prescription Assistance Program and can help with enrolling clients in the Affordable Care Act Insurance Exchange as well as in Healthy Michigan plans. The purpose of the clinic is to “provide no-cost medical care to the medically uninsured and under-insured residents of Ferndale and surrounding communities.”

Currently, the clinic is only seeing individuals without medical assistance, due to the high volume of demand. “We have so many people without insurance of any kind that we just can’t see under-insured,” says Board President Ann Heler.

Ferncare will soon be undergoing a move from its location at 459 E 9 Mile Rd to 751 E 9 Mile Rd, Suite 2. “We are moving because Credit Union One is selling the whole block to a developer,” Ann explains. “This is the medical suite at the east end of Ferndale Plaza. It is only two blocks east of our present location.”
The clinic will retain much of the same features. “The name, the clinic hours, everything remains the same, the only change is our location. We are even moving the Little Free Library,” says Ann. This feature allows patrons to exchange free reading materials.

Ann is nostalgic about Ferncare’s present location, which came to fruition in September 2011 after having established at the Kulick Community Center in Ferndale in August 2010. “When we moved in, it was only a storage space and so we designed the clinic. With an HRSA earmark grant of $148,000 that we got through Sandy Levin and his team, we created the clinic. Lots of memories for us, as you can imagine.”

She has mixed feelings about the move. “We have been here for five-and-a-half years and, of course, love the location and the building.” But, the employees appreciate the importance of offering their services to members of the community and will continue to provide top-notch care in their new home.

The staff’s last day at the current location will have been on Saturday, November 19th. “As soon as the patients leave, we will begin packing,” Ann says. The actual move will take place shortly after on Monday, November 21, and Tuesday, November 22. The clinic will reopen on Saturday, December 3rd. “We will be scheduling open houses in January after the holiday season,” she adds.

Ferncare will keep its current care schedule, and appointments set during and following the move will not be affected in the transition.

The clinic is open the first and third Saturday, 9AM to 12PM, and the second and fourth Thursday, 6PM to 8PM, of every month for medical care. The clinic provides in-depth counseling the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. In addition, diabetic support workshops are held the first Saturday of each month, 12PM to 1PM. “At this point, we are not canceling any clinics, we are moving between scheduled clinics,” Ann explains. She encourages anyone in need of care to come speak to the staff at the new location after December 2nd.

Appointments can be made and information can also be requested by calling 248-677-2273. All calls are returned within 24 hours.

Ferncare is volunteer drive and staffed, and is always in search of new community members willing to participate. Information on volunteering is available at Ferncare’s website, ferncare.org.

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New Years Eve has been a humongous celebration across the entirety of the globe, and in the United States, it has been specifically known to be a wondrous party in major metropolises like New York City or Miami.
Add Detroit to the list of party-crazed New Years towns, now! The Drop and the Kids’ Drop are two new traditions that have taken the Motor City by storm. Founded in 2009 by Detroit business owner Tony Piraino and Detroit resident Jerrid Mooney, Motor City New Year’s Eve was conceived to become a major community event, showcasing the center of Detroit with the metropolitan area and beyond. The free family-friendly event by day, and festive gathering for adults at night, grew annually with support from Detroit-based businesses, such as Opportunity Detroit and Meridian Health.

Looking to take the event to new heights, Piraino and Mooney partnered with Michigan-based event producers Ultimate Fun Productions and The Social Connection in 2013. Motor City New Year’s Eve has since grown to become Detroit’s largest and most publicized New Year’s Eve event, drawing up to 25,000 revelers in 2015. Mooney, Ultimate Fun Productions and The Social Connection have continued to host and grow Motor City New Year’s Eve, THE DROP.

The Motor City New Year’s Eve celebration has become the culmination of the ideas and passion of its four team members – who all either live or own a business in the area – and saw an unmet need and opportunity for a positive celebration in the midst of Detroit’s continuing renaissance and revival. This Motor City New Year’s Eve team is proud to bring Detroit and its metropolitan area a proper venue for celebrating the coming New Year with style, substance and a healthy dose of that famous spirit of Detroit, and with it, world-class live entertainment as only Detroit could pull together – plus festive cocktails befitting such an occasion!

This team dedicates the Motor City New Years Eve celebration to that spirit of Detroit and its proud citizens. Symbolically, during The Drop and the Kids’ Drop, the D-Burst sculpture is lowered from the top of the Chase Tower, with the historic Guardian and Penobscot buildings providing a breathtaking background. These historic buildings provide a link to Detroit’s proud past, while the D-Burst evokes a bright New Year and even brighter future.

Additionally, the Motor City New Year’s Eve team believes that there is no better place to celebrate the spirit of Detroit than in the spiritual heart of the city, its award-winning Campus Martius Park, where people of all ages, colors and backgrounds gather from the Detroit metropolitan area and beyond. For tickets and further info, please visit www.MotorCityNYE.com.

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Story by Adam O’Conner

A new holiday tradition is coming into focus in metro Detroit – aptly titled Holiday Spirits. An inclusive celebration, it comes at just the right time for everyone from all corners and walks of life to come together and hoist a holiday cocktail (or two) in celebration. The Royal Oak Farmers Market acts as the festive backdrop for the joyous occasion, which will be decked out in glimmer and sparkle for everyone to enjoy (everyone 21+, that is, of course).

The event takes place Friday, December 16, from 7:30pm through 11pm, with a special VIP entry available at 6:30pm. Ultimate Fun Productions and Real Detroit Events have combined again to showcase another of their successful soirees – they also produce the highly-successful Royal Oak Beer Fest series alongside favorites such as Sip Savor Stomp, Whiskey Business, Tequila Mundo and many others.

The first-time event, happening just over a week before Christmas, promises plenty of holiday-themed cocktails, entertainment, munchies and more in a fun and social setting. Live entertainment, spirits and liqueurs from everyone’s favorite brands, limited edition and seasonal beers and more will all be expected at the event.

Aside from amazing booze options, the event will also be featuring a handful of local food trucks and food purveyors, plus non-alcohol options from local companies like McClary Bros Drinking Vinegars, Faygo and Mary Ann’s Handcrafted Soda. Small Business Saturday is a movement afterall, isn’t it, not just a shopping day in November?

Besides the surely amazed attendees, another group that will benefit from the event is the Royal Oak Farmers Market itself, as they will be the charity recipient for the event. The Market is a member of the ROOTS (Royal Oak Opportunity To Serve) Foundation, a group that was established by the city to accept donations and endowment for the improvement of city institutions.

If you’re looking for a break from the monotony of shopping malls, crowded bars and fast food stops, this will be just the occasion for you. General admission is priced at $50 and comes with 10 cocktail sample drink tickets, a keepsake photo booth photo, a commemorative glass with event branding, and live entertainment. VIP tickets, as previously mentioned, allows for entry a whole hour before general admission, providing first access to limited offerings and special products from vendors, plus the aforementioned and 15 cocktail samples. Tickets and further info are available at www.holidayspirits.com or via any of their social media outlets.

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Story by Jazmin Weaver
Photos by Bernie LaFramboise

There are a variety of reasons not to have a car of your own, whether it’s an environmental concern, the cost of insurance or a lack of parking space, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be just as itinerant. In a world where urban mobility is a type of freedom, things justgot a little easier for members of the Ferndale community this year. Zipcar, the quickly growing car-sharing program made its way to our city back in April.

For those unfamiliar with the program, Zipcar provides the service and convenience of having a car on demand. Their purpose is to be a hassle free-version of renting that is also more cost effective than car ownership. Zipcar offers flexible options of renting a vehicle by the hour or by the day, for a period of up to seven days. To become involved in this rental program, all you have to do is become a member, also known as a Zipster. There is a one-time $25 application fee that covers the cost of a driving record check. There are special membership deals for students and businesses who choose to become involved.

Membership offers access to the Ferndale fleet of vehicles as well as any of the other locations around the nation. The yearly fees are low and there is no monthly commitment. The rates vary by vehicle. Zipcar differs from other types of car rental in that the driving rate includes insurance, gas, and 180 miles of daily mileage. A gas card is tucked away inside the vehicle in case you need to fill it up before returning it.

Zipcar is one of the quickest ways to rent a car. Applying is simple and can be done online, over the phone or on the Zipcar app. Upon acceptance, all members are mailed a Zipcard. The Zipcard is a key, literally; by tapping it on the card reader located on windshield of the car, it unlocks. The actual key is tethered to the steering column and never needs to leave the car. The return is just a matter of parking the vehicle in its reserved spot so that it’s ready for the next customer.

Unlike other rental services, there are no hours of operation. That means that the cars are available for use 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The mobile app can be used for everything, from joining, to reserving a driving time slot, to locking and unlocking the doors of the vehicle. Reservations can be made months, or even minutes, in advance, allowing Zipcar to easily sync with your schedule.

The company was founded in 2000 and has been growing ever since. It became established in Detroit in 2013, where the size of the starting fleet has nearly doubled in size during the last three years. The car-sharing program was approved by the Ferndale City Council in February, after evidence of its success was noted from its growing popularity in Detroit.

Currently the Ferndale fleet is composed of a single car and there are plans to add a second car for the West Side. The car has a designated parking spot near Woodward and 9 Mile Road in order to be accessible.

Zipcar is just the beginning of increasing mobility options for our community and the metro-Detroit area if the program proves to be a local success. More information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at www.zipcar.com/cityofferndale.

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Story and Photos By Malissa Martin

Children learn certain habits from their parents. One habit Kym Stewart, 48, learned from her father was community service. “My family has always been involved in the community. I’ve always gotten myself involved in different activities,” Stewart says. The Charter Township of Royal Oak resident says she started going to the library to see what activities she could do with the kids. “They told me to get on the library board, so I got elected to the board.” Stewart explains.

After awhile, Stewart realized she could do more. Her brother Shawn owned a nonprofit organization called UleadByExample. However, he was busy taking care of their sick father so he passed the leadership to Kym. “I always let him know this is your organization. I’m not going to change the name. I’m not going to change anything about it, but if you want to come back or step back up that’s fine too,” Stewart explains. She teamed up with her long-time friend Timothy Bell to assist with running the organization.

Almost immediately, Stewart, a mother of five adult children, began working with the kids in her community. Initially Stewart worked with teenagers by taking them on different field trips and “just hanging out with them like the big brother, big sister program. Then I saw that the younger children weren’t getting involved. That’s where it just led elsewhere, because the younger children grabbed my attention and they wanted to know and do different stuff.” Stewart explains. She mostly works with kids ages 5 to 16. “I’ll say about maybe twice a week I’ll get around 45 to 55 kids.”

The first on-going activity Stewart created was round table conversations for the kids to be able to discuss issues that directly relate to them. In addition to roundtable conversations, Stewart started a tutoring program. The tutors, including Stewart’s youngest, attend Kalamazoo Valley College. “They come down maybe once a week or maybe every other week depending on who calls,” Stewart explains.

She’s also hosted Poetry in the Park every other Friday this past summer. Poetry in the Park gives the children the opportunity to creatively express themselves. “An example I use for the children is: If you want to grab the microphone and scream at the top of your lungs, that’s your expression.” Stewart explains.

Other activities Stewart has presented for the kids include: Fieldtrips to museums around the Metro Detroit area, Love Your Children’s Day Dance, pumpkin carving, and a Halloween party. “My last event was the Halloween party. I had well over 200 people there and I had the pony rides, bonfires, arts and crafts. Again we had some more pumpkins set out…music, food.” Stewart has already begun planning Christmas events for the children, including a Christmas party. “I adopted six kids for Christmas, I’m doing coats for kids and we’re going to giveaway five turkeys to families in need.”

Since taking over the nonprofit Stewart says she’s seen changes in the children in her community. “The kids get along a lot better, they problem-solve a lot better, they’re engaging with their parents a lot more, and trying to get their parents out more.” Stewart says.

Events and activities for the kids are paid for primarily by Stewart. “I have volunteers that work with me, but it’s mainly just me providing for them.”

Giving back is something Stewart says comes naturally to her and she has no plans on slowing down. She sees it as an investment into her community with the kids reaping the rewards. “It’s just different events where I get all the kids and parents together where they can spend time with their children and just show the children some attention. Over in Royal Oak Township it’s known for at-risk children where they’re always getting into something. So I wanted to give them another outreach, something else that they can do.”

For more information about UleadByExample contact Stewart via Facebook at Kym Uleadbyexample Stewart, email stewart.kymtara@yahoo.com, or by phone at (910)729-8269.

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Story by Rose Carver

The protest at Standing Rock has become a symbolic representation of a hopeful environmental future, as well as one of healthy government dissent.

For the hundreds of Native American tribes (dubbed “Water Protectors”) that have gathered on the land to protest the oil pipeline, it is about protecting the water in the nearby Lake Oahe from the potential for contamination due to a pipeline break, and protecting the ancestral land it would run through, desecrating it ff16614_sr_campin the eyes of those who have dwelled there for centuries. It is a precarious situation for all parties in finding common ground, and it touches on many facets of the world at large; including a government that claims to protect vulnerable populations from the interest of private companies, and to hold true to the treaties and agreements that were made with America’s Native People.

Alan Benchich is a long time activist. He served as delegate for Bernie Sanders at the Democratic Convention, and has been a resident of Ferndale for the last year, moving here from Detroit where he had a 38-year career at GM.

Benchich has been an advocate for environmental, economic and social issues for the last 45-years. He claims that if one needs proof of the interests of big corporations being held over the interests of community, one needs to look no further than this very state. Benchich points out that because of the state’s location, sitting in the middle of the largest mass of freshwater in the world, there are constant environmental threats.

“Fracking, the situation in Flint, the water shut-offs in Detroit, the 60-year-old Line 5 oil pipeline that runs under the Mackinac Bridge, Nestle’s company’s sucking aquifers dry on the west side of the state,” Benchich said, “and the source of the threats are corporations whose main concern is profit.”

“You only have to look at Kalamazoo, where the largest inland oil spill in the country occurred in 2010,” Benchich said. “The company, Enbridge, said that the line was completely safe just one week before the enormous spill occurred.”

Benchich felt drawn to show his support to the Water Protectors at Standing Rock because he felt the importance of what was at stake, and so he made the trek to North Dakota to join up in their ranks. Benchich organized a small, local caravan of supporters who traveled to Standing Rock for a week, around Thanksgiving.

The protest is taking a powerful stand against the assumed power of the almighty dollar, but their peaceful protest isn’t without considerable resistance. “When I saw a video on line that showed militarized police using pepper spray, rubber bullets, long range acoustic devices (LRAD) that cause permanent hearing damage and water cannon against unarmed citizens, it was more than I could take,” Benchich said.

Benchich was welcomed into the Oceti camp, which is one of four camps, and the nearest to where the pipeline is being built. He said that the Water Protectors are absolutely devoted to defending the sanctity of the water on their land, and even though the harsh North Dakota Winter is starting to set in, they will not be deterred. “It is hard to describe the energy at Oceti. The camp is a camp of prayer, peace and respect. Weapons, drugs and alcohol are not allowed,” Benchich said. “There is a spirituality that transcends and permeates. Every morning in the cold, pre-dawn darkness, there is a call to prayer at the sacred fire that continuously burns.  Hundreds of people walk down to the waters edge and are led in the prayers of various native peoples as the sun rises. At the risk of sounding corny, there is a sense of tranquility and love.”

Benchich describes a vibrant scene, with people from all over the country and the world pitching in and helping out however they can, and their peaceful endurance is history in the making. Representatives of hundreds of different tribes and nations had arrived a few weeks before Benchich did, and there had been a council fire gathering of the elders of the seven tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. This was the first gathering of its kind since the 1850s. With such nonviolent intentions, it is hard to imagine the violence that occurs when the authorities arrive.

“The cops not only used water cannons on people in freezing weather, they added anti-freeze, a toxic substance, to it to keep the water cannon from freezing up,” Benchich said. “Snow has now covered the camp, and the North Dakota winter is setting in.  The authorities will try to freeze out the water protectors. They will not plow the road and are trying to stop supplies. I was recently told that businesses in the area were instructed not to sell propane to the water protectors. But they will not leave. The Water Protectors are committed to stopping this pipeline. They are committed to protecting the sacred.”

If one feels drawn to join the protest on the frontlines, be forewarned. Benchich recommends that you dress for the Arctic, and to go only if you have a skill to contribute, are able to both be self-sufficient and to contribute work.

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/11/23/how-give-and-give-thanks-standing-rock-166566

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By Jill Lorie Hurst | Photos by Bernie Laframboise

“Stand for Love”, “Make Hate Extinct”, “Remember, We’re In This Together”

ff16613_parade_wide

These were among the signs carried by folks who gathered on a cold Sunday in November to walk together in the Ferndale Love March. A day about camaraderie and conviction, respect for each others safety. Speaking up. Listening.

There was a definite police presence. Helicopters hovered overhead. It was good to see residents waving to the police, who waved back. A lot might go wrong when a group this diverse gathers. But things went well. ff16613_parade_wide“Wow,” I thought. The Chamber, or the City or whatever organization planned this thing did an amazing job.
And then I learned something that made me even happier I was there. The idea for the march started when three friends – Mindy Domke, Allison Alexander and Laura Hameson Rice – were having a conversation about their post-election fears and concerns. They wanted to speak out in a meaningful way, and thus, the Love March was born.

Originally, they thought they’d walk together from the Planned Parenthood office on Woodward to ff16613_parade_l8Affirmations on 9 Mile Road. They started a private Facebook page to let friends know in case they wanted to get involved. Then they decided (in the true spirit of Ferndale and this country) to make their Facebook page public. In less than 24 hours, over a thousand people expressed an interest in walking. And on November 20th, the head count tally was 1213 walkers with more joining in at Geary Park.

The march route had to be adjusted as it wasn’t possible to close down Woodward on such short notice, so people gathered at Affirmations and walked to Geary Park. The women had nine days to make this event happen. Not easy. Domke, Alexander and Rice were hit by the huge responsibility of keeping the city safe, ff16613_parade_2and also bearing responsibility in that the march itself would be a reflection of Ferndale. A lot of work, a lot of putting out fires and listening to the “many strong opinions of what the event should be,” said Mindy. “That’s why we love Ferndale. It’s a passionate community.”

She says the City itself was nothing but helpful as they planned. In regard to the many voices? “Luckily, we were able to come to a respectful understanding.”

At the end of the walk, people huddled together in the cold to listen to poised and eloquent Sidnie Jackson, a Ferndale High School student. Then Mayor Coulter spoke. Uplifting and encouraging. Coulter: While the election “exposed divisions”… “it’s our job to heal them. The power of the people is greater than the people in power.” Inspiring and comforting words.

Were our organizers happy with the outcome that day? Yes, said Mindy. They were awed by the diversity of the crowd and the level of cooperation. One woman, a new citizen approached the three friends. She was ff16613_parade_1crying. Explained that she is a new citizen. A citizen who was feeling alone and afraid. She told them that the gathering made her hopeful. I’m sure she wasn’t the only one who walked away feeling better, more connected than she did when she approached the group on 9 Mile Road.

I hope we do it again, come out of our houses, away from our computer screens and look at each other. Walk together. Have a conversation like the one that led to the Ferndale Love March.

In the words of Dr. Seuss, who would’ve been a great Ferndalian, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.

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Story By Rose Carver Photo by Bernie LaFramboise

It’s do or die time for the future of Ferndale’s community radio station.

Michelle Mirowski is the President/General Manager of Ferndale Community Radio, soon to be (hopefully) 100.7 FM, and she says that they have until February to raise the necessary funds but the equipment has to be up and functional before their permit expires in the summer. The equipment takes about six months to arrive, so right now is the time to sink-or-swim in terms of fundraising.

“If we don’t get enough money in the next two months the project is dead in the water,” Mirowski said.
The station needs a few thousand dollars before they can even begin to set up and go on the air at the ff16610_michelle-mirowskistation’s location in the Rust Belt Market. Underwriters from small businesses and large donors have become the focus of the stations fundraising efforts, after a disappointing flop at an attempt at crowdfunding via indiegogo.

“We feel positive about the project overall,” Mirowski said. “We had a large donation a few months ago from a resident of Ferndale who felt very strongly about the project. This gave us a huge boost of confidence and was yet another example that Ferndale was the perfect place for this station.”

In what started as a simple conversation between friends over six years ago, about how cool it would be to have a freeform radio station in Ferndale, the dream has been struggling for a chance to be a reality. The radio station will serve as a platform to bring the community together by opening up a more public dialogue for thoughts and feelings to be expressed via the airwaves.

“In these politically tense times a community radio station will be perfect for sharing ideas and music. It will be a voice for Ferndale residents run by locals,” Mirowski said.

Mirowski also said that due to some new rules in the FCC, if the station loses this permit for a local radio station, the frequency on the FM dial will most likely be closed forever. These are truly the final days of the project. The station could be up and running by the summer with the help of the community, but time is quickly running out.

“Saving our permit is the only way we can lock up 100.7 fm for Ferndale,” Mirowski said. “I can’t stress this enough. With enough funding we will also be streaming online, but this might be a second year initiative.”

To get in touch about donations or becoming an underwriter for Ferndale’s LPFM station, check out their Facebook page or e-mail them at Ferndaleradio@gmail.com.

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One of the longest-running and most popular winter events in Southeast Michigan is the Ferndale Blues & Music Festival. The annual festival is set for January 27 thru February 4, and includes live bands and music from blues and jazz to rock–n-roll and every-thing in between. The festival, held in downtown Ferndale and neighboring communities, showcases a large array of local and regional musicians and bands playing dozens of concerts in a variety of venues over the course of nine days. Volunteers work the events and help raise thousands of dollars for Ferndale Youth Assistance.

The Music Festival began in 2002 and has gained in prestige and popularity each year. Expenses are kept low, and all proceeds go to FYA, a not-for-profit 501c(3) organization. Venues include bars, nightclubs, restaurants, coffeehouses, churches, schools and community centers. Thousands of people will attend the events and more than 500,000 people will see the advertisements, website, Facebook pages, news stories, posters and programs.

All contributions, donations, and sponsorships are tax deductible. The Annual Blues & Music Festival is supported by the City of Ferndale, the Ferndale DDA, Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce, Ferndale Public Schools, elected officials, and numerous businesses, churches, and media outlets.

Event Co-chair Alyssa Atkinson; 248-259-0058
Event Co-chair Craig Covey, 248-721-6434

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By Jeff Milo
Photos by Jeff Milo and David McNair

Ferndale could still have our own Community Radio Station by the end of the year, but not without help.

“We’re noticing that once people learn about the project, they’re geeked about it” said Dave Phillips, head of communications for Ferndale Community Radio. “But we’ve had difficulty spreading the word on a wide scale.” At the end of September, a two-month campaign to raise $15,000 from individual donors via indiegogo (online) came up short.

The team behind Ferndale Community Radio includes volunteers with a passion for bringing an independent low-power FM station to Ferndale. The primary members are Michelle Mirowski (president and general manager), Dave Phillips (head of communications), Jeremy Olstyn (head of programming and training), and Dave Kim (promotions), and they were able to raise just under $4,000.

They may be down, but they’re not out. There is still a chance, but it is a much smaller chance and the clock ff1561011_radiois ticking even faster, it seems. The team behind FCR has a lot to do, yet. However, with each bringing a substantial amount of experience in broadcasting, journalism and communications, they had known all along, when the idea first sprung among them six years ago, that it would take a lot of things falling in to place for their own “On-Air” sign to light-up.

If they can raise around $15,000 (or more) then they will start erecting a tower for transmitting atop the Rustbelt Market. Those funds will also allow them to start ordering all of the equipment they’ll need (which will likely take months to arrive), and start testing the frequency before broadcast.

Chris Best, co-owner/manager of the Rust Belt Market, expressed considerable enthusiasm last year for partnering with FCR. In fact, it was initially in the Rust Belt’s business plan to eventually help set up and host a community radio station. They just hadn’t anticipated the harder parts of jumping through the various hoops required to get that FCC approval.

Mirowski said that the future plan centers on approaching all of the local businesses and organizations who originally expressed enthusiasm and encouragement toward the campaign to hopefully become underwriters. Ferndale Community Radio is a Michigan nonprofit, so it’s certainly feasible for Ferndale’s business community to help raise them toward the cause of broadcasting.

There could be a number of culprits as to why they fell short of their crowdfunding goal. “I think people are a bit burned out with crowdfunding, unfortunately,” Best said. “It has been watered-down, in many ways. (The Rustbelt) feels fortunate that we were able to make it work for us four years ago, before much of that burn-out occurred. However, we do feel Ferndale Community Radio is the perfect type of project to pursue crowd-funding. So, they are a victim of circumstance.”
Best continued, saying that as soon as everyone becomes better acquainted with the good people behind FCR and realizes the benevolence behind FCR’s mission (locally-curated music programs and Ferndale-centric news reporting), then more donations will doubtless come in.

“(Ferndale Community Radio) would be such a welcomed addition to Ferndale,” Best said. “Think of how wildly popular ‘Ferndale Forum’ is on Facebook… Whether you like Facebook or not, that does show there’s a yearning for a ‘community’ and a way to stay connected with the business, political, and social aspects of this city and surrounding areas.”

There are still a lot of things that have to fall into place like testing the frequency, ordering extra parts, and a handful of other, possibly unforeseeable variables, but what would expedite all of it is the financial support from the public.

“We’ll likely need a structural engineer to look at the tower before it goes up. We need to get the $15,000 needed for equipment by this December, or the whole project is dead…”

The FCR team received a permit for the 100.7 FM spot on the dial from the Federal Communications ff1561011_supportfrCommission, and it shouldn’t be overlooked how rare of an opportunity that is in this day and age. “This might actually be the only chance for Ferndale to have a community FM station,” Mirowski said. “The 100.7 FM frequency might not be open anymore if we miss this. And if we don’t get the funding, it’s not like the FCC is going to say: ‘Oh, take your time, we’ll just hold onto this for you…’ We’d have to wait until this window of opportunity opens again…”

And that could be several years. This is it, Ferndale.

“We’re all over the moon about the support we’ve received from the Rust Belt,” Phillips said. “(Best) and his crew have been very involved, helping spread the word. Regardless of the outcome, we will be forever grateful. We’re also encouraged by the support of the city, our friends and families and other local businesses who have expressed interest in helping out. It’s such a cool thing to see people throw their weight behind a cause you’ve watched grow from nothing into something.”

The desire remains for this team to bring you a terrestrial radio station just for you; something you can tune in to while you’re driving down 9 Mile or chilling at home. No corporate sponsors, no moneyed interests. Just passionate people doing quality radio for the love of it and directing their efforts towards promoting local events, local businesses, local artists, local organizations…ALL FERNDALE.

As we went to print, the FCR team was meeting to hammer out their next moves. But local businesses should start “tuning in” to their mission via Facebook (or online at FerndaleRadio.com), because this non-profit is hoping to find some helpful underwriters. In November, you can anticipate a benefit concert, Mirowski said, hosted at one of Ferndale’s local venues.

Our fingers are crossed…

More information at : Ferndaleradio.com

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