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

Bond Increase Vote

Ferndale Public Schools has a 3-series bond for $125 million with no projected tax rate increase on the March 2020 ballot.

The district wants to make needed facility improvements through the sale of bonds at no tax rate increase. By renewing the existing rate to fund a 3-series bond, current tax rates will remain the same and $125 million dollars will be secured to invest in Ferndale schools. These bond dollars are restricted to capital improvements, such as technology, buses and facility improvements.

The bond proposal that will be on the ballot March 10, is what is commonly referred to as a 3-series proposal. A traditional bond proposal allows a district to sell bonds one time and receive funds. With a 3-series bond, Ferndale Schools will have the ability to gain public authorization to sell bonds at three different times in the near future. This allows the district to create a decade-long facility plan.

Read more about the bond proposal here.

Tour Bharatiya Hindu Temple

Join Senior Services for a tour of the main worship area of Bharatiya Hindu Temple. The Temple was inaugurated on July 19, 1981. Since then, it has grown significantly in terms of activities, building expansion and size of the congregation. Following the tour, lunch is “on-your-own” at the Star of India Restaurant in Ferndale. Register here.

 

 

After 5 Networking Event

On Thursday, Jan. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m., join the Ferndale Area Chamber at B. Nektar for an evening of networking. Come enjoy a mead, cider, or beer from B. Nektar and get to know some community members.

After 5 is a great way to get to know local business owners and check out the B. Nektar Taproom.

Pub trivia starts around 8 p.m., so stick around and win some prizes.

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.

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Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor