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151 Martin, P.O. Box 3001
Birmingham, MI 48012
Ph. 248.530.1800
Fax 248.530.1080
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AROUND TOWN
November 2018
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Welcome to the November 2018 edition of the Around Town e-Newsletter from the City of Birmingham. We hope you enjoy this e-newsletter and forward it to friends or family who may be interested in the City of Birmingham!
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Inside City Hall with Birmingham City Manager, Joe Valentine
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Inside City Hall November 2018
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 Election 2018 - Know Before You Go
Voters who are familiar with the ballot before entering the voting booth on November 6, 2018 will help alleviate lengthy wait times at the polls. In addition to expected record-breaking turnout, the ballot is long. Know before you go about the 22 offices, 103 candidates and three statewide proposals on the ballot. Here's how:
- View your sample ballot at www.bhamgov.org/voting. Because of the large 8.5" x 20" size of the ballot, printing them as an 8.5" x 11" document will reduce the readability of the sample ballot significantly.
- Request a full size paper copy of your sample ballot. They are available at the City Clerk's Office, 151 Martin St., 248-530-1880.
- Download a free QR code reader to your smart phone and read the ballot on your phone. QR Codes are posted at City Hall and at the Baldwin Public Library, and will be posted at the precincts on election day.
Absentee Voting
It's not too late to request an Absent Voter Ballot. Download the application at
www.bhamgov.org/voting.
Complete the form, sign it, and email it to [email protected]. A ballot will be mailed to you typically within 24 hours. Or drop your application off in person at the City Clerk's Office, 151 Martin St. and receive your ballot while you wait.
The City Clerk's office will be open Saturday, November 3, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., to issue absentee ballots.
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Turkey Shoot Golf Classic to Benefit Those in Need
The City of Birmingham encourages golfers to take advantage of an opportunity to hit the links while helping those in need. The sixth annual Turkey Shoot Golf Classic will be held on Saturday, November 10 at Springdale Golf Course, located at 316 Strathmore. Donations collected during the event will be donated to Lighthouse of Oakland County.
The event will kick off with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. and includes 18 holes of golf (walking) and an awards dinner. Two-person teams will enjoy three different formats: scramble, alternate shot and best ball of two. The event is $30 per player, however those who bring a frozen turkey for Lighthouse of Oakland County will receive $10 off the entry fee. Those who bring non-perishable food items will receive $5 off the entry fee.
Golfers are encouraged to register their teams by calling (248) 530-1660. Birmingham's Lincoln Hills Golf Course has closed for the season. Springdale Golf Course remains open, weather permitting. Discounted fall golf rates are in effect and the course is open to everyone; no membership pass required.
Due to changing weather and the upcoming time change, please call Springdale Golf Course at (248) 530-1670 prior to your visit. For more information, visit www.golfbirmingham.org.
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Mark Your Calendar for Holiday Festivities in Birmingham
It's hard to believe the holiday season is almost here! Mark your calendar for these beloved community traditions:
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY & BIRMINGHAM SANTA WALK
November 24 / Downtown Birmingham
Shop in Birmingham and support the local economy! Enjoy extra perks for shoppers (earn Birmingham Bonus Bucks!) and find unique gifts for everyone on your list. Children of all ages (and their parents!) are invited to join us for our inaugural Birmingham Santa Walk on Saturday, November 24th at 9:30 a.m. Walkers will meet in the parking lot behind The Surnow Company at 320 Martin Street (southwest corner of Maple & Bates). Kicking off the Small Business Saturday shopping extravaganza, this event will welcome Santa to town during a celebration complete with ringing sleigh bells, stops at various stores with giveaways, and concluding at Santa's quaint home in Shain Park. Children who participate in the Santa Walk will be among the first to visit Santa at the Santa House! Information: www.ALLINBirmingham.com/SBS2018
BIRMINGHAM WINTER MARKT
Featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa House and Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 30 - Dec. 2 / Shain Park
Enjoy European food and drinks, gift items, holiday greens, ice sculptures, live reindeer, warming stations, Santa House, horse-drawn carriage rides and live entertainment in Shain Park.
SANTA HOUSE & CARRIAGE RIDES
On weekends throughout the holiday season, children are invited to visit the Santa House under the pavilion in Shain Park. Enjoy complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides throughout downtown
Birmingham. View the complete schedule for the Santa House and carriage rides at www.ALLINBirmingham.com/calendar.
Two Hours of FREE Valet Parking
Enjoy two hours of FREE valet parking at two convenient locations this holiday season! From Saturday, November 24th through Monday, December 24th, shoppers and visitors will enjoy two hours of FREE valet parking at these locations: Hamilton near Ferndale, and South Old Woodward near Merrill. The service is offered Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Enjoy!
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Light Up the Town with Santa on November 30th
Submit Your Entry for the Birmingham Santa Contest!
The Birmingham Shopping District encourages families to submit their entry for the 2018 Birmingham Santa Contest. The treasured tradition gives local families an opportunity to help Santa light up Birmingham's beautiful tree on Friday, November 30 during the Birmingham Tree Lighting event in Shain Park at 6 p.m. The event takes place on opening day of the Birmingham Winter Markt, scheduled for November 30 through December 2 in Shain Park.
The winning family will enjoy hot cocoa and cookies with Santa at The Community House, followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride to the Birmingham Tree Lighting event. Once there, the family will help Santa, Birmingham's Mayor and other dignitaries with the official tree lighting ceremony. Topping off the evening, the family will be presented with a special gift.
Families may submit their entry online at www.ALLINBirmingham.com/SantaContest2018. All entries must be submitted by Wednesday, November 21. For more information, call (248) 530-1200. Good luck!
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Take Advantage of Internet Purchase Exchange Location
 With the holiday season upon us, the Birmingham Police Department reminds residents to use the Internet Purchase Exchange Location for buyers and sellers utilizing websites like Craigslist. The internet exchange location is in the parking lot on the south side of City Hall at 151 Martin Street.
Residents are encouraged to make
exchanges during daytime hours, however the lot is well-lit if meeting after dark is necessary. The lot is under video surveillance at all times. While this area may not work for every online sales transaction because of the size of the item(s) being
exchanged, it is open to the general public and encouraged for use when possible.
The purpose of the
Internet Purchase
Exchange Location is to cut down on potential fraud and robberies that can be associated with these types of transactions. The area is intended for completing
exchanges; police personnel will not participate or act as official witnesses in the transactions nor are they available for legal advice or pricing disputes between parties involved in transactions occurring at this location.
For more information, contact the Birmingham Police Department at 248-530-1870.
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November News from the Birmingham Museum
 Exciting news! Museum Director Leslie Pielack's book will be available to purchase in the museum's gift shop starting this month!
The Saginaw Trail: From Native American Footpath to Woodward Ave traces the history of the Saginaw trail in Oakland County from ancient times until today. You can pick up your copy for $24 and proceeds will benefit the museum.
Also we are winding down our current exhibit, which will close at the beginning of January. If you haven't seen our award-winning exhibit "The People of Birmingham: Celebrating 200 Years of Stories" yet, do not wait any longer!
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is 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 five and under are free. Please visit us on the web at:
www.bhamgov.org/museum
or
www.facebook.com/TheBirminghamMuseum
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Curbside Leaf Collection Continues
For streets with curbs only, please note the city is divided into two zones. Determine when leaves will be picked up within your zone using the curbside leaf collection map shown below
. Simply rake your leaves into the street for pickup the weekend prior to your street's designated week. Residents living on uncurbed streets may place leaves in approved containers curbside by 7 a.m. on your trash day now through the week of December 10th. For more information, visit
www.bhamgov.org/leaves.
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Introducing Bike Repair Stations
 The City recently installed four bicycle maintenance stations. These station are an important step in encouraging and accommodating bikes as a transportation mode. Each station has a Fixit repair station, an Air Kit 2 air pump, and a sign. The Fixit has eight tools that cyclists commonly use for basic repairs and maintenance. Each Fixit and sign has a QR code that takes smart phone users to a bike repair website or to a map of nearby Fixits. The Air Kit 2 accommodates both Presta and Schrader valve stems.
The stations are located in four City parks: Booth (near the North Old Woodward and Harmon intersection), Quarton Lake (at the Maple Road head of the Quarton Lake Trail), Shain (at the intersection of Bates and Merrill near the Library and the Community House), and Kenning (by the tennis courts).
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South Old Woodward Bus Shelters
 In late September, two bus shelters were installed at the intersection of South Old Woodward and Merrill. These sleek tempered glass and aluminum bus shelters certainly add an element of life at the corner, but also serve a much more important function in Birmingham's dense urban downtown. With the onset of multi-modal and mass transit-centric planning strategies has come large investments in infrastructure to serve the needs of transit users. Especially important in this unpredictable Michigan climate are the use of shelters to protect transit users from harsh elements such as rain and snow. The shelters allow visibility and easy access to the bus and are comfortable and convenient. Having quality transit infrastructure in a downtown setting promotes ridership, taking vehicles off the road, reducing congestion, and protecting the unique walkability that downtown Birmingham is known for.
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November News from the Baldwin Library
 Friends of the Library Semi-Annual Book Sale
Friday, Nov. 2 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Members Preview Night
Saturday, Nov. 3 - 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 4 - 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Half Price Day
Monday, Nov. 5 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Bag Day - Buy a bag for $5.00 and stuff it to the brim with books
Turkey Visit from Bowers School Farm
Saturday, November 10, at 10:30 a.m. Registration required
Meet a real live turkey and learn about some smaller feathered friends right here at the Library!
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.
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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,
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