Thursday, November 23

Chamber Office is Closed

The office is closed for the holiday. Regular business hours will resume on November 27th. Sorry for any inconvenience. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Wednesday, November 29

Ambassador Meeting

10:00 - 11:00 am

LACC Chamber Office

305 N Pontiac Trail Suite A, Walled Lake

October 3: Chamber Cup Challenge

What an incredible day it was at the Chamber Cup Challenge!



Members from both the West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce came together for a friendly battle to see who would take home the coveted Chamber Champion trophy.

Regardless of who brought home the cup, we were all winners that day because of the beautiful weather, the amazing camaraderie, and the valuable business connections we gained!

The competition was fierce, and the points were close, but when the sun set, it was the Lakes Area Chamber who emerged victorious! Congratulations to our Lakes Area friends for their fantastic performance!

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who supported the event through golfing, sponsoring, or volunteering. Your enthusiasm made this day truly special.

A very special shout out to our presenting sponsors. American House Senior Living Communities, American House Milford Senior Living and Orchard Mall, your support played a pivotal role in making this event a success! And a big thank you to Beacon Hill Golf Club for providing us with the perfect fall setting for this memorable day of friendly competition and collaboration.

We can't wait to continue being #BetterTogether with our chamber neighbors in the future. Stay tuned for more exciting events and opportunities to connect!

#chambercupchallenge #NetworkingWins #bettertogether

October 5: Healthcare Network Meeting

Thanks to our friends at Independence Village White Lake for hosting our Healthcare Network Group meeting. As always, Chef Dan provided a wonderful breakfast and the entire team rolled out the red carpet to make our morning networking a big success.

See all our HNG folks next month on Thursday, November 2 at The Neighborhoods of White Lake.

October 6: LaFontaine Lunch Delivery

We are so proud to join alongside LaFontaine Subaru in delivering 50 delicious lunches to some of the amazing hospital team at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Thanks so much to chamber member Soul Cafe for working with us on this catering order and making it a delicious and healthy lunch delivery.

LaFontaine Subaru sponsors this delivery in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month as we work together to show our appreciation and gratitude for the hospital staff and their hard work and dedication. Thank you for saving lives and making a difference in our community!

#lakesareachamber #LaFontaineSubaru #HenryFordWestBloomfield

#breastcancerawarenessmonth2023 #thankyou #bettertogether

October 6: 1st Friday Coffee Connect

Thanks so much to Suzy Pietrzyk with Thryv for hosting our Coffee Connect in Riley Park. It was the perfect fall morning to learn more about Suzy and the great business tools offered by Thryv and network amongst our LACC membership.

As always, we remind you to look for a chamber member first when shopping for goods and services and when supporting our local community organizations. Our online directory is available at www.lakesareachamber.com



#lovethelakes #bettertogether #CoffeeConnect

October 10: Women in Leadership

Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to be a part of the Women in Leadership Breakfast at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Our Presenter, Shanna Johnson, President of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, shared insight on her journey in leadership, raising a family and giving back to her community.



As always, we're #bettertogether and love working with our neighboring chambers: Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce, Novi Chamber of Commerce and the West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. Our thanks to State Representative Ann Bollin for attending the event as well.

Keep an eye on the chamber calendar for more great happenings ...

October 16: Spotlight Breakfast

Mondays might be a tough start, but we made this Monday a little brighter with our recent Spotlight Breakfast at Soul Cafe! While attendance wasn't at its peak, we totally get it - rolling out of bed on Mondays can be a challenge!

The good news? Those who joined us were treated to a delicious, healthy breakfast that was the perfect way to kick-start the week. Plus, we cherished the intimate setting as our members gathered to discuss all the fantastic happenings in the Lakes Area. Stop by when you can and check it out - you will not be disappointed.

Here's to making Mondays better, one breakfast at a time! Stay tuned for more exciting events and opportunities to connect.

#SPOTLIGHTBreakfast #NetworkingOpportunity #mondaymotivations

October 17: Annual Board Retreat

Our Annual Board Retreat allows us the opportunity to get to know one another better as we work on goals and planning for the upcoming year.

October 19: 3rd Thursday Coffee Connect

Thanks to Brookdale Novi for hosting our 3rd Thursday Coffee Connect in October. Members enjoyed a complimentary breakfast, networking and the opportunity to learn more about this fabulous senior living community. Thanks to Nikki Knight, Sales Manager, and Jenny Tairi, Executive Director, and the entire Brookdale Team for hosting.

October 21: Trunk or Treat

A great time was had by all at the Fisk Farm Trunk-or-Treat event! The LACC was thrilled to partner with WHITE LAKE TWP and the White Lake Historical Society / Fisk Farm to bring this family-friendly and totally free event to the community! Thanks to our volunteers, our sponsors, our trunk participants and to everyone who joined the festivities. Lots of happy kiddos, for sure

Presenting Sponsor:

Abbey Park at Mill River

Photo Area Sponsor:

Huron Valley State Bank

Candy Sponsors:

Kids in Motion / Ivy Rehab

Little Mittens Autism Center

Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA)

Cider & Donut Sponsors:

Biggby Coffee White Lake

Cranberry Park Milford

Courtyard Manor

Next Door Lending - Steve Betel

October 25 - Ambassadors "We Thank You Wednesday" visit

Chamber Ambassadors visited Meijer of Commerce Township today for "We Thank You Wednesday". Located at 1703 Haggerty Road in Commerce Township, this location has been a member since 1992. We thank you for your longtime support of the chamber and your continued participation.

October 26: YPG CarnEvil

Thanks to Bluewater for hosting our Lakes Area Young Professionals Group event. We learned more about Bluewater, what they do, how Glenlore Trail came about and enjoyed the perfect weather for a lovely walk along the trail. What a fun adventure - thanks to everyone who joined us!

October 31: Cooper's Dish Ribbon Cutting

Our Cooper's Dish ribbon cutting event was a big success, filled with delicious healthy menu options and spooky Halloween decorations! Nisha Farooq and Jake Sasser, the passionate owners, shared their journey, emphasizing their mission to provide affordable, nutritious options for Lakes Area residents. Not only did we enjoy the fantastic food and camaraderie, but Cooper's Kitchen also offers convenient delivery services. A massive thank you to everyone who joined us and made this event special, and to the representatives from Commerce Township for joining us to welcome them into the community.

Ace Handyman Services West Oakland & Wayne Counties

Chris Toomey - 248.983.3900

Valued Member Since 2021

Advantage Group General Agency

Ed Walter - 517.214.5903

Valued Member Since 2022

Athletic Republic Commerce

Kelly Mallek - 248.716.1700

Valued Member Since 2022

Beyond Payments

Tim Harry - 248.705.6044

Valued Member Since 2017

Brentwood Golf Club & Banquet Center

Jerry Domeneck - 248.684.2662

Valued Member Since 1995

Campbell's Collision

Larry Campbell - 248.363.9500

Valued Member Since 1980

Consumers Energy Company

Lauren Royston - 248.433.5805

Valued Member Since 1976

Creative Eldercare Consultants, LLC  

Julie Haskins-White - 248.842.4980

Valued Member Since 2018

Culver's of Commerce

Brent Bridgewater - 248.564.1612

Valued Member Since 2022

Dickey's Barbecue Pit

Peggy Anicka - 248.360.4055

Valued Member Since 2012

Drafting Table Brewing Company

Aaron Rzeznik - 248.956.7279

Valued Member Since 2017

Flagpoles Etc.

Robert Ray - 248.634.7183

Valued Member Since 2021

Friendship Circle

Randall Hutchinson - 248.788.7878

Valued Member Since 2019

Haang's Bistro

Ka Yang - 248.926.1100

Valued Member Since 2014

Jamie L. Hafke, DDS & Associates

Jamie Hafke - 248.669.2311

Valued Member Since 1998

Just Right Heating & Cooling, Inc.

Roger Findley - 248.889.0789

Valued Member Since 2010

Monat Global

Amy Lazare - 248.909.7199

Valued Member Since 2017 

Next Door Lending-Mortgage Family Man

Steve Betel - 248.983.5055

Valued Member Since 2022

Oakland Schools Technical Campus – SW

Christopher Vraniak - 248.668.5600

Valued Member Since 1991

Open Door Outreach Ctr & Resale Store

John Reardon - 248.360.2931

Valued Member Since 1993

Print DDS (Digital Document Store)

Carlos Allison - 248.684.1110

Valued Member Since 2010

Professional Movers.com

Andrew Androff - 248.926.9999

Valued Member Since 1998

R.W. Squires & Associates, LLC

Rick Squires - 248.921.4273

Valued Member Since 2017

Watkins Flower

Cheryl Orman - 248.624.4507

Valued Member Since 1976

Western Oakland Meals On Wheels

Bridget Ajemian - 810.632.2155

Valued Member Since 2011

Woodbury Insurance Agency - Farmers Insurance

Matthew Woodbury - 734.525.9450

Member since 2020

OCC Starting Part-Time Police Academy at Region’s Largest Police, Fire and Emergency Services Training Program 

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Oct. 4, 2023 -- Oakland Community College’s Oakland Police Academy is offering its first part-time Basic Police Academy beginning January 2024. The part-time academy is being offered for individuals who can’t attend the area’s largest police academy full time. An orientation session is required for interested candidates. 

“The demand for police officers continues to be high, but many individuals can’t attend the academy full-time due to job and family commitments,” said David Ceci, OCC’s dean of Public Services and director of Law Enforcement Training. “By offering a part-time academy option, we can train more students to help fill the increased demand for officers in our community and the State of Michigan.” 

He said the average pay for police offices in Michigan is $62,600 according to Salary.com. However, many police departments in Metro Detroit pay much higher. For example, the entry level police officers at the Troy, Mich. Police Department start at $73,025 and after six years can earn $88,000. The Canton Township, Mich. Police Department starts officers at $56,855 and the salary increases to $96,268 after four years. 

New part-time academy is the only one in Michigan 

Ceci said the part-time Police Academy is offered three to four weeknights and every other weekend from Jan. 22 through Sept. 20, 2024. The full-time Police Academy runs five days a week with some weekend classes from Jan. 22 to May 24, 2024. Both academies are held on OCC’s Auburn Hills campus and use the College’s Combined Regional Emergency Services Training (CREST) site, a live police lab setting that is one of the premier training facilities in the nation. 

Students who successfully complete the training and pass the state licensing exam are eligible to be a police officer in the State of Michigan. 

Program candidates are either self-sponsored or employed by a police agency. The cost of the academy for self-sponsored candidates is $6,600 plus the additional costs of uniforms, appropriate sidearm and duty gear. Those who qualify for Michigan Reconnect, veteran benefits or other financial aid can apply those funds to OCC’s police academy program. 

Self-sponsored individuals are also required to pass the State of Michigan’s MCOLES pre-enrollment tests and must have completed a college degree or have enough credits where the additional credits awarded for completing the academy would qualify for a degree. Military police waivers are also available toward degree completion. 

To apply to the Oakland Police Academy candidates must attend an orientation session. The next orientations will be Saturday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. and Thursday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. in the J- Building on the Auburn Hills campus. 

For more information visit OCC Police Academy, email [email protected] or call 248.232.4227. 

About OCC  

Oakland Community College offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling with face-to-face and online options. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training with expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.  

Adults ages 21 to 24 who have not yet earned a college degree are now eligible to apply to Michigan Reconnect, a tuition-free community college scholarship program previously limited to those 25 and older. Please see the attached documents and the information below regarding this temporary expansion.

Students not already enrolled must complete these steps to take advantage of this limited-time scholarship: 

1. Apply for the Michigan Reconnect Scholarship at michigan.gov/Reconnect by Nov. 15, 2024. 
2. Apply to a Michigan community or tribal college. 
3. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 
4. Enroll in your program of study and begin coursework no later than the fall semester 2024. 

Already enrolled students should contact their college’s Financial Aid Office for additional information on applying the Reconnect Scholarship to their tuition bill and filing a FAFSA. 

Learn more about earning a degree or certificate tuition-free through Michigan Reconnect at Michigan.gov/Reconnect. 

Please share with others who may qualify and are interested in expanding their career skills.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From Finance to Foliage: Genisys Credit Union Teams Up for Park & River Cleanups

Auburn Hills, MI. - Oct. 10, 2023 - The team at Genisys Credit Union put on their work gloves and waders and volunteered to clean-up waterways and parks across 12 communities. Aiming to improve the health and natural beauty of their shared community spaces, the team enjoyed giving back; showcasing the credit union difference of being “CU Kind.”

CU Kind is a movement with the Michigan Credit Union League to showcase the credit union difference by giving back to our members, communities, and beyond through harnessing the collective power of kindness to create a positive change.

“By taking care of our community spaces, we are ensuring the safe keeping of our local ecosystems so that future generations can enjoy the shared beauty of nature as we do today,” said Jackie Buchanan, President and CEO of Genisys Credit Union.

Over 145 Genisys employees, family and friends banded together to clean-up trash and debris at various park locations across their communities in Michigan and Minnesota. The credit union extends a thank you to their community partners who helped coordinate the clean up efforts: Clinton River Watershed Council, City of Pontiac, City of Utica, Waterford Township, and Orion Township; City of Clio, Van Buren Township, City of Vassar, City of Fenton, City of Grand Blanc, City of Marysville, and City of Lakeville, MN.

The effort resulted in removing about 500 pounds of debris, trash, and more from the parks and waterways. Highlights include: weeding, clearing branches, and removing overgrown shrubs at the skatepark in Oakland Park in Pontiac; using waders to remove glass from the Clinton River at Heritage Park in Utica; and cleaning up downed tree limbs, weeding, and bagging leaves at Hillside Cemetery in Belleville.

Several of the parks were cleaned in partnership with the Clinton River Watershed Council as part of their “Clinton Clean-Up.” This annual initiative aims to improve the health of the watershed through trash cleanups that promote preservation.

About Genisys Credit Union:

Genisys Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution that has been committed to helping its members financially since 1936. Based out of Auburn Hills, MI, the credit union is the fourth largest in Michigan with over 255,000 members and 33 branch locations. With a highly competitive suite of products such as High Yield Genius Checking and Youth Savings Account as well as loans for small to mid-sized businesses, Genisys specializes in providing consumer and business financial solutions through its branches, a multi-channel contact center, and a variety of mobile and online banking services. Genisys has consistently received the highest 5-star Bauer Financial Rating for safety and soundness along with receiving recognition from S&P Global Market Intelligence as a nationwide Top 10 Performing Credit Union. They are also proud to be committed to their communities by annually volunteering over 4,400 hours and partnering on over 1,000 community events. Connect with Genisys on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok by following @genisyscu. For more information visit www.genisyscu.org

Registered Apprenticeships

Learn about the Resources Available to Support your Registered Apprenticeship Program

November 15, 2023 from 10-11am (In-Person)

Highlights:

• Overview of the Registered Apprenticeship Model
• Introduction and rollout of the new, grant funded, RAPTOR apprenticeship tracking system
• Overview of the grant funding available to support apprentices and their training

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/employer-workshop-series-national-apprenticeship-week-is-here-registration-692682862087?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join your fellow community planners for an in-person holiday gathering. While there are no elevators in the Sylvan Lake Community Center, you can give us your 60-second elevator pitch on recent great things happening in your community. We look forward to hearing from all of you!



Click Here for Print-Ready Flyer

SPEAKERS: YOU!

AGENDA

11:00 a.m. – Welcome 

11:15 a.m. – Lunch

Noon – Community Updates / Discussion

1:00 p.m. – Adjourn

Questions? Contact: Jim Schafer, Oakland County

[email protected] | (248) 858-2033