July 13, 2026

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued “Holiday Tips” for “a Safer Valentine’s Day.” And, as noted by Dr Daliah Wachs MD, these “suggestions” do not include kissing.

The essence of her summary focused on “celebrating virtually ….

But look on the bright side, virtual Valentine’s Day saves one a ton of $$$ usually spent on dinner and roses. I’m sure many are thanking the CDC for their guidance this year ….

via Lifeway Research (February 22, 2022)— "Most Open to Spiritual Conversations, Few Christians Speaking," by Aaron Earls: Americans are curious about the religious devotion of others and are willing to discuss the topic, but most say they rarely have conversations about faith with their Christian friends .... Half of Americans (51%)…

– March 20, 2022
via Lifeway Research (February 15, 2022)— "Most Pastors See Racial Diversity in the Church as a Goal but Not Reality," by Marissa Postell: Most Protestant pastors say every church should strive to achieve racial diversity, but few are achieving it .... There are also differences between what African American pastors are…

– February 20, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "Peace during a pandemic," by Dr Dan Russell, Executive Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Southgate, Michigan: To help strengthen the pastors and church families of our Convention as we face this coronavirus crisis, here are some encouraging reminders on how to keep your…

– February 6, 2022
via America: The Jesuit Review (May 20, 2022)— "On May 20, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said in a public statement that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a life-long Catholic, will be barred from Communion in her home diocese of San Francisco. Gloria Purvis, the host of America Media’s 'The Gloria…

– May 22, 2022
re United States Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v Bremerton School District— On April 4, 2022, Compelling Truth revisited the question, "What is the separation of church and state?" Noting that this "is not foundation and is not found in the US Constitution," this assessment went on to assert that…

– June 27, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (April 1, 2022)— "Inwardly strong, outwardly focused," by Mike Durbin, State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan: Legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi, started the first day of the Green Bay Packers training camp in 1961 with a football in his right hand and these words:…

– April 10, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "The difference in knowing and loving," by Mike Durbin, State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, re Famed jeweler Harry Winston: A customer entered Winston’s store in New York City to buy a special diamond. One of his salesmen, his most knowledgeable…

– February 13, 2022
via Samaritan's Purse— "Samaritan's Purse is operating multiple medical facilities in various parts of Ukraine and providing food and non-food relief items through church partners in both Ukraine and Moldova": Samaritan's Purse continues to provide medical relief to displaced Ukrainians, serving them at our Emergency Field Hospital on the outskirts…

– March 13, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "Treasures in the darkness," by Karen Blanchard, women's life group leader with Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township, Michigan: Having been in this pandemic for two years now, we face days that seem uncertain and difficult to navigate. Yet through all the darkness and confusion,…

– March 6, 2022

Fathom Events movie poster for Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Return of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” to movie theaters means more than marking forty-year anniversary

August 9, 2019

There’s a large graphic dominating one of the walls in “Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds” currently at The Henry Ford, along the bottom setting out chronology of related television incarnations. [1] It starts with the original series, known simply as Star Trek, at far left, labeled “1966-1969.” The following decade brought an animated series, conventions fueled by blooper reels, and failed development of Phase II. [2-6] In the years that followed production of the last ....

Rebecca Groeb directing actors on set of "Newsies: The Musical"

Assistant Superintendent Steve Laatsch on value of SHS Drama performances that go beyond Saline High School

February 17, 2020

As Newsies cast rehearsals focused in on closer, more detailed staging last week, we took this opportunity to take a step back for a look at the bigger picture. [1] In this case, Steve Laatch is more than our Saline Area Schools Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. He is also a personally invested patron of our high school theater program, making time to attend SHS Drama Club performances as they open. [2-4] Following are his answers ....

Part 3 of 3 re Future of Roe v Wade, abortion, and Michigan legislature: Interview with Dr Felicia Brabec, Democrat

May 18, 2022

Part 1 of this series looked at questions likely to come before the Michigan legislature following leak of a forthcoming United States Supreme Court finding that would revisit the validity of Roe v Wade. [1] This November, voters in the newly-drawn 33rd District for the Michigan legislature will elect one of two candidates to represent them in Lansing. With that as current backdrop, Saline Journal put the following questions to each via eMail on May 4, ....