Roundtable Discussion with State Representative Michael Webber

Join the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and other business leaders in the community for a sit-down with State Rep. Michael Webber to discuss challenges and issues specific to businesses in the greater Rochester area.

The meet-and-greet will be held at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm in the Calf Barn on Friday, Jan. 31. Doors open for networking and coffee at 8:30 a.m.

There is no cost to attend and the event is open to members of the Rochester Regional Chamber and businesses within the greater Rochester area.

Register here.

Art Deck Registration

Registration for Deck Art begins Monday, Feb. 3. Registration forms can be found online at downtownrochestermi.com. Submit completed registration forms to South Street Skateshop at 410 Main. There is a registration Fee of $20 plus tax for one blank skateboard deck. The registration deadline is Friday, April 10.

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

Chief Financial VP Named Transformative Leader of the Year

MichBusiness named Cheryl Boodram, vice president of Marketing and Sales at Chief Financial Credit Union, a 2019 Transformative Leader of the Year.
The MichBusiness Transformative Leader award recognizes leaders who are remarkable at elevating the quality of life for employees, clients or colleagues. The award is open to business leaders throughout Michigan, highlighting select individuals who exemplify leadership each year.

During her time at Chief Financial, Boodram has fostered the organization’s marketing and sales strategy from the department’s inception, and has acted as lead of credit union project management. She also developed programs that cultivated hundreds of thousands of dollars for community partners. Boodram was also honored for her efforts in 2018 with the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 Award.

Chief Financial Credit Union is the only financial institution headquartered in the Greater Rochester Area. For more information, visit www.chiefonline.com.

Chamber of Commerce Names Hunter 2020 Ambassador Chair

The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce named Scott Hunter, of Cruise & Travel Experts with Scott the Traveling Man, as the 2020 Ambassador Chair. He has been part of the Chamber for 12 years and became an ambassador six months after joining the Chamber.

Feedback to the Oakland County Executive

Oakland County residents have until Friday to let County Executive David Coulter know just what the priorities for his administration should be for 2020.

The 10-question online Citizen Survey asks residents to rank what is important to them in terms of jobs and the economy, public health, neighborhoods and housing, roads and transportation, among other items. Coulter has made it a priority to meet with residents and businesses to hear from those who want a voice in county government.

To take the survey, go to www.OakGov.com and click on the “Citizen Survey 2020” button. The survey is open until Friday. Coulter’s administration will use the survey results to help the county be responsive to those who live in Oakland County and ensure the policies and strategies of county government are inclusive of all residents.

Fire & Ice Festival

The Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester will be the inaugural event to commemorate Oakland County’s bicentennial year. The fireworks pre-show will honor Oakland County’s 200 years and the event stage will have a bicentennial ice sculpture.

“We can’t think of a better way to kick off celebrating Oakland County’s 200th year than with the Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester,” Dave Coulter, county executive, said. “We welcome everyone to attend our free winter festival to take part in the winter fun.”

The Fire & Ice Festival is set for Jan. 17 through 19 and is among the premier winter events in Michigan. There is no charge for any of the winter activities.

Activities include dog sled rides, a tube sledding hill, ice skating, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, ice carvings, face painting, marshmallow roasting, food trucks and a taste fest/beer tent.

For detailed event schedules and more information, go Facebook.com/FireAndIceRochester.

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

Go Green

Go Green is an initiative by the City of Rochester to encourage customers to select Paperless Water and Sewer Billing and enroll in the Automatic Payments Options.

Paperless billing and payments save time and money and, most importantly, helps the environment. We know you have a busy life and need choices when it comes to making payments for your city water and sewer services. Now, you can select an automatic payment option, so your bill will be paid on time, every time, direct from your checking account.

You will still receive your bill, via email, before the due date, so you will have time to ask any questions before payment is processed.

To sign up for this program, click on Automatic Water and Sewer Billing and Paperless Billing Form and print the application. Complete the form, be sure to date and sign, then mail or deliver it to City Hall. You will need to include a voided check to complete the sign-up process. The automated payment will apply to your next quarterly bill. If you have any questions, call 248-733-3700.

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.

Trade-In Your Christmas Tree for a New Tree

After the holidays, recycle your Christmas tree at 11 Oakland County Parks. Recycling drop-off sites are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week now through Jan. 26.

There is no charge to drop off trees, but all plastic, tinsel and wire must be removed. Commercial trees are not accepted.

Follow the drop-off signs at Addison Oaks, north of Rochester, to get started.

Or, the city will once again provide curbside chipping services of natural Christmas trees beginning on Thursday, Jan. 2. To be chipped, trees must be bare: all non-woody material (such as lights, ornaments, etc.) must be removed from the tree.

City Seeks Volunteers

Get involved by joining one of Rochester’s boards and commissions. Applications and a list of all of our boards and commissions are available at City Hall and online at rochestermi.org/bcapplication.

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

Esports at Oakland University

Oakland University became the first Division I university in Michigan to formally announce the addition of a varsity esports team to its athletics program. The team will begin competition in the fall of 2020. The university also announced a unique partnership with Team Renegades, a professional esports team based at GameTime in Auburn Hills.

Esports is short for “electronic sports” and is defined as competitive multiplayer video gaming. While new, and developing at the collegiate level, esports has grown exponentially among amateur and professional gamers around the world.

Census 2020

April 1 is Census Day and it is imperative that you take part in the count. The city has established a Complete Count Committee to ensure that as many residents are counted as possible. Accurate census information is critical to planning for future growth development, and the social needs of Rochester.

If you would like to take part in the education efforts with the community, the Committee is looking for volunteers to go neighbor to neighbor and help with efforts before Census Day.

Questions? Email jdixon@rochestermi.org or visit www.rochestermi. org/Census2020.