Community calendar
BLOOD DRIVES
• Gardner White Furniture Company is partnering with the American Red Cross to host blood drives, 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Tuesday
Jan. 9at the store locations in Waterford Twp., Taylor and Saginaw; and 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Thursday Jan. 11at store locations in Auburn Hills, Novi, Ann Arbor, Canton/Plymouth, Howell, Shelby Township and Warren. Appointments are encouraged, but walkins are welcome. For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit www.gardner-white.com/ blog/2023/12/gardnerwhite-hosts-blood-drivejanuary-9th-11th.
• The City of Troy is hosting American Red Cross Blood Drives, 1-7 p.m. Jan. 16 and Jan. 22; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 29, at the Troy Community Center, 3179Livernois, Troy. Donation appointments can be scheduled by calling 313-300-9617 or visiting www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive and entering zip code 48083. Photo ID or Red Cross
Donor Card will be required. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and be in good general health.
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
• The Comerica Hatch Detroit contest is for entrepreneurs with a retail concept looking to open a brick-andmortar location in Detroit, Highland Park or Hamtramck to submit business plans at https://hatchdetroit. com/how-it-works until noon, Feb. 16. The small business contest includes two rounds of public voting to determine the Top 10 and Top 4, allowing the community to vote for their favorite business to win the $100,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank and a business support package from TechTown Detroit and partners.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
• The Charter Township of
Waterford has developed an update to its 5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan. A copy of the Draft Plan is available for review through Jan. 9, online at www. waterfordmi.gov/parks, or at Waterford Township Hall and the Waterford Recreation Center during regular business hours. To submit comments regarding the draft plan, send written comments to Alison Swanson, Waterford Parks & Recreation Director, 5200 Civic Center Dr., Waterford, MI, 48329 or email aswanson@ waterfordmi.gov by Jan. 9.
• Coffee and Conversation is 9 a.m. Jan. 9, Collier Lanes, 879S. Lapeer Road, Oxford, coffee, danish . Michael Collier and JR Lafnear they share some Oxford history, free, open to the public, oxparkrec.org.
• Pottery Workshop-Mini Succulent Garden is 1-2 p.m. Jan. 13 at Red Oaks 30300 Hales St., Madison Heights, suitable for ages 6+, $5 per person. Pre-registration with payment is required. Call 248-858-0916 weekdays or register online at OaklandCountyParks.com.
• State Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills), invites greater Rochester area residents to his upcoming office hours, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 15, in Conference Room A at the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500Olde Towne Road, Rochester, reptisdel. com.
• Oakland County Parks Historian Carol Bacak-Egbo presents Fireside Chat series via Zoom, free program, no need to register. “Once There Was a Town: Stories of Towns That Have Disappeared” is 7-8 p.m. Jan. 16, https://oakgov.zoom.us/ j/95291599321#success. For questions, call or text 248-221-8040, OaklandCountyParks.com.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
• MSU Extension is hosting, “Introduction to Lakes,” an introductory six-week online course. The course starts
Jan. 30. It is designed for anyone interested in inland lakes with topics including lake ecology, watershed management, shoreline protection, aquatic plants, Michigan water law, and community engagement. Registration is open through Jan. 28, $115 per person. Early bird by Jan. 12, is $95 per person, includes a certificate to those who complete the course, education credits, www.canr.msu.edu/ lakesonline.
• Basic Food Safety Class is 2-4 p.m. Jan. 17 or Jan.
25, at South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield, basic food safety fundamentals for food service personnel. The class focuses on the three main causes of foodborne illness and ways to control them. The class is free but pre-registration is required, call 248-424-7190.
• Bank of America is accepting applications for the 2024 Student Leaders program through Jan. 17. This paid summer internship is an opportunity for metro Detroit students who have a passion for community engagement to engage in a paid eight-week internship with local nonprofits. They also travel to Washington, D.C. for the national Student Leaders Summit to see how nonprofits, governments and businesses collaborate. Students may apply online at www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders.
HEALTH/SAFETY ACTIVITIES
• Radon test kits are available to purchase for half price at Oakland County Health Division during National Radon Action Month in January, for $5for Oakland County homeowners. Purchase at Health Division offices at North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph, Building 34E, Pontiac, or South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield. Health Division offices are open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
To purchase more than 15 radon kits, call 248-8581312 to preorder, offices will be closed, Jan. 15, www. oakgov.com/Home/Components/News/News/1104. • American Heart Association Heartsaver class to learn CPR, AED and tourniquet skills is 5:30-10 p.m. Jan. 25, at Farmington Hills Fire Station #4, 28711 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, ages 12+, children younger than 18must register with a parent or guardian. Registration is $10 for residents of Farmington Hills or Farmington and $20 for non-residents. To receive a Certificate of Training, an additional $20 fee is required, participants must be physically able to kneel on the floor and use their arms and hands to perform chest compressions. Register by Jan. 18at the City of Farmington Hills Fire Department Headquarters/Station #5at 31455W. Eleven Mile Road. To register, or for more information, contact FDevents@FHgov. com.
LIBRARY
• “Neighbors Helping Neighbors-National Day of Service” presented by Michael Dreon, executive director of Rochester’s Neighborhood House, is 7 p.m. Jan. 9, at Rochester Hills Public Library, 500Olde Towne Road, Rochester, open to the public, registration is required, visit calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900.
MUSEUMS
• Constitution Café: 2-3:30 p.m. Jan. 14, inside Old Troy Church at the Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, www.troyhistoricvillage.org/programs/constitution-cafes, free.
• Thursday Walking Group is 5-6 p.m. Thursdays, through Jan. 25, new route each week, free, sign up for email notifications at Troy Historic Village website, www.troyhistoricvillage.org/ programs/walking-group, 248-524-3570.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES/ PARKS/SPORTS
• Platform Tennis Open House is 1:30-3:30 p.m. Jan. 14, Waterford Oaks County Park, 1702Scott Lake Road, Waterford Township. Equipment will be available for those without equipment. Tennis shoes are required; dress for the weather. For questions, call Jay Reynolds at 248-645-9671 or Waterford Oaks at 248-858-0916.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation 2024 Vehicle Permits are $30 for residents and $48 for non-residents, OaklandCountyParks.com. Free vehicle permits are available to eligible individuals, including: Oakland County residents ages 62+, military and veterans, and individuals with a permanent physical, mental or sensory impairment disability. (Residents must provide valid documentation, such as a driver’s license, to verify residency and age.)
• 2024 Huron-Clinton Metroparks annual park passes for the 13 Metroparks are on sale to residents of the five counties they serve. 2024 vehicle passes are $40, $45 for non-residents, www. metroparks.com.
• 2024 Annual Oakland County/Metropark Motor Vehicle Entry Pass gives access to eight Oakland County Parks as well as 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks through Dec. 31, 2024. Annual Passes are $64, non-refundable and non-transferable.
• “Discover Michigan
Skiing” learn-to-ski program is offered in January at participating Michigan ski areas, including Mt.
Holly in Holly, Pine Knob in Independence Twp., and Mt. Brighton in Brighton. The program includes: a beginner lesson, ski or snowboard rental equipment and a beginner-area ski lift pass or cross-country trail pass for a set fee of $60. For registration information, visit www. goskimichigan.com/discover-michigan-skiing.
• The “Cold is Cool” Ski & Ride Passport program app (to download on a cell phone), allows 4th and 5th-grade students to ski for free, up to three times through the season, at each of the 29participating Michigan ski areas, when accompanied by a paying adult. Local participating ski areas include Alpine Valley Ski
Area in White Lake Twp.; Mt. Holly Ski Area in Holly and
Mt. Brighton in Brighton. The cost is $30per child, which covers operational expenses, all lift tickets are donated by the ski areas. Register at the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association website, www.goskimichigan.com/ cold-is-cool.
• Bowers School Farm
Winter Park is open Thursdays-Sundays, Jan. 5 to
Feb 25, (subject to weather conditions, no snow making), 1219 E Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, farm animals, bonfires, farm store and food to purchase. Tubing tickets are $17, purchase in advance at www.schoolfarm. org/winter-activities.
SUPPORT RESOURCES
• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions.
Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.