Ferndale

Commentary: The education dilemma

Jack Lessenberry — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:52:30 +0000

Michigan Radio does an interesting occasional series called Issues and Ale, in which those who know something about a particular public policy get together with citizens in a relaxed setting to discuss things that really matter. Last night we held one on “The Future of Public Education” in an improv theatre in the city of Ferndale, which I thought was an excellent choice.

Ferndale is an older, working-class Detroit suburb which has been a distinct community since the 1920s. Times are not what were, and the city has shrunk over the years to about 20,000 people. Ferndale has become somewhat well-known over the last two decades for its welcoming of the gay and LGBT communities, who have done much to revitalize neighborhoods and the city’s downtown.

But Ferndale also has a dedicated group of parents very concerned with education, their kids’ futures, and want to make sure their children are getting what they need to succeed.

Metro Detroit LGBT center hosts 100-day "rolling" hunger strike

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:42:03 +0000

Yesterday, Affirmations Lesbian/Gay Community Center in Ferndale began what they call a "rolling" hunger strike that will last until the general election in November.

Organizers say the 100-day event protests the "extreme anti-equality environment in Michigan" of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender population.

Commentary: Grass-roots health care

Jack Lessenberry — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:54:55 +0000

Nobody would dispute that health care is one of the biggest issues facing this nation. And virtually everyone, regardless of their politics, is waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Power outages plague Oakland County communities

Sarah Cwiek — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:57:21 +0000

DTE Energy says about 12,000 customers were still without power on Tuesday, after Saturday’s strong storms. Many were clustered in southeast Oakland County, especially in the Detroit suburbs of Ferndale and Oak Park.

The utility had restored power to about 90% of its customers who saw it knocked out during the weekend storms.