Berkley Winterfest

Berkley Winterfest blows back into town Saturday, Feb. 1, from noon to 3 p.m. Festival-goers can expect a soup cook-off, cookie decorating, ice sculptures, face painting, cake walk, petting farm, children’s crafts, fowling, broom ball, bouncer, outdoor ice rink and more.

Head to the Community Center at 2400 Robina for the family fun

Boards and Commissions

Berkley is looking to fill vacancies on several boards and commissions. Board and commission members support department initiatives, advise city officials on important matters and serve as ambassadors in their respective neighborhoods.

Residents who are interested in serving on a board or commission should note the following:

• Most boards and commissions work with specific departments as described in the City Charter.
• To be considered, potential applicants must submit a completed Board & Commission application to the City Clerk’s Office.
• In general, board and commission members are appointed by the mayor and city council and not compensated for their time.
• Newly appointed board and commission members are required to complete and sign a Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Form.
• Appointed members are required to comply with the Open Meetings Actand Freedom of Information Act requests related to board activities and duties.Click here to view and complete an Online Boards & Commissions Application.

Friends,

My heart is happy.

I’m a huge advocate for volunteerism. It’s a huge, satisfying part of my life.

With it being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, seeing all the volunteering and giving opportunities makes me proud to be in these communities. While I’m not going to pretend to understand the depth and breadth of what Dr. King means to the African-American community, I truly admire the movement to create something special in his memory. I think that’s one of the most profound legacies a person can leave in this world.

In talking with my aunt last week, she said something that resonated with me: To whom much is given, much is expected. I agree. I’m no millionaire, but I certainly can’t complain about my lifestyle. My family is safe, warm and fed. We have access to doctors and teachers. Life is good.

But others aren’t so lucky.

Time is free and it’s the most important thing you can give. I encourage you to get out there this week, and every week, and lend a hand where you can. You don’t even need to be formal about it. Grab some paper and markers and make cards for kids in the hospital. Pick up litter at your local park. Start a pay-it-forward the next time you’re in the drive thru.

It’s all about kindness, folks. And it’s the least we can do.

Stay warm,

Rebecca

City Council to Vote on Vinsetta Garage Parking

After hearing the concerns of residents at the Jan. 6, city council meeting, Berkley and City Council worked with 27799 Woodward LLC on clarifying the consent judgment language surrounding the Planning Commission’s role.

The updated language clarifies that the proposed Oxford parking lot and its perimeter wall materials and construction are subject to the Planning Commission site plan review and approval process, in accordance with the consent judgment and city ordinances.

The consent judgment specifically states, “Prior to commencing any construction of the Oxford parking lot on parcels 25-17-431-023 and 022, Plaintiff must apply for and obtain site plan approval from the City Planning Commission in accordance with the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The scope of the City Planning Commission’s site plan review shall be to determine whether Plaintiff’s site plan is consistent with this Consent Judgment and applicable City ordinances.”

The judgment will be considered by City Council at the special city council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Berkley U Series on Healthy Workplaces

Join other business owners and managers for the Jan. 31 Berkley U Series Program: 20/20 View of a Healthy Workplace. The event runs from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Berkley Public Library.

Megan Patterson, a total health and wellbeing consultant from the Marsh & McLennan Agency, will discuss best practices and the impact of good health and a healthy culture on the bottom line. Regardless of budget, there are several steps you can take to improve this area of your business.

This program is free to attend but you must register.

2020 MLK Jr. Service Day

The communities of Berkley and Royal Oak will honor the life Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the third annual Day of Service on Jan. 20, at 7:45 a.m. at Berkley High School, 2325 Catalpa, Berkley. For more information, go to romi.gov/mlk.

Getting Started with your Genealogy Research

Want to know more about your family history, but don’t know how to get started? Learn how to fill in the blanks of your family history using what you have in your attic, as well as MyHeritage and other online sources. The class includes an introduction to U.S. Federal census records and vital records.

Register by calling 248-658-3440.

Friends,

Welcome to the New Year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays and are ready to take on the Michigan winter.

I don’t consider myself overly techie, but I also don’t think I’m too far behind the times. So, when I received an Apple Watch as a gift, I had no idea what this would mean.

Understand: I grew up watching the Jetsons, Wonder Woman and ALF. We have some amazing technology these days, but I’m still disappointed I don’t have a jetpack.

I was a little floored with my new watch. I had no idea all the things it can do. It even tells me when to breathe. But the most surprising feature to me is the ability to take phone calls ON A WATCH.

I was putting in a load of laundry and my watch started ringing. My husband and I looked around to see who stepped on a kids’ toy only to figure out it was my wrist. I answered it and we talked to a telemarketer for a while just because IT WAS ON A WATCH.

This thing is straight out of the campy Batman show from my childhood. POW! If only it did the laundry.

Bring in the New Year strong.

Rebecca

Dental Floss
Canned Green Beans
Canned CornCanned Fruit
Pudding Cups
Breakfast Cereal – Including regular boxes of Cheerios & Rice Krispies
Gift Certificates to Little Caesars

Writing Contest

There are two writing contests, designed around Women’s Suffrage, open to Oakland County students.

The idea is a celebration of 100 years of the 19th Amendment. One contest (poetry) is open to students in grades kindergarten through 12. The other is for secondary students and is the creation of a PSA.

The initiative is for Oakland County students only. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Free Narcan Training

Join the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities and Tri-Community Coalition for a free community Naloxone training.

All who attend will be trained on the proper administration of the Intra-Nasal Narcan overdose reversal drug. Everyone is welcome to attend. You must be 18 years of age to receive a Save A Life kit, which contains two doses of 4mg Intra-Nasal Narcan.

Register here.

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.

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.

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

City Offices Closed for the Holidays

If you have business with the city between the holidays, check online or call before going. Many city offices have special holiday hours the next few weeks.

Trash Pick-up

With the Christmas and New Year’s holidays falling on a Wednesday, Tringali’s refuse and recycling pick-up for Friday will be delayed by one day (Saturday). There is no change to the Tuesday pick-up.