October 3, 2026

Today is Black Friday. Shop accordingly.

via Baptist Beacon (May 2, 2022)— "Be the Church in the marketplace" by Coye L Bouyer, founding pastor of Kingdom Life Church, in Lansing, Michigan: This is a classic story of what God can and will do when lay people begin to take seriously the Lord’s call on their life to…

– May 15, 2022
via Southern Baptist Convention (February 26, 2019)— "Who's Your One?" Day 13: Genesis 12:1-3, "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will…

– July 31, 2022
via What Christians Want to Know (May 27, 2019)— "Should Christians Protest Or Demonstrate?" by Jack Wellman, Christian author, prison minister, and pastor of Heritage Evangelical Free Church, in Udall, Kansas: ... especially when they see injustice? ... The Bible admonishes us to 'Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights…

– June 12, 2022
Independence Day— via Billy Graham (1970): "I find that there is a certain fear and expected cosmic judgment that hangs over our country at this hour, as the Devine timepiece ticks away. Thomas Jefferson felt this deeply when he said, 'I tremble for my country, when I reflect that God…

– July 4, 2022
via Lifeway Research (September 1, 2021)— "Most Americans Know and Trust Their Neighbors," by Aaron Earls: Despite quarantines and social distancing keeping people in their homes during the pandemic, Americans still say they know their neighbors. Almost 7 in 10 U.S. adults (68%) say they trust the people who live in…

– January 17, 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
President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 this morning — via The White House, Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. As always and particularly in the face of this affliction, we pray for The President of the United States, his loved ones, and those in whose care he has been…

– July 21, 2022
National Day of Prayer— "How to Pray for America," via National Day of Prayer: Why pray for America? God is sovereign and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Whether we face fluctuating economics, threats from abroad, unrest at home, or other troubling circumstances, our Heavenly Father is not caught…

– May 5, 2022
via Lifeway Research (April 6, 2021)— "Americans' Views of Life's Meaning and Purpose Are Changing," by Aaron Earls: As Americans attempt to move past the life-altering effects of 2020, their perspective is shifting on some of the most significant questions facing humanity. [Compared] to a decade ago, U.S. adults today are…

– January 9, 2022

401 North Ann Arbor Street building in the City of Saline Michigan

Keys To Placing Viable Tenants In Commercial Spaces Include Knowing The Market, Yes – But Also Knowing Its Need To Fit

October 4, 2018

Almost everyone in the community has a vested interest in filling the highest practical inventory of its commercial space. Buildings not otherwise occupied in whole or in part by viable businesses represent not just missed opportunities for those who would otherwise shop, work, or otherwise enjoy beneifts of transacting within. They represent an important area of revenue shortfall in city budgeting. Commercial real estate values, appearance, and type affect =residential property values. [1,2,3,4,5,6] As if ....

On April 13 the Mayor Announced Walk-in Office Hours: Here’s What Is in That for You

April 24, 2018

Every media outlet got the same press release. You could have read it in one of a number of places. Saline Mayor Brian Marl announced a weekly schedule of times when any city stakeholder can meet with him to discuss pretty much anything — no appointment or prior disclosure of agenda required. But you’re not likely reading this article to find out why that’s good for your local government or how it promises to make time ....

Michigan mental health “Listening Tour” came to Washtenaw County last month: Here’s who listened, why it was important

December 6, 2021

Back on September 1, House Democrats in The State of Michigan Legislature announced “their plans for a mental health listening tour” that opened with a list of “their priorities for improving our mental health system.” [1] At the outset, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) findings from mid-2020 were specifically cited. This included a highlight that “40% of US adults reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse,” and further noted that younger adults, ....

It’s Important to Understand What Being a “Smart City” Means to Saline, Part 2

April 16, 2018

Why is it important? Part 1 of this special series defined the term “smart cities.” It identified local officials here, by name, who have focused on helping Saline get in front of this concept. It concluded with the bold assertion that “Smart cities are not a question of If? but, rather, When?” [1,2,3] But now it’s important to take a step back and explain the needs served, problems solved. Among others, Washtenaw Community College (WCC) ....

It’s High School Graduation Weekend in Saline and Time to Get Back to Basics: Celebrate with Cake!

June 1, 2018

Somewhere between earning that last credit needed to complete twelve years or so of education in the public school system and the next leap toward “getting on with life,” there’s a brief but important opportunity to indulge in the moment. Food is a natural for making this ritual. Now ask yourself: Can you think of anything better for that than cake? Sure, ice cream on a day like today comes to mind, but it’ll have ....