Patch Drives

After Duct-Taped Van Dies, Patch's Car-Shopping Mom Finally Gets a New Ride

Patch readers will remember Angela Youngblood from her "Patch Drives" test-driving series last year. Read about her new vehicle — and about how her big, old van turned into a teachable moment for her whole family.

Editor's note: Rochester mom Angela Youngblood chronicled her car-shopping adventure across Oakland and Macomb counties last year for a series we called Patch Drives. Patch readers went along as Youngblood test drove a Honda Odyssey, Ford Flex, MINI Cooper, Chevy Suburban, Dodge Journey and Chrysler Town & Country. Here is the long-awaited ending to her research and travels. Last spring, I was van shopping.  I was searching for the right fit for our family.  You all went along for the ride while I tried out different SUVs, minivans and even a MINI Cooper. Eight long months have passed and I finally got my new ride. Let me back up a bit.  Since we last talked, the van has been falling apart little by little, sort of like my pride.  After …

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Resident Says: It's Dangerous to Sled at Booth Park

One Patch blogger says the city needs to set up hay bales for the young sledders at Booth Park.

Blogger: This Cyclist Thinks Birmingham Roads Are Just Fine

"Is it worth spending large dollars — anyone's large dollars — to make something that is already excellent even better?"

Letters to the Editor

Superintendent Asks for Community Support During School Board Recognition Month

"For school districts to be governed well it requires the selfless sacrifice of individuals willing to serve on a local board of education," Birmingham Superintendent Daniel Nerad says.

This letter was received by Birmingham Patch Editor Laura Houser. Dear Editor, As a superintendent of schools, it truly is not difficult to recognize public schools as the great backbone of our democracy. The public schools are the one institution in our country that has its doors open for all children and represents, through our locally elected school boards, what our communities want for our children. Needless to say, this is very important work and the purpose of this letter is to recognize one important element of what makes public schools so special. We live and work in challenging times. For school districts to be governed well it requires the selfless sacrifice of individuals willing to serve on a local board of education. The men …

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Letters to the Editor

Birmingham Education Foundation Gives $150,000 Back to Students in 2012

"Through the generosity of our community, 2012 was our most successful year ever," the Birmingham Education Foundation Executive Director Laura Couger says.

This letter was received by Birmingham Patch Editor Laura Houser. The Birmingham Education Foundation (BEF) continued its mission of inspiring minds and expanding possibilities by deploying almost $150,000 to district teachers and staff who found innovative ways to reach students. BEF provides grants in support of teachers and administrators who want to offer their kids a deeper, more comprehensive experience in a particular subject area.     “Our teachers do a wonderful job bringing the curriculum to life and inspiring and challenging our kids,” said Laura Couger, BEF executive director.   “Through the generosity of our community, 2012 was our most successful year ever and we were able to support enriching experiences that both extend and…

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Letters to the Editor

Area Pastor: Turn to God for Strength, Hope on Christmas

As the nation mourns the deaths of students at Sandy Hook Elementary School, local pastors remind Birmingham residents that God's love will prevail.

This letter was received by Birmingham Patch Editor Laura Houser. From Thanksgiving Day on, it seemed as though you could sense a growing atmosphere of joy and happiness in anticipation of the upcoming celebration of Christmas. The stores filled with shoppers, the lighted trees and carol singing all added to the joy of the season. Then came the news of the massacre of 20 children and 6 adults in Newtown, Conn. two Fridays ago, which sent shock waves all across this country. We have felt the grief and pain of the parents and families of these children whose lives were taken and the adults who died trying to protect them. How can we celebrate Christmas in the wake of this tragedy? What can help us find peace and joy in the midst of this …

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Dec. 21: End of the World? Scholars and NASA Say No

Find out what the experts are saying about the Dec. 21, 2012, Doomsday prophesies, the end of the Mayan calendar and their potential impact on Birmingham.

Don’t make any rash decisions: Experts say 12/21/12 is going to be just another typical winter solstice. Killer solar flares aren’t expected. Another planet isn’t on a collision course with ours. And the Mayan “long count calendar” ending on this date has no real significance — they just had to end it somewhere! What is all the fuss about? There are a number of theories and predictions that call for earth’s demise on Dec. 21, 2012. They include: What are experts saying? The intrigue created by multiple end-of-the-world predictions has made many scholars and even NASA stand up to make statements debunking the claims. From professors at Tampa Bay’s own New College to the scientific minds at NASA, they’re all saying the same thing: Go ahead …

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Here's How To Photograph Your Holiday Lights, Birmingham

Whether you're working to keep up with the neighbors or working to enter Patch's "Deck the House" contest, here are some tips to get you started.

Did you spend the weekend decorating your front yard with lights? Before you show it off, check out these tips from Patch photographer Edward Maurer. Maurer recommends a tripod, a timer and a camera with the ability to adjust the shutter speed. But he also shows you how to take a holiday lights photo with your iPhone — and how to have fun with your images. Do you have a tip to share? Post it in the comments here. And then, after you practice, enter our Deck The House contest - you could win $100,000 for Birmingham Public Schools!

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What Do You Think About Right-to-Work Legislation?

Post your views on the proposed right-to-work legislation by contributing to the Local Voices section of Birmingham Patch.

Do you have an opinion on the proposed right-to-work legislation? Then we would like you to let everyone know about it by sharing it on Birmingham Patch. All you need to do is add your opinion — it could be as short as a sentence or as long as a term paper — to our Local Voices section. We know you have opinions on the proposed legislation. On the Birmingham Patch Facebook page, residents and readers debated the legislation in an active comment stream. While comment on Facebook is easy, submitting a Patch blog is just as quick: just click here and post your opinion — it's that easy! Whether you are for or against the right-to-work bills, we would love for you to share your voice with the Birmingham community.

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Gov. Rick Snyder Wants Right-to-Work Legislation

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced Thursday morning that he would sign right-to-work legislation if passed by the state Legislature.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced Thursday that he would pursue right-to-work legislation for public and private employees in the state, according to the Detroit Free Press. The law would include an exemption for firefighters and police officers, but it would apply to 17.5 percent of Michigan's workforce, according to the Detroit News.

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