Michigan Department of Health And Human Services Continues Food Giveaway In Flint.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Flint families may get nutritious food that can limit the effects of lead exposure during mobile food pantry hours set for November at locations throughout Flint.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has provided the Flint mobile food pantries since February 2016 in partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint.

All mobile food pantry sites distribute foods rich in calcium, vitamin C and iron. Food available in November will include apples, potatoes, cabbage and hard squash. Food distribution sites will remain open while supplies last, according to the MDHHS press release.

“At MDHHS, one of our top priorities is making sure families, seniors and individuals who are in need have easy access to nutritious food,” said Erin Frisch, the department’s senior chief deputy director for opportunity. “This is especially important in Flint – where residents were exposed to lead as a result of the water crisis.”

November dates by location are:

• Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road
  • Monday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m.
• Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy
  • Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m.
• Calvary United Methodist Church, 2111 Flushing Road
  • Thursday, Nov. 7, at 10:30 a.m.
• Flint Muslim Food Pantry, 4400 S. Saginaw St.
  • Friday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m.
• Flint First Wesleyan Church, 3825 Davison Road
  • Friday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m.
• Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy.
  • Monday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m.
• Salem Lutheran Church, 2610 Martin Luther King Ave.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m.
• St. Luke’s NEW Life Center, 3115 Lawndale Ave.
  • Friday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m.
• Second Chance Church, 5306 North St.
  • Saturday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m.
• Hispanic Tech Center, 2101 Lewis St.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m.
• Urban Renaissance Center, 2505 N. Chevrolet Ave.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 11 a.m.

Flint residents can also pick up free nutritional food at the three Flint Help Center locations.

They are Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Highway, open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays; Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road, open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Highway, open Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This according to MDHHS.

This schedule is subject to change, and information about additional food distribution dates will be announced as they are scheduled. For more information or to find out about any changes in the schedule, visit the Food Bank website at www.FBEM.org and find the updated schedule on the Mobile Pantry Distribution page, or call 810-239-4441.

Michigan Attorney General Nessel Releases Statements on Former MSU President Simon's Bind Over/Trustee Schlicting's Resignation.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to a Monday press release from the Attorney General's office, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued statements today on Eaton County District Court Judge Julie Reinke’s decision to bind former Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon over for trial and MSU Trustee Nancy Schlichting’s resignation. This according to the press release.

Lou Anna K. Simon Bindover“Today’s decision to move forward with trial brings survivors another step closer to receiving the answers they deserve. After months of preliminary examination and thoughtful consideration by Judge Julie Reinke, we are ready to bring the facts to a jury of Ms. Simon’s peers.”

Trustee Schlichting’s Resignation“I respect Trustee Schlichting’s decision to step down and I hope Gov. Whitmer appoints someone committed to transparency, which includes waiving privilege on the nearly 6,000 documents our department has yet to see so that we may complete our comprehensive investigation.”

Purple Walrus Press Album Review: New Ringo Starr Album Is A Gem, And His Best Since 1973's "Ringo."

Review by Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

On October 25 Ringo Starr released his 20th solo studio album, and it's a real gem. In fact, yours truly considers "What's My Name" to be Ringo's strongest album since 1973's  LP "Ringo", and that is saying a lot since his "Ringo" album featured a hefty dose of contributions from old pals, John, George, and Paul. "What's My Name" may not feature George, but it does feature John and Paul, as well as the likes of ex James Gang and Eagles member Joe Walsh, To To's Steve Lukather, and Edgar Winter. Paul McCartney supplies bass guitar on the gorgeous "Grow Old With Me."

The album opens with a decidedly funky track called "Gotta Get Up", which, believe it or not, would not have been out of place on a late seventies Parliament album. "Gotta Get Up" may be the only funk track on the album , but the rest of the album sparkles with crisp, solid late 1970's California style rock that perfectly matches Ringo's resonate straight down the middle vocals.

Highlights on Ringo's new album are John Lennon's "Grow Old With Me" (A song Lennon was working on, but had not completed just prior to his death in 1980), Magic, Better Days and Thank God For Music. (Check out the sublimely groovy electric keyboards on the later.) Each of these tracks are exceptionally clean, tight, crisp and tuneful.

There is no filler on Ringo's triumphant "What's My Name" record. Each track features strong melody, excellent musicianship, and sparkling optimism. Folks, this is exactly what we come for when we listen to Ringo.

Find "What's My Name" at Barns and Noble bookstores everywhere. And as Ringo often reminds us..Peace and Love.

On The Loss of Congressman Elijah Cummings By Purple Walrus Press Contributor and Flint Water Crisis Activist Melissa Mays of Flint.

Today has been one of those days where I fought hard to stay busy. I didn't want to think about the massive loss Flint, Baltimore, the Social Justice world and entire country feels today with the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings. This man is a hero to so many and I personally looked up to him for guidance and strength to keep speaking the truth. Even though we aren't in his district and he didn't have to, he pushed SO HARD to subpoena Rick Snyder and the Emergency Managers to get the truth out about the Flint Water Crisis. He spoke about courage, human decency and justice. His actions and words aligned. He gave me some of the best advice I will NEVER forget. I will also never forget the words he spoke when he presented me the Spirit of Millie award. Or him letting Snyder have it. Or just telling us to stay strong in Flint because we are not alone. But alone is how I felt for a bit today. I felt sadness, loss and fear for Flint's future as we lost such a strong fighter in our corner. But I reminded myself that I am surrounded by some of the toughest, most resilient people in the world: Flint residents. And that Congressman Cummings showed me that you never stop fighting and the strength of the individual is contagious. He also embodied such strength paired with immeasurable kindness and care to the innocent. I cried but feel comforted in knowing that we will not stop fighting. We aren't alone. And it's time to punch back even harder. For ourselves and for Rep Cummings, who would never want us to stop the fight for Justice for Flint and all the cities like us. Thank you for your service to mankind, Congressman Cummings. Rest in Peace, sir.

Sixth Night of Aerial Treatment is Underway to Battle Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Michigan.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

To help combat Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), more than 430,700 acres have been treated and a sixth night of aerial treatment is underway, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced.

According to MDHHS, areas completed to date include Area 1-1 in Allegan County, Area 2-1 in Barry County, Area 3-1 in Berrien County, Areas 4-1 and 4-2 in Calhoun County, Areas 5-1 and 5-2 in Cass County, Areas 6-1 and 6-2 in Jackson County, Area 8-1 in Kent County, Areas 10-2 and 10-3 in Montcalm County, Area 11-1 in Newaygo County, Areas 12-1, 12-2 and 12-3 in St. Joseph County, 13-1 in Van Buren County and Area 14-1 in Washtenaw County and Area 15-1 in Livingston. Area 1-2 in Allegan County and Area 13-3 in Van Buren County have been partially completed and are on the schedule for tonight.

The areas slated for treatment tonight are on the Aerial Treatment Zones Map and include:

• Area 1-2 in Allegan County.
• Areas 4-3 and 4-4 in Calhoun County.
• Area 8-2 in Kent County.
• Area 9-1 in Lapeer County.
• Areas 10-1 in Montcalm County.
• Areas 13-2 and 13-3 in Van Buren County. 

Tonight’s schedule includes Fort Custer Training Center, a portion of which crosses into Kalamazoo County. The Center has approved aerial treatment. Please refer to the County-level Aerial Treatment Maps for more details of the identified zones’ locations. These schedules are weather dependent and may change.

As of Oct. 4, EEE has been confirmed in nine people, with four fatalities. Cases are in Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. In addition, cases have occurred in 34 animals from 15 counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Montcalm, Newaygo, St. Joseph and Van Buren. The mosquitos that spread EEE are still active and were caught in traps set Oct. 1 in southwest Michigan. This according to MDHHS.

More information is available at Michigan.gov/EEE.       

Parola Perspective by Purple Walrus Press Contributor Brooks Parola: Now That Mitt Romney Is Making News Again.

A couple of things now that Romney is making news again:

I said this about Jeb Bush in '16, and Romney could do the same moving forward: that there is a place for a moderate Republican in today's electorate...now, more than ever, as a reaction to Trump.

Imagine a Republican who dares to throw off the right-wing base of the party in favor of a platform that embraces many progressive issues, but stays conservative on something like abortion. You'd have many in this country embracing that especially over a Democratic party that won't welcome them...and the Democrats increasingly, don't welcome them.

In a system that requires you to have the most votes to win (yes, I realize the electoral college does not, but most with common sense, think it should) it's important to have a "Big Tent" party. And yet we have the AOC's, the far left of the party, who would purge anyone that was not pro-choice. And that's exactly how the Republicans portray Democrats as being "anti-religion", and extremist, and how someone like the Republican I've suggested above, could win.

AOC, and others on the far left are bound and determined to do what they've always done: Move the Democratic Party to the left, while continuing to alienate and shun more moderate parts of the electorate, which only results in continuing wins for the far right. I saw a post on a friends page, begging the Dems to not screw up impeachment, from a left-wing publication, as if the far left has won anything in this country. Quite to the contrary, they've lost more times than the Democrats have!

The far left in this country is emboldened by Trump, and the wave of people who despise him, and are confusing that with this belief that more Americans are now embracing their far left agenda. Well, if I had a dime for every time a political party or politician over-reached in my lifetime, I'd be retired to Aruba by now.

Folks, the Dems did not take back the House in '18 because all of those traditionally red districts suddenly turned socialist. All they are, was a reaction against Trump. As a result, those representatives, like Salt Lake City's Ben McAdams, will have to walk a fine moderate line, to stay in office, all while the AOC's of the world attack them, and try to purge them from the party. Forgetting the fact, that the whole reason she has any power at all, is thanks to them.

Folks, I am no fan of Mitt Romney, but if he and other Republicans position themselves as the Republican I've created above, and we let the AOC's of the world run rough-shod over the Democratic Party, be prepared for future Republican rule.