Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register, Delivers Services to Birmingham on Thursday

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown will bring the services of her office to Birmingham Next on Thursday, March 28, from 1:30 to 3 pm, through the popular Local Office Visit program. A wide range of services will be available, including:

• Free Veterans ID Cards
• Copies of birth, death and marriage certificates
• Copies of deeds, mortgages, liens and other property documents
• Obtain or file a military discharge record
• Copies of Oakland County Circuit Court documents, including divorce records
• Business registration or renewals, as well as access to Oakland County’s Assumed Business Names and Co-Partnership database
• Concealed pistol license applications and renewals
• Marriage license applications
• Notary public applications
• Free copies of the Oakland County Directory

Please visit www.oakgov.com/clerk, or call 248.858.0561 for additional information.

Bringing Sensory Learning into the Classroom and Home

Join Friends of Different Learners for an evening learning about sensory learning at their next meeting on Thursday, April 11, at 7 pm at Birmingham Covington School.

Students learn in many ways. Some do best with information they hear, other by what they see. Sensory learning engages more than one sense at a time. Information can be conveyed through touch and movement as well as hearing and sight. This instruction taps into learning strengths to help form connections and memories. All students can benefit from this kind of learning. For more information visit Friend of Different Learners.

Get to Know Your Muslim Neighbor

Muslim Unity Center and Muslim Parents of Birmingham are hosting a “Get to Know Your Muslim Neighbor” dinner at the Muslim Unity Center, on Wednesday, April 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. In addition to being a vibrant, multi-cultural house of worship, the Muslim Unity Center is an active host, participant and promoter of interfaith events aimed at learning, informal dialogue and deeper mutual understanding and appreciation. For more information, contact Info@MUCinterfaith@gmail.com

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Groves Senior Seminar

Wylie E Groves High School recently welcomed 2007 graduate Captain Tara Middlebrooks to speak at its annual day-long seminar for senior students, an event designed to introduce almost-graduates to their next steps in the post Groves world.

CPT Tara L.R. Middlebrooks (Roberts) commissioned as an Engineer Officer from the United States Military Academy at West Point in May 2011 where she received a B.S. in Comparative Politics. She has led construction projects across the country and was deployed in February 2013 to Regional Command – East Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

CPT Middlebrooks has an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri Science and Technology and is currently an M.A. Candidate at Columbia University, studying Social-Organizational Psychology. Beginning August 2019, she will serve as an Instructor in the Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Department at West Point, teaching courses in military leadership, management, and psychology.

Her military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal. She also earned the Airborne Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, the German Proficiency Badge.

CPT Middlebrooks is also a second-generation Groves High School graduate; her parents Gary and Deb Roberts, graduated from Groves in 1975 and 1977, respectively. Before graduating in 2007, she was a member of the National Honors Society and competed on the Varsity Cross-Country and Basketball teams and served as Team Captain for the Varsity Birmingham Unified Lacrosse Team.

The event also included breakfast, an address by Groves teacher of the year Marc West, and workshops on personal, educational and professional topics such as:

• Art in Detroit/ Funding a Kickstarter Campaign
• Legal Personal Responsibility for Guys
• Personal Safety & Personal Responsibility for Women
• The Secrets of Mind and Body Balance
• The College Life Panel
• Money Matters
• Fraternities & Sororities

We’d love to know what you think! After you read this week’s City News, please take a moment to answer some quick questions that you will find at the bottom of this page.

Join City Commission to Review Proposed Development Agreement

The Birmingham City Commission will hold a workshop to review a proposed Development Agreement for the new North Old Woodward Parking Structure and related Bates Street development project on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 starting at 5 pm at City Hall in the Commission Room. There will be a full review of the Development Agreement, but since this meeting is a workshop, no actions will be taken Formal consideration of the Development Agreement will be done at the April 8 City Commission meeting. This meeting is open to the public and the public is welcome to attend. Agenda items for City Commission meetings can be found on the City’s website at www.bhamgov.org.

Birmingham Citizen’s Academy

Interested in learning about city government…for free? Applications to attend the 2019 Birmingham Citizens Academy are now being accepted through April 20, 2019. Download the 2019 Birmingham Citizens Academy application form here. This interactive eight-week program is open to Birmingham residents 18 years and older, and is designed to provide a fun, informative learning experience for citizens who want to understand how the City of Birmingham operates. For more information about the Citizens Academy, visit: bhamgov.org/citizensacademy  or contact Kevin Byrnes, Communications Director, at kbyrnes@bhamgov.org or 248.203.3800.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Join Alice as she journeys into a world of talking animals, comic royalty and races where the contestants run in circles. The First Theater Guild’s production of this classic tale will be on March 15 and 16 at 7 pm and March 16 and 17 at 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church’s Knox Auditorium.  Experience the Mad Hatter’s frantic tea party, the watch-carrying White Rabbit and talking flowers.  Watch Alice deal with a sneezing duchess and a baby that turns into a pig.  The finale has Alice watching a trial, but she suddenly finds herself the accused!  Enjoy a trip to Wonderland, where nonsense makes quite good sense. Tickets are $8 at the door.

Books for a Benefit

You can help place much-needed books in the hands of young readers. Wylie E. Groves High School in partnership with the Birmingham Public Schools is sponsoring a children’s book drive to support RX for Reading Detroit, a literacy nonprofit. Donate new or gently used children’s books for ages 0-13 years at any of the participating BPS schools: Groves High School, Derby Middle School, Beverly, Bingham, Covington, Harlan, Pembroke, Quarton and West Maple Elementary through March 23, 2018. Donation boxes are in the main offices and libraries.

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First Groves Science Olympiad Team Shines

Last week, Groves participated in the Science Olympiad regional tournament. This is Groves’ first team ever and was coached by Groves teachers Maya Halabi and Laura Searle. They performed very well against over 20 teams from across Oakland County, ranking as follows:

Fossils: 5th place Nick Haddad
Mousetrap Vehicle: 12th place Walter LaMar, Monica Inda
Sound of Music: 13th place Zoe Kissinger, Bridget Coyer
Water Quality: 13th place Jim Allen, Walter LaMar
Wright Stuff:  7th place Nick Haddad, Walter LaMar
Write It Do It:  5th place Aarani Balerdran, Aidan Krieger

Read more about Michigan Science Olympiad.

Birmingham Bicentennial Time Capsule

To conclude its year-long celebration of Birmingham’s 200th anniversary, the Birmingham Museum will be launching a special commemorative bicentennial time capsule. In keeping with the museum’s mission to preserve Birmingham’s ongoing story, the contents of the time capsule will include contributions from area students with the theme, “Message to the Future;” and since the planned opening will be Birmingham’s 250th anniversary, today’s young students can return for the capsule opening in 2068.

The idea is to capture a “snapshot” of the present that will give people in the future a unique perspective on what life is like today, and what is on the minds of young people. Students are invited to submit a contribution in electronic format (such as .pdf or .mp3) no larger than 10 MB. The museum will compile contributions onto a hard drive that will be placed in an airtight archival time capsule and buried in Shain Park with an engraved granite marker identifying the location and opening date of December 1, 2068.

To participate, the museum suggests students consider how to answer the question, “What do you want to say to/show people in 2068?” There will be no judging; every student is welcome to send a contribution.  Birmingham Museum has extended the deadline for submissions to May 1, 2019. Visit the museum website for rules and information.

Visit Birmingham’s Japanese Sister City

Birmingham residents are invited to take advantage of a unique opportunity to visit Japan during the 2019 Goodwill Mission August 14-24. The annual Goodwill Mission is a key component of Birmingham’s Sister City relationship with Shiga. It offers opportunities for Michigan and Shiga residents to deepen friendships and cultural understanding between the two sister-states. 

This 11-day sister-state trip to Shiga includes:

• Pre-travel orientation
• Round-trip air fare from Detroit to Nagoya
• Ground travel in Japan
• Hotel accommodations and most meals
• Luggage transfers
• English speaking Interpreter/Tour Guide
• Tours & unique cultural experiences

The highlight of this trip will be a 5-day, 4-night homestay with a Japanese family in Shiga. You will meet their families, friends and neighbors, experiencing Japanese customs and traditions. Download an information sheet and the application form. Applications are due no later than April 1, 2019.

From Footpath to Vital Corridor

Would you like to learn more about the history of Woodward Avenue and how it affected the communities along it? Look no further than Birmingham Museum Director Leslie Pielack’s new book, “The Saginaw Trail: From Native American Path to Woodward Avenue.”  Learn how the Saginaw Indian Trail became Woodward Avenue, and why it brought people to settle in Oakland County and as far as Saginaw in the early 19th century. It emphasizes the stories of some of the people who found their way here via the trail, including runaway slaves, independent women, and more. It also includes the stories of Native Americans who occupied the area and what happened to them when settlers came. Finally, it talks about the great changes and progress that occurred along the Woodward Corridor before and after the auto industry. The book is available for $24.00 at the Birmingham Museum, with all proceeds going to support the museum. Photo by Esme McClear

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Birmingham Covington’s Big Top Blast

Have a blast with your family at Birmingham Covington School’s annual celebration on Sunday, March 17, from 3 to 7 pm. All are welcome to enjoy carnival games, inflatables, prize room, cake walk, photo booth, face painting and an auction. Tickets are available at the door or purchase a Family Patron package with wristbands, raffle tickets, and punch cards by visiting biddingforgood.com/blast, where you can also participate in the online auction. Groves and Seaholm students who are looking for community service hours can volunteer at the Blast. Email blastchair@bcsonline.info for additional details.

Concussion Truth and Myths

Dr. Stephanie Alessi-LaRosa is a neurologist and fellow at The Sports Neurology Clinic specializing in the diagnosis and management of concussion. Join her on Tuesday March 12, at 7 pm at Groves High School Little Theatre for a discussion about the truths and myths of concussions in youth and high school sports. This event is presented by The Sports Neurology Clinic, Groves HS Athletic Trainer and the Birmingham Patriots. Email Kelly Salter, licensed athletic trainer at Groves High School, at KSalter@birmingham.k12.mi.us with any questions.

Nobel Prize Winner Speaking at Seaholm

Have you ever wondered whose research is responsible for medical lasers, lasers so precise that doctors can perform surgery on our eyes with staggering precision? Have you ever wanted the chance to meet someone who received a Nobel Prize in Physics?

If you’re even slightly interested in science, technology, engineering, and math, come to the Seaholm auditorium Friday, March 1 at 6:30 pm to hear Dr. Gerard Mourou. Dr. Mourou is a founding Director of the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science at the University of Michigan, a pioneer in the field of ultrafast lasers and their applications in scientific, engineering and medical disciplines, and winner of many scientific prizes, including the 2018 Nobel Prize in physics. Dr. Mourou’s talk will be followed by a Q&A and a reception. This event is free and open to the public.

Special City Commission Meeting

The City Commission will hold a special meeting on Saturday, March 9, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at City Hall to review a proposed development agreement for the new N. Old Woodward Parking Structure and Bates St. Development Project. This meeting is open to the public and the public is welcome to attend.

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Meet Hoosier!

Hoosier is a 3-year-old Goldendoodle who was born in Petoskey, Michigan. He is hypoallergenic and non-shedding. He has a sweet, calm, and gentle personality and loves being around people, especially children. He graduated from the Southern Michigan Obedience Training Club therapy dog training program and completed the requirements for certification through Therapy Dogs International last year. And he is the newest staff member in the West Maple Elementary School Therapy Dog Program.

What is a Therapy Dog? Therapy dogs are different from service dogs in that service dogs help people with disabilities and focus solely on their owners. Therapy dogs work as a team with their handlers in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other community settings to provide emotional support. Research suggests that interaction with therapy dogs can positively affect our hormones. It can increase oxytocin which is responsible for bonding, increase dopamine which is responsible for happiness, and lower levels of cortisol that comes from stress.

Hoosier will work with individual students and small groups at West Maple one day per week. Be sure to look for his smiling face if you’re in the school!

Surviving the Social Jungle

The teen years can be challenging for both parents and teens. Katey McPherson is one of the co-authors of “Why Teens Fail,” which examines questions such as:

• Why do some teens self-destruct?
• Can we communicate a little differently?
• Can we teach or encourage a little more?
• When do we let them make mistakes and face the consequences and when do we jump in to their rescue?

McPherson will be the keynote speaker at a special two-conference learning day, which includes sessions on “Surviving the Social Jungle” and “A Teen’s World.” This conference includes parent, teen and professional tracks and will be held Saturday, March 2 at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, from 9 am to 4 pm. Surviving the Social Jungle will be 9 am to 12:20 pm. And, A Teen’s World will be 1 to 4 pm. Each session is $16 per participant, if registered by Feb. 25, or $20 at the door. For more information and to register, visit survivingthesocialjungle.com and teensempowered.org. For details on either program, call 248.757.0912 or email info@survivingthesocialjungle.com.

Do You Miss Jacobsons?

Are you ready for some Birmingham nostalgia? The Birmingham Museum and the Baldwin Public Library are co-sponsoring a spring lecture series “Birmingham: What Was and What Is” at the Baldwin Library. It kicks off on Thursday, March 14 at 7 pm with a talk titled “Jacobsons: THE Birmingham Department Store” given by author Bruce Kopytek. The series will continue April 11 with “Birmingham’s Neighborhoods and Their Stories” and on May 9 with “Downtown, Then and Now.” The talks are free, but registration on the library’s website is encouraged to ensure adequate seating.

The Birmingham Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 4 pm. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and seniors, children five and under are free.

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Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Workshop

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts was approved by Congress in late 2017. Come out to the Birmingham Community House on Thursday, March 7 to learn about the most common and meaningful provisions of the act, the impact those provisions have on individuals, corporations and flow-through entities, and some potential planning opportunities. This Professional Edge Workshop will be from 8 to 9:30 am and includes a continental breakfast. Speakers include Vincent Gotko, Rachelle Mckerness and Stephanie McPherson, of Fenner, Melstrom & Dooling PLC in Birmingham. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited. To register, please visit bbcc.com or call 248.644.1700.

Village Youth Theater Auditions

One of the most beloved characters of all time, Mary Poppins, will come to life on the Birmingham Village Players stage in Mary Poppins, Jr. June 20 to 23. Youngsters ages 8 to 18 can be part of the magic as Mary and Bert take Jane and Michael Banks on wondrous adventures and bring the Banks family together. Auditions are Saturday, March 23, the Playhouse of the Village Players. Click here for complete audition details.