George James

Lexington Bach Festival Returns this Weekend

Everybody needs a little Johan Sebastian Bach every now and then. The Lexington Bach Festival is bringing three days of world-class classical music to the Blue Water Area.

The festival opens this year with free performances at noon and 7 p.m. today at the Fine Arts Building at St. Clair County Community College.

Today’s concert features the Lexington Bach Festival String Quartet playing J.S. Bach, Prokofiev, and Haydn. If you miss the Thursday concert, there are three more days of classical music.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s shows will be held at St. Denis Catholic Church in Lexington. The shows will feature a pre-concert talk with Music Director John Thomas Dodson 45 minutes before the performance time.

Friday’s show is at 7 p.m. showcases the talents of pianist Mark Markham. Saturday’s show is at 7 p.m. also and will be hosting Chicago’s renowned brass quintet, Axiom Brass.

Sunday’s show is at 4 p.m. and brings pianist Mark Markham back joined by acclaimed soprano Leah Crocetto.

Further information and tickets are available at Weekends in Port Huron and Lexington, or on

www.lexington-arts.org or www.lexingtonbachfestival.org or by phone 810-689-4250.

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Trails Week Brings Challenge to Log 100,000 Miles of Trail Use

Michigan Trails Week is September 19th-26th. It’s also the kickoff to the Michigan Trails Week Challenge where trail users work toward a combined 100,000 miles traveled on local, county, state, or federally managed trails.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is trying to get Michigan on the radar of trail enthusiasts nationwide with Trails Week. There are over 13,000 miles of state-designated trails.

Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division said, “State parks and trails are welcoming places with ample opportunity to improve your physical and mental health. Getting outside on a trail is an easy way to promote good health and take in the outdoors, and that’s the concept behind these resources that are part of ‘Michigan’s big green gym.'”

To participate in the Trails Week Challenge, you will need to register online and log your miles spent on trails. Virtual badges can be earned for various outdoor activities.

Trails Week Challenge

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MiABLE Helps Those with Disabilities Save Money

The Michigan Department of Treasury has announced Michigan’s participation in the National ABLE Alliance. ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience and works to create the most cost-effective and user-friendly ABLE programs for people with disabilities.

The MiABLE programs are financial accounts that allow users to save money, up to $100,000, that is not considered when applying for other federal or state benefits, like Social Security Disability Income, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

As one of the first states to launch an ABLE plan, MiABLE has more than $31.2 million in assets in over 6,300 accounts.

Eligible participants have to have been disabled before the age of 26. The money can be used for qualified disability expenses like education, housing, transportation, medical costs, assistive technology, and others.

Participation in the national ABLE program transfers the management of the funds to a new servicer and current participants will be notified.

MiABLE.org or 844-656-7225

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water League of the Blind Hosting 5K to Fund Braille Machine

The Blue Water League of the Blind is raising funds to purchase a new Braille embosser to be used at the St. Clair County Library System for the benefit of the community. The League is hosting a 5K Fun Run on Saturday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Gratiot Pond Park.

The machine that the League of the Blind wants to purchase is a HumanWare 120 Juliet Braille embosser. It will be used for the Library Assistive Media and Talking Books service at the St. Clair County Library System.

The machine has a lot of practical uses for the visually impaired community’s everyday lives. It can be used to print text in braille for hospitals, schools, places of worship, businesses, and non-profits. Various institutions and businesses need to provide braille material for clients, students, and visitors, and this machine makes it possible.

The Fun Run will help raise money for the valuable machine. The entry fee for Saturday’s 5K is only $10 and all ages and abilities are welcome.

To register or volunteer for this event, please contact Bob Furtado, VP of Blue Water League of the Blind at bobthebrailler@yahoo.com or (810) 334-0512

bwlblind.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Many Jobs Available at Two Job Fairs

Jobs are plentiful in the Blue Water Area right now. Many local businesses have positions to fill. The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County and Macomb-St. Clair Michigan Works! are hosting two “mini” job fairs featuring companies that have immediate needs.

The first mini job fair will be held Wednesday, September 15th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Harvey Reinvestment Center, located at 3013 24th Street in Port Huron.

Tomorrow’s job fair features Aludyne, Lake Huron Medical Center, Marwood Nursing and Rehab, Martina’s Grill, P.J. Wallbank Springs, Port Huron Area School District, Port Huron Country Style Marketplace, and US Farathane.

The second mini job fair is scheduled for Wednesday, September 29th from 11:00 a.mm to 2:00 p.m. at the Marysville Community Center, located at 867 East Huron Boulevard.

The Marysville job fair features Campbell & Shaw Steel, St. Clair County Community Mental Health, SMR Automotive Systems USA, Super 8 Motel, and ZF Axel Drives Marysville.

Those attending should bring their resumes and be ready for an onsite interview. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland