15th Annual Mount Clemens Ice Sculpture Show

The 15th Annual Mount Clemens Ice Carving Show runs Friday, Jan. 31, through Sunday, Feb. 2.

Sculptures will be displayed on Macomb Place and kids can enjoy the Wonderland Warming Center inside The Discovery Center Children’s Hands-On Museum.

Live ice carving will take place from midday Thursday to midday Sunday.

Artspace

Are you an area artist, arts and culture organization, creative community member, business or arts supporter? Join likeminded individuals for refreshments, information and camaraderie to celebrate another big step forward in supporting the creative community.

Learn about building affordable live/work artist housing and studio space in Mount Clemens at the Artspace Artist Survey Launch Party on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are free, but please RSVP.

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

15th Annual Mount Clemens Ice Sculpture Show

Ice sculptures will be on display on Macomb Place Downtown from Friday, Jan. 31, to Sunday, Feb. 2. There will also be live carving demonstrations on Fountain Stage and a Kids Wonderland Warming Center.

The event is free and fun for the whole family.

Craft All Day at the Library

Crafters, rejoice! The Mt. Clemens Public Library is hosting an all-day craft-a-thon on Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Join fellow crafters for a full-day of scrapbooking, card making or whatever inspires you. Spend the day and have a six-foot table to craft to your hearts content.

Lunch is potluck and dinner is $5.

Click here for registration and information.

Green Art Show

Art lovers, save the date for the Opening Reception & Awards on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m.

Selected works will be on display from members of the Lakeside Palette Club of St. Clair Shores, the Mount Clemens Art Association, the Romeo Guild of Art, and the Warren Tri-County Fine Arts Association, Inc. The event is a juried show by host Laura Whitesides.

Gallery admission is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted and appreciated.

Parking is available by metered street and lot.

Ice Carving Show

Ice Carving Show

Save the date for the 15^th Annual Ice Carving Show from Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Dozens of sculptures will be on display throughout downtown Mt. Clemens with ice carving demonstrations and a warming center in the Discovery Center Children’s Museum.

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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

Did You Know?

Mt. Clemens has a Dial-a-Ride program providing radio dispatched, curb to curb, non-emergency, demand-response service for anyone traveling within the city limits of Mount Clemens? Dial-a-Ride is available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. No calls are taken after 5:30 p.m.

SatARTdays Downtown

Pencil in second Saturdays for art and a variety of free monthly art events and performances open to the community.

The first weekend for this event is Saturday, Jan. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. with the Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers at the Emerald Theatre.

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New Year’s Eve Gala

Head to the annual Downtown Mount Clemens New Year’s Eve Fireworks Gala, and Children’s New Year’s Eve Night at the Museum. Award-winning Zambelli Fireworks will provide a professional pyrotechnics display. It’s a great way to kick-off 2020.

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

New Macomb County Pride Initiative Boots Up Plan for 2020

Plans are underway for a Macomb County Pride event in downtown Mount Clemens, tentatively set for June 27, 2020. With a goal to develop an annual event, Macomb County Pride will celebrate and empower the region’s LGBTQ+ community through a June Pride Festival featuring a family-and pet-friendly parade and resource fair, and by offering participatory opportunities to local groups and organizations to highlight their support and resources available to the LGBTQ+ community in Macomb County.

Macomb County Pride presents DRAG-ing in the New Year, a fundraiser featuring a professional drag show at The Emerald Theatre on New Year’s Eve. The event will raise funds for the June 27 parade and resource fair. Performers include Kourtney Breeze, Bentley James, Perry Dox, Kendyll Harding, Malibu and Jacqueline Frost. Tickets areb$69/general admission and $99/VIP, and are on sale now at www.theemeraldtheatre.com.

Tinsel Tour

Haven’t gotten out to the Tinsel Tour yet? Make some time this holiday season and take in all the bright decorations along the riverfront.