Positive Solutions for Families

Oakland Family Services will be doing a six-week, parents only class for those who need help dealing with their child’s (0-5) behavioral issues. Parents should plan to attending all six sessions and registration is required. Positive Solutions for Families begins Monday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. at the library.

Win Ice Time at Detroit Curling Club

If you’re a fan of curling, listen up. Now’s your chance to win a gift certificate for two hours of ice time at the Detroit Curling Club.

Here’s what you have to do:
Participants must like the Parks and Rec Facebook page, complete a profile on active net and/or be a Ferndale resident or active participant in one activity in the last six months. The drawing will be held Monday, Feb. 3. Check out the Parks and Rec website.

.

Friends,

My heart is happy.

I’m a huge advocate for volunteerism. It’s a huge, satisfying part of my life.

With it being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, seeing all the volunteering and giving opportunities makes me proud to be in these communities. While I’m not going to pretend to understand the depth and breadth of what Dr. King means to the African-American community, I truly admire the movement to create something special in his memory. I think that’s one of the most profound legacies a person can leave in this world.

In talking with my aunt last week, she said something that resonated with me: To whom much is given, much is expected. I agree. I’m no millionaire, but I certainly can’t complain about my lifestyle. My family is safe, warm and fed. We have access to doctors and teachers. Life is good.

But others aren’t so lucky.

Time is free and it’s the most important thing you can give. I encourage you to get out there this week, and every week, and lend a hand where you can. You don’t even need to be formal about it. Grab some paper and markers and make cards for kids in the hospital. Pick up litter at your local park. Start a pay-it-forward the next time you’re in the drive thru.

It’s all about kindness, folks. And it’s the least we can do.

Stay warm,

Rebecca

Daddy-Daughter Dance

It’s time once again for Ferndale Parks and Recreation’s annual Daddy Daughter Dance. Young ladies and their special person should save the date for Saturday, Feb. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m.

All couples will get the opportunity to take pictures on-site courtesy of Vibe Credit Union, and every girl will receive a goody bag and a lovely carnation. As an added bonus, Princess Elsa is expected to join in on the fun.

The dance will be held at Ferndale High School in the Common Area. The $10 per person fee will increase to $15 per person on Feb. 1. Click here for tickets.

Everyone must register to enter the building. Preregistration is required (no at-the-door entry). All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Anatomy of A Successful Marketing Program

If you own or run a business and want to learn how to draw more attention, save the date for Jan. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Anatomy of a Successful Marketing Program features speaker Stacey Miron. Learn how having an effective digital marketing program can affect your business and why it’s important.

The event will be at 1938 Burdette in Ferndale.

Register Here!

.

New Polling Locations

To provide more space and an overall ease of the voting process, the city adjusted polling locations. As of now, both Precinct 6 and Precinct 7 will operate from the same location. For residents who are voters of Precinct 7, your site has been moved from the Detroit Curling Club to the Ferndale Free Methodist Church, which is also the Precinct 6 site. While the two precincts share the same polling location, each precinct will remain separate in terms of polling.

This change takes effect with the upcoming Presidential Primary Election on March 10. To those who are voters of Precinct 7, new voter ID cards will be mailed to you before the end of January.

If you are unsure whether this affects you, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to confirm your precinct and polling location. You can also refer to the list of polling locations here. If there are any questions or more information needed, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 248-546-2525 (option 5 on the auto attendant).

Parks and Rec RFP

The city is currently seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide a software solution for Parks and Recreation that will:

1. Include robust customer service support; flexible programming options to cover the breadth of activities offered; a professional, secure, user-friendly front-and back-end interface
2. Provide easy-to-use tools and features to increase efficiencies among staff, volunteers and users; generate data, develop various comprehensive reports and minimize payment processing costs for users

More information can be found in the Request for Proposal for Parks and Recreation Management Software packet.

.

Friends,

Welcome to the New Year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays and are ready to take on the Michigan winter.

I don’t consider myself overly techie, but I also don’t think I’m too far behind the times. So, when I received an Apple Watch as a gift, I had no idea what this would mean.

Understand: I grew up watching the Jetsons, Wonder Woman and ALF. We have some amazing technology these days, but I’m still disappointed I don’t have a jetpack.

I was a little floored with my new watch. I had no idea all the things it can do. It even tells me when to breathe. But the most surprising feature to me is the ability to take phone calls ON A WATCH.

I was putting in a load of laundry and my watch started ringing. My husband and I looked around to see who stepped on a kids’ toy only to figure out it was my wrist. I answered it and we talked to a telemarketer for a while just because IT WAS ON A WATCH.

This thing is straight out of the campy Batman show from my childhood. POW! If only it did the laundry.

Bring in the New Year strong.

Rebecca

Tour Bharatiya Hindu Temple

Join Senior Services for a tour of the main worship area of Bharatiya Hindu Temple. The Temple was inaugurated on July 19, 1981. Since then, it has grown significantly in terms of activities, building expansion and size of the congregation. Following the tour, lunch is “on-your-own” at the Star of India Restaurant in Ferndale. Register here.

Writing Contest

There are two writing contests, designed around Women’s Suffrage, open to Oakland County students.

The idea is a celebration of 100 years of the 19th Amendment. One contest (poetry) is open to students in grades kindergarten through 12. The other is for secondary students and is the creation of a PSA.

The initiative is for Oakland County students only. Cash prizes will be awarded.

.

Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest for High School Students Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Oakland County Directory Cover Art Contest has been extended to Jan. 13, giving students time to enjoy their winter break.

Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown previously announced an art contest for high school students residing in Oakland County to design the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory.

The theme of this year’s contest is Oakland County’s bicentennial. All high school students residing in Oakland County are eligible to enter by submitting an original work of art depicting the county’s 200th anniversary.

The winner will have their artwork featured on the cover of the 2020 Oakland County Directory and will receive a $500 prize from VIBE Credit Union. Students under age 18 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to enter. Each entry must be submitted in a medium that can be reproduced, include a short description (up to 300 words) of how the original artwork was created, specify the medium/media used, and the inspiration behind the work.

Entries will be accepted through Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. Entries may be dropped off in person or mailed to Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, Directory Cover Contest, Elections Division, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept. 417, Pontiac, MI 48341. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.

All entries must include a fully completed entry form, which can be downloaded from www.oakgov.com/clerkrod, where a complete list of rules is also available.

Holiday Closures

Ferndale City Hall will be closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day – Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Detroit Public Works will also adhere to the same schedule. Regular work hours will resume on Jan. 2.

Know Where to Park this Winter

Make sure you’re in the know about holiday parking, lot closures and potential snow emergencies. Join the Park Ferndale Alert system. You can register to receive alerts via text or email to stay up-to-date on all city news.

.

Friends,

Finally, the big week is here. And by that, I mean it’s my birthday today.

That’s right, I’m a Christmas baby. Well, nearly anyway. So, beyond the usual excitement of the season, I get to lump in my birthday and the ever clever, “Merry Birthday!”

People ask me how I like having my birthday so close to Christmas and I never know what to say. I’m tempted to ask them how they like being tall or old or a Lions fan, but that just seems snippy. So, I shrug and respond, “I like cake.”

For me, my birthday kicks off Christmas—it’s Christmas Eve-Eve. And it’s time to celebrate. Whatever it is you celebrate, or don’t, this season, know that I wish you all the best. Stay warm. Do something kind. Have fun.

Rebecca

Garbage and Recycling Delay

Please be aware that there will be garbage and recycling delays due to the holidays.

For the week of the Dec. 23, garbage will run normally through Tuesday, Dec. 24. There will be no pickup on Wednesday, Dec. 25. If your collection day falls on a Wednesday, please bring your garbage and recycling containers to the curb the following day. Pickup will then run a day late for the remainder of the week.  

Likewise, for the week of Dec. 30, garbage will run as normal through Tuesday, Dec. 31. There will be no pickup on Wednesday, Jan. 1. If your collection day falls on a Wednesday, please bring your garbage and recycling containers to the curb the following day. Pickup will then run a day late for the remainder of the week.

VinoTalk

Join local wine expert John Jonna as he discusses wines to serve during the holidays in this week’s Vino Talk.

.