Music Acts Announced for Arts, Beat & Eats

Arts, Beats & Eats invades Royal Oak over Labor Day weekend with artists, music, food and more. One of the highlights for music lovers are the concerts, which often feature well-known musicians and bands. This year is no exception.

Third-Eye Blind, Philip Philips, The Four Tops, Theory of a Deadman, Phil Vassar, Randy Houser and more are on the docket to perform. Check out the full schedule of concerts here.

Skoop Pedicabs Extend Free Rides Through August

When your dogs are barking, there’s nothing like a free pedi cab ride to get you from point A to point B. Luckily, the Downtown Development Authority and SKOOP Pedi Cabs is extending its free ride service in Royal Oak through August.

The electric bike taxis will continue to be available to the public on Thursdays from 5-11 p.m.; Fridays from 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight in August.

State of the City Aug. 15 at the Farmers Market

The State of the City has been rescheduled to Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. If you purchased tickets to the July 23 event, which was canceled due to a power outage, they are still valid for the rescheduled event.

Tickets for the State of the City are available on Eventbrite, and you can access through the city’s website.

F45 Fitness Studio to Open First Michigan Location

Backed by actor Mark Walhberg, fitness studio F45 Training is slated to open its first location in Metro Detroit within a year. Woodward Corners by Beaumont is going to be the home of the workout facility.

New VinoTalk Online Now

Wine lovers be sure to check out the new edition of Vino Talk with John Jonna. This episode features two favorites: pairing wine with cheese.

Complete Annual School Registration Forms Online Now

School is still out, but it’s time to update your annual enrollment forms. Parents can access the Royal Oak Schools online registration portal by logging onto the MISTAR Parent Portal to complete and submit required documentation.

Need help navigating the registration process? Each Royal Oak elementary school website has step-by-step instructions on how to register for the school year, plus the student handbook containing back-to-school information. Continue scrolling for grade-specific information.

Please note those enrolled in Royal Oak Schools for the first time will receive their login information this week. New families will have to wait for that information before accessing their MISTAR Parent Portal.

Aerobatic Teams Fill the Skies at OCIA Open House & Air Show

The Phillips 66 Aerostars will once again tear into the skies at 250 mph over the Oakland County International Airport Open House & Air Show in four Extra 300L aerobatic planes. They will join other aerial performers at the Sunday, Aug. 11.

Admission is free. There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle.

The air show begins at 2 p.m.

Beaumont, Royal Oak Ranks Tops by US News & World Report

Beaumont Health’s Royal Oak hospital earned national recognition by U.S. News & World Report in the “America’s Best Hospitals” rankings.

Beaumont, Royal Oak ranked No. 2 statewide. This marks the 25th consecutive year Beaumont, Royal Oak has been included in this U.S. News national listing. The hospital also ranks No. 2 in Metro Detroit.

U.S. News & World Report has nationally ranked Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak in the following 11 medical specialties based on objective measures for 2019-20:

Cardiology & Heart Surgery – #19
Diabetes & Endocrinology – #18
Ear, Nose & Throat – #48
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery – #31
Geriatrics – #28
Gynecology – #10 (top ranked in Michigan)
Nephrology (Kidney) – #35
Neurology & Neurosurgery – #34
Orthopedics – #15 (top ranked in Michigan)
Pulmonology – #18
Urology – #22

Free Valet at the Farmers Market

Long list of things to buy at the farmers market? Don’t try and juggle it all. Take advantage of the free valet, strolling shopping baskets and curbside loading when shopping for farm fresh finds at the Royal Oak Farmers Market every Saturday.

Skoop Pedicabs into Last Week

Who says there’s no such thing as a free ride? The Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority and Skoop will continue to provide free pedicab rides through July—just one more week.  

Take a Skoop pedicab to your downtown Royal Oak destination, compliments of the DDA. Hours of operation are Thursdays from 5 to 11 p.m.; Fridays from 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and evenings 6 p.m. to midnight; and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

Whether you’re headed somewhere specific or just want to take a little tour of downtown, hop on the Pedicab and enjoy. 

Mushroom Walk Slated for August

How do you know mushrooms like to party? They’re a fungi. Get it? Fun guy, fungi? See for yourself on Saturday, Aug.24, on a “Mushroom Walk” at Cummingston Park at 10 a.m. Park and meet at Leafdale and Torquay.

Mary Fredricks, a member and botanist/mycologist of the Royal Oak Nature Society, will lead the walk. Anyone with an interest in learning more about mushrooms and other fungi of the urban woods is welcome. There is no preregistration or cost for this walk.

Business Improvement Grants Available

Spruce up the curb appeal of your business and apply for a façade improvement grant through the Downtown Development Authority.

The DDA administers a facade grant program for properties inside the Downtown Development District. Qualifying properties are eligible to receive a 50% reimbursement of the total cost of facade improvement work up to a maximum of $10,000. 

Completed applications must be submitted to the downtown manager, along with official cost estimates of the work and photos of the property. Completed applications are then reviewed by the DDA’s Infrastructure Committee and must be approved by the DDA Board of Directors. 

An application can be found here. 

MDOT Invests in Pedestrian Safety

The Michigan Department of Transportation will invest $1.2 million on intersection and pedestrian safety improvements on the eastbound I-696 service drive at the Woodward Avenue service drive, along with Woodward Avenue at Washington Avenue, and Washington Avenue over Woodward Avenue.

The project includes cold milling and resurfacing on the eastbound I-696 service drive, repairing curbs and gutters, drainage structure repairs, approach work, upgrading sidewalk ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, widening the sidewalk on the Washington Avenue bridge over Woodward, Woodward sidewalk work at Washington Avenue, and Woodward service drive work at the I-696 service drive.

Detroit Zoo Hatches Endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover

After high water levels washed out its nest, a rare Great Lakes piping plover hatched at the Detroit Zoo.

Four piping plover eggs were found last month abandoned, wet and sunken in the sand on the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore after heavy rain and high water levels washed out the nest. The eggs were taken to the University of Michigan’s Biological Station in Pellston, where the zoo leads an award-winning program to salvage eggs to bolster the population of Great Lakes piping plovers.

Upon the eggs’ arrival, zoo staff were dismayed that they appeared to be unviable. After three days, a staff member spotted motion in one of the eggs, which continued to develop, but the chick struggled to hatch. A bird keeper assisted with the hatching, and the chick is now almost three weeks old and doing well.

Check Out More Than Books with Your Library Card

Use your valid library card and enjoy great group rate insider prices for Detroit Tigers games. Single-seat prices start at just $26. Grab a friend and enjoy the game. Tickets available as follows:

August 5, 6 and 7 – White Sox
August 8, 9, 10 and 11 – Royals
August 13, 14 and 15 – Mariners
August 27, 28 and 29 – Indians
August 30 and 31 – Twins

To order tickets online or call 313-471-2252.

Meadow of the Arboretum Walk

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Enjoy nature at the “Meadow of the Arboretum.” This all-ages friendly walk will bea t the Royal Oak Arboretum on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. Participants should meet at the Royal Oak Senior/Community Center at 3500 Marais in the north end of the parking lot. There is no preregistration or cost for this walk.

14 Mile Road Important Update

Bad news-good news from the city. Bad news first. This summer, the city originally planned to resurface 14 Mile Road from Greenfield Road to Crooks Road, but the contractor bids for the road work were significantly over budget. The city temporarily cancelled the project and will re-bid the work for spring/summer 2020 construction.

Now for the good news: The water main projects on 14 Mile Road are now complete, and 14 Mile Road will remain open to traffic until road work resumes next year.

Vegan & Vodka Coming to Downtown Royal Oak

Vegan & Vodka highlights the dynamic, forward-thinking culture in downtown Royal Oak. Shining the spotlight on local restaurants, attendees will enjoy an array of vegan food samplings along with carefully crafted vodka cocktails, local craft beer, wine, local artists, vegan-friendly vendors, activities, informative vegan workshops and much more.

Vegan & Vodka will take place east of Main Street on 2nd Street and 3rd Street, including the newly remodeled alley walk.

Save the date
Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3
5 to 10 p.m.
Friday 5-10 p.m. and Saturday 1-10 p.m.

email

Admission to Vegan & Vodka is free.

City Implements On-Street Handicap Parking

Food trucks are one of the most popular ways to try new foods. Good news for Royal Oak Farmers Market attendees: a food truck rally at Royal Oak Farmers Market is planned for Aug. 14, from 5 to 9 p.m. Sample food from a variety of local food trucks at 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak. Check romi.gov for more info.

Take the Fair Housing Survey

Every five years, Royal Oak conducts a Fair Housing Survey to identity issues that lead to developing educational and enforcement strategies to reduce discrimination.

All residents are encouraged to take a few moments to participate and share their experiences related to housing and access to opportunity.

Free Live Music Heading to Downtown

Free live music returns in downtown Royal Oak with the Live Music Thursdays summer concert series, which runs through Aug. 15 in a pop-park on Center Street between Fourth and Third streets.

“It usually brings out hundreds of people,” said James Krizan, assistant to the city manager and city liaison to the arts commission. “A lot of people are there for the whole night and set up camp with lawn chairs. We get a lot of other people who pop in, then go to a restaurant and then come back.”

All the concerts run from 6 p.m. to about 9 p.m. and the series of six concerts is on Thursdays from July 11 through Aug. 15.

The concerts are geared for adults and children. The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department brings in retro games for children to play and a climbing tower.

Mobile HotSpots, Playaway Launchpads Available at Library

The Royal Oak Public Library now has mobile hotspots and Playaway Launchpads available to borrow.

What’s a Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot?
The hotspot-lending program is a free service that allows cardholders to check out a hotspot device and connect to the internet from almost anywhere. To borrow a Library Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot, patrons must be 18 years of age or older, and have a valid Library card that is not blocked. Mobile Hotspots may be checked out for 10 days with no renewals. Local holds only.

What’s a Playaway Launchpad?
These learning tablets for kids are pre-loaded with educational games, stories, videos and more. Launchpads can be checked out for three weeks, and are perfect for car rides, plane trips and vacations because no Wi-Fi is required. Check one out from the shelf to the right of the fish tank in the Kids Section in the lower level of the Library.

Food Truck Rally Coming Aug 14

Food trucks are one of the most popular ways to try new foods. Good news for Royal Oak Farmers Market attendees: a food truck rally at Royal Oak Farmers Market is planned for Aug. 14, from 5 to 9 p.m. Sample food from a variety of local food trucks at 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak. Check romi.gov for more info.

Construction Projects in Full Swing

With multiple construction projects in Royal Oak, residents might notice some delays around town. The city is doing its best to expedite the work to minimize traffic conflicts and access to various properties near the project. Residents on affected streets will be mailed construction notices before work begins, with detailed information on the project.

Sign up for construction updates via e-mail or text with News Flash – Engineering under Notify Me on the city website www.romi.gov

If you have questions you can contact the engineering division at 248-246-3260

Detroit Zoological Society Hosts Photo Safari July 20-21

No need to travel to Africa for this safari. The Detroit Zoological Society is teaming up with Woodward Camera for the second year to offer shutterbugs of all ages the opportunity to exhibit their photography skills and compete to win prizes.

Photo Safari is the weekend of July 20 and 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Detroit Zoo. Participation is free with zoo admission; guests who pay $20 for early admission as well as DZS members can enter at 8 a.m.

Photos taken during this two-day event will be eligible for prizes; up to five images per person may be submitted to the Woodward Camera team for consideration.

“This event provides photographers the chance to embark on the ultimate adventure right in their own backyards,” said Bert Weidner, owner of Woodward Camera.  “The Detroit Zoo is a gem in the Midwest and an ideal location for artists to demonstrate their talent.”

The event will also offer Photo Safari participants the opportunity to test out new photography equipment. Woodward Camera is providing $300,000 worth of cameras and lenses from Nikon, Panasonic, Tamron, Sigma, Fujifilm and Sony for guests during the event.

Photos taken during the event must be submitted to www.woodwardcamera.com by July 24 to be eligible for prizes. Finalists will be voted on by the Detroit Zoo’s Facebook followers the week of Aug. 5, and first-, second- and third-place winners will be announced the week of Aug. 12.

Beaumont Seeking Participants for Smoking Cessation Study in Royal Oak

Researchers with Beaumont’s Cancer Clinical Trials Program are seeking smokers and their family members for a smoking termination program. The free program will be held for four consecutive Mondays – July 15 through Aug. 5. Participants are required to attend all four classes at the Beaumont Health and Wellness Center, 4949 Coolidge Highway, Royal Oak, from 5 to 6 p.m.

Said Dr. Shannon Wills, “Beaumont is committed to improving patient care by partnering with patients and their families. Invite a family member, or partner, in your home who smokes to join you in a journey to quit smoking. There is no cost to participate in this research study.”

The study is referred to as FAST or “Family Approach to Smoking Termination: Kicking butts one family at a time.”

For more information or to enroll, call 248-551-7695 or email: Sandra.Baker2@Beaumont.org.