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City Hall
151 Martin, P.O. Box 3001
Birmingham, MI 48012 
Ph. 248.530.1800
Fax 248.530.1080
 
AROUND TOWN
August 2017


Welcome to the August 2017 edition of the Around Town e-Newsletter from the City of Birmingham. We hope you enjoy this e-newsletter and forward it along to others who may be interested in the City of Birmingham!
Inside City Hall with Birmingham City Manager, Joe Valentine

Inside City Hall_ August Edition


Hot Rods, Food & Fun at Birmingham Cruise Event

  
The Woodward Dream Cruise will roll into town on Saturday, August 19, bringing 40,000 classic cars and more than one million people from all over the world. Adding to the festivities, the Birmingham Cruise Event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located on South Old Woodward from Merrill Street to Lincoln.

The event features 300 classic cars of all makes and models, sponsor exhibits and live entertainment. Attendees will enjoy seeing Corvettes, Thunderbirds, Model A's, Mustangs, Rolls-Royce and much more. New this year, car lovers can satisfy their appetite with food vendors offering fresh squeezed lemonade, hot dogs, popcorn, baked goods and frozen treats. Look for the following vendors at this year's event: Life Gave Us Lemons, The Sweetest Gourmet, Harold's Italian Ice, Motor City Pops and Franks Etc.
 
The Chevrolet exhibit will be located in the "triangle" south of the 555 Building, where Old Woodward meets Woodward Avenue. They will host a variety of displays and activities starting at 9 a.m. Saturday and running through the conclusion of the Cruise at 9 p .m.   Both WXYZ Channel 7 and WOMC 104.3 FM will broadcast live throughout the day from Birmingham and the Chevy event respectively.
 
For more information about the Birmingham Cruise Event, visit www.birminghamcruiseevent.com

Volunteers Needed!
Tell your family and friends: volunteers are needed for the Birmingham Cruise Event! All volunteers will receive free event t-shirts, snacks and hydration all day long! Select from convenient 2 or 2 1/2 hour time slots. Volunteers are a valuable part of the Birmingham Cruise Event. Download the  volunteer registration form  and sign up today. Thank you in advance for your support!
Family Friendly Entertainment in Birmingham Parks  



Enjoy live concerts in Shain Park this summer during the In the Park Summer Concert series. The picturesque setting offers a perfect opportunity to kick off your shoes, relax on a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the show. Brand new this year, enjoy an afternoon concert on August 2 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Head to Shain Park on your lunch break and enjoy! Upcoming August concerts are as follows:
 
Wednesday, August 2, 2017 -  Brand New  afternoon concert by The AnTekes (Classic Rock & Roll), 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - The Sax Maniacs from Detroit (Soul), 7 p.m.
 
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - Mainstreet Soul (Blues), 7 p.m.
 
Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - The Favorites! (50's), 7 p.m.
 
Thank you to our 2017 In the Park Summer Concert series sponsors. Find more information at www.bhamgov.org/summerconcerts .
 
 
Movies under the Stars in Booth Park

Don't miss the last movie night of the summer! On Friday, August 11, find a cozy spot on the grassy hills of Booth Park and enjoy pre-show entertainment at 7:30 p.m. followed by Ghostbusters (original from 1984) beginning at dusk.

Head to Booth Park (located on the west side of North Old Woodward, just south of Harmon Street) and enjoy movies under the stars! Find out more at www.ALLINBirmingham.com
Mixed Recycling Coming Soon

Changes are coming soon for recycling service in Birmingham as SOCRRA rolls out its 65-gallon, mixed-stream recycle carts for all single-family households. These wheeled containers eliminate the need to sort items, making recycling as easy as taking out the trash!

The following are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What is "Mixed Recycling"?
Currently SOCRRA collects materials in two streams - paper, and everything else (plastic, metal, glass containers), requiring recycling drivers to separate the two.  Mixed recycling is when all recyclables can be mixed together in both the recycling container and recycling truck. The sorting of materials is done at the MRF, rather than by the recycling drivers.

Why switch to carts for recycling collection?
Proven benefits of switching to carts include more recyclables collected, increased convenience for residents to fit all their recyclables into one container, increased safety for workers, and potential cost savings. More materials diverted for recycling will increase revenue sharing for member communities thereby reducing disposal costs.

When will I receive my cart?
Cart distribution is expected to begin mid- to late-August. Each cart will have an informational packet attached to it. Residents may begin placing recyclables in their new bins following receipt. 

How much do the carts cost?
Because Birmingham is a member of SOCRRA, all single-family households will receive a cart at no cost.

Is the cart difficult to handle?
Measuring 3.5' tall, 2' wide, and 2' deep, the carts are well-balanced and easy to maneuver, even when loaded. What's more, their footprint is nearly the same size as the current 18-gallon recycling bins.

Visit http://www.socrra.org/recycling.shtml for additional information.  
Pick Up Fresh, Michigan Corn at August 13th Birmingham Farmers Market Corn Festival


Celebrate one of Michigan's sweetest harvests with games, special kids crafts, demonstrations, and old-fashioned corn shelling at the Corn Festival on Sunday, August 13 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Enjoy fresh prepared corn recipes including roasted corn, kettle popcorn, corn bread and other homemade recipes. And of course there will be plenty of fresh roasted Michigan sweet corn for sale!

Shoppers can see and pet a variety of farm animals including goats and sheep at the event, courtesy of Bowers School Traveling Farm.

This event will also feature the following food trucks:
Ned's Travel Burger
Franks Etc.
Nosh Pit Detroit

Shoppers can access the most up-to-date information about the market by "liking" the Birmingham Farmers Market Facebook page or visiting  www.birminghamfarmersmarket.org
 
Improvements Coming to Quarton Elementary School

Quarton Elementary School, a part of the Birmingham Public School District, was built in the 1920's as a neighborhood school. Today, partly because it serves a larger geographic area, many parents like to be able to drive their children to and from school. The school does not have enough room on their property to build a designated student drop off area. Since Oak St. in front of the school was old and in need of replacement, the City worked with the school district, pooled resources, and came up with a plan that will maintain two lanes of traffic on Oak St. (plus parking in front of the homes across the street), and adds a new separated, two lane student drop off area in front of the school. 
 
Work is underway to install a new storm sewer and water main on this long block. Concrete pavement will be installed this month, while the school is still in summer recess. Once the public adjusts to the new changes in September, both the City and School District hope that the project will create a safer, more efficient morning and afternoon routine for Quarton School students.  

Register Now for Fall Citizens Academy
 
Applications to reserve a spot in the 2017 Fall Birmingham Citizens Academy  are being accepted in the City Manager's Office now through Sept. 15th.  The academy begins September 26, 2017 and runs through November 13, 2017.

This free, interactive  8-week  program is open only to Birmingham residents 18 years or older and is designed to provide a fun, informative learning experience for citizens who want to know how the City of Birmingham operates. 

Classes will be offered on Tuesday nights from 6-8:30 p.m. and on 2 Thursday nights. Register now; s pace is limited. The sessions will be limited to a total of 20-30 participants to ensure a quality experience for all participants.

Applications can be found at bhamgov.org/citizensacademy. For more information, you may call the City Manager's Office at 248-530-1808, or email [email protected]
Learn to Skate at the Birmingham Ice Arena

Understanding Birmingham Leash Laws

Photo by Ed Morykwas, River of Time Photography

Please remember all dogs must be on a leash when off your personal property or not within the confines of the dog park. The following are our city ordinances that apply to dog owners walking their dogs in the city:
Sec. 18-33.  - Restraint of dogs.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog to permit the dog to go beyond the premises of such owner unless restrained by a chain or leash and under the reasonable control of some person.
Sec. 18-36. - Vicious dogs prohibited.
No person shall own or harbor a fierce or vicious dog, or a dog that has been bitten by any animal known to have been afflicted with rabies. All dogs found to be vicious and all rabid dogs shall be destroyed, unless otherwise disposed of by the owner thereof.
Sec. 18-51. - Required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess or harbor any dog or cat four months old or over in the city unless such dog or cat is licensed, or to own, harbor or possess any dog or cat four months old or over that does not at all times wear a collar or harness with suitable tag attached or with the license number written indelibly thereon. All dogs and cats shall be immunized against rabies, prior to the issuance of a license under this division.

If you have questions regarding the Animal Ordinance you may call the Police Department at 248.530.1889 or the City Clerk's office at 248.530.1880.

Off-Leash Fun at Lincoln Hills Dog Park
If you're looking for off-leash adventures for your dog, look no further than the Lincoln Hills Dog Park! Located at the southeast edge of the Lincoln Hills Golf Course (located at 2666 West Fourteen Mile Road, just west of Cranbrook Road), the dog park is open every day from dawn until dusk. Registered dog park users may bring their four-legged friends out to play! Your dog will enjoy running around in a securely fenced .85 acre Dog Park. Learn more at www.bhamgov.org/dogpark
Avoid Fines: Keep Grass & Weeds Below Eight Inches

green-grass-banner.jpg

To ensure our city looks well-maintained, the City's ordinance requires grass and weeds to be kept below eight inches high. Poison ivy, ragweed or any other poisonous, noxious or unhealthy growths are prohibited. Those in violation of this ordinance will have their lawn mowed and will be required to pay for the service. Access the entire Grass and Noxious Weed ordinance (Sec. 118-66) on the City's web site. For more information, call the Department of Public Services at
(248) 530-1700.
Summer Story Time at the Birmingham Museum: Blackout!
 
What do you do when the lights go out all over the city? When you can't watch TV or use the computer? Join us for Summer Story Time: Blackout! on August 10 at 7 pm as we move, sing songs, and tell stories about what happens when the lights go out. Admission to this event is free. 
                 
The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1 PM to 4 PM   and located at 556 W. Maple Rd. Parking is available in the Chester St. structure on the south side of Maple. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and seniors, children 5 and under are free. Please visit us on the web at   www.bhamgov.org/museum  or  www.facebook.com/TheBirminghamMuseum .
August News from the Baldwin Library    
 

Understanding Your Sleep Cycles, with Aaron Wallace
Wednesday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m. Registration required.
Your nightly regimen allows you to fully rejuvenate your body and mind to prepare for the coming day. Understand your body to get to your full health potential.
 
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Monday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m. Registration required.
Get a stuffed friend, come in your pajamas and enjoy super silly stories. Leave your friend at the Library overnight and pick it up on Tuesday. Please leave blankies and other accessories at home. 
 
Smart Home Technology
Tuesday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m. Registration required.
Learn more about smart home technology like the Nest thermostat and Amazon's Alexa and how the Internet of Things is growing every day in this librarian-led class.
 
Sign up for our 2017 Summer Reading Program, Build a Better World, at www.baldwinlib.org/summer-reading . All ages are welcome to participate.
Thank you for reading Around Town, a monthly e-newsletter from the City of Birmingham.  We hope you find the information timely and useful. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to friends and neighbors who may be interested in Birmingham.  
 
Sincerely,