Clawson Lights Up Week of July Fourth

In a tradition dating back nearly 100 years, Clawson will celebrate the birth of the United States with crafts, races, games and fireworks.

July 3

Arts, Crafts and a Fair

Arts and crafts and the fair begin at 10 a.m. at Clawson Park. The admission fee charged at the fair gates. Donations are also accepted to pay for fireworks.

Midway Games and Rides
3-9 p.m.

Little League All-Star Games
3 p.m. at Clawson Park

“Shell-Camino” Monster Truck Rides!
3-9 p.m. at Schalm parking lot, off Elmwood

“Shell-Camino” Monster Truck Rides!
10 a.m.-9 p.m. at Schalm parking lot off Elmwood

Free Entertainment (Music)
11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. at Clawson Park

Clawson v. Troy Fire Department Water Battle
1 p.m. at Clawson Park

Hot Dog Eating Contest
3 p.m. at Clawson Park Midway

Fireworks
Dusk (around 10 p.m.) at Clawson Park

Clawson Farmers Market Gets Facelift

Have you checked out the new and improved Clawson Farmers Market? The market has a new look, new name, new vendors and new locations for this season.

Be sure to swing by the Sunday Summer Park Market and Wednesday In Town Market.

The Summer Sunday Park Market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clawson City Park, located off Elmwood Street between Main and Crooks Road.

The Wednesday In Town Market is held 3p.m. to 7 p.m. at 139 W. 14 Mile on the grounds of The Salt & Sugar Co. from June 5 through Sept. 25.

The Markets are your small neighborhood gathering places for everyone, a diversity of local farm products, specialty foods and other assorted items.

The Summer Sunday Park schedule and themed events are:
July 14 – Children’s Cooking Demonstration, Inflatables
Aug. 11 – Back to School, Nature Exhibit by Oakland County
Sept. 8 – Harvest Day

The Wednesday In Town Market will offer a selection of urban and organic farming along with makers, artisans and artists.

Grab Your Needles and Head to The Yarn Stop

Head over to The Yarn Stop June 25 to 26 for a trunk show with Knitterly Things.

Meet artist, Julia Vesper, who will showcase her self-striping sock yarn as well as her semi-solids.

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.

Abracadabra! Sign Up For Magic Classes at Wunderground Magic Academy

If you have a budding magician in your house (you might not realize if they’re invisible) Wunderground Magic’s classes are a great way for your child to have fun learning to become an amazing magician, performer and presenter.

Beyond the entertainment value, magic helps improve digital dexterity, coordination, visual perception, spatial relationships, critical thinking, creativity, public speaking skills, self-confidence and imagination.

Magic classes for children ages 7-13 run continuously throughout the year. The cost is $100 for six sessions. Because families are busy, Wunderground uses a punch card system that allows magic students to attend any six classes over six months.

Classes are held in the secret dungeons of Wunderground Magic on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m.

Students will receive a magic kit to hold supplies (in case the top hat doesn’t work out), a magic wand, a performance mat.

Sign up for magic classes anytime the store is open or stop in a few minutes before class begins to register.

Kids aren’t the only ones who can learn slight-of-hand tricks. Magic workshops for adults (ages fourteen and older) are held at Wunderground Magic Academy on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The cost is $20 at the door.

Street Resurfacing Project Nearing End

The 14 Mile and Main Street resurfacing project is underway and is expected to be complete by July 4.

In addition to the new street surface, additional changes are coming to 14 Mile and Main Street. The Traffic and Safety Board recommended, and City Council approved, a change to traffic flow at the 14 Mile and Main intersection.

The Traffic Control Order will prohibit tractor-trailer combinations from turning northbound onto Main Street from both eastbound and westbound 14 Mile Road. It will also prohibit right turns from westbound traffic onto Main Street. Appropriate signage will be placed notifying drivers about the new restrictions. This change should alleviate disruption at the intersection and minimize the curb damage that has been the result of a tight turning radius.

Get Your Car Washed for a Great Cause

The 10th Annual Clawson Goodfellows Car Wash at the Clawson Fire Department at 111 Gardner opens for business Sunday, July 1.

The Goodfellows will accept donations to wash your car, truck, bus, boat or whatever you need washed. Come by the Clawson Fire Department and help raise funds for this hardworking volunteer group that assists local families. The wash opens at 9 a.m.

Soccer Club Settles in Clawson

Women’s World Cup Soccer is in full effect, but you don’t have to be a globetrotter to get up close and personal. The Oakland County Football Club is now calling Clawson “home.” OCFC is a semi-professional soccer team that will compete at Clawson’s Park Stadium for seven home games. The games are scheduled through July 21. The full schedule is available at oaklandcountyfc.com.

Save a Life: Donate Blood

When you need blood, seconds count. The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at City Hall in the Community Room on Tuesday, June 26, from 1 to 7 p.m.

Please help support your community. You never know whose life you’re going to save.

To make an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

2019 Summer Reading Program: Libraries Rock!

The 2019 Summer Reading Program at Blair Memorial Library is open to kids preschool age through fifth grade. It includes fun programs, cool contests, prize drawings, story time and more.

A complete calendar of events is included with the registration packet.

Additionally, the Teen Read summer program is for those entering sixth grade through 12th grade. Teens can enter weekly prize drawings by reading books or listening to audio books.

A calendar of events is included with the registration packet. The Teen Read program will conclude with an after-hours party with pizza, lots of fun and prize giveaways.

Register at the Blair Memorial Library.

Sign Up Budding Actors and Actresses for Summer Workshops

Acting Out Kids is holding summer workshops beginning this month for kids wishing to test their acting chops.

The workshop begins June 21.

ACTING & IMPROV WORKSHOPS (Ages 7-18)

Kids will learn acting, improv and public speaking skills through a variety of acting and improv games, activities and skits. Children will learn in a fun, friendly, casual and noncompetitive environment. Monthly workshops are a great way to make new friends, learn about theatre and have fun on a Friday night.

June 21, July 19 and Aug. 9
7 to 9 p.m.

$10 per child for each monthly workshop

Located at the Hunter Community Center in Clawson at 509 Fisher Court.

Advance registration is required. To register, please contact actingoutkids@yahoo.com.

Improvements Coming to Clawson Schools This Summer

Tim Wilson, superintendent of Clawson Public Schools, reported in the district newsletter that improvements to the schools will be coming over the summer.

The district is using funds left in the facilities and technology bond accounts for replacing the three parking lots on the south side of the high school. The Clawson School District WiFi system will also receive a major upgrade, which will make the system much faster as well as provide greater online opportunities for students.

Additionally, the district received a safety grant for $230,000 to replace and upgrade every district building PA system, and there will be new laser projectors installed in every classroom to help enhance teaching.

Parks and Recreation Wants Your Input

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board would like residents’ feedback.

The Board would like to know what interests the citizens of Clawson. Call the Parks and Recreation Department at 248-589-0334 or email parksrec@cityofclawson.com to voice your opinion on what you like about the Holiday and Beautification award programs, or what you’d like to see instead.

DPW to Host Open House, Recycling Event

Come learn about the Department of Public Works and see all of the pieces of equipment that are used to maintain city streets, parks and underground utilities. There will also be the opportunity to recycle electronics, metal items and properly contained household hazardous waste products.

The event will run on Saturday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at 635 W. Elmwood.

From Trash to Treasure: City-Wide Garage Sale Coming

Clawson will host a city-wide garage sale beginning Friday, June 8, through Sunday, June 10. Sales will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All residents are encouraged to participate and host a sale at their home.

There is no fee to participate in this publicized event. Contact the Recreation Department at 248-589-0334 or email parksrec@cityofclawson.com to put your home on the online list.

The Yarn Stop Hosts a Yarn Tasting

Are you an adventure knitter? Do you want to try yarns from different places and get new ideas? Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. and head to The Yarn Stop where you can spend the evening with the artists of Three Irish Girls Yarns. Attendees can try some of their yarns, learn about new project ideas and receive some great items to take home.

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.