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

Tree Bark at Tenhave Woods

“Tree Bark” is being held at Tenhave Woods on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. Park at the Lexington and Marais lot and meet at the Lexington entrance.

Learn the differences of bark on different species of trees and the changes in the looks of the bark as the tree ages. Why are some barks smooth and others deeply furrowed? Which patterns in the furrows helps identify the tree species?

There is no preregistration or cost.

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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.

Sign-up Now for the 2020 MLK Day of Service

The city of Royal Oak, Royal Oak Schools, Berkley Schools and the city of Berkley are teaming up for the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20.

The event, hosted at Berkley High School, honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a short program in the morning, which has alternated locations between Royal Oak High School and Berkley High School since 2017.

The 2020 celebration will take place at Berkley High School with a breakfast preceding the 8:30 a.m. presentation of short performances and speakers. Beginning around 9 a.m., various on- and off-site volunteer opportunities are available for participants.

Admission to the event is free with the donation of one or more of the following items.

Toilet Paper
Shampoo & Conditioner
Gallon Ziploc Bags
Bath Soap
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Deodorant
Body Lotion
Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Fruit
Pudding Cups
Breakfast Cereal – Including regular boxes of Cheerios & Rice Krispies
Gift Certificates to Little Caesars

2020 Kindergarten Parent Information Night

Parents interested in enrolling their students in kindergarten for the 2020-21 school year should save some time at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, for Kindergarten Parent Information night.

The event gives parents an opportunity to visit their child’s future school to meet staff and learn about the curriculum, including details about the district developmental kindergarten program.

Call 248-435-8400 or check out the “Enrollment” section of the website for more information. New student enrollment for in-district families will begin on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Rebecca Calappi

Rebecca Calappi

City News Editor