banner
In This Issue

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


Welcome to the December 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, December Edition
Inside City Hall, December Edition

Holiday Lights, Santa Haus, Carriage Rides and Winter Markt signal beginning of holiday festivities in downtown Birmingham


Be sure to enjoy these treasured holiday traditions in downtown Birmingham as the countdown to Christmas and the ushering in of the New Year is underway!  

The Birmingham Winter Markt offers illuminated booths featuring traditional holiday crafts and decorations, art from local artisans, holiday greens, home décor and live entertainment. Join us for the Tree Lighting ceremony with Santa and the Mayor on Friday, December 1 at 6 p.m. Information: 248-530-1200, BirminghamWinterMarkt.orgFeaturing carriage rides, Santa Haus and Birmingham Tree Lighting  December 1-3 / Shain Park 

Throughout the Birmingham Winter Markt event and the entire holiday season, children are invited to visit the Santa Haus under the pavilion in Shain Park. The community will also enjoy complimentary carriage rides offered throughout downtown Birmingham during the holiday season. View the complete schedule for the Santa Haus and carriage rides at www.ALLINBirmingham.com/calendar.
Enjoy Free Holiday Valet Parking
 

Again this year the Birmingham Shopping District has arranged for two hours of free valet parking through December 24th. Enjoy two hours FREE, then $5 for each additional hour. The service is offered at two locations: Old Woodward at Hamilton, and Maple at Henrietta (next to Roots). The service is offered Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Enjoy!  
Learn to Skate at the Birmingham Ice Arena
 
Bham Ice Arena  
Get some exercise this winter at the Birmingham Ice Arena! Ice skating is fun for all ages and will keep you active throughout the cold months. Classes are offered for ages 3 and up - adults too! Session III of the Learn to Skate USA Program begin the week of January 8th. Keep an eye on www.bhamgov.org/icearena for the complete class schedule coming soon.
DPS Ready to Combat Old Man Winter
 
 
Temperatures are getting colder and the holiday season is here! That means Birmingham's Department of Public Services (DPS) is ready for the arrival of winter! The City's salt dome has approximately 3, 250 tons of salt. An impressive fleet of equipment includes six plow/salt trucks for the roads, plus small pickup trucks equipped to plow and salt parking structures, dead ends and other tight areas.
 
"We are proud of our anti-icing and pre-wetting salt methods using brine. We have been using this for several years with great success," said Lauren Wood, Birmingham's Director of Public Services. "Our goal is to use the least amount of salt with maximum effect for safe winter travel." 
Final Days for Leaf Collection 

All residents may continue to bag leaves and place them in approved containers curbside by 7 A.M. on your trash day now through the week of December 11th. If your street has curbs, check the map below to determine when leaves will be collected from your street. You are guaranteed one collection from the street during your designated weeks. Curbed street leaf collection will end in zone 1 and 2 during the week of December 4-8. We recommend raking your leaves into the street the weekend prior to your designated week.  For more information, visit  www.bhamgov.org/leaves. 

NEW YEAR - NEW LOGO
Residents' opinions sought for new City logo in January 2018

A city-wide survey will be conducted starting January 1, 2018 to get feedback on a new Birmingham City logo. There will be six selections to choose from, and we want your input as we go forward with this process. 

There will be a direct link to an electronic survey sent out across all media outlets. And, if you would rather not take an electronic survey, written surveys will be available at City Hall, the Baldwin Library, NEXT, and the Birmingham Museum.

For any questions about the logo or the survey process, contact Joellen Haines, assistant to the city manager, at jhaines@bhamgov.org or call 248-530-1807.
December News from the Birmingham Museum


You only have a few weeks to see "Birmingham's Image Maker Victor Pytko: Art, Science and Light" before the exhibit closes on December 31, 2017. Don't miss your chance to see Birmingham native Victor Pytko's unique vision!  Adults and children alike may feel inspired to make holiday crafts or do some coloring. In the 1928 Allen House, visitors will also enjoy a display of selected antique toys, sample hot chocolate and have fun with hands-on activities.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be involved in putting together a museum exhibit? Wonder no more because you have an opportunity to contribute to the Birmingham Museum's 2018 exhibit "The People of Birmingham: Celebrating 200 Years of Stories". Visit our website to find out more.

The museum is open Tuesday 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.
Kids are Free on Saturdays (with adult) in December
at the Birmingham Museum - See special holiday train display

The Hunter House at the Birmingham Museum will be the scene for 
a special holiday treat this year. The museum's popular holiday train  display of years past will be revisited this December--only this time  inside the historic 1822 Hunter House.  The small frame house was built of local timber by Birmingham founder  John West Hunter in the early days of the settlement that became Birmingham.  It is has been at the site of the Birmingham Museum since 1969 and is furnished  with period antiques. The nearly 200-year old house will be decorated in  traditional style, while a running model train display will add atmosphere.  

Kids 18 and under are FREE on SATURDAYS during December-but must be accompanied by an adult. Otherwise, regular admission applies: Adults, $7.00; Seniors and students $5.00; kids five and under and members are always free. The museum's regular hours are Tuesday-Saturday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. and is open until 8:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. The Birmingham Museum is located at 556 W. Maple Rd. Parking is available in the Chester St. structure on the south side of Maple. See the flyer below, and please visit us on the web at www.bhamgov.org/museum or www.facebook.com/TheBirminghamMuseum .


December News from the Baldwin Library    
 
Stop by the Baldwin Public Library to see what's new! There are programs for everyone: Winter Youth Programs, Winter Teen Programs, Winter Adult Programs, BPL Computer Classes, Book Clubs, Story Times, Pizza and Pages, After Hour Laser Tag, Discussion Groups, and so much more! Mark your calendar for these and more upcoming events:

Idea Lab: Drop-in to Create an Ornament or Pop-up Greeting Card
Saturday, December 2 OR 16, 2017, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Drop-in any time between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to select a card or ornament design to make. Then watch as our laser cutter creates your design.
 
McDermott & Rich Jazz Duo
December 3, 2017, 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Registration required.
Hear a mix of jazz and seasonal favorites performed by guitarist Rodney Rich and flutist/vocalist Kelly McDermott.
 
Financial Outlook 2018, with Rick Bloom
Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 7:00pm - 8:00pm. Registration required.
Professional asset manager Rick Bloom will provide insight on what he thinks will happen with the stock market and economy for 2018.
   
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,