Saline, MI

One of the little "extras" I try to provide my newcomers is help in networking, both socially and professionally. Here are some of the happy stories I have accumulated over the years.

I visited a woman who had been staying home with her three kids but was now ready to go back to work as an occupational therapist. Previously, I visited another occupational therapist mom who has already investigated the job market and was now employed. So, thinking the 1^st mom might have pointers for the 2^nd mom I connected the two of them. Later, I found out they were job sharing, since each wanted to work part-time.

On the social networking side, I visited several women from England within the span of a year. I introduced the first two because they expressed being a little homesick. From then on I introduced the other newcomers from England to the group. They now have and "English Ladies Group" that meets regularly for tea and talk. I always know to call one of the group members when I meet with someone from England.

And, sometimes I am the beneficiary of the networking perk! Several of my closest friends are people I visited as newcomers. What other job allows you to meet 25 potential new friends every month? I love being a Newcomers Welcome Service Representative!

Saline Area Schools is doing a need assessment for each of our schools and wants the parents input.

As parents and members of Saline Area Schools District, it is important we take the opportunity to provide our input. There are two different pilots to choose from, one if you have a child attending a school and one if you are like me and they have graduated, but still like to participate in the schools.

The survey they have selected has been developed by the National Education Association (NEA) and schools/districts all over the country are currently using this tool to assist them in creating comprehensive school improvement plans for their schools to improve teaching and learning for all children.

The KEYS 2.0 Survey tool is a comprehensive survey that collects data from teachers, support staff, parents and members of the community at large.

If you have a child in more than one building in the Saline Area School District they are asking you complete the survey for each building.

How do you take the survey? Go to www.keysonline.org and click on "take the survey". Once there, enter 48176, our zip code and select the school building your child is in. The building survey is ready to participate in if you see another "take the survey" link.

Following are time lines for launch of the survey for each building:

Saline High School - September 17, 2008

Saline Middle School - October 1, 2008

Heritage School - September 17, 2008

Harvest Elementary - October 8, 2008

Houghton Elementary - October 22, 2008

Pleasant Ridge Elementary - September 24, 2008

Woodland Meadows Elementary - September 18, 2008

The survey will be open for each building for 20 days from the above scheduled launch date.

Dryer Vent Wizard urges landlords and apartment building managers to have dryer vent systems professionally inspected and cleaned periodically

Auburn Hills, MI--Recent news reported a clothes dryer fire in an apartment building causing 30 units to be evacuated. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but it is estimated that it will cost over $50,000 to repair the damages. Most of the residents were local college students.

Larry Butterfield, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard was at a recent meeting, talking to landlords and apartment building managers. He explained to them how failure to properly maintain dryer vent systems is the leading cause of clothes dryer fires. Lint is highly flammable; clothes dryer vents carry the hot dryer exhaust outdoors. Most lint from dryers is caught by the screen, but some escapes into the dryer vent tubes. When it accumulates, it restricts air flow, causing over heating and eventually, a fire. "Dryer vent inspections and cleaning by professionals who specialize in dryer vent systems should be done at least once a year, especially in apartment buildings where so many lives are at risk," said Butterfield.

Dryer Vent Wizard, Dry Clothes, Safe Homes, specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair, installation and alterations. They are a great service to their community as they educate each customer in dryer vent maintenance and dryer fire prevention. The job isn't complete until the technician has shown the customer everything they need to know about their dryer vent system. DVW technicians will demonstrate how to properly clean and maintain the system between annual inspections and professional cleanings.

Larry Butterfield urges landlords and apartment building managers to have all dryer vents in the building professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year or whenever a tenant moves out. "The cost of the inspections is minute compared to the potential damages, injuries and even loss of lives if a dryer fire should occur," said Butterfield. Visit http://www.dryerventwizard.com for more information. Larry Butterfield services Wayne County, Detroit, Livonia, Redford, Dearborn, Canton, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, Ypsilanti, Monroe County, Carlton, Monroe, Temperance, Lambertville, Lenawee County, Hudson, Adrian, Blissfield, Tecumseh and Addison.

Contact:

Dryer Vent Wizard of South East Michigan

Larry Butterfield

31550 Northwestern Highway; Ste. 110

Farmington Hills, MI 48334

313-402-7659

Email: lbutterfield@dryerventwizard.com

Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com

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It is that time of the year again, and as the commercial says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." This time next week, all the kids will be ready for opening day on Tuesday, September 2nd.

The calendar for Saline School Year 2008 and 2009.

Several years ago the Michigan State Legislature mandated that ALL schools would start the day after Labor Day, in order to gain one more weekend for tourism. Tourism is huge in Michigan with all the lakes.

My family and I live in Saline, Mi. Saline is located just 2 miles south of Ann Arbor, close to all the major cultural, educational and recreational centers but still maintaining its "small town atmosphere". It has been the driving force of this small rural community for 100's of years.

The quality of education in Saline Schools has driven all the growth in Saline for the last 14 years. Matter of fact that has been the history in Saline since the one room school house. Education has always been a top priority. Under Michigan's state statute in the late 1800's, school children were only allowed to walk two miles to attend classes, so many rural one room school houses were spread out to comply with that statute.

In March I posted on the Weber-Blaess Schoolhouse that was restored in 2002, which the elementary children get to visit and experience what it was like to attend school in the year 1867. It is located on Woodland Dr and is a hallmark of remembrance for education in Saline.

Over the last one hundred plus years, Saline has continued to grow based on the quality of education that is provided to the students. There are currently 8 schools in the Saline School District, with over 5200 students enrolled. Saline Schools pulls in students from Pittsfield, Lodi, York, Saline, Bridgewater, and Freedom Townships.

There are three elementary schools in Saline housing grades 1-4. As soon as one was built we were in need of another one.

Pleasant Ridge

229 Pleasant Ridge Dr

Woodland Meadows

350 Woodland Dr. 734-944-8985

Harvest Elementary

1155 Campus Parkway 734-944-8901

Grades 5-6 are located in:

Heritage School

290 Woodland Drive 734-944-8970

The Kindergarten is at Houghton Elementary, located at 555 Mills Rd. 734-944-8960. This school houses pre-school, kindergarten and young 5's.

Saline Middle School is comprised of grades 7-8 and is located in the Old High School. The middle school is located at 7190 N. Maple Rd. 734-429-8070. It was formally the old high school.

Saline High School is grades 9-12. This is the fourth year that the new high school has been open and it is state of the art. It is located at 1300 Campus Drive 734-429-8030.

Saline Area Schools is a wonderful district dedicated to it students and to their advanced learning opportunities. It is in partnership with the families, wonderful staff and teachers.

As my husband is fond of saying, "Saline parents are the most devoted dedicated and doting families in the Western Hemisphere."

All the schools can be reached by calling 734-429-8000 and following the menu to reach any school building and department.

Our first high school football game is Saturday at EMU, prep day. Saline vs Ann Arbor Pioneer at 8:00 P.M.

Go Hornets!!

***Updated from last year with new calendar, events.***

I love high school and college sports, that's not a shocker.

Saline High School football is one of my favorite sports. Still trying to figure what player I will adopt this year as my own kids will be nowhere on the field.

Of course it goes without saying how much I love the Michigan Wolverines, just look at my page. I can't wait, opening day is next Saturday, 7 days and counting. Of course everyone is anxiously awaiting kick-off with the new coach, Rich Rodriques.

August 29th is the Big Prep Day Opening at EMU, where Saline plays Ann Arbor Pioneer. Click the link for more information.

The rest of the local schedule for the Saline Hornets is:

September 5th Bedford High School Away

September 12 Chelsea High School Home

September 19 Dexter High School Away

September 26 Tecumseh Homecoming.

October 3rd Lincoln Away

October 10th Milford Away

October 17th Adrian Home

October 25th Ann Arbor Huron Away

Directions to the away games can be found here.

This is intersting in light of all the posts on Video being the next big thing, or already here. You can now watch on the Saline Hornet web site, videos for all the games.

The Saline Hornet Football team has it's own web site, where you can find more information on the team roosters, history and photos.

***Originally posted on Ann Arbor Real Estate Talk***, by Missy Caulk