Troy – December 30, 2019

Troy – December 30, 2019

Building Trust Helps Keep Repair Shop Going Strong at 30

As his business hits the 30-year mark, Troy Midas Automotive Service Center owner Gil Harris has developed a pretty straightforward philosophy.

“This is my life. It’s my family’s life. One thing we absolutely demand is integrity,” said Harris. “If I would find an employee screwed someone (regarding service), they’re gone. That’s how I built the business.”

Read More in Local Business News…

Take Ballroom Dancing Lessons

Daytime Ballroom Lessons featuring the Smooth Series: Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango run Jan. 6, 13, 27, at the Community Center. Classes start at 1 p.m. Instructor Amy Tranchida will teach adults the steps, tips and techniques to take your dancing ability to the next level. No partner necessary. Ballroom or dress shoes are recommended. The cost is $10 per student at door.

Volunteers Needed for Tax Season

The Troy AARP Foundation Tax-Aide group is looking to expand its team of client facilitator volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Every level of experience is welcome.

Volunteer Client Facilitators provide an important first point of contact for those seeking AARP Tax-Aide personal income tax assistance and preparation.

The Client Facilitator mainly:

  • Welcomes clients and ensures they are helped in an appropriate order
  • Ensures each client has brought correct forms and documents required to accurately complete their tax return
  • Determines, with the assistance of a site counselor, when a client’s return is outside of AARP Tax-Aide scope
  • Assists clients in filling out portions of the AARP Tax-Aide Intake Sheet and any other required papers
  • The Client Facilitator will not address tax questions.

Three hours of training by the training coordinator will be required to become familiar with program policy, administrative matters such as site sign-in sheets and the AARP Tax-Aide Intake and Quality Review Form, site procedures, and orientation to the AARP Tax-Aide program

To volunteer with or learn more about the Tax-Aide Client Facilitator volunteer opportunity, email to D15taxaide@gmail.com.

Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest for High School Students Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest has been extended to Jan. 13, giving students time to enjoy their winter break.

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown previously announced an art contest for high school students residing in Oakland County to design the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory.

The theme of this year’s contest is Oakland County’s bicentennial. All high school students residing in Oakland County are eligible to enter by submitting an original work of art depicting the county’s 200th anniversary.

The winner will have their artwork featured on the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory and will receive a $500 prize from VIBE Credit Union. Students under age 18 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to enter. Each entry must be submitted in a medium that can be reproduced, include a short description (up to 300 words) of how the original  artwork was created, specify the medium/media used, and the inspiration behind the work.

Entries will be accepted through Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. Entries may be dropped off in person or mailed to Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, Directory Cover Contest, Elections Division, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept. 417, Pontiac, MI 48341. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.

All entries must include a fully completed entry form, which can be downloaded from www.oakgov.com/clerkrod, where a complete list of rules is also available.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net
Berkley – December 30, 2019

Berkley – December 30, 2019

Sign-up Now for the 2020 MLK Day of Service

Berkley Schools and the city of Berkley are teaming up with Royal Oak and Royal Oak Schools once again for the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20.

The event, hosted at Berkley High School, honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a short program in the morning, which has alternated locations between Royal Oak High School and Berkley High School since 2017.

The 2020 celebration will take place at Berkley High School with a breakfast preceding the 8:30 a.m. presentation of short performances and speakers. Beginning around 9 a.m., various on- and off-site volunteer opportunities are available for participants.

Sign up for volunteer opportunities.

Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest for High School Students Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest has been extended to Jan. 13, giving students time to enjoy their winter break.

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown previously announced an art contest for high school students residing in Oakland County to design the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory.

The theme of this year’s contest is Oakland County’s bicentennial. All high school students residing in Oakland County are eligible to enter by submitting an original work of art depicting the county’s 200th anniversary.

The winner will have their artwork featured on the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory and will receive a $500 prize from VIBE Credit Union. Students under age 18 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to enter. Each entry must be submitted in a medium that can be reproduced, include a short description (up to 300 words) of how the original artwork was created, specify the medium/media used, and the inspiration behind the work.

Entries will be accepted through Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. Entries may be dropped off in person or mailed to Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, Directory Cover Contest, Elections Division, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept. 417, Pontiac, MI 48341. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.

All entries must include a fully completed entry form, which can be downloaded from www.oakgov.com/clerkrod, where a complete list of rules is also available.

Use the Library for your E-Reader

Did you get a new e-reader for Christmas? Download Destination from the library
has thousands of e-books and downloadable audiobooks available for your iPad, Kindle, Nook or other devices. Click here to get started.

Did You Know You Can Recycle Your Tree After the Holidays?

Oakland County Parks and Recreation will take Christmas trees at 11 Oakland County Parks. Recycling drop-off sites are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week now through Jan. 26.

There is no charge to drop off trees, but all plastic, tinsel and wire must be removed.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

Royal Oak – December 30, 2019

Royal Oak – December 30, 2019

It’s a Hoot

On Thursday, Jan. 16, “Owl Hoot” is being held at Tenhave Woods at 7:30 p.m. Park and meet at the Lexington and Marais lot. Participants will walk into Tenhave and attempt to lure, or have screech and great horned owls answer, tape recordings of their calls. There is no preregistration or cost.

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Police Department Update

Did you know residents can find the most recent police reports on the city’s website?

Also, citizens are encouraged to sign up for crime alerts at crimemapping.com. Crime Mapping’s goal is to assist police departments reduce crime through a better-informed citizenry.

Sign up for public safety alerts from the police using Civic Ready. Click here to subscribe.

Sign-up Now for the 2020 MLK Day of Service

The city of Royal Oak, Royal Oak Schools, Berkley Schools and the city of Berkley are teaming up once again for the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20.

The event, hosted at Berkley High School, honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a short program in the morning, which has alternated locations between Royal Oak High School and Berkley High School since 2017.

The 2020 celebration will take place at Berkley High School with a breakfast before the 8:30 a.m. presentation of short performances and speakers. At 9 a.m., various on- and off-site volunteer opportunities are available for participants.

Sign up to volunteer here.

Take the Survey, Join the Focus Group

Whether you are a senior, take care of a senior or are considering what being a senior in Royal Oak will be like for you, the city wants to hear from you.

The next focus group will meet on Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mahany-Meininger Senior Community Center and the first 70 to RSVP will receive a free lunch.  RSVP by calling 248-246-3200.

Can’t make a focus group?  Then take the survey from the comfort of your own home.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

Clawson – December 30, 2019

Clawson – December 30, 2019

Main Street Oakland County Website

The Main Street Oakland County website has done a private launch and will announce public launch soon. The new website is a marketing tool being provided at no cost to the accredited Main Street downtowns, with each downtown having a page and calendar to highlight businesses, events and community to visitors to the area as well as residents.

Acting Out Kids Posts Winter Sessions

The next session of classes for kids ages 3 ½ to 18 starts on Jan. 9. The classes are located at the Hunter Community Center in Clawson (509 Fisher Ct.). Class space is limited and is filling up quickly, so advance registration is required. To register, please contact actingoutkids@yahoo.com.

Cabin Fever Knit-A-Long

Head to The Yarn Stop to create a colorful collage using a geometric design to mix and marl your fingering weight yarns together. The shawl will take eight colors of fingering weight yarn, (held double) one should be a mohair type yarn.

Since there are so many colors involved you can shop from your stash for some of the yarn, if you wish. However, we are requiring that a minimum of four skeins be purchased from the store.

The Knit-A-Long runs for six weeks beginning Saturday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. The fee is $17, which includes the Knit-A-Long and the Pattern.

Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest for High School Students Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest has been extended to Jan. 13, giving students time to enjoy their winter break.

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown previously announced an art contest for high school students residing in Oakland County to design the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory.

The theme of this year’s contest is Oakland County’s bicentennial. All high school students residing in Oakland County are eligible to enter by submitting an original work of art depicting the county’s 200th anniversary.

The winner will have their artwork featured on the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory and will receive a $500 prize from VIBE Credit Union. Students under age 18 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to enter. Each entry must be submitted in a medium that can be reproduced, include a short description (up to 300 words) of how the original artwork was created, specify the medium/media used, and the inspiration behind the work.

Entries will be accepted through Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. Entries may be dropped off in person or mailed to Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, Directory Cover Contest, Elections Division, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept. 417, Pontiac, MI 48341. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.

All entries must include a fully completed entry form, which can be downloaded from www.oakgov.com/clerkrod, where a complete list of rules is also available.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor

Auburn Hills – December 30, 2019

Auburn Hills – December 30, 2019

Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest for High School Students Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest has been extended to Jan. 13, giving students time to enjoy their winter break.

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown previously announced an art contest for high school students residing in Oakland County to design the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory.

The theme of this year’s contest is Oakland County’s bicentennial. All high school students residing in Oakland County are eligible to enter by submitting an original work of art depicting the county’s 200th anniversary.

The winner will have their artwork featured on the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory and will receive a $500 prize from VIBE Credit Union. Students under age 18 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to enter. Each entry must be submitted in a medium that can be reproduced, include a short description (up to 300 words) of how the original artwork was created, specify the medium/media used, and the inspiration behind the work.

Entries will be accepted through Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. Entries may be dropped off in person or mailed to Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, Directory Cover Contest, Elections Division, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept. 417, Pontiac, MI 48341. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted. 

All entries must include a fully completed entry form, which can be downloaded from www.oakgov.com/clerkrod, where a complete list of rules is also available.

Give the Gift of Life

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive on Friday, Jan. 3, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Community Center. Donating blood is one of the most selfless things you can do to help your fellow human beings.

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MLK Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be celebrated Monday, Jan. 20, at the Community Center. Join in a community-wide celebration in honor of Dr. King and help with Operation Cover Me for Grace Centers of Hope.

For this day of service, donations of 1.5 yard sections of fleece are needed to make tie blankets. The group will also accept blankets already made.

End-of-Year Donation

If you are considering a last-minute, year-end charity donation, you might consider the Auburn Hills Community Foundation. Citizens and businesses alike make charitable contributions to the Foundation and the monies received are eventually granted directly back into helping those in need in Auburn Hills. A volunteer staff and volunteer board of directors manage the activities of the Foundation and therefore, there is very little expense outside of basic items such as office supplies.

Learn more about the Foundation and how it helps the Auburn Hills community.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor