#MotownMom: Home security on a budget: Awesome #Blink for less than $250 on @Amazon

Living in Detroit, you have to do what you can to protect yourself without breaking the bank. Having security is one of the number one ways I’ve found to keep people I don’t want out of my home and stealing my things. There’s also the barbed wire, vicious dog, floor traps, moats of alligators and the labyrinth home with designed as well. (That’s a whole ‘nother post).

I’d also like to note at no time is Blink paying me to say anything. I found this system and I liked it. I really liked it and I wanted others to know about it.

In one year of living in Detroit, I had been robbed over five times. It was crazy and depressing, but I knew I had to get on top of securing my house or find a better way to catch the crooks who were robbing me blind.

First, I got the ADT signs., until I could afford the service. (I pay about $40 a month without the camera system.)

I did want to have camera’s but using ADT is about $60 a month.Yet it’s only for three cameras and cost goes up if you want more cameras. How do you find a way not to pay?

The Beau discovered this Blink system because he just has this ability to stumble across tech that’s awesome.

You get three cameras and a box. Additional cameras can be added without any cost. You hook it up the box to your Internet, download the Blink app and then sync the cameras to the system.

That easy. It took the Beau to install the cameras that come with a light and microphone (so it records in the dark and captures sound) about thirty minutes. We talked about the vulnerable places in the house we needed to see. the basement window, by the side and the hallway inside of the house. And we wanted to be able to control these without having to rely on ADT.

WAh-Lah! That was it.

Clear digital pictures house in 30-second increments on the system and there’s no monthly fee!

Yes! No monthly fee. Once you buy the system, you are using the app for life. That’s it!

For two hundred and fifty dollars that’s not bad at all!

I added an additional back up battery to our Internet so if our power goes out, the Internet will work for about 16 hours. ADT gives you a backup battery system too for a couple of days.

Our next step is to add a generator to the house… a very quiet generator!

All in all, we’re happy with the Blink system. It’s easy to install, cost effective and gives you that added security of “I got you on camera!” #MotownMoms, you should definitely look into it.

How important is security to you? What security system are you thinking about trying? Have tried?

Buy your Blink now!

#MotownMom: Did you know @mieducation provides FREE meals for children under 18 throughout the summer?

Find a meal site here: http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/schoolnutrition/

Share Info on Free Summer Meals With Your Friends Our goal is to feed as many hungry children across the state of Michigan as possible, and you can help. Governor Snyder has declared July 16-22 Meet Up and Eat Up Summer Food Service Program Awareness Week. Help us get the word out by sharing info about Meet Up and Eat Up via social media. Your friends and family will appreciate the information and meals for their children. Share this with Friends! About the Summer Food Service Program Meet Up and Eat Up is a way to help parents and caregivers identify places where kids 18 and younger can gather for healthy, free summer meals at hundreds of sites across Michigan. We encourage you to share our updates with your family and friends. You can find a meal site here.

Southfield Human Services partners with Tone Up for Tune Ups to help families in need of car repairs May 20 via @Southfield_Gov

There are countless families struggling with something that many people take for granted each day: transportation. Major car repairs seem to pop up at the wrong time and the associated costs can be a fatal blow to a family already struggling financially. To help families in need, the Southfield Human Services Department is co-sponsoring the 6th annual Tone Up for Tune Ups (TUTU) run/walk Saturday, May 20 at 9 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 21575 W. Ten Mile Road.

TUTU is a 5k run/walk or a 1 mile walk for all ages. The 2017 5k run/walk is a USA Track and Field (USATF) sanctioned event. Registration is $25 for adults and $20 for youth (13 and under). All donations are tax deductible. The funds raised by Tone Up for Tune Ups go directly to qualified families screened by the Southfield Human Services Department who need financial support to repair their vehicles. Southfield Human Services supports Tone Up for Tune Ups by managing the people that are beneficiaries of the event, filtering the money to needy families that have gone through an intensive qualification process.

Read more: https://cityofsouthfield.com/NewsEvents/tabid/158/mid/1480/newsid1480/2281/Southfield-Human-Services-partners-with-Tone-Up-for-Tune-Ups-to-help-families-in-need-of-car-repairs-May-20/Default.aspx

#MotownMom: @QuickenLoans #Detroit Demo Day! via @Kalyn #Mompreneur

Hello! Quicken Loans is proud to announce the inaugural Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day, where hundreds of startups will be competing for $1 million, as part of its continued commitment to strengthen entrepreneurship in the city by expanding program access to all entrepreneurs, including brick-and-mortar businesses. The one-day event will be the final round of a three-round competition where 20 of the best small businesses in Detroit (or willing to move to Detroit) will be narrowed down to the Top 8 who will each receive a portion of the $1 million of Quicken Loans capital.  Additional capital will be awarded to companies who are crowd favorites – voted on by the Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day attendees. The event will also serve as a way to introduce entrepreneurs to additional investors, funding and support. As someone who is with us at the forefront of entrepreneurial activity, we are asking for your help in spreading the word about Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day. Key details include: Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day is for businesses physically located, or willing to relocate to Detroit, that have a product or service ready for sales. Businesses must also have less than $2 million in revenue and less than $1 million in raised capital. 20 finalists will present at Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day, to a panel of nationally-recognized business leaders who will vote on the Top 8 companies. The Top 8 companies will receive $1 million of Quicken Loans capital allocated in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. The capital will be provided in the form of an interest free debt instrument with a five-year term after a one-year payment-free holiday. Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day is May 25, 2017, 2:00PM at The Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit. For full details, including eligibility requirements, answers to frequently asked questions, and how to apply, visit: detroitdemoday.com Please let us know if you have any questions! Sincerely, The Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day Team

Southfield Human Services partners with Tone Up for Tune Ups to help families in need of car repairs May 20 via @Southfield_Gov

There are countless families struggling with something that many people take for granted each day: transportation. Major car repairs seem to pop up at the wrong time and the associated costs can be a fatal blow to a family already struggling financially. To help families in need, the Southfield Human Services Department is co-sponsoring the 6th annual Tone Up for Tune Ups (TUTU) run/walk Saturday, May 20 at 9 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 21575 W. Ten Mile Road.

TUTU is a 5k run/walk or a 1 mile walk for all ages. The 2017 5k run/walk is a USA Track and Field (USATF) sanctioned event. Registration is $25 for adults and $20 for youth (13 and under). All donations are tax deductible. The funds raised by Tone Up for Tune Ups go directly to qualified families screened by the Southfield Human Services Department who need financial support to repair their vehicles. Southfield Human Services supports Tone Up for Tune Ups by managing the people that are beneficiaries of the event, filtering the money to needy families that have gone through an intensive qualification process.

Read more: https://cityofsouthfield.com/NewsEvents/tabid/158/mid/1480/newsid1480/2281/Southfield-Human-Services-partners-with-Tone-Up-for-Tune-Ups-to-help-families-in-need-of-car-repairs-May-20/Default.aspx

#MotownMom: @QuickenLoans #Detroit Demo Day! via @Kalyn #Mompreneur

Hello! Quicken Loans is proud to announce the inaugural Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day, where hundreds of startups will be competing for $1 million, as part of its continued commitment to strengthen entrepreneurship in the city by expanding program access to all entrepreneurs, including brick-and-mortar businesses. The one-day event will be the final round of a three-round competition where 20 of the best small businesses in Detroit (or willing to move to Detroit) will be narrowed down to the Top 8 who will each receive a portion of the $1 million of Quicken Loans capital.  Additional capital will be awarded to companies who are crowd favorites – voted on by the Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day attendees. The event will also serve as a way to introduce entrepreneurs to additional investors, funding and support. As someone who is with us at the forefront of entrepreneurial activity, we are asking for your help in spreading the word about Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day. Key details include: Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day is for businesses physically located, or willing to relocate to Detroit, that have a product or service ready for sales. Businesses must also have less than $2 million in revenue and less than $1 million in raised capital. 20 finalists will present at Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day, to a panel of nationally-recognized business leaders who will vote on the Top 8 companies. The Top 8 companies will receive $1 million of Quicken Loans capital allocated in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. The capital will be provided in the form of an interest free debt instrument with a five-year term after a one-year payment-free holiday. Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day is May 25, 2017, 2:00PM at The Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit. For full details, including eligibility requirements, answers to frequently asked questions, and how to apply, visit: detroitdemoday.com Please let us know if you have any questions! Sincerely, The Quicken Loans Detroit Demo Day Team

#MotownMom: #Detroit Enterprise Principal Named Finalist for Administrator of Year 2017 via Metro #Detroit @nhaschools

A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL MANAGED BY NATIONAL HERITAGE ACADEMIES

Principal at Detroit Enterprise Named Finalist for

Administrator of Year Award for MAPSA

 

Detroit, Mich., March 30, 2017— Chanavia Patterson, principal of Detroit Enterprise Academy, was named one of five finalist for the 2017 Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) 2017 Administrator of the Year Award.

Patterson was selected from hundreds of nominations across the state for the very competitive annual award.

“Chanavia is a skilled administrator who went to DEA knowing that the school was culturally and academically unhealthy,” said Jami Hoeksma, senior director of school quality for National Heritage Academies (NHA). “She built a strong team, cast a vision, and the results followed. She is passionate about creating a great learning environment for students and continues to overcome every challenge faced by urban school leaders.”

Since her first year at DEA in 2013, she has grown the schools’ Michigan Top-to-bottom ranking from 18 percentile to 51 percentile in 2015-16. Under her leadership, students’ academic performance on the state assessment has grown tremendously.

“I am honored to serve and represent the city of Detroit,” said Patterson. “Detroit Enterprise Academy has been through many transitions, but now the staff, students, and parents can truly benefit from the positive culture and outstanding education we are providing. This nomination is not just for me, but for our entire community!”

DEA was designated as a “beating the odds” Reward School in 2015-16 by the Michigan Department of Education for outperforming the school’s predicted top-to bottom ranking and under Chanavia’s leadership, the school continues to outperform the local district on the state assessment.

Patterson has led the 600-student school since 2013. Ninety-eight percent of students at DEA qualified for free or reduced priced lunch (FRL) in 2015-16.

Other accomplishments under Patterson’s leadership, include:

• Students’ academic performance on the state assessment in 2015-16 at DEA grew from the previous year compared to their academic peers – at the 61^st percentile, well above the state average of 50.
• Detroit Enterprise Academy continues to outperform the local district on the state assessment.
• In 2013-14, DEA exceeded the local district in grades 3-8 by 9 percentage points.  Under Ms. Patterson’s leadership, the school increased that margin and now outperforms (SY2015-16) the local district on the state assessment by 11 percentage points.
• Parent satisfaction at DEA is very high and continues to increase.  In spring of 2016, 94 percent of parents were satisfied with their child’s experience at DEA and 93 percent indicated they were likely to recommend Detroit Enterprise to others.
• Employees at Detroit Enterprise are satisfied. In spring 2016, employee engagement was 30 percent greater than the global average, and overall employee satisfaction was 100 percent.

On April 26, the finalists for both categories will be honored at a ceremony at the State Capitol. MAPSA plans to announce the final award winners in early May during National Charter School Week.

Detroit Enterprise Academy is a free public charter school that serves students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.

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#MotownMom: Motor City Match – Information Session March 20th. Apps due April1st #Mompreneur #Detroit #NoExcuse

Motor City Match – Information Session

 

Motor City Match is conducting an information session and workshop aimed at previous applicants and new entrepreneurs.  It will describe the program and application process as well as provide detailed assistance for individuals and small groups.  Applications for the next round are due

April 1, 2017.

Motor City Match awards $500,000 each quarter in matching grants to entrepreneurs launching or expanding a business in Detroit.  The program helps connect business owners with quality spaces and other business resources as well as helping property owners find tenants for their vacant spaces.

Information Session

When: March 20, 2017, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Where: TechTown Detroit – 440 Burroughs St.

Register Here!

#MotownMom: “Camp-In” at #Detroit Premier Transforms Gym into Indoor Campground via @nhaschools

 

Camp chairs, tents, flashlights, s’mores, hot dogs, and sleeping bags will transform the Detroit Premier Academy gym into an indoor campground beginning at 4:30 p.m., March 16.

The “Camp In” invites students and their families to camp out and read as part of March is Reading Month. Students will enjoy the camp- like atmosphere while promoting the love of reading. Families will bring their own books or be able to use a school book to read together.

In addition, each classroom is decorating their door like their favorite book. Each door will be judged by a panel and awarded prizes.
Detroit Premier Academy is a no cost, public charter school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

WHO:    Detroit Premier Academy
WHAT:   Reading Camp In
WHEN:   4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., March 16, 2017
WHERE:  Detroit Premier Academy
7781 Asbury Park
Detroit, MI  48228
CONTACT:        Kelli B. Smith
616-464-2235 (office); 616-295-4241 (cell)

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#MotownMom: Netflix Movie Review: The Preacher’s Son by @mardenec

Netflix Movie Review: The Preacher’s Son by mardenec@hotmail.com Movie Review: The Preacher’s Son Bishop T.K. Wilson, his wife & two children are a respectable family in their community – Yet the Wilson kids are fighting temptations & their son Dante has thoughts other than taking over his fathers church. The Preacher’s Son is  redemption, hypocrisy, forgiveness, un-forgiveness, hope, judgement, and despair all rolled into one beautiful story.  This is a must see movie for all Christians, especially those who struggle with worrying about what other persons think. It is a cautionary tale for Churches and Christians all over the globe.  I honestly do not know where to start with this one, but one thing I know is the movie hit the nail on the head Movie Review: The Preacher’s Son Helen Baylor penned a song a few years ago “don’t let our wounded soldiers die” and it would do us all good to remember that.  This movie reminds us that: READ MORE | http://wp.me/p7mFCh-asK