26th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

On Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m., Downtown Auburn Hills will come alive with the spirit of Christmas. This free, family fun event features the arrival of Santa, Mrs. Claus and the mayor lighting the enormous Christmas tree on the corner of Squirrel and Auburn Roads. Fabulous activities for the family including photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, s’mores at the bonfire pit, holiday crafts, and horse-drawn wagon rides and more.

2020 Census Security

For the 2020 Census, a 10-question survey will be sent to every individual in the United States to ask basic demographic information.

Understanding the climate, your personal information and security is our top priority. We will go over how your information is protected when you turn in your census survey, the extensive protections in place to preserve the integrity of the census, and how the information is only used by the Census Bureau.

On Nov. 13, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Community Center, citizens can learn more about the security of the census information and why it’s important to the city.

Holiday Party Rental

With the holidays approaching, it’s time to start thinking about where you’re going to host the party. Check out the Auburn Hills Community Center. Several rooms are available, including the gym! Click here for rental information.

Create Your Own Pen

Looking for a fun and rewarding introductory woodturning experience? By the end of this class, you’ll have a nice handmade pen that’s ready to use or share as a gift. Prerequisite:30 to 8:30 p.m. The fee is $10 for residents and $15 for others. Join the fun on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Register for class #423400C.

FANUC America Opens Facility in Auburn Hills

FANUC America held a grand opening celebration at its new 461,000 square-foot North Campus robotics and automation facility in Auburn Hills on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

FANUC invited customers, local officials, educators, suppliers, and the media to an official program, ribbon cutting ceremony and facility tour.  Special guests include Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel, and Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett.

Constructed and in full operation just one year after breaking ground, the new facility houses several departments including engineering, product development, manufacturing and warehousing. Now, to keep pace with the growing demand for robots and automation, FANUC occupies over 1 million square feet of building space in Oakland County.

Oakland Symphony Orchestra Plays OU

For the first time in more than a decade, the Oakland Symphony Orchestra will present a concert on a Saturday evening during a special performance at 8 p.m. on Nov. 2 in Varner Recital Hall.

The program for the evening will feature the exciting Le carnival romain, Op. 9 by Hector Berlioz and Rainbow Body by Christopher Theofanides.

The concert will conclude with a monumental performance of Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 by Dmitri Shostakovich.

Tickets are $22 for the general public and $12 for students, and can be purchased online at etix.com.

For more information, visit www.oakland.edu/smtd.

International Games Day Celebration

Saturday, Nov. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. celebrate International Games Day in Community Room at the Auburn Hills Public Library, 3400 E. Seyburn Dr.

Try new board games or revisit a favorite at the library. The event will feature classic and new games, games to play solo or to play with a group, whatever your gaming preference swing by for a great afternoon.

Click It or Ticket

The Auburn Hills Police Department enforces the seat belt law to reduce fatalities and serious injuries caused by not wearing a seat belt. This statewide Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign is scheduled now through Oct. 31. Please buckle up!

Friends,

We had a beautiful fall day this past Friday, so my kids and I played hooky and went to the cider mill.

The weather was perfect: cool temps, blue skies and the sun was warm on our backs. The apples were plentiful on the trees and the pumpkins were picture-perfect in the fields.

Going to the cider mill is so romanticized in my head. I always think about how cute I’ll look in flannel and boots; how adorable my kids will be running through the orchard; how wholesome we’ll be out in nature gathering our food. In reality, I look like an actual farmer (not the goal), the kids are running because they’re afraid of bees and our farm-to-table apples cost a whopping $26 for a half of a bushel. The doughnuts are even insanely expensive at nearly $9 a dozen.

But some aspects of the cider mill are priceless, such as convincing my kids we have to pick doughnuts off the trees because they’re best when fresh. They weren’t 100% persuaded, but they didn’t want to take any chances either, so they saved a produce bag just in case we rolled by any doughnut trees.

It’s always best to be prepared.

Rebecca

Frozen Interactive Movie

Are you excited for the new Frozen movie? Get ready by watching the original Frozen movie at the Auburn Hills Public Library. Because the movie is interactive, you can sing along to your favorite songs and participate with the movie. There will be plenty of popcorn and maybe even a frozen treat. The frozen fun is Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m.

Zombie Laser Tag

The 6th annual Zombie Laser Tag for teens ages 13 to 18 is taking place during the annual Spooktacular event downtown. All equipment is provided, and costumes are not required but are encouraged. Be at Riverside Park, with Kombat Tag on Saturday, Oct. 26, from noon to 2 p.m. The event is free, but register online at www.auburnhills.org, select Departments and in the drop-down menu, click on Parks & Recreation then click “Register Now!” and follow the instructions.

Women, Empowered! 2019

Join the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce for lunch and listen as empowering female executives provide key take-aways on how they position themselves at the top of their professions. Keynote speakers include: Joscelyn A. Davis, president and CEO, JADE Strategies; Ellen Taylor, fire chief, Auburn Hills; Rachel Tronstein-Stewart, president, Gardiner-White.

Register for this event here.

Tech 248 Talks E-Sports

Advantage Oakland is hosting the next Tech248 at GameTime Detroit in the City of Auburn Hills. While there, you’ll have a chance to learn more about e-sports and network with some of the region’s top tech professionals.

There is no cost to attend. Register today.

Friends,

I got my flu shot today. It came with a spiffy purple bandage with some weird design on it. I figured if I was going to take my kids to get their vaccination, I should lead by example.

It’s not going to help put their minds at ease, though. It will be a battle to get them in the car, out of the car, and then when it’s over and they’ve undoubtedly survived the ordeal, they’ll be mad at me for a while.

My conscience is clear.

However, if this year is anything like last year, I’m not sure who was more traumatized—them or me. They gave me a run for my money. When kids don’t want to do something, like get a shot, they suddenly become slippery, wet noodles with superhuman strength that can fit in any crevasse. I had no idea it was going to be so hard to get a 50-pound kid out of a Ford Fusion. By the time we got in the doctor’s office, we were all sweaty, some were crying, and no one was happy.

I guess this is part of the reason I run 5ks. Wish me luck.

Rebecca

Fire Department Open House

The Auburn Hills Fire Department is hosting an open house on Saturday, Oct. 26, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Fire Station One. See the apparatus and specialized equipment that aids in fighting fires. Refreshments will be served and there will be Halloween-themed crafts for those in the spirit of the season. Children have the opportunity to speak with firefighters about the Fire Service, learn about what they should do if there is a fire, and many more safety messages.

Cooking: Vegan Made Delicious

Cooking experts Culinary Kisses are ready to teach you the secrets to delicious, gluten-free and dairy-free foods. Attend this class for a hands-on experience to learn how to prepare quick and simple, yet delicious vegan dishes that are sure to please even the pickiest of palates. This class will also incorporate bonus culinary features like knife skills, using an InstantPot, cooking with cashews, how to use a NutriBullet beyond a smoothie, and making your own spice mix.

All dishes are gluten-free, dairy-free, and homemade using only the freshest ingredients. Recipes will be provided. Are you ready to try cauliflower cakes topped with an avocado mousse, bean and kale chili topped with cashew sour cream, and country cornbread wedges?

This class is for ages 18 and over and will be held at the Community Center Seyburn A, on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. Fee: $45 resident / $50 non-residents.

Engage to Retain

The process of building a productive workforce doesn’t end after a hiring decision is made. Without a comprehensive on-boarding and development plan in place, businesses run the risk of watching their new employees walk out a constantly revolving door.

Engage to Retain is a training program intended for managers and supervisors that addresses two key components of an effective employee retention strategy:

1.) On-boarding of new employees
2.) The importance of ongoing development. Attendees will learn techniques to ensure a new employee feels engaged from day one and how building a culture of growth and development is important to both their employees and the future success of their company.

Join the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce for this event Thursday, Nov. 7, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Embassy Suites by Auburn Hills Hilton. Click here for more information.

Fair Housing Survey

Oakland County’s Community Development Block Grant partnership relies on a mutual commitment to affirmatively further fair housing and attain equal access to housing for all.

To support this goal, the county is conducting an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. Citizen participation is a key element of this effort.

Oakland County Community & Home Improvement is hosting a series of six public forums to hear from citizens on:

1. Awareness of people’s rights under fair housing laws
   2. Access to housing of their choice
   3. What can be done locally to address impediments to fair
   housing choice

For more information, click here.

Fall Festival in the Woods

The 22nd Annual Fall Festival in the Woods is slated for Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hawk Woods Nature Center. Enjoy the outdoors this fall and try some great hands-on nature activities for kids; take a hayride, carve a pumpkin and enjoy live music, free cider and more. The entry fee for this event is $2 per person, and children 2 and under are free. Pumpkins are available at the event on a first-come first-served basis for $4 to $12 each depending on size.

Spooktacular Auburn Hills

Downtown Auburn Hills Downtown Merchants will be handing out candy and goodies at the 14th Annual Spooktacular Saturday, Oct. 26, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Bring the kids in costume for a frightfully good time. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is free and will be held rain or shine. Call 248-370-9353 for more information.

Fire Department Open House

While you’re at the Spooktacular, be sure to stop by the Auburn Hills Fire Department Open House. Join the fun in Downtown Auburn Hills at Fire Station 1 on Saturday, Oct. 26, from noon to 2 p.m.

Healthy Hot Topics Series: Is the Keto Diet Right for You?

The third workshop in the Healthy Hot Topic Series features special guest Dr. Virginia Uhley, a registered dietitian and assistant professor of nutrition at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.

This session is Saturday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Auburn Hills Public Library and will uncover the facts and fictions of popular fad diets, such as Keto, Atkins, DASH and more. Are these diets effective or potentially harmful to your health? When you hear about a new diet, where can you find reliable information about it? Come to this session to learn more! Registration recommended. 248-370-946

Friends,

It’s officially autumn. Beyond the pumpkin spice debate lies a more important topic in my house: Halloween.

My 7-year-old twins have been planning their costumes since August, so I’m very aware of how critical Oct. 31 is in their world. I’m not the only one, either. So many communities are planning trick-or-treat events, that I can’t possibly list them all. As a PTO mom, I’m helping plan a trunk-or-treat at our Eastside elementary.

Enjoy the fun of October. In addition to getting juiced up on candy, there are apple orchards to visit (try convincing your kids that you’re going doughnut picking, too, it’s fun), pumpkins to carve, chili to make and football to watch. What’s your favorite activity?

Enjoy autumn,

Rebecca

Nominate Local Businesses for Silver and Gold Awards

Click HERE for the 2019 Silver & Gold Awards Nomination Form

The Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce invites you to recognize outstanding local businesses by nominating them for a Silver & Gold Award. Businesses and individuals will be honored at the 2019 Silver & Gold Awards Holiday Brunch. This high-profile event offers networking, a brunch buffet and plenty of recognition.

Named awards recognize individuals, companies and organizations for significant achievement in education, innovation and business throughout the year.

Taste of Auburn Hills

Join the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

for the annual Taste of Auburn Hills event. This year enjoy a unique experience at The HUB Stadium. Taste delicious food samplings from area restaurants, mingle with more than 500 business community leaders, experience BOMBOWLING, hit the networking bulls-eye with axe-throwing and open play with The HUB Stadium’s newly renovated arcade, featuring modernized classics and multiplayer entertainment.

Two beer/wine drink tickets will be distributed by The HUB Stadium. This event is 21 and over. The event cost is $40 in advance, which includes two drink tickets, or $50 the day of the event.

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Auburn Hills Community Foundation in support of the Senior Services Meals program. To learn more, visit: auburnhillscf.org.

Police Car Decorated in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

Thanks to Faurecia, the Auburn Hills Police Department got a patrol vehicle decorated in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Watch the streets for the cruiser in pink.