It’s routine for ITC.

However, residents in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties may not know that ITC will be conducting aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission structures and lines in areas across Michigan throughout the fall.

According to ITC, the helicopter patrols are conducted to provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system that is operated by ITC’s Michigan operating entities including ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC).

The aerial inspections will cover most of the Lower Peninsula and its surrounding counties including Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne and Livingston counties Oct. 1-4, weather permitting.

Other patrols will be held:

• Sept. 9-12: Antrim, Arenac, Bay, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Midland, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford.  Alcona, Alpena,

• Sept. 13-17: Allegan, Clinton, Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Ottawa.

• Sept. 18-20: Allegan, Barry,  Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lenawee, Monroe, Ottawa, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Van Buren and Washtenaw.

• Sept. 23-30: Bay, Genesee,  Gratiot, Huron, Ingham, Isabella, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Montcalm, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair and Tuscola.

These patrols are required by North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) for ITC’s vegetation management program, support proactive maintenance objectives, and are in line with the company’s model for operational excellence, according to ITC. They include inspections of all transmission structures and equipment including, but not limited to, monopoles, steel towers, wood poles, conductors (wires), insulators and other equipment.

During the flights crews check for damaged or worn equipment and vegetation hazards. The inspection flights are often conducted at low altitudes to allow accurate visual inspection of equipment  for lightning damage, wear or other potential problems.

ITC said it’s normal procedure, so there is no cause for alarm if a low-flying helicopter is sighted near transmission lines.

Everett LaBrash is a Children’s Miracle Child.

The son of Alex and Marianne LaBrash of Sterling Heights, he is now a year old who is continuing to reach milestones and exemplifies the healthy outcomes that are made possible through the support of the annual Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational presented by Corewell Health Foundation of Southeast Michigan and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation.

This year’s golf outing raised $1.5 million.

All of the money garnered through sponsorship support, on site-donations and a live auction, which included an electric guitar signed by Taylor Swift, benefit Children’s Miracle Network programming at Corewell Health Children’s and patients like Everett.

Everett  came early at 24 weeks.

Being a preemie, he faced a plethora of challenges, especially lung development, which required a C-pap at birth, and a ventilator after developing pneumothorax, to regulate his oxygen and help with breathing.

During his stay at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital a team of health care professionals at Corewell Health Children’s Child Life Services provided Everett and his parents with care and compassion. Panda Warmers, Giraffe Omni Beds, and fold-out furniture for long stays were just some of the benefits that they received with the help of donations made to Corewell Health Children’s through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“Our team at Troy, honestly, they were life-changing,” Marianne LaBrash said in a video released by the hospital. “They helped us through… so much. I definitely have a couple of lifelong friends with them.”

Alex concurred.

“Everyone’s easy going,” he said. “They’d lend an ear if you needed to vent to them. Thank you doesn’t wrap it up enough.”

The Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational is the largest celebrity golf event in the Detroit area, where every foursome enjoys an up-close and personal celebrity pairing.

This year’s event featured more than 50 national and local celebrities, including actors Donnie Wahlberg (last year it was Mark Wahlberg), Kevin Chapman, Jamie Denton, Marion “Pooch” Hall, Jamie Hector, and Jesse Spencer. From the world of sports, Kenny Anderson, Joique Bell, Lomas Brown, Johnny Damon, Braylon Edwards, Calvin Johnson, Pepper Johnson, Frank Zombo, and dozens of others took part in the day’s activities. It’s one of those events that everyone looks forward to, players and donors alike.

The morning began with Wahlberg accepting a “putting challenge” from three Corewell Health Children’s “Miracle” children selected to represent the more than 200,000 children treated at Corewell Health Children’s each year.

“We are delighted with the incredible success of this event”, said Lamong Yoder, a registered nurse and president of Corewell Health in Southeast Michigan. “Our gratitude goes out to the many sponsors and celebrities that are the backbone of this one-of-a kind invitational. Funds raised will be used to help the children in our communities when they need it the most.”

After golf, a spirited live auction and course contests raised about $300,000 from bids on items like Taylor’s guitar donated by Bob and Connie Skandalaris, which went for $31,000, a private tour of Rick Hendrick’s Automotive Heritage Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, hosted and donated by Jay Feldman and Rick Hendrick, a 2025 Formula 1, Monaco package donated by Nino Cutraro; an Italian villa vacation, donated by the Rugiero Family and dinner in the Celani Wine Cellar, donated by Tom and Vicki Celani.

“It was inspiring to see so many people lending their support and contributing to our cause. We are helping so many children and families with the money raised. We are already planning for next year’s event and aiming to raise even more money to continue to provide support for those families in need,” said Jay Feldman, chairman and CEO of the Feldman Automotive Group.

Supporting the fundraising event this year was its title sponsor, the Feldman Automotive Group; lead presenting sponsor Quantum Ventures of Michigan; presenting sponsors Shift Digital and Vesco Oil Corporation; and supporting sponsors including the Celani Family Foundation, CIBC, Corewell Health, The Fourth Tri Sanctuary, Aaron and Carolynn Frankel Family Foundation, Mechanical Services, NativeWahl, and Terra Capital Industries and more than 50 other generous sponsors.

Also praising the generosity shown during the invitational was Ryan Daly, president of the Corewell Health Foundation Southeast Michigan.

“Corewell Health Children’s will receive support to provide life-saving services, vital pediatric equipment, and funds for patient scholarships for families unable to afford needed care,” Daly said, while the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation will utilize its funds to improve the quality of life for youth across the country by providing financial resources and community support to youth services.

Organizers of the event included a dedicated committee of community members — Tom Celani, Nino Cutraro, Jay Feldman, Ken Noonan, Bob Skandalaris, and Sam Yamin.

For more information visit corewellhealth.org/childrens  or call 855-480-KIDS (5437). Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada.

All of the donations and money raised is used locally, to help Miracle families in nine counties throughout Southeast Michigan including Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

For more information visit CMNHospitals.org.

For many women experiencing symptoms caused by uterine fibroids the only option for relief was a hysterectomy and that created its own kind of pain for women still wanting to have children.

Now there’s another way.

Through laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (Lap-RFA) women have a viable and considerably less invasive option, for the treatment of uterine fibroids should they choose to seek a diagnosis and treatment.

But will they?

Dr. Jay Fisher, a Corewell Health obstetrician-gynecologist pioneering the treatment in Southeast Michigan, also known as the Acessa procedure, said up to 75 million women in the United States may experience symptoms caused by uterine fibroids, but only 1.4 million will seek care for it.

“Most of them just live with it,” Fisher said.

Once a month these women suffer a variety of symptoms such as excessive menstrual bleeding, cramping and anemia and, while a laparoscopic hysterectomy is less invasive, it still requires the surgical removal of the uterus, or womb, from a woman’s body. Plus, a lot of women are unable to take the medication (estrogen) that was typically prescribed afterwards.

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (Lap-RFA) was  first used in the treatment of liver tumors uses radiofrequency energy to treat uterine fibroids.

“It’s really remarkable technology because it’s very precise, delivering (the radiofrequency) directly to the fibroid itself while not damaging any tissue around it.”

Among those who were trying to live with the symptoms caused by uterine fibroids was Balsam Goriel, 47, of Warren.

“Every other month I would be in the emergency room,” said Goriel, whose condition got so bad it required blood transfusions.

“It was exhausting,” she said. “I wouldn’t go anywhere. I barely ate. I was like a car without lights.”

Her doctor tried a procedure that has had some success but it didn’t work for her and it appeared that her only option would be a hysterectomy, which she was not ready to accept.

“I don’t like getting my periods but I think it’s like a detox for a woman,” Goriel said. “It wasn’t about having children.”

It’s then she was told about laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (Lap-RFA), which at one time was not covered by many health insurance plans. However, in recent years data has shown that it’s not only an effective treatment medically, but also financially more cost effective.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Dr. Fisher was amazing. He worked hard to identify the right solution for me,” she said.

The renewed energy she experienced after the outpatient procedure enabled her to return to a normal life.

“I have not gone to the ER since,” she said, adding she has not had to call in sick to work as well. She is socializing, happy and robustly practicing the tenets of self-care such as walking and exercise, journaling, prioritizing water intake, a solid sleep routine and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Goriel. “I still get cramps but it’s nothing like it used to be. Now, I just have the same discomfort as everyone else.”

For more information visit beaumont.org/services/doctors.

Despite weeks of rain delays and another cloudy day, Huron-Clinton Metroparks decided to go ahead with its beach wheelchair demonstration to the delight of several participants including Myreo Dixon.

“It was nice. We weren’t able to get in the water because of the weather but I’m looking forward to using them,” Dixon said of the beach and floatable wheelchairs made available through the Huron-Clinton Metroparks’ Adaptive Recreation series.

The new equipment that makes the beaches and water accessible to wheelchair users were obtained through grant funding by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF). There are two versions of the beach wheelchairs: a fixed frame (sand only) and a floating wheelchair that enables wheelchair users to peruse the beach or go for a swim.

Dixon, who is a survivor of gun violence, participated in the demonstration for his sake and on behalf of the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) Foundation, where he works as the SportsAbilty coordinator. The RIM Foundation and the Metroparks have a partnership whereby RIM provides the activities and the Metroparks provide the space for people to do it like handcycling along the park trails.

Dixon said it’s worked out very well for both.

“The beach wheelchairs are like the cherry on top of our relationship,” Dixon said.

The beach wheelchairs are part of the Metroparks Adaptive Recreation program series and the strides taken by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks’ to remove barriers, creating access, improving access, and increasing recreation opportunities for all.

Over the past few years many accessibility improvements have been made, including parking lots, walkways, door openings and knobs, restrooms, portable restrooms, picnic facilities, tables, adding accessible recreation equipment, and much more.

Projects have included resurfaced sections of hike-bike trails, a mountain bike trail built for handcycles at Stony Creek, and picnic shelters now include accessible tables and grills as well as a fixed table layout that ensures proper table spacing for wheelchairs and others to navigate throughout the space. Accessible playgrounds are now at Maple Beach in Kensington Metropark, Woods Creek at Lower Huron, Lake St. Clair Metropark, and very soon at Indian Springs Metropark.

Grants have also provided funding for additions to accessible water recreation that include: an accessible fishing pier and accessible canoe/kayak launch at Lake St. Clair Metropark, an accessible floating canoe/kayak launch at Kensington Metropark, a canoe/kayak launch with a moveable transfer station at Rapids View in Hudson Mills Metropark, and two more accessible canoe/kayak launch improvements coming soon to Dexter-Huron and Delhi Metroparks. Each of these projects encompasses much more including accessible parking, walkways, restrooms, signage, and picnic tables.

The improvements to the park and partnerships with groups like RIM Foundation or Disability Network of Eastern Michigan are enabling the Metroparks to expand on its plan to create opportunities for individuals with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities to connect them to nature and recreational activities such as cycling, swimming and kayaking.

Dixon said it’s all very exciting.

“I really appreciate them being innovative and inventive,” he said. “I don’t usually go to the beach. I swim in pools. I love to relax and just enjoy the water but it’s good to know that if I want to go to the beach I have access to it.”

Carrie Gerdeman, recreation and health services director for the Disability Network of Eastern Michigan, said their partnership with the Metroparks is built on our shared belief in inclusivity.

“Together, we work to ensure everyone, no matter their abilities, can enjoy and connect with nature and recreation. This partnership has enhanced the lives of people with disabilities in Macomb County,” Gerdeman said in a statement.

FYI

Lake St. Clair Metropark has one All-Terrain Beach Wheelchair available to rent for free, allowing visitors the ability to enjoy the sand at the beach.

The chair is available to rent during summer from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

It is recommended for users ages 9-up. Also a companion or attendant is required as Metroparks staff will not be able to assist with transfers or pushing the wheelchair on the beach.

Rental times are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.

For more information visit https://www.metroparks.com/adaptive-recreation/.

The presenting sponsor for the Adaptive Recreation programs is MiAble, a savings program that helps people with disabilities save without the risk of losing government benefits. Visit MiABLE.org to learn more.

The improvements and equipment are all part of the Metroparks ADA Transition Plan. To provide feedback on the accessibility of each of the Metroparks through an online survey visit metroparks.com/planning-and-development/#FEEDBACK.

They were designed to be practical, not pretty.

However, the cement pillars supporting the pedestrian bridge over Groesbeck Highway will soon feature works of art created by Tatum Lorway and one of four summer projects underway for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Partners In Public Art (PIPA) mural program.

“I think it’s amazing,” said Robin Lorway.

“She has brought art into my life, having no experience previously, and now she’s bringing art into the community,” added Tatum’s mother and assistant on the project underway in Clinton Township.

“This is great recognition for an artist,” said Tatum Lorway, a graduate of Chippewa Valley High School, who followed the advice of her art teacher telling her to go for it, because she can earn  a living as an artist.

“I always knew this was what I wanted to do,” said Lorway, who finished high school and went on to attend the College for Creative Studies, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in art education and illustration.

Now she’s the art teacher encouraging ninth-graders at Romeo High School to pursue their dreams, while working on her portfolio which includes; murals for the Michigan Renaissance Festival, Family Youth Intervention Center in Mount Clemens and the softball field at her former high school. She also has a niece, whose nursery now features a work of art created by her Aunt Tatum.

Lorway’s latest mural, commissioned by the DIA for Clinton Township, features the Clinton River and the diverse group of people who shape where the river flows.

“We have a big melting pot of people. The stones in the river like the people in the community are all different,” said Lorway, who will be painting the pillars on both sides of Groesbeck Highway. “They’ll be similar designs.”

As with other works by the young artist and teacher, Lorway has hidden a few treasures within the big picture that encourage viewers to look a little closer. Hint: they have something to do with Clinton Township’s Native American heritage.

Lorway’s mural is one of several being done this year. The DIA also partnered with Center Line, Harrison Township, and Hazel Park. The projects are currently underway and are expected to be completed over the summer.

The murals being done next year will be determined this fall. Communities that are interested in the program can submit an application for the 2025 PIPA program now, with a deadline of Sept. 1. Interested communities can apply at dia.org/PIPA.

The Partners in Public Art mural program allows communities, organizations, and municipalities in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties to partner with the DIA to create community-driven murals on publicly owned buildings. Once a community is identified for a public mural, the local partners distribute a survey to gather input from residents to identify interests and preferences for a mural in their community. The survey results are then incorporated into the artist’s final design.

“The Partners in Public Art program is about more than just creating murals; it is about fostering community through a collaborative public art project,” Julie McFarland, director of community engagement at the DIA said, in a news release. “Each project is a unique opportunity to reflect the values and stories of our partner communities”

Past partner communities include:

Macomb County: Bruce Township, Eastpointe, Warren, Utica, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Mount Clemens City, St. Clair Shores City, and Lenox Twp.

Oakland County: Berkley, Clarkston, Clawson, Lake Orion, and Rochester.

Wayne County: Wyandotte, the Avenue of Fashion in Detroit.

The Partners in Public Art program is made possible by the tri-county millage. Residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties always receive free general admission to the DIA.

For more information, visit dia.org/PIPA.