DBusiness Daily Update: Michigan Science Center, Aramco to Begin Traveling Exhibit Tour Aug. 23, and More

Michigan Science Center, Aramco to Begin Traveling Exhibit Tour Aug. 23

Aramco Americas joins the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) from 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 23 to begin their Traveling Science Program for the 2024-2025 school year.

The annual free event takes place outside of Mi-Sci’s main entrance featuring live science demonstrations and hands-on activities. The first 250 people to arrive will receive free admission to Mi-Sci for a special day including Traveling Science activities. In addition to live, interactive science demonstrations performed by Mi-Sci’s educators, the event also will include giveaways for the first 400 attendees.

Registration is encouraged for this event and is available here .

The program that began in 2012 has expanded to bring interactive science programs into libraries, schools, and community centers throughout Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas, Ohio, and Indiana. This is part of Mi-Sci’s mission to engage as many people as possible in science. For more than a decade, the Traveling Science program has educated thousands of young people and their families curious about science.

Mi-Sci is taking online requests for reservations for the Traveling Science program and other science workshops, group presentations, and interactive experiences. Contact Mi-Sci at Outreach@Mi-Sci.org or through its online inquiry form for additional information and reservations.

M1 Concourse in Pontiac Readies for Woodward Dream Show and Festival

An expanded Woodward Dream Show and Festival presented by Comerica at M1 Concourse begins Aug. 14 for the greatest weekend in car culture in Michigan. M1 Concourse is open to the public and will provide cruisers with the best spot to pull off, park, mingle with the car community, and get a variety of food and drinks while enjoying the sounds of live throwback bands and entertainers.

The schedule of activities includes:

Aug. 14: Corvettes on Woodward will take over its new home at M1 Concourse with more than 400 red, white and blue classic Chevrolet Corvettes cruising into M1 Concourse’s arena and assembling into a visual masterpiece as an American flag.

Aug. 16-17: Cruisers will take a trolley through a tunnel of decades going back to 1964 and be immersed in the culture as the concourse transforms to a place filled with entertainers and three live bands playing the sounds of the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Motown, a celebration of fashion like the mini skirt created in the ‘60s, a NASA space race exhibit, and 64 different GTOs in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Pontiac GTO. The city of Pontiac has formally declared Friday, Aug. 16 as Pontiac GTO Day, to mark the anniversary of the legendary vehicle.

A giveaway of 500 Hot Wheels will be for the first kids through the gate on both Friday and Saturday. The Meijer Family Fun Zone will have multiple hands-on stations and activities. Food trucks and a German biergarten will be on-site. Families will want to spend the day as Friday and Saturday cap off with fireworks shows. Kids 6 and under are admitted free, and kids 7 through 17 are only $10. Discounts available for military, veterans and seniors.

Tickets are available here .

Detroit Pistons to Host Pistons Home Court at Afro Nation Detroit 20224

The Detroit Pistons are collaborating with Afro Nation Detroit 2024, the world’s biggest Afrobeats Festival, on Pistons Home Court, a Pistons-themed site activation at the two-day event taking place at Bedrock’s Douglass Site on Aug. 17-18.

Combining culture and basketball, the Pistons Home Court will feature a pop-up basketball court allowing Afro Nation attendees the opportunity to shoot hoops and relive their nostalgic backyard basketball days.

The Pistons also are collaborating with six local artists — India Solomon, Conrad Egyir, Daniel Geanes, Rick Williams, Sheefy McFly, and Tony Whlgn — to create a distinctive art installation using the iconic PISTONS marquee letters. Each artist will create a painted design on a given letter that embodies the essence of Detroit, basketball and Africa to form a cohesive moment displayed at the activation for festivalgoers to enjoy and take photos with.

The Pistons also will be presenting select artists with custom Detroit Pistons Bad Boys City Edition jerseys featuring each artist’s home countries’ flags within the number patches. These jerseys celebrate the artists’ diverse origins and symbolize a meaningful connection to Detroit.

For more information, priority access to tickets, and to sign up for the mailing list to receive updates about Afro Nation Detroit 2024, visit detroit.afronation.com .

Village of Rochester Hills Offering Family Fun in the Sun This Week

The Village of Rochester Hills (104 N. Adams Road) is celebrating summer with a variety of events and musical performances all summer long.

Each week, the village is hosting a variety of free events that are open to the public. These family-friendly events cater to everyone. Whether you’re a small child or a senior, an athlete or a musician, a fashionista or a foodie.

This week’s events at Festival Park include:

• Aug. 8: Music performance by Zen Again Acoustics, 5-9 p.m.
• Aug. 9: Music performance by Double Vision, 5-9 p.m.
• Aug. 9: Food Truck Friday, 5-9 p.m.
• Aug. 10: Music performance Sean Mischley, 5-9 p.m.
• Aug. 11: Musical performance Sean Mischley, 2-5 p.m.

SiFi Networks Partnership to Enhance Connectivity in Farmington

SiFi Networks in Los Angeles and T-Mobile Fiber are working together to empower communities with fast, affordable, and reliable fiber internet. The five communities across the country include Farmington.

SiFi Networks will bring cutting-edge telecommunications infrastructure to Farmington, which can look forward to lightning-fast internet speeds, seamless connectivity, and enhanced digital experiences.

The other cities are Kenosha, Wisc.; Rockford, Ill.; and Palmdale and Oceanside, Calif.

The partnership between T-Mobile and SiFi Networks, a pioneer in open access fiber optic networks, helps bring much-needed reliable connectivity to residents. By combining T-Mobile’s expertise in retail, marketing, and customer experience with SiFi Networks’ fiber optic network solutions, this partnership helps pave the way for the future of digital communication and meet the growing need for dependable connectivity.

Study: West Michigan Economy Slowing

While the recent turmoil in financial markets around the world triggered fears of a recession, a Grand Valley State University researcher says he’s not ready to make that declaration for the national or west Michigan economies.

Brian Long, director of supply chain management research at the Seidman College of Business, says his data indicates an economic slowdown and not a recession.

“All of our current numbers, and I underline current numbers, which flag a recession are still more emblematic of a slowdown, which is, of course, what the Fed is trying to accomplish with the higher interest rates,” Long says. “That could change with time, but right now, I don’t see a big collapse in all of these different segments.”

Data from Long’s monthly survey of west Michigan purchasing managers points toward the local economy slowing with several key indices and measurements posting negative numbers in July.

His survey’s new orders index, a measure of business improvement, remained negative for the second straight month. The production index, a measure of a firm’s output, fell 14 points while the employment index dropped 13 points.

“One of the things the Fed watches closely is employment and conversely unemployment, so last week’s weak jobs report is some of the first evidence we’ve seen that the higher rates are finally starting to slow the economy,” Long says. “Unfortunately, this jobs report was far softer than what was forecast, so the financial markets panicked.”

Here’s a look at the key index results from July’s survey of west Michigan businesses:

• New orders index (business improvement): -18 vs. -21 in June
• Production index (output): -16 vs. -2 in in June
• Employment index: -3 vs. +10 in June
• Lead times index: -8 vs. -18 in June

Colorado Company Partners with OneMagnify in Detroit to Advance Capabilities

Wiland Inc. in Colorado has partnered with OneMagnify in Detroit to advance its marketing and advertising capabilities.

OneMagnify, a customer experience and digital transformation solutions provider, is expected to accelerate and execute Wiland’s brand marketing, social media, and demand generation programs. Wiland will retain a small number of employees within its internal marketing team to oversee the OneMagnify relationship and to execute functions related to sales enablement and trade shows.

“We are thrilled to partner with Wiland, a leading provider of consumer spending data and AI-driven predictive marketing,” says Mark Petroff, CEO of OneMagnify. “Wiland has long been recognized for helping well-known brands and nonprofits reach targeted audiences to increase engagement, revenue, and donations. We look forward to helping them create customer experiences that drive scale, unlock growth opportunities, and deliver maximum value for the Wiland brand.”

UWM in Pontiac to Host Free Community Resource Fair

United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) in Pontiac will be hosting a free Community Resource Fair from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 15 at the UWM Sports Complex in Pontiac.

With nearly 40 nonprofits and other organizations participating, metro Detroiters can take advantage of a wide range of resources, from housing services and career readiness programs to food and financial assistance, all in one convenient location.

A list of participating organizations can be found here .

“This event demonstrates UWM’s ongoing commitment to the community — creating a space for individuals to connect with the resources needed to overcome challenges, pursue opportunities and enhance their overall quality of life,” says Lee Jelenic, chief innovation officer at UWM. “At UWM we view ourselves as dream makers, helping borrowers achieve their goals of homeownership. This event is an extension of this mindset and we’re proud to support the Pontiac community, and the greater metro Detroit community as well.”

Registration is free and open to the public. To register visit here .

Community College Guarantee Scholarship Covers Henry Ford College Students’ In-district Tuition

Beginning this fall, most Michigan high school students from the classes of 2023 and 2024 will be eligible for the Community College Guarantee. This new state-funded program covers in-district tuition for students to attend a community college and earn a degree or certificate. This opens another pathway to a valuable, tuition-free college credential.

“The state of Michigan has been working hard to support students’ ability to afford a high-quality college degree or certificate,” says Russ Kavalhuna, president of Henry Ford College in Dearborn. “Recent state programs like the Community College Guarantee, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Michigan Reconnect, and Futures for Frontliners have directly supported Henry Ford College students’ success as they work toward their education and life goals. We believe every Michigan citizen should have access to a college education.”

He added that the new program’s extra $1,000 for Pell-eligible students is a huge bonus for those who have the highest financial need.

In late July, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new education budget that includes creating the Community College Guarantee through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. The Community College Guarantee includes:

• Funding for in-district tuition, contact hours, and mandatory fees.
• An additional $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus Award for students eligible for federal Pell Grants, which can be used toward additional college costs.

Interested in attending HFC on the Community College Guarantee program? Here are the eligibility criteria:

FAFSA: The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which helps determine if you qualify for various scholarships, grants, loans, and work study options.

Residency: You must be a resident of Michigan for at least one year. If you are a dependent, your parent(s) or guardian(s) must also be a Michigan resident.

Graduation: You must have earned a diploma from a Michigan high school, certificate of completion, or high school equivalency certificate/GED in 2023 or 2024.

Enrollment: You must be enrolled at HFC on a full-time basis within 15 months of your high school graduation.

You can renew your scholarship for up to three years while attending HFC if you:

• Complete the FAFSA annually.
• Continue to live in Michigan.
• Continue to be enrolled at HFC full-time.
• Continue to earn credits and meet HFC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.

HFC also offers seamless transfer to a four-year college or university if that is the student’s goal.

The Fall 2024 semester begins on Aug. 22. There is plenty of time to enroll in Fall classes at HFC through the Michigan Community College Guarantee program.

For questions or more information about enrolling at HFC, contact 313-845-9600 or enrollmentservices@hfcc.edu .

Eighth Annual Kirk Gibson Golf Classic to be Played Aug. 19

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s is hosting its Eighth Annual Kirk Gibson Golf Classic Aug. 19 at the Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester Hills.

Gibson will be golfing along with the support of celebrities and current and former athletes including Alan Trammell, Lance Parrish, Dave Rozema, Goose Gossage, Larry “The Cable Guy,” Michigan native and actor, Martin Klebba, best known for his role as Marty in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, just to name a few.

The event is sold out, but there are additional opportunities to support the foundation.  For more information, visit: KirkGibsonFoundation.org .

Over the last seven years the Kirk Gibson Golf Classic has raised more than $1.3 million to fund programs to benefit those living with Parkinson’s Disease and their families.

Washtenaw Community College Offering Fall Personal Enrichment Classes

Professional development and personal enrichment non-credit classes at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) this Fall offer something for almost everyone, from first-time homebuyers and small business owners who want to improve their bookkeeping skills to dance aficionados and people who want to learn about other languages and cultures.

Also new, WCC and the University of Michigan Credit Union have partnered to provide affordable financing options for students seeking Fast Track Job Training programs. These programs are aligned with industry certifications, offering community members a way to quickly earn the skills and/or credentials that employers want, sometimes in as little as a few weeks. To learn more or apply for the UMCU loan, visit here .

This fall, the college is adding at least 13 classes to its professional development and personal enrichment menu, including basics courses in Microsoft Excel and bookkeeping for small business, mastering public speaking and learning a tactical approach to business-to-government (B2G) selling.

Professional development offerings also include the RN/LPN nursing refresher course, which, upon successful completion, awards a certificate to confirm that participants meet LARA requirement for the skills evaluation portion for a lapsed or suspended license.

The First Time Homebuyer Seminar is designed to help ease the stress for those interested in purchasing their first home. It covers information such as working with a real estate agent from start to closing, mortgage financing, inspections and contract negotiations, among other things.

Personal enrichment classes include a full line-up of various types of dance classes for individuals and couples alike, from beginners to more advanced skills. DIY classes include Electricity 2.0 that teaches about home wiring systems, safety and materials.

Foreign language classes in German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian also are offered.

For class details and the full slate of Fall offerings, visit washtenaw.augusoft.net .

The post DBusiness Daily Update: Michigan Science Center, Aramco to Begin Traveling Exhibit Tour Aug. 23, and More appeared first on DBusiness Magazine .