Detroit Auto Show Tickets on Sale Starting Today

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

Detroit Auto Show Tickets on Sale Starting Today

Tickets go on sale today for the North American International Auto Show, the new indoor and outdoor auto show experience coming to Detroit Sept. 14–25.

Tickets are available for Industry Tech Days, Charity Preview, and the Public Show. Adult Public Show single-day tickets will be available at a $5 discount through Aug. 10. The “Buy Now and Save” discount will be offered online at naias.com.

In addition, advance group purchases of 30 or more adult Public Show tickets will be available at a special price of $12 each if purchased by Sept. 11. This purchase cannot be combined with other discounts.

“This year’s Detroit Auto Show is going to have something for everyone — from industry-shaping news to exciting indoor and outdoor ride-and-drives to a reimagined Charity Preview featuring three parties in one,” says Joe Lunghamer, chairman of the Detroit Auto Show. “The show will celebrate mobility on land, water, and in the skies and feature plenty of wow moments visitors and families won’t want to miss.”

Show Schedule and Pricing

Industry Tech Days — Preview emerging mobility technologies and engage with innovators, while gaining insights from powerful panel discussions on mobility and electrification trends. Attendees will have access to AutoMobili-D (AMD), presented by the Michigan Economic Development Corp., featuring more than 80 technology companies, Tier 1 suppliers, and start-ups as well as leading universities.

• Wednesday, Sept. 14 (1-9 p.m.)
• Thursday, Sept. 15 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.)
• Tickets: $75 each

Charity Preview — Join in celebrating the return of the black-tie event that raises millions for children’s charities in southeastern Michigan. New for 2022, the event will be indoors and outdoors with three stages (including one on the main auto show floor) and three genres of soon-to-be-announced entertainment.

• Friday, Sept. 16 (6-9 p.m.)
• Tickets: $400 each or $700 for a pair

Public Show — Explore nine days of new vehicle displays and exhibits at Huntington Place, Hart Plaza, and throughout downtown Detroit, ride-and-drives both indoors and outdoors, air mobility demonstrations, family-fun experiences, musical entertainment, auto enthusiast car clubs, street food and much more.

• Sept. 17-24 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.)
• Sept. 25 (9 a.m.-7 p.m.)
• Tickets: Adults – $20, “Buy Now and Save” on adult tickets purchased through Aug. 10 and receive $5 off – $15, senior 65 and older – $12, child 3-12 years – $10, child 2 and under – free, family pass (2 adults, 3 children) – $50, advance group sales of 30 or more Public Show tickets purchased before Sept. 11 – $12.

New Down Syndrome Documentary to Premiere at Emagine Novi July 26

The documentary film by Keith Famie and his Visionalist Entertainment Productions team, “Chromosomally Enhanced: What’s Your Superpower?” will premiere at 6:30 p.m. on July 26 at Emagine Theater in Novi.

The film shows up close what life is really like for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. It features Michigan residents of all ages and stages of life with Down Syndrome, as well as community organizations that aid these families.

The premise behind this documentary is that Famie, after spending time with children with Down Syndrome, came to the conclusion that their superpower is that extra chromosome, which gives them the ability to see the world through rose colored glasses.

“They all have a sincere, caring, empathic, way in how they see the rest of humanity spreading joy and smiles to all they meet, something the world could use a big dose of right now,” Famie says.

The film will air on local Detroit Public Television at 4 p.m. on Sept. 2.

WCC in Ann Arbor Unveils $13.5M in Improvements to Conference Center Building

Washtenaw Community College recently unveiled $13.5 million in improvements to the Morris Lawrence Building, a conference and community resource center that hosts up to 150,000 visitors annually.

The building has been closed for the past year while construction crews installed new flooring, skylights, and an eco-friendly energy system designed to help the college reduce its carbon footprint, among other renovations. Improvements feature state-of-the art audio and visual media upgrades and expanded technology access.

A new art gallery featuring mixed media from WCC student artists and staff welcomes visitors near the front entrance.

Among the most utilized facilities on campus, the Morris Lawrence Building provides space for both credit and non-credit instruction, business and industry training, the WCC Police Academy, music and the theatre arts, as well as community organizations, business and civic events.

It is home to the 480-seat Towsley Auditorium, a theatre-style space, which has hosted legends such as the Four Tops and Temptations, as well as local performing arts groups.

MotorCities Seeking Applications for 2022-23 Challenge and Mini Grants

The MotorCities National Heritage Area, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the historic preservation of the automotive industry, is seeking applications for its 2022-23 Challenge and Mini Grant programs.

Challenge Grants are awarded up to $25,000, and funds must be matched by a combination of cash, in-kind, donated goods, and documented volunteer services.

Projects must be largely automobile and/or labor heritage-related and deal with: Revitalization of our historic automotive and labor structures through preservation; Interpretation efforts that attempt to tell the story to a broad audience, Education activities that engage a specific audience and create increased appreciation of our heritage, or heritage tourism projects that promote the region and its heritage activities. In addition, projects that exemplify diversity, equity, and inclusion will receive preference.

MotorCities also has a mini-grant program that does not require match and funds projects up to $1,500.

Potential grant recipients must have a project that will be completed by Sept. 30, 2023. Recipients also must be active members of MotorCities and a nonprofit 501 (c)(3), educational institution, government municipality or tribunal.

In addition, any new grant applicants must attend our MotorCities Grant Workshop on Wednesday, July 27 at noon. Attendees will be stepped through the ent
ire 2022-23 MotorCities grant application process with examples from previous successful project partners.

The grant application deadline is Aug. 15 at 11:59 p.m.

To learn more about the grant program and sign up for the workshop, visit here.

Member Tickets for DIA’s Van Gogh Exhibit on Sale July 12

Beginning July 12, members of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) will be able to reserve tickets to its Van Gogh in America exhibition, which will run from Oct. 2 to Jan. 22, 2023, only at the DIA. Featuring more than 70 works by the famed artist, the exhibition is the first devoted to Van Gogh’s introduction and early reception in America.

Museum members receive a limited number of free special exhibition tickets depending on membership level. Memberships can be purchased at www.dia.org/membership. Tickets for the general public will go on sale later this summer. Tickets and additional information are available at www.dia.org/vangoghinamerica.

Van Gogh in America will be the largest Van Gogh exhibition in America in a generation, featuring paintings, drawings, and prints by Van Gogh from museums and private collections worldwide. Visitors will also journey through the defining moments, people, and experiences that catapulted Van Gogh’s work to widespread acclaim in the U.S.

Van Gogh in America also will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the DIA becoming the first public museum in the U.S. to acquire a Van Gogh painting — his Self-Portrait (1887).

Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera is Special Pick for 2022 All-Star Game in Los Angeles

Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals have been selected by the Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred to play in the 2022 All-Star Game July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Both players were selected to recognize their place in baseball history as two of the three players in history to register 3,000 hits, 500 home runs and 600 doubles, along with Hall of Famer Hank Aaron.

“I am delighted that Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera have agreed to participate in the All-Star Game,” Manfred says. “Albert and Miguel are two of the most accomplished players of their generation.  They have also represented the baseball traditions of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela with excellence for the last two decades.  Albert and Miguel are two all-time greats whose achievements warrant this special recognition.”

This marks Cabrera’s 12th All-Star selection in his 20-year career. In April, he became the 33rd player in Major League history, including the first Venezuelan player, to reach 3,000 hits.  The two-time American League MVP leads all Venezuelan-born players in hits (3,065), home runs (505), batting average (.310), slugging (.528) and many other offensive categories.

In 2012, Cabrera ended the longest gap between Triple Crowns in MLB history (previous: 1967 by Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski) and became the first Latino player to win the Triple Crown, the 12th in MLB history.

Also in 2012, he established the Miguel Cabrera Foundation, which has benefited such organizations as the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Miguel and Rosangel Cabrera partnered with the Detroit Tigers Foundation to donate $250,000 to benefit children and families in Detroit. In 2021, he volunteered to serve as a co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission in support of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination and education efforts.

Cabrera will be joined on the AL All-Star team by Tigers’ relief pitcher Gregory Soto and legend Willie Horton, who was selected as an honorary AL All-Star coach.

Verdant Commercial Capital, Synovus Bank Partner to Offer New Equipment Financing

Verdant Commercial Capital, headquartered in Cincinnati with an office in Detroit, executed a multiyear program agreement with Synovus Bank in Georgia to provide a new equipment finance offering — Synovus Equipment Leasing — for Synovus Bank commercial customers.

Through the offering, leasing and equipment finance agreements for essential use equipment can range from $25,000 to $50 million. The program is for Synovus commercial customers only and is now available.

This relationship combines Verdant’s speed and efficiency of fast credit underwriting, simple document processing, and customer-centric servicing with the large banking footprint of Synovus Bank, bringing flexible alternatives for Synovus customers who wish to acquire essential use equipment through financing. The program agreement will allow Synovus relationship managers an opportunity to further support clients in this space. This financing is supported by a line of credit from Synovus Specialty Finance.

“Synovus has a proven 134-year banking history and is $56 billion in assets strong,” says Brian Lowe, chief commercial officer for Verdant Commercial Capital. “We are excited to partner with the bank’s commercial equipment leasing team to deliver a value-added solution for their clients. This product fills a need for Synovus’ relationship managers to offer fast, flexible, competitive equipment financing to their commercial clients, and we are looking forward to getting this exceptional solution in market to serve a variety of financing sizes and collateral types.”

Michigan Science Center Offers Reduced Admissions via Three Programs

The Michigan Science Center (MiSci) announces that it is a participant in several programs that provide reduced admission to patrons.

“With rising inflation and fears of a slowing economy, local families are looking for smart, economical ways to have enjoyable experiences while learning,” says Christian Greer, president and CEO of the Michigan Science Center. “With interactive exhibits, immersive theaters, and engaging live demos that put YOU at the center of science, I believe we are an amazing value. We are pleased to offer several discounted admission options to those looking to save on family fun.”

The following is a list of programs:

Museums for All — An initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency based in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Association of Children’s Museums. When patrons show their SNAP EBT card and picture ID, general admission tickets are only $3/person for up to four people in their party. This offer is valid in person only.

Bank of America: Museums on Us — Bank of America cardholders receive free general admission on the first full weekend of every month through the Museums on Us program. Cardholders must present a picture ID. Other members of the party must pay general admission. Discount is available in person only.

• Aug. 6-7
• Sept. 3-4
• Oct. 1-2
• Nov. 5-6
• Dec. 3-4

Blue Star Museums — A program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2022 program runs through Labor Day, Sept. 5. Proof of active military duty is required (Geneva Convention common access card, DD1173, or DD1173-1). Family is defined as spouse, child, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. An active-duty member does not need to be present. The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps. Since proof of active military duty is required, discounts will only be offered for walk-in guests.

While M
iSci encourages guests to reserve tickets through its website at www.mi-sci.org, some discounts are unavailable with website reservations. To ensure everyone has access, MiSci holds some walk-up tickets in its inventory daily.

Prairie Farms Workers Ratify First Contract with Teamsters Local 337

Workers at Prairie Farms in Oak Park and Romulus have voted to ratify their first five-year contract with Teamsters Local 337.

The workers first voted to organize with the Teamsters in July of last year. The inaugural collective bargaining agreement includes a number of substantial improvements, according to the union. These include a minimum wage of $28.50 per hour and a maximum wage of $31.70 per hour in the final year of the contract. The workers also kept their company-funded retirement benefits.

Leadership Oakland Announces 2022 Leader of Leaders Award Recipients

Leadership Oakland, Oakland County’s largest leadership and networking organization serving southeast Michigan, recently announced the 2022 Leader of Leaders Award recipients. More than 100 professionals gathered on June 16 in Auburn Hills to celebrate Leadership Oakland’s 30th anniversary, which took place during the pandemic.

“We are thrilled to announce Mark Geary, senior director of communications at Beaumont Health; Rachel Hurst, corporate affairs manager at Kroger, and Dustin McClellan, founder and CEO at Pontiac Community Foundation as this year’s Leader of Leaders Award recipients,” says Susan Hollady, executive director at Leadership Oakland. “Each of these incredible professionals exemplifies what it means to be a leader in today’s ever-changing world.”

For more information about Leadership Oakland and its upcoming Cornerstone class opportunities, visit here.