“See you” at 12-Noon on Tuesday March 23 via Zoom

Our Michigan Communicators network has met 5-to-6 mornings each year since 2007—and we have never missed a spring meeting. Last year, in the pandemic, we already were meeting virtually. This spring, we have some terrific regional news to share in a 12-Noon March 23 zoom.

Please, go to the landing page address listed below to sign up to attend. This is a special launch event for a book that was created with help from some of our colleagues—working along with a long list of Detroit-area nonprofits and agencies concerned with the vast challenges of healthy aging.

Please, visit our sign up page for this very unusual celebration of the work of some of our Michigan Communicator regulars:

https://www.nowwhatbooklaunch.com/

“See you” at 12-Noon on Friday May 29 via Zoom

Our Michigan Communicators network has met 5-to-6 mornings each year since 2007—and we have never missed a spring meeting. Despite the pandemic, we’re not going to miss that opportunity, this spring!

Here is the Zoom link for our virtual gathering at 12-Noon on Friday May 29: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7286550049

A DRAMATIC EXPANSION THIS TIME—Because we are gathering virtually, we will be welcoming some media professionals from other parts of the U.S. and even other parts of the world. So, this will be a very exciting meeting!

HOW WILL THIS WORK? As always, David Crumm will moderate and we will spend 90 minutes “going around the circle” asking folks on the zoom to share greetings, best wishes and also news about their current projects. As always, if you have a specific news item—and requests for assistance—email me in advance to alert me to prioritize your sharing in the circle. Use [email protected]

As we organize this first-ever virtual gathering of Michigan Communicators, we are not entirely sure how this will work. We are confident, however, that this will be a remarkable, uplifting opportunity to connect with colleagues, share news and ask for help.

Looking forward to talking with all of you.

 

 

See you Feb. 28 for Michigan Communicators at Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield

Thanks to longtime Michigan Communicators friend Howard Brown, we will start 2020 with a special visit to an absolutely remarkable facility that I’m sure most of you have never seen: The Friendship Circle facility in West Bloomfield. Run by a Jewish nonprofit, our host for the initial tour that morning will be Rabbi Levi Shemtov.

LOCATION: 6892 West Maple Road West Bloomfield. The site is just west of the Jewish Community Center on the same north-side of Maple Road. (It’s also just northwest of the big Henry Ford complex and the long driveway into the center is next door to St. Thomas Chaldean church.)

Friendship Circle provides assistance and support to 3,000 individuals with special needs and their families by providing recreational, social, educational and vocational programming. Friendship Circle also provides support to individuals and families struggling with isolation, addiction and other family-related crises. The facility itself is a model for this kind of program, including a small portion of a “city” where people with special needs can learn about interacting with common public facilities and businesses.

REMEMBER OUR FORMAT?

Please arrive by 9 a.m. so our morning can begin as soon as possible. There’s so much to see and learn about in our host facility. We always give our hosts up to 10 a.m. to provide a walk-and-talk orientation to their organization. Then, at 10 a.m., we begin the “roundtable,” where we all share about projects, ideas, requests for assistance in our work, etc. We always close at 12-noon on the dot. If you’re new: There’s no formal membership or fee. Just come. Got a friend or colleague who’d like to accompany you? Invite them.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

If something important arises that morning, just let me know that day. And, yes, you can email in advance to prompt my planning. Veterans also know that, on a practical level, not everyone gets to take the floor before we hit 12-Noon and our time runs out. So, make use of email—let me know if you are coming with some special news to share.

Have a colleague or friend you want to bring along? Just to repeat: We always welcome newcomers.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions. Look forward to seeing you!

David Crumm

 

Save Feb. 28 for Michigan Communicators at Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield

Thanks to longtime Michigan Communicators friend Howard Brown, we will start 2020 with a special visit to an absolutely remarkable facility that I’m sure most of you have never seen: The Friendship Circle facility in West Bloomfield. Run by a Jewish nonprofit, our host for the initial tour that morning will be Rabbi Levi Shemtov.

LOCATION: 6892 West Maple Road West Bloomfield. The site is just west of the Jewish Community Center on the same north-side of Maple Road. (It’s also just northwest of the big Henry Ford complex and the long driveway into the center is next door to St. Thomas Chaldean church.)

Friendship Circle provides assistance and support to 3,000 individuals with special needs and their families by providing recreational, social, educational and vocational programming. Friendship Circle also provides support to individuals and families struggling with isolation, addiction and other family-related crises. The facility itself is a model for this kind of program, including a small portion of a “city” where people with special needs can learn about interacting with common public facilities and businesses.

REMEMBER OUR FORMAT?

Please arrive by 9 a.m. so our morning can begin as soon as possible. There’s so much to see and learn about in our host facility. We always give our hosts up to 10 a.m. to provide a walk-and-talk orientation to their organization. Then, at 10 a.m., we begin the “roundtable,” where we all share about projects, ideas, requests for assistance in our work, etc. We always close at 12-noon on the dot. If you’re new: There’s no formal membership or fee. Just come. Got a friend or colleague who’d like to accompany you? Invite them.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

If something important arises that morning, just let me know that day. And, yes, you can email in advance to prompt my planning. Veterans also know that, on a practical level, not everyone gets to take the floor before we hit 12-Noon and our time runs out. So, make use of email—let me know if you are coming with some special news to share.

Have a colleague or friend you want to bring along? Just to repeat: We always welcome newcomers.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions. Look forward to seeing you!

David Crumm

 

Save Nov. 15
for Michigan Communicators at St. Peter’s and the Hive in Detroit

From 9 a.m. to Noon on Friday November 15, join us at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Detroit, 1950 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI 48216. You might remember this historic church as situated on Michigan Avenue, kitty-corner from what once was “the old Tiger stadium.”

Today, St. Peter’s is quite literally a “Hive” of community activity. The term Hive is the name of a creative, nonprofit incubator within the church.

Hosting our group will be author and activist the Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellermann, who you may be more familiar with meeting in the streets or at regional events focused on peace and justice. Bill’s daughter Lydia, who will co-host our group, is involved with the Hive and also is a writer and activist.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

If something important arises that morning, just let me know that day. And, yes, you can email in advance to prompt my planning.Veterans in our network know that our gatherings begin with a walk-and-talk time with our hosts. Then, we settle in for a true “roundtable” in which everyone around the circle has an opportunity to share news about current projects, to ask for help, or to promote an idea that will interest others in our group. We also know that, on a practical level, not everyone gets to take the floor before we hit 12-Noon and our time runs out. So, make use of email—let me know if you are coming with some special news to share.

Have a colleague or friend you want to bring along? We always welcome newcomers.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions. Look forward to seeing you!

David Crumm

At Brilliant Detroit, Sept 27

What a terrific, inspiring opportunity to gather with Brilliant Detroit founder Cindy Eggleton and her team at their headquarters from 9 a.m. to Noon on Friday September 27! Cindy and her team are a truly “brilliant” wave of literacy washing across Detroit neighborhoods—one home-based center at a time.

The headquarters location in southwest Detroit is at 5675 Larkins Street, Detroit, MI 48210. This is on the city’s southwest side, but you might think of the location as closer to “just east of Dearborn.” It’s off McGraw between the major intersections at Lonyo and Livernois.

Want to learn more? Here’s their website. Here’s their blog, which adds a couple of news items each month.

And, Save the Date for …
St. Peter’s and the Hive

THEN, from 9 a.m. to Noon on Friday November 15, join us at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Detroit, 1950 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI 48216. You might rememer this historic church as situated on Michigan Avenue, kitty-corner from “the old Tiger stadium.” Today, St. Peter’s is quite literally a “Hive” of community activity. The term Hive is the name of a creative, nonprofit incubator within the church.

Hosting our group will be author and activist the Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellermann, who you may be more familiar with meeting in the streets or at regional events focused on peace and justice. Bill’s daughter Lydia, who will co-host our group, is involved with the Hive and also is a writer and activist.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

If something important arises that morning, just let me know that day. And, yes, you can email in advance to prompt my planning.Veterans in our network know that our gatherings begin with a walk-and-talk time with our hosts. Then, we settle in for a true “roundtable” in which everyone around the circle has an opportunity to share news about current projects, to ask for help, or to promote an idea that will interest others in our group. We also know that, on a practical level, not everyone gets to take the floor before we hit 12-Noon and our time runs out. So, make use of email—let me know if you are coming with some special news to share.

Have a colleague or friend you want to bring along? We always welcome newcomers.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions. Look forward to seeing you!

David Crumm

SEE YOU 9 a.m. Sept 27 and Nov 15 in Detroit!

Reserve these dates now—
First, Brilliant Detroit 

9 a.m. to Noon, Friday September 27 we will be hosted by friends at Brilliant Detroit. And, please note that we will be going to the nonprofit’s headquarters location in southwest Detroit: 5675 Larkins Street, Detroit, MI 48210. This is on the city’s southwest side, but you might think of the location as closer to “just east of Dearborn.” It’s off McGraw between the major intersections at Lonyo and Livernois.

Of course, as most of you know, Brilliant Detroit is exploding across the city with its community-based approach to learning centers that are convenient for families. Here’s a look at some of the other sites.

St. Peter’s and the Hive

THEN, from 9 a.m. to Noon on Friday November 15, join us at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Detroit, 1950 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI 48216. You might rememer this historic church as situated on Michigan Avenue, kitty-corner from “the old Tiger stadium.” Today, St. Peter’s is quite literally a “Hive” of community activity. The term Hive is the name of a creative, nonprofit incubator within the church.

Hosting our group will be author and activist the Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellermann, who you may be more familiar with meeting in the streets or at regional events focused on peace and justice. Bill’s daughter Lydia, who will co-host our group, is involved with the Hive and also is a writer and activist.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

If something important arises that morning, just let me know that day. And, yes, you can email in advance to prompt my planning.Veterans in our network know that our gatherings begin with a walk-and-talk time with our hosts. Then, we settle in for a true “roundtable” in which everyone around the circle has an opportunity to share news about current projects, to ask for help, or to promote an idea that will interest others in our group. We also know that, on a practical level, not everyone gets to take the floor before we hit 12-Noon and our time runs out. So, make use of email—let me know if you are coming with some special news to share.

Have a colleague or friend you want to bring along? We always welcome newcomers.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions. Look forward to seeing you!

David Crumm

 

IN 2019, interest in our Michigan Communicators group continues to grow as more journalists, authors and media professionals connect with our network and ask: When’s the next gathering?

FRIDAY MAY 17 (from 9 a.m. to Noon)—Cheryl Lovejoy, executive director of Angels’ Place, has invited us to meet at this pioneering nonprofit’s Administrative Center in Southfield. The address is 29299 Franklin Road, Suite 2, Southfield, Michigan 48034. The office phone line is: (248) 350-5989.

The major cross-roads are 12 Mile Road and Northwestern Highway. Franklin Road heads north off Northwestern and Angels’ Place is a white building with plenty of parking in those curving streets just east of Franklin.

AN INSPIRING STORY—Angels’ Place now helps adults with mental disabilities across metro-Detroit. Here’s an overview page within their website. But the powerful story behind Angels’ Place involves five women who, more than two decades ago, committed themselves to helping men, women and their families who had few good options as government programs and institutions began to shrink in that era. Today, what these women achieved—along with the many supporters who followed them—is one of Michigan’s nationally known success stories. Susan Stitt, marketing director for our Front Edge Publishing, and also retired Col. Clifford Worthy, who just launched his memoir The Black Knight—both are strong, long-time supporters of Angels’ Place along with their families.

AS ALWAYS, we will begin our morning with an overview of our hosts’ story. Then, at 10 a.m., we will begin our “roundtable” in which participants will share their latest news, projects and any requests for help. Remember to bring any handouts or business cards you care to share.

WE WILL HAVE a special guest with us on May 17. Lucille Sider, author of Light Shines in the Darkness, is coming to Michigan to visit our Michigan Communicators circle and to share some of her remarkable story of overcoming the trauma of childhood abuse. When Lucille reached adulthood, she earned multiple graduate degrees, worked as an administrator of a nonprofit herself, and now shares her new book as a way to bring help to others. Not a week passes without new front-page headlines illustrating why Lucille’s inspiring book is so timely. She wants to meet all of you. You’ll be pleased you came to meet her.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

If something important arises that morning, just let me know that day. And, yes, you can email in advance to prompt my planning.Veterans in our network know that our gatherings begin with a walk-and-talk time with our hosts. Then, we settle in for a true “roundtable” in which everyone around the circle has an opportunity to share news about current projects, to ask for help, or to promote an idea that will interest others in our group. We also know that, on a practical level, not everyone gets to take the floor before we hit 12-Noon and our time runs out. So, make use of email—let me know if you are coming with some special news to share.

Have a colleague or friend you want to bring along? We always welcome newcomers.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions. Look forward to seeing you!

David Crumm

 

IN 2019, interest in our Michigan Communicators group continues to grow as more journalists, authors and media professionals connect with our network and ask: When’s the next gathering?

FRIDAY MARCH 29 (from 9 a.m. to Noon)—Najah Bazzy and Monica Boomer have invited us to gather at Zaman International, 26091 Trowbridge Street in Inkster. We held a gathering at Zaman a couple of years ago and the feedback was very positive, including from people who said they were sorry they missed this remarkable tour, a chance to hear personally from Najah Bazzy—in addition to our regular roundtable. So, in response to that popular interest, we are returning. Najah is an internationally known figure for many reasons you’ll hear more about on March 29.

FRIDAY MAY 17 (from 9 a.m. to Noon)—We will be hosted by Angel’s Place, founded in 1992 to care for persons with developmental disabilities. A number of participants in our Michigan Communicators network are active with Angel’s Place and this remarkable organization has agreed to host our gathering in mid-May.

THEN—We hope to confirm 3 more gatherings in 2019. Since 2007, we have gathered at dozens of churches, synagogues, mosques, museums and nonprofits across southeast Michigan. If you’re aware of a particular site and host you could recommend, email David Crumm.

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

Veterans in our network know that our gatherings begin with a walk-and-talk time with our hosts. Then, we settle in for a true “roundtable” in which everyone around the circle has an opportunity to share news about current projects, to ask for help, or to promote an idea that will interest others in our group. We also know that, on a practical level, not everyone gets to take the floor before we hit 12-Noon and our time runs out. So, make use of email—let me know if you are coming with some special news to share.

If something important arises that morning, just let me know that day. And, yes, you can email in advance to prompt my planning.

Have a colleague or friend you want to bring along? We always welcome newcomers.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions. Look forward to seeing you!

David Crumm

 

 

See you 9 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018

HOSTED BY THE JEWISH BOOK FAIR—Thanks to our friend Sheri Schiff, we will be guests of the Jewish Book Fair for our final Michigan Communicators gathering of the year. PLEASE NOTE—This is a Wednesday, not our typical Friday gathering. The reason for that date is to take part in a very special program!

Website: https://bookfair.jccdet.org/ has a detailed schedule of the many free programs at this year’s Book Fair. The entire Book Fair runs November 3-14. You will be impressed by the lineup of authors appearing at this year’s Fair. The majority of events are free of charge. (NOTE: Thursday night at 8 p.m., our own Joe Grimm is presenting a program about his new book from Wayne State Press about Faygo!)

Location: Set your mapping Apps to the Jewish Community Center at Maple and Drake roads in West Bloomfield. The specific street address is 6600 West Maple Road.

WE WILL START PROMPTLY AT 9 AM! For this very special gathering, we are breaking with tradition and we will start the “Roundtable” portion of our Communicators session at 9 a.m. (Usually, we start with a tour-and-talk by our hosts.) Because we are starting at 9 a.m., we will conclude the Roundtable before 11 a.m.

WELCOME MUHAMMED AL SAMAWI

THEN, AT 11 AM—The author of the acclaimed new memoir, The Fox Hunt, is scheduled to talk about his life and his book at 11 a.m. that morning. Our group plans to move from our Roundtable to enjoy his presentation—on themes close to all of our hearts.

The book has been praised by The New York Times. Bruce Feiler, who many of us know, calls this “an urgent and timely book that reminds us of the common threads of the human experience.” The Forward calls it “a tale of incredible liberation—viscerally compelling.” Rabbi David Saperstein, who many of us know, says, “Poignant, captivating, disturbing, yet, in the end, hopeful, The Fox Hunt is a haunting and memorable book that illuminates the humanitarian tragedy of Yemen through the life of one of its refugees.”

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

Veterans in our network know that our gatherings begin with a walk-and-talk time with our hosts. Then, we settle in for a true “roundtable” in which everyone around the circle has an opportunity to share news about current projects, to ask for help, or to promote an idea that will interest others in our group. We also know that, on a practical level, not everyone gets to take the floor before we hit 12-Noon and our time runs out. So, make use of email—let me know if you are coming with some special news to share.

If something important arises that morning, just let me know that day. And, yes, you can email in advance to prompt my planning.

Have a colleague or friend you want to bring along? We always welcome newcomers.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions. Look forward to seeing you!

David Crumm