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

Port Huron’s Municipal Office Center and Brass Rail Both For Sale

Two downtown Port Huron landmarks are for sale. The Municipal Office Center and the Brass Rail are both available for new ownership.

The Municipal Office Center is currently home to the Port Huron Police Department and many departments of City government. The State of Michigan and Michigan Works! also have offices in the Municipal Office Center.

The riverfront office complex is listed for $5 million with Kramer Realty.

The Brass Rail, a downtown fixture since the 1930s, is also for sale. The bar has been closed since the start of the pandemic. The Brass Rail is best known as a destination during the holiday season with festive lighting and the signature “Tom and Jerry” drink. The entire business is for sale for $750,000.

Tremendous potential exists with both properties. The Municipal Office Center Property’s future would have to be approved by City Council. According to City Manager James Freed, any sale would be contingent upon a defined redevelopment agreement which will be placed on the City Council agenda for the second September meeting.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lost Your Vaccine Record? Print it From Home with New Portal

Lost your COVID-19 Vaccine Record? No worries. Immunization records can now be accessed by individual citizens. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched the Michigan Immunization Portal.

Michigan adults over the age of 18 can access their immunization records online. This includes COVID-19 vaccine records.

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry, or MCIR, was previously only available to authorized users. Now, anyone can access their own personal records if they create a MILogin account and upload a valid ID. There is no cost to use the portal.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said, “We want to make sure Michiganders are able to access their vaccination records as easily as possible as this is important health information. The Michigan Immunization Portal allows them to find their record from their computer or smart phone and save a copy for their records. This will also allow anyone who has misplaced their COVID-19 vaccination card to print a record of their vaccination.”

The portal is funded by CDC grant money.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Music, Art, Drama: SC4 Releases Fall Arts Schedule

Arts and culture are alive and well at St. Clair County Community College. The college has released its fall schedule and it is full of music, art, and drama.

The Free Thursday Concert Series is back on the schedule with the first show this week, Thursday, September 16th at both noon and 7:00 p.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre.

The first performance of the series is the Lexington Bach String Quartet. Other Thursday acts include David M. Fisher, pianist; Steve Wood Quartet, jazz; and Moxie Strings, Celtic and Americana music.

The Thursday shows are free. Tickets are required to reserve seats, but open seating is available 15 minutes prior to showtime until the theatre is at capacity.

Visual arts will be on display with the Collectively Independent VIII show by SC4 Art Faculty and the David Korff Timelines — Progression of a Vision show.

Vintage Hitchcock: A Radio Play will be performed Thursday, November 18th through Saturday, November 20th at 7:30 p.m. each night.

A link to the full schedule:

https://sc4.edu/sc4-sets-fall-schedule-for-art-and-performance-events/?fbclid=IwAR0G6fvfIROT8z29QCb1EjtfUCwWzezV1fJwcF6kEqsC-l2JVbSe4SEOzYs

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Days Inn Gets Another Chance to Avoid Shutdown

The City of Port Huron has changed its tune a little after red-tagging rooms and threatening to shut down the Days Inn by Wyndham Hotel on Pine Grove Avenue in Port Huron. The motel now has a little more time to clean up its act.

The Days Inn has been under intense scrutiny by both City Code Enforcement, Law Enforcement, and the neighborhood. The blighted and crime-ridden property has been given more time to get things in order and a court-ordered shutdown has been postponed.

City officials met with the owners of the Days Inn property, along with the Fire Marshall and the City Attorney, to discuss the persistent problems and to look for solutions.

City Manager James Freed reported that he believed the meeting was fruitful and the expectations were made clear. The new property owners have demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvements to the property and to their business practices.

The Days Inn has room remodeling underway and is adhering to the Consent Agreement. It is currently still red-tagged and has very low customer reviews, but the City remains hopeful that the business will be brought into compliance.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland