Kids and Adults with Development Disabilities Have Chance to Dance

“My Chance to Dance” is a dance/exercise program for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Sessions are held Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at Big Beaver United Methodist Church at 3753 John R in Troy. The cost is $40 for eight classes or $6 for drop-ins. The first class is free for new students.

Classes are ongoing, so register at any time.

Contact Peggy DiMercurio at mdimercurio@wowway.com or 586-801-4902, with any questions.

Beatles Tribute Band, Barbeque Feature at July 18 Event

The Beatles are invading Troy and they’re bringing barbecue with them.

On Thursday, July 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., The Beatles tribute band, Shout! Is playing for fans of the Fab Four and fall-off-the-bone barbecue from Mission BBQ.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Troy Community Center. Adult registration is $15/residents and $20/non-residents. Ages 12 and under: $7/residents and $12/non-residents.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register by July 11.

The Troy Summer Concert Series is Back

Boulan Park on Crooks Road between Big Beaver and Wattles Roads will be the backdrop for some fabulous music on select Thursdays this summer. Stay after work, grab a bite to eat, and listen to music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Food will be available from food trucks and Harold’s Italian Ice starting at 5:30 p.m.

On July 11, The Back Beats will fill the air with music using authentic instruments, clothing and hairstyles. The BackBeats transport their audiences on a Magical Mystery Tour of yesteryear, when the whole world first heard the four names of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

The concert is followed by a “drive-in” movie, Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse.

The Troy Historic Village Hosts Summer Events

This summer is shaping up with amazing events for all ages from the Troy Historic Village.

July 10
Troy Garden Club’s 45^th-Annual Garden Walk: Between Art & Nature
Tour includes seven private gardens open to ticketholders from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m., rain or shine.
Tickets: $10 before July 10, $15 day of. Purchase in advance (cash/check only) from Troy Historic Village, Telly’s Greenhouse, Auburn Oaks Garden Center, or Uncle Luke’s. Day-of tickets available only at the Village.

July 15-19
History Experience Week at The Historic Village

9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Ages 7-11
Travel back in time and spend five days like the pioneers and early 20th century residents of rural Troy. Historic interpreters help kids try out old-time chores, play vintage games and make take-home crafts such as beeswax candles and wooden birdhouses.

Positivity Patrol Program Kicks Off

With summer underway, the Troy Police Department is mobilizing the new Positivity Patrol program. Officers will be out in the community distributing footballs, soccer balls and other fun items for kids to encourage them to get outside and engaged in the community, as well as get to know their local police.

Officers will be available to provide safety tips, chat or possibly toss a football around.

“Our mission is to work with our community to keep Troy a great place to live,” said Chief Frank Nastasi. “We want all of our residents, including kids, to know that we are here to help them and that they are an important part of the community.”

Troy kids can be a part of the program by talking with officers on patrol in their neighborhood, or by doing a positive deed that benefits the community. Any child that does a positive deed, such as cleaning up trash or helping a neighbor, can stop by the station front desk and pick up a prize.

Troy officers will also visit local youth programs, such as the Troy Community Coalition Summer Camp and the Troy Recreation Department Safety Town, to educate kids about safety and offer kids the opportunity to meet their local officers.

Pawfficer Donut, the department’s community outreach cat, is also getting in on the action. Now through July 10, the department is featuring “10 Days of Pawsitivity” with Donut on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Troy Named No. 1 City in Michigan

The rest of the state is now finding out what Troy residents already know: Their city is the best.

According to ChamberofCommerce.org, Troy made the top of the list:

1. Troy

Troy, a large Detroit suburb of over 83,000, is Michigan’s best city to live in. Troy’s population is affluent and well-educated, with a large part of the workforce employed in the city’s large automotive sector. Troy is also a college town, home to campuses of over half-dozen universities.

Oakland County Fair Returns to Springfield Oaks County Park July 5-14

Make plans for one of the highlights of the summer – the Oakland County Fair, coming to Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg July 5-14.

This year, the fair features, “Walking with Giants,” a dinosaur and dragon encounter, Presented by Prehistoric Adventures. The creatures are 8 feet tall and 16 feet long and are anatomically correct, with incredibly realistic eye blinking, tail swooshing and a mighty roaring sound.

The fair will also feature The Birdman – Condor Show with three flights daily; Barnyard Express, a mobile educational farm center; Racing Pigs; and Show-Me-Safari Petting Zoo along with other main arena events, contests, fair food, Big Rock Amusements carnival, fireworks, a free concert and livestock.

Fair parking, which includes admission, is $12/vehicle and $6/motorcycle. Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free parking Friday, July 5, and Thursday, July 11, with a 2019 Oakland County Parks and Recreation Vehicle Permit. Fireworks will begin after dusk following the Friday night, July 5, concert.

Main arena events in the evening include an off-road demolition derby, horse pull, KOI Drag Races, Figure Eight Races, Superkicker Rodeo, Night of Destruction and Monster Trucks. Tickets for these events may be purchased at OakFair.org.

Springfield Oaks County Park is located at 12451 Andersonville Road in Davisburg.

For a complete fair schedule, visit OakFair.org.

Teas for Two Features The Italian Hall Disaster

On June 27, meet at Old Troy Church in the Historic Village to learn about The Italian Hall Disaster. The talk runs from 2 to 3 p.m. In 1913, one of the greatest tragedies in American history occurred in northern Michigan when someone yelled “Fire!” to cause a panic during a children’s party at the Calumet Italian Hall. More than 70 people died trying to flee the building, 60 were children. Author Steve Lehto will explain what led to this tragedy. Troy Historical Society Members pay $7, non-members pay $8.

AED CPR Classes Offered by Siblings

Recent Michigan Connections Academy grad Tessa Lucas and her brother, current student Wyatt, are providing an important community service this summer. They partnered with local businesses to host Heartsaver AED CPR certification training sessions at the Medright office, at 850 Stephenson Hwy.

Participants pay only $10 for this certification and will receive their AED CPR card through the American Heart Association, a free T-shirt and a face shield key chain on the day of the class.

Register here. For more information, email Tessa and Wyatt at Wyattwilliamlucas@aol.com.

Classical Music Fills Troy Community Center

Join fellow classical music lovers for Mozart in the Summer on Wednesday, June 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. in rooms 304/305 of the Troy Community Center.

Sit back and relax to Mozart’s “Gran Partita” performed by community musicians DMO Winds. The 50-minute piece is scored for two oboes, two clarinets, two basset horns, two bassoons, four French horns and one string bass. This is a small wind symphony that is one of the finest in the repertoire. Meet the musicians during a reception with light refreshments to follow.

The cost is $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

Troy Farmers Market Opens Friday, June 21

Check out the Troy Farmers Market every Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., June 21 through Sept. 27 in the Troy Public Library Parking Lot off Big Beaver and Civic Center Roads.

Get fresh and seasonal, Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables, flowers, meats, honey and more, plus baked goods, jams, jellies, spices, pastas and ready-to-eat foods prepared with local ingredients. The farmers market also offers weekly musical entertainment sponsored by J-Ro School of Music.

Food Trucks will also be onsite.

“This is the second year for the Troy Farmers Market and we are so excited to welcome our farmers and local food vendors, and thank our sponsor Genisys Credit Union,” said Cindy Stewart, Community Affairs director and farmers market manager. “Our market will provide local Michigan grown produce and food products to residents and visitors. It’s the perfect gathering place to bring the community together for live entertainment and kids’ activities, while shopping for healthy food.”

For more information, call 248-524-1147 or email farmersmarket@troymi.gov.

Enroll in the ‘Do Not Knock’ Registry

Through the city, you can register your house, so peddlers will not knock on your door. Visit the Do Not Knock Registry to get the guidelines, learn where you can pick up your window decal and more.

Join a ‘Place of Worship’ Tour

Join the Troy Historical Society on June 19 for a Place of Worship Tours. The tour begins at the Dharma Gate Zen Center, 360 E. Maple Rd, Suite K, in the Maplewood Court Industrial Park at 7:30 p.m. Learn the history of the diverse places of worship, the congregations, and see the beautiful architecture of their buildings. The cost is $7 for Troy historical Society members and $8 for non-members.

DEP Investing $1.8 million in Troy Headquarters

Detroit Engineered Products is investing $1.8 million in its Troy headquarters, located at 850 East Long Lake Road. DEP is an engineering solutions and product development company. The company will be adding 91 high-paying jobs over the next three years. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is providing a performance-based incentive grant to the project.

Sign Students up for MiCareerQuest Southeast

The region’s largest interactive career exploration event for high school students is coming this fall.

Students will experience a broad range of exciting, rewarding career opportunities to help them prepare for their futures.

Thousands of high school students from Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Wayne, Washtenaw and Livingston counties meet with working professionals who have built successful careers in a variety of fields. In addition, young people will have the opportunity to touch, feel and work with the equipment, tools and technology used by people every day in a broad range of in-demand jobs. The goal is to connect classroom learning with real-world jobs and their requirements. Students also will discover engaging workplace opportunities, such as internships, job shadowing and more.

The event takes place on Nov. 8, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.  If your business is interested in participating, please click here for more information.

Save the Date for the 12th Annual Troy Traffic Jam Car Show

Sunday, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Columbia Center
201 W. Big Beaver Road

Car buffs, save the date for the Troy Traffic Jam Car show. The event features more than 250 classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars and specialty vehicles. Enjoy children’s crafts, music and plenty of great food available for purchase. Register your restored, modified or original vehicles at www.troytrafficjam.com or onsite for $20 per vehicle.

Troy Chamber to Host an Exciting Lineup of Summer Events

With 13 events in the works for summer, the Troy business community has plenty of opportunities to get out of the office and explore a variety of activities.

Note these two events, which are right around the corner:

CEO Series featuring Terri Kline
Thursday, June 13, 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Terri Kline, president and CEO of Health Alliance Plan, will speak on what the future holds for HAP. The event also features a plated breakfast at the newly remodeled Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.

Tickets: $32 for Troy Chamber members and $40 for non-members.

Grillin’ 2019: View from the Top
Wednesday, July 31, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The Troy Chamber is taking things to the next level with its largest summer event. Hosted on top of the 830 Parking Structure on Big Beaver, participants overlook Troy as they network and mingle. Enjoy grooving to tunes from live entertainment by The Next Generation Funk Brothers. The event features a Restaurant Row, with 15 of Troy’s finest restaurants providing food and drink.

Tickets: $25 for Troy Chamber members and $40 for non-members.

To learn more and register for events visit: troychamber.com/events. For more information call 248-641-8151 or email: theteam@troychamber.com

Access Business Resources on Troy’s Website

Check out the new Troy Business & Investment Assistant found on the City of Troy Economic Development website. This website overlay provides easy access to valuable resources including business tools, economic and demographic indicators, interactive maps and partner connections.

New Workspace Opens on E. Maple

HubWorX360 opened in Troy and offers businesses and workers a novel place to set up shop for a few hours.

HubWorX360 offers an environment for creativity, intelligence and innovation while collaborating with others. It is a modern industrial office setting with a fun and exciting place to work and develop your dreams.

Discover large open space in the Book Cadillac Warehouse and the Detroit Bicycle Shoppe or privacy in the Fisher Conference Room. You can relax in the DIA Cafe and connect with other enterprising members while enjoying a fresh-roasted cup of the HubWorX360 blend coffee.

Check it out: 360 E. Maple Road; or contact 888-925-8800, hubworx360.com

Sign Up Now and You Could Save a Life

If the person next to you right now was choking or had a cardiac arrest, would you know what to do?

Calling 9-1-1 is a good start, but what you do before they arrive will impact whether that person lives or dies. It’s time to learn CPR.

Become Certified in CPR as a Heartsaver

Participants will learn how to recognize when someone needs help from choking or cardiac arrest, learn how to respond appropriately by providing adult, child or infant CPR and how to operate an automated external defibrillator.

Saturday, June 15                                                   9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, June 29                                                   9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Medright, Inc. 850 Stephenson Highway, Suite 510, Troy, MI 48083

Who is eligible to attend: Must live or work in Troy or surrounding areas, be at least 12 years old

Cost:  $10 per person

Locate the day and time of the class you wish to attend and register at https://bit.ly/2TVK0ze.

Michigan Aiming to be a Hotspot for Growth as Older Workers Retire

Trade jobs are looking to be a bright spot in the Michigan economy as older workers retire. Estimates show that 545,000 skilled-labor jobs will be available by the end of 2026.

In response to the anticipated need, the Talent and Economic Development Department jump started a campaign called “Going Pro” to raise awareness for the growth potential in skilled trades fields and to inspire younger workers to consider the trades as a career.

“There is a big gap to fill, but we think that presents an opportunity,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, speaking at a press event at Lansing Community College’s West Campus. “There are a lot of talented hardworking people in Michigan, and we want to make sure there’s a pathway for them to have a high-wage, high-quality career.”

Trade careers include jobs in construction, manufacturing, health care, automotive and information technology. The jobs typically require some training beyond high school but not necessarily a four-year degree, which is appealing to many because they graduate from their programs with little, if any, debt.