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Business workshops in Waterford Township Business owners and entrepreneurs who need assistance are invited to attend seminars in August offered by the Oakland County Business Center at Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford Township. For registration and location specifics, visit oakgov.com/peds/calendar, or call 248-858-0783. Pre-Business Research class is 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, August 3 at Farmington Community Library, 32737 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills. For pre-registration and location specifics, visit our website at oakgov.com/peds/calendar, or call 248-858-0783. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Team SBA Financing Roundtable - This session is best suited to those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in their business. The class is 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, August 4. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Fundamentals of Starting a Business is 6-...

Oakland County residents launch apparel brand Together, three Oakland County residents are launching a new Michigan-based apparel brand, Mighty Detroit, which will showcase the spirit and culture of Detroit in each of its products. The mission of the new brand is to lend a hand in the rejuvenation of Detroit by donating a portion of the proceeds from each order to The Greening of Detroit, a charity dedicated to the reforestation of the city. For more information about Mighty Detroit and its products visit, www.mightydetroit.com . Meretsky receives Lifetime Achievement Award Stan Meretsky of Birmingham was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Direct Marketing Association of Detroit. Meretsky is the founder of Meretsky Response, Michigan’s first advertising agency to specialize in direct response marketing. He was also president of the association and a longtime board member. He currently works with all the past presidents of the organization to furthe...

ROCHESTER Investment book signing and beer tasting come together      Jim Koester, a free market investor coach, will be having a book signing and Michigan beer tasting at the Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Dr. in Rochester at 6 p.m. Aug. 3. A presentation about the book, “The Dirty Filthy Lies My Broker Taught Me and 101 Truths about Money and Investing,” will precede the book signing. Beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Call 248-608-1133 or visit www.freemktcoach.com. TROY Credit union promotes Golden      The Michigan Catholic Credit Union promoted Tracy Golden as the new marketing manager of its Troy branch. Golden has more than 17 years of experience and has been working with the credit union since 2003. As marketing manager, Golden will be responsible for all creative marketing strategies, public relations and MCCU sponsorships. MACOMB COUNTY Businesses donate beds      Mattress To Go in Shelby Township don...

Palace Sports & Entertainment names director of marketing Jared Rose of Auburn Hills was named director of corporate marketing for Palace Sports & Entertainment of Auburn Hills. Rose will be responsible for sponsorship sales and account management of corporate partnerships for The Palace, Detroit Pistons, DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival. Rose was previously the vice president of Marketing and Sponsorship for Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League in Spokane, Washington where he developed the overall team’s marketing and advertising campaign including creative, graphic design, production, buying and execution of advertising. Community Network Services supervisor receives credential Oxford resident Laura Richards-Farwell, a supervisor at the Waterford Township-based nonprofit organization Community Network Services, recently received the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance credential from the American Society for Training & Developm...

Rahm Real estate and investment firm appoints VP of corporate finance     Grubb and Ellis Company, a leading real estate services and investment firm based in Grosse Pointe, recently appointed Anne Rahm as the new vice president of corporate finance.     In her new position, Rahm will support the corporate finance group in providing capital markets advisory and execution expertise for single-tenant assets on behalf of corporate users, developers and owners.     Rahm previously worked at Community Central Bank as a commercial lending officer responsible for managing a commercial loan portfolio with approximately $20 million in exposure.  Carter Carter joins board for Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association      Michelle Carter, a partner in Bodman LLP’s Troy office, has been elected to a threeyear term on the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association’s Board of Directors.     An emerg...

Consignment shop moves to new location with showroom Cash Around The House has moved to 6650 Highland Road, Suite 113 in Waterford Township. The owner, Jim McClure, sells a variety of quality items on consignment, including mid-century modern furniture and accessories, unusual art, toys, glass, lighting and antiques. The business has been selling consignment goods online for the past four years and just recently opened the showroom, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information or appointment, call 248-666-8400. To shop online, visit www.CashAroundTheHouse.com . Company receives award Firestone Building Products Company LLC recently named Butcher & Baecker Construction Co. Inc. of Rochester Hills a 2010 Firestone Partner in Quality for demonstrating excellence in commercial roofing installations over the past year. The Rochester Hills-based firm was among 159 companies throughout North America to receive the award. For more information, c...

WATERFORD TWP . Seminar offered for golfers      A golfers’ fun seminar is 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at Excel Rehabilitation Services, 3687 Highland Rd., Waterford Township.  The cost is $10 per person and free for registered Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Classic participants. Attendees can sign up to win two rounds of golf with cart at Pontiac Country Club. Chamber of Commerce hosts networking breakfast      The Holly Chamber of Commerce is hosting a networking breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Friday, July 30, at Villager’s Restaurant, 1121 North Saginaw St. in Holly. The cost for breakfast is $5.     Curtis joins The Creative Group      Kevin Curtis has joined the Southfield office of The Creative Group as an account manager. The Creative Group, a division of specialized staffing leader Robert Half International, specializes in placing highlyskilled creative, advertising, marketing, web and public r...

Learn leadership Detroit Executive Service Corps is offering a class called “Leadership Skills for the Experienced Leader,” 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 30 at Marygrove College, 8425 W. McNichols in Detroit. The cost is $35 or $60 based on budget size. It includes a continental breakfast, lunch and materials included.   Skidmore Studio receives award      Skidmore Studio of Royal Oak has received an award for their motion graphics work. The 50-year-old creative firm was recognized with a Silver award from the Summit Creative Awards. The international awards program, which evaluated submissions from 24 countries, recognized “Art is Everywhere.” “Art is Everywhere” is an educational and awareness-building video developed in AfterEffects for ArtServe Michigan. The video is available for viewing at SkidmoreStudio . com / every where .

TROY Seminar to focus on changes to business with China The Multicultural Council of America is offering a three-hour seminar titled, “China: A Business & Culture Seminar.” The seminar starts at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 29 at Hyatt Place, 1545 N. Opdyke Road in Auburn Hills. Discussion at the seminar will focus on changes taking place in China that are transforming the business and political relationships between the United States and China. The cost is $149 per person and $249 for two. To register, visit www.multiculturalcouncil.org . First Michigan Bank names commercial banking chief First Michigan Bank announced Thomas C. Shafer of Grosse Pointe Farms has been named executive managing director of commercial banking. Shafer has been employed by Citizens Republic Bancorp since 1994. He held the position of executive vice president of specialty banking, among other titles. He also worked at Michigan National Bank in various commercial assignments. New agents for real estate company...

Passenger traffic increases at Detroit Metro Airport After 21 consecutive months of declining passenger counts, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, (DTW) has recorded a month-over-month increase in total passengers according to preliminary numbers compiled by the Wayne County Airport Authority’s Division of Financial Planning and Analysis. Total passenger traffic for May 2010 topped May 2009 by 82,798 passengers, or 3.1 percent. Airport Authority staff analysis of scheduled airline flights shows DTW up 9.1 percent year-over-year for July 2010 and departing seats up 5.8 percent. And while future airline schedule modifications are always possible, current schedules show departing flights increasing around 12 percent year-over-year for September and October 2010. Another analysis, conducted by the Air Transport Association comparing U.S. airline flight schedules from the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2010, ranks DTW number two in the nation for the percentage of flights added. B...

Azox and Blue Moon will be hosting a joint webinar that focuses on how Azox Credit Card Extension and Blue Moon's SOP Auto Invoice can work together to streamline the Sales Order Process in Microsoft Dynamics GP. With SOP Auto Invoice you can automatically transfer sales orders, print invoices and post within the Microsoft Dynamics GP SOP entry system. When combined with Azox Credit Card Extension you will have the ability to post-authorize the SOP invoice batch automatically before it gets posted in Dynamics GP. Join us for this free webinar Wednesday, July 21st and learn more about the features of Azox Credit Card Extension and Blue Moon's SOP Auto Invoice. Click here to register .

PMI move indicates growth in economy     The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index, (PMI) expanded to 66.1 in June, indicating that the local economy experienced a significantly high rate of expansion.     June marks the fifth consecutive month with PMI values higher than 50. An index above 50 indicates an expanding economy. The higher the value above 50, the greater the expansion.     According to the survey, results compiled by the Wayne State University School of Business Administration and the Southeast Michigan chapter of the Institute for Supply Management, the growth in June was due to a strong increase in new orders and marked expansion in production and employment.    Panel will discuss health insurance     WWJ Newsradio 950, in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan presents “Health Insurance Changes for Small Business,” opening at 7:15 a.m. for registra...

Send us your business news Is your business celebrating a significant anniversary or milestone, expanding or moving, or has it earned an award? Do you have a new or newly promoted employee or manager? Please e-mail your news releases and photographs to business.news@oakpress.com.   Marketing agency receives communicator awards   Pontiac-based pushtwentytwo, a full-service marketing agency, and its client Faurecia were the recipients of three 2010 International Association of Business Communicators Detroit Renaissance Awards of Merit at the annual awards ceremony in Troy. The agency was recognized in each of the three award divisions: Communications Creative, Skills and Management. The IABC Detroit’s Renaissance Awards honor excellence in business communication designed to promote the image, marketing or programs of a specific organization. For more information, call 248-335-9500 or visit www.pushtwentytwo.com .

The Worldwide Partner Conference has come and gone, and one thought comes to mind following the WPC and that is Microsoft is serious about the Cloud. Over 9,500 partners gathered in Washington D.C. for the four day conference to network and learn more about Microsoft’s direction moving forward. Microsoft CEO Steven Ballmer & COO Kevin Turner pushed cloud-computing services very hard delivering keynotes focusing on Microsoft’s shift to the Windows Azure cloud computing platform. Corporate VP, Jon Roskill addressed channel partners stating, “Together we’re going to succeed in this transition to the cloud.” It wasn’t all business as usual though as Microsoft also promoted their consumer products in a vision keynote on Tuesday focusing on everything from Windows Phone 7 to Kinetic for Xbox 360. Azox looks forward to focusing on the opportunities presented at the WPC and continuing to develop solutions that solve customer needs. Azox own Sales Director was there taking in the event and ...

Master Sommelier and Chef Andrea Robinson will pour forth a lesson on the basics of proper food and wine partners while she shares some of her favorite recipes to sample. The informational demonstration is 6 p.m. today, July 16 at Macy's Somerset, third floor, home dept., 2752 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy. She will also introduce her new stemware collection - “The One”  - which is available at Macy’s and is a line created to take the guesswork out of choosing the proper wine glass. Customers making a purchase of The One   stemware the day of the event will receive a complimentary copy of Andrea’s 2010 Wine Buying Guide for Everyone.  Following the cooking demonstration, Andrea will be available to meet and greet customers and sign copies of cookbook purchases made the day of the event. Andrea’s latest cookbook, Great Wine Made Simple, will be available for purchase the day of the event.  The event is free. Seating is limited. Please call 1-800-329-8667 to reserve ...

BIRMINGHAM Meeting for business owners The Business Improvement Team, a group of Michigan-based consultants, along with Tobias, Vandeputte & Skulsky PC, a CPA firm, present a free program called “The Business Performance Improvement 2.0 Series.” It meets the third Tuesday of each month to discuss topics related to business ownership. Sessions are designed to discuss new ways to accelerate business and innovation. Each meeting focuses on different topics with expert speakers. The next seminar is from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Birmingham Tower, 280 N. Old Woodward, LL Conference Room in Birmingham. To register, visit www.bizimpteam.com/events or call 248-641-8400. DETROIT Business leaders post a list of questions for candidates Business Leaders for Michigan recently released, “The 10 Questions Every Voter Should Ask Candidates Running for State Office.” The questions address the most urgent issues currently facing all Michigan residents, from the state budget and tax ...

Business patents discussed The Student Intellectual Property Law Association is hosting a speaking event, “Future of Business Method Patents” 5 to 6 p.m. today at Thomas M. Cooley Law School Auburn Hills Campus, 2630 Featherstone, room 145 in Auburn Hills. The discussion is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court issued decision in the Bilski v. Kappos case, concerning the patentability of methods for hedging risk in commodity markets. Although the Court ruled that the claimed invention was not eligible for patenting, because it was merely an “abstract idea,” the court left undecided the exact test to be applied in future cases. The event is free and open to the public. Brian Kelly joins law firm   Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth & Heller, P.C., a Southfield-based law firm, has named Brian C. Kelly of Troy as a senior associate. He practices in the firm’s Defense Practice and Insurance Coverage Group, specializing in Professional Liability Defense and Insurance Coverage. Prior to j...

Uptown Entertainment completes theater conversion Uptown Entertainment has completed the conversion of 19 screens at its two Birmingham locations to Sony Electronics’ 4K digital cinema technology, which provides four times the image resolution of high definition TVs. Uptown’s Palladium 12 and Birmingham 8 theaters were also the first among first-run theaters in the region to offer this advanced digital technology. With the conversion, Uptown has outfitted screens for 3-D digital projection, combining Sony’s single-projector 3-D lens system with RealD 3-D technology, that enables the highest-quality 2-D and 3-D digital projection. Besides offering the highest image resolution of all commercial projection technologies, Sony’s 4K system also enables Uptown to deliver alternative content to customers. Recent examples at the Birmingham theaters include musician Kenny Chesney’s: “Summer in 3-D” encore film and musical performer Jewel’s “Worldwide CD Premiere.” At the world premiere of Jewel’...

Free financial crisis management seminars Thav, Gross, Steinway & Bennett are hosting three financial crisis management seminars from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays — July 14, Aug. 4 and Sept. 15 — at Bingham Office Park, 30150 Telegraph, Suite 360. Ken Gross and David Einstandig, hosts of the Financial Crisis Talk Center radio show that airs Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. on WDFN 1130 AM, will lead the discussion and answer key financial and legal questions. Reservations are required; call 248-645-1700 or visit www.fctalkcenter.com/seminars . Radisson hires director of sales Paulette Kruger of Macomb has been named director of sales for the Radisson Hotel of Bloomfield Hills. The 150-room hotel is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm. Kruger previously served this position prior to filling her most recent position as director of sales for the Hilton Garden Inn in Southfield. She has also served as director of sales for th...

 Southfield-based agency hosting gala fundraiser for Miss USA Southfield-based iGroup, Michigan’s leading and exclusive model and talent agency, has partnered with Michael George of Future Entertainment and the Miss Michigan USA Pageant to host a homecoming gala for Dearborn resident, and newly crowned, Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010, today. The gala, which also serves as a fundraiser for The Pink Fund; a charity providing financial aid to individuals afflicted by breast cancer, starts at 9 p.m. in the Woodward Ball Room of The Westin Book Cadillac, at 1114 Washington Blvd. in Detroit. Guests must be 21 years or older and RSVP prior to the event. A minimum donation of $20 will be collected at the door to benefit The Pink Fund. Guests are asked to dress cocktail chic with a touch of pink in support of the worthwhile cause. Visit www.theigroup.com . Palace marquee to get updated Palace Sports & Entertainment’s 94-foot tall Palace marquee, located just s...

Watch this comical video short of how Azox is able to provide a man with an E-Commerce solution to help sell thousands of vuvuzelas online. Watch the video below.

DTE Energy Music Theatre hosts five sellouts in 10 days DTE Energy Music Theatre recently enjoyed one of the most successful stretches in its 20 summers of Palace Sports & Entertainment ownership with a period of five sold out shows in 10 days from June 18-27. The string of sellouts included the Backstreet Boys with Mindless Behavior on June 18, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band on June 22, Dave Matthews Band with Martin Sexton on June 23, Lynyrd Skynyrd with Bret Michaels and .38 Special on June 24, and Foreigner and Styx with Kansas on June 25. Probate judge honored as distinguished public servant The Oakland County Bar Association presented its 2010 “Distinguished Public Servant Award” to Oakland County Probate Judge Eugene Arthur Moore. The award is designed to recognize an individual employed in the public sector who has provided exceptional voluntary service and dedication to the Bar Association, the legal community, and the general public. The award ackno...

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel hires CFO Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel announces the appointment of Tina Eick as chief financial officer. She was formerly with Peter A. Basile Sons Inc. in Livonia, where she was employed for 14 years. Personal injury lawyer named Olivet Alumni of the Year Brian J. Benner, partner of Benner and Foran of Farmington Hills, was recently named Olivet Alumni of the Year for 2010-2011. Benner was honored by Olivet College for his “significant contributions as a personal injury lawyer and advocate for consumer safety.” Walsh College student appointed to CALSTART board Walsh College Doctor of Management in Executive Leadership student Sanjay Rishi of Troy has been appointed a board member of CALSTART, the nation’s leading clean transportation catalyst organization. Currently vice president of Global Strategy for IBM Corporation, Rishi has held several leadership roles in the company, including vice president responsible for the Global Automotive and T...

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel hires CFO Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel announces the appointment of Tina Eick as chief financial officer. She was formerly with Peter A. Basile Sons Inc. in Livonia, where she was employed for 14 years. Personal injury lawyer named Olivet Alumni of the Year Brian J. Benner, partner of Benner and Foran of Farmington Hills, was recently named Olivet Alumni of the Year for 2010-2011. Benner was honored by Olivet College for his “significant contributions as a personal injury lawyer and advocate for consumer safety.” Walsh College student appointed to CALSTART board Walsh College Doctor of Management in Executive Leadership student Sanjay Rishi of Troy has been appointed a board member of CALSTART, the nation’s leading clean transportation catalyst organization. Currently vice president of Global Strategy for IBM Corporation, Rishi has held several leadership roles in the company, including vice president responsible for the Global Automotive and Truck Industry. ...

Azox is pleased to be a Believer Sponsor at the 2010 Partner Event. The event is held in Fargo, North Dakota and runs from September 19-21, 2010. The Partner Event allows you to network with colleagues from the Microsoft Dynamics Partner community; enhance your sales, marketing and/or leadership skills through conference workshops. In addition to workshops there will be several guest speakers on hand. Cindy Alexander, the Microsoft Partner Technology Advisor for Microsoft Dynamics GP and AX in the Southeast will be speaking as well as many other experienced leaders and experts in the Microsoft Dynamics community. For more information visit www.thepartnerevent.com .

Looking for a job? Novi’s Rock Financial Showplace will be the scene of a HiredMYWay.com career expo today. The expo will have 30 companies looking to fill 3,000 different positions — in areas ranging from technology to finance to engineering. HiredMYway.com will pre-qualify candidates and set up interviews at the expo. Bring copies of your resume. Doors open to job seekers at 9 a.m. Personal interviews with recruiters will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. SHW Group adds staff SHW Group, an architecture and engineering firm specializing in design for the education sector, has hired three new staff members for its Berkley office: Matthew Kelty, AIA, as project architect; Colleen Stickney as interior designer and Megan McParland as intern interior designer. Debra M. McCulloch joins Bush Seyferth & Paige PLLC Attorney Debra M. McCulloch of Bloomfield Hills has joined Bush Seyferth & Paige PLLC, a national litigation firm in Troy, as a partner, leading the firm’s new empl...