Royal Oak – April 22, 2019

Royal Oak – April 22, 2019

by | Apr 22, 2019 | Royal Oak News

Bar Louie Opens in Downtown Royal Oak

The popular national restaurant Bar Louie opened in Downtown Royal Oak, occupying the former Blackfinn space at 510 South Main Street. Chad Apap, manager, is excited to be part of the Royal Oak community.

“One of the reasons we chose Royal Oak is because we believe in the development going on in this town. We know that there are a lot of changes going on right now. We want to be a part of that development and grow with the community,” he said.

The college plans to bring a new culinary arts program to the campus. It currently offers the program at its Orchard Hills campus, and would move it to Royal Oak after construction is complete.

Preliminary plans for the new building project show it will include a large kitchen, dining room and gallery up to three stories tall with an open garden area at ground level. Faculty and administrative offices would be located on the third floor of the new structure and most of the second floor would be dedicated to a banquet area.

Royal Oak Named Tree City USA

Royal Oak was named a 2018 Tree City USA by the Arbor Foundation in honor of the city’s commitment to effective urban forest management.

Last year, using funds from the community development block grant program, 688 trees were purchased and planted.

Royal Oak is one of only two municipalities in Michigan to have earned Tree City USA designation since the award’s inception in 1976.

Free Medication Drop-off at Beaumont

Beaumont Health and local law enforcement agencies are encouraging people to drop off unused or expired prescribed medications locations Friday, April 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This also includes over-the-counter medications and other drugs. No questions asked. Only pills will be accepted.

Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
3711 W. 13 Mile Road
Administration Building
Royal Oak 48073

10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Residents can also drop off medical sharps

Waddle With the Penguins at the Zoo

Celebrate World Penguin Day at the Detroit Zoo on Thursday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. Guests can enjoy zookeeper talks and hands-on learning activities that will focus on the 18 species of penguins around the world and the risks they are facing.

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Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net
Clawson – April 22, 2019

Clawson – April 22, 2019

by | Apr 22, 2019 | Clawson News

Main Street Award Event

Come out and show your support for Clawson on Thursday, May 9, for the Main Street Award Recognition Event, which will be held at the Flagstar Strand Theater in Pontiac. Clawson has submitted two award submission packets for consideration. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/main-street-oakland-countys-main-event-2019-main-street-radio-hour-registration-58147064435

 

Soak Up The Sun, Support Local Businesses

Spring has finally sprung, and with it comes the blossoming of patio dining throughout town. Be sure to stop by one of the many Clawson dining options and enjoy the best of two worlds: the great outdoors and local eateries.

Waddle with Penguins April 25

Celebrate World Penguin Day at the Detroit Zoo on Thursday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. Guests can enjoy zookeeper talks and hands-on learning activities that will focus on the 18 species of penguins around the world and the risks they are facing.

Free Medication Drop-off at Beaumont

Beaumont Health and local law enforcement agencies are encouraging people to drop off unused or expired prescribed medications Friday, April 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This also includes over-the-counter medications and other drugs. No questions asked. Only pills will be accepted.

Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
3711 W. 13 Mile Road
Administration Building
Royal Oak  48073

Residents can also drop off medical sharps

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net

Birmingham – April 22, 2019

Birmingham – April 22, 2019

by | Apr 22, 2019 | Birmingham News

DPS Hosts Open House

Don’t miss the fun at the Department of Public Services Open House on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with dump trucks, emergency vehicles, hot dogs, educational displays and more.

All attendees will enjoy a complimentary lunch with hot dogs, refreshments and ice cream. Children will have an opportunity to excavate in a sand box, receive free “hard hats” and can climb on and explore municipal vehicles, including fire trucks, plow trucks and vactors.

On-Street Valet Parking Service Adds to Parking Options in Downtown Birmingham

Convenient and affordable on-street valet parking service is now available for your next visit to downtown Birmingham.

The city-sponsored program, first introduced during the successful reconstruction of Old Woodward Ave., has two locations on the opposite ends of downtown. One location is at S. Old Woodward and Merrill, while the other is at Hamilton and Ferndale (adjacent to Woodward Ave).

For $5 per vehicle for the first two hours, you can leave your car at one of the on-street valet locations while shopping or dining in downtown Birmingham. If you need to stay longer than two hours to enjoy the amenities of downtown, the cost is $5 per hour. The on-street valet parking stands are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information on the on-street valet parking program as well as other parking options in the city, please go to www.bhamgov.org/parking.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net
Birmingham’s Vinotecca: A Wine Bar, a Restaurant – and a Forum for Exploring Life’s Consummate Fruits

Birmingham’s Vinotecca: A Wine Bar, a Restaurant – and a Forum for Exploring Life’s Consummate Fruits

by | Apr 18, 2019 | Birmingham, LBN Community Series, Vinotecca

Birmingham’s Vinotecca:  A Wine Bar, a Restaurant – and a Forum for Exploring Life’s Consummate Fruits

18
APRIL 2019
BY HONEY MURRAY
LBN Community Series
Birmingham
Visitors to Vinotecca, Birmingham’s unique wine, food, music, education, and event venue, are always surprised when energetic co-owner John Jonna shares, “I’ve been in the wine business for 60 years.”

“My father was a farmer and grocer in the Middle East,” John says, “who, as a Christian Chaldean, moved here to work for Henry Ford for his famous ‘five dollars a day.’”

“My father ended up, though, being in the grocery business and, even as a young boy, I helped him stock the wines – and that’s when my curiosity about them began.”

JOHN JONNA

CO-OWNER & SOMMELIER, VINOTECCA
“So,” John continues, “from humble beginnings, I’m a sommelier who is one generation from the 3000-year-old homeland tradition of being a farmer and sheep herder.”

His business partner, daughter Kristin Jonna, is also a certified sommelier and was assistant winemaker at Benziger Vineyards.

“This whole restaurant and its concepts are Kristin’s ideas,” John says. “We, as a family, are passionate about wine, food, and learning. We started this restaurant in Royal Oak fourteen years ago, recently moving it here to Birmingham. We also have a sister restaurant, Vinology, in Ann Arbor.”

John adds, “Wanting to create an environment for straight-up communication and in-the-moment enjoyment of food and company, we started with no televisions and, in the time when people still smoked in restaurants, we had no smoking as the smoke interferes with the wine’s aroma.”

“We were packed,” says John. “It was a place to meet and really communicate. “

“Kristin wanted a social gathering spot with wine-friendly cuisine and varietally correct wines, true to the character of the food. We design our selections of wine and food to contrast and complement, and we rotate the menu.”

“Kristin and I are intensive in our studies,” he says.  “We may study 100 wines and then choose only two. We are not in favor of manipulated wine, but believe in wines in their natural, pure state.”

John points out the commissioned glass artwork facing the restaurant entry, created by Chris Nordin Studios in Dearborn and glowing with reds, roses, burgundies, scarlets: hues of the wines the Jonnas lovingly curate.

“Wanting to create an environment for straight-up communication and in-the-moment enjoyment of food and company, we started with no televisions…”

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“We are very proud of this piece. It’s an abstract representation of how wine is made and of Rudolph Steiner’s biodynamic and organic principle that ‘all products grown on earth should be made with cognizance of all other products and of the earth, itself.’”

“And that’s how we live, as a family,” states John, whose son, Ryan Jonna, has a Ph.D. in environmental sociology.

The restaurant’s three, distinctive event spaces also express that environmentalism.

Kristin’s husband, Dave Eifrid, owner of Greenlife Building, created the semi-private “Vintage” gathering space from reclaimed wood from a deconstructed home, a room for up to 45 people.

The Barrel Room, crafted to resemble the inside of a barrel, often holds wine seminars and other events, and accommodates 10-20 guests.

The Elm Room, seating 150, is used for larger events, including weddings, showers, retirement parties, and other celebrations.

“Kristin was able to ‘create’ three elm trees in this room that reach to the ceiling,” John says. “There’s one for each grandchild.”

And, on the partly covered patios, customers meet, dine, and drink in all kinds of weather for wine events, brunches and dinners (complete with kids’ menus), happy hours, and live music performances (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays).

“Now, many of our customers come here and say, ‘I met my future husband here!’ Or, ‘I proposed to my wife here.’ We are also the first to have offered a gourmet cheese plate, our number one seller.”

“I’m a cheese expert beyond comparison!” John grins. “And a life enrichment expert.”

“A bottle of wine is meant to be shared by three, four, five people,” explains John. “And through wine, gourmet food, and the sharing of it all, life is truly enriched.”

210 S. Old Woodward Avenue
Birmingham, MI  48009
248-203-6600

vinotecca.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LATEST BIRMINGHAM POSTS

Royal Oak – April 17, 2019

Royal Oak – April 17, 2019

by | Apr 17, 2019 | Royal Oak News

Dear Friends,

I’m honored to be the new editor of City News. Through City News I’m hoping to connect with each of you, to bring you closer to your community and maybe even tempt you to try something new.

Supporting local businesses is so important to a thriving community. Often, it’s the small business owners who support school functions, civic clubs and sponsor city events.

These entrepreneurs are critical to the health and wellbeing of our communities. It’s wonderful to support these folks and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating them through City News.

I’d like to know what bits of info interest you the most: Upcoming events? New businesses? A little of everything?

Reach out!
Rebecca Calappi
citynewseditor@localbiznews.net

Royal Oak Approves Sale of Parking Lot for OCC Expansion

Oakland Community College will pay Royal Oak $650,000 for a city-owned parking lot to expand its campus in the city. Royal Oak city commissioners approved the sale of the land near the college’s campus at Main Street and Lincoln Avenue.

OCC officials appeared before the City Commission back in December when they announced plans to expand their campus and buy a 55-space lot on the north side of the campus facing Main Street. OCC Chancellor Peter Provenzano at the time said the college plans to build a new block-long building facing Main Street.

The college plans to bring a new culinary arts program to the campus. It currently offers the program at its Orchard Hills campus, and would move it to Royal Oak after construction is complete.

Preliminary plans for the new building project show it will include a large kitchen, dining room and gallery up to three stories tall with an open garden area at ground level. Faculty and administrative offices would be located on the third floor of the new structure and most of the second floor would be dedicated to a banquet area.

Sunset at the Zoo Promises a Roaring Good Time

The Detroit Zoological Society’s annual Sunset at the Zoo fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, June 7, from 7 to 11 p.m.

The “Asian Forest”-themed, 21-and-older gala is held rain or shine, and the Detroit Zoo closes at 1 p.m. that day in preparation for the festivities.

Sunset at the Zoo offers a strolling supper with tastes of signature dishes from 45 of the area’s finest restaurants as well as desserts and zoo-themed specialty drinks. The evening also includes live music, dancing under the stars, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and access to many of the Detroit Zoo’s award-winning animal habitats as the sun goes down.

This year’s event supports the major renovation and expansion of the tiger habitat.

Advance tickets for Sunset at the Zoo can be purchased online at detroitzoo.org/sunset.

Get Out in Nature

On Saturday, May 11, a “Pond Life” program begins at 2 p.m. at Tenhave Woods. Park at Lexington/Marais lot, go to the Lexington entrance and follow the Pond Life signs. Participants will sample the vernal pond for what is living in it, and peek inside viewing trays to examine what they find. Come and learn about the interesting aquatic wildlife of Dragonfly Pond. There is no preregistration or cost for this program.

Oakland County Farmers Market

Farmers market season is starting up, and the Oakland County Farmers Market is no exception.  Make your shopping list and head to 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford. The hours are 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday through the end of April. Beginning May 2, the market will be open from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For details, call 248-858-5495.

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Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net