Donate Your Halloween Candy

Staring at a pile of leftover Halloween candy that is just begging to be eaten, but your dentist and your diet are saying, “Don’t do it”?  What to do with all those sugary treats? Take unwanted, wrapped candy to the Mahany-Meininger Senior Community Center (3500 Marais).

Free Community Naloxone Training

Please join the Alliance, the Royal Oak Community Coalition, the Royal Oak Library and the City of Royal Oak on Saturday, Nov. 9, for a free community-wide Naloxone training. Everyone over the age of 18 will receive a Save-A-Life kit, which includes two doses of 4mg Nasal Narcan.

Please bring your driver’s license or state ID to the training to receive your kit.

Royal Oak Middle School to Host Second Family Workshop

Royal Oak Middle School is hosting workshops open to parents of children of all ages. Check out the free workshops for more information on topics such as brain development, substance abuse and student mental health.

All workshops are free and open to all district families. They take place in the ROMS Learning Commons and kickoff with dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by the presentation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free babysitting is available for all families.

The second workshop is Thursday, Nov. 21 – Drugs 101: Stay informed about current trends in substance use abuse among teens.

Click for more information, including the year’s complete schedule.

Geological Features of Tenhave Woods and Royal Oak

What did this area look like thousands and millions of years ago? Why is Royal Oak so flat, or is it? On Sunday, Nov. 24, learn about “Geological Features of Tenhave Woods and Royal Oak” at Tenhave Woods at 2 p.m. Park at the Lexington and Marais lot and meet at the Lexington entrance. There is no preregistration or cost.

Free Memory Screening

Feeling forgetful? Worried about a friend or relative? There will be a free, confidential memory screening by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov 11. Call 248-246-3900 to make an appointment.

Memory screening is a simple and safe “healthy brain check-up” that tests memory and other thinking skills. Each memory screening takes approximately 10 minutes and while the result is not a diagnosis, it can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.

Third Annual Ruck 22 March

Help fight veteran suicide. Come to Royal Oak on the morning of Nov. 9 for the 3rd annual Ruck 22 March. The march starts at 10 a.m.

Here’s how it works: You take a backpack or rucksack, you fill it with either 22 lbs. or 22 items to donate to needy and homeless veterans. You march 2.2 miles (untimed and at your own pace). At the end, you hear about how you can personally help fight the tragedy of veteran suicide.

Why? On average, 22 veterans and soldiers commit suicide every single day, a rate far higher than the national average. Together we can raise awareness of this problem and learn techniques to help those in need and spot the warning signs.

It’s $22 to sign up and you get a shirt, dog tags, and bracelet. Food and drink will be provided at the end for participants. The proceeds go to the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial and the donated items go directly to needy and homeless vets.

To register and for information on what type of things are needed for donations to help needy and homeless vets, go to www.22ruck.com.

Trivia Night for Teen Clean Closet

Head to the Clawson Knights of Columbus at 870 North Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 2, for a fundraiser benefiting Teen Clean Closet. Toiletry and hygiene item donations gratefully accepted. All admissions include: trivia and a cash bar.

The fun kicks off at 5:30 p.m. The cost for dinner and trivia is $240 per table/team of eight or $30 per person. For more information, call the Royal Oak Optimists at 248-561-9396.

Royal Oak Public Library Offers Homebound Service

The Royal Oak Public Library Homebound Service program offers services to residents who are homebound due to disability or illness and are physically unable to visit the library. Patrons must have a ROPL library card to qualify for this service.

The library will mail up to three items at a time to patrons, along with a return-postage address label. Additional materials may be requested and sent after the current items checked out are returned. Patrons participating in the program will become ineligible for the service, and responsible for the cost of the items, if they do not return library materials.

How To Sign Up For The Service:

• Fill out the Homebound Service Application, which is to be signed by a physician, nurse, clergy person or social worker. Please have the signee note whether the applicant is permanently or temporarily unable to travel to the library. Medical details are not necessary.
• Fill out the Reader’s Profile Survey
• Sign the Opt in Agreement, if you desire this option
• Hand the completed materials to any staff member at the library or mail it to 222 E Eleven Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Please contact Mick Howey, homebound services coordinator, at 248-246-3724 or email michaelh@ropl.org with questions.

Parenting Workshops

Royal Oak Middle School is hosting workshops open to parents of children of all ages. Check out the free workshops for more information on topics such as brain development, substance abuse and student mental health.

All workshops are free and open to all district families. They take place in the Royal Oak Middle School Learning Commons and kickoff with dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by the presentation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free babysitting is available for all families.

Thursday, Nov. 21 – Drugs 101
Stay informed about current trends in substance use abuse among teens.

Thursday, Jan. 16 – What’s Bugging Them
Learn about factors that can impact school and home responsibilities including lack of motivation, social media and mental health.

Thursday, Feb. 20 – How to Deal
Coping skills for students, coping skills for parents when helping their child and how to create a homework friendly home.

RSVP here or view the flyer.

Friends,

We had a beautiful fall day this past Friday, so my kids and I played hooky and went to the cider mill.

The weather was perfect: cool temps, blue skies and the sun was warm on our backs. The apples were plentiful on the trees and the pumpkins were picture-perfect in the fields.

Going to the cider mill is so romanticized in my head. I always think about how cute I’ll look in flannel and boots; how adorable my kids will be running through the orchard; how wholesome we’ll be out in nature gathering our food. In reality, I look like an actual farmer (not the goal), the kids are running because they’re afraid of bees and our farm-to-table apples cost a whopping $26 for a half of a bushel. The doughnuts are even insanely expensive at nearly $9 a dozen.

But some aspects of the cider mill are priceless, such as convincing my kids we have to pick doughnuts off the trees because they’re best when fresh. They weren’t 100% persuaded, but they didn’t want to take any chances either, so they saved a produce bag just in case we rolled by any doughnut trees.

It’s always best to be prepared.

Rebecca

High School Receives Heart Recognition

Royal Oak High School achieved the MI HEARTSafe designation from The Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services and Education, American Heart Association, Michigan High School Athletic Association and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young. Sudden cardiac death claims the lives of more than 300 Michigan children and young adults annually. By being prepared to respond to these emergencies, schools can decrease these tragedies in their communities.

Restaurant Week Runs Through Oct. 27

More than 20 downtown Royal Oak top restaurants are offering three-course lunch and dinner menus from $15 to $35 a person during Restaurant Week.

Participating Locations: 526 Main, Ale Mary’s Beer Hall Royal Oak, Bar Louie, Bigalora Pizza, Café Muse, D’Amato’s, Diamonds Steak & Seafood-Royal Oak, Fifth Avenue Royal Oak, Diamond Jim Brady’s, Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant and Taphouse, Lily’s Seafood Grill & Brewery, Le Crepe Royal Oak, Lockhart’s BBQ – Royal Oak, Mesa Tacos and Tequila, Mr. B’s Gastropub, Oak City Grille, Pinky’s Rooftop, Rock on Third, Royal Oak Taphouse, Royal Oak Brewery, Smoky’s Royal Oak Bar & Bistro, Trattoria Da Luigi, and Toms Oyster Bar Royal Oak.

Plus enjoy a Tito’s Handmade Vodka Pink Drink, part of Pink Out! Royal Oak, a month of activities to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer through the American Cancer Society.

Spooktacular Haunts Downtown Oct. 27

The 36th Annual Royal Oak Spooktacular will take place in Downtown Royal Oak on Sunday, Oct. 27, rain or shine.

Spooky Pass Holders will receive at check in a trick-or-treat bag, map, clues to the Community Choice Credit Union Treasure Hunt, Spooky Pass that will grant you access to the bounce houses, Blake’s Cider Mill cider and a donut, pick a pie pumpkin out of the Blake’s pumpkin patch, a photo at the photo booth and games. This area will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Please print your tickets in advance or have them ready to scan on your phone. Check in is at Washington and Fifth.

Spooky Passes are still available, for purchase online until 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 27 for $10. Spooky Pass will be available at Washington and Fifth Ave, starting at noon for $15. Cash only. While Supplies last.

The free Trick-or-Treating event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in Downtown Royal Oak. There are more than 35 participating businesses. The businesses have numbers on their windows and there will be directional signage and crossing guards helping you along the way. If the footprint is too large for your little one, please feel free to take short cuts, but go in the same direction as everyone else. Make sure you use the cross walks.

The Monster Mash Dance Party is from noon to 6 p.m. on Washington.

Normandy Oaks Gets $1 Million

Oakland County Parks and Recreation committed $1 million to develop Normandy Oaks, a park owned and operated by Royal Oak. In March, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the investment in Normandy Oaks, due to its location in a highly populated southeast quadrant of Oakland County where green space of its size (40+ acres) is not abundant or available. The money commitment will be funded over three years.

Downtown Stakeholders Meeting

Downtown Stakeholders Meetings are designed to create conversations around issues facing business and property owners in Downtown Royal Oak. The November meeting will be held at Five15, located at 600 South Washington Avenue in Downtown Royal Oak, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 3 p.m.

This meeting will focus on developing plans to promote shopping in Downtown Royal Oak on Small Business Saturday. RSVP here.

I got my flu shot today. It came with a spiffy purple bandage with some weird design on it. I figured if I was going to take my kids to get their vaccination, I should lead by example.

It’s not going to help put their minds at ease, though. It will be a battle to get them in the car, out of the car, and then when it’s over and they’ve undoubtedly survived the ordeal, they’ll be mad at me for a while.

My conscience is clear.

However, if this year is anything like last year, I’m not sure who was more traumatized—them or me. They gave me a run for my money. When kids don’t want to do something, like get a shot, they suddenly become slippery, wet noodles with superhuman strength that can fit in any crevasse. I had no idea it was going to be so hard to get a 50-pound kid out of a Ford Fusion. By the time we got in the doctor’s office, we were all sweaty, some were crying, and no one was happy.

I guess this is part of the reason I run 5ks. Wish me luck.

Rebecca

City Hall Open House

Join the fun on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the City Hall Open House. Come and enjoy the Royal Oak Historical Society displays of memorabilia and photos from decades past of city hall in action. Take an up-close and personal tour of city hall behind the scenes including the city commission chambers (your photo at the “horseshoe”); former judges chamber; conference room and more.

Medication Take-Back: Drop Off Unused Pills Oct. 25

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017 with opioids accounting for nearly 68% of these deaths. To turn the tide on the nation’s opioid epidemic, community members need a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications.

Beaumont Health and local law enforcement agencies are encouraging people to drop off unused or expired prescribed medications on Friday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This includes over-the-counter medications and other drugs. No questions asked. Organizers prefer pills be in a plastic baggie. Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak will also accept medical sharps. Go to 3711 W. 13 Mile Road, Administration Building on the campus of Beaumont, Royal Oak.

Enjoy Fall Colors

“Fall Color” is being held at Tenhave Woods on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. Park at the Lexington and Marais lot and meet at the Lexington entrance. This is the most beautiful time of the year to take a look at two nature parks. There is no preregistration or cost.

Free Estate Planning Talk

With anecdotes, insider insight, a fresh perspective and a little humor thrown in, retired Oakland County Register and attorney Jill Koney Daly, will discuss guardianships, conservatorships, estate planning tools, the misconceptions about probate and the unappreciated pitfalls of joint ownership. This is a FREE general informational program and will not result in specific legal advice, however you will walk away with a basic working knowledge about these topics, so you can impress your family and friends, avoid some common mistakes and be a more informed legal consumer. The event is Nov. 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Leo Mahany / Harold Meininger Senior Community Center. Please call to reserve your space by Nov. 4, at 248-246-3900.

3rd Annual Ruck 22 March

Help fight veteran suicide. Come to Royal Oak on the morning of Nov. 9 for the 3rd annual Ruck 22 March.

Here’s how it works: You take a backpack or ruck sack, you fill it with either 22 pounds or 22 items to donate to needy and homeless veterans. You then march 2.2 miles (untimed and at your own pace). At the end, you hear about how you can personally help fight the tragedy of veteran suicide.

Why? On average, 22 veterans and soldiers commit suicide every single day, a rate far higher than the national average. Together we can raise awareness of this problem and learn techniques to help those in need and spot the warning signs.

It’s $22 to sign up and you get a shirt, dog tags and bracelet. Food and drink will be available at the end for participants. The proceeds go to the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial and the donated items go directly to needy and homeless vets.

To register and for information on what type of things are needed for donations to help needy and homeless vets, go to 22ruck.com.

The City Needs Your Help for a Smooth Leaf Collection

A large number of trees in Royal Oak makes the fall leaf collection a major task. To make it happen, the city uses 13 dump trucks, two sweepers and a front-end loader with an attached clam bucket. Crews work long hours to cover the 212 miles of streets twice during the six-week pick-up season.

Click here for what you need to know about the collection, including the 2019 tentative schedule.

X-Golf Opens this Year

Golf fans, rejoice. A new golf entertainment center is scheduled to open in Royal Oak in December. X-Golf, the new, 6,000-square-foot golf haven will be located at 13 Mile and Woodward in the Woodward Corners plaza.

Arts, Beats & Eats Totals Are In

Reports are showing that this year, Arts, Beats & Eats raised more than $230,000 for local charities. Additionally, the Gleaners Food Drive held at the festival brought in enough canned goods for nearly 3,600 meals.

Share Your Ideas for a Downtown Park

The Downtown Park Task Force and landscape architects and planners from MKSK Studios want your feedback on conceptual design ideas for a downtown park.

Help us make our new park great by sharing your ideas, visions and concerns at the October Food Truck Rally at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

Be at the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Oct. 9 from 5 to 9 p.m. Before you go, watch the MKSK presentation and read up.

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

Trick-or-Treat at Tenhave Woods

Candy and hauntings abound at “Trick or Treat” at Tenhave Woods on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. Families can follow a trail map through the park for Trick or Treating with volunteer hosts. Everyone is welcome. Bring families, neighbors, nieces and nephews – kids in costume if they wish. In addition to candy that is nut free, non-edible treats will also be offered. Children should bring their own treat bags. There is no preregistration or cost for this activity.

Beer Stroll

The 2019 Michigan Craft Beer Stroll returns to downtown Royal Oak on Saturday, Oct. 12, from noon to 5 p.m.

Enjoy samples of beer from top Michigan craft breweries and food from Downtown Royal Oak restaurants. New this year, many stops are featuring beer-themed food with yummy infusions, glazes, marinades, sauces and more.

Tickets include a food and drink sample from each location and tickets are now on sale. Tickets are non-refundable and are for those guests aged 21 and over only.