The House Agriculture Committee this week passed state Rep. Dan Lauwers’ plan to update and streamline the state’s laws protecting Michigan’s animal food agriculture.  “This solution is a great example of legislators and constituents working together to serve Michiganders and make government more efficient,” Lauwers said. “Our farming technology has changed dramatically since this law was first enacted in the 1980s, and I am pleased to see the important work of updating the law move forward. Thank you to our partners in the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and various industry representatives for their work on this plan.”  The bills’ movement signals great progress on a multi-year effort between the Legislature and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to update Michigan’s animal husbandry laws that began in 2015, when Lauwers chaired the House Agriculture Committee. This legislation also carried personal significance for Lauwers. His daughter, Lauren Lauwers, worked on this issue in 2015 while an intern for MDARD. She returned to the department after her internship to continue working on the issue.  “These crucial changes bring order to Michigan’s Animal Industry Act, making it easier to follow and government more transparent,” said Dr. James Averill, deputy director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “By updating and streamlining the Act, Michigan will be more nimble in its response to technological advances in agriculture. I commend Rep. Lauwers on his work to move this important bill through the legislative process.”  Since its enactment in 1988, Michigan’s animal industry law has been amended sporadically many times, which resulted in a hard-to-follow mishmash of regulations. Updates were needed to reorganize and streamline the law, making it easier for Michigan’s farmers to follow.  “Making the law easier to reference and follow will help Michigan’s farmers and agribusiness owners take all necessary precautions to protect all aspects of food animal production,” Lauwers said.  HBs 6205, 6206 and 6214-15 will proceed to the full House for consideration.

This Sunday, December 2nd from 1-3pm  the  Bark-A-Bout Pet Activity Center and Resort of Shelby Township is hosting a family-friendly K-9 Bulletproof Vest & Equipt Fundraiser for Prevention Concept’s K-9 Unit Dogs in training. Each vest is nearly $1,000, so all proceeds will go toward a K-9 Protective Vest and Equiptment for “K-9 Bice”, named after fallen Police Officer, Tammy Bice of Grand Blanc Police Department.   The Bark A Bout Pet Activity Center and Resort is located at 14660 23 Mile Road.    Tammy’s family will be on hand to support the fundraising efforts.  K-9 Axe (of St. Clair Shores PD) was shot to death on November 4th, while on duty. His tragic passing inspired a K-9 Bulletproof Vest fundraiser.  This is a FREE family-friendly event. Open to the public.
There will be pet-related vendor stations,  complimentary desserts and raffle prizes.  K-9 Axe (of St. Clair Shores PD) was shot to death on November 4th, while on duty. His passing  inspired a K-9 Bulletproof Vest fundraiser.
Photos opportunities will be available.  Log on the K-9 Bulletproof Vest GoFundMe Page for more information.

Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has been named the winner in the “CVBS: Small” category in the 2018 Michigan Society of Association Executives Association Choice Awards.   The Blue Water Area CVB was selected from seven first round nominees and three finalists in the category, and shares the honor alongside the winners in the “CVBS: Medium” category, Traverse City Tourism, and “CVBS: Large” category, Experience Grand Rapids.  Marci Fogal, President of the Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau would like to recognize Terra Damchuk, Director of Sales, for her outstanding efforts with the association market.   Each year the MSAE’s Association Choice Awards celebrates supplier partners that make a difference in the association community.  MSAE Supplier members were nominated, and finalists were voted on between October 6 and November 12 to select the favorite in each category.  The MSAE is the association for associations in Michigan, whose mission is to ensure a knowledgeable, professional and successful association community.

Port Huron City Council’s meeting on Monday, November 26, was not a lengthy one, but did close out the month well.  Mayor Pauline Repp told WGRT that council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would see all the parks and pools under the city’s management opening and closing during the same hours.  All parks and pools hours will be consistent and be closing at 9 p.m.  Also, council accepted a donation from “The River” Church to purchase all new stage lighting and state of the art sound equipment and live streaming projector for the McMorran Theatre.  The River Church rents McMorran for Sunday services and they wanted the upgraded system, and also wanted to make a donation to McMorran.   Council also approved an agreement for Professional Engineering and Design Services for the redesigning and improvement of the plaza out front, which has been in the works for quite some time.   A certificate of appreciation was also awarded to the Port Huron Northern Football Team for their excellent season and district championship

On Tuesday, November 27th, Pathways Health Centre for Children officially announced a $1.6 Million Phase 2 Therapeutic Pool Campaign at its facility located on Murphy Road.  Pathways Health Centre for Children is regarded as the leader for programming for inclusiveness and accessibility in the community of Sarnia Lambton. The Therapeutic Pool is a big part of rehabilitation and recreational therapy for many of these children and youth. And if anything good came out of the pool closure early this year, it was that it demonstrated how important the pool was to Pathways’ clients, and to thousands of others in our community, especially our growing number
of seniors who use the pool for rehabilitation and wellness activities. It is a unique facility, and there is a definite need for it in our community.  With their founding partner, the Rotary Club of Sarnia whose vision made Pathways a reality 42 years ago, the Pathways Therapeutic Pool became a reality in 1987, along with support from the Ministry of Health, Easter Seals and the community at large.  The total cost of the Phase 2 Campaign is approximately $1.6 Million. Pathways has applied for provincial government support through infrastructure funding, and is exploring the possibility of federal infrastructure support. An Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital grant application has also been submitted. These funds are specifically in support of the Phase 2 Therapeutic Pool Campaign. In addition we are seeking support through local foundations, corporate and private donations.  On hand to join in the celebration was City of Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Alison Mahon, President of the Rotary Club of Sarnia and members, Pathways Board, staff, pool users and families.  Ms. Greensmith stated, “We are very thrilled that we are seeing the positive results of the hard work we have done over this past year. This is a good news story for Sarnia-Lambton. Sustaining this pool for generations to come means so much to our children, their families and the community as a whole”.  Pathways has provided leadership in serving children with special needs in the community for 42 years. Over the course of that time, new services have been added while others have grown in complexity. In response to demonstrated need and community demand, Pathways has developed
innovative programming that adheres to best practice standards, as much a part of vision as of necessity.

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors to give now to ensure blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holiday season.  Blood and platelet donations often decline during the holidays. Regular donors are busy with holiday activities, and travel and severe winter weather may cause blood drive cancellations. Yet donations remain critical for patients like 4-year-old Wyatt Monacelli who is in the midst of intense chemotherapy treatments for leukemia. He has received a number of transfusions since his diagnosis in June and will likely need more.  “We are fortunate to have had so many donors give the gift of life to our child so far throughout the course of his treatment, and even more so, we are lucky to have had a supply of blood available for him when he needed it,” said Julianna Monacelli, Wyatt’s mother.  Donors are urged to give now to ensure that families like Wyatt’s don’t have to worry about the availability of blood this winter. In thanks for helping meet the urgent need around the holidays, all those who come to donate blood and platelets now through Dec. 19, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)  Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  Another way to help keep the blood supply strong is to host a Red Cross blood drive this winter. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive