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“Have you been found?”

“Have You Been Found?” What a busy morning! I had arrived just in time for an appointment. As I stepped out of my car I took an important phone call, shoved my keys in the open side pocket of my shoulder bag, and hurriedly made my way toward the entrance as I wrapped up the conversation. An hour later, I descended the elevator toward the exit and discovered that my keys were missing. Assuming that I had accidentally dropped them during my appointment, I returned to that area where helpful staff joined the search. We searched under chairs, on tables, and even in the garbage, but no ...

An invitation to build hope in Northeast Michigan

A few months ago, I wrote in this space about why Northeast Michigan needs Habitat for Humanity — about the housing crisis playing out quietly behind front doors across our five counties, and about an organization built to answer it one home at a time. Today I want to tell you how you can be ...

Maintain fireplace chimney for efficiency, safety

Dear Jim: My wood-burning fireplace chimney hasn't been cleaned recently. There are discolored spots on the brick outdoors. What maintenance can I do myself? - Anna J. Dear Anna: It always is best to have the chimney flue professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep before you attempt some do-it-yourself maintenance items. A typical cleaning also includes a complete inspection of the chimney. Every year thousands of houses burn to the ground from chimney fires. The bad outdoor spots on the chimney should be checked, but are not as serious as issues inside the chimney. The most common ...

The tide turns toward doom

The macroeconomic numbers are good. America is near full employment. The stock market is doing well. Inflation is high, but down from where it was with former President Joe Biden. Americans do not care. They hate both parties. Republican operatives on the ground in state after state tell me ...

Is downtown headed for a downturn?

Over the summer, there seemed to be a higher number than usual of businesses closing their doors or facing significant changes. Thunder Bay Winery moved from the Center Building to their manufacturing facility on Water Street. Sweet Baby James closed its doors. Noise & Toys relocated outside ...

What’s wrong with our schools?

Author and activist Nikole Hannah-Jones published an emotional essay in the New York Times Magazine last week titled "In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?" In the piece, Hannah-Jones writes about the consequences of having deliberately selected a school for her daughter, ...