Dear Crabby, Every summer I brace for the chorus of “We’re bored!” from my children. But since they’ve been home the last three months with online schooling, I feel extra pressure this year. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks, Serenity Now Dear Serenity Now, I have been waiting for someone to ask me this question. It seems like I get a frazzled parent such as yourself every two years or so wondering what can be done to keep the kids from becoming one with the sofa. In the past, … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, What is Zoom?
May 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Dear Crabby, What is Zoom? Sincerely, Chatty Sue Well Hello Chatty Sue - how do, do you do? Zoom is the noise every little boy makes when playing with toy cars and trucks, as well as what they shout out when riding a bike or running around the house like tiny over-caffeinated cab drivers ... "I take you to airport, zoom, zoom, zoom." There's just something about boys adding sound effects to everything they do. Oh, you may have noticed that doesn't go away as they get older. … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, Is Michigan Still Planning on Holding Elections?
April 29, 2020 by Leave a Comment
With all the COVID-19 craziness going on, I sometimes forget we’re in an election year. Will we still be able to have our remaining 2020 elections? I heard some states are canceling them. Also, do you know if there has ever been a time in history where a national election has been postponed or canceled? Thanks! Vonda Voter Dear Vonda Voter, I have to admit that after our presidential primary election back in March, it has been kind of nice not to be hit over the head on a daily basis … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, What do you Like about September?
September 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Dear Crabby, What do you Like about September? Sincerely, Autumn S. Cummings Dear Autumn, It's a great time of year, as the kids go back to school I'm reminded of a column I wrote about that, What Does 'Back to School' Mean for you? And all that still holds true - I miss the grandkids already. September also means Giving Away Michigan Renaissance Festival Tickets, as I do every time this year. The event runs through the end of the month, and if you hurry, I can still answer … [Read more...]
Patterson Plans to Raise the Bar with Innovative Management in Oakland County with VIDEO
February 9, 2017 by Leave a Comment
County Executive L. Brooks Patterson says that Oakland County's best accomplishments are yet to come. During his annual State of the County address before an audience of more than 600 guests at the Auburn Hills Marriot Pontiac at Centerpoint, he spotlighted several high-tech connections moving into the county. Patterson was introduced my the Brooke Wilson Vitale, the owner of specialty bakeries in Royal Oak and Birmingham, who was selected by a public online vote as the winner of the … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, Would You ever use a Self-driving Car?
December 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Dear Crabby, Would You Ever Use a Self-Driving Car? Just wondering, E.Z. Ryder Good question E.Z. I've wondered that about myself too. To my knowledge, there are two companies making headway with this idea of driverless cars, Google and Tesla. I like to drive myself, I don't like valet parking, taxis, or public transportation. But I can see the advantage as well. Google, who already knows everything about me due to my Internet searches, would be a wonderful chauffeur. I … [Read more...]
Autonomous Vehicle Industry Surveys for Potential Hires
November 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment
300 Businesses in Region Receive First-of-its-Kind Job Survey to Create Profiles for Employment in Connected/Autonomous Vehicle Industry by Rochester-Based Company Businesses in Southeast Michigan this week are being asked to identify the skills and abilities employers require of potential hires wanting jobs in the rapidly evolving connected/autonomous vehicle industry. About 300 employers from Oakland County and surrounding counties in Southeast Michigan were sent the Skills Needs … [Read more...]
Rochester Research Firm to Produce Workforce Development Survey for Oakland County
July 12, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Oakland County Workforce Development Survey to Create First-of-its-Kind Job Profiles for Employment in Connected/Autonomous Vehicle Industry Oakland County has commissioned a regional survey of employers, asking them what skills and abilities they require of potential employees wanting jobs in the rapidly-evolving connected/autonomous vehicle industry. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson today announced the launch of the connected/autonomous vehicle Skills Needs Assessment … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, Is Uber Safe?
February 16, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Dear Crabby, More and more people seem to be using the car service Uber, but I’m just not sure. What are the driver’s qualifications and more importantly, is it safe? Thanks, Thomas Tentative Dear Mr. Tentative, When I first read your question, I thought you were asking if ‘________’ was ‘uber safe.’ I was confused there for a bit until my grandson pointed out what you were really asking while laughing at my expense. So thanks for that. OK. Back to your question. I have never used … [Read more...]
Patterson Announces I-75 Upgrades at State of the County Address
February 11, 2016 by 1 Comment
The Modernization of Interstate 75 Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson, spoke for an hour Wednesday night delivering his 2016 State of the County speech to nearly 600 people in attendance at the Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac. Representatives from Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township were there - mayors, city council members, state reps, supervisors, and others - among hundreds of elected officials and invited guests from Oakland County. "Adding a lane north and … [Read more...]
