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

Roak Brewing Co. Acquires Dark Horse Brewing

Royal Oak-based Roak Brewing Co. announced last week that it will merge with Marshall-based Dark Horse Brewing. The merger could be complete as early as December.

Royal Oak Chili Cook-Off and Fall Beer Festival

The Royal Oak Chili Cook-Off and Fall Beer Festival is on tap at Williams and 4th Street in Downtown Royal Oak.

The event is slated for Friday, Oct. 4, and will feature a chili cook-off contest, craft beer tasting, live music, games, kids’ activities and much more. Spend some time and enjoy chili simmered by local restaurants and beer brewed by local and national breweries. Live music will also rock out the night.

On Friday, Oct. 4, the festivities run from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, from noon to 11 p.m. Click here for website and ticket info.

Pink Out Royal Oak

Pink Out Royal Oak is a city-wide campaign that is looking to get as many businesses and residents involved in ‘pinking-out’ the city. There are many ways you and your business can get involved.

Pink Out Royal Oak is presented by the Royal Oak Restaurant Association to benefit the American Cancer Society. To raise awareness for breast cancer, downtown Royal Oak will be “pinked-out” with pink ribbons and pink storefronts. The American Cancer Society is also bringing a 5K to our downtown on Saturday, Oct. 12. Run the streets of downtown Royal Oak in support of those affected by Breast Cancer.

Devereaux Tiger Forest Open at the Detroit Zoo

Amur tiger brothers Nikolai and Aleksei make their debut

Friday, Sept. 13, was “opening day” for the tigers as the Detroit Zoo introduced the new Devereaux Tiger Forest and welcomed Amur tigers Nikolai and Aleksei, 2-year-old brothers who were born at the Columbus Zoo. The habitat is also home to 16-year-old female Kisa, who was born at the Detroit Zoo.

The $3.5-million habitat occupies 1 acre in the Detroit Zoo’s Asian Forest across from the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Red Panda Forest. The space has been reimagined to closely mirror the tigers’ native landscape of far eastern Russia with naturalistic elements important to tigers, including elevated vantage points, open spaces, wooded areas, pools, a waterfall and a “catnap” cave.

The expansion has quadrupled the size of the former habitat and offers multiple observation areas for guests, including expansive views through 85 feet of acrylic windows and soaring vistas from the canopy walkway over the red panda habitat. A Land Rover intersects the acrylic window, with its hood inside the tiger habitat and the driver’s side in the public area, providing opportunities for close-up views – and amazing photo opportunities – of the tigers when they lounge on the hood of the vehicle, which will be heated in the winter.

Max and Debra Ernst Heart Center Opening at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak

The new Max and Debra Ernst Heart Center at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak will open Sept. 30. It is dedicated to consolidating cardiac care, particularly for patients with heart failure, into a convenient and comprehensive area.

The new center includes:

• an advanced heart failure and cardiomyopathy clinic
• an adult congenital heart disease clinic
• an atrial fibrillation clinic
• a cardiology genetic counseling clinic
• noninvasive cardiovascular testing
• adult and adolescent screening programs
• dietitian services

Live Music Thursdays in Downtown Royal Oak

Royal Oak live music options are wrapping up soon with the coming of fall. Be sure to get your fill of “Live Music Thursdays” before the end of the month. Already recognized as one of southeast Michigan’s top music cities, Royal Oak is featuring a wide array of live music entertainment throughout downtown. Check out the upcoming schedule.

Bob and Don’s Most Excellent Adventure

Dude, check out “Bob and Don’s Most Excellent Adventure” speaker program on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Oak Senior/Community Center (3500 Marais). Join Bob Muller and Don Drife as they travel through America’s Southwest visiting Petrified Forest, The Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Winslow Arizona, Meteor Crater, Bridges National Monument, Gooseneck State Park and Mesa Verde National Park. See the Southwest through the eyes of two interpretive naturalists exploring unfamiliar territory. There is no preregistration or cost.

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

Royal Oak Welcomes LifeWorks Chiropractic

Royal Oak threw out the welcome mat for a new chiropractic clinic, LifeWorks Chiropractic, on Aug. 15.

A grand opening at LifeWorks, located on Catalpa Drive near Main and Crooks, drew local business people, Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce members and friends and family members of the practitioner, Franklin Norton. There were hors d’oeuvres, clinic tours and door prizes donated by area businesses and even a local church, and visitors lined up out front for a formal ribbon-cutting and picture-taking session.

Read more.

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.

Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo Sept. 13-14

Hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies, kittens available for immediate adoption

The Detroit Zoological Society and Michigan Humane Society, in collaboration with more than 20 local animal welfare organizations, will co-host the fall 2019 Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo on Friday, Sept. 13, noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens will be available for immediate adoption to loving homes at one of the nation’s largest off-site companion animal adoption events.

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.

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

Downtown Community Meeting

Join the next monthly downtown community meeting, which is organized by the DDA Downtown Manager, on Thursday, Sept. 12. This month, Benjamin Ogden of the Welcome Inn Day Center, will speak on the status of homelessness programs in Downtown Royal Oak.

A centralized community calendar for downtown events and programs will also be discussed at the meeting. This calendar is provided by a new Oakland County tourism website that features downtown Royal Oak. Join the growing list of businesses promoting live music performances each week through Live Music Thursdays a community-owned and community-led program to showcase Royal Oak as a live music destination.

Fall Tree Planting to Begin

The Department of Public Services is in the process of staking locations for nearly 350 trees for the fall 2019 tree planting program on the north end of the city.

After trees have been staked, MISS-DIG will field verify that each location does not present conflicting underground utilities. This is critical, so please do not remove the yellow stakes.

Once MISS-DIG performs its inspection, Crimboli Nursery will begin to plant trees at each location with a yellow stake. It will take approximately three to five weeks to plant the trees.

Crews will provide an initial watering, as needed, and subsequent watering. Please do your part if you can, and water the newly planted trees frequently. The newly planted trees may undergo “transplant shock” and lose their leaves. This is not uncommon. Just like any other tree, a strong root system must be established as the temperatures cool and the trees prepare for dormancy during winter.

If you have any questions during the process, feel free to contact Joseph Murphy at 248-246-3285 or email joem@romi.gov.

Please note property owners were provided notice in April of the city’s intent to plant trees in its public right-of-way and their ability to “opt-out” of the planting program. It’s not too late. If you see a yellow stake adjacent to your property and you do not want a tree planted, contact Joseph Murphy.

Civil War Re-Enactment

Save the date for Sept. 14 to witness a fully costumed Civil War re-enactment. The Orson Starr House will be the scene of live period music, musket firing demonstrations and more. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to be part of history.

Meet Up and Eat Up Is More Than Food

This summer, Oakland Elementary hosted a program that was new to the district. Meet Up and Eat Up, a federal program that provides free summer meals to those under 18, allowed parents to bring their kids to the school for breakfast and lunch. As attendees started coming, the ‘meet up’ part of the program became just as important as the ‘eat up.’

Wendy Zieleniewski is a paraprofessional at Oakland during the school year and was the site supervisor during the summer meal program. She explained that families came from all around, including neighboring Madison Heights, and even Clinton Township. Some of them came regularly, and some dropped in every once in a while.

“It’s been great,” she said. “I’ve met different families from different schools and cities. I really enjoy the interactions with all of the kids. I think it’s wonderful that the district offers this.”

Families met at Oakland Elementary for more than the meals prepared by district food service, though. Games and crafts, like tie-dying, water balloons, creating garden stones and much more, were also part of the activities during the Meet Up and Eat Up time frame.

On Your Mark…Get Set…Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo

Thousands of runners and walkers will lace up their running shoes and head to the Detroit Zoo on Sunday, Sept. 8, for the Detroit Zoological Society’s 23rd annual Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo. Proceeds from this fundraising event benefit the Ruth Roby Glancy Animal Health Complex and veterinary care for the animals at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center.

The event includes a 5K run, 10K run, Too Wild! 5K + 10K combo and noncompetitive 1.5-mile fun walk. Runners in the 5K and 10K races start at the Detroit Zoo’s 10 Mile Road entrance and wind through the scenic streets of Huntington Woods surrounding the Zoo. Walkers follow a course past many of the award-winning animal habitats as they stroll through Zoo grounds.

Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo begins with the 5K run at 8 a.m., followed by the untimed fun walk at 8:45 a.m. and the 10K run at 9:15 a.m. Online registration is available at www.detroitzoo.org/runwild until 10 p.m. Sept. 5, and registration will also be available at the Zoo on Sept. 6, 7 and 8.

All Run Wild participants receive a commemorative T-shirt, a Detroit Zoological Society water bottle, a finisher medal at the completion of their race and admission to the Detroit Zoo on race day.

Special spectator admission includes access to the finish line, the post-race party and admission to the Zoo for the day. Spectator admission can be purchased in conjunction with race registration or during packet pickup hours. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 2-18.

The Detroit Zoological Society is looking for volunteers 16 years of age or older to assist as course marshals during the event. For information, contact volunteer@dzs.org.

Arts, Beats & Eats Information for Royal Oak Residents

Just when the Dream Cruise is over, Arts, Beats & Eats blows into town. Residets should take note of road closures and parking questions.
WHAT STREETS WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE FESTIVAL?
Washington between Second and Lincoln, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Lincoln streets between Lafayette and Main, and Center Street between Third and Seventh.

WHEN DO DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL STREETS CLOSE?
Most streets close for festival set-up at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, and reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The following streets will remain open at all times around the festival: Lafayette to the west, Eleven Mile to the north, and Main Street to the east.

DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OUTSIDE FESTIVAL PATRONS PARKING IN NEIGHBORHOODS?
Within an approximate one half to one-mile radius from the festival, all parking in neighborhoods is on a permit parking only basis, and police will be issuing $50 fines as a deterrent. Residents may report problems to Royal Oak Police, who also have the option to tow vehicles if resident parking problems are an issue.

WHAT TIME DO THE BANDS STOP PLAYING?
All bands on local stages stop at 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 9 p.m. on Monday. All bands on the national stage run until 11:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and until 10 p.m. on Monday.

WILL POLICE PATROL NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROVIDE TRAFFIC SERVICES?
Royal Oak Police will have representatives patrolling neighborhoods for parking violations and unruly behavior. Report any concerns at any time to Royal Police Department non-emergency line at 248-246-3500.

For more information go to  http://artsbeatseats.com/info-for-royal-oak-residents

Parking for All

Parking for disabled people is now free in many areas in Downtown Royal Oak through February 2020.

The free parking is being offered at nearly two dozen recently added on-street handicap spots and all surface lots. Normal parking rates apply at all city-owned parking structures.

The locations of the on-street handicap parking spaces — located on Washington Ave, Center St. and Seventh St. — were selected to minimize the distance to the nearest ramp or dropped curb, and to provide a safe aisle adjacent to the parking space.

The new handicap spots are not necessarily ADA compliant as the roadway pavement may exceed 2 percent in some areas. However, for a retrofit of existing parking areas, the selected locations are appropriate.

Seven New Art Installations Coming to Royal Oak

The Royal Oak Commission for the Arts presented the pieces it was recommending for the 2019-2020 Art Explored Program to the city commission at the Aug. 12 meeting and the commissioner unanimously approved. Be sure to take a tour downtown to see these six pieces already installed:

• Fractured Excavations Tile Series by Nick Wecker on the Royal Oak Public Library Building at 222 East Eleven Mile Road
• Ben Jamin by Steve Miller on the Center Street Parking Deck at 300 South Center Street
• Pullin Your Weight by Michael Errigo on the Sullivan Building at 225 South Main Street
• Baptized in Dirty Water by Onzie Norman on the SMART Transit Center on the South Lafayette side of the structure
• Assembly Line by Francis Vallejo on the Little Bros Restaurant at 201 W 4th Street
• House on the Hill by Lisa Goedert ion Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle at 310 South Troy Street

Friends,

Less than three years ago, I quit my job in corporate communications and went headlong into freelancing. I called it, “my adventure.” Since then, I’ve been especially aware of taking risks and doing things that scare me.

Well, I’m heading into another adventure next month. I’m running my first 5k.

I’m not entirely sure how I got talked into this. I’ve never liked running. In fact, I’ve warned people that if you see me running, you should probably be running, too.

Yet, here I am in the middle of training week five.

I’m using a couch-to-5k app, and if we’re being honest, I still identify way more with the couch aspect than the 5k aspect. I’ve also developed an obsession with running clothes, updating my playlist and keeping my newly chopped hair out of my face without looking like a sweaty Medusa.

The struggle is real, y’all.

The event is Women Run the D on Sept. 15 on Belle Isle. I have no idea if I’ll keep up with running after the race, but I’m enjoying the challenge and proud of my accomplishment already. My goal is to finish in the top 500 in my age bracket. Keep your fingers crossed!

Rebecca

Mayor and Police Chief Issue Statements

From Chief Corrigan O’Donohue:

“The Royal Oak Police Department has completed our internal investigation into the Aug. 13 incident involving an African American man and the Royal Oak police.

“On behalf of the police department, I would like to apologize to Mr. Myers for how he was treated. What should have been a very short encounter was extended when the officer involved insisted on getting Mr. Myers’ identification. The officer had no legal right to demand the identification and should have simply advised Mr. Myers why we were there and allowed him to go on his way. The officer involved is a new, probationary officer and he made a mistake. This officer will be provided with remedial training to address this issue.

“Early in this encounter, Mr. Myers requested a supervisor make the scene. Although the first officer did not call for a supervisor, the second officer on scene did.

“The responding supervisor did not handle this situation in a manner I expect Royal Oak supervisors to conduct themselves. He did quickly advise Mr. Myers that he was free to go; however, he did not effectively look into the situation or allow those present the opportunity to express their concerns.

“This is not the practice of the Royal Oak Police Department and it is not acceptable. The supervisor has been disciplined and every Royal Oak police supervisor has received additional training in procedural justice.

“This incident stemmed from a 911 call in which the caller reported she was uncomfortable because a male subject was circling her vehicle, staring at her from across the street, and was possibly taking pictures of her and her son. In total, Mr. Myers was verbally detained for approximately 19 minutes. A supervisor was called to the scene, per Mr. Myers request, about 6 minutes into the encounter and the supervisor arrived approximately 11 minutes later (17 minutes into the encounter). Mr. Myers was advised he was free to go 2 minutes after that. This is an unfortunate incident where the ROPD did not live up to our own standards. Corrective action has been taken and we will continue to hold all members of the ROPD to the highest standards.”

Two days after the incident, Royal Oak Mayor Mike Fournier issued this statement:

“The city of Royal Oak takes nothing more seriously than our responsibility to provide public safety with the highest level of integrity and transparency. We are passionate about being a city that lives and acts according to our values and one where all people from all walks of life, from all racial and ethnic backgrounds feel not just safe, but welcome and embraced as members of our community. We absolutely recognize that racial bias exists and we as a community aspire to be among those working every day to combat it. But, this is not just the work of our officers and public officials alone, but all of us, individually and as a community must put in the effort to recognize and come to terms with our own personal prejudices and biases. We are in the process of evaluating what mistakes have been made and we will own them, we will learn from them, and we will continue to strive to be better in everything we do.”

Beaumont Urgent Care at Woodward Corners Opened Aug. 15

Beaumont Health and WellStreet opened an urgent care facility at 30955 Woodward Ave., inside the Woodward Corners by Beaumont development in Royal Oak on Thursday, Aug. 15.

“We’re committed to making care more accessible and convenient for our patients. The community has embraced the urgent cares we have already opened, and we are looking forward to serving more patients at our Woodward Corners location. This is our largest facility to date and will serve as our flagship location,” said Carolyn Wilson, chief operating officer, Beaumont Health.

The new Beaumont Urgent Care centers allow patients to access providers and facilities in the Beaumont Network quickly for minor injuries and illnesses at a reduced cost compared to an emergency room visit. Patients receive fast, efficient care. Expanded services like an in-house lab, X-ray and fiberglass splinting are also available.

Survey Results are in on Marijuana-Based Businesses

Lansing-based Cobalt Community Research conducted a survey of Royal Oak voters to better understand community preferences and concerns regarding adult-use marijuana businesses.

In summary:

• The majority of residents support all types of businesses in the City of Royal Oak
• The plurality believes some limits should be put in place, and the comments have a strong theme of being consistent with alcohol regulation
• All of the potential limitations/regulations listed in the survey were supported by a majority of respondents
• Older residents were much less likely to want any marijuana business to be allowed
• Consistency with alcohol regulation and matching medical marijuana regulation with recreational were important themes

Read the full report.

Normandy Oaks Update

Recent progress on the Normandy Oak project includes:

• Excavation and rough grading of the proposed parking area and “core” area (location of the proposed splash pad, pavilion and playground).
• Footings and foundations for the proposed pavilion/restroom building have been placed
• The proposed bio-swales for storm water runoff and absorption have been rough graded
• All tree removals are complete along with the demolition of miscellaneous net poles, steps, etc. from the old golf course

Last week, the contractor team planned to continue grading operations, including expanding the irrigation pond and placing grid and aggregate within the parking area.

Please feel free to speak to on-site staff or contact Steve Sutton, Nowak & Fraus Engineers, anytime at 248-635-6571 or swsutton@nfe-engr.com with questions or concerns.