Friends,

It’s officially autumn. Beyond the pumpkin spice debate lies a more important topic in my house: Halloween.

My 7-year-old twins have been planning their costumes since August, so I’m very aware of how critical Oct. 31 is in their world. I’m not the only one, either. So many communities are planning trick-or-treat events, that I can’t possibly list them all. As a PTO mom, I’m helping plan a trunk-or-treat at our Eastside elementary.

Enjoy the fun of October. In addition to getting juiced up on candy, there are apple orchards to visit (try convincing your kids that you’re going doughnut picking, too, it’s fun), pumpkins to carve, chili to make and football to watch. What’s your favorite activity?

Enjoy autumn,

Rebecca

Rochester Posed Hits the Town this Week

Visit Downtown Rochester for an evening of shopping, dining and live mannequins, which will be “posed” in storefronts from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3. This year’s theme is Album Covers. For more information call 248-656-0060.

Carolers Needed

Back by popular demand, volunteers are needed to join the Rochester Community Carolers. The Carolers will perform at Caroling in the City on Sunday, Dec. 15. Click for more information and to sign up.

https://forms.gle/Xh8crKimfa34hvaK8

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Friends, I did it! I ran my first 5k race. I went into it thinking I wasn’t going to make it, that I was going to let myself down. But, you know what? It was great. I ran my personal best time. I finished in the upper half of my age group. I got a medal. I didn’t do as well as the pace runner who was pregnant and finished a 10k five minutes behind me. And I certainly didn’t run as well as the lady who didn’t even break a sweat when she was passing me. But for someone who never thought to run a race, here I am. And I have to say, I’m pretty proud. Next on my list is the Kona Chocolate 5k in November. Rebecca

Rochester Mills Hosts Oktoberfest

Now’s your chance to experience one of Michigan’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations at Rochester Mills. The fun starts Thursday, Sept. 26 with a ceremonial beer tapping inside the Pub at 7 p.m. Sept. 27-28, a beer tent will be outside with a $5 admission. Proceeds go to Make-a-Wish Michigan and YMCA Waves. Beyond beer, wine, food, live music and dancing, a children’s area will be in full swing featuring a petting zoo, bounce house, pony rides, an obstacle course and carnival games. Friday and Saturday big tent! $5 admission with proceeds going to Make a Wish Michigan and YMCA Waves.

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Rochester Posed Heading to Town

Rochester Posed is slated for Oct. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Rochester. Join the community for an evening of shopping, dining and live mannequins, who will be posed in storefronts. This year’s theme is “Album Covers.” For more information, or if you are interested in participating, call 248-656-0060 or visit downtownrochestermi.com.

 

Club Educate Rochester Fall Clubs Now Open

Fall 2019 clubs for teenagers ages 11 and up are open for a tour this week. Club Educate is a private club located in Downtown Rochester. Check out clubeducate.org or call 248-989-0700 for more information.

Help Break a Record for a Good Cause

On Saturday, step it up with 2,500 blankets and one Guinness World Record. The entire Rochester Community School community is coming together on Sept. 21, at Stoney Creek High School with Fleece & Thank You to break a record for good. The goal is to provide comfortable blankets, made with love, for children in hospitals. Click here for more information.

 

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Friends,

I’m writing this from my favorite chair, with my favorite blanket, sipping on tea. Today is a “droopy” day, as my son calls it—cloudy, rainy, cool. And I love it.

I love these last weeks of summer. There’s so much to look forward to, so much to enjoy. To me, Michigan is at its finest as it’s about to change seasons. Now, I’m not saying I want to rush into anything. I have rules: No decorating for Halloween until it’s actually October and no Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving.

What I am saying is to make sure you enjoy the moment you’re in, while you’re in it. I’m trying hard to practice this myself, especially as I’m training for a 5k.

Enjoy every moment, every day. I’m thinking about the Addison Oaks fall color tour mentioned below. I think I’ll enjoy that.

Have an awesome week,

Rebecca

Autumn is in the Air During the Fall Color Historical Tour at Addison Oaks County Park

View autumn’s rich color palette in an elegant country setting during Oakland County Parks and Recreation’s Fall Color Historical Tour Oct. 15-16.

Oakland County Parks and Recreation Historian Carol Egbo will discuss the history of Addison Oaks County Park, which dates back more than 100 years. She’ll also share stories about the Buhl Estate, a distinctive English Tudor-style manor home surrounded by a formal flower garden.

Learn more about the Buhl family, their property and their legacy during two sessions of the Fall Color Historical Tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15 or Oct. 16. Cost is $32/person and includes the Buhl Estate historical tour, lunch, accessible hayride and cider and donuts. Addison Oaks County Park is located at 1480 West Romeo Road north of Rochester.

Preregistration and payment must be made by Sept. 30 by calling 248-424-7081 or mailing in the registration form available at OaklandCountyParks.com. Clubs and groups are welcome.

New VinoTalk

Wine lovers be sure to check out the new episode of VinoTalk. This time, John Jonna talks about Law Estate wines. It’s a worthwhile five minutes of your day.

 

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Friends,

Where did the summer go? It seems like forever ago that I picked my kids up from their last day of school, but at the same time, I’m pretty sure it was just last week that I packed my last lunchbox.

I’m on the fence about back-to-school. I miss my alone time and being able to work uninterrupted. I do not miss the morning routine, folders, papers, cold, germs and everything else that comes with a new school year. Buying school supplies, a first-day outfit and shoes, meeting new friends and catching up with the friends we didn’t see over the summer is fun for me, though. So, I’m torn.

Whatever your back-to-school feelings are, I hope you have a great kick-off to fall. And if you could, please head over to the City News Facebook page and give us a like.

Rebecca

League of Women Voters’ Candidate Forum

Learn more about the City Council candidates for the upcoming general election in Rochester, presented by the League of Women Voters at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, in the City of Rochester Council Chambers. City Hall is located at 400 Sixth Street.

The forum will present seven candidates competing for four seats in the City Council. The candidates vying for office are Mark Albrecht, Douglas Gould, Ann Peterson, Steve Sage, Jeremiah Glembocki, Amanda Keighley and Laura Traylor.

Members of the audience will have the opportunity to question the candidates and hear them discuss issues that are significant to all residents. This will assist all voters in casting informed votes.

Residents can watch the Candidates’ Forum at http://rochestermi.org/201/City-Webcasts. The event will also air on the city’s cable channel (WOW channel 10 and Comcast channel 17).

Arts & Apples Festival

Enjoy one of the nation’s top juried fine art fairs at Art & Apples Festival Sept. 6-8 in Rochester Municipal Park. This year, more than 250 exhibiting artists from across the country have been selected to display their works. In addition to the art, visitors can enjoy more than 20 food vendors and live entertainment all weekend from dance troupes, singers/ songwriters, classic rock, jazz, swing and much more. Proceeds benefit Paint Creek Center for the Arts. For more information visit www.pccart.org.

Farm-to-Table Dinner

Save room in your tummy for the Farm-to-Table Dinner on Sept. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a one-of-kind, al fresco dining experience on Walnut Ave. celebrating the farm-fresh flavors of the fall harvest. Tickets are $100 and include a three-course dinner, wine, beer and entertainment. All event proceeds benefit Downtown Rochester events and programs. For more information call 248-656-0060 or visit downtownrochestermi.com.

 

Fall Leaf Clean-Up

The city provides leaf collection for residents but has not yet set the opening date for the 2019 curbside leaf program. Please keep all leaves out of the curb and gutter until the date is set. It will be posted on the city website and sent out in an e-blast.

Once the program begins, we request residents either rake leaves in rows to the edge of the roadway or place leaves in yard waste collection bags. If you rake the leaves to the edge of the roadway, the leaf piles should be raked away from the storm catch basins to avoid flooding. If you place leaves in yard waste collection bags, the city’s refuse hauler will collect these bags. Please do not put any yard waste or brush in the leaf piles.

Contact the Department of Public Works at 248-651-5165. If you have any questions, visit www.rochestermi.org/LeafCollection.

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Save Time Paying for Your Water Bill

Everyone is busy, so it’s nice to have options for paying bills. Now, City of Rochester Water and Sewer services has an Automatic Payment Option, which can save time and money.

Water bills will be paid on time, every time, directly from a checking account. No stamps are required. Participants will still receive a copy of the bill, along with an email, before the due date, so there will be time to ask questions before payment is processed.

To sign up for this program, click on the “Automatic Water & Sewer Billing & Paperless Billing Form” and print the application. Complete it by hand, being sure to date and sign it, then mail or deliver it to City Hall. Be sure to include a voided check. The automated payment will apply to your next quarterly bill.

 

Transportation Voucher Program for Those with Limited Mobility

Oakland Community Health Network, Freedom Road Transportation, and Rural Transportation Voucher Program are introducing a free mileage reimbursement program for older adults, veterans and people with disabilities who are seeking transportation to behavioral health and/or substance use treatment services.

This program assists those who live in the rural areas of Oakland County, who do not have Medicaid coverage and do not have access to public transportation in their area. Individuals on this program identify their own volunteer driver, which can include but is not limited to a family member, friend, someone they know within their community, etc.

The mileage reimbursement rate is 58 cents per mile up to 100 miles each month. This reimbursement is not considered income and will not affect any other benefits.

Questions? Or want to see if you qualify? Contact Margaret Topij at 248-418-6209 or topijm@oaklandchn.org. For more information, please visit www.rtvp.org.

 

Inspiration and Plagiarism: How to Seek One While Avoiding the Other

As young writers develop their craft, it’s easy to slip and dive headlong into plagiarism.

Many young writers struggle with this idea, but no one wants to be hampered with fear of prosecution.

In this workshop, writers can practice the art of careful borrowing, of drawing inspiration and of branching off of that work to create something that is wholly and unquestionably their own.

Sign up teens for the Wednesday, Sept. 11, or Thursday, Sept. 12, seminar at Club Educate, 108 East Second Street in Rochester.

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