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Apex Digital Solutions is a Microsoft Solutions Partner providing IT services to small, medium and large size organizations. Based in Southfield, the company’s goal is to help organizations become more secure, productive and engaged by providing them with the latest IT solutions.

The company offers a full range of services, from assisting companies in the transition to cloud-based solutions to strengthening cybersecurity and optimizing existing systems.

“We also offer project-based assistance,” notes Heidi Vogt, vice president of marketing. “For example, if an organization is merging with another organization or acquiring a company, we can help with data and technology migration.”

The company’s broad industry base includes nonprofits such as United Way of Southeastern Michigan as well as organizations in the manufacturing arena.

As a Microsoft partner, Apex Digital Solutions makes sure an organization is getting the most out of its Microsoft investment, notes Vogt. “Whether we’re fully managing their technology or supporting an internal IT team, we guide leadership and staff with insights, updates and best practices to ensure their Microsoft solutions are driving real impact.

“We have a fantastic team that really loves Microsoft, loves tech and just enjoys working in this space.”

As a means of giving back and in celebration of its 25th anniversary, the company recently announced the launch of the Apex Digital Solutions Technology Empowerment Grant. The grant will support one selected 501 (c) (3) nonprofit business, providing up to $25,000 worth of services.

The exact type of service will depend on the company’s needs, says Vogt. “A company might want a technology assessment, where we go in and help them evaluate their current technology environment and provide suggestions to make it more secure or more effective. We might also provide technology road mapping and strategic planning for a company. In this case we’d examine their technology infrastructure, identify any pain points and then lay the groundwork for them to become a more modernized organization.”

The application period for the grant is July 28 through September 8, 2025, with the selected company announced October 3, 2025.

Apex Digital Solutions will also conduct a workshop on August 28, 2025, for all nonprofits interested in learning more about technology best practices. The workshop will be held at Velocity in Sterling Heights.

For more details about the workshop and the Apex Digital Technology Empowerment Grant application process, visit https://apexdigital.com/grant.

National Pollinator Week is an annual celebration of the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystems, economies and agriculture. Southfield City Centre is committed to helping pollinators survive and flourish with our Pollinator Garden, home to a variety of butterflies, bees and other pollinators.

Read more about our efforts to protect pollinators here!

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.

From hundreds of graduates awarded degrees at Spring Commencement, to hundreds of students from around the world winning trophies and medals at a thrilling robotics competition, it was a busy and productive spring at Lawrence Technological University.

The happiest day at LTU, Commencement, took place May 10, with a 10 a.m. ceremony for LTU’s Colleges of Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences, and the SPECS@LTU communications programs, and a 1:30 p.m. ceremony for the Colleges of Engineering and Business and Information Technology. Filmmaker, writer, political satirist, and comedian Negin Farsad provided inspiring remarks about the value of college education, not just in class but in the art of living a full life, and encouraged graduates to have a positive outlook about making the world a better place, no matter what. “Right now being cheerful and in community is an act of hope, and an act of defiance,” she said.

A week later, May 15-17, over 700 middle and high school students from around the world, and their parents and coaches, packed LTU’s campus and area hotels for the 26th annual Robofest competition—a robotics competition where the robots are controlled by software, not joysticks, like robots in real-world industry.

LTU also raised thousands of dollars for scholarships May 17 at its second annual Scholarship Gala, held this year at the gloriously refurbished Michigan Central Depot in Detroit.

Also during the semester came a major milestone, with LTU classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education to its new R-Research Colleges and Universities category. The reclassification recognizes recent strong growth in Lawrence Tech’s research activity, including sponsored research funding and investment in research scholarship.

In January, LTU also played a significant role at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, with its Centrepolis Accelerator and its involvement in the CES Michigan Mobility Pavilion. The pavilion, anchored by LTU and Modal Motors, showcased companies shaping the future of mobility, electrification, and sustainable technologies.

Looking ahead, LTU’s fall semester starts Aug. 25, the first LTU football game is set for Saturday, Aug. 23, and LTU’s Homecoming will take place Saturday, Sept. 27.

For the full schedule of all LTU athletic teams, visit ltuathletics.com. And for the full schedule of all LTU academic activities, visit ltu.edu/academics-calendar/

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