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ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – A project in St. Clair Shores years in the making officially opens Saturday.

City leaders call the renovated Blossom Heath Pier a feature attraction, saying this is now the longest pier on Lake St. Clair.

It doesn't take long to see how much Alondra Johns loves fishing.

The Blossom Heath Pier has been her go-to spot for a while.

"It was just kind of starting to get old, you know, little beaten up, little old," Johns said.

About four years ago, St. Clair Shores decided to do something about it, spending over $8 million for the renovations.

Besides spectacular views of the water, there are brand-new amenities throughout the pier.

"Love all the new trees and all the new lights. It's going to bring a lot of fishflies this season," Johns said.

An asphalt overlay done at the pier in the 1980s has been replaced with pavers.

"I like how they did the pavers all the way out. Sometimes when you use wood, it kind of warps over the years. I think the pavers are going to make this last a lot longer and really look nice and maintenance-free," Victor Calleja, a St. Clair Shores resident, said.

Although Blossom Heath Park is only open to those within the city limits, the pier will be open to everyone.

"In the past, the fishing pier that was here was basically really just known to the locals. But to basically have this go out into the lake, we're extending 390 feet out into Lake St. Clair; nowhere else in the water can you get this type of view where you can see all the way down to the Detroit River or look up to the Sinclair flats up to the north," St. Clair Shores Councilmember John Caron told CBS News Detroit.

The city is hosting a grand opening ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday to welcome visitors officially.

"It's just a great spot to look at nature and look at the ships, and it's just really nice," Jimmy Seacrist, a St. Clair Shores resident, said.

Andres Gutierrez

Andres Gutierrez joined CBS News Detroit in September 2022. He comes from KSHB-TV in Kansas City, Missouri, serving as a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor.

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ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Providing additional support to firefighters is something that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is aiming to do with the next state budget. In her budget recommendation, $500 million would be slated for public safety.

On Tuesday, the governor visited the St. Clair Shore Fire Department detailing the importance of proper support for our firefighters.

"For the first time in Michigan history, dedicated funding for departments to hire train and retain local firefighters, cops, and EMTs and upgrade public facilities and upgrade public facilities and equipment," Whitmer said.

As the state legislature works on a budget, the governor is out making sure fire crews know Lansing is working for them.

Two years ago, Whitmer signed a bill that allowed firefighters who developed cancer to receive benefits from a statewide first responder fund.

"There's just a lot of things that unfortunately are developing into cancer for firefighters," said St. Clair Shores Fire Chief James Piper.

In the current $79 billion budget proposal, $500 million would go to public safety. Resources would also be dedicated to upgrading facilities while also training and retaining local talent, which the governor says is a first.

It's a move that's applauded by the fire chief.

"A need that we are actually working on with the city is three new fire stations; all three of our locations were built in the 50s," he said.

Piper said newer fire stations have the capability to also reduce cancer risks. Overall addressing the dangers fire teams face daily is the goal.

"It's a presumption that cancer that a firefighter comes down with, was because of his or her on-the-job work," Whitmer said.

Lac Ste. Claire Fine Art Fair coming in September Enjoy fine art and shop around at the Lac Ste. Claire Fine Art Fair on Sept. 16 and Sept. 17.

The fair is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at Veterans Memorial Park in St. Clair Shores. The park will be closed on the Friday before to allow the artists time to set up.

There will be a take-home art activity. The Friends of the Library will be selling puzzles, and Miss Michigan Maya Schuhknecht will be performing her speed painting talent.

The St. Clair Shores Cultural Committee is partnering with The Art Shack to host a free children’s craft activity on Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon.

“From painting to sculpting, watercolors to metal and from fiber to woodwork, there is sure to be something for everyone on your shopping list,” said Sara-rose Melby, the artist entrance chairperson, in an email.

Library trivia night coming in September The St. Clair Shores Public Library will be hosting a trivia night at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14, according to a press release.

Participating members age 18 and older will test their knowledge on everything including astronomy, history and pop culture. Members will be put in teams of four.

Registration is required for the event and can be done as a single person or a group.

According to the release, those registering as a single person or registering with a group of less than four people will be matched with others to create a four-person group.

Those interested can register in person at the library or by calling (586) 771-9020 or emailing [email protected].

Fall fun with take & make activity The St. Clair Shores Youth Services Department invites children ages 2 and older to create a puzzle piece with a fall tree in a Take & Make activity.

Envelopes with supplies will be available starting Sept. 5. The envelopes will be in a bin inside the Youth Services Room at the library, located at 22500 E. 11 Mile Road. Supplies are available during library hours and while they last.

Wigs 4 Kids to host 20th Anniversary Gala Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan will host their 20th Anniversary Gala at 6 p.m. on Sept. 15.

The event takes place at Barrister Gardens, 24225 Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores. Enjoy entertainment, awards, raffles, auctions and more.

Tickets are $100 for adults and $40 for kids under 11 years old.

They are also hosting a pre-gala raffle with a chance to win a $1,000 cash prize. Tickets are $10 and help sponsor nine wigs for children. The raffle winner will be announced at the gala.

Women’s Civic League sponsors Town Hall According to an email, the Women’s Civic League is sponsoring a Town Hall on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers at St. Clair Shores City Hall.

Residents and others can meet and ask questions of the six candidates running for city council in the November election.

The Women’s Civic League is looking for members. If interested, please email [email protected].

Youth Services Department to host Toddler Dance Party Children ages 12-36 months are invited to get their groove on during the St. Clair Shores Public Library Youth Services Department Toddler Dance Party. The 30-minute event will include a story followed by dancing.

The event is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. No registration is required.

New storytime sessions announced The St. Clair Shores Library Youth Services Department announced new storytime sessions. The sessions start on the week of Sept. 18 and go through the week of Oct. 16.

Morning Storytime for children of all ages will be held on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Evening Storytime for children of all ages will be held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Baby Storytime for children 0-18 months will be held on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Toddler Storytime for children ages 18-30 months will be held on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.

Registration begins Sept. 11 and is required. It is currently available online. To navigate the library’s new system, go to scslibrary.org, find “Calendar” and follow the prompts for the correct registration. Registration can also be done in person by calling (586) 771-9020 or by emailing [email protected]. Adults must stay with children attending these events.

Members of the Assumption Cultural Center in St. Clair Shores is inviting everyone to come out and get their Greek on during its annual GreekFest Aug.17 – 20.

The blend of authentic Greek food, entertainment and culture is the perfect summertime event for the entire family.

The event typically draws more than 10,000 people from throughout the metro Detroit area.

“GreekFest is a wonderful event that our entire community looks forward to annually,” said GreekFest co-chair Tom Thomas. “Over 250 volunteers from Assumption and the community really enjoy serving the thousands of people who visit us each year.”

Festival-goers will enjoy live entertainment, Greek dancing, exciting marketplace shopping, church tours, a special exhibit in the Hellenic Room, kids tent and games, Greek pastries, Taverna, surprise celebrities and much more.

The grand opening ceremony takes place on Thursday, Aug. 17, at 5 p.m.

Rotating bands of Greek Music will perform throughout the weekend. Popular acts include the Assumption dance groups, including the Hellenic Society for the Performing Arts, with costumes and dances from the regions of Greece. This year’s GreekFest will have a multicultural flair with Irish, Ukrainian and Polish dancers who will perform the dances of their cultures.

Those who are so inspired will be able to learn Greek dances from the Assumption Dancers who will be on hand to teach all of the steps.

There will be plenty of Greek cuisine to sample including kabobs, spinach pie, lamb shanks, stuffed grape leaves, pastitsio, flaming cheese, Greek salad, and gyros. Dessert choices include several homemade pastries including Baklava, custard rolls, Greek breads and cookies, and Loukoumades (honey balls).

A Taverna also is available for adults ages 21 years and older.

Activities for children include a giant slide, magicians, puppet shows, jugglers, stilt walkers, face painting and balloon sculptors.

For those in the mood for shopping, the indoor marketplace with vendors from both the United States and Greece will offer an array of handmade crafts, jewelry, paintings, home accessories, clothing and many other unique items.

A highlight of GreekFest this year are tours of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and the history and development of iconography. Tours will be given daily. An International Cultural Exhibit will take place in Assumption’s Hellenic Room with displays of various costumes and artifacts from Greece, Ukraine, Ireland and Poland.

“We have something for everyone, it is truly a family event,” said festival co-chair Nick Moschouris. “We hope everyone comes out to experience traditional Greek culture with a community spirit.”

There will be a daily 50-50 drawing and raffle tickets can be purchased at assumptionfestival.com or at the Cultural Center office for $10 with a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize; the second prize of a Meira T Gold diamond necklace donated by Ahee Jewelers ($3,170 value); a $500 third prize; or one of three $200 prizes. The grand raffle drawing will be held at 6 p.m., Aug. 20.

Tickets for GreekFest are $3; children under 12 are admitted free. GreekFest hours are: Thursday, Aug. 17, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 18, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free parking and shuttle service is available; valet service is offered as well.

There will be a drive-thru carryout station available from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Call ahead at 586-596-6326 or 586-779-8071. View the GreekFest menu or order online at the festival website.

A portion of proceeds from the Festival will benefit community programs: Cops for Kids, Focus Detroit, and Cass Community Social Services.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church is located at 21800 Marter Rd., in the communities of St. Clair Shores and Grosse Pointe Woods. For information, call 586-779-6111 or visit the festival website.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The St. Clair Shores Cool City Committee is hosting a citywide garage sale, and the number of registered participants is growing every day.

At press time, there were more than 300 garage sales signed up for the sale, said John Cilluffo, trustee of the Cool City Committee. With the help of a few members and others who have shared information about the garage sale on sites such as Facebook, they’ve gained a lot of publicity.

“When I first initially took on the lead for this, I thought 50 would have been the number since it’s our first year doing it,” Cilluffo said.

Residents can still apply to be a part of the garage sale, Cilluffo said, and they can register by going to the Cool City Committee - St. Clair Shores Facebook page or by visiting the Civic Center.

“Then we’re going to have to shut it down due to the fact that we still have to create a list, a map, stuff like that for the residents or for the buyers to actually participate in it so we’re going to need some time,” Cilluffo said.

The registration cut-off date is the week of Aug. 7. The garage sale is going to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 19 and Aug. 20.

When the maps come out, they can be found online and at the Civic Center as well. Jason Miller, chairperson of the Cool City Committee, said they were able to create a map using Google and pin everyone’s address to it.

“For those that are pretty good with phones and stuff, you’ll be able to just select a pin and even with Google you can get directions right to it, the location,” Miller said. “That’ll be extremely helpful.”

Cilluffo had a meeting with the city, and he said for that weekend only the permit fee has been waived.

“We’ve had some people calling going, ‘Well, it says it’s waiving the permit fee. Do I still have to get a permit?’” Cilluffo said. “No. Everything is waived for that weekend as long as you register.”

All the normal city rules for garage sales still apply, Cilluffo said. One of the key rules people have to remember is that garage sale signs must stay off city property. He said if there are multiple garage sales on one street, someone could step up and make a sign that says, “block sale.”

“You’ve got to be nice with your neighbors because you can’t assume that your corner neighbor is going to want all these signs on (their property). You’re going to have to ask them,” Cilluffo said.

Miller said the idea of the citywide garage sale came from other cities that host them. Miller credits Cilluffo with bringing the idea up and residents have also asked about the idea.

“In about March, the idea was started and it’s just grown exponentially,” Miller said. “If we see this type of growth and this excitement and this has gone together very quickly, it’s already been suggested we’ll make this an annual event from now on.”

Cilluffo said the Cool City Committee is not responsible for the items sold. Miller said they’re creating the event and generating enthusiasm from the community.

“We’ve got great feedback on this already, a lot of excitement, but it goes back to the individuals that want to set up their garage sale,” Miller said.

This event will help bring people to sellers who might not get a lot of traffic, Miller said.

“Now there is a general awareness of marketing, so this is a great date for those that maybe have never traditionally sold many things but still want to do a garage sale,” Miller said. “This will help bring people to it.”

Both Cilluffo and Miller expressed their shock and surprise at the number of people who had signed up already. They also want to credit Matthew Wisotsky, treasurer and trustee of the Cool City Committee, who created the graphics for the garage sale.

“We have not heavily marketed this event,” Miller said. “It’s been actually naturally grown by word of mouth or through just the Facebook pages, it’s actually taken on a growth of its own. So that’s what kind of surprised us initially, how much of a response and excitement that this has generated already.”

Cilluffo said one of the goals in terms of the number of garage sales is 500.

“But we’re shooting big. Why not? It’s our first time doing (it). Let’s blow it up and see what we can do with it,” Cilluffo said.