Automation Alley hosts contract opportunity seminar

The State of Michigan's Department of Technology, Management and Budget, Purchasing Operations, has a contract portfolio of 1,100 multi-year contracts worth billions of dollars. To help local business owners win contracts, Automation Alley is hosting "Contract Connect," a free seminar 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 6 at the Automation Alley, 2675 Bellingham Dr., Troy. Representatives from the state will speak on topics such as bidding opportunities, how to register with the State as a vendor, free resources for research and bid preparation, and navigating the State contracting process. Visit www.michigan.gov/micontractconnect.

National Association of Women Business Owners Top 10

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Detroit Chapter honored the Top 10 Michigan women business owners and women in leadership roles for their contributions that are making a difference in the business arena, their communities and support in uplifting Michigan's economy. The NAWBO 2011 Top 10 Michigan Business Women Award Winners: (front row, from left) Sheila Jensen, Visotek, Inc.; Pamela Rodgers, Rodgers Chevrolet; Vickie Lewis, president, NAWBO Greater Detroit; Tammi Hart, State of Michigan; Rona Lum, The Law Offices of Rona Lum, P.C.; The Rush Group representative. (Back row, from left) Jennifer Willemsen, Curl Up & Dye Detroit; Molly MacDonald, The Pink Fund; Lori Ann Blaker, TTi; Kathleen Boyle, CEED; Rolanda Heard, Chrysler Supplier Diversity and Theresa Thompson,  of Tea Time Events and president of NAWBO/EXCEL received the NAWBO Greater Good Award.

Somerset Collection has new general manager

Somerset Collection has new general manager

 J. Miles McFee has joined Somerset Collection as its new general manager.  Mr. McFee, 57, will responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 1.443-million-square-foot shopping center in Troy.  His background includes more than 30 years in shopping center management, leasing, human resources and retail store operations. A resident of Rochester Hills, McFee, 57, holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in History from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.  Somerset Collection is owned and managed by Southfield-based The Forbes Company.

Karmanos adds board members 
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute announced the appointments of three new members for the Institute's Board of Directors and one new board member for the Karmanos Cancer Center Board of Directors. Each will serve a three-year term.
Dan Cornwell is president of Cambridge Consulting Group, an independently-owned insurance agency. He also oversees the Wealth Strategies division of Cambridge Consulting Group and has been instrumental in the development of custom-tailored wealth programs for Cambridge constituencies.
KC Crain is the vice president of Crain Communications, Inc.; group publisher of Plastics News, Rubber & Plastics News, Tire Business and Waste & Recycling News. He is publisher of AutoWeek and also oversees European-based publications, such as European Plastics News, European Rubber Journal, Plastics and Rubber Weekly and Urethanes Technology International.
Jay Farner is president and chief marketing officer of Quicken Loans. He also serves as Portfolio Manager for Quicken Loans' family of companies. Farner is instrumental in leveraging the synergies between Quicken Loans' marketing and mortgage origination operations.
Joining the Karmanos Cancer Center Board of Directors is Buzz Thomas, the former Michigan Senate Democratic Floor Leader who represented Michigan's 4th District. Having served eight years in the State Senate and six years in the House of Representatives, Thomas concluded his tenure Dec. 31. Thomas is president of the Thomas Group Consulting, offering public relations, strategic planning, and governmental consulting.

3rd Annual Novi Chamber Business & Taste Expo

Join the Novi Chamber of Commerce for an afternoon of networking 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 29. 
Keynote speaker:  Tim Green, "Taking Referal Marketing to the Extreme"is 3 to 4 p.m. Afterwards, networking with 50 vendors, appetizers provided by: Toasted Oak Grill & Market, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Famous Dave's, Chili's, Hooters, Bagger Dave's, Tony Sacco's Coal Oven Pizza.  Complimentary chair massages by Elements of Novi, Live Jazz Music by Tola Lewis and Cash Bar.
The event is open to the public. $5 entry fee payable at the door.

Empowering Michigan Career Fair is March 31

Empowering Michigan Career Fair is  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at the Quality Inn Hotel, 2537 Rochester Court, Troy. Companies hiring on-site include First Financial Insurance Group, Aflac Detroit Engineered Products, State Farm Insurance, 1-800-Hanson, Global Information Technology, National Airlines, New York Life, HiredInMichigan.com. The first 250 Job Seekers that attend the Career Fair can enter a FREE drawing to win a Walmart gift card. Visit JobFairGiant.com or call 734-956-4550.

ICSC presents Michigan Operations Breakfast March 31
The International Council of Shopping Centers Michigan Operations Breakfast features panel discussions surrounding the theme, “Getting your Message Through: Today’s Print & Social Media in Business Marketing” is 8:15 a.m. Thursday, March 31, at The Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend St., Birmingham. Call 646-728-3515 or e-mail bhays@icsc.org.

Troy Chamber presents program on contract employees

Troy Chamber presents program on contract employeesTroy Chamber member businesses Miller Canfield and Kelly Services present “How Independent Are Your Contractors? Classifications and Implications For Employers,” 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, at Kelly Services Headquarters, 999 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy.
The program will begin with breakfast and registration starting at 8 a.m. The cost is $15 for chamber members and guests and $25 for non-members. To register, call 248-641-8151, e-mail: theteam@troychamber.com or visit www.troychamber.com/calendar.

CREW Detroit luncheon meeting
Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Detroit announces its March luncheon program, Sharpening Your Networking Skills, presented by leading Dale Carnegie trainer, Linda Meloche, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, at Radisson Kingsley Hotel, 39475 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills. The cost is $35 for members; $45 non-members; add $10 after March 25. Visit crewnetwork.org or call Megan at 785-832-1808.


Business tax workshop is March 30 in Bloomfield HillsA workshop on potential changes that may affect business owners in 2011 including the Health Care Reform Act, review of the year-end tax act provisions applicable to businesses and their owners and estate tax law is 7:30 Wednesday, March 30, at Oakland Hills Country Club, 3951 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills. The cost is $20 for members and $40 for non-members. Registration ends Friday, March 25.

Social Media is a Party!

Social Media is a Party!
Social Media is a Party! announces its upcoming business networking event for professionals in Southeastern Michigan. The event will begin with a panel discussion amongst Startup Founders and Investors on ‘How To Launch a Successful Startup.’ Following the panel will be a Live Demo Pit. Local tech Startups will showcase their products and attendees will have the opportunity to try them out and sign up at no cost. The event is 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at The Loving Touch in Ferndale. Visit www.SocialMediaIsaParty.com or call 248-971-0170.

Dodge CEO to address Auburn Hills chamber luncheon
Ralph Gilles, president and CEO of Dodge Brand and Senior vice president of Design of Chrysler will present to the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce as part of its On Mission! Keynote Luncheon Series. The luncheon is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the Crowne Plaza, 1500 Opdyke Road, Auburn Hills. Tickets are $32 for members, $42 for non-members. To register visit www.auburnhillschamber.com or call 248-853-7862.

American Marketing Association
Detroit Chapter of the American Marketing Association American Marketing Association hosts three digital marketing professionals from 6 to 8 p.m. March 23, at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Fairlane Center,19000 Hubbard Drive, Dearborn. Speakers include Avi Savar, founder and CEO of Big Fuel Communications (New York), a full-service Social Media marketing and communications company: Jeremy Sutton, a website developer specializing in web analytics and Ned Eltonis, managing partner of the Financial Services Vertical for Rosetta Marketing Group of New York. The cost for members is $35 $45 to $55 for guests and $20 for students. To register, visit www.amadetroit.com.

Seminar will focus on patents

 BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Seminar will focus on patents
A free seminar, Strategic Positioning of Your Patent Portfolio: Planning for Litigation is 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Automation Alley, 2675 Bellingham Drive, Troy. Rader, Fishman & Grauer law firm partners Kristin Murphy and Glenn Forbis will discuss key IP strategies to safeguard intellectual assets. RSVP to Nancy at nau@raderfishman.com or 248-594-0616.

FARMINGTON HILLS 

Thornton & Grooms announces oldest water heater contest 
Thornton & Grooms, a heating and cooling company based in Farmington Hills, announced that Mike Gehrls of Lathrup Village was the winner of the oldest and ugliest furnace contest. Now the hunt is on to find the oldest and ugliest water heater. Homeowners with old water heaters should visit www.oldestwaterheater.com or call 248-644-7810 to enter to win a new, energy-efficient, tankless water heater. The deadline for entry is today, March 21. No purchase is necessary. All entries will receive a certificate for $100 off a new traditional water heater or $200 off a tankless water heater. Thornton & Grooms is at 24565 Hallwood Court, Farmington Hills.

NOVI
Red Level Networks hosts March Madness event
IT professionals in the Detroit metro area are invited to a free informational presentation, featuring dinner and networking, to learn how storage virtualization software and related solutions can assist in managing and reducing infrastructure costs. Red Level Networks of Novi will host the event at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Gus O’Connor’s, 42875 Grand River Ave. in Novi. The event is also sponsored by Datacore Software Corp. and Xiotech and will feature presentations with technical professionals from each company. The event will feature dinner and prizes. Register to attend by calling 248-412-8200.

SHELBY TWP.
Dentist contributes to grief support program
Dr. Robert Antolak, who has a dental practice in Shelby Township, is making charitable contributions to Henry Ford Hospice SandCastles Grief Support and the Smiles for Life campaign. He is inviting patients and members of the community to whiten their teeth for a reduced price with 100 percent
 of the proceeds going to charity.
For information, call 586-247-3500 or visit www.TheGentleDentist.com or www.SmilesForLife.org.

OU holds Executive MBA information session Saturday

The Oakland University School of Business Administration of Rochester invites self-starting professionals to an information session regarding its Executive MBA program 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19 Elliott Hall at Oakland University, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester.

With concentrations in health care management and information systems leadership, the Executive MBA program is delivered by faculty members and business leaders who utilize hands-on learning methods including analysis of real business cases, working in learning teams and participating in business simulations. For information call Monica Milczarski at 248-370-2059 or e-mail milczars@oakland.edu or visit emba.oakland.edu.

Economics scholar to share insights on escalating debt

Carmen Reinhart, Weatherstone Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, D.C., will give the Oakland University 2011 Gorlin Memorial Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24. in the Banquet Rooms of Oakland Center, at Oakland University.
The free event, reservations can be e-mailed to desmet@oakland.edu. For information, visit www.oakland.edu/gorlinlecture or call 248-370-2100.
Reinhart's presentation, titled "A Decade of Debt," will focus on evidence that public debts in advanced economies have recently surged to levels not recorded since the end of World War II. At the same time, private debt levels – particularly those of financial institutions and households – are in uncharted territory and represent a contingent liability of the public sector in many countries.
The lecture will suggest that these trends are of concern because, historically, high leverage episodes have been associated with slower economic growth and a higher incidence of default and restructuring of public and private debts.

 Zonta Club of Pontiac meets
Zonta Club of Pontiac, an service organization to improve the personal and professional status of women, meets 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24 at Crowne Plaza Hotel at Opdyke and University in Auburn Hills. The group will discuss how Zonta and HAVEN  partner to provide services. Light refreshments will be served. Call 248-332-5008 or email audreycoon@comcast.net. Visit www.zonta.org.

Dodge CEO to address Auburn Hills chamber luncheon

Ralph Gilles, president and CEO of Dodge Brand and Senior vice president of Design of Chrysler will present to the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce as part of its On Mission! Keynote Luncheon Series. The luncheon is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 at the Crowne Plaza, 1500 Opdyke Road, Auburn Hills. Tickets are $32 for members, $42 for non-members. To register visit www.auburnhillschamber.com or call 248-853-7862.

Auburn Hills Chamber is now in city offices
The Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce has recently relocated to the City of Auburn Hills administrative offices at 3395 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills. The office, which is a street level unit of a work/live development, will continue to serve as an operational hub for Auburn Hills personnel during city-sponsored events. It is also available free-of-charge to city-based businesses that want to use the 10-person conference room to meet downtown. For information call  248-853-7862 or visit www.auburnhillschamber.com.

Top 10 Michigan Business Women honored Thursday

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Detroit Chapter will honor the Top 10 Michigan women business owners and women in leadership roles for their contributions that are making a difference in the business arena and their communities.
The 17th Annual NAWBO Top 10 Michigan Business Women Awards luncheon is 10 a.m. Thursday, March 17 at the San Marino Club, 1685 E. Big Beaver Road in Troy. A Business-to-Business Showcase kicks off the event at 10 a.m. The luncheon and awards program will begin at noon, with the showcase continuing after the program until 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for Top 10 Alumnae, NAWBO members pay $35 and non-members pay $45. Visit www.nawbogdc.org.

City of Pontiac’s 150th Birthday Kick-Off is tomorrow

City of Pontiac’s 150th Birthday Kick-Off is tomorrow
Pontiac was incorporated as a City on March 15, 1861—150 years ago. To celebrate this special milestone, the Greater Pontiac Sesquicentennial Commission announces the City of Pontiac’s 150th Birthday Kick-Off event to be held on Tuesday, March 15 at the Historic Crofoot, 1 South Saginaw in Downtown Pontiac.
The Kick-Off event is a fundraiser that begins at 4:30 p.m. with a VIP Reception to meet a sample of Pontiac’s Achievers such as: Zev Chafets, Valarie Graves, Campanella “Campy” Russell, Alvin Bessent, Richard “Dick” Long.  The general public is invited to attend at 5:30 p.m. to learn of the year-long initiative, participate in a silent auction, enjoy “Taste of Pontiac” strolling dinner and witness the unveiling of the Sesquicentennial logo chosen from ideas submitted by the public. The program to honor Pontiac’s Achievers including Al Taubman begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $150 for VIP and $10 for general admission. Purchase tickets at The Crofoot, online at www.thecrowfoot.com or call 248-858-9333.

Small Biz Success —Advertising workshop is Wednesday
 Small Biz Success —Advertising is 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 16 at The Oakland Press, 48 W. Huron, Pontiac. Small business advertising with different advertising tools and solutions will be disucssed with industry leaders in advertising. Guests will be able to receive individual advice. Experts include representatives from The Oakland Press, CBS Radio, Marketing Connections and others in cable, broadcast TV, radio and social media. It begins with casual networking and continental breakfast, followed by "speed" meetings with marketing experts. The cost is $10 for members and $15 non-members. For tickets and information, call 248-335-9600 or visit www.pontiacchamber.com.

TV and Radio mixer is Thursday
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is hosting a Mix & Mingle and meeting 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17 at 23800 West 10 Mile Road, Suite 228,  Southfield.

Village of Rochester Hills holds runway show

Village of Rochester Hills holds runway show
The Village of Rochester Hills and Meadow Brook Hall are hosting a Spring Fever, Fashion & Fun: Social Stroll & Runway Show, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 25 at Meadow Brook Hall, 480 S. Adams Road
Rochester.
The opening hour-long Social Stroll allows guests to preview the latest spring-summer fashions while enjoying complimentary mini-makeovers, hors d'oeuvres and wine. Immediately following, attendees will join special guest Rebecca Voigt, 944 Detroit Managing Editor, in the ballroom for a “reveal” of the latest trends and fully commentated Runway Show. 
Event proceeds benefit Meadow Brook Hall, a non-profit entity, which hosts a variety of educational programs and special events that support the preservation and interpretation of The Hall.
The Village of Rochester Hills brings fashion, dining and ambiance together to create Rochester Hills' very own downtown. From Parisian to Whole Foods Market and fifty more shops and eateries, there is something for everyone. With parking available in front of your favorite store, shopping the Village is easy and convenient.
The spring fashion kick-off event costs $40 per person and includes a goody bag of special offers. The first fifty guests to register receive a $10 village gift card. For information and reservations, call 248-364-6263.

Walsh College holds web development meeting Saturday
 The public is invited to hear Walsh College alumnus and web developer Eric Hill present “Concepts to PHP” for web development 10 a.m. to  noon Saturday, March 12, meeting at the Walsh College Open Source Community at the Troy campus, 3838 Livernois, Room 111. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and follow along in the free hands-on  presentation. They should register for a user ID prior to the meeting start by visiting the Library on the Troy campus. Contact Associate Professor Nan Poulios at npoulios@walshcollege.edu or 248-823-1369.

MIPA presentation is Beyond Imagination!

NOVI
MIPA presents Beyond Imagination!
Michigan International Professional Association, (MIPA) is hosting Beyond Imagination! Creating a Major Motion-Picture Hero Car Designed for Public Availability. Classic Design Concepts of Novi is opening the doors of its technical center to present its collaboration with the motion-picture industry, Exxodus Pictures 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 at Classic Design Concepts, 42860 W. Nine Mile Road, Novi, 866-624-7997. Bill North, VP of Business Development of classicdesignconcepts.com and Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad, Director/Executive Producer of exxoduspictures.com will be guest speakers. The presentation will be followed by an informal wine tasting , (1 glass of wine and 1 appetizer) at Wine Sync,122 West Main St., Northville. Admission is $30 for the presentation and $35 for the presentation and wine tasting. Register by March 11 at www.mipadetroit.org or by mail with a check payable to MIPA, c/o Hadidja Hamadi, 29379 Candlewood Lane, Southfield, Michigan 48076.

ROCHESTER HILLS
Expert on digital age surveillance and privacy issues to speak at OU
Mark Andrejevic, author of “Reality TV: The Work of Being Watched” and “iSpy: Surveillance and Power in the Interactive Era,” will present a free public lecture at Oakland University’s Banquet Room B of Oakland Center, at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 17.
His talk, “Security and Participatory Surveillance in Post-9/11 Era,” will focus on how surveillance and monitoring in a modern, digital economy can produce detailed information about consumers—as well as how that information can become a highly valued commodity.
Andrejevic is currently researching attitudes toward the disclosure of personal information online, working with the University of Queenland's Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies and the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Iowa.
For information, call Tom Lauer at 248-370-3278 or e-mail to lauer@oakland.edu.

Seminar on becoming a real estate investor

MADISON HEIGHTS
Seminar teaches how to capitalize on real estate investing
Greg Pinneo of Real Estate Entrepreneur will speak about how to capitalize on current economic conditions using private and seller financing. Sponsored by Real Estate Investors Assoc. of Oakland on 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday March 10 at Club Venetian, 29310 John R. Road, Madison Heights. The seminar is free to members and $20 for nonmembers. Call 800-747-6742 or visit www.REIAofOakland.com.

AUBURN HILLS
Cooley Law School holds open house
Cooley Law School Open House for prospective students is 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 10 at Cooley Law School, 2630 Featherstone Road, Auburn Hills. Register at www.cooley.edu/prospective/openhouse.html.

TROY
Human resources summit held
The Walsh Institute Leadership Center presents a human resources summit with education to address the issues facing businesses, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 10 at Walsh College Troy Campus, 3838 Livernois Road, Troy. Lunch is included. Tickets are free for members and sponsors, $15 for students, $45 for Walsh alumni and partners, and $90 for all others. Visit www.thewalshinstitute.com/lchottopics.
.

South Oakland Business Expo is tomorrow

ROYAL OAK
March 9: 5th Annual South Oakland Business Expo
Oakland County residents can get a free look at the products and services available from dozens of their entrepreneurial friends and neighbors 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday March 9 at the 5th Annual South Oakland Business Expo to be held at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market, 316 East 11 Mile Road.
The event will feature 85 local businesses ranging from catering companies and professional services firms to outdoor services providers and local restaurants. Exhibitors will offer opportunities to win free merchandise and services, along with discounts and information. There will also be free food samples from Oberweis Dairy and Qdoba Mexican Grill in Royal Oak and free coffee samples from Office Depot in addition to free painting exhibitions and class demonstrations from Painting with a Twist in Ferndale. Matthews-Hargreaves Chevrolet in Royal Oak and Jim Fresard Buick GMC in Ferndale will provide a look at the newest vehicles on the market.
Admission is free with coupons available at www.royaloakchamber.com or at the offices of participating chambers of commerce in Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Madison Heights/Hazel Park and Royal Oak. Without a coupon, admission is $5 at the gate. For information, call 248-547-4000.

BIRMINGHAM
March 9: Inforum executive search panel
Inforum, a network of professional women, offers “BoardBasics: Leveraging Your Strengths,” a dinner and panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 9 at the Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend St., Birmingham. A panel of executives involved in corporate board searches will provide insider perspectives on how to impress board recruiters and nominating committees.
The panelists will be: Patricia Binkley, executive vice president, DHR International Executive Search; Mary Brevard, executive director, Inforum BoardAccess Initiative; Nancy Gioia, director, global electrification, Ford Motor Co.; board candidate; Bette Walker, former vice president and CIO, Delphi Corp.; board candidate; Sandy Miller (moderator), managing principal, Aon Hewitt board member, Pinnacle Biologics Inc. The cost for Inforum members is $70. It is $85 for nonmembers, (includes dinner and reception with wine). Visit www.inforummichigan.org or call 877-633-3500.

Specs Howard School Announces Expansion, Hiring

School Adding 2,500 Sq Ft at Studio Center, More Classes and Seeking Up to 10 New Staff Members

Responding to an increased demand for a workforce knowledgeable in digital media arts and graphic design, Specs Howard School of Media Arts will be expanding its Farmington Hills campus at Studio Center by 2,500 square feet to add class space and nine editing suites; adding four classes at its Southfield campus; and hiring up to 10 new staff members.
With a broadcast curriculum spanning nearly 40 years, Specs Howard School added a Graphic Design program in 2008, film workshops in 2009 and the Digital Media Arts program in 2010. With each program, the school has increased faculty, student services and support staff. The school has added nearly 40 staffers in the past year in all departments, including faculty, career services, marketing and administration.
  For 2011, the school is seeking additional faculty and adjunct faculty for the Graphic Design and Digital Media Arts programs, as well personnel for career services and the business office.
  “We hear regularly from employers requesting students from our programs because of the diversified skill-set we provide them. They want media-savvy employees who not only know how to run the soundboards or cameras but who can edit video; have experience in graphics; and understand Web development, compression and content delivery,” said Lisa Zahodne, President/COO of Specs Howard School. Visit www.specshoward.edu.

  Through intensive 12-month programs, Specs Howard School of Media Arts’ Graphic Arts and Digital Media Arts curriculum provide students with a comprehensive foundation for careers in the growing graphic design and digital media fields, respectively.

Areas of focus in the Graphic Arts program include:

• Working With and Manipulating Text   
• Digital Photography and Editing   
• Animation for Web Design   
• Website Maintenance and Design
• Package Design   
• Portfolio Creation and Presentation
  

Areas of focus in the Digital Media Arts program include:

·     Digital Media Production and Editing
·     ENG (electronic news gathering)
·     Graphic Design
·     Motion Graphics
·     Website Design
·     Writing for Digital Media

Clean Light Green Light produces LED battery back-up

MT CLEMENS
Clean Light Green Light produces LED battery back-up system
LED lighting manufacturer Clean Light Green Light (CLGL), a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Global Dynamix Solutions GB PLC, announced the first viable LED Emergency Battery Back-up System which opens the door for LED fluorescent tube replacements in highly sensitive applications such as hospitals, schools, public lighting scenarios, and all other egress lighting applications requiring back up power in case of power loss. The new technology will support any LED tube that works at under 17.5 W. Emergency Battery Back-up systems supporting wattages of up to 150W will be released later in the month expanding the viability LED lighting in numerous applications that require emergency back-up.
“We identified the need for this product while installing a pilot for a public school system and recognized that we could not execute a complete retrofit without this technology.” said CEO David McKinney.
No larger than a traditional ballast, the CLGL Emergency Back-up System uses Ni-MH batteries similar to batteries used in hybrid vehicle battery production that are Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved. Visit www.cleanlightgreenlight.com.

IGNITE launches youth business plan competition 

 IGNITE, the K-12 entrepreneurship volunteer action team in the Prima Civitas Foundation’s Moving Ideas to Market initiative, has launched its third annual Statewide Youth Business Plan Competition. Students in grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to write a business plan and submit to the IGNITE team for a chance to win pre-seed awards to help with startup costs. There is a Middle School Division for grades 6 through 8 and a high school division for grades 9 through 12 with first-place prizes of $400 for each division. All participants will receive written feedback on their business plans from the judging panel. Finalists will be featured on the IGNITE website and/or have the opportunity to be highlighted in the Future CEO Stars magazine as a Michigan entrepreneur. The application submission deadline is Friday, March 25. Visit http://tinyurl.com/4cjoz7w to view an introductory webinar and download official competition documents or call Chris Stickney at 517-432-7650.

House votes to end unpopular new business tax rule

House votes to end unpopular new business tax rule   www.theoaklandpress.com

It's a Woman's World too!

DETROIT

March 8: International Women’s Day Networking Gala

Michigan Association for Female Entrepreneurs, a non-profit 

organization, will host the International Women’s Day Networking Gala 

6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the Detroit Marriott, 27033 

Northwestern Hwy., Southfield.

Thousands of events are held throughout the world on International 

Women’s Day to inspire women and to celebrate the achievements of 

women. This year marks the 100th anniversary.

The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, vendors, door prizes, 

entertainment, and a cash bar. Tickets are $15. Exhibit booths and 

sponsorship opportunities are available. Proceeds from this year’s 

event will benefit Young Entrepreneurs Series (Y.E.S.), a program 

designed to give young girls ages 14 to 18 practical, hands-on 

training in business and entrepreneurship. Call 866-490-6233 or visit 

www.mafedetroit.org.

TROY

March 8: Network & Nibble

Network & Nibble is 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 8 at Herald 

Wholesale premier bath, lighting and hardware showroom, 1765 W. Maple 

Road, Troy. It is presented by the Troy Chamber Women’s Business 

Forum. The cost is $12 in advance and $17 at the door. Visit 

www.troychamber.com or call 248-641-8151.

NOVI

March 9: Women’s association meeting

American Business Women’s Association Novi Oaks Monthly Meeting is 

6:15 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 9 at DoubleTree Hotel 42100 

Crescent Blvd., Novi. The Novi Oaks Charter Chapter of the American 

Business Women’s Association meets monthly for networking, dinner and 

an engaging speaker. Admission is $16. Register at www.abwa-novi.org.

I’m Every Woman Expo is March 5

I’m Every Woman Expo
The fourth annual I’m Every Woman Expo is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Shriners Silver Garden Event Center, 24350 Southfield Road in Southfield. Guests and honorees include Deena Centofanti of Fox 2 News, Judge Cylenthia LaToye Miller of 36th District Court, and Tracey McCaskill, News Director WMXD Mix 92.3/FM 98 WJLB. The event features Woman of the Year award, exhibits, workshops, fashions, giveaways, food, fun and more. Admission is $20 or two for $35. Women in the armed forces get in free (military identification required). 

Uptown Film Festival retains Identity Marketing & Public Relations
Bingham Farms-based Identity Marketing & Public Relations, a full-service marketing and public relations firm, announced it has added the Uptown Film Festival to its growing client roster. The Uptown Film Festival taking place this year on March 11-12 in Birmingham is a celebration of the Michigan film industry and, in particular, productions created entirely, or in part, within the state. For more information on the festival, visit www.uptownfilmfestival.com.