Ferndale Revvs up for Dream Cruise

Ferndale, “where the dream began in 1995,” features three days of Rock ’n Live Entertainment and Automotive Excitement, presented by Ford Motor Company.

Ferndale’s annual Dream Cruise event, Aug. 15-17, brings traditional favorites back for another year along with live rocking entertainment, a kids’ play zone and automotive fun.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, on West Nine Mile: Classics & Cruis’n Legends Vehicle Show exhibiting cars and trucks.

On Friday, Aug. 16, on East Nine Mile: The 19th Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show starring a variety of ambulance, fire and police vehicles from 1 to 8 p.m. The official Woodward Dream Cruise Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony will take place at 5 p.m., followed by the Lights and Sirens Cruise at 5:30 p.m.

On Friday, Aug. 16, on West Nine Mile: TV & Movie Cars and more from 1 to 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 17, East & West Nine Mile Road at Woodward will be transformed into Mustang Alley, celebrating its 21st year with more than 800 Ford Mustangs, making itself the largest car show exhibit of the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Shake, rattle and roll through the Ferndale Dream Cruise with live performances on West Nine Mile Road all three days of the celebration.

The Rock ’n Live Entertainment Stage features performances by American Band, City Beat, The Favorites, Crewsade, Full Tilt, Lookin’ Back, Karley Patterson, Rich Sutterfield, Infinity & Beyond Journey Tribute Band, and the Ferndale Community Concert Band.

The Official Woodward Dream Cruise merchandise station will be located east of Woodward, next to Como’s Pizza.

For more details, visit www.FerndaleDreamCruise.com.

Green Daffodil Featured on Local Business News

Ferndale’s own Green Daffodil was featured recently in Local Business News. Check out the story, video and photos to see how two friends made a successful business work.

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.

Ferndale Dream Cruise is Coming

The Ferndale Dream Cruise rolls into town Aug. 15-17 at 9 Mile Road and Woodward. Make a weekend of it and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities, car shows and more.

Additionally, watch for road closures as the Woodward Dream Cruise approaches. The cruise is scheduled the weekend of Aug. 17.

Aerobatic Teams Fill the Skies at OCIA Open House & Air Show

The Phillips 66 Aerostars will once again tear into the skies at 250 mph over the Oakland County International Airport Open House & Air Show in four Extra 300L aerobatic planes. They will join other aerial performers at the Sunday, Aug. 11.

Admission is free. There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle.

The air show begins at 2 p.m.

Wednesday Walks Explores Downtown

Explore your hometown downtown while getting fit. Wednesday Walks is a weekly 30 to 45-minute walk, departing each week from the City Hall parking lot at 5:30 p.m. The start time is designed to be right as people are getting home from work – get a little exercise in before you get home and don’t want to go out again.

Guest walk leaders will keep things interesting and allow people to share information and opportunities. Experience the walkability and connectivity of Downtown Ferndale and build a stronger community – both physically and supportively.

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

Ferndale Makerspace Company Goes for $50K

Makerspace and innovation hub i3Detroit will create a new space in Ferndale through a new crowdfunding campaign the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and nonprofit i3Detroit announced. The campaign is offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by Sept. 20, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program.

For project details and to donate, please visit:patronicity.com/i3detroit .

Public Spaces Community Places  is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC.

Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply here.

Whiskey Room Opens in Ferndale

The Traverse City Whiskey Co. is poised to open its first satellite tasting room. Luckily, it’ll be in Ferndale.

Dubbed, “The Outpost,” the new eat and sip spot will take up space inside Como’s but will have its own entrance and will operate independently from the Ferndale mainstay.

The Outpost will feature a family-friendly menu in addition to bourbon, whiskey and other spirits.

Ferndale Unity Party & Music in the Park Aug 9

Head over to the Ferndale Unity Party & Music in the Park for live entertainment by the Candy Bandits, create a unity craft, and play back-yard games—all while bonding with your family and the Ferndale community at this free family event.

The second-annual event will take place Aug. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kulick Community Center. Food will be available for sale.

In case of inclement weather, event will be indoors.

Parking Permit Issue Affects Few

Ferndale’s Finance Department and Republic Parking division discovered an issue last week with a third-party payment vendor that caused transactions for parking permit purchases and auto-renewals to be charged three times.

The issue may have affected up to 20 customers.

The error is with permit parking payments only; meter/parking-station and ParkFerndale app transactions are not affected.

After discovering the issue, the Finance Department stopped permit parking transactions until the problem could be identified and resolved. Republic Parking is working closely with its parking payment vendor, Passport Parking, to ensure the issue is addressed as quickly as possible.

If you believe you may have been charged in error for your parking permit, please contact Barb Miller at 248-336-4366.

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

Groove to Beat the Heat

Get out your dancing shoes and boogie to the Gerry Kulick Community Center on July 26, at 6 p.m., for an evening of music by Reynolds Unlimited. Admission is free but bring your own lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held inside the Kulick Community Center.

This is a big deal for Ferndale because this is the first ever “Groove to Beat the Heat” concert in the park.

Dog Safety Class Allows Membership to Park

Dog safety class is offered exclusively to Ferndale residents by Canine to 5. The class will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8, 7 to 8 p.m.

Dog owners must complete this class to purchase a membership to the Ferndale Dog Park. Topics of discussion include:

– Body language- what do you see and what do you mean?

– Entering and exiting the dog park safely

– Dog play- recognizing healthy play vs. non-healthy play, bullying

– How to know when it’s time to go

– What to do if there is a fight

– When not to take your dog to the dog park

Dogs are not permitted, but participants must be older than 18, but less than 100, according to the city website.

Please bring your completed applications along with copies of your pet’s vaccinations to class, and you can register for a membership once the session is over.

Get Involved, Make a Difference

One of the greatest impacts you can have on your community is to get involved. In Ferndale, there are many ways to make a difference. On the events calendar, the city lists all the meetings, dates and times. Attending these meetings, or even volunteering to help on one of the boards and committees—from environmental and arts, to planning and development—there’s something for every interest.

Ferndale needs you! Get out there and make a difference!

Teen Craft Night at the Library

Head to the library on Thursday, July 25, with your teen for a craft hour. Participants will create a moon-phase wall hanging at the 6:30 p.m. event. Craft night is geared for kids entering grades 6 through 12. Register here for the program.

Applications Accepted for City Council Vacancy

Following Councilwoman Melanie Piana’s resignation ahead of her November 2019 mayoral run, Ferndale City Council will consider applicants to fill her vacancy.

The designated appointee will serve on Ferndale City Council through the end of the year, after which the individual elected in the Nov. 5 election will assume the remainder-term position.

To be considered for this temporary city council appointment, please complete the digital application. Resumes and/or letters of intent are also encouraged and can be sent directly to the city clerk, Marne McGrath, at mmcgrath@ferndalemi.gov.

Applications will be accepted now through July 29. City Council will review applications, make a decision and an announcement at the Aug. 5 meeting.

If you have questions, please contact the city clerk’s office at 248-546-4366 or email elections@ferndalemi.gov.

Free Valet Parking Fridays and Saturdays

Don’t let the idea of finding parking hinder your weekend plans. Fast, easy, and free valet parking is available every Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. courtesy of the City of Ferndale and the Downtown Development Authority.

The free valet program is offered as part of the ongoing temporary parking solutions, meant to provide parking relief to downtown residents, visitors and employees during the construction of The dot mixed-use parking development.

The StarTrax valet stand is located in the business alley between 9 Mile businesses and the Withington Parking Lot. Use Planavon St. to access the business alley—it’s now open to two-way traffic. Drop off your vehicle at the stand, located behind Dye Salon and Liberty Tax, then stroll up the pedestrian walkway to access downtown shops, restaurants and events.

Credit, Debit Payments for Summer Taxes Have Service Fee

With the release of summer taxes, the city charges a 2% service fee for credit and debit card payments.

As of Jan. 1, 2019, the City of Ferndale implemented a service fee for credit/debit card users versus absorbing the fees from credit card companies. This is a very common practice of municipalities and businesses throughout the country.

The 2% service fee is assessed of credit card payments for tax statements. A $2.50 flat fee is assessed on credit transactions for utility billing, parking permits, building permits and other miscellaneous charges. Fees will be charged regardless of whether payment is made in person or online.

Other payment methods can be used to avoid service fees such as electronic-checks (through your financial institution), regular checks, and cash.

To assist residents, the City offers an eight-month tax payment plan.

If you have questions, please contact the Finance Department at 248-546-2370.

Library Bake Sale Planned for July 22

Bakers and connoisseurs of goodies rejoice: It’s time for the library’s annual bake sale. Get some great, homemade goodies and help support the Summer Concert Series.

Yes, there will be jam.

If you’re interested in baking, please contact Kelly Bennett at 269-932-3179 or email at kelly@ferndalepubliclibrary.org. Goodies that are packaged into easy-to-sell containers are a plus.

Bakers can drop off goodies on Sunday, July 21, from noon to 5 p.m. or on Monday starting at 9 a.m. Click here for more info.