Friends,

I did it! I ran my first 5k race. I went into it thinking I wasn’t going to make it, that I was going to let myself down. But, you know what? It was great.

I ran my personal best time. I finished in the upper half of my age group. I got a medal. I didn’t do as well as the pace runner who was pregnant and finished a 10k five minutes behind me. And I certainly didn’t run as well as the lady who didn’t even break a sweat when she was passing me.

But for someone who never thought to run a race, but here am. And I have to say, I’m pretty proud.

Next on my list is the Kona Chocolate 5k in November.

Rebecca

Fire Safety Open House

Here’s a chance to learn about fire prevention while having a blast at the Fire Safety Open House.

This family-fun event takes place Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 2395 W. 12 Mile. Kids will find plenty to do including shooting off a fire hose, climbing the rock wall and exploring the big fire rigs. Parents can meet with public safety officers to develop a family fire escape plan, learn about the common causes of house fires and teach their kids how to, “Stop, Drop and Roll!”

Take a moment while you’re there to visit the newly-expanded fire hall and experience a chili cook-off, fire safety demonstrations and lots of other activities. Plus, Sparky the Fire Dog will be there to pass out stickers and fire helmets.

 

Touch-A-Truck Event

Berkley Parks and Recreation is teaming with the Berkley Public Safety Department and the Berkley Department of Public Works to host Touch-A-Truck 2019.

A variety of trucks will be on hand for kids to explore and enjoy. There is no cost to this event.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at Berkley Parks and Recreation at 2400 Robina Avenue.

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

League of Women Voters to Host Candidate Forum at City Hall

The League of Women Voters Oakland Area invited the public to a candidate forum at Berkley City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.

Two candidates are running for Berkley mayor for a two-year term. Six candidates are running for Berkley City Council for three seats with four-year terms. To view the official candidate list for the Nov. 5 city election, visit oakgov.com and look under Elections & Voting.

Thursday’s candidate forum is divided into two parts: the two mayoral candidates are scheduled from 6:30 to 7:10 p.m. and the six city council candidates are scheduled from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Berkley City Hall is located at 3338 Coolidge Hwy.

The forum will be live-streamed on the city website and WBRK, the city’s government access channel.

Inside Berkley

The September edition of Inside Berkley is now available. Watch the video and hear

City Manager Matt Baumgarten preview upcoming events for the month.

‘Irish Pub, Gourmet Kitchen’ Marks Silver Anniversary

Kevin O’Mara was never interested in climbing the corporate ladder.

Instead, “I wanted to make my own ladder,” said O’Mara, a scientist, restaurateur and health food devotee.

And he’s done just that, by running his own environmental- and product-testing laboratory for more than three decades, practicing yoga and clean eating that he says is adding life to his years, and building a successful restaurant that’s become a fixture in central Berkley over the last quarter-century.

 

Read more

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

Friends,

I’m writing this from my favorite chair, with my favorite blanket, sipping on tea. Today is a “droopy” day, as my son calls it—cloudy, rainy, cool. And I love it.

I love these last weeks of summer. There’s so much to look forward to, so much to enjoy. To me, Michigan is at its finest as it’s about to change seasons. Now, I’m not saying I want to rush into anything. I have rules: No decorating for Halloween until it’s actually October and no Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving.

What I am saying is to make sure you enjoy the moment you’re in, while you’re in it. I’m trying hard to practice this myself, especially as I’m training for a 5k.

Enjoy every moment, every day. I’m thinking about the Addison Oaks fall color tour mentioned below. I think I’ll enjoy that.

Have an awesome week,

Rebecca

City of Berkley Invites Public to Flagpole Dedication Ceremony

The City of Berkley Public Safety Department invites members of the public to a special flagpole dedication ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Berkley Public Safety Officers are hosting this ceremony to show their gratitude to Eagle Scout Danny Miller, who raised more than $3,000 toward the installation of the new flagpole in front of the Public Safety Building.

Danny is a student at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and the son of Tim Miller, who is a Southfield firefighter.

“We are humbled that Danny chose our department to be the recipient of his Eagle Scout project,” said Public Safety Lt. Corey Miller (no relation). “It’s an area for remembrance of the fallen.”

The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. in front of the Public Safety Building, 2395 Twelve Mile Road, and will also feature the Berkley Public Safety Honor Guard. For more information, contact Lt. Miller ast cmiller@berkleypublicsafety.net or 248.658.3385.

The Michigan Teal Campaign

Downtown Berkley is sporting a bit of new color this month. The lampposts are festooned with teal ribbons in honor of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.

Berkley is one of 37 cities participating in a statewide campaign to “Tie Michigan Teal” during September. The Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance is sponsoring this event to bring awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, since there is no routine screening or a reliable test for this disease.

Ovarian Cancer is the most lethal of the gynecologic cancers and only 15 percent of cases are caught in early stages. About 80 percent of women will have a recurrence of their disease and overall there is a five-year survival rate of 45 percent. This disease affects females of all ages and it is important for women to know their body and know the symptom.

Most common symptoms of ovarian cancer:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating/feeling full quickly
• Urinary issues-change in frequency or urgency

If any of these symptoms are new and unusual and occur at least 12 times in a month, see a doctor – preferably a gynecologist.

For more information on MIOCA’s activities, visit www.mioca.com.

Click here to print out a PDF Ovarian Cancer awareness flyer.

Hiring Election Workers

The city is seeking election workers for the upcoming Nov. 5 election and for the upcoming 2020 election year. Requirements include being a registered voter in Michigan and attending one training session that is usually held on a weekday evening.

If you are interested the first step is completing an application. This is a paid position.

Email completed applications to clerk@berkleymich.net, mail them to City Hall, or bring them in person to the City’s Clerk’s Office.

New VinoTalk

Wine lovers be sure to check out the new episode of VinoTalk. This time, John Jonna talks about Law Estate wines. It’s a worthwhile five minutes of your day.

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

Friends, Where did the summer go? It seems like forever ago that I picked my kids up from their last day of school, but at the same time, I’m pretty sure it was just last week that I packed my last lunchbox. I’m on the fence about back-to-school. I miss my alone time and being able to work uninterrupted. I do not miss the morning routine, folders, papers, cold, germs and everything else that comes with a new school year. Buying school supplies, a first-day outfit and shoes, meeting new friends and catching up with the friends we didn’t see over the summer is fun for me, though. So, I’m torn. Whatever your back-to-school feelings are, I hope you have a great kick-off to fall. And if you could, please head over to the City News Facebook page and give us a like. Rebecca

Skip the Wait for your Favorite Books

The Berkley Public Library is now offering Hoopla, a new library app, to all patrons. Sign up for Hoopla and get free ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, comics and more, without a wait. Head on over to hoopladigital.com or come to the library to sign up and get more info.

Berkley Department of Public Safety Open House

The Berkley Department of Public Safety Fire Open House is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, at 2395 W. 12 Mile Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See the newly expanded/renovated fire hall that will be able to accommodate the recently purchased Rosenbauer Commander Chassis with a 104-foot, four-section aerial platform fire apparatus. Bring the family to learn about: -The importance of working smoke alarms -Planning a family escape plan -Common causes of fires in the household -Stop, drop and roll .  

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

Berkley Named Best Suburb in Michigan

Berkley officials announced the city was named the Best Suburb in Michigan by GoBankingRates and featured in the Top Suburb in Every State on MSN.com.

The ranking, which came out in August, is based in part on strong residential property values, a low crime rate, and an exceptional school district. U.S. News & World Report lists Berkley High School as one of the Best High Schools in America for 2019.

Berkley City Manager Matt Baumgarten said the announcement is one more feather in the cap for a community that’s earned a number of accolades in recent years. This year alone, Berkley was named one of the Top 10 Cities & Towns for New Families in the U.S by pennygeeks.com and one of the Top 5 safest Communities in Michigan by the National Council for Home Safety and Security.

“We have a great mix of young families who just moved into Berkley and families who have roots in our community that trace back for generations,” Baumgarten said. “Our residents are involved in the community – they volunteer, they speak up, they value our progress and our traditions. That type of support makes a huge difference.”

Ribbon Cutting for Administration Building

Join Berkley Schools on Monday, Sep. 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. for an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the new Administrative Offices Building (formerly Tyndall Center). Stop in to see the transformation from a child care building into an office building with professional development spaces throughout. The new offices are located at 14501 Talbot St, in Oak Park.

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Library Book Club Seeks Bookworms

The Tuesday Book Club will meet Sept. 10 to discuss “Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane,” by Lisa See. Discussion begins at 12:30 p.m.

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Friends,

Less than three years ago, I quit my job in corporate communications and went headlong into freelancing. I called it, “my adventure.” Since then, I’ve been especially aware of taking risks and doing things that scare me.

Well, I’m heading into another adventure next month. I’m running my first 5k.

I’m not entirely sure how I got talked into this. I’ve never liked running. In fact, I’ve warned people that if you see me running, you should probably be running, too.

Yet, here I am in the middle of training week five.

I’m using a couch-to-5k app, and if we’re being honest, I still identify way more with the couch aspect than the 5k aspect. I’ve also developed an obsession with running clothes, updating my playlist and keeping my newly chopped hair out of my face without looking like a sweaty Medusa.

The struggle is real, y’all.

The event is Women Run the D on Sept. 15 on Belle Isle. I have no idea if I’ll keep up with running after the race, but I’m enjoying the challenge and proud of my accomplishment already. My goal is to finish in the top 500 in my age bracket. Keep your fingers crossed!

Rebecca

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Ever wonder what stuffies do when you’re not around? The go to the library, of course. Stuffed animal drop-off is Thursday, Aug. 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. Create a custom sleeping bag and mask for your animal and read them a bedtime story. Then tuck them in and head home.

Stuffed animal pick-up is on Friday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon. When you come to pick-up, you can watch a slide show of all the fun overnight activities your stuffies did on your night off.

Berkley High School Named a Best High School in 2019 Rankings

Berkley High School was named a Best High School in the U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2019. BHS ranked #1,807 in the National Rankings and #62 in Michigan. Schools are ranked based on their performance on state-required tests, graduation rates and how well they prepare students for college.

Read more about how US News & World Report ranks the Best High Schools.

Berkley Department of Public Safety Raises Funds for Special Olympics

So far, the Berkley Department of Public Safety has raised more than $1,000 for Special Olympics Michigan. A post on Facebook said, “Thank you to all of the people who have supported us this year and throughout the years. This year, so far, our largest contributor is Thrive Rehabilitation in Clawson, MI, donating $333.”

The run is scheduled for Sept. 13, so the department will continue to fund raise. Click on the link to get more information. Help support the Special Olympics and help make the Berkley Public Safety Department #1 in fundraising.

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