Long-time Chamber member Monicatti Motors and the Monicatti family and staff are alive, well, and are “continuing their legacy of providing their family of customers the same honesty and quality as they have in the past.” In the automotive business for over 75 years, starting as a small gas station and have grown to a full sales and service automotive center complete with collision center and loaner car services. “We are looking forward to helping our customers as we move forward in our new journey.”

They have their “PrimeCar” “Brand new used cars,” NAPA AutoCare Center for repairs and tire services, NAPA Collision Center, NAPA parts to service all brands and models of vehicles, with convenient hours and a great reputation, and they seek and value your business. Click here to learn more about all that Monicatti has to offer!

Click here for Macomb County Charter Commission Questions and Asnwers

 

 

Charter = County Executive Committee
Our Chamber has partnered with this committee to give us more of a voice in the overall charter process. Our Public Policy Committee and our chamber support this process, which is progressing quite well.

 

Verizon storm ready: most cell sites now have onsite generators
Verizon Wireless said Thursday it had installed permanent backup generators at nearly 90 percent of its cell sites in Michigan, ensuring its customers can continue to communicate during power outages caused by thunderstorms, flooding and other natural disasters. The backup generators cost about $35,000 each. Verizon deploys portable generators in other locations, usually due to specific location or environmental reasons, where permanent generators can't be sited.

Beaumont announces formation of children's hospital
Beaumont Hospitals announced today the formation of a new entity called the Beaumont Children’s Hospital located at its Royal Oak hospital. The Beaumont Children’s Hospital offers 36 different pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties with 83 pediatric sub-specialists, a dedicated children’s surgical team with board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists and more than 200 board-certified pediatricians.

Michigan astronaut to fly next Space Shuttle mission
Andrew Feustel, who was born in Lake Orion, will make his first journey into orbit on space shuttle Atlantis' mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis is targeted to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida Tuesday, May 12 at 1:31 p.m. Eastern time. NASA Television will feature prerecorded individual interviews with the crew members beginning April 20. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information, visit www.nasa.gov/ntv. Mission Specialist Feustel is one of seven astronauts who will fly on the space shuttle's fifth and final servicing mission to Hubble. The 11-day flight will include five spacewalks to make repairs and upgrades to the telescope. 

Plex Online speaks Chinese
Auburn Hills-based Plex Systems Inc. Wednesday announced availability of fully integrated functions to manage business requirements faced by manufacturers operating in China. Plex Online, delivered via the Software as a Service model, easily incorporates and manages data in yuan currency, Chinese date formats, tax and other business requirements unique to China ‘s mainland region, as well as offering all features and functions translated into Mandarin, the predominant language in China.

Italian Cultural Center does their bit for the economy
There is something very special going on at the Italian American Cultural Society Banquet & Conference Center at Partridge Creek.  In our efforts to help our neighbors STAY working, and in the SPIRIT of our Italian heritage, we are offering a revolutionary, stimulating proposal. 
If you purchase or lease a brand new Ford, Chrysler, or General Motors vehicle this year, the IACS Banquet Center will give you a 10 percent discount on any party costing $500 up to $2,000.  You may contact John Bommarito, Banquet Manager, at 586/228-3030, for more information.  This offer is good for the remainder of 2009.  The IACS is extremely pleased, in keeping with the IACS Mission Statement, to assist and serve in the welfare of our community.  

 

 

 At Extra Credit Union, financial education is a priority.

Stop thief! Software lets stolen laptops speak up
Stolen laptop? Front Door Software Corp.'s Retriever program displays your contact information as your computer boots up. There's even space for a plea to a Good Samaritan -- "$50 for my safe return," maybe. In most cases, that's enough to help an honest person return the machine, said Carrie Hafeman, CEO of the five-person company based in Evergreen, Colo. But in the darkest scenarios, Retriever takes off the kid gloves. You can log on to a Web site and check a box indicating the computer is missing. Now during start-up, a big yellow and red banner appears on the screen, boldly declaring the laptop lost or stolen. This message is set to reappear every 30 seconds, no matter how many times the thief closes the window. Behind the scenes, Retriever uses Wi-Fi to sniff out nearby networks, then suss out what Internet service providers power them. With that information in hand, you can file a police report and get help locating the criminal.

 

Rep. Levin Receives Leadership Award for Work to Prevent Youth Drug Use  
The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) recently presented Rep. Levin with their highest honor, the National Leadership Award, for his long-time support of efforts to prevent youth anti-drug use.  In 1997, Rep. Levin co-authored legislation that created the Drug Free Communities Program, which provides grants to local anti-drug coalitions and gives them the tools to prevent drug by involving every sector of the community: schools, law enforcement, businesses, religious institutions, after-school programs, and, most importantly, the home.  This legislation recognized that any effective national anti-drug strategy must target prevention and that communities need the tools to address what goes on in their neighborhoods.  Today, over 795 coalitions receive funding under the Drug Free Communities Program, which is administered by CADCA. To find out how to contact your community’s anti-drug coalition, please visit http://www.house.gov/levin/levin_issues_ anti-drug_contact.shtml

DTE proposes renewable energy, conservation programs
DTE Energy has filed renewable energy and energy optimization proposals with the Michigan Public Service Commission that would significantly increase the amount of renewable energy generated in the state and establish broad-based energy efficiency programs for DTE Energy customers. Public Act 295, passed by the Michigan legislature last October, calls for the state's electric utilities to supply 10 percent of their retail sales with renewable energy by 2015. To meet this goal, DTE Energy's filing proposes 1,200 new megawatts of renewable energy. The company plans to construct renewable energy projects to meet about half of this capacity, mostly from wind, and contract with third-party producers for the rest.

 

Enhanced drivers license make travel simpler
Visitors to the 2009 Outdoorama show in Novi learned more about Michigan’s upcoming enhanced driver’s license, which eases travel back into the United States, and other Secretary of State services, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land recently noted that, “many Michigan outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Canadian hunting, fishing and camping trips,” Land said.  “With more stringent border crossing rules starting June 1, they should consider the enhanced driver’s license as a convenient, less expensive option that allows them to return to the United States.  Their adventure should be at camp, not at the border.” The Secretary of State’s Office will have a booth at the Rock Financial Showplace.  The booth featured information about the enhanced driver’s license, which goes on sale this spring.  Representatives will be available to answer questions about the license and other department services. 

 

 Michigan’s enhanced driver’s license was proposed by Land as a way for travelers to speed their return from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.  Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all travelers — including U.S. citizens — must produce a passport or an approved secure document such as the enhanced driver’s license to enter the country by land or sea beginning June 1.  The law affects people who travel between Michigan and Canada in pleasure boats, in addition to other modes of travel. Land’s plan to offer enhanced driver’s licenses and state-issued ID cards was approved in 2008 by the Michigan Legislature and the governor, as well as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  The cards will be voluntary and available in the spring only to Michigan residents who are U.S. citizens.  They will cost $45.  Michigan will continue offering its standard driver’s license as well.
 
Health 1st Chiropractic adds Dr. Pam Tomaszycki to its team of  specialists
Growing up in Macomb County, Tomaszycki has been practicing chiropractic care for eight years in the Clinton Township area where she owned Chiropractic First Family Wellness Center and The Health Energy Movement. Tomaszycki spends time educating the community about the importance of where health and wellness. She joins Health 1st to continue providing a local facility where families can take their first steps toward becoming healthier with chiropractic care being a part of this journey. "My goal is to encourage families and individuals to continue learning more about wellness care until they've reached their own health goals," said Tomaszycki. The Health 1st purpose is to support as many people as possible in their quest for health and to educate them about chiropractic so they, in turn, educate others. Mother of two, Tomaszycki teaches regular health seminars throughout the community.  She will be at Life Smart Foods in Utica, guiding families in their journey to improving their quality of life. The next Health Awareness Seminar will be March 12, entitled How to Stop Stress From Killing You. thehealthmovement@comcast.net.