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FEBRUARY 22, 2023 INSIDE: CRIME • 5A | CALENDAR • 7A | SPORTS • 8A | SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS • 11A Vol. 43, No. 4
Officials reflect on pandemic-era school experience
AND THE WINNER IS ... Shorewood Kiwanis unveil logos for Harper cruise, 3A
Sh ores
INSIDE St.Clair
MARCH 2023
PUBLIC PROJECTS TO THANKS TO TIFA TH
40TH DISTRICT COURT AMONG THE FIRST IN MICHIGAN TO E-FILE
THE 8 TIFA IMPLEMENTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
CONTINUE
AMENDMENT TO ITS
the goals (TIFA) is currently enacting amenities Increment Finance Authority is rolling out a which includes upgrading The St. Clair Shores Tax The State of Michiganprogram, and the to its Development Plan, projects. financing other public outlined in the 8th Amendment new electronic filing St. Clair Shores is public spaces along with and capacity of parks and 40th District Court in of the Blossom to pilot the 2023) sees the completion Beach House, one of twenty to be selected fiscal year (July 2022-June pits and at Blossom Heath The current plan for the platform. installation of gas fire Heath Inn, Lighthouse Tower repair and Heath Pier (shown above), flooring at the Blossom electronic filing restoration of terrazzo MiFILE is the state's new or e-filing is sponsoring city events. software. Electronic filing city for a more papers using commitments to the annual ensures Streetscape the process of filing court also TIFA and Jefferson handing them to a Outside the above projects,commitments include Wahby Park Blossom Health Park), and a computer instead of mailing them. Lights at attractive district. These court clerk in person or (including the Tunnel of Aquafest. and summer maintenance, holiday decorations the Library Literary Walk requires attorneys sponsoring events like The MiFILE initiative improvement, like (Michigan city projects for community Launch, to e-file civil case documents completed numerous Other nonto the Beach House, Boat Over the years, TIFA has Court Rule 1.109(G)(3)(f)). the established Park, including improvements to use the Other past projects include the work at Blossom Heath attorneys are not yet required to be finished this year.landscape, Jefferson Streetscape (1997-2001), and the pier extension system. themed lighting and Nautical Mile District with (1998-2001). technology and Wahby Park enhancements "We are using advanced paper and a north boundary is Jefferson Avenue, with in these cases to eliminateChief Judge of Nine Mile Clair Shores TIFA District to the south side parcels The location of the St. deliver better services," south on Jefferson Avenue and east of Jefferson to Avenue extending the 40th District of Street Jefferson Oster of Revere C. of Joseph is several parcels west for the litigants Road. The west boundary Court said. "It is a win-win We are excited and Lake St. Clair. to help fund and the environment. statewide initiative other taxing authorities so that any from revenue tax honored to begin this value in property values are frozen at a baseline The TIFA captures increases right here in St. Clair Shores." or increased market TIFA District’s property specific activities. The from new construction, property improvements, Courts One increase in property tax,TIFA to fund eligible projects. According to the Michigan MiFile was valuation, remains with Court of Justice website, to courts easier, created to make access to litigants, and provide more flexibility efficient. Each Library! help make courts more St. Clair Shores Public system with fun activities at the court has a case management Celebrate Reading Month staff to process month of March. backdrop for the entire that allows the clerk and add also automatically is creating a colorful butterfly colored tissue paper to documents. The system acceptance or The SCS Public Library their item(s), they can choose a piece of notifies filers of the into the system, When patrons check out rejection of a documentprocess. to the butterfly’s wings. to make a welcome is faster much a Everyone it making in 2022? slip at the Circulation patrons visited the library Do you know how many the library. To make a guess, fill out the guessing began training The 40th District Court MiFILE Team guess each time they visitguessing jar there. with the State of Michigan went live on a Desk and place it in the invites kids to go on in March 2022 and officially of March, the library court encourages up as their favorite happening too. For all January 24, 2023. The Children’s activities are Youth Sevices Room. Ten bookworms dressed Courts One receive a small prize. And will in the them hunt of visitors to visit the Michigan six find bookworm at www.courts. cut out and hang library. Children that Court of Justice website Creativity Center to decorate, characters and hid in the to learn coloring sheet from the michigan.gov/mifile-systems remember to pick up a process. Services Room. more about this exciting up on the endcaps in Youth
MARCH IS READING
LOOK INSIDE FOR CITY
ASSUMPTION
CULTURAL CENTER (586) 779-6111 | 21800 Marter
EVENTS
Spring/Summer’23
Road | St. Clair Shores, MI |
SPRINGTIME CULTURAL
SERIES
Russian Expansion vs. Ukrainian Survival OR Authoritarianism vs. Democracy
Natalie Melnyczuk – For 30 years, Detroit native Natalie Melnyczuk has worked as an analyst, academic and diplomat. Working for US think tanks, Universities, implementing USAID development projects, as NATO Representative to Ukraine, in the Political Security Policy Division and at NATO HQ, and as a consultant. expertise is in Euro-Atlantic Her security, with regional expertise Ukraine, Russia and Eastern in Europe. Natalie’s focus has been on building understanding between nations through collaboration and cooperation to ensure their mutual stability and security. It is the nature of Empires to conquer people and their lands, and appropriate the culture and history of the conquered as their own. With the birth the League of Nations, the United of Nations, the Laws of War, the Helsinki Commission and more, nations signed-up to a set of common values which protect small countries from the threat of the large and powerful. This system is designed to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty new all nations without the constant of threat of invasion by a more powerful and aggressive country. In this context we will examine the invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and the broader full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. We will see that Russia’s Ukraine was more predictable war on than surprising. Thursday, March 23, 6:30pm | Donation: $15
Violin and Piano Recital Kypros Markou & Dr. Marina Stojanovska
Enjoy a performance by Professor Kypros Markou, Director of Orchestral Studies, Wayne State University, violin, and Dr. Marina Stojanovska, collaborative pianist, School of Music, Oakland University, perform Dvorak’s Sonatina, Smetana’s “From My Homeland,” and other works for violin and piano.Concert will be followed by a Meet ‘n’ Greet with refreshments. Wednesday, April 26, 7pm | Tickets: $20
Hellenic Cuisine Learn to make two favorite
recipes of Greece! Classic Spinach Pie and Greek Custard Phyllo Dessert !! At the end of class, you will enjoy tasting these popular dishes. Monday, May 15, 6:30pm | Class fee: $20 Assumption looks forward to hosting these events and extends a warm welcome!
Call Center office for reservations:
MONTH AT THE LIBRARY
(586) 779-6111
48080 | www.assumptionculturalcen
ter.org
MARCHIORI CATERING
AT ASSUMPTION Celebrating 72 years and four generations of distinction in food and outstanding service make Marchiori the caterer of choice. In partnership with Assumption for more than 30 years. Host Your Next Event at Assumption Cultural Center with Marchiori Catering (586) 771-8600 Enjoy a complete Wedding Experience in spacious ballroom, grand reception area and elegant courtyard. Prestige and personalized service set the tone for conferences, business meetings and organization gatherings. Many rooms available to accommodate large and small groups and a variety of special events. Off premise catered events offered. Destination weddings and special events. Visit Marchiori Catering at the Assumption Cultural Center.
Open to the entire community! CARRY-OUT MENUS
Check out our New Daily Carry-Out Trays and Menu online at www.marchioricatering.com. To place an order, call (586) 771-8600
LENTEN SEAFOOD BUFFET
Fridays, 5-8 p.m. February 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; April 7 Dates subject to change. Call
ahead to confirm.
MOTHER’S DAY GOURMET
BRUNCH
Sunday, May 14 - Call for details.
SOUPS TO GO!
Freshly prepared soups, sauces and specialty foods – To Go!
NEWSLETTERS Look for inserts from the City of St. Clair Shores and Assumption Cultural Center in today’s edition.
ST. CLAIR SHORES — Three years into the pandemic, school officials in St. Clair Shores can reflect on school life before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. South Lake Schools Superintendent Ted Von Hiltmayer said the pandemic experience was difficult for administration, teaching staff and students. “When the kids and the students returned back face-to-face, it was difficult, just different expectations,” Von Hiltmayer said, addressing the differences between online learning at home and in-person instruction. “There was some adjustments that needed to be made as students came back and were back into being, you know, with their peers all day long, with their teachers.” Lakeview Public Schools Superintendent Karl Paulson said the pandemic forced the district to get better acquainted with technology. “Our kids and staff have gotten much more comfortable with technology,” Paulson said. He added that the transition required by the COVID shutdown, which forced educators to find a way to do some things differently, allowed the district to move its whole system more quickly to incorporate the use of technology. All three districts reported student performance taking a hit due to the pandemic. This was a statewide occurrence, with many school districts experiencing the same thing, the superintendents said. Lake Shore Public Schools Superintendent Joseph DiPonio attributed this to the uncertainty of the pandemic itself with students in and out of class-
See SCHOOL on page 21A Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
All three school districts in St. Clair Shores reported that their student performance and test scores were starting to rise again since the lockdown in March 2020.
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BY ALYSSA OCHSS
aochss@candgnews.com