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. 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

The Yarn Stop Holiday Party

If you’re feeling festive, pop in to The Yarn Stop on Wednesday, Dec. 18, for a holiday party. Hang out with fellow knitters and crochet fans from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants are invited to bring a potluck dish to pass.

New Year’s Brunch

Kick-off 2020 with brunch at Zeoli’s Modern Italian on Wednesday, Jan. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a full brunch menu, and if hair of the dog is required, a Bloody Mary bar.

Nostalgia Draws Customers to Clawson’s Scoop Vintage

Here’s the scoop on downtown Clawson’s Scoop Vintage: It’s a nostalgic place where an array of items from bygone eras can easily hook customers.

In the case of Birmingham’s Kim Simon and her mom, Leslie Darga of Royal Oak, they were so impressed with what they saw in the 1,000 square-foot store on 14 Mile that they left with $100 worth of purchases and intended to tell friends and family members about it.

“It’s well organized. Everything’s laid out nicely,” Simon said. “It’s not too overpacked. Some (stores) are too big and overpacked.”

Read More…

Community Food Bank

If you’re in need of food, the Clawson Community Food Bank is open the third Monday of every month. You can pick up food bags from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Grace Apostolic Church, 700 E. Elmwood Avenue.

If you’re looking for a way to help locally, food donation boxes are in city buildings and local businesses. The food bank needs boxed dinners, cereal, canned fruits and veggies, canned soup, pasta and sauce, tuna, instant oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, rice, stuffing, crackers and juice boxes.

Call 248-435-4500 or 248-736-6320 for more information.

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

Gastropub to Open on 14 Mile

Clawson residents Andrea and Tyler Williams are planning to open a gastropub at 1 E. 14 Mile (former Black Lotus). The name is Pumachug after a historic nickname for Clawson. The entire concept is a celebration of Clawson. There is an online survey on Downtown Clawson Facebook page and other social media sites. Be sure to check out the Pumachung Facebook page for updates.

Lunch with Santa

The GFWC Clawson Women’s Club will once again host Lunch With Santa. Tickets must be purchased in advance at Hunter Community Center and include lunch, a visit with Santa and a small gift. Get your tickets early for some fun on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $6 per person.

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

Yarn Trunk Show

On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, be sure to pop by The Yarn Stop and take in the trunk show. The show will feature items from Knitterly Things, including Vesper Sock Yarn.

Marijuana Prohibition

Clawson has voted to prohibit the sale, growth and distribution of marijuana within the city. Michigan voters cast their ballots to legalize marijuana, but individual cities can elect to allow or prohibit the business of pot. For more information on how the city voted, click here.

Clawsome Shirts Available

Support Clawson Youth Assistance by ordering a, “It’s Clawsome” shirt. Shirts are available with or without the YA logo on the back. Orders placed by Dec. 7 will be available for pickup at Triple Thread on Dec. 20. Click here to order.

Ornament Making

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, pop by the Blair Memorial Library for a Drop-in Ornament Making session before the tree lighting. After you make an ornament, take it with you to decorate the tree in Memorial Park. These natural ornaments will also feed the birds this winter.

VinoTalk

In this week’s Vino Talk, wine expert John Jonna talks about pinot noir. Just in time for your Thanksgiving table, you’ll have the best vintage to tantalize the taste buds of your guests.

An Hour of Code with 24GenNEXT

Head to the Blair Memorial Library on Monday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. and hang with

24G’s team of experienced programmers and creatives to help kids get a head start in learning the basics of code. The Hour of Code is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming. Learn more at hourofcode.com.

This event is suggested for children in grades k-5. Registration begins Nov. 19.

Tree Lighting

The 2019 Tree Lighting Event will be held on Wednesday, December 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Park adjacent to Blair Memorial Library. The event is sponsored by the Clawson/Troy Optimists Club in cooperation with the City of Clawson. Festivities will kick off with the singing of carols at 6:30pm and the tree lighting at 7:00pm. Santa will arrive via fire truck a little after 7:00pm. Refreshments will be served at Clawson City Hall Community Room after the tree lighting. Come join us in holiday spirit to kick off the season.

Fill the Cruiser

Now through Dec. 12, the Clawson Police Department is collecting new toys and monetary donations for children in need. Last year the police almost filled two cruisers with donated toys, which all benefited Clawson families. Bring your unwrapped toys to the police station and help a kid have a magical Christmas.

Tree Lighting

Each year, residents gather around the tree in Clawson Memorial Park and sing songs of the season as the annual tree lighting takes place. Santa Claus makes an appearance and has been known to bring along a reindeer a time or two for everyone to see. Refreshments are served, and children will get a chance to share their ideas for presents with Santa.
The 2019 Tree Lighting Event will be Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Park adjacent to Blair Memorial Library. Festivities will kick off with carol singing at 6:30 p.m. and the tree lighting at 7 p.m. Santa will arrive via fire truck a little after 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served at Clawson City Hall Community Room after the tree lighting.

Family Movie Night

On Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., save some time to spend with Buzz, Woody and the gang at the Blair Memorial Library for a showing of Toy Story 4.

Bring the whole family to the library to watch the movie—popcorn will be provided.

Fire Hydrant Reminder

When winter arrives, and the snow starts coming, the fire department asks all residents who have a fire hydrant on their property to do their part and please clean around it when they are shoveling. Fire engines only hold about two to five minutes’ worth of water. Once that water is used up, fire hydrants come into play. Every passing second firefighters have to clear snow out from around a fire hydrant allows the fire to grow exponentially.

Winter Taxes

Winter taxes will be mailed out on Dec. 1 and are due by Feb. 14, 2020. Payments may be made online at www.cityofclawson.com.