Choze Powell

The Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau just released their Michigan Thumbcoast 2021 Holiday Guide. The guide can be found on their website, BlueWater.org, and includes events, tree farm experiences, and a fun Elf Off the Shelf Tour that includes an opportunity to win a $100 shopping gift card.

Michigan’s Thumbcoast is made up of the shoreline communities from Algonac up to Port Austin. Holiday events start mid-November and include Santa parades and tree-lightings along with theater performances and the YMCA’s annual Jingle Bell Run.

There are five tree farms in the area, with Western’s Tree Farm in Applegate on the north end and Egle U-Cut Tree Farm in St. Clair on the south.

BlueWater.org also features a map for shoppers with all of the wonderful boutiques that offer unique clothing, gifts and antiques.

This year’s Elf Off the Shelf Tour starts on Friday, November 26th and goes through November 28th. Participants can visit Pixie Glitter Flake the Elf in Port Huron, Marysville, St. Clair and Marine City. Those who snap a selfie with the elf can tag Discover the Blue on social media, and they will automatically be entered to win a $100 shopping gift card.

To learn more, visit https://www.bluewater.org/michigan-thumbcoast-2021-holiday-guide/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Starting November 3, 2021, Michigan Secretary of State offices will be open late on Wednesdays. Every Wednesday, offices will be open from 11 AM until 7 PM.

Thousands of appointments are released online twice per day, so getting an appointment at a Secretary of State branch is not challenging like it was during the pandemic. It simply involves checking the website at 8 AM or noon to see available appointments for the following day or further into the future.

Those without internet access can also call or walk in to receive an appointment. The number to book by telephone is 888-SOS-MICH or 888-767-6424. Those who visit a branch office will be served immediately if there is availability, or a Secretary of State agent will schedule a convenient appointment for them to return.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said, “We continue to offer numerous convenient options for Michiganders to conduct their business with us, including expanded online transactions, self-service stations at grocery stores, and now evening office hours. We are heeding the call for evening hours from community organizations and leaders and adding another way we’re making government work for the people.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Luxiny, a Kimball bath, body, and skincare company, is opening its Birchwood Mall store on Wednesday. The company has been successfully selling its products online, and they are excited to have a storefront to better serve their customers.

The new Luxiny store is located inside Birchwood Mall on the west side of the main corridor, just around the corner from the movie theater. It is filled with Luxiny’s signature products: all natural, cruelty-free, and vegan skin care, soaps, and lotions.

Owner Kelly Zinzo said it all started after she created her own skincare line. She researched ways to create a product that she loved, and it expanded from there.

When asked why she wanted to open a store in Birchwood Mall, Zinzo said, “I always loved the mall, and I hated to hear that it had lost a lot of businesses. When I heard there were new owners and there were some new businesses in here…I thought, this is a great time to get in and be a part helping bring the mall back to life.”

All of Luxiny’s products are made by hand in their Kimball warehouse, and the company prides itself on being cruelty-free which means their products are not tested on animals and they will support local animal rescues as part of their Corporate Responsibility Pledge.

Luxiny’s signature skin care line includes a Glycolic Acid cleanser and toner along with a Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Vitamin C Cream. The skincare line was what drew Rachel Farquar, Luxiny’s Social Media Marketing Coordinator, to the company. 

After using the products, she couldn’t believe how good her skin felt and how affordable the products were. “We keep our price point low to provide a luxury skincare product that is affordable for everyone because everyone deserves the luxury of beautiful skin,” said Farquhar.

Luxiny is currently hiring Assistant Managers and Sales Associates. Interested candidates should check out their job posting on Indeed <HERE> or email their resume to support@luxiny.com.

To see photos from inside the new Luxiny store, visit our Instagram page:

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Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

One thing legislators on both sides of the aisle can usually agree on is that our veterans deserve good healthcare. A bipartisan effort from four Michigan legislators has been introduced with the goal of improving the lives of veterans.

Michigan members of the United States House of Representatives, Republicans Lisa McLain and John Moolenaar and Democrats Elissa Slotkin and Debbie Dingell, worked together on the bills.

The Patient Advocate Tracker Act would create an online portal where veterans can check the status of formal complaints filed through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act would require the VA to effectively staff its patient advocacy programs.

Both Slotkin and McLain said that the Tracker Act would increase transparency and work toward giving vets the best healthcare possible while streamlining the process. Moolenaar and Dingell said the Advocacy Act would increase the number of patient advocates available to veterans.

The idea for the legislation came from Cameron Zbikowski, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Student Veterans of America.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kate Voss had a flurry of messages this week when Google’s business profile started showing her Downtown Port Huron café as permanently closed. Voss wants to assure her customers and the community that she’s open and going strong.

As far as she knows, the Google business listing was changed by a hacker, and a friend was able to quickly resolve the issue.

The Google listing for Kate’s Downtown currently has the correct information and hours which are Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM – 2 PM.

Kate’s Downtown recently celebrated its 9 year anniversary in Downtown Port Huron and is best known for its quaint interior, delicious food, and friendly staff.

Voss’s warm personality makes every guest feel like family, and her positive response to this recent issue demonstrates her desire to encourage others rather than dwell on the setbacks.

“Whomever the person is that decided to try and inconvenience us today…I encourage you to try & redeem yourself! Do something good for someone else. It’s very rewarding…way better than sabotage,” said Voss on Facebook.

To learn more about Kate’s Downtown, visit http://katesdowntown.cafe/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand