It’s Wall to Wall Art

Troy’s Wall to Wall Art Fair will be Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Troy Community Center. More than 50 local artists will display at this is juried event, featuring artists in all mediums. Work includes a variety of jewelry, painting, glass, hand-crafted soaps, scrubs and candles, sculpture, ceramics and more. Preview artists here. Event and parking are free. Concessions for sale from Bear Claw Coffee.

There will also be a silent auction with over 250 items, a 52 card raffle to win a large outdoor item such as a kayak or camping gear, a $20 Wine Pull featuring over 60 bottles of wine ranging in value from $20 – $100 and “Spin the Bottle” where $10 buys you a spin of a wine bottle to win fabulous prizes.

Guests who purchase a VIP ticket are invited to attend a pre-glow reception inside the ballroom with full-sized craft cocktails, premium appetizers, a first-look at the silent auction and a chance to mingle with Joey Radio.

The VIP reception will be 5:30-6 p.m. and the main stage will open at 6 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.

Step Up to the Plate to Support Troy Schools

Heading to your favorite restaurant will not only get you a good meal, but it will help out your local schools from Monday, Nov. 5 – Friday, Nov. 9. Participating restaurants will offer 20 percent off of food and non-alcoholic beverages to patrons who bring in a Step Up to the Plate flyer, ad, email or other communication about the program. The Step Up flyer is available on the Troy Chamber website – troychamber.com.

Diners may then turn in their detailed receipts to the Troy school of their choice. Receipts are due to Troy Schools by Friday, November 16. The school receiving the most money in receipts will win a $1,000 cash prize. This promotional event is sponsored by Cornerstone Community Financial.

Participating restaurants include:

Lebanese Grill of Troy – 1600 Rochester Rd, Troy
Mr. Kabob Xpress – 2008 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy
Papa Romano’s Pizza/ Mr. Pita – 5399 Crooks Rd, Troy
Renee’s Gourmet Pizzeria – 1937 W. Maple Rd, Troy
Station Square Kitchen + Bar – 1317 Coolidge Hwy, Troy
Steelhouse Tavern – 1129 E. Long Lake Rd, Troy
Tropical Smoothie Café – 1569 Main St, Suite A, Clawson

Nate Forbes to Speak at Troy Chamber Event

Nate Forbes, managing partner of the Forbes Company, is a nationally recognized developer, owner and manager of luxury shopping destinations throughout the country, including the Somerset Collection. He will present at Troy Chamber’s CEO Series on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at Petruzzello’s in Troy. The Event will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and include a sit-down breakfast.

Forbes’ presentation will illuminate the current state of the retail industry, touching on how the Somerset Collection distinguishes itself from the competition and remains one of the premier luxury shopping destinations in Michigan. He will also speak on the future of the old Kmart Head Quarters property in Troy.

“We are very excited to present Nate Forbes to the Troy business community. If you have ever been to the Somerset Collection, you will want to hear his take on the shopping malls in our country and the face of retail these days,” says Ara Topouzian, President/CEO of Troy Chamber.

The cost is $28 for Troy Chamber members and $38 for non-members and includes breakfast. Register at troychamber.com/events. For more information call 248-641-8151 or e-mail: theteam@troychamber.com.

Brenda Balas Selected as 2018 Troy Distinguished Citizen

Leadership Troy’s 50th and final banquet will recognize outstanding volunteers from community groups, honor a community-minded business with the Community Appreciation Award, and present the Distinguished Citizen of Troy award to Brenda Balas.

“Brenda Balas has a long history of volunteering in the Troy Community between Troy Schools, her Church, and many other cultural and social organizations.”  says Jim Cyrulewski, Leadership Troy President.  “She loves helping others and never says ‘no’ when asked for assistance. She has been involved in volunteering since she and Paul first moved to Troy, even before their children were born.  She definitely meets all the traits our Selection Committee was looking for in a distinguished citizen.”

Brenda Balas focuses on promoting peace and social justice and on activities that enrich lives and enhance the community as a whole. She is active with the Troy-area Interfaith Group, recently serving more than six years as its chairperson.  She worked with Troy Police Department to help create Troy Area Alliance Against Hate Crimes. And she collaborated with the leadership of Troy Public Library and City of Troy to found KYND, the Know Your Neighbor Daily initiative which offers programs that promote greater understanding and appreciation of diverse individuals in our community.  Brenda also served on the Advisory Board of Catholic Social Services of Oakland County (now Catholic Charities), and as a member of the Peace Center Interfaith Committee of the United Methodist Church Detroit Renaissance District.
An active member and leader at Big Beaver United Methodist Church, she has helped create an interfaith component in the youth confirmation program, establish a Church and Society Committee, and sponsor a refugee family for resettlement in coordination with Samaritas New Americans program.

Brenda served as a member of Troy School District Diversity and Inclusion Council, Vice President of Troy High School Band Boosters, Secretary of Boulan Park Middle School PTO and President and Secretary of Bemis Elementary School PTO.  She volunteered in classrooms and the media center, in cultural enrichment activities and with the local Girl Scout troop.

As an employee of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, she served in a planning and fund distribution leadership role, managing the volunteer allocations process that distributed nearly $63 million to over 130 health and human service agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area.

For dinner information and registration form, click here.