Huntington Woods Resident Gilda Jacobs Among 'Feminists of the Year'

The former state senator receives the Loretta Moore Award from the Wayne County chapter of the National Organization for Women.

Editor's Note: This article previously ran in August 2011. It is an example of the many people in the area who are making a difference. Tell us about others in the comments. Huntington Woods resident Gilda Jacobs was among four Detroit-area women named "Feminists of the Year" by the Wayne County chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Jacobs received the Loretta Moore Award for consciousness-raising on behalf of women Friday during Women's Equality Day at a private home in Detroit. Jacobs served as a state lawmaker for 12 years in both the state House and Senate, and is now president and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services, a Lansing-based nonprofit. "I am now a recovering state senator," she joked.  Jacobs said …

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Year in Review: Former Berkley Mayor Marilyn Stephan Says Farewell

The longtime resident recalls her most memorable moments in office and says she plans to spend her time with family and, of course, volunteering on behalf of the city during her retirement.

The story: Former Berkley Mayor Marilyn Stephan, who was elected in 2005 and before that served on council since 1999, did not file to run in the Nov. 8 election. Former City Councilman Phil O'Dwyer, who ran unopposed, was elected mayor. The update: Stephan, who is expecting another grandchild in March, said she plans to spend her newfound free time doting on family. "I didn't intend to stay this long to begin with," she said with a smile. "I've served the community for 22 years. I think I've done my part." Prior to her career in city government, Stephan taught at Anderson Middle School, Norup International School and Berkley High School. She also served as Berkley Education Association union president for 10 years before her retirement in…

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Lianne Mathie

11:35 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011

Thank you for all you have done.I know you will not stay still for long,God bless you.   more ›

Huntington Woods Disability Rights Advocate Nominated in 'Heroes' Program

Micah Fialka-Feldman, who won fight against Oakland University, is part of national balloting online.

Micah Fialka-Feldman of Huntington Woods is among nine Michigan nominees in the third annual Jewish Community Heroes program sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America. Public voting online through Nov. 10 will select 20 semi-finalists.  State nominees also include Yisrael Pinson and Peri Kramer of West Bloomfield, Joshua Levinson of Royal Oak and Janet Berman of Farmington Hills. To vote through midnight Nov. 10, visit this page. Votes can be cast daily. Email address and zip code are requested. 

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Brave Faces: Michigan Breast Cancer Fighters, Survivors Share Stories

They are our mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmas, husbands, uncles, friends and neighbors — and they all fought breast cancer. These brave Michigan men and women shared their stories with Patch.

We went looking for faces of survival. We found inspiration. Patch asked Michigan women and men who have fought breast cancer to share their struggles, tears and triumphs with us during October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer survivor Cynde Lebert, 59, of Canton, tells newly diagnosed women: “You'll be fine. You're alive and that's the most important thing.” Farmington Hills resident Dick Jaeger, 70, is one of the approximately 2,140 men diagnosed each year with breast cancer. "The answer is know your body and don't take anything for granted," Jaeger said. "Every day, I'm a cancer survivor," said Jean Bean, a 58-year-old mom, wife and interior designer from Rochester. "I don't obsess about it, but it's always there." Nancy …

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Clare Pfeiffer Ramsey

11:39 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011

Wow Stacy. We'll be sure to get this on our events calendar. Can you email me or marina.cracchiolo@patch.com with the details? And best wishes to Nichole!   more ›

Dennis Archer: Everyone Has the Power to Make a Difference

The former Detroit mayor delivered the keynote address Monday during the annual Tri-Community Coalition Leadership Breakfast in Berkley.

Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer delivered an inspiring keynote address Monday during the annual Tri-Community Coalition Leadership Breakfast, urging those in attendance to remember that every individual can make a difference in the world. His speech came on the heels of news Aug. 31 that the organization will receive a Drug Free Communities grant of $125,000 each year for the next 5 years to help prevent and reduce substance use among young people in Berkley, Huntington Woods and Oak Park. "The coalition's work cannot and should not be minimized. We save lives," Executive Director Judy Rubin told the audience Monday at Farina's Banquet Center in Berkley. Paving the way for Archer's speech, "Leadership from the Perspective of a …

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Photos: Vietnam Veteran Receives Bronze Star

Sen. Carl Levin presents the medal during a Fourth of July ceremony at the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 19, facility in Berkley.

Vietnam War veteran Ken Richardson received a Bronze Star on Monday at the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 19, post in Berkley, presented by U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan. The senator apologized to Richardson, and all of the Vietnam War veterans who were present, that recognition for their sacrifices has been so long delayed. "This medal is a long time in coming," Levin said. "In a way, it's symbolic of the Vietnam War. "People took out their differences on people who risked their lives for us," he said, adding that he hopes that part of history will never be repeated. Richardson, who served as an artillery forward observer in Vietnam from October 1967 until May 1968, joked with Levin that the honor was better late than never. "I …

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Runner Thanks Berkley Officers Who Saved His Life

"I was in the right place at the right time," says Art Garcia of Dearborn Heights, who suffered a heart attack after crossing the finish line during a Berkley Days race earlier this month.

It was an emotional reunion Friday for Art Garcia and the two Berkley Public Safety officers who helped save his life. It's been just under two weeks since the fit 53-year-old collapsed after completing the 1-mile Berkley Days race May 8 at Anderson Middle School. Garcia, who'd been training for a triathlon and said he enjoys kickboxing, suffered a massive heart attack that sent him crashing to the ground, unconscious. "After the race, I crossed the finish line and I was just waiting (to register my number)," the Dearborn Heights resident said Friday. "I felt fine. I didn't feel any shortness of breath or tightness in my chest." After he collapsed, frantic onlookers called 911, alerting BPS Officers Greg Betts and Jeff Onesko, who were…

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Getting to Know You

Huntington Woods Biz Whiz Takes Path Less Traveled

Kevin Howley left the corporate world to put family first and to help turn around struggling nonprofit groups.

Huntington Woods resident Kevin Howley, who has overseen multimillion-dollar deals and directed thousands of employees, walked away from corporate life to focus on his family and give back to the world that has given him so much. The pragmatic businessman with an altruistic streak, who recently came on board as interim CEO at Affirmations in Ferndale, is one of the busiest retirees you'll ever meet. He has been working as a transitional agent – breathing new life into financially struggling nonprofit organizations – for seven years, while raising his son, Langston, and daughter, Lily, with partner Jason Tylenda. Howley's resume is impressive. The Farmington Hills native left home at 17 to study political science and economics at Kalamazoo …

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Longtime Resident Receives Champions of Youth Award

Betty Smith of Berkley is the driving force behind Adopt-a-Camper program, among others.

Many residents of Berkley and Huntington Woods recognize Betty Smith from baseball games, Our Lady of La Salette church, the high school, Red Hat Society events and even Hiller's market, but Oakland County Youth Assistance recently recognized Smith for her work in the community. The volunteer organization presented the longtime Berkley resident with its 2009 Champions of Youth Award in honor of her giving spirit. The award recognizes Smith for 39 years of service with Berkley-Huntington Woods Youth Assistance, a nonprofit that specializes in building character in community youths through volunteerism.  Steve Fairman, director of Public Safety for Huntington Woods and co-board member for Berkley-Huntington Woods Youth Assistance…

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Getting to Know You

Jacobs Prepares for Life After Politics

Longtime Huntington Woods lawmaker and woman of firsts ready to take on a new role in the nonprofit sector.

State Sen. Gilda Jacobs of Huntington Woods has worn many hats during her decades-long career as a pioneer and public servant. Now, the term-limited Democrat representing the 14th District, which includes Huntington Woods, looks forward to a new role outside politics. Once Jacobs completes her state Senate term, she will become the president and CEO of the nonprofit Michigan League for Human Services, which assists low-income state residents with health and social welfare issues. While term limits are the stated reason for Jacobs' departure from Lansing, she concedes an increasingly partisan political scene has made it more difficult to pass legislation, leaving her frustrated. "Gilda Jacobs was an extremely hard-working, able and …

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Leslie Ellis

5:24 pm on Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Hi, Deborah! I'm really glad you're happy with the site so far! Remember, I'm always happy to hear from readers, so feel free to e-mail or call me if you have story ideas or concerns.   more ›