City Offers Information on mosquitos, West Nile

As the summer fades to August, Michigan is at peak time for mosquitos and West Nile Virus. What is West Nile Virus? West Nile Virus is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe it is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. It can infect humans, birds, horses and some other mammals. In a small number of people infected by the virus, the disease can be serious, even fatal. How is West Nile Virus spread? West Nile Virus is most often spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito that gets infected by biting a bird that carries the virus. Horses and other mammals bitten by mosquitoes that carry the virus can also become infected. Whenever mosquitoes are active, there is a risk of getting West Nile Virus. The risk is highest from late July through September. In a very small number of cases, West Nile Virus has been spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding and during pregnancy from mother to baby. West Nile Virus is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus.  

Save the Date: Farmington Hills City-Wide Open House Sunday, Sept. 22

The City of Farmington Hills will host a City-Wide Open House on Sunday, Sept. 22, from noon to 4 p.m. on the City Hall campus at 31555 West Eleven Mile Road at the corner of Eleven Mile and Orchard Lake Roads. Learn about the Fire Department, the Police Department, the Division of Public Works, the Special Services Department, and other city programs and services.

• Climb inside fire engines, police cars, and DPW trucks. • Meet the police dog, Dozer, and see a K-9 demonstration. • Take part in fire safety demonstrations and learn about the National Fire Prevention Week theme for 2019 – “Not every hero wears a cape. Plan and practice your escape.” • Register to vote. • Draw with chalk on a snowplow. • Enter a raffle to win a street sign with your name on it. • Jump in a bounce house.

For more information, call 248-871-2500 or watch for more details at www.fhgov.com.

Work Begins on Shiawassee Road Bridge

On Aug. 1, work began on the stabilization of the Shiawassee Road Bridge stream bank near Farmington Road. The majority of the work is scheduled to be complete by Sept. 1, with additional restoration continuing through Dec. 15. Restoration will include planting ground cover, trees and live stakes — live stakes are native vegetation that is harvested and transplanted at a different location. When the vegetation roots in and begins to grow, it will naturally stabilize the stream-bank from erosion. Every two years, the Michigan Department of Transportation requires all bridges to be inspected – during one inspection of the bridge, investigators found scour at the base of the structure.The project contractor requested and obtained permission from Farmington Public Schools Property to install temporary fencing at the base of the Shiawassee Sled Hill for project staging. When the project is complete, the construction fencing will be removed and the area restored by the contractor at no cost to the city.

New VinoTalk Online Now

Wine lovers, be sure to check out the new edition of Vino Talk with John Jonna. This episode features two favorites: pairing wine with cheese.

Boogie Over to Riley Park for Wayback Machine Concert

As the name implies, Wayback Machine will transport you to another era in music—perhaps take you back to The Summer of Love, The British Invasion, Motown as well as other stops into the 70s and 80s.

The fun starts at 7 p.m. with an opening performance by Shannon Lee.

Get more info here.

Movie in the Park Features Shrek

Right after the Concert in the Park on Aug. 16, stick around for a viewing of Shrek. The adventures of Shrek, Donkey and Fiona begin at 9:30 p.m. and will wrap up by – 11:30 p.m.

Police Department Hires Three New Officers

Left to Right: City Manager Dave Boyer, Officer Kayleigh Schropp, Officer Jeremy Mills, Officer Paxtyn Ciesielski, and Police Chieft Charles Nebus

Farmington Hills Police Chief Charles Nebus announced Jeremy Mills, Paxtyn Ciesielski and Kayleigh Schropp were hired as new officers with the police department.

Officer Jeremy Mills began his career with the department in 2018 as a police service aide. He earned an associate degree in General Studies and an associate degree in Law Enforcement from Macomb Community College. He graduated from the Oakland Police Academy in June 2019. Officer Mills is currently assigned to the Patrol Division of the Operations Bureau as part of the Field Training Program.

Officer Paxtyn Ciesielski began her career with the department in January, when she was hired as a police service aide. Officer Ciesielski earned her associate degree in Criminal Justice from Schoolcraft College. She graduated from the Wayne County Regional Police Academy in November. Officer Ciesielski is currently assigned to the Patrol Division of the Operations Bureau as part of the Field Training Program.

Officer Kayleigh Schropp is a graduate of Ferris State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She graduated from the Ferris State University Police Academy in May. Officer Schropp is currently assigned to the Patrol Division of the Operations Bureau as part of the Field Training Program.

Outdoor Adventure Camp Gives Teens a Taste of the Wild

Teen Outdoor Adventure Camp is scheduled at the Nature Center Aug. 12-16. The Farmington Hills Nature Center hosts the teens at Heritage Park.

Participants will experience a variety of outdoor adventures and learn new skills including archery, canoeing, wilderness survival, hiking, high ropes and geocaching, all guided by a biology professor from Oakland Community College and Nature Center staff members. There will also be an optional overnight camp out in front of the Nature Center.

The Outdoor Adventure Camp is for teens ages 13 to 17. Participants should be prepared for field trips and exploring in the outdoors. The fee for the week of camp is $190 for residents and $200 for non-residents.

Register at the Costick Center or online. Heritage Park is located at 24915 Farmington Road, between 10 and 11 Mile roads. Call the Nature Center at 248-477-1135 or email asmith@fhgov.com for information about additional camps and programs at Heritage Park or the Farmington Hills Nature Center.

Welcome to City News! Through City News, I’m hoping to connect with each of you, to bring you closer to your community and maybe even tempt you to try something new.

Supporting local businesses is so important to a thriving community. Often, it’s the small business owners who support school functions, civic clubs and sponsor city events.

These entrepreneurs are critical to the health and wellbeing of our communities. It’s wonderful to support these folks and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating them through City News.

I’d like to know what bits of info interest you the most: Upcoming events? New businesses? A little of everything?

Reach out!

Rebecca Calappi
citynewseditor@localbiznews.net

Alexa, Ask Recycling Directory Where I Can Recycle Garden Plastic?

The Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County released its new Alexa Skill, Recycling Directory. Residents who have an Amazon Alexa enabled voice control device now have the convenience of immediately asking how to recycle their plastic bottles, pizza boxes or other items as they still have them in hand.

How do residents access the Recycling Directory Alexa skill? They can simply say, “Alexa, enable Recycling Directory. And ask questions like, “Where do I take CFLs?” or, “How do I get rid of unwanted clothes?”

Enable the Alexa Skill, download the mobile app or visit rrrasoc.org to search the Recycling Directory. For more information, visit www.rrrasoc.org or call 248-208-2270.

Positions for the Library Board and Historical Commission Now Open

The City of Farmington is looking for qualified candidates to fill vacancies on the Farmington Community Library Board of Directors and Historical Commission. Library Board members serve a four-year term, while Historical Commissioners serve three years.
 
The Library Board meets on the second Thursday of each month, 6 p.m. at the Main Library in the Ernest E. Sauter Board Room. The Historical Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.

If you are interested or know anyone interested in the position, please visit the City of Farmington website and complete and submit an application to the City Manager’s Office.

Join Us at Riley Park for a Free Concert by Randy Brock Group 

Randy Brock’s inspiration, Stevie Ray Vaughn, is alive in his guitar work. His voice is all his own. His band lays down the perfect support behind the songs, be they Stevie’s, Eric Clapton’s or their own.

Bring a chair, blanket and a snack to enjoy along with the tunes at this free concert.

“Check Out” Michigan

Did you know that your library card can be your best travel companion? Discover hundreds of Michigan’s cultural destinations and natural attractions with your Michigan library card.

You can “check out” free or discounted admission passes (or other exclusive offers) to hundreds of Michigan state parks, campgrounds, museums, trails, arts and cultural destinations and more.

The Michigan Activity Pass program of 2018-2019 features 443 partner destinations available to patrons of the 638 participating public library buildings.

Some of the participating cultural partners include the Yankee Air Museum, the Michigan Science Center, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and many others.

 Library users with a valid library card from any one of Michigan’s nearly 400 public libraries can print a pass, either from home or at the library, to one of the participating locations at the Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) web site. Each Michigan Activity Pass expires one week from the date it is printed. Patrons may check out one MAP pass per library card every seven days.

New friends,

Welcome to City News! Through City News, I’m hoping to connect with each of you, to bring you closer to your community and maybe even tempt you to try something new.

Supporting local businesses is so important to a thriving community. Often, it’s the small business owners who support school functions, civic clubs and sponsor city events.

These entrepreneurs are critical to the health and wellbeing of our communities. It’s wonderful to support these folks and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating them through City News.

I’d like to know what bits of info interest you the most: Upcoming events? New businesses? A little of everything?

Reach out!

Rebecca Calappi
citynewseditor@localbiznews.net

Volunteers Needed to Fill Board Vacancies

Now is your chance to make a real difference in your community. The City of Farmington is looking for qualified candidates to fill vacancies on the Farmington Community Library Board of Directors and Historical Commission. Library Board members serve a four-year term, while Historical Commissioners serve three years.

The Library Board’s goals are to establish, maintain and operate a public library for the district, to appoint and remove a librarian and necessary assistants and to fix their compensation, to supervise and control library property, to adopt bylaws and regulations; to establish a district library fund, over which it shall have exclusive control, and to do any other thing necessary to conduct district library service.

The Historical Commission’s goal is to safeguard the heritage of the city by preserving the cultural, social, economic, political and architectural elements having historic significance, to stabilize and improve property values in such districts, to foster and promote civic beautification with emphasis on historical significance, to promote the use of local history for education, pleasure and the welfare of the citizens of the city, and to encourage collecting records and objects which interpret the history of Farmington, and cooperate in the establishment and operation of a museum or other appropriate center for custody and display of such items.

The Library Board meets on the second Thursday of each month, 6 p.m. at the Main Library in the Ernest E. Sauter Board Room. The Historical Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.

If you are interested or know anyone interested in the position, please visit the City of Farmington website and apply to the City Manager’s Office.

Take a Mid-Day Break with Lunch Beats

Lunch Beats is downtown Farmington’s newest concert series. Bring your sack lunch or carry-out at one of our delicious restaurants. You can bring your own picnic blanket or sit on one of the restaurant patios surrounding Riley Park. All performances will be held at the Sundquist Pavilion in Downtown Farmington.

Click here for the full lineup of performers.

Stranger Things Party at the Library

Head to the Main Library Auditorium on Friday, July 26, to celebrate the kickoff of Stranger Things season 3. Come and geek out about the show, the characters and the new season. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features games, trivia, snacks and 80s décor and music. Registration required, attendees must be ages 18 and up.

Farmington Community Library Hosts Game Day

Roll the dice, move your pawn and join other game lovers for a monthly Game Day meet up hosted in collaboration with Oakland County Gamers. Volunteers will be on hand to help teach and play all types of games for any age and any level of experience. Explore the current board game collection or bring one to share.  Game Day is Saturday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to – 5:30 p.m. at the Main Library on 12 Mile Road.

For additional information, email Shira Pilarski at shira.pilarski@farmlib.org.

Oakland Street Project Underway

Construction on removing and replacing Oakland Street along with the water main underneath is underway. The project reaches from Grand River Avenue to Farmington Road and includes the southeast corner of Liberty Street and Grand River.

Please be advised that there is a possibility that those in the construction zone may be without water for a short period of time during this construction.

There will be times Oakland Street will be closed.

Construction is expected to take approximately 10 weeks to complete the project.

Question? Contact Mitch Master, construction inspection, at 734-855-9876; Jessica Howard, project engineer, at 734-466-4587; or Anthony Vani at V.l.L. Construction, 586-405-5401.

The Downtown Dash Coming Saturday

If you’re clever and like a fun challenge, The Downtown Dash is for you.

Bring some friends for an evening of fun. The Downtown Dash is a road rally-style scavenger hunt where teams of four to six people hunt for clues, compete for prizes and discover all the great things that Downtown Farmington has to offer.

The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 20.

Teams earn points by solving puzzles, finding clues and taking pictures throughout the Downtown Farmington-area. Categories that teams can win will include: most correct answers, fastest time, best team name/costume and more.

Prizes for the winning teams include gift cards from Tre Sorelle, Dagwoods, Cowley’s, Basement Burger Bar and Farmington Brewing Company.

A $10 entry fee per person is payable when you arrive to cover appetizers and refreshments when you complete the rally.

Meet at Tre Sorelle in Downtown Farmington at 5 p.m. for instructions and send off.

Founders Festival 2019 Brings a New, Expanded Location and New Attractions

The annual Greater Farmington Area Founders Festival returns this year for its 55th celebration of summer with many new attractions including a major expansion into Shiawassee Park.

A soft opening for the Beer Tent starts at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 18, while the full festival runs from July 19 through July 21. The festival is bringing back some traditional events like the parade up Grand River Avenue, the bingo tent, beer tent and live music. Several new features including fireworks Saturday night, a children’s carnival and a pig roast have been added.

Schedule some time this weekend for family fun in the community.

Summer Reading Book Fair Slated for Jul 19-28

Children of all ages are invited to the main library July 19 through July 28 to explore the Summer Reading Book Fair. Visit the Children’s Department the week of the event. For more information, call 248-848-4315 or contact laura.scott@farmlib.org.