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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
March 2016


Welcome to the March 2016 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!
Birmingham Announces New Communications Tools

The City of Birmingham is pleased to announce a new public notices webpage and information sharing tools to better connect residents and businesses. To ensure community members have the latest information and updates from the City, these new communications tools were created to offer even more ways to stay informed on City business and issues. You can sign up to receive updates from the City on a new Public Notices Webpage, or on all aspects of the City on the new Webpage E-notify page. And, the City has enhanced its messaging system called Constant Contact, which sends customized messages and information about events and opportunities in the City. For more information, visit  www.bhamgov.org/stayintouch .
Important Information about the March 8 Election

The City Election will be held on Tuesday, March 8th.  The polls will be open from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
 
Absentee ballots are available at the City Clerk's Office until 4:00 PM on Monday, March 7th and must be returned to the City Clerk's Office by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 8th.  In addition, the City Clerk's Office will be open on Saturday, March 5th from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM to accept and issue absentee ballots.
 
View a sample ballot - www.bhamgov.org/sampleballot 
Confirm your voting location - www.michigan.gov/vote 
Obtain election results - www.bhamgov.org/electionresults

For more information, contact the Clerk's office at 248-530-1880.

Citizens Academy Program Coming Soon

The City of Birmingham will soon introduce its first ever Citizens Academy Program to help residents better understand the responsibilities and day-to-day operations of various departments within the City. Participants who complete the program will be formally recognized by the City. Keep an eye on www.bhamgov.org/citizensacademy  for program details coming soon!
Stores OPEN + Free Valet for Customers during Hamilton Avenue Construction
 
Hamilton Avenue between Old Woodward and Woodward will undergo major road repair from late-March through early July. Hamilton will receive a new sewer and water main, new concrete street, new sidewalks and streetlights.
 
Businesses on and around Hamilton Avenue will be OPEN during construction and appreciate your continued support. While Hamilton Avenue (plus sections of North Old Woodward and Park Street) undergo construction, the Birmingham Shopping District will offer FREE two hour valet to customers!*
 
Here's what you need to know about the service:
 
FREE Valet for Customers:
  • When: Begins March 17th. Available Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. throughout the project (ending approx. July 1st)
  • WHERE: Corner of Old Woodward and Hamilton at Comerica Bank
  • HOW: Simply pull up and drop off your car. Tell the valet how long you plan to stay and you will receive a card with a phone number. When you are ready to leave, call or text valet at least 15 minutes ahead and your car will be ready.
* If you plan to be longer than two hours, ask someone where you are doing business to validate your ticket. For those who are not shopping or conducting business in the area, enjoy the first two hours free then $5 per hour for each additional hour with a $30 per day maximum.

Enjoy and thank you for supporting the Hamilton Avenue area businesses!
Register Now for Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade


ATTENTION PARADE PARTICIPANTS & SPONSORS!

The annual Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade will be held on Sunday, May 15th at 1:00 PM.   Register your group today!
 
The theme this year is "The Great Outdoors". Celebrate how your organization loves to spend  time outdoors by participating in the theme - from biking, to camping, to boating, to sports, etc!  
 
Parade participants and sponsors can register their groups at www.bhamgov.org/parade or call 248-530-1880.
Receive Early Sign-Up Bonus for 2016 Golf Memberships


Spring is coming! 
Take advantage of an e arly Sign-Up Bonus f or 2016 Golf Memberships!
 
Visit us at Lincoln Hills (2666 West 14 Mile Road)
March 14th - 18th (Monday through Friday)
March 21st - 25th  (Monday through Friday)
10 AM - 6 PM -  Receive " Your First Round on Us"

This Complimentary Round Must Be Used by May 15, 2016. For more information, call 248-530-1670.

Two Months & Counting: Birmingham Farmers Market



Save the Date! Opening Day at the Birmingham Farmers Market is Sunday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 14th season will kick off offering beautiful spring floral arrangements, delicious prepared foods, live entertainment and children's craft activities. The lively market will be open Sundays, May 1 through October 23, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Parking Lot #6 (located at N. Old Woodward and Harmon). For more information about the 2016 Birmingham Farmers Market season, visit www.birminghamfarmersmarket.org.
Heads Up: Special Siren Test Wed., April 13


In an effort to promote severe weather safety preparedness, the County will conduct a special test of the Outdoor Warning System on Wednesday, April 13 at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of this test is to raise the awareness level of our citizens and offer schools and businesses an opportunity to test their internal disaster plans during normal business hours. View future siren testing dates online here.
Birmingham Welcomes New Businesses

Stop by soon and support the following new business that recently opened in Birmingham:

Bianchi's Salon, 270 North Old Woodward. Bianchi's Salon & Spa offers a welcoming atmosphere while delivering hair and spa services. Their goal is to make your experience unique and build a life-long relationship. Learn more at http://www.bianchis.com/ or call 248.220.4069.
Boomers to Gain Ideas, Opportunities and Inspiration at Boomer Summit

The City of Birmingham, in partnership with the Birmingham Shopping District, Next and the Baldwin Public Library, is a proud partner of the upcoming Boomer Summit on Saturday, April 30th from 7:30 a.m. - noon. The community based program will be held in the auditorium of Birmingham Groves High School, located at  20500 West Thirteen Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025. The high-energy program will feature speakers, music and giveaways, and offer Boomers with ideas, opportunities and inspiration. Learn more by downloading the  event flier  and register online today on Next's website .
Tired of Unsolicited Newspapers? Here's Help!

Are you getting unsolicited newspaper advertising delivered to your home, street or driveway?  If you are tired of picking up the advertising littering the neighborhoods, the City has investigated ways to notify the papers to stop delivery if this is something you don't want to receive.   The Free Press/News has a Consumer Solutions Center in Sterling Heights. You can reach the center at 586-826-7000, 800-395-3300, or by emailing  [email protected] , or via Twitter at  @freep . The center will take calls on Sundays from 7 a.m. until noon; Monday-Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; and Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays.

If contacting the Consumer Solutions Center does not give you the results you want, contact the person in charge of Sunday Select:

Bill Brisse,  Regional Sales Manager
Office:  586-826-7071
Cell:  313-449-1740
Planning a Warm Vacation? Apply for Your Passport Today!

usa-passport.jpg Start your summer vacation now by applying for your passport today!
 
Passports are required for U.S. Citizens traveling outside of the United States.  Currently the processing time to obtain a passport is six weeks (expedite service is available for an additional fee).  Passport applications are processed at the City Clerk's Office by appointment - Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM and Fridays from 8:30 AM - Noon.  Residents and non-residents are welcome! 
 
Contact the City Clerk's Office to schedule your appointment today - 248.530.1880
 
For additional information log on to www.bhamgov.org/passports or contact the National Passport Information Center at (877) 487-2778 or www.travel.state.gov.
March News from the Baldwin Library    
 
Dog Safety and Training
Saturday, March 5 at 10:30 a.m.
Join dog trainer Karen West as she gives advice on using positive reinforcement techniques for training dogs, shares tips for dog safety, and demonstrates how to read a dog's body language.
 
Tea from China, with Barb's Tea Service
Sunday, March 13 at 2:00 p.m.
In celebration of this year's "Everyone's Reading" title, Shanghai Girls by Lisa See, enjoy a presentation on the origins of tea and the Chinese tea ceremony and taste several Chinese teas.
 
Detroit in WWII, with Dr. Greg Sumner
Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Learn about the years when Detroit became the Arsenal of Democracy as Dr. Sumner shares information from his new book and discusses his writing process.
 
The Baldwin Public Library is located at 300 W. Merrill Street in Birmingham. For more information visit www.baldwinlib.org  or call (248) 647-1700.
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,