Friends,

One of the best parts of being City News editor is I get to see all the good we humans do for each other around the holidays. From toy and canned food drives to charity events and volunteering opportunities, my heart is happy.

I’ve always loved the giving time of year and I’m trying to instill that spirit of generosity into my kids year-round. I had them help me donate to the Macomb Foster Closet, which gives foster kids two free wardrobes each year. I love this charity for several reasons. There’s no middle man. Our donations go from our trunk to their shelves. We are helping children in our area. And my kids are adopted. Luckily, they didn’t spend any time in foster care, but it’s a path many children have to take.

What are some of your favorite charities? Why? Let’s see if we can get a shout out to the ones that mean the most to us. Together, we can make an even more caring community.

Rebecca

Fire & Ice Festival

Brighten your holidays in downtown Rochester with the Fire & Ice Festival. Come enjoy an outdoor family-friendly activity hosted by Oakland County, Oakland County Parks, the Principal Shopping District and the City of Rochester.

The event will feature ice sculptors, sledding hill, sled dogs, food trucks, carriage rides, a warming station and much more. The Fire & Ice Festival will kick off on Friday, Jan. 17.

Winter Tax Bills

Winter Tax bills have been mailed, if you have not received your tax bill or if you have any questions, please contact Treasury at 248-733-3700. Winter taxes are due on or before Friday, Feb. 14.

To share your news, announcements, and events, please email citynewseditor@localbiznews.net

City Seeks Volunteers

Get involved by joining one of Rochester’s Boards and Commissions. Applications and a list of all of Boards and Commissions are available at City Hall and online.

Front Porch Holiday Decorating Contest

Combining a love of all things Christmas and front porches, the city created the first-ever Front Porch Holiday Decorating Contest. It’s easy to participate: Deck out your front porch for the holidays.

A team of holiday experts will tour the town the week of Dec. 16 and select the home that has the most holiday spirit. The winners will receive a one-night stay at the Royal Park Hotel, plus a $100 Downtown Rochester gift certificate. The deadline to register is Dec. 15.

There are only two rules:
1. Homes must be located in the City of Rochester
2. Decorating must be completed by Dec. 16

Friends,

I blinked and missed November.

At my house, we’re in full-blown celebration mode. After Thanksgiving, we celebrated my dad’s birthday. Then my twins’ birthday is midmonth. My family Christmas party and my birthday sit back to back on the calendar. Christmas comes through like a freight train, and after a week of putting toys together and picking packaging out of the rug, we celebrate the New Year.

I’m pre-exhausted.

But this season, I’m doing a few things for myself. I signed up for a virtual race to run, walk or crawl at least one mile every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m also determined to enjoy a cheesy or classic (I haven’t decided yet) movie without multi-tasking. And I have my heart set on finding a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas in a store. A story of mine is published in the book and I’d just like to see it somewhere.

What are your plans for the holidays? Email me at citynewseditor@localbiznews.net so I can pick up a few new ideas for my family.

Rebecca

Christmas Parade

Bring the family to enjoy the largest Christmas parade in Michigan. The parade will include floats, bands and of course, Santa Claus. Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Main Street in Downtown Rochester.

Excited for the parade? Check out the countdown here.

For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 248-651-6700.

New Fire Rating

Rochester was designated with a Class 3 rating by the Insurance Services Office. The new rating can improve insurance premium rates for residents and business.

Be sure to notify your insurance provider of this upgraded rating to lower your rates. The rating is on a scale of one to 10, with one being the highest. The standards that help comprise the ISO rating are developed by organizations such as the National Fire Protections Association.

The ISO information provides the city with valuable insight on the risk of fire loss to its residents and businesses. This rating improvement is a sign of the city’s dedication to continuous improvement in fire response and community risk reduction.

Last week, I took my first mom-cation. I went to Seattle, and for the most part, traveled around by myself. I had a wonderful time. Beyond the sights I saw and the food, I met some interesting people—Tony the bartender at Rocco’s, Richie the shoe salesperson at Nordstrom, the fish-throwing guy at Pike’s Place.

One of the best things of my profession is how it has made me so curious about people. I’ll ask anyone anything. Usually, I can get some great insight, and at the very least a telling response to my questions.

It was great to get away, but now I’m back and in the throes of the holidays. Thanksgiving in a few days, then we launch into “birthday season” at my house, and of course Christmas.

Be sure to check out Local Business News for some great holiday shopping ideas while you’re looking through the Black Friday ads, too.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Rebecca

Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade

The Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade has been part of the Rochester area for 68 years. The parade rolls down Main Street every year, brought to you by the Rochester Regional Chamber Foundation.

The Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade is the largest Christmas parade in Michigan featuring over 100 entries marching down a one-and-a-half-mile route. The parade is held annually on the first Sunday in December.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 2 p.m.

Kris Kringle Market

A Rochester favorite, the Kris Kringle Market comes to downtown Dec. 6 from 4 to 10 pm. And Dec. 7 from noon to 10p.m. Visitors can enjoy the food, shopping, entertainment and ambiance of this open-air market, which features handcrafted gifts, holiday decor and specialty foods. For more information call 248-656-0060 or visit downtownrochestermi.com.

Shake Your Mailbox

The Rochester Department of Public Works asks residents who have mailboxes at the road edge to prepare for winter by shaking their mailbox. By giving your mailbox a shake, you can ensure it is solidly in the ground. The initiative is intended to prevent mailboxes from being damaged by snow pushed off the road by snowplows.

If you have questions on what is permitted, call the Rochester DPW at 248-651-5165 or visit the City’s website.

Historical Markers

The Rochester Historical Commission continues to offer historical markers to celebrate the long-standing heritage of homes and businesses in the City of Rochester that were built before 1969.

The historical marker program is strictly an educational program and will not affect the owner’s ability to make changes to the property.

The marker makes a great gift for a new homeowner, someone celebrating a renovation project or honoring a longtime Rochester resident. Markers cost $225. Applications are available online.

If you need help filling out the application or finding the date a structure was built, email lynncanderson@hotmail.com.

Applicants Needed for City Positions

Rochester is seeking applicants interested in serving on the Planning Commission or as the Citizen Member of the OPC Board. Applications are due by no later than Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. for first consideration. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, please download and fill out the application at: www.rochestermi.org/bcapp. Hard copies of the application are also available in person at City Hall, by request. To submit in person or by mail, please print and fill out the application, and submit to the attention of the Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 400 6th Street, Rochester, MI 48307.

Grand Marshalls Announced

The Rochester Regional Chamber Foundation announced George and Betty Seifert as this year’s Grand Marshals for the 68th Annual Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade. The Seiferts are long-time residents of the greater Rochester area. They are currently involved with the Rochester Hills Museum, serve on the Rochester University Foundation Board, and can be found generously contributing their time and talent throughout our community. Their many other contributions will be highlighted along with recognition of all parade sponsors, at the Grand Marshal Gala on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Great Oaks Country Club.  The annual Grand Marshal Gala kicks off the holiday season. Admission is $40 per person. Please register for the event.

The Women’s Fund Receives $7,150 From “Just Us Girls Stroll”

Last month, the downtown community came together for a great cause. The “Just Us Girls Stroll,” brought out 19 downtown Rochester shops. Through ticket sales and shops donating a portion of their sales, $7,150 was raised for the Women’s Fund.

Small Business Saturday Coming Nov. 30

Join the merchants of Downtown Rochester on Saturday, Nov. 30, for Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to strengthening the community by supporting local small businesses. The Rochester Downtown Development Authority joined more than 400 advocacy organizations that have made it a mission to bring business to their downtown areas on this day. Holiday shoppers who enter a picture of their receipt from a purchase made Nov. 30 at a small business in Oakland County are eligible to win $5,000. Just take a picture of your receipt and text ShopTextWin to 41411. Details on how to enter can be found at www.AdvantageOakland.com/ShopSmall. In addition, the Rochester Downtown Development Authority will offer free carriage rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The carriage rides will pick-up at the corner of E. Fourth and Main Street. Rides will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis with no advanced reservation accepted.

Catch The Big, Bright Light Show

Rochester is famous for The Big, Bright Light Show. The downtown area will be lit up Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. The light show will run nightly through Jan. 5, from 5 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit www.DowntownRochesterMI.com. The city broke ground on a new Public Works facility building Nov. 4. Frank Rewold & Sons is working with Rochester to bring this project to completion.  

Small Business and SEO

Learn how customers find your business online and how to promote your business using search engine optimization and smart campaigns in Google Ads with speaker Erin Burns.

In this workshop, discussions will include best practices for:

• Improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices
• Creating a free Google My Business listing
• Advertising your business on Google

The seminar is on Nov. 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Be sure to register for this event.

Lech Walesa, Former President of Poland, to Present Varner Vitality Lecture

Lech Wałęsa, the former president of Poland, will be this year’s Varner Vitality Lecture keynote speaker. He will speak about the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, his country’s struggles against Communism and also take questions from the audience through moderator Carol Cain, columnist for the Detroit Free Press and host of CBS-TV62’s television program Michigan Matters.

The Friday, Nov. 15 program will begin at 7 p.m. in Oakland University Founders Ballrooms A and B.

Click here to submit a question for the discussion.

Bring the Today Show to Downtown

How cool would it be to have the Today Show visit Downtown Rochester? Lend a hand in bringing the national program to Rochester by going online and explaining what you like about Main Street and why they should come here.

City Breaks Ground on Public Works Building

The city broke ground on a new Public Works facility building Nov. 4. Frank Rewold & Sons is working with Rochester to bring this project to completion.