FARMINGTON HILLS – Leo Daigle of Wixom had just won the season-closing GAM Senior Tournament of Champions but was unaware that he had also wrapped up the top spot on the GAM Senior Men’s Points List.

Greg Davies of West Bloomfield and Orchard Lake Country Club, last year’s GAM Senior Men’s Player of the Year and a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member, filled him in on what he had accomplished.

“Greg, a great guy who has always been so nice to me, gave me a beautiful gift in telling me I had accomplished something a golfer never forgets,” Daigle said.

The 60-year-old Daigle has been named the 2024 GAM Senior Player of the Year, Ken Hartmann, senior director of competitions and USGA services, announced earlier this week.

In the last two weeks, McCoy Biagioli of White Lake was named the GAM Men’s Player of the Year, Elayna Bowser of Dearborn was named the GAM Women’s Player of the Year and Randy Lewis of Alma was named the GAM Super Senior Player of the Year. Over the next month the GAM will announce more Players of the Year in gender and age categories.

Daigle, a GAM member through the Michigan Publinx Golf Association (MPGA), qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur, reached the semifinals of the GAM Senior Match Play and tied for second in the GAM Senior Championship to help earn 340 points.

The final critical points for Daigle came in the Senior Tournament of Champions where he finished just ahead of Mike Ignasiak of Saline, another MPGA member who tied for second in the championship.

Ignasiak finished second on the season points list, too, with 332.5 points, just 7.5 behind Daigle.

Rick Crandall of Fenton, the GAM Senior Champion and a member at Flint Elks Golf Club, was third with 200 points.

Davies, who had 197.5 points, and GAM Senior Match Play Champion Kevin Vandenberg of Pulaski, N.Y., a summer GAM member through the Dave Kendall Academy at Miles of Golf, who had 190 points, rounded out the top five.

Daigle, whose real name is Lloyd Thomas Daigle, is known as Leo in golf circles. He was introduced at age 10 to golf by his father Lloyd Daigle and his grandfather, Leo Daigle, then a golf professional at Indianwood Golf & Country Club, who is sometimes confused with Detroit native Leo Diegel, a World Golf Hall of Fame and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member.

“Dad got me playing and my grandfather got me playing it better and some of the old guys started calling me Leo,” Daigle said. “I played some golf until I was about 18, then it was off to the Army and Florida, and around age 30 I met my wife and started playing again but didn’t get serious and take lessons until age 45.”

He took those lessons from David VanLoozen, a PGA professional who is currently the director of instruction at Oakland Hills Country Club and remains Daigle’s swing coach.

“Dave made me videos of my swing that I still watch all the time,” Daigle said. “We stay in touch. He taught me how to compete.”

Daigle, who also won the Senior Scratch title at the Michigan Publinx Match Play Championship this summer, said he hit more balls on the range and was comfortable playing through the season.

“I wasn’t nervous about my game like a lot of times before,” he said. “I don’t think I always played great, but I was so steady that it turned out to be an exceptional year. I feel fortunate for the GAM and (Ken Hartmann) and the Publinx guys. I have a lot of good players to compete with and good people in my life. I’m thankful for all the gifts God gives me.”

Hartmann said Daigle was among the most consistent players he saw through the golf season.

“He was right there at the top of the leaderboard all year,” he said. “Leo doesn’t have the long track record of some of the other seniors, but for his age he still has an aggressive swing and never holds back. He’s also one of the friendliest guys, genuinely loves to play the game and plays a lot of it. It was great to see him have such a great year.”

The holiday party has really started around the metro area. From theaters to clubs to your screens, there’s a veritable Yule tidal wave of opportunities to get in the spirit …

• The Detroit Symphony Orchestra offers two versions of “The Nutcracker Suite” — Tchaikovsky’s Ballet and the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn rendition — at 10:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Saturday’s show will stream free via the “Live From Orchestra Hall” series. 313-576-5111 or dso.org.

• The Macomb Ballet Company is also on “The Nutcracker” case at 7 p.m. Friday. Dec. 6, with four additional performances through Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Macomb Center, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township. A special Nutcracker Tea also takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. 586-286-2222 or macombcenter.com.

• Pianist Cyrus Chestnut and Friends perform Vince Guaraldi’s score from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-576-5111 or dso.org.

• The Farmington Players’ “Humbug” puts a new twist on “A Christmas Carol,” starting at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and running through Dec. 21 at The Barn Theatre, 32332 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills. 248-553-2955 or farmingtonplayers.org.

• The Detroit Public Theatre’s 2nd Annual Holiday Cabaret has shows through Dec. 22 at 3960 Third St., Detroit. 313-974-7918 or detroitpublictheatre.org.

• Dave Boutette and Kristi Lynn Davis join forces, with some guests, for a special Christmas show at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the Trinity House Theatre, 38840 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia. 734-436-6302 or trinityhousetheatre.org.

• Indoors and on screen, pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter streams “A Nonsense Christmas” starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 on Netflix. Guests include Chappell Roan, Tyla, Cara Delevingue, Kyle Mooney and more.

• The DSO offers a family-friendly “Let It Snow!” program at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-576-5111 or dso.org.

• Noel Night, Detroit’s annual holiday extravaganza, turns 50 with activities around the city’s Midtown and Cultural Center from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Live music and other performances, family activities, shopping, eating and Santa Claus visits are all part of the festivities. noelnight.org for all the details.

• “The Jingle Jam” presented by endprejudice features music and poetry by the Drew Keys Band, Myla Hope, Sofia Goetz, La Shaun Phoenix More, Jazmine Jamai and more at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion. 248-783-7105 or 20frontstreet.com.

• The Dearborn Symphony Orchestra performs its version of “The Nutcracker” at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn. 313-943-2354 or dearborntheater.com.

• Over the Rhine presents its Acoustic Christmas show at The Ark at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.

• Not tired of it yet? “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” dances into the Fox Theatre at noon, 4 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com.

• “Who Brought the Humbug?” is a family-friendly variety show with music, dancing and more at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at Music Hall Center, 250 Madison Ave., Detroit. 313-887-8500 or musichall.org.

• Local country favorite Alan Turner crafts a Christmas Show edition of his Kenny Rogers tribute at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. 248-453-5285 or theroxyrochester.com.

• Chicago blues-rock quartet the Empty Pockets brings its MistleTunes holiday concert our way for a 7:30 p.m. show Sunday, Dec. 8 at The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-1818 or theark.org.

Oakland University will present three women with honorary doctoral degrees in recognition of outstanding achievements in their respective fields during its December 2024 commencement ceremonies.

Austin Channing Brown is an author and speaker providing inspired leadership on racial justice in America. She is the best-selling author of the book, “I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness.”Brown will be honored at the 6 p.m. ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13.

Kym Worthy is the current Wayne County prosecutor. She started as an assistant prosecutor in 1984 and  served for 11 years, becoming the first African American special assignment prosecutor. One of her most notable cases was the prosecution of police officers Walter Budzyn and Larry Nevers in the beating death of Malice Green. She was first elected prosecutor in 2004.

Worthy is a member of the National Black Prosecutors Association, Prosecutors Against Gun Violence, the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the Michigan Democratic Party, and Greater Grace Temple.  Worthy will be honored at the 9 a.m. ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Telva McGruder is executive director of Global Body Manufacturing Engineering at General Motors, where she  leads the transformation toward automated and digital manufacturing for body and paint systems.

She was chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at GM, where she championed progress toward a high-performing, inclusive culture while shepherding global impact in diversity. McGruder will be honored at the 2 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Honorary degrees are awarded by OU’s trustees for distinguished accomplishment and service in arts and letters, sciences, professions and public service.

Many nonprofits seek monetary, non-perishable food and toy donations, as well as volunteers to help organize and distribute food and toys during the holiday season.

• Forgotten Harvest’s Hope for the Holidays meal distribution events take place through December in metro Detroit. Forgotten Harvest seeks monetary donations and volunteers to continue programs, www.forgottenharvest.org.Those in need of food assistance can visit www.forgottenharvest.org/find-food to find a distribution event nearby.

• Gleaners Community Food Bank seeks community help, through financial donations and nonperishable food donations, including canned meat, beans and vegetables, low-sodium soups, oatmeal, protein drinks, peanut butter and healthy cereal (avoid donating items in glass containers or any cooked leftovers), www.gcfb.org/give-now. Gleaners also seeks volunteers to for the winter season (January through March), https://gcfb.volunteerhub.com/vv2.

• The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is holding its first-ever 12 Days of Ringing Challenge from Dec. 2-14, (excluding Sunday, Dec. 8) at red kettle locations, https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/metrodetroit/12-days-of-ringing. To participate, visit any red kettle location in the metro Detroit area (Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties), take a selfie by the iconic Red Kettle and share on social media, tagging #12DaysOfRinging. For those in need, visit https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/location-search.

• The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit seeks volunteer bell ringers. Individuals and families can sign up to volunteer by visiting registertoring.com where they have an option to choose a traditional, two-hour session at a physical red kettle site or participate in a virtual bell ringing shift where they can raise funds from home. Individuals can donate money via an online kettle, Paypal, Venmo or physical red kettle, or at SAmetrodetroit.org, or by calling 877-SAL-MICH or texting GIFT to 24365.

• Easterseals MORC annual Cheers Gala: 7-10 p.m. Dec. 6, at M1 Concourse Event Center in Pontiac, activities include spirits tasting, strolling dinner, casino games, silent auction, thecheersgala.org,  fundraising event, $150+/ticket.

• Give Back to Older Adults: Wrapped gifts may be dropped off by Dec. 6, at the Costick Activities Center, 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, for Senior Secret Santa program. For information, contact Teresa at 248-473-1826 or tjergovich@fhgov.com.

• HAVEN is holding its annual Gift Give-Away, where survivors of domestic violence and their families can shop from hundreds of holiday gifts (at no cost) thanks to generous donations. Donations can be made at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2L3KGKOPNBPCA?ref\=wlshare, through Dec. 8, donated gifts can be shipped to or dropped off at HAVEN of Oakland County, 801 Vanguard Drive, Pontiac, MI, 48341, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Top priority items are winter coats, gift cards ($20-$50, Meijer or Target) blankets and comforters (full or queen size). For volunteer opportunities, sign by visiting: www.Haven-Oakland.org/gift-giveaway-2024.

• The Rainbow Connection Michigan’s wish-granting organization, in Rochester, is hosting its annual Toy Drive and Adopt-A-Family Program. Those interested in donating can find The Rainbow Connection’s gift guide at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/26ZNXA9Y0WYPA?ref=cmswemrununOSJjq2Be0pWpa. The adopted families will be invited to pick up the gifts Dec. 11-14.

• Toys for Tots toy drive: Donations of unwrapped toys accepted through Dec. 16, at Farmington Hills Police and Fire Department headquarters on the campus of City Hall at the corner of Eleven Mile and Orchard Lake Roads.

• Guests at Parc Detroit, Experience Zuzu, and 220 Merrill are encouraged to bring a toy to benefit COTS Detroit, through Dec. 16. As a thank-you, guests will receive a complimentary Christmas dessert, COTSDetroit.org. Toys can be purchased from COTS’ Amazon Wishlist.

• The Birmingham Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys for its annual Toys for Tots Foundation toy drive through Dec. 20 at the city’s two fire stations, 572 S. Adams Road and 1600 W. Maple Road, and Baldwin Public Library, 300 W. Merrill St. and Birmingham City Hall, 151 Martin St. Unwrapped donated toys for all ages can be placed in Toys for Tots collection boxes at these locations. For more information, call 248-530-1906, toysfortots.org, bhamgov.org/fire.

• Christmas of Hope, A Benefit for Hurricane Victims is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22, Flagstar Strand, 12 N Saginaw St, Pontiac, www.flagstarstrand.com, ticket prices vary.

• Love In the Name of Christ of North Oakland County (Love INC), Lake Orion, is hosting a gift card drive through Dec. 23. ($25-$50 gift card denominations suggested). For locations to drop off boxes for card donations, visit Loveincofnoc.org, or call 248-693-435, or drop off 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Love INC, 1550 W. Drahner Road, Oxford.

• The Great Decorate, an annual holiday decorating contest through Dec. 31, raises awareness and funds to support local foster teens who are about to age-out of the foster care system. Each year, a group of foster teen recipients are selected through a partnership with the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange. Visitors are welcome to stop by restaurants and retail locations throughout downtown Birmingham to view holiday decor and vote for their favorite display by donating online, www.thegreatdecorate.com.

• Gifts for All God’s Children, a faith-based nonprofit located in Rochester Hills, offers four ways to make a difference. Sponsor a Child-Choose a child and do the shopping for clothing, toys, books, and hygiene items. Make a Donation. Purchase from the nonprofit’s Amazon Wish List and ship Items to the workshop. Purchase items and send them to the workshop for packing and distribution, https://giftsforallgodschildren.org/christmas-outreach-program.

• The Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit is seeking donations of gently used furniture for families in need, especially smaller sofas, dining tables, and chairs that fit in modest-sized homes, items should be free of stains, rips, tears, and pet hair. Call 248-332-1300 to schedule a pick-up.

• The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office collects bicycles (new, used, or in need of repair), bike accessories, tools, and parts for the Sheriff’s Re-CYCLE for Kids program. Donations may be dropped off at any of the Sheriff’s Office locations in Oakland County, or at the 1-800-Self-Storage locations in Troy or Oak Park. a robust volunteer operation now assists with the work of refurbishing and repairing the donated bikes on an as-needed basis. The recycled bikes are distributed to families in need at events and by appointment, www.oakgov.com/government/sheriff/community-services/domestic-safety.

• Bloomfield Hills-based nonprofit JARC, an organization serving adults with developmental disabilities in metro Detroit seeks donations and volunteers. A donation to JARC supports funding for recreational therapy, transportation to events and items for the homes. JARC welcomes people of all ages to participate in volunteer opportunities including visiting with people served by JARC, assisting at events and delivering holiday meals, www.jarc.org. To volunteer, visit www.jarc.org/volunteer or call Jessica at 248-940-2607.

• Oakland Hope human service nonprofit, food pantry and thrift store, seeks volunteers and donations. Located at 20 E. Walton Blvd, Pontiac, www.oaklandhope.org, 248-309-3658. Call for hours of the free food pantry.

To add an organization, please visit https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.

To have an event included in the Vitality calendar, email the name of the event, the time, date, address, cost (if applicable) and contact information to jgray@medianewsgroup.com.

December

Dec. 12: OPC 650 Players Holiday Variety Show, at the Older Persons’ Commission,  650 Letica Drive, Rochester, from noon-2 p.m., Dec. 12. $20. Come “Home for the Holidays”. Join us for an afternoon of festive performances from the talented OPC 650 Players. Ticket price includes show, luncheon and dessert. Sponsored by Belmar Oakland. For more information call 248-656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 13: Metro Music Makers Big Band Holiday Concert, at the Older Persons’ Commission,  650 Letica Drive, Rochester, from 1-3 p.m. $15 – OPC Members $20 – Non Members. Enjoy the sounds of the season with plenty of room to dance, and a fun sing-along to your favorite classics. Light appetizers and refreshments included. Sponsored by Bellbrook. Open to the public. For more information call 248-656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 13: Financial Friday Making Your Wishes Known at 10:30 a.m. at the Older Persons’ Commission,  650 Letica Drive, Rochester. $2. Making Your Wishes Known: What beneficiaries need to know. Presented by Xenia Woltmann, AWMA. Open to the public.  For more information call 248-656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 16: Deal Me In!: Cribbage at the Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave Roseville, at 6 p.m., on Monday, Dec. 16. Come join your friends and neighbors for an evening of social interaction and card games!This session will be geared towards the card game Cribbage; however, open play is encouraged and cards will be provided. Never played Cribbage or need a refresher? We’ll have someone here to help starting at 5 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. Registration required. For more information, call 586-445-5407 or email rsvlibraryservice@roseville-mi.gov

Dec. 16: AARP OATS Technology Talks at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Wednesday, Dec. 11 and Monday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. Learn about the “Internet of Things” and “Smartphones” in these free tech sessions. Register in advance for one or both. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

Dec. 17: RHGS Program: How Did Our Grandparents Celebrate Christmas During WWII at the Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Presented by Beverly Bishop The Roseville Historical and Genealogical Society presents a program at the Library each month. For more information, call 313-884-3067.

Dec. 17: Knitting and Crochet Circle, at the Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Ste. A, from 10 a.m. – noon. Welcome knitters and crocheters of all levels!  Hang out and share your love of creating with others. Please bring your own project and supplies. This group is currently accepting donations of yarn, fleece, or craft store gift cards. The group creates and donates to charitable organizations like Beaumont Little Angels, Project Linus, Compassion Pregnancy, and more to give comfort items during times of need. You’re welcome to create for charity or work on your own projects. For more information, call 586-329-1261 or visit, htlibrary.org/events.

Dec. 17: Senior Luncheon & Movie: Wicked at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Tuesday, Dec. 17, depart at 10:30 a.m. Lunch and a Broadway movie? Yes, please! Join us for Wicked and a delightful meal. Tickets are $35—reserve your seat today. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

Dec. 17: Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Group at the Older Persons’ Commission, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester, from 1:30-3 p.m. Support group for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Respite care is available. For more information call 248-656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 18: It’s All Fun & Games! at the Older Persons’ Commission,  650 Letica Drive, Rochester, at 10 a.m. $5. It’s a breakfast that’s more than just food – it’s a celebration of the season full of fun, laughter and Reindeer Games! This event is sponsored by Comfort Keepers. For more information call 248-656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 18: Wheel of Fortune at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. Spin the wheel and test your luck! Enjoy a lively afternoon with friends. Register in advance to secure your spot. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

Dec. 18: BINGO Reindeer Games at the Older Persons’ Commission, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester, 12:30 p.m. $10. Join us for Bingo in the Dining Room. Ticket price includes 8-10 games with up to 4 BINGO cards per player and pizza! Sponsored by the Village at Orchard Grove. For more information call 248-656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 19: Women’s Luncheon Holiday Tea – Remembering J.L. Hudson & Holiday Traditions. Sponsored by the Older Persons’ Commission, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester, at 1 p.m. $15. Presented by Michael Hauser, Author and Director of the Detroit Opera House. The J. L. Hudson Company redefined the way Detroiters shopped and enjoyed leisure time. Hudson’s defined Detroit’s downtown, creating trends and traditions in consumer culture that still resonate with us today. This program is sponsored by Wellbridge of Rochester Hills. For more information call 248-656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 19: Mystery Book Club: Holiday Mysteries at the Roseville Public Library, 29777 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 19. Calling all sleuths! Get together with other mystery readers as we discuss crime novels every third Thursday of the month. This month, we will talk about holiday-themed mysteries. Choose any mystery with a Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or New Year theme to read and discuss with the group. For more information, call 586-445-5407 or email rsvlibraryservice@roseville-mi.gov

Dec. 19: Caregiver Café at OPC at the Older Persons’ Commission, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester, from 1-2:30 p.m. A social gathering for people affected by memory challenges and their care partners. Some activities include art, music and games with light refreshments provided. Sponsored by Waltonwood Main. RSVP to Theresa Gill at 248-659-1036 or tgill@OPCcenter.org.

Dec. 20: Grief Support Group at the Older Persons’ Commission, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester, from 10-11:30 a.m. The death of a loved one affects your head, heart and spirit. A Grief Support Group is an opportunity to gain an understanding about grief and receive support and healing with other caring individuals who have experienced a loss. Many people report a feeling of relief in knowing they are not alone as they share their experience with others. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information call 248-656-1403 or visit OPCcenter.org

Dec. 21: The Single Way, a Christian singles group, is sponsoring a Christmas chocolate fondue with fresh strawberries, pineapple, and bananas on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 and includes the fondue, snacks, and beverages. If coming, a reservation is required by Friday, Dec. 20. To make a reservation, and for location information, call 586-774-2119.

January

Jan. 2: New Year Celebration 2025. Thursday, Jan. 2 Celebrate with live jazz from Olivia Van Goor & Mike  Harrison. Tickets: $6, on sale now! Time: 11:30 a.m. at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 7: Fit to Dance: Tue & Thur, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The next session begins on Jan. 7 at Tenniswood Elementary Gym located at 23450 Glenwood Ave, Clinton Twp. Cost $240 (24 Classes). Register online at Lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

Jan. 8: Birthday Lunch on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Jan. 8 at Noon. January  birthdays: Get a free lunch! Dine in to receive your card. At the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 8: Slow Flow Yoga:  Wed, 7– 8 p.m. The next session begins on Jan. 8at Graham Elementary Café located at 25555 Crocker Blvd, Harrison Twp.  Cost $50 (6 Classes). Register online at www.lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

Jan. 11: AARP OATS Tech at Blair Library. Online Basics Starts Jan. 11, Saturdays, 9–10:15 AM. 5-session course on online skills. Clawson Senior Center, call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 13: Movie at the Library Monday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. Join us for a showing of Selma (128 minutes), a powerful film about the 1965 march for voting rights led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Clawson Senior Center, call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 13: Lunch Bunch on Monday, Jan. 13 at Salvatore Scallopini in Madison Heights. Sponsored by the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. The bus departs at 11:30 a.m. Transportation: $4 (lunch not included). Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 14: Craft Hour with Jess Tuesday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m. at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Join a free, themed craft session sponsored by The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities. Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 15: DIA Museum Tour. Sponsored by the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Wednesday, Jan. 15. Bus departs at noon for a guided tour of the DIA. Explore world-class art and exhibits. Cost: $5. Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 16: Wheel of Fortune Game at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, Thursday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. Test your luck and enjoy the fun with friends. Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 18: Saturday, Jan. 18.Join us to see a parody of Miami’s sassiest seniors at the Fisher Theatre to enjoy the production of “Golden Girls.” The Laughs Continue allows audiences to relive the heartfelt hilarity of the four ladies who never stopped being best friends. Bus departs from Walmart, 45400 Marketplace, Clinton Twp at 11:15 am , Cost $105 which includes lunch prior to the show at The Nautical Deli. SMALL purses are allowed and may be searched upon entry to the theatre. Register online at www.lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

Jan. 22: Oakland County Health Presents discover tips for healthy eating, physical activity, and goal setting in this interactive session at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Topics include eating on a budget, MyPlate guidelines, the benefits of colorful fruits and veggies, and reading nutrition labels. Duration: 1 hour. Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 23-24: Casino Trips, MotorCity. Sponsored by the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson, on Thursday, Jan., 23 and Friday, Jan. 24. Sponsored by the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Depart at 10 a.m. Cost $12 each trip. Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Jan. 30: Chinese New Year Celebration & Bingo at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson Thursday, Jan. 30 at noon. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with an Asian-themed lunch at noon followed by Bingo at 1 p.m. Join us for this festive tradition filled with fun and delicious food. Call to register at 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

Monthly events

• Chair Drumming: Second Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Cost is $5 per drop-in class. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or online at recreation.cityofclawson.com.

• The Birmingham Metropolitan Women’s Club: Meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Iroquois Club, 43248 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Twp. at 10 a.m. for lunch & informative speakers. We are a friendly group of 50+ women who gather for friendship, informative programs & philanthropic activities in our community. Visit before becoming a member. The cost for the luncheon & program is $32. To make a reservation, call Chris at 248-303-7339. To learn more, visit tbmwc.com

• Learn Spanish at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. Donations welcomed. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Somerset Mall Walking and Shopping: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Depart at 9:45 a.m. from the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court to enjoy a scenic and safe way to support your physical &  mental well-being and shop while you are there! Cost $3. Contact dispatch at 248-583-6700 to sign up.

• Yoga for Seniors: At the Fraser Senior Activities Center, 34935 Hidden Pine Dr., Fraser. Friday mornings 10:30am-11:30 a.m. (6-week sessions). Wednesday mornings 11:30-12:30 p.m. (6-week sessions). $26 for members per session, $32 for non-members per session. To register, call 586-296-8483.

• Pickleball Drop in with friends of all ages for a friendly game of pickleball at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson. on Mondays, from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $2. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Quilting Group meets every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Clawson Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court, Clawson.  For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Water Fitness Classes: Mondays & Wednesday, from 11:10 a.m. – noon (times subject to change based on staffing) at L’Anse Creuse North high school located at 23700 Twenty One Mile Rd, Macomb. Cost $5 drop in or punch cards available for $50 – payment accepted poolside or online and bring your receipt. Register online at Lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

• Quilting Group: Meets every Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 5/6. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Let’s meet up to discuss the latest topics and ask questions in a friendly environment. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Pick Your Play: Thursdays at 12:45 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Play Kings in the Corner, Hand & Foot, Farkle, whatever you like. Bring a friend and have some fun. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Did you want to learn to play piano, guitar or ukulele? What about voice lessons? We offer beginner classes for youth and adults: Visit our website to see all of the  music lessons we offer.  Lessons take place at Kawai studios and rental instruments are available for rent. Kawai studio is located at 12745 23 Mile Rd, Shelby Twp, MI  48315.  Register online at Lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or by calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330

• Current Events Club: meets the 1st Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Let’s meet up to discuss the latest topics and ask questions in a friendly environment. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Fitness 20/20/20: Monday and Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fitness 20/20/20 held at Frederick V Pankow Center – Room 505, 24076 F V Pankow Blvd, Clinton Twp. Cost is $96 Register online at Lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

• Chair Exercise: On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Level I at 10:30 a.m.: Seated warm-up, light weights, bands and balance work. Level II at 11:15 a.m.: Low-impact moves. No fee, donations welcome. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Socrates Club: Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Meetup to discuss current events in a relaxed, informal setting. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Zumba Gold at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court at 1:30 p.m. on Mondays with Ivy. Cost is $5 per drop-in class. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Solo-Seniors Group: meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court Meet and mingle with other seniors in this fun social group. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Indoor Walking on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:15 a.m.at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Meet with friends to walk in the gym. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Mondays and Wednesdays: 9:15-10 a.m.(tentatively starting this Fall/Winter), Water Walking or Lap Swim held at L’Anse Creuse High School North, 23700 21 Mile Rd, Macomb. Walk in $5 a visit or purchase a punch card. Punch cards can be purchased at the pool, online at Lc-ps.ce.eleyo.com or calling L’Anse Creuse Community Education at 586-783-6330.

• Older Persons’ Commission Membership: Mondays – Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. OPC membership is available at no charge to all residents 50+ of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Registration forms are available at OPC or online at opcseniorcenter.org. You must register in person and proof of residency is required. The OPC is located at 650 Letica Drive, Rochester. For more information, call 248-656-1403.

• Pinochle: on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:45 p.m. at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Cost is $1. Price includes prize money for the top three scores. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Chair Yoga: at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays & Thursdays with Melissa or Stephanie at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Come get a great stretch in this class! No fee, but donations are welcome. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Tai Chi: Wednesdays at 10 a.m. with Cheryl at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. Cost is $5 per drop-in class. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Euchre: on Tuesdays at 12:45 .pm. Cost is $1, which includes prize money, at the Clawson Recreation and Senior Center, 509 Fisher Court. For more information, call 248-589-0334 or visit cityofclawson.com

• Confident Communicators Club: Meets monthly for people who seek improving public speaking skills and leadership confidence. This supportive Toastmasters group meets online the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8-9:30 a.m. Many of our members have gain skills needed to become a better salesperson, grow their business, get promoted, and engage students. Register for any of our meetings to get the Zoom Link -https://confident-communicators-club-meeting.eventbrite.com. Contact our VP Membership to get more information vpm-1196053@toastmastersclubs.org

• Breakfast Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries: Breakfast (3rd Tuesday of each) at 10:30 a.m., Pancake Factory, 13693 23 Mile Rd, NE corner of 23 Mile & Schoenherr, Shelby Twp. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. Contact Ellen 586-781-5781.

• Bowling held at Collier Bowl: 879 S Lapeer Rd. (M24), Oxford every Tuesday. Arrive at noon for lane assignments. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. Cost is $7.50 for three games, (shoes extra at $2.50). Lunch afterwards optional. Call Joe at 248-693-2454 or Nadine at 248-475-9036.

• New Baltimore Civic Club: Euchre every Thursday at 36551 Main St. (corner of Blackwell) in New Baltimore. Sign in at 6:30 p.m., play at 7 p.m. $10 plus a quarter for each euchre.

• Breakfast every Wednesday: Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. Join us at 10 a.m. at Cavis Pioneer Restaurant, 5606 Lapeer Rd., Kimball. Call Rita, 810-334-6287 for more information.

• Senior Card Playing: Come and join a fun group of card players who play a wide range of card games. Everyone brings a snack to share while playing. Free. Mondays from 1-4 p.m. at 35248 Cricklewood Blvd. (Cricklewood Recreation Building). Call 586-725-0291.

• Dancing every Tuesday: at Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane, Sterling Heights. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music from 7-10:30 p.m. Cost is $8 per person with a cash bar. A table is reserved for Widowed Friends. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries Contact Kate at 586-344-3886.

• New Baltimore Senior Club: Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This welcoming group of seniors has all sorts of fun. We play bingo, hold luncheons, go on trips, and play cards. Monthly dues, $2. Location 35248 Cricklewood Blvd. (Cricklewood Recreation Building). Call 586-725-0291.

• Zumba Gold: from 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the Washington Center, 57880 Van Dyke, Washington Twp. Cost depends on how many punches are purchased. 4 punches $23 resident, $29 NR; 11 punches $60 resident, $66 NR. For more information, call 586-752-6543.

• Cards/Games/Friendship: Ss. John and Paul, (1st Thursday or every month), 1:30-4 p.m. at, 7777 28 Mile Rd. Bring a snack to share and your own beverage. Ss. John and Paul supports the Agape Center, a resource center for the most vulnerable members of society and would appreciate it if you could bring a canned good (vegetable, meat, fruit) when you come to play. (Dinner afterward at Romeo Family Restaurant, 66020 Van Dyke Rd., between 30 & 31 Mile is optional.) Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. Call Ellen, 586-781-5781.

• Men Only Breakfast: Lukich Family Restaurant (1st  & 3rd Thursday), 3900 Rochester Rd., Troy, at 9.m. The Widowed Men’s Group invites you to meet with other widowed men for breakfast at either of the Men’s Fellowship locations whichever is more convenient for you. Many topics & ideas help you become involved in the activities of Widowed Friends. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries  Contact Ray at 248-585-5402.

• Eastside Movies: (1st Tuesday of each month) at Chesterfield Crossing Digital Cinema 16 (known for free soda & popcorn refills also offers discount matinee pricing) 50675 Gratiot Ave., Chesterfield Twp. Early dinner afterwards TBD. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. For more information, contact Marion at 586-703-1427

• Metamora – Dinner Club: (3rd Wednesday of the month) at 5 p.m. Join us at The White Horse Inn, 1 E High St., Metamora. Reserved seating. Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries. Please RSVP to Sharry 248-840-0063. No walk- ins. Please call if you must cancel your reserved seating.

• Breakfast at Avenue Family Restaurant: 31253 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, at 9:30 a.m. (2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month). Sponsored by Widowed Friends Ministries.

The Penske Family Foundation will donate $3 million to support the Integrated Care Center.

Roger Penske, chairman of the international transportation services company Penske Corp., surprised everyone in the room when he announced plans to support the program beyond 2027.

“This was an initial grant that we made … we’ll be able to attract a workforce that will be meaningful,” he said, adding that he felt funding the care center would be sustainable for “many decades” with many other partners.

The care center will provide mental health and medical services along with wrap-around services from Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency. Anyone can use the services, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Penske said mental health care is important to a healthy society and the care center will provide a lifeline to people.

Services include mental-health support for individuals, families and first responders offered by OLHSA. The provider also helps low-income individuals and families as well as veterans and older residents with everything from food assistance to classes, home repair and emergency shelter, among other resources.

The care center opened in May at a temporary location in downtown Pontiac but will move in February to the former Sarah J. Weber Media Arts Academy, 48980 Woodward Ave.

The care center is a joint effort by Honor Community Health, Oakland County, Oakland Community Health Network, OLHSA and Trinity Health.

The $3 million donation will be paid in $1 million increments over three years. The ICC was created with $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act money.

County Executive Dave Coulter said the county is looking for money now to fund the ICC beyond 2027.

“It is our hope that people will understand the value of this kind of concept and that other funders beyond the generous will step up and support our work,” he said. “We’re confident that if we do this right, we’ll attract other funders.”

Another challenge is hiring and retaining employees in a competitive marketplace.

OCHN CEO Dana Lasenby said her organization will likely recruit workers laid off last week from Pontiac General Hospital.

OCHN also recruits at college fairs and community events, she said. The challenge is paying a competitive wage in order to retain employees.

The nonprofit has openings for teachers, weatherization and disability specialists, supervisors and food specialists, among others.

The county has job listings for hearing and vision specialists, nurses, a health program coordinator and a county health officer. Learn more at https://www.oakgov.com/government/human-resources/work-for-us/full-part-time-jobs.

Since May the care centerhas treated more than 850 patients, many from Pontiac, who needed primary and mental health care services at the clinic. Nearly half spoke Spanish and more than 63% were women. More than 200 of them – 25% – had no medical insurance.

Dr. Nik Hemady, Honor Community Health’s chief medical officer, described integrated care as a person who arrives with an urgent medical issue and discloses feeling anxious over other issues in their life. The clinic connects the patient to mental health and housing, food or job resources.

One measure of success, he said, will be a reduction in people delaying care until they have an extreme condition that requires an emergency room visit or hospitalization that could create a cascade of other problems, such as job loss.

“This is not just about treating symptoms; it’s about improving lives,” he said.

The first year that Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital held an event designed to make the holidays brighter for pediatric patients, organizers hoped that 50 people would show up.

Hundreds gathered in the parking lot of the Royal Oak hospital on a December evening to shine flashlights and other lights at the windows of the pediatric wing. The young patients waved their flashlights in return. And a holiday tradition was born.

Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams began in 2017 at the suggestion of the Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Family Advisory Council. It has been held ever since, except two years during the pandemic.

This year, the event will begin at 8 p.m. sharp every night from Dec. 9-23, with lights flashing for 10 minutes. Participants should arrive by 7:45 p.m. to allow time to park.

In years past, average attendance per night ranged between 500-600 people, but has reached up to 2,000 in a single night, said Kathleen Grobbel, Moonbeams co-leader and Corewell Child Life program manager.

She said the program is a simple way to bring joy to children facing challenges.

“You stand outside, you shine your light and you go home,” she said. “They know that every light out there represents a person who cares about them.”

“It really is a magical event,” said nurse and co-leader Lisa Muma.

The program has grown over the years, with area police and fire departments shining the lights on their vehicles. Kids are particularly thrilled when Santa climbs a lighted ladder on a fire truck and shines a flashlight into the pediatric wing, Muma said.

Area school sports teams, scout troops and others attend the event in groups to show their support.

The event begins this year on Sunday, Dec. 8, with a sensory-friendly night. Organizers initiated the special night last year because Moonbeams “doesn’t work for every family,” Grobbel said.

Noise is muted and colored paper is provided to cover flashlights. A support table with stress balls, fidget toys and earplugs will be available. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this event, email lisa.muma@corewellhealth.org. Registration is encouraged but not required.

IF YOU’RE GOING

Participants should gather on the sidewalk near the Medical Office Building across from the east entrance to the hospital at 3601 W. 13 Mile Road. Wayfinding signs will be posted around campus.

Buses and groups of 10 or more are asked to register at https://www.beaumont.org/moonbeams.

Carpooling is recommended. Parking is available in the small lot across from the north parking deck and just east of the Medical Office Building.

From the 13 Mile Road entrance, follow the blue signs toward the north parking deck and park in the lot across from the parking deck entrance. Additional parking is available near the Coolidge Highway entrance and at the Neuroscience Center.

Reminders:

– Do not bring drones or laser pointers.

– Only use restrooms located in the Medical Office Building. Do not enter the main hospital.

– Do not attend when experiencing symptoms of cold, flu or COVID-19.

– On occasion, the event may be canceled due to inclement weather. Go to https://www.beaumont.org/moonbeams to check.

DONATIONS REQUESTED

Corewell invites the community to support year-round efforts for ill children by donating new, specified toys from a wish list found here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/21AU83XIRQ8LH?ref_=wl_share.

Items may be delivered via Amazon or in person during the event at a drop box inside the Medical Office Building.

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 4, the 339th day of 2024. There are 27 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Dec. 4, 1991, after being abducted and held for nearly seven years as a hostage by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson was released from captivity.

Also on this date:

In 1783, Gen. George Washington bade farewell to his Continental Army officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York.

In 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, dubbed the “Million Dollar Quartet,” gathered for the first and only time for a jam session at Sun Records in Memphis.

In 1964, police arrested some 800 students at the University of California, Berkeley, one day after the students stormed the administration building and staged a massive sit-in.

In 1965, the United States launched Gemini 7 with Air Force Lt. Col. Frank Borman and Navy Cmdr. James A. Lovell aboard on a two-week mission. (While Gemini 7 was in orbit, its sister ship, Gemini 6A, was launched on Dec. 15 on a one-day mission; the two spacecraft were able to rendezvous within a foot of each other.)

In 1969, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark of the Black Panther Party were shot and killed during a raid by Chicago police.

In 1997, the NBA suspended Golden State Warriors guard Latrell Sprewell for one year after Sprewell attacked Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo three days earlier.

In 2016, a North Carolina man armed with an assault rifle fired several shots inside Comet Ping Pong, a Washington, D.C., pizzeria, as he attempted to investigate an online conspiracy theory that prominent Democrats were harboring child sex slaves at the restaurant; no one was hurt, and the man surrendered to police. (He was later sentenced to four years in prison.)

In 2018, long lines of people wound through the Capitol Rotunda to view the casket of former President George H.W. Bush.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Game show host Wink Martindale is 91.
• Actor-producer Max Baer Jr. is 87.
• Actor Gemma Jones is 82.
• Actor Jeff Bridges is 75.
• Actor Patricia Wettig is 73.
• Jazz singer Cassandra Wilson is 69.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Bernard King is 68.
• Baseball Hall of Famer Lee Smith is 67.
• Olympic pole vault gold medalist Sergey Bubka is 61.
• Actor Marisa Tomei is 60.
• Actor-comedian Fred Armisen is 58.
• Rapper Jay-Z is 55.
• Actor-model Tyra Banks is 51.
• Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas is 40.
• Musician Jelly Roll is 40.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Vladislav Goldin scored a career-high 24 points — including three straight baskets inside down the stretch — and Michigan defeated No. 11 Wisconsin 67-64 on Tuesday night in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Michigan (7-1, 1-0) won its sixth straight and handed Wisconsin (8-1, 0-1) its first loss of the season.

Goldin, a 7-foot-1 graduate student who followed new Michigan coach Dusty May from Florida Atlantic, scored 17 points after halftime and put the Wolverines ahead for good on a layup with 1:35 left.

Danny Wolf added 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, five blocks and three steals for Michigan. John Tonje scored 18 and John Blackwell 16 for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit missed three shots in the last 73 seconds that would have tied the game or put the Badgers ahead.

Michigan led 67-64 when Goldin missed the front end of a one-and-one with 2.6 seconds left. Tonje got about one-third of the way up the court before firing a desperation shot that bounced off the back rim at the buzzer.

Takeaways

Michigan: The Wolverines withstood a scoreless performance from Tre Donaldson, who had been averaging a team-high 13 points per game. After shooting just 7 of 33 from the floor in the first half, Michigan was 16 of 26 in the second half.

Wisconsin: The Badgers shot only 34.4% from the floor. They also made just 73.7% of their free throws (14 of 19). Wisconsin entered the night shooting a Division I-best 86.4% on free throws.

Key moment

Goldin took over the game in the closing minutes. His dunk cut Wisconsin’s lead to 64-63 with 2:23 left. After a steal by Michigan’s Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle Jr. found Goldin for a lay-in that put the Wolverines ahead. Goldin capped his personal 6-0 run by making a hook shot with 22.9 seconds remaining.

Key stats

Michigan blocked 11 shots. This was its first game with at least 10 blocks since Nov. 23, 2022, when the Wolverines had 13 against Jackson State.

Up next

Both teams play again Saturday, with Michigan hosting Iowa, and Wisconsin visiting No. 5 Marquette.

— By STEVE MEGARGEE, Associated Press

The Lake Orion Dragons held on for a 37-32 win over Troy in the season opener for both teams. The OAA Red/White crossover game was played at Lake Orion on Tuesday.

After leading Troy 11-2 following the first quarter and extending that lead to 11 by halftime, the Colts outscored the Dragons 18-6 in the third before Orion fought back late for the win.

Lake Orion’s Izzy Wotlinski led all scorers with 19 points and Amelia Guccione chipped in six for the Dragons.

Troy’s Diamond Prince finished with 14 points, while teammates Olivia Spangler and Reagan Zeiter contributed five apiece.

By ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kash Patel has been well-known for years within Donald Trump’s orbit as a loyal supporter who shares the president-elect’s skepticism of the FBI and intelligence community. But he’s receiving fresh attention, from the public and from Congress, now that Trump has picked him to lead the FBI.

As he braces for a bruising and likely protracted Senate confirmation fight, Patel can expect scrutiny not only over his professed fealty to Trump but also for his belief — revealed over the last year in interviews and his own book — that the century-old FBI should be radically overhauled.

Here’s a look at some of what he’s proposed for the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency. How much of it he’d actually follow through on is a separate question.

He’s mused about shutting down the FBI’s Washington headquarters

The first FBI employees moved into the current Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters 50 years ago. The building since then has housed the supervisors and leaders who make decisions affecting offices around the country and overseas.

But if Patel has his way, the J. Edgar Hoover Building could be shut down, with its employees dispersed.

“I’d shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the ‘deep state,’” Patel said in a September interview on the “Shawn Kelly Show.” “Then, I’d take the 7,000 employees that work in that building and send them across America to chase down criminals. Go be cops. You’re cops — go be cops.”

Such a plan would undoubtedly require legal, logistical and bureaucratic hurdles and it may reflect more of a rhetorical flourish than a practical ambition.

In a book last year titled, “Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth and the Battle for Our Democracy,” he proposed a more modest reform of having the headquarters moved out of Washington “to prevent institutional capture and curb FBI leadership from engaging in political gamesmanship.”

As it happens, the long-term fate of the building is in flux regardless of the leadership transition. The General Services Administration last year selected Greenbelt, Maryland, as the site for a new headquarters, but current FBI Director Christopher Wray has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest in the site selection process.

He’s talked about finding ‘conspirators’ in the government and media

In an interview last year with conservative strategist Steve Bannon, Patel repeated falsehoods about President Joe Biden and a stolen election.

“We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,” Patel said. The same applies for supposed “conspirators” inside the federal government, he said.

It’s not entirely clear what he envisions, but to the extent Patel wants to make it easier for the government to crack down on officials who disclose sensitive information and the reporters who receive it, it sounds like he’d back a reversal of current Justice Department policy that generally prohibits prosecutors from seizing the records of journalists in leak investigations.

That policy was implemented in 2021 by Attorney General Merrick Garland following an uproar over the revelation that the Justice Department during the Trump administration had obtained phone records of reporters as part of investigations into who had disclosed government secrets.

Patel himself has said that it’s yet to be determined whether such a crackdown would be done civilly or criminally. His book includes several pages of former officials from the FBI, Justice Department and other federal agencies he’s identified as being part of the “Executive Branch Deep State.”

Under the FBI’s own guidelines, criminal investigations can’t be rooted in arbitrary or groundless speculation but instead must have an authorized purpose to detect or interrupt criminal activity.

And while the FBI conducts investigations, the responsibility of filing federal charges, or bringing a lawsuit on behalf of the federal government, falls to the Justice Department. Trump intends to nominate former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi as attorney general.

He wants ‘major, major’ surveillance reform

Patel has been a fierce critic of the FBI’s use of its surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and in his “Shawn Kelly Show” interview, called for “major, major reform. Tons.”

That position aligns him with both left-leaning civil libertarians who have long been skeptical of government power and Trump supporters outraged by well-documented surveillance missteps during the FBI’s investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign.

But it sets him far apart from FBI leadership, which has stressed the need for the bureau to retain its ability to spy on suspected spies and terrorists even while also implementing corrective steps meant to correct past abuses.

If confirmed, Patel would take over the FBI amid continued debate over a particularly contentious provision of FISA known as Section 702, which permits the U.S. to collect without a warrant the communications of non-Americans located outside the country for the purpose of gathering foreign intelligence.

Biden in April signed a two-year extension of the authority following a fierce congressional dispute centered on whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans’ data. Though the FBI boasts a high compliance rate, analysts have been blamed for a series of abuses and mistakes, including improperly querying the intelligence repository for information about Americans or others in the U.S., including a member of Congress and participants in the racial justice protests of 2020 and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Patel has made clear his disdain for the reauthorization vote.

“Because the budget of FISA was up this cycle, we demanded Congress fix it. And do you know what the majority in the House, where the Republicans did? They bent the knee. They (reauthorized) it,” Patel said.

In his book, Patel said a federal defender should be present to argue for the rights of the accused at all FISA court proceedings, a departure from the status quo.

He has called for reducing the size of the intelligence community

Patel has advocated cutting the federal government’s intelligence community, including the CIA and National Security Agency.

When it comes to the FBI, he said last year that he would support breaking off the bureau’s “intel shops” from the rest of its crime-fighting activities.

It’s not clear exactly how he would intend to do that given that the FBI’s intelligence-gathering operations form a core part of the bureau’s mandate and budget. Wray, who’s been in the job for seven years, has also recently warned of a heightened threat environment related to international and domestic terrorism.

After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, then-FBI Director Robert Mueller faced down calls from some in Congress who thought the FBI should be split up, with a new domestic intelligence agency created in its wake.

The idea died, and Mueller committed new resources into transforming what for decades had been primarily a domestic law enforcement agency into an intelligence-gathering institution equally focused on combating terrorism, spies and foreign threats.

Frank Montoya Jr., a retired senior FBI official who served as the U.S. government’s national counterintelligence executive, said he disagreed with the idea of breaking out the FBI’s “intel shops” and viewed it as a way to defang the bureau.

Doing so, he said, “makes the bureau less effective at what it does, and quite frankly, it will make the intelligence community less effective at what it does.”

Today is Tuesday, Dec. 3, the 338th day of 2024. There are 28 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Dec. 3, 1984, a cloud of methyl isocyanate gas escaped from a pesticide plant operated by a Union Carbide subsidiary in Bhopal, India, causing an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 deaths and more than 500,000 injuries.

Also on this date:

In 1947, the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire” opened on Broadway.

In 1967, a surgical team in Cape Town, South Africa, led by Dr. Christiaan Barnard (BAHR’-nard) performed the first human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky, who lived 18 days with the donated organ from Denise Darvall, a 25-year-old bank clerk who had died in a traffic accident.

In 1979, 11 people were killed in a crush of fans at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum, where the British rock group The Who was performing.

In 1989, U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev concluded two days of positive bilateral discussions in Malta in a symbolic end to the Cold War.

In 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the armed services to open all military jobs to women, removing the final barriers that had kept women from serving in combat.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Singer Jaye P. Morgan is 93.
• Rock singer Ozzy Osbourne is 76.
• Rock singer Mickey Thomas is 75.
• Actor Daryl Hannah is 64.
• Actor Julianne Moore is 64.
• Olympic figure skating gold medalist Katarina Witt is 59.
• Actor Brendan Fraser is 56.
• Singer Montell Jordan is 56.
• Actor Holly Marie Combs is 51.
• Actor/comedian Tiffany Haddish is 45.
• Actor Anna Chlumsky (KLUHM’-skee) is 44.
• Actor Amanda Seyfried is 39.
• Rapper Lil Baby is 30.
• Actor Jake T. Austin is 30.

Veteran defensive back Jamal Adams was encouraged by his family to quickly get in contact with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

After being released by the Tennessee Titans in October, the 29-year-old was hoping for another opportunity to join a team that had an opportunity to have playoff success.

Adams has fond memories of Detroit’s defensive coordinator from participating in a Pro Day workout that was being run by Glenn, the Saints defensive back’s coach, prior to being selected sixth-overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

With all the injuries the Lions have been dealt with this season, Glenn decided it was time to get in contacted with the former three-time Pro-Bowler.

Adams made his first appearance at Lions practice Monday, wearing No. 25. He was observed participating in positional drills with the linebackers during the portion of practice open to the media, which is an intriguing development.

“I mean, there’s no better opportunity, man,” said Adams. “Obviously, just being home in Dallas and just continuing to train. When A.G. called, it was a no-brainer for me.”

When asked what his perspective from afar was of the Lions, Adams noted, “We’ve been kicking everybody’s a–. So, I’m fortunate enough, again, just to be on a team that’s rolling like this. Whatever I can do to help, that’s what I’m here for.”

A former All-Pro safety, Adams does possess the physicality to slide down into the front seven and compete at the linebacker position. His versatility will be an asset for the Lions, who are currently navigating a number of injuries to their defense.

“It was definitely something I thought about, you know. If I can get an opportunity with a team that’s obviously winning and a first class organization,” Adams noted. “Obviously when the call came, it was like a dream come true.”

Dan Campbell indicated that Monday’s practice, which was designed to be full speed in the mold of what a Thursday practice would be on a traditional week, would say a lot about whether Adams would be elevated from the practice squad for the Packers game.

“Yeah, there again, we brought in he and Kwon Alexander, Myles Adams and Jonah Williams,” Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket. “So we’ve got some guys that we’re gonna get a look at and see, with what we have on this roster, who we can use, how we can use them, what gives us the best chance. There may be a place, there may be a place here for Jamal and today’s gonna tell a lot. This will be our full speed today, we’re gonna get really good movement. So we’ll have a whole better feel by this afternoon, five, six-o’clock tonight.”

Adams first impression of Detroit’s popular head coach was similar to what many new players who join the Lions’ roster express.

“He’s fired up. He’s very energetic,” said Adams. “That’s a coach that you will run through the wall for. It’s no secret to why Detroit is very good. So again, I’m just very excited to be here.”

This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions

By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday.

Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday.

Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico.

“The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well,” LeBlanc said in Parliament.

If Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation.

Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods.

The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said last week that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate.

Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on the threat.

After his dinner with Trump, Trudeau returned home without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States.

“The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false,” LeBlanc said. “We had a very productive discussion with Mr. Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. … The commitment from Mr. Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed.”

Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice to be his national security adviser.

Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that “the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood.” Hillman, who sat at an adjacent table to Trudeau and Trump, said Canada is not the problem when it comes to drugs and migrants.

On Monday, Mexico’s president rejected those comments.

“Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said. She said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has.”

Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries’ border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border.

Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. — where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually — is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia.

On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time.

Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well.

Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security.

By Holden Lewis, NerdWallet

The year promises a mix of good and harsh news.

The good news: Buyers will have more properties to choose from. Home prices won’t skyrocket. Mortgage rates might drop, to the relief of buyers and some sellers.

The harsh news: Even if mortgage rates fall, they probably won’t decline much. That will restrict affordability for buyers, and some homeowners will keep their homes off the market as long as mortgage rates remain elevated.

Here’s a cheat sheet for buying or selling a home in 2025 (or doing both), along with advice from successful real estate agents.

Folks get real about mortgage rates

Buyers have one overriding question for 2025: “Can I find a home I can afford?” Three other questions lurk inside that one: What will happen to mortgage rates? What will happen to home prices? Will I find a wide-enough selection of homes?

First, mortgage rates: The 30-year mortgage rate spent much of 2024 above 6.5%, occasionally shimmying above 7%. For most of the year, forecasters expressed confidence that rates would fall below 6% in 2025. But since the election, forecasters have begun revising their mortgage rate predictions upward. They’re forming a consensus that mortgage rates will remain above 6% in 2025.

Mortgage rates parked themselves below 5% for 11 years from February 2011 to April 2022, and home buyers and refinancers grew accustomed to the friendly rate environment. But we’re entering what more than one commenter called the “new normal.” Terri Robinson, a real estate agent with Re/Max Distinctive in Ashburn, Virginia, says buyers “are getting used to the new normal in terms of what interest rates are — and they’ve stopped looking for that 3% unicorn.”

Prices should rise, but not by a ton

When it comes to home prices, we talk of supply and demand. In 2024, buyers quickly made offers when mortgage rates dropped to around 6.25% or lower. Demand cooled when rates climbed above that. As rates rose, homes lingered on the market. According to Altos Research, there were 28% more homes on the market in the first week of November than the same week a year before. Higher inventory benefits buyers because they have more properties to choose from.

Demand for homes still exceeds the supply, but the imbalance isn’t as acute as it used to be. This means home prices will keep rising in 2025, but probably not by a lot, especially while mortgage rates remain above 6.25%.

Home prices might accelerate whenever mortgage rates drop noticeably, as buyers get off the sidelines and start bidding against one another for the limited supply of homes available.

The housing shortage may ease

You can trace the shortage of homes to a couple of factors. First, builders haven’t constructed enough houses and apartments in the last 18 years or so. Second, many homeowners keep their homes off the market because they refinanced into mortgages with ultralow rates in 2020 and 2021. Almost half of outstanding mortgage debt has an interest rate of 3.5% or lower, according to the Urban Institute.

These homeowners know that if they sell, they would pay a much higher interest rate on their next home. This dynamic, known as rate lock-in, prevented 800,000 homeowners from selling their homes in the 15 months between the second quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2023, according to a working paper published in November by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Stacy Hennessey, a real estate agent with McEnearney Associates in Falls Church, Virginia, sees signs that rate lock-in weakens over time. “People are getting used to the higher interest rates. People want to move,” she says. “So I think people are just going to carry on with their plans and start putting their houses on the market.”

Robinson, the agent in Ashburn, Virginia, advises sellers to think less about the low mortgage rate they’re giving up, and more about the home equity they’ve built. The monthly payment on the next house “may be the same or less, depending on how much equity you have and how much of that you want to use to put down on your next house,” she says.

Other factors affecting the housing market

It’s too early to guess how the Trump administration’s policies will affect housing in 2025. One proposal, to allow housing on land owned by the federal government, is unlikely to result in the construction of ready-to-move-in homes by the end of 2025. New housing developments just don’t get built that fast.

Under a new rule that went into effect in August, home buyers are now responsible for setting their own agents’ commissions. (Previously, sellers decided how much buyers’ agents would be paid.) Buyers can ask sellers to pay some or all of the buyer’s agent’s commission, and sellers often do. But sometimes buyers end up paying out of pocket. Agents say the policy puts first-time buyers at a disadvantage because they tend to have less savings and wealth.

Advice for home sellers

Home sellers will continue to have a negotiating advantage over buyers. But sellers’ dominance has slipped since 2021, and they must put in the work to market their homes effectively. “Stop thinking you hold all the keys to the castle,” says Andy Sachs, managing broker for Around Town Real Estate in Newtown, Connecticut.

Begin by demonstrating value, says Chuck Vander Stelt, a real estate agent in Valparaiso, Indiana. Work with the listing agent to set a reasonable price, and tell buyers about updates made to the home.

Insist that your agent hire a professional photographer, says Hennessey, the agent in Falls Church, Virginia, because buyers “will look at the first five photos and if they’re great, they’ll continue on. But if they’re crummy, they’re not going to look.”

Hennessey laments the poor quality of real estate photography. “It’s an advertisement. It’s not a disclosure,” she says. “We don’t need to see your dirty closet. We don’t need to see your toilet seat up.”

Advice for home buyers

Buyers, on the other hand, should search first for deal-breaking flaws before focusing on a home’s delights, agents say.

Victoria Ray Henderson, owner and broker of HomeBuyer Brokerage in Bethesda, Maryland, says, “Don’t just go into the kitchen and go, ‘Wow, look at this granite countertop!’ You know, you gotta look at the bones first.”

If the home has a basement, “go directly into the basement first and look at the condition and the smell of that basement.” Has water gotten in? Has the owner taken steps to prevent water damage? If you find the basement acceptable, then climb the stairs and geek out over the kitchen counters.

A cautious buyer goes even further. Hennessey recommends that buyers in competitive markets get pre-offer home inspections. This means hiring a home inspector to accompany you and your agent on the home tour. A one-hour inspection won’t get into as much depth as a three-hour post-offer inspection, but it’s enough to detect something big, like a crack in the foundation. Not every seller will allow a pre-offer inspection, “but usually they do because they want an offer with no contingencies.”

The final bit of advice comes from Vander Stelt, who urges action over hesitation. “Go out there and buy,” he says. “Stop looking at interest rates. If you can afford the house today, buy it.”

Holden Lewis writes for NerdWallet. Email: hlewis@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @HoldenL.

The article Home Sellers and Buyers: What You Must Know for 2025 originally appeared on NerdWallet.

Those who plan to make the Salvation Army of Metro Detroit part of their donations during this holiday season may want to offer their support Tuesday.

As part of the Giving Tuesday campaign, all donations up to $25,000 will be doubled, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.

Donations will be matched dollar for dollar and donations may be made by the following methods:

• Texting GIFT to 24365

• Donating money via online kettle, Paypal, Venmo or through Tap to Give.

• Visiting SAmetrodetroit.org.

• Call 877-SAL-MICH

Proceeds will provide critical social services and programs to those in need, including feeding and sheltering, outdoor and educational opportunities for at-risk youth, anti-human trafficking initiatives, a free legal aid clinic, emergency disaster services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and more.

— MediaNews Group staff 

Three weeks after being re-elected as West Bloomfield Township supervisor, Steve Kaplan announced his resignation from the post.

He will join the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office as assistant prosecuting attorney. He served both the Wayne and Macomb county prosecutors before he became supervisor.

Kaplan’s resignation from the township’s top post will be effective in early December. The Board of Trustees will have 45 days to appoint a successor, according to “The Splash Live,” a program on the township’s community access cable channel.

He could not be reached for comment on his resignation.

Kaplan, a Democrat, was elected to the township board in 2000. He was elected supervisor in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 and also in the Nov. 5 election.

Kaplan’s last Board of Trustees’ meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2. The board meets at Township Hall, 4550 Walnut Lake Road. You can watch the meeting live at https://civiccentertv.com/.

He ran unopposed in the Nov. 5 election. He garnered 26,765 votes, more than any other elected official in the township, even though the clerk and treasurer were also unopposed.

The supervisor is a full-time post, overseeing all township departments, according to West Bloomfield’s website.

In addition to his previous work in both the Wayne and Macomb county prosecutors’ offices, Kaplan worked as a Warren-based criminal attorney. He represented several well-known defendants, including Timothy Fradeneck. The Eastpointe man pleaded guilty but mentally ill in 2016 in the strangulation deaths of his wife and two children.

Kaplan, an attorney since 1981, was a Macomb County assistant prosecutor for 24 years and Wayne County assistant prosecutor for two years.

During his time in the Macomb Prosecutor’s Office, ending in 2010, Kaplan prosecuted some of the biggest murder cases in the county, including convictions in 24 of 25 cold cases.

He said in a 2016 interview with the Macomb Daily that he is most satisfied with the murder convictions of Robert Pann, Arthur Ream and Michael George, although the George conviction was reversed and he was convicted again in a second trial by another assistant prosecutor.

Pann was convicted in 2001 of killing his girlfriend, Bernice Gray, 23, of St. Clair Shores, despite no body, no eyewitness and no confession.

Ream died in August while serving a life sentence for the murder of Cindy Zarzycki, a 13-year-old Eastpointe girl. He was a suspect in the disappearance of at least four other girls, but police didn’t have enough evidence to charge him in the additional cases.

Kaplan ran for Oakland County prosecutor and Oakland County Circuit Court judge in the late 1990s. He narrowly lost both races — the prosecutor post by 0.6% in a recount won by Republican David Gorcyca.

Kaplan said in the Macomb Daily interview, given when he became supervisor in 2016, that he would miss being in the courtroom.

“Whether it’s a retail fraud trial or a murder trial, there’s drama, action, passion and choreography in every trial,” he said.

He said he would transfer some of his lawyering abilities to his new job, as he would run the township Board of Trustees meetings and would be keyed into legal matters as the township’s top administrator.

By Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse

A recent survey conducted by the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey highlights the influence of the recent U.S. elections on Americans’ international travel plans for 2025. The findings show a mix of enthusiasm and caution among travelers regarding their future global itineraries.

Approximately 30% of respondents indicated they expect to increase their international trips next year, while 7% foresee scaling back on foreign travel. However, the majority — 55% — anticipate no significant changes to their plans despite the election outcome.

The reasons behind increased international travel are varied. Some respondents cited dissatisfaction with the election results as a driving factor, expressing a strong desire to spend more time abroad. One traveler remarked, “I want to spend as much time as possible outside the U.S. over the next four years.”

For others, optimism about a potential post-election economic boost played a pivotal role. “The economy should show signs of improvement, and if the new administration can make peace deals around the world, then travel will be as good or better next year,” shared another participant.

Conversely, those who reported no change in their travel plans pointed to stable financial conditions. With inflation at its lowest point in three years, many travelers have already secured their 2025 travel arrangements. “I have a general feeling of being better off and secure. I anticipate increased disposable income available, and I’m already booked for 2025,” stated one respondent.

Economic factors appear to be bolstering travel confidence overall. Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member, explained: “With inflation at a three-year low, fewer travelers are canceling or postponing trips. In 2024, travelers embarked on their long-postponed dreams of global travel, fueled by a stabilizing economy and a renewed focus on meaningful experiences over material possessions.”

Still, a small proportion of respondents (7%) plan to travel less internationally in the coming year, citing personal safety concerns tied to the U.S. elections. “The change of U.S. administration makes me more apprehensive about being in a foreign country with the risk of anger and animosity toward Americans being higher,” one participant admitted. Others attributed their hesitance to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts and terrorist threats worldwide.

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©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

In the espionage thriller “The Agency,” Michael Fassbender plays a CIA case officer working deep undercover when he’s abruptly exfiltrated and called back to London Station. No one is telling him why. And his re-acclimation process has its own complications. A gorgeously shot meditation on the psychological toll of obscuring one’s identity, the series also stars Richard Gere and Jeffrey Wright as men higher up in the chain of command, and Jodie Turner-Smith as the lover he left behind who mysteriously — coincidentally? — shows up in London not long after his return.

Fassbenger’s character is called Martian. Is that his real name or a wry code name hinting at the alien reality of this existence? The CIA has put him in a stylish high-rise apartment that offers a view of the perpetually gray skyline. But before he settles in, he puts a record on the turntable and begins studiously examining his new digs for listening devices. It’s a wordless and elegantly tense sequence. At one point, the camera frames a tight shot of Martian’s eyeball as he stares through a shelving unit. Even back home he’s being watched — and followed wherever he goes — by the very government that employs him. It’s for his own good, he’s told. Standard protocol in the first few months after a case officer returns. That proves to be an inconvenience for Martian, who’s hiding some secrets, including his reunion with that lover he met under his previous identity. Is she really who she says she is? Turner-Smith gives the kind of refined and cagey performance that suggests the answer could go either way.

Has Martian been played or is he just paranoid? What does it mean to constantly side-eye everyone around you? A psychologist (Harriet Sansom Harris) has been summoned to the office to see how he’s coping, but he resists her efforts at every turn.

Created by brothers Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth, the show (streaming on Paramount+) is based on the French series “The Bureau.” Only four of the season’s 10 episodes were made available to critics, so this comes with a heavy caveat — a story can start out well enough and then struggle to live up to its ambitions — but I like what I’ve seen so far, with its world of operatives and handlers, of covert glances and back-channel subterfuge, laid out with a seductive urgency that gives a deceptively graceful quality to all this unseemly work. Can the show maintain this quietly tasteful propulsion over 10 episodes?

Martian is opaque by necessity and also perhaps by personal inclination — he is methodical and robotic and deeply uninteresting — but Fassbender never allows us to see behind the mask, which makes Martian a somewhat inert character amid the high-stakes work at hand. There’s a potential catastrophe in Belarus, where a CIA operative is arrested for driving drunk. Will he blow his cover? That sets in motion plotting and strategizing from Martian and his bosses, played by Gere (unflappable, pinched, corporate) and Wright (the smartest guy in the room who is trying to keep Martian from self-destructing). They calmly watch a video of an interrogation in which a man is tortured, trying to determine if he’s a double agent. He’s nothing more than a specimen they’re observing. It’s all so emotionless and sick. This is a far less heroic vision of the CIA than that portrayed in the jingoistic “Jack Ryan,” but it’s not exactly a critical one, either.

There’s another mission they’re worried about that’s of “utmost sensitivity — the capture of these operatives would constitute an immediate strategic geopolitical disaster.” That Gere delivers this line with a straight face is nothing short of remarkable. What these covert operatives are trying to accomplish is kept vague, which is probably the right storytelling choice; it suggests whatever they’re doing has value (rather than the opposite, which seems more likely).

Martian’s outlook and motives are just as hazy. When he slips his tail for a sexual rendezvous, Wright’s character finds him anyway and he’s unstinting in his reprimand. People come back damaged after being deployed undercover for so long he says. “Can’t sleep. Flashbacks. Some go absolutely raving lunatic insane. Therefore we have protocols — for instance, we follow you.”

“This isn’t national security, it’s personal,” Martian says.

“It’s the agency, nothing is personal,” he’s told.

Everyone is hiding something. Nothing remains hidden for long. That dissonance is underscored by a number of compelling cinematic choices in the first episode. The U.S. embassy, where they are based, is filled with glass-walled offices where so much is obscured, despite the apparent transparency. But it all comes out in the end.

“The Agency” — 3 stars (out of 4)

Where to watch: Paramount+

Nina Metz is a Tribune critic.