Is your child interested in the theater? The YMCA of the Blue Water Area is offering their NEWEST Spark Camp this December: Broadway Beginnings. Let your little actor dream, discover & do! This hands-on Sparks Camp is interactive and will introduce your child to acting, set design, lighting and more! The camp will be held on Saturday mornings and is for children ages 6 – 12 years old.
Ways to Register:
• Online: www.bluewaterymca.com
• In Person: Welcome Center, 1525 3rd Street, Port Huron
• By Phone: (810) 987-6400

The St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission and the Community Foundation have kicked off an ambitious regional trail planning project which will impact state and regional trail efforts.  The planning will address gaps and potential economic impact for the Bridge to Bay Trail, Great Lakes to Lake Trail along with the Wadhams to Avoca Trail.   Under the leadership and guidance of St. Clair County Parks & Recreation, the Bridge to Bay Trail concept began back in the early 1990’s.  Its ultimate goal is a 54 mile trail system from New Baltimore up to Lakeport State Park.  The Great Lakes to Lake Trail is an ambitious state-wide trail project which began in 2009 and when complete will stretch from South Haven along the shores of Lake Michigan to Port Huron on the shores of Lake Huron.    “This is an important step for our region, including stretching into downtown Richmond,” said County Board Chair, Jeff Bohm.  “Over these last several years we have seen significant new developments throughout our region, and now is the time to see if we connect these new developments and assets with a completed regional pedestrian trail system.”   According to Dave Struck, Planning Director of the Metropolitan Planning Commission, the consulting firm of SmithGroup has been hired to conduct a detailed strategy and action plan outlining specific steps and recommended sequences for completing the Bridge to Bay Trail and the Great Lakes to Lake Trail.  Funding to support this work was provided from SEMCOG and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.  SmithGroup designed and planned the Blue Water River Walk among other regional projects. Simultaneously, the Community Foundation has hired the firm of Public Sector Consultants to conduct an economic impact study which will help educate regional stakeholders on the potential economic benefits and impact of a completed regional trail system.    “We’re seeing a lot of new investment throughout our region,” said Randy Maiers, president of the Community Foundation.  “With continued financial support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation we need to gain a better understanding of both the successes and shortcomings of other regions who have developed comprehensive trail systems.”  Maiers added that the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to support this regional planning effort.    The first round of public input for the work being conducted by SmithGroup will take place December 11 with both a lunchtime focus group session at the St. Clair County Administration Building, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and an early evening focus group session at Sperry’s 2^nd Floor Dinnerhouse, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The public is invited to both sessions to provide input on the future of the countywide trail network.    “Our timeframe is to have both reports done by the end of March 2019,” said Dave Struck.  “Then our regional stakeholders, led by Blue Meets Green, can decide what the next appropriate steps may be.”

One of the more common causes of back injuries during the winter months is snow removal. Using the wrong  body mechanics when shoveling snow can put undue stress on the spine and lead to muscle strains, falls, or more serious back injuries. These injuries can be prevented if proper precautions are taken.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU BEGIN
• Warm-up your muscles. Shoveling can be a vigorous activity.
• Pace yourself. Take frequent breaks and prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of
fluids. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath or other signs of a heart
attack, stop shoveling/blowing and seek emergency care.
• Use a shovel that is comfortable for your height and strength. Do not use a shovel
that is too heavy or too long for you.
• Try to push the snow instead of lifting it. If you must lift, do it properly.
• Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting
motion that stresses your back.
SNOW BLOWERS
A snow blower can be a useful tool for removing snow quickly. But while often more
convenient, they can also be more dangerous than shoveling. Be aware of the proper
techniques of using a snow blower and read the user manual and pay attention to labels on
the machine.
• Never stick your hands in the snow blower! If snow jams the snow blower, stop the
engine and use a solid object to clear wet snow or debris from the chute. Beware of
the brief recoil of motor and blades that occurs after the machine has been turned
off.
• Do not leave the snow blower unattended when it is running.
• Add fuel before starting the snow blower. Never add fuel when the engine is running
or hot.
• Stay away from the engine. It can become very hot and burn unprotected flesh.
• Watch the snow blower cord. If you are operating an electric snow blower, be aware
of where the power cord is at all times.
SIDEWALKS & DRIVEWAYS
It’s also important to keep ice clear from your sidewalks and driveways to prevent accidents.
Ice melt and all-purpose sand can add traction to these surfaces, plus ice chippers work well.

Did you know most home fires start in the kitchen? Whether you’re making turkey or pie this holiday season, it is important to be careful when you’re cooking. Use these tips to make sure your Thanksgiving is safe and delicious: · Keep an eye on food when cooking. · Wear short sleeves or roll them up. Long sleeves can catch on fire. · Never leave frying food alone. Most home cooking fires start when food is left unattended.  Keep the cooking range free of clutter.   Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy while cooking. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on a flame-resistant oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner.   Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know how to use it.  To learn more about staying safe over the holidays, visit https://www.ready.gov/holiday-toolkit. Join the conversation on social media by following @Citizen_Corps and @Prepareathon. Share your holiday safety tips with #HolidaySafety!

On Thursday, December 6, eight local entrepreneurs will give their best business pitch in the region’s 2018 Catapult small business competition as they compete for cash prizes to launch or grow their business.  The local first place winner will advance to the I-69 Thumb regional Catapult event in January 2019 for the opportunity to represent St. Clair County and win additional funding.  Catapult 2018 will begin at 6PM in The Underground Business incubator and is free to attend, although registration is required.  Those interested in hearing local business pitches and interesting ideas or supporting competitors in the competition are encouraged to register at www.startunderground.com     Catapult Business Competitors include (1)The Industry; Josh Sabo…The Industry is a new nonprofit that helps build the lives of young people. We are a talent retention and development program, working with 17-25 year old people to discover their talents, skills, and character in order to help them become employable community leaders. Our goal is to implement their skills into the workforce in their own community.  (2) Winsom Rewards, LLC;  Chris Smith and Michael Sharber.  Winsom is an app that solves the fitness motivation riddle. A majority of apps track what you’re doing or tell you what to do; Winsom will motivate you to get to the gym and work out. Our Phase One focus is students in Michigan. We’ll expand into the midwest and the rest of the country in Phase Two. We’ll expand out of the college market into all gyms in the US and other countries, wellness programs for businesses and other opportunities in Phase Three. (3) 4ever2, LLC,  Patrick Coughlin.  4ever2 Jewelstone Bands, have several unique advantages over traditional wedding bands. They are the world’s most comfortable wedding band as the two bands are engineered with a special curvature and width and easily roll over each other. Many claim our bands are so comfortable, they forget they are wearing a wedding band. (4) Hanton L.L.C -Hantoon’s Munny;  Mark Hanton.  Munny is the world’s best up and coming honey mustard sauce. (5)  Golden Laser Designs; Gregg Masters Jr.   Golden Laser Designs is a new business established in 2017. It is both a business to business and business to customer company offering custom laser engraving on a variety of products including acrylic, glass, leather, aluminum, and wood. All engraving is done in house with an Epilog 60 Watt Helix laser and products can be completely customized with a company’s logo, tagline, and can be designed by the individual also. (6) South of Heaven Beverage Company; Keith Gram.  South of Heaven Beverage Co. aims to bring the best tasting, highest-quality beverages to the marketplace. Our goal is to be health conscious and environmentally responsible. Our first product launched will be a one of kind Bloody Mary mix. A combination of organic ingredients expertly balanced to provide a Bloody Mary experience unlike any other by uniting the bold flavors of unique peppers with carefully chosen herbs and spices.  (7) Niche IX;  Dairoll Medrano.  Niche IX is a Visual, Performing Arts and Technology Boutique dedicated to serving the St Clair County and surrounding areas. As a co-operative space where creative artists, musicians, performing artists and the public can explore and develop their talents, trades and expectations as individuals and groups. And (8)  Activio;  Robert Frisch II.  Activio is a directory website focused on the adventure tourism market. We provide a marketing platform for activity operators to present their activities and make them more accessible to the general public. At our core is our custom video content feed. Our snackable video content drives user engagement, which gives users easily accessible content. We are focused on bringing the best activities to our users by making the content efficient and creative.

Local Prizes:  $2,500 First Place, $1,500 Second Place
Regional Prizes: $6,000 First Place, $4,000 Second Place, $2,000 Third Place Prize
(1^st Place local winner will advance to the regional event on January 24 to represent St. Clair County).

Around 175 TEC students, staff, friends and family raised money for charity by taking the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Dec. 1. The plunge, sponsored by the Port Huron Kiwanis, was at Lakeside Beach in Port Huron. Lane Robinson, adviser of TEC’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society, said TEC had at least 5 students vying to be the last one out of the frigid water. Cosmetology students offered free face painting. TEC also provided free hot cocoa. The money raised by plunge pledges is part of a larger campaign called “TEC Kids Care.” Students are collecting money and clothing, coats and personal care items in all TEC classrooms. All proceeds go to Kids in Distress Services (KIDS) in St. Clair. This campaign has won TEC’s honor society chapter a national award five years in a row. Contact Robinson at TEC, ext. 4229, to contribute.