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

City Seeks Election Inspectors for Fall Election and 2020 Presidential Election Cycle

To prepare for a busy election season this fall as well as the anticipated high turnout during the 2020 presidential election cycle, the city is seeking election inspectors.

City election inspectors take on a variety of roles on Election Day. Inspectors duties can include: processing voters when they arrive at their polling location; assisting voters while they cast their ballots; helping to close a precinct when voting is complete as well as other assorted tasks throughout Election Day.

Candidates must be at least 16 years old (the voter registration requirement is waived for inspectors under 18), be a registered voter in Michigan, and be able to attend a paid election inspector training session.

The pay rate for an inspector is $11 per hour. Election inspectors can anticipate working a total of about 17 hours, with the bulk of their time dedicated to activities on Election Day.

More information, including a link to apply, can be found at www.bhamgov.org/voting. Or contact the City Clerk’s office at 248-530-1880.

Birmingham Seeks City Clerk

Birmingham is seeking qualified candidates for the position of City Clerk.

City of Birmingham Employment Applications are available online at www.bhamgov.org/jobs or in the City of Birmingham Human Resources Department, at 151 Martin St..

Birmingham St. Croix Shop Imports from Italy

This fall season, stop in to the Birmingham St. Croix clothing store to shop the latest styles from fine clothiers. From Italy to the United States, Birmingham St. Croix has what you need to look sharp throughout the upcoming holidays.

Read in the Park with Michael Zadoorian and Kelly DiPucchio

On Saturday, Sept. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. head to Beverly Park for the third annual Read in the Park. Meet the authors, walk the Storybook Trail and enjoy Beverly Park.

At 1:30 p.m., hear New York Times bestselling author Michael Zadoorian speak about his life and writing career. At 3 p.m., visit with beloved children’s author Kelly DiPucchio for a special story time.

The Baldwin Public Library is located at 300 W. Merrill Street. For more information visit www.baldwinlib.org  or call 248-647-1700.

Inside City Hall

The September edition of Inside City Hall is available online now. Get the latest from Joe Valentine, Birmingham city manager.

Health Expo and Flu Shot Clinic

Don’t get caught this season without a flu shot. On Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. make time for this information-packed event featuring 45 vendors from various senior related industries as well as local restaurants/markets offering samples of delicious specialties.

Oakland County Health Division will administer flu shots: the senior/high dose and regular dose or Flumist (nasal). Bring a photo ID and your insurance card. Community members are all welcome.

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

Birmingham Commission Candidate Forum

Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m.

This November, Birmingham residents will be asked to elect four commissioners to the city council. Please join us, along with the eight candidates vying for the four open seats, for an informative evening.

Come with your questions and learn firsthand about each candidate, and their vision for Birmingham’s future. Click here to register.

Coolidge Highway Resurfacing Underway

From Derby to Maple the city scheduled work on the southbound lanes of Coolidge Hwy., from Derby Rd. to Maple Rd. To expedite this project, both the north and southbound sides of the road will be narrowed to one open lane of traffic.

The remaining open southbound lane will be diverted to the opposite side of the median, allowing two-way traffic on the two northbound lanes. This configuration will allow the southbound lanes to be worked on without through traffic. The road will remain open only to allow access to driveways on this side of the street.

Given the high traffic demand on this section of Coolidge, drivers should expect delays during the four to five-week period while the street is narrowed to two lanes.

Work includes removing the top asphalt surface, concrete curb repairs, handicap ramp updates (where needed), crack sealing, asphalt patching, and a new asphalt top surface.

Questions or concerns relative to this project should be directed to the City of Birmingham Engineering Department, at 248-530-1836.

Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber’s 16th Annual Wine & Dine

This year’s Vine & Dine event promises to be bigger and better than ever. The event benefits Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. It will be held Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Double Tree by Hilton at 39475 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills.

Vine & Dine offers guests an impressive selection of domestic and imported wines, a strolling buffet featuring the finest restaurants, and live entertainment. This year’s event will feature 25 food and wine vendors, a chef’s challenge, live music by NUCLASSICA and a wine pull.  A live raffle will also take place to award a lucky winner a spot at the judges table during the Chef’s Challenge.

The Silent Auction will offer an E-Sculpt Treatment donated by Aesthtica Nova, a travel voucher for two airline tickets good for travel within the continental United States complimentary from Departure Travel in Birmingham, a premium wine basket, a private dinner for eight at Hazel Ravines and Downtown, a private dinner in the Gleaner’s Warehouse prepared by gourmet chefs, a wine basket and more.

Tickets are $85 per person in advance and $95 at the door. There is special pricing available for bulk tickets of 12 or more.

Guests will enjoy the opportunity to sip, savor and explore at the newly renovated Double Tree by Hilton with special room rates available for Vine & Dine guests. Contact Double Tree at 248-644-1400 ext. 0 for details.

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

Girls on the Run

Do you want to meet new friends? Accomplish big things? Help others in your community? Have so much fun? Girls on the Run is an afterschool program like no other.

Twice per week for 10 weeks girls will have fun, make friends, increase their physical activity levels and learn important life skills. Trained and caring coaches lead girls in grades 3 through 5 through interactive lessons and running activities. The season ends with a noncompetitive 5K event on Nov. 17.

The program starts the week of Sept. 16 at Beverly Elementary in Birmingham. It runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 to 5:15 p.m. and costs $145 per student. Registration is open until Sept. 8 at GOTR – Beverly. Questions? Email Erin Hitchcock at ehitchcock@ymcadetroit.org.

Citywide Master Plan Work Enters New Phase with First Draft Expected by End of September

The citywide Master Plan process is moving to a new phase as the city’s planning consultants are expected to submit the first draft of the plan for review by the end of the month.

A foundation piece of the first draft was the information gathered during the week-long charrette, which was held last spring. In addition, feedback gathered during the busy Master Plan Drop-In Clinic, held in July, was incorporated to the initial draft of the plan.

With the final version of the plan anticipated by the middle of next year, the public is encouraged to stay engaged by attending upcoming city meetings as well as reviewing all materials on the project website www.thebirminghamplan.com. You can find information from prior Planning Board meetings as well as agendas for upcoming meetings on the city website. 

“We want as much public input as possible in the creation of what will eventually be the final document,” said Jana Ecker, city planning director. “We encourage all groups in the city to share their vision of the future of Birmingham in 2040.”

Birmingham Welcomes New Businesses

The following businesses recently opened in Birmingham. Stop by soon and give them a warm welcome!

Splitz-n-Blitz, 230 East Merrill Street. Satisfy your sweet tooth with desserts ranging from old-time candies, banana splits, ice cream, custard and other concepts for dessert lovers of all ages.

The Morrie, 260 North Old Woodward. Enjoy Barbecue plates, American eats and cocktails in a music-themed roadhouse with live entertainment.

Hans Power & Water, 239 Pierce Street. Visit Hans Power & Water to learn about whole-house water systems.

R. Collective, 383 Hamilton Row. This high-end, client-driven hair salon offers affordable luxury in a relaxed, ego-free environment. They specialize in the latest coloring and cutting techniques, extensions, keratin enhancements, special event looks and more.

Lebanese Cedar Tree Given to City

The city received a Lebanese Cedar Tree, one of the defining and internationally recognized symbols of Lebanese culture and a source of great national pride for the people of Lebanon.

Birmingham Mayor Pro-Tem Pierre Boutros welcomed Counsel General of Lebanon Suzan Mouzi Yassine (Midwest Region) and her entire team as well as other supporters to the Aug. 23 service. The Lebanese Cedar Tree, now in its sapling stage, is planted at Martha Baldwin Park, named for one of Birmingham’s most instrumental historical figures.

Watch the video here.

Public Invited to Follow Study of Unimproved Roads in City as 2019 Cape Seal Work Nears

Birmingham’s Ad-Hoc Unimproved Street Study Committee continues to assess policies, procedures and funding options related to the 26 miles of gravel roads throughout the city, which are referred to as “unimproved streets.”

Sign up for meeting notifications and for email or text notifications from this committee. 

While the long-term solutions are reviewed, short term maintenance will continue with a number of unimproved streets scheduled for a cape seal treatment, anticipated for later this month. You can find information on those specific streets at www.bhamgov.org/capeseal.  

Preliminary Plan Going to the Planning Board

The Birmingham Plan project team will be on-hand to present concepts from the preliminary draft plan to the Planning Board on Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Please attend or follow along on your BCTV Government Access channel.

Also, the city encourages stakeholders to review the background analysis documents.

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

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

It’s Time to Verify Returning Students

Hard to believe, but it’s time to start thinking school supplies.

Before students can register for the 2019-20 school year, parents must fill out the return student verification forms.

This online process allows families to provide the school with the most up-to-date parent/guardian contacts, emergency contacts, agreements and health information. This process must be completed annually by each family before registration this week.

Please contact Robin McIntyre at 248-203-5021 or rmcintyre@birmingham.k12.mi.us if you have any questions.

Get Info on Non-Surgical Knee Treatment and Pain Relief

Rakel Assk, nurse practitioner from Nu Life Medical, and Disha Chablani, senior physical therapist, from DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, team up to talk about how chronic knee pain can be relieved with a revolutionary new protocol.

This event is Thursday, Aug. 22. at 11 a.m. Participants can learn how this four-part treatment plan is helping sufferers successfully put-off or avoid invasive knee-replacement surgery.

The cost is complimentary for Birmingham NEXT members and $5 non-members. Click her to register.

Catch a Movie Friday in the Park

Friday, Aug. 23, is Movie in the Park Night. Pre-show entertainment starts at 7:30 p.m. with Monsters, Inc. at dusk. The fun will be at Booth Park on Harmon Street in Birmingham.

Movie Night events are free for everyone and include complimentary popcorn, ice cream and water while supplies last, plus potential giveaways.

In the event of inclement weather, movie nights will be held Saturday.

Monitor the Birmingham Shopping District Facebook page for weather updates.