Area Dancers Bring Holiday Magic of 'The Nutcracker' to Macomb Center

Members of the Macomb Ballet Company perform Tchaikovsky's classic ballet Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township.

Inspired by the dazzling melodies of famed Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the Macomb Ballet Company is once again bringing the enchanting tale of The Nutcracker to audiences at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts. Set at Christmas and encompassing all the magic of this season, The Nutcracker ballet has become a holiday standard around the world and a rite of passage for many of the aspiring dancers of the Macomb Ballet Company (MBC), a pre-professional group in Macomb County. Even as she prepares to dance the coveted role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, MBC member Sarah Bicknell remembers her first production of The Nutcracker. “I was 11 or 12 and was a soldier and an angel,” the Sterling Heights resident said. “It was just in …

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Poll: How Happy Are You With Macomb County?

Take the Patch poll. Approximately 1,000 residents participated in a county-wide survey to measure community sentiment.

Photos: Shelby Supervisor Speaks at Macomb's Patriot Walk

Students, staff and parents of St. Peter Lutheran School participated in a one-mile Patriot Walk Friday to pay tribute to America's Armed Forces and remember those lost on and after Sept. 11.

Though few in the sea of red, white and blue-clad students at the 2012 St. Peter Lutheran School Patriot Walk were old enough to actually remember the Sept. 11 attacks, none wore their country's colors or waved their American flags with any less pride or enthusiasm. "The Patriot Walk has become an annual tradition for our school community as we remember the tragic terrorist attacks on our country," said St. Peter Principal Kyle Chuhran. "Life in our country changed on that day ... this represents the resiliency and spirit of the American people." Want more local news and events? Sign up for the Patch newsletter and get daily headlines sent straight to your inbox – free. The school held its fourth annual Patriot Walk Friday, starting with a…

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Dana Horton

12:03 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012

Always the Grandstander.   more ›

Make your Life Easier: Check Out City, County's Holiday Hours

All Macomb County government offices and courts will be closed Sept. 2 for a furlough day.

To make your life a little easier, Patch has compiled a list of what's open and closed in the city and county during Labor Day weekend. Shelby Township Shelby Township Municipal Hall: Closed Labor Day. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shelby Township Library: Closed Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5. The library will reopen Tuesday at 9 a.m. Shelby Township Post Office: The branch has modified hours Saturday, Sept. 3. It will be open 8:30 a.m. to noon. Closed on Labor Day. Trash collection will be on Sept. 6, due to the holiday. City of Utica City Hall: Regular hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The offices will be closed on Labor Day. Utica Library: The library will be closed …

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Utica Shelby Swim Club Makes Big Splash at State Championship Meet

Local swimmers compete in Ypsilanti at the Michigan 14 & Under Long Course State Championship Swim Meet at Eastern Michigan University.

A dip in a cool pool is more than just a favorite summer pastime for some local kids. Seventeen swimmers represented the Utica Shelby Swim Club (USSC) at the Michigan 14 & Under Long Course State Championship Swim Meet at Eastern Michigan University this weekend. Athletes from Utica, Shelby Township, Macomb Township and Rochester were among the fastest 600 swimmers in the state competing for top honors. Individual and relay top 16 finishes for USSC were recorded by Savannah Brennan, PJ Desmet, Andrew Fick, Mark Galui, Joe Gazzarato, Jacob Huttenlocher, Amanda Hudson, Michael Hudson, Austin Kinglsey, Ethan Kingsley, Grace Lewis, Bianca Licari, Sofia Pizzo, Colton Richardson and Sean Scott. Joe Gazzarato, Michael Hudson, Austin Kingsley and …

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Wake Up, Shelby and Utica: July 28

Sterling Fest begins today. Patch has the full festival lineup.

Buon giorno! Instead of getting your daily dose of news on the Internet, stop by Thursday and see me. 1. As part of my Patch Tour, I'll be giving out Patch swag for those who stop by and see me at Hepburn's Crepe and Coffee from 9 a.m. to noon. As an added bonus, I'll buy you a cup of coffee! 2. Check out Patch's Q and A with State Rep. Jeff Farrington (R-Utica). 3. Sterlingfest Kicks Off Today! The three-day festival will be held at Dodge Park and Utica roads in Sterling Heights.  There will be live music to enjoy plus magic acts, juggling and clowning fun for the kids, dance acts, plenty of eats at Restaurant Row and at the vendors and exhibitors will be selling their wares, including fabric/clothing, glass, jewelry, art, garden/…

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