Birmingham Restaurant Week

Treat yourself to delicious menu items at discounted prices during Birmingham’s popular Restaurant Week event from Jan. 27 – 31 and Feb. 3 – 7. Enjoy three-course lunches and three-course dinners at some of Birmingham’s finest restaurants.

Brand new this year, a social media contest will give diners a chance to win a $50 gift card to a Birmingham restaurant during Birmingham Restaurant Week. To enter the contest, patrons simply post a picture of their Restaurant Week meal on Facebook or Instagram, along with the restaurant name and #birminghamrestaurantweek hashtag.

To make reservations, contact restaurants directly. Remember, the first two hours are free in all parking decks. Find participating restaurants and event menus.

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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

Birmingham Youth Assistance 39th Annual Kid’s Dog Show

Attention all kids aged 4 to 14: It is time for the Birmingham Youth Assistance Kids’ Dog Show. Register by Friday, Jan. 31, and join the show at Berkshire Middle School on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. Go to www.birminghamyouthassistance.org or call 248-203-4300 for full details and to register.

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Birmingham Youth Assistance 39th Annual Kid’s Dog Show

Attention all kids aged 4 through 14– It is time for the Birmingham Youth Assistance Kids’ Dog Show. Register by Friday, Jan. 31, and then join the show at Berkshire Middle School on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. Go to www.birminghamyouthassistance.org or call 248-203-4300 for full details and to register.

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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

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.

Birmingham Restaurant Week

Treat yourself to delicious menu items at discounted prices during Birmingham’s popular Restaurant Week event Jan. 27 through 31 and Feb. 3 through 7.

Enjoy three-course lunches and three-course dinners by many of Birmingham’s finest restaurants.

To make reservations, contact the restaurants directly. Remember, the first two hours are free in all parking decks.

Your Opinion is Needed

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.

Inside City Hall

Joe Valentine, Birmingham city manager, has a new video about projects, programs and initiatives happening in Birmingham.

Watch the video to learn more about what is happening this month in Birmingham.

One of the best parts of being City News editor is I get to see all the good we humans do for each other around the holidays. From toy and canned food drives to charity events and volunteering opportunities, my heart is happy.

I’ve always loved the giving time of year and I’m trying to instill that spirit of generosity into my kids year-round. I had them help me donate to the Macomb Foster Closet, which gives foster kids two free wardrobes each year. I love this charity for several reasons. There’s no middle man. Our donations go from our trunk to their shelves. We are helping children in our area. And my kids are adopted. Luckily, they didn’t spend any time in foster care, but it’s a path many children have to take.

What are some of your favorite charities? Why? Let’s see if we can get a shout out to the ones that mean the most to us. Together, we can make an even more caring community.

Rebecca

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

Oakland County Survey

On Monday, Jan. 20, Birmingham Public School students and their families will gather for the 5th annual MLK Day of Service. As part of this effort, all schools will collect items for DRAW, a non-profit organization that collects funds and items to help places hit by natural disasters. BCS‘s goal is to collect 800 washcloths and 200 hair brushes for the cause. A donation bin is outside the BCS office. Please consider donating.

Holiday Recycling

Not sure what to do with packages, ribbons and bows? Check out SOCRRA’s holiday recycling guide below and at www.bhamgov.org/recycling.