Finance + Legal Services

Online Mortgages, Hidden Dangers

Buying a home? Look out for these online mortgage pitfalls, warns a veteran Mount Clemens mortgage broker Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Gina Dinverno When I bought my first house in 2019, I made a rookie mistake: I trusted an online mortgage company. It seemed convenient—quick approvals and supposedly low rates. But the company hadn’t informed me the account for my down payment must have been open for six months—until the closing. I had to ask my 81-year-old mother to rescue me...

Home + Design

Brick By Brick

Customized masonry offers functional curb appeal. Article by Erica Hobbs | Photography by Shelby Dubin From chimneys and porches to walkways and siding, masonry marries the worlds of practical and aesthetic value. Metro Detroit's Next Level Custom Brick ( nextlevelcustombrick.com ) offers expertise in both, infused with a family-owned sense of pride and service. “We focus on the needs of the homeowner and their project. We are a team, and we work together with our customers from start to...

Home + Design

Preserving History with Style

Shelly Bania's 25-year wait to restore her historic Mount Clemens home was worth it. Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Easton Asher IV, Skyview Experts Mount Clemens is a city steeped in heritage, and we residents take great pride in preserving that history. For homeowners of The Clem’s historic gems, renovating while honoring their cherished past is not just a task—it’s a calling. That’s why it took Shelly Bania 25 years to remodel her historic home's kitchen.  Nestled in the...

Education

Puppy-Proofing Made Simple

Expert home-saving, puppy-loving tips from expert dog trainer Becky Kamp of Wolf Pack Dog Training Article by Marshall Zweig You love your home. You also love your brand-new puppy, who brings an abundance of joy, energy, and, let’s face it, mischief into your home. How do you take proper care of both? How do you value your house and your belongings, as well as your and your new puppy’s mental health? For answers, Mount Clemens City Lifestyle turned to Becky Kamp, founder of Wolf Pack Dog...

Home + Design

Savvy Selling: Stylish and Sensible Staging Secrets

Turn your house into a buyer magnet with real estate expert Kristie Lohmann’s insider tips. Article by Marshall Zweig When it comes to selling your home, real estate expert Kristie Lohmann has seen it all: the good, the bad, and the unnecessary. Too often, she watches sellers pour money into upgrades that don’t deliver the return on investment they expected. With 13 years of experience, Kristie knows how to make homes stand out to buyers in today’s market—without breaking the bank. Here are...

Local Services

Lighting Up the Darkness

When Hurricane Helene left residents powerless, Eric Brelinski headed south Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Provided by DTE Energy When Hurricane Helene roared ashore, it didn’t just topple power lines—it upended lives. Streets became canals; homes became splintered memories. Entire neighborhoods were plunged into darkness, leaving residents powerless and struggling to survive. Enter Eric Brelinski, a lineman from DTE Energy’s Mount Clemens office, who packed his skills and his...

Life + Culture

Dear Mount Clemens: Love Letters from Your Biggest Fans

We asked readers what makes Mount Clemens so special. Their answers will make you fall in love all over again. Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Digital Art by Bianca Bering Nestled along the banks of the Clinton River, Mount Clemens has a charm that’s impossible to resist—a magnetic pull that inspires loyalty and passion from locals and visitors alike. One of Michigan’s oldest communities, “The Clem,” as locals lovingly call us, charms with its welcoming blend of retro and modern...

Fitness

Snow Excuses!

Stay active this winter with these must-try Macomb County cabin fever relievers Article by Marshall Zweig Winter in metro Detroit gets an icy reception—most of us simply hunker down for three months of cabin fever. But cold and snow doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. Macomb County has a winter wonderland of activities that'll energize your body while they warm your spirit. Here’s a list that’ll keep you moving, grooving and feeling fantastic all winter long. •    1. Nature’s Rx for...

Arts + Culture

Making Merry Bright

For everyone who enjoys Christmas lights like our publisher Kimberly Janowicz, we spotlight the events that really shine Article by Marshall Zweig Enjoying holiday lights is a modern family tradition. Just ask  City Lifestyle's  publisher, Kimberly Janowicz. "As a child, Christmastime could sometimes be rush, rush, rush: buying, shopping, cleaning, preparing," Kimberly recalls. "Seeing the lights was the one night where we just spent time together as a family. It was quiet, peaceful and...

Style + Beauty

Holiday Floral Inspiration

The inspiring Lynette Marsack takes time—just before serious surgery—to give tips on holiday centerpieces Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Kevin Shea It’s October 14 when I talk to Lynette Marsack, owner of Kraatz Florist. She’s in Henry Ford Hospital, awaiting brain surgery the following day. But that doesn’t stop Lynette from scheduling and having this interview. “The first of October, I was rushed to the hospital thinking I was having a stroke,” she recalls. After tests, doctors...