You Can Only Make a Cake at Michael’s

Friday, April 4 2008

What’s up with this!!??!!

Just returned from running a few errands.

Stopped at my neighborhood Michael’s Crafts to use my 50% off coupon they sent me today via e-mail.  Was browsing around, looking at their newest bead selection. Went hunting for the jewelry display case showing off the items to be made in class for April.  I have taken jewelry making classes there and wanted to see the latest designs. No case. No jewelry.  The classroom was practically empty, hardly anything on the shelves and walls.   Only saw Wilton Cake display stuff. Huh??

What happened to all the pretty necklaces and bracelets that used to be there?  Asked one of the employees and was told the only class now being offered is cake decorating.  All the rest; jewelry, knitting, crochet, One Stroke Painting, etc, etc…gone… bye-bye. I guess those classes weren’t profitable enough. The bottom line must have bottomed out.

Does any of this affect me? Well, yeah!! It does. I had planned on signing up for knitting or crochet as well as One Stroke Painting later this year. Now I have to look elsewhere.

My Learning Calendar could be achanging. We shall see.

Note to Michael’s: Please bring those classes back!!

50 Years Old…the Center of It All

April 3, 2008

Celebrating Southfield’s 50th Anniversary

I received today the latest issue of my community’s newsletter and activities guide. The city I live in, Southfield, is now 50 years old and lots of special events are planned for April and May to celebrate this milestone.  

Southfield is pulling out all the stops to celebrate. Here’s a list of the announced events.

• 50th Anniversary Signature Events 
• Commemorative Liberty Elm Tree Program
• Southfield’s Got Talent Competition
• 50th Anniversary Business Reception
• 50th Anniversary Community Celebration
• 50th Anniversary Quilt Exhibit
• Special exhibits at Southfield’s Library 

Even our cable channel will be celebrating Southfield’s golden anniversary with programs all year.

I found this bit of information quite interesting.

Then & Now

1958 

• World population: 2.9 billion
• U.S. population: almost 175 million
• Cost of a gallon of gas: 25 cents
• Cost of a first class stamp: 3 cents
• Average annual U.S. income: $4,600
• Number of Southfield residents: approx 15,000

2008

• World population: 6.6 billion
• U.S. population: over 300 million
• Cost of a gallon of gas: $3+
• Cost of a first class stamp: 41 cents (soon to be 43 cents in May)
• Average annual U.S. income: $48,000
• Number of Southfield residents: almost 80,000

Here is a picture of the anniversary quilt. It was quilted by a 93 year old resident and will be on display at various locations throughout the year including the library.

And speaking of the library, you know how much I love it and think it is truly beautiful. Here is a photo of Then & Now. From the humble beginnings located in a school, to a larger facility and to the grand one we have now.

There will be something for everyone. Residents, young and seniors. Businesses. And even for the 175,000 people who travel to Southfield daily to work. This is one celebration I do not plan to miss.