Friends,

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

BPS Hosts Disaster Relief Drive

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.

Get a Lyft

Heading to Birmingham? Enjoy a discounted Lyft ride.

Type code BHAMDAY19 from noon to 5:59 p.m. for $7 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

Type code BHAMNIGHT19 from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for $3 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

This promotion is valid now through Dec. 31, or when promotion funds are exhausted – whichever comes first.

Take the City Planning Survey

The city and the planning consultants invite Birmingham residents and community members to take the next survey regarding The Birmingham Plan.

Feedback on proposals made in the first draft of the Master Plan will give the project team further direction for future plan revisions.

The survey also provides room for open feedback, so please consider clicking through and spreading the word to friends and neighbors.

The survey will be open through Dec. 23. Hard copies of the survey are also available at City Hall, Baldwin Public Library, the Department of Public Services and the two fire stations as well Next.

For a refresh on the first draft Master Plan, and for additional information, visit the project website at www.TheBirminghamPlan.com

Get a Lyft for Less

Those visiting downtown Birmingham this holiday season are encouraged to leave their cars at home and enjoy discounted Lyft rides to Birmingham.

The promotion runs now through Dec. 31, or when promotion funds are exhausted – whichever comes first. To take advantage of the promotion, Lyft users should use these promotion codes:

Type code BHAMDAY19 from noon to 5:59 p.m. for $7 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

Type code BHAMNIGHT19 from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for $3 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

Friends,

I blinked and missed November.

At my house, we’re in full-blown celebration mode. After Thanksgiving, we celebrated my dad’s birthday. Then my twins’ birthday is midmonth. My family Christmas party and my birthday sit back to back on the calendar. Christmas comes through like a freight train, and after a week of putting toys together and picking packaging out of the rug, we celebrate the New Year.

I’m pre-exhausted.

But this season, I’m doing a few things for myself. I signed up for a virtual race to run, walk or crawl at least one mile every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m also determined to enjoy a cheesy or classic (I haven’t decided yet) movie without multi-tasking. And I have my heart set on finding a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas in a store. A story of mine is published in the book and I’d just like to see it somewhere.

What are your plans for the holidays? Email me at citynewseditor@localbiznews.net so I can pick up a few new ideas for my family.

Rebecca

Holiday Fun Coming to Shain Park

Shain Park will come alive with activity during the Birmingham Shopping District’s annual Birmingham Winter Markt event from Dec. 6-8. The park will be illuminated with more than 65 booths featuring unique gift items for loved ones, teachers and friends. Talented vendors will display traditional holiday crafts and décor, art from local artisans, holiday greenery, jewelry, home décor and more.

On opening night, Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m., the community will come together with Santa and the mayor for live caroling and to light Birmingham’s holiday tree. This year, Birmingham’s holiday tree is larger and brighter than ever, standing 41 feet tall with more than 45,000 LED lights.

Birmingham Winter Markt attendees can enjoy European food and drinks, gift items, holiday greens, crafts, ice sculptures, live reindeer, warming stations, marshmallow roasting stations, a Kinderhaus children’s activity area, the popular Santa House, and live entertainment. As a special surprise, 300 random shoppers will receive ornaments with a voucher for a free gift.

Get a Lyft for Less

Those visiting downtown Birmingham this holiday season are encouraged to leave their cars at home and enjoy discounted Lyft rides to Birmingham.

The promotion runs now through Dec. 31, or when promotion funds are exhausted – whichever comes first. To take advantage of the promotion, Lyft users should use these promotion codes:

Type code BHAMDAY19 from noon to 5:59 p.m. for $7 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

Type code BHAMNIGHT19 from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for $3 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

Friends,

Last week, I took my first mom-cation. I went to Seattle, and for the most part, traveled around by myself. I had a wonderful time. Beyond the sights I saw and the food, I met some interesting people—Tony the bartender at Rocco’s, Richie the shoe salesperson at Nordstrom, the fish-throwing guy at Pike’s Place.

One of the best things of my profession is how it has made me so curious about people. I’ll ask anyone anything. Usually, I can get some great insight, and at the very least a telling response to my questions.

It was great to get away, but now I’m back and in the throes of the holidays. Thanksgiving in a few days, then we launch into “birthday season” at my house, and of course Christmas.

Be sure to check out Local Business News for some great holiday shopping ideas while you’re looking through the Black Friday ads, too.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Rebecca

School Millage Passes

On Nov. 5, the Birmingham Public School Operating Millage passed at 74 percent, helping secure funding over the next 10 years. This allows the district to collect more than $500,000 in revenue that would have been lost this school year.

Funds from the operating millage account for 43 percent of general fund dollars and support salaries and day-to-day operations.

Small Business Saturday

Downtown Birmingham shoppers will enjoy special incentives while supporting the local economy on Nov. 30. Kicking off Small Business Saturday, the community will welcome Santa to town during the popular Birmingham Santa Walk.

On Saturday, downtown shoppers will enjoy the following incentives:

Children of all ages (and their parents) are invited to attend the Birmingham Santa Walk at 9:30 a.m. Walkers will meet in the parking lot behind The Surnow Company at 320 Martin Street at the southwest corner of Maple and Bates. This event will welcome Santa to town during a celebration complete with ringing sleigh bells, stops at various stores with giveaways, and concluding at Santa’s home in Shain Park. Children who participate in the Santa Walk will have first priority to visit Santa at the Santa House.

Shoppers who prefer to leave their cars at home can take advantage of discounted Lyft rides to Birmingham. The promotion runs now through Dec. 31, or when promotion funds are exhausted – whichever comes first. Small Business Saturday shoppers are encouraged to take advantage of the promotion using the following codes: Type code BHAMDAY19 from noon to 5:59 p.m. to obtain $7 off a ride to downtown Birmingham. Type code BHAMNIGHT19 from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. to obtain $3 off a ride to downtown Birmingham. Learn more at www.AllinBirmingham.com/Lyft.

Free parking at parking structures in downtown Birmingham.

Free two-hour valet parking (then $5 for each additional hour) at two locations: North Old Woodward at Hamilton, and South Old Woodward near Merrill in front of Vinotecca.

Complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A chance to win the following Oakland County Prizes: $5,000; $2,000; $500 Southwest Airlines voucher.

Property Taxes Due

Remember, property taxes are due Dec. 2 and are payable through Feb. 14.

Birmingham Winter Markt

Experience the joy of the holidays at Shain Park as it comes alive with activity during the annual Birmingham Winter Markt. Enjoy European food and drinks, gift items, holiday greens, ice sculptures, live reindeer, warming stations, Santa House, horse-drawn carriage rides and live entertainment. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

Veterans Day Celebration

The city celebrated a snowy Veterans Day with a service organized by the Daughters of the American Revolution Piety Hill Chapter. About a dozen veterans were recognized at the ceremony, which included a wreath-laying and patriotic music during the service in Shain Park in downtown Birmingham.

Discounted Lyft Rides

Those visiting downtown Birmingham this holiday season are encouraged to leave their cars at home and enjoy discounted Lyft rides to Birmingham. The new promotion runs now through Dec. 31, or when promotion funds are exhausted – whichever comes first. To take advantage of the promotion, Lyft users may type the following promotion codes: Type code BHAMDAY19 from noon to 5:59 p.m. to obtain $7 off a ride to downtown Birmingham. Type code BHAMNIGHT19 from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. to obtain $3 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

Take Advantage of Internet Purchase Exchange Location

With the holiday season approaching, the Birmingham Police Department is reminding residents to use the Internet Purchase Exchange Location for buyers and sellers using websites like Craigslist or the Facebook Marketplace. The internet exchange location is in the parking lot on the south side of City Hall at 151 Martin Street. Residents are encouraged to make exchanges during daytime hours, however, the lot is well-lit if meeting after dark is necessary. The lot is under video surveillance at all times. While this area may not work for every online sales transaction because of the size of the item(s) being exchanged, it is open to the general public and encouraged for use when possible. The purpose of the Internet Purchase Exchange Location is to cut down on potential fraud and robberies that can be associated with these types of transactions. The area is intended for completing exchanges; police personnel will not participate or act as official witnesses in the transactions nor are they available for legal advice or pricing disputes between parties involved in transactions occurring at this location. For more information, contact the Birmingham Police Department at 248-530-1870.

Small Business Saturday and Santa Walk

Head to Downtown Birmingham Nov. 30 for Small Business Saturday and the Santa Walk. This event will welcome Santa to town during a celebration complete with ringing sleigh bells, stops at various stores with giveaways, and concluding at Santa’s quaint home in Shain Park. Children who participate in the Santa Walk will be among the first to visit Santa at the Santa House! Information: 248-530-1200 or AllinBirmingham.com/calendar.  

Community Water Forum

To help community members better understand the state’s new water rules for lead and copper in tap water, the city is holding a community water forum on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Seaholm High School, located at 2436 W. Lincoln in Birmingham.

The forum will be held in the Little Theatre Room within Seaholm.

Representatives from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, South Oakland County Water Authority and the Oakland County Health Division along as well as the city will be on hand. The water forum will include presentations along with providing insight on the change in regulations and answers to your questions about your water.

Visit www.bhamgov.org/leadtesting to get more information

Disabilities Awareness Month
The Birmingham Covington School Diversity Committee is hosting a panel discussion with students, parents, teachers and community members in honor of Disabilities Awareness Month. The discussion takes place on Nov. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the BCS Library.

Please see the Getting to Know People with Disabilities Panel Flyer for more information.

Discounted Lyft Rides

Heading to Birmingham? Enjoy a discounted Lyft ride now through Dec. 31. Leave your car at home when visiting downtown Birmingham this holiday season.

Type code BHAMDAY19 from noon to 5:59 p.m. to obtain $7 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

Staying out late? Type code BHAMNIGHT19 from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. to obtain $3 off a ride to downtown Birmingham.

Parking Lot Recognized with Award

Parking Lot #6 was recently rehabilitated and expanded to include additional parking spaces, improved river access, pedestrian island access, stormwater discharge and enhanced lighting.

This project was recently recognized in the Michigan Landscape magazine for the Community Landscape Beautification award.