Stagecrafters Partners with SAY Detroit

Stagecrafters in Royal Oak announced SAY Detroit is the third community partner in their inaugural Community Cares campaign for the 2020–2021 season. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness for worthy nonprofits in the area.

Before each show, patrons can stop by the SAY Detroit display in the lobby and donate to the charity. A limited supply of signed copies of Mitch Albom’s latest book, Finding Chika, will be available for a $25 donation. All proceeds go to SAY Detroit.

Stagecrafters will be performing Forever Plaid during the Community Cares campaign. Click here for ticket information.

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Spring Tree Planting Program Online Now

Help the environment of Royal Oak by planting a tree or two. Select from a number of lovely trees for planting on public or private property at a very reasonable price.

Learn more here.

Proving Grounds Coffee

On Jan. 20, Downtown Royal Oak welcomed Proving Grounds Coffee. The new shop is on Washington Avenue.

Detroit Radio and Sports Celebs Prepare for Lip Sync Battle

Jimmy Fallon made the lip sync battle famous. Now it’s time for our Detroit celebs to step up to the mic in the first ever Celebrity Lip Sync Battle, hosted by New Day Foundation for Families. Eight local celebrity teams will compete on behalf of a New Day family in a lip-sync throw-down when they take to the Royal Oak Music Theatre stage live on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m.

Staging their performances with hip choreography and iconic costuming, celebrities will pull out all the stops to win. Performances will be critiqued by celebrity judges and voted on electronically by audience members. Battling it out will be:

Stephen Clark and JoAnne Purtan – WOMC, 104.3 FM
Blaine Fowler Morning Show – WDVD, 96.3 FM
Mickey York – FOX Sports Detroit
Andy Dirks – former Detroit Tiger, Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway
Chuck, Rachael and Grunwald – WYCD, 99.5 FM
Jackie Paige – WWJ News Radio, 950 AM
Kim Adams – 98.7 The Breeze
Devin Gardner – former U of M quarterback

Justin Rose, from the WXYZ 7 Sports Cave, will emcee the inaugural Lip Sync Battle. Celebrity judges Paul Glantz, founder and chairman of Emagine Theatres and David Van, president of Art Van Pure Sleep, will provide commentary and critique the performances from the judges’ panel. Ultimately, the audience will decide by popular vote which team will be crowned as the victor.

Tickets are available now for $50 each, or at the door with no fees, and include a pub-style buffet including sliders, Coney dogs and a hot pretzel bar; a cash bar is available. Bring the family for food, fun, raffles and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit New Day Foundation for Families, which works to alleviate financial toxicity and improve treatment outcomes for families facing cancer.

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Signup for Weekly eBlast

The Weekly eBlast is the easiest way to stay up-to-date on the latest news, information and can’t-miss events happenings in Royal Oak. eBlast is published every Friday and sent directly to your email or cellphone. If you want to increase your knowledge on what is happening in your hometown, sign up using NoitfyMe or click here to sign up.

2020 Royal Oak Are Preschool and Child Care Directory

If you’re looking for child care options, check out the 2020 Royal Oak Area Preschool and Child Care Directory. The directory provides information on more than 50 area facilities.

The information in this directory was supplied by the individual agencies. The list does not contain every preschool and child care facility in the area.

The State of Michigan’s website has useful information about how to choose a child care provider. Go to www.michigan.gov/childcare and click on “Parent Resources.” Additional links to the State of Michigan and Oakland County family and child care resources are listed at the end of the directory. Questions about this directory should be directed to Emily Ellison, Youth Services Librarian, Royal Oak Public Library at -248-246-3716 or roplpin@ropl.org.

2020 MLK Jr. Service Day

On Monday, Jan. 20, the communities of Berkley and Royal Oak will honor the life Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the third annual Day of Service at Berkley High School, 2325 Catalpa, Berkley. For more information click here.

the donation of one or more of the following items.

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.

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

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.

Toilet Paper
Shampoo & Conditioner
Gallon Ziploc Bags
Bath Soap
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Deodorant
Body Lotion
Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Fruit
Pudding Cups
Breakfast Cereal – Including regular boxes of Cheerios & Rice Krispies
Gift Certificates to Little Caesars

2020 Kindergarten Parent Information Night

Parents interested in enrolling their students in kindergarten for the 2020-21 school year should save some time at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, for Kindergarten Parent Information night.

The event gives parents an opportunity to visit their child’s future school to meet staff and learn about the curriculum, including details about the district developmental kindergarten program.

Call 248-435-8400 or check out the “Enrollment” section of the website for more information. New student enrollment for in-district families will begin on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Police Department Update

Did you know residents can find the most recent police reports on the city’s website?

Also, citizens are encouraged to sign up for crime alerts at crimemapping.com. Crime Mapping’s goal is to assist police departments reduce crime through a better-informed citizenry.

Sign up for public safety alerts from the police using Civic Ready. Click here to subscribe.

Take the Survey, Join the Focus Group

Whether you are a senior, take care of a senior or are considering what being a senior in Royal Oak will be like for you, the city wants to hear from you.

The next focus group will meet on Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mahany-Meininger Senior Community Center and the first 70 to RSVP will receive a free lunch.  RSVP by calling 248-246-3200.

Can’t make a focus group?  Then take the survey from the comfort of your own home.

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

Oakland County Survey

Oakland County Executive David Coulter wants to hear from residents about their top priorities for the new year. His administration released the Oakland County Government’s Citizen Survey 2020, which asks residents to rank what is important to them in terms of jobs and the economy, public health, neighborhoods and housing, roads and transportation, and more.

Please share and encourage your neighbors to take advantage of this opportunity to speak directly to the Oakland County executive.

Hollywood Market Featured

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, it’s all about the turkey. That’s not the case when it comes to the other big holiday meal on Christmas.

“At Christmas, we get a lot of special requests — crown pork roast, standing rib roasts. We have a full-service meat counter with a lot of specialty cuts,” said Bill Hoemke, meat department supervisor at the Hollywood Market in Royal Oak.

 Read more.