Friends,

Finally, the big week is here. And by that, I mean it’s my birthday today.

That’s right, I’m a Christmas baby. Well, nearly anyway. So, beyond the usual excitement of the season, I get to lump in my birthday and the ever clever, “Merry Birthday!”

People ask me how I like having my birthday so close to Christmas and I never know what to say. I’m tempted to ask them how they like being tall or old or a Lions fan, but that just seems snippy. So, I shrug and respond, “I like cake.”

For me, my birthday kicks off Christmas—it’s Christmas Eve-Eve. And it’s time to celebrate. Whatever it is you celebrate, or don’t, this season, know that I wish you all the best. Stay warm. Do something kind. Have fun.

Rebecca

Esports Comes to Oakland University

Oakland University became the first Division I university in Michigan to formally announce the addition of a varsity esports team to its athletics program. The team will begin competition in the fall of 2020. The university also announced a unique partnership with Team Renegades, a professional esports team based at GameTime in Auburn Hills.

Esports is short for “electronic sports” and is defined as competitive multiplayer video gaming. While new, and developing at the collegiate level, esports has grown exponentially among amateur and professional gamers around the world.

Oakland County Survey

Oakland County Executive David Coulter wants to hear from residents about their top priorities for the new year. His administration released the Oakland County Government’s Citizen Survey 2020, which asks residents to rank what is important to them in terms of jobs and the economy, public health, neighborhoods and housing, roads and transportation, and more.

Please share and encourage your neighbors to take advantage of this opportunity to speak directly to the Oakland County executive.

VinoTalk

Join local wine expert John Jonna as he discusses wines to serve during the holidays in this week’s Vino Talk.

Blood Drive

A Blood Drive will be hosted at the City of Auburn Hills Community Center on Friday, Jan. 3, from 1 to 7 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, please visit RedCrossBlood.org (Sponsor Code: auburnhills) or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1800-733-2767) or Denise Deschaine at 313-969-5971.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor