Email leslie.ellis@patch.com
Phone 248-303-4434
My family was a news family - we got the daily paper and discussed the nightly news over dinner. On the weekend, CBS News Sunday morning was part of our breakfast routine and we spent the first part of the day reading and swapping sections of the newspaper. With all that information floating around in our heads, you'd think one of us would have been able to beat my Dad at Trivial Pursuit. But, we never did - even when we teamed up against him! My first internship was in high school with the Rochester Eccentric newspaper. But I really caught the news bug at Michigan State University, where I studied history and journalism. I found a way to combine both subjects with jobs at The State News and the Lansing State Journal. Journalism, after all, has been called "the first rough draft of history." As luck would have it, I landed my first professional job near home at The Oakland Press and from there moved to The Detroit News. Despite its ups and downs, journalism has been a rewarding career that has allowed me to learn something new every day, meet fascinating people, be creative and serve the community!
Huntington Woods couple Rick and Margaret Tripp stroll along Woodward Avenue on Saturday ahead of their 46th wedding anniversary next weekend and recall what it was like to be an original cruiser.
Sterling Heights resident Dan Knoblock's vehicle on display Saturday in Berkley is one of less than 2,900 that were made during the 1970s.
A classic car procession along 12 Mile Road kicked off the evening, which also included music, food and dancing.
A halftime show preview Friday at Hurley Field featured classic hits by glam rockers KISS.
Alliance Mobile Health will set up first-aid stations during Berkley CruiseFest and the Woodward Dream Cruise; the agency also offers tips on how to avoid seeking medical treatment when you'd rather be watching the classic cars.
Friends take old-timer out on the town for pre-Dream Cruise fun.
John Brooky of Ferndale loves the cars, don't get him wrong. But he also loves Jesus. So he pairs the two passions at the Dream Cruise.
The free summer concert series in Berkley will offer fun for the whole family Thursday evening.
New Beginnings Animal Rescue also provides a Pet Food Pantry program that assists owners who otherwise may have to surrender their animals.
The popular children's show will not heed requests to have beloved characters Bert and Ernie get married: Is the program an appropriate avenue to discuss the issue of marriage – gay or otherwise – with kids?
A mix of incumbents and new faces will contend for positions on Berkley City Council, Huntington Woods City Commission and Berkley School District Board of Education.
The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall; members of the public are encouraged to participate.
However, Berkley High School was among a number of Michigan high schools that didn't meet the 2010-2011 Adequate Yearly Progress benchmarks; officials cite increased targets.
Nasty weather, complications securing easements and parts delays held up the work, but the city expects the lot will be open Friday for CruiseFest parking — without finishing touches.
A special land-use request that would allow New Beginnings Animal Rescue to establish a shelter on 11 Mile Road is on the agenda Monday night at City Hall.
Merchandise is available at the corner of 12 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Berkley; sales are a big income generator for community groups.
From Mustang Alley in Ferndale to the Kids Cruise in Royal Oak to Chevy's centennial in Birmingham, there are events for every community leading up to and through Saturday's Woodward Dream Cruise.
The Berkley restaurant is holding a series of public tastings as it prepares to begin serving the morning meal on a target date of Sept. 12.
The red-carpet event Aug. 19 at Westborn Market will include chilled champagne, food samples from Metro Detroit restaurants, live music and a silent auction.
Other fun ideas include learning to paint, how to preserve produce from your garden or taking in a theater performance at the Detroit Zoo.
