Friends,

I did it! I ran my first 5k race. I went into it thinking I wasn’t going to make it, that I was going to let myself down. But, you know what? It was great.

I ran my personal best time. I finished in the upper half of my age group. I got a medal. I didn’t do as well as the pace runner who was pregnant and finished a 10k five minutes behind me. And I certainly didn’t run as well as the lady who didn’t even break a sweat when she was passing me.

But for someone who never thought to run a race, but here am. And I have to say, I’m pretty proud.

Next on my list is the Kona Chocolate 5k in November.

Rebecca

Rolling Stoves Featured in Local Business News

For six years, Carli and Josh Mansfield happily operated The Rolling Stoves burger-and-fries food truck, which they founded. The husband-and-wife team, who both went to culinary school, enjoyed the success of the food truck and catering business, which granted them a slow winter season to enjoy time with their kids − a one-year old, three-year-old twins and a four-year-old.

“We had no intention of ever opening a restaurant,” said Carli, “But people were asking.”

Read more.

Farmington Sprayed to Control Invasive Species Phragmites

To maintain environmental quality and public health and safety, the Road Commission for Oakland County and various local governments, working with the Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, are treating the invasive plant Phragmites in ditches along major roads.

Phragmites grows in wet areas and can reach heights of 15 feet, leading to safety and environmental problems. It forms dense stands blocking views at intersections, impedes water access, impairs drainage, damages infrastructure, crowds out habitat, and causes hot, damaging fires if ignited.

GEI Consultants treated the Phragmites on Sept. 20. These are licensed herbicide application contractors who will follow the manufacturer’s application directions.

Residents who live adjacent to Phragmites should monitor the vicinity for posting of the 8.5×11 inch, yellow signs. The signs will indicate the date of the treatment, the products used, and any restrictions on the use of treated property.

Tollgate PumpkinFest

Mark your calendars for a fun, family-friendly event with the Farmington Community Library and the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center.

It’s almost time to gather friends and family to come take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin. Food, music, farm animals, educational exhibits and children’s activities all make for a fun fall outing for all ages.

The 6th Annual Pumpkinfest weekend at MSU Tollgate Farm takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more information.

Harvest Moon Festival is this Week

Each fall brings a season of discovery in Downtown Farmington – the cooler temperatures, longer shadows, wisps of wood smoke and the Harvest Moon rising. Find yourself in small-town Farmington celebrating Michigan’s most glorious season during the Harvest Moon Celebration.
Plan the weekend with friends or come and make new ones. Join the fun outdoors at the Sundquist Pavilion in Riley Park and say farewell to summer and festively ring in autumn for three nights: Thursday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 21.

Click here to purchase tickets and get more info.

Detroit Eats Coming Soon

Farmington is getting ready to welcome Detroit Eats to the fold. In October, the eatery is expected to open on Grand River as a gourmet drive-thru restaurant. Stay tuned for more information on opening day.

Count Day Coming Oct. 2

Student Count Day is Wednesday, Oct. 2. “Count Days” are critical to the school district because funding is directly connected to the number of students who are in school on the two count days in Michigan. This year count days are set for Wednesday, Oct. 2, and Wednesday, Feb. 12

Friends,

I’m writing this from my favorite chair, with my favorite blanket, sipping on tea. Today is a “droopy” day, as my son calls it—cloudy, rainy, cool. And I love it.

I love these last weeks of summer. There’s so much to look forward to, so much to enjoy. To me, Michigan is at its finest as it’s about to change seasons. Now, I’m not saying I want to rush into anything. I have rules: No decorating for Halloween until it’s actually October and no Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving.

What I am saying is to make sure you enjoy the moment you’re in, while you’re in it. I’m trying hard to practice this myself, especially as I’m training for a 5k.

Enjoy every moment, every day. I’m thinking about the Addison Oaks fall color tour mentioned below. I think I’ll enjoy that.

Have an awesome week,

Rebecca

Harvest Moon Tickets Available Now

Don’t miss the beer tasting event of the year in Farmington. The Harvest Moon Celebration runs Sept. 18-21. Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door.Buy your tickets at these Farmington businesses: John Cowley & Sons, Meadows Fine Wine & Liquor, Merle Norman Downtown Farmington, The Vines Flower and Garden Shop, or Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market; online at DowntownFarmington.org.

Food Truck Rally to Help Feed the Hungry

Join the fun at a food truck rally at Nardin Park United Methodist Church on W. 11 Mile Road on Sept. 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. The festivities include Ann Arbor’s own, Kalazh performing some Motown favorites.

Local food trucks including Hubbs Grubbs BBQ, Detroit Panzerotti, Time2Chill and Ideal Bite will be there offering some great eats. The event will also include activities for kids and a great way for the community to connect with local non-profits helping local communities.

Bring non-perishable food items or new toiletries to help our friends and neighbors at CARES & Operation Common Good.

New VinoTalk

Wine lovers be sure to check out the new episode of VinoTalk. This time, John Jonna talks about Law Estate wines. It’s a worthwhile five minutes of your day.

Friends,

Where did the summer go? It seems like forever ago that I picked my kids up from their last day of school, but at the same time, I’m pretty sure it was just last week that I packed my last lunchbox.

I’m on the fence about back-to-school. I miss my alone time and being able to work uninterrupted. I do not miss the morning routine, folders, papers, cold, germs and everything else that comes with a new school year. Buying school supplies, a first-day outfit and shoes, meeting new friends and catching up with the friends we didn’t see over the summer is fun for me, though. So, I’m torn.

Whatever your back-to-school feelings are, I hope you have a great kick-off to fall. And if you could, please head over to the City News Facebook page and give us a like.

Rebecca

Check Out the Feature on Care By Design Health Market

Care By Design Health Market, the brainchild of Annette Compo, a local real estate broker and former president of the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce. Born of Compo’s quest to find better ways to manage pain, the business, opened Aug. 1 in the Village Commons strip mall, offers CBD and hemp-based products, with a heavy emphasis on educating the public about how they may help manage chronic pain and improve health.

Get Ready for a Cool Evening of Music

The Farmington Civic Center will be the scene for Friday Night Live with Tom Birchler & Bobby G on Friday, Sept. 13, from 8 to 10 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of live music in the intimate setting of the upstairs theater. It will be a wonderful evening for the whole family.

Tom Birchler is the producer/emcee of Downtown Farmington’s summer concert series Rhythms in Riley Park and Lunch Beats live music at noon. He’s also the co-producer of Friday Night Live.

Artists! Star Wars Fans! Lend Us Your Yoda Ears!

The Farmington Public Library is seeking submissions for a Star Wars Art Contest. Submissions will be unveiled at a Star Wars Art Gallery opening Thursday, Sept. 12.

Submissions will then be on display at the Main Branch of the Farmington Community Library from Sept. 13-30, when anyone can vote for their favorite piece. The winning submission will be featured on our social media accounts. In addition, the winner will receive a limited edition print of Boba Fett by Jim Swearingen, creator of the first licensed Star Wars toys.

Submit your piece at the Main Library Information Desk now through Sept. 11. Along with your submission, include on a separate sheet of paper with your name, phone number, email address, and the title of the submission. Submissions may not weigh more than 100 pounds, may not be more than 5 feet by 5 feet in length and height, and may not be more than 5 inches deep.

City of Farmington Seeks Members for Three of its Boards

The City of Farmington is looking to fill vacancies on its following boards and commissions:

• The Emergency Preparedness Commission meets the first Monday of every month at Farmington Hills City Hall.
• The Historical Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at Farmington City Hall.
• The Zoning Board of Appeals meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Farmington City Hall.

Those interested in any of these opportunities should fill out the application and return it to Farmington City Hall: 23600 Liberty Street; or email it to mandrade@farmgov.com.

Farmington Public Schools Launch “Adopt a Teacher”

Farmington Public Schools launched a new program this year called “Adopt a Teacher,” which supports its newest staff members. The goal of the program is to support new teachers to the district.

Due to the nature of education, teachers often spend their own money on books and supplies for their students and their classrooms. This program hopes to alleviate some of the strain put on teachers, especially those new to teaching. The hope is to have retiring teachers and staff members consider donating some of their supplies to incoming new teachers/staff members, creating a self-sustaining program. FPS also hopes community members and local organizations will aid in donations.

“Adopt a Teacher” plans on working closely with the FPS Teacher Mentorship Program that is already in place in the District. The two programs aim to ensure that new teachers to the District, and to the teaching profession, feel supported.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about this program, please reach out to Kendra Montante, communications coordinator for FPS, at kendra.montante@fpsk12.net or 248-489-3350.

VegMichigan Heads to Michigan Sept. 15

VegMichigan is gearing up for the 4th Annual Free Festival on Sept. 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Riley Park.

All are invited to come and enjoy some of the best plant-based food Michigan has to offer from local restaurants, specialty food vendors and food trucks. Plus, if patrons can also explore downtown Farmington as local area restaurants will offer vegan specials, all within a short walking distance of the festival.

In addition to being a delight to the stomach, VegFest is music to your ears, too. Enjoy favorite songs on the spacious concert lawn and feel free to bring your picnic blanket and lawn chairs.

Friends,

Less than three years ago, I quit my job in corporate communications and went headlong into freelancing. I called it, “my adventure.” Since then, I’ve been especially aware of taking risks and doing things that scare me.

Well, I’m heading into another adventure next month. I’m running my first 5k.

I’m not entirely sure how I got talked into this. I’ve never liked running. In fact, I’ve warned people that if you see me running, you should probably be running, too.

Yet, here I am in the middle of training week five.

I’m using a couch-to-5k app, and if we’re being honest, I still identify way more with the couch aspect than the 5k aspect. I’ve also developed an obsession with running clothes, updating my playlist and keeping my newly chopped hair out of my face without looking like a sweaty Medusa.

The struggle is real, y’all.

The event is Women Run the D on Sept. 15 on Belle Isle. I have no idea if I’ll keep up with running after the race, but I’m enjoying the challenge and proud of my accomplishment already. My goal is to finish in the top 500 in my age bracket. Keep your fingers crossed!

Rebecca

Partnering with OCC to Fix the Skills Gap

Join the Chamber of Commerce to learn about some pertinent changes in community college education and how the wide variety of skilled trades and apprenticeship programs offered by OCC can help both business owners and students bridge the ever-present skills gap. Presentations will be made by Chancellor Peter Provenzano Jr. CPA, CGMA, and Joseph Petrosky, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Provenzano is the driving force behind the OCC Brand “Excellence Empowered.” Petrosky has an extensive background in education and manufacturing and is well versed on how the two come together. He oversees the Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology, Business Administration, Information Technology and Workforce Development Programs.
Lunch is provided Courtesy of Sam Michael’s & prepared by OCC’s Culinary Arts Institute. Register here.

Representative Donates Books to Library

As a part of her “24 Towns in 24 Days” event series, Congresswoman Haley Stevens will visit Farmington to donate books to the Farmington Library.

The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., had a surplus of books and encouraged members of congress to take the extra books to their district’s libraries. Congresswoman Stevens is excited for this opportunity to expand the collection of the Farmington Library, and will do a brief reading from one of the books as well. This event is Monday, Aug. 26, at 3 p.m. It is free and open to the public.