Category Archives: Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards

2016 Good Neighbor Awards – NOMINATIONS DUE MARCH 1

CFF, Events, Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards, Uncategorized

Citizens for a Fair Ferndale announces the call for nominations for the 2015 Good Neighbor = Strong Community awards.  Celebrating the ongoing efforts of those who live, work and attend school in Ferndale who value the fair and equal treatment of others and are engaged in making this happen on a daily basis, the Good Neighbor = Strong Community Awards program identifies and honors individuals, organizations and businesses in our community who are outstanding examples of “good neighbors”.  

Examples of previous honorees include diverse individuals, organizations and businesses which have coordinated and planned picnics, festivals, and events in the community; promoted volunteerism; created inclusive, welcoming environments in their businesses; collaborated on art projects that celebrate diversity; tutored foreign-born Americans; sheltered the homeless; creatively overcame personal challenges while striving to help others; established book club networks; spoken out against injustice in our community.

Citizens for a Fair Ferndale will hold a special event in early May to present the awards for 2015. Nominations are now open, and CFF invites the community to celebrate a “good neighbor” – someone who is committed to building, preserving, maintaining and improving the quality of life in their neighborhoods and our community.

Nomination Forms must be received by Friday, March 4, 2016 through online submission, or post mail to Citizens for a Fair Ferndale, 263 Vester, Ferndale, MI 48220.  For questions or media inquiries contact Kat Bruner James at (248) 515-7803.

Citizens for a Fair Ferndale Call for Good Neighbor Nominations

CFF, Events, Ferndale Good Neighbors, Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2014                                                                    
Contact:  Kat Bruner James, Chair
248-515-7803,CFF48220@gmail.com              

FERNDALE: Citizens for a Fair Ferndale (CFF) is seeking nominations for its Good Neighbor = Strong Community Awards. The public is invited to nominate individuals, organizations and businesses in our community who are outstanding examples of “good neighbors,” and who are committed to building, preserving and improving the quality of life in their neighborhoods and community.

Nominations will be accepted through March 14, 2014. About 10 honorees will be selected and celebrated at a special event in May. Past winners have represented a diverse group of individuals ranging from well-recognized community leaders to quiet, unsung heroes who all make a difference daily through caring for others, speaking out against injustices or making people feel included in the community.

“Good Neighbors are what make Ferndale such a special place to live and do business,” said Kathryn Bruner James, CFF chair. “The Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards are an opportunity to honor those who generously give so much to others through care, support and advocacy.” Previous honorees have include a selection of diverse individuals, organizations and businesses celebrated for good works in the community. They include community leaders and local businesses as well as those “unsung heroes” deserving of recognition.

Nomination forms can be found at www.fairferndale.org/?page_id=152. Submissions can be made online or mailed to Citizens for a Fair Ferndale, 263 Vester, Ferndale, MI 48220.

Citizens for a Fair Ferndale is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, established in 2003. CFF is dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of all residents and visitors regardless of sexual orientation, race, color, religion, gender, age, height, weight, familial status, national origin, physical or mental disability.  The group hosts forums and community workshops, encourages dialog to dissolve barriers and recognizes local residents who support its mission.

CFF meetings are held the second Thursday of every month at the Ferndale Public Library. For meeting information please contact Kat Bruner James at 248-515-7803. Everyone is welcome!

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CFF Announces This Year’s Good Neighbors (printed in April 2010 edition of Ferndale Friends)

Candidate Forums, CFF, Ferndale Friends, From the President, Fundraisers, Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards

CFF Announces This Year’s Good Neighbors

By: Kat Bruner James, Chair of Citizens for a Fair Ferndale

The nominations have come in, and this year’s Good Neighbors have been chosen.  From well known local business people who have contributed, to numerous local organizations to unassuming folks down the block who have made their neighbors feel welcome, this year’s winners should make us all proud to be a part of this community.

In 2004, Citizens for a Fair Ferndale (CFF) members decided to begin a new program to recognize people in Ferndale who support CFF’s goals and objectives in their everyday lives.  Awards winners are recognized by their actions—no matter how big or small—that promote fairness, equality and the mission of CFF (see below).  Thus began the CFF Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards (or just “Good Neighbors Awards,” for short).

This year’s nomination process yielded the most nominations CFF has ever received.  And they were excellent nominations.  Before the process began, we had already decided that we would be honoring ten people, as promoted in our call for nominations.  A few nominees had already received a Good Neighbors Award, and the committee decided that we were not ready to recognize the same person twice.  Each submission was a pleasure to review, and we expect that some that were not chosen this year will be nominated again in the future.

So, without further ado, here are this year’s winners, in alphabetical order: Angela Barboza-Ryan, Laura Bellamy, Kevin Deegan-Krause, Doug and Penny Gephardt, Jon Glab (owner of Strawberry Moon), Ralph and Christine Jerulle, Sherry Kurzman-Martin, La Leche League of Ferndale/Oak Park, John Sterritt and Sherry Wells.  Jerome Raska and Robbin Yelverton of Blumz by J.R. Designs will also be recognized as the second CFF “Community Partner,” a relatively new award that goes to someone selected by CFF for their direct participation in promoting CFF’s efforts.

The Good Neighbors Awards event will be held in April, and, hopefully, we will have more to report following the event.  Be sure to “stay tuned.”

More CFF events coming up:

CFF has more important events on the horizon.  On Sunday, April 25, CFF will hold its School Board Candidates’ Forum.  At press time, the exact time and location were not confirmed, but readers can check www.fairferndale.org for details.  Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions to the candidates and the candidates will also submit responses to our questionnaire that will be available on our website through election.

CFF also plans to launch a new project in May called, “Hello Ferndale!”  In the same spirit of our Candidate Forums, Hello Ferndale! is intended to provide residents with more information about municipal services, community organizations, and the like.  The first installment of this program, which is headed up by Francine Hachem, will provide an interview style with representatives from the Downtown Development Association (DDA) to explain to residents exactly what the DDA does, how they are funded, and how residents can get involved.  Please watch our website and future editions of Ferndale Friends for more information about upcoming events, including a music fundraiser at Club Bart in June.

The mission of Citizen’s for a Fair Ferndale is to foster a community that is dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of all residents and visitors regardless of sexual orientation, race, color, religion, gender, age, height, weight, familial status, national origin, physical or mental disability.  Our next meeting is April 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ferndale Library.

From the President: Won’t You Be My E-Neighbor?

Ferndale Friends, From the President, Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards, , ,

by Kat Bruner James
Adapted from article originally published in Ferndale Friends, February 2010 Edition

It’s amazing how Ferndale groups such as Citizens for a Fair Ferndale (CFF), FernCare, Affirmations and others have furthered their missions, and even raised dollars, through social networking websites. On Facebook alone, you can be friends with local businesses like Go Comedy!, B. Nektar Meadery, the Magic Bag, and Blumz—just to name a few. The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Ferndale (the DDA), and DIY Street Fair also have pages to keep you informed of local events and information. I did a quick tally of Ferndale groups to which I am connected on Facebook and was astounded to find more than thirty! CFF utilized this resource as we geared up for this year’s Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards (or “Good Neighbor Awards,” for short).

For those who are not already familiar with social or professional networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, or LinkedIn, here is a brief primer: There are a number of websites where you can join and create a profile, which may contain any level of personal or professional information about your education, employment, family, interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc. Then, you become linked (or “friends” with) other people who also have profiles on these sites. Most people connect with their real life friends, neighbors, family and classmates. You may also connect with people who you don’t know at all, but with whom you have something in common (e.g., political views, literature, sports). On most of these sites, you can even create your own group. For example, I could set up a private group for a bowling team that would be by invitation only, just for my teammates. Or I could set up a public group for anybody who loves Howe’s Bayou, for example, which would be open for all to join.

CFF already has a website (generously maintained by Ed Burns), and our secretary, Kelly Farrah, sends out periodic emails to a modest list of email addresses with our meeting agendas and minutes. In addition, I’ve occasionally set up Facebook events and invited all the Ferndaliens on my list of “Friends.” I’ve even set up a CFF group on LinkedIn. But, for the most part, I tend to set up information about CFF events only in the few weeks or days leading up to one. We have also set up a permanent CFF group on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fairferndale) to offer up-to-date information.

Of course, there are some detriments to all of these online connections and instant information sharing. In fact, a friend of mine recently wrote to me (on Facebook, actually) that, while the site is useful for getting the word out, it’s equally useful for spreading rumors. I would add that the perceived security of the internet allows people to make comments that they would never say to another person’s face, and it provides yet another platform for those who never followed the rules of decorum and civility in the first place.

Nonetheless, for CFF, I think the benefits outweigh the potential detriment. Our objectives of creating avenues for communication and creating dialog to dissolve barriers can be served by reaching out to more people through internet social networking. We will strive to utilize these tools for productive and positive outcomes. First and foremost, Facebook and other similar websites has helped us distribute Good Neighbor Award nomination information wider than it has ever reached before.

CFF’s Good Neighbor Awards recognize the ongoing efforts of those who live, work or attend school in Ferndale who value the fair and equal treatment of others and are engaged in making this happen on a daily basis. The Good Neighbor Awards program identifies and honors individuals, organizations and businesses in our community who are outstanding examples of “good neighbors,” who are committed to building, preserving, maintaining and improving the quality of life in their neighborhoods and our community. Join us for the announcement of the awards at 7pm on Tuesday, April 20, at Go Comedy!, 261 E. Nine Mile.

Call for Nominations: 2010 Good Neighbors Awards

CFF, Events, Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards,

Help us honor individuals, organized groups and businesses who make Ferndale a community that values the fair and equal treatment of everyone.

What can you do?

Previous honorees have

  • Created inclusive, welcoming environments in their businesses
  • Collaborated on art projects that celebrate diversity
  • Spoken out against injustice in our community
  • Tutored foreign-born Americans
  • Created a neighborhood festival
  • Cared for senior citizen neighbors
  • Established block club networks
  • Built a community garden
  • Sheltered the homeless

Past Honorees include Julie Andrews, Katy Beyerlin, Ed Burns, Craig Covey, Doug Davis, Jean Davis, Andrew Dengate, June Derin, Ferndale Elk’s Lodge, Tiffani Gagne, Chuck Goedert, Keri & Caleb Grayson, Mike & Cathy Greer, Tomiko Gumbleton, Francine Hachem, Hazel Park Even Start, Ann Heler, Trevor Johnson, Krista & Chris Johnston, Jackie Koivu, Betty LaFramboise, Bob & Mary Lenaway, Stephanie Loveless, Western Market, Daniel Martin, Loretta Matschikowski, Jim Maxwell, Kelly McKinstry, Larry Mills, Monica Mills, Janet Narich, AJ O’Neal, Paramount Bank, Dennis Paulson, Greg Pawlica, Bob Porter, Nancy Quesnell, Becky Rabban, Larry Saville, Delmar Schmidt, Charles Sink, Peggy Snow, Ann St. Peter, Ann Steslicke, Ruby Woods, Xhedos Café

Contact us for more information at fairferndale@gmail.com or (248) 541-1434

What a Difference a Year Makes

CFF, From the President, Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards, , , ,

by Kathryn Bruner James

About a year ago, the members of Citizens for a Fair Ferndale (CFF) were considering packing it in. We wondered if our mission had perhaps been accomplished and there seemed to be little, if anything, left for us to do in an already progressive community that attracts and accepts people from all backgrounds and lifestyles. But our candidate forums and the Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards were so enjoyed by many and seemed to serve a need that was different from what any other group was doing; so we decided to go on for at least another year or so and see how things went. On behalf of CFF, I must say that I am so glad that we decided to keep on trucking.

Since our last Ferndale Friends column, we’ve hosted another candidate forum, held a musical fundraiser at Club Bart, were nominated for the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce “Best of Ferndale” award, raised money for FernCare at a recent Bowl-a-thon, and we’re already gearing up for the next Good Neighbor Awards. The way I see it, there is plenty left for us to do that serves our mission and the community.

For example, CFF was able to meet the needs of Ferndale voters at a Candidate Forum on October 18 held at City Hall. The event was co-hosted by the League of Women Voters (LWV), who have a long-standing history of holding such forums. CFF’s role is to essentially pick up where the LWV leaves off due to their somewhat limiting policies. In this election, as in many previous elections, the LVW handled virtually all aspects of the City Council candidates’ portion of the forum, and CFF was to handle the Library Board portion. There was evidently some confusion ahead of time as to whether Mayor Covey—who was running unopposed—would be able to participate. CFF, and apparently Mayor Covey himself, understood that the LWV would be addressing the mayoral election in some fashion. Alas, this turned out not to be the case. In the end, following the Council forum, CFF allowed Mayor Covey to field written questions from the audience for a period of time before the Library Board candidates had their turn. Granted, it was an awkward situation for me because I had to make some quick decisions on behalf of CFF and moderate a discussion that I had not prepared for, but I’m glad we did it. It has always been CFF’s policy to allow participation by unopposed candidates (as we did for the last School Board Candidate Forum) because it simply allows voters to receive information that they might not have otherwise received. Though, perhaps next time we will coordinate more closely with LWV so that the plan is more clearly understood and articulated from the get go. In fact, we will be revamping our forum policies in the near future in an effort to make this program a bit more formal and consistent. We look forward to hosting these forums for many elections to come.

So, what’s next for CFF? I’m glad you asked. Our next big event will be the Good Neighbors = Strong Community Awards (or just Good Neighbor Awards for short). If I’m not mistaken, this will be our fifth time recognizing members of the community who embody our mission. The event will take place sometime in April 2010, and very soon we will begin our call for nominations. Please watch our website (www.fairferndale.org) for the nomination forms to become available. In the meantime, CFF is pondering a possible change of venue. The Ferndale Elks Lodge has hosted us for the past three Good Neighbor Awards, and we have thoroughly enjoyed their hospitality (not to mention their affordable drink prices!). However, our event is growing in size, and we have also been struggling with the fact that the upper level of the Elks Lodge is inaccessible to the disabled—an obvious incongruity to our mission of inclusion. We will do our very best to find a Ferndale venue that suits our needs. Stay tuned for more info.

I also want to quickly note that I’m still figuring out how best to use this column to promote our mission. Obviously, this is a great opportunity to tell readers what CFF has done recently or what’s coming up, but we also want to use the column to educate readers, rather than simply promote events. To that end, I’ve been scouring the Ferndale Historical Society’s website (www.ferndalehistoricalsociety.org) for tidbits about our town that relate to the issues that concern CFF. Fun Fact: In 1935, Elizabeth Beasley became the first woman elected to Ferndale’s Board of Education. I hope to include in all future columns a “Fun Fact” about fairness and equality. Let me know if you have any facts to share!

Before this edition’s column ends, I’d like to extend my thanks on behalf of CFF to a few folks who have helped us out recently. The proprietors of Bubble and Bark sponsored our fundraiser at Club Bart in October, which featured live music by the Spangler/Tope Organ Trio. We owe huge thanks go to Bubble and Bark, Club Bart, R.J. Spangler, Ralph Tope, Dale Grisa, Joshua James and Francine Hachem for putting together this fun event and raising a little dough for CFF. The next time you take your dog to Bubble and Bark or grab a drink at Club Bart, please express your appreciation to the owners/managers for supporting CFF. We hope to put on similar events on a regular basis.

Our next meeting is December 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ferndale Library.

Originally published in Ferndale Friends, December 2009 Edition