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The use of pesticides, urbanization and climate change have all contributed to a decline in the population of many pollinators.

Insects, bees, butterflies and even bats move pollen from one flower to another, helping with the reproduction process of flowers, fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplant, as well as seeds and nuts.

While the declining monarch butterfly population has garnered attention in recent years, the dwindling bee population has become the focus of several recent studies.

According to one study by NatureServe, a provider of scientific information for endangered species, more than a third of the assessed native bee species are at risk of extinction. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that 22.6% of assessed pollinator species face an elevated extinction risk, with bees noted as the most threatened.

As experts have reported, bees are especially critical to our food systems as they support more than 35% of global agricultural land. Farmers rely on bees to pollinate their crops. The outlook in some regions of the country is grim with honeybee populations dropping by nearly 40% in the last 10 years. This loss has contributed to struggling farmers whose livelihood is at stake due to shrinking harvests.

Without targeted conservation actions, experts predict the loss of pollinators could have tumbling effects on plant reproduction, wildlife populations and ecosystems.

Southfield City Centre is doing its share to help reverse the country’s dwindling pollinator numbers with the creation of its Pollinator Garden, says Terry Croad, AICP, ASLA, City of Southfield Director of Planning. “Having small, natural areas in a suburban/urban setting like our Pollinator Garden can help these important populations to grow.”

In addition to annuals, perennials and a variety of trees and shrubs that help feed and protect pollinators, nearby colorful sculptures bring recognition to these endangered species. A bee sculpture, the second in a series of art installations, recently joined a dramatic monarch butterfly sculpture, which was installed in 2023.

“These art installations are meant to be whimsical in character but designed to shed light on the decline of our pollinators,” says Croad.

“The Pollinator Garden project goes hand in hand with our commitment to sustainability and brings awareness to the decline of pollinators,” says Souzan Yousif, ENV SP, LEED AP, Sustainability Planner with the Southfield Planning Department. “We hope to inspire other communities to design similar gardens to attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators to urban areas.”

SIDEBAR

What can you do to help protect bees and other pollinators?

• Plant native plants and flowers, which provide food and shelter.
• Reduce pesticide use by choosing organic gardening methods.
• Support beekeepers by purchasing local honey.
• Spread awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators.

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and for those who love to cook, one company is putting a personalized AI co-pilot at your fingertips to help you cook smarter and eat healthier.

It’s all thanks to VersaWare Technologies, a Southfield business that has developed an intuitive voice-based digital kitchen assistant.

The company was co-founded by Californian Jacob Lindberg and Australian Creed McKinnon. The two met while playing Division One soccer in college and were inspired by what they learned about nutrition for optimal performance on the field.

“If you’ve ever tried to track what you eat, whether it’s for weight loss or other pursuits, it’s an extremely difficult and cumbersome process,” says Lindberg. “Every time you eat something, you have to take out your phone, log it, measure it — all these things that no one really wants to do.”

Lindberg and McKinnon put their entrepreneurial brains together to devise a way to make the process more efficient. “We wanted to build something that allows people a way to access nutrition information as easily as you could get information from, say, an Apple Watch regarding caloric expenditure,” says Lindberg.

The two went from brainstorming in their dorm room to pitching their idea to accelerators around the country. Lawrence Technology University’s Centropolis Accelerator stepped up with an offer to fund the initial source of capital to move to the next level of prototyping.

“We packed up the car and drove from San Diego to Michigan, not really knowing what we were doing, where we were going or who we were going to meet,” Lindberg recalls.

Today, three years later, VersaWare Technologies is marketing the VersaBoard, “a technology our consumers describe as Alexa for nutrition,” says Lindberg.

The cutting board has a built-in weight scale with a screen and voice-activated technology. For example, Lindberg explains, “Say you’re eating an apple and a banana in the morning. As you run out the door, you just say, ‘Hey, Versa, can you add a banana and an apple to my day?’ And without you having even deviate from what you’re doing, it’ll synthesize the nutrition to your day and respond with its impact to you.”

This is just one function, he says. “The system will walk you through any recipe based on ingredients you have. You can use the scale to measure ingredients with your voice. For example, you can say, ‘Hey, Versa, build a breakfast meal with oats, 2% milk and blueberries,’ and it’ll process all this, while considering the nutritional profile that’s respective to your goals.

Versa Technologies is in conversations with kitchen appliance manufacturers to license its underlying technology to be integrated into their own appliances. “There’s a lot of interest for these appliances to compete in the voice-assistance space that is currently only occupied right now by Amazon and Google.”

The company is also in discussions with distributors interested in buying bulk quantities of the VersaBoard and selling them through retail distribution chains.

Lindberg sums it all up this way: “We’re tailoring our product to solve the conventional pain points and inconveniences that tens of millions of Americans face daily regarding nutrition comprehension.”

For more information: www.versaware.io

Towne Square Food & Spirits has been serving up delicious food and beverages in Southfield for nine years, with many patrons describing it as a “hidden gem.” The restaurant’s location on the main floor of One Towne Square makes dining convenient for area residents and businesspeople.

Customers come for a range of American fare, all at affordable prices. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, featuring appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches. In addition to regular menu items, daily specials include a variety of soups such as tomato basil, mushroom bisque and cream of broccoli.

An extensive happy hour menu every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. makes this a great place to relax after a busy workday. “We’ll also open for happy hour on request for groups of five, 10 or more,” says, Viktor Krcaj, who owns and operates the restaurant with co-owner Steve Gjonaj.

The two take pride in ensuring customers have a great experience, offering professional, efficient service, especially for those on a timed lunch break.

“It’s very laid back, very family oriented,” says Krcaj. “Many of our customers know each other. Whether you’re a single person, or you’re coming with a group, you’re always going to find friends here.”

Towne Square Food & Spirits also offers customized menus for private events such as business meetings, weddings, showers and other reserved parties in one of two private rooms.

One Towne Square, Southfield, MI 48076 | 248.327.6294

Thinking Spring

Outdoor activities abound in and around the Southfield City Centre for residents, employees, students and visitors. Here’s just a sampling of things to do this spring and summer in Southfield.

Eat to the Beat

This popular lunchtime food and music event kicks off on the front lawn of the Southfield Municipal Campus. Enjoy delicious food and entertainment starting Thursday, June 12, and continuing on the second Thursday in July, August and September.

Check out the Southfield City Centre Trail

Check out the Southfield City Centre Trail during lunch, after work or on the weekend. The trail features nearly 9 miles of non-motorized pathways, including a 3.5-mile “Inner Loop” where you’ll find several outdoor art installations. The Monarch Butterfly Pollinator Garden, Tapestry of a Community and Red Pole Park are just a few.

“Our city is becoming more and more pedestrian friendly, giving people a great place to engage in heart-healthy activities,” says Terry Croad, AICP, ASLA and director of planning for the City of Southfield. “We encourage people to enjoy nature while improving their overall health.”

Experience a 3.5-mile guided tour of 26 public works of art and cultural sites along the Trail. It’s available by downloading the PocketSights app to your mobile device and searching “Southfield, Michigan.”

Bike Share

The Southfield Bike Share program features 24 brand new bikes at eight convenient locations. The cost is $2 per hour, with students eligible for a $5 membership fee that allows them to ride any time.

Here’s where you can find them:

• Detroit Marriott Southfield
• Law & Technology Center Building (Lahser & NW Hwy)
• LTU Field House
• LTU Learning Center
• The Century Building
• City Centre (Starter’s Bar & Grill)
• Etkin Building (Near Chipotle)
• Southfield Pavillion

Athletes

Athletes (or athlete wannabes) will discover baseball diamonds, soccer fields and every type of court imaginable, including volleyball, tennis, pickleball, basketball and racquetball — all located on the Southfield Municipal Campus.

Tee Off

Hit the links at the Evergreen Hills Golf Course, located at the Southfield Municipal Campus. This 9-hole, par 34, public course features beautifully landscaped grounds, manicured fairways and exciting renovations, including new bridges, refreshed bunkers and newly paved cart paths. Check the Southfield Parks & Recreation Facebook page for more information or call 248-796-4672.

Winter Fest 2025

Adults and children enjoyed this year’s Winter Fest, held Sunday, March 9, at the Southfield Sports Arena. The popular event featured a variety of family-oriented activities, including indoor ice skating, a high ropes course, a rock-climbing wall, carriage rides, electric car rides and nature programs sponsored by Oakland County Naturalists.

Happy Hour & Team Trivia

The Southfield City Centre Happy Hour & Team Trivia Networking event is on March 27. Participants from many Southfield-based organizations can gather at Towne Square Food & Spirits to show their trivia talent.

“This event has proved to be favorite among our business community,” says Rochelle Freeman, Director of Business & Economic Development for the City of Southfield. “Employees bond and build relationships outside of their work environment and make professionals connections with employees from other Southfield companies.”

Learn More

It was a busy winter at Lawrence Technological University, and an even busier spring is almost upon us!

Shortly after the New Year, LTU hosted a Michigan Mobility exhibit at CES, the international consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. The exhibit showcased seven cutting-edge startups in electrification and mobility.

The pavilion provided a global stage for Electric Outdoors, developers of off-grid, solar-powered “glamping” equipment; Lectric Boil, developers of energy efficient electric water heaters; LIVAQ, makers of all-electric ATVs for sustainable off-roading; Modal Motors, developing advanced electric motor technology; Neumo, developers of neurotechnology-driven in-cabin driver monitoring; Voltaic Marine, developing electric boats and charging infrastructure; and WheelMe, developers of intelligent wheel technology for automation.

Centrepolis officials said the event generated major business opportunities and new connections for these startups, and showcased LTU’s Centrepolis Accelerator as a national hub of innovation.

Looking ahead, there are several major events on the LTU spring calendar that welcome attendance and participation from the community.

LTU’s fifth annual Giving Day philanthropy event will be held Tuesday, April 8.
More at https://ltu.edu/academics-calendar/giving-day/.

LTU’s annual Cisler Lecture, featuring Jane Heffernan of York University speaking on “The Mathematics of Infection and Immunity,” is Tuesday, April 15.
More at https://ltu.edu/arts-and-sciences/research/lectures/wlcm-lecture-series/.

Research Day, a celebration of the increasing depth and sophistication of research at LTU, will be Friday, April 25.
More at https://ltu.edu/research-day/.

LTUX, the university’s annual gaming, Esports, and anime celebration featuring student designed games and much more, is Saturday, May 3.
More at https://www.ltuexpo.com/.

LTU Spring Commencement will be held at the Don Ridler Field House on Saturday, May 10.
More at https://ltu.edu/commencement/.

The world championships of Robofest, LTU’s global robotics competition, will be held on campus May 15-17.
More at https://www.robofest.net/.

LTU’s second annual Scholarship Gala, themed “Innovation Through the Ages,” is Saturday, May 17 at the historic Michigan Central Station in Detroit.
More at https://ltu.edu/academics-calendar/scholarship-gala/.

LTU’s College of Architecture and Design will present ShowLTU CoAD, a celebration of student work and LTU’s industry ties, May 8-10.

The Fall 2024 semester was a productive one at Lawrence Technological University, with LTU attracting several major grants for research, celebrating its successes, and adding new research and academic programs.

Among the highlights:

LTU added new benefits for its valued alumni: The ability to audit LTU courses at a low cost of $400 per class, and a 35 percent tuition discount for some of its career-boosting graduate programs, including Master of Business Administration, Master of Information Technology, Master of Healthcare Administration, Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, Master of Science in Business Data Analytics, Master of Art in Design and Technology, Master of Engineering Management, and a combined MBA/Master of Engineering Management.

LTU’s College of Health Sciences added a new online Doctoral Program in health sciences.

LTU received a grant from the PNC Foundation to establish a new Motorsport and Mobility Center, which will include outreach to Detroit and surrounding K-12 schools.

A DENSO North America Foundation grant to LTU will fund new research into integrating acoustic data into autonomous driving systems.

LTU’s Centrepolis Accelerator and three industry partners will collaborate on a $2.4 million federal project to develop lower-energy, greenhouse-gas-free porcelain enamel and paint curing for manufacturing.

In ceremonies, LTU celebrated national awards for its Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, and the seventh straight national championship in self-driving cars for its team at the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition.

LTU also hosted the first-ever meeting of the board of its Healthcare Violence Reduction Center, an interdisciplinary effort to reduce violence experienced all too often by healthcare providers.

More information about all these events can be found at www.ltu.edu/news.

Winter 2025 promises to be a busy semester as well, with lectures and seminars on a wide variety of topics available to the general public.

And don’t forget that Southfield is a college town, and that means college sports! LTU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are in full swing at the Don Ridler Field House, men’s volleyball will start in February, and lacrosse in March, including LTU’s nationally ranked women’s team. Check out the schedules at ltuathletics.com.