Dating Department: Ultimate Dating Challenge Meeting the Family
In a relationship that’s on the road to longevity, meeting the family is a big deal. It’s the turning point of any relationship, a testament to your commitment, and the level of the relationship that tells us we are serious … or downright insane. Between my older sister and me, we’ve had plenty of awkward and uncomfortable family interactions with...
Continue ReadingFinancing Your First Home Sweet Home
I love my home. I’ll admit that I’m a bit of a workaholic and don’t get to spend as much time there as I’d like, but when I do come home after a long day at work, I’m so happy to have a nice, comfortable home that’s mine, all mine. One of the many great things about living in mid-Michigan is there are a lot of fantastic, yet very affordable, homes...
Continue ReadingLetting Dance Happen
Dance can happen where you least expect it — in a city crowd or even an antique mall. Happendance, mid-Michigan’s only non-profit professional dance company, happened unexpectedly, too. In 1976, Michigan State University graduate student Diane Newman and fellow classmates needed something to do on their summer break. So they decided to give live performances...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: Home Sweet Home (Squared)
For 11 years now I’ve been living a double life. No, I’m not a secret agent, nor do I have a husband and kids living in another state. I do, however, have roots planted in two places — here in the Greater Lansing area and also in my original hometown of Lapeer, Mich. When people ask me where I’m from the answer can vary. It’s that moment where I’m...
Continue ReadingFor Pete’s Take: You Can Go Home Again…
After being born and raised here in LA (Lansing Area) and living away for 30 years, my wife Brenda and I decided to move back home. To be more precise, it’s me who’s coming back home. Brenda (like John Mellencamp) grew up in a small town in Indiana. Moving to LA was not really coming home for her, although she’s happy to now be a Michigander. We all...
Continue ReadingDo the Right Thing for Your Home Sweet Home
Have you seen that commercial from Liberty Mutual where they show people doing the right thing? Individuals watch someone do what’s right and then they follow suit and do something nice for others. It’s a do-good chain reaction. I love those commercials. They get me all choked up inside every time I see them. Don’t you wish you could watch something...
Continue ReadingGood News September 2011
Three Lansing-Area Nonprofits Awarded Impact Grants by the Capital Regional Community Foundation In its third year awarding Impact Grants, the Capital Region Community Foundation has chosen the Allen Neighborhood Center, REACH Studio Art Center and the Greater Lansing Food Bank to receive grants totaling $189,280. The Allen Neighborhood Center will use the...
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Chef Cooks Up Perfect Recipe for Success
Chef and owner Denene Vincent teaches cooking courses in her beautiful, well-equipped and fully-stocked kitchen. You might say the founder of Le Chat Gourmet Culinary Arts in Eaton Rapids has the perfect recipe for success. Executive chef and owner Denene Vincent takes equal parts of a love for cooking and a passion for empowering people, adds a heaping helping...
Continue ReadingSisterhood of the Traveling Sandals
Rising from the darkness of an addiction, Jennifer VanderGalien recruited her sister, Tiffany Kennon, to found the aptly named Shining A Light — a nonprofit organization based in Tanzania that helps women reclaim their lives. Shining A Light was born when, following rehab, it was suggested VanderGalien take a mission trip to Tanzania — located in East...
Continue ReadingWorkplace Workability
I’ve just embarked on a new career path that allows me to work from home! It’s been very exciting and also very distracting. I’ll admit after one week, not much “work” was accomplished. Don’t get me wrong. These distractions are wonderful! Coffee on the porch, Netflix roaming, occasional gardening, phone visits with my mom. I mean, come on,...
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With a Capital EM: She Taught Me Business
My Aunt Karen and I doing the Macarena back in the 1990s. See how serious we are? When I think business women, I think long, well-manicured nails, navy blue suits with matching pumps and … Celine Dion. Not the actual Celine Dion, of course, because while I’m sure she’s a great business woman, she’s a performer first and foremost. I mean Celine Dion...
Continue ReadingFor Pete’s Take: It’s a Woman’s World
You know you work with an office full of women when you’re included in the salutation “Ladies” in a group email. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely many more pluses than minuses when it comes to working in the women’s world here at Motion Marketing & Media (M3). First off, I’m not the only guy. There are a total of four of us here full-time,...
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