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Making charitable donations by Dec. 31, can help not only charities but also the tax situation of individuals and businesses that are donating. The state of Michigan offers special tax credits to donations made to certified organizations providing overnight accomodations, food or meals to indigents. The Michigan tax credit is 50 percent of the contribution — or up to $100 on a single return and up to $200 on a joint return. These credits also can be combined with any federal tax deduction, which may reduce the out-of-pocket cost of a contribution by up to 85 percent. This means a gift of $400 from a couple in the 35 percent federal tax bracket could actually have a net cost of just $60 after all credits and deductions are applied. Donors should see their accountants for specific details. There are a number of organizations providing matching grants. Gleaners’ Board of Directors is matching dollar for dollar, the first $50,000 donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Mich...

STERLING HEIGHTS Jet’s Pizza rises in the ranks Sterling Heights-based Jet’s Pizza moved from 24 to 18 in gross sales nationwide, according to Pizza Today magazine’s 2010 ranking of the nation’s Top 100 Pizza Companies. The jump of six places was the greatest increase of all Michigan-based pizza companies and one of the most substantial sales increases among the Top 40 pizza companies, nationwide. Jet’s 2010 gross sales placed them fourth among seven pizza companies with headquarters in Michigan. MADISON HEIGHTS Site Development awarded contract The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded Site Development Inc. of Madison Heights a $2,157,293 contract to oversee sewer separation and improvements for Red Run Drain in Macomb County and a sewer separation project in Oakland County. The contractor will eliminate a sewer cross connection at the 12 Mile Road and John R. intersection and construct 415 feet of new line ranging from 48 to 60 inches in diameter to separate existing combined sewers a...

NORTHVILLE Tera Networks acquires new business Tera Networks, a division of DataFactZ that provides managed hosting, managed services and disaster recovery solutions, secured new business with Challangoe & Jabro, CPA’s of Madison Heights. Tera Networks provides managed IT services for Challangoe & Jabro, and supports critical IT asset infrastructure and users with remote-managed IT solutions for the firm. For information, call 877-TERA-444 or visit www.teranetworks.com . TROY InStar Services hires 7 new employees Troy-based InStar Services Group, a national disaster restoration and reconstruction firm with 22 offices throughout the country, recently hired seven new employees. Four of them will work in Troy, including: Chris Larsen, capital projects manager; Mary Ellen Seymour, human resources; Michelle Stanton, account manager and Thomas Denomme, executive vice president of operations. Visit www.instar.com .

AUBURN HILLS Firefighters’ Helping Hands gets $8,000 Auburn Hills Firefighters’ Helping Hands will continue to make a difference in the community this holiday season as a result of the generous support of Continental AG. The city’s fifth-largest employer made an $8,000 donation on Dec. 21 to help the charitable organization provide assistance to families in need. STERLING HEIGHTS LinkedIn workshop offered for job hunters Job hunters can take advantage of a free workshop to learn how to use the business-oriented social network LinkedIn to find employment. The workshop is from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at St. Jane’s Hall 1 (south entrance), 38750 Ryan Road, Sterling Heights. Job search expert Thomas A. Bertin has used LinkedIn extensively throughout his career and will share his expertise. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so attendees are required to make reservations by sending an e-mail to jo@brandlure.com BLOOMFIELD HILLS Plunkett Cooney adds Bloyer, Iannotta to team Plun...

SOUTHFIELD Jan. 8 resume workshop Bacon, Eggs & Resumes! 2011 Resume Workshop Series presented by AwesomeU! is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 at Hilton Garden-Inn/Southfield, 26000 American Dr., Southfield. The workshop offers interview tips and a professionally prepared resume. The cost is $50 each. For information, visit awesomedesignstudio.com or call 248-875-2583. WATERFORD TWP. Oakland County holds January workshops Business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend seminars offered by the Oakland County Business Center at Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township. For pre-registration, visit oakgov.com/peds/calendar , or call 248-858-0783. Small Business Loan Workshop, including how to develop a winning loan proposal presented by the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Oakland County Business Center is 9 a.m. to noon, Jan. 6. The cost is ...

OAK PARK Huntington National Bank matches donations to Forgotten Harvest Huntington National Bank announced that through the rest of 2010, it will provide a matching grant, dollar for dollar, for every donation made to Forgotten Harvest until a total of $25,000 has been reached by donors. The state of Michigan offers special tax credits to donations made to certified hunger relief organizations. Gifts to Forgotten Harvest qualify for this and other federal tax credits and may reduce the out-of-pocket cost of a contribution by up to 85 percent. The Michigan tax credit is 50 percent of the contribution — or up to $100 on a single return and up to $200 on a joint return. These credits also can be combined with any federal tax deduction. This means a gift of $400 from a couple in the 35 percent federal tax bracket could actually have a net cost of just $60 after all credits and deductions are applied. Donors should see their accountants for specific details. Visit www.forgott...

TROY Prlanta Fine Jewelry launches online store Prlanta Fine Jewelry announces the launch of their online shopping site. The fine jeweler’s online store offers fashionable and trendy jewelry. The website allows customers to learn about Prlanta events; browse the stores wide variety of jewelry including Religious, Galatea and Metalsmiths Sterling and make purchases. Visit www.prlanta.com or call 248-362-3888. WIXOM Acromag creates New Technology Community Page Acromag Inc. of Wixom created a new Technology Community Page to provide a centralized website location for researching, understanding and analyzing advanced measurement and control solutions. The community page contains white papers, tech briefs and articles to aid engineers, programmers and manufacturers integrate signal conditioning, industrial PCs, high speed networks and embedded I/O processing into their products. The technology addresses engineers, technicians, programmers and manufacturers involved in automation and missi...

AUBURN HILLS OCC holds orientation for 911 dispatch academy   Michigan’s first 911 dispatch academy will hold its spring session at Oakland Community College’s Auburn Hills campus from March 22 to May 5. The 911 academy is an entry level training program for dispatchers employed by public safety agencies or individuals seeking employment as 911 telecommunicators. Tuition is $2,150 and financial assistance is available through the Michigan Works program for those who qualify. All classes have been approved for the use of State 911 Committee training funds. The program consists of 168 hours, which includes classroom instruction as well as hands-on computer aided dispatching, multi-line and radio console training. A free mandatory orientation and testing session will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11 at the Auburn Campus CREST site, 2900 Featherstone Road, Auburn Hills. Advance registration is required. Call 248-232-4220. ST. CLAIR SHORES Christmas with Santa Claus event offered on Dec...

WATERFORD TWP. Oakland County holding business workshops Business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend seminars offered by the Oakland County Business Center at Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township. For pre-registration, visit oakgov.com/peds/calendar , or call 248-858-0783. Small Business Loan Workshop, including how to develop a winning loan proposal presented by the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Oakland County Business Center is 9 a.m. to noon, Jan. 6. Cost is $20 per person, make checks payable to S.C.O.R.E. Pre-registration is required, call 248-858-0783. Pre-business research workshop is 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11. This workshop is free, pre-registration is required. Fundamentals of Starting a Business is 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 13. The fee is $30. Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan is 9 a.m. to noon Thursday Jan. 20. The ...

BIRMINGHAM Mega-boutique opens COMPLEX recently opened in the heart of Birmingham’s principle shopping district. The mega-boutique houses the Lab, Annex, Metallic, Garment Society, David & Davis Home and Pop-up Retail with more to come. It is a multi-concept fashion maze, with specialty retailers that feature contemporary women’s apparel, home furnishings, lifestyle products, unique gadgets, trendy and designer accessories. The in-shop boutique collaboration is two levels, 6,000-square-foot gallery style space at 168 W. Maple Road in Birmingham. Call 248-792-2495 or visit www.ComplexBoutique.com CLAWSON Interior Partnership Group awarded construction projects Interior Partnership Group Inc., a comprehensive design, construction and building services firm in Clawson, has been awarded three design-build construction projects: the renovation and updating of 11,000 square feet in the Administrative Office Building of ArvinMeritor in Troy; a new 4,300-square-foot Spine Center in the Men...

Our latest post on ERP Software Blog looks at finding software through Microsoft Pinpoint and how it can help connect customers and software vendors. Pinpoint offers over 7,000 software applications from over 30,000 Independent Software Vendors worldwide. Check out the full post on ERP Software Blog and see how we at Azox have used Pinpoint as a tool to showcase our products to potential organizations looking for solutions. Find out why Pinpoint is easy to use and how users can view data sheets, case studies, and links to demo videos or trial downloads that help them in the software selection process.

WARREN Meijer installs electric car recharging stations at stores Meijer of Grand Rapids has installed electric car recharging stations in its Warren, Allen Park and Holland stores. The grocer plans to add 10 to 20 electric car recharging stations at select stores in the near future. Meijer is Michigan’s first grocer to offer this complimentary service. For information, visit www.meijer.com . DETROIT Dec. 16, YP Best of Awards Gala The Inaugural YP Best of Awards Gala is 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at the new historically-placed Prive’ Lounge, 237 Jos Campau in Detroit. The event will feature Channing Pierce, Miss Michigan USA 2011, as the honorary event MC and will be co-hosted by William Malcolm of the William Malcolm Luxe Collection and Local 4 News Reporter Heather Zara. Semifinalists have been announced and are available on the YP Best of Awards and Gala website: www.detroityoungprofessionals.org/ypbestof . The event features a dynamic awards presentation, complimentary and exclusi...

Link to The Oakland Press stories Small business loans available High tech companies bring 1,000 jobs to Rochester Hills Auburn Hills Giffin Inc. expands, relocates   Giffin Inc., an industry leader in surface finishing systems, is moving its headquarters from Farmington to Auburn Hills. Giffin president, Donald Giffin said the modern, 125,000-square-foot facility at 1900 Brown Road will allow Griffin to design, fabricate and distribute industrial process and surface finishing equipment from one location. “We have a dedicated group of employees and were determined to stay in southeast Michigan,” Giffin said. “Having our workforce under one roof will improve the ability to interact and provide a more efficient environment to support our global customer base,” he said. The additional space enhances Giffin’s specialty manufacturing potential and significantly increases the capacity for future expansion. In addition to their manufacturing growth, Giffin will continue to support on-site...

FARMINGTON HILLS Level One Bank acquires assets of Paramount Bank The Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation announced recently that Level One Bank has acquired all the deposits and the majority of the assets of Paramount Bank, both of which are based in Farmington Hills. Paramount Bank was wholly owned by Paramount Bancorp Inc and was headquartered in Farmington Hills as well as operating additional branches in Clinton Township, Birmingham and Ferndale. Paramount Bank’s offices will be open for business as usual and checks drawn on Paramount Bank will continue to be processed. Level One has assumed approximately $19 million of brokered deposits held by Paramount Bank. These funds will be paid by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the broker of the funds. Customers who placed their deposits through brokers show contact their brokers show contact their brokers about the status of their deposits. Call 800-881-7816. STERLING HEIGHTS New Dollar Castle opens Dollar ...

WATERFORD TWP. Made in Michigan Movement releases free holiday guide The Made in Michigan Movement of Waterford Township has launched its second annual Michigan HolidayGuide. The free guide, available to download at www.madeinmichiganmovement.com , offers a list of quality products made in Michigan by Michigan-based businesses. “We believe we can be a driving force behind the shifting movement to buy local and hope this becomes a sustainable part of Michigan’s culture,” Made in Michigan Movement CEO Neil Yaremchuk said. Each company in the guide either produces premium food products that are Michigan-made or goods that are high quality and affordable gift-giving ideas. Featured companies include Dip Sensations, The Vegetarian Express, Upper Crust Candle Co., Pitt & Co., Bon-a-Rose, Hook to Cook, CompanySoap, Wrigley’s Rewards, Selestial Soap, Will Cole Company, and Schaws. For information, call 586-783-9487 or visit madeinmichiganmovement.com . TROY Automation Alley promotes three ...

BIRMINGHAM Real estate inventory in tri-county area continues to improve Real estate inventory across the tri-county area of Greater Detroit continued to improve, according to a study by Residential Real Estate Concepts & Consultants, an independent research and consulting company. Collectively the three counties saw a 2.7 percent decline in homes for sale from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, and a 12.6 percent decline from year ago levels. Since the first of the year the number of homes for sale in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties has declined modestly but are down 42.8 percent from 2008 and an even higher 54.7 percent from 2007 levels. Of the three counties, Oakland County recorded a 20.3 percent year over year decline in homes for sale with the biggest decline in existing homes of a little less than 1,400 homes as the number of foreclosed properties for sale continues to decline. Condominiums declined just under 600 units, but represented an almost 30 percent decline. New cons...

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AUBURN HILLS Baker College’s CISCO Healthcare IT Program granted approval The accelerated CISCO Healthcare Information Technology certificate program at Baker College of Auburn Hills has been granted approval by the U.S. Department of Education. Students enrolled in the program are eligible for financial aid through the U.S. Department of Education. “We’ve doubled the number of weekly classes,” said Ken Piggott, Baker College of Auburn Hills dean of technology, “therefore students who enroll for winter 2011 quarter will be able to complete their technical requirements and earn the required 60 credit hours by the end of August 2011.” The CISCO Healthcare Information Technology program is a partnership between Baker’s Auburn Hills campus and the CISCO Network Academy. CISCO has created the curriculum, implemented Web resources, and is developing internship/job placement opportunities specific to the healthcare IT industry. Contact Jan Bohlen at jan.bohlen@baker.edu , or 248-340-0600. STE...

FARMINGTON HILLS Neighborhood Service group collecting clothes for men The Neighborhood Service Organization recently re-opened its Clothes Closet for men involved in its programs and The Shirt Box at 32500 Northwestern Hwy. in Farmington Hills. The group is collecting gently used men’s professional clothing and customers are encouraged to bring in used garments, including suits, dress shirts, slacks, ties and sport coats to help the nonprofit’s clients dress for success when applying for new jobs and making the transition back into the workforce. The Shirt Box is a permanent drop-off location for clothing donations. “People have been hit hard by this economy and we need to do all that we can to help,” says Ron Elkus of The Shirt Box. “We’ve been hosting various clothing and fundraising drives for local charities for over 25 years. We are very happy to continue.” FERNDALE Fresard Buick GMC collects for U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Fresard Buick GMC of Ferndale has a truck loaded wit...

TROY Transway Data enters Pepsi Refresh Project for ‘Green IT’ The Pepsi Refresh Project, a groundbreaking effort that funds ideas, announced that Troy-based Transway Data, a privately-owned web hosting and design company founded in 2004, received the most votes in October and is on track to be collectively awarded a $25,000 grant. The organization’s idea is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the purchase of six state-of-the-art, energy-efficient servers and an awareness campaign to educate the public about the benefits of environmentally sustainable computing. In 2010, Pepsi is awarding more than $20 million to ideas that will move the world forward. To vote, visit www.refresheverything.com/greenservers by Dec. 31. Banka appointed to Employee Benefit Plans Expert Panel  Theresa Banka, CPA, of Farmington Hills, the lead technical partner in Plante & Moran’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit practice, was appointed to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Em...

ROCHESTER Kathy Coon named Realtor of the Year The Metropolitan Consolidated Association of Realtors has named Kathy Coon its 2010 Realtor of the Year and beginning Jan. 1, she will serve as association president. Coon works with Real Living Great Lakes in Rochester. She formerly served as director, vice-president, secretary-treasurer and president-elect for the association. SOUTHFIELD Collins, Einhorn, Farrell & Ulanoff among best law firms   Collins, Einhorn, Farrell & Ulanoff, P.C. has been recognized by U.S. News — Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in its inaugural rankings. The Southfield-based law firm was listed for this honor as a Tier 1 firm in the Detroit metropolitan rankings in professional malpractice law — defendants; and as a Tier 2 firm in product liability litigation — defendants. The Professional Liability defense team at Collins Einhorn represents professionals in the legal, medical/dental, insurance, accounting, architectural, engineering and real estate fie...

CLARKSTON Delta Staffing moves to new location Delta Staffing, a full service staffing and recruiting provider has moved to a new location in Clarkston. It is at 5730 Bella Rosa Blvd, Suite 300. Delta Staffing’s positive work environment earned the firm the designation of one of Metro Detroit’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work for this year. For more information, call 248-394-3940 or visit www.delta-staffing.com . DETROIT Ambassador duty-free store donates to Forgotten Harvest The Ambassador Bridge Co. has partnered with Forgotten Harvest to donate a portion of every transaction made at its Ammex Global Marketplace duty-free store, located at the bridge’s U.S. plaza, through Dec. 31. Forgotten Harvest delivers food free of charge to 158 agencies in the tri-county area six days a week. It collects surplus prepared and nonperishable food from 455 sources, including grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors ...

BERKLEY Dec. 7-9 Marketing presentations Community Marketing Associates is hosting “Keys to Successful Community Marketing,” a one-hour PowerPoint presentation for local small businesses. Glenn Gilbert, executive editor of The Oakland Press and Pete Kowalski, station manager, WWJ/vice-president of sales at CBS Radio will discuss how local businesses are selected for news stories. The free presentations are only available to business owners/managers of Berkley businesses. The three presentations will be held: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday Dec. 7; 6 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 8 and 1:30 p.m. Thursday Dec. 9 at Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge in downtown Berkley. Kowalski will give the Tuesday presentation and Gilbert will present on Wednesday and Thursday. Visit www.communitymarketingassoc.com . WATERFORD TWP. Oakland County December workshops Business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend seminars offered by the Oakland County Business Center at Oakland County Executive Offic...

TROY Free Introduction to Java programming at Walsh College in Troy Learn web development design and techniques at a free monthly meeting of the Walsh College Open Source Community on Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Troy Campus in Room 128, 10 a.m. to noon. Participants should visit www.walshcollegeopensource.com to register. Tom Petz, Walsh College Information Assurance adjunct instructor, IT developer, consultant, and programmer, will present a hands-on introduction to Java programming for web development. Petz, most recently director of the Walsh College Division of Online Learning, will walk participants through the basics of Java Programming language, including installation of the Java SDK, setting up environment variables, writing code and compiling a simple application. Resources to learn more will be passed out to participants and those wanting to follow along are encouraged to bring a laptop. The Walsh Open Source Community is a group of professionals and community mem...

BIRMINGHAM Denise Ilitch Designs launches Luxe Pillow line Enhance your home design while paying homage to the Motor City. Denise Ilitch Designs, a new jewelry and gift boutique, located at 2253 Cole Street, Birmingham, has added a premier pillow collection. Local Detroit artist Julie Istvan was inspired by graffiti displayed in downtown Detroit and collaborated with Denise to launch the Fall 2010 line, bringing “the essence of the city” into homes and businesses. Each pillow is signed by the artist and has already gained attention from the local style set seeking to support their neighborhood. For more information, go to www.DeniseIlitchDesigns.com or in the  Call 248-203-6789. ROCHESTER OU launches energy management certificate program Oakland University's School of Business Administration and School of Engineering and Computer Science are partnering to deliver an integrative professional certificate program in energy management. The Energy Management Certificate Program will pre...

STERLING HEIGHTS ‘Fashion for Compassion’ show and scholarship competition is Friday The Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan is holding a “Fashion for Compassion” event at 6 p.m. Friday at Penna’s of Sterling, 38400 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights. The event will feature membership awards, a fashion show by Roma Sposa Atelier and the young designer scholarship competition. Ticket prices are: $50 for members; $65 for nonmembers and $25 for students with a valid ID. The price includes dinner and an open bar. Add $10 to buy tickets at the door. For reservations, visit dantemichigan.org/events.htm , call 248-250-8928 or e-mail treasurer@dantemichigan.org . PORT HURON First Michigan Bank promotes Roberta Leibinger First Michigan Bank has promoted Roberta Leibinger to banking center manager at its Port Huron Township Banking Center. Leibinger was promoted from the assistant banking center manager position at the Fort Gratiot Banking Center, where she was responsible for consumer loans, branch man...

BERKLEY Oakland Press executive editor and WWJ’s station manager speak at marketing presentations Community Marketing Associates is hosting “Keys to Successful Community Marketing,” a one-hour PowerPoint presentation for local small businesses. Glenn Gilbert, executive editor of The Oakland Press and Pete Kowalski, station manager, WWJ/vice-president of sales at CBS Radio will be the guest speakers, discussing how local businesses are selected for news stories. The free presentations are only available to business owners/managers of a Berkley business. The presentation outlines the marketing advantages for local businesses linking together to promote the community and their businesses. The three presentations will be held: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7; 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8 and 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 at Berkley Public Library, 3155 Coolidge in downtown Berkley. Kowalski will give the Tuesday presentation and Gilbert will present on Wednesday and Thursday. Visit www.communitymarke...