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 year-round. 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

Farmington Area Goodfellows Holds Holiday Food Drive

The Farmington Area Goodfellows will once again hold their Annual Holiday Assistance Program for families and seniors in Farmington and Farmington Hills.

Collection boxes accepting donations of canned or boxed foods, personal care items, new books and unwrapped new toys until Dec. 18 are located at:
Costick Center, 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road
Farmington City Hall, 23600 Liberty Street
Farmington Public Library, 23500 Liberty Street

Monetary donations are appreciated and may be sent to:  Farmington Area Goodfellows, 31455 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 or online.

If you would like to volunteer for Delivery Day on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 21, call 248-986-1111 or sign up for the Farmington Area Goodfellows “Reindeer” email list.

The Greatest Showman

Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for! Make The Greatest Showman the last movie you see in 2019 and be home in time to count down the new year.

The show is at the Farmington Civic Center on Dec. 31, from 9:30 to 11:15 p.m.

Bring your family and friends.

Advance tickets are available online at Eventbrite.com or at the box office. Cash only at the theater.

Harry Potter Skate

Grab your wands and skates because the popular Harry Potter and the Holiday Skate is back. On Dec. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m., the Riley Park Skate Rink will be transformed into a wizarding community. The cost is $5 per person, or $20 per family, which includes music and a Horcrux scavenger hunt. Butterbeer will also be on tap. Grab your broomstick and head over before the fun apparates.

Blood Drive at the Library

Give the gift of life this holiday season by donating blood. The blood drive runs from 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the library.

Register online with sponsor code: FarmingtonCL or call 248-553-0321 ext. 250 to schedule your appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

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

Go Window Shopping

Have you seen the window installation at 33305 Grand River Ave. of snow-people enjoying winter activities? Thanks to Design Committee member Claire and her assistants Natalie and Morgan, the window is a winter wonderland.Interested in volunteering? Visit DowntownFarmington.org.

Long Awaited Detroit Eatz Opens

Long-awaited Detroit Eatz opened for business Nov. 21. Check out the feature on the new eatery in Local Business News.

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

Farmington Recognized for Business Growth

Farmington was recognized for its successes and efforts in contributing to Michigan’s entrepreneurial growth and economic development in the annual eCities study conducted by researchers at iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research. Farmington was honored as a four-star community along with 178 other communities across the state.

“We are pleased and honored to again be recognized by the University of Michigan – Dearborn Center for Innovation Research for the City of Farmington’s successful efforts in contributing to growth and economic development in the State of Michigan,” said Kevin Christiansen, Farmington economic and community development director.

Small Business Saturday

Help make a lasting impact in Downtown Farmington on Small Business Saturday®. Founded by American Express in 2010, it’s a day to celebrate the local businesses that make your neighborhood great — and anyone can join in, from business owners to shoppers to government officials. This year, the big day is Nov. 30. Check out the deals offered by Farmington retailers.

Make a purchase at a small business in Oakland County for a chance to win $5,000, $2,000, or $1,000. Take a picture of your receipt and submit it with the contest entry form for a chance to win.

Taller Than They Appear

Jere Stormer, Bobby Pennock, Sigrid Christiansen and Lauren Crane are Taller Than They Appear, a band of songwriters. Each has a style that is miles from the next, but they come together with soulful harmonies, fabulous arrangements and a large array of toys, sound effects and musical instruments. Register here for the Sunday, Dec. 1, concert.

The fun starts at 3 p.m. at the Main Library.

Holly Days – Light Up the Grand Parade

‘Tis the season to be jolly with Holly Days. Celebrate the season from Saturday, Dec. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 8, with free holiday movies, visits from Santa and kids’ events. Merchants will be open for a head start on shopping. Hear carolers, sample hot chocolate and feel the warmth of the holiday season. Top off the perfect day with the Light Up the Grand parade. Find a spot along Grand River Avenue and join in the lighted fun!

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.

The Cheese Lady

Last week, a Farmington Favorite, The Cheese Lady, was featured in Local Business News. Did you catch the story?

Food Drive

The Farmington Area Goodfellows are hosting a food drive now through Nov. 27. Drop off your canned goods and non-perishables at the Costick Center, City Hall and the public schools administration building.

Snow Plowing and Leaf Collection Don’t Mix

Snow plowing in several neighborhoods has been suspended for leaf collection.

Crews will not plow streets that still have leaves to collect. Plowing these streets would pile more snow on the leaves and further impede the program. The City Leaf Collection Program will resume when Public Services determines it can continue without damaging equipment.

This may delay ice rink set up. If the rink is not up by Dec. 28 for the Harry Potter skate event, the event will be moved to Jan. 4.

Food Drive

The Goodfellows continue their canned food drive in Farmington through Nov. 27. Bring a non-perishable food item to the school administration building, city hall or the Costick Center and help make the holidays a little easier for someone less fortunate.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Coming to Farmington

The Farmington World Wide Center is in the process of getting a fresh look. The city approved requested variances and a site plan in 2018 to upgrade and enhance the existing shopping center, and to construct a new Tropical Smoothie Café.

Upgrades are currently ongoing, including a new building façade. Construction plans for the new Tropical Smoothie have been submitted and are currently being reviewed for approval and issuance of required permits. The city anticipates work to begin on the new building before the end of the year.

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30, so mark your calendar to head downtown to support the local small businesses. Now in its 10^th year, Small Business Saturday celebrates the local entrepreneurs who make shopping so fun in Farmington.

Author to Speak at the Library

At Recollections and Reflections: From a WWII Shanghai Ghetto to Journalism, Politics and Other Journeys Along the Way, Berl Falbaum will talk about his experiences covering the reaction in Detroit to the assassination of President Kennedy, the 1967 Detroit riot, and the controversy at the defunct Bendix Corporation in the early 1980s, perhaps one the biggest scandals in modern corporate history.

He will also share stories from his extensive travels, including watching a bullfight from inside the ring, swimming with dolphins in the open ocean, and his participation as a supernumerary (an extra) in four operas. The author’s book will be available for purchase and signing after the event.

Register for the Nov. 14 event now to save your seat. The program begins at 7 p.m. at the main library.