Townsend Street Slated to Close

Westbound Townsend Street between Pierce Street and Henrietta Street is scheduled to be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic now through approximately July 20. Eastbound traffic will remain open throughout.

The westbound closure is necessary for safety while the roof of the adjacent Townsend Hotel is replaced. On Henrietta Street, the east side sidewalk will also be closed during this period, but the street, including on-street parking, will remain open.

Birmingham’s Bates Street Project Up for Bond Ballot Proposal

The city has a parking bond ballot proposal planned for Aug. 6 that will fund the reconstruction of the North Old Woodward parking structure and extension of Bates Street from Willits to Old Woodward.

At 6 p.m. on July 18, residents are invited to come and learn about this new project, financing and details about the ballot proposal. Don’t miss this informational opportunity presented by Birmingham City Manager, Joe Valentine.

Click here to register.

Grab a Blanket and Head to Concerts in the Park

Bring your blanket or lawn chair, kick off your shoes, sing and dance with local bands playing a wide variety of music genres.

A special patriotic concert will be held on Sunday, July 7, at 7 p.m., and afternoon concerts will be held on July 10 and August 14 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming July concerts:

Wednesday, July 3 – The Blue Cat (blues, rock and contemporary) 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 7 – US Jazz Ambassadors 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 10 – Siloam Pool (jazz-soul)  noon – 2 p.m.
Wednesday, July 10 – Steve Acho (pop/rock)  7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17 – Audrey Ray (country) 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 24 – Skye Island Band (Motown jazz/blues) 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31 – Thornetta Davis (blues) 7 p.m.

Find more information at www.bhamgov.org/summerconcerts.

Birmingham Fire Now Has ALS Services on Both Sides of the City

The Birmingham Fire Department has a new tool to help first responders provide swift and comprehensive emergency medical services.

Engine 2 was upgraded to an Advanced Life Support unit, which means its crew now has all the life-saving medical equipment that an ALS ambulance would carry, such as:

• A LifePak 15 monitor/defibrillator
• ALS cardiac medication
• Oxygen

Another key facet to the Engine 2 upgrade is its location. Engine 2 is housed at the rebuilt Birmingham Fire Station 2, at 1600 W. Maple Rd., formerly referred to as the Chesterfield Fire Station. The upgrade gives the Birmingham Fire Department advanced life support services on the east and west side of the city. More information on the services of the Birmingham Fire Department can be found on the city website at www.bhamgov.org/fire.

In The Park Summer Concert Series Rocks Shain Park This Summer

Enjoy a fun, family night out with the In the Park Summer Concert series in Shain Park this summer. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, kick off your shoes, sing and dance with local bands playing a variety of music genres at the popular Wednesday evening performances.

A special patriotic concert is scheduled on Sunday, July 7, at 7 p.m., with afternoon concerts on July 10 and Aug. 14 from noon to 2 p.m.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming July concerts. All concerts are at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise:

July 3 – The Blue Cat (Blues, Rock and Contemporary
July 7 – US Jazz Ambassadors
July 10, noon to 2 p.m. – Siloam Pool (Jazz-Soul)
July 10 – Steve Acho (Pop/Rock)
July 17  – Audrey Ray (Country)
July 24 – Skye Island Band (Motown Jazz & Blues)
July 31 – Thornetta Davis (Blues)

Find more information at www.bhamgov.org/summerconcerts.

Oakland County Fair Returns to Springfield Oaks County Park July 5-14

Make plans for one of the highlights of the summer – the Oakland County Fair, coming to Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg July 5-14.

This year, the fair features, “Walking with Giants,” a dinosaur and dragon encounter, Presented by Prehistoric Adventures. The creatures are 8 feet tall and 16 feet long and are anatomically correct, with incredibly realistic eye blinking, tail swooshing and a mighty roaring sound.

The fair will also feature The Birdman – Condor Show with three flights daily; Barnyard Express, a mobile educational farm center; Racing Pigs; and Show-Me-Safari Petting Zoo along with other main arena events, contests, fair food, Big Rock Amusements carnival, fireworks, a free concert and livestock.

Fair parking, which includes admission, is $12/vehicle and $6/motorcycle. Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free parking Friday, July 5, and Thursday, July 11, with a 2019 Oakland County Parks and Recreation Vehicle Permit. Fireworks will begin after dusk following the Friday night, July 5, concert.

Main arena events in the evening include an off-road demolition derby, horse pull, KOI Drag Races, Figure Eight Races, Superkicker Rodeo, Night of Destruction and Monster Trucks. Tickets for these events may be purchased at OakFair.org.

Springfield Oaks County Park is located at 12451 Andersonville Road in Davisburg.

For a complete fair schedule, visit OakFair.org.

Know the Rules Before Setting Up a Garage Sale

The old adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” seems the perfect slogan for summer, or as some people call it, “garage sale season.”

But if you’re planning to declutter your home and make a little money in the process, there’s a few things to keep in mind:

• Residents do not need a license to hold a garage sale.
• Signs cannot be posted on any public right of way, which includes street signs and telephone poles. Police personnel will remove any signs in violation

Check out the official rules from the city webpage:

Zoning Ordinance Section 4.77(3)

3. Garage, yard and estate sales or auctions
4. Sales are allowed for a period not to exceed 3 consecutive days.
5. No more than 2 sales are permitted from the same residence in any 12-month period.
6. A temporary use permit is not required for a sale, provided they are conducted by the property owner.
7. All signs for sales are regulated by Section 7.27(B)(5).
8. Sales conducted by professional auctioneers or other on-site household liquidation specialists shall be licensed by the City Clerk, in conjunction with Chapter 26 of the Birmingham City Code. (Application Form)

For further information, contact the Clerk’s Office at 248-530-1880.

Save the Date for Breakfast

Birmingham Public Schools are hosting Breakfast with the Superintendents on Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 8 to 9 a.m. Save the date for this meet-and-greet event.

Chef Clash Sunday Event Returns

The popular Chef Clash Sunday event will take place on Sunday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Birmingham chefs are challenged with two dishes, one savory and one sweet. Local judges will score the dishes created at the event. Chefs must complete these dishes using mystery ingredients from the market’s vendors. There will also be samples for shoppers to taste from each chef’s restaurant.

Chefs from Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Adachi and Hazel, Ravines and Downtown will go head-to-head to earn this year’s Master Chef Champion title.

The market is located at 660 North Old Woodward, across from Salvatore Scallopini Restaurant and just north of Booth Park. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday now through October. Learn more at www.AllinBirmingham.com/FarmersMarket.

Attend Workshop to Review Construction Agreement

The Birmingham City Commission will hold a workshop to review a construction agreement for the Birmingham N.O.W. Project, the new North Old Woodward Parking Structure and related Bates Street development project, on Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m. at City Hall (151 Martin Street) in the Commission Room.

This meeting is open to the public and is a workshop of the Commission where no actions will be taken. Formal consideration of the construction agreement is planned for the June 24 City Commission meeting.

Agenda items for City Commission meetings can be found on the city’s website.

Votes to Consider Bond Proposal

On Aug. 6, voters will be asked to consider a bond proposal to support demolishing the North Old Woodward Parking Structure, constructing a new parking structure and extending Bates Street to North Old Woodward, also known as the Birmingham N.O.W. Project.

The proposed parking structure will have a minimum of 1,150 public parking spaces, 400 more spaces than the 50-year-old existing structure, located at 333 North Old Woodward. While still operable and safe, costs to maintain the aging structure continue to escalate.

The funding to support repaying the bonds will come from the Automobile Parking System, which is supported by user fees. Revenues from the parking system will be obligated to fund the bond debt, which will not exceed $57.4 million. Taxpayers will not be charged for any elements of the project.      

More information on the Birmingham N.O.W. project can be found on the city website.

Quarton Elementary Playground Closed This Summer

Steer clear of the Quarton Elementary playground this summer. The playground will be under construction June 22 through July 15, weather dependent. For the safety of the children, please plan playdates at another park. An update will be sent if the date needs to be extended.

Calling All Kindergarten and First Grade Summer Campers

Openings are available in K-1 Camp at the Birmingham Early Childhood Center. Students who have completed kindergarten or first grade this school year are welcom to register. Most sessions are two weeks long throughout the summer.

In addition to enriching activities to extend school year learning, students walk each day to the Seaholm High School pool to swim, as well as to Lincoln Park to play. Click for more details and registration information or call 248-203-5803.

Congratulations to Groves Student Kaidan Mbereko

Groves High School freshman, Kaidan Mbereko, was selected to join USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and will compete on the U.S. National Under-17 Team in 2019-20 season.

The National Team Development Program is the pinnacle of USA Hockey’s amateur player development program. The goal of the full-time development program is to prepare student athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers.

Join a Discussion of Architectural Wonder

An Architectural Legacy

Wednesday, June 19 at noon

Birmingham NEXT is hosting author Brian D. Conway and photographer James Haefner in a discussion about their book An Architectural Legacy. Join the discussion on the vibrant design culture that thrives to this day in Michigan This beautiful book takes readers on a privileged tour of iconic buildings and interiors designed by some of the world’s most renowned and celebrated architects and interior designers. One breathtaking view after another invites readers to enter what are often private realms not open to the public to explore the innovative and often breathtaking designs. Click here to register.

Help in the Community Garden at Berkshire Middle School

Looking for summer family fun? Berkshire Middle School has a community garden that feeds those in need with produce going to local soup kitchens and food banks.

Local families are invited to help out in the garden this summer. Celebrating its 11th year, the garden includes a drip irrigation system on a timer, so watering isn’t necessary. The raised beds and wood-chip walking paths make the garden neat and low maintenance. Volunteers are needed to help weed and harvest.

Sign up for one week (or more) and come at your convenience the week you sign up. Two to four families per week are needed to help. Garden equipment is provided, including gardening gloves.

This year the garden features tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, sweet peppers, eggplant, spring greens, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli raab, brussels sprouts and more.

Sign up to help today.

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

Sign Up for Art Camp Today

The Lori Haber Buckfire Foundation is hosting the sixth annual Planet Lori Art Camp, run by the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. The camp runs daily from Aug. 19 – 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Lori Haber Buckfire Foundation is providing full paid scholarships for children ages 5 to 15 to attend the camp. Eligible applicants who have not previously attended the camp will have priority for scholarships on a first-come basis before June 15.

There is limited space in the camp, so turn in applications as soon as possible.

Save the Date: IN the Park Summer Concerts Begin in June

Enjoy an evening of sounds in Shain Park this summer with the In The Park Summer Concert Series. Join the fun on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., beginning Wednesday, June 19.

Visit www.bhamgov.org/summerconcerts for the concert schedule and band line-up.

As the anniversary of D-Day approaches, residents can honor the event that changed the course of World War II by attending several events around Birmingham hosted by Next.

Wartime Music That Inspired A Nation
Thursday, June 6
12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free for members, $5 non-members
Honoring the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Music Historian Stu Johnson will share songs that played a significant role during the war years. Enjoy a sentimental and patriotic review of some of the most beloved tunes of the 1940s.

D-DAY: June 6, 1944
Thursday, June 6
6 p.m.
Cost: Free for members, $5 non-members
Professor Bruce Zellers, B.A., M.A., from Oakland University, offers insight into this historic event. Defeating Germany involved the interests of the great powers — the Soviet Union desperately needed relief, Great Britain focused on the future of the empire, and the United States concentrated on postwar leadership. Everything came together on that fateful day.

Events are offered by Birmingham Next and will be at 2121 Midvale Street in Birmingham. For more information contact 248-203-5270, or visit www.BirminghamNext.org.

City Master Plan Process Looking at the Next 20 Years

While the city-wide Master Plan Charrette concluded in May, the Master Plan process remains full-throttle as the city’s consultants, led by noted planner Andres Duany, analyze and assess input from hundreds of Birmingham residents, merchants and stakeholders on their vision for the city’s next 20 years.

The Charrette was a success as Duany and his team from DPZ Co Design discussed and analyzed housing trends, neighborhood development, transportation and a number of other topics during the week-long gathering held from May 14-21. If you could not be part of the Charrette and still want to participate, you still can.

Watch for a second online and hard copy survey available this month. More information on the new survey can be found at www.thebirminghamplan.com.

Additionally, July 8-10 a city-wide Master Plan Drop-in Clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 255 S. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham.

Michigan Aiming to be a Hotspot for Job Growth as Older Workers Retire

Trade jobs are looking to be a bright spot in the Michigan economy as older workers retire. Estimates show that 545,000 skilled-labor jobs will be available by the end of 2026.

In response to the anticipated need, the Talent and Economic Development Department jump started a campaign called “Going Pro” to raise awareness for the growth potential in skilled trades fields and to inspire younger workers to consider the trades as a career.

“There is a big gap to fill, but we think that presents an opportunity,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, speaking at a press event at Lansing Community College’s West Campus. “There are a lot of talented hardworking people in Michigan, and we want to make sure there’s a pathway for them to have a high-wage, high-quality career.”

Trade careers include jobs in construction, manufacturing, health care, automotive and information technology. The jobs typically require some training beyond high school but not necessarily a four-year degree, which is appealing to many because they graduate from their programs with little, if any, debt.

Chamber Hosting Free Seminar on Sales and Communications

The Troy Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free seminar called Advanced Communications and Sales Strategies. The event is on Wednesday, June 12, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Chamber’s training rooms at 2125 Butterfield in Troy.

For more information, visit the website.